The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard—its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.
—Thomas Smith, Carrousel Name Change at Walt Disney World, May 25, 2010, https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/carrousel-name-change-at-walt-disney-world
The Sword in the Stone
Sitting directly behind Cinderella Castle and immediately in front of the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, guests will find one of the best photo opportunities in the Magic Kingdom: a sword that is embedded in an anvil that sits atop a large rock. In other words, an actual sword in the stone. This is a small tribute to the 1963 Disney animated film The Sword in the Stone, which recounts the story of a young King Arthur (referred to in the film, not so affectionately, as Wart) as he is mentored by a quirky Merlin the Wizard.
In the past, the Sword in the Stone was more than a simple photo opportunity. Instead, it was a full-blown ceremony that began in 1993. In this mini-show, Merlin would arrive at the Sword in the Stone with a bag full of magical props. According to the show’s story, King Arthur (now presumably grown up) was going on vacation. Therefore, a “temporary ruler of the realm” was needed. Merlin began the ceremony by choosing an adult to be the temporary ruler. The only catch was that the temporary ruler had to pull the sword from the stone in order to be officially crowned. I’m sure the sight of an adult struggling to pull the sword unsuccessfully was a funny one indeed. After those laughs, a child was then chosen and, go figure, the child would raise the sword. Well…kind of. A child (or adult for that matter) handling a sword in a theme park is a problem on many levels, so the sword would only come out of the stone about half way. A cast member stationed above Sir Mickey’s (literally on the roof) would “press the button” that allowed the sword to be raised.
Unfortunately, the selection process took so long that, by the time the temporary ruler lifted the sword, King Arthur returned from vacation and the temporary ruler’s reign was already over. However, the selected child still received a medallion and a certificate commemorating the occasion. The show was last performed in August of 2006.
A plaque on the stone reads:
WHOSO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD OF THIS STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE RULER BORN OF ENGLAND.
Today, the Sword in the Stone still sits behind Cinderella Castle and serves as a nice reminder of the 1963 animated feature. While there is no longer a ceremony commemorating the structure, it still provides a great photo opportunity.
Storybook Circus
The Entrance
Storybook Circus represents the golden era of circus entertainment in the United States during the early 20th century. From a thematic perspective, the circus appears to have just set up on the outer border of Fantasyland. The area is filled with an almost countless number of props that connect to classic Disney animated films and characters, many of which are unknown by most guests.
As guests enter Storybook Circus from the Enchanted Forest, they see a large entrance marquee that includes three signs. The signs to the left- and right-hand sides of the marquee are identical, and appear to have been constructed using aged canvas attached to old wooden posts. In bright red and blue letters, these signs read:
COME ONE! COME ALL!
WELCOME
TO THE
STORYBOOK CIRCUS
ENTRANCE
These signs flank a center sign that is much more extravagant in design. The center sign is distinctively outlined with golden wood that curves around red and blue letters reading: “STORYBOOK CIRCUS.” Electric light bulbs are used to illuminate the sign, which creates an even more energetic feel at night.
The central marquee is flanked by a series of three signs on both the left and right-hand sides of the walkway entering Storybook Circus. The center sign on both sides reads:
STORYBOOK CIRCUS
A WORLD OF
CIRCUS FUN
FEATURING
ASTONISHING
ACTS
COUNTLESS
WONDERS
and STUPENDOUS
FEATS
FOR ALL AGES
The remaining signs on both sides of the walkway advertise the numerous acts and attractions that guests can enjoy in Storybook Circus:
A sign labeled “SUPRISING” is for Casey Jr., the “WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CIRCUS TRAIN.”
Another sign labeled “THRILLING” advertises the Barnstormer. It reads, “SOARIN’ TO REDICULOUS HEIGHTS” and “GAWRSH!”
Another sign previewing Pete’s Silly Sideshow advertises “ASTONISHING ACTS OF CURIOSITY,” including “Mysterious Madame Daisy Fortuna,” “Beautiful Minnie Magnifique,” “The Great Goofini Daring,” and “The Astounding Donaldo.”
