Welcome, Laura!
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding Disney’s “Walk Around the World” bricks at the Walt Disney World Resort. These hexagonal bricks were purchased through a sponsorship program (ending in the year 2000) and personalized to commemorate a special milestone or to leave a family legacy physically on the Walt Disney World property. These bricks are cemented in the memories of millions of visitors walking these special pathways for many years; I know they are a key visual in my mind of my visits during that time. How incredible that your family purchased one nearly 30 years ago – imagine the countless smiles brought to so many Guests seeing your special name on a brick as they walked to a magical Disney day together.
I’m sorry to share that these sponsored bricks were removed from the property in 2019 as part of the reimagining and updating of these walkways into Magic Kingdom Park and around the Transportation and Ticket Center.
In March 2019, Disney posted this article on the Disney Parks Blog to announce this chapter ending. I understand that upon initial purchase, the bricks were committed to being displayed until 2011, so they brought an additional eight years of smiles and magic to others beyond initial expectations. While no longer physically there, please remember that your family’s sponsored brick was part of a very special program at the Walt Disney World Resort and will live on in so many photos and memories of this magical place for Guests from all over the world.
Some good news, Laura – while the promotion for a discounted replica brick ended in August 2019, these remain available for purchase through shopDisney. If you
search shopDisney for “paver” you will find several designs available for personalization. Perhaps there is a new design to reflect more recent memories of your time together in the theme parks, or a simple design will remind you of your original purchase. Whichever you choose, I hope you can enjoy a replica of the original brick to keep in your home for many years to come. Unfortunately, these items are not available for direct shipping to Canada. I’m hopeful that you may have a friend or relative in the United States who could receive your paver and to get it to you personally. If not, you may
call Disney for additional information, including shipping to your
Disney Resort Collection hotel. These pavers are still sometimes offered on site (try shops in Tomorrowland or Disney Springs), so be sure to inquire on your next vacation, too.
One of the things I love most about the
Walt Disney World Resort is the deep legacy of family milestones and special moments made there – not just mine but witnessing countless other Guests over the years or hearing how Disney is such a deep part of others’ core memories. Please know that your brick created magic for over 23 years and was literally the foundation of so many incredible Disney days for Guests of all ages.
Thank you for coming to us with your personal question; please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help your family continue your Disney traditions with more magical adventures in the future.
“Good-bye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.” - Disney’s The Fox and the Hound YOU are the magic,
Amy