Concept Arts

Herbert Ryman.

As with all projects initiated by Walt Disney, a lot of preliminary graphical works on E.P.C.O.T were realized to visualize the project before starting construction. Since Walt Disney Productions was originally a motion picture studio, very talented artists were available to illustrate Walt's vision. It's not always possible to identify which artist did a specific art but most of E.P.C.O.T concept arts were done by Disney Legend Herbert Ryman. Herbert Dickens Ryman (June 28, 1910 – February 10, 1989) was an artist and Disney Imagineer who worked in watercolor, oils, and pen & ink sketches. He was a personal friend of Walt Disney and was called upon to help the Walt Disney Studios on many special projects over a five decade span. Ryman went to work for Disney in 1938 when such full-length animated films as Pinocchio, Dumbo, Fantasia and others were in the planning stages. On September 23, 1953, upon the personal request of Walt Disney, Mr. Ryman completed several drawings which Roy O. Disney took to New York City to show the bankers in order to secure the loan for the original $17 million used to build Disneyland. He was the chief designer of the Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Herbert Ryman painted himself or was involved in the most influencial concept arts for E.P.C.O.T

Overall view of Downtown district in E.P.C.O.T, showing surrounding greenbelt, Cosmopolitan Hotel. Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor on board. 1966. Black & White version for press release.

Overall view of Downtown district in E.P.C.O.T, showing surrounding greenbelt, Cosmopolitan Hotel. Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor on board. 1966.

Overall view of Downtown district in E.P.C.O.T, showing surrounding greenbelt, Cosmopolitan Hotel. Herbert Ryman. Watercolor, pen and ink and pencil on board 20 x22. 1966.

Overall view of Downtown district in E.P.C.O.T, showing surrounding greenbelt, Cosmopolitan Hotel. Herbert Ryman. 1966.

Aerial view of E.P.C.O.T urban center, with a much older view of Disneyland's unbuilt International Street reused as a concept for the International Shopping Center. George Rester rendering painted and modified by Herbert Ryman. Pen and ink and watercolor on brownline with tape. 43 x 51. 1966.

Thirty-story centerpiece Cosmopolitan Hotel. George Rester. Opaque watercolor, colored pencil, and pen and ink on plastic sheet over colored board. 53 1/2 x 35 1/2. 1966.

Cosmopolitan Hotel. 1966.

Side Diagram for the Urban Center (hotel, international shopping center etc...). 1967.

Proposed spanish quarter for the International Shopping Center. Herbert Ryman. Pencil and watercolor on paper. 20 x 42. 1966.

Irish and Asian areas for the International Shopping Center. 1966. Black & White version for press release.

Irish and Asian areas for the International Shopping Center. 1966. restored in 2012.

A residential housing area served by a PeopleMover line. Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor, pen, colored pen, colored pencil, and varnish on board. 8 x 19. 1966.

House for Medallion City, GE Pavillon at the New York World's Fair. Sam McKim. Opaque watercolor and colored pencil on blueline. 11 x 8. 1966.

Residential suburb of E.P.C.O.T Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor with varnish on board. 6 x 8. 1966.

Aerial view of a typical Industrial Park for E.P.C.O.T. 1966.

Diagrammatic view of a typical industrial complex within E.P.C.O.T, prepared for Walt Disney's filmed presentation of his project. Marvin Davis. Colored pencil, watercolor, and felt pen on browline, pasted to cardboard. 39 1/2 x 53 1/2. 1966.

Industrial park showcase. This rarely seen concept art illustrates the core of Walt Disney's vision for E.P.C.O.T: to allow companies to showcase their work and technologies with all visitors. Here, they can witness industrial activities from an elevated gallery. 1967.

View of the transportation center below the urban center of E.P.C.O.T Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor on browline. 24 x 51. 1966. Black & White version for press release.

View of the transportation center below the urban center of E.P.C.O.T Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor on browline. 24 x 51. 1966. Restored in 2012.

View of the transportation center below the urban center of E.P.C.O.T Herbert Ryman. Opaque watercolor on browline. 24 x 51. 1965.

Wedway Peoplemover type I. 1966.

Wedway Peoplemover type II. 1966.

Wedway Peoplemover type III. 1966.

These renderings shows how differing modes of transportation would have be channeled into non-conflicting traffic flows below the pedestrian level of the city. The Transportation Lobby was located at the very heart of E.P.C.O.T directly beneath the 30-story theme hotel. This was to be the central arrival-departure for all passengers using the monorail or the newly-designed "WEDway People Mover."

Interspersed throughout the commercial center of EPCOT will be international shopping areas, where visitors will find imported merchandise, foreign cuising, dinner shows and roving entertainers native to many lands. Seen above the streets in this completely enclosed downtown center art eh "WEDway People Mover" and the monorails, prime transportation means for the residents of E.P.C.O.T.

Site plan for E.P.C.O.T showing the urban center and the transportation hub. Marvin Davis. Collage with watercolor and colored pencil on photostat. 40 x 66. 1966.