The Disney Gallery (1987–2007) was a unique attraction and retail space in Disneyland, located above the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance in New Orleans Square. As the only area listed on park maps as both an attraction and a store, it showcased Disney-related art, including preliminary sketches, concept art, and themed exhibits, with prints and books available for purchase.
Here are 10 fun facts about The Disney Gallery during its 1987–2007:
- Prime Location: Opened on July 11, 1987, The Disney Gallery occupied a 3,600-square-foot space originally intended as Walt and Lillian Disney’s private apartment, featuring a private outdoor patio overlooking the Rivers of America.
- Rotating Exhibits: The gallery hosted changing displays, such as the “100 Mickeys” exhibit (1990s) with various Mickey Mouse artworks, concept art for films like The Little Mermaid (1989), and sketches for attractions like Splash Mountain (1989).
- Print-on-Demand System: Guests could purchase high-quality prints of exhibited artwork, including concept sketches and paintings, via a print-on-demand service, allowing customization of size and framing for home decor.
- Ride Poster Prints: The gallery sold reproductions of Disneyland’s iconic attraction posters, like those for Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise, originally displayed in the tunnels under the Main Street railroad tracks.
- Disney Art Books: A permanent retail section offered books on Disney animation, Imagineering, and park history, such as The Art of Disneyland and Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look, appealing to art enthusiasts.
- Imagineer Showcase: Exhibits often featured works by Disney Imagineers, including Sam McKim’s park maps, Herb Ryman’s castle sketches, and Marc Davis’ Pirates of the Caribbean character designs, highlighting the creative process. The gallery occasionally displayed Walt Disney’s personal sketches, like his early Mickey Mouse doodles, connecting guests to the founder’s artistic roots in a space meant to be his own.
- Historical Artifacts: Some displays included rare items, like original animation cels from Snow White (1937) or storyboards from unbuilt attractions, offering a glimpse into Disney’s creative archives.
- Themed Decor: The gallery’s interior mimicked a Victorian art salon, with ornate moldings, chandeliers, and plush furnishings, complementing New Orleans Square’s 19th-century aesthetic while showcasing modern Disney art.
- Free Admission: As an attraction, entry was free, inviting all guests to explore exhibits without a ticket, though its retail side encouraged purchases of prints, books, and collectibles.
- Closure for Dream Suite: The gallery closed in October 2007 to convert the space into the Disneyland Dream Suite, a luxury apartment for promotional stays, but reopened in 2009 at the Main Street Bank of America building.
