I Just Don't Care Anymore

Sometimes people just don't want to help themselves. Fine. It goes along perfectly with the book I'll never write? "You Can't Make Anyone Do Anything". End of rant.

Fresh Concept Art for Marvel's Avengers Campus at the Walt Disney Studios Paris

It's Captain America and the facade of the reskinned Rock N Rollercoaster, Avengers Assemble Flight Force! They are the focus of this brand new concept art for Marvel's Avengers Campus at the Walt Disney Studios Paris. Opening this summer, it's the next step in the transformation of the park that made the dismal Disney California Adventure 1.0 look like an Imagineering masterpiece. Hopefully, it's great- and here at the Disneyland Paris Resort, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (or its supposed new name, Spider-Man WEB Adventure) does not have to compete with the popular Toy Story (Midway) Mania. Now, bring on the next phase with that grand centerpiece lake and Frozen and Star Wars attractions! Thanks to the DLP Report for this piece.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Second Renaissance for California Adventure

Do you want to know what's next for Disney California Adventure? With the D23 convention coming up in August, and Disneyland's 70th anniversary on the horizon, it will take more than relative quiet about the DisneyForward project to keep us fans speculating on the future of Walt's park and its now legal age sibling.   

Concept art or otherwise, it's been awhile since I've written anything about Disney California Adventure. The constant Marvel character infusion into Avengers Campus is of little interest to me nor is the newest attraction, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout is old news, and I don't see anything on the immediate horizon of interest. However...

Way back in 2008, I rote a very, very long post about the park and its quite unfortunate Bargain Basement Imagineering. Readers loved it as it showed in visual form the stories behind the park and pieces of art for each attraction. But I'd never seen the piece above. From the beautiful Grizzly Peak and Soarin' Over California - the park's two success stories- to the dismal Bountiful Valley Farm (Tractors as an attraction?) and the shopping mall entry, it's all there to see. Certainly, it was an insult to us fans sitting next to Disneyland. Yet, months later, Japan would get Tokyo Disneysea. That was an even bigger insult.

Thankfully, new CEO Robert Iger admitted Michael Eisner made a huge mistake  by greenlighting the park as designed and announced a sure to be fabulous makeover of Anaheim's laughing stock theme park. Soon after another article came out by me: Imagineering A New Dream, a collection of new art and new stories. 

After a great beginning with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, the park began to slide into its opening years plan as many additions to it were actual subtractions.  Pixar Pier is the worst of the offenders.

Will there ever be a third collection highlighting a fresh infusion of creativity, focus, and cash for the park that sits next door to Walt's Kingdom? Or will DisneyForward kill that dream?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company)

New Iron Man Coaster Graphics for Walt Disney Studios Paris

Avengers Campus at the second park at Disneyland Paris Resort will take the old Rock n Rollercoaster and turn it into an Iron Man themed attraction. Thanks for a couple of very generous folks, we now have a first look at some interesting concept art.

From a group called "Sequoia Gang" comes these images shared by WDWMagic boards user "montydysquith-navarro". The top image shows the queue for the attraction and what looks like an actual Audio-Animatronic. The image below reveals the 3D rendering of the same area. 

Is it possible that after the choice to use filmed images of Spider-Man / Peter Parker for California Adventure's new WEB Slingers- A Spider-Man Adventure, the Imagineers decided to up their presentation a bit? I mean, let's be real, Walt Disney Studios Paris is a very underwhelming park- at least for now. This could be a step in the right direction. Let's hope so!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Hello, It's Me

Just like the old photo, there may be a smile on my face, but I'm actually very uninspired. This is probably the reason that my most recent blog posts have been few or short or even to my mind, rather bland.

In other words, it's just like California Adventure's new Avengers Campus! There's few reasons to visit, short on exciting attractions, and overall, so bland compared to what could have been done with such an iconic series of comics, television shows, and movies from the Marvel family. WEB SLINGERS- A Spider-Man Adventure is a new low for what the Disney company is promoting as a major attraction. 

So far, I'm unimpressed by most of the changes I'm seeing in Epcot. The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are stagnant -and maybe that's a good thing! Imagineering seems to be entering a strange phase under the leadership of Bob Chapek and the effects of COVID-19. But you can only blame that for so long. In other words, Disney is not inspiring many posts when my love of their theme parks is the main reason I am a fan. Even the Star Wars inspired Imagineering book sits on my shelf and is 100% wrapped in plastic. Not even opened. 

