Hi Julian. Thank you for reaching out to us here at planDisney with your question.
I remember those Walk Around the World Bricks very well. While I never had one of these pavers myself, I always remember taking a few moments each visit to read some of them as I walked to and from
Magic Kingdom Park. Each one had special meaning to each Guest and I always took that to heart when I saw them.
When these pavers were retired in 2019, replica pavers were offered for sale at the
Marketplace Co-Op in
Disney Springs and the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. in Magic Kingdom Park, now the Tomorrowland Launch Depot. When you are at the resort, you can certainly check these locations to see if they are still available. But one place where these replicas
are still available at this time is shopDisney (listed as Commemorative Legacy Pavers). And while they cannot be shipped internationally, you can certainly have them shipped to a friend in the United States or order from the website and have them shipped to your Disney Resorts Collection Hotel when you are there. Please note the shipping and delivery times listed on the website and that the hotel may charge a fee for receipt of packages.
Julian, I recently lost my mother and I have quickly developed a keen understanding of how much certain items take on much more meaning when your loved one is gone. And whether your family members passed recently or years ago, those items never lose their importance and the sadness of your loss doesn't go away. Sometimes holding something, or brushing our fingers across something that meant so much to them and us brings a comfort we cannot measure. And while it may cause a tear (or more) to stream across our faces when doing so, each tear represents the love and the memories we cherish. And that's something that will never leave us. It's something we will always carry. And it's something we will always hold close.
As my friend
Amy pointed out
when a Guest asked a similar question, these original bricks created magic and provided the foundation of many special Disney days for Guests for over 23 years. Someone, like me, stopped for a moment and saw your bricks and smiled. A child ate a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar right next to them. A mother held her son's hand while they merrily skipped over them on their way to the park. A father took pictures of his family nearby. Day after day, year after year, memories were created, love was shared, and the beauty of living out fairytale after fairytale surrounded those bricks. And whether they knew how special those bricks were or not, you know. You always will.
I hope when you stand outside the gates of Magic Kingdom Park this coming September and beyond, you feel it. I hope you carry those memories with you into a day filled with wonder, magic, and excitement. And that even if there's a tear (or more), you'll know in your heart that it's because of the love you shared with each of those family members. Carry it with you. Carry it forward. Spread it all around.
I hope you get your hands on those replicas. And that each time you brush your hand across them like an artist's paintbrush across a page, it brings you all those beautiful memories with those beautiful people you were lucky to love and who were lucky to love you.
Reach out with any questions. And remember that love is an open door.
They'll be there in your heart. Always.
Sending warmth,
Matt