Disney's topics - tribe.net

Thanksgiving... AT Disneyland

2008-11-13T20:02:35Z

Our little family of three would really like to escape the typical extended family obligations this year.
We thought it would be great to celebrate thanksgiving at the happiest place on earth instead.

Is there an 'on property' hotel or restaurant at Disneyland that offers traditional Thanksgiving dinner?
one would think so - but I'd love to hear ideas...

thx,
b

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Hong Kong Disneyland?

2007-12-05T04:52:49Z

Has anyone here been? Or otherwise have an informed opinion?

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Disneyland with a 3.5 year old Princess.

2007-11-25T22:49:21Z

Hiya from NorCal,

Some time opened up from work, and
we're suddenly planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom during the week after Thanksgiving.

I know... peak holiday time to travel.. and at this point last minute to plan....

but the huzzleband & I really REALLY want to surprize our little 3.5yo grrrrl.
After all, our little grrrl will only be 3.5 years old once...
and she TOTALLY believes the magic.
AND- we simply *must* go and experience the christmas hoopla (esp Small World) together.
God, she loves it, and we just love seeing her love it too.

The subject of Disneyland with small children is a thread unto itself.

but lets begin with booking the accomodations.
I could really use a hand getting started here....

Last time stayed at the ParkVue,
it was OK I guess...
Not magical at all. Just a motel, close to the entrance.

We visited the park(s) for 2 days.
We left SoCal feeling like we could have spent a total of 3-4 days at Disneyland only.

Anyway,
This time, it would be nice to do it 'right'.

Some say that by staying at one of the resort hotels it would be more of an *immersed experience* -
Is that true or just... whatever? More expensive I expect, but is it "more" fun, esp for a family?

Thru obvious online sources for booking disney (Costco, AAA, Disneystore.com) it appears the Disneyland Hotel is booked up...
(choice #1 as its the less pricy of the three resort hotels, am I correct?)

Might there be other room brokers/ agents to contact and cut to the chase?
Do I just call the hotel direct?
Anyone got the hot tip?

:::tap::
:::tap:::
:::tap::::

oh wise disney fanatic tribe,
Is there anyone out there willing to guide me????

Maximum thanks,
B.Nonymous

PS: Also.... what attractions/shows etc should NOT to be missed on our Disneyland trip (with said 3.5 year old grrrrl)????

posted in Disney - 5 replies

annual pass

2006-10-06T09:46:44Z

hey guys
i am thinging about getting the premuim annual pass for DISNEYLAND. but i have a question first. according to the website the pass has no black out days, but does that mean i can go to "mickey not so scary halloween and other events?
thanks badger

posted in Disney - 4 replies

Mickey Meets The Clash

2006-07-11T19:12:55Z

http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Vinyl-Collectible-Doll-ROEN-CLASH-Mickey-Mouse_W0QQitemZ160006242088QQihZ006QQcategoryZ19219QQssPageNameZWD10VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

posted in Disney - 0 replies

everest ride

2006-06-11T07:15:33Z

does anyone if the expedition everest ride at AK is a loping roller coaster

posted in Disney - 2 replies

Clapping for Tinkerbell

2006-06-04T14:37:29Z

Oh I'm sure someone's talked about this all at some point before but please humor me here; my fiance is certain that in the theatrical release of the Disney film "Peter Pan", there was a scene when Peter asks the audience to clap in order to save the dyingTinkerbell. She can't understand why this scene has been omitted from the dvd and video release of the film. My response to her, very gently put - she is my fiance after all - is that maybe because it never was in the movie, only in the stage production. At this point, I would be equally happy for her to be right as not, just so we can move on to more important topics like ... I dunno... our wedding? Any thoughts?

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Oswald the Rabbit comes home?

2006-02-11T02:16:33Z

" Disney's first character traded for a sports announcer.

Walt Disney's first successful cartoon character has been repatriated to the Disney company in a bizarre trade with NBC.

Early in Walt Disney's career, he had a minor success with a character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a distant ancestor of Mickey Mouse. However, Walt lost the rights to Oswald in a sour business-deal with a distribution company (an historical film shown at the Disney parks has it that he was ripped off).

Now, nearly a century later, the Disney company has agreed to release a sports announcer named Al Michaels from its ABC network to NBC, which presently holds the rights to Oswald. NBC gave Disney a number of commercial concessions, and sweetened the deal with control over Oswald. "

Complete story here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nbc-michaels&prov=ap&type=lgns

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Opinions on the 50th celebration?

2005-12-20T00:44:51Z

So quiet around here! So have you all heard about all of the things planned to celebrate Disneyland's 50th next year? What was your reaction?

posted in Disney - 10 replies

New tribe dedicated to the MOUSE!

2005-12-08T06:27:36Z

http://tribes.tribe.net/mickeymouse

join us!

posted in Disney - 0 replies

No 'Chicken Little' - Kids see suicide

2005-11-08T17:40:33Z

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com

Sunday, November 6th, 2005

A Times Square movie theater laid an egg at a showing of "Chicken Little" last night.
Adults and kids expecting to watch Disney's G-rated animated flick at the AMC Empire 25 theater on 42nd St. were instead presented with a foreign film that opened with a young man committing suicide.

"It's pandemonium," Joshua Gallo, 30, told the Daily News as he rushed out of the theater with his 5-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. "The kids are crying. The mothers are screaming for the managers to stop the film."

Terrified children didn't know what to do as they watched a young boy hang himself from a tree at the 8:45 p.m. screening.

After five minutes, "Andrea," a Spanish drama opening today, was turned off and "Chicken Little" was played.

Patrons got a coupon for a free movie.

Oren Yaniv and Rich Schapiro

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Mulan tribe

2005-07-21T06:32:32Z

I loved this film. Mulan is in my top ten movies of all time.

I'd like to see more heroines of this nature in Disney films. Disney influences children's gender images perhaps more than any other media submissions.

Join the Mulan tribe:

mulan.tribe.net

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Happy Birthday Disneyland!

2005-07-18T19:20:25Z

Disneyland turns 50 today. It was July 17th, 1955 when the park opened on a day that is known as "Black Sunday" because of all the things that went wrong (wet paint and concrete, gas leaks at Sleeping Beauty Castle, ride breakdowns, etc.)

My, how far we've come!!

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Two Disney voice actors die

2005-06-27T23:18:39Z

The two actors who provided the voices of Tigger and Piglet in the Winnie the Pooh films have died within a day of each other.

Paul Winchell, the voice of Tigger, died Friday morning in his sleep at his home in California. John Fiedler, the voice of Piglet, passed away on Saturday.

Winchell also held 30 patents, including one for an artificial heart, a disposable razor and a flameless cigarette lighter. He donated his early artificial heart to the University of Utah for research. Dr. Robert Jarvik and other researchers at the university went on to construct the first artificial heart implanted into humans.

Fiedler appeared in films such as 12 Angry Men, The Odd Couple, True Grit and Sharkey's Machine. He was a cast member on the TV shows Buffalo Bill. and The Bob Newhart Show.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/06/27/Arts/TiggerPiglet_0506.html

posted in Disney - 1 reply

VMK and VMK Tribe now open!

