A Whole New World...Revisited

[orlando678-]

I wish there was like a show or attraction about tv production. The show could be very interactive while the attraction would show some important changes and rules in tv production. Oh well, you did a great job!

 

[DisneyManOne]

I wish there was like a show or attraction about tv production. The show could be very interactive while the attraction would show some important changes and rules in tv production. Oh well, you did a great job!

Well, as I said when I started Disney's Hollywoodland, "The notion of Hollywood is alive with sights, sounds, glamour, fame, adventure, and mystery. For that reason, Disney's Hollywoodland is not a movie studio." So, with that sense, I don't think I'd include a TV production show. Thanks very much, anyway!
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New York Street

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One of the wonderful things about the original Disney-MGM Studios was that it was one a working studios. The sets. The soundstages. The offices. The Animation building. It was all a part of an actual working studio at one time. Since the opening of the park, the "studios" remnants had slowly started being stripped away and now, all production for any sort of studios work has been discontinued. The theme of the park had changed from a peek behind the camera to see how productions are made, to an immersive experience, where guests are actually a part of the production. What is fantastic about New York Street is that it is one of the few parts of the park that still holds the remnants of it being a legitimate working studios.

Now, before I get any further, I must answer the question you're probably thinking right now: "Why are you calling this area New York Street"? Well, New York Street is what the Streets of America were originally called. The area got its Streets of America name in 2004, when the San Francisco model came up. And the reason why I'm once again calling it New York Street is because I plan to give the Premiere Theater a new facade, thus showing no need for the San Francisco model.

Anyways, New York Street recreates the picture-esque city-scape of NYC, capturing the guests within the modern day persona of the city. As a part of the original Studios Backlot Tour, the entire section of the park was only accessed via the tram tours and all access to the area on feet was restricted. Times have certainly changed. The tour had been adapted and consequently, was cut back, taking the trams into new directions of the park, but also opening up the Streets of America as a complete new section of the park for guests to explore. Since then, the land had continued to adapt, instilling a beloved Christmas tradition (more on that later), and soon, even more immersive experiences for the guests of Disney's Hollywoodland to explore.

One of the tricks of New York Street is that most of the buildings are actually facades built with framework to simulate a canvas for the directors and set designers to work with. Most of the buildings are facades or flat sets made to "simulate" a city for production purposes, rather than "build" a city. That will change. Largely inspired by the New York section of the American Waterfront at Tokyo DisneySea, the buildings along New York Street will be turned from flat sets to actual buildings. This will help breathe new life into the area of the park, and create a more immersive experience for the guests.

These pictures (both of which are from Tokyo DisneySea's American Waterfront) should help give you an idea of what I'm trying to go for here.​

New York Street also serves as the heart of the entire left side of the studios. From here, paths connect to Lucasland, Hollywood Boulevard, Muppet Studios and Pixar Place. At the south end of the street, paths from Lucasland, Muppet Studios and Hollywood Boulevard converge to meet at the southern end of New York Street. Right nearby the ABC Bistro, you'll find the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, a truly different experience unlike any other to be found in the park. In this sit-down restaurant, guests are seated in old-fashioned vehicles in a building designed to re-create the outdoor settings of a drive-in movie theater. LED stars twinkle overhead, as a huge screen in the front of the theater plays clips from old sci-fi features, including older movie theater promos and cartoons. The Cast Members serving the guests roll up to the vehicles in true era style, in roller blades. The restaurant is definitely an experience to remember. Plus, since the "actual movie studio" theme is gone, the exterior, as seen above, will be changed to look more like the entrance to the Paramount Theatre, one of the most famous movie theaters in all of New York City, itself the home of a restaurant--the Hard Rock Cafe. And on top of that, the idea that the drive-in is a soundstage is also gone.

Continuing down the ramp leading from the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, guests will come across The Writer's Stop, tucked away in the corner of the descending ramp. The Writers' Stop is a wonderful place to get a nice cup of coffee and read a great book. A small seating area is features in the restaurant, amongst the many shelves of books and even an old 50s television, playing classic Disney cartoons.

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Continuing down to the southern end of the street, guests will find themselves immersed in the cityscape of New York City. At the south end of the street, guests will notice that the former Empire State Building flats have been removed to make way for a concert stage. This stage is used for events, like Star Wars Weekends. Further down the street, both sides of the street have been refurbished to account for the aforementioned change from flats to actual buildings. The buildings have been refreshed and repainted (and aged), to give the Streets of America a livelier, but lived in feel. The city streets are also lined with fire hydrants, stacks of newspapers and staiways leading down to subway stations. If one has a good eye, you may find a couple references to the movie Oliver & Company along the street. Bright neon signs are suspended from fire escapes and billboards are planted at the top of a few of the buildings.

Live street performances and streetmosphere characters such as live music or a NYC inspired clown show that focusses on guest volunteers will be added, that will entertain guests, give them something to do (other than experience a stage show or a thrilling attraction) and add to the authenticity and energy of the land. All of these shows will be performed multiple times per day.

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Plus, an all-new piece of entertainment will come to the streets at certain points throughout the day. Based on the successful 1992 film and the hit Broadway musical, the Newsies Street Strike will take guests back to the Newsboys Strike of 1899.

This is an all-new take on a live stage show for Disney's Hollywoodland. Why? Because there is no stage to perform on. All the action takes place on the streets.

The basic plot is as follows: In the early hours of the morning in 1899 New York City, newspaper delivery boy Jack Kelly tells his disabled friend, Crutchie, of his dream to one day leave New York for Santa Fe ("Santa Fe" (Prologue)). Jack lives with his fellow "newsies," many of whom are orphaned and homeless. As the sun rises, the newsies awaken and prepare for another day on the job ("Carrying the Banner").

While on the job, Jack spots a young female reporter named Katherine Plumber. He attempts to flirt with her, but she brushes him off as he does a drawing of her. Jack laments his blossoming feelings for her as the show continues. The next morning, Jack and the newsies discover that the publisher of the New York World, Joseph Pultizer, increases the cost of the newspapers to the delivery boys, so as to outsell his competitors. So now, the cost of newspapers has raised sixty cents per hundred. Outraged, Jack organizes a protest ("The World Will Know"). Katherine, inspired by Jack's leadership and artistic abilities, sees the newsies' strike as an opportunity to become a more successful reporter and decides to cover the protest ("Watch What Happens"). The next day, Jack fails to properly motivate the newsies, as he isn't always the best with words, but Davey steps in and rallies the newsies for a full scale strike against the New York World ("Seize the Day").

The protest is cut short when the boys are engaged in confrontations with the police. During the commotion, Crutchie is beaten, apprehended, and taken to the refuge. Jack, upset at the protest's failure and the capture of Crutchie, laments the situation and promises himself that he'll soon leave New York forever ("Santa Fe").

The next morning, Katherine visits the sulking newsies in Jacobi's Deli and cheers them up by showing them that her article about the strike made the front page of the New York Sun. Thrilled, the newsies all rejoice at making the headline and imagine what it would be like to be wealthy ("King of New York").

Back at the World, Pulitzer offers Jack a compromise: If the strike is called off, he will be cleared of all charges and given enough money to leave for Santa Fe, but if not, he will be sent back to the refuge. Jack gathers the newsies, and not wanting to put them in any more danger, reluctantly suggests they accept Pulitzer's offer. Davey and the newsies are shocked at Jack and turn their back on him. Jack later meets with Katherine once more and she tells him that despite her namesake, she was always on Jack's side. She also criticizes Jack for not being honest with her about ending up in the refuge for stealing, however, after seeing a drawing Jack made depicting the abuse conducted at the refuge, she realizes Jack stole the food and clothing for the other boys there. The two share a brief romantic moment and Katherine states that "I have something to believe in, now that I know you believed in me". Jack admits that the feeling is mutual ("Something to Believe In").

Jack and Katherine then join the newsies in printing their own paper; one that will determine the outcome of the strike ("Once and for All"). The newsies' paper is sent to Governor Roosevelt, who arrives in full support of the newsies' cause. Defeated, Pulitzer compromises with Jack once more. Jack proposes that Pulitzer buy back every paper the newsies fail to sell everyday, thus making him seem more generous and making more boys want to sell papers for him. Pulitzer is reluctant at first, but agrees. Crutchie is freed, the refuge is shut down, and the strike ends. Jack prepares to say goodbye to Katherine, as he now plans to leave for Santa Fe, but Katherine says that wherever he goes she will go with him. The two share a kiss and Jack elects to remain a newsie. All ends well ("Finale").​

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In addition, interactive elements will be introduced in the area in the windows, shrubbery (including new landscaping that will added much needed green to the area) and buildings and will feature different sound effects taken from the actual street of New York City.

Also, different food carts similar to those found in New York City will be located along the street, selling delicacies that would be found on the real streets of the city.

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When the day turns into night, New York Street will change with projection and lighting effects to make it come alive and addition nighttime street performances that will add a nighttime character that the day can't provide. During the holiday season, all of the buildings come alive during the annual Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

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About halfway down the street, guests will come across an X intersection. Originally, the entire area just remained distinguishably empty, not only appearing completely out of place, but also looking right into the showbuildings and sets for The Great Movie Ride and the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. But now, this area will be made to look more like a small cul-de-sac in the street. On the corner street, leading down towards the Premiere Theater, you'll find Youse Guys Moychindice, which has morphed into a full-fledged indoors shop, selling Disney's Hollywoodland memorabilia.

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Nearby is Oliver's Market, an out-door quick service snack location, offering fruits and drinks, amongst other snacks. The location is also a reference to the classic Disney movie Oliver & Company. Directly across from the cul-de-sac, guests will find a street leading up to the show building to The Great Muppet Movie Ride. Given the exterior is themed to the Muppet Theater, the New York Street side is themed to the Disney-owned New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.

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Continuing to wrap around the north section of the Streets of America, guests will then reach a more open area at the north most end of the street. In the center of the area, you'll once again find a replica of the Washington Square Park arch that used to grace the area. Surrounding the arch are small grassy plains, adorned with beautiful trees and plants.

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And beyond this street, you'll find the entrance into one of the most ambitious new lands in the park...

New York Street
1) Newsies Street Strike

Shopping
1) Youse Guys Moychindice

Dining
1) Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
2) The Writer's Stop
3) Oliver's Market

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

About TV Production show I recall that DHS added a building, and stuff related to the tv show Once Upon A Time.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Pixar Place

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In the current Disney's Hollywood Studios, Pixar Place is always bustling with activity ever since Toy Story Midway Mania opened in 2008. The attraction is always a fun ride and always pulls in a great deal of guests. While the attraction is an overwhelming success currently, the success of the attraction is also a bit of a problem. The attraction opened in a park where there was no other sort of attraction to pull capacity from the attraction. Everyone ALWAYS rushes to TSMM to receive multiple FastPasses and get on the ride. Even after the recent renovation of Star Tours, it still proved to be the head honcho of the park, with no other attractions to pull the same sort of excitement. The addition and expansion of Pixar Place will surely see to fix that. In the newly expanded Pixar Place, we will venture into the realms of five Pixar movies--Up, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc, Ratatouille and Toy Story. With each different film, guests will find themselves immersed in the environments and stories that these films entail.

The new entrance to the land is located right at the end of the Streets of America, in-between the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure and that former Backlot Tour track right in front of Lights, Motors, Action!. The expansion of Pixar Place will take over the locations formerly held by the recently-closed Studio Backlot Tour, the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, Studio Catering Co., Wandering Oaken's Frozen Funland and even the old, rarely-used Backstage Pass building.

Entering into Pixar Place under a giant replica of the entrance gates, pictured above, you find yourself in an area designed like Pixar's campus. The signane and depiction of the area is very reminiscient and styled after the actual Pixar Studios, found in Emeryille, California. The area is even dubbed Emeryville. To your left as you enter, you'll find a replica of the Steve Jobs Building, which plays host to The Pixar Story, a museum of sorts that features exhibits about Pixar's history, how their films are made, and even an area featuring sneak peeks of their newest films. The museum exits out into the Knick-Knack gift shop, offering merchandise themed around the Pixar universe. On the other side, replacing the interior of what was once the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure is a replica of the Pixar campus' famed Cereal Bar, where you can get a big bowlful of your favorite type of morning-time treats.

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In the center of Emeryville, you'll find a replica of another thing from the Pixar campus--the statues of Luxo Jr. and the Pixar ball. Nearby, you'll find that the fountain from Splash has remained in the spot where it currently is. Various Pixar characters host meet & greet apperances nearby the giant lamp.

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Beyond Emeryville are five worlds just waiting to be discovered. Behind the building that houses The Pixar Story, you'll find yourself inside the beautiful Venezuelan jungles featured in Up. The area is quite small, but it definitely makes up for that with its settings, complete with a replica of Paradise Falls. Shaded in the jungles of the area is the Up Adventure Trail. Making up for the loss of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is this new playground inspired by the iconic locale in the film. The playground offers a fantastic and fun maze of interactive elements, effects, slides, water effects, tunnels and passageways for guests to explore, amongst many other features inspired from the film.

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Going clockwise, the next land you'll encounter is themed to Metroville, the bustling pop city that’s home to the Incredibles… er…the Parrs. Fittingly enough, this sub-land is located a few feet away from New York Street, right behind the Washington Square Park arch.

The streets of Metroville are always abuzz with activity (including daily streetmosphere demonstrations by the town’s would-be villains, always thwarted by their own illusions of grandeur). At the far northern edge of Metroville is the International Supers Museum, the home of The Incredibles Adventure, a breathtaking ride through a new and original superhero caper. Yet again, @TRF is the creative genius behind this attraction.

The premise is that our group has won a chance to follow the Incredibles, winners of this year’s Supers Achievement Prize, for a day. The queues work through the museum, passing exhibit cases on past Supers winners and large exhibits on each of the Incredibles. The largest room of the queue shows off super hero vehicles, including large hovervehicles, planes, cars, and the special vehicle we will be riding in. eventually, 30 of us at a time are let into the load room.

There are 5 vehicles at the dock before us, each seating 6 with 3 seats in 2 rows. We are directed to a row and load before seat check. Our vehicle turns to face forward to get a message from Mr. Incredible, telling us to meet them outside the building. The Incredibles music cue starts and the ride begins.

The 5 vehicles move forward one by one through the doors and tunnel out to the streets. The interior of the ride is heavily stylized like the end credit sequence of the film. We turn to the left and through a warehouse loading door into a dark room. All 5 vehicles arrive in the room and move into place before the sudden arrival of the Incredibles. This moment is a highlight of the ride. Two more LPS vehicles glide into the room, one with an animatronic of Mr. Incredible and one with Mrs. Incredible riding on it. They pull into the center of the arc our vehicles have formed and give us our mission. Three of us are going to follow Mrs. Incredible and two will follow Mr. Incredible out into the streets looking for trouble. We are to go ahead while the Incredibles stash the vehicles and will meet us in a moment. We break and the vehicles divide and head out 2 separate doors. The 2 vehicles with animatronics remain and then move back into a maintenance room where they wait till the next group of vehicles. The 2 vehicles with Mr. Incredible go through the door and wait as it closes.

Suddenly a crash behind us causes us to turn and we see The Underminer on a drilling vehicle breaking through a wall, coming towards us. We turn and evade him looking for Mr. Incredible. We turn to the next scene which is a projection screen built into the city facades. We see the Underminer breaking through the ground and Mr. Incredible arriving just in time to save the day. These few screen based scenes are not in 3d but are supplemented with practical effects such as smoke, lights, vehicle movement, and moving set pieces around the screen. They fight for a moment before we are driven away by the smoke from an explosion. We turn a corner, spinning out of control and find another screen where the short fight concludes. We turn to the right and continue down a city street. Suddenly we get an incoming radio call that there is a building on fire and that we are needed quickly.

The 3 vehicles with Elastigirl go through the doors and wait for Elastigirl also. Suddenly on the rooftop straight ahead, Bomb Voyage appears in animatronic form. He throws bombs at us, causing us to swerve and avoid the plumes of light and smoke coming from the floor. We make it around the corner and find a large screen. Here they battle, and we are forced to continue dodging bomb blasts. Eventually we round the corner after the defeat, and hear the same message about the fire. The two groups then move forward and meet and turn a corner, seeing a building on fire in front of them, simulated with light and smoke. We enter one by one, weaving through the flaming ruble. We pass scenes of Mr. Incredible holding up a falling beam and Elasticgirl stretching to hold someone from falling, both in animatronic form. We are almost hit by a falling beam, causing us to wildly spin out. We leave the burning building and move back out into the street and end up in front of a screen the blends into the façade. We see Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl break through the wall and come up to us. Suddenly Violet and Dash appear to meet up with their parents, saying they finally finished their homework so are ready for the night. Just as they think the trouble for the night is over, we get another call. This time we hear that another Omnidroid has just landed downtown and is causing havoc, we have to get down there.

We turn the corner to the largest room of the attraction. In the dark street there is a large omnidroid, with 2 feet stationary on the ground and 2 able to move. The Incredibles tell us over the radio that they need us to distract the omnidroid and they will take care of the rest. Therefore our group of 5 vehicles begins to weave around the street, going under and around the legs, dodging the swaying arms. Eventually we go around a corner to a screen scene of the Incredibles together preparing to fire a large weapon at the omnidroid just as in the movie. It fires and we can see and hear a big explosion and crash behind us. We turn to another scene of the omnidroid crashed into the pavement. We go through the doors in front of us back into the Supers Museum. In front of us is all 4 Incredibles in animatronic form congratulating us and saying goodbye, using various unique phrases for each ride. We go through the tunnel and back to the dock, now in a separate unload room. We exit the vehicles and go into the ISM gift shop.

The Incredibles--Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash and Violet--and Frozone often meet guests in the museum's courtyard.

