Disney Store | DISNEY THIS DAY

Disney Store | DISNEY THIS DAY | July 5, 1996

July 5, 2026

On this day in 1996, the 500th Disney Store opened its doors to shoppers. The 5,000 square foot location was found at the Metro Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The first Disney Store debuted in Glendale, California, in March 1987. It was an idea from Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to make Disney merchandise available outside the Parks. The 500th milestone came just nine years later and was a marker of the stores’ success and rapid expansion. The peak number of Disney Stores was 747 in 1999. [30 years ago in 2026]

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