Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Material/Product Research & Case Study Blog Entry 

by Anaid Gonzalez

For this blog entry I studied the recent construction of an area of Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. In the summer of 2012 a brand new restaurant was built at the center of the park, the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Built as an homage to the Carthay Circle Theater of Hollywood’s Golden Age, it is replicated in the park to serve the thousands of guests visiting each day. Hence the materials and products chosen would have to withstand substantial wear and a lengthy test of time.

First we look at the restaurant’s exterior. The materials utilized in this area are worth mentioning because of the daily guest foot traffic and exposure to the now extreme climates of Southern California.

Just a few months after opening, the terrazzo flooring at the entrance was removed and reinstalled. Now the terrazzo is level and holding its beautiful color and design. Next I’d like to comment on the ivory exterior paint of the building. As seen in the photo,

 the walls and columns are a bit dirty. Unless a flat paint was used, I would like to see some light cleaning of those smudges as they are prominent when one walks up close.

Next up is the clay tile along the side walkways.

 It seems that the clay tile has been treated, glazed since opening. The May 2012 photo on the left was taken the same day the construction walls came down. I deduced then that the appearance of the tile was meant to look distressed due to the time period in which the original Carthay Circle Theater existed, but now it seems that it was always meant to look newer. There is some wear to the tile now, but overall it is holding nicely. The park is rigorously washed and prepared for the next day via power washing and that has probably affected the appearance of the corners of some of the tiles, no cracks however are visible.

Now for the interior lobby. Right away I observed the flooring, baseboards, and paint.

Solid wood planks were not used in this small space, but instead a laminate flooring with a wood-look. A good durable choice for easy cleanup, avoiding scratches and stains, and moisture protection from humidity and the occasional rain that instantly drives guests indoors. This type of flooring is also used in the bar area. I believe the baseboards are made of a composite or engineered wood as an obvious choice for durability and the interior paint is similar in color to the exterior paint. Not much wear to the materials in this space as guest walk in directly to the bar and lounge area. Softer lighting welcomes guests to wait as their table is made ready in the main dining room on the second floor. Wallpaper and carpeting is used throughout, bringing color and texture into the space.

As seen in the photo, the staircase runner is the same as the rest of the carpet allowing for consistency to the second floor. The carpet here does show wear and fading due to foot traffic and cleaning. Other than the elevator, the stairs are the main access way to the second floor, so no surprise this runner may need to be replaced soon. That should be an easy task since this piece only extends to protect the polished black stone. The rest of the “staircase runner” is designed into the stair carpeting. The polished black stone at the base of the staircase is not repeated anywhere else, so perhaps it is used to contrast the lighter tones in the carpeting.

And there we are, a brief analyzation of a few of the materials and products used at the Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure. Overall I believe these were great choices to have made to withstand daily use and not much modification or alteration will be needed in the near future. Durability certainly did not come in the way when trying to replicate Hollywood’s Golden Age either. Step inside and the design details will transport the guest back in time as if to premiere Snow White and the Seven Drawfs as the Carthay Circle Theater did in 1937.

Resources

1. Interior Design Materials and Specifications by Lisa Godsey. 2^nd edition.

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthay_Circle_Theatre

3. http://micechat.com/13839-disneyland-holidays/

4. http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/products/commercial-laminate