Happy New Year from Walt's Magic Kingdom

Original Cel from Steamboat Willie held by The Walt Disney Archives

Merry Christmas from Walt's Magic Kingdom!

The Disney Archives Christmas Tree

Missing the Reindeer

Photo from Flickr

The Christmas Fantasy Parade of the old days featured the tall, silly looking reindeer, with tongues that hung out farther than Pluto's.  They were whimsical.  The newer reindeer appear more feminine, in my opinion.

Breakfast with Leonard

The man is a legend.  I mean who knows more about movies than Leonard Maltin? I sourced a lot of material from him while working on my masters thesis, specifically on the topic of Disney films.  When I found out I was going to get to interview him regarding his 2012 Movie Guide, I couldn't decide what not to ask him.  I was only going to have 10 minutes and I had so much that I wanted and could discuss with him.

First off, I inquired why he is still printing a book version of his guides being that we live in this iPad/Kindle/digital age.  Well he quickly informed me that the information is available as an App for your Ipod and iPad with more information than what could be put in the book.  The other reason for the book is the target audience - older people.  I even told him how as a kid, I used to go through his books and memorize stats like a sports fan memorizes baseball cards. The fact is that older generations are not necessarily interested in looking up information on the internet, they want a physical reference guide.  And really, a book is just easier to use.

Maltin also explained that he too will use IMDB on occasion but it it not always the most effecient way to find or organize data.  Sometimes you want the simplicity of a book, where you can look up the title and see if it's worth watching and who starred in it.

Since we share a love of Disney animation, I went on to discuss some concepts with him.  One of my first questions was to name his favorite Disney short.  He quickly and simply answered "The Band Concert." You'll recall that one.  It's where Mickey is conducted the orchestra in the park as it gets picked up and carried away by a tornado.  It was the first color Mickey Mouse cartoon and is considered by many to be one of the best.  It even has it's own theme park attraction at DCA!  It was no surprise that Maltin named it as his favorite.

I went on to discuss with him my actual thesis topic, which was the restoration of Disney's animated features and the loss of the animation art.  I wish had this access to him about six years ago when I had first begun that project.  He made a good point, which is that as much as they try, there is no way to completely reproduce on a DVD and television the look of those animated films which were recorded onto silver nitrate film and projected against a silver screen.  They can come close but it won't look the same.  There is also the slippery slope of "what were they trying to make it look like?"  Akin to "What would Walt do?"  He thinks the most recent restoration work done Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was excellent.

My time with Mr. Maltin went by all too fast, but I did get to ask one other fun question: Keaton or Lloyd?  While he appreciated my slant on the old question of Keaton or Chaplin, he still refused to answer.  He said it was pointless to try to say one is better than the other.  While I admit I am a Harold Lloyd fan over Chaplin and Keaton, it is still silly to compare them against each other.  Each was a master of comedy.  The discussion ended when Tony Anselmo walked by the table and had some small talk with Maltin.  That too was almost unbelievable.

Much like our conversation, the book is awesome.  Maltin's 2012 Movie Guide has grown by another 300 entries since the 2010 edition with over 17,000 movies covered.  He also has the Classic Film Guide with over 10,000 movies from the beginning of film through the 60s with even more detail given to each movie.  These books would make great holiday gifts and are reasonably priced at Amazon. Get your 2012 Movie Guide now!

Lucky photo op!

(c) Disney

On a recent studio visit by D23 for media, they just happened to also be taking a photo for an upcoming D23 magazine issue.  After watching the initial photo being snapped, we were invited into the photo for the legends and luminaries.  In addition to the media and family members of those special guests, were the following people:

Kathryn Beaumont - voice of Alice and Wendy
Alice Davis - Imagineer
Lisa Davis - voice of Anita in 101 Dalmatians
Joe Hale - animation producer
Dickie Jones - voice of Pinocchio
Margaret Kerry - model for Tinker Bell
Burny Mattinson - storyboard artist
Floyd Norman - animator
Richard Sherman - composer/lyricist
Ruthie Thompson - scene planner, ink and paint girl (101 years old!)
Tyrus Wong - background artist for Bambi (also 101 years old!)

Holiday Time at Disneyland

The holidays are in full swing at Disneyland.  The Very Merry Christmas Parade returns with twice daily performances.

