A New Idea Beyond Electric Autopia Cars- And It's a Perfect Fit for Disneyland's Tomorrowland

"Don't bury the lead!" This is the old newspaperman's wisdom that has lasted for centuries whether the content was put on paper or in digital form. News has broken that Disneyland, the one, original, Walt's park, will not only be keeping the Autopia in Tomorrowland, but it will be converted to electric vehicles. I think this is an excellent move for multiple reasons, but I will miss the smell of the fuel. It brings back so many great memories of when I'd visit the park as a kid! 

Can I say I hope they use the cars from Hong Kong Disneyland? And could they certainly make the track and surrounding areas look as inviting as that Chinese park? I hope so. 

This all led me to think there is a perfect addition to Tomorrowland that I've heard no one else mention yet. So, here it is:

Move Aquatopia from Tokyo Disneysea to the old Motor Boat Cruise lagoon next to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage! It'd bring fresh energy to a land that was once " a World on the Move" and fill in a very dead space in the park. Not every addition needs to be an "E Ticket" to fit or to be successful- or even beloved. Just look at the Fantasyland Dark Rides at Disneyland! 

A move such as this would be unexpected, appreciated, and filled with charm. Go ahead, Imagineering. Pitch my idea! D23 is just around the corner!

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!

A Villains Land for All! One for Families and Those Wanting a Darker Side

Josh D'Amaro and the Imagineers at Disney have their work cut out for them when it comes to designing a Villains themed land that will please everyone. Is it even possible? Some will want it darker to match the tone and emotional thrill factor of Epic Universe and their Dark Universe. Can you really blame them for wanting it? No. I mean, come on now, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment has to be one of the best rides of the genre ever created. Those in pursuit of a family friendly approach won't go for this! They couldn't even handle the excellently funny and a bit scary Alien Encounter two decades or so ago. Some folks would prefer a more humorous vision for the land. Maybe, in small doses, I could go for this. How about a blend? I'd like to see something along these lines:
 

The family friendly portion is in the front of the land. This makes it approachable for kids of all ages. The environment has to look a bit different than what's in Fantasyland, however. The rides for smaller kids focuses on attractions with less scary villains, while rides like the big rollercoaster use much darker ones. In the village, use the Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, and even Cruella De Vil. This will be the spot for a few character meet and greets- one along the lines of Enchanted Tales with Belle, a couple of classic "C Ticket" level dark rides, a spinner hidden within a show building, a theater show, friendly themed shops, (a candy store themed to Pinocchio's Pleasure Island would work well here) and a couple of quick service spots that would appeal to the family. Just one more thing: add a 'middle ground" roller coaster somewhere between the intensity of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain Railway.

What about those guests to the land wanting more "bite"? Let's take a shot of creating a foreboding place with the scarier, darker, more thrill focused portion in the back. Make it accessible through three hidden entrances as you walk into the village. Think of how Universal handled Diagon Alley and the entrance to Knockturn Alley, but with multiple entry points.   Use other, creepier villains for an incredibly themed boat ride using Shanghai Disneyland's famous Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure technology. Maybe the water villains like Ursula and her friends. Let the boats approach two different paths, but take the one that is darker and more suspenseful than the one that looks more bright and cheery.

Save Malificient, Chernabog, Dr. Facillier, Jafar, and Hades for the big, big, thrills that call out to teenagers and thrill seekers. A giant, very well themed coaster with a much higher height requirement- and cleverly disguised if not almost totally hidden track. Leave some showing as a tease, but make it themed. It doesn't have to be taller than Cinderella Castle to be thrilling. Play up the suspense factor. Have riders go totally underground first. Send the sounds of screams outside to the open areas, much like what the bakeries in the parks do with their "smellitizers"- or whatever they are called. Does a giant dragon on top (like in the concept art) need to be there? Or would the designers just be imitating what's been done with their competitors down the street?

This more serious themed area needs a spookier dark ride as well. Start with a version of the Haunted Mansion. After walking in, it's' time to get on the Omnimover. Then begin with one of a series of two or three different rooms acting as the first show scene. Each room can use a very different set of villains. Each room can be in a different setting as well. Make one set of dialogue funny, another frightening, and another with an entirely different tone- maybe arguing about how to best eliminate the good guys. All before they discover us and decide they have to eliminate us as well. As the cars go past, then let the riders experience different routes from there on out. (Can you imagine what the Haunted Mansion would have been like with trackless vehicles traveling to different rooms. Every journey could be different. And think of the Lightning Lane passes you'd sell!) Want more? 