2005-06-23T17:34:29Z

Hey everyone! There's a new tribe out for the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK)! Here you can post your pics, talk about the quests (in game and in park), organize trading, shopping, meeting rooms, etc! Come and join this new tribe for this great new online game! If you don't know about VMK then head over to www.vmk.com and check it out! It's a great new FREE online game! See you in cyberspace!

--M--

http://tribes.tribe.net/vmk

posted in Disney - 0 replies

RIP Robie Lester

2005-06-20T18:54:32Z

Robie Lester, who we all know as "Karen" from "The Story and Song from The Haunted Mansion" LP, passed on June 14th:

Dear Friends and Family,

It is with great sorrow that I have to tell you that after a long and courageous battle, Robie passed away this past Tuesday, June 14th at 8:15 a.m. at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank. Her passing was pain-free and peaceful.

Thank you for your love and support throughout Robie's remarkable life.

Robie was best known in our circle for the aforementioned role, although she did much work for Disneyland Records, and was featured as Ms. Gabor's singing voice in "The Aristocats." She also voiced the role of Jessica/Mrs. Claus in the Rankin Bass classic "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," among many other roles.

Robie was a wonderful woman, and shared many memories of her career and her time recording the Haunted Mansion LP with Ron Howard with DoomBuggies.com. She will be missed.

-Chef Mayhem
Webmaster,
DoomBuggies.com

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Child Dies On Epcot Ride

2005-06-14T15:58:28Z

A 4-year-old boy on a family vacation died Monday afternoon after he passed out on a Disney World ride at Epcot Center.

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on the Mission: SPACE ride, according to Disney officials.

http://www.local10.com/news/4605237/detail.html

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Thurl Ravenscroft dies at 91

2005-05-26T19:10:20Z

SANTA ANA, Calif. - (KRT) - Thurl Ravenscroft of Fullerton, Calif., whose voice was known worldwide through his work in movies, TV and at Disneyland, died Sunday from prostate cancer. He was 91.

Tony the Tiger?

That was Ravenscroft.

Disneyland? Too many voices to mention, but Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room were all graced by Ravenscroft's pliable, unique voice.

Movies? How about "Cinderella," "Dumbo" and "Lady and the Tramp"?

"Disneyland wouldn't have been, and wouldn't be, the same without him," said former park President Jack Lindquist. "It's all part of the experience. You can't go home with a ride, but you can go home with a memory, and part of that is the audio - the sound part of it. His voice was one of the things that made it all come alive."

Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft was born Feb. 6, 1914, in Norfolk, Neb. He moved to California in 1933 to study interior design at the Otis College of Art and Design. While in school he was encouraged to go into show business and auditioned at Paramount studios to be a singer.

By the mid-1930s, he was appearing regularly on radio, first on a program titled "Goose Creek Parson." In the late 1930s, he appeared on the "The Kraft Music Hall" with Bing Crosby, singing backup in a group called the Paul Taylor Choristers. That group eventually became the Sportsmen Quartette.

After military service during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, later becoming involved in the Mellomen singing group, and began a career in radio, movies, television and commercials. The group could sing anything from rock `n' roll to bebop to barbershop, and it performed with a list of stars including Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

In 1952, Ravenscroft achieved a measure of immortality, thanks to a TV commercial.

"I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeeat!" Ravenscroft roared in a 1996 interview with The Orange County Register. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Great!' roar, and that's how it's been since then."

Ravenscroft's involvement with Disneyland goes back to opening day in 1955, when he was the announcer for many of the ceremonies and events. His voice has been heard on numerous Disneyland attractions and rides, including Adventure Through Inner Space (1967-1986). He was the original narrator on Submarine Voyage.

In 1966, Dr. Seuss and Chuck Jones teamed up to do "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for CBS. Ravenscroft recalled the Grinch fondly, saying, "That was my chance to prove I could really sing." The success of the Grinch led to other projects with Dr. Seuss, including "Horton Hears a Who" and "The Cat in the Hat."

His singing career continued into the 1970s. As a member of the Johnny Mann Singers, he sang on 28 albums, appeared on television for three seasons and performed for President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev at the White House.

One of Ravenscroft's biggest local claims to fame undeniably was his narration of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters, a job that began in 1973 and lasted for two decades. He told the Register upon his retirement that it was his favorite gig of all time.

"I've learned more about art doing the Pageant than I ever did in art school," he said.

Pageant scriptwriter Dan Duling remembered working with Ravenscroft as "a wonderful collaboration.

"He was a gentleman who was beloved, and is still beloved, at the pageant," Duling said. "He was considered the grandpa of the pageant. Everyone backstage adored him."

Ravenscroft possessed, said Duling, "one of the great basso voices, so distinctive. For me, it was like writing music for an instrument that has a few tones that are absolutely unmistakable. It was so distinctive that you had to play to its strengths. He could bring a kind of deep, resonant reverence to something that deserved proper respect. Also, in his folksy manner, he could be the grandpa that everybody loved," Duling said.

Another fan with memories is Werner Weiss, Web master of www.yesterland.com, an Internet site that highlights popular Disneyland attractions, including many that no longer exist.

"(Ravenscroft) is one of the busts in the Haunted Mansion," Weiss said. "He's uncredited, as so many cast members at the park are, but it's his face and voice. It's unusual. You actually SEE him in that attraction, a man whose voice you're heard a thousand times."

June, Ravenscroft's wife of 53 years, died in 1999 at age 80. He is survived by two children, Ron and Nancy, and four grandchildren. Services are pending.

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Tokyo Disney/Disney Seas, NEED INFO

2005-03-03T10:18:21Z

My partner and I will be traveling to Japan in early April. Does anyone know whether discount tickets are available to the parks? I heard that Tokyo cast members aren't provided sign-ins. Anyone know if this is true? Also, if anyone knows of a cast member based in Tokyo, I would love to chat with him/her to get a few tips. All responses are welcome!

Glenn and Bob

posted in Disney - 7 replies

Happy Birthday Walt!

2004-12-05T15:23:13Z

Walt would've been 103 today - and probably still able to kick Michael Eisner's sweet patootie!

To the memory of the man......

Walter Elias Disney
December 5th, 1901 - December 16th, 1966

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Favorite Disney Anything

2004-11-11T21:39:03Z

So, what is your favorite disney..well anything, pick a topic and then tell what your favorite is. I'll start.

My favorite disney character is Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.

Next?

posted in Disney - 11 replies

Hello. New here...

2004-07-05T15:14:21Z

Hi, everyone, my name is Brian and I'm a huge Disney fanatic. So much so that I have a Mickey Mouse tattoo on my right arm that you can actually see in my main photo in my profile. I've been to WDW 9 times and I'll be at the Magic Kingdom for a day in August before I go on a cruise (not a Disney Cruise) to the caribbean. Hope to hear from a lot of you about what you like about Disney. Take care and be safe. Brian

posted in Disney - 5 replies

www.SaveDisney.com

2004-06-16T04:34:56Z

I created a new "tribe" dedicated to Roy Disney and Stanley Gold's efforts to remove Michael Eisner and certain other directors from the board of The Walt Disney Company.

Everyone is welcome to join. The link is below:

savedisney.tribe.net/

posted in Disney - 2 replies

75 Meece.

2004-02-27T22:01:03Z

Yesterday at Magic Kingdom we got to see the 75 Mickey statues that mark the 75th anniversary of the mouse.

