Tuesday, May 31, 2005

The Crystal Arcade



Date: 12/2003
Location: Main Street, Disneyland
Comments: I believe the arcade has been transformed into retail space, but when I was a kid it was still home to some of the antique arcade games that called Disneyland home.

Monday, May 30, 2005

Holiday Golden Gate



Date: 12/2003
Location: Under the Golden Gate Bridge at the entrance to DCA
Comments: Holiday trim decks the bridge.

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Far East Imports



Date: 12/2003
Location: Main Street (above Disneyana), Disneyland
Comments: This window is dedicated to Marc Davis, one of the nine old men. Some of his characters include Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty, Cruella De Vil and Tinker Bell. He conceived the America Sings attraction. His works also included design of the Haunted Mansion, Small World, Pirates of the Caribean and the Tiki Room among others.

Window reads: "Far East Imports - Exotic Art - Marc Davis - Proprietor"

Captain Charles Gibbs



Date: 12/2003
Location: Just inside the entrance to Pirates of the Carribean
Comments: Born in Rhode Island, Charles Gibbs confessed to the murder of nearly 400 people over the course of his career as a pirate. He originally took to the sea as a member of the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812. At some point after the war, he joined a privateering ship. Perhaps not content with the rewards of privateering, he led a successful mutiny and became captain of his first pirate ship. He is best known for his cruelty, often slaughtering entire crews of the ships that he took. With the riches he plundered as a pirate, he left the sea for a time. But, he squandered his money and in 1830 found himself a seaman again. He attempted another mutiny, but this time was unsuccessful—and he was hanged at Ellis Island in New York in 1831. His final words were "No mercy did we ever show, for dead men tell no tales." (from PirateSoul.com)

Holiday Royal St



Date: 12/2003
Location: Royal St, New Orleans Square
Comments: Holiday trim in the Square.

Nightmare Xmas List



Date: 12/2003
Location: Outside the Haunted Mansion, New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: Notice the equation for Christmas. "Sandy Claws"!

The Phantom Drummer of Tedworth



Date: 12/2003
Location: The Art Gallery, New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: This was an early concept sketch for the Haunted Mansion. As the legend goes, in England one of the best and first haunting happened. The so called Phantom Drummer of Tedworth. It took place in the house of John Mompesson in March 1661. The whole family was kept awake by a loud drumming noise. They had been involved in the arrest of William Drury, who had attracted attention by playing a drum in the street. The spirit also slammed doors, panted like a dog, make scratching sounds like a rat, and also shouted A witch! A witch!

50th Castle Marquee



Date: 5/2005
Location: Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Fantasyland, Disneyland
Comments: The centerpiece trimmed in gold for the 50th Anniversay celebration.

Small World Mosaic



Date: 5/2005
Location: It's a Small World, Fantasyland, Disneyland
Comments: Close up of the Small World Mosaic (50th Anniversary celebration).

A Golden City Hall



Date: 5/2005
Location: Main Street, Disneyland
Comments: City Hall decked out in gold for the 50th Anniversary celebration.

Mr Toad's Marquee



Date: 5/2005
Location: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Fantasyland, Disneyland
Comments: Notice Mr Toad's tea cup has been replaced with a 50th Anniversay marker. "Toadi Acceleratio - Semper Absurda", one of the best coat of arms ever!

Alice Mosaic



Date: 5/2005
Location: The Mad Tea Party Planter, Fantasyland, Disneyland
Comments: Alice in Wonderland mosaic (50th Anniversary celebration).

Holiday NO Square



Date: 12/2003
Location: New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: This is on Royal Street in NO Square, right above the Christmas Store. The colors drew me in.

Club 33



Date: 12/2003
Location: New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: Entrance to the exclusive Club 33. Still looking for an invite.

A Wreath in New Orleans Square



Date: 12/2003
Location: New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: Notice the jester adorning the wreath. True Mardi Gras.

Peter Pan's Spire



Date: 5/2005
Location: Peter Pan, Fantasyland, Disneyland
Comments: The detail is impeccable.

The Mansion at Christmas



Date: 12/2003
Location: Haunted Mansion, New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: Grim grinning ghosts sure know how to decorate for the holidays. That's a coffin sleigh parked on the roof.

Pirates Crest



Date: 12/2003
Location: Pirates of the Caribbean, New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: This fountain / plaque commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the launching of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Yo Ho Yo Ho, the pirates life for me.

New Orleans Square



Date: 12/2003
Location: New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Comments: Decorative holiday balconies abouve the Blue Bayou.

Painless Dentist



Date: 12/2003
Location: Main Street, Disneyland
Comments: This is one of my favorite shop front fascades. The Painless Dentist is nestled down the alley that guards the day locker area. "dentists in Training"...aren't they all?

Friday, May 27, 2005

Welcome to Disneyscapes

After numerous trips to the Magic Kingdom, I discovered that I was fascinated with the landscape that had been laid out by Disney's Imagineers. I noticed that many of the photographs I was taking incorporated portions of buildings or attractions. So I decided to post some of those photos here as a way to share an interest that I hope you find as aesthetically pleasing as I have found some of these "art" pieces.

If you're interested in sharing similar images, email them to me and I'll post here at Disneyscapes.