Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Donald's dessert at Blue Bayou
Don at SB's Castle
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Hamster Visited WDW And Had "Best Day Ever"
Oh my god! This is just so cute, I can't stand it!
A tiny hamster visited Walt Disney World and had the best day ever! Check out his tiny Mouse ears hat, and all the miniature attractions that he got to ride!
Zz.
A tiny hamster visited Walt Disney World and had the best day ever! Check out his tiny Mouse ears hat, and all the miniature attractions that he got to ride!
Zz.
WDW Picture of the Day
A view of Downtown Disney, still under construction, at dawn, from Saratoga Springs Resort. Look at how still and mirror-like the water was.
Zz.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Saturday, August 08, 2015
WDW Picture of the Day
Rather self-explanatory where this was taken. However, this one was taken right at the entrance to Marketplace if you walk from Saratoga Springs resort.
Zz.
Friday, August 07, 2015
WDW Photo of the Day
A view of the Contemporary Resort and parts of the Magic Kingdom, from high up over Bay Lake Tower. I was doing some parasailing when I took this.
Zz.
Thursday, August 06, 2015
An Enviromentally-Friendly Theme for Epcot's "Food and Wine Festival"
So I've been to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival a few times. Had fun, but I think they often miss things. I'm sure they have to cater to the "average tourist" and consider the kind of food, offerings, and activities that will appeal to the largest audience.
Still, I think they are missing a tremendous opportunity to help address an important environmental issues here in the US, and possibly elsewhere. They should have a theme, or have an introduction to get people to eat invasive species and animals. Animals such as the Asian carp, snake head fish, nutria, etc. are destroying the ecosystem where they were introduced to and overpowering the native species. Yet, these animals are edible, provides a viable source of protein, and can be delicious! Andrew Zimmern on his TV show has shown these animals being cooked and eaten, and became surprisingly delectable.
People, especially in the US, often have an "Ewwwww" factor either due to its name (snake head) or due to how an animal looks like. They need to get over that. The Food and Wine Festival can help to overcome the stigma with these animals. Show them that these are really good food, and by eating them, people are also helping to get rid of them from where they shouldn't be. Invite someone like Andrew Zimmern, who should draw a large crowd, to get people to try and taste these things.
Human beings have been known to push a specie to the brink of extinction from over hunting. Why can't we do the same to an invasive specie? Come on, Disney! You can do something quite unique and help the environment at the same time. It's a win-win situation. Even I would consider coming be to F&W Festival if you do this one.
Zz.
Still, I think they are missing a tremendous opportunity to help address an important environmental issues here in the US, and possibly elsewhere. They should have a theme, or have an introduction to get people to eat invasive species and animals. Animals such as the Asian carp, snake head fish, nutria, etc. are destroying the ecosystem where they were introduced to and overpowering the native species. Yet, these animals are edible, provides a viable source of protein, and can be delicious! Andrew Zimmern on his TV show has shown these animals being cooked and eaten, and became surprisingly delectable.
People, especially in the US, often have an "Ewwwww" factor either due to its name (snake head) or due to how an animal looks like. They need to get over that. The Food and Wine Festival can help to overcome the stigma with these animals. Show them that these are really good food, and by eating them, people are also helping to get rid of them from where they shouldn't be. Invite someone like Andrew Zimmern, who should draw a large crowd, to get people to try and taste these things.
Human beings have been known to push a specie to the brink of extinction from over hunting. Why can't we do the same to an invasive specie? Come on, Disney! You can do something quite unique and help the environment at the same time. It's a win-win situation. Even I would consider coming be to F&W Festival if you do this one.
Zz.
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Tuesday, August 04, 2015
WDW Picture of the Day
Sometime, all you want is just a nice, clear shot of the fireworks above Cinderella Castle. Here's one of my favorite shots that I managed to get.
Zz.
Monday, August 03, 2015
Sunday, August 02, 2015
Why Inside Out Is Slightly Different In Japan
Here's an article on the fact that Inside-Out is slightly different in Japan, and why.
I didn't know that green bell pepper grosses out the average Japanese!
Zz.
In the original version, the 11-year-old protagonist hates broccoli, which has the nerve to show up on a slice of pizza in her new hometown of San Francisco. (That sight gag is in the trailer, below.) But in the Japanese version of Inside Out, the detested vegetable is green pepper slices — a much more conventional pizza topping in the U.S.
I didn't know that green bell pepper grosses out the average Japanese!
Zz.
Saturday, August 01, 2015
WDW Picture of the Day
The awesome gravediggers during the Mickey Not So Scary Halloween Party parade.
Zz.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
WDW Picture of the Day
Illuminations, with the Holiday tag, at World Showcase, Epcot. Photo taken in Dec., 2014.
Zz.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Ant Man Review
We saw Marvel's "Ant Man" on Friday, and it was almost as much fun as
"Guardians of the Galaxy". In fact, I would say that the Marvel's
movies can be roughly grouped into two: The Avengers-class movies, which
had a more weighty subtext, and the "Guardians + Ant Man"-type movies,
which have a more tongue-in-cheek feel to them.
The movie is almost like a caper rather than straight-on "I need to save this world" level of scenario. There are subtle tie-ins with Hydra/SHIELD/Avengers (Hydra being the one and only customer for the invention in the movie). There are also clever moments in the movie when the stories were being told of the source of such-and-such. And there are certainly more laughs in this movie than there was in "Age of Ultron".
