Songland Needs A Rewrite

NBC's songwriting competition, Songland, needs a rewrite. It's a great concept brought to the mainstream by Maroon5 frontman  Adam Levine. The problem is not the concept. It's one of the coaches.

While One Republic's Ryan Tedder and mega super star producer Ester Dean - with her sparkling, happy personality- fit perfectly, it's country music's Shane McAnally that is the misfit. He may be a talented guy, but each interaction with the songwriters seems to turn into a personal therapy session as Shane discusses his past and his demons. A self-focused downer. During the Leona Lewis session, he even seems to hit on one of the contestants. Very unprofessional.

The concept is solid and has yielded some pretty good results. Let's hope this show gets renewed for a second season- with a new producer / coach.

Trip Report September 2019: Animal Kingdom is Just a Zoo?

This trip with these travelers, Disney's Animal Kingdom came in last place when it came to the rankings of the theme parks. Epcot came in third, and surprisingly Magic Kingdom came in second, leaving Disney's Hollywood Studios as the Number One favorite theme park. Your rankings may vary- as did mine, by quite a bit actually. But I'm an old school Imagineering fan where design detail, immersive environments and a wide variety of attractions play an important part of the overall experience.  For this post, I'll begin with Animal Kingdom as we spent the least amount of time there.

Over the decades I have discovered that each trip taken to the same location is different than the ones I have had before. Our touring experiences and the rankings above prove this point once more.

To set up the stats for this trip, let me tell you our group was made up of two boys (8 and 7), one girl (5), their parents- my daughter and her husband (mid-30s) and my wife and I. Other than my daughter, no one else in her family had been to Walt Disney World before- and only her husband had been to Disneyland once. She herself had not been to Florida since 1999. 

Pouring over the map in preparation

for a day of exploration.

We were set to depart knowing that we would probably experience some park closures or being restricted to our rooms at Pop Century due to the coming Hurricane Dorian. The parks were empty, including Animal Kingdom which fell on Day Two.

Unfortunately, this beautiful park was only a zoo

to this crowd.

Due to a very late night before, with the little guys beat, we missed both our 8:30am Kilimanjaro Safari and almost our Expedition Everest Fast Pass times. When it hit 8:00am and we were still in the room, I went on the app and gave up the safari for someone else to have. Wouldn't have mattered. Most everything was a walk on.

Arriving at almost 11, we reversed our initial plan and first walked straight to Everest. Only our littlest tourist couldn't ride, much to her disappointment as she likes to keep up with her brothers. My wife happily sat out with her.  I've long described Everest as "Big Thunder on steroids" and my favorite ride on the property. 

Photopass was put to good use.

The reactions? My oldest daughter declared it a winner; her hubby wasn't thrilled, but the two boys loved it in spite of it putting the fear of God into them... and they immediately wanted to ride again. We stopped in the exit shop nearby to buy each of them an Everest T-shirt to commemorate them braving the mountain, just as I did last year with their cousin. Once again, they spoke up, sharing their desire to do it again. We could have done so easily as the line was up to ten minutes now, but we made a decision to take our youngest traveler on something she was tall enough for: Kali River Rapids.

Her smile says it all.

Being Florida, we expected hot and humid and a larger group of people here, but the crowds were nil, leaving us to walk right through the empty snaking line all the way to the front and into our raft. Kali has a gorgeous queue, perhaps the prettiest in all of the park. Such a waste for a journey less than half the length of what was originally planned. No fire effects, no logging sounds, nothing. Just one big drop after a few spins, and it was over. Even our little adventurer asked if that was it. Kids say the darnedest things!

The Safari was next, and the experience landed with a collective thud. I miss the opening days when drivers from the African continent were present. I miss the days I couldn't see so much chain link fence, and being we rode around noon, we missed seeing most of the animals. An antelope doesn't cut it, but at least the lion was out. Looking back through our photos, none of us had taken one single shot of anything related to the park's centerpiece attraction! Gorilla Falls did not charm the kids either. This visit - our only day in this park- was going downhill quickly. Very, very quickly.

