Disneyland's Unbuilt Discovery Bay Comes to Life!

Did you know you don't have to go all the way to Disneyland Paris to see portions of Tony Baxter's unbuilt Discovery Bay? Of course, this master Imagineer slid some of the land into the French park, but as you can see, it also exists somewhere else. Above is a photograph and below is the concept art.

Ok, ok. It's AI generated. But look at what could be! Below, is an even better image to let you grieve even more about what the Walt Disney Company passed on decades ago. Imagineering can build wonders - even from original ideas- when given the chance. 

AI "reality"above, and the original Disneyland concept art below.

Doesn't it make you with the Island at the Top of the World film was a huge hit instead of a bomb? This incredible land would have nestled itself so well between Fantasyland and Frontierland with its San Francisco Barbary Coast theme! If you want to read about why this concept never made it off the boards and the jealousy that runs within the halls of Imagineering, take a look at this post.

Metro Line and Omnibuses for Epcot's World Showcase

A discussion on the boards of WDWMagic got me to thinking of days of EPCOT Center past. Wow. Now, here's a photo for you. This old omnibus used to travel between the end of Future World and World Showcase. Giving guests wonderful views of the country pavilions, these busses added some kinetic energy, charm, and an opportunity for visitors to rest their feet. Now, the crowds are just so big for each of the year round food festivals (Flower and Garden is our favorite!) that the busses would be fighting an uphill battle to get from one country to another. It's just too bad! Transportation within the park is now limited to boats on the World Showcase Lagoon.

Wouldn't this real life Metro station with a working train been great if it were added 

to France's World Showcase?

In my fantasy build of the park, there would be a Metro/Tube line that deposited guests to the back of a few separate countries. Imagineering could make it seem like it went underground, but it wouldn't have to. Think of it as the in-theme Peoplemover or Railroad. The countries known for such transportation would have to have been relocated (France, U.K., Japan), but to alternate bus stops, boat docks, and metro stations would have created plenty of enjoyable ways to navigate a very large space. All this would have taken is some imagination and a lot more money!

Moana Finds Her Home at Magic Kingdom's Legendary Fire Mountain

Are you a Moana fan? If so, listen up. After making its theme park debut in Epcot of all places, it seems the Polynesian themed Disney hit movie is set to be star of one more new attraction. Where? In a place it fits! Imagine that.  Over the very last expansion pad in the Magic Kingdom's already quite crowded Adventureland, Moana is rumored to take the area once designated for the infamous Fire Mountain. 

This rumor first hit about two months ago per Jack at the DSNY Newscast. 

Here's the Infamous Fire Mountain in three color variations. I'd been looking for a piece of Imagineering concept art for years. I found the concept art on the Neverland Files site and did a few quick fixes to highlight the details.

This was incredible idea would have also sat across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian Village Resort. Not a bad thing to be looking at while you're on the beach waiting for fireworks!  

If you look closely at the art (and as always, click on it for the largest size), you'll see the project also went by the name Volcania.   

What is that front and center? Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, in fact, the Nautilus submarine. Would that be a nod to 20K Leagues Under the Sea or a full-blown attraction? If you're thinking as I am that the suits at Disney would try to pass this onto the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo DisneySea, my guess is we are right.

Moana may be just the thing to bring some new adventures to the Magic Kingdom- and it could be in theme too. Maybe then the suits will rip out the misplaced Aladdin!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

EPCOT's Israel Showcase- An Unbuilt Gem

Imagineer Herb Ryman's beautiful Israel pavilion for EPCOT Center deserves to be built. Painted in June of 1982, shortly after the park's grand opening, this piece of concept art captures all the warmth, history, and beautiful architecture the country is known for. You can feel yourself walking down the streets and exploring the courtyards. That's Herb! It even made the infamous list of coming attractions to Epcot. Take a look below.

Back when Epcot was truly forward looking, the Disney Imagineers had great plans for additions that celebrated human ingenuity and culture with a beautiful design plan to keep guests coming in for decades. But greed and lack of vision altered that plan, so now we have Marvel characters, Disney princesses, and friendly fowl replacing  scientific theory, legendary trolls, and Aztec and Mayan culture.

