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.)

Disneyland Attraction Posters: The Main Street U.S.A. Collection

Today, I want to reintroduce a very popular series on the Insights and Sounds blog- Disney Theme Park Attraction Posters. I want to thank the various sources from which I have collected these over the years. Some of these came from the incredible Daveland blog and some from many others- including scans and photographs by me. Thanks to everyone on the web who contributed to keeping especially Disneyland- Walt's park- history alive.

I'm beginning with posters from Disneyland, but I also have collections from California Adventure, Walt Disney World and even Tokyo Disney Resort and more. 

Soon, we will be adding a poster for Walt Disney – A Magical Life. Those of you newer to the blog might find this article interesting. It was an interview with Disney historian Didier Ghez and a surprise guest, Eddie Sotto, who revealed that an Audio Animatronic of Walt Disney was first discussed by Imagineering decades ago. Yes, decades. You can read this article here.

Enjoy these beautiful posters! As long as there is imagination left in Imagineering, there should be more attraction posters!
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As Walt Disney and his team were planning Disneyland, they instinctively knew this was going to be a different type of park. How could they communicate to the public what they would see in it? Of course, television played a huge role in sharing the vision and the details.

With a plan for the park to be defined by the railroad tracks, it was only natural that the Main Street U.S.A. train station would be at the park's entrance. It would have two tunnels in which to pull guests from the front of the turnstiles into Main Street, one on the left and one on the right. Inside these tunnels, the Imagineering team proudly created posters advertising the attractions.

Over the years, the attractions would also be found in front of the park along the fences and over park benches as guests found seating alongside the main entrance. It's only fitting that we begin this look at the attraction posters by starting with the ones first encountered by the earliest guests- the ones for Main Street U.S.A.

Although the Grand Canyon Diorama was a very small part of the route, this poster did a magnificent job of communicating the grandeur and beauty to be found by guests making the full circle tour on the trains.

Primeval World would come later and provide even more thrills.

It's difficult to tell which color scheme of the attraction poster was actually used. Either way, the artist's use of colors not normally associated with railroading and bold imagery created a stunning representation! The beautifully intricate version at the top of this post came many years later, communicating the elegance of Disneyland's railroad in an entirely different way than earlier versions.

The Red Wagon Inn restaurant was the predecessor to the beautiful Plaza Inn and operated by that name until the mid 1960s. Again, the colors in these two posters are slightly different.

Arguably the greatest attraction found on Main Street U.S.A., Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was quickly recognized as a masterpiece of engineering, artistic accomplishment, and exquisite storytelling. The poster above advertised the attraction at its opening. 

 Above is a proposed version of the poster.

 Another variation on a theme.

Several years after Walt's passing, the Disneyland Opera House presented "The Walt Disney Story", a very fitting tribute to the man who started it all. The first version of the attraction replaced time with Mr. Lincoln in favor of a film about Walt. A later version left Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln as the stunning finale of sorts to the attraction. A new poster reflected that change.

This poster was used during the park's 50th anniversary.

The posters for attractions found on Main Street, U.S.A. are quite an impressive lot! There's more to come as we explore the other lands of Disneyland- and eventually Disney parks all over the world.Next time, we'll take a look at those posters for attractions in Adventureland. The exotic attractions form a very beautiful basis for another set are great artistic interpretations. Stay tuned for the next segment in this series- and stay tuned for additional posters to be added!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Magic Kingdom Attraction Posters: The Main Street U.S.A. Collection

Disney Parks attractions posters are one of the most sought after Disney related searches on the internet. There's a good reason for this! Those gifted Imagineers created beautiful pieces of art that have stood the test of time. 

 

My blog's collection of Disneyland attraction posters is one of the deepest you'll find. So today, I offer up post one of a similar collection for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

You'd expect to find at least one attraction poster for the Walt Disney World Railroad, but perhaps you wouldn't think you'd see one for the Victorian era Crystal Palace Restaurant. Yet, here it is (and a version of one also exists for Tokyo Disneyland as well). The art is very nice, but certainly nothing can capture the sheer elegance of one of my favorite pieces of Magic Kingdom architecture.

There are very few pieces for Main Street U.S.A., but in a rather new twist, Imagineering started creating attraction posters for evening shows. Here above is an attraction poster for Happily Ever After. Although it is not in the more traditional style, it still is charming and captures the beauty of the nighttime presentation.

 

 Yes, another poster for the railroad...

 

...and the infamous short-lived poster

for when the train rode the rails in a the reverse route.

