Tier 4. The following presentation deals with some moderately mature themes. Your discretion is advised and appreciated. I present...
"I want to build amusement parks…Something like if McQueen or Sarsem [Singh] was to meet the entertainment value of a Cirque du Soleil or a Walt Disney."
-Kanye West
The above statement is true and was said by Kanye West in 2012, the same year as the inception of his creative content company, DONDA, named after the artist's late mother. The following is a fictional description of a business venture that would potentially alter the course of theme park history forever, at least in theory. The entire account is completely fictional, of course, but doesn't one find it fitting, if not painfully appropriate that such a concept would involve reviving an abandoned theme park known as Dreamland from a bad dream of its own? I thought so.
Park Details:
Construction/Reconstruction Cost(s): ¥1,600,000,000 (1.6 Billion USD)
DONDA Dreamland
1900 Horen-cho
Nara, Kansai 630-8113
Japan
Hours of Operation:
Mon: 10:00 - 09:00
Tue: 09:00 - 10:00
Wed: 09:00 - 10:00
Thu: 09:00 - 10:00
Fri: 09:00 - 10:30
Sat: 08:30 - 11:00
Sun: 09:00 -10:30
Parking Cost:
¥1657.61 (15.00 USD)
Admission Cost(s):
Adults: ¥5522 Yen (49.99 USD)
Child: ¥4418 Yen (39.99 USD)
Students: : ¥3312 Yen (29.99 USD)
"To all those who owe a part of themselves to music, to creativity, to artistry, to second chances, welcome. DONDA Dreamland is a park that owes its creation to the dreams of one Kunizu Matsuo, who had a simple but compelling vision to bring a world of entertainment to Nara, Japan. Today, on the dedication of its successor park, we celebrate that vision, but we also celebrate new dreams. DONDA Dreamland is created with the hope of inspiring countless generations of visitors who love art, not just specifically as it pertains to music, and while music is the heart and soul of this park, the intention is to pay tribute to art as it appears in every medium. DONDA Dreamland is not a theme park. DONDA Dreamland is your dream park."
-Takashi Murakami, Dedication of DONDA Dreamland
-July 12th, 2024 | 75th Anniversary of Donda West
A Semi-Fictional History Lesson:
Donda West (1949-2007) was an American teacher and the mother of artist, Kanye West, whose music and offstage antics have made him one of the most influential yet controversial people on the planet. DONDA is the name of West's creative content company, which in Kanye's mind, picks up "where Steve Jobs left off." The company has dealt primarily with music, cosmetics, and fashion, but in late 2018, following the release of the albums Ye and Kids See Ghosts (a collaboration album with Kid Cudi), Kanye set his sights on his most ambitious project yet: a theme park dedicated solely to the creative concepts found within his life and music. There would be two main problems to overcome: cost and competition. A park of this magnitude would require at least one billion in U.S. currency to build, and in spite of Mr. West's prolific wealth, he wouldn't have nearly enough money to complete the park. So what does Kanye do? He turns to Adidas.
Adidas is no stranger to Kanye West. Both parties have collaborated on numerous occasions, the most notable being the release of a shoe line known as the Yeezys. In a move that shocked the theme park community, West officially announced the park in early 2019 via Twitter. The public wouldn't know the full extent of the deal, but the basic agreement would involve Adidas funding the entire park whilst retaining 75% of all merchandising rights, as well as a stake in overall long term profits and concessions. Whilst a steep price to pay for the artist, Kanye would retain the majority of ticket sales, parking prices and various other means of income the park would generate, along with a generous 5% stake in merchandising. So what would happen to the other 20 percent of merchandising rights? That lucrative sum would belong to renowned contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami. Murakami is one of the most influential artists in Japan, if not the world. His work on Kanye West's 2007 Graduation and 2018 Kids See Ghosts albums utilized his signature 'superflat' art style, which takes elements of Japanese manga and anime and fuses them ghastly yet beautifully colorful imagery. Kanye West would ask Murakami to be the Principle Creative Director of the project, overseeing virtually every creative element of the park.
