Autumn at Oz

The Land of Oz exists!

But it's abandoned.

Except for one day every year... on October 5.

I only found out this theme park existed this last year (past tense, as it's no longer active and open to the public) and discovered only this week that there's an annual "reunion/get together" for past employees and guests! That reunion day is next weekend and is called Autumn at Oz. 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of this special - almost secret - event.

This weekend, October 5th and 6th, the park is open for the 20th anniversary of "Autumn at Oz". It's only open once a year for a reunion of former employees and past guests. In 2009, over 8,000 people attended. Every year more characters return and more vendors show up. All proceeds go to upkeep and preservation. So, if you're in the area, drop by for a stroll through the poppy field. [Emerald Mtn]

The park is currently used as a setting for (lucky people's) weddings, parties and photoshoots and - get this - vacations! (Yes you can stay in Dorothy's house and walk the yellow brick road after breakfast!)
 
I'm sure it's just a coincidence I can suddenly think of some very important reasons to visit North Carolina...

(Don't you love this house? The interior is all at a slant as well, complete with furniture and curtains stuck at permanently odd angles and a certain set of striped stockinged legs poking out somewhere close by.)

Most people, however, have forgotten this even exists, possibly due to it's unfortunate history and timing of events when it was getting going.

The Land of Oz theme park was open from 1970 to 1980 and it's opening day saw over 20,000 visitors. Guests enjoyed strolling down the Yellow Brick Road, and hanging out with the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Wicked Witch of the West. Afterwards, there was a show at the Emerald City, complete with a balloon ride, which was actually a modified ski lift. Visitors could enjoy a breathtaking view of the park amidst Beech Mountain's gorgeous scenery. Unfortunately the death of the original owner before the park opened and a mysterious fire in 1975 marred the initial success of the park and it closed suddenly in 1980. Now, the Yellow Brick Road is missing a few of its bricks, but most of the park is still there, albeit in various states of disrepair. (Source)

Part of the reason for Autumn at Oz is not only to keep the memories alive but to help support and fund the upkeep of the park's unique structures. (Check HERE for some amazing photos from the park's development.) Everyone is now welcome to attend and stroll through poppy fields and munchkin lands with other Oz-philes for one special day.

There's a lovely book of black and white photos of this "abandoned" theme park for purchase HERE (see cover above).

You can find out more about the location, the history and options to visit and stay HERE.

Visiting here has just gone on my bucket list. (I might need a new pair of silver - or perhaps ruby - slippers for the trip... )

Snow White's Scary Adventures Come To An End

On May 31st, Snow White took people on her scary adventures ride at Walt Disney World for the very last time. As of June 1, 2012 Orlando will no longer have Scary Adventures due to the expansion of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Said by many to be the best of all the Snow White attractions and rides around the world, including those in Anaheim, Tokyo and Paris, this is a sad time for many fans of the ride and the movie.

No one will be sadder than Ben, born in 1993 with autism. It wasn't until he went on the Snow White's Scary Adventures ride in WDW at age nine that he finally started communicating and being "present" with regard to the world around him. He has since been on the ride almost 3200 times. You can read his touching story, in four very readable parts, starting HERE (links provided too the next sections).

HERE, written by Ben's mother father (sorry Ron!), is a retrospective on the attraction, complete with some great video comparisons that help to explain why Florida's Scary Adventures were unique and special.

Although I never had the privilege to go on the Orlando version of the ride, the Disneyland version is one of the few attractions that not only brings back the experience of watching the movie but immerses you within it. I gather the experience in Orlando did this to a much greater extent and, personally, don't truly understand why they didn't just revamp/update the attraction (if they had to at all) with all the immersive technology now available.

The awesome and amazing Filmic Light blog (which is THE place to visit for all things regarding Disney's first feature animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) has a special post with a rare glimpse at the SWSA ride with the lights on. You can see it HERE.

It's one of the last rides that has its roots in what Walt approved for the original Disneyland so there's a large chunk of history disappearing as I write. The attraction is being replaced, ultimately, by the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster ride, complete with cutting-edge technology and due to open in 2014. It is, however a "ride" and not an attraction as per Scary Adventures so I feel that's a loss, though Snow White will still be represented in some form. While Walt meant - the best way - for the park to be ever evolving, to have it happen like this isn't probably what he had in mind. The space where Scary Adventures entertained people for over 40 years will host the new Princess Fairytale Hall, a Disney Princess meet-n-greet spot...

(Really?? I'm just... gagging.)

"More Fairy Tales from Efteling" by Martijn van der Linden

In case you don't know, Efteling is a fairy tale and fantasy theme park in Europe (in Amsterdam) rivaling Disney World in its extravagance, with one difference: it doesn't use quite the uniquely-branded version of fairy tales Disney does. (Note: the site appears to have had a recent upgrade since I last visited and it's a little difficult to fid my way around in there but you should be able to find the attractions pages - there are 4 - and the tickets etc page.)

Thumbelina by Martijn van der Linden

Summary from a travel website:

Built in the 1950s, and one of the leading theme parks in Europe, the popular theme park of Eftling is a must for children of all ages. Its fairytale theme captivates children and transports them into their favourite imaginary world. Complete with a fairy tale forest, lakes and trails, kids will delight at the 1895 steam carousel, the award-winning Fairy Tale stage show, the Adventure Maze, and the wooden roller coaster called Pegasus.

Here are some commercials for Efteling (in Dutch I think) to give you an idea of what the park is like (looks amazing!). The commercials are from many different years:


Like Disney World, though, the theme park does have things for sale in keeping with the park's themes and content. Some of those are books of fairy tales, presented by Eftling with artists they commission.

Here are some (more) of the gorgeous illustrations by Martijn van der Linden for a volume released in November 2011:

Unknown fairy tale by Martijn van der Linden

The Snow Queen by Martijn van der Linden 

The Ugly Duckling by Martijn van der Linden

The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Martijn van der Linden

Jorinde & Joringel by Martijn van der Linden

The Fisherman & HIs Wife by Martijn van der Linden

Lovely aren't they? You can order it through HERE I believe (if you're savvy about buying something in Euros) or through the theme park.


You can find lots more work by the artist on his blog HERE and a little more in his online portfolio HERE. Unfortunately, he doesn't say too much about this book or about the tales. The online translator comes up with "Tales of the Big Ben", which isn't much help as I don't understand a title like that in this context.


You can see the book is titled "More Fairy Tales From Eftling", which implies other volumes, and the text is also in English. (Perhaps that's the most common language among all their visitors?) I wish I had more information to give you but I can't even seem to find this book again in my searches now (thank goodness I bookmarked).

Disneyland Is About To Get Hairy

CONCEPT ART OF THE TANGLED EXTERIOR LOCATION AT DISNEYLAND

(Yes - it's a preview thanks to Photoshop - not yet built)

Starting October 15 Disney's Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (from the coming-soon-feature-animation Tangled) will be greeting guests at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. According to this announcement HERE, it looks like they'll be meeting-and-greeting in Magic Kingdom in Orlando too. (See the link for details of what's getting bumped to make room for the 'Tangled Experience'.)

From Disney.com's First Look:

Rapunzel will be greeting guests in the location that currently houses Gepetto’s Sweet Shoppe.

[THIS IS CONCEPT ART FOR THE INTERIOR]

We’re sharing a first glimpse of concept art created for Rapunzel’s new meet-and-greet location in Fantasyland. As you can see in the image above, Rapunzel’s 70-feet of golden locks will drape luxuriously around the room. Flynn Rider, Rapunzel’s love interest, will also be on hand to meet and greet guests throughout the day.

What? No hair salon? ;)