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.
Sleeping Beauty’s indecisively color-changing gown (Castle Couture gift shop, Magic Kingdom).Jack Sparrow’s loot (Pirate’s Bazaar gift shop, Magic Kingdom).Set detail of navigation maps (Treasures of Seven Seas, Magic Kingdom).Treasure maps (Treasures of the Seven seas, Magic Kingdom).Actual 14k gold embedded in mural detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).Disney-motif Starbucks cups! (all Starbucks locations inside Disney World).Indiana Jones artifact detail (Adventure Outpost gift shop, Hollywood Studios).Nazi ammo chest (Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, Hollywood Studios).Stormtrooper rifle (Star Tours gift shop, Hollywood Studios).C3PO’s arm circuits (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).Thermal detonator (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).Cantina bar wall (Star Tours, Hollywood Studios).Abandoned room key (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).Abandoned lobby (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).Abandoned tea cart (Hotel Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios).Sketch detail (Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom).Sketch detail (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.Nic nac displays (Emporium gift shop, Magic Kingdom).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!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.Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, 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).Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).Mosaic detail (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).Actual silver can also be found throughout the mural (Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom).The magic is sewn in! Cinderella’s dress detail (Magic Kingdom).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).Merida cameo tiara (Uptown Jewelers gift shop, Magic Kingdom).The slipper (Princess Fairytale Hall, Magic Kingdom). No you cannot try it on, it’s behind glass.
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Manda Marie Kar
Photojournalist | Thematic Designer
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