tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1610288990825628412024-02-28T23:49:49.128-08:00Ideal BuildoutSWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-13474667856927250622023-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:002024-02-09T22:41:45.940-08:00Walt Disney Studios - Paris<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Hope all are well.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> When looking at the possibilities for the 2nd Gate to Disneyland Paris, I've typically started from scratch, as it is more enjoyable for me to imagine & lay out a park that begins with Vision, awe-factor, rhyme & reason in terms of theme and attraction placement, carefully positioned vistas, weenies & sightlines - all of which WDSP has lacked. But now that the much-needed revamp is well-underway, I've decided to draw a plan showing how the actual park-that-will-be could further expand & improve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIUQr7SY98wCZJiR_2Wd9OFi2HObnLz7ZLu_xOTa9gMNlYXB_MW8hZJ3f4D4_gf4gglFIp2i1PdeCOw3kiGu9VSI3bIeQl20ohmSsMEgUs9H_v55hBzELR-pY71_Ci9fcPbNaR2kqGBXJ_ChQpOpy9aKsM0AJXpbypZysNI_Ntfg6baBOIIOO-ZVeS8t_/s1123/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%205.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1123" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIUQr7SY98wCZJiR_2Wd9OFi2HObnLz7ZLu_xOTa9gMNlYXB_MW8hZJ3f4D4_gf4gglFIp2i1PdeCOw3kiGu9VSI3bIeQl20ohmSsMEgUs9H_v55hBzELR-pY71_Ci9fcPbNaR2kqGBXJ_ChQpOpy9aKsM0AJXpbypZysNI_Ntfg6baBOIIOO-ZVeS8t_/w640-h626/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%205.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"> This drawing includes - mostly - what will be there when the current central boulevard, lake and Arendelle are finished in 2025. The Front Lot, Toon Studios, Toy Story Playland, Place de Remy, Avengers Campus, Cours des Reves (my name for the lake and boulevard, as I'm not sure what the actual name will be) and Arendelle are "as is" and do not need written explanation here.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuQzRZ8FJyOyshpTUVRfv5JaE3sCJNA6XioFvWYLkqw1qN1mjZKH7hUxqlDk862vw2aNOdQJjHvV1__emH-Ik_3QSzoIXzWRAiMfczrH9P5SuTAVrYXqmgiE5uyjPZrc-Gps9Nu16tt4tKijmvUJc7vkSNTk3pbdCtW84QSdXQp_6_gLf-037xCuCNP4i/s2048/WDSP%20xpansion%20Art%20Nouveau%20area%20D%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="2048" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuQzRZ8FJyOyshpTUVRfv5JaE3sCJNA6XioFvWYLkqw1qN1mjZKH7hUxqlDk862vw2aNOdQJjHvV1__emH-Ik_3QSzoIXzWRAiMfczrH9P5SuTAVrYXqmgiE5uyjPZrc-Gps9Nu16tt4tKijmvUJc7vkSNTk3pbdCtW84QSdXQp_6_gLf-037xCuCNP4i/w640-h376/WDSP%20xpansion%20Art%20Nouveau%20area%20D%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>HOLLYWOOD</b><br /><br /> The big change in Part I is Hollywood, which takes some inspiration from the original Disney-MGM Studios at its best. One passes out of the cheesy Studio One indoor main street and enters a much more impressive Hollywood facsimile: the street is curbed, the atmospheric Resident characters and vehicles are there, the detailed facades all now hold shops & dining. The Tower Hotel looms behind the shops. On the right is a Studio Gate separating Toon Studios from 1930s/40s Hollywood streets.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtVY5GQsY99mE5GE8WReXnkazXPBCUPaQFWjt8Tv_LYHS78_mN3LlaBtUKccqFmHCYqVpMTJsfpK6wr64ygfqjKuRwMHfurYPvUhwvj_OZovTDWCpjeGtP0iLVSwnhUrc3YzGA11bt1GguDVa_RQl5M2NFCrO6lPzATEZz-JJ5YMOd08ItlWlpVPZlIyC/s1634/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Hollywood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1634" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtVY5GQsY99mE5GE8WReXnkazXPBCUPaQFWjt8Tv_LYHS78_mN3LlaBtUKccqFmHCYqVpMTJsfpK6wr64ygfqjKuRwMHfurYPvUhwvj_OZovTDWCpjeGtP0iLVSwnhUrc3YzGA11bt1GguDVa_RQl5M2NFCrO6lPzATEZz-JJ5YMOd08ItlWlpVPZlIyC/w400-h304/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Hollywood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The major addition here takes up the currently underused corner of the park with a new version of The Great Movie Ride, with its landmark Chinese Theater facade. As at MGM, one queues in an ornate lobby past movie props and costumes and then enters a theater showing classic film trailers, previewing upcoming scenes. Great Movie Ride in its 1.0 form was one of my all-time favorites. Here the concept/feel of the ride is the same, though the execution is somewhat different, including ride system are new film scenes. Musical, Gangster, Western, SciFi, Comedy, Adventure & Fantasy genres would all be represented via highly detailed sets, scores of audio-animatronics and special effects. In my imagination, it would be fully narrated by the great "What will be your fate?" voice from the original ride.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /> <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PANDORA</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> When I think about fixing this park, ideally it would have had WDSP offer a completely different menu of themes and IPs than its neighbor, DLP. Any properties that would enhance an extant land at DLP shouldn't have been considered for WDSP and vice-versa. That ship has sailed, but Disney still has a lot of IP that isn't a natural fit for DLP and would be well-suited for this Catch-All park, some of which is already present: Marvel, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Cars. Avatar is another big example, already associated with Disney Parks, so here it goes. <br /><br /> As often mentioned, a major consideration is sightlines and vistas - how it feels just to explore and soak in the park. So in this plan, I am trying to minimize the impact of the rear of the (ill-placed) Tower of Terror, add a lot of trees/nature and do something to disguise the long view of the Flight Force (former RocknRollecoaster) gravity box. Considering the scale and treatment of the Avatar Flight of Passage showbuilding in Orlando, I thought this would work well abutting Flight Force and get two birds with one rockwork stone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr5bp-NaKrLkGtoU3jyZ7ruaSIPyl7geIYTykvIE1DLMxMMjnP8vkij4-_OlnIw8-1o12XNccglWhc5BeSJMsreQf8OsRz6ejEi8mjqOvluwT2muxOGh1P4GWXiR8MmS3enn9eMXV9Mj3FEqURMrlEK8SEnQmOhBTe7xJuiTvHUo3Vxt650KdNU-I7031/s1428/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Pandora.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1428" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr5bp-NaKrLkGtoU3jyZ7ruaSIPyl7geIYTykvIE1DLMxMMjnP8vkij4-_OlnIw8-1o12XNccglWhc5BeSJMsreQf8OsRz6ejEi8mjqOvluwT2muxOGh1P4GWXiR8MmS3enn9eMXV9Mj3FEqURMrlEK8SEnQmOhBTe7xJuiTvHUo3Vxt650KdNU-I7031/w400-h364/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Pandora.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> While Flight of Passage is generally the same as in WDW, including the landmark floating mountains, this plan shows a unique and improved version of Pandora, defined by the Navi River Rapids - a long indoor-outdoor raft ride that takes explorers on a journey throughout the land. This ride features additional "floating" mountains at the top of the lift hill, adding to the depth and grandeur of vistas in the park. Good Humans have set up an eco-tourism business, which queues partly through an abandoned hydro plant. Lively Pandoran plants and AA wildlife (e.g. a herd of hammerhead titanotheres, a troop of Pandoran monkeys in branches, etc.) are seen around the riverbanks, with the more sophisticated AAs (such as Navi) and bioluminescence saved for the indoor scenes at the beginning & end of the ride. To account for the Parisian weather, how wet riders get could be minimized as it is on Tokyo's Splash Mountain.<br /><br />The canteen and shop from WDW are also here, though relocated. The other addition is a Hometree explore zone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>AVENGERS CAMPUS</b><br /><br /> I've changed the left edge of the land with the removal of the Stunt Show Theater. A new attraction inspired by Dr. Strange and his magical artifacts takes the form of a special effects show in a similar vein to Alien Encounter or Poseidon's Fury with multiple stages: Preshow A, Preshow B (more elaborate), Main Show (two theaters for capacity). The exterior is an ancient & otherworldly portal or sanctum, which aids in the transition to Pandora. <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>LONDON SQUARE</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b><br /> Best practice is to avoid a situation in which almost all the park's IP is taken from a certain timeframe or generation (e.g. the last 10-20 years). Hence London Square, dedicated to some of the classics of the 1960s & 70s. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMLkLiab-uGuj7wdyE5Ulu71GK7J8SnbQA3GkGy4OhCmzdLjQshPBqu6tEE3-enak2QGzECilUHCWdmTVmrheIjVlsWDbVWREQnVHf2aY8vcxklENcOzXyrbbvPmfEFHmGnI6UhbNiYwjZ1wiCxtyUO0Fd0Q7dpTC_01RarFhyRQPkN8VlJZ26-1z_ESi/s2368/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20London%20Sq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="2368" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMLkLiab-uGuj7wdyE5Ulu71GK7J8SnbQA3GkGy4OhCmzdLjQshPBqu6tEE3-enak2QGzECilUHCWdmTVmrheIjVlsWDbVWREQnVHf2aY8vcxklENcOzXyrbbvPmfEFHmGnI6UhbNiYwjZ1wiCxtyUO0Fd0Q7dpTC_01RarFhyRQPkN8VlJZ26-1z_ESi/w400-h268/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20London%20Sq.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> This land's setting is the idyllic Old London of the early 20th Century, with Cherry Tree Lane diverting off the main parade route. The carousel from Mary Poppins occupies the central park. An Edwardian glass tea pavilion is near the central loop. I wanted the main rides here to be unique to this park, so I chose "101 Dalmatians" for the classic darkride, its facade continuing the street of terraced townhouses, with scaled-down London landmarks such as St. Paul's on the roof.<br /><br /> "Bedknobs & Broomsticks" might be the best movie in the Company's entire catalog. Apparently, this is not a widely-shared belief and thus it's never had a park presence. Here I can change this, as film seems ideal for ride-translation with a magic, multi-passenger flying bed and automation of inanimate objects </span><span style="font-family: arial;">being the central features</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. The facade is the bomb-abandoned London mansion where Professor Brown is squatting. The queue begins in an old roundtower (nod to the film's castle), goes through the mansion's gardens and outbuilding and then inside through the various rooms: library, nursery, etc. Suspended bed vehicles take riders on a careening musical adventure to Portobello Road, the Briny Sea, the Isle of Namboombu and the battle of reanimated soldiers. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> You may notice that they way I've put the layout together has corresponding themed lands on opposite sides of main Cours, e.g. London vs Paris. Here, contrasting the lush jungle/ mostly-wild alien world of Pandora, is the arid desert/mostly-urban alien world of Mos Eisley. <br /><br /> While another Batuu-Lite was originally part of the official plan, here I wanted to go with something totally unique and try incorporating a famous location often seen in the Star Wars Universe. Timeline is Original Trilogy (of course) and the full-scale Lamda-Class Imperial shuttle at the back of the land fills the same role as the TIE Echelon in Batuu (am I the only one who thinks the Echelon looks too small to hold all the people coming out of it?). Darth Vader himself could occasionally descend from the shuttle ramp in his search for Rebels.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw7OBOMI0n34lK9wlldZOkdCx26u3vlimYgMuNKX2iWn8MpFu3z3MfrLNX1SG2VYA-ycMiYl3qDGB8o7LNjUnVjyIgtSnQiOY8eY2hyphenhyphenD9Z_-N3ZKHK9SJK7W42RGDFjQjZaA1W8gYEHvnEqkO-p8t5QfuvhQ7fLUjnur8Xy9jOm9o8_zHiUlVzTXi2Fw6/s2513/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20Mos%20Eisley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="2513" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw7OBOMI0n34lK9wlldZOkdCx26u3vlimYgMuNKX2iWn8MpFu3z3MfrLNX1SG2VYA-ycMiYl3qDGB8o7LNjUnVjyIgtSnQiOY8eY2hyphenhyphenD9Z_-N3ZKHK9SJK7W42RGDFjQjZaA1W8gYEHvnEqkO-p8t5QfuvhQ7fLUjnur8Xy9jOm9o8_zHiUlVzTXi2Fw6/w400-h288/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20Mos%20Eisley.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;"> I also saw this land as an opportunity to cleanse Discoveryland of the extraneous IP, as every plan I've drawn for DLP has Discoveryland <span>adhering to its original vision</span><span>, free of Star Wars (and Toy Story). Therefore, I've moved Star Tours over to this park. Its weenie features a landing platform with a couple of Starspeeder 3000s on it. I think it's a shame that the Company plan for both DHS and Disneyland Anaheim has been to feature Star Tours in the same park as </span><span>Star Wars Land </span><span>- but not in the actual land. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> In addition to Star Tours, three new rides complete this land: Mos Eisley Transit Authority, or M.E.T.A., is a peoplemover that circles the entire land on the 2nd level, featuring numerous indoor scenes and Audio Animatronic vignettes. Bounty Hunter Blast is D-ticket family shooter darkride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> You've probably seen art of the cancelled giant beast ride for Batuu. Here I have expanded that idea with a dedicated Bantha Caravans ride. The queue winds up to the level of the howdah on the top of a mechanical Bantha (or Dewback for variation). The hairy animals then proceed to undulate and trot around the desert landscape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Mos Eisley would be rounded out with a replica of the famous Cantina bar with its aliens and band. Han Solo & Chewbacca could drop in from time to time. There is a Jawa Junk Market and large table service restaurant run by members of the Hutt Clan. I envision the Millennium Falcon as a Swiss Family type walkthrough attraction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SHADOWLAND</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> This final area is themed to Disney's collective animated villains, and I designed it to achieve a number of goals: 1. provide a very large and impressive weenie at the back of the park; 2 give the lineup a major, heavily-themed, indoor-outdoor mountain coaster, which it sorely lacks; 3. counterbalance the saccharine princess-land of Arendelle opposite it; 4. avoid another single-IP land; and 5. feature some environments that aren't natural fits for Disneyland next door.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Like a sinister version of Fantasy Springs, this area has subsections with distinct geographies & architectural styles. The medieval one - the area around Dark Mountain - is a mash-up of the mountain lairs & castles of the likes of the Horned King, Maleficent & Chernabog. It's not intended to be a recreation from any of these movies. This an original creation - an ominous mountain with an evil-looking castle & crumbling towers in its upper reaches. Here the aforementioned villains gather and plot. The queue begins by crossing a murky water and entering the mountain portcullis gateway. Explorers then wind through subterranean chambers where villains (in AA form) are revealed in multiple pre-shows. The queue then emerges in a forest north of the mountain, finally entering another set of caverns for final pre-show & boarding. Post ride, the lengthy egress passes over a bridge north of the mountain, re-enters the mountain base, where a gift shop could be located at the last cave, before returning to the land. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZl-6vZNTx5ny_alTtYPsTLIU3uuiwpCDKuz-Malg1pBZOfX-qLJ2SmdKWmuzzuZvGKrzkwLEsRhhRh5OZh_pmmAyT55YLZRFnV6YLQjLwacAt2HuviQyw_Z0RLH4HXsaQGwt82294xKFgICRFyGQB_VzK2qBY_8XLcC8K1KJPcnXjQ-92BzQx7V5kWhM/s1847/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Villains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1847" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZl-6vZNTx5ny_alTtYPsTLIU3uuiwpCDKuz-Malg1pBZOfX-qLJ2SmdKWmuzzuZvGKrzkwLEsRhhRh5OZh_pmmAyT55YLZRFnV6YLQjLwacAt2HuviQyw_Z0RLH4HXsaQGwt82294xKFgICRFyGQB_VzK2qBY_8XLcC8K1KJPcnXjQ-92BzQx7V5kWhM/w640-h496/Blog%20-%20WDSP%20GMR%20Villains.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Across from the Mountain is Sleepy Hollow Village - a haunted version of Liberty Square - with dead oaks, a Headless Horseman Tavern restaurant and some shops. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Inspired by the Jim Shull artwork (which you can find linked on IdealBuildout twitter page), there is an Ursula spinner at water level. Part of its queue descends through a ship wrecked on the rocks by the trident-wielding seawitch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Deeper in the land, one passes under a broken wall and enters either a dilapidated New Orleans area featuring a Dr. Facilier rotating madhouse ride, with its SFX pre-show/queue. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Opposite it is the final sub area, with its Ancient Greece theme. A crumbling temple to Hades marks the entrance to an indoor musical boatride featuring the villain from "Hercules" tormenting the Greeks.<br /><br />***<br /><br /><br /><br />The End.<br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> ***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To be continued... <br /></span></p><br />SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-37510049881233798372023-05-02T21:46:00.004-07:002023-05-14T13:34:29.620-07:00EPCOT Center - Resurrected<br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> EPCOT Center of the 1980s into the 90s as created by the original team of Imagineers - an inimitable group of visionary geniuses - aimed to inspire and instill in the visitor something of value about the real world, from the culture of Mexico to the history & future of Transportation. It had a clarity of Vision and Purpose and a rare, now-lost Harmony in presentation. Its scale, ambition and newness made the park awe-inspiring, electrifying and hugely impactful on many return visitors, including me. In my opinion, EPCOT Center in its first decade represents the pinnacle of the art of theme parks. <br /><br /> When I draw an illustrative for EPCOT, I typically maintain a lot of the original park, i.e. with Horizons, CommuniCore and World of Motion intact, because if it ain't broke... But in this case, I'll be looking at how EPCOT might have been revamped/refreshed beginning circa its 25th Anniversary to return to something closer its original spirit, instead of taking the opposite path and devolving into a less-beautiful, less-sophisticated, less-cohesive, less-unique and less-timeless IP park.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2kHbBwWAeu5mL-5QZnzpvpQZjrI3SL9-3a1z8ZjQutZ66dMxnhdOpbhyJg40S-0W_mVHzK0WPFmX2PxyhtY2hOSGBn8kRGpeUeAoFDITKtWnpi_mww0gPin5P-1WFmCZP3Z-eIYD2L0CKbKX4XAb7SsJXp0b_nHYBqkCv20MUA0WxeiHb9TrSlRXGQ/s1440/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%202025%20E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2kHbBwWAeu5mL-5QZnzpvpQZjrI3SL9-3a1z8ZjQutZ66dMxnhdOpbhyJg40S-0W_mVHzK0WPFmX2PxyhtY2hOSGBn8kRGpeUeAoFDITKtWnpi_mww0gPin5P-1WFmCZP3Z-eIYD2L0CKbKX4XAb7SsJXp0b_nHYBqkCv20MUA0WxeiHb9TrSlRXGQ/w516-h640/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%202025%20E.png" width="516" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ENTRANCE & SPINE</b><br /><br /> Here I've changed the entrance and spine of the park, though it would still maintain the established "Future World Style". Not really necessary, but something to differentiate this version from what was there for the first 25 years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span> Of course the legendary Norm Inouye iconography and font return throughout Future World. The entrance plaza features "disc fountains" of the pavilions' symbols. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Spaceship Earth drops the horrible Seimens descent jibjab video and reverts to the scenic Jeremy Irons descent or something new and worthy of this great attraction. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEt9TPkVBBlzQTONK3XZaItMoiPYqFOhlepPiDmeT2b3xSXP8UXNm82fpNHscHyVDFJza1TqzGEnI0oc6WpHSilxoz2690wbrZ75Eu_wBFRglgcETRReL4Z2dnwevNLonmOI_xaXOwy9_NOoZqNcuNKdbXt4HcKt7ZUHgXwQv4_yY-nicw3PMJDnGxA/s2120/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20SpacehipEarth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEt9TPkVBBlzQTONK3XZaItMoiPYqFOhlepPiDmeT2b3xSXP8UXNm82fpNHscHyVDFJza1TqzGEnI0oc6WpHSilxoz2690wbrZ75Eu_wBFRglgcETRReL4Z2dnwevNLonmOI_xaXOwy9_NOoZqNcuNKdbXt4HcKt7ZUHgXwQv4_yY-nicw3PMJDnGxA/w321-h400/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20SpacehipEarth.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /> CommuniCore is a new, smaller version of the original hub, opening more space for landscape, vistas and fountain shows. Its dining and retail venues would reflect the two halves of Future World, FW West with its Life-based pavilions/organic paths & FW East with its Tech-based pavilions and more geometric paths.<br /><br /> The monorail has a switch and spur track, so some trains can bypass this park on their way to other destinations at WDW.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>HORIZONS</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPJGPjd-zPFqS1YtCig1ZNZcbETNXJIO1A_0PqzVrb10uVNXyZR2uC-eNpXn1EvY0XfBtGVSy83cRfcoo6qckQrIhczRmlZbnfPiFepfCzKaqereoJTERRE-oGEaBMpFycK3NM4nPpnot7GIwnSATLnzHNBELsZ2lPMY8CxAtnGNTe66AtMW6sTDtRA/s2168/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Horizons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="2168" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPJGPjd-zPFqS1YtCig1ZNZcbETNXJIO1A_0PqzVrb10uVNXyZR2uC-eNpXn1EvY0XfBtGVSy83cRfcoo6qckQrIhczRmlZbnfPiFepfCzKaqereoJTERRE-oGEaBMpFycK3NM4nPpnot7GIwnSATLnzHNBELsZ2lPMY8CxAtnGNTe66AtMW6sTDtRA/w400-h279/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Horizons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> This attraction, my all-time favorite ride, rises from the ashes in a new body (former Universe of Energy building). It has the same spirit, style, narration, music & scene progression as the original, taking advantage of some tech advances for the Choose Your Adventure ending.