Day 985 - Disney: It's the little things

What do I like most about Disney? It's the little things ...

There is so much to love about Disney. The rides, characters, entertainment, merchandise, smiles and general spirit and heart of kid-nom.  But for me it's the attention to detail that sets Disney apart. It's the little things ...

Let's look at the Disneyland Hotel for example.  In my room there are Mickey Mouse heads in the swirly carpet, hidden Mickey's in the bathroom tiles, Mickey ears in one set of lamps and Mickey's hands holding onto the lights in my bathroom.  My bedhead is a carved Disney castle which lights up and plays music at the flick of a switch.  I even have Mickey Mouse shaped taps at my sink and outside my tower there are Mickey, Minnie and Pluto shaped hedges. And if you look carefully there's one single hidden Mickey on the wall of the elevator.None of this is over the top, garish or obvious. It's subtle. It's the little things ...

In Disneyland itself it's the way the ground changes subtly between lands, the tiny detail in the rides to challenge the senses, the wonder in the waiting areas which are perfectly themed, the manicured gardens with authentic plants, the cleanliness of the streets and the beauty and care in the architecture.  The absolute attention to detail impresses me with every brick, plant, paver, fence, sign, costume and vehicle. It's the little things ...

Take the brand new Cars Land Radiator Springs Racers ride for example. The guest holding area for the long queues remains in theme with plants, buildings, flooring, signage and fences to match. But more than that it includes a covered area built from the empty oil bottles collected from Stanley's Oasis on Route 66. They are in the walls and light fixtures.  Fabulously authentic and nostalgic.  Even the floor signage remains true to theme. It's the little things ...

Every new Disney adventure is made up of thousands of tiny puzzle pieces which together create magic, intrigue, wonder and awe.

Yep, Disney is one hell of a big adventure, but it's the little things that does it for me.

Cars Land Grand Opening - the holding area

Cars Land Grand Opening - oil bottles collected from Route 66

Cars Land Grand Opening - Oil bottle light fixture

Cars Land Grand Opening - wall made of oil bottles collected from Route 66

Cars Land Grand Opening - floor signage