The final sign advertises the “AMAZING” Dumbo, “THE FAMOUS FLYING ELEPHANT.”
Upon entering Storybook Circus, guests should take the time to look down, as numerous Imagineering details are embedded into the pavement that all support the overarching circus theme, including:
Tracks of wagon wheels that presumably pulled the circus wagons into town.
Banana peels and peanut shells.
Horseshoe prints.
Paw and hoof prints of a variety of circus animals, including monkeys, camels, and tigers.
Elephant tracks lead to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, while bear prints lead to Big Top Souvenirs.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
The star of Storybook Circus is Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Dumbo is a classic hub-and-spoke style attraction where guests soar in ride vehicles themed as Dumbo himself around a central hub. As part of the New Fantasyland addition, the attraction was doubled so that now Dumbo consists of two separate, nearly identical attractions. One of those attractions moves clockwise while the other moves counter-clockwise. Guests can use a control stick to move the ride vehicles up or down.
As one of the key components of the Storybook Circus area, Dumbo the Flying Elephant includes numerous storytelling details:
Timothy Mouse, Dumbo’s friend from the 1941 film, stands atop the attraction’s entrance sign. Timothy holds a feather in his hand and spins in a circle.
The queue for the attraction is located in a replica circus tent, complete with light strands and colorful pieces of canvas from atop the tent. Guests will even see peanuts embedded in the ground. If you have allergies, don’t worry…they aren’t real peanuts!
The backside of the attraction entrance sign includes the following message: “BELIEVE & SOAR!”
Four gold storks carrying baby bundles fly above each of the center spokes of the attraction. This is a tribute to the beginning of the Dumbo film, where Mr. Stork delivers baby Dumbo to his mother.
Below the storks are golden busts of Dumbo’s mother smiling proudly. Just above these busts are a series of golden trunks holding feathers.
Golden crests with the letter “D” and golden peanuts encircle the hub of the attraction.
Look closely at the FastPass clock for the attraction and you will see that the hour hand is actually a feather.
Big Top Souvenirs
Big Top Souvenirs is the primary shopping area for Storybook Circus and continues the circus theme. The shop is housed in a massive blue circus tent. A large gilded sign advertises the shop as “The World’s Tastiest Treats.” Many of the shop’s offerings are identified along the outside of the structure on wooden signs:
“Amusing Mementos”
“Cotton Candy”
“Caramel Apples”
“Excitin
g Toys”
A vintage wooden ticket booth sits at the entrance to Big Top Souvenirs, with a red curtain covering the windows of the yellow structure. Inside Big Top Souvenirs, guests will see a large pole in the center of the room that holds up the structure, just as would be the case for a real circus tent.
The focal point of Big Top Souvenirs is a series of glass display cases that form a circle in the middle of the tent. These cases are filled with all manner of tasty treats including cookies, fudge, and candy apples. A large sign hanging above this area reads “Big Top Treats, Circus Snacks Galore.” In the middle of that sign is a hilarious picture of Humphrey the Bear holding a candy apple while his tongue hangs out of his mouth. One of Disney’s lesser-known characters, Humphrey is a large brown bear that is slow-witted and somewhat neurotic. Humphrey first appeared in a 1950 cartoon called Hold That Pose.
The interior of Big Top Souvenirs continues the intricate theming found throughout Storybook Circus:
The tent is illuminated with strands of lights.
Trapezes and tightropes line the ceiling of the tent.
The retail checkout areas for the shop are themed as vintage train cars.
The floor of the shop looks like the floor of a circus ring, appearing to be a combination of a canvas tarp, grass turf, and vintage wood.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Pete’s Silly Sideshow is housed in a distinctive red circus tent. A large wooden sign at the entrance to the tent reads:
REAL! LIVE!
