Exploring Swiss Family Treehouse Coast to Coast

Perhaps it's coming back from vacation and seeing all the beautiful banyan trees in the islands. Perhaps it's just the love of the Swiss Family Treehouse at Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and even the one at Disneyland Paris on Adventure Isle. There's something about this tropical home that intrigues me. (I haven't been to Tokyo's or Hong Kong's yet, but they are on my list!

The movie Swiss Family Robinson captured by attention as both a film and later from the book in which it originated. 

Let me explain a bit about the several pieces of concept art you are looking at. All are pretty large, so make sure to click and see the biggest size possible.

The two top pieces on this article are by Disney Imagineer Herb Ryman. One of my favorite all time artists that ever worked for the Company. Every time I think I've seen it all, something surprises me. Both the piece in brown and the next in full color were done for Florida's Magic Kingdom. Boy, am I glad that the suits did not demand a clone of the original in California! When I finally saw the park for the first time in 1975, I couldn't wait to travel up into the tree and explore. With the beautiful, graceful Plaza Swan Boats circling the tree, it was quite a view to behold!

The black and white piece above was created exclusively for the movie by Disney legend John Hench. It's quite beautiful as well!

In the early 1960's, Walt's Swiss Family Treehouse attraction was still being designed, it was a project in the making for Disneyland as an addition to Adventureland. The end result wasn't quite like the artwork but instead much, much, better. It was an instant park favorite, continuing on this day even since Tarzan took over. 

(As Imagineer Tony Baxter shared, during Disneyland's very dark days under Paul Pressler, it looked to be the next location of another shop, so turning it into Tarzan's home actually saved the tree from extinction!)

Lastly, I leave you with these stunning attraction posters. The colors are rich and bold- much like the adventure that awaits for all who climb and dare to dream! The one above, the official completed version. The one below, an alternative "screen and color" test or maybe a proposed final version without lettering. Both are incredible!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.

When Reality is Better Than Imagineering Art: Disneyland Paris' Adventure Isle

Just beyond Peter Pan's Flight at Disneyland Paris is one of the best pieces of Imagineering art come to life: the original Adventure Isle. Not to be confused with the new land at Shanghai Disneyland, this new attraction, a hybrid of the classic Tom Sawyer Island, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and of course, Neverland itself, is even more stunning than the above rendering. The same could be said for much of the French parc, actually. 

Not having the option for a helicopter to soar over the island and get a photograph, we'll have to do with a couple of awesome photos from DisneyPhotoblogery.com. 

Beautiful day or night, isn't it? It's the perfect playground for kids and adults. In fact, I think we spent over an hour there last trip, and we didn't even go to the very lofty heights of the Tree House. The underground caves, swinging bridge, and the incredible sights all around us consumed our time, but it also let our inner child get lost in the middle of a world just minutes from the big city. This place is Disney at its very best. 

From the always great Disney and More site.

Of course, the view to the left was an Indiana Jones adventure into the Temple du Peril.  The ruins lost in a thick jungle waiting to be discovered in a land that seemed so far away.

Photo by The Enchanted Manor. 

But the view directly to the right? A perfectly in theme setting for my favorite all time attraction Pirates of the Caribbean. It just doesn't get any better! Kudos to the entire team who created Adventure Isle and all of Disneyland Paris. Lovely, magical, almost perfect.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

More Rare Shanghai Disneyland Art

Dig deep and keep looking. This thought process has been the key to finding so many pieces of rare and unused Disney concept art from the Imagineers. Here's another rendering created for Shanghai Disneyland. Sort of a companion piece to the one I posted last week. This one is for the Tribal Table restaurant.

With the recently announced expansion on the table for Hong Kong Disneyland, it seems the grudge match between both China resorts will last for awhile. Hong Kong is pulling out the big guns with Frozen, Marvel, and Moana coming their way quickly. And a huge new castle, too. But don't underestimate what will be done in Shanghai. There's too much ego on both sides of the table (Disney and the Chinese government) to let that park not continue to expand and shine for decades to come. 

While these two Asia resorts duke it out, let's not forget about the first to be built on the continent. The Tokyo Disney Resort still has more coming their way as well. The long standing political and cultural feud between these two countries may be very slowly changing, but you can rest assured the fight for the money will continue. Besides, how can Tokyo Disney Sea and the original Tokyo Disneyland not continue to get even better under the guidance of the Oriental Land Company?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Shanghai Disneyland Concept Art

Adventure Isle at Shanghai Disneyland, (not to be confused with the attraction of the same name at Disneyland Paris), is full of eye candy. The Imagineers did quite the job in creating brand new environments that would be considered exotic for Chinese park guests. 