Continuing on to the next subland, guests will then find themselves walking along the bustling city streets of Monstropolis, the area recreating the film's iconic architecture. Multiple small shops are in these Monstropolis facades along with a meet and greet area for Mike and Sulley, and a snack stand. In the center of this sub-land is the official headquarters of Monsters, Inc.

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To the left when you enter the building, guests will find the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club, which has been moved over from Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. The attraction will still remain the same, operating as alive comedy show, where host Mike Wazowski and other Monstropolis monsters use their comedic skills to fill up laugh canisters, using the power of laughter to energize the city. Located right alongside the showbuilding of the attraction, guests will find a Meet & Greet location with Mike and Sulley.

To the right, guests will find the Monsters Inc. Ride & Go Seek. The entire attraction is housed within the Monsters Inc. Headquarters found from within the film. The story behind the ride is that the human child, Boo, and lots of monsters, including Sulley and Mike, are playing a special game of hide-and-go-seek, using flashlights, and you're invited to join them. But there's one big problem--Randall has come back from the bayou swamps where we last saw them, and he's out for vengeance. He makes off with Boo, and it's up to you, Mike and Sulley to get her back. As you travel through the Monsters, Inc. offices and the streets of Monstropolis, use your flashlight to "find" the funny, hidden monsters...and hopefully save Boo!

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The ride's post-show features two different exhibits: The first is the Monster Training Facility. Children are encouraged to join in participating in this Monsters, Inc. Training Facility reproduction to learn what it's like to be a monster. This facility not only lets kids release some energy by screaming and laughing in their own private booths, but also shows just how different screams and laughs power Monstropolis.

Children (of all ages) enter sound-proof booths attached to a dimly-lit bedroom, much like Boo's. First, a Cast Member prompts them to act scared and scream as loud as they can. The lights in the bedroom respond to the screams by getting brighter. Guests are then prompted to laugh and are helped in doing so by Mike Wazowski appearing as a hologram in the room (using the Pepper's Ghost effect with the large pane of glass in front of guests), performing crazy stunts. As guests laugh more, the lights in the bedroom become brighter and brighter ultimately blowing up and then returning dim.

The other activity is the Monsters Inc. Acting Studio, which enables guests to place themselves in the Monsters, Inc. production of "Put That Thing Back Where it Came From or So Help Me" via a green screen. Guests are prompted via video screens to sing along with the whole crew or act out scenes as they are being superimposed on stage. They then have the option to purchase their video or still shots from it afterward.

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To the right of the post-show activity is the Monstropolis Merchants gift shop. This store features every kind of monster merchandise imaginable. Small and large plush versions of everyone's favorite monster characters may be found here as well as videos, CDs, DVDs, books, apparel, etc. Special Walt Disney World Theme Park Exclusive merchandise relating to the ride may also be found here, including the Monsters, Inc. Factory Tour playset, the Monsters, Inc. Factory Tour die-cast ride vehicle, and the ever-popular Monsters, Inc. Factory Tour I Heart Monstropolis T-shirt.

Across from Monsters Inc. is the iconic Harryhausen's sushi restaurant. Fans of the movie known this place best as the place where Mike and Celia went on their anniversary dinner--and also where Boo caused a bit of pandemonium. It may be difficult to get a reservation here, but the food is excellent.

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Every day, in front of the Monsters Inc. building, you can show off your school spirit at the Monsters University Pep Rally. Inspired by the 2013 Pixar prequel, this show is in a way similar to the former High School Musical/Disney Channel traveling show that used to play in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. The performers arrive on a traveling stage decked out with blue and white, the colors of Monsters University. At one point, Mike and Sulley show up and get the crowd goin'! This is one pep rally you don't want to miss. This show is based off the thing they had for Limited Time Magic, but on a scale similar to that of the former Disney Channel Rocks show.

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Ah, the city of lights. A welcome departure from the hectic excitement of Metroville and Monstropolis, the enchanting and delightful world of Ratatouille brings a lovely French courtyard to life. In the center of the plaza is Ratatouille: Remy’s Recipe Hunt, a trackless LPS dark ride adventure through the kitchens of Paris alongside Remy as he hunts for the perfect ingredients… and startles a few patrons along the way. The breathtaking dark ride -direct from Walt Disney Studios Paris – is a new classic through-and-through, and a perfect ride for the whole family. Of course, once you’re through cooking with Remy, you might as well share the spoils! You’ll disembark with an exclusive view into the regal Gusteau’s where fine dining awaits. In the courtyard, Remy, Emile, Linguini and Colette meet guests.

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This French courtyard sits alongside the edge of a beautiful river, which leads to a lake. Along this lake is our final sub-land: Toy Story. I plan to go the Tokyo Disneyland route with this sub-land, and take guests to Toyville Tidal Park, an enchanting new area themed after the characters from Toy Story modeled after Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Soaring Victorian towers, flashing incandescent lights, and all the romantic setting of a seaside pavilion awaits.

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Replacing the Studio Catering Co. is a new version of Pizza Planet. The new entrance to the building will be modeled from the movie, taking the shape of a large domed planet, making it a galactically great entrance to the return of this restaurant. Neon lighting illuminates the area in a serene glow. Inside, the new location still operates as a restaurant with a much more expansive arcade, appearing to be directly out of the movie, with complete custom made games themed to Pizza Planet and Toy Story, complete with that iconic claw game. Under a delicate tower across from Pizza Planet, you can meet Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and even Bullseye in an up-close encounter that’s sure to bring out the cowboy in you. Also don’t miss the All-Doll Revue, where the Toy Story gang performs seaside serenades from their stage in the plaza. Nearby is Slinky's Gift Trolley, featuring lots of fun items featuring the characters from Toy Story.

Spreading along the wall where the current Woody & Buzz meet-n-greet and the Hey Howdy Hey Take Away are located is Bullseye’s Carnival Cavalcade, which contains vintage midway games for the whole family, complete with one-of-a-kind plush prizes. But there’s even more fun to be had! Step through the open mouth of Woody (modeled after Luna Park) and pass down an enchanting alley of popcorn-light arches and step right into the fun of Toy Story Midway Mania!, a spinning, smashing, popping, dart-throwing adventure that sends you right inside Andy’s newest board game.

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If you’ve been to Disney's Hollywoodland before, Toy Story Midway Mania sure does look a whole lot different! In fact, the space formerly held by the Backstage Pass attraction has become a third track for the ride. and, As part of the park’s transformation, the space formerly used for Mickey Avenue is completely closed. Midway Mania is instead accessed through the new Pixar Place. And while the tidal park is gorgeous during the day, it's a whole new world at night, bathed in the turn-of-the-century bulbs reflecting off of the nearby Parisian waters...

Pixar Place
1) The Pixar Story
2) Up Adventure Trail
3) The Incredibles Adventure
4) Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club
5) Monsters Inc. Ride & Go Seek
6) Ratatouille: Remy's Recipe Hunt
7) Bullseye's Carnival Cavalcade
8) Toy Story Midway Mania!

Shopping
1) Knick-Knack
2) ISM Gift Shop
4) Monstropolis Merchants
5) Slinky's Gift Trolley

Dining
1) Cereal Bar
2) Harryhausen's
3) Gusteau's
4) Pizza Planet

In the next post, things are gonna get even more animated...stay tuned!

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I think there is a way to put Frozen in Wishes during there Frozen Summer like how Disneyland Paris put Let It Go in the regular Disney Dreams, and Tokyo Disneyland putting For The First Time in Forever, and Let It Go in Once Upon A Time.

 

[DisneyManOne]

I think there is a way to put Frozen in Wishes during there Frozen Summer like how Disneyland Paris put Let It Go in the regular Disney Dreams, and Tokyo Disneyland putting For The First Time in Forever, and Let It Go in Once Upon A Time.

Yes, but we're not yet aware if Frozen Summer Fun will be an annual thing; depending if the popularity of the film will die down or not; and again, I already said I had no plans to include Frozen in Wishes.
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Animation Courtyard
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Animation Courtyard is a land devoted to the business that has made Disney what it is today - animation. Walt Disney was an innovator, a dreamer, a conceptualist, a designer, but had started his influential career as an animator. Ever since he was a child, he was a drawer and loved the process of putting together images to simulate moving pictures. He had studied all sorts of information regarding this new kind of art. He had created some of the most beloved characters, such as Mickey Mouse, whom he had drawn and provided the voice for in the earliest years of the character.

Animation Courtyard used to serve its' purpose as an actual studios where animated features used to be produced. Beyond the current Magic of Disney Animation building, there is a much larger building, which hosted the Animation production buildings. Ever since 2004, all animation production at the park has been stopped and has been re-routed to the Disney Animation Studios is Burbank, California. With the renovation of Disney's Hollywoodland, this section of the park will see a true re-development of the entire area, something to focus on both the process of animation and Walt Disney's inspiration that had led to a sweeping career. The heart of animation has always been at the heart of The Walt Disney Company, so this area is as important as ever to be represented in the Studios. Animation is a source of inspiration, it creates stories and lovable characters that society finds endearing.

We enter Animation Courtyard from the central hub of Hollywood Boulevard, just off of the Hollywoodland Hills. The archway that used to serve as the entrance into the courtyard has been removed. To the left, a pathway leads to the Hollywoodland Hills and the Eastern Gardens. Nestled in the shadow of the Hollywoodland Hills, guests will find the Walt Disney Theatre, the former home of Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Due to the film being featured as a dark ride in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland and because of the show's older quality in the park, I have decided to remove the show from the Studios, unfortunately. The theater will be given a new look, modeled after the exterior of the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Cruise Line ships, complete with the iconic portrait of Walt decorating the side of the building.

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Picture that sort of architecture that surrounds the portrait applied throughout the exterior. That's sort of what I'd like to see. The current lobby and In Character shop will be removed. The current lobby will be transformed to look like the lobby for the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Cruise Line.

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Now, what I love about this idea is that the theater will be equipped to produce present hour-long, Broadway-style tellings of Disney’s finest animated films. In fact, each day of the week will bring a different show with it, so much so, that the theater will need its own Times Guide to let guests know what show will be playing on a given day.

The first four shows all come from the Disney Cruise Line: Hercules: The MUSE-ical, Toy Story: The Musical, Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular and the upcoming Tangled: The Musical. In addition, three shows will be re-worked to fit an hour-long performance time, those shows being: the beloved park classic Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, the much-missed Animal Kingdom show Journey Into The Jungle Book and the Disneyland show Snow White: An Enchanting Musical.

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Nearby the theater is the Off the Page store, a re-themed Studio Store, which showcases merchandise from several classic animated Disney films.

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Right across the courtyard from the Walt Disney Theatre, guests will find Disney Junior - Live on Stage!, a live show which utilizes puppetry, sets and live performers to bring life to the Disney Junior television shows. The show showcases several of Disney Junior's shows, including "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse", "Sofia the First", "Doc McStuffins' and "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". The show also utilizes plenty if in-theater effects, such as bubbles and heavily utilizes the performance of puppeteering. The show will remain virtually unchanged from what is currently there. The exterior has been heavily changed to better look like a television recording studio, much like the exterior for the show at Disney California Adventure (besides, the fake sky painted on the side of it isn't fooling anyone, ya know).

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Nearby the building, Jake, Sofia and Doc McStuffins hold meet & greet opportunities, and Phineas and Ferb offer a "play-n-greet" (which has moved here from New York Street due to the Muppet Studios coming to town), where you can star as extras in their latest summertime project: a movie!

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In the center of the courtyard, guests will find the Disney Animation building. As you all know, the original Magic of Disney Animation is slated to close soon, but given that we don't know what's to come, I've decided to replace the original attraction with an all-new version of the attraction. Stepping towards the building, you'll notice the first change: the exterior, which has been given a more post-modern Deco-revival style, also like Disney California Adventure.

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Now, before we go inside the building, let me just take this opportunity to tell you about a special piece of entertainment that occurs every day in front of the building. It's a show called Drawn to the Magic, a show that used to dazzle guests at Disney California Adventure from 2004 to 2010. In the show, we join three animators as they invite guests to see how they get inspiration for their drawings. Three volunteers are even brought up to help them out by posing a certain way. Then, after a medley of songs from the Disney films, the sketches they've been working on are revealed, and in a true bit of magic, the character they've sketched appears before our very eyes! After the show, guests are even invited to meet the characters inside the Disney Animation building's lobby or right outside nearby the animators' easels (perfect photo-op if you ask me).

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Now then, let's head inside the Disney Animation building itself. Everything you see in this building (except for the Animation Gallery store) is entirely new. First, guests are led inside of the Animation building's lobby, whose walls are decorated with storyboards of scenes from Disney films. From there, guests are led into a theater, where they witness a fifteen minute film called The Art of Animation, which focuses on the creation of an animated feature from start to finish, from everything including research, design, conceptual planning, characters, paint cells, voice-acting and wrapping production. The film also informs us of the evolution of animation, including archival footage of Walt Disney and other previous and modern day artists talking about the evolution of art. It'll end with this montage of scenes from all 54 of Disney's animated films, which should look similar to this:

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From here, guests are led into the many exhibits of the building (of course, you can see the exhibits without seeing the film first). First is Animation Academy, a drawing classroom, where guests can be taught by an actual animator on how to draw some of their favorite characters. By the time the class is finished, they have polished work of art that they have hand-drawn themselves.

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From here, the path leads to Walt's Workshop. The workshop is themed to a picture-esque Kansas City, Missouri art studio, where Walt Disney had lived to pursue a career in art. As the story goes, Walt had begun his art career in Kansas City, where he had opened his own studio and hired many animators to become a part of his team. Today, the guests are Walt's new employees. In Walt's Workshop, guests can find out what Disney character they are most like, they can create their own virtual paint portraits and mosaics, they can do a bit of their own voice-acting and recording work, they could piece together their own Silly Symphony short or create an adventurous and romantic plot to their own animated film. Inside the Screening Room in the workshop, you can meet up with the characters from Disney's latest animated film.

From the Workshop, guests are then brought down to the Animation Archives, a large circular room of the building, tucked away, almost as if it is hidden. Completely surrounding the rooms are several scrims, in which projected images from Disney films are seen, very similar to the Animation attraction over at Disney California Adventure. Throughout the room, musical scores and songs from several Disney movies are heard, as the projected images on the scrims correspond to the music, showcasing the actual film animation, concept art, character art, animated backgrounds and sketches. The films date back from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan, all the way up to current films like Tangled and Big Hero 6. However, inside of the room, there are plenty of other secrets left to be discovered...

The room is called the Animation Archives for a reason, as the entire room showcases encased artifacts from their films, almost as though they have been hidden away to be concealed here. The catch is, all of the artifacts come to life! Guests might stumble across the Beasts' enchanted rose, as it loses its' petals, the Evil Queen's Magic Mirror, as the slave from within enchants a wicked curse, Aladdin's lamp, which sputters and emits smoke, artifacts from Ariel's Grotto and.....Sebastian is found within, or Rapunzel's painting of her seeing the lights, as they come alive and start to float off of the painting, amongst many other things left to be discovered.

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One pathway in the Archives leads to Disney Through the Decades, an all-new meet-n-greet area. This innovative meet-n-greet features different rooms, each themed to a different decade. As you go through the meet-n-greet, you enter a bunch of different rooms, each one themed to a different movie from that era. There will be five rooms: 20's/30's/40's, 50's/60's, 70's/80's, 90's and 2000's/2010's. Here are the films that will be represented.

20's/30’s/40’s: Steamboat Willie, The Three Little Pigs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, The Three Caballeros
50’s/60’s: Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book
70’s/80's: The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Rescuers, The Little Mermaid
90’s: Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Mulan, Tarzan
2000’s/2010’s: The Emperor's New Groove, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons, Bolt, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Wreck-it Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6

From the Archives, the building then leads to one last place in the farthest part of The Magic of Disney Animation building, the 3D spectacular Mickey's PhilharMagic! This epic 3D show, which has moved here from the Magic Kingdom, stars Donald Duck, as he explores the musical realms of such films as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

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From here, the guests are led to explore Disney Animation all over again. Leading back through the Animation Archives, guests will then be able to exit the building through the Animation Gallery store, which showcases fantastic paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts materials and other sorts of animation art collectibles.

Just outside of the building on the left, tucked in-between Disney Animation and Disney Junior - Live On Stage, guests will find the Animator's Palate, the restaurant which has become acclaimed to fame aboard the Disney Cruise Line, which is now finding its' home within the park. The attractions' location is actually going to be taking up the space of a Cast Member break restaurant called Take Five, which will be routed elsewhere along Sunset Boulevard. In this restaurant, guests arrive to a black and white dining room, adorned with paintings of Disney characters, all adorned in black and white, even their wait staff is in black and white attire, but as their dinner continues, color begins to envelop the room, creating a beautifully decadent dining experience.

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Animation Courtyard
1) Walt Disney Theatre
2) Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
3) Disney Animation

• The Art of Animation
• Animation Academy
• Walt's Workshop
• Animation Archives
• Disney Through the Decades
• Mickey's PhilharMagic

Shopping
A) Off the Page
B) Animation Gallery

Dining
A) Animator's Palate

But wait, I forgot something: in between Off the Page and Disney Animation is the entrance into a new land. What land? I'll tell you about that in the next post. See ya then!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Now for this post, we're going to look at the last two lands of the park.
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Timeless River

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Two entrances--one in-between the Off the Page shop and Disney Animation at Animation Courtyard, and the other in-between the Ratatouille and Monsters Inc. areas at Pixar Place--serve as the passport into a most unusual new land. Welcome to Timeless River, based entirely on the early cartoon shorts of Walt Disney. This brand new land brings to life the forgotten characters of the past in stunning detail! And if you’re feeling like something is amiss but can’t put your finger on what, we’ll help: Timeless River is completely in black and white.