Bring the kiddos to meet Santa Mickey as well as the real Santa Claus, appearing at both DCA and Disneyland through the holidays.  After dark, "Believe in Holiday Magic" fireworks complete with the snow finale. It's really something special to experience.  The snow fall is only on Main Street, in front of the Castle and in front of Small World.  I've found that the Small World plaza is the best spot to be.


My favorite thing about this time of the year at Disneyland is the chance to buy tamales and freshly made candy canes.  It's a real treat. Take the family out and experience holiday magic, Disney style!

Another visit to the Disney archive

D23 hosted a media event recently to give a us a presentation of some of the upcoming D23 events.  While at the Disney Studios, we were also given another chance to explore around the archives, including the mysterious second floor!  Below are some items I found interesting:

Disneyland Barker Bird

Jug from Darby O'Gill and the Little People

This photo is just one of many bookshelves of random items.  Above, you can see heads from Pirates and Haunted Mansion.  There is also a small model of the multi-plane camera.  The maquette on the right is from The Black Cauldron.  The ships on the left were used for designing the ships for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Happy Birthday Uncle Walt!

110 Years Young Today!

Meeting Richard Sherman

I had the awesome opportunity to visit the archives as a D23 media guest.  In addition to learning about all the fantastic D23 events coming up, I also was able to rub shoulders with several Disney legends and luminaries such as Alice Davis, Dickie Jones, Floyd Norman and Richard Sherman.

We all were fortunate to have Richard Sherman sit down at Walt's piano and play some tunes.  This is the same piano that the Sherman Brothers used to showcase their new tunes for Walt in his working office.  This piano for many years was seen inside the Opera House on Main Street at Disneyland.

Richard Sherman played for us the music to Feed the Birds, followed by a sing-along of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  Lastly, he played Chimpanzoo, a song cut from Mary Poppins prior to production.

After the performance and after many of the guests left, I approached him for a photo and some small talk.  I told him how much I enjoyed the documentary "The Boys" about he and Robert's relationship.  I also expressed my appreciation for the legendary music he created over years.  He mentioned how special it was to work at the studio during Walt's time. "It felt like a family," he said.  To say it was a magical moment is an understatement.  All of the invited luminaries seemed truly happy to be recognized.  Their group photo will appear in an upcoming issue of the D23 Magazine.

D23 Events for 2012

The crew from DayTrippingMom and Kids and Mice had the opportunity recently to visit the Walt Disney Studios for a preview of coming events for members of D23, The Ultimate Disney Fan Club.  With each passing year of the club, more and more exciting activities have been planned.  2012 proves to be no exception.

First up in 2012 is the Smoke Tree Ranch Roundup.  In case you don't know, Smoke Tree Ranch was where Walt Disney had a vacation home, located in Palm Springs, California.  According to the internet, "STR is a very private resort, membership is by recommendation of a committee only.  To prove his love of the ranch, Disney had his designers design and build three cottages on the ranch, and they let him join. Those cottages are still there today. There are plenty of homeowners still living there that were friends of Disney and knew him well."  D23 members are invited to take part in a weekend getaway to STR in January 2012. Surprises are guaranteed.

D23 Fanniversary events will be held throughout the year.  Everyone has their favorite Disney "thing."  Well every year there are various anniversaries of those "things."  D23 enables everyone an opportunity to celebrate their favorites with special events and activities.  Next year will feature anniversaries of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pirates of the Caribbean and even Duck Tales.

Right on the heels of the second D23 Expo, the club has announced that the Destination D events will now be annually held.  If you've never been to a Destination D event, you're in for a treat.  There are panel discussions and meet and greets with all sorts of Disney personalities.  It is somewhat similar to the D23 Expo but on a much smaller scale.

Destination D returns August 11-12.  This year it will be held in Anaheim.

The extremely popular studio tours are returning in 2012. They will be held February 11-12, April 28-29, September 8-9 and November 10-11.  They are doubling the number of opportunities to visit the studio.  Don't miss out.

If you aren't already a member, join now. If you are, why not give the gift of D23 to that special Disney fan in your family?

Edible Plants in Tomorrowland

Have you ever noticed that most of the decorative plants in Tomorrowland are actually edible plants? It's called Agri-Future! I'm not sure if we'd actually want to eat them, but I've spotted lettuce plants,

dwarf chili plants,

strawberry plants,

cabbage plants, rosemary bushes, sage plants and many more.  I just think that's plain cool and it makes for a great teaching opportunity for the kids while you are waiting in line!

What ones have you spotted while waiting in line for Astro Orbiter, Finding Nemo Submarines or Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters?

