Hollywood's Dark Kingdom Dominates 2017 News

When USA Today reads like the National Enquirer or the National Sex Offenders Registry, you know its been a bad news year. You'd think we'd only be talking world events and politics, but it was truly the year when Hollywood's evil underside was exposed. 

With Hollywood's penchant for covering it all up for as long as possible, these new stories almost makes you forget Bill Cosby. Let's look at just a few of the famous faces.

With Hillary Clinton in 2012.

Starting with Harvey Weinstein. The guy is just messed up. Royally.

Harvey going all the way to the top.

It seems just about everyone in film and politics, from Washington D.C. to Hollywood and beyond, interacted with him. Actresses were offered much more of him than they may have wanted. Just a look at his potential conquests, and you've got a whole slew of top Hollywood stars.

Always had an idea something was going on.

Next up, Kevin Spacey. Unlike Harvey, his tastes run toward males. But young ones, apparently. Finally coming out as gay (what a shock, he said mockingly), this gifted actor is accused by many men as being another predator. Both here is the U.S. and across the pond. So sad.

A sick little Halloween joke, Bryan?

Kevin's Hollywood party pal Bryan Singer, producer of X-Men, is accused of raping an under aged teen. His all too well known notorious Hollywood escapades have long exposed his taste for young and early teen boys.

Oh no! Not you too, John!

This next one absolutely kills me- Pixar's John Lasseter joins the list of men pressing in for some unwanted sexual excitement. Rumors persist that Disney executives at the top, including Robert Iger, have been quietly paying off victims for years. Money has always been king in Hollywood and in Washington D.C.; we've all seen too many men and women of all persuasions, backgrounds, and beliefs sell out for positions which promise money, power, and the freedom to live without apparent restraint.

Like all of us, they're innocent until proven guilty. Yet regardless of the outcome, eternal judgment awaits, and these guys also have to live with the memory of what they've done. Thankfully, Jesus offers fully payment for their sin and forgiveness for all who would repent. 

Certainly, 2017 will be the year that the criminal activity in Hollywood will be better remembered than the films the studios had made. May 2018 be a better year in so many ways.

Shanghai's Toy Story Land from the Air

Mainland China's Shanghai Disneyland may be the home to one amazing attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, but as the concept art above proves, it's also prone to building on the fast and cheap. 

Witness Toy Story Land from the air.  Proof that even the most expensive park slides in filler to build more capacity quickly. Lower right attraction is clearly a Mater's Junkyard Jamboree knockoff from California Adventure. Slinky Dog ride from the Paris Studios and Hong Kong Disneyland,  and RC Racers as well. 

Perhaps this all reminds us that one man's discretions (John Lasseter) - and potentially one man's cover up of them (Robert Iger) - won't necessarily always be associated with the Disney-Pixar brand. Movies, theme parks, or otherwise.

The groundbreaking ceremony.

More artwork below:

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Car Land Before Cars Land

The original Car Land at Disney's California Adventure. The gifted Imagineers were struggling to find concepts to make the park popular.   Look at this piece of concept art. This was never built, but it does look like a lot of fun. That is, of course, until you realize that in a park lacking lots of expansion space, the executed concept would be little more than the Autopia with more lavish settings.

Of course, large projects were proposed and eventually approved, but before all that, budgets weren't healthy, and Bargain Basement Imagineering was the order of the day. Looking at this piece of eye candy, differently now?

God bless John Lasseter, the Pixar genius for putting his career on the line and getting the suits to approve - and upgrade- to Cars Land and its super "E Ticket", Radiator Springs Racers. As the star centerpiece of a newly enhanced park, Disney had one chance to get it right and win back an audience. Mission accomplished, and Racers is still the new must-do on the Anaheim property. It will remain that way until Star Wars Land makes its debut in Walt's park in 2019. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Danger Around Every Curve at Cars Land

Time for an Imagineering prediction. With the overwhelming success of California Adventure's incredible Cars Land and the centerpiece Radiator Springs Racers, you can bet the suits and Imagineers are planning for an expansion to handle the crowds and create even more revenue. 