Add in a highly desirable sit down dining experience that plays up the chill factor (use a style like the West Wing room of Be Our Guest as a way to pull it off) and a great bar or two. Quick service better play a role here, too. Think Gideon's Bakery for inspiration. Go BIG on this! Multiple attractions for the little kid friendly area and the scarier one. Invest now and wow everyone.

This year's D23 should be interesting! I'm not even an Imagineer, and I can come up with some great ideas. What are yours? 

(Art copyright Mark Taft.)

Piston Peak's Older, More Rustic Cousin: Disneyland's Rainbow Ridge

Piston Peak is sure to remain the Magic Kingdom's most hotly debated addition. Replacing Rivers of America- an opening day feature of the original castle park and one that held Walt Disney's beloved riverboat-  was an announcement that brought a hush and even some boos to D23. Deservedly so. 

Bringing the modern day Cars franchise into Frontierland. It wasn't blasphemy, but it was close. This was far worse than replacing Splash Mountain with Tiana's Bayou Adventure. 

Above is a vintage Rainbow Ridge Postcard from Disneyland's golden days when the man himself was still around to provide real vision for the park he loved. As the gateway to something fantastic, this area not only contained the Mine Train Thru Natures Wonderland, it also held the Conestoga Wagons and the Pack Mule train. 

It was truly a land of discovery filled with rustic scenes, animals native to the American West, and the show stopping Rainbow Caverns as grand finale to the mine train ride. This was the Americana version of the Jungle Cruise as designed by Imagineer Marc Davis. The whole thing was even more special as right across the river was Tom Sawyer Island, a special placed designed for open exploration and a chance to use the imagination God gave us.

Proving great ideas never go to waste, modern Imagineering borrowed from the Mine Train finale to add a taste of vintage Disneyland to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I'm grateful for that, and I look forward to the change. But it does makes me long for a simpler day when Disney suits realized the parks were about much more than promotion for the company's Intellectual Property.

Disneyland's Dirty Secret in 2026

Walt Disney's original kingdom holds a big dirty secret that they don't want let out to the public. It's one that's hidden in most all promotional materials but talked about within the halls of the Company's suits as well as in Imagineering. What is it? The park's Tomorrowland is an embarrassment and no longer worthy of the Disney name. Yes, the land of the future was barely finished in time at opening. Yes, the "new" Tomorrowland of 1998 was not an improvement over the 1967 version, and yes, Disney's been teasing a new entry is coming ever since, well, forever. 

Disneyland may be the original and the one with the most charming Fantasyland as well as a beautiful New Orleans Square and Rivers of America, but on the other side of the park, it's a mess.

The skeleton of the beloved Peoplemover hangs as a grim reminder of previous greatness and innovation. Or if you're younger, it's a reminder of the short lived Rocket Rods, a great attraction killed by budget cuts and short-sightedness. The useless Carousel of Progress building is a huge wasteland. Star Tours belongs somewhere else- if only they had a land dedicated to the Star Wars franchise. The centerpiece  Rocket Jets are uselessly grounded, making Dumbo more appealing. As beautiful as the land's lagoon is, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has run its course.

Space Mountain is the land's only redeeming factor. It's time to get ride of everything else and start fresh. Imagineering could have some great ideas. Will we see something at the 2026 D23? I doubt it, but I'd love to be wrong.

(Top photograph from DocumentDisney.)

Goodbye Rivers of America and a Large Piece of Magic Kingdom History

This is the view I will miss the most with the demolition of Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. It's the one I first saw in 1974 on my first visit to the original Walt Disney World park. The stately Haunted Mansion up on a hill in Liberty Square and Aunt Polly's over at Tom Sawyer Island. 

Back then, there was no Big Thunder Mountain or Splash Mountain on the other side, just wilderness to explore while riding the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, the rafts, or the Mike Fink Keel Boats. It was a beautiful simpler time. Imagineering had created a wonderful, totally atmospheric piece of Americana. But nothing lasts forever.  

The Disney Parks blog reported these changes last year in August to a shocked crowd at D23:

"The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, with the help of Tow Mater via video call, announced that a new area inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film “Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a race car from the big city,” Josh told the crowd."

