If I Were Disney CEO Part 7 - The Magic Kingdom

"Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney...and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true.  May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspriration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place...a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn - together."

Roy O. Disney, Octomber 25, 1971

We have now moved on from California to Florida.  To the Vacation Kingdom of the world and to the most visited theme park in the world.

The Magic Kingdom.

If Disneyland is the cornerstone, the Magic Kingdom is the crown jewel.  The grand dame to Disneyland's girl next door.

Imagineering took what it learned from Disneyland and implemented those lessons in the Magic Kingdom.  The Magic Kingdom is grander and more open and inviting.  As Walt would mention, they had the "blessing of size" in Florida.  Today, this has become a blessing and a curse, creating some issues that need to be addressed.

I will say up front that I am a lot less precious regarding the Magic Kingdom.  Because Disneyland has Walt's direct influence and because of its status as the first park (and arguably the first theme park), I am much more inclined there to preserve what exists and add carefully.  In the Magic Kingdom, I am much more likely to propose drastic changes and have included a few below.  For me, this stems largely from the original idea that the Magic Kingdom would include unique attractions from its California counterpart.  The duplicate rides were largely a compromise.  With that knowledge, I feel freer to bring back that desired unique identity.

Accordingly, my goals for the park are both similar and widely different than Disneyland.


Primary Goals:

• Like Disneyland, a capital priority is increasing park flow capacity.  By this, I mean increasing the number and surface area of pathways that guests can used to move around the park, hopefully to alleviate some of the crushing congestion the park can experience.
• Beyond this, the Magic Kingdom also needs to increase ride and attraction capacity and utilization. Despite the "blessing of size" and the higher attendance levels, the Magic Kingdom trails Disneyland by nearly ten attractions.  The park needs a mix of A-E tickets to fill out the park offerings and to absorb all the guests it is attracting.
• Maximize utility by making sure that every space that has previously been open to guests is currently open and used to the fullest.
• Finally, I want to cement the Magic Kingdom's unique identity.  As discussed in the Disneyland post, I want the park to have its own feel compared to Disneyland and for each land to have their own feel compared to their California counterparts.  Likewise, there should be unique attractions in each segment to compel guests to visit this park in particular.  My concerns in this area come down to guest overlap.  Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom should be distinct because they share a segment of the population.  Likewise, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris need to feel unique because of the shared guest pool due to United Kingdom marketing for Walt Disney World.  Similar concerns would exist between Hong Kong and Shanghai.

With these goals in mind, I’ll walk through each land in the park and discuss the updates.  I'll be walking through the park clockwise from Main Street, heading through Adventureland first and working around to Tomorrowland.  This is generally the approach we take in visiting the park, so it makes the most sense to me to approach it this way in addressing the parks needs and changes.


Main Street:
Main Street in the Magic Kingdom represents a slightly larger town at the turn of the century.  The lessons learned in Disneyland allowed for wider streets, taller buildings (still to scale) and a slightly more upscale feel.  Like moving from Marceline to Kansas City, Missouri.

It has its issues, currently.  The entirety of Main Street has become one large store, especially the entirety of the west side.  You can move through the one large store from Town Square to the hub.

The Magic Kingdom at least has two things that are unique to this particular park.  The Harmony Barber Shop and the Town Square Theater with meet and greets for Mickey and others.

Like Disneyland, the best thing Main Street can add is to make the bypass on the east side permanent.  With the Magic Kingdom, thankfully, there is a lot more room to expand.

Second Street and the Center Street Connection

Disney has already announced plans for this area, though they have apparently put them on hold.  They are looking to add a large scale theater like the Hyperion in Disney California Adventure, inspired by the Willis Wood Theater in Kansas City, Missouri.   

While the theater makes a certain degree of sense and is a needed addition to the park, I don't believe this is the appropriate space.  The theater would take up the entirety of the space, making the only people entering and exiting the space those that were visiting the shows.  The walkways, then only absorb the crowds at show time.  For me, this space would be better served with additions that allow for a formalization of the bypass into a main through fare, as well as adding a spur that connects to tomorrow land between Buzz and the Carousel of Progress.  Creating an expansion area, but also adding to park flow capacity.  

This will also require the opening of Center Street, through the current location of the lockers.  The lockers will need to be relocated, potentially to an area in this new space.

Expanded offerings of Citizens of Main Street would also be beneficial to the park.  These are the kid of offerings that add atmosphere and can round out a guest's day.  They can work better here in the Magic Kingdom than in Disneyland given the expanded walkways and buildings.

These particular elements start to dictate what type of theme should be applied to this section.  Were the Dumbo circus area not already created as part of the Fantasyland expansion, this would be the perfect spot for it.  Related to Main Street and the turn of the century, near the railroad, and able to use the circus tents to hide views of Tomorrowland.  Currently, I wonder if the Zootopia land would fit in here.  One ride, lots of shops and experiences.  Shops able to hide the backs of buildings, puppets to entertain.  Pathways open enough to make the necessary connections.    Otherwise, I lean towards a turn of the century park, with street vendors, a swing ride, a small theater, meet and greet gazebos and plenty of shade.

Finally, the railroad at the Magic Kingdom needs to be enhanced.  There are just a couple of spots where railroad actually offers and interesting view.  For the largest portion of the ride, it looks at bare forest or even unthemed backstage areas.  Disneyland's railroad at least has the ride through Splash Mountain, the new trellis bridge, and the Primeval World and Grand Canyon dioramas.  Additions to the railroad would go a long way toward making it a draw in and of itself beyond just as a transportation system.  I will discuss proposed additions in the specific lands in which they would occur.


The Hub:
The hub in the Magic Kingdom has just come through a radical renovation, expanding park space, walkways, and fountains.  I think there is definitely room for more expansion and with the goal of adding at least ten attractions to get closer to Disneyland, the locations are going to have to be creative.

First, the most important thing will be to get the Tomorrowland Terrace Station continuously operational and to improve it's menu.  It's too valuable of a location to be seasonal.  And the arguments against the space are "chicken and egg."  It's never open, so people never eat there, etc.   The space needs a set menu, with unique offerings that become hits and are only offered there to drive people to it.

In terms of additions, I have a couple of suggestions for inside the hub itself.    I would add a couple of gazebos/bandstands for impromptu concerts and meet and greets.  Those are identified in the light purple circles below.

The first radical suggestions

For the first radical change, I would move Prince Charming's Carousel to the hub, indicated by the blue circle above.  There is plenty of land here for use that is not utilized and this is an experiment that has been tried in Shanghai.  In Shanghai, both Dumbo and the carousel are before the castle.  Dumbo is in a good location here with its own mini-land, but the carousel can be moved.  Doing so would open up Fantasyland greatly and would create a very distinctive feel to both the hub and Fantasyland.  Further, a carousel is the perfect kind of transition attraction from turn-of-the-century Main Street to Fantasyland.

There are also areas on each side of the castle that are currently just large forested sections.  These can both be better utilized.  I would like to keep as many trees in the area as possible while still adding a useful space.  To the east of the castle, I would seek to add an attraction.  To give a sense of size, you could add something the size of Peter Pan in that space.  I would add a dark ride attraction with an entrance on the east side of the building (facing Cosmic Rays, where the red arrow is).  On the front, hub-facing side of the attraction, I would want to keep a row of trees to camouflage the building.  Perhaps the ride could be themed to Hercules (particular for reasons I'll discuss with Fantasyland regarding its identity).  If not an enclosed dark ride, at least a Philoctetes training ground whip ride with Greek Statuary.

On the west side of the castle, I would look to add an Enchanted Garden space.  This would ideally be a Tropical Hideaway-like space that has tables in a garden setting with a counter service food stand.  Instead of a tropical setting, this would be a Versailles style garden, well manicured and designed.  Exactly what you would imagine surrounding castle walls.  This space could be a great benefit adding potential seating for Sleepy Hollow Refreshments and a potential view of the parades as they pass from Liberty Square into the hub.


