New Entrance Art for Disney World's Toy Story Mania

If you've wondered what the Imagineers will do to retheme the new entrance for Disney Hollywood Studios Toy Story (Midway) Mania at the all new Toy Story Land, wait no more. Take a look at what it will be. Fits in perfectly with the new land and the two new coming attractions on June 30. The Studios, and most all of the parks are getting something new in the years to come. Some, like the Tron Lightcycles will majorly change the face of the parks they inhabit. Others, like the new Los Angeles based side street at the Studios, will barely be noticeable. One thing's for certain- finally Disney is investing big time in Florida. Thank you Universal and Harry Potter for bringing the competition. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Death and More Death

As is my habit, I often write blog posts well ahead of their actual publishing. Be it to celebrate a holiday or commemorate a particular date, I try to anticipate what is coming up and write accordingly. 

No one can prepare me for all these mass shootings. Coming from Colorado, the home of Columbine, my heart particularly grieves at the announcement of each tragedy. Of course, I pray, but we also have a very real personal responsibility. 

It's past time for our lawmakers of all political parties to get off their rear ends, and bring a stop to all the available military grade weapons. These are not used for legitimate purposes and those allowed for purchase without extreme background checks. Our amazing law enforcement officials can only do so much. 

Yet, the laws will only go so far. We are a nation that needs to turn its heart back to Jesus, and in doing so, walk away from the sin that so easily entangles us. May He have mercy on us! We are taking a beating, one killing at a time.

Even Ugly Disney Parks Can Have Great Concept Art

Here's proof that even the ugliest of Disney theme parks can have terrific looking concept art. This time, it's not the Walt Disney Studios Paris - still winner of the title- but Disney's California Adventure 1.0 and the much aligned Paradise Pier. 

Given a continually slashed budget and a less than great idea for a theme, Imagineer Tim Delaney did the best he could to portray the Bargain Basement Imagineered park in a positive light. Using dashes of color and plenty of swirling shapes, Tim created a very attractive painting. It's too bad the area of Paradise Pier was more realistically a sign of trying to fool Disney fans into thinking this park was cutting edge work. 

After a solid but not thorough reworking in 2012, this seaside diversion did have much more charm than the original incarnation. Will the transition to Pixar Pier kill that? We'll have to see.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Beautiful Romance

"Romantic love is blind to everything except what is lovable and lovely..." It's a nice beginning to a beautiful and timeless truth. This quote by Frederick Buechner strikes me for its encouragement and also, surprisingly, its bluntness. Continuing "...but Christ's love see us with terrible clarity and sees us whole. Christ's love so wishes our joy that it is ruthless against everything in us that diminishes our joy. The worst sentence Love can pass is that we behold the suffering which Love has endured for our sake, and that is also our acquittal. The justice and mercy of the judge are ultimately one."

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Inexpensive Impact

"One kind word can warm three winter months."
         Famous Japanese Proverb

Whose world will you warm today?
                                     

A Brand New Beast

Disney animator Glen Keane will be directing Netflix's upcoming Over the Moon, a tale about a young girl who builds a rockets and takes off on an exciting adventure. He's certainly no stranger to creating memorable characters! Glen was the backbone to many Disney projects (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Tangled). 

For me, the ultimate Keane project was Beast, from the classic Beauty and the Beast, my favorite Disney animated film (which also holds up stunningly well next to the live action release). Not only does the animated film have a huge following, but the whole experience of animating / transforming Beast was a powerful one! This was apparently just as true for his animator.

Glen says,

"This is the moment- this is what I was born for...As I started animating it, for me it's really an expression of my spiritual life. There's a verse in the Bible that says 'If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new...'Because it is really about an inner spiritual transformation that's taking place with the Beast. I saw it as a parable of my life."

Boy, I'm with you, Glen. Perhaps that's why this film strikes such a deep note in me and millions of others! There's a longing in us to be more than what we've been, perhaps to be the best version of ourselves, the version that God created- free from the eternal stain of sin and with new hope for life eternal. This is what Jesus Christ does! 

When our hearts are opened by God to hear His Message of hope, forgiveness, and a fresh life, our heart leaps! When we choose to believe that Jesus died for our sin, paying full price for it, and then was raised from the dead to prove He is God in the flesh- wow! Just wow! New life is birthed in us. The failures and brokenness from the past are now just a part of our eternal journey as we increasingly become who God designed us to be. Make the leap into the Arms of Love- and Beast's transformation will be your own parable as well. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Beautiful and Deadly

You've got to read this article by the BBC! Chilling, sad, deadly. Regardless of your politics, its' worth a read.

(Art copyright BBC.)

Breakfast is Coming!

How can anyone not love Chip and Joanna Gaines? Fun, gracious, generous, and innovative- a couple of folks that seem to have their heads screwed on straight. Their smash show Fixer Upper maybe leaving HGTV at the end of the season, but Magnolia Table is on its way. 

Some Waco residents were understandably not happy that the name of the classic, historic restaurant was changed from The Elite Cafe, but hey guys, they saved the place. That is the important part. 