The blueprint for Israel (shown above) has been in circulation for quite awhile, and it shows the expected mix of shops, a cafe or restaurant, and an entertainment venue. Blow the image up and explore a bit! It might make you wish this had come to pass- although it did in a much smaller version for the Millennium celebration. I saw it first hand, and it was quite interesting. 

A photo of Israel at the Millennium Celebration.

In the real world, Israel is under attack from Hamas and with the help of Iran apparently. But don't worry just pray. For whatever reason, the Almighty God has called Israel his chosen people, and He will not let the nation be destroyed. Many nations have tried, some have even conquered the land, but the people endure. And they will do so until the end of time when Jesus returns to earth and brings judgment to both those that love Him and those that do not. I do not know about you, but I do not want to be against anything or anyone God is for! (Is it time to once again crack open that book of Revelation in the Bible's New Testament?) No, everything Israel does is not perfect, but God will judge that too. (Nations are just like people, aren't they?)

In the fake world of Epcot, World Showcase badly needs this Israel addition! It is very Eurocentric, and fleshing it out with a country from the Middle East would be a smart albeit risky move. 

The proposed, delayed and forever not yet announced Brazil addition would be a good place to refresh this half of the park by bringing a new country and culture to explore. It needs more than Ratatouille. (Find out more in these posts with artwork included. Post One. Post Two.) Even if it is only shopping, restaurants and some entertainment, World Showcase needs this, and the "new" Epcot especially.  In a fantasy world geared toward kids and Disney intellectual properties, the roots of World Showcase should not be ignored. But that's just one man's opinion. Is it yours?

One Little Spark for 2023!

Happy New Year! Here's a great attraction poster for  the unbuilt Spark Gap coaster for Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris. What, was this really for Disneyland Paris, you say? If you're like me, you were certainly convinced for many years that this was actually only set as a part of Discovery Bay, Imagineer Tony Baxter's legendary land. The one that never made it past the drawing boards for Disneyland. Good ideas never die they say. (I still say "One Little Spark" belongs to Figment and Dreamfinder, though.)

What about for you? What good ideas have you had that should be coming back into play for the new year? I'm rethinking my life in several areas- spiritual, physical, and more. It's time for one little spark of inspiration. I'm asking God to reveal himself in fresh ways this year and to show me what He wants from me in this next season of life. Whatever that may be, I know it will be an adventure in living, full of the unexpected. 

What will be unexpected in the Disney world of things? An early opening for Tron Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom? A completion ahead of time for Moana's Journey of Water? I'd certainly like to see Disney suits come up with something to go toe to toe with Universal's Epic Universe.  I'm sure the Imagineers have some great ideas, but I do not trust the suits anymore. I'd be happy to be surprised, though. I'm sure you would as well! Regardless, may your new year be blessed as you walk out your life. I pray it is one where you grow closer to the one and only loving God, the Immortal Eternal Being who gives us life through Jesus Christ. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Another Look at Disneyland's Unbuilt Discovery Bay

Every few years or so, it seems as if unseen concept art surfaces for Disneyland's unbuilt and abandoned concept Discovery Bay. Today, I present one more. Imagineer Tony Baxter (don't you wish he'd write a book?!?) worked with some of the company's best and brightest to get it just right. Here, this concept art by Harper Goff gives us a great picture of what the future should have held.

 In the area now occupied by Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, this ambitious project would have hosted a variety of attractions, shops and great restaurants that would have bridged the theme between Fantasyland and Frontierland. A San Francisco of the Golden Age (think some steam punk here) would house a major E Ticket attraction based on the film Island at the Top of the World while another drew guests in featuring a little dragon friend of a blustering and lovable professor type character. Does this sound like Figment and Dreamfinder? Yes, it does- and find out more about the project here. 

