Never Forget

We Still Stand Free

Today we remember the 2,977 victims of 9/11. We remember the fear and the terror, the sorrow and the pain, the hate and the anger. We remeber wondering why, and how, and we remember the awe we felt as the buildings imploded, and as we heard the stories of the heros who gave their lives. We remember the sacrifice and the courage. The victims of these atrocious attacks did not die in vain however, for they reminded us what it is to be an American, and just how special that really is.‎10 years later, we take comfort in knowing that they can tear down our buildings, they can bring down our planes, but try as they might, they cannot destroy the American spirit. May God bless the victims and their families, our military members, the president and our leaders, and may God Bless America.

Disney's American Experience Park

RandySavage is a pretty awesome guy. Ok, so I've never actually met him, but I can't think of many other folks who would be willing to spend their spare time interpreting rough sketches of theme parks submitted to him from readers from every corner of Internet-land, into what I call wonderful pieces of art. His blog (which I check daily, mostly because I have no life), Theme Park Conceptual Site Plans seems to gain readers every time he posts a new park, and for good reason. He's extremely creative and posts magnificent creations that causes every single theme park geek in the world to drool. Our latest colaboration is Disney's American Experience Park, a unique take on what may be the greatest theme park never built, Disney's America.

Experience America Through the Eyes of Those Who Built It...

Visit http://www.idealbuildout.blogspot.com/ for many more great conceptual site plans!

To all who yearn for freedom & opportunity, welcome! Disney's American Experience Park seeks to bring the story of America and her people to life as never before. Here, we celebrate the triumphs, remember the struggles, mourn the heartaches, and dare to dream of freedom. May Disney's American Experience Park entertain, enlighten, and inspire. May it forever be a tribute to all of the patriots who've sacrificed so much to make this nation so great, and may it celebrate the wonder that is America: The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave. Welcome to Disney's American Experience Park.

In my head, I always imagined Disney's America as World Showcase with an American history theme, telling the story of America through lands that follow eachother chronologically as you move clockwise along the lake. Much of what I drew in my park is either a direct clone or draws inspiration from the original plans for Disney's America. I also did my best to integrate characters into the park (something that may not be as popular to some fans) as I feel that, in moderation, and where thematically appropriate, there's nothing wrong with a little touch of Disney. Overall I'm really happy with the park. RandySavage did a great job of interpreting my sketch, and he added some really great attractions to the park's lineup! So, without further ado, welcome to Disney's American Experience.

Libertyville:
The entrance of the park puts you smack dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a colonial villiage at the height of the revolution. This area has a feel very similar to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom, and I imagine Lobsterbacks marching up and down the street at various points of the day, with citizens and patriots scoffing at them. The attractions here are basic Fantasyland dark rides (Ariel's Undersea Adventure quality), with "The Constitution & You" featuring the little mouse from the classic short Ben and Me telling the story of how he helped inspire the constitution while he explains its basic principles, and "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" being based on the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. At the end of the street stands the "Spirit of America Gardens", where you'll find brass panels in the pavement based on the Spirit of America statues found in Epcot's "American Adventure". The area not only provides great views of Freedom Bay and the Statue of Liberty, but is also where you'll find Mickey & friends dressed in Revolutionary War Garb for M&G's. I also imagine the area to be used for debates and public forums.

The New World:
Moving clockwise, guests are thrust into the new frontier and the American wilderness, where discovery lurkes around every corner. The "Indian Villiage" and the "Lewis & Clark River Expedition" are both cloned from the original site plans. At "Grandmother Willow's Grove" guests can participate in an interactive show with Pocahontas and friends about Native American Spritiuality and "Painting with the Colors of the Wind". The "John Muir Wilderness Trails" features live bears, elk, cougars, etc in what appears to be their natural habbitats with the help of natural barriers (One of Randy's many great additions).

Dixieland:
Leaving the wilderness, guests are transported to the old south, a truly simpler time. The area surounding the "Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn" is basically "Tom Sawyer Island", with the queue passing through Tom's Schoolhouse, Injun Joe's Cave, etc. Antebellum South is reprsented by the "Haunted Plantation", a 4-D dark ride (Spiderman) that draws inspiration from the 3-D Haunted Mansion designed by Eddie Sotto.There are no "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" on this ride, this attraction is meant to be SCARY, probably the most intense ever built by Disney. Rows of live oaks leading up to the "Dixieland Showboat Jubilee", a dinner show borrowing elements from Disneyland's "America Sings". The more rustic, backwoods south is represented by "The Country Bear Jamboree" and the "Song of the South" dark ride.

Fort Henry:
The majority of the land is unchanged from the original siteplans. I added "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln" to the fort as it's a perfect fit, along with an exploration area for kids to burn some steam.

Town of Enteprise:
Here we find America at the start of the Industrial Revolution. I added "Carousel of Progress" to the land as it seemd the perfect fit, and Randy added "Innovations", a train ride through a factory.

