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My picture threads consist of images I have taken that focus on the architecture, landscape architecture, planning, design, and theming of the facilities highlighted. They may also contain short descriptions and commentary, but will not focus on construction progress or special events or memorabilia or food selections or my traveling companions. Hopefully these threads are a good introduction for those who have not seen these places yet. All killer, no filler!
Sunshine Plaza photographed in December 2008:
This is the only one of the five lands at the park without any attractions; instead, it serves as the entry area and hub from which the others radiate. It is also the most abstract, attempting to establish the park's overall theme, but fails to create a cohesive impression.
Park Entry:
The plaza between this park entrance and Disneyland's park entrance features giant letters that spell 'CALIFORNIA'. Subtle.
Guest Services Buildings:
The two buildings that surround the entry gates are decorated with an attractive abstract tile mosaic depicting scenes from the state and are successful in establishing the theme. Unfortunately, the style is misplaced in relation to the more realistic and stately Main Street Train Station that dominates Disneyland's entrance that faces this. Also, two adjacent forms compete for attention with the mosaic facades and lessen its impact: the Golden Gate Bridge and the Soarin' Over California attraction building.
Golden Gate Bridge:
This dismally-proportioned element serves as the concealment for the Disneyland Monorail track that crosses over the entry area. It is a poorly conceived beacon for the entrance which pales in comparison to Disneyland's. With an entry land designed to be an abstraction, why crown it with an element that depicts a very specific icon? It was obviously designed not to be an exact copy but more of a mannerist take on the famous bridge, but the effect is still neurotic.
Greetings From California:
This large souvenir shop complex is on one side of the entry walkway and is a good transition between the abstract tile mosaic facades and the adjacent Hollywood Backlot land facades.
Shops and Food:
Several shops and small food locations are located on the other side of the entry walkway from Greetings From California; instead of being similarly styled abstract facades, these occupy a more realistic recreation of the older Mission style train stations of the state.
Sunshine Plaza:
The hub itself is a plaza of sinuously curved planters and seatwalls with patches of broken inset tiles, all of which surround an abstract wave-like fountain at the base of a large abstract metal sun sculpture.
Enjoy!
Sunshine Plaza photographed in December 2008:
This is the only one of the five lands at the park without any attractions; instead, it serves as the entry area and hub from which the others radiate. It is also the most abstract, attempting to establish the park's overall theme, but fails to create a cohesive impression.
Park Entry:
The plaza between this park entrance and Disneyland's park entrance features giant letters that spell 'CALIFORNIA'. Subtle.
Guest Services Buildings:
The two buildings that surround the entry gates are decorated with an attractive abstract tile mosaic depicting scenes from the state and are successful in establishing the theme. Unfortunately, the style is misplaced in relation to the more realistic and stately Main Street Train Station that dominates Disneyland's entrance that faces this. Also, two adjacent forms compete for attention with the mosaic facades and lessen its impact: the Golden Gate Bridge and the Soarin' Over California attraction building.
Golden Gate Bridge:
This dismally-proportioned element serves as the concealment for the Disneyland Monorail track that crosses over the entry area. It is a poorly conceived beacon for the entrance which pales in comparison to Disneyland's. With an entry land designed to be an abstraction, why crown it with an element that depicts a very specific icon? It was obviously designed not to be an exact copy but more of a mannerist take on the famous bridge, but the effect is still neurotic.
Greetings From California:
This large souvenir shop complex is on one side of the entry walkway and is a good transition between the abstract tile mosaic facades and the adjacent Hollywood Backlot land facades.
Shops and Food:
Several shops and small food locations are located on the other side of the entry walkway from Greetings From California; instead of being similarly styled abstract facades, these occupy a more realistic recreation of the older Mission style train stations of the state.
Sunshine Plaza:
The hub itself is a plaza of sinuously curved planters and seatwalls with patches of broken inset tiles, all of which surround an abstract wave-like fountain at the base of a large abstract metal sun sculpture.
Enjoy!
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