Adventureland:
If Adventureland in Disneyland is anchored by Indiana Jones and derives its identity from that attraction, Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom is defined by two attractions and should really be split into a main land and a subland.  First there is Adventureland anchored and defined by the Jungle Cruise.  Then there is Caribbean Plaza, defined by the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The Jungle Cruise clearly dominates Adventureland, tying the various pieces together.  This is especially true with the new Skipper's Canteen restaurant.  Accordingly, Adventureland here should lean into that world travel, Jungle Cruise theme.  This means two things: 1) restoring many shops back to their original facades (removing the Agrabah overlay) and 2) replacing The Magic Carpets of Aladdin with an appropriate ride.  Previously, this list would have included the restoration of a previously used area with the Adventureland Veranda, but with that being used for the Magic Kingdom Club 33 space, the need is lessened.  I do hope they do not call it Club 33 here but something appropriate like the Admiral's Club (since it is next to a Skipper's Canteen).

A restoration and a replacement

First, the shops highlighted in yellow above should be restored to their previous tropic theme.  The Agrabah overlay has overstayed its welcome.  And should be more appropriately in another section of the park.  Others have written more eloquently on this subject than I ever could.

Further, the Aladdin spinner will be moving out of Adventureland.  It will still be in the park, as my goal is to increase the attraction count, not decrease and we will be replacing the ride here with another ride that is more theme appropriate.  Here I would add an Octopus ride, themed to an actual oversized octopus or a spinning barrel teacup like ride.  A madcap adventure the Skippers cannot control, somewhat similar to the Kraken ride in the Disney Magic Kingdoms game.

Further, I think the Adventureland portion of the old Swan Boats path that goes around the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse could be used for a Mack Interactive Boat Ride.  A Junior Jungle Cruise Skipper ride that where those on board can shoot water cannons to activate different things around the tree.  Great visuals in the land, a fun use of a prior existing water ride track layout, and a good opportunity for additional capacity (though this rides would be low).  The entrance could be just inside the Adventureland gates on the left, using that available space.

For Adventureland, there is also a large expansion pad that should be utilized.  There is a path way between Pirates and the Jungle Cruise that would be the path leading out, beyond the railroad tracks and to the expansion pad.  For this expansion, while I would love for Disney to finally build Fire Mountain, this space looks to be themed to Moana.  

Adventureland Expansion

The concept art around Moana designed for EPCOT looked nice enough, with a flume-ish ride and spinner.  Hopefully that changes, as there are really too many spinners here already and a massive flume ride, but we'll see.  I'd love to see a Moana dark ride using the Shanghai Pirates technology as well as a water play area at least.

Caribbean Plaza will remain largely the same.  I do want to make sure that the Tortuga Tavern is continuously on line and serving guests.  I would like to restore the sights and sound around Pirates of the Caribbean and in the queue particularly to restore Florida's version back to it's unique place where the fort is under attack.  Passport to Dreams Old and New outlines the changes that have been made in detail and I would look to restore this lost art.

I would also ideally like to make use of the space to the west of Pirates, perhaps with a water feature and moored galleon.  Largely looking to make Caribbean Plaza feel like a complete sub-land.

Frontierland:

Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom provides the best example of a yester-land approach to Frontierland in all of the Disney Parks.  As you make a circle around the Rivers of America, you progress through time and space in America's past, starting from Revolutionary Boston to the riverboat South and then to a late 1800s West.  Future expansion should continue this trend.

With that in mind, Frontierland as it currently exists only needs to be strengthened.  In particular, the Diamond Horseshoe needs a show and should be a more consistent dining venue.  The Country Bear Jamboree needs to get the seasonal versions back, including the Vacation Hoedown and the Christmas version.  The new Disney music version can stay for a while, but then is just cycled into the rotations.

That leaves plenty of future expansion around river to complete the circuit.  There is already a passage under the railroad tracks to get to the Splash Mountain queue.  This has already been a hot topic mentioned at past D23s as the start of Beyond Big Thunder.  The concept art so far focused on moving from Western desert America to Mexico and Central/South America, particularly focused on Coco and Encanto.

Frontierland Expansion

However, there is also concept art out for a Central and South America reworking of the Dinosaur section of Animal Kingdom. This is a much stronger concept and I would place those there, utilizing Coco, Encanto, and Indiana Jones in that space (as well as Emperor's New Groove).  

The other rumor for this space is Cars, and while I'd like to see Cars remain unique to California Adventure, I would not be heartbroken by this addition.  It's a strong land and would follow the time period and geographic movement, though moving into fantasy.  Ideally, I'd prefer a Discovery Bay or a Klondike themed area with Call of the Wild and Brother Bear, but I can live with Cars.

Continuing around through this land, the proposal out there now is for a Villains land.  The thought is that this would make a transition to Fantasyland and connect to the Haunted Mansion.  It could work, but it remains to be seen how this would be implemented.  I'd rather just see an expansion of the Haunted Mansion grounds to include a Haunted Mansion restaurant and a Villa Volta madhouse themed to the mansion, making this a little sub-land, but that's me.

Fantasyland:

Fantasyland has recently undergone a great expansion with the addition of the Fantasy Forest section.  This added Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid sections, as well as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the Storybook Circus.  To me, these additions have pointed the way toward the unique identity for Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.  If Disneyland focuses on Walt-era classic animated films, the Magic Kingdom should focus on the Disney Renaissance films of the 1990s.  This process has already started with Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid sections, as well as their presence in Mickey's Philharmagic.  Accordingly, my additions will look to strengthen this connection.

For my second radical idea for the Magic Kingdom, I propose removing it's a small world and Pinocchio's Village Haus, to be replaced with a modified version of the Arabian Coast from Tokyo Disney sea.   This would add the Magic Lamp Theater and Sinbad's Storybook Voyage, as well as move the Magic Carpet's of Aladdin to this area.  It would also add an Agrabah Food Court and Marketplace.  It has the added benefit of opening up a great section of the former it's a small world location for greater foot traffic.

A radically different it's a small world location

Further, I would replace Peter Pan's Flight with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, changing it to a flying ride on the back of a gargoyle.  The rides would have very similar visual experiences; for example, the flyover of London would be replaced with a flyover of Paris.  It also allows for a continuing Bells of Notre Dame to be the musical score for the ride.  

I would also strengthen the Disney Renaissance connection with new segments for Philharmagic adding "Out There " from the Hunchback of Notre Dame (or perhaps "Topsy Turvy"), "Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas, and "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan.

The rest of the new Fantasyland additions work very well and largely close off Fantasyland from any further expansion.  The area north of the new Fantasyland section, in particular north of Be Our Guest and the Little Mermaid, would be a perfect section to add enhancements to the Disneyland Railroad.

Area for Enhancements

This strip of land would be perfect to add either tunnel, a la the Rainbow Caverns, or an outdoor Fantasy scene to tie to the rest of the land.  Perhaps something like a limited motion statue of a sea monster in the retaining pond strip to the north or a dragon's cave encounter.  Something appropriately fantastic for the land it is adjacent to.

Storybook Circus has also proven to be a well-themed addition to the park.  The double Dumbo's are a great increase for capacity and the other sections perform their function well, apart from one odd choice.  There is a current third tent that is being used for a "rest and recharge" area with a few seats and plugs for phones.  While these arguably should be incorporated into the park, there is a better use for this space. 

Time to add a circus to our circus area

It has occurred to me that the set up for the Festival of the Lion King show in Disney's Animal Kingdom could be very well used for a Dumbo's Circus show.  That building would fit where the third under-used tent is and would provide a great draw for this section of the park.  If the Disney-Fox deal goes through, this circus could even incorporate The Greatest Showman into the circus.

Tomorrowland:

Like Disneyland, solidifying Tomorrowland's identity can be achieved by looking to the Magic Kingdom's past.  In particular, Tomorrowland circa 1994 is one of the strongest Tomorrowland's that has been presented.  The focus there was on the tomorrow that never was.  A highly sci-fi Tomorrowland influenced by science fiction of the 1970s and 1980s.  A lived in future (opposed to the utopian future of Disneyland).   My goal with Tomorrowland will be to work back to this ideal, but with a reflection to the additions that have been brought online.

The upcoming addition of Tron will actually aid in this goal.  The Tron coaster is going to provide a visually interesting weenie to go in next to Space Mountain, resulting in an appropriate aesthetic overhaul of the Speedway, providing an interesting vista for the Railroad passing under its canopy, and providing a night time draw with its light show. 

