Disney's Animal Kingdom - part 1

This trip included my first visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom.  Somehow, due to an early morning breakfast reservation snafu, it got pushed out of our visiting schedule when we were in Walt Disney World in 2008, and during my last visit prior to that Animal Kingdom didn't even exist.

Of the four Florida Disney parks Animal Kingdom occupies the most land, but a lot of ride and attraction oriented guests feel that it has the least to offer of the four parks. I'm strongly divided on my feelings towards Animal Kingdom.

On the negative side: One popular food service station was so poorly designed that you could witness guest after guest spilling their trays as they were forced to work their way back through congested lines, with no lids provided for their heavy drink cups. Another restaurant that was open for business had no cashiers in evidence while people stood waiting for fifteen minutes in clear view of the food preparers who said nothing.

My kids are old enough now that Camp Minnie-Mickey didn't hold much appeal for them, so we did not visit it. I was also underwhelmed by Dinoland. Granted, the thought put into the props, detail, signage and so forth was first rate Disney, the idea of theming it as a tacky roadside attraction with rides not much different from what you see in county fairs seemed to run counter to what Walt Disney set out to accomplish with his theme parks. The gardens surrounding the Dino Institute were far more appealing to me and I wish the rest of Dinoland had been more like this.

The absence of the fantasy animal area of the park. For me the idea of a section of Animal Kingdom dedicated to mythological creatures has great appeal, and I can easily imagine how cool it would be as a kid to see realistic animatronic griffins and dragons seemingly as real as the giraffes and elephants seen elsewhere in the park. This area was part of the original concept for the park and Animal Kingdom still features a dragon in it's logo and prominently displayed over one of its gates, yet this area has never been developed.

On the Plus side: Just about everything else. Animal Kingdom is built on the same hub and spoke system as Magic Kingdom with seven areas or "lands" making up the park. Here the division between the areas is less defined and more fluid the result of heavy foliage which fills the park which blurs the lines separating the regions as well as obscuring sight lines between them. Unlike Magic Kingdom, where you can stand in certain places along Main Street USA and turn and locate the entrances to Fantasy land, Adventure Land and Tomorrow Land, as well as the entrance to the park, at Animal Kingdom there are signs to direct you, but you pretty much just walk the paths leading from one place to another. I found this in no way to be a deterrent. It's a complete immersion in a world that it suggests, one of the wild celebrating natural ecosystems and their intersection with the human world. The limited sight lines draw you down paths and side streets because that's the only way to discover what's down them.I also found that it quickly became easy to navigate the park.

Three areas really dominate the park; Africa, Asia, and Dinoland. Dinoland, I've mentioned didn't really appeal to me, but Africa and Asia were simply amazing in their execution. The only thing missing from Africa was someone walking their flock of goats down the middle of the street. Looking at all the authentically weathered buildings in both Asian and Africa did make me wonder if this park would have turned out the same had Walt Disney been alive during it's development. I couldn't help but think of his decree on the Haunted Mansion not looking ramshackle on the outside and wondered if he'd allow buildings with faded and tattered posters on their walls covered with crumbling plaster and masonry.

Most of Africa is built around the fictitious town of "Harambe" a Swahili word that means "working together." Here are some photos taken around Harambe as well as some of the wildlife seen in other parts of Africa. You can see some details of Africa and other areas of Animal Kingdom by looking at these earlier posts.

    

More Reviews for Xombi #1

I continue to be amazed by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception that Xombi #1 has received. For all of you who have picked up a copy and spread the word I thank you. If you haven't, then take a look at some of the reviews below and see what you're missing out on.


Time Magazine/Techland

Weekly Comic Book Review

Pink Kryptonite

OneMetal.com

G4

Same Bat Panel

Chud.com

cx pulp

Blog Critics.org

Comic Book Resources

Robot 6

MOMBcast

The Outhouse

Comic Attack.net

Strange Kids Club

Comics Bulletin

Mylar Dreams

Playback stl

Disney Posts Update

I'd like to thank the vast numbers of people who've stopped by over the past few weeks to check out my posts from my recent visit to Walt Disney World, and especially thank pal, George Taylor at Imaginerding for directing so many of you here. I still have four or five posts coming beginning with a two part post focusing on Disney's Animal Kingdom. I'm hoping to get the first part up by Monday or Tuesday night with the second part to follow. Hopefully the remaining posts will be in place in quick succession after that.

