Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

What’s next for EuroDisney SCA? A final financial fix or an abrupt bankruptcy?

Guest columnist Andrea Monti is back, continuing his look at what’s going on with EuroDisney. With less than four weeks ’til the waivers that DLRP’s lenders just gave this troubled resort expire, will Disneyland Paris’ beleaguered management team be able to pull another financial rabbit out of their hat? Or is this resort slipping irretrievably into the red?

Published

20 years ago

May 3, 2004

Andrea Monti

This is NOT going to be pretty, folks

I mean, heads will roll. Egos will be crushed. Tens of millions of francs will be thrown at this problem. And — undoubtedly — someone’s interests will be lost. Most likely DLRP’s small-time investors, the ones that have the most to lose in this situation. And let’s not even talk about what may happen to the resort’s hourly cast members. Who will mostly likely bear the brunt of whatever cutbacks come their way.

But make no mistake, people. EuroDisney SCA (the company that actually runs the Disneyland Paris resort) is in BIG trouble right now. It’s on the verge of one of those “now or never” situations. Meaning that — if EuroDisney SCA doesn’t get its financial house sorted out soon — this resort really could close.

I know, I know. There are those of you who will undoubtedly think that I am just doing a “Chicken Little” impression. Who will say that I am just one big coming attraction for Disney Feature Animation’s Summer 2005 release by walking around and saying that “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” I mean, EuroDisney SCA has obviously faced serious financial problems in the past and still managed to survive. So it just stands to reason that the Disneyland Paris Resort will be able to weather this crisis as well. And that Disney’s two Parisian theme parks will remain open and continue to entertain visitors for years yet to come.

Well, don’t be so sure, folks. You see, the situation that EuroDisney SCA is facing right now is very different from the ones that this corporation has faced in the past. Which is perhaps why Andre La Croix, EuroDisney SCA’s CEO, has tried to put the Disneyland Paris resort’s financial problems right out in the front window. So that none of the parties involved can possibly ignore the dreadful situation that the company finds itself in right now.

That (to outside observers, anyway) would seem to be the tactic that La Croix has in mind. By making sure that the media is made all too aware of EuroDisney SCA’s pressing financial problems, Andre is hoping that all of DLPR’s bankers, the Walt Disney Company (which still holds 39% of EuroDisney SCA) as well as Saudi Prince Al Waleed (who reportedly has a 17% stake in the resort) will finally be forced to deal with this situation, find a final solution … or risk bankruptcy!

“So what are the possible bail-out scenarios?” you ask. Well — with $2.5 billion in debt, a loss of $110 million during the first quarter of this year as well as a severe liquidity problem — when the waivers granted by the resort’s lenders expire on May 31st, EuroDisney SCA may have no choice but to shut its two theme parks down, close all six of its on-site hotels and send everybody home.

Which — given that the Disneyland Paris Resort theme parks are experiencing a 6% increase in attendance levels this year, (Due to strong sales of the resort’s park hopper tickets, which allow DLRP guests to move freely from one theme park to the other) and that visitor spending remains on good levels — has got to be kind of maddening for the resort’s current management team. Given that the theme parks’ performance is improving just as EuroDisney SCA has begun to circle the drain.

Okay. I know. The above paragraph lays things out in rather simplistic terms. And this is obviously not a very simple situation. But — if one were to just take a cold-blooded look at the numbers — anybody with a minimum of business sense can see a scenario unfolding where the smartest thing to do might be to allow EuroDisney SCA just to crash and burn. And then — like a phoenix — a new management company could then rise up out of the ashes and effectively pick up the pieces. Take over the day-to-day running to DLRP’s theme parks, its shopping village, the hotels as well as the resort’s extremely lucrative Val d’Europe complex.

For most of the parties involved here, this would be the ideal solution: Giving the Disneyland Paris resort a brand new start. Wipe the slate clean by removing the resort’s enormous debt load. Which would then allow the theme parks to start making money almost from Day 1. Not to mention creating a more simple and friendly management structure for the resort than EuroDisney SCA has right now.