The crowd was silent, then some booed, and then it was on to the next announcement. 

Today is the last day to experience a very important piece of Magic Kingdom history. What a sad, sad day it is.

(Photographer unknown.)

Bored With Disney But This Excites Me

At D23, when it comes to the theme parks, the Disney suits promise one incredible experience after another. Sometimes they deliver. Many times, projects are cancelled, and even sometimes, projects are a bust. Imagineering may come up with incredible ideas but they are often budgeted to death. California Adventure 1.0, Hong Kong Disneyland at opening, or Walt Disney Studios Paris come to mind? Maybe you're still stinging a bit like I am over the "new" Epcot. 

Now, they're ready to take on Disney's Animal Kingdom with new attractions. Sure, it's sad they gave up on dinosaurs and Countdown to Extinction aka Dinosaur. But who came blame them? Universal owns Jurassic Park / Jurassic World and they own dinosaurs just like Disney owns mermaids.  

Which all brings us to Tropical Americas. I'm not too trusting that the suits will do Encanto justice. This isn't Tokyo Disney Resort and the Oriental Land Company. What should certainly be a ride on the scale of Haunted Mansion may end up being another Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Yet, with Epic Universe on the way- the one everyone is excited about and for good reason- it is an encouraging sign that Imagineer Joe Rhode has been brought back into the fold to map this expansion out. And then there's Indiana Jones.

Now, this is something I am excited about! A brand new story that isn't Disneyland's original or Tokyo Disneysea's next chapter. Perhaps this new adventure will feature new effects previously unforeseen in the States. Thinking specifically here of Jack Sparrow's first appearance in Shanghai Disneyland's incredible Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure or Mystic Manor's artifact transformation when that magical little music box is opened. 

They'd better get it right this time. Most of Epcot's revisioning fell flat, and Disney's Hollywood Studios needs more help than what's planned. if they want to counteract the Universal problem. Indiana could be just what the doctor or should I say professor ordered. I'm hoping it is!

Disneyland's Other Space Mountain Attraction Poster

A fitting way to end this week- a Space Mountain attraction poster for D23 highlighting the iconic experience at Disneyland. The classic Tomorrowland attractions is a rite of passage of millions of California kids. Certainly not the tallest or fastest or even best, but this Disney coaster provides a wonderful flight through outer space. I only wish the one in Florida's Magic Kingdom was as smooth! But then, we in California have the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and it is far rougher than that!

Search the site for "attraction posters" and you'll find one of the largest collection of them on the internet.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Mickey Mouse Thing

A Mickey Mouse occurrence with Blogger stopped me from posting with photos for a few days. I wanted to share the results of my fairly accurate prediction for D23. If you look back, you'll note I told you that the Magic Kingdom would be the focus of additions announced. Why? Because pure and simple, Disney will not give up the crown of Number One World's Most Visited Theme Park to Universal. They just won't- and nor should they. With Epic Universe on the horizon, the suits are running scared into spending big bucks. That's a great thing for fans! Let Imagineering have some fun, and we all win. Walt Disney World will be changing... as always.

New Concept Art For Disney Adventure World in Paris

As the Walt Disney Studios Paris transforms into the new Disney Adventure World , the recently announced addition of a whole area based on the Lion King, Pride Lands, seems no more out of place than a land dedicated to Frozen. 

The park needed a new identity and seems to have found one based on Islands of Adventure's layout. I must say, though, the land looks wonderful and more akin to something you'd find in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Gives me hope for this place that was once the worst of all Disney parks.

Speaking of ugly parks, with the addition of Pandora / Avatar, will the still underdeveloped California Adventure get a new name, too?)

How I Learned to Love the Magic Kingdom Without Rivers of America

Maybe there's a brighter side to this shocking D23 announcement and the subsequent admission that the beautiful Rivers of America is going away.  Regardless, it's time to say goodbye to Tom Sawyer Island, the watercraft, and potentially more (like Liberty Square in the long term) as Disney Imagineers craft an expansion at the Magic Kingdom. Cars takes over changing Frontierland, and with it, another piece of Florida park history disappears. Will it be great and great looking? Probably. But what really happened to the "blessing of size"? 

Can you imagine the uproar had they shown this piece of concept art at D23? Obviously, this was the plan. Show the simple art first, lower the boom later. And answer to no one live.

