Pictured is a concept photo of the planned The Little Mermaid attraction.
BY SYDNEY ALTMAN
Growing up, most little girl’s dream of being princesses, they want to wear the fancy ball gowns and rhinestone tiaras and, above all else, find Prince Charming and live happily ever after. Young boys aspire to be pirates, superheroes, and princes who can rescue the damsel in distress and be rewarded for being strong and brave. Adults dream of reliving their childhood, releasing their inhibitions and living in the moment. The one place where all of these dreams can come true is the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World. Girls can be princesses, boys can be heroes, and adults can be children. Currently, Disney is revitalizing and reinventing its image, in both the movies and the theme parks in order to appeal to a broader audience so that these dreams can stay alive.
Walt Disney Studios was established in 1923 in a small office in Los Angeles, California. Walt Disney and his brother, Roy, laid the production company’s foundation by producing short, animated films. However, Disney didn’t become a household name until the release of its first full-length movie, the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White’s revolutionary success proved that Disney’s philosophy was unique and original. An empire was created and later included more animated movie releases, live action productions, Broadway productions, and, above all else, the construction of the world’s most innovative theme parks.
When you ask any adult what their favorite childhood movie was, chances are they will mention a Disney cartoon. The characters in Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Toy Story, etc. are cherished in the hearts of millions, young and old alike.
“Animation offers a medium of storytelling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world,” Walt Disney was famously quoted as saying.
As Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney World continue to age, new ideas are needed to reinvent its image so that younger generations can continue to enjoy its magic. Originally, Disney movies were released on Video Home System (VHS) tapes. As technology evolved, the VHS became outdated, allowing for the re-release of Disney movies on Digital Video Disks (DVDs). The critically acclaimed classics left the tightly sealed Disney vault one by one, exposing more and more children to the movies that are loved by all. Platinum editions, regular DVDs, and Diamond edition blu-ray DVDs, have been released for everyone’s viewing pleasure. Disney’s timeless tales will continue to be modified so children of all ages can experience them.
“Disney classics allow us to be a child even when we are technically adults,” senior Troy Becker said. “The re-release of the DVDs allows us to relive our childhood memories in high definition. It’s like a journey back in time.”
Aside from re-releasing classic DVDs, a new trend is emerging in the high profile company. After the success of the 2010 release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, live-action movies became an area the production company wanted to explore more. Currently, live-action versions of Cinderella, Malificent (Sleeping Beauty), and Snow White are purported to be in the works. The scripts could either remain true to their cartoon storylines or could take a cue from Alice and go in a completely new direction. There are mixed feelings among the student body at Cooper City High School on this emerging media trend.
“I think Disney can try almost anything and it can be successful since so many people are fans of the movies already,” senior Sydney Winner said. “I love the cartoons more than any other version, so it’ll be interesting to see how they are translated into live-action.”
Though Disney movies are fan favorites, the tales come to life 365 days a year at the theme parks. No matter the state of the economy, the adventure parks have flourished, being visited by millions of people every year from all over the world. The first park, Disneyland was established in 1955 and soon after, Walt Disney World was constructed, becoming the world’s most famous theme park and biggest vacation hot spot.
“It’s my favorite pace to be and if I could choose to go anywhere it would be Disney,” senior Josh Garcia said. “There are too many reasons to describe why I love it. It’s simply magic.”
Inside Disney World’s Magic Kingdom lies a place where dreams come true, a place where fantasy becomes reality. Fantasyland houses the area where Disney classic tales come to life, in the rides, restaurants, merchandising and the character meet and greets. Since its construction, Fantasyland has been renovated in small increments. Presently, plans for a complete park makeover are in the works. Disney Imagineers are working endlessly on their new design. The new plans include special areas where princesses Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, and Aurora can interact with fans in beautifully re-created movie scenes. In addition, a new Little Mermaid ride will take visitors on a musical adventure through the enchanting story of Ariel as she finds true love. The iconic Dumbo ride will also be revitalized, expanding the ride to include two aerial lifts and a huge circus tent with a traveling circus. These renovations will cause visitors to feel as if they left the real world and entered into a fantasy world where their favorite childhood stories unfold right before their eyes.
“We are nearly doubling the size of Fantasyland to include four of your favorite Disney princesses,” Disney Parks and Resorts president Jay Rasulo said in his official announcement. “You’ll meet princesses in their own fairy tale worlds. You’ll be immersed in the sights, sounds, and the magic that makes every princess story so memorable.”
Though things may be changing in Disney, one thing will always stay consistent. Its movies, theme parks, and Broadway plays will continue to be driven by little girls who dream of being princesses, young boys who aspire to be heroes, and adults who desire to relive their favorite childhood memories. It will always be a magical place where dreams come true for a person from 1 to 100. Disney’s reinvention and revitalization proves its influence will continue for generations to come.
“If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.”-Walt Disney
