Costumes that Go Together with the Character, Time, and Story of Each Film

 

The history of Disney costuming begins with the start of the Disney Company itself in 1923. The animators of the Walt Disney Studio had to think in in terms of costuming when drawing the clothes for an animated character. Sometimes the studio even had to create live-action reference footage to give animators an idea about how a costume would move and flow during a particular action. After the success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the studio started to hire the best talents in the film industry and great costume designers. While the studio created live-action films, costume designers worked with movie scripts and filmmakers to make costumes that go together with the character, time, and story of each film well.

"Disney wardrobe" became the Disney Costuming Division in the late 1960's with the advent of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Pam Haynes, Vice President of Costume Design and Development for Walt Disney Entertainment, said that this change brought about "a more theatrical approach to costuming, with expanded entertainment costumes and extensive theming". Nowadays, Theme Park and Resort dresses go through a complicated process before a Disney Cast Member can wear it.

There are three types of costumes at Disney Theme Parks and Resorts—operational costumes, theatrical costumes, and costumes for Audio-Animatronic® figures.