Snapshot! - N.P. 5357

In somewhat striking contrast to the feudal Japanese fortress that houses it is the Tin Toy Stories showcase, located in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT's World Showcase. Standing sentry outside the entrance to the exhibit is N.P. 5357, an oversize recreation of one of the most famous of all tin toy robots. A tin toy Mickey Mouse looks on from the nearby window display.

Snapshot! - The House of Magic

On the Streets of America in Disney's Hollywood Studios, a somewhat dark and mysterious storefront facade subtlety pays tribute to, what was for nearly two and a half decades, a Main Street institution at the nearby Magic Kingdom theme park. The House of Magic opened with Walt Disney World in October 1971 and was easily one of the most fun and entertaining retail shops on property. It was sadly closed in spring of 1995 as part of an extensive Main Street makeover.

Snapshot! - Goofy Gadgetry

The World of Disney at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World has an amazing assortment of large scale and colorful character vignettes that are suspended above the store's vast selection of merchandise and souvenirs. Wacky gadgetry is the overriding theme and Goofy is featured in a sleigh design that could almost be described as "happy steampunk."

Snapshot! - The Latest from Muppet Labs

Though I was largely Star Wars focused on my most recent visit to Disneys Hollywood Studios, I did happen to notice this additional piece of theming that was added to the exterior queue area of MuppetVision 3D. In this case, the buffoonery of Muppet Labs extends into the area adjacent to the Streets of America and nearby to Al's Toy Barn.

Snapshot! - Stormtroopers at the Crossroads

This year's inaugural Star Wars Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios was my first experience with the annual celebration. It was a fun and entertaining time, but I have to say that I enjoyed the Stormtroopers more than anything. They are cool. Very cool? Very, very cool.

Snapshot! - Deer Crossing

This photograph taken at the front of Sid Cahuenga's at Disney's Hollywood Studios demonstrates the frequent juxtaposition of designs and elements at Disney parks that are so much fun to document.

My family and I head south today for vacation. Thanks to the generosity of my most excellent friend George Taylor, we will be enjoying the luxuries of Saratoga Springs at Walt Disney World. (If you can't be in the DVC, at least make friends with someone who is!) I'll be updating 2719 Hyperion throughout the week from Disney World as opportunity permits.

Snaphot! - Revisiting the '80s

A computer keyboard, a Sony Walkman and and Pokey (AKA Clyde) all pay tribute to the decade of the 1980s at Walt Disney World's Pop Century Resort. Pop's larger than life set pieces are pure eye candy and a whole lot of fun.

Explore the 2719 Hyperion Archives:

Snapshot! - Of Phones and Foosball
Snapshot! - Surf's Up!
Snapshot! - Roger Rabbit: Larger Than Life

Snapshot! - Haunted Punnery

What is truly wonderful about the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is that the show continues well after you leave your Doom Buggy. The exterior crypts continue the tongue-in-cheek humor that underscores the classic attraction.

Snapshot! - Collecting Hollywood Dust

Playing to the darker and more sinister atmosphere of the Villains in Vogue store in Disney's Hollywood Studio is a decor that could be best described as "Hollywood Attic." Dusty props evoke an era yet to experience sound and Technicolor.

Tender and Tasty POPPED CORN - Oh Boy but it's Good!

Snapshot! - Please Make Use of this Facility

Public showers in Walt Disney World? Who da thought?

Continuing our celebration this week of the ten year anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom, we showcase this set piece from the African village of Harambe. After a long and dusty day on the Kilimanjaro Safaris, guests of the Hotel Burudika can freshen up at the nearby Kuoga Showers.

Snapshot! - Blue Dreams

The one overriding characteristic of the Year of a Million Dreams is that it is blue. Everything from promotional material to the Dream Squad, from Dream Fastpasses to the Dream Along with Mickey castle forecourt show. In this snapshot, it appears that Princess Aurora never received the "blue"memo.

Snapshot! - Lady and the Tramp Go Green

The horticultural representations of various Disney characters are among the real treats of Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival. Lady and the Tramp are featured in World Showcase. Lady is clearly having a bad "ear" day and seems notably self conscious about it. Unfortunately, Tramp has taken notice.

Snapshot! - Sand and Sun

Fun in the Sun is one of the prominent themes of the 2008 International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. In that vein, Future World plays host to this elaborate and very detailed sand sculpture.

Snapshot! - The Evil Queen of Candy

In contrast to yesterday's happy and colorful look at Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, today's Snapshot! presents the darker side of that fairy tale in the form of the Evil Queen. This striking set piece can be found at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. It resides at the Candy Cauldron on the West Side.

Snapshot! - Snow White and the Floral Dwarfs

Another great vignette from Epcot's 2008 International Flower and Garden Festival. Bordering the World Showcase Lagoon near the Germany pavilion is this flower garden that features beautiful horticultural incarnations of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Snapshot! - Burrito at Panchito's

The little flying donkey Burrito flew in to assist Panchito at his general store at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. Burrito featured prominently in the Flying Gauchito segment of The Three Caballeros; Panchito is of course the Caballero that hails from Mexico.

Snapshot! - Flower and Garden Delights

Epcot is literally exploding with life and color thanks to the 2008 International Flower and Garden Festival. Pluto proves that's its sometimes all right to let a dog in the garden. Nearby, Tic Tok is just one of the stunning elements of a horticultural vignette themed to Neverland and the characters from Peter Pan.

Snapshot! - Tomorrowland Twilight

Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World possesses a visual dynamic not shared but its other Magic Kingdom counterparts, with the possible exception of Main Street U.S.A. You see its dramatic and elaborate landscape well before you step onto its retro-futuristic Avenue of the Planets. This is particularly true after sunset when light and color combine for an often stunning tableau.

Snapshot! - A Tribute to Widowmaker

"From that time on them two stuck together, like warts on a toad, like birds of a feather."

Honored among the many tall tales and legends celebrated within Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe at Walt Disney World is the famous cowboy's faithful horse Widowmaker. When Sluefoot Sue entered the picture, Widowmaker was none too happy. Imagineers kept this in mind and the tribute to Sue is located in a different room at the cafe.

Snapshot! - Villains in Deco

The Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells shop in Disney's Hollywood Studios is an odd but effective and sometimes stunning mixture of Gothic and Art Deco styles that extends to the nearby Villains in Vogue location as well. Often missed due to the store's attractive and tempting assortment of candy and pastries is a series of high perched reliefs that serve as a hall of fame of Disney villains.