May the Force be With You!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Teevtee

It’s Confirmed: Star Wars expansion is coming to Walt Disney World and big changes are on the way.

We all knew it was coming. We have all heard the many, many rumors and now we have word that the big announcement is imminent and should be made official at a huge press gala in a couple of short weeks: Star Wars Land is coming to Walt Disney World!

J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot production company have signed on as creative consultants for the new “Universe of Star Wars” project.

Many details are still unknown and the full line up of attractions is not yet clear but we do know a few rather interesting facts, some of which may turn some heads. We also have early concept art and it looks fantastic.

Phase One features many elements of the original trilogy.

First of all the plans are multi-year and encompass several phases, each with major attractions and shows. Many of the previous rumors have proven to be true; there will indeed be a Cantina themed restaurant and the Jedi Academy will be greatly expanded located in a permanent structure filled with special effects and state of the art audio video equipment.

The scope however is much larger than previously expected. All the many worlds of Star Wars will be explored, not just Tatooine but also Hoth, Bespin (Cloud City), Degobah, Geonosis, Coruscant, Kashyyk, Naboo and many others. These will be actual three-dimensional practical environments with unique attractions, not simply mentions or video in some larger scale more general attraction.

The first phase will focus mainly on the original trilogy, additional phases rolling out each year after the initial opening will venture into the locales of the prequels as well as the locations of the yet to be produced sequels.

The ride will last 12 parsecs.

All of this is very exciting and already has both park fans and Star Wars fans (often one in the same) in a frothy mouthed fury, however there are some concerns, most notably the location.

Space was left for Star Tours at Hong Kong Disneyland but now that Disney owns the franchise they are fighting Shanghai for a whole Star Wars themed park.

Clearly Disney has huge plans for the Star Wars franchise; in both Hong Kong and Shanghai they have plenty of available space to build entire parks devoted to Star Wars. In fact Disney is currently in negotiations with both Shanghai and Hong Kong (whose local governments are partners and co-owners of the parks with Disney) to see which of these resorts gets a full Star Wars park.

Disneyland Paris will get only a modest Star Wars upgrade keeping much of the Star Wars area it currently has.

Disneyland Paris also has the land but they simply are not in a strong enough financial position to build a third park there. The Parisian Star Wars additions will need to be limited to a modest addition to the existing Star Tours area.

Tokyo Disneyland is very hemmed in. Star Wars expansions are limited to a new park built on landfill or possibly the parking lot seen behind Tomorrowland.
(Photo courtesy of themeparkguy.com)

Tokyo Disneyland owner Oriental Land Company has made it clear that they are willing to pay for the full park as well… they will need to expand further into Tokyo Bay with landfill, it is possible to do so, however that is years away.

This leaves the U.S. parks and each has it’s own challenges:

Disneyland is very tight on space and has no real way to expand easily. In addition Disneyland is the only U.S. park able to incorporate Disney’s Marvel franchise into the parks due to a complex licensing agreement Universal had in place prior to Disney’s acquisition of Marvel. This means that Star Wars is in essence fighting Marvel for space at Disneyland. There are currently two independent teams at Walt Disney Imagineering developing separate plans; a Star Wars area and a Marvel area… both hoping to get a small expansion space in Tomorrowland (with the removal of the moribund Inoventions attraction). There is the possibility of a third park addition to Disneyland in the nearby area commonly referred to as “The strawberry field” but this is a logistical nightmare and many years away.

Walt Disney World on the other hand still has plenty of space, lots of open land and an all new, all Star Wars park could easily be added here… however the resorts drawing power is pretty much maxed out and Disney cannot justify building a fifth park at this time. Doing so would cannibalize attendance from existing parks, not add to it. Disney is also very jealous of the success Universal has had by adding Harry Potter attractions to the otherwise lackluster Islands of Adventure and soon the Universal Studios parks. This is the path Disney wants to emulate, they want to add Star Wars to one of the current Florida parks and they want to do it NOW!

