Olivia Newton-John Cleaned Up

 

This one is for my friends on the Steve Hoffman music discussion boards.  Particularly for those reading the Olivia Newton-John thread. Seems this photo was added but with a lot of distortion and fuzziness. I tried to clean it up just for fun.

The Unexpected Silence

The absolute silence was so loud it was deafening. Could this really be happening? Even if things went on as they always did, the truth was that the man they looked to was dead. He had promised so much. A new life. Hope. Peace. Joy in the midst of pain. And an eternity with God the Father. He said He alone was the path to heaven. He said following Him was a very narrow path but He was the only truth. The self-proclaimed king promised He was the one to give real life when the world only offered a counterfeit in an attempt to steal their lives and their future. Shockingly, the very people he'd come to love and care for betrayed him. At the direction of the authorities, the soldiers beat him to a bloody pulp. He was so weak, so broken, so physically shattered, that a man pulled out from the crowd was "recruited" to carry his cross. The very cross that he would hang on next to two common criminals. All he had done was challenge the system and offer freedom. But people didn't like that, so he paid the ultimate price. Spikes were pound into his hands and feet. Then he was raised up as if on display to those watching. Both his mother and his best friend watched with a mix of deep sorrow and confusion. The weather shifted, and the sky blackened as if in response to what was happening on the earth below. As he bled until the end, he asked his Heavenly Father to forgive them. His famous last words seemed odd: "It is finished." Those who followed him went home broken hearted. 

(Copyright Mark Taft.)

Disney-MGM Studios at Opening in 1989

When the initially named Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, one of the highlights- and one of the few attractions available- was the Studio Tour, a combination of a tram and walking tour. Back then, The Great Movie Ride reigned supreme because there was no Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Rock N Rollercoaster or Fantasmic! to soak up the crowds. Or any other rides to speak of. This vastly designed and built park was put together on the original Universal Studios Hollywood model. This meant the tram tour was intentionally lengthy to help fill the day. There were not a lot of rides then, and there are still not enough rides years later. The park is woefully under built. One whole half of the park has not much to see other than shops and some dining options. It's pretty, but that's about it. That has to change! But for now, back to the story.

During the walking portion of the tour, selected guests were invited to take part in the flying bee scene from the popular Disney film "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". This nice piece of concept art shows the bee in the back and an ant in the front, which became part of the playground instead. On the tour, I was lucky enough to be chosen to board a bee, and a few years later, my nephews were also picked. It was a lot of fun! 

If you want to see my photo journey from our 1989 opening year trip, go here.

Over the years, the now named Disney's Hollywood Studios took on a new persona with a few thrill rides and even more shows. In the last decade or so, it has been a park without a champion, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge aside. It's changed quite a bit, but the number of rides has not kept pace with the decades. 

The full history of the park since creation and opening has been chronicled by me here. It's full of concept art and now vintage maps and photos.

With 27 years coming up May 1, isn't it time for some expansion plan besides a Monsters Inc. land? Maybe something on the other aside of the park in the Indiana Jones neighborhood?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Waves of Sadness

I had such hope for reconciliation between some folks I know. Their conflicts seemed endless, and the misunderstandings between them went on and on. Didn't expect the impact on me. But it is real. I know the Lord will heal me as I pray and wait and watch. My heart wishes that each person involved could see the other just like God sees them: imperfect but forgiven and worthy of love. If they could only let go of offenses. Then maybe forgiveness could flow, and they would be free instead of held captive by bitterness. In the meantime, it hurts them, and it hurts me.

Pimping Out Dreamfinder and Figment

OF COURSE THEY WOULD! But we park fans knew that already. The suits of the Walt Disney Company merchandizing are once again dragging out Figment and Dreamfinder to bring in some quick cash. EPCOT Center's great Journey Into Imagination was an "E Ticket" classic from opening day. Imagineering Legend (yes, someone who is really deserving of the title!) Tony Baxter created the classic characters and led the team in crafting a modern day must-see attraction. Now, new CEO Josh D'Amaro, it's time to show your true fan colors and get a great new version of the attraction green lit. Make this a D23 to remember!

