Q: I was wondering what you could tell me about the Court of Angels inside New Orleans Square at Disneyland. Was it built to represent anything in particular? It’s a rare place in the parks as not many people seem to know about it. Was this done on purpose?
Dean, Orem, Utah
A: The Court des Angels, also known earlier as Le Grand Court, with its attractive staircase, balconies, and potted plants, was described by Walt Disney Imagineering in 1966 as a quiet place to get away from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans Square. They noted that the “intimate courtyards were lazy counterpoints to crowded markets.” A plaque was mounted on the wall in the courtyard honoring Sally McWhirter, director of store operations at Disneyland, after her untimely death in 1997. The plaque reads “Musique Des Anges/Music Lessons/Vocal Instructions/Mme. Sally McWhirter/ Instructor.” This was the equivalent of a window on Main Street; Sally had been active in her church choir.
Dave Smith