"Ascending by Degrees"- A Return to Greatness at Walt Disney World?

It was Disney fan extraordinaire Kevin Yee that coined the phrase "declining by degrees" to describe the persistent and continual lessening of the original standards found at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. You know, those impeccably high values for show and guest experience, and yes, value, that Walt Disney himself set forth. Perhaps it's only fair now to perhaps consider that Disney may be "ascending by degrees" at least when it comes to one aspect of change in Florida. (Let's forget the debacle of removing the Rivers of America just for one moment.)

The original concept art by Imagineer Herb Ryman for Cinderella Castle (top) was a masterclass example of elegance, restraint, and just plain good taste. The infamous "castle cake" overlay was just the beginning of a few cheap and ugly variations of the look, culminating in the horrendous rose gold layover deemed appropriate to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. 

Thankfully that look is on its way out! The piece that debuted at this year's Destination D23 (above) shows a coming return to what it should be, a nod to the greatest Imagineering minds, those old school geniuses that brought excellence to all they did. 

It seems much like the area enhancements to Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the most successful design choices are the ones that return to the original feel when the parks were first thought out. Maybe, just maybe, a return to excellence, a full "ascending by degrees" will begin in Florida and then spread to the West Coast and "Walt's park". Here's hoping! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Very Rare New Orleans Square Concept Art

When this piece showed up in my files, I was in shock. I do not recall having ever seen this before- and trust me, I have one of the largest libraries of Imagineering concept art in Disney fandom. I'm convinced of that, and people send me their rare pieces too. I know this is New Orleans Square at Disneyland. I know it is the Court of Angels. And I knowby looking at it that it is probably not the work of an artist like Herb Ryman. But maybe you can help me. I do not know the artist or the year it was crafted or even what it was used for. The left side seems cut off. Does anyone know more?
 

It's a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Day 2024. We may not be a perfect country- far from it actually- but there is much to give thanks for: family, friends, home, provision, and a country that is free under the Almighty God.

Imagineer Herb Ryman created this piece of beautiful concept art in 1979 for the American Adventure. Another breathtaking work of art!  EPCOT Center celebrates many cultures, and this pavilion acts as the park's host. This rendering is certainly beautiful. It's among Herb's best pieces. 

Let me encourage you and your family and friends to take a moment to give God thanks for all He has given you. It's one of the strongest exhortations in the Bible repeated so many times: "Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good; His Love Endures Forever!"

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

EPCOT's Israel Showcase- An Unbuilt Gem

Imagineer Herb Ryman's beautiful Israel pavilion for EPCOT Center deserves to be built. Painted in June of 1982, shortly after the park's grand opening, this piece of concept art captures all the warmth, history, and beautiful architecture the country is known for. You can feel yourself walking down the streets and exploring the courtyards. That's Herb! It even made the infamous list of coming attractions to Epcot. Take a look below.

Back when Epcot was truly forward looking, the Disney Imagineers had great plans for additions that celebrated human ingenuity and culture with a beautiful design plan to keep guests coming in for decades. But greed and lack of vision altered that plan, so now we have Marvel characters, Disney princesses, and friendly fowl replacing  scientific theory, legendary trolls, and Aztec and Mayan culture.

The blueprint for Israel (shown above) has been in circulation for quite awhile, and it shows the expected mix of shops, a cafe or restaurant, and an entertainment venue. Blow the image up and explore a bit! It might make you wish this had come to pass- although it did in a much smaller version for the Millennium celebration. I saw it first hand, and it was quite interesting. 

A photo of Israel at the Millennium Celebration.

In the real world, Israel is under attack from Hamas and with the help of Iran apparently. But don't worry just pray. For whatever reason, the Almighty God has called Israel his chosen people, and He will not let the nation be destroyed. Many nations have tried, some have even conquered the land, but the people endure. And they will do so until the end of time when Jesus returns to earth and brings judgment to both those that love Him and those that do not. I do not know about you, but I do not want to be against anything or anyone God is for! (Is it time to once again crack open that book of Revelation in the Bible's New Testament?) No, everything Israel does is not perfect, but God will judge that too. (Nations are just like people, aren't they?)

In the fake world of Epcot, World Showcase badly needs this Israel addition! It is very Eurocentric, and fleshing it out with a country from the Middle East would be a smart albeit risky move. 

The proposed, delayed and forever not yet announced Brazil addition would be a good place to refresh this half of the park by bringing a new country and culture to explore. It needs more than Ratatouille. (Find out more in these posts with artwork included. Post One. Post Two.) Even if it is only shopping, restaurants and some entertainment, World Showcase needs this, and the "new" Epcot especially.  In a fantasy world geared toward kids and Disney intellectual properties, the roots of World Showcase should not be ignored. But that's just one man's opinion. Is it yours?