It also provides our theme direction - Cyberpunk, the digital future.  With Tron and Wreck It Ralph (and Marvel 2099, if they can), Disney has enough IP in the digital space to create a great unique Tomorrowland for the Magic Kindom.

Approximate location of the Tron Coaster

This puts the focus on replacements and a couple of key additions.  When Tron is online, Space Mountain will get the refurbishment it so desperately needs and an update to Cyberspace Mountain, with appropriate lighting and effects and potentially a similar Daft Punk score.  

Buzz Lightyear can get the Tokyo overlay treatment and change to Wreck It Ralph.  

Stitch's Great Escape should be changed to an Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage style 4D time travel/multiverse show with Spider-man 2099 and Layla.  Makes use of the circular space in a more dynamic way.

Tomorrowland Additions

The Carousel of Progress is gutted and replaced with the Play! pavilion from EPCOT.  This pavilion is more appropriate for the Magic Kingdom given the IPs at play and fits into the Cyberpunk aesthetic.  With the focus on digital attractions and DisneyQuest-esque experiences, this would be a solid addition to the park.  Part arcade, part meet and greet, part small form experiences - sort of a real life version of the digital Oh My Disney in Ralph Breaks the Internet.

The Speedway also gets a rehab and retheme, changing it to Sugar Rush.  This provides a bridge to Fantasyland, as well as allowing for some more interesting scenery, like the Diet Cola Mountain.  

The Peoplemover gets a subtitle as the Tomorrowland Transport Protocol, a nice nod to HTTP.  Adding some led lighting to the vehicles for effect at night and changing out the windows on the way to make the scenes more digital related.  A virus from Ralph Breaks the Internet.  Pop-up ads.  Maybe even a nod to Reboot.

We can also bring in nice renamings, making nods to Disney past.  The Lunching Pad could become the Space Bar.   The Tomorrowland Launch Depot can become Game Central Station, etc, etc.  

The stage gets some shade, a greater lighting package, seats, and overall aesthetic overhaul.  This should be a useable space in the daytime, but will be essential for ElecTRONica at night.

For additions, the space between Buzz and the Carousel would give rise to a new building with an LPS "flying" saucer attraction similar to Luigi's Dancing Cars or Aquatopia.   The colors and LEDs as well as the a Daft Punk style score, would make this an entertaining dark flat ride.  No need for IP, just an enjoyable diversion.

Further, between the Carousel and Space Mountain I would add a new building containing the restrooms that are currently situated there, but also adding an escape room and VR experience.  The escape room would appropriately be named something like ESC or the Escape Room or Escape Button and be a cyber space themed escape room.  The VR space would be a Tron themed VR experience.  It's another perfect theme as the idea of transporting into the Grib necessitates the equipment and it would allow a version of the games in Tron to be experienced.

Finally, there is space for another enhancement to the Disneyland Railroad in the segment before the Main Street Station.  Tron-esque lighting should be enhanced in the tunnel around Lightcycle Run, making a Magic Kindgom version of the speed tunnel at Disneyland.  

Seasonal Overlays:

Walt Disney World really does not do seasonal overlays.  They have in the past with the Christmas Country Bear Jamboree and have experimented with the Jingle Cruise, but they definitely do not implement them to the scale of Disneyland. 

I would bring in a healthy amount of seasonal overlays including the Summer Vacation, Halloween, and Christmas versions of the Country Bears, continuing the Jingle Cruise and potentially adding a Haunted Jungle Cruise, and Halloween Villain and Christmas Philharmagics.

Parades and Nighttime Spectaculars:

I would like to see more experimentation with the parades at the Magic Kingdom.  Festival of Fantasy is a very successful day parade for the Magic Kingdom, so I see no need to change it anytime soon. 

The Magic Kingdom does need a nighttime parade.  I am partial and would bring back a Spectromagic 2.0.  Spectromagic had the right amount of grandeur and majesty to make it a wonderful fit for the Magic Kingdom.  The waltz tempo and Jiminy Cricket narration made it very unique in Disney offerings.  Updated versions of the Spectromen and Little Mermaid sections would remain, though the Sleeping Beauty and Fantasia segments would be changed out for Beauty and the Beast's Garden and the skies of Aladdin (completing a land, sea, and sky motif).

Happily Ever After has proven to be a very popular offering.  I would add a Jiminy Cricket introduction and continue on from there.

The Magic Kingdom does need offsetting nighttime entertainment to pull people off of Main Street.  Night shows in the new Main Street Theater, the Diamond Horseshoe, and Dumbo's Circus will all help.  Ideally, a projection/environmental show in Tomorrowland can be made utilizing the Tron canopy and the stage for ElecTRONica. 

Magical Guardian and Cartoon Mascot:

Since this is another castle park, I'll identify a magical guardian as well as a cartoon mascot.

For a magical guardian, I have a little bit of a cheat.  The Magic Kingdom gets Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy.  I loved how Jiminy Cricket became the official voice of the park and would announce Spectromagic and Wishes.  I also have to confess that I also thought in all the times that I saw Wishes that when Jiminy says "well, I'll be.  The Blue Fairy" that the Blue Fairy should be the one flying over the castle at that moment.  Let Tinkerbell have her looping flight in Disneyland.  Here let's give the Blue Fairy her majestic descent.

For the cartoon mascot, it has to be Minnie Mouse.  For America's sister park to Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom needs a cartoon mascot who has equal footing with Mickey.  That can only be Minnie Mouse, who has been there from the beginning as well.  She sits with Roy in his statue.  There is nothing else more appropriate.

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Again, thanks for joining me in this exercise.

Next in the series - E.P.C.O.T.

On Cultural Appropriation

appropriation: an act or instance of taking exclusive possession of or taking and making use without authority or right

The latest flare up of cries over cultural appropriation occurred over a prom dress.  Keziah Daum, an 18-year-old white American from Utah chose to wear a Chinese qipao/cheongsam for prom.  She chose it because she felt it was pretty and modest.  And she shared pictures of it on social media.

Very quickly, the internet erupted with claims of offense and cultural appropriation.  How dare Daum where a qipao when she had no Chinese roots herself.  And of course, both sides of the issue went nuts.

America has a very strange relationship with cultural appropriation.  While there are definite instances of true inappropriate appropriation, there would be no American culture without some form of cultural exchange.  It is therefore imperative that we learn to distinguish between true cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

Cultural appropriation itself implies a taking and a passing off as ones own.  It diminishes the original culture by ignoring the context of the thing that is taken or by providing little or no attribution to the source culture.  This can happen in several forms. The use of religious iconography of one culture as pure decoration.  The wearing of religious or ceremonial attire for pure fashion.  The passing off of one country's attire as your own discovery or creation.  The taking of a race's music without acknowledging its roots.

It's clear we have a lot of cultural appropriation in our past to acknowledge.  And there are definite current instances of cultural appropriation that should be combated, like wearing a ceremonial headdress for a fashion shoot.  It really is probably past time to retire stereotypical Halloween costumes.  It is also probably time to rethink how we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  If we can use it as a holiday to celebrate Mexican culture, to educate about that culture, and their influence on American history it would be wonderful.  All to often, it is viewed as an excuse to get drunk and eat Mexican food.  Especially sad for a holiday that is really primarily an American holiday.  It is not widely celebrated in Mexico, it is not Mexican independence day.  It celebrates a battle in a specific region of Mexico, and is most largely celebrated in Mexico there.  If we are going to have the holiday, let's at least make it a positive one.

We do need to recognize and celebrate cultural appreciation.  Where we recognize beauty and interest in another culture and want to acknowledge and participate in it.  Where we are pointing people back to the culture we are enjoying.  This is the form of culture exchange that America holds as its ideal.  The great melting pot, where all are welcome to come and share their culture, to learn about other cultures, and to mix and match to create something new and special.  An America where an Ethiopian raised in Sweden, trained in Switzerland and Austria, can open a soul food restaurant in Harlem.

This is the interest in a culture that drives us to learn more.  To experience more.  To share.