Television is rather blah, music seems uninteresting (I'm not listening to much of anything these days), and travel is still mostly of limits.

On the plus side, I'm thrilled about some upcoming nuptials in the family and the promise of the future and all that brings. I'm encouraged in what God is doing in me, happy to see changes and growth in our church, and blessed so much to be able to see friends and family in more relaxed surroundings. I'm watching God draw people to Himself in ways I never thought that would happen.

So, Hello, It's Me. I just wanted to check in. Thanks to Adele for letting me steal her opening lyrics.

Port Disney Leads to Tokyo Disneysea Success and California Adventure Failure

And you thought Avengers Campus was lacking in ambition and execution! Take a look at the piece of concept art used to sell Port Disney to the city of Long Beach. Toss in the extravagance of EPCOT Center with a nautical theme, and you get a blockbuster Disney theme park. Or so it seems...

The grand entry.

In actuality, this was a well designed ploy by Michael Eisner to get the city of Anaheim to pony up big cash for what folks thought would be WESTCOT Center. But it was a true bait and switch. 

The second Disneyland Resort theme park would instead be the very underwhelming Disney California Adventure 1.0- a total flop creatively and financially. It would take another billion or so to transform it from the laughing stock of the theme park world to something vaguely resembling a Disney park- if only later to begin reverting to tacky and "hip and edgy".

In the meantime, quietly opening (at least to US Disney park fans) several months later in 2001 would be the grandest of all parks, Tokyo Disneysea in Japan. That park only gets better over time. And it is a consistent money maker from day one. 

You don't believe that California Adventure was once the bastion of what I call Bargain Basement Imagineering? Check out this look at DCA over its 20 year history and my very popular series, and view the concept art that formed the foundation of the park. It makes Spider-Man's WEB Slingers look like a masterpiece!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Avengers Campus Falls Flat

How do you take Marvel, one of the most successful of all movie franchises, and turn it into failure? Open Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure with a slightly improved Toy Story Mania as your main draw.  WEB Slingers- A Spider-Man Adventure should be so much more than it is. But this is Imagineering of the 2020's and certainly not work found under the original first generation or the often equally talented second generation. Shops and restaurants play a big part here where they should take on a supporting role. 

Viewing the Disney Parks Blog live stream of the grand opening, it is easy to see the Imagineers were hamstrung by the budgets and the direction given from the suits, and the enthusiasm for the new land was as manufactured as could be. Until grander plans come to fruition, Avengers Campus will be for die hard fans and little kids used to Saturday morning cartoons. So much potential wasted.

Will Hong Kong Disneyland Be the True Center of the Marvel Universe?

A little research doesn't bring the most satisfying information. Marvel additions to the Disney theme parks seems like the brand will experience its own withdrawal in spite of the billion dollar plus sales of Avengers: Endgame. 

Let's be honest here: No one seems all that thrilled with what's happening at California Adventure. The epic Spider-Man being reduced to a shooter game a la Midway Mania with similar plans for the same attraction at the struggling Walt Disney Studios Paris? The redo of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into a Guardians of the Galaxy ride? 

Sure, it's fun, but one day soon, somebody at the Disney headquarters is going to have to breakout and come up with an exciting, fresh, and powerful concept for a new attraction that's worthy of the Marvel name. This is not it. The real Imagineers can do it if given the right budget and space. Unless that means Hollywoodland goes away soon to provide more breathing room, as far as it looks now, California won't be the Marvel headquarters the company would like fans to think it will. Star Wars, yes. Marvel, no.

Walt Disney Studios Paris? Well, an Iron Man redo of Rock n Rollercoaster is a start, but again, it's only a cheap and easy way to slide him into place in a struggling park. (Plans for the exterior have already been leaked. Unimpressive. The above image of the Parisian Marvel coaster, by the way, comes from Jake Sully at Disney Central Plaza Forum.) What comes afterwards will be more telling, and it had better be compelling.

This leaves poor little Hong Kong Disneyland. Starting with the Iron Man Experience and now the long titled Ant Man adventure, this Chinese park could be the little park that could make it the true place to go for great Marvel themed adventures. Yes, it is a simple revisioning of Star Tours technology and the Buzz Lightyear attraction, the latter a misfire it seems, but just maybe that new mega coaster in 2022 (or later) could kickstart the whole thing. Is a unified land even possible? The answer is unknown. Perhaps after a newly redesigned castle and a Frozen land, things will look up there.

