A Peek Into Pandora...

My favorite park in Florida's Walt Disney World is Animal Kingdom...

Not so much for what it is, but for what it could be.  There is a great deal for everyone in the Resort.  But the Magic Kingdom is not my favorite Disneyland clone.  Even with its expansion it still echoes that it's a copy.  Paris has one of the best designs and my favorite castle.  But not enough rides and not enough upkeep.  Tokyo's is a cleaner copy of Florida's, with a bazaar (both literally and figuratively) front entrance, but it feels even more of a clone than the one near Orlando.  Hong Kong?  A shadow of the original (but it's getting better.).  Shanghai?  Time will tell.

Epcot is a place of so much potential and undelivered promise.  Enjoy it for what it is, and for what I wish it were. But there have been compromises made over the past two decades that have misdirected what could've been a much better park than is. It is in no way the Epcot that Walt Disney envisioned, but it was built as a promising place for ideas he might've liked.   Over the years the bean counters and suits have made glaring errors that have watered down what Imagineers had originally intended/envisioned.  There are great things in the park, but there are also flawed things as well. Too many things unfortunately.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a mixed bag. Starting out as a clone on the Mouse's competition: Universal Studios, it has morphed back-and-forth trying to find its purposes for guest.  While there are a lot of things that are right, there are many things that simply don't belong. Again, mainly the product of bean counters and not Imagineers. WDI has had clear plans from the beginning which were altered for business/economic purposes that have caused the part to stray from a more pure example of Hollywood movie love.   There have been proposals over the last decade or so that if implemented will make the former Disney-MGM Studio a much more attractive gate bringing it back on track as a "movie" park.

Which brings us to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Now, I'm certainly not saying that this park is perfect, but it does offer promise. And it does offer a much more unique Disney experience than any other park, and certainly any other Disney park.  It is different than a normal themepark, and different from a zoo like San Diego's famous destination.  It is a mix of message, environment, and entertainment all moving into one. For the most part is successful, but not entirely.  Michael Eisner and his bean counters are major players in the fault of the park's original purpose.

Those of you that follow Disney or happen to be regular readers of Blue Sky will know the background of this park and it's storied history.  Being as it is an "animal" park it was supposed to encompass all animal experiences.  By that I mean: living animals (the zoo part, with a Disney spin), extinct animals (Dinosaurs), and mythic animals (Dragons, unicorns, and fairies, oh my.).

Only two of these were actually built.  And for the most part it is a great experience in an amazingly lush and beautiful environment.  The one area that is the sore spot is Dinoland U.S.A.  An atrociously guady kids land that is a blight on the serene scenery everywhere else in the park.  Do they really have to make it ugly just for the young ones?  A revamp of this area so that it shares the same detail, and removes the "carnie" image that clashes with the rest of this hypnotic park would be welcome.

Beastly Kingdomme was the land of mythical creatures that got cut.  It was to be a place where all mythical creatures came to life.  There was an immensely detailed roller coaster revolving around the ancient, ruined castle inhabited by a dragon that would've thrilled guest. There was an enchanting ride called "Quest for the Unicorn" that would've merge guest in the whole haunting world of these magical creatures. A giant garden maze for guests to walk in and even an area along the river where a dragon which you have flames upon unsuspecting guest.

Delightfully themed, intricately detailed shops and joyfully whimsical restaurants were planned to accentuate and accommodate the experience were all included as well.  This mythic part never came to be other than the Dragon on the logo for Disney's Animal Kingdom.   The area it was to go is ironically the same place in which the new land based on James Cameron's film will go.   The area with camp Minnie-Mickey.

For months Disney fans have talked about this new addition.  Many had spread rumors that the project of been canceled, (which we told you months ago it was not) really just hoping that it would since they didn't believe it belonged in Disney park.  And to be fair, it doesn't seem at first glance to be a proper fit. If you think it is from the standpoint of the main characters both human and Na'vi, it seems you're placing it in an entirely different park (Disney's Hollywood Studio is where most think it should  go, if they think it should go in a Disney park at all).