PETE’S SILLY SIDESHOW
MEET THE WORLD’S
MOST AMAZING CURIOSITIES
ASTONISHING
THRILLING
EXOTIC
SPELLBINDING
INCREDIBLE
FEARLESS
A large wooden silhouette of Pete, complete with cane, red striped coat, red bowtie, and a sneaky smile leans against a wooden booth labeled “CALLIOPE.” This vintage wooden booth is labeled “MELODY TIME BRASS HORN BAND.” A series of brass pipes are enclosed behind the cabinet’s glass. It is even more beautiful at night, when the Calliope’s lights illuminate the prop for all to see. The structure was constructed by the “Melody Time Brass Horns Co.” and includes references to “TOOT PLUNK WHISTLE BOOM.” This Calliope pays homage to two pieces of vintage Disney animation: Melody Time (1948) and Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953).
Melody Time was the fifth of Disney’s “packaged” films that combined multiple short animation features into one film. These packaged films became popular during the World War II era because of their lower costs as compared to full-length animated feature films. Melody Time was divided into seven segments that each featured colorful animation set to charming musical scores: “Once Upon a Wintertime,” “Bumble Boogie,” “The Legend of Johnny Appleseed,” “Little Toot,” “Trees,” “Blame It on the Samba,” and “Pecos Bill.”
Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom is an animated short produced by Disney in 1953 that depicted the fanciful evolution of the four orchestral families (brass, woodwind, strings, and percussion).
A sign near Pete’s Silly Sideshow proclaims that the show is “NEARLY WORLD FAMOUS.” A series of vintage posters that wrap around the exterior of the tent advertise the exotic entertainment options that await guests:
“The Great Goofini.” The poster shows Goofy piloting a plane and giving a thumbs up to guests.
“Minnie Magnifique.” Minnie is shown wearing a crown and holding a hoop through which a small dog jumps.
“The Astounding Donaldo.” Donald is shown with a flute, apparently trying to hypnotize a cobra that has arisen from a basket. Based on the look on Donald’s face, however, it appears as though he is the one who is hypnotized.
“Madame Daisy Fortuna.” Daisy is shown as a fortuneteller, gazing into a mysterious crystal ball.
Once guests step inside Pete’s Silly Sideshow, they have the opportunity to meet four different characters. To the right-hand side of the entrance guests can meet Donald and Goofy, and to the left-hand side of the entrance guests can meet Daisy and Minnie. Guests who proceed to the Goofy and Donald area will see a sign hanging on the wall that reads:
IF YOU SEEK
DANGER—SPECTACLE—THRILLS
YOUR SEARCH IS OVER
PREPARE TO MEET THE MOST DARING AND
FEARLESS PERFORMERS
TO WALK THE EARTH WITH HIS
NERVES OF STEEL, THE ASTOUNDING
DONALDO CHARMS DANGEROUS
BEASTS RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES
AND WITH A BRAIN UNCAPABLE OF
RECOGNIZING FEAR AND DANGER
THE GREAT GOOFINI WILL SURELY
LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS!
Guess who proceed to the Daisy and Minnie meeting area will see a similar sign that reads:
IF YOU SEEK
BEAUTY—ENCHANTMENT—CHARM
YOUR SEARCH IS OVER
PREPARE TO MEET THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
CHARMING & ENCHANTING
CREATURES THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN
WITH HER PRANCING PARISIAN POODLES
MINNIE MAGNIFIQUE IS SURE TO
DELIGHT AND WITH HER VISIONS
OF YOUR FUTURE, MADAME DAISY
FORTUNA WILL LEAVE YOU IN A
STATE OF WONDERMENT!
The Astounding Donaldo is dressed as a snake charmer, complete with a blue and green turban and a red cape. A banner above this photo area reads:
LIVE from the MYSTERIOUS UNKNOWN
THE ASTOUNDING DONALDO
CHARMER of ALL
BEASTS DANGEROUS
A mysterious centerpiece hangs in the middle of the area reading “The Astounding Donaldo, Snake Charmer.” Donald is flanked to the left and right by large golden cobras, the eyes of which are spinning, indicating they have been hypnotized. Banners on the outer edges of the room read, “HYPNOTIC.”
