"House of Magic" Returns to Main Street Magic Kingdom

[Buried20KLeague]

I've lurked on these boards for years but happy to finally post. I almost died when I saw HOUSE OF MAGIC back where it was supposed to be. I was in the parks when it happened so didn't learn about it on the boards. As we unsuspectingly walked up Main Street, my kids were laughing at me about how I was going to glumly point to the Main Street Athletic Shop and begin my woeful tale about how it used to be one of my favorite places in the world when I was a kid--the place that caused me to become an amateur magician and eventually a professional one! So, they're teasing me and I'm laughing and, yet, I am nevertheless beginning my tale about the masks and the SS Adams tricks and the Randotti section and the silver and gold skull necklaces and rings with faux ruby eyes... I am pointing the mansard roof and explaining how the building even looks a little more mysterious than those on either side... when all of us just stop dead in our tracks. I literally could not believe what I was seeing since I hadn't seen it since I was 14. There it was THE HOUSE OF MAGIC. It was the beginning of our trip so it sort of made the whole next several days better for me. The windows were themed and they were selling t-shirts (I bought 2) so I didn't let myself feel disappointed that the store itself had not materialized. At least, not yet. I am holding out hope they make a return to the dimly lit domain of ghoulish trickery and magic. Memento Mori finally allowed me to let go of my sadness over Ichabod's Landing having vanished! But I can never stop hoping that the HOUSE OF MAGIC returns!

Did you happen to think about stopping at Guest Relations to give them some praise? Or about maybe sending them a note assuming your trip is over and you're back home?

With the way things usually go, I feel like positive reinforcement when we approve is probably a good idea. Like with a puppy.

We need to potty train WDW.

Sort of for real.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I've lurked on these boards for years but happy to finally post. I almost died when I saw HOUSE OF MAGIC back where it was supposed to be. I was in the parks when it happened so didn't learn about it on the boards. As we unsuspectingly walked up Main Street, my kids were laughing at me about how I was going to glumly point to the Main Street Athletic Shop and begin my woeful tale about how it used to be one of my favorite places in the world when I was a kid--the place that caused me to become an amateur magician and eventually a professional one! So, they're teasing me and I'm laughing and, yet, I am nevertheless beginning my tale about the masks and the SS Adams tricks and the Randotti section and the silver and gold skull necklaces and rings with faux ruby eyes... I am pointing the mansard roof and explaining how the building even looks a little more mysterious than those on either side... when all of us just stop dead in our tracks. I literally could not believe what I was seeing since I hadn't seen it since I was 14. There it was THE HOUSE OF MAGIC. It was the beginning of our trip so it sort of made the whole next several days better for me. The windows were themed and they were selling t-shirts (I bought 2) so I didn't let myself feel disappointed that the store itself had not materialized. At least, not yet. I am holding out hope they make a return to the dimly lit domain of ghoulish trickery and magic. Memento Mori finally allowed me to let go of my sadness over Ichabod's Landing having vanished! But I can never stop hoping that the HOUSE OF MAGIC returns!

Ichabod’s Landing! I’ve been trying to figure out what that place was called and if it even existed! My first trip I can remember I was obsessed with the Haunted Mansion and that little shop. All I wanted was the invisible dog leash for $8. My parents kept saying to pick something else but finally allowed it. I told them as I was walking out of liberty square that one day I was going to work at Disney World and they kinda just patted me on the head, but 15 years later I did and celebrate 10 years with the company next summer. Thanks for reminding me of that little place!

 

[Sundown]

Would anyone have some photos of Ichabod's Landing? I didn't know about this shop and would like to see what it looked like!

 

[castlecake2.0]

Would anyone have some photos of Ichabod's Landing? I didn't know about this shop and would like to see what it looked like!

I tried looking for photos but can’t find any. The building is still there, it’s on the left side right before the gates to haunted mansion. It looks like a little shed attached to the old Mike Fink Keel Boats qeue. I remember the doors swung open and they had items hanging from hooks on the inside of the doors. The room was quite small and it just sold little tricks and masks from what I recall. I think it was replaced by Mme Leota’s wagon.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Isn't this just a facade on the front of the otherwise repetitive disneystore in the park?

Forgive me if I've lost track of this...

Yes, but the point is that it wasn't "just a facade" not too long ago. The House of Magic used to be its own shop with walls inside. Just as the Penny Arcade used to be a contained space, and the Cinema, etc...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes, but the point is that it wasn't "just a facade" not too long ago. The House of Magic used to be its own shop with walls inside. Just as the Penny Arcade used to be a contained space, and the Cinema, etc...

