New Phantom Manor 2019 Point of View Video

Wanna park inside the newly re-Imagineered Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris? Well, here it is below. Is it as eerily charming as the original or did Tom Fitzgerald and his team ruin it by making it too much like the Disneyland Haunted Mansion?

From Curious Axel.

Melanie on the staircase now.

From ED92.

Until I can see it in person, I will withhold full judgment. But I will say I certainly enjoyed hearing Vincent Price's narration once again, and the music is as compelling as ever! 

Does it still fit within the context of Frontierland, perhaps the most immersive themed land in the most beautiful of Magic Kingdoms? Yes. That said, I do hope the next expansion of the park is led by a returning Tony Baxter. Even though he now only consults for the Walt Disney Company, he remains the ultimate living Imagineer!

Did Tom Fitzgerald set out to ruin the mansion as Tony designed it? Probably not, but there's no denying that good or bad, he could only build his version on what was already created.

Care to engage in the The Great Tony Baxter Debate? Read my articles Part One and Part Two.  Then make up your mind, and let me know what you think. And don't miss the chilling "Conversation with a Dying Man" article below...

Thanks to ED92 and Curious Axel for the videos!

Real Imagination Leads the Way in Transforming Walt Disney World

The recent announcement of Imagineering's Tom Fitzgerald and Scott Trowbridge and their roles as primary creative oversight of, respectively, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios pending Star Wars expansion, left some fans scratching their heads. 

It left some hopeful that Epcot would once again find its way but that may be a pipe dream. It left others excited that the Star Wars universe would actually find its way into a park that needs an infusion of life and excitement. Especially on the eve of its 25th Anniversary, the once promising Disney-MGM Studios needs something to bring it to its potential. (And please do come back to this blog on May 1 for a detailed history of the park. It's filled with my vintage photos from being there May 1989, tons of concept art, trips reports, and insights.) 

Scott Trowbridge could be the perfect man for the job. His work with Universal's at times stunning Islands of Adventure, includes of one the best theme park attractions ever built: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. One journey with Spidey tells you this guy knows what he's doing. Given the rich legacy and potentially terrific future with the Star Wars stories, Scott could bring a brand new impetus for guests to plan a flu day of first class Disney magic at the Studios. Will it be the infamous (Harry) "Potter Swatter" the Disney suits are hoping to find? Time, budget, and artistic freedom will determine how the story plays out. 

On the other end of the spectrum, placing Tom Fitzgerald into the role of determining the creative direction of Epcot is just foolish at best and a smokescreen at worst. The man is more known for being an Audio-Animatronic inspiration in Horizons than for designing anything guests and park fans run to when the gates open at any Disney park. Any park. Go ahead, name one groundbreaking attraction, one must-see fan favorite that the man designed. If his placement is a reward for playing the political game well, so be it. But Epcot and its guests will be all the worse for it. 

What will it take to transform Walt Disney World into a place where the suits are not content just living on its legacy and successful advertising? True imagination and real gumption for the executives to invest in it. They must see it as the premier property they claim it to be. Will Avatarland  / Pandora do it for Animal Kingdom? No, but it is a beginning. The same can be said for New Fantasyland and the Magic Kingdom. (In the same way, the beautiful Cars Land is a great first act for a drastically reinvented California Adventure but not the end all, be all.) 

Has Robert Iger put the right team in place to revitalize Walt Disney World or is this just a savvy move to inspire investors while rewarding blind loyalty? It's probably some of both, but 2016 is not too far away. Change may come with the next leader. Let's hope, though, that real change begins with these first steps.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Oz Soundtrack to Feature New Mariah Carey Song

While fans debate the pending success of Disney's "Oz the Great and Powerful", sounds like Disney is planning for Mariah Carey to record a new song, "Almost Home", for the soundtrack. It's the first time she's featured on a soundtrack since "Prince of Egypt" with Whitney Houston. Will James Franco make a great Oz as he works with Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz? Beats me. But the odds are getting more interesting for the film to be a hit. Hopefully, the pending Tony Baxter-less project for Disneyland will not be a botched job, full of the video screens Tom Fitzgerald loves so much!

Tony Baxter: Dreamfinder Personified

Earlier in the week, I was pondering some questions about what makes a man successful in the eyes of others. Certainly, character traits like integrity, sacrifice, and how we love others are of utmost importance. As we age and pass on, these pieces of who we are will largely form how we are ultimately remembered. If the work we leave behind is public, like for artists, athletes, politicians, authors, architects, etc., then that also makes a statement. When we view Walt Disney, for example, we think of his legacy as mostly related to his artistic output.

In this ongoing Tony Baxter / Tom Fitzgerald debate for the soul and future of Disneyland, ordinary long time fans like us are only wanting one thing: high quality attractions that showcase the best of Imagineering's craft. We really don't care who is a diva, who is a cut-throat businessman, who buddies up with who, or anything else all that personal. It makes for interesting news and endless debate, but it is the end result built in concrete and stone, paint and steel, that we most care about.

I am a Tony fan- and I will say it loud and clear. This is nothing personal against Tom; I do not know either men; never met them, probably never will. Since I cannot judge their character, all I can judge is the work they will leave behind. And the results speak volumes: Just look at some of his work, and you will discover Mr. Tony Baxter to be one of the best Imagineers in the history of the company. (Look here for a small taste. And look a couple of posts below for his work on the incredible Disneyland Paris.)

The piece above showcases Tony's take on EPCOT Center's Land pavilion. It wasn't built as designed, but it's influence on the nearby Imagination pavilion is clearly there. Another artistic triumph- and his portfolio is full of them; full with projects both big and small. Say what you will about the man, but his love for Disneyland and his commitment to high quality imagineering says the most about him. These things are what the Disney fan community will ultimately judge him by.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Last Trip to Endor: Star Tours Headed to an Upgrade!

It was thrilling upon opening. (I was there!) Now, it is passe, with its ideas borrowed at shopping malls all over America. And it was borrowed by Disney itself when Body Wars opened at Epcot in Future World's Wonders of Life pavilion.

Star Tours at Disneyland finally closes tonight for a long deserved upgrade. Too many questions waiting to be answered!

Will it incorporate aspects of Tokyo DisneySea's Stormrider? Probably. Is Imagineering's Tom Fitzgerald the right guy to direct the work from Disney's end opposite George Lucas? Most likely. Film is his thing. Will the end result draw in the crowds? Yes, the effects should astound even in 3D. Will the revamp be the last thing for Disneyland for awhile? Only if Tron:Legacy bombs...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tom Fitzgerald Over Tony Baxter?

Now, if this news is true that Tom Fitzgerald has been promoted to the top of the heap at Walt Disney Imagineering over Disneyland...

1- We can bet on more film based shows instead of real immersive attractions (but please prove me wrong)!
2- You can almost guarantee that Tony Baxter isn't too happy (and I'm not either). Can retirement be far behind?
3- California Adventure's terrific sounding makeover may be a thing of the past once Radiator Springs Racers is built. Say "Goodbye Phase Two".
4- We'll see downgraded quality in attractions- worldwide.

Tom seems like a great guy- but just the wrong one for the job! Tony's profile is pretty outstanding. Look here.