MKadmin
04-24-2008, 12:33
Dewayne Bevil | Sentinel Staff Writer
April 24, 2008
Hot pink is the new black at Disney World (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/travel/tourism-leisure/theme-park-vacations/walt-disney-world-resort-PLREC000087.topic).
But so are purple, shiny gold and glow-in-the-dark green.
Magic Kingdom guests now can create their own variations of Disney's signature ear hats, even if that means choosing fuzzy trim or bejeweled ears that (gasp!) don't match. The Chapeau (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/economy-business-finance/chapeau-incorporated-ORCRP003062.topic), a store near the entrance of the theme park, started offering options in the classic Mouse headwear last month, and it's the only place in the world where they are available.
"It's all about allowing the guest to customize," said Dara Trujillo, Disney's manager of merchandise franchise and synergy. "They can literally walk out of there and go 'I'm the only one who has this hat.' "
The concept is Build-A-Bear meets Project Runway. Customers choose one of 19 bases to build upon, then add from 19 sets of ears. For further personalization, there are dozens of stickers representing princesses, pirates and other Disney icons that can be permanently attached to the base.
Seven-year-old Allison Chadwick of Northfield Falls, Vt., was pleased with her picks for her very first set of ears.
"Purple is my favorite color, and I like flowers," she said while on vacation with her parents, Krista and Jeff Chadwick. "I put my favorite character on the hat, Ariel." She also had her name embroidered across the back.
Stickers for modern phenomena High School Musical and Hannah Montana (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/entertainment/television/miley-cyrus-PECLB001692.topic), as well as ones for special occasions such as holidays, honeymoons or birthdays, also are available.
Disney workers seal the stickers into place with a heat-press device. The ears are snap-on -- allowing additional options for indecisive buyers. Ear styles include faux leopard fur, fireworks and holographic-style poses of Mickey Mouse (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/entertainment/animation/mickey-mouse-PEFCC000032.topic).
"If a guest says, 'I can't really decide between pink or purple,' they can actually buy both sets and change their hat every single day," Trujillo said.
Owners receive their creations within minutes of paying.
Bases cost $4.95 or $5.95, ears run $2.50 and $3.50 apiece, and stickers are $2.95 a pop. The embroidered-name option is $3. The traditional basic-black ear hat remains available for $9.95.
A similar souvenir outlet is expected to open in May at Disneyland in California with more to follow in Central Florida within a year.
Source:- Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/orl-ears2408apr24,0,1708353.story)
April 24, 2008
Hot pink is the new black at Disney World (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/travel/tourism-leisure/theme-park-vacations/walt-disney-world-resort-PLREC000087.topic).
But so are purple, shiny gold and glow-in-the-dark green.
Magic Kingdom guests now can create their own variations of Disney's signature ear hats, even if that means choosing fuzzy trim or bejeweled ears that (gasp!) don't match. The Chapeau (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/economy-business-finance/chapeau-incorporated-ORCRP003062.topic), a store near the entrance of the theme park, started offering options in the classic Mouse headwear last month, and it's the only place in the world where they are available.
"It's all about allowing the guest to customize," said Dara Trujillo, Disney's manager of merchandise franchise and synergy. "They can literally walk out of there and go 'I'm the only one who has this hat.' "
The concept is Build-A-Bear meets Project Runway. Customers choose one of 19 bases to build upon, then add from 19 sets of ears. For further personalization, there are dozens of stickers representing princesses, pirates and other Disney icons that can be permanently attached to the base.
Seven-year-old Allison Chadwick of Northfield Falls, Vt., was pleased with her picks for her very first set of ears.
"Purple is my favorite color, and I like flowers," she said while on vacation with her parents, Krista and Jeff Chadwick. "I put my favorite character on the hat, Ariel." She also had her name embroidered across the back.
Stickers for modern phenomena High School Musical and Hannah Montana (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/entertainment/television/miley-cyrus-PECLB001692.topic), as well as ones for special occasions such as holidays, honeymoons or birthdays, also are available.
Disney workers seal the stickers into place with a heat-press device. The ears are snap-on -- allowing additional options for indecisive buyers. Ear styles include faux leopard fur, fireworks and holographic-style poses of Mickey Mouse (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/entertainment/animation/mickey-mouse-PEFCC000032.topic).
"If a guest says, 'I can't really decide between pink or purple,' they can actually buy both sets and change their hat every single day," Trujillo said.
Owners receive their creations within minutes of paying.
Bases cost $4.95 or $5.95, ears run $2.50 and $3.50 apiece, and stickers are $2.95 a pop. The embroidered-name option is $3. The traditional basic-black ear hat remains available for $9.95.
A similar souvenir outlet is expected to open in May at Disneyland in California with more to follow in Central Florida within a year.
Source:- Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/orl-ears2408apr24,0,1708353.story)