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Cover Photography © Mike Billick, Inset ©Disney Issue 49 Ever After: Arendelle Arrives 40 Contents in Letters...... 8 Disney News...... 10 Calendar of Events...... 13

MOUSE VIEWS...... 15 Guide to the Magic Soarin’ Around the World by Tim Foster...... 16 Hidden Mickeys 48 by Steve Barrett...... 20 by Jamie Hecker...... 22 Disney Cuisine by Dawn Caitano...... 24 Disney Touring Tips by Carrie Hurst...... 26 Disney Secrets In Search of Mr. Toad: by Jamie Hecker...... 28 A Wild Ride Indeed 52 Magic by J Darling...... 30

FEATURED ATTRACTION ...... 32

FEATURED FILM ...... 36 Disneyland’s First Day Wandering the World...... 68 58 By the Numbers...... 69 In Search Of...... 70 Quick Quiz...... 72 Kids Korner...... 74 Mystery Quest...... 78 Tim & Lou’s Top 10...... 80

The Return of the Orange Bird 64 Change Is In The Air Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” That sentiment still holds true today, as Disney’s Imagineers continue to dream of and create new experiences to send our imaginations spinning. The recent additions of and Soarin’ Around the World are testaments to that ideal, but change at isn’t limited to the grand openings of new attractions and resorts.

In fact, every time you go to Walt Disney World, you’ll always discover something new. Even if it’s not a new attraction or even a major refurbishment of an existing one, the worlds you’ll explore at Disney are ever changing. The magical part is that you’ll often be unaware of these changes, and when you discover them it will come as a pleasant surprise. Perhaps it’s a brand new in your favorite attraction. Or a new sign or painting in a park or resort. Perhaps it will be a yummy new snack, or a new souvenir you’ve never seen before.

On a grander scale, don’t be surprised of you come upon a significant change or addition to your favorite attraction. Often times these changes fly “under the radar,” unlike the fanfare that accompanies the grand openings of a new attraction or show. For example, many Guests, even regulars, were surprised to find that the film at the end of Mexico’s Gran Fiesta Tour had been quietly replaced by Animatronic figures of . Unless you routinely scour message boards and the like for the latest and greatest information and rumors, changes like this are often a welcome surprise…not only in the thrill of discovering something new, but with the realization that you’re in a world where you’ll never know what happens next. Imagination is always in full bloom at Walt Disney World, and the wonders that await us tomorrow are living proof that Walt Disney’s original dream is alive and well…and continues to this day.

Enjoy the magic! Tim Foster

2 · Celebrations Editor Tim Foster

Associate Editors Michelle Foster • Lisa Mahan • Lou Mongello

Contributing Writers Steve Barrett J Darling Tim Devine Jamie Hecker Dawn Caitano Carrie Hurst

Creative Direction and Design Tim Foster Art Director Michelle Foster

Customer Service Senior Manager Lisa Mahan

Social Media/Marketing Directors Lisa Mahan

Contributing Photographers Tim Foster, Tim Devine, Mike Billick, Garry Rollins, Lisa Mahan, Jamie Hecker,

Basic subscription rate is $29.99 for six issues ($35.99 for Canada residents, $54.99 for other international residents). To subscribe online visit www.celebrationspress.com. Single issue price is $5.99. All orders must be prepaid and are payable in U.S. funds only. Celebrations (USPS 025-286) is published bimonthly in the U.S. by Celebrations Press, Inc, 308 Sundance Drive, Chester Springs, PA. 19425. Periodicals Postage Rate Paid at Chester Springs, PA and additional mail- ing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Celebrations, ATTN: Subscriptions, 308 Sundance Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425. SUBSCRIBERS: If the postal service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.

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©2015 Celebrations Press, Inc. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express writ- ten permission of the publisher. Statements and opinions herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Celebrations is owned and operated by Celebrations Press, Inc. and is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with , Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. Walt Disney World Resort® is a registered trademark of The Walt Disney Company. The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. This publication makes reference to various Disney copyrighted characters, trademarks, marks, and registered marks owned by The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., and other trademark owners. The use in this book of trademarked names and images is strictly for editorial purposes, no commercial claim to their use, or suggestion of sponsorship or endorsement, is made by the authors or publishers. Those words or terms that the authors have reason to believe are trademarks are designated as such by the use of initial capitalization, where ap- propriate. However, no attempt has been made to identify or designate all words or terms to which trademark or other proprietary rights may exist. Nothing contained herein is intended to express a judgement on, or affect the validity of legal status of, any word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary mark. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the passage of time will always bring changes in operating schedules, attraction openings and closings, and policies. The authors and publisher shall not be held liable for any information (valid or invalid) presented here and do not represent The Walt Disney Company.

3 · Celebrations Letters

A Masterpiece!!

Last year, in my Drawing 2 class, we were asked to make a collage out of a magazine. Since Disney is such a big part of my life, I knew what magazine I was going to choose. As much as it pained me to do so, I decided to use Celebrations as my magazine of choice, cutting it up to rearrange the images. We used the collages as reference to create a colored pencil drawing. I thought you might want to see the final product. You may recognize the images from issue #24. I was able to finish the project on time, despite my teacher’s concerns. Some areas I had to rush through, especially the briar patch area, but hopefully I’ll find time to go back and add more detail later. Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful magazine!

Mikayla Doggett Mansfield, CT

Got a question, photo, or story you’d like to share? email them to: [email protected] 4 · Celebrations 5 · Celebrations 6 · Celebrations Contributors

Kevin Carpenter works in Lori Elias credits her pas- Ray Harkness thanks Disney Chris Smith loves Walt professional soccer and sion for Disney to long- for saving his marriage. Disney World because it enjoys writing from his time friend Tara Miller, After being shown the joys makes him feel like a kid home in Berea, Ohio. Kevin a Cast Member with the of a vacation by his lovely again. When he visits the has been published on ESPN Disney Cruiseline. Lori is wife Nancy, he now cannot Happiest Place on Earth, Cleveland, On , and a Cleveland-area middle imagine being away from Chris completely returns to Cleveland.com. Kevin is a school music teacher by day, work if it doesn’t involve a that state of mind, ready to life-long Disney fan with a freelance writer by night, Disney resort. When not explore distant jungles, ride particular interest in the and Disney fan 24/7. She has touring the parks, Ray in pirate ships, and fly in life and works of its founder, written for a number of writes for his blog Grumpy’s rockets. Chris loves to share Walt Disney. music publications, and is Hollow under the name the magic of Disney with his thrilled to be able to share Grumpwurst (grumpyspace. wife Alexis, and his children her love of all things Disney. blogspot.com). Koty, Samuel, Scarlett and Alice Anne. Chris works on Disneykidagain.com, a Walt Disney World Blog for Disney kids of all ages.

7 · Celebrations Letters

Hang On To Yer Hats! First, I want to say how much we love Celebra- tions! We have subscribed since issue #6. I am by no means a photographer. I am all about the point and shoot camera. I love tak- ing the of pictures every trip! Some trips, we re- turn home with over 2,000 pictures! I especially love taking pictures while on rides. Attached are two of my favorites! One is of my husband while riding Big Thun- der Mountain Railroad. I love how you can see the track in the background! The other is of my little sister, also on Big Thunder Mountain. I love how happy she looks and I caught the train on a turn. Thanks for making such a great magazine!

Amber Johnson Arlington, TX

Thanks Amber!! These photos are amazing (we’re getting dizzy just looking at the top one, we’re still trying to figure out how you took it!). It just goes to show that Walt Disney World is a great place for shutter bugs of all kinds....and as Amber proves you can take GREAT shots no matter if you have a huge zillion dollar camera, a point-and-shoot, or even a phone. Thanks Amber, keep sending those photos, and keep on enjoying the magic!!! -Tim Foster

8 · Celebrations 9 · Celebrations Disney News

coveries designed to delight the senses — renowned chefs Disney Springs Grand serving up scrumptious samples from their restaurants, performances by nationally recognized entertainers, and proprietors showcasing their products and store designs Opening Summer that make shopping at Disney Springs simply special. Wrapped in -inspired, made-for-strolling prome- Celebration nades, arcing footbridges, flowing streams and waterfront charm, Disney Springs treats Walt Disney World Resort his summer Disney Springs is the place to be by day and guests to an exciting blend of shopping, dining and enter- Tby night! With a Grand Opening Summer Celebration tainment with a Disney touch. By day or night guests can taking place all season long, Disney Springs features an ar- expect a vibrant scene at Disney Springs, whether they are ray of hard-to-pass-up deals and a variety of delectable new shopping world-class brands, enjoying high-quality enter- dining options at the newest neighborhood–Town Center, tainment, having that special dining experience, pleasure plus free nightly entertainment featuring more than 20 dif- boating on Village Lake or hopping a balloon skyward for ferent acts performing across all four neighborhoods – The spectacular views of Walt Disney World and beyond. Marketplace, Westside, The Landing, and Town Center. Now and every day, guests can enjoy the benefits of a dra- To kick off the grand opening season, on July 15, the best matically transformed exciting new waterfront district of summer and Central Florida came together to celebrate for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality Disney Springs-style – in Town Center, with an outdoor par- entertainment featuring more than 150 establishments ty under the stars where guests strolled into all sorts of dis- across its four neighborhoods.

10 · Celebrations Photos ©Disney Discover Disney Springs like never before! Here are just a fers guests a fine dining experience set in chic, contem- few of the highlights: porary surroundings. Finish off the evening with a relax- Town Center: ing stroll to grab a signature gelato at Vivoli Gelateria or • Some of the most unique and recognizable names in re- a crafted cocktail at Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar. tail such as UNIQLO, Vince Camuto, Anthropologie, Zara, The Marketplace: Lilly Pulitzer, Columbia Sportswear, LACOSTE, Under Ar- • Beautiful waterside shopping that combines new expe- mour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Oakley all call riences such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, Town Center home. along with classic Disney favorites, including an expand- • Among new dining choices awaiting Town Center guests ed new Bibbity Bobbity Boutique inside the newly re- are restaurants developed by James Beard award-win- designed World of . ning chefs. Frontera Cocina serves up gourmet Mexican • Nearby, the new Lime garage makes getting to the Mar- cuisine and creative cocktails from the menu envisioned ketplace a breeze by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, a six-time James Beard The West Side: Foundation winner. Chef Art Smith, two-time winner of From new acts at Cirque du Soleil to iconic restaurants the James Beard Award brings a unique taste of gourmet to colorful food trucks to bowling with a stylized twist at southern cuisine and Florida agriculture to the heart of Splitsville, West Side offers something for everyone. There is Disney Springs with Homecoming Florida Kitchen and even the opportunity to lift off in a tethered balloon. Char- Southern Shine. acters in Flight rises from the banks of Village Lake for eye- The Landing: popping, 360-degree views. • High-quality retailers including Erwin Pearl for fashion Two new slot-smart parking decks where green lights in- jewelry and Havaianas for sandals are found along lan- dicate available spaces make parking convenient to the en- tern-lined byways. tire Disney Springs scene – and it’s free. Valet parking also is • Dine off a shipshape menu at The BOATHOUSE or enjoy, available. Disney Springs is easily accessed from I-4, Central at Morimoto Asia, Pan-Asian cuisine from celebrity chef Florida’s major interstate, and connected to the rest of Walt Matsaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame. STK Orlando of- Disney World Resort by motor coach and watercraft.

11 · Celebrations Disney News

far, far away. Unleash Your Inner Jedi Imagine gazing at the twin suns of the desert planet Ta- tooine, scavenging with on Jakku, navigating through an asteroid field, soaring down the trench of the Death Star With “: A Galactic and delivering the final blow to destroy Starkiller Base. The blockbuster show is punctuated by a tower of flame Spectacular” Fireworks shooting tongues of fire skyward as well as powerful criss- crossing spotlight beams, creating lightsabers in the sky. nighttime spectacle unlike any other celebrating a “It is a Disney sky show like none other,” Roddy said. “We A space-based saga paints the skies above Disney’s Holly- are actually able to cast fireworks to tell different parts wood Studios with the awe inspiring Star Wars: A Galactic of the Star Wars story, in colors identifiable with the film Spectacular at Walt Disney Resort. whether it’s green for or creating a starfield up in With galaxies not so far away for its canvas, Star Wars: the sky. Projection mapping technology allows us to dra- A Galactic Spectacular will light the night with Star Wars- matically overtake the buildings with images from the Star themed fireworks, lasers, projections and other amazing Wars saga. Custom delivers motion picture mo- special effects paired with Star Wars-themed music and ments and perspectives never before experienced. And sur- iconic characters and scenes from the seven-film, pop cul- round sound makes it seem like a TIE fighter just flew past ture phenomenon. and exploded next to you. One of many magical highlights of the four-park summer “So many of the things we love about Star Wars we were line-up at Walt Disney World Resort is one of the biggest, able to bring to life,” he said. boldest sky shows in the 27-year history of Disney’s Holly- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is part of Star Wars-in- wood Studios, according to show director Michael Roddy of spired entertainment throughout Disney’s Hollywood Stu- Disney Creative Entertainment. dios including a new live stage show; stormtroopers march; Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular unfolds nightly in a se- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction; a reimag- ries of acts in the skies and around the heart of the park. ined Jedi Training; themed food and beverage offerings; and State-of-the-art effects projecting onto the Chinese The- Star Wars Launch Bay featuring themed galleries, artifacts, atre and other buildings will transport guests to a galaxy merchandise and Star Wars character encounters.

