Mickey's Movieland

Revisiting an old concept for Disney-MGM Studios. This land was designed for an EPCOT pavilion about Hollywood filmmaking. Then Universal Studios was building a park in Florida so Disney essentially responded. And according to JimHillMedia, Bob Weis who is WDI's DCA VP, may want to bring this to DCA's HPB after that land's previously scheduled events. So I hope this will be the 2nd major phase for DCA after 2012.

The exterior was to be designed after the 2719 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 address formerly home to Hyperion Studio/ Walt Disney Studio from 1926-1940. The interior was to feature how Mickey Mouse cartoons were made. Ala Disney-MGM's "The Magic of Disney Animation", Disney's California Adventure's "Disney Animation" building, and the"Disney: The Music Behind the Magic" exhibit. Recreation and displays of old equipment such as the multiplane camera, animator's desk, ink & paint department, etc.

Considering WDI is planning to resurrect the Carthay Circle Theater from the grave, it would be appropriate for the Hyperion Studios as well.

I would plan for Hyperion Studios on the corner alongside DCA's MuppetVision*3D and Stage 17 (Millionaire building). MuppetVision*3D would be the new location for DCA's "Disney Animation" attraction. Stage 17 would perhaps be demolished inorder to properly fit Mickey's Philharmagic. As guests enter between the buildings, they have a choice between "Disney Animation" exhibits or Philharmagic. The 3D theater will exit to the Animation building. The Muppet Theater is redesigned as the main lobby while the preshow and queue are redesigned as the exhibits like Sorcerer's Workshop, Turtle Talk, and Drawn to Animation. Perhaps a 2nd level above the preshow can be used.

I was thinking the Monsters, Inc. facade would be redesigned as Pixar Studios, but there's enough Pixar influence everywhere. I would completely redo this ride building for "Muppet Movie Mayhem" (The Great Muppet Movie Ride and a cross with Superstar Limo). And the facade would resemble Muppet Studios. Guests are featured actors for an upcoming Muppet Show and must ride their limo to the set. But mayhem ensues as the limo crashes through different soundstages of "upcoming" Muppet features like TREASURE ISLAND, CHRISTMAS CAROL, WIZARD OF OZ, etc. Finally, we reach the end. Instead of CDA cleaning, it's an audience full of muppets. Across the bleachers is a penguin band. Roz is replaced by Statler and Waldorf.

Hollywood & Dine would also need a complete demolition for what should be DCA's answer to Disney's Hollywood Studios' Rock n Roller Coaster to counteract with Tower of Terror and to REALLY attract the crowds into this corner of the land. For now, my best choice would be a "TRON: Lightcycle Chase" attraction based on the Zamperla Motocoaster design rather than the Booster Bike. Why? Motocoaster appears to be more up Disney's alley with compact usage of land and multi-levels to ensure a fun thrill factor vs. a coaster that needs lots of stretches of land which the Disneyland Resort is unable to provide.

To make this more interesting, actual dual coasters could begin with coaster 1 lining up with coaster 2 in a launch sequence ala Radiator Springs Racers. But then will be like Universal's Dueling Dragons where they meet a few times in the dark ride building lit by blacklight. The bikes would glow and riders be able to see them ala Space Mountain pre-2005.

Furthermore, I would like the current animation building to be a new version of "The Great Movie Ride" based only on live-action Disney films, post-show exit into a real movie set of upcoming films ala Disney's Hollywood Studios' 101 Dalmations, Narnia, and Haunted Mansion. Pre-show should display concept, props, make-up, costumes, etc from past successful and recognizable films. The "Off the Page" store relocated in the center of the "Hyperion Studios" recreation.

Spinning Roller Coaster

PROJECT NAME: Echo Mine Carts
RIDE TYPE: Spinning Roller Coaster with Vertical Lift
INSPIRATION: Echo Mine Chase scene from "Home on the Range".
LOCATION: Currently planned Sally Cone Motel for Carsland.

The mountain itself will contain most of the tracks. The facade and part of the queue should look like an adobe and cliff-dwelling. The vertical lift will be themed as a mine elevator shaft. At the top an explosion sends the carts down the tracks. This attraction evokes "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad". The indoor caverns will be similar to the film "Home on the Range" with brightly-lit colors. These types of attractions also feature an on-ride video for purchase.

