The Haunted Mansion's Memento Mori

Are you a fan of the Haunted Mansion? Do you wish you could be the Number 1,000 added to the "999 Happy Haunts" who reside there? If so, do I have a place for you! Follow me to the Magic Kingdom for a little insight.

Definitely the most unique gift shop in the Magic Kingdom and perhaps in all of Walt Disney World is Liberty Square's creepy Memento Mori. The atmosphere oozes the netherworld with gifts that help place you in the midst of the afterlife. Creepy or cool? But what did you expect when it is right down the path from the most otherworldly attraction in the park. 

Did the name of the store give it away? Is the little blue shop's name a pun built on the word "memento"? No, but the real meaning is even more interesting... and impactful.

Back in ancient days, the Latin phrase "Memento Mori" was often written on the top of letters and other important documents.  It's definition and common use meant "Think of Death", "Remember Your Death" or "Remember You Will Die". But it was not only an admonition to think about dying. It also meant to think about eternity and also with an emphasis to also consider how you will live your life now.

My heart is to honor and love Jesus now and into eternity, so my focus is on the things that will last beyond my lifetime. My mind is made up, so my life has purpose. 

What is your focus and your purpose?

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

A Night at Epcot in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration

Can you go back that far? I can- I was there. Epcot was the focus of the Millennium Celebration, and what a wonderful season it was. Granted the "wand" overstayed its welcome, but the actual festivities and the music were some of the most inspired and creative decisions the Imagineers and suits at The Walt Disney Company devised and funded.

The centerpiece of an evening at Epcot was the amazing Tapestry of Nations parade. But concept art has been hard to come by. Here's a piece that shows the magnificent moving clocks that also functioned as drums. The style was somewhat Steampunk which I love. (Looking at you Disneyland Paris and your incredible Discoveryland!)

The musical pieces were recorded in London's famous Abbey Road Studios and included and "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand", "Reflections of Earth",  and "We Go On".  This was the true forerunner of the park's current Harmonious, with its Earth Globe making its debut- but on a moving barge instead of permanent fixtures which ruin the World Showcase Lagoon. If you don't have this music, you have to get it!

We loved this Millennium Celebration so much, that our family's annual Christmas card photo was us standing in front of Spaceship Earth. All said, 1999 was a great year to visit what once was Walt Disney World's most innovative and inspiring theme park. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

World of Motion Meets Western River Expedition

Concept art is something I can never seem to get enough of! EPCOT Center had some of the very best due to the enormous talent of people like Imagineer Herb Ryman. This Future World pavilion might look a bit unfamiliar to you as it wasn't built like this, but instead, it was given a different exterior. Look closely though, and you'll recognize it to be World of Motion presented by General Motors. 

Scenes from World of Motion in postcard form.

The centerpiece attraction was a ride through adventure filled with good humor a la Marc Davis style and scores of Audio-Animatronics. In a very sly and subtle move, there's one very big tribute to Marc Davis in the attraction. The Old West scene of a stagecoach being held up is taken directly from pieces of a journey planned for the never built Magic Kingdom attraction, the Pirates of the Caribbean inspired Western River Expedition. (The best series of articles on this unbuilt Thunder Mesa mega attraction filled area is found on Passport to Dreams Old & New. Here's the link to Part One.)

Don't get me wrong- Test Rack is pretty fun, although I am a fan of the original version instead of the Tron rip-off we now have. (The test crash dummy scene was a perfect blend of concept, theme, and execution.) But the suits and Imagineers should have been able to leave the original E Ticket while building a second one.

Anyone ready to sing World of Motion's classic theme, "It's Fun to Be Free"? Wish I could see this attraction again!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Notable and Quotable: John Adams

"Power always thinks it has a great soul, and vast views, beyond the comprehension of the weak;  and that it is doing God service, when it is violating all His laws.  Our passions, ambition, avarice, love, resentment, etc., possess so much metaphysical subtlety, and so much overpowering eloquence, that they insinuate themselves into the understanding and the conscience, and convert both to their party;  and I may be deceived as much as any of them, when I say, that Power must never be trusted without a check."

                In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, February 2, 1816.

(Portrait Of John Adams, C.1793 Oil On Canvas Photograph by John Trumbull)

A New Look at Disneyland's New Orleans Square

New Orleans Square stands above all Disneyland accomplishments (even Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge) for its incredible attention to detail, charm, and authenticity- not to mention its world famous and much beloved attractions! The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean continue to please fans and critics alike. With dining at The Blue Bayou and The French Market, it is the place to go for some of the best dining at the Disneyland Resort.

