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It’s more fun than a 25-foot-high mountain of Disney plush toys. It’s more whimsical than a dozen nostalgic airships with Disney character pilots. It’s more magical than a dazzling collection of fairy tale accessories for little princesses. It’s all that and more, with 50,000 square feet of constantly changing merchandise and creative displays in the finest Disney tradition. It’s World of Disney, the biggest Disney shopping destination on Earth, at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

© The Walt Disney Company

HOW BIG: The store’s wall of plush toys -- taller than any in the world -- features more than 8,000 character toys. The airships -- averaging 20 feet in length -- dangle colorfully above store entrances and from inside the store, as well. Each airship is unique -- there’s Winnie the Pooh in a larger-than-life honey pot complete with sail and umbrella, and Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” drifting along on a flying sea turtle.

THEMED AREAS INCLUDE:

Great Hall (North, South, Rotunda)
Holiday Celebration, Ladies' Apparel

Exotic Room
Men's Apparel

Enchanted Dining Room
Kitchenware and Consumables

Magic Room
Adult Tees and Sweats

Villains Room
Jewelry, Pins, Timepieces

Map Room
Souvenirs

Bird Room
Boy's Apparel and Toys

Snow White Room
Infant and Toddler

Carnival Room
Frames and Snow Globes

Wonderful Room
Princess, Girl's Apparel and Plush

© The Walt Disney Company

Each of the superstore’s 12 Disney-themed areas tells its own story based on classic Disney films. Fairies from “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” add whimsy to the store’s intimate apparel department. Disney villains lurk in the murals and decor of the jewelry and watch department, where the Spirit of the Magic Mirror from “Snow White” emerges from the silvered surface.

Throughout the store, 18 colorful murals carry the theme of “travel,” with famous Disney characters venturing to adventurous spots around the world. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse can be spotted on safari in a scene from “The Lion King.” Chip ‘n’ Dale take a tour of Russia, and Lady and the Tramp share a plate of spaghetti in Italy. In the store’s 60-foot-high rotunda, a fairy tale night sky is sprinkled with stars and a giant video screen plays travel scenes from classic Disney films.

The children’s area, inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” is a spacious fantasyland of toys, clothing and accessories for budding princesses. The room features colorful items from the new Disney Princess line of fairy tale-inspired merchandise, including character costumes, videos, books, diaries, jewelry, plush toys, candy, beauty products and more. Shoppers also will discover the new My Disney Girl doll and her doll-size accessories.

© The Walt Disney Company

WORLD OF DISNEY FACTS:

• A 25-foot-high wall of plush featuring more than 8,000 character toys.

• More than a dozen nostalgic airships dangling above store entrances and inside the store -- each piloted by a different Disney character such as Winnie the Pooh in his honey pot sailing ship and Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” on a flying sea turtle.

• 18 colorful murals that carry the theme of “travel,” with famous Disney characters venturing to adventurous spots around the world including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on safari and Lady and the Tramp sharing a plate of spaghetti in Italy.

• A 60-foot-high rotunda sprinkled with stars in a fairy-tale sky in the center of the store.

• Giant video screens that play travel scenes from classic Disney films.

• 12 Disney-themed areas, each telling its own story based on a classic Disney film, including fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” that add whimsy to the store’s intimate apparel department and Disney villains that lurk in the murals and decor of the jewelry and watch department.

• The largest collection of Disney character merchandise in the world including backpacks, books, boxers, children’s apparel, clocks, collectibles, costumes, dolls, figurines, gifts, hats, jewelry, luggage, photo albums, plush toys, sleepwear, slippers, socks, souvenirs, stationery, sunglasses, sweatshirts, T-shirts, ties, videos, watches and more.

World of Disney opened Oct. 2, 1996. The store is open 365 days a year to both Walt Disney World Resort guests and other Marketplace visitors. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. with extended hours during peak seasons. For daily hours or information on events at Walt Disney World Resort, call 407/824-4321.