My 40 Year Love Affair with EPCOT

On April 5th, 1982, I saw EPCOT Center for the very first time. From the monorail that ran from the Walt Disney World Transportation and Ticket Center, the night sky seemed to glisten with thousands of stars- or were those stars in my eyes? My wife and I were married two days prior, and a short stop at Walt Disney World was the beginning of our honeymoon in the Bahamas. 

My soon to be favorite Disney park was still under construction. As we entered into it and rounded the bend in front of the World Showcase Lagoon all lit up, I was struck by how massive the project was. And just how beautiful! It seemed to call me to explore and discover all this new Disney world would offer. I knew a little about it, but I had to have more information.

It'd be several months later when I finally got my hands on the greatest book about the once greatest park, Walt Disney's EPCOT Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow by Richard R. Beard, I was convinced a visit upon opening was a requirement as a die hard Disney theme park fan. How right I was! I devoured every page and poured over each piece of Imagineering concept art (usually by Herb Ryman) over and over again.

In April of 1983 for our one year anniversary, we traveled to the World specifically to experience EPCOT. Taking it slow, we savored every experience over the two plus days we spent just at this park.  

Future World sparkled with fresh ideas at Communicore, a variety of attractions kept us busy for hours on end before even entering World Showcase. The Imagineers gave it their very best making sure each pavilion was varied in tone as well as in style of attraction. Spaceship Earth was informative and set the stage for the adventures ahead. Universe of Energy was powerful in its presentation and the surprise movement of its theater cars. The journey back to the realm of dinosaurs was thrilling and unexpected. The story of World of Motion was told humorously but with no less impact. The show was Audio-Animatronic heavy, expertly done and included a not-so-subtle not to Imagineer Marc Davis' unbuilt Western River Expedition.

The other side consisted of the warm and engaging Land pavilion with the Listen to the Land boat journey and a new theater show Kitchen Kabaret, a spiritual cousin to the Country Bear Jamboree. Of course, Journey into Imagination wowed us with the never to be improved upon adventure with Dreamfinder and Figment. We easily spent an hour playing with all the games in the Image Works. 

As fun and informative as Future World once was, once we entered World Showcase, my heart was captured by what was designed for the other half of the park. I was always drawn to travel to distant locales, and this chance to experience the flavor of places I had yet to visit drew me like a moth to a flame. 

Mexico, China, Japan and France were early favorites, and each had its own charms. El Rio del Tiempo was an instant favorite, at once both mysterious and familiar. (It's been a ride I write about in one form or another on this blog for Cinco de Mayo.) Its theme song was a delightful piece of ear candy. Impressions de France wowed us with its beautiful score and equally gorgeous sights. It'd be several years more before I'd finally travel there, but the experience set the longing in motion.

Regal and inspiring, The American Adventure remains one of Disney's best attractions in any park. Very befitting to be center stage as the host nation for this permanent World's Fair. A walking Audio-Animatronic? You had to see it to believe it. It was the forerunner to all Disney has accomplished today with its more dynamic robot actors 40 years later. 

Long before the Food & Wine Festivals(s) took over the park, EPCOT was the place to go for a great meal! Chefs de France, San Angel Inn Restaurante, and The Good Turn restaurant provided terrific service, good food, and great atmosphere at a fair and decent price. Shopping was part of the experience as well, but it wasn't an overflow of Disney characters here. Goods unique to each nation made browsing stores a unique experience in each pavilion. Something Disney has forgotten, but perhaps it will return as the Disney suits grapple with one more great aspect learned by its competitor who created a slam dunk experience with Harry Potter down the road. 

Not once were we bored, wishing instead to be at the Magic Kingdom, or missed any of the Big 5 Disney characters.

Each day at the new park, we stayed until the it closed, well after dark, taking in the lights of each building, shop, restaurant, and garden. Another magnificent Disney creation.

Part of EPCOT's Golden Age.

It was during this visit, we discovered that we were about to be parents for the first time. Our kids would be introduced to this place to discover there was more to Disney than just animated movies and Disneyland. 

The year 1989 brought our next visit to Florida, and this time it was with three young children. We began our tour with a day at EPCOT Center, believing they'd be more open to the park as a first experience than if it came after a visit to the Magic Kingdom or the brand new Disney-MGM Studios. We need not have worried. All our kids loved to learn, and Disney made sure the second park on the property was as enjoyable as it was educational. 

Since our earlier visit, the park had opened both a pavilion in Morocco and Norway to World Showcase as well as the Living Seas and the amazing Horizons to Future World.  Disney had debuted a new nighttime show IllumiNations as well, and it instantly became our family's favorite evening experience.  

