Bayou Treehouse Slides

Rock 'n' Rollercoaster...

...Featuring The Beach Boys???

Don't worry, I'll explain later...

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!

A Little Spark--007: License to Thrill

Be sure to check back soon for a Spark of Inspiration update on this wonderful piece of concept art!

Prepare to get shaken, but not stirred (see what I did there?), in 007: License To Thrill, an all new action packed ride that puts you in the seat of a stunt driver for the newest James Bond movie, coming soon to The Walt Disney Studios Park!

FYI: The name is not original (as you can probably see above). It actually comes from an old Paramount Parks attraction that was released to correspond with the opening of Tomorrow Never Dies (great movie by the way). From what I understand, the attraction was a bummer, but the name was great, so I decided to borrow it unless I can come up with something better...

007: License To Thrill will replace three attractions in the current park (an article I should probably post soon haha), Soundstage 1, The Improve Theatre, and the Sound Attraction in what is currently The Attraction Studios, leaving the I Love Lucy Tribute Show and Studio P&G the last remnants of what was The Attraction Studios. With the opening of the James Bond ride comes a new name for the area, The Action Studios. Eventually those two attractions will be replaced as well, with what though I’m not quite sure yet…but that’s a story for a different day.

Using Test Track technology, the ride will put guests in the seat of James Bond, where they'll dodge explosions, speed through oil slicks, and crash through walls. In order to make it appear you're actually chasing someone, the vehicles will be timed so that they are "chasing" the vehicle in front of it. In other words, if there are 10 vehicles, then vehicle 1 will "chase" vehicle 10, vehicle 2 will "chase" vehicle 1, vehicle 3 will "chase" vehicle 2, and so on. This timing will be done by having the cars load as if they're a Peoplemover attraction (the vehicles never stop). If for some reason the vehicle did need to stop, for a handicap person, etc, there'd be a pit stop over to the side where that person would be able to load, and the attraction wouldn't be stopped.

Walking up to the ride, you’ll find pretty much what you see in the above concept art, the only difference being a soundstage behind the façade (much like Star Tours in DHS).

-The Queue-

Once inside of the soundstage, guests will find themselves on set of the latest Bond picture, standing inside the lobby of MI6 headquarters. On overhead monitors throughout the queue, a director preps guests for their big role as double-O agents working alongside Bond in his big blockbuster picture. Throughout the queue, guests will see agents and other MI6 employees going about their business, some CM’s, and some AA’s. After winding through the Lobby and hallways, guests will finally find themselves in the Briefing Room. Entering the room guests will find that giant screen seen in the picture below (from Quantum of Solace) and a M animatronic (played by Judi Dench) standing in front of it.

-The Preshow-The director will come on screen, explaining that this is everyone’s first shot and making sure everybody’s ready. From the right side of the room you’ll hear, “QUIET ON THE SET…AND ACTION!”, and suddenly the room will go dark, with a spot light shining on M, who will begin to debrief your mission: to stop a group of terrorists with bio-weapons from reaching their destination, London Heathrow Airport. Suddenly a James Bond animatronic (played by Daniel Craig) will enter the room through a door on the right. M will say something along the lines of, “You’re late 007”, to which he will respond, “Sorry, I was just getting to know Ms. Money Penny a little better”, or something along those lines, though I’d want it to be more humorous (haha yeah, I know, I’m reeeeally bad at writing scripts lol). She’ll explain how we’re going to be working along side Bond, and will then tell us to move along to the Q-Branch Labs.

-The Load Area-Entering the Q-Branch, a large, bright, warehouse looking-room, guests will find a Q animatronic (featuring the late Desmond Llewelyn) on a platform above the empty Aston Martins that drive into the room (the cars will have 2 rows of seats, sitting 3 across). He explains the special features of the cars, how they’re controlled from MI6 via GPS Sattellite, bulletproof, and include a grenade launcher inside of the headlights. Of course, once guests are buckled up, Q will, as always, beg of the agents to, “...Please return the car in one piece this time (sighs)…”

