Hello D23! Disney, You Just Made Me Want to Book a Trip!

Here's a look at the temple sections being added to the exterior of the soon to come Indiana Jones Adventure at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Look at all this design detail! I mean, c'mon- if this doesn't convince you that Imagineering will put its best foot forward on this revamp of the great Dinosaur attraction, nothing will. Can't wait for a brand new Indiana Jones! 

(Photo from Drew Smith, found at WDWMagic.)

Disneyland Attraction Posters: The Adventureland Treehouse

On our recent visit to Disneyland, I walked through the railroad tunnels and was amazed to find this attraction poster for the newish Adventureland Treehouse. It's such a stark contrast to the previous versions in style and color... but I like it! The harsh sun and shadows made it difficult to photograph.

Thankfully due to Etsy, someone posted a better version of it. So, here you have it to add to your collection. Better but not perfect. The reImagining of the iconic Swiss Family Robinson / Tarzan Treehouse was very, very good, however!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineering's Joe Warren Paints Expedition Everest

Not exactly Imagineering concept art per se, but this painting by Joe Warren is still quite eye catching. Expedition Everest remains the peak of popularity among thrill seekers at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The artist captures its tranquil side with a moody early morning reflection. I don't know about you, but this makes me what to hop aboard for the wildest ride in Asia's wilderness!

Congratulations on a Great Accomplishment!

A hearty congratulations to our oldest daughter in completing all her nursing courses and testing out with excellence. She already has a position waiting for her and at a highly coveted hospital in the area. She was always brilliant! We knew that- now the rest of the world gets to discover it as she treats them with compassion and gentleness. Way to go! (No, this is not her, just a borrowed image.)
 

Carpenters- A Kind of Hush, Alternative Cover Photo

Here's a rare alternative cover photo for Richard and Karen Carpenter's 1976 album cover, A Kind of Hush. This is not an AI photo. Not AI at all again I tell you. I had this shot decades ago, and I was going to use it for the third go around of reviewing each of their albums. (Don't worry, I have a few more rare images I've yet to share.)

At first glance it looks the same, but the horse on Richard's shirt is nowhere to be found on the cover. The logo for the album sits against his shirt. 

The music inside is way too soft, and the album was not a big hit. That said it does include some gems: I Need to Be in Love, One More Time, and Boat to Sail.

If you want to read the initial review, look here. If you want to see the much more extensive look at the album, the duo's history, and this collections chart success, look here.
 

Family Time

Yes, everyone's here and a great time is being together! Sometimes the very best blessings are the simplest ones. Actually, they usually are- and make us grateful for the time. What are you grateful for?

Who is the Imagineer? Is This Piece of Concept Art for El Rio Del Tiempo Real or AI?

Just arrived on my computer, a supposed piece of Disney concept art for EPCOT Center's magnificent El Rio Del Tiempo, an opening day attraction at World Showcase in Mexico. I can't make out the artists signature. Is it real? If so, who is the Imagineer? Inquiring minds need to know. Somebody help me out.

No Man Can Steal What God Gives

Today, it seems peace and joy are elusive. Sadly, hope seems a bit out of reach. Yet, I know that God is ultimately in control of all my circumstances. Good or bad, if they are allowed by God, it must be for his purposes to help transform me to look more like Jesus. In the Bible's book of John, chapter 3 verse 27, John the Baptist is addressing the people: "John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven." This reminds me that things like joy, hope, peace and more - especially eternal life- cannot be robbed from me by the actions of anyone else. I need to remember that! Do you?

Imagineer Harper Goff's EPCOT Dream Realized

The EPCOT that never was- and the Epcot that could have been. Fully realized in the image posted toward the end of this article. Why am I holding off showing it up front and making you only glance at Harper Goff's rendering right now? Because you've got to understand it and why it was created to fully appreciate what you'll see. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

All we've got is the Epcot we have, but it wasn't always like this. There was once a great vision for Disney's second park in Florida. Leave it to those original Imagineers to come up with the best ideas... and here is one of the ones that's still great even if it din't make the cut.