There could be an upside to all this. Maybe. Just maybe.

Perhaps there's some advance planning going on. Not moving Cars to the back of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad means they can expand Villains Land, which is sure to be a big hit. A huge one, actually. Could be a piece of the river can be accessed via a bridge from Liberty Square into the new area and lots of waterfalls off the rocks to make it feel refreshing a la the old Cascade Peak at Disneyland. This would help ease the pain of losing a soothing view and a relaxing walk while around the river and seeing the former Tom Sawyer Island or the watercraft. A theme park is more than just rides. It is atmosphere too.

About 50 percent of our trips to Walt Disney World in the last many years, we did ride the riverboat and/or went to Tom Sawyer Island. Often both. Great experiences that brought some stress relief from the constant crowds and waiting in line in the Florida sun. I will treasure these times! I'm glad I did so.  

On the plus side- I'm trying desperately hard to find one- it will make the Magic Kingdom even more distinct from other castle parks. Like each one, it has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. 

If Cars goes in, the Speedway is rather redundant. Since tomorrow is becoming harder to create for, perhaps the top suits will surprise us and bring in some incredible attractions for a larger Fantasyland. Lord knows, New Fantasyland 1.0 feels disjoined. Disneyland's is much, much better even though it is smaller. The Florida expansion was far less successful than it could have been and not the "Potter Swatter" Imagineering and the suits were hoping for. Cute, yes. Must see, no. It needed a real E Ticket and did not get it. Maybe next time.

All that said, I do not trust this leadership team. Sorry, but it's true.

The negatives in both pulling the Speedway and the Rivers of America are huge, though, and the potential even worse.

The Haunted Mansion will make a great entrance point for Villains, but the Hall of Presidents could be the next thing to be turned into something entirely different. (The Memento Mori gift shop was the first step in the move away from Liberty Square being focused on the founding years of our nation. But read the article for an interesting backstory that's real.) Why is the Hall of Presidents next to go? Guests can't help but "comment" during the roll call. So, let's turn the entire kingdom into a land of cartoon characters. "I know- let's add Muppets! They were there during that part of the century." This will happen, mark my words.

What will they do next? They are erasing the American history part of the Magic Kingdom because they can and it gets rid of the persistent problem it brings in this day and age. Few theme park visitors seem interested in American history, but it seems everyone just wants to argue about the state of our country instead. When all is said and done, if it is really going to happen, just turn the entrance to Liberty Square into a Sleepy Hollow creepy looking version, change some theming and give it all a new name. Be done with it quickly and move on.

When the Speedway goes, there could be room for another DVC store, another lounge, and maybe even some attractions if they can find it in their hearts. 

I say take your photographs of Liberty Square and the Speedway now while they are still around.

What will happen at Disneyland? May the suits at Disney have the wisdom to keep Rivers of America in Walt's park!

Here's The Ride System for Magic Kingdom's New Cars Attraction- It is Not Like Radiator Springs Racers!

This is not a Radiator Springs Racers vehicle! Per Josh D'Amaro at Disney during the D23 convention, this crazy Cars themed addition to Florida's Magic Kingdom is something entirely different. Now, here is what the ride vehicle is: It is an off road all terrain vehicle, but it is in fact a theme park ride car. Who is the manufacturer? None other than Dynamic Attractions. Take a look: 

 

Now, I'm not the one that found this. It's my friends at WDWMagic that uncovered it all on the discussion boards, but I had to share it. (If the link doesn't work, go here.)

No, I'm not thrilled that Frontierland is continuing to devolve from a celebration of America's history, but I'm trying to make the best of it. Imagineering can still do incredible work if given the right budget. That's said, Tiana's Bayou Adventure should have been much better. So what do I know?

This isn't my favorite announcement at D23...

(Concept art The Walt Disney Company.)

And So D23 Begins...

Disney had better to something fantastic! 

“After Saturday night we’ve got two reveal rooms because Josh D’Amaro is going to be doing a lot of announcements and those reveal rooms will be opening Sunday morning. We love repeat visitation, as you know, so you’re going to have to come back Sunday if you want to get in there and see some really cool sh** that is brand new and is on the horizon.”

”With that, I know you’ve all been hungry for something beyond Blue Sky. Blue Sky is really fun, but you know what? Building, delivering, putting shovels in the dirt is even better. So that’s what this year is all about and the next decade is all about.”