If you stay for the mid-credit scene, you'll definitely get a sense of an impending sequel. But you should stay on till the END of the credits, because you'll see a tie-in with Captain America. In fact, there is a very strong hint of what could be expected in the next "Captain America - Civil War" in that one short scene.
This was a very enjoyable movie, and to me, more enjoyable than "Age of Ultron". Highly recommended.
Zz.
The movie is almost like a caper rather than straight-on "I need to save this world" level of scenario. There are subtle tie-ins with Hydra/SHIELD/Avengers (Hydra being the one and only customer for the invention in the movie). There are also clever moments in the movie when the stories were being told of the source of such-and-such. And there are certainly more laughs in this movie than there was in "Age of Ultron".
If you stay for the mid-credit scene, you'll definitely get a sense of an impending sequel. But you should stay on till the END of the credits, because you'll see a tie-in with Captain America. In fact, there is a very strong hint of what could be expected in the next "Captain America - Civil War" in that one short scene.
This was a very enjoyable movie, and to me, more enjoyable than "Age of Ultron". Highly recommended.
Zz.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Inside Out Easter Eggs
If you haven't seen the movie and want to discover them your self, then don't read the link that lists a lot of the Easter eggs in "Inside Out". And if you really haven't seen it, WHY HAVENT YOU?
:)
Zz.
:)
Zz.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Walt Disney World Bans Selfie-Sticks
All I can say is: GOOD RIDDANCE!
Starting this Tuesday, WDW will ban all selfie-sticks in WDW theme parks and water parks.
I find the selfie-sticks to be not only annoying, but also a safety hazard. It sticks far out, and can easily hit another guest, especially when the park is busy. And having it on rides is CRAZY! It reaches out farther than your arms and one can easily hit the attraction during the ride.
Zz.
Starting this Tuesday, WDW will ban all selfie-sticks in WDW theme parks and water parks.
Spokeswoman Kim Prunty told the Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1LtRuBz ) selfie-sticks have become a "growing safety concern for both our guests and cast."
Selfie sticks will also be banned at Disneyland Resort in California on Tuesday and at Disney's parks in Paris and Hong Kong starting July 1.
I find the selfie-sticks to be not only annoying, but also a safety hazard. It sticks far out, and can easily hit another guest, especially when the park is busy. And having it on rides is CRAZY! It reaches out farther than your arms and one can easily hit the attraction during the ride.
Zz.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
"Phineas and Ferb" Final Episode Drew Record Audience
The final episode of "Phineas and Ferb" last Friday drew record audience for DisneyXD channel.
I expect a complete box-set DVD/BluRay of the entire series, with tons of extras. This series was a classic.
Zz.
Phineas And Ferb ended its 126-episode run with the two-part “Last Day Of Summer,” which drew 1.4 million viewers — the biggest original telecast in Disney XD’s six-year history. The finale of the series created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh closed the cable net’s 73-hour P&F marathon of every episode plus five hourlong specials and telepic Phineas And Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension. The marathon drew 10.9 million unique viewers, including 6 million kids 2-14.
I expect a complete box-set DVD/BluRay of the entire series, with tons of extras. This series was a classic.
Zz.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Inside/Out Insider Access
We had a really good time at the Fathom event for Inside/Out last night. When we picked up our tickets, we were each given a poster, and a lanyard with a card attached at the end of the lanyard. On the back of the card is a special code for a bonus 50 points at the Disney Movie Rewards website.
Here's the poster:
Here's the lanyard:
While waiting for the start of the program, they showed clips of interviews with the actors that voiced the 5 main emotions, and also a series of fun facts from the movie. Some of the fun facts are: the ice-skating ring that Riley goes to in San Francisco is at the same location as the Disney Family Museum; the fatigue outfit worn by one of Riley's classmates has Toy Story characters all over it. I can't remember the rest.
When the program started, they showed the behind the scenes look at the Pixar campus, more specifically, inside the Steve Jobs building. Our "tour guides" were Inside/Out Director Pete Doctor and Producer Jonas Rivera. It was a fun, informative tour of not only the building, but also the various people, offices, and quirkiness. There is only ONE bathroom area in the entire building. Steve Jobs wanted this because it forced people to leave their offices and walk, increasing the chances of people interacting with each other and exchanging ideas.
We got to see the jaw-dropping office of John Lasseter. They then found John in a closed-office working on Toy Story 4. He would not let us into the office, but came out and talked about Inside/Out. And yes, he was already wearing a Hawaiian shirt with Inside/Out characters.
It was a fun tour, and something we probably don't get to see much of.
Then the movie started. This is the best Pixar movie since Up and Toy Story 3, in my humble opinion. The animation is getting way too real, and they really animated "Joy" quite well. So the movie is visually spectacular. The storyline is also rather interesting and refreshing. It really is a story of an ordinary little girl, and that made it extraordinary.
The short story before the movie, Lava, was just plain-out charming. I lava it! The animation, especially the ocean and the dolphins, looked almost real!
After the movie, there was a 30-minute interview and Q&A with Pete Doctor and Amy Poehler. The questions were submitted by the audience members at the event via Twitter. Again, this was fun, funny, and quite entertaining.
