On June 12 and 13, the Horticulture and Entertainment Workshops teams opened their doors to Disneyland Paris Cast Members to showcase their expertise, passion, and ingenuity. Let’s take a look back at two days that sparked curiosity and admiration.
Behind the scenes at Disneyland Paris, the Horticulture teams let their talents bloom, presenting the full scope of their daily work. These often-overlooked professions are essential to the magic of our destination, and for the occasion, themed areas were specially recreated. Arborists, irrigation specialists, floral designers… passion was in full bloom!
“This way?” or “That way?”
Among the surprises prepared by the Horticulture teams for their fellow Cast Members: a special topiary of the Cheshire Cat from Wonderland, freshly planted and already bringing smiles, along with a topiary of Pascal, Rapunzel’s loyal sidekick.
Inspired by the famous Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT (Walt Disney World), these event topiaries are a first for Disneyland Paris. The Cheshire Cat, made of brightly colored plants, shares the spotlight with Pascal, adorned with succulent plants that mimic his scales.
Unlike shrub topiaries — more understated but long-lasting and visible year-round in the Disneyland Park gardens — event topiaries allow for more creativity and whimsy. Their structure is irrigated by a drip system and covered with a special plant-based moss, first dried then rehydrated, which retains water and distributes the nutrients needed for growth.
The Show Must Go On!
The Entertainment Workshops also took advantage of the open house to reveal some of their best-kept secrets. Who would have guessed, for example, that the meringues on our Disney Characters’ birthday cakes are actually made… from bathroom silicone?
Cast Members wandered between booths showcasing the various specialties of the workshops: painting, sculpting, 3D printing… even puppeteering!
The Entertainment Workshops operate like a well-oiled machine, combining the skills of each Cast Member to create works that delight both guests and fellow employees.
If one word could sum up their work, it would be “ingenious.” These dream artisans repurpose materials and techniques to create stage props, accessories, and sometimes monumental installations. Like the giant Pepita puppet — the largest in the resort — which combines lightness, movement, and faithful design from Pixar’s Coco.
| Did You Know? The wallpaper in Carl’s house, seen during TOGETHER: A Pixar Musical Adventure at Studio Theater, is stenciled by one of the Show Workshop painters for added realism, based on the original design from Pixar’s Up. |
The Horticulture and Entertainment Workshop teams often collaborate. For example, the Workshops helped bring those unique topiaries to life!