Now, I am not aware of other attraction posters for this part of the park. I would have thought that Main Street Cinema or at least The Walt Disney Story would have one, but so far, no luck. If anyone knows otherwise, please contact me.

There's still more lands and more posters. Certainly not the number found for Disneyland, (Check out just my Fantasyland collection for example) but nonetheless, they are fun to see. Stay tuned!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Will Disneyland's Plaza Point Holiday Shop Celebrate My Culture Too?

The Plaza Point store looks nice! In my culture, we celebrate Christmas and especially Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus. I'd love to see some ornaments that reflect my culture and not just Santa or the Easter Bunny. Can we have that at Disneyland, Imagineer Kim Irvine?

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

BBC- Is Disneyland the Great American Artwork?

The BBC asks "Is Disneyland the Great American Artwork?" The answer is a resounding "YES!", and I first wrote about it in that exact way almost 8 years ago. You can click on the link to the BBC post above, but stop and read my article as well! For your pleasure, the article begins below.

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Years ago, The Walt Disney Company unleashed an experiment. In the world's most beautiful city, resides the theme park as a work of art. When placed inside a metropolis filled will world famous pieces of art, gorgeous buildings, and stunning gardens, the Imagineers just had to create a parc that would hold its own. And they did!

Originally named EuroDisneyland, competing with an abundance of man made wonders in the city and the continent at large meant CEO Michael Eisner had to invest big bucks if the park was to be a creative and financial success. In spite of the challenges or perhaps because of them, Disneyland Paris not only succeeds but is the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever built. The overbuilding of the hotels surrounding it would be a noose around the park's neck, making major additions few and far between. That is a story for another time.

As the first European park from Disney and the first Disneyland styled park entirely reimagined from the ground up, the Imagineering team was handed quite a challenge but also a rare opportunity. Thankfully, the principal Imagineer in charge was Tony Baxter. His well-documented love for the first Disneyland and his appreciation and adaption of old school Imagineering, guaranteed the creation would be quite lovely, with substance as well as charm. 

In an interview from 1995 (found here), Tony recalls a conversation with Imagineer Marty Sklar about his plans for the park: "I would really like to have a chance to try for a perfect version of Disneyland." And he and his team did create it! In fact, I would say the resulting creation is the "E Ticket" park filled with "E Ticket" attractions.

The team of Imagineers Tony assembled is a "Who's Who" of Imagineering. While Tony cannot and does not take the credit for the park, his ability to draw out the best in his team cannot be overstated.

Tony himself is a fan favorite for leading the charge in building Splash Mountain, the Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Journey into Imagination. Here's the rest of the main designers:

Eddie Sotto: Later instrumental in creating the groundbreaking Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland,  Eddie accomplished a stunning Main Street U.S.A. It isn't the "Roaring 20's" styled one he fought for, (and the one Michael Eisner later regretted not building), but it stands above the others in the realm of mixing art, history, and fantasy.

Tim Delaney: His work on the Jules Verne themed Discoveryland is on par with just about everything built at Tokyo Disney Sea.  A French Mysterious Island, if you will.

Tom Morris: Prior to the new Fantasyland Forest take on Fantasyland, Tom brings the best of all previous versions to a whole new level of beauty. The castle itself is the most spectacular ever built, worth an hour or more of exploration all by itself.

Chris Tietz: No other Adventureland so perfectly accomplishes the task of feeling remote yet intimate. Opportunities to explore are everywhere! It's vast in size... and so full of potential growth for the future.

And lastly Pat Burke: Assigned to Frontierland,  Pat created a story and environment so rich, with attractions so interwoven, that words are not enough to communicate his epic accomplishment. In a park full of incredible lands, this one is my favorite.

What did I see that made me wish this park was my "home Kingdom"? 

Our first visit was in Fall of 1998, and I was mesmerized by what I saw. Our second trip occurred in Summer of 2007, and we were just as thrilled. Our third visit in 2012 was during the Christmas season. The park was cold, the trees bare, but the magic still shined as bright as the holiday lights. (See the blogpost An American in Paris for a full trip report.) 

The park does not have the lakeside location as with Florida's Magic Kingdom, but the elaborate gardens at the entrance- a European tradition- set the stage for the wonders to come. They are elaborate yet tasteful, with plenty of fountains punctuating the Parisian sky. 

Walking under the lovely (but extremely overpriced) Disneyland Hotel, the expected Main Street U.S.A. train station comes into view. It's an odd sight for those of us accustomed to the Stateside kingdoms. The station is so close to the ticket arcade, and it creates an unusual sense of space. 

