Such was the case for an ambitious project I envisioned called the Theme Parkology Clubhouse.

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The concept was beautifully simple: I wanted to create an interactive webpage designed to look like the inside of a nostalgic treehouse. It would feature clickable hot spots that visitors could explore. For instance:

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• The TV Set: Clicking this would transport viewers to the Film and Television page, featuring documented videos, animation stories, and key interviews.

• The Superhero Poster: A simple click would send fans "up, up, and away" straight to the Comic-Cons and conventions page.

 

The possibilities were endless, and the topics were designed to offer endless exploration for our guests. So, what happened? Why didn’t it ever get constructed?

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The Reality of Scope Creep

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A project like the Clubhouse doesn't just take time to build—it demands months of relentless video editing, meticulous platform configuration, deep topic research, and the grueling process of locking down interviews.

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To understand why the project stalled, you only have to look at the math behind a single clickable feature: the vintage radio.

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Imagine you wanted to listen to an audio series. You would click the radio and be guided to a directory of shows, such as:

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• Do You Like Fun Facts (uncovering the secrets of Disneyland attractions).

• The Many Adventures Of... (a series dedicated to superheroes).

• Voicing Your Talent (celebrity voice actors describing their craft).

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If you clicked on Do You Like Fun Facts, you would find seven distinct entries covering topics like The Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, and Space Mountain. Clicking The Haunted Mansion would finally play an episode of host Joshua Shaffer sharing secrets about the manor.

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The Numbers Game

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On paper, it sounds straightforward. In production, it was a logistical nightmare.

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We were looking at 231 individual

shows that required filming, audio

engineering, and editing. Faced with

this staggering mountain of content,

and right in the middle of producing

Thru the Castle Gates, I had to make

a tough call: The Clubhouse was sim-

ply too massive a venture to achieve.​​​​​​​​

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With a heavy heart, I scraped it.

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So, What Survived?

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While the grand vision of the Clubhouse treehouse was shelved, the work itself didn't entirely go to waste. A few of these series actually saw the light of day on the short-lived Theme Streaming platform.

 

Viewers and listeners briefly got to experience:

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• Do You Like Fun Facts with Joshua Shaffer

• Dining at the Mouse House

• The Many Adventures Of...

• Voicing Your Talent

• Character Corner

• Diz Cons

• Moments with Bob Gurr

• Legendneers

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The Silver Lining: Because these shows were already produced, the DNA of the Clubhouse survived.

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Looking Ahead: A New Chapter?

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This could easily be the definitive end of the Clubhouse story, but good ideas have a habit of resurfacing.

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Lately, I’ve been considering reviving the Theme Streaming platform. If I do, my goal is to dust off these forgotten, archived shows and finally give them a permanent home. The best part? I don't have to carry the weight alone this time. I now have assistance to help write, edit, and record interviews.

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The original interactive treehouse might have been ahead of its time, but the content itself is ready for its second act. Only time and patience will tell.