That is what Daum did.  She found a dress that she appreciated because it was beautiful.  The dress does not appear to have a religious or ceremonial significance in China.  It's function is fashion.  The Chinese recognized this and when asked about Daum's wearing of a qipao found it to be flattering.  Viewed it as appreciation.   They viewed their response as showing that the Chinese people were "confident about our culture.  We are not preventing others from adopting it."

Let's embrace the positive.  Let's celebrate the great melting pot that America should be.  To acknowledge and elevate the many wonderful cultures that exist in our borders.  To make them feel welcomed and included.  That is how we grow as a society.

One of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain about travel seems to be applicable here.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

Likewise cultural education and appreciation are just as necessary.  If we are ever going to live together, it's not going to happen by forcing everyone to be the same.  Let's celebrate what makes us unique and learn from each other.

Then maybe we can put an end to this ever growing division in our country.

The Cult of Opinion

Since last week was Marvel week, I have a lot of stored rants, so they are going to be coming fairly fast this week.

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I'm convinced the four most dangerous words in America are "It's just my opinion."

In prior ages, when this phrase was uttered, it was said with a complete understanding of where opinions rank in the grand scheme of things.  It was considered an "humble" opinion for a reason.  They were regulated to Editorial or Opinion sections of the newspaper.  Especially because it was recognized that opinions could and very potentially would be changed.

In society now, opinions are treated as immutable, unchangeable statements of identity.  They are often most loudly and proudly proclaimed when they are in defiance of all other available information.

It's what makes the scene in Inside Out funny.  Where Joy, Sadness, and Bing Bong are on the Train of Thought and get facts and opinions mixed up, quite literally.

Joy: Oh no! These facts and opinions look so similar!
Bing Bong: Don't worry about it.  Happens all the time.

I blame the invention of 24-hour news stations.  Put simply, true news is consisted of facts, verifiable facts, and just the facts.  And the truth about news is that if 24-hour "news" stations only reported news, they would run out of content very early in the day.  To fill time and to provide something that is entertaining and a ratings draw (and therefore a sponsor's dream), such stations fill their days with opinions.  What should be correctly labeled as Editorials.

Let's take a popular context.   If Congress passes a bill, the only thing that is truly news is that the exact words "Congress passed a bill named ...".  Whether the bill is good for the country, whether it has terrible consequences for a certain segment, whether or not you should support your Congressmen for his vote - these are all opinions, not facts.

The constant stream of opinion and the passing of opinion as fact has led us as a society to have a terrible relation with opinions and the truth.  To put it as I have seen written elsewhere, a diet 24-hour news has led to a truth decay in our society.  And lets be honest, all of the 24-hour news channels have contributed to this.  There is not a single one that has truly benefited our understanding as a whole, not even the one that is "fair and balanced."  If you believe this is only a problem for one network or the other, or that there is a major news station that is truly telling only pertinent facts without editorial, you might as well stop reading now and we can talk about a bridge in Arizona I have to sell you.

Our problem is now compounded through the rise of Facebook and "like culture."  The need to create and cultivate our pages where we control the information and surround ourselves by people who affirm our opinions.  That psychological need to see the number of likes we are receiving and to watch that number grow.  It's a constant validation of our opinion and those like us.  Electronic echo chambers, that can continually suck us in.

This has led us to a culture where opinion is king.  To the point of being actually combative to facts.  To the recognition of "alternate facts" (as opposed to outright lies).  "We are creating a world of dummies.  Angry dummies who feel they have the right, the authority and the need not only to comment on everything, but to make sure their voice is heard above the rest and to drag down any opposing views through personal attacks, loud repetition and confrontation."  (Anti-Intellectualism and the Dumbing Down of America).

In light of where we are at as a society, there are a few important things we need to remember about opinions

1) Opinions can be wrong - 
There's the old joke about opinions and how they are similar to a body part.  We all have one and they all stink.  Now while there can be good opinions, it is generally viewed that it is impossible to have a bad opinion or for an opinion to be wrong.  This is not true. You can certainly have a bad opinion.   Your opinion can be wrong.

In this day an age, if you believe the world is flat, your opinion is wrong.  Flat wrong.  It can be easily disproved and there is no rational reason to hold that opinion.  It is in direct contradiction to all available information and facts.  It's a bad opinion.

Additionally, if you have a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic, etc. opinion falling into the "all X are ..." camp, your opinion is bad.  If you think that white people are inherently better than black people, brown people, or anyone else, your opinion is wrong.  Or Kanye, if you think that "slavery was a choice" for the African Americans involved, your opinion is wrong.

Opinions can even be wrong in art, where most everything is subjective.  To clarify, an opinion whether a particular piece of art is "good" or "bad" can be wrong, but an opinion on whether you enjoyed a particular piece can not.  "Good" or "bad" can involve identifiable metrics.  Technique, style, composition, form.  There are facts there that can be measured.  Personal enjoyment is just that, personal.  It can only belong to you, whether you enjoy something or not.  So be careful in your movie reviews.

We have to recognize bad opinions and to be able to call people out when they try to hide behind them.  "It's just my opinion" should not cut it anymore.

2) Not all opinions are created equal -
There are levels opinion.  An unsupported opinion is worth less than an informed opinion.  Informed opinions are based on facts, they are based on truths.  Those facts are gathered and synthesized to create the opinion.  Opinions that have no basis in the facts are inherently suspect.  Again, if it is your opinion that the earth is flat, though you have never left your hometown, have not studied the issue, and are only relaying what you observe when you look at the horizon, your opinion is worth less than someone who has flown all around the Earth.

We recognize this with professionals.  There is a reason a doctor's diagnosis is referred to as his or her "professional opinion."   After all, what a doctor does is collect the facts (the symptoms you are relaying and the measurements obtained from tests and lab work in the office) and come to an opinion on the most likely diagnosis.  We recognize that a doctor's opinion is worth more than the average person's on medical issues.  And we afford them that amount of trust.

This also holds true in most every other form of opinion as well, unless it is truly personal preference.  You will likely encounter people who possess more information and knowledge than you do about a particular subject.  Their opinions should have weight.  They are not always right and do not always have to be followed or agreed with, but they should be given space to be heard, absorbed, and considered.

Which brings me to ...

3) Opinions should be constantly evaluated to see if they need be changed -
Opinions are designed to be changed.  Again, the old joke about politicians and diapers seems to fit here as well.  They should be changed and often for the same reason.

Our opinions are designed to be impacted by the information we surround ourselves well.  If you are only ingesting information that affirms your current opinions, that is called stagnation.  It's the opposite of growth.  We are designed as people to be challenged by new ideas, by new data points, new information, and then grow from it.

Our true beliefs, true opinions only gel when they have been tested.  "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17).  The two only sharpen each other when they meet in conflict - blades don't sharpen each other when they are pointed in the same direction.  They have to meet at an angle, from a different perspective, to challenge each other.  To firm up what you truly believe and to change what you do not.  To cut away that which is no longer needed.

If you are only getting your news or information from one source, please start branching out and getting information from a wide net.  I've circulated this infographic before, but it provides a breakdown of news organizations by particular bias.   This page also provides a detailed breakdown of how the original designer came up with the chart and the datapoints that went into it.

At the very least, please recognize the particular bias that your information sources have and start identifying when you are getting facts and when the news personality goes into opinion.

If your circle of friends agree on everything and are all alike, expand and add new friends to your circle.  We need people in our lives that challenge us.  That disagree with us in certain areas, so that we can challenge our own ideas and continue to develop them.  Democrats need Republicans and vice versa.  Calvinists need Arminians and vice versa.  Longhorns need Aggies.

We have to do something now.  We can combat this and we can start to value the truth and facts again.  We just need work at it and keep working.

Just my humble opinion.

Why I Love My Church 1 - Baptism Sunday

"As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water.  What can stand in the way of my being baptized?"  Acts 8:36

I wanted to start a new series to write on special Sundays to outline reasons I love the church we are attending.  It can be very easy to focus on the negative in anything we do.  To point out everything we would change, every little problem we have.  Everything that doesn't make us happy.  All too often, we focus on those aspects to the exclusion of all that we have been blessed with.

