The "New Disneyland" Park

I just love old school Disney optimism! Nowhere do I find it more entrenched in the hearts and minds of the Disney suits, Imagineering, and the general Disney theme park loving fans than in the promotional materials for Walt Disney World. Not just a new Magic Kingdom in Florida, but a whole new world of entertainment, shopping, dining, and recreational facilities. This was to be what they couldn't do in Anaheim but on a larger, more controlled environment and scale. 

Even the "New Disneyland Park" was to be unique. A beautiful new castle, a brand new land (Liberty Square), and a series of E Ticket attractions not seen before at Disneyland (Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, and the Mickey Mouse Musical Revue). Even the Fantasyland dark rides were originally going to be a different mix of stories and emotions. Unfortunately, that never came to pass. 

Perhaps the most special part of a new kingdom involved getting there. There's something special about arriving via boat or monorail across the Seven Seas Lagoon that just builds the anticipation to a great day. It still gets to me- even after all these years!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company).