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>VOYAGES IN SPACE</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-foBW7FUlNainn7RFPfN7svmIBTRbYkKxFxY6429YfCIp6Ozc60raI8lVOOcYbBLyMueI4DGNf9iqjmPzoZqZiHcCKq85Rmhj2t_j9uQUzaS7AldZ08lAY9RZkOqPJl4uC9VQgegJbGQa9GUUx3e0V0NHDmO1wfGYw4KwtoMmLEtjWYZC2e7_b-SWQ/s2336/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Voyages%20in%20Space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="2336" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-foBW7FUlNainn7RFPfN7svmIBTRbYkKxFxY6429YfCIp6Ozc60raI8lVOOcYbBLyMueI4DGNf9iqjmPzoZqZiHcCKq85Rmhj2t_j9uQUzaS7AldZ08lAY9RZkOqPJl4uC9VQgegJbGQa9GUUx3e0V0NHDmO1wfGYw4KwtoMmLEtjWYZC2e7_b-SWQ/w400-h280/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Voyages%20in%20Space.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /> </b> Combining the Mission:Space and Wonders of Life buildings, this attraction begins with a flight to a future Martian colony (Mission:Space revamped). Once guests "land" on Mars, they egress down a long hallway with glass viewing portals showing the landscape of the Red Planet, until the arrive at the domed Mars Base (the old WoL central area). This area has interactive science exhibits, a restaurant, and two attractions - a SFX theater on subjects such as the Big Bang or Terra-forming and a re-tooling of Body Wars for a more science-based exploration adventure, maybe using wormholes. </span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> In order to "return to Earth" (and for those that don't want to experience the red or green centrifuge ride, a Tele-Transporter Lab could be used in a similar manner to the Hydrolators at Living Seas).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>WORLD OF MOTION</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrXRiuP6pAVTkGwWMe_g-DLy4D2w7AMFJVVAEGWsIef2nlACh1qs7FgOiQuZApLWUlSuN470kcQfeHbD1uB7Z6RaNRpK6VI6kGXQRnEpfkA7nQ9byA2flBZweMbX86OP-yEPLonYxcuRXxXO-Ye9Cat9vqWFzzJUqhQGGQB0w3B02a11eesZaf69mw/s1952/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20World%20of%20Motion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1952" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrXRiuP6pAVTkGwWMe_g-DLy4D2w7AMFJVVAEGWsIef2nlACh1qs7FgOiQuZApLWUlSuN470kcQfeHbD1uB7Z6RaNRpK6VI6kGXQRnEpfkA7nQ9byA2flBZweMbX86OP-yEPLonYxcuRXxXO-Ye9Cat9vqWFzzJUqhQGGQB0w3B02a11eesZaf69mw/w400-h270/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20World%20of%20Motion.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> In this pavilion I envisioned combining the humorous vignette and scenic elements of the Marc Davis, Ward Kimball, Claude Coats original with the heart-pumping finale of TestTrack. The clean-lined, futuristic ride vehicles would go through the original "Fun to be Free" scenes at a leisurely pace, including the initial spiral over the entry-way. Where the speed rooms started in the original WoM, the music and tone would change as vehicles take off into the future, following the now enclosed track (no more backstage views) out of the original building for high speed, banked whirl around a vast, detailed and animated "CentreCore" diorama of a future city before returning to encircle the original building. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Aquatopia, replacing the Odyssey Restaurant, falls under the World of Motion umbrella.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9cM8kVWrYNRijZ0wls2FFQ0OMiHXCbo3R60sj0KP76NWsVCGy8MvI5kG8h7CUvc1sO58nZqYOFXK97oW4L27HdYnmc7hV2BWO1KJrpdH33KCeTemEsLGFuEdcyVQed53H3roNRRx-8QgvBBjJYe7s8MTLNe7nXdfHEjhG5Mde6P3blvd20V8BmdjBw/s2423/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20IMagination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2423" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9cM8kVWrYNRijZ0wls2FFQ0OMiHXCbo3R60sj0KP76NWsVCGy8MvI5kG8h7CUvc1sO58nZqYOFXK97oW4L27HdYnmc7hV2BWO1KJrpdH33KCeTemEsLGFuEdcyVQed53H3roNRRx-8QgvBBjJYe7s8MTLNe7nXdfHEjhG5Mde6P3blvd20V8BmdjBw/w400-h253/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20IMagination.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The pavilion here reverts to its original color scheme (see above). There's something new for the 3-D Theater. The spirit of the original ride (music, characters, general expression of concepts, such as the Dreamport, flying machine, genres of literature, theater, film, etc.) return in a more advanced form. I feel like an LPS system might be a good fit for an imagination-based ride, replacing the original system and adding some diversity to the park's ride types. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>THE LAND</b><br /> The Soarin' ride system remains, but no longer has the 'airport' theme and current ride film (world wonders) that has little connection to the Pavilion's purpose (Agriculture and Environment). Instead, the queue and preshow would be a biogeopgraphic research base that introduces riders to earth's terrestrial ecoregions or biomes (e.g., Boreal Forest, Tropical Savanna, Desert, Temperate Forest, Tundra, Temperate Grasslands, Tropical Forest, etc.), and the Soarin' ride experience would be an aerial survey of these various landscapes in their unspoiled state, using a slot-machine system for ride variability.<br /><br /> Replacing the Awesome Earth </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">theater </span> (we get much better specials on TV with David Attenborough) would be an attraction in the vein of The Land's historic animatronic musical comedy shows on nutrition.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>THE LIVING SEAS</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HpT5Il9D_Y_hJScsE7jAYlC6KtlPqsNLeeATNw_zeK8debNQTQt85ZJ5Cl5LbMxvM4lFfHJciBFJhBwJZpAPrLK-RpblMnbPDqttawAC3PgmkD_2iP_dnubpcp2tYiURU-Su1TWiuRMLrzZ1jfNrEDzOlhuFW2Z02Nmsunvjt8QuOMXNTXr48lzhyQ/s2336/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Living%20Seas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2336" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HpT5Il9D_Y_hJScsE7jAYlC6KtlPqsNLeeATNw_zeK8debNQTQt85ZJ5Cl5LbMxvM4lFfHJciBFJhBwJZpAPrLK-RpblMnbPDqttawAC3PgmkD_2iP_dnubpcp2tYiURU-Su1TWiuRMLrzZ1jfNrEDzOlhuFW2Z02Nmsunvjt8QuOMXNTXr48lzhyQ/w400-h293/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Living%20Seas.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Here the pavilion doubles in size to provide multiple experiences: two entrances and two unique ways to reach SeaBase Alpha. The original method, with the brilliant 'The Seas' film and epic hydrolator reveal is back (never left in an ideal world). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The new section follows the original concept with Oceanus: a longer omnimover ride narrated by Poseidon. As seen in the model above, the track passes through numerous "dry" undersea scenes, providing a more stylized experience of environs like kelp forests and coral reefs, with some shocking encounters with predators (animatronic), before eventually visiting the future of undersea exploration as riders are deposited at the opposite side of SeaBase Alpha. Return-to-surface hydrolators maintain the undersea illusion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />***<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>WORLD SHOWCASE</b><br /><br /> In this plan, the ruinous IP-mandate dies: there are no movie-based attractions. No Aladdin meet & greet in Morrocco or Snow White in Germany. Not even character topiaries are present. There are other areas of WDW with an abundance of characters and film stuff. World Showcase was never better than when it felt different and pure. This park is about presenting a romantic, postcard picture of various countries, staffed by citizens of those countries, for genuine enrichment & cultural exchange and not about cross-promoting the Disney film library. The only character moments (that aren't EPCOT-originated) I would be okay with here are the occasional pop-ups of members of the base group, wearing representative dress, e.g. kilt-clad Goofy in Canada, kimono Minnie in Japan, etc.<br /><br /> The other aim is to have parity in terms of attractions among the countries: one country shouldn't get an E-ticket & theater while others have no attractions whatsoever. Each country needs a draw. And these experiences ought to vary in terms of type (e.g., one circlevision show for WS is enough). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> All the great "inbetween" things that have been lost to time return in this plan, such as the Omnibus and abundance of live acts, e.g., the World Showcase Players comedy troupe. <br /><br /> Finally, some may ask why I haven't filled in every planned plot in this idealized "build-out". Answer: I tend to prefer the wooded space breaking up most pavilions because it makes the cross-lagoon views better if the countries aren't squeezed up against each other. Also, I believe the pedestrian experience is enhanced when a small forested stretch is traversed to get to next country (Norway-China is currently the only area without this kind of planted transition).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9xMVusVwro8oTEm1kHEfzV2HUM-5mplkop3jtqRs7ADsK_js0GfwydncRIcHyo9flEx6GQuWWenWxNZPSqRQ7wmEfSaazncmfiHh6LeITeWtwYixX6b93SWr3roNCUM03EbZbavlxkRVG7r_ID6doHGtXQO4Oeja-dHHyW1EOboAN2VFARnwY_9uJg/s2048/34343433434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="2048" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9xMVusVwro8oTEm1kHEfzV2HUM-5mplkop3jtqRs7ADsK_js0GfwydncRIcHyo9flEx6GQuWWenWxNZPSqRQ7wmEfSaazncmfiHh6LeITeWtwYixX6b93SWr3roNCUM03EbZbavlxkRVG7r_ID6doHGtXQO4Oeja-dHHyW1EOboAN2VFARnwY_9uJg/w640-h237/34343433434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/crashmattb/13593663373/in/album-72157623982382117/</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>MEXICO</b><br /><br /> The changes include the return of the Cantina and a revamp of the El Rio del Tiempo ride. The film parts felt dated as long as I can remember... maybe replacing these film bits and switching out the Small World style dolls for Sinbad (TDS) style mini-animatronics would improve the ride. I'd also add a leopard to the jungle ruins scene as concept art once showed. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEkl7m7zgoBkoPOjcr4IAffBPT6YTLLKdZTb_Dn1SACmZIyh-_9XcWVZzarsz7T1W6j65TeQ7BGPYtM1DkRE-kY55MJrrnQfw_1OKeGDNirxQ7mDs6B6-SxH8YsaXiTl-8sfQXHZ6mIuxyh5nsyXMACfrh7AuwYAiGUkE4UBDlQ5ILc9E5u_mkgA_zA/s1906/Mexico%20Int.%20El%20Rio%202%20(1)Leopard%20Tom%20Gilleon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1906" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEkl7m7zgoBkoPOjcr4IAffBPT6YTLLKdZTb_Dn1SACmZIyh-_9XcWVZzarsz7T1W6j65TeQ7BGPYtM1DkRE-kY55MJrrnQfw_1OKeGDNirxQ7mDs6B6-SxH8YsaXiTl-8sfQXHZ6mIuxyh5nsyXMACfrh7AuwYAiGUkE4UBDlQ5ILc9E5u_mkgA_zA/w400-h241/Mexico%20Int.%20El%20Rio%202%20(1)Leopard%20Tom%20Gilleon.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br />NORWAY</b><br /><br /> No more princess dining at Akershus. To me, Maelstrom has always been a model D-ticket for World Showcase: atmospheric, great music & narration, nice FX & AAs, medium length, small thrill. Never intended to be a mind-blowing E-ticket, it was a fun, memorable experience that gave visitors a glimpse of Norwegian cultural touchstones. I'd be really satisfied if every country in WS had something simliar in scale & execution to Maelstrom. Here, Maelstrom returns, but in an ideal world, the attraction would be reworked so that the film plays every half hour on a loop in the queue and the post-ride theater space is re-worked into a better queue or an additional scene for the ride. It was always awkard to rush out - or watch others rush out - of the theater after the ride instead of sitting for the film. <br /><br /><br /><b>CHINA<br /></b><br /> Not much to change here... Did the seamless CircleVision that was announced ever happen?<br /><br /><br /><b>BRAZIL</b><br /><br /> Since Africa would get cultural representation in Animal Kingdom's Harambe, which, ideally, would be entirely staffed with International Program people, just like EPCOT, the space once slotted for it (and for Spain) goes to Brazil, the 12th country of World Showcase. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E9ttzdRDqQTiQBIJeVZT4JOlrNx7FlKRW22zTWgXFmf52dHjWVwKZ_c30HRRKeZtJACFnDnjnrmx-5ELKLPfZNIe6OT0Z5xCanYNZeI2TKK_y0MupEfYBKDghfXa916CejTUGJT33zJv5pu7JyBMAAqpgFyKeokp2KurD63EnQLNZdNCJ7bigxZKGg/s2624/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Brazil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="2624" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E9ttzdRDqQTiQBIJeVZT4JOlrNx7FlKRW22zTWgXFmf52dHjWVwKZ_c30HRRKeZtJACFnDnjnrmx-5ELKLPfZNIe6OT0Z5xCanYNZeI2TKK_y0MupEfYBKDghfXa916CejTUGJT33zJv5pu7JyBMAAqpgFyKeokp2KurD63EnQLNZdNCJ7bigxZKGg/w400-h184/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Brazil.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> In the fore of the pavilion is the colorful colonial townscape inspired by places like Ouro Preto or Salvador, dominated by a baroque church, which could house cultural exhibits. In the village is the main sit-down eatery, a Brazilian steakhouse. <br /><br /> The middle of the pavilion is occupied by a rainforest where guests board double decker riverboats for a tour of Brazil in something that might be like Jungle Cruise meets Storybookland Canal boats. Iguazu Falls is one of the sights on the voyage. At the rear of the pavilion the boats approach Brazil's most famous visual icon: the harbor of Rio de Janeiro with its Surgarloaf mountain, favellas and Cristo Redentor. Inside the showbuilding Carnivale could be underway as festive scenes from Copa Cabana and Ipanema unfold. <br /><br /> When viewed from a distance, the famous rounded peaks of Rio rise in the distance behind the treeline, for a sight worthy of the other World Showcase pavilions.<br /><br /> <br /><b>GERMANY</b><br /><br /> Germany finally gets its long-overdue water ride. Similar to the Rhine River Cruise, but the version I'm imagining here has a small backwards drop, and showcases the Fairlytale roots of Germany, possibly with comedic vignettes of the Grimm Brothers.<br /><br /><br /><b>ITALY</b><br /><br /> Ruins of Ancient Rome, dominated by the Coliseum, mark this country's attraction, which would be a special effects walkthrough (e.g. Tokyo's Castle Mystery Tour or the Shanghai Castle tour. Guests are separated into small guided tour groups and explore the ruins, as vignettes covering the history of the Roman Empire would come to life using projection mapping (e.g., Ruins-->Pristine) &/or AAs. As part of the tour would enter the dusty floor of the arena for a Gladiator's view.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXFt25XR-K71EAyXlzZeLAhWFN_tNhSPxu9W5EYOZwTqytycrvZnTOuAvy8LI-rxvasmVdyI4JYzrhkoAb2r6KOnVoH1YDggrrPIERXcGSgAOi0r9YaiOH-C-CQ2T9CKX3m9iC8FNu9S5JhKZVPI3aDgpnPlrOG_v36oDMilZ8FaEbvpedjeJeeFOUw/s2132/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Italy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="2132" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXFt25XR-K71EAyXlzZeLAhWFN_tNhSPxu9W5EYOZwTqytycrvZnTOuAvy8LI-rxvasmVdyI4JYzrhkoAb2r6KOnVoH1YDggrrPIERXcGSgAOi0r9YaiOH-C-CQ2T9CKX3m9iC8FNu9S5JhKZVPI3aDgpnPlrOG_v36oDMilZ8FaEbvpedjeJeeFOUw/w400-h393/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Italy.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> This buildout also sees the return of a personal favorite, the classic Ristorante Alfredo di Roma.<br /><br /><br /><b>THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE</b><br /><br /> Not much to change here. Cast costumes would revert to the traditional Independence Era.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>JAPAN</b><br /><br /> Like Germany, the alreaady-impressive castle would finally be filled with a ride, in this case a C/D-ticket omnimover in the classic Disney/EPCOT tradition that explores historic and modern Japan, as the art below shows.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvmNRjMMWz5Ost4G9VDlfHTF7rdX01c_S7b87z1m7wSGI43kM8Zq0rvsr3kdJW3AJ4RQwYDdOCesvAViiz5m1mSSJwPCfgw-tmEnjObfhjbS8acJb3nlDuZ-y62lBgp2bi-uw_i5bIPFavF7uYcBTsKZi9RrepyWQdMkRpGLS5mXSKUZJcWUw7GoOkA/s1195/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Japan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1027" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvmNRjMMWz5Ost4G9VDlfHTF7rdX01c_S7b87z1m7wSGI43kM8Zq0rvsr3kdJW3AJ4RQwYDdOCesvAViiz5m1mSSJwPCfgw-tmEnjObfhjbS8acJb3nlDuZ-y62lBgp2bi-uw_i5bIPFavF7uYcBTsKZi9RrepyWQdMkRpGLS5mXSKUZJcWUw7GoOkA/w344-h400/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20Japan.jpg" width="344" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>MOROCCO</b><br /> <br /> In this expanded pavilion, the winding city alleys culminate in a square where another minaret marks the entrance to a madcap darkride. I imagine this to be a stylized, Fantasyland type experience and and involve Morocco's connection with cats, similar to the trolls of Norwegian culture. These are the kinds of fun as well as enriching & authentic aspects that marked the original EPCOT & World Showcase, rather than "a recent Disney-Pixar Movie took place in or near this country."<br /><br /> Desert vegetation and a Bedouin camp mark another pathway to the rear of the pavilion. Desert mountain rockwork hides the showbuilding (and France's) from any potential cross-lagoon views. <br /><br /><br /><b>FRANCE</b><br /><br /> To supplement the Impressions de France film, this pavilion gets an original boat ride that could provide a more chilling experience through the catacombs of Paris, possibly interweaving elements from French literature in this tour of the city's famous catacombs and sewers (e.g., Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback, Les Miserables, etc.) or simply be an original or history-based adventure. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4cfeW7ihFa2QavvuNJi0E6CQihX0m4dYSpA5K_yDzyjLgQmcHeUSevF1Wai2bSF6Ae0k4BkEn-lmryctCe3yioGPadEqsOPbq_AK-bvqRba_9Qj0gvAoAk0iFhJUbDXwdrYJ0HKPaz94fN9a2Lioydv0GeiEqsDgnSswQmuOyPCZpS0vRgfx4ZLdZg/s2198/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20France.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="2198" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4cfeW7ihFa2QavvuNJi0E6CQihX0m4dYSpA5K_yDzyjLgQmcHeUSevF1Wai2bSF6Ae0k4BkEn-lmryctCe3yioGPadEqsOPbq_AK-bvqRba_9Qj0gvAoAk0iFhJUbDXwdrYJ0HKPaz94fN9a2Lioydv0GeiEqsDgnSswQmuOyPCZpS0vRgfx4ZLdZg/w400-h381/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20France.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The new Parisian street would be reached via a glass-roofed breezway where Les Halles is. The originally-envisioned Moulin Rouge windmill could serve as the ride's weenie.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /><b>UNITED KINGDOM</b><br /><br /> Great Britain gets a pair of attractions with the first being an Audio-Animatronic carousel theater based on the works of Charles Dickens, as hinted in the Art of WDW book. The theater here is housed in a building inspired by the Round Tower at Windsor Castle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L7jMDhIh34qS56mWgV4ylccTl93m0_Jt2ypi23a6-_ak88C9OnWTbdYdVp4ziE224SxcJDbcZ46vei0e6g72U-dOsvBaxrDtJHHQTqhUAf8L1r0C8qnNVmT6coh_BZsuQIIMOx2xKXnyC5YRy3wfSKpa_IuxghZ6_QwIdrejLbvuB_gWEeUqS_bniA/s2906/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20UK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="2906" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0L7jMDhIh34qS56mWgV4ylccTl93m0_Jt2ypi23a6-_ak88C9OnWTbdYdVp4ziE224SxcJDbcZ46vei0e6g72U-dOsvBaxrDtJHHQTqhUAf8L1r0C8qnNVmT6coh_BZsuQIIMOx2xKXnyC5YRy3wfSKpa_IuxghZ6_QwIdrejLbvuB_gWEeUqS_bniA/w400-h272/Blog%20-%20EPCOT%20UK.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The pavilion's ride would be housed in a Victorian Exposition Hall at the back of the land, as also shown in early artwork. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>CANADA</b><br /><br /> O Canada circlevision is replaced by a Klondike-themed mountain coaster for a rollicking ride through Canada's wilderness and mineral-layden caves.<br /><br /><br />*** <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br />The End<br /></span><br /><br /></p><p></p><p></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-76715992924887765022023-01-12T12:51:00.006-08:002023-02-10T11:23:58.332-08:00Universal Beijing - Reimagined<br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Universal Studios hasn't built an actual studios park since 1990 in Orlando. Their newer parks have a nominal Hollywood theme, typically in the Boulevard entrance and a movie-making show or feature, but are generally IP parks. This template is what we can expect to see from Disney & Universal for the foreseeable future. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> With similar Hollywood areas already existing in Osaka & Singapore, I've opted to do something different with this re-imagining. And with no Production & no Hollywood, I've dropped the Studios from name. The park here is called "Universal Beijing," and is a closer cousin to Islands of Adventure than to 1990s Universal Studios Florida. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVtBdvP2Yrb39XkHpCfGKsAznGYCou6QOIU6WyJBMm4c2E6QTN_73NktrYEO9EXkYsqpEZI4BY9mQZ9Qf-w9_g7HYff_Kxqn2PC6AUcUcd5RvzUik6U_vO_GDHV6-7p91lVmdPiED0Dx1zne4XtsIodq7mp0jxONG2ATP7klXvZ_h87jP1BHBMebkMw/s1240/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%205.