A few weeks ago, Baby Girl and I were in Tysons doing “lady day” with her cousins and we passed the Disney Store. \u00a0She 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. \u00a0“What! Happened!” she shrieked quietly – I think disbelief, shock, and horror kept it from being much louder than a really animated squeak. \u00a0I told her that the sign said they were working on it, and not to worry.<\/p>\n
Today, I got to get a sneak peek at the store with some other area bloggers.<\/strong> It was definitely a big change. \u00a0The District Store Manager, Jenifer Maund, said that the stores are now more like little theme parks.<\/p>\n {gallery}disney_store_opening{\/gallery}<\/p>\n The first thing I noticed were the images flashing on the “trees” that lined the blue glitter walkway that leads you through the store. \u00a0There 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.<\/p>\n 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. <\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n