The train station is elegant and understated.  The great detailing is really only to be found once you are in queue for the grand circle tour around the park. The handcrafted stained glass windows, each depicting a land in the park- windows in miniature that would be a popular but expensive souvenir- help you realize the Imagineers have gone far beyond the expected.  It's only the beginning. For a tourist rushing from attraction to attraction, the place delights. For an Imagineering fan, the place is one lush detail layered on top another.

For me, the first sight of the centerpiece castle is one that excites. It reminds me I am at Disney and not some local park filled with iron rides and little else. As a family, we couldn't walk down Main Street fast enough to begin our day. On the other hand, the castle draws you in and right to it. It's almost impossible to resist.

Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, triumphantly mixes animated movie style of Sleeping Beauty artwork with European true to life sensibilities. The work of the primary artist on the film, Eyvind Earle, was the inspiration for the castle. The artist and fans of the 1959 film would be thrilled to see it come to life. 

In each Magic Kingdom styled park, there are different experiences to be found. California has its walk-thru, Florida a restaurant, and Tokyo a combination of both. At Hong Kong Disneyland, the Anaheim-like castle was once listed as an attraction to pad the numbers. Yet, it is just a building, only a landmark at the first Disney Chinese park.  However at the French chateau, there really is an attraction worth exploring. We willingly spent over an hour of our one day visit viewing its handcrafted tapestries, stone tree pillars, lovingly created stained glass windows, its balconies, terraces and incredible views of Fantasyland. (Don't miss the sleeping knight in armor.) When beams of sunlight come into the castle, it's pretty enchanting. When the skies are darker, the beauty becomes a bit foreboding.

For an even darker experience, the piece de resistance is found at the basement level Dragon's Lair. Inside the dimly lit, dank dungeon, a fully realized Audio Animatronic dragon snarls and growls, blazing fire and smoke at guests passing by. How you discover it depends on the guest. The first visit, we journeyed through the accessible outside entrances. The next time, we discovered this darkest lower chamber is also reached by a secret passageway from the wizard Merlin's laboratory (and shop) above. In a sense, the castle is the premier attraction at the park, combining story, art, exploration and unexpected surprises. This is Disney Imagineering at its best. And all accomplished before Harry Potter arrived and changed the game at Universal Orlando.

Beyond the castle, the Parisian Fantasyland is a beautiful combination of Anaheim's (though at a much larger scope and scale) with elements all uniquely its own. There are many small gardens, water features, and plenty of discoveries around every bend.

In a nod to the multi-national authors of the fairy tales represented each attraction is voiced in the language of the original writer. It's a nice touch that reminded me that we were not home. One aspect of Fantasyland was very different. Initially disappointing but ultimately charming. The exteriors of Toad Hall look the same as the California attraction, but the residence is actually a British fish and chips restaurant. If you look around, you'll find one of many little charming touches that honor the park's continent: a portrait of Mr. Toad himself sits on a wall above diners. But wait and look carefully- here Mr. Toad is envisioned by great European artists: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and da Vinci. The painting magically transforms before your eyes every minute or so. Delightful!



Fantasyland does have its dark rides. Peter Pan's Flight, with its double capacity vehicles, draws the same large crowds here as back home. Pinocchio's Daring Journey is almost a walk on just like at Disneyland as well. Snow White also has her home here. Each little dark ride is full of all the expected detail and similar storyline. There's not much different here, honestly, but as I'll share, the placement of Peter Pan's Flight is key.

Beyond the dark rides, much is made of the Alice in Wonderland themed labyrinth and for good reason. The winding paths through manicured gardens make for a great little family excursion. We all enjoyed it, and we let the kids freely work through the maze, giving them a bit of independence. Filled with characters from the film, the attraction is more akin to the "smaller" ones that provide charm at Walt's original park- the ones that are sorely missed in Florida. The glass-topped Tea Cups are nearby. Last visit, I thought that the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall and a re-imagined Alice ride would have made a great little sub-area.

In the opposite direction, It's A Small World is nearby, being the first one to include a United States themed area in the attraction. The facade echoes the original but with covered queue. The inside foregoes Mary Blair's art direction and style for something different but equally effective. Appreciating the differences is one major key to really enjoying this park. We found it interesting that here we were in Paris, with people speaking multiple languages all around, and together we were embarking on the Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed. It is a small world. Nothing beats leaving your country to get a bigger taste of the world around you.