This was the first Fathom event that I attended. If they do something similar with Disney-related events, I probably will attend them again.
Zz.
Here's the poster:
While waiting for the start of the program, they showed clips of interviews with the actors that voiced the 5 main emotions, and also a series of fun facts from the movie. Some of the fun facts are: the ice-skating ring that Riley goes to in San Francisco is at the same location as the Disney Family Museum; the fatigue outfit worn by one of Riley's classmates has Toy Story characters all over it. I can't remember the rest.
When the program started, they showed the behind the scenes look at the Pixar campus, more specifically, inside the Steve Jobs building. Our "tour guides" were Inside/Out Director Pete Doctor and Producer Jonas Rivera. It was a fun, informative tour of not only the building, but also the various people, offices, and quirkiness. There is only ONE bathroom area in the entire building. Steve Jobs wanted this because it forced people to leave their offices and walk, increasing the chances of people interacting with each other and exchanging ideas.
We got to see the jaw-dropping office of John Lasseter. They then found John in a closed-office working on Toy Story 4. He would not let us into the office, but came out and talked about Inside/Out. And yes, he was already wearing a Hawaiian shirt with Inside/Out characters.
It was a fun tour, and something we probably don't get to see much of.
Then the movie started. This is the best Pixar movie since Up and Toy Story 3, in my humble opinion. The animation is getting way too real, and they really animated "Joy" quite well. So the movie is visually spectacular. The storyline is also rather interesting and refreshing. It really is a story of an ordinary little girl, and that made it extraordinary.
The short story before the movie, Lava, was just plain-out charming. I lava it! The animation, especially the ocean and the dolphins, looked almost real!
After the movie, there was a 30-minute interview and Q&A with Pete Doctor and Amy Poehler. The questions were submitted by the audience members at the event via Twitter. Again, this was fun, funny, and quite entertaining.
This was the first Fathom event that I attended. If they do something similar with Disney-related events, I probably will attend them again.
Zz.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Thursday, June 11, 2015
A Conversation With The Creators of "Phineas and Ferb"
As the final episode of "Phineas and Ferb" approaches, we have a news report on a conversation with Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh, the creators of the hilarious show.
I still claim that this is the cleverest animated show since "Pinky and the Brain".
Zz.
I still claim that this is the cleverest animated show since "Pinky and the Brain".
Zz.
Sunday, June 07, 2015
Nutella Fruit Waffle
What's better than a Nutella fruit waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow at the Magic Kingdom? Why, TWO Nutella fruit waffle sandwiches!
Zz.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Review of "Tomorrowland"
This movie has been getting mixed reviews, and a lot of pundits are already declaring that it is a failure almost on the scale of "John Carter". I beg to differ.
It is not without faults. In fact, the ending was a big letdown. I'd say the final 30 minutes of the movie felt rather contrived and tired. However, the first 2/3 of the movie was spectacular! It was visually stunning, and the storyline felt like it was heading somewhere uncharted. I like watching a movie that kept me unbalanced and not able to guess at the next move. Tomorrowland did that for me, at least, the first 2/3 of it.
I'm not going to reveal the storyline, because doing so will be a disservice if you haven't seen it. But I will say that the 3 leading characters in the movie were quite engaging, even the "robot". Where the movie lost it for me, and where I started to be able to guess what will happen next was when they were all back in Tomorrowland and the battle to stop the impending doom. This was where the direction and the "message" of the movie was delivered to heavy-handed. In fact, for the movie that started off so mysteriously and so complex, the ending and the reason for all the destruction was too simple and not at all convincing. It ruined what was until then, a fun, visually-amazing movie.
I will still recommend this movie even with the flaw. I think people will enjoy it more than they expect. If you are a Disney park fan, you'll recognize familiar landmarks in the movie.
BTW, it turns out that "Tomorrowland" is the first movie ever to be shown, in certain theaters, in the new Dolby Vision. It was shown that way at the El Capitan theater. The next movie that can also be seen in Dolby Vision? Disney/Pixar's "Inside/Out".
Zz.
It is not without faults. In fact, the ending was a big letdown. I'd say the final 30 minutes of the movie felt rather contrived and tired. However, the first 2/3 of the movie was spectacular! It was visually stunning, and the storyline felt like it was heading somewhere uncharted. I like watching a movie that kept me unbalanced and not able to guess at the next move. Tomorrowland did that for me, at least, the first 2/3 of it.
I'm not going to reveal the storyline, because doing so will be a disservice if you haven't seen it. But I will say that the 3 leading characters in the movie were quite engaging, even the "robot". Where the movie lost it for me, and where I started to be able to guess what will happen next was when they were all back in Tomorrowland and the battle to stop the impending doom. This was where the direction and the "message" of the movie was delivered to heavy-handed. In fact, for the movie that started off so mysteriously and so complex, the ending and the reason for all the destruction was too simple and not at all convincing. It ruined what was until then, a fun, visually-amazing movie.
I will still recommend this movie even with the flaw. I think people will enjoy it more than they expect. If you are a Disney park fan, you'll recognize familiar landmarks in the movie.
BTW, it turns out that "Tomorrowland" is the first movie ever to be shown, in certain theaters, in the new Dolby Vision. It was shown that way at the El Capitan theater. The next movie that can also be seen in Dolby Vision? Disney/Pixar's "Inside/Out".
