Disney Store Launches Magical New Retail Experience in Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 6, 2011) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press.

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Disney Store (www.disneystore.com) adds even more magic to Canada today with the opening of two innovative shopping experiences that deliver the creativity and fantasy for which Disney is uniquely famous. The international specialty retail chain today unveils two locations simultaneously at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, ON, and at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, BC. Canada's biggest stars and their families will experience "the best 30 minutes of a child's day" and meet beloved Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Rapunzel and Flynn from Tangled.

A star-studded host of Disney Family Channel stars will attend the dual celebrations including Jessica Holmes (Debra!); Sydney Imbeau (Really Me); Dylan Everett and Demetrius Joyette from Wingin' It; Tiago Abreu and Ana Golja from What's Up Warthogs, and Azer Greco (Really Me) along with his mom, actress Lauren Holly.

Winner of "The Next Star" Diego Gomes, country music star Jason McCoy, and Dahrran Diedrick from the CFL's Montreal Alouettes will make a special appearance as well. Also attending are Amy Jo Johnson from CTV's Flashpoint, Ingrid Kavelaars from HBO's Living In Your Car and Raugi Yu from YTV's new series Mr. Young plus Duncan Coutts and Jeremy Taggart from Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace. In Burnaby, Councillor Dan Johnston is appearing at the Disney Store on behalf of the City of Burnaby.

"The new Disney Store design has been received with overwhelming enthusiasm across North America and Europe, and we are thrilled to share this uniquely interactive experience with Canadian families," said Jim Fielding, President of Disney Stores Worldwide. "We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the guest experience, and have created a must-see family destination in the Toronto and Vancouver areas, bringing the Disney magic to their backyard."

Canadian families at Square One and Metropolis will celebrate the magical experience together, as Disney Store hosts a simulcast from each store opening, allowing guests at each location to see all the fun activities from thousands of miles away. Fans will look on with excitement as a child is chosen to "unlock imagination" and open the stores in Disney Store's signature opening ceremony. As well, the first 500 guests will receive free Mickey ears!

Both Canadian locations feature interactive areas incorporating state-of-the-art technology. The Pixie Dust Trail takes guests through several "neighborhoods" such as the Disney Princess neighborhood with castle and magic mirror, and the Disney-Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz neighborhood where guests can build their own custom car.

At the Disney Store Theatre families can select from a variety of Disney entertainment including film clips and trailers, music videos, classic animation and view it on a 12-foot-long, high definition screen. The Disney Store Theatre will host free family events and activities throughout the year making it a destination families will want to frequently visit to discover the latest in Disney entertainment.

Building on the successful launch of 19 interactive and immersive stores worldwide in 2010, Disney Store plans to open more than 25 additional locations around the world in 2011. Disney Store continues to expand in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Europe, and the all-new concept store is now open to fans in seven countries.

For all Disney Store locations, visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates become a fan on www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected.

ABOUT DISNEY STORE

The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney's key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America; more than 40 Disney Store locations in Japan; and more than 100 Disney Store locations in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Portugal, plus online stores www.DisneyStore.com and www.disneystore.co.uk. Each Disney Store location offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney, one of the world's largest and most successful entertainment companies.

For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystore.

FOR PHOTOS OF TODAY'S DISNEY STORE OPENINGS, PLEASE GO TO: http://dcp.smugmug.com/Events/The-Disney-Store/Newly-Designed-Disney-Stores/14373899_bW3Fb#1064946883_jUnYE

B-roll footage of the ceremony will be available via satellite on Wednesday, April 6th between 4:00 and 4:30 pm EST.

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