Here's a nice piece of concept art that is rarely seen. The Imagineers created some of the most gorgeous pieces for this area. I'd say this one is worthy of a beautiful frame to show it off, wouldn't you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Russia sends troops to Kazakhstan as Putin continues to force his way into independent nations once under Soviet control. (Is this part of rebuilding the Soviet Union?) And they form some sort of military strategic alliance with China. Things keep heating up in Israel. COVID-19 spreads in new variants. Nations are locking down and needing help. Evil abounds. Free speech is dying under Big Tech. America continues to be divided as never before. Fires in Colorado of epic proportions and tornados of the same size. According to MSN, Elon Musk hopes to implant chips into human brains soon. Persecution of Christians reaches an all-time high never seen before. What is God trying to communicate? Is the time for Jesus returning to judge the earth coming? Some Biblical scholars read the Bible's book of Revelation and Jesus' own words in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), assured this is prophetic and may happen in our lifetime. What do you think this means?

(Photograph copyright Abduaziz Madyarov.) 

Design Detail: Animal Kingdom's Maharajah Jungle Trek

After our recent trip to Central Florida and the fresh discovery of Universal Orlando Resort and all it offers, I've been beating up Disney pretty well! A lot of it is deserved, but when it comes to design detail, the parks have some of the best in the state. Disney's Animal Kingdom may be the strongest of all in this regard thanks to Imagineering's Joe Rohde and his team. 

Here's proof: On the beautiful and exotic Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section, Disney has taken a "simple" zoo concept and turned it into a work of art. Obviously this carving is brand new even though it looks ancient, but as you walk along the trail and discover tigers, bats, and more, beautiful surroundings, lush plantings, and art abound. The experience engulfs guests, making them feel as if they are thousands of miles away. Among Disney's Florida parks, Animal Kingdom feels surreal and authentic at once. It's almost as if God Himself had a hand in creating it. Well done, Imagineers!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Full Color Disneyland Map of 1963

The year is 1963, and Walt Disney's pet project Disneyland is on the cusp of some pretty spectacular attractions. The Enchanted Tiki Room had just debuted to stunning reviews. How could it not? It was an Audio-Animatronic stage show full of tiki culture, charm, and terrific music. Adventureland would never be the same.

Main Street U.S.A. would soon be home to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, a brand New Tomorrowland was on the park's horizon, and in between the park's first new land New Orleans Square would arrive with   the attraction that would once again raise the bar for all theme parks: Pirates of the Caribbean. 

This map is worth blowing up and checking out what Walt's park looked like in the early years. So much is gone, but so much remains almost 60 years later. The last two decades of the Disneyland's additions have been a mixed bag, but I certainly wish there would be someone at the helm of the company who had one single once of Walt's creativity- and his desire to give park guests the best experience possible for the high prices charged to get into the park. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Hogwart's Castle in All It's Glory

Insights and Sounds blog is filled with great and rare pieces of Disney concept art from the resorts worldwide. Be it the beauty of Disneyland Paris, the amazing Tokyo DisneySea or the dismal Walt Disney Studios Paris, you can find plenty of art here that will delight you- or in the case of what could be or what was never built- frustrate you. As a relative newbie to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and both Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at the Studios park next door, there's just not too many pieces to be found from Universal Creative. But here's one in my growing collection.

Hogwarts Castle is beautifully done! It is at once imposing and alluring- done at a scale that impresses, this does not feel like it belongs in a theme park. Yet, in an odd way, it fits in so well between Jurassic Park and The Lost Continent. If you arrive from riding the Hogswart Express, you disembark and find the streets twist and turn until the big reveal. The Forbidden Journey is a magnet attraction, but it is intense. No worries if you can't ride. Instead walk through until you come upon the last minute exit. The tour inside is as well done as any attraction in Florida. Don't miss it. 

Up until I saw how the young wizard impacted the Orlando Resort, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure were both a very nice and very good one-and-done type theme park. No longer. The concept art doesn't do the execution of it justice. Read my detailed reports here, where I cover both parks and City Walk after visiting Disney. Day Five here, and Day Six here. 

