When opening Disneyland in 1955, Walt Disney started a tradition of honoring people who helped create the park with a personalized window on Main Street, U.S.A. These windows functioned as screen credit of sorts, and provide a touch of whimsy for park visitors, and serve as history for those who understand their significance.
Mark Goldhaber wrote a three-part series about the tribute windows at Walt Disney World for MousePlanet, and explained,
There is a metaphor that compares the Magic Kingdom… to a movie. In this metaphor, the red walkways approaching the Magic Kingdom represent the red carpet to the entrance. The entry tunnels through the railroad station represent the theater lobby, which contains posters of coming attractions (literally).
Continuing the metaphor, the windows over the shops on Main Street, U.S.A., represent the opening credits as you walk into the park. In the same fashion, they serve as the closing credits before you walk out of the park, through the railroad station tunnel lobby, and back down the red carpet.
There are nearly 100 such windows at Disneyland, and this weekend another was unveiled in tribute to Lillian Disney, wife of Walt Disney.
The new window honoring Lillian Disney debuted on what would have been the couple’s 100th wedding anniversary, according to The Walt Disney Family Museum. The new window is located on a balcony above the unmarked building next to the Disney Showcase store, and reads:
Lilly’s
Beautiful
Blooms
Flowers & Fancies
Inspiring Worlds of Color and Happiness
On the balcony is a chair with a small Steamboat Willie figure. There is also an easel with a small painting, perhaps a nod to Lillian Disney’s role as a ink and paint artist at the Walt Disney Studio, as well as a violin on a chair next to a music stand.
Mrs. Disney is the latest of the Disney family to be honored with a window on Disneyland’s Main Street. Walt Disney is honored with a door sign which reads, “Open Since ’55 – Disneyland Casting Agency – “It takes People to Make the Dream a Reality” – Walter Elias Disney, Founder & Director Emeritus.”
Walt’s father Walter Elias Disney also has a window at Disneyland. More of the Disney family, including Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney, are honored with windows at the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris.
You can read Mark Goldhaber’s series on MousePlanet: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