I won't spill all the beans, but beyond this one article, there's many others on the blog that will help you fill in the picture. It's definitely worth your time! But be forewarned- it may make you wish that Discovery Bay was built instead! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Say Goodbye for Good to This Once Planned Epcot Project

World politics being what they are, it's safe to assume we can now say a permanent goodbye to Disney Imagineering's plans for an epic Russia pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Really, truly, unique addition to that part of the park- with a slew of attractions beyond the expected film type tour of the country. Retired Imagineer Joe Rohde was part of the project team. That should tell us something about the dedication to authenticity and excellence.

Beautiful or what?

Obviously, the plan was to move beyond the Communist regime and the Putin era by going into its history. With a nation rich in culture, art, music, and instantly recognizable architecture, Imagineers planned to offer guests the opportunity to experience it all in a stay rich manner that only Disney could. Go to Red Square as the beginning of your journey. Then enjoy a variety of attractions taking guests into the land and experience the history through the lens of literature and music, puppetry and more. 

Prior to this war with Ukraine, in the earlier days of Epcot, what kept this from becoming a brick and mortar expansion to World Showcase? Lack of a long term plan for the park that gave way to the invasion of Intellectual Property and the desire for long term mega-profits for the highest levels of the Disney executives. (Should I say that? I don't mean to sound so negative, but when you look at the recent bonuses and pay levels, what else can you conclude?)

Grand but intimate, rich with detail!

Imagine if you will, a Russian version of The American Adventure- a full blown theater presentation using all the tricks of the Imagineers with a cast of Audio-Animatronic characters. Heart wrenchingly beautiful musical pieces would accentuate the story making for a very memorable experience.  

More was planned, including a fun-filled journey on a sleigh through beloved Russian fairy tales, making it the perfect chance for Disney to use that trackless technology in the correct way. Of course, there would be more than plenty of opportunities to spend our heard earned cash. Dine on authentic cuisine, shop for unique souvenirs, experience some great entertainment, and then interact with cast members from the homeland. Oh, what could have been! I have lots more concept art, but that will be for another day.

Sad, isn't it? Due to the invasion and the Russian government's plan to recreate the Soviet Union by force, this expansion for World Showcase will be relegated to coffee table books of what was planned but not built at Walt Disney World. It's good to remember that the people of any nation do not equal the government leaders. So, pray for peace- and pray for repentance. A complete turnaround of the situation would be wonderful, wouldn't it?

(Art 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.)

Rumor: Disney World's Thai Resort Overlooks Adventureland's Fire Mountain

Imagine if you will that the beautiful Grand Floridian Resort was not there. Imagine instead a Thai influenced resort, complete with stunning gardens, exotic cuisine, and gorgeous views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Let's keep dreaming.

Nighttime view of the exterior.

During the planning stages of Walt Disney World, this stunning hotel was to become a reality in one of the first planned expansions to the Florida resort. Of course, it never happened. Were the suits skittish on building something so exotic looking on the grounds? Was it cut due to cash flow along with Western River Expedition? 

Gorgeous place to wine and dine!

As you can see above, the Thai inspired resort even made the cover of the preview souvenir booklet! If you look to the right, you'll notice the model shows the Persian resort in the background, a different Polynesian resort, and a very different take on Space Mountain!

Once planned to be the Magic Kingdom's 3rd mountain.

What would have made this addition of the Asian inspired resort even better? Just imagine if years later the Disney Imagineers had been given the go ahead to build Fire Mountain? Just imagine that view from those resort rooms to Adventureland's very active volcano. Shades of Mount Prometheus at Tokyo Disneysea. It would have been phenomenal! Want more on Fire Mountain? Go here.

Note- Last night (October 18) I read this thread of the WDWMagic forums. Hadn't read it for about a week. An interesting combination of rumors materialized, making this post from yesterday (Friday) a real possibility! Coincidence?

(Art and images copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney World's Fire Mountain

Never heard of Disney's unbuilt Fire Mountain attraction? Have you ever seen it? As a lover of Imagineering art, I've been looking to find it for years. "Never give up!" applies to sop many things in life, but here it is:  the infamous never-built Fire Mountain for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. 

Almost approved by the suits, it was to be an extension of the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland, this incredible idea would have also sat across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian Village Resort. Not a bad thing to be looking at while you're on the beach waiting for fireworks! It would certainly bring a new look and feel to an old and tired part of the park as well as opening up the options for new stories.

