Disney Film Travel Posters Hint at Future Park Attractions

Travel posters of places home to Disney movies' animated characters. What's not to love? As you'll see, there are some similarities to the original Disneyland attraction posters that everyone loves. At top is Atlantis, from Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The cool blues and greens and purples call out to me. Part of me wishes this was for an attraction based on the film. Real concept art for an attraction at Disneyland exists, and the new version of the Submarine Voyage was teased. You can see it all here. A guy can dream, right?

Ah, the islands! The next two here are for Moana and Peter Pan. Both very good movies, and the latter one is one of my all time Disney favorites. Makes for a great Fantasyland attraction or one at Tokyo Disneysea's new Fantasy Springs area. Will a Moana flume ride make it to the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland? Maybe one day. Those Imagineers are always up to something.

Zootopia's staying power has surprised me. Even though the first was a lot of fun, it was really the second movie that made me appreciate the franchise even more. Will I go to Shanghai Disneyland to see the park's land? Probably not, but it seems Disney California Adventure could get its own version if the rumors are true that this is what new Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro wants. Goodbye Pandora West.

It could work in California Adventure- 

the park where theme goes out the window.

Big Hero 6 gives us San Fransokyo. While I think the film is great, the land doesn't seem as well done. There's no real attraction. I mean, as fun as it may be, a meet and greet with Baymax is just not enough. But again, this is Disney California Adventure where the bar gets lower and lower each time an addition is added. 

This is not a precursor to Villain's Land! But it very well could be as the underworld of Hades would make a compelling but very dark backdrop to all those bad guys. 

This next one could be a real life location in Italy! We've been to the Cinque Terra, the inspiration. And it is lovely by any definition. Luca is a clever film that enchants with its atmosphere. Its main characters Luca and Alberto are best friends, much like the Bible's David and Jonathan. You can read into their relationship however you want. I prefer what's really there in the film over what's not. 

Disney Adventure World in Paris is getting the world's first Lion King themed land. The old studios park needs something like this. Frozen is beautiful but the main attraction is not an "E Ticket" by any definition. The new park layout looks beautiful, however. 

Hopefully, this is part of a new and ongoing poster series!

Zootopia 2- Witty Sequel!

Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps are on a roll! Zootopia 2 is everything the suits needed it to be, and the whole afternoon in the theater was much more fun than anything found in Moana 2... or even Frozen 2. In fact, it was much more enjoyable than just about anything the Walt Disney Company or even Pixar has put on in years. Yes, the kids laughed and so did all the adults. 

Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin are the strongest pair of lead characters since Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi showed everyone how it was done in the animated Rapunzel film, Tangled.

Zootopia 2 may not make you look at snakes in an entirely different way, but it is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Bring on the next part of the series. Honestly, now I'd like to go to Shanghai Disneyland and see the Zootopia world in 3D. That is saying something!

New Animal Kingdom Attraction Poster Misses the Mark

LOVE Disney attraction posters! Classic Disneyland to those designed for the reImagined California Adventure and beyond. But this brand new one for Animal Kingdom's new Zootopia: Better Zoogether! just misses the mark. Lacking imagination and flair, it's a pretty bland offering. I hope the new attraction in the Tree of Life theater is better!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

A Better Monsters Inc. Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Door Roller Coaster is a sure thing! But what is also included in the new plans for Disney's Hollywood Studios revision of the area once home to Muppet*Vision 3D into one that celebrates all things Monsters Inc.? You can bet this concept art is keeping some details hidden, but let's be honest. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor belongs here (with perhaps a new name to avoid its unfortunate abbreviation) as does Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue from Disney California Adventure. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios needs an actual dark ride for the youngest of guests who will not able be to ride the family coaster. The park has a current total of zero old school Disneyland styled classic dark rides. These are the kind of smaller attractions that are classic Disney and round out a park filled with E Tickets and stage shows. Will the suits ever really get their popularity? They bring charm and warmth to any park, something the Studios is sorely lacking.

