The Disney Gallery
Encyclopedia
The Disney Gallery is an attraction and merchandise location at Disneyland in Anaheim, California
. It opened at its current location on Main Street U.S.A. on October 2, 2009. From 1987-2007 it was located in New Orleans Square above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The Gallery is a changing exhibition area focused primarily on artwork from Walt Disney Imagineering
created in the designing of the Disneyland theme park. Merchandise relating to the current exhibition is usually available for purchase as well.
, but it was too small to host extensive events. Walt decided to place the suite in New Orleans Square, away from the hustle and bustle of the park.
Walt brought in set designer Dorothea Redmond, famous for the sets in Gone with the Wind
, to help him with the apartment layout. To furnish and decorate the area, Walt left his wife Lilly
and Walt Disney Studio
set decorator Emile Kuri
to collaborate, as they had on other projects (Club 33
, the Firehouse Apartment, etc.). The project was christened The Royal Suite, after the street in New Orleans Square (Royal Street) the apartment's entrance is on.
Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966. As a consequence, many projects at Walt Disney Productions were either put on hold or abandoned. The Royal Suite was abandoned at the request of the surviving brother, Roy. He felt that the family could not really enjoy The Royal Suite with Walt gone. The Suite was fairly close to completion at the time of Walt's death, including infrastructure and plumbing.
INA moved out of the suite in 1974 and Disneyland International moved in, using the space as executive offices. DLI helped plan Tokyo Disneyland
with the Oriental Land Company. There was even a large scale model of the park placed in one of the rooms so the Japanese executives could physically see the layout of their new park.
There has also been much speculation about Walt Disney's ghost haunting the Disney Gallery. There is currently no actual evidence of this. The ghost has been reported by many visitors since it opened.
was put on a project to improve guest traffic around the Pirates of the Caribbean
attraction. The queue for Pirates would get so long at times that it would block the walkway into New Orleans Square and Bear Country
.
Baxter finally decided on the current configuration, with the queue going underneath a themed footbridge
, thereby freeing the walkway. He then set his sights on Walt's old Royal Suite, just above the queue. Baxter designed a pair of ornamental staircases that would hug the footbridge and create a unique frame for the building exterior. Baxter had thought that a beautiful place like Walt's suite was going to waste not being seen by park guests.
Baxter asked recently elected Walt Disney Company President and COO
Frank Wells what the plans were for the upstairs area. Wells said that Club 33
was vying for the space in order to add more membership slots. Baxter came to Wells with an idea for an art gallery open to park guests. The Imagineers had always wanted a place to display their artwork for the theme parks, which went largely unseen by the public. The Disney Gallery was born.
The gallery is unique in all of Disneyland because it is the only location in the entire park that is listed as both an attraction and a merchandise location on the park's map. The cast members who work the location are from the Disneyland Merchandise division, but are specially trained to run the gallery as a museum. Cast Members are encouraged to give guests free tours of the gallery, informing visitors of the facility's rich history and the current exhibition.
. Imagineers converted the space into a two-bedroom, two-bath guest suite, using the original 1960s designs created by designer Dorothea Redmond and set decorator Emile Kuri in consultation with Walt Disney. Perhaps to address the concerns of those upset by the Disney Gallery closure, Disney is quick to point out that the Dream Suite will now be used for overnight guests, just as Walt Disney intended. Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director Kim Irvine says that the suite will "be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland." Each of the bedrooms will feature a special nighttime lighting effect, activated at the push of a button.
As the Royal Suite, this room was known as the Formal Sitting Room. This is where Walt's guests would have spent most of their time, both before and after a meal. The guest entrance from the staircase was originally just another window when the building was first constructed. The balcony with the Pirates of the Caribbean marquee on the front was originally a false balcony and had to be reinforced to accommodate people.
To the left of the front room is the vestibule. This miniature hallway contains two very distinct rooms that are off-limits to guests. Upon entering the vestibule, the door on the right leads to the print room, which is the nerve center for the gallery's Art-on-Demand system. When the gallery opened this room was an administrative office, used for training and other purposes. The room on the left leads to a small office that is used by the current management of the gallery.
The two rooms were originally designed for two very distinct purposes. The manager office was intended to be a men's smoking lounge. Walt Disney was a smoker for most of his life (and actually died from causes related to lung cancer) and planned on having a separate, ventilated room where he and his friends could light up without making anyone else uncomfortable. The print room's intended use is not clearly known, though it is presumed the room was going to be used as a guest room or a room for Walt's grandchildren to play in.
