The King of Disney's Fright-Filled Attractions

Vintage Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. (And I bet you expected something about the Haunted Mansion today, right?) It's a Disneyland favorite, and now the only ride with this theme in the Disney park empire. With the double tracked version of the ride in Florida's Magic Kingdom now long gone (R.I.P.), Mr. Toad also makes his home in Disneyland Paris, but only as the master of Fantasyland's fish and chips restaurant. 

From the GREAT Yesterland site.

This vintage photograph shows Disneyland's Fantasyland in its early charm. Even though the top photo's black, we know and can see the colorful buildings, and tournament banners, and pennants created a fun medieval environment to celebrate the joys of childhood.  Like large swaths of the park, the land has gone through so many changes and additions over time. The entire revamp of this fantasy world debuted in 1983, replacing the original theme into the European village we all know and love.

While a ride that ends in Hell is a very odd choice for a Fantasyland favorite, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride creates fun and thrills as it sends its riders on a crash course to the devil's final home of eternal torment. Unlike the ride, in reality when Jesus returns to rule and reign, the devil is not the master but instead the prisoner- and there is not an ounce of fun to be had. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, Chapter 20 tells us:

 "...and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

Disneyland's Toad poster

is a bit of false advertising!

After reading this, the Bible's very famous words about Jesus make sense- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17)

In a sense, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride may be the most frightful of Disney Imagineering's scary attractions. It rightfully takes its place among the Haunted Mansion, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Phantom Manor, and the defunct Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour in Tokyo, and equally dead and missed Alien Encounter. You can find out more about each of these on the Insights blog- if you dare.

(Art and photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Always My Girl

The phrase may be politically incorrect these days, but that's just too bad! You're still my one and only love- and always my girl. I knew it in 1981 when this was taken, and I know it now. Love you!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Bringing Life to a Dry and Thirsty Land

We’ve been studying through the book of Isaiah on Sundays. It is a stark reminder for us who follow Jesus to rely on God and not the methods or politics of man. It’s also a great encouragement that God is for us, always paying attention, and always willing to work on our behalf when we call out to Him.

Sunday November 7 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It’s an important and personal day for our church family because we are deeply invested with brothers and sisters in a region where being a follower of Jesus comes with great risks. As a church, we have travelled there many times to serve alongside them, minister to them, and support them in all we can.  We laugh, we cry, we pray, and we rejoice together as families do. What a gift!

The work of our friends is very fruitful, and hundreds of people who believe in a different god come to faith in Christ and are discipled. Yet, many times the local people will not even consider hearing a reading from the Bible. This all raises an important question “In this spiritually dry land, how can they minister effectively without the written Word?”

Jesus provides the answer to this question in the Gospel of John: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17) 

In Biblical times, the scrolls containing God’s Word were owned by a select few as they were very expensive and not widely available. Most all the people were illiterate. When Jesus sent out The Twelve and the Seventy-Two in His power and authority- the first short-term mission trips- they went out in obedience, and God blessed them. The ministry of the Lord prevailed and the number of believers grew to epic proportions. This is due to the obedience of the believers who went out in their neighborhoods, towns, and all over the world, proclaiming Jesus and doing exactly what God told them to do. Despite their lack of access to the Word, they did not go out unprepared. They carried God Himself, the Holy Spirit, the very Author of the Scriptures, who lived within them and supernaturally empowered them for the work of the ministry. Today, our overseas family in goes out in the same manner- in obedience to God and in the power of His Holy Spirit. God is not limited by man’s need or shortcomings! In fact, He is glorified through them.

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land,

    and streams on the dry ground;

I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,

    and my blessing on your descendants.”    

 (Isaiah 44:3)

The Book of Acts records the Sanhedrin were amazed by the courage of Peter and John because they were unschooled but realized they had been with Jesus. What a testimony where God got the glory! The Apostle Paul states we are not lacking in any spiritual gifts as we await Jesus’ return (1 Corinthians 1:7). The Holy Spirit is a person not a power, so we can ask Him for what we need. When we travel overseas, if we don’t know what to do, we seek God and ask, and He gives us wisdom in the moment (James 1:5). This includes God’s Holy Spirit bringing Scripture to mind exactly when we need it. We’ve seen this time and time again, both His direction and His protection. Our God is incredible!