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVtBdvP2Yrb39XkHpCfGKsAznGYCou6QOIU6WyJBMm4c2E6QTN_73NktrYEO9EXkYsqpEZI4BY9mQZ9Qf-w9_g7HYff_Kxqn2PC6AUcUcd5RvzUik6U_vO_GDHV6-7p91lVmdPiED0Dx1zne4XtsIodq7mp0jxONG2ATP7klXvZ_h87jP1BHBMebkMw/w474-h640/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%205.png" width="474" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">UNIVERSAL GRAND HOTEL</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn7GzywEChX8fRP0hLHje7eH58wxN4UJ6r5oyQ5UcGuMKF7t3w1-JcVukh3SW6w5fgXk6MBS6FACxr_hDd1BJ3yuRkWRfgCL0DT_k0JnY_k687g4nFW9rWAvphmTrdwgkCRV1aNQJbt3c9FJx79zncE70yQvV-sg4o6yyhOQ9xLRKvJ5-lN4hobMPIg/s1469/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20hotel%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1469" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn7GzywEChX8fRP0hLHje7eH58wxN4UJ6r5oyQ5UcGuMKF7t3w1-JcVukh3SW6w5fgXk6MBS6FACxr_hDd1BJ3yuRkWRfgCL0DT_k0JnY_k687g4nFW9rWAvphmTrdwgkCRV1aNQJbt3c9FJx79zncE70yQvV-sg4o6yyhOQ9xLRKvJ5-lN4hobMPIg/w400-h143/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20hotel%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> While the hotel is part of the jettisoned Hollywood theme, I've kept it in this Buildout because it's a solid overall design (especially compared to all the recent, abysmal-looking "themed hotels" by Disney & Universal, e.g. Riviera, Sapphire Falls, Fantasy Springs, etc.). <br /><br /> One aspect I would fix, not visible in this plan, is its window treatment. These latest hotels that are supposed to invoke traditional themes/styles (in this case Spanish Colonial Revival) typically use very modern, pane-less windows with no sashes and no muntins (which separate panes), as you might find at a suburban office park. This subverts the overall intent of the design (Classic Hollywood; historic) and lessens the beauty/interest/authenticity of the building:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxEDi3nNx0jztzbc0pUpEooSxFhAyo05tMy19v1bUYEpJx7AQsmkScX1B6Y3PKPVtNUjQf6IxWDLFjn2wehisiL14Fb42vih5InThelNlMDWhNULWRJMAeLNbDO4COnM8f79a4or9ftn2SXb3ztjWiBAWrh8qc2SWenFlVWCtGEx_wJQCSZxqhhGchA/s2459/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20hotel%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2459" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxEDi3nNx0jztzbc0pUpEooSxFhAyo05tMy19v1bUYEpJx7AQsmkScX1B6Y3PKPVtNUjQf6IxWDLFjn2wehisiL14Fb42vih5InThelNlMDWhNULWRJMAeLNbDO4COnM8f79a4or9ftn2SXb3ztjWiBAWrh8qc2SWenFlVWCtGEx_wJQCSZxqhhGchA/w400-h333/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20hotel%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br />PORT OF ENTRY </b><br /><br /> Disney has successfully built a few variations on the Main Street concept across its castle parks, and here I've opted for Universal Beijing to have its own unique variant on a Universal's best-park-opener, IoA's Port of Entry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0KfSoB5ycDSCh7tt73WJoODX63BJ_6WBAimUWF9YawLwYE2zzDhDO6mO7dzS8jn4KAmtgURrt-n1imgbufv9XVPLMbj1eFGn7IL46DCVzegMn4Xdm9uh5luIbWGQfCl4NbCJO4-Hpsr7SJ-WHB2p9PA_tp81F4KDnhzTba4Q1tbfwg5wStH-LDyR8A/s2294/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Entry%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="2294" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0KfSoB5ycDSCh7tt73WJoODX63BJ_6WBAimUWF9YawLwYE2zzDhDO6mO7dzS8jn4KAmtgURrt-n1imgbufv9XVPLMbj1eFGn7IL46DCVzegMn4Xdm9uh5luIbWGQfCl4NbCJO4-Hpsr7SJ-WHB2p9PA_tp81F4KDnhzTba4Q1tbfwg5wStH-LDyR8A/w400-h235/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Entry%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The "town square" equivalent here would have some Spanish/Caribbean influence as a transition from the Grand Hotel and an "Adventure Globe" fountain at its center. Typical things like Guest Services & the park's Emporium are in this area. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While Disney & Universal have a lamentable tendency to copy & paste their big-budget "Immersive lands", dropping them into different parks with few if any alterations (Star Wars, Potter, Nintendo, etc.). In this park, rather than directly clone lands from other parks, I explore the possibilities of taking the same theme and doing new & original things with it. Everything in this Port of Entry is unique from Orlando and customized for this park, though the idea is the same. <br /><br />A signature restaurant sits on the central lagoon, as does the stepped Fountain of Wonders and boat dock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><br />KUNG FU PANDA - LAND OF AWESOMENESS</b><br /><br /> In this concept plan, I've relocated the entire indoor Panda land to the seven o'clock position, giving it frontage on what you will find is a much larger central lagoon. The dramatic change to the land takes place before one goes indoors: what was/is a pretty visible warehouse (see below) is now completely disguised behind layers of mountain rockwork, waterfalls, trees and an undulating river valley dotted with Chinese architecture. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5I3DavVzgPxpHa6gTt3FKpmT6Gt6nutKjauKuNOiaqEPgjjGdOPNWmD2JpN1T5RseZ08xbvhuLfoOAHWc6mwketDmMARuRYzLK-HHs3et1fKrIi2mGr6V02NfAjDw9dfy5-gMebPpjttBgY9yQIazguvPFBi4vRz0kCfil6o7dqfbbwsH13fROfFQA/s1867/Blog%20uni%20beijing%20Panda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1867" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5I3DavVzgPxpHa6gTt3FKpmT6Gt6nutKjauKuNOiaqEPgjjGdOPNWmD2JpN1T5RseZ08xbvhuLfoOAHWc6mwketDmMARuRYzLK-HHs3et1fKrIi2mGr6V02NfAjDw9dfy5-gMebPpjttBgY9yQIazguvPFBi4vRz0kCfil6o7dqfbbwsH13fROfFQA/w400-h319/Blog%20uni%20beijing%20Panda.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /> I imagine the new outdoor coaster to have Chinese dragon (KungFu Panda 2) themed trains and be similar in scope to DLP's Casey Jr.. It is a terrain following track, mostly below main path level and has no lifthills (self-powered) to obstruct the mountain vista. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /><b>TRANSFORMERS METROBASE</b></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Both Pandaland and Metrobase are first-of-their-kind areas in a Universal park and are therefore the least altered in my idealized re-imagining. If the former is a cousin of TDS' Mermaid Lagoon, the latter is a proxy for Tomorrowland. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrWx7ZDz7W3BFUEPkIsmm1-uXKjpfDKNLAQsrpq2A3tcmfzux82bOsTbtWc09LGe0Qoxnc1v2VeZi1OPPgZrOEU9o7yjAwIS3qGd60-3kLreLqsyv4AVtGNUZi7oyrrivzs5AGO8BTi8jmg1xlnVO4bVoUZNnVeVsUaASUk9Y_ak_8QTX2j3kfflF0g/s3144/Blog%20uni%20beijing%20Transformers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="3144" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrWx7ZDz7W3BFUEPkIsmm1-uXKjpfDKNLAQsrpq2A3tcmfzux82bOsTbtWc09LGe0Qoxnc1v2VeZi1OPPgZrOEU9o7yjAwIS3qGd60-3kLreLqsyv4AVtGNUZi7oyrrivzs5AGO8BTi8jmg1xlnVO4bVoUZNnVeVsUaASUk9Y_ak_8QTX2j3kfflF0g/s320/Blog%20uni%20beijing%20Transformers.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The major change I've illustrated is taking the well-done and intriguing rockwork at the existing entry area and making it the dominant visual feature and connecting thread throughout the land and its structures. This would make the visitor feel more like they are in an environment on the planet Cybertron or one of its colonial outposts. I would also have the boilerplate Transformers scoop ride individualized for this park, maybe reflecting that it is no longer Earth-based. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>JURASSIC WORLD </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Across the wide lagoon, the park's landmark volcano rises above the park - a much larger edifice than the existing mountain, larger than TDS' Mount Prometheus. And like Prometheus, hidden within it are several rides on multiple levels as well as guest passageway connecting to two sides of the land: west & east. My goal here was to remove the big-lightly-themed-box factor that pervades the extant land (and park), but to keep some of its original features. You still have the land's thrill ride, Jurassic World Adventure, entered through the Visitor Center, but here the showbuilding is invisible behind the mountain. Like magic, a key to great theme parks is to keep the eye/mind in the dark about the Where & the How.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXHMEvfp2UAQG5k26BoumHYmHB_Pc2Yh87Hk_Y_WcGE56HQAfCOgU_2XN26shJM4FU7vD60ULvEWQPFHONEpdGPAHdr6NxvU0S8nlZqplQ73BovTGRDMHLugv8sWibq6_LBmp8aeHfD4N1W019i1gd37_7pdtIw2Notzn3Ge4l1QR0TJQTyzvi6I8rQ/s2920/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Jurassic%20World.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="2920" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXHMEvfp2UAQG5k26BoumHYmHB_Pc2Yh87Hk_Y_WcGE56HQAfCOgU_2XN26shJM4FU7vD60ULvEWQPFHONEpdGPAHdr6NxvU0S8nlZqplQ73BovTGRDMHLugv8sWibq6_LBmp8aeHfD4N1W019i1gd37_7pdtIw2Notzn3Ge4l1QR0TJQTyzvi6I8rQ/w400-h183/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Jurassic%20World.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Masosaur lagoon is like Aninal Kingdom's river otter habitat on steroids: shadows projected on the water surface hint at the presence of the leviathan as you walk down the ramp into a cavern with subsurface glass "windows" to view the giant sea dino as it appears in & out of the murky lagoon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The extant park has a small, indoor play area, but here Camp Jurassic is taken out of the Aviary and given a much larger, leafier exploration area, similar to IOA, at the base of the volcano, featuring things like treehouses, rope bridges & amber caverns. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Inside the glass-domed Aviary one can view dino exhibits, grab a bite or queue for Pteradon Tours, which is a Soarin' like experience over the island's farthest reaches. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Another headline ride is the Gyrosphere Dino Safari that, like the movie, puts guests into glass vehicles for a screen-less tour of Jurassic World from the volcano's heights (switchback queue up the mountainside to the loading building) to the lagoon home of giant brachiosaurs - a zippy, closeup experience of life-like dinosaurs in their natural habitats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ILLUMINATION CITY</b><br /><br /> Replacing the existing Minions Land with its midway pier containing a spinner & kiddie coaster, this land is re-designed as a cheerful, quirky City environment and themed to all the Illumination properties that smoothly fit within this world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The Secret Life of Pets darkride is lifted from Universal Hollywood, as that one is the currently the only of its kind I don't mind cloning it once. On the other hand, Minion Mayhem has been built in the majority of Uni parks, so I've opted for an original, screen-less Despicable Me attraction, a shooter darkride in the vein of Monsters Ride & Go Seek. The exterior is themed to the Villains Lair, based on the reverse pyramid design that is actually used in a Uni Bejing dining venue (see below). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5usU_YYmuSuvdw-LqOwuXPIGtl4ERraGSru3sqHfl_AmVNVfHTKW9wKPuk18OxHSVwxQjwtn9hkw0Wo-QGtII8kZ3MvArXTEjvP5L8Tw2afyU-sYK8R4nnrNNHxrg8tOGVe0u8ey66vn1Sj60fdHqaag4vg5iYWI8-A4WlUwQT6JUt2eNRRV5oVupBg/s1636/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Illumination%20City.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1636" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5usU_YYmuSuvdw-LqOwuXPIGtl4ERraGSru3sqHfl_AmVNVfHTKW9wKPuk18OxHSVwxQjwtn9hkw0Wo-QGtII8kZ3MvArXTEjvP5L8Tw2afyU-sYK8R4nnrNNHxrg8tOGVe0u8ey66vn1Sj60fdHqaag4vg5iYWI8-A4WlUwQT6JUt2eNRRV5oVupBg/w400-h272/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Beijing%20Illumination%20City.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The large theater could be 3-D or live (or both) and a natural first run would be based on the Sing films. The Dumbo ride would feature characters from multiple Illumination franchises. The lagoon-front dining venue is desert-based and themed to a giant gumball machine. There is also a city park with a bandstand and accessible lawn.<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">EXPANSION PLOT</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As with the actual park, I've left a sizable plot for a future seventh land. I added a temporary Preview Center in this area, featuring art & models of potential coming attractions. I always loved these future-is-bright-and-hopeful types of exhibits that one would find at the Blue Sky Cellar, Disney Gallery, Walt Disney Story or Universal Studios (previewing IOA).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> One of the disappointing aspects of this current era of theme parks is the direct copy&pasting of some of the popular new lands at Universal & Disney parks around the world, as opposed to taking a unique approach to the same theme (e.g. Adventureland Anaheim vs. Paris). WW-Hogsmeade has been cloned 4 times, each time failing to address its biggest fault - the massively-visible, unthemed show-building of Forbidden Journey - a problem which was exacerbated in Beijing despite having plenty of real estate. So here I had fun imagining & drawing a Wizarding World that fixes both of these issues (over-cloned, visible showbuilding), while retaining the style (i.e., Stuart Craig's production design) of the template land.<br /><br /> The cliff-topping Hogwarts School dominates everything, so we'll start there. In my version of the land, Hogwarts is much larger, both in scale and completeness. It needs to be, because "within" the School are not one, but three major features. The first is the land's E-ticket family ride, which I imagined as an elaborately-themed omnimover in the tradition of the evergreen classic Haunted Mansion. A narrated, atmospheric tour, with small buggies (2-4 passengers) passing by the various classrooms, chambers & characters of Hogwarts, complete with an array of time-tested and new special effects (e.g. Pepper's Ghost effect for the castle ghosts, AAs for Felch & his cat, etc.), would be the most engaging way to experience this world. There could be various seasonal overlays as well. For me, Forbidden Journey was jarring in its screen-to-set transitions and too chaotic to take in, so this would be a refreshing new approach: a ride so filled with details and set decoration that new discoveries would be made on repeated rides.<br /><br /> The 2nd feature inside the school is the Great Hall, which replicates the famous room from the films as a signature entertainment dining venue (e.g., announcements by professors (actors), broom or owl fly-bys, and other things happening on the dais intermittently. The 3rd Hogwarts feature is an indoor stunt show similar in scale to the Pirates show at Shanghai Disneyland. This could center around the Tri-Wizard Tournament as the queue begins in the hedge maze before entering the castle's Grand Auditorium. Since Waterworld is gone from this park, this stunt show helps fill that category.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMBxYADUdPOagLbJ_WKP994OPaRVMjScCkhKCe0o7HIjMCUyH15p6Z6dMwPqCeq1hnCHYKvFQGwQnztfpD7PgIV5MhlrXQfCoVIPXyBuWPNmPBAlNBBe71INJ9RP3N6rmsVVeNLXB1foe5CpVRAR9Rrp_9_eTPCLK2i7z9T3tZSdrGxAgz0GAelqlUg/s2324/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Potter%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2324" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMBxYADUdPOagLbJ_WKP994OPaRVMjScCkhKCe0o7HIjMCUyH15p6Z6dMwPqCeq1hnCHYKvFQGwQnztfpD7PgIV5MhlrXQfCoVIPXyBuWPNmPBAlNBBe71INJ9RP3N6rmsVVeNLXB1foe5CpVRAR9Rrp_9_eTPCLK2i7z9T3tZSdrGxAgz0GAelqlUg/w400-h256/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Potter%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Approaching the land from the south, the vista would be awe-inspiring, with the impressively-massive Hogwarts rising in the distance across the Lagoon and above the village roofs (no visible showbuildings in this plan). The winding lakeside path would be used for viewing the popular night-time Hogwarts projection shows or relaxing during the day. One enters Hogsmeade Village, which is in the same style as the others but unique in its layout. The Hogs Head Tavern and Three Broomsticks are now separate venues on opposite ends of the land. <br /><br /> Down a street to the right is the train station, where the Hogwarts Express simulator awaits, inspired by the CircleVision bullet train concept once rumored for the Japan pavilion at EPCOT Center. Instead of the train windows being screens as in Orlando, here the they are glass and train enters a tunnel to the theater where the action & scenery play out on a seemless360 screen. If a second gate in Beijing gets Diagon Alley, this area could eventually be converted to the Orlando-style park-to-park attraction.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1PprVxtrIyImoFQzXN9dm03oznZNyzl3BjL-danBVqzJF7dE1gavdQoBD-5CxUfgv8MmYc6gxY3Iwsk3OColegUnxWUOLbIcdut15iKGp4zMbcSqWpZkMGNzNpPob4aQcv4BHr6nRAzGaq0v8pLewfjjOp8Gprqan8Cl0dR9yobHXRHA942rRe-C-g/s2208/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Potter%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="2208" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1PprVxtrIyImoFQzXN9dm03oznZNyzl3BjL-danBVqzJF7dE1gavdQoBD-5CxUfgv8MmYc6gxY3Iwsk3OColegUnxWUOLbIcdut15iKGp4zMbcSqWpZkMGNzNpPob4aQcv4BHr6nRAzGaq0v8pLewfjjOp8Gprqan8Cl0dR9yobHXRHA942rRe-C-g/w400-h340/Blog%20-%20Uni%20Potter%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Replacing the Flight of Hippogriff coaster at the center of the land is a heavily-themed Huss Troika II or Tristar ride: The Whomping Willow, which strikes me as the perfect system for this type of "Disneyfied" midway ride where disguised mechanical tree "limbs" fling ride vehicles about. <br /><br /> The only major attraction in this land that can be found at any other park (only one other) is the Hagrid's Magical Motorbike Adventure coaster, though this version is a somewhat plussed/lengthened version of it. The drop building is themed as additional moss-covered abbey ruins, rather than the painted-on trees of Orlando, and there is an added show sequence that enters a Hungarian Horntail's cave.<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I design, plan and experience parks under one principle: The Park is the E-ticket. For me, the attractions are only half of the appeal of any great theme park. Soaking in the atmosphere, exploring the side pathways, discovering hidden nooks, enjoying grand & artfully-arranged wide vistas and endless minute details, all the while being inspired, imaginatively and intellectually - that is the other half. Only a small handful of theme parks have ever achieved greatness and this has been my exercise in bringing the latest Universal park concept into that league.<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">THE END<br /><br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-39918006867312119692022-03-19T14:47:00.014-07:002022-05-14T10:57:59.694-07:00WILD ANIMAL KINGDOM - PARIS<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> This is another exploration of "what could have been" for the 2nd Gate plot at Disneyland Paris. This plan has the park stretching out to the circular perimeter road, even though a significant part of the plot has in actuality been given over to the Val d'Europe suburban development project. I also wanted to switch up from the current trend of 'random IP-lands plopped together park' and create a unique variation of WDW's Animal Kingdom, with its more focused overarching theme.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgm4Oavj6XQlRgPyaOnAZaL3EA1IIrLFWnDSw97JnEjlwAxFcXumrEt5mslOyySHHuFcxs6w912wzTNAZJLoEP6sNzqi_jo5BL04RvCqAbpzgxPYaUwlbCJAYcQuLItx4Ivy27yQmXBW3dEF11k2FRDd0QPZVZu-upv0WU2Sgl5L8UZSdeswcwDeZ6Q/s1394/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%206.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1394" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgm4Oavj6XQlRgPyaOnAZaL3EA1IIrLFWnDSw97JnEjlwAxFcXumrEt5mslOyySHHuFcxs6w912wzTNAZJLoEP6sNzqi_jo5BL04RvCqAbpzgxPYaUwlbCJAYcQuLItx4Ivy27yQmXBW3dEF11k2FRDd0QPZVZu-upv0WU2Sgl5L8UZSdeswcwDeZ6Q/w640-h426/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%206.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>PALACE OF THE WILD KINGDOM </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> It would have been ideal to have a landmark resort at the front of a 2nd gate that complimented the DLP Hotel in scale, height, execution, detail, luxuriousness, etc., but with a very different theme. Dreams & visions like this are necessary now more than ever, as we are currently in the Dark Age of themed hotels, with only a few decent among many pedestrian eyesores getting designed, approved and built across the world. Nothing remotely approaching stem-to-stern architectural quality & placemaking of a MiraCosta has gone up since 2001. While the DLP Hotel & MiraCosta are exemplars of themed hotel architecture - two of the very best ever built - the king is South Africa's Palace of the Lost City. The hotel I have envisioned at the front of this Wild Animal Kingdom park is influenced by it and by some art released by Legacy for an Asian park (see below), which in turn borrows from India's Laxmi Vilas Palace. The bespoke design would weave nature/animal motifs & statuary into everything, as the Palace of the Lost City does so brilliantly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7n7qxkrlHrEsyrxka1GCFm6q2o9eQAwnXTGuPJiEErYiugF1h_0HXy9X-tfRzueZsN_H0-qiqHJYjmEvjKhIMGtzR13wp4iP-pLBJahFhJcgTVpdRgWO6bTsxsQbzJHVdOKPzqO4DpwxQX5I2CsAofjzTW04IQNP88M_zv-ZuHGwyaX9MVbPqlY-QA=s2112" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7n7qxkrlHrEsyrxka1GCFm6q2o9eQAwnXTGuPJiEErYiugF1h_0HXy9X-tfRzueZsN_H0-qiqHJYjmEvjKhIMGtzR13wp4iP-pLBJahFhJcgTVpdRgWO6bTsxsQbzJHVdOKPzqO4DpwxQX5I2CsAofjzTW04IQNP88M_zv-ZuHGwyaX9MVbPqlY-QA=w348-h400" width="348" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> I am grateful that Legacy Entertainment released a lot of artwork by former WDI concept artists, including all-time greats like John Horny & Christopher Smith, for a proposed 'Forest Kingdom' park. That artwork inspired a few features of this conceptual plan, including the Court of the Titans (see below) on the park-side of the hotel. Rather than have a "wild" jungle Oasis with small animal exhibits as at Orlando's DAK, I imagined the approach to echo Disneyland Paris: centered on a monumental hotel with turnstiles on the ground level beneath the building. Guests emerge from the hotel into a wide circular courtyard surrounded by giant rockwork-animals, with the elephant fountain (see below) at the center. Other giant carvings I've included are a polar bear, lion, bison, walrus, condor & triceratops.