Largest Disney Store Opens to Fanfest in NYC

The biggest Disney Store in North America has opened it doors in NYC's Times Square, unveiling its worldwide high-tech makeover, including a Cars attraction, Disney Princess castle and a slew of licensed product.

The 20,000-plus-square-foot store features:

In addition, a digital billboard, located 68-feet high above Times Square, will feature exclusive Disney content year round. The billboard is currently showcasing clips from the upcoming Tangled and Tron: Legacy films.

"Disney Stores play a critical role in how millions around the world experience our brand," says Bob Iger, Disney's president and chief executive officer. "The new store design allows kids and families to have a fun and immersive experience while shopping for their favorite Disney products. We couldn't be more excited to open this new Disney Store worthy of New York and Times Square."

The grand opening event featured a Disney character parade and celebrity guests joined by Iger and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

This year, 20 of the new high-tech Disney Stores will open in the U.S. and Europe, and later transitioned to its more than 300 locations.

(Photo courtesy of Business Wire: A dramatic highlight of Disney Store's grand opening in Times Square was when Mickey Mouse called on friends Tinker Bell, Buzz Lightyear and Family.com sweepstakes winners 9-year-old Aden Schwartz and his 5-year-old brother Trevor Schwartz from Boston, Massachusetts to "unlock imagination" and turn the oversized key to officially open the store. Disney Store Times Square, the crown jewel of store openings this year, culminates the first phase of a worldwide transformation that solidifies the retailer's global leadership in children's retail.)