Taking its inspiration from Disney's Hollywood Studios terrific Sci Fi Dine In, a new automotive themed drive in theater will eventually make its way to this corner of the park. It was designed and then cut from the original plans for Cars Land. In a move eerily similar to what got DCA 1.0 into its original mess, the suits cut it, saving a few bucks. Now, to be fair, they were already spending a billion plus dollars to improve the place!  But just imagine the lines to get in and the money earned had it been built.

It will be coming. You can bet on it. There are rumored additional attractions coming to Cars Land once the newness wears off, and there will be additional shops and eateries like this one to sop up any remaining cash guests may have to burn. That's the ultimate goal of the suits- and you do not need to predict they are working on a way to make it happen!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Plussing the Disneyland Resort Now in Vogue

Seems to me there are some pretty great things happening at the Disneyland Resort these days!

Over at Walt Disney's original kingdom, Disneyland, the beautiful and thrilling Matterhorn Bobsleds are rushing towards its June reopening. No word on whether or not the icy caverns will be enhanced or if the ascent to the top will return the blizzard effects, but one thing is certain- people will soon be queuing up to experience the thrill of the mountain once again. It's a fan favorite, and the hard work of the Imagineering's Tony Baxter will perhaps bring this old masterpiece up to par with Walt Disney World's Expedition Everest over at the long neglected Animal Kingdom.

Other proposed changes are coming, and we are all waiting for the announcement of that new "E Ticket" attraction to ward off Harry Potter and his Forbidden Journey when it hits Universal Studios. The sentimental me says it is really for Disneyland's 60th birthday, but the realist businessman knows we would only be in for another parade and fireworks show if it weren't for the beloved wizard coming into town.

Of course, next door at Disney California Adventure, it is now in vogue to keep "plussing" the park as it prepares for its grand second coming on June 15th. Once the ugly stepsister or red headed step child, (I can say that, as my youngest son is a ginger!), California Adventure will soon be the place to be with Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land and the brand new Buena Vista Street. Finally, be it going back to old standards or something as mercenary as needing to make a buck- or both- John Lasseter and even Robert Iger are spearheading the effort to make the park shine from top to bottom. Matt Ouimet was loved for this reason. Can Iger change his reputation from one that is only concerned with making the parks tech savvy?

Along with the recent repainting of some of its buildings and changing out some of the pun filled windows, Hollywood Land's ugly elephants have disappeared. At last. Oh, the excess glamour thing is just not befitting a Disney theme park! It was a misstep from the beginning. As bad as Superstar Limo! Speaking of that disaster, Monsters Inc. is most likely just getting an exterior painting, and I am ok with that for now. Let's just hope all this is the beginning of redoing one of the ugliest parts of California Adventure 1.0. A new facade for the theater and finishing off the backsides of the backlot would do so much to wipe away bad memories of the past.

Condor Flats is getting a re-sparkling as well. Here's to hoping for a new paint scheme and a more forest like appearance now that Carsland brings the desert to the park. Trees are always a good thing. Perhaps new signage for Soarin' Over California, Taste Pilots, and the entry marque? It'd be a beautiful start! Now, about that mine train we've all seen in the concept art and that panning for gold attraction...

Paradise Pier is still a mixed bag, but I must give props to the team that transformed the Orange County Fair reject into something that finally has a bit of charm. Leave it to a Little Mermaid to set things into motion. Ariel's Undersea Adventure is a family friendly hit, and for what it is, its pretty good. No, not Haunted Mansion scale, scope, or quality, but it is far more charming than that mess of an attraction once housed on the same spot.

Suddenly, caring for the parks and enhancing the theme is the new hot thing to do, and fans will be the benefactor of the result. Could a smashing success of a relaunch spark a Phase Two or even the active planning of the Third Theme Park? Those would be the biggest plusses of all!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Questions I'd Really Like Al Lutz to Answer

I know that I'm just one of thousands that look forward to the updates from Al Lutz on MiceAge. Today's unexpected report delighted me in some respects (Starbucks! But I would prefer Caribou Coffee) but also left me with many more questions than were answered.

