Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Fantasyland’s Whimsical Craftsmen

JHM contributor Jean de Lutèce returns with another great column loaded with little-known stories about the Disneyland Paris resort. This time around, Jean talks about the individual craftsmen who helped create DLP’s magical Fantasyland.

Published

20 years ago

April 1, 2004

Jim Hill

The mud. When you speak to Imagineers that worked on the Disneyland Paris project during its construction phase, that is the first thing they remember: the mud of the Marne-la-Vallée region, 30 kilometres east of Paris, where the park stands today. Its weight, its unbelievable stickiness, its overwhelming presence during the rainy fall and winter months. The second thing they remember most is a lot more magical : it is the amazing talent of the European craftsmen that mastered techniques long forgotten in the US.

Nowhere was this more clear to them than when they built Fantasyland.

The Castles and their European “Fairies”

The craftsmen came literally from all over Europe.

The copper weather vanes on top of Sleeping Beauty Castle were produced by two Frenchmen, who arrived on the project site, looked at the rooftops, referred to the drawings that Imagineers gave them, and, on the spot set about creating the weather vanes, in front of the actual buildings, without even going back to their workshop ! As for the wooden structures used for the rooftops of Fantasyland were built by Spaniards. They came to the site dressed in costumes that resembled that of Zorro: black jacket, black pants, black hat, white shirt. And they spent weeks sawing giant beams and creating the gigantic structures.

Paul Chapman, an English stained-glass specialist who had worked for the queen of England and on the restoration of Notre Dame, was one of the most fascinating of the European artisans who contributed to the construction of the Castle. When work began on the Park, he was already in his 80s, but he didn’t hesitate to supervise the creation of the splendid stained-glass windows which tell the story of Princess Aurora. All his life Paul Chapman had created designs for churches that were intended to impress and frighten the faithful. He admitted that he had always wanted, for a change, to create pieces that would make people smile and laugh.

As for the Castle towers, they were made in Italy, sent through France, and attached to the Castle on August 2, 1991. But the color was not exactly the one the Imagineers had expected, so they had to be repainted. To accomplish this, Imagineers used the tallest crane in Europe that measured nearly 300 feet high. Ron Esposito, the Imagineer responsible for color theming, found himself on this lift during winter, in the rain and the cold, 50 feet up in the air, painting the Castle. He’ll probably never forget this dreadful experience! In fact, on some days, it was so cold that the paint chipped and landed on the sides of the castle as if it were sand.

I am freezing just to imagine the scene. So let’s take the opportunity to enter one of the warmest stores of the park, situated within the Sleeping Beauty Castle itself, La Boutique du Chateau. To create the various sculptures that decorate that part of the Castle and to find many of the theming elements, Imagineers visited a city close to Paris. In Orly they discovered the home of an amazing character : the house of this French artist was full of old scientific instruments and stuffed animals. He looked a little like a mad scientist but was also a wonderful creator and one of the big experts in casting plaster and resin.

Oh, by the way, since we are still talking about castles, do you remember that Disneyland Paris on opening day contained not just one but two castles (there are a few more that sprang out later in Storybookland)? Granted, the second one is much smaller. As the center part of the attraction “Alice’s Curious Labyrinth”, the Queen of Hearts castle had to be both very appealing and whimsical. Once again Imagineers taped local talents for the occasion. The castle was sculpted by a French company which first used blocks of polystyrene. The artisans then carved them by knife into the desired shapes. Next concrete was poured over them, and when it had dried, the artisans removed the polystyrene that protruded. The shape of the castle was born!

A Tale of Two Cities (Camelot and Ohio)

Now let’s back track a bit. As we exit the Sleeping Beauty Castle, we enter an area of the park that pays tribute to the court of Camelot, with Arthur’s sword and the Carousel of Lancelot. Guests that visit the park for the first time are always stunned by the beauty of that carousel and there are quite a few good reasons for this Generally the carrousels in theme parks and fairs only have one horse with a fancy harness and trimmings and visitors fight against each other to get on it. In the Disneyland Paris carousel, however, there are no less than seventeen of these horses. The craftsman that created them, this time was not European, though. He was American and based in Ohio. As for the 70 horses located in the middle, which were fabricated by Imagineering’s workshop in Florida, they included a very special note: Imagineers used a different color for each one and installed them in the order of the colors of the rainbow in order to add to the visual impact.

Imagineers also wanted to include two large chariots in the carrousel. While creating Walt Disney World, they had used several elements from an old carousel made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in the ’20s. They had not used the chariots, however, and the Smithsonian Institute had frequently offered to buy them. In Tokyo, Imagineers became aware that many older guests, who wanted to enjoy the carrousel were unable to get up onto the horses. So in Paris, they finally decided to use these chariots that they had possessed since the ’60s.