This expansion also needs a character filled, friendly monster stage show to go with the meet and greets. Imagineering and the Disney park fans have made these an inevitable part of any Disney themed land. 

Lastly, this new land needs a great spot to sit down and eat for folks who cannot get into or choose not to splurge on the sure to be quite overpriced Harryhausen's Japanese restaurant. The slightly Muppets themed PizzeRizzo is a prime location for something great and with a menu price befitting the family friendly budget. 

With the stunning success of Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland, the bar for this time of land has been set very high. Will it be matched or exceeded at Walt Disney World? It better! With Epic Universe being SO good and nipping at Disney's heels, the war continues.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Thanks to Blog Mickey for the image.)

Design Detail: Shanghai Disneyland's Treasure Cove

Design detail is what used to make the Disney parks unique. It's not exclusive to them anymore as Universal Creative has made huge strides to transform old spaces into highly detailed ones as well as create modern day theme park masterpieces. Their Diagon Alley at Islands of Adventure is the best single Intellectual Property themed land ever. (Proof is here.) But that is not to say Disney Imagineering has given up on delivering lands rich in artistry and hidden design gems to discover.

In spite of how large the park is and how this creates a lack of charm, Shanghai Disneyland holds a fair amount of design detail. When the lands feel sterile (surprisingly, Fantasyland for example), it's really bad. But when it's good, it's really good.

When it comes to Mainland China's Disney park - let's be clear here, it is not the other way around- it seems everyone is focusing on Zootopia right now. That's expected as it is brand new, but I'd like to look at a different area instead. The pirate themed Treasure Cove is also an example of great design. 

Yes, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure excels in this area. From entrance to queue to the incredible attraction itself, Imagineering hit a grand slam! 

But on the smaller side of the scale, take a look at the top photo of the almost hidden prison cel just above the waterline of the bay that straddles both Treasure Cove and Adventure Isle. There's a skeleton of the last prisoner peering out from behind the bars. You can only see if from the canoes, but it is something that they did not have to add. These thoughtful touches bring something to the park that most guests probably can't put their finger on, but when found all over, they add a depth and richness to the entire park.  Storytelling at its finest.

Here's one more to be found in Treasure Cove...

There's more design detail posts on the blog as these are part of what make great theme parks compelling. At least to me. And probably to you as well if you've read this far!

(Photographer unknown.)

Zootopia Land Forces a Rethinking of Shanghai Disneyland- and the Once Proposed Addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom

As a movie, Zootopia was a fun and better than average coming of age detective story, but nothing I saw more than once or found myself raving about. As a fully developed theme park land, however, it may be an entirely different story. 

Big, bulky, and in many ways impressive but at the same time very awkward looking, Shanghai Disneyland is the equivalent of your distant cousin pumped up on steroids. Everything about it is massive, loud, and in your face. Even the perennially sweet Fantasyland loses its charm there. For better or worse, it is one of a kind.

 

Nick and Judy in Audio-animatronic form. Pretty cute!

Back to the newest land to open soon in China. The only ride to be found is Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless dark ride with terrific sets and a handful of Audio-Animatronics. Although the POV videos on line reveal too much time in front of screens, the attraction as a whole seems fast paced, very creative, and quite immersive. 

How does it compare to other trackless rides before it? Hard to say exactly as I haven't ridden it. But it looks to be in good company with those that came before: Tokyo Disneyland's iconic Pooh's Hunny Hunt and brand new Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast; the clever Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland; the charming Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and the budget busting Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. There's also Ratatouille : L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy at Walt Disney Studios Paris- something I totally forgot about until reminded by "B" below in the comments. Thanks, B!

 

The park map reveals a fully realized land.

Would a new trackless ride based on a movie I've seen once make me go to China's second Disney theme park? No, but the land its in does make me reconsider the appeal of the park. There's so much design detail to be found throughout the land that it feels full of energy. That's something sorely missing from the ambitious but lifeless Galaxy's Edge. Congratulations to the Imagineering team who created this land.

