Disney's Construction Adventure

What an amazing, terrific, purposeful mess! Aren't you glad to see the progress as Disney is putting their money where their mouth is by improving California Adventure? As the sister park right next to Disneyland, the resort deserved much better than what it got on February 1, 2001- and it's getting it now.

For the time being, it is Disney's Construction Adventure. However, coming soon, it will be a park everyone in Southern California will want to see. From World of Color to a voyage with Ariel to the rush of Radiator Springs Racers, the park is becoming something worthy of the Disney name. Let the construction continue!

Earth Worship

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires will pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

I John 2:15-17

A Trip to Disney World? Maybe...Maybe Not

As the new school year approaches, it is the time I begin to think about travels for the following year. It is just the way things work when you are married to a teacher! So, what is on our horizon for 2010?

Speaking of Horizons, should it be Walt Disney World? Probably not. There's nothing really happening on or the front burner for our favorite Florida park, Epcot. I was underwhelmed by the recent remakes to both the Mexico and Canada showcases. The cartooning of the once beautiful El Rio del Tiempo and the silly humor of adding Martin Short to O Canada! continues a trend of removing the dignity of their national representation. Please- update the print of the gorgeous film in France, but leave the beautiful score and serious but romanticized presentation intact. No Gerard Depardieu comedy, please. And no Belle from Beauty and the Beast either.
Hmm, World Showcase is only half of Epcot, you say. And you'd be right, but it has become our favorite section of the park since Future World has seemed to lose its focus and its optimistic view of the future. I think we'll wait to see what comes next.

Disney Studios. Certainly, I changed my perspective of the park since our last visit. (See an earlier post.) American Idol won't bring me back. Neither will Toy Story Midway Mania, especially it can be found on the west coast. Love, love, love the original Tower of Terror, but I can still have fun on the stripped down, cheaper version at California Adventure.

What about Disney's original Florida park? The Magic Kingdom is still quite the place. Liberty Square is elegant, Tomorrowland is now stuffed with toons but a visual delight. Seen the refurbished Haunted Mansion, and I'll pass on the new Hall of Presidents for now. The presentation is not worth the sole purpose or expense of a trip. If the recently circulated plans for a brand new Fantasyland are true, I will return upon its completion. That is, as long as the other parks have new attractions to stage as well.

Lastly, there is Animal Kingdom. I will say this much: If it is true- and I doubt it is- Disney can win me back to the park by adding a version of Tokyo Disney Seas' impressive Mysterious Island. However, I have a strong feeling that Disney management is very content to let Expedition: Everest carry the park for a few more years. We'll see. All said, I guess this eliminates a Walt Disney World visit for a couple of years.

Maybe it will be the Disneyland Resort that brings us back. A trip to the original kingdom is still one of the most satisfying visits for a true Disney geek. Walt's touch seems to be everywhere. Detail is heaped upon detail. Sure, Tomorrowland is a mess, but hopefully that will soon change- starting with the overdue Star Tours 2.0. Unfortunately, there's not much coming here as the attention is being lavished on its slowly improving but still needy stepsister, California Adventure.

Speaking of Disneyland's younger sibling, I think I'll wait until 2011 or 2012 for a return visit. The Little Mermaid attraction will open, the bay will be refilled, and a beautiful new Buena Vista Street will be complete. If I wait for 2012, Radiator Springs Racers will open. This should be the premier attraction that will finally put DCA (or whatever its new name will be) on the map, finally moving the park out of its "clones only" status. I guess all this means no Disneyland Resort next year either.

On the other hand, I am a true Disney geek, and the lure of a Disney park visit is hard to resist. Be it Christmastime and the wonderful atmosphere or the charm of a cool summer evening ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I am drawn in. Yet, money is tighter and will get even more so in the future.

What to do? No idea. Maybe I'll just sit tight for now until Imagineering builds something that is impossible for me to resist. Maybe I can... or maybe not.
(Photographs Copyright Mark Taft)

Notable and Quotable: George Bernard Shaw

"This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

The Fairest of Them All

Just uncovered another wonderful piece of Disneyland concept art. Here is Snow White's Scary Adventures for the Fantasyland remodel of the 1980s. As good as the artist's interpretation is, the reality is just as stunning. The Imagineers constant attention to detail and commitment to immersive atmosphere is what sets Disneyland's and Disneyland Paris' Fantasyland high above the others. When given an inspiring idea and the budget to pull it off, no one does it as well as the Walt Disney Company.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!

Dad, there are many things that I am thankful for when I think of you. You are a great role model as a husband, a friend, a father, and a believer in Jesus. You've lived a sacrificial life, giving so much of your time, energy and money to others less fortunate- both inside and outside our family. Thank you, Dad, for being who you are. I appreciate you, and I love you.

WTF

No, not that. But not that I haven't thought it or said it. (True confessions here!)

Let's face it- dealing with people can be a pain. That includes dealing with ourselves and our own anxieties, fears, frustrations and disappointments. To say this has not been a good season for me would be a gross understatement. But I have to say, "WTF". No, not that.

In an effort to redeem the letters and have a bit of fun, I've changed it into "Where's the Faith?" Speaking to myself here. Everytime I get mad or depressed or just don't understand, I try to remind myself to stay focused on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith.