When we look at the four parks we can rule out Animal Kingdom right away. Not only does it not fit or make any sense thematically but Disney is already adding a sci-fi movie themed area with Avatar (which is still being planned and apparently built). They would never have both Avatar and Star Wars in the same park and in fact the addition of Star Wars could cause further problems for Avatar land anyway… but that is another story.

The Magic Kingdom is also not a good fit… they want a large scale Star Wars presence and unlike Disneyland the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World does not have Star Tours or any other Star Wars themed attractions; it’s out.

Star Wars weekends are already very popular at Disney Hollywood Studios.

So the clear and obvious choice is Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park. It is based on movies, it has Star Tours and a small Star Wars themed area already and it is the home of the very popular Star Wars weekends every year. Yet there are problems here too… SIZE. Simply put they do not have the room they really need or want within the tight confines of the existing park. Even if they would remove the Indiana Jones Stunt Theater and take that entire area of the park near Star Tours it is still too small for Disney’s grand plans. There has been talk about removing the back lot tour and the Lights Motor Action stunt show and expanding in that area but it is not directly connected to the existing Star Tours area and is still not large enough. Some have suggested building out of the park, into the existing parking area and surrounding undeveloped land. While this looks totally feasible on a map the reality is different. Disney has recently conducted land studies and surveys and it is clear that the high water table will not allow this type of development. In essence much of the land immediately surrounding the studios park is swamp. This waterlogged terrain cannot support an expansion.

That leaves one park… yes, Star Wars is coming to Epcot!

Phase one fits nicely between China and Germany and is huge. Phase two will hold part of the large mega coaster as well as the Jedi Training space. Phase three slots in between Germany and Italy. Phase four wraps behind Italy and phase 5 will hug the current backstage boat docks. The docks will be relocated and the waterways themed as the swamps of Degobah. Future expansion may continue across the full breadth of what is currently known as World Showcase.

When the Disney executives looked at the Walt Disney World parks Epcot not only had the most land to expand on but they also felt it best fit the theme that Star Wars offers. You may expect Star Wars to be placed within the Future World area but in reality it is coming to World Showcase.

World Showcase not only has an abundance of open space but the many diverse worlds of Star Wars fits the travelogue theme of this area. Now instead of only traveling around the globe guests will enjoy visits across the worlds represented in the Star Wars films. Accordingly World Showcase will be renamed Galactic Showcase in an effort to better describe its new expanded theme.

World Showcase is currently home to 11 international countries represented in separate pavilions. The addition of Star Wars will add at least 5 more themed areas expected to cover everything from the dunes of the desert planet Tatooine to the wintery slops of the ice planet Hoth. In fact as the Star Wars franchise expands there could be as many as 10 unique Star Wars themed pavilions added along the current World Showcase lagoon. These pavilions will be inersperced with the existing country pavilions but may also be connected in the rear area behind the current country pavilions. This would form one huge Star Wars park within a park wrapped around and connected to World Showcase.

This impressive new addition will be known as “The Universe of Star Wars at Epcot”.

Disney plans on rolling out a wide range of new snacks and concessions including R2D2 popcorn buckets and “Droid Drinks”…

…Princess Leia and Jabba the Hutt cupcakes…

…and a very unique “Dark Side” burger. The plan is to have as much Star Wars themed food as possible so that the new “Galactic” pavilions can participate in the annual Food and Wine Festival held At Epcot.

Also of note is the plan to have walk around characters, a Star Wars themed night time lagoon spectacular and lots of shops as well.

What we know so far:

• The proposed name of this expansion is The Universe of Star Wars at Epcot. I am sure we will all simply call is “USW”

• World Showcase will become Galactic Showcase

• Attractions based on all the Star Wars movies including the not yet produced new movies.

• J.J. Abrams will serve as creative consultant

• A new “mega coaster” will be part of phase one. This coaster is designed to “Put the Universal coasters to shame” and will wrap around, behind and through not only the Star Wars pavilion but also the neighboring World Showcase pavilions.

• The new coaster will be named “The Kessel Run” It is a multi looping coaster that will be the largest in Florida and one of the largest in the world.

