Trio of Artful European Signs

When I get a chance to slow down and photograph the places I travel to for work or for pleasure, I seem to discover my eyes are drawn to the signage I encounter. Big city, small town, shop around the corner, it just doesn't matter. So today, I've got three signs for you. Two from Italy and one from Cardiff, Wales.

This top one was taken at one of the world's most magical cities: Venice. There really is nothing like this anywhere else on the planet. Layers of Italian craftsmanship are everywhere you turn- and then it's all surrounded by water everywhere you look. Trees are few and far between, but the residents of the city find a way to add greenery to their narrow streets.

Next up, Cinque Terra. Five towns of various sizes and shapes and offerings. We stumbled upon this in Vernazza, the largest of the five and the one with the swimming area most loved by the locals. This sign was right around the corner from a small cave everyone was using to change into their swimwear. I wasn't prepared to go into the water, but I realized I had on a pair of dark nylon shorts that would easily make it possible. What a beautiful half an hour enjoying my time with the locals while my wife relaxed on the shore.

Cardiff, Wales may be one of the coolest towns I never expected! The citizens are intent on keeping the Welsh language alive, so every sign is in English and then Welsh. Once you get the hang of the alphabet and what sounds the letters make, it's quite fun to try your hand at speaking out the names. Locals must be very, very patient as well as having a great sense of humor! One of my favorite stops was at a coffee house named "A Shot in the Dark". The old place was filled with books- but only detective and mystery novels. It was also open until late in the evening where the place took on an almost eerie mood. Do you get the play on words? Coffee/ Shot; Murder/Gun, etc. So clever!

I'm sure as I post this, I'll run across even more sign photos and stories to go with them...

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

When it comes to art, design detail matters. Finally in the last decade, it has seemed like Imagineering has a real firm handle on what the Disneyland Resort is. A design masterpiece and a piece of history. Walt Disney was forward thinking! Now generations later, even home town fans of Walt Disney World are recognizing the impact of Walt's castle park and what grew around it. The Disneyland Hotel has embraced its vintage / retro feel to great success. Downtown Disney is leaning into this too. The result fits perfectly. This sign is an instant classic!

Design Detail: Tokyo Disneyland's Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

With rare exceptions, Tokyo Disney Resort's two theme park provide some of the most detailed theming to be found in Disney's parks. With the original Beauty and the Beast film being so loved, it was not surprising that the Imagineers would be hired by the Oriental Land Company to create the ultimate attraction for the property. In contrast to the poorly executed forced perspective mini-castle in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland received a full blown Beast's castle when it cam estimes to expand their Fantasyland. And it is an "E Ticket" attraction with real Audio-Animatronic characters, not just a high priced restaurant. (Is Be Our Guest worth the price? Check out our Dine or Ditch review here and decide for yourself.)

This sign is a small detail that exudes charm and elegance. Are you curious? Do you want to see more? Here is how Disney does Beauty and the Beast in Japan. 

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company)

When in Venice

When Epcot's World Showcase will have to suffice since travel is unavailable, it's still worth looking over some old family vacation photos. Italy's Venice never disappoints! If it's beautiful during the day, it is absolutely stunning at night. 

In the Summer of 2007, my wife and I took a three week long adventure through Europe. Don't be mistaken in thinking we're made of money! We saved $50 a month for ten years to make it happen. (Yes, read that again- it wasn't a typo!) But boy, was it worth it! France, the UK, Italy, and Germany. It's a trip of a lifetime. You can read all about it and see our photos here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Three Signs of Excellence at Universal's Islands of Adventure

This may be a controversial statement, but I find Universal Orlando's second theme park Islands of Adventure every bit as well done as the third park at Walt Disney World- Disney's Hollywood Studios- perhaps even better! The line up of attractions is just as strong, and the park is more fully fleshed out with a stronger sense of design.

You could even take away Harry Potter's representation, and you'd still have a terrific piece of Imagineering... I mean design and engineering by the artists that form  Universal Creative. Here are three signs of excellence at Islands of Adventure. Literally.

Beyond The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, I didn't really know if I would love this park. I was wowed by the entrance, and then I started to notice the details, making me more impressed. 

Signage is something I have always enjoyed, and these theme park has an abundance of nicely done work! I would love to have any of these three signs for Islands of Adventure Trading Company in my possession. Too bad duplicates are not for sale. 

Let me encourage you to take a look at these and several others next time you're in one of Orlando's best theme parks. Even for a die hard Disney fan, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Not Seen at the Top of Expedition: Everest

Now here's that sign that's missing at Animal Kingdom. You know, the one that should be at the top of Expedition: Everest but was cut due to budget overruns... Man, I need to remind myself of this every time I don't get my way.

Paris and Tokyo Give Way to Neverland

A sign of the times. My old travel sign in my backyard once had on it exotic destinations of our travels. Now that we have grandkids, Paris and London and Tokyo and more have given way to great locations from classic children's books. What kid hasn't wanted to travel to Neverland? Or Wonderland? Or Narnia? 

I think that's one thing I will really like about New Fantasyland when I see it in either the Magic Kingdom in Florida or the even newer one coming to Tokyo Disneyland- the ability to go into these stories as told by Disney animators. But for now, until then, there's always my backyard. A playground of fantasy and fun for my grandkids- and grandpa too!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Signs of the Times

After our last trip to Walt Disney World in February, I returned with some surprising revelations: Disney's Hollywood Studios was wonderfully themed, and my once beloved Animal Kingdom was actually now at the bottom of my Florida park list.

Most every visit after the opening of the Studios in 1989, left me with the strong impression that the park was just a jumbled mess of structures without reason for placement, thus breaking the beautiful functionality at layout that was initially designed.

Certainly in its purest form, both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot reamined true to their design roots. Disney's Hollywood Studios, however, had fallen prey to lack of a master plan and a true visionary to guide its development and growth.

As I discovered. these facts did not change the park from having an abundance of beautiful detail- if you looked for it. One of the more obvious places was in the signage found everywhere I looked. So, here's part two of my gallery of sign photos.

The small Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost sign (top) effectively captures the nature of the film's excitement. Although somewhat predictable, the play on the compass background, stylized airplane, and iconic logo all come together quite well.

The most imposing and attention grabbing building in the park, The Hollywood Tower Hotel, home of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, has signage high above which quickly identifies the mood of the attraction. Or is it the lightning scarred remains behind it and the sounds of screaming from the inside the long abandoned elevator shaft that give the tower its powerful drawing power?

Just down the way, a giant guitar announces we've reached the G-Force Records studio and Rock and Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith. The less noticed and much smaller sign for the shop around the corner, Rock Around the Shop, is no less effective in capturing our attention.

Not every sign is at eye level or higher. Just outside the shop, a drainage cover in the street also announces the building owned by G-Force, its circular shape mirroring the compact disc- or record, for those of you still familiar with the old school method of playing music.

Herein lies a lesson for us Disney park lovers and those who are newbies to them: Look everywhere for detail! The Imagineers love to place layer upon layer to acheive the ultimate effect in transporting guests from the everyday world. Even in the rightfully criticized California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios Paris, there is detail to be found and signage worth noting-and soon enough, more attactions that are truly Disney quality! Watch for the signs- they are everywhere!

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)