Geek-End Update, Saturday, August 1, 2009

• Jack Spence takes a look at Fort Wilderness.
• Major Pepperidge at Gorillas Don't Blog has a jumbo-size postcard showing the inside the the Monsanto.
• Wade Sampson at MousePlanet looks at Circarama 1955.
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette turns our eye towards an oft-overlooked detail.
• Daveland has a great post with concept art from Tom Sawyer's Island. Wow. He also posts a behind-the-scenes look at the Haunted Mansion. Be careful...spoilers!

Michael at Progress City, USA discusses the rumored Fantasyland plans. I usually do not link to op-ed pieces, but Michael's makes a lot of sense.

Calling All North Carolina Disney Enthusiasts!

A few of us North Carolina-based bloggers, webmasters and podcasters have been talking about starting a North Carolina NFFC Chapter.

What is the NFFC, you ask?

The National Fantasy Fan Club (NFFC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich legacy of Walt Disney. Our common goal is to provide Disneyana enthusiasts of all ages from around the world news, information, and events that enhance their experience with, and love of, all things Disney.--http://www.nffc.org/

There is a membership fee of 29.00 a person that is paid directly to the NFFC (but don't join yet). Once we establish our NC Chapter, we can agree upon a meeting schedule and series of events. So far, we have interest from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, High Point, Greensboro and Asheville.

E-mail me at biblioadonis AT yahoo dot com and let me know if your are interested and from where in North Carolina that you hail.

We are shooting for a late August meeting!

Geek-End Update, Saturday, July 25, 2009

• Cory at Voyages Extraordinaires recounts the history of Gertie The Dinosaur (you know, from Ice Creams of Extinction).
• Tony at the W.E.D. Page reminisces about Ft. Wilderness (check out the pics).
• Disney Daddy overlays the rumored Fantasyland plans over a satellite image.
• Richard at Photos from the Parks has a great post on a Tiki bathroom.
• Hans at A Film L.A. posts the Copyright for Flight to the Moon. Maybe I can build my own...
• Daveland takes an in-depth look at the well scene at Disneyland's Pirates.
• FoxxFur at Passport2Dreams looks at the first 6 months of 2009 at the Magic Kingdom.
• DF'82 shares another Photo Point! I so love the Photo Points!

Two new blogs have debuted!

• The W.E.D. Page
• Take The Monorail

Why Mary Blair?

I have always appreciated the art of Mary Blair: the mural in the Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary, the artwork for Disney animation of the 1940's and early 1950's, the former mural in Tomorrowland at Disneyland and the iconic It's a Small World.While her art has never followed traditional Disney style, I have always wondered at the stories of Walt Disney's infatuation with her artwork. Was it the colors, the styles, or the children that were a focus? Did she share Walt's unbridled optimism?

John Canemaker (author and animation expert) puts forth the following thoughts:

Blair showed him color and forms that constantly surprised and delighted him. They shared many sensibilities, including a childlike fondness for playfulness in imagery, alongside a seriousness of purpose even with playful things. Both were unafraid of hard work, and Disney appreciated Blair's diligence in turning out many variations on a subject in order to give him choices. She was a prolific but inspired painting machine. --The Art and Flair of Mary Blair, p. X

Walt was always looking for the next innovation that could plus and improve his art, whether it was animation, live-action, television or theme park. Mary Blair happened to be a major influence during the production of the South American films (Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros) and other animation of that era. When Walt asked her to return in 1963 to lead the design and color styling of the Pepsi/UNICEF attraction at the 1964 New York World's Fair, she was delighted. The entire team cranked out the attraction in less than nine months.

Her distinctive style can be seen and felt throughout the Disney Parks and animated films.

You can find a rare and close-up image of the Grand Canyon Concourse mural here.

Thanks to Daveland for providing the images of the Blair mural.

New Book!

We added another book to our collection!

