Fantasy Faire Preview | Blue Sky Cellar

Before Cars Land opened, the team and I used to spend a lot of time at the Blue Sky Cellar.  I was personally fascinated by the all the drawings, concept art, design, and other pre-viz methods.  It gave me that tingly, anticipation for the upcoming improvements.  Since then, we had always made it a point to visit the Blue Sky Cellar whenever going to to California Adventure to see if there was anything new coming up.  So when we heard that Disneyland had put in a Fantasy Faire Preview, I was very eager to check it out.

This past Saturday I made a solo trip to the park with the express purpose of checking out the Blue Sky Fantasy Faire Preview bright and early.   I was hoping to have some time to myself in there so I could be free to photograph EVERYTHING.  But I was dismayed to find out that basically nothing but rides were working for annual pass holder early entry.  I would have to wait until 9 am  to check it out.

The preview was just as cool as I had hoped it would be.  There were five phases on display, full of photos, along the right hand wall as you enter.  These five phases were Research, Blue Sky,Concept, Feasibility, and Implementation

Phase 1: Research

This section got me hooked right away.  The photo of the young boy with Cinderella was mesmerizing.  I kept trying to empathize, figure out what he was feeling in the moment.  Cinderella too.  Magical is the only word that comes to mind.  The photos of Walt and Mickey are also very good.  Seeing this has given me more inspiration and appreciation for photography as a medium.  It’s so simple in many ways, but allows one to lose oneself in a single shot.  Just beautiful.

Phase 2: Blue Sky

As the name suggests, this would be where imagineers are given free reign to just come up with stuff.  Funny though, this was the least interesting of the phases to me.

Phase 3: Concept

Phase 4: Feasibility

Just look at all that detail on the snack cart.  Incredible.  I often wonder how easy this kind of thing must come to artistic professionals.

Phase 5: Implementation

More incomprehensible levels of detail.  The patience.  My hats off to you guys.

Fantasy Faire Preview

Some great closing shots here.  Figaro with the bird is an amusing touch.  I hope the animatronics do it justice.

I know some of you aren’t crazy about the idea of bringing Fantasyland out in front of the castle.  Some object that it encroaches on the hub.  There are some merits to these arguments, but I’m beginning to warm to this project myself.  Seeing the Fantasy Faire Preview has only solidified this opinion.  It’s just better than what was there before.  I’ll miss the Carnation Plaza, but I miss the People Mover too…