In terms of finding a location, it seemed only logical that the group would choose to raise the park from the ashes of the defunct 'Dreamland,' which saw a pathetic decline at the hands of neighboring Tokyo Disney parks. When asked about the element of competition from the neighboring resort, West said the following: "Disney is Disney, man. If you try to beat them at their own game, like, you're not gonna win, so we're trying something new, you know? Yes, the park is like Disneyland in terms of the layout but the… the execution is different. DONDA Dreamland takes what we know about amusement parks and subverts it. A lot of the park has adult imagery. A lot of what the park sells isn't sh*t you'd expect to find at Disneyland. When did Walt Disney ever sell shoes? A lot of the park would send kids running for the hills. And then you got people, probably parents, wondering, why would he alienate kids from a theme park? Who says I'm alienating them? I didn't put an age limit. There's no sign at the door that says 'viewer discretion is advised.' DONDA Dreamland is about freedom. I'm building sh*t that I wanna build. I'm putting my art out there for everyone to see and if you like it, great. Buy a ticket. If not, that's great too. It ain't for you, feel me? But we're not trying to be Disney. We're trying to take what worked for him and maybe try it in a way that still works for us."
With Kanye's artistic and general influence, Adidas' financing capabilities, and Murakami's distinct artistic vision, the three parties would form a creative coalition so astounding, they'd be more than poised to force their way into the theme park industry as independent competitors to the likes of Disney and Universal. And who better to serve as the mascot of the park than Kanye's own alter ego, 'Dropout Bear,' a recurring symbol of Kanye's career and experiences, his name acting as a reference to Kanye's status as a college dropout. DONDA Dreamland attempts to inspire and induce creativity, and become a hub for creativity and fashion. Much like EPCOT, DONDA Dreamland intends to have major impacts in the fields of entertainment and fashion.
Park Layout and General Description:
Entrance Gates:
Universe City:
•Main entrance area. Modeled entirely after the music video to the music video for 'Good Morning,' of f the 2007 album, Graduation. Murakami's influence can clearly be seen here. The various facades of the shops and restaurants here utilize forced perspective to create a vibrant, futuristic landscape. With its various towers, spires, and sleek architectural features, Universe City takes the familiar 'Main Street' concept and delivers a grungy yet colorful urban community for guests to explore.
Attractions:
- Main Entrance Station and Universe City Subway: Board a subway train that appears to hover over the ground, sending you on a grand circle tour of the park.
- Good Life Theater | Presenting: Great Moments with Mr. West: Enjoy this 15 minute stage show in which Kanye West, presented as a MUSION projection, talks to the audience about the making of DONDA Dreamland. This exclusive film details the planning and general development at the park, and is hosted by Murakami, who accompanies West in Musion form.
- Broken Flower Clock: Original clock from the park. The clock is broken, as Kanye is always fashionably late anyway.
- Delorean Coach: Board a stage coach pulled by Delorean car for a round trip around Universe City.
- Double Decker HoverBus: Board a 'hovering' bus for a round trip around Universe City.
Shopping:
- The Locker Room by Adidas: Premier shopping emporium selling Adidas clothing, hats, and other apparel.
- The Cellar by Adidas: One of the largest shoe stores in Japan. Guests can find practically every shoe produced by Adidas known to man, priced accordingly in regards to rarity, supply and demand. On various occasions, Kanye will drop an exclusive pair of Yeezys at this store, meaning that only residents of Japan are likely to acquire them. The secondary market would likely make them virtually impossible to acquire. Much to the delight of Adidas, park admission is required just to have the chance of getting them.
- Murakamigato: Premier toy shop selling Kanye inspired Murakami works including toys, key chains, posters, and general merchandise.
Dining:
- Universe City Café: Sandwiches, soups, coffee, and everything in between.
- Dropout Bear Bakery: Bear cookies, bear bread, and unbearably delicious brownies (weed edibles are optional) are all available for your pastry consumption.
DONDA Plaza:
•The central hub area of the park, leading to the surrounding lands. This lush area is known primarily for its
Dropouts Statue, a monument to West himself and the mascot of the park, Dropout Bear. Most theme park fans don't have to wonder where this monument drew inspiration from. You might even try taking a picture with Dropout Bear himself, who is known to frequent this area to pose for pictures with guests.
