Disney Theater hosting Disney Junior
On opening day, this facility was a restaurant with a gift shop attached and was operated with a podium and a Maitre D’.
As the facility evolved into Playhouse Disney, the operators had issues with guests entering through the exit. This was because the gift shop was a separate entrance from the restaurant. During the renovation, the interior was addressed for function, but the exterior was left alone, leaving what appeared to be two entrances as the doors were exactly the same.
When Disney rebranded Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior, this facility needed a major update. To address the flow of the facility and make a celebratory statement, I pitched a concept for a Grand Old Theater with a Disney twist. This included chase lights and, most importantly, a canopy over the actual entrance that features a changeable traditional backlit track panel that literally marquees the entrance.
What this new facade and marquee creates is flexible opportunity. Opportunity to quickly change the event in the theater. As children’s programming changes, they can be easily updated with a single panel. In addition, panels can be removed for private events, becoming a revenue generator.
The redesign of this facility afforded me many opportunities and challenges for design problem solving that included:
Designing a blade marquee that established visibility from both ends of the street.
Converting fire doors to appear as glazed doors.
Continuity of design even down to the door handles.
Collaborating with a very talented lighting designer to create not one animated light pattern but 26 tradition vintage theater light patterns to entertain our guests.
Concept Design • Story Development • Collaboration & Coordination • Graphic Design • Contract Documentation • Fabrication Supervision and Installation
