The Imagineering Story Sheds an Honest Light on Disney's Failures- with One Notable Exception

Leslie Iwerk's incredible The Imagineering Story is one captivating read! Perhaps my favorite Disney related book ever. Much like her Disney+ series of the same name, she digs deep into the history of Imagineering and all its successes and failures. 

We Stateside fans have seen firsthand the failure of laughingstock California Adventure 1.0, the cheaply made mini park Hong Kong Disneyland, and for those who have traveled to France, the absolute disaster of Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. All these parks built under Michael Eisner's second decade were a stark and very disappointing contrast to Tokyo Disney Resort's amazing Tokyo Disneysea park built and opened around the same time. 

 

Iwerks covers these disasters with breathtaking honesty and evaluation of its shortfalls. She talks about projects that never made it off the drawing boards as well, such as smaller projects like the unbuilt Burbank located Disney Backlot (above). Think Downtown Disney with actual attractions thrown in among the shops and restaurants.

In an utter journalistic fail, Iwerks dedicated a whole four paragraphs to the creation of Harry Potter lands at Universal Orlando Resort, mentioning how Warner Brothers fumbled their attempt to get Disney interested. Really? As we all know and is well documented, that is not how the story actually played out. (The real story is here.)

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey set in Hogsmeade became the theme park news of the decade and beyond, turning the often very innovative Islands of Adventure and the whole resort into a must-see destination for theme parks fans. Diagon Alley at Universal Studios next door only added to the resort's popularity, now costing Disney two full days of lost visitors. Like me, once they discovered the "new" Universal, these parks would now become a permanent piece of any Florida vacation. Things will only get worse once Epic Universe opens with yet another Potter themed land as well as one based on Super Mario World from Nintendo. Disney better get going.

How will the next chapter of an Imagineering history book read? That remains to be told.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Unbuilt Burbank Backlot

Creativity at the Walt Disney Company may go in spurts. Fresh ideas arise and come to fruition in great new films and attractions at the parks. Or things may be a bit stale as the Company rehashes old ideas and markets them afresh. (Think all the remakes of animated classics into live action films.)

Years before Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland were even a thought of forward thinking (some might say greedy these days) corporate executives, the Disney Backlot project in Burbank was on the fast track to become a reality. The piece of concept art displays what would have transformed a busy street corner lot into something special: shops, restaurants, etc. Along the lines of Anaheim's Downtown Disney except with with a few small scale  film based attractions through in to draw a crowd.

The project was a cleverly designed people eater- a combination of the current Grove shopping center found by the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles and many others like it, combined with elements of classic American nostalgia and a bit of riverboat flair, not unlike the beautiful Empress Lilly at Walt Disney World. All to be discovered right in the middle of the city. This "lifestyle center" would be a creative concept new to city living, a concept developed long before the phrase was ever coined. 

With Disney's marketing and established showmanship, Disney's Burbank Backlot had the potential to be a smash. One that could be duplicated all over the country- much like the aborted Club Disney kid's concept that once debuted in Denver, Colorado.

Unfortunately, cold feet, city politics, and way too many other projects killed the idea, much to the disappointment of Disney fans. Had it been built, it would have been a very nice way to spend a few hours as well as being a great reminder to visit a full fledged Disney resort.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Burbank Backlot

Decades before Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland were even a glimmer in the eye of forward thinking or greedy corporate executives, the Disney Backlot project in Burbank was quickly moving from concept to reality. The beautiful piece of concept art shows what could have been: shops, restaurants, etc. Think of Anaheim's Downtown Disney with a few small scale attractions through in for good measure.

The style would have been a combination of the current Grove shopping center found by the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles with hints of classic American nostalgia and a bit of riverboat flair like the old Empress Lilly at Walt Disney World. Right in the middle of Burbank. It would be a "lifestyle center" long before the concept was ever coined. Throw in the Disney craft of marketing and showmanship, and Disney's Burbank Backlot had the potential to be a smash.

Cold feet, city politics, and too many other projects on the boards ended up being the kiss of death for the idea, much to the disappointment of Disney fandom. It would have been a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon, adding a little class to the area as well as being a great incentive to remind folks to visit a full fledged Disney resort.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)