And please do not misunderstand me, I love a lot of things about Stonepoint.  I love the staff, I love the intentionality that everything is done with, I love the biblical foundation, I love the people.  Everything listed probably does not get enough recognition.  But this series will not initially focus on those aspects.  To start this series is going to focus on those really unique, standout things our church does, including a few things that I would love to see other churches do as well.

This is on my mind because today is Baptism Sunday.  Stonepoint does not have a baptistery, so Baptisms are scheduled for around three times a year.  This Sunday, May 6, 2018, will be the first baptism service of 2018.  And if you've never been to a Stonepoint baptism, here are a few things that really standout to me about this Sunday.

1) The whole church comes together - At Stonepoint, we have five services on Sunday mornings, three in Wills Point and two in Edgewood.  This Sunday, we will only have one service at 10:00 am outside at the Wills Point campus.  The platform will be setup for the worship team and the "pool" for the baptisms.  All services and both campuses will come together to recognize the life change that has occurred in the lives of those baptized, as well as the growth of the church and God's kingdom.  It is a time for us all to be united.  To see those that serve in other services that we may not get to see as often.  To celebrate together.  It's one of the important milestones where we are all united.

2) The baptisms involve the whole staff and those who have been influential in the life change that is being celebrated - Our baptisms are not performed by Brandon, the senior pastor, only.  The baptism itself is performed by the staff member, journey group leader, teacher, parent, etc. that has the strongest connection to the person being baptized.  Beyond that, those members that are closest to the person being baptized are invited in the water with them.  Parent, sibling, journey group members.  It's a celebration of the journey and we have those that are celebrating the most involved in the process.

3) It's a party - I've been using the word celebration over and over again because that is the best way to describe our baptism services.  It is a celebration of the lives that have been changed and brought into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is a celebration of the lost being found.  It is a celebration of relationships being restored, of lifelong friendships, of forgiveness.  Of the old passing away and being made new.  For a fresh start.  A new hope.

It is written that the angels in heaven rejoice when a sinner repents.

"Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Luke 15:15

We want to join in that celebration.  So in addition to the baptisms themselves we sing.  Loud.  We have bounce houses.  We have Kona Ice.  We set up our lawn chairs and blankets.  Throw footballs and frisbees.  And we eat, eat, and eat (we're mostly recovering Baptists, so of course we eat).

This is homecoming.  It's a family reunion.  It's a party because our brother, our sister was lost and has now returned.  We can learn a lot from the story of the prodigal son here, because when the prodigal comes home, it is a time to bring out the best, the finest.

So, if you are looking for a church home, to find a place to truly connect and dig in deeper, you can find out more about Stonepoint here.

If you have a church home, I would ask you what you love about your church.  Could you list the things that you feel your church is really strong in?  And are there areas that you recognize you are being called to serve in?

And if you have not yet believed and followed Christ in baptism, I would ask you:

Look, here is water.  What stands in your way from being baptized?

My Favorite Superheroes

As Marvel Week wraps, I thought I would close with my favorite superheroes.  The two that I most enjoy reading and the two that most inspire me.  They both have had great runs of stories and great creators working on them and have gone on to successful interpretations in other media.

Captain America
Steve Rogers...Born in the U.S.A., raised to cherish the ideals of democracy, endowed with a superhuman physique, and driven to be the most capable combatant in the world.  Now as both lone crusader and leader of the renowned Avengers, he fights an ongoing battle for liberty, justice and the American Dream!

Captain America is the closest thing Marvel has to Superman (and I'm a Superman person, so there is a natural affinity).  He is a DC character in the Marvel universe.  To understand what I mean by that, the heroes of the DC Universe are heroes first, people second.  Batman is Bruce Wayne, Superman is Clark Kent.  They are mythic creations that put the focus on super in superhuman.  In contrast, Marvel heroes are people first who become heroes.  Peter Parker is Spider-man, Bruce Banner is the Incredible Hulk.  These are heroes with feet of clay and problems like you or me.  A story focus on the human in superhuman.  Captain America embodies the best of both.  He is the moral center of the Marvel Universe.  The proverbial eternal soldier who always fights for what is right.  As one of the longest running Marvel characters, originally sold in December 1940, he represents the through line of the entire publication history of Marvel.

Because he was created as a national emblem, his writers are allowed to explore America and all it entails.  With Cap as the representative of our democracy, many of his villains promote other forms of government.  The anarchist Flag Smasher.  The Nazi Red Skull.  The Communist Red Guardian. They have even represented fringes within our own country.  The ultra-conservative/alt-right Watchdogs.  The eco-terrorist Green Skull.  His status allows Cap to be both political and apolitical.  He represents the ideals of our nation, not confined to one representative party.  Often his best stories involve him distancing himself from the government, as he reminds the readers that he stands for what is right and the people, not the whims of any administration.  (Though if pressed, Steve Rogers particular political leanings would be seen as very specifically New Deal Democrat.  He was raised in the 1930s/1940s, after all).

His position also allows writers to explore American history and events.  His status as the product of an army experiment was further explored in light of the Tuskegee experiments in Truth: Red, White, and Black.    The supposition there is if there was a Super Soldier Serum, it would have been tested on Black soldiers first and it makes for a gripping read.  Likewise, Cap's disillusionment with the government during the Watergate scandal and the rise of the original Secret Empire remains a classic reveal.

Ultimately, it is the moral compass of Steve Rogers that makes him the greatest hero in the Marvel Universe.  We have seen this in the films demonstrated wonderfully.  No matter whether he is the 90 pound weakling or the full-fledged super soldier, he looks to protect the little guy, cannot stand bullies, and fight for what is truly right.

"Doesn't matter what the press says.  Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say.  Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.
This nation was founded on one principle above all else:  The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences.  When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world - "No, YOU move." Amazing Spider-man #537

That speech in the wrong hands could be used to justify all kinds of regression and fighting.  From Cap, it is a rallying cry to the best in us, to stand and keep persevering.

Chris Evans has done a masterful job embodying Cap on the screen and bringing to life the resolve the character needs.  He knows the impact his character has and has wielded it well.  He is Marvel's Christopher Reeve.

This is why the Captain America long sleeve shirt is a favorite.  Why I have the shield backpack.  Why there is a lithograph I'm dying to get framed and in an office.

Recommended Storylines:

• Captain America: Winter Solider Ultimate Collection
• Truth: Red, White, and Black
• Captain America: Patriot
• Captain America: White
• Captain America Epic Collection (Vol. 22): Man Without A Country

Daredevil, The Man Without Fear!
He dwells in eternal night - but the blackness is filled with sounds and scents, tastes and textures other men cannot perceive.  For though attorney Matt Murdock is blind, his other four senses function with superhuman sharpness - his uncanny radar sense guides him over every obstacle!  He stalks the streets by night, a relentless red-garbed foe of evil!

To me Daredevil is a study in contradictions.  Blind by day; acrobat by night.  Attorney upholding the law by day; vigilante that is breaking it at night.  Good Catholic boy by day who dresses as the Devil at night.  It's the convergence of all these things that make for great explorations in the comics.  Plus, he's a superhero attorney - of course I'm going to appreciate it.

I would wager that Daredevil has been one of the most consistently well written superheroes in existence.  Frank Miller, Kevin Smith, Brian Michael Bendis, and Ed Brubaker all with significant runs on the character.  I'm one who also enjoys the Joe Kelly, Carl Kesel, and Mark Waid runs.  Charles Soule is doing very interesting things with the character is his current run.  Having an attorney write Daredevil has yielded new insights into the character.

His character has proven very adaptable, with tone ranging from swashbuckling Errol Flynn to hardened noir, the latter probably being the most recognizable.  Very at home in a gritty 1970s Hell's Kitchen New York.  And the city is such an important character in and of itself in his books.  Marvel has told stories with Daredevil in other places.  But there is nothing like him in his element in the city that never sleeps.

One thing I enjoy in particular, is the exploration of Murdock's faith.  Faith in comics is rarely addressed, and even when it is, it is usually as window dressing.  Daredevil's Irish Catholic upbringing is essential to his character.  He may be a lapsed Catholic, but scenes of Daredevil in confession are almost required for every story.  It adds something unique to the character and grounds him in an familiar role.

