Piston Peak's Older, More Rustic Cousin: Disneyland's Rainbow Ridge

Piston Peak is sure to remain the Magic Kingdom's most hotly debated addition. Replacing Rivers of America- an opening day feature of the original castle park and one that held Walt Disney's beloved riverboat-  was an announcement that brought a hush and even some boos to D23. Deservedly so. 

Bringing the modern day Cars franchise into Frontierland. It wasn't blasphemy, but it was close. This was far worse than replacing Splash Mountain with Tiana's Bayou Adventure. 

Above is a vintage Rainbow Ridge Postcard from Disneyland's golden days when the man himself was still around to provide real vision for the park he loved. As the gateway to something fantastic, this area not only contained the Mine Train Thru Natures Wonderland, it also held the Conestoga Wagons and the Pack Mule train. 

It was truly a land of discovery filled with rustic scenes, animals native to the American West, and the show stopping Rainbow Caverns as grand finale to the mine train ride. This was the Americana version of the Jungle Cruise as designed by Imagineer Marc Davis. The whole thing was even more special as right across the river was Tom Sawyer Island, a special placed designed for open exploration and a chance to use the imagination God gave us.

Proving great ideas never go to waste, modern Imagineering borrowed from the Mine Train finale to add a taste of vintage Disneyland to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I'm grateful for that, and I look forward to the change. But it does makes me long for a simpler day when Disney suits realized the parks were about much more than promotion for the company's Intellectual Property.

All Aboard the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland!

Perhaps I'm nostalgic, but the early years of Disneyland were filled with anticipation. Walt Disney and his Imagineers were always up to something new, and the park felt fresh. Maybe guests were still in awe. It's seems like today we take "Walt's park" for granted. In 1960, the park began to promote the newest attractions. 

This insert / handout was for the terrific but now long gone Mine Train Thru Natures Wonderland. Think of it as the American West version of the Jungle Cruise, and you've got a good idea of what this brand new Frontierland attraction was all about. Lots of wild animals doing their thing among great wilderness landscapes and a funny old school narration to accompany the journey. The highlight was definitely at the end. The gorgeous Rainbow Caverns showcased waterfalls of all colors among deep, rich caves, stalagmites and stalagtites. All set to an otherworldly musical score. 

It was retro, vintage Disney Imagineering at its best! Speaking of vintage, this piece if from the great Vintage Disneyland Goodies blog.

(Art  copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Rainbow Caverns Return to Disney California Adventure? The Unbuilt Park Railroad

For a brief few years in the early to mid-2010's, the future of Anaheim's Disney California Adventure looked pretty bright. Buena Vista Street and Cars Land were excellently designed and built additions, full of the Imagineering design details we fans have come to expect from their most beautiful work.  Disneyland fans who once shied away from the park and were very vocal about its shortcomings began to heap praise upon the work that was accomplished to make it more in line with what a Disney park should be.

Of course, there were plans for a proposed Phase Two. This included strengthening the theme of Hollywood Land and adding a train ride to Grizzly Peak. The former airstrip area Condor Flats was incorporated into the forested area, bring a fresh look to the once mini California desert. A very successful conversion!And one of the few Phase Two plans to come to fruition.

For years there were many rumors that Grizzly Peak would soon add its own railroad. Almost a tribute to the old Frontierland classic Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland attraction, the concept art (shown above) was created but the ride never materialized. It's too bad really! It seemed to be an addition that would bring a bit of old school charm to the area and much more energy and movement. A freshly recreated Rainbow Caverns would have been the highlight of the journey.

In 2017, the park began to transform once again. All the careful thought and theming added to the park by the Imagineers in 2012 was tossed by the wayside. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror transitioned to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.  The once improving second park began to move backwards instead of forwards. Bargain Basement Imagineering reigned once more with the most recent offenders being the cheap but expensive to retheme Pixar Pier and the cheap and cheap to build San Fransokyo, replacing Paradise Pier 2.0 and Pacific Wharf, respectively.  In between Bug's Land was devoured by Marvel's Avengers Campus, with mixed success both creatively and based on guest receptivity. (The full history of Bargain Basement Imagineering of Disneyland's younger sibling begins with Part One of this extensive series.)

