How the Plausible Impossible Can Improve Tomorrowland

For those fairly well-versed in Disney lore, the concept of The Plausible Impossible is well known.  It dates back to the early days of animation when Walt’s studio was discovering the possibilities of this relatively new medium.  In fact, Disney was at the front of actually expanding animation from afterthought novelty to something that actually did possess possibilities beyond the superficial.

Plausible Impossible was the concept of taking the ability to depict actions that were outside the limitations of the physical world humans inhabit while applying plausibility to that seemingly impossible action through the use of skillful, lifelike animation.

Such an approach seems like a no-brainer today, but it’s due largely to Disney animators and their advancement of the art of animation.

Fast forward several decades.  One of the attractions included in the 1967 update of Tomorrowland was Adventure Thru Inner Space.  This occurred at a time when Tomorrowland still had a “World’s Fair” approach to their offerings.  (Monsanto, which sponsored Adventure Thru Inner Space, also presented the House of the Future – very much the sort of thing that had been standard fare at World’s Fairs of the 20^th century.)

Adventure Thru Inner Space, however, was something different, and a more modern expression of the Disney concept of the Plausible Impossible.  What was plausible and got everyone riding on it to “buy in” was the concept of molecules and the atoms that comprised them.  H2O:  simple chemistry, right?

The impossible?  A riff on the Fantastic Voyage premise of shrinking humans down to the molecular level.  Riding ‘Atomobiles’ (Omnimovers, identical to the Haunted Mansion ‘Doom Buggies’), guests ventured into the Mighty Microscope on their way to penetrating a water molecule.  Accompanied by the familiar voice of Paul Frees, the experience was driven more by 60s-style design than realism.  Still, the idea of the journey was a lot of fun.

The absolute brilliance of this balance between science fact and science fantasy made for an attraction that would never see technological advancements bypass the concept (unless theoretical physics has a well-kept secret up its sleeve).  Conversely, an attraction such as Innoventions, which tries to hover in the near-future, must always be looking over its shoulder to determine how close common technology is to surpassing it.

Star Tours, which took over the space previously occupied by Adventure Thru Inner Space, is a great attraction.  It broke new ground in what could be accomplished in simulator-based rides and brought the iconic Star Wars franchise into the Disney fold. 

Nevertheless, consider what was lost.

As with any new directions the Disney parks take, opinions differ.  So the question of whether Tomorrowland is better off with a purely science fantasy basis (Buzz Lightyear, Star Tours, etc.) is open to interpretation of what embodies the true spirit of the land’s theme.  Additionally, Imagineers have their hands full trying to come up with Tomorrowland attractions which, through the time devoted to development, design and construction, won’t fall victim to obsolescence.  Perhaps the lesson of Adventure Thru Inner Space and its Plausible Impossibility suggests the magic formula for Tomorrowland’s future.

What If...

Let me begin with a Plausible Impossible – plausible because it could have happened, impossible because it’s a part of the past and cannot (fortunately) be changed.  Here it is:  What if Walt Disney had never been born?

It’s a monumental thing to consider, but humor me for a moment.

For starters, synchronized sound would certainly have come to animated cartoons…eventually.  However, would the push of the artistic evolution of animation been taken up by someone else with the same fervor exhibited by Walt?

When would the first American feature-length animated film been made?  More importantly, would it have had the cultural impact of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, paving the way for further forays in the form?

If there had been no Walt Disney, it’s hard to picture something as unprecedented as Fantasia coming life and no telling how the seedy, unkempt standards of amusement parks would have been raised to a more appetizing level.

The concept of theme parks may never have been established as we know it today and, by extension, all of the applications of theme park principles (in everything from Rainforest Café to Apple Stores) might be absent from our culture as well.

 

Urban planning could very likely have been set back in powerful ways and ultimately reduced the imagination incorporated in fashioning our communities.

 

Some would say that not having the potential to “Disnefy” Times Square, shopping malls and planned communities would leave us with a more “genuine” environment, but who’s to say that the void left by an absence of Disnefication would not be filled by a more onerous, and oppressive alternative.

 

The subject matter in The Plausible Impossible, then, will operate from the premise that Walt Disney and his organization’s impact on society has been largely positive and more a matter of taste and preference than fact when it comes to value.  Moreover, it’s the fascinating tapestry of all the little pieces (people, projects, principles and milestones) which are most worthy of our examination and celebration. 

 

Please keep your hands and arms inside The Plausible Impossible while freeing your imagination and wonder at the ride ahead.  And no flash photography, please.