A Different California Adventure Entrance

Take a look at this an alternative entrance for Disney's California Adventure. We've all grown so accustomed to the famous "CALIFORNIA" letters with the flanking title murals that it is hard to believe another idea was once considered. 

A closer look shows an arbor with what looks like grape vines growing over the top, lush side gardens, and those famous tile murals pushed together just beyond the gates. Would this warmer, foliage filled entrance have set a more welcoming tone to guests considering where to spend their hard earned money for the day? Probably. But then again, had the second Anaheim park been a bit more successful, Robert Iger may not have announced the overhaul we got!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Back to the Future Again: Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland 1994 Edition

The year was 1994, and the mission seemed impossible: a full re-Imagineering of the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. Could the Imagineers bring a fresh perspective to Florida's crowning jewel of a theme park? The challenge was on- but it always was a challenge creating a land of the future.

Early guidebook page of Tomorrowland-
after the opening of a couple more attractions. 

Upon the Magic Kingdom's opening in 1971, the park's original Tomorrowland had a pretty, crisp, clean white palette. But it was lacking in a significant attraction roster. The Skyway, Raceway, Flight to the Moon and Circle-Vision 360 film was about all there was.

An original attraction poster.

Within the year after opening, the beloved If You Had Wings and the equally loved (and still missed in Disneyland) Wedway Peoplemover brought a new excitement to the land of the future. The contemporary feeling was clear- and still white, but the future was not.

One beautiful piece of  art for the Magic Kingdom. 

The mid-1970's opening of Space Mountain drove crowds to that side of the park. The land of the future was no flush with guests, and for the most part, the landscape stayed the same for the next decade or so. The iconic attraction had such an impact, that it was duplicated in various forms all over the world. (You can read about the historic impact here.)

Back to 1994, and the challenge made to the Imagineers. After much back and forth, it was decided that aliens would be invading the Florida Tomorrowland- and the future would never look as colorful! 

A new poster for a dazzling new land!

The beautiful but old standard Circle-Vision film would be replaced by The Timekeeper, starring Robin Williams as a robot with a mission. But it was the replacement for Mission to Mars that would become the most controversial: Alien Encounter. 

So not Disney but oh, so fun!

Scary and almost terrifying, guests would be trapped into an experiment gone bad. So unlike anything else in the Kingdom, it was loved and reviled at the same time. (Check out even more about Alien Encounter here.)

Above image from the amazing Vintage Disneyland Tickets

The land seemed to be a hit! My family and I couldn't wait for our next trip. We loved the new attractions, especially the encounter. At night, the place was even more beautiful with neon showing off all the new features. Great props, signs, and those cool palm trees set off the land as if it were in a galaxy far, far away. 

My photo of the attraction poster.

Flash forward to today. As expected, time has caught up with the  Magic Kingdom's land of the future. Alien Encounter and its child friendly replacement Stitch's Great Escape are gone. Timekeeper is now the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Tron is coming and not too soon- even if its placement is less than perfect. 

The Imagineers are once again bringing change to the land. Can they pull it off once more? We will see.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photograph of Timekeeper poster copyright Mark Taft)

Harvey Weinstein Deserves to Die

By all accounts, the imprisoned but still innocent until proven guilty Harvey Weinstein is a serial rapist of the worst kind. A man who also destroys careers and reputations of his victims- as if sexual violation and emotional defilement were not enough. 

Weinstein, the founder of film studio Miramax - which was Disney owned for almost 20 years- was a very successful businessman and film producer with connections to the rich and famous and the politically powerful. Very powerful folks who are now wisely distancing themselves from the man. Do they know something we do not?

Unfortunately, Weinstein is just one of many Hollywood and business types that have been exposed for their offenses. Actor Kevin Spacey, film producer Bryan Singer, beloved singer Michael Jackson, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and many others, have all had to face the music one way or another. Epstein ended up in prison until his death. When exposed for the bad decisions we make, we get desperate. When crimes are punished, it would be natural to consider a quick death by suicide. Certainly, all the victims of these men have probably considered it as well, making healing next to impossible. Or forgiveness, for that matter.

What has been forced upon Weinstein's victims is inexcusable. Rape ruins people, destroying lives, and impacting families for generations. (Yes, mine too.) The percentage of women experiencing sexual assault or rape is surprisingly high- and the numbers of male victims are increasing as well. Evil, yes, but it's also the human condition. It's not excusable. God certainly doesn't excuse it as it breaks His heart to see a people He created so engulfed with selfishness and utter depravity. He will judge our sin, and we all have fallen short in various ways. 

It's easy to point fingers. 

Because God's laws are designed to protect our lives and lead us on a path full of goodness and mercy, we suffer when we walk a different direction. Pain is the end result when we walk our own way. If you're like me, it's a lesson we learn over and over again. 

