The magic of the Hundred Acre Wood has arrived in London as Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The Lost Balloon immersive pop-up opened this weekend at Westfield White City, marking part of Disney’s year-long centenary celebration of Winnie the Pooh.
The weekend-long experience launched with an exclusive preview event featuring BAFTA and Emmy-winning National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory, alongside broadcaster and author Louise Thompson.
A Celebration of Nature, Nostalgia And Storytelling
Drawing inspiration from the newly released Secrets of the Bees, now streaming on Disney+ and available via National Geographic WILD, Gregory highlighted the vital role bees play in ecosystems.
He also drew a charming parallel between bee behaviour and Pooh’s iconic love of honey, while reflecting on the sense of curiosity and gentle wisdom that has defined 100 years of Winnie the Pooh storytelling.
Louise Thompson on sharing the experience with family
Attending with her family, Louise Thompson reflected on the nostalgic impact of the experience:
“Winnie the Pooh carries so much nostalgia for me, attending the event this morning transported me right back to my childhood. To be able to pass that down and relive it with my own child felt really special. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as Leo so definitely one for parents and children for memories both nostalgic and new.”
Her comments echo the event’s broader aim: to create a multi-generational experience that blends childhood nostalgia with modern immersive storytelling.
Inside Disney’s immersive Pooh adventure
Created as a free, story-led walk-through experience, Disney Winnie the Pooh: The Lost Balloon invites families to step into an interactive journey through the Hundred Acre Wood.
Guests are tasked with helping Pooh and friends find Christopher Robin’s lost balloon, navigating playful challenges, surprises, and themed environments designed for all ages.
The experience is part of Disney’s wider 100th anniversary celebrations, continuing a century of storytelling that has shaped generations of audiences worldwide.
While all advance tickets are now fully booked, a limited number of same-day tickets will be released daily from 9am via: https://www.disneytickets.co.uk
What Visitors Need To Know
- Location: Westfield White City
- Dates: Friday 10 April – Sunday 12 April
- Access: Free immersive experience (timed entry sessions)
- Availability: Advance bookings sold out; limited same-day tickets released daily
Disney’s Wider 100-Year Celebration
The pop-up forms part of Disney’s global centenary programme celebrating a century of storytelling, characters, and cultural impact under The Walt Disney Company.
From animation to immersive experiences, the celebration continues to spotlight beloved characters like Winnie the Pooh while introducing new audiences to classic stories.
- Disney Tickets: https://www.disneytickets.co.uk
- Disney+: https://www.disneyplus.com
- National Geographic WILD: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv
