Sunday Morning in Hong Kong Disneyland

Running away to a tropical island sounds pretty great right now! How about taking a raft over to Tarzan's Island at Hong Kong Disneyland? This photograph makes me want to jump on a plane, and if I could, explore their Adventureland in all its glory. This all just seems so remote and unspoiled. Hard to believe looking at this that the majestic city of Hong Kong is not that far away. Disney Imagineering at its best? Maybe not, but things are headed in the right direction. 

With all the recent additions, especially Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch and their attractions- and a brand new castle- the charm continues to be added layer by layer. Perhaps this little park, and the whole resort, is becoming a real gem in the Disney landscape. Maybe its days of being overshadowed by the other Asian Disney locations is coming to an end.

(Photograph/screenshot from Attractions 360.)

Attack of the Lava Monster!

Deep in the core of the earth, far beneath the calm surface of the imposing Mount Promethus lies the unexpected- a giant monster beyond imagination. After this Journey to the Center of the Earth, a visit to Tokyo DisneySea will be one you will never forget. 

Boarding the same style vehicles found on Test Track at Epcot and Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure, you're given the rare opportunity to explore an underground world full of glowing plants, crystal caverns, previously undiscovered creatures, and a subterranean sea. It's a peaceful trip until you are considered an invader by the magnificent lava monster, a giant of a beast- and he is not happy you've discovered his home!

This piece of Imagineering concept art gives but a glimpse of what the journey looks like. So popular is the attraction that a version of it was once considered for Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The magnificent lava spewing volcano would have made a terrific complement to the Tree of Life in the center of the park and the peaks of Expedition: Everest off to one side. In its place are the floating mountains of Pandora. 

As they are fond of saying, good ideas never die at Imagineering. If that's really true, maybe one day a few of these amazing attractions found at the Japanese parks will make there way stateside. In the meantime, we can enjoy them only via YouTube. Check this out, courtesy Attractions 360:

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)