Magic Kingdom Shop Windows, December 1983

GDB friend Sue B. sent along a folder full of photographs taken by her dad, Lou Perry, way back in 1983 (42 years ago!), featuring images of various shop windows in the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. There will be three installments, and I admit that I am saving the best for the third part! 

Mickey and Minnie are dressed in their traditional holiday outfits. I'm not sure if the style qualifies as "Dickensian". Anyway, they are talking about what they are going to buy for me, which is awfully nice.

I wish there was lots of information about how these windows were created - maybe old issues of "Disney News" had articles about the sculpting of the figures, the sewing of the outfits, choosing the props, etc?

Lou liked this scene!

I have no idea which shop had this window - if I had to guess I'd say that we were in one of the Center Streets, but I really don't know.

Minnie is in her nightgown and nightcap (where she keeps a single donut for later); she's knitting a scarf in very 80s colors.

Meanwhile, Mickey decorates the tree, he likes to do it by himself because he's a little bit OCD. There's nothing wrong with wanting perfection! 

Yet another window, this time Minnie is standing on a ladder, I guess she's arranging the merchandise in the shop?

These scenes remind me a lot of the Disney Stores, but I was surprised to learn that those didn't come along until 1987. Remember when Disney Stores were fun? I'm not sure what happened, if they over-extended themselves or what. Eventually they seemed to carry only clothing and toys for little girls and boys, before they went away. I have no idea if there are any left!

OK, that's it for PART ONE; stay tuned for PART TWO in about a week, and the third and final installment shortly after that. THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!