25 Years of Disney California Adventure? Looking Back at a Disastrous Past

Disney California Adventure park celebrates 25 Years! I was there shortly after opening. By the time I had my first visit, I had seen the reviews and wasn't sure what the actual experience would be like. But how often do you get to go to a brand new Disney theme park? I had to see it with my own eyes. My very wonderful father in law had worked for Kodak, a longtime sponsor of Disneyland, so he wanted to take our family of six to the new park on his dime. Now fully retired, I didn't want him to waste his money, so I told him I would go check it out myself first. Then, if it was worth the cash, I'd happily let him follow through. Thankfully, he trusted my instincts. My youngest daughter who was almost 15 talked me into taking her. Off we went.

The original souvenir map.

I really wasn't expecting to be as shocked as I was. Could it really be as cheap looking as they say? Certainly, Disney CEO Michael Eisner wouldn't build something on par with Six Flags next to the original and perhaps greatest Magic Kingdom!

Opening the park guide map revealed
a small park with cheap carnival attractions and retread films from Walt Disney World.

The night before, I drove off to the Disneyland Resort as it was now known, to buy my ticket and grab a map. Then I could be getting right at the park's gate before opening. 

One of the most creative parts of the park.

 

Seeing the entrance to the park from the Esplanade, I wasn't sure I got what they were going for. Even if the tile work work beautifully done in places, a cheap knockoff of the Golden Gate Bridge just felt out of place. Going in for a closer look, I was even more confused.

Just inside the gates. 

Disney must have scored huge discounts on corrugated metal.

It was everywhere.

Peeking through the park gates, it just screamed fast and cheap. Very un-Disney. What had they done? This tacky area was the one the suits wanted to show as a preview of what the park would hold? Certainly, the suits had lost their minds. What exactly were they smoking in my Colorado mountains when they planned this park to replace of the originally planned Westcot?

I walked in and hoped for the best.

Yes sir, the stores along the Sunshine Plaza entry street looked "hip and trendy" and just like any other theme park- but not a Disney one. Corrugated steel sides, lots of very loud neon and not a bit of warmth and charm.  Clearly the targeted look was something that would appeal to teens going into Hot Topic. Limited audience at best. It had to get better than this, didn't it?

Unfortunately, what I found for myself was true to what I'd read. The park was a reuse of other Disney attractions from Florida, far too many films, and a heavy dose of pure and simple carnival rides. There were only three noteworthy attractions and a whole bunch of "What the Hell were they thinking?" additions. Certainly, the executives had lost their minds. Certainly, the Imagineering team was embarrassed by the end result, and most certainly, the suits were now taking their guests' loyalty for granted. 

Just ahead of the entry was the golden, gilded sun icon including a very nice fountain around it.  I thought the sculpture to be pleasant, but as the landmark icon for the new park, it fell flat.  

The California Zephr. I really did love this being in the park. 

The main drag was no Main Street U.S.A. It was diminutive at best and quickly led guests into an entry into the park's other areas. The surprise to be found was the rather elegant and old school California Zephyr train. It housed another store (naturally), but it also held a clever coffee shop where they roasted the beans on site. Giving the whole entry area a burnt smell that I found either very intriguing or rather distracting  depending on my mood. But I loved the train itself. I even think Walt Disney would have loved it being in the park. Of course, since this was California Adventure, guests couldn't ride it, they could only walk in and make a purchase.

Then president Paul Pressler filled the park with highly detailed shops that reflected his retail preferences. Restaurants were also well themed and even quite expensive. Somehow, the real stars- the attractions themselves- were bare bones and a secondary experience in his eyes. He'd forgotten exactly why guests went to Disney.

The first fully desert themed land in a Disney park.

Straight ahead was Condor Flats and the park's best and centerpiece attraction Soarin' Over California. 

A rather plain but fitting exterior.

As they say, the pickings were slim, but the attraction was (and may still be) the best in the park. At the time, it was the new park's only true "E" Ticket. The Imagineers selected the perfect scenery to represent California, and the ride mechanism couldn't fit the attraction any better. I have to admit I got a little misty eyed flying over the state I grew up in. Nostalgia of a different kind than Disney is normally known for. As far as Disneyland's younger sister park went, it was mostly downhill from there.

GRR, somedays brr...

Moving on and with it warming up a bit, I was ready for a ride on Grizzly River Run. With a beautiful setting, I was expecting another true headliner, but without the expected but never delivered Audio-Animatronics, it's a solid "D Ticket" at best. 

Still a Disney girl deep down.

Tons better than Animal Kingdom's Kali River Rapids, though. A more complete and lengthier experience. 

One of my favorite photographs of the park at opening.

This section of the park is one of its most beautiful areas. It also is the one with the views from the overpriced Grand Californian Resort. As a day visitor, there's still geysers, waterfalls, dense forests and hidden paths to explore.  We then headed into what looked like San Francisco. What a misfire and an insult to the very beautiful city it's supposed to represent.

What the small walkway led to is the worst land in any Disney park ever: "Paradise" Pier.

Was this Disney or did I stumble into some alternate universe?

Just as certainly as the suits had forgotten what a Disney park was all about, the Imagineers had to be sorely embarrassed by what they were allowed to build. Barry Braverman was over the project. The great Tim Delaney, who had done such incredible work for EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris was put in charge of the new park's carnival themed land, so he had to make the best of a bad decision. Fortunately, the faux wooden coaster that defined the land, California Screamin', was a hit due to his great engineering. To make matters even worse, they were placed front and center to promote their work in Disney promotional pieces. 

New lows in Imagineering design!

There seemed to be a sale on vinyl as well.

What I found for myself was true to what I'd read. The park was a reuse of other Disney attractions from Florida, far too many films, and a heavy dose of pure and simple carnival rides. There were only three noteworthy attractions and a whole bunch of "What the Hell were they thinking?" additions. Certainly, the executives had lost their minds. Certainly, the Imagineering team was embarrassed by the end result, and most certainly, the suits were now taking their guests' loyalty for granted. 

Aside from a wide range of flat rides, there was a row of cheap looking carnival games and the park's greater thrill ride, California Screamin'. And what a great, smooth, coaster it is! It's not really unthemed because of where it is placed, but it did take me awhile to get used to everything being exposed. (For the record, the move to Incredicoaster was a downgrade in the overall experience.)

 

A "love letter" to California's farmers.

This structure is now in Paradise Gardens.

(This photo is from a later trip. 

Notice the new theming based on A Bug's Life

 and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background.)

We liked the look of Pacific Wharf, but we were surprised to find it really was just a well themed food court, albeit one with great food. A bakery and tortilla tour masquerading as attractions? Laughable. 

Tile representation of Northern California. 

Next up was The Golden State, the area of the park that was to most strongly represent the culture of California. The main attraction was Golden Dreams, a look at its history. This was another place where the budget for the park was cut, and it is very obvious to anyone paying attention. The presentation was originally to elements similar to the American Adventure at Epcot, but instead ended up being a glorified film. It wasn't a bad show, but without the Audio-Animatronics to ground it, the attraction certainly wasn't even close to repeatable. In addition, if you're not a fan of actress Whoopi Goldberg, you probably won't like she plays the main character. 

Nor will you like that Whoopi appears in not one but two attractions at California Adventure. Where? The Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Retread films, a great animation pavilion, 

a strange stage show, and the worst attraction ever built.

 

Superstar Limo is the strangest attraction to ever be built at a Disney park. It represented everything wrong with California Adventure. Imagine running into Hollywood celebrities with distorted faces while you try to reach a premier where you end up being the star that is celebrated. Whoopi is there as is Tim Allen, Jackie Chan, Cher, Drew Carey and a long list of mainly B list types. It's snarky and full of industry inside jokes if you're part of the messed up Hollywood scene. Thankfully, the attraction was short-lived due to the fact it became the laughing stock of themed attractions as did the newest Disney park itself.

 

What did we see that we liked in this weird little park? Well, Eureka was truly a great parade. Puppets, performers on trampolines and roller skates and pogo sticks, made it a high energy presentation we really enjoyed. Almost Epcot like. Well almost. Only the oh-so-trendy theme song revealed what the park really wanted to be, and frankly, that was something that we just did not like. The Animation area was very well done, but a great mid-level attraction is not enough. I particularly enjoyed the Seasons of the Vine film. 

My daughter's assessment proved how well she understood the art of Imagineering: "It's like they forgot what made Disneyland great in the first place!" I could not have said it any better.

DCA 1.0 was a dinosaur soon to be extinct.

Dinosaur Jack's Glasses of Distinction, actually.

We left the park after about 4 hours, and even that included a leisurely lunch. We went to Guests Services to explain our disappointment in paying a full price for a cheapened experience. We were not expecting what happened next. Without us asking, we were offered tickets to Disneyland free of charge for the rest of the day. We jumped on it. I'd find out later this was the standard offer for other guests expressing their displeasure. 

We went home after visiting Disneyland, so thankful that the original and best Imagineers had designed the place under Walt's leadership. My father in law was glad I had him hold off, saving him time and money.

My daughter and I told our tales of California Adventure, but it led to a surprise: My ten year old son was now certain he had to visit the park!

WHAT??

 
What a difference a few days and a few years can make. 