But, if you look at the world created in the highest grossing film of all time in the world, it's the environment that they are selling.  The creatures and locations that are in the science-fiction epic or what Walt Disney Imagineers are trying to convey.  The park, just like the movie has an environmental message (although I will admit that avatars message was a little heavy-handed).  The science-fiction creatures on this far-off world are what you experience which is why the area will be called "Pandora", or the "World of Pandora", and not "Avatar Land" as everyone is referring to it.  

Even though we haven't yet gotten those mythical dragons and other creatures, Joe Ronde's goal is to provide that mythic experience which was missing from the opening.  They will simply be science fiction imaginary creations instead of ancient lore creations.  It will finally helped develop the park into three divisions: living, extinct and imaginary animals.  And before you complain too much, this doesn't mean that we won't get something like Beastly Kingdomme.  It just means that it (and the proposed Austrailia area) will come later.

From what I've heard the Bothans tell me, this new land will be an incredibly immersive experience.  As we've said before, the land will be approximately the same size as Cars Land is in Disney California Adventure. There are at least three attractions, many restaurants and shops, and immersive surroundings which will startle guests throughout the park.  It'll also finally turn the park from a part-day to a full-day park. In fact, from what has been shown, and from what has been told to me, when this area opens in 2017 DAK will be the "must go to" park in the entire Walt Disney World Resort.  

I don't say this as hyperbole, I say this simply as someone conveying what people have told me. Imagineers are extremely happy, and proud of what they have done and are working on to create an experience unlike any other for guests to enjoy.  When I said nighttime experience, I meant "nighttime" experience. There simply will be no more beautiful place to be in than Animal Kingdom,, particularly Pandora at nighttime in Disney World.  It will be a hypnotic trance inducing trip for the young and the old alike.  

And even Hogwarts will be jealous...

UPDATE:  It looks like that Walt Disney Imagineering let D23 release the video presentation for everyone to see.  I guess you didn't have to travel to Japan to travel to Pandora after all.

Adventure At Sea...

Last week one of the commenters asked if Tokyo DisneySEA had added anything new...

Of course.  Like any Disney Park, they are always adding to, or expanding their attractions: be it rides or shows.  The Suits at OLC are continually expanding and repositioning the parks in Japan to meet the needs/wants of its guests.  

When the park opened it had about the same number of attractions as Disney's California Adventure, but it was the quality of those attractions that was what set it appart from other Disney Parks.  DCA had a list of clones and off the shelf rides that NEVER should be anywhere near a Disney park, much less the original, Disneyland.

Tokyo DisneySEA had 27-28 attractions upon opening and only two of them were clones.  A much more elaborate version of the Jumping Jellyfish ride, and a clone of the Indiana Jones Adventure set in South America (the Lost River Delta port), and if you are going to have a clone Indy is a great one to have.

This doesn't mean the park was perfect.  When it opened with its seven ports, there was some areas lacking.  The American Waterfront port was a beautiful area that brought you back to a turn of the century New York ambiance.  But it had no attractions.  There was nothing to do there other than walk around and take pictures.  Now, a decade later it has quite a few attractions:  Tower if Terror, Turtle Talk with Crush, and the recently added Midway Mania, not to mention the musicals you can enjoy.

And just when this commenter inquired about this subject the Tokyo Disney Resort announced two new projects, one for Tokyo Disneyland and another for this amazing Second gate:

At Tokyo DisneySeaNew production at Mermaid Lagoon TheaterThe attraction, Mermaid Lagoon Theater, will be revamped, and a new musical production themed to Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be presented. 

Mermaid Lagoon Theater will be renovated with upgraded stage and lighting technology, as well as new display screens to be installed at the rear of the audience seating area. As King Triton hosts a musical concert, familiar Disney characters, such as Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian, will present a mesmerizing world under the sea, just as in the movie, with lively music, songs and dynamic performances.
Show Facts

• Duration: About 15 minutes

• Opening Date: Spring 2015 (tentative)

• Investment Amount: Undecided

Please note that the musical production “Under the Sea,” currently presented at Mermaid Lagoon Theater, will close permanently on April 6, 2014. Mermaid Lagoon Theater will be closed from April 7, 2014 to spring of 2015 (tentative).