I apologize for the extended interruption, but various work projects have had to take all of my attention.

I'll Be Signing XOMBI #1 This Saturday

This Saturday, March 19 from Noon until 5:00pm I will be signing copies of Xombi #1 as well as anything else I've written at the  Harrison's Comics and Collectibles in Salem, MA. Their address and contact information can be found on their website.

Please drop by if you can. It's an amazing store and well worth the trip, and there's plenty of other great stuff to do and see in Salem.

I hope to see you there.

Xombi #1 - The Critics Have Spoken

I am amazed by the extremely high level of enthusiasm that people have been showing for XOMBI #1. I really didn't expect the reaction to be so strongly favorable. I would like to thank everyone who went out and bought a copy, and especially thank everyone who went out of their way to tell others about it. While time prevents me from joining multiple forums, or posting on everything I've seen, I can assure everyone I have been reading what people have been saying, both before, and after XOMBI actually hit stores and would like to thank all of you for taking the time to bring it to the attention of others.

To every retailer, especially Brian Hibbs at Comix Experience in San Francisco, who went out of their way to put this comic in the hands of their customers, I also thank you greatly. Any stores that are interested in having me drop by for a signing should email me. If it's feasible, I'll be happy to make an appearance.

For anyone who hasn't picked up a copy of Xombi #1 take a look at some of the following reviews to see why you should.





Ain't It Cool News

The Savage Critics

Watch Play Read

Scoop

Ich Liebe Comics!

Comic Vine

iFanboy

Comics Alliance

Newsarama

Kitty's Pryde

Too Dangerous For A Girl

Love and Radiation

Dork Forty

Enemy of Peanuts

Gobbledygeek

The Comic Age

So Entertain.me

Yahoo Associated Content

SciFi Pulse.net

science fiction.com

comic book movie.com

On Sale TODAY!

Why are you sitting there reading this post when you could be reading XOMBI #1, written by me with art by the amazing Frazer Irving?

Need to know more? You can read the first seven pages, plus an interview with me by visiting io9.

Now head to a comic book store near you.

Xombi interview at ifanboy

Paul Montgomery at iFanboy interviewed me about Xombi. You can read the interview here.

Xombi #4

Here's a look at the cover of XOMBI #4, which will go on sale June 29. The solicitation information from DC Comics reads as follows:

Written by JOHN ROZUM; Art and cover by FRAZER IRVING

The secrets of Roland Finch and the Ninth Stronghold are uncovered. As David and his companions set out to forge an alliance against Finch, David takes his first steps toward a destiny he's deterined to avoid.

• DC Comics
 
• 32pg.
 
• Color
 
• $2.99 US

On Sale June 29, 2011

Be sure to pre-order a copy with your local comic book retailer and don't forget to pick up XOMBI #1 which goes on sale tomorrow. 

Xombi Preview and Interview at io9

XOMBI #1 hits stores this Wednesday. Can't wait? See what the folks at io9 have to say about it as well as an interview with me and a seven page preview of the first issue by going here.

Yokai at Epcot

 

The fantastic life-size Tengu statue shown above was a welcome surprise for me to be found in the gallery at the rear of the Japanese pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. It was part of an exhibit on yokai as they are depicted traditionally in Japanese art and how they have been transformed into modern, often superheroic, characters in manga and anime.

My thoughts on yokai have been made clear here. These collective Japanese creatures which include ghosts, goblins, demons, spirits, and so on are some of my favorite folkloric creatures. I've used them many times in my own work. So the collision of these inspirational creatures with one of the Disney theme parks, which have also been a big source of inspiration for me was a nice discovery for me.

Bakeneko are cats transformed under certain conditions into feline creatures in humanoid form, or monstrous cats capable of reaching into homes as if pawing into a mouse hole to extract a rodent. There are also some disturbing "Little Red Riding Hood" type tales involving these feared creatures.