As a ten year old boy, his thoughts on the park were vastly different. Very different likes and perspective than his sister. In fact, he loved the place. LOVED it.

We got there about a half hour before opening. At the time the gates opened, we were ready to go. Beginning our day with Soarin', it was a huge hit, and it still was with me. Then, time for a snack. Really, just coffee for me, and you can guess where we went. That beautiful little train was calling me. Next up was It's Tough to Be a Bug. Another hit. It seemed like it didn't fit the park in my mind, but for my son, it was just a fun film. No winery and no Seasons film because the thrills of Paradise Pier lured him in. On to the carnival! All the rides there were just taken in excitedly as part of the vibe. A huge serving of soft swirl ice cream was a must. The now long gone cement dinosaur was cool, very cool in fact. Even the quirky and cheap Mulholland Madness was something he loved. I still thought this part of the park was an ugly waste, but I didn't say so. He was having a great day already.

Grizzly River Run meant two rides in a row and one later that night. Riding in the evening is a whole different, much better experience. We spent some time at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, but we left as he was quickly bored. Lunch was darned good at the Lucky Fortune Cookery.  He even found the Tortilla factory fun. Who doesn't love fresh and hot little cakes of goodness?

From climbing the C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters at the front of the park gates, to getting drenched on Grizzly, to three rides on Screamin' in a row- the last one without me (thank God!) and just about all we did in between, it was very different experience with my son.  

Through his eyes, Eureka was a great parade. From flying cream pies in Muppets to more Bugs, each 3D film made him laugh. Superstar Limo, however, was not his favorite or even funny in his mind, proving even a ten year old can have good taste!

Pluto makes the day fun!

There it was! I had an enlightened thought. California Adventure was a "Ten Year Old Boy Park". He didn't want or care for great theming, layers of detail, or sophistication. He didn't miss the animatronics. He didn't miss the love put into designing the place. He just wanted to have fun. Although I could have just taken him to Knott's Berry Farm, I started to see the park through his eyes. My perspective on the park remained it was far from Disney's best work- perhaps its worst (that was until I saw Walt Disney Studios Paris for myself- but in spite of its shortcomings, we had a great time together. 

It was just what the suits were hoping would happen, but this didn't mean everyone would come. The numbers were dismal, and change was on the horizon even after a couple of high profile additions.

What do I think of the park 25 years later? The addition of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street are fantastic and worthy of the Imagineering name. Since that, the place has unfortunately gone back to its old ways.

I'm not all that interested now. As a theme park fan, I will keep tabs on the place, but it will not get my hard earned money. I haven't returned since 2018. My daughter returned once in 2011. The last group of family that went- including my son who visited when he was ten- all else first timers in 2022, decided the park was not worth the money and not at all close to Disney quality.

Will I go back soon? Only if Coco is great! Otherwise, not until Pandora shows up- and even then, I might delay a visit.
 -----

Want more Disney California Adventure? Here you go!

Bargain Basement Imagineering - 1.0

Bargain Basement Imagineering  - 1.5

Bargain Basement Imagineering (or Back to the Drawing Boards)

Imagineering A New Dream- DCA  2.0 - The 2017 Announcement & Reimagining

California Adventure's Cool Retro Attraction Posters

20 Years of DCA: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Disney's Real California Adventure: The Challenge and the Reputation at Stake

Ten Years of Disney California Adventure

A California Adventure Christmas- and More Dirty Secrets of Disneyland 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. Concept art and maps copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

The Disney You Don't See

In the world of Disney Imagineering, what you don't see is often just as gorgeous and compelling as what eventually makes it beyond the drawing boards. This incredible piece of concept art by Tim Delaney for EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris gives us a glimpse at what the train station could be- something right out of Discoveryland, actually! It's clean slick lines and bell epoque embellishments are the performers fit for a castle park built in a country full or artistic masterpieces. As part of Tony Baxter's creative team for the park's design, Tim instantly "got it", giving the Jules Verne styled Tomorrowland a feel uniquely its own. Even the original Disneyland fell flat in comparison when the suits tried to duplicate its feel for Anaheim without giving it a proper budget and creative direction.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Two Looks at Space Mountain

Consider it another stroke of Imagineering genius that Space Mountain was created at all! Placing a roller coaster inside a building? That was a first for the theme park industry. Theming a coaster? Yes, another Disney first when they Matterhorn Bobsleds roared into Walt's original kingdom.

When it came time to place a version of the beloved attraction into the Jules Verne themed Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris, Tim Delaney came up with a brand new retro look at the future, and he placed it all in a version of the mountain that would soon be recognized as the most beautiful of all. The top piece of concept art shows a more "rocky" environment. The piece above reflects a design much closer to what we got today. And the ride inside is as different from the others as the exterior is from the iconic white cone look.