 Our friends serve in a spiritually parched world of great risk and under great scrutiny. There are times the authorities step in, and even though this is troubling, they move forward with confidence in God. How many times they must have this Scripture come to mind: 

“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

Today, I ask you to commit to pray for our overseas family! They need us- and we need them! They help keep our hearts focused on the eternal things of God. In our brave, new world, our thirsty and spiritually dry land, we too minister in difficult times. We need God to give us strength, wisdom, and to work through us as we obey His commands to love our neighbors and share the Gospel message of hope, love, and salvation with them. Just like believers of old and our friends on the other side of the world, He will give us what we need as we step out in faith! Yes, His love stretches to the ends of the earth- and He loves the people of Metro Denver as well!

(Copyright Mark Taft.)

Fall Color Shines

With an unseasonably long Autumn, the color even in our front yard is just amazing. On a cloudy day, the variety still shines through. Even the dying grass leaves a light tan color. We don't really know what we're doing in the garden, but regardless, the Fall color is just beautiful this year. So thankful to God for our humble home.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Walt Disney World vs. Universal: September 2021 Trip Report, Day Four- Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs

 

Almost our last day at Walt Disney World of perhaps our shortest trip ever. Having never done this before, we saved one third of our time away for Universal Orlando. What a great move on our part, but more on that later. 

What's not to love about the Magic Kingdom? All the classic Disney Imagineering attractions are found there, and aside from Pirates of the Caribbean and maybe It's A Small World, the superior versions of those shared by both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland mostly reside in Florida. 

The main objective for the day was doing some old favorites (like the beloved Peoplemover) and letting my son see New Fantasyland, particularly Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Then, we wanted to have a drink at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and check out the Polynesian Village Resort before heading off for Disney Springs if possible. This necessitated an early start only accomplished by bus.

If You Had Wings... sorry, wrong attraction!

I was prepared to strongly dislike the paint scheme on Cinderella Castle. I didn't, but I certainly didn't love it. The original palette of gray/white/blue, colors designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman, remains far superior, more royal and elegant, to what came after it- including the infamous 25th Birthday "cake" makeover. 

We queued to go right at the end of Main Street into Fantasyland by the Mad Tea Party. Upon rope drop, we realized the newest Magic Kingdom coaster was not operating at opening, so we quickly moved on to Peter Pan's Flight while it was a 10 minute wait. Wise move as the park became quite full later in the day and the wait was 40 minutes or more. While they stopped for sunscreen, I walked around nearby taking photos of the area and peaked inside It's A Small World to see the clock's new paint job. Very nice!

It's these added touches that make me appreciate Florida's mansion.

In quick succession after our pit stop was Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. The recently made over Disney boat ride- a classic since opening day- held our longest wait of the day at just about 30 minutes. 

While I prefer New Orleans Square at Disneyland to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom, it was time to admit that the Florida Mansion is superior to that of the California home of 999 happy haunts. Even without the Hat Box Ghost. It's not to say it's perfect, but its strengths outweigh the weaker areas. 

The Dutch Gothic Revival style home is intimidating to eerie effect. The interactive queue is an unnecessary addition, but the physical ride portion inside the mansion is longer and much more elaborate. The end of ride walkway past the crypt is a nice touch. It's grand but humorous and totally unexpected. The attraction is also available in its original form year round, and that my friends, is a big plus. Where Haunted Mansion Holiday wears thin, the original classic version stands the test of time. 

You have to ride the new version and decide for yourself.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise. Which of these "E Tickets" are not better in the Magic Kingdom? Only one- the truncated pirate adventure. We got on them so quickly, one after another. 

Monkeys. Why does it have to be monkeys?