The Big Apple:
The facade on the western side of the land features buildings from the 1860's, so that the backdrop for the Monitor/Merrimack battle would be time appropriate. "Cops & Robbers" is basically the never built "Dick Tracy's Crimestoppers", however guests chose their side (cops or robbers) as they chase eachother through the alleys of New York City (two cars would be synched with one another). I imagine the Ducktales ride to be similar to Mr. Toad, only alot longer and more advanced. The Statue of Liberty is lined so that it serves as a backdrop to the fireworks show.

Ellis Island:
The Ellis Island exhibit puts guests into the shoes of an immigrant at the turn of the century, allowing them to experience (sort of) first hand what it would've been like to go through Ellis Island.

County Fairgrounds:
Everything here is pretty self-explanitory. I did my best to incoperate a Silly Symphony theme as is being done at DCA's Paradise Pier. "Casey's Field" would feature reenactments of Who's On First? Casey at the Plate, etc.

The American Farm:
"Old McDonald" is an indoor/outdoor boat ride similar to DL's Storybookland Canals (Randy's idea). In the back is an actual working farm, which provides food for the park.

Victory Field:
The WWII airfield area of the park remains virtually unchanged in apperance and feel. The Captain America EMV has been something I've been tyring to find a home for, for quite some time now. I imagine the queue as winding your way through trenches into a military base. The "USO Stage", "GI Training Obstacle Course", and "Tank Gunnery Range" were all added by Randy. I especially love the idea for the Gunnery Range..."you board your own mini-tank and drive around shooting shells (like tennis balls) at targets, other tanks, bunkers, etc. People on the outside can man guns and shoot at the tanks as well."

The Next Frontier:
I like to imagine the exterior of this area appearing as a World's Fair...at least the part with the "American Technology Showcase" (added by Randy). The exterior of the space pavillion would be very reminiscent of an early Space pavillion drawn for Epcot by Tim Delaney. Inside the pavillion, guests would find something similar to the original concept to replace Horizons where, when guests step inside the pavillion, they find themselves in a queue similar to E.T. over at Uni Orlando, with a quick preshow, and then BLASTOFF to a space station with several rides and attractions.

Well there you have it! Hopefully this does the American History concept justice. Thanks so much to RandySavage for interpreting this park and for all of his additions!

You Gotta Love Lucy...

Sparks of Inspiration wishes the Queen of Comedy a very Happy Birthday!

The Happiest Birthday On Earth

Disneyland Dedication Plaque

56 years ago yesterday The Happiest Place On Earth was opened to the public and changed the entertainment industry forever. It wasn't too long after opening that every other entertainment complex on earth to begin emulating the principles and design that have kept Disneyland so timeless and wonderful.

The place doesn't look all thats shabby for 56 does it?

Happy Birthday Disneyland.

Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World!

While riding the brand new Kong 360 Experience at Universal Hollywood for the first time late last week, I was suddenly hit with an idea for an all new attraction that would give the most famous ape ever to climb the empire state building a new home at Universal Orlando. I call the attraction, Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World.

Peter Jackson's King Kong 360

Location: The ride would replace the current Twister experience at Universal Studios in Orlando, and would probably require a bigger show building. With the ride would come a refurbishment of the entire New York area, giving it a 1930's theme (which also fits Revenge of the Mummy better).

Ride Type: A 3-D show, with effects similar to Muppet Vision. The screen would have to be HUGE, maybe half the size of Soarin's, to accomadate the size of Kong.

Guest Experience: The attraction is finally here. The anticipation for the show has been building inside you since the attraction was announced last year, and you now finally have the opportunity to experience it for yourself, and you can't wait. Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World is supposed to be an amazing HD, 3-D experience combined with top of the line special effects that puts the worlds most famous ape right in front of your face, and you just know it will be incredible. Walking through the Studio gate, you realize that things in this park have changed. For starters, Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit has been hiden behind facades of a Great Depression Era New York, and what was once a representation of a 1980's New York has now also been redone to appear as though you've been sent back in time to the year 1933.

New York as seen in Peter Jackson's King Kong

In the distance stands the majestic Empire State Building, practically begging to be climbed, as the city comes to life around you. Towards the end of the street stands a tall, proud beacon of light, a big, beautiful Broadway theatre, glowing with what appears to be thousands of lights and a marquee that reads, "KONG: THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD".
"That's it!", you shout to your friends and family, "That's where we're going!"
You make your way to the queue, which wraps itself through a very ornate and detailed loby of a period-appropriate Broadway theatre. Eventually, you grab your theatre glasses and make your way to a pre-show room, where (similar to the way Christopher Walken is brought to life in Disaster!) Carl Denham's assistant comes from behind a door to prep you for the wonder you are about to witness. After going through a quick saftey speil (no flash pictures, don't put your theatre glasses on until after you've been seated, etc), Jack Driscoll (Adrian Brody) storms into the room warning guests that they cannot go in there, and that everyone's life is in danger. Carl's assistant laughs off the warnings and begins applauding Jack's "acting" as if it's all part of the show, and security carries Jack away. Then it's time to stand behind the yellow line, as your theatre doors open.

