Sydney Disneyland Park - A Restoration Project

[Twilight_Roxas]

That's a great idea!

Which one Rescuers or Winnie the Pooh?

 

[spacemt354]

Which one Rescuers or Winnie the Pooh?

Both are but considering Rescuers is in Australia that would be a neat overlay.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Okay. Plus the first Rescuers is set in New Orleans while the sequel is set in Australia.

 

[spacemt354]

FRONTIERLAND

SPLASH MOUNTAIN
Designed by @Brer Oswald

Synopsis
My oh my what a wonderful day. Board a timber log and join Brer Rabbit and company on a musical adventure through the tales of Song of the South, before careening down a fifty foot plunge into the Briar Patch below.

Queue
On the east side of Frontierland in the Red River Bayou section of the land, you enter the queue for Splash Mountain towards the coastline by walking through a two-story red wood building. The building itself has a large Splash Mountain sign, below Mr. Blue Bird chirping above guests as they continue into the queue. There are two separate queues for this experience. A fastpass queue as well as a stand-by queue.

The stand-by queue walking in and out of various buildings within the Red River Bayou forest, entering further into the atmosphere of Song of the South. Throughout the queue, you can see various nick-nacks from several characters from the film, such as Brer Porcupine's home, Brer Frog's pond, and more. These scenes are comparable to the ones seen in various versions of Splash Mountain throughout other Disney parks such as the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in California, but this version will differ not just in content, but in the pace of the experience.

The queue for the Sydney Disneyland Splash Mountain is much more immersive in the tales of Song of the South compared to the prior incarnations, delving into several characters that on the attractions tend to be breezed past in the narrative. With this elongated, winding queue, not only can more guests fit in the switchbacks of the queue, but they can also appreciate more animated characters other than simply the big three of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear on the attraction.

Eventually you reach the loading dock where you see the warning signs of the health restrictions of the attraction and that you 'may get wet' on this experience. Those brave enough to take the plunge will proceed to the loading station where you board a boat that seats up to 8 guests (4 rows of 2 per row)

Ride-Through
Scene 1
Once loaded onto your boats, you take off and hear the safety announcement overheard
"For your safety, remain seated keeping your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the boat, and be sure to watch your kids! Have a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah ride."
"Por su seguridad, permanezca sentado manteniendo las manos brazos, pies y piernas dentro del barco, y asegúrese de ver a sus hijos!"

On your left hand side you see Brer Frog with his foot up on a rock, reclining in his rocking chair
"Looks like Brer Rabbit's headin' to his laughing place...he says he's looking for adventure...I say...he's lookin' for trouble. Brer Fox and Brer Bear are downstream of this here parts. I don't think young Brer Rabbit knows what's ahead"

The semi-ominous tone of Brer Frog's narration leads into a small drop into the dark (under the Rivers of America) and onto Chickapin Island, where the rest of the attraction takes place. The boats then begin an incline rise above to the 3rd of 4 levels of the attraction. During the incline, you can spot a hidden mickey on the right hand side of the boat, in various cartographic maps embedded into the wall. As you approach the top of the incline, an animatronic blue bird begins whistlining 'How Do You Do' - transitioning you into the next scene.

Scene 2
An Instrumental version of 'How Do You Do' plays as you wind around the mountain side. You pass a garden and birdhouse to your left, and go under a piece of the hill extruding from the main mountain side, creating some shade, and as you pass underneath the piece of the mountain, you see birds popping in and out of small holes, whistling along with the tune.

Scene 3
As you transition into this scene, you come out from under the overpass, and into a small Critter town Square on the mountain side. Here they have miniature Critter Elixir carts, vegetable food carts, as well as a cart set up by Brer Fox with the intention of tricking Brer Rabbit into telling him where the 'Laughin' Place is'

You curve around to the front side of the mountain and for a brief moment can see out towards Frontierland and a bit of the rest of Sydney Disneyland, before you reach the 'Fishin' Falls' with Brer Frog again showing up as the narrator with a casted line into the water to the side of you. "How do you do?" he asks rhetorically as he continues to whistle and then you plunge down towards the 2nd level of the island.

Scene 4
Entering the main show building of the attraction, as you pan around from your drop, you enter into a musical rendition of How Do You Do, with colorful, singing animatronics surrounding you. Inside you see Brer Rabbit introducing himself to you "Heh Heh Heh Brer Fox can't catch me, I'm going to my laughing place, come along!"

After Brer Rabbit introduces him, you are introduced to other animals that inhabit the southern bayou theme of the attraction, such as a smiling alligator looking for his next pray, just lounging belly-side up in the water next to your boat. Next to a sign that says 'No Fishin'" you see several geese with cast lines in rocking boats to your left and right hand side, as you transition towards Porky Pine playing a harmonica rendition of 'How Do You Do'

Several other animatronics are present talking about how Brer Rabbit is going to his Laughin' Place, and you can see Brer Bear caught in a tree rope trap to your right, as you glide around it, getting a good look at the rocking animatronic of Brer Bear who is just singing along without a care in the world, and Brer Fox acting all embarrassed and angry that his plan to catch Brer Rabbit is failing. After riding around and seeing gophers, chipmunks, owls, birds, Brer Rabbit's mother sweeping her front step, worried about her son, and more singing frogs, you then see Brer Fox attempting to lay a new trap 'to the laughin' place' and Brer Rabbit pops out above you as you plunge down to the bottom level of the attraction and into the Laughin' Place.

