When we talk about Disney production we certainly know that costume design will be fantastic: famous designers, bouffant dresses, glow and amazing accessories.
The exhibition Heroes and Villains displays more than 70 original fully accessorized costumes: dresses, robes, wigs, jewelry, shoes and more. There you can check out the artistry, the creation process and all details that entail the production of the costumes. You also have the opportunity to take a closer look at all the rich details that might have gone unnoticed on that princess or on that amazing villain when you watched them in the movies.
The exhibition explores the vision, process, and craft used by the designers to create the costumes worn by some of the biggest names in entertainment. Heroes and Villains features costumes from some of Disney’s kindest heroes and toughest villains.
You also can find insights from designers and photographs. Each costume features stories from the costume designers, the development process and the intentions carried by each costume. It’s definitely a room filled with colors, stones, sparkles and, of course, fantasy.
Cinderella is the character with the most pieces including different dresses, slippers, tiaras, and other accessories.
For some of the items, the exhibition also shows the process of development and iteration until the final result. The famous crystal slips worn by Cinderella slips are a good example.
Other Highlights
Maleficent (2014) – Maleficent’s gown
Beauty and the Beast (2017) – Belle ball gown, Gaston and Beast
Mary Poppins (1964) & Mary Poppins Returns (2018) – Traveling dress
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2003) – Jack Sparrow
Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) – Red and White Queen
Hocus Pocus (1993) – Sanderson Sisters dresses and the vacuum
101 Dalmatians (2000) – Cruella de Vil
Interesting fact: costumes from various versions of Cruella de Vil are on display, but none from the 2021 movie, starring Emma Stone. In any case, those were so good that they could deserve an exhibit of their own 🙂
Enchanted (2007) & Cinderela (2015)
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
Jack Frost – The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006) Designed by Ingrid Ferrin.
An interactive exhibits
There are two exhibits guests can interact with: “Magic mirror” and a “Which character are you?” display.
Magic Mirror is of course inspired by the one in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It allows visitors to virtually “try on” some of the costumes featured in the exhibit. Once you step in front of it, it shows costumes as overlays on top of your reflection.
“Which character are you” will make guesses around the character profiles that are on display in the exhibition and pick a character that has to do with you the most – which seemed mostly random though 🙂
It’s nice to be in a room full of Disney with an immersive soundtrack that takes straight back to the movies. However, I think that the exhibition could have better guidance and structure so you don’t feel kinda lost in there with what to see next in a way that makes sense.
But overall the exhibition is truly unique and magical and an amazing experience for guests of all ages!
Do you have any favorite live action Disney movies? Are there any costumes from these movies that you would want to see up close and in real life?
I’ve been there and it’s terrific!!