Attractions:
- Flashing Lights Fireworks Spectacular: DONDA Plaza is the best place to see the fireworks. Synched to a variety of different Kanye songs from every era, this fireworks spectacle won't easily disappoint.
Dining:
- Popular Corn: Enjoy a bag of 'Popular Corn' from this candy striped cart.
Shopping:
- Dropout Bear's Balloon Hut: Take dropout bear with you in the form of an overpriced balloon. Disney would be proud.
Camp Ye:
•Arguably the most unique element of DONDA Dreamland is the inclusion of
Camp Ye, a picnic area, fairground, and festival stage area dedicated almost exclusively to music festivals.
Camp Ye will be the home of the
Camp Ye Festival, bringing a number of creative acts to Japan for the world to see. The area will be housed in a southwest corner of the park that used to be a
Nara Dreamland water park. This gated park area will be available only during the summer when the festival takes place. Some might argue that having one fourth of land in a theme park remain open only a couple of weeks throughout the year is unheard of. One only has to consider just how profitable music festivals are today. As Kanye is certainly aware, Camp Ye is arguably the most profitable area of the park, and ticket sales would speak for themselves.
Attractions:
- DONDA Ferris Wheel: Enjoy a scenic view of DONDA Dreamland from the heights of this magnificent ferris wheel. The wheel's design is based on the DONDA logo.
- Basketball court and picnic area.
- Festival Stage: a massive concert stage with enough size to accommodate the massive crowds that one might expect to find at a music festival.
Dining:
- An area of the park will be dedicated to various food trucks which will provide festival attendees with gourmet meals.
- Camp Ye Brewery:
Ghost Town:
•Based on the 2018 album
Kids See Ghosts, Ghost Town is set in a Japanese Ghost Town in the middle of a dense forest. The land's backstory suggests that years ago, a group of villagers escaping the oppression of a cruel tyrant of an Emperor built a town far from the reaches of his terrible kingdom. When the Emperor discovered the deserters, he killed them all with a single wave of his horrifying might, sparing only their children. These children would have to fend for themselves, only to be haunted by the spirits of their murdered parents, left to wander the banks of the river nearby to fish.
Attractions:
- Ghost River: The land's only attraction. Board a weathered boat on a cruise through the haunted rivers of the nearby village. The trees themselves will terrorize you as your boat chugs along the river, persecuted by restless spirits.
Dining:
- Ghost River Fish Dinners: Enjoy a delicious fish dinner from the nearby river.
- Ghost Town Saloon: Enjoy from a number of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails and other specialty drinks.
Shopping:
- Ghost Town General Store: Shop from a wide range of Kids See Ghosts shirts, signed albums, and other merchandise.
Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyland:
•Based on the album of the same name, Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyland is self-explanatory in its intentions. While nicely themed, the charm of this land derives not from an aesthetic borrowing from a European village, but rather from the darkest depths of Kanye's imagination. Noted as West's favorite land in the park, Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyland sends guests to hell as Kanye sees it, complete with cast members posing as paparazzi snapping fake pictures of guests, forcing them into hiding in the bathrooms, and taunting them as they wait in line for the attractions.
Attractions:
- Sleepy Bear Castle: The central icon of the park. Retaining most of the elements of its processor, the castle features a dark cave at its base that is the home of a twisted rendition of Dropout Bear. In order for guests to get into the land, they have to enter through the mouth of the drunken, half asleep bear.
- The Sword in the Head: A morbid twist on the familiar 'Sword in the Stone' landmark. Try your luck and pull the sword from Kanye's severed head!
- My Life Is Scary-Go-Round: Board one of several demon bears for a semi-tranquil spin.
- The Shotglasses: Board a spinning shotglass and spin the wheel until you feel like you're hung-over.