-The Ride-

Zooming out of the Q-Branch Labs and onto the streets of London, Bond comes over the radio, explaining that the car guests’re tracking is right in front of them, and how he’s a street away so as not to give up our cover and make it appear obvious that the car is being followed. Weaving around corners and zooming through alleys and back streets, still keeping their distance, the car you’re following suddenly zooms into the old abandoned (enter sponsor’s name here) warehouse. Speeding after them into the warehouse, the car is nowhere to be found, but whispering can be heard from over some crates and boxes. Suddenly, henchmen pop out from behind the boxes, firing away at your car (which can be felt/heard through holes in the car shooting air just as in GMR on the walls during the gangster scene). “We’ve been caught! Quick, get out of there!”, Bond shouts as guests crash through a warehouse wall and back onto the London streets. From there, the chase is on, and the real fun begins. Guests follow the car out of London and into the British country-side, dodging past pedestrian cars, hitting other bad guy vehicles and flipping their car over, slipping through oil slicks, etc, until guests reach the final straightaway with the car they’ve been playing tag with right in front of them, but about to go into a tunnel. Bond comes over the radio, “Now’s our chance! Q, use the grenade launcher, quick, we won’t get a shot like this again, they're speeding into the tunnel!” “Alright, alright 007, we’re locking onto the target…now! Aaaaaaaaand, FIRE!” All of a sudden, the car in front of guests appears to go up in flames! Of course, it doesn’t really, as the car in front is holding the load of guests in front of us. In order to create the illusion, two separate unload areas will be created, and when the car is “blown up”, guests will have really zoomed into the unload area, where a steel door has slammed shut behind them just as quickly as they zoomed in. Most of the effect will be created with smoke, though Flames will be included. When your car is “blown up”, you will have zoomed into the unload area over. Does that make sense? Haha I suppose it is kind of confusing. Once inside the tunnel, everythings pitch black, then the director yells, "AND CUT!" and suddenly, the lights turn on, and you're back in the soundstage. The director, along with Daniel Craig, tells you what a great job you've done, thanks you for your hard work, and to be sure and enjoy the rest of your day at The Walt Disney Studios Themepark.

Well, there you have it! Any comments, critiscims, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully you get a pretty good sense of what I'd want this attraction to be like.

A Little Spark-- The Muppet Studios Tour

Muppet Studios Logo

Nearly 2 years ago now, I was in an Imagineering contest over at the WDWmagic forums, in which players would be given tasks to create attractions to improve Walt Disney World. There was one idea in particular that I was extremely proud of, and so, seeing as how this is my strongest idea to date, I think it's perfect to have this attraction be the first fully developed and detailed project posted on this blog. For the contest, we were to create a brand new Dark Ride for Disney's Hollywood Studios, and immediately I knew I wanted my ride to be Muppet-themed. The Great Muppet Movie Ride was off limits (this had to be a 100% original idea) but that was ok, because I actually had been developing a new Muppet attraction called The Muppet's Take New York, a whimsical and crazy tour through the streets of NYC, Muppet-Style (think DCA's SuperStar Limo + Muppet characters). Although that attraction probably would've fit perfectly into the "Streets of America" section of DHS, after developing the ride further I somehow wound up with The Muppet Studios Tours. What follows is my description of the ride from WDWmagic:

Backstory: The Muppet Studios is now open to all guests wishing to catch a glimpse of how the Muppet's create their movie magic through the Muppet Studios Tour!

List of Show Scenes:

1. Introductions/Studio Gate

2. Muppet Studios Lounge

3. Sweedish Chef's Kitchen

4. The Great Gonzo and Bean Bunny

5. Muppet Sound Studio

6. Muppet FX Labs

7. Miss Piggy's Trailer

8. Finale/Rainbow Connection

Scene Descriptions

Introductions/Studio Gate-

Once you've boarded your tram, you begin your journey to the studio gate with the old familar, "Hi-Ho! Kermit the Frog here..." as Kermit (on a video screen), explains that he will be your tourguide. He also goes on to talk about a grand finale that the 'ole gang has been preparing for the grand opening of the tours. Nearing the gate, you'll notice the rats are selling discounted tickets to their own version of the studio tour (a gag that will continue throughout the attraction), along with merchandise that they've "borrowed" from the stars. Nearing the gate, Bobo the Bear stops your vehicle, being the noble and good studio guard he is. He and Kermit would have a humours spat until finally Kermit convinces Bobo to let you through.