Ultimately, Daredevil is the ultimate fighter in the Marvel Universe.  Not the best martial artist, but the champion that never quits, never gives in.  Keeps getting back up of the mat and taking his licks, to ultimately prevail.  He may be knocked down a few times in a round, but he is going to win the match.  A lesson in perseverance.

My love for Daredevil may not be as apparent, but it definitely runs as deep.

Recommended storylines:

• Daredevil: Yellow
• Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
• Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller Volume 1
• Daredevil: Born Again
• Daredevil: Guardian Devil
• Daredevil: Redemption

Top 10 Marvel Comics Runs That I Have Read

After explaining why I still read comic books, I thought I would over a few of my favorite runs.  Since it is Marvel Week here, I've going to focus on Marvel Comics storylines that I would recommend as my favorites.  I've most often listed them by writer, as they are the constant.  Where appropriate, I've indicated the key artist as well.

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So, in no particular order:

Captain America by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting
This is Captain America as a political thriller.  Captain America via Three Days of the Condor.  This run does the impossible and brings back Bucky Barnes as the Winter Soldier.  It contains the Death of Captain America.  It's tense and taut and through it all, Captain America's core remains the same.  He is the moral center of the Marvel Universe for a reason.

The Immortal Iron Fist by Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction and David Aja
Kung Fu Billionaire Danny Rand.  That's a great hook.  This run includes the pulp predecessor to the Iron First and the battle of the seven capital cities of Heaven.  David Aja's art is amazing and the story expands on the Iron Fist mythos in a very genre appropriate method.

Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Matt Fraction takes Hawkeye and puts him in a Rockford Files-esque storyline, protecting an apartment building and its tenants that he has purchased.  David Aja takes his art to another level, experimenting with the format in ways that have not been seen before.  The deaf issue, the issue from the view point of a child, the issue from the viewpoint of the dog.  Issue after issue is consistently excellent.

Daredevil by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
This is the classic run, the one that changed Daredevil from a swashbuckling adventurer to a crime comic staple.  The run that brought an edge to Daredevil.  The Kingpin, Bullseye, Elektra.  To see a man brought to his lowest point and then restored in Born Again.  From this point on, Daredevil would have consistently good writing.

Avengers by Kurt Busiek and George Perez
This is the seminal Avengers run.  The one that respected the past and forged on to tell at least three of the top Avengers storylines of all time (Ultron Imperative, JLA/Avengers).  Kurt Busiek as a writer is able to connect to human emotion like no other.  His creator owned Astro City is one of the best comics of all time.  George Perez is the master for a reason.  His obsession with detail and crowds makes him one of the most sought after superhero artists.  He continues to strive to draw larger and larger groups of characters together. To me, when I picture superheroes, I imagine them drawn by George Perez.  Classic Avengers stories told by master artists.

Ultimate Spider-man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley
Bendis and Bagley were given the unenviable task of restarting Spider-man for the new century.  And they stepped up to the plate in a major way.  I have cried with this comic.  It has one of the best gut-busting page turner laughs I have ever experienced.  I love Bendis' writing on a lot of comics from Jessica Jones to Daredevil and the Defenders, and I'm looking forward to his take on Superman.  Bagley is another of those quintessential superhero artists.  He has worked on Spider-man for so long, that when I picture Spider-man, it is always Mark Bagley.  111 consecutive issues of this team together.  For anyone who wants to get a fresh start with Spider-man stories, this is the place to go.

Loki: Agent of Asgard by Al Ewing and Lee Garbett
Al Ewing is proving one of my favorite new writers.  With Loki, Ewing was able to explore the importance of stories, as Loki, god of mischief has a chance to start again and morphs into the god of stories.  It's funny, it is moving, and it's meta.  Lee Garbett provides clean, accessible art, that services Ewing's story very well.  A short, but beautiful run.

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North and Erica Henderson
This title reminds us that comics are supposed to be fun.  It's not afraid to be silly, stars a very plucky and determined hero in Doreen Green, the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. It's STEM friendly with Doreen's background as a computer science student, and code has even been used to solve the  problems she faces in at least one issue very explicitly.  A major component of this title focuses on the fact that Squirrel Girl is not content to just beat the bad guy into submission.  She has helped truly turn bad guys around and looks for solutions that don't involve her fists. Highly enjoyable.

Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham
Jonathan Hickman creates very interesting comics.  The story goes that when he laid out Fantastic Four, he established essentially everything that would be in his Fantastic Four, Avengers, New Avengers, and Secret War runs.  His run is expansive, adding the Future Foundation, the Universal Inhumans, and the Council of Reeds, all of which have been used to great effect. The most important part of the run is its focus on family and the characters.  Everything is character driven and grounded in true emotion.  It's Hickman's best run so far.

Black Panther by Christopher Priest and Sal Valeutto
This run introduced me to Christopher Priest.   I look forward to everything he writes because his style is so distinctive.  This book started with a Rashomon/Pulp Fiction style non-linear story, that made it stand out from everything on the stands.  Layered and complex plots with political intrigue, corporate espionage, great comic action.  Fun new characters.  Queen Divine Justice.  Everrett K. Ross, king of all white-boys.  This run defined the character for years to come.  If you like the Black Panther movie, its foundation is here.

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These runs to me represent the best Marvel has to offer.  I go back to these runs often to enjoy them fresh each time.  Each holds up.  I look forward to discovering many, many more.

Why I Read Comic Books

For an adult comic book fan, this can be the most repetitive question that they have to answer - "why do you still read comic books?"

Since nerd culture has really taken over pop culture, the question has lessened, but it can still linger. And it largely stems from an old perception of comic books, that dates back to when comics were available for ten cents at the corner drug store - "comics are for kids".   It's the Bif! POW! Adam West Batman interpretation of what comics represent.    As with most things, its a fight between perception and reality (which reminds me that I'll have to do a Why I Watch Cartoons post later on).

First, it's important to establish what a comic book is.  Comics are publications that consist of visual storytelling in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes.  These panels are often accompanied by brief descriptive prose and narrative, often in the form of dialog balloons.  The art form is most often thought of as the combination of visual art and narrative prose, though there can be purely visual comic books.  The most recognizable examples are the comic strips in the newspaper.  Comic books are generally longer form stories that have the same approach, though they are no longer locked into as structured of a grid-pattern for the flow of the story.  Page count and physical size can vary.

And the great thing is since the art form is a mixture of visual art and prose, the combination can be played with.  There are "silent" comic books that convey the story only through art.  Comics are one of the few art forms where the image and prose can be incongruous, that is the art and prose can be telling different stories, either complimentary (overlaying a poem onto a series of art panels that conveys the deeper meaning of the art) or in opposition.  When they are in opposition and used well, it can reveal a deeper truth of the story, what we tell ourselves versus what we do, all in the same frame.  Likewise, comics are one of the better visual mediums to get in a characters head.  Thought bubbles, though out of fashion, do have a place as a storytelling technique.

It's important to note that comic books refer to a medium not a genre.  Most often when people picture comic books they think of Archie or superheroes.  This is understandable as superheroes account for a large portion of the comic books published in America.  But they are not representative of all that comic books represent.  The list of genres covered by comics now is immense.  One of my favorite series from the past few years was The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, a Hollywood noir set in 1948 Los Angeles about a screenwriter who wakes up in a room with a murdered starlet.  Each issue included prose pieces on famous scandals of the Golden Age of Hollywood.  And there are a lot of noir comics that are published.  If you like crime, espionage, adventure, fantasy, science fiction (hard or soft science fiction), even Westerns, there are comics that are currently being published.

Further, comic books have tackled very heavy topics.  The most famous example is Maus by Art Spiegelman, which told the story of Spiegelman's interviews with his father and his father's experience as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor.  More recently, Representative John Lewis's March trilogy became a New York Times best seller, chronicling his experience in the Civil Rights Movement.

The stories that can be told are limited only by the imagination and will to do so.

Of course, I still love superhero stories as well.  I love their power to convey simple and complex morality tales.  A place to retreat where we know that good will always triumph over evil.  No matter how dark it looks, no matter how much has been lost, right will prevail.