Scene 5
At this point the scenery changes from the bright and colorful singing, to a more cave environment, with low ceilings and sprouting fountains. Brer Rabbit is now singing "everybody's got a laughin' place" and others are signing along with him. Fountains shoot water across and over the guests and geysers shoot up around the ride vehicles, creating a nice relaxing mist of cool water riding through the attraction. Several of the fountains light up in colors that change periodically throughout your ride through the laughin' place. Eventually you hear Brer Fox yell out in excitement that he trapped Brer Rabbit in honey and he calls for Brer Bear that it looks like he's gonna have to 'roast ya' Brer Rabbit looks on frightened.

Scene 6
You pass under two ominous birds who cackle at you that 'we'll show you a laughin' place' and ominously saying 'time to be turning around...if only you could'

As your boat makes the long trek from the bottom level to the 4th level of the attraction complex, you hear bats and see them popping out of the cave walls to your left as you make the trek up the interior. Brer Rabbit is tied to a post to the right of your boat incline with Brer Bear, and Brer Fox is situated on the left hand side of the boat, bantering to Brer Bear that he placed Brer Rabbit on the wrong side, now he has to go back and get him.

In an act of frustration, Brer Fox says, you know what I think I'm just gonna throw you in that Briar Patch. Brer Rabbit responds "Do whatever you have to do Brer Fox, but please don't throw me in the Briar Patch"

Then your boats reach the top of the mountain side, you can see Fantasia Castle in the distance as well as Century 22 and Space Mountain for brief second before you take the 50 foot plunge at a 45 degree angle, your picture is taken, and you splash down in the Briar Patch below, before curling around and recovering.

Scene 7
Roaming around the ground level of Chickapin Island, you get a nice vista over towards Big Thunder Mountain, and an angle of Splash Mountain that hasn't been seen before on the attraction (but be careful of getting splashed from the Big Splashdown) You can hear an instrumental version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah playing in the background as you re-enter the mountain on a small incline before leveling out on the 2nd level.

Scene 8
You enter into a celebration of Brer Rabbit's return home. He is sitting out in front of his porch with his mom and Mr. Blue Bird, a large docked boat vessel rocks back and forth in excitement of his return. Brer Fox ends up getting caught in the Briar Patch and the alligator you saw relaxing in scene 4 now has Brer Fox by the tail, as Brer Bear looks on confused. Towards the end of the scene, Brer Frog welcomes you back and says "looks like home sweet home is the lesson today, and remember, everything is satisfactual" right before you see Brer Rabbit's younger brother looking to you in order to go on an adventure (foreshadowing a cycle of adventures) and you drop down in the dark below the Rivers of America before reappearing at the unload dock towards the exit and 'Splashin' Place' gift shop.​

 

[MickeyWaffleCo.]

SPLASH MOUNTAIN

The layout of the attraction here on the map looks very cool. I like how the entrance/exit is on the opposite side of the walkway from the mountain itself.

 

[DisneyManOne]

They could theme it to the Rescuers Down Under or Winnie the Pooh.

I don't think Winnie the Pooh would be a good fit for Frontierland. It barely makes any sense in Critter Country at Disneyland. But you know what I just thought of? Maybe we could make Splash Mountain a Paul Bunyan-themed ride! @Suchomimus suggested something based on folklore, and I think Paul Bunyan would lend itself perfectly to a log-based attraction.

EDIT: However, I do admit having it be themed to The Rescuers would be very nice. After all, the first movie sent Bernard and Bianca to the swamps of Louisiana in order to rescue Penny, so maybe we could work with that. It would also be a good thematic tie-in to Princess and the Frog across the way.

 

[spacemt354]

The layout of the attraction here on the map looks very cool. I like how the entrance/exit is on the opposite side of the walkway from the mountain itself.

That's one of my favorite aspects of the ride! It took a lot of inspiration from DLP's Big Thunder Mountain - I'm sure folks who are more familiar with DLP like @Evilgidgit or @montydysquith-navarro might know its layout.

And we made sure the show building had an underground (below the lagoon) transit to beyond the railroad for maintenance access on the island.

 

[spacemt354]

FRONTIERLAND

PRINCESS AND THE FROG - ESCAPE FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Designed by @FigmentPigments @OvertheHorizon @Jsly @Disney Dad 3000 @C. E. Myatt @Brer Oswald

Queue
Upon entering the attraction, the queue you wait in to board the ride vehicles is painted in bright orange, yellows, and reds. The paintings are representative of the sequence in the film "Almost There" where Tiana dreams of her own restaurant, Tiana's Place. The queue itself is a straight pathway until a switchback section before the loading area. Along the straight pathway, guests will be able to play interactive games on monitors on the painted walls that blend in with the surroundings on both sides of the line. The monitors allow the guests to play and sing-along with Tiana in her dream. The first station is a motion-based sweeping game, where the first person to clean the floor of dust out of the group at the monitor, wins the game.

The second station is a frosting game, where you have to aim the frosting and land them on the cakes like she does in her dream.

In the final interactive station, guests pop bottles of champagne and pour the beverage into glasses below, and the player who fills the most glasses wins. All of these games are played with Tiana singing "Almost There" in the background, mixed with an instrumental version of the same song.