The room to the right of the Front Room is known as the Collector's Room. The retail operation of the Gallery is located here. The merchandise changes with the exhibition, but some mainstays of the Gallery have been miniature, matted, vintage attraction posters and books about Disney art and Disney history.
The Art-on-Demand kiosks are also located here, allowing guests to choose a specific picture and have that picture custom printed for them. The system has been popular with longtime guests and offers a less-expensive alternative to lithographs, giclee
s, and other expensive pieces. The prints come in different sizes, with prices ranging from $15 – $50. Framing for these and other pieces is also available.
This room was originally known as the Informal Sitting Room. Often compared to a modern-day den, the Informal Sitting Room was a place for Walt and his guests to sit and relax before and after dinner. It is likely that the television would have gone in this room. There was also going to be a wet bar (now used as a cash register area), where Walt could have mixed fancy drinks and served appetizers for his guests. Cast Members like to point out the Sub-Zero miniature refrigerator, as it is the same one installed in 1966, and it still works.
river show. The seat includes an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet with unlimited soft drinks and coffee. The price is very steep and usually coincides with the price of Park admission.
The Balcony holds very distinctive evidence that the Disney brothers were going to share The Royal Suite. Within the wrought iron
of the Balcony's barrier are the initials "WD" and "RD", for "Walt Disney" and "Roy Disney". The initials are so expertly crafted that they do not stand out from the rest of the ironwork.
The balcony is the only area in the entire gallery where Walt Disney actually stood.
The Back Hallway was originally the Grand Entrance to the Disney apartment. The door at the rear is connected to the ground floor by a nondescript flight of stairs located in a small courtyard (the Royal Courtyard is currently occupied by an extension of the Pieces of Eight shop). The marker that denotes the address of the apartment still stands. The staircase and back door is considered off-limits to guests.
.
This room would have been The Royal Suite's Formal Dining Room. Originally rectangular in shape, it would have accommodated a large dining room table that could have probably seated 15 - 20 guests. On the far side of the room was an outline for a doorway that would have led to the Club 33 kitchen. The Royal Suite had no real kitchen, so it was necessary for the Club's chefs to provide all the meals.
Originally conceived by Lillian Disney, the Patio was a place where Lilly could be outdoors, but away from the Park guests. Lilly also purchased the bronze fountain head sculpture, as well as other antiques located throughout the Gallery. Since she was a lover of plants, Lilly had planters installed wherever possible.
Walt also had a hand in the design of the Patio. There are air conditioning ducts located on the eaves of the roof, surrounding the patio. This was a system that Walt was experimenting with to provide air conditioning outdoors. The ducts in the eaves would provide an invisible
barrier, while the ducts located underneath the eaves would actually regulate the temperature. It was never hooked up and never used.
The room is tucked away from the rest of the Gallery because it was going to be used as the Master Bedroom. Lilly enjoyed her privacy and wanted the bedroom to be essentially off-limits to their guests. A large bay window
is located next to the bedroom door (now covered by another display wall) so that Lilly could look out onto her garden patio, even when inside the room. The Master Bedroom also had a bathroom with a marble sink top, a shower alcove, and a toilet; there was no tub. The bathroom space is now used as a merchandise stockroom and is locked at all times.
in the entrance room. Over the years, art came and went to freshen things up and showcase the newest Disneyland attractions. The last "new" attraction to display concept art was the Indiana Jones Adventure
.
During the exhibition, one room was changed to a sub-exhibit called "The Disneyland That Never Was". This area displayed concepts for attractions and shows that never got off the drawing board, such as Dumbo's Circus
and Discovery Bay
.
area. The exhibit was separated into three distinct areas. The first room was a look into the "Atomic Age" Tomorrowland (1955-1966).
Another room displayed the "World on the Move" Tomorrowland (1967-1997). The most famous piece from this room was an accurate scale model of the track for Space Mountain.
The last room displayed art for the then-upcoming "Imagination and Beyond" Tomorrowland (1998-Present). It also displayed art from abandoned concepts for other New Tomorrowland themes like "Tomorrowland 2055" and "Montana Future". In later years, after the New Tomorrowland opened, art was displayed for the redo of the Autopia
in 2000.
