Sunday, October 23, 2011

Dumbo premieres at the Broadway Theater in New York City

October 23, 1941

Disney's 4th animated feature film, Dumbo (directed by Ben Sharpsteen) world premieres at the Broadway Theater in New York City. Walt Disney, his wife Lillian, and a handful of his staff are in attendance. The 64-minute film, released by RKO Pictures, will win the Oscar for Best Score for a Musical Film and "Baby Mine" (the song that plays during Dumbo's visit to his mother's cell) will be nominated for Best Song.


"It's like 64 minutes, and it's so concise in its storytelling. I learned a lot from it, as a student at CalArts and a young animator at Disney."
-Pixar's John Lasseter on Dumbo


Like Dopey in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Dumbo never utters a single word!

Animator Bill Tytla, known for his sinister characterization of Pinocchio's Stromboli, was the key animator for Dumbo. He based the character's childlike expressions and earnestness on those of his son, Peter.

"What's the matter with his ears? I don't see nothin' wrong with 'em. I think they're cute."
- Dumbo's Timothy Q. Mouse (voiced by Edward Brophy)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Walt Disney World's STOLport in Action [Oct. 22, 1971]

Down in Florida, inaugural service to Walt Disney World's own airport STOLport, by both Shawnee and Executive airlines, begin. The occasion is marked by a lunche on ceremony, with the state of Florida presenting Disney with STOLport license No. 1. A group of local and state politicians and officials are on hand, as well as executives from the airlines. Disney announces that STOL service will commence with around 26 flights daily.
 
 
A single airstrip located not too far from the Contemporary Resort, the Lake Buena Vista STOLport, consists of a 2000-foot runway (and plans for a terminal building). Disney has high hopes for the service. (Unfortunately by December 1972, the idea of affordable short-range air routes became completely impractical and STOLport closed.)


A rare picture of the Lake Buena Vista STOLport in action, 1971

Friday, October 21, 2011

Pirates of the Caribbean or The Western River Expedition?

Pirates of the Caribbean was never intended to be part of Disney World out of fear that it would not be exotic enough to Floridians, due to its geographic proximity to the real Caribbean. Instead, planners intended to build a ride called the Western River Expedition. Designed by Marc Davis, it would've featured Audio-Animatronic cowboys, banditos and Native Indians.

Western River Expedition was an Audio-Animatronic delight with dozens of new AA figures, and certainly as many as in Pirates of Caribbean. Just like in POTC Marc Davis designed scenes where humour was always present. Potential scenes included:

A stage coach robbery




Banditos where even their horses had bandanas across their faces!



An Indian (Native American) rain dance that causes it to rain



Other gag scenes with desert animals, cactus, buffaloes, bear...





A western town called Dry Gulch with scenes showing a cowboy on horseback on the roof of the town's saloon - and 10 characters, including a bartender ( who is trying to shoot the cowboy and his mount off the roof ), saloon girls, and other cowboys hooting and hollering, and more...





...And a waterfall-drop finale.

Click Here to read this entire article (How Marc Davis Legendary Attraction was Almost Built at Disneyland Paris) at the amazing Disney & More blog!

Click Here to read "Thunder Mesa & The Western River Expedition" at Widen your World!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

From the Earth to the Moon



From the Earth to the Moon, the Space Mountain attraction in Disneyland Paris, was built by coaster designers Vekoma 
(who also designed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster).



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The only DisneyQuest in the world

Florida's Downtown Disney Westside is currently the home to the only DisneyQuest in the world

 DisneyQuest Chicago closed in September 2001

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

King Louie from Disney's The Jungle Book

King Louie (the orangutan voiced by Louis Prima) was one of the characters created especially for Disney's The Jungle Book, for he doesn't appear in Rudyard Kipling's original story.


Monday, October 17, 2011

The Walt Disney World's Asian Resort

In the early 1970s, Disney World had plans to build a Thai style hotel called the Asian Resort. It was to be built about midway between the Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian Resort on the monorail line ... in a spot now occupied by the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!



Disney's Asian Resort was to be a Disney-owned Deluxe resort to be located at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida that originally would have began operation in 1974. It was going to be themed after Thialand and located on Seven Seas Lagoon. Due to the 1973 Oil Embargo, the resort, along with Disney's Venetian Resort and Disney's Persian Resort  were never built. Since the opening of Walt Disney World, there has been an empty square plot of land available for its use. There was even a road created, Asian Way, which later became Floridian Way.


Friday, October 14, 2011

Lion King Impact on popular culture

Because of its popularity, The Lion King has been referenced in a variety of media.

For instance, the animated TV series The Simpsons spoofed the film in the episode "'Round Springfield". Toward the end of the episode, the ghost of Mufasa appears in the clouds with Bleeding Gums Murphy (who had died earlier that episode) and Darth Vader, and James Earl Jones (who voiced both Mufasa and Darth Vader) says, "This is CNN. You must avenge my death, Kimba... dah, I mean Simba," a reference to the Lion King/Kimba the White Lion controversy.



