The Disney Film Archives (A Shifted Disney Canon)

Chapter One Hundred-Five: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (1998)
Chapter One Hundred-Six: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (1998)
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(The Original Disney-Luxo Logo in use from 1998 to 2004)

1998 Was the year Disney-Luxo had to prove that it had resson to exist as a studio and prove that its faith in CGI films was not misplaced. A lot of pressure existed on the studio and its staff. The new head of Disney-Luxo thrived under that pressure. That man was Brad Bird. Bird grew up in Oregon and became interested in animation after watching interviews with Walt Disney and old loony toon cartoons. By 14, he had completed his first animated short and sent it to Disney, where he soon gained an apprenticeship. He attended the California Institute of the Arts in the late 1970s and worked for Disney shortly after. At Disney, Bird continued to grow and climb the ranks; he was an early supporter of CGI films. This support landed him the position of first head of Disney-Luxo. A position he had long wanted was now his.

The studio considered a few ideas when deciding what to make for their first project. They considered a film about a superhero family, one about a floating house and one about Tarzan. All these films would be films the studio would indeed one day make, but for their first film, they pulled out an old Disney trick and turned to myths and legends to find a story. This was done in part due to Hercules' success. In the end, bird and his team settled on the legend of Atlantis mixed with the aesthetic of a Jules Verne novel. The film was to be a grand epic adventure crafted in CGI; the studio briefly considered a musical but decided to move away from it so as not to be compared to Disney animation studios.

Brad Bird and Bryce Zabel developed the story. It followed a group of explorers in 1888 who discovered the lost city of Atlantis. The script underwent several iterations to balance the adventure and the complexity of the story, ensuring it remained accessible to a younger audience while still engaging adults. The team worked closely with linguists to create a credible ancient language for the Atlanteans. Disney-Luxo was set on getting the film right. The team, driven by their commitment to innovation, developed new software and rendering techniques specifically for this film, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in animation then. The design of Atlantis itself was a significant undertaking. The animators worked hard to create a vivid, luminous city using advanced lighting effects to simulate underwater physics and optics, which was groundbreaking at the time. A lot of the techniques used in the film would go on to become hallmarks of Disney-Luxo. Thomas Newman was hired to score the film.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered in theatres on June 18th 1998, a prime summer slot for a film from a new studio. Later, in interviews with Brad Bird, he explained that he was shocked that Disney had put the film into a summer slot, considering how essential summer releases were; he added that he had anticipated the film would get an October release. The release was accompanied by promotional tie-ins with fast-food chains and cereal companies, which included toys and collectables from the movie. To some, the summer placement and the promotional tie-ins helped push the film into prominent figures at the box office, but some say otherwise. Critics praised the film for its visual innovation and the depth of its storytelling, and some say this helped the film become a major hit. The film was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of animated movies and setting high standards for future productions by Disney-Luxo.

Though the film faced stiff competition from other summer blockbusters, it eventually grossed over $446 million at the box office. It earned a very rare 100% rating on the website Rotten Tomato. The film established the studio as a leader in animation innovation right from the very start. Its success paved the way for what was to come. To some, the studio would soon surpass the main studio as some of its films released in the next few years would reach acclaim Disney had not seen since the early 90s. Though it must be stated, the main studio never fell into a pit as it did in the 80s. Interests changed after 2001, but that will be explored later. For now, as the 90s drew closer to its end, Disney was riding on high once more. To bolster that, The Great Mouse Detective would soon allow Katie Fleischer-Disney to solidify herself as the next leader of Disney animation studios.
 
