Snow White’s Grotto Disneyland

Snow White’s Grotto is a beautiful part of the Disneyland Resort. In addition to this spot being the location for countless marriage proposals, Snow White’s Grotto is a nice spot to rest for a bit and listen to the relaxing waterfall. Peaceful and pretty with an interesting story. Do you know some of these fun facts about Snow White’s Grotto in Disneyland?

Snow White’s Grotto Disneyland

Location

First of all, let’s find out where Snow White’s Grotto is at in Disneyland. It is to the right of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. When you are looking at the castle, take the little path on the right. (Between the castle entrance and the walkway to Matterhorn Bobsleds.

The pathway gives a lovely view of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle with the moat. As you continue down the path and cross a bridge adorned with hearts carved in the wood, you will see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on top of and in front of a beautiful waterfall and pond.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Figures

Next, Snow White, Happy, Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Bashful, and Dopey were a gift to Walt Disney from someone in Italy. They were all carved from marble. Unfortunately, Snow White was made to be the same height as the Seven Dwarfs. If you have seen the animated classic movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs then you know that she is much taller than the dwarfs.

Problem and Then a Solution

Walt Disney loved the sculptures so much that he was determined to find a place for them in Disneyland. As a result, he asked Disney designer John Hench to find a way to incorporate the statues.

At first, Jon Hench was stumped. However, he then came up with a brilliant solution! He decided to use what is called “forced perspective”. It is where you create an optical illusion to make things look bigger or smaller by the placement and/or incorporating smaller or bigger objects next to the original object.

For Example, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle was built smaller on top and bigger on the bottom to make it appear to be taller than it is. In addition to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the same forced perspective was used on the Main Street U.S.A Buildings.

As a result, John Hench put Snow White up at the top of a waterfall and then placed Happy, Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Bashful, and Dopey farther down the waterfall. At the same time, John Hench had Woodland creatures made and added them to Snow White’s Grotto too. For instance, a deer is next to Snow White at the top. In addition to having a rabbit and a squirrel added where the Seven Dwarfs are.

The Effect Worked So Well…

The effect works wonderfully! So much so, that all of the other Disney Parks have recreated Snow White’s Grotto in the parks. Right down to having the same size for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  In my opinion, that says you did a great job. 

Wishing Well

Snow White’s wishing well is at Snow White’s Grotto. This wishing well has been here for many years accepting people’s wishes with a toss of a coin or two. All these wishes that are dropped into the wishing well are then donated to create wishes for children all over.

In 1983 when Fantasyland was made over, Disney contacted the original voice of Snow White. Opera singer Adriana Castelotti. Adriana sang the song “I’m Wishing” again for the wishing well. Snow White can be heard multiple times throughout the day. In addition to the echo from the well. It is a neat special effect.

Nighttime Tip

I highly recommend visiting this part of the park after dark. In addition to Snow White’s Grotto being lit up at night, the castle is also lit up. Walking the pathway to the bridge at Snow White’s Grotto is absolutely beautiful and one of my favorite spots in Disneyland after dark. From this pathway, you can see the castle reflected on the water in the moat around the castle. It is a sight to see and one you won’t want to miss out!

In Conclusion

I hope that you get a chance to see Snow White’s Grotto in Disneyland. Whether it is your first visit or your hundredth. It is a fun and relaxing spot in the park. In fact, now being armed with this knowledge you may see it in a new way. Or try to unsee that forced perspective of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Questions or Comments

If you have any questions or comments on today’s post-Snow White’s Grotto Disneyland, please feel free to make them below. I would love to hear from you!

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