Beautiful Black and White Disneyland

The year:1956 The place: Fantasyland at Disneyland in Anaheim California. The map: A piece of artwork designed by someone- most likely in Imagineering- to give a feel of what Walt Disney's magical little kingdom would look like. These pieces were created to spark the imagination of kids and forever kids all over the United States. Flying elephants, spinning tea cups, a pirate ship, and a chance to ride into Monstro the Whale from Pinocchio. Who wouldn't love that? It worked like a charm! 

Millions visited this "Happiest Place on Earth", opening the door to Walt Disney World and then outside the country: Tokyo Disneyland, EuroDisney (now Disneyland Paris), Hong Kong Disneyland, and now Shanghai Disneyland. Where will the next Magic Kingdom unveil itself? My bet is India. We shall see.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dumbo Flies Again

Forgive me for being a Disney nerd! Every once in awhile, a photo from some other blog or site just grabs my attention. In this case, it is a recent photo from Westcoaster and their shot of the newly enhanced Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction at Disneyland. Situated in the beautiful and quaint Fantasyland, the new extended queue with its delightful circus canopies makes for just a stunning shot. The Imagineers did themselves proud on this little project!

(Photograph copyright Westcoaster.)

Never Built Roger Rabbit Attraction

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In this case, the question is "Who killed off Roger Rabbit?" This all was planned in the early 90's, back in long ago, when Imagineering was arguably at its peak in productivity. 

When Disney's Hollywood Studios was known as Disney-MGM Studios, there were plans afoot for a great simulator attraction based on the smash Disney film. The concept art shown gives us a glimpse of what could have been. 

The hare-brained attraction included in-cabin effects long before Stormrider at Tokyo DisneySea. Dumbo flies by as we are in hot pursuit of Bennie the Cab,  and Roger himself makes a lasting impression. Sound like great fun! And certainly a better executed family attraction than what is coming to the Studios in the form of Toy Story Land.

As with many projects, money and politics killed its chances of ever becoming reality. It's really a shame!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Even More Shanghai Art: Alice, Dumbo, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, and the Hunney Pots

Well, the pieces of amazing Shanghai Disneyland concept art just keep coming! As you can tell from the art above, the Alice in Wonderland maze is in fact based on the Tim Burton version of the film. Should be very interesting if not bizarre!

The elegant little building above is for Pooh's Hunney Pot Spin, an updated version of the famous Mad Tea Party. If you blow this up by clicking on it (as with all images), you'll find Pooh himself on top with his little blue balloon. Should be fun for everyone. When you throw in the Pooh dark ride, a shops or two and a spot to eat, you've got a little Pooh corner, similar in execution to the mini-Wonderland built at Disneyland in Anheim.

And last (for now!) but not least, here's Dumbo the Flying Elephant. You won't find him in Fantasyland proper, but instead you can fly with him by boarding in the Character Gardens.

Here's a nice look at the Wandering Moon Tea House, which seems to be placed where you would see the Plaza Inn or the Crystal Palace right off the hub. Chinese in style and very elegant and lovely.

The interior of this restaurant looks equally impressive- and you certainly cannot beat the view from these windows as you dine.

 To the right of the image above, you can see the boarding area for the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, one of Shanghai Disneyland's signature attractions. It will certainly add a nice lagoon of water to Fantasyland, something that is seriously missing in the Stateside parks.

Here's a closer look at the station along with one of the boats guest will board. It should provide a pleasant journey through the land as its shares Disney stories loved around the world.

Lastly, Mulan appears as part of the scenery for the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, a Storybookland Canal Boats of sorts, designed to familiarize the Chinese guests with classic Disney animated tales.

There's more to come...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

One Too Many

Invading Florida's tropical jungles, Aladdin's Magic Carpets came to the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland, ruining the dense and exotic landscape. This simplistic piece of concept art does justice to the final presentation when built. It's a common spinner, dressed up to take care of parents and kids who won't wait for Walt Disney World's Dumbo. (It's not the artist's fault! You can only do so much with the concept!)

In France's dismal Walt Disney Studios Paris, it debuted sans buildings with the Genie nearby dressed as a movie producer. At Tokyo DisneySea, it arrives soon as part of the intricately detailed Arabian Coast with a new name. Regardless of location, one Dumbo styled attraction is really enough!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)