So much detail to be seen here in this concept art.  Imagineer Harper Goff created this beautiful rendering of an EPCOT we will never see. If you click on this huge piece of concept art and look at it closely, you'll find the Netherlands and other unbuilt and interesting design choices. 

The B&W version.

This is somewhat of a water based Epcot, if you'd like. It's even more of an urban style showcase than what was eventually built, focusing on classic, romantic architecture as the centerpiece of each pavilion. There's lots of side streets and nooks and crannies to explore. Certainly, the park would have a bustling but intimate feel with its contrasts of open plazas and smaller courtyards and walkways to explore. 

It is very Eurocentric- I can only see China and perhaps Japan in the upper right hand side of the park, perhaps that is Morocco slightly south of those. What I don't see is a U.S.A. pavilion. Do you? Aside from the Mexican temple, I do not see anything for South America or Africa- nor can I find Canada. Maybe you can. Front and center in the middle of the large lake, the classic architecture you'd come to expect looks seamlessly blended into more modern structures. (You'll get a better idea of what I mean when you see my piece showcasing the never built Netherlands area.)

In my mind, I'd add something really needed: an "underground" Metro system including stops at strategically placed locations around the back end of World Showcase. Think of Disneyland's and the Magic Kingdom's railroad system and how effective it is. How compelling would it be in suspending disbelief to enter a station in Paris at the back of a pavilion by walking down the stairs or a ramp, getting on the train and then coming back up at a similar station in London? Or German? Or a host of other locations? You could even have the train appear above ground at certain points for atmosphere and realism. Four stations should cover the around that circles the World Showcase Lagoon. (It would actually circle back around itself so the tracks could remain behind in backstage areas.) For guest convenience, the Metro would minimize walking great distances plus provide something fun to do.

Now, back to the park's water features. In the rendering, instead of just World Showcase Lagoon, you find a main lake plus a smaller one that hosts a Romanesque amphitheater for an evening show. There's canals as well- and if you look closely, an early version of what looks like a World Cruise attraction where there looks to be show scenes built under the bridges. (If it sounds like what was planned for California's Westcot, it does to me as well! Look at that article including Tony Baxter's ideas here.)

The man was clearly inspired and quite successful at what he did, but I do not see much room for expansion aside from what could be easily removed structures on the West and East sides of the park. Perhaps this is why the design that was finally built was chosen. (I really do have to finish that "If I Built Epcot" article. I have one great idea that no one seems to have used yet...)

A simple monorail station seems to sit at the entrance of his park with a large square plaza beyond the entrance gates. Inspired by or vaguely reminiscent of what is now found at the end of the Future World path to the lagoon. 

OK, here it is! The fully realized AI created version based on the concept art and sketches of the man. It's beautiful!

Would Harper's EPCOT work? Most likely it would. I'm sure there's a fascinating story to be told as to why this version of the park was bypassed in favor of what was built. Could it be the suits had plans for massive expansions and many more countries to be represented? History- and Disney's own documents and concept art seem to give us an affirmative answer.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Toontown is a Blast!

What a trip we had! I ran across this very bright and cheery attraction poster for Tokyo Disneyland's Toontown. It captures all the fun and zaniness of the land that delights adults as much as kids. At Walt's park, Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway- count me in as a fan who likes this as much as Rise of the Resistance- and Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin are just the beginning of the fun. Gadget's Coaster was something I'd never ridden before, and I thought it was the perfect starter coaster for the younger set. Until I went on it. It has some serious zip! Now I know it's a great starter. The character homes are charming, and the street gags are great to discover as well. There's more here than I ever realized, making this land a surprise discovery each trip.

