WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Less than four months after Marc Pianko opened the doors to Theme Park Connection, a television production crew from Los Angeles was shooting video inside his 7,000 square foot warehouse for use in a possible reality TV show.
"My first reaction was 'wow, is this for real?'" said Pianko. "You don't ever think we could be on national TV showcasing what we do everyday.
Theme Park Connection, which has been dubbed "The World's Largest Disney Pawn Shop" specializes in buying and selling Disney theme park memorabilia.
On Monday, collectors who visited the retail store could find an animated mouse that once sat on top of the Dumbo ride at Disneyland, a carousel horse, and racks of vintage Disney theme park employee costumes.
"You go to another shop like a pawn shop, you might find a stereo. It doesn't connect to your heartstrings. Our business does that," said Pianko. "We get people in here who say, 'Wow, I remember that when I was 5 years old!'"
Pianko said he was offered a contract for a TV show pilot shortly after Local 6 covered Theme Park Connection's grand opening.
"When the production company was doing research to find unique businesses and things, they stumbled upon your story and that's how they contacted us," said Pianko.
It is too early to know whether the TV pilot will be sold to a network or cable station. Pianko said he is not allowed to disclose details about the show.
But collectors who visit the store indicate there would be a TV audience interested in Disney memorabilia.
"Being named Winnie, you can't help but be a Pooh collector," said Winnie Crockrell, who was shopping with her husband for Winnie The Pooh knick-knacks. Her eyes filled with tears and she recalled childhood memories of visiting Disney World with her father.
"A lot of our memories revolve around Disney and being together," said Crockrell.
SLIDESHOW: Disney pawn shop
Besides theme park collectibles, Pianko's store has begun to feature props from Hollywood movies such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Batman Forever".