Chapter One Hundred-Six: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (1998)
View attachment 904087
(The Original Disney-Luxo Logo in use from 1998 to 2004)

1998 Was the year Disney-Luxo had to prove that it had resson to exist as a studio and prove that its faith in CGI films was not misplaced. A lot of pressure existed on the studio and its staff. The new head of Disney-Luxo thrived under that pressure. That man was Brad Bird. Bird grew up in Oregon and became interested in animation after watching interviews with Walt Disney and old loony toon cartoons. By 14, he had completed his first animated short and sent it to Disney, where he soon gained an apprenticeship. He attended the California Institute of the Arts in the late 1970s and worked for Disney shortly after. At Disney, Bird continued to grow and climb the ranks; he was an early supporter of CGI films. This support landed him the position of first head of Disney-Luxo. A position he had long wanted was now his.

The studio considered a few ideas when deciding what to make for their first project. They considered a film about a superhero family, one about a floating house and one about Tarzan. All these films would be films the studio would indeed one day make, but for their first film, they pulled out an old Disney trick and turned to myths and legends to find a story. This was done in part due to Hercules' success. In the end, bird and his team settled on the legend of Atlantis mixed with the aesthetic of a Jules Verne novel. The film was to be a grand epic adventure crafted in CGI; the studio briefly considered a musical but decided to move away from it so as not to be compared to Disney animation studios.

Brad Bird and Bryce Zabel developed the story. It followed a group of explorers in 1888 who discovered the lost city of Atlantis. The script underwent several iterations to balance the adventure and the complexity of the story, ensuring it remained accessible to a younger audience while still engaging adults. The team worked closely with linguists to create a credible ancient language for the Atlanteans. Disney-Luxo was set on getting the film right. The team, driven by their commitment to innovation, developed new software and rendering techniques specifically for this film, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in animation then. The design of Atlantis itself was a significant undertaking. The animators worked hard to create a vivid, luminous city using advanced lighting effects to simulate underwater physics and optics, which was groundbreaking at the time. A lot of the techniques used in the film would go on to become hallmarks of Disney-Luxo. Thomas Newman was hired to score the film.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered in theatres on June 18th 1998, a prime summer slot for a film from a new studio. Later, in interviews with Brad Bird, he explained that he was shocked that Disney had put the film into a summer slot, considering how essential summer releases were; he added that he had anticipated the film would get an October release. The release was accompanied by promotional tie-ins with fast-food chains and cereal companies, which included toys and collectables from the movie. To some, the summer placement and the promotional tie-ins helped push the film into prominent figures at the box office, but some say otherwise. Critics praised the film for its visual innovation and the depth of its storytelling, and some say this helped the film become a major hit. The film was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of animated movies and setting high standards for future productions by Disney-Luxo.

Though the film faced stiff competition from other summer blockbusters, it eventually grossed over $446 million at the box office. It earned a very rare 100% rating on the website Rotten Tomato. The film established the studio as a leader in animation innovation right from the very start. Its success paved the way for what was to come. To some, the studio would soon surpass the main studio as some of its films released in the next few years would reach acclaim Disney had not seen since the early 90s. Though it must be stated, the main studio never fell into a pit as it did in the 80s. Interests changed after 2001, but that will be explored later. For now, as the 90s drew closer to its end, Disney was riding on high once more. To bolster that, The Great Mouse Detective would soon allow Katie Fleischer-Disney to solidify herself as the next leader of Disney animation studios.
i like the concept of Disney-Luxo studios for this TL so i am in.
 
The main hiccup with making this studio was finding someone who was not John Lasseter to be the first head.
Thankfully, Brad Bird exists.
Next time, the great mouse detective, which I am biased to IRL since I think it's highly underrated.
 
Chapter One Hundred-Six: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (1998)
View attachment 904087
(The Original Disney-Luxo Logo in use from 1998 to 2004)

1998 Was the year Disney-Luxo had to prove that it had resson to exist as a studio and prove that its faith in CGI films was not misplaced. A lot of pressure existed on the studio and its staff. The new head of Disney-Luxo thrived under that pressure. That man was Brad Bird. Bird grew up in Oregon and became interested in animation after watching interviews with Walt Disney and old loony toon cartoons. By 14, he had completed his first animated short and sent it to Disney, where he soon gained an apprenticeship. He attended the California Institute of the Arts in the late 1970s and worked for Disney shortly after. At Disney, Bird continued to grow and climb the ranks; he was an early supporter of CGI films. This support landed him the position of first head of Disney-Luxo. A position he had long wanted was now his.

