Downtown Disney Areas Offer Build It Yourself Experiences

Shopping usually isn’t high on a child’s list of fun things to do, unless that shopping somehow involves them.  Downtown Disney areas of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World have several interactive options that couldn’t involve young shoppers more.

A growing trend in the shopping experiences is the make-it, customize-it, build-it, design-it yourself option.  Not only is it popular, it is a lot of fun for kids and puts them squarely in the driver’s seat of shopping.

At Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort (map)these interactive stores include:

• Build-A-Bear Workshop - shoppers of all ages can select from a variety of bears, add a special wish and stuffing and select from 100′s of outfits to create  your own true best friend.  Some options even allow for guests to record their own voice in a message repeated by the bear.  While not a new concept, this store remains very popular.
• Lego Imagination Center - what’s behind those large red Lego brick doors?  Lots and lots of Lego merchandise and displays from life-size replicas of Darth Vader and a 26ft. tall giraffe.  For hours of fun for every Lego lover there are even building tables. 
• RideMakerz- allows children to build, customize and “trick-out” their very own remote controlled cars.  Models include many real life concept cars and “add-onz” like decalz, side-pipez, tail-pipez and spoilerz.  (The original store will temporarily close to move to a larger, expanded store, reopening in summer, 2010).

 Interactive stores at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort (map)  include:

• Design-A Tee - select a style of shirt, in the color you choose and with the design or character of you choice and you have a truly one-of-a-kind creation
• Goofy’s Candy Co.- is just the place for those with a flair for creating sweets, choose a rice krispie treat or apple for example and select the perfect toppings of your choice.  Or fill a tube with a rainbow of flavored candy powders – how sweet it is!
• Lego Imagination Center – as exciting as the one in Disneyland and full of as much fun for hours of interactive play.
• RideMakerz – after the huge success of this retail spot at Disneyland, a store will open late spring through fall at a West Side location

These options sound like so much fun to explore and create meaningful souvenirs and gifts.  Once again, I tip my hat to you Disney!

Photo Selection: flickr