World’s biggest Build-A-Bear Workshop coming to Orlando in summer 2026
Build-A-Bear Workshop fans will soon have a spacious, upscale option in Orlando at a new Icon Park location.
Icon Park, located on International Drive in Orlando, Fla., will add a cuddly new tenant. Build-A-Bear Workshop opens at Icon Park in summer 2026.
January 2026: Construction update
In the photos below, you can see construction progress as of January 2026 for the world’s largest Build-a-Bear Workshop:
July 2025: Groundbreaking
The official groundbreaking for this new project happened on the morning of July 31, 2025.
This retail option plans to fit into the theme park culture with a highly immersive two-story building. It will serve as an upgrade from the current Build-A-Bear retail location at Icon Park. Build-A-Bear Workshop stated that this move is part of a multi-year strategic expansion of its global footprint. The company desires to focus on more locations in tourist and hospitality destinations, making Orlando an ideal spot.
Build-A-Bear Workshop will partner with the design firm Chute Gerdeman. That design company has shown skill in creating immersive and engaging retail spaces, including the FAO Schwarz New York flagship, where Build-A-Bear currently operates a highly successful “shop-in-shop.” Build-A-Bear intends to offer “evolved, interactive, and personalized elements for this new Icon Park location.”
This new Build-A-Bear Workshop plans to have an eye-catching façade with easy-to-recognize branding. The company wants to maximize visibility with its future location since Orlando draws so many guests worldwide.
Photo courtesy of Icon Park
What’s inside the world’s biggest Build-a-Bear Workshop
This new concept will provide guests with a rooftop area designed for multi-generational appeal. This rooftop area will offer food and beverages, with part of the area being enclosed to protect from Florida weather. Additionally, the new Build-A-Bear Orlando will have an outdoor courtyard area.
The Build-A-Bear Workshop will also feature enhanced customization, personalization, and interactivity. There will be reasons to visit the different levels. For example, we heard about a slide being part of the design. In addition, Build-A-Bear Orlando will be the largest Build-A-Bear retail location and an iconic hub for the company.
“The combination of a creative interpretation of Build-A-Bear’s famous ‘make your own’ teddy bear retail concept, situated in a major destination city, is lined up to be a must-visit attraction for our wide array of fans,” said Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. “From our core consumer base of children to our collectible market of teens and adults that represents 40% of our sales, we look forward to continuing to create memorable moments for our guests in this one-of-a-kind location.”
“This will be the largest combination of experiential retail and entertainment at Icon Park,” said Icon Park president and CEO Chris Jaskiewicz. “We think Build-A-Bear’s decision to expand here at this scale speaks volumes about the appeal of doing business in Orange County and at Icon Park.”
Keep an eye on the official Build-A-Bear Workshop website for updates about the Orlando location.
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