The report centered on the changes to California Adventure and Ariel's Undersea Adventure (Oh, no! Not the hair!), covered the Matterhorn, and revealed plans for a Disneyland Fun Map at the hotel. Cool, huh? Can't wait to see the map. There was also the expected Mad T Party discussion, Cars Land news, and some hope for the Esplanade.

But here is what I really want to know- Will we finally see animatronics on Grizzly River Rapids? Are the shops in Paradise Pier getting a full makeover to look like the facades of the Games? Will the beautiful and charming Seasons of the Vine ever return to California Adventure? And how about a new in theme queue for California Screamin'?

Of course, I have an equal amount of inquiries about Walt's Original Magic Kingdom- Will we ever see snow effects again on the Matterhorn Bobsleds? What are the front runners for a new E Ticket for Disneyland? Will it be Tron's Light Cycles, something Lone Ranger themed, or an entirely new unheard concept? When will construction commence on the recently announced transformation of the Plaza Gardens?

And here's the biggest question of all- when will we see that long rumored third theme park?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

R.I.P. Disney's California Adventure

Here is a very large scale photo I took one early morning in 2009 as I was patiently waiting to enter Disneyland. (Make sure you click on it to see it full size.) Having my ticket in hand from purchasing it the night before and arriving at the resort at about 7am, it seemed like the Esplanade was deserted. That is, until about 15 minutes later when both day guests, hotel guests and cast members filled the area. But until that time, Southern California's early morning fog seemed thick for the middle of Anaheim.

Looking back two years later and the removal of the small replica of the Golden Gate Bridge and the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters, and the replacement with the new Pan Pacific themed entrance, this photo now has a slightly nostalgic feel. Goodbye, Disney's California Adventure and your empty pathways, mostly mediocre attractions, distracting layout, and tongue in cheek tributes to the trendy world of Los Angeles. Hello, Disney California Adventure, where even more Pixar characters mingle with even more classic Disney characters, and Walt Disney's history collides with John Lasseter's world. Mater meet Ariel.
(Photo copyright Mark Taft.)

Cars 2: The Mater Movie

Some things are better left alone. The original Cars in 2006 was not one of Pixar's finest moments, but it was a movie with a good amount of heart. The standout piece of the film was actually the creation of Radiator Springs, the fictional town in which our heroes called home. I recall seeing that evening scene when all the neon was lit and exclaiming, "That would make a great new land for a Disney theme park!" Certainly, John Lassetter felt the same way. Cars Land and its premier attraction Radiator Springs Racers will make its debut at Disney California Adventure in 2012.

However, that is what is to be. Between now and then, we have to live with Cars 2. It's not a bad film. It's just an ordinary "B" grade movie, and that is the core problem. As a film that will mostly appeal to elementary school aged boys, the plot lines are a little too thick, with nuances too difficult to understand. Yet, let's be clear: this franchise will move a ton of merchandise. As an adult film, it is a fairly simplistic spy thriller lacking depth of emotion or intellect. Tons of visual appeal saves it from being a turkey.

This is Mater's movie. Whether you love it, like it, or laothe it, will depend on your view of him. Other characters, even Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen seem to play second fiddle to this country bumpkin tow truck presumed to be American spy. (If you want to see Mr. Wilson in a very good role, have a look at Midnight in Paris- just terrificly cast there.) Michael Caine easily proves to be the best of the bunch as the brave and dashing Finn McMissile. The bad guys include the sadly wasted vocal talents of the always great Joe Mantegna from Criminal Minds.

Pixar is normally known for excellence, but here, Cars 2 falls flat and will go down as their first mediocre effort. Still, go see the film- for the wonderful Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation short played before it. Maybe all this will cause the folks to go back to the drawing board, working harder to earn our dollars again.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney Park Countdown- #7 Disney's Animal Kingdom

Before anyone screams "Fail!" for placing the beautiful Disney's Animal Kingdom just above the horrible Walt Disney Studios Paris, let me state up front that there couldn't be a larger gap between any other two parks on the list when it comes to quality and presentation.

With any "Best of" list, there is an automatic time stamp on them once they are completed. Had this list been created a few years ago, the ranking would be somewhat different as Disney has made some great strides with other parks, all while letting some- like Animal Kingdom- slide by neglect.

