Left: Trufflehunter’s Cave has stuffed toys and chocolates for sale.
Right: Glasswater Collectibles. (AI art)
Most theme parks have tons of merchandise associated with them. Such merchandise screams “Hey! I’ve been to the Magic Kingdom!” or “I could afford to visit Harry Potter’s Magical World of Wizarding for three whole days!” It doesn’t matter if you’re way too old to be wearing a purple Stitch backpack or a chibi Hermione pin. Hell, if you’re old, you’re likely wearing it out of duty anyway, having spent $60+ dollars on the thing.
OK, I confess, I’m not immune either. For many years I proudly wore a “Saturn 5” t-shirt I bought at Cape Kennedy Space Center, which in addition to being a working spaceport and historical attraction, has many elements of a theme park… and the gift shops to match, which were sumptuously themed around aviation and space.
Since theming is everything, what sort of shopping would Narniaworld offer? I came up with these ideas.
Shopping at Narniaworld
Christmas Market |
Many tents and booths line Narniaworld’s main thoroughfare from late November to the New Year in homage to the popular European Christmas markets that sell ornaments, toys, Christmas décor, and gifts. Father Christmas has his tent here and food wagons sell hot cocoa, cider, kettle corn, Queen Susan’s butterhorns, and roast chestnuts. Narniaworld carolers gather hourly to sing Medieval Christmas songs. (Most rides and attractions remain open at this time.) |
Glasswater Collectibles |
Items made of artisanal and hand-blown glass. |
The Great Souk of Tashbaan
|
Due to open next year, this open air marketplace will feature stalls and small shops selling beads, Middle Eastern jewelry, textiles, and Turkish Delight to take home. |
King Caspian’s Confectionery |
Large shop selling candies of all kinds with seasonal offerings and displays. |
Lasaraleen’s Trinkets and Treasures |
Currently located near Archenland in the park, but will be moved into The Great Souk of Tashbaan next year. Women’s accessories including jewelry, sunglasses, shopping bags, backpacks, purses, and hats; but lately more popular for its line of organic makeup, soaps, and perfumes. |
Lucy’s Diamond Cordial |
A small shop offering drugstore type items like sunscreen and aspirin for use within the park. |
Puddleglum’s Place |
Store selling fishing poles, lures, bait and other outdoor gear (binoculars, etc.) to be used at one of the two nearby lakes or fishing piers outside the park. Located in the lobby of the Beaversdam hotel. |
Royal Raiment |
Clothing store that sells souvenir-oriented items like t-shirts and hoodies as well as dress-up costumes for children. |
The Night Owl |
Themed after Glimfeather, this shop sells astronomy-related items like star charts and telescopes; also sleep masks, alarm clocks, flashlights, and anything to get around in and/or enjoy the dark. Very popular with the campers. |
The Wood Between the Worlds |
General Narnia merchandise store just inside the main entrance. The interior of the store has columns in the shape of giant trees and different “ponds” indicate each section. There are interactive kiosks inside to supply information about the park and make reservations. Narniaworld’s largest and busiest store. |
Trufflehunter’s Cave |
Sells — what else? — chocolate truffles of every sort. Boxed varieties are available to take home. |
Some of these stores and the products they sell were suggested by name — like Glasswater Collectibles — while others fulfilled a need, and were then named, like Lucy’s Diamond Cordial. Others I thought up out of necessity; a campground likely would offer fishing and hiking, and thus a need for fishing poles and binoculors. Who’s the Narnian fishing expert? Puddleglum.
The shop I’m most proud of is The Night Owl. Now that’s a good concept!
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