South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Souvenirs shimmer and show glimmer of past
One might be tempted to write about every piece of merchandise developed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. But it might take one 50 years to do so.
A slew of souvenirs is on the shelves in stores across Disney World, and there are more to come.
“We have 18 months to celebrate and 18 months to share all of this merchandise,” said Qyunh Kimball, a senior graphic designer for Disney.
The goods were developed as parts of five major collections, some of which are not available for purchase yet. For this week’s Disney World at 50 series, which is updated Wednesdays at OrlandoSentinel.com/wdw50, we look at what can be purchased to celebrate the resort’s recent birthday.
Birthdays tend to bring up nostalgic feelings, and that may have prompted the vintage retro collection, which could put potential buyers in a 1971 state of mind.
The merchandise team “went into the vault, looked at items that were available at opening and we have replicated them,” said Katiana Cruz Bermudez, associate merchandise manager.
In this line, there are more traditional mouseear styles and some character-driven pieces, including a ringer Mickey Mouse T-shirt that notes that Walt Disney World will open in “Oct. ‘71” and a mug for the preview center, which predates the resort. There are old-school items such as pennants, decorative bells and souvenir spoons.
There’s also a visor with Mickey’s head on the bill — not a patch but a three-dimensional, as-big-as-a-fist item, almost like a decapitated plush.
“It’s a collection that is if you remember, it’s fantastic. And if it’s not, it’s something brand-new for you,” Kimball said.
Each line has a variety of items, and you may see stuffed dolls, caps, sundresses, jackets, dishes, purses, home décor and dress shirts lumped together. Ears pop up a lot, but so do backpacks.
“It’s not a backpack anymore; it’s an accessory,” Kimball said. “It’s your statement.”
“You’ll see that within treatments, embellishments, some will have ears, some will have sequins,” Bermudez said.
In the retro collection, one is inspired by a bowling bag and yet manages to incorporate a fanny pack. Another backpack has a place to attach a matching ear headband (sold separately).
The celebration collection is meant to have broad appeal.
“You’ll see a lot of iconography of the four parks, and of different elements such as the castles, such as the fireworks,” Bermudez said. “We wanted to make sure that this collection really spoke to the family.”
The line includes a new product: a soap dispenser that produces a sudsy dollop shaped like Mickey’s head.
There will be a shiny line, featuring roses, golds and blues a la the Cinderella Castle makeover, right down to the costumes for the Mickey and Minnie plushes. And there’s a luxe line that leans on black and gold, including a glistening gold set of ears.
“This is a premium collection made of the premium fabrics, premium execution,” Kimball said. “It’s subtle, upscale.”
Disney World at 50 series
Read the Orlando Sentinel’s “Disney World at 50 series — a year’s worth of stories leading up to the 50th anniversary of the historic opening of Walt Disney World on Oct. 1, 1971. Find stories, photos and videos at OrlandoSentinel.com/wdw50.
Order our book
Order your copy of “Disney World at 50,” the Orlando Sentinel’s new hardcover keepsake book chronicling the 50th anniversary of the opening of the most magical place on Earth. Supplies are limited. Order your copy at OrlandoSentinel.com/ disneybook.
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