Since this April celebrates 50 years of the iconic Disney ride, "It's a Small World", now is a good time to share a wonderful presentation I was able to attend during the D23 2011 Expo.
Alice Davis (wife of Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's Nine Old Men animators), was a costume designer. She shared the story of Walt approaching her to do the costumes for the doll's in the ride. Alice had grown up poor and her family was not able to afford frivolities like dolls, so Alice said this was a dream come true. When Walt gave her essentially free rein on the materials used and cost of costuming the dolls, she was beyond thrilled. I've seen Alice at many Disney events and she is always extremely entertaining, but seeing her share the stories of these lovely costumes, originals of which were on stage, was a special treat.
Tony Baxter, a long time Imagineer and fan favorite was the moderator and led the panel through a nice mixture of stories and facts. Tony Baxter has a true appreciation for the history of the company and the people who created all the magic we take for granted, and it shows in his gracious and caring manor toward the panelists.
Kim Irvine is a Disney Imagineer and daughter of Imagineer Leota Toombs ( the model for Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion ride). She was on the team that undertook the refurbishment of the Disneyland version of the ride in 2008/2009. This was a controversial refurbishment to many in the Disney community since it inserted many Disney characters into the ride for the first time, which some felt diluted the original Mary Blair designs. Kim explained the reasoning behind the decisions and the process that went into smoothly incorporating characters such as Peter Pan, Woody and others, and I came away with a better understanding and appreciation for the change.
The panel consisted of four Disney luminaries; Alice Davis, Richard Sherman, Tony Baxter and Kim Irvine.Alice Davis (wife of Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's Nine Old Men animators), was a costume designer. She shared the story of Walt approaching her to do the costumes for the doll's in the ride. Alice had grown up poor and her family was not able to afford frivolities like dolls, so Alice said this was a dream come true. When Walt gave her essentially free rein on the materials used and cost of costuming the dolls, she was beyond thrilled. I've seen Alice at many Disney events and she is always extremely entertaining, but seeing her share the stories of these lovely costumes, originals of which were on stage, was a special treat.
Richard Sherman of the famed Sherman Brothers shared his memories of how the classic (and often mocked) song, "It's a Small World", came to be. Richard explained that the song was initially written with a much slower tempo, and was a plea for peace. He then charmed us all with a poignant rendition of the song, as written, which was moving to all.
Tony Baxter, a long time Imagineer and fan favorite was the moderator and led the panel through a nice mixture of stories and facts. Tony Baxter has a true appreciation for the history of the company and the people who created all the magic we take for granted, and it shows in his gracious and caring manor toward the panelists.
Kim Irvine is a Disney Imagineer and daughter of Imagineer Leota Toombs ( the model for Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion ride). She was on the team that undertook the refurbishment of the Disneyland version of the ride in 2008/2009. This was a controversial refurbishment to many in the Disney community since it inserted many Disney characters into the ride for the first time, which some felt diluted the original Mary Blair designs. Kim explained the reasoning behind the decisions and the process that went into smoothly incorporating characters such as Peter Pan, Woody and others, and I came away with a better understanding and appreciation for the change.