Does Monstropolis Scream "Must Visit"?

Let's start with the obvious- that is a pretty nice Monstropolis logo! When the Imagineering team gets it right, it is fantastic. Let's hope the skyline in the logo, both of them, is something that really shows up when the land opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Certainly the door coaster will be a hit and satisfy thrill seekers and Harryhausen’s eatery may become the foodie stop of the season. Will shopping, that show at the Glob Theater (RIP Muppet*Vision 3D) other experiences keep guests coming back? Without a family friendly dark ride, perhaps Mike & Sully to the Rescue from Disney California Adventure, all that's left is a playground. I'm not so sure the area will be the sure fire hit that suits think. 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney-MGM Studios at Opening in 1989

When the initially named Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, one of the highlights- and one of the few attractions available- was the Studio Tour, a combination of a tram and walking tour. Back then, The Great Movie Ride reigned supreme because there was no Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Rock N Rollercoaster or Fantasmic! to soak up the crowds. Or any other rides to speak of. This vastly designed and built park was put together on the original Universal Studios Hollywood model. This meant the tram tour was intentionally lengthy to help fill the day. There were not a lot of rides then, and there are still not enough rides years later. The park is woefully under built. One whole half of the park has not much to see other than shops and some dining options. It's pretty, but that's about it. That has to change! But for now, back to the story.

During the walking portion of the tour, selected guests were invited to take part in the flying bee scene from the popular Disney film "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". This nice piece of concept art shows the bee in the back and an ant in the front, which became part of the playground instead. On the tour, I was lucky enough to be chosen to board a bee, and a few years later, my nephews were also picked. It was a lot of fun! 

If you want to see my photo journey from our 1989 opening year trip, go here.

Over the years, the now named Disney's Hollywood Studios took on a new persona with a few thrill rides and even more shows. In the last decade or so, it has been a park without a champion, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge aside. It's changed quite a bit, but the number of rides has not kept pace with the decades. 

The full history of the park since creation and opening has been chronicled by me here. It's full of concept art and now vintage maps and photos.

With 27 years coming up May 1, isn't it time for some expansion plan besides a Monsters Inc. land? Maybe something on the other aside of the park in the Indiana Jones neighborhood?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Better Monsters Inc. Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Door Roller Coaster is a sure thing! But what is also included in the new plans for Disney's Hollywood Studios revision of the area once home to Muppet*Vision 3D into one that celebrates all things Monsters Inc.? You can bet this concept art is keeping some details hidden, but let's be honest. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor belongs here (with perhaps a new name to avoid its unfortunate abbreviation) as does Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue from Disney California Adventure. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios needs an actual dark ride for the youngest of guests who will not able be to ride the family coaster. The park has a current total of zero old school Disneyland styled classic dark rides. These are the kind of smaller attractions that are classic Disney and round out a park filled with E Tickets and stage shows. Will the suits ever really get their popularity? They bring charm and warmth to any park, something the Studios is sorely lacking.

This expansion also needs a character filled, friendly monster stage show to go with the meet and greets. Imagineering and the Disney park fans have made these an inevitable part of any Disney themed land. 

Lastly, this new land needs a great spot to sit down and eat for folks who cannot get into or choose not to splurge on the sure to be quite overpriced Harryhausen's Japanese restaurant. The slightly Muppets themed PizzeRizzo is a prime location for something great and with a menu price befitting the family friendly budget. 

With the stunning success of Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland, the bar for this time of land has been set very high. Will it be matched or exceeded at Walt Disney World? It better! With Epic Universe being SO good and nipping at Disney's heels, the war continues.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Thanks to Blog Mickey for the image.)

The Plan to Save the Muppets at Walt Disney World

With Monsters announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios, fans of Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D are sweating pretty heavily. But there is a plan to save Muppets from the Monsters invasion. What will Josh D'Amaro approve? Will the plan to save the Muppets work?

After the bloodbath that is the removal of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island for a Cars themed Frontierland, nothing is sacred. But we could put up a good fight if someone in the head offices and even Imagineering are paying attention- and fans like Frozen's Josh Gad have their voices heard. 

