Fantasyland Architecture

I could never pick a "favorite land" whenever I was taken by my parents to Disneyland. I always loved each for its various offerings. Now that I am old(er), I have come to love Fantasyland more than others. Not so much for the rides as I do for the "look". The fantasy architecture is right out of a storybook, and sometimes I find myself stopping to gaze and admire. My favorite time is dusk-- sitting in front of the Pinocchio exit and watching the view in the provided photo. The Matterhorn in the background transports me to Switzerland while the clock tower acts as an artificial moon against the darkening sky. Oh to build a small version of this scene in my home backyard! I absolutely love it! I especially appreciate the attention to detail to the windows, wallpaper, shrubbery--basically, everything!
The only addition I would like to see to Fantasyland is a return of the original Captain Hook Pirate Ship and Skull Rock. I would place it in the lake across from Small World and carry the Fantasyland genre around the bend to the theater and transition toward a Neverland theme. Through Skull Rock could be a walk-through path with scenes of Peter Pan imitating Captain Hook in heavy reverb. Tigerlily, stoically waiting her demise with the tide, is seated in the water while Captain Hook is seen having difficulties with the crocodile and Smee in a rowboat trying to help.
This would be a nice area for parents to beat the heat, seated upon rock benches and admiring all the cascading cave waterfalls.

Great Moments Lost

Nothing said "Walt-made" more than Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. So you can image my severe disappointment when they shortened his speech, then changed the end music away from Ju­lia W. Howe's, Battle Hymn of the Republic, eliminated the opening slideshow for historic context, and the coup de grâce, replacing Lincoln with something resembling Grant reciting the Gettysburg Address. Worse yet, it employed historically inaccurate pillars and audience applause sound effects. Ahem, this was a memorial service for the thousands of troops that died at Gettysburg. This was not a campaign speech. Now Walt Disney had the foresight of having Royal Dano recite the Gettysburg Address. Why they did not use it rather than the revised current version is beyond me. Today the Main Street Opera House is showing the history of Disney. Fine. But hopefully, we will see a fully restored version of the original. And (if Disney takes the Lincoln speech to heart) restore the original music as well. The Battle Hymn of the Republic is still a part of American history, and the whole message of Lincoln's speech is "liberty", not "relinquishment".

Here is hoping that December of 2009 will remedy this great error!
Hats off to Imagineering for bringing back this great and wonderful presentation! Can't wait to see it once again. Bravo Disneyland!

I was not disappointed. The new Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is brilliant! The only drawback was that they shortened his speech.  I would have rather had the extended, full speech, and taken much of the slideshow in the waiting area.

Poppinsland

If California Adventure is ever renovated, I would like to propose a new land called Poppinsland or Dickensland. Since the Timone parking lot is more pain than gain, It could possibly go there (time to add a Pluto level to the parking structure).

The gist of the idea is based on Mickey's Christmas Carol with the usual Dickens Tudor architecture and a prominent Scrooge McDuck posing for pictures. The buildings, like Main Street, contain various guilds of confectionery, sweet meats, crafts and pubs to enjoy Bangers and teas. Of course we need some street screever drawing some beautiful sidewalk art, a few chimney sweeps on the roof breaking in to dance, and, of course, a Bert one-man-band dancing and singing some great old tunes. Perhaps a rare glimpse of a flying Mary Poppins at dusk?

Christmas will be extra special in that there will be artificial snow, real choirs singing traditional hymns, candles, holly, and wreaths everywhere with freshly squeezed hot cider imported from Oak Glen. An attraction can include a dark ride through the three spirits of Scrooge McDuck's Christmases. There can also be the creation of "Soarin' over Britain" to the swelling overture of Mary Poppins and/or Peter Pan with sweeping views of Ireland, London, Yorkshire and Scotland.

Update:  I cannot be disappointed with the upgrade to California Adventure. They did a masterful job. It is far more enjoyable now with the vintage architecture. My change would be to not make it two parks, but rather, extend Main Street through that huge expanse of nothing between. Would like to see some old-time movie theaters showing classic, silent movies with a real silent movie organist. Perhaps one of those big Wurlitzers with all the sound effects.

Though I did not get my Poppinsland, wish, Carsland is not too bad.

Return of Circle-Vision 360

With todays digital, high definition projection possibilites, this would be the perfect time to revisit Circle-Vision 360. I personally would like to have Circle-Vision installed in the Golden Dreams Theater in California Adventure, and see an end to the lifeless spirit-guide Whoopee film. Look at the beautiful architecture of this theater―it begs for an audio and visual surround experience! Which, to me, has far greater impact than donning headache-inducing 3D glasses!

Sponsored by a possible airline company, the films presented could have the beauty of nature as its universal theme rather than specific locations. A good example of content can be seen in the BBC film series Planet Earth. This then would keep with Walt's vision of using current technology to amaze and educate the public. Changes can be made based on holidays, such as American history locations during July, WWII locations during Memorial and Veterans Day, and Christmas around the world in December.

The theater would use HD content via synced computer playback through multiple DLP projectors. Titles would run throughout the day so that people can return to find something new every hour. There will be no seams in the 360° Firehawk screen, but would be a continual circle of overlapping video. Perhaps PIXAR could be employed to render a shortened version of their current film project in 360°? The possibilities are endless, and can be changed as new content is created.

