Recently, the Indian Teepees located at the entrance of Frontierland, near Fort Comstock, were changed and replaced by new one with Indian paintings as you will see on the high-res "wallpaper" pictures below. Although it surely will look native-american to most of DLP guests it seems that the result is not historically perfect, not to mention that the paintings colors looks a bit too much freshly painted...
When WDI Imagineers built the original teepees, back early 90's, most of the resource material they used for reference was from a Lakota tribe. That was when even the interiors of the teepees were being propped out in anticipation of guests looking inside which is not possible any more.
According to Imagineers who built the original teepees to whom i show these pictures: "Originally we had the interior liners - which are now missing from the redone teepee - which would close that bottom gap as it was the case in original teepees to keep varmits out and the heat of the fire in. They should reinstall them on the new teepees so you can't be looking under the teepees. The lodge poles showing are correct at the base if you have the liners.
Each door on the teepees should have the symbol of the Indian Warrior who live within. It should match the shield on the nearby poles. Back in 1990's we used Buffalo Head, Running Bear, Flaming Sun, Black Widow, etc.. It also should be different from the other story telling depicted on the teepee. The top flaps of the center teepee - where the smoke is coming out - should be darkened a sooty gray black where the smoke exit. There are a few symbols on the new tents which I don't recognize as from an Indian tribe...
The color pallet looks pretty good but the freshly painted colors are too intense, like they came from a paint can rather than from a natural source like crushed berries or leaves or the deep rich oxide powders from the earth... But I suppose that we should be grateful that the Park cared enough to redo the teepees at all. I just wish they had taken a look at the color documentation books that our Frontierland team put so much time and effort into as their guide for inspiration..."
Above, original artwork for Frontierland entrance. Below, a picture of the original teepees shot in 1992.
And now, lot of pictures of the new teepees. You'll note how the trees have amazingly grew up in 18 years...
See you next week for a new DLP update and in the meantime don't forget to check my special offer below on the great Disneyland Paris book!
All pictures: copyright Alain Littaye - Disney and more
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