A few weeks ago, Baby Girl and I were in Tysons doing “lady day” with her cousins and we passed the Disney Store. She was poised and ready to beg for some time in the store when she saw the blank space that was one of her favorite mall stops. “What! Happened!” she shrieked quietly – I think disbelief, shock, and horror kept it from being much louder than a really animated squeak. I told her that the sign said they were working on it, and not to worry.
Today, I got to get a sneak peek at the store with some other area bloggers. It was definitely a big change. The District Store Manager, Jenifer Maund, said that the stores are now more like little theme parks.
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The first thing I noticed were the images flashing on the “trees” that lined the blue glitter walkway that leads you through the store. There are little mini-movies that play, and as Ms. Maund explained, the images are interactive, so there are moments where the Disney villains are up on the screen, and the kids in the store have to clap and cheer to make the heroes come out.
I think my favorite feature, mainly because I can imagine the sheer delight that will be on my daughter’s face when she sees it, is the princess castle. You wave either a wand or crown from one of the princesses in front of the mirror in the castle, and a short video plays about that princess… on the mirror!
All along the walls of the store, there are scenes from the area. You can see the monuments, the key bridge and more with Disney characters all around them.
There is so much to see in the new store, so watch my sneak peek videos on Youtube, go out to Tysons on the 21st.
Grand Re-Opening Celebration
Disney Store will celebrate the grand opening of the newly designed store at Tysons Corner Center, in McLean, Virginia on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Tysons Corner Center is the first newly designed Disney Store in Virginia, offering interactive and magical experiences for Disney fans of all ages. Guests will have an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Macy’s Court from 12 pm to 4pm. Disney Store’s new design concept aims to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day” through storytelling neighborhoods featuring a Disney Princess with magic mirror, translucent trees, and the Disney Store Theatre featuring the latest Disney entertainment. With each new store opening in 2012, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of grand opening day’s sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the United States.
10:00 a.m. – Disney Store Opening Ceremony and two local Make-A-Wish children “Unlock Imagination”. Free gift to the first 500 guests.
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Meet and Greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Macy’s Court. (Characters alternate every 30 minutes. Character appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.)
See you there!
Disclosure: I was given an exclusive preview of the store, and promotional materials by the Disney Store. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
