The Hidden Greenhouses of Disneyland Paris aka EuroDisney

We Disney fans love our Hidden Mickeys! In fact, to find anything that is hidden while we are in the parks is a delight. At Disney Animal Kingdom's opening, there was the famous hidden trail which was actually found along the main path linking Asia and Africa. This sweet little area was designed by Joe Rohde and his Imagineering team. 

In another surprise, EuroDisney (Land aka Disneyland Paris) has a set of gorgeous victorian styled greenhouses set far away from the guests eye. The photo looks like a backstage area of where Fantasyland meets Adventureland, but I can assure they are not there. In fact, they are truly thousands of miles away in my home state, Colorado. "What?" you say.

Let me back up, each visit to Southern California, we travel to Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach. This beautiful place is home to a piece of Disneyland history. The famous Disneyland Bandstand rests inside the nursery. (See can see my post about it here.) It made me start to think.

In 2017, we found a portion of EuroDisney that was never installed and instead shipped to Denver, Colorado at our Denver Botanic Gardens.  Read the sign below:

The absolutely gorgeous solariums /greenhouses were initially ordered by the Walt Disney Company when the Imagineers planned to install them in the Company's French parc. 

Seven of these lovely structures were ordered and never installed, but this one in Denver is the only one available for public display. My cel phone photographs do not do justice to the detail. Today, during a visit, a wedding and reception was being held there, so I had to use old photographs to maintain some privacy for the newlyweds.

The green painted metalwork is strikingly similar to what is found on Paris' stunning Main Street U.S.A. Were they to be used in the gardens found right in front of the theme park? Maybe the hub? Were they not so simple bus stop structures designed to welcome guests in case of inclement weather? I have no idea. Yet they are beautiful, no doubt.

Interestingly, years before that visit, we had walked right by them one evening at Christmas while we were enjoying the garden's annual Blossoms of Light decor.  I never noticed the little metal sign. 

When it found it again, it was like a "kiss" from God- a time when you discover something unexpected and so out of the ordinary. It brought an instant smile to my face- and an immediate discussion of just how we might have to return to Paris and that beautiful Disney park.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Imagineer Eddie Sotto Has Passed- and Here's One of His Amazing Disneyland Concepts

The great Imagineer Eddie Sotto had died. His work on Disneyland Paris' Main Street is unbelievable, but he also worked on many other projects for Imagineering. To honor him today, here's my favorite posts on some of his unfinished work for Disneyland and the ties that bind Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was first published on Easter Sunday many years ago.

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Disney park fans, have you ever been to the real New Orleans? If so, the blend of charming mansions, lush vegetation, and incredible places to dine, shop, and listen to live music, make it a must see destination. So do the sacred places found in the wide variety of old churches and cathedrals. Of course, any place the sacred is found, the dark side of the spiritual world co-exists with the light. 

Disneyland's New Orleans Square is the epitome of Imagineering brilliance. When the brand new land finally opened at the park in the mid-60's, fans were amazed that theme park designers could create something so authentically charming and accurate, very faithful to the original. Here was a beautiful rendition of the city, calling visitors to explore its alleys and destinations. Watching the Mark Twain riverboat cruise the Rivers of America only added to the atmosphere.  

The masterpiece work still is Pirates of the Caribbean with its swashbuckling journey through grottoes, a burning village, and a bit of the ethereal. The opening of  The Haunted Mansion in 1969 filled out the land's roster, bringing some more obvious spirited fun for guests who dared to venture beyond its front door. Placed close to each other, Pirates and Mansion deliver the very best Imagineering has ever offered. In some ways, no other Magic Kingdom park delivers the Art of Imagineering as does this land. Even Tokyo Disneyland's mini land cannot compare to the original.

Concept Art by Eddie Sotto for the unbuilt original attraction.

It's a credit to the old school Imagineering team that folks like Bob Gurr, Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats continued to look for ways to further deepen the richness of the experiences found at the park. For New Orleans Square, however, it took a next-generation great, Imagineer Eddie Sotto, to come up with another thrilling attraction for an area so limited in acreage. 

