Shanghai Disneyland's Train Station That Isn't

Like most Disney Imagineering projects, theme park fans have much to say about the outcome. And Shanghai Disneyland is no exception. While I find the castle itself a monstrosity, I do in fact find other parts of the park charming. Treasure Cove feels like old school, excellent Imagineering in its thoughtful design. In contrast, Fantasyland seems to be a misguided attempt at merging the past with newer Disney offerings. It fails miserably.

These pieces of concept art by David Damron reveal a charming take on the railroad train station that wasn't. A landmark designed to feel familiar but would hold nothing of real interest. Well, I guess it is mission accomplished. 

There's no doubt his pieces are beautiful, and the end result is lovely. Mickey Avenue is a surprising turn for those guests expecting Main Street U.S.A., but that is the way things are for this Chinese park. Things are unexpected: Fantasyland flops hard, but Tomorrowland shines brightly. Nothing is quite as it should be, but it is also the most unique of all castle parks. 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Art Surfaces for Disneyland Paris Log Ride

Disneyland Paris' Frontierland is the best incarnation of the land since the original in Anaheim in the early 1960s. But it was going to get even better! How? Imagine riding in a log down a slippery flume! Sounds like Splash Mountain- but it wasn't. The concept art showing that long empty plot of land out in Frontierland really was set aside for a log ride attraction at Disneyland Paris! The Imagineers had plans. Again, the art is unclear on the story, but was it for the beloved and iconic Splash Mountain? The answer is a solid... maybe but probably not. In a park where attention to theme reigned, a more likely scenario is one true to frontier life the wilderness. One without cartoon characters- be it rabbits and foxes, country critters, or silly old bears.

The great big Cowboy Cookout restaurant.

More than enough nearby space to hold a few new epic attractions!

This piece at top is entitled "Trapper's Cabin- Frontierland". Take a closer look, and you'll see passengers floating by on the flume.  The mountain is certainly added for effect, but the environment says classic Frontierland. 

Why was this never built? Financial woes plagued the resort due to overbuilding of the hotels and a decent amount of overages on the castle park itself. That money problem continued when the woefully ugly but legally required Walt Disney Studios Paris came into being. Right financial pal move, wrong end result for sure. That theme park made California Adventure look like Tokyo Disneysea!

So for now, the huge chunk of land in the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of all sits waiting next to the hastily designed kids area. It was once called Pocohontas Indian Village. Now it is the not very imaginatively named "Frontierland Playground". (There's one more never built attraction for Frontierland, a full blown stunt show! Read about it and see the art here.)

(Art and photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)