Joe Rohde and team's Animal Kingdom had a terrific if slightly shallow roster at opening. The addition of Expedition: Everest in 2006 gained new fans for the park and raised hopes for its future. We waited. Imagineering moved forward. The suits did not.

(The park's history is fascinating. The chronology of its development and growth - including rare concept art and photos- is found on my blog series starting here. In fact, you could almost consider this article the next piece in the continuing series!)

Let's discuss the park's strengths before observing its weaknesses.

Theme and execution of theme: With a wide open and embracing theme of man's love for animals, the park is broad in appeal and possibilities, yet focused in its presentation.

It is almost impossible to stroll through this place without being in awe of the surroundings. The abundance of plant life astounds, creating an instant refuge from the real world. The animal displays are designed with such care, it would be easy to forget this is somewhat your basic zoo. Elegant, Disneyfied, and lush, but still an animal exhibition at the core.

The execution of the theme only falls short on a few attractions. Kali River Rapids fails with its pedestrian presentation and lack of continuing story. Dinorama tries to pass on cheap quality carnival rides for true Disney Imagineering. In contrast, the remaining pieces of the park are stunningly beautiful and incredibly detailed. The term "feast for the eyes" could have been coined by guests at the park!

Dining: Some of the best meal opportunities in all of Walt Disney World exist within this theme park. Africa's Tusker House serves delicious and authentic fare, with the restaurant much worse for the wear when it transformed into a character meal location. By the same scale and with the same high price tag, Yak & Yeti in nearby Asia, offers exotic cuisine in a lavishly decorated series of rooms. On the carry out/take away side of meal options, Flame Tree Barbecue presents top quality, mouth watering meats. It's secluded seating location next to the lake makes for a relaxing meal.

Shopping: As with the dining, Animal Kingdom's merchandise used to be among the most unique in all the World. That said, the variety is still fairly good but it is sliding, with much more Disney character and cable show merchandise finding its way into places it doesn't belong. (Like the entire park!)

Unique Attractions: With Kilimanjaro Safaris leading the way, Disney will probably never build these type of attractions or ones on this scope and scale ever again. Why? First, animal care is expensive. Audio-Animatronic versions will never match the real thing, but they do not require the same type of upkeep. 

Additionally, Disney continues to move forward with a movie character based mentality when it comes to designing new attractions- especially under the Robert Iger/John Lasseter watch. These two reasons alone will keep Animal Kingdom a unique experience that will not be duplicated.

In spite of its breathtaking scenery and unique attractions, Disney's fourth park in the Walt Disney World complex suffers from a couple of near fatal flaws: too few attractions, including too many of the same type, too much reliance on theater shows, no night time hours, and lack of an evening spectacular.

Viewing animals in and of itself will not satisfy the bulk of Disney's hardcore guests who return year after year. National zoos are also giving Disney some competition, upping the ante and making the experience less unique. (Look here.)

In spite of these facts, the money barons at Disney seem to be letting Animal Kingdom stagnate. With broken special effects, including the star of the thrilling Expedition: Everest; closing attractions with no replacement; stale parades and a decade old theater show, the experience is becoming less fun and alluring as times passes.

I really enjoy this park, yet after our last visit, it has now moved to the bottom of the rung in the Walt Disney World Resort. Will a new attraction bring me back? A definite "maybe", depending on which one is built.

Number 6? Well, I think this one will cause some debate...

Stay tuned!

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Toy Story 3: Heroes and Friends

With a convincing blend of nostalgia and freshness, Toy Story 3 is another win for John Lasseter and all the folks at Pixar.

The third film in the franchise is not without its humor, but it is on the light end of the scale, Barbie's metrosexual Ken and the linguistically transformed Buzz Lightyear notwithstanding. Instead of humor, the emphasis is on heart- and this is where the film triumphs. In fact, it is safe to say that "heart" is the main element in each of the Pixar films. You just love the characters and their relationships.

There isn't a single misstep in the film. Only one missed opportunity. The Three Peas in a Pod (above) seemed ripe for both character development and marketing opportunity. Just one man's opinion.

