Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Celebrating Walt Disney World: Walt Peregroy and Early Epcot

October 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Vacation Kingdom has seen a lot of changes over the past four decades and the editorial staff at Imaginerding wants to celebrate the unique and rich history of the resort with a series of posts. A very special thanks to Celeste Cronrath for designing the series of logos for our posts. Make sure to follow her on Twitter.


Howdy Partners. For your safety, remain seated with your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the article and be sure to watch your kids. If any of you folks are wearing hats or glasses, best remove em' cause this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness! 

Julie Svendson interviewed Walt Peregroy in December 2007. The amazing (and long) interview was published in Volume 9 of the Walt's People: Talking Disney with the Artists who Knew Him series by Didier Ghez.

Scanned from Walt Disney World: 20 Magical Years.
Do you know what I did in the Kodak pavilion—Images and Imagination was the name of the ride? I also designed the banister on the stairway and colors and designed the outside of the elevator. It’s probably all gone now. I designed the entranceway into the Images and Imagination ride and I did the four-seasons mural in The Land pavilion and the Symphony of the Seed. I did the 27-foot tall, 360-degree sky in the Land pavilion. And I designed the three solid balloons in The Land pavilion that would go up and down with different foods. I designed the fountain below the balloons, but I didn’t get my way on the fountain. Jim Sarno sculpted it. Beautiful. He told me he left because the fountain wasn’t finished with the top the way I designed it. I intended that it all be different foods not only sculpted but painted.

Scanned from Walt Disney's EPCOT Center.
Every celebrity in the world has gone through Disneyland, I’m sure, and I’ve done things there but there’s nothing obvious. But the two pavilions at Epcot are very apparent. You can’t go there without seeing them. And I have this delusion—they could take any piece out of the Symphony of the Seed, very carefully lift it out and put it outdoors or indoors and, with colored lights, it could be a fantastic, contemporary piece of sculpture. But museum curators, art critics, they insult Disney and all of us who work for them saying it’s Mickey Mouse and it’s not true. That’s what they think.
Walt Peregroy worked for the Disney Studios from 1951-1964 and 1974-1983. At the Studios, he worked on Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, Sleeping Beauty and others. His last six years with the Company were spent working at WED on designs for EPCOT Center.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 9:30 AM 3 Disney Geek Love
Labels: , ,

Monday, February 14, 2011

Book Review: Walt Disney's Missouri

Walt Disney's Missouri: The Roots of a Creative Genius by Brian Burnes, Robert W. Butler and Dan Viets. 194 pages. 2002.

Walt Disney's Missouri chronicles the time that Walt spent in Marceline (1905-1910) and in Kansas City (1911-1923). The authors all have a local tie to Missouri: Burnes and Butler both worked for the Kansas City Star and have published other books; Viets is a lawyer, author and Disney historian.

In reading on Disney's life, I have found that the majority of work on Disney focuses on the periods starting after Steamboat Willie. A lot of sources mention the Kansas City Film Ad Company and Laugh-O-Grams, but they rarely get into the details of Disney's time in Missouri. Anyone with a passing interest in the formative years of Disney needs to own this book.

Throughout the book, we are introduced to people and places that were influential in Walt's life. During the Marceline years, we meet Walt's family members, a favorite teacher and Marceline landmarks. The authors share family anecdotes related to the years in Marceline to paint a portrait of an artist as a child developing a love for mid-western life, animals and family.

The sections on Walt's time in Kansas City are very detailed and offer many insights. Again, the authors introduce us to people and places that would be influential in developing his talents and views. Various business owners are profiled and how they helped Walt gain insight or shared new techniques. Landmarks are included and one that surprised me was Electric Park; the authors surmise that Electric Park was an influence on Walt's thoughts for Disneyland--looking at the photos, you can see the correlations.

A Year at Laugh-O-gram and Animation and Animator's in Disney's Times chapters were both very enjoyable sections that take an in-depth look at the fledgling studio and its productions. The artists are profiled and the roster reads like a litany of animation greatness: Ub Iwerks, Carl Stalling, Isadore Freling, Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising and Joseph Benson "Bugs" Hardaway. A picture is presented of a young, talented and monetarily strapped group of artists that were creating art, developing new techniques and having a great time.