12 · Celebrations Calendar of Events Epcot International Food & Wine Festival they’ll discover at the happiest haunted happening on September 14 - November 14, 2016 Earth—Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Each year, Epcot park hosts , eerie Each fall, as the seasons transform, so does Epcot—where entertainment and Disney Characters that go bump in dozens of unique flavors and fun experiences unfold across the night, so you’ll want to polishing your pumpkins the park. Festival highlights include: now! And since the tone of this event is “not-so-scary,” that Global Marketplaces means children of all ages can enjoy all the fun! Satiate your hunger and thirst with afresh food, fine wine and craft beers from a host of global marketplaces. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Festival Dining & Tasting Events November 07 - December 22, 2016 Discover new dimensions of flavor as you sample incred- Magic Kingdom ible dishes from all over the globe. When Mickey celebrates the season, Magic Kingdom park Demonstrations & Seminars lights up with excitement for Guests of all ages. Take some tips from the pros as you get an inside look at Castle shimmers. Joyful music fills the air. Disney Charac- the care and craft of these food and beverage creations. ters don their most festive attire. Favorite attractions take on a holiday theme. And enchanting surprises lie around Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party almost every turn! September 02 - October 31, 2016 Held on select evenings, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Magic Kingdom Party is currently scheduled to take place on the following Explore Magic Kingdom park to collect candies, sweets dates: and all kinds of frightfully delightful treats! Black cat and November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27 and 29 cauldron buffs will love the bounty of boo-friendly spirits December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 22

Photos ©Disney 13 · Celebrations

elcome to MouseViews, a special section of WCelebrations Magazine where you’ll get an insider’s peek at the Walt Disney World Resort. In every issue we’ll bring you a treasure trove of tips, secrets, magical moments, special insights, little known facts and a whole lot more! Whether it’s a different look at a familiar attraction, a hidden secret waiting to be discovered, or a helpful piece of advice for your upcoming trip, you’re sure to find lots of fun-filled information inside.

So put on your Mickey ears, set your imagination free, and get ready to discover all of those things that make Walt Disney World the most magical place on Earth.

Ready? Then here we go...!

15 · Celebrations : The Design of Story hen was released in 1995, it ushered in a new era of animation that Wtook us to the farthest reaches of our imaginations, with the help of daz- zling 3D animation that pushed the edges of technology to its limits (and continues to do so today). But as we know, a great film doesn’t come solely from the special effects; it needs memorable characters, great acting, and most of all, an engaging story. Pixar’s greatest strength lies in their ability to bring all of these components together in order to build incredible worlds that form the backdrop to some of the most imaginative stories ever created. While we can all at the finished product, it’s just as intriguing to go behind the scenes to see how it all comes together. Visitors to the Cooper Hewitt, Smith- by Tim Foster sonian Design Museum in can do just that at a “must-see” exhibit, “PIXAR: The Design of a Story.” This fascinating exhibit features rarely seen hand- drawn sketches, paintings, concept art, and sculptures; showcasing how the team at Pixar develops popular characters, fosters emotional connection to its films and, ultimately, how the design process is at the studio’s core. You’ll get to see how films such as Toy Story, Wall-E, Up, Brave, , and made it to the big screen though Pixar’s process of iteration, collaboration, and research, which are organized into three key design principles: story, believability, and appeal. According to Caroline Baumann, director of the Cooper Hewitt Museum, visitors will be able to “…go behind the studio’s practices and investigate how they arrive at design details, such as ’s fiery red hair in Brave and the ‘mind world’ in Inside Out, while also showing how they serve a particular story.” As explains, “At Pixar, the visual design process and the story development process work hand in hand from the very earliest stages.” The exhibit goes behind the scenes to demonstrate how these components come together to create the modern-day classic films that have Tim Foster is the creator of sent our imaginations to infinity…and beyond. Celebrations magazine and Join us as we take a quick tour of some of the exhibit’s highlights. If you happen to the author of the Guide to the Magic book series, which be in the New York area, be sure to visit the Cooper Hewitt Museum to see this fas- includes the Guide to the Magic cinating exhibit for yourself. The exhibit was originally scheduled to end in August, for Kids and the Deluxe Guide to but its stay has been extended to mid-September due to its extreme popularity. the Magic Autograph & Sticker Cooper Hewitt is located at 2 East 91st Street at Fifth Avenue in New York City. For further Book. Tim is also the creator of information, call (212) 849-8400, or visit Cooper Hewitt’s website at www.cooperhewitt.org. the www.celebrationspress.com website. Upon entering the exhibit, you’ll discover a colorful chart that illustrates the fundamentals of Pixar storytelling. As John Lasseter explains, “I always believed that in order to make a really great animated film, you needed to do three things: tell a compelling STORY that keeps people on the edge of their seat, populate that story with really memorable and APPEALING characters, and put that appealing story and these memorable characters in a BELIEVABLE world. If you can do those three things really well, then the audience will be swept away and be totally entertained.”

16 · Celebrations The focus of the exhibit is largely on the design process; everything from concept sketches all the way through to the final computer rendering. However, before we go behind the scenes to learn about the different stages that the artists go through when creating the various characters and settings for every film, you’ll first see a humorous take on the famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, “The Vitruvian Man, Proportions of the Human Body according to Vitruvius” (circa 1492). In a modern day nod to the classic sketch, you’ll find a similar image of Flik drawn by artist Tia W. Kratter in 1998. Though a bit tongue-in-cheek, the drawing does demonstrate that every character is based on shape and proportion, which we’ll discover next.

These concept sketches show how every character begins with a simple shape, whether it be a circle, a rectangle, or a pear-shape. The art of simplifying an image down to its essence is referred to as Simplexity by Pixar. The sketches on the left were for , while those on the right were created for Up (both drawn by artist Ricky Nierva).

This is just the beginning of a long and detailed process. Many characters will go through many iterations before the design team lands on the final version. For Pixar’s first full-length feature, Toy Story, artists tried dozens of different variations for the main character, Woody. Here are a few examples of some of his early concepts, culminating in the final character sketch that provided the computer modelers with the proper reference.

Photos ©Tim Foster 17 · Celebrations Once the overall look of the character has been determined, the art department creates “model packets” that assist the technical artists who bring the characters to life. To illustrate this process, the exhibit showcases many of the sketches and models used to create the character Merida from Brave. Merida’s hair posed a particular challenge, and artists created many guidelines for her hair alone. The technical artists used the model packets for a blueprint for creating a virtual 3D model. In the exhibit, you can see a short film that shows you how Merida’s hair was created.

The same care that goes into creating the characters also goes in to the various settings seen in the films. On display is a series of sketches of Carl’s house from the film Up. On the right is a detailed sketch that calls out the specific features of the home. On the bottom left is a model, or “shader packet,” that details the various materials and textures used to create the structure. Pixar’s attention to detail even extends to the bottom of Carl’s house, as you can see in this pain­staking drawing that details a view of the house that’s only seen for a few seconds in the film!

18 · Celebrations The highlight of the exhibit is the section devoted to Pixar’s classic early short, Luxo Jr. (1986) You’ll be able to follow the conceptual process that went into creating this simple but charming film. In addition to the technical achievements that the film showcased, it also showed how story and emotion were just as integral to a good movie as the artwork. The ability of Pixar’s creative team to give the ordinarily inanimate objects humor and emotion set the stage for the movie magic that was to follow. And as the exhibit shows, the best results happen only when all three fundamentals are achieved: Story, Appeal, and Believability.

Photos ©Tim Foster 19 · Celebrations Hidden Mickeys in Hollywood Studios lot is happening in The Studios to clear the way for new attractions. Some Hid- A den Mickeys will be lost (always a sad moment for me), but many great ones remain in place. I hope the Hidden Mickeys on this page stick around a while!

1. Just inside the park entrance, a statue of a Dalmatian stands on the porch to the left of the entrance doors to Sid Cahuenga’s Antiques and Curios store. A black clas- sic Hidden Mickey spot hides on the dog’s left rear thigh.

2. On a wall to the left in the waiting area of The Hollywood Brown Derby, in the sec- ond row of pictures, you’ll find a caricature of Jimmy Dodd (with his Mouse ears) from the “ Club” TV show.

3. In the waiting area of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, a poster for the movie ‘At- by Steve Barrett tack of the 50 Ft. Woman’ is on the left wall (as you enter). A yellow classic Mickey is behind her right knee, just off the highway.

4. At the left side of the exit doorway from Tatooine Traders gift shop, a faint classic Mickey is stenciled on the wooden wall, to the left of a fire alarm box.

5. In the Stage 1 Company store, at the upper left of a wall mural with a rainbow, circles in the middle of a cloud form a classic Mickey tilted slightly to the left.

6. Walk around the outside of the Stage 1 Company Store and admire at least five Mickey images formed by yellow and purple paint that has spilled on the ground.

7. To your right, just inside the entrance to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, a slightly distorted classic Mickey hides in the plaster of the right wall between the Steve Barrett is the author of the waiting room and the dining area. Look in the upper right corner of the wall. Hidden Mickeys Guide Book Series (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and 8. While you’re in the waiting room of Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, find a red the Disney Cruise Ships) available in classic Mickey marking on the exposed brick wall behind the check-in podium and the Disney Parks and in book stores, Amazon, and on Kindle and other to the left of the hanging grapes and grape leaves. It’s about six feet up from the downloadable formats. floor and near the edge of the wall next to the opening with the hanging grapes. The WDW and Disneyland Hidden Mickeys Guide books are also offered 9. Of all the Disney parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the best Guidemap for Hid- as iPhone and Android apps. Steve den Mickeys! In fact, Mickey’s face is here, although it has been distorted over time. and his wife Vickie (hiddenmickeygal) The ear on the right is formed by Echo Lake, while the buildings on the left (for the are the webmasters of www.HiddenMickeyGuy.com, and Hollywood Brown Derby and -Live on Stage!) form the distorted ear are on Twitter @hiddenmickeyguy on the left. His round head is the central plaza, and his forehead “widow’s peak” and Facebook as Hidden Mickey Guy shows up near the “H” in “Hollywood.” Two faint gray patches in the center of the Disney’s Hidden Mickeys Hunter. plaza form his eyes, and a gray stripe at the bottom left of the photo serves as one side of his smile.

10. Also on the DHS park map, tiny pink classic Mickeys adorn the right side of the entrance plaza.

20 · Celebrations Photos ©Steve Barrett 1 2

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21 · Celebrations Disney TV Legends ith over ninety years of entertainment offerings, the Walt Disney Company, Wrightly so, counts animation and theme parks among its significant pillars. Of no less significance is Disney’s involvement in the medium of television. Anima- tion and live-action feature releases were limited to several a year, and a visit to Ana- heim or Orlando might be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, but television offers a more intimate and repeatable avenue for Disney to entertain fans at home. Walt Disney wisely stepped into the arena of television programming in the 1950s, despite the conventional wisdom of the time that it would cannibalize his theatrical releases. Instead, Disney created vital new content for television that cemented the company by Jamie Hecker as a critical source of programming. Walt, with the competent assistance of brother Roy, created symbiotic relationships with television partners that benefitted all parties. For ABC, the weekly anthology series Walt Disney’s Disneyland gave ABC pro- gramming content that showcased the construction of Disneyland, whetting the nation’s appetite and creating anticipation for the theme park. Several years later on NBC, the series Walt Disney’s Wonderful brilliantly showcased the exciting potential of color television. RCA, an original manufacturer of color televi- sion sets, was owned by NBC, creating a mutually beneficial three party alliance. Dis- ney and television have been mutually related ever since, particularly with Disney’s ownership of ABC, ESPN, and its own . With this background, it’s easy to understand that numerous Disney Legends owe that title to their years of service within the framework of television. From its earliest days, television was a natural avenue for news. Print and radio sources of information could tell only part of the story, but television could pres- ent it with more layers – film and video footage now complemented news anchors behind a desk. For over twenty years, ABC’s nightly news program, World News Tonight, enjoyed the talents of Peter Jennings who steadfastly reported the days’ news with the analytical mindset of a globe-trotting reporter. Jennings joined ABC Jamie Hecker has been a lifelong News in 1964 and earned his credentials while reporting from around the world. fan of Disney, and is passing on his love to his sons. He and his family For his reporting and news anchor duties, Jennings deservedly earned sixteen visit Orlando annually and always . look forward to their next trip. For television news programs to be most effective, a talented executive behind When not in Orlando, he resides the camera needs to be in charge. In that regard, Roone Arledge masterfully guid- in northern Virginia with his ed ABC not only in its news department, but also in sports programming. Arledge beautiful wife Suzanne, two boys joined ABC in 1960 and retooled its sports broadcasting, refining the concept of and four cats. You can read more about his sports as entertainment with the wildly successful ABC’s Wide World of Sports, that “hidden Disney” musings at utilized slow motion and instant replays to better engage the audience. Arledge myhiddendisney.blogspot.com/ notched another contribution to sports programming with the implementation of Monday Night Football in 1970. NFL action no longer was limited to Sunday after- noons. In 1977, Arledge was promoted to President of ABC News. Although he had no formal journalistic training, he recognized that ABC News talent needed room to shine, and in addition to Jennings at the anchor desk, he provided Sam Donaldson, Ted Koppel and David Brinkley with their own forums. Finally, Arledge gave voice to Barbara Walters, whose command of television continues to this day. Walters is best know today for insightful interviews with celebrities, world lead- ers and others she deems “fascinating,” but she first earned her stripes as an intrep-

