A New Kingdom for Abu Dhabi- and the World

"زیرا خدا جهان را چنان محبت کرد که پسر یگانه خود (عیسی) را داد تا هر که به او ایمان آورد هلاک نشود، بلکه حیات جاودانی داشته باشد. نه به این دلیل که خدا پسرش را به دنیا فرستاد تا جهان را محکوم کند، بلکه به این دلیل که جهان ممکن است از طریق او نجات یابد. (کتاب مقدس یوحنا)

آنگاه مردی تحت ستم دیو که نابینا و لال بود نزد او (عیسی) آوردند و او را شفا داد، به طوری که آن مرد سخن گفت و دید. و همه مردم متحیر شدند و گفتند: "آیا این می تواند پسر داوود باشد؟" اما چون فریسیان آن را شنیدند، گفتند: «فقط به وسیلهٔ بعلزبول، رئیس ارواح پلید، این مرد دیوها را بیرون می کند.» دانستن افکار خود را, او به آنها گفت, "هر پادشاهی تقسیم شده در برابر خود ویران گذاشته شده است, و هیچ شهرستان و یا خانه تقسیم در برابر خود ایستاده خواهد شد. و اگر شیطان شیطان را بیرون کند، علیه خود تقسیم می شود. پس پادشاهی او چگونه خواهد ایستاد؟ و اگر دیوها را به وسیلۀ بعلزبول بیرون کنم، پسران تو به وسیلهٔ چه کسی آنها را بیرون میکنند؟ بنابراین آنها داوران شما خواهند بود. اما اگر به وسیلهٔ روح خدا است که دیوها را بیرون میکنم، آنگاه ملکوت خدا بر شما آمده است. (کتاب متی در کتاب مقدس)

(یوحنای رسول گفت) آنگاه آسمان جدید و زمین جدیدی دیدم، زیرا آسمان اول و زمین اول از بین رفته بودند و دریا دیگر نبود. و من شهر مقدس را دیدم, اورشلیم جدید, آمدن از آسمان از خدا, آماده برای شوهرش مانند یک عروسی به خوبی آراسته. و من صدای بلندی از تخت شنیدم, گفت: ببین, مسکن خدا با انسان است. او با آنها ساکن خواهد شد و آنها قوم او خواهند بود و خود خدا به عنوان خدای آنها با آنها خواهد بود. او هر اشکی را از چشمان آنها پاک خواهد کرد، و دیگر مرگ، ماتم و گریه، و درد دیگر وجود نخواهد داشت: زیرا پیشینیان از دنیا رفته اند.» (کتاب مکاشفه کتاب مقدس)

Disney Abu Dhabi: The Company's First Park in the Middle East

A Wednesday morning surprise announcement! Disney announced its plan to build its first park in the Middle East. Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Now, United Arab Emirates has the distinction of hosting the first Disney branded themed destination in the region. Boasting a Yas Island waterfront location, Disney Imagineers are hot on the plans creating something very unique for this market. What will the park look like? What will be in it? 

In Disney's official press release, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, states “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development". 

The concept art by Imagineering is intentionally vague. But you can bet it will be bigger and more elaborate than what was once planned for Dubai Disneyland!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dubai Disneyland - A Decade in the Making

It was ten years ago that I first stumbled upon the concept art for Dubai Disneyland. It was such a large discovery that I even surprised fellow blogger and friend Alain Littaye of the Disney and More blog. (May he rest in peace.) He leaked my find on his site and received a much wider response. Websites around the globe began posting these - and many other- pieces of concept art I had found for the proposed park. It's been a decade, and it is time to consider the future of the project. 

Let's recap further-

I published these pieces immediately, perhaps seven or eight total, much to the delight of Disney Park fans. I continue to receive inquiries and questions, with some even doubting I had the art. I do, and the most popular piece- to prove so- is above. A couple of weeks after I first posted it, I was contacted by the firm and asked to remove it all, as the client was upset they had even made it relatively public. I did so. But now, I feel at liberty to repost one image to prove it all. One image that, by now, can be found on too many websites and blogs to track...so I have no qualms posting it now.

