Fun, originality, innovation and the quality of the guest experience are the components you are looking for in an attraction, the elements our guests expect in a Disney show and the ingredients of my idea Plane Crazy.

Simply put, Plane Crazy is an airplane flight with Mickey Mouse into a living comic book adventure of the '30s. Guests fly in a squadron of 5 planes, led by Mickey, who is chasing Peg-leg Pete on a series of exciting and humorous adventures. If this sounds a bit corny or cliche, I think you'll change your mind after reading the enclosed script.

The first important factor I'd like to mention is feasibility. Plane Crazy can cycle up to 2,880 guests per hour, which I think is a good amount, although I had some trouble getting the ride capacities for present attractions to compare it with.

There are many unique aspects to the attraction. For the first time in a "dark ride," guests can actually control their vehicles during most of the ride. The bright, colorful sets move and interact with the passing planes. Some of the more notable scenes are the Coaster Room, the Hideout, and the Boxcar. All three of these scenes are very original and extremely fun to pass through. They are also distinctive in the way they are presented.

Guests waiting to board Plane Crazy do so in an Aviation Museum where they pass by many humorous displays and exhibits featuring the exploits of the Disney animated characters with some real displays thrown in for good measure. Another benefit for the guests and ride operators alike is the load & unload areas, which will not be affected by slow-moving guests. Hopefully this will eliminate the feeling of the guest being rushed through the attraction by hurried cast members and will likewise reduce the stress of the cast members making sure the guests move as quickly as possible.

I have included throughout this attraction many "double-meaning references" which already exist in most Disney theme park attractions. Whatever the reason for their inclusion in previous attractions, they enable the guests, as well as myself, to have a lot more fun with the ride. Disney trivia buffs seem to be fascinated and even downright fanatical with collecting stories behind each reference, while the regular repeat visitor will notice them as something they missed the first time around. For myself, it's like creating a puzzle for the guests to solve.

Plane Crazy is a wonderfully exciting and funny ride which really does appeal to all age groups. In the true sense of a comic book adventure, it is a tongue-in-cheek romp that does not take itself very seriously. The sets and accompanying special effects are done here for the fun, not necessarily for the realism. Given all this and having read the following script, I think you'll be looking forward to riding Plane Crazy just as I am.

Guests enter a large, gray yet cartoonish plane hangar. Inside are 5 old-fashioned monoplanes arranged in a "V" formation. In the front plane sits Mickey Mouse, who is turned in his seat, facing the approaching guests. The following scene occurs as the guests board their separate planes...

. . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse Ha ha - hi everybody! Glad ya could all make it on such short notice! Well, here are your planes - just hop right on! We're waiting for runway clearance.

A large video screen on the wall towards the front of the hangar suddenly comes to life. It's a video phone with Michael Eisner calling.

. . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Hi Mickey! Is everything okay?   . . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse Oh, hi-ya Michael! Everything's great! How're things with you?

Michael gives a concerned look to his right. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal an alien monster on his right hand side. The creature is sifting through some important-looking documents, occasionally eating a page or two, etc.

. . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Umm, things are going just fine out here. We're making final negotiations for our first theme park in outer space. . . . . . (to creature) No! No! You just swallowed the clause on tax incentives!

The creature roars and takes a swipe at Michael and misses. Michael backs off and CAMERA RESUMES ORIGINAL HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT.

Mickey covers the side of his mouth, as if he's trying to whisper to the video screen.

. . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse . . . . . (hushed) Ah, Michael - there's just one thing.   . . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Yes Mickey?   . . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse These fully qualified trainer pilots you sent me... . . . . . (motions towards guests) ...they are fully qualified, aren't they?

Michael looks towards the guests, trying not to giggle.

. . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Why, yes! Of course they are! Only the best for you, Mickey!   . . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse It's just that some of them look so young. I, ah...   . . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner It's a young world, Mickey. Look at yourself! Technically you're a senior citizen! Now I'm not quite sure how old that makes you in mouse years, but...   . . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse I just had this funny feeling that maybe you were trying to get back at me for the other night when Pluto and I visited your house and, uh...   . . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Yes, yes - I remember that night very well. But look, you're talking silly, Mickey! Why would I want to get back at you for that? You're still our biggest star! So what if Roger Rabbit is more popular in the Theme Park exit polls! So what if you've made only one cartoon in the last 35 years! . . . . . (clenches teeth, loud) So what if you can't keep Pluto under control and he breaks all my priceless china! SO WHAT! You're what counts! You are number one! . . . . . (sarcastic) Mickey, you're the tops!

Mickey takes this at face value and is holding back tears.

. . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse Gee, Michael - thanks big guy.

A flood of weird lights and alien roars emit from Michael's office. Michael is a bit shaken.

. . . . . . . . . . Michael Eisner Oops! Gotta go! It seems they're a little sensitive about "Alien Encounter."

Michael signs off. The video screen goes blank.

. . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse Oh, okay. Good-bye... . . . . . (sees Michael is already . . . . . . . . . . gone; softly) ...Michael. . . . . . (to guests) Well now, is everybody all strapped in and ready? Okay, let's start up and head on out for the runway!

The hangar doors open to reveal a second half to the hangar, similar to the first section. The planes start up and move forward.

. . . . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse (Cont'd) I guess you're all wondering why I requested so many of ya. Well, we're on our way to give flying lessons to an old pal of mine, and I need all the help I can get! . . . . . (beat) His name's Goofy. . . . . . (beat) Oh, I guess you've heard of him. Well, the last time I gave him lessons turned into a real disaster! I'm hoping this time, with all of you, I'll have a lot better luck.