Not always, but sometimes, bigger is better. Think bigger and better, Disney suits! Marvel fans are expecting something worthy of the brand, and what you're currently planning is not it.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Prediction: Disney's Flying Robots Bring Spider-Man to Life

Why in the world would I think that we'll see this? Listen to this quote from Marvel project lead  Disney Imagineer Scot Drake: 

"I’m personally most excited to see Spider-Man swinging through these lands in a new suit that you can see now at Walt Disney Studios Park, soon at Disney California Adventure park, and at other locations in the future. "

Brings to mind this video from about 8 months ago or so. What do you think?

Starting a Civil War

The latest preview for Captain America : Civil War is out, and it's a great one!

Chris Evans rocks as Captain America.

As to be expected, an international crisis arises, and our Marvel superhero team ends up taking sides, one against another. Robert Downey Jr.'s arrogant Iron Man against Chris Evans' sometimes innocently naive Captain America. 

Spider-Man even comes out to play, making it all so convenient for the reboot of that storyline to kick into high gear. I'll pass on Thor and any film based on the other members, but Captain America? No way.

(Photographs and video copyright Marvel and Disney.)

Retro California Adventure: Lessons to Be Learned

An amazing concept! A great big beautiful new Disney attraction that allows guests to view tractors and other farming equipment. The centerpiece of Bountiful Valley Farm, a district of a district in the new California Adventure theme park that debuted in 2001.

As the Disney world knows, the park opened with much fanfare and little substance, falling flat on its face. Deservedly so. Disney CEO Michael Eisner approved the new and much less expensive park (with Robert Iger also behind it) to replace the once planned Westcot, a new and improved take on Epcot. Aside from Soarin' Over California, the park was woefully short of E Ticket attractions and long on buildings with exposed steel, retread films from Disney parks in Florida, and expensive dining options. The public was not fooled. It was Bargain Basement Imagineering at its best / worst. (By the way, that link is a great series of posts on the artwork and misguided thinking regarding the formation and execution of the park. Check it out.)

California Adventure 2.0, however, is a huge success due to its ugly sister makeover. Cars Land is oh so fine with Radiator Springs Racers being the new must-do attraction for everyone. Buena Vista Street gives the park just the right introduction. The new addition of Grizzly Peak Airfield- replacing Condor Flats- is just beautiful. 

So why bring up the failure of the park at opening now? It's a reminder to fans and Disney suits of a few things:

DCA Phase Two includes this!

1- Phase Two for the park has not been completed as internally proposed. Hollywood Land still looks very cheap, even if it holds some pretty good attractions. Paradise Pier looks better, but it still has too may iron carnival rides along with empty spaces waiting for expansion. (And it just screams for a new version of Mystic Manor, doesn't it?) Screaming' needs a paint job, too, by the way, and finish the proposed improvements on Ariel's attraction please.

2- Spider-Man and other Marvel characters will be on their way to the park- the proposed Marvel area expansion behind Tower of Terror is still a "go, even if unannounced. (You can't "show up" the announcement of Star Wars Land.) Whatever you build, just make it excellent, and at least try to keep it in theme with the rest of the park. Especially since we are still light years away from a third Anaheim park, particularly with the Company's two biggest, strongest, creative acquisitions soon represented in each of its parks.

3- Disneyland continues to be mobbed almost year round now, and California Adventure is on its way. Both need new attractions, but a fleshed out second park will help spread the crowds out even more. As it stands now, DCA is better than Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida and on its way to top Animal Kingdom- even Epcot, which is stagnating to death and on life support because of the Booze Festival. The one-two punch of two excellent parks will make the Disneyland Resort a worthy contender for even more guests. And more money in the pockets of investors.

4- Harry Potter is coming to Universal Hollywood. It's a brave new world, and the competition is playing your game in California, Disney. Continue to step it up beyond Star Wars Land and the inevitable Frozen attractions to come. 20 years between E Tickets at Walt's park? There's no excuse.

5- Beyond California, think about the state of Walt Disney World and give some much needed love to Epcot and beyond. The 50th is on its way, and a new Imagination attraction with Figment and Dreamfinder would be fine, as would a truly first class attraction for Frontierland. But that may be wishful thinking. It's been almost seven years since I've been to the World. There's a lot of folks like me who won't return for awhile and instead are giving their money to Universal. Think about it- but not for too long! There's work to do.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Indiana Jones Rocks While Spider-Man Swings

Among theme park enthusiasts, professionals and fans alike, an ongoing debate concerns Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure versus Universals' Islands of Adventure and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Which is truly superior and state of the art? (At least this is the debate until Harry Potter's attraction opens featuring the use of the kuka arm technology!)

