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.

Pretty Rare Piece of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Concept Art

I love all the new Disney coasters like Epcot's great Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,  Disney Hollywood Studios sweet little Slinky Dog Dash, and Disney Animal Kingdom's  much older Expedition: Everest, but I always go back to the castle parks' classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as the one I can't resist! The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness has staying power! My favorite one is at Disneyland Paris, with its lets go under the river beginning, but the U.S. parks have pretty great versions as well.

Imagineer Ed French created this piece of concept art back in 1980. He expertly captured the sun washed rock work of the main peak in the background and the ride's train in a whole new way then seen in most other renderings. 

There's something else unique about Ed French. He's very involved in an organization trying to better the world. Check out Ethnos360!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Do Not Go to Disney World in 2026!

As you plan out your year, don't let Disney's hype machine trick you into thinking that 2026 is the year to go to Walt Disney World. It is not. Stop and think about it before you leap and spend all that money. The Magic Kingdom may be the most attended theme park in the U.S.A., but an enjoyable day there will be impacted by the huge expansion going on. Frontierland has become a world of walls since they demolished the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to create a new area based on the Cars franchise. Piston Peak may end of being beautiful, but for now, it's a mess. The whole left side of the park is one huge crowd trying to navigate to Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Once Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens, it's only going to get worse. If you're a first time visitor to Walt Disney World, this will not make your visit memorable for the right reasons... nor will an iconic castle surrounded by scaffolding while it is being painted back to its original 1971 perfect color scheme.

There's more to Disney World than the Magic Kingdom you might say.  And you're right about that. Yet of the other three, two of the other parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, both have major construction going on. Each of these parks have a minimal amount of existing attractions but there's walls o'plenty as well. A whole new Monsters Inc. land is replacing the Muppets at the Studios- and the Muppets are in fact replacing Aerosmith at Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. If stage shows are your thing, a day at the Studios could be satisfying. But if not, that's a lot of pressure to put on the rest of the ten whole attractions (or less) at the former Disney-MGM Studios. It's just not worth your money.

Over at Disney's Animal Kingdom, construction walls on the way to Expedition: Everest showcase just how little there is to do in this park. DINOSAUR will soon depart for good with a ride based on Encanto and a new Indiana Jones Adventure one the way. They open in 2027 at the earliest. Animal Kingdom is a gorgeous park, but it's better to wait when it all comes together.  The park's replacement for It's Tough to Be a Bug, Zootopia: Better Zoogether is not something worth visiting for. It's the same old 3D show in the Tree of Life Theater with a quickly thrown together story that feels cheap and self-serving. 

That leaves Epcot. If you're in the mood for a food festival, go early in the year. Otherwise, skip it as well and wait until 2027. Aside from a Soarin' film about America that will certainly stay around longer than they say, nothing new is coming in 2026, so hold out.

If you must go on vacation, head somewhere else in the States or travel to a different part of the world. The real world has so much to offer. You'll not be disappointed in visiting other cultures and interacting with the people, trying new foods, and seeing important historical sites. Disney can wait. Trust me, you'll be happy you did.

My Favorite Disney Park Roller Coaster- And Some Rare Concept Art!

Disney is not known for putting the most thrilling roller coasters in their theme parks. But they are known for creating some of the best when it comes to family thrills and outstanding theming. Park fans may clamor for Space Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy" Cosmic Rewind, Expedition:Everest or even Slinky Dog Dash, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, or Rock n Rollercoaster, but when it comes down to it, if I could only ride one, it would be Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It's an Imagineering masterpiece! Yep, the best one is in Disneyland Paris, but from California to Florida and beyond, nothing comes close when you want the art of theme park design and good old fashioned fun. They may try to erase his name or alter his iconic work, but Tony Baxter knows how to build great attractions. In fact, I'd pay to go to a park filled with everything from Big Thunder to the original Journey into Imagination!

Back to our story... night or day, Big Thunder has the perfect story, is full of design detail, and provides non-stop laughs and screams. Year after year after year, visit after visit, this mountain (and Pirates of the Caribbean) define a day at the castle parks. It is the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!

Disney's Unbuilt Western River Expedition Comes to Life!

Just imagine that the Disney suits had ignored the outcry of "Where is Pirates of the Caribbean?" when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. What would have happened if they would have trusted their instincts and stuck to their plans? Imagineer Marc Davis'  Thunder Mesa in Frontierland and its star attraction, Western River Expedition, would have been the signature Walt Disney World experience for decades. 

Through the magic of AI technology, we can imagine what could have been. Much like the results of taking the concept art for Tony Baxter's unbuilt Discovery Bay for Disneyland (look here), the results are quite striking!

