Disney Facts: Snow White’s Grotto in Disneyland

When Walt Disney received an anonymous gift of marble figurines from Italy depicting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs he knew that he wanted to display them at Disneyland, but there was a problem. All of them, from Snow White to Sleepy, to Doc and to Dopey, were the same size.

How could a royal princess be the same size as the dwarfs? Not going to happen.

©Steven Liebman

 According to the Disney Parks Blog, Disney designer John Hench was tasked to find the solution. It was a solution used throughout the park – forced perspective (a technique used to create an optical illusion to make objected appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller). So Snow White was placed on top of the Grotto looking down upon her co-stars and from the foot bridge she looks perfectly proportioned to the dwarfs.

Who sent the original statues? It is still unknown. Some believe it was a soap manufacturer giving thanks for the licensing rights, but at this point, nothing official has been documented.
Other quick facts: The song “I’m Wishing” is on a continuous loop every few minutes and echoes back from the Wishing Well. And the money coins tossed into the well goes to local charities.