Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique To Open Additional Location in Magic Kingdom Park

[Figment!]

Disney has internally announced that the The King’s Gallery retail location, inside Cinderella Castle, will close in order to make way for a 2nd Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Location.

The location is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment July 5 - September 9, 2007 in order to perform the conversion. The refurbishment is not anticipated to affect other Castle venues or passage through the Castle.

The new Cinderella Castle location is scheduled to start accepting appointments April 29, 2007 for September 10, 2007 and beyond.

Here's the actual announcement:
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a magical salon where girls are transformed into Princesses. Where each hopeful Princess has her own Fairy Godmother to turn her sneakers into glass slippers and cover her with sparkles! What better place to become a true Princess then in the Castle of one of our very own Disney Princesses! On September 10, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is expanding and will open a second location inside the Magic Kingdom inside Cinderella Castle!

The Boutique will move into the space that is currently known as The King's Gallery which houses Arts and Collectibles Merchandise. The last day of business for The King's Gallery is July 4, 2007 and construction on the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique runs from July 5 - September 1, 2007. Guests can continue to enjoy Arribas Brother offerings at the Crystal Arts store on Main Street, U.S.A., Arribas Brothers store located in Downtown Disney and the shop in the Germany pavilion at Epcot.

Similar to our dining venues, a reservation is highly recommended and can be made by calling 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895) up to 180 days prior to arrival. Reservations for the Magic Kingdom Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can be made beginning April 29, 2007.

[Dsnygirl]

.... and I thought I'd be able to get away with not taking my girls b/c they'd never know about it in DTD.... guess I'm in for the next trip!! :D

Thanks for the info (or warning... :) ) Jason!!

[PirateLover]

I also read that Kings Gallery Shop will move into the Uptown Jewelers on Main St. All the artwork along with the Artist Watches station currently in the Uptown Jewelers will move to the Main St. Cinema. Right now, The Cinema is the home of "VMK", (Virtual Magic Kingdom) which has plans to move somewhere into Mickey's Toontown.

[JPL]

I had heard about this about 2 months ago but had zero confirmation. I heard the reasoning behind it is they expected more people to use the Boutique before Pirates and Princess Parties but it was not a very good logistical plan since people could not go directly from DTD to the MK before the party using Disney Transportation.

[Ian]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of this announcement. I really liked browsing around in the King's Gallery. It was one of the few stores left in MK that felt at least a little like an original. It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.

[Crow]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of this announcement. I really liked browsing around in the King's Gallery. It was one of the few stores left in MK that felt at least a little like an original. It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.

Tis True.
they need diff stores, not all the same

[GiltterDisneyGirl]

Wow other one? I love that store in the castle, and now there going to change it. :(

[JPL]

It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.


The only good part about this is I spend alot less money on souvenirs ;) I really have noticed that I spend about $100 -$200 less on merchandise at the parks since most it is the same old junk you see everywhere. I always use to finds some unique item that I had to have now it's more or less a few small trinkets and I'm done.

[valjane]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of this announcement. I really liked browsing around in the King's Gallery. It was one of the few stores left in MK that felt at least a little like an original. It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.


True, though I've noticed in the past few years that it was starting to lose its medieval theme in favor of Disney princesses and pins and whatnot. :shake:

[glenpreece]

I agree I really liked looking in this store too. But it does make sense to move it to Main Street where the Artist watches etc are. That's the way it is in DTD. Putting a BBB in the castle is a really smart idea.

[Christine]

glenpreece, that is exactly what my first thought was when I read this article: "Oh, I hate to see that store go, but it is extremely smart of WDW to do it."

I sure hope they're able to keep an already congested area running smoothly.

[r4kids]

:mickey: I am very excited about this. We would have had to go to DTD before MNSSHP and now we don't!! I also think going from BBB in the park to Cindy's castle for meal is much more convienent.Can't wait!!:mickey:

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Although I agree that it is a very good move for Disney, I'm sad to see the store go. I always found it a quiet little place, with some really neat items in it...I always thought that it was more of a "grown-up" store.

I am most worried about the massive congestion...this will make that area sooooo busy.

I have been putting off DD, but now I have no excuse, and I'm sure a stop here will be on the agenda for the next triop.

Thanks for the info!

[DisneyDudet]

Although I hate the idea, Disney does know how to make money.

[illini]

This makes me really sad. One, I'll have to keep my DD from seeing it as I really prefer not to do this. But mostly, I loved that store. My kids loved to look in there and the castmembers were so attentive, going so far as to walk around with my kids and show them unique things.
Not ~everything~ has to be princess, does it?