The final sections look at Disney's plans for revitalizing St. Louis with a themed riverfront area and the many times Walt and Roy returned to Kansas City and Marceline for functions, awards and dedications. The proposed floor plans for the St. Louis project are very exciting and wistful. Had the project succeeded, Walt Disney World would probably not exist as we know it. But would this have sent Walt Disney Productions into the urban re-development and re-vitalization industry?

My sole complaint about the book lies in the author's attempt to make it accessible to the lay reader through fabrication of events from a typical day in order to shed light on what Walt's life might have been like. The author's predicate those segments with the statement that they are making an assumption based on a multitude of facts. In creating a book that can be used as a reference work, I would like to see the author's present facts and not an actualized account of Walt's life. That being said, the book is very accessible while weaving an academic study of Walt's early years.

When I stack this title against other works, I really appreciate the unique approach that the authors took. The detail that is shared about the daily life in Marceline and Kansas City is impressive and you are left with a very vivid picture of the birth of an entertainment company. This is a valuable resource for Disney enthusiasts and researchers, especially those interested in Walt's formative years. The photographs and maps that are gathered and presented are astounding. Many are from the private collections of the authors and won't be found anywhere else. Overall, the design is well-thought and attractive. This is a book that you will be reaching for often and will enjoy re-visiting.




Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 9:36 PM 2 Disney Geek Love
Labels: , , , , ,

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Totally Minnie...Will You Be My Valentine?

It is interesting to see how and when Disney decides to change or reinterpret a major character. Does this remind anyone of the modern Minnie that appeared at the same time as TrenD?

From the Summer 1986 Disneyana Collector:
Minnie Mouse, for long "second Whisker" to her friend Mickey, has finally come into her own with a dazzling debut as a women of the 80s and as the musical star of the recently released album, Totally Minnie.

The album, which includes ten fast-paced songs, kicked off a year- long tribute to Minnie that will see her in music videos and in a network television special of her own. She has become involved in promoting a line of contemporary apparel ranging from dresses to oversized sweatshirts, all adorned with her image.


Her own apparel has changed, too. This year the polka dots on her dress may be rhinestones or sequins...or she may be wearing a sporty outfit including tennis shoes to replace the familiar yellow shoes...or she could be wearing a lacy gown, colored beads and net Stockings.




At Disneyland Park Minnie receives recognition as the star of the Totally Minnie Parade, presented daily on Main Street. Using the "Totally Minnie" song from the album, the fun~filled procession depicts the various stages in the creation of Minnie's first music video.


Minnie’s support in the parade comes from Executive Producer Mickey Mouse and mogel mutt Pluto as the producer. Tigger is the make-up man, Daisy Duck the make-up mistress and the Big Bad Wolf, the music composer. Cinderella, Snow White and Alice are back-up singers with Chip and Dale as sound engineers. Donald Duck is the director with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum handling the boom mike and lighting.


At Walt Disney World Resort, Minnie stars in a 25-minute song-and-­dance revue 5 clays a week at Fantasy Follies. Backing up Minnie in the show are Mickey and many of his friends as well as three head-liners from "Country Bear Jamboree” - Wendell, Shaker and Liver Lips-who make special guest appearances.


Minnie is not new to show business, of course. Since she made her debut, along with Mickey, in Steamboat Willie in 1928, she has appeared in 71 Disney cartoons, most of which were produced in the 1930s. Her latest role was as Mrs. Cratchit in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Millions have seen her in Disney on Parade and in various Disney ice shows.


Minnìe's popularity in collectable merchandise has remained strong ever since the early 1930s when plush dolls by Borgfeldt, Steiff, Knickerbocker and Charlotte Clark were first marketed. Many collectors seem to forget that Minnie was on the other end of the now famous Mickey Mouse toy handcar that helped to save Lionel from bankruptcy in 1935. Minnie did not see herself on a watch until 1971 but there have been thousands of Minnie watches produced since then. She’s appeared on a variety of collectibles ranging from figurines and puppets to limited edition plates and Christmas ornaments.
Although Minnie hasn’t completely retired her polka clots, she is proving in 1986 that she's a woman of many dimensions and high fashion, and deserving of her superstar status. Minnie, of course, is taking it all in stride, as befits a celebrity of her stature.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta





Imaginerded by Unknown at 9:37 PM 3 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Friday, February 11, 2011

Geek-End Update, Saturday, February, 12, 2011

Theme Parks
Animation
General
Imaginerded by Unknown at 9:22 PM 1 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, 1983-Style!


