8/08: A last look at Court des Anges, Geppetto's Workshop, Dept. 56, +MORE
Posted 08-07-2008 at 10:37 PM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 08-08-2008 at 01:15 AM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 08-08-2008 at 01:15 AM by Dateline Disneyland
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!
COURTYARD OF CASHIERS
Every holiday season, the quiet Courtyard des Anges in the far back of New Orleans Square gets decked out in its seasonal finest, making it one of the most romantic spots in the park as well as a very popular location for family portraits.
The online Disney community has been buzzing this week on reports that along with its traditional holiday decor this year, the area will also be selling holiday decor.
Apparently canopies will go up over the space, registers will move in, and new display cases will offer an expanded selection of Christmas decorations from the connecting L'Ornement Magique shop.
The entire set-up will be similar to the nearby Royal Courtyard that was converted into expanded Pirates of the Caribbean retail space between the two current Pirates retail shops, Pieces of Eight and Port Royal.
It's unfortunate that one of the last remaining quiet corners in the park where you can simply escape for a few minutes in an evocative, richly-themed, area is now falling victim to the desires of increased merchandise profits.
We've already lost Frontierland's Tom Sawyer Island to Caribbean pirates. The Disney Gallery has disappeared from the attraction roster and become a heavily-promoted private hotel suite that almost no park guests get to experience. And "it's a small world" is being transformed into a "Where's Waldo?" of Disney characters.
How much more of this thematic erosion can continue before all of Disneyland's charm and magic is chipped away just so the bottom line can look a little better for the money boys in Team Disney Anaheim?
What happens when all of the little magical touches like this are gone from the park, and the special touches that make Disneyland what it is, have all moved on to Yesterland?
When is enough finally enough?
MOVING IN
Over in Fantasyland, the Three Fairies Magic Crystals shop is reportedly moving over to the former Geppetto's Holiday Workshop store.
A peek through the window reveals that work is going on inside.
ALL DRIED UP
The two water play areas in a bug's land are currently closed.
DEPARTMENT 56
Walls are now up around parts of Department 56 in Downtown Disney.
A window has been removed in the front of the store.
And plastic has gone up behind the curtain.
THIS AND THAT
And to end, various shots from around the parks.
COURTYARD OF CASHIERS
Every holiday season, the quiet Courtyard des Anges in the far back of New Orleans Square gets decked out in its seasonal finest, making it one of the most romantic spots in the park as well as a very popular location for family portraits.
The online Disney community has been buzzing this week on reports that along with its traditional holiday decor this year, the area will also be selling holiday decor.
Apparently canopies will go up over the space, registers will move in, and new display cases will offer an expanded selection of Christmas decorations from the connecting L'Ornement Magique shop.
The entire set-up will be similar to the nearby Royal Courtyard that was converted into expanded Pirates of the Caribbean retail space between the two current Pirates retail shops, Pieces of Eight and Port Royal.
It's unfortunate that one of the last remaining quiet corners in the park where you can simply escape for a few minutes in an evocative, richly-themed, area is now falling victim to the desires of increased merchandise profits.
We've already lost Frontierland's Tom Sawyer Island to Caribbean pirates. The Disney Gallery has disappeared from the attraction roster and become a heavily-promoted private hotel suite that almost no park guests get to experience. And "it's a small world" is being transformed into a "Where's Waldo?" of Disney characters.
How much more of this thematic erosion can continue before all of Disneyland's charm and magic is chipped away just so the bottom line can look a little better for the money boys in Team Disney Anaheim?
What happens when all of the little magical touches like this are gone from the park, and the special touches that make Disneyland what it is, have all moved on to Yesterland?
When is enough finally enough?
MOVING IN
Over in Fantasyland, the Three Fairies Magic Crystals shop is reportedly moving over to the former Geppetto's Holiday Workshop store.
A peek through the window reveals that work is going on inside.
ALL DRIED UP
The two water play areas in a bug's land are currently closed.
DEPARTMENT 56
Walls are now up around parts of Department 56 in Downtown Disney.
A window has been removed in the front of the store.
And plastic has gone up behind the curtain.
THIS AND THAT
And to end, various shots from around the parks.
Alright, that should do it for this week's edition of Dateline Disneyland. Thanks as always for reading, and be sure to share your thoughts below.
See you next week!
- Andy
Total Comments 40
Comments
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Tragic, REALLY!
This is awful news about the courtyard! It is one of my most cherished places to visit in Walt Disney's Disneyland.
TDA is so out of touch with the ideals of Disney it would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.
It seems as though the more they chip away at his vision the less I am motivated to go spend thousands of dollars for a premium vacation at the Disneyland Resort trademarked and copyrighted by heartless corporation. People within the comapny are the only ones left to put up a fight since I can no longer go to city hall to write a compliment or complaint.
Perhaps Micechat is the last place I can comment on and have my opinion heard. Alas how am i (yes, little i) going to show my displeasure at this corporate greed for the quick and easy buck.
I can't just show my displeasure by not going there and not spending my money, because, as PT Barnum once said ' there is a ....(one) born every minute' and my money will be quickly replaced by some other sap not knowing that the SHOW Walt Disney Presented has been edited and comercialized to drain your wallet.Posted 08-08-2008 at 02:12 AM by Raysir X
Updated 08-08-2008 at 02:16 AM by Raysir X (grammar and spelling fix) -
Wow. That sucks. No portraits this year.
