When Disney Does Something Right

Let's be honest: Disney deserves much of the criticism sent their way. Robert Iger and the corporate leadership has lost its direction and forgotten its roots and what made them great. However, Imagineering (again) did something right. Very right. Working with the Make A Wish foundation, they granted this young man's dream to become an Imagineer.

So, kudos to the team for doing something beyond themselves. Well done, Imagineering! Well done!

(Video copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineering Plans for the Villains Makeover of California Adventure's Paradise Pier

Yes, it was a real project. Yes, I've seen the artwork, and so can you! The re-Imagineering of California Adventure's Paradise Pier into a Villains themed area was not just rumor, it was truly planned with tons of concept art and practical elements to show just how this makeover would be achieved. The Disney Imagineers worked hard to pull this off and it shows. But with that said, it was a project doomed from the start, replaced with the cheap (but very expensive) makeover into Pixar Pier instead. The piece of concept art above is real. I won't spill all the beans, but thanks to Cabel.com, you can see it for yourself. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

We Interrupt This Trip Report...

... to bring you the news that the Insights and Sounds blog will also be posting a Disneyland and California Adventure trip report from July 5! 

Due to an incredible birthday gift from my wife, I was able to visit the Disneyland Resort on that day. Two parks in one day, 26 attractions in all- including the new-ish Pixar Pier. 

I'm still working on the Magic Kingdom Day One trip report form our recent Walt Disney World vacation. I've never experienced both US Disney resorts in one summer before and less than one month apart. Amazing- but it's given me a fresh look at what makes each one different and unique. Both with strengths and weaknesses. Be watching for them!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Underwhelming Incredicoaster

Watching the on line videos and reviews of it all, it's pretty clear that the quick revision of California Screamin' into the Incredicoaster is seriously underwhelming. Score another serious misfire following the half-baked transition of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into the ill conceived Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Man, I hope the next thing they do to the park is a win! After the opening of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, I was hopeful for the park. Now, not so much.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Love the Incredibles?

Love the first movie. Love the poster. Will probably love the second Incredibles movie. Here's the trailer:

Love the Incredicoaster coming to Pixar Pier at California Adventure? Probably, even if it is shoe-horned into the park. At least Mickey is still on the Fun Wheel!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Geek's Goodbye to Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier gives way to Pixar Pier, and the great Disney Geek site is there to photograph the change. Good or bad, the opening day attraction California Screamin' is transforming into the new-ish Incredicoaster, a forced but probably fun, character overlay. If you want to watch the land change, start your park photographic journey here. And the next chapter is here.

(Photograph copyright The Disney Geek.)

Goodbye California Screamin'- Hello Incredicoaster!

Here's your first look at the new-ish Pixar Pier- the really awful but ultimately unavoidable transformation of the better than it was but still not great Paradise Pier. Just when the park was getting more cohesive, somebody from headquarters forces Imagineering to come up with this. Glad they left the Mickey head.

Screamin' goes goodbye in January, and the Incredicoaster launches in Summer of 2018- just in time for chapter two of the Incredibles story. One of my favorite Pixar movies, but the transformation is unnecessary. At least the coaster will finally be painted.

Hopefully the attractions from A Bug's Land will make it over before the area is destroyed to make room for Marvel. 

Lastly, I'm glad this is happening in place of the Disneyland Resort "gaining" its own Toy Story Land. That would be much worse.

More transformation information on the Disney Parks blog.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)