The 1983 Annual Report for the Walt Disney Company is a much sought-after piece for collectors, due mainly to the large fold-out cover that reproduces the artwork from the Horizons attraction that was set to debut at EPCOT Center. Annual Reports are used by publicly-traded companies to discuss the previous year and offer glimpses into the future to their stock holders.

One of the more interesting prognostications from the 1983 Annual Report is about the film Roger Rabbit. On pages 18-20, there is a listing of theatrical releases for the upcoming year. One of the smaller photos is credited as the live action-animated "Roger Rabbit".

Who Framed Roger Rabbit was released in 1988. It is loosely based on the novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary K. Wolf that was released in 1981. Disney quickly purchased the rights to the book after its release. Ron Miller, President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company at the time of the filing believed that Roger Rabbit had blockbuster appeal. Miller looks like he had it pegged right on the nose (and what a big nose Roger had)!

An update from friend and author extraordinaire Jeff Kurtti provides some interesting information about the photograph of Roger Rabbit and Eddie Valiant from the Annual Report. Eddie is played by Mike Gabriel, who has worked as an animator, character designer, story artist, writer and director for the Walt Disney Company on films such as The Great Mouse Detective, The Rescuers Down Under, Pocahontas, Bolt and The Princess and The Frog. Jeff also mentions that the shot was done on the backlot of Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Another interesting Roger Rabbit fact from Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records (by Tim Hollis and Greg Ehrbar): Pete Renady, well known voice actor, also played Eddie Valiant during some of the test footage for the film during the early planning stages.
Imaginerded by Unknown at 10:33 AM 3 Disney Geek Love
Labels: , ,

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

More Disney Books!

The magic number is 395! You can see my other Disney books here.





Imaginerded by Unknown at 7:25 PM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Monday, February 7, 2011

D23's Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th at the Walt Disney World Resort

D23 has released the schedule of events for the upcoming celebration of Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary. The price tag seems pretty high, until you see the special guests and the number of events planned. Plus, this might be the only Official celebration of the 40th this year.


Event Information

DATES
May 14 and 15, 2011

LOCATION
Fantasia Ballroom, Disney's Contemporary Resort
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida

REGISTRATION
Open Friday, May 13 from noon - 9 p.m. Open Saturday, May 14 at 8 a.m. Registration will be located at the East Registration Counter in the Fantasia Lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort.

TICKETS
Available Thursday, February 24, at 10 a.m. PST/ 1 p.m. EST.

COST
$175 per person; $215 for ticket plus one Great Disney Scavenger Hunt team (of between two and four people)

This year Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating its milestone 40th anniversary, and D23 is saluting this magnificent occasion with a magical two-day event that will illuminate the rich history and storied legacy of Walt Disney's "Project Florida" for fans of all backgrounds — from the casual guest to the most ardent armchair experts.

Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th will transport D23 Members on a journey from the moment the first parcels of land in Central Florida were purchased in 1964 through the opening of EPCOT Center in 1982. The exclusive event will offer two full days of special entertainment, surprise guest appearances, a remarkable gathering of Walt Disney World "pioneers," retrospectives, screenings of rare and newly discovered film and TV footage, archival displays and informative presentations that will give D23 Members an unprecedented look at this truly spectacular World.

Highlights of Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th include appearances by such notables as Disney Legends Marty Sklar, Bob Gurr, Jack Lindquist, Charlie Ridgway, Tom Nabbe, Bob Matheison, Orlando Ferrante and Ron Logan, in addition to Debra Browne, the 1971 Walt Disney World Ambassador to the World.

The weekend will culminate with an enchanting concert, Magic Journeys: A Flight of Fancy through 40 Years of Walt Disney World Musical Memories, featuring Disney Legend and Academy Award® winner Richard M. Sherman.

All guests will also receive a complimentary, limited-edition reproduction of the 1970 "Preview Edition" of the Walt Disney World souvenir guidebook. Published exclusively for the Walt Disney Archives Collection, the 22-page soft cover booklet — featuring colorful photography and exquisite illustrations — highlights the excitement that was soon to debut in Orlando.

Plus there will be a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives featuring rare items and artifacts from the creation and evolution of Walt Disney World Resort.

Current line-up for Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th (times, panels and talent subject to change):

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2011

Opening Program
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
D23 Head Steven Clark welcomes D23 Members with some special guests and a few surprises you won't want to miss!