This attraction has an interesting history! Riding it has become a rite of passage for kids all over the world. Want to dig deeper and discover even more? Take a look here at this extended article which talks about every Disney park with a Space Mountain in intricate detail.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sunny Slice of Paradise Pier

Poor Imagineer Tim Delaney! When you do some research and see his stunning work come to life at Disneyland Paris in this breathtaking Jules Verne inspired Discoveryland, you almost immediately understand how difficult it must have been for him to work on the bare bones, truly awful, carnival known as Paradise Pier. 

Be that as it may, the man did the best he could under the dire circumstances mandated by Michael Eisner and Paul Pressler. (This piece doesn't look like Tim's work. It was a slice of art shown on The Imagineering Story.) 

It was easy to see California Adventure wasn't really designed to complement Disneyland. It was meant to compete with Six Flags' Magic Mountain.  Even at that lower level standard, the park bombed. Robert Iger was right. It was "Brand withdrawal". After years of planning and construction, the park was born again with a gorgeous new Buena Vista Street and Cars Land. Hope bubbled up that the park could be high quality after all. And then it faded away.

California Screamin' is a great coaster, no doubt- even if it's now been given that Incredibles overlay in a revised land named Pixar Pier. An area filled with giant items from the trashcan meant to pass as theming. 

More brand withdrawal and a huge step backwards. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Unrealized Concept Art for Shanghai Disneyland

How's this for a Thursday post? More often than not, those Disney Imagineers create multiple pieces of concept art for takes on attractions and even whole parks that never come to fruition. Such is the case for Shanghai Disneyland, the second Disney park to debut in China. (I'd still love to be able to say "first" Chinese park and have seen Hong Kong remain independent, but I have no say in that.)

Tim Delaney, the very gifted Imagineer, created this alternative entrance to the park. Quite a different approach than a very expected, traditional Main Street U.S.A. or even in this case, Mickey Avenue. Sometimes, change is good- very good- as exemplified by placing the gorgeous Disneyland Hotel and the surrounding gardens at the entrance of the equally stunning Disneyland Paris. Many times, change isn't good- as the history of EPCOT Center will reveal. 

Even in a year with many disappointments at the Disney Parks, one thing is certain. Change will come, and those gifted Imagineers will continue to look at their product in fresh ways!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineering at its Peak

A simple photo of Disneyland Paris' incredible Space Mountain. All of Discoveryland is Imagineering at its peak.

(Photograph copyright Tim Delaney.)

The New and Old Bargain Basement Imagineering at California Adventure

Sometimes you just have to feel for the folks at Imagineering who are given a project that is just doomed for failure. Pixar Pier comes to mind most recently. Often these cheaper less glamorous assignments go to less experienced people. But not always.

Tim Delaney, one of the best of Imagineering's stars, had the unfortunate task of creating Paradise Pier at the highly discounted California Adventure park. With the added burden of having to make it "hip and edgy", Tim set about his work. Ultimately, he was responsible for one of the new park's only successes: California Screamin'. 

So, here you've got a guy responsible for Disneyland Paris' incredible Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, designing a whole land of minimally themed attractions to flesh out a park that was mandated to be "just good enough". No win situation. But back to the concept art. This piece looks as good as can be under these dire directives. Originally named "Surf City", giant versions of California icons will the skyline, with even the Maliboomer taking on the look of giant palm trees.

After the park was received by the press and Disney fans as a resounding failure, plans were finally put into place to make it a bit more classic, a bit more engaging, and a lot more worthy of bearing the name Disney. The process began with the addition of Toy Story Midway Mania which was housed in a beautiful new San Diego inspired building at the Pier. Work on the new design aesthetic culminated in the 2012 opening of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land.

Tim's art made the best of bad directions from top brass.

It was all promptly thrown away at the new demand of bringing Pixar and Marvel into the park at any (but a minimal) expense.

Some considerable investment went into transforming Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, but not for the new Pixar Pier. It's just another version of Bargain Basement Imagineering, something that got California Adventure slammed in the first place. Sounds like the new Marvel area won't be much better.

Apparently, the suits have learned little as they dismantle what little charm they had once built into Disneyland's younger sister. 

Want to see all the concept art that chronicles the history of California Adventure? Look at my Bargain Basement Imagineering series which begins here.

Imagineering Tribute to Robin Williams

The late great Robin Williams. What a talented individual! Here he is as Timekeeper, the title character for the Disney attraction. This really is a beautiful tribute, a lovely Imagineering piece of art by the wonderful Tim Delaney. 

Robin as Timekeeper in poster form.