This park just kept getting better and better! Then it all stopped.

We came back in 1992 for another visit with my sister and her family. The Disney-MGM Studios had more attractions added and the resort continued to grow, but EPCOT stood still. And it remained that way for years. 

By our next visit in 1999, the suits had made only minor changes to the park while concurrently destroying some of what made it great. The death of Journey into Imagination into both versions much less magical was only the beginning. On the plus side, the new parade for the Millenium, Tapestry of Nations was added for a brief time. Disney could still pull off the magic, but the suits began to make one bad choice after another when it came to this once ambitious theme park.

I continued to love it, remaining upbeat about its future. I still loved World Showcase but found myself less and less excited about Future World as the company continued to ignore it, update it, and even give it proper care and maintenance. 

Resting on its laurels.

We began to travel elsewhere, and it would be a decade before I would return to the World in 2009. EPCOT Center was gone for good.  Optimism had been replaced with the ordinary and expected. Test Track and Mission: Space were great fun, but they should not have come at the expense of the iconic attractions they replaced. Soarin', however misplaced, was a great addition. World Showcase would see nothing new aside from a growing number of food booths. By and large, the park was ignored, and it showed. Our most memorable experiences that trip were outside the parks.

We returned with family in 2018 and 2019- this time with grandkids- and again in 2021 with our youngest son, now a grown adult. All three trips, I was excited to share my favorite park. Gran Fiesta Tour and Frozen Ever After made it clear where they were headed. Neither family was all that impressed with what they saw, and our youngest son found it to be last on his list of parks in Orlando. Telling.

"New" Epcot.

Does Imagineer Zach Riddley's Epcot give me hope? Not really. (Read this.) Sure, there's more characters, more Marvel, more and more  commercialism. There's also less inspiration, less innovation, and less charm. I can't blame him. It's our fault too. (I prove it here.) Yet, the Walt Disney Company is all about the buck now. Instead of providing the first class experience they were once known for, it's now about drawing more money out of each guest.

I'll still enjoy Epcot as a memorable family vacation from time to time. But now it will be with even greater memories for what once was. Sad to think the park's glory days are behind it. But I'll still go. Just not as often and with more lowered expectations. I guess that means my 40 year love affair with Epcot will continue but with a more matured pair of less rose colored glasses.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

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Want more Epcot? It's one of my favorite places to write about. Here are links to some of the articles, but there's tons more to discover:

Epcot's Unbuilt Costa Rica Showcase

Disney Park Countdown- #2 Epcot 

Thursday Night at Epcot's Germany Showcase

Disney World After A Decade Away: Epcot

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Epcot 

Abandoned Science and Technology Pavilion for Epcot

Imagineer Harper Goff's Rare Plans for Epcot

Epcot at 30 

EPCOT Center Dreams Fill Coffee Table Books 

Dine or Ditch: The Land's Garden Grille Room 

Japan's Never Built Omnimover Ride 

2021 Trip Report: Epcot 

2019 Trip Report: Turning Epcot Upside Down 

Can Epcot Be Saved?

The Big Three Disney Attractions That Celebrate The United States of America

It seems fitting to salute America and her Independence Day by posting this piece of concept art by Imagineer Herb Ryman. As designed by Walt Disney himself, his original park celebrated and honored our great country. When it came time to build the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the Imagineers had more freedom and space to create something that would further tell the stories behind our country's rich history.  Liberty Square's Concord Bridge, shown above, is the gateway to life as it was centuries ago. It's too bad that in the rush to visit the 999 Happy Haunts of the Haunted Mansion, that guests bypass The Hall of Presidents. It's a show rich in honor and showcasing our freedoms. And it deserves respect for being an incredible tribute to what makes America strong.

 

From the earliest days of Disneyland and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln to the Magic Kingdom's elegant The Hall of Presidents to Epcot's The American Adventure, these attractions by The Walt Disney Company remind of us our past, look to the future, and tell a story of how blessed we are by God for our freedom. Are we perfect? No. But after traveling with work all over the world, I can tell you with certainty, there is no better place to live.

 

So, Happy Independence Day! The United States of America is truly the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  May God's grace rest upon us, and may we once again turn to Him as in days of old!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Humble Origins of Disneyland

Imagineer Herb Ryman created some incredible pieces of concept art over his Disney career. Certainly, the original Disneyland sketch is his most famous, but I find this rendering of the Disneyland entrance at Main Street's railroad station especially sweet. It's simple, charming, and reveals the very humble origins of "Walt's park" in Anaheim. All Walt wanted to do was create a place for families to enjoy each other, one where he could spoil its guests by giving them the best experience possible- year, after year, after year. It's why I was fascinated with Disneyland. What about you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

World of Motion Meets Western River Expedition

Concept art is something I can never seem to get enough of! EPCOT Center had some of the very best due to the enormous talent of people like Imagineer Herb Ryman. This Future World pavilion might look a bit unfamiliar to you as it wasn't built like this, but instead, it was given a different exterior. Look closely though, and you'll recognize it to be World of Motion presented by General Motors. 