The US for Germany, Germany for Italy

An other place in the park that was shaped mainly by US artists was the store “La Chaumière des Sept Nains”. It is comprised of two parts: the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs itself and the Evil Queen’s castle, which are separated by the forest. Imagineers actually referred to the original animation drawings to design the cottage, the beds, the elements decorating the pillars,…If you explore this store with enough time, you will discover spider webs on the ceiling, burned-down candles and notice that the floor seems deliberately poorly swept. As for the beds of the dwarfs, they are carved from real wood. Ceramic cups and place settings, all inspired by the film and created by a student in Los Angeles, can also be found in this shop. To recreate the feeling of the animated film, Imagineers departed from the straight and narrow and made the beams and set pieces with more rounded shapes, less realistic and more whimsical. Everything was to be a little distorted, a little curved. This effect could only be successfully executed by hand. Most of the elements and set pieces were therefore fabricated by the artists of WDI’s workshops, but a few of them are perfectly genuine and come straight from Friburg, in Switzerland.

French, Spanish, English, Swiss and American craftsmen worked on Fantasyland. Where else could Imagineers find the right talents?

For the restaurant ‘Bottega di Gepetto’ Imagineers wanted to reproduce all of the clocks and puppets in the film. It is in East Berlin that they found the artist that would help them make this project a reality. The puppet maker Ralph Schade is the artist who reproduced all of the objects from the movie Pinocchio that the restaurant features, including the mechanical clocks in perfect working order. As for his wife, she made the puppets using old Berlin fabrics from the ’40s and ’50s.

That’s it for today, but before wrapping-up, here are a few odd additional details and titbits:

The ceiling of the attraction “Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups” is actually an extremely heavy glass accordion and, unfortunately, when the Imagineers first installed it, it acted just like an accordion, folding back in on itself, collapsing under its own weight. Imagineers had to completely revise its concept to make it work.

While designing the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups”, Tom Morris, Fantasyland’s art director, became obsessed by the beautiful shapes that appear throughout the Alice in Wonderland animated feature For the attraction he wanted to recreate the subtly interconnected arcs that one sees here and there throughout the Alice film as well as the rounded reassuring shapes that are omnipresent in the movie. Achieving this with precision was no small feat.

When they worked on the first concepts for Alice’s Curious Labyrinth Imagineers thought about including huge tapestries of Aubusson within the labyrinth to give the surroundings a medieval feel.

Since I always refer to the book “From Sketch to Reality” in that series, I just would like to remind you that, at the latest news, Didier Ghez still seemed to be selling both the regular and limited editions of the English version of the book at a discount price. For more information you can contact him at dghez@hotmail.com

History

The Evolution and History of Mickey’s ToonTown

Published

6 months ago

February 7, 2024

Jim Hill

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, holds a special place in the hearts of Disney fans worldwide, I mean heck, it’s where the magic began after all. Over the years it’s become a place that people visit in search of memorable experiences. One fan favorite area of the park is Mickey’s Toontown, a unique land that lets guests step right into the colorful, “Toony” world of Disney animation. With the recent reimagining of the land and the introduction of Micky and Minnies Runaway Railway, have you ever wondered how this land came to be?

There is a fascinating backstory of how Mickey’s Toontown came into existence. It’s a tale of strategic vision, the influence of Disney executives, and a commitment to meeting the needs of Disney’s valued guests.

The Beginning: Mickey’s Birthdayland

The story of Mickey’s Toontown starts with Mickey’s Birthdayland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Opened in 1988 to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday, this temporary attraction was met with such overwhelming popularity that it inspired Disney executives to think bigger. The idea was to create a permanent, immersive land where guests could step into the animated world of Mickey Mouse and his friends.

In the early ’90s, Disneyland was in need of a refresh. Michael Eisner, the visionary leader of The Walt Disney Company at the time, had an audacious idea: create a brand-new land in Disneyland that would celebrate Disney characters in a whole new way. This was the birth of Mickey’s Toontown.

Initially, Disney’s creative minds toyed with various concepts, including the idea of crafting a 100-Acre Woods or a land inspired by the Muppets. However, the turning point came when they considered the success of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” This film’s popularity and the desire to capitalize on contemporary trends set the stage for Toontown’s creation.

From Concept to Reality: The Birth of Toontown

In 1993, Mickey’s Toontown opened its gates at Disneyland, marking the first time in Disney Park history where guests could experience a fully realized, three-dimensional world of animation. This new land was not just a collection of attractions but a living, breathing community where Disney characters “lived,” worked, and played.