All this in preparation for the charming Magic Kingdom attraction at Walt Disney World and another version in Disneyland Paris. It certainly took the 360 Circle-Vision film (and time travel) to a new height in presentation.

The Audio-Animatronics version.

There's a soulfulness, a kindness, and a sweet gentleness so perfectly captured in this portrait / concept art. Robin's been gone four years now. I just can't believe it. Thank you, Tim, for your work.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

From Pixar Pier Back to Bargain Basement Imagineering

With the opening of Pixar Pier on its way this weekend, I thought it might be fun to take a look at two pieces of concept art which show the original plan for Paradise Pier. 

Imagineer Tim Delaney was the artist behind this poorly conceived California Adventure project. Tim's a gifted man, but when the suits order "fast, cheap, and similar to Six Flags", if you want a job, you do what's told. 

It's just a piece of the Bargain Basement Imagineering that made Disney's second Anaheim park clearly second class. That popular blog series by that name can be found here- and then the rebirth came.

Finally under Robert Iger's forced hand, the artists were told to go for it and bring Disney class and attention to detail to the park. Imagineering a New Dream tells that story. Go here- and enjoy.

(Yes, Part Two of our Disney World After a Decade comes later in the week...)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Even Ugly Disney Parks Can Have Great Concept Art

Here's proof that even the ugliest of Disney theme parks can have terrific looking concept art. This time, it's not the Walt Disney Studios Paris - still winner of the title- but Disney's California Adventure 1.0 and the much aligned Paradise Pier. 

Given a continually slashed budget and a less than great idea for a theme, Imagineer Tim Delaney did the best he could to portray the Bargain Basement Imagineered park in a positive light. Using dashes of color and plenty of swirling shapes, Tim created a very attractive painting. It's too bad the area of Paradise Pier was more realistically a sign of trying to fool Disney fans into thinking this park was cutting edge work. 

After a solid but not thorough reworking in 2012, this seaside diversion did have much more charm than the original incarnation. Will the transition to Pixar Pier kill that? We'll have to see.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

What Will Save Hong Kong Disneyland? Pirates?

Think Pirates of the Caribbean, and exactly what do you think about? The new film series? The stunning new film based Disney park attraction in Shanghai Disneyland? Did you think about a groundbreaking land full of attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland? I didn't think so.

But the Imagineers did! Here's a great piece of concept art by the very gifted Tim Delaney to show such a place was on the radar for the little park that should have opened grander than it did. 

Was it truly just a bit of Bargain Basement Imagineering that led to the small roster of attractions at opening or was it early planning for Shanghai Disneyland that brought about attraction interruptus? In some ways, it's not beyond imagination to think that there was no way the Chinese government was going to let the former British colony be home to such a grand Magic Kingdom when one should be preeminent in an ancient mainland city.

Regardless of the reason behind it, the beautiful little park is now struggling to survive. Is Disney going to pull a Disneyland Paris here, letting it come to near ruin before they swoop in?  Probably not. The Chinese don't play as nice as the French or the Japanese. Make no mistake however, whether it is Frozen or Marvel or something entirely different, if the park is going to survive, it needs more than just one new unique attraction the quality of Mystic Manor! Perhaps Pirates...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Find An Imagineer

Whether it's the unbuilt Disney's America project (above) or a shining new Shanghai Disneyland, theme park fans seems to love Imagineering art. And why shouldn't we? We'll pour over great renderings of Star Wars Land / Experience or Pandora / World of Avatar looking for insights into the next great Disney park addition. By and large with very few exceptions, the art these Imagineers create art truly beautiful pieces. 

Below, you'll find a list of some Imagineers' websites, those both past and present.  What surprises await you as you explore!  Someday, we'll find a site dedicated to Joe Rohde or Tony Baxter. I'm sure the list will grow, but in the meantime, take a look around the web at the best Imagineering has to offer.

Bob Baranick

Don Carson
Tim Delaney
Hani D. El-Masri
Mark Hickson
John Horny
Maggie Parr
Eddie Sotto
Julie Svendsen

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Blast from the Past at Disney's Pleasure Island

With Disney Springs now a present day reality, I wanted to take a brief look back at Pleasure Island. 

Concept art for the island is very difficult to find!  There are so few pieces that have made it out of Imagineering. This is a scene of the XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome by Tim Delaney. It was only open for a very brief period of time, but it was an idea quite new for Disney. We saw it first in in 1989, when our family was looking for something fun after visiting the all new Disney-MGM Studios.

(Concept Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineer Tim Delaney's DCA Poster

Alright, I'll admit it: It's a pretty ugly day out there today, and I'm doing some California dreaming. That said, I thought it would be nice to post a little something special for those of you also stuck inside working because of the winter weather.

