Although called the Crystal Arts Store here on Main St, it is actually owned and operated by the Arribas Brothers, a premiere World Wide glass and crystal manufacturing company. Though not Disney-owned they are considered "Operating Participants" by the Disney Company. Their employees are Cast members and have to attend the Disney University. Arribas Brothers also has shops in Mexico, Germany and Downtown Disney. At any time, you can stop by and watch these "Artisans" as they are called perform right before your eyes. Arribas Brothers are the sole licensees in the Disney Parks Worldwide to produce and sell Disney copyrighted items in the glass and crystal medium.

Now before I begin about the new attraction here on Main St, let's takes a quick look back on how Arribas and Disney started together. The Arribas family has been in the glass etching and cutting business for many years. The young Arribas brothers Tomas and Alfonso were taught the family business under the influence of their Father and Grandfather in the Northwestern Spanish town of La Coruna. After their Apprenticeship, they became master "Glass Artisans" and the Spanish Government took note of their story and skill and was chosen by the Spanish Cultural Ministry to represent Spain at the World's Fair in 1964. Here they met Walt Disney himself who was so impressed by the Brothers work, Walt wanted a shop in Disneyland, and so in 1967 the Arribas Brothers opened a shop and studio in Disneyland. It was then that the family moved from Seattle Washington to California. The Arribas Brothers have expanded its expertise from glass cutting, sculpturing, fan painting and glass blowing. Arribas Brothers studios are in all the Disney parks worldwide.

Although the artisans who work the torches and the furnaces are "glassblowers", there are two basic types of glass work. The men working with the torches are called "Torch Workers" and there are the Artisans who work with the classic "Blow Pipes" most are familiar with; they are called "Furnace Workers". The basic difference according to torch artisan Jimmy Dills, a veteran of 29 years experience is the type of glass used. He states that torch workers use glass made up of Borosilicate and Furnace workers use Soda Lime Glass, both affecting the working time you have to make an object. Most artisans are either Torch or Furnace, but sometimes some can do both. Although Europe has more formalized schools to learn this trade, most in America will apprentice to someone or learn from a company. I asked Jimmy how a Disney piece becomes part of the product line. He states that many of the artisans will design their own pieces and present it to Arribas Brothers. The item then has to be approved by the Disney Design Artists, who will make corrections if any, then give its approval. The biggest seller is of course, Mickey Mouse.

The new attraction is different and unique here at the Crystal Arts shop. Last summer Arribas Brothers moved from inside the Bakery on Main St. to the connecting building next door and it was decided to make this "Furnace Studio" in the back. It is a perfect representation of a turn of the century glass blowing facility, all with the signature Disney "Themed" look. Of course there has to be some modern amenities like air conditioning and some modern gauges and digital readouts, but the result is striking. The man in charge of the demonstrations is Mark Haller, a 25 year veteran who has done glass blowing demonstrations for 20 years. Mark was asked by owner Rudy Arribas to give Disney a demonstration of the furnace work, and from there everything came together. Mark was instrumental in the design of the shop and he is the "Studio Manager". Mark, a soft-spoken man with an incredible knowledge of glass and its history is extremely upbeat and excited about the presentation. Mark says the show is unique in that as he makes a custom piece, he will be explaining his every move, along with a bit of history on glass and glassblowing. This is a total guest interactive show where Mark will take questions from the guests, and that each demonstration will be totally different, for every piece will be different and one of a kind objects.

If you enjoyed watching the artisans at the torch, you are going to be mesmerized by Mark's demonstration. There are two ovens, both electrically heated. One oven holds the molten glass (At 2,150 degrees!) and the other is where Mark "Works" the glass, transforming it before your eyes into a vase, plate, pitcher or whatever is ordered. That's right; a guest can order a special one of a kind piece beforehand and watch it come to life, being part of the demonstration. Mark has a gift of explaining the process as he works, all in harmony without skipping a beat. He adds a little humor and the audiences are hooked. Mark then fields questions, even the kids are enthralled, some came up with some good questions. The best feature of the demonstration, according to Mark is that it is not scripted in any way. He can be in the middle of making a piece, a guest can ask a question, and he may just change the piece, mid-stream. Mark will also sign any custom piece ordered.

The demonstrations can last from 15 minutes up to 40 minutes, depending on the article being made. As of now, everything is in "Soft Opening" mode and will be so for several weeks until all aspects of the demonstration can be smoothed out. Once the demonstration is on an even keel, it will be in the Disney "Times guide" for the Magic Kingdom, then an "Official Opening Day" will be announced. I have attended 4 of Mark's demonstrations so far, and judging by crowd reaction this will be a huge and unique hit! Even though nothing is announced yet, once Mark starts working, a crowd just naturally gathers and the guests really seem to enjoy it. I stayed for an extra demonstration just because it was so interesting! Arribas Brothers and Disney are excited about this new "Attraction" on Main St. and it appears that you now have another "Magical Experience" that just happens to come with your Park admission.

I would like to dedicate this article to my friend, Victor Thomas, one of Arribas Brothers glass artisans, who was injured in a motor vehicle accident last year. Vic is on the mend and all his friends at Arribas are waiting for him to return to the torch and continue making all those glass treasures! Also I thank General Manager Giancarlo Rubeca, Retail operations Manager Jason Hovde and all the cast members at Arribas Brothers who gave their valuable time and information for this piece.

For more photos of this new attraction click HERE.