• The Art and Flair of Mary Blairby John Canemaker

Geek-End Update, Saturday, July 18, 2009

• Vintage Disneyland Tickets has a great photo update/trip report from Disneyland.
• Daveland continues his series on Rainbow Ridge with some closeups of storefront signage!
• Chris at OC History Roundup shares a 1920 summertime view of a plaza that looks startling like another plaza we all know and love.
• Honor Hunter at Blue Sky Disney posts some nice concept artwork for EPCOT Center.
• Wade Sampson at MousePlanet reviews a book that I just added to my collection...and I agree with him completely.
• Michael at Progress City, USA has a look back at Urban Habitat from Horizons.
• Jack Spence takes us on a tour of Big Thunder Mountain at the Magic Kingdom (make sure to check out the 1972 photos of the real estate).
• SamLand shares info on how to get a VERY special seat on the Disneyland Railroad.
• Kevin Kidney posts several shots of the displays that he designed (with Jody Daily) for Disneyland's Fortieth. Wow...
• Hans Perk at A Film L.A. shares an article about the celebration of Disneyland's Tencennial.

Videos:

• Shontell Crawford at DVC By Resale relaxes with John Van Meter of Owner's Locker at Jambo House.

Theme Parkeology - Way Back Style!

Theme Parkeology (theem pahrk\ŏl'ə-jē) = the study of details, minutiae and history of theme parks. Akin to the archaeological study of human habitation, theme parkeology looks at the often layered and detailed surroundings. Theme Parkeologists relentlessly pour over the tiniest scraps to glean any information about an area of a theme park, past or present. (Term first coined by the original Theme Parkeologist, Jeff Pepper at 2719 Hyperion.)

I present an image from our 1985 Way Back series. Just two people posing in front of the Universe of Energy. Pretty innocuous, right? Not to the Theme Parkeologist!

If we take a closer look at the bag that the young lady is carrying...
We can get an idea about the type of marketing and graphics that the parks were using back then.

Or the oh-so distant relative of PUSH all the way in the back? Not to mention that you can see a row of the older Disney strollers, the color of the cement work, the planted flowers...

Want to learn more?

Update

We've added two more items to the collection!

• Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Black and White

• The Art Of The Haunted Mansion

Geek-End Update, Saturday, July 11, 2009

• Disneyland Nomenclature pulls out a shot of Sleeping Beauty's Castle under deconstruction.
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette shares shots of the 1976 America's on Parade, uh, parade.
• Over at My Mobile Adventures, Tink finds a hidden grasshopper that should look familiar!
• Princess Fee at DF'82 takes us on a whistlestop of the UK Pavilion. And a great Point Photo from outside of the Phanton Manor.
• Kevin Kidney has a fascinating look at the Birthday Cake Room at Disneyland.
• DisneyShawn reveals a long-held (for me, anyway) Liberty Square mystery.
• Major Pepperidge at Gorilla's Don't Blog shares some more 1964 World's Fair images.
• Doc Terminus at Passamaquoddy posts an image of the NEW Crustaceans in Flight attraction.
• The Disney Food Blog takes a look at Nine Dragons.

Way Back Main Street Electrical Parade!

Two more images from our 1985 Way Back series. Two more images from the Main Street Electrical Parade. These two floats are part of the To Honor America section, which ran from 1979 to 2001.

Click on the images to see a larger version.

Confessions of a Winning Shopaholic!

Congratulations to Michael from Ballwin, Mo. for winning the copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic on DVD. Michael sent the following Disney-related shopping experience:

My favorite Disney-related shopping experience is from Epcot, in December 2000. Epcot was sponsoring a Candlelight Processional dining package, which allowed you to have a very nice meal in one of the participating Epcot restaurants, be escorted to a prime seat for the Candlelight Processional program and also included 20% off your entire purchase from an Epcot store.

This being the Christmas shopping season, my wife wanted to pick out some presents for me, as well as for a few other friends and family members on our shopping list. This meant that I got to wander around and point out my wish list; that alone was lots of fun. Then I left the store and let my wife pick out her choices for who was going to give me what.

By the time she got out of the store, Epcot was closed and we headed out to the parking lot ... only to realize that we had parked at the Magic Kingdom and the Monorail was closed for the night. After looking around for options, we finally found a cast member who called for a bus that was willing to take us back to our car.

It was probably 2 am before getting back to our resort room, but it was worth it as I now had lots of exciting dreams going through my head as to what the final gifts would be under the tree in another couple of weeks! That was a fun Disney Shopping Experience!

Thanks, Michael! Your DVD is on the way.

Silent Bid Update

Don't forget to place your bids!

The winners will be notified Monday morning. Since there will not be another update on the bids until the winners are anounced, so make sure to send the highest amount you feel comfortable bidding.