Besides the Anaheim original, the only other Storybookland Canal Boats are found here. The focus seems to be mostly on the newer Disney film classics with an odd inclusion of The Wizard of Oz. Casey Jr. Circus Train appears next door. However, this one is a real coaster, blatantly ensuring the poorly designed and themed Gadget's Go Coaster will never make its way to France all the while providing thrills for little ones. Built long before it, the train also guarantees that the Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train will not be created on French soil.

As a family with teens, (our first visit and without any children the next two), we enjoyed Fantasyland, but we did wish for more. We would have loved a Mary Poppins themed dark ride or at least an attraction that was unique to this park.  Will the Little Mermaid / Ariel's Under Sea Adventure arrive? Probably, but when is the question. I have no idea if the Audio-Animatronic show from Beauty and the Beast will ever be built, but it once was on the expansion plans. (I've got the artwork on the blog somewhere...)

We wrapped up Fantasyland for exploration of Adventureland a trip with the Pirates of the Caribbean.  The quickest route there from Fantasyland? Through the covered arcade right past Peter Pan.  Going into Adventureland this way, there's Adventure Isle with Captain Hook's Pirate Ship and Skull Rock on the other side. Thematically consistent but there was no doubt we had left one land and entered a totally different one.

Similar to the old transition between Florida's Liberty Square from Fantasyland (pre-Tangled restrooms), there is a subtle architectural blending between both lands. In fact, the transitions all through this park are so smooth yet very distinctive. Once you enter one land, it is so immersive and so convincingly secluded from all others, it is easy to forget you are in a multi-themed park. The placement of focal points amidst cleverly placed high points and foliage makes it next to impossible to see the other lands than the one you are in. This is one strength of the Imagineer's design and the benefit of learning from what has come before. This effect reinforces the storytelling, highlighting the brilliant detailing and masterful crafting of the park. But, I digress- back to Adventureland.

From the plaza, Adventureland beckons with a distinctive Arabian Nights theme, a nod to the European perspective of what is considered exotic. Inside the buildings are a nice walk through attraction based on Aladdin, a bazaar, and a very quiet little cafe. Shops surround it all, offering African goods and such, with an Indiana Jones type jeep on the road... perhaps a hint of things to come. 

Coming in from the other entrance, Adventure Island is straight ahead and offers two pedestrian bridges to provide access to the grounds. There's no watercraft other than Hook's ship in dock but closer to Pirates of the Caribbean, the weathered remains of a small boat are on the sand. 

Up high on the island hilltop is The Swiss Family Tree House, its roots creating the perfect place for exploration with caves underground and the expected bridges and trails above. This incredible playground also consumed an hour or so of our time, as we had to cover every inch of it; the sights from almost every side of the island had to be captured by my camera. From one angle, the beautifully decaying fortress of Pirates of the Caribbean; from the other, views into an African themed section of the land or farther out, the jungle filled ruins of a temple being excavated by Indiana Jones.

In contrast to the high energy feel of neighboring Frontierland, the feel of this land is more quiet, subdued, mysterious. The only area that feels energetic is around the Temple of Peril coaster and that is just because you can hear the screams of the riders on this small scale coaster. This quiet flavor works well to make the next major attraction have a huge impact.


Back on shore, where fortress and village meet, the Pirates of the Caribbean is the definitive version of this classic attraction- even outpacing the Anaheim original. The build looks much like what the attraction at Shanghai Disneyland will resemble. White washed stone weathered by sand and wind and water. The queue is dark, winding, and slowly engulfs you into the attraction. It's as effective a waiting space as that in Florida's Pirates or of the same high quality as the line at the Indiana Jones Adventure, but it is more subtle. There's no bayou here as in California, so the queue is performing double duty in place of the tranquil first few minutes of the cruise in Anaheim. I don't want to spoil everything, but I will mention a few standout differences.

Most all Disney fans have heard of the dueling pirates found in the "chase" scene, but the action at the beginning of the attraction also impresses. From the smaller marine animatronics, (such as the squid found just out of view from diners at the beautiful Blue Lagoon restaurant), to the very active pirates overthrowing the fortress before riders descend into the middle of the battle, this old standby attraction is reinvented to great effect. Currently, there's no Jack Sparrow in sight, so fans of Johnny Depp and the films may be disappointed. There's another change to the original- Here in Paris, those explosives do detonate- but you'll have to see it for yourself. It was a gutsy move to re-imagine the finest of Disney attractions, but Dead Men Tell New Tales here. Again, appreciating the differences is a major key to enjoying the park.

