New Resort Announced, More Growth, More People

A "Nature inspired" resort will be opening in 2022 at Walt Disney World on the shores of Bay Lake. Except it looks like another fairly generic resort complex. Ugh.

Disney is in the midst of expansion the likes which hasn't been seen since the Golden Era under Michael Eisner when Disney-MGM Studios, Pleasure Island, Grand Floridian Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort and Typhoon Lagoon all came about. 

What Disney built in Paris would be better!

Placing this between the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Campground makes sense from a Disney executive standpoint, but it also ensures more people, more congestion, more traffic. Will there be any nature left? More details here. They could have followed a similar design to what they just opened at Disneyland Paris, but why bother?

Will the parks be able to handle all the crowds? Will new additions like Guardians of the Galaxy and Mickey and Minnie's Runway Train help absorb the masses of people coming for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? I doubt it. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Unbuilt Mystery House

This piece of concept art isn't another variation of the exterior for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion nor is it an alternative for Paris' equally thrilling Phantom Manor. It's something totally unique. A brand new attraction, and it's one I'd never even heard of! 

FoxxFur over at the excellent Passport to Dreams Old & New provides all the details on this unbuilt attraction designed by Imagineer Marc Davis for a slice of land at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness. Named Adventure House, it seems like a fun and inviting way to spend some time. Check out the great article and all the art here. Just one more piece of investigation from an incredible blog...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

An Attraction All Its Own

One of the advantages of going to Walt Disney World in Florida instead of Disneyland in California is the abundance of activities available on the grounds. Sure, Downtown Disney in Anaheim is really great, but that's about all there is to do on the property once you've toured the parks and walked through the hotels  It's a very different situation in Florida. 

This terrific Fort Wilderness Poster really captures a small piece of what's available to guests. The sense of really getting away from it all happens there. Nighttime campfires, the Hoop De Doo Musical Revue (which offers up some of the best food and entertainment on the property, and a chance to explore nature- God's ultimate theme park- are just a few of the reasons millions go year after year to the World.

Thanks to the Imagineers of old and to Walt Disney himself for having the wisdom and insight to dream big and pull it off!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

River Country Makes a Splash

Long before the big expansion at Walt Disney World, the days of Disney-MGM Studios and Typhoon Lagoon, there was a gem of a little watering hole called River Country. By today's standards, it was a fairly simple place to hang out: rope swings, pools, a couple of water slides. Certainly nothing incredible, but it was a nice afternoon diversion for those folks staying at Fort Wilderness or those smart enough to leave the Magic Kingdom or Epcot for a break.  Look at the concept art from some unknown Imagineer. Makes a pretty enticing argument for bringing it back.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)