-Imagineering's Bruce Vaughn

Here we go...

My Single D23 Prediction

D23 arrives in Anaheim, California this weekend! The showcase of what's new and what's next for the Disney creative teams is always a highlight of that year. Except the last two conventions which were a bust from any imaginable angle. Robert Iger (and previously the short-lived Bob Chapek) along with Josh D'Amaro, gave us nothing but teasers. This year should be different, especially with Epic Universe looming in 2025.

Here's my singular prediction: The bulk of the biggest wow moments park expansions and additions will be for Florida's Magic Kingdom. Why? This one is pretty easy I think. In the USA for decades, Walt Disney World's first park has reigned supreme as the top attendance, most visited park. With Islands of Adventure and its star attractions- like Velocicoaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure,  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey- continuing to gain in popularity as a vacation choice, the suits and the Imagineers are not just going to give up the crown to the Mouse's most ferocious and successful competitor. It'd look pretty bad for Disney if a Universal park moved to number one in the States.

So... Beyond Big Thunder Mountain will be only the beginning. But expansion is coming, leaving major additions to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the California parks in the relative dust.

Walt Disney World Loses A Third Day to Universal- Harry Potter and The Battle at the Ministry Will Rock the World!

As expected, Epic Universe moves beyond Disney starting today. The final details have just been released. Harry Potter and The Battle at the Ministry. Take a ride on the Métro-Floo from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for an attraction that look like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on steroids! It will leave fans with a resounding question of "How did they do that?!?"

In this new wizarding world, it wouldn't be Paris without a cabaret! In the brand new land, show patrons will enter a tent in the center of the streets to enjoy a full-scale incredible traveling group called Le Cirque Arcanus. Encountering fantastic beasts of many kinds and performers of equal variety, be prepared for something spectacular. When the brilliant minds of Universal Creative puts a theater show in the middle of the land, you can be they are very proud of it! 

What's the Wizarding World without some Butterbeer? Is it here in Paris as well? Mais bien sûr! (But of course!) Shops, restaurants, and brand new places to explore will bring guests for a third full day to the Universal Orlando Resort. And this is Disney's new problem.

How does Disney stem the tide of an additional third day loss day of revenue? Families by the thousands will now call Universal their home resort for the next family vacation. 

The full video.

They may act unafraid, but you can guarantee the suits at the Walt Disney Company have  to change their clothes today. In this world, no one successfully competes with the wizard named Harry Potter!

(Concept art copyright Universal Creative.)

Disney's Hollywood Studios- The Worst Disney Park in Florida?

From one of the best days of our trip to one of the worst: The mess that is Disney's Hollywood Studios. "Wait!" you say in protest. "It's got Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock n Rollercoaster!" Yes, that's true. And in response to you, I say, "1- Down for the day. 2-Still great and 3- Closed for Refurbishment." That was our day in a nutshell when it came to our favorite attractions in the park. Ddi we have fun? Sure, but it was "different".

Since we couldn't get virtual queue for Rise, took our own sweet time getting there. Even at almost an hour before official opening, it was a pretty light morning. When we entered the park, we headed straight for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. Immediate 40 minute wait. What? So the problems began. The dang park is just under built, and it shows. More on that later.

I do not get the complaints on Runaway Railway aside from the Great Movie Ride question. That is one I totally get and really wished the suits would have upgraded the opening day classic and put Mickey and Minnie in the old Animation Courtyard where it belongs. 

Cute, Classic Disney, and full of charm. Imagineering at its best. It's a near perfect family friendly ride that hits all the right elements. Had it been around during Walt Disney's day, I'm guessing he would have been very proud of it. Sweet, funny, and something everyone young and old can ride together. No height restriction, a massive people eater, and it is all much more reliable than that other big trackless ride in a galaxy far far away. What a great ride to start our day!

Checked the Disney Parks app. Rise was still down. Off to Star Tours. Why is it the older ride can pull you into the story and seems to have more action and energy than an entire land just a few steps away? Like Mickey and Minnie's, we walked off with a smile on our faces. 

Now that we'd been bitten by the Star Wars bug, we walked over to Batuu. Slowing down, we checked out a few shops more than the previous trip, took some photographs, and decided it was time for a Ronto Wrap. I love these things! Yes sir, mine was cold and it did not have a fresh flavor. It wouldn't be the worst meal on our trip, but it was close to the bottom.

