On Sunday April 29, Disney Store will celebrate the grand opening of its newly-redesigned store at Glendale Galleria, in Glendale, Calif., the location of the very first Disney Store. In 1987, Disney launched the concept known as entertainment retail, and today Disney Store is celebrating its 25th anniversary and thriving as an innovative specialty retailer. The grand opening of the remodeled Glendale Galleria location will take place on World Wish Day, a celebration of the day that sparked a global wish-granting movement by Make-A-Wish. In honor of World Wish Day, Disney Store will host two wish kids and their families and provide a magical shopping experience at the Glendale store, and donate 10 percent of its sales on opening day. At the celebration, the first 500 guests to visit the store will receive free Mickey Mouse ears. From noon to 4 p.m., a meet and greet with the characters Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Belle and the Beast* will take place in the mall’s center court.

To celebrate World Wish Day nationwide, Disney Store will donate 5 percent of the gross sales revenue it receives that day from store locations in North America (up to $50,000). A special Jiminy Cricket Vinylmation™ figure avaiable at Disney Store locations nationwide and on DisneyStore.com will be released on World Wish Day, and for each one sold (from April 29 — May 31, 2012), Disney Store will donate $1 (up to $15,000) to Make-A-Wish America. To support Make-A-Wish locally, Disney Store will donate $250 to each chapter in the U.S. and Canada, for a total of $17,500, to assist with local wishes throughout the year.

“We admire the outstanding work of Make-A-Wish and are proud to celebrate with two wish kids at the grand opening celebration at our very first store in Glendale, CA,” said Jim Fielding, president of Disney Store and Make-A-Wish International board member. “Disney Store’s mission is to create magical experiences for families every day and we are honored to be a destination where Make-A-Wish children and families can enjoy special time together.”

The Make-A-Wish children will “unlock imagination” with a beautiful oversized lock and key and officially open the Disney Store at 11 a.m. on April 29. Disney Store’s signature opening ceremony will take place every day thereafter and one lucky child will be invited to participate.

Disney Store’s new design aims to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day” through immersive experiences, including a Disney Princess castle with a magic mirror, translucent magical trees, Disney·Pixar CARS neighborhood, and the Disney Store Theatre, featuring the latest in Disney entertainment. As guests look above in the store, they will see a unique skyline with iconic Disney storytelling scenes. The interactive design features magical experiences for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy. Since launching its new design in 2010, Disney Store has been transforming its stores into awe-inspiring retail destinations to the delight of guests around the world.

To find a Disney Store location, guests can 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 us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

*Characters alternate every 30 minutes. Character appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

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