Superheroes are our modern myths.  They provide ideals that we aspire to and convey larger than life stories of struggle, triumph, perseverance, and hope.  Like any good science fiction, they are allegories through which the pressing issues of our times can be explored (Watergate in the original Secret Empire in Captain America, racism in Weird Fantasy #18 by EC Comics).

Plus, comics have an unlimited budget.  Movies are just now catching up, but comics can still beat them in terms of mind-blowing visuals.

And the end of the day, comics entertain me and inspire me.  I've read many bad ones, and I've read many excellent ones.  Those that have stuck with me throughout my life.  I've cut back on the number that I read and I am definitely enjoying being able to have them on a tablet (though I do miss the tactile feel of holding a comic book).  But I keep coming back and am looking forward to passing that love on.

Until next time - same blog-time, same blog-channel.

If I Were Disney CEO Part 6 - Marvel Attraction Ideas

I skipped over this in discussion of the Marvel Land in Disney California Adventure, but with Avengers: Infinity War out this past weekend, I thought I would circle back to this area and flesh out a few thoughts on ideas for Marvel based attractions in the Disney parks.

Before digging into specifics, I want to address a few issues that I think Marvel attractions face.  First, I have a theory on what a Disney story requires and where it succeeds.  Truly great Disney stories focus on yesterday, tomorrow, adventure, and fantasy.    Disney does not do "today" well, meaning stories just about today with no magic, no other special twists.  This extends to theme parks and their aesthetic as well.  Disney California Adventure largely didn't succeed in its first incarnation because it contained a lot of modern buildings, which are frankly not exciting or welcoming for guests.  Marvel attractions could suffer from the same issue.  There are a couple of directions a Marvel land could go.  Universal went with a "comics" accurate version with large cutouts and bold colors.  It's an approach, but it's not very appealing.  A Marvel Cinematic universe approach generally leads to a lot of modern New York style buildings.  Only Asgard, Wakanda, and their outer space locations (Knowhere, Xandar, etc.) have any kind of interesting aesthetic.  It then becomes imperative to develop a unique look and feel to the land.

Second, it is also necessary to make sure that one off attractions in current lands are added in a way that complements the park and does not clash with the established aesthetic.  At least one particular current attraction implementation gives cause for concern.  While Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout consistently ranks at the highest rated attraction at Disney California Adventure, the outside of the attraction is an eye sore that is visible throughout the park.  While the previous attraction in this location (Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror) had similar sight-line issues, the Spanish Revival hotel style felt more appropriate in the park.  The current attraction has an awful colorful refinery look that looks nice only at night because of an interesting lighting package.  Hopefully, future additions will be more thoughtfully created.

Additionally, there is a concern regarding the particular presentation of the attractions given what Disney has done so far.  The two Marvel rides that exist (Iron Man Experience and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout) both have a heavy reliance on screens to create the characters that we identify with in the movie.  For Guardians in particular, the cast filmed the scenes for the attraction around Guardians 2.  This gives a continuity to the Cinematic Universe, but it can date the attraction very quickly.  Screen based attractions in general become more date more quickly than other types of attractions.  Additionally, it is important to have a well-rounded attraction style to keep the land from becoming repetitive.  The focus of the best attractions is to create the experience that you would want from the movie or story that you remember.  You want to fly with Peter Pan and Dumbo, you want to sail on a pirate ship, to blast off into orbit.  The attractions for Marvel should do the same - they should allow you to experience the particular thrill of being that hero.  To fly like the Falcon, to swing with Spidey, etc.

Finally, there are contractual constraints that tie Disney's hands in a lot of areas.  When Marvel was going through bankruptcy in the early- to mid-1990s, they signed a lot of contracts that Disney is now regretting.  For attractions, the primary issue is the contract with Universal and Marvel's presence in Universal's Islands of Adventure.  This contract is a perpetual contract so long as a few minor requirements.  It also has an exclusivity provision for all area east of the Mississippi with very few exceptions (meaning only certain Marvel characters can appear in Walt Disney World) and limitations on use of the Marvel name across the US (meaning Marvel land in California will likely be called Super Hero City or the like).  This is the most challenging part of the Marvel situation.

With that, I will outline possible attractions I envision by franchise for Marvel properties, with suggestions for possible locations.

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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - The greatest appeal of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is that they are the protective force anyone could join with the right training.  Importantly, any attraction for S.H.I.E.L.D. should focus on that aspect.  I can envision a Superhero Training Academy or an agent target practice ride a la Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters or Men in Black.

Agent Carter - I would love for Disney to dust off the old Dick Tracy Crime Stoppers plans and update them to an Agent Carter attraction. Would fit perfectly in a Hollywoodland or Sunset Boulevard - Disney Hollywood Studios section (and may be one of the few characters they could use there).  It would be a rider through attraction where you get to use "tommy guns" to help take out the forces of Hydra, Leviathan, or the Zodiac.  This could be a signature attraction.

Ant-Man & the Wasp - The experience of shrinking (and growing) leads to a couple of exciting possibilities.  There are at least two extinct attractions that could be resurrected with new life breathed into them.  First, Disney could add a new version of Adventures Through Innerspace, an omnimover attraction where the guests shrink down to the microscopic level and back.  Now with Ant-man, it can be a journey into the Microverse.  Second, a 4D theater attraction like Honey I Shrunk the Audience could be created to have the entire theater feel being picked up, hurricane force breath, etc.  If nothing else, being able to explore giant versions of familiar objects is always fun.  A Marvel Land, Tomorrowland, or even EPCOT would be a good location given the "science hero" aspect.

Black Panther - The desired experience for Black Panther is to visit Wakanda.  That was such a fully realized, visually astounding place, that to be able to walk around in that land would be incredible.  The attractions are almost secondary.  I would, however, love to see a circle vision (or whole dome circle vision) attraction where you could feel immersed in the dream like quality of the "Realm of Kings."  If a Wakandan land is built, it would be a perfect expansion of Adventureland.  Further, an expo-like Wakandan Outreach Center would be a good fit for Tomorrowland or EPCOT.

Captain America - Captain America is one of the few heroes where the desired experience is to truly ride along with him on an adventure.  Accordingly, an attraction for Cap would need to be a ride (with one fun exception).    I could definitely see an Indiana Jones-like enhanced motion vehicle jeep ride along side Cap tracking down the Watchdogs, the Sons of the Serpent, Ultimatum, or Hydra.  Likewise, I think the rumored Cap motorcycle darkride/coaster hybrid sounds amazing.  These would be perfect for a Marvel land, whether at Disney California Adventure, Paris Studios, or Hong Kong Disneyland.  For the one exception, I have long thought a Hollywood Canteen USO show would be a great addition to the golden age Hollywoodland.  It would be perfect to have a Cap punching Hitler moment in this type of show.

Doctor Strange - Doctor Strange really needs to be a 4D theater attraction to allow for all of the truly trippy visuals that could be experienced.  Particularly if projection mapping was used to allow the whole space to become part of the screen.  I think you could even go with a form of a Magic Lamp Theater approach where you mix an actor performing stage magic and sleight-of-hand with the movie magic going on all around.  It could be truly incredible.  Plus, the Sanctum Santorum provides for great exterior architecture.  This would need to go in a Marvel land, or perhaps the Paris Studios park or Tokyo DisneySea in the American Waterfront area.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Guardians surprisingly have the most flexible uses in the parks.  Mission Breakout has proved this.  The gantry lift drop ride has proved to be a very popular attraction.  I also think the smartest re-theme of Star Tours is to Galaxy Tours.  Think about it, you replace C3P0 with a Rocket animatronic as your pilot, with a potted Baby Groot on the dash, playing a new awesome mix soundtrack for the ride.  You can visit Knowhere, Xandar, Ego, Hala, Sakar, and the like for variety in locations and can encounter the Chituari, the Skrulls, Ronan and the Kree, the Nova Corps, the Ravagers, and the Sovereign for antagonists.  You could still keep the multiple ride profiles for repeatability.  And thankfully, the Guardians can be used in Florida, so this could be rolled out at all Star Tours locations.  (This would be a much better fit than the Guardians Energy ride in EPCOT).  Likewise, I think Guardians would be a great re-theme of Stitch's Great Escape!  Imagine if Groot was beamed down in the tube and needed to escape with the Novas or the Sovereign looking to study him.   Less scary than Alien Encounter, but better than Stitch (anything is better than Stitch's Great Escape).  The themes and setting of Guardians make them fit in any Marvel land and in Tomorrowland.