Zz.
Cinderella is an important movie for Disney
Scott Mendelson at Forbes.com posted this article about recent Disney movies. The premise is that Cinderella represents Disney material that was not acquired by buying a company, and is therefore a potential good source of successful movies. Tomorrowland (the movie) is apparently heading for a disappointing financial result, thus joining other movies such as John Carter and The Lone Ranger. While Tomorrowland had some good moments, overall it was lacking what it takes to make a good movie. At times, it struggled to make any sense and the ending seemed like the worst choice among several alternate endings. Cinderella, according to the Forbes article, was a solid movie with a good story line.
The ability for Disney to make blockbusters based on their older animated films has given them a whole new franchise of sorts. But the surprisingly (?) robust artistic and financial success of Cinderella has given this would-be franchise a huge dose of respectability and credibility.
Now you may argue that there isn’t all-that-much to celebrate about Disney looting its animated vaults, and I’m not here to dissuade you of that notion. But the relative artistic triumph and unquestionable financial victory of Disney’s Cinderella (which earned over five times its budget just in worldwide theatrical) is the needed jolt as Disney attempts to fashion big-scale blockbusters outside of the Marvel/Star Wars universe.
Tokyo Disneyland rides stopped by what?
Kotaku.com reports that several rides in the park, including Journey to the Center of the Earth were stopped due to a magnitude 5.5 earthquake.
Journey to the Center of the Earth wasn’t the only attraction that stopped because of the quake. Other rides like Star Tours, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain did, too.People were evacuated from the rides as a precaution but it seems there was no real damage.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
John Lasseter Talks About Upcoming Disney and Pixar Slate of Movies
During a 2-hour presentation at Cannes Film Festival, John Lasseter talks about the upcoming slate of Disney and Disney-Pixar movies. This includes Finding Dory, The Good Dinosaur, and others.
Zz.
Zz.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
"No Selfie Sticks" Signs Begin To Show Up At WDW
You KNOW that this was bound to happen sooner or later.
Our last trip to WDW this past December was an eye-opener because I had never seen so many selfie sticks being used all through the parks. People were either filming themselves while walking around the parks, or on rides. Holy cow, this thing could be dangerous especially in a crowded area!
Sure enough, Disney is beginning to crack down on selfie sticks. It starts with Thunder Mountain Railroad.
It'll require just a few guests being poked by this darn thing in a crowded area before I see a ban on this nuisance.
Zz.
Our last trip to WDW this past December was an eye-opener because I had never seen so many selfie sticks being used all through the parks. People were either filming themselves while walking around the parks, or on rides. Holy cow, this thing could be dangerous especially in a crowded area!
Sure enough, Disney is beginning to crack down on selfie sticks. It starts with Thunder Mountain Railroad.
So on Friday, Walt Disney World went a step further to make that point. It posted a "No Selfie Sticks" sign at the Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
A few weeks ago, Disney told workers to remind guests of that policy.
Still, Thunder Mountain has had an especially high number of incidents in which the ride had to be stopped because of selfie-stick use.
Similar signs have been posted at Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland in California.
It'll require just a few guests being poked by this darn thing in a crowded area before I see a ban on this nuisance.
Zz.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Inside/Out Debuts at Cannes
Disney-Pixar's "Inside/Out" debuts at Cannes Film Festival today.
While the release date is June 19 in the US, many Disney Visa card holders had the opportunity last week to purchase a special Fathom event ticket that will not only give an advance showing on June 16 of the movie, but also a sneak peek at Pixar Studios and a live interview with Pete Doctor.
The tickets were opened for purchase to the public last May 15th. We will be going.
Zz.
While the release date is June 19 in the US, many Disney Visa card holders had the opportunity last week to purchase a special Fathom event ticket that will not only give an advance showing on June 16 of the movie, but also a sneak peek at Pixar Studios and a live interview with Pete Doctor.
Special Fathom Features: Experience exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Pixar Animation Studios and a Q&A with director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera and the voice of Joy, Amy Poehler.
Fathom Events and Disney are bringing Disney*Pixar's highly-anticipated Inside Out to theatres nationwide on Tuesday, June 16 in a special advanced screening.
This one-night event will include exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Pixar Animation Studios in addition to the full-length feature Inside Out and the Lava short three days before its official release. PLUS following the showing of Inside Out, audiences will enjoy an exclusive Q&A with director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera and the voice of Joy, Amy Poehler, live via satellite from their Australian tour. Event attendees will also receive a limited edition Inside Out commemorative poster and lanyard that includes a special code for access to digital extras.
The tickets were opened for purchase to the public last May 15th. We will be going.
Zz.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
Phineas And Ferb To Air Final Episode In June
The final episode of our most favorite TV series on any Disney channel, Phineas and Ferb, will air on June 12 at 9/8c on Disney XD.
I still have no clue why Disney is ending this series. It falls into one of the most intelligent animated series, in the same class as South Park, The Simpsons, and Pinky and the Brain. All I can say is that there better be a humongous box-set of this series coming out soon.
Zz.
Disney XD announced on Thursday that after 126 episodes, five hour-long specials and a TV-movie, the animated series will air its final episode, “Last Day of Summer,” on Friday, June 12 at 9/8c.
