Imagineers leave traces of their artistry in everything they create. But one Imagineer left a special legacy behind: she shaped one of the most famous attraction characters ever to come out of the Disney parks…a character that was named after her. Let’s meet Leota Toombs Thomas. Â Source: Disney Parks Blog Thomas started her career at […] Read more…
Sometimes, finding concept art for Disneyland spaces can be really tricky, especially when they were designed more than 60 years ago. But other times, the art is so plentiful that it can feel overwhelming! And then…there’s Cars Land. Honestly, the best concept art for this space is the movie Cars itself. Imagineers really went as close […] Read more…
Imagineers undoubtedly pave the way for future theme park designers, often being the first to implement a new technology, style, or even standard that raises the industry bar. But sometimes, Imagineers themselves achieve firsts within Disney itself. Meet Harriet Burns, the first female Imagineer. Â Source: D23 A born and raised Texan, Burns and her family […] Read more…
Concept art is never an exact architectural plan for a land. Instead, it’s more like a stylized vision board conveying the land’s story, major elements, etc. Concept art brings the written and technical ideas to life in a visual way. I love looking through concept art to see how a land’s ideas eventually translate into […] Read more…
A few weeks ago, I shared the first of a new series highlighting some amazing Imagineers that shaped Disneyland. For this post, I’d like to share the contributions of a lesser-known Imagineer: Alice Davis. Â Source: The Kingdom Insider Alice Davis, born 1929, never set out to be an Imagineer. As a student as the Chouinard […] Read more…
If you’ve been a reader of this blog for any amount of time, you know New Orleans Square is my absolute favorite land at the resort. I love exploring the different streets, listening for the sounds coming from the windows and admiring all the little details. And when you take a look at the land’s […] Read more…
You probably haven’t thought too much about the soda you drink as you wander Disneyland. But for the first few decades of park operation, there was a battle happening for dominance in the park: Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola. The grand prize? Exclusivity across the park. Â Source: World’s Fair Photos Coca-Cola sold drinks in Disneyland from day […] Read more…
Most Disneyland fans know that Imagineers are amazingly talented people. They design and create one-of-a-kind attractions, pushing the boundaries of both storytelling and technology. And unfortunately, many park visitors know so little about the people that created their favorites spaces within the parks. So welcome to a new series: Imagineer Influence, where we’ll take a […] Read more…
If you’ve ever stopped for some Dole Whip or just a moment’s rest inside the Tropical Hideaway, you may have noticed some names on the back wall. But who are they? Meet the SEA These are members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA for short), a fictional troop filled with all kinds of […] Read more…
It’s extremely difficult to get permission to film ANYTHING on Disney property – so it’s not a surprise that very few movies ever show the parks. But over the years, a few shots of Disneyland have made their way onto the big screen – sometimes with permission, sometimes without it. Here’s a list of movies […] Read more…
Sometimes, age doesn’t guarantee success. For the most part, if a Disneyland attraction survives a few years, it’s probably going to stay in the park. But every so often, whether it be a changing land, waning interest, or re-theming, decades-old attractions close their doors for good. Here are the 10 oldest attractions in the park […] Read more…
Some of Disneyland’s attractions are globally famous, even among non-Disney fans. Maybe it’s the storytelling, visuals, tales from park visitors…and maybe it’s their catchy theme songs that never leave your brain. While virtually every attraction across the parks features music of some kind, a lucky few actually have specially composed theme songs, leaving guests humming […] Read more…
 Source: Matthew Luhn A while back, I wrote a post about land concepts for Disneyland that never came to fruition. And of course, lands aren’t the only creative concepts that don’t become reality! Here are a few of Disneyland’s concepts for thrill rides, that ultimately would never see the light of day. Late 1960s Space […] Read more…
Disneyland is famous for its attention to detail – everything from trash can placement to smells in different lands. But this obsession with perfection didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, Imagineers get better and better at manufacturing the perfect park experience. This starts with the gates opening in the morning, and ends with lighting the […] Read more…