Here's how to save the Muppets in a few easy steps:

1- Create a new 3D show. Keep it fresh, keep it true to the original vision of what Jim Henson had in mind. Make it fun again.

From plans for Discovery Bay.

2- Add a kid-friendly hot air balloon ride for kinetic energy, bringing movement above the rooftops to increase interest in exploring the land.  Move guests above the rooftops, and let them enjoy the view.

3-  Build a Muppets dark ride. It doesn't have to be an expensive version like the Great Muppet Movie Ride. Make it closer to Superstar Limo and take Kermit and Piggy on a ride through Hollywood but without the hip and edgy approach. Let's be honest- hip and edgy is not Disney's strong suit. (More here. Tons of concept art.) 

4- Create a must-do dining experience by adding the Muppet Labs. Let guests eat among wacky inventions and props. Unique food teams are a big pull these days. Bring in the mobile labs. Please just make sure the food is good.

5- A mini- Muppets parade would bring in guests. Folks young and old love watching a cavalcade of characters.

6- Add some meet and greets. Draw those people in further.

7- Toss in a spinner of some type for atmosphere using characters other than Piggy and Kermit.

All these changes could make it into the Hollywood Studios version of Fantasyland but in a more intimate scale- and save the Muppet crew exactly where they are currently located.

If I can come up with something so simple that could work, why can't Disney? Simple reason- They do not want to.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Inside The Science Behind Pixar Exhibit

Were you one of the fortunate ones who got to see the "The Science Behind Pixar" traveling exhibit before the Coronavirus shut everything down? We were blessed to get in while it was at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. 

A "Wallpaper" of characters.

As a guest, you begin- where else?- in a theater that introduces the process animators use to create a film. Everything from story and character development to backgrounds. Our hostess explained that before she could work there, she had to become familiar with every Pixar animated film; more than enough to be able to answer questions of anyone attending the museum's exhibit.

The variety of artwork displayed was Incredible!

A life size Buzz Lightyear greets you just outside the theater, creating the perfect photo opportunity; one of many placed throughout so visitors can get a taste of what it's like to encounter characters at their favorite Disney theme park. 

Next, it's on to the individual displays highlighting the process. How did they create surfaces? How did they make special effects? How could viewers get a bugs eyed view of the world? How did characters stretch, move, and display emotion? So many questions to answer, and the folks who bring it all together instruct the audience using film and hands on activities to teach in a very entertaining manner. All this learning going on and not one complaining kid (or adult) to be found!

Each of the different Pixar films brought unique elements that had to be created. To tell the story of each process, the displays use different interactive elements, everything from puzzles and games, to bug eyed lenses and more. Visitors are given the opportunity to create their own sound effects, change colors on background landscapes to evoke a particular mood, and more. 

The tapestry above, for Brave, is actually just a high gloss piece of very large paper with a design created entirely on the computer. I wouldn't have believed it for myself unless I was able to touch it.

On the way out the exit, the last wall displays one of the most mesmerizing pieces. A huge mural recreates Miguel from Coco as he first gazes upon The Land of the Dead. The brilliant colors dazzle your eyes! 

What will the experts at Pixar have to think up next as they flesh out each individual film? It's hard to say. But one thing is certain, it will be amazing! And it will make for even more behind the scenes stories for traveling exhibits such as these. 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. "Flying Buzz" right from Pixar.)

The Definitive Ranking of Pixar Movies

Warmly, but with absolutely no apologies to Kelly Lawler at USA Today who posted a totally different list with the same title, here's my ranking of the greatest (and least) of Pixar films. With an agreement that we can all lovingly disagree, your list will probably vary:

You're cute but your story is too heavy handed.

15. Wall-E
A preachy, mostly charmingless tale of two robots with only eyes for each other. The human race be damned. I'll take my Starbucks and my computer when I choose, thank you very much.

Oh no, there's some, ugh bugs, to work out of the story.

14. A Bug's Life
Even for an attraction that has to use film as its main medium to tell a story, I find this Animal Kingdom attraction based on this movie pretty terrific. But then, it's only 6 minutes at best. This film is boring, boring, boring. Had it not followed up Toy Story, it would have flopped.

