Overhauling Tomorrowland
Disney Journey with Jim Shull
11,556 views
D23 shared several major announcements, but few are as significant—or as exciting for Disney fans—as the news that Tomorrowland is finally getting a major update. For more than 71 years, Tomorrowland has stood for optimistic hope powered by science and technology. This video looks at the future of the land.
Notes from the video.
D23’s announcement from the chairman was welcome, a little unexpected, and long overdue. It has been years—if not decades—since Disneyland had a truly new Tomorrowland. I know because I worked on the last one, Tomorrowland: Imagination and Beyond. That project was doomed from the start because there was never enough money to fulfill the vision or meet the land’s needs. In Disneyland’s earliest days, Tomorrowland was a technology-focused land with a simple story: a vision of the future set around the time Halley’s Comet would pass Earth.
Tomorrowland remained a showcase of technology until the mid-1960s, when it was reimagined as “the world on the move.” Nothing has topped that version because it had one clear vision: technology served the story. Today, Tomorrowland feels like a mix of ideas, and its central conflict remains unresolved. Fixing that conflict is the key, but finding the right balance is essential. So how should Tomorrowland change?
At its best, Tomorrowland has always been more than a collection of attractions-it has been a showcase of possibility, progress, and the hope of what comes next. That vision greeted guests at the entrance, and nothing captured it more clearly than the House of the Future.
That same standard applies to the Observation. I designed it, to be an icon for a version of Tomorrowland that was underfunded. Its time has come and gone. For more watch the video.
Housekeeping.
No sooner than I completed this video than it was time to pivot to finish work on the month video which is exclusive and only for Disney Journey channel members. No sooner than D23 ended than new news (is that a phase?) about the Anaheim Resort was released, and that will be the focus in the September channel member video.
August has been unusually hot and humid, which is good if I wanted to stay inside in my studio at my desk working on various projects. Among the projects was answering comments which has increased this year and which I both enjoy reading and commenting back to the writer. I may not answer every comment, but rest assured that I read and consider each and every one. Thanks for sending your comments and keep them coming.
Related Videos.
Digging in the video attic I discovered these two old shows that deal with possible fixes to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. Both document ideas that for reasons didn’t move from concept to reality.
Will the Fantastic Four Save Tomorrowland?
Will the Fantastic Four save Tomorrowland is the question I ask in this special episode of Disney Journey. Since the land opened in 1955 the central conflict is if Tomorrowland is a land based on a vision of the future, or is it a land that celebrates technology? Learn the land’s past and possible future. #FantasticFour #MCU #Tomorrowland #Disneyland #Futureworld #DisneylandParis #DiscoverylandParis
Click on the link to watch this video.
Will the Fantastic Four Save Tomorrowland?
Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Alien Encounter in Disneyland was to have been the center piece of Tomorrowland 2055. So why did it fail?
Click on the link to watch the video.
Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Notes from Lost Canyon.
Not much has changed recently so here is the channel boilerplate: my channel releases new videos on the schedule of every 7-10 days (in addition to the exclusive monthly video available only to Disney Journey channel members). Short and to the point.
Who I am.
Jim Shull, a former Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Creative Director, regularly releases episodes on his YouTube channel, “Disney Journey with Jim Shull,” where he shares the history and stories of Disney Parks around the world. Viewers can support the channel by subscribing, liking, sharing, or becoming members for early access and exclusive content. Additional Disney-related resources are available on affiliated platforms.
Click on this link to become a member. / @jimhshull
For more stories head over to: https://jimhshull.com. Transcripts of Disney Journey shows with expansions are posted there.
For postings on social media, you can find Jim Shull at:
https://x.com/JimShull
https://bsky.app/profile/jimshull.bsk...
https://mastodon.social/@JimShull
When you plan your next Disney vacation you should begin by visiting TouringPlans.
Click on the link:
https://touringplans.com/login
And for more history and insider stories about the Disney Parks, go to #jimhillmedia.com https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia?...
20 Comments
•No Star Wars or Marvel IP! Should stay in their appropriate lands.
•Move Star Tours to Galaxy’s Edge, renovate the attraction to a Wall-e ride.
