we can see that the tin once held 13 ounces of chocolate covered almond butter toffee. The smaller print indicates distribution by Walt Disney Attractions
All images used with direct permission from the respective photographers or under Creative Commons licensing. Inspiration for this archive post came from the Disney Ladies in Motion flickr group.
Diversity! It's a good thing. Epcot's World Showcase celebrates our differences. And scattered throughout the park you'll find princesses! They're also a good thing, aren't they?
The problem with a good thing is that everybody finds out about it, including the corporate suits. Nothing ruins a good thing faster than attempts by big conglomerate marketing to squeeze every dime out of it. It still smarts a little that we lost the classic WDW opening day 'Scary Adventures' attraction to a princess meet-n-greet.
Yet, one can't deny the real impact that the Disney Princesses have on park guests, myself included. The story of Ben and his connection to Snow White is now well known within Disney circles. Thousands more stories exist where the princesses have indeed touched someone's life, if only for a moment.
The Disney Princesses have become cultural icons. Young children are, of course, fully taken in when in the presence of one of these Royals. The cast members who portray them are well trained. What's amazing to observe, however, is the effect they have upon adults too. It's not difficult to find one's self mesmerized into a momentary roll-playing lapse from reality, where the Disney employee standing in front of you is actually THE Snow White. It's strange, yet just another one of the many interesting and surreal responses that the theme parks can evoke.
Seven times a day, Snow White makes an appearance in the World Showcase near the Germany Pavilion...
The "magic" occurs within the vicinity of the Wishing Well, and Snow White enters the area thru the backstage door in the background...
Once a cast member or photographer shows up on the scene, the princess is usually not far behind...
The line forms to the left...
Snow White's admirers come in all sizes. She'll sign your autograph book if you'd like, but getting your photo taken with an icon is the real prize...
Not all Princesses, I mean cast members, are created equal. Some are better at their jobs than others. Yet, when you meet a good one, it's not terribly difficult to find yourself a believer.
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Rounding out the Snow White area near the Germany Pavilion are the Princess and Seven Dwarfs topiaries...
All images date from February 2011.
See more Snow White topiaries from Walt Disney World in an earlier post.
Back in 1965, the Donruss Trading Card Company produced a set of 66 bubblegum cards to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Disneyland. Each card featured a ride, attraction, or character from the park.
Snow White appeared on card #18 with the caption: "SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS WELCOME GUESTS TO FANTASYLAND IN DISNEYLAND."
Each card measured 2.5" x 3.5" and was printed on regular card stock. The backside was part of a puzzle that when put together, the complete set would form a picture of Disney characters. There was also another printing variation, though less common, where the cards had a blue back instead of the puzzle.
Here's a look at just a few of the other cards. Note the "SUMBARINE" misspelling on card #6...
May 31: I spent the morning taking in a few attractions--Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Tiki Room, Space Mountain, TTA. By the time I finally made it back over to the Scary Adventures, it was clear that the Snow White fans were coming out in force to bid their farewells. The line was as long as ever.
SWSA queue around 1:00 pm.
For me, I'd said my solemn goodbyes to the ride yesterday and had no plans to actually board a mine car again (or so I thought). Tonight, I would simply focus on documenting the evening with my camera. Ken and I met around 4:00 pm, both of us with the same intention of parking ourselves at SWSA until the bitter end. Before the night was over, we'd meet quite a few other Snow White fans who had the same idea.
Ken wore a red clip-on bow in honor of the occasion as he counted mine cars. He calculated that a total of ten ride vehicles were operating on the track that evening, eight in motion and two in the loading/unloading area at any one time. Note the cast member directing traffic within the wheelchair/disability access area. The line here is usually quite short, but on this evening it was overflowing out into open pavement beyond the queue...
Long line for wheelchair/disability access.
A diehard fan displays his "Save Snow White's Adventures" shirt...
Throughout the day, even cast members were spotted taking their own last spin on the ride...
One guest went all out and came dressed as the Evil Queen, along with a very young Snow White. She would tell me that Disney wasn't thrilled about her being in costume within the park and asked her not to pose for photos with other guests...