The studio considered a few ideas when deciding what to make for their first project. They considered a film about a superhero family, one about a floating house and one about Tarzan. All these films would be films the studio would indeed one day make, but for their first film, they pulled out an old Disney trick and turned to myths and legends to find a story. This was done in part due to Hercules' success. In the end, bird and his team settled on the legend of Atlantis mixed with the aesthetic of a Jules Verne novel. The film was to be a grand epic adventure crafted in CGI; the studio briefly considered a musical but decided to move away from it so as not to be compared to Disney animation studios.

Brad Bird and Bryce Zabel developed the story. It followed a group of explorers in 1888 who discovered the lost city of Atlantis. The script underwent several iterations to balance the adventure and the complexity of the story, ensuring it remained accessible to a younger audience while still engaging adults. The team worked closely with linguists to create a credible ancient language for the Atlanteans. Disney-Luxo was set on getting the film right. The team, driven by their commitment to innovation, developed new software and rendering techniques specifically for this film, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in animation then. The design of Atlantis itself was a significant undertaking. The animators worked hard to create a vivid, luminous city using advanced lighting effects to simulate underwater physics and optics, which was groundbreaking at the time. A lot of the techniques used in the film would go on to become hallmarks of Disney-Luxo. Thomas Newman was hired to score the film.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered in theatres on June 18th 1998, a prime summer slot for a film from a new studio. Later, in interviews with Brad Bird, he explained that he was shocked that Disney had put the film into a summer slot, considering how essential summer releases were; he added that he had anticipated the film would get an October release. The release was accompanied by promotional tie-ins with fast-food chains and cereal companies, which included toys and collectables from the movie. To some, the summer placement and the promotional tie-ins helped push the film into prominent figures at the box office, but some say otherwise. Critics praised the film for its visual innovation and the depth of its storytelling, and some say this helped the film become a major hit. The film was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of animated movies and setting high standards for future productions by Disney-Luxo.

Though the film faced stiff competition from other summer blockbusters, it eventually grossed over $446 million at the box office. It earned a very rare 100% rating on the website Rotten Tomato. The film established the studio as a leader in animation innovation right from the very start. Its success paved the way for what was to come. To some, the studio would soon surpass the main studio as some of its films released in the next few years would reach acclaim Disney had not seen since the early 90s. Though it must be stated, the main studio never fell into a pit as it did in the 80s. Interests changed after 2001, but that will be explored later. For now, as the 90s drew closer to its end, Disney was riding on high once more. To bolster that, The Great Mouse Detective would soon allow Katie Fleischer-Disney to solidify herself as the next leader of Disney animation studios.
That's great!

How is Disney Channel doing as of 1998?
 
Chapter One Hundred-Six: Basil of Baker Street (1998)
Chapter One Hundred-Six: Basil of Baker Street (1998)
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The Main Character: Basil of Baker Street

Katie Fleischer-Disney was known as an avid reader to those who worked with her in between work on films; she always had her head buried in a book. This is important because many of her passion projects would be books she had read growing up that had yet to be adapted for the big screen. Case in point: Basil of Baker Street. Basil of Baker Street is a series of children's novels written by Eve Titus and illustrated by Paul Galdone. The stories focus on the titular Basil of Baker Street and his personal biographer, Doctor David Q. Dawson. Together, they solve the many crimes and cases in the mouse world. Both live in Holmestead, a mouse community built in the 221B Baker Street cellar, where Sherlock Holmes is a tenant upstairs. She likely came across the book in the early 1980s and became heavily interested in it. Usurpingly, Disney had considered adaptions of Sherlock Homes book before for live-action but had never considered it for animation. Bazil of Baker Street had also never crossed the studio's mind until now.