The attraction, Mermaid Lagoon Theater, will be revamped, and a new musical production themed to Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be presented.
Mermaid Lagoon Theater will be renovated with upgraded stage and lighting technology, as well as new display screens to be installed (tentative).

So as you can see there are attractions in the planning all the time.  There are many that have been planned only to be canceled months later.  

There are still projects that are slotted to be put into undernourished parts of the park over the coming years.  And a few if these should make the gorgeous park even more beautiful (hard as that is to believe).  Especially by 2015.

There's that year again...

Parisian Dream...

It's hard to believe it's been two decades since Euro Disneyland opened...

Disneyland Paris, which is what the park became is celebrating it's Twentieth year celebration throughout the year and has many things planned, but one of the most surprising is the water show that takes place in front of Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant at night time.

It's called Disney Dreams and it's very much like if you were to see an elaborate World of Color show on the castle.  It's a lovely show, combined with those interactive mouse ears it makes for a magical display.  If you'd like to learn more about it check out this NewsParcs article on the creation of the show.  It's filled with a lot of information about the preparation and detail that go into the development of a show like this.  This is part of the Mouse's celebrating it's growing presence in Europe.  Don't worry, they'll be some more special magic over the next few years.

There are a lot of interesting things happening in the Parisian parks over the next decade...

All Things Disney...

The "All Things D" is an amazing place for dialing into what's relevant in geek techno...

They've had some extremely interesting, in depth discussions with people connected to the information age that is here, and the one just ahead.  If you want to see where things are going, for good or bad, then their talks are a must.  I've really enjoyed Walt Mossberg's interviews of Steve Jobs, and his talk with Bob Iger was subtly revealing as well.

Well, this year the Mouse came again in the form of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Tom Staggs.  One of a few people that are in line for the big job, Staggs is approachable, intelligent and focused in his back and forth with the hosts.  Take a look at the interview and see what he and the company have planned for the next few years in the parks and elsewhere.

If nothing else, watch Tom for a preview of who might be running the place in a couple of years...

The Dream's End...

If he's taught them well, we don't have to worry...

Today a legend is letting go of the Mouse...

Tony Baxter, one of the great Imagineers announced his retirement from the company.  He will become a part-time advisor to Walt Disney Imagineering after 47 years with the Walt Disney Company.  Starting as an ice cream scooper on Main Street USA, he worked his way up to Senior Vice President, Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering with rock star status to Disney geeks.  Known as the primary force behind attractions like "Big Thunder Mountain" and "The Indiana Jones Adventure", he is a creative force to be reckoned with.  He's been with Disney for almost half a century, and at some point he was bound to move on.  We here at Blue Sky Disney wish him the best in his future endeavors and hope that his consulting title will be more than just a title.  That of course, remains to be seen.

AN OPEN LETTER TO FELLOW IMAGINEERS 

Decades ago, Imagineering had the bold notion to start the 21st century 18 years early by unveiling the "future" at Epcot in 1982. This positive look at tomorrow had a numbing effect on the bleak vistas depicted in George Orwell's dystopian novel, 1984. As a kid beginning my career at Disneyland in the mid 1960s, both of these "futures" were far off from a universe where Disneyland was the only Disney park, Mr. Lincoln was a state of the art attraction, and everything operated under Walt Disney's guidance. 

Today, while there is a new set of "futures" to explore, the time has come for me to evolve my role at Walt Disney Imagineering. Beginning this February, I will be transitioning to a position as a part time advisor. While I will not be here on a regular basis, I will continue to be available to any and all of you as needs arise. Though my time will be limited, my passion for the magic WDI creates will be just as strong. 

Since early last year, I have been thinking about what I would say to all of you when this time arrived. It has been a wondrous 47 years spanning the opening of Walt Disney World to Big Thunder and Star Tours … from Epcot's original Journey into Imagination to Disneyland Paris and Indiana Jones. The Imagineers I have known and shared these times with have provided invaluable experiences not to be found anywhere else on earth. 