What? You haven’t heard about EuroDisney SCA’s almost Byzantine financial and management structure? Sometime try to get ahold of one of the corporation’s annual reports (or — better yet — download the pdf version from the eurodisney.com website). Then take a look at that diagram which shows the incredibly intricate financial and management structure that Gary Wilson (who was CFO — Chief Financial Officer — of the Walt Disney company — when the deal to build and fund EuroDisney was originally put together) set up. Wilson deliberately structured this deal so that — even though the Mouse had a minority stake in this European project — it still had a major say in how things were run at the resort. (I swear — if you stare long enough at this financial diagram — eventually you’ll find Waldo. Anyway …)

And let’s not forget about all those royalty payments that EuroDisney SCA was supposed to be sending back to its mother company for licensing fees. Not to mention the enormous amounts that the Imagineers charged EuroDisney SCA during the project’s pre-opening design and construction phase.

Now Wilson conceived EuroDisney’s finacial plan in a way that was quite common for American corporations in the mid and late 80’s. Which might have proved to be very lucrative for the Walt Disney Company and the project’s investors if the world hadn’t suddenly been plunged into that enormous recession in the early 1990s. Which resulted in DLRP guests not following the spending patterns that Disney had initially hoped for (which was to have visitors come spend several days at EuroDisney and stay in one of the resort’s six hotels), but — rather — to have people take the train out to EuroDisneyland in the morning, tour the park, then head back to their lower-priced hotel room in Paris that night.

Given that most JHM readers are no doubt aware of how rough the EuroDisney resort had it during the project’s first year of operation, I won’t rehash that story here … Other than to say that once the “French regime” (I.E. Philippe Bourguignon, the second president of the company as well as his successor, Gilles Pellisson) took over the day-to-day running of the resort, the theme park seemed to stabilize and slowly come out of its death spiral.

The only problem was … These fixes that were put into place (EX: delaying royalty payments) were just temporary. And that — due to the resort’s crushing debt load — EuroDisney SCA was never really able to turn a profit. Just keep DLRP’s losses to the minimum.

Of course, hopes were high that — once the Walt Disney Studios (the movie-themed theme park that was originally supposed to have opened right next door to Disneyland Paris in the mid-1990s, but kept getting pushed back and scaled down to make the project more affordable) was open — that the resort’s awful financial situation would finally turn around.

But — instead of finally creating a reason for DLRP visitors to stay overnight in one of the resort’s six hotels — what the Walt Disney Studios did (And let’s be honest here, folks. This small movie-themed theme park is arguably is the least attractive as well as the worst received park in Disney history. And — yes — I’m taking DCA into consideration when I make that statement) was cannibalize attendance from the Disneyland Paris park next door.

Don’t believe me? Then let’s look at the combined attendance for both of these theme parks for 2003, which was 12.5 million guests. Which seems sort of snazzy, until you realize that the Disneyland Paris resort had 12.7 million visitors back in 2001. And that was back when DLRP only had one theme park!

So — as you can see — the situation that La Croix and Co. are now facing is an extremely complicated one. One where it would seem that there are no simple solutions. So — taking all that into consideration — can you now understand why the idea of just wiping the slate clean (I.E. having EuroDisney SCA admit defeat and declare bankruptcy) has such strong appeal?

So what’s stopping EuroDisney SCA from putting a reorganization plan like this into play? Obviously the fact that most of the company’s investors would — under a plan like this — lose most, if not all, of their investment. Not to mention all of the negative publicity that the Disneyland Paris resort would receive as a result of even attempting a maneuver like this … Well, that’s got to be giving Andre some pause. Making him think twice before hitting that “reset” button.

Of course, there’s the remote possibility that Michael Eisner that — rather than having the Walt Disney Company associated with what could be a record-breaking bankruptcy — might finally open the Mouse’s purse strings and pour the hundreds of millions of francs necessary into a revival project for this resort. Of course, given that Roy Disney and Stanley Gold are still out there circling, determined to make the most of Michael’s every mis-step … It’s not too hard to believe that the “Save Disney” people would try to spin any DLRP rescue efforts as throwing good money after bad.

And let’s not forget about EuroDisney SCA’s bankers. Who really find themselves torn in this situation. Because (obviously) of the huge debt that they’re owed (money that few of these financial institutions now believe that they ever have a hope of recovering) as well as all the money that Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios still generate every day.

