Disneyana is one of the few places I like to browse (and more times than not purchase) the limited edition artwork, paintings and figurines. I have been in the store on more than a few occasions recently because of all the 50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion and all collectibles dedicated to my favorite ride in the park.
Disneyana is a term for collectable items such as toys, books, animation cells, souvenirs and other items produced or licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Art Corner was the first retail store to sell Disneyana items inside the park from opening day until its closing in 1966. Disneyland opened the Disneyana shop in 1976 next to the Crystal Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A.. In 1986, Disneyana moved next to the Market House until Starbucks moved in during 2013 and expanded the Market House which required Disneyana ( https://bit.ly/2lkUH2P ) relocating to the old Bank of Main Street U.S.A. building next to the Opera House which houses Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln and the Disney Gallery.
I feel it was a good decision by Disney to keep one of the old bank cages ( https://bit.ly/2nuYETj ) to use as a cashier counter and the vault ( https://bit.ly/2mZQZvT ) is used from time to time to display some of the more rare (and expensive) memorabilia for sale in the store. Our Disneyland collection mostly focuses on New Orleans Square and we have procured several collectable items ( https://bit.ly/2lZEVuE ) and pieces of limited edition art through our twenty years of being passholders.
Rohlinism: If you do something for a long period of time, it eventually takes over part of your life... or part of your house!
After the private event for the 50th Anniversary, the items which didn't sell became available to the general public and the better half had her eyes on the Madame Leota Headband Ears ( https://bit.ly/2m1wsad ) and Disneyana was the last store with these limited edition ears in stock. There is a good amount of items that is not collectable ( https://bit.ly/2nxHwwl ) or limited and therefore more reasonably priced (for Disney). For those interested in limited-edition fine art and paintings, you need to walk into the gallery ( https://bit.ly/2lkTrN9 ) which is currently home to several pieces ( https://bit.ly/2mUQOlP ) of art celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion.
Most of the art and figurines Disney have done for the Haunted Mansion have been reproductions of Ezra Beane, Gus and Professor Phineas Plump (collectively known as the Hitchhiking Ghosts), Constance Hatchaway (The Bride), Madame Leota and the Caretaker and his dog (semi-officially name Sirus Crump and Bones respectively). The Hat Box Ghost is another popular image for merchandising since 2009 when it appeared on several items for the 40th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion. After being in the "void" for 46 years, the Hat Box Ghost "reappeared" in the Haunted Mansion in May of 2015 and its popularity has soared. For the 50th Anniversary, Disney decided to turn the spotlight on some of the lesser known haunts with Craig Fraser's Welcome Foolish Mortals ( https://bit.ly/2lZ2vaM ), including Victor Geist (The Organist) who is one of my favorite ghosts.
Before we purchased our copy of Welcome Foolish Mortals, we actually looked at it three times, each time walking out through the Disney Gallery next door only to reenter Disneyana. Any cast member paying attention to us, probably thought we were either in some sort of weird time loop or we were both suffering from dementia. Passholders don't forget your discount when paying for your purchase and the cast member helping us put the painting into an easy to carry box and even offered to send the painting to "Will Call." We didn't need "Will Call" since we were leaving for the day, but it is nice to know it is available if we should need it in the future.
In addition to the art work on display for the 50th Anniversary, the gallery has art from each of the lands in the park and from several Disney animated movies. During certain times of the day, a Disney artist ( https://bit.ly/2lQU4yv ) will be drawing or sketching in the gallery and on rare occasions a Disney Imagineer will drop in for a special signing or to ply his / her trade. For even more memorabilia and park concept renderings, you can visit the Disney Gallery which is connected to Disneyana, but don't fall in love with any of the items because none of them are for sale.
I will never be an art aficionado (nor do I care to become one), but I will always be a fan of Disney artwork and will continue to browse Disneyana for the next item to add to our collection! read more