With the only real wait being for the Jungle Cruise, it was amazing how much we did in so little time. What about all the changes to this opening day attraction? Absolutely nothing special. Lots of monkeys and low on creativity. If it wasn't for the rest of the classic attraction, I wouldn't bother riding again. Sadly, our skipper was really wimpy, too soft-spoken, seemingly bored, and just uninterested in giving us a great experience. His puns were delivered without energy or style. He wouldn't last ten minutes in the jungle. A very unconvincing presentation. All these factors combined took us right out of the story, turning our should be classic adventure into just another leisurely stroll through any mid-size city's botanical gardens. The new contemporary story is noticeably forced and unnecessary- like much of modern Imagineering when it tries to be relevant instead of remembering what it does best. Your mileage may vary. 

From the top of the underrated Swiss Family Treehouse.

After a quick meal, I took a stroll to the treetops and rewarded myself with a Dole Whip. The Swiss Family Treehouse is an old school styled attraction that lets guests really imagine what it would be like to be in another time and place. It's rich and imaginative, allowing you to get lost in the story and linger. This is something missing from so many attractions designed by younger Imagineers without training from classic mentors before them. Do they just want to thrill us or slap the quickest ways to infuse an intellectual property into a previously built area? Maybe they have no choice. Not every story needs a villain nor does something have to go terribly wrong. The variety of attraction types and emotional connecting points is part of what made the first three Disney parks remarkably balanced and layered. 

The land of the future?

On to Tomorrowland! It needs Tron Light Cycle Run and very quickly. Not only am I very excited to ride it, but I want to be able to take a trip on the Walt Disney World Railroad again. Most importantly, Space Mountain needs to have its track replaced. Badly. It's more than rough and the equivalent of Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. It is a painful ride. Nearby, Buzz was a brief amount of fun, but the clear winner was easily the classic WEDWAY Transit Authority Peoplemover. Traveling above it all and getting some great views brings a fresh perspective on how great the Magic Kingdom can be. 

All that was really left was Fantasyland, the newer rides there, a trip through It's a Small World, and Mickey's Philharmagic. Surprisingly, our son really enjoyed the Dwarf's mine train ride! After a fairly quick 25 minute or so wait, we were on. It was zippier than he expected with its tight curves and gently rocking cars, and I think that surprised him. I still don't like the use of projected face animatronics, but again, I'm fairly old school.

It's what inside that counts.

Our son was only mildly impressed with Ursula on Ariel's Undersea Adventure, but the attraction as a whole was not worth any additional comment. Pretty neutral on New Fantasyland as a whole. Aside from the coaster, it seemed the new buildings and landscaping promised something not worth the actual experience contained inside. Walking by Be Our Guest Restaurant didn't even register a response. That is telling! The area should be a standout as it represents one of Disney's most beloved films. But he is not the 6 year old girl that is the target audience here. After sampling a variety of items at Gaston's Tavern, we moved onto the last two attractions of our visit. 

This photograph is very similar to an image

that represented the attraction in early promotional materials.

Even after all these decades, It's A Small World remains one of my favorites. I am not immune to its simple charms. The themes of harmony, loving your neighbor, and genuinely appreciating cultural differences are needed more than ever in our fractured, broken, and lost world (which is in need of a Savior- but that's a different conversation). Mickey's Philharmagic still seemed fresh, and I can only wait to see the addition of Coco and how it impacts the show.

The entrance gardens are better than I thought they would be,

but the new lobby is still a loss of epic proportions.

Leaving the park at about 2:45pm for the Polynesian, this was perhaps my least amount of time at the Magic Kingdom ever. We stopped at the front for a photo or two. Then after debating monorail or boat, it was a short breezy cruise to my once favorite Disney Resort. 

Being on the water traveling is one of my favorite experiences at Walt Disney World! This was a trip where we didn't ride the monorail once, and surprisingly, I didn't miss it at all. The Skyliner may have filled that gap. Hard to say, but I know each trip with each group is different, holding unique experiences. Unfortunately, we were offered a two hour wait for a spot inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Nope. There's not a single restaurant or bar on the property worth that. In its place, it was off to Disney's Springs. Stopping to use our Disney Experience app to book our locations for drinks and a meal, we hit the jackpot!

I'm not the only one that loves travel posters!

