Arribas Brothers at Disneyland Paris: the park’s master glassmakers

Arribas Brothers, often called Arribas France, is the house of glass and crystal artisans at Disneyland Paris. Their blown glass and crystal creations are sold in several shops and stalls in the park.

Two shops go further: they host a glass artisan, a glassblower (a Cast Member) who works in front of visitors. They are La Boutique de Merlin l’Enchanteur, in Fantasyland, and Harrington’s Fine China & Porcelains, on Main Street U.S.A.

It’s at Merlin’s that you can create your own personalised glass wand and at Harrington’s that you can have an item engraved on the spot.

The Arribas Brothers are two brothers, Alfonso and Tomas Arribas, master glassmakers from A Coruña, in Spain. The company formed a partnership with Disney very early on and opened its first stall at Disneyland, in California, in the late 1960s. The French branch, Arribas France, has been part of Disneyland Paris since it opened in 1992. It makes its pieces in a workshop very close to the park, in Île-de-France.

Their products are handcrafted in glass and crystal:

The designs change with the seasons (Disney Villains wands at Halloween, decorations at Christmas), so exactly what’s available depends on when you visit.

La Boutique de Merlin l’Enchanteur (often just called the Merlin shop) is in Fantasyland, inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, opposite La Boutique du Château. From the back of the shop, you can reach La Tanière du Dragon, beneath the castle. The decor recreates the den of Merlin the wizard, inspired by the animated film The Sword in the Stone.

A glassblower works there in front of visitors during the day. Alongside the jewellery, the jewel-set figurines, globes, utensils and Christmas baubles, this is where you can create your own personalised glass wand.

The wand is designed on the spot with the artisan: you choose the blown glass body of the wand, then one or more coloured gems, and he shapes it in front of you. It’s one of my favourite things for children to do in the park, because they leave with something truly personalised.

The details of the experience and the meaning of each colour will be explained in my article on making your own wand.

Harrington’s Fine China & Porcelains is on Main Street U.S.A., the main avenue every visitor walks along on entering the park. The shop is in a pink Victorian-style building dated 1892, with a stained glass dome resting on carved black and gold columns, a marble floor and a crystal chandelier.

Here too, a glassblower works in front of visitors. You’ll find glass, crystal and porcelain items: figurines, snow globes, jewellery and, at the back, a section devoted to Disney collectibles.

Harrington’s speciality is personalisation with on-the-spot engraving. You can have a glass item engraved with a name, a date or a message. Expect to pay an extra €7 or so for a simple engraving. It’s a good option for a personalised souvenir or a gift.

Here are some rough price ranges, taken from the Arribas range. Prices vary depending on the design, limited editions and the season, and may differ slightly from what you find in the shops. Note that the large jumbo pieces come with a protective case and a certificate of authenticity.

For gift ideas to bring back from the park, see my guide on which souvenirs to bring back from Disneyland Paris. And to find every shop in the park, browse all the shops at Disneyland Paris.