The Great Goofini is dressed as a daredevil wearing a fireproof jump suit that includes a large blue star on the chest. Half of a circular metal cage with a motorcycle crashed into it serves as the background for this area. A banner hanging above Goofy reads:
BROKEN BONE RECORD HOLDER
THE GREAT GOOFINI
BUILT FOR THRILLS
Errant motorcycle tracks are imprinted on a background curtain. Large silver trophies spin to the right and left-hand sides of Goofy.
Madame Daisy Fortuna welcomes guests from the back of a gypsy cart. Various boxes, crates, and luggage are stacked on the roof of the cart. The banner above Daisy reads:
THE WANDERING MYSTIC
MADAME DAISY FORTUNA
SEER of ALL
FATE & DESTINIES!
Two banners that hang from poles in flowerpots read “All SEEING” and “All KNOWING.” Guests will also see messages painted on a backdrop that read “The MYSTIC that foresees ALL” and “Fortune, Health, Fame.”
Minnie Magnifique is dressed in a pink dress with silver polka dots. The banner hanging above Minnie reads:
SIREN OF THE SCENE
MINNIE MAGNIFIQUE
and her PIROUETTING
PARISIAN POODLES
Guests will see five poodles that sit atop pillows on a ladder-like stand that surrounds Minnie. The names of the poodles are Genevieve, Lorraine, Brigette, Sophie, and Lisette. Two banners that hang from poles in flowerpots read “ELEGANT” and “CHARMANT.” Numerous props in this area support the theme of Minnie as an animal trainer, including balls and trampolines.
As guests exit the character meet and great area towards Big Top Souvenirs, they will see three more vintage canvas posters hanging on the wall. The middle poster reads:
STORYBOOK CIRCUS
presents
THE ONLY
ALL
ANIMAL
CIRCUS
FEAST
YOUR EYES
on
ASTOUNDING
FEATS OF RAW
COURAGE!
The poster to the right-hand side is of the aforementioned Humphrey the
Bear. Humphrey rides a unicycle on a tightrope as he juggles various objects.
The poster to the left-hand side is of Lambert the Lion. The poster advertises Lambert as a “MAN-EATER” and also includes the notes “RAGING!” and “SHEEPISH!” This poster is a tribute to Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952), a Disney animated short film about a lion that is raised by sheep.
More Magical Secrets of Storybook Circus
In addition to those already referenced, numerous posters, signs, and other props in Storybook Circus pay homage to a variety of lesser-known Disney characters:
Salty the Seal is shown honking a series of horns on a poster that advertises the “SYMPHONY of the SEAS.” Salty is a baby seal that first appeared in Mickey’s Circus (1936) and later in numerous other animated features.
Mickey’s nemesis Pete is advertised as “STRONGMAN PETE” and “LIFTER of ALL THINGS HEAVY.”
Hyacinth Hippo, a dancing hippo from the “Dance of the Hours” segment of the 1940 Disney animated film Fantasia is portrayed as the “BALLERINA OF THE BIG TOP.”
A poster of Clara Cluck advertises “PITCH PERFECT PRIMA DONA!” Clara sings so loud that a glass is shattered. Clara Cluck is an opera singing hen that first debuted in the 1930s and has appeared sporadically in other Disney cartoons over the years.
Another poster for “HORACE” previews the “RUBBER-HOSE HORSE.” Horace’s “ELASTIC” legs are curled in rings. Horace Horsecollar is a friendly anthropomorphic black horse that first appeared in the 1929 cartoon The Plow Boy. Like Clara, Horace has also appeared sparingly in cartoons sine his original appearance.
Several overturned water pails are used as seats in a yellow circus tent adjacent to Pete’s Silly Sideshow. These pails are labeled with the names of numerous animated characters including the Great Goofini; the Amazing Donaldo; Madame Daisy Fortuna; Minnie Magnifique; Pete; Timothy Mouse (from the 1941 Disney animated film Dumbo); Ali Gator (a reference to Ben Ali Gator, the leader of the ballet dancing alligators from the 1940 Disney animated film Fantasia); and the Three Little Pigs from the 1933 Silly Symphony cartoon of the same name, Fifer, Fiddler, and Practical Pig.
Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland Page 21