If you'd like to read more, a day by day trip report that also includes Walt Disney World, here they are, beginning with our night at Disney Springs before hitting the parks and resorts:

Walt Disney World vs. Universal Orlando Resort: Disney Springs

Does Rise of the Resistance Match the Hype- and the Rest of Disney's Hollywood Studios

An Epcot Lover's Awakening

Disney's Animal Kingdom Adventures- and a Return to Epcot

A Private Tour of Rise of the Resistance and Off to Universal

(Art copyright Universal Creative.)

The First Snowfall of the Winter

Well, it finally arrived a few days ago. Up til then, the most we got was a couple of flurries for a few minutes before it stopped. Although I know and trust that God allows everything for a reason, I so wish it would have come before the devastating fires in our area. God bless those men and women who worked so hard to evacuate people safely. Even my youngest son had a significant role in this. Thanks again for all you do to keep us safe.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Walt Disney World Cares What You Think About Universal Orlando Resort?!?

Received this new Walt Disney World survey, and I found the questions to be rather intriguing. Is Disney finally waking up to the fact that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are starting to have an impact on the number of days guests stay on the property? Disney's new survey is mentioning Harry Potter attractions and Universal Orlando Resort by name.

Interestingly, Disney knew that we were in Florida eight days but only spent four of them on their property at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

Are Universal Orlando Resort's theme parks Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios becoming more competitive, and if so why? Disney's biggest question seemed to be, "Why didn't;t you want to spend longer with us?"

What are Disney resorts guests who finally head off property and over to Universal discovering? Does it change future plans?

Disney wants you to get very specific. Very. Will it change anything? Not so sure.

(Top photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

A Rapturous New Year

There's a change in the air! New year, new beginnings, and goodbye to the old. Whatever the Lord allows, here's wishing you a rapturous new year. (Sorry, but I couldn't resist the play on words.)

(Photograph copyright Universal Orlando.)

Top Ten Favorite Posts of 2021

Another year come and gone, and a time to look at the past as well as the future. I pray your 2021 year was as blessed as mine: a wedding, a new granddaughter, a trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando and a year filled with friends and family who joined together to love and support one another. More than anything, it was a year when, once again, God showed his faithfulness to those who follow Him. May your 2022 be filled with love and joy and fresh discoveries!

In no particular order, excluding ones about my family, are some of my favorite blog posts of the year: 

Why Every Disney Park Fan Must Visit Universal's Diagon Alley - Universal excels at Disney's game, surpassing Cars Land, Pandora: World of Avatar, and even Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The Imagineers and the suits need to take a hard look at what their main competition has accomplished. Here's why.

Notable and Quotable: Dick Van Dyke - Beloved entertainer reflects on his life.

The Past Present and Future of Disney's Animal Kingdom: Part Eight - More photos, more rare concept art, more history on the evolution of this park and its development. One of the most read series on the blog.

EPCOT Center's Unbuilt Rollercoaster for Future World - Did you think Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was the first coaster planned for the area? Here's proof that Imagineers were looking into this decades ago.

Top Ten Episodes of Friends - The reunion may have disappointed, but these top ten episodes will make your burst with laughter while warming your heart,

Carpenters Revisited: A Fresh Look at Horizon - With rare photographs and a fresh perspective, this album review will make you reconsider the impact this fine album had on the incredible but short career of Richard and Karen Carpenter.  

Disneyland Attraction Posters: The Fantasyland Collection - A new poster for Snow White's Enchanted Wish headlines this ever growing collection of beloved park posters.

Art Surfaces for Disneyland Paris' Log Ride - Long talked about but finally found. No, it's not Splash Mountain, but what is it?

Dine or Ditch: The Land's Garden Grille Room at Epcot - Dining at Disney World is expensive enough. Is this premier Future World location worth your money?

Bringing Life to a Dry and Thirsty Land - Political mandates, entertainment, and religion got you down? Time to try something new.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

The Dawn of a New Day

2022 is just hours away. Can I hear an "Amen!"? It certainly is time for a fresh start. Like the sound of the rushing ocean waves on the shore, it is happening. What will the new year bring? Time will tell.

Disneyland's Tomorrowland is a Blast!

This colored pencil sketch of Disneyland's futuristic Tomorrowland is sure to brighten your day! When Walt Disney was envisioning his park, something to represent what could come was always on the agenda. His Imagineers came back with many, many, ideas even if some didn't make the cut. Don't you wish current management would revisit some of these? Or at least finish the "new" entrance enhancements they started?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)