Back When Disney Adventure World Was Walt Disney Studios Paris

Disney Adventure World  in Paris has its grand opening today. It is truly the grand re-opening as the place was originally named Walt Disney Studios Paris in 2001. Three Disney Parks opened that year, this place, Disney's California Adventure and Tokyo Disneysea. Only one was incredible. The French park was the worst of the lot, making Anaheim's second park look at EPCOT Center in comparison. Let's go back in time to our first visit to Paris' second Disney park...

Visiting the Walt Disney Studios Paris was on day two of our agenda to this resort, and we allotted only half a day. It was much more than enough! It goes without saying that this park suffers from sitting next door to the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever created. I won't lie and say we didn't enjoy a few items during our visit there, but we promptly returned to its older sister only after a few hours of touring. Here is a quick review- befitting a park that was thrown together quickly as well!

Crush's Coaster is one of the few small gems to be found here. It had opened a couple of years prior to this trip, so we were very curious as to how it impacted the park. Simply said: the coaster is just fun! The theming is minimal on the ride itself, but the track is laid out in such a way to evoke a good amount of laughs. The indoor queue sets the mood for what lies ahead. It's fairly basic, on par with an old "C" ticket attraction as in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Nothing special but it does set the pace. The line is understandably long for this attraction and was our first ride of the day. This is the one place where we found crowds, showing just how badly this park needed something of substance.

From a firsthand look, the newest attractions from Cars are smaller than they seem from viewing them in photos. Minuscule, actually. Very cute, highly detailed, but disappointing in scope, scale, and just about every way. It does provide a very small taste of what California Adventure's Cars Land. However in California, everything is grander and more fully realized. It remains the premier land at the park even though it was completed 14 years ago back in 2012.

The newest additions to the park are the most highly themed of the attractions. It is almost as if Disney discovered that its guests like themed environments after all. This is 180 degree change in direction in terms of detail is most welcome at this bare bones park. However, it also makes the Studios shortcomings more obvious than ever. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. But I guess you do have to start somewhere.

Many attractions are repeats from Florida, but Tower of Terror was not yet open at the time of this trip- and this high thrill attraction was really needed to flesh out the park a bit. The real highlight of the few hours we spent were the original attractions- especially the effects-laden Armageddon. The tram tour, stage shows, and even Rock 'N' Rollercoaster had an overcast of cookie cutter boredom, as if Disney's Imagineers were themselves disinterested designing these attractions. Add to this, big box architecture, lack of greenery, and vast expanses of concrete. Not a winning combination. 

We will not return to the Studios next trip- at least not until there are more unique attractions to be found- but we will certainly make a stop in the neighboring park and take one day out of our Paris visit. This Magic Kingdom continues to be magical but also badly needs new and original attractions. Hopefully, Disney is hearing this message from its theme park fans... and listening.

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After concluding this trip report, things began to change for this disaster of a park. As I wrote- "Maybe I called it too soon on this one." 

The more recent additions like Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy (Remy's Ratatouille Adventure) to Paris' Walt Disney Studios have successfully brought in the crowds. It also made the park a more appealing experience. When added to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Crush's Coaster, the opening of Avengers Campus, the park's line up has begun to look more impressive. Every change has been well planned to introduce charm, appeal, and yes, Disney magic, to a park that had none.

I wholeheartedly welcome the newly renamed but rather generic sounding Disney Adventure World! There's not too many attractions added to the park as the main restructuring was expansive and will only set up what the Imagineers and the Disney suits have planned for the future. Perhaps there will be no more cheaply budgeted parks in Disney's future. Maybe they have learned it costs them years of profit and goodwill to do something poorly at the beginning. Also, maybe they have learned that the decades of minimal park investment is not the way to go either. Walt Disney considered his Anaheim park a gem. It's about time the new team takes on a similar perspective. Does Josh D'Amaro have Walt's perspective and DNA? We shall see.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Indy's Temple Takes Shape

Thanks to Bioreconstruct, we can see that Countdown to Extinction aka DINOSAUR at Disney's Animal Kingdom is quickly becoming the temple entrance to the new Indiana Jones Adventure. This will be the next in a series of temples in Walt Disney World. First, there are those in the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom. Next we have the pyramid and interior temples at the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. Now, this. We can debate whether or not Encanto and Indy fit, but the look and feel of Tropical Americas aligns perfectly with the park. Is it just my vivid imagination or is Disney's Animal Kingdom becoming the new World Showcase one step at a time?
 

