As Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
opens at Disneyland Paris, Magali Robathan
speaks to Walt Disney Imagineer Caroline May
about creating a unique place to stay
Guests can take selfies with Spider-Man and other Marvel heroes at the Super Hero Station / Photo: courtesy of Disney
After months of closure, Disneyland Paris reopened on 17 June, and just four days later it celebrated the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel.
Originally due to open last June but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four-star hotel features 471 Superior Rooms, 65 Empire State Club rooms and 25 Suites dedicated to Spider-Man, The Avengers and other Marvel superheroes. More than 350 pieces of artwork are on display throughout the hotel – including about 50 exclusive pieces – created by more than 110 artists.
The collection of contemporary art includes comic book covers, posters, illustrations from films, storyboards and original sketches showcasing a huge diversity of artistic styles, including classic black and white comics, street art, pop art, hyperrealism, engraved metal and collage art.
The hotel also features a fitness centre, an indoor and outdoor metro pool and a Hero Training Zone – a 420sq m outdoor field with dedicated areas for a variety of sports activities.
Disney cast members bring the hotel to life and children can learn about being a Marvel comic book artist in the Marvel Design Studio. Marvel Photo Stations allows guests to enter exclusive photo locations that immerse them in Marvel movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Ant-Man, The Avengers, Thor, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.
Here the hotel’s art director tells Attractions Management what makes this hotel so special and why she’s loved working on it.
What can visitors to Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel expect? This is a unique hotel experience where we celebrate the diversity of art and artists that have created such memorable Marvel stories. The personal highlight for me on this project was being able to call artists that I’ve admired for years and ask them to create exclusive Marvel art for the hotel. What was even better was hearing their reactions and excitement that they would be a part of this project.
What makes it special? This hotel is special because guests can see how artists from different backgrounds have been inspired by Marvel storytelling through their unique approach to art.
Each generation of artist defines the look of Marvel and influences the next generation. This hotel art collection is a celebration of this idea.
How did you approach this project? I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and concentrated on art history, so I approached the hotel as an art installation rather than art and objects as decoration. Each artist is inspired by Marvel characters and stories in different ways and I wanted to celebrate their unique point of view and how that defines the ever-evolving quality of Marvel.
The starting point for me was learning about the original artists that created the Marvel comics and how the overall look of the comics has evolved over the last 80 years and beyond.
Was it a fun project to work on? This has been one of the most fun projects that I’ve worked on at Walt Disney Imagineering. It’s allowed me to combine my background and passion for art in a way I would have never imagined. I also work with an immensely talented team that shares a similar design sensibility.
How did you ensure that the hotel would be appealing for the families of Marvel fans? It was important to create an experience for our guests that everyone will enjoy whether they know a lot or a little about Marvel. That’s why it was important to look at contemporary artists that are creating art that guests wouldn’t expect of Marvel.
We commissioned more than 100 artists from around the world to create art for the hotel, including about 50 exclusive pieces, so there was something new for everyone. We’ve included rare annotated pin-up pages from the comics, props from the films, photo ops, and even a place to meet Spider-Man.
What were the challenges and highlights of the project? The biggest challenge was trying to fit all of the inspiring artists and storytellers from Marvel through the years into this hotel.
The highlight was filming Kim Jung Gi drawing a piece of art in the Marvel offices in New York City. The process of him creating the art is the media in the hotel lobby. He has a truly mesmerising process; he’s able to draw completely from memory without any sketches. I was awestruck.
Which part of the project were you most excited about seeing completed? I guess I am the most excited for the Skyline Bar. Due to COVID, we’ve been working on the media remotely from Los Angeles, London, and Paris but I haven’t seen it in the space.
Guests will feel transported to the top of a luxury high rise bar via a set of ‘panoramic windows’ showing New York’s famous skyline ... with a few Marvel twists.
Artworks on display include...
• French Marvel artist Olivier Coipel, famous for his work on The Avengers, Thor and Spider-Man, created a powerful representation of Thor: God of Thunder in a comic-book style.
