Perhaps the Cutest Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Ever

Let me get one thing straight: "Cute" is not a term I use often. That said, this exact word was the very first thing I thought when I saw this image of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in front of a depiction of Cinderella Castle. I'm not even a big character guy, but there you have it. Where did I see this? Leave it to none other than Tokyo Disneyland to come up with the cutest Mickey and Minnie ever. Not only do they arguably have the two best theme parks in the world - and in top working order- they know how to make guest satisfaction priority number one. 

Where was this image? Inside the main queue area for It's A Small World. And that is just the beginning...

Sprinkling a Bit of Coco at Disneyland

Adding to the slew of characters that have invaded It's A Small World, Disney has announced that Miguel and Dante from Coco will come to the Disneyland attraction as part of the park's 70th birthday offerings. Seems like a no-brainer to me! Coco is a delightful film. It just makes me a bit hopeful that Imagineering has some great ideas in mind for the coming attraction at Disney California Adventure. Perhaps shades of Epcot's classic El Rio del Tiempo? A guy can dream. 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
 

Goodbye Test Track 2.0, Hello Test Track 3.0!

Epcot's Test Track is transforming again! Get ready for bits and pieces of the classic Future World attraction World of Motion to be gracefully Imagineered into version 3.0! Am I excited? You bet! Test Track 1.0 was brilliant, but 2.0 not so much. 

This first piece of concept art had already been revealed, giving just a glimpse of what is coming. But wait! There's more.

Here's the new art for the entrance (Top piece.) Do you love the clean lines and classic look? I do too. Like much of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, the best ideas seem to come from what was there before. Take a look at what World of Motion looked like when EPCOT Center opened:

It's Fun to Be Free, the theme song of World of Motion, would be the icing on the cake if it were to return to the ride. Even the queue. 

We won't see this one.

Did you know there's a tribute to World of Motion

in It's A Small World in Disneyland Paris?

I bet there's one thing we won't see. Original scenes full of Audio-Animatronics. But even a few would be nice. 

Why didn't the Epcot of latter years keep our interest? We are the reason Epcot had to change. Check out my detailed theory here.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney on the It's A Small World Construction Site

Walt Disney was certainly a visionary, but he was also very hands-on! When it came to building the Disneyland version of It's a Small World,  he relied on two of his most distinctive Imagineers to bring it all together: Mary Blair and Rolly Crump. Mary was chiefly responsible for the style and color palette of the interior, while Rolly contributed to the attractions iconic exterior. 

Walt directed the ship- and the park was better for it- but he also knew what it took to "sell" his projects. Not only did he get Pepsi to invest in the attractions creation when it came to the New York World's Fair, he got the rights to bring it home to Anaheim's Fantasyland, and his team brought in yet another sponsor there. Smart guy! In the photo above, he's shown with sponsor Bank of America's head honcho as the attraction's exterior was being completed. 

Walt was savvy! He wanted to best for his guests, and he creatively found ways to enhance the park. The focus on excellence resulted in happy investors in the company. It's certainly a strategy that paid off. Something that future CEO's did at times understand and sometimes not at all. Where would you rank the three most recent: Michael Eisner, Robert Iger, and Bob Chapek? I'd say it was most definitely a mixed bag. Truth is, there is still no one like Walt!

Design Detail: The Disneyland Hotel's Blank Wall

Given the freedom and budget, the famous Disney Imagineers can even create beautiful work for a blank wall. Proof positive is this once blank exterior wall at the Disneyland Hotel. It'd be easy not to notice it as you are on your way to the main lobby or maybe even leaving the main lobby on your way to get into Trader Sam's, the hard to get into location for all things Tiki done Disney style.

The deep rich tones fit perfectly with the surrounding area. The shapes remind me of Mary Blair's work for It's A Small World. Certainly not a coincidence! 

Where Walt Disney World may be known for it's "wow!" inducing big, splashy icons, Disneyland is known for its smaller charms that must be discovered by guests as they explore the much more limited space. There's layer upon layer of beautiful design detail in California. Part is this is certainly by necessity. However, the end result gives "Walt's park" a dreamlike fairy tale atmosphere, making guests believe for just a moment that the man himself could be just around the corner.