I would also provide a store where you can purchase Blu-Ray disks that have selected films that can be viewed on your home theater. Pressing the arrow buttons allow you to change your point of view. This will encourage you to take the magic home!

Alas, it has been turned into The Little Mermaid ride... Oh, well.

Geppetto's Workshop

If Disneyland is using the defunct Skyway to Tomorrowland buildings for anything, its certainly not for the benefit of their patrons.
I propose that these buildings in Fantasyland be turned in to Geppetto's Workshop. Here, artisans of wood and other materials create custom puppets and cuckoo clocks as those seen at the end of the Pinocchio dark ride as well as the movie. A long ramp running toward the west can accommodate wheelchair access.
Personally, I would like to see a return of Skyway to Tomorrowland, only with fully enclosed gondolas and set decorations of interest on the roofs. However, I can understand the apprehension of such a return. Too many "whatifs" for comfort.

Main Street USA

When I first arrived for a trip to Disneyland with my dad, the first place I would go would be the Magic shop. I used to just love having the man behind the counter show me the latest illusion and marvel. Alas, now it is but a series of racks for cheap tricks and gags. Such is my disappointment with todays Main Street USA. The arcade has moved all but a few flip viewers for more ancillaries. I can understand making money for the shops, but it is like they are all the same and with no character. And there is always this mood of "sell" within moments of paying a high admission price. This feels very wrong.
As an example of change, the Magic shop should be as it was when Steve Martin began to hone his career. The vendors should act as cast members and not mall employees. The goods should always reflect the store front in some way and no repeat items elsewhere. But not to be too negative. I have had good fun having our family's silhouettes cut, watch glass blown, and marveled over the character and attraction art. Thankfully, the small theater is still diligently playing classic Mickey silents. It's a great place to sit and take a breather.

Pirate's Lair - Mods Done Right

I must admit, I hate change. It spoils my nostalgic spirit and tends to be a poor sequel to what was a perfect original. However, I must give examples of "change-done-right", and I can think of no better example than Tom Sawyer's island. Except for a few errors such as the removal of the burning cabin (foisted political correctness) and the locked gates of Fort Wilderness, on the whole, the vast changes to Tom Sawyer's island have been exciting. Fantasmic is a great show and its props, effects, and lighting are carefully hidden away until showtime. This preserves the original look of the island while also offering a wonderful show at night. The word brilliant comes to mind.
Ever since the modification of Pirates of the Caribbean to Where's Jack Sparrow, I have been a little off-put by anything pirate-related. I changed my mind after experiencing the Pirate's Lair with my kids. Not only is the original fun of Tom Sawyer's island still there (the tunnels, the bridges, the trails) but the adventurous search for pirate treasure gives great delight to the imagination. All I can say is, well done Imagineering! Now all that is needed is a burning cabin and an open fortress.

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion carries both "good" and "bad" news. First the bad news, the movie was terrible. What is worse, my own script for a Haunted Mansion movie was ten times better than what was produced, stuck to the original storyline of the mansion, and would satisfy the most ardent Haunted Mansion fan.

Now for the good news, the attraction is almost 90% Disney-original vision! The effects are old, but still effective and playful. The artistry has not changed and my nostalgic heart skips a beat to see all the familiar spooks I have come to love. The changes made, such as the attic and ghost bride, were done right, in my estimation. They kept the original storyline, the changing portraits are magnificent effects, and the ghost bride is eery to behold! Some prefer the old, glowing eyed bride, but I am OK with the new version.

But that is not all the good news. The adaptation for winter's Nightmare Before Christmas is nothing less than pure Disney genius. In fact, it is the only time my younger children will venture inside the Haunted Mansion. I cannot offer enough kudos to Imagineering for what they have done, and for what they not done to this great attraction.

If the failure of the Haunted Mansion movie meant no ad-based changes to this great ride, then I personally am glad the movie bombed. How awful would it have been if behind every creaky door peeked a wide-eyed, frightened Eddie Murphey? Yeesh, that makes me shutter more than the mansion itself!

Pirates of the Carelessbeing

It is my strong opinion that the powers that be must never alter an original Disney-designed attraction beyond cleanup or technical upgrade. One good example of this is Pirates of the Caribbean in bowing to politically correct shrillness by replacing pirates chasing women with chasing food, or corrupting the original storyline with repeated references to Jack Sparrow. Upgrade the electronics and servos? Yes! Remove original Paul Frees dialog? Never! One exception I would make of this would be the ending climb and the rotund around to the boarding dock. This could be upgraded as desired. But the original storyline that is Pirates of the Caribbean has been lost for the sake of advertising a movie. And, like the movie itself, the original is always the best, but attempts at a sequel are abysmal– and a third attempt is the real curse! So let us see a return to the original, guys.

Untapped Power of Nostalgia

Much of the disappointment I have had with Disneyland, Anaheim is the lack of understanding of the power of nostalgia. For example, rather than selling the Disneyland sign on eBay, why not install it at the tram boarding area near the parking structure? This would be quite the photo opportunity while waiting for the next tram.

How much would recreating such a sign cost? Yet, how many a baby-boomer heart would glow a little brighter at the sight and memory to share with their children?

Also, nostalgia can easily be satisfied with a carefully crafted DVD. For example, I have reconstructed almost the entire ride of Nature's Wonderland to show my kids. I then show them the old tunnels and props still in the Thunder Mountain area. Such visuals and historic memories can be documented in one DVD title to relive the magic.