. Ryman was responsible for the first detailed overall drawing of Disneyland Park - the drawing Roy O. Disney
used to get monetary backing for the project. Ryman also worked at the animation department, and on Walt's Florida Project
. This exhibit reflected his life as an artist, both inside and outside of Disney.
One of the exhibit rooms was devoted to the Ryman-Carroll Foundation
for Young Artists. This foundation, started by Ryman's sister, Lucille Carroll
, funds the dreams of young, talented artists. Most of the paintings that were displayed in the room were done by young Ryman-Carroll artists.
, Walt's most famous creation. Robison was a former Imagineer and a merchandising favorite at Disneyland. All the paintings were done on different media: canvas, cardboard boxes, napkins, and other materials.
This exhibit also marked the debut of the Gallery's art on demand system. Guests could pick a specific painting and have it reprinted on paper or canvas. The system was, and still is, extremely popular, and cost-effective. Disneyland management could even change the pictures being offered to coincide with the next exhibit.
, Haunted Mansion Holiday. The exhibit also featured concept art for the original Haunted Mansion, as well as concept art from Tim Burton
's The Nightmare Before Christmas
, the film which the holiday overlay was based.
attraction and its many details and stories. Marc Davis' concept art was all over the Gallery, as were maquettes created by Imagineering master sculptor Blaine Gibson. In fact, several busts of the pirates Gibson created were on display.
In addition to the attraction artwork, one of the rooms showcased exclusive artwork and props from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
, the 2003 film that was based on the attraction. Some notable items included both Elizabeth Swann
and Captain Jack Sparrow
's costumes, one of the cursed Aztec
gold pieces, and Sparrow's compass
.
, which was based on the attraction.
Although the film did not fare as well as Pirates, the art was a huge draw for guests. An added bonus was artwork from the Haunted Mansion attractions in the other Disney theme parks. It was intended to show how all the mansions influenced the one in the film.
because of their creative impact on the Park.
In July 2006, Setting Sail For New Adventures was added to the front room of the exhibit to display artwork from Pirates of the Caribbean
, both the attraction and the films. It was done to capitalize on the certain success of the second Pirates film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
; the display included props and costumes from the film. Numerous pieces also reflected the revamped scenes from the Pirates attraction, which included Captain Jack Sparrow
, Davy Jones
, and Barbossa
.
, Jody Daily, Tom Wilson
, Amanda Visell, Kevin Kidney, and Maggie Parr created original works that were based on their views and memories of walt disney world.
series for children. The books were all based on classic Disney films like Sleeping Beauty
, Peter Pan
, and Mary Poppins.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It opened at its current location on Main Street U.S.A. on October 2, 2009. From 1987-2007 it was located in New Orleans Square above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The Gallery is a changing exhibition area focused primarily on artwork from Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide...
created in the designing of the Disneyland theme park. Merchandise relating to the current exhibition is usually available for purchase as well.
The Royal Suite
In the early 1960s, as construction of New Orleans Square was proceeding, Walt Disney decided he needed a bigger entertaining facility for various VIPs that came to the Park. He already had an apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A.Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many 'Magic Kingdom'-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world....
, but it was too small to host extensive events. Walt decided to place the suite in New Orleans Square, away from the hustle and bustle of the park.
Walt brought in set designer Dorothea Redmond, famous for the sets in Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind (film)
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American historical epic film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel of the same name. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming from a screenplay by Sidney Howard...
, to help him with the apartment layout. To furnish and decorate the area, Walt left his wife Lilly
Lillian Disney
Lillian Disney was the wife of Walt Disney. She was married to him from 1925 until his death in 1966.-Early years:...
and Walt Disney Studio
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
set decorator Emile Kuri
Emile Kuri
Emile Kuri was a Mexican-born American set decorator of Lebanese parentage. He won two Academy Awards and was nominated for six more in the category Best Art Direction....
to collaborate, as they had on other projects (Club 33
Club 33
Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at "33 Royal Street" with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address...
, the Firehouse Apartment, etc.). The project was christened The Royal Suite, after the street in New Orleans Square (Royal Street) the apartment's entrance is on.
Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966. As a consequence, many projects at Walt Disney Productions were either put on hold or abandoned. The Royal Suite was abandoned at the request of the surviving brother, Roy. He felt that the family could not really enjoy The Royal Suite with Walt gone. The Suite was fairly close to completion at the time of Walt's death, including infrastructure and plumbing.
