Dispensa's Castle of Toys

Dispensa's Castle of Toys was a toy store near the Oakbrook Center shopping center, in DuPage County, Illinois. The store opened to the public in 1967. Kiddie Kingdom amusement park opened in 1975. Kiddie Kingdom closed its doors for good in 1984.

The store received a fair amount of attention due to its unique shape, as a stereotyped castle. It was a staple of Chicago television advertising, particularly during the Christmas season.

Its jingle featured a woman singing this song, with a child's voice interposing spoken comments:

Dispensa's Castle of Toys
(It's a toy store!)
Dispensa's Castle of Toys
(It's a castle!)
Dispensa's Castle of Toys
(It's toy-mendous!)
Come to Dispensa's Castle of Toys
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Despite the visual attempt to rhyme, the last line was pronounced the proper way, "Ill-i-noy", rather than the colloquial "Ill-i-noise".

Kiddie Kingdom also had a memorable jingle:

(Kids are King!) At Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom
(Fun's the thing!) At Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom
Exciting rides (to make you yell and holler)
Any ride a quarter (six for a dollar; this eventually became "five for a dollar")
Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom... Let's Go!!!

The site of the toy store and "Kiddie Kingdom" is now occupied by an office building called the Oakbrook Terrace Tower.


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