22 · Celebrations id news reporter for both NBC and CBS before joining ABC in craze for coonskin caps and public recitations of “The Ballad 1976. She made international news the following year with a of Davy Crockett.” Parker’s portrayal of Crockett lasted for groundbreaking joint interview of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and only three lengthy television shows, but he forever lives in Israel’s Menachem Begin, Middle-East political adversaries. American lore of frontier times. Parker would later portray She shined on her own news show, 20/20, and anchored the another American icon on the small screen when he took top-rated and always popular The Barbara on the persona of Daniel Boone, which ran Walters Specials, interviewing cultural lu- for six seasons on NBC, from 1964 to 1970. minaries. Walters continued her television Disney’s other breakout television pro- presence as host of the daytime talk show, gram was show. The The View until her recent retirement from original series, which ran from 1955 to 1959, that forum. In addition to being a Disney was a daily variety show that featured a cast Legend, Walters is a member of the Acad- of young men and women dubbed Mouseke- emy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of teers, and an adult leader, or Head Mouseke- Fame. teer, . The medium of television is ideally suited Dodd was a gifted singer, songwriter, and for entertainment, and in this regard Dick guitarist whose natural affability made him Clark (top) perfectly embodies the spirit perfect for the show. Through his friendship of exuberance. Clark’s television career with Disney animator (and future Legend) spanned nearly fifty years, beginning with , Dodd wrote a song for the show the homegrown Philadelphia show Band- and performed it personally for Walt. That stand, which became a syndicated national performance, an audition of sorts, convinced hit program American Bandstand, which Walt that Dodd was a perfect match for the featuring live musical acts and dancing program. Dodd wrote over thirty songs for teens. His show helped establish classic art- the show, including the energetic title piece ists such as Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Mickey Mouse Club March. Buddy Holly. With the clout achieved from If Dodd was the adult star of the show, American Bandstand, which ran for over then (bottom) was the thirty years, Clark created his own televi- breakaway child star. The young starlet sion production company and branched was hand-picked by Walt after he observed into a variety of formats, such as daytime her in a local production of . Al- gameshows including Pyramid and prime though she was just twelve at the time, Walt time variety programming including Bloop- observed a poise and grace beyond her age. ers & Practical Jokes. To an older generation, For four years, Funicello brought her singing, Clark is synonymous with American Band- dancing and acting talents to the show. stand, and for younger viewers he’s equally In addition to the Mickey Mouse Club, known for hosting the annual Dick Clark’s Funicello starred in other Disney television New Years Rockin’ Eve on ABC, which ran shows such as , Adventures in Dairy- from 1973 to 2011. All told, Clark produced land and Spin and Marty. Her Disney ca- over 7,500 hours of television programming. reer wasn’t limited to the small screen; she Finally, a discussion of Disney and television starred in Disney films such asThe Shaggy wouldn’t be complete without a review of stars created on be- Dog, and with her singing talents, she recorded fifteen al- half of original studio content: , (middle) for his por- bums. trayal of American pioneer Davy Crockett, and original Mous- Many Disney Legends earned a portion of their award keteers Jimmy Dodd and Annette Funicello, from the Mickey due to their work on Television, but the collective works of Mouse Club show. Peter Jennings, Roone Arledge, Barbara Walters, Dick Clark, Parker became an overnight sensation for his honest and Fess Parker, Jimmie Dodd and Annette Funicello shows how gritty portrayal of Crockett, and helped launch a national the mastered the art of television.

23 · Celebrations Yak & Yeti here are so many great places to dine in Walt Disney World that it’s sometimes Thard to decide where to go. There are plenty of “must-visit” restaurants to be sure, such as Be Our Guest and Chef Mickey’s, but there are also plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Yak & Yeti is one such jewel not to be missed. Tucked away in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom near Expedition Ever- est, dining at the Yak & Yeti is like journeying to an exotic faraway land. Upon enter- ing the restaurant, you’ll first be impressed by the beautiful decor. Hues of yellow, blues, and greens create a feeling of being in a quaint village home in the heart of Southeast Asia, complete with eclectic Nepalese touches. Mismatched furnishings made of dark wood are scattered throughout the restaurant, along with statues of armor, beautiful ceramics, and authentic relics. By Dawn Caitano As with many Disney attractions and restaurants, the Yak & Yeti has an elabo- rate back-story. As the tale goes, a merchant owner named Arjun had fallen on hard times. In order to make an honest living, he turned his home into a restaurant and hotel, hoping the local traders would generate enough business for his family to survive. Located in the center of the hotel, Arjun filled the dining area with unusual and exotic souvenirs he had acquired throughout his travels in Southeast Asia. While waiting to be seated, you can spend some time at the restaurant’s unique bar, which offers up such exotic specialties as the Big Bamboo and the Bonsai Blast. Young ones can enjoy a delicious non-alcoholic Shanghai Lemonade. The dining menu offers up a delectable assortment of appetizer choices, including small plate selections like Thai Chili Chicken Wings, Wok-Fried Green Beans, and Pork Pot Stickers. You’ll also find shareable items like the Dim Sum Basket, Lettuce Cups, Dragon Rolls, and Ahi Tuna Nachos, all meant for two. You can also enjoy Won- ton Soup and an assortment of salads including a Mandarin Chicken Salad and a Seared Tuna Salad. You’ll also find a scrumptious selection of Noodles and Bowls including Lo Mein and Malaysian Seafood Curry. For the main course, Yak & Yeti offers up plenty of grilled selections, Wok dishes, and specialty items. Grilled choices include Korean BBQ Ribs, Dawn creates lasting memories by planning your customized vacations Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs, and Kalbi Steak and Coconut Shrimp. Wok selections include all over the world. Not only does she Crispy Honey Chicken, Korean Beef, and Sweet and Sour Chicken or Pork. find the BEST accommodations with For a true Southeastern Asia dining experience, you’ll want to sample one of the BEST value, but she will fill in all Yak & Yeti’s many house specialties. These include Seared Miso Salmon with coco- the blanks for you, all at no cost to nut ginger rice, Teriyaki Mahi Mahi with a pineapple-mango chutney, Bhaktapur you. Traveling is her passion! Passing Duck with plum BBQ sauce, and Chicked Tikka Masala, marinated in yogurt and that magic on to your family is what fuels that passion! So call Dawn today freshly ground herbs. to start your next Adventure. Go to Be sure to save room for dessert. You’ll have your choice of classic favorites like celebrationspress.com/plan-trip/, New York Cheesecake and sorbet, as well as more exotic selections including Mango for a free quote. Pie and Upside Down Pineapple Cake. For the little ones, Yak & Yeti offers up a child’s version of a Pork Egg Roll and Teriyaki Chicken Breast, as well as time-honored selec- tions including chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, and good old PB&J. The Yak & Yeti combines all of the things that make Disney dining so magical; delicious food, incredible theming, a detailed back-story, and of course, great ser- vice. The restaurant is owned by Landry’s Inc., who also bring their unique brand of dining experiences to The Rainforest Cafe and T-REX. (If you belong to Landry’s Se-

24 · Celebrations lect Club, you can earn made 180 days before points for dining at Yak your trip by calling & Yeti.) 407-WDW-DINE or by If you are looking for using your My Disney something fast, Yak & Experience account to Yeti offers plenty of make your dining res- quick service options ervations. Yak & Yeti is at the Yak & Yeti Lo- part of the Disney Din- cal Food Cafes. Entrées ing Plan (one sit down here include a Teriyaki entitlement), though Beef Bowl, an Asian be sure to note that Chicken Sandwich, the Tables In Wonder- Honey Chicken, and a land card is not ac- Ginger Chicken Salad. cepted. For a small snack, you can sample a Pork Egg Disney offers the Roll or some Chicken Fried Rice. But be sure to save room opportunity to travel to faraway lands and exotic locations, for the Triple Chocolate Mousse! When you’re done enjoying and for a truly authentic Southeast Asian dining experi- the exotic cuisine of Southeast Asia, be sure to stop at the ence, be sure to head on over to Expedition Everest and visit Yak & Yeti Bhaktapur Market, where you browse through an the Yak & Yeti. (Just beware of that Yeti if you decide to take assortment of incense, teapots, silk purses, and saris. that perilous train ride to the Forbidden Mountain after Reservations are highly recommended, and can be you dine!)

Photos © Disney 25 · Celebrations Planning Ahead for Your 2017 Vacation s summer draws to a close, I’m sure everyone is thinking about their upcom- Aing fall or holiday Disney vacation, or looking back on the trip you took over the summer. Next year may seem a long way away, but it’s still a good time to be- gin thinking about your Disney travels for 2017. But why would you want to start planning your 2017 Walt Disney World vacation now? Well for starters, a Walt Disney World vacation is unlike any other vacation; largely because there is so much to do and there are so many options available to you to plan your perfect vacation. Be- By Elizabeth Mallers cause of that, it definitely helps set aside some extra time for planning. You can go to Walt Disney World again and again and enjoy a totally different experience every time. With that being said, this would be a great time to start thinking about how your family will make their next set of Disney memories. Since Walt Disney World has released their 2017 rates back on June 21, 2016, this is the perfect time to book next year’s vacation. In addition to being able to lock in your rates, you’ll also have lots of time to plan and budget for your trip. Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind as you put together your perfect Disney vacation: 1. Resort Availability If you book your vacation well in advance, you’ll find that there will be lots of re- sort and room options available. For example, if you have your heart set on Port Or- leans French Quarter, or if you want to stay in a certain room in a particular resort, the earlier you book your vacation the better. This is especially true if you want to book a popular resort (such as a Little Mermaid room at Disney’s Art of Animation) during a busy season like the holidays. Another perk of booking early is that you’ll be able to lock in the price. If Disney raises their prices on tickets or resorts, your cost won’t be affected since you’ve Elizabeth fell in love with Disney locked in at the lower price. But what about the flip side? What if Disney offers a bet- World as a little girl and has contin- ued to visit again and again. She has ter rate a few months later? No worries! Disney will allow you to rebook at the lower experience traveling to Disney with rate, as long as there is availability at the resort. There really isn’t anything to lose. a child with severe food allergies. 2. Working Out a Budget Elizabeth is an agent with Destina- Planning a vacation in advance gives you plenty of time to plan to budget and, if tions to Explore, an Authorized Dis- need be, to be able to slowly pay off your Disney vacation. Disney only requires a $200 ney Vacation Planner. She is ready deposit to book your vacation; from there you can make as many payments as you to help you plan a magical Disney vacation, all at no cost to you! Go to would like to make your expenditure more manageable. celebrationspress.com/plan-trip/, Many Guests use Disney’s own “Disney Savings Account” to help them save up for for a free quote. their vacation. This program helps you estimate the cost of your vacation, create a plan for your budget, track your progress online, and use the savings from the account to book as well as pay for the vacation. Guests who use the Disney Savings Account will also be eligible for a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1,000 spent on quali- fying vacation purchases, up to $500. For more information on this program, go to https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com. 3. When To Go Planning ahead of time also allows you to decide what time of the year is best for your family trip. Do you need to plan around a school calendar? Would you like to go during Disney’s value season? Do you use a crowd predictor to help determine the

26 · Celebrations best time to go? Or are you planning a holiday trip or other tic Moroccan food? If so, Disney has a restaurant for you! Be family celebration? No matter what your planning strategy sure to look at all the delicious, amazing restaurants that is, getting started well ahead of time will always afford you Walt Disney World has to offer. the most options. You can also decide what type of resort Guests staying on Disney property can make their Fast- you’d like to stay at. Do you want to stay on property? (Of Pass+ selections 60 days prior to their vacation, while Guests course you do!) Do you need a budget friendly resort, or staying off property can make them 30 days out. As with perhaps a large family suite? Or are you looking to enjoy a the Disney restaurants, you’ll want to make your + luxurious Disney vacation at one of their beautiful Deluxe reservations well in advance, particularly for popular at- Resorts? tractions like Toy Story Mania, Soarin’ Around the World, You can also take the opportunity to plan other activities the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and . Be sure to sign that you can enjoy between park visits. Does your family en- up for your My Disney Experience Account. The My Disney joy spending time at the pool? Do they like to play miniature Experience app allows you to keep track of your dining res- golf or go to water parks? There are many different activi- ervations and FastPass selections. ties that you can enjoy, and a bit of research now can make 5. Time to Enjoy for some lasting memories later. I know this goes without saying, but having time to 4. Restaurants and FastPasses dream is one of the best parts of planning a Disney vaca- Walt Disney World Resort Guests can make Advanced Din- tion. Whether it’s your family’s first visit to the Most Magical ing Reservations (or ADRs) up to 180 days before their trip. Place on Earth, or your 31st time there, you’ll love being able For those really hard-to-get reservations like Be Our Guest to have time to savor the anticipation of your upcoming va- or Chef Mickey’s , this is practically a must-do strategy (es- cation. Not only does it give you time to plan, but you’ll also pecially if you’ll be going at a busy time of year). Being able be able to go online and check out the newest attractions to set up your dining reservations on the first day you are and restaurants, or take a virtual tour of a new resort. You eligible increases your chances of getting these highly cov- can also explore Disney’s website and discover new things eted tables. that your family can try, whether it’s a behind-the-scenes Walt Disney World has so many food and restaurant op- tour or a holiday party. I always try to convince my family to tions that it can be intimidating at first, but don’t let that try something new on each vacation, and I love to be able to stop you. If your family has anyone with food allergies, don’t look at crowd predictors and map out itineraries. worry! Disney can handle it and does a fantastic job with food allergies. Do you want to dine with Disney Princesses Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be intimidat- or characters? No problem! Disney has several wonderful ing, but it doesn’t have to be, because with a little bit of ad- restaurants where you can meet Disney characters and vanced homework, planning, and of course pixie dust, your even get autographs. You can even try a new and exotic Disney vacation will be an amazing, memorable, and magi- cuisine. For example, does your family want to try authen- cal trip.

