Imaginative and detailed theming is a hallmark of the Disneyland Resort. They do an expert job of transporting guests to another time and place. But that effort isn’t limited to just the attractions; it extends to the overall landscape, and that includes the area’s themed shops.
Let’s be honest: not all shops were created equal. Some do a better job than others of immersing their visitors in the story of the land they are located in. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite locations. We look forward to hearing what your favorites are and why.
Main Street Emporium
The Emporium is located on Main Street, U.S.A. and is the largest store in Disneyland Park. Cutting through the store is a great method for beating the heat and the crowds when parades are running.
If there is one tip you should take away from this article it is: When in a store, look up! So much of the work the Imagineers put into the stores isn’t at eye-level. Guests who stop to take in the scenery are rewarded with lots of little bits of story, theme, and even history. This is particularly true in the Emporium where several Victorian scenes, like the lady above making a hat, are located above the cashiers.
The Emporium is such a sprawling store that those dioramas aren’t the only surprises to look for. Above an entrance, you can find the Disney family’s coat of arms hidden in a store sign. The sign’s phrase “We carry the best from East to West” may very well refer to Disney’s resorts on both coasts.
If you look up above the room where the majority of the toys are sold, you might just catch a toy train making its round. The passenger cars resemble those from the Disneyland Railroad’s Grand Circle Tour. The train rides past figures from several different films like Baloo, Mowgli, and Bagheera from The Jungle Book and Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
Pooh Corner
Arguably one the best themed shops on property is Critter Country’s Pooh Corner.
Not only does the inside tie-in with the adjacent Winnie the Pooh attraction, but there is also a nod to Splash Mountain with Mr. Bluebird’s House, which can be found at entrance to the store that is closest to the water ride’s exit.
One of the neater features of Pooh Corner is that it is one of the few confectioneries on property. Even the window to the candy kitchen is themed to what appears to be a honey distillery of some kind. And is that a Heffalump I spy in the corner?
Why, yes it is! Once again, if you look towards the ceiling you will find a swarm of Heffalumps, beehives, signs wishing Pooh a happy birthday, and the silly old bear himself, floating atop a balloon.
The decor in the store’s other rooms is less elaborate, but you will find honey pots, bees, and books lurking about. The cashier areas have a more concentrated amount of props.
Gag Factory / Toontown Five and Dime
The Gag Factory and Toontown Five and Dime are actually the same shop. And like everything else in Toontown, it has a very cartoon-y flavor to it.
Though, there are far more gags than dime store deals in these parts. Right at the heart of the store is the Gag Factory. A moving clothesline pulls funny props, like whoopee cushions and banana peels, from inside the machine. There are quite a variety of figures to see and it’s fun to see what the machine will “produce” next.
You know what we are going to say, right? That’s right: Look up! Above the displays, other joking materials, like a box of riddles or a spool of one-liners, are stored.
The phrase, “Carpe Gagem,” which is painted above one of the store’s doors is also a gag, of course: “Seize the gag.”
And what would Toontown be without a few of Mickey Mouse’s spare gloves hidden in odd places?
Part of the store will likely become the entry to the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride . . . and we would be shocked if the ride does not exit into the store as well.
Rushin’ River Outfitters
Located in Disney California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak, Rushin’ River Outfitters is adjacent to the popular Grizzly River Run and shares its outdoors-y theme.
Two bear statues greet guests at the entrance to the shop, and while they are larger than the people entering the shop, the pair are dwarfed by the nearby bear guarding the queue to Grizzly River Run.
Playing into the national park theme of Grizzly Peak, the bulletin board near the far right door of the shop is filled with maps, postcards, and similar paraphernalia.
The store’s layout is spacious, with decor themed to all sorts of outdoor activities. For example, the plush toys are stored in a canoe.
As always, be sure to look up. At Rushin’ River Outfitters, there are old-fashioned toboggans, snowboards, mountains bikes, and fishing gear above displays and hanging from the walls.
At the very back of the store is a floor to ceiling mural inviting guests to “Visit Bear Creek” (in other words, give Grizzly River Run a go).
Another mural of note is above the doors, depicting some of California’s mountains and their elevations. Grizzly Peak is among them with an elevation of 2001, which is also the year Disney California Adventure opened.
Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff
Who’s your friend who loves to play? Bing Bong! Bing Bong! The last shop on our list Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, over on Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure.
Inside the store is a life-size(?) model of the lovable, imaginary friend himself. Bing Bong repeats quotes from his role in Inside-Out and smells like Cotton Candy if you get close to him.
We know this whole article we have been telling you to look up but in this case, don’t forget to look down! Anyone who has watched Inside-Out knows that Bing-Bong has candy tears and on the shop’s floor is a colorful collection of candy from his crying. Fortunately, the location sells real candy so you aren’t tempted to lick the floor to satisfy a sugar craving.
Although, looking above the displays is still rewarding at Bing Bong’s. Art of the imaginary proprietor hangs on the wall.
And candy isn’t just on the floor, it is also used as functional decor. The shop uses candy totems to merchandise items like the Minnie Headbands in the display above.
Don’t tell Riley, but Jangles the clown found his way to Bing Bong’s too. The balloon archway above the cast member door is no doubt his handiwork.
But Jangles isn’t the one to have a special spot carved out for them in the shop. Rainbow Unicorn gets her own cashier area, complete with an illuminated portrait.
What’s Your Favorite Shop at the Disneyland Resort?
This list is definitely not exhaustive by any means. With so many shops with unique theming, it’s hard to pick a top five. Some of our other contenders that didn’t make the list include Star Trader in Tomorrowland with its X-Wing fighter, ANY of the shops on Buena Vista Street with their antiques and Hollywood golden age theme, the fantastic Cars Land establishments, and the World of Disney in Downtown Disney Anaheim. What’s YOUR favorite shop at the resort?
I’ll no doubt be revisiting this article once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens . . . Black Spire Outfitters, Creature Stall, Droid Depot, Doc-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities . . . may the Force be with me, and also with you!