When you approach the switch-back portion of the queue, near where guests board the ride vehicles, guests are introduced in the corner to a newspaper stand that says Prince Naveen has arrived. Turning towards the ride vehicles, guests see Dr. Facilier greeting the Prince and inviting him into his voodoo shop. On the voodoo shop street, guests board the trolley and begin the adventure.

Ride Vehicle Description:
As much as transportation is a means to get from point A to point B, the modes of transportation often become part of the fabric of the community. Such is the case with the New Orleans streetcar that was first introduced to the area through various forms in the 1830's.

Built by Perley A Thomas Car Works, Inc. in the 1920's and as seen in the film, the ride vehicle will display the classic green color and wood accents. Featuring the same body and roof style, the vehicle will remain open air to allow for full sightlines during the journey. Using the basic rail system used in other C-ticket rides in the park, the 4-seat streetcar will take guests on a comfortable ride through the attraction.

-Before loading Sequence-

As guests near the end of the queue and approach the loading area, they will leave the house and see Dr. Facilier talking to Naveen. Dr. Facilier says, “It’s the green you need? I've got exactly what you want to be, come down and visit my shop, I can show you what happens on the other side." After this, guests proceed to the loading area and get ready to board the ride.
​

Transitioning from the loading area, guests will get a chill down their spine as they turn the corner and the lights darken entering the attraction. Here they are welcomed by Dr. Facilier to go through a large Mardi Gras mask and into their future. Whispers of the music, "Friends on the Other Side" can be heard in the background. While going further into the mouth of the mask, Dr. Facilier’s shadow can be seen changing into a snake, and then back into its original state. After fully turning the corner, guests can look to see Naveen transforming into a frog, with the blood locket filling up red as they pass by. While leaving , "You got what you wanted, but you lost what you had.” plays ominously all around them with shadows lurking to the left and right.


Forest Transition Scene

Guest are entered into the next scene in a bedroom, Left and right are old books and Lottie's dresses and bedroom from the ball. Guest see Tiana lean in for a kiss with Naveen as a frog, and right before guest eyes Tiana and Naveen are now both frogs!Once this happens, guest hear noises of wind and can look all around to see the shadows lurking amongst Tiana and Naveen. Once this happens Tiana shouts,"C'mon!This way through the bayou!". Once this happens, much like in the attraction "Snow Whites Scary Adventures", the vehicle swerves around many different trees or vines, until finally they entire the next scene: the bayou.


When We're Human Scene

Going further into the bayou in this scene, guests are surprised by Louis the gator. Popping up in front of them, he greets them, "Come on and travel down with us. We're becoming human!” The ride then turns the corner to see Louis on water, while Tiana and Naveen are floating with him, and music in the background plays "When We're Human". Glow lights flicker as there is a spotlight shown on Tiana and Naveen, taking their place as being determined to become human again. After this, guests can see Louis, Tiana, and Naveen float down the bayou as the vehicles turn a corner to enter the upcoming scene.


Mama Odie Tree Scene
As guest enter the next scene, guest turn a corner and see the shadows, although haven't been seen in some time, are still following Tiana and Naveen. Once the shadows are close, guest turn another corner as they see Mama Odie destroying the shadows. Making another turn, guest can see Mama Odies lit up boathouse in the background, as the scene lights up and guest can hear soft music in the next turn. Once in the upcoming turn, guest are inside Mama Odies boathouse as she sings "Dig a Little Deeper". While this happens, pink spoonbills are surrounding the area, dancing and singing along. Bright, beautiful multi-colored bottle lights come in as a disco ball. At the end of the scene, Mama Odie knows that Tiana and Naveen are informed what they have to do to become human. Mama Odie tells Ray, "They know what they need on the inside-lead them back to New Orleans!". As this happens, the lights darken as guests head into the next scene.


Going Down the Bayou Scene

The “Going Down the Bayou” segment of our ride is represented by a big bend in the river, where bald cypress trees stand in relief against a darkened sky and Spanish moss hangs next to the trolley. Using fiber optic technology, thousands of fireflies glow against the sky, while LED technology allows us to depict larger “lightning bugs” closer to the vehicle, including the Cajun character of Ray. We round a curve and spot Tiana and Naveen sitting on a log as they join in singing as the fireflies escort them back to New Orleans.


Paddleboat Scene

Guest are brought into a romantic, beautiful scene with Tiana and Naveen. The scene shows the paddle boat, and in the background can be seen that it is night, and the table Naveen set up for their dinner can be shown in the back. As Naveen and Tiana lean in for a kiss, guest see them back away from each other instead, with Naveen saying, "Tiana, I will do anything to help you get your restaurant." As guest leave the scene, a shadow can now be shown being as Tiana and Naveen, getting ready to take control. While this is(almost) happening, guest enter the next scene.

-Transition Scene-

While guest are going from one scene to the next, the atmosphere is dark and gloomy. Though it only last for a few short seconds, guest can hear in the background Ray shouting, "Cher!They got Naveen!"