• French Marvel artist Stéphanie Hans, featured in Marvel Comics including Asgardians of the Galaxy and Black Bolt created a realistic portrait of Captain Marvel depicted in full flight.
• UK comic book artist Tula Lotay, whose work on Marvel Comics includes Black Widow, Gamora and Scarlet Witch, created a vibrant and strong comic-book style portrait of Black Widow.
• Italian designers and twin brothers Van Orton have created pop art portraits of Hulk, Captain America, Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
• UK artist Liam Brazier, known for his geometric reinterpretations of iconic characters, created several pieces for the hotel, including contemporary portraits of Captain America, Thor and Hulk using saturated and bright colours.
• Spanish artist Carlos Gomez created huge backlit black and white comic panels that will greet guests as they enter the lobby (above).
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 2
Museums: Museum of everything
At Depot Van Beuningen, a new kind of museum is taking shape, with the whole collection on show
Interview: Joe Pine
From mass customised itineraries to hybrid experiences, the pandemic is influencing attractions trends, says thought leader, Joe Pine
Disney: The Art of Marvel
Disneyland Paris has opened its new Marvel-inspired hotel. Art director Caroline May tells us what made it such a special project to work on
Interview: Nicolas de Villiers
As Puy du Fou opens its first park outside France, its president tells Attractions Management about his ambitious global plans and why China is next on his radar
Research: All creatures great and small
Large, charismatic animals drive footfall to zoos, but there are more unusual ways of boosting attendance, says Yvonne Buckley
Research: Power of youth
Teenage volunteers can help tween visitors get more out of their visits to science centres, new research shows
Disney: Reach for the stars
Dreamed up by Star Wars fans and brought to life by Disney Imagineers – a sneak peek at the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel experience
Research: Animal magic
A national study in Japan has shown how partnering with entertainment companies can help drive visits and donations to zoos
Museums: The way we live
London’s Museum of the Home has reopened after a major refurbishment. We hear from the architects and museum director
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
As Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
opens at Disneyland Paris, Magali Robathan
speaks to Walt Disney Imagineer Caroline May
about creating a unique place to stay
Guests can take selfies with Spider-Man and other Marvel heroes at the Super Hero Station / Photo: courtesy of Disney
After months of closure, Disneyland Paris reopened on 17 June, and just four days later it celebrated the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel.
Originally due to open last June but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four-star hotel features 471 Superior Rooms, 65 Empire State Club rooms and 25 Suites dedicated to Spider-Man, The Avengers and other Marvel superheroes. More than 350 pieces of artwork are on display throughout the hotel – including about 50 exclusive pieces – created by more than 110 artists.
The collection of contemporary art includes comic book covers, posters, illustrations from films, storyboards and original sketches showcasing a huge diversity of artistic styles, including classic black and white comics, street art, pop art, hyperrealism, engraved metal and collage art.
The hotel also features a fitness centre, an indoor and outdoor metro pool and a Hero Training Zone – a 420sq m outdoor field with dedicated areas for a variety of sports activities.
Disney cast members bring the hotel to life and children can learn about being a Marvel comic book artist in the Marvel Design Studio. Marvel Photo Stations allows guests to enter exclusive photo locations that immerse them in Marvel movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Ant-Man, The Avengers, Thor, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.
Here the hotel’s art director tells Attractions Management what makes this hotel so special and why she’s loved working on it.
What can visitors to Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel expect? This is a unique hotel experience where we celebrate the diversity of art and artists that have created such memorable Marvel stories. The personal highlight for me on this project was being able to call artists that I’ve admired for years and ask them to create exclusive Marvel art for the hotel. What was even better was hearing their reactions and excitement that they would be a part of this project.
What makes it special? This hotel is special because guests can see how artists from different backgrounds have been inspired by Marvel storytelling through their unique approach to art.
Each generation of artist defines the look of Marvel and influences the next generation. This hotel art collection is a celebration of this idea.
How did you approach this project? I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and concentrated on art history, so I approached the hotel as an art installation rather than art and objects as decoration. Each artist is inspired by Marvel characters and stories in different ways and I wanted to celebrate their unique point of view and how that defines the ever-evolving quality of Marvel.
