Have you seen this little guy or his friends around Disneyland? If you’ve ever bought a snack from one of the popcorn carts, then you may have.
These whimsical figures are called Popcorn Animation Dolls, or “Roastie-Toasties,” as they’re called in the book Imagineering: A Behind the Scenes Look at Making MORE Magic Real.
Roastie-Toasties have been a part of Disneyland as far back as 1955, but their origins go back at least to C. Cretors & Company in the late 1800’s. They were called Toasty Roasty Men, and decorated the steam engines on peanut roasting machines.
When they debuted at Disneyland, they were all clown figures, just as they were on the Cretors carts. Today they are themed to the lands their carts are in, including…
- a train conductor;
- an undertaker;
- the Yeti;
- the Rockeer;
- and two dapper figures wearing pin-striped pants.
Some figures only show up seasonally, like Santa Claus and Oogie Boogie, but no matter who’s at a cart, they’re all there to “assist” Cast Members in providing Guests with a quintessential Disneyland treat.
You can read more from Randy on his blog, Faith and the Magic Kingdom and listen to his unofficial Disney podcast, Stories of the Magic. Find him on Twitter (@Belgarion42) and on Facebook.
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