Heroes Not Cowards

Remember this day. Even as we find ourselves on the brink of getting involved more than some of us ever thought. And definitely more than any of us would like.

It was a day of tragedy, but also a day for heroes- not cowards! Radical Islam extremists decided to attack us, the United States of America on September 11, 2001, not the other way around.  We as a people rallied together. People of all faiths and backgrounds. We came together to grieve together and pray together.

Let us remember. Pray for our nation, remembering the sacrifices of those serving,  the loss of family and friends. Let us preserve our freedoms- but do it with wisdom. Let us honor those who gave their lives instead of honoring and defending those who killed others. 

Christians overseas are being slaughtered. Children, infants, women and men alike. And we stand by or so it seems. Did we not learn anything from Hitler and World War II?

What other country in the world would care about the rights of terrorists when fighting a war? We have a right to defend our people, our land, and to come together with those of other nations experiencing the violent and deadly attacks that come against them.

National Suicide Prevention Day

Each year about 44,000 Americans die by suicide. Think about that number- 44,000. Wow. That also leaves hundreds of thousands of grieving families and friends when their loved one makes the choice hopelessly opt of life- choosing to believe the future will not change. 

Christians are not immune. Even pastors. This story of one such pastor is at once totally heartbreaking and also totally hopeful. But as you will see, God is always good and always available to those who cry out to Him. Check it out here.

Discovery Bay Art and the Ultimate Journey into Imagination

Disney geeks like me know that Imagineering's fan hero Tony Baxter had offered up the great Discovery Bay themed area as an expansion to Disneyland- and that the suits at the time gave it the heave ho when Island at the Top of the World flopped in theaters. 

But did you know parts of it made its way to EPCOT Center and later to Disneyland Paris? As part of the proposed Disneyland expansion, a charming traveling theater show was to be part of the new land (see concept art above) hosted by Professor Marvel and his dragon. Fast forward to EPCOT Center, and we see once again how old ideas never die as the Professor became Dreamfinder and the dragon Figment as stars of Journey into Imagination. 

What happened is a fascinating story. And Martin Smith, creator of amazing EPCOT Center history videos has released a new video on the Future World pavilion devoted to the duo. Find Part One here. Trust me, you will love it.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Wonders of China

Now that Shanghai Disneyland is up and running, the suits must be relieved as they have been courting China for a park for at least a decade- if not longer - when you look at what it took to get the Chinese government to work with them for EPCOT Center. 

This attraction poster for Wonders of China captures a bit of the magic the filmed adventure brings to World Showcase. If you look closely,  it is actually a poster for Disneyland. Looking for something to replace the American Journeys Circle-Vision 360 film (itself coming from Florida), the suits plucked Wonders of China.  

A more recent revision caused the film to be renamed Reflections of China. Still a beautiful if shortened presentation in the Temple of Heaven recreation. There's much more to be discovered in this beautiful corner of World Showcase. A decent restaurant, a pretty good fast service cafe, acrobatic performances, and a plethora of shopping.

China makes her place known in Future World as well. Soarin' Around the World takes guests over the Great Wall. It's not Ride the Dragon, the proposed coaster for the once proposed Westcot, but its a much more authentic slice of the country.

(Art and images copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Bigger Picture

The forest for the trees. How about "the sunflowers for the field"? We were out and about during the long weekend, visiting a park we had never been to before, and I saw these beautiful flowers in the distance. I couldn't help but get closer to them and take a few photographs.

The bunches of them were everywhere! I wish I had my camera and not just my cel phone to grab these shots. Off I went trying to get the best ones possible by moving every which way I could.

It hit me looking at the photographs. When I was up close looking only at the flowers, I could only see what was right in front of me. As I moved further and further back for additional photos, I saw the bigger picture. News flash. It's just like this in my relationship with God. I can fixate on the heartache of a situation and lose the beauty to be found around it. Or, on those rare occasions when my faith in the Lord really comes together, I can be patient and wait to see what God brings out of any circumstance. 

I know He will eventually- it may even be eternity until I see it- but God is faithful, and His word is true. All things do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (From the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Rome, chapter 8, verse 28.)

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Looking at the Past and the Future of Disneyland's Fantasyland

The very heart of Disneyland rests right behind the castle at the endow Main Street U.S.A. One of the original areas at opening, Fantasyland draws in the young and young at heart since the beginning. Certainly, we think this area of the park is timeless. There's a warmth and charm that feels quaint, authentic, and there through the ages. That said, this section of the park has seen many changes. This 1957 park map shows what it looked like in its earliest incarnation. Definitely from another era, another budget, and another design process.

Peter Pan and his flight to Neverland was the instant breakout attraction in Fantasyland from the beginning. Snow White and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride were also enduring hits, but 60 years later, Pan continues to be the one must-see attraction in the castle courtyard.

