The Biggest Build-A-Bear on Earth Opens This Year, Here’s What’s Inside
If Build-A-Bear was part of your childhood, or if it’s part of your kids’ childhood now, here’s some news worth knowing. The world’s largest Build-A-Bear Workshop is opening in Orlando later this year, and based on everything revealed so far, it’s going to be way more than just a big store.
The new two-story flagship is being built at ICON Park on International Drive, and construction is moving fast. Floor-to-ceiling glass is already installed, the exterior framing is nearly done, and crews are actively working on the rooftop level. There’s even a circular rotunda taking shape that might become the main entrance.
What’s Actually Going to Be Inside The Build-A-Bear
This is where things get interesting. This isn’t just a bigger version of the Build-A-Bear at your local mall.
The store will have a rooftop area with food and beverages, with part of it enclosed to protect from Florida weather. There’s also an outdoor courtyard in the design, and there have been reports of a slide connecting the different levels, which honestly sounds like a lot of fun regardless of your age.
The biggest reveal so far is an appointment-based experience on the second floor, which Build-A-Bear says will offer the highest level of customization the company has ever created. Guests who book it will walk out with a completely one-of-a-kind furry friend that nobody else on the planet will ever have. For collectors and longtime fans, that’s a pretty big deal.
When It Opens
Here’s the catch. There’s no official opening date yet. Build-A-Bear officials have said they’re aiming for the very end of summer 2026, though it could slip into early fall since they’re still waiting on one final permit approval. The Coming Summer 2026 signage is still up around the construction site, and the location is listed as Coming Soon on the ICON Park guest map.
In the meantime, the current smaller Build-A-Bear at ICON Park is still open, running 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Why Orlando Got Picked for Build-A-Bear
The location makes a lot of sense when you think about it. ICON Park sits right in the middle of Orlando’s entertainment district, surrounded by over 150 hotels and just minutes from Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld. Orlando pulls in around 74 million visitors a year, and Build-A-Bear has said this project is part of a bigger strategy focused on tourist destinations.
There’s also a fun fact worth knowing here. Build-A-Bear’s collectible market of teens and adults makes up 40 percent of its sales, which means this location isn’t just being built for little kids. The rooftop dining, the premium customization experience, and the whole multi-generational design approach make that pretty clear.
The company also brought in design firm Chute Gerdeman for the project, the same team behind the FAO Schwarz flagship in New York, so expectations for the finished space are high.
Build-A-Bear Workshop will soon have a spacious, upscale option in Orlando at a new Icon Park location: https://t.co/EmfiR2A9Qo pic.twitter.com/6Lqtu3y8Zf
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) July 2, 2026
Worth Adding to Your Orlando List
Whether you’re a longtime Build-A-Bear fan, a parent with kids who love the brand, or an adult collector who never stopped loving it, this new flagship is shaping up to be a legitimate stop on any Orlando trip. Keep an eye on Build-A-Bear’s website for the official opening announcement as summer winds down.
