World of Disney Store Re-Imagined at Walt Disney World & Disneyland: Updated 3/5/18

3/5/18

The first portion of the partitioned refurbishment at the World of Disney store in Disney Springs appears to be coming to a conclusion. The store is holding a invite-only, Passholder Preview of the first section on Saturday March 10th. A public reveal is expected to follow shortly after.

1/10/18

Disney has announced details on the World of Disney renovations:

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Originally Posted by Disney Parks & Resorts

... as part of continued enhancements to guests’ shopping experiences at Disney Parks, the World of Disney store locations in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort will be reimagined beginning in mid-February 2018.

When the interior redesign work is completed, guests will discover the products they love from Disney Parks in a dynamic and distinctly Disney retail environment.

Work will be completed in phases throughout 2018, so Guests can continue shopping in the World of Disney stores during construction.

Shops in Town Center at Disney Springs, such as Ever After Jewelry Co. or The Disney Corner (opening in mid-February), will carry select merchandise while World of Disney undergoes renovations.

At Downtown Disney District in California, World of Disney will remain open during the renovation. Additionally, Guests can find great shopping in the recently opened Dream Boutique, as well as the Disney Home store opening February 2018 in the former D-Street location.

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It appears that the Disney Corner will be the temporary location reported in Tidbits December 2017:

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A Whole New World

12/26/17 Area Cast have reported that the World of Disney is slated for a major renovation in 2018. Although dates have yet to be reported, it has been reported that a temporary retail site is being prepared in the Town Center to minimize impact to Guests.

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I'm kinda excited about this. I was pretty bored at the World of Disney in Disneyland last trip.

Thank goodness! WoD is a hot mess! Hopefully they do some fun stuff, and make it a more shoppable experience.

I'm not sure they can fix that place. The problem is the crowd pushing and shoving and grabbing and pulling ..... then the lines are forever and a day long. I've spent less time in stand-by for the Flight of Passage than I do trying to buy a t-shirt at WoD .... kidding .... a little ... I hope they do make it a bit more fun to shop in ....

**Update**

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Originally Posted by ibelieveindisneymagic

Thank goodness! WoD is a hot mess! Hopefully they do some fun stuff, and make it a more shoppable experience.

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Hopefully "was" a hot mess! We felt the same last time we were there.

Shopping at WoD used to be a "must do" for us on every trip, but the last couple times I've been there I've felt more like I was at Walmart than WoD. It was very cluttered, crowded, the merch was super generic, and the lines were really long. We left without buying anything.

Hope this refurb does the trick!

The trick is to arrive early. The last few times we've gone to Disney Springs we have arrived around 9:30 AM., it is so peaceful at that time in the morning, but starts getting crowded around noon.

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Originally Posted by Ian

Shopping at WoD used to be a "must do" for us on every trip, but the last couple times I've been there I've felt more like I was at Walmart than WoD. It was very cluttered, crowded, the merch was super generic, and the lines were really long. We left without buying anything.

Hope this refurb does the trick!

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It may help with the clutter and crowding, but Disney really needs to do something about their super generic merchandise. I haven't really wanted to buy anything for a while now.

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Originally Posted by Ian

Shopping at WoD used to be a "must do" for us on every trip, but the last couple times I've been there I've felt more like I was at Walmart than WoD. It was very cluttered, crowded, the merch was super generic, and the lines were really long. We left without buying anything.

Hope this refurb does the trick!

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Originally Posted by Cinderelley

It may help with the clutter and crowding, but Disney really needs to do something about their super generic merchandise. I haven't really wanted to buy anything for a while now.

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Generic is cheap and highly profitable. I truly miss the resort and/or park specific items and unusual pieces, but when the only thing that matters is the 'bottom line,' they are just not going to come back.

You used to be able to find button-down shirts -- either Hawaiian style or not -- with Disney park logos, characters, etc. but they are nowhere to be found anymore. IF perchance, you would stumble on one (as I did in one shop in Disney Springs on my last trip) the price will be astronomical and they won't have your size!!! $160 for a simple patterned button-down shirt? I don't think so!!!!

Yeah it really makes me sad when I wander the stores with my kids and just see racks and racks of cheap, plastic, Made-In-China garbage. When I was little you could get REALLY cool and unique stuff in Disney World. I remember wanting this gold doubloon coin from Pirates of the Caribbean so badly and when my parents got it for me I seriously felt like I was bringing a piece of the ride home with me. I wasn't ... but it felt that way lol

Now the best you can get is some lousy plastic fake pirate ship and a plastic eye patch that's going to tear apart about ten seconds after you get it home.

Quite sad.

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Originally Posted by PopPhan

Generic is cheap and highly profitable. I truly miss the resort and/or park specific items and unusual pieces, but when the only thing that matters is the 'bottom line,' they are just not going to come back.

You used to be able to find button-down shirts -- either Hawaiian style or not -- with Disney park logos, characters, etc. but they are nowhere to be found anymore. IF perchance, you would stumble on one (as I did in one shop in Disney Springs on my last trip) the price will be astronomical and they won't have your size!!! $160 for a simple patterned button-down shirt? I don't think so!!!!

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Yeah, i like the ride or park specific items. They usually have those more at the park, and less at WOD, etc. A pain.

I miss the little mickey shaped animal print hair clips you used to be able to get at animal kingdom.