Gerstlauer Amusement Rides

Six Flags' Tony Hawk's Big Spin:
(These are the vehicle designs I favor with riders facing each other)


Six Flags' Mr. Six Pandominium:


Galaxy Spinner:


MACK Rides

Knott's Berry Farm's Sierra Sidewinder:
(Focus here is the attached cars to increase hourly capacity)


Home on the Range - Echo Mine:
(The focus here is on the production design)


Dollywood's Mystery Mine:
(Although not a spinning coaster, there's a part where it has the dynamite explosion I like)

Golden State Plaza Fountain

Hong Kong Disneyland's entrance has a really neat water fountain feature. But I'm not still not sure how classic Disney characters spoke "beach fun" in China. I think the fountain fits more into Disney's California Adventure. It would be nice to have these statues. I would only approve of the Mickey and whale water feature. The water, music, and light show aspect should remain with Hong Kong. World of Color is coming and the original fountain looks to be quite big. This would be a good contrast to Disneyland's Central Plaza mini-Disney character statues that surround the Partners Statue.



Still photos from niallkennedy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/niallkennedy/sets/72157605416166233/

The Partners Statue will already have the planned statue of younger Walt and Mickey in Walt Disney Plaza.

Instrumental music selection:
"By the Beautiful Sea" - For Me and My Gal: The Musical
"Beautiful Briny Sea" - Bebknobs & Broomsticks
"Candle on the Water" - Pete's Dragon
"Beyond the Sea" - Finding Nemo
"Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" - Lilo & Stitch
"Jolly Holiday" - Mary Poppins
"Just Around the Riverbend" - Pocahontas
"Whale of a Tale" - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
"Under the Sea" - The Little Mermaid
"Fathoms Below" - The Little Mermaid
"Sailor's Hornpipe" - Folk Music
"Row Row Row Your Boat" - Nursery Rhyme
"Sailing, Sailing" - Folk Music
"By the Sea" - Sweeney Todd

I have to assume there will be more "The Little Mermaid" music around the Meet & Greet and Ariel's Adventure.

By the Beautiful Sea (Mickey's Fun Songs):


Sailor's Hornpipe:


Whale of a Tale:


Although not a "sea" song, it fits with the era I think: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

Electric Railway

This is a solution counterpart to Disneyland's Steam Trains and Tomorrowland's Peoplemover for Disney's California Adventure's lack of any transportation and kinetic energy.

Tokyo DisneySea's Electric Railway.


From my understanding, if Tokyo's trains have more than two station stops, then it must fall under "transportation" guidelines instead of as an "attraction". This goes the same for Tokyo Disneyland's Steam Trains only making round-trips.

Instead of what is currently seen with the station stops merging into one track and the rest of the track length having double paths, for DCA, it should be the opposite. The stations will have double tracks and the track length will be one. In this pattern, the center island at the stations will have guests choose in which direction of the train they will like to go. The trains will be going in opposite directions from each other. This will contrast from the Steam Trains and Peoplemover only going in one direction.

One station stop will be in Paradise Pier over where "Corn Dog Castle" is now. This area will also be a transportation hub where ground vehicles may turn around back to Walt Disney Plaza as another transportation option from the park entrance like Disneyland's gasoline vehicles. The path winds out of DCA between Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disney Way. Then it will replace the Monorail pathway through the hotel. There will NOT be a station stop in the Hotel because guests already have their own private entrance to the park.

The second stop will be over "Soarin's Over California" in a wooden structure above that attraction's exit ramp, replacing the rocket engine mister, and preparing for Condor Flats' transformation to a new Grizzly Recreation theme.

The third stop will be over "Monsters, Inc.: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue". It will occupy the very unused extended queue for that attraction. The path will wind around between The Hollywood Backlot Stage/ Disney Animation Buildings and Hyperion Theater and over that street. The overhead track will hug the HBS and DA side leaving Hyperion alone as well as for the future remodel of that buliding towards Tower of Terror.

The maintenance facility for the Electric Railway will be in the newly enclosed Hyperion Theater lobby/ waiting area. The cars may also use the backstage area on the east side for further maintenance.

The overhead path will continue above Tower of Terror's Fastpass Distribution and squeeze between Tower of Terror and Flik's Fun Fair. Future plans have rumors that the backstage gates between the Fun Fair and Tower will be opened up to allow easier park access.

The track will wind around hugging Flik's Fun Fair until it makes a final stop before Bountiful Valley Farmers Market and over that deserted red barn stage where "The Ugly Bug Ball" used to play. This is the fourth and final stop.

Mega Whip

http://www.gordonrides.com/products.html

This company features a Mega Whip ride concept. It's a next generation of the classic "Whip" flat ride. It's very likely going into Disney's California Adventure's Carsland for Tow Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. A concept such as this has been hinted in concept art, Blue Sky Cellar's video loop of John Lasseter in a parking lot, and YouTube videos of "The Whip".

"The Whip":


Los Angeles Times article: http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/best-of-2007-disneys-1149/

Villains Dark Ride

PROJECT NAME: Disney Villains Spook House; Villains' Hideout; Villains' Lair; House of Villainy
RIDE TYPE: Next generation Wild Mouse roller coaster.
LOCATION: Mulholland Madness at Disney's California Adventure.
INSPIRATION: Unbuilt "Bald Mountain" concept, "Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster", "Dante's Inferno" and "The Dark Knight" Six Flags coaster.

