By Mary A. Mitchell
Reed Travel Features
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The outside, which resembles an upturned toy
box, spills giant toys such as a 32-foot-tall Raggedy Ann and a
32-foot-tall teddy bear onto the pavement.
The newly opened FAO Schwarz flagship store, near the Orange
County Convention Center on International Drive, has been known to
cause traffic jams. The 37,000-square-foot store, one of five
flagship stores nationwide, is a centerpiece of the $120 million
Pointe Orlando development. The 450,000-square-foot complex of
attractions, dining and shopping will celebrate its grand opening
on Nov. 21.
By that time, according to a company spokesman, an assortment of
packages for agents and operators will be available. Themed dining
will include branches of several South Florida restaurants, such as
the Modern Art Cafe, with moderately priced gourmet fare, and
Monty's, a seafood house that serves conch chowder and she-crab
soup. Greg Norman's Down Under Grill, one of two restaurants
bearing the golfer's name, will be a part of the offerings as will
Billboard Live!, a restaurant and nightclub owned by Billboard
magazine. Former, current and future National Football League
players are expected to make regular appearances at the NFL Players
Grill.
Meanwhile, the FAO Schwarz store is drawing throngs with a piano
keyboard like the one in the movie "Big," an FAO Schwarz candy
store, Barbie's Street of Dreams and a "Star Wars" shop with
replicas of Imperial Walkers and an interactive Darth Vader figure.
At one end, an oversize reproduction of a 1950s-style tin doll
house holds collectible dolls. In another corner, the vehicle shop
provides a selection of remote-control cars, including a special
Corvette. Characters, such as Raggedy Ann and Barbie, walk through
the store.
Pointe Orlando's other anchors will be a 21-screen theater with
stadium seating and an IMAX 3-D theater; a WonderWorks attraction
with interactive exhibits, and a Foot Locker store.
For more information, contact the Pointe's offices at (407)
248-2838.