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9TDjjCHOQWacBSTDNAtysBIkCKfW5KfP4Eit4x0vaVsbL1qTg9T1YH58NgDgoMAsOlFAJlSjF1vyRFNBZBtGymdyiF-O1wVSYPzCY2pcd7VzeCg0XUAaX5kASf0zW8Uht5gzeea-xVFs8gJAFnpmHVSA7JSQWmdoNp8i5a79S9xW4hV-ayBz4soE9Bw=s2124" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2124" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9TDjjCHOQWacBSTDNAtysBIkCKfW5KfP4Eit4x0vaVsbL1qTg9T1YH58NgDgoMAsOlFAJlSjF1vyRFNBZBtGymdyiF-O1wVSYPzCY2pcd7VzeCg0XUAaX5kASf0zW8Uht5gzeea-xVFs8gJAFnpmHVSA7JSQWmdoNp8i5a79S9xW4hV-ayBz4soE9Bw=w400-h253" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br /> An expansive, tiered viewing area for unique daytime & nighttime lagoon shows wends down to the water's edge. Here, the park would utilize a submerged high-powered water cannon platform, so that Bellagio/Burj Khalifa/World of Color-style dancing fountains, along with projections, lasers, floats, actors, etc. could be utilized to wow audiences with a Mythica-level daytime show and a jaw-dropping, IllumiNations-level go-home show.</span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>DINOLAND</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The approach to this land is marked by a unique version of the 'Oldengate Bridge' with its reconstructed Brachiosaurus-skeleton. The first attraction encountered is the Crocodilia Caverns, a live animal trail with an indoor cavern section. In the center of the eastern land is a hillock and terrain-following, swinging coaster modeled on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster: a different version of the originally-planned Excavator. Continuing this Active Dig Site theme is the Boneyard Jamboree: a re-theme of the Mater's Junkyard flatride from DCA. The general feel I imagined for these areas as well as the surrounding restaurants & shop sections is that of a 1930s-50s paleontology-find Boomtown with a Southwest or Australian outback-style, somewhat-ramshackle Research Station aesthetic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The backdrop of the eastern half of the land is a monumental rockwork facade in the shape of a herd of wooly mammoths. The plantings change to a more Boreal/Steppe environment. Inside the mammoth painted caverns, I imagine a classic Disney style family-ride: long, comedic, narrated, musical omnimover with Marc Davis-inspired scenes involving Pleistocene animals (e.g. sloths, glyptodonts, sabretooths) and their interaction with cavemen (as seen in the Davis art from the World's Fair, below). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj3Bh0tssiBS0Djdnj21_49W-ITwt85FLL_N50GlDJcZ38uKf4-2dVfawSAT2ThiVa4EHIXQ3m9btmlByyg8psaTQ2X1b9UiMKUHLB0I--u2waXIbUwa0zbsGRYG0-zkuFhECMrNyuM1oI3cqOqc8QmSe8APoW4nUSx8LFSQ_COPu4Hy_tOVOH09g0A/s2120/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Dinoland.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2120" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj3Bh0tssiBS0Djdnj21_49W-ITwt85FLL_N50GlDJcZ38uKf4-2dVfawSAT2ThiVa4EHIXQ3m9btmlByyg8psaTQ2X1b9UiMKUHLB0I--u2waXIbUwa0zbsGRYG0-zkuFhECMrNyuM1oI3cqOqc8QmSe8APoW4nUSx8LFSQ_COPu4Hy_tOVOH09g0A/w400-h286/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Dinoland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The western half of the land is dominated by another mountainous facade. It houses Dinoland's second E-ticket and the park's largest indoor ride: an elaborate river cruise into the Triassic era, with dozens of high-tech, life-like AA dinosaurs presented in both peaceful and frightening vignettes. The attraction has a distinctly more serious tone than the Mammoth ride, with minor visceral thrills in PotC-scale drops. A Shanghai Pirates-style, full motion boat could be a model ride system. Integrated into the attraction, with an elevated view of one of the largest, herbivore-filled show scenes, would be an "Observatory" - a slowly-rotating 360 degree restaurant. The last opening day attraction is the Tar Pits, a Boneyard-style explore zone. </span><br /> </p><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">SAFARI ISLAND</span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Just as the Castle parks have unique versions of the same concept (a fairytale castle) as their centerpiece, this land is a "different-but-the-same" take on DAK's Discovery Island. Both feature the park's Icon, shops & dining buildings in a Tropical/Animal Motif-style and a live animal trail that winds around the carved roots and beneath the boughs of its somewhat unique, great Tree of Life. I imagine a unique & non-IP Wonders of Nature-type show could go underneath the Tree, though a copy of Bugs makes sense too.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoa-svkjB_XsjW5l4xisU2748nFKb476LfFnk_gWoYzwplJLDFErb5dK-Elwj_IAhM8F6mRPNSMkaFKHZ5tJtj43JxW9IuGJ8UbrMQ8iO50b4v1AbaMa_EP9luv9OnkncMe8s1p83DBiLBofY3Up3tuqgMYa-e42j7ol436x0d34veCC2jCSfRwiVNw/s2134/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Safair%20Island.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="2134" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoa-svkjB_XsjW5l4xisU2748nFKb476LfFnk_gWoYzwplJLDFErb5dK-Elwj_IAhM8F6mRPNSMkaFKHZ5tJtj43JxW9IuGJ8UbrMQ8iO50b4v1AbaMa_EP9luv9OnkncMe8s1p83DBiLBofY3Up3tuqgMYa-e42j7ol436x0d34veCC2jCSfRwiVNw/w400-h176/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Safair%20Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Adding on to what can be found in Orlando, I placed a wild animal-themed (e.g. carousel in this area as well as the Theater-in-the-Wild, where musical shows, maybe based on Disney animal films that don't fit in the other lands, could be staged.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><b>BEASTLIE KINGDOMME </b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The approach to this land of fantasy animals combines the best of the DLP Chateau and Diagon Alley dragons: not only does the huge animatronic occasionally spew fire over the heads of guests, but it is fully "alive", not static. Its main movements would be kept to small twists of the head, eye movements, snorts, shake of tail and wings, as it casually observes the small humans below its rock. Intermittently, it would do something wild, such as spread its wings, roar, and/or spew fire in an arc over the pathway. Some backstory could connect it to its relative/rival under the DLP castle.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY5EIe32XDG2w8aG8OhlGOrYuK-eGk4N2BSXWzzKnTuKp4Bz4ymCf0nOkeb2eXhsQOAVMIkHtzl5CVcE2Zn_j0cIHUJpgP-P48AV2X3g122DpH-u8snqsBtRKssUr1bXPWG8v-eDton3C6gqAoHMr6Zf-OnEpddS0e0TLa0f2beyo8q1MWNIz7q0wAA/s2638/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20BK.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2638" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY5EIe32XDG2w8aG8OhlGOrYuK-eGk4N2BSXWzzKnTuKp4Bz4ymCf0nOkeb2eXhsQOAVMIkHtzl5CVcE2Zn_j0cIHUJpgP-P48AV2X3g122DpH-u8snqsBtRKssUr1bXPWG8v-eDton3C6gqAoHMr6Zf-OnEpddS0e0TLa0f2beyo8q1MWNIz7q0wAA/w400-h228/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20BK.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragron rock model by <a _ngcontent-xfp-c4="" href="https://www.artstation.com/michaelweisheim">Michael Weisheim Beresin</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /> The land's attractions would be associated with different geographies of Europe: England (Merlin's Menagerie, an LPS family darkride), Scotland (Loch Ness Landing restaurant, the only direct carryover from the Orlando proposal, with appearances by Nessie in the water), France (a glen featuring animatronic Unicorns and other fantasy creatures) & Germany (the Dragon-based wooden coaster that would feature an indoor "near-incineration" scene). The architecture of each area would be a fantasy-medieval take on each of these countries unique building styles. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Additional attractions include a Griffin-themed aerial carousel (Dumbo) and a MagiQuest-style interactive game through a forest of mythical animals.<br /><br /> </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"> ASIA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> This land, like the WDW original, features distinct geographic representations. The largest sub-area is India, with centerpiece swing spinner and a Jungle Book (animated) family musical boatride - one of the park's few IP-based attractions. An even larger complex of temples being reclaimed by nature houses an E-ticket inspired by Legacy's artwork (see below) for a flume that incorporates live tigers and other regional animal habitats (Splash Mountain meets Maharajah Jungle Trek). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMuzBPEg8hqovvPzen9NwvJ8s14LppgizuX9745KDUxHw4yUCBLLgG2iPvcYM4CJd2r-UdRWxfs7d2atb4ssEv4DKHJq4hIW3ndwRf7PTx1hFVbjHSQcFl1zHk8uMiqO5o4Z0ooKUErO8sfzLLuxDyQObVxH2SMkC0Bjuh14C6ipsntz8DQv384-X4g/s2276/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Asia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1658" data-original-width="2276" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMuzBPEg8hqovvPzen9NwvJ8s14LppgizuX9745KDUxHw4yUCBLLgG2iPvcYM4CJd2r-UdRWxfs7d2atb4ssEv4DKHJq4hIW3ndwRf7PTx1hFVbjHSQcFl1zHk8uMiqO5o4Z0ooKUErO8sfzLLuxDyQObVxH2SMkC0Bjuh14C6ipsntz8DQv384-X4g/w400-h291/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Asia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panda trail art by <a _ngcontent-ckr-c0="" href="https://www.artstation.com/seneniglesias">Senen Iglesias</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /> Adventuring guests are drawn to the deepest part of the park by its tallest weenie: Expedition Everest, one of the park's only near-clones from WDW, with a re-engineered, fully-functioning Yeti.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> Moving on from Nepal, the environment transitions to China, with a live animal trail featuring Giant Pandas, red pandas, snub-nosed monkeys, etc.<br /> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>AFRICA</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b> The visual landmark of this land - enhancing wide vistas from most areas - is a full-scale version of Pride Rock, behind which is a family dark ride based on the animated film. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The anchor attraction is a live-animal boat safari, akin to the Tiger River Run that was never built in Orlando, but here themed to East Africa. The key to the attraction is the wild, apparently-free-roaming, no-visible-manmade-barriers imagineering that made Kilimanjaro Safaris so unique and special in its early years. I also envisioned a semi-thrill finale, as KS had, which could involve a flash flood through a Hyena Cavern (Animatronics, in this sole case) and hot geysers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS60ns7TqVdmj2puGH_4xYiOECi30MVpuNftzC0G6hHaOg5FNhN7ndCtUGn6h8nO09IW-bXUlmPtqCL3eec_flTGxI1YJWrh6bzRldRbgyF1ybTQfnIodCA8jqX6GKillYWBsWgrdIB2EnljgQE7sh78WoiuJUP2bXjTAISnWXMDMHEKZjuonFahngQ/s2118/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Africa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="2118" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS60ns7TqVdmj2puGH_4xYiOECi30MVpuNftzC0G6hHaOg5FNhN7ndCtUGn6h8nO09IW-bXUlmPtqCL3eec_flTGxI1YJWrh6bzRldRbgyF1ybTQfnIodCA8jqX6GKillYWBsWgrdIB2EnljgQE7sh78WoiuJUP2bXjTAISnWXMDMHEKZjuonFahngQ/w400-h241/Blog%20-%20Paris%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Africa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorilla trail art by <a _ngcontent-ckr-c0="" href="https://www.artstation.com/seneniglesias">Senen Iglesias</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><br /> The carryover from WDW is a Gorilla Falls animal trail that features spindly rope bridges over the Maasai River that might give an acrophobe pause. There is an amphitheater for original, non-IP musical productions. An element from the aforementioned Legacy park that helped inspire this illustration is the Hippopotamus Lagoon restaurant (see art above).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>AERIAL OVERLAYS</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILBsHza0OyQ8OZvp1VhtVVxXsWI32_PI0vcgCmLhBtfJ5cGD0jfznNIhLSp3cFyEoaHs92yiRQP8Raos9MFwFRFTllrczElyWCYO72sn8nFo2s_1T-3UXFH7woShOEQQL77-enyo31fX_kKoxwTdPGj7XfbN_szr8l9DiAA9OfVp5Fkid3w-b09Qc_A/s2296/blog%20-%20DLP%20AK%20wide%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="2296" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILBsHza0OyQ8OZvp1VhtVVxXsWI32_PI0vcgCmLhBtfJ5cGD0jfznNIhLSp3cFyEoaHs92yiRQP8Raos9MFwFRFTllrczElyWCYO72sn8nFo2s_1T-3UXFH7woShOEQQL77-enyo31fX_kKoxwTdPGj7XfbN_szr8l9DiAA9OfVp5Fkid3w-b09Qc_A/w400-h393/blog%20-%20DLP%20AK%20wide%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current Expansion<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /> </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyVAGSn3JMNtFgxp-Q0fORzGarA-DqcSJcbHxjp_sp0TElUpKghowkbkZ0G51zdyFmR0OUcOhUxG5KkkyNc6P-IyrbTSFSX9azTVIQX-HeBGhVdURJ-s2yji3O4LxLOZCovdqcdBmzNflDAJD2Pp3m3MMGEHJN8UzuKACW-aUDdrnHpmhu2G09EW7wQ/s2296/blog%20-%20DLP%20AK%20wide%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="2296" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyVAGSn3JMNtFgxp-Q0fORzGarA-DqcSJcbHxjp_sp0TElUpKghowkbkZ0G51zdyFmR0OUcOhUxG5KkkyNc6P-IyrbTSFSX9azTVIQX-HeBGhVdURJ-s2yji3O4LxLOZCovdqcdBmzNflDAJD2Pp3m3MMGEHJN8UzuKACW-aUDdrnHpmhu2G09EW7wQ/w400-h393/blog%20-%20DLP%20AK%20wide%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Park<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>FUTURE DEVELOPMENT</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b> The future, seventh land could be any number of things: Pandora, Arctic, South America, Oceans (I feel that Rivers of the Far West and the Grand Canyon Diorama in DLP give a representation of North America), or something not yet proffered up. I may return to it some day.<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The End.</span><br /><br /></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-39344811603268231962022-01-10T14:18:00.007-08:002022-03-19T14:32:20.994-07:00EPIC UNIVERSE<p><span style="font-family: arial;">An end to America's decades-long new (Tier I) park drought is on the horizon.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizoGt7g5gJ6mlk2CDnsNDAfJKFgp-vwkD1JaXvNfDsfGuKhoKpTj7cljlBtWzBKmY66Z4-axT9odCUI8OEOIEQJM3Tu79KVS1luPZ5ubXFUPggLDb4JB9qTPn4PoGJbsg3V6gHZAbwuEoXx9mFvogg7GlkklZCmOBEC46wAIcCoyd9OykdaVF3PY-6gQ=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizoGt7g5gJ6mlk2CDnsNDAfJKFgp-vwkD1JaXvNfDsfGuKhoKpTj7cljlBtWzBKmY66Z4-axT9odCUI8OEOIEQJM3Tu79KVS1luPZ5ubXFUPggLDb4JB9qTPn4PoGJbsg3V6gHZAbwuEoXx9mFvogg7GlkklZCmOBEC46wAIcCoyd9OykdaVF3PY-6gQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />My drawing is an amalgamation of the artwork, plans & models that have surfaced on the internet, with some personal flourishes. The two major influences - the key artwork above and the Drainage Plan - differ somewhat, so I've had to select elements from each for this drawing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgaHeB4hRtt5PE_k_ntxnt8H0RXfY_LQZ3Qo0zpzf7ULSnv6ks2sLHDUHKOEMu_za5CQiAuQs-tsk7IHd99eCVtb1_17dcfy7LX_3CZ0ZsD3kmgH5oytH0QAddOlxwczepGFsnu2lOVIN-TzGEevtqYC9iALVy3RuiDeyva_q0YC0YcepZbW8K4ddI7A=s1325" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1325" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgaHeB4hRtt5PE_k_ntxnt8H0RXfY_LQZ3Qo0zpzf7ULSnv6ks2sLHDUHKOEMu_za5CQiAuQs-tsk7IHd99eCVtb1_17dcfy7LX_3CZ0ZsD3kmgH5oytH0QAddOlxwczepGFsnu2lOVIN-TzGEevtqYC9iALVy3RuiDeyva_q0YC0YcepZbW8K4ddI7A=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Feel free to comment any thoughts or corrections on what is what.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>CELESTIAL GARDENS</b><br /><br />The curvy pathways and water features that form the spine of the park seem to have a SciFi-Victorian (i.e., Discoveryland) style which looks appealing in the artwork. Here's hoping reality measures up to the feeling conjured by the art. Kudos to the designers for creating a unique path/park layout - it's something different than anything that has come before.<br /><br />The Helios Grand Hotel will dominate the park, so many of the important vistas will live or die on the hotel's design & execution. It would be great if Universal can buck the current trend and create an architecturally-great hotel building (last one was 2001's Mira Costa).<br /><br />Another cool aspect of the overall park is that there are plans for similarly-shaped-but-appropriately-themed "Spire-Portals" at the entrance of each land (all but the Wizarding World one are visible in the art). Each seems to have a silhouette echoing a castle:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipbJMvU89G9yiGgAO0hCt4VS6fiXnmWzblyokkrMbTp3-9n1M7_obQ8xz-WHKY_jMUu8N7RKM98pMpJqWt27cAyzAjBlmzU3Y6uIg3wGLcBi9oVAQbiJ9kRRp-H4nIbSTtFsRlvMOvjd01Om_VwrY-OltMGViF6lnQs92NaLhUmssFyoYA0k0SkTQ2dA=s1076" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1076" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipbJMvU89G9yiGgAO0hCt4VS6fiXnmWzblyokkrMbTp3-9n1M7_obQ8xz-WHKY_jMUu8N7RKM98pMpJqWt27cAyzAjBlmzU3Y6uIg3wGLcBi9oVAQbiJ9kRRp-H4nIbSTtFsRlvMOvjd01Om_VwrY-OltMGViF6lnQs92NaLhUmssFyoYA0k0SkTQ2dA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> WIZARDING WORLD - PARIS</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The art shows that the third Wizarding World in Orlando is planned to look like classic Paris. With London & New York already represented in the Universal Studios, it makes sense to tackle a 3rd Great City of the World in this park. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaoiZ9QoUzYpjDW3IKP8TRXeEmHaCB_GuUk0fpXrv9C9I2q8tOExO_ArPKZeNuw_9lXI6Ep896NfKZs-6L7kEP5uQBlSS7a9wBWMILyHQIJnG_NO2M5toMdUE5U0yrnCSxdvhDtoZ7x7UzBaqZRnrhGB6tsUCM4WCaMkOLWQ53Kh7HGu4Zpky-GS98Ow=s2240" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="2240" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaoiZ9QoUzYpjDW3IKP8TRXeEmHaCB_GuUk0fpXrv9C9I2q8tOExO_ArPKZeNuw_9lXI6Ep896NfKZs-6L7kEP5uQBlSS7a9wBWMILyHQIJnG_NO2M5toMdUE5U0yrnCSxdvhDtoZ7x7UzBaqZRnrhGB6tsUCM4WCaMkOLWQ53Kh7HGu4Zpky-GS98Ow=w400-h390" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> <br />Clearly, the original plan was based on the Fantastic Beasts series being a creative & commercial home-run. Since that hasn't been the case, will Universal cut bait on the Fantastic Beasts connection (as I wish Disney had done with the Abrams trilogy) or change the timeframe & locale of this wizarding world entirely? It already appears the rumored "Broomstick simulator" is in limbo.<br /><br />The key art reflects that the Paris of Grindelwald didn't feature much in the way of highly-stylized locales such as Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. I wonder if Universal Creative and WB Art Directors take it upon themselves to invent a slanting, "wizarded"-version of the streets of Paris?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>MONSTERLAND</b><br /><br />Over the years I've drawn a number of Classic Monster lands for various Uni illustrative plans, so I'm excited that one is finally coming to fruition. The artwork, plan and model found on the web show somewhat varying takes for this land. For this drawing I went with the enclosed theater in the south. I've seen a stunt show or a return of Graveyard Revue speculated. I was thinking a Biergarten-type entertainment/dining venue could be a part of the village. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwcvW7e3aio5X9-nXP4ryq58o3ryyE8X2nKanftQQPW8SrRK9FASe3oMgL9ASv9LEYTXxP_KwYO2jsinxtvruCm5K21NIMp7N-G7P-176hd1DqUcSQ9_wxmSkio96qiI9JRgnh4b-Mi9TkFhUH6loOBpEclGH9CzvtvGyEZlSSMOAvjRGWSLeQUqYww=s1862" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1862" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNwcvW7e3aio5X9-nXP4ryq58o3ryyE8X2nKanftQQPW8SrRK9FASe3oMgL9ASv9LEYTXxP_KwYO2jsinxtvruCm5K21NIMp7N-G7P-176hd1DqUcSQ9_wxmSkio96qiI9JRgnh4b-Mi9TkFhUH6loOBpEclGH9CzvtvGyEZlSSMOAvjRGWSLeQUqYww=w400-h205" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The art and model show the center of the land will have a Camp Jurassic/TSI style explore area, with rope bridges, caves and such.<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>NINTENDO WORLD</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The version of this area that I've drawn is a near clone of the Osaka park's land, slightly-reconfigured. There is a little more space to the land in Orlando which allowed me to add flourishes in the form of Bowser's Airship near his castle and a temple-themed light dining venue in Kong Country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7xYemuEDgp1kNJ4eO35-dJ5nYOeRzirtTRBPUMxhB56RhK-u3Z08wJBW031gnw_BYgNj6ESop9n_RbXXPYmaZwlKAhRCEn06_iYPJ6EWkB2jTiTfdIGK2En6yMUDFDGdB90r0nha9NjCJvhNG6HAsCZjpnAqOyRO48Tjfnatk1SXclVKEmZ-2AvnmQ=s2652" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="2652" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix7xYemuEDgp1kNJ4eO35-dJ5nYOeRzirtTRBPUMxhB56RhK-u3Z08wJBW031gnw_BYgNj6ESop9n_RbXXPYmaZwlKAhRCEn06_iYPJ6EWkB2jTiTfdIGK2En6yMUDFDGdB90r0nha9NjCJvhNG6HAsCZjpnAqOyRO48Tjfnatk1SXclVKEmZ-2AvnmQ=w400-h136" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Perplexingly, the key art shows a markedly different (City) theme to the area than Japan's Mushroom Kingdom. The key art & my plan also include a Spire Portal that is much more elaborate than the Osaka entrance. An artificial hillside conceals the showbuilding from the hub.