Detail is everywhere!

With TRON Lightcycle Run now at the Magic Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure is all that's left to make me want to travel there. Well, that's not 100% true as I'd like to see China, but there are many more places I want to go, and I don't have time or money at this point in my life to see them all. There are enough differences that make this park unique that maybe bundled together I'd consider it. Adventure Isle's ropes course does appeal to me.

Striking!

Now, the bigger question: Would I want to see this Zootopia land come to Disney's Animal Kingdom? Maybe. It would have to be hidden far enough back in the park as not to interfere with the very natural and yet international feel of what's gone before it. Especially at night. There's a vibe at Animal Kingdom that would be destroyed if it was prominently placed in view of everything else. 

The skyline.

Perhaps if Zootopia was first built in place of the original very cheap looking Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama and not as a replacement for Dinoland U.S.A., there would be a more favorable fan response to it. That said, the land is so well done in China that maybe you could convince me to replace Rafiki's Planet Watch with this. The movie's characters are already coming to the Tree of Life's theater show to replace It's Tough to Be a Bug. 

Will more characters invade the beautiful and elegantly understated Animal Kingdom? You know it's inevitable. So, I think we'd better be prepared.

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Who Will Keep the Flame Burning for Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Viewing my son's beautiful photographs of his Kenyan safari provides an incredible contrast to the blues skies and snow covered landscapes of the world outside my window. These grand vistas are something that cannot be duplicated at Walt Disney World's fourth park, Disney's Animal Kingdom. They certainly have the blessing of size in Florida, but to do this would be impossible.  

As for the park itself, Kilimanjaro Safaris may be overshadowed by Pandora and its Flight of Passage attraction, but the opening day attraction remains the heart of the park. 

What will happen to the park now that creative leader Joe Rohde is gone? Is the park's future bright or under threat? Could there even be anyone left at Imagineering that can carry on and hold the torch? Moana could come and Zootopia could be around the corner, but these may not be the best direction for the park. I'd be encouraged to read some names that you think could pull it off, so do share them.

Regardless, the genesis, evolution, and revelation of Disney's Animal Kingdom continues to fascinate me. One of the blog's most popular series is a True Life Adventure named just that- and it's filled with detailed history of the park's creation and changes, rare concept art, trip reports, and more. Take a look at the past and perhaps the future of the beautiful theme park!

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven

Part Eight

D23 Revealed: Imagineering Concedes the World of Dinosaurs to Universal's Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure

Reflecting on this year’s D23, it is a clear sign of the times. Disney's Josh D'Amaro makes the startling "Blue Sky" comment that fans may not be all that excited about Disney Imagineering's newest ideas for Animal Kingdom. Replacing Dinoland U.S.A. with a Moana and possibly Zootopia mini themed lands. This "Boundless Future" shows Disney is now going to play catch up with its competitor Universal Orlando Resort. Bob Chapek and Mr. D'Amaro now seem in lockstep, allowing the success of the soon coming Epic Universe to chart the course at Disney.

Conceding the realm of dinosaurs to Universal Islands of Adventure and its mega popular Jurassic Park franchise, the transition of letting the Dinosaur aka Countdown to Extinction attraction disappear means Disney has given up on one of the key - and most interesting- concepts for Joe Rohde and team's original lands. 

Sadly, this move will actually decrease guest interest in visiting the fourth Walt Disney World park. A park about animals but without dinosaurs? What kid wants that? Better to revamp the land and make the prehistoric attractions better. But Disney seemingly has lost its mojo unless a project is IP related. When they can play off someone else's creativity, the results can be stellar. Coming up with something compelling and new is more difficult and seemingly not on the horizon. At least not under this leadership.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Grandest Piece of Concept Art for Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland's enormous Enchanted Storybook Castle may be the biggest, tallest, shop, restaurant and attraction filled palace ever, but what would you expect when it is filled with nods to just about every Disney princess ever created? The end result leaves me rather cold, but this piece of concept art makes it very appealing! 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and Tron Lightcycle Power Run are the real stars of the show among the attraction line-up. Will Zootopia attractions bring fresh interest to the park? Who knows? Regardless of what happens in the future to Mainland China's Disney park (and not the other way around), the castle of Imagineering's dreams or nightmares is hugely impressive. So, here it is in the largest size you'll ever find it. Enjoy!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Critical Look at Disney's New Plans for Epcot