Muppet Studios Lounge-

Kermit would begin appologizing for the inconvience caused by Bobo back at the gate as you'd enter your first stop on the tour, the Cast Lounge/Commisary. As Kermit would go about his dialouge talking about the lounge, Fozzy Bear would stop him, as he just HAS to try out his new material on the passing tour group. Of course, no Fozzy joke is complete without Statler and Waldorf heckling in the background. Saddly, before Fozzy has the opportunity to finish his jokes, he is interupted by a loud, "BANG!" coming form the direction of the kitchen, which leads us to our next scene...

Sweedish Chef's Kitchen-

As you enter the kitchen, it appears that the Chef is having quite some difficulty trying to cook a chicken...of course the problems come from the fact that the chicken is still alive. First trying to knock the chicken over the head with a sledge hammer, then grabbing a shotgun, Kermit is finally able to get the tram out just before the Sweedish Chef pulls out a cannon!

The Great Gonzo & Bean Bunny-

Quickly getting out of the kitchen, the trams enter a street near a soundstage labeled, "Stunt Arena", as Kermit again appologizes for all of the inconviences and begins to talk about the next stop on the tour. Up ahead, Bean Bunny can be seen strolling down the street, carrying buckets of paint and brushes and rollers, when suddenly, "KABLOOM!!!!", the Great Gonzo (on a weird Gonzo-Bike) comes crashing through the roof of the stunt arena, flies through the air and then, "THUD!", land right on top of Bean Bunny, sending the paint and rollers everywhere (as soon as Gonzo lands on Bean, smoke fills the air, allowing for the animatronics to switch out between the clean versions and the painty-messy versions). As Kermit began to ask Gonzo what on earth he was doing, Rizzo and Pepe would come running out of the stunt arena talking about how amazing that was, asking if Gonzo was alright, and totally neglecting Bean Bunny. Comedic dialouge between the characters would ensue, and then the tour would move on.

The Muppet Sound Studios-

The next stop on the tour is the Muppet Sound Studios, where you'll come accross Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem in the sound booth recording their next hit, with Scooter as their producer. After listening to a little bit of the song, Animal would begin to be distracted by the tour vehicles, getting excited by the guests, escaping, and chasing the tour vehicles into the next scene.

The Muppet FX Labs-

The place to find Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker. Good news is, you're just in time to chatch a glimpse of their latest and greatest invention, the FX Genor8tor. This device creates any kind of effect you need for the film being made in a matter of minutes. Against Kermit's better judgement, Dr. Honeydew insists on giving the audience a test run, and asks Beaker to push the lever onto the "Rainbow" icon. Suddenly, a Rainbow appears from the machine right over guest's heads. Dr Honeydew would then say something along the lines of, "That's right the FX Genor8tor can create litterally anything, whether it be peaceful, such as the rainbow you just saw, or explosive, such as...", just then Crazy Harry would pop up from out of nowhere and shout, "DID YOU SAY EXPLOSIVE?!?!?!". He'd then explode his TNT, causing Beaker to fly across the room and knocking the lever to "Tornado". With a gust of wind, machines and scientific items would begin flying around the room in a giant tornado, as Honeydew and Kermit urge guests to remain calm. Suddenly one of the items would crash into the tram, causing it to go haywire and immediately exit the FX Labs.

Miss Piggy's Trailer-

Crashing through a wall of the FX Labs, (with your vehicles jerking around quite a bit and moving a little faster), you make your way down a studio street with several Muppets dodging out of the way of the vehicles. Your vehicle then comes to a complete and sudden stop, after it's crashed into Ms. Piggy's trailer of course. Piggy infuriated (and in curlers in a robe), has been getting ready for the big finale, and threatens that if Kermit doesn't get the guests out of her trailer soon she'll be having frog legs for dinner with a side of melon...within seconds of the threat, Kermit and Dr Honeydew announce they've been able to get the trams up and running again.

Finale/Rainbow Connection-

Backing out of Piggy's trailer, Kermit tells everyone that it's almost time for the grand finale. You then enter a soundstage with all the lights completely shut off. Suddenly, one single spotlight shines on a Kermit AA, strummin on the banjo and sitting on a log (with a swamp facade behind him). He starts, "Why are there so many songs about rainbows..." The lights in the room then slowly begin to fade up as the entire Muppet cast joins him in the finale song from "The Muppet Movie" (in front of the "Magic Store" facade). Kermit then thanks you for taking the tour and then wishes everyone a Magical day at The Walt Disney Studios Themepark.