There are too many morals in the story to calculate, making Toy Story 3 an excellent primer for reinforcing right from wrong as well as reminding viewers that often the most manipulative and evil among us are those that seem the nicest at first glance. Sad but true.

Just as in real life, in Toy Story's reel life, actions do speak louder than words. In this aspect, Woody and Buzz Lightyear are commendable heroes and true friends until the tearful end. They give their all for those around them, always believing the best but never sacrificing the truth. Like millions of fans, I'll miss them.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company/Pixar)

Now the Real Fun Begins!

With the completion of Paradise Park upon us and World of Color coming within weeks, it looks like the billion dollar transformation of Disney's California Adventure is finally going to get serious.

Up until now, the work has been a mixed bag: the Sun/Fun Wheel is just a small piece of change and its success a matter of personal preference. The Paradise Pier logo instead of the Mickey ears on California Screamin' falls into this category as does the whole Orange Stinger/ Silly Symphony Swings changeover. What comes next, however, changes the game, giving us fans a real glimpse of the suits commitment to Anaheim's second park.

Regardless of the Company's rhetoric, The Little Mermaid's Undersea Adventure had better be the golden "E" ticket they promise. Ariel deserves the recognition- she did save Disney animation after all- and her attraction will be the first major one added since Tower of Terror. It will also be the first all new attraction designed by Imagineering to relaunch the park. If the adventure proves the key to bringing in more guests, the one-two punch of World of Color and the Little Mermaid could signal a new beginning for Disneyland's little sibling.

In between then and the almost guaranteed blockbuster of John Lasseter's beloved Cars Land with its Radiator Springs Racers, a complete makeover of the nondescript park entrance into Buena Vista Street will rid the park of most of its earliest, ugliest beginnings. The elegant shops, restaurants and architecture of Walt's California should create a Disney worthy experience and a reintroduction of the park to guests burned the first time around.

Here's hoping for success. As the Paradise Park walls come down and the real fun begins to take shape, a plan for Phase Two could be just around the corner!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Princess and Frog: Four Fireflies

The Walt Disney Company's reentry into the traditional animation market is a success! The Princess and The Frog has it all- luscious landscapes, great characters, and a solid story line. Randy Newman's score perfectly captures The Big Easy. Our new heroine is lovable without being saccharine, the prince charming and flawed, and the villian meets his end in a way very fitting to those familiar with New Orleans' lore and mysticism. If you were fearful Disney would be heavy handed with the race card, don't be. The issue is handled gracefully and tactfully. May Tiana and her film take their place next to the classics. Make room Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. The film's success is well deserved. Congratulations to everyone involved. And yes, Walt would be proud.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Struggle Between Art and Commerce

The age old tension between art and commerce is nothing new to the Walt Disney Company. It has most recently raised its ugly head in the departure of Dick Cook, but it has been going on since the beginning of the company.

From Walt Disney himself and his struggle to finance his films and Disneyland, to the current miscalculations of the suits regarding the public's taste for little imagineered parks like Disney's California Adventure, Walt Disney Studios Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland to the "fourteenth" direct-to-video episode milking The Little Mermaid success, the Walt Disney Company has struggled to find the right balance.

Even in this newest Disney age, where the hopes of die hard fans rest on John Lasseter, there is much to be hopefully cautious about. Some projects are done from love, some from the need for cash, and a rare few blend both ends of the spectrum, creating a happy medium where fan and accountant rejoice. To be successful for the company, both fiscal and artistic sides must come together. More money means happier investors and more cash for new projects. New projects will excite consumers, and they will support product they like with their money. And so it goes on in an endless cycle.
The Disney theme parks are where you'll see the most obvious effects of this struggle. Films and their merchandise come and go, but the parks are places where concrete and steel and the work within create something much more permanent and less easily forgotten. Let's start at Walt's original park.