Immediately below is what I posted in November 2014, and I repeat it here for your understanding:

"Yes, once more,  this post by The Disney Times is 100% correct. As are others who reported something similar. I did post a series of pieces of concept art on the proposed Dubai Disneyland, and yes, I was contacted by Favilli Studio. A very nice request was made by the Director of Operations, Linus Sora, a very kind man, to have me take down the pieces- which I did as a courtesy. 

Why did they ask me to take them down? Easy, the proposed project is very real and very sensitive. The clients were upset the pieces made their way to the public  Imagine a Disneyland in the Middle East and everything that could mean and everything that could lead to. The area is already a world power, and we all know Disney is solely in the market to make money. Win / Win. 

Favilli also took their pieces down off the web, but you can still find a concept for Glacier Bay, a land once proposed for Tokyo Disney Sea."

With the first stage of Dubai Parks and Resorts opening October 31, can a version of Disneyland Dubai be far behind? The concept art for it is all over the web (and I should know as I first shared it in 2014). 

My guess to the question is "No". Why? First, with Legoland there and the inevitable Six Flags and Universal Studios, I can't imagine Disney will offer their product in a place that puts them at the same level as their competitors in the minds of travelers. Which is exactly what would happen if they do go there. 

Secondly, Shanghai Disneyland has just premiered, and my bet is the suits and the public are finding there is much more work behind the scenes in making this really work in addition to what's needed to keep it going. Including necessary expansion straight away.

Lastly, with Star Wars Land and Pandora World of Avatar- not to mention upcoming projects based on Marvel and Frozen, Disney is finally taking an active role in the competition for the buck. Their parks will soon once again offer compelling reasons to "do Disney". And just in the nick of time."

Below were most all the pieces of concept art I found. I'm saving them for future posts.

The larger park view may be the best. It includes a different version of Cars Land as well as a Star Wars based version of Tomorrowland. There's even a much earlier proposed version of Main Street U.S.A. which is more like a Fantasyland styled avenue. Not quite Mickey Avenue in Shanghai, but a European styled village with dark ride attractions, shops and restaurants. Just imagine!

As of this date, world events and tensions in the region seem to have placed this project on hold. Maybe indefinitely. No, we won't get an announcement for this at D23, as things will have to cool. But you never know what the suits will pull out of the sleeves. Money talks, and be it China, Dubai, India or anywhere else, Disney always succumbs to the lure of the buck over anything else.

 

Explicit: The Man Who Loved Boys

Now that the years have gone by, I want to share with you a true tale that is rather chilling. Stop reading here if you have sensitive ears or minds or have children with you.  

I'll never forget this conversation: A man had recently read my blog post "Kevin Spacey Deserves to Die", and he was very, very upset. (To be fair, I also wrote that "Harvey Weinstein Deserves to Die".) 

This was back in the day when my contact information was easily found, so I did not know what to expect. I'd had people call my home in the past to either ask me to take down my groundbreaking post (with artwork) on Dubai Disneyland or to comment on other articles I'd written. But I expected nothing like this!

After a long list of expletives and cursing me, the man blurted out that he was actually one of those men that enjoyed and pursued sex with pre-teen to early teen boys. In a stream of consciousness, he spewed out what he liked to do to them.

I was in shock that he was so blunt and open about it. But now that I'm thinking about it, this is the direction our world is headed. There is no shame now about any of this- and there is no privacy either about what men and women do in the privacy of their homes. 

Many major companies and entertainment industries are, in effect, grooming young children to be sexualized. And it has to stop. From Billboard music artists to the Walt Disney Company and more, content and marketing to confuse and expose children to sex and sexuality is everywhere. Since when is it someone else's right to talk to your kids about their sexuals mores? That is the right and responsibility of the parents and no one else- and you'd better do it well because we will have to answer to God one day for how we have parented our children.

Back to the main story. This man was mad as Hell at me for calling out his sexual preferences and actions as sin. I did so lovingly but firmly. Bottom line- he wanted to do what he wanted to do. And he was in a social and financial position to pick up all the young boys he wanted. Even if he had to pay for them. Of course, he was very careful not to mention his location or contact information.

