26 March 2010 by Pittsburgh Disney Travel Examiner - Debra Peterson
RIDEMAKERZ®, a toy car and radio control (RC) car customizing entertainment experience, celebrated its grand opening at its new locations at Downtown Disney West Side in Walt Disney World yesterday, March 25.
RIDEMAKERZ allows guests of all ages to build and personalize their own RC car, choosing its bodystyle, color, wheels, lights and sounds, accessories and decals. With all those options to trick out one’s RC ride, over 649 million combinations, RIDEMAKERZ allows guests to own their dream cars, called RIDEZ.
RIDEMAKERZ also works with several automotive manufacturers to offer RC versions of contemporary cars, such as the Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Viper, and MINI Cooper. Guests, who are called “Customizers,” can also chose from among vintage wheels, retro designs, racecars, and service-vehicle selections.
“The RIDEMAKERZ experience is pure fun, and the process is designed to spark creativity, encourage collaboration and build confidence,” says RIDEMAKERZ ZEO (CEO) Larry Andreini.
Prices for a complete RIDEZ range from $10 to $32, depending on body and paint style chosen. Add $25 for radio remote control to make it a truly RC car. Custom accessories range from $2 for individual pieces to $15 for themed kits with accessories.
RIDEMAKERZ, located in Downtown Disney West Side where the Virgin Records Megastore used to be, will remain open for a limited engagement through this fall and possibly to the end of this year. Also part of the store is a RC car test track, an auto salon for full-size autos, and a gallery of show cars. RIDEMAKERZ also has a store at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District that opened in October 2009.
The new RIDEMAKERZ is one of several changes to come to the Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney area in 2010. The West Side will house a new D Street store, featuring trendy, urban-inspired products, which will complement the Trend-D store at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Opening in April, D Street and will offer Vinylmation collectibles, apparel, and pop culture items. (Disney World Passholders can get a sneak peak at the store April 3.)
The Downtown Disney AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres just opened a new 3D theater to coincide with the March 2010 release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.
At Downtown Disney Marketplace, McDonald’s will close its doors at the end of April; in it place will be Pollo Campero, the Latin Chicken quick-service restaurant, scheduled to open sometime this fall.
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