Cemetery Scene

We approach the cemetery scene, where the famed St. Louis Cathedral forms a backdrop as ominous crypts stand in relief at the foreground. Adding to the sense of foreboding, fog rises from behind the mausoleums and dark shadows dart through the cemetery. After fully turning into the scene, we see Tiana confronting Dr. Facilier. Tiana is presented in 3-D, standing in front of a large video screen depicting Facilier. As she brandishes the blood locket, a giant Mardi Gras mask appears on the screen and sucks the silhouette of Facilier into its mouth.


Mardi Gras Scene

Back in New Orleans and following Tiana’s defeat of the evil Dr. Facilier, we see a swirl of colorful confetti as Louis leads a celebratory Mardi Gras parade. Our favorite alligator plays traditional jazz on his trumpet. We see Mama Odie performing Tiana and Naveen’s marriage ceremony. Once the Frog Prince kisses his new Princess the spell is finally broken. Using a Pepper’s Ghost effect, riders see their transformation from frogs to human.


Tiana's Place Scene
As our New Orleans-style trolley wraps up its “Escape From the Other Side” journey, guests see Tiana’s Palace standing in relief against a nighttime sky. Twinkling lights outline the building, and the windows glow. We realize that Tiana has achieved the fulfillment of a dream that began with her father of finally having a restaurant. In the sky beyond two stars shine brightly overhead. One of them is Evangeline and the other is Ray. Surrounding the stars, once again using fiber optic technology, light from a thousand fireflies forms a heart shape around the two stars. As we make the final turn and prepare to unload, we see full-sized images of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen dancing.

​

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

FRONTIERLAND

WESTERN RIVER EXPEDITION
Designed by @TheDesignPirate

As you walk down a path of light brown cement in Frontierland you start to see colorful pebbles embedded in the ground. This trail of river rock soon makes a path itself past several trees and mesa rocks similar to what you would see at Big Thunder Mountain in the distance. Guests being to see signs of an old boom town, with overgrown wagons, a deserted western barn, and mining equipment. It seems the forest near the river has reclaimed it's old territory. A picket fence sign reads “Rainbow Ridge 10 mi ahead”. Could this be a sign that Tumbleweed had a competing mine town?

When you travel further down this path, the rockwork starts to get higher in elevation and redder in color, similar to Arches National Park. As the rockwork gets higher the calls of eagles and sounds of buffalo start to be heard in the area. Afterwards, you finally seen signs of water as a small river trickles next to the pebbled pathway. As you look at the bottom of the river, you see the colorful pebbles that have on your trail. Finally realizing where these pebbles have come from, you follow the river to an 8 ft. waterfall with rocks that have eroded that reads the letters “Western Expedition” within the falls.

As you turn around and wind through various rock formations and geysers, you go farther up the mountains to a beautiful green grassy area. From there, a wooden, old, abandoned mine tram plant. Curious, you move to explore the old plant. Inside shows old photos and newspapers describing news of the olden day western town you saw down the river. As you enter the second story of the mining platform, it seems there's an old mine caretaker to give any guests a tour of the mountain by the old, rusty gold trams used by Rainbow Ridge townsfolk back in the wild western days.

As you load into the tram and tie some old rope to keep in the tram (a themed seatbelt), you hear a voice in the background alto, deep southern, country accent.

SCRIPT:

SPOKEN: Please stay seated with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the tram. You can't be too careful around here; Strange things have been known to happen in these parts!

Your tram then goes off directly into the magical Rainbow Ridge mountains.

As you travel past the green valley range in the mountains, you start to see strange brown rock formations, depicting different symbols and caricatures of Wild Western culture.

The tracks follow these formations into a cave, where we see more brown rocks in old western culture formations. As the tram travels, guests begin to hear the strum of a guitar and words sang by an alto, deep southern, country female vocalist.

SCRIPT:

PRELUDE SONG as sung by Amy the Armadillo:
Just another Dream in the Mountains
Lingering till’ the day is through
It’s Rainbow Ridge’s echo
Once again I’m dreaming of you.
Every night I search the land
Up and down the river shore
Rainbow Ridge is a callin’
And I wonder if you’ll come back once more
(Guitar strumming pauses with surprise as the Armadillo sees guests)

Amy the Armadillo (SPOKEN): Hello their folks! I’m Amy the Armadillo and Welcome to the Rainbow Ridge Caverns!(Pause for a few seconds as guitar strums) Wouldn't it be great if there was a way we could actually get back to the old West? You know, I can almost hear those old cowpokes singing around the campfire….

As guests go farther in the cave, more of these formations start to resemble geysers, and start erupting randomly with luminescent steam. This steam then turns the rocks luminescent, as guests keep traveling, dodging the erupting hot seam from the tram.

After the tram banks a curve nearly missing a geyser, we see a miraculous quintet of rainbow colored geysers erupting on musical sync, continuing the music from the Armadillo’s song.

SCRIPT:

Male Acapella Chorus Rendition (Geysers Scene):

As there’s music in the sunset
And yellow in the moon
The Wild West is callin’
And it’s callin’ for you

Rainbow Ridge has wonders
And stories to it’s name
The land is a callin’
and it’s callin’ your name

As the geysers come to the end of the chorus, you see them all erupt at once, causing eruptions surrounding the tram. The tram track seems to then move from going father into the tunnel of the cave, off into the mist of the exploding geysers.

The tram thrusts foreword into the multi-colored, mist-y steam, with the tram travelling through total darkness afterwards.