Scenes from World of Motion in postcard form.

The centerpiece attraction was a ride through adventure filled with good humor a la Marc Davis style and scores of Audio-Animatronics. In a very sly and subtle move, there's one very big tribute to Marc Davis in the attraction. The Old West scene of a stagecoach being held up is taken directly from pieces of a journey planned for the never built Magic Kingdom attraction, the Pirates of the Caribbean inspired Western River Expedition. (The best series of articles on this unbuilt Thunder Mesa mega attraction filled area is found on Passport to Dreams Old & New. Here's the link to Part One.)

Don't get me wrong- Test Rack is pretty fun, although I am a fan of the original version instead of the Tron rip-off we now have. (The test crash dummy scene was a perfect blend of concept, theme, and execution.) But the suits and Imagineers should have been able to leave the original E Ticket while building a second one.

Anyone ready to sing World of Motion's classic theme, "It's Fun to Be Free"? Wish I could see this attraction again!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney World vs. Universal: September 2021 Trip Report, Day Four- Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs

 

Almost our last day at Walt Disney World of perhaps our shortest trip ever. Having never done this before, we saved one third of our time away for Universal Orlando. What a great move on our part, but more on that later. 

What's not to love about the Magic Kingdom? All the classic Disney Imagineering attractions are found there, and aside from Pirates of the Caribbean and maybe It's A Small World, the superior versions of those shared by both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland mostly reside in Florida. 

The main objective for the day was doing some old favorites (like the beloved Peoplemover) and letting my son see New Fantasyland, particularly Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Then, we wanted to have a drink at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and check out the Polynesian Village Resort before heading off for Disney Springs if possible. This necessitated an early start only accomplished by bus.

If You Had Wings... sorry, wrong attraction!

I was prepared to strongly dislike the paint scheme on Cinderella Castle. I didn't, but I certainly didn't love it. The original palette of gray/white/blue, colors designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman, remains far superior, more royal and elegant, to what came after it- including the infamous 25th Birthday "cake" makeover. 

We queued to go right at the end of Main Street into Fantasyland by the Mad Tea Party. Upon rope drop, we realized the newest Magic Kingdom coaster was not operating at opening, so we quickly moved on to Peter Pan's Flight while it was a 10 minute wait. Wise move as the park became quite full later in the day and the wait was 40 minutes or more. While they stopped for sunscreen, I walked around nearby taking photos of the area and peaked inside It's A Small World to see the clock's new paint job. Very nice!

It's these added touches that make me appreciate Florida's mansion.

In quick succession after our pit stop was Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. The recently made over Disney boat ride- a classic since opening day- held our longest wait of the day at just about 30 minutes. 

While I prefer New Orleans Square at Disneyland to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom, it was time to admit that the Florida Mansion is superior to that of the California home of 999 happy haunts. Even without the Hat Box Ghost. It's not to say it's perfect, but its strengths outweigh the weaker areas. 

The Dutch Gothic Revival style home is intimidating to eerie effect. The interactive queue is an unnecessary addition, but the physical ride portion inside the mansion is longer and much more elaborate. The end of ride walkway past the crypt is a nice touch. It's grand but humorous and totally unexpected. The attraction is also available in its original form year round, and that my friends, is a big plus. Where Haunted Mansion Holiday wears thin, the original classic version stands the test of time. 

You have to ride the new version and decide for yourself.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise. Which of these "E Tickets" are not better in the Magic Kingdom? Only one- the truncated pirate adventure. We got on them so quickly, one after another. 

Monkeys. Why does it have to be monkeys?

With the only real wait being for the Jungle Cruise, it was amazing how much we did in so little time. What about all the changes to this opening day attraction? Absolutely nothing special. Lots of monkeys and low on creativity. If it wasn't for the rest of the classic attraction, I wouldn't bother riding again. Sadly, our skipper was really wimpy, too soft-spoken, seemingly bored, and just uninterested in giving us a great experience. His puns were delivered without energy or style. He wouldn't last ten minutes in the jungle. A very unconvincing presentation. All these factors combined took us right out of the story, turning our should be classic adventure into just another leisurely stroll through any mid-size city's botanical gardens. The new contemporary story is noticeably forced and unnecessary- like much of modern Imagineering when it tries to be relevant instead of remembering what it does best. Your mileage may vary. 

