Why does Walt Disney World have such a strong hold on our collective imaginations? While the spells cast by other theme parks, thrill rides, and resorts seem fleeting and dissipate rather quickly, the allure of Disney theme parks—especially the Magic Kingdom—endures. What sets these special places apart from other travel destinations?
Story and character.
The timeless tales told in Walt Disney's films, the original stories created by Imagineers, and the endearing personalities of famous Disney characters touch our hearts and stir our imaginations. The connections we make to the universal stories and archetypal characters found at the Magic Kingdom keep things fresh and emotionally satisfying no matter how many times we visit.
For the serious student of Walt Disney's legacy or for the ardent animation fan, this is especially true. There is something immensely satisfying about recognizing little details, obscure references, or faithful allusions to Disney films and television shows. This edition of “The Vacation Kingdom of the World” looks at both past and present references to Disney films scattered around Walt Disney World. Some will be glaringly obvious; others, I hope, will come as pleasant surprises to even the most seasoned WDW veterans.
Let's start with what film historians refer to as Disney's “Golden Age of Feature Animation”: 1937–1942.
The Fairest One of All – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
From Walt Disney World's opening day in 1971, Walt Disney's landmark animated feature has been well-represented. Snow White's Adventures was one of the original “dark rides” featured in Disneyland's Fantasyland in 1955, and it was one of original attractions in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland as well. When Snow White's Scary Adventures debuted in 1994, the focus shifted to the princess herself with the inclusion of several new sets.
In many ways, this version of the Snow White dark ride is the most satisfying of the variations found in Disney parks worldwide. Why? It includes many iconic moments from the film: Snow White at the wishing well, the flight through the forest, the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs (complete with the “Silly Song” dance), and the happily-ever-after finale. There are several truly beautiful pieces of art here as well, particularly the gorgeous mural in the loading bay.
Sadly, this attraction will soon close as part of the Fantasyland Forest expansion. Fans of the first Disney princess should take heart, however, as a new attraction—The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train—looks to be a promising continuation of celebrating Walt's classic film at Disney theme parks.
There are other references to Snow White scattered throughout the resort. Some, like character greetings, parade appearances, musical references, appearances in Fantasmic, and topiary representations of the princess and her seven little friends, are fairly obvious. Others, like the pretty little wishing well near the Germany pavilion in World Showcase or the replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre (the location of the Los Angeles premiere of Snow White) at the end of Sunset Blvd. at the Studios are a bit more subtle.
Trivia question #1: At one time, there was a Snow White reference at a Disney Resort—not in the name or in the theme, but on the resort entrance sign and in most publicity photos for the resort that featured Snow White, Sleepy, and Dopey. Any ideas? Look for the answer at the end of this article.
Little Wooden Head – Pinocchio (1940)
Disney's second feature film is also well-represented at Walt Disney World; not surprisingly, the most obvious reference is a musical one. The Academy Award-winning “When You Wish Upon a Star” is practically the official theme song of the Magic Kingdom. Enter Cinderella Castle, and it's there in a medley of familiar tunes from classic Disney films. From Fantasy in the Sky to Wishes, Magic Kingdom fireworks displays have inevitably incorporated this well-loved theme. What image is more iconic than that of fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle and the twinkling tree lights in the Central Plaza accompanied by the comforting strains of “When You Wish Upon a Star”?
Speaking of the Central Plaza hub, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket are featured there as one of the beautifully rendered bronze sculptures encircling the Partners statue of Walt and Mickey. While Pinocchio does not have his own dark ride at the Magic Kingdom—as he does at Disneyland in California and at Disneyland Park in Paris—he is present in most Magic Kingdom parades, makes appearances at World Showcase's Italy Pavilion, and has his very own restaurant in Fantasyland.
Pinocchio's Village Haus opened in 1971 and has been serving guests ever since. It's easy to overlook this restaurant, but it is a beautiful example of detailed architecture, fidelity to the story source, and charming little details. Its many-gabled roofline punctuated with turrets, towers, verandas, and weather vanes will make a beautiful transition to the leafy areas promised in the new Fantasyland.
Since the removal of the Skyway post near one of its entrances, this building has become something of a visual anchor for Fantasyland. Its colors and architecture stand in stark contrast to the standard “medieval faire” look of so many of the original Fantasyland attraction facades. Disney's fabled attention to detail is evident in the antique look of the window glass, the carved look of the chairs and booths, the charming quaintness of the seating areas, and the clever use of space to create small, cozy areas in what is, in essence, a fairly large establishment.
