Source: Gorillas Don’t Blog
1957 – April 2009
LOCATION
Fantasyland – Tinker Bell’s Toy Shoppe opened in Fantasyland just two years after Disneyland’s opening, in the central courtyard. To find the shop, visitors arriving through the castle archway would keep to the left of the carousel and teacups. The shop’s marquee was on the left, just before Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Today, this space is home to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise– toys, costumes, games, and accessories
- Unique Features– regularly changing front display featuring fairytale scenes and characters
Despite Sleeping Beauty being the owner of Disneyland’s magic castle, Tinker Bell was often the mascot associated with the landmark in the beginning. She appeared at the opening of each Disneyland TV Series episode, and for many years, shot across the sky during fireworks performances. In the early years of Disneyland, it made perfect sense for Tink to have her own toy and costume shop right in the center of Fantasyland.
In 2002, the shop changed its name to Once Upon A Time…The Disney Princess Shoppe, connecting its theme to the castle next door. Out went the generic toys and costumes, and in came more princess merchandise, crowns, and jewels than ever before.
CLOSURE
By 2009, Fantasyland had tons of toy and costume stores, and the valuable real estate right next to the castle had potential to be something unique. The longtime shop closed its doors, reopening later in the year as the famous princess makeover spot: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
TRIVIA
Princesses often stopped by the store to meet visitors and tell stories from their own fairytales.