This sweet little attraction poster reminded me that when all the pieces of the land are placed together as a whole, this land is FUN! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Now Only A Memory

On our recent trip to California, I saw this beautiful painting hanging on the wall in a local shop. I knew it would be expensive, but I had no idea it would be three times what I make in a month! So, it will stay a nice mini-sized photograph in my memory.

(Painting by John Cosby.)

Those Rocking 1960's!

Take a look at this vintage / retro photograph from the 1960s! Those chicks rocking the hair piled higher than what seems possible, the skinny ties, and the trendy cocktails on the table. This is actually of photo of my folks and two of my aunts and their husbands. I post this in honor of my Dad's birthday...

Sunday Morning Surprise: Splash Mountain Pre-Opening Art

Here's a nice piece of concept art that was released prior to the opening of Disneyland's iconic Splash Mountain. Its style is almost logo like, nothing like the beautiful pieces you can find to depict the attraction. To be 100% honest, I'm not sure how it was used. Perhaps for early park guide maps like the ones that were printed for decades before Disney went to simple fold out maps. 

I haven't forgotten about my Disneyland Resort trip report! It's just that I ran across something as I was looking for a different piece by Tony Baxter. Again Tony, where's your book?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

日本に新たな王国がやってくる

はるかに新しい何かが日本にやってくる。ファンタジースプリングスがこれからも成し得ないほど大きく、より良く、もっと印象的な何かが。信じがたいかもしれませんが、本当のことです。「神は世を愛されたので、独り子(イエス)をお与えになった。それは、神を信じる者はだれでも滅びず、永遠のいのちを得るためである。神が御子を世に遣わして世を非難したからではなく、神を通して世が救われるからです。(ヨハネの聖書)

そこで彼らは、盲目で口のきけな悪霊に抑圧されている人(イエス)をイエスのところに連れて来て、イエスが彼を癒したので、その人は話し、見ました。民はみな驚いて言った、「これはダビデの子でしょうか。」しかし、パリサイ人たちはそれを聞いて、「この人は悪霊の長であるベルゼブブによってのみ、悪霊を追い出すことができるでしょう」と言いました。イエスは自分の考えを知って、彼らに言った、「すべての分裂した王国は、その前に荒れ果て、分裂した町や家は、その前に立つことはありません。そして、サタンがサタンを追い出すなら、サタンは自分自身に対して分裂するでしょう。では、彼の王国はどうなるでしょうか?もし私がベルゼブブによって悪霊を追い出すなら、あなたの息子たちは誰によって悪霊を追い出すでしょうか。ですから、彼らはあなたの裁判官になります。しかし、もし私が悪霊を追い出したのが神の御霊によってであるならば、神の国はあなたがたの上に来たのです。(聖書のマタイ)

その時、私は新しい天と新しい地を見た。最初の天と最初の地は消え去り、海はもうなかったからである。そして、聖なる都、新しいエルサレムが神から天から来て、手入れの行き届いた結婚式のように夫のために準備されているのを見ました。そして、玉座から「見よ、神の住まいは人とともにある」という大きな声が聞こえました。神は彼らと共に住み、彼らは神の民となり、神ご自身が彼らの神として彼らとともにおられるでしょう。神は彼らの目からすべての涙を拭い去り、もはや死、嘆き、泣き、痛みはないでしょう。(黙示録)

Billy Rees "Carpenters On Tour" Book Worth Your Money

Very popular Carpenters You Tube channel owner Billy Rees has put together an excellent book on his favorite musical duo. Carpenters On Tour is stuffed with terrific European and U.K. based articles! What can a lover of Karen and Richard Carpenter find here?  Interviews, album reviews, concert critiques, images of tour booklets, venue tickets and more.

The man himself.

Taking a deep dive into what's there will surprise even the most knowledgable Carpenters fan. Just a tidbit- What famous hit song was passed on by Richard that became a big hit for another female artist? It's a song I never knew that he passed on before. Loved the chorus but Richard hated the rest of the song. I think it's a great record by the woman who made it famous. There's more to discover. Get this book! You won't regret it!