Disneyland True Short Stories: Snow White's Grotto

Snow White's Grotto is a charming little area located just to the East of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was opened April 9, 1961 - just about 6 years after Disneyland opened. The Grotto includes sculptures of Snow White, the seven dwarfs, and some woodland creatures displayed around a waterfall. In front of the waterfall is a wishing well that plays the "I'm Wishing" song from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".

Here's where the story starts. Originally when the Grotto was first made, the audio of the song, "I'm Wishing" was taken directly from the movie, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." During its refurbishment in 1991, Disney decided to re-record the audio to give it a crisper, cleaner sound. Unfortunately at this time Adriana Caselotti, who originally voiced Snow White and sang the "I'm Wishing" song in the movie, was 75 years old and, as we all know, as singer's age, they are usually unable to hit the same notes they were able to hit when they were younger.

Disney decided to have Mrs. Caselotti come in to record as a sort of courtesy and out of respect to her, but believed that ultimately they would have to get someone else to use for the new version of the recording. After a few takes in which Mrs. Caselotti struggled to hit the notes, they took a break and Mrs. Caselotti overheard a conversation which confirmed her fears - that her re-recording didn't sound very good. After hearing this, she looked up and said, "Walt, if you're up there, please help me find Snow White's voice." 

She went back in to try one last time to re-record "I'm Wishing" and was able to hit every note perfectly just as she had done in 1937 for the actual movie some 54 years earlier. As a result, her voice can still be heard today in the wishing well at Snow White's Grotto.