These pieces of concept art reveal Eddie's proposal to add a walk through attraction into the crypt of famed Pirate Jean Lafitte. Think of Paris' famed catacombs, and you will not be too far off the mark from was proposed but never built. The mystery and stories of his exploits are still told today. Imagine exploring the creepy tomb with decayed bodies, leading to unknown adventures! 

It had been quite awhile since I thought about this project. There's  an interview with him on the subject. Go to this Imagineering Disney post to see a number of photos and the story in full.  Walt himself would have been thrilled to add this to the park. He always loved bringing some history into his kingdom.  In his day, the parks were viewed as living artwork to be enjoyed by families together, not solely a tool to increase profits and tie into the latest movies for merchandise sales. 

I found this to be the perfect piece for today! Imagine exploring the empty tomb of Jesus the Christ, His crucified body risen back to life to the glory of God the Father. Proving Jesus' own words that He would rise again- fully paying the price for my sin and yours. Owning this as eternal truth deep inside your heart leads to untold adventures of spirit and soul. It was truly a very Good Friday! His story is told to this day all over the world- and in spite of any opposition, it has never been able to be stopped.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) 

This video, above, is the absolute best visual presentation to be found. It's fairly recent, as fans of the attraction will know by observing the attic scene, but it's a complete tour with plenty of opportunities to stop the video and discover some secrets. 

Want more about the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean? Being these are my two favorite park attractions, this blog of more than 1800 posts contains dozens of articles, rare pieces of concept art, photographs, and more. Browse around and check it out!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Main Street Cinema Attraction Poster- Tokyo Style!

After decades of denial, its seems like real Disney theme park fans are finally beginning to acknowledge the truth:  When it comes to the same high standards Walt Disney believed in, be in stunning new attractions, guest value, or park and attraction maintenance, the Tokyo Disney Resort is the new gold standard. The love, attention to detail, and money the Oriental Land Company pours into the place is obvious! 

This includes honoring Imagineering history and their wonderful park attraction posters. Here's a great one for the Main Street Cinema! The star of the show is front and center- Mickey Mouse himself. Disney's reliable, ultimate leading man- and corporate symbol- graces the front against a nice golden yellow backdrop. 

Just a little image with a big grin to warm up a winter's day.

Disneyland's Main Street As You've Never Seen It!

Newly released concept art for Disneyland- right from the Walt Disney Family Museum! This beautiful piece shows Imagineer Harper Goff's vision for Main Street U.S.A. It's a different take then what we finally got when the park opened in 1955. A bit more quaint, a bit more rustic, and totally charming. You should see the rendering by Imagineer Bruce Bushman for a new vision of Fantasyland! It actually includes a Ferris Wheel and a very undisguised roller coaster. Incredible what could have been. Certainly there's more in the archives waiting to be uncovered.

(Concept art copyright The Waldt Disney Company.)

A Look at Disneyland's Adventureland Circa 1955

Innocence and discovery without agenda or political reckoning. That was Adventureland during its initial decades at Disneyland. The entrance to the land as seen in this concept art reflects the time. How refreshing! The United States was at the cusp of bringing Hawaii into the union when Disneyland opened, and you just know that with the forward thinking Walt Disney that some island themed atmosphere would soon be coming to his beloved park. Of course, that would come within its first decade when the Tahitian Terrace opened in 1962. Just around the corner was Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, and it would take the world by storm with its Audio-Animatronics musical show. This was only the beginning for the little park that changed the world...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Disney Gallery Attraction Poster: Evolution of A Dream

Attraction posters continued to be one of the most searched for items on the Insights and Sounds blog. For good reason! First generation Imagineers created gorgeous works of art to celebrate and advertise the attractions at Disneyland. The tradition continued decade after decade. Here's the Imagineer's latest creation- a nice poster that advertises the preshow exhibition to the impressive Walt Disney - A Magical Life theater presentation. The exhibit is named Disneyland 70- Evolution of A Dream. This piece is in the style of the day for Main Street U.S.A., circa the turn of the 20th Century. 