NEED: A new overlay theme to the current Wild Mouse roller coaster offering at DCA. The proposed "Goofy Sky School" is only a temporary overlay to begin with. This will also cover attraction to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel guest balcony into Paradise Pier. A rumor proposal has Disney Villains themed on CA Screamin'. I do not agree with what I have read and seen.
GOAL: Offer guests a more unique coaster offering at the same time paying tribute to classic haunted house dark rides of the boardwalk.
OBJECTIVE: 1) Unique dark ride experience inspired by animated Disney Villains.
2) Short thrills and chills of visual and physical attributes.
3) Detailed homage to seaside haunted house amusement dark rides with the Disney twist.

This indoor MACK-style wild mouse coaster will have dark ride portions, sudden stops, sharp turns, and backward motion. Inspired by the Spook House darkrides of the amusement park pier rides...

Here's "Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster":


Here's "Dante's Inferno":

Imagine this entrance with Chernabog billowing down smoke at guests:

Here's the current "Mulholland Madness":


Six Flags' The Dark Knight Coaster:

(Looked like the flaux fire effect was behind the windows instead a facade building. Kind of a next step forward to Pirates of the Caribbean's billowing fire effect)

Faux Fire:
(Also seen in USH's Revenge of the Mummy)


Second Video of The Dark Knight Coaster:


[I need to organize and flesh out the second portion of this. It was from a previous post I made.]

There was a never built concept called "Bald Mountain" which was to have Disney Villains chasing riders. The story could be riders stumble into a Disney Villains headquarters and must get out before they are discovered (hence dark ride portion). Riders enter a vertical lift thinking they are near freedom. But at the top of the lift you confront the villains who push you backwards. Then they spin you around trying to confuse you. Riders go through a maze (zig zag portion) and confront a main Disney villain at each corner and must make a sharp turn to avoid them. Riders set off a booby trap that sends them into more chaos (coaster hills, etc) and experiencing close encounters. Finally you find an exit and try to get out before the villains find you... .

The facade would look like a rundown Victorian pier structure version compared to the nice, clean themeing that will be represent on Toy Story Midway Mania & The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Adventure. May also have bits of rockwork & briar patch parts. I was thinking the vehicles could be themed to look like The Horn King from "The Black Cauldron". He's a Disney Villain but probably not well-known enough to be featured in the attraction. This would be a nice subtle nod to a great looking villain.

Individual villain show elements in the maze/zig-zag portion (not in any special order but effects may interchange so a different character is present & makes the ride more repeatable)

1) Capt. Hook/Ratcliffe shooting a cannon at you (smoke ring effect)
2) Hades/Frollo setting the walls ablaze (flaux fire effect)
3) Cruella/Medusa about to smash her car into you (blinding headlights & sound effects)
4) Kaa/Jafar transforms to a snake & in the dark he spits water venom at riders
5) Enter Maleificent dragon's mouth into green smoke & glowing yellow eyes
6) Orge and other minions shoot airblast arrows and spears
6.5) OR Big Bad Wolf blows air at you and/or from behind you (blasts of air)
7) Chernabog is at the end of the maze to send riders into a whirlwind of evil spirits (coaster section in darkness with spirits projected moving around)
8) Perhaps Ursula has tentacles descending upon you (although she would also be represented in TLM ride...
9) Maybe Queen of Hearts hurtles a ball at riders/Headless Horseman hurtles pumpkin.

Maybe instead of a vertical lift in a creeky cage, Maleificent finds you and sends you up in her yellow/green flame like in the movie when see transforms into a dragon.

OH, one of the best parts is we can have an excuse for a Disney Villains store!! So long Sunglass Shack!!

Some more villain appearances:

1) Magic Mirror could be your host. Kind of like how he was the narrator in the Fantasyland Snow White show. He'll mostly pop in the beginning and end of the ride. Hopefully similarities to Universal Studios Hollywood's Shrek 4D will not be compared.

2) A room could be themed to rocks... and either Shere Khan or Scar pops up from the end of the room to pounce on you. They interchange to make this room different.

3) Witched Witch/Old Hag can pop-up however like in Snow White's Scary Adventure... I mean come one, she's scary looking and still freaks me out in that Fantasyland ride!!

4) Another interchangable room switches between Gaston and Clayton holding a hunting gun.

5) Ride exit into Villains store.

6) A snack shop nearby themed to Gaston's Tavern or Yzma's Fruity Potions.

7) I would prefer to not use a vertical lift because it doesn't seem to give off a "scary" tone. Other than the thrill of going vertical. A standard lift can give off a tense feeling as seen in Splash Mountain.

Europa Park's Matterhorn Blitz: