I would like to state that I have been a huge Disney fan since I was a little girl. Love the movies, the characters, the merchandise, etc.
If we lived in Cali, I would have a family pass to Disneyland and go there all the time.
I went to Disneyland a lot growing up, because we had a beach house rental every summer and it was always during my birthday. So what did I want to do on my birthday, well I loved theme parks. Went to Disney, universal, sea world. Hey I didn’t care, I loved them all.
Disney on the other hand was growing by the time I was 16 and for my sweet sixteen, we went to Disney and they were starting California adventure. Couldn’t wait .
Course while I lived in AZ , I had to find other avenues to my favorite thing, and the Disney Store was the only way.
Back in the 90’s the only store in the Valley was at Fiesta Mall ( which is abandoned now) and it was heaven all the time.
Do you remember this being the first and only look of the Disney Store back in the 90’s. Lol. Actually it’s funny that Tucson store still has this look.
It’s classic, can’t argue with that.
Then opened in the early 2000’s the Chandler Mall Location.
A different look and a different way to bring on the magic. At this point in time they were making all of their store different, because each store would sell different items. Now don’t quote me on that, but it was only a small quantity that would be different, and everything else would be the same as far as merchandise went.
Like at the AZ MILLS Location.
I mentioned in my AZ Mills blog how this store is three stores in one. It’s a regular store, an outlet store, and a Disneyland Clearance store. One of the largest in the city too.
SanTan was the last to open in the valley.
Who’s idea was it to put an outdoor mall in AZ I’ll never know. But it’s there and they are the most modern store of the bunch. Have to be cuz they can’t decorate the outside of the store like the others. That’s why along the side , in true Disney fashion, they have giant windows filled with our favorite scenes from classic movies with our favorite characters.
It’s one of my favorites , it also has unique merchandise; the exclusive more expensive costumes, and sometimes they have rare items that you can’t find anywhere else.
All of our store are different in so many ways other than just looks. How they open for example is another favorite of mine, and my kids. You have to be there exactly before they open, because they always pick one child to help them open the store.
Most of them somehow involve a key, and some involve a magic book with Mickey on it.
Some store have the magical trees throughout the store and you have to ask tinker-bell for help, some involve a huge screen and you ask crush for help. If you live in Northridge, you’re lucky.
So to my point, is Disney Stores bring magic to their opening ceremony , so if you ever get the chance, go to each and every one of them near you and see how different they are.
Take pictures and comment below if you have a very different Disney store than AZ.
The TAWL Mom 