And then you have the two wild cards in the bunch. The two gentlemen who — to date — have had the least to say publicly but privately must be forming their own resort rescue plans: Jay Rasulo — EuroDisney SCA’s former head honcho, now president of the entire Disney theme park empire — and Andre La Croix — the new president of EuroDisney SCA, a guy who’s got a real gift when it comes to marketing DLRP as well as reaching out to the media. Obviously these two guys have a real interest in pulling this troubled resort back from the brink.

Of course, following in the great Disney tradition, maybe someday soon Disneyland Paris’ prince will come. Prince Al Waleed, to be exact. Perhaps Rasulo and La Croix can persuade the Saudi billionaire to make yet another investment in DLRP. This time around, though, Jay and Andre may find that Al may not be such an easy sell. Given that the Prince has been quoted in the press as saying that “… this time, we need to fix this problem once and for all.”

Okay. I know. This is already a very convoluted story. (And I haven’t even mentioned all of the rumours that have been flying around about what French President Jacque Chirac might be willing to do for his good, close, personal friend, Michael Eisner.)

But this is — you have to admit — a distinctly Disney story. I mean, think about it, folks. You’ve got a prince, a magic kingdom in serious peril, a situation that only a major miracle will be able to resolve. It’s going to be really interesting to see if EuroDisney SCA is actually able to pull off its very own happy ending.

In the meantime, I’ll be keeping a close eye on this whole situation for JimHillMedia.com as this story continues to develop.

That’s it for now, folks. TTFN!

History

The Evolution and History of Mickey’s ToonTown

Published

6 months ago

February 7, 2024

Jim Hill

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, holds a special place in the hearts of Disney fans worldwide, I mean heck, it’s where the magic began after all. Over the years it’s become a place that people visit in search of memorable experiences. One fan favorite area of the park is Mickey’s Toontown, a unique land that lets guests step right into the colorful, “Toony” world of Disney animation. With the recent reimagining of the land and the introduction of Micky and Minnies Runaway Railway, have you ever wondered how this land came to be?

There is a fascinating backstory of how Mickey’s Toontown came into existence. It’s a tale of strategic vision, the influence of Disney executives, and a commitment to meeting the needs of Disney’s valued guests.

The Beginning: Mickey’s Birthdayland

The story of Mickey’s Toontown starts with Mickey’s Birthdayland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Opened in 1988 to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday, this temporary attraction was met with such overwhelming popularity that it inspired Disney executives to think bigger. The idea was to create a permanent, immersive land where guests could step into the animated world of Mickey Mouse and his friends.

In the early ’90s, Disneyland was in need of a refresh. Michael Eisner, the visionary leader of The Walt Disney Company at the time, had an audacious idea: create a brand-new land in Disneyland that would celebrate Disney characters in a whole new way. This was the birth of Mickey’s Toontown.

Initially, Disney’s creative minds toyed with various concepts, including the idea of crafting a 100-Acre Woods or a land inspired by the Muppets. However, the turning point came when they considered the success of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” This film’s popularity and the desire to capitalize on contemporary trends set the stage for Toontown’s creation.

From Concept to Reality: The Birth of Toontown

In 1993, Mickey’s Toontown opened its gates at Disneyland, marking the first time in Disney Park history where guests could experience a fully realized, three-dimensional world of animation. This new land was not just a collection of attractions but a living, breathing community where Disney characters “lived,” worked, and played.

Building Challenges: Innovative Solutions

The design of Mickey’s Toontown broke new ground in theme park aesthetics. Imagineers were tasked with bringing the two-dimensional world of cartoons into a three-dimensional space. This led to the creation of over 2000 custom-built props and structures that embodied the ‘squash and stretch’ principle of animation, giving Toontown its distinctiveness.

And then there was also the challenge of hiding the Team Disney Anaheim building, which bore a striking resemblance to a giant hotdog. The Imagineers had to think creatively, using balloon tests and imaginative landscaping to seamlessly integrate Toontown into the larger park.

Key Attractions: Bringing Animation to Life

Mickey’s Toontown featured several groundbreaking attractions. “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin,” inspired by the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” became a staple of Toontown, offering an innovative ride experience. Gadget’s Go-Coaster, though initially conceived as a Rescue Rangers-themed ride, became a hit with younger visitors, proving that innovative design could create memorable experiences for all ages.

