We get the coolest pop culture exhibits at the MoPOP in Seattle, our city’s museum dedicated to all things pop culture in an iconic Frank Ghery designed building that “evokes the rock and roll experience” . From June 5, 2021 Walt Disney Archives will be presenting Heroes and Villains: the Art of the Disney Costume through Spring of 2022. (This exhibit is in the area where the Minecraft exhibit used to be and I wonder where that exhibit will be traveling to next?)
How safe does it feel to visit the MoPop for this exhibit?
I was invited to the press preview of the Heroes and Villains: the Art of Disney Costume. This was my first museum visit in a long long time and the safety protocols in the MoPop made this visit feel like a really easy adventure. When I was there, everyone in the museum was wearing masks so I would feel comfortable coming back with my kids or my little niece and nephews. There were signs reminding people about occupancy levels and distancing which are really helpful as things open up more and more. Many of the spaces in the MoPOP have high ceilings and plenty of room to move about and although there were more people in the museum (and at Seattle Center) than I thought would be there on a Tuesday afternoon it did not feel too crowded. I felt very comfortable visiting on the day I went.
And what to expect from the Heroes and Villains: the art of Disney Costume exhibit
The Art of Disney Costume Exhibit is a $6 special exhibition fee on top of the MoPOP regular entry fee to see over 70 original pieces in a 6000 square foot exhibit space. Most years my family purchases a MoPOP membership so we can go a few times during the year and we will probably do this again this year so my kids can see this exhibit too. The MoPop is also right next to one of the best playgrounds in Seattle, so having a membership here makes it easy to stop at both places more frequently for shorter amounts of time.
Like everything else, it’s a little more difficult to visit even the MoPop these days-you have to prebook your days and visiting times even with a membership and many days are starting to sell out. (I noticed this with the zoo last week- we went to visit spontaneously like we did in the old days and realized that it was all booked up and sold out.). So once again we are pivoting and learning that we need to plan ahead and this is not the worst thing in the world.
And Is the exhibit “worth it” to visit?
I put up some stories on my Instagram after I visited the press preview and was asked if this exhibit is “worth it” to see. I think if you are a fan of Disney movies and fashion this would be a really good fit. The Heroes and Villains Art of Disney Costume exhibit reminds me a little of an Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum we had in Seattle a few years ago that combined fashion and art. The costumes are beautifully displayed and you can learn a lot about the details that go into creating the fashion in many memorable Disney real life movies.
I was excited to see the Sanderson sister’s dresses from the movie Hocus Pocus that starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Katy Najimy.
It was also cool to see Maleficent’s dress up close and know that this was actually worn by Angelina Jolie to shoot the movie too.
There was a Cruella De Vil outfit from the 1996 101 Dalmations movie. And the red dress worn by Emma Stone in the new Cruella movie will make a brief guest appearance if you are lucky enough to get a ticket for June 11-14th.
Two of Emma Watson’s outfits from Beauty and the Beast are on display as well. It is really neat to be able to read more about why all the costume designs were chosen and how they were researched. And there is work from 19 different designers highlighted in this collection of costumes. If you have seen any real life Disney movies in the last little while, you will likely recognize some of the costumes in this exhibit.
I’m not sure if little kids will find this as interesting because these are not the cartoon versions of the movies so they might not know them as well. But I would probably bring my little niece to look at the Cinderella dresses and the tiaras and the glass slipper displayed and we would probably take this opportunity to go for a fancy tea after our visit somewhere as well.
There are also a few interactive exhibits at the Heroes and Villains: the Art of Disney Costume
I somehow managed to miss the interactive exhibits when I visited but I want to go back and try the Magic Mirror which is inspired by the one in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Apparently it allows visitors to virtually “try on” some of the costumes featured in the exhibit. So when I go back with my kids I’ll try to update this if we virtually try on any costumes.
Do you have any favorite real life Disney movies? Are there any costumes from these movies that you would want to see up close and in real life? And if you are in Seattle, have you ever been to the MoPOP? (the giant sculpture of guitars in the center of the museum will always be one of my favorite art pieces in our city.)
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)