Herb Ryman was the Disney Imagineer who was responsible for much of the layout of New Orleans Square.

Above is a Ryman conceptual painting for Le Court de Anges- The Court of Angels-

one of the most strikingly beautiful, secluded and romantic places in all Disneyland.

Follow Orleans Street to the south, where it intersects with Royal Street. Pass through an archway,

ornamented above with two sculpted cornucopiae, and you'll find this hidden treasure. The courtyard is

bounded on six sides with staircases and balconies, and open to the sky above. You may find an artist at work

and have your portrait done. Once there, you may not want to leave....

Another Ryman watercolor. 

  The fountain beneath the stair.

Below, are a few of the steps I've taken in my humble attempt to model the courtyard.

After several false starts, I had to make numerous changes and tweaks, in order to get everything

to work together. The Court of Angels is not only a unified architectural showcase, but it must also fit precisely

into the larger scheme of New Orleans Square. Once I reached a certain point, I found I had made the upper Show Building

  somewhat too small, so had to enlarge it to accomodate the Court. This was actually good news, because now

there's more room inside the building to devote to the Blue Bayou Terrace....

Getting the proportions of the steps....

Bending the stairs....

   This was an early try at

getting the stairs right. Ultimately, I had to throw logic out the window and apply a freer hand at their curvature.

Now the steps  

and encircling balcony are basically right. At least, I hope they are....           

....so it's time to start adding the rails and other elements.

                                                         Looking down into the Court from above.

Above, it appears the staircase rails are too bulky; I'll need to slim them down.

I'm finding much of the work on the Court of Angels is by trial and error.

Here's the Court in its rough position inside the main model. As the additional three walls

are added, it will become hidden, the way it is at Disneyland, shaded and secluded.

   The progress is slow;

                                                            the rails are the way I want them now, and the surrounding balconies are taking shape.

A view from the balcony. I've begun adding windows, doors, shutters, and the roofline.

Can this well be for wishing?  

Below, I've begun flagging the street, but there are many details yet to do.