• Phase one will fill the doublewide expansion zone located between the China and the Germany pavilions.

• Construction is to begin fall of 2013 and the first phase will be completed by 2015. Additional phases will open annually and be rolled out in stages, similar to how New Fantasyland has debuted.

• A “High end fine dining” restaurant will be part of phase one. It is housed high above Epcot in a recreation of the Cloud City seen in The Empire Strike Back. It will be a rotating venue affording 360-degree views.

• A major press event is expected later this month.

We know the names of some of the other attractions, shops and dining venues but don’t have specific details. Some of them are:

• At At Attack

• Something simply called “The Force”

• Mon Calamari Seafood and Snacks

• The Dark Side

• Coruscant Customs and Curios

• Chewy’s Churros

• Red Leisure

• Speeder Bikes of Endor

• Dex’s Diner

• Wickets Ewok Village

• Porkins Big and Tall

• Jabba’s Juice Hut

• Greedo’s Big Shot

One of the most interesting points of Phase One is how the “Kessel Run” coaster will be clearly visible from virtaually all locations in Epcot and will rise above not only the Universe of Star Wars area but also some of the old fashioned World Showcase pavilions. In the concept art we can see a little of China to the left behind the people and Germany to the right. This gives a good sense of the massive scale of this project. While some will surely complain that this somehow hurts the authenticity of the World Showcase pavilions we at Parkeology applaud it. After all, that is one big mofo coaster baby!

May The Force Be With You!

Awesome Park Merchandise – March 2013

Posted on March 30, 2013 by shane

One of the things I like to do from time to time is just provide pictures of various merchandise items I come across while visiting the parks. These usually take the form of clever t-shirts. Today, I’d like to branch away from that, by starting with more clever t-shirts, but ending with two other really cool items that have tempted my pocketbook.

But like I said, first I’ll make you wade through the t-shirts.

One dwarf short.

We begin in Norway, where I am digging this simple Viking version of a bunch of drunk college guys spelling out their team name on their chests with war paint. The vikings are strikingly similar to those in a recent successful animated film, which makes you wonder if the merchandisers are trying to steal credit for How To Train Your Dragon. But I like it anyway.

At the other end of the Norway spectrum, you have this:

Yes, that’s a t-shirt.

Great! A photo-realistic viking costume printed on your chest! Kind of puts those tuxedo shirts to shame.

I do love it when they go through the effort of doing not just generic stuff that can be sold anywhere in the park, but when they limit themselves to one specific area of the park, like the Norway shirts above, or these next four character shirts from the United Kingdom.

Sour Minnie

Mickey butt shot

Guard duck

Buckingham Goofy

Ah, that Goofy! Isn’t he just hilarious? This next one is being sold at Star Tours over at the Studios. It actually looks like it is a Disney shirt, but I think it might just be a funny Star Wars one. Either way, it works.

At the Studios, I also came across two other non-torso-draping items, which are really kind of delightful. I presume this next one is also available at Magic Kingdom:

What better way to commemorate your vacation than miniature graves?

How awesome is that? Little paperweight Mansion tombstones! Those are very nicely detailed, maybe three or four inches tall. They should release a complete set of these.

And here’s something that is rather ingenious:

Replica Disposable Cups!

I flat out love this one. That is a drink cup design from Walt Disney World’s early years, printed on what is actually a ceramic mug with a hard plastic straw and rubber lid. Who would have thought we’d see the day when the fast food trash got its own line of merchandise? Thirty years from now, perhaps we’ll see some embroidered cloth napkins that look exactly like the paper ones from Epcot. Sign me up.

Lending a Helping Hand

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Teevtee

In 2011 shortly after the tsunami struck Japan and created an unprecedented series of tragic events we posted a tribute of sorts to the Tokyo Disney resort, you can read it here: http://www.parkeology.com/2011/03/so-story-goes.html.

Though this Braille map is meant for those who cannot see it is really beautiful nonetheless.