Another crown jewel of Toontown is Mickey’s House, a walkthrough attraction that allowed guests to explore the home of Mickey Mouse himself. This attraction was more than just a house; it was a carefully crafted piece of Disney lore. The house was designed in the American Craftsman style, reflecting the era when Mickey would have theoretically purchased his first home in Hollywood. The attention to detail was meticulous, with over 2000 hand-crafted, custom-built props, ensuring that every corner of the house was brimming with character and charm. Interestingly, the design of Mickey’s House was inspired by a real home in Wichita Falls, making it a unique blend of real-world inspiration and Disney magic.

Mickey’s House also showcased Disney’s commitment to creating interactive and engaging experiences. Guests could make themselves at home, sitting in Mickey’s chair, listening to the radio, and exploring the many mementos and references to Mickey’s animated adventures throughout the years. This approach to attraction design – where storytelling and interactivity merged seamlessly – was a defining characteristic of ToonTown’s success.

Executive Decisions: Shaping ToonTown’s Unique Attractions

The development of Mickey’s Toontown wasn’t just about creative imagination; it was significantly influenced by strategic decisions from Disney executives. One notable input came from Jeffrey Katzenberg, who suggested incorporating a Rescue Rangers-themed ride. This idea was a reflection of the broader Disney strategy to integrate popular contemporary characters and themes into the park, ensuring that the attractions remained relevant and engaging for visitors.

In addition to Katzenberg’s influence, Frank Wells, the then-President of The Walt Disney Company, played a key role in the strategic launch of Toontown’s attractions. His decision to delay the opening of “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” until a year after Toontown’s debut was a calculated move. It was designed to maintain public interest in the park by offering new experiences over time, thereby giving guests more reasons to return to Disneyland.

These executive decisions highlight the careful planning and foresight that went into making Toontown a dynamic and continuously appealing part of Disneyland. By integrating current trends and strategically planning the rollout of attractions, Disney executives ensured that Toontown would not only capture the hearts of visitors upon its opening but would continue to draw them back for new experiences in the years to follow.

Global Influence: Toontown’s Worldwide Appeal

The concept of Mickey’s Toontown resonated so strongly that it was replicated at Tokyo Disneyland and influenced elements in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Each park’s version of Toontown maintained the core essence of the original while adapting to its cultural and logistical environment.

Evolution and Reimagining: Toontown Today

As we approach the present day, Mickey’s Toontown has recently undergone a significant reimagining to welcome “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” in 2023. This refurbishment aimed to enhance the land’s interactivity and appeal to a new generation of Disney fans, all while retaining the charm that has made ToonTown a beloved destination for nearly three decades.

Dive Deeper into ToonTown’s Story

Want to know more about Mickey’s Toontown and hear some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, then check out the latest episode of Disney Unpacked on Patreon @JimHillMedia. In this episode, the main Imagineer who worked on the Toontown project shares lots of interesting stories and details that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s full of great information and fun facts, so be sure to give it a listen!

History

Unpacking the History of the Pixar Place Hotel

Published

6 months ago

January 30, 2024

Jim Hill

Pixar Place Hotel, the newly unveiled 15-story tower at the Disneyland Resort, has been making waves in the Disney community. With its unique Pixar-themed design, it promises to be a favorite among visitors.

However, before we delve into this exciting addition to the Disneyland Resort, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of this remarkable hotel.

The Emergence of the Disneyland Hotel

To truly appreciate the story of the Pixar Place Hotel, we must turn back the clock to the early days of Disneyland. While Walt Disney had the visionary ideas and funding to create the iconic theme park, he faced a challenge when it came to providing accommodations for the park’s visitors. This is where his friend Jack Wrather enters the picture.

Jack Wrather, a fellow pioneer in the television industry, stepped in to assist Walt Disney in realizing his dream. Thanks to the success of the “Lassie” TV show produced by Wrather’s company, he had the financial means to build a hotel right across from Disneyland.

The result was the Disneyland Hotel, which opened its doors in October 1955. Interestingly, the early incarnation of this hotel had more of a motel feel than a hotel, with two-story buildings reminiscent of the roadside motels popular during the 1950s. The initial Disneyland Hotel consisted of modest structures that catered to visitors looking for affordable lodging close to the park. While the rooms were basic, it marked the beginning of something extraordinary.