The original plans from Mr. Davis included the Western themed version of Pirates, a Big Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster, and so much more. Think hiking trails, a log flume ride that would pre-date Splash Mountain by two decades, and tons of design detail that would make Florida's Frontierland the greatest themed land of its time.

Best of all? Following through with these plans would have given the castle park an identity all its own and probably saved the Rivers of America. Gone would be the upcoming Piston Peak and the Cars invasion where it doesn't belong. Sure, Villains Land would eventually come. The concept is too rich to ignore. 

The benefits would have continued: Tiana would have received her own custom designed attraction with a much better story line in a brand new mini-land, Tom Sawyer Island would still be the much needed escape from the crowds, and the thematic consistency of this whole side of the park would not be ruined. But what do I know?

I say, look at these what could have been images again, and then tell me Pirates of the Caribbean was a worthy replacement.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

When Is Your Imagineering Book Coming Out, Tony Baxter?

Journey into Imagination, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Indiana Jones Adventure, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and yes, Splash Mountain. The list of these incredible attractions make super fans lists of Disney Imagineerings's greatest park hits. Recognize the face? Of course, you do! It's Imagineering's legend Tony Baxter. He remains one of the best old school or new school Imagineers ever. Period. 

Look- Bob Gurr and Rolly Crump have done it.  Marty Sklar and Bob Weis jumped in. Randy Bright wrote one of the best long ago. Even the legendary John Hench dove in with an amazing one. Of course, others have written about the greats in Imagineering. All said, it's time for Tony to spill.  Don't you think?

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Promotional Poster

It's not every day that the Florida Magic Kingdom adds a brand new attraction. When Big Thunder Mountain Railroad made its debut at the Walt Disney World resort, well, it was truly the beginning of visitors falling in love with the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!" 

Imagineer Tony Baxter and team made the best of a bad situation. When the suits dismantled the plans for Imagineer Marc Davis' Thunder Mesa- including his plans for the great musical boat ride, the Western River Expedition in favor of a revised version of Disneyland's beloved Pirates of the Caribbean- Tony tried to save as much as he could. Convincing management that the thrill attraction was worth pursuing as a sort of "Phase One", the roller coaster ride was given the approval. What a wise decision! Fans loved it from opening day. It became a staple of every castle park built. Aside from China's Shanghai Disneyland, of course, which wouldn't dare place anything so American in its Disney park. 

This promotional attraction poster for Florida's original was just the ticket to announce this now iconic experience. 

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!

New Look at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness

After two posts in a row about Universal Orlando Resort, I wanted to make sure my Disney Bloggers membership card wasn't pulled from me, so I have a pretty great piece of concept art for today's post. Look at this very cool rendering! What you're seeing is a rare Big Thunder Mountain Railroad illustration. Check it out in its largest form for all the details- broken track, canyon gorges, and water features. 

When Imagineer Marc Davis' original plan for Thunder Mesa with its Western River Expedition, a cowboy and Indian version of Pirates of the Caribbean were cancelled, the runaway mine train attraction as part of the larger complex was saved. Young Imagineering protégé Tony Baxter jumped on the chance to elaborate on the original design. The end result? An instant classic built in multiple parks and our family's very favorite mountain attraction. 

The "Wildest ride through the Wilderness" is very good at Disneyland, even better at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and just plain fantastic at Disneyland Paris where the riders begin their adventure aboard by going under the river. In fact, Frontierland in France is the best of them all with an expansive, thematically consistent area rich in detail, story, and top notch execution. You've got to see it to believe it.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Anyplace you ride it, you'll find one great attraction in the old school, Disney Imagineering tradition. And what a great thing that is!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

This Magic Kingdom Rumor Will Make Your Head Spin!

Take a good long look at this image. Let it sink in. If you do, you'll see Frontierland may not longer exist as we know it at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disneyland World, and Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be only the beginning of a BIG, BIG, change. 

Imagineers have plans? Yes, so says Braden at Mickey Views. Check out the unbelievable- but fully reasoned out- rumor above. Then, struggle with it as I am.

Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Western River Expedition and Tiana's Bayou Adventure Puzzle

Yes, that title is a mouthful!

There's exactly one single scene in Walt Disney World's great Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that I wish had made its way over to Disneyland, and the concept art above shows it. Certainly Florida's Magic Kingdom had the blessing of size that Walt's Anaheim park did not. This alone may be the reason for the exclusion. Perhaps the Imagineers on Tony Baxter's team just wanted to offer something new instead of a straight clone. (Wouldn't that thinking be welcomed today by us hard core theme park fans?) 