I am woman. Hear me roar.

13. Brave
Beautiful scenery. Good main character but undeveloped secondary ones. Convoluted tale of feminism. Merida does win points for being a strong female in spite of some bad choices to accomplish her independence and make her point.

In my beautiful balloon.

12. Up

The powerful but depressing opening scenes give way to a tale of two odd friends. There is so much potential but it's wasted as the story becomes a fantasy filled with speaking dogs and an entirely unnecessary villain. Kudos for using an old man as a lead character.

 I see dead batteries.

11. Cars 2

Loses some points for a less than original script, but the cars are lovable, making it a great daddy and son Saturday matinee movie. Not sure if chapter three is even necessary. Out of gas?

That was it?!?

10. Inside Out

There was much potential for this to be a truly great film. But as I said a few posts earlier, the film just isn't much fun. So much for the second wave of Pixar greatness... at least for now.

Who needs a dog when you have Bullseye?

9.  Toy Story 2

Terrific storyline and characters we all know and love. Jessie's sour attitude is quite annoying, but Bullseye saves the day. Ride on cowboys!

Frat brothers.

8.  Monsters University

What's not to love here? Collage age Mike and Sully are just as much fun as their older selves. If there ever was a buddy movie with plots twists and turns we didn't expect, this is it. Not quite as good as the original but every bit as creative.

Buddy movie of a different kind.

7.  Cars

Is is Doc Hollywood in car form? Sure, but that storyline has been told for decades. Owen Wilson is terrific as the lead ego propelled racer who learns the lessons of true friendship. A winning film for those who don't care about being politcally correct. Bonus points for being the film that produced one of the best "lands" from Disney Imagineering since New Orleans Square at Disneyland. 

You've got a franchise in me.

6.  Toy Story

The first and perhaps the best loved. Buzz Lightyear is a revelation.   Optimistic and lighthearted with a good dose of nostalgia tossed in. The heartstrings don't get fully pulled until two sequels later, but boy, what a tug!

Ah, Paris!

5.  Ratatouille

One of my personal favorites. The story is unexpected, the main characters strong, and the atmosphere and musical score totally mesmerizing. If you've been to Paris, you understand. 

Could strong fathers be a key to Pixar's success?

4.  Finding Nemo

A strong loving father and a special needs son that both find their way home. You have to have a heart of stone to not like this film. Populated with an oceanful of great characters.

Who says you have to be young to be cool?

3.  The Incredibles

A Pixar film for adults that have survived (and thrived through) a midlife crisis. Discovering yourself and your partner amidst marriage drama, changing bodies, and the sometimes joyless responsibilities of being a parent. Sophisticated stuff for an animated film made enjoyable by a great plot line and dazzling environments. The perfect Pixar film for a series. Can't wait for the second one!

Is it just me or should this be a Disney roller coaster attraction?

2.  Monsters Inc.

Billy Crystal in the part he was designed for! Turning an old story on its head, Monsters Inc. creates a charming world all its own. One we are sad to leave when the time comes. 

It's ok- we've all grown up, Andy.

1.  Toy Story 3

By the time this film came out, the characters were beloved world over. The climax of the film is as gripping as anything Disney has ever done. It's at that moment we viewers realized these characters had a well earned place in our lives. The art of storytelling at its Pixar best.

(Art copyright Disney/Pixar.)

Not Top of the Class

Just saw Monsters University. It's a good film, full of heart and an interesting story, but something is missing. Certainly better than many things out there now, but given Pixar and their reputation for world class films, I was a tad bit disappointed.

Monsters Inc. is one of my most loved Pixar creations, so I was extremely excited to see more adventures with Mike and Sully. My wife thinks the lack of "door action" slowed the pace and interest of the film. Perhaps. I'm a bit more inclined to think it was the familiarity with the storyline, as the "opposites attract" buddy story is a staple of Hollywood films. 

The animation is top notch. The environments stunningly beautiful. John Goodman and Billy Crystal are terrific, but it's Helen Mirren as the dean that propels the plot in a way both harsh, blunt, and eventually with heart. No spoilers here. I will say the first half is a solid "A" grade film, and the second half still a solid "B".  The big question: Will I buy it on DVD? Perhaps...