I explained to him that Jesus loved these boys and that his treatment of them - among the most vulnerable- offended God, placing him in grave eternal danger. The very beginning of the book of Matthew Chapter 18 reads

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them  and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

It was no use. I tired to explain that God loved him as well and offered Jesus Christ as the only pure, true, sinless, and complete sacrifice for his sins. That believing in Him and following Him would in exchange give him eternal life. And full forgiveness of his sins, trading off inner turmoil for peace, joy, and hope. It was a love so great that Jesus submitted himself to torture no human should ever endure.

Isn't it his body to do with as he wishes? No. Our very bodies were created by and belong to God, and they are not our own to do with as we please. The Apostle Paul makes that very clear in his letter to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians chapter 6:

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.  “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

But it was no use. He ended our conversation with a few more uses of a vile word directed to me. But at least he now had heard the truth. He was responsible for what he knew. 

As hard as it was, I was faithful to speak truth in love, knowing all have sinned and fall short of God's glory and His plan. Him, Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, you and me. Thank God his plan for full forgiveness and for our eternal life is also offered to everyone- him, Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, you and me. The choice to accept God's plan or not is ours to make.

Concept Art for a New Magic Kingdom in Asia

Is Bob Chapek planning for a new Magic Kingdom? Very well possible, as the man is not known for leaving any money making venture unturned. Certainly a major new theme park is the crowing achievement for any Disney CEO. So, what exactly is this piece of concept art? It is a piece for a new Asia Magic Kingdom. The artist is a Sklar, but it's not Marty Sklar. It's Andy Sklar. He was once part of an association of designers called Coroflot. 

Here's another piece of Andy's concept art- a proposal for Epcot for the Coral Reef Lounge. Obviously, the Living Seas has been invaded by Nemo and Friends at this point in time, soon to be surrounded by Moana as well. 

Will there be another Magic Kingdom is Asia? Certainly, but it's not the only location being looked at, I can guarantee you. No doubt China's population can make it worthwhile. Former CEO Robert Iger has already mentioned there are plans for other parks there. Again, you can bet Bob Chapek will want another kingdom as a feather in his cap.

Years back, I was the first to uncover some rare concept art for a proposed Dubai Disneyland. That was June 2014, and other sites took notice even as I took down the concept art as asked. They say sometimes lightning strikes twice! And I suppose it did.

The art above may be older, but you can rest assured yet one more Magic Kingdom is coming sooner than later to compete for guests. 

Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland will be followed by __________________.  Where? My guess is India!

What is yours?

(Art copyright Andy Sklar.)

The Tomorrowland 2055 Post that Started Insights and Sounds and the Missing Dinosaur from Hong Kong Disneyland

What a title, huh? It's worth the story that follows! I remember it so well: The year was 1990, and I was strolling Disneyland one afternoon with my young family. It was another perfect Disney day in Southern California. We had walked into Tomorrowland to take in the Autopia and let the kiddos try their hands behind the wheel. But something stopped me in my tracks.

Next to the Carousel Theater, once home of the Carousel of Progress and America Sings, was a billboard for a new attraction called Plectu's Intergalactic Revue showing the piece above. For some strange reason, I snapped this photo of the concept art, never expecting it to be anything but a photo of what was coming... and I held on to it for many years.

When I began the Insights and Sounds blog, I knew local Disneyland fans would find this piece of unbuilt history of interest, but I didn't expect anyone else to. I was so wrong! Fans of Walt Disney World found it of interest as well! Within days of first posting it in March of 2008, my humble photograph showed on on blogs and websites all over the world. And it's still being  reposted to this day. Glad I took the photo!

(Much like the same thing that happened with the art I unearthed for Dubai Disneyland! Even my late friend Alain Littaye from the Disney and More blog was surprised I'd finally hunted it down. ) 

Hong Kong Disneyland's Missing Dinosaur

Then, there was this piece of dinosaur concept art that caused quite a stir! Long, long, ago, around 2009, I was "gifted" with this piece of concept art for an attraction at the then soon to open Hong Kong Disneyland. But with a smaller mindset of what the park should be, the ride never materialized. This was the case with major portions of the small little park, earning it the poor reputation it deserved at opening.