One day soon, I'm sure we'll take a road trip at Texas to see the ever expanding "Chip and Joanna Land". Can't wait.

(Photograph copyright Chip and Joanna Gaines.)

Happy Birthday California Adventure

This is telling: I just realized this is the 17th birthday of Disney California Adventure.

So here's some detailed looks back at the park at the 10 Year mark:

Ten Years of DCA
Bargain Basement Imagineering 1.0
Bargain Basement Imagineering 1.5
DCA: Changes in Attitudes

There's almost 400 articles on the blog about California Adventure- Enjoy your exploration!

New Alien Swirl Art

Breaking image from WDWMagic: New concept art for Toy Story Land's remake of the popular Mater's attraction at California Adventure. Alien Swirling Saucers. Yes, it's coming, and yes, it's fun!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Like Father, Like Son

Super Smart, Super Cute, Super Nintendo!

It's the Little Things One Park to the Next

Thinking about the little things that make Disneyland so special. It's not just all those truly magnificent "E Ticket" attractions we know and love. For me, it's also those little things, the personal touches found all over the park, the one's that feel like Walt Disney himself put them there just waiting to be discovered. Those quiet nooks that bring in no revenue. Those charming items like the Petrified Tree or the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square or the Snow White Grotto and Wishing Well. These smaller items make the park a treat for explorers young and old.  May they continue on to be an Imagineering tradition from each kingdom to the next.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Thirty Five Years Without Karen Carpenter

While I find it difficult to believe, it has been 35 years since the golden voiced Karen Carpenter passed away unexpectedly. Like many of her fans, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Granted, this should be a sad day of remembrance. 

I had initially planned to post another review of her one and only solo album. Yet, I realized I did an in depth look at it five years ago (here).  Then I thought about posting about her final years and the warning signs of eating disorders, but I decided against that. Those of you wanting to read about her last days should look here.

Truthfully, I have written so many articles on Karen and Richard Carpenter that I didn't know what I should do. Her voice brought happiness to so many people. So, in honor of Karen today, I'm sharing a handful of photos that show her happy, joyful side. 

Here's a  screenshot of Karen appearing on good friend Olivia Newton-John's television special, Hollywood Nights. Originally, she was going to premier a song from her forthcoming (but cancelled) solo album. It wasn't to be. Instead, Karen's part of an all star line up covering the Eagles' classic Heartache Tonight. If you can turn her up, you'll hear Karen sounds as well as looks terrific. It's clear she's having a great time!

Photo shoot for the epic A Song for You album. With so many hits under their belts, more were to come. In addition to boasting five smash singles, it also includes Bless the Beasts and Children, the amazing title song written by Leon Russell, and the pensive and powerful Road Ode, written by members of their band. 

Karen loved Mickey Mouse and Disneyland! Who doesn't? Here she is with Richard having a good time as they toured the park. 

Making the cover of Rolling Stone and finding a fairly objective-   even positive-article on the duo inside its covers had to make them both very happy. Seeing Karen ham it up for the photographer is a nice change of pace from the expected serious pose.

Solo and glamorous. Finally, somebody had the sense to present her in a fresh, updated, contemporary, and beautiful light. 

Another solo shot. Though, sadly, never released until after her death, Karen was rightly proud of this effort.  Jazzy, bluesy, and even with a bit of dance music thrown in, the solo album deserved much better than it was given by A&M Records.

One last photo. Karen at the time of recording All You Get From Love is a Love Song. (She's wearing the shirt found on the Horizon cover, however.) Getting thinner here but still looks happy. I can just see her on that Boat to Sail!

Thanks, Karen, for all the happy memories. Rest peacefully- and joyfully- in the arms of Jesus!

New Epcot Plans on the Horizon

Starting with a sparkling new, lush, green, and fully redesigned "spine", plans for an Epcot renovation are in full swing. Or so you might think. The Imagineers have leaked out enough pertinent information to keep Disney rumor boards buzzing. Here's another  ideal perhaps realized plan presented us to from the folks at Imagineerlandblogspot.com 

It's not just Future World- and its new version of Tokyo DisneySea's Aquatopia or Shanghai Disneyland's Jet Packs- that's been given a fresh perspective, it's also World Showcase. But you'll have to go to the link to explore that. Some of the newer countries chosen are quite surprising, and they would be quite effective at rounding out the park. 

Unfortunately, the official plans keep changing. And as long as all the various festivals keep the place full of people liquored up, there won't be much reason to really create the detailed and enchanting projects as in the opening years.

(Art copyright Imagineerland.)

The Cool Blues of a New Tomorrowland

Let's be honest here. After Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens up in 2019, the poor little area known as Tomorrowland is going to be woefully outdated. Oh, wait! It already is! 

It's Disneyland's  biggest embarrassment. The suits can stuff it with Star Wars themed odds and ends, toss in a Halloween layover for Space Mountain, act as if the Peoplemover track is really there only to support banners, and stick all the characters in it they can imagine, but the fact is, they can't- and won't- attempt to keep up with the future. If Walt Disney was truly frozen, he'd be coming back and yelling "What did you do to my beautiful future?" 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)