Plans for a revised Epcot are rapidly moving along. It seems as if someone finally has a real vision for the once grand park or that the suits at the Walt Disney Company are ready to admit they are not willing to invest in the work necessary to continue on with its original vision to inspire as well as entertain. Just in case you've forgotten what that was, here's the words:

To all who come to this Place of Joy, Hope and Friendship

WELCOME

Epcot is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. 

May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.

E. Cardon Walker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Walt Disney Productions

October 24, 1982

Beginning with a brand new tree and flower filled, fully redesigned entrance, the Imagineers are finally removing the Legacy stones to a more appropriate place. This will make for more pleasant views as well as a much more welcoming environment. 

Old is new again.

When I saw the concept art for the new entrance as well as an additional piece of concept art for the transformation of Future World's Wonders of Life into a "play" pavilion, I wasn't entirely sure what to think.  But I'm clear on it now.

This design works both sides. 

Upon further reflection after really looking at the concept art and thinking about the current for us of the Walt Disney Company, I'm encouraged but not at all surprised by the design choices. 

There's a combination of character infusions in the form of topiary art and several nods to the original EPCOT Center. The acrylic fountain looks similar to the one that was there when the park premiered. The twelve flags along the entryway use the classic park logo. This approach was well thought out- and very, very strategic! 

The "money men" that run the Company are letting us know it's not our parents' park. By giving the entry Disney animated characters in topiary form, they are hinting at a new vision and direction, all the while pandering to original park lovers. By adding design elements we remember, they're increasing our emotional attachment to the place, and our willingness to open our wallets. 

Let's be honest, the suits have been using the same methods for years in order to sell merchandise. How many times do we see the beloved Figment and Dreamfinder and iconic emblems placed on pencils, mugs, sweatshirts and more just to move product? All the time.

Say goodbye to the Communicore hub as we know it.

And what exactly is that big brown box?

There is one major not so subtle change to Spaceship Earth: The entrance for the attraction. This is now moved to the backside giving guests entering from the front of the park a much nicer view than just seeing a lengthy queue front and center. Aesthetics and sightlines are seeming to matter in this reimagining of the opening scene.

Looking even closer, once inside the park, we see that Innoventions / Communicore no longer exists as we knew it. This is a very good thing! 

It's not a popular thing to say among EPCOT Center purists, but I am really looking to open vistas of other Future World structures from the park's main thoroughfare. This park is massive, but it's difficult to realize all that is in Future World. 

Now that the content of the old buildings reflects a constant failure to bring fresh ideas to light, a new approach to the space was needed. With the Western side building disappearing and a reinvention of the Eastern side, these changes will create a more welcoming environment. This makes it more appealing for guests to explore areas of the park they may not initially seem interested in. Better crowd dispersal and more exploration could be the end result. Of course, a stronger attraction line up would help too! They'd better get working on refreshing the curb appeal of these buildings, however! There's not a moment to waste.

Goodbye Festival Center / Wonders of Life! Hello Kid's play area.

Until this year's D23 or another announcement, the only other official hint of what's to come reflects changes to the Wonders of Life building. This is the continuation of Epcot's transition to Magic Kingdom 2.0, which began long before Frozen took over Norway's Maelstrom boat ride. International Culture is now replaced with Disney Culture i.e. Disney Intellectual Property in this park.

Given the Wonders of Life building is right next door to the new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster (which is sure to have a height requirement), I'm sure the suits thought "We'd better give smaller guests who can't ride something else to do, so let's put it there." 

