First up, it’s a note from Noreen. Who wrote to me earlier this week to share what she thought was some great news:
Jim —
Did you see today’s article over at Screamscape.com? The one that says the Imagineers are supposedly thinking about dusting off the plans that Marc Davis drew up for Disney World’s ‘Western River Expedition’ ride and reinvent that attraction as a possible post-TOT addition to DCA. Isn’t that a really cool idea?
Dear Noreen —
It is — admittedly — a really cool idea. Unfortunately, it’s also an idea that only seems to exist on the Internet. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, Noreen … But every Imagineer that I spoke with this week about this Screamscape.com story immediately dismissed it. Brushing the whole thing off as wishful thinking on some Disney dweeb’s part.
Don’t believe me? Then — here — let me share an excerpt from an e-mail that I just received from Mortimer Mouse:
Yeah. I heard about that Screamscape story too. It’s making the rounds at work today. Everyone here just finds the story hilarious.
I mean, the very idea that Disney would actually tear down every ride, shop, show and attraction from “Golden Dreams” to “Burger Invasion” just to resurrect Marc Davis’ plans for ‘Western River” is laughable. Not to mention completely impractical.
The plan — as Screamscape lays it out — just makes no sense. I mean, why propose building something in that exact spot? The one part of DCA that cozys right up against the Grand California? Don’t the weenies who make up these stories realize that tourists pay top dollar for the rooms that face INTO the park? So that they can see Paradise Pier’s twinkling lights at night before they go to bed?
So now — in an effort to “improve” California Adventure — Disney’s now supposed to build an attraction that’s so large that it has to be housed inside of a five story tall show building. Which would then effectively block that spectacular view that people are paying big bucks so much to see
Never mind all of the back-of-the-house stuff that would also have to fit into that long, thin piece of property between the Grand California and Paradise Bay. Plus the fact that Disney would — in effect — be ripping four rides & shows out of a theme park that’s already woefully short on rides & shows in order to replace them with a single E Ticket. There’s nothing about this Screamscape story that makes any sense.
Particularly when you realize that DCA already has a huge piece of property that’s standing empty right now, just begging to be used as the site for a major new attraction for the park. Where am I talking about? That chunk of land right behind the Pacific Wharf food court area. You know, where they build that motocross arena for the XGames Xperience last year.
Yeah, Disney’s just going to ignorant that space and tear down “Golden Dreams,” “The Golden Zephyr,” “Jumping Jellyfish,” “Mulholland Madness” and the “S.S. Rustworthy” — plus all those shops & restaurants — to build “Western River.” Does that make any sense to you, Jim?
Whoever submitted this story to Screamscape really didn’t know what he was talking about. I mean, saying that Disney’s also toying with tearing down “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play it!,” “Superstar Limo” and “Hollywood & Dine” to put in a “Monsters, Inc.” coaster. Yeah, we are toying with putting in a “Monsters, Inc.” ride. But not in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area.
The site that we’ve tentatively selected for this “Monsters, Inc.” themed ride is — you guessed it — where the old XGames Xperience arena used to be. (That’s why Al Lutz made that “X Marks the Spot” joke last week in his MiceAge column. And — frankly — I’m amazed that more people didn’t pick up on Al’s rather obvious hint …)
But the people who make up these stories, they never go with the obvious, logical choices. They’ve always got the Imagineers flattening dozens of buildings in order to put in one mega-attraction Which just makes no economic sense.
I kind of feel sorry for the guys over at Screamscape, though. For falling for what’s obviously a bogus story. But — what the hey, Hill — you’ve fallen for a few bogus stories over the years too. So don’t get too smug.
If you want to share this e-mail with your readers, feel free. The sooner that we can pull the plug on this whole stupid “Western River” rumor, the better.
Okay, Mortimer. Consider this plug pulled. Though — to be honest — I’m kind of sad that this particular “Western River” rumor turned out to be false. Mind you, if the stories that I’ve been hearing coming out of Disneyland Paris for the past few years eventually turn out to be true, this saga could still have a happy ending …
But that’s a story for another time …
Next up, Richard H. has a question about some music that was reportedly written for “Tomorrowland 2055,” that late, lamented Disneyland redo:
Hello, Jim.
I have a question regarding Tomorrowland 2055 music but — before I get to that –I’d like to thank you for providing a dependable and
interesting voice in the ever growing section of the web devoted to Disney. A few of us who are absolutely nuts regarding Disney theme park music have been debating a question for the past year now and I thought you might be able to shine some light on the subject based on responses to questions I’ve seen in your ‘Why For?’ column.It is well known music was composed, arranged, and recorded for the Disneyland TL2055 project even though the attraction itself never quite made it off the drawing board. The tracks included in this score include many of the great, iconoclastic Epcot themes (‘Energy’, ‘Golden Dream’, ‘Listen to the Land’, ‘It’s Fun to be Free’, ‘One Little Spark’, ‘Universe of Energy’), some treasured Tomorrowland tunes (‘Monorail Song’, ‘Miracles from Molecules’, ‘Go Go Goodyear’, ‘Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow’), and other Disneyland and DisneyWorld songs all of which we can identify.
However, there were 4 tracks specifically authored for the project referred to as ‘TL2005 Fanfare’, ‘TL2005 Fanfare and Theme’, and ‘TL2005 Theme 1 and 2’ that we cannot track down. Some have speculated these were recorded at Fox Recording Studios in the early 1990s. But — other than that –I have no other information on these items. Should you find this request of interest, I’d be much obliged if you’d pass along our request to some of your colleagues who might be able to assist us in solving this musical mystery. Once again, thank you.
