Attraction Equations: Disney's New Math Doesn't Add Up

What's an Imagineer to do when the suits at the Walt Disney Company issue a mandate for a popular attraction to receive a layover using one of the company's seemingly endless, hot, new Intellectual Properties? Be it Marvel the latest Pixar movie, or just a savvy move to be more politically sensitive, those Imagineers have to take on the project to stay employed. They try to do the best they can do even if it is usually with a limited budget and a lot of pressure. A lot of pressure.

The suits see the end result of these projects as fresh visibility and marketing potential at a lower investment than designing a whole new attraction with the sum potentially equaling much greater income from the turnstile clicks and sale of plush toys, apparel, trinkets, and gadgets. 

Looking through the lens of the accountant's very popular Bargain Basement Imagineering mindset, why create new and fresh when you can fall back on the incredible artistic expertise of those who came before you? (Or the suits force their design teams to go in the opposite direction and create a park so cheap it take billions of dollars to correct the mistake. California Adventure and the Walt Disney Studios Paris prove that the public is smarter than Disney gives them credit for. It's always better to do it right the first time. Look at DCA's Bargain Basement Imagineering in detail here.)

Even the Oriental Land Company is not immune to the temptation!

But the new math doesn't always add up! Sometimes, what came before it was greater and better designed than the newer end result. From Disneyland to Epcot, California Adventure to Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland to Tokyo Disneysea, no park is immune to the temptation to engage the question of the equation. 

Does a layover strengthen or lessen the image and the brand of the Company compared to what came before it? Or, from a guest and theme park fan perspective, which attraction version is better?

Let's take a look at some Disney Math. We'll travel around the globe in no particular order. We'll start with an easy one...

Enchanted Tiki Room > Under New Management

One of the Magic Kingdom's earliest "improvements". The new version was crass instead of classy, charming, and elegant. Aladdin's Iago is not a lovable character. Pretty straightforward. In this case, the old is clearly better than the newer.

Swiss Family Tree House > Tarzan's Treehouse> Encanto?

Imagineer John Hench's art for Disneyland's tree was stunning and mysterious. The reality was an all time old school favorite. Tony Baxter saved the tree from Disneyland's one time President Paul Pressler's shop, but it just wasn't as charming. How will the new rumored Encanto makeover be received? Will it matter?

Submarine Voyage > Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Almost the same story as above it seems. What did Pressler have against Disneyland?

 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout = Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I hate to admit this one. I love the original and best version at Disney's Hollywood Studios but... the Audio-Animatronic Rocket sets the bar pretty high, making up for the characters on a screen. The flavor of each is so different: one is irreverent, one spooky and mysterious. In each of the California versions, the building is equally unappealing. I call it a tie.

Journey into Imagination > Journey into Imagination with Figment > Journey into Your Imagination 

Along with Peter Pan's Flight, the original is one of the most beloved adventures ever created. Many of the attractions in this competition might be worth arguing about, but if you don't agree here, I may have to consider your sanity. What's the hold up on a new version? Apparently, no, they cannot imagine, too.

Pirates of the Caribbean > with Captain Jack Sparrow > Redd's Auction

For what it is, the addition of Captain Jack was as good as it could get. Redd, on the other hand, was an embarrassment. Chalk one up to pirates that pay for what they plunder. Ridiculous.

Countdown to Extinction > Dinosaur

The new generic name should say it all. Now with broken effects and underwhelming lighting. Can anyone say Disco Yeti?

Goofy's Sky School > Mulholland Madness

Theming goes a long way but not too much in this reimagined wild mouse carnival coaster from California Adventure's opening day. A definite placeholder in either version. Unfortunately, in any form, it is a new low for Disney Imagineering. 

California Screamin' > Incredicoaster

Take one great unthemed coaster and force-feed an overlay of one of Pixar's best movies. Go all the way or leave it alone, but do not insult us with babies on a stick and call it themed.

The Living Seas > The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Say goodbye to "edutainment" and hello to the cutest clownfish ever. The replacement for a great attraction should have been a separate dark ride within the pavilion and not its replacement.

Disney California Adventure 2.0 > DCA 3.0 > DCA 1.0

Version two was a theme park worthy of the Disney name.  Yes, there was still room for improvement, but the Imagineers were given freedom to create something pretty special. Somewhere along the line, the suits moved backwards. Will the park bounce back? Avengers Campus is a neutral at best, so it's hard to say.

Monsters Inc > Superstar Limo 

When you get off a Disney attraction and can't really help but wonder what the Imagineers were thinking, you know it's a mistake. Superstar Limo is the poster child for a park everyone rightfully made fun of. Eisner's folly. But not his worst misstep.