From the top of the underrated Swiss Family Treehouse.

After a quick meal, I took a stroll to the treetops and rewarded myself with a Dole Whip. The Swiss Family Treehouse is an old school styled attraction that lets guests really imagine what it would be like to be in another time and place. It's rich and imaginative, allowing you to get lost in the story and linger. This is something missing from so many attractions designed by younger Imagineers without training from classic mentors before them. Do they just want to thrill us or slap the quickest ways to infuse an intellectual property into a previously built area? Maybe they have no choice. Not every story needs a villain nor does something have to go terribly wrong. The variety of attraction types and emotional connecting points is part of what made the first three Disney parks remarkably balanced and layered. 

The land of the future?

On to Tomorrowland! It needs Tron Light Cycle Run and very quickly. Not only am I very excited to ride it, but I want to be able to take a trip on the Walt Disney World Railroad again. Most importantly, Space Mountain needs to have its track replaced. Badly. It's more than rough and the equivalent of Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. It is a painful ride. Nearby, Buzz was a brief amount of fun, but the clear winner was easily the classic WEDWAY Transit Authority Peoplemover. Traveling above it all and getting some great views brings a fresh perspective on how great the Magic Kingdom can be. 

All that was really left was Fantasyland, the newer rides there, a trip through It's a Small World, and Mickey's Philharmagic. Surprisingly, our son really enjoyed the Dwarf's mine train ride! After a fairly quick 25 minute or so wait, we were on. It was zippier than he expected with its tight curves and gently rocking cars, and I think that surprised him. I still don't like the use of projected face animatronics, but again, I'm fairly old school.

It's what inside that counts.

Our son was only mildly impressed with Ursula on Ariel's Undersea Adventure, but the attraction as a whole was not worth any additional comment. Pretty neutral on New Fantasyland as a whole. Aside from the coaster, it seemed the new buildings and landscaping promised something not worth the actual experience contained inside. Walking by Be Our Guest Restaurant didn't even register a response. That is telling! The area should be a standout as it represents one of Disney's most beloved films. But he is not the 6 year old girl that is the target audience here. After sampling a variety of items at Gaston's Tavern, we moved onto the last two attractions of our visit. 

This photograph is very similar to an image

that represented the attraction in early promotional materials.

Even after all these decades, It's A Small World remains one of my favorites. I am not immune to its simple charms. The themes of harmony, loving your neighbor, and genuinely appreciating cultural differences are needed more than ever in our fractured, broken, and lost world (which is in need of a Savior- but that's a different conversation). Mickey's Philharmagic still seemed fresh, and I can only wait to see the addition of Coco and how it impacts the show.

The entrance gardens are better than I thought they would be,

but the new lobby is still a loss of epic proportions.

Leaving the park at about 2:45pm for the Polynesian, this was perhaps my least amount of time at the Magic Kingdom ever. We stopped at the front for a photo or two. Then after debating monorail or boat, it was a short breezy cruise to my once favorite Disney Resort. 

Being on the water traveling is one of my favorite experiences at Walt Disney World! This was a trip where we didn't ride the monorail once, and surprisingly, I didn't miss it at all. The Skyliner may have filled that gap. Hard to say, but I know each trip with each group is different, holding unique experiences. Unfortunately, we were offered a two hour wait for a spot inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Nope. There's not a single restaurant or bar on the property worth that. In its place, it was off to Disney's Springs. Stopping to use our Disney Experience app to book our locations for drinks and a meal, we hit the jackpot!

I'm not the only one that loves travel posters!

I find them all over the Disney parks,

and as you'll soon see, they're all over Universal Orlando as well!

The suits and Imagineering hit a grand slam home run with Disney Springs. I now see it as the 5th park on the property. It is worth your time in even the busiest schedule as it is the home of some of the best places to eat and shop on the property. (This used to be Epcot, but the food has been mostly watered down to American palettes and the merchandise is now less appealing- more geared to all things Mickey and in places you don't expect.) 

Of course, there's the requisite World of Disney store, but beyond that, this is the place you want to go for some unique merchandise in a setting that is sophisticated yet fun, themed but not over the top in your face. For those of you who have been to Universal Orlando but not Disney Springs, think of it as the "Anti- City Walk", and you'll get the idea. Be forewarned: the place is just packed on the weekends!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar was a spot we couldn't get into last visit, but this time being midweek, it was a very short ten minute wait. This Indiana Jones themed location was just what was advertised. Great execution of the story with tons of detail referencing his adventures, an exotic drink menu, solid appetizers, and an interesting and engaging wait staff. 

