Disney's California Adventure Concept Art From 1996

After WESTCOT Center and Port Disney were canceled (which other better websites have thoroughly documented) Disney unveiled Disney's California Adventure as the second gate to Disneyland. The following illustration was printed in the Long Beach Press Telegram in 1996. It shows one of the earliest pieces of concept art of the new park released to the public. Being so early in the park's development there are a ton of differences from what ended up being built in 2001.

©Disney

Unfortunately the quality of this image isn't that great, being a scan of a 17 year old newspaper. But you can click to enlarge. Since the artwork is conveniently numbered I'll go down the list and talk about each one. 

1. Disney's California Adventure

This is pointing to the plaza of the park. It's interesting that there is a spire present on this concept art. A spire was part of the park icon in almost all of the WESTCOT art (seen here). The golden spire was ment to symbolize "California sunshine." Ok... Not present is the C A L I F O R N I A letters at the entrance of the park, actually the entire post card look is missing from the front of the park (seen here). It's hard to tell exactly what the entrance gate does look like but I assume that this is still the period of time where it was modeled after an amalgamation of California's famous missions. At some point I had concept art of that but I can't find it at the moment. 

2. Hollywood

I notice three major things about the Hollywood area of the park. First is it looks like the Hyperion Theater (or whatever they called it at the time) is right next to the park entrance. It is known that originally Disney planned to use this theater for a theme park show as well as a concert venue that could be entered from outside the park and without park admission. Next, take a look at the structure on the right that looks like the the famous Theme Building from the Los Angeles International Airport. The rumor is that this housed the planned version of the Superstar Limo roller coaster. Think Rockin' Roller Coaster from Disney's Hollywood Studios. Finally, in the middle of the picture notice the sorcerer's hat from Fantasia. This marked the location of the Animation Building, which did end up on the DCA's opening day roster.

3. Golden California

Grizzly River Run and its bear shaped mountain was on the DCA opening day roster but if you look here you can see an earlier version of bear icon. A giant grizzly head with a water fall coming out of its mouth! That would have been so cool! Also at this point in time Grizzly River Run was not a raft ride but a log flume. The bottom of the image shows what looks like a warehouse district. This could possibly be the San Francisco area of the park, or an early version of the Pacific Wharf that we see in the park today. The two large buildings in the top right corner are what I assume to be Soarin' Over California.

 4. Surf and Beach

This area obviously became Paradise Pier but it is extremely different from the one that ended up in the park.  The surf and beach theme represented California's beach communities. The gigantic building on the right is probably home to Golden Dreams when it was more than just the simple movie that opened with the park. Originally this was planned to be an audio/visual/animatronic extravaganza in the same vein as American Adventure from Epcot. Besides the lighthouse located next to the lagoon it's hard to tell what else was planned for this area.

5. The Disney Resort Plaza

This is basically what we got. A transportation plaza. Next!

6.The Grand Californian

The Grand Californian Hotel sits in the same spot geographically on this illustration as it does in real life but there are a few differences. The literature included with this art says "Disney's first hotel inside a theme park; 750-room [it opened with 1019 rooms] luxury hotel will include a monorail stop." Obviously, the Grand Californian never got its monorail station.

7 & 8. The Disneyland Hotel and The Disneyland Center

Even in this early concept art the original Disneyland Hotel structures and bungalows were slated for destruction. Only the three main towers and courtyard remain. The Disneyland Center is a concept from the WESTCOT days. It was eventually dubbed Downtown Disney. It's interesting to see the The Disneyland Center was placed along side Disneyland Drive/West Street and not it's current configuration of going from the Disneyland Hotel to the Grand Californian Hotel. 

The Long Beach Press Telegram also reported that California Adventure would break ground in 1997 (which is true), the park opening would be in 2001 (also true), the cost would be $1.4 Billion (true again), and the projected attendance would be 7 million annually (not quite, it ended up being estimated at around 5 million).

A Salute to Kodak Guide Map Ads!

It's almost unbelievable but Kodak has ended its sponsorship of various Disney attractions, lands, picture spots, and most importantly guide maps. The partnership dates back to when Disneyland opened in 1955. Lets take a look back at the various Kodak ads that have appeared in Disney guide maps over the years.

First up is this EPCOT Center map from 1982. This is probably the most elaborate guide map ever produced. In side the map there is a wheel that can be turned to reveal more information on the particular EPCOT pavilion you are interested in. On the back of the map the same wheel shows different information about various Kodak products. This must have cost Kodak a bundle to give out for free! But that's fine, Kodak's stock price in 1982 was $86 a share.

This map from late 1986 Disneyland map prominently features the Kodak logo on the front of the cover. The rear cover features a dual advertisement for Captain EO (a Kodak-sponsored attraction), and the their new Kodacolor VR-G 100 and 200 films. Both of which were introduced in 1986. The Kodak stock price at the end of 1986 was $69 a share.

EPCOT Center's 1992 guide map took a minimalist approach in the Kodak ad. They are used the "Show Your True Colors" slogan which they used for a number of years. Also referenced at the bottom of the ad is the Camera Center which is still located in the park under Spaceship Earth. Kodak shares ended 1992 at $40.50. Notice a trend?