<br /><br /><b></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> ISLE OF BERK<br /><br /></b>While the available art does not indicate the towering rock spires that the define the island in the movies, in this plan, upon emerging from the Portal into the land, you would to see the two carved statues on the water in the foreground framing the main spire on the far side, beyond the viking ships and village, as in the artwork below:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx6KE876YgW8TR6QYrm1nsqARr2M_agPyuMFKHpzIoyd1z7JPJ1LETC0qfhLD-GKhSY4nFmNZbTo9_kpkQky88Z6Ea2fhslfUf7L5NSFHzME2iW4rt0WYN_aSlExOFD5xi0r1HPAEbGvC042TS8uBERRNxHN0_Eqo5ojXBqJ7lzRTsrs2YGDBHoKmR0A=s2384" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="2384" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx6KE876YgW8TR6QYrm1nsqARr2M_agPyuMFKHpzIoyd1z7JPJ1LETC0qfhLD-GKhSY4nFmNZbTo9_kpkQky88Z6Ea2fhslfUf7L5NSFHzME2iW4rt0WYN_aSlExOFD5xi0r1HPAEbGvC042TS8uBERRNxHN0_Eqo5ojXBqJ7lzRTsrs2YGDBHoKmR0A=w400-h315" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><br />The building on which I've placed the main spire is a question mark. The footprint of the building and the existence of only one other eatery of any size near the Splash Battle would indicate that this facility has to be a major indoor dining venue, which is what I've labeled. However, there are rumors this is some kind of simulator ride, such as the vertical 4-bay simulator as seen in the above art. This might account for the small footprint and give a need for the tall rockwork spire I've included, but likely wishful thinking. <br /><br />The land has an assortment of other attractions: a skyfly, a splash battle, an explore zone, and a coaster. At the bottom of the land, I added as second landmark spire (and other smaller ones) atop the large theater building that supposedly will house a headliner show featuring giant puppet dragons & special FX. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>FUTURE DEVELOPMENT</b><br /><br />Rumors from site OrlandoParkStop suggest plans are already in flux from the original ones they first presented. So it will be interesting to revisit this drawing when construction is at a midpoint and the opening day menu is set in stone. Regarding my filling in the large expansion pads... that will be also be a future effort. Some vague IP lands have occurred to me (LotR, Zelda, Kung Fu Panda, etc.) and I have seen others' suggestions (Jurassic World, Classic Universal, Pokemon, Illumination, etc.). I encourage readers to imagine & draw their own expansions.<b><br /><br /></b></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p></p><br />SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-85531700964901064342021-05-29T12:51:00.007-07:002021-07-03T11:31:22.824-07:00Mega Kingdom<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoy imagining and drawing riffs on the Castle park template. And out of the scores of them I've drawn, this is one of the larger examples. The on-show park area of this park is larger than any of the existing castle parks at buildout. Here I've gathered Best Practice elements among the existing castle parks (e.g. Paris' hotel at the gate and indoor main street arcade; WDW's long-distance, lake-front approach and (former) rolling, river-encircled hub, etc.). This park's setting would be a large, idyllic resort property with plenty of water and natural acreage. A few parks and several unique resort hotels would be connected via monorails, boats and esplanade paths, as the plan shows:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNQQatCTMG3ir3VZpKTtWkRVqWaNAMkye3OubazH3Kwr5Fqamh8mVPToMFu9_3rgaudGzdY5qm_dG2yLdyh5yYxFQ9FZFeKJi7FwK3rQH4u8iUDwN7-K2ScdnUpSzs_ZfxdIw4UNoA0h5/s1387/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+9m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNQQatCTMG3ir3VZpKTtWkRVqWaNAMkye3OubazH3Kwr5Fqamh8mVPToMFu9_3rgaudGzdY5qm_dG2yLdyh5yYxFQ9FZFeKJi7FwK3rQH4u8iUDwN7-K2ScdnUpSzs_ZfxdIw4UNoA0h5/w580-h640/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+9m.png" width="580" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>OLMSTEAD PARK AND THE GRAND VICTORIAN</b><br />The Dan Goozee mural below inspired me to create a Frederick Law Olmstead-style park outside of the theme park. Like a Boston Common or Central Park, the very large park (only a portion is visible in this plan) would have picnic lawns, fountains, band shells, rowboat ponds, wildlife areas, etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOaVh7-me4GaILgEDWVXIQefd5GkH59Ysy62PSoXXxYf0d9ugE2ClADJAC6Tcnk-1Espmrur1m5HNeNTk5Ju-gXyZAB9_P58bbT8tA7h81oUaXERSt-vHcae3P3Kf6EqEJhEUW4xJL3ze/s1133/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1133" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOaVh7-me4GaILgEDWVXIQefd5GkH59Ysy62PSoXXxYf0d9ugE2ClADJAC6Tcnk-1Espmrur1m5HNeNTk5Ju-gXyZAB9_P58bbT8tA7h81oUaXERSt-vHcae3P3Kf6EqEJhEUW4xJL3ze/w400-h383/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Fantasia Gardens park and the hotel are heavily-inspired by Paris, though somewhat unique in layout and design. There is a Victorian monorail station & water ferry dock to match the hotel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>MAIN STREET USA</b><br />As noted, in this super-sized castle park, Main Street gets extended by an extra block added to the typical two. This extra space allowed me to explore some very cool early concepts for the land. I was inspired by the early Dale Hennesy & Harper Goff artwork for a suburban street with Victorian mansions, including one very spooky, dilapidated one... I also placed a church on this street - an essential element of any turn-of-the-century American townscape. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVzYB-Q_UjtMhhrybzLdxkhlF49H6O1x2u-9zmA_WW7EycoA1HkFmJ3YNQ_2n4n5fXWaSEyRMZza2gzkHTDzA1wCk8QNFXJH0UpfX_uDOI3UDizD3NLvp2qCiDrS218zrOuRZeEimi-pd/s2048/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+MSUSA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVzYB-Q_UjtMhhrybzLdxkhlF49H6O1x2u-9zmA_WW7EycoA1HkFmJ3YNQ_2n4n5fXWaSEyRMZza2gzkHTDzA1wCk8QNFXJH0UpfX_uDOI3UDizD3NLvp2qCiDrS218zrOuRZeEimi-pd/w400-h256/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+MSUSA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A large, non-haunted Victorian mansion houses "Walt's" the park's signature dining venue, which could be either a museum-like decor dedicated to Disney's life or follow a more fictionalized path, in which "Walt Disney" becomes a character and this his house of secrets, magic and wonders (a la Kingdom Keepers).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />As always, this Main Street features all the little non-commercial things that made it interesting and special to begin with (and that the Company has seen fit to do away with in favor of generic merch space). The west side houses a two story Grand Arcade with a glass & iron roof. It could feature some exhibits and nods to the original Edison Square concept. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ADVENTURELAND</b><br />Approaching from the Hub, the land is marked by Roaring Falls and the ropes course that goes with it. The land's entrance and center features the traditional exotic jungle and early 20th Century Pulp/Adventurer vibe. The center of the land is filled with scattered ruins of an ancient temple complex reclaimed by the rainforest. Around and through these ruins, an E-ticket terrain-following launch coaster traverses, mostly below path grade. The coaster would enter temples for certain show scenes or animal AA interactions before launching forward or falling backward (akin to HKDL's grizzly mountain). The land has a shooting gallery appropriate to the theme and an Explorers Club restaurant modeled on WDW's Adventurers Club interior decor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-2i3AZ4RiGZmiNyAPlp-Cmynenf9WlOee49MV60MYP085QhBkTasxnTkYMocK8AdR0dOO8a_dvVvpz-3ltYptjs6tB37g-IfUZ5C3eBTd2HWmVTALEIsc3R1VG4a-Akc_FA6J1wZ0-oy/s2048/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+ADVL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="2048" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-2i3AZ4RiGZmiNyAPlp-Cmynenf9WlOee49MV60MYP085QhBkTasxnTkYMocK8AdR0dOO8a_dvVvpz-3ltYptjs6tB37g-IfUZ5C3eBTd2HWmVTALEIsc3R1VG4a-Akc_FA6J1wZ0-oy/w400-h239/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+ADVL.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The land's 2nd distinct geographic area is an Arabian cityscape where Aladdin finally gets a long overdue darkride. The last geographic areas transitions away from the tropics and the desert to the location of a lost Byzantine city for a new version of the Indiana Jones Adventure EMV ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>LONDON SQUARE</b><br />For this park I took a different tack for the typical central castle and fantasyland. Rather than use the typical French/German-inspired chateau and fairytale area behind it, I decided to have the main castle modeled on Hampton Court Palace with its Tudor style, red brick and octagonal towers. It would still be theatricized somewhat for a theme park setting. Behind it is a dense, urban London square with a trio of darkrides set in the Edwardian Period: Mary Poppins (the unbuilt Tony Baxter ride), Peter Pan (tweaked & upgraded version of the classic) & Mr. Toad (the Magic Kingdom's extinct dual track version). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2FN7Gg5ZbAO4a2KQWKYGw7LXt2u9_zQLZAgHWXL1MUHfXOkWznBfB1CAn-Cf0hLaECH0DioBG0n7V59aUEt8itdJFFlbMhbSB4PEAR9W4qxWyfkKU4MojB72baB6W3WmP5vv3LWULvnQ/s1990/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+London+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1990" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2FN7Gg5ZbAO4a2KQWKYGw7LXt2u9_zQLZAgHWXL1MUHfXOkWznBfB1CAn-Cf0hLaECH0DioBG0n7V59aUEt8itdJFFlbMhbSB4PEAR9W4qxWyfkKU4MojB72baB6W3WmP5vv3LWULvnQ/w400-h127/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+London+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> There would be a Puppet or Pantomime Theater that could feature non-film-based comedic short plays. Dining and retail venues befit this London setting: a regal restaurant, a traditional public house, a Dalmatian furrier, etc...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>DISCOVERY BAY</b><br />This land is dedicated to Machine Age exploration & adventure and may be reached via the indoor Grand Arcade of Main Street. The first visual landmark would be a large, explorable Airship preparing for departure. The Lost World Dino Cruise has guests boarding tramp steamers for a voyage through a primeval jungle of giant animatronic beasts. Climactic and frightening SFX show scenes take place inside the smoking landmark volcano and caverns.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The next area is a romanticized version of Monterey's Cannery Row or the San Francisco industrial waterfront of the late 1800s. Here is a Fireworks Factory restaurant and an 'Around the World in 80 Days' suspended darkride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIWGcNXiViltIBXrCgwqZUUNr2bZlulA2Qi1h919VGcQ7mNzLbKqqj5WwRZ6pm6XFOTZWKyx5jIHwInwnMtFxWhqngVroeY0syyM4cz4rnm_E29nrvP8kaTLmcNtD-ht0ylcZOKdy1p_J/s2048/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Discovery+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIWGcNXiViltIBXrCgwqZUUNr2bZlulA2Qi1h919VGcQ7mNzLbKqqj5WwRZ6pm6XFOTZWKyx5jIHwInwnMtFxWhqngVroeY0syyM4cz4rnm_E29nrvP8kaTLmcNtD-ht0ylcZOKdy1p_J/w400-h259/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Discovery+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Deep in the land one arrives at Captain Nemo's Base, a sub-area featuring an explorable Nautilus submarine (as in DLP), a table service restaurant that takes place in a Victorian "undersea" aquarium, and a unique version of TDS's dry-for-wet ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>FANTASY FOREST</b><br /> Leaving the cityscape of London Square behind, one transitions to the village facades, green countryside and forest that makes up the 2nd half of what one could consider 'greater fantasyland'. Some of the attractions are familiar (e.g., SDMT, Labyrinth, teacups). Others offer a new ride system for an existing IP (e.g., a Frozen traditional darkride; a more elaborate LPS ride for Little Mermaid, as drawn by Helen McCarthy below). The music and characters of 'Robin Hood' are applied to the popular whip flatride. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj7AZetXOmjBDGJc3anQykEUlLAwzx240FlHwPs5Bhu20mXkCuoyanRcGUWuTHVgXSw5xEw1G5FCRmeO3F-BIz1BNpZE6K_qAKyrm_TPpwtoQom2R_D9Wck2ILIjTgq11mlFYAIsvNOom/s2048/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+FNT+FRST.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2048" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj7AZetXOmjBDGJc3anQykEUlLAwzx240FlHwPs5Bhu20mXkCuoyanRcGUWuTHVgXSw5xEw1G5FCRmeO3F-BIz1BNpZE6K_qAKyrm_TPpwtoQom2R_D9Wck2ILIjTgq11mlFYAIsvNOom/w400-h211/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+FNT+FRST.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The area's landmark E-ticket is a Splash Mountain-scale flume inspired by The Black Cauldron. The queue and pre-show (featuring an AA Henwen and Dallben) take place in the Caer Dallben farmstead. After experiencing numerous AA- and FX-laden showscenes and minor drops, the boats climb to the heights of the Horned King's castle for the final plummet. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Note that the towers and parapets of Horned King's castle align with the park's central axis, as does the lower-massed Tudor Court Palace. When viewed from Main Street or town square, this would play a trick on the eye of these two being a single tall, unusual, castle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>TOMORROWLAND<br /></b>This park’s version hearkens back to the original theme of the land: Real World, Optimistic, Techno-Futurism. No movie tie-ins, characters or alien creatures. Everything is grounded in a plausible future for mankind. The aesthetic is sleek, curvy & monumental. Space Mountain - of the same scale as Magic Kingdom’s but with updated fx, soundtrack, etc. - dominates the vista at the end of the land. Water features, flowerbeds and a hidden railroad tunnel front it. At the exit/entry areas there is a homage to the MK’s waterfall pylons. Nearby is the Peoplemover plinth, and above that on the 3rd level is a spire-centered version of the Jetpacks – feet would dangle much further off the ground level than in Shanghai.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5DCHzlVkefJTMT5pTlJPA9r2Vi2tfDFLELGYk3L3nzyqyWbR80l5OYSMJWbxtpQ27aa7q5AYPTbDwxDWkbddPxRbCRpiRMgFOZF2jjGJTahNyq17HygQzc9tZYrHzK6PC26QfY8UUXqy/s1858/Blog+-+Super+kingdom+TML.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1858" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5DCHzlVkefJTMT5pTlJPA9r2Vi2tfDFLELGYk3L3nzyqyWbR80l5OYSMJWbxtpQ27aa7q5AYPTbDwxDWkbddPxRbCRpiRMgFOZF2jjGJTahNyq17HygQzc9tZYrHzK6PC26QfY8UUXqy/w400-h175/Blog+-+Super+kingdom+TML.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Horizons was, to me, a lightning-in-the-bottle classic on the same level as Haunted Mansion and PotC and epitomized the spirit of Tomorrowland/Future World. Here it is re-born with upgrades (e.g., to film footage, simulator finale tech) but keeping the general experience intact. Other attractions could include an new take on the old Adventures thru Inner Space concept (maybe making it a nanotech shooter omnimover), a seamless CircleVision experience and an interactive walkthrough experience that would draw from CommuniCore, House of the Future, TransCenter, etc. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <br /><br />STAR WARS OUTPOST<br /></b>This is yet another unique planet and unique set of rides for a Star Wars land. This time the locale is Malastare Spaceport with a unique flora, flauna and geology marked by crystalline rockwork formations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I considered the idea of Star Tours being accessible from both Tomorrowland and the Outpost (queue/exit & 2-3 sims for each direction) with one-way flights ending up in the other locale. Sort of like the Hogwarts Express. There are story problems with this idea as Tomorrowland and Star Wars exist within very different universes, times & tones, so maybe-not. The layout allows for this idea, however.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRLgsSPnqNRIET-L07BXavgfjET3umiqpQUGlnbLQ5Ep_HikvnEfaHeSixReemonr6Ly2BtV4zrF_KTlc25buAPij6UBGXb4tIw1EZ_CsRmXTEMKpPUCD49PM3cQE8894XOjEh9Oj0fiq/s1290/Blog+-+Super+kingdom+SWL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1290" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRLgsSPnqNRIET-L07BXavgfjET3umiqpQUGlnbLQ5Ep_HikvnEfaHeSixReemonr6Ly2BtV4zrF_KTlc25buAPij6UBGXb4tIw1EZ_CsRmXTEMKpPUCD49PM3cQE8894XOjEh9Oj0fiq/w400-h261/Blog+-+Super+kingdom+SWL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The center of this land features a bazaar marketplace with numerous shops and quick service dining. A billowing crystal canopy partially covers it. One (of two) E tickets in the land is a Radiator Springs Racers-style ride where landspeeders or podracers experience indoor show-scenes (e.g., an AA Hutt Clan gangster and his protocol translator attempting pre-race bribery) before exploding into a high speed outdoor race to the finish line.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />A crashed Blockade Runner, approx full-scale, dominates one side of the land and marks – and serves as queue for – a major ride where visitors choose to be on the side of the Sith or the Jedi. Kuka vehicles, which seem ideal for getting thrown around by a force-weilding Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda or Emperor, take teams of Rebel or Imperial volunteers to face down their enemies.<b><br /></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>TREASURE COVE</b><br />My take on this tropical, coastal themed area was to divide the main draw – PotC - into both a kid-friendly, stylized (see art below), musical darkride (C/D-ticket) as well an epic E+ motion-based boat ride that would be more intense & feature more scare/jump-moments (e.g., a sudden shark attack that rocks the boat sideways) than a typical PotC attraction. Both rides would present a unique sequence of settings, characters & events, with some familiar elements as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne6QSbtX0Xs1qqthhJKXpYoy64TvLX8QdppbazrAuS1oworv2ZDtrjjq2xf2QwBiHv8Dcg1s7tcFZk-ZFJZoSEPS2fuvp6nFRyDlTCCPDhLnyMiTalT3IAK44JdIA8Btx8s3IonrzJFro/s2048/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Treasre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="2048" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne6QSbtX0Xs1qqthhJKXpYoy64TvLX8QdppbazrAuS1oworv2ZDtrjjq2xf2QwBiHv8Dcg1s7tcFZk-ZFJZoSEPS2fuvp6nFRyDlTCCPDhLnyMiTalT3IAK44JdIA8Btx8s3IonrzJFro/w400-h264/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Treasre.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The land has an indoor stunt theater and four explore zones: Swiss Family Treehouse, Skull Island, a pirate ship, and the ruins of a Mayan temple. The interactive map/treasure hunt game from MK’s Adventureland would make use of these areas (and other nooks of the land). Most lands in the park would benefit from a similar type of exploration/engagment feature.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>FRONTIERLAND</b><br />This supersized version of Frontierland combines some familiar elements with some never-built ride concepts. From the hub, guests enter a forest with an Indian camp before crossing a bridge into the explorable Fort Hancock. Beyond, there is an extensive townscape filled with lots of small, individual artisan shops and places to wet one’s whistle, as one might find in a Western town: a gun shop, leather shop, blacksmith, general store, woodworker, miracle medicines wagon, etc. There is a vaudeville theater and riverboat dock in town. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Outside of town is Canyon Country where one would find Lil’ Thunder Mountain kiddie coaster (see art below), the loading station to island-based Big Thunder and the massive Western River Expedition mesa. The queue to this PotC-like musical ride winds along the Riverside going behind waterfalls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWuLM90mpw5YoVQjIlfuXnjDHRivdO1MObphyphenhyphenKx7eP6DN3aZeJnQuJHyhFINHaOkFL0e8a3bmqdNmIdIFCKO-DL264uz8kcvwK6bSXlfK36bGe4cZwk54PvKTnWak_t369TTlcHSw_E68/s1267/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Frnt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1267" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWuLM90mpw5YoVQjIlfuXnjDHRivdO1MObphyphenhyphenKx7eP6DN3aZeJnQuJHyhFINHaOkFL0e8a3bmqdNmIdIFCKO-DL264uz8kcvwK6bSXlfK36bGe4cZwk54PvKTnWak_t369TTlcHSw_E68/w400-h238/Blog+-+Super+Kingdom+Frnt.