When Imagineer Tony Baxter was given the green light to create the Fantasyland Walt Disney always wanted but couldn't afford, he and very talented team did an amazing job of redesigning the area to feel fresh but also timeless. The colorful tournament tent-like facades gave way to stylized versions of European villages. The Imagineers also debuted a new attraction for the California park, bringing a sparkling new Pinocchio dark ride to the line up of rides. 

Attractions were moved, enhanced, added or even deleted. The Fantasyland Theater was gone, the Mad Tea Party was moved to a much better location, and Skull Rock was gone forever- except at Disneyland Paris. The beautiful kid-friendly Storybookland Canal Boats survived the changes as did Casey Jr.'s Circus Train, but eventually the skyway was closed. 


So successful was the revitalization of the land under Baxter, that his Fantasyland became the model for those Magic Kingdom styled parks that followed. Florida's New Fantasyland may make the rethinking of the concept however, as the suits seem intent on cramming in Harry Potter styled lands into the parks, making Fantasyland a prime place to hold several different mini-lands vs. a mix of stories sitting side by side.

Changes are the way of the park. Prior to the transition of the 80's, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and It's a Small World earned their place on the list of beloved attractions. Coming soon in the next decade, a Frozen themed land and rumors (wishful thinking?) of something Beauty and the Beast related coming to a slice of Fantasyland and a bigger slice taken from Mickey's Toontown. 

Imagineers and suits come and go. Though I doubt we will ever see the free reign given to the creatives as was given to the first and second generation of Imagineers, there are signs the suits can give them room to stretch to stunning results. Time will tell.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Friday at Disneyland 1955

Time for another visit to Disneyland. This time its 1955, and Walt's magical kingdom has recently opened. Let's take a look around the park that became an American institution and a franchise to be exploited by later leadership.

Main Street U.S.A. was charming back then! It was full of life as guests journeyed under the train station to find a fully recreated piece of life at the turn of the century. The Main Street Cinema showed the latest in film, including the lovable Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie. Varieties of vehicles were found everywhere from horse drawn street cars to the omnibus to the local fire engine. No need to walk if you didn't want to. But why wouldn't you want to explore all the shops along the way including the old fashioned Market House with its party line telephone.

What was that at the end of the street? A Bavarian castle! The gateway to Fantasyland actually. A place for the young and young at heart. Fly off to Neverland with Peter Pan, ride the carousel, the Mad Tea Party spinning cups, or explore the mysterious Skull Rock. There was no Matterhorn Bobsleds or It's a Small World, but you still couldn't keep families away. There was nothing like this park to be found anywhere in the US.

An opening day crowd pleaser was the Jungle River Cruise. Found in Adventureland, long before the Enchanted Tiki Room, Swiss Family Treehouse, or Indiana Jones Adventure, the area wasn't as lush as it is 60 years later, but it was still beautiful and full of animals. As the premier attraction in the land, guests couldn't wait to board these beautiful little vessels to head off to the remotest parts of Africa and Asia. They still can't.

The American West and its tales of Davy Crockett and other heroes inspired the park's Frontierland. Back in the day, Americans were rightly proud of our heritage. Walt Disney himself loved this parcel of land and its Mark Twain Steamboat and the wonderful Golden Horseshoe Revue. In this man's opinion, the original show in the old saloon is still the best. 

Walt never just looked backward. He was always looking forward as well. Tomorrowland was mostly incomplete at opening, decorated with flags and banners to mask the fact the budget had been busted. Space Mountain and a grand adventure aboard submarines would have to wait for later. I can forgive the suits back then or this misstep as this was a brand new venture, but now there's no excuse now for opening a shoddy half-day park. The money's there as well as the expertise. 

It was a great and memorable year to visit Disneyland- and it was only beginning.

(Map from Blackenedroots.com)

Richard Carpenter at Epcot

The year was 1985, just two years after the death of sister Karen Carpenter and two years before the release of his solo album Time. Here was the talented and gifted Richard Carpenter trying to rebuild his career after the most tragic of circumstances. In potentially the best match possible, Richard chose to perform at Epcot's American Gardens Theater. A classy man playing elegant music in a very nice establishment to probably an adoring crowd.

I was not able to get to the park to see him, but I'm positive his show was worth seeing. I had seen him since Karen's passing. His show was sharp, well designed, and enjoyable. Of course, it only highlighted the fact Karen was gone. 

A&M Records was smart enough to give this man a chance to make a couple of solo albums and let him produce several other artists for the label and its associates. All to good result. I wish he'd do more. Maybe something for the Carpenters 50th Anniversary in 2019.