Some of them are pretty cool! I like the polka dot splattered one and the filmstrip one, as well as the animal print one... If you've seen them, what's your favorite Mickey?

I think Disney should be selling miniature "make your own" Mickeys -- bisque sculptures that match the mouse out front, with a paint kit and maybe a few accesories and a placard you could put your OWN name on.

Whaddya think?

posted in Disney - 11 replies

Comcast and Disney

2004-02-16T23:25:48Z

Sheesh, it looks like Michael Eisner has provoked a battle royale and the winner will be sitting on top of the world, or maybe Disney World?

Personally - I'm not sure if I'm anti-Comcast for any other reason than it's Walt's company and it just seems like the end of an era if it gets sucked up by another multimedia conglomerate. On the other hand - it might be the kind of fuel-injection that the company needs to survive. Comcast seems to be a smart entity and they wouldn't shoot themselves in the foot by changing Disney for the worse - or would they? Or maybe this is a wake-up call to Eisner and the stockholders (myself included) that serious change needs to happen or our beloved company is in trouble like it was back in 1984, the last time a hostile takeover bid was announced.

What are your views and thoughts on this developing drama?

posted in Disney - 2 replies

Miracle

2004-02-16T13:04:59Z

The BEST movie ever!!! It made me laugh & cry at the same time- very rare! Did you love it?

posted in Disney - 1 reply

For grins: "Pilates of the Caribbean"

2004-02-14T03:34:27Z

http://homepage.mac.com/pudge/iMovieTheater2.html

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Pixar and Disney

2004-02-01T20:36:10Z

Well, Michael, ya gone and done it.

What do you think? Is Disney going to start getting creamed on opening day by Pixar/MGM or Pixar/20th Century Fox?

Did Eisner just blow off the big one?

Incredible, indeed.

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Disney at the Oscars

2004-02-01T20:06:12Z

Eisner's got to be grinning like the Chesire Cat today over the number of nominations that Disney films pulled in - though he's got to be reminded of the missed chance to bankroll "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, an opportunity that Disney passed up foolishly.

It was beyond cool that "Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl" could stun both critics and audiences by being so darn good - but it's pretty incredible that the film garnered five Academy Award nominations, including BEST ACTOR for Johnny Depp!

It's traditional vs. new wave as the Mouse competes against itself in the Animated Feature category, though "Finding Nemo" would really be a win for Pixar. However, an upset delivered by the foriegn-released "The Triplets Of Belleville" is not an impossibility.

The studio may fare better with "Destino", though - the finally-completed colloboration between the studio and Salvador Dali.

Lookin' forward to the show on February 29th!

posted in Disney - 5 replies

An interesting opportunity.

2004-01-19T03:26:55Z

The Travel Channel is currently in pre production for a new show tentatively entitled, “Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Walt Disney World” which will feature the definitive insider’s look at the world’s most exhilarating theme park from a fan’s point of view.

At this time we are casting for our Ultimate Fans who, not only have visited the Walt Disney World Theme Parks an extraordinary number of times, but also have made Disney a large part of their everyday lives and share a special bond with the people and worlds of Disney.

We want to know why you think you are the Ultimate Walt Disney World Fan. Please email a photograph of yourself and your family and/or friends along with a small bio stating your name, contact information, email address and brief description of your history with Walt Disney World. Tell us why you consider yourself a Disney aficionado with regards to your Disney knowledge and “secrets” as well as how you’ve incorporated “the magic” into your everyday lives.

Please keep all submissions to 150 words or less. If you and your party are selected you will be flown to Orlando Florida to tape your experiences for a couple of days falling somewhere between the months of March and April at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Please send all submissions via email to casting@lightshiptv.com , or mail to:

Lightship Entertainment
c/o Ultimate Disney Fans CASTING
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Blg. #22A / Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32819
Be advised: All submissions will not be returned

Thank you.

posted in Disney - 2 replies

Stitch show stupidity.

2004-01-15T01:41:48Z

So, the last remaining 260 Disney Animation Florida folks stand poised to receive what will most likely be news of their walking papers today. After all, what with shuttering their production there's simply no work for them here in Florida animation, right?

Perhaps you'll feel as appalled as I feel to learn that while these talented people -- who worked on films such as Mulan and Lilo & Stitch -- sit idle, awaiting news of unemployment, Disney has hierd *Renegade Animation* to outsource its animation on the new Magic Kingdom Stitch Alien attraction.

Rumor has it that Renegade is handling the pre-show traditional animation work for the attraction. I guess because the people who initially CREATED Lilo & Stitch probably aren't capable of animating Stitch. Right?

I tell ya.

posted in Disney - 1 reply

In-depth on Disney studio closure.

2004-01-13T11:34:51Z

A JHM Exclusive: In-depth coverage of David Stainton's meeting yesterday with the WDFA-F crew

Only JimHillMedia.com can actually put you inside the room as artists and technicians confront the President of Disney Feature Animation as he tries to defend the corporation's decision to close the Central Florida studio.

"Do not go gentle into that good night ... rage, rage, against the dying of the light."
-- Dylan Thomas

Okay, so this meeting wasn't actually held at night. But -- even so -- the crew from Disney Feature Animation-Florida did NOT "go gentle." From everything that I've heard about yesterday's meeting with David Stainton -- when it was finally revealed that the Walt Disney Company would in fact be closing down its Central Florida animation operation sometime later this year -- there was a lot of anger in the room. Particularly when people began openly booing Stainton as he feebly tried to defend Disney's decision to shutter the studio.

The final meeting of the Disney Feature Animation-Florida staff was held upstairs in the multi-purpose room at the Disney-MGM production facility. In the exact same room where -- back on November 17th -- the team learned that production of "A Few Good Ghosts" was abruptly being halted and that WDFA management was seriously considering closing the Central Florida facility. So -- as you might expect -- none of the 250 artists and technicians in attendance had particularly fond memories of that room.

At approximately 10 a.m., veteran WDFA producer Pam Coats, WDFA-F studio head Andrew Millstein and President of Disney Feature Animation David Stainton took the stage. What they said surprised no one:
That the Walt Disney Company HAD decided to close down Feature Animation-Florida later that year. That certain "core people" would be offered contracts to come on out to Burbank to work on other WDFA projects there. But as for the rest of the WDFA-F crew ... They'd be paid through March 19th, then let go.

In hindsight, several of those in attendance believe that it was the unfortunate use of the phrase "core people" that eventually set the audience off. After all, fewer that 50 WDFA-F staffers had been offered jobs back in Burbank. Which seemed to mean that the rest -- some of whom had worked for Feature Animation-Florida since the studio first opened back in May of 1989 -- were expendable. Suddenly obsolete. That image apparently didn't sit well with the assembled artists and technicians. But -- for now -- they held their tongues.

Still, those in attendance couldn't help but be touched by Pam Coats' heartfelt speech. After all, Pam had been with Feature Animation-Florida right from the beginning. Having produced both "Trail Mix-Up" as well as "Mulan," there was no one in the room who doubted that Coats was really upset at the idea that the Central Florida facilty had to close.

Then Stainton stood up to speak. I'll say this much for David. He supposedly did the best he could. Laboring mightily to put the best possible face on this whole awkward and awful situation. Stainton reportedly started his remarks by praising to the hilt all the wonderful work that the WDFA-F team had done over the past 15 years on various Disney animated features.