If you look closely at the art (and as always, click on it for the largest size), you'll see the project also went by the name Volcania. 
  

What is that front and center? Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, in fact, the Nautilus submarine. Would that be a nod to 20K Leagues Under the Sea or a full-blown attraction? If you're thinking as I am that the suits at Disney would try to pass this onto the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo DisneySea, my guess is we are right.

Rumors of old attraction being reborn come and go (think Western River Expedition), but sometimes it really does happen. It's rare- and in this case, I'd say we chalk up a great idea to the history books. By the way, I found this art on the Neverland Files site and did a few quick fixes to highlight the details.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Israel Before Brazil

Here's Imagineer Herb Ryman's beautiful Israel pavilion for EPCOT Center. Painted June of 1982, shortly after the park's grand opening, this piece of concept art captures all the warmth, history, and beautiful architecture the country is known for. 

The blueprint (shown above) for the pavilion has been in circulation for quite awhile, and it shows the expected mix of shops, a cafe or restaurant, and an entertainment venue. Blow the image up and explore a bit! It might make you wish this had come to pass- although it did in a much smaller version for the Millennium celebration.

Certainly, World Showcase needed this addition! As the park stands now, it is very Eurocentric, and fleshing it out with a country from the Middle East would have been a smart move. 

The proposed but not yet announced Brazil adition would be a good place to refresh this half of the park by bringing a new country and culture to explore. (Find out more in these posts with artwork included. Post One. Post Two.) Even if it is only shopping, restaurants and some entertainment. Perhaps we will know more at D23. Here's hoping! 

Disney's Unbuilt Mystery House

This piece of concept art isn't another variation of the exterior for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion nor is it an alternative for Paris' equally thrilling Phantom Manor. It's something totally unique. A brand new attraction, and it's one I'd never even heard of! 

FoxxFur over at the excellent Passport to Dreams Old & New provides all the details on this unbuilt attraction designed by Imagineer Marc Davis for a slice of land at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness. Named Adventure House, it seems like a fun and inviting way to spend some time. Check out the great article and all the art here. Just one more piece of investigation from an incredible blog...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Art for Disneyland's Unbuilt Atlantis Expedition

The Atlantis Expedition in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The art is real and not a figment of your imagination. Click on it to see it in the highest resolution. Goodbye Autopia. Hello stunning E Ticket.

The attraction was long rumored and even announced - sort of. See the image below for the proof: A single photograph of the sign temporarily hoisted during the closing of the beloved Submarine Voyage. 

Was it Imagineers at play or a very clever promotional tool to get guests excited and the project approved? Both.

Photographer unknown.

As you can see from the concept art, a West Coast answer to Tokyo Disney Sea's incredible Mysterious Island would have played a key part in the design. Imagineer Tony Baxter tried to rescue the submarine excursion as a real underwater journey was rare among all the castle parks in Disney's kingdom.

Due to it being an expensive project, there had to be a tie in to an Intellectual Property to bring it to fruition. In this case, the film was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, an animated movie that was actually pretty good even though it was largely overlooked by the paying public in 2001. It's too bad really, as it would have made much better sense than to bring in something from Finding Nemo.

Close up shot.

Looking closer, it seems guests would be able to walk across two separate bridges into the heart of the caldera- and into a secret side building just hidden from view from the "mainland". Just now, I was reminded of a potential plan for the new attraction where guests would ride in the subs to a secret destination, disembarking for the rest of an adventure, creating a Phase One and Phase Two of the whole experience. Sounds similar to what I've heard regarding the Battle Escape attraction for Star Wars Land. Two separate ride experiences where the visitors leave one vehicle and queue for a second one to complete the entire experience.

And a cool poster on top of it all!

Newest Information: Seems folks have a passionate response to this concept art and my article:

This just in from "phruby" on the WDWMagic Boards. More information on the project and a copy (above) of the proposed attraction poster.:

"The poster was drawn by Josh Shipley and was suppose to be on the construction walls. Park management didn't like the idea and never put it up.