Conversely, for those of us who can be "Disneyland snobs", taking the time to discover the beauty of the Florida resort and appreciating it as the unique experience it is can take a firm mental shift. In fact, each resort evokes different feelings, but just as much beauty- and design detail- can be found in the Sunshine State. Some folks even prefer it to California. Imagine that.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Joy and Happiness, Frozen or Not, at Hong Kong Disneyland

Fans of Hong Kong Disneyland eagerly await the opening of its brand new Frozen themed expansion in Fantasyland. The new land will be home to a new version of Epcot's Frozen Ever After as well as the Magic Kingdom's popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train redone as Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs. Until they open, there's always some old standbys to keep visitors happy. Particularly its on-of-a-kind stellar attraction, Mystic Manor. However, there's more. The older iconic Disney attractions are classics for a reason.

 

 

As these photos clearly show, It's A Small World has so much charm that it is also a must-see attraction in the little park that could. The Imagineers took care to include landmarks that are specific to Hong Kong, a savvy tip of the hat to the locals as well as looking at the overall set design from a very appropriate Asian point of view.

 

 

Beginning with new colors on the exterior, they also used a different palette of colors once inside the building to bring joy and happiness to their audience. Many of the sets here are highlighted by darker, more dramatic backgrounds, giving the entire attraction a distinct feel compared to those in Tokyo, Paris, or in the States. Golds and rose tones create a brand new look for the classic finale scene that was first used for the beloved show at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

 

It's a Small World might be mocked by many, being the target of disdain for the more jaded person, but it's a wonderfully delightful and heart-warming attraction for the rest of us. Truly, one of my all time favorites in any of the Disney parks I visit!

 

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

It's A Small World Attraction Poster for the 1964 New York World's Fair

The title above says it all. Here is a very pretty attraction poster for the classic It's a Small World from the 1964 New York World's Fair. Artist Joseph Marsh created this tribute poster featuring Imagineer Rolly Crump's great Tower of the Four Winds standing atop of very retro looking building with the Pepsi Cola logo above it all. Just love these type of posters! And I can't wait for Disney's volume two coming this Fall.

It's a Blue Small World

I'm a sucker for good photographs, and this one of It's a Small World in Disneyland is just a great one! The original entrance clock and facade in Fantasyland is so iconic that the Imagineers decided it was high time to recreate it inside Walt Disney World's version. Their Fantasyland is very different, so you won't see it on the outside. You'll find it once in the queue. I wish I'd taken this, but in reality it comes from the great Westcoaster site. 

It's clearly a blue small world, but did you know there once was a real rose colored one? Look at this photo I did take. 

(Above photo copyright Westcoaster.)

Vintage Disneyland: A World on the Move

We take it for granted now, but only several decades ago, Disneyland was a marvelous new idea, an amazing place that filled the dreams of kids and adults. Walt Disney gambled all he had to pull it off. It was his baby, and the desire to keep adding to it was always on his mind. Tomorrowland may be the best example of constant change. Here's a great old school shot of the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Skyway, and the Submarine Voyage. The Monorail is not in the shot, and we can just make out the Peoplemover, but the place was a world on the move! Off inn the distant are the spires of It's A Small World. 

As decades come and go, each Disneyland Resort president and Disney corporate CEO will make their mark, but masses of guests will continue to come and experience "Walt's park"... which can still be found if you know where to look.

(Photograph copyright Getty Images.)

THIS is What I Wanted from Disney+

Here's the big announcement directly from the Disney Parks Blog:

Go ‘Behind the Attraction’ in a New Original Series Coming to Disney+ on July 16

A new series is coming to Disney+ on July 16 that gives an exclusive peek ‘behind the curtain’ of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

“Behind the Attraction” is a 10-part series narrated by Paget Brewster that  delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves.

Hear the unique story behind each Castle at the Parks and learn how Disney Imagineers designed and built them and discover the intricacies of the transportation systems at each park, and how the iconic Disneyland Hotel came to be.

Including rare interviews with Walt Disney, each episode also features exclusive interviews with Disney Legends and dozens of past and present Imagineers, including Bob Weis, Jeanette Lomboy, Kim Irvine, Scott Trowbridge, Tom Fitzgerald, Scot Drake, Carmen Smith, Joe Rohde, and others who divulge insider secrets of the parks and how iconic Disney attractions were brought to life.