Even Euro Disneyland got in on the Kodak action with this ad also from 1992. The ad features one of Kodak's disposable cameras. I think I would die if I ever got a picture as good as the one in this ad. A kid following Donald Duck while 3 baby ducks follow her. Incredible.

Kodak spent the late 90s advertising their new Advantix film. It can be found on the backs of various guide maps published in during this time, the example shown here is the Epcot 1997 from December. This was also the time when sections of pages in the guide maps were dedicated to photography tips provided by the company (seen here). Speaking of the late 90s, the Eastman Kodak company actually saw their stock prices raise during this time before again tumbling in the 2000s. The stock prices at the end of the decade were $60.56 (1997), $72 (1998), and $66.25 (1999).

This ad is also from 1997 but I wanted to mention it because it was used for a number of years in the Disneyland guides.

As the 2000s came and went the Kodak company was losing money almost every year. In early 2012 the company announced they were filing for bankruptcy. One of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands have been reduced to nothing. Seen here is the last Disneyland and DCA guide maps sponsored by Kodak. These were available during the 2012 holiday season.

Seen here is the first Disneyland guide map not sponsored by Kodak. The current maps are unsponsored and feature a Disney Photopass ad on the back.

Kodak's sponsorship has now faded to Yesterland. The company no longer sponsors any attractions (such as Bug's Land, Captain EO, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, It's Tough to be a Bug, Muppet Vision 3D, as well as many others). Its Kodak Photo Spots will soon disappear from Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Kodak may not have always been the guide map sponsor (another company that failed to adapt to the modern age, Polaroid, sponsored the maps in the 70s) but they are definitely the one the will be remembered. Here's to you Kodak! 

3 Reasons Why An Iron Man Attraction Will Be Great For Disneyland

When I read a year ago that Disney bought Marvel for $4 billion dollars, I knew sooner rather than later that a Marvel type of ride was going to make its way into the DLR. We first saw signs of this when more Marvel merchandise was making its way into the parks. Iron Man toys here, Thor hammer there; Disney was making use of their purchase as fast as possible and why not? If you spent $4 billion dollars on something, wouldn't you want to get as much use out of it as fast as possible?

Then we got the news this past week that Innoventions is going to be replaced by an Iron Man type of attraction. I was upset when I first read about the news but then I thought about it and this could turn into something very special and bring a lot of great opportunities to Disneyland. Here are 3 reasons why an Iron Man will make a great addition to Disneyland.
   

      1. Out with the old, in with the new

      Innoventions is a huge space that has been going to waste for years. Innoventions has ran its course and it is time for something new to take its place. Touringplans has a great article on the current state of Innoventions and how outdated the technology inside is. What do we do when things get out of date? We replace them with something new and useful. Since Innoventions takes up such a huge space, it is a perfect spot for a new and amazing attraction to be built. A new attraction will bring new life into a land that has grown stale. That brings me to my second point...

   

     2. Much needed face-lift

     Disneyland’s Tommrrowland has been neglected for at least  10+ years now and has been needing a totally 

      makeover for a while. Star Tours 2.0 started it off but there is a  lot more work that needs to be done.

      Creating an Iron Man attraction will give 

      Tommrrowland a well deserved makeover. Some new lights, rides, and attractions will make Tommorrowland a much better land to spend time and money in.

  

   3. Batting a thousand

      Indiana Jones and Star Tours have nothing to do with any other Disney property but they turned out to be amazing attractions. I happen to believe that Indiana Jones is one of the best rides ever created, in any theme park. I can't see Iron Man be anything less than an amazing addition. An Iron Man ride also gives Imagineers something totally new to work with. New ideas and properties are great for innovations and it may even top Indie.

      Change and moving on is hard but this is something that needs to be done. It's change is what keeps things exciting. I have been reading comments on other Disneyland fan sites that have stated that "Walt wouldn't want this ride", ..."it’s a disgrace to Disney", blah blah blah. Nobody knows what Walt would have done or said about anything. Not even the people that were the closest to him. The only thing that we know is that Disneyland will never be complete. New and amazing attractions is what makes Disneyland so great. We won’t know if  the Iron Man attraction will be amazing or a flop until it is built and ready for masses. All I know is that Disney is going to try their best to create a new and amazing attraction for all of us to enjoy. That is something all of us, as Disney fanatics, should remember. 

EPCOT Center Opening Day Guide Map From October 1, 1982

At the time I am preparing this update it is about 24 hours until my flight to Walt Disney World for Epcot's 30th birthday. The weekend will be filled with friends, memories, and the chance to purchase mass quantities of merchandise based on beloved attractions that were destroyed. Today I present to you the map that was given to EPCOT Center visitors 30 years ago on October 1, 1982.

 The graphics used on the cover are pretty amazing. No doubt a very 80s design but the classic Epcot and Walt Disney World logos are timeless, in my opinion. To give you a size comparison, this map is about an inch taller than a standard CD case.

