Walt Dated World: Vintage Disney World | home
Empress Lilly Restaurant | Great Southern Craft Company/Lillie Langtry's | Mickey's Character Shop | Chef Mickey's Village Restaurant Walt Disney World Village
Mickey's Character Shop
Mickey's Character Shop
When Walt Disney World Village first opened, there wasn't a store that only sold Disney souvenirs (It's A Small World did sell some Disney items but wasn't exclusively devoted to Disney merchandise). Due to guest demand, the former Port of Entry store became The Character Shop to showcase stuffed animals, toys and other Disney merchandise. Opened on October 25, 1985, Mickey's name was later added to the store and featured the largest selection of Disney merchandise on the Disney property, including toys, novelties and gifts. The store was neighbors with Great Southern Craft Company and Bath Parlor/Sachet In.
The shop featured a 20-foot long flying machine/hot air balloon piloted by Mickey that hovered over the plush display and you could also get personalized T-shirts airbrushed by a robotic arm at this shop. The store was so popular that it was one of the few shops and restaurants that opened early at 9:30 a.m. Mickey's Character Shop closed on October 2, 1996 once construction on the massive World of Disney store was completed. The space was taken over by Toys Fantastic, Studio M and a relocated Team Mickey's Athletic Club.
One of the signs from Mickey's Character Shop later turned up at a garage sale in Kissimmee and was purchased by someone who lived in St. Cloud. In March of 2009, the owner was debating if they would sell it on eBay so perhaps someone else has now purchased it.
Please Help Walt Dated World
You can help support the Walt Dated World website in several different ways. Subscribe to and continue to watch the Walt Dated World YouTube channel, contribute via any PayPal button on the site or shop through any ad links. Proceeds fund the continued operation of the site.
Please show your support for this site by donating via the PayPal box. Thank you!
This is an unofficial fan site that is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or Disney theme parks. All copyrights acknowledged. Please respect the work I put into compiling both existing and my own information on this site by not linking to any text or pictures without crediting that they were located on this site.