Stainton then allegedly went on to say that it was really nothing personal. It was just that Disney corporate had decided to go another way with WDFA. Rather than run several separate animation studios in far-flung corners of the globe, Disney would now go back to its old 1980s model. Where all of the unit's talent was located under one roof, working together on the very same film.

So far, so good, don't you think? No huge gaffes on David's part, right? Okay, so some of the WDFA-F staffers in attendance doubted Stainton's sincerity. But at least the guy had shown up. Stainton hadn't fobbed the job off onto one of his flunkies.

But then David apparently made a crucial error. He threw the meeting open for questions. And this is where things really started to get away from him.

The crowd -- already angered by that "core people" comment -- peppered him with pointed questions. Which supposedly started with: "Why is the Walt Disney Company flooding the feature animation market with all these low quality direct-to-video sequels?'

Now Stainton (who -- it should be pointed out -- up until very recently was actually in charge of Disney Television Animation, the division of the Walt Disney Company that makes those direct-to-video films) supposedly tried to defend his old division, saying "Now they're not low quality films ..."

... Only to be shouted down by all those assembled.

David reportedly tried to continue, insisting that "the public couldn't really tell the difference between the direct-to-video stuff and the films that Feature Animation actually produces." This comment was also met with boos.

Sensing that he wasn't exactly going to be able win this crowd over by answering that question, Stainton quickly moved on to another query. Which allegedly was: "For the footage that I've seen so far of 'Chicken Little,' it's clear that we're just trying to copy Pixar now. Why isn't Disney trying to make its own kind of CG films?"

David reportedly tried to reply by saying that it was Pixar that was copying Disney, not the other way. That Pixar had borrowed Disney Animation's old production model (I.E. Keeping all of its artists under one roof, concentrating all of its resources on one film at a time). How Pixar had established this "braintrust" of directors and story people who helped each other, who worked together so that that studio could always get the most out of every single project.

"Disney needs to get back to that sort of production system in order to stay competitive," Stainton supposedly continued. "But -- in order to do that -- we have to shut down all of our satellite studios like Paris, Tokyo and Orlando."

Following up on the Pixar question, one of the WDFA-F staffers there reportedly asked: "How is Disney Feature Animation going to distinguish its computer animated films movies from all the other CG features out there?" Stainton allegedly said that he wanted WDFA to start producing CG movies that " ... that have songs. Movies that have heart. Movies that definitely have humor. Movies that push the art of the film-making forward." David then supposedly went on to say that -- once Disney got started making CG films that featured human characters -- that ".. that's something that's going to set us apart" from what Pixar, Dreamworks and Sony are doing.

Given the way that Stainton had answered the above question, it was clear that the Mouse was now going whole hog for CG. Which was when one brave WDFA-F staffer reportedly stood up and asked the $64,000 question: "So it's true, then. Disney's actually getting out of the traditional animation business?"

Stainton allegedly said: "Yes. For a while, anyway." This response supposedly immediately brought boos from the audience. Which is why David reportedly began to back pedal, saying things like: "We do have two new traditional animated projects in development. And -- if it were the right time and the right project came along -- I'm sure that we'd do 2D again. But -- for right now -- Disney's going to concentrate on doing just CG."

The traditionally trained WDFA-F staffers began booing Stainton's presentation in earnest at that point. To hear that the Walt Disney Company had officially decided to turn its back on traditional animation just made the group furious.

Sensing that the meeting had somehow taken a really bad turn, Stainton quickly handed the mike over to WDFA-F studio head Andrew Millstein and refused to answer any more questions.

Andrew tried to get the meeting back on course. But Millstein got choked up as he tried to get the final pieces of the agenda, mentioning the various operational things that still had to be done in order for the studio to be properly shut down. Someone started singing that old Irving Berlin standard, "There's No Business like Show Business." Which -- for some odd reason -- got a laugh out of the crowd.

And with that, the meeting was over. 15 years of hard work dismissed in less than an hour. As everyone shuffled out, someone commented on the danish and the rhubarb cake that WDFA-F management had provided, saying "This is the first time that I've been to a firing that was catered."

Stainton, absolutely humiliated at the way the meeting had ended (Said one wag: "He couldn't have handed that microphone to Millstein any faster. You could see that he just wanted to flee that room"), disappeared almost immediately.

Grumbling angrily, the WDFA-F staff filed out of the building. Some of them for the very last time.

(Well, maybe not. There's talk that there may actually be a WDFA-F going away party. One last shindig for all the staff who ever worked at the Central Florida studio. Either in the fish bowl, the trailers or the fancy schmancy new building. So that this crew can all get together one last time and say "Goodbye" ... before they all head their separate ways.)

Mind you, some WDFA-F staffers were quietly approached as they exited yesterday's meeting. They were then quickly pulled into nearby offices by members of WDFA-F management. Where they were reportedly offered contracts that would allow them to continue to work for Disney Feature Animation. IF they agreed to relocate to Burbank. But given how badly these staffers had treated over the past eight weeks by the Walt Disney Company, many of those artists and technicians who were approached yesterday just laughed and said "Hell, no."

So -- all in all -- it was a pretty terrible day for Disney Feature Animation. With 200 WDFA-F staffers being laid off or fired by March 19th, the president of the division jeered, and a dozen or more artists and technicians actually turning down work rather than returning to the Disney fold. Mickey got himself a black eye today that -- I'm afraid -- won't fade for years yet to come.

Your thoughts?

-- courtesy jimhillmedia.com

posted in Disney - 0 replies

More on DIsney's studio closure.

2004-01-13T11:22:18Z

posted in Disney - 0 replies

a heartbreaking but expected closure.

2004-01-12T19:00:52Z

Today Disney animation shuttered its Florida studio, as expected. The California unit will remain open, and stand alone as Disney's only feature animation studio. They will create 3D animated features (though they say they are still developing 2 animated 2D features, little evidence has been revealed to support this as yet).

It's a sad, sad day for lovers of Disney animation. I loved the Florida studio group's energy, the creative drive to prove themselves and their love of the craft. While that energy will still exist within the people who hold the pencils and make the magic, it's sad that they will no longer be bound together as a team under the WDFAF studio's roof, making movies for us all to experience.

Disney is foolish to disband such a wonderful, talented group of artists. My animation friends, I think of you today and my prayers go out to you all... that this hard moment brings you to leap to the next wonderful step in your creative lives.

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Epcot breaks attendance record

2004-01-07T23:56:02Z

Apparently, Epcot broke their all-time attendance record for one day on December 24th, 2003. Jae and I were there and it seemed busy, but not like record-breaking crowded. Kristy, did it seem crowded to you?

It was a lovely time, and near-perfect weather as well. Watching the Candlelight Processional and walking around the World Showcase lagoon. I love Disneyland - but being a neighbor to WDW is the best!

Cheers,

Bing

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Parkhopping.

2003-12-17T04:17:27Z

When you go to the WDW theme parks, do you ever really parkhop?

It seems like I used to... but these days we get to a park, and stay there. Mostly MK or AK, too...

It seems like you lose too much of the day going to and from TTC if you parkhop. But maybe I'm not doing it right?

posted in Disney - 4 replies

The 15th

2003-12-15T20:25:50Z

It was on December 15th, 1966 that Walt died at St. Joseph's hospital in Burbank, California. He had been using the ceiling tiles in his hospital room to plan the layout for E.P.C.O.T.