New tenants
The Insurance Company of North America (INA) took over the location after the Disney apartment was abandoned. They retained Emile Kuri to decorate the space to approximate the look of the Disney apartment. INA renamed the apartment 21 Royal Street, after the apartment's numerical address. It served as a hospitality suite for INA employees and clients during their day at the park.INA moved out of the suite in 1974 and Disneyland International moved in, using the space as executive offices. DLI helped plan Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland
is a 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and opened on April 15, 1983...
with the Oriental Land Company. There was even a large scale model of the park placed in one of the rooms so the Japanese executives could physically see the layout of their new park.
There has also been much speculation about Walt Disney's ghost haunting the Disney Gallery. There is currently no actual evidence of this. The ghost has been reported by many visitors since it opened.
The Gallery
DLI moved out in the mid-1980s when they outgrew their headquarters. The space was left with an uncertain future. At the same time, Imagineer Tony BaxterTony Baxter (imagineer)
Tony Wayne Baxter is currently Senior Vice President, Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, and is responsible for overall creative direction for the Disneyland Resort....
was put on a project to improve guest traffic around the Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a multi-billion dollar Walt Disney franchise encompassing a series of films, a theme park ride, and spinoff novels as well as numerous video games and other publications. The franchise originates with the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which opened at Disneyland in...
attraction. The queue for Pirates would get so long at times that it would block the walkway into New Orleans Square and Bear Country
Critter Country
When Splash Mountain opened at Tokyo Disneyland, Critter Country was specifically created for it. The only other attraction in this area is Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes . Because of the land's small size and the popularity of Splash Mountain, Critter Country is extremely crowded throughout the day...
.
Footbridge
A footbridge or pedestrian bridge is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic and horse riders, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction...
, thereby freeing the walkway. He then set his sights on Walt's old Royal Suite, just above the queue. Baxter designed a pair of ornamental staircases that would hug the footbridge and create a unique frame for the building exterior. Baxter had thought that a beautiful place like Walt's suite was going to waste not being seen by park guests.
Baxter asked recently elected Walt Disney Company President and COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
Frank Wells what the plans were for the upstairs area. Wells said that Club 33
Club 33
Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at "33 Royal Street" with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address...
was vying for the space in order to add more membership slots. Baxter came to Wells with an idea for an art gallery open to park guests. The Imagineers had always wanted a place to display their artwork for the theme parks, which went largely unseen by the public. The Disney Gallery was born.
The gallery is unique in all of Disneyland because it is the only location in the entire park that is listed as both an attraction and a merchandise location on the park's map. The cast members who work the location are from the Disneyland Merchandise division, but are specially trained to run the gallery as a museum. Cast Members are encouraged to give guests free tours of the gallery, informing visitors of the facility's rich history and the current exhibition.
End of an era
The Gallery's New Orleans Square location closed its doors for good August 7, 2007. The space has been turned into the new Disneyland Dream SuiteDisneyland Dream Suite
The Disneyland Dream Suite is a luxury apartment located in the New Orleans Square area of Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort. It was created as part of the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion that ran from October 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008....
. Imagineers converted the space into a two-bedroom, two-bath guest suite, using the original 1960s designs created by designer Dorothea Redmond and set decorator Emile Kuri in consultation with Walt Disney. Perhaps to address the concerns of those upset by the Disney Gallery closure, Disney is quick to point out that the Dream Suite will now be used for overnight guests, just as Walt Disney intended. Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director Kim Irvine says that the suite will "be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland." Each of the bedrooms will feature a special nighttime lighting effect, activated at the push of a button.
Current location
The Gallery opened at its current location on Main Street U.S.A. on October 2, 2009 in the space previously occupied by the Annual Passport Center/Bank of Main Street U.S.A..New Orleans Square Gallery layout
The Disney Gallery comprised several rooms and antechambers, as it was designed to be living quarters for the Disney family. Each room contained its own set of artwork and usually revolved around a certain theme that pertained to the overall exhibit.Front Room/Formal Sitting Room
The first room guests walked into was known as the Front Room. This is the introductory room to the exhibit and sets the stage for what lies ahead. Artwork in this room is usually more broad and gets more specific as the guests progress through the room.As the Royal Suite, this room was known as the Formal Sitting Room. This is where Walt's guests would have spent most of their time, both before and after a meal. The guest entrance from the staircase was originally just another window when the building was first constructed. The balcony with the Pirates of the Caribbean marquee on the front was originally a false balcony and had to be reinforced to accommodate people.
