Over the course of the past year, The Walt Disney Company has dramatically shifted its retail focus away from traditional mall stores and flagship locations — such as those in New York City’s Times Square and Paris’s Champs Elysses — to both the online space and shop-in-shops like those that exist at Target stores around the United States.
This means, of course, that approximately 275 stores have closed. Disney’s original release reads, in part:
“While consumer behavior has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer,” said Stephanie Young, president, Consumer Products Games and Publishing. “Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on meeting consumers where they are already spending their time, such as the expansion of Disney store shop-in-shops around the world. We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected ecommerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high-quality products across all our franchises.”
Credit: Disney
Now, however, despite all of these closures, The Walt Disney Company appears to be officially breaking ground on a brand new Disney retail outlet on International Drive (I-Drive) in Orlando near Walt Disney World Resort.
In June 2021, Orlando Business Journal noted that Disney is planning a billboard/art installation on I-Drive:
…[Disney sought permission from Orange County] to build a gargantuan, ribbon-like art display at 8050 International Drive on the Hollywood Plaza garage, Orange County records show. The entertainment giant is partnering with Japan-based Mitsubishi to install and maintain the dynamic art…
The OBJ article also noted that a store would be part of the project. Now, a new permit for the 8050 I-Drive address notes that Disney is preparing for the “buildout of new retail space.”
Are you excited Orlando is getting a new Disney retail space?
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!
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