At the time, park management wanted to close the subs in order to send funding to Innoventions. They had no plans to put a new ride in. They just wanted to mothball the thing to save money. Unknown to park management, WDI came in and setup camp with the Atlantis Expedition sign. Park management saw the sign later that day and forced them to remove it. Later that day a flag with a trident on a blue background showed up. WDI left a few weeks later.

There is also the story about how Marty Sklar threaten to lay across Harbor Blvd if the subs were to be shut down without a replacement. He should have done it."

Even more: And now, I add to this post with this amazing insight, shared again by "phruby":

http://www.parkscope.net/2017/02/the-atlantis-expedition-atlantean.html.  

Tomorrowland is no longer about the future or even a future fantasy look as is found in the way beautiful Jules Verne inspired Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris. It's now about shoving in the latest movie tie-in. Sometimes it works- such as the case of Tron Lightcycles in Shanghai Disneyland and other times, it's a relative disaster as in the case of Nemo. Still, I'd rather have the subs than not, but I do wish we'd had Atlantis instead. Don't you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tony Baxter's Mary Poppins Attraction

The great Disney and More website by Alain Littaye is one of my all time favorites for a reason, and he has done it again. Go to this link to see video and concept art for Imagineer Tony Baxter's never built Mary Poppins attraction for Disneyland.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Long Beach Disney Sea?

Unbuilt Disney Imagineering Attractions. There are few things like this topic to bring about a variety of reactions from any hard core Disney theme park fans. Just mention, say Discovery Bay, Western River Expedition or Westcot, and see what happens. Try discussing with them California Adventure 1.0 or Tokyo Disney Sea for two very opposing and different reactions.

All this leads me to Port Disney, the unbuilt theme park once designed by the Imagineers for Long Beach, California, just a few miles down the 405 Freeway from Disneyland. Depending on who you talk to, the park was either a very expensive ruse set up by the Disney suits to get the city of Anaheim to cough up big bucks for a second theme park on the existing property or it was the real thing that remained one of the inspirations for creating a water themed park in Tokyo, the beloved and much admired Tokyo Disney Sea. 

The concept above shows the beautiful and unrealized Oceana at Port Disney. (You just have to click on this one to see it in a very large size.) Inside the sparkling glass domes, lucky guests would have experienced a variety of edutainment experiences that only Disney could do. Think of the park as a combination of the original Living Seas pavilion at EPCOT Center, throw in a few modern day scientific exhibits, sprinkled with a dash or two of good old Disney magic... and even a section that sounded and looked a lot like Paradise Pier at California Adventure.  All the while, this new park would have also taken a hefty stab at Sea World's fan base, a savvy and cutthroat business strategy that had proven quite successful for Disney in Florida. 

A battle ensued between the cities, with Anaheim ponying up the massive funds and new infrastructure for an additional park, with  Disney promising a dazzling Westcot. Of course, with some local protests and a lot of help from those internal to the Walt Disney Company, the suits pulled a fast one- spending far less cash- and instead delivered a second rate California Adventure instead. The rest, as they say, is history.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

New Shanghai Disneyland Art for Fantasyland

Want a first look at the art for Shanghai Disneyland's Fantasyland? Look no further!

This is a pretty sweet piece of Imagineering art for the first (and maybe only) Mainland China Magic Kingdom. The designers have clearly taken a slight more realistic approach than what they've done in the past. Perhaps this is because the look of Europe and its medieval villages is so far removed and thereby so exotic to the Chinese. 

Regardless, it's nice to see something. Rumor has it, more is coming soon. My bet is this piece is showing the entrance to Peter Pan's Flight on the far left end. (Did you happen to read my piece on the history of this great dark ride? It's filled with some great pieces and one of the never built Peter Pan area for Tokyo Disneyland. Take a look here.)

Ok, there's more art for Shanghai Fantasyland. Just go to the great Disney and More face book page or website (where I found this one!) for one more rendering. You just can't beat my friend Alain Littaye for getting us the scoop on so much so quickly!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Unbuilt Burbank Backlot

Creativity at the Walt Disney Company may go in spurts. Fresh ideas arise and come to fruition in great new films and attractions at the parks. Or things may be a bit stale as the Company rehashes old ideas and markets them afresh. (Think all the remakes of animated classics into live action films.)