The top shows a nice map with stylized renditions of the World Showcase and Future World pavilions. It's interesting that Horizons is present on the map while The Living Seas is not. I'm guessing it's because Horizons had started construction in 1982 (and opened in 1983), while The Living Seas did not open until 1986. The bottom page has an interesting feature, a dial! You can spin the little red tab on the right and the text will change to show you the name, what's inside the pavilion, and its location. It's amazing to think that this complex feature was built in to a free map!

The next page features detailed descriptions on the various Future World pavilions, including dining dining and shopping. Journey Into Imagination is included even though it wouldn't open until March 1983 due to delays with the ride system. It's worth mentioning that every single attraction on this page has been removed. The exceptions are Universe of Energy and Spaceship Earth, which have been completely changed.

Attraction, dining, and merchandise information about World Showcase. Morocco and Norway are not present because they were added in 1984 and 1988.

The map of Walt Disney World as it appeared in 1982. Two theme parks, four hotels, and one water park were all the World had to offer back then.

As usual, Kodak was the sponsor of the EPCOT Center maps. Sponsoring this one must have cost them some serious coin!

That's all for now. Sorry for the extended hiatus this blog has been on. Back in June I started working at TouringPlans.com and that's been taking up most of my time and creative energy.

Disney-MGM Studios Map from December 1999

Matt over at Studios Central loves Disney's Hollywood Studios. He loves it so much that he does something called International Hollywood Studios Awareness Week every year. I contributed a couple of posts last year, and those ended up being my only Disney Hollywood Studios posts of the year (sorry Matt). So now I'm back again with another vintage map.

 The cover is dedicated to the Studios biggest draw during the holiday season, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Notice the nice director Mickey at the top.

Inside we find the newest attractions the Studios has to offer. The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, which opened in July of 1999. Fantasmic which was just over a year old at this point (Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios opened in October of 1999 while Disneyland's opened in May 1992). Also seen is the now extinct Bear in the Big Blue House Live on Stage. To the right is some nice information on the Osborne Lights.

Lots of the usual theme park information on this page.

Show times. 4 of the 7 shows/parades on this page are now extinct. Hunback of Notre Dame, Doug Live, and Bear in the Big Blue House Live on Stage are all long gone. Notice the character greetings section at the bottom. I think they left out the "S" in the "Toy Story Friend" line.

(click to enlarge)

Nice looking map with a surprising number differences to the current Disney's Hollywood Studios. Near the top you can see the residential street section of the backlot tour which is now completely removed (Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show now sits in its place). Residential Street was the former home of the Osborne Lights. It was moved the the Streets of America (formerly New York Street) after the Residential Street was removed. The center of the park shows the area now currently occupied by the Sorcerers Hat. A large Christmas tree is in its place. Behind the Chinese Theater you can see Mickey Avenue, the street that now is home to Pixar Place and Toy Story Midway Mania.

The back of the map shows the usual Kodak disposable cameras. Surprisingly guide maps still advertise Kodak disposable cameras on the back! Even more amazing is I still see people using them in the parks! 

That's it for my contribution of International Studios Awareness.  Tip of the hat to Matt for scheduling it during the week when every Disney blog on the internet has its focus on Disney California Adventure's new Cars Land ;)

Cars Land HD Video - Radiator Springs Racers Full Ride Through

I had a chance to preview Cars Land this weekend. Overall it was amazing, the level detail is like nothing I've ever seen before. If you don't see yourself making it out to Disney California Adventure any time soon go ahead and watch my video of a full ride through of the land's marquee attraction, Radiator Springs Racers.

Looking back at Disneyland's Matterhorn

Disneyland's Matterhorn is less than a month away from finishing up an extensive 6 month refurbishment where it saw its station rebuilt, new bobsleds, and a beautiful new paint job.

This concept art comes from the Art of Disneyland book released a few years ago. The story goes that Walt wanted a copy of the Matterhorn in Disneyland after he visited Switzerland to visit the set of Third Man on the Mountain. The Matterhorn also fulfilled a practical need. It hid the gigantic center support structure that the Skyway used.

Construction began in early 1958, just three years after the park opened. Before the Matterhorn was constructed the area was just an unused grassy hill and the previously mentioned support column for the Skyway attraction.

The construction schedule is even more amazing considering that The Submarine Voyage and the Monorail where constructed along with and opened on the same day as the Matterhorn. 

From the time the ride opened up until a major refurbishment in 1978 riders could see exposed steel beams inside the mountain. In 1978 the ice caverns and abdominal snow men that are still seen today.

 As you can see from this picture and the one above, the original paint scheme of the mountain was much darker than it has been the last decade. 

The Matterhorn as seen from Fantasyland in the 1960s.

This picture is from a friend's family vacation in the early 1980s. You can see the white/light grey color scheme. 

 At some point in the mid 1990s, a weathervane, aircraft warning light and security camera were added to the top of the mountain.

At the beginning of 2012 the Matterhorn started another extensive refurbishment. Some of the changes include a rebuilt load/unload station, its third revision of bobselds, and a new paint job. Seen here from Fantasyland. The new paint is meant to reflect the attractions earlier color scheme. It looks great!