New Treasure

Here's a relatively new site, at least to me. Disneyland Paris Treasures pulls gifts from year's past and brings them to the web. Want to see an old parc video or catch a glimpse of Walt Disney Studios Paris at opening? This is the place to go. Love a copy of the original EuroDisneyland map? Find it here. Enjoy!

Toon Invasion at Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland

The Oriental Land Company has just announced that Stitch Encounter will replace Michael Jackson's Captain Eo in 2015. This move continues a trend of toons invading the streets of Tomorrowland. In the not so distant past, Monsters Hide and Go Seek arrived and before that Buzz Lightyear. It seems that even the stunningly maintained Tokyo Disney Resort is not immune to a lack of imagination.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Treat Yourself at Disney and More

Anyone who has read my blog for some time knows that I very much appreciate the hard work of Disney and More's blogmaster and friend Alain Littaye. His cup runneth over with terrific articles. But my favorite of all his series is The Disneyland Paris That Never Was. And here it is in expanded fashion. Please do yourself a favor and go over there- while you're at it, buy his book. As one of my first purchases during my first visit to Paris, it is a treasured tome. Filled with concept art and Imagineering insights. Treat yourself this Christmas!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

London Christmas

Perhaps our next Christmastime travel destination: London. Having visited the City of Lights (Paris) during the season, my wife and I cannot wait to try another location in which to celebrate the birth of The Savior. 

(Photographer unknown.)

Christmas Cheer From Disneyland Paris

Christmas travels to a Disney park? It's an absolute must for many Disney park fans... and it was for us when we lived in Southern California. There's just something fantastic about Disneyland at Christmastime. It's now been years since we have lived there, so a trip out doesn't happen as often.

Christmas cheer isn't limited to the US parks. In fact, this photo I took at Disneyland Paris shows the international parks do just as good a job as celebrating the holidays. Main Street U.S.A. shimmers in winter glory and lovely trees abound in shades of sparkling blue. No, it isn't the castle, but the touches of elegance found all through the park remind guests that celebrating Christmas happens all over the world, be it Paris, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong or Anaheim.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Snow Meets Sun Meets Water

In what world does one of my least favorite things (snow) become one of my most favorite things? Walt Disney World, of course! Blizzard Beach mixes metaphors, and the end result is a whole lot of fun. There's not much art to show for this water park, but here's a small piece. A perfect blending for a wintery day.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Time for a Bath

Adorable or what?

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

20,000 Leagues Poster

As we all know, the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom covers land previously occupied by the epic adventure, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This Jules Verne novel was interpreted in attraction form more directly in Florida then when it was revealed at Disneyland. The subs were more artistically true to the novel on the East Coast. The attraction artwork by Imagineering and the proposed poster (above) revealed it all in beautiful color. Stunning, but it paled in comparison to the actual "E" Ticket adventure.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Samland's Rare Space Mountain Art

Sam Gennawey shares some pretty amazing stories over at his blog and at MiceAge. And of course, he presents some incredible pieces of concept art too. Here's one for Walt Disney World and its Space Mountain. Could this image of Tomorrowland's iconic thrill ride be any more enticing?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Paris Placeholder

Exactly what the title says. Family matters (hospital stays, etc) keep me from posting. Paris in its winter glory. Patience and prayers please.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

New Shanghai Disneyland Concept Art

Look at this beautiful new piece of concept art for the castle at Shanghai Disneyland! The combination of water elements and gardens will make for quite the show. Let's just hope the planned attractions contained within are just as special.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Celebrating Walt Disney

A Happy Birthday shout out to the man who made the world a happier place! Mr. Walt Disney himself. There is so much to admire about the man: creativity, ingenuity, and placing a high value on others. And now, my favorite quote from the man himself-

"Think beyond your lifetime if you want to accomplish something truly worthwhile." 

Christmas, Colorado, and Santa!

If you happen to be in the Denver area, and need some free photos with Santa...

Boys Will Be Boys

And then, they will be men. Fine men. Does a father's heart good!

(Photograph copyright Marisa Bryant Photography.)

Carousel of Progress Christmas Concept

You have to wonder about the Disney Parks Blog at times. It feels like an online outlet mall, sometimes something from the Food Network, and all too rarely do they give us something meaty about the actual attractions at their world famous parks. 

Today, however, they surprised me with a piece of concept art from Imagineer Dorothea Redmond- and one for Walt Disney World's classic Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom. It's almost as if someone in charge of the design of the blog is actually of fan of their product instead of just being put in charge of promoting it. Imagine that!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)