Years before Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland were even a thought of forward thinking (some might say greedy these days) corporate executives, the Disney Backlot project in Burbank was on the fast track to become a reality. The piece of concept art displays what would have transformed a busy street corner lot into something special: shops, restaurants, etc. Along the lines of Anaheim's Downtown Disney except with with a few small scale  film based attractions through in to draw a crowd.

The project was a cleverly designed people eater- a combination of the current Grove shopping center found by the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles and many others like it, combined with elements of classic American nostalgia and a bit of riverboat flair, not unlike the beautiful Empress Lilly at Walt Disney World. All to be discovered right in the middle of the city. This "lifestyle center" would be a creative concept new to city living, a concept developed long before the phrase was ever coined. 

With Disney's marketing and established showmanship, Disney's Burbank Backlot had the potential to be a smash. One that could be duplicated all over the country- much like the aborted Club Disney kid's concept that once debuted in Denver, Colorado.

Unfortunately, cold feet, city politics, and way too many other projects killed the idea, much to the disappointment of Disney fans. Had it been built, it would have been a very nice way to spend a few hours as well as being a great reminder to visit a full fledged Disney resort.

(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.)

Frozen at DisneySea..and more

Aside from the incredible and original Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland, the stunning Cars Land at California Adventure, and all that is to come to Shanghai Disneyland, it does seem as if the Tokyo Disney Resort consistently gets the best attractions to come out of Disney Imagineering. Maybe they will wow fans with all the additions and changes in Central Florida, but that remains to be seen... and hasn't been seen for at Walt Disney World for at least a decade.

The unbelievable Tokyo DisneySea is proof enough. You can take a glance at videos for Pooh's Hunny Hunt at the first international Magic Kingdom, track down a Journey to the Center of the Earth or check out the Hotel Mira Costa in all its glory to decide for yourself . Tokyo Disney Resort is currently where Disney creativity hits its peak- at least in this century!

Tower of Terror in Tokyo presents a great story even without

the Twilight Zone tie-in.

Everyone in the theme park blogsphere understands cloning popular attractions from one park to another is commonplace. Disney does it. Universal does it. Seems everyone does it. So when it came time to enhance Tokyo DisneySea with a version of The groundbreaking Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the Imagineers bravely gave the attraction a brand new story with a unique  exterior, spellbinding effects and a clever connection to the rest of the park. (What did the Tokyo budgeteers -a new breed of accountants unfortunately gaining momentum- do? Strap the attraction with the cheaper to built and easier to maintain version, the one found in California and Paris.) Yet, the new story is so good, it almost makes up for the accountants' error in judgment.

Let's look a little deeper. Can Disney Imagineers hit home runs by turning the very popular Pixar movies into headliner attractions? Absolutely- when they are given the funds and freedom to do so! To see these adventures, guests must travel to Tokyo since the American parks are left with smaller, less impressive attractions that what is found overseas. Notice a pattern? Here's Tokyo Disneyland's splashy Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek! Trust me, after viewing this video, you'll look at the Monsters ride at California Adventure in a whole new way.

Turning Pooh into a must see adventure.

But what can the Suits and Imagineers do with an older and less edgy property? Here's a great little video of Pooh's Hunny Hunt from Theme Park Review. Can a cute story without a roller coaster track or even a traditional thrill element be turned into an "E Ticket Plus" by today's crop of Imagineers? The answer is "yes" when a story is matched with great technology and the right finances to do the attraction concept justice. This is a Fantasyland Dark Ride elevated to the next level, even if the entrance design does seem relatively unimpressive. Certainly, its of a different scale than what you'll find in Critter Country at Disneyland.

Tokyo Disneyland in all its variations of quality.

There's the other side of the coin as well. Tokyo Disneyland is meticulously maintained, yet there are areas that look tired even if well cared for. Why? Well, the older designs duplicated from Florida or Anaheim have run its course, leaving parts of the park to look dated. Take a look at the video tour of the kingdom (above). Tomorrowland is the worst of the bunch, and even the Japanese seem to have given up on a land of the future. Regardless of the quality of what has been added, the toons have arrived. 