Right...but they can't really mass produce magic shop stuff outside Shanghai and put it in 37 shops, ya know?

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Nothing of the interior had changed. Looking at the sign it looks pretty temporary to me. I’m wondering if this is a tribute/place holder while they work on the actual Hall of Champions sign at the paint shop. Just my guess.

I doubt it is a temporary placeholder, going back to that external design just for a few months isn't something Disney would do. Far too much effort. As to the House of Magic materializing once again for real? Who's to say?

It’s very unlikely for Disney to create a storefront as a placeholder. I’m sure that the exterior is here to stay as the House of Magic. The interior will remain The Walmporium.

It pains me because I so want House of Magic to return, but I have to agree with @castlecake2.0. If you look at it closely enough, it does look a little temporary. The House of Magic sign panels are legitimately just bolted over the old sign and no effort was put into hiding the bolts/screws, not even painting them the same color as the panels.

The only thing giving me hope is that they bothered to redress the window displays, too... which seems a little more substantial. But at the same time, they didn't bother to remove the athlete border from the window. I'm going to be cautiously optimistic, but I can also see how this may be temporary fan service to sell shirts and Magic Bands.

 

[JoeCamel]

Did you happen to think about stopping at Guest Relations to give them some praise? Or about maybe sending them a note assuming your trip is over and you're back home?

With the way things usually go, I feel like positive reinforcement when we approve is probably a good idea. Like with a puppy.

We need to potty train WDW.

Sort of for real.

They won't train. They do predetermined surveys so they can make "data driven decisions". No input from actual guests necessary - just muddies the process.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Right...but they can't really mass produce magic shop stuff outside Shanghai and put it in 37 shops, ya know?

<Confused> Of course they can. All cheap toys are mass produced somewhere outside Shanghai, right?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

<Confused> Of course they can. All cheap toys are mass produced somewhere outside Shanghai, right?

But they don't lift a finger If they can't get the unit cost down to $0.15 per and sell 100,000 a week...

You know the drill rookie.

Do you ever see a magic shop again? I'm think ing no unless they invent an "invisible magic band"

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

But they don't lift a finger If they can't get the unit cost down to $0.15 per and sell 100,000 a week...

You know the drill rookie.

Do you ever see a magic shop again? I'm think ing no unless they invent an "invisible magic band"

"Rookie." I was responding to your stupid remark. I know how things work: Disney World is about making money. I just hope that they can find a way to make money while keeping the place interesting.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

"Rookie." I was responding to your stupid remark. I know how things work: Disney World is about making money. I just hope that they can find a way to make money while keeping the place interesting.

Right...the "rookie" was a joke...we've met before...

I don't see there ever being a way they will justify a specialized shop again...frankly

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

It could come back if Disney sees value in it's return. Nostalgia sells. And for the non-magic loving public or persons disinterested in performing magic they could pop in for whatever cross-merchandised IP would be added to breath new life in the specialty shop. Plus everything cyclical what's old is new. It could happen. Unlikely but you never know.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

It could come back if Disney sees value in it's return. Nostalgia sells. And for the non-magic loving public or persons disinterested in performing magic they could pop in for whatever cross-merchandised IP would be added to breath new life in the specialty shop. Plus everything cyclical what's old is new. It could happen. Unlikely but you never know.

This sort of thing would work well in Momento Mori. EVERYTHING in that store is cool, but directly branded to HM. ...and that makes it somewhat inaccessible to some people. (I love HM, but have never bought anything in Momento Mori!) Diversifying the merchandise slightly with magic tricks, etc, would bring in more customers, methinks.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

They won't train. They do predetermined surveys so they can make "data driven decisions". No input from actual guests necessary - just muddies the process.

Well if the game is rigged (which I don’t disagree with), shouldn’t “muddying the process” be the goal?

 

[Sundown]

Talk about it. Post about it. Get discussions going with people at the Magic Kingdom, in forums, on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Disney does listen to this type of stuff & feedback. It is of course up to them to make any decisions based on what they are hearing.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Minor update, it looks like the lettering for the sign is now raised (like it was before) and not just painted on as I saw it in February:

Photos from MiceChat

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Interesting! That's a bit of effort I wouldn't have expected. Would be awesome it it became a full-fledged Magic Shop again.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

I still love that they did this, but I also still can't figure out what the point was of doing all this if they're going to leave the store exactly the same?

 

[WDWTank]

I still love that they did this, but I also still can't figure out what the point was of doing all this if they're going to leave the store exactly the same?

I have a feeling they’re going to bring it back