As one of the lucky second-generation Imagineers, I had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the core philosophies of our company. I was fortunate enough to work with Claude Coats, Marc Davis, John Hench and the many others who built this industry alongside Walt Disney. I was able to soak up their wisdom and partner with them on creative projects. I have passed forward many of their key philosophies, and as our culture and scope have evolved, I have tried to balance my support of these foundations, with the business of charting "what's next." Now the 21st century brings a new reality … for the first time, the younger generation is master of the key technologies driving the future. While upcoming generations deal with tech tools that are evolving almost daily, many of Disney's keystone philosophies remain stable and relevant. These philosophies help define our creative edge to a world that is eager for aspirational content. With no particular order, here are five that continue to inspire me, and I think you may find useful in shaping "creative futures" for the years to come. 

Creating Lasting Experiences - Legendary Imagineer Marc Davis once said, "We don't really have a story with a beginning, an end or a plot … It's more a series of experiences … building up to a climax." Guests still want to be astonished, and our best attractions deliver that wow factor with visions and emotions. I always start with the notion that it is the 20th repeat ride, not the first that is the most important. Park experiences are by nature less able to focus on linear stories and tangible feelings than motion pictures. Unlike a movie, what separates an OK attraction from a great one is that people find themselves "in" the great ones. They have been taken to a place they couldn't have imagined without Disney. How intriguingly we craft the level of guest engagement has direct bearing on desire for an umpteenth ride down the same track. 

In Fantasyland, a simple line of dialogue heralds the beginning of one of the most aspirational ride experiences ever created; "Come on everybody … here we go!" After riding Peter Pan, futurist Ray Bradbury was moved to write; "Walt, I'll be eternally grateful that you made it possible for me to sail from a child's window, out over moonlit London in a galleon on its way to the stars!" Despite the fact that by today's standards Peter Pan's technology is dated, its mystique has remained unwavering. The WDI challenge is finding ways to ensure today's more sophisticated experiences have similar intangible qualities that provide groundwork for lasting appeal. 

Sincerity - One of Walt Disney's ways of overcoming what sophisticates tended to see as corny or sentimental was his absolute belief in sincerity. Defending Disney's signature animation style in the movie Cinderella, Walt expressed what is to me a true hallmark of the Disney difference: "You have to believe in the honesty of Cinderella's world, or you will not believe in the magic as it unfolds around her either." The power of sincerity to win over an audience is "front and center" in the new Cars Land. Here, a truly believable environment fuses with the fantastic to give rise to new reality. 

Valuable Mental Real Estate - Awhile back there was talk about the elusive "Disney Difference." What the "difference" is may be open to various interpretations, but I see it centered on cultivating "Valuable Mental Real Estate." Since the early days at the studio, Disney has excelled in focusing diverse talents on plussing core ideas. Enhanced value stems from something as simple as the emotional appeal of Epcot's Figment character in comparison to hundreds of other generic dragons. When the whole team undertakes a mission to make "our dragon" stand out in every way, mental real estate values go up. 

At Imagineering, where we must deal with equal parts of controlled insanity and disciplined evaluation, this can be complicated. Years ago, who else could have come up with the crazy idea for Flying Saucers and then make the concept work! (Sort of). Piloting flying saucers is every kid's dream, and in spite of the ride's technical shortcomings, people will forever recall the Flying Saucers as an E ticket. This rides aspirational, "bucket list", once-in-a-lifetime intrigue, more than made up for any less than stellar performance. 

Disney Hallmark Values - Current culture and the structure of our company are vastly different from the time when I began my career. Yet within that dynamic, hallmark values continue to add major appeal to today's more socially sensitive content. Disney's feature Beauty and the Beast shared many hallmarks with its ancestor Snow White, but it spoke to a vastly different audience with a finer tuned voice. Likewise, the more recent Tangled fuses traditional Disney values with relevancy aimed at a new generation. 

Beyond the WDI walls, Pixar and Marvel achieve a consistency of success in their fast paced arenas. Each Pixar team is confident enough in their individual productions to freely reach out and tap into links that insure Pixar's hallmark differentiators are a part of every project. Marvel has taken a different route, tasking individual creative teams to bridge their storylines under an overarching and epic saga. Regardless of the diversity of deliverables, hallmark values are key to all Disney entities, and everyone needs to be alert to where they reside, and how and why to fuse them to the DNA of a project. 