Inugami are dog spirits created for human use, most often through cruel means, and with vicious uses like attack dogs. These supernatural creatures, like their mortal equivalents are hard to control and will often turn on their "masters."

Saru - the monkey is often depicted as a guardian of sacred shrines and temples.

The Kappa is a cucumber loving water imp with deadly flatulence. It has a bowl like depression on the top of its head which contains the water which gives it its powers. Tricking the kapp into bowing and spilling its water can immobilize it.

The Oni are essentially ogres, or demons with a variety of forms but are most often depicted with horns.

Tsuru - the Japanese Crane is a symbol of prosperity, happiness and world peace.

Kitsune - the fox is seen as a magical creature able to change its form, often into that of a human. There are numerous stories of foxes becoming women and marrying human men. Kitsune are also said to grow an extra tail for every century that they live. 

Tsuki no Usagi, the Moon Rabbit, can be seen pounding out rice cakes on the full moon, in much the same way as people in the west say they see a man in the moon formed out of the color shades and formations seen on the surface of the moon from earth.

Tanuki, the racoon dog, is something of a combination satyr and Bacchus, a mischievous creature always looking for women and wine. Tanuki can change their form, and their most famous feature, which not surprisingly was absent in the imagery in the exhibit, are their enormous testicles, which give the sound Pom Poko. 

Tengu are bird goblins, humanoid with avian features and will often kidnap people and leave them disoriented and lost in the woods.

If you get a chance to visit this small exhibit, I recommend it. 

       

 

Coming Next Wednesday

This was waiting for me on my porch when I got home today.

Xombi Interview at Comics Bulletin - part 2

The second half of my interview conducted by park Cooper for Comics Bulletin is now up. We talk about the new Xombi series which goes on sale next Wednesday, the state of comics in general, Dwayne McDuffie, books, music and few other things as well.

In case you missed it here's a link to part one of the interview.

Signage of Walt Disney World - Part 2

Concluding my posts on signage found in Walt Disney World takes a look at signs, such as the one above from Disney Studios, that can be found in Disney Studios and the Magic Kingdom and some others including one sign that guests aren't meant to see at all.

Also found in Disney Studios:

From Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom:

As most people are well aware of Fantasyland is in the process of getting a large expansion with new attractions. A construction wall kept the realities of construction from intruding on the magic of the Magic Kingdom, but on the wall were some signs showing and telling what is to come. What I have always found amazing about construction projects in the Disney Parks and environs is that you don't hear any of the noise of heavy lifting and earth moving equipment, welding or hammering drifting into the adjacent space. However it's done, it's masked really well.

Here's a themed trash can from Disney Studios followed by a bunch from Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

During my visit we stayed at the Beach Club resort which was in easy walking distance to Epcot's back gate by England in the World Showcase. We were able to fit in another day at the beginning of our trip and opted to stay at the Pop Century resort for a single night. Calling Pop Century a resort is heavy on the side of generosity. In reality it's a heavily (garishly even) themed motel. The higher end resorts, such as Beach club, and my personal favorite, the Wilderness Lodge, are relaxing seas of calm and a perfect retreat between visits to the park. I'm always amazed that given the vast number of people staying in them, how quiet they are, and how you can have sitting rooms completely to yourself. The less expensive resorts, such as Pop Century, are quite the opposite. While it wasn't bad the night we were there, we heard guests complaining about the teenagers making a lot of noise in the pool late at night and running up and down the hallways outside the rooms. My son observed that the toilets were so loud you could hear them flushing in other rooms. They're fine if you're just looking for a bed at the end of your park day, but if possible, I recommend springing for the fancier resorts. 

That long winded consumer report was there to introduce the next group of signs. The first two appeared on the back of the door of our room at Pop Century.  

This final sign was mounted on the inside of the door to housekeeping on our floor in the Beach Club villa and was clearly not meant to be seen by anyone other than the staff, but the door was propped open and unattended and I couldn't resist. I did see a similar sign on the wall of a kitchen in the Harambe section of Disney's Animal Kingdom with a different phrase and character on a simple paper poster tacked to the wall, but the door was closed before I could get a photo of it. There was a bit of a "Big Brother is Watching" aspect to these signs when I saw them.

Coming up next on my Disney tour -- something a little bit different.