Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris is home to not just princesses and European storybook characters. It's also a place where Disney's "Fab Five" fit right in, especially as they appeared in some of their medieval or fairytale roles over the years.
Inside and out, La Menagerie du Royaume (The Menagerie of the Kingdom) is built to look like a tent, complementing the carousel nearby. You'll even find carousel horses designed into the stained glass window and at the pinnacle of the structure. The shop itself offers the typical character merchandise, but the highlight is this sculpture of Goofy at the center. The Goof appears much as he did in the 1946 animated short, "A Knight for a Day."
Nearby is Sir Mickey's, where
everyone's favorite mouse gets into the fairytale action. This store in Paris actually inspired the creation of a
similar shop at the Magic Kingdom. Here, the inclusion of the giant beanstalk not only supports the story being told, but contributes to a sense that this is a true fantasy environment, different from the traditional European village some of the park's Guests might actually think of as home.
Inside, details bring to life Mickey's adventures in "The Brave Little Tailor" (the sewing equipment, fabric and thread) and "Mickey and the Beanstalk" (the mural of Happy Valley).
Look up, and you'll find the beanstalk has entered the cottage, sweeping up chairs and lanterns as it grows. Mickey is there, too, holding on for the ride. Next stop: the castle in the clouds to rescue the singing harp from a giant.
Don't look now, Mickey, but you might not have to go far to find that giant. Willie is peeking in through the upper window of the cottage, curious about what's going on inside.
TAND
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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