日本に新たな王国がやってくる

はるかに新しい何かが日本にやってくる。ファンタジースプリングスがこれからも成し得ないほど大きく、より良く、もっと印象的な何かが。信じがたいかもしれませんが、本当のことです。「神は世を愛されたので、独り子(イエス)をお与えになった。それは、神を信じる者はだれでも滅びず、永遠のいのちを得るためである。神が御子を世に遣わして世を非難したからではなく、神を通して世が救われるからです。(ヨハネの聖書)

そこで彼らは、盲目で口のきけな悪霊に抑圧されている人(イエス)をイエスのところに連れて来て、イエスが彼を癒したので、その人は話し、見ました。民はみな驚いて言った、「これはダビデの子でしょうか。」しかし、パリサイ人たちはそれを聞いて、「この人は悪霊の長であるベルゼブブによってのみ、悪霊を追い出すことができるでしょう」と言いました。イエスは自分の考えを知って、彼らに言った、「すべての分裂した王国は、その前に荒れ果て、分裂した町や家は、その前に立つことはありません。そして、サタンがサタンを追い出すなら、サタンは自分自身に対して分裂するでしょう。では、彼の王国はどうなるでしょうか?もし私がベルゼブブによって悪霊を追い出すなら、あなたの息子たちは誰によって悪霊を追い出すでしょうか。ですから、彼らはあなたの裁判官になります。しかし、もし私が悪霊を追い出したのが神の御霊によってであるならば、神の国はあなたがたの上に来たのです。(聖書のマタイ)

その時、私は新しい天と新しい地を見た。最初の天と最初の地は消え去り、海はもうなかったからである。そして、聖なる都、新しいエルサレムが神から天から来て、手入れの行き届いた結婚式のように夫のために準備されているのを見ました。そして、玉座から「見よ、神の住まいは人とともにある」という大きな声が聞こえました。神は彼らと共に住み、彼らは神の民となり、神ご自身が彼らの神として彼らとともにおられるでしょう。神は彼らの目からすべての涙を拭い去り、もはや死、嘆き、泣き、痛みはないでしょう。(黙示録)

Why a Tangled Ride in Expanded Form Deserves to Be in Epcot's Germany Pavilion

Frozen may be the latest juggernaut movie from the company, but I'd argue that Tangled is richer, more clever, and with equally beloved main characters. Plus there is no other scene in Disney animation as gorgeous as the film's lantern scene. The beloved movie deserves its own attraction on an epic scale. 

The cartoon / character infestation of Epcot's World Showcase started long ago when Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio del Tiempo at the Mexico pavilion. We know without any doubt this is the direction the Walt Disney Company is taking with all its theme parks and not just the one that was supposed to celebrate cultures of the world. So, let's not waste time debating whether it's a good move or not. 

Apparently the executives at Oriental Land Company agree Tangled is worthy of its own attraction. In its beautiful new Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Sea, it's Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival that provides the biggest tug on the heartstrings. The lattern scene highlighting the music of I See the Light gets me a little choked up. And I don't even speak Japanese. 

What would I change to make this an even better attraction?

1- Add in the villain back in. Removing the dark characters from attractions is a very bad move in the Disney worlds. That evil exists in the world is a fact, and we are not doing anybody good by pretending it does not. For all its amazing strengths, there's too little of Gaston in Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, and the attraction loses something in translation because of it. The payoff is just not as strong. In Tangled, Mother Gothel is the most complex and evil of all Disney villains, using her motherly charms to deceptively manipulate her kidnapped "daughter".  When our heroine Rapunzel eventually awakes from her Stockholm Syndrome, it's a powerful moment. 

2- Toss in the Stabbington brothers. Go into the Snuggly Duckling pub. Round out the adventure a bit. There's some swashbuckling bravado in the film. Make the most of it.

3- Bring back Corona and the people of the village, including the king and queen. Queue up the music, create a celebration, Let this scene be the set up before the quiet, intimate beauty of the lantern festival finale.

With these changes added, Imagineering would create a real must see attraction in the park. This could be the Pirates of the Caribbean of sorts in Epcot, a ride that could appeal to boys and play counterpoint to the sister focused storyline a few countries away... and for once an American park would get the better version of something from Japan!

