The Sounds Of Disneyland A book Review
Posted on - 4/27/2008
Shaun Finnie returns with the first of a series of book reviews. The subject this time is an ignored gem which is unavailable as a standalone volume.
Disney's Theme Park Movies
Posted on - 12/12/2006
This time around Shaun Finnie looks at Disney's feature length movies that have been based on theme park rides.
"Nice Of You To... Drop In" Part 2 - The Future
Posted on - 9/2/2006
This time around Shaun Finnie looks at Disney's future Tower of Terror rides. In an article liberally sprinkled with spoilers, he previews the new Towers that Disney currently has under construction.
"Nice Of You To... Drop In" Part 1 - The Past and the Present
Posted on - 8/18/2006
In his latest column Shaun Finnie looks at Disney's Tower of Terror rides. In this first part he uncovers the initial ideas behind the attractions and compares the two current rides.
The Disneylands That Never Were
Posted on - 7/24/2006
The Disney Diary's Shaun Finnie hasn't been providing many columns for this site recently. Today he's back with an apology, an explanation and an invitation to read his biggest collection of Disney theme park information yet.
A Chilling Encounter
Posted on - 6/13/2006
The Disney Diary's Shaun Finnie has finally had the chance to ride Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Was it worth the wait? Does it live up to the hype? Here he takes us for a trip on the latest white-knuckle ride at Walt Disney World.
The Voyage Of The Little Mermaid And Other Cut-Backs
Posted on - 6/5/2006
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is one of my favourite attractions at Walt Disney World. I love the way that it combines film, puppetry, lasers, live action and some great theatrical techniques to bring this much-loved movie to life at the Disney-MGM Studios. It's hugely entertaining and stands up well for a show that's been running every day since 1992. We saw it again just last week and thoroughly enjoyed it, as ever.
The Re-Imagineering Of Pleasure Island
Posted on - 5/29/2006
For many adult visitors to Walt Disney World Pleasure Island offers a night-time alternative to the daily assault of childish delights. The mix of live music, comedy and dance clubs - combined with a few cocktails - has provided grown-ups with a place to go after the theme parks have closed. Gated off from the rest of Walt Disney World by a seperate entrance ticket and not opening til 7pm, it's always been regarded as something a little different, something to make a bit of an effort for.
Following Fantasia
Posted on - 11/2/2005
In his second and final column on the abandoned concepts of Fantasia, Shaun Finnie examines some possible expansion pieces for the first film, the making of Fantasia 2000, and the plans for continuing the Fantasia story.
The Alternative Fantasias
Posted on - 10/26/2005
After his two-part article on some of the Disney animated movies that were planned but abandoned, the Disney Diary's Shaun Finnie begins a more in depth look at some original concepts for one particular Disney movie - Fantasia
Disney's Abandoned Full Length Cartoons (part 2)
Posted on - 10/18/2005
Shaun Finnie continues his look at the Disney animated movies that were planned but never produced, continuing with some more ideas from Walt's time before bringing the story right up to date.
Disney's Abandoned Full Length Cartoons (Part 1)
Posted on - 10/13/2005
The Disney Diary's Shaun Finnie returns with the first in a series of articles examining planned Disney animations that were never completed.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Part 4 – Death of the Dream
Posted on - 5/17/2005
In the early 1990’s Disney announced plans to build massive theme parks in two locations in California. So why were neither Westcot nor Port Disney ever built? Shaun Finnie looks at the reasons.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Part 3 - Port Disney
Posted on - 5/10/2005
After showing what might have been built at Disneyland had the Westcot plans gone through for Anaheim’s second park, in this column Shaun Finnie looks at another proposed California site – Port Disney and the original DisneySea.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Part 2 –The Rest of WESTCOT
Posted on - 4/29/2005
In his previous articles Shaun Finnie has guided us through the hotels and the World Showcase section of Westcot, the Epcot-style expansion to Disneyland that was planned for the mid-1990’s. This time he examines Westcot’s Future World.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Part 1 – WESTCOT’S World Showcase
Posted on - 4/21/2005
Most Disney fans agree that they would rather have seen the spectacular Westcot theme park built at Anaheim instead of what was eventually delivered : Disney’s California Adventure. In this article Shaun Finnie starts to examine what the abandoned park would have been like.
