March 15, 2024

Tropical and Exotic Adventureland

For fans of Disneyland, it can seem that Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is a second class version of "Walt's park", but the truth is, the Florida wonderland is full of incredible Imagineering work! Take a look at the concept art for the Great Ceremonial House, home to the Enchanted Tiki Birds at opening, but now known as the Enchanted Tiki Room. Just beautiful! Even without its water feature- look closely- it is a stunning building.

Great thought was put in when it came to designing all of the Magic Kingdom. It was on a grand scale, and initial plans were meant to continue on in that vein. For proof, just take a look at the never built Thunder Mesa complex for Frontierland

I will admit that once Aladdin's Magic Carpets came on the site that something was lost. The addition was not only a thematic mismatch, it was a downgrade to the elegance of the area. Used to be a view from the top of the Swiss Family Tree House yielded the fantasy to take hold: YOU were out in the jungles of the world, and across the horizon were exotic locales waiting to be explored. Asia, Polynesia, Africa, and beyond. Adventure awaits!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

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