Contained entirely within the sloped hills of a grassy valley caldera, Timeless River is completely cut off from the outside world, with the only thing from the outside world visitors to Timeless River will see is the top of the Earful Tower, the icon of Disney's Hollywoodland. It's basically a giant water tower topped with the iconic mouse ears.

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Apart from that tower, there's nothing but the gray grass and gray trees around you! (Careful observers will note that the valley is gray on one side, while the grassy hillside facing Hollywood Blvd. gets its color back... and becomes the Hollywoodland Hills!) Don’t let a lack of color sap your fun, though. There are plenty of adventures to be had here, including three much-needed family flat rides. Silly Symphony Swings, a soaring Chair-o-Plane swing set, is fun for all ages, while the tin-roofed Classic Carousel allows you to go for a ride aboard any number of black-and-white cows, fish, horses, and trees in Disney’s earliest style.

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Meanwhile, on the edge of the gray river itself is Steamboat Springs, where you can step aboard the real Steamboat Willie and its two decks of excitement, while a soft-floored water playground just outside the ship is full of crates and slides to climb. Next door is the dizzying Frolicking Fish, based on the Silly Symphony short of the same name. You’ll climb aboard a fish captured in the tentacles of a buck-toothed octopus and soar ‘round and around on a Dumbo-style family ride. Just watch out – mischievous gray seahorses have been known to pop out of the water for a squirt when least expected!

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Through the gray trees lies the enchanting Timeless Cinema where authentic Disney shorts from the 1920s on play all day and night. But the land’s real gem stands behind a black-and-white recreation of Disneyland’s original Main Street Train Station. That’s where you board Mickey & Oswald’s Grand Adventure. Using the “SCOOP” technology behind The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, this incredible 3-D motion simulator dark ride takes riders along with Mickey and Oswald as they attempt to save Minnie and Ortensia from the dastardly Pete and bring color to Timeless River once and for all! Using the most sophisticated of dark ride technology, you’ll race through the valley, endure a comic tornado courtesy of Pete, “fall” for a few cactus gags, and even dive from three hundred feet in a simulated cartoon freefall as the classic duo race to save the day!

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Timeless River
1) Silly Symphony Swings
2) Classic Carousel
3) Steamboat Springs
4) Frolicking Fish
5) Timeless Cinema
6) Mickey & Oswald's Grand Adventure

Sunset Boulevard

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Sunset Boulevard takes guests back to a different side of Hollywood, as well as the different sides of the entertainment industry. Just off of Hollywood and Vine, guests will find the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, a reminiscent take on a classic 1940s Hollywood street. The street is very similar to Hollywood Boulevard, as it is filled with shops and eateries, stretching into the eastern most part of the park. Sunset Boulevard is definitely a place filled with excitement, charm, thrills, all while keeping the classic Golden Age of Hollywood intact.

The buildings that form the exteriors of Sunset Boulevard are meant to portray a theater district in California, for both cinemas and live theater performances. The exteriors feature grand ornamentations and heavy detail work to provide heavy detail throughout the area. Some of the buildings are topped with billboards, showcasing the innovations and entertainment that were all the rage over seven decades ago. The area features more stylistic designs to the architecture, as opposed to Hollywood Boulevard. Sunset Boulevard is inspired by the reviving architecture that was starting to be re-used in California during the decade, showcasing the many different ornate and intricate building designs. The boulevard curves slightly, as lined palm trees align the way to the back of the boulevard, where the tall, inactive Hollywood Tower Hotel rests.

On the left side of the street, guests will find the Starring Rolls Cafe, adjacent to the Hollywood Brown Derby on Hollywood Boulevard. The quick-service location only operates in the morning and in the early afternoon. Starring Rolls offers an excellent array of bagels, crescents, muffins and other breakfast pastries, as well as sandwiches and a selection of desserts. The location makes for one of the best places to grab a light breakfast. Just beyond the cafe, guests will find Sweet Spells, a sweet confectionary. including elements of the Disney Villains, as portraits of Disney Villains hang from the walls of the sweet candy store. In the windows of the store, guests will find figures of the Old Witch from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty".

Connected to Sweet Spells is Villains in Vogue, a complete Disney Villains merchandise store, offering a wide selection of Disney Villain merchandise, mainly focused on Fantasmic! merchandise. Connected to the right of the store, making these three stores into one big building, the store then transitions into the Scary Apothecary, a merchandise location that mainly features "The Nightmare Before Christmas" merchandise.

Just across the street, guests will find Legends of Hollywood, found inside of the exterior of the Academy Theater. The location features generic Disney's Hollywoodland merchandise, as well as a selection of Disney jewelry and watches, including limited edition pieces. Continuing down the right side of the street, replacing the Sunset Club Couture, Mouse About Town and Once Upon a Time shops, guests will then find the iconic white tower of the Carthay Circle Theatre.

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This iconic theater is where Walt Disney risked it all in 1937, where he premiered the world's first full-length animated feature film. Step inside the theater and be whisked away into the world of that iconic film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Inside the theater, we find ourselves inside the film's iconic forest, bloomed in imaginative three dimensions. The atmosphere seemd only peaceful, harmonious, enchanting and inviting – promising a grand fairytale adventure with elegance. On the right hand side of this peaceful fairytale forest atmosphere, an ingeniously realized waterfall splashes happily with shiny vibrating strings portraying the water. Next to the waterfall is the Seven Dwarfs' Diamond Mine "entrance" – although it was the actual exit of the ride vehicles. In the middle of the forest is a three-dimensional miniature of the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage.

At the left hand side, near the loading area is the Evil Queen's Castle, emerging from murals into impressive three dimensions as the Castle Courtyard. Winding through the queue, we eventually reach the stretch of land located in front of the cottage, finding a parade of mine cars pulling in and out, loading and unloading happy (or not-so-happy passengers). Each mine car sits a maximum of six people and bares the name of one of the dwarfs. Boarding a mine car ourselves we are given a quick safety spiel by an unseen hag. "For a safe adventure, please remain seated, keeping your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the mine car, and please do watch your children. And remember, smoking and flash photography are never permitted in this enchanted world, hee hee hee! Farewell!" With her cackles behind us, our car pulls forward into the forest, the three-dimensional trees seamlessly emerging from the beautifully-painted wall mural behind it.

Heading towards the Evil Queen's Castle, we make a loop around the Wishing Well. As we pass by, we hear Snow White sing "I'm Wishing", dreaming about "the one I love". The same song was heard at this Castle Courtyard area, echoing even to the queue area. Much like before, the version you hear is the same version heard in The Mickey Mouse Revue.

from 0:41 to 1:24.​

After the vehicle circles the Wishing Well, it drives towards the miniature of the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage, makes a u-turn and approaches the Castle Courtyard itself. Under the golden sun, Snow White sits on the stairs in her scullery maid garment and holding a white dove. The singing of "I'm Wishing" is a bit more louder, to feel as if she's singing it. Behind wonderfully stylized flower bushes, the Prince, sitting atop his white horse, watches her. Behind Snow White and the Prince, the remaining courtyard is lit with dramatic blue, as the Evil Queen stands behind a window and spies upon the Princess. From there, we make a sharp left and enter the Castle itself. Inside, we came face to face with the Slave in the Magic Mirror through a simple but impressive projection effect. The exquisitely painted set featured the Magic Mirror in its 1937 movie appearance, with the ornamental stone frame with signs of the zodiac around the mirror. Inside, the Mirror's Slave reveals: "Alas, Snow White is the Fairest One of All".

"Never!" yells a voice behind the vehicle. It's the voice of the Queen! Suspenseful music (taken directly from the film) and the distant sound of howling wind and howling wolves welcome us to the narrow corridors of her Gloomy Dungeon, ghostly voices telling us to turn back. Countless skeletons pop up in the dungeons, some hanging from chains on the walls, others simply fallen to the floor. Perhaps the most iconic of these skeletons (from a memorable moment in the film) is a skeleton trapped beneath iron bars, reaching for a nearby pail of water, having died doing so. We turn towards a archway leading to the relative safety of the outside world set in a blue night sky with glistening stars. Our escape is foiled - the Hag has summoned a large portcullis to come crashing down, blocking our path. Suddenly, on the door, we see the silhouette of the Queen drink from a goblet, and we see her figure slowly morph into an Old Hag. We turn right into the Queen's laboratory. Whirring gizmos and bubbling potions on either side of the track illuminate the Hag dipping a skull-faced apple into a green-glowing cauldron, taunting us..."Apple deary?" Her cackle follows us as barely avoid being by falling equipment shelves and turn a sharp left outside of the Castle and into the Frightening Forest.

No music is played here, just an eerie howling wind and the Hag's constant cackling. From out of nowhere the old Hag drifts out from underneath her Castle on a boat, the apple in one hand, a makeshift oar in the other. "Fresh apple...tasty apple!" The trees suddenly take on the appearances of monsters as their gnarling teeth, red eyes, and gnarled branches reach for us, intimidating eyes staring down at us from the treetops, alligator-resembling logs snapping at us, bats flying through the darkness. Now there is music, adding on to the suspenseful theme. The Huntsman stands before a tree up ahead, speaking to a screaming Snow White a few feet away. "Quick! Run away! And never come back!" Snow White screams as we cross through some more trees and into a miniature briar patch, where logs that look like alligators come towards us. In the darkness, ominous eyes glow, but as we turn away, we find out that the eyes are those of the kind-hearted woodland creatures, who point the way to the Seven Dwarfs' Mine.

Inside we are immediately immersed into a glistening grotto filled with dazzling jewels and diamonds embedded into the walls, stacked into piles, and stocking lonesome mine cars. The dwarfs appear hard at work, singing "Dig-a-Dig-Dig" diligently. Grumpy and Bashful have their backs turned, picking away into the cavern walls, Sleepy asleep in a deer-pulled mine car, the deer very angry at his lazy rider. Making a left we pass by a small shaft opening in which Happy and Sneezy emerge on a handcar very slowly. Sneezy suddenly gathers up a sneeze and creates a rather powerful sneeze, sending the handcar flying forward. Doc and Dopey appear surveying diamonds to our right. Although Doc takes his work seriously, Dopey sees it as a game, holding the diamonds up to his eyes and instantly causing thousands of his eyes to be projected throughout the mine in a stunning effect, taking them down and removing the projections, putting them again and restoring the projections. Another mine shaft door moves aside for us, allowing us access into the forest at sunset. We find ourselves about to go under a log spanning a canyon, a miniature waterfall near our path. As we pass under, we see the Seven Dwarfs actually march atop the log, singing "Heigh-Ho". We pass under the log and make a right turn. True enchantment may have fill the hearts of some travelers, as the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage emerges from the serene forest ambience. Inside the cottage, the Seven Dwarfs made merry music and singing a "Silly Song". Immediately inside the dwarfs can be seen dancing about, singing, playing miniature instruments, and having an all-together good time with Snow White who waltzes about the room gleefully with Dopey standing on Sneezy's shoulders wearing an over-sized jacket. The woodland creatures have also gotten in on the fun, watching from the windows. The fun is cut short however when we exit the cottage (through the ride's many "crash doors")...

The near second we exit the Cottage we are immediately greeted by the Hag who lurks outside a window, clutching the apple, her raven perched on her free hand. "Go on deary...take a bite!" She cackles once more, our car making a sharp right back into the woods, passing by the Prince. "Snow White! Where are you?" The searching Prince is quickly left behind as we head back towards the Cottage, the dwarfs lining both sides of the track, each one warning us not to proceed, others shouting for Snow White to run. Making a left turn explains the shouting: Snow White appears inside the Cottage, popping out of the front half of an opened door, ready to bite into the apple. The Hag stands close by with a big ole' grin, "That's right deary! Take a bite!" Thunder and lightning crash, sending us straight back into the Mysterious Woods. As we enter the Hag can be heard shouting “Now I'm the fairest in the land!” Two mean-eyed vultures watch us pass, their heads moving in perfect unison as they follow our every move.

Thunder rumbles above the hills as we hear the Dwarfs' commotion with Doc's flustered voice: “It's the Quicked Ween—the Wicked Queen! Come on men!” We pass through some trees to find ourselves at the Stormy Mountain, where the Dwarfs are seen on a nearby cliff, scared. Why are they scared? I don’t know, maybe because…the Witch is about to crush them (and us) with a boulder! Rain falls heavily (and even seems to run down the side of the cliff). The Witch is seen, ready to dislodge the boulder. “Fools! I’ll crush your bones!” she yells. She laughs wildly, only to lose her footing and fall backwards, screaming in horror (her scream taken directly from the film), a burst of fog and light occurring (this hides the figure which falls backwards into a hole, raising back up for the next vehicle seconds later).

We pass under the mountain and find ourselves back in the forest. A moving choral rendition of “Someday My Prince Will Come” fills our ears, cuing the ride's Finale. Directly before us lies Snow White in her opened glass coffin, the Prince leaning down to kiss her, the now peaceful forest surrounding us via colorful murals, a beautiful sunset at hand.

http://www./wp-content/uploads/2012/06/snow-white.jpg ​

Turning right we see six of the dwarfs waving towards Snow White and her Prince who ride away towards the Castle in the Clouds (the couple, horse and Dwarfs are figures, the castle is part of a mural.) Dopey on the other hand waves in the opposite direction - classic Dopey - waving down to us and wiggling his ears from a top an overhead bridge. A set of painted doors showcasing a beautiful sunset on the horizon with a banner reading "And they all lived happily ever after..." painted across it. The doors move apart and we wheel back into the loading area, exiting our mine car.

Right across from the model of the Carthay Circle Theater model, guests will find Sunset Ranch Market, which operates as both a merchandise location and a quick-service eatery. The quick-service eatery offers chicken, salads and burgers and other types of quintessential quick-service foods. There is a large outdoor seating area located throughout Sunset Ranch Market.

Right beyond the corner of the Carthay Circle Theater, guests will find the Theater of the Stars on the right. The theater itself has received a significant refurbishment, completely enclosing the theater, improving technical, theatrical and performance aspects of the show. With an enclosed theater, the lighting is better and crisper, weather is no longer a factor, an enclosed theater just creates a better production. The exterior façade of the theater now has the appearance of the grand movie palaces prevalent during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It looks even more opulent sitting atop the beautiful water feature the current theater has.

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The interior now boasts a similar look to that of the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Cruise Line ships.

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With the refurbishment of the entire theater, a new show is being placed into the theater. Now, one day I was thinking, "Hey, the park wouldn't be a tribute to Hollywood without having a big awards ceremony." Well, we've got just that, in the form of The Golden Mickeys!

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The premise of this show is that guests are attending an awards show highlighting achievements by various Disney animated films in several different categories, such as romance, villains, heroes, comedy, etc.

Right from the get-go, the feeling of being at an awards ceremony hits you. The entrance ramps that lead up to the theater are outfitted with a red carpet and banners. There's no mistaking that a special event is about to take place. A velvet rope is set up a few feet away from the entrance doors.
Behind this cordoned off area is a video camera.

An announcement is made that Rona Rivers, famed red carpet hostess, will be interviewing guests as they arrive for the show. A beautiful woman in a gold evening gown arrives and begins her sound and camera checks. A display of the awards to be presented is set up behind her. As the special guests (passengers) arrive, Rona selects a few to interview. Each is asked what "designer" line they are wearing, who's their favorite Disney character and other "red carpet" questions. While this is fun to watch in person, you can see these interviews as they're broadcast inside the theater.

The show is hosted by a reluctant young newbie, who finds himself/herself (in this version of the show, I'd like to have this role be able to be played by both men and women, much like the host of the Disney Junior show) in the unexpected role of emcee. It follows the age old show biz tale of the star unable to perform with the understudy stepping into and shining in his/her role.

The show does not highlight one movie, but many. In fact, here is a list of movies and songs that will be represented, and what category they will be part of.

Opening: "Golden Mickeys" Opening Song
Classic: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

• "Someday My Prince Will Come"
• "Whistle While You Work"
• "Heigh-Ho"

Heroism

• "Son of Man" (Tarzan)
• "I'll Make a Man Out of You" (Mulan)
• Disney Trio: "Just Around the Riverbend/Go the Distance/Out There" (Pocahontas, Hercules and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) (@MANEATINGWREATH, this is where I'd put this epic medley.)

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Symphony

• "Under the Sea" (The Little Mermaid)

Villains

• "Cruella de Vil" (101 Dalmatians)

Friendship

• "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Toy Story)

Romance

• "Bella Notte" (Lady and the Tramp)
• "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (The Lion King)
• "I See the Light" (Tangled)
• "Beauty and the Beast" (Beauty and the Beast)

Finale: "When You Wish Upon a Star" (Pinocchio) and "Golden Mickeys" Song Reprise

The beauty of this show is that the musical sequences can be switched out over time to keep the show fresh and up to date; already the Disney Cruise Line has added in a new musical sequence from Tangled. After watching this show, you'll definitely agree--everyone who attends The Golden Mickeys is a star!

Continuing to the back end of Sunset Boulevard, to the left, guests will find a courtyard leading to the Mercury Radio Studio, circa 1938. This is the home of War of the Worlds. This ride will take you back in time to 1938, to that fateful day when Orson Welles read that infamous news bulletin being beamed to American households everywhere about an alien invasion currently underway. Is it real? Could there truly be lights in the sky over Los Angeles?

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To a riveting musical score interspersed by Welles’s narration of an intergalactic attack, you’ll blast into the light and through the stars aboard the ride formerly known as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Who knows? Maybe you'll encounter a UFO or two. This sensational attraction will leave you wondering if we’re alone in the universe.

