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Great Movie Ride Figures Make a Surprise Holiday Comeback at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Talk about a nostalgia sleigh ride. Disney’s Hollywood Studios just delivered a festive surprise on Hollywood Blvd with a brand-new holiday window at Tailors to the Stars, and it features none other than repurposed figures from The Great Movie Ride’s iconic Footlight Parade scene.
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The display includes three mannequins that Cast Members have confirmed were once part of the shimmering, synchronized-swimmer tableau that opened the beloved attraction. Now, they’re stepping back into the spotlight with a yuletide twist.
Each figure is dressed in a candy cane–striped ensemble complete with a glittery silver tutu, red sequined accents, and a peppermint-topped Santa hat. A peppermint-swirl backdrop frames the dancers, giving the window the full “old Hollywood holiday” treatment while tying into the boulevard’s seasonal décor.
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For longtime fans, the callback hits hard. The original Footlight Parade scene recreated Busby Berkeley’s famed “By a Waterfall” number from the 1933 musical starring James Cagney. The dancers once rotated atop a tiered fountain before the mechanism was later replaced with a static set, but their art deco styling and sparkle remained a memorable start to the attraction’s cinematic journey.
Seeing these figures back in public — after years of storage — is a holiday treat in itself. It’s a rare moment where Disney dips into its own history to celebrate the season, and it brings a warm wave of Great Movie Ride nostalgia to Hollywood Studios.
