Our first day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this past Friday, August 9th, 2024 we were treated to an amazing behind the scenes of the magic at The Costuming Artistry Behind Disney Experiences panel. Moderated by Tyler Bradley we sat with Harmony, Josh, and Yonit to learn about the hard work and detail behind what we get to experience as guests.
The costuming department oversees different areas such as Entertainment Costumes & Cosmetology, Operations Costumes, Character fashions and Audio-Animatronics costumes. At this panel, we were presented with different examples of these areas and, as the Fashionistas, all we can say is it was amazing to dive into this level of detail. We will never look at any show, cast member, or parade in the same way ever again.
Entertainment Costumes and Cosmetology
The first set of costumes we analyzed were the ones produced as part of the Pixar Fest parade in Disneyland California Adventure this past summer. We saw how some of them were inspired by movement and comfort with lots of references to the Mickey Mouse Club and a retro style. Additionally, as part of the Better Together Parade, some of the latest characters for Pixar Animation Studios had floats and we learned that they took into consideration who was going to be activating each float and drew references from each of these movies for their outfits. That parade included Soul, Luca, and Turning Red and the main idea behind it was that friendship elevates everything and that no one is like you. This last point came through showcasing the differences between people and a championed representation.
Some of the details inspired by Luca and Porto Rosso were present in the seaweed backpack of the performers but at the same time you could see the skaters had details that turned them into expansions of the famous Pixar ball, so it was Luca combined with the whole theme of the Pixar Fest.
Then, something magical happened — we were the very first to see the concept for the new Little Mermaid Show that will be staged at Hollywood Animation Studios in Florida. This reveal showed us that the vibe will be like a sketchbook and the drawings on the margins. When you zoom in you will definitely find gizmos a plenty.
Costumes for Operations
After this, the panel took a turn and we talked about what the costume department does for Operations. The first example of this was the uniforms for different cast members at Animal Kingdom and the Conservation Fund. We were shown three different prints that celebrate the animals and the mark they leave on us as the ones we leave on them. No one is alone and we all have an impact on each other. This also gave each cast member the opportunity to pick up what they wanted to wear and express themselves.
Next up was the amazing opportunity to learn a bit more about the uniforms for the cast members at the newest Tokyo Disneyland Resort area, Fantasy Springs. The level of intricacy of these uniforms was a delight to explore and learn about. With details of dragonflies and butterflies from the gardens of the Kingdom of Corona and Neverland, as well as nods to the roses of Beauty and the Beast and more, the Greeting Cast Members wear the most amazing stories every day for us to discover. Also, the Main Entrance costumes for both entrances of Tokyo Disney Sea have a special custom jacquard with hidden ships and vessels present in the park. Find the Gondola, the Steamboat, and of course, hidden Mickeys on this amazing fabric.
After wandering through Tokyo Disneyland Resort we were transported to the seas, specifically to the upcoming Disney Treasure. One of the bars on this ship will be themed The Haunted Mansion, and another finds inspiration in 20,000 leagues under the Sea. The attention to detail on these will not be spared and we will get the most amazing uniforms for the cast members who set the tone for the experiences.
At the Periscope Bar, cast members will wear a double breasted vest with orange details that come from the legendary submarine Nautilus. As part of this uniform they will have an easter egg for anyone who ever rode the attraction in the form of an emblem for protection, in the Nautilus it had the letter N, for the Periscope Bar it will be the letter P. On the other hand, the cast members working at the Haunted Mansion Bar will get to wear a chatelain (a historic garment of Victorian origins). This chatelain will look like they are carrying the keys to the mansion but pay attention to the easter eggs hidden in the keys. A true article that will invite the most amazing conversations between patrons and the cast members.
Fashion designers to the stars
The Costuming Department oversees also the clothing of the main stars at the parks: our beloved characters. We discovered a bit of the inspiration behind the Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary outfits for Mickey and Minnie and got to understand better the iridescent and gold tones, the custom brocades, rhinestones, embroidery, and the idea of looking at a gem. Mickey and Minnie, and all of our sensational six friends truly shined bright during the year and a half that they sported those clothes. It was fun to learn that the lapel pin that Mickey wore the entire celebration as part of his outfit was picked up by the merchandise department and turned into an actual pin that you could purchase as a memento.
Then we also took a deep look at the inspiration behind the Disney 100 outfits for Mickey and Minnie. The retro starburst details along the platinum and purple tones as well as what it took to make the crystal-incrusted bracelet that Minnie Mouse wore on her wrist for the entire year.
We then went back to the sea and discovered all the ideas behind the Mickey and Friends outfit for Castaway Cay. The challenge here was to have them feel ready for guests but also keep them on brand (think Disney Cruise Line colors) and splash them with nautical inspiration. All this was achieved with sublimation printing as one of the main processes for fabrication.
Mickey has details of his very first boat (as seen on Steamboat Willie) but also nods to the Disney Cruise Line’s signature shape for the cruise ships. Custom shoes with the detail of steering wheels complete his outfit. Minnie Mouse had her signature polka dots translated into buttons for her dress, and she also had a steering wheel as a link to her first appearance it was amazing to learn it was actually sculpted and casted in metal.
Meanwhile, Chip and Dale went for swim trunks when they got to the island but they started finding things at Castaway and transformed their outfits to become pirates, all this with found materials from their surroundings. Donald has his swim ready outfit while Daisy, being the diva she is, will fashionably watch him from a safe and dry distance so her lovely retro vibe won´t get wet. Most of these outfits are constructed with netting, plastic and sculpted foam to make them light and resist the sand and water.
Speaking of Disney Cruises, we got to take a peek of how the costumes get made and listened to the steps involved in making these a reality. For example, for these Halloween on the High Seas outfits for Chip and Dale, the idea is first 3d modeled, patterns then get printed on paper and after a mock-up is approved it gets sculpted and detailed. What works of art they are indeed.
Lastly, we took a look at the costumes for the Merriest Nites at Disneyland Resort back in 2021. We were treated to a sneak peek behind the outfits for the Mickey’s Christmas Carol characters for meet and greets. The task required for animation to be translated into real life details and elevate the characters. Mickey Mouse had amazing details in his characterization as Scrooge up to the point where his hat looked worn and torn, a special key plot of the story. Goofy’s costume was the biggest challenge and they had to do a lot of research for the fabrics on him and the extra detail went on to the oversized chains to make him the perfect Marley. I was lucky to attend this fantastic event and the quality of these outfits justified the lengthy lanes all night for those meet and greets.
It was sincerely a very interesting panel for this group of Fashionistas. We live for the glamour and the style and oh boy, did the wonderful panelists of The Costuming Artistry Behind Disney Experiences at D23 delivered. I for one hope you felt like you were sitting there with us and have a new or renewed appreciation for the passion and effort the wonderful artists put into our world.
Planning on visiting a Disney park or going on a Disney Cruise to experience all this by yourself? If so, reach out HERE to Small World Vacations to book your trip to any of the amazing destinations we talked about in this article and let them know we sent you!
El Arte detrás del departamento de Disfraces
Como parte de las conferencias dentro de la D23 Expo este pasado fin de semana tuvimos oportunidad de asistir a The Costuming Artistry Behind Disney Experiences. En ella ahondamos en el trabajo que el departamento de disfraces hace en los parques y barcos.
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