The next time you visit, be sure to seek out the Blue Fairy Wishing Book; guests are invited to record their names, the date of their visit, and their special wishes here in an old-fashioned book set upon an antique desk
Trivia question #2: The whimsical paintings of Gepetto, Figaro, Cleo, Jiminy, and Pinocchio himself that adorn the walls are charming, as is the statue of a smiling Pinocchio in the queue area. One of the paintings actually contains a famous “mistake” that was corrected in the Disneyland Paris version of this restaurant. Here's a question: Which character is slightly “misplaced” in a painting near one of the exit doors?
The Concert Feature – Fantasia (1940)
Fantasia references were rare during the early years of Walt Disney World. Sorcerer Mickey merchandise was popular, of course, and there was a brief musical reference to Paul Dukas' “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” in the old Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show, but other than that, Fantasia lacked a park presence. One could argue that the Audio-Animatronic dinosaurs in Epcot's Universe of Energy are direct descendants of the dinosaurs in Stravinsky's “Rite of Spring”—but by and large, Fantasia remained virtually untapped.
The lack of Fantasia references changed, or course, in the early 1990s when Fantasia was reintroduced to a larger audience during its reissue and, most importantly, during its initial home video release. The Magic Kingdom's SpectroMagic Parade, debuting in 1991 in celebration of the park's 20th anniversary, included several Fantasia-inspired floats. The dancing hippos, ostriches, elephants, and crocodiles from “The Dance of the Hours, the flying Pegasus from “The Pastoral Symphony,” and Chernabog from “Night on Bald Mountain” all appear accompanied by musical cues from the film's classical score. In 1996, a Fantasia-themed miniature golf course opened near the Epcot resorts. The most expansive role for Sorcerer Mickey, however, could be found at the original Disney-MGM Studios.
An animated Mickey is featured in the Great Movie Ride, topiary Mickey and his brooms were once found in the courtyards around the original Walt Disney Feature Animation buildings, a bronze sculpture of Mickey and Leopold Stokowski (originally created for the Contemporary Resort during a brief Fantasia decorating theme) adorns one of the lobbies at the animation tour, and Mickey—in his sorcerer role—appears in the nightly spectacle Fantasmic.
The most memorable appearance of Fantasia in the theme park experience was, without a doubt, its inclusion as the finale of the Disney-MGM Studios' nightly fireworks display. The entire finale used music from the film. Brief references to Beethoven's “Pastoral Symphony” played as narrator Vincent Price introduced the finale. Dramatic spotlights rose above the Chinese Theater as Bach's powerful “Toccata and Fugue” boomed. Fanciful bursts of fire exploded to the familiar strains of Tchaikovsky's “Nutcracker Suite” in one of the first fireworks displays to synchronize sight and sound in a completely themed way. The sky ignited as Dukas' “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” blared, building to a crescendo as a huge balloon of Sorcerer Mickey inflated above the Chinese Theater sprouting fireworks from his outstretched hand. Thus concluded one of Walt Disney World's most memorable evening shows.
Trivia question #3: Can you remember the name of this firework display?
When I See an Elephant Fly: Dumbo (1941)
Since 1955, the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction has delighted guests at Disneyland. His East Coast cousin, opened in 1971, has been flying guests over Fantasyland since 1971. While the familiar images of Dumbo sailing through the skies with Cinderella Castle and the Pinocchio Village Haus in the background are now a memory, the anticipation of a new Dumbo-themed area named Storybook Circus warms the hearts of fans of the lovable pachyderm. Dumbo, with his ever-faithful friend Timothy Mouse, is also featured as one of the bronze sculptures in the Central Plaza.
Trivia question #4: The new “double Dumbo” features a first for this time-tested classic. Any idea what that “first” might be?
Love is a Song: Bambi (1942)
The gentle tone and natural look of Walt's fourth animated feature do not translate easily to the milieu of the theme park. The themes found in Felix Salten's classic story, however, are similar to the themes incorporated in many of the attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
There are, however, some subtle references to Bambi at Walt Disney World theme parks. The Little Prince and his friends Thumper and Flower make annual appearances—in topiary form—at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Thumper makes occasional appearances at Camp Minnie-Mickey at Disney's Animal Kingdom. During the Easter months, he also often appears on Main Street for meet-and-greets as well.
Trivia question #5: There is a direct appearance by Bambi, Thumper, and Flower in one of the Magic Kingdom's classic parades. Can you name it?
I hope you enjoyed this brief recap of references to Disney classics in the parks. I am certain that the list above is incomplete; please feel free to comment below adding references I may have omitted.
Next time, we'll will look at the Walt Disney films of the 1940s and their presence in the parks. Until then, here are the answers to the five questions:
- Snow White – The Disney Inn (formerly Golf Resort, now Shades of Green)
- Pinocchio – Figaro
- Fantasia – Sorcery in the Sky
- Dumbo – One will fly clockwise
- Bambi – On the carousel in the finale of SpectroMagic
