Disney World at 50: Souvenirs shimmer, show glimmer of past

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Disney World at 50: A slew of souvenirs is being sold for the 50th anniversary. More are coming.

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T-shirts inspired by merchandise sold at Disney World in 1971 are part of the resort's 2021 souvenir lineup. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo)

 

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.

Mad Tea Party

The Mad Tea Party ride at Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 without a roof. The covering was eventually added in 1973 (along with the central teapot) due to Florida's extreme weather conditions. (Jim Hicks / Orlando Sentinel)

 

 

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 mouse-ear 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.

Disney World will sell a Cinderella Castle-themed backpack during its 50th anniversary celebration, now officially underway. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo)

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.”

A soap dispenser that emits Mickey-shaped suds is part of the souvenir merchandise lineup for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo)

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.”

Go for the golden: Shiny mouse-ear hats are part of Disney's luxe logo collection, made for the 50th anniversary. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo)

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.

 

Dewayne Bevil

Orlando Sentinel