It's a Small World- The Doll Arrives 25 Years Later

Many years ago, my youngest daughter fell in love with the can can dancer doll at Disneyland's classic It's a Small World. Every visit- and to the Golden Horseshoe for the Can Can actually- she had to point out the French dancing doll. That was a quarter of a century ago.

Now that she is a mommy and has her own newborn daughter, I knew it the minute I saw it- this was the gift I had to buy for both of them.

It arrived today in an amazingly crumpled box. Thanks, FedEx. The doll was uninjured. And beautiful. Even if a bit smaller than those found in the Fantasyland attraction, the face and smile were perfectly done.

So, now it sits in her room on top of my granddaughter's bookshelf- waiting for her to discover a bit of Disney magic when she's old enough.

Thank you, Disney Merchandise...

(Image copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Friends Young and Old

Here's to friendship!

Woody Invades Tokyo DisneySea

No one would call me the biggest fan of Toy Story Midway Mania although I am a huge fan of the films. Video game rides just aren't my thing, as I think they show a huge lack of creativity and inspiration. That said, I cannot help but look at this image from a Tokyo DisneySea trip report on line and grin. The Coney Island / Trolleyville Park look makes for a pretty spectacular photo. Is it out of place as part of the American Waterfront? Yes, I think so, even though it is a technical fit. Being right around the corner from the stunning Tower of Terror, it just needed some space and distance to keep guests from being visually jarred. The large scale Woody head screams out-of-place self promotion. It's a far cry from the subtle yet incredible icons that premiered at the park opening.

(Photograph copyright Cravetfiend.)

Iron Man Attraction to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016!

Looks as if the first real attraction featuring a Marvel character will come to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016! A moving vehicle will transport guests into this Marvel world, actually the city of Hong Kong itself- where good faces off with evil. Iron Man Experience will be the first but not only attraction en route to Asia.

Thanks Disney Parks Blog for the information.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Mysterious Concept Art

Every once in awhile, the Disney Parks Blog highlights a piece of Imagineering concept art I've never seen. Today is such a day. Looking at the above piece, I am guessing it is for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland or Disneyland Paris' Phantom Manor. Anyone in the know want to share the scoop?

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company.)

Two Questions About The Little Mermaid

Disney's The Little Mermaid finds its "Diamond" release this week on BluRay and DVD. While on one hand, I find it to be a crass exploitation of the product and a continuing milking of their customer base, you can't blame the suits for making the most of this classic and beloved 1989 animated film.

The bigger questions in my mind center on two thoughts regarding the attractions that celebrate the film- one in California Adventure and the other in Walt Disney World's beautiful but lacking New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. 

Question One- "Dear Walt Disney Suits and Imagineers, what took you so long?" With an unexpected smash like this film that continues to have a strong fan base, why was it 25 years before there was an attraction built in the parks? Imagineer Tony Baxter had wisely planned one for Disneyland Paris two decades ago. Granted, it wasn't the version that finally got built, but the bones are there. What could it be? How could the company that excels at squeezing profits out of every opportunity overlook something like this? 

Question Two- "What the (bleep!) were you thinking by creating the attraction but giving it a lifeless, lackluster, third act?" Where the film ends with a spectacular climax, the same cannot be said for the attraction that was built. After the incredible and convincing Audio-Animatronic of Ursula the Sea Witch, the sense of drama and danger quickly morphed into a sappy and biteless ending, the gorgeous Kiss the Girl scene notwithstanding. Let's just say that Imagineering or budgeteering missed the mark big time. What should have been the reason to hop back in line by giving riders a show stopping storm and confrontation between good and evil, is instead a nice, safe storybook version for the skittish two year old. A wasted opportunity to take some teeth out of the Wizard next door in Florida and soon, California. Harry Potter and his Forbidden Journey ultimately have nothing to worry about.