As guests look above, the tram seems to be flying on it’s own, with no rusty pathway in sight, just prairie skies. The same musical score we’ve heard in the caverns reappears as we turn to see a wild pack of coyotes in the distance, howling over a sunset.

SCRIPT:

Amy the Armadillo (SPOKEN) (EXCLAIMS): Looks like we’re back in the Wild West!

As you bank another turn, you see the sunset slowly has taking over the land. You start to hear the armadillo singing the second verse and chorus of the attraction’s score as you get a panorama of the mountains, rivers, canyons, and its residents.

SCRIPT:

(Interlude of Western Expedition Song, sung to the tune of Blue Shadows)

Shades of night have fallin’
Stars in the mountain sky above
At the sight of the moon
The animals stay in tune
To a song that sings, of the home they love

CHORUS (of the Western Expedition Song):
Though there’s droughts in the desert
And snow in the peaks
The Wild West is callin’
And it’s callin’ for me

To the rivers in the mountains
Out to the Mesas and the Plains
The land is a callin’
and it’s callin’ my name.

As, guests turn, they hear the final hook to the chorus fade out and see a set that showcases Cowboys and Cactus’s singing around a fire pit with a colorful canyon and artistic sunset.

After guests pass a small, dark room that used to break, the next scene is showcased. The tram is now flowing on a river, where we see two rattlesnakes coming out of an old bull skeleton head, slowly hissing and crossing each other, resembling an image of crossbones.

SCRIPT:

Armadillo (Spoken with Concern): Watch out for Bandits!

Guests have now made it to see the Wild West transition from day to nightfall. As the tram passes through a colorful yellow and orange arch, a group of bandits down the river blocks a train conductor coming out a goldmine. It's obvious that these men - who are dressed in all black and had eerie-looking horses– are the villains in this attraction, because they all wear kerchiefs to hide the lower halves of their faces.

Since, the leader of the Bandits is to enticed with singing the third verse of the Western Expedition song on his guitar to care about the guests witnessing the robbery, he implies that you’ll see him in charge of the town with riches from the mountains later on.

SCRIPT:

(Part 2 of Westerm Expedition Song)

Head Bandit:
There are miners in this here West
Who all think they’re the best,
And think they are the kings of Thunder Mesa.

HORSE: Snorts a laugh, nodding his head in agreeing with his owner.

Head Bandit:
Well, some may insist of their fame,
I’ll put them all to shame, Because
That Gold is a callin’
and it’s callin’ my name.

Accompanied Bandit 1:
We’ll let you go this time, don’t slip,

Accompanied Bandit 2:
Rainbow Ridge is up the cliff

Accompanied Bandits (Unison):
So long till’ your gold is a callin’
And it’s callin’ our name
(Evil Laughs insue from the Bandits)

ACCOMPANIED BANDIT'S HORSES: Snorts a laugh, nodding his head in agreeing with his owner.

Guests believe they’ll go under the Train Track robbery. That is, until the tram gets a mind of its own and passes right between the robbing bandits and the train conductor, who oddly looks very familiar to Tony Baxter.

(Note: I thought if Marc’s in Big Thunder, it’d be a nice touch to add Baxter to Western River – It’d also add to the new Thunder Mountain Backstory).

Steam pumps from the train, barely missing the tram as it decides to go up the waterfall in the background, right in time to see the lost boomtown of Rainbow Ridge.

As we go from a dense forest near the water to bright mesa backgrounds, guests are enticed by seeing Marc Davis original concept art come to life in the town’s residents as bold colors surround the town in a frontier nighttime fantasy. Bars, parties, and normal residents all in celebration of the Bullion Industries striking gold nearby. You can hear the town signing the chorus of the Western Expedition Song as guests travel foreword.

Chorus 2 (Rainbow Ridge Saloon Style Rendition) (Repeated x2):
Now there’s miners in the mountains
And riches in the Range
The Wild West is callin’
And it’s callin’ my name

The gold isa’ plenty
And the boomtowns are alive
Cut down a forest
And leave cabins behind

Pianos are a playin’
We’ve made it better as anyone can see
The Wild West is callin’
And it’s callin’ for me

As you turn around, you see a campfire left unattended, which quickly catches on the dry grass and spreads into a forest fire. The tram avoids falling trees and sudden run ins with flames as it quickly takes cover in a cave.

SCRIPT:

Amy the Armadillo (appears in a fallen tree): There’s a safe cave up ahead! You can escape the forest fire! Hurry - to the left!

As you go further into the cave, you see the tram heads back unto a track. It follows a bright sign labeled “Gold this way” and equipment that says “Bullion Industries” on it. Could this be the newly founded goldmine that started the Rainbow Ridge celebration?

The tram starts to quickly incline upwards, leading to the top of the giant mine shaft. As you take a couple turns, you notice more strange happenings, such as another rattlesnake, and mine workers tied to a work desk with red bandanas across their faces.

The final turn leads you to a large canyon underneath as the tram accelerates in speed and goes forward. It comes to a complete stop as you find the entrance to the gold area of the mine… and also the bandits you saw in the river.

SCRIPT:

Head Bandit (Sung):
This gold is mine to take
And it seems you took the bait
You’re gold is a callin’
And it’s callin’ my name

HORSE:
Snorts a laugh, nodding his head in agreeing with his owner.

