With Grateful Hearts

"And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me."

~Lee Greenwood

To all those protecting us: Not enough said- but at least, it is a start. Thank you for your service to our country.

Epcot: Mission Space Revisited by Imagineering

Another piece from the new Imagineering book: a proposed but never used concept for Epcot's Mission:Space. The scope and scale seem massive, much more impressive than what was eventually built! Just look:

Oh, what could have been, oh, what will never be. Mission: Space seems to be Disney's most expensive "E" Ticket flop ever!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Life of Karen Carpenter

Out Now! A new biography on Karen Carpenter. Randy L. Schmidt has already published on Karen and Richard before, and his new book, Little Girl Blue, focuses on the woman behind the golden voice. The Carpenters' story continues to fascinate. Over 300 pages worth with contributors like Olivia Newton-John and Phil Ramone. Go here to see details.

Disneyland Hotel Rennovations Continue

Straight from the Disney Parks blog- a rendering of the new pool area- complete with Monorail slides and the Disneyland Marque. In addition to renaming the towers to reflect the park's lands, plans include a restaurant with a Tahitian Terrace theme and a bar themed to the Jungle Cruise. Sound like great fun!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Calling American Idol for Lee!

After fairly lackluster performances from some of my favorite recording artists-

Bee Gees, Michael McDonald, Christina Aguilera, Hall & Oates, Alanis Morissette, Carrie Underwood, Chicago, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker, Lee DeWyze is crowned the 2010 Idol. 

I had a feeling it would be him back on February 27th. Congrats, Lee. Now, go make a great album!

New York City Board Loses Its Common Sense

Sure, go ahead and build that mosque by Ground Zero! Go ahead and do it while the radical Muslims laugh and the core of America stands by in shock and disbelief!

This action by the New York City Board only confirms what I have suspected for awhile: Political Correctness is the cause for much of a lack of common sense and good taste. An amazing display of disrespect for America and an astonishing insensitivity for those lost in the attacks and the friends and family left behind!

Christina Going Bionic

Love her, hate her, or tolerate her, former Mouseketeer Miss Christina Aguilera has a great voice. I keep hoping she'll do something with a bit more class than acting like the slut next door. Doesn't seem like the new album will fit the bill. Maybe next time, next year.

Notable and Quotable: Albert Einstein

"As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life."

Albert Einstein

Mickey's Mad House

Here's a great piece of art from the D23 calendar for 2010: Mickey's Mad House.

In 1976, years before California Adventure was misconceived, Imagineer Ward Kimball designed this funky little mad mouse coaster into an indoor dark ride attraction. Think Mulholland Madness fully fleshed out with a story and indoor special effects.

In fact, keep thinking about Mulholland Madness- this concept would be a great replacement instead of Goofy's Sky School. As the Paradise Pier makeover continues, its clear the Imagineers believe you can never have too much Mickey in this park. Guess it balances out the Pixar invasion going on!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Almost Paradise Pier

From "Macro's" photos on Miceage's California Adventure tracker- this gorgeous shot of nighttime at Paradise Pier. World of Color fountain tests, California Screamin' lit up, and the beautiful evening skies of Orange County. How I wish I could be there now!

Imagineering Book Reveals New Innoventions

The long awaited Imagineering book just arrived at my home. There are many, many images and stories, photographs and explanations in the new tome!

Among the many images are a few smaller gems easily overlooked- like this dry for wet concept for a Disneyland Innoventions redo. (I left it large so you could see it all.)

The book is a great companion piece to the original- and if you're looking for something on Shanghai Disneyland, you'll be disappointed. If you want more on California Adventure's transformation, this is the book for you. More later!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Ride the Big Red Cars!

Come Hell or high water, World of Color will debut on June 11th.
Next up will be The Little Mermaid "E" ticket musical attraction with Cars Land and its Radiator Springs Racers right behind it. The remaining improvements to Paradise Pier may be delayed, but already the completed ones are making a difference. Seems like California Adventure will be on its way to becoming a park worthy to sit next door to Disneyland- not Epcot or Tokyo DisneySea, mind you, but at least much better than the dismal little park that couldn't in 2001.

The Imagineers are still left with a great challenge- the entrance. Plans are for the postcard look to be replaced with the immensely themed and detailed Buena Vista Street. It's Red Car Trolley will add some kinetic movement to the new area with shops and cafes rounding out the offerings. It has yet to be revealed if the Carthay Circle Theater will host anything noteworthy or just be an empty landmark.

If the suits at the Walt Disney Company are looking to rebrand and reintroduce the park to a hopefully-waiting audience, there's no place more pivotal to its success than the front gate acreage. Time is sliding away. Remember when the billion dollar project was first announced? 2012 seemed like light years away. Now, it's just around the corner. Those bulldozers had better be coming soon. Guests will walk by and wonder where to spend their hard earned money. The work had better be great as this is Disney's last chance to make a great first impression.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Perfect Ending

Wow- what a riveting ending to the seaon for Grey's Anatomy...

Disneyland 1956 Video

A GREAT find- video from Disneyland taken in 1956. Epic look at the park when the idea of Imagineering and theme parks was brand new. Make sure to watch part 2 when Frontierland really rocked with the Stagecoaches and all. Go here!

Wall-E and World of Color

Hot off the press- from the Disney parks blog...
(Copyright The Walt Disney Company.)