Geek-End Update, Saturday, December 12, 2008

• Matterhorn at Stuff From the Park posts scans a 1960 Sansei Amusement catalog. You can see how much Disney influenced the world with Disneyland.
• Vintage Disneyland Tickets shares a 1964 Disneyland map and a special surprise.
• Jeff pepper from 2719 Hyperion posts a Santa-related snapshot. And a Mickey-related Christmas Freeze Frame.
• Daveland takes us on a tour of the new Sleeping Beauty walkthrough at Disneyland.
• Didier at The Disney History blog shares information on a new book. Didier interviews the head of the Animation Research Library, Lella Smith.
• Ray at Grumpy's Hollow posts a sneak peak at his new article for Celebrations Magazine #2.
• Hitchhiking Ghosts shares a Pirates of the Caribbean book and a page image. I need to get this one!
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette takes a look at The Cameraman at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Cory from Voyages Extraordinaire posts an excellent essay on Sleepy Beauty.
• Wade Sampson at MousePlanet weighs in with a look at the casting of Song of the South.
• Stephen at ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Animation Archive shares a scan of Disney's Artist Tryout Handbook.
• FoxxFur at Passport2Dreams offers some great insight into authorship, creativity and the Haunted Mansion.
  

Live from Walt Disney World:
Ray from Grumpy's Hollow and Ryan from the Main Street Gazette are live blogging at this weekend's MouseFest celebration. Check out their posts and see if you recognize anybody.

Discovery Island and Miscellanea

Gator Chris at Yet Another Disney Blog has posted an article with scans of a 1979 Discovery Island Map.

Check it out and leave him some Disney Geek love.

I had a request from a reader for information about the upcoming The Art of Walt Disney World book by Jeff Kurtti and Bruce Gordon.

Anyway, I'm wondering if you'd happen to have any info on that "Art of Walt
Disney World" book that was supposed to come out a while ago. I haven't been
able to find any info on it anywhere. I know it's supposed to be exclusively
sold in the parks, but I've yet to see it anywhere. Any idea what the status is?

I contacted Jeff Kurtti about the book and he responded that the book was waiting to go to the printers and should be available soon. As amazing as The Art of Disneyland is, this book should be amazing. The only drawback is that it will be a theme park exclusive, like Walt Disney World Then, Now and Forever.

Author Adam Goodger sent me a note about his new book called Imagineering The Way: The Unofficial History Of The Magic Kingdom.

This is not a guide book, although it would be a great resources to take to
the parks. It is designed to be an accessible look at the history of the Magic
Kingdom. The book begins with the creation of Walt Disney World. How it came
about, how Walt bought the land and why the idea for Walt Disney World came
about in the first place. We visit Disney World's first press conference, the
preview centre and the park opening days. As well as the history of how the park
came about it also looks back at admission and how that has changed, from the
original admission price, the ticket books all the way to the multi-day tickets.

As well as the history of Phase 1 the book takes an in-depth look at
each land, ride, show and attraction including a specific chapter on
Cinderella's Castle. Each chapter focuses on a specific land with each of its
rides, shows and attraction, both past and present, given a detailed overview.

Each ride, show or attraction that warrants a ride-through or show
transcript is given one (including Big Thunder Mountain). These include both
past and present attraction at the Magic Kingdom.

The book is available in electronic download or as print-on-demand.

Way Back China Construction

In this shot from 1985, it is obvious that we are inside the China Pavilion. Check out the construction on the Nine Dragons restaurant that opened on October 23, 1985. The workers on top have an interesting view of World Showcase.

So, the China Pavilion opened without a major restaurant?

Dave Smith writes:

It seemed a little odd that World Showcase opened with China but no Chinese Restaurant, because of the popularity of Chinese cuisine. The omission was remedied three years later, and the resulting restaurant has been honored with awards for its blend of Chinese cuisine from many of the provinces.
--Disney A to Z, the Official Encyclopedia. p 359.

The Lotus Blossom Cafe opened in September of 1985.

You can see the other Way Back posts here.

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe on the WDW Radio Show

This week on the WDW Radio Show, I join Lou Mongello for an in-depth look at the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. We also discuss some other Christmas locations, past and present, and share some Christmas suggestions for Disney Geeks everywhere.