Bandits begin to hold guests at gunpoint

Head Bandit (Spoken):
Since your reluctant to incline, to our raiding western life….It’s back to the canyon for you, Wranglers.

As you hear two clear gunshots go off, the head Bandit shoots the tram rope and causes the tram to accelerate backwards into complete darkness and out of the mine shaft. This also brings guests outside the show building and back into the exterior of the attraction, serving around mountains and trees.

As you make another small swerve, you notice the Armadillo has hit the brakes on the tram by pulling a large lever.

SCRIPT:

Armadillo: Hold On!

The Tram then glides down Rivers of America past waterfalls, rocks, and canoes down below until it makes a stop in Rainbow Caverns, a beautiful revision of the old Rainbow Caverns at Disneyland. At the end of these Caverns… We see the Armadillo one last time.

Final Chorus (Amy the Armadillo):
The Mountains are a singin’
And the geyser’s are alive
It’s Rainbow Ridge’s echo
It’s impossible to describe
The animals are dream of beauty
And it’s cowfolk dream of fame
Rainbow Ridge is a callin’
And it’s callin’ your name

As we hear vocals of the last verse and the chorus of the Western Expedition Song, we go to unload out of the tram, exiting out of the other side of the mine tram plant. We see newspapers of a new group taking over thunder mesa and more robberies from the bandits. The last newspaper seen by the exit has a picture of the main bandit we encountered with the picture seeming to wink at guests as they leave the Rainbow Ridge Mountains.​

Thanks for letting me in on this, @spacemt354. I don't believe I've worked with you before in an Imagineering competition, @TheDesignPirate, so nice to meet you!

I will say that this reminds me a lot of HKDL's Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Carts but with more storytelling. This sounds like a true E-ticket for families: a great ride experience, exciting storytelling, and a catchy reoccurring theme song to boot! It's a great blend of classic Disney dark rides like Pirates and modern Disney ride mechanics like BGMRMC and Expedition Everest. I also love the inclusion of other much-missed elements from Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, like the Rainbow Caverns and the anthropomorphic cacti. This adds more whimsy to the attraction and helps contrast it from the much more realistic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next door.

The question is, would this version of WRE match up with its shinier and younger (historically-speaking) sibling? Both are minecart-themed coasters (if I understood yours correctly; feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), but one is more whimsical than the other and vice-versa. Funny, could this be Marc Davis' revenge on Tony Baxter from beyond the grave...?

I do worry about timing issues in the ride though since I feel that you can only spend so much time in a show scene in a storytelling coaster (again, correct me if I misunderstood the ride system). The scenes with the bandits brought this worry to mind, since not only they're singing with the theme song as you enter the show scene but they also have spiels directed to the guests too. The mine trams would have to either slow down to a crawl or even stop completely so they can understand what's happening at the moment.

Your writing is succinct, something that is always appreciated around here. The descriptions for each show scene are clear and direct-to-the-point. Your artwork is also fantastic and helped me a lot in visualizing what a wonderful visual experience this attraction could be. If I could describe it correctly, your art style is a cross between the geometric stylings of Mary Blair and the vibrant colors of Marc Davis/John Hench. It's always great discovering different art styles on here, which reminds me a lot of the older Imagineers and their distinct styles.

Overall, I love this idea of reviving a beloved unbuilt attraction and redesigning it for a new audience. It's not Marc's WRE as he designed it, and that's a good thing! If this was a real attraction, I would definitely ride it over and over again (which I did with BGMRMC). Keep up the good work!

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

That's one of my favorite aspects of the ride! It took a lot of inspiration from DLP's Big Thunder Mountain - I'm sure folks who are more familiar with DLP like @Evilgidgit or @montydysquith-navarro might know its layout.

And we made sure the show building had an underground (below the lagoon) transit to beyond the railroad for maintenance access on the island.

Judging from some complete ride-through videos, that seems to be the case in Paris!

 

[OvertheHorizon]

The Princess and the Frog ride was such a fun project. Thanks for sharing it again.

 

[ThemeParkPriest]

That's one of my favorite aspects of the ride! It took a lot of inspiration from DLP's Big Thunder Mountain - I'm sure folks who are more familiar with DLP like @Evilgidgit or @montydysquith-navarro might know its layout.

And we made sure the show building had an underground (below the lagoon) transit to beyond the railroad for maintenance access on the island.

Yeah I rode the DLP BTM before it got its most recent updates. It’s pretty disorientating when you’re riding it…sort of like the backwards part of Expedition Everest (next to the yeti). But then you come out on the island. It really gives it a deeper sense of being a runaway train.

 

[ThemeParkPriest]

In case you missed it, my rankings suggest that Sydney is the best location without a current park that would be in-line for a Disney (or Universal) park. It scored highly in distance to other parks and the fact that there were already discussions to bring Disney Wharf to Sydney Harbor.

Next International Resort [Universal Studios Great Britain]

Strength of Intellectual Properties Disney and Universal have good internal numbers as to where their Intellectual Properties (IPs) are popular. From the outside, though, it can be tough to know where IPs are well-received. Avengers: End Game is the top grossing box office movie of all time at...

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[Keyblade Jedi]

FRONTIERLAND

SPLASH MOUNTAIN
Designed by @Brer Oswald

Synopsis
My oh my what a wonderful day. Board a timber log and join Brer Rabbit and company on a musical adventure through the tales of Song of the South, before careening down a fifty foot plunge into the Briar Patch below.

