Photo Time Machine: Aladdin's Royal Caravan

Here's another great image from the past, chock full of little observations. Be sure to click on it to see the picture full size (photo ©Disney).

Aladdin's Royal Caravan, the first full-scale parade to be featured at Disney's Hollywood Studios, debuted the same time as the Aladdin animated film, in 1992. The procession entertained Studios Guests for nearly three years before making way for the Toy Story Parade. In this shot, we see one of the main units of the parade making its way down Hollywood Boulevard. Look closely, though, and you'll see even more.

The most obvious thing missing from this picture is the now-iconic Sorcerer's Hat at the center of the park (there was just an oval-shaped planter at this time). Added in 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth, the Sorcerer's Hat was meant to represent all the magic of show business brought to life in the park. The original icons of the Chinese Theater and Earffel Tower had specific connections to movies, but as the Studio moved into its second decade, the park had come to encompass much more.

Look down on the left side of the Aladdin's Royal Caravan image, and you'll spot a white diamond shape. This was an original directional graphic for the park. When the Studios opened in 1989, there were only five attractions, so finding your way around wasn't so difficult. That all changed over the course of the next five years, as the park grew into every available nook and cranny. To help Guests navigate, a new wayfinding package was installed that's still in place today.

Finally, back to the parade... You may notice the swordsmen leading the procession have goatees. This wasn't a lapse in the Disney Look guidelines. They were fake pieces applied to each of the performers to create the proper look for the show.

The giant Genie inflatable was re-purposed in 1996 as the central figure on the Aladdin float for the Remember the Magic parade in the Magic Kingdom, part of the Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary celebration.

And if you look very closely behind the Genie, you might make out one of the golden camels that are now a part of the Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction in Adventureland. They started their career here at Disney's Hollywood Studios.