Here, Frontierland is found where Adventureland resides in the American parks. It's placement seems jarring at first, but when viewing the entrances to each land from the plaza, it makes good sense. Those fanciful Arabian domes seem much more in their proper place next to the equally fanciful castle than an American fort of the Wild West. I am not a fan of the color of the domes, however, as I find it competes with the European palace next door. After dark, it seems to be a wise color scheme. Yet, I guess the same could be said for the colors of Discoveryland. Regardless, it is nothing major and just a preference.

Many Europeans love the tales from the American West, its landscapes, its stories, its heroes. This Frontierland captures it all, embracing both the facts and the lore. There's a good chunk of American History with a bit of Disneyland history thrown in. Beyond the fort at the entrance, there's little physical resemblance to the original Disneyland version which offered its Conestoga Wagons, mule trains, and Nature's Wonderland. There seems to be more soul in Paris than what's currently found on either side of the States. It's an intangible feeling, but it is definitely there.

The Imagineers, led by Pat Burke, have produced the most compelling landscapes and stories ever created for this section of the Magic Kingdom styled parks. There's wide open spaces and a lot of land. Though much of it is available for further design and  development, it truly does feel complete. With its attractions, array of places to dine, and an environment that's so encompassing, Frontierland is the standout themed land in an entire park of them; the ultimate Frontierland, one I bet Walt Disney himself would have loved to see come to fruition.

From the hub, approaching Fort Comstock, there are a few Indian teepees in the front alongside the small stream. The area is wooded and rustic. The riverboat cruises beyond the fort and Big Thunder Mountain is clearly in sight. Between the Adventureland and Frontierland entrances from the plaza side is a cleverly hidden gallery housing restrooms along a secluded path. The designers used a variety of vegetation to gently transition from the Middle East to the Old West of the United States. Excellently done.

As with the castle, Fort Comstock is also an attraction. You can explore the entire complex, walking the upper levels and enjoying terrific views across the frontier. I shot the photograph below from the upper level. You can see Phantom Manor to the far left. The Molly Brown riverboat sails past the parks of Big Thunder.

Inside the fort, Legends of the Wild West presents famous figures from American history in full scale tableau. Everywhere you turn, the detail and historical authenticity is incredible.  

Straight beyond the fort lies Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Its trains round the track on this rocky island situated right in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West. There's much kinetic energy between the trains racing and the boats traveling the river.  

In an engineering feat of excellence, the trains race under the river and the bulk of the ride occurs on the island. This aspect gives the attraction a spectacular beginning, setting the pace for the whole journey, and is only outdone by its explosive finale.

Back on shore is the town of Thunder Mesa, named as a tribute to the great Imagineer Marc Davis and his never built Western River Expedition. (In fact, this park would be a perfect fit for the never built attraction as Europeans are less politically correct than Americans when it comes to Old West stereotypes.) With the racing mine trains, the steamboat sailing by, the Disneyland Railroad trains encircling the area, and the nearby shooting gallery creating some excitement, the combination is powerful. Tossing in the scents from the excellent steakhouse and a Mexican cantina, you've got the recipe for several hours just on this side of the park.

While Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the thrilling visual center of the town of Thunder Mesa, Phantom Manor delivers thrills of a different kind, revealing a sinister undertone to the legends of the community. Our first trip through, actor Vincent Price was still the narrator to the journey. Not so for the last two. 

One thing is certain, this is not Imagineer Marc Davis' Haunted Mansion. Humor is missing in this Wild West version, the only remnant being the portraits found in the stretching room. 

The tone is darker, much darker, the landscapes hold more skeletons, and house itself is woefully unkept. The story revolves around greed, revenge, and murder. Not your typical Disney fare. Ultimately, the attraction is just scarier and different. Its symphonic score is a gorgeous piece of music, eerie but sad, beautiful and haunting. The story of Phantom Manor advances the stories behind Thunder Mesa while still leaving enough room for guests to create their own.

Sitting on the wooden walkways next to the shops far across from Phantom Manor, it was easy for me to suspend belief and dream of truly being back in time. There's a large chunk of land devoted to this theme, and the area is visually secluded from all others, with the layers of detail in sight and sound so rich and varied, the end result is the perfect representation of the old west mythologies. We spent several hours here taking in attractions, exploring the shops, and eating at the excellent and fairly priced Cowboy Cookout Barbecue.