R.I.P. Mr. Disney --

posted in Disney - 0 replies

You should go NOW.

2003-12-11T07:19:26Z

We played hooky and spent the day at Magic Kingdom today, from rope-drop (almost) to day's end.

Wait times never got longer than 15 minutes. On anything. We did EVERYTHING, and except for a few tiny cloudbursts the weather couldn't have been better. My voice is all scratchy and sultry -- more Kathleen Turner than Bea Arthur, or so I surely hope! -- from all the rollercoaster-induced screaming and laughing. There were characters and parades and soooo many rides and Christmas decorations and carols, too! And fireworks to wish on, which we did. Yes, so very many wishes were made.

Yeah. You should go to the theme parks. On a weekday. Now. It's the best cure going for a pre-Christmas funk.

Go on now. Shoo! Get thee to a theme park!

*flops into bed from pure exhaustion*

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Philharmagic.- review.

2003-12-07T15:45:21Z

So I finally managed to see Philharmagic yesterday.

WARNING: No real spoilers, but definitely a harsh review.

Ok then. :D

The standby wait was 'only' 35 minutes, so (after a day of timing other wait times at 50% of what they were advertised as) we took it instead of doing FastPass.

Oy! What a mistake... An HOUR later, after the queue had all gotten to the crabby, sitting-down, layover at airport stage, we got in.

I'd like to think that the wait-- or the lady that changed her mind about the row she was going to sit in, nearly knocking me and kiddo down and then snarling at us and the people behind us -- colored my reaction to the show. But honestly, no. To me, it was poorly animated and plastic-- the characters felt like Rankin-Bass stop motion work, but without the charm (or felt). The story was ... wait, what story? But I digress.

But does anyone else feel like it was just an excuse to test animate key scenes of former features in digital? After all, Eisner has talked about re-doing the classics in 3D...

I was sorely disappointed by this show... the kids all liked it well enough, but I didn't see very many charmed adults. If you're going to ride it, my advice is to at least take a FastPass to minimize the amount of your life you're going to spend on it.

One bright spot: The Lion King sequence was stylized and kind of neat. :)

Here was kiddo's review, as we stepped off Carousel of Progress: "I liked it! That was WAY better than Philharmagic."

Heh. Yeah.

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Haunted Mansion.. from a regular fan's view 5cents worth

2003-12-07T09:22:22Z

hiya.. I wasn't sure who I should reply to first on the HM post earlier.. so I'm replying to everyone. First of all, I'm not trying to defend Eddie Murphy. He's had some serious stinkers the last few outings.. I never saw them, the trailers looked so bad.

There's a wonderful & amazing exhibit at the Disneyland Gallery in New Orleans Square out here.. and from what I can tell.. yes, it's going to be humorous.. (don't know how humourous) but it's a family film.. with a capital F. so I think the audience may be a wider range than PoTC.

Honestly though, from what I've seen at the Gallery I am impressed. They did a LOT of research with the Haunted Mansion going back to many of the original concepts that were made before the 1969 attraction opened out here.

While they are using a lot of elements from the DL version, they are also taking much from Florida and Paris architecturally speaking. I may be saying thigs that you already know about.. and please forgive me, as I know many of you are very IN .. but as someone who loves the HM and hates crappy Disney live action (which,let's face it my 2cents is that until PotC came out.. Disney live action WAS crap for the past 20years or more.. I can't think of the last live action film of Disney's I saw that was good.. Apple Dumpling Gang? *thinking*) I'm digressing.. but if this Eddie Murphy film does half as good as it seems to be.. I'm all for it.. they didn't crap on my Pirates so I'm willing to give them a second chance. =)

ps Sean got some photots in the gallery , and I'm having some domain trouble so we may be moving everything.. I'll let you know when I got them up for anyone who wants to see..

posted in Disney - 14 replies

Happy Birthday Walt!

2003-12-05T22:55:35Z

If Walt were alive today, he'd be 102 years old! Happy Birthday celebrations in order for the man behind it all.

Of course, if he were alive today - he'd be *upset*, too. : )

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Kvetch list?

2003-12-04T23:59:26Z

As a stockholder or a fan, what are some of the biggest pet peeves that you've had with the company since it began an elliptic spiral down to its present place in history?

My biggest kvetch is upkeep within the parks. There was a time when the third-shift was alive with crews who would spruce up every little bit of the park, from hosing down streets to painting and replanting and trimming hedges, bushes and flowers. Nowadays and for some time now, the parks have been allowed to decay from the inside - rides losing their lustre and being replaced by easier-to-maintain rides that, shocker of shockers, aren't as maintained as they should be.

What are your lists of areas that have likewise fallen by the wayside?

posted in Disney - 6 replies

Walt

2003-12-04T21:25:41Z

We all know this man started the company, but what do we think or feel or sense about him? The machine runs on perpetual motion, but if we take it back to the cornerstone - what do each of us feel about Walt Disney, the man who started it all?

posted in Disney - 6 replies

The Disney Channel

2003-12-04T21:24:49Z

For those of you who subscribe to the Disney Channel - how is the original programming? Jae and I don't have cable, so I haven't been able to watch some of this stuff - but is it nearly as good as they say it is?

Do you watch because of the new stuff or the old stuff?

posted in Disney - 6 replies

Disney stock

2003-12-02T02:19:33Z

Hmmm, on the flip side - DIS is up:

Two leave in Disney board shakeup
Roy Disney, Gold blast Eisner in exit announcements
By Russ Britt, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 4:38 PM ET Dec. 1, 2003

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Two dissident Walt Disney directors, including the founder's nephew Roy Disney, delivered scathing calls for Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Eisner to step down in announcing their own resignations from the board.

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Disney and Stanley Gold, his partner in the investment firm Shamrock Holdings, were key Eisner foes who grew increasingly critical of his stewardship.

In his resignation letter, Gold lamented that he and other members helped foster an "insular board of directors serving as a bulwark to shield management from criticism and accountability.

"At this time, I believe there is little that I can achieve by working from within to refocus the company," Gold wrote. "I hope that my resignation will serve as a catalyst for change at Disney."

Roy Disney's blunt resignation letter, in which he also quit his post as head of the animation division, declared that Eisner is "no longer the best person to run" the entertainment giant.

"For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities back to you," Roy Disney's letter read. "I find this intolerable." Read the full text of Disney's letter.

Disney (DIS: news, chart, profile) shares rose 8 cents to $23.17 on a day when most other major media stocks climbed higher. See full coverage of media stocks.

Prior to Gold's announcement of his departure, Disney officials issued a letter from former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, now presiding director of the board.

Roy Disney and directors Thomas Murphy and Raymond Watson were told of the company's intention to enforce its mandatory retirement age rule by the board's governance and nominating committee, Mitchell wrote.

Disney board rules state that directors must retire once they reach the age of 72, except for former chief executives, who are allowed to serve until age 75.

"It is unfortunate that the committee's judgment to apply these unanimously adopted governance rules has become an occasion to raise again criticisms of the direction of the company, and calls for change of management, that have been previously rejected by the board," Mitchell's statement says.

