The Drawing on Inspiration display for this year’s Festival of the Arts celebrates theme park concept art. Learn more about how concept art is used by Imagineers to dream up new projects.

Drawing on Inspiration

The display is located in the breezeway between World Celebration and World Discovery, between Club Cool and Creations Shop. It has a description of the display and how concept art is the very beginning of the start of a new attraction or land.

When Walt Disney Imagineers begin dreaming up a new attraction, land, or experience, they often start with a simple sketch—a quick, simple drawing that captures the heart of what they hope to create.

Over time these sketches will evolve into detailed concept art, intricate character studies, and fine-tuned architectural blueprints. But the sketch is the first point of origin—the one little spark that starts the creative process.

This exhibit showcases sketches by current Imagineers who were inspired by the many wonders found throughout Disney Parks. May these little flights of fancy fan the flames of your own imagination—and help you notice how tiny details can come together to make something magical.

The first sketch comes from Todd Bright, Concept Designer for Magic Kingdom’s Beak and Barrel. In the center is a sketch of Peg Leg Pete. Surrounding him are various sketches of characters, building architecture, and other thematic details to bring the bar to life.

Second, is concept art for Avatar Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Drawn by Caroline Gendron, Concept Design Intern, it shows rockwork, plants, and the ride vehicle used for the attraction. We also get a detailed sketch of a Na’vi showing the feline ears, night vision, and skin stripes.

Beneath that are sketches from Ethan Salmon, Concept Artist for Disneyland Park’s Indiana Jones Adventure. Included are the Gates of Doom, a film projector, the boulder trap, a ride vehicle, and more sketches for the attraction.

Sarah Conner, Concept Design Intern for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, sketched images of what Batuu may look like. This includes artwork of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, ride vehicles for Rise of the Resistance, and the exterior of various structures in the land.

Kianna Pan, Concept Design Intern for Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom, shows the intricate woodwork that was included in the Tree of Life. The inclusion of real animals in the water surrounding the tree was a concept from the beginning.

Up next is Norway Pavilion concept art from Kira Wygle, Graphic Design Intern for EPCOT. The concept art shows a wooden sign, inspired by the gothic art nouveau style of Alesund. Carvings of intricate Viking-Nordic designs are included in the sketch of the Stave Church replica. Even the grass roof on top of Royal Summerhus was included.

Remi Jeffrey-Coker, Concept Designer Sr., shows what Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure could look like. Included are the queue entrance, the fountain, Parisian-style lampposts, windows, and other structures.

Which one is your favorite? Will you be seeing this display in person at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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