(Art copyright Disney/ Pixar.)

Worth the Wait

Monsters University is the sequel that deserved to happen but I doubted if it ever would. Cannot wait to see Mike and Sulley on the big screen once again!

It's a Pixar Disney World

It's a scary thought for most die-hard Disney theme park fans, but the truth is the truth. With the raging success of Carsland and Radiator Springs Racers at the revamped Disney California Adventure, more Pixar attractions- and their clones- are on their way. Whether or not this is the end of totally original, non-movie based attractions is yet to be seen. However, get prepared for an invasion.

So, where would Pixar characters and attractions best fit in the parks? Here's this writer's suggestion for where (in Florida) they most make sense.

Disney Animal Kingdom: Given that It's Tough to Be a Bug premiered at this park prior to the opening of the movie its from, it seems very natural that Flik's Fun Fair from California would fit here. 

Since the Imagineers have to come up with a great solution to keep the falling limbs from the Tree of Life from creating death to the guests, there's a natural solution to the problem. Excavate below the tree, creating an underground Fun Fair that is reachable through the various paths around the tree. It's like a bit of King Triton's/Ariel's undersea world at Tokyo Disney Sea. Creative lighting and excellent prop usage could reveal a totally enticing environment with sacrificing the credibility of the theme above ground or use up extra real estate. Of course, the characters from Up could find a natural home here once Animal Kingdom debuts a South American themed land.

Epcot: It's a bit trickier to pull this off in a park that appeals mostly to adults. That said, Imagineering, or should I say those suits involved in cross promotion, have already made substantial moves this direction. Starting with The Lion King characters moving into the Land and most recently with Crush from Finding Nemo debuting at the (Living) Seas, the invasion has already begun- and to much acclaim from guests.

In Future World, Wall-E and The Incredibles could be added without much trouble. Anyone remember SMRT-1? The tiny blue robot with the little boy voice could easily have grown up into a wiser WALL-E. Then I'd add a little pizzaz to the boring Ellen's Energy Adventure, giving Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye, and Jamie Lee Curtis the boot. The superhero Parr family could have quite the adventure of their own as they try to save the world and its natural resources... and educate the public along the way.

Naturally, World Showcase and its France representation could be home to Remy's Kitchen Calamity, the all new attraction based on Ratatouille. Its coming to the dreadful Walt Disney Studios Paris, but we all know how the suits love to recover R&D costs by bringing a new attraction to as many parks as possible. The United Kingdom could also host Merida and friends from Brave. This could be a great opportunity for some meet and greet magic a la Belle's Enchanted Tales from the New Fantasyland in Florida's Magic Kingdom. 

As Pixar movies continue to develop more into the princess territory, Disney could even add entire new countries in order to bring in new stories as they are told. If that is what it takes to get a country added to World Showcase, so be it!

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Here's the "one place for everything else" park. If it is true that Cars' Radiator Springs Racers is coming, it could easily be incorporated into Pixar Place. Just bring in the long designed but previously un-greenlit Monsters Inc Coaster, move the average comedy club from the Magic Kingdom, and a couple of Toy Story based carnival rides from Paris or Hong Kong Disneyland. It won't take much genius to pull this off. The end result will be a kid-friendly park known for thrill rides with height requirements. (And please move the annoying Stitch here while you are at it!)

Magic Kingdom: This is the one park where Pixar characters and stories do not belong. Let Fantasyland exist peacefully as the land of Walt Disney tales. Return Tomorrowland to a vision of the future, and move Aladdin's Carpets to the Studios along the way.All this will help in returning the integrity of the original concept to the park. 

So, there's my suggestions for a Pixar Disney World! What are yours?

(Art copyright Disney/Pixar.)

Monstrously Funny Preview for Monsters University

Monsters Inc. is towards the top of my list when it comes to favorite Pixar movies. And now, Disney / Pixar has released four previews for the next film, Monsters University. You'll find one in a theater near you when Brave debuts this Friday. Can't wait for Summer 2013!

(Art copyright Disney / Pixar.)