Weird Walt Disney World
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Following their laugh-out-loud antics at Destination D: Disneyland '55, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline and Disney historian Paul F. Anderson are at it again — this time taking guests on a fun-filled trip through the strangest and most bizarre parts of Walt Disney World history. A peculiar "lawnmower tree?" A crazy cast of singing fruits and vegetables? Who knows what the duo will unearth as they explore the wonderfully weird and wacky side of the Vacation Kingdom.

Walt Disney World: The Way We Were
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Remember the charm of the Orange Bird and the musical delights of the Mickey Mouse Revue? The elegant Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village and backwoods adventures along the Fort Wilderness Railway? Join Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith as we explore vintage pictures of Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts, including rare photos of construction and a fond look at some favorite attractions, shops and restaurants of the past.

Lunch Break
12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

EPCOT: Walt Disney's Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Walt's vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow far transcended the realm of family entertainment and for many years remained shrouded in secrecy. Re-enter the 1960s hallways of WED Enterprises with Archivist Steven Vagnini and Disney expert Paul F. Anderson in this unprecedented look at the inspirations and plans for Walt's EPCOT, and find out the little-known ways that Imagineers brought their late founder's dream to reality throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.

Past Forward: A History of Walt Disney World on Television
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Like its predecessor, Disneyland, the early success of Walt Disney World Resort can be attributed to the extensive television exposure it received through both Disney broadcast efforts and news media coverage. Be sure to tune in to this nostalgic journey through Walt Disney World Resort history as reflected in the many national network TV specials and nascent offerings from the early years of The Disney Channel. Join Disney Archivist Rob Klein as he takes TV remote in hand to stroll through some of the many highlights of Walt Disney World Resort on television.

The Walt Disney World That Never Was
4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
What do the Western River Expedition, Asian Resort Hotel and Sleeping Beauty dark ride have in common? While these amazing experiences were crafted in the minds of skilled artists at Walt Disney Imagineering, they comprise a different kind of dimension of Walt Disney World history: the grand experiences that never made it off the drawing board or out of the model shop. With an array of rare artwork and photographs, longtime Imagineer Tony Baxter lifts the curtain and takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour through the incredible world of the Walt Disney World that never was.

Dinner Break
5:45 p.m. - 8 p.m.

From the Vault: Walt Disney World Resort on Film
8 p.m. - Walt Disney World is not often associated with motion pictures and film, but from before groundbreaking up through the creation of EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World Resort was heavily promoted through such theatrical and internal films as "Project Florida," "The Magic of Walt Disney World," "A Dream Called EPCOT" and "EPCOT 77." Join your hosts Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter and Disney author and historian Tim O'Day as they screen these rare treasures from the Disney film vaults, plus newly discovered and restored documentation footage of the construction and early years of Walt Disney World Resort.

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011
Sunday Morning Surprise with the Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador Team
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
You won't want to miss this very special — and did we mention surprising? — presentation at the start of your day!

Walt Disney World in Detail
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Think you know everything there is to know about the Walt Disney World Resort? Find out as we join Disney author and Imagineer Jason Surrell as he uncovers the little-known details and design references that have made ride vehicles, cast member costumes and even unassuming trash cans such treasured parts of the magic.

Imagineering Walt Disney World: From Yesteryear to Tomorrowland
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Join longtime Imagineer Eric Jacobson, who oversees the portfolio for Disney's largest resort in the world. Eric will share insider stories and images of yesteryear, as well as new and exciting surprises of things on the horizon at Walt Disney World.

Lunch Break
12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Creating "A Whole New Disney World"
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What began as 27,400 acres of quiet Central Florida swampland blossomed into an incredible, one-of-a-kind vacation destination "Where Dreams Come True." From the top-secret acquisition of the land to the Imagineering and entertainment behind the magic, hear the stories of how it all happened in this impressive panel discussion featuring: Debra Browne, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Foster, Bob Gurr, and Ron Logan. Hosted by Disney Legend Marty Sklar.

Making the Magic Happen
3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Opening and maintaining a resort the size of the city of San Francisco was no easy task and our panel of Disney Legends — Jack Lindquist, Bob Matheison, Tom Nabbe, Charlie Ridgway and Bill Sullivan — will recount what life was like making the magic happen, from opening the Magic Kingdom through the debut of EPCOT Center. It's a story of challenges, misadventures, creativity, and unbridled excitement for the leaders who inherited "A Whole New Disney World" from Uncle Walt and his Imagineers. Hosted by Tim O'Day.