Katie Fleischer-Disney pitched the project to Don Bluth, who gave her the go-ahead to serve as producer on the project. With the green light given, she set out to find writers for the project. Two would be hired to craft the story. Irene Mecchi and Linda Woolverton returned for another Disney film after the successes of The Lion King and Hercules. The pair were becoming well known in the animation world, nearly reaching the heights of the Sherman brothers or Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The Three decided that the story would follow only the first book but be expanded to craft a feature film. The resson for this was good in hindsight, but more on that quickly. The writers also conferred with the original book writer, Eve Titus, to craft a story that felt right for cinema but close enough to the source material.

The film would be directed by Industry veteran Ron Clements; Clements had worked closely with Disney for many years and had already developed a strong working partnership with Katie Fleischer-Disney. It was this working partnership between the team working on the film that led to a new dynamic. It is known that in the early 90s, the working conditions on Disney films were tense, and arguments happened often, but now, with two studios and two dedicated teams focusing on their craft. The mood shifted back to the jovial way it once was. However, now that a studio was dedicated to CGI, the main studio realized it needed to upgrade. Disney invested in digital ink and paint technology to enhance the vibrancy and precision of the film's colour palette. This technology allowed for greater colour consistency and variety, which was particularly important for the film's dark and moody Victorian London setting.

In terms of casting, the villain was cast first before the main hero in a change to the standard format. This was not done for any other reason than that Katie Fleischer-Disney knew exactly who she wanted to play the villain in the movie. That man was Vincent Price. Price was in his late 80s when Disney approached him for the role. His last significant film role was in 1990; since then, he has unofficially retired. Katie very much expected the price to decline, but the opposite happened. He agreed sooner than expected and threw himself wholeheartedly into the character. It was to be his last role before he died in 1999. The Studio wanted someone who could work well with Vincent Price as the villain; the Studio turned to actor Christopher Lee to take on the role of Basil of Baker Street. This was done on purpose, as Price and Lee had worked together before and were, in fact, close friends. As for Major Dr David Q. Dawson, the Studio turned to Tom Hanks, a star dominating Hollywood in the 90s. As for the score, that task went to Elliot Goldenthal.

The film was released in the fall of 1998, strategically timed to capture the family-oriented audience of the Thanksgiving holiday season. Combating against other big movies released around the same time, the film struggled at the box office, though eventually it broke even. However, despite barely breaking even, critics praised the film for its artistic style and the depth of its characters. The writers focused only on one book in case the film ever got a sequel. It seemed highly unlikely that the film would get a sequel, but Toy sales and DVD sales saw the film reach new successes; the film also began to grow its following throughout the early 2000s as an interest in Sherlock home stories took off again. And so, in 2003, a sequel was greenlit. Basil in the Wild West was set to be a thing. As for the first film, it has its flaws, but it is remembered fondly by many. It was not groundbreaking, but it did not need to be. It did what it needed to do and is loved for that exact resson.
 
Chapter One Hundred-Seven: Adventure Island (1998)
Chapter One Hundred-Seven: Adventure Island (1998)
adventure-island-universal-s-islands-of-adventure-adventure-game-logo-png-favpng-4eQnT4X4RNvpkG7T9ReLfJhpQ.jpg

(The Park's Logo in use from 2001 to 2006)​
The land where Adventure Island now stands was once used as a botanical garden from 1974 to 1988 before closure for unknown ressons. Some speculate it may be due to the need for more visitors. The island sat dormant for years afterwards, with Disney slowly removing bits and pieces from the unused island. In 1994, Disney announced plans to reinvent the island into Adventure Island. The plan was to transform the island into a themed adventure park inspired by exploration and discovery. The new plans were to Feature attractions such as zip lines, rope courses, and climbing walls, allowing guests to embark on thrilling adventures through lush forests and tropical landscapes. The decision was fuelled by the company's strategic aim to repurpose and rejuvenate underutilized areas within its resort properties. Head of Resort Properties, Martha Disney, had spent a lot of her early years in the parks and wanted to be ready for them for the new millennia. Adventure Island was to be the first step in this new master plan.