We decided to set aside a couple of hours to walk around, enjoy the setting sun on the lake, and do a little souvenir shopping. It was a pleasant break from the non-stop theme park environment. Dinner was next.

This was what I had wanted to experience since it first opened...

The Edison. Wow. Look, I just love the food at Morimoto Asia and had a blast (and a great meal) at Raglan Road, but dinner at this steampunk restaurant and bar was at the very top of my Disney Springs must-do list from the day it opened. Vintage turn of the century era Paris and the city's Discoveryland at the French Magic Kingdom rank as some of my favorite atmospheres. Finding a place absolutley steeped in this look, complete with staff in the mood specific suits and live jazz set the stage for a great evening together. We all agreed it was one of the best places in either resort. You have to explore the restaurant to see all the individual very creative touches they put in it. A very thoughtful design!

... and I was not disappointed!

The menu's limited but excellent and innovative in taste and presentation. The drinks were unique and delicious (and pricey). The service is friendly but top notch.  I wont go into any more detail about the actual meal. This isn't the great Disney Food Blog.

SO good!

Live entertainment only adds to the excellence of it all. The in house band, a trio, was smoking hot, even taking modern day pop hits and putting them in an inventive jazz combo arrangement that made me stop to place where I've heard the song before. I'm huge music fan, everything from the early 20th century to present day. This blog is called Insights and Sounds for a reason, but it took me awhile to recognize Meghan Trainor's sharp and funny Dear Future Husband in a very convincing, authentic sounding flapper era arrangement. Well done! The lead vocalist song stylings were the icing on the cake.  All said, it was the kind of night at The Edison that I had in my mind long before it actually materialized. I'd go again in a heartbeat. And you should as well!

Tomorrow would be our last day at Disney. We settled on the Studios to get one more ride on Rise of the Resistance. Would we get on? Then, it was off to Universal Orlando so my son could show us "his" parks. What would an old school Imagineering fan discover? Plenty!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Retro Look at Disneyland's Tomorrowland- Herb Ryman Style

Many, many Imagineers are excellent artists, but none can compare to Herb Ryman, a man responsible for so many pieces of concept art for Disneyland and especially EPCOT Center. This isn't one of those incredible, beautifully rendered paintings for Disney's first non-castle park, but it is still quite a charming one. 

There's a cool retro / vintage vibe to this 1950's look to Tomorrowland that only Herb could execute. This snapshot of the "Space Bar" captures all the elements of then futuristic design.

As we know, post the 1967 revisioning, Tomorrowland lost its way and has yet to be found. Will it ever come back to its glory days? I have a small bit of hope. The planned throwback for the land's entrance seems promising for a new future. Now only if Disney can ever get it together to complete it. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

High in the Sky Over Disneyland

Imagineer Herb Ryman remains one of the favorite Disney artists, and this piece of concept art for Disneyland's long gone Skyway shows off his brilliance. While the landscape first looks serene, there's actually much movement to be found: the slight tilt of the bucket and the discreetly placed Casey Jr. Circus Train coming through the tunnel of the Storybookland Canal Boats. Riders got to see all this and a trip through the Matterhorn as well! 

The attraction poster for the Skyway in Tomorrowland captures this same freedom of movement. The limited color palette plays up the sense of adventure. (Do you love Disney attraction posters? My whole collection- the largest on the web- can be found here.)

Once the Skyway was removed- and what a big mistake that was!- Fantasyland didn't have quite as much energy as before. But that's nothing compared to how poor Tomorrowland fared. With the Peoplemover gone and the Rocket Jets moved to the front, the entire feel of the world of the future was much less inviting. It's a shame really. What once was one of the most interesting places in the park is now my least visited. One ride on Space Mountain and maybe a trip to Endor, and I'm done. Well, there's always Florida I guess!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Entirely Different Tomorrowland Entrance for Disneyland

Full confession mode: I used to love Disneyland's incredible Tomorrowland. Not so much anymore. Now, it's nice to look at (the Matterhorn Bobsleds against the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Lagoon), but aside from Space Mountain, I just kind of move on. My favorite era was the 1967 version of the land, fresh with Adventure Thru Inner Space, PeopleMover, and the Carousel of Progress. 

At opening, Imagineer Herb Ryman created several different pieces of concept art for the entrance to the Land of the Future. The one above was not chosen, but it still has value as a piece representing a Disney History when looking to the future was still in vogue. 

