ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando’s ICON Park is preparing to welcome a new Build-A-Bear experience unlike any other in the world.
Build-A-Bear announced plans to open a new three-story Workshop at ICON Park in November. The location will introduce exclusive attractions and customization options that are not offered at any other Build-A-Bear store.
Company leaders described the Orlando location as Build-A-Bear’s most ambitious concept yet. In addition to the brand’s traditional make-your-own plush experience, guests will find a premium design studio, an interactive dessert shop and expanded ways to personalize their furry friends.
The ICON Park Workshop will be home to the first-ever Build-A-Bear Design Studio.
Guests must reserve an appointment to take part. During the session, they will work one-on-one with a Design Consultant to create a completely customized plush companion.
Visitors can select from exclusive fabrics, textures and materials, then personalize details including the animal style, fur type, fur color, eye color and paw design.
Digital, interactive tools will allow guests to preview their ideas and make adjustments before production begins. After the design is approved, a Build-A-Bear seamstress will personally create the one-of-a-kind plush.
The Design Studio package will also include Build-A-Bear’s signature Heart Ceremony, a special birth certificate and an exclusive Design Studio Cub Condo.
The new Workshop will also feature the Build-A-Bear Bakeshop, where guests can decorate their own cupcakes and cookies as part of an interactive dessert experience.
The Bakeshop is not intended to operate like a traditional café. Instead, it will emphasize hands-on creativity, inviting visitors to frost and decorate their treats during their visit.
The ICON Park store will also introduce another exclusive feature: the “Personalize Me” station.
Through the station, guests can customize clothing for their furry friends with embroidered names, initials and numbers, as well as patches and screen prints. Certain plush animals will also be eligible for ear embroidery.
Build-A-Bear said the new station will provide even more opportunities to make each furry friend unique. The ICON Park location is designed to give families and visitors a place to create memories together while taking the company’s traditional make-your-own plush experience in a new direction.
“For nearly 30 years, Build-A-Bear has created memorable make-your-own experiences centered on connection, imagination and heart,” Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO Chris Hurt said. “Our ICON Park Workshop represents our most ambitious experience yet, a place where families can step into the world of Build-A-Bear, share meaningful moments together and create memories that last well beyond their visit.”
Build-A-Bear worked with design firm Chute Gerdeman to develop the new concept. The firm has created immersive retail environments, including the FAO Schwarz flagship in New York, which features a Build-A-Bear shop-in-shop.
The company said more information about the ICON Park Workshop, including additional features and grand opening details, will be released in the coming weeks.
