The second life of the Jungle Cruise Gorillas

A looong time ago - more precisely 31 years ago - guests who ride the Disneyland Jungle Cruise could watch two not-so-threatening but massive audio-animatronics gorillas standing and observing you, from the banks of the "rivers of Africa".



And then, one day, the gorillas disappeared, vanished! Though, that was not without any reason. For the Imagineers, back in 1977-78, it was time for a major refurbishment of the attraction and legendary imagineer Mark Davis worked on the upgrading of this Disneyland Jungle Cruise - that was after WDW had opened with their improved show. Part of Mark's new show for Disneyland included the Gorilla Camp with the tents, overturned jeep and the family of gorillas unpacking and turning the camp inside out. That's when these older previous tenant Gorillas vacated the Disneyland Jungle Cruise.

But as they say at WDI, "good ideas never die", and as we will see, audio-animatronics too. Reemploying animation figures is common at Walt Disney imagineering, some of the AA from Natures Wonderland are now part of Big Thunder, and almost all America Sings audio-animatronics are in Splash Mountain.

Approximately at the same time, in 1978, the imagineers were also working on another major refurbishment of another Disneyland attraction: the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn was coming down to be reinforced with steel, as it was a wood framed structure since the beginning. The new Bobsleds were being added along with new track, and better brakes too for the splash down. It was also decided to put some show in the interior mostly for the Skyway buckets that passed through the Matterhorn more slowly. The Bobsleds of course at speed could see the new icy interiors and crystals as well as what is now a very famous Disneyland figure: the abominable snowman.



Steve Kirk, imagineer extraordinaire who will be later the show producer in chief for Tokyo Disney Sea worked on the design of it - i should say them as there is three "abominable snowmen" in the ride. The design of these Snow Men was based on Steve's artwork - the one above - which was a composite of several different contemporary depictions and his own warped imagination.



Sculptor Blaine Gibson will then sculpt the snowman mask, and the imagineers team with Legend and Matterhorn creator Fred Joerger added the interior with the new Ice Crystals. Now, and as i suppose you've already guessed the end of the story, yes, the old Jungle Cruise audio-animatronic gorilla put on a new suit in 1978, and is now living a second life in the role of the Matterhorn's abominable snowman!



Transforming ex gorillas into Snow Men had to have been purely for economic reasons and probably dictated also the proportions of the final generation of the simian snow men.

As there is three Abominable snow men figures in the ride, i couldn't tell you which ones exactly are the former Jungle Cruise gorillas, but next time you will ride the Matterhorn bobsleds and see the abominable snow man, have a little thought for these old Jungle Cruise gorillas, who were some of the first Disneyland audio-animatronics. I'm sure they will be sensitive to this attention, and watch out for that third abominable snowman as he may be the real one.

Many thanks to Davelandweb for the Jungle Cruise gorilla picture. Dave have an unbelievably good web site about the Jungle Cruise, with more pictures you can ever dreamed of. Be sure to have a look at it, it's HERE.

Steve Kirk's artwork and abominable snowman pictures: copyright Disney.

Some of the pictures are coming from Jason Surrell fantastic book "The Disney Mountains", full of WDI artwork. You can find it on Amazon.com from only $8.90!

First UP ! Toys and LEGO Group Announce Strategic Licensing Relationship with Disney

Let's end the week-end with some merchandise news: Disney and LEGO announced "strategic licensing relationship". That's the corporate words to say they've found a deal which should be profitable to both parts. Here is more about it in the official release:

- World's leading construction toy brand secures rights to develop toy lines based on three Disney properties for 2010 -

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- American International Toy Fair -- The LEGO Group and Disney Consumer Products today announced a multi-year licensing agreement that gives the world's premiere construction toy brand access to an extensive portfolio of renowned Disney and Disney Pixar properties. LEGO(R) and LEGO DUPLO(R) products are currently in development for three franchises -- Disney Pixar's Toy Story and Cars, and Prince of Persia -- all scheduled to launch in 2010.