Had the suits continued with their commitment to in theme expansion and addition, the Grizzly Peak Railroad would have become a fan favorite for any generation, strengthening the park and bringing a bit of design detail to a park that needs as much as possible. Perhaps one day, it will happen. But it seems the company's current mantra is "in your face" and "more is more". The art of Imagineering is being continued overseas, but the American parks be damned. Long term, it's everyone's loss.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

1967 Disneyland Map

Want to see a Disneyland map with the Peoplemover, the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, the Skyway, and the Mike Fink Keelboats? Well, here it is! These long gone gems of Disneyland are right here on this 1967 map. Or is it "Fun map"? I never can remember. Regardless, the vintage, retro, very cool image is just the very bright and charming piece I wanted to show this Monday morning. With all the doom and gloom in the world, a little fun never hurt anyone. 

(Image copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Wild West Lives

It's true! The Wild West lives again! You can find it in the Disney Parks in China (Hong Kong Disneyland), Disneyland Paris in France (the absolute best version), and in the two American parks. But it could be a dying breed based on what was built at the newest Magic Kingdom in Shanghai- which would be a shame.

Walt Disney's love for American history, the love of story, and a good dose of business savvy necessitated that his new park had to have an area focusing on this time in America's expansion westward.

Today, guests only know Frontierland as the home of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the shortened (but more beautiful) Rivers of America and its iconic watercraft. Yet, long before Pirates Lair took over Tom Sawyer Island, one of the most beloved pieces the groundbreaking theme park had was its immersive take on the Wild West. The area was so large and it expanded so quickly that at one point in time, Frontierland covered almost 1/3 of the entire park's land mass. Can you imagine that? (I love BTMRR as much as anyone, but I wish they would have also retained the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland!)

Imagineer Sam McKim is most likely the artist who created this piece of concept art. He was a film star, making several Westerns and had a real love for the American frontier. The detail in this piece is a testament of his knowledge behind the artistry. (As always, click on the images for a huge version!)

Back in 1955, America was justifiably proud of its heritage. (Sure, we have our problems, but what country doesn't have its evil seasons?) Western themed films drew big business at the movie box office and were just as successful on the small screen. Contrast that to The Lone Ranger- a missed opportunity that if done well could have opened a whole new chapter for expansion of this land once again. But I digress... One of Disney's biggest hits was the five part series about Davy Crockett, making a star out of Fess Parker. The series aired from the end of 1954 until the end of 1955. When Fess himself helped open Disneyland, kids of all ages couldn't wait to explore the Old West for themselves.

Entering through the fort, guests were drawn to the adventures awaiting them. With the Mark Twain Riverboat on the river, the railroad trains chugging by, and the wild antics on stage at the Golden Horseshoe, the West was the place to be. The pack mules and soon the mine train took riders beyond the safety of the town, and eventually, guests go walk farther afield to the Indian Village. The Rivers of America became busier as well. Soon, canoes, keel boats, and the Sailing Ship Columbia plied the waters along with rafts that dropped guests off at Tom Sawyer Island. 

Over time, outer space explorations became more exciting to the public, and with Imagineering creating new major attractions, more and more of the original acreage dedicated to the West began to be used. New Orleans Square was the most successful and Bear Country the least- until Splash Mountain came along as part of the renamed Critter Country. The West continues to evolve with even more land being taken over by the Star Wars themed expansion. Perhaps one day, the interests of the public will come full circle, changing the face of the park once again. 

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A special thanks to Mint Crocodile over at the Magic Eye blog. Mint had the wisdom to photograph these extremely rare pieces of concept art shown in the Disney Gallery during the park's 60th Anniversary celebration. It is from his photographs that I was able to bring out the images you have seen.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Looking back on Disneyland over the decades, 
Old Frontierland

Disneyland Time Machine: Music to My Ears

America the Beautiful. Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. Adventure Thru Inner Space, America Sings, and more. Much more. What a way to visit vintage Disneyland in your mind! It's one thing to daydream about a visit to the park, but it's another thing entirely if you're adequately prepared. 