Both attractions are absolutely stunning! Indy's wow factor begins at its magnificent entrance, whereas Spider-Man's cardboard building belies the incredible journey within. Once on board the vehicles, however, things even out pretty well- and the choice of superiority is mostly based on which fictional character and story seems to reasonate best with the rider.

Disney has let the effects inside Indy default to a poor state, and the advertised endless possible combinations of show has gone by the wayside. Islands of Adventure is also in a poor state. Universal has let the entire park become faded and full of broken effects- although I am hoping things get a quick refreshing before Harry Potter makes his debut.

In many ways, Potter's presence is a restart of the park just as California Adventure 2.0 gives the Disney suits one last chance to convince us that the second gate in Anaheim is worth the money that could be spent to go to its older sibling. Both companies get one last chance to do it right.

I'll say this much: should "Potterland" deserve its accolades and the entire park gets in full working order, I could be passing by another day at a Disney park for one at Islands of Adventure. Disney's Animal Kingdom needs something new to pull me in, and the Disney's Hollywood Studios just need help with some fresh shows to replace the old and new attractions beyond the ones currently there. In this household, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom are still bread and butter for each visit.

Now, should Indy eventually make his way to Florida in a new adventure, I'd just have to give up Harry and his wizards to see it!
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company and Universal Creative, respectively.)

Toe to Toe: Disney World vs. Islands of Adventure

Editor's Note: With Harry Potter soon to open at Islands of Adventure- and while I am preparing some new articles for 2010, I thought it would be great to repost my very detailed trip report to Universal Orlando. Enjoy!

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It was the kind of year any theme park fan would envy. I had the summer off, and as it was to play out, it lined up perfectly with our 25th wedding anniversary trip. My wife and I had saved for a decade to celebrate with a three week journey to Europe. Our itinerary covered five countries and included a two day stop at the Disneyland Paris Resort for a visit to both parks. The whole trip was terrific. A wonderful and memorable time. Certainly the highlight of the summer.

My wife had a surprise waiting for me upon our return. Well aware I would never again have a sabbatical from work, she did a bit of saving on her own and surprised me with an end-of-summer trip to Orlando. Besides being quite the bargain, the timing was right, as she had to return to her teaching job, so I would have been sitting at home alone with a yardful of weeds waiting for me. Here was this Disney die-hard's once in a lifetime opportunity to indulge in some geekiness and check out all the detail I might miss on earlier family vacations.

Taking our kids on vacation, Disney or otherwise has always been great fun- full of memory building events they talk about to this day. Being at the top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset, viewing wild animals and glaciers in Alaska, seeing the breathtaking Butchart Gardens in Victoria, cable car rides in San Francisco, touring the White House, and many, many more. Additionally, my wife and I do a good portion of "second honeymooning". Now, I won't lie. We are not rich, but God has blessed us with the ability to do a lot of traveling in the midst of raising four kids and trying to help others less fortunate. Amazingly cheap introductory flights, generous parents, friends "in the business", special deals, etc. have all been a blessing.

This trip would be one for me to do as I pleased, allowing an opportunity to do some things I would not have done with the family. (Or wouldn't put them through!) After much thought about what I really wanted to do, I chose to enjoy two days on the beach, one at Epcot, and one at Animal Kingdom. Because of school schedules and prices, our family visits to Walt Disney World never really left us time or money to go to Universal. Plus, we had been to the Studios in California. 

However, once it had opened, I had to check out Islands of Adventure. That was a must do on my list, particularly to experience The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, which had become a fan favorite, even drawing comparisons to Indiana Jones Adventure. Since my departure back home was scheduled for very late in the day, I chose to spend my last morning until late afternoon at Islands of Adventure.

I won't cover my Disney or beach days here, but I'll focus on my day at my final park instead. Leaving the hotel bright and early, I arrived at the parking garage about half an hour before opening time. The crowds were fairly light, and the walk was lengthy from the garage to City Walk. At one end was my destination for the day, and at the other Universal Studios Orlando. Although I briefly considered changing parks, I realized most of the Studios attractions could be found in California, so I stuck to my plan. Besides, I couldn't miss my one chance for Spider-Man! Walking up to the gates and passing the iconic lighthouse, I was dumbstruck by the detail I saw inside.