But Roy Disney is 74, Murphy is 78 and Watson is 77. It is unclear why the company is enforcing the rule now.

In his letter, Gold said the age rule applies only to nonmanagement directors. Roy Disney was considered a management director, he said.

"The committee's decision and George Mitchell's defense of it yesterday are clearly disingenuous," Gold wrote. "The real reason for the committee's action is that Roy has become more pointed and vocal in his criticism of Michael Eisner and this board. This is yet another attempt by this board to squelch dissent by hiding behind the veil of 'good governance.' What a curious result."

Late Monday, Disney officials issued another statement, denying Gold's contentions.

"As he has done repeatedly in the past, Mr. Gold in his letter persists in characterizing the board's failure to agree with him as failure to consider the issues he has raised," the company said.

Disney's board is holding meetings Monday and Tuesday in New York. It was not known if the board's makeup would be discussed there.

Public relations fallout

The tongue-lashings of Eisner come at a time when the company is struggling to get its stock price up. Disney shares have fallen off from a record high in the mid-$40 range a few years ago to the mid-teens as recently as March.

Analysts said the departure of Disney and Gold, and their harsh criticism of Eisner, was likely to have little impact on the stock price. It was no secret the two had grown sharply critical of the way Eisner was running the company.

Roy Disney also watched as the company steadily cut the animation division over which he presided, a factor that may have contributed to his exit statement.

David Joyce of Guzman & Co. said that the company's cuts have been in line with where the company needs to go. "Eisner's been doing that because investors have been calling for better bottom-line performance," Joyce said. "I don't think there'll be any net effect on the company."

Paul Kim of Tradition Asiel Securities agreed, but said there could be public-relations fallout from this episode.

"From the PR side, there could be more material damage," Kim said. Roy Disney "obviously has a lot of credibility."

Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen suggested in an investment report that Disney's charges could "act as a catalyst for change at the executive level and at a minimum, this is a major distraction for company management and the board of directors." See analyst comments on Eisner's continued tenure.

Roy Disney brought Eisner in to run the company in 1984. He noted in his letter that the company had a successful run during Eisner's first 10 years but lost focus and creative energy after the death of President Frank Wells in a helicopter crash in 1994.

Disney said in his letter that Eisner was about to leave his name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year and that Eisner is "muzzling my voice on the board -- much as you did with [former director] Andrea Van De Kamp last year."

Eisner's management at issue

Roy Disney attributed several failures to Eisner, including the languishing ratings at broadcast network ABC, the chairman's micromanagement of the company, a loss of morale, cutbacks in theme-park construction such as those at California Adventure and a creative "brain drain from the company."

Disney also took issue with the company's image, noting "the perception by all of our stakeholders -- consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers -- that the company is rapacious, soulless and always looking for the 'quick buck' rather that long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust."

The company still feels the effects of the 2001 terror attacks, which cut attendance at its theme parks. Disney's centerpiece in that division, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., relies primarily on air travel for business.

Some say the theme-park troubles may be beyond the company's control; others say Disney officials didn't invest enough in new parks or in sprucing up old facilities.

But blame for the difficulties at ABC is placed squarely on management's shoulders.

ABC was heavily criticized for devoting too much of its schedule in 2000 to "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," a game show that was broadcast several nights a week. The show's ratings fizzled the next year, and ABC had little programming to pick up the slack.

As a result, ABC's ratings have been languishing at the bottom of the pack for several years.

Criticism of Eisner can be traced to the time of Wells' death. Shortly afterward, studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg resigned to start DreamWorks SKG after being rebuffed in his attempts to replace Wells.

That, plus a series of corporate reshufflings, prompted critics to say Eisner was concentrating power in his own hands. The company's directors were often criticized for giving the mercurial chairman too much control over the board's makeup.

One of those moves put former Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz in Wells' spot in 1995, which quickly went awry as Ovitz proved ill-suited to the job. His multimillion-dollar buyout rankled investors and board members who were beginning to wonder about Eisner's leadership.

posted in Disney - 0 replies

BREAKING NEWS: Roy Quits, Demands Eisner Step Down

2003-12-02T02:16:27Z

Conflict at Walt Disney bursts wide open
By Christopher Parkes in Los Angeles and Peter Thal Larsen in New York
Published: November 30 2003 23:14 | Last Updated: November 30 2003 23:26

Roy Disney resigned as vice-chairman of the Walt Disney entertainment group on Sunday and called for Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive, to follow suit, bringing to a head a conflict that has been brewing for a decade.

"It is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me," he said in a bitter letter that criticised Mr Eisner's performance and style on seven counts.

The departure and open hostility of Mr Disney, nephew of Walt and still a substantial shareholder, are likely to reignite the debate about its direction.

It marks the end of a relationship that dates back to 1984, when Mr Eisner was appointed to rescue the company from break-up raiders, and which has been increasingly antagonistic.

The letter detailed criticisms that Mr Disney had offered privately and had been repeated in writing to Mr Eisner from Stanley Gold, a board member, and head of Mr Disney's private investment group, Shamrock Holdings.

It said that the company, under Mr Eisner's leadership, had "failed during the last seven years in many ways".

It had failed to bring the ABC network's primetime schedule "back from the abyss", he wrote.

Attacking the "timidity" of group investments in its key theme parks in California, Paris and the resort under construction in Hong Kong, he said "you have tried to build parks on the cheap and they show it and the attendance figures reflect it".

Under his control, the company was seen by virtually everyone associated with it as "rapacious, soulless, and always looking for the quick buck rather than long-term value, which is leading to a loss of public trust".

Also included in his catalogue of complaints were the "creative brain drain", which he described as "real and continuing", and which was especially trying for Mr Disney who, as chairman of the feature animation division, has seen his empire whittled down by heavy lay-offs.

Mr Eisner had also failed to build constructive relationships with its successful Miramax film subsidiary, and Pixar, the computer animation company responsible for most of the Disney-branded hit cartoons in recent years.

Mr Disney also referred to the chairman's consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan, and accused him of eroding morale across the company with his "consistent micro-management of everyone around you".

Mr Disney, who could not be reached for comment, has been a consistent critic of the way the group has been run, especially since 1994, and played a leading internal role in pressing for the implementation of recent moves to improve corporate governance.

In the past two years, an enlarged board nd other measures have quieted most external criticism.

---

Yikes. That's all I gotta say at this point.

posted in Disney - 4 replies

Mission: Space

2003-11-26T03:32:54Z

For those who have ridden this ride - what are your thoughts and was it worth the wait in line? Was it worth the over $100 million spent? Do you think it will help bring Epcot back to where it once was?

posted in Disney - 0 replies

new pics!

2003-11-19T20:34:57Z

We've got new gallery pics - check 'em out! Thanks to all who have contributed - we've got some real nice imagery up there, and current too!

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Christmas at WDW

2003-11-19T17:11:44Z

Backstage by the Holiday Services building today I saw the first of the Chrsitmas trees for Magic Kingdom being removed from the warehouse... it was in three segments and had lovely lanterns and red bows all over it, as well as shiny ornaments.

I love it when Christmas comes to WDW!

What's your favorite park to visit in the holidays? What about your favorite traditions at Christmastime at Disney... what makes the Christmas spirt come alive for you in the parks?