Mentoring - At both ends of a career one of the most important working relationships is achieved through mentoring. When you are in your 20s and 30s it critical to find a mentor you can admire and trust. What proved most valuable for me was a mentoring partnership that skipped a full generation. A wide age gap creates a cross-generational opportunity for two-way learning. A young mentee sees a mentor's still bright light as support for his or her own growing visibility, and the gap vanquishes the sense of competition. In a complementary way, a mentor's satisfaction is fueled by the growing knowledge and skills transferred to their younger partner. My mentor was Imagineering legend Claude Coats, nearly four decades my senior. For Pixar director Pete Docter, his mentors were animation giants Joe Grant and Ollie Johnson. Pete and I absorbed as much knowledge as we possibly could during a period of growth in our careers. I would like to think our esteemed mentors also drew inspiration from our curiosity and unexplored visions! 

A mentorship is not a few hours of counseling every so often; it is pulling together on real projects, with business/creative goals and knowledge gains to be made by both sides. This is the partnership I had with Claude Coats, and we remained lifetime friends because of our shared working time together. 

Going Forward - No company is perfect, and like any other corporation Disney has its own politics and challenges. We are artists, engineers, managers, filmmakers and musicians. But our company is unique; there is no place like it on earth. We are lucky. At the end of the day, it is my hope that this letter will add to the special culture that I have been privileged to grow in. I see the probability for that happening in my interactions with younger Imagineers like Michel, Josh, Zach, Dylan, Laura, Manuel, Vanessa and Brandon, which are beyond rewarding to me. At a time when "unlearning" is as critical as "learning," it's important to listen to the way these people think and enjoy the things they do. Creativity I have mined from their game-changing perspectives, now effectively influences my own design process. I hope that when their careers peak some decades from now, they will look back on our time together as I value the time I was able to spend with Claude Coats. 

And now it comes down to the point at hand. I am not suggesting that I could be a mentor to you all, but that said, you should all have someone you can turn to in this manner. I do hope to be available to help support your ideas, give advice or even join a team whenever appropriate. My role will be one of supporting your visions in the best way I can, and encouraging you to maintain and build upon this already special place. I will have availability, and if you would like my assistance in any way, please e-mail Bruce Vaughn's office to request my time. 

This is not a goodbye, but hopefully a letter of introduction to the many of you that I have not yet had the chance to meet personally…

Tony Baxter
Feb. 1, 2013

And the official recognition from the WDI Suits, Bruce Vaughn (Chief Creative Executive) and Craig Russell (Chief Development and Delivery Executive) has been released as well:

From: WDI CommunicationsDate: February 1, 2013, 8:02:16 AM PSTSubject: Organizational Announcement - Tony Baxter 

We'd like to share that, as of today, Tony Baxter is leaving his role as a creative development executive to become a part-time advisor to Imagineering. Tony began his 47-year Disney career as an ice cream scooper on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland while in college. After joining WDI in 1970, he was heavily involved in the concepts for some of our most iconic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones. He also oversaw the creative aspects of the "original" New Fantasyland at Disneyland and was the creative lead for our second international park, Disneyland Paris. 

In addition to his extensive portfolio work, Tony has long been an enthusiastic mentor to new Imagineers and will continue this mission in his new role. Like so many Imagineering greats before him, his creativity, passion and knowledge will have a remarkable impact on the next generations of WDI dreamers and doers. We thank Tony for his immeasurable contributions to the Disney legacy so far, and look forward to his next chapter. 

Bruce | Craig

What does this spell for WDI?  Nothing in the immediate future.  It'll depend on who gets his position, and what direction that person takes the division.  The Walt Disney Company, as Tony says, is a vast, large company filled with many people and many tasks.  The politics/economics of the situation have yet to be sorted out.  When the dust settles, we'll see what the lay of the land is.  But there are still many great Imagineers (both senior and just getting started) that strive to do great things within the walls at Flower Street.  Where they go and what happens?

Time will tell...

The Way Things Were, Or Would Have Been...