Main Street Cinema Attraction Poster- Tokyo Style!

After decades of denial, its seems like real Disney theme park fans are finally beginning to acknowledge the truth:  When it comes to the same high standards Walt Disney believed in, be in stunning new attractions, guest value, or park and attraction maintenance, the Tokyo Disney Resort is the new gold standard. The love, attention to detail, and money the Oriental Land Company pours into the place is obvious! 

This includes honoring Imagineering history and their wonderful park attraction posters. Here's a great one for the Main Street Cinema! The star of the show is front and center- Mickey Mouse himself. Disney's reliable, ultimate leading man- and corporate symbol- graces the front against a nice golden yellow backdrop. 

Just a little image with a big grin to warm up a winter's day.

Design Detail: Tokyo Disneysea's Sindbad's Storybook Voyage

In the world of Imagineering, Tokyo Disneysea is certainly a standout when it comes to design detail. Everything from the landscapes to the pathways and structures oozes thoughtful creativity in order to provide guests with the most immersive experience.

Sometimes the design details are not in the smallest, least noticed aspects of the park. They may be in the things unnoticed or unrealized, those items we take for granted.
 

Attraction posters just because.

Look at the photo above from the very enjoyable "8 Bit Theme Park" site. Look closely. This particular design detail is large, very large. In fact, It's Mount Prometheus. The centerpiece volcano of the park is perfectly placed between the two colorful domes found in the Arabian Coast section. I guess I should say the placement of the domes is carefully designed to offer an incredible view of Mount Prometheus smack in the center. 

Attraction posters once more. 

The land itself seems very overlooked, although that could change with the opening of Fantasy Springs because guests will have to travel through it in order to get into the newest section of the park. If they can even get in. Those in charge of Disney's second park in Japan have made it very difficult to do so. They are moving to a caste system of guests. It's a very sad business move and quite elitist.

Sinbad's Seven Voyages or Sindbad's Storybook Voyage- which do you prefer? The original and darker seven voyages had vibes of Pirates of the Caribbean in its approach. The new version is more playful and kid friendly. Both beautiful and engaging in its own way.

As we leave the Arabian Coast, I give you this beautiful photograph from Tokyo Cheapo. Enjoy it in a very large size.

Opening Day at Disney's Greatest Theme Park

Could there be a more beautiful, more impressive, more incredibly designed theme park ever built by the Walt Disney Company and those ultra-talented Imagineers? Probably not. (I know, you expected me to say EPCOT Center.) This grand opening attraction poster gives just a glimpse of the wonders found within. From the monstrously huge, fire belching volcano of Mount Prometheus to the huge temple which holds Indiana Jones, the lovely Tokyo Disneysea continues to grow and amaze. The attractions of Fantasy Springs can't come soon enough! Then I can begin to plan a visit once things settle down. Now with a Tangled boat ride opening, I just can't wait much longer or keep putting off a trip. To see the lantern festival in person- wow, just wow!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company and Oriental Land Company.)

New Fantasy Springs Ad for Tokyo Disneysea Expansion

Just take a look at this! It's been appearing in multiple places all over Tokyo- a brand new ad for the Fantasy Springs expansion at the  already beautiful Tokyo Disneysea. Areas devoted to Peter Pan, the Frozen gang, and Rapunzel and friends will make for a very popular addition. 

Looking at the art, you can see the hotel in the background as well as Rapunzel's Forest, Peter Pan's Never Land, and Frozen Kingdom.

Will you even be able to get in? I don't know as it seems to be a tough thing to do unless you pay mega-yen to stay at the brand new Fantasy Springs Hotel or have some insider connection. If you want more news on the expansion from a great guy who lives in Japan, go no further than the You Tube channel of 8-Bit Theme Park Japan. They broke the news on this ad, and they will be a surefire source of all the latest information.

(Art copyright Walt Disney Company and Oriental Land Company.)