Queue
On the east side of Frontierland in the Red River Bayou section of the land, you enter the queue for Splash Mountain towards the coastline by walking through a two-story red wood building. The building itself has a large Splash Mountain sign, below Mr. Blue Bird chirping above guests as they continue into the queue. There are two separate queues for this experience. A fastpass queue as well as a stand-by queue.

The stand-by queue walking in and out of various buildings within the Red River Bayou forest, entering further into the atmosphere of Song of the South. Throughout the queue, you can see various nick-nacks from several characters from the film, such as Brer Porcupine's home, Brer Frog's pond, and more. These scenes are comparable to the ones seen in various versions of Splash Mountain throughout other Disney parks such as the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in California, but this version will differ not just in content, but in the pace of the experience.

The queue for the Sydney Disneyland Splash Mountain is much more immersive in the tales of Song of the South compared to the prior incarnations, delving into several characters that on the attractions tend to be breezed past in the narrative. With this elongated, winding queue, not only can more guests fit in the switchbacks of the queue, but they can also appreciate more animated characters other than simply the big three of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear on the attraction.

Eventually you reach the loading dock where you see the warning signs of the health restrictions of the attraction and that you 'may get wet' on this experience. Those brave enough to take the plunge will proceed to the loading station where you board a boat that seats up to 8 guests (4 rows of 2 per row)

Ride-Through
Scene 1
Once loaded onto your boats, you take off and hear the safety announcement overheard
"For your safety, remain seated keeping your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the boat, and be sure to watch your kids! Have a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah ride."
"Por su seguridad, permanezca sentado manteniendo las manos brazos, pies y piernas dentro del barco, y asegúrese de ver a sus hijos!"

On your left hand side you see Brer Frog with his foot up on a rock, reclining in his rocking chair
"Looks like Brer Rabbit's headin' to his laughing place...he says he's looking for adventure...I say...he's lookin' for trouble. Brer Fox and Brer Bear are downstream of this here parts. I don't think young Brer Rabbit knows what's ahead"

The semi-ominous tone of Brer Frog's narration leads into a small drop into the dark (under the Rivers of America) and onto Chickapin Island, where the rest of the attraction takes place. The boats then begin an incline rise above to the 3rd of 4 levels of the attraction. During the incline, you can spot a hidden mickey on the right hand side of the boat, in various cartographic maps embedded into the wall. As you approach the top of the incline, an animatronic blue bird begins whistlining 'How Do You Do' - transitioning you into the next scene.

Scene 2
An Instrumental version of 'How Do You Do' plays as you wind around the mountain side. You pass a garden and birdhouse to your left, and go under a piece of the hill extruding from the main mountain side, creating some shade, and as you pass underneath the piece of the mountain, you see birds popping in and out of small holes, whistling along with the tune.

Scene 3
As you transition into this scene, you come out from under the overpass, and into a small Critter town Square on the mountain side. Here they have miniature Critter Elixir carts, vegetable food carts, as well as a cart set up by Brer Fox with the intention of tricking Brer Rabbit into telling him where the 'Laughin' Place is'

You curve around to the front side of the mountain and for a brief moment can see out towards Frontierland and a bit of the rest of Sydney Disneyland, before you reach the 'Fishin' Falls' with Brer Frog again showing up as the narrator with a casted line into the water to the side of you. "How do you do?" he asks rhetorically as he continues to whistle and then you plunge down towards the 2nd level of the island.

Scene 4
Entering the main show building of the attraction, as you pan around from your drop, you enter into a musical rendition of How Do You Do, with colorful, singing animatronics surrounding you. Inside you see Brer Rabbit introducing himself to you "Heh Heh Heh Brer Fox can't catch me, I'm going to my laughing place, come along!"

After Brer Rabbit introduces him, you are introduced to other animals that inhabit the southern bayou theme of the attraction, such as a smiling alligator looking for his next pray, just lounging belly-side up in the water next to your boat. Next to a sign that says 'No Fishin'" you see several geese with cast lines in rocking boats to your left and right hand side, as you transition towards Porky Pine playing a harmonica rendition of 'How Do You Do'

Several other animatronics are present talking about how Brer Rabbit is going to his Laughin' Place, and you can see Brer Bear caught in a tree rope trap to your right, as you glide around it, getting a good look at the rocking animatronic of Brer Bear who is just singing along without a care in the world, and Brer Fox acting all embarrassed and angry that his plan to catch Brer Rabbit is failing. After riding around and seeing gophers, chipmunks, owls, birds, Brer Rabbit's mother sweeping her front step, worried about her son, and more singing frogs, you then see Brer Fox attempting to lay a new trap 'to the laughin' place' and Brer Rabbit pops out above you as you plunge down to the bottom level of the attraction and into the Laughin' Place.

Scene 5
At this point the scenery changes from the bright and colorful singing, to a more cave environment, with low ceilings and sprouting fountains. Brer Rabbit is now singing "everybody's got a laughin' place" and others are signing along with him. Fountains shoot water across and over the guests and geysers shoot up around the ride vehicles, creating a nice relaxing mist of cool water riding through the attraction. Several of the fountains light up in colors that change periodically throughout your ride through the laughin' place. Eventually you hear Brer Fox yell out in excitement that he trapped Brer Rabbit in honey and he calls for Brer Bear that it looks like he's gonna have to 'roast ya' Brer Rabbit looks on frightened.

