July 1966 – May 1996
LOCATION
New Orleans Square – The One-Of-A-Kind shop had an ideal location in New Orleans Square, right at the front corner. Guests arriving from Frontierland would spot the shop on the left side, just beyond the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, this space houses Port Royal, a mainly Haunted Mansion themed gift shop.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – unique collectibles, antiques
- Unique Features – dozens of chandeliers, thick wood paneling design
The One-Of-A-Kind Shop lived up to its name. Shoppers experienced sensory overload with the varieties of brass goods, porcelain collectibles, chandeliers, and antiques. The shop frequently changed over merchandise, so that visitors came back time and time again to purchase something new. Before long, it became a tradition for many guests to purchase a collectible here during a trip. In fact, the One-Of-A-Kind Shop is arguably the most famous Disneyland shop of all time.
CLOSURE
Throughout the 70s and 80s, the landscape of New Orleans Square started to change. With the massive popularity of Pirates and the Haunted Mansion, more and more guests flocked to the land. Antique shops started closing in favor of more current souvenirs, including toys, games, and collectibles themed to the popular attractions. By the 90s, the One-Of-A-Kind Shop was dated and often overlooked by passing guests. The 30-year-old store closed in 1996, to be replaced by a themed cookware shop called Le Gourmet.
TRIVIA
Walt designed the shop for his wife Lillian, an avid antique collector.
In 1979, the Disneyland Line wrote an article about the One-Of-A-Kind shop’s wares and how they arrive in the park. You can read the full article here.
I have fond memories of a lot of different places in the park that are no longer around. My first visit was in 1975 on my first trip to the US. I then went every year for about 20 years, and then a big break until I started to go back, starting 2010. I was delighted by lots of things, but missed some of the familiar stuff, in particular the themed shopping experiences that were unique to each different land. While we still have a little bit of this, the stores tend to be dominated by the generic merchandise. I also hated discovering that the little alcove with the staircase in New Orleans Square had been gated off. It was one of the first places I had my photo taken back in 1975, and then again when I first went back decades later.
I agree with you – I wish Disneyland toned down the generic stuff in every store and went a little more in the direction of unique shops!
I hate that Disney has moved the way of having all the gift shops sell the same merchandise. What is the point in going store to store in the different areas? They need to go back to having unique stores in the park, with merchandise you cannot buy online. To compel shoppers.
I agree. I think they need a mix of generic merch (I admit I’ve been in the park, thinking over a purchase and hopped into the nearest store to grab it after all) and unique stuff. A store in Frontierland should have largely different merch than a store in Fantasyland. Disneyland does OK with this, but I think they could do much better.
The One of a Kind Shop was the only place to get real souvenirs in all of Disneyland. I still have some from the mid eighties, they are some of my favorite things.
I’d love if they brought it back, since I never got to experience it!