There's posters for the attractions in each land at Disneyland on the blog as well as some for the Magic Kingdom, the "renewed" Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea, California Adventure (yes, some great ones, actually!) and a smattering of them for other Disney parks. What a great number of treasures waiting to be found as you search here!

And watch for the November post which shares the rarest Disney attraction poster of them all...

My Favorite Disney Park Photos: Disneyland Paris

In the series of "My Favorite Disney Park Photos", this particular one could seem to be a very odd selection. Yet, it tells quite the story of the excellence of Disney Imagineering and attention to detail. (I could have even saved this one for a "Design Detail" post.) When the Disney Imagineers created Disneyland Paris under the clear direction and leadership of Tony Baxter, nothing was left to chance. This meant digging deep into the French culture and giving the park an air of elegance that has never been matched since.

Eddie Sotto may not have gotten his 1920's America that he desired, but that doesn't mean he didn't knock Main Street U.S.A. out of the park. Take a look at this beautiful stained glass ceiling art! Stunning, right? It's a tribute to the Parisian stores like Galeries Lafayette that stun locals and tourists alike with its beautiful displays and absolutely gorgeous windows and ceilings. Was this necessary at Disneyland Paris? Of course not, but the park is made all the richer because of these decisions. 

The main park itself has not been given a major upgrade since its opening. But it is every bit as eye popping as it has ever been because of the original excellence of its design.

(Photo copyright Mark Taft.)

Disneyland's Hidden Attraction Posters

There's a whole slew of Disneyland attraction posters that might be unnoticeable until you see them and then you can't unsee them. No, not the ones under the railroad tunnels leading past the Mickey Mouse floral garden. The other ones. The Imagineers did something pretty sweet- and it only happens at the original park. Have you figured it out yet? (And did you know Disneyland was originally going to have ONE tunnel? The concept art is here.) Keep thinking where you'd find these before reading more. 

Those Main Street Omnibus advertisement / attraction posters are just terrific, aren't they? The Imagineers took segments of the full sized attraction posters and created a brand new advertisement that fits the busses. They feel purposely designed for it- they're that good. When you're walking down Main Street U.S.A. toward the castle and you see the Omnibus go by, there's a bit of excitement that hits: "I'm really at Disneyland!" It's a special world with its own rhythm, design, and feel. There's no place in the world like Walt's Magic Kingdom! Not in Florida, not in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong or Shanghai. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The SHAG Piece That Started It All

While visiting Disneyland during its 50th anniversary year in 2009, I fell in love with a piece by artist Josh Agle aka Shag. I bit the bullet, and although money was a little tight, I purchased this very fun, retro, vintage, just plain COOL little map. I sat on the benches on Main Street U.S.A., and I watched merchandise fly off the shelves. 

Sitting there watching it all got me to thinking of all the terrific pieces of Disney art, attraction posters, concept art that I had. I wanted to share it all and my love for music, family, friends, travel, and of course, my love for God who makes all things possible. There was this "one little spark of inspiration", and the blog was born!

(Art copyright Josh Agle.)

Disneyland's Candlelight Processional Commemorative Brochure

Here's the commemorative brochure for Disneyland's annual (and quite wonderful) Candlelight Ceremony aka The Candlelight Processional. This beloved event is the forerunner, the granddaddy of a similar event at Epcot (which actually began in 1971 at the Magic Kingdom).

 

 

 

 It is too bad that this piece is in black and white! I can just imagine just how beautiful this would be in brilliant color back when it was printed in 1978? Stunning, either way.

First started in 1958, the tradition has continued on, becoming a much beloved event for Southern California park goers. The list of celebrity narrators reads like a "Who's Who" of Hollywood both in its glory days and in modern times: Dick Van Dyke, Chris Pratt, Cary Grant, James Earl Jones, and John Wayne. Actress Viola Davis was the guest narrator for 2022.

