On July 25, 2018, the Magic of Disney store near the Gates 1-59 security area at Orlando International Airport closed as the space was to be redesigned for the airport’s West checkpoint expansion. Since then, Disney’s Earport near the Hyatt atrium has been the only Disney retailer at the airport. Well today, just six months later, the new Magic of Disney store has made its long-awaited return to the main terminal.
The store now features a very cleaned-up look similar to World of Disney in Disney Springs. While we appreciate how nice and bright it is, it always feels like something’s missing in these newly revamped stores.
Mannequins and screens are the new name of the game now.
On a more positive note, this tile compass featuring Mickey is amazing. It features inlaid text that says “Discover the Magic” and “Walt Disney World.”
Entire walls of Disney plush, toys, and other merchandise surround small islands of assorted merch sprinkled throughout the space. Walls evoke Mary Blair “it’s a small world” art.
Hi-res screens in the background highlight some Walt Disney World must-dos, like Kilimanjaro Safaris, in this case.
The big blue Mickey behind the registers shows icons from all four parks: Cinderella Castle, the Hollywood Tower Hotel, the Tree of Life, and Spaceship Earth. The compass motif shows up again as one of Mickey’s ears.
Screens also plug Toy Story Land.
Even if you don’t walk into the store, travelers passing by can still catch a glimpse of Disney Parks. There are a total of 9 different videos on rotation for these displays.
I mean, we could use another photo wall…
Do note that the store has moved across from its original location as we mentioned earlier, due to the airport’s West checkpoint expansion. Here’s a full walking tour of the new store:
For reference, here’s what the store looked like before its remodeling.
And if you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, here’s a video walkthrough of the old Magic of Disney store:
What do you think of the Magic of Disney’s new look? Do you miss the old, over-the-top store layouts, or do you appreciate the cleaner look? Let us know in the comments!
I just want to heartily appreciate Jessica for showing the before and after on this article. Too often in these types of articles we neglect to show what it looked like before the change which causes people to complain they liked the previous whatever better. Please add before pics like this on all articles. Thank you, Jessica.
It has the aesthetics of an Apple Store. I prefer the more playful look of the old store, but the colors were dark and looks like they wanted to clean it up. The new look is modern and devoid of the old Disney’s imagination feel and sense. It seems that they are trying to market their resorts rather sell merchandise which makes sense for people traveling and families leaving Disney, to start thinking to plan their next trip.
Wow! The old store was much interesting. The new one has all of the personality and charm of almost anything you would see in a nice outlet mall.
It definitely is brighter and wider and blends in with the rest of the terminal. I don’t feel either way about it which is a problem. The merchandise is the star, I’m sure is their goal but, yet another lazy approach at guest experience.
The old store definitely had a Disney personality. Gonna miss the big sorcerer Mickey as I always took a picture of it and said we have arrived!