I still have no clue why Disney is ending this series. It falls into one of the most intelligent animated series, in the same class as South Park, The Simpsons, and Pinky and the Brain. All I can say is that there better be a humongous box-set of this series coming out soon.
Zz.
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Frozen Fireworks Over Streets of America
For those of us who missed it, here is a video of the new Frozen fireworks over the Street of America at DHS.
I must say that I don't quite remember the one that was over the now-gone Sorcerer Hat, so I can't quite compare that with this "new" one. It will be interesting to see if they'll keep doing this show at the new location. It certainly will prevent all that congestion along the main entrance.
Zz.
I must say that I don't quite remember the one that was over the now-gone Sorcerer Hat, so I can't quite compare that with this "new" one. It will be interesting to see if they'll keep doing this show at the new location. It certainly will prevent all that congestion along the main entrance.
Zz.
Monday, May 04, 2015
Mickey Head River Rock Stepping Stone
Walgreens continues to carry some of the neatest seasonal Disney merchandise (why can't the Disney Stores be more like this?) around.
Found this over the weekend at our nearby Walgreens. It is a Mickey head stepping stone.
On the back, it has a place where you can attach it to a nail or a hook so that you can mount it on the wall. At about a foot in width, it is a nice size.
We liked it so much, be bought TWO! :) We'll hang them on the wall some time soon.
Zz.
Found this over the weekend at our nearby Walgreens. It is a Mickey head stepping stone.
On the back, it has a place where you can attach it to a nail or a hook so that you can mount it on the wall. At about a foot in width, it is a nice size.
We liked it so much, be bought TWO! :) We'll hang them on the wall some time soon.
Zz.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Dachshund As Mickey Mouse
To all Dogs,
Don't EVER let your Pet Parents dress you up like this! You will be bullied by all the other dogs in the neighborhood!
Zz.
Don't EVER let your Pet Parents dress you up like this! You will be bullied by all the other dogs in the neighborhood!
Zz.
Magic Kingdom Club Plaque
The one thing about being a "known" Disney fanatic is that your friends and acquaintances often think of you first if it is anything related to Disney. This is one such case.
One of my online friends came across this plaque when he was cleaning up his parents house. So knowing about my Disney obsession from my online posts, he contacted me first and asked if I wanted it. Of course, I did. So this was mailed to me and it got here yesterday.
It is a plaque commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom Club. Now I will admit that I didn't know what a "Magic Kingdom Club" is, so I did a check and found this info.
It was disbanded in 2000. It is another piece of Disney history that I wasn't aware of, and that I got to learn because of this.
Zz.
One of my online friends came across this plaque when he was cleaning up his parents house. So knowing about my Disney obsession from my online posts, he contacted me first and asked if I wanted it. Of course, I did. So this was mailed to me and it got here yesterday.
It is a plaque commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom Club. Now I will admit that I didn't know what a "Magic Kingdom Club" is, so I did a check and found this info.
Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom Club (MKC) was created in 1957 as a unique marketing vehicle for the new Park. The Club offered discounted and special-value ticket media to the employees of large companies, industry and military throughout Southern California. It was an immediate win-win formula: MKC provided a free employee benefit while the participating organizations promoted Disneyland by distributing membership cards and materials. In many ways, MKC was the forerunner of today’s airline and hotel loyalty membership programs by instilling the sense of a special beneficial relationship.
It was disbanded in 2000. It is another piece of Disney history that I wasn't aware of, and that I got to learn because of this.
Zz.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Disneyland Band To Be Disbanded?!
I don't know what to make of this news. Are they really disbanding and "reimagining" the beloved Disneyland Band? Seriously?
This is a joke, right? No one who has even half a brain would make such a stupid decision.
Zz.
The Disneyland Band has been an institution at the Anaheim theme park since it opened in 1955. But on March 31, musicians were served an "end of run" notice, as "reimagining" will add a new sound and high-energy choreography. Longtime members of the 16-person group -- one has been in it for 44 years -- were invited to reaudition at dancing and acting tryouts.
.
.
To add insult to injury, the band's final performance will be July 16, one day before the park's 60th-anniversary celebration.
This is a joke, right? No one who has even half a brain would make such a stupid decision.
Zz.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Could "Avengers - Age of Ultron" Be A Disappointment?
There are now rumblings that the upcoming Disney/Marvel's "Avengers - Age of Ultron" is a disappointment and not as good as the first Avengers movie.
I'm sure we'll hear more about it in the next few days as more reviews come in, and the movie opens in a couple of places outside the US this weekend. We plan to see it during the opening weekend, so expect my own review soon.
Zz.
I'm sure we'll hear more about it in the next few days as more reviews come in, and the movie opens in a couple of places outside the US this weekend. We plan to see it during the opening weekend, so expect my own review soon.
Zz.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Fatal Accident at Disney Race Track
... and they were already planning on closing it this summer.
A tragic accident at the Disney race track in WDW left the passenger of a Lamborghini dead and the driver hurt.
I wonder if Disney will just pull the plug on the whole thing now and end it immediately after this accident.
Zz.
A tragic accident at the Disney race track in WDW left the passenger of a Lamborghini dead and the driver hurt.
It wasn't immediately clear if the driver was a track employee or a customer. The driver was hospitalized with minor injuries. The passenger was a 36-year-old man from Davenport.