Now that Epcot Center is fully abandoning its origins of a forward thinking Future World, and the castle parks' Tomorrowland has become an excuse for attractions based on animated movies which took place in the future, these renderings provide a look back to what once was. A time when Disneyland was more than just a theme park, when it also highlighted a hopeful future for mankind and a world where we would truly see progress. Unfortunately, as politics and human nature proves, this hopeful future on earth is a thing of the past. We are selfish and broken at our core (this author included), and we need a savior- one to forgive us, set us free from an awful eternity apart from God, and one to give us hope.  Even Walt Disney couldn't create that!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Horizons We Never Knew

From great concepts to full realization. From fan favorite to full destruction. Horizons at EPCOT Center dazzled visitors to Walt Disney World even if it remained without an update until its untimely demolition. Imagineer Herb Ryman created these two pieces of concept art for the groundbreaking, and some would say the true heart, of the park's Future World. 

The concept art at the top of the article was not what was built. The entry point was not opened but more streamlined with a full roof line that stretched across the, um, horizon. Nor was it gold instead a brilliant gleaming white, fully in synch with the park's aesthetic. 

Construction couldn't happen soon enough- and it wasn't until my second visit to my favorite Florida park that I was able to ride this epic attraction. Back in the day, pavilions were often much more than a two minute thrill ride. The artists who designed them took the time to fully bring you into the story. This meant well thought out attractions that did not rely on backstory told on television screens to set what guests were about to experience.

Once I did ride, Horizons was an attraction that I had to experience ride over and over again! The image above, from the Horizons Tribute Group, comes from a show scene that dazzled me with its artsy, edgy presentation of what we thought life in the future would be like. And the Omnimax theater was every bit as spectacular! It wasn't just the visuals but also the musical soundtrack that took us on incredible journeys. 

One of Disney's official photos.

Photo by the incredible WDWMagic site.

The ending of the attraction was unexpected. So was the attraction's demise. The demolition of the attraction signaled the end of an era. One never to be seen again in this park. It was a sad day for lovers of this forward thinking pavilion- and for lovers of the park as well.

Just a slice of the EPCOT Center that once was! 

We will never know what an updated attraction would encompass. The original plan was to plus and enhance each of these iconic adventures, not to toss them away. Oh, the joys of what we will never know! Such is life.

Robert McCall's giant Horizons mural.

Among others, Progress City has a great series on the history of the attraction. You can find the multi-part series here. There's even more to read on this post. 

The Horizons poster we never knew!
Back when it was to be called Century 3!

Even Disney acknowledges that park fans love this attraction. Here's their article on "13 Reasons Disney Park Fans Still Love Horizons". Need I say more? Well, ok, one thing. I do not expect they will ever build a Future World pavilion as elegant and massive as this one! Particularly under this new leadership...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

More of Tomorrowland's Past

Continuing this year's seeming emphasis on the future... Imagineer Herb Ryman's work on Walt Disney's projects continues to be among my favorite pieces of concept art. From Disneyland to EPCOT Center, there's an elegance that is distinctively his. Even so, this piece for the Carousel of Progress  / Progressland at Disneyland is pretty impressive. 

Look closer and you'll see an extended queue into Tomorrowland next to the greenery on the lower levels. Due to crowd flow and minimal space, I'd guess this was removed in the final version. Will the building survive the next incarnation of the land? Who knows? I can't imagine that Disney themselves has even settled on what it all looks like.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Stunning New Retro-Tomorrowland Desktop

Disneyland concept art and attractions posters are some of my favorite pieces to collect! I love it for all the resorts, actually, but there's something special about those for California as it is my "home park". 

Above is a beautiful piece with a retro-inspired flair by Imagineer Eric Robinson to honor another Imagineer (and one of my favorite artists), Herb Ryman. This piece has it all- the majestic Matterhorn and its bobsleds, the classic monorail cruising by, Sleeping Beauty Castle, the long missed skyway buckets, and the iconic date palm with its multiple trunks. Look even closer, and you'll find the sign for the Submarine Voyage, the spires of It's A Small World and a Peoplemover car. Back then, Tomorrowland was certainly a world on the move!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

New Orleans Square Sets the Artistic Standard for Disney Parks

The January 17, 2020 opening of Rise of the Resistance can't come soon enough! All of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is an amazing accomplishment, but this new land within Walt's kingdom does need its star attraction to get folks to appreciate what the Disney Imagineers have accomplished.  Cars Land wisely opened with its Radiator Springs Racers to critical and public acclaim. You can be sure the suits will not make the mistake of revealing a billion dollar expansion without its star attraction ever again. 

Do they need an Intellectual Property to build such an amazing place? No. And here's the evidence. New Orleans Square and its E Ticket list of attractions is a high bar to surpass. The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion in one land, fleshed out by the Disneyland Railroad, some terrific shops and entertainment, and a handful of wonderful places to eat. There's no pay-to-play attractions like Savi's Workshop. Just a whole list of one beautiful and accessible location after another. Sure, the land opened without Pirates, but that was a different era when marketing didn't rule the kingdom. 