The Hotels That Might Have Been Part 3 – WESTCOT Hotels
Posted on - 4/9/2005
In the first two parts of this series Shaun Finnie looked at Disney hotels that had been planned but never built. In this third and final part he tells of a Disney theme park where the guest rooms would have been part of the actual attractions – Westcot.
The Hotels That Might Have Been Part 2 – Beyond Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Posted on - 3/31/2005
When the EuroDisneyland resort in Paris was in its planning stages, Michael Eisner invited top architects from around the world to submit hotel designs loosely themed around the concepts of America and Americana. This theme was chosen because they felt it would make the resort stand out from the surrounding French architecture and also, as America is the favourite tourist destination for Europeans, Disney hoped the look would be well received by its new neighbours.
The Hotels That Might Have Been Part 1 – Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Posted on - 3/24/2005
There has been much written over the years about lost Disney attractions at the theme parks; those that have been planned but never delivered to the public. But what rarely get mentioned are the many planned and abandoned hotels and resorts around the globe that the company have intended to build at various times. In his latest article Shaun Finnie looks at some of these unbuilt resorts.
Disney Cruise Line Rumours
Posted on - 3/15/2005
The Disney Cruise Line is now well established and ready for expansion. In his latest article, Shaun Finnie looks at the possible directions that expansion could take.
What Might Have Been (And May Yet Be) – Upated!
Posted on - 3/8/2005
Shaun Finnie presents an updated version of his list of planned but abandoned Disney rides and attractions.
Disney On Stage - Part Two
Posted on - 2/22/2005
In the final part of his look at Disney’s theatrical productions, Shaun Finnie examines some of the company’s less successful efforts, and looks at their plans for the future.
Disney On Stage - Part One
Posted on - 2/15/2005
Disney Theatrical Productions have probably produced more stage shows than you think. In the first of a two-part article Shaun Finnie looks at the company’s formation and early productions.
Disney At The 1964 / 65 World’s Fair – Part 3
Posted on - 2/2/2005
The Disney Diary’s Shaun Finnie concludes his series of columns detailing Disney’s involvement in the 1964 / 65 New York City World’s Fair with look at the It’s A Small World ride and the rest of the event.
Mary Poppins At The Prince Edward Theatre, London
Posted on - 1/28/2005
The stage musical version of Mary Poppins has recently opened to rave reviews in London’s West End. Shaun Finnie went to see if it was as good as the papers said.
Disney At The 1964 / 65 World’s Fair – Part 2
Posted on - 1/26/2005
The Disney Diary’s Shaun Finnie continues his a series of columns looking at Disney’s involvement in the 1964 / 65 New York City World’s Fair, this time concentrating on the two most technologically advanced attractions that Walt and his team provided.
Disney At The 1964 / 65 World’s Fair – Part 1
Posted on - 1/18/2005
The Disney Diary’s Shaun Finnie begins a series of columns looking at Disney’s involvement in the 1964 / 65 New York City World’s Fair, and the lasting legacy that work has left for us at the Disney theme parks.
The Other Side Of Main Street, USA
Part 2 - Edison Square
Posted on - 1/11/2005
The Disney Diary’s Shaun Finnie continues his look at the first major planned expansion of Disneyland, this time concentration on the cul-de-sac at the end of Residential Street.
The Other Side Of Main Street, USA
Part 1 - Residential Street
Posted on - 1/4/2005
The Disney Diary’s Shaun Finnie takes a look at the first major planned expansion of Disneyland, what it would have contained, and why it was never built.
What Might Have Been (And May Yet Be)
Posted on - 12/17/2004
Could your favorite Disney park have been a much different place to how you see it today? The Disney Diary's Shaun Finnie looks at Disney's planned theme park attractions that haven't been built... yet.
A Brief History Of Roy E. Disney, Film-Maker
Posted on - 12/4/2004
Most Disney fans probably see Roy E. Disney as the last link to his Uncle Walt, the final person with the family name to have had a seat on the board. Some may also know him for his challenging influence in the board room, fighting first to bring Michael Eisner in and latterly fighting to remove him.
Disney’s Mineral King Ski Resort
Posted on - 11/16/2004
Shaun Finnie of the Daily Disney Diary takes a brief look at what the Disney ski resort could have been and why it never was.
The Disney Diary's History Of The Main Street Electrical Parade
Posted on - 11/10/2004
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland proudly presents our spectacular pageant of night time magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"
