An assembly line for creating your customized car. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Officials there say there are more than 649 million possible combinations, not including individual decal placement. One can even add radio remote control, then test their car on a specially designated test track.
Even customized sounds can be selected for your custom-built car. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Ridemakerz is currently found at both Downtown Disney Anaheim as well as here in Orlando. It finds its inspiration from Build-A-Bear workshop, also found at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, but curiously, not in Orlando’s location. Indeed, Build-A-Bear is a partner and investor, who also hosts the Build-A-Dino at the nearby T-Rex Cafe, available in Orlando, but not Anaheim.
Build-A-Dino. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
It’s difficult to tell how long Ridemakerz will be part of the Downtown Disney experience. Like the Princess Diana Exhibit preceding the store, you don’t sense that much “customization” has been done for making this store a long-term reality. And the store has actually exited more malls, like the Mall of America, than it currently occupies. But Ridemakerz does emphasize what Downtown Disney shopping has truly become—customized and personalized. Indeed, it’s fair to say that Disney must view its “guests” as “customizers” as well, because so much of the retail experience offers such. So much, that we thought it might be interesting to do a photo essay on all the customized and personalized offerings that can be found. Perhaps you’ll find some ideas for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or an upcoming graduation gift.
We thought we might group these experiences under certain headings, but the shopping is so varied, that the headings seemed useless. Instead, we simply opted beginning with Ridemakerz at Disney’s West Side and work our way along the lake to the far end of the Disney Marketplace. So here we go…
Even tasty concoctions like these candy apples can be created to taste. These are on display at the Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Co. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
At LittleMissMatched, selection takes on a whole new perspective when the socks you want don’t have a match. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
You can just imagine hearing people say “There’s the one piece I’m missing!” here at the LEGO Imagination Center. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
While Bibbidi-Bobbidi Botique is more a service than retail, you certainly get to choose the princess you want to become. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
So many options await those looking to create a unique Disney-style bracelet or necklace. This is found at World of Disney and also Once Upon a Toy. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Create your own bathtub concoction at Basin. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Arribas holds the distinction of being one of the earliest of Disney shops to customize and personalize crystal and other fine glass products. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Rawlings, Making the Game allows you to get a baseball bat customized to your swing at this corner of the Team Mickey Athletic Club. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
One of the most popular stops at Once Upon a Toy is the Mr. Potato Head kiosk, where you can add any number of accessories and body parts. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Also at Once Upon a Toy are options for building your own light saber. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Not only can you get ID tags for yourself, but your favorite pet, as well, at Disney Tails. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Smaller kiosks around the Marketplace offer crafts like personalized leather goods. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
One of the more unique shopping stops is this kiosk along the waterfront that hosts merchandise designed specifically for those who are left-handed. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
These name plaques recall an earlier era of Lake Buena Vista village shopping where many of the products were more works of craftsmanship. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Any array of holiday decoration, dress, or decor can be personalized at Disney’s Days of Christmas. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Perfect for creating a group T-Shirt all your own and in any size needed, computers are used here and elsewhere to make your selection at Disney’s Design-A-Tee. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
In today’s high tech, interactive world, customizing and personalizing are becoming much more common, especially via the internet. But finding a physical place where so much of that happens is still unique. It helps to make the Downtown Disney experience become much more alive and memorable. The more you can offer that sense of customization and personalization, the more you create the total experience for your customers. How long this phenomenon succeeds remains to be seen. But clearly Disney operates by focusing on not just guests, but “customizers”.
