Disney to open first Irish-based superstore
Calm down, they’re not in your head, everyone else in Ireland can see them too.
As part of its never-ending quest for world domination — of the children’s entertainment industry, at least — the Walt Disney Company is set to open its first ever Irish-based super-store in May.
The 4,750 square foot Grafton Street facility will begin business on May 18, and has already been lauded by those behind the venture as a fairytale come true for the nation’s kids and the company’s executives alike.
The move also means the Walt Disney Company is now seeking role-play employees, with would-be Snow Whites, Mickey Mouses (or Mickey Mice for the more literate rodents) and other potential characters asked to send their CVs to irelandstorecareers@disney.ie.
Among the key features of the new store will be “two floors of groundbreaking technology, interactive story-telling and Disney exclusive merchandise”.
A “Disney theatre” will also be designed to allow children to choose from more than 50 clips of their favourite cartoons made by the firm, play with magic mirrors and take part in free daily events.
“The store will bring the magic of Disney to the heart of Dublin for families to enjoy together,” a spokesperson for the multi-billion euro corporation explained.
Since it was established in 1923, the Walt Disney Company has become one of the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates, operating more than 100 super-stores based in Europe alone.
While it began in the silent film era, Disney has consistently diversified into areas such as live-action films, TV, travel, radio, publishing and online media.
Among its recent acquisitions have been Miramax Films (1993, sold on last year), Fox Family Worldwide (2001), Pixar (2006) and Marvel Entertainment (2009).
The company prides itself on a family-friendly attitude, a policy which helped to ensure it had a US$38 billion (€26bn) worldwide revenue, US$6bn income and US$69bn assets in 2010.