Photo © Disney 27 · Celebrations Disney Artwork on the Disney Cruise Line e’re all Disney fans. We absorb the full spectrum of its entertainment offer- Wings. We admire the antics of the classic “fab five” characters of Mickey and friends, we fondly regale in the era of classic live-action films, and the animation renaissance ushered in with The Little Mermaid. Seeing the animation results on the silver screen is magical, but having a deeper understanding of the work that creat- ed is sometimes elusive. Story panel sketches, concept art, and animator notes help us better appreciate the craftsmanship of animation. The challenge, though, is how and where to find such treasures. The Disney Archives is off limits to visitors, as is By Jamie Hecker the Disney Animation Research Library. Occasionally, museums are afforded the op- portunity to display animation treasures, and select events will offer glimpses into Disneyana artifacts. Additionally the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Fran- cisco offers insights into Disney animation. However, a surprising additional source of Disney animation history can be found on all four ships of the Disney Cruise Line. The two original ships, the Magic and Wonder, and the newer, larger ships, the Dream and Fantasy, feature artwork from all facets of Disney’s animation and film history. The restaurant Animator’s Palate may immediately spring to mind, given its feature on classic Disney animation, but that’s not the focus here. Instead, the animation treasures are prominently displayed throughout each vessel. The easiest way to navigate around the ships is via three massive staircases — for- ward, midship and aft — that connect the numerous decks. Naturally, each one offers prominent vistas to display works of art on the wall. While all the originals are safely back in Burbank at the Disney Archives or the Disney Animation Research Library, full- size reproductions of sketches and concept work from all eras of Disney animation are prominently displayed on the four Disney Cruise Line ships. The photos here are all from the Wonder, and each ship may have its own unique set of artwork to be en- joyed. That’s a prime incentive to experience each Disney Cruise Line ship! The artwork can be broken down into several eras of Disney animation. First are Jamie Hecker has been a lifelong fan of Disney, and is passing on his the classic shorts, notably featuring the Fab Five of Mickey Mouse, , love to his sons. He and his family , , and . Feature Length animation from the mid-century visit Orlando annually and always is equally represented, along with more contemporary animated features. Finally, look forward to their next trip. there are magnificent costume design sketches for classic live-action films. When not in Orlando, he resides Long before and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney animation focused on short in northern Virginia with his pieces, notably featuring Mickey Mouse and his cohorts, and the more exploratory beautiful wife Suzanne, two boys and four cats. series of animated pieces. Disney continued to produce these shorts You can read more about his side-by-side with animated features. Most of the artwork on the Wonder is from “hidden Disney” musings at this timeframe. Some of the notable titles include: Orphan’s Benefit (1934), Mickey’s myhiddendisney.blogspot.com/ Surprise Party (1939), Sea Scouts (1939), Donald’s Vacation (1940), Tugboat Mickey (1940), The Nifty Nineties (bottom left) (1941) and Mickey’s Delayed Date (top left) (1947). In this era, Goofy had his own series of “how to” shorts. and How to Swim, both re- leased in 1942, are prominently displayed. Artwork from other classic Goofy shorts is onboard, featuring The Olympic Champ (1942) and Tennis Racquet (1949). The Wonder also features artwork from several feature length animation clas- sics. (top right), released in 1940, was Disney’s ambitious project of matching classic music to fanciful animation. Several concept sketches from the film can be found onboard the Wonder. Other mid-century animated features with artwork on

28 · Celebrations the Wonder include (1953) and Alice in Wonderland the Vista Gallery. All four ships have this boutique that sells (1951). Contemporary animated features are also enshrined licensed artwork, centered on the themes of that particular under glass for Guests to see. Animation from , Disney Cruise Line, and the Disney theme parks to a lesser an updated telling of the original, and the modern classic degree. One noted artist whose work is featured in the Vista , hang nearby. Gallery is Joe Kaminski. The available artwork will rotate as Live-action movies, alongside animation, are central to sales are made, but keep a sharp eye out for Kaminski’s col- Disney entertainment. Before the director yelled ‘action!,’ orful Pluto (bottom right) decked out in sailor attire, as well plenty of pre-production work had to be done. For example, as his interpretation of other classic Disney characters. costume designers sketched out how the actors would be The Disney Cruise line offers an exciting array of experi- clothed. Several costume reference sketches can be found ences that complement a visit to the theme parks in either on the Wonder, including Mary Poppins (bottom middle), The Anaheim or Orlando. The next time you’re plying the warm Happiest Millionaire, and Pollyanna. waters of the Caribbean Sea aboard one of Mickey’s vessels, What if you want to disembark a Disney Cruise Line ship take a few minutes to enjoy the vast history of Disney ani- with some unique Disney-inspired art? Then head over to mation that can be found onboard.

29 · Celebrations The Lands That Florida Forgot here is no disputing that the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park are similar in Ttheir layout and design. Many attractions in the Magic Kingdom are practically replicas of Disneyland’s attractions, if not inspired by Walt’s original attractions. Now, with the coming addition of Star Wars lands to both coasts, there will likely be yet another similar property found at the east and west coast resorts. But despite sharing a few echoes of one another, Disneyland still packs a highly original punch for Guests who are more accustomed to the Magic Kingdom. Here are a few notable differences.

By J Darling Disneyland has New Orleans Square – and Pirates and Ghosts live there. Long before the Princess met her Frog, Walt Disney opted to include this slice of Americana to house two of Disneyland’s most iconic and original attractions. Part of Frontierland was leveled to created a home’land’ for the Southern Bayou-inspired Haunted Mansion and a Pirate’s Wax museum. In fact, work on itself was interrupted when Walt participated in the 1964-1965 World’s Fair. Designing attrac- tions for that event lead to serious technological advancements that all Guests are grateful for now. In fact, Guests who enjoy should give a nod of thanks to It’s A Small World. The lessons learned from the exhibition of It’s a Small World for the World’s Fair were taken to the next level for that attraction. The idea, which began as a Pirate’s Wax Museum, had evolved into an enduring classic. But what about the Haunted Mansion? Well, the achingly beautiful Plantation manor with pristinely manicured gardens stood empty. Lessons learned from the creation of Pirates of the Caribbean were assimilated into the already-planned J Darling is a native and Haunted Mansion attraction, along with a good number of old theater tricks… life long Disney fan. Her parents first the most famous being the Pepper’s Ghost illusion. This trick of light and mirrors took her to Disneyland when she was (and, in Disney’s case, Audio-) helps to populate the banquet hall with 2 years old. According to them, her ghosts. (Though the observant Guests may notice that the ghosts are dancing a bit eyes just popped out of her head, and of an unconventional waltz – the ladies are leading the men!) The Haunted Mansion apparently they never went back in. opened in 1969. Outside of her Disney fandom, J is a singer, songwriter, blogger, and The Magic Kingdom didn’t miss out on these two headliner attractions. As in Dis- theatrical actress. neyland, Pirates of the Caribbean was a bit late to the party. At first, Disney believed You can find her music at that Florida was too close to the actual Caribbean for Guests to be interested in a www.jdarlingmusic.com fanciful cruise through pirate infested waters. But Guest demand quickly proved and on Myspace at them wrong. Needing a home for the adventure (since there was no New Orleans www.jdarlingmusicmyspace.com. Her Square – and the real New Orleans French Quarter wasn’t too far away – the Imagi- blogs are available at www.jjourneybook.blogspot.com. neers opted to plant the Magic Kingdom’s variation of the attraction in Adven- tureland. The Haunted Mansion also found a home in the Magic Kingdom, but not among mossy willow trees and Plantation theming. The Haunted Mansion of the Magic Kingdom was planted in Liberty Square. Its unusual British Colonial façade adds to the New England inspired area, complete with Liberty Bell.

The Toons Live Here In 1988, Mickey Mouse had his own Diamond Anniversary as he turned 60. To cel- ebrate this milestone, the Magic Kingdom opened Mickey’s Birthdayland. In 1990, it

30 · Celebrations was remodeled into Mickey’s Starland, and the area took on Kingdom at the Faire, but this is his home. a Holiday overlay in December of 1995 to become Mickey’s Eventually, Mickey and his friends opted to let Disney- Toyland before eventually settling on Mickey’s Toontown land’s Guests in on their secret. They dug a tunnel under Fair. At least, for a little while… the railroad to allow Guests to come to them. Mickey’s usu- In February of 2011, Mickey’s Toontown Fair moved on to ally working away tirelessly in his Movie Barn, just beyond make way for the expanded Fantasyland. In Disneyland, his house, making his house a fun, interactive queue for however, there is no plan to add to Fantasyland, so Mickey’s younger Guests waiting to see the Big Cheese face to face. Toontown isn’t going anywhere. As with many Disney at- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is a Disneyland original and tractions and lands, Mickey’s Toontown has an elaborate can only be found in this Toontown. Gadget (the lovable backstory. tinkering mouse from the Rescue Rangers series) even built As the story goes, Mickey moved to a Toon suburb hidden a little coaster of her own here. Like its Barnstormer cousin in Anaheim in the 1930s. He opted for the simple life, rather in the Magic Kingdom, this is a great first coaster for many than any mansion Hollywood would have to offer such a young Guests. Instead of riding on an airplane, Guests get super star. His friends followed him, building their houses a quick zip through the world as if they were mouse-sized nearby. After all, good friends make good neighbors, right? themselves. Across the street from Mickey’s House is Goofy’s Playhouse While there were initially rumors that Star Wars land and Donald’s Boat. Chip n’ Dale’s Treehouse is at the top of would land on top of Toontown, those have since proven to the loop, making up Mickey’s quiet little suburb, while Min- be just whispers and Mickey’s house is safe from the trouble nie moved in next door. According to the tale, When Walt found in ‘galaxies far far away.’ Even though a good piece of went looking for a location for Disneyland, Mickey pointed the park is currently closed while Star Wars land material- him towards the large orange grove nearby to build the izes, there are plenty of reasons for Guests who take a walk park. It made it much easier for Mickey and his friends to go through Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom to come between the park and their homes, so they were available and visit Sleeping Beauty as well. It’s easy to draw compari- at a moment’s notice to meet and greet Disneyland’s Guests sons between the two parks, but it’s clear that they have every day. Mickey still traveled to meet Guests at the Magic their own unique forms of pixie dust to share.

Photo © Disney 31 · Celebrations By Chris Smith

32 · Celebrations Main Photo © Disney, Inset Photos © Tim Foster elcome Foolish Mortals, to the Haunted Man- How the Stole Christmas television special. Wsion…or, more appropriately, an article about • The sea captain’s crypt is a tribute to one of the early the Haunted Mansion! With Halloween right around the backstory concepts for the Haunted Mansion, and its corner, not to mention the attraction’s forty-fifth anni- inscription reads, “Here floats Captain Culpepper Cline, versary, what better time to board a proverbial “Doom allergic to dirt so he’s pickled in brine.” Buggy” and take a ride through one of the most beloved • The tombstones located just outside of the Haunted attractions in all of Walt Disney World. Mansion are some of the most iconic queue props in The Haunted Mansion is a classic Disney “” lo- all of Walt Disney World. They serve to add the Marc Da- cated in Liberty Square. The attraction has entertained vis style of comedy to the attraction, while also paying Guests since the park’s opening day, October 1, 1971, and tribute to some of Disney’s most influential Imagineers combines a breathtaking Dutch-Gothic show building, who contributed to this famous attraction. A few high- a richly detailed queue, energetic Cast Members, won- lights include: “Master Gracey Laid to Rest. No Mourning derful theme music, and both classic and cutting-edge Please, at His Request”; “In Memory of our Patriarch Dear special effects to create perhaps Departed Grandpa Marc”; “Rest in the most thematically detailed Peace Cousin Huet. We All Know attraction in all of Walt Disney You Didn’t Do it”; “At Peaceful Rest World Lies Brother Claude Planted Here So follow me on a journey Beneath this Sod.” through antebellum mansions and Dutch-Gothic manor houses, There’s Room for One More... stretching rooms and Doom Bug- Any Takers? gies, singing busts and Pepper’s “Welcome, foolish mortals, to the ghosts, Little Leotas and hitchhik- Haunted Mansion. I am your host, ing ghosts. Follow me on a journey your...ghost host. Kindly step all through the Haunted Mansion. the way in please and make room for everyone. There’s no turning A Hauntingly Immersive Queue back now.” The queue for the Haunted Once the Haunted Mansion Mansion is one of the best in all of doors open, Guests enter a dimly- Walt Disney World, and immerses lit foyer where they first hear the Guests in the story telling expe- voice of their “ghost host”, a spooky rience long before they actually narrator voiced by “the man of a step inside the spooky Manor. While there are far too thousand voices” Paul Frees. During his Disney career, many fun details in the queue to exhaustively list (in- Frees voiced Professor Ludwig Von Drake in the Dis- cluding numerous interactive elements added during a ney anthology television series Walt Disney’s Wonder- 2011 refurbishment), a few of my favorite details include: ful World of Color, as well as the famous “Auctioneer” in • A series of dramatic busts actually tell the story of a Pirates of the Caribbean (he also recorded the echoing murder mystery. Make sure to stop and examine the “Dead Men Tell no Tales” used in Pirates). Due to his sub- numerous clues found on these busts to decide for stantial contributions to the Disney Company (only a yourself what really happened. portion of which is mentioned above), Frees was select- • The organ featured in the queue is labeled a “Raven- ed as Disney Legend posthumously on October 9, 2006. scroft,” a reference to famed voice talent Thurl Raven- Guests next enter the “stretching room”, an octagonal scroft, whose voice is featured as one of the singing room featuring four brilliant paintings of previous resi- busts in the attraction. Ravenscroft also famously dents of the Haunted Mansion hanging high above. The voiced of fame and sang, ceiling of the room actually “stretches,” revealing the sin- “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” in the famous Dr. Seuss’ ister fate of those depicted therein. Following another