This really surprised me, and my anticipation for the rest of the park grew as I waited for the gates to open. What I felt was a good reminder of some facts from Theme Park Design 101: The entry area sets the stage for guest expectations and draws visitors in. I truly wondered how many people, pondering the choice of which park to enter, walked over to Islands and immediately made their decision based on the designer's marvelous work. Wow, totally unexpected and wonderfully crafted. (Note to the Imagineers redoing California Adventure: you've got one last chance, so make sure you do it right this time.)

My photos may be a little out of order here, but my memory of what I did next is clear. Once I could figure out exactly where to store my things, I headed right for The Hulk coaster. The line was light as the morning was young.

Time for a confession here. I like coasters, really do. But I am not an extreme thrills kind of guy, so the new ones at places like Six Flags Magic Mountain and Cedar Point are not ones you will find me riding. Yet, I had to do Hulk, just once and just for the views I knew I would get. Mission accomplished, and it was quite fun!

Still on a Hulk rush, I walked down Marvel Super Hero Island's main street, thinking "Not too bad, Universal, not too bad at all." Being so impressed with the Port of Entry, I looked for more details. Big mistake. Then I began noticing the painted flats, how easily I could see backstage, assorted areas where the large photo images were peeling off, and lots of faded paint. This was a consistent vision throughout the park. No boats were visible to bring visitors from island to island, giving the place a very unexpected stillness. When I finally reached Spider-Man, I forgot all about all the disappointing pieces. I was ready to rock!

Right to the point, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this attraction! It alone was worth the money spent to visit the park. The queue was great at setting the story, and the ride itself really lived up to its title. Won't fill this paragraph with any spoilers, but I will say I rode it three times in a row. Each trip, I discovered new things and still walked off asking myself how they pulled it all off. It is Universal's answer to Indiana Jones. An amazing adventure indeed! Is it better? That's up for you to decide.

After a few major plusses in a row, I was really ready to embrace this park as a Disney quality experience. Then I went into Toon Lagoon. Here my thoughts of equality were dashed as the poor upkeep I'd seen earlier was even worse here. Coming right off Super Hero Island, you'd think Universal would give us a change in environment, but the cutouts and cartoon characters felt too similar and created a bit of boredom. They really didn't change much, only the attractions were different. Wetter. Way wetter, and not in a good way.

Popeye and Blutos Barges was my first experience in getting 100% drenched on any theme park's attraction. I had been forwarned, so I wore a quick dry pair of shorts as if I was headed to a water park. So did many other folks, and I saw many women in bikini tops! It was a good thing I was prepared for a soaking, as Universal's designers went for minimal theming and lots of cheap shots here. It was a fun and appropriately rough course, but it felt as if theme was an afterthought.

I expected much more from the other drencher in this area- Duddley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls. The folks touting Universal's superiority over Disney say this is their Splash Mountain. Definitely similar on the thrill meter, but absolutely no charm and sorely lacking on the maintenance. I have never seen any ride at any park in such poor condition! This went beyond needing new paint. Props were not only inoperable, they were left visibly broken with the mechanisms exposed for all to see. No attempt to hide anything. Very poor show. Thankfully, I knew Jurassic Park was around the bend, and I was excited to see it.

Oh, the power of the movies! Just seeing the entrance arch made my pulse race a bit!

After having just seen Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, it was very difficult to walk into this area at Islands of Adventure without making an immediate comparsion between the two. The verdict? In terms of atmosphere alone, Universal wins this round with a knockout. Jurassic Park is appropriately lush and gorgeous. Details abound that are true to the films. The Discovery Center sits at the center of the park, drawing in the eye. Between the entrance arch and the center, however, is a wonderfully themed children's area, Camp Jurassic.

The signature attraction here at the camp is Pteranodon Flyers, a very short flight high above the area. It is fun to watch- bringing some movement to the area- but impossible to ride without a child joining you, so I was out of luck. The camp itself is a smaller dinosaur focused version of Tom Sawyer's Island. Very well done and worth a visit just to take some terrific photos. The waterfalls and vegetation make this a relaxing spot to stop and enjoy your immersive surroundings.



