Disney Theme Park

Return to Oz Electrical Parade Float  Since the 70's at the Disney theme parks the company would put on a parade.  But on special occasions at night they would put on an "Electrical Parade" with bright shiny lights all over the floats.  In 1984 they made a Return to Oz float hoping it would go over well.  According to sources it was quite large and very  beautiful.  The Characters consisted of a live girl playing Dorothy who carried a fake chicken, costumed versions of the Scarecrow and Lion, and a life-sized marionette of The Tin Woodman, along with Tik-Tok and Emerald City Dancers. The float was set to look like the Throne Room at the Emerald City and was completely covered in mirrors.  It was these very mirrors that led to the floats destruction.  Late in the summer Return to Oz float caught on fire and was never replaced.  It was only available to view that one Summer.

Emerald City at Theme Park     At Disneyland in Paris their was a miniature Emerald City built at Disneyland's Storybook Land Canal Boat ride.  This attraction is still open today, and the only piece of Return to Oz to re-surface at the theme parks.

Competitions

Newspaper Collect the Characters  It was suggested  by the Disney Company throughout the UK that a "Collect the Characters" competition to be put in daily newspapers.  In which two of eight characters were published on the first day, one on the second day, and again alternately throughout the week. Thus engaging children to actually buy and look through the paper.  Alternatively in weekly newspapers they could have all characters hidden through out the pages.  The first few people to send a fell set of characters would win a prize.  Obviously, a nice feature spread promoting the film and competition would have needed to appear in advance. (UK Marketing)

Painting Competition  It was also suggested that stores have a painting completion.  But to me it looks a little bit too hard for small children to paint such a detailed picture.  But Disney seemed to think it a good idea. (UK Marketing)

Word Puzzle Competition  Disney suggested to stores and newspapers to have a Return to Oz Word Puzzle competition.  For those who got them right would enter in a drawing for a prize. (UK Marketing)

Find the Lunch Pails Competition  In this competition one must find all of the lunch pails and color them.  Winners of these would also be drawn for a Prize. (UK Marketing)

Picture & Word Crossword  In this completion,  which was geared more toward newspapers, You must complete the Return to Oz crossword.  Similar to the crosswords in the daily paper. (UK Marketing)

Coloring Competition  This was suggested to provide a coloring contest to children at local newspapers and retail stores. (US Marketing)

Sweepstakes

Canadian Return to Oz Sweepstakes In this extraordinary sweepstakes Post Cereal was giving away 3 Grand Prize Return to Oz bedroom sets.  "Each incredible bedroom is full of unique hand-crafted wooden furniture featuring you favorite characters from Walt Disney Pictures' new movie Return to Oz"  which included the following:

    1. Gump Bed

    2. Jack Pumpkinhead Lamp

    3. Nome King's Throne Chair

    4. Tik-Tok Clock/Piggybank

    5. Oz Mirror

Waldenbooks Return to Oz Sweepstakes In this sweepstakes Waldenbooks teams up the Disney to offer a Return to Oz Contest.  Grand Prize was a family of four trip to Disneyland with a trip through the Disney studios.  Two first prize winners won an RCA 5 head tabletop video cassette recorder.  And Twenty Five second prize winners won a Mickey Mouse wrist watches.

Cross-Promotion

Waldenbooks Return to Oz Promotion  Walden books also had a cross-promotion with Return to Oz.  Anyone buying an Oz related book, (most had Return to Oz covers at the time)  Would receive a free set of stickers.

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