I wonder if Disney will just pull the plug on the whole thing now and end it immediately after this accident.
Zz.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Disney Dream Cruise with Food Network
Some of us won't be home at this time, so it may be time to set up the DVR for this one.
This one-hour special brings together some of Food Network's favorite hosts for a vacation like no other. The Kitchen's Jeff Mauro and Katie Lee, Chopped's Amanda Freitag, and Guy's Grocery Games' Melissa d'Arabian, along with their families and friends, set sail on The Disney Dream cruise ship for three days of sun, fun and food. Go behind the scenes as the hosts go where no cameras have gone before — the inner workings of the ship's galleys, the kitchens, where The Dream's talented chefs prepare food for thousands every day. And no cruise would be complete without surf, sand and, of course, incredible meals.
Airing dates:
Fri, March 27, 8|7c
Sat, March 28 3a|2c
Sat, April 4 12|11c
Sat, March 28 3a|2c
Sat, April 4 12|11c
Zz.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Major Differences Between Disneyland and Walt Disney World Experiences
This is a nice article that sums up the differences in experience at Disneyland in CA, and Walt Disney World in FL.
The size of WDW is, to me, an advantage, as I had stated a while back. There is just this lack of a "buffer" between the unorganized, real world and the theme park at Disneyland. Whereas at WDW, the size allows it to force the guests to emotionally, or psychologically separate themselves, consciously or unconsciously, from that real world. And certainly, WDW is a resort in the truest sense.
Zz.
The size of WDW is, to me, an advantage, as I had stated a while back. There is just this lack of a "buffer" between the unorganized, real world and the theme park at Disneyland. Whereas at WDW, the size allows it to force the guests to emotionally, or psychologically separate themselves, consciously or unconsciously, from that real world. And certainly, WDW is a resort in the truest sense.
Zz.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
New Chicago Disney Store Pins
... or at least, they are new to me since I haven't seen them before.
Thanks go Anne for finding these. Supposedly, one pin can be found at the Michigan Ave. store, while the other is at the State Street store. I do not know if it is going to be that way, or even both can be found at both stores eventually.
Zz.
Thanks go Anne for finding these. Supposedly, one pin can be found at the Michigan Ave. store, while the other is at the State Street store. I do not know if it is going to be that way, or even both can be found at both stores eventually.
Zz.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
8 Walt Disney Quotes That Are Actually Fake
.. at least according to this article.
The 8 quotes listed here that were attributed to Walt are:
I must admit that I am familiar with only the first one, and may have had the inkling that it was from Walt.
Now we know.
Zz.
The 8 quotes listed here that were attributed to Walt are:
1. If you can dream it, you can do it.
2. Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.
3. The more you are in a state of gratitude, the more you will attract things to be grateful for.
4. The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.
5. You can't just let nature run wild.
6. Leadership shows judgment, wisdom, personal appeal and proven competence.
7. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.
8. The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up.
I must admit that I am familiar with only the first one, and may have had the inkling that it was from Walt.
Now we know.
Zz.
Friday, March 20, 2015
A Disney Monorail For Sale On E-Bay
So, anyone bidding for this one?
I'd like to see someone covert this into a diner! :)
Zz.
Happily though, thanks to the Internet, you can now purchase quite possibly the next best thing – one of Walt Disney World’s monorail cars. It’s listed up for sale on eBay, and according to the seller, it’s the only Disney monorail to make it into private ownership. It will cost you a pretty penny though. Bidding starts at $160,000.
I'd like to see someone covert this into a diner! :)
Zz.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
"Frozen 2" Is A Go!
Bob Iger has just announced at the shareholders meeting that the sequel to "Frozen" has officially been given the green light.
This is really not that surprising, is it? :)
Zz.
This is really not that surprising, is it? :)
Zz.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Post-Mortem On "John Carter"
One would think that one would let bleeding dog lie, but not in this case. An article on Forbes is discussing what could have possibly gone wrong with the $250 million "John Carter", 3 years after it was originally released.
Certainly, the Disney Studios were in a major turmoil at that time, and right off the bat, the promotion of this film was not very original at all. I think if it wasn't a Disney film, I would not have gone out and seen it.
Still, I wonder if many in Hollywood will actually learn from this debacle.
Zz.
Yes, Princess of Mars was among the first modern fantasy adventure stories. Yes, every fantastical adventure to explode into theaters over the last several decades, from Star Wars to Avatar, from Planet of the Apes to Army of Darkness, owes something to the groundbreaking fantasy fiction on which John Carter was based. But that’s not common knowledge and the film’s marketing gave you little idea of the film’s historical pedigree. For reasons that I dare not speculate upon, the marketing for John Carter was painfully generic and outright bland, with one uninspiring trailer after another. We saw a straight-faced bare-chested white male hero played by a relative unknown, a desert landscape, various alien creatures, and a damsel-in-distress to be rescued and romanced. To audiences that had perhaps grown up on the various would-be rip-offs of this specific source material, they had little reason to think they were seeing anything other than Generic Blockbuster: The Movie.
Certainly, the Disney Studios were in a major turmoil at that time, and right off the bat, the promotion of this film was not very original at all. I think if it wasn't a Disney film, I would not have gone out and seen it.
Still, I wonder if many in Hollywood will actually learn from this debacle.
Zz.