It was time for a new tactic, so I suggested the winning Festival of the Lion King. As we waited, the skies opened and a torrent of rain washed down drenching those under the portions of the line that were uncovered. Due to the direction it fell, we took a lot of water too, but not nearly as much as our neighbors. The kids wanted rides and not shows. Of course, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Disney Parks in Florida are filled with shows to round out the attraction list as these parks remained under built for decades. (Could this be one reason the Magic Kingdom is still the most visited?) The kids reluctantly went in, but once the giant character floats and especially the monkey gymnasts came in, they were infinitely more interested. It was a solid "B" rating, but it came back with a request from the boys to conquer the mountain once again.

Kevin from "Up"

brings the biggest smiles of the day.

We had dinner reservations at Boma in the early evening as our large group was on the Disney Dining Plan, so off to Flame Tree BBQ we went for lunch. Since the park opened in 1998, this place has consistently provided delicious meals of all those on the property without fail visit after visit. No different this time either. 

As we edged so much closer to our last ride time of the day, Flight of Passage, we ran into Kevin as we circled back to Everest for another ride. I made it to the last seat, my favorite. We rounded the bend to Dinosaur while it was raining hard again. In the preshow area, so many people were talking and yelling that we couldn't hear the set up for the jeep ride, and we were right up against the screen. This kind of stuff is irritating, as for most people, I bet Walt Disney World is a once in a lifetime trip. The same kind of discourtesy happens at Disneyland as the regulars tend to speak all the lines of the attractions as if these were sing a long shows. Annoying! But the ride was another average hit with the kids. They wanted Everest again. Are you sensing a pattern here?

The Valley of...

I can't remember much anything specific about this movie.

Finally Pandora! It was a mere 15 minutes to take the boat ride. Good thing, as it was another "meh" rated experience. As for me, I think the environment is beautiful, but the attraction needs a bit of a story, a slightly longer length, a few real Audio-Animatronic Na'vi hunters and a few robotic animals to bring the experience up to where it should have been. Gotta say though,  I love Disney dark rides cruising in a boat.

As our very last attraction, it pleased me that Flight of Passage was an overall home run! The boys loved it. We needed the baby swap option, so some of us rode twice. I discovered my immediate second ride was as thrilling as the first. Boom, it hit me. I had a huge smile on my face. Until Disney Imagineers wow us again, I now have to say Flight of Passage is my new favorite ride on the property.

On our way to the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner, I asked my daughter and son-in-law what they thought of the park. It was "pretty but really just a zoo". They were glad it was only one day of our trip. They told me they wouldn't even go back next visit if they were short on time.

Another lesson learned: Each guest experiences the Disney theme parks in very different ways. We come with very different tastes and a large variety of expectations. For some like me, this lush giant Adventureland is worth an entire day exploring and stopping to soak in all the details as well as enjoying the rides and shows. For others, if it's not a roller coaster, it's not worth the time. And still for others, if you're under some height restrictions, it could be a very frustrating day where you often feel left out. 
----------------

Next up might be the Magic Kingdom. We'll see. 

(I guess it's time for that next part in my detailed look at the history, creation, and evolution of Disney's Animal Kingdom...Part One of Eight - so far- starts here. It's also full of rare concept art, plenty of information on unbuilt attractions, and trip reports through the years.)

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Turning In My Mickey Ears

Just returned home Sunday from a trip to Walt Disney World. I don't know whether to laugh or cry or both. Since I gave a blow by blow trip report last year (and one of Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge just a week or so ago), I'm going to do something different this time. 

Since we park hopped quite a bit, I will give you a summation of what I discovered at each park (including what I do and don't like about the coming changes to Epcot), at the resorts, and at Disney Springs. It was also our first time on the Disney Dining Plan. Boy, do I have a lot to say about that!

I also have a bit to share on how guests handle themselves - the good, the bad, the ugly- and how to cheat the system. Watch for a series of posts, hopefully starting tomorrow...