98% of the people in that ornament shop are just browsing anyway!!Posted 08-08-2008 at 02:36 AM by richboi117 -
Amazing update this week Andy!!
GREAT photos!!
Posted 08-08-2008 at 02:36 AM by peoplemover1 -
Do we know if the changes to the courtyard are just for the holiday season or will it become retail year round? Please don't be permanent!!!!!Posted 08-08-2008 at 04:56 AM by jmuboy - Those are the most beautiful DCA images I've ever seen. You make the park look terrific!Posted 08-08-2008 at 07:15 AM by crankypage
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As much as I love the photography, the commentary really gets old. And I feel strongly that it's simply too soon to say that iasw is going to become a Where's Waldo. Wait to see it, then we'll all judge.
I did, however, learn that the courtyard has a name - pretty cool!Posted 08-08-2008 at 07:42 AM by danyoung -
Amazing pictures! My heart breaks at the thought of losing my absolute favorite place in the park. I pray it's not a permanent change.Posted 08-08-2008 at 08:00 AM by Tea 
- It was bad enough to lose the gallery! The courtyard was magical! A talking head on television remarked how he went to DL yesterday and it was packed, so the economy must be good. Too bad attendance is the worst it's been in years, in reality.Posted 08-08-2008 at 08:28 AM by whamo
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Well, the column is described as a 'Photo update and commentary' on the MiceAge front page. So, you were properly warnedQuote:Originally Posted by danyoungAs much as I love the photography, the commentary really gets old. And I feel strongly that it's simply too soon to say that iasw is going to become a Where's Waldo. Wait to see it, then we'll all judge.
I did, however, learn that the courtyard has a name - pretty cool!
As for "it's a small world" -- take a look at Hong Kong Disneyland's version. Where's Waldo, indeed.
In any case, I'm glad you enjoy the photos. Thanks for looking
- Andy
Dateline DisneylandPosted 08-08-2008 at 09:15 AM by MasterGracey - Is this change for the courtyard only temporary for the holiday season? From the article, I got the impression that it was.
[quote]"Apparently canopies will go up over the space, registers will move in, and new display cases will offer an expanded selection of Christmas decorations from the connecting[I] L'Ornement Magique[/I] shop."[/quote]
Let's not jump to conclusions people.Posted 08-08-2008 at 09:24 AM by disney-fan-reborn -
Did Paul Pressler sneak back into the park?Posted 08-08-2008 at 09:25 AM by ni_teach -
The last two pictures are awsome! Great update!Posted 08-08-2008 at 09:27 AM by WheresMickey -
Thanks for the update, Andy. Your shots just keep getting better and better. Well done!Posted 08-08-2008 at 09:58 AM by Mac Daddy -
I always love seeing your shots, great artistic eye! Would love to buy some of them from you, and I bet others would too - if only a service existed out there that let you ...Posted 08-08-2008 at 10:05 AM by GreenJimmy - The L'Ornement Magique shop is open year-round. Also, the shop extension is reportedly opening in October, well before the start of Disneyland's holiday season.Quote:Originally Posted by disney-fan-rebornIs this change for the courtyard only temporary for the holiday season? From the article, I got the impression that it was.
Let's not jump to conclusions people.Quote:"Apparently canopies will go up over the space, registers will move in, and new display cases will offer an expanded selection of Christmas decorations from the connecting L'Ornement Magique shop."
I'm thinking this will be a long-term shop extension and not just for the holiday season.
- Andy
Dateline DisneylandPosted 08-08-2008 at 10:07 AM by MasterGracey - Thanks for the wonderful pictures and the update.Posted 08-08-2008 at 10:15 AM by Carnation Dave
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beautiful & fab pix!! have a fabulous weekend everyone!Posted 08-08-2008 at 10:18 AM by wdwnut4life - Select photos from this update are available on my flickr page: http://flickr.com/photos/andycastro/. I believe you can purchase prints thereQuote:Originally Posted by GreenJimmyI always love seeing your shots, great artistic eye! Would love to buy some of them from you, and I bet others would too - if only a service existed out there that let you ...
- Andy
Dateline DisneylandPosted 08-08-2008 at 11:04 AM by MasterGracey -
Thanks for the update, and the photos are great as usual.
Great, another lovely quiet spot as Disneyland destroyed by the money grubbing short sighted bottom line oriented idiots in TDA. Looks like we will NOT be making a visit to Disneyland this year, although I'm sure my letter of protest will be returned to me citing the new company policy on rejecting any public input on the parks.Posted 08-08-2008 at 11:12 AM by wulfblat - Maybe I mis-quote a tad, but if I remember Walt Disneys own statements on video about what the new land would be like (NOS) he said in effect that it would be a place to slowly meander about. And to DISCOVER intresting streets and beautiful courtyards. That we could shop in quaint little shops. I don't think he meant for it to end up looking like some kind of swap-meet. Walt was a true genuis who knew how to open our hearts and are wallets. First and foremost was to give the guest a great show.Posted 08-08-2008 at 11:39 AM by RikiTiki66
