There are just a few more sleeps until Christmas, and I’ve got visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. To be honest, I’m not really ready to move on yet, so let’s squeeze on more blog post out of the season, shall we?If you’re anything like me, Christmas on Main Street U.S.A. warms your insides like a cup of hot apple cider. It’s like stepping into a Norman Rockwell or Grandma Moses painting. I love the enormous Christmas tree in front of the train station, the wreaths on light poles, and the Christmas carols playing from the speakers. When it starts snowing…well, the waterworks go into full effect.
One of my favorite activities, and one of the first things I do when visiting the Magic Kingdom near Christmas, is to visit the windows of the Emporium.
The history of window displays at Christmas dates back to the 1800s and the Industrial Revolution. One of the earliest was found at Macy’s in 1874 and featured scenes from Harriet Beacher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin (because when you think Christmas who doesn’t think of…Uncle Tom’s Cabin???). Fortunately, the windows at the Emporium are much more whimsical and more geared towards putting you in the Christmas spirit.
The windows feature scenes from Mickey’s Christmas Carol. In fact, if you start with the windows closest to the Harmony Barbershop and work your way onto Main Street proper, you’ll essentially get the entire story. In case it’s been awhile since you’ve seen the 1983 Disney classic, Mickey Mouse is Bob Cratchit, Uncle Scrooge plays Ebenezer Scrooge, Jiminy Cricket is the Ghost of Christmas Past, Pete is the Ghost of Christmas Future, and Goofy notches his most dramatic role as the ghost of Marley. Not that anyone asked, but my favorite of all the scenes is the one with the Ghost of Christmas Present (portrayed by the Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk). Along with the figures in each display, there is an open book showing a quote from the depicted scene. Though they are static figures, it’s still an amazingly cinematic experience.
The Emporium’s widows are not the only shop windows with Christmas displays, but they are by far my favorite. What about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas display on Main Street U.S.A.? Or a favorite window from the Emporium’s Christmas display? Let us know in the comments!
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