After The Walt Disney Story officially ended its run in 1992, the attraction’s footprint—located just inside Main Street, U.S.A.—was reimagined as a flexible space for temporary exhibits and celebrations. The original pre-show area and one of the theater spaces were converted into the Town Square Exhibition Hall, a walk-through experience sponsored by Kodak, which leaned into the theme of photography and nostalgia.
During its early years, the Hall served as a venue for commemorative displays tied to major milestones, including the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World and Walt Disney’s 100th Birthday. Guests could explore a timeline of Walt’s life, browse company history panels, and pose with stand-up displays featuring characters from films like Snow White, Toy Story, and 101 Dalmatians. The displays were designed for photo ops, with some featuring forced perspective tricks and backdrops styled like animation cels.
One of the modified theaters was transformed into a cool-down zone, where guests could relax in plush seating and watch classic Mickey Mouse cartoons on a small screen. This area became a favorite for families with tired kids, especially during peak afternoon heat. The theater’s original projection booth was repurposed to run a loop of shorts like Steamboat Willie and The Band Concert, though the sound system remained unchanged from its Walt Disney Story days—resulting in occasional audio hiccups and charmingly muffled dialogue.
As the years passed, the Hall’s popularity waned. By the mid-2000s, the cartoon screenings quietly ended, and the space became a low-traffic memory lane, often devoid of Cast Member presence. The Kodak exhibits, which included vintage cameras and photography tips, remained in place, but many of the character displays faded or were removed. A few props were relocated to Team Disney Orlando for archival storage, while others—like the oversized Toy Story cutouts—were repurposed for backstage training areas.
In late 2010, the Exhibition Hall officially closed to make way for a new purpose: a meet-and-greet venue for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the Disney Princesses. The transformation included a full interior remodel, with the former theater spaces converted into themed greeting rooms. The new venue, named Town Square Theater, opened in April 2011, offering guests a chance to meet Mickey in his magician’s outfit and, for a time, interact with a talking animatronic version of the character.
The left wing of the building was used for Princess meet-and-greets until Princess Fairytale Hall opened in Fantasyland in 2013. Afterward, the space was re-themed for Tinker Bell, who greeted guests solo until her departure in 2023. As of 2025, the lobby now houses The Art of Disney store, while Mickey continues to meet guests in the right wing—still standing on the footprint of the original Walt Disney Story theater.