Vestibule
The two rooms were originally designed for two very distinct purposes. The manager office was intended to be a men's smoking lounge. Walt Disney was a smoker for most of his life (and actually died from causes related to lung cancer) and planned on having a separate, ventilated room where he and his friends could light up without making anyone else uncomfortable. The print room's intended use is not clearly known, though it is presumed the room was going to be used as a guest room or a room for Walt's grandchildren to play in.
Collector's Room/Informal Sitting Room
The Art-on-Demand kiosks are also located here, allowing guests to choose a specific picture and have that picture custom printed for them. The system has been popular with longtime guests and offers a less-expensive alternative to lithographs, giclee
Giclée
Giclée , is a neologism coined in 1991 by printmaker Jack Duganne for fine art digital prints made on ink-jet printers. The name originally applied to fine art prints created on IRIS printers in a process invented in the late 1980s but has since come to mean any high quality ink-jet print and is...
s, and other expensive pieces. The prints come in different sizes, with prices ranging from $15 – $50. Framing for these and other pieces is also available.
This room was originally known as the Informal Sitting Room. Often compared to a modern-day den, the Informal Sitting Room was a place for Walt and his guests to sit and relax before and after dinner. It is likely that the television would have gone in this room. There was also going to be a wet bar (now used as a cash register area), where Walt could have mixed fancy drinks and served appetizers for his guests. Cast Members like to point out the Sub-Zero miniature refrigerator, as it is the same one installed in 1966, and it still works.
Balcony
The Collector's Room is the only way to access the Gallery's expansive balcony. Guests can sit up in the Balcony and people watch as long as they want. In the evening, the Gallery Balcony is used as a hard-ticket seating area for the Fantasmic!Fantasmic!
Fantasmic! is a Disney nighttime show at Disneyland in the Disneyland Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo Disney Resort. The show features fireworks, live actors, water effects, fire, music, several boats, decorated rafts and projections onto large...
river show. The seat includes an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet with unlimited soft drinks and coffee. The price is very steep and usually coincides with the price of Park admission.
The Balcony holds very distinctive evidence that the Disney brothers were going to share The Royal Suite. Within the wrought iron
Wrought iron
thumb|The [[Eiffel tower]] is constructed from [[puddle iron]], a form of wrought ironWrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon...
of the Balcony's barrier are the initials "WD" and "RD", for "Walt Disney" and "Roy Disney". The initials are so expertly crafted that they do not stand out from the rest of the ironwork.
The balcony is the only area in the entire gallery where Walt Disney actually stood.
Back Hallway/Grand Entrance
Traveling through the Collector's Room, guests will find the Back Hallway. This area was originally used to display collector's lithographs and other framed artwork. Sample Art-on-Demand pieces also hung in this area. Recently, this area has been used as another exhibit room displaying artwork for view.The Back Hallway was originally the Grand Entrance to the Disney apartment. The door at the rear is connected to the ground floor by a nondescript flight of stairs located in a small courtyard (the Royal Courtyard is currently occupied by an extension of the Pieces of Eight shop). The marker that denotes the address of the apartment still stands. The staircase and back door is considered off-limits to guests.
Blue Room/Formal Dining Room
The room to the right of the Back Hallway is known as the Blue Room. The name came from the color of the wall when the Gallery first opened. This was the largest exhibit area until early 2007, when the room was divided in half. One half was given to Club 33 as storage space which was then turned into Club 33's kitchen. The half that remains as the Gallery is a more intimate space. When the Blue Room was whole, a side balcony on the far side of the room was used as a VIP seating area for Fantasmic! This balcony was off-limits to guests at all times, and was only reserved for special guests of The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
.
This room would have been The Royal Suite's Formal Dining Room. Originally rectangular in shape, it would have accommodated a large dining room table that could have probably seated 15 - 20 guests. On the far side of the room was an outline for a doorway that would have led to the Club 33 kitchen. The Royal Suite had no real kitchen, so it was necessary for the Club's chefs to provide all the meals.