The starting point for me was learning about the original artists that created the Marvel comics and how the overall look of the comics has evolved over the last 80 years and beyond.
Was it a fun project to work on? This has been one of the most fun projects that I’ve worked on at Walt Disney Imagineering. It’s allowed me to combine my background and passion for art in a way I would have never imagined. I also work with an immensely talented team that shares a similar design sensibility.
How did you ensure that the hotel would be appealing for the families of Marvel fans? It was important to create an experience for our guests that everyone will enjoy whether they know a lot or a little about Marvel. That’s why it was important to look at contemporary artists that are creating art that guests wouldn’t expect of Marvel.
We commissioned more than 100 artists from around the world to create art for the hotel, including about 50 exclusive pieces, so there was something new for everyone. We’ve included rare annotated pin-up pages from the comics, props from the films, photo ops, and even a place to meet Spider-Man.
What were the challenges and highlights of the project? The biggest challenge was trying to fit all of the inspiring artists and storytellers from Marvel through the years into this hotel.
The highlight was filming Kim Jung Gi drawing a piece of art in the Marvel offices in New York City. The process of him creating the art is the media in the hotel lobby. He has a truly mesmerising process; he’s able to draw completely from memory without any sketches. I was awestruck.
Which part of the project were you most excited about seeing completed? I guess I am the most excited for the Skyline Bar. Due to COVID, we’ve been working on the media remotely from Los Angeles, London, and Paris but I haven’t seen it in the space.
Guests will feel transported to the top of a luxury high rise bar via a set of ‘panoramic windows’ showing New York’s famous skyline ... with a few Marvel twists.
Artworks on display include...
• French Marvel artist Olivier Coipel, famous for his work on The Avengers, Thor and Spider-Man, created a powerful representation of Thor: God of Thunder in a comic-book style.
• French Marvel artist Stéphanie Hans, featured in Marvel Comics including Asgardians of the Galaxy and Black Bolt created a realistic portrait of Captain Marvel depicted in full flight.
• UK comic book artist Tula Lotay, whose work on Marvel Comics includes Black Widow, Gamora and Scarlet Witch, created a vibrant and strong comic-book style portrait of Black Widow.
• Italian designers and twin brothers Van Orton have created pop art portraits of Hulk, Captain America, Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
• UK artist Liam Brazier, known for his geometric reinterpretations of iconic characters, created several pieces for the hotel, including contemporary portraits of Captain America, Thor and Hulk using saturated and bright colours.
• Spanish artist Carlos Gomez created huge backlit black and white comic panels that will greet guests as they enter the lobby (above).
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 2
Museums: Museum of everything
At Depot Van Beuningen, a new kind of museum is taking shape, with the whole collection on show
Interview: Joe Pine
From mass customised itineraries to hybrid experiences, the pandemic is influencing attractions trends, says thought leader, Joe Pine
Disney: The Art of Marvel
Disneyland Paris has opened its new Marvel-inspired hotel. Art director Caroline May tells us what made it such a special project to work on
Interview: Nicolas de Villiers
As Puy du Fou opens its first park outside France, its president tells Attractions Management about his ambitious global plans and why China is next on his radar
Research: All creatures great and small
Large, charismatic animals drive footfall to zoos, but there are more unusual ways of boosting attendance, says Yvonne Buckley
Research: Power of youth
Teenage volunteers can help tween visitors get more out of their visits to science centres, new research shows
Disney: Reach for the stars
Dreamed up by Star Wars fans and brought to life by Disney Imagineers – a sneak peek at the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel experience
Research: Animal magic
A national study in Japan has shown how partnering with entertainment companies can help drive visits and donations to zoos
Museums: The way we live
London’s Museum of the Home has reopened after a major refurbishment. We hear from the architects and museum director
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
Royal Caribbean has revealed its Hero of the Seas cruise ship, home to the most pools at sea
(nine), and a record-breaking 28 dining venues, as well as attractions including a waterpark
with two new family raft slides.
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