Best regards,
Richard
Richard —
What an interesting question. I too share your fascination with the musical tracks that were allegedly recorded for “Tomorrowland 2055.” Which — so the story goes — was supposed to played continuously in the room where all the TL2055 models & concept are were kept. With the hope that this futuristic mood music would then help convince Disney Company executive that this extensive & expensive Disneyland redo would be well worth its proposed $100 million-plus pricetag.
Okay, I know. That sounds kind of extravagant. But the idea was — once the execs said “Yes” and Tomorrowland 2055 actually got built — this same loop of professionally orchestrated & performed music could then be used inside the park. Only now to set the mood for the tourists who were exploring the full-sized TL2055, rather than inspire the executives who were looking down at the foamcore models.
Over the years, I’ve managed to hear some of the “Tomorrowland 2055” bathroom mix, Richard. (“Bathroom mix?!,” you query. To explain: Once Tomorrowland 2055 officially got canceled in the mid-1990s, the Imagineers who worked on the project mourned for a while. But then … Well, they wanted to make the best of a bad situation. Which is why — rather than just tuck that tape of TL2055 music in a drawer — they arranged to actually have that music played in the park. So that Disneyland visitors could at least have a little taste of what-might-have-been.
Unfortunately, the only place in the park that the Imagineers felt safe in doing something like this [a move that could potentially really tick off Disney Company executives] were the bathrooms in the exit area of Disneyland’s Space Mountain. Which was why this particular recording [which eventually became highly sought by Disney theme park audiophiles like Richard & myself] eventually became known as the “TL2055 Bathroom Mix.” Its other less-dignified name was the “Toilet Tape.” Anyway …)
Getting back to Richard’s questions … You know, while I have heard those wonderful redos of the signature tunes that used to be featured in Epcot’s Future World pavilions as well as those classic Tomorrowland anthems, I have yet to ever come across copies of the tracks you mentioned, Richard:
- ‘TL2005 Fanfare’
- ‘TL2005 Fanfare and Theme’
- “TL2005 Theme 1 and 2”
But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a JHM reader out there who hasn’t heard of these particular recordings. Who might then know what their production history was and — more importantly — might be able to tell us Disney audiophiles how we might be able to get our hands on these “TL2005” tracks.
So — if someone out there can help Richard & I with our quest — I’d really appreciate it. So — if you can shed some light on what the real deal is with these “Tomorrowland 2055” fanfare and theme recordings — please drop me a line here at JHM. And I — in turn — will pass along the appropriate info to Richard.
Speaking of info, David F. just wrote in — seeking some advance info on the tours that JHM will be offering next year during Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Dear Jim:
Was very excited to hear about all the plans for Disneyland’s ’05 Celebration (and per your article today, ok, thanks, Al…). I did some
checking around on the official Disney website as well as some unofficial Disney travel planning websites, and it looks like Disney is offering
packages at the Disneyland Resort which include the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps guided tour.My question is, will and how often do YOU plan to offer YOUR guided tours at Disneyland/DCA during the golden anniversary celebration? I think this would be a really good question to put up on Fri.’s Why For? column, for those of us out there who are already trying to set up next summer’s vacation plans (although if memory serves, you don’t tend to do your tours during the summer months, but anyway…). And if you’re not planning on doing any kind of tour, is jimhillmedia.com planning on doing anything in connection with the ’05 Celebration (à la Deb Wills’ MouseFest gatherings, which you’ve written about on your site)? I don’t know if you’ve even planned your calendar that far ahead yet, but just in case…
Thanks. A loyal MO reader…
(speaking of things MO, I would LOVE IT if you could come to Marceline’s ToonFest some day…I’ll even be your contact here in St. Louis.)David F.
Dear David —
To be honest, it’s a little early yet to be announcing JimHillMedia.com’s plans in regards to what sorts of special tours the site will be offering its readers during the Summer of 2005.
But — please note — that I only said that it was “a little early” to announce this sort of stuff. You see, JHM does actually have some plans already in the works. Some pretty ambitious plans at that.
Which is why this site just formed an alliance with Mouseketrips.com. Get used to seeing that name, folks. For Mouseketrips — over the next few weeks — is coming on board at JimHillMedia.com as our promotional partner. More importantly, as the site’s new official travel provider.
And — as part of Mouseketrips’ new JHM-related duties — this snazzy little travel site will be handling all of the travel arrangements for all of our upcoming tours. Which will (hopefully) include a New York City theater tour. Which take a select group of JHM readers into NYC to see all three Disney musicals — “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Aida” — before “Aida” officially ends its Broadway engagement on September 5th.
That sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Well, that’s just one of the tours that Scott Liljenquest (AKA the Big Cheese over at Mouseketrips.com) and I currently have in the works. And — as for 2005 — I promise you, David, we are actually looking into doing something sizable to help celebrate Disneyland’s 50th anniversary. And — as soon as we’re free to talk about it — we’ll be sure to post info about that here at the site.
But — for now — we’re going to continue to go with what we already know. Which is why I’m pleased to announce that — on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th — JimHillMedia.com will be hosting another round of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure tours. For further information on this next set of tours, just follow this link over to Mouseketrips. Where Scott will explain all of the particulars.
And that — my friends — brings another installment of “Why For?” to a close. Again, my apologies to all you “Western River” fans out there. But — despite what it says over at Screamscape — this Marc Davis masterwork is NOT raising from the grave yet again, just so DCA can have its own “Pirates” – like attraction.
But — that said — all is not lost for all you WRE enthusiasts. What is it that Rick said to Ilsa at the end of “Casablanca”? “We’ll always have Paris.”
When I’m free to talk about this, I will spill the beans. But — for now — have a great weekend, okay?