Patio
The Patio is the "hub" of the Gallery, with almost every room attached to it. The Patio contains tables and chairs, where guests can bring up food and have a meal away from the bustling crowds of the rest of the Park. A beautiful fountain in the center of the Patio is one of the most-photographed places in Disneyland.Originally conceived by Lillian Disney, the Patio was a place where Lilly could be outdoors, but away from the Park guests. Lilly also purchased the bronze fountain head sculpture, as well as other antiques located throughout the Gallery. Since she was a lover of plants, Lilly had planters installed wherever possible.
Walt also had a hand in the design of the Patio. There are air conditioning ducts located on the eaves of the roof, surrounding the patio. This was a system that Walt was experimenting with to provide air conditioning outdoors. The ducts in the eaves would provide an invisible
Invisibility
Invisibility is the state of an object that cannot be seen. An object in this state is said to be invisible . The term is usually used as a fantasy/science fiction term, where objects are literally made unseeable by magical or technological means; however, its effects can also be seen in the real...
barrier, while the ducts located underneath the eaves would actually regulate the temperature. It was never hooked up and never used.
Green Room/Master Bedroom
To left of the patio, cut off from the rest of the Gallery is the Green Room, named for the same reason as the Blue Room. This is the room that has changed little since the Gallery opened and is now the largest display area.The room is tucked away from the rest of the Gallery because it was going to be used as the Master Bedroom. Lilly enjoyed her privacy and wanted the bedroom to be essentially off-limits to their guests. A large bay window
Bay window
A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room, either square or polygonal in plan. The angles most commonly used on the inside corners of the bay are 90, 135 and 150 degrees. Bay windows are often associated with Victorian architecture...
is located next to the bedroom door (now covered by another display wall) so that Lilly could look out onto her garden patio, even when inside the room. The Master Bedroom also had a bathroom with a marble sink top, a shower alcove, and a toilet; there was no tub. The bathroom space is now used as a merchandise stockroom and is locked at all times.
Exhibition history
Since its opening on July 11, 1987, The Disney Gallery has had changing exhibits to keep things fresh and current. The length of the exhibits ranged from ten years to three months.The Art of Disneyland (1987 - 1997)
This exhibit opened with the Gallery in 1987. It featured art and scale models of various attractions from the history of Disneyland. Its most famous piece was the original scale model of Sleeping Beauty CastleSleeping Beauty Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle is the fairy tale structure castle at the center of Disneyland Park and Hong Kong Disneyland. It is based on the late-19th century Neuschwanstein Castle,with some French inspirations .-Disneyland version:Opened July 17, 1955, the castle is the oldest of all Disney castles...
in the entrance room. Over the years, art came and went to freshen things up and showcase the newest Disneyland attractions. The last "new" attraction to display concept art was the Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye is a dark ride motion simulator attraction based on the Indiana Jones films. Guests accompany intrepid archeologist Dr. Indiana Jones on a quest for the Jewel of Power through a dangerous lost temple, then board military troop transport vehicles...
.
During the exhibition, one room was changed to a sub-exhibit called "The Disneyland That Never Was". This area displayed concepts for attractions and shows that never got off the drawing board, such as Dumbo's Circus
Dumbo's Circus
Dumbo's Circus was a live-action/puppet television series that aired on Disney Channel, featuring the character of Dumbo from the original film.Many of the show's cast went on to star is the popular Christian radio series, Adventures in Odyssey....
and Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
.
Tomorrowland: Imagining the Future 1955 - 1998 (1997 - 2000)
For the Gallery's 10th anniversary, a new exhibit displayed concepts for Disneyland's different interpretations of the future. This exhibit also tied into the 1998 redo of the TomorrowlandTomorrowland
- Tomorrowland 1955–1967 :The first Tomorrowland opened at Disneyland on July 18, 1955, with only several of its planned attractions open, due to budget cuts. The construction of the park was rushed, so Tomorrowland was the last land to be finished. It became something of a corporate showcase,...
area. The exhibit was separated into three distinct areas. The first room was a look into the "Atomic Age" Tomorrowland (1955-1966).
Another room displayed the "World on the Move" Tomorrowland (1967-1997). The most famous piece from this room was an accurate scale model of the track for Space Mountain.