You can almost 100% bet the decision to add a "play" pavilion in this form got approval in this manner- the same basic approach used to justify Marvel in the parks:

Statisticians - “Epcot needs an attendance boost.”

Public opinion poll - “ It needs to be more "Disney.”

Suits- “Well then, let's get more animated characters into the park. What properties are not big enough for their own major attraction?”

Researchers - “Wreck It Ralph, Up, Zootopia, Inside Out and a bunch of others.”

Suits to Imagineers- “Great! Get them into old Wonders spot. Throw in some character meet and greets. Make it all look good, but be sure to build it as cheaply as possible so we can constantly add the hottest movie characters and sell even more merchandise.”

Characters, characters, characters.

As far as I'm concerned, this new plan is not a wise or optimal approach. Yet, it will do exactly as they planned, bringing more kids into Future World. The plus side is this decision frees up other locations from turning into similar venues.

The official plans will keep developing, and there is certainly more to come. Ratatouille and Guardians are only the beginning of the new Epcot. 

The original vision of the park is disappearing for good. Partially this comes from the failure of Humanism which was the core inspiration for the park. Humanism results in hopelessness, loss of optimism. We see it in our society as people get more and more desperate and angry, needing entertainment to bring them any  brightness. Disney quickly comes to the rescue with reminders of a happier world- even if it is a character induced dream.

(Even fans get into the act re-Imagineering the park. The top image is a plan from the folks at Imagineerlandblogspot.com. Top Art copyright Imagineerland. Other images copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Here Piggy!

Solid rumors have it two more Zootopia sequels are on the way, and Shanghai Disneyland just announced a new land to be built at the Chinese park. This cautionary tale of what happens when everyone is not accepted in society has taken a firm hold on the Disney Fan community. 

What's missing in the story and the point its trying to make? It could be represented by one character that was left out of the movie: Mayor Swinton, a female pig that's a bad guy at her core.

While the film has its stereotypes (a sloth as a DMV worker, a male fox as a slicker than slick con man, just to name a few), it's rare if not impossible to find a full realized female villain in the film. Maybe in the sequels. Perhaps then the movie's point will be fairly even handed. One day, we will all be valued for who we are, regardless or race or gender- where people's goodness is not relegated to one type or background or measured against the current political correctness. 

Men with little common sense get deservingly railed on for doing blackface, but when little ole media darling Joy Behar does it, the news pundits seem to forget all about it so so quickly. Double standard, I say. The same could be said for the agenda that may exist behind this film.  

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Irony of Zootopia Going to Shanghai Disneyland

Am I the only one or is it strange to others as well that a film about human rights and respecting differences is being turned into an entire theme park land in one of the most repressive countries in the world? 

Yes, Shanghai Disneyland is getting Zootopia. (Think about this: Is it possible that the movie's dialogue- the parts that scream for tolerance and individual rights- were rewritten or even removed from the Chinese version of the film? Hmmm...)

Humans rights violations can be stacked up as dumplings on a plate: Forced abortions, mandating no one worships anyone but President Xi Jinping, and more. And the Walt Disney Company has jumped into bed with the government for the sake of a buck, um, yuan- billions of them. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland- Oh OK.

A very odd choice to be sure, but it looks like a new land based on Zootopia will be coming to Shanghai Disneyland. Promising guests adventures with the film's two main characters, Imagineering is designing an entirely new landscape complete with shops and dining to bring the film to life. A new attraction I can understand. An entirely new land? Interesting choice.

Can a sequel be far behind?

These recent choices for park additions to the distinctively Chinese Disney resort prove once again- for better or for worse- Shanghai Disneyland is like no other Disney park.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney Hype Machine Has Me on Overload

In the latest announcement from Disney, Zootopia has made over $1 Billion in box office ticket sales. This continues a string of successes like Frozen (naturally), Tangled, and Big Hero 6. Why doesn't this seem all that exciting to me?  I think I am just so done with Disney's hype machine. And yet, the opening of Shanghai Disneyland is just around the corner...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)