re-Imagineering...

Today I'd like to introduce a brand new series in an attempt to revive and revitalize this blog. I'm calling it, "re-Imagineering," a place to share ideas for actual existent Disney properties around the world. 

For it's inaugural debut, I thought it'd be great to take a trip to Walt Disney World and discover all of the new and exciting plans currently in development. 

So, without further ado, may I introduce to you...

*Disney's Animal Kingdom*

Where Adventure is Wild!

Discovery Island

~Mother Nature 3-D show~

Replacing the Tree of Life's "It's Tough to be a Bug," Mother Nature hosts an all new 4-D show taking guests into the natural world like never before. 

~World of Color Animal Show~

I'm excited to see the upcoming "Rivers of Light," but my idea would basically incorporate massive water screens fountains, and floats all coming together in a celebration of the animal world. 

The show would start off with Fantasia 2000's Spring Sprite flowing through a forest. Music and lighting would set the scene as the show transitions to the Circle of Life...the entire set is pitch black when guests hear the first note of the iconic song, until brilliant shades of red and orange and yellow fill the river and water screens shoot up projecting images of animals heading towards Pride Rock. Floats featuring actors dressed as different animals (think Broadway's Lion King), emerge from behind the far sides of the screens, and then finally, as guests hear, "It's the Circle of Life," Pride Rock itself comes from between the 2 massive water screens. Rafiki is seen at the end of the rock, holding baby Simba, as the animals on the screens and floats bow before the newborn prince.

Other scenes include Fantasia 2000's Noah's Ark, in which a full sized Ark loaded with animals floats on the lagoon, a Montage of underwater scenes featuring Mr. Ray and his class from Finding Nemo, as well as various clips from Disney Nature films.

Camp Minnie-Mickey

Avatarland is given the ax, I don't like the idea. Instead, Camp Minnie-Mickey will continue to serve as the park's Fantasyland, recreating U.S. National parks of the 1950's and 60's. Here, guests can meet their favorite Disney characters while learning about the importance of conservation.

~Humphrey the Bear Log Flume~

Park ranger Donald Duck has been assigned the task of keeping Humphrey the Bear out of trouble, but unfortunately for Donald (and his temper), that’s much easier said than done.

~The True-Life Adventure Mine Train~

Hosted by the legendary AA owl Hoot Gibson of Western River Expedition fame, this scenic train ride through nature’s wonderland takes guests past various landscapes and habitats of North American critters, including Grizzly Bears, Wolves, Deer,  etc,

~It’s Tough to be a Bug~

Relocated from the Tree of Life to Camp Minnie-Mickey, the classic show is now housed within a giant rotting stump. Rumor has it the show may soon be accompanied by a new version of A Bug’s Land.

*EPCOT Center*
Where Tomorrow Begins Today

Future World
The area of the park most in need of assistance, Future World is going to drop the World's Fair theme in favor of becoming a "working model" for the future; the idea is that at EPCOT, the future is already here. A massive overhaul plan on greater scale than even DCA 2.0's is devised and includes a pavilion by pavilion update.

--Progress City Plaza--
Phase 1 of EPCOT Revitalization involves replacing Innoventions, with Progress City Plaza, and includes the demolition of the old Communicore buildings. Replacing them are several stand alone buildings housing various exhibits and restaurants themed to futuristic city life.
The area is filled with lush gardens and ponds, evoking harmony between technology and nature.

~Carousel of Progress~
Everyone's favorite family finds yet another new home here in Progress City Plaza. Located in Progress City's "Museum of Yesterday's Tomorrow," the family no longer finds itself talking of the wonders of yesteryear, but instead now discuss how wonderful life is in the past's future. Guests start off in a Jules Verne-inspired future, where men are shot to the moon via cannon, and time machines enable folks to visit any time period they desire. Moving forward through time, guests find themselves in the art-deco future of the 1930's. Father is getting his haircut by the old robot from Horizons as he discusses high speed zepplins that take folks from one end of the Atlantic to the other. Next, guests are transported to the far-out future of the Fabulous Fifties where aliens and man have made contact, and the family rides around in a Jetson's inspired vehicle that drives itself. The neon future of the 1980's greets guests in the last scene, where a metalic Christmas tree stands tall in the corner of the room and Sister phones in from outer space with her newborn via holograph screen.
The finale of the attraction includes a museum, including a 100% refurbished Progress City model, of Walt's original plans for EPCOT the city.
As you can probably tell, the idea is heavily influenced by Horizons, essentially just merging COP with the beloved Epcot attraction.

~Bot's Diner~
Guests will have the opportunity to dine in the world's first human-less restaurant. Here, all food is prepared and served by robots. 

Main Street USA & Gracey Square

1) Elias & Co.