Scene 6
You pass under two ominous birds who cackle at you that 'we'll show you a laughin' place' and ominously saying 'time to be turning around...if only you could'

As your boat makes the long trek from the bottom level to the 4th level of the attraction complex, you hear bats and see them popping out of the cave walls to your left as you make the trek up the interior. Brer Rabbit is tied to a post to the right of your boat incline with Brer Bear, and Brer Fox is situated on the left hand side of the boat, bantering to Brer Bear that he placed Brer Rabbit on the wrong side, now he has to go back and get him.

In an act of frustration, Brer Fox says, you know what I think I'm just gonna throw you in that Briar Patch. Brer Rabbit responds "Do whatever you have to do Brer Fox, but please don't throw me in the Briar Patch"

Then your boats reach the top of the mountain side, you can see Fantasia Castle in the distance as well as Century 22 and Space Mountain for brief second before you take the 50 foot plunge at a 45 degree angle, your picture is taken, and you splash down in the Briar Patch below, before curling around and recovering.

Scene 7
Roaming around the ground level of Chickapin Island, you get a nice vista over towards Big Thunder Mountain, and an angle of Splash Mountain that hasn't been seen before on the attraction (but be careful of getting splashed from the Big Splashdown) You can hear an instrumental version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah playing in the background as you re-enter the mountain on a small incline before leveling out on the 2nd level.

Scene 8
You enter into a celebration of Brer Rabbit's return home. He is sitting out in front of his porch with his mom and Mr. Blue Bird, a large docked boat vessel rocks back and forth in excitement of his return. Brer Fox ends up getting caught in the Briar Patch and the alligator you saw relaxing in scene 4 now has Brer Fox by the tail, as Brer Bear looks on confused. Towards the end of the scene, Brer Frog welcomes you back and says "looks like home sweet home is the lesson today, and remember, everything is satisfactual" right before you see Brer Rabbit's younger brother looking to you in order to go on an adventure (foreshadowing a cycle of adventures) and you drop down in the dark below the Rivers of America before reappearing at the unload dock towards the exit and 'Splashin' Place' gift shop.​

Which Music Score are Ya Going to Use? The Anaheim Version or the Florida/Tokyo Versions?

 

[spacemt354]

Which Music Score are Ya Going to Use? The Anaheim Version or the Florida/Tokyo Versions?

Probably the Florida/Tokyo as it has more of that 'southern' feel to it to blend in with PoTF.

Also I'll be getting back to this project - just been extremely busy moving, most likely this weekend I will continue with the remainder Frontierland and then move on to Adventureland.

 

[Suchomimus]

Probably the Florida/Tokyo as it has more of that 'southern' feel to it to blend in with PoTF.

The bluegrass rendition is okay, but I think DL’s version would’ve made for a better fit, not just to balance out between DL’s and WDW’s soundtracks, but also because of its proximity to mini-NO.

 

[MickeyWaffleCo.]

The bluegrass rendition is okay, but I think DL’s version would’ve made for a better fit, not just to balance out between DL’s and WDW’s soundtracks, but also because of its proximity to mini-NO.

Plus the DL soundtrack is just better overall, in my opinion

 

[DlpPhantom]

As cool as a Rescuers themed Splash Mountain could be I wonder how an original story could work. If you think about it Disney has never crafted a completely original story for a log flume attraction. One of the brilliant things bout Splash Mountain is the way it weaves the big drop into the narrative. For example a story involves a magic cave that transports the logs back in time to the age of the dinosaurs and the drop is symbolic of the extinction of the dinosaurs and the return to modern day.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

As cool as a Rescuers themed Splash Mountain could be I wonder how an original story could work. If you think about it Disney has never crafted a completely original story for a log flume attraction. One of the brilliant things bout Splash Mountain is the way it weaves the big drop into the narrative. For example a story involves a magic cave that transports the logs back in time to the age of the dinosaurs and the drop is symbolic of the extinction of the dinosaurs and the return to modern day.

Or Winnie the Pooh.

 

[spacemt354]

FRONTIERLAND

TIANA'S PALACE
Restaurant Designed by @OvertheHorizon

Sample Dessert Menu
Tiana's Beignet with honey. $7.99
Pink Cake. $6.99
Whoopie Pie. $5.99
Key Lime Pie. $5.99
Red Velvet Cake. $6.99
Neapolitan Cake. $5.99
Mardigras Cake. $6.99

Nature Trails
By @TheDesignPirate
Towards the Splash Mountain entrance and flowing from the colorful town of Rainbow Ridge in Frontierland proper, trek into the Thunder Mesa mountain range and into the luminescent canyons of Nature's Wonderland.

Inside the canyon you can walk through the winding pathways separated by sprinkling rainbow colored water and glowing lights guiding you around on your adventure. If you listen closely, you'll be able to hear the Armadillo from Western River Expedition singing in the background, echoing throughout the colorful canyons.

Continuing on further into the mountain, you may even catch a glimpse of boats traveling through the mountain side , and the roaring thunderous sounds of a runaway mine train careening in the distance.​