In 1994, Disney assembled a team of top planners, environmental scientists, and theme park designers to embark on the detailed planning process. Recognizing the Island's underutilization, Disney was committed to ensuring its safety. Construction commenced in the summer of 1995, with the Construction team implementing a series of measures to minimize ecological disruption. They strategically utilized existing waterways and made concerted efforts to preserve a significant portion of the Island's native vegetation. The construction phase posed its own challenges, including establishing the Island's electrical system, creating a modern port and entry point, and installing new water purification systems and crew areas. By late 1997, the construction work was completed, and the final touches were added in the early months of 1998.

The park opened on July 22nd, 1998. The ceremony was smaller than usual, though that was attributed to the smaller size of the island. Nevertheless, Disney pulled out all the stops to ensure a smooth and entertaining opening day, which included appearances of Disney characters outfitted in explorer gear. The opening was covered extensively by international media, drawing significant attention. Times have changed since the first Disney Park, and international press has always been on hand since Disney opened a new park. The first few months saw large crowds, with guests praising the park’s attention to detail and the educational value of its attractions. Adventure Island quickly became known for its blend of education and entertainment, though like every other Disney Park, it suffered during the early years of the 21st century. The park barely made it through that period as plans to shut it down were mused; however, it survived, and after a significant investment took place in 2006, the park stands strong, offering something different than any other Disney Park.

Adventure Island is accessible only by boat, with regular ferry services from several points at Walt Disney World Resort, including four resorts, Magic Kingdom and EPOT. Like all the other forms of transport in the park, it is included in the price of admission. The park operates daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Of all the parks in the Disney World resort, Adventure Island closes the earliest as the park is not built to be open at night. However, this closing time is delayed in the fall when Disney hosts its Adventure Island Campfire Story event, which sees the park extend its opening to 10. The park comprises four areas: Mystic Jungle, Lost Lagoon, Skyward Peaks, and Echo Caves. The park is the first Disney Park to forgo a main street, with the port area serving its purpose instead, though the port is not considered land in terms of the park.

Mystic Jungle: Mystic Jungle was built to immerse guests in a lost and magical jungle. Stone paths weave through the jungle, which is blanketed with rich foliage, including towering trees, hanging vines, and various exotic real and artificial plants to enhance the immersive experience. These trees also cover this parkland in case of inclement weather, such as rain. The land has two main attractions: Canopy Quest, an interactive climbing course where guests navigate rope bridges, crawl through hollow logs, and swing from tree to tree. The Attraction was designed for varying skill levels as Disney wanted to ensure that everyone from children to adults could enjoy the experience. The second Attraction is Whispering Waters, which takes guests on a voyage through a small river ride as they explore the local ruins.

Lost Lagoon: Lost Lagoon continues on the theme of stepping into a newly found place for the first time. This area focuses on forgotten civilizations, with the land centred by a big lagoon with sunken ruins dotting the area and huts established by the Guild of Adventures. The team decided earlier in the creative process for this park area to avoid Atlantis and Poseidon, so instead, the area is themed around old South American civilisations such as the Mayans. This land contains three significant attractions as it is the largest of the four lands. These attractions are the river rapids ride Temple Torrents and the walkthrough attraction Crystal Caverns, which takes guests into an area beneath the lake.

Skyward Peaks: Skyward Peaks is based on Machu Picchu; thus, it is the second largest and most mountainous area in the park. Despite the Area's elevation, Disney built special features to allow all to experience it. The land is home to one of Disney's biggest artificial waterfalls. The main attraction in this Area is the Cloud Cruiser, which takes guests across the island, starting from the highest point, Skyward Peaks. The zip line stretches over 600 meters. The Area has two smaller attractions, Peak Perch Lookout and Skyward Bridge.