Image Courtesy Brian Fee

In researching the segment, I used several resources:

• Walt Disney World the First Decade (My book review)
• Walt Disney World, 20 Magical Years
• Since The World Began: Walt Disney World: The First 25 Years
• Walt Dated World
• Widen Your World

Thanks, as well, go to Foxxfur at Passport2Dreams for some much needed inspiration and background info.

Don't forget to check out my other appearances on the WDW Radio Show.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, December 6 2008

• Hans Perk at A Film L.A. shares a video of the Sherman Brothers receiving the National Medal of Arts.
• Big Brian at Mousin' It Up has a detailed look at the Friendships, including the varying paint schemes.
• Mike at News + Notes links to an interactive tour of Walt's Disneyland apartment.
• Jack Spence takes us on a tour of the new exhibit at Morocco.
• Foxxfur at Passport2Dreams posts Park Mystery #7. File this one under Obsessive (but cool).

Fountain at the Imagination Pavilion

Fountain at the Imagination Pavilion
Originally uploaded by Jeff B.

Another shot from the Flickr collection of Jeff B. This one features the fountain from the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT Center in 1983.

Don't forget to click through and leave Jeff a comment.

Catch his other photos that I have featured here.

Way Back Return to Oz

In 1985, Disney Pictures released the film, Return to Oz--a sequel to the Wizard of Oz that is based on Frank L. Baum's Ozma of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz. The photo above is the Oz float from the Main Street Electrical Parade from the summer of 1985 (MSEP ran from 1971-1991). The parade float did not last too long, as the movie was not a financial success.

The picture below is the Emerald City from the Storybook Land Canal Boatride in Disneyland Paris. It is the only tribute to the 1985 film that exists. Although, there is rumor that a key to Tik-Tok is hidden in Splash Mountain.

You can see the entire Way Back series here.

Magazine Review: Celebrations Premiere Issue

Celebrations Magazine. Volume 1, Issue 1, September/October 2008 (Premiere Issue).

With the death of the Disney Magazine in 2005 and the end of The E-Ticket with the next issue, there is a definite gap in the periodical world. When I first learned of Celebrations, I was excited. I am familiar with Tim Foster's books and Lou Mongello's books and audio products, so I knew that the magazine would be high-quality. As a caveat, frequent readers will know that I am a frequent guest on the WDW Radio show and that I am good friends with Lou and many of the contributors of Celebrations. I am very proud of what they have produced, but I also want to present a look at the magazine for fans of Walt Disney World.

Celebrations is printed on a very durable and glossy paper. The layout is very attractive and contemporary. Tim Foster has a great eye for design and it shines inside the magazine. Celebrations clocks in at 80 pages with something for every level of Walt Disney World fan.

So, the real question is, what is on the inside?

Interspersed are articles to help you enjoy your next Walt Disney World vacation or to relive the memories of vacations past; photographs of attractions, resorts and buildings; and activities for the young and young at heart. Each of the contributing authors offer insider tips, secrets and fun facts in the Mouse Views section. Tim Devine explains photography terminology, Cara Goldsbury discusses choosing a resort, Steve Barrett shares his favorite Hidden Mickeys, John Rick talks pin trading and Allison Jones dishes the best times to visit.

The major articles of the magazine present some special and entertaining looks at the magic of Disney. There is something for everyone: nighttime at Walt Disney World, an interview with Richard Sherman and Halloween mischief. Each article is well-written, informative and fun. Glenn Whelan (from Passamaquoddy) authored the article about the scarier side of Disney, including Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. Glenn offers ways to enjoy the party and the Magic Kingdom. As a hardcore enthusiast, I was thrilled to read the first part of the interview that Lou conducted with Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman. I can't wait for the rest of the interview.

One of the surprises is the detailed look at an attraction, a resort and a film. If the magazine stays true to form, there will be a different focus each issue. The editors share little known facts about Splash Mountain, Wall-E and the Wilderness Lodge--you will walk away with a new appreciation for each. There is also a closer look at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with all of the trivia and hidden details that Lou is famous for. The Wayback Machine makes an appearance as Lou discusses Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Of course, I have to mention the article by Ray Harkness concerning the Chef's Table at Victoria's and Albert's at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Ray has been telling me about this restaurant for years and his description of the grand meal is enticing and tantalizes your virtual tastebuds. Now, if only I could find someone to watch my kids and pay for a meal!