Quick Break
4:45 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Autograph Session with Disney Legends and Authors
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Please note, there is limit of one item per person to be signed for each guest. Thank you.

Dinner Break
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Magic Journeys: A Flight of Fancy through 40 Years of Walt Disney World Musical Memories
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
As a spectacular conclusion to Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th, Disney Legend and Oscar® winner Richard M. Sherman, who along with his brother Robert has contributed a multitude of tunes to the Disney parks songbook, headlines this unforgettable tribute to the melodies that helped shape the World.

Micks N' Mingle
9:30 p.m. - 10:45 p.m.
One last opportunity to meet your fellow D23 Members, the D23 Team behind Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th and some of our special guest participants before we officially bring our extraordinary event to a close.

NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest. There are a limited number of tickets available. The room will be cleared during several breaks; during these breaks seats may not be saved. This is a separate event from D23's Great Disney Scavenger Hunt. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when purchasing tickets. Credentials may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. Panels are subject to change. Talent is subject to availability. There are no cancelations or refunds, and tickets are not transferrable.

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 5:15 PM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Book Review: Enchanted Drawings, The History of Animation by Charles Solomon

Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animationby Charles Solomon. 1994, 356 pp.

Charles Solomon is a well-known name in animation history and criticism circles. He has authored articles for Rolling Stone, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, the New York Times and many other publications. He is also the author of several other well-known Disney and animation-related titles, including: Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation and Tale As Old As Time: The Art and Making of Beauty and the Beast.

Enchanted Drawings is a beautiful and well-written tome on animation. And I do mean tome, as the book clocks in at over 350 pages. I would hazard to guess that is could be used in a college course on animation, yet it is clearly written for the layperson. My only contrary comment is that it stops at 1994 and there have been a lot of changes in the past 15 years.

Solomon begins in the late 1600s with Athanasius Kircher and his text on the magic lantern. He details all of the key players over the next few centuries leading up to Winsor McCay and Dinosaur Gertie: Dominique Seraphim, John Henry Pepper, Etienne Gaspard Robert de Liege, Joseph Plateau, Emile Reynaud ,Eadweard Muybridge and so many more. The research and connections that Solomon makes are quite impressive.

The next major section details the Silent Era films created mostly in New York and Los Angeles. A lot of the more famous early studios are examined with references to any surviving prints. The machinations of Raoul  Barre and John Randolph Bray prove that the competition has always been titular. We are introduced to Paul Terry, Disney, Max and Dave Fleischer and Walter Lantz. You will see their names throughout the rest of the book.

The Table of Contents
Viewing the Table of Contents is fairly enlightening:
  • Precursors and Experiments
  • The Silent Era, 1914-1928
  • The Disney Era, 1928-1941
  • The Studio Cartoon, 1929-1941
  • Animation Goes to War, 1941-1945
  • The Home Front: Animation, 1941-1945
  • Wabbit Twacks in the Sands of Time, 1946-1960
  • Disney: The Silver Age, 1946-1960
  • UPA and the Graphic Revolution, 1943-1959
  • On the Small Screen: The Television Years
  • The Captains and the Kings Depart, 1960-1994
Solomon is a true animation historian; like his contemporary, Michael Barrier, he was interviewing and researching animation when it was still considered fodder for children. Leading us along a path, Solomon lays out the history of animation in an easy to understand and narrative-like format. You will be surprised by the abundance of animated films, artists and studios. Solomon also offers many stills, images and photographs that facilitate the histories being told.

Sample pages with illustrations.


As a reference title, this book is unparalleled for discussing the studios, their output and, to a lesser degree, their effect on popular culture. You will find yourself reaching for this book to check for artists, the birth and death of studios and the litany of films. Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation is a great addition to your library. Especially in a time when many of these animated shorts from the first-half of the 20th century can be found online.



Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 8:24 PM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels: , , ,

Blu-ray Review: Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2


We received a review copy of Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy). My 12 year-old stepped up the late and offers this quick review.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 is a movie I would recommend to everybody except bank robbers (heh!). But if you have not watched the first movie it will make absolutely no sense to you. They trail off a bit from the original story, but it is still a great film. Warning: if you get the 3-d Blu-ray copy bring a shield, rolls will fly out of the screen and at you.


Make sure to watch this with all of your family, especially with the Deek of the house present! Also make sure you watch carefully, after every movie they will ask you a series of trivia questions. See who is the star of show!