I find them all over the Disney parks,

and as you'll soon see, they're all over Universal Orlando as well!

The suits and Imagineering hit a grand slam home run with Disney Springs. I now see it as the 5th park on the property. It is worth your time in even the busiest schedule as it is the home of some of the best places to eat and shop on the property. (This used to be Epcot, but the food has been mostly watered down to American palettes and the merchandise is now less appealing- more geared to all things Mickey and in places you don't expect.) 

Of course, there's the requisite World of Disney store, but beyond that, this is the place you want to go for some unique merchandise in a setting that is sophisticated yet fun, themed but not over the top in your face. For those of you who have been to Universal Orlando but not Disney Springs, think of it as the "Anti- City Walk", and you'll get the idea. Be forewarned: the place is just packed on the weekends!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar was a spot we couldn't get into last visit, but this time being midweek, it was a very short ten minute wait. This Indiana Jones themed location was just what was advertised. Great execution of the story with tons of detail referencing his adventures, an exotic drink menu, solid appetizers, and an interesting and engaging wait staff. 

We decided to set aside a couple of hours to walk around, enjoy the setting sun on the lake, and do a little souvenir shopping. It was a pleasant break from the non-stop theme park environment. Dinner was next.

This was what I had wanted to experience since it first opened...

The Edison. Wow. Look, I just love the food at Morimoto Asia and had a blast (and a great meal) at Raglan Road, but dinner at this steampunk restaurant and bar was at the very top of my Disney Springs must-do list from the day it opened. Vintage turn of the century era Paris and the city's Discoveryland at the French Magic Kingdom rank as some of my favorite atmospheres. Finding a place absolutley steeped in this look, complete with staff in the mood specific suits and live jazz set the stage for a great evening together. We all agreed it was one of the best places in either resort. You have to explore the restaurant to see all the individual very creative touches they put in it. A very thoughtful design!

... and I was not disappointed!

The menu's limited but excellent and innovative in taste and presentation. The drinks were unique and delicious (and pricey). The service is friendly but top notch.  I wont go into any more detail about the actual meal. This isn't the great Disney Food Blog.

SO good!

Live entertainment only adds to the excellence of it all. The in house band, a trio, was smoking hot, even taking modern day pop hits and putting them in an inventive jazz combo arrangement that made me stop to place where I've heard the song before. I'm huge music fan, everything from the early 20th century to present day. This blog is called Insights and Sounds for a reason, but it took me awhile to recognize Meghan Trainor's sharp and funny Dear Future Husband in a very convincing, authentic sounding flapper era arrangement. Well done! The lead vocalist song stylings were the icing on the cake.  All said, it was the kind of night at The Edison that I had in my mind long before it actually materialized. I'd go again in a heartbeat. And you should as well!

Tomorrow would be our last day at Disney. We settled on the Studios to get one more ride on Rise of the Resistance. Would we get on? Then, it was off to Universal Orlando so my son could show us "his" parks. What would an old school Imagineering fan discover? Plenty!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Siblings Three

Growing up oh so fast! But what great kids they are!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Led Zeppelin and the Carpenters Together?

Two diametrically opposite acts together? Sweet Karen Carpenter and hard rocking Led Zeppelin? What's going on? Well, the question is answered in this new release of MOJO magazine. They're both represented on the cover, but it's the article where Richard Carpenter gives an extensive interview in support of his upcoming book by Mike Cidoni Lennox and Chris May- Carpenters: The Musical Legacy that surprises. The article has a killer tagline quote: "We were high ego and low self-esteem." Should be a fascinating book!

Rarely Seen Indiana Jones Stunt Show Art

In a park with so few attractions, the absence of the Indiana Jones Stunt Show stands out. It is a huge people eater- even if it is one of the remaining original attractions from 1989. And it desperately needs an update. Back then, the Disney-MGM Studios was all about what went on behind the scenes, and this exciting presentation brought guests inside those beloved movies with Harrison Ford. Now, it's all about riding the movies. Behind the scenes is no longer new and fresh, but that side of the park remains as it was. Both somewhat charming but also old and stale. For now.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Will Disneyland's Plaza Point Holiday Shop Celebrate My Culture Too?