By 5:00 pm, Ron had arrived with his son Ben. Ben's mother, Sara, would join them a short time later. If you're familiar with Ben's story, then you know that he holds the record for most times aboard Snow White's Scary Adventures. Over the last nine years, he's racked up more than 3000 rides. To be specific, Ben would start the night with 3451 rides under his belt.
If Ben had his way, he'd probably spend all of his time in the Magic Kingdom on the Snow White attraction. He enjoys it that much. However, to create a little balance in his park experience, his parents long ago implemented a rule that he could ride it three times in a row, but then they'd have to go do something else before coming back for another round of three. Yet tonight was different. This was the end. No such rules applied anymore. To the great surprise and joy of Ben, he was allowed to get right back in line after his third ride of the night.
The three-ride limit has been lifted; Ben is all smiles.
You can't visit an attraction as many times as Ben has without a few cast members getting to know you. Earlier in the week, Disney had been in contact with Ron. Several of the cast members wanted to come see Ben on this final night, and the word was that they were planning something special for him, but just what the specifics were, Ron did not know.
The lines for the Snow White attraction continued to grow as the evening pressed on. Ron and Sara were alternating rides with Ben when at about 7:00 pm, cast member Stacey Patrone came over to speak to them. They were led away from SWSA to a quiet spot in front of The Friar's Nook where they waited with a few other cast members.
For Ben, the only thing that could top an evening of continuous rides on the Scary Adventures would be a visit from Snow White herself. That's exactly what Disney did. The Princess made her entrance by happily skipping right up to greet him. After talking and posing for photos, they held hands and walked over to the queue. Ben, Snow, Ron, Sara and a Disney photographer all boarded the mine car and experienced the dark ride together. Afterward, she escorted him back to The Friar's Nook where she blew him a kiss and said goodbye. Ben was smiling and laughing throughout.
Video of Ben and Snow White...
After all the commotion, Ken managed to nab Snow White's autograph on a CD he'd brought with him from Finland...
As we entered the waning hours of Snow White's Scary Adventures, the queue line only continued to grow.
The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs show was performed by the "Walt Disney's World on Ice" troupe from 1994–1997 and again in 2000-2001 as a "Disney on Ice" production. This is the full-color program from the 1997 performance. The text for this particular book is printed in French. The illustrations for the English version are identical.
[CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE]
Prelude
In an enchanted library, Mickey Mouse, Belle and members of the Disney troupe share the pleasure of reading as Aladdin, Baloo, Simba and the other Disney characters come to life.
Act 1
Scene 1: Once Upon a Time We meet the young princess Snow White and her jealous stepmother, the Queen.
Scene 2: The Treasure Well The Prince falls in love with Snow White. The Queen commands her huntsman to kill the princess, but he instead helps her to escape.
Scene 3: The Dwarfs’ Diamond Mine
Scene 4: Snow White's New Home The Seven Dwarfs return home and discover the princess.
Act 2
Scene 1: Heading to Work The Dwarfs head off to the mine after warning Snow White about strangers.
Scene 2: In the Queen’s Castle The Magic Mirror declares the princess still alive. The Queen transforms herself into an old hag and creates a poisoned apple to get rid of Snow White herself.
Scene 3: The Curse The Queen convinces Snow White to bite the apple. The Dwarfs are heartbroken.
Scene 4: Tue Love’s Kiss The Prince breaks the curse. Their show reaches its finale with all the Disney couples.
Producer Kenneth Feld and behind the scenes...
Kenneth Feld : Producer Jerry Bilik : Theatrical Director and Music Director Bob Paul : Director of Skating and Choreography Arthur Boccia : Costume Designer Robert Little : Scenic Designer Jerry Bilik : Story Adaptation LeRoy Bennet : Lighting Designer Roger Gans : Sound Designer Roy Luthringer : Assistant Theatrical Director Jill Shipstad Thomas : Associate Choreographer
Images and translations courtesy of Alexandre Milazzo.
Program booklet measures approximately 35.5 x 27.5 cm (14” x 11”) with 40 pages in total.