•Open the magic eye theater to Disney shorts, episodes or movie previews to promote Disney+.
•I’m on board with the return of the People Mover and Rocket Jets to its original spot.
•Remove Carousel of progress for a new attraction, such an eye sore!
Overhauling Tomorrowland
Disney Journey with Jim Shull
11,556 views
D23 shared several major announcements, but few are as significant—or as exciting for Disney fans—as the news that Tomorrowland is finally getting a major update. For more than 71 years, Tomorrowland has stood for optimistic hope powered by science and technology. This video looks at the future of the land.
Notes from the video.
D23’s announcement from the chairman was welcome, a little unexpected, and long overdue. It has been years—if not decades—since Disneyland had a truly new Tomorrowland. I know because I worked on the last one, Tomorrowland: Imagination and Beyond. That project was doomed from the start because there was never enough money to fulfill the vision or meet the land’s needs. In Disneyland’s earliest days, Tomorrowland was a technology-focused land with a simple story: a vision of the future set around the time Halley’s Comet would pass Earth.
Tomorrowland remained a showcase of technology until the mid-1960s, when it was reimagined as “the world on the move.” Nothing has topped that version because it had one clear vision: technology served the story. Today, Tomorrowland feels like a mix of ideas, and its central conflict remains unresolved. Fixing that conflict is the key, but finding the right balance is essential. So how should Tomorrowland change?
At its best, Tomorrowland has always been more than a collection of attractions-it has been a showcase of possibility, progress, and the hope of what comes next. That vision greeted guests at the entrance, and nothing captured it more clearly than the House of the Future.
That same standard applies to the Observation. I designed it, to be an icon for a version of Tomorrowland that was underfunded. Its time has come and gone. For more watch the video.
Housekeeping.
No sooner than I completed this video than it was time to pivot to finish work on the month video which is exclusive and only for Disney Journey channel members. No sooner than D23 ended than new news (is that a phase?) about the Anaheim Resort was released, and that will be the focus in the September channel member video.
August has been unusually hot and humid, which is good if I wanted to stay inside in my studio at my desk working on various projects. Among the projects was answering comments which has increased this year and which I both enjoy reading and commenting back to the writer. I may not answer every comment, but rest assured that I read and consider each and every one. Thanks for sending your comments and keep them coming.
Related Videos.
Digging in the video attic I discovered these two old shows that deal with possible fixes to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. Both document ideas that for reasons didn’t move from concept to reality.
Will the Fantastic Four Save Tomorrowland?
Will the Fantastic Four save Tomorrowland is the question I ask in this special episode of Disney Journey. Since the land opened in 1955 the central conflict is if Tomorrowland is a land based on a vision of the future, or is it a land that celebrates technology? Learn the land’s past and possible future. #FantasticFour #MCU #Tomorrowland #Disneyland #Futureworld #DisneylandParis #DiscoverylandParis
Click on the link to watch this video.
Will the Fantastic Four Save Tomorrowland?
Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Alien Encounter in Disneyland was to have been the center piece of Tomorrowland 2055. So why did it fail?
Click on the link to watch the video.
Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland at Disneyland
Notes from Lost Canyon.
Not much has changed recently so here is the channel boilerplate: my channel releases new videos on the schedule of every 7-10 days (in addition to the exclusive monthly video available only to Disney Journey channel members). Short and to the point.
Who I am.
Jim Shull, a former Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Creative Director, regularly releases episodes on his YouTube channel, “Disney Journey with Jim Shull,” where he shares the history and stories of Disney Parks around the world. Viewers can support the channel by subscribing, liking, sharing, or becoming members for early access and exclusive content. Additional Disney-related resources are available on affiliated platforms.
Click on this link to become a member. / @jimhshull
For more stories head over to: https://jimhshull.com. Transcripts of Disney Journey shows with expansions are posted there.
For postings on social media, you can find Jim Shull at:
https://x.com/JimShull
https://bsky.app/profile/jimshull.bsk...
https://mastodon.social/@JimShull
When you plan your next Disney vacation you should begin by visiting TouringPlans.
Click on the link:
https://touringplans.com/login
And for more history and insider stories about the Disney Parks, go to #jimhillmedia.com https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia?...