DLP: Kingdom of Spires

[RandySavage]

Fantasy Spires:

Flickr: wildfox76's Photostream


Flickr: S. Lo's Photostream


Flickr: annobee's Photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelforeman/


Exotic Spires:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shehbazbadesha/




http://www.flickr.com/photos/98054658@N00/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartworldv6/

Natural Spires:

Flickr: meanderingmouse's Photostream


Flickr: moacirdsp's Photostream

Machine Age Spires:

Flickr: T. Mavituna's Photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/35434766@N04/

Victorian Spires:

Flickr: laamar680's Photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/balachandar/

Melding Spires:

Flickr: bratislabat's Photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpanfan1953/


Flickr: Life of Heidi's Photostream

******

Truly, the most beautiful, artfully-designed theme park ever constructed.

[pussnboots]

Excellent observation. It is full of spires!

Perhaps that's why they thought a park of boxes would prove a nice contrast.

[RandySavage]

It's a good comparison. Like the idea behind cathedrals, spires draw the eye upward, let the mind and imagination expand and the soul soar.

Boxes, on the other hand, lower expectations, trap and confine with geometric precision.

City of Boxes:


City of Spires:

[nathan detroit]

Originally Posted by RandySavage

Boxes, on the other hand, lower expectations, trap and confine with geometric precision.

That would be WDS then

[Olivier]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Perhaps that's why they thought a park of boxes would prove a nice contrast.

LOL!
Great photos!!! The Fantasyland picture with SM and Panoramagique in the background is amazing.

[fizzog]

Nice spires, and indeed truly the most gorgeous theme park ever!

[davewasbaloo]

And people wonder why we get grumpy when they give us something uninspired that would fly in WDW.

[stitchon]

God... Disneyland Paris looks so amazing. Definitely on my "Gotta see it before I die" list. Thanks for the pictures!

[TDR_Fan]

Beautiful pictures. I think Fantasyland looks the prettiest of all.

[Imagineer Scott]

Originally Posted by davewasbaloo

And people wonder why we get grumpy when they give us something uninspired that would fly in WDW.

Did you see the latest park in WDW? I think we have great taste in parks here in WDW thank you very much!

[TDR_Fan]

Originally Posted by Imagineer Scott

Did you see the latest park in WDW? I think we have great taste in parks here in WDW thank you very much!

I'll give you World Showcase (amazing architectural representation) and parts of Animal Kingdom (yet it also contains the ugliest and tackiest area in all the Disney parks). But that's about it as far as "great taste" for the eyes at Walt Disney World- for me at least. And again, beauty is so subjective. I know many who prefer the natural beauty of Animal Kingdom over the mostly cosmetic architectural details and finishes in say Disneyland Paris or Tokyo DisneySea. At least with the latter two, the detail, theming, and beauty are always consistent and a wonder to behold. This is all my opinion of course. I find beauty in elaborate and decorative (especially architectural) theming.

[RandySavage]

Another great shot:

sn0wstorm on deviantART

In contrast, the mundane:


*****

What I find so astounding about the design of DLP is not only the quality of architecture/materials/craftsmanship, or all the details (circumnavigating covered walkway), but how well the transitions and cross-land vistas work together.

It's a little disconcerting that of the six men who led its design and building (Baxter, Burke, Sotto, Tietz, Morris and Delaney), only two remain with WDI.

[RandySavage]

Originally Posted by stitchon

God... Disneyland Paris looks so amazing. Definitely on my "Gotta see it before I die" list. Thanks for the pictures!

DLP may have reached its zenith in 1995: Space Mountain had just opened to round out Discoveryland; the lands were all coherent in their theme (for the most part); the myriad of park details were still relatively new and fully operational; upkeep was solid; hours were longer; entertainment was more numerous and diverse; and a number now-shuttered attractions were still open. Since then, DLP management has slowly yet steadily chipped away at the original quality of the park.

So go sooner than later to appreciate its superb design. And I recommend going when the weather is warm or at least tolerable.

I grew up in a cold part of the US, and trips to WDW were a welcome respite. I never realized how important a part of my Disney experience the 80 degree weather and palm trees were until I visited DLP for the first time on a cold, drizzling November day.

I quickly learned no matter how beautiful or detailed a park may be, it is difficult for me to appreciate it in uncomfortably cold, wet, defoliated weather.

[Magic Lamp]

This is exactly why giants can't go to DLP because their health insurance doesn't cover tripping over baby buggies and falling into spires.

[nojarama]

Just gorgeous! Thankies for sharing the reminder of how fabulous DLP is!