The Force Awakens review

The Force Awakens is a definite step up from the prequel trilogy (I liked Revenge of the Sith quite a bit and Attack of the Clones somewhat). The focus is back on the storytelling in the search to find Luke before the new form of the Galactic Empire, the First Order, led by Kylo Ren, General Hux and Leader Snoke do, and I like the characters of Kylo Ren and Hux as villains quite a bit.

We get some new characters here, and I do like them. I liked the older Han Solo the best, though; when I first saw this film in Kerrville, I thought it was a bit slow until he shows up. Then the characterization, action, and emotion build from there to a great climax at the First Order's Starkiller Base.

I also saw this in the D-Box seating gimmick at the Santikos Palladium AVX in northern San Antonio today, and, let's just say, it's like riding Star Tours at Disney World/Disneyland for two hours, but not too rough to make you lose your popcorn. That was a lot of fun, and I recommend you see this film, and in D-Box or IMAX if you can. Drive 5 hours if you have to.

Disney Editorial: Inside Out Edition

I just came back from watching the Pixar movie Inside Out, and I was very impressed with the concept.

Then I realized, Disney, you need to use Inside Out in the Imagination pavilion in Epcot. Have it be in the theater that housed Captain EO. I wouldn't completely remove Figment's ride, since he's become an iconic character in Epcot, but you can integrate him into Inside Out's Emotions.

I mean, this is common sense. And on that note, I think we need an updated Cranium Command. Inside Out's director, Pete Docter, did work on that.

Disney Editorial And Suggestions 2

Another recommendation I would like to make to Disney President Thomas Staggs is the addition of a water park in the Disneyland Resort.

But not just a normal water park.

I would strongly suggest an indoor water park.

So, why my suggestion?

Well, it seems the next logical step to add a water park to Disneyland now that the renovations on Disney California Adventure are now complete, and we have had time to enjoy the fruits of Disney's labor. Someone on the Internet once compared Disney World and Disneyland by citing Disney World as a desktop computer, and Disneyland as a laptop. That makes sense to me, seeing how much power a desktop and how much room Disney World can grow, while it's more convenient to navigate Disneyland due to it's smaller size. But Disney World DOES have two water parks, plus several resorts with elaborate pools, and the Yacht and Beach Club, which have the quintessential mini-water park, Stormalong Bay. Topping that in Disneyland will be tough, but the challenge is part of the fun.

As for it being indoors, that's both to allow the park to be used regardless of the weather, and to give it an edge by having several levels of pools in a giant multi floored building, each with a Disney theme, and slides that would go down to the lower floors. The themes I would suggest are as follows, but let's keep others in mind.


1. Fantasia and Fantasia 2000

2. The Little Mermaid

3. Pirates Of the Caribbean

4. Finding Nemo

5. Frozen


I have also heard that other companies have built indoor theme parks elsewhere on Earth, and I do feel it's time for Disney, the industry leader, to join the fray.

So, I would build the water park on the Simba parking lot. That is the closest lot to the resort hotels, and the only one within the general rectangle that the resort is shaped like. I am unaware if there may be parking problems, so I WOULD build an extension to the Disney & Friends parking garage before closing the Simba parking lot and initiating the groundbreaking on the water park.

Last, but not least, the name.

Let's call it:

DISNEY MARINE WATER PARK

If Disney were to pull the feet I'm am suggesting off, it would be yet another innovation and technology accomplishment for Disney Imagineers and The Walt Disney Company, and will revolutionize the industry.

This challenge is up to you, Thomas Staggs, and all the wonderful people at Disney!