Book Update

Murder in the Magic Kingdom by Foreman Heard showed up unsolicited last week. I don't have much information about the author, though.

Security guard Mark Adams on early morning rounds discovers a body floating in the moat of the castle at the "Happiest Theme Park On Earth." The police believe it is an accident, but Mark follows the suspicious behavior several company employees, and discovers a connection to a major crime figure. His investigation provides him with information that could change his life forever.

Apparently, the book comes highly recommended:

"This is no mouse tale. I loved every minute." M.M.
"I was quacking up when I read it." D.D.
"A fantasy from beginning to end." W.D.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, April 25, 2009

• Daveland takes us on a trip to the actual Disney Studios in Burbank! Part two is here! Check out part three!
• Didier at the Disney History blog posts a short review of the new Art of Walt Disney World book.
• Futureprobe shares some Horizon EPCOT art from Bob McCall.
• Major Pepperidge at Gorilla's Don't Blog posts some vintage photos of El Zocalo.
• Kevin Kidney looks at some familiar Toad artwork.
• Foxxfur at Passport 2 Dreams waxes about her thoughts on changing Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

Way Back!

We have another shot from our 1985 Way Back series. It looks like we are in time to catch a showing of Wonders of China.

As important to the Chinese as nature and serenity is their Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which stands majestically as the focal point of the showcase. Through this lovely, three-tiered temple we enter a theater where the Circle-Vision 360 film "Wonders of China: Land of Beauty, Land of Time" is shown. It is narrated by Li Bai, an ancient poet who guides the audience through China's history, culture and breathtaking scenery. In just twenty minutes, we experience the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Mongolia, the Summer Palace and the Yangtze River, to name only a few sights. Unlocking the beauties and mysteries of China to create awe-inspiring film was not an easy task. Some areas of China were so difficult to reach that equipment had to be brought in on camelback. At one location, a 300-pound camera had to be hand-carried up 16,700 steps.
Walt Disney World, 20 Magical Years, pp 111-112.

Wonders of China ran from 1982 to 2003. It was replaced by film Reflections of China in 2003.


You can read my review of Walt Disney World, 20 Magical Years here.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, April 18, 2009

• Jenny at Blackwing Diaries has some great shots of Walt Disney.
• Michael Sporn reviews the book Chouinard: An Art Vision Betrayed.
• Michael Barrier shares a photo of a very familiar address! He also reviews two Disney-related titles and shares his thoughts on Disney's newest walled garden.
• Daveland--There's Trouble in Frontierland!
• Alain at Disney and More posts concept art from Don Carson.
• Wade Sampson takes a look at seven special Snow Whites.
• David at Vintage Disney Collectibles discusses Walt's trip to South America.

Book Update!

My review copies of Drawn To Life came in today.

• Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures
• Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures

They look fantastic--especially if you have an interest in animation or Disney Studio history. Any animation student will benefit from these titles.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, April 11, 2009

• Honor at Blue Sky Disney talks about Port Disney vs. DisneySea.
• Didier at the Disney History blog gives us a heads-up on a new book.
• Jerry at Cartoon Brew shares info and audio about some very early Disney recordings (Carl Stalling).
• Bob Cowan posts images that he contributed to the new book Hippo in a Tutu.
• Foxxfur rounds out the week with an incredible look at Eight Great Moments of Design at Walt Disney World. I do hope someone at Disney is reading her posts...

Geek-End Update, Saturday, April 04, 2009

• Daveland shares a medley of Nature's Wonderland.
• Hans Perk at A Film L.A. posts about the Iron Pencil.
• Honor at Blue Sky Disney shares some great character concept art from Pixar.
• Didier at the Disney History blog discusses a forthcoming Little Mermaid title.
• Vintage Disneyland Tickets has a great photo-trip report about Disneyland. He has captured some great images, including Walt's plumbing!
• Michael at All Things Disney compares D23 with other fan clubs.
• Disney Ramblings shares some images of Walt's home and Studio in Kansas City.

Special Barrier Treat:

• Hat tip to Cartoon Brew for alerting us that Michael Barrier was interviewed on the University of Utah NPR station.