World of Disney Starts New Opening Ceremony Where Kids Get to Unlock The Store

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Each morning at the World of Disney store in Disney Springs, Florida, a special opening ceremony takes place. It started in September 2025 as a way to recreate a beloved tradition from older Disney Stores. Previously, stores in shopping malls would often have a guest-usually a child-use a large key to symbolically unlock the doors.

The original event was a short experience with opportunities to meet performers and basic stage effects. Now, the ceremony at Disney Springs expands on that idea, creating a bigger and more elaborate show.

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Every morning, before guests arrive, Disney cast members create a decorated podium outside the store entrance. A special, decorative lock is placed on the podium and stays covered until a small ceremony. The look of the podium, lock, and surrounding decorations change with the seasons. For example, during Halloween, you might see bats, a Mickey Mouse pumpkin, and darker colors. The decorations are accompanied by themed sound effects and announcements. These seasonal designs will change throughout the year to celebrate different holidays and events.

A lucky guest gets to be the first to open the store! Cast members typically choose a child or family near the front of the line for this special role. The guest receives a large, decorative key with a Disney “D” on the handle and a castle shape on the other end – the middle sparkles with colored lights and stars. Cast members then help the guest use the key to unlock the doors, officially opening the store with a grand entrance.

Okay, so here’s the deal: when someone ‘unlocks the magic’ – basically, they’re the lucky guest of the hour – the cast members roll out the red carpet right in front of the store. It’s a really fun moment! They get to walk down it while everyone cheers and waves. Sometimes, they even have bubble wands going to make it extra special. And to remember the experience, they get a commemorative card that says ‘I unlocked the magic at World of Disney,’ along with a cool golden sticker that says ‘Own The Magic.’ It’s a small touch, but it really adds to the feeling of being a VIP.

A quote from Walt Disney is printed on the card: “It takes people to make the dream a reality.”

This event occurs daily, not just on special occasions. Staff have confirmed it’s planned to continue through next year. It’s a small, engaging addition to the guest experience, offering a memorable way to begin their shopping trip. This version is different from past events at other stores because it utilizes the larger space and current decorations. While it still centers around the idea of guests ‘unlocking’ the store, it’s been updated to fit this more elaborate environment.

If you’d like to take part, please arrive early. Each day, we choose just one guest or family before the store opens. It’s a quick, special moment that people enjoy watching. We’ll be updating the decorations with the seasons – right now it’s Halloween-themed, but that will change in November – although the basic ceremony will stay the same.

Background on World of Disney Opening Ceremony

This new tradition brings back a beloved memory for guests who visited Disney Store locations years ago. In the past, a child would often use an oversized plastic key to ‘unlock’ the store each morning. While that practice ended when many stores closed, this current ceremony keeps the spirit of the original alive, adapted for the larger scale of Disney Springs.

If you’d like to be involved, please arrive before the park officially opens, as participants are chosen early. This special experience has become popular with visitors and those who follow the theme park. However, only one guest or family can participate each day. While the basic format of the ceremony stays the same, the decorations and overall look will probably change with the seasons.

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2025-09-14 18:31