Echo Caves: Echo Cave is the smallest of the four lands, but because of this, when it was constructed, efforts were made to pack in as much theming as they could to make the Area feel alive. The land replicates an underground network of natural and artificial caves, and the design is influenced by the caves found in mythologies worldwide. The Area is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and is lit by bioluminescent plants and minerals. This Area has only two attractions: Bejewelled Rift and Donald’s Harmonic Festival.
 
Chapter One Hundred-Seven: Adventure Island (1998)
adventure-island-universal-s-islands-of-adventure-adventure-game-logo-png-favpng-4eQnT4X4RNvpkG7T9ReLfJhpQ.jpg

(The Park's Logo in use from 2001 to 2006)​
The land where Adventure Island now stands was once used as a botanical garden from 1974 to 1988 before closure for unknown ressons. Some speculate it may be due to the need for more visitors. The island sat dormant for years afterwards, with Disney slowly removing bits and pieces from the unused island. In 1994, Disney announced plans to reinvent the island into Adventure Island. The plan was to transform the island into a themed adventure park inspired by exploration and discovery. The new plans were to Feature attractions such as zip lines, rope courses, and climbing walls, allowing guests to embark on thrilling adventures through lush forests and tropical landscapes. The decision was fuelled by the company's strategic aim to repurpose and rejuvenate underutilized areas within its resort properties. Head of Resort Properties, Martha Disney, had spent a lot of her early years in the parks and wanted to be ready for them for the new millennia. Adventure Island was to be the first step in this new master plan.

In 1994, Disney assembled a team of top planners, environmental scientists, and theme park designers to embark on the detailed planning process. Recognizing the Island's underutilization, Disney was committed to ensuring its safety. Construction commenced in the summer of 1995, with the Construction team implementing a series of measures to minimize ecological disruption. They strategically utilized existing waterways and made concerted efforts to preserve a significant portion of the Island's native vegetation. The construction phase posed its own challenges, including establishing the Island's electrical system, creating a modern port and entry point, and installing new water purification systems and crew areas. By late 1997, the construction work was completed, and the final touches were added in the early months of 1998.

The park opened on July 22nd, 1998. The ceremony was smaller than usual, though that was attributed to the smaller size of the island. Nevertheless, Disney pulled out all the stops to ensure a smooth and entertaining opening day, which included appearances of Disney characters outfitted in explorer gear. The opening was covered extensively by international media, drawing significant attention. Times have changed since the first Disney Park, and international press has always been on hand since Disney opened a new park. The first few months saw large crowds, with guests praising the park’s attention to detail and the educational value of its attractions. Adventure Island quickly became known for its blend of education and entertainment, though like every other Disney Park, it suffered during the early years of the 21st century. The park barely made it through that period as plans to shut it down were mused; however, it survived, and after a significant investment took place in 2006, the park stands strong, offering something different than any other Disney Park.

Adventure Island is accessible only by boat, with regular ferry services from several points at Walt Disney World Resort, including four resorts, Magic Kingdom and EPOT. Like all the other forms of transport in the park, it is included in the price of admission. The park operates daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Of all the parks in the Disney World resort, Adventure Island closes the earliest as the park is not built to be open at night. However, this closing time is delayed in the fall when Disney hosts its Adventure Island Campfire Story event, which sees the park extend its opening to 10. The park comprises four areas: Mystic Jungle, Lost Lagoon, Skyward Peaks, and Echo Caves. The park is the first Disney Park to forgo a main street, with the port area serving its purpose instead, though the port is not considered land in terms of the park.

Mystic Jungle: Mystic Jungle was built to immerse guests in a lost and magical jungle. Stone paths weave through the jungle, which is blanketed with rich foliage, including towering trees, hanging vines, and various exotic real and artificial plants to enhance the immersive experience. These trees also cover this parkland in case of inclement weather, such as rain. The land has two main attractions: Canopy Quest, an interactive climbing course where guests navigate rope bridges, crawl through hollow logs, and swing from tree to tree. The Attraction was designed for varying skill levels as Disney wanted to ensure that everyone from children to adults could enjoy the experience. The second Attraction is Whispering Waters, which takes guests on a voyage through a small river ride as they explore the local ruins.