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Standing Through the Storm: God Is Often Most Visable When Things Are Most Awful

"During the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11, many of the people who survived that fateful day were interviewed by the press. One was a man who lost his father to a heart attack as a young boy and outlived an IRA bomb blast in Britain as well as survived violent San Francisco earthquakes. Steve Gill was executive vice-president at Standard Chartered Bank and had just left his office in the World Trade Center for a breakfast meeting when he had to dodge the glass shards raining down from the North Tower after the plane had hit it. He successfully fled the scene on a ferry bound for Staten Island.

As a Christian, he has been repeatedly asked why God spared him but not thousands of innocent mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters. He has no definitive answer. But when reflecting on lessons learned he says, “I saw that God is often most visible when things are most awful, whether it’s Christ on the Cross or the World Trade Center attack killing three thousand people…I don’t know why bad things happen. But I see that God is most present when things are at their worst.”      

There are a number of biblical examples. Perhaps Joseph’s situation stands out most. Languishing in a jail on unjust charges, he is even forgotten by those he befriends and helps. At his lowest point, he is brought to Pharaoh to interpret a dream and becomes the second in command of the nation and saves his people and the Egyptian nation from starvation.

The Persecuted Church also testifies that God is most present in the worst of times. Pastor Wang Ming Dao spent over twenty-three years in prison in China for his faith. On his release at eighty years of age he said of his imprisonment, “That was my honeymoon with Jesus!” 

Muslim background pastor Medhi Dibaj in Iran spent seven years in prison with the last few years isolated in a small cramped cell. On his release he said, “The past few years have been the sweetest years I’ve ever spent with Jesus.”

Liviu Georgescu was a teenager when his father, Costel, was distributing Bibles in Romania during the communist regime. Open Doors asked him what he thought of the time when his father was in prison for his faith. Liviu said, “It was a very good time, because then we had more time and opportunities to give Bibles to people and to talk about the faith. Now there is more freedom, but we have to work harder and put in longer hours in order to get by. This means that we have little time or energy for the faith. There is less interest as well.”

God seems to be most visible when things are at their worst."

(Text copyright Open Doors. Photograph copyright Reuters.)

We Will Never Forget

Americans all over the world will not forget the events of that September morning so many years ago. There are so many stories I could tell direct from a now deceased friend who was an eye witness. Stories of heroes who gave their lives defending our freedoms. 

I will not tell stories of people who have chosen to act in desperate and evil ways, causing far more harm than we as a nation had seen in decades. There are news headlines every day telling us these kinds of stories. The blame game will not work anymore. 

In honor of today and our great nation and the heroes who served at a time of crisis- and those who continue to serve us, I offer this Psalm, this prayer:

I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison,that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.(Psalm 142)

We will not always understand what God allows, but our trust must rest in Him as He is always good and always loving... and He always keeps an eternal perspective in mind.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - A Preview of Things to Come

Busy gathering my thoughts and photos for a series of pasts about my recent trip to Walt Disney World, but here's a preview. Disney's Hollywood Studios at 9:00am. Lining up for the Millennium Falcon, it ended up being a 20 minute standby wait. Maybe the rain dampened the crowds...

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Dog Day Afternoon

Doing a bit of dog sitting for our son. Yesterday afternoon, I wandered to the back door to check on him. Found this chocolate lab sitting on a patio chair enjoying the sun. Such a funny pup!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Tokyo Disneysea Fantasy Springs Peter Pan Ride System Revealed

Looking for real old school Imagineering innovation? It's always best to look East- Tokyo Disney Resort especially! Here are the freshly revealed plans for the new Peter Pan attraction that will debut at Tokyo Disneysea's brand new Fantasy Springs. Looks like quite the boat ride! Could it be borrowing elements from Shanghai Disneyland's amazing Pirates of the Caribbean attraction? Sure looks like it! Some folks seem to believe this is an older concept that has now been discarded. Could it be?

Thanks to Emil who revealed this piece on his twitter account. 

Carpenters Country

Every since the country chart success of Sweet, Sweet Smile from their ambitious 1977 album, Passage, Karen and Richard Carpenter  were asked if they'd ever consider creating an entire disc of country tunes. 