Please share! I love the decoratios at Magic Kingdom, but that display of lights between Future world and World Showcase is breathtaking too... oh! And the carousel they make from cookies at one of the resorts (Beach club? Yacht club? I forget) and all the gingerbread houses at te resorts... Ooo, it's FUN.

Tell us what you love!

posted in Disney - 4 replies

Animation layoffs.

2003-11-19T17:09:25Z

Well, Disney has done it again.

Walt Disney Studios halted production Friday of its long-troubled animated project A Few Good Ghosts, raising questions about the fate of the company's Orlando animation facility and its staff of 258 artists. A plan for the studio is expected in January.

This kills me-- as a fan of animation, as a former employee of the production studio, and as a friend of many of those whose jobs hang in the balance.

What are they DOING? Their core business-- animation -- is being killed off slowly, dwindling down as they lay off some of the best talent in the business.

I only hope that those who plan and see the 'big picture' know what they are doing... and that the big picture on their screen isn't a blank white screen.

What do you think is going to happen to feature animation?

posted in Disney - 3 replies

DL Dining

2003-11-17T03:23:27Z

A sister thread to WDW Dining. <G>

Two things I am wondering:
1) Is Blue Bayou open for lunch? And how are the prices?
2) Do they sell muffalettas in New Orleans Square? I had a bite of one the last time I was in New Orleans, and fell in looove with the flavor. Since I won't be in the city again for awhile, I was wondering if they were available at the park.

And where is everyone's favorite place to eat in Disneyland?

I know Club 33 is amazing, but it's unfortunately not open to the public. Aside from the Blue Bayou, what else is there?

posted in Disney - 5 replies

Orlando Screening!

2003-11-16T19:07:23Z

"Vincent" by Tim Burton in his Disney days and an excerpt of "Mars and Beyond" by Ward Kimball are currently screening at the Regal Winter Park cinemas as part of "The animation Show".

What a treat!

**MORE INFORMATION:
The Animation Show is currently playing at the Regal Winter Park Willage stadium.

This animated-short compliation, produced by Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt, is featuring a handful of new works and also such classics as Tim Burton's Vincent (a chance to see it on the big screen! Ooh!) and an excerpt of "Mars and Beyond" by Ward Kimball... also included are entries by Bill Plympton and other talented artists.

Check it out while you can... treats like these have a habit of having limited engagements!

posted in Disney - 0 replies

WDW dining

2003-11-13T20:12:49Z

There are so many places to dine out at Walt Disney World, each with its own flair, style and gastronomic delight. What's your favorite restaurant and why?

Though I've toured nearly every place on property, I'm still sticking with Ohana at the Polynesian Resort as my fave. I love Hawai'i - and Ohana dishes out the aloha in such nummy, heart-warming fashion, you can't resist!

Second runner-up would be Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's not every day that you can say you've really dined adventurously - and this place is a delight, from its decor to the authentic African dishes.

Dang - I'm getting all kinds of hungry now...

posted in Disney - 17 replies

Disneylanding!

2003-11-13T20:07:08Z

Hello from Las Vegas! We drove to Sin City this afternoon after the most incredible four days in Anaheim! Let me try to recap...

Our Disney day yesterday got off to a kind of weird start. I had this brilliant idea to acquire a shopping pass to break into DCA for an hour to check out the new Tower, and it worked! I got pictures of the superstructure, wider than WDW's TOT because it seems to feature three shafts. It's scheduled to open in April, according to a dood standing near the ride. We chatted with him (Cliff) and he took some pictures of us standing in front of the Tower. Then he offered to back-door us onto California Screamin', and that's when it got weird. Wanting to ride the zippy little coaster, we didn't say no, although we were apprehensive. He led us to the ride, and, true to his word, got us to the front of the line within minutes. He was hitting on both of us, and we didn't play along, but we were pleasant as we didn't want to appear ungrateful. We zipped along the ride -- it was a fun trip!! -- and back to the station. Bought a requisite souvvie (they ask that you show the receipt for whatever you bought when you return the shopping pass) and bolted for the gate. Cliff asked that we meet him at the Disneyland entrance so we could "hang out" together. We tried to hide, but he spotted us and and it took a bit of deception to shake him loose. It was a nice thing he did, but he started to creep us out and we didn't want him hanging out with us for another minute, much less all day.

But once we lost the guy, the day was fantastic! The park was exceptionally crowded, but it seemed everyone was there for Mansion. I didn't know you could even fit that many people into New Orleans Square. But the ride itself is better than it was two years ago (they've added Oogie Boogie to the story) and the merchandise was incredible!

Fun story #1: While taking pictures of the mansion, a sweet little girl pointed at my Jack "Bone Daddy" shirt and said "My uncle made that!" "What, the shirt?" "No, the movie... my uncle is Tim Burton." I glanced at her mom, who nodded in affirmation. I hugged her the girl. :)

Fast Pass came through for Mansion and Pirates, and we also rode Small World Holiday (our longest wait at 40 minutes), the Jungle Cruise, Snow White's Scary Adventures, two railroad rides and the Original Enchanted Tiki Birds (not the Iago version). Their Tiki Room featured the original Jose from 40 years ago. I took a picture of him.

We watched Fantasmic!, which I'd never seen at DL, followed immediately by their fireworks show -- snow gently falls at the end. It was very pretty. Thus ended our Disney day... but we went back today.

This Shopping Pass idea is a grand one! I wanted to shop for Nightmare stuff while we were at the park, but the crowds were intense! It was hard to see anything or stand in the lines. So we opted to return this morning for one hour to take daylight pictures of the Mansion (WHY does it get totally dark in California at 5pm?) and buy a trinket or two. While strolling around Le Bat and Rouge in New Orleans Square, I spotted a dood with the most incredible embroidered cast member jacket I'd ever seen -- it featured Haunted Mansion Holiday and said "Skellington Crew" on it!! I commented on the coat, and the guy said "I got that when I opened the ride... I'm the Art Director for the ride." I blinked. His name is Brian Sandler (or something similar). I shook the man's hand. "You did a GREAT job with the ride... it's absolutely beautiful." He appreciated that. :)

I ended up buying a very pretty print of all the Nightmare characters standing in front of the Mansion. It's perfect. :)

Never did get to ride the Monorail, and never did see the Evil Queen, but had a fantastic time in the Disneyland! After our shopping pass expired today, we headed out to the Original theme park for some chicken and boysenberry punch. Then it was on the road to Vegas.

A splendid time is being had!!

posted in Disney - 4 replies

DCA Pic

2003-11-13T19:56:46Z

I've changed our main image to California Screamin' at DCA in honor of Tina and Katie's visit to the Sunshine State and these two parks! Hopefully, they'll have lots of photos to place in our gallery when they return.

Speaking of which, don't forget to upload YOUR Disney pics in the gallery and we'll rotate them on a regular basis!

posted in Disney - 4 replies

Boating Coupons

2003-11-11T01:30:12Z

Do they still give out food & fun coupons?

I've been fantasizing about a Sea Ray and the choppy waters behind a ferry ALL DAY. But I don't have $35 for 30 minutes....

:D

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Here at Disneyland!

2003-11-10T16:47:45Z

Well, not inside the park at the moment, but we ARE directly across the street. Kate and I are staying at the Castle Inn & Suites on Harbor Boulevard, and we can see DCA rides from our parking lot! Heading over to to the Disneyland thing on Monday -- I hope the weather then is as perfect as it was today because GOD! It was gorgeous.

