The Story Book Shop (1955–1995) was a charming bookstore on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A., operated by Western Publishing, a key Disney licensee known for Little Golden Books. Located near the Emporium, it offered a delightful array of Disney-themed books, comics, and merchandise, capturing the magic of storytelling for park guests. It closed in April 1995 as Main Street shifted toward broader retail.
Here are 10 fun facts about this beloved shop, bursting with literary nostalgia and Disneyland charm!
- Opening Day Classic: The Story Book Shop opened with Disneyland on July 17, 1955, sponsored by Western Publishing, one of the park’s original investors via part-ownership in Disneyland, Inc.
- Western Publishing Powerhouse: Western, a pioneer in Disney books since 1933, stocked the shop with their Whitman and Golden Press imprints, including Little Golden Books like Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. By 1959, over 150 Golden titles had sold a million copies each.
- Disney Comics Galore: The shop sold comics like Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories, produced by Western since 1940, and Mickey Mouse Club Magazine (launched 1955), tying to the TV show.
- Turn-of-the-Century Charm: Designed to evoke an 1890s bookstore, the shop featured wooden shelves, brass fixtures, and a warm, library-like ambiance.
- Exclusive Souvenirs: Guests could buy unique items like Disneyland pictorial souvenir books and Walt Disney’s Magazine, which shifted from Mickey Mouse Club tie-ins to movie features.
- Literary Legacy: The shop carried Western’s Golden Book Encyclopedia (1960), which sold 60 million copies in two years, and storybooks tied to attractions like Jungle Cruise.
- Kid-Friendly Focus: Aimed at young readers, the shop offered Big Golden Books with vibrant art by Disney artists like John Hench. Titles like Snow White and Babes in Toyland were staples.
- Long Run, Quiet End: Operating for nearly 40 years, the shop closed on April 1, 1995, as Main Street prioritized larger stores like the Emporium. Its space merged into adjacent retail.
- Fan Nostalgia: The shop occasionally sold park-exclusive bookmarks and maps, like a 1960s Disneyland guidebook, now collector’s gold.
- Walt’s Vision Tie: Walt Disney, a storytelling advocate, saw the shop as a way to extend park magic through books. Western’s early faith in Disneyland, as a risky 1955 venture, made it a key partner.