About a year ago (one year after the tsunami) we were back in Tokyo and were thrilled to find it every bit as wonderful as it has always been. Moreover the parks were running as if nothing had happened. The facilities were of course flawless, the cast members out in force and as dedicated as ever and perhaps most importantly the guests seemed to be carefree and having great fun. I imagine that after dealing with such difficulties having some fun is quite important. As a side note the crowds were extremely light. This may simply be because we visited at a good time of year that is considered the low season but there may be some residual impact on attendance still going on.

The Tokyo Disney Sea brail map is nice and all, but not on par with the Tokyo Disneyland version.

The Tokyo Disney Sea Braille map is nice and all, but not on par with the Tokyo Disneyland version.

In that 2011 post we took a look at the “Story Cards” the parks have for hearing impaired gusts and occasionally confused foreigners (more here). We also briefly touched on another interesting and unique service the Japanese offer guests, one that is again indicative of the care and respect they have for all guests; the scale models used to aid visually impaired guests.

Those yellow paths are textured, you can feel them under your feet. Combined with audio cues they can guide sight impaired people throughout the entire city.

Today we are taking a closer look at these wonderful models available at guest services in both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. These are hand made wooden replicas of the various attraction ride vehicles as well as certain show buildings. Guests in need are allowed to touch and examine the models to gain an understanding of what they may not be able to see. I have never seen anything like this in another theme park or anywhere else I have ever visited.

This one is not so much to be touched but to let folks know that they are available… of course if you cannot see this one it does not do much good.

In fact Japan has many aids for people with different disabilities. One will find not only the standard Braille in elevators and so on but also audible beeps at cross sections altering people when the walk sign is on and tactile paving throughout most public streets and train stations that guide those without sight were to walk and warn them of intersections. The tactile paving was invented in Japan in the 1960’s and is now ubiquitous throughout the country, not just at cross walks but throughout huge swaths of cities and public spaces.

What the heck is that one on the bottom right?

Atttractions big and small are represented in these Tokyo Disney Sea models. Even entire buildings in some cases.

Despite this it is not as if Japan has a disproportionate population of those without sight. Throughout all my visits I have seen one visually impaired person, not actually at the parks but rather in down town Tokyo. The Japanese don’t do it because they have to, they do this because care is a part of the culture and that same idea extends to the Disney parks.

The tentacles are rubbery and soft

If they only sold them I woudl buy a complete set… they are amazing.

Sinbad boats on top and the Venetian Gondolas on bottom.

The Journey to the Center of the Earth vehicles are awesome even in plain wood.

Some really cool things done for a nice reason. We may be getting interactive rubber bracelets that allow us to be tracked and marketed to but the Japanese get these… as they say it’s better than a poke in the eye… or in this case maybe because of a poke to the eye.

Tokyo Disneyland has them as well.

At Tokyo Disney Sea they have a fully painted model (a sub from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) on display while the actual models meant for use are plain unpainted wood. There are shelves that house the entire range of attractions and buildings. I think the folks working guest relations found it quite funny that some American guy wanted to see them and photograph them. At first they had to ask permission to do so (something that always happens at all levels in Japan). After they were allowed to show us the girls working the counter could not stop giggling… I guess to them it is just very commonplace so taking photos of them might be like taking photos of a fire extinguisher or something… they just never thought about doing so.

Can you name them all?

Thoe lucky blind people… they get all the cool stuff!

In addition to the models they have brail maps (which I believe the U.S. parks have as well) but they have other really nice offerings to those who could use them.

Not a fancy vending machine (though they certainly have those) but rather video previews of all the rides… can I get a copy to take home please?

There is a video kiosk sitting unassumingly to the side of the guest relations area. It has a touch screen display and visitors can select any attraction the park offers. After picking it a video preview of the attraction is played. This helps people understand what the ride is about and gauge whether they would enjoy it or not. What a great idea! Sure, it does give away some surprises but if you are physically unsure if you can handle a ride this approach is so much more efficient than simply hearing a description… and frankly they are just fun to watch.

It’s cool how even utilitarian devices are themed… this one is for the Magic Lamp Theater.