Trio of Artful European Signs

When I get a chance to slow down and photograph the places I travel to for work or for pleasure, I seem to discover my eyes are drawn to the signage I encounter. Big city, small town, shop around the corner, it just doesn't matter. So today, I've got three signs for you. Two from Italy and one from Cardiff, Wales.

This top one was taken at one of the world's most magical cities: Venice. There really is nothing like this anywhere else on the planet. Layers of Italian craftsmanship are everywhere you turn- and then it's all surrounded by water everywhere you look. Trees are few and far between, but the residents of the city find a way to add greenery to their narrow streets.

Next up, Cinque Terra. Five towns of various sizes and shapes and offerings. We stumbled upon this in Vernazza, the largest of the five and the one with the swimming area most loved by the locals. This sign was right around the corner from a small cave everyone was using to change into their swimwear. I wasn't prepared to go into the water, but I realized I had on a pair of dark nylon shorts that would easily make it possible. What a beautiful half an hour enjoying my time with the locals while my wife relaxed on the shore.

Cardiff, Wales may be one of the coolest towns I never expected! The citizens are intent on keeping the Welsh language alive, so every sign is in English and then Welsh. Once you get the hang of the alphabet and what sounds the letters make, it's quite fun to try your hand at speaking out the names. Locals must be very, very patient as well as having a great sense of humor! One of my favorite stops was at a coffee house named "A Shot in the Dark". The old place was filled with books- but only detective and mystery novels. It was also open until late in the evening where the place took on an almost eerie mood. Do you get the play on words? Coffee/ Shot; Murder/Gun, etc. So clever!

I'm sure as I post this, I'll run across even more sign photos and stories to go with them...

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Years Later My Family Will Laugh at This

I am NOT a cook. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I can count on one hand the number of times I have thrown something together that is edible. I am known to help in the kitchen from time to time, although our daughters have each turned out to be excellent cooks and our sons are quite proficient as well. (Our oldest is in love with his rice cooker!) That said, I was inspired a couple of weeks back to make the Pasta Queen's Lemon Peel Pasta. It turned out pretty tasty even if I made a huge mess. Maybe it's the beginning of a new career? No, it is not. 

The Very First Walt Disney World Resort Map

Ever heard of Blackbeard's Island? Yes sir, it is there to be found on the very first report map of Walt Disney World back in 1971. There's a few other unique features as well depicted by the artwork: the original and great 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage attraction in Fantasyland and the Gulf Car Care Center. You could even surf on the Seven Seas Lagoon back in the day. The whole thing just fills the senses with its retro / vintage goodness!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
 

Contemporary Resort Gains and Losses

Once upon a time, Walt Disney World only had two resort hotels and one theme park. There was the Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary Resort. These beautiful places seemed far apart and were accessible by monorail or by walking through the parking lot. Both had incredible but different views of the Magic Kingdom. In this kinder, gentler, much less expensive world, there was no need for advance reservations for attractions or dining. You could go for a visit of several days and relax during and before your visit. What a novel concept. 

Speaking of concepts, here's one captured on film by Disney Journey with Jim Shull. The sleek lines and elegant form of the main tower is lost in modern times because it sits nexts to a less spectacular structure housing Disney Vacation Club units. Ah, the things lost by wanting to gain a quick buck! 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

When it comes to art, design detail matters. Finally in the last decade, it has seemed like Imagineering has a real firm handle on what the Disneyland Resort is. A design masterpiece and a piece of history. Walt Disney was forward thinking! Now generations later, even home town fans of Walt Disney World are recognizing the impact of Walt's castle park and what grew around it. The Disneyland Hotel has embraced its vintage / retro feel to great success. Downtown Disney is leaning into this too. The result fits perfectly. This sign is an instant classic!

I'm Running Away

I'm leaving for a faraway place, an isle of beautiful crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. I can just lay on the soft sand and listen to the waves gently lapping the shore while I sleep a little, dream, and smile. It sounds too good to be true. And it is! I'm still home and still have a few months before vacation, but I've run away in my mind. It will have to do for now.
 

Must Hear: "To The Mountains" by John T

Indie artist John T is one surprising guy! His brand new single To The Mountains caught me off guard with its beautiful lyrics and gentle rhythms. It's ethereal and piecing all at once. And it is certainly worth a repeated listen and a purchase! 

