First up, Ravi T. writes in to ask about Sunset Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios. To be specific, something that he noticed was embedded in the asphalt on Sunset.
Jim —
Last week, my family and I were down at Walt Disney World. And while we were walking through MGM to get to the Tower of Terror, I noticed what appeared to be old trolley tracks sticking up through the asphalt on Sunset Boulevard.
Now I have been going to MGM ever since this theme park first opened in 1989. But in all that time (Other than seeing that one souvenir cart that’s deliberately modeled after Los Angeles’ infamous Red Cars), I don’t ever recall seeing an actual trolley running on Sunset or Hollywood Boulevard.
So is this embedded piece of trolley track just a bit of theming that the Imagineers stuck into the ground over on Sunset to give the area a sense of authenticity? Or is this piece of track actually a leftover from some attraction that was originally supposed to be built along Sunset that never made it off the drawing board?
Dear Ravi T.
Actually, the answer to both of your questions is … Yes. Yes, that section of trolley track that you see poking up through the asphalt along Sunset Boulevard is supposed to be part of the theming for this section of the studio theme park. The Imagineers had hoped that — by allowing guests to get a glimpse of that small section of track sticking up through the asphalt — they’d then be able to give these WDW visitors a better sense of the time period in Tinsel Town history that they were now experiencing.
I mean, when you see something like that, you know that you’re not back in Hollywood of the early 1920s. After all, that was a time when cars will still something of a luxury. Which meant that people actually needed a working trolley line in order to get back & forth to work.
No, when you see that partially paved-over section of trolley track (Along with those few spots along Sunset where bricks & cobblestones poke through the tar too), you know that you’re in Hollywood on the mid-to-late 1940s. Those years just after World War II, to be precise. A time when paving over all of the city’s brick & cobblestone streets with asphalt actually made some sense. Given that this practice then made all of these old inner-city roads seem that much smoother to people who were traveling in their own cars.
So, yes, Ravi. That piece of trolley track that you saw sticking up through the asphalt along Sunset Boulevard was actually a piece of that theme park’s theming. But — at the same time — it is also supposed to be a nod to the Sunset Boulevard that Disney-MGM almost got. Which was to have been a much grander, much more elaborate version of that historic Hollywood street.
Don’t believe me? Then okay. Take a look at the rough drawing below. Which I believe was done in the Summer of 1989. Right after MGM first opened to the public and was immediately overwhelmed by crowds. Which is what prompted Michael Eisner to turn to the Imagineers and say: “We need to double the size of this theme park as soon as possible. You guys got any ideas for new rides, show & attractions?”
Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC
Indeed the Imagineers did. And — as you look over this somewhat crude drawing — you’ll see that a number of their ideas did in fact make it off the drawing board and were eventually built as part of the studio theme park’s expansion. Among the easier MGM additions to spot are the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the “Theater of the Stars” (Where “Beauty & the Beast — Live on Stage” is still presented daily) plus that gift shop that’s modeled after the Carthay Circle Theater (You know? The Hollywood movie palace where “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” had its world premiere back in December of 1937?)
But then — if you look closer at this drawing — you’ll notice that there are some things that didn’t actually make it off the drawing board. Like — for example — an MGM version on that beloved Hollywood hotdog stand, the Tail O’ the Pup.
Or — better yet — take a look at that spot along Sunset Boulevard where the Sunset Market Ranch was eventually built. Do you notice the orange grove? Or — better yet — the date shack (Though — truth be told — the Imagineers would eventually get around to resurrecting this particular concept for a quick service food location. Have you ever bought yourself a beverage at DCA’s “San Andreas Shakes?” Well, now you know what the MGM version of this not-so-elegant eatery was supposed to look like.)
But you know the part of this drawing that really breaks my heart. Take a look to the left of that orange grove. What do you see? The Red Car terminal from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Which was supposed to have featured a faithful recreation of the Terminal Bar (You know? Where Eddie Valiant’s girl-friend, Dolores, worked?).
And right next door to the Red Car terminal, there was supposed to be a recreation of Maroon Studios. Where Disney-MGM visitors were supposed to be able to serve as stand-ins for Baby Herman on the “Runaway Baby Buggy Ride.”
And right next door to that would have been … Ah, it’s too depressing to go on. Let’s just say that — when some of us see those trolley tracks sticking up through the asphalt — we still feel a twinge of sadness for the Sunset Boulevard that we almost got.