Looking at the art closely, this was clearly a coaster or troop transport type attraction. With that thought came the questions. What exactly it was for? Was it intended for a hybrid of a couple of attractions that never made it past the drawing boards of the Imagineers? To my eyes, it seemed to be Raging Spirits from Tokyo DisneySea - which in itself is a remix on the Indiana Jones coaster at Disneyland Paris - meets the infamous ferocious Carnatour from Countdown to Extinction/ Dinosaur from Disney's Animal Kingdom.  

More questions. Was the attraction scheduled to go into the lush, dense outdoor jungles of Adventureland or was it meant for an indoor weather-proofed warehouse a la Indiana Jones Adventure? Maybe a combination like what was originally proposed for the dinosaur area at Animal Kingdom? (Found in my "Disney's Animal Kingdom: A True Life Adventure" series. Eight parts and growing!)

Was it just too expensive to build? Was it too ambitious? But what was it?

Then sharp eyed reader Randy Savage had the definitive answer. The art for this dinosaur was part of the original plan for Hong Kong Disneyland in an Adventureland that contained an outdoor attraction with Audio-Animatronic beasts. The image was eventually found on the concept art map for the park in the book "More Making the Magic Real", published mid-year 2010. 

As you can tell, I've been blessed with a lot of interesting images and stories to go with them! More to come- and I can't wait to unearth anything else as folks keep sending me concept art.

 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Top photo copyright Mark Taft.)

An Amazing Story!

Today's incredible post will make the rumored Dubai Disneyland pale in comparison! It's not about MOTIONGATE Dubai, Universal's plans in China, or even expansion Disneyland Paris. Instead, it's an amazing true story of a young man who encountered God in a truly miraculous and very personal way. It's a true story passed down I written form from person to person to person and eventually reached people I know.

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Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. All over the world, believers in Jesus Christ pat the price for their faith in Him- some with the lives. In fact, more believers have died for their faith in the last 20 years than decades before. (You can read all about it here.)

What to know how personal God is and how much He cares for you? Read on.

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My journey with Jesus has started from a childhood. 

In 1992, my parents moved from one Muslim nation to another, when I was only 3 months old. After years, someone in market shared gospel with my father and he started following Jesus, followed by taking me and my brother to the service of a house church. I began to understand that God so loves the whole world that He sent Jesus- God in the flesh- to earth to redeem man and pay the price for their sins. And I gave Him my life.

In 2004, tragically we lost our father and that’s when my world turned upside down. I was so devastated and angry at God, started questioning Him and stopped reading the Bible or going to house church. When I was in 9th grade, depression hit me and I decided to take my life. I had a great plan, skipped class, prepared myself and as I was going into garage to fulfil my plan, someone knocked the door. 

In our culture, if someone knocks at your door, even unknown person you would show him hospitality and invite inside. There were an international couple knocking, whom I never met in my village, they came inside and started conversation with me. The man asked me, all of a sudden: “Ahmad, why you are rejecting God?” And that moment something inside me changed and I knew it was God who sent these people to me to prevent me from taking my life away. Because how in the world, at that particular moment, people would knock at my door and ask me why I left Jesus? It was Him. 

Since then I surrendered my life to Him. In 2009, I moved to the city, which is a megapolis started studying at university. 

After 2 years of being here miraculously I was invited to the student conference where people encouraged to share the Good News with everyone around us, especially with student because they believed that it’s the future of our country. I was inspired to do so, but something held me back in sharing the good news with my group mates. 

In summer of 2011, I heard really bad news, that one of my closest friend from the university got into a car accident and died. Only one through came to my mind, that he is not going to heaven, because he hasn’t heard the gospel, which should’ve shared with him. It was the second time when something in my mind switched. Now I sincerely believe that we have to share the good news with everyone. 

I'm now happily married to a Christian woman. I cannot wait to see what God holds for us as I continue to love and serve Jesus!

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What about YOU? What will you do with the incredible gift offered you through Jesus Christ? That bad news is we've all fallen short of God's perfection and are doomed for eternal death and separation from Him. The good news is God has given us a way through Jesus Christ. The choice is yours.

Welcome to Insights and Sounds!

During the last few months and the mandated quarantine, many new friends have discovered the Insights and Sounds blog. Welcome! If you're new, you might take the time to read this article which will give you a brief overview of what's on the site after more than ten years and thousands of articles. 

