Mr. Mutumbo’s

Mr. Mutumbo’s is a classic example of Disney theming. Located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, this building doesn’t have much more of a purpose than to immerse guests into the story of Harambe, the fantastical African port city. The story continues on throughout Harambe, too. Signs, pamphlets and calling cards located around the fictional city give additional little glimpses of Mr. Mutumbo and his Wonderful Fishing Tours. Guests, of course, are never quite able to book these tours, but the integration of the local business into the land makes them feel like they are a part of the story - even if they don’t realize the story is happening around them.

This theming for theming’s sake, if you will, is not reserved for this building. Rather, every corner of the park (and this park in particular) is painstakingly thought through in order to evoke a specific emotion in the passerby. Some details are so finely placed that guests don’t even realize they exist. This treatment is what makes Disney Imagineering so spectacular, and an epic display of attention to detail.

I have so many photos like this, of subjects that some people might not know off-hand that exist in the background of the parks. For these, I like to edit them a bit more heavily to help create a mood that goes with their theme. Here, I imagine Harambe is quite sunny and hot, and the building worn. So i tried to emphasize the darker spots in the plaster and the sunlight on the greenery in front. I also did some shadow/highlight play and pulled the pallet a bit cooler to add to the mood. It makes me really want to sneak up those stairs and see if I can find Mr. Mutumbo.