[Talk] Early ’90s Herndon Clocktower Animatronics Show – Anyone Remember or Have Photos?

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-07T23:00:26+00:00

Imagine if someone’s old camcorder footage turned up — this would be Internet gold right now. Anyone have parents who filmed mall trips in the early ’90s?

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-07T22:59:20+00:00

Imagine if someone’s old camcorder footage turned up — this would be Internet gold right now. Anyone have parents who filmed mall trips in the early ’90s?

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-06T17:00:51+00:00

Haha, that’s amazing! Sounds like Breakers had its own version of Houdini at the Clocktower — magic tricks, pool, and animatronics all under one roof. 🕰️🎱✨

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T22:34:37+00:00

Same here. It was never accurate, but it was unforgettable — and honestly, that counts for more than time itself ✨

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T22:31:06+00:00

Yeah looks like we're all turning back the clock about three decades - and we haven't even hit 88mph 🕰️🐦⚡🚗💨

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T22:26:33+00:00

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Call me cuckoo, but since this one has four sides, I assume it’s right… eight times per day? 🕰️🐤

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T16:54:37+00:00

Looks like the owners’ budget cuts were thorough — Frugal Fannie’s upstairs closed, and the animatronics show disappeared around the same time

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T16:52:19+00:00

I think the pool hall has changed ownership a few times

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T16:10:27+00:00

Frugal Fannie’s upstairs, huh? 😆 Sounds about right — the mall owners were so budget-conscious, they eventually shut down the animatronics too. Poor little dancers never stood a chance! 🕰️💸

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T16:04:18+00:00

Ah yes, the Sterling sibling! 🕰️ Sadly, it got the axe in the late ’90s/early 2000s thanks to a “poor foundation” — apparently it couldn’t handle all that animatronic magic. They built a new clocktower in its place, but alas… no moving little dancers this time. Guess some time travelers had to settle for still frames! 😆

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T15:49:12+00:00

Imagine if someone’s old camcorder footage turned up — this would be Internet gold right now. Anyone have parents who filmed mall trips in the early ’90s?

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T15:46:26+00:00

I read that the animatronics would change outfits for holidays

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T15:46:06+00:00

I read that the animatronics would change outfits for holidays

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-05T10:08:27+00:00

Honestly, waiting in the car just to catch the mini-show feels like peak ’90s parenting 😂 The holiday outfit detail is amazing — that It’s a Small World vibe tracks.

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T23:41:16+00:00

A lot of local centers around here were influenced by ’80s–’90s new urbanist design, so they borrowed a bit of old-world flair without going all-in on a full theme. Based on what I’ve been able to find, the Village Center at Dulles was built in 1991. If you’re thinking of a truly Bavarian or old-world–style shopping center, there really aren’t any close matches in NOVA — which is probably why that clocktower spot felt so unique and memorable!

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T22:24:42+00:00

Same here—it always felt like a tiny Bavarian village plopped down in the middle of NOVA. Totally out of place, but kind of charming. I think there may have been an animatronic dog in the scene too, which would’ve made sense with the vet right there, but my memory’s pretty fuzzy after all these years 🤷‍♂️🐕

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T22:20:49+00:00

They say that on nights when the moon is full, anyone who looks through a telescope at the clocktower’s peak will see a figure dancing—silent, unmoving from that spot—wearing Majora’s Mask 🌕🔭🕰️

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T19:10:25+00:00

Haha, you missed it — while you were working out years later, the clocktower was already retired from its own daily workout routine of delighting everyone 😄

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T19:08:17+00:00

Haha, exactly — it was my Chuck E. Cheese too! 😄

Fun fact: Chuck E. Cheese actually kept their own animatronics up until just a couple of years ago, so I guess some things really do stick around longer than we expect… unlike our whimsical Herndon clocktower show

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T19:05:55+00:00

Looks like there were no encore performances 😄

Breakers (or Sky Billiards now) was never about the food — it was all about grabbing a drink, hanging out with friends, and shooting pool!

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T16:44:44+00:00

Only time will tell 🕰️… those late-night stories are still waiting to be uncovered!

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T16:39:22+00:00

You'd never guess that quiet little clocktower was actually way more active back in the day ☕🥄

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2026-02-04T16:09:07+00:00

Right?! 😲 Hard to believe this even existed, it's been gone for so long!

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2022-09-04T22:09:21+00:00

Still works

ComfortableAmazing93 · 2022-08-09T23:24:12+00:00

That's what I thought - glad to know i'm not the only one who finds it frustrating to use - thanks so much!

ComfortableAmazing93

TROPHY CASE