This rare and beautiful piece of concept art shows an area that leads to Camp Discovery, an "extreme playground" of sorts unique to this park. Attorneys in the States would actually quiver in their pants should Disney build an attraction like this in our country. 

Not coming to a park in the States!

Rope courses are risky. Humans like to experience thrills that border on danger- and corporate lawyers are adverse to activities such as this. Trust me, it will never happen here in Anaheim or Florida.

So for now, if you want to experience this attraction, off to China you must go. Or glance on line, perhaps finding a rare video of the experience. Hard to do- but possible. Until the lawyers get in the way.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Pirate Plunders in Shanghai

Don't be fooled by this looking at this great piece of concept art for Shanghai Disneyland's acclaimed version of the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. There's more treasure to be found on this post! I stumbled across a brand new video. This one is quiet, darker, and not filmed as steadily, but a viewer gets to hear more of the sound effects that are easily missed in other versions.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow may have his troubles in real life, but in the attraction, victory- and a continued loyal fan base- is certainly assured. Battle for the Sunken Treasure, Disney's newest take on the classic, is an instant classic in its own right. And it would be right at home in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as an all new attraction right next to the first pirate adventure. They are that different and quite complementary, if I may say so myself. 

Full video is here. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Hong Kong Disneyland: The Little Park That Could

Woefully under built at opening, a Disney park fan could easily pass on visiting Hong Kong Disneyland. There were no landmark, unique to this park big budget attractions, a cheap knock-off castle from the original park in Anaheim, and in general, just not much to make this stand on its own. However...

There were photographs like this one above. (Photographer unknown.) A new twist on the classic Jungle Cruise. With the stunning mountains that surround the island, this Asian Adventureland has on air of authenticity not duplicated in Anaheim or in Tokyo Disneyland. And it was photos like this that made me take a second and third look.

New twists on old favorites.

Then, finally, the expansion began, and the park began to take on a unique personality. First Grizzly Gulch brought something fresh to the park as Imagineers satisfied guest's desire for something new. Granted, it is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad meets Expedition Everest and Grizzly River Rapids, but it looks pretty impressive nonetheless. 

Now that's a showstopping attraction!

Then, Mystic Manor opened, finally putting the little park on the international map.  This very original take on Disney's classic  Haunted Mansion totally redefined the place, creating the park attraction every Disney fan wanted in their home park.  In one swift move, Hong Kong Disneyland became a destination I'd want to see.

Can this little resort hold its own with Shanghai Disneyland opening soon? More surprises are coming with Marvel's Iron Man Experience and beyond. Rumors continue that this park will be receiving some significant investment in the next few years: new attractions, new hotels, and even a new theme park. Things are getting interesting!

(Art and bottom photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

New Shanghai Disneyland Map

Here's the latest Shanghai Disneyland map in the brightest display and the strongest resolution I've ever seen. It looks to be fantastic!

If the reports are right, the park is not even close to completed. There's still large amounts of greenery to go in and well as some major work to be done on attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and even the centerpiece, Enchanted Storybook Castle. 

We will have to wait and see if that Spring 2016 opening really occurs or if Robert Iger needs to make another speech about how important China is to the company... while there are more delays. Time will tell, but for now, click on this and enjoy!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

New Shanghai Disneyland Map

A new map for Shanghai Disneyland. Click it for the largest size.

More to come...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

First Look: Shanghai Disneyland's Roaring Rapids

Hot off the press- the Walt Disney Company releases concept art for Shanghai Disneyland. Of notable interest is this first release of Imagineering concept art for Roaring Mountain and its Roaring Rapids dinosaur  (or is it a dragon) focused attraction.

Is it a dragon that menaces riders?

Or is it a dinosaur?

The mountain itself and the whole area looks incredible. Inside this rapid raft adventure (think California Adventure's Grizzly Rapids on a grander scale) guests will come face to face with this monster. Is it a dinosaur as was suggested earlier in the planning stage? Or is it a dragon, as the model above suggests, which would be more in line with Chinese legend and lore? Either way, the monster is huge!

The press release states: "Adventure Isle will immerse guests in a newly discovered lost world, filled with hidden treasures and a chance to explore its mysteries. The mighty Roaring Mountain will tower over guests and beckon them on their journey. Guests can blaze their own trails at Camp Discovery, travel around the world on Soaring over the Horizon, or embark on the thrilling rafting adventure Roaring Rapids, straight through the heart of Adventure Isle. There they discover the underworld realm of a mysterious, fearsome creature."

In looking at the concept art and the models over and over, Adventure Isle looks to be one exciting and memorable series of attractions for this very unique Magic Kingdom. Count me in as one who is very impressed by this presentation. Let's hope reality does not disappoint!