Imagineering produced some incredible concept art for this masterpiece.  This one above by Herb Ryman is a piece designed exclusively for Disneyland Hotel.

Take a closer look at what's found here. You'll see a large amount of benches to encourage guests to sit and take in the scenery. The Mark Twain rounding the Rivers of America or the jazz musicians playing an upbeat rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In. Part of the area's charm lies in its ability to allow this rest and reflection, enjoying the gardens and fountains and the life of a simpler time and place. Visitors were encouraged to savor the whole experience. They didn't have to rush from one attraction to another to get their money's worth.

Walt Disney did what he did out of a love and respect for people. Making them a priority and always giving them more than they asked for, Walt knew this was the very best way to build a loyal following, generate a good public image, and yes, make money as a result. This man had his priorities straight- and his company made millions by never forgetting their roots and their purpose.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineering Stories Tie Disneyland's Haunted Mansion to Pirates of the Caribbean

Did you know there are Imagineering ties that bind Disneyland's 50 year old Haunted Mansion to its also iconic Pirates of the Caribbean? Read more below and you'll discover there were almost ties to these attractions and Tom Sawyer Island as well. That one never materialized, but oh what it would have been!

Beautiful, creepy- and just the beginning of what was planned.

Let's begin with a question- Why do these two beloved attractions have in common that cements them as fan favorites generation after generation? A great story, rich atmosphere, memorable music, and a chance to explore the mysteries of the unknown. All done without lessoning the experience of the guests by cutting corners. 

The very first generation of Disney Imagineers truly understood what Walt Disney was trying to accomplish at Disneyland. Why? Because Walt himself recruited men and women who came from a background in the film industry. He made sure they shared his heart for his new pet project! Storytellers and artists such as Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats created classic attractions, but they also prepared the next generation to carry on, including men like Tony Baxter who kept the torch burning until his retirement. This elite group also included the very gifted Eddie Sotto - the man with a great but unrealized attraction using Tom Sawyer Island to tie together three thrilling and different park experiences. 

Overhead look at Disneyland's Crown Jewel.

Disneyland was already an international sensation by the time New Orleans Square debuted at the park in the mid-60's. Imagineering then hit its stride with the masterpiece Pirates of the Caribbean. The new land was a stunningly beautiful recreation of the famed and colorful Louisiana city. Guests soon discovered its beautiful lacy ironwork, intricate back alleys, delightful shops, and restaurants with authentic food and drink. Seeing the Mark Twain riverboat round the bend from the land just brought it all together. It was so elegant, so unexpected, so Disney.

If Imagineering's stride was hit in 1967, the land itself hits its peak once more with the opening of the long awaited The Haunted Mansion in 1969. Being right next door to each other, Pirates and Mansion deliver a one-two knockout punch, giving park guests an experience unrivaled from any other land in any other Magic Kingdom park. The closest competitor is found in Disneyland Paris where the Phantom Manor works in unison with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where its Frontierland tells the story of the effect of the gold rush on a wealthy family doomed to disaster.

Imagineer Ken Anderson's concept art

for "Captain Gore". 

As originally planned, New Orleans Square would have its own story to tell, tying the newly opened Mansion to the Pirate adventure. The wicked sea captain pictured at the top of the article was an undeveloped character considered to bring the two together, one with a difficult part and a bloody intent. "Captain Gore" shown above was another direction that was considered, the groom of the mansion's wedding story who turned out to be a bloodthirsty pirate. Those stories remain untold with only a sailing ship - or is it pirate ship- weather vane that sits atop the mansion to this day.

Concept Art by Eddie Sotto for the unrealized new attraction.

Speaking of stories, Imagineering secrets and those ties that bind...

Back to Imagineer Eddie Sotto. Like others, he had once been involved in some new ideas to tie the two iconic attractions together. He offered up the idea of using historical references to real life pirate Jean Lafitte. This is where Tom Sawyer Island comes into play. There's still a remnant of Eddie's plan to be found in the park. Imagine entering into an old crypt for a brand new and very creepy walk through adventure...

Go to this incredible Long Forgotten Haunted Mansion post to see a number of photos and read the story in full.   

One more piece.

Do you want to find out more about the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean? Or perhaps more detail about Disneyland Paris' incredible Frontierland? This blog has more than 3,000 posts contains dozens of articles about the Disney parks including rare pieces of concept art, photographs, trip reports (like my recent visit to Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, found below) and more. Browse around and check it out!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)