The Elephant Hotel At Disney's Boardwalk Inn And Villas: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van January 23, 2010
Why is there an elephant above this fireplace at Boardwalk?
And why does he have windows in his tummy?
The theme of Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas is Coney Island and there are lots of references to carnival rides and "entertainment architecture."
This elephant is a model of an actual elephant hotel, the "Colossal Elephant," that was built in Coney Island in early 1900's. A small plaque on the wall notes that is was 150 feet long and 15 stories tall. The legs enclosed circular staircases that took you to the 43 rooms!
The fireplace and elephant are in the lobby of Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas and are to your right if you are standing at the check-counter...
john
click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j
Comments
What a timely post about this Boardwalk display. I was writing in my own blog about fireplaces at the World and found your postings which were a great help. I appreciate your coverage of things that comprise the magic of Disney.
Posted by: Bruce Brodsky | January 24, 2010 8:48 AM
I really like Bruce's blog about Walt Disney World, ""The World According To Bruce"
You can find it at:
http://brucewdw.blogspot.com
You can also read his excellent piece on fireplaces:
"Walt Disney World Fireplaces Reflect Resort Themes and Provide Happiness in the Cold"
http://brucewdw.blogspot.com/2010/01/walt-disney-world-fireplaces-reflect.html
Thanks for sharing, Bruce, and keep up the good work!
john
Posted by: JDVM
|
January 24, 2010 12:11 PM
incorrect - the elephant is Lucy the Elephant from Margate NJ - which still stands a few miles south of the Atlantic City Boardwalk
Posted by: cmpurdie | January 26, 2010 9:48 AM
Thanks for your commment!
I'm certainly no expert...I'm just going on what's on the plaque on the wall next to the model and what I can find of Google.
There is indeed an elephant hotel, Lucy, in Margate New Jersey. There is a photo of it on the wall next to the fireplace. It was designed by the same architect who built the hotel in the model. That hotel, the Colossal Elephant, was built on Coney Island and has since burned.
Hope this makes sense and thanks again for your interest!
john
Posted by: JDVM
|
January 26, 2010 4:59 PM