That rare piece of concept art for Animal Kingdom by Imagineer Ben Tripp shown above? The blog's filled with artist renderings of various Disney park attractions both built and those projects tossed aside (like the infamous Dubai Disneyland, whose renderings I was the first to discover). If its unbuilt attractions that interest you, you'll find all kinds of discoveries here! 

You'll also find trip reports from the Disney resorts and extensive histories of Disney's Hollywood Studios, a million (it seems) posts on EPCOT Center, and an eight part and growing series on the evolution of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

If you love Disney Park Attraction Posters, you'll find one of the largest and most complete collections for Disneyland right here. (And I'm just starting to share my Walt Disney World collection.)

If music is what brings you here, you're probably discovered I'm a big fan of Karen Carpenter and her brother Richard. This beloved duo created a lasting legacy spanning 50 years. There's album reviews, some rare photos and stories, and my take on what it's like being part of Randy L. Schmidt's book, Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography. But there's more to my music tastes than this brother and sister, so look for music articles, album and concert reviews on everyone from Keith Urban, Michael Jackson, Amy Grant, Sting, Michael Bublé,  Olivia Newton-John and more.

If you're familiar with the concept of love languages, mine is without a doubt spelled "airline ticket". I love to travel! It's not only my job as a private tour guide, it's a joy! I've been blessed to go all over the world. Our beautiful world is so much more than just Disney theme parks! Lots a photos, trip reports, and even several of my favorite travel posters are here, too.

My family and friends mean a lot to me! So, as you look through the blog, you'll see a bit of my history in photos. My friend Len Yokoyama is also an author here. He's just an incredibly gifted man- a great photographer, and all around good guy. Len's from Hawaii and due to this, has great stories to share and gives us some of the most gorgeous photos of the islands I've ever seen.

So, welcome to the blog! Feel free to comment and contact me. I love making new friends!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dubai Disneyland Surfaces Again

This is not an April Fools joke. Could Dubai Disneyland be back on? Certainly, the theme park oasis in that part of the world needs all the help it can get! Three parks so far and each only receiving less than a million guests in attendance. Something is seriously wrong, no matter how many people promote its excellence. The MOTIONGATE Dubai and Bollywood parks are not the draw they need to be. Six Flags dropped out of the game. Will Disney come to the rescue?

These honest-to-goodness Dubai Disneyland images are just astounding! Why? Favilli Studios, a long time firm where the principals used to be part of Imagineering, was contracted to do the work. If you take a good look at these pieces by enlarging them, you'll notice there's certainly a bit of Star Wars Land present in Tomorrowland as well as a not so subtle inclusion of California Adventure's incredible Cars Land.

Here's the now requisite hotel at the entrance or a series of uber expensive suites in Fantasyland at the castle itself. Perfect for fleecing those well-heeled guests of the Middle East. 

There's also a shiny, brand new version of Main Street U.S.A., and we thought Shanghai Disneyland was the first one to propose a changeout from the old standby "Vintage America" feeling park entrance. Was this another version of Mickey Avenue?

I was the first one to publicize this Dubai Disneyland concept art. But I was personally telephoned by the owners of the studios that produced it and asked to take it down. Apparently this series was created for a potential investment project of which Disney may or may not have been a partner. Now 5 years later, it is all over the internet, so here it is again- a small selection of many, many images I still hold onto.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company / Favilli Studios.)

Sklar's Art for a New Asian Magic Kingdom

Years back, I was the first to uncover some rare concept art for a proposed Dubai Disneyland. That was June 2014, and other sites took notice even as I took down the concept art as asked. They say sometimes lightning strikes twice! Here is a piece for a new Asia Magic Kingdom. The artist is a Sklar, but it's not Marty Sklar. It's Andy Sklar. He's part of an association called Coroflot. Information found at Coroflot.com.

Here's another piece of Andy's concept art- a proposal for Epcot for the Coral Reef Lounge. Obviously, the Living Seas has been invade by Nemo and Friends at this point in time.

Will there be another Magic Kingdom is Asia? Without a doubt as the population of China alone can handle it. Robert Iger has already mentioned there are plans for other parks there. 