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The area that transitions to Treasure Cove has a Spanish Southwest/Mexican influence. The rivers stay busy with two paddlewheelers (stern and side-wheeled), keelboats, rafts to Tom Sawyer Island and Davy Crockett Canoes accessible on the Island. The final ride brings back an old concept for Disneyland: a horse simulator (see art above). Real horses could make appearances in the corral outside the building. I imagine legendary characters of the Old West (Zorro, Tonto, Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, etc.) could make cameos in the simulated bounty hunt within mini dome simulators. The footage would be slot-machine style (like Star Tours 2), with many variations on the experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />This land (and all lands) could feature live streetmosphere situations – e.g., a bank robbery, a speech by a Railroad Baron, a stagecoach arrival, Zorro jumping from roof to roof, as used to happen in Disneyland, etc. <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p>***</p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br />SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-90856664972003045482021-05-01T11:17:00.004-07:002021-05-15T16:57:45.888-07:00 Fifth Gate - Mythica Revisited<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gJmPQ-KZkVMp23ym-Bl1ccuSLnOs5JGUvWSJcj7rp1xLcwZQ0prwpXhlL3hKuW7QRSMOXGtTFjObBqX0DnDeu3T1GuyChK-SO9t_AbwcuSNNRyU-CLxQR2O8jGWlawJwX5Waup5q9wjC/s1285/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+pt+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="909" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gJmPQ-KZkVMp23ym-Bl1ccuSLnOs5JGUvWSJcj7rp1xLcwZQ0prwpXhlL3hKuW7QRSMOXGtTFjObBqX0DnDeu3T1GuyChK-SO9t_AbwcuSNNRyU-CLxQR2O8jGWlawJwX5Waup5q9wjC/w452-h640/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+pt+3.png" width="452" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When imagining a fifth theme park, I typically use it as an occasion to address several problems that I see at WDW.<br /><br /><i>Problem 1: Overdevelopment of WDW & Orlando - Sprawl at the expense of greenspace.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span> </span></i>When you recall (or see photos/video of, particularly aerials) WDW and its immediate surroundings from the 1980s, un- or lightly-developed land stretched in every direction to the far horizon. This insulating factor was an absolute key to making the place feel like a world apart. For me, WDW began feeling overdeveloped when things like the sprawling Value Resorts, the Town of Celebration, Wide World of Sports, etc., came into being in the 1990s. That was decades ago. Since then, rampant, unchecked development inside and outside WDW has snowballed, most of it is very, very average American suburban sprawl. Today, most elevated vistas are filled with development, near & far. The famous Walt Disney quote about the "blessing of size" and a place "that can hold all the ideas & plans we can possibly imagine" is sadly no longer applicable.<br /> <br /> Because of this, most of the Fifth Gate park plans I've imagined and drawn for WDW replace an existing development, usually areas where unremarkable hotels stand. In these wishful-thinking scenarios, I like to incorporate properties not technically part of WDW but touching on the bubble: e.g the Bonnet Creek hotels; the Waldorf and its neighbor; the Grand Cypress golf club; Celebration; or in this case, the Official WDW Hotel Plaza and Hyatt Regency north of Disney Springs. <br /> <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Problem 2: Eyesore Hotel Buildings.</i><br /> <br /> Replacing a cacophony of 1970s hotel mid-rises with a forested greenbelt and the visual icons of a top tier theme park is a win-win. Idealbuildout parks are designed to inspire awe from both within and without the park - no un-themed backsides of mountain ranges or giant showbuildings would be overly-conspicuous, even from outside the parks. Beautiful & monumental 360-degree landmarks are the best kind of advertising billboards.<i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Problem 3: All parks trending towards IP. </i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span>The parks are on a steady path from Theme Parks to IP Parks, where guests experience a random assortment of popular films in person and ride the movies, without overall rhyme or reason. While not fully homogenized yet, they've been inching closer every year. WDW was never better than when each of its parks felt like a completely unique experience. In my opinion, the parks should take their original dedication statements to heart. <br /> <br /> This fifth gate bucks the trend by eschewing IP. The source material here is World Mythology that has already been adapted into countless films, but all the art direction and attraction/character design here would be originated for the park. New slants. That said, if one were inclined to have Disney IP, it is easy to imagine switching out attraction content throughout this park for its film-based interpretation.<i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Problem 4: Less focus on Edutainment - a staple of classic parks.</i><br /><br /> Going hand in hand with the above (no IP), a truly great theme park doesn't just entertain & divert, it illuminates and inspires. I think this fifth gate can garner its own unique identity by taking a different approach to edutainment than EPCOT does (did), focusing on experiencing Worldwide Myths & Legends firsthand. Via atmospheric rides & heart-pounding thrills, as well as walkthroughs and shows, the park's aim is to educate without the visitor even realizing it. Passive infotainment. This works via architecture (well-researched and executed recreations of historic buildings, though still romanticized and theatricized) and queue props, details & displays, pre-shows, pre-recorded spiels, etc. Nothing should feel like an academic lecture, but for those who want to look deeper, the details and story elements should stand up to scrutiny. Plenty of great attractions that most do not consider edutainment still contain aspects of history, culture and knowledge (thus providing illumination) in their execution and such would be the case here (things like Dinosaur, Tom Sawyer Island, Fortress Explorations, the new TDS Soarin' queue are a few examples).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>ANGLIA</b><br /><br /> The first land is based on myths & folklore from the British Isles and contains the most 'modern' areas of the park in terms of theme (19th century), as well as the new deluxe in-park hotel. It has three sub-areas. The entry area is a welcoming, charming English country town inspired by places like Chester, with its assorted old buildings, shopping, dining and services. The central landmark wonder of this sub-area is a hill inspired by Stonehenge. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY0NGD-za9kgJo01kcbxLoVpDzdyvvG-XfjxLgX6ebfnYAMaT_7FEAOkHmpo4RhAWgRwohv-mCYU_4pEttQddTkfT1PMsMPV2NKgwEOP4PRC4KbdcPBt_3v3OAH_W35CBf6vRiu-V961r/s2048/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Anglia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2048" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY0NGD-za9kgJo01kcbxLoVpDzdyvvG-XfjxLgX6ebfnYAMaT_7FEAOkHmpo4RhAWgRwohv-mCYU_4pEttQddTkfT1PMsMPV2NKgwEOP4PRC4KbdcPBt_3v3OAH_W35CBf6vRiu-V961r/w400-h343/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Anglia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Crossing a bridge to the left is the grander, more urban section based on Victorian Oxford and Cambridge, with the sprawling gothic Royal Oxbridge Hotel sits with its countless spires and chimneys. There is a large darkride here set in a lord's manor house and a SFX theatrical show set in a building inspired by the Radcliffe Camera.<br /><br /> On the opposite side of Cheshire, visitors go back to England's medieval times & legends. There is a Sherwood Forest explore zone and a major attraction marked by the tall towers of Camelot castle. This is an elaborate indoor atmospheric boatride that explores the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.<br /><br /> There is viewing for the nightly lagoon spectacular where myths & legends from different cultures have an epic battle on the water via lasers, fireworks, projections, floats, submerged watercannons, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>HELIOS</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a theme park based on world mythology, Ancient Greek mythology would get a major presence. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEuErbWjxBs6kSFnMBzdAT-Hh7lFkxNf1FBf1XaPrBeI3LJF-5s0uVaR2CjwP5pETEMaLq6r9WfWePED0OrO7QQNkJ9lpcfWX_c2Xzl24HQ5I2hpoRVa6eWWO5lTQCPCxW_rJ1ZY1nlEe/s2044/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Helios.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2044" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEuErbWjxBs6kSFnMBzdAT-Hh7lFkxNf1FBf1XaPrBeI3LJF-5s0uVaR2CjwP5pETEMaLq6r9WfWePED0OrO7QQNkJ9lpcfWX_c2Xzl24HQ5I2hpoRVa6eWWO5lTQCPCxW_rJ1ZY1nlEe/w400-h266/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Helios.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rising above the center of the park, a rocky mount topped with a temple complex is inspired by the Acropolis. Reached via an inclined path, it features walkthrough experiences and a dining venue with elevated lagoon views. In the cavern below the Acropolis a monstrous AA hydra threatens boat passengers traversing the lagoon.<br /><br />The famous Minotaur's Labyrinth may be experienced in this land via a maze and darkride where riders try to escape alive from the pursuing half-bull monster. A sunken theater hosts live shows. The land features a couple spinner B-tickets. The E+-ticket here is a giant flume mountain, with numerous show scenes, animatronics and special FX bringing to life the pantheon of Olympian gods, demi-gods & heroes of classical mythology. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>TIANXI </b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The park's Chinese myth-based land. There is a grand imperial palace complex modeled on the ancient seats of the Chinese emperors. A mountain-based spinning coaster, a major kuka-based attraction (see art below) and a junk version of Aquatopia round out the areas rides. Walkthrough attractions supplement. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeZBCMpahqBas11pOFDQ4ByA39zhkoJwAqNS3ut37wcEUFR5WsjVF_Tm9n4but96Qu25COMfV3BeaceJmnNhBADaIn0MGKSr4ZeQMVYshrNagzf6DCi_MND25V4SmeUMu9vaZuqFNFH3P/s2048/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Chin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2048" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeZBCMpahqBas11pOFDQ4ByA39zhkoJwAqNS3ut37wcEUFR5WsjVF_Tm9n4but96Qu25COMfV3BeaceJmnNhBADaIn0MGKSr4ZeQMVYshrNagzf6DCi_MND25V4SmeUMu9vaZuqFNFH3P/w400-h274/Blog+-+WDW+Fifth+Gate+Mythica+Chin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>AEGYPTUS</b><br />This large, central land contains some of the park's most important landmarks or weenies. The very tall Pharos or Lighthouse of Alexandria would serve as the park's castle. It would feature explorable rooms across multiple levels, as would the Great Library complex nearby. The Library has a dining element, as well. All such "explore zones" in this park are not just static museum exhibits or playgrounds: they feature memorable elements, such as special fx/projections, triggered audio narration, secret doors and passageways and interactive features & puzzles, as you might find in Fortress Explorations or games such as Jewels of the Seven Seas or Uncharted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRFtxorZ8pgBqipjrD3ju_3kQNJcxPypwvW8fSJcuhh8wlQTy4I6HzeiROaZt_wDSoBDKmc2m0r5f52HHdO7vnX0uYI34cz2QEdY18YJ_43QzXudIXGWITduDrUMsDs9xE8jCKERBG7O6/s2048/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+egyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1698" data-original-width="2048" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRFtxorZ8pgBqipjrD3ju_3kQNJcxPypwvW8fSJcuhh8wlQTy4I6HzeiROaZt_wDSoBDKmc2m0r5f52HHdO7vnX0uYI34cz2QEdY18YJ_43QzXudIXGWITduDrUMsDs9xE8jCKERBG7O6/w400-h331/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+egyp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Naturally, a land themed to Egypt would get a monumental attraction housed in the Pyramids of Giza and based on the legends hidden in the depths of those wonders. In this case, a darkride/coaster hybrid is the ride system. The Sphinx also houses a major attraction, featuring scarab like vehicles and the Egyptian pantheon of gods. The land features a dense, urban network of flat-roofed dwellings, shops and quick dining. Streetmosphere also. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><b>VALHALLA</b><br />Passing under an archway, visitors transition from the dusty, clay-brick streets of Memphis to wood and thatch viking villages scattered among dark nordic forests. The land brings Norse mythology to life so people can learn what inspired things like the popular MCU characters. A central landmark World Tree is also a swing ride. There is a terrain coaster through and around snowy, mountainous terrain, at a similar scale to Big Thunder. A vertical drop dark ride rises in a far corner of the land.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhakxbRexeEBZFLZBs6ecVeLnW1mEEYYT_GTOzbbyj9pOAkgQ7PpvClLi44MDtA_D_AxcfczV3HSFa-mbJ_HiLackte6-2C17y6E-jb1Xibw5-pJTf98LwdXBxoY7SA_UEY8iuqFHDhU3f/s1436/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+Norse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1172" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhakxbRexeEBZFLZBs6ecVeLnW1mEEYYT_GTOzbbyj9pOAkgQ7PpvClLi44MDtA_D_AxcfczV3HSFa-mbJ_HiLackte6-2C17y6E-jb1Xibw5-pJTf98LwdXBxoY7SA_UEY8iuqFHDhU3f/w326-h400/Blog+-+WDW+Mythica+Norse.jpg" width="326" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>EXPANSION </b><br />This drawing leaves some area for future lands. My initial thoughts are for an Atlantean area to connect Helios and Aegyptus. I think a Mayan or Aztec inspired mythology would work well in the far western forested area.<br /><br />***<br /></span><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-74091221451477359152021-03-07T16:45:00.004-08:002021-03-14T15:09:42.453-07:00Parallel TDL<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Here is a version of TDL I drew before the recently completed changes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cg_H4TTJmz3nBKD7gNhhyphenhyphenEcir2sRbaQtTjVf8v_pSe4ZoUSqFWoYquDR7YZrwqK7qziI-2pwMivW4vLgRU7PZ1rye27AFW8ORcLMyPcLk9IB4pKO-T1TwLFEPTWM7YV9Vf1MaphrvQwH/s1351/Blog+-+TDL+mickey+hub+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1223" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cg_H4TTJmz3nBKD7gNhhyphenhyphenEcir2sRbaQtTjVf8v_pSe4ZoUSqFWoYquDR7YZrwqK7qziI-2pwMivW4vLgRU7PZ1rye27AFW8ORcLMyPcLk9IB4pKO-T1TwLFEPTWM7YV9Vf1MaphrvQwH/w580-h640/Blog+-+TDL+mickey+hub+2.jpg" width="580" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>GRAND AVENUE</b></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> World Bazaar is transformed into a romanticized, open-air urban boulevard. For variety's sake, this land is slightly different from a typical Main Street USA: a little taller and a little more grandiose. The added height (rather than being faux 2-3 stories, it would be faux 3-5 stories) gives it a bit more urban feel of an Eastern city (Boston, Philly, New York) at the height of the Gilded Age (1890s). Indoor cover is provided by 2-storey arcades in all four quadrants. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6NwynikdcSL-SvFzOWWdyFmjpZ0gH8x1FP6HFt_2zSYJynrzbtS6yubIDdaVgbTS1mjQ6CLKCLD-7njRwD7JbenXok0rgyfUmQrGyvjwINlL8o70sD7mHTamhq3Z_tFndZA2ur8M4hqB/s1558/Blog+-+TDL+Grand+Avenue+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="1558" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6NwynikdcSL-SvFzOWWdyFmjpZ0gH8x1FP6HFt_2zSYJynrzbtS6yubIDdaVgbTS1mjQ6CLKCLD-7njRwD7JbenXok0rgyfUmQrGyvjwINlL8o70sD7mHTamhq3Z_tFndZA2ur8M4hqB/w400-h383/Blog+-+TDL+Grand+Avenue+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The central plaza is transformed to accommodate the horse trolley and a new castle stage and approach, as seen in this Erik Van der Palen concept:</span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGqxGgCYyZSLNLpdn8p-I302-N63v3oHCZPnp2I3w0iSp-sJ-Z055TjuW66uU7Nkl30ykKeK1XE4U9KG0ihcn8f3FXgtflPjEXUhoyd6y18BKA1GAIuwvrGJ1mqlGkgEKilNKECSwfyeS/s1078/Blog+-+TDL+Mickeyplaza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1078" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGqxGgCYyZSLNLpdn8p-I302-N63v3oHCZPnp2I3w0iSp-sJ-Z055TjuW66uU7Nkl30ykKeK1XE4U9KG0ihcn8f3FXgtflPjEXUhoyd6y18BKA1GAIuwvrGJ1mqlGkgEKilNKECSwfyeS/w400-h240/Blog+-+TDL+Mickeyplaza.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>NEW ORLEANS SQUARE</b><br /> This is just carving out the existing sub-section of Adventureland and changing the name for symmetry purposes (you'll see in Part 2).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><br />ADVENTURELAND</b><br /> Here the costuming building gets replaced with a mountain ride inspired by some more Van der Palen concept art:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzusyY92jAboxvV5pDQePpfWK2H1NMPlWlqgww1G_y0jMGTUVOWraDMnyeo9kdmLfhtZkGcqRiLP2V2hwkOO4UwzVsfVUbKyCoyidoHCCb3OSCduwBWM36v_rEfk5nmcJ2SVvmj7ESAaf/s968/Blog+-+TDL+Thunderlizard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzusyY92jAboxvV5pDQePpfWK2H1NMPlWlqgww1G_y0jMGTUVOWraDMnyeo9kdmLfhtZkGcqRiLP2V2hwkOO4UwzVsfVUbKyCoyidoHCCb3OSCduwBWM36v_rEfk5nmcJ2SVvmj7ESAaf/w334-h400/Blog+-+TDL+Thunderlizard.jpg" width="334" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>WESTERNLAND</b><br />No real change here except to not include the duck camp. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><b><br />CRITTER COUNTRY</b><br />A perfectly-done miniland as is, so no changes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>TOONTOWN</b><br />No major changes.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><b>FANTASYLAND</b><br /> This area is based on the aerial birdseye art that pre-dated the actual New Fantasyland project. Live character shows are popular in Tokyo, so the current Philharmagic Theater gets repurposed. The new castle forecourt stage would also host outdoor musical performances. Of course, the original Castle Mystery Tour is back and all the 70s Tournament Tent facades are replaced by appropriate storybook architecture. Haunted Mansion gets a gothic European re-theme and becomes Vampire Palace.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryGtp1o7AkctIJX5B1lYUfq7U-MOhoq9kiF6Z34xOj1ayzLvaT2pnwesHuIMiDUvylq3TQ8vlWaTZo9G_WcejhCued9rQfsgx9XiavI8UC8V903Vey1HxIszgcEcK0m9dJ0OrBsLn3i8r/s1200/Blog+TDL+Fantasylnd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="1200" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryGtp1o7AkctIJX5B1lYUfq7U-MOhoq9kiF6Z34xOj1ayzLvaT2pnwesHuIMiDUvylq3TQ8vlWaTZo9G_WcejhCued9rQfsgx9XiavI8UC8V903Vey1HxIszgcEcK0m9dJ0OrBsLn3i8r/w400-h175/Blog+TDL+Fantasylnd.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /> Everything else in the land is my interpretation of the above artwork. A new IASW is built near Tomorrowland and its old spot is filled by a major Wonderland darkride. Dumbo moves over towards the parade route. Some kid of fairy tale village, which I'm assuming was a meet & greet, is near the hub bridge. The rest of the area is Beauty & the Beast, though my guesswork was different than what was actually built. I drew the castle marking a Be Our Guest restaurant and the darkride reached by queuing through Maurice's cottage. <br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><b><br />TOMORROWLAND</b><br /> The land is given a sleeker, more sci-fi aesthetic while keeping its iconic waterfall towers and Space Mountain. I replaced Buzz with a GotG re-theme and had the nearby restaurant become The Collector's. Star Tours has a new facade featuring a Starspeeder on a rooftop launch platform that raises and lowers. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAr2G7eyyaKbfHZ0COxKZKhyphenhyphenjHJ98W4lp9rTyT1DSdopQYk4hgwYyZT_5DiT_oU_iJPsrXWZkZL9JTiEboE_BXTdgCOwKn4huEs_l7id_wAAH1rL1pYeH8cAm84vNNU_66lFQ1LJI0Wh3/s1097/Blog+TDL+Amazing+Stories.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1097" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAr2G7eyyaKbfHZ0COxKZKhyphenhyphenjHJ98W4lp9rTyT1DSdopQYk4hgwYyZT_5DiT_oU_iJPsrXWZkZL9JTiEboE_BXTdgCOwKn4huEs_l7id_wAAH1rL1pYeH8cAm84vNNU_66lFQ1LJI0Wh3/w400-h363/Blog+TDL+Amazing+Stories.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> The new district is an Atom Punk retrofuture with a PeopleMover, AstroOrbitor and a new original E-ticket omnimover ride called Amazing Tales of Tomorrow!. I'm imagining something that hearkens back to the lost Future World classics like Horizons and World of Motion: long, music-backed, pre-recorded narration, featuring Animatronic vignettes out of the pages of pulp magazines showing comedic moments of life in the retro future.<br /><br /><b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>PIXAR PLACE</b><br /> The final mini-land balances New Orleans Square and includes rides, features and dining based on Monsters Inc (existing), Up, Wall-E and The Incredibles.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>***</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></p><p><br /><br /></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-41504903352890703052021-02-20T11:17:00.002-08:002021-02-20T11:30:15.996-08:00River Country<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The world's first Themed water park, River Country had a great Tom Sawyer Island-esque feel, a beautiful location and a number of unique features. But when Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach came along they set a different standard in terms of slides. Here is a concept plan I created that would expand River Country into a waterpark on the level of its larger siblings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10W9f_uBUpD2oNbjwNPgkacqg0hnNLUSO_tsBuINq6dPZkIsb55-Gtbc60-3IKEDHnKL_Gr1DwAorfYfdCyyguHwXtm0ByV9_ziduGaFMLyHX_-bFuudj4hmlRVRN95TAjpBKQ0p8jPSL/s1058/Blog+-+WDW+River+Country.