The Heart of the Magic
by Renee Wright
[originally published in Square Dancing Today]
While
Disney is more than ready to innovate, the distinctive rides that
began the Magic long ago remain intact.
Each Disneyland, as well
as the Magic Kingdom in Florida, takes the same shape as
the original in California, with only minor variations on the
theme.
Some scholars have noted the
resemblance of the Disney layout to a map of the brain.
Mainstreet USA forms the
brainstem of the park, leading all eyes to the castle at its center.
To the left are the action-oriented,
"real-life" attractions of Adventureland and Frontierland.
To the right, the more speculative,
"right-brain" attractions of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
Riverboats, railroads and monorails
run through the parks like nerves and blood vessels.
Mickey, Donald, and their pals
live in an adjacent "village" called ToonTown, sort of
the public face of the park where guests can, as the Japanese
so charmingly put it, "Meet and Smile" with their favorite
characters.
This layout remains essentially
unchanged at Disneyland parks around the world, although there
are variations.
Disneyland (the original)
has over 60 attractions, including some popular rides that have
disappeared from other parks, such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
Tokyo's "Kingdom of Dreams
and Magic" includes several unique rides, including the Cinderella
Castle Mystery Tour, featuring various Disney villains, and
Pooh's Hunny Hunt, a state-of-the-art trackless ride controlled
by transmitters in the floor.
Hong Kong's park will recreate
the exact design of the original Disneyland in California, with
the addition of special "Fantasy Gardens."
In Paris, Disneyland offers
a parade of princesses, the Pocahontas Indian Village,
and a Dutch Windmill ride.
The French version of Sleeping
Beauty's castle holds illuminated manuscripts, stained glass
windows and tapestries retelling the classic fairytale as only
Disney can.
You'll also find Capt. Nemo's
Nautilus submarines, once a popular ride at Florida's Magic
Kingdom, recreated here.
No matter which Disneyland you
visit, expect parades and fireworks, Peter Pan and Alice
in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear.
You'll whirl in a teacup at the
Mad Tea Party, and fly through the air with Dumbo.
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What's New in 2005
ROYAL
TREATMENT
During
"The Happiest Celebration on Earth," Cinderella Castle at
Magic Kingdom will become a celebration of Disney magic around
the world with gold filigree adorning its turrets, banners breezing
from balconies and golden Disney icons a-sparkle. Golden images
of Peter Pan fly carefree on the tallest spire. A magical
palate of ever-changing stained glass above the castle's great
archway shines with a breathtaking view of the five Disney
castles from around the world.
(Photo © 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
CRUSH
'N' GUSHER AT DISNEY'S TYPHOON LAGOON WATER PARK
A
water thrill ride like none other in Central Florida
debuts spring 2005, combining steep drops and gravity-defying,
coaster-like inclines with screaming jets of water propelling
riders back uphill. (Photo © 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
EXPEDITION
EVEREST IN 2006
The fearsome legend of the yeti comes to life
in a new thrill attraction - Expedition Everest - at
Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The high-speed adventure opens in 2006
in the Asia section of the theme park. (Photo
© 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
WISHES
LIGHTS THE NIGHT
Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, Wishes,
a new fireworks spectacular, takes Disney World Resort guests
through treasured tales from classic Disney films, accompanied
by bigger, brighter, bolder pyrotechnics never before seen in
a Disney theme park. (Photo: Kent Phillips/Disney
© 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
Dumbo
the Flying Elephant
(Photo
© 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY)
A lifetime of vacations could
not take you to every corner of the World of the Mouse.
Browse the Disney websites, accessed through Disney
Online, for a virtual tour of the possibilities.
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