Disney Pic of the Week – Themed Landscaping

Focus on Disney World by Barrie Brewer

One of the ways Imagineers make us feel like we are actually in the scene they are conveying is by creating a landscape that has the feel of that place. Just wander around World Showcase and take note of how the plant life differs from one country to the next. In the United Kingdom you’ll find a quaint cottage garden and a hedge maze. Thanks to Jack Spence’s fabulous blog we know that in France we’ll find a Jardin à la française (French formal garden), a style of landscaping that is based on balance and symmetry. The Japan pavilion hosts a hill garden – a Japanese art form more than 1,000 years old.

You’ll find the same attention to landscaping detail in all of Disney’s parks and resort areas. Although I love it, I rarely stay at the Wilderness Lodge because it feels so much like home to me. I live in Oregon and when I go on vacation I want to feel like I’m somewhere else. I’ll take the tropical plants of the Polynesian or the palm trees of Old Key West over the pines and boulders of the lodge!

Although only three pictures will hardly even scratch the surface, our Pic of the Week will take a look at themed landscaping this week.

Tomorrowland Landscaping
Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR, 1/640s shutter, f13

This old picture from the Magic Kingdom is the only one I have of one of my favorite themed landscapes in Walt Disney World. This scene near the entrance to Tomorrowland makes me think of a landing site that you might have seen on Lost in Space back in the day. I think the Imagineers really nailed it with this design.

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2 Replies to “Disney Pic of the Week – Themed Landscaping”

  1. Ah too funny, you just made me realize my duplicity.

    I love the Lodge too, but all the pine trees – well, Maine is the Pine Tree State! So I don’t care to stay there.

    But my favorite resort is the BoardWalk because I just love the waterfront theming and the horn of the ships remind me of home and the boats in Casco Bay.

    Love that photo, will need to check that out I rarely go over that bridge.

    Barrie’s reply: Thanks Nancy! Boardwalk is my fave too.

  2. I am from Michigan and I share your feelings about staying at Wilderness Lodge. I like to stay where I can sense something other than home life. I just wish the Poly would build DVC suites.

    Barrie’s reply: Wouldn’t that be cool!