Haunted Mansion = Haunted Mansion Holiday- The Nightmare Before Christmas 

Personally, I prefer the Marc Davis/Rolly Crump/Yale Gracey original version over the Tim Burton inspired makeover.  Yet, it's hard to deny that the holiday version is wonderfully inspired and executed with wit and elegance. When a holiday layover feels like a brand new and excellent attraction, it's a win for park guests.

Space Mountain> Hyperspace Mountain > Ghost Galaxy

Version one of the Tomorrowland classic is beloved for a reason and duplicated the world over. It's especially difficult to appreciate Disneyland Paris' Hyperspace Mountain/Mission Two in light of the fact the Jules Verne inspired journey in Discoveryland was one of my favorite attractions ever.

Jungle Cruise > Jingle Cruise 

Floating Christmas presents does not equate to excellence or worthiness of a holiday makeover. Next. 

 

Tom Sawyer Island = Pirates Lair 

Pirates Lair. Hmmm. Intriguing idea and very well done, but after visiting the Magic Kingdom's version of the island, I prefer the original Disneyland attraction back when the fort and everything else was maintained and opened. The Imagineers did some excellent work on the revision, however.

 

El Rio del Tiempo > Gran Fiesta Tour 

There was no turning back it seemed after the conversion to a Donald Duck focused attraction. World Showcase and all of EPCOT Center  lost its soul when the characters invaded. There had to be a better solution. 

Frozen = Maelstrom

So, I'll follow that with a contradiction. Frozen Ever After has grown on me. What's not to love about Olaf? On the other hand, I hate projected face animatronics- and I'm sure Tokyo Disneysea's Frozen attraction will far outshine what's been done Stateside for Disney's biggest moneymaker in decades. Maelstrom was an original. And who doesn't love trolls?

Universe of Energy > Ellen's Energy Adventure

Let's pander to the lowest common denominator and lose the quasi scientific angle. What is this, an attraction from Disney's Hollywood Studios? I like Ellen, but not in this.

Test Track 1.0 > 2.0 

True to Epcot Center edutainment, if something had to replace World of Motion, this was a good fit as any. The "test dummy" crash scene was a piece of perfect Imagineering meets educational aspect. It's fun and fully in theme. A must do every trip. Tron Track is just not as good.

Flik's Flyers > Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind

New rule of thumb: The longer the name, the more recently it was created. The surrounding area of Flik's Fun Fair was sweet and charming. Not so at Pixar Pier. Someone once suggested this ride should have been named "Mood Swings". Perfectly describes DCA 2.0 to what the park is becoming under current leadership.

Soarin' > Soaring Over the World

The California original was created by those who loved the Golden State. The newer version seems to clearly be one created by management. Less heart, less charm, and an awkwardly bent Eiffel Tower.  That had to be painful. 

               Buzz gave way to Ant-Man in Hong Kong. Exclamation included to convey excitement!

Buzz Lightyear> Ant-Man and Wasp Nano Battle!

Let's force a Marvel property anywhere we can. How about Hong Kong where we're free to do anything. Who doesn't like Paul Rudd? But something else could have been created with one of the more humorous Marvel superheroes.

 

Snow White's Enchanted Wish > Snow White's Adventures

It was time for Walt's first major animated hit to have a ride with cutting edge special effects. It was once dark and brooding. Now, there's light at the end of the tunnel- and it's not the train from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. A success with minor quibbles. 

Stormrider> Nemo and Friends Searider Tokyo Disneysea

The character infusion hits the world's most luxuriously themed and respected theme park. Was it even necessary?

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In the long term, these lesser products cheapen the Disney brand and relegate the often brilliant Imagineers to the lowest level of themed entertainment.   

The next big assessment will be whether or not Disneyland and the Imagineers can pull off a very culturally sensitive remake of a beloved attraction. Yes, I think Tiana definitely deserves her own brand new ride. But the question remains for now: Will The Princess and the Frog makeover of Splash Mountain be a home run or an also ran? 

One last and final equation for now:

Anything > Walt Disney Studios Paris 1.0

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Not a Good Look for Us

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Another Look at Disneyland's Unbuilt Discovery Bay

Every few years or so, it seems as if unseen concept art surfaces for Disneyland's unbuilt and abandoned concept Discovery Bay. Today, I present one more. Imagineer Tony Baxter (don't you wish he'd write a book?!?) worked with some of the company's best and brightest to get it just right. Here, this concept art by Harper Goff gives us a great picture of what the future should have held.