(Thanks to James and Murray at the wonderful A&M Corner for this photo and for cleaning it up! I'd looked for years for this!)

Everyone, Everywhere

That is the Good News message that Jesus Christ came to deliver. He and he alone is the perfect payment for the penalty of death for the sins of us all against a holy and righteous God. No other God and no other religion delivers the goods.

Dr. Erick Schenkel's short but powerful book reminds readers the truth of the original message often lost among contemporary Christianity. And its just not pie in the sky theology- the author and his family lived for many years in Central Asia, enduring real life persecution, almost losing their lives due to an unwarranted attack because they were Christians in a Muslim country. Yes, this actually took place in the 21st Century and not hundreds of years ago. Believers still endure for the sake of the God they love and who loves them (and the peoples that persecute them!)

Pick up the book, and prepare to be moved.

Taylor Swift's Sweet Revenge

Look, I've got nothing to prove in this at all. Taylor Swift is back in a big - even if its Nasty (apologies to Janet Jackson)- sort of way. Is her new song, Look What You Made Me Do about Katy Perry? Hard to say. Or is it about her fans who have created this personae? 

Either way, Revenge is not a good thing. As we focus on it, it creates an ongoing bitterness and hatred that ends up defining our character. Oh, the song. It's catchy but certainly not among her best. And I'm not even a fan. What happened to that great songwriter and girl next door? As Taylor herself says, "She's dead." Too bad. " Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." Romans 12:9. It would certainly do her well to follow this advice. Us, too, for that matter.

Five Great Disney Park Articles Plus One

Looking for articles full of deep Disney theme park history, lots on concept art, one part travelogue and one part trip report?  Look no further than the articles below to find some of my favorites from this blog:

Animal Kingdom's True Life Adventure, an eight part series that grows as the park does. Begin here. Travelogue, artwork, and a look at the philosophy that drives its design. Not to be missed.

The history of Disney's Hollywood Studios. 25 years worth of visiting the park has given me some unique perspective. I was there just a week or so after opening day in 1989. There's more to this park than Star Wars, Toy Story Land and any other intellectual property the Disney suits want to shove in it. What they did right, what they did wrong, and a fan's appreciation.  

The Universal Thrills of Space Mountain. Irresistible! Almost every Magic Kingdom styled park has one- and you can bet there's folks at Shanghai Disneyland who wish they did. This is why.

Peter Pan's Flight. Fly away with him here. A beloved attraction for a reason.

Wish Disneyland would never change. The Disneyland Historical Preservation Society may have a place for you on its membership rolls. Is it a museum? Is it a living breathing thing? Something in between? 

(OK, one more. I missed the 50th anniversary but here's a look at Pirates of the Caribbean at 45. )

Looking back on Disneyland over the decades, 
Old Frontierland

Big Mystery at the Tahitian Terrace

Unknown mysteries of the long gone but always missed restaurant, the Tahitian Terrace at Disneyland. Here's a small piece of concept art made as big as possible without ruing the resolution. Another Imagineering charmer. If you look closely, you can see a Jungle Cruise boat off to the right. Far off travel just steps away from paradise, yielding treasures unknown and unexplored. Intrigue, suspense, romance and mystery. The biggest mystery to this fan? Why the folks at The Walt Disney Company haven't turned the horribly out of place Aladdin's Oasis back into the elegant tropical high end restaurant it used to be. They are always looking to boost the bottom line. Why not please fans and share holders at the same time?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Littlest Orphan

Here's Paws. The littlest orphan ever. He was left off at the local fire department after someone found him laying next to his mother who had been half eaten by a fox or coyote.

Being an animal lover, my daughter and son-in- law decided to bring him home. After a quick vet visit- and weighing in at exactly one pound- 4 week old Paws has found a new beginning and a loving home. By the way, that's a tablespoon on the box next to him. Adorable!

Rare Art for Disneyland's Submarine Voyage

Well, here it is! A rare piece of art. Actually, Imagineering concept art for Disneyland's Submarine Voyage. It took a little clean up to bring it back to its original mid-century charm, but the results were worth it. 

You can tell it is an old piece as there's not a Nemo in sight! And you can tell it is not for the Magic Kingdom's classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Walt Disney World's Fantasyland because the subs are not designed in the beautiful steam punk design once found across from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Nor is it for Tokyo Disney Sea or for Disneyland Paris- each which hold a relatively full size version of the most beautiful vessels. 

One day, I hope to ride the subs for an adventure to Atlantis. I'd happily trade Jules Verne's Captain Nemo for Pixar's Nemo any day!
------------------
Watching the solar eclipse today? Imagine- if we are in the full path of the eclipse, we're able to see what the Jews saw when Jesus died on the cross. (Mark 15:32-33)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)