- Monster Castle: The land's main attraction. Board an omnimover style vehicle for a trip through a physical representation of Kanye's mind, a prison in which you are terrorized by his grotesque 'inner demons,' physical monsters presented as fear, vanity, insecurity, and temptation. This is one of the more psychologically intense attractions ever created; the faint of heart would do well to not take it lightly.
- Sky-Ye Buckets to Yeezy Kingdom : Board a slow moving bucket vehicle for a trip to Yeezy Kingdom.
Dining:
- Twisted Treats: Twisted churros and bagel twists. Twisted garlic twists.
- Dark Twisted FantaSushi: A full-blown sushi bar and grill, selling a multitude of Japanese favorites.
Shopping:
- Kan's Closet: Grab a t-shirt or exclusive demon Dropout Bear.
Yeezy Kingdom:
•Yeezy Kingdom is centered on Kanye's role as a controversial, often disturbed artist. The land features all three of the park's thrill rides, which is appropriate in that the land altogether functions as an emotional rollercoaster. While mostly based on the 2018 album
Ye, the land borrows elements from Kanye's general persona. There is no concrete theme per se. The land instead opts for minimalism, which Kanye is no stranger to.
Attractions:
- Teton Range Bobsleds: A sort of reincarnation of the original bobsled attraction, the familiar mountain will be re-themed to the mountain range of Jackson Hole Valley, Wyoming, where Kanye worked on the 2018 album, Ye.
- Sky-Ye Buckets to Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyland: Board a slow moving bucket vehicle for a trip to Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyland.
- FreeYe: Board a brisk Lamborghini Gallardo synched to the 2012 song Mercy as you speed along a track themed to a Hollywood freeway.
- The Gold Digger: A western themed wooden coaster built on the ashes of the original 'Aska Roller Coaster.' This one is longer, faster, and more intense than the last, and features onboard audio synched to Kanye's 'Gold Digger.' The coaster also features pyrotechnic, fire, fog, water, and laser effects, making it one of the more popular attractions in the entire park.
- KAN-O-Rail: Enjoy a scenic ride of the northeast section of the park on this highway in the sky, which winds through multiple attractions in the park, including inside and around the perimeter of Bass Mountain.
- Chi Town Loop: A looping flat ride based on the fact that West is from Chicago.
- Bass Mountain (Pronounced 'Base'): Easily the most popular attraction in the park, Bass Mountain is an indoor rollercoaster synched perfectly to one of several songs. In this indoor coaster themed to one of Kanye's concerts, guests will speed through an onslaught of tunnels, fog waves, and lasers. Most guests would consider this one of the greatest themed roller coaster in Japan, if not the entire world. Lines typically average two and a half hours on busy summer days anyway.
Bass MountainTracklist (Incomplete):
Dining:
- The Kingdom Café: The largest restaurant in the park. Kingdom Café features a variety of foods from around the world, including American, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean. The restaurant celebrates diversity, which is why it offers such a wide variety.
Shopping :
- Kingdom Traders: the Park's exclusive stop for pin trading and purchasing. Disney would find itself competing directly with DONDA for a piece of the pin market. These pins, however, would cost more to produce, and would be moderately more expensive than the average Disney parks pins. With that said, they'd be of higher quality and overall rarity, making pin collectors and general collectors' mouths water. Opening day pin packs, retailing for ¥16,584.52 Yen (150 USD) would likely fetch at least 799 USD on the secondary market (eBay).
Closing Statement:
DONDA Dreamland would be one of Kanye's greatest achievements, ensuring a handsome long term return on investment and cementing its place as a legitimate competitor to Tokyo Disney and Universal Studios Japan. While perhaps not reaching the attendance of either of its competitors, the park would see impressive growth by expanding in the areas outside of its visible perimeter, much like Disneyland would experience significant growth around its berm in the 1960s with such additions as the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Additionally, the impact of Takashi Murakami's unique 'Superflat' art style cannot be denied. With Murakami at the helm of the park's merchandising efforts, the park would deal a reasonable blow to Disney's merchandising market share. Kanye's celebrity itself can also not be underestimated. He has a distinct global appeal that draws a large number of people toward him, and this would likely draw many people to share in his own dreamland.
Park Model by Basketbuddy:
