April 9, 1961 – Walt Disney Dedicates Snow White Grotto
“Stars from stage, screen, television and show business in general, as they visit the Park, are planning to make their contributions along with the public as they pass the Wishing Well and admire the beauty of the latest addition to the Disneyland scene.”
On April 9, 1961, Walt Disney dedicated the Snow White Grotto in Disneyland. The idea for the grotto came from a slight dilemma: Disney had received marble figures of the characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but the statues were all of the same size. Designer John Hench came up with a smart solution of proportions, using the illusion of height and distance by placing Snow White at the top of the scene, having her stand over the other characters. When the scene is viewed from the footbridge, Snow White appears to be perfectly in proportion with the dwarfs. Also featured is the Wishing Well, seen in the opening scenes of the film, inscribed with “Your wishes will help children everywhere.” In 1983, the original voice of Snow White, Adriana Castelotti, was asked to come in and rerecord “I’m Wishing” for the New Fantasyland opening. The song is heard over the waterfall, and echoing back from the well.
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