And I am. Listening now to the excellent Musical History of Disneyland, the perfect 50th anniversary gift for Disney park fans. Starting with Walt Disney's dedication, the collection takes you through each land of the park, bringing atmospheric music, deluxe attraction soundtracks, and evening and holiday performances and parades. It's a time machine journey that never gets old.

Just Around the Riverbend

Disneyland's Rivers of America and the reimagining of the farthest part of the riverbend is in the midst of its renaissance. This great photo from the always terrific Disney Geek, gives a great up close look of the almost finished product.

Right behind that forest and rock formation is the new Star Wars Land under construction. Looks like the Imagineers have done a pretty good job of maintaining the integrity of the river even if they had to shoehorn Star Wars here instead of in the third Anaheim Disney park where it belonged. 

Here's a slice of the concept art. Looks pretty good with the Mark Twain Steamboat rounding the bend of Tom Sawyer Island. And I've heard there's a hat tip to the original Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland for those riding the Disneyland Railroad. 

All in all, count me impressed so far. Very different than how they've incorporated Guardians of the Galaxy into Hollywoodland and Buena Vista Street at California Adventure!

(Photograph copyright Disney Geek. Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Taking a Ride Through Nature's Wonderland

With the 60th Anniversary celebration in full swing at Disneyland and the landscape of the park soon to change for good starting next week, I did a little web investigation on one of my very favorite old school attractions: Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. As almost every Disney park historian or fan knows, it was a popular precursor to the incredible and beloved Frontierland attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. 

From the great site, Disney and More.

The wild life, the scenery, the music made the Wild West come alive once more when the attraction first opened. It was a living True Life Adventure through the American frontier; a new take on the Jungle Cruise but inspired by a land of rugged terrain, good old American folklore, and the history of the railroad. 

The poster only hints at the great attraction.

A Disneyland postcard.
From the Meet the World blog.

The love and care of Walt Disney and his Imagineers for America and its history was particularly evident here. Marc Davis created some of the most playful scenes ever to find there way into a theme park. It was a labor of love designed to last generations.

Want more Disneyland attraction posters in large sizes?

The series starts here with Main Street U.S.A.!

After traveling through beautiful pine filled landscapes, our trains took us into the Painted Desert, all leading to an unsuspected conclusion: a visit through the absolutely stunning Rainbow Caverns. Etherial music (you can hear it here) played up the beauty of the caves as colorful waterfalls of different shades moved underground right within view. Engineers said it couldn't be achieved without the colors blending into a shade of gray. Walt Disney said it could be done, and like most things, he did it. 

Nice little vintage clip of the caverns.

The ride was a favorite for many years, giving guests a chance to explore the American wilderness while in Anaheim. Tastes change, and soon enough, guests to Disneyland were clamoring for thrills of a different kind. The Imagineers watched what was on the horizon, and prepared something new under the leadership of Tony Baxter. Gentle rides gave way to more Disney mountains, and Nature's Wonderland disappeared in favor of the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness. (For the ultimate article on the attraction go to Werner Weiss' excellent Yesterland article.)

Here's a great blog that features the writer's work at recreating this attraction in model form. The video below offers a chance to once again experience an iconic attraction from Disneyland's past. Enjoy!

Perhaps as the Imagineers create Star Wars Land, they will include a not so subtle tribute to Nature's Wonderland by routing the train track through a recreated mini Rainbow Caverns. It'd be a nice touch that honors the past that made way for the future.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Vintage Frontierland

Long before Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, long before Pirates Lair took over Tom Sawyer Island, one of the most iconic and beloved pieces of Walt Disney's groundbreaking theme park, Disneyland, was its immersive take on the Wild West. The area was so large and it expanded so quickly that at one point in time, Frontierland covered almost 1/3 of the entire park's land mass. 

Imagineer Sam McKim is most likely the artist who created this piece of concept art. He was a film star, making several Westerns and had a real love for the American frontier. The detail in this piece is a testament of his knowledge behind the artistry. (As always, click on the images for a huge version!)