Rare Concept Art for Pinocchio's Village Haus in Disneyland

Stumbled upon this old piece of concept art for Disneyland's Pinocchio Village Haus (now known as the Beauty and the Beast themed Red Rose Taverne). The brand new revitalized Fantasyland of 1983 saw not only the Pinocchio's Daring Journey dark ride but a nice little restaurant off to the side on the pathway to Frontierland. The very charming inn at Disneyland has an older corporate cousin at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. We know bigger isn't always better, but in this case, the Florida location does have a great big scenic window into the load station of It's A Small World. Over in France, it's Au Chalet de la Marionnette at Disneyland Paris. Anyway you see it, the restaurants are infused with Old World charm and a touch of Disney magic.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Imagineering Art from the Disney Parks Blog

Back before the official Disney blog changed, fans of Imagineering concept art would do well to keep an eye on it. Years back, the Disney Parks blog ran a series of pieces celebrating their participation in the 1964 World's Fair fifty years ago. All the pieces posted today, sans one, are that individual day's website banners- which I quickly saved to my hard drive. (The above piece is my favorite of the bunch.) I am sure full sized art exists and that these are only slices to fit the web. Not that I mind. I'll take what I can get! Disney park concept art is one of my favorite Imagineering things!

Historians correctly note that the public's response to Disney at the fair was the proving grounds to see if a Disneyland styled park and resort would be a hit should one be built on the East Coast. Of course, we know the results spoke for themselves, as Disney's work on four pavilion's were among the most popular. All setting the stage for Walt Disney World to move from dream to reality.

EPCOT Center's CenterCore or the 1964 World's Fair?

Ford's "Magic Skyway" was one of the most popular attractions. Guests cruised in automobiles back in time to the world of dinosaurs. If the concept seems much like EPCOT Center's beloved World of Motion, well it is. The Future World attraction, sponsored by General Motors (and with an incredibly good voiceover tour by Gary Owens) used several variations on the same theme. If you look at the concept piece directly above, you may see the inspiration the ending of the attraction as guests cruised into CenterCore, the city of the future.

Sharp eyed viewers will find a number of similarities between the entrance to the EPCOT attraction and what was built for the Fair. In each, the cars were shown to guests as a draw into the attraction, moving in a circular path. Not only was it innovative, it was charming! If something works, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. It's Fun to Be Free!

Each of these attractions would return from the fair back to Disneyland in one form or another, making "Walt's park" even better than it was before. Magic Skyway was represented as part of the now Grand Canyon /Primeval World diorama (dinorama?) bringing a whole slew of prehistoric creatures as a dazzling finale to the grand circle tour.

Unfortunately, for most of the art shown on the Disney blog, there is no artist information made available for any of these pieces. (Imagineer Mary Blair's pieces-below- are instantly recognizable for It's a Small World collection, however!) Regardless, they do make a nice addition to my collection! She was a genius, and her color styling never quite duplicated in any other Small World. 

Love it or hate it, It's A Small World was a fan favorite from day one when it made its debut at the fair. The Pepsi show had it all- charm, warmth, and great atmosphere- not to mention the iconic song. I'm particularly fond of the forward looking color scheme in the second piece. Pundits suggest the attraction should be moved or removed. May they never go this route! Part of the Disney park experience is this taste of innocence and friendship. Something so sorely needed in our world.

When it came to designing the attraction for Florida's Magic Kingdom, could it be the Imagineers looked at the piece above as inspiration for the new ending? The carousel and ferris wheel make the perfect setting for a playful conclusion- but not for a theme park. Sorry, Pixar Pier!

Third on today's list: Carousel of Progress or Progressland as it was called at the fair. The innovative attraction also traveled from the fair to California and landed in Tomorrowland in 1967. It was a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for the extensive re-Imagineering of the Land of the Future. Perhaps the best of all versions of Tomorrowland in Anaheim.

Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln. The State of Illinois hired Disney to bring this remarkable one man show for visitors from all over the world. After a few problems, he performed perfectly, proving to Imagineering that they could in fact pull off human characters so convincingly. In the last couple of decades, the Disney suits thought about removing Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln more than once- including replacing this patriotic masterpiece with a new home for the Muppets. I'm sure Walt Disney was turning over in his grave! Wiser heads prevailed, and after a strange attempt at renovation, Tony Baxter was given the job to update the show. True to form, he handled it with his usual impeccable style and restraint. 