The famous River Adventure was next. Although the surroundings are better than what Universal could have possibly accomplished in Los Angeles, so many effects were broken, ultimately ruining what should have been their centerpiece attraction. At one point, one of the major dinosaurs had its "skin" ripped off, clearly revealing the metal parts underneath it. This was in full view of the riders as we looked directly at them. The falling jeep effect was not working, the smaller dinosaurs were not spitting, and some were not even moving. The giant at the end worked just fine, however, sending our boat off with a roar before we went over the falls. All the wonderful effects may not be working at Disney's Countdown to Extinction, (I hate the generic Dinosaur), but at least everything is in the dark, and the carnotaurus is not exposing his insides to reveal he is, in fact, just a robot.

The Discovery Center was an additional disappointment as none of the major exhibits were working and a large section of the inside was actually just a cafe. I wandered around in a mostly empty building without an employee in sight.

Ultimately, at first glance, Jurassic Park feels much richer than its Animal Kingdom cousin, but the attractions pale in comparison. What Jurassic promises, it does not deliver. Although Disney presents a much odder storyline in Dinoland U.S.A. and Chester and Hester's Dinorama carnival in particular, it does make good on its delivery, as quirky and cheap as it feels.

Next island up as I traveled clockwise was Lost Continent. Certainly, the most visually impressive island here as well as the one with some eye-popping attractions: Dueling Dragons coaster, Eighth Voyage of Sinbad stunt show, and the incredible mutlimedia guided "funhouse" walk-through, Poseidon's Fury.

We who follow Disney park lore (too) closely are familiar with the true story of ex-Disney Imagineers heading over to Universal and designing the Dueling Dragons coaster, and in essence "stealing" the primary reason for Beastly Kingdom to exist. The designer's impact is profound- at least in the queue. It is richly detailed and successfully draws you into the castle and its story. The buildup is similar to what we experience in the Orlando version of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and its lush but abandonded gardens. Unfortunately, budgets must get axed at Universal as well, as both coasters are entirely outdoors aside from the station. No theming, no continuation of story, nothing. But what fun coasters they are! Both the Fire and Ice sides are worth a spin.
Even better is the Poseidon's Fury walk through attraction. No spoilers here, but I must say it is really well done. Go see it! The awful downside is an extremely long wait time, mishandled queuing directions by the operators, and a holding area that is both dark and in some places quite "scented". I almost left several times during my near one hour wait, but I am glad I did not.

Before I continue this report with a bit about Seuss Landing and a conclusionary wrap up, let me say that I ate lunch at the Enchanted Oak Tavern in this section of the park. Definitely great theme park food- and just very good food compared to the real world. Terrific ribs, salads, and breads. Slightly on the expensive side but worth every penny. I have had many more mediocre meals at Epcot! Sitting on the adjacent outdoor patio overlooking the lake made it a relaxing and all around pleasant dining experience.


Being a big kid at heart, I saved Seuss Landing for last. It's quite a jolting visual experience going from the Mediterrean feel of Lost Continent into the rainbow world of Dr. Seuss. The one dark ride, Cat in the Hat, was a major disappointment after a 45 minute wait in line. This was supposedly the Peter Pan's Flight of Island's of Adventure, and this part of the park is certainly Universal's answer to Disney's Toontown. In reality, Cat in the Hat reminded me more of the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Pick California or Florida, either one. Nothing great. The rest of the Landing, however, is very appealing with a great carousel and very immersive, colorful  environment. I snapped these last few photos and quickly rushed out of the park to reach the airport for my flight home. Definitely a fun day. The visit quenched my curiosity, and I was glad I had taken time out of my trip to visit.

As I left the park, the comparisons between Disney and Universal spun around in my head. Feeling I had visited each company's premier Florida parks gave me a fairly objective perspective. There were winners and losers on both sides in this contest.

Islands of Adventure is extremely engaging for folks looking for thrills. If you love Six Flags style parks, this is the closest you will get to one in Orlando- with a bit of Disneyesque style and magic thrown in. You have to be able to overlook poor maintenance, seeing backstage areas, and a lot of painted plywood cutouts. You'll love the place if you can. The employees are pleasant, the food ranged from to be expected to great. Spider-Man is a must see. Jurassic Park the island, but not the attractions, is what Disney's Dinoland U.S.A. should have been. No one knows at this point how well their plans for Harry Potter will turn out, but Lost Continent is a winner nonetheless.

As for me, I am hoping Universal's Potter declares war on Disney and makes each company attempt to outdo the other. The fans win. With the right mix of new attractions and a good polishing of the park, I will probably return in the future. But Universal has to win me over because Disneyland in California is still the standard they need to beat. I'm not sure if anyone can, but I'd love to see someone besides the Japanese try.
(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)