33 · Celebrations scare, a secret passageway is revealed to Guests, who are ball. Thanks to a 2007 refurbishment, the crystal ball now then funneled into a pathway (not good for claustropho- levitates above the table, as Madame Leota chants: bics) before boarding constantly moving ride vehicles, ap- “Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat...Call in the spirits, wher- propriately named “Doom Buggies.” Don’t worry about pull- ever they’re at. Rap on a table, it’s time to respond...Send us ing down on the lap bar, as the Ghost Host will do it for you. a message from somewhere beyond. Goblins and ghoulies Guests next pass through a library filled with priceless from last Halloween...Awaken the spirits with your tam- first editions…“only ghost stories, of course.” The marble bourine! Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond...Let there be busts of “ghost writers” eerily follow guests as the Doom music from regions beyond! Wizards and witches, wherever Buggies slowly pass into the Music Room where a piano sits you dwell...Give us a hint by ringing a bell.” in in the middle of the moonlight-filled room, seemingly After each incantation, a musical instrument rings out playing itself. to acknowledge that the spirits have heard her call. Eleanor The Doom Buggies then climb an endless staircase, with Audley masterfully provided the voice of Madame Leota. observant Guests seeing ghoulish green footprints climb- Audley also voiced Lady Tremaine and in the clas- ing the countless steps. Guests next pass an “endless hallway” sic Disney animated films Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. with a candelabra with three flickering candles floating in After leaving the séance, Guests enter perhaps the most the distance, a glass conservatory with a body in a coffin famous attraction scene in any Walt Disney World attrac- not yet ready to be buried, and a very ominous corridor of tion, the Ballroom. The scene is filled with numerous ghosts doors, with numerous screams and desperate calls for help dancing, dueling, flying, and generally having a haunting echoing over the door knockers that are mysteriously bang- good time across an enormous multilevel ballroom. Nota- ing themselves. bly, this is the first time in the attraction that Guests actu- Guests next enter a captivating séance scene led by Ma- ally see ghosts, indicating that Madame Leota’s séance was dame Leota, whose head is hauntingly encased in a crystal indeed successful.

34 · Celebrations Photos © Tim Foster The ghouls appear in and out of sight to the amazement update, these comical apparitions now hilariously interact of Guests young and old. A large dining table has a series of with Guests, with each appearing in a series of reflections ghostly guests, including one apparently celebrating a “death to be riding with Guests in their respective Doom Buggies. day” as he is blowing out candles on a cake. A ghostly musician The attraction ends with our Ghost Host stating: plays a replica of Captain Nemo’s massive organ from the Dis- “Ah, there you are, and just in time! There’s a little matter I ney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Portraits of two duel- forgot to mention. Beware of hitchhiking ghosts! They have ists come alive and fire shots at one another. selected you to fill our quota, and they’ll haunt you until you Although many Guests believe that the breathtaking vi- return! Now I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will fol- sual effects in the Ballroom are computer-generated holo- low you home!” grams, they are in fact produced by a very old magician’s trick Fun Finds known as Pepper’s Ghost, where • The columns beside the Man- Guests view images reflected off sion’s front door are shaped as of mirrors. This simple effect was coffins. proposed by Rolly Crump and Yale • Vases on the outside of the Gracey in the early development Haunted Mansion are actually of Disneyland’s version of the burial urns. Haunted Mansion, and continues • The hearse seen outside of the to captivate Guests today. Haunted Mansion is an authentic The Doom Buggies next ascend Civil War relic that was featured into the attic, where a variety of in the 1965 film The wedding pictures depict “Con- Sons of Katie Elder. stance Hatchaway” with numer- • Floor grates in the foyer look like ous husbands whose heads dis- monsters. appear and reappear…indicating • The grandfather clock in the “cor- their fate. The last scene in the at- ridor of doors” is actually a de- tic is of Constance herself, with a mon. Look for the clock “face” and hatchet appearing and disappear- the pendulum “tail.” Also look for ing in her hands. the sign that reads “Tomb Sweet Guests depart the attic onto a Tomb.” balcony before falling backwards • In the ballroom scene, a hearse into a very boisterous grave- has actually backed in to the yard scene. It is at this point that room spilling a casket from Guests see the famous Caretaker which numerous ghosts escape. and his dog, observing the ghost- • In the attic, Constance wears ly sights in utter dismay. As was the same wedding dress in each the case with the Ballroom scene, there is so much detail picture, but has an additional string of pearls with each in the graveyard that it is almost impossible to see every- successive picture. thing. Some of the more entertaining sights are a ghostly • Upon exiting the attraction Guests pass by a wall of burial band, five amazingly detailed busts singing the attraction’s crypts. The humorous names on these crypts include “C.U. theme song, “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” and an arm holding a Later,” “Manny Festation,” and “Wee G. Board.” trowel walling itself in a crypt. As Guests depart the grave- • Don’t miss the pet cemetery on the left of the exit walkway, yard scene, a very spooky “Little Leota” reminds Guests to and the tombstone of its most famous resident, James hurrrrryyyyy baaackkkkk. Thaddeus Toad, Esq. (For more information on this famous The attraction ends with Guests encountering three cemetery resident, be sure to read the feature on Mr. Toad hitchhiking ghosts. Thanks to a 2011 refurbishment and later in this issue!)

35 · Celebrations By Lori Elias

36 · Celebrations hen one thinks of movie sequels, one doesn’t neces- ing scene required more than a year’s worth of drawing and Wsarily anticipate waiting from 2003 until 2016 to find programming from 18 artists, in addition to the work done out what happens next! But considering that this summer’s by the team’s riggers, modelers, and shaders. In order to ac- runaway hit, Finding Dory, was never supposed to be made at complish a lifelike depiction of Dory’s underwater world, all, thirteen years doesn’t seem quite so long at all, does it? another piece of software, Presto, was used for the move- Writer and director Andrew Stanton did not expect to ments of the fish, and thanks to USD, was able to be utilized create Finding Dory, or “Finding-Anyone-Else-from-Finding- with other applications. Nemo”; he thought that, though the original Disney-Pixar So the technology was in place; now the creative team film was enormously successful and loved by fans and crit- had to provide the information for the programs and ap- ics alike, the story had been told, and that was that. Around plications to do their jobs. The team spent a significant 2010, however, Dory would swim into his mind, and the amount of time studying the behaviors of the various ani- question of what would happen if she should get lost began mals at a number of aquariums, particularly the Monterey to nibble at him. Bay Aquarium in northern California. (This particular facil- Though thirteen years may have passed in our time, only ity was the inspiration for the look of the movie’s Marine a year has passed between the end of and Life Institute as well.) Cameras were placed underwater in where Finding Dory picks up the story, but while little time order to see how light was transmitted beneath the sur- has passed in their world, the perspective in Finding Dory is face, and to see the world from a “fish-eye view.” significantly different than that of the first film. Stanton’s co-director Angus MacLane acknowledged that keeping a Bringing the Characters to Life character who was originally intended to serve as a sup- All of these new techniques and precise research strate- porting role at the forefront of the story posed a particular gies call for an equally superb voice cast, and as usual, Dis- challenge. Especially with a cast of characters as large as ney attracted the best in the business. The cast of Finding those in both films, it is very easy to get lost in the crowd! Dory featured a number of returning actors, as well as new The writers and animators made special efforts to keep talent. Who else but Ellen DeGeneres could fill Dory’s fins? Dory at the center of the action, regardless of all that was Though she caught her break in self-titled sit-coms of the going on around her. This meant reducing the exposure of 1990s and early 2000s, her contributions to Finding Nemo, as key characters, notably Marlin and Nemo, for whom an en- well as the talk show she has hosted since 2003, have kept tire subplot was cut completely (though it is hoped by the her at the forefront of the entertainment industry. creative team that this story will be included on the up- Also reprising his role was Albert Brooks as Marlin. The coming DVD). longtime character actor has appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Taxi Driver (1976), Broad- Creating A Big Blue World cast News (1987) and the Showtime series . He has also Like all Disney-Pixar films, Finding Dory utilizes new ad- found a niche in voice acting, also lending his talents to Dr. vancements in animation technology. Universal Scene De- Dolittle (1998), Movie (2007), and The Secret Life of scription software was designed to improve the animation Pets (2016). He also frequently contributes to the Simpsons process. Simply put, USD makes it easier to streamline data television series. from a variety of animation applications, so that charac- Pixar’s creative team members have a history of lending ters, objects, and scenes can be more easily combined. their plethora of talents to not only the making of the film, While Renderman software has been used for every Pix- but also its performance. While new to voice-acting where ar release, a new edition, Renderman RIS (which allows for the Finding Nemo franchise is concerned, animator Angus more realistic lighting effects) was used for this film, mak- MacLane stepped out from behind the animator’s desk to ing the water scenes appear more life-like. Katana software give life to the sunfish Charlie Back-and-Forth. His behind- was also employed to enhance this lighting process. the-scenes credits include A Bug’s Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), Sea creatures are particularly difficult to animate, as Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo, The Incredibles (2004), Cars they are constantly moving and do not have the bone (2006), Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), Up (2009), and Toy structure of mammals and humans; this was particularly Story 3 (2010). problematic in working with Hank the octopus. His open- Jerome Ranft, a sculptor for A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Mon-

Artwork © Disney 37 · Celebrations sters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, John Carter (2012), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds, Big) as Coral, Geoffrey Rush (Pirates and Brave (2012), voiced Jacques. Sadly, he was replacing his of the Caribbean, Shine, The King’s Speech) as Nigel, Stephen brother, Pixar writer Joe Ranft, who passed away in a car Root (Boardwalk Empire, No Country for Old Men) as Bubbles, accident in California in 2005. Joe had also held a major role and Vicki Lewis (NewsRadio, Rugrats) as Deb and Flo. in the creation of a number of Disney films, having contrib- Alexander Gould, the original voice of Nemo, was not yet uted to the stories of (1987), Oliver and ten years old when the original film was released. Thirteen Company (1988), The Lion King (1991), Toy Story (for which he years later, his voice had matured, thus making him too old voiced Lenny the Binoculars), A Bug’s Life (also playing Heim- to play the part, though he does make a cameo “appearance” lich) and Cars (voicing Red, Recycled Batteries and Peterbilt). in Finding Dory as Passenger Carl! The new Nemo was played Pixar animator and writer Bob Peterson, who earned an by Hayden Rolence, performing his first role in a full-length Academy Award nomination for the screenplay of Finding feature film. Nemo, returned to voice Nemo’s teacher, Mr. Ray. Peterson Likewise, Nicholas Bird, the original Squirt and son of Pix- has crossed the creative team-performer aisle in other Dis- ar writer and director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille), ney films, voicing Roz in both Monsters, Inc. and Monsters Uni- was too old to reprise his role. He was replaced by Bennett versity (2013) and Dug and Alpha in Up. Dammann, making his cinematic debut, as were Sloane Andrew Stanton, the voice of Crush in both films, has Murray and Lucia Geddes, who played young and tween not only voiced an iconic Disney character, but has helped Dory, respectively. to create him as well…along with a host of other beloved Ed O’Neill, once the longtime star of television’s Married… stories. Stanton has served as a writer for a host of Disney- with Children and now of Modern Family, voices Hank the oc- Pixar blockbusters, including Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life, Toy topus. Nestled in between these highly successful sit-coms Story 2, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Toy Story 3, as well as the live-ac- are a number of other roles in series that include Big Apple, tion filmJohn Carter and both Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Dragnet, John from Cincinnati, and a recurring role on The Like his colleague Bob Peterson, he has provided voices in West Wing. Finding Dory is his second film for Disney; he also a number of their company’s films as well, notably the Evil voiced Mr. Litwak in Wreck-It Ralph (2012). Emperor Zurg in Toy Story 2 and Fred in Cars. O’Neill’s Modern Family co-star, Ty Burrell, portrayed beluga Other Finding Nemo returnees included Brad Garrett (Ra- whale Bailey. Like O’Neill, he too has already performed for tatouille, Everybody Love Raymond) as Bloat, Willem Dafoe (Spi- Disney in the past, portraying Big Jack in the Disney Chan- der-Man, Platoon) as Gill, Allison Janney (The West Wing, Juno) nel’s hit series Doc McStuffins and Jean Pierre Napoleon in as Peach, Austin Pendleton (Oz, A Beautiful Mind) as Gurgle, Muppets Most Wanted (2014).

