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The Marketplace is a fabulous place for families to spend the evening (or afternoon for that matter) strolling along the walkways and enjoying the surrounding scenery, which includes a large lagoon beyond which lies the skyscape of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The backdrop of some of the larger West Side buildings and the treelined Hotel Plaza Boulevard also add to the visual experience. Lining the walkways is an array of unique shops, many of which are filled with some of the more interesting toys and merchandise found in all of Disney. Many of the restaurants - and the entire environment and atmosphere of the Marketplace - are family-appropriate no matter what the age of your kids.
Shopping in the Marketplace:
Phone: 407-828-3058. Shops are generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
You can’t mention shopping without thinking of Downtown Disney. Throughout Disney’s Marketplace against the beautiful backdrop of the waterfront, and on down through Disney’s West Side, are some of the most unique and eccentric shops around. If you have younger kids, be sure not to pass by without stopping into the newly remodeled Lego Imagination Center, which is chock full of every Lego toy imaginable, including blocks and building kits as well as toys for dressing up and imaginary role play. Once Upon a Toy is filled with toys and games that your kids will love and you will most likely remember, many offered in both the original as well as the updated Disney versions.
Among the array of classic games and toys found throughout the store, many of course with a Disney twist, are a few more old favorites, but here it’s how they’re sold that is so unique. Lincoln Logs and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head dolls are sold in special boxes of various sizes, each priced by the size of the box. The boxes are available to fill with as many pieces as you can fit--the trick is that you must be able to close the lid. No matter how many pieces you fit, the price is set by the size if the box (this is where being organized may very well pay off). What’s especially neat is that you can choose from a vast array of pieces but pick only the ones you like most - so long as they all fit. Several stores throughout WDW now feature a handful of these special stations, though the selection here is among the best.
It’s of course difficult to walk by without noticing the World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney Store, and the cornerstone of the Marketplace.
There are several rooms all filled with everything Disney from toys to clothing, art supplies to jewelry, and almost everything in between. The most recent addition to the World of Disney is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Adventure Room where youngsters can pretend to be Pirates and Princesses in a way that only Disney could have dreamt up.
At the Boutique little girls ages 3 and up can be magically turned into little princesses by the Fairy Godmothers in-Training. The Princess room is filled with audio-animatronic princesses, singing and entertaining the kids as they play at the various interactive stations creating their own wands and tiaras or filling their own jewelry boxes - with plenty of princess paraphernalia available to purchase. Over at the Adventure Room, swashbucklers of every sort can play pirate, filling their chests with treasure or creating the perfect pirate hat. Video games and animatronic pirates keep the kids entertained as well.
If its home furnishings you’re looking for, you will have to venture over to the Mickey’s Pantry, Disney’s version of a home store, where you will find everything you could ever need or want for your house, and much of it of course, features the Mouse. There are many other wonderful little (and some not so little) shops to entice you as well, including the rather impressive Art of Disney store, where you can purchase prints, cells, and even original artwork.
Downtown Disney’s fun and lively atmosphere makes it a rather enjoyable place to take a leisurely afternoon or evening stroll. With unique shops, amazing restaurants, artisans, and vendors all lining the walkways, the Marketplace is always bustling with activity. The kids will enjoy building and playing in the large covered outside play area in front of the recently recreated Lego store or getting their hair wrapped or their arms temporarily tattooed at one of the various carts.
And just so you know, the evenings are exponentially busier as the restaurants of the Marketplace draw the dinner crowds and those in search of an evening out with the family after the parks have closed for the day. The unique clubs, hip shops, and themed restaurants of Disney’s Pleasure Island and Westside begin to fill in the early evening as well, usually around 7:00 p.m. or so, however they draw an adult crowd, catering more to those wishing to party the night away. While the crowds at Pleasure Island and the Westside won’t have much of an affect on those wishing to enjoy the family oriented ambience of the Marketplace (as each distinctive area is carefully and cleverly separated from the other), they will have an affect on parking - greatly increasing the degree of difficulty you will encounter when trying to find an available parking space (that’s not a mile off in another direction all together).
The Stores in Brief:
Once Upon A Toy offers classic toys, some available “by the bucket,” a unique way to purchase toys like Mr. Potato Head and Lincoln Logs and more.
The LEGO Imagination Center is filled with everything LEGO, from toys to clothes The World of Disney is the biggest (with the exception of the newly opened World of Disney in New York City) and by far the best of all Disney Stores. Recent renovations include the addition of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Princess Room and The Pirate Room – all perfect spots for kids to play and pretend.
At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which just so happens to be “Owned” by the Fairy Godmother herself, little girls (and big girls too) can be transformed into pintsized princesses as the “Fairy-Godmothers in Training”, who operate the boutique, perform magical makeovers. The menu of salon services designed to pamper princesses ages 3 and up include the following:
The Coach Package: Includes hairstyling and shimmer makeup ($35 plus tax)
The Crown Package: Includes hairstyling, shimmer makeup and nails ($45 plus tax)
The Castle Package: Includes hairstyling, shimmer makeup, nails, and a photo package
(one 6x8 photo, four 4x6 photos, and a princess themed photo holder), and a complete
Disney princess costume including accessories. (starting at $175 plus tax)
If you don’t get anywhere else, the 3 stores listed above are definitely not to be missed! There is a choice of 3 different hairstyles to choose from including the Fairytale princess, the Disney Diva, and the Pop Princess. Also included is a sash. The boutique is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (the last appointment scheduled no later than 5:30 p.m.),seven days a week. While walk-ins are welcome don’t be surprised if the Fairy
Godmothers in Training are all booked – reservations (or appointments) are highly recommended. Call 407/WDW-STYLE or 407/939-7895 for an appointment.
The Princess Room, again part of the World of Disney, is filled with interactive stations where little princesses can create their own crowns, fill jewelry boxes, and purchase princess make-up kits, not to mention listed to the Audio-Animatronic princesses sing songs.
The Adventure Room is the perfect place for pirates to sail the high seas, plunder though in search of treasure, create a seafaring hat, interact with the Audio-Animatronic pirate, and play Disney’s latest video games.
Arribas Brothers is an elegant shop filled with lead crystal from around the world.
Art of Disney features limited-edition animation art and collectibles.
Basin specializes in bath and skin care products.
Disney Tails offers pet care merchandise.
Disney’s Days of Christmas showcases holiday merchandise à la Disney.
Disney Pin Traders features pins and pin trading galore.
Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories offers scrapbook supplies.
At Mickey’s Mart, you’ll find an array of Disney souvenirs all under $10.
Mickey’s Pantry is filled floor to ceiling with homey items and housewares.
Pooh Corner is stocked with everything and anything to do with Pooh and his pals.
Summer Sands specializes in swimwear for everyone in the family, including name brands like Quick Silver and more.
Team Mickey’s Athletic Club offers apparel and sporting goods including ESPN, NASCAR, and golf merchandise.
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