Thursday, September 27, 2007

Seating For All Seasons

The next time you visit Sunshine Seasons, take a little extra time to decide which season you would like to enjoy your meal in. The seating area is divided into four sections and themed accordingly. Everything from the carpet to the table tops has been designed with a specific color palette to correspond to the given season.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

A Slice of Life

Ever wonder how the Anaheim Produce stand keeps its fruit supply well stocked? Wonder no more: it appears this truck does an excellent job of transporting large numbers of oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus.


Notice the careful attention to detail, even down to the period crate labels .

Monday, September 24, 2007

Before the Music Stops

In keeping with my duties as a member of the CAS, here is another fun crate found near the Streets of America (on the old stage area where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used to perform):


Make sure you take a seat before the music stops!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Les Moyens de Transports

The France pavilion has its very own Hector Guimard-designed art nouveau Métro entrance used to mark the entrance to the arcade that leads to the shops.


These ornate cast-iron and bronze structures were originally designed to coincide with the 1900 Paris World's Fair. Unfortunately, as time went on many of them met the wrecking ball until preservationists stepped in during the 1970s. Today only 86 of the original 141 remain, and of course, one right here in central Florida.

Friday, September 21, 2007

I Are Smart


Regardless of your opinion of the Dinoland USA area, you can not help but agree that it is full of details. This fun little sign on the back of the Airstream trailer outside Restaurantosaurus fits in nicely with the rest of the "graffiti" spread about by those wacky grad students.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Line Art


Take a walk around the beautifully themed Dig Site at Coronado Springs, and you will feel like you have entered an archaeological excavation of the lost city of Cibola, complete with an impressive Mayan pyramid.

However, as tempting as it is to look up and gaze upon this enormous structure, make sure you take the time to look down. You might just find some hidden treasure, in the form of pictographs, beneath your feet.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Take a Walk

I am back again at the Muppets store, this time featuring something that may or may not be intentional, but it is certainly amusing and fits in well with its environment.

A hook hangs empty on the wall, as if waiting for its merchandise to be restocked. While this is not normally so amusing, a look at the sign advertising what should be there warrants a pause.


Now there is such an item as an invisible dog leash, as I am sure you are all familiar with. But you tell me - is this an intentional joke or simply an overlooked fixture? Either way, it is a wonderful little detail.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

A Missed Opportunity

Merchandising is missing out on a great opportunity - who wouldn't want to take home some Ye-Tea as a reminder of their trip to Anandupur?

These boxes can be found in the queue for Expedition: Everest.

This poster can currently be found on the refurbishment walls for the Yak and Yeti.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Additional Parking


If you ever find yourself down Sunset Boulevard heading to the Theater, and just can not find a place to park, make sure you follow this helpful sign. You will be sure to find more parking spots at 8361 Vine Street.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

A Day At the Beach


Inside the Beach Club Resort, wander down the hallway that winds around the Cape May Cafe. To enhance the oceanic theming, there are various sculpted sandcastles decorated with colorful flags and shells hanging along the wall. Take a look, and you might even find a certain character enjoying one of the creations.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Good Sport


A collection of painted fans can be found framed and hanging on a wall inside the Hall of Champions (now a part of the Emporium). Each fan contains a scene of a woman engaged in a particular athletic activity. I would have to say my personal favorite would be the hunting design. There is just something about the image of a woman in a long skirt aiming a rifle. My how times have changed!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Check It Out

In response to my last post, George (Biblioadonis, of The Disney Geeks) requested some photos of the Public Library on the Streets of America. Much to my dismay, when I went back to take some detailed shots, I found that the Osborne Lights team had beaten me to the punch. The Year of a Million Refurb walls has claimed another victim, and the area is currently walled off to allow for the installation of the large light tree and rotating globe. So I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize to George for a slightly abbreviated exploration of this area.

The Public Library is located in The Plymouth building, which, to the best of my knowledge, is a fictious location. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong!

The architectural style features characteristics similar to that of Beaux-Arts or Greek Revival, with heavy stone arches, relief carvings, and statues.

Interestingly, this is not the only Library found on the Streets of America - another one can be found in the false facade at the end of the street.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Streetmosphere

Walking down the Streets of America, you will find a vast amount of details in the building windows. The fire escapes are also particularly intricate, including this one that can be found down the little dead end road across from the Public Library.


There are two patio chairs suitable for sitting outside and watching the world go by, and an especially fun detail of a potted plant complete with its own spray bottle.

(And yes, even though it is only September, it's never too early to celebrate Christmas on the Streets of America!)

Monday, September 3, 2007

Welcome Friends!

Walt Disney's "Gayest Musical Technicolor Feature," Saludos Amigos, is the subject of a delightful puzzle that can be found framed and hanging on the wall in the Carthay Circle Theatre shop on Sunset Boulevard. The image depicts Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, El Gaucho Goofy, a resident of Lake Titicaca, and a Samba dancer similar to the woman feature on the movie poster. Noticeably absent is Pedro the Plane.


The puzzle itself is interesting for some of the pieces are unique in shape: forming the likes of such things as a bottle, a donkey, a cowboy boot, and an elephant (what the elephant has to do with Latin America is beyond me!). Normally when a puzzle is completed and framed, it is done so in its entirety, so as to create the illusion of a complete image. Yet in this instance, some of the pieces are deliberately omitted, as if capturing a moment in time, and leaving no doubt as to the true nature of this wall hanging.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Let the Feast Begin!


This helpful calendar can be found on the bulletin board outside the Bat Room of the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia. Make sure you refer to it when making plans to visit the Anandapur Royal Forest, and always plan to visit on a Saturday!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Good Impression

As you walk across the bridge from the United Kingdom into France, take a look down near the water. The scene of a relaxing day near the river is perfectly captured in time, with fishing poles still arched over the water, bicycles propped up against the wall, and a painting in the midst of being completed.



The painting itself is of particular interest, as it is done in the style of the famous Impressionist period, made famous by the likes of Monet, Renoir, and many other talented artists. The style featured short, quick brushstrokes that were used to capture the fleeting quality of time rather than realistic details.

But before I let the Art History major in me really go all out, the painting's subject is really worth noting. It is of the World Traveler building in the International Gateway. I usually never give a second thought to that area - it's just one more gift shop on the way out of the park. Yet in viewing this painting, I was suddenly struck by its architecture. It perfectly blends aspects of its neighboring countries, France and the United Kingdom, to create a seamless transistion (much like the use of lightpoles or the infamous trashcans, but to a larger scale). In choosing this building as the subject for an Impressionist's painting, it directly connects the two areas even further to help intuitively link them.