Character Castle Makeover (Concepts & Visuals) – 15th Anniversary – Disneyland Resort Paris

Introduction
Concept Art
Advertising Visuals

A behind-the-dreams look at concept art and advertising visuals presenting the Character Castle Makeover and providing a preview of the overlay, allowing us to look back and see its progress from sketch, to glossy visual, to reality!

Concept Art

Released 21st February 2007

Design by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment Paris

Concept Art

Concept Art is a Disney tradition – entertainment and seasonal events are no different! Each of the fifteen character additions and the giant “15” window were designed to perfection by the creative masters behind the magic at Disneyland Resort Paris.

Character Castle Makeover Concept Art

Released: 21st February 2007, Euro Disney SCA Shareholders’ AGM (Captured by Mouetto, DCP forum)

Final concept art for the makeover, as revealed during the February 2007 AGM. The artwork shows all the final designs of the character statues in their final positions. It also introduced Buzz Lightyear to the line-up, whilst switching the positions of Chip & Dale with Hewey, Dewey & Lewey.

Character Statues Concept Art

Released: 21st February 2007, Euro Disney SCA Shareholders’ AGM (Captured by Mouetto, DCP forum)

Final concept art for all of the character statues.

Advertising Visuals

Released 4th July – 12th October 2006

Advertising Visuals

For travel partners and the press, Disney creates glossy “key visuals” to promote their products. With an event as grand as the 15th Anniversary, a huge series of character visuals were created. Intended mainly for travel company brochure covers but also used for general anniversary advertising, these depict the Character Castle Makeover at daytime as the central icon of the 15th Anniversary celebrations.

Buzz Lightyear does not appear on any advertising visuals, likely due to the Pixar copyright disclaimer which would then be required for every use of the image.

Original 15th Anniversary Key Visual

Released: 4th July 2006

The very first marketing visual released for the 15th Anniversary, this daytime “Key Visual” from July 2006 shows full-colour characters rather than the final golden designs. This original design also featured Winnie the Pooh atop the third-highest spire.

Revised 15th Anniversary Key Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

A second, revised set of visuals were issued in October 2006, replacing Winnie the Pooh (whose A.A. Milne-created character has consistently had rights issues) with Pinocchio and Figaro.

15th Anniversary Mickey & Minnie Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

The Disney VIPs were also featured up-front for the first time, in addition to the other characters seen in later visuals. This visual features Mickey and Minnie, a very rare time when non-Disney travel organisations have been permitted use of these valuable assets.