Attention to detail is one of the overwhelming pleasures of Disney Parks around the world. There are several spaces at Disney that represent near perfect attempts at subliminal coercion through the use of details. One of my favorite examples of this is the fireplace in the lobby of The Wilderness Lodge. Not only is the fireplace an imposing centerpiece of great scale, it houses one of my favorite lobby facts of all the WDW resorts.
The fireplace took 2 billion years to make.Well, the fireplace didn't, but the geological model for it did. The fireplace is a representation of the geological stratification of the Grand Canyon. In fact, it's exact! Every layer is represented accurately and for good measure a period faithful fossil is occasionally thrown in.
I can remember the very first time I experienced the lobby (yes, you have to use the word experienced--Disney said so!); my jaw dropped--as did most people's. It is undoubtedly one of the most impressive public spaces that Disney has ever created.
Once again...it's all in the details.
4 comments:
I have yet to experience this lobby even as a casual passerby.
But, it's on the wish list of places to stay in future visits.
I'm constantly amazed at the levels of accuracy Disney Imagineers attempt to achieve when designing elements for the parks. They could've very easily chosen a random pattern for the fireplace, but chose to make it match accurately to the layers of the Grand Canyon's striations
Andrew - I completely agree. This lobby is a stunning achievement.
One of my favorite locations in all of WDW.
Look for a post on 2719 in the next few days that showcases a little known set of design elements from the WL lobby that is very, very cool . . .
A little shameless self-promotion, Jeff?
Can't wait to see what you've got rolled up your sleeve!
Ray--you will have to go by WL during MouseFest.
chris--thanks for stopping by. WL is amazing. The Villas will probably be our next, next, next, next trip.
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