Fantasyland is in equally poor shape, strapped with the look of Florida's Magic Kingdom circa 1971, prior to the beautiful to view but substance lacking New Fantasyland. Unfortunately, its a concrete kingdom save for a nice paint job on the castle to differentiate it from the others and a beautiful Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. Let me be the first to say- Having Dumbo just outside the Haunted Mansion is lazy design work. Word on the street is a New Fantasyland may be one of the things coming with that next big influx of cash.

The suits of the Oriental Land Company clearly understand the park needs upgrades badly to keep it fresh as the one next door. You can rest assured plans are on the table to do exactly that. I do wish they would dust off this project: Sci-Fi City. Here's the concept art for the beautiful redo of Tomorrowland:

Never built Sci-Fi City to replace Tomorrowland.

Imagineer Eddie Sotto, responsible for the beautiful rendition of Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Paris, turns the land of the future upside down, giving it a retro comic book feel. A land of 40s space heroes and villains.  Space Mountain gets reimagined including a new piece of exterior track. Disneyland's beloved Flying Saucers return in a new form. Plus more. The entire project just gleams with a bright sheen.

Disney Sea from the air. Lots of room for Frozen to show up!

The second Tokyo park is not being overlooked. As the suits have chosen to pour billions of dollars into their two parks and the resort at large in the next decade. (Yes, billions). 

Here's DisneySea from the air. Mermaid Lagoon is at the left top with the park entrance to the right. If the estimated $500 million plans are approved, you can count on Frozen's land of Arendelle to become the next port built. Perhaps it will go right across from the American Waterfront. The South American themed Lost River Delta would separate Ariel's kingdom from Elsa's, giving guests a chance to explore ancient ruins with Indiana Jones in between princess focused attractions.

If the suits in Japan go all in, I can see Imagineers creating an Arendelle that may favorably compare in substance to the Pirate themed land being built in Shanghai Disneyland. Can't you just picture a Norwegian style village on the shore with Elsa's first  magnificent castle (below) forming an entry point to a Frozen adventure or two? 

Princess dining and more inside.

Without a doubt Frozen has joined the Disney canon of classic animated films. It's popular worldwide and absolutely a cultural phenomena in Japan. The guests have embraced Mermaid Lagoon as the first Disney land dedicated to one movie property. They will definitely take the newest addition to heart, especially when the port will contain a state of the art attraction using a brand new technology to tell the story. Add to it a few more smaller scale attractions, unique shopping and dining. Another theme park smash. Conversely, we lucky Americans are getting a cheap Maelstrom remodel in Florida to represent one of Disney's most popular and profitable franchises... and in a park where its does not belong.

For now, I am waiting to be wowed in Florida. It's been almost six years since my last trip to Walt Disney World, and at the rate in which Disney builds new attractions, it will at least be another 5 or so years before I finally book another trip. Maybe I'll go to Tokyo instead. And maybe you should too.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney World's Lost Mountain: The Infamous Fire Mountain

Never give up. 

I've been looking for a piece of Imagineering concept art for years. The piece above is for the infamous never-built Fire Mountain for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. I found it on the Neverland Files site and did a few quick fixes to highlight the details.

Set to be an extension of the castle park's Adventureland, this incredible idea would have also sat across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Polynesian Village Resort. Not a bad thing to be looking at while you're on the beach waiting for fireworks! It would certainly bring a new look and feel to an old and tired part of the park as well as opening up the options for new stories.

If you look closely at the art (and as always, click on it for the largest size), you'll see the project also went by the name Volcania.   

What is that front and center? Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, in fact, the Nautilus submarine. Would that be a nod to 20K Leagues Under the Sea or a full-blown attraction? If you're thinking as I am that the suits at Disney would try to pass this onto the Oriental Land Company for Tokyo DisneySea, my guess is we are right.

Rumors of old attraction being reborn come and go (think Western River Expedition), but sometimes it really does happen. It's rare- and in this case, I'd say we chalk up a great idea to the history books.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)