At the eastern most part of the park, guests will find the Hollywood Tower Hotel, casting a foreboding shadow against the Hollywood streets. Looking at it from the side, something bad has happened. A giant, cracked hole in the middle of the tower appears, as a complete part of the building has seemingly been ripped from the hotel. Upon entering into the lobby of the former hotel, guests will arrive upon a deserted hotel, everything in order as it was nearly one hundred years ago, left in untouched condition. Legend has it that the hotel was once the pinnacle of the hotels in Hollywood, until lightning struck on Halloween of 1939, sending an elevator and five people into parts unknown. But now, the hotel doors have mysteriously opened up, allowing guests to take an unusual journey aboard that haunted elevator as they plummet, rise and fall through the elevator shafts of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, or as it's more commonly referred to today...The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

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The experience ends through the Tower Gifts store, which showcases Twilight Zone Tower of Terror merchandise, while still remaining in the Hollywood Tower Hotel motif. Just outside of the shop, on the left and right, guests will find stone stairways, leading to the upper tier balcony of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, guests will find the Tip Top Club, an exclusive club, much in the style of Club 33 in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. Admittance into the club is strictly for very selected people. Club members will board a separate elevator in the tower, leading up to the rich club, where they can indulge and be catered to wonderful delicacies, beverages and an excellent view of the theme park.

Sunset Boulevard
1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2) The Golden Mickeys
3) War of the Worlds
4) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Shopping
A) Sweet Spells
B) Villains in Vogue
C) Scary Apothecary
D) Legends of Hollywood
E) Sunset Ranch Market
I) Tower Gifts

Dining
A) Starring Rolls Cafe
B) Sunset Ranch
C) The Tip Top Club

And of course, in the next post, I'll tell you about the daily entertainment here at the park. See ya then!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Entertainment​

First of all, I would put in a new outdoor stage production in front of the Chinese Theatre: Hooray for Hollywood! Taking place on the newly-planted circular stage that stands where the Sorcerer's Hat was, this show/parade celebrates the glitz and glamour of a big Hollywood premiere. The stage itself features small light towers that rise out of planters on the edges and a small lift in the center of the stage. On the Chinese Theater, there are some pyro effects. Plus, that ugly giant canopy will be removed for good, because, much like the Castle Forecourt Stage at the Magic Kingdom, the backdrop for this new show is the Chinese Theatre. There are also permanent Hollywood search lights out in the courtyard that wave during the show and then again after nightfall.

The show itself would be hosted by two reporters, reporting live from the red carpet for the premier of the newest blockbuster. The show is set in the period of Hollywood Boulevard instead of modern like many of the events usually on the stage currently. A big opening number introduces our hosts and the celebrities involved in the movie, who are mostly the Citizens of Hollywood. Many of these characters arrive in period cars that drive up Hollywood Boulevard to the red carpet of the stage. A live band is set up at certain points around the stage.

They do some musical and comedy acts on the stage before building up to the big finale. The hosts announce that they have just heard that some of Hollywood's biggest stars are about to arrive, and then the Fab 5 appear from the Chinese Theater. The finale number features all the characters and dancers performing this medley, performed at the end of the 1989 grand opening TV special...

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TBH, I'd really like to have a Gene Kelly look-alike come out during "Singin' in the Rain" and do a tap routine.

It all ends with a burst of low level fireworks (much like Dream Along with Mickey). The point is to show the glitz and glamour of golden age Hollywood. Then, as the show ends, the band does an instrumental of "When You Wish" as the cast takes their curtain call, then as "Fame" strikes back up again, the dancers lead the band (who, by this time, have gotten off the stage) and the cast--in their period cars down Hollywood Boulevard.

Now, of course, this park needs to have a parade. And hoo boy, have we got one. When the stars of Disney’s classic family movies and current television series travel to a red-carpet Hollywood movie premiere, they don’t travel in boring, conventional limousines. They travel in cars that reflect who they are. That’s the premise of the clever Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.

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In this parade, guests' vision will be filled with a cavalcade of Disney stars and their customized cars. Some stars ride in the cars. Others walk along side them, often interacting with guests. The parade route starts at the Mos Eisley Cantina in Lucasland, goes past the Chinese Theatre stage, goes down Hollywood Boulevard, and disappears behind Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind Shop.

But however, two floats--namely Atlantis and Power Rangers--will be replaced by new floats. Replacing Atlantis is a car themed around Frozen. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf drive down the parade route in a car decorated to look like a sled. The ice harvesters dance before them in a style similar to the gravediggers at the Halloween parade--only here, the sparks are blue! Replacing Power Rangers, Wreck-It Ralph gets a car of his own, probably built by Fix-It Felix Jr. (if the car’s being made of bricks is any indication). Vanellope von Schweetz rides along with him. (Shout-out to @Brer Panther for these ideas!)

Now that we have our big daytime shows, we need to have a big nighttime show. And we've had that for quite some time...it's the beloved classic Fantasmic!

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This is it--the granddaddy of all Disney nighttime spectaculars. The show takes guests through a magical, wonderful journey through the imagination of Mickey Mouse, through the fantasy and adventure that is sure to follow. However, the Disney Villains are out to take over Mickey's imagination and use their powers to conquer all.

The show is going to go through an extensive refurbishment, improving both technical and show segments to the nighttime production. All around, lighting, fountains and pyrotechnic features are going to be updated and improved. The projection system utilized for these huge water screens, in which images are projected, is going to be updated to HD projectors, to deliver a crystal clear projection performance. Also, the sound quality of the attraction is going to be touched upon, just touching up on all of the technical qualities of the show.

In addition to the technical qualities of the show, the show will receive some all-new scenes. What follows is a description of the new version of Fantasmic!, with the new scenes being bolded.

The stage is set around a gigantic, twisting mountain. The spotlights on the gate in front of the stage have been removed and moved to the back of the theater, out of the way of guests' vision. Two different cave entrances flank the mountain on both sides. Trees surround the area from all over. A sprawling island plateau rests at the base of the mountain.

"Welcome to Fantasmic! Tonight, our friend and host Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination. For, in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy. Or, an exciting adventure! But beware -- nothing is more powerful than the imagination. For it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. Are the powers of Mickey's incredible imagination strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dreams? You are about to find out. For we now invite you to join Mickey, and experience Fantasmic-- a journey beyond your wildest imagination..."

A very faint musical note is heard, swelling into a chord as the chorus sings in darkness. Once the chord strikes, two tall columns rise on stage left and right, with spotlights, until Mickey appears in formal attire. He dances and conducts various water fountain effects as "Conductor Mickey" to the show's theme, until bringing up the giant water-mist screens, which, in conjunction with a few flares, fade into the famous Sorcerer's Apprentice scene from Fantasia.

From there, the falling stars of the Sorcerer's Apprentice scene morph into flowers, and a female voice sings the imagination theme. A giant, white flower appears on stage as animated blooming flowers appear on the projection screens.

This fades into a segment themed around The Lion King. An instrumental rendition of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" starts up as the animals continue to roam the jungle. Floating in the water are giant water barges decorated with vines and flowers, containing Rafiki, Timon, Simba and other black-light monkeys. They dance past as the music plays.

Simba and Nala from The Lion King run through the jungle in a short projection which transitions into an electric guitar rendition of "Pink Elephants on Parade" from Dumbo, as animated pink elephants appear onscreen and in the form of performers on the island. The elephants then seem to be puppets dancing, which transitions into an onstage sequence based on the "Woody's Roundup" sequence from Toy Story 2. Four large puppets (Woody, Bullseye, Jessie and Stinky Pete) are manipulated with fiber-optic "strings" stretching above the puppets. Afterwards, the Genie appears and performs "Friend Like Me", in a segment lifted from Tokyo DisneySea's version of Fantasmic!

Next, a large bubble montage takes place, where scenes and characters from major classic animated Disney movies appear in floating bubbles. This montage was recently updated, so I would leave it be for the time being.

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An animated Monstro next appears onscreen, accompanied by a heavy musical score as he crashes through water. The sea morphs into the flood scene from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". As Mickey looks around in the dark, a ship caught in a storm appears. The screens disappear, and the lights darken.

A cannon blasts and this segues into a new sequence based on Pirates of the Caribbean. The island and mountain transform into Isla De Meurta, and in a style similar to the Peter Pan sequence at Disneyland's Fantasmic, the Black Pearl and Flying Dutchman battle it out, a la Dead Man's Chest. Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and Davy Jones all participate in this epic stunt sequence. I dare say this could rival the aforementioned Peter Pan sequence.

At the end of the sequence, the water screens show the Black Pearl sailing away as the "camera" zooms up into the clouds, where we see classic dancing scenes with Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Princess Jasmine and Aladdin on the water screens to a reprise of the theme.

Three small floats now arrive, with Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Prince Eric, and Snow White and Prince Florian each contained in their own float. As each float reaches the center, the spotlight shines on it, with the accompanying signature melody from each movie — "Beauty and the Beast," "Part of Your World," and "Some Day My Prince Will Come", respectively floating stage takes the foreground on the water. In the foreground, LED lights on each floating stage turn from white to multicolored.

The music takes on an ominous tone as Mickey's dream takes a turn for the worse. The Wicked Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is on stage, calling for her magic mirror — which appears onscreen in animated form. The mirror informs the Queen that the three princesses are fairer than she, and that "in Mickey's imagination, beauty and love will always survive." Angered by this, she runs to a cauldron, concocts a spell amidst pyrotechnics and other special effects, and turns herself into the hag to turn Mickey's dream into a "Nightmare Fantasmic". Upon being told by the Magic Mirror that she now has the power to control Mickey's mind, she invokes an excited Ursula, from The Little Mermaid, who ecstatically joins the plot against Mickey and sings a reprise of "Poor Unfortunate Souls, as Flotsam and Jetsam glide across the river.

Afterwards, Ursula calls on Jafar, from Aladdin, who uses his magic to send Mickey (in his classic attire) to the Cave of Wonders. After escaping a wave of lava, Mickey encounters Jafar, who transforms into a giant black cobra appearing on both the stage and the mist screens. Seeing a magic lamp, Mickey rubs it, assuming it will help him, hoping that the nightmare would end. But unfortunately, it only makes matters worse, as Scar from The Lion King appears. A gigantic puppet of Scar appears and menaces Mickey and the audience as he sings "Be Prepared" and the shadows of hyenas-turned-Nazis march along the mountain. Scar then calls upon Chernabog from Fantasia, as the infamous devil appears as a giant, hulking animatronic resting high atop the mountain. He summons the spirits of demons as the iconic "Night on Bald Mountain" score plays.

He summons a blast of fire which appears on stage as Maleficent's classic entrance-by-fire. She prepares Mickey, now in his Brave Little Tailor outfit, to deal with the powers of HER imagination. She rises into the air and the water screens show her transforming into a dragon as the villains laugh maniacally at imagination. On stage, the 45-foot dragon sets the waters ablaze breathing fire onto the river. Natural-gas piping allows the flames to burn on top of the water as they spread to take over the stage. Sometimes when the dragon is not present, Maleficent stays as herself, still with the evil powers and ignites fire on the moat not by her mouth, but by her glowing stick. She still gets destroyed the same way. Mickey, faces the dragon, claiming "You may thing you're so powerful... well, uh... This is my dream!" He uses the powers of his imagination to conduct the water as he did at the beginning of the show and create a wall of water around the island, smothering the flames. He pulls the sword from the stone which shoots sparks through the wall of water, defeating it, As the dragon screams, and as the water screens show the demise of the Queen/Hag, Ursula, Jafar, Scar and Chernabog, Maleficent also dies as the water splashes with a large firework bang.

Everything is silent, until Tinker Bell appears. Magical stars sparkle on the mountain as a brand-new, large version of the iconic Steamboat Willie (the old one looks kinda cheap anyways) glides past as pyrotechnics rain down the side of it. Then, with a sudden crescendo in the music and a blast of light, Mickey Mouse appears as his "Steamboat Willie" self, steering the riverboat past fountains and fireworks. On the riverboat, classic Disney characters wave ribbons in jubilation. There are three levels of the riverboat, and here are the characters that will be on each level:

Bottom Level: Belle, Beast, Ariel, Eric, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Max, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Pinocchio, Gepetto, Jiminy Cricket, Rafiki, Timon, Baloo, Mowgli, Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear

Middle Level: Lilo, Stitch, Snow White, The Prince, Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Captain Jack Sparrow, Peter Pan, Wendy, Aurora, Phillip

Top Level: Mary Poppins, Bert, Mr. Penguin, Pocahontas, John Smith, Meeko, Hercules, Meg, Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Green Army Men, Chimney Sweeps

The sequence is accompanied by searchlights, fountains, fire, and pyrotechnic effects. With another flash of pyrotechnics, Mickey appears atop the highest point of the mountain as the Sorcerer's Apprentice as fireworks, fire, lasers, and water light up the stage. As the finale concludes, Mickey disappears from the top of the mountain with another spark of pyrotechnics, there is a small explosion in the main center stage and Mickey simultaneously reappears in his formal attire from the beginning of the show. Mickey says, "Some imagination, huh? Ha ha!" Pyrotechnics shoot out of the main stage and barges on the moat, as he vanishes one last time to the final notes of the music while a cone of lights and searchlights bright up the stage for a few seconds. On the last note of the musical score, bright low-level mines go off. The show is concluded.

Here is a list of showscenes for the new show.

• Introduction
• Mickey's Imagination/The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Flowers/Lion King Sequence
• Pink Elephants on Parade
• Woody's Roundup
• Friend Like Me
• Bubble Montage (feat. elements of "The Lion King", "The Jungle Book", "Dumbo", ""Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Alice in Wonderland", "Hercules", "Aladdin", "Mulan", "Cinderella", "Lady and the Tramp", "Fantasia", "The Princess and the Frog", "Tangled", "Bambi", "Beauty and the Beast", "Frozen" and "The Little Mermaid")
• Monstro's Attack
• Pirates of the Caribbean Battle
• Princess Segment (feat. elements of "Sleeping Beauty", "Cinderella", "Aladdin", "Beauty and the Beast", "The Little Mermaid" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs")
• The Evil Queen Summons the Magic Mirror
• The Queen's Transformation
• Ursula's Wrath
• Mickey in the Cave of Wonders/Jafar
• Scar's Attack/"Be Prepared"
• Chernabog/"Night On Bald Mountain"
• Maleficent's Transformation/Mickey Battles the Dragon
• Finale: Good Conquers Evil/Sorcerer Mickey's Magic

Well, as they say in Hollywood...that's a wrap!

Hollywood Boulevard
1) Red Car Trolleys
2) The Great Movie Ride FP+
3) CineMagic
4) American Institute Film Showcase
5) Eastern Gardens
6) Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Shopping
A) Crossroads of the World
B) Movieland Memorabilia
C) Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind Shop
D) Oscar's Classic Cars Souvenirs
E) The Dark Room
F) L.A. Cinema Storage
G) Mickey's of Hollywood
H) Keystone Clothiers
I) Cover Story

Dining
A) Hollywood Brown Derby
B) ABC Bistro
C) Hollywood & Vine
D) 50's Prime Time Cafe
E) Tune-In Lounge

Lucasland
--Indiana Jones--
7) Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye FP+
8) Temple of Doom
--Star Wars--
9) Star Tours: The Adventures Continue FP+
10) Jedi Training Academy
11) Millennium Falcon
12) Star Wars: Flight of the Force FP+

Shopping
A) Indiana Jones Truck
B) Tatooine Traders
C) Cosmic Encounters

Dining
A) Mos Eisley Cantina

Muppet Studios
13) Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
14) Muppet Labs
15) Rainbow Connection Gardens
16) The Great Muppet Movie Ride FP+
17) Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Muppet WaterWorks

Shopping
A) Stage One Company Store
B) It Feels Like Christmas

Dining
A) Gonzo's Pizzeria Parlour Pandemonium

New York Street
18) Newsies Street Strike

Shopping
A) Youse Guys Moychindice

Dining
A) Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
B) The Writer's Stop
C) Oliver's Market

Pixar Place
19) The Pixar Story
20) Up Adventure Trail
21) The Incredibles Adventure FP+
22) Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club
23) Monsters Inc. Ride & Go Seek FP+
24) Ratatouille: Remy's Recipe Hunt FP+
25) Bullseye's Carnival Cavalcade
26) Toy Story Midway Mania! FP+

Shopping
A) Knick-Knack
B) ISM Gift Shop
C) Monstropolis Merchants
D) Slinky's Gift Trolley

Dining
A) Cereal Bar
B) Harryhausen's
C) Gusteau's
D) Pizza Planet

Animation Courtyard
27) Walt Disney Theatre FP+

• Hercules: The MUSE-ical
• Toy Story: The Musical
• Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
• Tangled: The Musical
• Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage
• Journey Into The Jungle Book
• Snow White: An Enchanting Musical

28) Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
29) Disney Animation

• The Art of Animation
• Animation Academy
• Walt's Workshop
• Animation Archives
• Disney Through the Decades FP+
• Mickey's PhilharMagic FP+

Shopping
A) Off the Page
B) Animation Gallery

Dining
A) Animator's Palate

Timeless River
30) Silly Symphony Swings
31) Classic Carousel
32) Steamboat Springs
33) Frolicking Fish
34) Timeless Cinema
35) Mickey & Oswald's Grand Adventure FP+

Sunset Boulevard
36) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
37) The Golden Mickeys FP+
38) War of the Worlds FP+
39) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror FP+

Shopping
A) Sweet Spells
B) Villains in Vogue
C) Scary Apothecary
D) Legends of Hollywood
E) Sunset Ranch Market
I) Tower Gifts

Dining
A) Starring Rolls Cafe
B) Sunset Ranch
C) The Tip Top Club

Entertainment

• Citizens of Hollywood
• Muppet Mobile Lab
• Mulch, Sweat & Shears
• Superheroes of Metroville
• Monsters University Pep Rally
• The All-Doll Revue
• Drawn to the Magic
• Hooray for Hollywood!
• Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade FP+
• Fantasmic! FP+

In the next post, we'll take a visit to WDW's most current (not for long, according to my plans) park: Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

A few suggestions for Fantasmic. In the princess segment via mist screens I would put Tiana & Naveen, in the floats part Rapunzel & Flynn with lanterns projected on the mountain, and for the villains I think Dr.Facilier should be added, and the one that summons Chernabog.