My faith is imperfect- and it is being worked out in my as I choose to trust Him. Thank God- really- that no one ever told me the life of a Christian would be easy because it isn't. C'mon, if Jesus is our example, how can we expect anything less than hardship at times. He ended up crucified on the cross because He chose to be obedient to His Heavenly Father. Can we really expect less? No.

So, when things get tough, just shout "WTF". Your friends may laugh or snicker, but use it to put yourself, your emotions, thoughts, and your choices in check. Where's the Faith?

Magic Eye on Disneyland

Sometimes something so fun just gets taken for granted. Mint Crocodile's blog, Magic Eye, continually surprises me with its fresh look at the Disneyland Resort. Whether it is a photo journey through California Adventure, scraping up some fun video from Tokyo Disneyland, or anything else you can imagine, Mint puts its together nice, real nice.

Amy Grant in Africa

One of things I have always appreciated about Amy Grant is her humility. At the peak of her popularity, she seemed to always take time to focus on others, be it answer questions from fans, express care and concern for friends, or focus her efforts on serving others. On her recent blog entry, Amy takes the time to share about her thoughts from her trip to Africa. And she shares a few pictures. Check it out.

Well Done, Good and Faithful!

Congratulations to the barrister! Well done- We are so proud of you and amazed by all your hard work in the midst of family and life! With love from your friends on this side of the pond...

Disney "Hoax" Revisited

NOTE: One year later and my original post may be right on the money. At least we can dream. Here's a reposting of the article from July 2008:
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Let me state up front that the "concept art" above is (poorly) photoshopped by me. But let's pretend for a moment...

Rumors abound in what Disney will do in Florida in response to the emerging world of Harry Potter. These include a revamped and amazing Journey into Imagination at Epcot, Monsters Inc coaster for Disney's Hollywood Studios, and a Little Mermaid attraction for the Magic Kingdom. All bound for Florida by 2011 or 2012 depending on your web sources. 

Why nothing for Animal Kingdom? Disney loves to market with a "something new at every park approach".

If Beastly Kingdom is truly dead, what about importing the premier and centerpiece attraction from Tokyo DisneySea- Journey to the Center of the Earth? A detailed attraction with a popular and thrillingly used ride system. Oh yeah, comes complete with a show building of instant recognition and it is inhabited by a fantasy-inspired Lava monster. Makes for a pretty enticing first impression walking into the park. (By the way, below is the original artwork that I used. It is for an alternative impression of the Tree of Life.)

So, check out the "art" in larger form and see what DAK's skyline could look like. Here's hoping!

Merlin's Magic

The impact Imagineer Herb Ryman had on Walt's original kingdom cannot be overstated. From the first overview of Disneyland used to sell the idea of the California park to financiers, Herb's wonderful eye for design just kept blessing the land(s). Above is an unused rendering for Merlin's Magic Shoppe in Fantasyland. Whimsical, complex, full of charm. Sounds like a description of the artist himself!
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Ko Olina Update

Thanks to my friend Len, here are a few picture updates of the construction of Disney's Ko Olina resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. As you can see, they are just starting to some degree. Yet we have all seen how quickly construction crews move when they have to!

This new Vacation site is on a gorgeous piece of land- one I've seen with my own eyes and posted about long before it was Disney property. (You can search the blog for an old post or two.) Let's hope this all comes together really fast and well!

Looking to Her

I somehow missed this while I was overseas for two weeks. Time to put all the Michael Jackson jokes aside before you read this post. Ready?

Does Whitney Houston still have what it takes? We'll soon know. On September 1, Arista will release Whitney's comeback album "I Look to You". Sure to be much better than her last effort in 2002- and much better than her oh-so-trendy Christmas album, the disc is designed to showcase the Whitney we first knew.

Expect ballads that soar and uptempo numbers that rock soulfully. Included will be her version of the Carpenters' Leon Russell-penned "A Song For You." What not to expect? A hit of Bodyguard proportions. But hopefully this is the beginning of round two for an artist who may have once again found her way.

Disneyland's Road Race to Nowhere

"The Happiest Place on Earth" had a bit of a glaring problem. At least it was obvious to the suits watching the park and its traffic patterns. Marc Davis' sweet but amusing Country Bear Jamboree seemed to have run its course with park visitors. Numbers continued to decline.

The attraction occupied a big and beautiful wooded piece of real estate at Disneyland, just around the bend from the Haunted Mansion. It wasn't front and center as in the case of the attraction's location at Walt Disney World's Frontierland, but it was still a substantial chunk of the very small original kingdom. What to do?

Henry in his new role!

The Imagineers with a soft spot for the attraction began coming up with some new concepts to save the Hillbilly bruins. Among the considerations were a small flume type attraction and a silly roadrace. 

And the winner is... no one.

Ultimately, even the terrific "Critter Country 500" with its rending by Christopher Merritt, couldn't save the bears from a quick and out of place swap out with another little cub. With the show leaving Disneyland, it was the beginning of guests losing musical Audio-Animatronic shows. (See the article here.)

The singing bears were now only to be found in Tokyo Disneyland and at Florida's Magic Kingdom. Oh, Pooh!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)