Even my last visit to the World, I couldn't help but walk by Big Thunder itself and wonder what it would have been like if Western River Expedition and the whole of the Thunder Mesa mega-complex had been built. (See here for the details.) The upcoming Tiana's Bayou Adventure aka Splash Mountain probably would not have been built- but I think it would have been a more than fair swap to get something that unique in Florida. There wouldn't have been an East Coast version of Pirates of the Caribbean, though. Regardless of how it is a much lesser version of the original, it is pure old school Disney. Not having it - and no slam on Tiana's cooking skills- but that would be something harder to digest.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

My Favorite Disney Park Photos: Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad makes for one really nice photo or desktop image! I left this one big enough that you can use it that way if you wish. In the midst of memorial events for the passing of my mother in law, we did the most joyous thing she'd want: We all went to the Happiest Place on Earth for the day. Disneyland doesn't disappoint.  Neither does Imagineer Tony Baxter's first epic blockbuster attraction. I can't take credit for this photo as my youngest daughter snapped it. But she did a great job, don't you think?

There will be a full trip report at a later time from our whole group of seventeen people. Eight of us had never been to Walt's park before- and what stories I'll have to share.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

One Rainy Day at Disneyland Paris

As I'm wandering through the maze of Disney internet sites, there are three pretty sure fire links I will click on: Epcot, Tokyo Disneysea, and Disneyland Paris. While I have yet to visit the park in Japan, I can say with certainty that the most beautiful castle park is found in France. In fact, I wrote an entire article on at: The Theme Park as Work of Art. Imagineer Tony Baxter and team deserve all the accolades for creating a park where you could not go on a single ride and still feel deeply satisfied after spending the day there.

So, on to the photo above: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in all its glory! Paris' Frontierland is the best version ever created perhaps on par with the early Anaheim version when it was stuffed with attractions. The wildest ride in the French wilderness begins on the landside before riders are taken under the river onto the island. A truly unexpected and spectacular setting my a fan favorite attraction.

This photo by Gregg Jacobs is taken from the porch of the Phantom Manor. It is part of his trip report posted on the Mouse Planet site. (Speaking of that, I'm still finishing up my trip report to Anaheim.) In a park drenched in atmosphere, the weather certainly added a special dimension, resulting in one terrific photo!

 

What Does Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Have in Common with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?

Be it at Disneyland, Florida's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, or Disneyland Paris, the iconic buttes call to guests, daring them to climb aboard the trains headed for adventure.  Big Thunder Mountain is an Imagineering masterpiece of old, in the style of the original masters of the craft such as Tony Baxter and Marc Davis before him. This Railroad certainly may be the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness, but the graphic above is also used to tell Disney Vacation Club Members the status of their special invites for the opening of Epcot's new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. These private parties are not just money makers. They are also another move towards exclusivity and class divisions in the Disney theme parks. The Company may scream for inclusivity, but the other hand collecting all the cash knows it is just a marketing gimmick.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Olga's Cantina was Not the First in Disneyland

Given all the publicity, it'd be very easy to think that Oga's Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge would be the very first cantina in the park. This concept art proves otherwise. Frontierland was it's home, and in the days of the rollicking Wild West, there was more than just Slue Foot Sue's Golden Horseshoe to whet the townsfolk's whistle. Now, the truth of the matter is neither place served adult beverages. That honor would first go to New Orleans Square's private Club 33 (where I had the pleasure to dine once with my wife/soon-to-be fiancee).  

In other Disney theme parks, Frontierland is either renamed and/or re-Imagineered. The best version is found in Disneyland Paris. In France, it feels like a real town and not a theme park land. A single IP land if you will long before The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's bigger, bolder, better, and filled with consistently thematic excursions into the Phantom Manor (a western themed Haunted Mansion) or a journey into the "wildest ride in the wilderness" which has the distinction of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad going under the river and onto an island. Talk about an exciting beginning and end to a classic attraction! And they said it couldn't be done. Imagineer Tony Baxter proved them wrong.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Hidden Corners of Disneyland Paris

There are so many little hidden gems within Disneyland Paris! Those talented Imagineers filled the lands with walk through experiences and corners to explore that are just off the wide paths to major attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean,  the Jules Verne inspired Space Mountain, a new take on the Haunted Mansion with Phantom Manor, or the most elegant of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attractions. 

It is to their credit that they were able to build a "Best of Disney" castle park and still make the park stunningly unique, charming, and filled with impressive variations of these beloved time-honored attractions. 