[jennifer99]

Thank you for posting the good news. We will be there just after it opens. We have plans to go to BBB at DTD before our lunch in the castle. It will save us a lot of time to move our apt. to the new location:mickey:

[WEDTOPIA]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of this announcement. I really liked browsing around in the King's Gallery. It was one of the few stores left in MK that felt at least a little like an original. It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.

Agreed ! Remember when they actually had swords and steins and medeival paraphanalia ? Will these people not rest until every shop is 100% Disney ? No unique shops anywhere anymore............:(

[Bethanymouse]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of this announcement. I really liked browsing around in the King's Gallery. It was one of the few stores left in MK that felt at least a little like an original. It wasn't all the same cookie-cutter garbage they sell in all the other stores ... spinners and cheap plastic toys and whatnot ... they had nice stuff in there.

I agree! I am not excited about this at all. I loved the theming of the shop being inside the castle. I will be sad to see it go.:(

[FtWildernessFan]

When our daughter (then 6) turned into a princess, 12/06, she really believed she was one. We are going again 12/07 and first thing to reserve is her makeover. My son (then 3) also had the "cool dude" with lots of spikey colors in his hair and he loved it! Well worth the $$.

[Melanie]

Not ~everything~ has to be princess, does it?

Amen! Especially when you have boys.

I will miss this shop as well. I always enjoyed browsing around and I have fond memories of it from my honeymoon.

[dlpmikki]

This was one of my favourite shops too. :(

I can understand the logic of being made a Princess in the castle but I wish they had found somewhere on the Cinderellas Royal Table side rather than take this shop away. I guess they think they will make more money making Princesses than selling nice stuff.

[Willowwind]

Though I'll miss the medieval shop (I'm a reenactor) I must say that this change may resolve a HUGE scheduling glitch in our coming trip. I'm glad that I don't have to find time to fit in DTD now.

[4ubie1]

I am torn on this one. I agree that it is a smart move on Disney's part. BUT i am sad to see another unique store go. I am starting to dislike having every store sell the same thing...especially on Main St. It sortof loses that "Main St." feel when it is basically one big store.:(

[BigRedDad]

I can understand wanting to put BBB in the Castle. However, moving the one very unique store out is not a solution. There are enough of the cookie-cutter stores that could have been remodeled to accommodate this need.

I know BB is a good draw and another way to bring in large amounts of money. Looking and dreaming of having one of those expensive pieces of memorabilia is soon to be gone.

[TiggerRPh]

While I see how this location would be super cool and I also see the need to have a second location....and to have it in MK would be super convenient....I am not crazy about the location from a traffic flow standpoint.

It's already hard to get through the tunnel on busy days....the old "funnel effect". Add spillage from CRT and it's worse. This is just going to make a already bad traffic area worse.

[PeterPan]

Everyone sure is being nice on this thread.

Allow me to tell you how I feel about this.

I HATE HATE HATE this idea! I agree with everyone who said here is one truly unique, almost original store that is GOING AWAY. What a SHAME!!! Almost every store at WDW used to strive to be unique. Then, some marketing bimbo decided to put the same (as someone said) "cookie-cutter" garbage in nearly every single shop. I mean, honestly, it makes me NOT want to shop AT ALL.

Anyone remember the Magic Store on Main Street? Anyone remember the Antique Store in Liberty Square? Anyone remember how truly charming and unique The Briar Patch used to be?

Now, I understand it is all about marketing and the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. My gosh, we've got to make a BUCK. Who cares if all the charm, themeing, and uniqueness goes completely out the proverbial window? Who cares? (Well, I do, but...). No one cares because honestly, 90% of the people ARE BUYING THE COOKIE CUTTER GARBAGE instead of the unique merchandise.

It angers me. Period.

It's like the people who ask "Why did they take away the original Figment ride?" The answer "Because no one was riding it." The question comes "Why are they taking out the unique shops?" Answer: "People prefer cookie-cutter garbage."

Pitiful.

[glenpreece]

I just wanted to add something. I am reading that alot of people liked to "look" in this store. Did anyone ever buy any of these "unique" items. I agree that it is a very grown up kind of store. But alot of the items are not unique, they can be found at the other Art of Disney stores in the other parks and DTD. Frankily who is going to go to MK to buy a sword for a couple grand? I took a good long look on my last trip in this store and didn't see anything that I hadn't already seen in the other Art stores. Hence the name "gallery" The crystal, wdcc figures, art prints etc are all available elsewhere.
I will say that I too am tired of all the cookie cutter stuff. I mean look at the Villains store in the Studios. It is almost all Pirates and Jack Skellington. Same goes for the Tails store in DTD it has been reduced to a couple racks of stuff. It would be better if they had a more diverse selection of characters as well. I can never find any Jessica Rabbit stuff or Chip & Dale things other then pins and plush. Anyways good move on Disney's part putting this store here. Maybe they will have a separate waiting area behind the Castle to avoid conjestion?