2) Shops/Dining

3) Edison Cinema

4) The Roaring 20's 

5) Main Street Carousel

6) Tower of Terror

7) Haunted Mansion

8) Time Train

9) Gangster Restaurant

Modern Masterpiece??

You know, there are very few things in this world that whet the Disney fanboi's appetite the way great piece of concept art does. Personally, I love concept art. In fact, I would argue (along with many others) that looking at concept art often times leads to disappointment in an attraction or environment after it's been experienced in real life. Concept art allows fans to "fill in the blanks," if you will. We get to use our imaginations to decide what that new dark ride is going to be like, or what kinds of "Disney-details" can be found in that new land. The reason we're able to do this? For the last 60 years, Disney has been displaying concept art that is nothing short of masterpieces. Full of detail and energy, as we study the images they almost feel as though they come to life. And just as it takes multiple trips to a theme park in order to truly gain an appreciation for the details of its surroundings, it takes multiple views of the art in order to really absorb all that is being shown. 

With all of that said, I think it's time for another epic addition of the game, "What Doesn't Belong Here!?" 
The rules are simple. Below, you'll find a few of my favorite conceptual pieces that I've saved over the years. All you have to do is guess what piece feels out of place. Ready??
Here we go...

Tony Baxter's Discovery Bay

An unused rendering of EPCOT Center's entrance by Herb Ryman

Hong Kong's Adventureland overview from the mind of John Horny

Eddie Sotto's Sci-Fi City Tomorrowland envisioned for Tokyo

The Disney-MGM Studios' Hollywood Blvd by Collin Campbell

World of Color "Winter Dreams"

What's that? You say the poorly-named "Winter Dreams" rendering is the one that doesn't fit in? Give yourself a great big pat on the back, You got it right! Great work gang!

In all seriousness though, just look at how bad that piece of "art" is. It's painful, really. In fact, from the moment I saw this photoshopped horror yesterday, I immediately felt embarrassed for Disney. How on earth did anyone even begin to think that this garbage is acceptable? I really don't understand how a company that was literally built on art could possibly allow this to slide. GAH! It's not as though Disney has a huge shortage of artists that couldn't show the world something more professional...heck, Disney, next time you need a piece of concept art, please ask me to do it! I promise I'll work for free!

In the meantime, I suppose the fans will just have to stick to past pieces of art in order to get our concept art fix. Either that, or we could always check out So You Want To Be An Imagineer on the Visions Fantastic forums. Honestly, when fans (mostly basketbuddy) in an armchair Imagineering competition are able to create more professional looking artwork than the number one media company in the world, you know there's something wrong.

So You Want To Be An Imagineer Project 4: The Great Movie Ride

Les Miserables Scene Layout

1) Charlie Chaplin Production

2) Singin' In The Rain

3) Mary Poppins

4) Fantine--"I Dreamed A Dream"

5) Valjean

6) Javert

7) Thenardier's Inn

Scene 5: A New Hope

So You Want To Be An Imagineer Season 11--Six Flags

A rough draft of a potential coaster concept done in MS Paint.

Various coaster concepts

"Mono-Coaster" as it is currently calls. The single bar allows the coaster to switch from being a regular coaster to an "inverted" coaster. It can also spin.

A glass "pod", allowing vehicles to load onto the Ferris Wheel. 

A profile view of a potential roller coaster design with the "Ferris Coaster" concept.

More to come...

So You Want To Be An Imagineer Season 11--The Legend of Zelda

"Nintendo World Headquarters" overrun by the World of Hyrule

A few notes...

-The queue reflects the Lost Woods as best as I could interpret/understand it.
-The Nintendo World Headquarters sign is the Controller at the front of the queue.
-The attraction sign is the Zelda game cartridge at the front left of the queue. 
-In the back left corner, you'll find the logs that Link can walk through from one of the Zelda games (I forget which one). 
-Also in the back left corner is a sword and a shield from the game (I saw a screencap of that as well).
-In the center of the queue is a fountain featuring the Tri-Force...I imagine it would look similar to the upside down waterfall at Imagination.

"Nintendo Revolution" ride vehicle

Project 1

Team Bradbury Brainstorming Thread

Be sure to check out So You Want To Be An Imagineer on Visions Fantastic to discover this and other future projects!

So You Want To Be An Imagineer Season 11--The Legend of Zelda Preview

Early, Unfinished concept of "Nintendo World Headquaters"

Although this piece of Concept art is unfinished, you can see that the showbuilding itself is designed as a tribute to the classic NES. Eventually, the Grounds of the "Nintendo World Headquarters", although normally neatly manicured and featuring statuettes of famous Nintendo characters, will be made to look disheveled,with the world of Hyrule consuming  everything surrounding the building. Be sure to check back later for the rest of this and other exciting concepts of So You Want To Be An Imagineer Season 11!