 In the area now occupied by Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, this ambitious project would have hosted a variety of attractions, shops and great restaurants that would have bridged the theme between Fantasyland and Frontierland. A San Francisco of the Golden Age (think some steam punk here) would house a major E Ticket attraction based on the film Island at the Top of the World while another drew guests in featuring a little dragon friend of a blustering and lovable professor type character. Does this sound like Figment and Dreamfinder? Yes, it does- and find out more about the project here. 

I won't spill all the beans, but beyond this one article, there's many others on the blog that will help you fill in the picture. It's definitely worth your time! But be forewarned- it may make you wish that Discovery Bay was built instead! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Every Now & Then and Again

"When I was young, I'd listen to the radio waiting for my favorite songs..." Ten bucks says if you've read this blog for awhile, you know the song and you know the artist! If not, it's Yesterday Once More by the Carpenters. The 1973 hit was a worldwide smash. Written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, the tune is a classic- and so is the album from which it came, Now & Then. Back when the songs of the 50s and 60s seemed to be reemerging, Richard had the brilliant idea to record an album with one side being contemporary songs and the other to be filled with classics from years past. From covering the Beach Boys to the girl groups of the era, it's quite a listen.

You may not have seen this photo before. Carpenters historian Chris May - the co-author of Carpenters: The Musical Legacy with Mike Cidoni-Lennox included it as a bonus at the end of his video interview with musicians Earle Dumler and Gayle Levant.  

Articles on Karen and Richard and my collection of rare photos continue to be among the most loved and searched on this blog. Last count, there were almost 100 of them. If you want reviews of their albums, take a look at the current list below. 

Two fo the most popular ones seem to be The Last Hours of Karen Carpenter and The Night I Met Karen Carpenter. But there are so many other ones as well! Enjoy!

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Below is the list of my initial reviews and then my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews a decade later. 

My Initial Reviews of the albums:

Offering/Ticket to Ride

Close to You

Carpenters

A Song for You

Now & Then

The Singles 1969-1973

Live In Japan

Horizon

A Kind of Hush

Live at the Palladium

Passage

The Singles 1974-1978

Christmas Portrait

Made in America

Voice of the Heart

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Time (Richard Solo)

Lovelines

Karen Carpenter (Solo)

As Time Goes By

My Revisited / Fresh Look at the albums:

Offering / Ticket to Ride
Close to You
Carpenters 
A Song for You 

Now & Then

The Singles 1969 - 1973

Live in Japan

Horizon 

A Kind of Hush (Coming soon!)

When Reality is Better Than Imagineering Art: California Adventure's Radiator Springs Racers

Contrary to an opinion I often hold, it's not always better at Tokyo Disneysea! With this newest article in the series, I'll show its possible to beat that amazing park in Japan at their own game. Yet that poor little secondary, red-headed child of theme parks in Anaheim, California Adventure still makes it tough to call it a consistently high quality Disney worthy park. Unfortunately, there's still remnants of the embarassing DCA 1.0 among the excellent. Buena Vista Street is beautiful, Grizzly Peak provides a small taste of more rustic areas, but it is only in Cars Land where you can see the Imagineers were given full design freedom to create something extraordinary.

Once the relaunch of the park was complete, I couldn't wait to visit! I'd seen the tons of concept art and watched construction walls go up. I'd been into the preview center (the old Seasons of the Vine theater) numerous times and poured over the models.

 

The project rolled out to mixed results in the early stages. Toy Story Midway Mania was fun but not a must-see attraction to build a park visit on, let alone a stand alone vacation. I had to admit Paradise Pier looked so much better with its Hotel Del Coronado inspired treatment and the removal of the ill-conceived Maliboomer. (I sure wish they'd go back to that.)

 

I was hopeful for Ariel's Undersea Adventure as I love a great dark ride on an Omnimover.  The initial descent Under the Sea and the centerpiece room made me hopeful the Little Mermaid ride had all the markings of a major hit... until the last few scenes where it all fell apart. You could tell budgets had been cut. It was not to be the big E Ticket attraction the park needed. That left Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers. Did Disney suits and Imagineers blow it once again?

No.

 

This was everything I wanted- and more.

 

This is the single case in California Adventure when the reality is better than Imagineering art. So much better, in fact! Recently retired Imagineer Kevin Rafferty created a modern masterpiece that holds its own with the classics from Walt's day- and make no mistake, this land with its stunning landscapes and the headlining fun-filled, thrilling attraction saved the park. In every corner, the piece parts work together to create an unforgettable experience. And you don't have to like the Cars movies to appreciate that land.