Lost Lagoon: Lost Lagoon continues on the theme of stepping into a newly found place for the first time. This area focuses on forgotten civilizations, with the land centred by a big lagoon with sunken ruins dotting the area and huts established by the Guild of Adventures. The team decided earlier in the creative process for this park area to avoid Atlantis and Poseidon, so instead, the area is themed around old South American civilisations such as the Mayans. This land contains three significant attractions as it is the largest of the four lands. These attractions are the river rapids ride Temple Torrents and the walkthrough attraction Crystal Caverns, which takes guests into an area beneath the lake.

Skyward Peaks: Skyward Peaks is based on Machu Picchu; thus, it is the second largest and most mountainous area in the park. Despite the Area's elevation, Disney built special features to allow all to experience it. The land is home to one of Disney's biggest artificial waterfalls. The main attraction in this Area is the Cloud Cruiser, which takes guests across the island, starting from the highest point, Skyward Peaks. The zip line stretches over 600 meters. The Area has two smaller attractions, Peak Perch Lookout and Skyward Bridge.

Echo Caves: Echo Cave is the smallest of the four lands, but because of this, when it was constructed, efforts were made to pack in as much theming as they could to make the Area feel alive. The land replicates an underground network of natural and artificial caves, and the design is influenced by the caves found in mythologies worldwide. The Area is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and is lit by bioluminescent plants and minerals. This Area has only two attractions: Bejewelled Rift and Donald’s Harmonic Festival.
nice chapter about the parks.
 
Chapter One Hundred-Eight: Haunted Mansion (1999)
Chapter One Hundred-Eight: Haunted Mansion (1999)
images

(Don Iwerks: 2016)

1999, the last year before the turn of the century and the new millennium. The Columbine High School massacre rocked not only america but Hollywood; President Nader was coming to the end of his first time in office, and Paranoia swept through the country as the world speculated about what would happen to computer software after the clock chimed midnight on December 31st. Over at Hyperion Pictures, Don Iwerks's final film had arrived. It was to be a film that would start a trend for Disney. Taking rides from their theme parks and turning them into films would be the first of two significant things Don Iwerks would do to impact Hyperion Studios before he left. The second thing that impacted work culture was that Iwerks reportedly suffered burnout during the film's production. Due to this, shortly after the film's release, the studio changed its rules to ease the onset of burnout its staff may have felt.

The studio's decision to adapt its beloved theme park ride into a cinematic experience stemmed from a desire to expand its brand and engage audiences outside the park. Early on, the question was which ride should get the film treatment. It was not the first time Disney would turn a theme park ride into a film. They had created an entire franchise based on Pirates of the Caribbean, which had begun back in 1956; however, that series had come to a close in 1991, and since then, Disney had not made a film based on a ride that was about to change. There were many contenders for rides that could indeed be turned into a film; some of the rides in consideration were Jungle Cruise, Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, and Tower of Terror. Many of these would indeed one day get a film, but Don Iwerks set his eyes on The Haunted Mansion, for he believed it offered a story that could allow them to blend comedy with a darker, more intriguing story. It also happened to be a favourite ride among the Iwerks family.

The project began in earnest in late 1997, intending to blend horror, comedy, and family-friendly adventure elements. The creative team, led by director Tim Burton, envisioned a film that stayed true to the eerie yet whimsical spirit of the original ride while weaving a compelling narrative that explored themes of family, courage, and redemption. Don Iwerks was happy to have Tim Burton make the film, for he believed Burton’s aesthetic could bring the haunted mansion film to life. Because his retirement neared, Don Iwerks worked closely with Burton and the others on the film to ensure it would turn out the way he wanted. Reportedly, Burton and Iwerks got on well, and the older man shared many stories with the then-39-year-old Tim Burton.