How's this piece of attraction poster art for California Adventure? Imagineering's Tim Delaney- that designer of the incredibly gorgeous Discoveryland for Disneyland Paris- created this concept for the second park in Anaheim.

It's clearly for DCA 1.0 as it features a "hip and edgy" style the suits so loved, featuring the Sun Icon, the entry tile murals, and the miniature Golden Gate Bridge.  As we all know, the first version of the park was a colossal failure which eventually resulted in a grand redesign- the first ever in Disney park history (until Disney's Hollywood Studios follows suit)- and it's now a great success and worthy of the name Disney. 

If you want more Tim Delaney, and you should, then cruise the blog for more rare artwork from a very talented man!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Never Built Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris

Imagineering's Tim Delaney crafted an incredible Discoveryland at the beautiful Disneyland Paris. At opening, the entire place had a Jules Verne theme that drew guests into his amazing world. The vibe was electric- especially at night, when the multitude of neon lights illuminated the area. Just fantastic!

As beautiful as the final execution of the land was, some of the concept art for buildings that were not built is every bit as beautiful. Just look at the piece above, and make sure you click on it to bring it to its full size. 

When you do that, you'll discover a resemblance to some of what was built years later at Hong Kong Disneyland. Naturally, that area was designed with more of a fantasy cartoon version of the future, but many of the elements borrowed from the original art for Paris' futuristic land. 

Much to the delight of this Disneyland Paris fan, the incredible Space Mountain was not duplicated anywhere else. For that matter, many of the elements of the French park are exclusive to Paris. A wise choice, making it absolutely necessary to see the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever in person.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tim Delaney and Shanghai Disneyland

Even Imagineers on the way out the door may contribute to a park yet to be built. Such is the case with Tim Delaney and Shanghai Disneyland. This is a concept for a Hollywood area of the park- that as of yet, will not be a part of opening day. It's an interesting piece. Perhaps it is really a piece planned for a future Studios park. You know the Disney suits love their Studios themed parks!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

20 Years of Disneyland Paris Magic!

Twenty years ago, EuroDisney opened their beautifully detailed doors to the public. Some were excited for the Walt Disney Company to finally open a European park, some were not, but most had to agree the end result was a work of art!

With all the much deserved excitement surrounding California Adventure 2.o and the development (and speculation) of Shanghai Disneyland, I started thinking about what else was going on in the world of Disney. Besides ignoring Animal Kingdom and letting my beloved Epcot fade into representing the past, it became obvious that Disneyland Paris was soon to hit twenty years. I just had to write something to commemorate the occasion for the “World’s Most Beautiful Magic Kingdom”.

Let’s start with the basics as to why this park has earned its title:

The most beautiful Disney castle is found here in Paris!

The Chateau is everything a Disney palace should be. The princesses in other kingdoms should be green with envy- and theme park fans in other places as well. It's one thing to see my photos, but go see it for yourself. The sloping hillsides set the stage for the dungeon below, while above us the castle walls contain elaborate upper rooms, stunning tapestries, and gorgeous stained glass. It is 100% first class no expense spared.

The piece de resistance in Paris’ deluxe princess home is found deep inside the basement of the dwelling, Dragon's Lair. Inside this extremely dark and neglected space, a monster resides. The appropriately scary little dungeon houses the fully and terrorizingly realized Audio-Animatronic dragon. She snarls and growls, and she threatens passers by with smoke and blazing fire! In a bit of very creative planning, this dark lower chamber has a secret passageway from one of the Fantasyland shops safely above the horrifying scene. This entire elaborate, and some would say, unnecessary effort is a reminder of what Disney Imagineering can do if they put their hearts to it! And if the budgeteers allow. Kudos to Tony Baxter and company for the end result.

Into the castle courtyard, we find an assortment of classic dark rides. Starting with the beloved Peter Pan's Flight, a reimagining of the rides has paid off handsomely. Coming to grips with its enduring popularity, the Imagineers decided to equip Peter with new double capacity vehicles. Smart move as Peter Pan’s Flight draws the same large crowds here in France as it does back at the Stateside parks. In a nod to the land behind it and making for an incredibly charming smooth thematic transition, the subtle and quiet gallery opening gives way to a first look at Adventureland and its obviously large noticeable landmark Adventure Isle.

(Speaking of which, the transitions between lands in this park are so quietly handled yet very clearly accomplished. Once you cross into a new land, it is so secluded from every other one, it is easy to forget you are in a multi-themed park. The strategic placement of focal points and carefully selected foliage make it next to impossible to see beyond the realm you are in. This is a major strength in the design of the park and its success in storytelling. The result highlights the rich detail and masterful work of the Imagineers.)

