Space Mountain 1960's Edition

All original color! Retro styling! Vintage look! This piece of concept art for Walt Disney World's incredible Space Mountain by Imagineering's genius John Hench dazzles with 1960's goodness. (Zoom in close for all the details. You'll be surprised what you find.) Its addition to the Magic Kingdom not only changed the look of Tomorrowland, but it ushered in a whole new world of thrill rides for Disney parks. No longer could they rest on a combination of theater shows, slow moving boat rides, and even Audio-Animatronic laden adventures to appeal to guests. 

I won't tell it all in this post, but the beloved attraction has a very unique history and impact on the parks- all overt the world. Take a look at this blog's mega article here.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney World's Plaza Swan Boats

Expanding the Disney kingdom by building in Florida came as a surprise to many, but it was clear from the official announcement that a Disneyland style theme park would be the main attraction at Walt Disney World on opening day.

The "E Ticket" line up at opening.

Not a thrill ride in sight.

Anticipating a much older audience of visitors than what would be found at California's park, when the Imagineers planned the Magic Kingdom, the thrill attractions were limited to spinners. Back then, Florida was known as a state with a high number of retired folks and not the theme park mecca we know today. The new park was fleshed out with familiar beloved attractions (but not Pirates of the Caribbean), three new Audio-Animatronic shows, and gentle, leisurely experiences sure to appeal to senior aged guests. 

This trend of sublime entertainment continued into the next few years, with one of the most instantly recognizable attractions opening in 1973: The Plaza Swan Boats. 

The iconic Pirates ride in a largely abbreviated form did open in a Caribbean themed area of Adventureland the same year right before Christmas, due to guest complaints at City Hall. Little did guests realize then that  something even more spectacular was planned as its replacement, Western River Expedition and the Thunder Mesa slate of exciting attractions. By insisting on Pirates and getting it, the Frontierland mega complex was axed. Disney geeks long for it to this day. But that's another story. (Some art and articles are found here as a place to start. There's many others on this blog!)

I had my first visit to the World in 1974. My parents, sister, and grandmother joined me for one day in the park. I begged for a second day on my own while they went to Circus World. A good choice and fair trade off on my part!

Now you would think that a teenager visiting the Magic Kingdom after numerous trips to Disneyland would be disappointed by this attraction line-up. Not me. I barely missed the thrills as I was much more interested in what was new and the real thrill of exploring every nook and cranny of the park. There was too much to see that was new for me to spend time focusing on what wasn't there. 

Notice anything new?

Ticket courtesy Big Florida Country.

I spent that second day repeating every new attraction more than once. The Hall of Presidents, and Mickey Mouse Revue couldn't be seen too often! I didn't know if I'd ever see them again. My wanting to absorb every detail of the rides included the "D Ticket" Plaza Swan Boats. 

Walking to the central hub and turning right, it was easy to find the pathway in the gardens between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. A small covered pavilion in front of the dock announced my arrival. 

The 1973 map of Adventureland shows the route of the Swan Boats.

Moving in a clockwise direction, our boats took us first from Main Street U.S.A.  past the Crystal Palace restaurant into Adventureland and around the Swiss Family Treehouse island. In my recollection, the boats were the same size and capacity as those used on the Jungle Cruise. 

Being on any water in Florida is great- and Disney boat rides of all themes and types are among my favorite attractions. Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World and Mark Twain to Gran Fiesta Tour and Nav'i River Journey to the defunct Discovery River Boats, there's just something about being waterborne that I love. (And it is something missing from both California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios that would add so much charm to these parks!)

Sailing at a level lower than the pathways at the Magic Kingdom gave a whole new perspective to the place. With the Skyway above, the Main Street vehicles at ground level, and the Swan Boats sailing on the lowest level, there were unique views everywhere... and great people watching! (This was even better when the PeopleMover / Tomorrowland Transit Authority arrived.) Moving past the Crystal Palace and into Adventureland brought a sense of the unexpected as jungle noises could be heard and the sounds of tropical music. 

