If you’re looking for a cool gift for a Walt Disney fan, this is it!
Walt Disney loved to create attractions which included miniatures. One such attraction opened at Disneyland in 1956. It’s called Storybook Land Canal Boats.
The attraction takes guests on a slow-moving boat ride through the mouth of Monstro and into Storybook Land where they are treated to a tour of miniature lands from Disney’s most popular films. Over the years the attraction has been updated several times, with the most current update adding the village of Arendelle.
The original buildings were exposed to the elements for 25 years before Disneyland had most of them rebuilt as exact replicas in 1981. The original buildings were in such a sad state that only one grouping was saved, the “French Village.” This particular set was from what I would call, “Cinderella’s land.” In the photo above you can see some of the replicated buildings in the “French Village.”
What happened to the original “French Village?”
The original “French Village” was donated last year to the Carolwood Foundation (a nonprofit foundation with the mission of preserving Walt Disney’s railroad legacy.) The Carolwood Foundation volunteers have taken on the task of painstakingly restoring and preserving this piece of Walt Disney’s history. Once completed, there will be a new exhibit called, “The Small Worlds of Walt”, that guests visiting Walt’s Barn will be able to see up close. In the above featured photo is one small piece of the buildings. It is currently on display within Walt’s Barn in Griffith Park.
It is so cool that they are restoring part of the original Storybook Land French Village! I would love to visit Walt’s Barn someday.
Kimberly, you really would LOVE it!! My visit to his barn was such a great experience.
Fascinating to see the miniature buildings! I’d love to take a ride through Storybook Land some day!
It’s really a great attraction Deb! I hope you have the opportunity to visit there soon!
That would be so awesome to visit Walt’s Barn, I think it’s great they are trying to restore. Thanks for sharing this story Amy.
This is just fabulous! I had never heard of the “French Village,” but the preservation of any piece of Walt’s dream is an initiative I can support. I can think of a couple of folks I should but this pin for!!
Thank you for sharing this! I learned so much. It’s comforting to know that despite all the progress, they still hold Walt’s original attractions near and dear to their hearts.
On our whirlwind Disneyland trip in 2010, we didn’t do the storybook land boats. 🙁 I wish I had. This is the first I’ve heard of the small worlds of walt. I love it! Where is “Walt’s Barn” located? Will the small worlds of walt be at the park or at the Foundation?
Walt’s Barn is located at Griffith Park in LA. I had the opportunity to visit it this past fall and shared photos and thoughts on it on the blog. If you’d like to see the photos here is the link to the post 🙂 http://www.mouseearsmom.com/2014/12/15/my-visit-to-walt-disneys-barn/
Small Worlds of Walt exhibits are currently located by Walt’s Barn or in the current case with the Storybook Land piece in the above picture it is located within the barn. When the pieces are fully refurbished they will have their own exhibit in Griffith Park next to the Barn.
How amazing and definitely a great gift for any Disney fan! I would love to see this in person someday!