Honestly, in the eyes of a loving and holy and pure God, we deserve nothing less than death and punishment. Yet- and I so thank God for this- because He loves us so, He sent Jesus to earth to die for the sins of all men and pay the price in full that a holy God requires. We can choose to believe in Jesus' own words - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" and find the wholeness, healing, new constantly look for. If we believe that he died and rose again, it is ours. It's a very gracious offer. One paid for at a very high price. Or we can continue on in our search for fulfillment and pleasure and power in disobedience to God.

Harvey Weinstein deserves to die. So do we. Thank God, we can all have a fresh beginning and full forgiveness by turning our our lives to Jesus and walking another direction. What will Harvey do now? Hard to say. But I have to focus on my own choices. So do you.

Disneyland Paris' Unbuilt Adventureland Attractions

The concept art speaks for itself! Even the most die-hard long time fans of Disneyland Paris know it is time for something new for the world's most beautiful Magic Kingdom. Nosing around today, I stumbled across the website of an ex-Imagineer, finding these concepts and a whole lot more.

Taking a look at Adventureland, the top piece of concept art above reveals an intricate and detailed rendering for at a "Tree People" themed roller coaster. According to the man who did this art, then Disney CEO Michael Eisner scrapped the idea because he didn't want a bare bones type iron coaster in this beautiful park. 

As we know, eventually the parc did add the Indiana Jones themed Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril but not before considering a Tarzan themed thrill ride (shown above). Under the projection direction of Tom Morris, it sure looked nice, but it wasn't approved either. 

So, as of the year 2020, Adventureland looks much like it did on opening day.

Oh, who is this gifted ex-Imagineer? None other than the talented Thom Schillinger, whose website you can find here. There's lots to see! (I spent hours looking at his site in July of 2011, when I first discovered and wrote about it. It really helps to read those older Imagineering books!)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Vintage London

Here to add a bit of retro inspired class to your day! Travel posters are just something that I have never been able to stay away from! Perhaps it is my love of international travel and my job, but I'm absolutely mesmerized by them. Here's one of my new favorites: London by the French Southern Railway. If you like it, you can get it here.

War and the Prophets

War shouldn't be chased after, but be assured, it is inevitable. Are you ready? The Greatest Prophet spoke of this 2,000 years ago:

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come.  For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.

 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Jesus' words recorded in the Bible's book of Matthew 24:6-14 include warnings for those who follow Him and warnings for those who don't. Want to see how it all ends? Read the Biblical book of Revelation...

(Photo copyright AP/Laura Rauch.)

Baseball, Baja, and Disneyland

That's me, up to the bat in about 1968. We were in Baja California, Estero Beach to be exact. This was back when the area was a simple campground, nothing more.

Our friend Maria helped her parents manage the campground, and we came back year after year beginning in about 65 or 66. Then, something fun happened. In 1969, my father got permission for us to take her to our home in Orange County for about a week including a trip to Disneyland! To say she was thrilled would be an understatement...

Insiders View of the Indiana Jones Adventure

Imagineer Chuck Ballew created this very clever piece of the "Showset Design Package" for the Indiana Jones Adventure design team in 1993. As he tells the story, Chuck says he completed the line drawing version back then, but he did not add in the color- or send out the copies to his friends- until 2006! Regardless, his concept art for the Adventureland attraction is iconic, and a print of his most known piece from my opening day visit hangs on my wall. Much like the entire Temple of the Forbidden Eye project, his artwork is just incredible!

(Art copyright Chuck Ballew.)

A Beautiful Harvest

What an incredibly beautiful picture a field of wheat is! The golden grain nestling against each stalk in the acreage; the golden gleams of sunlight almost aglow against it. It'd be easy to watch the field until eternity. And yet, that's not what the wheat is made for.

The grain must be harvested in oder to fulfill its purpose and feed the people. It must give up its life in order to do what it is most productive. Oftentimes, I run to the safe places, the places of comfort or safety that offer a release from the stress of the world. You know what I mean! Where we go when we just want to get away from it all- when people are mean, when circumstances don't go our way, or when we just want to seek pleasure and avoid the difficulties of the news at home and abroad. Don't you do the same?

The problem is, all the running to these places of indulgence bring a dependency on them- and this brings death as we die more and more to our real freedom and walk into the grip of deeper despair, depression, and ultimately bondage. Bondage to the very things we thought would set us free.

Jesus himself spoke of this. Listen to his words from the book of John, chapter 12:

"Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them."

Are you ready to give up the rights to yourself and experience true joy and peace... and as a main benefit, eternal life? In his deep love, Jesus not only shares the way but makes the way on our behalf. It's my call for the new year to give more and more of myself to Him. Who is with me? We will reap what we sow.