Ten Years of DCA: Bargain Basement Imagineering 1.5

Let's continue celebrating the Ten Year Anniversary of California Adventure! Now with even more concept art to be seen, we continue on with our look at the design, execution, public rejection and eventual transformation of Disney's California Adventure, let's examine some of the post-opening plans the company launched. The Disney Imagineers attempted to make the park a success in the eyes of the public but with very mixed results.

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Once the Grand Opening of Disney's California Adventure was behind them, the executives of The Walt Disney Company waited for the crowds to come- and waited and waited and waited. And then they acted in desperation, cutting much of what really worked in the park.

Early renderings, models and posters of the park communicated poorly- or maybe too accurately, prominently featuring the carnival side of California Adventure and the film making aspects, things that could be found at other southland amusement parks like the ones they were trying to emulate, Six Flags, Universal Studios, and the nearby Knott's Berry Farm. Disney used to be the innovator, now it was playing follow the others. Not a smart business strategy in which to convince folks that Disneyland was a resort!

Bad weather, 911, the economy, misunderstanding of the park- all these reasons were given as to why the crowds didn't materialize. Every reason except the real one: They did not build a park up to Disney standards, and the public was not fooled by their half-hearted approach.

For those in the Company that couldn't- or dare wouldn't- admit this, the public face they had to play was a no win situation. On one side, were these just very out of touch Disney executives wondering what happened? Why didn't the paying public appreciate groundbreaking attractions like a work place displays, small areas of crops, and a series of tractors? What was wrong with carnival attractions that could be found at state fairs? Apologists said it worked for Dumbo at Disneyland, so why not at California Adventure? Surely they like movies? Yet, no one was filling the seats. Instead of ignorance, they could play the other side, blaming everyone and everything else but themselves.

Eventually, behind the very private boardroom doors, reality set in: Disney had tried to sell the new park as the pinnacle of Imagineering efforts, but the public saw through all the hype and advertising, deeming the park mediocre long before the CEO would admit it.

First thought to be a placeholder for those who couldn't get into the new park, the original Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, was doing just fine, thank you. Instead, its newer sister park was clearly the less favored ugly duckling. The numbers were dismal. Cast members tried to drum up enthusiasm but couldn't fake it. Park managers were stunned with disbelief, but it was the corporate sponsors that were less than delighted. With each passing week of poor attendance, some made plans to take their losses and leave the park.

From the guest standpoint, surveys seemed to indicate that Disney had forgotten much about what made a beloved park. There were too few attractions for families, too many film-based theater shows, clones of secondary draws from Walt Disney World, and overall very little shine with a silly theme. A California based park in California just wasn't taking them anywhere magical.

The most oft and rightly criticized area was Paradise Pier, a modern version of an old seaside amusement park. It was paradise in name only. This area was executed as a cheap version of a Six Flags park- full of iron rides with little originality or dressing. Few trees, little shade, less charm.

The park entrance, dubbed the Sunshine Plaza, was said to create a "hip and edgy" vibe for the park, but far more excitement was to be found at the very places it successfully emulated: Southern California shopping malls. Certainly more than a few guests entered the park, viewed their surroundings and thought, "I should have gone to Disneyland instead". The poor cast members at Guest Services knew this to be true from the get go, offering the seemingly endless line complaining guests to enter Disneyland for the rest of their day.

The only true new and winning area seemed to be the Golden State, an area that actually celebrated the California theme, and it was successful without any Disney characters in sight. Perhaps its charm came from duplicating the design sensibilities associated with Epcot's World Showcase. Recreations of the wineries, the desert airfields, and the wharfs and mountains of Northern California created a fairly pleasing amount of eye candy.

Even that district was not without it problems, as fans realized the park's icon was a beautifully designed mountain that held a raft ride found at dozens of other parks. Adjacent was an imaginative children's play area themed to California's mountain landscapes. In the view of some, the raft ride, what should have been an incredible attraction, was just passable. But it was a major attraction in a park with little innovation- much like most of the park. There was one bright spot- Soarin' Over California, and that soon made its way to Epcot, stripping this struggling park of its one promotable jewel.