What should we do next? Walking by, Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run had a decent wait, so that was our sign. It may not be the star of the land, but I have to admit, this one is growing on me. Perhaps the working together as a team aspect is the one repeatable thing that never tires. We had a blast, and Hondo Onaka is one incredible Audio-Animatronic. 

App check. Nope, still closed.

This is the part where the park shows its weaknesses. We are not stage show people. Rubberheads are not our thing, nor are sing a longs. We have carnival rides at home, so that eliminated Alien Swirling Saucers. The line at Toy Story Mania was over an hour wait. Even longer for Slinky Dog Dash. The coaster is more fun than you'd think, but no and no. 

We'd seen Vacation Fun Madness or whatever it is called, and that was a bust. How could they pass off as an attraction a splicing of Mickey cartoon segments we'd all seen multiple times? Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy is awful- but we're not its audience.

My wife was happy to sit down for a bit, so my son and I decided to bite the bullet and embrace the wait for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. We are never disappointed. It's just all over so fast. Then, it was back to looking for something else to do.

By now, it was hot. Really hot and muggy. Time for a Mickey bar and a short visit to Dinosaur Gertie for some photos. Why? Because it's my tradition! Next, with a 5 minute wait because we timed it just right, we gladly took in Muppets 3D. Hadn't seen it in years. Hadn't missed much. The gimmick of 3D no longer plays well and neither do the Muppets, regardless of how much Disney tries to reboot the franchise. Time for it all to go. There, I said it.

One more ride in Star Tours. New scenes, new destinations, still fun.

 

We regrouped by grabbing a seat inside the BaseLine Tap House. A wise stop. There's no meal to be found here, just some trendy bar snacks to go with the beer. Nice environment but nothing too themed or special. People watching was the order of the day there. I spied with my little eyes something fun. You'll have to look for the Disneyland reference yourself. I might save it for a Design Detail post, though.

App check (again). Rise was still down. The waits for Slinky Dog and Toy Story Mania were even longer than before. We had a 35 minute wait for the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. 

In an instant, our decision unanimously made. No debate, no second thoughts. Booking a late afternoon reservation for La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant, we walked out of the park and hopped right on the Skyliner to Epcot. Our day instantly was 100% better. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom would be tomorrow. Given the day's events, I was more than a bit nervous.

I'm calling it now. Disney's Hollywood Studios better get their act together. As it currently stands, unless we are traveling with others who insist differently, this will be the Disney park we skip over in order to go to Epic Universe. 

The latest hot rumor mill says Universal is demanding guests buy a three day park ticket in order to get into the newest park once it opens- but the catch is you can only go to that park one day. That leaves the other two days of a vacation on their property for Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and City Walk. If you're adding it up, that's a total of three days out of a week's vacation spent at Universal vs. Disney. Throw in two days for travel, and watch out. Things are about to change big time. People were initially mad to have to buy a two park ticket in order to ride the Hogwart's Express. But they got used to it. Now, Universal is a two day experience, Soon enough, they will get used to three days at the Universal Orlando Resort as well.

Come 2025, long after D23 has come and gone and plans change or get cancelled once again, people will start saying what our son is saying now: "Going forward, I can't imagine a trip to Central Florida without spending days at Universal Orlando." 

Dubai Disneyland - A Decade in the Making

It was ten years ago that I first stumbled upon the concept art for Dubai Disneyland. It was such a large discovery that I even surprised fellow blogger and friend Alain Littaye of the Disney and More blog. (May he rest in peace.) He leaked my find on his site and received a much wider response. Websites around the globe began posting these - and many other- pieces of concept art I had found for the proposed park. It's been a decade, and it is time to consider the future of the project. 

Let's recap further-

I published these pieces immediately, perhaps seven or eight total, much to the delight of Disney Park fans. I continue to receive inquiries and questions, with some even doubting I had the art. I do, and the most popular piece- to prove so- is above. A couple of weeks after I first posted it, I was contacted by the firm and asked to remove it all, as the client was upset they had even made it relatively public. I did so. But now, I feel at liberty to repost one image to prove it all. One image that, by now, can be found on too many websites and blogs to track...so I have no qualms posting it now.