If you don’t speak Japanese or are deaf certain attactions have hand held devices that sync with the show. You are issued one of these and can follow along with the performance, even certain live action shows.

OK, service dogs for those with hearing and sight issues… and um, those who require canine valentines?

Whether you need them or simply appreciate them the fact that Disney has these measures available is really great. I’d love to see this type of thing in the U.S. just because it is that extra layer that makes things special… plus I want to buy them!

The Myth of Skull Rock

Posted on March 19, 2013 by shane

You remember the classic scene in Peter Pan. It sets the stage for the central conflict of the story. The more I think about it, the more I think it might be based on the historical Battle of Tippecanoe, which was fought in my hometown more than 200 years ago. It has all the touch points: Vaguely imperialistic villains, horrific massacre of the Native American population, an iconic rock formation, an elfin white boy protagonist.

Tippecanoe and Tinkerbell too!

Skull Rock is one of those great, scenic locations that tourists love, because when you’re on spring break, nothing sounds better than coming face to face with a giant death’s head. Peter Pan’s Flight has always had some form of it in the ride, and Disneyland used to have a life-sized version outdoors in Fantasyland. Disneyland Paris still has it. There’s even a cool Skull Rock formation inside one of the caves on Tom Sawyer’s Island.

Recently, a Skull Rock was added to the Pirates of the Caribbean.

I haven’t seen this particular formation talked about much. It was added late last year as part of the infamous “mermaid” additions. I am completely hypnotized by it, and I can’t understand why it hasn’t been receiving its due. Either I was asleep the week that everyone already talked about it ad infinitum and nobody cares anymore (entirely possible), or I’m the only one in the entire fan community who appreciates just how wicked cool it is (yeah right).

Thanks to Kevin Yee (ultimateorlando.com, miceage.com), I have a picture I can share. It’s been greatly brightened, because that scene is dark (in more ways than one).

That pirate died of crabs. Har har.

Not bad, right? it’s a nice little skull shaped rock formation just after the mermaids in the water, but before the mermaid on the beach. I’m diggin’ it all over again.

But you might be asking yourself why I think it’s so awesome. As shown in this picture, it’s sorta nice for some background ambience, but really it’s no big deal. The Skull Rock in Peter Pan’s Flight is much more prominent and graphic. But what may not be obvious is that you are looking at one of the really clever visual effects in the entire ride.

I think Skull doesn’t get noticed, because of the mermaids. At roughly the spot where the above picture is taken, there are glowing mermaids swimming through the water beside your boat. They’re too distracting for anyone to worry about a silly old background rock. And by the time you’re done looking at them, your attention is immediately drawn to the beach, with the skeletons and that snapping animated crab.

But if you would just look to your left as you floated towards the beach, you would experience the thrill of watching that Skull Rock completely vanish.

The whole thing is a Perspective Sculpture. It only takes shape when viewed from a particular angle — in this case, straight on (one might even say dead on, ho ho). It’s almost impossible to see in this picture, but the nasal cavity is a couple formations, the right eye another formation, and the left eye still yet another formation. Even the stones making up the teeth are separate, jutting out of the water.

Worst artist’s representation ever

As seen in my stunning graphic above (drawn from memory in photoshop without regard for quality), the whole thing looks positively Dali-esque from the side, and not a single bit like a skull. Even the various eye-holes and things are not always true holes, but a series of concavities and overlays that just happen to line up perfectly from one angle.

Perspective Sculptures can be a lot of fun. You can see a lot of pretty elaborate ones here (warning: One of the images in the slideshow is NSFW). I think it’s cool that the Imagineers added one to the Florida Pirates, and try as I might, I just can’t seem to find hardly any mention of it. Check it out next time you’re complaining about how inferior the Florida Pirates ride is!

The Luscious Lavish Lawn Mower Tree

Posted on March 6, 2013 by shane

Long ago, when I was just a boy, my family brought us to Fort Wilderness. Not to camp, of course. We weren’t paying no $20 for a camp site. Not when we had a van, and there were plenty of empty parking lots.

