The 2009 Screening at El Capitan

As part of the promotional lead up to the October 2009 Blu-Ray release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the film returned to the Hollywood big screen for a limited engagement. This time last year (September 18th - October 1st), an exclusive two-week showing ran at the Disney-restored El Capitan Theatre.

Located at 6838 Hollywood Blvd, the El Capitan first opened its doors on May 3, 1926 and was one of three themed movie palaces all developed by Charles Toberman along with Sid Grauman--the other two theatres of course being the Egyptian and the Chinese.

Sixty three years later, the Walt Disney Company along with Pacific Theatres embarked upon a two-year "archeological dig" which led to the restoration and reopening of this historic landmark in 1991.

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El Capitan Marque. Image copyright 9.17.2009 Loren Javier. Creative Commons License.

The return of Snow White to the movie theatre in 2009 was complimented with a special live appearance by the princess herself at every show. For patrons who wanted more, $31.00 (USD) bought you "breakfast with Snow White". Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning before the 10:00 am screening, one could dine with her next door at the Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store.

 Window Display in the Soda Fountain and Studio Store. Image copyright 9.17.2009 Loren Javier. Creative Commons License.

As a tie-in with the September 18th opening, the Soda Fountain also released a number of limited edition Snow White pins. 

 

El Capitan Marquee Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $10.95 (US).

Snow White "Princess Jewels" Portrait Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $10.95 (US).

Snow White Book Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $12.95 (US).

Evil Queen/Wicked Witch Spinner Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $12.95 (US).

Dwarfs in Mine Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $10.95 (US).

There was also an unannounced Dopey surprise mystery pin released.

Dopey Surprise Mystery Pin, LE 300; Released 09/18/09. Retail Price $8.95 (US). Image via Pin Pics.

Find more info on Soda Fountain pins at Disney Pin Trading and pinpics.com.

Snow White Disney Dollars

Disney Dollars are a form of currency that can be used at Disney theme parks and the Disney store. Backed up by real money, each Disney dollar is the equivalent to a US dollar. Printing quality is very near real US currency and each has its own unique serial number. Guests at the parks can use the bills like cash or keep them as souvenirs. The Disney Dollar was the brain child of Harry Brice, a silhouette cutter on Main Street in Disneyland. Read how the idea came to him while visiting a Disneyana Convention.

Every year tends to bring several new Disney Dollar bill designs although the vast majority have tended to feature Mickey Mouse or other members of the Fab Five. But in 2002, a dramatic change occurred with the the release of the Snow White five dollar bill (above). Printed in celebration of the 100 Years of Magic, this was the first of the Disney Dollars to feature a princess.

In 2006, Cinderella followed, appearing on a one dollar bill.

In 2007 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the inception of the Disney dollar, Cinderella returned to grace the ten dollar bill. Joining her were Aurora on the five dollar bill and Ariel on the one.

Villionaire Dollars: In October of 2001 Disney announced a new online game called Who Wants to be a Villionaire patterned after the popular game show at the time. Each game had a different villain host, 13 in all, and each with its own downloadable bill. The Evil Queen is seen below on her One Villion Dollars. The bill, however, has no monetary value, except now as a collectible item.

Also released in 2001 was the El Capitan Disney Dollar, a currency that could only be redeemed at the Disney-owned El Capitain Theater in Hollywood. Snow White is featured on the back of the bill along with Dumbo and four out of the five "Fabs".

All images courtesy of DisneyDollars.net (except the Snow White five dollar bill)

For more great info and images of Disney Dollars, visit the DisneyDollars.net site.

Snow White Collector Note: At the time of this writing, the 2002 Disney Dollar five dollar bill featuring the first princess has been going for around $35-50(US) on ebay.

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[UPDATE 11/17/2010] Here's a page from the 1987 Disney News magazine in which is mentioned the introduction of Disney Dollars at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Image from personal collection.