 

Guests rewarded Disney genius and creativity with turnstile clicks by the millions and millions of hard earned dollars in the bank. Would lightning strike twice with future projects? Not even close. Pixar Pier and Avengers Campus reversed course by leaps and bounds, failing in different ways. 

 

What comes next- excellence or mediocrity? 

My bet is...

 

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

Will Michael Jackson Thrill Us Again?

Michael Jackson's Thriller is one of the best selling and most played albums of all time. That was 40 years ago, and this Fall, his label is celebrating its release with a deluxe package that will be filled with unreleased music, extensive liner notes, photos and more. 

Back when it was unheard of, Michael was even the subject of his own Disneyland attraction, Captain Eo, a 3D film of special effects and some pretty great music all its own.  Yes, he had conquered all forms of entertainment. 

Michael had his shortcomings. And he wasn't always the wisest of men. Buying out the Beatles catalog under Paul McCartney after recording a couple of duets with him was just poor judgment and a pretty nasty thing to do. Thriller's first single, the duet with Paul, The Girl is Mine is light, breezy, and fun and only hinted at the mega impact the collection would have.

The last time Michael's label dug into unreleased recordings during the Off The Wall era (my favorite Jackson disc), they unearthed and polished up Love Never Felt So Good, matching him with Justin Timberlake to give it that extra something. Will this 40th anniversary edition of Thriller give us the feels again? We'll see.

Friday Morning at Disney-MGM Studios

 

Today's vintage photograph is from 1989 and right from Hollywood: the Disney-MGM Studios to be exact. Does this building look familiar to you? It should! It's now the home to Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie. But back in the day, it was the location of the The Monster Sound Show, a great and original interactive show where guest got to be "Foley artists" and match pieces of film with the corresponding sounds they'd create. It was much more difficult than it looked- and a whole lot of fun.

Times change, and the dropped its look behind the movie magic to follow Universal Studios "ride the movies" mantra. Not a bad move. Disney's Hollywood Studios does have some blockbuster hits like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, but there were pieces of the original park I wish were still around. 

Anyone else here a fan of the Great Movie Ride? I'd love be able to have seen all these co-exist as they should have. Removing one for the other is shortsighted in a park so needing new and more attractions. Ah, the blessing of space...

 Check out more retro photos and a look at the park's history here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

The Queen Celebrates Her Platinum Jubilee and a Friendship is Remembered

Today in the United Kingdom begins celebrations of Queen Elizabeth's 70th year as reigning monarch. She has been an incredible leader! Not perfect, but as close as one can get under tremendous strain in the decades she has served. One has to wonder of her longstanding friendship with Billy Graham and her deep faith in Jesus Christ has anything to do with her wisdom and grace. Television's The Crown explores this friendship in one of its earlier seasons. 

May the Lord bless the Queen as she finishes the race set before her!

My Favorite Disney Park Photos: Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure

The Indiana Jones Adventure. What can be said that hasn't been already told? It's an incredible "E Ticket" attraction that packs them in 25 plus years after its debut. I was there opening weekend as part of a performance reward during my years with AT&T, the attraction's sponsor.

This photograph was taken just a few years ago. I'd say its pretty stunning- and it captures all the mystery and thrill of what happens when something goes wrong inside a temple full of surprises. Who would have thought an angry deity, rats, bugs, and snakes- why does it have to be snakes?- would form the basis for this world class ride.

As with the Jungle Cruise, imitators have come and gone, but none, not even Universal Orlando's Mummy attraction, comes close. 

Want more Indiana Jones and its impact in the Disney parks, check out this concept art filled article.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

 

An End and a Beginning

Graduations. An end and a beginning. Saying goodbye to the past and hello to the future. What lies ahead? What is left behind? It's all a mystery to be unraveled. Most certainly, God is there- when He is least expected, most needed, and always waiting for us to call on Him. And I'm very thankful.

 

It's A Small World Attraction Poster for the 1964 New York World's Fair

The title above says it all. Here is a very pretty attraction poster for the classic It's a Small World from the 1964 New York World's Fair. Artist Joseph Marsh created this tribute poster featuring Imagineer Rolly Crump's great Tower of the Four Winds standing atop of very retro looking building with the Pepsi Cola logo above it all. Just love these type of posters! And I can't wait for Disney's volume two coming this Fall.

A New Era for Downton Abbey

Beautifully acted, wonderfully filmed, and with a musical score that is gorgeous, Downton Abbey A New Era is worth your time and money. Of course, Maggie Smith gets in her quips but the movie belongs to Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery. No spoilers here. Go see it on the big screen.