And speaking of things that we almost got, GG writes in with some comments about Disney’s Animal Kingdom‘s “Expedition Everest.” In particular, GG doesn’t seem all that impressed with the size of this new thrill ride’s central character. Which is why she writes:
Why is everyone making such a big deal about the Yeti in “Expedition Everest”? To read some of the notes on the Disney discussion boards around the Web, you’d think that this thing was big as a house and was supposed to move as fast as a jet.
What I saw on “Expedition Everest” last week really wasn’t worth the hype. That AA figure barely moved. And given how dark the cave was, I couldn’t see those huge teeth & sharp claws that people keep talking about.
Am I the only person who was disappointed with this new DAK attraction?
Dear GG —
To be honest, no. Over the past few months, a number of Disneyana fans have written to me with complaints about “Expedition Everest.” Some people have griped that — at just four minutes long — this new DAK thrill ride was far too short. While still other folks have complaining that the way Disney has been advertising “Expedition Everest” is somewhat mis-leading. That the TV commercials make “EE” look a lot like a roller coaster, when what this new DAK attraction actually is more like “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” As in: a runaway train ride.
But the way I see it … When you take into consideration what could have happened, how far track the “Expedition Everest” project really could have gone … You should thank your lucky stars that Animal Kingdom’s newest thrill ride turned out as well as it did.
Dont believe me? Then — the next time you’re at Walt Disney World — be sure and pick yourself a copy of this book ….
Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC
This “Premiere Souvenir” is worth picking up just for so you can read the excerpts from Joe Rohde’s journal. Which describes all the research that he did in order to get “Forbidden Mountain” ‘s details just right.
But — as an extra added bonus — this limited edition collectable book includes numerous sketches that the Imagineers did as they tried to get a handle on the Yeti. What color the creature’s fur should be. What shape his skull should be. More importantly, how big the Beast should be.
And — as you can see by the illustration below — at least for a while there, the guys at WDI were toying with building a pretty enormous Yeti …
Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC
… One that was obviously inspired by the enormous King Kong figure that Bob Gurr built for Universal Studios Hollywood back in the 1980s.
Copyright Universal Studios Hollywood
And then there was the version of the over-sized Yeti …
Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC
… that seemed to borrow an awful lot of ideas from the final earthquake-cave-in sequence on Disney’s “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” ride.
Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC
So when you take into consideration how poorly “Expedition Everest” could have turned out … Well, you should thank your lucky stars, GG, that DAK’s new thrill ride turned out as well as it did.
Speaking of things turning out well, I just can’t say enough nice things about this “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins.” It’s beautifully illustrated and a quick read. If I have to have one complaint about this book, it’s that Disney Editions went with far too small a print run.
To explain: Disney Editions has only printed 10,000 copies of “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins.” And when those books are sold out … That’s it, my friend. There won’t be a reprint.
And — to add to your difficulties — this limited edition collectable is only being sold at Walt Disney World. So if you’re a completist and really need a copy of “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins” for your Disneyana collection … You’d best get on a place and head down to WDW ASAP. For I hear that these things are flying off the shelf. And when they’re gone, they’re gone.
And speaking of things that are gone, in our final letter for this week, Paul A. writes in to ask an AWOL JHM columnist:
What happened to this week’s “Wednesdays with Wade” column? I have always enjoyed Wade’s writings and was really looking forward to reading this week’s story. But when I opened the site yesterday, all I found was your “Wouldn’t it be cool if … ” article and that Bonnie Arnold interview.
Can you please tell me what’s become of Wade? Is he on vacation? Have you shifted his column to another day?
I’m afraid I have some bad news, Paul A. Wade Sampson no longer writes for JHM.
I don’t want to get into the particulars here. Other than to say that there was a personality conflict. Which is why — last week — Mr. Sampson suddenly decided that it was time to move on.
The good news is … It appears that Wade has already found a new home on the Net. While I’m not yet at liberty to say which website it is that’s agreed to take Sampson on … What I can tell you is that I used to work with these guys. More importantly, if this deal actually goes through … Well, this new site should prove to be a great showcase for Wade Sampson & his stories.
Beyond that, I & the rest of the staff here at JHM wish to thank Wade for the nearly-three-years of hard work that he poured into this site. Here’s hoping that Sampson will be a whole lot happier once he sets up shop at this yet-to-be-named website.
And that — my friends — is it for this week. Here’s hoping that you have a great weekend and that we’ll see you all again bright & early come Monday morning.
Til then, you folks take care, okay?