38 · Celebrations Artwork ©Disney Fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia might have recog- Finding Dory Fascinating Facts nized the voice of Destiny the whale shark, Kaitlin Olson, • The first trailer forFinding Dory premiered on Ellen DeGe- who plays Dee Reynolds in the popular series. Her television neres’s self-titled television show. resume dates back several years, with recurring and regular • Sigourney Weaver, who introduces herself by name in the roles in The Drew Carey Show and . film, is the voice of the intercom at the Marine Life Insti- Two recent Disney voice actors have added Finding Dory to tute. She filled the same role for WALL-E, which shares Find- their Disney resume. Bill Hader, who gave voice to Fear in In- ing Dory’s director, Andrew Stanton. side Out (2014) played Stan, while Idris Elba (Fluke) completed • Hank has only seven tentacles, rather than the usual eight. his 2016 Disney trifecta, having voiced Chief Bogo in While this is explained by a backstory in the film, the ac- and Shere Khan in The Jungle Book. tual reason is that the animators were unable to fit eight Rounding out the principal voice cast were comic super- onto his character! star Eugene Levy (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show) as Char- • Nemo and Marlin ask a clam, voiced by director Andrew lie and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton (Annie Hall, the Stanton, how he is doing. The clam’s exclamation, “I’m hap- Godfather franchise) as Jenny. py!” is a subtle play on the familiar expression, “happy as a As of this writing, Finding Dory is enjoying a successful clam.” opening, with an anticipated run long into the summer • It would not be a Disney-Pixar release without John Rat- of 2016. In less than three weeks, the film has already come zenberger! In Finding Dory, he plays a crab named Bill. within $300,000 of matching the Finding Nemo’s total box • Four basic design themes were created for the movie: cir- office returns, so it safe to assume that Finding Dory will go cles, which are considered safe spaces for the fish, such as down not only as one of Disney – and filmdom’s – most suc- the coral reef; open spaces, which are more intimidating, cessful sequels, but also one of the most successful films of as they offer fewer places to hide from predators; rhyth- the Disney lexicon. Thirteen years has turned out to be well mic spaces, as illustrated by the kelp forest; and linear/rect- worth the wait! angular spaces for the human world.

39 · Celebrations Arendelle Arrives at Epcot By Tim Foster

40 · Celebrations Photo © Disney 41 · Celebrations “In Arendelle’s fair kingdom, a ruler did appear. at the Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom. While Born with a secret power so great, alone, she stayed in fear. wait times continued to be long, Guests could now take ad- Although the force was hidden, one day she . vantage of FastPass+ to visit the sisters in their new home. And all the land was covered in eternal ice and snow.” In July of 2014, Disney announced that “Frozen Summer Fun” would be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests n June 18, 2013, an unassuming trailer was released by could participate in all sorts of Frozen-related shows and OWalt Disney Pictures for a new animated feature that events, including parades, a sing-a-long show, a special fire- would arrive in theaters later that year. The amusing trailer works display, and even an indoor skating rink. The frost- featured the antics of a whimsical snowman and hungry filled merriment was originally meant to run through reindeer, both vying for the snowman’s carrot-nose that September 1, but like all things Frozen, the gala proved to be had landed on a frozen pond (thanks to a comical snow- so popular that the event would be extended for another man sneeze). The slipping-sliding attempt by the reindeer month. to walk over the ice brought to mind a similar scene in In Disneyland, & ’s Boutique opened in Octo- , and as the scene faded to black the title of this new ber of that year, replacing the Studio Disney 365 store in Disney feature filled the screen: Frozen. the area. The boutique offers young But what was Frozen going to be about? Judging by the Disney Guests the opportunity to get a Frozen makeover, scene from the trailer, it looked like it was going to be a sto- transforming into Anna, Elsa, or . Similarly, kids can get ry about the zany adventures of a snowman and a reindeer. dressed up as Anna or Elsa at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique But as Disney fans soon found out, this was to be a Princess locations in both the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. story based on a classic Christian Andersen tale, The At the same time, more Frozen magic would arrive at Walt Snow Queen. Disney had in fact announced the upcoming Disney World with the debut of For the First Time in Forev- film in December of 2011 after the success of . (Plans er: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show at Disney’s Holly- for bringing The Snow Queen to the screen actually go all wood Studios. The show originally debuted at the Premiere the way back to late 1937, right after the release of Snow Theater in the Streets of America, and subsequently moved White and the Seven Dwarfs, but that’s a tale for another time!) into the Hyperion Theater at Echo Lake (the former home In August of 2013 (a couple of months after the trailer was of the American Idol Experience show), in July 2015. released), performed the film’s signature song, The enchanting show retells the story of Anna and Elsa “Let It Go,” at the D23 Expo. The film premiered on November with the help of two historians, with the help of classic scenes 19, 2013, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, from the film shown on a large screen. Audience members and went on to earn over $1.2 billion (yes, that’s “billion” with are invited to sing along with the movie’s most popular songs, a “b”!), making it the highest grossing animated feature of all including the Academy Award winning “Let It Go.” For those time, as well as the ninth highest grossing film of any kind. who don’t remember the words (if there are any of you left), on-screen lyrics guide you along the way, and you’ll also get Anna and Elsa Come to the Parks some help from Anna, Elsa, and . The show features As the film made its mark on history, the characters dazzling scenery and breathtaking special effects, making started appearing in Disney parks around the world. At this a must-see experience for any Frozen fan. first, Anna and Elsa were on hand for meet-and-greets to But the biggest news was yet to come…an all-new Frozen- promote the release of the film, and were only intended to based attraction that would whisk Guests off to Arendelle be there temporarily. But by February of next year it was where they would be able to relive the magic and wonder of clear that the pair were extremely popular, so Disney ex- the film as if they were really there. tended their stay indefinitely. In fact, wait times to see Anna and Elsa were extraordinary; sometimes reaching four or Arendelle Comes to five hours, or more! At the time, the sisters had taken up The attraction’s origins actually go all the way back residence in the , but it was clear to September 12, 2014, when Chief Operating Officer Tom that a new, permanent home needed to be created. And so Staggs announced the new attraction on the Disney Blog. In in April of 2014, Anna and Elsa moved into their new home the announcement, Staggs reflected back on Walt Disney’s

42 · Celebrations Photo © Disney promise that Disneyland would never be completed, and (though there were many who were saddened that Mael- that this idea still holds true today, inspired by the film that strom would be closing), but there were many fans that “…captured the hearts and minds of people around the questioned the idea of bringing a Disney-based attraction world.” The new attraction would replace the to a World Showcase pavilion (similar to the arrival of the attraction in Epcot’s Norway pavilion, and would immerse Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, which re- Guests in the world of Arendelle with the help of beloved placed the original attraction in the Mex- scenes and songs from the film. (Maelstrom would close ico pavilion). Responding to that concern, Staggs replied, “… permanently on October 5, 2014.) we think the [elements from Frozen] are great complements In the same announcement, Staggs revealed that the to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and characters from Frozen would have a bigger presence region that inspired the film.” The name of the attraction, throughout the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas Frozen Ever After, was also announced, and it was revealed season, including character appearances in “Mickey’s Once that the attraction would include some of the original Upon a Christmastime Parade,” held during Mickey’s Very songs from Frozen, with revised lyrics written by the origi- Merry Christmas Party. nal composers. The attraction would use the same ride system as Mael- At the same time, Disney also announced that elements strom, but would feature new Audio-Animatronic charac- from Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! would be extended through ters that would showcase the same technologies unveiled the holiday season. This included the new gift shop, Wan- for the Animatronic versions of the dwarfs seen in the Sev- dering Oaken’s Trading Post & Frozen Snowground, which en Dwarfs Mine Train attraction. featured a play area with real snow, lots of Frozen-themed The announcement was met with great enthusiasm merchandise, and scrumptious treats like carrot cake cup-

43 · Celebrations 44 · Celebrations Photos © Disney 45 · Celebrations cakes with cream cheese frosting. To top it off, you could share more of the culture and people from the beautiful also catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights shimmering country of Norway. in the night sky. (Wandering Oaken’s would close in 2015 to And indeed, a few months later Disney shared more de- make way for the new Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands tails of the Royal Sommerhus, the future home of the Anna coming to Hollywood Studios.) & Elsa meet and greet to go along with the new attraction. In June of 2015, Disney unveiled some of the conceptual According to Portfolio Creative Executive Kathy Mangum, art for the new attraction, and the dazzling images got “…we’re also expanding the Norway pavilion with the ad- everyone’s imaginations swirling about the ice twinkling dition of the Royal Sommerhus – a charming cabin where scenes that were slowly coming to life. Guests will be able to meet Anna and Elsa. This cabin is based New details were also revealed about the attraction itself. on an actual historic log cabin in Norway. In fact, in order to A Disney press release shared that “…Guests will be trans- make sure we get the character and detailing right, we just ported to the ‘Winter in Summer Celebration,’ where Queen sent our project team to Norway on a research trip to study Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter- the country and its cultural arts and crafts in person, just in-summer day for the entire kingdom. They will also visit as the film team did. We’re confident that this attraction Elsa’s Ice Palace and the ice-blue world of the North Moun- will bring more Guests to the Norway pavilion and increase tain along with other locations before returning to the Bay their interest and knowledge of Norwegian culture, just as of Arendelle.” the World Showcase was intended to do.” It was also revealed that more characters, including the Walt Disney Imagineers traveled to Norway for archi- Snowgies from the animated short “,” would be tecture and design research, specifically visiting the Detli included in the new attraction. The Norway pavilion itself House in Sverresborg and the Open Air Museum of Cultural would be expanded to include more authentic Norwegian History in Trondheim. architectural features, and would also feature more arts and crafts from Norway, helping to not only provide an The Grand Unveiling appropriate setting for meeting Anna and Elsa, but also to At long last, Frozen Ever After opened on June 21, welcom-

46 · Celebrations Photos © Disney ing the first Guests into the magical world of of Arendelle. match their respective personalities; snowflakes and white The experience begins as you walk through the stone wooden shutters for Queen Elsa, and a charming sunflower archway leading to Arendelle, complete with a royal proc- motif for Anna. lamation announcing the Summer Snow Day celebration. Composers Bobby and Kristen Lopez created new lyrics As you make your way through the queue, you’ll catch a for the cherished Frozen film songs, and all of the original glimpse of Kristoff’s icehouse and walk through Oaken’s voice talent from the film returned and recorded dialogue Tokens (be sure to take a watch the sauna door to catch a and songs for the attraction. The attraction makes use glimpse of Oaken doodling in the !). of the same ride mechanism used for Maelstrom, which Once you board your boat, and Olaf will send you off includes a 28-foot drop at the end, and conveyor belts un- through the Willow Forest on your way to Troll Valley and derneath the water that propel the log boats backward on on to the North Mountain. It’s here that Anna and Kristoff their way to the final plunge. welcome you to the Ice Palace (while a whimsical Olaf mer- Frozen Ever After brings the wintry world of Arendelle to rily twirls on the ice). life in ways that no one could have imagined, and in typi- Upon entering the Great Room, you’ll hear the familiar cal Disney fashion, the attraction brings together breath- melody of “Let It Go” (go ahead and sing along, you know taking special effects, state-of-the-art Animatronic figures, you want to!). You’ll encounter a group of merry Snowgies memorable music, and classic story telling to create an ex- as your boat drifts backward down to the Bay of Arendelle. perience that Frozen fans young and old will remember for But the fun’s not over yet; you’ll get the chance to meet a lifetime. You can relive the magic and wonder of the mod- Anna and Elsa in person in their new home in the cozy Royal ern day classic, and truly believe that you’re in an enchanted Sommerhus (the look of which was inspired by a tradition- land of ice, snow, and most of all, magic. al Norwegian cabin in Trondheim). Inside you’ll see a grand “The snow glows white on the mountain tonight collection of family heirlooms throughout the foyer in hon- Not a footprint to be seen or of the Royal Family of Arendelle. Once you’re in the sisters’ A kingdom of isolation, receiving room, you’ll find that the room is decorated to And it looks like I’m the queen.”