New Attraction Posters for Hong Kong Disneyland's World of Frozen

Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs is just one of the new attraction posters recently released for Hong Kong Disneyland. The ride itself is a fairly simple reworking of the Magic Kingdom's fun little Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but in Hong Kong, this will be part of entire land: The World of Frozen. These three posters have a unique feel to them, but they just don't say "Classic Disney" to me. What do you think?

Unfortunately, the headlining attraction is a revised version of Frozen Ever After from the Norway pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase. We know the Imagineers can come up with better, but the suits tie their hands for the U.S. parks where all too often, "good enough" is what gets built. Of course, recent additions to Disneyland and Walt Disney World prove they can give us the best of the best- when they want to.

If Disney park fans are looking for the ultimate Frozen themed land, they'd be better off waiting for Tokyo DisneySea's gorgeous Fantasy Springs. Like most all things Disney and Japanese, when the new land opens next Spring, it will have a one of a kind E Ticket attraction based on the beloved sisters. But that's not all. Peter Pan gets a brand new land with its own mega ticket as well as a whole new Tangled themed section. It pains me to say, but yes, things do seem to be designed better for the Japanese. 

I'm all for expanding the overseas parks, but we should never forget the idea for these are rooted in a uniquely American locale and mindset. He may be gone, but the homeland parks should always be the ultimate example of Walt Disney's Imagineers.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Thanks to HKDL Fantasy for first sharing the images.)

Is This Any Way to Build a New Expansion, Tokyo Disneysea?

Is this a misfire? Tokyo Disneysea is widely recognized as one of the most ambitious, beautifully themed Disney Parks in the world. With the smoldering volcanic eruptions of Mount Prometheus as its centerpiece, it's difficult if not impossible to be in awe of what the Imagineers created. But this expansion named Fantasy Springs seems a bit controversial. 

How dare Tokyo Disneysea inject an entire themed land into this park, stuffing it with world class state of the art attractions focused on Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled? It could be a jarring contrast to the quite beautiful Mediterranean Harbor, the inspiring Mysterious Island, the exotic Lost River Delta or the somewhat historic American Waterfront. On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be too much difference between this cleverly hidden addition and Mermaid Lagoon or Arabian Coast.

A new take on the classic Peter Pan's Flight? Yes, please!

Perhaps it is the attraction line up that is causing a problem. How could they choose to bypass a clone of Epcot's Frozen Ever After for a one-of-a-kind "E Ticket" that will probably never be duplicated in Asia, the U.S., or in the Walt Disney Studios Paris expansion? Or maybe its the idea that the oft proposed ride system for Peter Pan is the same one used for Shanghai Disneyland's breakout hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. 

Moving beyond just the Snuggly Duckling.

I'm certainly one of the fans that is frustrated that the first attraction themed to Tangled is to be found in Asia and not at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Can themed restrooms at the Magic Kingdom be all they can do for this terrific film? I can't be the only one that wishes to see that lantern scene fully realized.

Is this any way to build an expansion? Yes, it is! I'd trade it for any version of Toy Story Land or Pixar Pier or even Avengers Campus any day! Wouldn't you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tokyo Disneyland Gives Guests More Than They Deserve- Again!

Tokyo Disneysea is just the tip of the iceberg! Long considered the best Disney theme park ever, the Tokyo Disney Resort notches it up again with a brand new, rebuilt, and fully reimagined Space Mountain for the original Japanese Disney park, Tokyo Disneyland. Is it not enough they already have the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, the original trackless vehicle E Ticket in Pooh's Hunny Hunt, and soon the only park to feature a full blown Tangled attraction? Apparently not. 

In contrast to Walt Disney World where they are continually nickel and diming customers, the Oriental Land Company continues to give guests groundbreaking attractions, top notch service, and great value for what is spent. This is the kind of experience Walt Disney wanted all his guests to have. And the Japanese resort continues to have great financial reports year after year after year. Does anyone see the correlation? 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Frozen Port Before Tokyo DisneySea's Fantasy Springs

While Tokyo DisneySea's expansion, named Fantasy Springs, has been delayed by a year, unlike many projects for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, it is not cancelled or delayed to the deadly Coronavirus. The area set aside for it has an interesting history, and the piece of concept art above reveals the original intent of the land: a frozen concept named Glacier Bay. 