Toy Story

Children's imaginations will go "To infinity and beyond" when, beginning in 2010, they will be able to re-create the adventures of Buzz Lightyear and Woody with LEGO toys inspired by the Toy Story franchise. Toy Story-themed construction sets will be available on both LEGO DUPLO and LEGO System platforms, building the adventure and fun for children ages 2-12. LEGO System products based on Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will launch in January 2010, to be followed in May by construction sets based on the new animated feature, Toy Story 3, scheduled to hit theaters in Disney Digital 3D June 2010. Toy Story-themed LEGO DUPLO products launch in June 2010.

Cars

Lightning McQueen will rev his engine at the starting line of a DUPLO portfolio that will have young builders creating and exploring the high-octane world of the Cars franchise. The Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO line will feature iconic scenes from Radiator Springs and the Piston Cup Championship raceway and will feature favorite Cars characters like McQueen, Mater and Sally. Cars-themed LEGO DUPLO products are scheduled to launch in June 2010.

Prince of Persia

A line of LEGO System construction toys based on Walt Disney Pictures' and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Mike Newell and scheduled to release in May 2010 is also in development. The film, based on the best-selling video game franchise of the same name, stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina and Gemma Arterton in an epic tale of Prince Dastan's struggle to stop an evil ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Prince of Persia-themed LEGO products are scheduled to launch in April 2010.

"We are thrilled to team up with Disney, another of the world's premium brands for families with children," said Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO LEGO Group. "When two brands who share similar values bring their franchises together -- in this case a timeless play pattern with some of the industry's most beloved stories and characters -- and combine their access to families, retail strength and marketing power, amazing things can happen. We can't wait to launch the first three lines and look forward to exploring all of the ways in which we bring the wonderful world of Disney to life in LEGO form."

"Joining forces with LEGO Group speaks to the commitment and vision both companies share for quality product and innovative creativity that invigorates kids play," said Vince Klaseus, senior vice president, global toys, Disney Consumer Products. "Our collaboration will continue to extend the vitality of our roster of franchises by bringing our characters and their worlds to life in a fresh and exciting way. Through these new LEGO product lines, Disney will continue to build presence in the construction toys category and grow market share in the boys demographic."

Meanwhile, another company - Jun Planning - is announcing its first " UP! " toys. Here is some pictures below, and if you didn't had any idea yet about the two other characters, the dog and the female bird, now you'll know how they'll look.









UP! Characters: copyright Disney-Pixar

Thru the Mirror - A 1936 Mickey Mouse Jewel

Here is one of my favorite Mickey Mouse cartoon. "Thru the mirror" was released in 1936 and when you see this kind of Disney "top quality" short animated, it helps to understand why Mickey became so popular back in these old days. The skills of Disney's animators are incredible, and no doubt that 1936 audiences were totally amazed, it's so magical, even now...it's just perfect.

The movie also announce the future "Alice in Wonderland", and the cards sequence is as well animated as it will be in "Alice", fifteen years later.

Enjoy it!



Movie: copyright Disney - Many thanks to Mousefiles.com

Tokyo Disney Sea Behind the Scenes Videos

You've always dreamed to visit Tokyo Disney Sea? This five-part videos filmed for a TV special by the Travel channel will show you everything of this fantastic park, including interesting behind the scenes shots!

Enjoy the show and have all a great week-end!











Youtube videos: copyright Travel Channel and Disney Parks

Photo: copyright Randie Soul

Tokyo Disneyland special report - Part Three : Adventureland

Randie Soul is back with more pictures of Tokyo Disneyland! This time it's all about Adventureland, and we'll begin by the new skow at the Tiki Room with Stitch. The marquee at the entrance clearly indicate the new show title: "Aloha e komo mai!".



A nice addition is the Stitch vehicle in the Tiki room garden. Guests can immediately understand that Stitch landed at TDL!




Some of the Tikis located around the building or in the garden...




Visitors are also informed about Stitch thanks to other outside elements like this one.



The Stitch audio-animatronic during the show is pretty big - may be a little bit too big in comparison with the birds?



Here is an excellent Youtube video of this new Stitch show filmed by the always good JTcent - and with english subtitles!



Tokyo Disneyland also have a Polynesian Terrace.