Heading toward Liberty Square, we passed under its entrance bridge as we approached the castle. As I remember, the pace was expectedly slow, the on board narrative was largely uninteresting, but the opportunity to take in the sights and get a taste of different lands made it worth my time. It's these smaller attractions that bring a sense of style to the Disney parks that is not found at Universal or Six Flags.  From there, a short cruise under the castle drawbridge led us back to our starting point.

When it was no longer an entrance to the boats.

First it was gardens, then it was removed completely.

From the All Ears blog.

By my next visit in 1976, I wasn't that interested in riding them again as I was with a friend, and doing so wouldn't have been "cool". Besides- Space Mountain! Oh, the pressures teenagers face! Soon enough, several years later, the beautiful little boats were gone.

To this day, I cannot understand the removal of attractions such as these! In a park that lacks the capacity it needs, every ride counts, every attraction has its purposes. The Plaza Swan Boats brought atmosphere and appeal to a uniquely lovely Main Street U.S.A. and a touch of elegance. It was also an element that differentiated the Florida kingdom from the California one. Each castle park needs these smaller rides to flesh out the roster and add variety and interest. Like the loss of many other classic Walt Disney World attractions, the Plaza Swan Boats is now a distant memory and a part of history. 

(Additional photos from Widen Your World and RetroWDW.)

Cinco de Mayo Celebration of Epcot's Mexico Showcase

Who doesn't love Cinco de Mayo? And who isn't ready for some margaritas and a nice meal with a festive atmosphere?

At Epcot's Mexico Showcase, the fiesta lasts every day! Ready for opening day, those world famous Disney Imagineers created a beautiful combination of shops and restaurants to complement the lovely El Rio del Tiempo, the attraction found inside the pyramid.  This ride through a Blue Bayou type lagoon unfolds the story of Mexican culture through music and dance. 

Before we get to that, let's talk about where to eat. From my last visit, it boiled down to two choices. One with great food and an average environment, and one with awful food but a spectacular only as Disney can do setting.

Just opposite this pyramid is the restaurant with amazing food: La Hacienda. It may even have the best food in all of Epcot, and it earned deservedly rave reviews from everyone in our group, kids, parents, and grandparents. That's saying something as our state offers some of the best Mexican food in the country.

The other restaurant of notice is inside the pyramid: San Angel Restaurant. One of our early favorites when EPCOT Center opened, but one with now some of the worst food at the park, albeit with a mesmerizing environment. Can't have both here. What would you choose?

Now back to our story of the Imagineers and their vision for the Mexico showcase. They dreamed up a great concept with some wonderful art to support it. 

The concept art reveals their thoughtful undertaking. To capture a country as vibrant and varied as Mexico, they involved local artists in their work. Doing so brought an authenticity to the Disney theme park- even if it is a fanciful dream-like version of everyone's favorite ideas of what the nation actually comprises. 

Approaching the imposing temple sitting alongside the World Showcase lagoon, we see the Imagineers first give us a museum like space devoted to bringing us a small sampling of crafts from local artists. But once we go deeper inside, a surprise awaits!

The Walt Disney World experience is all the more rich because of the vision of the park's creators, and its execution. Just about anyone can build rides, but EPCOT Center was meant to educate as well as entertain. In the early days, long before the inclusion of animated characters, the pavilion's adventures had to stand on their own. And they did. 

Let's go back in time to opening day and step inside to discover the treasures of Mexico. A beautiful plaza calls to us with so much to discover. Moving past the small shops around the colonial plaza, we find yet another temple and a small lagoon.

Going deeper still, we step aboard our small boat, cruising on the moonlit waterway into a smaller but still imposing illuminated structure.  Ancient statuary sits beside it with a singular hut found off to the right. Our adventure begins!

No spoilers here about the ride itself, but instead some concept art (above and below) for the village within the plaza show us the night is alive with music and food!

The plaza sparkles in the moonlight, beckoning us to partake of its pleasures! Time for shopping. Perhaps a meal but certainly there's time for music! Yet, the other countries of World Showcase are waiting for us, making EPCOT Center a full two day park if you include the adventures of Future World. Where to go next?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photos copyright the author.)