A Fresh Way to Be Thankful on Memorial Day

Thank you to those who served to maintain our freedoms and gave the ultimate gift of the sacrifice of their lives. These men and women spent their lives so others could live free, following the pattern of Jesus Christ who gave up his life willingly so they all who would know him, love him, and give their lives to him, would live free for eternity.

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

My wonderful wife retired from teaching after 25 years. She well deserves these words of blessing from Jesus for her faithfulness! Loving and teaching children is a gift that's hard to act out with grace and gentleness. But she has been called to this as much as any person could be! Well done, dear wife!

Expansion for Disneyland Paris

Expansion plans for the world's most beautiful Magic Kingdom? Yes, please! Disneyland Paris has been relatively untouched by the newer and very different group of Imagineers than the ones who designed this gorgeous park. Financial woes have thankfully had a plus side! There's been few alterations to the park. But it is time for something new. Is there space for expansion? Absolutely! Each land holds vast amounts of acreage just waiting for it to happen. By the way, see the yellowish mountain of sorts in the upper left hand corner of Frontierland? Could it be for Splash Mountain? Check this out. You'll see the concept art for something VERY interesting.

(Model copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Richard Carpenter, Chris May, and Mike Cidoni Lennox Go Behind the Music of Carpenters

Richard Carpenter of the beloved Carpenters music group meets with authors Mike Cidoni Lennox (left) and Chris May as they celebrate their collaboration, Carpenters: The Musical Legacy. For the first time, brother Richard tells his stories of the creation of the beloved music and albums that he and sister Karen Carpenter created over the decades. Rumor has it that this book is only the beginning of a series of events and activities focusing on 50+ years of enduring music. Proving once again that songs like Yesterday Once More, Top of the World and Goodbye to Love never really go out of style, fans have been requesting a volume like this for years- one that focuses on the creation of the music the world loves. 

Summer Kicks Off!

Finally, Summer arrives! Not officially, but for us, the warmer weather and the ability to sleep at night with the cool but not cold breezes marks the beginning of the season. And this nice little greenhouse project makes a great beginning to time in the garden!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Who Knew the Jungle Cruise Could Look Like This?

This photo shocked me- but in a good way! Take a look at this gorgeous photograph of the Jungle Cruise at Hong Kong Disneyland by user HKDL Fantasy on Twitter. The bright reds, oranges, and yellows of Spring bring an entirely different look to this reimagined classic Adventureland attraction. This little park may be considered by some as the runt of castle parks, but it's huge on charm and getting better as the years go by! A brand new castle, the upcoming Frozen themed land, Mystic Manor and more. A pretty good line-up!

Epcot Musings

Why is it that even in its saddest state ever, Epcot, continues to be my favorite Walt Disney World park? It certainly does not have the most iconic and beloved attractions. That crown would easily go to the Magic Kingdom. Nor does it hold the most technologically impressive ones as that winner would have to be Rise of the Resistance and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Lastly, it isn't even the contender for the park with my current Top Two Attractions. That would be Disney's Animal Kingdom for Expedition: Everest and Flight of Passage as the current king of must-see-when-I-visit favorites. So why does Epcot- and not the much better EPCOT Center -continue to fascinate?

Much of what I loved at Florida's second Disney park no longer exists. Reflections of Earth is gone. The epic but long gone adventures of Journey into Imagination, Horizons, and World of Motion now only exist in my imagination, and their replacements are a mere shadow of what originally was purposely and beautifully designed. Those days are gone as is the promised future of many more World Showcase pavilions.

Is help on its way or more pain as the revisioning of the park continues? Love it or not, Imagineer Zach Riddley is certainly keeping us up to date with the tiniest of details. He wants to convince us it's more than his job to bring this park back to a pristine and refreshed state, that it's a personal passion for him. So far, the results are mixed. Yet, the biggest wins are in areas where the park is returning to elements from the past, so maybe we can begin to believe him. We've yet to see the coming future, but I'm trying to be open-minded. I've already said this, and I'll say it again: We are the reason Epcot is changing.

With so much gone, what's left to love? Plenty! Wide open expanses of gardens filled with blooms. Large bodies of water that reflect the morning sun and the evening sunset. The classic and still inspiring Spaceship Earth, the retro--cool Living with the Land boat ride, and a little figment of my imagination. He certainly needs a better attraction, but his sheer presence harkens to what could be.

That's it- potential! I find it in the optimism that abounds in the faces of the hopefully soon to return international citizens that populated the mini-nations of World Showcase. The beauty of the films of France, of China, and yes, even of Canada. The live music, the cultural exhibits, the stunning American Adventure production- one of Disney's most incredible attractions. I find sweetness and humor in the Gran Fiesta Tour, in Frozen Ever After- and soon in Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. These are far from perfect and could be much better, but they counterbalance the tones of the more serious aspects of the park.

