Listen to the Land and Keep Frozen Out of It

"Just make believe..."

Any long time fan of the original EPCOT Center will be able to finish the song without even thinking twice. 

I loved the song "Listen to the Land", the Future World pavilion and all it contained. The revolving Land Grille Room was a favorite place for breakfast- a tradition for every trip to Epcot, back when guests didn't have to rush to Soarin' or choose to get a Fast Pass for Test Track over on the other side. 

Please don't misunderstand. Soarin' is a favorite (especially in California Adventure, where it fits perfectly). Test Track is also much loved. (Although I sorely miss World of Motion. It was always "Fun to Be Free"!) There was just something simpler and truly more special about a trip to the World back then. Epcot was a world of exploration and wonder not animated films.

Kitchen Kabaret was cute and informative in the midst of one bad premise. Animatronic Food? It's as bad an idea as fruits and vegetables teaching Bible Stories and bound to be just an unsuccessful.  ;)

Symbiosis was geeky cool, but the centerpiece was Listen to the Land. It still is- and it remains a strong reminder of what Epcot used to be, it's mission and it's purpose.

I wish the Disney suits would still listen to the land.  Frozen does not belong in Norway at World Showcase. The Three Caballeros have no business ruining El Rio del Tiempo. Nor does Martin Short belong in a film about Canada. The lovely once elegant World Showcase countries need to promote their culture not their reference to Disney animated films. In spite of how well the Imagineers can bring us to Arendelle, it is incongruent with the theme and purpose of the park to take us there. It may be a lovely ride with Elsa, Anna, Kristof and of course, Olaf, but the journey belongs at Disney's Hollywood Studios or at the Magic Kingdom.

Ellen Degeneres doesn't fit in Universe of Energy, but I can give her a pass. I can even somewhat forgive the inclusion of Nemo and friends in the Living Seas.  They can be used to entertain and educated if done well; if they do not dominate the pavilion or its purpose. 

Yet it's a whole different story when it comes to cultures of our world. This isn't It's a Small World. Nor should Epcot's World Showcase become that attraction on a larger scale. The nations have unique and interesting histories and mythologies all their own. Disney animated characters are not needed to tell their stories, nor are stars of television and film.

It's a cheap and easy route to go this direction, but it is a wrong move. C'mon Disney suits. Just Listen to the Land. Be Brave and reverse your direction. It's not too late. Don't worry, though. I'll ride the Maelstrom replacement. I may even love it. And, yes, I'll eventually quick arguing for the integrity of the greatest theme park and  Let It Go.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Let It Go

The Disney fan community is in a flutter because Frozen seems to be a sure fire thing to replace Maelstrom at Epcot's beautiful Norway pavilion. Nothing we can do to stop it or get the great attraction it deserves built in the Magic Kingdom. Let It Go.

Animal Kingdom gets Avatar and Pandora. Beautiful landscapes, stunning views at night but a B-grade flight simulator ride instead of something cutting edge. Begging the question, "Has Disney lost it's edge?" Fair question worth pondering. But we can't change it. Let It Go.

A wonderful movie and fun potential with a Monstropolis buildout coming to the mostly now beautiful California Adventure. Do the suits at Disney even care anymore about additions to the parks being in theme? Doesn't seem like it. Just another addition that will be enjoyable no doubt but will be another nail in the coffin to what Imagineering used to do best. What can we do? Nothing. Let It Go.

The world is falling apart, one nation at a time. The Middle East is a mess. War looms, people die, children starve. God looks down with a broken heart at the mess man created by choosing what was forbidden in the Garden. Does it create worry, stress, and pain? Give it all to God. There's only peace now and eternally found in Jesus. Trust in Him regardless of what the "now" looks like in your life or the pain of the past. In Him, you can Let It Go.

This world is passing away. It's all temporary. Eternity comes soon enough.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Going Soft

Part of having a Disney oriented blog involves being a fan of the product, and therefore, reading other sites for pure enjoyment. 

That said, is it just me or does it seem as if too many sites are going soft on the company? In the past, if a product was bad, it was spoken of as such. Now it seems even the most mediocre of things is praised endlessly. Everything from a fairly pleasing but not excellent Ariel's Undersea Adventure to a decent but much overrated song from a hit movie ("Let It Go") has bloggers all atwitter as they twitter. What happened to objective reporting?

Paid trips to Disney theme parks and cruises or Adventures by Disney and stuffing guests with expensive goodie bags has dulled (paid off) those who were at one time critical of what the Company produced. Or met the need of those writers willing to get freebies in exchange for good press. These are the same folks who will argue the New Fantasyland in Florida holds up well against what Universal Creative did with Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure and soon their Studio park, Tangled bathrooms and all.

No one who ever reads Insights and Sounds could accuse me of being a Mommy blogger or a paid agent for the Walt Disney Company. (I do look at the blog reader numbers, and I am highly critical of the company's output, praising only what is truly excellent.)  Maybe I am delusional, but in my mind I speak a hard truth when necessary and am also liberal with praise when earned. 

The sad part of it all is that "news" sites (and television news broadcasts by and large) have become entertainment or pieces of promotional fluff. The negative effect has several aspects. This new standard speaks down to the audience, making potential guests skeptical about investing their hard earned money. When everything is praised, nothing is special. When the company pulls in numbers due to social media success for an inferior product, there's no incentive to create truly spectacular works of art in any medium. The fans ultimately lose as well.

The same can be said of any industry or anything of value. It may be a small world after all, but it's becoming a very jaded one for those with a discerning spirit. 

Frozen Treat

Unexpectedly good. Very, very good, in fact. Disney's Frozen holds its own with the classics. The long in coming adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's relatively unknown "The Snow Queen" warms hearts with interesting characters, breathtaking atmosphere, and a storyline that Disney has never worked before. 

The princess siblings Anna and Elsa have a mysterious, and at times, unfortunate bond which causes much difficulties between them. Forming the heart of the film, the characters are richer than you'd expect from Disney. The same can be said for the two suitors. Commoner Kristoff and royal Hans compete for Anna's hand. Which one will she choose? 

The voice actors Kristin Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), and Josh Gad as frosty sidekick Olaf, do a particularly good job with the task at hand.  The music and songs are pretty good too- much more complex at second thought than just ordinary and serviceable. In my mind, the standout number is the comedic "In Summer" by the lovable and charming snowman.

What is a great Disney film without excellence in animation? The animation here almost steals the show. The kingdom of Arendelle is so beautifully created and atmospheric that there should be a travel advisory for Scandinavia at the end of the film. The special effects are stunning- snowy storms, transitions to glistening ice,  and the rebirth of summer to the kingdom are fantastic- among the best Disney animators have ever accomplished. You must see this in the big screen. Do not wait until its inevitable home DVD release. Do buy it when it arrives, but in the meantime, you can click on the above image to see what I mean.

There's not one single standout number a la "Under the Sea" or slice of animation that matches "I See the Light" from Tangled, but instead there is a compelling cohesiveness as each piece part works together to create an absolutely winning combination. Make no mistake- superlatives and promotional material aside, Frozen is a treat for the family.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)