As anyone who has been to the resort will tell you, everything designed for the second park at the Tokyo Disney Resort is representative of the very best work Imagineering.  The Stateside parks are just now beginning to see the same type of excellence as evidenced by Cars Land at California Adventure, Pandora at Animal Kingdom, and both Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge locations. There's much to be said for competition! If you don't think Universal's explosive growth due to adding the excellent Harry Potter attractions isn't part of the reason for renewed investment, you are mistaken. Thank you, Harry!

A snowy port that looks more than a bit like Port Discovery. 

When Tokyo DisneySea was first imagined, a frozen port of sorts made the short list of lands. The icy terrain even appeared on an early map of the park. (The top image. Click on it for a very large size.) For various reasons, it never made the final cut. The exact concept was also under consideration for Hong Kong Disneyland, which as we know would certainly have benefitted from something unique early on. It could have even changed initial perceptions of the park.

Interesting.

Nothing gets discarded when it comes to unbuilt Imagineering concepts. This Asian icy wonderland was once planned to be home to a variety of winter activities that could be enjoyed year round: jet skiing, an ice rink, and an indoor thrilling roller coaster. Let's be honest, here. In this new Disney world where intellectual properties and more importantly, potential for massive merchandizing, drives the company, a port without a connection would rarely be built. Even in Tokyo, they exist but are a rarity.

These three concepts above were created by Favilli Studios, one of the relatively new players in the theme park business...and the main creator of plans for the infamous Dubai Disneyland. Of course, to date, that park has not been built. I imagine it never will be. The planned mega resort for theme park lovers has had poor attendance and low if any profits since opening. (I broke the news on this proposed Middle East Magic Kingdom back in 2014. My detailed  look at it begins here.) 

Frozen instead of icy.

Removing the Glacier Bay concept but bringing an icy slant to Tokyo's expansion is our lovable snowman Olaf and his creator Elsa. With two strongly marketable characters- one for girls and one for boys- it's a bankable plan for the accounting books. 

For fans of Imagineering's most innovative work, Fantasy Springs will be a win. The new port will have several major E Ticket attractions based on Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan, all using innovative new ride systems, plenty of unique shopping, and a now requisite must-do restaurant experience a la Be Our Guest at Florida's New Fantasyland. 

Classic characters and beloved stories. That is the new direction for all of the Disney Parks- even if in some cases- like Epcot and Animal Kingdom- it's a big mistake. That said, leave it to Oriental Land Company and the Tokyo Disney Resort to get the best Imagineering work. With or without Disney characters.

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

Tokyo Disney Resort Continues It's Standing as the Premier Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneysea is the undeniable champion of Disney fans theme park envy. In the exact same year that this magnificent park opened, the less than stellar (to be kind) Disney's California Adventure made its debut next to Walt's park in Anaheim. The two parks couldn't have been more different. One park was the epitome of Imagineering skill and creativity. The other, well, a stunning example of Disney "budgeteering", full of pride on behalf of the Company leaders who were convinced everyone would come just because it had the Disney name on it. (Sounds a bit like the marketing plan for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, doesn't it?)

Imagineer Phillip Freer painted this beautiful piece of concept art depicting Tokyo's version of the Indiana Jones Adventure. With the lush tropical rain forest and the imposing temple, it's hard to believe the bustling city of Tokyo is right behind it all. With the upcoming Beauty and the Beast and Fantasy Springs additions, the Japanese parks continue to outshine those in the States if not the world. And for very good reason!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tokyo Disneysea Fantasy Springs Peter Pan Ride System Revealed

Looking for real old school Imagineering innovation? It's always best to look East- Tokyo Disney Resort especially! Here are the freshly revealed plans for the new Peter Pan attraction that will debut at Tokyo Disneysea's brand new Fantasy Springs. Looks like quite the boat ride! Could it be borrowing elements from Shanghai Disneyland's amazing Pirates of the Caribbean attraction? Sure looks like it! Some folks seem to believe this is an older concept that has now been discarded. Could it be?

Thanks to Emil who revealed this piece on his twitter account.