Even food carts are themed, and each of them in the park have their own specialty. For instance, this one is selling chocolate popcorn, and it is the only one selling these.



Some pictures of scenes of the Swiss Robinsons Tree. I am always amazed with the maintenance quality at TDL. If you look at the plates, fruits, and other elements on these three scenes everything is incredibly clean, no dust, nothing, just like new. Incredible.





The Tiki Room building, as you can see it from the Swiss Robinsons Tree.




Actually, you can see pretty far from the tree, including Space Mountain...



Or even the Tower of Terror located far away, at Tokyo Disney Sea!



Here is the Jungle Cruise entrance!



...And some inside decor.



The entrance of Pirates of Caribbean...




Here is an interesting poster at the entrance, with old renderings and pictures of imagineers at work on the attraction.




A Tokyo Disneyland New Orleans Square street...



...and the marching band walking through New Orleans Square!



All the pictures above are in hyper high-res and some would be great as wallpaper for your computer screen! More of this Randie Soul Tokyo Disneyland report coming next week!

All pictures: copyright Randie Soul whom i thanks a lot!

Youtuve video by JTcent whom i thanks a lot, too!

The Disneyland Paris Frontierland Stunt Show that never was

Recently , i found on the excellent Mark Taft Insights and Sounds web site this rendering below. It's labelled "EDL - for Euro Disneyland which means that this concept-art was done in the early 90's when the park was still called by this name. And it shows the facade of a stunt show arena envisioned for DLP's Frontierland - a "western" stunt show, of course.



In his article Mark was wondering "How seriously was a stunt show for Frontierland considered?" and hoped that i may have the answer as i am the one who wrote the book about the park.

Unfortunately, i just discovered Mark's March 2008 article yesterday (!) and i am a little bit late for the answer! However, i asked Jeff Burke who was Frontierland's show-producer if he ever heard about this project. And here is his answer:

"I don't recognize this specific illustration, but there were discussions, after the Park had opened in 1992, to build a stunt show arena where the Chapparal Stage now stands. The discussions of Frontierland's own stunt showplace ended when operations said it would be too much of a repetition of the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show" in Downtown Disney."

Another former imagineer friend sent to me these additionnal infos: "There were a number of discussions concerning a live western show in Frontierland, including a small rodeo which was not done due to the strict animal protection laws in France. This is why the animals in the original petting zoo were moved behind a fence after opening so that the guests could only pet an animal when it approached the guest on its own.

As to the stunt show, this was developed under the Entertainment department on their own rather than Imagineering which was probably why it was not well known. An outside consultant was brought in and I seem to remember a model might also have been done. It was essentially a comic gun fight with exploding buildings and such but, as Jeff said, it was cancelled because of the clash with the Buffalo Bill show.

After that, the Chaparral stage came into existence to house any number of live entertainment shows."

So, there we have the answer about this mysterious rendering. The park DID envisioned a stunt show in Frontierland, but they finally cancelled it because of the Disney Village dinner show - translate: if we have a stunt show in Frontierland, people won't come - and pay - for the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

Although i must admit there is a kind of logic in their decision, i think it's a pity that a "western" stunt show don't exist in Frontierland instead of the Chapparal Stage. A western stunt show is a classic in theme parks - think about the Universal's Wild Wild West stunt show - and it would have give more life in the back of Frontierland...

And you, what do you think about this Frontierland stunt show that never was?

Artwork: copyright Disney

Many thanks to Mark Taft for this interesting rendering. I strongly suggest you to have a look on Mark's site Insights and Sounds, it's always interesting with rare pictures or renderings and Mark is posting new articles almost every day!

New " 20000 Leagues under the Sea : Captain Nemo " movie coming soon ?

You may have heard about this 20000 Leagues under the sea prequel that Disney want to produce. Well, it seems that they really want to do it, and as soon as possible!

The movie will not be a "remake" of the unforgettable Richard Fleischer's movie, but essentially a Nautilus origin story, covering the construction and launch of Captain Nemo's nuclear-powered sub. Good idea or not? It's going to be hard to find an actor as good as James Mason to play Captain Nemo, but if you want to know more about this project, check this Empire article.