The art above may be older, but you can rest assured yet one more Magic Kingdom is coming sooner than later to compete for guests. 

Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland will be followed by __________________.  Where? Your guess is as good as mine!

(Art copyright Andy Sklar.)

Dubai Disneyland to the Rescue

After the collective thud heard world over due to the stunning lack of success of Dubai Parks and Resorts grand opening, could a brand new Dubai Disneyland back be on the table? 

In spite of all the freebie trips offered bloggers as well as traditional news sources, guests have not emerged in large masses to the resort. The earliest reviews were less than favorable. Sources from even kinder folks, such as Theme Park Insider, have returned to the old adage, "If you can't say something nice..." 

Bollywood Parks Dubai might be a fresh concept, but its not drawing in the crowds. Nor is Motiongate Dubai with its less than stellar attraction line-up. Check out on line photos for yourself.  Legoland could be a draw- I mean, who doesn't love the interlocking blocks that have taken over the world?

When a brand new resort discounts this soon after opening, the signs are not good. So, what are the investors to do? Reputations are fragile. A ton of investment is also on the line. Are they desperate enough? If so, well- it's time to call in the clear leader in themed entertainment: Disney.

Coming off a successful launch of Shanghai Disneyland as well as much hype of Avatar / Pandora and the upcoming Stars Wars Land and new additions using Marvel, The Walt Disney Company is in a pretty fine position to negotiate a sweet deal to being a Magic Kingdom to the Middle East. As you can see from the concept art above, Cars Land is a key element as is Star Wars and a whole new take on Main Street U.S.A. 

It wouldn't take too much time to reimagine a whole new world. All it takes is for someone to cry "Uncle"-  as in Walt.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Is Dubai Disneyland on the Way?

With the first stage of Dubai Parks and Resorts opening October 31, can a version of Disneyland Dubai be far behind? The concept art for it is all over the web (and I should know as I first shared it in 2014). 

My guess to the question is "No". Why? First, with Legoland there and the inevitable Six Flags and Universal Studios, I can't imagine Disney will offer their product in a place that puts them at the same level as their competitors in the minds of travelers. Which is exactly what would happen if they do go there. 

Cars Land and Star Wars Land for the desert. 

Two of many, many pieces I have now shared all over the web.

Secondly, Shanghai Disneyland has just premiered, and my bet is the suits and the public are finding there is much more work behind the scenes in making this really work in addition to what's needed to keep it going. Including necessary expansion straight away.

Lastly, with Star Wars Land and Pandora World of Avatar- not to mention upcoming projects based on Marvel and Frozen, Disney is finally taking an active role in the competition for the buck. Their parks will soon once again offer compelling reasons to "do Disney". And just in the nick of time.

A New Magic Kingdom

For generations, Disneyland and its sister Magic Kingdom parks have inspired countless artists and those who want to be Imagineers. (Yours truly included as a young teen.)

Here is one of the most elaborate and beautifully rendered new Magic Kingdoms. A brilliant artist, Mr. Zahta has combined elements of Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea into one incredible, but unfortunately imaginary, park. So far, from what I can see, there's even Shanghai Disneyland influences and who knows- maybe a bit of Dubai Disneyland mixed in. (Yes, you really can find art for Dubai Disneyland on this blog if you look for it!).

 

I'm always excited for a new Magic Kingdom, but I'm even more excited for this one Jesus promises: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." It's a kingdom we can have now by knowing God through Jesus, and it's a kingdom that brings freedom from anxiety. (See Matthew 6:33). Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me." These words from John 14:6 means because of his great love for us, Jesus makes the truth clear and easy to understand. Do you want and need His Kingdom? I know I do!

Click on this for an incredibly large image and enjoy!

(Art copyright Mr. Zahta.)

Why Disney Will Not Build a Park in the Middle East

On Wednesday of this week, Alain Littaye of the wonderful Disney and More site told us why Disneyland Australia never came to be. Today, I'm going to explain why Disneyland Dubai is still unbuilt.

Look at the image above. (Click on it for its largest size. It's stunning. You can see a version of Cars Land and Star Wars Land both incorporated into the design ) Do you wonder why Disney hasn't built the incredibly beautiful Dubai Disneyland? It's a combination of events and philosophies that conflict with The Walt Disney Company's lust for cash.