In 1955, America was justifiably proud of its heritage. Western themed films drew big business at the movie box office and were just as successful on the small screen. One of Disney's biggest hits was the five part series about Davy Crockett, making a star out of Fess Parker. The series aired from the end of 1954 until the end of 1955. When Fess himself helped open Disneyland, kids of all ages couldn't wait to explore the Old West for themselves.

Entering through the fort, guests were drawn to the adventures awaiting them. With the Mark Twain Riverboat on the river, the railroad trains chugging by, and the wild antics on stage at the Golden Horseshoe, the West was the place to be. The pack mules and soon the mine train took riders beyond the safety of the town, and eventually, guests go walk farther afield to the Indian Village. The Rivers of America became busier as well. Soon, canoes, keel boats, and the Sailing Ship Columbia plied the waters along with rafts that dropped guests off at Tom Sawyer Island. 

Over time, outer space explorations became more exciting to the public, and with Imagineering creating new major attractions, more and more of the original acreage dedicated to the West began to be used. New Orleans Square was the most successful and Bear Country the least- until Splash Mountain came along as part of the renamed Critter Country. The West continues to evolve with even more land being taken over by the Star Wars themed expansion. Perhaps one day, the interests of the public will come full circle, changing the face of the park once again. 

---------

A special thanks to Mint Crocodile over at the Magic Eye blog. Mint had the wisdom to photograph these extremely rare pieces of concept art shown in the Disney Gallery during the park's 60th Anniversary celebration. It is from his photographs that I was able to bring out the images you have seen.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Ladies and Rogues: Pieces of Art for Pirates of the Caribbean

There's much to love about the work of Imagineer Marc Davis. The man contributed to so many classic Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions! The Jungle Cruise, Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, America Sings, Country Bear Jamboree, and of course everyone's favorite, the Pirates of the Caribbean. 

No one like Marc could do magic when it came to pulling off clever gags with humans and animals- and the first two pieces of art show exactly what I'm talking about. The top piece contains two lovely ladies that did not make the cut when it was time to build the attraction. The art below shows a monkey and his human friend enjoying a pint- another that never found a home in New Orleans Square.

Just last month I rode the attraction and realized there was still an enormous amount of open space where previously unused concepts could come to life. My hope is that one day, Anaheim visitors will find sword fighting as guests can do while riding the excellent reworking of the attraction at Disneyland Paris. It's something a guest doesn't even realize is missing until its seen for the first time. Quite the feat the Imagineers pulled off.

Just when I think I've run out of Marc's pieces for Pirates, I find something else in my files. Perhaps one day, I'll unearth more...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Redesigned for Little Kids?

In the planning stages for Disneyland Paris, then EuroDisney, Imagineers designed a smaller, kid-friendly version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The cuter-than-cute named Lil Thunder never was built, but it sure would have been fun!

Just imagine a runaway train for the littlest of varmints, traveling on rickety rails, heading off for a journey they would never forget. Of course, this was a Disney attraction, so the theming would be top notch. At least back in the late 80's when it was first imagined.

Cacti, critters, and a landscape similar to that of  Disneyland's famous Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. It was all there. Just like that long lost gem, the ride would have concluded with a journey into the stunning Rainbow Caverns. Hopefully complete with the beautiful soundtrack, at once ethereal and melodic.

As many tales go, this attraction also never made it past the drawing boards. A replacement was found in Fantasyland's Casey Jr. ride, where young guests zoomed along the French version of the Storybookland Canal Boats, miniature houses and landscapes from fairy tales replacing the Wild West of Frontierland. (Guess that also means the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train won't ever come to Paris!)

Even though the park is rightly criticized for its lack up upkeep, Disneyland Paris does have the most incredible of Frontierlands. It's unfortunate that the land doesn't include the adult version of the mine train, the pack mules, the canoes, and everything else that made Walt Disney's plans iconic. All that would make it the ultimate take on the West... unless Marc Davis' Western River Expedition would ever get built. But don't count on it.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)