A great idea is as simple as black and white...

Buena Vista Street is supposed to be the vision of what Walt would have seen...

It's where is dreams would have started, his story would have began to be told. And if it were told in the 1920's/1930's, it would have been shown in glorious black & white photographs. So imagine what it would have looked like to walk down that street with a big, old Speed Graphic camera and snap a picture as you go to the Hollywood Hotel (before that tragic accident, of course) to hear that great new trio, the Silver Lake Sisters sing, or go shopping for a new suit in that dapper new store, Elias and Co., or stop for a refreshingly, cold and creamy treat to beat the heat of a 30's summer in southern California at Clarabelle's Ice Cream. Or... you get the idea.


























Imagine that...

Building Worlds Apart...

Just don't be preachy, just entertain please...






It marks an interesting turning point for Disney's Animal Kingdom this week...

Because it's the start of researching the feasibility of the massive mini-park that they plan on constructing there. My Bothans told me that the design phase of the project has settled to the point where they have a general idea of what will come of this blue sky period.

So what may we find on the fifth moon of the gas giant Polyphemus?

Well the land will be Big, very BIG. It'll be approximately 10-12 acres (Example: Cars Land = 12 acres) and will be filled with distinctive horticultural differences from the surrounding areas of the park to realize that you've left the earth for something special.

There will be at least three attractions (rides) in the land with plenty of places to eat exotic, foreign foods and shop for strange, alien merchandise. Of those attractions, at least one will involve a flight simulator technology that will be heavily modified from the ones used for "Soarin' Over California."

Cameron has been very helpful in detailing what makes up the planet and how it ecologically can be explained to guests. He's let them pour over the extensive notes and even given them a peek at what is to come in the sequels. The Imagineers are unsure yet if anything from the sequels will make it into the first phase of this land. That's right, I said first phase. If it's successful then they have talked about the ability to expand the area within three to five years for additional attractions, shows and entertainment.

The name of the area will not be "Avatar" as some have mistakenly thought it would be. The three prime names that are being bandied about are: Pandora, The World of Pandora, and Pandora: The World of Avatar. The last one is what most think will be the final name, but nothing is certain yet.

Those of you that are disappointed that the Beastly Kingdom concept wasn't used will know that there are those at DAK that would like to revive it. Many believe that if this is successful it may pave the way for bringing back a variation of it sometime in the next decade. While it wouldn't be exactly the same, it would still fill the fantasy requirement that was originally set up by WDI when they pitched the park: A park celebrating animal life - real animals (the zoo part), extinct animals (dinosaurs) and mythical animals (fantasy animals). While some don't like the Avatar concept, it does fall under the branch of mythical animals, although it's more of a sci-fi branch than a fantasy one. Nevertheless, Imagineers still feel that someday they'll be able to bring the fantasy part of this park to life and have the mythical land be split into a fantasy and a sci-fi element.

But either way, this park will look worlds different (and better) right after the middle of this decade...

The Signs Of The Times...

Take it as a sign...







The very point of a theme park is to have a theme...

This was one of the problems with DCA 1.0. really. You could say it had a theme, but it wasn't very strong or clear, it wasn't thought out and it wasn't really good.

For Imagineers it was a rare misfire.

When WDI began the task of taking/remaking California Adventure it needed a cohesive theme that would work throughout the new lands/areas/ to focus this park into a place that guests would want to go.

It's clearly been a success, but sometimes people don't notice all the little things. In addition to the architecture, the smallest of details help tell a story. For instance: Signs point the way, and lead the mind to the conclusion that it's believing the world that has been created for it. Or not. In this case, it works remarkably well.

Buena Vista Street is supposed to take you back to the late Twenties or Thirties and pull you into the period. The signs here are a great reflection of that. The buildings and music and atmosphere are all wonderful, but it's the signs that point the way.


























And these are only a few signs of what you take in as you walk into this representation of Walt's past...

The Spotlight Turns...

Goodbye Carousel of No Progress...

 Now that DCA has finally been rebranded as a Disney Park, questions remain...

 It won't be answered anytime soon, and it won't be announced for quite sometime, but the focus will now turn to the other park across the Esplanade.  That's right, Disneyland.