47 · Celebrations By Lori Elias

48 · Celebrations ince June 17, one of the most anticipated attraction elephants in Tanzania. From there, Guests swoop over the Sopenings of the summer, Soarin’ Around the World, has bends and turns of the Great Wall of China before returning taken Guests across six continents and thirteen locations to Africa for an up-close-and-personal view of the pyramids to marvel at our planet’s natural beauty, as well as some of Giza, located just outside of Cairo, Egypt. It is then onto of its most recognized man-made edifices. Soarin’ Around the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, India, complete with the the World replaces Soarin’, which debuted at Epcot in 2005, traditional sound of the sitar; across the ocean to the ma- having been a huge success under its original name, Soarin’ jestic red rock formations of Utah’s Monument Valley (and a Over California, which premiered with the opening of Dis- possibly inadvertent hidden Mickey in the hot air balloons ney California Adventure in February 2001. to the right); then doubling back to join outrigger boats While the original attraction took Guests on a hang glid- along the coast of Fiji in the . ing excursion over the Golden State, complete with scents of Guests graze over Iguazu Falls, which flow on the border pine trees and orange groves, Soarin’ Around the World ex- of Argentina and Brazil, and then scale the mighty Eiffel pands its perimeters to the entire globe. Commencing with Tower in Paris. (Fans of Impressions de in the World the mighty Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border, Guests Showcase will appreciate that while the French film uses continue north to the frozen fjords above Norway’s Arctic the powerful chords of Camille Saint-Saëns’s Third Sym- Circle. Next is Sydney Harbour in Australia, with its beautiful phony to provide the backdrop to this titanic landmark, Opera House, then back to Europe, where French horn fan- Soarin’s new score similarly features timpani and brass to fares behold Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. If accompany this impressive sight.) The final destination is the castle seems oddly familiar, it’s because this imposing determined by which park in which the attraction is being structure, visited by Walt and Lillian Disney, served as the viewed: Walt Disney World Guests are returned to Epcot inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. and , while those in Anaheim see Disney- Then it’s back to the southern hemisphere and a herd of land (which means their trip is bookended by views of the

Photos © Disney 49 · Celebrations Matterhorn!). At the newly-opened Shanghai Disney Resort, Guests who experienced the former Soarin’ will remem- where Soarin’ Around the World debuted a day previous to ber that in the holding area before entering the theater, its American openings, Guests see a view of the city’s sky at television screens featured the various California locations, night. New scents and dramatic transitions between scenes such as Malibu, San Diego and Anza-Borrego, emerging from make for an exciting revitalization of the much-loved expe- the clouds as a preview to the film. While the screens have rience. remained, this time Guests are shown a map of the world Not only is Epcot’s film new, but as Guests cross the with the film’s itinerary clearly displayed. threshold into the attraction, they will discover an entirely Some old favorites have stuck around, however: Chief overhauled queue as well. Gone are the neutral ecru and Flight Attendant Patrick, also known as Seinfeld and Rules beige hues of the entrance corridor, and in their place are of Engagement star Patrick Warburton, continues to wel- walls, floors, and ceilings of deep blue. A new interactive come Guests to the revived attraction! And the queue loop game also helps Guests while away their wait times: the music still features melodies from the former attraction, Soarin’ Challenge. While the former queue game involved such as selections from John Williams’s score to Far and four large screens enticing Guests to engage in virtual bird Away (1992), music from The Rocketeer (1991) and Apollo 13 races and garden-building, the new competition is a trivia (1995) by James Horner, as well as the opening themes to test incorporating Guests’ knowledge of the globe, covering Steel Magnolias (1989) by Georges Delarue and the 1978 tele- a wide variety of topics ranging from history and culture series Battlestar Galactica, composed by Stu Phillips. to buildings and traditional foods. Guests are able to access the game on their mobile devices via soarinchallenge.com, Symphony Around the World or use the screens to compete against fellow riders, mak- Music was also a favorite feature of the former Soarin’ ing the wait time go by in a flash. (The updated queue exists film, and Guests who hold Academy Award winner Jerry solely at Epcot; the queue at Disney’s California Adventure Goldsmith’s magnificent soundtrack in their hearts will remains unchanged.) not be disappointed. Emmy Award winner Bruce Brough- And a shorter time in the queue might not be an illusion ton was tapped to score the new film, which was recorded at all! Wait times have been significantly reduced, due to the by the London Studio Orchestra, using Goldsmith’s score addition of a third theater, thus allowing the attraction to as a template. Though his own original compositions are process more Guests through Soarin’ Around the World at a mainstay of Disney parks across the globe, including Ep- one time. cot, he can claim the much-loved music for current and

50 · Celebrations past attractions that include Spaceship Earth, O’ Canada, ference between the two scores is most noticeable are in Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Timekeeper, and Honey, I Shrunk specific places like Africa, China, or India. In these sections, the Audience, as well as Cinemagique in – there are some musical references to the actual locations. In Broughton was delighted to use Goldsmith’s music to help China, for example, we use the erhu, the Chinese violin, and bring the new attraction to life, and he is quick to credit the guzheng, a distinctive sort of Chinese zither or harp. In his predecessor. “The grandeur and wonder of the music is these cases, you’re looking at the Great Wall, but you are also in large part an element of the original theme. If anyone hearing some aural reference from the country itself. The walked away from this new film thinking that it, too, was a other challenge in adapting Jerry’s score was strictly one of good Jerry Goldsmith score, I wouldn’t mind at all.” form. This new film is entirely different and the locations, “I was of course very, very happy to be asked to revise Soa- as well as their musical associations, are much more varied rin’ and for a few reasons,” he said. “The first reason was that than the California sites. So all of the music had to be fash- the original version was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, who ioned to fit the scenes and play the emotional moments.” was of course a spectacular composer. The second reason To create these scenes, Disney Imagineers developed in- was that I knew Soarin’ [is] an exciting attraction, and es- novative photographic technology. A new high-resolution pecially well-loved by people of all ages, and I believed this camera system was created, with the cameras either being new version would be as well received as the first. And the dangled from or attached to the front of aircraft, in order last reason was that I had long considered working in the to get as close as possible to each setting. These vivid im- Disney theme parks as something especially enjoyable. The ages are displayed on the 80-foot screens by laser-powered attractions have always been interesting, unique and fun projection in the attraction theaters, drastically improving to do, and the people who I’ve worked with have been fun, the quality of the visual image. knowledgeable and prepared.” Soarin’ Around the World continues to be one of the at- While similarities to the original score are apparent from tractions that is available to Walt Disney Resort on-proper- its opening notes, Broughton did have to make significant ty Guests who partake of Extra Magic Hours; FastPasses are adaptations to the new film. “The intention was always to available as a “Tier 1” option, and are strongly encouraged, use Jerry’s theme with as much of the original score as pos- especially during peak travel times. sible. But because it was an entirely different picture, I had So the next time you visit Epcot, be sure to head over to to take care that the feeling of the original music actually the Land Pavilion and experience the world in a way you fit the feeling of the new film,” he explained. “Where the dif- never thought possible with Soarin’ Around the World!

Photos © Disney 51 · Celebrations 52 · Celebrations In Search of Mr. Toad: A Wild Ride Indeed by Chris Smith

n Issue #47 of Celebrations, we discussed the substan- Itial impact that Washington Irving’s classic short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow had on the atmosphere, architecture, and stories enjoyed by Guests throughout the Magic Kingdom. In this issue we will take an even “wilder ride” through the pages of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s novel, The Wind in the Willows, with its most exuberant character, James Thaddeus Toad, Esq., affectionately known as Mr. Toad. Unlike Sleepy Hollow, the lovable characters from Gra- hame’s work did get an actual attraction in the form of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, a classic Disney dark ride that opened in Fantasyland on October 1, 1971. The ride was, like its title character, vey unique, and featured an at- traction design the likes of which Disney Guests had never seen before and would never see again. But that was only the beginning of a wild ride that included a Toad-based protest, an invasion from the Hundred Acre Wood, and a literal trip to Hell. So join me as we head down a road to “nowhere in particular” on a quest to find the famous Mr. Toad.

53 · Celebrations The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame 1949 with the release of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows was first pub- Toad. This film package consisted of two segments based on lished in 1908. Grahame wrote the book following his retire- Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows and Washington Irving’s ment from the Bank of England, and he is rumored to have 1820 short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, respectively. The drawn inspiration from bedtime stories that he would tell Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was the 11th animated fea- his son Alastair. ture film released by Disney, and the last of Disney’s “pack- The Wind in the Willows recounts the tales of a variety of aged” films that became popular during the World War II lovable animals during their adventures through the Eng- era because of their lower costs as compared to full-length lish countryside. The characters include the gentle and animated films. mild-mannered Mole, the kind, cultured and respectable The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad featured the work Rat, and the grumpy yet good-hearted Badger. Finally, Gra- of several members of the famous animation group known hame’s novel also introduced readers to James Thaddeus as Walt’s “Nine Old Men”, including , Ollie Toad, Esq., the wealthy Johnston, , heir to the vast Toad and . Basil family fortune and the Rathbone narrated the head of stately Toad Toad portion of the film Hall. Although a good- and English Actor Eric hearted character, The Blore provided the voice Wind and the Willows of its signature charac- also depicts Toad as ar- ter Mr. Toad rogant, spoiled, self-de- The film loosely fol- structive and prone to lows the plot of The Wind obsessive and impulsive in the Willows, with Mr. behavior. Toad, Mole, Rat and Bad- In the novel, Mr. Toad’s ger eventually regaining latest obsession, motor- possession of Toad Hall cars, leads him to steal a following Toad’s misad- car and eventually wind ventures with his new- up in jail. Toad later es- found motorcar obses- capes from his impris- sion. The Toad portion onment and discovers of The Adventures of Icha- that Toad Hall has been bod and Mr. Toad ends taken over by nefarious in funny fashion with weasels. Finally coming Toad’s newest obses- to his senses and realiz- sion…airplanes! More ing the mistakes he has so than The Wind in the made, Mr. Toad works Willows, the film empha- with his friends Mole, sizes Toad’s obsessive Rat and Badger to re- personality, disastrous take his ancestral home. Following this victory, Toad holds a financial management skills, and his selfishness and tends grand banquet and works to remedy all of the wrongdoing to make him a less lovable character than that portrayed of his past, especially to all of his good friends. As any good in the book. children’s story should, Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad all live happily ever after. Ichabod Crane, Merlin, and Mr. Toad An attraction featuring Mr. Toad almost never came to The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad be. Imagineers strongly considered, in lieu of Mr. Toad’s Wild The connection of Grahame’s work to Disney began in Ride, an attraction based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This

54 · Celebrations is especially interesting considering the close connection find themselves in the middle of the battle, narrowly escap- between Mr. Toad and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow due to ing a variety of magical spells being hurled between Mer- the Disney film. From Disney’s perspective, a Toad-based at- lin and Mim. Given the medieval setting of The Sword in the traction already existed in Disneyland in the form of Mr. Stone, an attraction based on that film seemed like a natu- Toad’s Wild Ride. Not wanting to repeat themselves, Imagi- ral fit given the likewise medieval setting of Fantasyland, neers contemplated a new attraction based on Irving’s fa- which is set behind the majestic Cinderella Castle. mous short story. As is the case with many grand ideas that never came to The proposed Sleepy Hollow attraction would have in- be, financial pressures eventually led to the Sleepy Hollow cluded hollowed-out jack-o-lantern ride vehicles that would and Sword in the Stone concepts being shelved. As con- take guests through the eerie rural landscape of Tarry Town, struction costs for Walt Disney World soared, executives, New York, the real-life setting for The Legend of Sleepy Hol- and in particular Roy O. Disney, began looking for ways to low. Guests would eventually encounter the villainous anti- save money. hero of the story, the Headless Horseman. Since Disneyland’s version of Fantasyland already includ- Interestingly enough, Imagineers also considered an at- ed a Toad-based dark ride that was extremely popular with traction based on the 1963 Disney animated film The Sword Guests, executives made the decision to save the increased in the Stone in place of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. The attraction cost and expense required to develop new attraction con- would have featured a Wizard’s Duel, as depicted in the film, cepts. As a result, Disney ultimately decided to replicate Mr. with sage old wizard Merlin engaged in a magical battle Toad’s Wild Ride in Walt Disney World, although the Florida with the notorious sorceress Madame Mim. Guests would version of Toad did get a very unique twist.