 

[brb1006]

World Showcase
continued​

Continuing down along the lagoon of World Showcase, guests will then come across the next pavilion.

Japan

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Guests find themselves in a beautiful city, designed to recreate the wonderful and beautiful setting of Japan, ambassador to the Pacific Islands. To the left, a tall building is located, where a troop of Japanese drummers often showcase their drumming talent. Just beyond the building is a beautiful Japanese garden, featuring beautiful flowers, cascading waterfalls and real fish. Bridges lead across the garden at the summit of a small hill, where the Yakitori House quick-service restaurant is located. The restaurant is truly inspired to appear just as it would in Japan. It seems as though it is something out of an anime movie, which is essentially what the entire pavilion feels like. The restaurant also features a small outdoor sitting area on the other side of the restaurant.

Across from the this half of the Japan pavilion, across the main courtyard, guests will come across the Mitsukoshibuilding, a complete Japanese store, one of the biggest in EPCOT Center. These store features everything from kimonos, Japanese t-shirts, headdresses, jeweley, selections of bowls, bonsai plants, paper fans, lanterns and a great deal of Japanese wines, candies and other sweets. One could probably spend hours in this store, as there is so much to see. The store wraps around the complete right side of the pavilion, leading to the back and heading towards the front of the pavilion.

At the exit of the gift shop, still in the main Mitsukoshi building, guests will then be able to find the Bijutsu-Kan Gallery, serving as the exhibit for the Pacific Islands region, representing Japan, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Taiwan.

Back in the main center of the pavilion, a staircase leads up to the second story of the Mitsukoshi building, which leads its' way up to the Teppan-Edo, a fantastic sit-down restaurant, where guests sit around a stove top, as a chef prepares Japanese dishes right before them. It is both an entertaining and delicious experience. The experience also offers great vistas of all of EPCOT Center and proves to be one of the best restaurants in the entire park. I was just there a couple of months back and it is definitely a great experience and is well worth it.

Standing at the far back of the pavilion is the hulking structure of Mount Fuji. One can argue that Disney already has enough mountain-themed rollercoasters, but each one has its own unique theming, details, and identity. I am envisioning this coaster to be along the lines of the Matterhorn at Disneyland or Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom in terms of both the ride experience and thrill level. Guests would travel both inside and outside the mountain from its base to the snowy summit, passing through caves, past waterfalls, and even narrowly escaping an avalanche.

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Another attraction located here is Bullet Train Pass. With this attraction, guests would feel as though they were entering into the car of a train only the windows would be replaced with high-definition screens that would display beautiful images of the Japanese countryside. Guests would travel past some of Japan’s amazing natural wonders, some of its most enduring landmarks, and into several of its best-known cities. The compartment itself would lurch and shake to simulate the feel of movement, but the experience would not have the same thrill level of other simulator attractions, such as Star Tours. With these two additions, the Japan pavilion would be able to offer something for everyone.

We then proceed out of Japan and towards the next country in the World Showcase.

Brazil
Of all the continents (except Australia and Antarctica), South America has yet to be represented here at World Showcase. So in that sense, South America is finally represented here in World Showcase with a new pavilion centered around Brazil. The pavilion is modeled after the city of Ouro Preto.

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The narrow winding streets of the city feature historical Portuguese Colonial architecture, so it would be a unique look to World Showcase and the overall resort. Facing the pavilion, there is a small building housing a store to the right and the entrance to the exhibit area on the left. The exhibit area features Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The exhibit is themed as the University of the city.

There is also a lot of vegetation blocking our view further into the area. Once through the jungle, we find ourselves in the beginning of the street. To the left is the second entrance to the exhibit area and to the right are stores. At the end of the street, there is a courtyard with a large church like building at the head of the square, which is the entrance to the Brazilian Steakhouse. The entrance is into the church like building although most of the dining room is in a separate building. In the main dining room, there is an open kitchen area with the large grills. To the left is the entrance to the main attraction, a roller-coaster known as the Little King Mine Trek.

The queue begins in the mining museum of the city, and passes through areas of equipment storage and museum, making this are seem very much in use. As with most other coaster at Disney parks, we will eventually board a mine vehicle, similar to the ones that are actually used in mines there, although quite a bit more substantial. The coaster seats 2 per row with 15 rows.

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We load and then leave the indoor station. The coaster is entirely indoors, but as we leave the station and turn into the mine cave ahead, we can look out over a realistically projected vista over the Brazilian countryside. Once in the mine, we travel through the gold mining operation with running machinery all around. We see the gold piled in mine cars and in the cave walls around us. We go up the first lift hill and begin the mine coaster section, through rooms of glittering topaz and gold. After unloading, guests exit to a gift shop and then back into the square.

There is also a public second floor area above the queue area. The square would be a good place for a traditional Brazilian music group to perform.

Morocco

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Guests find themselves walking amongst the beautiful, ornately designed buildings of Morocco, ambassador to North Africa, with its' grand archways and beautiful architecture. Tall, turret-like building stretch into the sky. The place is somewhat designed to be similar to a maze, with several buildings revealing passageways, connecting location to location. Morrocan artisan's actually came from their country to EPCOT Center to match the pavilion detail to detail. Koutoubia Minaret, a replica of an ancient prayer temple, stands guard at the entrance of the pavilion. Just on the borders of the World Showcase Lagoon, guests will find Souk Al Magreb, a merchandise cart which features hand-crafted brass merchandise. Also on the border of the lagoon is the Spice Road Table, which offers small plates and an interesting wine list featuring bottles from throughout the Mediterranean region.

A fountain is located in the center courtyard of the pavilion. The fountain leads to the Medina, which stands for "Old City". Here, guests will find the Marketplace in the Medina, where guests can come across hand woven baskets, wallets, bags, hats and carpets. After passing through a small chamber, featuring a fountain, guests will find the Brass Bazaar attached to the Marketplace. The Brass Bazaar features decorative plates, pots, serving sets, wooden collectibles and even lamps. Pointed archway buildings and swirling patterns adorn the passageways from building to building, featuring wooden, plaster and tiled accents.

The passageway leads towards the back of the Moroccan city, where guests will find an entryway into one of the buildings. Inside the building, a magic lamp, the same one seen in Aladdin, rests on a mantle. The room is filled with large, luxurious pillows. This is a common location for Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie to host Meet & Greet appearances. The passageway then connects back to the Tangier Traders merchandise store, which is a complete clothing store, offering garments, woven belts, shoes and other styles of Morrocan clothing. The store is also attached to the Tangerine Cafe, which operates as a quick-service restaurant in Morocco, while also featuring a very nice dessert display, as well.

The North Africa exhibits are located where the Gallery of Art and History is today. It represents Morocco, Algeria, Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tunisia. It is themed as a textile workshop and market.

At the farthest back corner of the pavilion, guests will find Marrakesh, a nice sit-down restaurant, where guests feel as though they are completely surrounded by the feelings of Morocco through the flavor of their food, their customs and their fantastic hospitality service. Also at the far back of the pavilion is a brand-new attraction.

I thought it would be best, as a way of balancing the attractions in World Showcase, to have something that would appeal more to children and therefore looked at Moroccan folktales for inspiration. One of the most popular pieces of literature in the Arab world is One Thousand and One Nights (more commonly known as Arabian Nights). This is a collection of various stories and tales that, while they did not originate in Morocco, are reflective of the country’s culture and history.

It would be extremely tempting to put an Aladdin attraction in Morocco since it is one of the stories found in Arabian Nights, but I do not feel that World Showcase is the proper venue. Another popular tale from Arabian Nights is the Seven Voyages of Sindbad and this has actually been made into an attraction at Tokyo Disney Sea called Sindbad's Seven Voyages.

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Sindbad's Seven Voyages lies somewhere in between these two, taking the fanciful, make-believe feel of Small World and the swashbuckling adventure of Pirates and coming up with an entirely new attraction that is as memorable as its famous predecessors.

Along your journey you will visit busy Far East towns, discover vast stores of treasure, encounter mermaids, caravans, some decidedly unfriendly ape men, and a gigantic genie that is definitely not to be confused with the one from Aladdin. Wonderful Arabian-themed music enhances the atmosphere throughout your voyage. While the boat itself moves slowly, the pacing of this attraction is perfect, and you will be enthralled with the fantasy world that surrounds you as you drift from one adventure to the next.

This attraction features a cast of hundreds of animatronic characters that tell the tale of Sinbad. Walt Disney envisioned Audio-Animatronics as a way to bring cartoon characters to three-dimensional life, and that vision has never been more fully realized than in Sinbad's Seven Voyages. The characters are beautifully conceived, and appear as though they were taken right from the pages of a storybook. What really sets them apart though is their remarkably fluid animation. It is eerie how lifelike their movements are, and they really have to be seen to be believed.

We continue around the bend of the World Showcase until we come across the next pavilion.

South Africa
This was a difficult pavilion. Africa is so heavily represented in Animal Kingdom, so I needed to do something different. World Showcase is also very urban based, and I didn’t want to break that with this pavilion. After looking at the architecture and history of South Africa, I decided to divide the pavilion into two areas: a Dutch inspired area, representing the colonization of South Africa, and a traditional African area, representing the rest of the continent.

From the World Showcase concourse, the first icon of the pavilion is the tower of the Castle of Good Hope, a Cape Town landmark. The buildings at the front of the pavilion are themed to be inside the colonial fortress and contain shops, the restaurant, serves a variety of traditional African foods, the small counter service location, and the exhibit space, representing the many countries of South Africa: South Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The exhibit is themed to a map making workshop.

Further on, the architecture dramatically changes, resembling the high stone walls of the native city of Great Zimbabwe, seen here:

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A opening in the stone wall leads to a series of tunnels and the attraction for the pavilion, the Village Theater.

The show here at the Village Theater is a hyper-realistic take on African fables, told with puppetry--specifically, puppetry like the Handspring Puppet Company, creator of the puppets used in War Horse.

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The stone tunnel from the main area of the pavilion leads to waiting tunnel area, built rustically, with light streaming in between a wood and thatch roof. The theater seats 900 in a rough semi-circle around a round thrust stage. The theater and stage are very plain so that the focus can be on the show. Limited set pieces, stylized like the puppets, appear for each fable.

I envision this show to be different every time. I have seen quite a few episodes of a show called Tinga Tinga Tales on Disney Junior, where they tell fables of animals. In that sense, I envision the show to change fables with each performance. Here now are some of the fables from the show:

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France
The buildings here recollect the era of a beautiful French city-scape. A canal-like passage through France is much like France's Seine. Upon entering into the country, guests will come across a small alcove of trees, where guests can often meet Belle and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Just past the alcove, a few carts sell delicious home-made French crepes, as well as some other delicious treats at Monsieur Paul. The stone walls that barricade the World Showcase lagoon showcase canvasses of French artistry and artwork. In this area, artists are located to draw portraits and sillhouettes of guests.

France features several kiosks, that often puntuate the streets of Paris. Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz from The Aristocats host meet & greets within the area. The smell of a nearby bakery seems to run through the area. You can see that the French building expand towards the back of the pavilion, towards a large, somewhat grander building, before taking an offset to the left, continuing up a small alleyway. From behind the larger building at the back end of the courtyard, guests can see the grand Eiffel Tower, stretching high into the sky. The Eiffel Tower utilizes the technique of forced perspective to make it appear larger than it actually is.

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To the left, the first building that guests will come across is luxurious Les Chefs de France, which features some of the finest French cuisine that you could find in Florida. The restaurant establishes itself in a beautiful setting.

Continuing up through the plaza towards the top of the pavilion, guests walk along a beauitful fountain, before arriving at the Arcade, a mall of different shops, including the Plume Et Palette, La Signature and L'esprit de Provence. All of these shops offer wonderful French items that could only be found from within the country. At Plume Et Palette and La Signature, guests can be able to sample and purchase a display of numerous perfumes and colognes from the country. L'esprit offers displays of dinnerware and kitchen accessories. On the opposite side of the string of shops is a small rose garden, where Princess Aurora and Cinderella often meet guests.

Back in the main courtyard of the pavilion, to the left, a small alleyway leads to the farthest back point of the pavilion. However, directly ahead, guests will find Impressions de France, which is showcased in the Palais du Cinema, a theater in which the guests can witness a break-taking eighteen minute film sequence about the beauty, landscape, foods and cultures of France. The film features beautiful estates, vineyards in harvest time, beautiful harbors, the French Alps and a view of the Eiffel Tower. The entire experience is enhanced by a wonderfully composed score of French classical music, as well as a 200 degree screen that wipes across the entire front and sides of the theater.

France serves as the ambassador to Western Europe, and its exhibit space is carved out of the shops near the back of the pavilion, near the exit of Impressions de France. It represents France, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, and Switzerland. It is themed as a book store.

The attraction exits out into the Souvenirs de France store, which features everything from Eiffel Tower statues and shirts to CDs and gifts themed to the artwork of several French artists. Just outside of the shop, to the right, guests will find the Boulangerie Patisserie, a wonderful bakery in the pavilion, located amongst the other themed buildings in the Paris city. The bakery features delectable treats, some of them include turnovers, parfaits, sandwiches and pot pies, amongst other things. There is a quaint small sitting area just outside of the bakery. Just across from the bakery is Les Vins de France, a wonderful wine shop, where guests can hold their own wine tasting. The alleyway proceeds to lead further down, back into the main plaza of France.

International Gateway
Continuing on from the France pavilion, guests cross a bridge, leading over World Showcase Lagoon and proceeding out of the France pavilion. Here, guests enter the International Gateway. While the International Gateway is not an actual "land" in the park, it still does serve some vital purpose. To the right, there is a staircase descending down into a tiered landing, which offers fantastic views of the Illuminations fireworks. To the left, guests will come across the Gateway Gifts and World Traveler stores, which feature EPCOT Center and World Showcase merchandise. From here, there is an actual EXIT out of the park, which is connected to the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. The path also offers a quick brisk walk to the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Further on along the pavilion, guests will arrive at the entrance to the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, ambassador to the British Isles, takes guests to the beautiful city-scape of a London square and then to the edge of a canal on a rural countryside, all within the realm of a contained bustling city street. The streets are framed by London buildings, which perfectly capture the elegance and charm of England. The buildings receive their architectural styles from English Tudor, Georgian and English Victorian style characteristics. While there is no major attraction in the pavilion, it does feature nearly half a dozen shops and a pub that serves a fantastic selection of beers.

As soon as you enter the pavilion, a thatched roof cottage will be just on the left, amidst the other English buildings in the area. In front of the cottage, Mary Poppins and Alice both host meet & greet appearances. Inside of the cottage which was inspired by William Shakespeare's wife, guests will find the Tea Caddy. The cottage features a fireplace, amongst the beams. The shop stocks a wide variety of English teas, teapots, china and biscuits. Just next to the Tea Caddy is The Queen's Table, which offers a wonderful display of perfumes, soaps and other fragrances. Behind these shops are the very small British Isles exhibits. They are small because they only consist of the UK and Ireland.

The pathway then empties out into the Rose and Crown Pub, which is a fantastic restaurant that serves wonderful England-inspired dishes. The restaurant also operates at a basic pub, which serves some great alcoholic drinks. To the side of the restaurant, the quick-service location Yorkshire Country Fish Shop serves a limited list of items from the Rose and Crown. Just before the restaurant, guests will find a pair of faux telephone booths, identical to those that could be found around the United Kingdom.

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Connecting back into the main plaza of the English town, guests will then come across the Crown and Crest. The exterior of the shop is beautiful, almost like something out of the days of King Arthur. The store is adorned with bright banners, a fireplace and gallant crossed swords, depicting a fanciful scene in the store. Here, guests can purchase mugs, limited chess sets, and stamp sets. Through a small passage, guests will come across the Sportsman Shoppe. This store features clothing wear and accessories that are centered around British local events, from Wimbledon tennis attire, to golfing accessories and Rugby shirts.

Outside of the shops, there is a lovely English courtyard, decorated with fanciful garden and flower motifs. In the courtyard, a band called the British Invasion plays daily, belting out the tunes of the Beatles. At the back end of the pavilion, guests will find one last store, the Toy Soldier, which features a nice selection of British toys, as rather as an extensive gift selection from Winnie the Pooh and the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood. In this store, a separate room features meet & greets with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, amongst other Winnie the Pooh characters.

At the far back of the courtyard is a theater made to look like the famed Globe Theater, where Shakespeare premiered many of his plays. This theater is home to a brand-new stage show: Isles of Wonder.

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This brand-new stage show is inspired by the insanely epic opening ceremony to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London (read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Summer_Olympics_opening_ceremony), and tells the tale of Britain's amazing history and culture.

I'd have the show open with the Journey Along the Thames film (up to the point where we go through the Rotherhithe Tunnel), then go through the "Green and Pleasant Land" and "Pandemonium" scenes (representing the early days of Britain, and British culture up to the 60's), then go straight into "Frankie and June say...thanks Tim", which highlights British culture from the 60's up till now. And I honestly don't know if it would be cheesy or not to end with "Hey Jude", much like how the ceremony ended, but that would be awesome.

We then continue on to the final new pavilion of World Showcase.

Egypt
We arrive in the sand-swept ruins of the great deserts of Egypt, ambassador to the Middle East. This new pavilion will take the former place of the Millennium Village building that was only ever utilized during the Food and Wine Festival. This new pavilion will make up its' new home in Epcot and will be centered by a grand pyramid, which dominates over the rest of the pavilion. Sand floors are sketched into the pavement of the pavilion. A wooden bridge suspends over the land, as a part of the World Showcase Lagoon runs throughout the Egyptian sands, simulating a serene Nile River, as tall strings of grass appear from the waterbeds of the river.