After two visits to the park, I still could not uncover why this version is my favorite of all Frontierlands and perhaps my favorite land in all of Disneyland Paris. I finally came to this conclusion: In California, Frontierland is a shadow of its former self in contrast to what was designed by the Imagineering team under Walt Disney. In Florida, between Country Bear Jamboree and Splash Mountain, the land is an excuse for the placement of cuddly characters. Only in France, thousands of miles removed from the actual geography represented, does this uniquely American story get the respect it deserves. Sure, it is fictionalized and somewhat fantasized, but bottom line and bluntly stated, this Frontierland feels like the real thing and not an area found in a theme park.

In 1992, I watched the opening of the EuroDisney resort on television, and dreamed and prayed I would one day get to visit. While the banter of American hosts Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson added little to what I wanted to see, the images of Discoveryland stuck in my head. (Remember, this was even before Space Mountain was built. By the way, my very detailed look at the worldwide Space Mountains is found here.) This was what drove me to pursue a trip as I am a big fan of Jules Verne; and for those who are interested, Mysterious Island is my favorite of his writings.

When I finally did see Discoveryland with my own eyes in 1998, the small screen images didn't hold a candle to the monumental work I saw! Walking through the land, I was drawn so many different directions. But I had a single goal in mind: Space Mountain. 

From start to finish, it was a winner. The building itself radiates an other-worldness with its metallic surfaces and neon. Once placed within the cannon, the scenery while awaiting launch was stunning. The ride was smooth as glass, the music drew me in as it enhanced the experience. I couldn't ride it enough, although the queue length meant only two trips this first go around as there was so much to see and shortened park hours. My Disney-jaded fourteen year old son walked off the ride with a huge smile on his face. Not so my wife. It was just a bit much for her. 

When Space Mountain: Mission Two premiered years later, I lamented the changes I perceived would be made for the new adventure. My ride in 2007 only confirmed they were in fact for the worse.

Our last trip, my wife sweetly offered to shop while I rode. When I met her at the assigned place, my response said it all- "THAT is what I came to Disneyland Paris for!" Then, with her permission, I turned around for one more ride. If I had to choose between Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I don't know if I could.

This painted mural stood near the entrance to the excellent and elegant Le Visionarium attraction. As the emotional and philosophical centerpiece of Discoveryland, the attraction paid tribute to great visionaries of the past. 

Exploring a fully developed Nautilus submarine was one of the highlights of my day. Again, its a scenic piece in a small bay and not a major attraction, but it is eye candy and worth the time to explore. I saw clear references to Tony Baxter's long lost Discovery Bay here as well. The entire land is full of eye candy and the kind of design detail I love. There's space for more to be built if the company ever gets the weak Studios park to a point it can bring in a large audience. Time for a confession: I have need ridden Star Tours here. With time always at a premium, this flight simulator is towards the bottom of my list, and no, I am not a Star Wars fan. 

Unfortunately, one of the most endearing attractions at Disneyland Paris is no longer there: Le Visionarium. This circlevision film was great fun and a wonderful introduction to French future/fantasy. However, in our second visit in 2007, this impressive little movie was replaced by the ever popular video game starring Buzz Lightyear. This was not the first of the toon invasions into the park as Toy Story's Pizza Planet restaurant was already added to Discoveryland before our first visit.

When considering the direction Disney is taking with its Tomorrowlands, Discoveryland holds a unique place as being middle ground between Anaheim's original future focused realism and Hong Kong Disneyland's character infused land. What will happen in Shanghai? So far, it looks to be a sleeker 1960s version of Walt's original incarnation. Whatever changes come, I hope  Discoveryland holds its own as the transitions continue by remaining a tribute of visionaries come to life!

Lastly, Main Street, U.S.A., the first land in the park. It is every bit as impressive if not moreso than the grander version found in Florida's Magic Kingdom. If the Paris version of the land of the future has taken on a more fantasy bent, I would venture to say the same holds true for its Main Street. There is an idealistic, very artistic, beauty of each building, each billboard, each attraction. The beautiful work of Eddie Sotto and team elevates the land to something befitting landscapes from a dream.

Walt's: An American Restaurant is the perfect example of what I am attempting to communicate. The food is not only delicious but beautifully presented, and the atmosphere is a dream for every fan of classic Disney Imagineering. Artwork from the creation of the parks in found in the restaurant's themed rooms with appropriately styled furnishings. During our second trip (and without the kids), we lunched in the Frontierland room with a window view overlooking Main Street. It was worth every bit of the $75 we spent, one highlight of many in our trip to the park.


After lunch, as with every other land, we lingered here soaking in the details. Exploring the shops one by one, we loved what we found. My favorite was Main Street Motors, a love letter of sorts to the American automobile. The Emporium and Harrington's were also stops for our destination shopping, with equal amounts of detail found in both. Although we ate at Walt's, we did stop in and peek at the Market House Deli and Casey's Corner. More great theming and layered detail.

