Walt Disney World’s attractions are works of art. There’s no arguing against that, really. It’s impossible to ride the Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean and believe anything other than the fact that you just experienced modern pop art.
But, there are other examples of artwork at Walt Disney World — much of it outside the parks. If you’re an art lover, there’s plenty of traditional works to look at and enjoy. Let’s take a look at a few of these.
Grand Canyon Concourse Mosaic
Image: aloha75, Flickr (license)
Mary Blair was an utter genius. Her most iconic work, it’s a small world, is so well ingrained in people’s minds that it has become something of a cliche. But when you look at the geometry and color Blair used in that attraction with a fresh eye, it’s hard not to be amazed once again by it.
While that attraction is her most famous work, her vision appears elsewhere in Disney art. And one composition, still on display today, rivals it’s a small world in both complexity and comfort.
The Grand Canyon Concourse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort remains one of the most beloved public spaces at Walt Disney World, and its centerpiece mural — designed by Blair — is as awesome and blissful as the cavernous space itself.
The contrast between the exuberant color in her murals and the neutral color of the rest of the space draws your eye immediately toward the masterwork, and once its there, you’ll find it difficult to pull your eye away.
It remains one of the most highly-regarded works of art at Walt Disney World, with critics reexamining it regularly.
Spaceship Earth Mural
Image: aloha75, Flickr (license)
Spaceship Earth, itself, is a singular achievement of architectural brilliance. It is instantly iconic, and still manages to take your breath away — even as the structure grows older and older. The rest of Epcot hasn’t aged quite as well from its mid-1980s glory days, but Spaceship Earth remains as awe-inspiring as ever.
But while the exterior is world famous, the attraction boasts yet another incredible work of art within it — only this one is less iconic and more blink-and-you’ll-miss-it.
Centered on an astronaut, but telling a broader story about communication throughout human history, the exterior entrance mural in front of the attraction is a gorgeous throwback to Disney’s obsession with 2D artwork. Created by Claudio Mozzoli, the mural has survived many refurbishments of the attraction, and remains an important part of Spaceship Earth’s storytelling.
As the attraction lacks a real queue, the structure itself must do much of the early storytelling work. And, Mozzoli’s mural — combined with the iconic shape of the “golf ball” — sets the tone for the experience that lies within.
Boardwalk Carousel Model
Image: debmomof3, Flickr (license)
In terms of artwork, it’s hard to top Boardwalk Inn’s lobby. Filled to the brim with early 20th century works, this particular lobby is an ode to the early days of American leisure — when the establishment of the 40-hour workweek led to a boom for pleasurable diversions.
One consequence of this boom was the growth of carousels as a type of amusement. You’ll find that most of the critically important carousels ever built come from this time period, including the scale model present in Boardwalk’s lobby.
Designed by Marcus Charles Illions, this scale model was build in the mid 1920s and, later, was acquired by Walt Disney World in order to add some life to their resort’s lobby. Now fully refurbished (with a couple hidden Mickeys thrown in), the carousel is still operable and is a wonderful work of art to behold.
Disney Attraction Posters
Image: aloha75, Flickr (license)
It might seem obvious, but this kind of artwork is as unique to the Disney experience as mouse ears and Mickey bars. Designed to look like movie posters, Disney’s attraction posters are a genre of art all to themselves.
Some, like Space Mountain’s, have seen slight modifications over the years as the attraction’s color palate has shifted. Others, like Big Thunder Mountain’s, remain much the same as they did on that ride’s opening day.
But, broadly, guests tend to walk right past these posters — most commonly seen beneath the Main Street Train Station in the Magic Kingdom. Take time to regard them to really appreciate how they begin setting up the story for each attraction. And, if you really love them, don’t worry — it’s fairly easy to buy reproductions for your home.
Boardwalk Night Scenes
Image: Dakota Gardner | Theme Park Tourist
Let’s return to the Boardwalk Resort, but let’s go just off the lobby — toward the Bellevue Lounge. In the corridor by the restrooms, you’ll find some absolutely stunning works of art — painted oil on canvas — that show what this beautiful boardwalk resort might look like at night to the nostalgist’s eye.
Painted with an astonishing sense of light, and with a clear attempt to draw out summertime feelings, these works are easy to find yourself lost in.
Are they critically astonishing? Of course not. But they do capture a very unique feeling — one that really is only replicated by being at the boardwalk on a summer night. Eye candy has its place, and this is among the best. Most Disney resorts have lobby art work along these lines, but the Boardwalk’s is as magical as Disney art gets.
Art of Animation Lobby
Image: justzanna, Flickr (license)
But if you’re looking for iconic Disney artwork, there is one place that is completely essential for you to view. That is, of course, the Art of Animation lobby.
Complete with character sketches, early designs, and full film-ready animation cels, it’s easy to get lost in this collection of amazing Disney art. No matter your favorite Disney movie or cartoon, you’ll find something to connect with here.
And, that cacophony of gorgeous work combines to make a singular monument to the great artistic creations of the Walt Disney Company. That monument, itself, is a gorgeous ode to the films and characters we love.
If you’ve never been, you must go — it has to be seen to be believed.
And, if you exhaust yourself of the lobby art, feel free to wander the grounds. Themed buildings and sculptures create a visual wonderland. For the Disney fanatic, there really is no better place. Art of Animation, itself, is a playful work of art themed after the art of Disney itself.