One of the most clever ads the A&M Records 

promotions team devised for Karen and Richard.

This photo might fit for a future country compilation.

With Karen's warm voice, this was a fairly natural direction for the duo to take every once in awhile. Going all the way back to 1970, the Carpenters included country tinged selections in several of their albums, starting with their breakthrough album, Close to You. 

In chronological order, here's a look at the Country Collection that never was:

Reason To Believe 

Top Of The World

Jambalaya

End of the World

Desperado

I'm Caught Between Goodbye and I Love You

One More Time

Sweet Sweet Smile

Two Sides

Those Good Old Dreams

When It's Gone

Two Lives 

The Uninvited Guest 

Thanks to Warren at the A&M Corner discussion boards, we get these shots of a four song promotional disc entitled Country Collection. Issued while their country hit was climbing the charts, its gave jockeys a chance to look backward and play some other selections for their listeners. Was this prepping a new audience for the music of Karen and Richard? Like many things, this is one aspect to their "What coulda been" that we fans will never know. 

To Hell With Toad

Definitely a very odd choice for a Fantasyland favorite, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride sends its riders on a crash course to Hell. The attraction did go the way of Pooh at Walt Disney World, but the love for the ride remains- and it looks like there's no plans to remove it at Disneyland. Sure has made me think...

"You may ask how people wind up in hell if God is a loving God. People wind up in hell by trampling the love of God instead of treasuring it. They ignore it, spurn it, yawn over it, close their hearts to it, keep saying "someday, someday, someday."

The Bible says there will be a day of reckoning. To those who have spurned His love, God will say in effect, "I loved you every day of your life. I loved you with a perfect love. I extended Myself to you.  I made My wisdom available to you. I made My comfort and My strength and My Spirit available to you. I made My offer of salvation to you. But you trampled and spurned My love. You had it your way on earth, so now you can have it your way in eternity."

Are you facing that scenario? Will you continue to trample the love of God? That's the question of the ages, and it is one you yourself must answer."

Bill Hybels

New Old Tomorrowland Fun Map

Here's a fun little graphic that captures the heart and spirit of Walt Disney's Tomorrowland. The look of the piece is fun and retro, with a vintage vibe in color and design. Certainly a map of Disneyland to enjoy. Not much more to say here, but I think it will give us something to look at as we ponder the future of California's land of the future.

(Map from Disneycartography.com)

Vintage Magic Kingdom Art

Compared to what was painted and sketched for Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World had relatively little concept art done for the park. What you can find is actually quite charming (particularly the art done for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). 

This piece showing the main entrance to the park, the train station, and a bit of good old Main Street U.S.A. is done in the very rich, saturated, 1960's type color scheme that was all the rage. With the monorail track dissecting the piece and a bit of a lighthouse below, the Imagineers highlighted that this was just not a copy of the park that made Anaheim famous. In California, the parking lot lead to the ticket booths at the front of Disneyland. The Seven Seas Lagoon sets a very classy and inviting the stage for what was to come in Florida. 

Disney park lovers will argue back and forth with resort is best, west coast or east coast, but they reality is each holds its own unique aspects and very different environments. More on that in posts to come.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Disneyland Break from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Here you go: a mock Rocket Rods attraction poster. Long may the Tomorrowland attraction live in our memories!

Hollywood Studios Gets Stars Wars: Did Disney Learn From the Galaxy's Edge Disaster in California?

Will the Disney's Hollywood Studios version of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge be better received than it was at it's older California sibling? We're about to find out! Without its star attraction, Rise of the Resistance, its anyone's guess. Certainly, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was not desired to anchor the land. It seems as if the suits have learned some lessons from the past. A little humility is always a good thing!

I'll find out soon as to how this new land compares as our long planned Walt Disney World trip takes place very soon. In the meantime  my take on Disneyland's version of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge here.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Waiting...Not So Patiently

Today is the day. Always my most favored day of any D23 presentation- the theme park announcements. And this year, my favorite Florida park is in the spotlight. Waiting...