Music has played an important role throughout most of my life. I was a deejay for many years and I used to play the saxophone (fortunately for many, I didn’t do both activities simultaneously). I have an extensive music collection, including many vinyl albums. When my fellow author Jennifer told me that the Disney Parks Blog was saluting The Beatles, I jumped at the opportunity to write something. I own several Beatles albums and, recently, I’ve enjoyed singing two of my favorite songs during karaoke night – “All You Need is Love” and “Eight Days A Week.” There is a connection to The Beatles at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, and it is found at the Toy Soldier shop in the United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot.
The back of this merchandise location contains a Kidcot Fun Stop and is the perfect (or is that “thotful?”) spot to meet Winnie the Pooh and friends. The front half is dedicated to merchandise, including music-related items, storybooks and a few Duffy the Disney Bear options. I spoke with Sylvie Brumbaugh, Product Developer for World Showcase, about the location.
“We have a variety of items that salute British bands, including The Beatles,” explained Sylvie. “For World Showcase, we like offering merchandise that represents things or icons from a particular country. The Beatles are known the world over for great music, so it made sense for us to carry their merchandise.”
Yet, there is another reason why Toy Soldier was selected as a “rockin’” good merchandise destination – the British Revolution band plays nearby. Luckily, their music provided a great soundtrack while I photographed a few of my favorite Beatles items.
The items pictured above were not developed by Disney Theme Park Merchandise, yet that doesn’t make them any less cool. I “love” the graphics on the duffle bag and matching mini-bags. The lunch boxes reminded me of my metal childhood lunchboxes (I’m jealous that my son occasionally uses a metal Mission: SPACE lunchbox at his school). Finally, I need the yellow submarine ice cube tray for my next party!
Sylvie said that World Showcase merchandise changes often, so she gave me a sneak preview of new Beatles things arriving this fall.
Check out more news from Epcot in the posts below:
Comments
Some of my best memories of WDW are from watching the British Revolution.
I want a Yellow Submarine ice-cube tray! 🙁
(And Doctor Who merchandise, but only if it’s Classic–Don’t much cotton to that flashy new pretender, or fans who think it’s the only version that ever existed.)
Interesting other Disney/Beatles connection, btw:
Since Yellow Submarine was showing off that it was a “revolutionary” NON-Disney animated (a big deal in 1968), check out the design for the conquering Blue Meanie army–Don’t they look sort of…familiar, somehow? Must be the ears.
@Eric – The items that will be carried are from the latest series. Sadly, no scarf will be offered (which was from my doctor) 🙂 My father and I watched together when I was a child, and now I watch the newest series with my children. Thank you for the note.
Awesome! I’m hoping it will be there in late August for my trip!
Love the new Beatles merch! We will be there for the holidays and I just might have to hint to my husband what shirt I would like so he can tell Santa!
Very cool – any chance of them getting Doctor Who merchandise???
Dr. Who merchandise! Dr. Who is cool! I can’t wait! If they put a Tardis there I’ll just be in heaven! I’ll take a tardis purse that’s bigger on the inside please!
All of my best Beatles merch has come from this shop. 🙂 Best overall area in all of Disney, the UK pavilion. Can’t brag on this location and its cast members enough!
I’m with Danielle,will this be available online for us Best Coasters.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Any chance these will be available online for us West Costers?
@Danielle – Love is all you need (just finishing your phrase 🙂
Your best option would be to contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise Guest Services at 1-877-560-6477 or send an email to: merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com
Many of these items are found in the national marketplace, yet the guest service team would be happy to assist you.
I love all the Beatles merchandise! It’ll take a lot of self constraint or more than a hard day’s night of salary to get me out of that store next time I’m in Epcot!
All I need is love and that awesome Yellow Submarine shirt (That’s what I want!), it’ll go well with the yellow submarine lunch box I’ve had since I was in high school.
@Jennifer – Nice! That made me laugh. Agreed that the new items look great. There are several more that I wasn’t able to show. If you are visiting Walt Disney World in the fall, make sure you stop by. In addition to new Beatles merchandise, she is also introducing a small assortment of “Dr. Who” items! Eventually, there will also be some new Led Zeppelin items.
LOVE IT! That’s all. Just LOVE IT! 🙂
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