Monday, March 09, 2015
Toy Story Mania and Soarin' at WDW are being upgraded
WDWMagic reports that Toy Story Mania will be getting a third track
The hugely popular Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios has faced long waits and high FastPass+ demand since opening, and work began in October of last year on refitting Soundstage One as an additional track. You can read more about the project from our original article last year.In a related post Disney confirmed that Soarin' at WDW will be getting a 3rd concourse and an upgraded projection system. Hope they can find a way to clean the screen more often.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Can You Visit Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland CA, and Walt Disney World All In ONE Day?
This couple from San Diego certainly did!
They, of course, had to make use of the fact that the US lags Japan as far as the time/day is concerned.
Still, did they get to do anything much at those parks? They certainly didn't get to do much at WDW since they arrived right before closing. And really, if I get to go to Tokyo Disneyland, I'll be staying in Japan for at least a week since I want to see quite a bit more of the country.
Zz.
Michael, 49, and Diane Greening, 51, traveled from San Diego to Tokyo, California and Orlando to hit up three Disney theme parks in just one day.
They, of course, had to make use of the fact that the US lags Japan as far as the time/day is concerned.
Still, did they get to do anything much at those parks? They certainly didn't get to do much at WDW since they arrived right before closing. And really, if I get to go to Tokyo Disneyland, I'll be staying in Japan for at least a week since I want to see quite a bit more of the country.
Zz.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Pirates sail again
According to this post at DIS News, the 5th Pirates of the Caribbean movie, titled "Dead Men Tell No Tales", is in production.
Dead Men Tell No Tales is the fifth Pirates film and will bring back several of the original cast. Johnny Depp stars at Captain Jack Sparrow, along with Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs and Stephen Graham as Scrum.The film is scheduled for release in July, 2015.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
The Transformation of Disney's Animal Kingdom
Orlando Sentinel has a story on the current improvements being made to Disney's Animal Kingdom to transform it into an all-day theme park.
Of course, this is exciting to die-hard Disney fans. The nighttime show should rival the World of Colors at Disney's California Adventure, but I hope they make it so that it fits in with the thematic concept of Animal Kingdom theme park.
Zz.
All of the construction, of course, is part of a bigger picture.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is undergoing the changes in order to offer guests a true full-day experience. The park typically closes by 7 p.m. and as early as 5 p.m.
With the addition of a "nighttime spectacular" and an Avatar area that is positioned to engage guests after the sun sets, Animal Kingdom will be on par with the other three theme parks at Walt Disney World.
Of course, this is exciting to die-hard Disney fans. The nighttime show should rival the World of Colors at Disney's California Adventure, but I hope they make it so that it fits in with the thematic concept of Animal Kingdom theme park.
Zz.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Random WDW Picture
No, don't hum the soundtrack! Don't hum the sound track! No, don't, DON'T! Oh no!! No! Now look what you've done! That's gonna be stuck in my head all day long!
Zz.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Richard Petty Driving Experience To Close
The Richard Petty Driving Experience at WDW will close at the end of June this year. Supposedly, Disney is planning to use the location for transportation improvement. This is not too far off since MK parking is often full during its most popular days.
Zz.
Zz.
2015 DVC Merry Member Mixer Dates
This is probably more for my record than anything else. The 2015 DVC Merry Member Mixer dates have been released.
Nov. 24, 2015
Dec. 1, 2015
Dec 8, 2015
Dec 15, 2015.
We missed the one last year because the week we were there, they had a DVC Association meeting instead. So we didn't get all the freebies and trinkets that they gave out at the Mixers. We were not happy.
Zz.
Nov. 24, 2015
Dec. 1, 2015
Dec 8, 2015
Dec 15, 2015.
We missed the one last year because the week we were there, they had a DVC Association meeting instead. So we didn't get all the freebies and trinkets that they gave out at the Mixers. We were not happy.
Zz.
Sunday, February 08, 2015
Can't get into Beaches and Cream?
Now that Disney has made it difficult to go to Beaches and Cream without adding it to your advance project plan, there are some alternatives to consider. DISNews has this post about other options which include using the walk-up window at B&C and heading over to the Boardwalk.
Walt Disney World veterans know that there may be no better place on property to grab a burger and ice cream than Beaches and Cream at the Yacht and Beach Club resort. They also know that because of this it is very difficult to get a table, and since Disney has recently started accepting Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) for Beaches and Cream, it has been much more difficult to walk up and get a table.
Just across Crescent Lake from the Yacht and Beach Club is the Boardwalk resort, with many options for dining that don’t fill up as frequently as Beaches and Cream .
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Valentine's Day Mickey and Minnie
Found at a local grocery store (Jewel) near me, just in time for Valentine's day.
Zz.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Did Disney Encourage You To Become A Scientist or Engineer?
We all know that what makes the Walt Disney World theme park different than not only other theme parks, but also other Disney theme parks, is that they actually have a very strong educational component to them. At Epcot and at Animal Kingdom, there are attempts to educate the public on various aspects of Biology, Ecology, Environment, Engineering, and Science. The two pavilions of Innoventions at Epcot are filled with such activities.
Still, I've often wondered if there are actually tangible effects out of all these. It is fine to say that you are educating people while they are having fun at a theme park, but where are the evidence that all these actually have a beneficial effects?