The Evolution: From Emerald of Anaheim to Paradise Pier

As Disneyland’s popularity continued to soar, so did the demand for expansion and improved accommodations. In 1962, the addition of an 11-story tower transformed the Disneyland Hotel, marking a significant transition from a motel to a full-fledged hotel.

The addition of the 11-story tower elevated the Disneyland Hotel into a more prominent presence on the Anaheim skyline. At the time, it was the tallest structure in all of Orange County. The hotel’s prime location across from Disneyland made it an ideal choice for visitors. With the introduction of the monorail linking the park and the hotel, accessibility became even more convenient. Unique features like the Japanese-themed reflecting pools added to the hotel’s charm, reflecting a cultural influence that extended beyond Disney’s borders.

Japanese Tourism and Its Impact

During the 1960s and 1970s, Disneyland was attracting visitors from all corners of the world, including Japan. A significant number of Japanese tourists flocked to Anaheim to experience Walt Disney’s creation. To cater to this growing market, it wasn’t just the Disneyland Hotel that aimed to capture the attention of Japanese tourists. The Japanese Village in Buena Park, inspired by a similar attraction in Nara, Japan, was another significant spot.

These attractions sought to provide a taste of Japanese culture and hospitality, showcasing elements like tea ceremonies and beautiful ponds with rare carp and black swans. However, the Japanese Village closed its doors in 1975, likely due to the highly competitive nature of the Southern California tourist market.

The Emergence of the Emerald of Anaheim

With the surge in Japanese tourism, an opportunity arose—the construction of the Emerald of Anaheim, later known as the Disneyland Pacific Hotel. In May 1984, this 15-story hotel opened its doors.

What made the Emerald unique was its ownership. It was built not by The Walt Disney Company or the Oriental Land Company (which operated Tokyo Disneyland) but by the Tokyu Group. This group of Japanese businessmen already had a pair of hotels in Hawaii and saw potential in Anaheim’s proximity to Disneyland. Thus, they decided to embark on this new venture, specifically designed to cater to Japanese tourists looking to experience Southern California.

Financial Challenges and a Changing Landscape

The late 1980s brought about two significant financial crises in Japan—the crash of the NIKKEI stock market and the collapse of the Japanese real estate market. These crises had far-reaching effects, causing Japanese tourists to postpone or cancel their trips to the United States. As a result, reservations at the Emerald of Anaheim dwindled.

To adapt to these challenging times, the Tokyu Group merged the Emerald brand with its Pacific hotel chain, attempting to weather the storm. However, the financial turmoil took its toll on the Emerald, and changes were imminent.

The Transition to the Disneyland Pacific Hotel

In 1995, The Walt Disney Company took a significant step by purchasing the hotel formerly known as the Emerald of Anaheim for $35 million. This acquisition marked a change in the hotel’s fortunes. With Disney now in control, the hotel underwent a name change, becoming the Disneyland Pacific Hotel.

Transformation to Paradise Pier

The next phase of transformation occurred when Disney decided to rebrand the hotel as Paradise Pier Hotel. This decision aligned with Disney’s broader vision for the Disneyland Resort.

While the structural changes were limited, the hotel underwent a significant cosmetic makeover. Its exterior was painted to complement the color scheme of Paradise Pier, and wave-shaped crenellations adorned the rooftop, creating an illusion of seaside charm. This transformation was Disney’s attempt to seamlessly integrate the hotel into the Paradise Pier theme of Disney’s California Adventure Park.

Looking Beyond Paradise Pier: The Shift to Pixar Place

In 2018, Disneyland Resort rebranded Paradise Pier as Pixar Pier, a thematic area dedicated to celebrating the beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios. As a part of this transition, it became evident that the hotel formally known as the Disneyland Pacific Hotel could no longer maintain its Paradise Pier theme.

With Pixar Pier in full swing and two successful Pixar-themed hotels (Toy Story Hotels in Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland), Disney decided to embark on a new venture—a hotel that would celebrate the vast world of Pixar. The result is Pixar Place Hotel, a 15-story tower that embraces the characters and stories from multiple Pixar movies and shorts. This fully Pixar-themed hotel is a first of its kind in the United States.

The Future of Pixar Place and Disneyland Resort

As we look ahead to the future, the Disneyland Resort continues to evolve. The recent news of a proposed $1.9 billion expansion as part of the Disneyland Forward project indicates that the area surrounding Pixar Place is expected to see further changes. Disneyland’s rich history and innovative spirit continue to shape its destiny.

