Four Winds Square

As children, it was so easy to believe and to hope. To believe in the goodness of mankind and to hope for a brighter tomorrow. Somewhere along the way, adults tend to let go of these ideas. The ones that don't, men like Walt Disney, go on to push society to new heights. 4 Winds Square might seem simple or childish on the surface, but look deeper and you will find a land dedicated to these lofty ambitions for the human race that get largely lost as we age.

On the outside, we see gardens and fountains with just enough magical touches to put guests in the mindset to suspend their disbelief. The regal yet whimsical classic Small World facade as well as some other majestic set pieces inspired by Mary Blair's iconic art style add to the enchanted elegance. Though enter through the gates in the facade and suddenly you will be inside another world!

Oversized craft projects, giant toys, complex clockwork... It's a world of laughter, a world of tears, a world of hope, and a world of fears!

The original Small World was designed to resemble a craft project. Paper dolls and cut outs designed by the children of the world coming together. The entirety of this land is made with that inspiration in mind! All taken to the next level with craft projects such as origami and paper lanterns from around the world on display in larger than life fashion.

Guests will feel a bittersweet nostalgia for a time gone by when hope and optimism came simple. As well as a chance to relive the days when world peace seemed as simple as wishes written on paper boats and an origami tower. The oversized nature of the props will help psychologically make guest feel "small" again thus making it easier on a subconscious level to get back into that headspace and be inspired to dream of the brighter tomorrow they believed in when they were young once again. A child-like wonder at what the world can be. And it is no coincidence that this is a land made out of craft projects. This world was literally built by those who dream, the same way we can build a better world. In real life, it might be more complicated than folding paper, but the principle is the same. All accomplished with visuals unlike any seen inside a Disney park before that carry this thematic meaning throughout. Every structure would add to the meaning of the land and how it makes people feel.

4 Winds Square is in between Seasons of Fantasy and Tomorrowland. The Mary Blair art style is whimsical enough to smoothly transition from the magical world of our park's Fantasyland equivalent. The garden's naturalistic style and Mary Blair's aspirational/mid-century modern will both smoothly transition to our vision of Tomorrow visually. Thus, this land helps solve the problem of the jarring transition between fantasy and tomorrow that has plagued nearly every Disney park.

Thematically speaking, it is recommended to go from Seasons of Fantasy to 4 Winds Square to Tomorrowland. Guests will see dreams come true in Seasons of Fantasy opening them up to magic, then they will enter 4 Winds Square and be put back into a childlike mindset to be reminded that dreams are for more than just glass slippers but also for a better world, and then they will see a more practical and realistic approach to the better world we all dream of in the fantastic future of Tomorrowland.

In addition, the park as a whole has had an underlying theme of mature storytelling. Sometimes these stories are more complex and detailed, such as in Adventure Atoll. Other times they are more subtle thematic ties woven through the lands to give them a deeper meaning that might not be immediately noticeable. Often the types of conflict proposed by Aristotle are used as a starting point.

Harbourtown/Port Voyage- Man vs Fate- Tackles concepts of death and the foundation of a new country, all things I'd consider "fate."

Adventure Atoll- Man vs Nature- Our whole story is totally about nature fighting back, and that's something that fits beautifully into this.

Seasons of Fantasy- Man vs Nature (Again)- The seasons and working alongside them also fits Man v Nature.

4 Winds Square- Man vs Self- The struggle against losing the good parts of childhood (such as dreams of world peace and the belief that we can make it happen) as we age. The land asks the question: How can we overcome cynicism and pessimism to create a better world.