Disney Up Close

I have a unique position here in Orlando after my husband’s career brought him to Corporate Disney. With free almost-anytime access to all the parks, my interest in Disney World has shifted from “eh, novelty” to “oo, history!” The effort of production and design details and the history involved with creation are totally captivating me these days. After learning more about him, I found I have rather a lot in common with Walt Disney. At the very least letting my creative whims guide my career, but additionally a love for the original technique of old school animation. (Going there in a future blog!) Here is my continually growing collection of favorite Disney details as I lollygag around the parks collecting visuals only a photographer who’s been there 20 times in 5 months would see. You may not catch most of these just going for a day trip! What I enjoy so much with this project is simply giving credit to all the art directors, artists and designers who put so much work and authenticity into these details. To those designers! I salute you with my close ups.

Hover or touch for history and where you can see each of these.

Disney Sleeping Beauty Gown
Sleeping Beauty’s indecisively color-changing gown (Castle Couture gift shop, Magic Kingdom).
Disney World Jack Sparrow Treasure
Jack Sparrow’s loot (Pirate’s Bazaar gift shop, Magic Kingdom).
Disney Magic Kingdom Pirate Treasure Hunt
Set detail of navigation maps (Treasures of Seven Seas, Magic Kingdom).
Disney Pirate Adventure Magic Kingdom
Treasure maps (Treasures of the Seven seas, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Magic Kingdom
Actual 14k gold embedded in mural detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Disney World Starbucks
Disney-motif Starbucks cups! (all Starbucks locations inside Disney World).
Indiana Jones Hollywood Studios
Indiana Jones artifact detail (Adventure Outpost gift shop, Hollywood Studios).
Indiana Jones Hollywood Studios
Nazi ammo chest (Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, Hollywood Studios).
Star Wars Hollywood Studios
Stormtrooper rifle (Star Tours gift shop, Hollywood Studios).
Star Wars Hollywood Studios
C3PO’s arm circuits (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).
Star Wars Hollywood Studios
Thermal detonator (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).
Star Wars Hollywood Studios
Cantina bar wall (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).
Hotel of Terror Hollywood Studios
Abandoned room key (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).
Hotel of Terror Hollywood Studios
Abandoned lobby (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).
Hotel of Terror Hollywood Studios
Abandoned tea cart (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).
Main Street USA Magic Kingdom
Sketch detail (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom).
Main Street USA Magic Kingdom
Sketch detail (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom).
Main Street USA Magic Kingdom
Antiques (Emporium gift shop, Magic Kingdom). Main Street USA was designed to reflect an early 1900’s classic wholesomeness because that’s how Walt Disney’s home town of Marceline, Missouri made him feel.
Main Street USA Magic Kingdom
Nic nac displays (Emporium gift shop, Magic Kingdom).
Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle
Gold-tipped towers of Cinderella’s Suite (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom). There is no price put on a stay in Cinderella’s Suite, but if you keep your eye out for sweepstakes, you can win a stay there!
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom). This mural is the only artwork in Disney World signed by the artist himself, mosaicist Hanns-Joachim Scharff. You can see his signature near the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
The footman’s face is that of sketch artist Herb Ryman who originally worked with Walt Disney on the concept drawings for Disneyland (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Mosaic Magic Kingdom
Actual silver can also be found throughout the mural (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Dress Magic Kingdom
The magic is sewn in! Cinderella’s dress detail (Magic Kingdom).
Wilderness Lodge Walt Disney World
The only item actually belonging to Walt Disney himself which exists at Disney World is this 1/8th scale model of a rideable train which Walt had in operation in his backyard for a time. How’s that for a garden party? (The Carolwood Room, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge).
Main Street USA Disney World
Merida cameo tiara (Uptown Jewelers gift shop, Magic Kingdom).
Cinderella Castle Magic Kingdom
The slipper (Princess Fairytale Hall, Magic Kingdom). No you cannot try it on, it’s behind glass.

 

To see more Disney blogs in the future, please subscribe (the button under my profile photo top right)!

KC Union Station Retro Train Portrait Typewriter CameraManda Marie Kar

Photojournalist | Thematic Designer

GET IDEAS & DISCOUNTS!

See what I’m up to, get ideas for photo sessions and special access to discounts!
Subscribe

CATEGORIES


  • Advice (10)
  • Babies (15)
  • Behind the Scenes (12)
  • Disney (30)
  • Engagements (26)
  • Epic Parties (10)
  • Families (32)
  • Fashion (17)
  • Human Doings (5)
  • Travel (7)
  • Weddings (50)
  • Wizarding Worlds (26)