I really enjoyed this magazine. Future issues should be even more promising and exciting as the editorial staff and the writers grow in this new venture. I would love to see more photographs, but I do understand that publishing can be a very expensive venture.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of the Walt Disney World Resort, then you need to add a subscription of Celebrations to your reading list. There is something for everyone contained within the covers of Celebrations. The voices are familiar and it is obvious that everyone involved is passionate about Walt Disney World and passionate about helping you make fantastic vacation memories.

For more information on Celebrations Magazine, visit the website.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, November 29, 2008

• Doc Terminus at Passamaquoddy has some details about MulletFest!
• Future Guy at Future Probe posts an essay about the African Pavilion at World Showcase.
• Ryan from Main Street Gazette and DOC from the Disney Obsession are guests on this weeks WDW Radio show.
• Stephen at the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation blog posts scans from Walt Disney's Uncle Remus Stories. Amazing artwork.
• Colin at the Disney World blog shares some info about Kitchen Kabaret...veggie, veggie, fruit, fruit...
• Brian Sibley takes a look at Evyind Earle's artwork.
• Christi Bunn at Magical Sketches has posted some reference pictures for some future sketch ideas.
  

Book Update!

I finally received my copy of The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland. It looks like a solid addition to the series and should provide a lot of enjoyment to casual Disneyland Resort fans.

Way Back World Showcase

One of the Friendships is docked outside of the Morocco Pavilion in this shot from the 1985 Way Back series. I wonder if Big-Brian can tell us which one it is!

I surmise that the shot was taken from the Ponts des Arts between the France and U.K. Pavilions.

Notice the length of the show building and the bump-out for the screens, curtains and scenery mechanics for the American Adventure.

Book Review: That Art of Mickey Mouse

The Art of Mickey Mouse, Artists Interpret the World's Favorite Mouseby Craig Yoe and Janet Morra-Yoe. 1991, 144 pp. (No pagination.)

For this review, I am discussing the 1991 edition. The 1995 edition seems to be more readily available on the second-hand market and is much less expensive.

Craig Yoe has been a toy designer, VP for the Jim Henson Studio, animator and studio owner. He was part of the creative team that created The Muppet-Vision 3D attraction. Janet Morra-Yoe is a photographer, sculptor and fashion designer. The book originated from the Yoes when they thought about Mickey's popularity in pop culture. They took their adoration of Walt's mouse and began asking world-famous artists to contribute unique interpretations of Mickey.

Author John Updike provides the seven-page introduction to the book. Mr. Updike discusses his love of Mickey and shares his thoughts on the Mouse's enduring popularity. The introduction provides the only academic reference in the text--the artwork is really what is important.

It is obvious to the casual observer that the first edition, published in 1991, is really centered on contemporary pop artists. A lot of the artwork contains colors that reflect the times; it is obvious that popular tastes change over the years, especially dealing with pop artists. Much of the artwork is representative of the artists during the late 1980's and early 1990's. What is obvious to me, is that the artists in question have a deep and abiding love for Mickey Mouse and his affect on culture. They have created some amazing pieces of art that showcase our favorite mouse. Yes, some of the art might seem dated, but they still honor Mickey.

Beyond discussing my favorite pieces, there isn't much else to say about the work. About 25% of the art is astounding and looks good over 15 years later. The rest are political, extremely 80's or just strange. Artistic expression abounds! A few of the artists included: Andy Warhol, William Steig, Charles Schultz, Maurice Sendak, R. Crumb (Rolly Crumb) and Peter Max. Over 100 pieces of art are presented.

In reviewing a work like this, the images can say far more than I can.

Untitled by Hajime Sorayama

Model Sheet by Ward Kimball


Mickey, the Dragon Slayer by Michael R. Hague

Mickey's Mission by John Ceballos

The First Temptation of Mickey by William Joyce



Untitled by Keith Haring

Bottom Line: This is a fun book, but offers little for the theme park or animation fan. If you are a hard-core Mickey fan, a fan of 1991 artwork or the artists featured, then you must have this book. If you can find a cheap copy of the book, I could almost see buying a few copies and framing some of the pieces. There are several editions available, make sure you order the large format one.