The last room displayed art for the then-upcoming "Imagination and Beyond" Tomorrowland (1998-Present). It also displayed art from abandoned concepts for other New Tomorrowland themes like "Tomorrowland 2055" and "Montana Future". In later years, after the New Tomorrowland opened, art was displayed for the redo of the Autopia
Autopia
Autopia is a Disneyland attraction, in which patrons steer specially designed cars through an enclosed track. Versions of Autopia exist at Anaheim, California, Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France, and at Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island, Hong Kong...
in 2000.
A Brush with Disney: The Art of Herbert Ryman (2000 - 2002)
For the very first time, the Gallery's exhibit focused on one particular Imagineering artist: Herbert Dickens RymanHerbert Ryman
Herbert "Herbie" Dickens Ryman was a Disney imagineer, and fine art painter. His sister, Lucille Carroll helped fund the Ryman-Carroll Foundation....
. Ryman was responsible for the first detailed overall drawing of Disneyland Park - the drawing Roy O. Disney
Roy O. Disney
Roy Oliver Disney was, with his younger brother, Walt Disney, the co-founder of what is now The Walt Disney Company.-Early life:...
used to get monetary backing for the project. Ryman also worked at the animation department, and on Walt's Florida Project
Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (concept)
The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was a concept developed by Walt Disney near the end of his lifetime. This planned city was his intended purpose for the property purchased near Orlando, Florida, that eventually became the Walt Disney World Resort...
. This exhibit reflected his life as an artist, both inside and outside of Disney.
One of the exhibit rooms was devoted to the Ryman-Carroll Foundation
Ryman Arts
Ryman Arts is a non-profit fine arts education organization that is based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1990 with just 12 students, the organization provides free art classes in drawing and painting with master teachers to Los Angeles area high school students. As of 2007 the program had...
for Young Artists. This foundation, started by Ryman's sister, Lucille Carroll
Garnett Lucille Ryman
Garnett Lucille Ryman Carroll, stage name Jane Starr was an American Broadway actress.-Early life:Carroll was born to Dr. Herbert R. Ryman and Cora Belle Ryman while her father was a medical student at Kansas State Medical College. Dr...
, funds the dreams of young, talented artists. Most of the paintings that were displayed in the room were done by young Ryman-Carroll artists.
100 Mickeys (2002)
To celebrate Walt Disney's 100th birthday, Eric Robison was commissioned by Disneyland to create 100 unique portraits of Mickey MouseMickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, Walt's most famous creation. Robison was a former Imagineer and a merchandising favorite at Disneyland. All the paintings were done on different media: canvas, cardboard boxes, napkins, and other materials.
This exhibit also marked the debut of the Gallery's art on demand system. Guests could pick a specific painting and have it reprinted on paper or canvas. The system was, and still is, extremely popular, and cost-effective. Disneyland management could even change the pictures being offered to coincide with the next exhibit.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (2002 - 2003)
For the winter season of 2002, the Disney Gallery displayed art from the Park's very popular holiday overlay of the Haunted MansionHaunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is a dark ride located at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland. A significantly re-imagined incarnation of the ride, known as Phantom Manor, is located in Disneyland Paris...
, Haunted Mansion Holiday. The exhibit also featured concept art for the original Haunted Mansion, as well as concept art from Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
's The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas, often promoted as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a 1993 stop motion musical fantasy film directed by Henry Selick and produced/co-written by Tim Burton. It tells the story of Jack Skellington, a being from "Halloween Town" who opens a portal to...
, the film which the holiday overlay was based.
A Pirate's Life for Me (2003)
This exhibit showcased concept artwork from the Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a multi-billion dollar Walt Disney franchise encompassing a series of films, a theme park ride, and spinoff novels as well as numerous video games and other publications. The franchise originates with the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which opened at Disneyland in...
attraction and its many details and stories. Marc Davis' concept art was all over the Gallery, as were maquettes created by Imagineering master sculptor Blaine Gibson. In fact, several busts of the pirates Gibson created were on display.
In addition to the attraction artwork, one of the rooms showcased exclusive artwork and props from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a 2003 adventure fantasy film based on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney theme parks. It was directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
, the 2003 film that was based on the attraction. Some notable items included both Elizabeth Swann
Elizabeth Swann
Elizabeth Swann is a major character in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series produced by Walt Disney Pictures. She appears in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and its two sequels, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End...
and Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Jack Sparrow
Jack Sparrow is a fictional character and the central protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series created by screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, portrayed by Johnny Depp. He is first introduced in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl...
's costumes, one of the cursed Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
gold pieces, and Sparrow's compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
.