About the Blu-ray:
  • Sneak Peek at Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure
  • Learn How To Take Your Favorite Movies On The Go
  • Dylan and Cole Sprouse: Blu-ray™ Is Suite!
  • Music Video: “This is My Paradise” By Bridgit Mendler
  • Blooper Faux Paws
  • Beverly Hills Chihuahua Challenge – interactive game show led by Papi
Chloe and Papi are back in an all new, ¡Ay yay yay! fun-filled adventure—and their family just got bigger. Meet their rambunctious, mischievous and hilarious litter on February 1, 2011 when Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 comes out on a Blu-ray™ combo pack (include Blu-ray and DVD of the movie), 1-disc DVD.

From the creators of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, everybody’s favorite talking Chihuahuas are back in a comedy that’s a pack of outrageous fun for the whole family. Puppy mayhem turns the lives of newlywed Chihuahua parents, Papi and Chloe, upside down when their playful puppies present one challenge after another. But, when their human owners find themselves in trouble, the tiny pups will stop at nothing to save them—because in good times and hard times, the family always sticks together. Papi, Chloe and the puppies embark on a heroic adventure, proving once again that big heroes come in small packages.

Featuring an all-star cast, including George Lopez (voice of Papi), and complete with a litter of bonus features, this heartwarming tale of the meaning of family, friendship and loyalty is a special breed of fun— times five.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 10:18 AM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Friday, February 4, 2011

Geek-End Update, Saturday, February 5, 2011

Theme Park
Animation
General
Imaginerded by Unknown at 9:34 PM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels:

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Borrow a Polaroid Camera, Free*

Polaroid operated the Polaroid Camera Center on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom from 1979 to 1984 (GAF ran it from 1971 to 1977 and Kodak from 1984 to 1989. In 1989 it was incorporated into the Main Street Confectionery).

During the early years, GAF and Polaroid sponsored the Guides to the Magic Kingdom. The Guides were paperback booklets that listed each attraction, shop and restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. As expected, prime space was dedicated to advertising the film products and offering handy tips on taking great photographs.

This guide also offered details on how to use a Polaroid Pronto Sonar camera during your visit to the Magic Kingdom. The camera is free*, you pay only for the film. Of course, the fine print does mention a refundable deposit is required.


Don't forget to stop by the Polaroid Camera Center to have an instant 8x10 portrait taken in front of a 19th century Presidential railroad car while you don 19th century costumes! Believe it or not, the picture comes out a minute later!
Over at The Jungle is 101, Mike has posted images from the similar brochure for Disneyland.
Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Imaginerded by Unknown at 10:00 PM 0 Disney Geek Love
Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness Nature Trail

If you have ever been fortunate enough to stay at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you have experienced one of Walt Disney World's finest themed hotels.

Jeff Pepper has professed his love of the Wilderness Lodge in a series of posts over at 2719 Hyperion. He provides a lot of detailed and historical information about Silver Springs, Artist's Point and Humphrey the Bear (bump, bump). The Wilderness Lodge Hotel Fan Site provides a map of the trail and some great photos. The ubiquitous MouseSteps site (a great place to while away the hours) has a fairly in-depth photo essay of the Wilderness Trail. It is amazing how run down some of the areas have become.


In 2001, we took a family vacation (8 of us in total) and stayed at the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. During the end of the trip, everyone decided that we needed to go our seperate ways for some much needed downtime. One of the things we had enjoyed doing on our 1997 trip was riding the surrey bike at the Boardwalk. So, we decided to head down to Teton Boat and Bike Rentals to rent a surrey and experience the Wilderness Lodge Nature Trail to Ft. Wilderness.


Yes, that was a real deer that we saw on the trail. The whole trail is 2.3 miles and is intended as a jogging/bike path between the two resorts. We didn't do the whole trail--we got about halfway when our passenger in the front wanted to go back to the pool. It is very quiet and serene on the trail; you don't feel like you are in Florida at all. We only ran into one other family and they were heading back to the Lodge. We were hoping to make it all the way to Ft. Wilderness to see the petting zoo.


In the satellite view, I outlined the trail in red from the Lodge to Ft. Wilderness. The trail does take you to Pioneer Hall, the petting zoo and the Settlement Trading Post (in case you need to refill before heading back). It's just another one of those great details at Disney.

Don't forget to keep your ears out for other fun excursions.

Related Posts
Imaginerded by Unknown at 8:25 AM 2 Disney Geek Love
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)