I have fragmented memories of this visit. I’m pretty sure it involved a walk on the beach, where brain-eating meningitis was an absent threat, and scores of tourists splashed in the waves of the watercraft as they ferried guests to and from Discovery Island.

There was something called the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. We didn’t eat there, of course. No way were we paying no $15 a head for fried chicken and country songs. But we walked around Pioneer Hall, fantasizing we were rustic outdoorsmen like Han Solo.

At the end of one path was a place called River Country, which Disney billed as a recreation of an “ol’ fashioned swimmin’ hole.” Marketers have known for years that kids are drawn to anything labeled “old fashioned.” And as a former kid, let me tell you, nothing sounds as thoroughly refreshing as swimming in a hole. And to top it off, when you intentionally drop consonants, it just colors the whole thing with the thrill of cheatin’ death.

We did not swim, of course. My daddy weren’t paying no $12 a head. The brain-eating meningitis of the lake water was good enough for us, by george. But we did stand out by a covered wagon and watch the young families in their ol’ fashioned swimmin’ trunks walk through the turnstiles into a paradise of leaky water towers and faux mudslides. And we did not envy them in the least.

Yet there is one thing I remember very clearly about that early visit to Fort Wilderness, and it was free, which meant we spent several minutes looking at it. The name on the plaque identified it as the Lawn Mower Tree. It was a typical Florida tree, with gnarled, knobby roots and a wide leafy canopy. At its base entangled in the roots, were the rusty remains of an old lawn mower.

The plaque had a whole story to go with it. I’m paraphrasing, but according to legend, Farmer Such-and-Such parked his lawnmower near this tree way back in 19-freakin-31, and went inside for a glass of whatever. When he returned later, the tree had grown so much that the roots had begun to devour the lawn mower. And rather than chop it out, Farmer Such-and-Such left it behind and bought himself a riding John Deere.

I found the story enthralling, mainly because I think the plaque writer was unaware just how sinister and Stephen King-ish it sounded. I mean, the farmer stepped away, but for how long? Just enough to drink his lemonade? Overnight? All winter? How much time does it take a tree to suck an entire piece of mechanical equipment into its dry, bony root base?

Kids were sleeping next to these succubus Floridian plants, in bare camp sites in the middle of nowhere! Who knows how many tents these things devoured! Does the blood of lost children still course in the underground rivers below Fort Wilderness, polluting Bay Lake with more brain-eating meningitis?

At the time, I had no doubt the story was legit, a local Floridian legend. I suppose it’s possible that some hillbilly really did lose his lawnmower to this tree, in a non-sinister way (a decade absence or something) long before Disney every bought the land. In retrospect, it’s also just hokey enough that it could have been a Disney gag. If so, it seems like a lot of effort for the landscapers to find an omnivorous tree and plant it over a lawn mower.

At this point, I’m going to assume the truth is somewhere in the middle. That the tree was there before Disney got there and had somehow overgrown onto some deserted machinery. The story with the farmer leaving his mower unattended is probably an embellishment.

Last weekend, I found myself at Fort Wilderness again, and resolved to go looking for the tree. I’m happy to report it’s still there.

The plaque is long gone. In fact, so is most of the tree. It’s a bit of Disney history swallowed up by time. How many tourists walk by it today completely unaware of the legend? Every single darn one of them, I’m sure.

Like a skeletal finger from the loose Florida soil…

But somebody in horticulture has left the stump of this thing in place, so as to not upset the druid demon spawn that lives in it. And the rusted bits of the mower can still be found in its roots.

Buried alive is nothing, next to the terror of being eaten by a tree. If you go there, check out both the front and back of the tree. There are metal bits on both sides.

For those of you who wish to make your own pilgrimage, it’s right next to the sidewalk on the left side of the path as you approach the marina. It’s a thin stump very near where the golf carts are parked.

If you visit, say hello for me. And then say a prayer. And bring a sacrifice.

Blissfully unaware that they are parked next to a portal to hell.