The Plaza Point store looks nice! In my culture, we celebrate Christmas and especially Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus. I'd love to see some ornaments that reflect my culture and not just Santa or the Easter Bunny. Can we have that at Disneyland, Imagineer Kim Irvine?

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Fun on the Farm

The Disney Parks aren't the only place to celebrate Fall! Colorado like many states, is filled with great locations to enjoy the sun and the harvest with your family. Anderson Farms is one of the best!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Walt Disney World vs. Universal: September 2021 Trip Report, Day Three- Animal Kingdom and One Last Chance for Epcot

After a very disappointing evening at Epcot, I was pleased to enter the lush, green, organic landscapes of Disney's Animal Kingdom the next morning. Much like Rise of the Resistance, Flight of Passage was the primary target for the visit as my son had not seen Pandora. Would he think the ride or the entire land as enjoyable as I did?

There's something remarkably refreshing about this theme park! It's just so different from those that came before it. Obviously, Imagineer Joe Rohde and his team are to thank for this. Even though it opened on Earth Day in 1998 with too few attractions and an entire land axed, the good bones were certainly there. Improvements and expansion has only made it better- with a couple of exceptions. (I've got a beloved series on the creation and evolution of the park. It's up to eight segments, and it starts here. Part history, trip report and more with lots of rare concept art and tons of photographs. Don't miss it!)

Why there are no Audio-Animatronic Nav'i hunters

in the land or in river ride is something I do not understand.

Heading straight into Pandora, the World of Avatar, my curiosity was peaking as I waited for my son to share his assessment. He is not a fan of the movie at all, but clearly, the art of Imagineering impressed him. In previous visits, we had used Fast Pass, so I had never seen the full queue before. I was very impressed by it all: the slow and steady climb outdoors with magnificent views, and the gradual transition from other worldly jungle to scientific lab in the glow of night. Being inside was cool in more ways than one: It was already quite hot and humid this morning, and the blasts of air conditioning were a welcome relief at 8:30am!

Flight of Passage, uh (sorry, I couldn't help myself- I'm sure you get the joke if you've ridden it), is a ride I love. Yes, love. My son found it to be the best flying ride open the property, and I certainly agree. There's a beauty, serenity, and an exhilarating charm to it all that is not duplicated. A very wise decision to keep the attraction more in that realm than in a "something goes wrong" aspect that makes it extra special and different than anything else in this thrill ride heavy park. We started and ended our day at Animal Kingdom with this, and I could have ridden it a few more times. 

Next up: Nav'i River Journey. It could have been more much more than it is. Yet, these indoor boat rides are among my favorite attractions at Disney. Take the caverns of Pirates of the Caribbean, toss in the mystery of Epcot's El Rio del Tiempo, and throw in the atmosphere of an evening Jungle Cruise ride. Now, you have an idea what to expect. 

I find the Audio-Animatronic of the "Shaman of Songs" to be a very impressive but odd ending to the attraction. Why the huge budget and design with input from film creator James Cameron did not allow for some mechanical animals (after all this is Animal Kingdom) and a few Nav'i hunters. This just does not make sense. 

My son captured Pandora perfectly!

From an even more critical standpoint, this is where Pandora fails. If you've seen the movie, you expect a beautiful planet environment. But you also expect to see Nav'i. If you haven't, bringing them in sets some context to what's around you. It wouldn't have taken much to even place a hunter or two back in the outdoor landscape with a bit of forced perspective to bring it all together. Place a few limited motion figures on a timed turntable type track for variety. If I can figure this out, the professionals should have been able to do it. That lack of a personal encounter element is a major misstep in the land's design. (It's getting corrected at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as they bring in more character interaction, but it has taken a season or two of guest feedback to bring this life giving element to the land. But the lack of droids and non-human characters in the area is another issue altogether.) All said, I enjoy the cruise, but I could not talk the rest of the party into another ride. That says it all.

Beware the Yeti!