Something we didn't know about, but sure enough IS looming high in the sky at Disney's California Adventure: a lovely replica of the Hollywood Tower Hotel! I guess it makes sense, it being about California things, that they added the Tower of Terror to the park. I don't know if it's open yet -- we haven't heard any screams coming from the structure.

I saw a poster on a bus stop shelter advertising the Nightmare Mansion! Wicked cool. It was even in Spanish. :) I'll have to get a picture of it the next time we pass by.

Okay, gotta get dressed for the matchbox twenty concert! See y'all soon!

posted in Disney - 2 replies

The Blue Bayou

2003-11-06T14:33:57Z

Mmmm, I can almost smell the Monte Cristo sandwiches now. Probably my favorite public restaurant in all of the Disney parks (Club 33 being my absolute fave!), the menu's not what it used to be (anyone remember the mushroom caps stuffed with crab meat?) but you can't beat the atmosphere and the food is divine. Share your favorite Blue Bayou memories and meals here!

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Brother bear

2003-11-06T07:50:21Z

Ok, here's the chance to make your predictions on Brother Bear.

Will it flop? Be a smash-ola monster at the box office? What do you think of the premise (man turns into a bear and must go on a journey to restore his good karma)?

Personally, I think it will do well-- it's got comedy, some good messages and animated films featuring animals with human traits tend to do well (maybe because we can relate to the characters without constraints such as race, etc.?).

What do you think? Are you looking forward to this feature's release?

posted in Disney - 15 replies

Destino

2003-11-06T07:42:10Z

Has anybody here had the privilege of ging to Annecy or any other 'in' that has allowed them to see the now completed Destino (the animated piece started by Dali and Disney's folk, then cast aside until this year when it was completed)?

What did you think?

posted in Disney - 9 replies

Haunted Mansion movie

2003-11-05T21:43:25Z

Well, I think a bunch of us saw the initial posters for "Pirates Of The Carribean" and thought - "man, how desperate are they?" Then the film came out and critics and audiences alike were delighted.

I wish I could say the same for the upcoming "Haunted Mansion" film with Eddie Murphy. The posters look great, the trailer looks great - until Murphy and family show up and start making cracks that sound like they should've been in "The Nutty Professor."

I'm hoping Pluto Nash doesn't ruin this film. But I am looking forward to seeing Don Knott's again - who has covered this kind of territory before. And I don't know what role he's got, so if you know - please - post a spoiler warning!

Yeah, I'm going to see it no matter what - it's a Haunted Mansion movie for crying out loud.

On the same note - did anyone see that horrible Twilight Zone: Tower Of Terror film? I couldn't even make it all the way through. Hideous. And not in a good way....

posted in Disney - 8 replies

Brother Bear

2003-11-05T21:39:49Z

So did you all go see it?

What did you think?

Chime in here!

:)

posted in Disney - 3 replies

Fan or Freak?

2003-11-05T21:32:36Z

How would you classify yourself - as a Disney fan or a Disney "freak"? (I prefer "Disney-ista ;) It has come to my attention recently that not EVERYONE decorates their house in Disney decor, doesn't travel to WDW every year, or know every Disney animated character - can it be true???

posted in Disney - 7 replies

Favorite spot?

2003-11-05T21:28:09Z

We all have our favorite rides, movies, restaurants, songs, etc. What is your favorite place at Disney just to *be*?

Mine is fairly easy - near the castle at Disneyland, in Snow White's garden - the music playing, the waterfall trickling, happy children wishing on pennies at the well. You might even spy a Queen!

posted in Disney - 14 replies

gone for a day

2003-10-30T10:28:47Z

I'm off to St. Augustine to hunt ghosts - will be back onHalloween....everybody have a good one.

posted in Disney - 0 replies

Brother Bear Pt II screening at the El Cap!

2003-10-30T10:26:12Z

Sean & I went to see a sneaky screening of Brother Bear at the El Cap in Hollywood 930am on Sunday. While many of the elements are familiar, I thouroughly enjoyed the film..

Sean & I liked it very much and think it should do really well. The soundtrack was fine.. although the Tina Turner track kind of seemed out of place for me.. but I suppose it worked. (I can think of other performers, who might have done the song justice).

Regarding characters, Rutt & Tuke were fabulous. When you go see the film, be sure and stay through the credits of course!

The song & dance before the film was great & we were able to take many many photos (which will eventually get put up on our personal site) Sean didn't like it (smelled like a Six Flags production.. and there was a noticable "dissapearing Timon" during the finale with all the characters joining Mickey & Minnie on stage..)

They are still working on building the Haunted Mansion movie set walk-through in the back alley as the Jimmy Kimmel show took over the previous location of all the previous Disney film related exhibits...

posted in Disney - 7 replies

Pirates of the Carribean

2003-10-29T04:18:18Z

Besides the fact that it turned into quite a great movie this summer - there are two versions of this attraction in the U.S., and both are different, for good and for bad.

The original opened at Disneyland and is a far better ride. It starts with the bayou cruise, then down into the caverns where you see remains of the pirates - then slowly, the pirates emerge - keeping the suspense up until you leave them, laughing, hooting and firing guns.

The Magic Kingdom version starts off with an abbreviated drop into the caverns and then suddenly, you're with pirates. You also lose that second drop in the caverns.

But from what I can gather from videotape, the Pirates attraction in Disneyland Paris takes the cake AND changes the story arc so that you begin, dropping into the middle of a ransacking free-for-all which grows more and more intense until you drop out of it all and into the caverns where all is mainly quiet and the skeletons prove that 'dead men tell no tales'.

Has anyone experienced two or more of these rides? Which one does it for you the most?

posted in Disney - 1 reply

Cookie-cutter attractions?

2003-10-28T21:22:12Z

So "Soaring Over California" is going to become "Soaring Over Florida" when the popular hang-gliding attraction is duplicated at Epcot for The Land pavilion. Now, the original ride, located at Disney's California Adventure, is certainly thrilling and quite fun - but it's sad that it will lose its uniqueness. DCA needs all the help it can get in luring guests - and if folks can get that experience at Epcot, that's one more reason that they won't need to travel out west.

What do you think of this trend - not only of buying off-the-shelf carny rides for the parks and dressing them up - but duplicating adventures?

posted in Disney - 4 replies

Disney ringtones

2003-10-28T21:13:54Z

Disney is going to offer ringtones to Sprint Wireless customers with voices such as Mickey, Goofy, Buzz Lightyear and more.

Apparently it's been available in Japan for some time... but can you imagine sitting in a darkened theater and suddenly Goofy starts yelling "HellO? Is anybody there?"

*giggle*

posted in Disney - 3 replies

Not so Scary Halloween

2003-10-28T14:18:05Z

When leaving MK last night we got a glimpse at the not so scary Halloween party.

I've never done it-- always thought it seemed a little lame compared to the Horror Nights/Knott's Scary farm kind of fare.

But it's CUTE and looks like fun! Has anyone gone? We sooo badly want to go, but CM tickets are $28 each and that's waay out of our financial league.

Does anyone know of any really good discounts to the party? Please let me know! We want to trick or treat at Mickey's house!

posted in Disney - 4 replies