Let's just hope that by the time this attraction makes Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, or Shanghai, the ending- and a few other details- are fixed to create the ultimate Ariel's journey.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Fall Meets An Early Winter

Oh, that crazy Denver weather. Woke up this morning to this image- beautiful snow covered light strings over my patio. Farther out, the limbs of my trees heavy under a fresh snow. Drizzled snow still coming my way. You can tell which direction it came from as there's still hints of green grass closer to our fence. In practical terms, its very early for a snow here. Usually Halloween night is our first snow. Not this year.  I hope there's not much freeze- I'd hate to miss all the Fall colors.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Authorized Minnie and Bootleg Belle

During my recent travels overseas, I ran into a couple of Disney images I thought were worth saving. The one at top shows Disney's Minnie Mouse gracing the cover of a fashion magazine.

These images shown above display an unauthorized Ariel, Tiana, and Belle. All very well done, I might mention. But it was the human face characters at the benefit that were not. No images for that. Just goes to show, it always pays to keep your eyes open when you travel!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

The Name Game at the Polynesian

Looks like with the planned Vacation Club development at Walt Disney World's beautiful Polynesian Resort, a name change is also in order. In a nod backward to the good old days, the suits have renamed the place with a variation of its original one: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Now, hopefully, the standards at the resort will also return to 1971 levels of service!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Adorable Baby Photo

Isn't this photo priceless? Here's my son-in-law with his son and his newborn daughter. My little grandson walked up to his sister unannounced, and he curled up in his dad's arms, placing his little arm around her tiny little body. Boy, I would have loved to see this "live"!

Beautiful Italy

In our hustle and bustle world, there is something very calming about a trip to Italy. The colors, the sights, the people, the food and wine, the slower pace of life.

Our "major" anniversary gave us a significant reason to visit Europe back in 2007. But where to begin? London and Paris were early winners, as we had visited with our children years before- and promised each other a return visit once they were grown. We saved and save for this anniversary trip...for ten years.

Where to go? Here's how we settled it: Each of us spent a week looking at our travel books, then we wrote down the name of three locations with our first choice on the top. With so many stunning and historic locations to choose from (like much of Europe), we knew we would have to miss something- even with three weeks!

Once we opened the slips of paper, the trip began to unfold. My wife chose Rothenburg, Germany. I decided Venice, Italy was my top pick. From there, the planning fell into place. What a trip it was! And we were blessed by the Lord with a glorious celebration of 25 years of marriage- and a lifetime of memories.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Animal Kingdom's Stunning View

Among us hard core Disney park fans, it is quite in vogue to complain about the current state of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Not that the criticisms are inaccurate. The park is stale and even in disrepair. The Tree of Life is falling limb by limb. The Yeti in Expedition Everest is almost a still life, and the special effects in Dinosaur aka Countdown to Extinction leave much to be desire. 

Even the plans for the future do not seem impressive or even in theme. Avatarland, anyone? A trip to a night-lit Pandora could be amazing, but its relevance to the park theme remains questionable.

With all to question and complain about, one thing is certain. When the park excels, it does so exceedingly. The evidence? This stunning photo taken from the trip upwards to the top of the Himalayas. What a view! Even on a cloudy day. And views like this fill the park, making it one of the most gorgeous of all theme parks.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Mother and Son

My oldest daughter and her youngest son. I love this photo from our nighttime visit to the zoo. Something just so sweet about a mother's love. And that's only a sliver of a Father's love for us!

Epcot's Future World Transforms to a Tropical Discoveryland

Looks like Disney's Hollywood Studios is fast-tracked to get the Star Wars treatment. It's not a bad plan, it's just very incomplete, leaving precious little for the rest of Walt Disney World and especially its wonderfully one-of-a-kind Epcot Center. Yet once upon a time, as the story goes, things were different.

Here's an old fan favorite that I think was first made available on the great WDWMagic website: the Imagineers proposed plan to convert Future World at Epcot Center to Discoveryland. The centerpiece of the redo seems to be the transformation of Spaceship Earth into a roller coaster attraction named Time Racers.

Admittedly, there wasn't too much to like about this plan, but I did appreciate the proposed addition of greenery. A lush Future World would have made a terrific counterpoint to the elegant and unique pavilions of World Showcase. What do you think?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Thawed Interest in Frozen

Sorry, Disney, but this poster for Frozen is thawing my interest. As an adult, this looks strictly like a cartoon for kids. Not the adventure I came to this it was supposed to be. I'm a big animation fan, but I'm not of fan of this approach.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)