By this point, we were melting or so it seemed. A cold coffee drink at Starbucks along with a very large cup of water brought us all back to life. There were few tables outside Creature Comforts, so we ended up sitting on a planter. 

Expedition Everest is the top coaster on the property for me, and we made the very wise decision to hop on it before eating. A walk on. God bless my wife! She braved a ride for my son's sake, but once we enough as she is convinced the track includes inversions. My son and I rode immediately again. 

I love this ride, but when it gets to the second half after the Yeti breaks the track, it is now of my most loved coaster experiences. Maybe it is because of this that I refer to Expedition:Everest as Big Thunder on Steroids. Very fitting I think, don't you? 

I've other referred to Animal Kingdom as "a giant Adventureland", and it certainly is so! But this trip, I began to see it as also being akin to really being the missing countries of World Showcase at Epcot. India, Nepal, Equatorial Africa- it's all here and in a more fully realized form. On my 2007 trip when I was by myself, I wandered every nook and cranny, exploring. Back then, the park was still lacking, but I could not deny the abundance of design detail to be found everywhere I looked.

There is a hidden Mickey on each of these murals.

Surprisingly, our son showed his nerdy "son of a wanna-be Imagineer" side and spent considerable time taking in details at both the Maharaja Jungle Trek and with the Tree of Life itself. With the former, it was looking for real animals, and with the latter, it was looking at the over 300 carved ones. Both impressive! Many folks overlook the trails, but they actually contain some of the most beautiful pieces of art to be found in the park. (And I have a rarely heard story about the creation of the park to share with you in my next chapter about this park...)

Short but wet!

Kali River Rapids never fails to disappoint while leaving us with a smile on our face. Way too short, but also fun. Tiger River Rapids would have been so much better. Also much more expensive, unfortunately. (Find the story and some concept art on my series. The links are above.)

Not a Mickey in sight- just the way it should be!

Lunch in Africa at the Harambe Market was just the break we needed for some shade, rest for my very sore feet, and a scenic view of the train heading out to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Very atmospheric! An excellent meal was had at a fraction of the cost of eating at Tiffins, Yak & Yeti, or Tusker House. Splurging on a strangely spiced caramel apple from the sweet shop nearby, I thought of how satisfying it is to just relax and soak it all in. Animal Kingdom is a park to slow down and savor even if its star attractions are some of the best thrill rides on the property. 

Want to increase ridership?

Replace this with a Carnotaurus!

That points to a glaring need for some greater variety in family rides with no height requirement. A classic dark ride or two, a slow moving outdoor jeep ride with some gentle dinosaurs, and even a small scale rickshaw type ride would round out the offerings, filling in the gap between animal trails and heart thumping thrills. It's a well kept secret that this is Disney's thrill ride park. Hollywood Studios may be on its way to competing, but it's got a ways to go to capture the crown.

Now an Animal Kingdom exclusive-

but it was once planned for...

...Hong Kong Disneyland? Really!

In an odd twist, I couldn't convince anyone to take a Kilimanjaro Safari in the heat of the afternoon, so It's Tough to Be a Bug almost ended up as our last attraction for the day. On a whim, we took one last ride on Flight of Passage, and then departed via Uber for Epcot. As I always do, I turned for one last view of the gorgeous Tree of Life before walking out. Even with its very clear shortcomings, Joe Rohde's baby is one great piece of Imagineering!

Going into the park from the main entryway

just feels different.

We had a 3:00pm late lunch appointment in World Showcase at an old favorite, so upon arrival in the deconstructed Future World, wandering through the maze of walls was a frustrating procedure. No matter. We arrived inside the Mexico Showcase and checked in at the San Angel Inn Restaurante. I'd be another 15 minutes before we'd be seated, but oh, where we landed was so worth the wait!

We did not ask for this table.

I saw it as a gift from God.

My wife and I hadn't eaten here in years, perhaps more than 20 to be exact. Being placed front and center and directly at the edge of the water gave me the classic EPCOT Center feels! Starting with the classic Queso Fundido (which was on the menu on our very first trip in 1983) and then the very large and tasty margaritas, this midday meal was just excellent. Really. Between the perfectly cooked rib-eye and fish tacos, classic enchiladas, stunning environment, and the excellent service, this experience was the perfect example of what Disney can accomplish when Imagineering sets its sights high, budgets aren't slashed, and then partners with the right firms. 