I think this is the first time I've actually read about something at a Disney theme park that encouraged someone to purse a career in science. Adam Ruben, a popular, and hilarious writer at Science, recounts his push into studying biology after a visit as a kid to "Living With the Land" attraction, or what was then called "Listen to the Land".
In any case, I'm very much interested to read any other accounts similar to this. Or maybe you have a story with an opposite effect, that after visiting a Disney theme park, it turned you AWAY from doing science or engineering! :)
Zz.
Still, I've often wondered if there are actually tangible effects out of all these. It is fine to say that you are educating people while they are having fun at a theme park, but where are the evidence that all these actually have a beneficial effects?
I think this is the first time I've actually read about something at a Disney theme park that encouraged someone to purse a career in science. Adam Ruben, a popular, and hilarious writer at Science, recounts his push into studying biology after a visit as a kid to "Living With the Land" attraction, or what was then called "Listen to the Land".
In one essay, I recalled a 1989 trip to Walt Disney World’s EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) Center near Orlando, Florida. That’s when I first rode “Listen to the Land,” a slow boat tour through futuristic greenhouses in which plants sprouted from Styrofoam, hung from floating rails, and thrived in symbiosis with tilapia farms. “It was the perfect field,” I wrote, “the implementation of technology to treat a widespread problem like world hunger.” (Somehow this response was not sufficient to admit me to a certain high-profile college whose name I won’t mention, not that I’m bitter. Let’s just say it starts with an “H,” and it’s in the Boston area, and it’s not Hult International Business School, Hebrew College, or Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.)
There was something about those plants, something inherently cool about the fact that you could grow lettuce in a nutrient broth or engineer a 9-pound lemon. It recalled similarly impressive horticultural achievements, like the hot dog tree from Big Top Pee-wee. And so, 8 years after my seminal visit to the “Happiest Place without Earth,” I applied to bioengineering programs with dreams of working in a futuristic greenhouse. (Later I’d drop the “engineering” part of bioengineering because, as I’ve said, engineering was too hard.)
In any case, I'm very much interested to read any other accounts similar to this. Or maybe you have a story with an opposite effect, that after visiting a Disney theme park, it turned you AWAY from doing science or engineering! :)
Zz.
Friday, January 23, 2015
The Psychology Behind The Popularity of "Frozen"
Here's a conversation with two psychologist on why "Frozen" became so popular. Who would have thought that one of the reasons is that it had no witch!
My 4-year-old daughter told me that she also liked that it didn't have a witch.I wouldn't have thought that until she said it, but it made me more thoughtful about all the other movies -- great movies -- that have scary witches and themes in them.This was something that little kids under 5 aren't going to have nightmares about.
Zz.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Parks without hats
WDW Magic has this post about the removal of the famous sorcerer hat at Hollywood Studios. The hat has been at the Studios since 2001. Speculation is that the hat would not fit in with the expanded Star Wars theme.
Polynesian DVC
DIS News reports that the new Polynesian DVC sections will be open on April 1, 2015. Sales to DVC members have already started and the general public can book starting February 11, if rooms are not in use by DVC members.
There will be 360 Deluxe Studios, the largest at Walt Disney World, that sleep five and can connect to a neighboring Deluxe Studio. The Studios will have a split bathroom, one with a shower and sink and one with a sink and tub/shower. There will also be kitchenettes in the units and a pull-down armoire bed that features Lilo and Stitch artwork.There are 20 of the new Bora Bora Bungalows that sit on the water.
The bungalows are new construction, while current hotel rooms are being converted to the Deluxe Studios.
All of the DVC units are available for rent when not reserved by Disney Vacation Club Members.
Food and Wine Festival 2015
DIS News posted the information for the 2015 Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT, which will run from September 25 through November 16. New to the festival is the Patagonia booth, featuring food from Argentina and Chile.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Is the magic slip-sliding away?
This recent article in the Huffington post reporter Christy Heitger-Ewing describes her "vacation" to Walt Disney World. For many reasons described by Christy and, frankly, experienced by many others lately, the stress levels at WDW are climbing and the fun is slipping away.The bottom line...
It's simply gotten too big, too commercial, too regimented.The article goes into specific examples of the things causing high stress. Frantically running around trying to meet the Fastpass+ schedule and trying to keep hungry kids happy is one example. Large, no make that huge, crowds, and taking the enjoyment out of shows, stressing facilities and increasing the chances of getting sick - which is defnitely not a minor problem anymore.
I miss the days when I could go to Disney World, get up in the morning, and consult with the family about where and how to spend the day. We could make decisions based on mood, weather, and majority vote. But the "fly by the seat of your pants" approach simply can't be done anymore at Disney. Now you must plan out your every movement--from parks to rides to meals--and you must do so several months in advance.So this is an example of a large company turning their back on repeat, loyal customers who are now finding it much more difficult to do the things they used to do. Maybe Disney thinks there is an endless supply of first time visitors who are willing to submit a detailed project plan in order to have fun. Many others do not find this fun.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
This Is Why You Didn't Get Your Christmas Presents
We now have an explanation on why some of you didn't get your Christmas presents from Santa this year.
Zz.
Zz.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Be Our Guest
Sunday, December 07, 2014
At Epcot
We are standing in line waiting for Epcot to open. With Soarin all filled up with fastpasses this is the only way to do it.
The day is overcast.
Saturday, December 06, 2014
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