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VMK: Saving Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom

This is the story of how Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) came to its end and how and why it doesn’t have to be that way.

The year is 1959. Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom of Disneyland is just about to enter its third year of operations. Disneyland has been very successful not just in attendance, but in creating a new type of community; a remaking of Main Street America in Walt’s image. Walt calls Disneyland his great experiment. He uses it to cross-promote his movies, television shows, and his growing interest in urban planning.

However, something is not quite right. The surrounding area has penned his magical kingdom in with cheap looking motels and tourist traps. Disneyland really needs to grow, add new attractions, even remake whole parts of the theme park that just aren’t working. Walt has got grand ideas, add a steel roller coaster hidden inside the Matterhorn, bring online a monorail system (even extending to Downtown Los Angeles), remake parts of Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and even Main Street. Perhaps to open even a whole new city where urban blight will be a thing of the past.

All that will cost money, take time, and talent. Those are resources Walt could use elsewhere in his growing company. So he decides that his ‘experiment’ in 360 degree themed entertainment has been a success. But he wants those customers go enjoy one of his other projects where there is a higher margin so he can afford his future plans.

So, shocking everyone who has come to love and enjoy Disneyland, worked there, made friends there, even come to regard its wide avenues and wondrous attractions as part of Americana itself, Walt Disney decides to end his experiment and set up shop elsewhere (perhaps Florida, where he’ll have more room).

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Star Wars Weekends 2008 Guests and Host Announced

The official Star Wars website has the list of guests for each of the 2008 Star Wars Weekends. They also mention that Warrick Davis is returning as the host for the event. Please remember that all these guest lists are subject to change. June 6-8… Read More »Star Wars Weekends 2008 Guests and Host Announced

Disney Auditions Revamps – It’s a Whole New World

Last week Disney Auditions launched a new website for entertainment roles at all the parks around the world. Now no matter what location you audition at, you’re potentially auditioning for any role Disney might offer you anywhere in the world. That means, if you audition… Read More »Disney Auditions Revamps – It’s a Whole New World

Dream Chief Magical Official Final Three Announced

Although as of publishing time this morning the regular website hasn’t yet been updated, Brady MacDonald at the LA Times has posted the final three qualifiers for the ultimate Disney Dream position of Chief Magical Official.

The finalists are: David Hawley of California, Justin Muchoney of Pennsylvania and Tripp West of Georgia.

While none of those were my favorites, I wish them all luck as they enter the head-to-head competition portion of the contest. They’ll all travel to Walt Disney World and compete in such challenging events as:

Stroller mix-up — Match the stroller with the correct accessory bag.

Towel folding — Create a towel animal following a training session.

Noise making — Generate the loudest crowd reaction.

Park information — Offer assistance, directions and tips to visitors.

Face painting — Create a design following a training session.

Voting will then be opened to the public again and a winner crowned on April 22nd. (Why did they choose that day… it’s the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Earth Day. The Dream CMO position has nothing to do with either of those events and will either get buried or take away from the other events. Poor planning on someone’s part.)

(Via the LA Times)

Updated to add Press Release below…

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Luigi’s Flying Tires and other trademarks mean new attractions

The Trademork blog saw a few new Disney trademarks fly across his radar and wondered if they meant new attractions for the Disneyland Resort. On March 18, 2008, Disney Enterprises, Inc. filed to protect the trademark Luigi’s Flying Tires in relation to “amusement park services”.… Read More »Luigi’s Flying Tires and other trademarks mean new attractions

Recent Photos from inside Neverland Ranch

Jonathan Haeber was able to get inside Neverland Ranch earlier this month and take some beautiful night time photos. Pop Star Michael Jackson’s tribute to Disneyland is rumored to be on the auction block (there are conflicting news stories on its status). Here’s Haeber’s article… Read More »Recent Photos from inside Neverland Ranch

Parade suspended at Disneyland Resort after accident results in guest injuries

Sources on the LaughingPlace.com message boards are reporting that on March 19th the Pixar Play Parade, a new parade performing daily in the California Adventure gate of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, has been canceled for the next few days until safety inspections can be… Read More »Parade suspended at Disneyland Resort after accident results in guest injuries

Blair family says “Save It’s A Small World attraction”

Kevin Blair has penned an open letter to Disney Executives, Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, and John Lasseter asking them to discard any plan to change "It’s A Small World", the attraction featuring art design by his mother, such as adding Disney characters (such as Mickey… Read More »Blair family says “Save It’s A Small World attraction”