Part Three: Explorer's Landing /
Fortress Explorations I
Walking up into the Fortress, there is
plenty to explore!
Now you can see where we got the previous
hotel shots from in the photo below. By the way, the cannons all can be
"fired" - they make noise and expel smoke. What a terrific
detail!
Walking along, we encounter a flying
machine! (Remember, this is a Fortress about exploration!)
Every detail is looked after - as this
sucker looks like it can take off any moment! Take a closer look below
at the handicraft involved:
Amazing isn't it? But the craftsmanship
doesn't stop there - let's enter inside the Fortress and go through the
Explorer's Hall...
The gilded paint - the artwork - even the
careful selection of colors to provide an antique look to the area is
perfectly done. What I love about this is how much care went into this
one room.
Sure, there are some murals at California
Adventure (although the subject matter of tortillas for one is a bit of
a letdown), but none have the care and level of research the ones shown
here have involved.
Look closer in the two photos below at how
they tell a story - something that the Disney company usually takes
pride in (but apparently though was too expensive for the new Anaheim
park).
I can imagine that the cast members working
this attraction can probably explain all the art on the walls here.
(Plus I wonder if this same artwork can be reproduced in merchandise
items - clothing, bedspreads, maps or even a book.)
As I mentioned before, this is the kind of
detailing that can overwhelm visitors, but it makes people want to come
back to take more of it in. It could also inspire - ahem - merchandise.
There is also a Pendulum room...
Look at the inlaid wood (below in close-up),
especially the antiqued detailing in the brass pegs the pendulum knocks
over as it swings...
What a rich environment! So rich as a matter
of fact, that this section has to expand to a second part. (Due in no
large part to trying to organize all this wonderful material properly so
it makes sense to you as we put it up online.)
Now let's see what
else is inside the Fortress, and (as seen below) just what is parked
out at dock alongside it.
Again, our special thanks go to our
photographer Todd Meigan. Without the tremendous care he took in taking
these photographs, we wouldn't have this special tour to share with you.
The adventure continues!
