On July 22, The Co-Op at Disney Springs hosted the release of the new Tiana and Madame Leota Dooney and Bourke collections, as well as a meet and greet with Ian Ray, the creative director for Dooney and Bourke. This event was well organized and both the purchasing of the merchandise and the signing went quite smoothly. The shopping portion of the event started at 10:00, and the signing started at 10:30. However, shoppers were allowed to get in line at 8:00. I arrived at the Co-Op around 8:10, and there were already about 15 people in line. By the time the shop doors opened two hours later, the line stretched all the way around the Co-Op building! In true Disney spirit, people were forming friendships with their line neighbors. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in line with the families around me! As we waited, a Cast Member walked by several times checking on the crowd and giving us updates on the status of the store. At one point, he brought out a shopping list with pictures and prices of all the new releases. He also told us then that the Pumpkin King pattern from D23 would be available! This was quite a surprise, and the shoppers were thrilled!
Shopping list given to guests waiting for the event
At just a few minutes before 10:00, the doors to the Co-Op opened, and the line was let inside. This was my first time to attend a release party, and I had visions of Wal-Mart on Black Friday in my head, but it was nothing like that! Guests were instructed to stay in a roped-off queue and only a few guests were allowed into the product area at one time. There was a table set up with all the new releases. Cast members were very understanding about placement, and I was able to look at all the bags on the table (about 15 of each style) before choosing mine. The bags were being re-stocked continuously, and I never felt rushed. There was a lot of energy in the air, and it almost felt like a party!
Tiana shopper tote
The Tiana shopper tote is gorgeous! The cream flowers really pop against the blue background, and the artwork on Tiana and the frog is so adorable! I crazy loved this bag because it has Tiana’s full dress on it. I adore her dress! The trim and lining are bright green, which makes this color combo really fun!
Tiana crossbody tote
New silhouettes are available in this collection, and this might be my new favorite silhouette. I love small bags, and this is just a tiny, little fairy-sized bag! It has different portraits of Tiana, and again, the artwork is fabulous! This bag also comes with a longer, crossbody strap, and I was surprised to find a dust bag included inside. Both the shopper tote and this mini-tote have a hang tag with Princess Tiana’s signature on one side and the Dream Big, Princess logo on the other. This release is the second in the Dream Big series (the Beauty and the Beast bags were the first,) and I can not wait to see which princess is released next!
Hang tag
Tiana foldover crossbody
The foldover zip crossbody is another new silhouette presented in this collection. It does not have a hangtag, but it does have a nice tassel detail.
Ivy, modeling two of the Tiana silhouettes
Many Fashionistas have been eagerly awaiting the Madame Leota bags, and they were definitely worth the wait! The purple is stunning!
Regan, modeling the Madame Leota shopper tote
Madame Leota
The Madame Leota bags came in the more familiar silhouettes of shopper tote, letter carrier, and wristlet. This pattern also included a limited release Magic band with a Dooney and Bourke slider. The decorative box is beautiful!
Madame Leota magic band
After making my purchases, I was directed to a new line to wait on Ian Ray. I was close to the front of the line, and it moved quickly even though Mr. Ray took his time with each guest. He was very kind and even signed the Runway Princess bag I was carrying, along with my other purchases.
Ian Ray
My favorite bag is even more special now!
The Pumpkin King bags released at D23 made a surprise appearance at the event. They were initially available in tote, letter carrier, and wristlet styles, but they were selling out quickly! By the time I left the event, I did not see any letter carrier styles on display.
I was quite impressed with the organization of this event! A special thanks to the Cast Members and, of course, Ian Ray for putting on such a fun and well-coordinated day! And a special thanks also to these fabulous Fashionistas who made my time in line so enjoyable! Anita, Ivy, and Regan, I hope you guys had as much fun as I did!
Anita, Ivy, and Regan
These bags are set to appear on the Shop Disney Parks App and the Disney Store online HERE some time after 2:30am July 24th, FYI.
Do you love the new bags? Which one are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
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