Old Hag Fortune Teller

[Old Hag Fan]

When I first went to Disneyland in the 60's, in the Emporium on the left side of main street, there was a mechanical fortune teller made up to look like the Old Hag (Witch) from Snow White. I was fascinated, and more than a little bit scared, by her. I visited the park as an adult many other times over the years and kind of lost track of the old girl. Then around 1999 I visited a character shop just to the right after you go through Cinderella's castle (It used to be a second magic shop many years ago.) I think it had been made up as a Disney villain shop.

Anyway, to my amazement, there was this fortune telling witch. I spoke to a cast member who apparently knew his stuff. He told me that it had be refurbished in the last few years. He turned it on for me, and it moved and the voice recording of the Old Hag played. I was in heaven seeing this again after so many years.

My question to all is, does anyone know the history of this artifact? I think it's been there ever since the park opened, since I have a vague memory of seeing it on the Mickey Mouse club as a kid. I'd sincerely appreciate any and all information.

[niklj]

It was in the shop in New Orleans Square (it's called Le Baton Rouge now, but before I can't remember what it's called) and it was tucked away in a corner for a bit. This was around 2005 and if I'm thinking of the same one you were thinking of, it was motion activated and said things to you. It's gone now, and I haven't seen it since.

[Aura of Foreboding]

The Old Hag resided in the Villains Lair (in Fantasyland) for all of the 1990s, until it was moved to Le Bat en Rouge (NOS) in the early 2000s. Within the last few years, she was removed. It would be nice to see her back. She was one of my favorites. I hope they eventually bring her back... Perhaps to an all new Villains Lair... Here's to hoping!

[DisneyFan28]

the Old hag in the cage
i was wondering where she went because i went to find this on my recent visit after seeing a video on youtube.

[sailerm]

I recall her being dead center facing the door in the Penny Arcade in the late 70's and early 80's, her eyes would glow and she would beckon you to release her. It creeped me out too.

[Witches of Morva]

ORWEN: Now you've got me confused, Old Hag Fan, duckling. At first I thought you were talking about an old hag at Disneyland. Then when you said something about Cinderella's Castle, I thought you must be talking about Walt Disney World because at Disneyland they have Sleeping Beauty's Castle, instead. So which witch was where???

[Chernabog]

She used to claim that if you opened the cage, she'd teach you how to turn water into gasoline... (seriously!)

I'm assuming someone took her up on her offer.

[DisneyPro]

If anyone's interested, here's a video of her in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lkcd7_zubw

[Aura of Foreboding]

She used to claim that if you opened the cage, she'd teach you how to turn water into gasoline... (seriously!)

I'm assuming someone took her up on her offer.

"That'd be nice; wouldn't it?" ( - Old Hag on turning water into gasoline)

I wouldn't doubt it.

I just wish they would bring her back. She was an awesome little addition to the park.

[Retrocool]

If anyone's interested, here's a video of her in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lkcd7_zubw

Or, for those who missed it -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>

[Retrocool]

Esmerelda was the fortune-teller in Main Street's Penny Arcade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>
Then there's Fortune Red, who's still at the Pirate's Arcade -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>

[princedalton]

eeeek. that still gives me the creeps. I handle scary stuff for the most part...in fact I love scary movies and all the villains and haunted houses and all that stuff...but for some reason, this always scared me...Im not even afraid of the witch herself in the movie. Just this...I do love it though!!! I would love to see it back!!!

[aimster]

That is seriously creepy.

[Aura of Foreboding]

That is seriously creepy.

It was awesome. Little kids just loved it. Heck, so did big kids.

[DisneyFan28]

Shrunken Ned still exists in the Bazaar , which is good.