New Orleans Square Concept Art

New Orleans Square was the first new land to be added to Disneyland USA. When the park opened in 1955, the bend of the Rivers of America housed the Swift's Chicken Plantation. This restaurant was an expression of Walt Disney's own love for New Orleans and the atmosphere of the French Quarter. A decade later, this one building was expanded into a whole new territory.

This territory was most notable for housing two of the most beloved Disney attractions of all time: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Not even Disney was immune to the dark, romantic undercurrents of the Crescent City that have so enraptured countless Goths and their patron saint, Anne Rice... swampy bayous, voodoo rituals, dripping spanish moss, vicious pirates and decaying graveyards.

The following pieces of concept art are all by Disney painter Herb Ryman, who had been drafting up visions of Disneyland since before the park was built.


The first full rendering of New Orleans Square.


The Court of Angels, one of the
park's formerly most serene alcoves.


The Blue Bayou Restaurant, an atmospheric
eatery inside Pirates of the Caribbean.


A candy shop. Once, New Orleans Square
was notable for many unique shoppes.


An alley in Rue Royal. Originally, this staircase
would have led to Walt's own private apartment,
which became the Disney Gallery and now a private
"Year of a Million Dreams" VIP suite.