We won't hear anything about it this year.  The main focus will be on making sure the rest of the year will build upon and add to the success of Disney California Adventure.  But once the new year begins, Team Disney Burbank/Anaheim and WDI's Imagineers will be hard at work focusing on the plans to expand, update, and in some cases redesign part of the original magic kingdom.  Now, it won't be announced next year (at least in the early part of it if at all).  More likely, it will be teased, but held off till later for a more dramatic announcement.

While plans are still evolving, you can expect the majority of it will focus on the planned restructuring of Tomorrowland.  There are plans in the works for an expansion of Frontierland if enough funding is available. No final budget has been given yet since Glendale is in the blue sky phase of the development, but we can expect some interesting surprises planned for the future of the Mouse's land that celebrates the future.  Not everything will make it, but it's fun to dream because dreams don't cost much, if anything.

 But if you could only be in the model room in Glendale come January...

Chinese Adventure...

Another kingdom in the Middle Kingdom...




With the focus now off on Anaheim for the time being, eyes turn East...

Shanghai Disneyland is progressing along with a tentative opening date of late 2015/early 2016. As many have said before, it will have a different vibe than the traditional "Magic Kingdom" styled template that everyone is used to. It will still be Disney, but the areas will have a much more culturally specific tone than what we've seen before. If there is an overriding theme that you can take from what is coming, it is this:

Adventure and water.

What's that you say? Well, I can't reveal everything, or even a great deal of what my Bothans have told me, but I can express a few things that are happening. There will be a great emphasis on water in the park in many of the areas and attractions that are designed for this gate. From fountains, geysers, pool, ponds, waterfalls and water rides, this place will be decked out in aqua. The designs are quite elaborate, and the detail of each area will rival the detail that Hong Kong Disneyland had, albeit the attraction list will be much more interesting.

Another thing that will be noticed in the park, is the amazing amount of adventure attractions and layered theming this resort will have. Even the names should give you a hint. How about Adventure Island in Adventureland? Or a tropical area of the park featuring a dense jungle attraction known as Jungle Challenge. Lavish water and fog effects will be placed around these areas that will deepen the atmosphere of the experience. And if it doesn't get cut, the rock work of the amazing dinosaur attraction, Lost World Roaring Rapids will simply stun you. It's really impressive and I hope that Iger and Staggs don't skimp on the budget and let this sculptured mountain disappear into legend.

The front entrance will be unique as we all know because there won't be a Main Street like every other park has had since the original was opened by Walt. But the beautiful and hypnotic trees, plants and flowers that lead up through the Fantasia Gardens toward the Dumbo attraction will provide a fantasy-like surrounding that will make you feel like your in an imaginary world that is decidedly Disney, but decidedly different.

The attractions will have the detail and quality one would expect from the Mouse, but may take on a slightly unique presentation that I find refreshing, as I hate clones and want each gate to have its own identity. So far, the design work being done by Imagineers is something that will make fans very proud of what can be done to immerse you in a manufactured world. As the plans move forward, we can expect the final design to be ready sometime late next year. After that it will take between two and three years to bring the ideas and dreams into brick and mortar.

And then there are the hotels...

The Adventure Begins...

Now let's start on 2.1...We've only just begun...









Today is the day...

From this day forth, from now on, Disney California Adventure starts off with a new, fresh slate. For all of us entering the park that were there at the beginning, it's a new day. For those entering the park for the first time, it's a blessing. They get to start off the park from a completely different perspective.

Walking through that first land, it's going to be an experience that sets the tone for an incredibly fun journey. While Buena Vista Street is the flip side to Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., Cars Land will be to DCA what New Orleans Square is to Disneyland. And Radiator Springs Racers will be its Pirates of the Caribbean.

So if you enter through that new front entrance today, enjoy the stroll, take it all in and drink from the canvas that Imagineers have painted.

It's going to be an adventure...

Relaunched In 7 Days, Reborn In 11 Years...

California Adventure actually is an adventure now...








In a week, those entering Disney California Adventure will get an amazing experience...