Look for this guy (below) on i-tunes.

Can't wait to hear more from this newly emerging artist the world is slowly discovering!
 

My Wish List: What I Want From Josh D’Amaro, Disney's New CEO

The man with the mega-watt smile and the infamous wardrobe is now CEO of the company we love and some of us love to hate. Fan of the parks and of Imagineering, "nice guy" Josh D'Amaro takes the helm of The Walt Disney Company today. An expanded Villains land aside, I'm not sure what he'll bring, but I know what I want. After giving the announcement some time to ruminate, here's my wish list as a theme park enthusiast.

Request: Return the Theme Parks and Resorts to Their Best Days

Reality Check: Josh will have much more on his plate than just theme parks and cruise lines. Still, this should be a priority as they are currently the biggest money makers for the company. This has nothing to do with the cast members and everything to do with providing real value for guests' hard earned dollars. Stop nickel and diming those who come to the properties for a relaxing, fun-filled vacation. Josh, you can pick and choose what changes, so think it through and take immediate action.

Recent Action Working Against Him: Do I really need to mention all the price increases??? If I do, this means the executives are even worse off than I thought when it comes to treating your paying customers as guests. 

Recipe for a Quick Win: Bring back some of the perks that have been taken away, and bring them back for free. In case the Company leaders have forgotten, that means at no additional charge to your customers already paying so much for a room at the resorts or for a park ticket. 

Bonus idea: Lower the cost of a character breakfast. Nothing says greed like this. Seeing Disney characters should be a perk of your park ticket and not an excuse to fleece the faithful flock. AND giving guests another choice or two for a quick service meal would help alleviate the frustration with the generally awful list of meals available at a fairly reasonable price.

Request: Let the Hard Core Disney Fans Know You're Listening

Reality Check: Josh has to listen to the Board and the investors as well. However, keeping the fans happy and keeping them coming back for more is something that just makes sense. It breeds long term success and not just short term gain.

Recent Action Working Against Him: Removing Rivers of America and taking the Muppets out and putting them back in where they do not belong.

Recipe for a Quick Win:  Two important steps here and one bonus idea. 1- Green light a new and exciting, thoroughly charming adventure with Figment and Dreamfinder. By doing this, Josh, you will instantly put lovers of the charming purple dragon and his mentor in a good mood and earn instant credibility with hard core Disney park fans (like me) that think the best Imagineering days are behind them. 2- Bite the bullet and give us a brand new Tomorrowland in Walt's park! It is a huge disgrace that original land of the future is a hollow shell of the great, big, beautiful 1967 version.  3- Follow it up by placing a version of Muppet*Vision 3D into the same courtyard as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. It's all as easy as 1-2-3. I know, I know it's not, but you're the boss now, so make it happen.

Bonus idea: Bring back some of the entertainment that's been closed since pandemic times. You know, that big empty theater in Disney California Adventure? That'd be a good start.

Request: Encourage Imagineering to Tell Original Stories

Reality Check: Intellectual Property use will always be on the burner when it comes to theme park expansion and enhancements. Instead of bad films making poor choices for attractions, work the other direction and save a great concept for the park, then turn it into a film. Would this work? Hard to say. It's a gamble, but maybe it is one worth taking.

Recent Action Working Against Him: About every Pixar film in recent release. And some lackluster recent attractions. Want some help? Take a long, hard look at how the Company screwed up Tiana's Bayou Adventure and never let something like that happen again. Inviting in one of your greatest Imagineers, Tony Baxter, to coach the project team and then blow off his suggestions is a misfire if not an outright disgrace. The Princess and the Frog is a terrific film with incredible characters and great music! It should never have been wasted on such a poorly scripted plot for the attraction. Aside from the last scene, the entire execution feels off. Need more to consider as further evidence? How about dumping the original memorable trilogy film of Star Wars for something else for Galaxy's Edge? What was everyone thinking? Certainly, someone in the building had to say it to the team planning it all. Well, at least Disneyland is going to try to fix some of the mistakes. Do I need to talk about Avengers Campus?

Recipe for a Quick Win: None. Brainstorm, innovate, work at it until you get something very, very good. Can it be done? Walt did it. You probably can as well! By chance if the movie comes first, don't wait decades to come up with a park attraction built on it.