On the Road to Shanghai

Xitang, China. One of the must see locations in a country full of beautiful towns and villages. Certainly, if you're a Disney fan and on your way to Shanghai, it would be worth your while. Like many places in Asia I have yet to explore, Xitang is on my list.

(Photographer unknown.)

Male Fail #2

Just because yesterday's photo was so ridiculous...here's another male fail. This one is certainly just as bad. 

A Pirate Plunders in Shanghai

Don't be fooled by this looking at this great piece of concept art for Shanghai Disneyland's acclaimed version of the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. There's more treasure to be found on this post! I stumbled across a brand new video. This one is quiet, darker, and not filmed as steadily, but a viewer gets to hear more of the sound effects that are easily missed in other versions.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow may have his troubles in real life, but in the attraction, victory- and a continued loyal fan base- is certainly assured. Battle for the Sunken Treasure, Disney's newest take on the classic, is an instant classic in its own right. And it would be right at home in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as an all new attraction right next to the first pirate adventure. They are that different and quite complementary, if I may say so myself. 

Full video is here. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Male Fail

What has this world come to? Take a look at this "fashion" from a menswear designer. Funny, huh? No, really it's sad. Here's a better train of thought to consider for those of you bothered by male ambiguity or those of you thinking you've got it all figured out. Curious?  Go to this link.

Rare Walt Disney World Hotel Image

Pure and simple: The Walt Disney World Venetian Resort- one of many unbuilt hotels designed by the folks at Imagineering. Back when the theme parks were the reason for a visit, when hotels were built to complement the parks and not the other way around.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Promises, Promises

All this Disney talk about Pirates of the Caribbean and Tron at Shanghai Disneyland,  Frozen at Epcot, Guardians of the Galaxy taking over Tower of Terror, and Star Wars Land vs. Avatar / World of Pandora at the parks. All promising to make the parks places we have to go see. It's enough to make a theme park fan's head explode. I've gotta stop.

Right now, my head is filled with bigger things. As I have been reading my Bible - through the Psalms, actually- God has been reminding me of His promises. Both for all believers and for me through those private words where the Scriptures come alive and speak in a very personal way. There's dates next to those verses and brief descriptions about what was going on at the time I wrote it down. All very powerful reminders of how personal God is! 

There's also that file in my cabinet. The manila folder filled with written messages people have given me over the decades. Words of encouragement from God while they were praying for me. How many have come to pass! 

Lastly, there's one particular spoken word given to me during a time of worship from a man I'd never met. Almost 20 years ago, he spoke to me. My wife and I did not understand it at the time, but a decade later, we saw it come to pass. Just as he said. And it's changed our lives in a good way, even though its been hard to walk it out. Funny, it happened - and it wasn't until almost another 7 or 8 years until we remembered that spoken word. 

God is faithful! If He has given you a promise, He will bring it to pass. Hold onto that!

Trio of Coming Attractions

The year was 1959, and it was a very exciting time to be going to Disneyland! Under Walt Disney's leadership - where the guest was thought of in the highest terms possible - the park kept expanding and expanding. By treating the customers well, the park not only grew, but the Company turned great profit.

Three new iconic attractions were to debut that year, attractions that would make that half of the park shine: The Disneyland Monorail system, the Motor Boat Cruise, and the very popular Submarine Voyage. And the best was yet to come.

Just imagine not one but two "E Tickets" coming on line in one park in one year. You'd never see that happening today. What an incredible time to be a Disney park fan!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Never Built Roger Rabbit Attraction

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In this case, the question is "Who killed off Roger Rabbit?" This all was planned in the early 90's, back in long ago, when Imagineering was arguably at its peak in productivity. 

When Disney's Hollywood Studios was known as Disney-MGM Studios, there were plans afoot for a great simulator attraction based on the smash Disney film. The concept art shown gives us a glimpse of what could have been. 

The hare-brained attraction included in-cabin effects long before Stormrider at Tokyo DisneySea. Dumbo flies by as we are in hot pursuit of Bennie the Cab,  and Roger himself makes a lasting impression. Sound like great fun! And certainly a better executed family attraction than what is coming to the Studios in the form of Toy Story Land.

As with many projects, money and politics killed its chances of ever becoming reality. It's really a shame!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

#GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend

Take this news for what it is: Gay fans and political groups are approaching Marvel executives and calling out for the very single Captain America to be given a boyfriend. All coming from the same groups that are asking, almost demanding, that Frozen's Elsa be given a girlfriend. 

The answer needs to be "No." Back in the day when things were less open, Stan Lee could have made the Captain intentionally sexually ambiguous, but he did not. Let's stay with the original content and honor those who created him. These fans asking for the boyfriend should be ashamed of themselves for wanting to change a classic piece of comic and film art to suit their political agenda.