Something had to happen fast as the park was quickly becoming the laughingstock of the theme park and entertainment industry. When it became impossible to overcome public opinion, the next best plan of mice and men was to add to the park and add to it quickly. So now, here is a compilation of concept art for the next stage of this poorly executed second theme park at the Disneyland Resort.
A quick addition was made to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Play It! This guest experience was based on the over exposed television show. It was a fun attraction, but really did nothing to bring in the crowds. Once the television show lost its audience, so did the attraction, closing quickly thereafter.

This rush to bring in guests had another down side. Once proposed attractions for the Backlot area were now abandoned. This included the unique and immensely fun Armageddon special effects show built at Walt Disney Studios Paris. One of the best attractions at that cheaply built park, it really fit in the Studios based section of California Adventure, but never made the cut.

In an effort to bring more Disney to the park, Pixar characters were added and the unique California flavors were decreased. The wonderful Eureka parade gave way to ...nothing. On the park's one year anniversary, Disney announced that Flik's Fun Fair, a kid oriented play area, and a reworked (but far less impressive) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror would soon be added.

The Tower attraction was an outright smash in Florida at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Originally set to go into California Adventure at about the five year mark- and with a design initially planned for Paris, Tower was rushed into production as the suits in the Mouse House got very desperate for a crowd pleasing draw.

One of the oddest choices for an attraction in Disney theme park history was the ill-fated Superstar Limo. This wild journey through Hollywood streets was supposedly reworked from the ground up after the story surrounding Princess Diana's death. The revamped ride was so unpopular that it was quickly shuttered in 2002. Speculation on a replacement ranged from a reworking of the original theme to a classic Disney character filled excursion to appeal to children or even something featuring the Muppets, another dying franchise the company desired to resurrect.

True to expectations, characters did end up inhabiting the stomping ground of Superstar Limo, however, and they were Pixar characters from the very popular Monsters Inc. film. Making its debut in 2006, this attraction made great use of its previous work on a fairly reasonable budget. Certainly, the attraction was as good as any smaller dark ride in Disneyland, but all these changes were not enough. 

Even with "Placemaking", the newly coined phrase means redoing an area that was poorly themed to start with, the improved Backlot was much prettier to view but still contained an enormous amount of exposed steel and not enough real Disney magic. The "Millionaire" building was still empty, and the Hollywood and Dine eatery remained closed due to lack of crowds, only adding to the misery.

The success of Monsters Inc.: Mike and Sully to the Rescue became a source of on line fan debate. Some loved the attraction and applauded the Imagineers for their great work on a slightly larger than shoestring budget. Others claimed the ride deserved to be totally demolished and the space used for something else. (This writer happens to deem it a success and one of his favorite "C"/"D" ticket attractions on the Anaheim property.)

Most importantly, this choice foreshadowed a new change in strategy- California as a theme seemed to be on its way out, characters in California, and Pixar characters in particular, were on its way in. This trend really began with the earlier inclusion of A Bug's Land in 2002, but wouldn't see its full fruition until the total revamp of the park years later.

Once Disneyland's 50th anniversary was complete, the focus would reshift to its smaller, less charming sibling. It seemed the Disney executives finally understood they couldn't fool the consumer with a second rate park. Neither could they successfully rehabilitate it with another children's playground, extreme sporting events, or another cloned attraction from Florida.

With a new Chief Executive in Robert Iger came a big announcement and much money accompanied with it. Did he really get it? Did the new team understand the execution of the park lacked the details and care that made the older Disneyland a household name? Even more importantly, could the park even be salvaged at all or would it be a case of throwing good money after bad?

Disney had one last chance to convince the public that California Adventure was a real quality park. A one billion dollar addition was announced with promises for a second gate that would make guests soon forget the disaster that was California Adventure 1.0

Would they follow through with the elaborate plans, concepts and models presented in the winery's Blue Sky Cellar? Time was not on their side as attendance continued to fall short.

Stay tuned for even more art tomorrow as we learn the Company decides they have to do something drastic to save the park...

(All concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Special thanks to Brett Garrett from the great Visions Fantastic for his photo of the first piece.)