Frights, Camera, Action! The Haunted Mansion Goes Hollywood (2003 - 2005)
Based on the success of the Pirates exhibit and film, Disney stretched the synergy machine again for the next exhibition. This display again featured concepts from the Disneyland Haunted Mansion, but it also displayed concepts, props, and costume pieces from the 2003 film The Haunted MansionThe Haunted Mansion (film)
The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 American comedy horror family film which is based on The Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney theme parks. The film is directed by Rob Minkoff, and stars Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Jennifer Tilly, Marsha Thomason, and Nathaniel Parker...
, which was based on the attraction.
Although the film did not fare as well as Pirates, the art was a huge draw for guests. An added bonus was artwork from the Haunted Mansion attractions in the other Disney theme parks. It was intended to show how all the mansions influenced the one in the film.
Disneyland, A Magical Canvas: 50 Artists Celebrate 50 Years (2005 - 2007)
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, the Gallery showcased artwork from Disneyland exclusively. This exhibit was similar to the first, Art of Disneyland. Each region of the park was represented. What is different, however, is that the art displayed was from only 50 Imagineering artists; artists have multiple pieces throughout. The artists were selected by Walt Disney ImagineeringWalt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the design and development arm of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide...
because of their creative impact on the Park.
In July 2006, Setting Sail For New Adventures was added to the front room of the exhibit to display artwork from Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a multi-billion dollar Walt Disney franchise encompassing a series of films, a theme park ride, and spinoff novels as well as numerous video games and other publications. The franchise originates with the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which opened at Disneyland in...
, both the attraction and the films. It was done to capitalize on the certain success of the second Pirates film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is a 2006 adventure fantasy film and the second film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, following Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . It was directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by...
; the display included props and costumes from the film. Numerous pieces also reflected the revamped scenes from the Pirates attraction, which included Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Jack Sparrow
Jack Sparrow is a fictional character and the central protagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series created by screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, portrayed by Johnny Depp. He is first introduced in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl...
, Davy Jones
Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Davy Jones is a fictional character and antagonist in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Davy Jones is the captain of the Flying Dutchman , roaming the seas in search of souls to serve upon his vessel for a century...
, and Barbossa
Hector Barbossa
Hector Barbossa is a fictional character and pirate in the Disney film series Pirates of the Caribbean. Barbossa was first introduced in the series as the main antagonist of the first film, and pirate captain of the Black Pearl after committing mutiny against the ship's former captain, Jack...
.
Inspired by Disneyland (2007)
In celebration for the Gallery's 20th Anniversary, the Gallery unveiled a new exhibit featuring, for the first time, the work of artists who were not necessarily Imagineers. Contemporary artists including ShagSHAG (Josh Agle)
Josh Agle is an American artist, better known by the nickname SHAG.-Life:Agle's nickname is derived from the last two letters of his first name, and the first two letters of his last name...
, Jody Daily, Tom Wilson
Thomas F. Wilson
Thomas F. Wilson is an American actor, writer, musician, painter, voice-over artist and stand-up comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future trilogy and Coach Ben Fredricks on NBC's Freaks and Geeks.-Early life:Thomas Francis Wilson, Jr. was...
, Amanda Visell, Kevin Kidney, and Maggie Parr created original works that were based on their views and memories of walt disney world.
Enchanting the Classics (2009-2010)
The first show in its new venue on Main Street U.S.A. was an exhibit of original art related to classic Disney movies and attractions plus a room filled with prints of vintage storybook illustrations used in the Disney Little Golden BooksLittle Golden Books
Little Golden Books is a popular series of children's books. The first 12 titles were published on October 1, 1942:#Three Little Kittens#Bedtime Stories#Mother Goose#Prayers for Children#The Little Red Hen#Nursery Songs...
series for children. The books were all based on classic Disney films like Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty (1959 film)
Sleeping Beauty is a 1959 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and based on the fairy tale "La Belle au bois dormant" by Charles Perrault...
, Peter Pan
Peter Pan (1953 film)
Peter Pan is a 1953 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and based on the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J. M. Barrie. It is the fourteenth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series and was originally released on February 5, 1953 by RKO Pictures...
, and Mary Poppins.
Day One Disneyland (2010-)
Studies and plans generated in the design of the park, marking its 55th anniversary.External Links
See also
- List of past Disneyland attractions