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Concepts & 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

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.

ImageCharacter 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.

ImageCharacter 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

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.

ImageOriginal 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.

ImageRevised 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.

Image15th 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.

Image15th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

Mickey Mouse introduces the Character Castle Makeover.

Image15th Anniversary Minnie Mouse Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

Minnie Mouse in a yellow dress with pink bow and shoes.

Image15th Anniversary Donald Duck Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

Donald Duck in his famous classic sailor outfit holding his candle.

Image15th Anniversary Goofy Visual

Released: 12th October 2006

Goofy attempts to perch is candle perilously in front of the Castle.

Image15th Anniversary Cheshire Cat Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Cheshire Cat grins for the cameras as he holds his candle high.

Image15th Anniversary Hewey Dewey & Lewey Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Donald's nephews, Hewey, Dewey and Lewey, clamber on top of each other to hold their candle the highest.

Image15th Anniversary Seven Dwarfs Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Dopey rests up-front with the candle whilst other six dwarfs sit on the Castle's moat wall.

Image15th Anniversary Pinocchio & Figaro Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Pinocchio in puppet form holds his candle with Figaro climbing over his little wooden head.

Image15th Anniversary Dumbo & Timothy Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

A circus-styled Dumbo flies into the sky holding his candle with his trunk, as Timothy rides in his hat.

Image15th Anniversary Baloo Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Despite not actually being featured in the Character Castle Makeover, an advertising visual was also created for Baloo from The Jungle Book, who holds a candle like the other characters.

Image15th Anniversary Aladdin Visual

Original: 10th July 2006; Revised: 12th October 2006

Also not actually featured in the Character Castle Makeover, this visual shows Aladdin soaring into the sky on his magic carpet, holding a candle.
Character Castle Makeover :: In Brief • Full Guide • Concepts & Visuals