More to come!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dinosaurs Invade Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is becoming quite the Magic Kingdom! Anyone who was thinking the suits would twist the Imagineers' hands into creating another mini-Disneyland a la Hong Kong Disneyland or another Florida kingdom as what happened at Tokyo Disneyland looks to be proved wrong. From the looks of the plans, the company is going the Disneyland Paris route and creating something brand new. With no Main Street, no Space Mountain but instead Tron Lightcycles Power Run and a brand new take on Pirates of the Caribbean, the park with have its own unique identity from opening day. And just look at that castle with its Crystal Grotto cruise inside it!

Treasure Cove, home of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure, is not the only area of the park to be filled with thrills and exotic locales. Adventure Isle will be home to a brand new attraction, a Roaring Rapids whitewater cruise rumored to be filled with dinosaurs. The piece of concept art (above) was originally designed for Hong Kong and an Adventureland themed coaster. The idea was cut, and the dinosaurs were saved for mainland China instead. 

By the looks of it all, with a stunning Tomorrowland and two exotic lands to explore, Shanghai Disneyland could be the least  princess focused park ever designed by Disney. That alone could make the trip a very worthwhile one for this writer!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Making an Appearance at Shanghai Disneyland

Long ago, in a land far away, this piece of concept art was sent to me. It was sent labeled "HKDL", and was probably a piece designed for an unbuilt attraction mixing Countdown to Extinction with a roller coaster along the lines of Animal Kingdom's aborted Excavator. One of many planned for the woeful at opening Hong Kong Disneyland. Given the released attraction list for Shanghai, I think we'll see some of this at Adventure Isle and the Roaring Rapids attraction. Not the coaster, but a watery version of a thrill ride. Time will tell.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Shanghai Disneyland's Attraction List

I'm gonna be so bold as to say this: I've just seen the attraction list for Shanghai Disneyland on the great WDWMAGIC site, of course posted by the Spirit. I'm not sure its any better or any worse than what premiered at Hong Kong Disneyland on opening day, but it is a lot better than the mess found at California Adventure or Disney Studios Paris at opening! Further, I think it is a very smart business move to base the attractions on Disney's intellectual properties. It could also yield great results for park fans stateside. If Shanghai brings in the big bucks, the company should be able to cover losses on My Magic+ and start building some terrific attractions once again!

So, thanks once again to a great site- and now I know where to find it on mine as I peruse its contents and think it all through. 

Adventure Isle

(Shop) Adventure Supplies
(Shop) Laughing Monkey Traders
(Shop) Rainbow Frog Trinkets
(Show) Storehouse Stage
(Food) Piranha Bites
(Food) Tribal Table
(Ride) Roaring Rapids
(Ride) Soaring Over the Horizon
(Walk-through) Camp Discovery Challenge Trail
Happy Circle

Fantasyland

(Food) Corner Market
(Food) Merlin's Magic Recipe
(Food) Royal Banquet Hall
(Food) Tangled Tree Tavern
(Food) Troubadour Treats
(Misc Attraction) Enchanted Storybook Castle
(Misc Attraction) Sword in the Stone
(Play Area) Evergreen Playhouse
(Ride) Hunny Pot Spin
(Ride) Peter Pan-s Flight
(Ride) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
(Ride) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
(Shop) Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
(Shop) Castle Gifts
(Shop) Hundred Acre Goods
(Shop) Mountain Treasures
(Show) Storybook Castle Stage Spectacular
(Walk-through) Alice in Wonderland Maze
(M&G) Storybook Court
Hundred Acre Wood
"Once Upon a Time" Adventure

VILLAGE COMPLEX

(Food) Chip & Dale's Treehouse Treats
(Food) Fairy Godmother's Cupboard
(Food) Picnic Basket
(Food) Pinocchio Village Kitchen
(Food) Timothy's Treats
(M&G) Meet Mickey and Friends
(Operations) First Aid/Baby Care
(Operations) Tip Board
(Ride) Dumbo the Flying Elephant
(Ride) Fantasia Carousel
(Shop) Be Our Guest Boutique
(Shop) Casey Junior Trinket Train (ODV)
(Shop) Melody Time Gifts
(Shop) Mickey and Minnie's Mercantile
(Show) Westside Performance Venue
Carefree Corner
Gardens of Imagination
Gazebos
Melody Gardens
Teahouse of the Wandering Moon
Voyage to the Crystal Grotto

LEFT BLOCK

(Food) Club 33
Avenue M Arcade
Il Paperino
Lucky Express

MAIN ENTRANCE PORTAL

(Operations) Lockers
(Food) Mickey & Pals Market Cafe
(Food) Remy's Patisserie
(Show) PORTAL -- Walt Disney Theatre