Although Main Street is relatively short on attractions, the Liberty and Discovery Arcades are attractions all their own. In fact, we spent more time in these than we thought we would, causing a delay of our after park plans. Each arcade held a series of "mini exhibits", adding to the richness of the park. It is these small touches that bring this kingdom closest to the charm of Walt's first Disneyland while maintaining the expanded scale and scope of Florida's.

Beyond its physical beauty, Disneyland Paris offers some of the most enhanced and esquisite versions of the classic Disney attractions. The choices for dining are on par with what can be found at Epcot. From snack choices to fine dining, the park has a variety of options to fit all budgets and preferences.

Readers of Disney parks' discussion boards are familiar with the ongoing complaints concerning the park. And these hold up with good reason. This beautifully designed place is saddled with very poor maintenance- probably the worst of all the Disney theme parks. It is not that the cast members are not doing their jobs. In fact, the cast members are very kind, courteous, and knowledgable. Simply said, the business planners for the park have not given enough resources to keep the park up to its opening day standards in upkeep and cleanliness.

The lovely setting from the second floor found in Walt's was offset by what I viewed from the window. Rotting wood, peeling paint, and general disrepair of the buildings found across the street took away from the experience inside. The same held true for the higher reaches of the park's castle, parts of Adventure Isle, and slices of each of the park's themed lands. There was a noticable difference in these standards between visit one and two, much to my dismay. Things rebounded a bit by the third visit, but it is clear there is still work to be done.

Item number two: downgrading the shopping experience. What are character plushes and plastic toys doing out in the open streets of Adventureland? (Or even in the shops here at all?) This is a horrible trend, one that should be reversed immediately. Our first visit held plenty of unique, even theme park exclusive, merchandise. Not on our second or third visit. Seems this disease is spreading from Florida!

Next, delay in bringing new theme appropriate attractions. No excuse here for stagnation. It does take money to make money. Learn from Walt here and not the corporate raiders of our day. The park should have new- not reimagined- attractions between 1998 and 2007. Replacing Le Visionarium for Buzz and rotating 3D movies is not the way to go. Nor is a new children's play area at the Adventureland beach or thowing in Woody and company into Frontierland. The Studios park may need more, but it is past time for the Paris Kingdom to gain a new jewel to crow about.

Lastly, and this piece is not entirely the fault of the Walt Disney Company, but the fault of the park's management, are the guests. Far too many of the park's visitors are incredibly disrespectful of both other guests and the beautiful surroundings. I have personally witnessed outdoor urination, widespread invasion of nonguest areas, and extremely poor manners with regards to line cutting. Is this really the same European guest that is amazingly respectful of the unprotected artistic masterpieces found in the Musee d'Orsay or the Louvre? My mind says impossible, but my mind also says probable. Either way, park security does nothing, only adding to the frustration of being in a beautiful park that at times feels out of control.

Do not let the downside to this European Disneyland stop you from visiting! From a thematic and design viewpoint, this is the finest Magic Kingdom ever created, maybe even on par with the much heralded Tokyo Disney Sea. Though outside the city limits, the park fits in perfectly with the City of Lights and is certainly worth an entire day of exploration. Twenty-two years later, Disneyland Paris is still the ultimate Magic Kingdom styled park.

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Concept Art for Disneyland's Kodak Shop

In honor of my late father-in-law's birthday, here's a piece of concept art for the Kodak shop at Disneyland- right in the heart of Main Street U.S.A.  

The Imagineering art is pretty sweet!

Joe worked 30 years for Kodak. They treated him well, and he gladly honored the company by working his tail off. It was never about him. It was about honoring God and keeping his promises to others. This included his wife, kids, friends, his God, and yes, his company.

Integrity goes a long way! And Joe, as your first in-law kid, I want you to know how much I appreciated you and all you did. You're not forgotten and neither are the values you represented. Thanks for everything.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Magic Kingdom's 1971 Grand Opening in Three Sketches

On October 23 through October 25, 1971, Walt Disney World held its Grand Opening for the Magic Kingdom theme park. It was a weekend long event marked by parades, singers, bands, and a host of speakers.

 An uncredited artist created a series of renderings which were used to create a handbook of sorts for everyone involved in pulling off this spectacular event.

It was the absolutely perfect way to kick off the crowing jewel of the "Vacation Kingdom of the World". 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney World's Plaza Swan Boats

Expanding the Disney kingdom by building in Florida came as a surprise to many, but it was clear from the official announcement that a Disneyland style theme park would be the main attraction at Walt Disney World on opening day.