We could not quit looking at the view, enjoying the small boats passing by the pyramid and volcano under the moonlight. Upon request, our waiter graciously took several photos of us, including his appropriately self-proclaimed "money shot" (above). He was younger and newer but told us he loved working there and that many staff had been in their employ for twenty years or more. It really was one big familia.  

It seemed like a "full circle" experience, and I almost forgot this was restaurant sat on the edge of the Gran Fiesta Tour and not my beloved El Rio del Tiempo. A great decision, and money well spent. Our post meal ride on Donald's Mexican Adventure seemed appropriate. 

Two hour wait for the lounge? No thank you.

A meal? Not at these prices.

Our son had not seen Frozen Ever After. he was curious about it, so we did endure the 30 minute wait. The verdict? Nice for kids but nothing special. My wife loves it, but he and I find it underwhelming at best and something unbefitting for a mega buster Disney film. Trust me, Tokyo will do it better. Don't they usually? 

Slyly sliding in a little Marvel.

Inside the Norwegian Stave church, a nice little exhibit can be found that features Marvel characters- without mentioning Marvel at all. Those crafty Disney lawyers found a loophole to be sure, but what's inside is actually pretty interesting. These small museum types options bring so much to World Showcase. The suits really could throw us a bone more often and add cultural exhibits and rides every once in awhile. 

If you're a Coke fan, it's a pretty great idea for a shirt.

Wanting to avoid the crowds closer to closing, we chose to backtrack and visit the new Club Cool and the Creations Shop to pick up a souvenir or two. I found nothing of interest, unfortunately. My wife grabbed a few trinkets for the little guys.

Count me in as liking the Mickey mural.

Merchandise aside, I see no reason to enter Club Cool again. I just dislike the new soda choices, and the once festive atmosphere is no longer there. It's a nice looking loss to the park.

Surprisingly, I found Creations Shop a pretty nice addition! The name does not make sense to me, but it is bright and airy, clean and new. Hopefully, not too much of Imagineer Zach Riddley's budget was used here. 

By this time, it was getting later, just about 6:45pm or so, and we went for one more ride on Test Track. Then it was back to World Showcase via Canada.

Just beautiful!

This side of the park was a beast with all the Food and Wine Festival booths and crowds that came with it. We did not stop at a single booth. Thankfully, once we reached the area, Impressions de France was showing, so we popped in for one of my favorite films. The music is still absolutely glorious, but the film itself, as charming as it is, needs an update. 

Moving onto The American Adventure, we had a difficult choice. See the last show or the full version of Epcot Forever. We chose the latter as we had not done one single night time show. I was underwhelmed.

Were the Disney suits playing with old school EPCOT Center fans by including classic park music, knowing full well we knew they would be relics from the past in this brave new cartoon filled park? I guess there was no winning for them either way. 

Awe inspiring and patriotic.

Walking through the maze of walls (again!) eventually led us back to the entrance and Spaceship Earth plaza. Now mostly restored to its original grandeur and with some new enhancements, it is the most successful piece of the Epcot revisioning. Truly beautiful! I lingered as long as I could before heading to the bus. The park holds sweet memories- but will it hold a sweet future? Hard to say.

Tomorrow we'd visit to the Magic Kingdom. Then, our last day at the World before we would take off to Universal Orlando- where I'd be very surprised with what I'd find. Stay with me as a hard core old school Imagineering fan dissects the Universal experience.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

The Art of Typhoon Lagoon

Seems that Typhoon Lagoon is on its way to opening! When this water park opened in 1989, fans were thrilled. In fact, 1989 also included the opening of Pleasure Island and the Disney-MGM Studios. Quite a year!

From the wave pool, to the lazy river, to slides and the opportunity to snorkel with sharks, the park was a masterpiece of Imagineering. There is not too much concept art for this Walt Disney World space, but what's there is pretty charming!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

How Do They Do It?

