Main Street, U.S.A.’s most iconic shopping destination is undergoing some serious changes, and longtime Walt Disney World Resort guests are taking notice. The Emporium has been at the heart of Magic Kingdom Park’s shopping experience since the park opened in 1971. Now, after 54 years, it’s getting a fresh new look—but the construction is making things a bit tricky for visitors.
A New Look for The Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park
Guests visiting The Emporium in early 2025 may have noticed large construction walls sectioning off a significant portion of the store. In January, Disney Fanatic reported that approximately 20-25% of the store was blocked off, affecting the Youth and Plush section and limiting access to the popular exit near Casey’s Corner. With merchandise displays removed and a popular footpath closed, cast members had to get creative, using floor tape to create makeshift checkout lines and posting signs encouraging guests to use Mobile Checkout via the My Disney Experience app.
Earlier this month, some of those walls came down, revealing a lighter-colored floor and a more open layout designed to improve guest flow. Disney also removed a rarely-used register near Casey’s Corner to allow for easier movement through the store. Most notably, guests can once again use the Casey’s Corner exit, providing a less crowded route to Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square.
More Construction is Underway
While the first phase of renovations is complete, work inside The Emporium is far from over. According to WDWNT, new construction walls have been installed, this time blocking off the “Disney Clothiers” entrance to the store along Main Street, U.S.A. Fortunately, no registers were affected, and guests can still access The Emporium through alternate entrances, including the one inside Casey’s Corner.
Construction now stretches across multiple sections of the store, including an area that typically houses Youth clothing and plush toys. Plush merchandise is now displayed on small kiosks throughout the merchandise location.
The walls may be concealing another floor replacement or a potential layout adjustment to reduce congestion further. Given the scope of the project, Disney may continue shifting construction walls throughout The Emporium until renovations are fully complete.
What’s Next for The Emporium?
Though Walt Disney World Resort has not officially announced the full extent of The Emporium’s renovations, it seems likely that crews will continue working in sections until the entire store has been updated. The beloved shop remains open, but guests should expect periodic closures of certain areas as the work progresses. Merchandise offerings may be more limited than usual as there is less space to display items.
Have you visited The Emporium since construction work began? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