The "E Ticket" line up at opening.

Not a thrill ride in sight.

Anticipating a much older audience of visitors than what would be found at California's park, when the Imagineers planned the Magic Kingdom, the thrill attractions were limited to spinners. Back then, Florida was known as a state with a high number of retired folks and not the theme park mecca we know today. The new park was fleshed out with familiar beloved attractions (but not Pirates of the Caribbean), three new Audio-Animatronic shows, and gentle, leisurely experiences sure to appeal to senior aged guests. 

This trend of sublime entertainment continued into the next few years, with one of the most instantly recognizable attractions opening in 1973: The Plaza Swan Boats. 

The iconic Pirates ride in a largely abbreviated form did open in a Caribbean themed area of Adventureland the same year right before Christmas, due to guest complaints at City Hall. Little did guests realize then that  something even more spectacular was planned as its replacement, Western River Expedition and the Thunder Mesa slate of exciting attractions. By insisting on Pirates and getting it, the Frontierland mega complex was axed. Disney geeks long for it to this day. But that's another story. (Some art and articles are found here as a place to start. There's many others on this blog!)

I had my first visit to the World in 1974. My parents, sister, and grandmother joined me for one day in the park. I begged for a second day on my own while they went to Circus World. A good choice and fair trade off on my part!

Now you would think that a teenager visiting the Magic Kingdom after numerous trips to Disneyland would be disappointed by this attraction line-up. Not me. I barely missed the thrills as I was much more interested in what was new and the real thrill of exploring every nook and cranny of the park. There was too much to see that was new for me to spend time focusing on what wasn't there. 

Notice anything new?

Ticket courtesy Big Florida Country.

I spent that second day repeating every new attraction more than once. The Hall of Presidents, and Mickey Mouse Revue couldn't be seen too often! I didn't know if I'd ever see them again. My wanting to absorb every detail of the rides included the "D Ticket" Plaza Swan Boats. 

Walking to the central hub and turning right, it was easy to find the pathway in the gardens between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. A small covered pavilion in front of the dock announced my arrival. 

The 1973 map of Adventureland shows the route of the Swan Boats.

Moving in a clockwise direction, our boats took us first from Main Street U.S.A.  past the Crystal Palace restaurant into Adventureland and around the Swiss Family Treehouse island. In my recollection, the boats were the same size and capacity as those used on the Jungle Cruise. 

Being on any water in Florida is great- and Disney boat rides of all themes and types are among my favorite attractions. Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World and Mark Twain to Gran Fiesta Tour and Nav'i River Journey to the defunct Discovery River Boats, there's just something about being waterborne that I love. (And it is something missing from both California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios that would add so much charm to these parks!)

Sailing at a level lower than the pathways at the Magic Kingdom gave a whole new perspective to the place. With the Skyway above, the Main Street vehicles at ground level, and the Swan Boats sailing on the lowest level, there were unique views everywhere... and great people watching! (This was even better when the PeopleMover / Tomorrowland Transit Authority arrived.) Moving past the Crystal Palace and into Adventureland brought a sense of the unexpected as jungle noises could be heard and the sounds of tropical music. 

Heading toward Liberty Square, we passed under its entrance bridge as we approached the castle. As I remember, the pace was expectedly slow, the on board narrative was largely uninteresting, but the opportunity to take in the sights and get a taste of different lands made it worth my time. It's these smaller attractions that bring a sense of style to the Disney parks that is not found at Universal or Six Flags.  From there, a short cruise under the castle drawbridge led us back to our starting point.

When it was no longer an entrance to the boats.

First it was gardens, then it was removed completely.

From the All Ears blog.

By my next visit in 1976, I wasn't that interested in riding them again as I was with a friend, and doing so wouldn't have been "cool". Besides- Space Mountain! Oh, the pressures teenagers face! Soon enough, several years later, the beautiful little boats were gone.

To this day, I cannot understand the removal of attractions such as these! In a park that lacks the capacity it needs, every ride counts, every attraction has its purposes. The Plaza Swan Boats brought atmosphere and appeal to a uniquely lovely Main Street U.S.A. and a touch of elegance. It was also an element that differentiated the Florida kingdom from the California one. Each castle park needs these smaller rides to flesh out the roster and add variety and interest. Like the loss of many other classic Walt Disney World attractions, the Plaza Swan Boats is now a distant memory and a part of history. 

(Additional photos from Widen Your World and RetroWDW.)