With of all the media's love of the glitzy glamour of Dubai and the Middle East in general- they after all do give very choice incentives for the film studios to bring productions to the region (i.e. Star Wars)- it cannot take away form the fact that the Middle East is a region of unrest and therefore, one that is fairly unsafe. 

Jews, Muslims, Christians of all types should be able to live together peacefully. But as you will see in this video- violence is king. From the pulpit of a mosque, the imam shows his congregation how to stab a Jew.  A man of faith? A man of a religion stating peace is an objective? How to stab a Jew!?! Is anyone as outraged as I am?

Disturbed people of all faiths invoke the unthinkable, and in the Middles East, a hotbed of strife for centuries, the unthinkable happens all too often. For the Walt Disney Company, where money speaks- and in Hollywood several prominent Jews are involved and influential- they are conflicted between their greed and lust for dominance and the personal beliefs of those prominent in the company and the media community. This is why Disney will not build there. Without further delay, here's a ugly and very disturbing video I received, accompanied from this email message passed on to me from a friend living overseas:

Yesterday, I wrote about Sheikh Mohammad Abu Rajab, who, during a sermon in the Al Abrar Mosque in Rafah, Gaza, demonstrated the way to stab a Jew.  

I knew there was a video of his “sermon,” but it seemed to be unavailable – I couldn’t access it and so put up a still photo. Bad enough, to see a member of the Muslim “clergy” brandishing a knife from the pulpit.

Now I have located the video, which comes from MEMRI. It was broadcast via Internet, and Abu Rajab himself makes note of this, because the message goes far and wide this way. Internet, and social media, have been used extensively in inciting during the current violence by the Arabs who call themselves Palestinians.

No- Disney will not build there anytime soon.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dubai Disneyland - Yes, It Was Me

Websites around the globe are posting this - and many other- pieces of concept art I had found for the proposed Dubai Disneyland. 

I published these pieces immediately, perhaps seven or eight total, much to the delight of Disney Park fans. I continue to receive inquiries and questions, with some even doubting I had the art. I do, and the most popular piece- to prove so- is above. A couple of weeks after I first posted it, I was contacted by the firm and asked to remove it all, as the client was upset they had even made it relatively public. I did so. But now, I feel at liberty to repost one image to prove it all. One image that, by now, can be found on too many websites and blogs to track...so I have no qualms posting it now.

Below is what I posted in November 2014, and I repeat it here for your understanding only:

"Yes, once more,  this post by The Disney Times is 100% correct. As are others who reported something similar. I did post a series of pieces of concept art on the proposed Dubai Disneyland, and yes, I was contacted by Favilli Studio. A very nice request was made by the Director of Operations, Linus Sora, a very kind man, to have me take down the pieces- which I did as a courtesy. 

Why did they ask me to take them down? Easy, the proposed project is very real and very sensitive. The clients were upset the pieces made their way to the public  Imagine a Disneyland in the Middle East and everything that could mean and everything that could lead to. The area is already a world power, and we all know Disney is solely in the market to make money. Win / Win. 

Favilli also took their pieces down off the web, but you can still find a concept for Glacier Bay, a land once proposed for Tokyo Disney Sea."

Once More for Good Measure

Yes, once more,  this post by The Disney Times is 100% correct. As are others who reported something similar. I did post a series of pieces of concept art on the proposed Dubai Disneyland, and yes, I was contacted by Favilli Studio. A very nice request was made by the Director of Operations, Linus Sora, a very kind man, to have me take down the pieces- which I did as a courtesy. 

Why did they ask me to take them down? Easy, the proposed project is very real and very sensitive. The clients were upset the pieces made their way to the public  Imagine a Disneyland in the Middle East and everything that could mean and everything that could lead to. The area is already a world power, and we all know Disney is solely in the market to make money. Win / Win. 

Favilli also took their pieces down off the web, but you can still find a concept for Glacier Bay, a land once proposed for Tokyo Disney Sea.

No, you will not find Dubai Disneyland art on my blog any longer. But I will say this, look at your favorite list of Disney sites, and you will find the art. It's out there- plenty of it- on multiple sites. 