[CandleontheWater]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is not thrilled with this. Thank you intercotees for being so like-minded. I really loved this store and so does my husband. I thought it was the coolest store ever as a child and I always make a point to visit on every trip. Its my favorite place to hide during a rainstorm. There is alwasy so many neat things to look at and dream about, and then I can go out the door and look at the mosaics. Its going to be tough to even get at the mosaics now, and that is one of my favorite parts of the MK. :(

[valjane]

I mean look at the Villains store in the Studios. It is almost all Pirates and Jack Skellington.

I was shocked when I discovered that during my last trip! That store used to be really cool and now they're carrying the same tired pirate merchandise as all the other stores everywhere else on property.

ANother place they ruined was frontierland shopping. They used to have a neat store that sold Old West and frontier merchandise... coonskin caps, Native American inspired jewelry, etc. Now they've turned it into YET ANOTHER pin store. :mad:

I guess some people must be buying all that junk, though.

[What is Idle Prattle For?]

In a last minute decision, they have decided to change the name to:

"Biddidi Bobbidi Botoxidi"
(It's *never* too early to start, ladies.)


(Just kidding....:D )

[mjaclyn]

I'm actually very excited about this because I would LOVE to take my DD to the BBB when she's old enough to enjoy it. I will miss the old shop though - I absolutely agree that Disney merchandise has gone completely downhill. I hardly ever buy anything in the park anymore because none of it appeals to me. It's the same everywhere and nothing is unique.

[gueli]

Like it or not, it is what sells that matters.
It reminds me of people who say "i miss that old 'insert nostalgic store'. question: did you ever buy anything there? Answer: no.
well no wonder it is gone".
If you want interesting stores, try telling the corporate bigwigs. If they put them in use them or lose them.
I go to a local pharmacy, not a giant retail store. If I want the hardware store around the corner to stay in business, I shop there before going to home depot. Its where we do buisness that matters.
same old story.

[BrerGnat]

Why don't they just put in the BBB next door to the Main Street Barber Shop? I mean, seriously??? Why didn't they do this INSTEAD of relocating the merchandise in that store to another area on Main Street. Why not just open the BBB ON Main Street?

I am SO glad I don't have daughters. I really can't believe that this has become a "must do" thing for little girls. Talk about teaching little girls all about vanity...

And for the record, I don't want my boys to WANT to be pirates either. I can't think of a WORSE role model for a boy. Pillaging, stealing and killing. No thank you! Disney needs to re evaluate their marketing to the youth of this country.

I understand all about making money, but the pirates and princess thing is something I will NEVER be on board with. I wish they'd go back to "real" imagination...elephants flying, pixie dust, Neverland, and stories that teach valuable lessons.

[tiaramom]

We are so excited to hear the bbb is now at Magic Kingdom. I found the ddd location cute- but not practical for the reasoning behind dressing the part- and playing the part .
The parks offering the dress up is truely more magical and practical for the little ones. To walk about a shopping center decked out is one thing- but to be a princess at Magic Kingdom- in the castle itself is a real childs dream come true. The prices are fairly decent compared to at home local birthday party dress up shoppes.
This is Disney and for a mall store dress up party it is $40 a person- and it isnt as cool as being at Disney. Disney made a smart choice- and least by our standards with a toddler. Yes, I do think traffic will be an issue- though isnt it always anyway at disney parks.

[GrmGrninGost]

Awesome!!:mickey: Made reservations this morning for DD in Sept.!:princess:

[FamilyBand1]

I think it's a bummer, too. Although, it's brilliant marketing....again...on Disney's part. What better place to have the boutique than the place where a princess lives?!
I remember when Main Street sold a ton of non-Disney stuff. I'd love to go to the "toy" section in the Emporium and get die-cast cars. And I loved the magic shop and the sports memorabilia store. Oh, well. Everything is Disney, now.

[Mickey91]

I think it's a bummer, too. Although, it's brilliant marketing....again...on Disney's part. What better place to have the boutique than the place where a princess lives?!
I remember when Main Street sold a ton of non-Disney stuff. I'd love to go to the "toy" section in the Emporium and get die-cast cars. And I loved the magic shop and the sports memorabilia store. Oh, well. Everything is Disney, now.
Well it is Disney World. You can buy the other stuff anywhere. I do wish they would get back to quality for all the things they sell!
That said, I'm excited about the boutique!! It opens earlier and now little girls going to My Princess Tea Party will be able to have their hair done!!! Made ressies for DD and can't wait!!:princess: