There’s only one short step between Halloween and Disney Enchanted Christmas! For this special time of year, all our teams are working hard to transform the park and celebrate the magic of the festive season. We followed the Visual Merchandise teams at Disneyland Paris from the design stage through to dressing the shop windows on Main Street, U.S.A.
Planning for the festive season – a task that takes several months
Our journey begins a long way from the shops, inside the workshops where Disneyland Paris’ Visual Creative teams are hard at work. It was here that preparations began last February for the Christmas window decorations for the shops on Main Street, U.S.A.
The team of around ten people was tasked with combining a Christmas spirit with the Victorian style of this famous street in Disneyland Paris. These window displays are real showcases for the Christmas products, and their charm makes them magical backdrops for our guests’ photos!
Initially, the scenographers drew up the first designs for the windows using editing software and graphics tablets. They had to produce graphic elements that were perfectly coordinated with the products on display, which required truly creative and imaginative work by the set designers.
Once this had been completed, the concepts were passed on to the graphic designers who were tasked with transforming the various graphic designs into 3D elements. The volumes were created using materials cut to the shape of the visuals that were designed. The team’s role is to take into account the various technical constraints of the window displays, such as the dimensions, the fixtures for the decorations and the lighting. When this highly precise work is complete, the teams take care of superimposing the different elements and the window display is finalised. Then the elements are listed, manufactured or ordered.
Combine the different elements… and the magic happens!
With just a few weeks to go before the launch of Disney Enchanted Christmas, the set design and display teams got together to work on assembling the various elements of the window displays. The Christmas tree garlands were adorned with decorative ornaments, the printed elements were positioned on their supports and the mannequins were dressed in their best winter clothes. Every last detail counts!
Winter is often a very dark time of year, so lighting is used to highlight the Christmas products. These lights warm and delight the hearts of our guests.
We met up with the teams on Main Street, U.S.A, for the final step – the culmination of several months’ work! It took no fewer than three nights to install the displays in all the windows on Main Street, U.S.A, leading up to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Once they have been transported to the venue, the various elements are put in place in accordance with the set designers’ precise plans. The components are assembled to showcase the Christmas products.
The windows are finally ready for our guests to admire and enjoy as they celebrate the festive season.