Simba and Nala's escapade to the elephant graveyard was mentioned in a Season 2 episode of House.

Disney also frequently referenced The Lion King in its own films and shows. For example, in the Disney-released, Pixar-produced 1995 computer animated film Toy Story, the song "Hakuna Matata" can be heard playing in Andy's car during the film's climax.

Pumbaa made a cameo in Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996), and Hercules (1997) paid homage to both The Lion King and the Nemean lion: Scar's skin is worn by the title character while he is posing for a painting on a Greek vase.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life

Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life has hundreds of intricately carved animal images.

Ten artists and three Imagineers worked full-time for 18 months to create the animal carvings on it!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Club 33


When New Orleans Square was added in Disneyland, Walt Disney wanted to put in a private club at which he and other dues-paying members could entertain. Unfortunately he was not able to see it completed, but the club was finished and is now a members-only club that occupies much of the second floor of New Orleans Square. It is called Club 33 for its address, 33 Rue Royale.


A second Club 33 is located in Tokyo Disneyland. Rather than being located in New Orleans Square, it is located on Center Street of World Bazaar. Members of Disneyland's Club 33 do not have reciprocal privileges in Tokyo Disneyland's Club 33.



Just Push Play and Have a Great Dinner! It'll be a wonderful night with your beloved one :)


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Interior [From Wikipedia]


To enter Club 33, a guest must press a buzzer on an intercom concealed by a hidden panel in the doorway. (At one time, a member needed only to insert his/her membership card in a slot near the buzzer and the door would open. However, this process no longer works.) A receptionist will ask for their name over the intercom and, if access is granted, open the door to a small, ornate lobby. Guests have the option of going to the dining level via an antique-style glass lift. The lift is an exact replica of one Disney saw and fell in love with during a vacation in Paris, but the owner of the original refused to sell. Undaunted, Disney sent a team of engineers to the Parisian hotel to take exact measurements for use in the creation of a replica; even a sample of the original finish was taken so that it could be duplicated. A staircase to the second level wraps around the lift.

The second level has two dining rooms. One room (the Trophy Room) has dark wood paneling; the other room (the Main Dining Room) is more formal but has a lighter environment.

Once at the dining level, guests can view antique furniture pieces collected by Lillian Disney. The walls are adorned, in part, with butterflies pinned under glass and hand-painted animation cels from the original Fantasia film. Walt Disney also handpicked much of the Victorian bric-a-brac in New Orleans antique stores.

The club is also furnished with props from Disney films. There is a fully functional glass telephone booth just off the lift that was used in The Happiest Millionaire and an ornate walnut table with white marble top that was used in Mary Poppins. A video capture from the film on display atop the table shows actors Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson standing immediately to its left. A newly-installed bar prepares drinks for members and their guests.

A harpsichord which was rumored to have been an antique was in fact custom-built for Lillian Disney specifically for use in Club 33. The underside of the lid features a Renaissance-style painting that was actually done by Disney artists. Elton John has played this harpsichord, and it can be played by anyone who sits at it.

Walt Disney also wanted to make use of Audio-Animatronic technology within Club 33. Microphones in overhead lighting fixtures would pick up the sounds of normal conversation while an operator would respond via the characters. Though the system was never fully implemented, it was partially installed and remains so to this day. An Audio-Animatronic vulture is perched in one corner of the club's "Trophy Room." The microphones are clearly visible at the bottom of each of the room's lighting fixtures. The animal trophies (Walt inherited them from a friend), for which the room was named, have been removed by Disney family members. Photos of the room with the trophies still installed can be seen on the walls now.

In the dining room area one may walk through a door leading to the balcony. The balcony overlooks the water in the New Orleans area of the park. The shows often put on there are also very visible from the balcony.

Disneyland guests participating in the "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" tour are provided entrance to the lobby of Club 33. The tour guide will provide a brief history of the club and explain some of the artifacts in the lobby. The tour members may be photographed in the lift, but are not allowed upstairs.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Disneyland's Petrified Tree

Disneyland's 5-ton, 10-foot high petrified tree stump in Frontierland was an "anniversary present" that Walt jokingly gave to his wife, Lillian. She later donated the tree to the park, where it was given its spot overlooking the Rivers of America.



Thursday, August 25, 2011

From ABC to NBC to CBS

The Disneyland television series moved from ABC to NBC in 1961 to take advantage of that network's ability to broadcast in color.


After many years at NBC, the series moved to CBS for a short time. It ultimately made its way back to the now Disney-owned ABC.