In the center of the pavilion, guests will find the Egyptian Marketplace, which is a bustling metropolis of activity. The Marketplace features several stores and the Cairo Cafe quick-service restaurant, which offers a splendid selection of Egyptian-style foods. Egyptian cuisine is know for its kababs, meat and vegetables that are grilled on skewers. The concept for this restaurant would be that diners walk through an area designed to look like a market and select different types of meat, vegetables, spices, and sauces they want on their kababs. Diners then take their ingredients to a large open fire pit where a chef will place the ingredients they have chosen onto a skewer and they can watch as the kababs are prepared over the open fire. There's also a bakery featuring a large selection of breads, which form the backbone of Egyptian cuisine, as well as numerous Egyptian pastries. The bakery would offer a variety of different sandwiches and guests would have the opportunity to select which type of bread on which they would like to have their sandwich. Within the Marketplace, the Cairo Jewelers store is located, featuring a great supply of wonderfuly jewelery and fragrance items. Attached to Cairo Jewelers is the Ancient Artifacts store, which sells all different sorts of material and merchandise from Egypt, including clothing, wooden sculptures, ancient tablets and incenses.

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From here, the guests are then led along a sand road, adorned with ancient columns, destoyed after years and years of decay. The stone columns line the way to a grand pyramid, where the Great Pyramid of Anubis is located. The pyramid is host to this new E-Ticket attraction, which takes guests through the pyramid to gather the knowledge of the facts and myths of the worlds of Egypt and more-so, what lies beneath the the deepest chambers of this sacred pyramid. While the attraction is somewhat of a mild thrill ride, probably comparable to either Test Track or Dinosaur, this is not a scary attraction, there are no Zombies or demons chasing after the guests, much opposed to Universal's Revenge of the Mummy attraction, rather this adventure offers guests a once in a life-time journey to explore the secrets of a pyramid, lost to the world for hundreds of years. The inside of the pyramid also features King Tut's, a sit-down restaurant inside one of the lavish treasure chambers of the pyramid.

The ride exits out into the Middle East exhibits, representing Egypt, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The space is themed as an archeological storage room.

The sand bottoms of the Egyptian landscape soon gives way to a rockier landscape.

Canada

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We have reached the final country in all of World Showcase, which connects back to the entry point to Future World.

This country celebrates the United States' neighbor to the north, as well as serving as ambassador to the Arctic--which mostly consists of just Canada. The country features a rocky landscape, leading past a set of totem poles. Arriving just beyond, at the top of a wooden staircase leading to the upper section of the pavilion, guests will be able to find Northwest Mercantile and La Boutique des Provinces. Northwest Mercantile features Candian apparel, as well as plush toys, lanterns, maple syrup and other Canadian-themed collectibles. La Boutique des Provinces is located inside of Hotel du Canada, a large recreation of the Canadian hotel, and features items crafted by Canadian artists.

Down the steps and leading to the right, guests will find a small pathway, wrapping down a lovely garden area, right beside a babbling brook and a cascading waterfall. Here, guests are then brought to Le Cellier Steakhouse, one of the finest Steakhouses in Florida. The restaurant features great entrees, a relaxing atmosphere and a great selection of desserts. However, because this restaurant is one of the most popular in all of the resort, landing a specific reservation here cane be somewhat tedious.

Just north of Le Cellier Steakhouse, guests will walk along the rushing waterfalls of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The mountainous range stretch a vast way, leading guests to the farthest point of the pavilion, where they are then brought to O Canada!, an eighteen minute motion picture presentation, hosted by Martin Short. The complete 360 degree Circle-Vision theater portrays the Canadian country's splendor, from prairies and plains, shorelines and rivers and untouched snowfields. The film takes guests along a journey through many of Canada's cities, such as Montreal and Quebec, before ending the presentation with a trip by Niagra Falls.

At the far back of the pavilion, you'll find a new attraction: Grizzly River Run.

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This new version of the DCA ride takese guests on a thrilling journey through the rapids of the Canadian Rockies, encountering native plants and wildlife, such as audio-animatronic moose, black bears, beavers, and bobcats, in addition to waterfalls, whirlpools, and geysers. Indeed, the appearance of Grizzly River Run is an apt comparison for what this ride experience would be like.

From here, the pathway connects back to the center point of World Showcase and Future World.

World Showcase
1) Mexico (Central America)

• El Rio del Tiempo
• Raging Spirits

2) Norway (Scandinavia)

• Frozen Ever After

3) China (Central Asia)

• Reflections of China

4) Indonesia (South Asia)

• Shadow Puppet Theater

5) Russia

• The Bells of Change

6) Germany (both Eastern Europe)

• Rhine River Cruise

7) Italy (Mediterranean)

• Masquerade Celebration Carrousel

8) The American Adventure
9) Japan (Pacific Islands)

• Mt. Fuji
• Bullet Train Pass

10) Brazil (South America)

• Little King Mine Trek

11) Morocco (North Africa)

• Sindbad's Seven Voyages

12) South Africa

• Village Theater

13) France (Western Europe)

• Impressions de France

14) United Kingdom (British Isles)

• Isles of Wonder

15) Egypt (Middle East)

• The Great Pyramid of Anubis

16) Canada (Arctic)

• O Canada!
• Grizzly River Run

Shopping
A) Port of Entry
B) El Ranchito del Norte
C) Plaza de Los Amigos
D) La Familia Fashions
E) The Puffin's Roost
F) Yong Feng Shangdian
G) Indonesian Market
H) St. Petersburg Gifts
I) Das Kaufhaus
J) Die Weihnachts Ecke
K) Weinkeller
L) Kunstarbeit in Kristall
M) Volkskunst
N) Der Teddybar
O) Enoteca Castallo
P) Il Bel Cristallo
Q) La Bottega Italiana
R) Heritage House Gifts
S) Mitsukoshi
T) Brazilian Shop
U) Souk Al Magreb
V) Marketplace in Medina
W) Brass Bazaar
X) Tangier Traders
Y) South African Shop
Z) Plume Et Palette
AA) La Signature
BB) L'esprit de Provence
CC) Souvenirs de France
DD) Les Vins de France
EE) Gateway Gifts
FF) World Traveler
GG) Tea Caddy
HH) The Queen's Table
II) Crown and Crest
JJ) Sportsman Shoppe
KK) Toy Soldier
LL) Cairo Jewelers
MM) Ancient Artifacts
NN) Northwest Mercantile
OO) La Boutique des Provinces

Dining
A) El Cantina del San Angel
B) San Angel Inn
C) Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
D) Akershus Banquet Hall
E) Lotus Blossom Cafe
F) Nine Dragons
G) Indonesian Restaurant
H) Pirozhki Bakery
I) Trinity
J) Sommerfest
K) Biergarten
L) Karamell-Kuche
M) Tutto Italia
N) Via Napoli
O) Gelateria
P) Liberty Inn
Q) Fife and Drum Tavern
R) Teppan Edo
S) Yokitori House
T) Brazilian Steakhouse
U) Spice Road Table
V) Tangerine Cafe
W) Marrakesh
X) South African Restaurant
Y) South African Counter-Service
Z) Monsieur Paul
AA) Boulangerie Patisserie
BB) Les Chefs de France
CC) Rose and Crown Pub
DD) Yorkshire Country Fish Shop
EE) Cairo Cafe
FF) Egyptian Bakery
GG) King Tut's
HH) Le Cellier

In the final post about EPCOT Center, I'll go over the entertainment found every day. See ya then!

I've been thinking of adding a new building in the France Pavilion dedicated to The Aristocats which is a show that teaches guests about French art and music. Which stars the kittens, Toulouse and Berlioz have been spotted in Disneyland Paris and recently Tokyo Disneyland. So if that idea ever becomes a reality, this might mean that Marie's brothers might show up in Walt Disney World's Epcot or the Magic Kingdom in the future. Especially since Toulouse and Berlioz have been found in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea recently.

 

[DisneyManOne]

A few suggestions for Fantasmic. In the princess segment via mist screens I would put Tiana & Naveen, in the floats part Rapunzel & Flynn with lanterns projected on the mountain, and for the villains I think Dr.Facilier should be added, and the one that summons Chernabog.

I'd rather put both Tiana and Rapunzel on the mist screens and just have Belle, Ariel and Snow White on the floats. No Dr. Facilier, though, since he already appears in "Wishes".

I've been thinking of adding a new building in the France Pavilion dedicated to The Aristocats which is a show that teaches guests about French art and music. Which stars the kittens, Toulouse and Berlioz have been spotted in Disneyland Paris and recently Tokyo Disneyland. So if that idea ever becomes a reality, this might mean that Marie's brothers might show up in Walt Disney World's Epcot or the Magic Kingdom in the future.

Unfortunately, given the massive uproar that stirred among the fans when it was announced Frozen was coming to Norway, I'd rather not put The Aristocats in the France pavilion.
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Now, let's move on to the next park of the resort...

Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Disney's Animal Kingdom, which opened on Earth Day 1998, is dedicated to all of the animals of the world, real, extinct and imaginary. This park is a real-world experience, taking guests into a world of wonder and knowledge, observing and learning about the lives of the animal species that call Disney's Animal Kingdom their home. From the rolling plains of an African savannah, to the Himalayan mountains of Asia, to being transported to the dawn of the Jurassic era, Disney's Animal Kingdom is filled with adventure just waiting to be discovered.

The Walt Disney Company has always had a committing association to wildlife, as Walt Disney himself pursued his interest in animals during the creation of his True-Life Adventures series, a nature documentation film, edited together to feature hours of nature's landscapes and wildlife. Disney's sentiment decades ago was driven in the creation of Disney's Animal Kingdom, offering guests to see the wildlife and beautiful scenery of the world up close. Disney's Animal Kingdom has been described as "A New Species of Theme Park" and it definitely is. It might be the most distinct theme park, having its' theme solely revolve around nature and wildlife.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, while much more than just a glorified zoo, actually brings these animals to life, telling the stories of these animals and the way that humans interact with them. With this sentiment, guests can actually walk away from the park at the end of the day, learning a valuable lesson about nature, a lesson that might not have been received by just any typical zoo. Each area of the park is an adventure in itself, drawing guests further away from the real world, bringing them into this kingdom of fantasy, nature and adventure.

The Oasis

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The Oasis offers an escape from reality, operating as the entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom. From first stepping into the entrance of the park, guests immediately find themselves taken away from the everyday world and transported into a beautiful oasis of palm trees and heavy jungles of trees on both sides of the entrance. The Oasis puts the guests in touch with nature and immediately sets the tone for the adventures to come. The Oasis is bountiful with unspoiled nature - to a time when some of the other complex natures found in the rest of the park did not yet exist at the time.

While passing through the beautiful Oasis, to the left guests will find a path leading to a Rainforest Cafe, one of the two chain restaurants found on Walt Disney World property, where guests dine in a heavily-immersive rainforest environment, complete with raging apes and elephants, beautiful aquariums, rain falls and sudden thunderstorms. Guests proceed to the gated entrance of the park, showcasing the signage for Disney's Animal Kingdom. On both sides of the entrance, new waterfall features have been implemented into the entrance, to make the area look more lush and beautiful. The entrance of the park is also heavily influences by the Arts & Crafts movement, having nature itself being a heavy influence in the Oasis.

Embedded in the courtyard of The Oasis is a matted graphic representation of the Tree of Life, something that might go unnoticed if you're not looking for it. After passing through the main gate, guests are then distributed into a promenade filled with lush jungles trees and vines. The sound of a cascading waterfall could be heard just in the distance. Throughout the day, various Disney characters can be found, ready to welcome you to a day of adventure. Characters usually found here include Thumper and Miss Bunny, Brer Fox, Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit, Kenai and Koda and even Pocahontas, John Smith, Meeko and Governor Ratcliffe.

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To the left, guests will find Guest Relations and the right features the Stroller and Wheelchair Rental and Garden Gate Gifts, a merchandise location that offers disposable camera and video belongings, as well as Disney's Animal Kingdom merchandise. There is a path that leads to both the left and right, re-connecting further into the Oasis.

On both the left and right paths, guests will find the Animal Oasis Exhibits. The winding pathways lead through dense vegetation and jungle alcoves. Canopies of tree branches and leaves blot out the sunlight from above. The pathways are filled with serene, peaceful settings and fascinating animals in very close proximity to the guests. The exhibits feature the outdoor animal living inhabitant areas for anteaters, sable antelopes, ducks, parrots, and other sorts of birds, iguanas, gazelle and other types of animals. The exhibits offer just a peek into the many wonderful encounters just waiting to be held further on in the park. Each animal is carefully sheltered into an environment that is reminiscent of their actual living environment. Being able to replicate a living space for a wildlife animal in a theme park can be somewhat of a daunting task, yet Disney's Animal Kingdom puts in the effort, flawlessly.

The rest of the animal exhibits are located in-between flowing rivers, serene pathways overlooking lagoons, covered jungle alcoves and rock formations, spouting cascading waterfalls. The entire area is reminiscent of a serene maze through a mystical jungle. There is even a rock cavern that guests can explore, with flowing waterfalls, leading to a rocky wooden bridge. When emerging from the rocky cavern, all of the separate pathways throughout the Oasis converge into one, leading across a wooden bridge, deeper into Disney's Animal Kingdom. Guests are led to...

Discovery Island

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Discovery Island is the central hub of the park, consisting of the island in the center of a vast flowing river, which seems to flow its' way throughout the entire park. Bridges connected from several section of Discovery Island connect to the other lands of the park. Discovery Island is filled with vast jungles, flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, encounters with real-animals and plenty of secrets left to be seen.

Discovery Island is a place of excitement and adventure. The island honors the greatness of animals and nature, apparent in the buildings and overall thematic influences seen throughout Discovery Island. While Discovery Island is not meant to depict any sort of actual "place", its' architectural influences come from the equatorial islands from around the world, places like Bali, the Caribbean, the South Seas, Barbados and Jamaica. The artwork of the buildings features ornate animals carvings and sculptures.

Continuing on from the entrance from The Oasis, guests walk along an ornate wooden bridge, crossing over the Discovery River. Here guests are then emptied into the main plaza entryway of Discovery Island. Vast jungles, trees, beautiful flowers and ruins of what may have been a once very active building are scattered throughout the perimeter of the area. Trees and plants are even planted backstage, to make the area of Discovery Island seem more expansive, more immersive, as if a whole world could possibly be explored in this jungle.

Just ahead, planted in the center of the island is the Tree of Life, the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom. This centerpiece is one of the most exquisite and elaborate pieces of art that Disney has ever created. It is a piece of art that both captures the beautiful simplicity of nature and the kingdom of wildlife. The Tree of Life itself depicts the Animal Kingdom as it is, it is a metaphor of the park. The tree quite literally features an animal kingdom, featuring 325 animals carved into the wooden tree trunk, even carved into the roots and branched which extend from the tree. It could and will take hours to spot ever detail of the tree, the more the one looks, the more it seems as though the tree is continuing to grow and branch off with new details.

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When continuing down through the main plaza into Discovery Island, directly ahead, guests will find the Tree of Life Garden, a small garden area, surrounded by tall trees and plants. The garden leads into a small enclosed section of Discovery Island, where guests can get a closer look at the front side of the Tree of Life. The garden also offer glimpses of some of the animal inhabitants, such as flamingos, lemurs and kangaroos.

Every day, watch as the skies above the Tree of Life burst with living color during Winged Encounters: The Kingdom Takes Flight, a show featuring macaws. Keep your peepers peeled for all 6 shades of macaw as they’re showcased in flight—from hyacinth, green-winged and military to blue and gold, blue-throated and scarlet. Each awe-inspiring specimen features a wingspan of up to 60 inches, which you can witness firsthand as they soar up and around the heart of the park.

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To the left of the plaza, guests will find the Island Mercantile store, a shop themed to a shipping company, celebrating working animals, such as camels and elephants. This store features Disney character merchandise, Disney's Animal Kingdom merchandise, clothing and other sorts of paraphernalia. It is one of the main shops of Disney's Animal Kingdom, offering a wide selection of merchandise to choose from. Lilo and Stitch often meet guests nearby the store. Just across from the store, on the opposite side of the entrance plaza, guests will find Adventurer's Outpost, a meet & greet location for Mickey and Minnie.

Continuing onto the right of Discovery Island, walking parallel to the meet & greet building, guests will soon come across the access point to the park-wide Wilderness Explorers game. Nearby, you'll find a meet & greet area with Carl, Russell and Dug. Right next door to the Wilderness Explorers is the entrance of a brand-new 3D attraction: Earth. The queue for the 3D attraction leads to the center of Discovery Island, narrowly proceeding through tunnel passageways aligned with roots dangling from the Tree of Life. The queue leads guests through dense, lush forests, proceeding to the heart of the Tree of Life, the very base of the tree. The show takes place in the very trunk of the Tree of Life. The show takes guests through various animal habitats, from the North Pole to the deep sea to the forests and savannahs, revealing how plants and animals respond to the power of the sun and the changing seasons. The show is, of course, largely inspired by the Disneynature film of the same name.

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The exit of the attraction exposes guest to another main plaza, leading into both Asia and Dinoland. We will hold off on these other areas for now. On the right hand side of the plaza, in the direction heading towards The Dino Institute, the Disney Outfitters store is located, offering nature-themed gifts and an abundance of clothing. The store also features ornately designed totem poles of animals. Just beyond the store, a small rampway leading down to a dock along the Discovery Lake, guests will find a meet & greet location with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet. Just across, guests will find the Flame Tree Barbecue, which serves up a selection of barbecued entrees, all wood-roasted to perfection. The seating location is also located right along the Discovery Lake, looking upon Expedition Everest. The seating area is a beautiful Balinese water garden and offers one of the most tranquil spots to enjoy a meal in the park. Guests can dine under ornately carved gazebos, overlooking the river.