As I said at the beginning, keep your eyes on the Disney blog. In the meantime, if you want to hear and see more about Disney at the Fair, order the boxed set. It's well worth the money if you can find it!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Joy and Friendship from It's A Small World

When WED (now Walt Disney Imagineering) was preparing for the 1964 World's Fair in New York, It's A Small World was the very last one to be added to the roster of Disney attractions, bringing the total to four. Although it was a lot of work to pull off in about a year's time, what a wise decision to say yes to this! 

This lovely boat cruise celebrating friendship is undoubtedly one of the most beloved of theme park attractions. It's charm, warmth, and childlike innocence embraces a message of brotherly love our world so needs. 

Imagineer Colin Campbell's concept art for the proposed finale captures the spirit perfectly! Joy, peace, and friendship among nations. Exactly what was intended from the beginning of time.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Fantasyland Without It's A Small World

Can you even imagine a Fantasyland without It's A Small World? No, I can't- at least not anymore. And yet, here's a 1965 Disneyland guidebook map showing a big, open area where the attraction now stands. I do see the Motor Boat Cruise, Midget Autopia, and Snow White's Adventures. I also see the Welch's Grape Juice bar and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. 

You now have to go to Disneyland Paris to see the pirate ship as the Anaheim original was, very sadly, unintentionally damaged beyond repair during the New Fantasyland makeover of 1983.

I tried to clean this up a bit so things could be more easily seen and read. Varying success, but no matter. Even back then without the voyage around the world, Walt's Fantasyland was full of Disney magic thanks to the great old school Imagineers!

(Copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

It's A Small World, Mary Blair, and Venice

Imagineer Mary Blair's distinctive styling for It's A Small World helped to make it an instant classic. Her pieces of concept art could not be any more charming than they are! From the 1964 World's Fair to Hong Kong Disneyland (but not Shanghai Disneyland for political reasons, I'm sure), the beloved attraction remains so after decades upon decades of ridership. I'm not ashamed to say it is one of my favorites- music and all.

This rare piece representing Italy's Venice and her gondoliers is among the sweetest I've seen! And isn't our world in need of some love and peace and brotherhood right now?

(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.)

Imagineer Rolly Crump's Midway of Life for Epcot

Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump is quite the character! And he's quite the innovative artist when it comes to bringing to life new ideas. Rolly's perhaps best known for his work at Disneyland and The Enchanted Tiki Room, the unrealized Museum of the Weird (for the Haunted Mansion), and It's a Small World's Tower of the Four Winds (for the World's Fair). 

The concept art you're seeing here was not designed for Disneyland, however. Instead, this Midway of Life was created for EPCOT Center's long gone Wonders of Life. (I guess I should say, the space itself is still used but as an event center for Epcot's ever increasing festivals.) It's quirky Victorian era charm was not to be as the art direction for the Future World pavilion took a more contemporary but eventually dated looking turn.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.) 

Iconic Disney Attractions Park to Park

Imagine you're at Walt Disney World. Ever wonder why the finale, the last room, at Magic Kingdom's It's a Small World is different than the Disneyland original? Here's your answer. From this fairly rare piece of concept art by Imagineer Mary Blair, you can see for yourself that the gifted artist had several concepts for the attraction. Some made them to the 1964 World's Fair version of the beloved attraction, some arrived in California, and others found their incarnation in Florida. 

One of the real joys for a Disney theme park fan is discovering that your old favorite attractions are given fresh designs and brand new approaches from park to park, be it Shanghai Disneyland's incredible take on Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland Paris' Phantom Manor, or Tokyo Disney Seas' re-Imagined version of the Tower of Terror. Whenever a fan travels away from his or her home park, they certainly discover that although unique touches abound, It's truly a small Disney World after all!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

It Is a Small World

Way back in the cobweb filled parts of my mind, I vaguely remember this attraction poster for one of my very favorite Disney attractions. Yes, that's right- It's A Small World truly is one of my favorites. Ranks right up there with Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.

Be it at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, I just love this Fantasyland classic. (Haven't seen the two in Asia, but the Paris version is every bit as charming- even if it doesn't have the styling of Imagineer Mary Blair behind it.) The above attraction poster only hints of the charms within. 

Now if our world would only pay attention to the message...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

60 Years of Dreams

Wanted to close out the year on a higher note than tomorrow's post. I just love the look of this Disneyland 60th Anniversary artwork. There's an innocence and joy found in this retro / vintage style. Who knows what next year holds? But thankfully, we know Who does!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)