Building Challenges: Innovative Solutions

The design of Mickey’s Toontown broke new ground in theme park aesthetics. Imagineers were tasked with bringing the two-dimensional world of cartoons into a three-dimensional space. This led to the creation of over 2000 custom-built props and structures that embodied the ‘squash and stretch’ principle of animation, giving Toontown its distinctiveness.

And then there was also the challenge of hiding the Team Disney Anaheim building, which bore a striking resemblance to a giant hotdog. The Imagineers had to think creatively, using balloon tests and imaginative landscaping to seamlessly integrate Toontown into the larger park.

Key Attractions: Bringing Animation to Life

Mickey’s Toontown featured several groundbreaking attractions. “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin,” inspired by the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” became a staple of Toontown, offering an innovative ride experience. Gadget’s Go-Coaster, though initially conceived as a Rescue Rangers-themed ride, became a hit with younger visitors, proving that innovative design could create memorable experiences for all ages.

Another crown jewel of Toontown is Mickey’s House, a walkthrough attraction that allowed guests to explore the home of Mickey Mouse himself. This attraction was more than just a house; it was a carefully crafted piece of Disney lore. The house was designed in the American Craftsman style, reflecting the era when Mickey would have theoretically purchased his first home in Hollywood. The attention to detail was meticulous, with over 2000 hand-crafted, custom-built props, ensuring that every corner of the house was brimming with character and charm. Interestingly, the design of Mickey’s House was inspired by a real home in Wichita Falls, making it a unique blend of real-world inspiration and Disney magic.

Mickey’s House also showcased Disney’s commitment to creating interactive and engaging experiences. Guests could make themselves at home, sitting in Mickey’s chair, listening to the radio, and exploring the many mementos and references to Mickey’s animated adventures throughout the years. This approach to attraction design – where storytelling and interactivity merged seamlessly – was a defining characteristic of ToonTown’s success.

Executive Decisions: Shaping ToonTown’s Unique Attractions

The development of Mickey’s Toontown wasn’t just about creative imagination; it was significantly influenced by strategic decisions from Disney executives. One notable input came from Jeffrey Katzenberg, who suggested incorporating a Rescue Rangers-themed ride. This idea was a reflection of the broader Disney strategy to integrate popular contemporary characters and themes into the park, ensuring that the attractions remained relevant and engaging for visitors.

In addition to Katzenberg’s influence, Frank Wells, the then-President of The Walt Disney Company, played a key role in the strategic launch of Toontown’s attractions. His decision to delay the opening of “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” until a year after Toontown’s debut was a calculated move. It was designed to maintain public interest in the park by offering new experiences over time, thereby giving guests more reasons to return to Disneyland.

These executive decisions highlight the careful planning and foresight that went into making Toontown a dynamic and continuously appealing part of Disneyland. By integrating current trends and strategically planning the rollout of attractions, Disney executives ensured that Toontown would not only capture the hearts of visitors upon its opening but would continue to draw them back for new experiences in the years to follow.

Global Influence: Toontown’s Worldwide Appeal

The concept of Mickey’s Toontown resonated so strongly that it was replicated at Tokyo Disneyland and influenced elements in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Each park’s version of Toontown maintained the core essence of the original while adapting to its cultural and logistical environment.

Evolution and Reimagining: Toontown Today

As we approach the present day, Mickey’s Toontown has recently undergone a significant reimagining to welcome “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” in 2023. This refurbishment aimed to enhance the land’s interactivity and appeal to a new generation of Disney fans, all while retaining the charm that has made ToonTown a beloved destination for nearly three decades.

Dive Deeper into ToonTown’s Story

Want to know more about Mickey’s Toontown and hear some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, then check out the latest episode of Disney Unpacked on Patreon @JimHillMedia. In this episode, the main Imagineer who worked on the Toontown project shares lots of interesting stories and details that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s full of great information and fun facts, so be sure to give it a listen!

History

Unpacking the History of the Pixar Place Hotel

Published

6 months ago

January 30, 2024

Jim Hill

Pixar Place Hotel, the newly unveiled 15-story tower at the Disneyland Resort, has been making waves in the Disney community. With its unique Pixar-themed design, it promises to be a favorite among visitors.

However, before we delve into this exciting addition to the Disneyland Resort, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of this remarkable hotel.

The Emergence of the Disneyland Hotel

To truly appreciate the story of the Pixar Place Hotel, we must turn back the clock to the early days of Disneyland. While Walt Disney had the visionary ideas and funding to create the iconic theme park, he faced a challenge when it came to providing accommodations for the park’s visitors. This is where his friend Jack Wrather enters the picture.