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Heading back through Discovery Island, towards the entrance of Earth, guests will find the Discovery Island Trails, a trail which snakes it's way throughout the base of the Tree of Life. The area is actually very well-hidden and is missed by many people completely, it almost seems as a bit of a "restricted" area, but that is a part of the adventure, right? As guests make their way through the ascending paths leading up the slopes of the island, the lush foliage falls away to reveal breath-taking vistas of the Tree of Life. Ornate animal carvings are featured in the branches entangling throughout the path. Guests proceed under neath a tunnel passage, revealing a waterfall, creating a mist effect throughout the cavern. Continuing down the trail, guests will also find other viewing areas for the animals from the Tree of Life Garden, such as kangaroos, birds and even a pool of swimming fish.

The first trail disposes guests into the far-end of Discovery Island, just off of the entrance to Africa. We still have to head back down, to explore the left half of Discovery Island, but before doing so, there is still more to be discovered about this island. There is actually a second path in the Discovery Island Trails, just before the entrance to Africa. I had no idea that it even existed and I had been coming to this park for years, I guess it's all apart of the imagineers' idea for the guests to actually "explore" the park. The trail leads way through some pelican and flamingo environments, a cluster of parrots, some porcupine, a tortoise and other animals. The path brings guests right down towards Discovery Lake, leading right to the exit of Earth, at the very base of the Tree of Life, offering more breath-taking vistas of the scenery. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Although hidden, they are sure to not be missed as they do offer very intimate, seclusive off-the-beaten-paths that are lush with beauty, while also offering close interactions with some of the animal life. It makes me wonder if there are any more of these hidden throughout the park.

The work into making sure that these "animal habitats" are as natural and comfortable for the animals is a testament to the Imagineers hard work. They wanted these animals environments to be as natural as possible and very similar to the animals' actual living environments, the terrain, the plants, the amount of light, the ability for physical movement and activity, everything. It is all apart of their way to tell the story of Disney's Animal Kingdom, by being able to re-create these environments in a way where guests can be provided with very personal experiences with these animals, but in a way that the animal is in a comfortable setting, similar to one that they would inhabit in an actual wildlife environment.

Back at the exit of the Discovery Island Trails, directly ahead, right before the entrance to Africa, guests will come across Creature Comforts, a Starbucks location for the park. Heading back down towards the entrance of Discovery Island, on the right-hand side of the path, guests will find Pizzafari, a quick-service restaurant specializing in Italian foods and salads. Colorful animal murals decorate the restaurant. The restaurant also includes a small, closed off gazebo area at the back of the restaurant, also open to dine in, which almost appears to be sheltered completely in lush foliage, making it a quiet, relaxing place to take a break in.

Just outside of the restaurant, to the right, guests will find the entrance to one of the park's newest lands, Pandora. Continuing on from here to the left, guests will then connect back to the central hub of Discovery Island, leading back the entrance bridge from The Oasis, located right by the Tree of Life Garden.

The Oasis
1) Animal Oasis Exhibits

Shopping
A) Stroller and Wheelchair Rental
B) Garden Gate Gifts

Dining
A) Rainforest Cafe

Discovery Island
1) The Tree of Life
2) The Tree of Life Garden
3) Discovery Island Trails
4) Earth

Shopping
A) Island Mercantile
B) Disney Outfitters

Dining
A) Flame Tree Barbecue
B) Creature Comforts
C) Pizzafari

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Well which villain from the Disney Revival era should be in Fantasmic?

 

[DisneyManOne]

Well which villain from the Disney Revival era should be in Fantasmic?

None. Fantasmic doesn't even have villains from the Package Film Age, the Dork Age (1970-1977), the Dark Age (1981-1988) nor the Millenium Age. So, with that sense, we don't really need a Revival Age villain. Besides, the villains in Fantasmic are timeless, and I don't think the Revival Age villains aren't timeless enough yet.
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Pandora

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Taking the place of Camp Minnie-Mickey, which was located at the park's southwest corner, Pandora brings the world of James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster Avatar to life. The space for Pandora will not be terribly too big, but enough to fit some good sized attractions in the area. One of my biggest fears about the Avatar project is that it was a chosen just to introduce a blockbuster into Disney's Animal Kingdom, a park solely based on nature and my main fear is that, with a park that might be considered "simpler", more "natural" than the others, will a blockbuster tarnish that? I don't want DAK to become all about Avatar, because that is NOT what the park is about.

In fact, many people don't know this, but a book entitled Avatar: A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora was published before the movie was even released in theaters. This was a 224-page book in the form of a field guide that helped to introduce readers to the film's fictional setting of the planet of Pandora, its geology, flora, fauna, and the culture of the Na'vi people. It is this book, not the movie itself, that should serve as the inspiration for creating Pandora at Animal Kingdom because it treats Pandora as a real, living ecosystem rather than a movie setting.

Pandora is a distant, distant moon, orbiting the closest star to the sun. To the people on Earth, Pandora is known for being mysterious, primal and terrifying. As we continue into this new realm, we slowly begin to embark on a strange and unusual adventure unlike any other. Located just in-between the main plaza of Discovery Island and Pizzafari, also a part of Discovery Island, guests will find the new entrance to Pandora. Guests will walk along a new rocky bridge, lower to the surface of Discovery Lake. Adorning the sides of the bridge, guests will find what look like cherry blossom trees blooming, creating a truly unusual atmosphere at the entrance of the land.

The terrain of Pandora is vast, differing from place to place. The Na'vi, the blue creatures of Avatar, are located throughout the dense jungles of Pandora. Tall trees swoop into the air, as canopies of leaves and vines dangle from the sky. It feels as though this dense forest fully surrounds the guests, seemingly entrapping them in a forest cage. Apparently, all of Pandora is seemingly floating, but due to the dense forested areas, that cannot be addressed further. I have no doubt that Pandora will be the most visually stunning land ever seen in a theme park. Everything about its landscape, from its mountains, rivers, and waterfalls to its trees and flowers, is so unique and breathtaking. Guests walking through this land would experience an environment the likes of which they have never seen before. It is an environment that is possibly even more beautiful at night than during the day, due to the bioluminescence of its plant life.

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We continue further into the dense jungle, extravagant and majestic. The jungles emit a blue hue, casting a somewhat gloomy, but alluring tone to Pandora. The paths are seemingly created from large tree branched and open leaves. The jungle is filled with a variety of strange and unusual types of plants and other flora. From deep within the jungles, the sounds of distant mysterious creatures could be heard. As we continue down the bend into the deep jungles of Pandora, a flowing blue river flows down the right side of the path, before emptying out into a pool, featuring a cascading waterfall.

While creating a completely immersive environment is very important to make this new land a success, it is also going to feature attractions that also capitalize on this beautiful environment. For those people who are not convinced that Avatar can be a major draw for guests, I counter that as long as you deliver state of the art, E-ticket attractions people are not going to care what they are themed after. My plan for this new land calls for three attractions of varying thrill levels in order to provide different experiences that everyone can enjoy.

On the left side of the pathway in the dense forest, guests will find the Avatar Program Center, a scientific laboratory attraction, where guests are led to create their own Avatars of themselves, before individually being led into an immersive interactive environment, where they can explore the settings of Pandora for themselves on foot. The experience uses screens to create the immersive environments, while also utilizing full immersive set pieces. The attraction is also filled with interactive 3-D and 4-D elements. This attraction is like an interactive 3-D attraction, but on foot. The attraction then exits out into the Well of Souls gift shop.

Nearby, in the former space of the theaters that once hosted Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends and Festival of the Lion King, guests will find the Pandora River Journey. This will be along the lines of Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom, only instead Guests would be travelling along one of Pandora’s many rivers and seeing animals the likes of which they have never before witnessed. The boat ride would be narrated by Sigourney Weaver, who plays scientist Grace Augustine in the movie. Guests would be able to take in the beauty of the Pandoran landscape along with exotic animals such as the Direhorse, Hammerhead Titanothere, Hexapede, Prolemuris, Thanator, and Viperwolf. Of course, this attraction would be far grander in scale than the Jungle Cruise and the animatronics more advanced. It would be an attraction that would be more family friendly but still as visually striking as the other two.

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Just across the way, guests will find the Flight of the Na'vi, in the former location of the character greeting area.

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This attraction is the staple attraction of Pandora. Here guests join the Na'vi creatures onboard the flying creatures of Pandora, for an aerial view of Pandora, exploring all of the secrets, mysteries, creatures and adventures to be held in Pandora. In the attraction, guests board large Pandora creature vehicles, before proceeding to proceed through the attraction. This experience is like combining Star Tours, Soarin' and Harry Potter and the Foribdden Journey together. The attraction uses a combination of huge projection screens, show sets, and animatronics to completely immerse Guests into the story.

The premise for the attraction would be that Guests are flying aboard a Banshee, a winged creature native to Pandora. The ride vehicle itself would be in the shape of a Banshee and sit up to four guests. The ride vehicle would be suspended from a track above to give the illusion of flight. As the vehicle makes its way through the various show scenes and past giant screens guests would feel as if they were flying high above Pandora, with the ride vehicle capable of banking and turning, rising and falling. As an added thrill, Guests aboard their Banshee would also be chased by a Great Leonopteryx, one of the fiercest animals on Pandora.

Thus this new land of Pandora would deliver three new attractions to Animal Kingdom along with a highly immersive world for guests to explore. It would help to complete Animal Kingdom’s transformation into a full-day theme park while at the same time holding true to the park’s main themes of conservation and harmony with nature. One of the main arguments against Animal Kingdom has been that it needs more rides and Pandora would help provide this while still upholding the park’s legacy of tremendous theming and attention to detail.

Pandora
1) Avatar Program Center
2) Pandora River Journey
3) Flight of the Na'vi

Shopping
A) The Well of Souls

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Really because I recall that Ursula, Scar, Frollo, Jafar, and Hades were added due to the renaissance same with Pocahontas since the Orlando version was release during the renaissance. So including either Dr.Facilier, Gothel or King Candy wouldn't be a problem.

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

King Candy and Gothel wouldn't fit because of their CGI-ness. If any revival age villain was to be added, I'd suggest Facilier. But this Disney Man's project, so he can do what he wants. Keep up the good work, bud.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Really because I recall that Ursula, Scar, Frollo, Jafar, and Hades were added due to the renaissance same with Pocahontas since the Orlando version was release during the renaissance. So including either Dr.Facilier, Gothel or King Candy wouldn't be a problem.

The real reason why they were added was because Eisner demanded that more recent films be included in the show.

King Candy and Gothel wouldn't fit because of their CGI-ness. If any revival age villain was to be added, I'd suggest Facilier. But this Disney Man's project, so he can do what he wants. Keep up the good work, bud.

Thanks very much, MEW.
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Africa

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Walking through the deep jungles of Discovery Island, we continue north until we arrive at a wooden bridge, embedded with stone features. The sounds of distant drumming could be heard just over the bridge. Guests enter into the village of Harambe. Harambe depicts a real place, facing real environmental challenges. The Africa that Disney's Animal Kingdom depicts does not focus on one sort of area, but many different areas that could be found in Africa. Harambe is a Swahili word, meaning "working together". When guests enter into the village of Harambe, they have become a part of the story. When the guests walk the streets of this village, they are greeted by the residents, as though they are tourists exploring the city.

After crossing over the bridge, guests find themselves in the village just on the outskirts of a dense jungle and the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The buildings are somewhat worn, showing both their age of construction and the natural, simple way that the buildings were constructed. The buildings are inspired from a form of Swahili architecture, a common form of architecture found throughout many parts of Africa. It was researched by the group of Imagineers that had designed the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom that many of the architectural qualities of Africa that they had researched were unpractical work spaces and not conducive for theme park operations. It is all a part of the storytelling aspect of Africa, even just using legitimate building architecture that works for a functioning theme park, but is also a legitimate African architectural style.

In the pavement of Harambe, guests will find stone linings, depicting the remnants of old city walls. The only remainder of these walls are the footprints that still lie cemented into the ground. Plastered along the somewhat dilapidated buildings are worn advertisements and tourist attraction signs that help better introduce the sense of story into Africa. On the right side of Africa, there is a path, leading along the back end of the park, traveling along Discovery Lake, leading towards the next land in the park. The pathway features a cluster of drums, as their rhythms sound throughout the entire land. Just on the right of the land is Tamu Tamu Refreshments, a quick-service location, offering drinks and a few food options. The location also features an outdoor seating area, which has seemingly fallen into disrepair, sheltered by worn rooftops and crumbled walls.

Just across from Tamu Tamu is Tusker House, a sit-down restaurant located alongside Discovery Lake. The exterior of the building is made up of stone and brick accents, inspired by the architectural styles of Kenya. It is a top-notch dining experience featuring a greatly inspired African menu. The restaurant also features carved wooden features on the interior and an outdoor seating area under a thatched roof. The outdoor seating area is also a common location for a local live drum and performance troupe to perform. Nearby the restaurant is Dawa Bar,offering African beers.

Off to the right of the Tusker House, guests will find the Harambe Theatre. Ever since Camp Minnie-Mickey closed to make way for Pandora, this has been the home of Festival of the Lion King.

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The show features the animals and creatures of the kingdom, led by a troupe of four singers--Kiume, Nakawa, Kibibi and Zawadi--welcoming the audience to this celebration of song and dance, hosted by Simba. Performers and puppetry are integrated in the show, as the cast performs the film's classic songs: "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", "Hakuna Matata", "Be Prepared" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" The show also features a tumbling act by Timon and his tumbling monkeys, fire-dancers, aerialists and audience participation.

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Continuing into the heart of Harambe, on the right, adjacent to Tamu Tamu, guests will find Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders, an African marketplace and trading company, featuring many safaris merchandise, clothes, African wood carvings, a selection of fine wines, pottery, masks and musical instruments. Opposite of the store, guests will find the Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe, a perfect location to grab a pastry and a cup of coffee in the morning, in this quiet, tucked away corner of Harambe. Located to the right of the bakery, continuing to the back of the village, guests will find Duka La Filmu, a location for guests to film equipment.

Right behind Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders is the Harambe Market, the most recent addition to the park. This new area is set up as an outdoor marketplace with four different walk up windows to order some delectable African-inspired food and drinks. There are five different food options in the market. First, you have Wanjohi Refreshments, the window for all your drinking needs. Here you can find specialty drinks in a souvenir mug, wine and beer. Kitamu Grill offers ground beef flatbread and grilled chicken skewers. Both entrees come with a tomato, broccoli and red onion salad in a spicy vinaigrette. Boerewors Famous Sausages features the interesting curry corn dog. The corn dog also comes with the broccoli, tomato and red onion salad. Chef Mwanga’s Ribs serves up a huge chunk of spice-rubbed rib with a chickpea salad. Finally, we have Zuri's Sweet Shop, which features 80 new items, including decorative candy apples, uniquely flavored chocolate bars, African-spiced popcorn, animal-shaped lollipops, animal crackers, chocolate mini crocodiles and other treats. Zuri’s Sweets Shop also offer African spice rubs, a gourmet cocoa set and Flame Tree Barbeque sauce. The most interesting item on Zuri’s Sweet Shop menu, though, is the “animal poop” treats. Offered in flavors like elephant and giraffe these chocolate and peanut butter treats is suppose to look like animal poop and give guest something interesting to snack on.

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Next, we continue to the back end of Harambe Village, where guests come across Kilimanjaro Safaris, the staple attraction of Africa and one of the most popular in the entire park. It is one of the central elements to Africa, both story-wise and theme park-wise. In the attraction, the Harambe Wildlife Reserve welcomes the tourists of Africa to explore their preservation zones, where animals live their lives as they ordinarily would. The intent of Kilimanjaro Safaris is for guests to enter into a natural environment with animals living in their own world, not on display. The entire attraction is about 110 acres, about the same size of the Magic Kingdom.

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The Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests through vast jungles, where life animals roam and anything can happen. The jungle vehicles travel through lagoons inhabited by hippos, crocodile bayous, an African savannah, where giraffes, gazelles, ostriches and other types of non-carnivorous animals call their home, a lion's den, an elephant plain and a watering hole located by a set of zebras. Now, I love the addition of zebras but I do not like how it came at the expense of Warden Wilson, Big and Little Red, and the poachers storyline. Nearly every Disney attraction is based on the premise of having a strong story and now I believe that Kilimanjaro Safaris is lacking this. Therefore, I would restore Warden Wilson and the Big Red/Little Red storyline along with an abbreviated poacher scene at the end. This just helps to give the attraction a more cohesive and feel with a beginning, middle, and end.

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At the exit of the attraction, towards the path leading south back down towards Harambe Village, guests will find the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail right at the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The attraction is a walking trail, taking guests through a research training facility, where researchers and scientists are taught conservation techniques. It is a learning experience for the guests, learning more about the animals, the world and the way that they can make a difference. The trail features a gorilla exhibit, located throughout a series of cliffs. The exhibit can be seen from many different vantage points throughout the trail.

Back outside, leading back up the trail towards Harambe Village, on the left guests WOULD have found the Wildlife Express Train, taking guests from Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch. However, the Wildlife Express has since been removed. Its' purpose is to transport guests from Point A to Point B, with very little to be seen in-between. With this being the case, I would rather expand Africa outward, as well as add in a new land, to connect Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch by different means. Now, instead of finding the worn Harambe Village Train Station, guests will find a dense jungle forest, filled with bamboo thickets and dangling vines. Cascading waterfalls flow into pools of water nearby.

The trail then empties out into the Jungle Camp settlement. Although Tarzan Rocks! had been removed from Disney's Animal Kingdom years ago, Tarzan will again make a new home in the park. (Besides, Tarzan recently started meeting guests again). The camp settlement is the one seen from the film and more-so, inspired by the "Trashin' the Camp" scene, as the entire campground is filled with tons of interactive elements, instrumental clotheslines, spouting teapots, spinning globes, books, pots and pans, old record players, maps, projection slides and the like. Right nearby is Tarzan's Treehouse, a replica of the treehouse Tarzan was found in. Here kids would be able to climb, explore, and swing from vines in the tree. ​

The area also serves as a meet & greet location for Tarzan, with Jane and Terk also making appearances. In addition to the many interactive elements and the character greetings, the campgrounds is also the entrance to Tarzan's Jungle Vines.

