World’s largest Build-A-Bear Workshop at ICON Park takes mall memories to a whole new level
Build-A-Bear Workshop is taking its beloved experience beyond the mall — and Orlando is where it’s rewriting what retail can be.
The beloved brand opened the doors to its largest location in the world at ICON Park on International Drive on Thursday, welcoming families into a three-story, 30,000-plus-square-foot experience unlike anything the brand has built before.
“This is the culmination of all of our Build-A-Bear dreams,” said Jazzy Danziger, vice president of Brand Creative and Innovation at Build-A-Bear. “This is the most personalized experience that we’ve ever created for our fans and followers.”
ICON Park CEO Chris Jaskiewicz said the location’s selection was no accident.
“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,” Jaskiewicz said. “It is such a terrific family brand that they came to the top location.”
The ICON Park location still delivers the classic Build-A-Bear experience guests know and love — choosing a furry friend, stuffing it, dressing it, and giving it a heart through the brand’s signature Heart Ceremony.
For those looking to go further, custom add-ons take personalization to the next level. A scent bar lets guests give their furry friend a unique fragrance, while the “Hear Me” station allows them to record a custom sound or voice message sewn right inside.
A “Personalize Me” station offers embroidered names, initials, patches and screen prints on furry friend clothing, with select animals eligible for ear embroidery.
Design studio brings fully custom builds
Guests can explore a premium design studio — a Build-A-Bear first — where one-on-one appointments with a design consultant allow for a fully custom plush build. Visitors choose from an exclusive selection of fabrics, textures and materials, with options ranging from fur type and color to eye color and paw design. Interactive digital tools let guests preview and refine their creation before a Build-A-Bear seamstress brings it to life.
Beyond the design studio, an on-site bakeshop lets visitors frost and decorate their own cupcakes and cookies. The shop connects to an open-air Celebration Terrace on the building’s upper level, overlooking the Orlando Eye.
“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, Danziger said.”
The terrace doubles as an event space available for parties and corporate events.
3 specialty shops debut
The ICON Park location also marks the debut of three fully themed specialty shops.
The first-ever Build-A-Bear x Pokémon Workshop brings the world of Pokémon to life through exclusive collectible plush, apparel and bold, fan-focused visuals.
The Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop — the brand’s fourth of its kind — immerses guests in dreamy pink visuals and custom fixtures, with a curated assortment of Hello Kitty and Friends plush available exclusively at ICON Park.
Rounding out the trio is Promise Pets by Build-A-Bear Workshop, a heart-led space where guests “adopt” a plush companion through an adoption-style experience designed to spark imagination and emotional connection in younger visitors.
Thursday’s grand opening drew guests eager to be among the first inside, with the first 10 eligible visitors in line offered free furry friends for a year.
Make ICON Park go further with Play Pass
For families looking to stretch their Orlando budget, ICON Park’s Play Pass bundles nine experiences — including Blue Man Group, Museum of Illusions, Ripley’s Crazy Golf and a $10 discount at Build-A-Bear — for $99.99 per person, a savings of more than 40% off standard retail value.
A $84.99 Fun Pass offers a smaller bundle with savings of more than 30%.
Both passes are valid for 10 days after purchase, and free parking and free valet keep costs down throughout the visit. Dining discounts of 10% to 20% apply at participating restaurants, including Sugar Factory, Uncle Julio’s and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.
Passes can be purchased at The Wheelhouse Bar inside ICON Park.