Jack Wrather, a fellow pioneer in the television industry, stepped in to assist Walt Disney in realizing his dream. Thanks to the success of the “Lassie” TV show produced by Wrather’s company, he had the financial means to build a hotel right across from Disneyland.

The result was the Disneyland Hotel, which opened its doors in October 1955. Interestingly, the early incarnation of this hotel had more of a motel feel than a hotel, with two-story buildings reminiscent of the roadside motels popular during the 1950s. The initial Disneyland Hotel consisted of modest structures that catered to visitors looking for affordable lodging close to the park. While the rooms were basic, it marked the beginning of something extraordinary.

The Evolution: From Emerald of Anaheim to Paradise Pier

As Disneyland’s popularity continued to soar, so did the demand for expansion and improved accommodations. In 1962, the addition of an 11-story tower transformed the Disneyland Hotel, marking a significant transition from a motel to a full-fledged hotel.

The addition of the 11-story tower elevated the Disneyland Hotel into a more prominent presence on the Anaheim skyline. At the time, it was the tallest structure in all of Orange County. The hotel’s prime location across from Disneyland made it an ideal choice for visitors. With the introduction of the monorail linking the park and the hotel, accessibility became even more convenient. Unique features like the Japanese-themed reflecting pools added to the hotel’s charm, reflecting a cultural influence that extended beyond Disney’s borders.

Japanese Tourism and Its Impact

During the 1960s and 1970s, Disneyland was attracting visitors from all corners of the world, including Japan. A significant number of Japanese tourists flocked to Anaheim to experience Walt Disney’s creation. To cater to this growing market, it wasn’t just the Disneyland Hotel that aimed to capture the attention of Japanese tourists. The Japanese Village in Buena Park, inspired by a similar attraction in Nara, Japan, was another significant spot.

These attractions sought to provide a taste of Japanese culture and hospitality, showcasing elements like tea ceremonies and beautiful ponds with rare carp and black swans. However, the Japanese Village closed its doors in 1975, likely due to the highly competitive nature of the Southern California tourist market.

The Emergence of the Emerald of Anaheim

With the surge in Japanese tourism, an opportunity arose—the construction of the Emerald of Anaheim, later known as the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. In May 1984, this 15-story hotel opened its doors.

What made the Emerald unique was its ownership. It was built not by The Walt Disney Company or the Oriental Land Company (which operated Tokyo Disneyland) but by the Tokyu Group. This group of Japanese businessmen already had a pair of hotels in Hawaii and saw potential in Anaheim’s proximity to Disneyland. Thus, they decided to embark on this new venture, specifically designed to cater to Japanese tourists looking to experience Southern California.

Financial Challenges and a Changing Landscape

The late 1980s brought about two significant financial crises in Japan—the crash of the NIKKEI stock market and the collapse of the Japanese real estate market. These crises had far-reaching effects, causing Japanese tourists to postpone or cancel their trips to the United States. As a result, reservations at the Emerald of Anaheim dwindled.

To adapt to these challenging times, the Tokyu Group merged the Emerald brand with its Pacific hotel chain, attempting to weather the storm. However, the financial turmoil took its toll on the Emerald, and changes were imminent.

The Transition to the Disneyland Pacific Hotel

In 1995, The Walt Disney Company took a significant step by purchasing the hotel formerly known as the Emerald of Anaheim for $35 million. This acquisition marked a change in the hotel’s fortunes. With Disney now in control, the hotel underwent a name change, becoming the Disneyland Pacific Hotel.

Transformation to Paradise Pier

The next phase of transformation occurred when Disney decided to rebrand the hotel as Paradise Pier Hotel. This decision aligned with Disney’s broader vision for the Disneyland Resort.

While the structural changes were limited, the hotel underwent a significant cosmetic makeover. Its exterior was painted to complement the color scheme of Paradise Pier, and wave-shaped crenellations adorned the rooftop, creating an illusion of seaside charm. This transformation was Disney’s attempt to seamlessly integrate the hotel into the Paradise Pier theme of Disney’s California Adventure Park.

Looking Beyond Paradise Pier: The Shift to Pixar Place

In 2018, Disneyland Resort rebranded Paradise Pier as Pixar Pier, a thematic area dedicated to celebrating the beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios. As a part of this transition, it became evident that the hotel formally known as the Disneyland Pacific Hotel could no longer maintain its Paradise Pier theme.

With Pixar Pier in full swing and two successful Pixar-themed hotels (Toy Story Hotels in Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland), Disney decided to embark on a new venture—a hotel that would celebrate the vast world of Pixar. The result is Pixar Place Hotel, a 15-story tower that embraces the characters and stories from multiple Pixar movies and shorts. This fully Pixar-themed hotel is a first of its kind in the United States.