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="965" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10W9f_uBUpD2oNbjwNPgkacqg0hnNLUSO_tsBuINq6dPZkIsb55-Gtbc60-3IKEDHnKL_Gr1DwAorfYfdCyyguHwXtm0ByV9_ziduGaFMLyHX_-bFuudj4hmlRVRN95TAjpBKQ0p8jPSL/w584-h640/Blog+-+WDW+River+Country.png" width="584" /></a></div> <br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Everything below of central access road is kept pretty much as it was. The major difference is hidden under the wooden bridge dividing Bay Cove from Bay Lake. There would be an "invisible" barrier, so while the Cove would still appear to be connected to the Lake, it no longer is. Separated from the Lake, all the water in this park could be temperature controlled, filtered and chlorinated. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The lower half has all the Fort Wilderness features of the original area, such as pony rides, a bluegrass/country bandstand, picnic area, nature boardwalk trail and use of watercraft on Bay Lake. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTp9WpNTBtWnRZkZ6SCCe4MX8nse59ZqWCQMf_P-cmLCMMQRuyovNpQOJK-RN4rDIwOb83H9VHQ1ck0ITIOR90vpdAP9PeykB_Z4hs0eRxuj7dMmtspg31vPsmhd4v9dnGkClc6DZaNgg/s1222/Blog+-+WDW+RC+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1222" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTp9WpNTBtWnRZkZ6SCCe4MX8nse59ZqWCQMf_P-cmLCMMQRuyovNpQOJK-RN4rDIwOb83H9VHQ1ck0ITIOR90vpdAP9PeykB_Z4hs0eRxuj7dMmtspg31vPsmhd4v9dnGkClc6DZaNgg/w400-h284/Blog+-+WDW+RC+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The new upper half continues the same theme with a large array of new themed slides and features, spread cross three rocky hills and the pine forest. The new half is accessible by footpaths or by a shallow "Riverwalk". There is a lazy river through the deep forest, under caverns and waterfalls and past Indian camps. There is cliff diving. The tallest hill - Eagle Peak - features a spooky cave system to explore, body slides and a large, multi-person raft ride. Cherokee Caverns slide takes place entirely inside a rockwork mountain in almost total darkness, save for some brief atmospheric show moments of vengeful Indian spirits, angry bears and booby traps.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3cjaqwN5GhaJLvBBYcDRJNC8mCh1EDCBdi5dvEZNq7rJHYshDi9rT16_2wr1mHsT23btmjBw1sQNRdQeM3QOH5AmTF6FIYs6QqzeSqBj0ZYqW9tmU3Je5vuuPTNe5G3GaLVHXIoWqxM5/s929/Blog+-+WDW+RC+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="929" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3cjaqwN5GhaJLvBBYcDRJNC8mCh1EDCBdi5dvEZNq7rJHYshDi9rT16_2wr1mHsT23btmjBw1sQNRdQeM3QOH5AmTF6FIYs6QqzeSqBj0ZYqW9tmU3Je5vuuPTNe5G3GaLVHXIoWqxM5/w400-h283/Blog+-+WDW+RC+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> The new Ma's Tavern restaurant at the Lake waterfront is near the boat launch. These boats takes guests to and from the Magic Kingdom Resorts as well as to Treasure Island, a version of Discovery Island that is closer to its original incarnation. While Treasure Island would have some animals, it's purpose would be the canvas for an elaborate interactive game/treasure hunt. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bGw79xGpGnPcCyAf_lP19z_NcxdFWfObRDiUHgFCy2eA9y9oKjKgs35xinM9Gg6PmuLNwzFiPziVmDvzDShEDPHfzh2FMRY5K1WGx-vQgsvIbfXifC7GFYsSmzMKFlkWEO692kFRl6yd/s1500/Blog+-+WDW+RC+TI.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bGw79xGpGnPcCyAf_lP19z_NcxdFWfObRDiUHgFCy2eA9y9oKjKgs35xinM9Gg6PmuLNwzFiPziVmDvzDShEDPHfzh2FMRY5K1WGx-vQgsvIbfXifC7GFYsSmzMKFlkWEO692kFRl6yd/w400-h306/Blog+-+WDW+RC+TI.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">***<br /></span><br /></p>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-64334916038901220932020-11-29T11:05:00.006-08:002020-12-26T18:53:47.739-08:00Memorial Tribute to Alain Littaye<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span> </span>Among the disproportionate woes of this year was the sudden and unexpected passing of Alain Littaye last March. Co-author of the quintessential theme park design coffee table book (Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality), Alain selflessly and passionately ran the multiple Disney & More sites for many years, curating collections of rare artwork, shining a light on designers who would have otherwise gone unrecognized and generally helping educate the world on the art of theme parks. The discovery of his site helped stoke & maintain my interest in the art and design of parks and, thus, this blog. I maintained an ongoing correspondence with Alain over the years, and he was always enthusiastic & gracious. I miss him and his work. I know he appreciated the Concept Plans I share here, often promoting them on his pages, so I've decided to dust off the tablet and post a new Illustrative Map in his honor. This one's for you, Alain!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>IMPORTANT NOTE</b>:<b> Migration to Twitter.</b> I'm going to try to move my content & engagement over to Twitter. If I can get a following there, then I'll be posting a lot more content, including bringing back some long-lost park drawings. So go to the Ideal Buildout twitter account, <a href="https://twitter.com/BuildoutIdeal" target="_blank">here</a>, to see a wider resort plan image of this project. If you don't have twitter, sign up (it's easy) then Follow, Like, Comment or Retweet the posts you find on my account. Once this drawing gets some traction on twitter, I'll present the next part of this Park Map.<br /><br /><b><br />HONG KONG SECOND GATE</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yZ_BQx_-KrORgJEzOekhpOmQJ6dGK6wOv0XYfzZ6hmApxHluQ-O7jlM4lHvh5I_ZF0uTQL2eyHlAzkxayhc_ro6A9j0mb21pCs4Sa5ta8NtWwfGt0-RcM7izqbOlDyyMelOof33_4msO/s1421/Blog+-+HKDS+China+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1421" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yZ_BQx_-KrORgJEzOekhpOmQJ6dGK6wOv0XYfzZ6hmApxHluQ-O7jlM4lHvh5I_ZF0uTQL2eyHlAzkxayhc_ro6A9j0mb21pCs4Sa5ta8NtWwfGt0-RcM7izqbOlDyyMelOof33_4msO/w640-h598/Blog+-+HKDS+China+6.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span> </span>This plan is one of a number of Second Gates for Hong Kong that I drew several years ago. The recent news that HKDL lost its exclusive option to develop the full 2-park resort was very disappointing for me. Though many years away, the resort's beautiful location, excellent master-plan and Goldilocks size meant that the once-inevitable build-out of a 2nd theme park, a Dining & Entertainment district and additional resorts, gave the promise of a very bright future. For me, it was/is the one of the few major themed resorts whose best days are ahead of it rather than behind. Unfortunately, that long-term hope & promise for a full resort appears to be lost. Fingers crossed that HKDL can re-acquire the development rights and the powers that be at that time decide to build a spectacular 2nd theme park.</span><br /><br /><b> </b></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>DISNEY AVENUE </b><br /> From the beginning, the beautifully-landscaped promenade that runs from the Ferry Docks to the Train Station was earmarked for a Retail, Dining & Entertainment District. To be honest, it looks so good now as a natural walkway, that I think it would be better to leave it as a manicured gardenwalk. In my plan, however, you can see it filled out as the planned entertianment area. Realistically, the style would be typical "entertainment/modern/eclectic" similar to DTD, CityWalk or Disney Springs, though my personal preference is always for a more history-based, detailed RDE district.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFz5QyQ6zneveQzFrcCURjnFGwHhtCE8G4USWj9Kc9Ar2fI5lQiZUy2-sbV9Uwb1U0u2pGedu35ots_IreXiVF-8QSZ2i9WqKbhBmGalmBsIeYbizcxcI9iHkDk2vjHmMae4oLIgQ6C3o/s1500/Blog+-+HKDS+-+Avenue+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1074" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFz5QyQ6zneveQzFrcCURjnFGwHhtCE8G4USWj9Kc9Ar2fI5lQiZUy2-sbV9Uwb1U0u2pGedu35ots_IreXiVF-8QSZ2i9WqKbhBmGalmBsIeYbizcxcI9iHkDk2vjHmMae4oLIgQ6C3o/w286-h400/Blog+-+HKDS+-+Avenue+2.jpg" width="286" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> As in most the DisneySea variants I've drawn, an Aquasphere modeled on Toyko marks the entrance/ticketing area of the park.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>TIANCHAO HARBOR</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I think it is fitting that opposite the west side's American Main Street and European castle, the eastern park entrance and spine is themed to China's romanticized past. This provides a layered duality reflecting the nature of Hong Kong city itself (China and the Western world). The area would ostensibly be an old Chinese port town, and across its bay would be the park's iconic centerpiece: Mountains and temple/pagoda complex - an Asian cousin to Tokyo DisneySea's Mt Prometheus and Fortress Explorations. There is a large junk to mirror the galleon in TDS.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU5XW0H9a_O4m5_DJ1sAATxEdkqXf68WlX0Lk02nP-PHdUVcymQhnKoNu1KPpz60PvIK-IxokEgEnz504CnU1z_udHm3aftxDaSc04PMIG7hc963qfeA80ihGthLUp5zNmA4DeeiG_X_Y/s2030/Blog+-+HKDS+-+China+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="2030" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU5XW0H9a_O4m5_DJ1sAATxEdkqXf68WlX0Lk02nP-PHdUVcymQhnKoNu1KPpz60PvIK-IxokEgEnz504CnU1z_udHm3aftxDaSc04PMIG7hc963qfeA80ihGthLUp5zNmA4DeeiG_X_Y/w640-h274/Blog+-+HKDS+-+China+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> The vast mountain complex would contain two major E-tickets. The first would be a "speed sled" experience (i.e., TestTrack, JttCotE) with show scenes and animatronic creatures. The second I based on a concept I've seen for a Monkey Kingdom park by Luc Steadman: it is a Kuka ride (like Forbidden Journey) with an entrance/exterior marked by a large tree sprouting out of unusual rock formations.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jh27w4o_BzHBnXBgfBU-Hd4eFJdj3M-U1sVLbQcgWgF8l6Ea0zQeN2R6CIpCzX_5CL6AxSQiOyrCYy1DM90MbJv2CeZxvEXboEFc9irbX4TXCWzUZ02huAtO_xhtGLdGebXwvL66-3ti/s2132/Blog+-+HKDS+-+China+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="2132" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jh27w4o_BzHBnXBgfBU-Hd4eFJdj3M-U1sVLbQcgWgF8l6Ea0zQeN2R6CIpCzX_5CL6AxSQiOyrCYy1DM90MbJv2CeZxvEXboEFc9irbX4TXCWzUZ02huAtO_xhtGLdGebXwvL66-3ti/w640-h314/Blog+-+HKDS+-+China+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Flat rides in pagodas, a major Mulan darkride and large theater venue, as well as numerous unique retail & dining experiences, </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">round out the Port.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> STAR WARS: OCEAN MOON OUTPOST</span></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One thing that kept me interested in global theme parks was/is the unique application of a land or attraction for a different locale: e.g. Magic Kingdom's Frontierland vs. Paris' version. I find it disappointing whenever there is a direct Copy & Paste job, particularly in the same country. Ideally, each Star Wars Land around the world would get a unique setting, inhabitants and set of attractions. I'm completely onboard and appreciative of WDI's choice to invent a beautiful new world (Batuu) in the SW universe to explore, rather than recreating well-known film locale(s). However, I feel it was a huge mistake not to set the land in the timeless Original Trilogy Era, or at least not hamstring the land exclusively to the Sequel Trilogy.<br /> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> For this park plan, the unique Star Wars port of call is set on a tropical Ocean Moon in the Outer Rim (to help tie it to the park's Sea theme), where there are alien rock formations cradling an eclectic Space Port (different-looking, but similar in principle to Batuu) inhabited by Aliens, Droids, Rebels, Imperials, Bounty Hunters, Smugglers, etc.. As noted, it is set during the Original Era (+/- 10 years from Episode IV: A New Hope), with all ships, costumes, characters and original ride stories reflecting that. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMC90Hadtuux0XKiyyiALKyHbLI0oT4qAWbURMlaSa3LAGOgsoDCNXDYtvSE4rFHLZeEZUnAm7nErelxnX2h4_TBnKbulPC-yzjaq-g0JA6-taNh8YTovfkHwjdx-5oZJlI9BciL2JfGB/s1666/Blog+-+HKDS+Star+War.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1666" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMC90Hadtuux0XKiyyiALKyHbLI0oT4qAWbURMlaSa3LAGOgsoDCNXDYtvSE4rFHLZeEZUnAm7nErelxnX2h4_TBnKbulPC-yzjaq-g0JA6-taNh8YTovfkHwjdx-5oZJlI9BciL2JfGB/w400-h360/Blog+-+HKDS+Star+War.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One enters this Port from the Chinese Harbor through a 'cavern' that hides a backstage service bridge. Upon exiting the cavern, looming above and dominating the land is an actual-sized Hammerhead Corvette, made famous as the ship-type that rammed the Star Destroyer in 'Rogue One' (which happens to be my favorite Star Wars movie). This monumental starship houses part of the queue & pre-show for one of the two E-ticket rides in the land: Secrets of the Sith. This darkride/sets/AAs type attraction would involve an original story as guests board submersible vehicles to help uncover a secret Sith temple hidden at the bottom of the Moon's sea. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8pEsVZnGKqUKLKQJZdoQ4h8xr5PWhtBBcfQOiXcWth_XTu-0ISOcwmq7BDWMDt_nM7X2cxYnw_JpjyT1TG1o47zTWWQYzo_RRLSp-TNht1hVK02VoAHETUE5r91BFClFoekwdChB0ctk/s2048/Blog+-+HKDS+Star+Wars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="2048" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8pEsVZnGKqUKLKQJZdoQ4h8xr5PWhtBBcfQOiXcWth_XTu-0ISOcwmq7BDWMDt_nM7X2cxYnw_JpjyT1TG1o47zTWWQYzo_RRLSp-TNht1hVK02VoAHETUE5r91BFClFoekwdChB0ctk/w400-h383/Blog+-+HKDS+Star+Wars.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> With one major attraction dedicated to Sith/Jedi conflict, the other is dedicated to the broader war/rebellion. Blue Squadron allows visitors to pilot their choice of Rebel Ships (A-Wing, X-Wing, Y-Wing, B-Wing, U-Wing, The Ghost) in various battles with Imperial or other nefarious forces above the Moon's seas or in space. The other two rides in the land include a Starjets-like spinner and a relaxing Peoplemover that gives an overhead tour of the land. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Non-ride attractions include a Stormtrooper Academy that is a walk-through shooting gallery with blaster rifles, a Droid forge, and a Bounty Hunter Guildhall. Dining options include a Speakeasy run by the Hutt Clan with animated Jabba-like creature, a Cantina with AA band and a more formal Stardome restaurant with ceiling projections of ships coming and going. There is also a Bazaar/Marketplace with many shops and foods stalls and the Peoplemover moving along its upper levels. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>MERMAID LAGOON</b><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> This port is the only carryover from the extant DisneySea in Tokyo, though with unique attractions and features. The area maintains a similar exterior style to Tokyo's: undulating shell-like rock formations/spires and it has an indoor section, Triton's Kingdom, where the table-service restaurant and major Little Mermaid ride can be found, as well as some retail and flat rides. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The anchor ride is the LPS conceptualized for the Magic Kingdom a while ago (see below):</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO6DfVT4ZmOKvor5Jww0s4kpj0q5-mbKdG4AvlqdhplMN86xbRNnhtgPDnzA_9vUfI0GvLCTbzBTmxwKp724piYSDAC_9VpC3jX_Z4grGFbSzd1RwOmginYYPwSh5TZFPDo3rZF9hFuRc/s2016/Blog+-+HKDL+Mermaid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="2016" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO6DfVT4ZmOKvor5Jww0s4kpj0q5-mbKdG4AvlqdhplMN86xbRNnhtgPDnzA_9vUfI0GvLCTbzBTmxwKp724piYSDAC_9VpC3jX_Z4grGFbSzd1RwOmginYYPwSh5TZFPDo3rZF9hFuRc/w400-h234/Blog+-+HKDL+Mermaid.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> This port goes beyond The Little Mermaid and has a Neverland section featuring a suspended darkride with an original adventure following Peter Pan and the Neverland Mermaids.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> Hong Kong's official masterplan had a buffer zone between the actual waterfront and the 2nd Gate plot, to be filled with hotels or back-of-house. In my plan, a large part of the On-Show area 2nd Gate abuts the waterfront (as Tokyo does) to provide unique, open Hong Kong harbor views.<br /></span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BUCCANEER BAY</span></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span>This is a different and expansive take on the Caribbean Pirate-themed port, anchored by the massive Skull Mountain flume super-E-ticket that was first teased by Tim Delaney for Hong Kong Disneyland expansion (before getting replaced by the three mini-lands). Skull Mountain is a very long indoor-outdoor attraction that makes use of many AAs, sets and physical effects - a scary Splash Mountain on steroids. I imagine it being independent of the films, though it could easily inhabit that world. There are multiple lifts and drops through elaborate show-scenes, some musical and amusing, others dark, gruesome and intimidating, before culminating in the biggest drop out of the skull's mouth under the main path and queue and through a shipwreck. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The outdoor portion of the flume wends through and around La Citadelle, a ruined French fort that is an explore zone akin to Fortress Explorations or Tom Sawyer Island, with various activities such as zip lines, cannon batteries, haunted dungeons, a Voodoo chamber, etc. Log flume would visible from several lower dungeon rooms & passages. At the edge of the Citadelle and the park, overlooking Hong Kong harbor is an exclusive table-service restaurant with outdoor tower sections providing panoramic views in and out of the park.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QMvtx3HGYmyiKpahKGiWRCGzif4w7iFprzTjU9e3Gq24xyYclj1R-xiO7nkvf-4asv6SwDM_7Xwkf_uUGfiPvsuy1rry222bcMjVAaZtRTHN9v07aX0Ij21wJZsaaPcz4nPo-6uWU1id/s2599/Blog+-+HKDS+Pirates+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="2599" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QMvtx3HGYmyiKpahKGiWRCGzif4w7iFprzTjU9e3Gq24xyYclj1R-xiO7nkvf-4asv6SwDM_7Xwkf_uUGfiPvsuy1rry222bcMjVAaZtRTHN9v07aX0Ij21wJZsaaPcz4nPo-6uWU1id/w640-h298/Blog+-+HKDS+Pirates+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One can explore the Black Pearl pirate ship, which also takes part in a major Stunt Battle in the Cove Amphitheater several times each day. The Cove is rigged with numerous submerged special effects (water cannons, fire/explosions, whirlpool, Kraken, etc.) for this spectacle, and scores of stunt actors partake as hero pirates (here one may find film characters, such as Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, etc.), villainous pirates and the Crowns' (French, Spanish or British) naval forces.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The Village and its Marketplace feature unique shops, dining & entertainment (fortune tellers, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, etc.). The 2nd big ride in the Port features a wrap-around screen to take Privateers on adventures not possible with physical sets (see the design illustration above).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> As with the previous Port, I used the land slotted for future waterfront hotels to make a larger 2nd Gate and visually connect the Sea-themed park to the actual sea a stone's throw away.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>BENGAL COAST</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b> The final port in the plan is themed to India. This largest port has three distinct environments: (1) a densely-built, bustling cityscape; (2) a manicured and opulent royal gardens & palace (hotel); and (3) natural areas reclaimed by the tropical forest.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bczoXZpuKW0uIO1jJEmlkuntCrtrAXLPhoChLallDIfR5OUncYe0muDw8OOOn5Jlfb9HicRTrPKfTIvh0uJl8_GHZhoTyG-a3SlPOjvfoZSp75ooykCF36C35oesShbmiw9bWjVD5w-0/s1872/Blog+-+HKDS+India+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1872" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bczoXZpuKW0uIO1jJEmlkuntCrtrAXLPhoChLallDIfR5OUncYe0muDw8OOOn5Jlfb9HicRTrPKfTIvh0uJl8_GHZhoTyG-a3SlPOjvfoZSp75ooykCF36C35oesShbmiw9bWjVD5w-0/w640-h390/Blog+-+HKDS+India+hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Because this DisneySea took up several of the originally-planned hotel parcels on the Hong Kong property, I wanted to include a luxury resort that linked the park's interior with the harbor waterfront. India's numerous Maharajahs' palaces lend themselves well to an out-sized Disney-style luxury resort, and I considered the Umaid Bhawan Palace (see above) as a major inspiration for massing and architecture of this one. It would make an impressive and beautiful landmark from both within the park and from the water and would feature an open, 5+ story lobby, gardens, and extraordinary detail & craftsmanship from the turrets to the toiletries.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Back in the park: the urban district, with its distinct domes and stacked flat-roofed mud & brick buildings, features narrower alleyways filled with sights, sounds, scents and entertaining denizens one might find in a romanticized city of India. Attractions include a Theater for major productions, a large family-boatride based on India's mythology, and - discovered by queuing through a forest and into a cavern - a ride based on Disney's Jungle Book. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiypPjsNKBc0tMq7vCOB2o0_96EdAe1maYL7QoU4PzW9JxllQO0n7m7jzzmsNhNejylMG2qp0H9aXkkyRGpvajfR1QfJf7CsCyyL2TOgYmT6pK0NC3myCQEmd5Hc6tl9Dw6nXFL2ficPO/s1828/Blog+-+HKDS+India+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1828" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiypPjsNKBc0tMq7vCOB2o0_96EdAe1maYL7QoU4PzW9JxllQO0n7m7jzzmsNhNejylMG2qp0H9aXkkyRGpvajfR1QfJf7CsCyyL2TOgYmT6pK0NC3myCQEmd5Hc6tl9Dw6nXFL2ficPO/w640-h508/Blog+-+HKDS+India+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The hectic, exciting environment of the City is contrasted by the soothing, open lawns, flower beds and fountains of the Mughal Gardens with the giant Maharajah Palace hotel and its great dome looming majestically beyond. The Gardens and the crossroads island above it are good places to stroll, relax, sit on a bench, get-away from the hustle, etc. I'm a big believer in the 'Park' aspect of Theme Parks. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Rested and ready for excitement, the last major feature of the land is a large E-ticket coaster with places guests in runaway mine-trains through an archeological excavation site of four Indian temples that were reclaimed by the jungle and lost for centuries. While the theme is similar to Temple du Peril, this is a much larger and more elaborate coaster attraction with multiple lifts, numerous show aspects (e.g., AA animals like tigers) and zippy terrain-following sections coupled with some scaffolding track around the temple ruins.<br /><br />***<br /><br /> Hoping you enjoyed this In Memoriam drawing in honor of Alain. And I hope that something spectacular, ambitious and well-executed is built on the empty 2nd Gate plot, and that it complements the existing HKDL park and resort.<br /><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/BuildoutIdeal" target="_blank">here</a> for future updates and drawings.</span><br /><p><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><br />SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-41166189696282529792014-05-27T17:34:00.002-07:002014-06-01T19:47:54.182-07:00Scenic Plan - Daark Valley Orphanage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">UPDATE: Video at end has new scene added.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Professional illustrator Kevin Karstens has pulled off a pretty remarkable piece of ‘home-imagineering.’ Inspired by the Haunted Mansion, Kevin created an attraction called Daark Valley Orphanage – a creepier, more horror-oriented, FX-based omnimover. <br /><br />He came up with an elaborate backstory, a scene run-down and illustrated storyboards for the ride. Then he built physical models of each scene, put together an audio soundtrack/narration and filmed a ride-through with a mini camera, complete with working special effects! How he accomplished all of this can be seen in detail on his <a href="http://kkarstens.wix.com/daarkvalleyorphanage">site</a>.<br /><br />When I came across this project, I contacted Kevin to see if he wanted to collab on a schematic for the ride, specifically an illustrative scenic ride layout. He did, and what follows is my interpretation of the attraction:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLXTXKRga-HMu5fTyFP7naB9cUcsmc47p1qjqHwnQGUMraikdqRyOeuB8ruZxYWjW1Fln9FQ0livtP0RT75pRK8lKrbWFHNfKWI2toohvOcvq_SXJ0abjFmtOalPVAk9C_qYA9ouIGyka/s1600/Blog+-+Daark+Valley+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLXTXKRga-HMu5fTyFP7naB9cUcsmc47p1qjqHwnQGUMraikdqRyOeuB8ruZxYWjW1Fln9FQ0livtP0RT75pRK8lKrbWFHNfKWI2toohvOcvq_SXJ0abjFmtOalPVAk9C_qYA9ouIGyka/s1600/Blog+-+Daark+Valley+3.PNG" height="640" width="578" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And here is a scene-by-scene description, paraphrasing Kevin’s much more detailed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/daark-orphanage/synopsis-for-mutual-attraction-spectre-seekers-daark-orphanage/670797219629628">synopsis</a>.<br /><br />QUEUE 0: COURTYARD: Exterior of the attraction is the once grand, now abandoned Victorian Orphanage, weeds choking the fountain, gate falling off its hinges, old gazebo. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/1528694_670824699626880_1845212641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/1528694_670824699626880_1845212641_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">QUEUE 1: PATH DOWN TO CELLAR: I imagined the path winding down past the rockwork cliff towards the cellar entrance.<br /><br />QUEUE 2: EXHIBITS & ARTIFACTS: In the dank cellar, the fictional TV show ‘Spectre Seekers’ has put together some exhibits and original artifacts from the tragic history of Daark Valley.<br /><br />PRE-SHOW 1: SCREENING ROOM: Here the full history of the Oprhanage (</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">discussing murderous Headmistress Sally)</span> is set up, as is the Spectre Seekers TV tour.<br /><br />PRE-SHOW 2: SERVICE ELEVATORS: Moving through narrow, cave-like cellar passage, visitors will board old elevators for a disquieting FX journey up to the main level.<br /><br />SCENE 0: LOADING: Straightforward.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/1888514_684943924881624_547652567_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/1888514_684943924881624_547652567_n.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />SCENE 1: DARK WELCOME: Pitch black; intro narration; walkie-talkie chatter from TV crew.<br /><br />SCENE 2: PARANORMAL PORTRAIT: Hall with grand portrait of Miss Sally… shadow hands stretch up from the darkness below as the portrait changes into a demonic face, howling in rage.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SCENE 3: SHADOW PEOPLE: An impossibly endless corridor... within the shadows on the floor and walls, figures rise and fall, their red eyes staring out at the living... whispers and mumbling can be heard...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/1004962_671950862847597_976954094_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/1004962_671950862847597_976954094_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />SCENE 4: HAUNTED HALLWAY: Lightning flashes at the opposite end... along the sides of this hall, small hands can be seen attempting to 'push out' through the walls...they grow out a ways, but then retreat, defeated, as the cart slides along its path... visitors swerve to face the bay windows, long free of glass panes, their shredded curtains rippling inward from the wind of the storm outside...<br /><br />SCENE 5: ATTACKING APPARITION: A long deserted hall which offers a turn to the left about 20 feet ahead... far off down the corridor a ghastly phantasm appears, roaring down the passage, arms outstretched, its shredded petticoat flapping in the breeze... the cart swerves into the opening, the ghost vanishes, cheated of its prize:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1601131_671950852847598_1016025942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1601131_671950852847598_1016025942_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />SCENE 6: VALLEY OF DESPAIR: Three bay windows provide a view outside... visible is a seemingly 'bottomless' mist-filled valley next to the Orphanage... streaming ghost orphans can be seen flowing endlessly up out of the valley into the night sky, as lightning flashes and bolts illuminate the heavy clouds hanging over the valley.<br /><br />SCENE 7: FORGOTTEN NURSERY: The cart rounds the corner, out of the blackness, and visitors have a clear view of the highly-haunted Nursery come to life. Dirty, dusty old toys are scattered about, three rusted beds are lined up under the windows. Situated on the floor in the center of the room, two transparent orphans roll a physically-real ball back and forth between them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1743652_671950822847601_1257620421_n.jpg?oh=521c0a1ec25b26eaf753a5ab85fd172b&oe=53FA27D6&__gda__=1409532933_c70dd893b34bec58efd004451202701c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1743652_671950822847601_1257620421_n.jpg?oh=521c0a1ec25b26eaf753a5ab85fd172b&oe=53FA27D6&__gda__=1409532933_c70dd893b34bec58efd004451202701c" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The bed on the far right shows two alternating 'depressions' that rise and fall, as if two orphans are bouncing up and down on the bed...which they are, to an extent...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/1526433_671950829514267_2126704003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/1526433_671950829514267_2126704003_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bloody hand prints appear on one wall, letters spell out 'HELP US'...a framed painting, directly above these manifestations, changes randomly from a cherubic-faced Humpty Dumpty to a spiked-toothed nightmare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />SCENE 8: SOULTAKER SALLY: Rounding the corner, visitors can see an open doorway (on the door, 'MISS SALLY MAPLE - ORPHANAGE HEAD MISTRESS' is visible)… lightning flashes and thunder bellows, as we see a Team Member gasping and his body lurching upward... the ghastly spectre (the same torso ghoul previously seen in the hallway, but now more clearly defined) of Sally Maple flickers into existence above him, seeming to 'pull' his body up... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />SCENE 9: THE BONEYARD: Broken French doors lead onto an outdoor landing, where the heavily clouded night sky gives birth to a raging thunderstorm. The cart moves along the landing, where we can see the former playground down below. A rusted 'merry go round' sits broken, but this doesn't prevent the ghost orphans from endlessly revolving around in the air, slightly above the shattered device, as they chant a musical nursery rhyme...<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Further along we see a battered swing set, a teeter totter and a sandbox...the swings rock back and forth endlessly, devoid of any visible riders, as the teeter totter moves up and down... a hopscotch game takes place…</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzwMDCyUgeGAXnlOQUkgc8P-ovyQ7sm6HFYXRVg4FAoud-9XBGA6K63ew4zI4U-4Fs5MwSWCOQe8eoXlK05zQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />SCENE 10: DOORWAY TO HELL: As they re-enter the orphanage, visitors find another TV Team Member slumped over a pile of debris on the floor... the wall behind him cracks and breaks apart... a swirling green blue VORTEX can be seen, as pictures on the wall start to 'swing in' towards the rift, and hanging lights are pulled in that direction, flickering, then going out... The fallen Team Member's head rises to stare out at the passing visitors, his eyes turn RED, and his jaw unhinges to emit an angry, evil roar… The cart seems stalled, unable to resist the power of the portal... To make matters worse, the ghastly visage of Miss Maple emerges from the vortex, and she speaks for the first time, her attention now on the trespassing visitors...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />She cackles a mad laugh, triumphant in her victory...Until multiple small, blue orbs burst forth from the walls surrounding the edges of the scene, swooping towards the evil Mistress. The lights swirl around as we hear orphans' laughter. They then converge on the ghost of the old spinster, as she is dragged wailing into the vortex... with a shudder, the cart is free!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><i>[SWW: Since this scene required the cart to feel as if it were stuck or getting drawn in (tilt forward) - and have an important, somewhat lengthy SFX sequence unfold directly before the rider, I put in a carousel system (akin to something like those used on Imagination, Horizons or Harry Potter), where multiple, identical FX sets/screens rotate in sync with each individual cart, giving the illusion of no longer moving. In retrospect, I think it would be much easier to accomplish this with the rotating set on the interior, rather than on the exterior (as shown) of the ride path, but I hope the idea gets across.]</i><br /><br />SCENE 11: TV LOUNGE: Epilogue… An old television, sitting on a broken table, claims the Orphanage is safe for tourists... We know better.<br /><br />SCENE 12: UNLOAD<br /><br />POST 1: RETAIL: At ground level (pre-show screening room shown below).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />And for the grand finale, here is Kevin’s video ride-through (work-in-progress, shows through Scene 8) of the model he built for the attraction: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3EZcWrigr8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-48188880041168148212012-04-01T00:12:00.002-07:002012-09-13T15:02:51.277-07:00A Mountain for Potterland<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<i><b>UPDATE</b></i><br />
It was suggested that the Dragon Challenge Queue be themed as the stadium from the fourth Potter film. It made sense, so that's what I did:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtEExT85_EzdZl7bYrOzEBuShFiS6MXRYlcK8zkGnx9QmnBfDRkiT5zxSw2kAOsZPsi8Tcx290mK0g9CgxteRUs83-zjDZwL2RXGqITTFr12hEZWZfCDx8EBXVRh8tfr-Y9ZEfbTAt33B/s1600/Blog+-+Universal+IOA+2025+birds+potter+stadium.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtEExT85_EzdZl7bYrOzEBuShFiS6MXRYlcK8zkGnx9QmnBfDRkiT5zxSw2kAOsZPsi8Tcx290mK0g9CgxteRUs83-zjDZwL2RXGqITTFr12hEZWZfCDx8EBXVRh8tfr-Y9ZEfbTAt33B/s400/Blog+-+Universal+IOA+2025+birds+potter+stadium.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><b></b><br />
</i><br />
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
One of the trademark features of what I term “Tier II” theme parks (e.g., Busch Gardens or Sea World) is the naked steel mega coaster. Sometimes these coasters feature elaborate, well-executed queues (e.g., Manta or Dueling Dragons) or trains, which is part of what separates Tier II parks from Tier III. However, there is little else done to theme the actual coaster superstructure: <br />
<a href="http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz352/loaloauk/Disney%20Planets/117164027775901658_JCYLLDrU.jpg">Pic 1</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
I’m not deriding Tier II parks & theme-ing. These places & rides are popular, and there is certainly a place for them, but my interests lie in the elaborate theatrical designs that mark Tier I: lands, attractions, or in this case, rollercoasters, that attempt to wholly sell another time & place throughout their design & execution.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
The much-discussed Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers a juxtaposition of these two models (Tier I & Tier II). Several of its areas & vistas (& flagship attraction) are contenders for best Tier I themed environment on the planet: <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladyofmachinery/6875880824/sizes/l/in/photostream/">Pic 2</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
At the same time, the land’s eastern backdrop is a huge, naked steel coaster:<br />
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/7015912979_78aee62ace_c.jpg">Pic 3</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
In addition, the Forbidden Journey’s enormous showbuilding is an eyesore from a number of places within the park:<br />
<a href="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1172/5132307085_ff2191e4d6_b.jpg">Pic 4</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/palmcoasters/4552298378/sizes/l/in/photostream/">Pic 5</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This blog is all about idealizing the parks, so I created another birdseye illustration to show how the all parts of IOA’s Wizarding World might be brought to the Tier I level.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfZSwJs3LUTQ-EjYfMfpC9NXgJz3FFx1G9NK6UQj8fdo-Moj5YXVJBZeNOqEv9UhnbTkYpa-Ys9TZxJzTYMkb9f4TqgiUQP2ZcD_tVJrrcI2DhawWU-QTwDEnMELx7Z0N-bEA0_bDDF_i/s1600/Blog+-+Universal+IOA+2025+birds+potter.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfZSwJs3LUTQ-EjYfMfpC9NXgJz3FFx1G9NK6UQj8fdo-Moj5YXVJBZeNOqEv9UhnbTkYpa-Ys9TZxJzTYMkb9f4TqgiUQP2ZcD_tVJrrcI2DhawWU-QTwDEnMELx7Z0N-bEA0_bDDF_i/s400/Blog+-+Universal+IOA+2025+birds+potter.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
A note on mini-coasters: I generally give lightly-themed mini(kiddie)-coasters (Flounder’s Flying Fish, Barnstormer, Flight of the Hippogriff, etc.) a pass because they are small enough not to overwhelm their surroundings. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
However the Dragon Challenge is no mini-coaster. It is huge and shatters any illusion a visitor might have that he is in the Scottish highlands that surround Hogwarts… it states clearly and loudly: you are in an amusement park. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
So with this illustration, I imagined a very large mountain strewn with castle ruins and stunted pine trees that envelops the dueling coaster tracks. The ride would pass through caverns, dungeons and other interior show spaces, sometimes emerging into the daylight for high inversions or near collisions. In addition, the pylons supporting the outdoor track of this suspended coaster would be heavily themed to castle ruins, crumbling walls, old tree stumps. The tracks would be painted a in a background blending scheme, so it might appear as the distant coasters are snake-like dragons flying around the mountain & ruins. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
It’s rare to achieve the “100% convincing” level in a theme park… and very difficult (and expensive) to make a huge suspended coaster work convincingly in a fantasy environment (never been done to my knowledge), so I think if you get 75-80% there, it can be called a success.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
***<br />
Other changes in the illustration include a raised, forested berm around the edge of the park and enough additional rockwork on the Forbidden Journey showbuilding to keep it concealed from any vantage point within the park (on the ground). </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161028899082562841.post-32147846737528512702012-02-22T00:29:00.001-08:002012-09-13T15:06:37.874-07:00DINOLAND REBORN<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
For the next entry in my Wishful-Thinking-Birds-Eye-Illustration series (previous entry Tokyo Fantasyland viewable <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuh3S9Y7Ljo/Tz2arS9L6wI/AAAAAAAAAoE/JHqrrzdMazk/s1600/New+FL+Tokyo+3.PNG">below</a>), I decided to tackle Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland. This is an area with great potential but in need of some serious work (IMO) to fulfill it. Here is my illustration of a Dinoland Reborn:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVq8yXnAS-XMBTnNpUWeQeDerLk8YuTRNOPu97wkIynJ-Qo-dIww8YG660fXvFLvgH9lRo6H1M_1MSoxEITI5ptP1tMgwEi1ZrTuHFN863WLoNQO9jO2elpSEiVxcEXGP-YSAQTtzLhxN/s1600/Blog+-+WDW+AK+2025+birds+Mammoth.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVq8yXnAS-XMBTnNpUWeQeDerLk8YuTRNOPu97wkIynJ-Qo-dIww8YG660fXvFLvgH9lRo6H1M_1MSoxEITI5ptP1tMgwEi1ZrTuHFN863WLoNQO9jO2elpSEiVxcEXGP-YSAQTtzLhxN/s400/Blog+-+WDW+AK+2025+birds+Mammoth.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The most visible change is the replacement of DinoRama with an area dedicated to the Pleistocene and featuring a glacial lake and giant jagged rock formations. The major experience here is <b>Mammoth Falls</b>. Designed to both educate & thrill (and experience-driven rather than plot-driven), this E-ticket flume extends the “Extinct Animals” section of DAK beyond dinosaurs. Guests travel back to a meticulously recreated North America of 10,000 years ago: an age when primitive man co-existed with giant mammals. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The experience begins in the queue, a soggy pine & birch forest, at the close of the Ice Age. Entering a cavern, adventurers hear the sounds of giant beasts and come upon a large room covered in cave paintings (Lascaux). The paintings become animated as a Shaman-like voice describes the natural world of this era.<br />
<br />
Boarding giant tree snags (at least 4-riders wide, with four or five rows), guests then experience scene after scene of pre-historic wonders… escalating in scale, detail and terror, until the climactic 50-foot plunge. The ride portion starts with peaceful mastodons and a family of American Lions, then passes a Dire Wolf attack on a Giant Elk, a Mammoth herd, giant ground sloths, etc. As the boats rise to the final drop, guests pass the new apex predator – man – as a primitive hunting party plans an attack on a weary mammoth. The final scene reflects the extinction of the megafauna and their replacement with mid-sized mammals we know today (deer, black bear, etc.).</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
***<br />
The Triceratop Spin is re-themed to compliment Mammoth Falls: an aerial spinner based on the giant extinct birds (like the predecessor to the California condor). Its queue is within the rocky cave-nest of such a bird.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
***<br />
The final major change is to Dinosaur. Any connections to the Dinosaur film are discarded, including the ride name (note the removal of Aladar and return of the original Styracosaurus statue to the plaza). </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
I feel Period is always easier to sell and maintain in themed design than Present (and often more compelling), so this attraction (and the land as a whole) is set in mid-20th century America (Golden Age of Palentology?).<br />
<br />
Gone is the mundane, postmodern, low-rise Dino Institute (and signage) that exists now. It is replaced with a gothic, multi-turreted, brick museum building intended to evoke a stuffy Smithsonian or AMNH. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Inside are dusty, old-fashioned dinosaur exhibits, and the pre-show would take place in the fossil preparation laboratory. Secret book-case doors (because who doesn’t love those) would then open leading to the Time Travel sub-level, full of 1950’s style scientific equipment and re-designed rovers for a re-designed adventure (following the same path).</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
***</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thoughts? </span>SWWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025831334794344461noreply@blogger.com14