Back to Fantasyland and its dark rides. Pinocchio's Daring Journey changes little, aside from the Italian narration. In fact, every dark ride is told in the original language of its writer. It’s a brilliant choice that draws out even more enchantment as well as being a concession to the diversity of European visitors.

With Snow White soon disappearing in Florida’s Magic Kingdom, it is a treat to find her represented here. With the extra land and the design starting from scratch, the Evil Queen’s castle seems to fit more easily here than in California.

Years back, another removed attraction left a hole in the Walt Disney World line-up. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride doesn’t exist here in Paris, but the old toad can be found here.

In place of a rollicking road trip, guests will find a British restaurant inside Toad Hall! Although initially disappointing, the detail is rich, and the food is quite good. If you look around, you'll find a charming touch above the tables of the restaurant: a portrait of Mr. Toad himself sits on a wall next to diners. Look carefully- here Mr. Toad is envisioned by great European artists: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and da Vinci. The painting magically transforms every minute or so. Another great element that was absolutely unnecessary but adds to setting this park above the ones that came before it.

The carousel and Dumbo are as to be expected. There are terrific water features, gardens, and flowers everywhere. The Mad Tea Party twirls under a gorgeous glass canopy, while a new version of the beloved Storybookland Canal Boats launches guests on a tour of miniature models of fairytale favorites- including The Wizard of Oz. In a nice touch, Casey Jr. travels here and actually feels and functions as a small roller coaster for beginners. No Go Coaster or Sky School madness here.

The Alice in Wonderland themed labyrinth is great fun for everyone! The small winding paths make for a great little family excursion while there are beautiful gardens to see. Around every corner and in the castle found toward the end of the maze, many characters from the film show up, some in unexpected places. Reminds me of some of the lesser known attractions that provide diversity and charm at Disneyland.

It's A Small World is close by. With a different clock face, new colors and a covered canal, it too has a different feel. The art direction inside is different from those attraction versions before it, and the Imagineers traded Mary Blair’s style for something just as effective. The Parisian “World” is the very first to include a United States themed area in the attraction. About time, I’d say. The recent addition of such an area to California’s original is a poor substitute for what is found here.

On to Adventureland. Here the colorful domes of Arabian tales create a smooth transition from the fantasy villages of Europe. It's a delicate balance combining fantasy with adventure, but Aladdin discreetly lives here as do other characters from books and film. The seamless look makes it all less jarring than going from Fantasyland to Frontierland at Disneyland.

Adventureland is a blend of many icons: African huts, dense jungles, exotic Middle Eastern landscapes with its onion shaped domes- and Neverland! It sounds as if it wouldn’t fit together, especially with the Swiss Family Treehouse sharing space next to Skull Rock, but the execution is masterfully done.

Yet the centerpiece of the entire place is not Adventure Isle, a Tom Sawyer Island meets the jungle play land with its caverns and tunnels, bridges, and waterfalls. Instead, it is the classic Pirates of the Caribbean. The very best version of it to date.

Sorry, Anaheim. I know it is a Disneyland original and the last attraction Walt himself worked on, but Anaheim's version is not quite as good as the latest one.

Captain Jack Sparrow himself would like to set sail from this Caribbean isle port. Doing so just seems perfect. The weathered white stoned fortress that houses the attraction has the extended and powerful queue of Florida's version. The cruise itself contains many twists over the original. First time ever we have some long overdue sword fighting. Add in an entirely new first scene and a reorder of old favorites, a few new pirates, and an explosive finale. The end result is the ultimate Magic Kingdom adventure reimagined for a new generation. Pre-Johnny Depp, of course! No need for video screens or motion simulators, just good old fashioned staging, engaging characters, and spectacular sets. You know, the thing Disney used to do so well.

Oh, Frontierland! What can I say? It's my favorite land in the entire park. With Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and its peaks found on the island in the middle of the Rivers of the West, the panoramic views pull you into this piece of uniquely American history. The creepy Phantom Manor found deliberately outside of the town high on a bluff only adds to the drama.

When guests first approach Fort Comstock from the hub, they only get a small taste of what is found beyond the walls of the fort. There are a few Indian teepees along the small stream, and the buttes of Big Thunder rise just beyond immediate view.

As with the castle, Fort Comstock is also an attraction. You can walk the upper levels, enjoying terrific views across the frontier. The sights and sounds of the Old West capture your attention, catapulting you into the story.

Every guest heads for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It’s a family favorite on every continent. The trains round the track and surprise riders by heading directly under the river to begin the journey. The design choice of putting Big Thunder front and center gives the land much kinetic energy, creating a very different feel from the somewhat sleepy versions found in the American parks.

