Hyperspace Mountain: A Quick Little Review

This ride is a 10 out of 10

Hyperspace Mountain opened yesterday….and having been on it this weekend it is a very welcome overlay.   It is meant to just be temporary for Seasons of the Force, but I really wish this will become a permanent addition.   I know saying this will probably upset some die hard nostalgic Disneyland fans---but this addition really is an enhancement for the ride.    In the same way that the ride was enhanced by the addition of the music a long time ago---the addition of an X-wing and Tie-Fighter battle enhances the ride even further.    I don’t think I can imagine Space Mountain going back to the old version again.   I feel like it would feel like Small World does after the Holiday overlay is gone.    Small World during the Holidays is magical and full of color.  When they put the holiday decorations away all I notice is the gaps where all the holiday decorations were.   I feel like when Space Mountain removes the overlay I will just notice all the stuff that is missing.

 Space Mountain is a great ride –but HyperSpace Mountain takes it to the next level.   The John Williams soundtrack is amazing and its adds it fighter calls from the battle as well.   Tie Fighter and Star Destroyers surround you as you exit from Hyperspace.   X-wings fly by  you as you battle off the empire.   the best moment coming toward the end as a Tie –Fighter comes straight at you as your vehicle goes over a drop.  This scene felt just like the giant Boulder in the Indiana Jones ride.    I can’t imagine Space Mountain without this effect going forward.   Check out the ride everyday during Seasons of the Force.....Now at Disneyland

As the guy in the Buzz Lightyear clothes would say " To Infinity and Beyond"

Later in the week I will discuss the rest of the Seasons of the Force once I venture back out to the parks for more fun.

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Tomorrowland 2015 9 out of 10: A Movie Review

Tomorrowland 2015  9 out of 10

I’ve been waiting for Tomorrowland to come out for awhile.  It is one of those films that I was looking forward to seeing in the theaters –but never got around to for some reason.

My wife and I had seen the great 4-D sneak peek for the movie at Disneyland and its ties to the 1964 World’s fair and mysterious nature intrigued me.  

Here is a link to my thoughts on the sneak peek with pictures of the movies props.

http://braddisneylandblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/tomorrowland-movie-sneak-peek-small.html

The film turned out a little different than I had imagined it would.  It was part action adventure and part comedy which didn’t come across in the trailers.  

The film didn’t perform as well as Disney hoped it would at the box office which was a disappointment since it was original film as opposed to a reboot, remake or sequel.  I hate when films I like don’t do as well at the box office as they should. 
I can see how it was a hard movie to market….to get across what the movie was about without ruining the story.   I absolutely loved the marketing personally.  The mystery of Tommorrowland left me looking forward to the film.     

Disney Connection

Being a huge Disney fan I loved the links to the Small World and the 1964 World’s Fair –being a gateway to this magical place.  Between this movie and Escape From Tomorrow   (add link to blog and podcast here)   a ride on the Small World will never be the same again.     What kid hasn’t fantasized about a secret path on the Small World.   Aside from the Small World ride of course the name of the film itself is named after the land in the parks.  The theme of the film reminds me of Walt's vision for Epcot.

The movie iteself:

The concept and story of the film are magical.  I love the concept of the film and this secret place where all of the world’s imaginative people have created something special.  The best part of the film was near the start when you get to actually visit Tomorrowland in all it’s glory through the eyes of the main character (played by Brit Robertson) as she first experiences it via the magical Tomorrowland pin.  Tomorrowland looks amazing.  
 I will revisit this part of the film many times just to take it all in.  One of the biggest complaints about the film was that we didn’t spend enough time there…..(but that would have made the movie cost even more and slowed down a good story).     Of course no Utopia ever ends up prefect and Tomorrowland is no different.   The main character becomes the only hope to save humanity and its future.   With the help of a good Animatronic girl and a grumpy old George Clooney (that was once an optimistic young boy at the beginning of the film) she must give the world hope and save the day.  The message of the movie is great….  Imagination and Optimism need to thrive….. The story that delivered that message was fun and entertaining.    I would totally recommend this film.    It made for a great family movie night.

I can’t wait to dive into the bonus features ---which I will discuss in a future post.

Check out Part 2 of our Disney Discussion on our Podcast. 

We Briefly discuss the Star Wars Trailer, Tomorrowland movie and all things Disneyland

http://www.superfantasticterrific.com/super-fantastic-terrific-show-10-disneyland-fun-and-star-wars-news/

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Tomorrowland Movie Sneak Peek: (The Small World Ride will never be the same again)

Disneyland's 60th Anniversary has officially kicked off.   It was time to return to the park and start to catch up on everything that is going on.   Our first stop was the Tomorrowland sneak peek in while Tomorrowland of course.

The movie Sneak Peek is currently in the old Captain EO theater and like the other sneak peeks that Disneyland has shown it was great.  This Sneak Peeks really make you want to see the movies and once again wish that the whole movie could be shown with the in theater effects.    The sneak peeks really blow you away –(literally in the case of the wind effects in the jet pack sneak peek scene).  

 My wife asked “ Why do we need to see the sneak peek –we are going to see the movie itself next week and we have already seen the long trailer—it will be just the same?”   Well after we saw the sneak peek she didn’t feel the same .  The in theater effects and extended scene were tremendous.  It covered stuff not previously seen in the trailers and just sparked my imagination for what the film will hold.

With cool displays from the 1964 World Fair and clips of Walt himself it really set the perfect mood.

The Small World factor:

 After watching this movie or sneak peek you will probably never look at the Small World ride the same again.   I personally used to wonder as a kid where the boats went when you see the routes that go off stage.   Having worked at the parks and on the subs in particular I know as an adult that it is probably into a repair shop or just off track storage,  but my imagination as a child always pictured some secret ride sections or something amazing.    
The directors of this movie must have thought the same thing –because they reignited all those childhood fantasies all over again.  See the film and you will know what I’m talking about.

In addition to the sneak peek for the movie that once again made it a must see for me—there was a cool little exhibit in the Starcade that had props and concept art from the film.   Here is a sample of some of what is there.  The concept art is amazing...I wish Tomorrowland looked like the Tomorrowland from the film.

 I pondered in a separate blog that I hoped for but didn’t expect Disney to give the same treatment to  Avengers and Star Wars –since those movies are so big that they practically market themselves.  Avengers has come and gone with no such sneak peel (I was unfortunately right).   I so wish they would have a Star Wars Force Awakens one….but that seems unlikely.

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Magic Kingdom Picture of the Week: Tomorrowland in the Distance

My Magic Kingdom Picture of the Week

Tomorrowland in the distance.

Tomorrowland looks a lot different in the Magic Kingdom than it does in Disneyland and with the extra space the park has to work with it seems like it is miles away in this photo.

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Disneyland Picture of the Day: Tomorrowland from a different view

I always try to get a picture of something different or new while in the parks.  This angle of the entrance of Tomorrowland caught my eye.   When you have been to the parks as many times as I have it is sometimes hard to find something new.....but it can be special when you do.

Disneyland Picture of the day (tomorrow awaits)

The Entrance of Tomorrowland

Disneyland Photo of the day (welcome to Tomorrowland)