The Greatest Showman Almost Killed My Granddaughter

It was last Friday, and a desire to imitate Zendaya almost led to the death of my youngest granddaughter. I do not fault the actress or Hugh Jackman - not a bit. Kids are so influenced by the movies they see or even film clips.

My young granddaughter who has just turned 8 is fascinated by the circus portrayed in The Greatest Showman. Who can blame her? The movie itself is extremely well done, and the music is superb. Never Enough by Lauren Allred (with the on screen lipsynching by Rebecca Ferguson) is a modern day classic.

While my son-in-law was at work and my daughter working from home, our little sweet girl decided to play circus. So she climbed on top of a low backed chair and jumped into the family room curtains to imitate what she'd seen. Unbeknownst to the rest of the family, she got caught with them twisted around her neck.

Her oldest brother "just happened" to come downstairs to get a drink and discovered his sister hanging there rather lifeless and blue. He screamed and screamed and screamed from sheer shock, so my daughter bolted out of her office to discover the horror of it all.

When she came into the room, her daughter was blue and hanging above the back of the chair in the curtain. She had tried to do a flip with the curtain, so it was tangled in a way her Mom couldn’t immediately figure out how to loosen it. So, the sweet little girl is off the ground higher than the back of the chair and can’t touch anything so her body weight is pulling the sheer curtain tight. 

Imagine my daughter's panic! She begins to yell for scissors, and as the boys are getting them, she gets the curtain loose and lays a blue and unresponsive girl on the ground.  After a couple seconds she starts crying and coughing. They call the ambulance and since it was “a hanging” police had to come (3 police and then also rescue with fire team) and question my daughter. My son-in-law, a fire chief, is flying home from the station at an ungodly speed.

The ambulance comes, and thankfully as they are taking her to the hospital, she seems rather normal but very frightened as you would expect. The doctors examine her and come to the conclusion after many scans and tests that she will be ok. They tell the devastated but relieved parents that had her brother found her one minute later, she would have died.

Why? That's what we keep asking ourselves. I keep having these verses go through my head, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, or those who are called according to his purpose." These words from the book of Romans chapter 8 help keep things in perspective.

As for now, we are all healing.  In the midst of the grieving for everyone in Uvalde, Texas, this seems so minor. And it is in comparison. May God himself have mercy on us all while evil and the evil one temporarily have dominion over our world.

Is This Any Way to Build a New Expansion, Tokyo Disneysea?

Is this a misfire? Tokyo Disneysea is widely recognized as one of the most ambitious, beautifully themed Disney Parks in the world. With the smoldering volcanic eruptions of Mount Prometheus as its centerpiece, it's difficult if not impossible to be in awe of what the Imagineers created. But this expansion named Fantasy Springs seems a bit controversial. 

How dare Tokyo Disneysea inject an entire themed land into this park, stuffing it with world class state of the art attractions focused on Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled? It could be a jarring contrast to the quite beautiful Mediterranean Harbor, the inspiring Mysterious Island, the exotic Lost River Delta or the somewhat historic American Waterfront. On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be too much difference between this cleverly hidden addition and Mermaid Lagoon or Arabian Coast.

A new take on the classic Peter Pan's Flight? Yes, please!

Perhaps it is the attraction line up that is causing a problem. How could they choose to bypass a clone of Epcot's Frozen Ever After for a one-of-a-kind "E Ticket" that will probably never be duplicated in Asia, the U.S., or in the Walt Disney Studios Paris expansion? Or maybe its the idea that the oft proposed ride system for Peter Pan is the same one used for Shanghai Disneyland's breakout hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. 

Moving beyond just the Snuggly Duckling.

I'm certainly one of the fans that is frustrated that the first attraction themed to Tangled is to be found in Asia and not at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Can themed restrooms at the Magic Kingdom be all they can do for this terrific film? I can't be the only one that wishes to see that lantern scene fully realized.

Is this any way to build an expansion? Yes, it is! I'd trade it for any version of Toy Story Land or Pixar Pier or even Avengers Campus any day! Wouldn't you?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Respite in Switzerland

A little Alpine rest may be just what the Doctor ordered. I'm not ready to write about it yet, but Friday evening, our family experienced a near tragedy that left us in a state of shock. God was merciful, thankfully, or we would be planning a funeral right now. Grisons, Switzerland is what you're looking at. I'm dreaming of a time of rest. I always tell people no one escapes life unscathed. Certainly true for us right now. If you're a person of faith in Jesus, please pray for us.