Just two weeks ago, the Heritage Manor Gift shop in Epcot‘s American Adventure became a new Art of Disney location. With construction taking place in so much of Future World, the Art of Disney store will now be located here.
If you’ve stopped by any of the other Art of Disney locations on Walt Disney World property, you are likely familiar with what will be found here at the American Adventure. A number of prints, gallery wraps, as well as matted and framed artwork created by Disney artists, can be found here.
A large display of Disney figurines greets guests as soon as they walk in the door. I enjoyed seeing a wide variety of these figurines, and I appreciated that Mr. Toad found his way to the shop.
Jim Shore’s Disney Traditions figurines can also be found at this new Art of Disney location. Over the years, Mr. Shore has stopped by for signing events at Heritage Manor Gifts. I’m hoping this tradition continues now that the shop is an official Art of Disney location.
Guests will also find Robert Olzewski’s work here, including his beautiful Gallery of Light boxes.
As at another Art of Disney locations, a desk is available for Disney artists to create sketches for guests.
My favorite part of the new shop is the display dedicated to Walt Disney entitled “The First Disney Artist.”
Placards in the display help guests to learn about Walt’s participation during World War I, and how, after returning to Kansas City, he began Laugh-O-gram Films.
The display also follows Walt as he moved to Hollywood and formed Disney Brothers Studio with his brother, Roy. I loved the intentionality behind this display, and I hope to see the Imagineers continue to make the most of small opportunities, such as this one, to pay homage to both Walt and Disney history.
Heritage Manor Gift shop was a personal favorite of mine, and I was sad to see it close. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would find when I stepped into this new Art of Disney location, but I found myself enamored with the work that had been done to create a warm and inviting space for guests to connect with Disney through the creativity and talent of others.