TELEVISION SERIES
1954-58 Disneyland
1955-59 The Mickey Mouse Club
1958-61 Walt Disney Presents
1961-66 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Lieutenant Harry Colebourn and Winnie the Pooh

On August 24th 1914, en route to the war in Europe, Lieutenant Harry Colebourn purchased a black bear cub at White River, Ontario, for $20 from a hunter who had killed its mother. He called her Winnie after his home town Winnipeg. Lt. Colebourn took her with him to England, where his regiment, the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade, was in training on Salisbury Plain. The bear became the pet of the soldiers and the mascot of the regiment. She was left at the Zoo for safekeeping on December 9th 1914 by Lt. Colebourn, when his regiment went to fight in France.



Lt. Colebourn’s original intention was to take Winnie back to Canada with him when the war was over; he would often visit her at the Zoo when on leave from the battle zones in France. However, when the war ended, Lt. Colebourn donated Winnie to London Zoo in appreciation of the care that had been taken of her in those years, and in recognition that Winnie had become a great favourite with visitors.



The author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin frequently came to see Winnie. Milne decided to name his fictional character, Pooh Bear, after her, and so Winnie the Pooh was born.


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Marilyn Monroe and Peter Pan

Although it was always rumored that Marilyn Monroe was the model for Disney's Tinkerbell ... actress Margaret Kerry actually was!



Disney released Peter Pan at about the time Monroe had begun to make an impact, and an urban legend immediately sprung up attributing the role to her.




Monday, August 22, 2011

The Tempo Bay Resort Hotel



In the early days, Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort was to be originally called The Tempo Bay Resort Hotel. Ironically, Disney referred to Tempo Bay as "the most contemporary resort hotel."


Friday, August 19, 2011

Walter Elias Disney's Passaport

In August 19, 1965...

Walt Disney is issued a passport for an upcoming trip to London, England.



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Cast Member Wardrobe at the Magic Kingdom

More than 2,500 different designs make up a working wardrobe of about 1,8 million pieces. Approximately 13,000 costume pieces are manufactured each year.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Original Cast Member Trading Concept

The original Cast Member trading concept called for only one Cast Member to be the “pin trader of the day” in select locations.

She or he would have worn a Millennium Celebration lanyard and only traded pins with Guests during that designated day.

Can you imagine how popular that Cast Member would have been?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Disney Legend Fess Parker is Born Today in 1927


This Day in Disney

August 16, 1927
Disney Legend Fess Parker is Born

Although it didn't happen on a mountaintop in Tennessee, it was on this day in 1927 that Fess Parker was born in Fort Worth, Texas, a man who would become synonymous with the "king of the wild frontier." And incidentally, tomorrow marks the birthday of the real-life Davy Crockett, whom Fess portrayed beginning in 1954. While he had a successful film and television career, including several movies for Disney, as well as great success with his Fess Parker Winery, it was his role as Davy Crockett that started a national craze and for which he is best remembered. From pajamas to lunchboxes to coloring books, Fess as Davy was everywhere. Replicas of his trademark coonskin cap were the most popular of the merchandise, and Fess' original coonskin cap remains on display at the Disney Archives. Shortly before he passed away, Fess published a letter for his fans on his website that acknowledged how grateful he was for his life well lived and the millions of fans who appreciated his talents. "From the moment Davy Crockett was released, my life changed in ways I could never have imagined and I can honestly tell you that I have never once taken the experience for granted," he said. "For the better part of 55 years I have been on the receiving end of the experience of a lifetime and I am grateful for your continued appreciation and enjoyment of the films and support of our family projects."

Monday, August 15, 2011

Fincantieri Shipyards

The Disney Wonder was built at Fincantieri Shipyards in Venice, Italy (the largest shipyard/naval engineering complex in the Mediterranean)

 
In true Disney style, the inaugural christening was spectacular ... with the huge ship pulling into the dock as Disney cast members dressed in outfits reminiscent of the early days of transatlantic crossings paraded before the crowds. Vintage automobiles wheeled about, ladies in picture-perfect hats pranced and live music sparkled through the air. Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, sang; Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner spoke and the newly appointed godfather and godmother of the ship .. Roy Disney, Vice Chairman and animation chief, and his wife Patty Disney were on hand for the festivities. Patty Disney sent a 3-foot tall bottle of champagne smashing into the ship's hull with a flip of a switch ... suddenly doves began to fly, kites soared past the ship pulled by small power boats and fireworks blazed from all sides. The Walt Disney Co. let us all know that this ship, The Disney Magic is different from all others. It is designed to be a true modern classic of the seas that celebrates the legendary ocean liners of the 1930's. Even the portholes, which are once again round, are whimsically large. The plans call for a sister ship, The Disney Wonder to be in operation sometime in 1999.


Want read everything about it? Just visit: http://www.pbol.com/pechter/disney/disney_magic/ [The Disney Magic Cruise]
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