Carthay Circle Theater

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2008/01/disney-california-adventure-placemaking.html

This blog has lots of concept art posted of the Disney's California Adventure remodel.

I wanted to focus on the future of the park's new icon, the Carthay Circle Theater. Rumors said it would have a new movie attraction about Walt Disney, Mickey's Philharmagic, Golden Dreams, and then nothing at all due to space issues and be used for special events. Golden Dreams was to feature Audio-animatronics like EPCOT's The American Adventure.

1937 Snow White Premiere:


I have a different proposal. This should reflect the function now current in Disneyland's Main Street Opera house. The "lobby" should have concept art, models, and videos of the development for DCA similar to Blue Sky Cellar. In the next area, shift the Disney Animation here in this more compact space. It should essentially be similar but tightened up. From concept and aerial photos, it looks as if the Circle Theater will have as much space between the Opera House and Playhouse Disney LIVE space.

Animation Lobby:


I know many people such as myself really do enjoy the video loop in the lobby. The new lobby inside the Circle Theater should still have that circular/ horseshoe presentations along the outer rim/ perimeter of all those projected images like it is now. But there should be two levels so as to save on space. The first ground level should have the return of the live-action/animation stage show "Drawn to Animation", "Animation Academy" to learn to draw characters, and the "Character Close-up" exhibit of sketches, concept art, maquettes, and zoetrope. There should also be a rotational exhibit to accommodate anniversaries of feature films such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.

Drawn to Animation:


To access the second level, a grand stairway should be constructed. And for handicap guests, a dublicate of the Genie elevator from DisneyQuest.

Cybrolator:


"Sorcerer's Workshop" should be kept intact on the second level along with creating animation, which character you are in Beast's Library, and lend your voice to Ursula's Grotto. A new section will have "Ludwig Van Drake's Color Spectrum" where Drake will periodically sing the song along with Alice in Wonderland's Queen's painter playing cards.

Spectrum Song:


The room will be similar to Disney Cruise's Animator's Palate. The whole room changing from back and white to color and back again.


Essentially what is happening here is guests will have kiosks to work on adding digital colors to characters and backgrounds. Paint brush and other tools will be used as decor. In the center of the various kiosks will have Van Drake and painter plaing cards Audio-animatronics popping up and singing the Spectrum Song.

The next new area will be Sound Stage to record sound effects for animation. Essentailly this will be an automated Foley Stage. There is already one set up for a "Disney: The Music Behind the Magic" exhibit. The current one is of "The Band Concert" and about four people are able to be in the studio at once. I suggest probably making others to accommodate capacity and variety based on shorts and features. And also using different tools to accomplish the task. Along the walls should have behind-the-scenes video and glass display cases of old foley tools.

Casey Junior Foley Session:


Transition from sound effects to music would be "Bambi". "Bambi" used music to convey sound effects.

The last new area will be for Disney music. This will be hosted by an old Audio-Animatronic figure called Professor Owl. This is also to convey the feeling brought from the old "Disney Sing Along Songs" but focused on music like in "Toot, Whistle, Pluck, and Boom". Ursula's Grotto makes good use of sing-alongs anyways.

Disney Sing Along:


Disneyland Owl:
(Although the presentation is about animals, you get the general idea)


The obvious crown jewel would be "Fantastia" mixing Disney Animation and classical music. In fact, "Fantasia 2000" reminds me of the Disney Animation lobby alot.