It's when the sun begins to set for the day when Epcot comes alive and my appreciation and love for the park truly grows. How can any guest not look at the pavilions of World Showcase lit up against an evening sky and the calming lagoon and not get that sense of elegance and sophistication all around that brings a smile? That leisurely evening stroll with a treat in hand (liquid or otherwise) as the local music plays, the pace relaxes, and the rush to run from attraction to attraction turns into an embrace of the time to take in all the exquisite views that abound. Maybe an attraction, an exhibit or two. Then it's dinner! Choosing a favorite place to sit still, have some warm conversation about the day's events, and some fairly good food (if you choose wisely) is the perfect way to begin the night time touring. For me, the later the dinner the better, as we can walk out through the park and take in all the countries with most all the guests departed for the day. It's quiet and almost sacred in its serenity. I'd choose it over an exhausting day at any other park. 

Can you sense why I love Epcot? Hopefully that continues with all the changes to come. The big blue box annoys me, and the giant metal tacos ruin a once gorgeous view. Shuttered Future World pavilions remain, and construction seems to be everywhere. Yet, I'm not giving up! I'm optimistic that more good changes are coming than bad ones. The optimism is in me- and I remain cautiously open to the park's future. Do you?

(Photograph copyright Zach Riddley and The Walt Disney Company.)
 

Hear, Hear!

These incredible words from the Old Testament, found in the Book of Deuteronomy 6:4-7, remind us of the importance to love God with everything we have and are. After being at two funerals this week, it was pretty apparent I have some adjusting to do...

Carpenters: The Musical Legacy Book Coming!

The definitive biography of one of the most enduring and endeared recording artists in history—the Carpenters—will be told for the first time from the perspective of Richard Carpenter, through more than 100 hours of exclusive interviews and some 200 photographs from Richard’s personal archive, many never published. CARPENTERS: THE MUSICAL LEGACY is coming to bookstores on October 19th. Pre-order your copy today: https://www.papress.com/pages/carpenters.

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Thanks to Chris May and his coauthor Mike Cidoni Lennox for this labor of love!

Rare 1967 Disneyland Painted Map

Here's a fresh and bright and charming 1967 map of Disneyland. It seemingly wasn't used much if at all as there are no labels or text, but it is full of vintage goodness. Used shortly after the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean that same year, the graphic design of the icons sparkle with life. 

It was during a season when Audio-Animatronics were new and exciting. Take a look at the prominence of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln right at the hub, the Enchanted Tiki Room makes its splash on the map, and the beautiful clock tower of It's A Small World stands proudly behind the castle. Beyond those highlights, the beloved and iconic New Tomorrowland shows off the Peoplemover while older school attractions still have a place. From the Swiss Family Treehouse to the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Jungle Cruise, Disney knew their market and that variety is the spice of life.

For all its many changes over the decades, "Walt's park" certainly remains just as astonishing as ever!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

When in Venice

When Epcot's World Showcase will have to suffice since travel is unavailable, it's still worth looking over some old family vacation photos. Italy's Venice never disappoints! If it's beautiful during the day, it is absolutely stunning at night. 

In the Summer of 2007, my wife and I took a three week long adventure through Europe. Don't be mistaken in thinking we're made of money! We saved $50 a month for ten years to make it happen. (Yes, read that again- it wasn't a typo!) But boy, was it worth it! France, the UK, Italy, and Germany. It's a trip of a lifetime. You can read all about it and see our photos here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Retro Look at Disneyland's Tomorrowland- Herb Ryman Style

Many, many Imagineers are excellent artists, but none can compare to Herb Ryman, a man responsible for so many pieces of concept art for Disneyland and especially EPCOT Center. This isn't one of those incredible, beautifully rendered paintings for Disney's first non-castle park, but it is still quite a charming one. 

There's a cool retro / vintage vibe to this 1950's look to Tomorrowland that only Herb could execute. This snapshot of the "Space Bar" captures all the elements of then futuristic design.

As we know, post the 1967 revisioning, Tomorrowland lost its way and has yet to be found. Will it ever come back to its glory days? I have a small bit of hope. The planned throwback for the land's entrance seems promising for a new future. Now only if Disney can ever get it together to complete it. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Proposal and A Plan

Congratulations to our son and his fiancé! May their lives together be blessed!

Olivia Newton-John and Paul Anka Make Beautiful Music

Reminiscent of Art Garfunkel's mid-70s hit, I Only Have Eyes for You, the talents of singer/songwriter Paul Anka and Olivia Newton-John make his Put Your Head on My Shoulder even more beautiful than his original. It's a song seemingly written for one of my favorite singers to record. You've just got to hear it!

Disneyland's Splash Mountain Promotional Poster

Fan favorite Splash Mountain made a great big, well, splash when it debuted at Disneyland in 1989! Some would argue it is one of the best attractions spearheaded by Imagineer Tony Baxter. That'd be quite an argument as you could make up a whole theme park of his projects- and it's be filled with much loved attractions like Journey Into Imagination, the Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and even all of Disneyland Paris!

As you'll see below, the final version is enhanced and a bit different.

Here are all the other Critter Country attraction posters.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)