While Disneyland in Anaheim was a smash upon opening, time and money took its toll from the beginning. Tomorrowland was nothing more than colorful banners, a few set pieces, and a couple of attractions mostly supporting corporate sponsored exhibits. Of course, Walt and his team quickly remedied the situation, and the park was improved upon and expanded quickly until the time he died. The list of the expansion ensured new guests and return ones as well. The first major expansions brought attractions that are beloved and still exist today: The Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Monorail, Submarine Voyage topped the list, but it was just the beginning. With the public response to Audio-Animatronics and The Enchanted Tiki Room, it seemed money would no longer be a problem for Walt's magical park. Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion continued to draw crowds, their cash, and created a happy company and investors.

Walt died, times changed, and poor management left the park mostly untouched. With the exception of the amazing Indiana Jones Adventure, nothing new of substance was added in the later years of the 20th century. Thankfully, the pending 50th anniversary of the park made new management take notice, and Matt Ouimet made sure Disneyland sparkled for its celebration.

Fast forward a few years to the much heralded return of the submarines. Tony Baxter finally discovered just the right property in Finding Nemo get the suits to agree to bring life back to the lagoon, but the end product delivers an expensive but fairly boring product. Kids flock and queues are full. The lagoon is saved. But to what cost to the original futuristic Tomorrowland theme?

On the other hand, Tony and team's detailed redo of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthru is a labor of love. Painstakingly remade, the result's a gorgeous product, created for the love of the parks and done within a fairly reasonable budget.

Next example: Pirate's Cove at Tom Sawyer Island. Regardless of the all public relations work, the dilution of the Mark Twain theme to satisfy the lust for more Pirates experiences brings the once popular attraction back to life, yet it also delivers a strong sense of commericalism to the island.

Much the same can be said of the upcoming and sure to be popular changes to the park across the way. In California Adventure, we'll see the addition of Ariel's Undersea Adventure and Carsland and its Radiator Springs Racers. Are they in theme? That will be debated for ages. Terrific attractions for this poorly designed park? Sure looks like it. As I mentioned earlier, the astounding disaster of California Adventure and its poor reception from the public punctuates the struggle. Disney tried to put one over on its hardcore Anaheim fans by building a second rate second park. The wiser public voiced its opinion by not spending the money to go, and it was back to the drawing boards again to find the balance of quality and financial success.

This art and commerce tension is not limited to the West Coast. In fact, I would guess it is even more pronounced than in California.

The plans for the recently announced Fantasyland expansion in Florida's Magic Kingdom look terrific and are correctly in theme. The princess franchise and experiences and The Little Mermaid are preciously where they belong. For the company's arguably flagship park, Fantasyland needs to look more like something out of a realm long gone versus its current and tired incarnation, and the decision to make it stunning is long overdue. Disney management (and those amazing Imagineers!) gets an "A" here, even though it would be a nice touch to include something for the guys!

Epcot is another story. Any lover of this park, and anyone who saw EPCOT Center at its opening, would have to give a failing grade to the most recent changes. Detailed long ago on this and many other blogs, the changes to the World Showcases of Mexico and Canada are dreadful. The Nemo and Friends overlay to the once elegant Living Seas gets a slightly better grade, yet it has brought activity to this once empty attraction.

Disney's Hollywood Studios gets a pass, as the designers and accountants can throw just about anything in this catch-all park and make it "in theme".
The lush and gorgeous Animal Kingdoms suffers from the art and commerce struggle. It's been this way since its opening. Before the addition of Expedition Everest, the park relied on its artistic touches and lots of foliage but lost big points with guests for lack of beautiful new attractions due to shortage of cash.

Plans were quickly put in place, resulting in the horrible Chester and Hesters Dinorama. Thankfully, this cheaply built mess was followed up by the exquisite but expensive journey to discover the yeti. Next came Finding Nemo- The Musical. Beautiful, surprising and artsy, but it is another animated character addition. The mix of new additions to the park pack in the crowds as well as bringing added capacity.

The Walt Disney World Resort Hotels also display this art/commerce tension. Compare Pop Century with The Grand Floridian. There are more than "Guest Needs" in consideration here when the plans for expansion are made. It was shocking to realize the same company could design both!

Beyond the United States, the situation remains much the same. The tension is a worldwide phenomena.