The Future of Pixar Place and Disneyland Resort

As we look ahead to the future, the Disneyland Resort continues to evolve. The recent news of a proposed $1.9 billion expansion as part of the Disneyland Forward project indicates that the area surrounding Pixar Place is expected to see further changes. Disneyland’s rich history and innovative spirit continue to shape its destiny.

In conclusion, the history of the Pixar Place Hotel is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of Disneyland Resort. From its humble beginnings as the Disneyland Hotel to its transformation into the fully Pixar-themed Pixar Place Hotel, this establishment has undergone several iterations. As Disneyland Resort continues to grow and adapt, we can only imagine what exciting developments lie ahead for this iconic destination.

If you want to hear more stories about the History of the Pixar Place hotel, check our special edition of Disney Unpacked over on YouTube.

Stay tuned for more updates and developments as we continue to explore the fascinating world of Disney, one story at a time.

History

From Birthday Wishes to Toontown Dreams: How Toontown Came to Be

Published

6 months ago

January 14, 2024

Jim Hill

In the latest release of Episode 4 of Disney Unpacked, Len and I return, joined as always by Disney Imagineering legend, Jim Shull. This two-part episode covers all things Mickey’s Birthday Land and how it ultimately led to the inspiration behind Disneyland’s fan-favorite land, “Toontown”. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. It all starts in the early days at Disneyland.

Early Challenges in Meeting Mickey

Picture this: it’s the late 1970s and early 1980s, and you’re at Disneyland. You want to meet the one and only Mickey Mouse, but there’s no clear way to make it happen. You rely on Character Guides, those daily printed sheets that point you in Mickey’s general direction. But let’s be honest, it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Sometimes, you got lucky; other times, not so much.

Mickey’s Birthdayland: A Birthday Wish that Came True

Fast forward to the late 1980s. Disney World faced a big challenge. The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park was under construction, with the company’s marketing machine in full swing, hyping up the opening of Walt Disney World’s third theme park, MGM Studios, in the Spring of 1989. This extensive marketing meant that many people were opting to postpone their family’s next trip to Walt Disney World until the following year. Walt Disney World needed something compelling to motivate guests to visit Florida in 1988, the year before Disney MGM Studios opened.

Enter stage left, Mickey’s Birthdayland. For the first time ever, an entire land was dedicated to a single character – and not just any character, but the mouse who started it all. Meeting Mickey was no longer a game of chance; it was practically guaranteed.

The Birth of Birthdayland: Creative Brilliance Meets Practicality

In this episode, we dissect the birth of Mickey’s Birthdayland, an initiative that went beyond celebrating a birthday. It was a calculated move, driven by guest feedback and a need to address issues dating back to 1971. Imagineers faced the monumental task of designing an experience that honored Mickey while efficiently managing the crowds. This required the perfect blend of creative flair and logistical prowess – a hallmark of Disney’s approach to theme park design.

Evolution: From Birthdayland to Toontown

The success of Mickey’s Birthdayland was a real game-changer, setting the stage for the birth of Toontown – an entire land that elevated character-centric areas to monumental new heights. Toontown wasn’t merely a spot to meet characters; it was an immersive experience that brought Disney animation to life. In the episode, we explore its innovative designs, playful architecture, and how every nook and cranny tells a story.

Impact on Disney Parks and Guests

Mickey’s Birthdayland and Toontown didn’t just reshape the physical landscape of Disney parks; they transformed the very essence of the guest experience. These lands introduced groundbreaking ways for visitors to connect with their beloved characters, making their Disney vacations even more unforgettable.

Beyond Attractions: A Cultural Influence

But the influence of these lands goes beyond mere attractions. Our episode delves into how Mickey’s Birthdayland and Toontown left an indelible mark on Disney’s culture, reflecting the company’s relentless dedication to innovation and guest satisfaction. It’s a journey into how a single idea can grow into a cherished cornerstone of the Disney Park experience.

Interested in learning about Jim Shull’s original idea for a Winnie the Pooh ride? Here’s concept art of the attraction proposed for the original Toontown in Disneyland. More on [Disney Unpacked].

Unwrapping the Full Story of Mickey’s Birthdayland

Our two-part episode of Disney Unpacked is available for your viewing pleasure on our Patreon page. And for those seeking a quicker Disney fix, we’ve got a condensed version waiting for you on our YouTube channel. Thank you for being a part of our Disney Unpacked community. Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue to “Unpack” the fascinating world of Disney, one story at a time.