Hulk - Hulk is a difficult one because the experience that we would want as a Hulk is to be able to smash.  Maybe with VR this could be accomplished, but the VR apparatus is better suited for Iron Man, as is discussed in the section below.  His current attraction in Islands of Adventure is a roller coaster and I understand that choice (mega coaster for mega hero), but it really does not tie together.  An attraction like Stitch's Great Escape! could work if it were a situation where Banner was captured and then busts out as the Hulk, but it could venture too close into making guests terrified of the Hulk (that could be an amazing moment though, if you could watch a Banner animatronic transform and Hulk out).  Likely, the best solution is to use the Hulk in an Avengers ride only.

Iron Man - The desired experience is to wear the armor.  To be able to fly, to shoot replusor blasts, to really feel like you are in the suit.  I think the best way to accomplish this would be a VOID VR experience.  It has currently been rolled out for a Star Wars experience and I think the two share many similarities.  In the Star Wars version, your mission is to infiltrate a location dressed as a Stormtrooper.  The Stormtrooper outfit provides an in story explanation for the equipment you have to wear for the VR.  The armor would work the same way.  Now, the experience is designed for around 4 people to work together and generally Iron Man is only one hero in armor (maybe two with War Machine), but this could be explained as a new prototype armor for all or as joining the Iron Legion.  I think this could be incredible and a great addition for a Marvel Land, Tomorrowland or EPCOT.

Spider-man - The goal here is to swing.  To feel that rush of swinging through New York city.  The bounce and lift that would come with it.  The ride at Islands of Adventure accomplishes this well, but focuses on a comics version, screen based view.  The patent Disney has filed that arguably is for a future Spidey ride, I think would help accomplish this feeling, swinging side-to-side through the ride and allow for a more fully realized animatronic and set based attraction.  Plus, it would appear to be a little more all-ages friendly.  Very important for your neighborhood friendly Spider-man.  Good for Marvel land or the American Waterfront in Tokyo.

Thor - With Thor, generally I feel the strongest connections are in the transportation across the Bifrost to Asgard and the land of Asgard itself.  It's Marvel's Fantasyland.  Without creating that space, I would have Thor included in an Avengers ride as well.

The Avengers - For an Avengers ride, I would want a mega-E-ticket that employs all the available technology, like LPS ride technology, projection mapping, many, many animatronics, physical sets, screens to extend the horizon, and every theatrical trick you can think of.  This should be the big ride, like the Star Wars Battle attractions is going to be.  Like Shanghai's Pirates ride.    Animatronics of each of the Avengers fighting along side you to get you out.  A giant Hulk animatronic you encounter.  The team is protecting you as you get to safety.  Marvel Land Anchor.  It could be marvelous!

X-men - Planning for the Fox acquisition and total Marvel integration, the quintessential X-men experience is the Danger Room.  Accordingly, an X-men attraction should be an interactive, immersive theater experience.  Marvel land, maybe American Waterfront.

Fantastic Four - Likewise, the Fantastic Four signature experience is space travel and an encounter with the biggest threats possible.  The Fantastic Four would likewise be a good fit for Star Tours, with a possible Armageddon style pre-show.

This does not even begin to include meet and greets and stunts shows, which any of the characters above could anchor, plus characters like Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, etc.  I would even love to see older, deeper cuts like the Two Gun Kid and Kid Colt as citizens of Frontierland.

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This is all to say, Marvel has a bright future ahead of itself in Disney parks as well.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Disney will roll out and hope to be amazed by what they can do.

'Nuff Said.

Marvelland

So, with Infinity War, it's a bit of Marvel Week here.  It's going to be on my mind for a while, so I'm going to just go with it.

Below, I'm including an exploration from an old post on Micechat that I added when the Disney acquisition of Marvel was first announced.  Disney parks fans were most afraid of a Marvel invasion into the parks, particularly in areas that were not appropriate (i.e. Spider-man on a turn of the century Main Street).  This post was an exploration of what would have happened if the two companies were reversed - what if Marvel was the company with a park that acquired Disney and was trying to integrate it into that space.  It's an exploration of Marvel's 79 year history and how it would have impacted a Marvel park.  It's a little updated and edited, but the basis is all here.

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If we were to take it that Marvel had created a theme park in 1955, putting Disney characters in the parks would not be as big of a stretch as you would think.

In 1955, the only somewhat recognizable superheroes Marvel would have would be Captain America, the Android Human Torch, and Namor the Submariner. But, their popularity was waning, so you might have a section of the park dedicated to the WWII superhero set, so maybe a WWII New York, New York "main street" area with victory parades and a Cap walk-around character.

In the 1950s though, the big sellers were Romance comics, Westerns, Monster comics (a la Godzilla sized sci-monsters), crime and war comics and jungle/men's adventure titles. Atlasland (as Marvel didn't become "Marvel Comics" until the 1960s) could conceivably even contain several distinct themed lands. If you went clockwise around the park, you could conceivably have:

• a WWII Superhero NY "main street",
• an Adventure section focusing on the jungle comics like Jann of the Jungle, Lorna Jungle Queen and Ka-zar and adventure comics, 
• a Western section focusing on characters like the Two Gun Kid, the Rawhide Kid, etc., 
• a fantasy/horror section for the Marvel Monsters (kaiju), and 
• a more modern 50's section for shows and meet and greets with Millie the Model and Patsy Walker and the other Archie like romance characters.

So long as the rides stayed popular and people had a bit of nostalgia for them, many rides would remain in the park despite future expansion and changes in Marvel's business focuses (just as Disney's original rides have remained).

In the late 1960s (let's say 1967 to parallel a little Disney history), you would have the first large expansion of Marvelland (as it would now be called), adding a superhero section to revamp the modern 1950s romance/humor section above. Here Spider-man, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-men, Hulk, and all would be given a large space with rides, shops, restaurants, and meet and greets. This would quickly become the most popular section of the park.

Then in 1983, the fantasy/horror section outlined above which had previously focused on more of the giant Marvel Monsters, would get a complete refreshing, changing out the Giant Monsters for the sword and sorcery and epic sci-fi/fantasy books that had exploded in popularity in the 1970s. Books like Conan and Red Sonja. There would be a small sub section for the Marvel Horror books - a Tomb of Dracula spook ride, Castle Frankenstein, etc.

Marvel even had partnered comics with Lucasfilm for Star Wars and Indiana Jones that could lead to partnered rides like Star Tours and the Indiana Jones Adventure.

Given that framework, when Marvel buys Disney, the fit isn't as hard as you would think. Lion King fits with the Jungle Fantasy. Woody from Toy Story can stick out just as much in a Marvel Western-land as he does in Frontierland. Merida and the characters from Brave can fit in a sword and sorcery-land. The Incredibles completely belong in the superhero set.

Likewise, as to the original post, the easiest fit for Disney in anything Marvel does is the Incredibles. You could immediately start seeing the Incredibles appear in universe in the Marvel comics.

All that above to facetiously say with a little imagination, the two can work together. Given most people know Marvel for superheroes, they jump to Spider-man on Main Street. And admittedly, Spider-man and the Avengers are the characters Disney would want in the park first. That statement does not mean that there aren't creative ways to make the two fit together. The history of the two companies leads to surprising similarities when you want to find them.

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It's interesting to know that in the nine years since Disney has bought Marvel, we have still not gotten the Marvel attractions that were hope for or feared.  There have been meet and greets and movie previews, but the attractions are just now being designed and implemented.  The Star Tours like Iron Man Experience simulator only opened last year.  And a full-scale Marvel land is likely at least two years away.  Plenty of ideas to put in those new spaces.

I'll pick up there tomorrow.  Stay tuned, true believers!

Shared on Micechat, May 16, 2012