Let me just say that Buena Vista Street and Cars Land are so detailed, and so amazing that the rest of the park looks bland by comparison. Not to put down all the detail and improvements that have happened over the past five years, but it's truly another level of immersion when you walk down these lands compared to what was there before.

There will be modest improvements over the next few years, but any major adjustments will come later. None are officially approved yet. And they won't until the Suits inside the Team Disney Building have seen the figures, but I don't think they have anything to worry about. This new front entrance and new land are great and take you to a Disney park that fans have hungered for since walking into Sunshine Plaza over a decade ago.

I imagine the wonder in a young child's eyes on that Friday morning, next week...

(Just) In Time...

Finally. period...


Three weeks from today DCA opens as a Disney Park...

I've said that various times over many, many posts in the past few years, but finally people will walk down the lands and get a true idea of what I mean. One of the great things that you will find is the thematic transition of characters in the park.

Buena Vista Street is the best example of this. Being as the areas represent periods of the California that no longer exists, or as I refer to it, Decades, the character theming is important to the presentation of these times. The official description of BVS is that it's 20's/30's, it it is essentially the Thirties. And the Carthay Circle Theater is the culmination of this narrative.

If you've ever been to Tokyo DisneySEA (and shame on you if you haven't), then you know how they are able to take classic Disney characters and project them into a time, a period and have them own it. From Mediterranean Harbor where Mickey and his crew are dressed in maritime/oceanic themed costumes, Lost River Delta where Donald and his gang appear to be 30's adventurers, or the American Waterfront where everyone looks like they walked out at the turn of the Twentieth Century.

And you can go anywhere else in that marvelous gate and see the way the characters work and how the designers get it. It is a textbook example of the "Disney Way", the very reason why the Moustro was so successful. And this is one of a laundry list of things that the original DCA failed at.

That will all change when you take a stroll down Buena Vista Street. From the Newsies-type singers on the Red Car Trolley, to the period band Five and Dime or the traditional characters you see walking around interacting with guests, or the Citizens of Buena Vista Street, it will all take you to a place that you've never been if you've entered DCA before:

A Disney Park.

And we will all have a much more memorable experience. One that should have happened a decade ago were it not for blind, bean counters. But better late than never, right?

21 days and what should have been, will finally be...

Marvelous DisneySEA...

It's April Fool, you fools...








Atlantis is coming to Tokyo DisneySEA...

No, not the one from the Disney animated film, but the one from Marvel Comics. The one ruled by Namor. If fact, at the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts press conference this morning that was co hosted by WDP&R Chairman Tom Staggs and Toshio Kagami - Chairman and CEO of the OLC, he made a guest appearance. Well, at least an actor portraying him did.

Come 2015, Tokyo's Second Gate will have an eigth port: "Marvel's Atlantis." The area will be located next to the Lost River Delta port and will comprise at least three attractions, restaurants and shops featuring Marvel merchandise. Details about exactly what those rides will be is limited as WDI plans out the designs over the next year and a half. But from what we know of the Oriental Land Company, it'll be a very elaborate expansion.

So we now know where Disney's first expansion of its Marvel properties will go. Now when will we find out about where/when they'll be in Anaheim and Orlando? Soon, from what I hear.

But until then, just imagine what it'll be like traveling to Namor's kingdom in Japan...

Another Year, Another Milestone...

Iger, party of one, your table is waiting...







As work progresses on DCA, a lot of people are wondering what will be happening in the top of the Carthay Circle Theater...

Most of you know that the building will not actually be a theater, but have a high end restaurant on the top floor and more modest accommodations down below. But everyone is wondering what the new joint will likely be know as.

"1901"

That's right. That is the name of the new, premium restaurant in the park that the Suits are looking to use. Named as most of you know, for the year Walter Elias Disney was born.

The final approval hasn't been given, but it's the name that everyone seems to like. The menu is still being worked on, but you can expect a high caliber place along the lines of the Blue Bayou, but not quite the exclusive Club 33 type that the Suits and WDI was aiming for. Until the park starts to develop a mystique of its own, regular guests will be able to attend for dinner. The 33 Members will have to stay content with a private lounge.

A decade from now, we'll see...