Happy Halloween!

Photo (c) Disney

Happy Halloween!

 

Be Safe Everyone!

Halloween Screams Fireworks

Main Street Popcorn

Fresh, hot golden popcorn.  Freshly popped during a cool fall evening at Disneyland.

Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade - Mickey's Halloween Party

 

In this unique parade, exclusive to Mickey's Halloween Party, you can see all your Disney favorites decked out in their favorite Halloween costumes.  Surprises included seeing the County Bears and a certain famous female pig star!  Make sure you watch the entire parade to catch all the surprises. Just a few days remain.  Get you tickets ASAP.

Jack Skellington and Zero - Halloween Screams Fireworks

The Halloween Screams fireworks are not to be missed, however, they are only displayed during Mickey's Halloween Party.  Tickets are going fast.  Get yours here.

Halloween Time at Disneyland

Main Street Cinema Ticket Taker

Dressed in her finest fall fashion, Tilly, the Main Street ticket taker is always working!

Hanging Out at Mickey's Hallloween Party

Not-so-scary scarecrows are just part of the entertainment at Disneyland during Mickey's Halloween Party throughout October.

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland

It's already that time of the year? Yes! Fall is upon and the Disneyland Resort is crawling with thrill, chills and smiles for Halloween Time.

Mickey's Halloween Party
$49 per person for Advance price (September 30, October 3, 11, 18 & 25) 
$59 per person for Day-of-Event price (September 30, October 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 & 25) 
$64 per person for Premium price (October 18 & 31)

Some unique features of this event include:

• Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular (9:30 each night)
• Photos with favorite Disney Villains
• Special treat stations offering both candy and healthy goodies
• Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade (8:30 and 10:30 each night)
• Piratepalooza in Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, kick up your boots with Goofy and other swashbucklers
• Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Space Jam -- a high-energy dance party that goes to infinity and beyond

See you there!

Halloween Time descends on Disneyland

Halloween Season is in full swing. I'm looking forward tonight to checking out Mickey's Halloween Party for 2011.  I expect lots of people, long lines for Space Mtn and Haunted Mansion Holiday and hopefully generous candy distribution. The event is not scary, other than Space Mountain.

Mickey's Halloween Party
$49 per person for Advance price (September 30, October 3, 11, 18 & 25) 
$59 per person for Day-of-Event price (September 30, October 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 & 25) 
$64 per person for Premium price (October 18 & 31)

Some unique features of this event include:

• Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular (9:30 each night)
• Photos with favorite Disney Villains
• Special treat stations offering both candy and healthy goodies
• Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade (8:30 and 10:30 each night)
• Piratepalooza in Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, kick up your boots with Goofy and other swashbucklers
• Buzz Lightyear's Intergalactic Space Jam -- a high-energy dance party that goes to infinity and beyond

Halloween Time at Disneyland

In just a couple of days, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy will open at Disneyland, kicking off the relatively new event of Halloween Time at Disneyland.  I'd have to say that this is my favorite time of the year, not just for Halloween but also the weather cooling off and a slower pace after the busy summer.

As a kid, I became obsessed with Knott's Halloween Haunt beginning around 1987.  I've been back every year since and it is probably the only time of year I ever visit Knott's.  I can't recall the last time I visited during daylight.  I've also had an annual pass to Disneyland since 1984.  Disneyland always seemed to poo-poo the idea of doing anything remotely close to what Knott's has been doing for almost 40 years with Halloween.  However, with the growing popularity of the Haunt, it was only a matter of time before Disneyland tried to cash in the holiday as well.  Every year, Americans have been spending more and more on Halloween, making it a huge industry, so it's only expected that Disney is looking to get into that market too.

I've been enjoying the Halloween Time festivities at Disneyland and it was great to have Mickey's Trick or Treat return to Disneyland in 2010, now called Mickey's Halloween Party.  I plan to visit this year and report back.  Stay tuned.

Carthay Circle Club

Disneyland has Club 33 and now it looks like DCA will have their own exclusive club as part of the makeover process. “The Carthay Circle Club”, or Triple C will be part of the new Carthay Circle replica being built in the main entry at California Adventure. There will be one or two lounges and a probably restaurant being built.  One or more of these may be exclusive to the club.