Will Disney ever make a gay hero or heroine? I'm sure the time will come, but it certainly is not now for this iconic hero. 

Finding Dory Cross Promotes the Seas with Nemo and Friends

Is it just me or does this screenshot from the trailer for Finding Dory look a lot like the Seas pavilion at Epcot? Two levels, large central tank, and larger wraparound aquarium. Turtle Talk with Crush will see some new characters integrated into the attraction. Could the rest of Seas with Nemo and Friends get some upgrades after the film debuts? It sure would be nice.

Dumb and Dumber

How our great nation has fallen! We have succumbed to this duo as our Presidential candidates? Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the best we can do? (No, Bernie Sanders isn't any better!) I'm not ashamed to be an American- at least when it stood for something. Now, I'm just embarrassed for our nation. God save us!

Why My Money's Not Going to Disney This Year

Construction everywhere (in California and Florida) and lame Disney attractions opening in Florida. This is why I am not going to use my heard earned money on a Disney centered vacation this year. 

Star Wars Land is underway. The location in California is just so unfortunate, but I'm sure it will be well done when it debuts in 2018 or so. California Adventure has nothing to offer that cannot wait.

Star Wars Land is also underway at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The beautiful Animal Kingdom is also seeing a surge n additions, with Pandora / Avatar being the new crown jewel. 

The Magic Kingdom is "frozen", but Epcot is getting a misplaced ride in Norway, a quick(?) and dirty re-do of the Maelstrom boat ride. Disney Springs? Beautiful to look at, but it is still a shopping center. 

What's a Disney fan to do? Spend his money elsewhere! It has now been 7 years since I've been to the World. It will be longer before the next visit.

New Frozen Meet and Greet Art

Anna and Elsa in Norway's meet and greet. For my records but certainly not high on my list.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

More Than Just Frozen Ever After at Walt Disney World

Frozen Ever After opens soon in Epcot's World Showcase! Elsa, Anna, and friends make their splashy debut in Norway. But that's not all- there's more! 

Like so many of you, I have long resigned myself to the sad fact that Frozen is now taking over the Maelstrom attraction at Norway. Just to recap old ground, I'm not opposed to the film being turned into an attraction at Walt Disney World. It's just in the wrong park. And no, Maelstrom was not an Epcot Center "E Ticket" attraction of old (that designation would belong to Journey into Imagination, World of Motion, and Horizons). What was it? An old attraction that needed a refreshing, not a character infusion. Now that is all settled...

It's clear to this writer that Frozen Ever After just doesn't apply to the ride replacing Maelstrom. In fact, if you look for it, you can find it all over Walt Disney World!

It seems temporary attractions and changes really aren't, broken effects stay that way, and it's now all about guest manipulation versus guest satisfaction and providing the best experience for the travel dollar. Each park suffers from the malady of Frozen Ever After:

The Magic Kingdom- Where to start? Tomorrowland's Carousel of Progress. Stitch should be ditched. No love from Disney suits, but The Hall of Presidents will be getting a forced upgrade due to the Presidential Election. (And both choices are awful!) Adventureland is a disjointed mess, but at least the New Fantasyland feels somewhat fresh from what I can tell. 

Animal Kingdom- This park has probably made the most strides going forward in light of the coming Avatar / Pandora addition. Yet, Dinorama remains a blight on the landscape, Kali River Rapids continues at best to be a waste of an attraction, and the Yeti on Expedition: Everest sadly continues to trip the light fantastic. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios- Aerosmith needs to be booted out of Rock 'N' Rollercoaster. In spite of the still great songs like Walk This Way, Imagineering needs to bring the attraction into the New Century. Over at the Great Movie Ride, new scenes and updated film choices need to be added, but the dancing girls of the opening scenes are still Frozen Ever After. Fantasmic! needs a serious retooling, and in an odd twist of fate, the one attraction that doesn't need an overhaul seems to be in line to get one: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as it converts into a Guardians of the Galaxy mess. In reality, the whole park is a disaster. You can't give the guests meet and greets and new dining locations to make up for shuttered attractions and construction walls.

Epcot-  My how the once mighty have fallen!  Circle of Life is in the state of rigor mortis, Figment's personality and face lift need an overhaul, but then so does Ellen at Universe of Energy and Martin Short in the Canada film! Ellen looks particularly stuck in the 90's.

That's just Future World! Things are equally bad over at the World Showcase half of the park. Isn't it time for a whole new country to be added to the place? Or at least brand new films for the countries represented? Or even brand new attractions instead of just milking the guests with new places to wine and dine? 

Yes, Walt Disney World is Frozen Ever After- and not in a good way.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Many Moons Ago

Taken a long time ago for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary, this beautiful shot captures a moment in time not to be repeated. Make sure you take time to hug those you love, and let them hear you say it!