Attack of the Lava Monster!

Deep in the core of the earth, far beneath the calm surface of the imposing Mount Promethus lies the unexpected- a giant monster beyond imagination. After this Journey to the Center of the Earth, a visit to Tokyo DisneySea will be one you will never forget. 

Boarding the same style vehicles found on Test Track at Epcot and Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure, you're given the rare opportunity to explore an underground world full of glowing plants, crystal caverns, previously undiscovered creatures, and a subterranean sea. It's a peaceful trip until you are considered an invader by the magnificent lava monster, a giant of a beast- and he is not happy you've discovered his home!

This piece of Imagineering concept art gives but a glimpse of what the journey looks like. So popular is the attraction that a version of it was once considered for Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The magnificent lava spewing volcano would have made a terrific complement to the Tree of Life in the center of the park and the peaks of Expedition: Everest off to one side. In its place are the floating mountains of Pandora. 

As they are fond of saying, good ideas never die at Imagineering. If that's really true, maybe one day a few of these amazing attractions found at the Japanese parks will make there way stateside. In the meantime, we can enjoy them only via YouTube. Check this out, courtesy Attractions 360:

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tokyo DisneySea from the Air

It's not everyday you see Disney Imagineering concept art that's new to the eye. Here's a beautiful piece, a look at Tokyo DisneySea from the air by Imagineer Peter Ellenshaw. It's moody, warmly atmospheric, and it's almost impressionistic in its look. Mount Prometheus and the Mysterious Island - iconic in their Jules Verne beauty stand out among the other areas waiting to be discovered in the park. 

The Oriental Land Company took a major financial risk in building this most beautiful and very, very expensive of all Disney parks. It's paid off handsomely as Tokyo DisneySea is one of the most visited parks in Disney history- and one of the most coveted by fans that don't live in Japan. I'd say it puts Shanghai Disneyland to shame many times over.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Combined Tokyo Disney Land and Sea Map

In preparation for the onslaught of news via D23 Japan, here is a wonderful map combining both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The current title holder to the best one-two punch in theme park resorts belongs to Tokyo Disney Resort. It's really large and detailed, so make sure you click on it and download it for viewing.

Will we see some new concept art for all the terrific attractions planned for the two parks in the next few years? You can bet on it! Shanghai Disneyland may be getting all the press in the next six months, but Disney park fans will have much to celebrate in the years ahead. Even if it means going to Japan to see it all. Disney fans in the States may bemoan having to settle for Frozen Ever After in Epcot and settling for just dining in the Beast's castle in New Fantasyland however. You can quote me...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Art for Tokyo's Mysterious Island

What do you get when you take a classic Jules Verne story, put it into the hands of Disney's world class Imagineers, toss in a seemingly endless budget, and built it at the Tokyo Disney Resort known worldwide for being the epitome of upholding Walt Disney's standards? The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction found in Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea!

The top piece of Imagineering art is pretty rare- and it was quite the find when I stumbled upon it. Can you imagine what is "in the vaults" for the Tokyo parks and all the things that haven't been built? At least for now... but back to the attraction.

With a unique "dry-for-wet" presentation, the guests ride in submarines which never actually go under the water. Not only is this a thrilling and beautiful attraction, it operates as any other dark ride,  keeping maintenance crews and park accountants very happy- in stark contrast to the problems encountered by similar and very wet attractions for both Disneyland in California and in Florida's Magic Kingdom. 

Of course, since this is Tokyo and the money comes from the Oriental Land Company, Disney just didn't design a beautiful attraction, they placed it in an incredible setting at the near center of the park. This enclosed, premier location almost guarantees the attraction will have a long life span. Think of it just as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Disneyland Paris. 

My business and pleasure travels have not taken me to Japan for several years. That may change soon. You can rest assured that Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and soon Shanghai Disneyland will one day be my destination. 

Until you can travel there yourself, Robb Alvey's Theme Park Review has one of the best on-line videos to be found of the attraction. Watch it below and be on alert for wanting to spend the money to take off for Tokyo!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Mysterious Island Treehouse

Doing a bit of research for my next Attraction Poster series, I came across this unlabeled poster for the Swiss Family Treehouse. Now, the question is- Is it for Disneyland? Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, or Hong Kong Disneyland? Any guesses?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Unsung Heroes of Tokyo DisneySea

Ever wonder what happened to some of those great Imagineers that were let go after the completion of Tokyo DisneySea? Well, check this out: Kirk Design.

The Kirks are masters of themed design. The top concept is a slightly changed version of what was built as Mysterious Island in Tokyo, and the concept directly above a slightly different take on Sunset Blvd. at Disney's Holloywood Studios. Their website shows various pieces of concept art for parks and attractions all over the world. From Disneyland to EPCOT Center, this team knows their stuff. 

(All artwork copyright Kirk Design and Disney.)

Amazing "Journey"

This may end up being one cheesy film, but every once in awhile, you just have to indulge! And I cannot wait for this. One of my favorite and classic Jules Verne novels made into film many, many times. I even like the casting. Brendan Fraser knows how to balance goofiness with true action heroics as seen in the Mummy series. He'll be great fun to watch here.

This story as a theme park attraction forms the centerpiece of Tokyo DisneySea's Mysterious Island, an area based on Mr. Verne's imaginative novels. It's quite popular. The rumor of this showing up as a stateside attraction comes and goes in cycles. Hopefully one day, the rumors hold true with an attraction becoming fleshed out in steel and concrete. I'll be first in line at opening.

(By the way, on Monday I'll have that other rarely seen Space Mountain concept art up on the blog.)