AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 11, 2026
Build-A-Bear Workshop Debuts Its Largest Store at ICON Park
Build-A-Bear Workshop has opened the doors to its largest location in the world at ICON Park on International Drive in Orlando, ushering in a new era of interactive retail for families and fans of the beloved brand. The three-story, 30,000-plus-square-foot space welcomes visitors to a multi-level destination that expands on the classic Build-A-Bear experience with innovative customization options and never-before-seen specialty shops.
Elevated Build-A-Bear Experience for Families
With this flagship location, Build-A-Bear brings its signature activities—like selecting, stuffing, and dressing a furry friend, and taking part in the memorable Heart Ceremony—to a much grander scale. According to Jazzy Danziger, vice president of Brand Creative and Innovation at Build-A-Bear, "This is the culmination of all of our Build-A-Bear dreams. This is the most personalized experience that we’ve ever created for our fans and followers."
The store features numerous stations for plush toy personalization, such as the scent bar, which adds custom fragrances to toys, and the "Hear Me" station to record personalized sound messages. At the “Personalize Me” station, guests can embroider names, initials, or add patches and prints to furry friend clothing, with select plushies eligible for custom ear embroidery.
First-Ever In-Store Build-A-Bear Design Studio
A highlight of the new location is the Build-A-Bear Design Studio, which debuts for the first time and allows guests one-on-one appointments with design consultants. Here, visitors can create a fully custom plush by choosing from an exclusive range of fabrics, textures, colors, and features including eye color and paw design. Interactive digital tools let creators preview and modify their design before a Build-A-Bear seamstress completes the personalized addition.
Bakery and Celebration Spaces
The store also boasts the Build-A-Bear Bakeshop, where guests can decorate cupcakes and cookies in a fun, interactive culinary setting. The bakeshop connects to the open-air Celebration Terrace, offering views of the Orlando Eye and doubling as an event space for parties and corporate gatherings. "We really want this to be a place where you don’t just shop Build-A-Bear, but you can also relax and spend time together as a family or with friends," said Danziger.
Three Specialty Build-A-Bear Shops Debut
Another unique aspect of the ICON Park location is the introduction of three specialty Build-A-Bear shops. These include:
- Build-A-Bear x Pokémon Workshop: Featuring exclusive collectible plush, themed apparel, and distinctive Pokémon-themed displays.
- Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop: Offering exclusive Hello Kitty and Friends merchandise within a vibrant, themed environment—being the brand’s fourth such shop worldwide.
- Promise Pets by Build-A-Bear Workshop: An interactive area where young visitors can "adopt" plush pets through an imaginative, heartwarming experience.
Opening Day Celebrations and Added Value for Visitors
The grand opening drew eager crowds, with the first 10 eligible guests receiving free furry friends for a year. Visitors to ICON Park can also take advantage of special offers, such as the Play Pass, which bundles nine experiences—including a $10 Build-A-Bear discount—for $99.99 per person, as well as the Fun Pass for $84.99, both valid for 10 days after purchase. These passes offer savings on attractions, food, and parking, enhancing the family entertainment Orlando experience.
ICON Park as a Family Destination
ICON Park CEO Chris Jaskiewicz explained the significance of the location, stating, “They could have gone to a lot of cities, a lot of states, but they picked us because we are the number one destination for families. It is such a terrific family brand that they came to the top location.”
The world’s largest Build-A-Bear Workshop at ICON Park promises guests an unforgettable mix of shopping, plush toy customization, entertainment, and memorable family moments in the heart of Orlando.
Source: clickorlando.com.
