I had more to say about Disneyland than I could fit into Monday's post, so I'll write a little bit more about that today. What struck me on that visit was the architecture of the Pinocchio ride, "Pinocchio's Daring Journey." I was amazed to see how many iconic details were packed into it. Everywhere there were German/Swiss-type turrets and towers, carved and painted pillars, flower boxes on balconies, colorful pennants of all types...well, it would be a long list. Suffice it to say that Central European motiffs were well represented there.
Inside (above) the architectural compression was even more extreme. Parts of buildings overlap and interfere with each other as if an earthquake had pushed them together. I found myself wondering if real-world business buildings could be made with these tumbling blocks shapes. Would they be disorienting for the real-world people inside? Could they be made cheaply? I don't know.
The gondola we're sitting in takes us into the cave mouth and up to the dancing puppets (above). I love that double proscenium arch with the carving in the middle. I don't think that design was used in the movie, though.
The proscenium in the film (above) was simpler.
The ride fills the viewer with an affection for puppets. Fantasyland desperately needs a good toy store where puppets of all kinds can be had. Most of the Pinocchio toys sold at Disneyland are plush dolls, which is inappropriate.
They should sell posters, too, like the one above.
The Pinocchio ride ends with a ride through Gheppetto's workshop where unique toys are on display. Toys like that should be on sale.
One more picture (above) and I'm out of here....whaddaya think of these pennants? They should sell those in the toy store, too.