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Tarzan's Jungle Vines is a very different attraction experience, altogether. Guests make their way upwards a slope jungle hilltop, surrounded by vast, dense jungles. Guests are then given special harness equipment, which Cast Members specifically fasten to the guests' requirements because this attraction is actually a ZIP-LINING experience, where guests fly through the beautiful, majestic African jungles, as though they are actually soaring from vine to vine, along with Tarzan, in a truly remarkable attraction experience.

There are five individual zip-lines. For those who might not like the experience after giving it a try, don't worry, there are trails that lead make to the exit of the attraction. Each zip-line hosts a different theme, from traveling through a bamboo thicket, to rough cliff tops, to a waterfall cavern, to the nesting grounds of the gorillas. It is a beautifully breath-taking experience, having the wind brush against your face, as you soar through these beautiful environments.

Continuing on from the camp grounds, we will now come across the next big addition in the northern most part of the park, the Mystic River Mountain. You continue down the pathway approaching the mountain. Tall trees and plants surround the area, truly immersing the guests in a jungle environment. At the top of the mountain, you can make out what appears to be some sort of temple, sheltered within the rocky texture of the mountain. On the side of the mountain that faces the guests, a large crater is formed, a curved waterfall cascading down, into the crater. The mountain is on an abandoned island, surrounded by water. You can make out carved symbols on the rocky texture of the mountain. At the end of the large plateau, you can make out what appears to be some sort of docking building, made out of wood, which appears to be years old. You approach the building, getting a better look and seeing more of the surrounding details. The wooden lodge building appears to be splintered and worn. Several lanterns are suspended from the inside of the building. Above the entrance, a sign reads, “The Mystic River Mountain”.

Once you enter the building, you’ll immediately enter the queue. The queue is outdoors, but is completely covered by the roof of the building. Tall wooden supports hold the roof up, each adorned with a lantern and various equipment. As you make your way through the queue, you’ll notice several crates and pieces of equipment, which reads “Discovery Island River Cruises”. From what you can make out of the surrounding area, it appears that a group of adventurers have just settled in the surrounding area and are operating an excursion along the river.

It turns out that passing guests are allowed to join the excursion abroad the river and have an adventure, themselves! After making your way through the queue, the guests board large, dark brown cruise boats, suspended under a wooden awning. The boats feature eight rows, capable of containing six people in each row. A Cast Member at the end of the queue assigns you to the row you’ll be sitting in. Ahead of each seat is a pouch, where you can store any loose items. Above each pouch is a horizontal hand bar, something you can hold on to, just in case the waters get a little rough. When the guests are ready to go, the boat travels out of the docking station and proceeds across the water, towards the steep mountain.

While approaching the mountain, the boat enters into the rushing current of a river, which circles around the front side of the mountain. The segment lets guests have a batter view of the mountain. The rushing current of the river takes guests around a curve. Large boulders and rock work, covered in moss and plants surround the area, making the guests feel as though they were traveling down a narrow alleyway of a mountain. The sunlight stretches through the tall tree branches above. The sounds of animals off in the distant jungle could be heard. The boat continues down the river, following the trail of the water. Curving around the trail, the guests see a dark cavern, ahead. As the vehicles approach, they get a last glance at civilization; a small glance of Harambe Village. The guests enter into the dark cavern, into complete darkness. The sound of an approaching waterfall is heard. As some would expect, there is a sudden drop and the guests proceed down a waterfall.

The guests proceed through the dark cavern. Rays of sunlight peek through small cracks in the rocky walls. Moss covers the sides of the walls. The faint light offers a glimpse at the rock walls. Along the rocky texture, guests can make out Mayan symbols and lithographs, hand carved into the rocky wall. On both side of the rocky cavern, the symbols depict some sort of story. The first panel the guests come across is a panel of a shining sun, rising high above a mountain. The next picture shows the sun, as several wandering animals encircle the circular orb. The third lithograph shows the sun descending behind the mountain. The final inscribed picture shows the moon hovering over the mountain, as several unbelievable, unforeseen, yet familiar creatures encircle the moon.

The guests make their way out of the cavern and into the lush surrounding of a tropical jungle. A low mist settles across the floor, as the boat travels down the narrow rivers of the mountain. Tall, rocky walls stretch around the area, as trees and plants block the vehicle from sight. To your right, a large elephant is seen, raising his trunk, as if he was going to spray you. The boat continues down the river, letting the current lead the way. The boat rounds a bend until it passes a grassland, where zebras and giraffes are grazing. There is a single lion figure atop a rocky cliff.

The boat continues around a bend. A section of the river separates and travels into a large watering hole. Surrounding the watering hole are gazelles, warthogs, several different types of birds, rhinoceroses and hippos, living out the usual schedules of their lives. The boat continues down the current of the river. The guests can make out another cavern in the distance, surrounded by dangling moss and plants. The vehicle enters the dark cavern, before proceeding up a lift hill.

I know it seems pretty out of sorts to have a lift hill in the middle of a mountain, especially for a boat ride and it doesn’t really make much sense. However, Disney’s done wit with Splash Mountain and Pirates, even when it environmentally doesn’t make sense. However, if we really think that far into it, a lot of what Disney does with their attractions doesn’t “environmentally make sense”. The boats proceed up a lift hill, in complete darkness. Above, a large breach in the mountain roof shows the sun descending, as the sky fades to nighttime. The effect is a simple projection along the surface. The effects lets guests know that the sun has set and they are now traveling along the rocky perimeter of the mountain at night. It’s also meant to prove as a distraction for when the guests make the ascent up the lift hill.

The boat proceeds at the top of the lift hill and enters into one of the show buildings, hidden inside the mountain. The boat enters a tropical forest, at nighttime. Above, a bright moon lies, illuminated in the sky. Across the ceiling are several fiber optic stars, which twinkle, brightly. Surrounding the river passage are all sorts of exotic plants and trees. Vines and vegetation seem to surround the area, making the entire room seem much larger than it actually is. Ahead, you can hear some movement through the jungle. The boat proceeds down the river, approaching the location of the sound.

The boat curves with the river and the guests see gazelle grazing behind a set of bushes. The gazelle see the boat approaching and began to leap off. As they begin to leap, the guests see that the gazelles have bird-like wings and in mid-leap, begin to fly off into the jungle, out of sight. What strange creatures these are! The boat proceeds down the river. Suddenly, a massive jolt comes from the jungle. Tree branches snap and bend, as an elephant makes its way through. The elephant features a large rhinoceros horn and the body of a hippopotamus. The elephant-rhinoceros-hippo-like being raises his trunk and a jet of water proceeds outwards. The jet of water shoots over the boat, just missing the guests. The roof of the boat may get a little damp, but no need to worry; you’ll come out just fine.

The boat proceeds around the river and past a rocky ledge. At the top of the rocky ledge, large monkey creatures, with large giraffe necks jump up and down, unhappy about the approaching guests in their territory. In the monkeys’ hands are rocks of various sizes. As the boat passes through, it appears as though the monkeys throw the rocks at the boat. Jets of water from within the river burst up, making it seem like the rocks are being thrown towards the boat. The boat makes its way through the dispute, before proceeding further down the river.

In a grassy area to your left, giraffes with black and white zebra stripes are seen grazing. Along with the giraffes are antelope with kangaroo-like bodies and an animal, which looks something like combing a bull and an ox together. The animals are peacefully grazing, not acknowledging the guests whom pass by. The boat rounds a curve and notices a stone arched Mayan temple ahead. The structure isn’t all that intricate; a series of pillars connecting to eachother. Across the stone pillars are several etched drawing and lithographs. The boat continues through the center of the structure, letting guests have a good look at the temple’s architecture. The boat makes their way, ahead they can see another cavern. The guests enter the dark cavern, surrounded by darkness. A moment later, the boat descends down a brief waterfall.

In the next segment of the ride, the boats travel down an area of swampy marshland in the mountain. Tall leaves and moss dangle from the ceiling, adding a swampy feel to the area. Large trees and plants surround the area. In the river, large lily-pads are seen, floating along the surface. On the top of some lily-pads, bright, colorful frogs are seen, with flamingo orange beaks. The frogs “ribbit” as you pass them. All throughout the river are colorful LED lights, which illuminate different colors. An array of blue fireflies sweeps throughout the area. Suspended high from a few of the trees are several parrots, parakeets, tuscans and flamingos, all in a variety of unnatural, unheard of colors. In the far corner, a set of crocodiles, with a leopard pattern are seen. As you pass the creatures, they open their mouths and snap their jaws.

The boat leaves the area and enters into a cavern up ahead. The boat proceeds down a drop, which begins to curve, increasing the speed of the incline. As the boat descends, a roar is heard and the boat becomes surrounded in all sorts of blue, beautiful waterfalls. The waterfalls completely surround the boats, sometimes even splashing the roof. The formerly dark cavern is now light with blue and white colors. You feel the mist from the waterfall travel onto your skin. Could this be that huge waterfall crater that we saw on the outside of the mountain? The boat proceeds down the curved descent before it slows down and re-enters a show-building.

Ahead, the guests travel through a dark cavern. There is a rocky barrier to your left, in which the boat curves around. A loud roar is heard. From within the depths of the large river-turned-lagoon, a giant snake, with an iguana body emerges from within the lagoon on your right. The creature lets out a deep roar, before trying to snap at the guests. An orange steam emits from the creature’s mouth. After several close, but failed attempts, the creature proceeds to sink back under the sea. After a moment of silent movement, there is a sudden jolt on the bottom of the boat! The creature is right underneath the boat! A jet of water blasts, surrounding the boat in a plume of water. The guests may get a little wet here. The creature emerges on the left side of the boat. The creature still tries to snap, moving his head in close to the boat. The boat is out of reach however, and the creature proceeds back down into the watery depths of the lagoon.

The guests then proceed around the barrier, crossing into the next section of the cavern. Ahead, just off to your right, you can see the giant snake monster battle it out with a rather heroic lion, with angelic wings. The snake creature raises his head and tries to snap at the lion, but the monarchy of the jungle lets out a huge roar, which echoes throughout the cavern. The guests proceed past the two dueling monsters and enter into a small cavern, the sound of a distant waterfall approaching. The guests leave the two creatures behind, as the lion lets out another loud roar and screams are heard coming from the snake-like creature. As the guests enter the cavern, a shadow seems to fly over the boat.

Once the guests arrive inside the cavern, they see a large waterfall ahead. Above the waterfall, a ledge is located. The winged-lion creature stands before the group and bows to them. Above the lion is an opening, which shows the sun rising into the sky. As it does so, the lion’s wings, seem to sparkle and turn translucent, as if they were disappearing. The lion lets out a roar, as the boat descends down a forty five foot drop.

The boat lands in the waters surrounding the mountain with a huge splash. The boat proceeds back across the waters and into the loading dock, where the guests boarded their boats. The boat pulls into the unload dock, where the guests are released and exit the boats. The guests walk down the exit pathway, completely surrounded in tall trees and plants. The pathway opens up into a circle. In the center of the circle is a stone pillar with a lion atop it. On one side of the stone pillar, an inscription reads:

P U G H N S Z A K B E R F C T D I W Y J M O V L Q X
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

On the opposite side of the pillar, at the base, a meticulously carved inscription reads:

P RNYYTC KY GPYJ PRTCZ JAN ATWKXTC. JAN VPQ VN DNWGNKON TMW RKONY PWN PY HKSSNWNCJ PY CKZAJ PCH HPQ, QNJ PWN TCN.

This attraction is going to be another one of Disney's Animal Kingdom's heavy hitting attractions, from both its' breathtaking and unusual qualities. It is much like Journey to the Center of the Earth in some ways, but entirely different. This attraction also introduces a new boat ride attraction into Disney's Animal Kingdom, a park that has been lacking a boat ride. I also had some reservation on where I wanted to put this. I had originally wanted it to be a part of a Beastly Kingdom, but I ended up scrapping it and Africa seemed like the only other likely choice, aside from Asia. I didn't want to put it in Asia, however, due to its' close proximity to Expedition: Everest. While both of these mountains are visually striking, they are also visually vastly different from each other, which is why some space between them is actually a blessing.​

​

Africa
1) Festival of the Lion King
2) Kilimanjaro Safaris
3) Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
4) Jungle Camp
5) Tarzan's Treehouse
6) Tarzan's Jungle Vines
7) Mystic River Mountain

Shopping
A) Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders
B) Duka La Filmu

Dining
A) Tamu Tamu Refreshments
B) Tusker House
C) Dawa Bar
D) Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe
E) Harambe Market​

• Wanjohi Refreshments
• Kitamu Grill
• Boerewors Famous Sausages
• Chef Mwanga's Ribs
• Zuri's Sweet Shop

 

[Brer Panther]

Really because I recall that Ursula, Scar, Frollo, Jafar, and Hades were added due to the renaissance same with Pocahontas since the Orlando version was release during the renaissance. So including either Dr.Facilier, Gothel or King Candy wouldn't be a problem.

What could Gothel and King Candy even DO to Mickey? To be fair, I'm not sure what Cruella could do to Mickey either...

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

What could Gothel and King Candy even DO to Mickey? To be fair, I'm not sure what Cruella could do to Mickey either...

King Candy well if you know what cybugs do then you know what he could do with Mickey.

 

[RadiatorSpringsRacer]

Wait...you kept the poop treats? From what I've read on the other boards here, everyone seems to hate them (or at least be really confused as to why they even exist). I myself would personally not want to eat something that was supposed to be...well, you know.

Otherwise, great as always. I wish the real Disney World looked like this.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Wait...you kept the poop treats? From what I've read on the other boards here, everyone seems to hate them (or at least be really confused as to why they even exist). I myself would personally not want to eat something that was supposed to be...well, you know.

Otherwise, great as always. I wish the real Disney World looked like this.

Really? People hate them? I don't really look at the reviews here at the site much, so I don't really know.

Thanks very much, my friend!
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Continuing on from the lush jungle savannah of the Mystic River Mountain, off towards the right, guests will find the former area of the load and unload station at the entrance of...

Rafiki's Planet Watch

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A look at Google Earth shows that a plot of land has actually been cleared adjacent to Rafiki's Planet Watch, a fitting location for a new land. Extending out to the right of the land, the path connects back towards the back end of Asia, while the left path brings us towards Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Rafiki's Planet Watch is one of the very few areas of the park where guests can actually learn about the health and well-being of th animals that take up residence at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the care methods and procedures that happen at the park, while also exploring the possibility of conservation efforts happening all around the world. The presence of Rafiki's Planet Watch in Disney's Animal Kingdom offers a real-world experience, where there doesn't have to be any major attraction or storyline, the animals, their health and the efforts of research and advances being initiated in the pavilion is the entire purpose of the exhibit. Rafiki's Planet Watch informs the guests that they can do good in the world and that they can take action to make the planet a better place.

The pavilion opens the window of knowledge for guests to become aware of the challenges facing the environment. Continuing on from the Mystic River Mountain, guests will trod down the jungle pathways, where they are currently located. The pathways twist throughout the jungle, leading closer to the pavilion. Along the way, statues of Rafiki point the way towards the pavilion. The path also features Habitat Habit, a series of small exhibits filled with small environmental settings, such as how to make your yard environmentally welcoming for animals or how to remain eco-friendly in your daily life. Bird houses and fountains align the walkway towards the pavilion.

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Guests arrive at the entrance of the Conservation Station. The exterior of the Conservation Station features several animals in a marquee above the entrance. The pavilion features bright and bold colors and shapes, the patterns are playful and colorful. Images of animals appear everywhere, in a very realistic fashion. We enter into the Conservation Station, where the wise and knowing Rafiki acts somewhat as a host, speaking of humans' actions upon the environment and how all of our choices have consequences. Along the walls of the pavilion, video screen exhibits play of the animals' lives in their natural habitat, as Rafiki narrates the films.

The center of the indoor pavilion is lush with large trees and a flowing raised waterfall fountain, circulating throughout the lush foliage, as it cascades down the sides of the fountain. The location is also common for certain characters--notably Rafiki, Pocahontas and Jiminy Cricket (the spokesperson for Disney's Environmentality program)--host meet & greets. Rafiki's Planet Watch is also where many animal program efforts take place, in some ways, it could be considered as the truest heart of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Guests can see into the veterinary labs to learn and witness the care methods given to the animals of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The visible windows into the care units of the station shows that Disney uses the highest level of care that they could possibly give. This exhibit offers the guests a chance to see into a surgery or a birth, all of which have happened at the park previously. On the opposite side of the exhibit, the former Songs of the Rainforest exhibit was located, an experience that was hosted by Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas. The experience consisted of guests entering booths, where they would put on headphones and listen to the sounds of a rainforest. The experience had never really been to significant to the pavilion and in some occasions, was not even functioning properly, which is partly responsible for its' removal. In its' place, guests will now find the Conservation Community, where guests are brought into a simulated rainforest, complete with falling rain and thunderstorms. The exhibit welcomes guests to learn about eco-friendly methods to help the environment and to help preserve the beauty of nature.

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At the north end of the pavilion, connecting back to the entrance, guests will find the Affection Section, an area for guests to have the closest encounters with animals. The Affection Section operates as a petting zoo, where guests can have physical contact with the animals, bringing that value closer to the guests. Although, the Affection Section might only seem as a petting zoo for sheep, llamas, horses and rams, but it also brings a sense of connection to the animals throughout Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Rafiki's Planet Watch
1) Habitat Habit
2) Conservation Station
3) Conservation Community
4) Affection Section