Once everyone's been seated (with their theatre glasses on) in the highly ornate and beautiful theatre, the show begins. A first set of curtains open, revealing Carl Denham (Jack Black) at center stage, who sets the premise of the story as our narrator.

Carl Narates the epic tale to an audience

Suddenly, following a big Orchestration, the second set of curtains open behind Carl, revealing Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World, chained, captured, and defeated. Natives then storm the stage, dancing wildly and chanting, "Kong! Kong! Kong! Kong! Kong! KONG!," as the ape just sits there. Suddenly the chanting stops, and then a "SHREIK!" of terror. Natives from off stage drag a blonde-haired damsel in distress to an alter, where she will be offered to the "ferocious beast". Screaming the entire way, she catches Kong's attention, and we see hope come to his eyes as he begins to wonder if perhaps this blonde could be Ann Darrow...that hope is short lived though, and that hope quickly turns to anger as Kong begins grunting. Some more theatrics go on while Kongs arms are lifted and he's made to look fierce and as though he's about to snatch the damsel in distress. Suddenly, our hero, the very famous Bruce Baxter (Kyle Chandler) swings in on a rope to save the day. He fights off natives, makes his way to the alter, and rescues our blonde-haired beauty. The audience erupts in Applause! As we begin to see more and more annoyance filling Kong's face, he begins grunting and growling and thrashing his chains around.

"Nevermind the Beast," Carl reassures us. "These chains are made of the finest and strongest steel in the world. There's no way he can escape!"

The audience lets out a sigh of relief, just as Baxter and our damsel pose for pictures in front of the extremely angry ape. Photographers rush to the stage, taking flash pictures as Carl rushes to stop them.

"You'll anger him! Stop! STOP," Carl warns.

But Carl's too late. Kong's finally had it! He begins thrashing so violently and growling so loudly many of the actors begin clearing the stage in terror! Carl trys reassure everyone that it's all part of the show and everything is under control, when suddenly the chain snaps! With one arm free, Kong lets out a ferocious ROAR as reaches for a native and throws him across the room. With the audience trapped in the theatre, Carl makes a dash for the exit as Kong snaps the other chain in half, freeing his other arm, and begins reaking havoc on the theatre, throwing set pieces, tearing balconies off of the walls, grabbing theatre-goers and eating them whole! Lights flicker and the room shakes as Kong continues to go on his rampage. Finally, with one final ROOOOOAR!, Kong jumps through the wall behind the stage, allowing the audience to catch a glimpse of the chaos that begins outside on the snowy streets of New York.

With another ROAR a car flies into the room as Kong continues his angry rampage on the innocent bystanders frantically fleeing the streets outside the theatre. The curtains then close as Carl's assistant (now a little bit banged up) takes center stage to appologize for the danger that the audience has been put into, but before he can finish, there is one final and loud Roar! Kong's arm reaches through the curtains, tearing the poor assistant from the stage. We hear shrieks of terror and pleas for help, until finally, "GULP!" And with that, the lights shut off, and darkness ensues for a few seconds until the lights are brought back up and guests are asked to exit the theatre.
"WOAH," you think to yourself. It was everything you'd hope it would be and more. In fact, the show was so good, you think you may just get in line to experience the attraction again, right after ride on Revenge of the Mummy of course.

The Enchanted Kingdom

"Star light, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
We'll make a wish and do as dreamers do,
And all our Wishes, will come true..."

(click here to enhance the magic with music as you read...I suggest starting at 0:42)

Welcome to a place where the most marvelous and magical things can happen, and it's all because of a wish...Where just around the corner you'll encounter a house full of 999 Happy Haunts, then turn around to discover a river frozen in time, enhabited with beasts that haven't roamed the earth for more 65 million years...Where pirates still sail the Spanish Main in search of burried treasure, adventure lurks within a tower guarded by a dragon, and a maid can become a princess with the kiss of a frog. A place where each day closes with a happily ever after, and all your dreams come true...welcome to the Enchanted Kingdom, Disney's newest themepark based on the Disneyland model Walt perfected more than fifty years ago.

Sparks of Inspiration invites you to join us on a journey through the worlds of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy like you've never seen them before. Over the next several weeks, we'll be working to bring a touch of Disney magic to your computer unlike any you've ever experienced. Please keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the vehicles at all times, and remember, wishes can come true.

Collecting Sparks...

Blogs are hard. I'm not sure how to explain them. I mean, when I first started this blog, I was so excited it's not even funny. I was going to have my own place to share and create and expand on my very own ideas! It was gonna be great! I never imagined it to be so much work...it proved to be way too much for during the school year. But now school's over and I still don't update or post articles regularly. Summers here, and I'm letting this once great idea sit alone, left to gather dust and cobwebs, and why? Because I'm a bum. It's true, my name is Cody and I have a problem...I hate work. But right here and now I'm setting a goal for myself in front of all of you out in internet-land...I'm going to start posting at least once a week for the rest of the summer...hopefully more. This is only the begining, I promise. Thanks for your patience, now lets Spark some Imagination...