WDW 'Snow White' Lego Store Display

April 2011 image copyright Disney Parks Blog.

In early 2011, the Lego Imagination Center at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney Marketplace underwent a renovation which included the addition of several new outdoor displays. They store reopened on April 19th, and the Snow White characters got representation in not one, but two separate Lego sculptures. The first included Snow kissing Dopey with the forest animals gathered around. The other was of the dwarfs working at their diamond mine.

Fellow blogger, TokyoMagic of Meet the World shot these night photos while on a visit in October of that year.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

During my trip in May 2012, heavy rain was an unwelcome but constant companion. Yet, it didn't stop me from snapping a bunch more pics.

Prince Phillip battles the Maleficent dragon in another very cool display.

Image copyright Jeff Lukas via WDW News Today.

Video of the April 19, 2011 reopening...

Video posted by JeffLangeDVD.

1995 Heigh-Ho Vacation Leaflet

A small colorful flyer (6.5" x 3.5") advertises the "Snow White's Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho Vacation" package at Walt Disney World. Five days/four nights from January to May 1995. Prices started at $359 per adult.

Image scans courtesy of the Michael Filippello Collection.

NEW BOOK! 3500 - An Autistic Boy's Ten-Year Romance with Snow White

Over the last couple of years, I have come to know and become friends with Ron Miles, author of the brand new book, 3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten-Year Romance with Snow White. I first learned of Ron, and his son Ben, after stumbling across a blog account about Ben's attraction to Snow White's Scary Adventures at the Magic Kingdom. At the time, he'd successfully completed a little over 3000 rides!

Front Cover

I soon contacted Ron and he agreed to allow me do a series of blog entries about his son's dark ride adventures. The story fascinated me right from the start, not only because I could relate to Ben's passion for all things Snow White, but also because of what Ron and Sara (Ben's mom) had sacrificed to help their autistic child. Not the least of which was a post-divorce, joint cross-country move from Seattle to Orlando, just so their son could experience the one place that really seemed to open him up--Walt Disney World.

Sample Page

Myself a filmmaker, I couldn't help but imagine how this story might be developed for a documentary. Ron was open to the idea so in 2011, both my wife and I traveled to Orlando with camera gear in hand. We met and interviewed Ron, and then headed to the park to film Ben in action on his favorite ride.

Ron's interviews were every bit as open and honest as his writing. His new book is a heartfelt look back at the ups and downs of raising an autistic child in the shadow of The Most Magical Place on Earth. From their first trip to the park, to Ben's love of Snow White, to the final ride and closing of the Scary Adventures a decade later, Ben's journey is a moving one that you won't be able to put down.

Back Cover

In addition to the book, Ron also composed, performed and recorded a beautiful song. "All is Well" is a lullaby to Ben in honor of his love of the Snow White attraction and his monumental achievement of 3500 rides.

Listen to the song here...

As for the documentary, it's currently in post-production. I returned to WDW last May to get more on-camera interviews with Ron and his wife Kris. And also to shoot the final day of operation for Snow White's Scary Adventures. We're still not exactly sure how long the film will turn out to be, but we'll keep everyone posted as soon as it nears completion.

For more information about Ron and Ben, and to purchase the book and a high quality version of the song, please visit Ron's blog, Stalk This! at shmoolok.com.

Snow White Cast Members in Motion

Snow White in action during her many theme park parade and stage show appearances...

Parade of Dreams, Disneyland, 2006.

Photo courtesy of The Disney Camera Guy.

Once Upon A Dream Parade, Disneyland Paris, 2008.

Photo courtesy of Rene Smit.

Once Upon A Dream Parade, Disneyland Paris, 2008.

Photo courtesy of Rene Smit.

One Man's Dream II - The Magic Lives On, Tokyo Disneyland, 2010.

Photo courtesy of Jon Fiedler at PerterPanFan.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Disneyland, 2010.

Carlos at armadillo444. Creative Commons.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Disneyland, 2011.

Image via canhasal. Creative Commons.

Drawn to the Magic, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort, 2010.

Photo courtesy of Disney-Grandpa.

Dream Along with Mickey, Walt Disney World, 2010...

Photo via Loren Javier. Creative Commons.

Dream Along with Mickey, Walt Disney World, 2011...

Photo courtesy of abelle2.

Mickey's Magical Celebration, Disneyland Paris, 2011.

Photo courtesy of ThatDisneyLover/Laura Knighton.

Mickey's Soundsational Parade, Disneyland, 2012.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Wong at heytherejere.

Mickey's Soundsational Parade, Disneyland, 2012.

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Van Loon at snow1937white.

Alice and Snow out and about in then Disney-MGM Studios, Walt Disney World, 2007.

Photo courtesy of disneylori.

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.

Dwarf Mural at WDW Christmas Shop

The Disney's Days of Christmas store (Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World) is a place to get your holiday fix anytime of the year. And on the seventh day of Christmas, you'll find Seven Dwarfs a-mining. This mural with faux rock boarders is set behind a check-out counter.

In another section of the store, Snow White is part of an ornament display along with Cinderella, Ariel and Belle.

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" theme can be found throughout. This Three Li'l Pigs mural stands in the center of the the shop.

It wasn't snowing in Orlando on my last visit in May, but it sure did rain a lot.

Images from the Filmic Light Collection.

Epcot Snow White Pins

2002...

This Germany Pavilion pin was part of an eleven-piece Epcot Stamp Pin Series. The collection consisted of a different Disney character on a stamp design for each of the countries represented in the World Showcase. Two pins were made available each month from January to May of 2002, with the final one appearing in June. All of the pins were limited to 3500 each. Retail price $10.50 (USD). Sold separately.

Dopey was the 4th pin in the series, released February 24, 2002. The Germany Pavilion clock tower is shown behind him.

The fine print on the backside reads: "Official Pin Trading 2002, Limited Edition of 3500, 4 of 11, © Disney, Made in China."

See the entire Epcot Stamp Pin Series on pinpics.


2004... 

A nice souvenir from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, this pin of Snow White, Dopey, and a couple of gooseberry pies was issued October 1, 2004. Limited edition 3500. Retail price $10.50. It was available exclusively at the Food & Wine Festival Store located inside the tent near the Canada Pavilion.

Seen here on original card backing.

2005...

A WDW passholder exclusive, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival pin features Dopey along with his topiary counterpart. Available April 15, 2005. Limited edition 3000. Retail price $10.95. Original card.

2009...

This Snow White Germany Pavilion pin was part of an eleven-piece set first issued on November 26, 2009. The open edition pins feature the countries of the World Showcase. Retail price for the set was $49.95. Officially classified as a "mini-pin" collection, all of the pins measures approximately 1.375" across.

As an open edition set, multiple runs have been produced. This particular pin is from the second year of issue. The backstamp logo reads, "Authentic, Official, Pin Trading 2010, Disney Parks." There's also the usual copyright stamp, "© Disney China."