Splash Mountain: Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Sure, long time Disneyland and Walt Disney World fans of Splash Mountain had reason to be concerned when Disney Imagineering announced that the beloved attraction would become one focused on Princess and the Frog. And it had absolutely nothing to do with race.

It has everything to do with the quality of these more recent attraction makeovers: the transition of California Screamin' into the less than inspiring Incredicoaster, and the disaster that is Pixar Pier. The enjoyable but much less mysterious Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! in place of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. (Or even a worthy stand alone new attraction the Marvel heroes should have had. See Spider Man's WEBSLINGERS). Truth is, you just can trust the modern Disney braintrust when it comes to plans such as these.

Could we as fans expect more when they take a classic Marc Davis character filled, Tony Baxter and team executed gem of Splash Mountain and turn it into something new? No- and yes, I was encouraged by the recent roundtable discussion regarding a Princess Tiana ride. See it for yourself.

I can see an easier tie into Disneyland's New Orleans Square but into the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland? Just as problematic as before- it's a stretch. 

Will Carmen Smith, Creative Executive, Vice President, Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering and Charita Carter, Senior Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering (what awful titles!) and their team be successful? They might just pull this off. Could there even be a new restaurant in the works? Wouldn't that be great!

(Art and video copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Columbia Sails Again!

Heading for the water again! Actually instead of the Hawaiian Islands as recent posts, this time we're headed for landlocked Disneyland and the Rivers of America. 

With the river soon to reopen for all watercraft in July, it seemed only appropriate to showcase these two rather rare pieces of Imagineering concept art. 

The top piece is by famed Imagineer Sam McKim. Known for his artwork that brought the park's Frontierland to center stage, this really lovely rendering of the majestic Sailing Ship Columbia captures the excitement and energy of the famous American vessel, giving guests a taste of what it was like to sail aboard her 200+ years ago.

The next piece is by Herb Ryman, one of my favorite artists at Imagineering. His work can be found for many of the parks, and some of his best pieces depict EPCOT Center. This piece, though simple in comparison to those, still successfully conveys what Walt Disney and his team hoped to build for the new park in Anaheim.

Once aboard the Columbia and the Mark Twain Steamboat, Disneyland guests not only enjoy a bit of a break on the river as it rounds Tom Sawyer Island, but they also get a slice of our history as well. Celebrating America and her hard earned values of faith, freedom, and family is something I've always loved about the original Disney park- and it's something the current leaders are moving farther from in the Stateside parks the longer Walt has been gone. Such a shame!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Charleston's Angels

From "Angles" to "Angels"... Nice little photo from our recent trip to Charleston and Hilton Head Island (where we visited Disney's Vacation Club). Will probably post more soon- once I get through them! Charleston is a gorgeous and gracious town filled with everything I loved about New Orleans without the racy undertone. Just beautiful and worth a return visit!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)