American novelist and screenwriter Caroline Thompson was selected to write the script, and Burton promoted her work as they had worked together. The story follows the enigmatic and wealthy Dr. Elouise Gravely (Played by Anjelica Huston), who invites a group of seemingly random guests to her grand, isolated mansion under the guise of revealing an astonishing scientific breakthrough. The guests include a historian (Denzel Washington), an architect (Gillian Anderson), a physicist (Cate Blanchett), a writer (Dante Basco) and a psychic medium (Tim Curry). The Guests arrive under stormy skies, curious about their mysterious host and her intentions. As night falls, the mansion, a labyrinth of secret passages, eerie portraits, and whispered legends, begins to reveal its true nature-a place of supernatural phenomena and spectral hauntings rooted in the tragic events of Dr. Gravely’s ancestors. The supporting cast includes Master Gracey (Christopher Lloyd), The Hatbox Ghost (Jim Carrey), Madame Leota (Carrie Fisher) and Constance Hathaway (Julia Lee).

Since the studio decided to base the ride on the original ride in Disneyland, Principal photography took place in various historic mansions across Louisiana and Georgia, chosen for their authentic Gothic architecture and naturally eerie aesthetics. Production Designer Bo Welch also worked closely with Imagineers to incorporate concept art and elements from the ride into the film's production. Practical effects were used over CGI to maintain the film's old-school horror aesthetic, though CGI was used to enhance scenes with Specters and magical phenomena. As for the score, it was produced by Mexican-born composer Louis Febre. Animator Marc Davis, a man who had worked on the original ride, served as an advisor for the film.

The film was set for a Halloween release in October of 1999. The Marketing campaign included teaser posters that appeared in cinemas and bus stops months in advance. Trailers emphasized the film's adventurous and comedic elements, appealing to children and adults. Yet, events in April of 1999 would upend the movie and cause people to turn and look heavily at violence in Hollywood. The Columbine High School massacre killed 15 and injured 24, an event which shook the nation. Violent video games were blamed alongside films. The Haunted Mansion came under fire as the trailers seemed to show a family film that featured scary and violent scenes. Unlike times in the past, Disney stood steadfast against the allegations that movies had any effect on the events that transpired. Elias Disney Jr spoke out against it and pledged to donate to those affected by the event. The events in Columbine were the start of a spiral of events that Hollywood would face over the next few years, shaking the industry's very foundation.

Upon its release in late October 1999, the movie performed adequately at the box office but did not achieve blockbuster status. Critics were divided, with some praising the film's visual flair and performances, while others critiqued its uneven pacing and narrative depth. Parents against Violence in Family movies protested the film, but reports suggest this had little impact on it. Nonetheless, the film struck a chord with many viewers, especially those familiar with and fond of the Disney ride. As the years passed, "Haunted Mansion" garnered a significant following. Its initial DVD release included behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes, which deepened appreciation and understanding of the film. Annual screenings, especially during Halloween, and merchandise and cosplay cemented its status as a cult classic. These efforts by fans to keep the film's legacy alive despite a mediocre box office return would prove fruitful. A sequel would follow in 2004, delving deeper into the tales of those forever trapped in the Haunted Mansion.

As for Don Iwerks, his time as head of Hyperion Pictures ended, and his retirement came in November of 1999, shortly before the new year, which would ring in a whole new century. Iwerks had done much for the studios over the years, and his successors would seek to continue his legacy. Today, in 2024, Don Iwerks is 95 and has continued working, though his workload is much lighter. One thing is sure about the man. He made a great effort to continue his father’s legacy and made sure people remembered the Iwerks's name. For there would be no Disney without an Iwerks.
 
We are moving houses and towns, which means that there is little time to write right now, in addition to the packing and preparation.
I can't promise exactly when we will return, but I can promise you once I've settled into the new house and everything is set up. You can expect updates again.
The Doctor Who Archives will continue being posted for now since that's already been finished.
But Untill I Return, stay safe and be good people!
 
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