Ridemakerz® Revs Into Downtown Disney Orlando

Car customizing shop for kids opens largest interactive experience, complete with real-world show cars!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (March 25, 2010) – Fun is about to shift into overdrive at Downtown Disney Westside at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. RIDEMAKERZ®, the first-ever car customizing experience for kids and kids at heart, is opening this week for a limited engagement at the 120-acre entertainment, shopping-dining complex. This opening follows the October 2009 launch of a RIDEMAKERZ shop in Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., that won the company recognition by Chain Store Age magazine as best worldwide “Pop-Up” store.

The RIDEMAKERZ experience invites guests into the ultimate car customizing shop where they can build a one-of-a-kind radio control car or “RIDE”. Between bodystyles and colors, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, accessories and decals, RIDEMAKERZ estimates there are more than 649 million possible build combinations, not including individual decal placement.

“The RIDEMAKERZ experience is pure fun, and the process is designed to spark creativity, encourage collaboration and build confidence,” says RIDEMAKERZ ZEO (CEO) Larry Andreini.
In a nod to real-world car culture, RIDEMAKERZ has agreements with several automotive manufacturers to offer versions of today’s most popular cars in its line-up. Guests, or “Customizers” can choose from the Ford Mustang and F-250 Super Chief Alternative Fuel Concept Truck, Chevrolet Corvette C6.R and C6RS, Dodge Ram, Challenger, and Viper, MINI Cooper S, and Scion xB. Retro hot rods, fire engines, racecars, cab-over tow and dump trucks, and many more favorites are also available.

Complete RIDEZ range in price from $10 to $32, depending on body and paint style chosen. Radio remote control can be added for an additional $25, and custom accessories range in price from $2 for grill guards, spoilers and hoods scoops to $15 for themed kits that include a wide range of complementary accessories. RIDEZ measure approximately 12 inches long, or 1:18 scale, and are easy to assemble with snap-in, snap-on components that do not require glue.

“RIDEMAKERZ delivers a high-octane experience and one-of-a kind fun,” said Downtown Disney Vice President Keith Bradford. “We’re excited to add RIDEMAKERZ to our existing portfolio of unique offerings at Downtown Disney. It fills a niche our guest’s have been looking for.”

RIDEMAKERZ’ Orlando shop, which occupies the former home of Virgin Records, delivers an even higher-octane experience to visitors by incorporating a specially designated radio-control test track and real-world auto salon. Eight world-class show cars are on display, including a Chevrolet C5.R racecar built by Pratt & Miller Engineering for General Motors.

The display also features an F150 NASCAR Pace Truck and Dodge Ram from the personal collection of legendary car customizer Chip Foose, as well as a MINI Cooper from the private collection of famed movie car designer Fireball Tim Lawrence.

“The RIDEMAKERZ brand and this shop, in particular, are close to my heart,” said Foose during an autograph session at the grand opening on March 25th. “I learned about car customizing from my Dad, and now I get to help pass that experience on to fathers, sons and families across America.” Foose also serves as an advisor to RIDEMAKERZ.

ABOUT RIDEMAKERZ

RIDEMAKERZ’ mission is to have great fun making cool RIDEZ – with the ultimate vision of contributing to the positive development of kids. Inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop, a partner and investor, and the increasingly popular car customizing movement, RIDEMAKERZ is about the joy and fun of creating something great, something artistic, and something unique.

RIDEMAKERZ currently operates six shops in Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, South Carolina and Virginia. Visit RIDEMAKERZ.com for locations, more information or to purchase RIDEZ.