Rare Concept Art: World Showcase in the Round

Imagineer Harper Goff's World Showcase own concept art and others' pieces from his collection looks quite a bit different than what was eventually built. Let's take a closer look at this fascinating rendering.

Imagine that Future World is at the bottom of this piece, with The American Adventure represented by the circle with spokes coming from the center. World Showcase Lagoon comprising the open space in the middle.

The model of Morocco.

The Republic of Costa Rica.

Let's start our tour as if it were a clock by beginning at the number 7. In place of Mexico, the first pavilion we'd encounter would be Morocco, followed by Costa Rica, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand, with Switzerland finishing off the first quadrant. All new and still unbuilt countries from what we ended up with at opening.

The German River Cruise- another unbuilt attraction.

Moving to the next segment around the clock-like image, the next set of pavilions are Holland, "West Germany", Brazil, Japan and Poland. Notice that there is an empty space where The American Adventure is currently found. Above is a photo of the model of Germany's Rhine River Cruise. Looks very immersive and therefore, very, very expensive. With cost overruns, it is not a surprise that the project was cut.

Upper and lower Japan.

Here's two floorplans for Japan, one for the first main level and one for the second level. I left these in their original form. (If you want to see the largest collection of concept art for the Japan showcase on the web, go to my blog post here: Part One and Part Two - The second part includes a look at the unbuilt Omnimover ride.)

The second half of World Showcase is no less interesting than what we've seen so far. The third segment begins with Italy, then Great Britain, "Safari Africa", France, and then Mexico. 

Morocco floorplan.

In the last quadrant, the one that brings us back to the border of Future World and World Showcase, we find Scandinavia, Israel, South Korea, Canada and Saudi Arabia. I find it very interesting that two countries with architecture influenced by Islam would flank the entrance to all the international pavilions once you pass the American showcase.

Noticeably missing are China and Norway. But then, so are the ones proposed in the future: Russia and Spain. Just goes to show how often the partnerships with foreign companies changed year to year. Wouldn't you love to see more of what was planned for these? Or even better, see them come to fruition?
--------
Special thanks to the History of Disney Theme Parks in Documents site for these images. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

She and Marie

 The little girls get pajamas from us every year. This was just the season for Disney's Aristocats to get their turn! 

As you can see, Marie was a hit! Soon following the gift was a newly purchased stuffed animal. Cute is cute!

Pirates at 50 Poster

I'm working on an article about my favorite Disneyland attraction,  Pirates of the Caribbean, and I stumbled across this in my files. A New Orleans Square masterpiece! Thought it would be good to put it out there in case I forget about it later... 

(Copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Plussing Peter Pan's Flight in Tokyo

Always give credit where credit is due. You've got to hand it to those folks at the Oriental Land Company who are constantly looking at how to "plus" the Tokyo Disney Resort. With the upcoming expansion ready to go in March, it surprised me to discover that the Imagineers had offered up this piece of concept art to refresh their Fantasyland classic, Peter Pan's Flight.  

At Tokyo Disneyland, things are always under improvement in addition to being meticulously maintained. The Florida parks in particular should be so fortunate. 

Thanks to Randy Savage at the WDWMagic Boards, we have this piece. Like me, he peruses the websites of Imagineering individuals to find what's been considered at all the parks. Thanks for this one, Randy. 

On the left half, in addition to a new facade for this classic, it looks like the Tea Cups have moved next door ...and indoors. Did you notice the ship flying out the window at the Darling home? Pretty cool little touch! Will this art see the light of day? Maybe. Never say never when it comes to Tokyo.

Just as for so many others, Peter Pan's Flight is a favorite attraction, so much so that I've spent hours writing on it for the blog. The original Disney Dark Ride Series: Peter Pan Flight article is here, and the newer revised edition can be found here. Additionally, there's even more rare concept art and information to be found here.

Mouse vs. Rat: My Most Anticipated Disney Happenings for 2020

This year will be a Beast for Disney theme park attractions with an absolutely stunning line up of brand new experiences around the globe. What makes this year's list? The top photo should give you a clue regarding one of the items.

Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast- Tokyo Disneyland

It won't be the first big attraction to debut, but the March grand opening of Tokyo Disneyland's newest and much anticipated Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is the one I am most looking forward to! What a way to kick off a new decade's attraction scorecard. (Here's the 2010 to 2019 Disney attraction scorecard.)

Can a Disney theme park attraction turn an iconic, beloved film into a hit? You bet! And it can happen only at Tokyo Disneyland! Just imagine a full sized castle housing a trackless "E" Ticket ride chock full of the most fluid Audio-Animatronics ever created. Think of it as the new century Haunted Mansion - lots of fairytale romance and charm but without the otherworldly aspects.  Add in a sweeping soundtrack and exceptional craftsmanship bring it all to life. If there were only one attraction from Asia that could come to the States, this would get my vote.  

