An Imperfect Innoventions

As imperfect as it is (my photograph of the art and my editing to make it more true to life) and as imperfect in its upkeep with cutting edge technologies, Epcot's Innoventions was a place where the newest and brightest gadgets could be explored. replacing EPCOT Center's classic Communicore was a tough act to follow. 

In the early days, it was the place to go explore and try on technology with its hands on approach. A guest could easily blow an hour or so there. Like most things Epcot, it was left to rot, replaced by one exhibit after another, rarely gathering a crowd or even a devoted following. The Sum Of All Thrills, a build your own rollercoaster attraction by Raytheon may be the sole exception to this rule. 

You can't blame Zach Riddley and company from finally getting rid of the place and giving guests Moana's Journey of Water. But, oh my, the demolition of it all has created a mess!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

America Sings Once Again

Disneyland's carousel theater has hosted an interesting mix of shows. First, it was home to the West Coast debut of the Carousel of Progress, and more lately, it's been home to Innoventions and the even more recent influx of Marvel characters.

In between, the theater hosted Imagineer Marc Davis' tribute to the bicentennial of the U.S.A., America Sings. Why a musical tribute to America was found in Tomorrowland still puzzles, but what a sweet little show it was!

This piece of concept art depicts the Roaring 20's. 

From 1974 to 1988, the Audio-Animatronics show delighted audiences of all ages. Then, the characters made their way over to the other side of the park when they were found in Tony Baxter's classic Splash Mountain. 


Plans for a new Tomorrowland included a new show called Plectu's Intergalactic Revue.  Although the concept art looked intriguing (and I captured it, above, on a whim in 1990), wiser heads prevailed, and the alien based showed never made it.

The soundtrack for America Sings can be found on the 50th Anniversary boxed set, celebrating Disneyland's history. For this piece alone, the expensive and now out of print set is worth the expense... along with some pieces of rarely seen concept art in the souvenir booklet.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Iron Man Invades Innoventions

Quick news breaking: an Iron Man exhibit finally comes to Disneyland, taking over the Innoventions building. Of course, its in support of the film Iron Man 3, but at least its finally something interesting for the space once filled by America Sings and Carousel of Progress. And, unfortunately, its probably the cheap and dirty replacement for a full blown attraction from Imagineering.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Make Way for the Future Today

The future is now, and I am happy about it! Marvel's witty and cynical Iron Man is headed to Disneyland's Tomorrowland, a place in which he fits perfectly.

Let's face it: as it now stands, Tomorrowland is a mixed bag of themes and eras. Iron Man and Stark Expo could be the perfect unifying factor.  With a little bit of ingenuity and imagination, the exteriors of existing attractions could be "retro-fitted" into an area where "a look backwards at a look forward" provides the answer to bringing it all together. Sort of an EPCOT Center-ish Future World of the previous century. The buildings from the 60s could finally be resurfaced with a look that complements the feel and theme without revealing its shortcomings and reduced budget that plagued Tomorrowland '98.

Some Disney purists are in an uproar over this... but I think Walt himself would be happy that something cohesive is coming to the world of the future. Count me in.

Imagineering Book Reveals New Innoventions

The long awaited Imagineering book just arrived at my home. There are many, many images and stories, photographs and explanations in the new tome!

Among the many images are a few smaller gems easily overlooked- like this dry for wet concept for a Disneyland Innoventions redo. (I left it large so you could see it all.)

The book is a great companion piece to the original- and if you're looking for something on Shanghai Disneyland, you'll be disappointed. If you want more on California Adventure's transformation, this is the book for you. More later!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Banking on Epcot

Go out and pick up that May 2010 issue of Kiplinger's financial magazine. At the end of the issue, there is a nice interview with Disney Imagineer Joe Tankersley about the creation of The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. The Walt Disney World exhibit Innoventions at Epcot takes a good amount of grief for being a knockoff of the opening day Communicore concept, but in this case, Piggy Bank seems to be a success. By the way, you can play the online version of the game here.

Long Lost Lands at Disneyland: Edison Square

One part Carousel of Progress, one part Main Street U.S.A., and a touch of Walt Disney World's Liberty Square- mix together well, and then toss it aside!

Back when history was cool, and Disneyland still showcased the best of Americana, Edison Square was to be a bit of all these, with a look at how life had advanced through technology and ingenuity. Although the concept never got any farther than the drawing boards, Walt never gave up on the idea of an entertaining attraction about technological advancements and its effects on the family.

In some small way, it might even have planted the seed for the city of EPCOT, Walt's greatest and unrealized dream.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)