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 late summer 2026.
New experiences revealed
Build-A-Bear has shared several new details about what guests can expect inside the world’s largest Workshop during a June 2026 presentation. An appointment-based experience on the second floor that company officials say will offer the highest level of customization Build-A-Bear has ever created. Guests will leave with a one-of-a-kind furry friend designed exclusively for them.
“When you’re finished and you walk out, you will have your very own furry friend that nobody else on planet Earth will ever have,” a company executive said during the presentation.
Photo by Seth Kubersky
July 2026: Construction update
Large sections of floor-to-ceiling glass have been installed, exterior framing is nearly complete, and crews are actively working on the rooftop level and upper façade. The circular rotunda has also taken shape, which may become the store’s main entrance.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Photo by Dani Meyering
From around ICON Park, the new two-story location is becoming a prominent landmark.
That said, despite the “Summer 2026” signage remaining on the construction walls, the building is still an active construction site. Exterior finishes, balcony railings, roofing details, and entrance work remain underway. We’ll continue to monitor progress and update this article as more information becomes available.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Coming Summer 2026″ signage remains in place around the construction site, and the attraction is now listed as “Coming Soon” on the park’s guest map.
Photo by Dani Meyering
June 2026: Late summer or fall opening
As of June 26, 2026, Build-a-Bear Workshop has still not announced an official opening date for the new flagship. During a recent International Drive Chamber presentation, company officials said they are aiming for the very end of summer, though the opening could slip slightly into early fall as they await final approval on one remaining permit.
Photo by Seth Kubersky
May 2026: Open hours on website
As of May 24, 2026, the Build-A-Bear website lists the hours for the ICON Park Orlando location as 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, and 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. This is for the current smaller location and not for the large two-story location in the final stages of construction.
No official opening date for the new location has been announced. We expect an update and opening timeline soon.
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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