In conclusion, the history of the Pixar Place Hotel is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of Disneyland Resort. From its humble beginnings as the Disneyland Hotel to its transformation into the fully Pixar-themed Pixar Place Hotel, this establishment has undergone several iterations. As Disneyland Resort continues to grow and adapt, we can only imagine what exciting developments lie ahead for this iconic destination.

If you want to hear more stories about the History of the Pixar Place hotel, check our special edition of Disney Unpacked over on YouTube.

Stay tuned for more updates and developments as we continue to explore the fascinating world of Disney, one story at a time.

History

From Birthday Wishes to Toontown Dreams: How Toontown Came to Be

Published

6 months ago

January 14, 2024

Jim Hill

In the latest release of Episode 4 of Disney Unpacked, Len and I return, joined as always by Disney Imagineering legend, Jim Shull. This two-part episode covers all things Mickey’s Birthday Land and how it ultimately led to the inspiration behind Disneyland’s fan-favorite land, “Toontown”. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. It all starts in the early days at Disneyland.

Early Challenges in Meeting Mickey

Picture this: it’s the late 1970s and early 1980s, and you’re at Disneyland. You want to meet the one and only Mickey Mouse, but there’s no clear way to make it happen. You rely on Character Guides, those daily printed sheets that point you in Mickey’s general direction. But let’s be honest, it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Sometimes, you got lucky; other times, not so much.

Mickey’s Birthdayland: A Birthday Wish that Came True

Fast forward to the late 1980s. Disney World faced a big challenge. The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park was under construction, with the company’s marketing machine in full swing, hyping up the opening of Walt Disney World’s third theme park, MGM Studios, in the Spring of 1989. This extensive marketing meant that many people were opting to postpone their family’s next trip to Walt Disney World until the following year. Walt Disney World needed something compelling to motivate guests to visit Florida in 1988, the year before Disney MGM Studios opened.

Enter stage left, Mickey’s Birthdayland. For the first time ever, an entire land was dedicated to a single character – and not just any character, but the mouse who started it all. Meeting Mickey was no longer a game of chance; it was practically guaranteed.

The Birth of Birthdayland: Creative Brilliance Meets Practicality

In this episode, we dissect the birth of Mickey’s Birthdayland, an initiative that went beyond celebrating a birthday. It was a calculated move, driven by guest feedback and a need to address issues dating back to 1971. Imagineers faced the monumental task of designing an experience that honored Mickey while efficiently managing the crowds. This required the perfect blend of creative flair and logistical prowess – a hallmark of Disney’s approach to theme park design.

Evolution: From Birthdayland to Toontown

The success of Mickey’s Birthdayland was a real game-changer, setting the stage for the birth of Toontown – an entire land that elevated character-centric areas to monumental new heights. Toontown wasn’t merely a spot to meet characters; it was an immersive experience that brought Disney animation to life. In the episode, we explore its innovative designs, playful architecture, and how every nook and cranny tells a story.

Impact on Disney Parks and Guests

Mickey’s Birthdayland and Toontown didn’t just reshape the physical landscape of Disney parks; they transformed the very essence of the guest experience. These lands introduced groundbreaking ways for visitors to connect with their beloved characters, making their Disney vacations even more unforgettable.

Beyond Attractions: A Cultural Influence

But the influence of these lands goes beyond mere attractions. Our episode delves into how Mickey’s Birthdayland and Toontown left an indelible mark on Disney’s culture, reflecting the company’s relentless dedication to innovation and guest satisfaction. It’s a journey into how a single idea can grow into a cherished cornerstone of the Disney Park experience.

Interested in learning about Jim Shull’s original idea for a Winnie the Pooh ride? Here’s concept art of the attraction proposed for the original Toontown in Disneyland. More on [Disney Unpacked].

Unwrapping the Full Story of Mickey’s Birthdayland

Our two-part episode of Disney Unpacked is available for your viewing pleasure on our Patreon page. And for those seeking a quicker Disney fix, we’ve got a condensed version waiting for you on our YouTube channel. Thank you for being a part of our Disney Unpacked community. Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue to “Unpack” the fascinating world of Disney, one story at a time.