Immediately below is what I posted in November 2014, and I repeat it here for your understanding:

"Yes, once more,  this post by The Disney Times is 100% correct. As are others who reported something similar. I did post a series of pieces of concept art on the proposed Dubai Disneyland, and yes, I was contacted by Favilli Studio. A very nice request was made by the Director of Operations, Linus Sora, a very kind man, to have me take down the pieces- which I did as a courtesy. 

Why did they ask me to take them down? Easy, the proposed project is very real and very sensitive. The clients were upset the pieces made their way to the public  Imagine a Disneyland in the Middle East and everything that could mean and everything that could lead to. The area is already a world power, and we all know Disney is solely in the market to make money. Win / Win. 

Favilli also took their pieces down off the web, but you can still find a concept for Glacier Bay, a land once proposed for Tokyo Disney Sea."

With the first stage of Dubai Parks and Resorts opening October 31, can a version of Disneyland Dubai be far behind? The concept art for it is all over the web (and I should know as I first shared it in 2014). 

My guess to the question is "No". Why? First, with Legoland there and the inevitable Six Flags and Universal Studios, I can't imagine Disney will offer their product in a place that puts them at the same level as their competitors in the minds of travelers. Which is exactly what would happen if they do go there. 

Secondly, Shanghai Disneyland has just premiered, and my bet is the suits and the public are finding there is much more work behind the scenes in making this really work in addition to what's needed to keep it going. Including necessary expansion straight away.

Lastly, with Star Wars Land and Pandora World of Avatar- not to mention upcoming projects based on Marvel and Frozen, Disney is finally taking an active role in the competition for the buck. Their parks will soon once again offer compelling reasons to "do Disney". And just in the nick of time."

Below were most all the pieces of concept art I found. I'm saving them for future posts.

The larger park view may be the best. It includes a different version of Cars Land as well as a Star Wars based version of Tomorrowland. There's even a much earlier proposed version of Main Street U.S.A. which is more like a Fantasyland styled avenue. Not quite Mickey Avenue in Shanghai, but a European styled village with dark ride attractions, shops and restaurants. Just imagine!

As of this date, world events and tensions in the region seem to have placed this project on hold. Maybe indefinitely. No, we won't get an announcement for this at D23, as things will have to cool. But you never know what the suits will pull out of the sleeves. Money talks, and be it China, Dubai, India or anywhere else, Disney always succumbs to the lure of the buck over anything else.

 

Dark Universe is the One to Beat at Epic Universe- and Why Disney Can't Do It!

Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy and more. Things are going to get twisted and very scary and very interesting! By this time next year, theme park fiends will be screaming with delight talking about Epic Universe and especially the brand new land, Dark Universe. That is saying certainly something coming up against the themes of the other lands in the park. Think of the juggernaut that is Harry Potter. Then consider the rabid fan base 40 years strong of Mario Bros and Super Nintendo World. Even How to Train Your Dragon has families excited to visit the Isle of Berk. But Monsters will rule them all. Why? These characters' stories have been told for seemingly hundreds of years, tales as old as time, and they are the backbone of Halloween costumes for decades as well.

Main nemesis the Walt Disney Company can't fight this battle since Disneyland or Walt Disney World has nothing even close to compare. My hunch is the suits know it too. They'll blew their chance to include uber villain Dr. Facillier on the Tiana's Bayou Adventure remodel, and Rise of the Resistance aside, they just don't have the guts to do real bad guys anymore let alone real monsters. Cartoon monsters that gather screams or laughs, sure. Those that truly terrify? No. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is proof. On the other coast, Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim has more edge but misses the horror mark too.

Let's be honest, no one does horror like Universal. Whether it is the brutal slasher type scarefest of Halloween Horror Nights or the more playful Monster Make Up show, guests love to be scared. Now, the classic Universal movie monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, are on the scene, they've got to go to Universal to get it.

 

The main attraction in the area named Darkmoor will be the new rite of passage for those younger theme park guests. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment promises nonstop thrills and chills with a nightmare of a story. Cutting edge effects, unforeseen lifelike- or is it deathlike - frightening characters gone beserk in a setting that will make riding Disney Imagineering's Haunted Mansion look like time spent at Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Sign me up, he said trembling a bit.

The whole area will be fleshed out with otherworldly experiences, character meet and greets of a whole new dimension, and dining and shopping like nothing ever seen. Certainly incredible during the day but absolutely foreboding once the blackness of night settles in. Fans of classic horror now have another option to be scared, especially if slasher flicks are not their genre of choice.

I'm not even a big fan of the classic monsters franchise, and this has me very excited!

Could this year's D23 reveal Disney countering with a Villains land or even entire theme park? No. Robert Iger and company would appear to be playing catch up. And they are! For about two decades, the suits at Disney have not truly invested in building the parks. They've rested on their biggest cash cow, and now it is rightfully going to bite them in the wallet. And I hope it does- with a huge set of Dracula's fangs! 

(Art copyright Universal Creative.)

The Best Journey into Imagination Video I've Ever Seen

That most beloved attraction of all time at Epcot: The Original and Greatest Journey into Imagination. Imagineer Tony Baxter created the charming Figment and his pal Dreamfinder as guides for the most fantastic, magical attraction since the park's opening. Have you ever seen a video as great as the one below?

The first five minutes of the ride video are muted due to copyright issues, but after that, you get the full attraction experience. And it's just wonderful! If the above ever disappears, go here.

Thanks to Disney Dave for taking this way back when. Enjoy!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

No Laughing Matter: Introducing Disney’s California Adventure!

Do you remember this television ad? "Come to California Adventure! We have a Ferris wheel, lots of flat rides and spinners, and an entry area that brings you back to the malls from the 1970s and 1980s. Ignore that old school park across the way- Disneyland is outdated while we are hip and edgy with B List celebrities and Beach Boys music. So, come to Disney’s California Adventure where you can have the best of what Knott's Berry Farm has to offer- All at Disney's inflated prices." No, I don't remember it either, but it could have happened.  

Disney California Adventure has quite the history. It was the laughing stock of the theme park industry when it opened in 2001, especially compared to the jaw dropping beauty of Tokyo Disneysea which opened a few months later. Yet, Anaheim's second park looked like an absolute Imagineering masterpiece when placed up against the Walt Disney Studios Paris park. 

I was there opening year, and the park was an unmitigated disaster. It was so bad and so against everything Walt Disney stood for, that I walked out just a couple of hours later and asked for a refund. Instead, I took the offer to get into Disneyland for the rest of the day. I was not alone. Word of mouth spread quickly. The park built on the cheap by then CEO Michael Eisner was a disaster. The press had a field day.

The very ugly concept art for a very ugly park.

The quickly announced budget version of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror open in 2004, but it wasn't enough to bring in the crowds or give it an authentic Disney park feel. 

On October 17, 2007 new CEO Robert Iger announced a total redesign of the park and to thunderous response. It was a "brand withdrawal" in his words- not up to par with what a Disney park should be. 

The project took many years. It brought the amazing Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers, the brand new entry Buena Vista Street, an evening show on the lagoon World of Color, and a new dark ride based on The Little Mermaid. When the last stage opened in 2012, the crowds responded favorably and attendance went way, way up.

To be honest, I've had zero desire to visit California Adventure since I've seen Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.  Nothing they have added/subtracted at the park has been a draw. And frankly, more Marvel won't do it for me.

There's been many changes and additions since, some good, some bad, and some very bad.  A Bug's Land gave way to Avengers Campus, while Paradise Pier became Pixar Pier. the rustic and attraction free Pacific Wharf (bakery tour and sourdough bread exhibit aside) became Big Hero 6's San Fransokyo. You judge for yourself whether these were great moves or not.

The little park that was the step child in Anaheim has a fascinating story to tell- and when you look through the concept art, you can see it was all Bargain Basement Imagineering at its finest. (Worst?) 

Follow the full story by reading at the series below. Look at the tons of concept art and evaluate it all. You'll be shocked at the park's awful  design and beginning compared to what it is now. Will the D23 in August help the park go forward or backward? We shall see.

Bargain Basement Imagineering - 1.0

Bargain Basement Imagineering  - 1.5

Bargain Basement Imagineering (or Back to the Drawing Boards)

Imagineering A New Dream- DCA  2.0 - The 2017 Announcement & Reimagining

Various other articles on the park:

California Adventure's Cool Retro Attraction Posters

Our First Visit to California Adventure in 2001

20 Years of DCA: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Disney's Real California Adventure: The Challenge and the Reputation at Stake

Ten Years of Disney California Adventure

A California Adventure Christmas- and More Dirty Secrets of Disneyland 

Steps in Time: California Adventure's Grand Opening

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)