Dopey Does Main Street, 1976

The above image from September 1976 shows Dopey and, based on the costume, a wide-awake Sleepy, in the Disneyland Main Street Emporium Window. The reflection of the marquee lights from the Main Street Cinema can be seen in the upper right hand corner. This was a time before VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra 4K. People had to rely on the every 7-10 year rotation of Disney films to come to theaters if they wanted to catch their favorite animated characters. “Snow White” couldn’t even be seen on TV, either. The movie was re-released in 1975, which makes sense for the characters to be featured in the window for this time period. If you look carefully in the upper left-hand corner, you can see a Raggedy Andy doll. What?!? A non-Disney IP character?!? Below is a 1970s shot of Cruella de vil in a Main Street Emporium window display:



The only other vintage Emporium window display in my collection is this one featuring The Rescuers, from December 1976. This was obviously a teaser as the movie wouldn’t be released until June 1977.



The first Emporium display that I photographed personally is from November 2007, with this scene from “Ratatouille,” which had been released in June. You can see the metal rod going into Remy’s foot, allowing him to rotate around in a circle.



See more Disneyland Main Street Emporium photos at my main website.

“A” is for Aladdin

Today I focus on all things “Aladdin” at Disneyland. Can you guess the era of pic #1? The hairstyles and clothing should be a dead giveaway that we are now in the 90s. Specifically October 1993, about a year after the Disney animated feature was first released. Princess Jasmine and Jafar are hanging out in Town Square. Below is a February 2006 shot from Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland, where you could see a “live” show featuring your favorite characters from “Aladdin.”



I have always enjoyed seeing the displays in the Main Street Emporium windows, including this June 2008 one featuring Princess Jasmine and Aladdin:



Soundsational is one of my favorite Disneyland parades. A bouncy soundtrack with all the favorite Disney tunes, colorful floats, and a lively show that included characters from “Aladdin,” as seen in this August 2012 photo.



The Genie was also part of Soundsational, circa October 2011:



A July 2012 image from a meet & greet opportunity back at Aladdin’s Oasis:



“Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” ran at DCA’s Hyperion Theatre from January 16, 2003-January 11, 2016. I never tired of watching this mini-Broadway show that has to be one of the best shows ever mounted inside the Disney Parks.



From May 2004:





November 2010:



The set design did an excellent job of bringing the animated film to life, as you can see from this September 2011 photo:



A happy ending, every show (November 2010):



Curtain call from a September 2011 show:



Last one that I can think of is Storybook Land. You can see the lamp:



…and the village of Agrabah:



Did I miss anything else Aladdin from Disneyland?

See more DCA “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” photos at my main website.

Disneyland at Night

Disneyland during the day is a magical place; at night, it is beyond spectacular. The lighting transforms it into a completely different world. I am sure guests zoom by the Main Street Emporium Windows while the sun is out; at night, the lighting makes them leap out and beg to be noticed. Here are a few of the newer windows that have been added to the roster, beginning with The Princess and the Frog.







Toy Story:











Aladdin:











Frozen…quel surprise!



Cinderella:



Although these photos show the detailed craftsmanship that went into the creation of these gems, seeing them in motion in person is a completely different experience. To round out the post, here are a few shots I snapped as I sauntered out of the Park after the fireworks:



Jolly Holiday:



Coke Corner:



and the last one shows the Carnation Cafe:



More vintage and current Disneyland photos at my main website.

Peter Pan and Cinderella on Main Street

One of the highlights of the 60th Anniversary at Disneyland have been the revitalized windows of the Main Street Emporium. The two scenes that have been installed so far are for Peter Pan and Cinderella. The Peter Pan scenes give a nice teaser to the attraction in Fantasyland. The star thingy in the background still baffles me; it just doesn't seem to fit. I will need to get out the original animated film to see how it matches.



Plenty of detail to keep the eye busy as you marvel over the miniature scenes and figures.



Nana the dog is not receiving much benefit from Tinker Bell's pixie dust since her leash keeps her grounded.



The nursery scene:



A dresser on the left of the scene:



Zooming in for a closer look:



It wasn't until I zoomed in that I noticed the fiber optic lights along the wall acting as Tinker Bell's pixie dust.



These two shots from 2008 show the vintage felt figures that previously served as the window displays for Peter Pan and Cinderella:





The Cinderella scene today, where you can see our heroine and her Prince waltzing the night away:



Jaq and Gus the mice are doing their own little dance:



A garden fountain:



Castle details:



In the background, you can catch a glimpse of the alternate Cinderella scene showing Fairy Godmother transforming Cinderella into her ball gown attire. The effect wasn't working that day so I will have to rephotograph it on another visit.



Overall, I think the windows are beautiful. Some of the special effects may be a bit modern for vintage Main Street, U.S.A. but that hasn’t stopped the Disney Corporation from making other decisions so who am I to say anything. The felt figures still have their charms, though. Perhaps the whiz-bang-wow style windows would be more in place in Fantasyland and not on turn-of-the-century Main Street. Just my 2 cents.

More Emporium Window photos at my main website.