What if Disney (rather than Universal) had won the theme park rights to Harry Potter? What if Disney had constructed a patriotic theme park called Disney’s America in Haymarket, Virginia? What if Disney had built WestCOT (a west coast version of EPCOT) rather than California Adventure?
Typically Imagineers work in the world as it currently is–with particular limitations due to money and space. But some of the biggest decisions are made by higher-ups behind closed doors. And if things would have gone slightly different in those discussions, we might be looking at a completely different theme park experience. That is the basic premise behind the current Imagineering competition (on WDWMagic.com) that I’m in called “What If…?” (based off the Disney Marvel show of the same name). We have 3 teams of about 8 players each that will be tackling different scenarios in a rather informal setting (there will be winners declared, but no eliminations until the semifinals). It is a way for me to use and develop some creative skills, which is always better than just sitting around bored! The first real prompt of the competition is “What If…Disneyland’s Galaxy Edge didn’t exist?” Teams are tasked with designing a different land for that same space. Although the submission isn’t until tonight, I can hint that my team’s project will involve an autumn theme.
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Bible: Acts of the Apostles Taking the beloved 1964 World’s Fair Carousel of Progress as a jumping board, Bible World’s version gives vignettes of what happened in the early Church. Like most of the Apostolic Age Land, the attraction focuses on what happens after Pentecost to the martyrdom of most of the Apostles (except for John, who died naturally around 100 AD). The early Church is particularly detailed in narrative form in the Acts of the Apostles written by the evangelist St. Luke. The 21-minute show begins with an introduction. The introduction describes some of the challenges that were facing the early Church–persecution from the outside, pastoral needs within, the need for continuity with the Jewish community but also the need to form the new Christian community. As the theater turns, the well-known Sherman brothers song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” plays for guests. Scene 1 focuses on the rapid growth of the Church. The Apostles, with Peter as their leader, were preaching the Gospel especially to Jews in synagogues. In this scene, guests will hear part of Peter’s preaching on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36)–a feast with Jewish origins but transformed by the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples in the Upper Room. Those in attendance are exhorted to be “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (2:38). Following the speech, James then goes on to tell the assembly some practical things: instructions for the following: the “breaking of bread” (i.e. the Christian worship), the enrollment of widows in the pastoral care of the community’s leadership, and the opportunity to support the material needs of the parish (cf. 3:42-47). Scene 2 highlights Saul’s Conversion around the year 34 AD (Acts 9:1-19). The Church commemorates this major event on January 25th of every year. In this vignette, a Christian disciple named Ananias tells of a vision he had received–that he could find the Church’s biggest persecutor, Saul of Tarsus, ready for conversion at the house of Judas. Ananias also shares his hesitancy to go to the house given what he had heard previously of Saul. Saul, for his part, conveys that he has been temporarily blinded by God on the road after setting out to imprison Christians. But upon hearing Jesus say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:5), Saul has realized that he has been working against God. Ananias speaks of God’s desire for Saul to regain his sight and get baptized as a Christian with the name “Paul.” After those words, the “scales” that were covering his eyes are lowered (along with his hands) so that guests can now see Saul’s eyes. Guests experience the Council of Jerusalem (c. 48-50 AD), as depicted in Acts 15, in Scene 3 of the attraction. The Council was convened due to differing factions on the delicate question of whether circumcision was required for Gentile (i.e. non-Jewish) converts to Judaism. We see some of the debate taking place between Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James. Peter explains to those assembled that the Gentiles are to be included among Christians without the “yoke” of circumcision (Acts 15:10). James describes the things the Gentile converts need to avoid: “pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood” (15:20). Scene 4 brings to life Paul setting out on the 2nd of his 3 (N.B. a 4th involved his journey to Rome) missionary journeys around 49-52 AD (Acts 15:36-18:22). At this time, Barnabas has separated from Paul and taken John Mark with him to Cyprus. Paul, not having any ill-will to Barnabas for the separation, has chosen a new associate Silas to join him. Paul shares with Silas about the churches that he has already established (Antioch in Syria, Iconium, Lystra, and Antioich in Pisidia) and what he needs to follow up on when they visit the churches. They also discuss some of the possibilities where they will go–Troas in Asia Minor and sail onto Macedonia to the cities of Phillipi and Thessalonica. After one last rendition of “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” guests come to the unloading area. Guests leave having been “flies on the wall” of some of the most important scenes in the life of the early Church.
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