Even More Shanghai Disneyland Art

Fireworks in the daytime? Thank the smog!

How the world has changed! If you would have asked the visionary  Walt Disney where he would place an international Magic Kingdom, my bet is China would be the last place on his mind... if an international park was on his mind at all. Yet, 60 years after the opening of Disneyland, the first Mainland China park will open within the anniversary of the first. Michael Eisner and team were visionary in a way suited to their era of leadership.

Every nighttime view of a Disney park makes it look fabulous.

If you keep your eyes open and think a bit creatively, it's becoming easier and easier to find leaked pieces of Imagineering art for this park. Whereas the Los Angeles Times was the source for the one below, unexpected places yielded their treasures. Much like when I first found the art for Dubai Disneyland a couple of months ago. (Yes, I really did remove it at the request of the firm who created it. But, shhh- it's still easy to find. Every single piece. Again, think creatively.)

Soon enough from pencil sketch to reality

After the relatively thump of low attendance upon the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, it seems the Chinese officials wised up to the games of Robert Iger and company, and they started to demand more a better. It's a lesson guests to Walt Disney World should understand. After all, look what much publicity, fan complaints, and low attendance - with a push from the City of Anaheim- did in turning around California Adventure.

With Hong Kong Disneyland in their rear view mirror, more had to be promised, added, and especially unique to the Shanghai Disneyland park. Old favorites such as Space Mountain were discarded in favor of a Tron themed coaster. Johnny Depp's version of Pirates of the Caribbean and a land ironically once pitched to the suits of Hong Kong Disneyland, becomes the focus of one of two lands of Adventure. It's A Small World hasn't shown up yet and could be aded later. (Fear not for Hong Kong. With the overwhelming success of Mystic Manor and the coming Iron Man Experience with more on the way, the beautiful seaside land will be able to hold its own next to its larger and younger sister.)

What's a castle park with a beautiful castle?

Haunted Mansion is no where to be found, neither is Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Instead, suitable replacements will fill in the gap: Roaring Rapids, Soaring Over The Horizon, and the Enchanted Storybook Castle grotto attraction- which would be a surprise if it didn't have a villain or two along the way. An announced further investment into the park could bring an even more complete assortment of delights.

Stay tuned for the next round of Shanghai Disneyland Imagineering art. I was thrilled to find the Tomorrowland piece. I've posted it once. It's around here somewhere...along with those Dubai pieces all over the web.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dubai Disneyland and Favilli Studio- An Update

No photo today.

Just received a very nice phone call from a true gentleman at Favilli Studio. Quite the theme park fan himself but also a businessman, he politely asked if I would consider taking down the images associated with Dubai Disneyland. I did immediately.
I hope you liked what you saw while it was there!

Rare Art for Tokyo's Mysterious Island

What do you get when you take a classic Jules Verne story, put it into the hands of Disney's world class Imagineers, toss in a seemingly endless budget, and built it at the Tokyo Disney Resort known worldwide for being the epitome of upholding Walt Disney's standards? The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction found in Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea!

The top piece of Imagineering art is pretty rare- and it was quite the find when I stumbled upon it. Can you imagine what is "in the vaults" for the Tokyo parks and all the things that haven't been built? At least for now... but back to the attraction.

With a unique "dry-for-wet" presentation, the guests ride in submarines which never actually go under the water. Not only is this a thrilling and beautiful attraction, it operates as any other dark ride,  keeping maintenance crews and park accountants very happy- in stark contrast to the problems encountered by similar and very wet attractions for both Disneyland in California and in Florida's Magic Kingdom. 

Of course, since this is Tokyo and the money comes from the Oriental Land Company, Disney just didn't design a beautiful attraction, they placed it in an incredible setting at the near center of the park. This enclosed, premier location almost guarantees the attraction will have a long life span. Think of it just as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Disneyland Paris. 

My business and pleasure travels have not taken me to Japan for several years. That may change soon. You can rest assured that Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and soon Shanghai Disneyland will one day be my destination. 

Until you can travel there yourself, Robb Alvey's Theme Park Review has one of the best on-line videos to be found of the attraction. Watch it below and be on alert for wanting to spend the money to take off for Tokyo!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)