Once Upon A Time In Disney World

Once Upon A Time In Disney World
by Mia Bennet 
(@must_be_mia1)

As Once Upon a Time goes into its 5th season, it continues to become increasingly more popular at Walt Disney World, Florida. I visit Disney World continuously, and I'm always on the lookout for anything Once Upon a Time related. Since 2011, Disney World has put up Once posters in their bus headers, parks, and the Transportation and Ticket Center where guests load onto monorails and buses. These draw attention and many people are spotted taking their picture in front of them. The posters that I have seen include Season One posters of Emma, Snow, and Rumple, Elsa, and since July 2015, the classic poster of Regina's eyes with the red apple. 

There have also been promotions. Last year in Magic Kingdom, during "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party", Once Upon a Time buttons were handed out to promote Season Four's introduction to Elsa, which I was lucky to score. Another contribution to the introduction to the Frozen arc was a photo pass option where you could have a full body pose with Elsa and Regina.

Another fun option they have to promote Once Upon a Time is in the store "Merchant of Venus". Through the company Amazing Pictures, you are able to have your face inserted to look like our beloved Once characters. Here is the picture my mother and I chose: 

There are multiple options to choose from, including couples pictures like Snow and Charming, group pictures like mine, or you can have a single picture taken, for example, to look like Belle. This is a fun activity to do with fellow Oncers, and is great for a laugh and now available at Hollywood Studios as well. 

Last but not certainly not least, Hollywood Studios has added Mr. Gold's Pawnshop.

This is just a giant window display, but is a must see if you're a fan. Inside the window display are a ton of gems and Easter Eggs to the show. From Snow White's wedding ring, the Unicorn Mobile, Charming's Sword, the Jolly Roger in a bottle, to the classic book that started it all.

You can stand here ogling over the trinkets inside. Many fans enjoy taking pictures at the window. It is a delight to see guests face light up as they recognize the familiar building. As a hardcore fan, I was over the moon to finally visit. 

Merchandise is now being added to the park, and the first item up is a Queens of Darkness phone case. Hopefully there is more to be released soon.

I am pleased that Once Upon a Time is getting more and more popular at the parks. Co-creator Adam Horowitz has been notified of this and is also delighted. I can't wait to visit again next month to see if anything has been added. Perhaps there will be some Dark Swan posters up just in time for the premiere. If you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend it!