At the D23 Expo, Disney execs again mentioned a teaser about extending the Club 33 program in some form, but no mention was made about whether or not the Carthay Circle Restaurant would be included in that effort.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives at D23 Expo

One of the many highlights to visiting the D23 Expo is a visit to the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.  Last time in 2009, there were costumes from Mary Poppins, Captain Eo and Enchanted, to name a few.  This year the archive display was more than twice as big with even more artifacts from over the years.  Here are some recognizable items from the display.

from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

The actual book from the opening sequence of Sleeping Beauty.

The costume display from the original Tron.

Annette's Mickey Mouseclub costume

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at DCA from D23 Expo

At the D23 Expo, inside the Carousel of Projects, was a full size vehicle from the upcoming ride in Cars Land, set to open next year.  Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is a "whip-style" ride that should be accessible to kids of all ages.  The Expo also gave previews of upcoming additions to Walt Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland.

Voices of the Parks, but mostly Disneyland at the D23 Expo

One of the few panels was able to get into to see was the Voices of Parks presentation with a panel of actors who have recorded voices and soundtracks for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.  Below, I highlight some of my favorites.

Photo: Disney

In between the guy in purple and the guy with the glasses is Corey Burton, the voice of Haunted Mansion Holiday (doing a Paul Frees imitation) as well as the parking lot tram and many others. He confirmed that he declined the change to record the new safety warning in the Haunted Mansion that was added a couple of years ago.  He did not want to add to Paul Free's original masterpiece.  Burton described it as adding a mustache to the Mona Lisa.

Photo: Disney

In this photo is BJ Ward, who voiced the PeopleMover and to her left is Bill Rogers, the current voice of Disneyland.

Magic Mondays

Disneyland Fantasyland Additions - just announced!

The Princess Fantasy Faire is moving from next to Small World to the Carnation Gardens.  What will essentially become an expansion of Fantasyland, was announced yesterday at D23. Officially, called the Fantasy Faire.

"Guests will travel through a village square surrounded by fairytale cottages and pavilions to the heart of the square – Tangled Tower, inspired by the film. The village square will come alive with activities and entertainment, including a Royal Ribbon Parade where guests can dance and interact with Belle or Rapunzel. Guests can visit the their favorite Disney royalty from such films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled.”

‪The Fantasy Faire Stage will be a new entertainment venue where the stories of Disney’s fairy tale heroes and heroines will be brought to life, letting guests become part of the story as well.

This photo depicts Fantasy Faire stage (Carnation Gardens) to the left and Sleeping Beauty's Castle would be directly to the right of this image, out of frame.

D23 Expo is here!

c Disney

In just a few hours, hundreds of Disney fans from all over the world will converge on the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo - The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans.  Daytrippingmom Media will be there to cover all things big and small, especially the models and information on the additions to California Adventure.

We were able to attend in 2009 and had a fantastic time and are looking forward to all the surprises that this weekend holds.  The Expo is kid friendly and there is even a Baby Care Center, similar to those found in the parks, available.  Tickets are available at the door.  You DO NOT have to be a D23 member to come to the Expo (but why aren't you?).

We'll see you there!

D23 Expo has arrived!

I will be attending and adding content through the weekend.  This year is going to have some fantastic surprises.  Follow me on Twitter at @no1here.

Disney Studio - Legends Plaza and the Archives

The only other version of this is in the Magic Kingdom in WDW.

Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, features this statue of Roy Disney, the Walt Disney and Mickey Partners statue and the hand prints of all the Disney Legends to date.

Absent Minded Professor Miniature prop

I am really looking forward to the Archives exhibit this year at the D23 Expo.  It was big crowd pleaser in 2009 and this year is going to be even bigger.  My photo of the Absent Minded Professor prop was taken on my recent studio visit when we stopped by the Archives for a visit.  The D23 Expo opens this Friday!

Walt Disney's former office at the Disney Studio

Walt's former office at the studio

On my recent visit to the Studio for the D23 Expo preview, I was able to take this shot of the exterior of Walt's office.  The current occupant is Shaun Cassidy and his production company.  This is the same office that you once could seen in the lobby to the Walt Disney Story and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.  It used to exhibit his working office and formal office.

D23 will feature presentation on new attractions, movies and products coming the The Walt Disney Company  all debuting in the near future.  Members of D23 also get opportunities such as a tour of the Disney Studios throughout the years.  You do not need to be a member of D23 to attend the Expo.

Golden Horseshoe Visit

Just a few days after the passing of Wally Boag and Judy Taylor (one day apart), I stopped by to take this photo.  It was a bit eerie that day staring at the empty stage with an empty house.