In Adventureland, the beautiful Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin is very easy to look past and not even notice its existence. But its very worth the effort! Yes, it is a small series of static displays telling the tale of Aladdin, but it is often quiet and unnoticed, leaving guests who do venture into its hallways a chance for a quiet respite and a charming old school Disney attraction- one of the smaller touches that is found lacking in other castle parks like Florida's Magic Kingdom. Of course, that is what you get when you have a park with a hand picked team led by beloved Imagineer Tony Baxter! A park that is also beautiful and so rich in layers of detail and varied experiences, that it stands alone as the most beautiful castle park of all.

Each of the lands in Disneyland Paris has its own version of a smaller walk through attraction and many hidden corners to explore. Fans of Imagineering at its best must visit Paris to get to experience a park that may be on par with Tokyo Disneysea. Yes, it is a worthy companion and an apt comparison. Where are these other gems? That is worth your time to discover each of them!

(Art and photo copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disneyland's Splash Mountain Promotional Poster

Fan favorite Splash Mountain made a great big, well, splash when it debuted at Disneyland in 1989! Some would argue it is one of the best attractions spearheaded by Imagineer Tony Baxter. That'd be quite an argument as you could make up a whole theme park of his projects- and it's be filled with much loved attractions like Journey Into Imagination, the Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and even all of Disneyland Paris!

As you'll see below, the final version is enhanced and a bit different.

Here are all the other Critter Country attraction posters.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Top 10 Most Missed Disney Attractions

Between COVID-19, Disneyland being closed, travel being limited, and being in the middle of the country, I'm thinking these days of my very favorite - and most missed- Disney theme park attractions.  Since my last visit to Walt Disney World was before the opening of both Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, these cannot be included in any on my list. 

Additionally, unlike some folks who are blessed to have gone to every Disney park, I cannot include attractions at the Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, or Shanghai Disneyland. 

So, with all these exceptions, in no particular order, I present to you my Top 10 Most Missed Disney Attractions:

The Parisian version is the ultimate adventure.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: With versions found in almost all the Disney castle parks, this ride is one of our family's all-time favorites. Every trip to every resort, it remains a must-do. Each rendition has its charms, but if I had to choose one to ride during this time, it would be the attraction found in Disneyland Paris. Oui! Beginning and ending by journeying under the river is an experience unsurpassed! It truly is the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!

My new Animal Kingdom favorite!

Flight of Passage: It may be the newest of Animal Kingdom's epic E Ticket adventures, but it is also one of the best ever created by Disney Imagineering. Thrilling yet peaceful, the airborne piggyback ride on Pandora's banshee is everything you'd expect to experience... and more! I'm always left wanting an additional ride or two, aren't you? 

World Showcase at night is the most beautiful

of all theme park lands in Florida.

Impressions de France: My singular choice of Epcot attractions for the list. (Sad, isn't it? It's my favorite park, but the attraction roster has increasingly become less and less unique and compelling since its heyday.) You may ask how a mere film can rank among my Top Ten. The travelogue is so much more than just the filmed locations! It's a slice of French life set to the most stunning music found in any theme park. I'm instantly transported to Europe- dated images and all.

These animals are not politically incorrect.

Splash Mountain: One of two adventures selected from the Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida. (The other may surprise you.) Those highly sensitive to the tales told would do well to remember the source film's concerns are not the content. These retelling of African folk tales comes together in a fresh and engaging manner complete with perhaps the catchiest of all Disney songs. Tiana may come to Disneyland in a Princess and the Frog revisiting (and that's 100% fine), but Florida's epic flume ride will remain as one of my all time beloved rides. It's time to relax and quit being so politically correct that we lose any sense of fun.

The lone redeeming attraction of the refreshed California Adventure.

Radiator Springs Racers: Speaking of fun, my next choice fits the description any way you look at it. Cars may not be Pixar's best film, but it's ride is the best attraction built around a Pixar movie. As with Epcot, this is the only attraction chosen from Disney California Adventure. That alone says quite a bit. Also like Epcot, the park's attraction line up has moved backwards since the new improved California Adventure premiered in 2012. 

Indiana Jones Adventure: Walt's park continues to have the most well-rounded set of attractions and adventures of all. I was blessed to ride during the opening weekend of this groundbreaking piece of Imagineering genius. The line was so long, it took hours to finally board a jeep, (remember this was way back when ride capacity was very important to the suits), but once my journey was over, I turned around and got right back in line. Among Imagineer Tony Baxter's best work. Right up there with my beloved and sadly long gone Journey into Imagination.