RIGHT BLOCK

(Food) Sweethearts Confectionary
(Shop) Whistle Stop Shop

Tomorrowland

Well Spring
Alpha, Beta, Gamma
Arena E
(Show) Arena E Stage

CONCOURSE

(Food) Spiral Snacks
(Food) Stargazer Grill
(Food) The Light Stuff (ODV)
(M&G) Meet & Greet
(Operations) First Aid -- Tomorrowland
(Ride) Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue
(Ride) Jet Packs
(Ride) Tron Lightcycles Power Run
(Shop) Intergalactic Imports
(Show) Stitch Encounter
Power Supply
SUPERBLOCK
TRON COVER

Toy Story Land

(Food) Celebration Cafe
(Food) Toy Box Cafe
(M&G) MEET & GREET
(Ride) Rex's Racers
(Ride) Slinky Dog Spin
(Shop) SHOP
(Show) Woody's Roundup

Treasure Cove

(Food) Pintel & Rigetti's Grub to Grab
(Food) The Snackin' Kracken
(Food) Tortuga Treats
(Ride) Explorer Canoes
(Ride) Pirates of the Caribbean -- Battle for the Sunken Treasure
(Shop) Barbossa's Bounty
(Shop) Doubloon Market
(Show) EASTSIDE PERFORMANCE VENUE
(Show) El Teatro Fandango
(Show) Stunt Theater
Jolly Gypsy
Ocean Song
SPARROW'S NEST
Shipwreck Shore
Siren's Revenge

Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Skull Rock

After seeing the deplorable state of Captain Hook's pirate ship at the beautiful but crumbling Disneyland Paris, I thought I'd take a look in my files for something to remind us of what it should be like. Various websites have posted photos of the ship falling part in full view of guests- you can search for yourself. But on to the fun stuff...

Of course, the original ship was in Disneyland's Fantasyland, and like many early additions to the wildly successful park, it was sponsored by corporate America. In this case, Chicken of the Sea tuna. I last remember seeing it just prior to demolition to build the new Fantasyland of 1982.

The concept art (shown above) was very well done, but in this case, the execution was even better! (See the photograph below, by an unknown source). Click for the larger version of the photo.

Skull Rock was also destroyed along with the ship to make way for the new European styled Fantasyland and later reimagined and recreated as part of Adventureland in EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris.

In Paris, Tony Baxter's team for Adventureland had Chris Tietz at the helm. The end result was quite different than all the previous Adventureland incarnartions. And very successful! Take one part Tom Sawyer Island, add in Skull Rock, Hook's Pirate Ship, plant the Swiss Family Treehouse, stir in tropical vegitation, and viola! Adventure Isle was born.

Anchored by Pirates of the Caribbean on one side, Indiana Jones on the other, this island paradise was destined to be a smash. Last visit, we spent well over an hour exploring the island's caves and trails as we were searching out the highest vantage points for some incredible views- and photos of our own.

Speaking of searching, if you do a little bit of it on this blog, you'll find several more posts about Adventure Isle, our trip reports, and even a map of the island itself. It is worth the search!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

New Heights at Disneyland Paris

This is an absolutely beautiful little map of Adventure Isle in Paris. The Imagineers truly outdid themselves when they designed this playground of every boy's dreams.

Combing elements of Peter Pan's Neverland and the Swiss Family Robinson's island home, Adventure Isle takes the American concept of Tom Sawyer's Island to new heights. From the beautifully detailed Captain Hook's Pirate Ship to the deep grottos and caves waiting exploration, nothing is left wanting. Everywhere you turn, the lofty views astound. During our last visit we easily spent a full hour exploring and still left feeling we missed quite a bit. (You can find our detailed trip report here.)

I intentionally left the graphic very large so you could see it all. If you think the map is well done, you should visit the island! Seriously. Make that trip to Disneyland Paris (or EuroDisney). Not only is Paris one of the world's most amazing cities, this French park is the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever.

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company.)

Exploring Adventure Isle at Disneyland Paris

This is an absolutely beautiful little map of Adventure Isle in Paris. The Imagineers outdid themselves when they designed this playground of every boy's dreams. From the detailed Captain Hook's Pirate Ship to the deep grottos and caves waiting exploration, nothing is left wanting. Everywhere you turn, the views astound. You could say the exact same thing about the entire park! It is almost perfectly designed from every angle you can imagine- a true work of art.

During our last visit we easily spent a full hour exploring and still left feeling we missed quite a bit. Left the graphic very large so you could see it all. If you think the map is well done, you should visit the island. Seriously. Make that trip to Disneyland Paris. Not only is Paris one of the world's most amazing cities, this French park is the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)