The facades on the Streets of America backlot at Disney's Hollywood Studios are just that, movie sets intended to be decorated differently depending on the needs of each production. For The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, everything from store windows to front stoops is dressed for the holidays. When it comes to the apartment balconies and fire escapes on the street, the Set Designers have taken the opportunity to use props and decor to tell a richer story about the people who might live in these places.
As it turns out, they're all celebrating something, even if it isn't necessarily Christmas. In the example above, a musician (see the trombone, music stand and tambourines) who happens to be Jewish is in the middle of enjoying Hanukkah. His neighbor below is either channeling Roy Rogers or has relocated to the big city from somewhere out west. The rope and saddle are obvious. More subtle are the pieces worked into the garland, everything from little stick ponies and boots to horseshoes and paisley bows.
The downstairs family below has kids (and apparently a thing for Hula Hoops). Upstairs from them lives a fisherman who must be looking forward to December 26 and the beginning of Kwanzaa. He already has a kinara made of lights, affixed to his balcony and ready to go.
The corner apartments below are occupied by definite showbiz types. One is a Dancing Queen with a gold lamé tree and disco balls, while the other is a comedian who has chosen to decorate with toys, feather boas and rubber chickens.
The next pair of balconies has a fan of ice skating and sledding living above overall sports fanatics. The athletic equipment stored outside their apartment includes skis, a basketball, tennis rackets (arranged in a particularly mouse-like pattern), hockey sticks, a baseball bat... even the chairs, grill and pom-pons they take to tailgate parties.
Finally, we come across two neighbors who may enjoy the Christmas holiday, definitely pine for warmer weather. The gardener's garland is composed of dozens of "fresh" flowers, along with the occasional pink flamingo. The surfer above has fish, turtles, pineapples, butterflies and orchids in the garland, with Tiki torches set up along the railing. Most fun, though, is the message he's created in lights on one of his boards: Peace, Love & Mickey Mouse. Isn't that just about all we need this holiday season?
You know, we normally travel to Disney in September, and these balconies are always my favorite. I spend minutes on each one looking at the intricate details Disney takes the time to implant in and on each one.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see someone else has an eye for the balconies and apartments.
It's really neat to see what Disney did with them during the holidays!
Thanks Shawn!