   

 

This is one Disney tradition that I hope will remain year after year after year!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Mickey Mouse Halloween at Disneyland

It was a beautifully warm Thursday afternoon in "Walt's park". What a perfect day to visit. Disneyland looked great! Taking the Horseless Carriage to Town Square for a little shopping, I decided to walk over to the Emporium. This gleaming, friendly looking Mickey pumpkin won me over, and I had to take a photo. Normally, I post something interesting about the Imagineering art of the Haunted Mansion (or Disneyland Paris' Phantom Manor), but this year, I'm more than a little tired of how ugly, dark, and sometimes outright evil the world has become and how this holiday is observed. So, friendly Mickey is in. I hope it puts a smile on your face as it did mine!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Cynical Look at Disneyland

Are you a cynic when it comes to Disneyland? Do you love sarcasm? If so, let's take a look at the park Walt built. Do the guns in the Shooting Gallery make you shake a bit and fill your mind with snarky one liners? Will riding the carousel lead you to a strong of profanities or is the ride about galloping off to Heaven? Real life comes into play as well in this new Inner Disneyland. Does death give you the creeps? No worries. Have you visited the real New Orleans and been a bit shaken by the smells? You won't have that problem in Walt's version. Are you less likely to visit the original Magic Kingdom because it feels fake and soulless? Well, if so, this post is just for you! 

Back in 1978, New West magazine published this map with an in-depth and rather snarky accompanying article discussing the psychology used in building and adding to Disneyland. The focus is on creating an environment of assurance and comfort, be it a visit to 999 Happy Haunts of the Haunted Mansion or setting sail with a motley crew for an adventure with the Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Decades later, the map seems surprisingly vintage and retro. But the desire to escape the real world appeals to millions upon millions of Disney fans all over the world. Cynics be damned! The park Walt built and those those that followed remain havens of fantasy and adventure and yes, escape, for guests all of the world. 

There's no dealing with reality here- except for long lines, overpriced food and beverages, and a pricing and experience based structure that reinforces the social structures so evident. Hmm... So, who is the sarcastic cynic now? Yes, yours truly.

(Art copyright New West magazine.)

Design Detail: Disneyland's Omnibus Attraction Posters

For lovers of attraction posters, the ads that used to be displayed on the Disneyland omnibus are almost as equally appealing to collect. Here's a cool looking one for Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasyland. Or just Storybook Land. 

From Dizavenue.com

                                                                               

These eye catching pieces traveled up and down good old Main Street U.S.A. providing a bit of charm and promotion of what could be found in lands beyond the hub. Quaint, charming, and unique. 

It's these little touches of detail that make Disneyland that great place it is- a place where the feel of Walt Disney can be found at every turn. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Is This Art for A New Magic Kingdom in India?

Is this the proof that a new Disney theme park in India is on its way? The way things are going with The Walt Disney Company under the leadership of Bob Chapek, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he decided to make his mark on the Disney legacy by building a new park in Asia. Certainly the population of the country could support it. With more than 1.3 billion people and a growing middle class, it's an untapped source of revenue. Yet, the current leader of the country deals with a major humans rights violation, one which he actually helps perpetuate: India has become a hotbed of Christian persecution where there are growing reports of violence and murder at the hands of Hindu extremists. Looking at the World Watch List which studies the top 50 places it is most dangerous to be a believer in Jesus, India has quickly moved up the ranks to Number 10 in recent years. But I guess these issues haven't stopped Disney before- Shanghai Disneyland was pursued and built after all.

But I digress: Is this a Magic Kingdom that locals would embrace?  Just look at this more recent piece of concept art by Greg Pro. Imagine a Peoplemover station inside the iconic castle! The Imagineers have always thought outside the box. ("Why does it have to be a box?") If the Imagineers can turn Main Street U.S.A. into Mickey Avenue in China, they can certainly come up with lands and themes that remove any flavor of the American way of life. In fact, would a Pandora themed World of Avatar be a perfect fit? The spiritual similarities are striking and certainly the hot moist climate would create a striking landscape.

Will Chapek and company move ahead with a project like this? I wouldn't put it past him- if he survives long enough.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)