Rise of the Resistance- Disneyland

Lest you think I've turned in my man card, this instantly epic Star Wars attraction also makes this year's list. While another trip to Walt Disney World is years away at best, having family in Southern California means Disneyland is the location I will most likely first ride the centerpiece attraction at Galaxy's Edge. Based on what I've seen, this proves the Imagineers still have it. Rise brings everything Beauty and the Beast has plus an adrenaline rush. It doesn't get much better than this, making Walt Disney's original Disneyland the still reigning king of best Magic Kingdom ever.

Onward

What is it with the one word titles for their movies, but Disney park attractions are saddled with names that take almost as long to say as the ride time? No matter. This Chris Pratt and Tom Holland Pixar movie looks to hit all the right notes. You might even dare to call it the male equivalent of Frozen but without the over the top Broadway numbers and quasi political correctness leanings. I prefer to think of it as an animated take off on Tommy Boy, the great Chris Farley / David Spade adventure. Can't wait.

Avengers Campus- California Adventure

Another shooter attraction anchors this new land. Not necessarily a thrill and certainly on its own not worth a visit to Anaheim's second Disney park when the better, bigger, older brother is right next door. So why am I so anticipating this addition? Bluntly, I want to see if Disney can pull this off. 

Marvel is just an amazing brand, and the stories told have resulted in a series of films worthy of any other Intellectual Property. In the theme park competition, Universal's Islands of Adventure holds the crown with The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, an attraction built over 20 years ago. Was Disney wise or just scared in building a mega Spider-Man attraction to compete with it? Did they just go simple so that they wouldn't have to? Meet and greets, a brewery, and places to drop cash do not make a great land. Will this shooter ride really travel outside? (Look closer at the concept art.) If it does, it will be the first time a "C Ticket" dark ride travels into the fresh air since the Alice in Wonderland attraction made its debut in 1958. That would surely make it more interesting.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway- Disney's Hollywood Studios

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure- Epcot

It's Mouse vs. Rat, and my prediction is that the mouse will win by a landslide. But that rat has plenty to offer! Ratatouille is one of my Pixar favorites. And purists may scoff, but I find the brand new Mickey Mouse cartoons clever, zany, and ultimately full of a charm and playfulness that has long been missing from the Company mascot. The business side of the company would not put a less than incredible attraction together for the mouse that made them famous and a century of cash. Nor would they plan to place it in additional parks as quickly as they are unless it was that good. Imagineer Kevin Rafferty has convinced me this will be worth waiting for. 

Epcot's World Showcase needs a fun family friendly ride. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is a solid "D Ticket" attraction that will give Frozen Ever After some Fast Pass competition.  I may not entirely like the direction Epcot is headed (see here), but this is one instance where the property fits the theme. 

Mulan

Full Disclosure: I have a connection to this film, one which I will not divulge. That said, I love the animated original, and I really appreciate the legends of the Asian cultures. I'm very curious as to how removing the musical aspects will effect my enjoyment of the film. If nothing else, I expect this to be a visual masterpiece.

Disney Jungle Cruise

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt as mismatched adventurers in a 1940s type film. What's not to like? If it's even close to the playful exotic vibe of the Indiana Jones series of films, I'll be one happy camper. 

Hong Kong Disneyland's Castle Transformation

The suits are righting a wrong here. With Mainland China and Hong Kong in their eternal pissing match, Disney was dead wrong not to give this first Chinese park its own unique icon. It's about time this happened.

There you go, my most anticipated Disney happenings for 2020. Will I be disappointed or pleased? What are you most looking forward to in the Disney world?

(All images copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Happy New Year - and What's Ahead for the Insights Blog!

A fresh beginning! What a wonderful thing about each new year! Regardless of the one prior - good or bad - we get to start again. New Year's resolutions, dieting plans, and self-improvement goals. Books to read, movies to see, new music to hear. New travel itineraries, foods to try, people to visit. These are all wonderful ideas. I have plans for these these things and more.

It's ok to look backward and see the bad as well as the good. 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."

(Isaiah 43:18-21)

What's up for the Insights blog in 2020? Many of you know I often write and prepare blog posts ahead of their publishing date. It's a style that works for me as inspiration comes at odd times of the day, so I will jot down ideas as they come and work on them later. I'm anticipating 2020 will bring fewer posts. Maybe less is more. Change is in the air for me. 

That said, I have several big projects I've been working on, one almost for a year which I anticipate will be particularly well received. But you know me. Sometimes, I just don't get to what I would like. God always keeps His promises, but unlike Him, things are very fluid for me regarding what I plan to write about and what comes out of my keyboard. Keep reading. At least things stay exciting!

May your new year be filled with joy and peace for you and those you love!