 The town of Thunder Mesa, fills out the land surrounding Fort Comstock. Its named as a tribute to the great Imagineer Marc Davis and his never built Western River Expedition.

There are still the expected steamboats and the Disneyland Railroad trains. The Shooting Gallery lets its place be known as guests fire away at target practice. Yet there is something very different and uniquely special about this Frontierland.

While Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the thrilling visual center of the town of Thunder Mesa, the story of what lies behind Phantom Manor reveals a dark and sinister undertone to the activity. Getting ready to argue as to which Mansion is best!

Whatever side of the debate you land on, it is certain that the haunting symphonic score will make you a fan of the differences. The attraction is darker, the graveyard scarier, and the whole experience just plain different. There’s enough of a story here to fuel the entire land- and it does- but the Imagineers have left room for each guest to create their own tales to tell once they return home.

I’m going to quote my own trip report here, as I said it so well before:

“Sitting on the wooden walkways next to the shops far across from Phantom Manor, it was easy for me to suspend belief and dream of truly being back in time. There's a large chunk of land devoted to this theme, and the area is visually secluded from all others, with the layers of detail in sight and sound so rich and varied, the end result is the perfect representation of the old west mythologies. We spent several hours here taking in attractions, exploring the shops, and eating at the excellent and fairly priced Cowboy Cookout Barbecue.

After two visits to the park, I still could not uncover why this version is my favorite of all Frontierlands and perhaps my favorite land in all of Disneyland Paris. As I started to write this post, I was able to come to this conclusion: In California, Frontierland is a shadow of its former self in contrast to what was designed by the Imagineering team under Walt Disney; in Florida, the land is an excuse for the placement of cuddly characters. Only in France, thousands of miles removed from the actual geography represented, does this uniquely American story get the respect it deserves. Bottom line and bluntly stated, this Frontierland feels like the real thing and not an area found in a theme park.”

There’s not much else to say about it! Except go to Paris and see it! It is the standout themed land in an entire park of those perfectly executed.

Walking into Discoveryland, there is so much to see, and the whimsical world of Jules Verne comes to life in a very different way than Mysterious Island at Tokyo Disney Sea. There’s a touch of Tony Baxter’s Discovery Bay here as well, much to the delight of die-hard Imagineering fans.

Just as each land points to one singular icon, this French Tomorrowland is no exception. Space Mountain beckons powerfully with its delicate yet strong steampunk look and thrilling, looping, adventure inside. Although the original version was better, it still is quite the adrenaline pumper!

Originally planned as Discovery Mountain, the attraction is as different from its cousins inside as its exteriors are from one another. The open air, banner covered loading station sends streamlined rockets (and their pilots!) plunging into a smoke-spewing cannon only to blast out up the side of the mountain before heading into total darkness. There’s another lush and majestic musical score to serenade you as you go through the nighttime sky. The building is beautiful by day but spectacular at night. As bewitching as the Eiffel Tower itself!

Off to the side lies a fully developed, beautifully sculpted Nautilus submarine. It is another of those smaller attractions that has to be experienced. Lavish detail that does great justice to the book. How often does anyone get to sail with Captain Nemo after all?

Lastly, as we exit the park through one of its covered arcades, let’s look at Main Street, U.S.A., the many entry point. It is equally impressive as all the other areas, elegant but also very understated in appropriate contrast to the castle at the end of the street.

Another quote here from my trip report: “If the Paris version of the land of the future has taken on a more fantasy bent, I would venture to say the same holds true for its Main Street. There is an idealistic, very artistic, beauty of each building, each billboard, each attraction. The lovely work of Eddie Sotto and team elevates the land to something befitting landscapes from a dream.”

Walt's: An American Restaurant is the perfect way to end the day. A gorgeous restaurant stuffed with concept art for the park and lovely details. Linger in each shop and discover the unique differences. Lots of detail to be found here. My favorite was the beautiful Main Street Motors, a love letter of sorts to the American automobile.

Although Main Street is relatively short on attractions, there is a depth and richness to the place. From beginning to end, it sets a perfect stage for everything else to come.

In an interview from 1995, Head Imagineer Tony Baxter recalls a conversation with Marty Sklar about his plans for the park: "I would really like to have a chance to try for a perfect version of Disneyland." And he and his team did create it!

Speaking of team, they must be mentioned and given credit for their fine work: Eddie Sotto, Main Street U.S.A; Tim Delaney, Discoveryland; Tom Morris, Fantasyland; Chris Tietz, Adventureland; and lastly Pat Burke, Frontierland. Congratulations to each of them for creating the most beautiful of all Disney kingdoms.

The results clearly speak for themselves. Let me bluntly say this: Disneyland Paris is the ultimate Magic Kingdom styled park. Happy 20^th!

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)