Undisputed Nerd of books and comics

Rescued baby seal’s first swim lesson

In Imagineering, No Idea Ever Really Dies: Dreamfinder & Figment

Pic 1: Legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter first used the concept of bearded dragon-keeper in his plans for ‘Professor Marvel’s Gallery of Illusion’, a proposed attraction for Disneyland’s never-built Discovery Bay.

Pic 2: When Discovery Bay was shelved, Baxter re-used the idea of a bearded show host – albeit slightly shaved and renamed The Landkeeper – in his plans for EPCOT Center’s Land Pavilion.

“Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour” John Drury & Greg Paul, 1986

Today’s Disney castles tend to feature some kind of place of interest within them, whether it be a lavish restaurant, unique shopping or art exhibits. However, for 20 years, Tokyo Disneyland’s Cinderella Castle featured an expansive, (and dark!) walkthrough beneath it. Set up as a guided tour of the castle that is taken over by the forces of evil, guests traversed past Disney villains, dark dungeons, evil brutes and malicious mirrors, concluding with a showdown with the Horned King from The Black Cauldron. In Disney fashion, the villains are defeated and the mantra of “Good Conquers Evil” is declared. Upon its closure in 2006, the attraction was converted to Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall.

Concept art for Mickey’s Toontown

Imagineer Tom K. Morris’ concept sketches for Disneyland Paris’ Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, 1987 - 1989.