Attraction Type: Gallery.
Location: On the east side of Town Square.
General Description: View one-of-a-kind conceptual art and models based on the Disney theme parks.
Will’s Review: The Disney Gallery is housed in the former Bank of Main Street, a once-operational bank facility within the theme park (a necessity before the advent of ATM’s). In it’s day, the Bank of Main Street offered deposit and withdrawal services, the ability to open accounts, and a foreign currency exchange. A little under two decades ago the bank operations ceased as the facility became a processing center for Disneyland Park annual passports (this function has since been relocated to the former Plaza Inn restaurant in Central Plaza). The original Disney Gallery opened in 1982 in New Orleans Square, directly above Pirates of the Caribbean. This location was originally designed as a private apartment for Walt Disney and his brother Roy; the facility wasn’t completed, however, before Walt’s untimely passing. The charming apartment space was renovated and opened to the public as a unique environment in which to showcase original pieces of Disneyland art; the outdoor center courtyard provided a specially secluded space, while the balcony looking out over the Rivers of America allowed guests to watch the action of New Orleans and Frontierland with a bird’s eye view. The Gallery closed in 2007, however, so the space could once again be renovated (this time back to an apartment) as the Disneyland Dream Suite, an in-park overnight surprise given to selected guests as part of the former “Year of A Million Dreams” promotion.
Plans commenced shortly thereafter to give the Gallery a new home. This time, the space utilized was the architecturally-rich Bank of Main Street off Town Square in Main Street, U.S.A. The project, led by Walt Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine, sought to place the Gallery in a new home while retaining the original authentic look of the bank’s interior architecture as a nod to the building’s historic past. Opened in October 2009, the end result is impressive. Admittedly, the new space does lack a few of the points that made the original Gallery so charming: climbing the curved staircase to the second level of New Orleans, the thrill of being in a once ‘private’ space, and the intimate rooms and courtyard. Guests seeking to recreate the original experience in the new location will be disappointed; however, the new space is no less impressive, if for different reasons.
Divided into three main rooms and enjoying roughly the same amount of space as the former location, guests first step into the Gallery’s merchandise shop, which functioned as the bank’s original lobby. The ornate teller windows have been refurbished as merchandise displays, and the original vault is now open as a small room to view original artwork for sale (with sale prices exceeding well over $10,000). The two rooms on either side of the gift shop showcase original artwork and models relating to ever-changing exhibits. Both rooms, while designed differently, echo the building’s original function as a bank thanks to architecturally-rich elements including period lamps, trims and intricate woodwork.
Touring Tips: Visit anytime.
Family Info: This attraction will appeal most to older teenagers through senior citizens who are interested in conceptual art and models. Younger children and teenagers will most likely be bored.
Variations: The Disney Gallery is also an attraction on Main Street, U.S.A. at Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland.
The Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station – The Disney Gallery – Main Street Cinema – Main Street Vehicles - The Disneyland Story, featuring “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln”
Main Street, U.S.A. Shopping Guide – Main Street, U.S.A. Dining Guide
