Even More Shanghai Art: Alice, Dumbo, Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, and the Hunney Pots

Well, the pieces of amazing Shanghai Disneyland concept art just keep coming! As you can tell from the art above, the Alice in Wonderland maze is in fact based on the Tim Burton version of the film. Should be very interesting if not bizarre!

The elegant little building above is for Pooh's Hunney Pot Spin, an updated version of the famous Mad Tea Party. If you blow this up by clicking on it (as with all images), you'll find Pooh himself on top with his little blue balloon. Should be fun for everyone. When you throw in the Pooh dark ride, a shops or two and a spot to eat, you've got a little Pooh corner, similar in execution to the mini-Wonderland built at Disneyland in Anheim.

And last (for now!) but not least, here's Dumbo the Flying Elephant. You won't find him in Fantasyland proper, but instead you can fly with him by boarding in the Character Gardens.

Here's a nice look at the Wandering Moon Tea House, which seems to be placed where you would see the Plaza Inn or the Crystal Palace right off the hub. Chinese in style and very elegant and lovely.

The interior of this restaurant looks equally impressive- and you certainly cannot beat the view from these windows as you dine.

 To the right of the image above, you can see the boarding area for the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, one of Shanghai Disneyland's signature attractions. It will certainly add a nice lagoon of water to Fantasyland, something that is seriously missing in the Stateside parks.

Here's a closer look at the station along with one of the boats guest will board. It should provide a pleasant journey through the land as its shares Disney stories loved around the world.

Lastly, Mulan appears as part of the scenery for the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, a Storybookland Canal Boats of sorts, designed to familiarize the Chinese guests with classic Disney animated tales.

There's more to come...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Not My Cup of Tea

While certainly not my cup of tea, I am mildly curious to see California Adventure's Mad T Party for myself this fall. I am a fan of the classic Alice in Wonderland movie. Love the Disneyland attraction even more!  Not so much a fan of Johnny Depp's and Tim Burton's work on this Lewis Carroll classic. But, as I said, if it is part of the revamp of California Adventure, I may just have to see it for myself. That is if I can tear myself away from Buena Vista Street, Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dark Shadows Ahead and a Johnny Depp Theme Park

Gotta hand it to Tim Burton. This time, I think he has found the perfect vehicle for Johnny Depp. A big screen remake of the 70's television hit Dark Shadows matches actor with creep factor perfectly- in contrast to the unfortunate choice of vehicle and character by redoing Alice in Wonderland.

It's hit or miss with Burton, no in between. This one smells like a hit. Johnny's Barnabas Collins could be as iconic as Jack Sparrow. Seems to be the perfect blend of campiness and serious plot in a decidedly otherworldly adventure. Makes me think of Pirates of the Caribbean in a strange sort of way. Is it time for a Johnny Depp movie theme park?

A Mad T Party, You Say?

In the old days, a Mad T Party was a Mad Tea Party! And there was no better place to capture it all than by taking a visit to Disneyland's Fantasyland! Here is a rare rending from Walt Disney Imagineering of the Alice in Wonderland attraction. This nice slice shows a few show scenes and a particularly good look at the innovative ride vehicle.

In a couple of months, California Adventure will host outs own Mad T Party, this time focused on the remake of the film made famous by Johnny Depp. I'm sure it will have its charms, but pretty soon, there may not be any childhood classics left to be remade by he and Tim Burton!

Thanks to this amazing Alice based blog for revealing the image. It's called Vintage Disney Alice, and it is truly worth the look!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Special Weekend Update

Hi Everyone! While you are taking the time to answer the poll (to your left), just wanted to keep you updated on some special posts this weekend. Tomorrow, you'll find a little something on our favorite Haunted Mansion. On Monday, there will be a trip report about my latest visit to Disneyland and some dirty little secrets I found while touring the park. Just a few posts prior to this one, you'll find my detailed trip report on the progress at California Adventure. Have a great weekend- and be safe out there!
(Photo copyright Mark Taft.)

Wonderland's Transformation

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is a shocking feast for our eyes. The visuals stun, burn actually, and the storyline is blurred from Lewis Carroll's original literary masterpiece and Walt Disney's movie of the same name.

As expected, Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter commands the screen. He's half Pierrot, the sad clown, and the other the moody Captain Nemo. Our heroine is spunky, determined, and constantly a bit bewildered by all she sees- just like the viewers in our theater. Mia Wasikowska fits this role perfectly.

This Burton film is whimsy for a new generation- one jaded and cynical by life's realities with tiny shreds of good humor, little lightness, and a small glimmer of hope.

Design Detail: Alice's Wonderland

Long before Tim Burton had his hand is redesigning Alice's wonderland, the Disney Imagineers created the first virtual reality experience from the film. Disneyland's little gem of an attraction sports whimsical leaves painted in eye-popping tones, while giant caterpillars wondering who we are takes guests on a fantastic exploration into her world.

As an attraction goes, Alice in Wonderland is not a showstopper in the "E" Ticket tradition of Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion. It is, however, just one of many smaller charms that truly set apart Walt's original park from all those which came after. With detail galore, the end result is something Johnny Depp himself would be proud to call his own.
(Photo copyright Mark Taft.)

Tired of Tim

The man is certainly visionary.

That said, I am just plain tired of the same twisted visual look of his films. From Nightmare Before Christmas to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Corpse Bride and onto Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton's quirky style is becoming a bit boring- a one trick pony. His art used to be surprising but now has become almost cliche. It is unfortunate that his Alice would be predictable before the first images even became accessible! Maybe he should collaborate with someone other than the magnificent Johnny Depp to stretch him- and stretch Johnny as well!

Tim's presence at the Disney parks grabs the crowds but is in danger of being passe as well. The yearly transformation of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion into its Halloween meets Christmas form was once thrilling. Yet, last visit, I found myself sorely missing the attraction in its original Marc Davis and Claude Coats incarnation.

In order to assure his ongoing importance and enduring legacy, it's time for Mr. Tim to return to the drawing boards once again. Bring us something fresh. Bring us something bright, even something cheery. Surprise us and delight us once again.