Look at the world's most beautiful Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris. The innovative and distinctive Le Visionarium had to give way to the popular Buzz Lightyear, just as Captain Eo eventually gave it up to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The park needed new attractions but was short on cash. The same can be said for the minimally themed Temple du Peril. At least this park has enough theming to made up for the mistakes!

Not so fortunate next door, where the very ugly younger sister resides. Following the California Adventure business plan, The Walt Disney Studios Paris opened entirely void of charm and warmth. Tepid reaction and again, loss of incoming cash, made the company rethink its plan. Just like its California counterpart, Imagineers tossed in the cheaper version of Tower of Terror and a couple of off the shelf attractions: the highly themed carnival ride Cars Race Rally and the not quite as highly themed Crush's Coaster. The park's next steps will be telling. If the newest Parisian addition is the Ratatouille attraction that has been detailed on Disney and More, the future looks much brighter even if coming after its recently acknowledged and very cheap looking Toy Story Land.

Above image perfected by Disney and More.

In Asia, Hong Kong Disneyland is a delightful park to view. The greenery is lush, the detail evident. Yet its shortcomings include a carbon copy castle, minimal "E" tickets, and a variety of character meet and greets in place of attractions. Thankfully, the incredible looking Mystic Manor is on its way- but so is Toy Story Land, a bare bones addition that inventive concept art cannot disguise!

Even in Tokyo, the art/commerce struggle grips the suits. Even the most unique of all Disney parks, Tokyo Disney Sea, has made steps to increase capacity and attendance at the price of dumbing down this elegant place. The Tower of Terror is a masterpiece, new theme and all. Raging Spirits? Not so much. Further, does this park really need Toy Story Mania or Turtle Talk shoehorned in? Absolutely not! But it is being done anyway. New attractions come at too high a price.

Things do come full circle. It seems the executive branch at the Walt Disney Company finally understands that quality will bring both crowds and profit. Maybe the success of the recently announced additions at the D23 Expo will flood the coffers, making investors happy and realigning to something Walt Disney always knew: Don't shortchange the customer- give them the best- and they will love you for it.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Keeping Secrets

Common sense tells me they must. Business competition demands it. People love to do it. Keeping secrets is just part of what we do individually and collectively.

Now that the total remake of California Adventure's Paradise Pier is in full swing, what is coming next? Sure, the Imagineers have given us a taste by showing some models and pieces of concept art in the Blue Sky Cellar, but you know as well as I do, they are not revealing all of what is happening behind closed doors. John Lasseter is a very smart man and keeps his secrets, sharing them to only a select few.

Who can blame him? I do this all the time- and so do you! We give only the best parts of ourselves to the people we want to impress, and we hide the things that embarrass us from as many people as possible.

There is much speculation on every Disney project- the movies, the cable channel, and especially what is being built or will be considered for the parks. Do you ever notice how once a project is announced, the Walt Disney Company gives very little commentary on what is going on behind the scenes until it is very close to completion? Why? Some ideas materialize and some never do. Just for a moment, think of what we have missed over the years: Tony Baxter's beautiful Discovery Bay for Disneyland, Marc Davis' amazing Western River Expedition and the whole Thunder Mesa complex for Florida's Magic Kingdom, a host of World Showcase attractions for Epcot. A fully realized Space pavilion. A Beauty and the Beast animatronics theater show for Disneyland Paris. An improved thrill version of Pirates of the Caribbean for Hong Kong Disneyland. The list goes on and on. Some plans are just wild rumors and speculation- anyone remember Disneyland Texas?

The thing is, "It all comes out in the wash", as the old timers used to say. In the new world of the internet, what is done and what is built becomes evident very quickly. Photos posted of the construction of California Adventure 1.0 revealed a park built to maximize profits with a minimal investment. Conversely, those posted showing Tokyo Disney Sea under construction helped convince a theme park loving Japanese public that this was going to be an amazing place.

Looking at Disney's history over the last two decades reveals some life lessons for us common folk as well as for the company we love to talk about. Quality work wins out, going cheap and producing less than our best effort does not. Greed diminishes the end result and reveals the core of our motives and nature. Regardless of what we say, our actions speak louder than our verbal hype or explanation. Someone is always watching us. Ultimately, there really are no secrets.