Are there some people that just irritate you? Of course, and their names are probably coming to mind as you read this. Some of the godliest people I know rarely if ever let on when they encounter brash, rude, or fill-in-the-blank personalities in person or on line. How do they do it? Galatians 5 gives us a clue: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. “ 

There it is. Choosing to walk by choice according to the character of God’s Holy Spirit and not the flesh. It’s tough work but He empowers us to do - and it takes a lifetime of practice to get better at doing so. The choice to glorify God and trust Him for the outcome battles against our desire to speak our mind. 

Thankfully, God’s Word reminds those on the brash and rude and prideful side of our frustration to walk in humility.

“26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Man, I love how God pulls no punches! May He bless your day as you walk out your faith before others in a way that brings Him glory!

Design Detail: Universal Studios Orlando Diagon Alley

With only a slight bit of exaggeration, there's probably well over 1,000 details to be found in Universal Studios Orlando and its most loved area. Even as the biggest fan of Disney Imagineering, I can tell you with full confidence that the team from Universal Creative created a stunning  masterpiece in building Harry Potter's Diagon Alley! I left this photo full size so you can take in a just a bit. (Just download it once you've opened it.) But what about the rest of the park and the resort as a whole?

There's a couple more days coming of my Walt Disney World trip report (Animal Kingdom is next), but hang on tight, because I was pretty shocked by what I found at the Universal Orlando Resort. How would it compare to my visit there back in 2008,  my friend Len's Yokoyama's 2016 visit or my youngest son's visit in 2017? As they used to say, "Stay Tuned!"

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Beware the Dragon!

Beware the Dragon! Freedom House, a global agency that monitors internet freedom and access has long rated the country of China among its top offenders. And yet, company after company, including The Walt Disney Company, choose to bow to the government demands in order to make a profit. Films are edited to meet their standards (check out the background on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), and theme parks are designed to further a government agenda while giving an appearance of freedom. Except in Hong Kong, where the world is getting a small taste of what it is really like to be under Chinese dominion.

 "...Whoever controls data has the upper hand" 

China's President Xi Jinping

The common people may be wonderful- and they are, certainly they were when meeting them at the China showcase at Epcot- but their government cannot be trusted as the treatment of the Uighur people continues to be despicable. This latest article highlights their use of public surveillance and data gathering and manipulation to be growing and now spreading to use in other countries. Again, wake up America, and beware the dragon.

(Image copyright Mark Taft.)

 

Disneyland Attraction Posters: A Little Tiki Culture for a Sunday Morning

Disneyland, tiki culture, and Imagineering. What a great combination for something very creative! Here's Paul Hartley's attraction poster to advertise Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, the groundbreaking Audio-Animatronic filled musical show. With its introduction in the early 1960s, Disneyland and every Disney theme park after would never be the same. This show goes through changes in Tokyo and perhaps one day will be fully replaced in Walt Disney World, but may it live on in its slightly abbreviated form in Walt's park. It's a classic! (By the way, the Insights blog has the most extensive attraction poster collection on the web!)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Which Version of the Mary Poppins Attraction Would You Rather See Built?

Which Mary Poppins attraction would you rather have? The one shown above in this concept art by master Imagineer Tony Baxter for the original Disneyland or the one below designed for World Showcase at Epcot? Let's look at each as the decision may not be as clear cut as it seems. Or could there be yet another answer? 

The one for Disneyland looks to be a "D Ticket" or even an "E Ticket" based on its innovative ride technology and substantial sets. 

A charming attraction poster for the Epcot attraction.

The Epcot version, as indicated by Walt Disney World insiders, is said to be a "C Ticket" carousel or spinner of sorts with projection mapping put to new use. Each would have numerous pieces of music to bring it all to life, be it from the original film or Mary Poppins Returns.

In the video above, Tony explains how this Disneyland attraction would come to life. Quite fascinating. There are even parts of it that remind me of Tony's other classic attraction, Journey into Imagination.

In a perfect World, we'd have both! What do you think? I say that would be practically perfect in every way.

(Art and video copyright The Walt Disney Company.)