This should so still be running at Disneyland!

Peoplemover / Tomorrowland Transit Authority: My other Magic Kingdom pick. Not every attraction has to be a headliner to have an impact. Cruising along the track in the evening breeze surveying the lay of Tomorrowland is an every trip must-do.

The sinister story actually weaves all through Frontierland.

Phantom Manor: Back to Paris. While all Haunted Mansions (and Mystic Manor) are among Disney's best of the genre, there's something special about this reimagined attraction. The storyline is darker, the architecture and setting equally spectacular to those in the States, but the musical score elevates the attraction to a new level. All proving once again that beauty is in the eye - and ear - of the beholder.

Everest still rocks- as does the park!

Expedition: Everest: "Big Thunder on Steroids". This description is what I give newbies when they decide to travel to Walt Disney World for the first time. The last two spirals around the mountain before encountering "Disco Yeti" is worth the price of admission.  Animal Kingdom certainly needs much more before it will be a full day for a majority of Disney visitors, but for me, this park is steadily moving toward the top of all four Florida parks. 

This classic endures for a reason!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Last but not least, Pirates of the Caribbean. The grandest Disney adventure of all time. Nothing else in any park says "I'm home" like rounding the bend into New Orleans Square and boarding a boat next to the Blue Bayou restaurant and its twinkling fireflies. (Yeah, they ruined the elegant original entrance as they were forced to deal with crowds once Fast Past came into play.) The very lengthy original version remains the pinnacle of Disney Imagineering- and of course, it was under the guidance of Walt Disney. An American Original. 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Top Ten Things I Miss From Disneyland Paris

Without a doubt, the title for the "Most Beautiful Magic Kingdom", belongs to Disneyland Paris. Imagineer Tony Baxter and team created the theme park as work of art (but I've already written that article here). 

There are many parts to the park that I found that I miss. Here are a few of them. Let me start with Number Ten and work my way to Number One.

Number Ten- The Discovery and Liberty Arcades. Even though things are changing inside to some degree, they are filled with interesting memorabilia, rich in history and artwork- as well as providing cover during inclement weather and a great way to exit the park when crowds are big. An undiscovered gem.

Number Nine- Having Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West. When you have to go under the river to begin the ride, it provides an unexpected thrill. Ingenious and wildly effective.

Number Eight- Each land feels entirely separate from the others. This strengthens the theme of each land due to lack of visual intrusions, aside from seeing the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror once it opened. Makes it much easier to imagine you really are in the Old West or in Jules Verne's vision of the future. Just great design!

Number Seven- Walt's- An American Restaurant. If you've been there, you understand.

Number Six- Exploring the most beautiful of all Kingdom castles. Not the biggest, but certainly the best. The dungeon, the upper rooms, the tapestries, the gorgeous stained glass... and the secret entrance from one of Fantasyland's shops. This is everything a Disney castle should be!

Number Five- Pirates of the Caribbean. Disneyland's version is longer and almost as good- but not quite. The bayou of New Orleans Square is mysterious, but setting sail from a Caribbean isle port just feels right. Toss in some sword fighting pirates, an entirely new first and ending scene, and and a mesmerizing exterior fort, and you have the ultimate Magic Kingdom adventure.

Number Four- Frontierland. The best version of the Wild West since Nature's Wonderland was built in California. The panoramic views pull you into this piece of uniquely American history- and all without cuddly characters or islands taken over by pirates. The creepy Phantom Manor only adds to the drama.

Number Three- Alice's Curious Labyrinth. Designed on the animated classic and not the Tim Burton creepy monstrosity found in Shanghai. It's not always the biggest attractions that have the biggest impact. This smaller Fantasyland attraction is just a delightful way to spend half an hour.

Number Two- Racing through Space Mountain. Sure, Mission Two is not nearly as beautiful as the original version, but the ride is still incredible. And what can I say about the exterior? It's an eye catcher during the day but just unbelievable at night! With the Nautilus set in the sparkling lagoon, wow. Just, wow!

Number One- The thing I miss most about Disneyland Paris? Being there!
(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Baxter's Alice in Wonderland Garden

One of the largest and most prestigious projects given the young Imagineer to date, the redesign of the New Fantasyland for Disneyland, was a natural to be handed to Tony Baxter. After his wildly successful Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, he was ready for something iconic and important for "Walt's park". 

Taking lead on the project must have been scary and exciting at the same time! Bringing to life a new version of the centerpiece land of the park was quite an honor- and the results were fantastic! Here's Tony's charming concept art for the queue / garden for the newly reworked Alice in Wonderland attraction.