WD Imagineering Legends $15.00

WD Imagineering $15.00

DL First Quarter Century $30.00

Disneyland Hotel - Early Years $60.00

WDW - 15th Anniversary $20.00

Disney Touch $5.00

Disney Villain $20.00

WDW - First Decade $20.00

Magic with me $13.00

Auction items, in no particular order:

Walt Disney World, The First Decade (review link)

• The First Decade is a wonderful look at the first ten years at WDW, when it was just the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, Poly, Golf Resort, Disney Village, Fort Wilderness and River Country. You also get a look at some Reedy Creek Improvement District behind-the-scenes photos and info.

Disneyland, The First Quarter Century (Update link)

• The First Quarter Century is similar to Walt Disney World, The First Ten Years. It describes the history and construction of Disneyland--and the additions up to 1970. Lots of great photographs of Disneyland throughout the years.

The Disney Villain by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas (Review link)

• Johnston and Thomas take a detailed look at the Disney Villains throughout the years. It is beautifully illustrated (and written) with a lot of concept art.

Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends by Jeff Kurtti (Review link)

• Kurtti is one of the more prolific and talented Disney historians around. In this work, Kurtti investigates the development of the Disney Theme Park through some of the greatest Imagineers ever. Wonderful artwork. Every Theme Park student needs to own this one.

Disneyland Hotel, The Early Years by Donald Ballard (Review link)

• Ballard has created a one-of-a-kind resource on the Disneyland Hotel. Ballard looks at the construction, additions and history of the Hotel. It is almost out-of-print, so get a copy soon.

Walt Disney Imagineering

• This is the quintessential book on Imagineering and the art of designing theme parks. Released in 1996, it is one of the few resources to look at most every major aspect of Imagineering. It was one of the first Disney-related books that I owned and is a constant and reliable resource.

The Disney Touch by Ron Grover (no review)

• Covering the early part of the Eisner years (1984-1990), Grover looks at how Eisner and Wells re-invented Disney and saved the company.

Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary (no review)

• This book follows Walt Disney World, The First Decade by five years. It was published to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 1986. A large portion of the book is dedicated to covering EPCOT Center, which was only a few years old. It is a wonderful book for enthusiasts that are looking for a nostalgic look at Walt Disney World or for doing a little research on a Walt Disney World that is no more.

The Magic Begins With Me

• Produced as an employee keepsake for the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland, this book looks at and celebrates castmembers from all of the Disney Parks. Included are testimonials from guests and remembrances from current cast.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, July 4, 2009

• FoxxFur at Passport 2 Dreams finally lays another park mystery to rest and offers her thoughts on what may have happened.
• Daveland looks at the Jungle Cruise Dock (and the underside of a boat).
• Princess Fee at DF'82 looks at a few of the Disneyland Paris street signs.
• Ryan at the Disney Film Project shares a brief discussion of Ub Iwerks and Carl Stalling.
• Michael at Progress City, USA takes us back in time to EPCOT 1979.
• Jerry at Cartoon Brew posts info about a relatively new (and hard-t0-get) biography of Walt Disney.
• The Disney Food Blog takes us to the new Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party with lots of pictures!
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette posts about a really cool vintage Walt Disney World book for kids!
• Chris at the OC History Roundup has some good shots of the old Disneyland Hotel.
• DisneyShawn shares how Trader Sam at the Jungle Cruise got his new name!

Awesome Video Section:

• Let's fly tandem with Shontell Crawford at DVC By Resale over Bay Lake! (Anybody want to buy this for me for my birthday?)
• Glenn Whelan has posted some fantastic videos of the Pretty Good Movie Ride.

Silent Auction Day 04

WD Imagineering Legends $15.00

WD Imagineering $15.00

DL First Quarter Century $30.00

Disneyland Hotel - Early Years $60.00

WDW - 15th Anniversary $20.00

Disney Touch $5.00

Disney Villain $20.00

WDW - First Decade $20.00

Magic with me $13.00

To answer another question, at the close of auction payment will be accepted in the form of PayPal (credit card, also) or personal check (personal check will need to clear prior to shipping).

Silent Auction Update Day 03

A few of the books are starting to heat up!

• WD Imagineering Legends $15.00
• First Quarter Century $30.00
• Disneyland Hotel - Early Years $60.00
• WDW - 15th Anniversary $20.00
• Disney Touch $5.00
• Disney Villain $20.00
• WDW - First Decade $20.00
• Magic with me $10.00

The aution will continue until midnight on Sunday, July 5.