55 · Celebrations Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride trophy room, a gypsy encampment, Town Square, Winky’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride opened in the Magic Kingdom on the Pub, a library, a barn, a one way street, and a jail. Many of park’s opening day, October 1, 1971. Because the Disneyland these scenes were more on the “adult” side of the entertain- version was so popular, Imagineers decided to add a new ment spectrum than other Fantasyland attractions. For ex- feature to the Magic Kingdom’s Toad attraction. The Florida ample, Guests could see a shootout with criminal weasels, a version of Mr. Toad’s Wilde Ride featured two separate ve- very buxom barmaid serving adult beverages in a bar, and hicle tracks that provided a very promiscuous paint- Guests with two different ing of a nude woman (not to experiences. In other words, mention the controversial it was two different rides ending we will discuss in a in one! This was the first moment). and, at least for now, the The two separate ride last time this type of “dual” tracks would eventually attraction was developed come together in a train and incorporated into the tunnel, heading straight Disney parks. towards an oncoming lo- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was a comotive with a loud horn classic Disney dark ride that honking and the light of transported Guests in, ap- the train shining directly propriately enough, motor- in Guests’ faces. For a Fan- cars, past a series of colorful tasyland attraction, it was and zany scenes through certainly a scary experi- London. The attraction was ence. So what happened the epitome of “wacky,” with next? Well…Guests went bright colors and an eccen- to, um, Hell. Yes, you are tric quality that matched reading that correctly. The that of its namesake, Mr. next scene was literally Hell, Toad. As Guests travelled on with Satan and a variety this “wild ride,” they would of red devils smiling at the narrowly escape danger in encounter due to the fact each scene before passing that Mr. Toad and the oth- to another. Along the way, er Guests had presumably the fun theme song of Mr. died. To say that this was a Toad’s Wild Ride proclaimed departure from the Magic that Guests were “merrily, Kingdom generally and Fan- merrily, merrily, merrily” on tasyland specifically was an their way “to nowhere in understatement. particular.” Regardless of which track Here Comes Pooh Guests travelled on, the first So why did Mr. Toad’s Wild scene would be stately Toad Ride eventually close? After Hall, composed of dark wood all, it was still extremely furnishings and paintings, conveying a grand sense of the popular with park Guests and, from an expense standpoint, legacy of the Toad family. The marquee centerpiece of the was not a very costly attraction in terms of staffing and up- scene was a marble statue of Mr. Toad himself. From there, keep. Toad’s demise was actually caused by Disney’s desire to the ride tracks would diverge through a variety of different incorporate another very popular character and story into scenes that, depending on the track, would lead through a the Magic Kingdom: Winnie the Pooh and his friends from

56 · Celebrations Pooh Corner. There, Guests can see a picture on the floor of Mole, Mr. In October of 1997, the Orlando Sentinel ran an article re- Toad’s kind-hearted friend, tipping his cap to the new star vealing that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride would be closed in favor of of the show, Winnie the Pooh. These fun finds provide an a Winnie the Pooh-based attraction. When word began to outstanding tribute to Pooh’s eccentric predecessor. spread of plans to close Toad, Disney received a backlash of Although the hidden tributes to Mr. Toad found in The negative feedback from Toad loyalists. In addition to over Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are fantastic, the a thousand complaint letters, fans also silently protested greatest tribute of down the road in Liberty by sitting outside the attraction in what famously became Square beneath of the Haunted Mansion. As known as “Toad-Ins.” Many protestors wore green shirts de- Guests exit the Haunted Mansion and follow the pathway claring their love for Mr. Toad. A website dedicated to this leading from the brooding Dutch-Gothic manor house back movement, savetoad.com, even launched on the Internet. towards the heart of Liberty Square, they pass by a very Despite these protests, Mr. strange scene. Perched on Toad’s Wild Ride officially a hill to the left of the walk- closed on September 7, 1998. way is a very small and very The Many Adventures of Win- spooky pet cemetery sur- nie the Pooh opened in Fan- rounded by a wrought iron tasyland on June 4, 1999 and fence. The cemetery fea- continues to entertain guests tures tombstones for dogs, of all ages today. cats and other animals. Hid- den away in the back of the Finding Mr. Toad Today cemetery is a tombstone of Although Mr. Toad was none other than Mr. Toad. evicted from his Fantasyl- and home by, instead of wea- The Wind in the Willows sels, Winnie the Pooh and his and its very boisterous friends from Pooh Corner, ob- character Mr. Toad inspired servant Guests can still enjoy a classic Disney film and a small tributes to the eccentric classic one of a kind dark amphibian in both Fantasyl- ride in the Magic Kingdom. and and Liberty Square. Although the very lovable During The Many Adven- cast of characters from the tures of Winnie the Pooh, Hundred Acre Wood even- Guests’ honey pot ride vehicles tually evicted Mr. Toad’s enter Owl’s tree house. The Wild Ride, the Imagineers timbers of Owl’s home creak thankfully immortalized and sway back and forth with Mr. Toad in several locations pictures and other items throughout the Magic King- strewn across the floor in dis- dom. Given the significant array due to the strong wind impact of Grahame’s work on this “blustery day.” Two dis- on both Disney animation tinct homages to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride are found here. First, and its theme parks across the world, guests owe it to to the left as Guests enter the tree house, is a picture on themselves to seek out the remaining Toad tributes, even if the wall of Mr. Toad himself handing over the deed to the it requires them to peer over the side of a honey pot or gaze building to Owl as the two fictional characters share a at the tombstones of a mysterious pet cemetery. So after embrace. This is a very nice tribute symbolizing Toad’s exit your next ride on the Haunted Mansion, make sure that you from the park and Pooh’s entrance. A second tribute can take time to stop by and pay your respects to the late owner be found on the floor on the right side of the ride vehicles. of Toad Hall.

57 · Celebrations Disneyland’s First Day By Kevin Carpenter

58 · Celebrations alt Disney did not often deal in disappointment. This Disneyland’s construction and could never hope to pay Wwas a man who gave new meaning to the word ‘per- the well-known radio personality his going rate. The two fectionist,’ sparing no effort or expense in bringing delight friends huddled together and quickly came to an alternate to his many adoring fans. And, by the 1950s, he stood on the arrangement: Linkletter would perform for scale (the mini- verge of revolutionizing family entertainment with his mum union-approved amount), but would also receive the latest creation, Disneyland. Now rightfully considered an camera and film concession at the park for ten years. Walt American icon, few remember the park’s rocky and error- had his man and Linkletter a most lucrative sideline. plagued inauguration. Indeed, there was nothing perfect Behind the scenes, too, ABC was scrambling to create an about Disneyland’s opening on July 17, 1955 — a day that has infrastructure for what they hoped would be the largest gone down in Disney lore as “Black Sunday.” live broadcast of all time. More than three hundred techni- Less than one week earlier, the situation had looked con- cians and dozens of cameras were brought to siderably rosier. On July 13, Walt and Lilly welcomed over two — some equipment from as far east as Detroit! hundred Guests into Disneyland to celebrate the couple’s To Walt, “Dateline: Disneyland” was the perfect venue thirtieth wedding an- to tell his park’s story. niversary. Everything Although Disneyland went swimmingly — went from orange both family confidantes grove to theme park and Hollywood lumi- in only twelve short naries alike enjoyed months of breakneck rides on the Mark construction, the con- Twain riverboat and a cept of a family-focused gala dinner at Slue-Foot amusement center had Sue’s Golden Horseshoe. danced in his imagina- Disneyland dazzled ev- tion for many years. It eryone on that magical had taken all of the stu- evening. dio’s money and the cre- Certainly, Walt be- ation of a new weekly lieved, his park was television program, but, ready for primetime. by the midpoint of 1955, Literally. everyone involved could A tireless promoter see the light at the end of the Disney brand, of the tunnel. This Walt had grand plans would be the crown for Disneyland’s open- jewel of the Disney em- ing. He made arrange- pire, a place where par- ments with ABC for a ents and children could special episode of his escape into a world of television series to cap- fantasy and frivolity to- ture the Anaheim park’s gether. Disneyland was dedication. Titled “Date- ready to take her bow. line: Disneyland,” this 90-minute extravaganza would run While some sections of the park were still works in prog- from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Pacific Time and promised viewers from ress, that special Disney charm seemed to lurk around every across the nation a front-row seat for the big unveiling. corner. On Main Street, U.S.A, the Imagineers of WED Enter- Putting together a telecast like “Dateline: Disneyland” was prises installed authentic antique gas lamps for that extra no easy feat. Knowing the importance of star power, Walt bit of turn-of-the-century Americana. Each evening, a lamp- approached his close friend, Art Linkletter, to host the show. lighter in period dress would light each one, casting a soft Unfortunately, the Disney studio was cash-strapped from glow over all of Main Street. The Disney name meant no cut

59 · Celebrations corners. Everything had to be . Disneyland was soon awash with an unexpected mass of But getting everything just right takes time and that was people. one luxury that Walt did not have. Feverish work on the To make matters even worse, Anaheim was in the grips park’s meticulous details continued up until opening day of a massive heatwave and the temperature soared to over itself. In fact, some finishing touches — painting railroad 100 degrees by midday. With an unforgiving sun above and cars, planting greenery, and paving the streets — were com- endless lines stretching in every direction, many visitors pleted just hours before the gates swung open. understandably grew frustrated and decided to skip the at- tractions altogether. The restaurants offered no respite as Opening the Gates overcrowding again reared its ugly head. Several even ran July 17 would technically be considered an “International out of food and had to close for the day! Press Preview” and the only attendees were to be invited Most embarrassingly, the treacherous combination of guests. Around 10,000 special invitations had been sent out stifling heat and fresh asphalt left many ladies in their to studio employees; the men and women who helped build Sunday best stranded on Main Street, U.S.A, with their high Disneyland, media reporters, and company sponsors. These heels stuck in the sun-softened street. This was not the would be the park’s first official visitors. opening day that Walt had envisioned. Unfortunately, all of the planning in the world could not Amidst all of this chaos and confusion, “Dateline: Disney- have prepared Disney for “Black Sunday.” The crowd quickly land” began filming. Much like everything else that day, the swelled beyond control, as nearly 20,000 uninvited Guests broadcast of the park’s dedication quickly degenerated into crashed Walt’s party. Most had counterfeit tickets, but a few a comedy of errors. The show was meant to open with Walt industrious souls even resorted to scaling the park’s walls. triumphantly driving the Santa Fe &

60 · Celebrations into the Main Street station. Host Art Linkletter promised group broke off in the direction of its respective land. millions of viewers that the Disney chief himself would be But even this grand pageantry was not able to escape an coming down the tracks in just a matter of seconds. But sec- untimely hiccup or two. At one point, Linkletter marveled, onds stretched into minutes and there was still no sight of “Here’s Cinderella!” only for the broadcast to flash footage Walt or the train. of an unshaven Fess Parker on the screen. This was not the Ever the consummate professional, Linkletter deftly only indignity suffered by the “Crockett” star, as he and Eb- filled the time with introductions of his co-emcees, Bob sen were later doused with water when the park’s sprinkler Cummings and a young Ronald “Ronnie” Reagan. With Walt system accidentally turned on right in front of them. still missing and the awkwardness escalating, Linkletter At the parade’s conclusion, the ABC cameras moved to mercifully sent the broadcast over to Cummings inside the Frontierland as Walt again read a short dedication for this park for a brief overview of Main Street, U.S.A. land of heroes and legends. This segment brought a musi- Mechanical difficulties and a stubborn railroad incline cal performance from “Davy Crockett”, an inside look at the turned out to be the culprits in Walt’s disappearance. Final- raucous fun of Slue-Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe, and ac- ly, more than ten minutes after “Dateline: Disneyland” had tress Irene Dunne christening the Mark Twain sternwheel begun, the E.P. Ripley rolled into the station with a beaming paddleboat with a bottle of water collected from a variety Walt at the helm. of American waterways. His belated arrival meant that he had scant time for Before moving on to Tomorrowland, the packed Mark pleasantries on the station platform before hustling over Twain set off on the Rivers of America for its maiden voy- to Town Square to officially dedicate Disneyland. “All who age. What viewers did not see, though, was the water that come to this happy place — welcome!” Walt began. “Disney- seeped over its sides because the ship was dangerously land is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the overcrowded. past…and here youth may savor the challenge and prom- It was in the new frontiers of Tomorrowland, though, ise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the that things really flew off the rails. Miscommunication dreams, and the hard facts that have created America… between the production crew and Walt caused Disney to with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration start, stop, and then start again his remarks on the many to all the world.” promises of this land of the future. It only got worse when A non-denominational silent prayer followed and then the volume cut out as Linkletter spoke to Danny Thomas the American flag was raised above Disneyland for the first and his family in front of Rocket to the Moon. Even a simple time as “The Star Spangled Banner” played. Hand over heart, experiment with ping-pong balls and mousetraps had to be Walt gazed up at Old Glory. Disneyland was a proud and fit- repeated when the first toss refused to set off a chain reac- ting tribute to the country he so loved. tion simulating the power of atomic energy. The subsequent parade was just pure Disney spectacle. Fantasyland’s spotlight began beautifully with the first The United States Marine Corps marching band led the way lowering of the drawbridge in front of Sleeping Beauty before a cavalcade of dancers, musicians, and horseless car- Castle. Costumed characters shepherded a group of excited riages carrying celebrities and other special guests filled local Orange County children across the bridge into Walt’s Town Square and Main Street, U.S.A. new land of enchantment. That was the high point, though, as missed cues and confusion overwhelmed Linkletter and Touring the New Park Cummings. Hilariously, at one point, Linkletter was shown Each “land” of the park was duly represented: Mounted on camera with his arms spread wide in exasperation as no knights and costumed princesses for Fantasyland; “Davy one could locate his microphone. Crockett” stars Fess Parker and were joined by drew the short straw and received only Chief Flying Hoof, Firewater, and Annie Oakley on a wagon a very short preview of its boats setting off train to Frontierland; a quartet of fearsome cannibals down the waterways of the world. brought the wilds of Adventureland to life; and Tomorrow- As the television broadcast began to wrap-up, all eyes land featured a spaceman and a fleet of futuristic automo- were on Walt as he stood in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. biles. As the parade column reached the park’s hub, each Flanked by Art Linkletter, he shared his heartfelt thanks

61 · Celebrations 62 · Celebrations to everyone who was involved in bringing his Disneyland control or licking wounds — Disneyland’s gates would open dream to life, and the cameras faded to black. to the public in just a matter of hours. Any concern that the media’s lukewarm reviews would Opening Day Draws to a Close dampen Disneyland’s public debut were dispelled by the line There can be no denying that “Dateline: Disneyland” was of 15,000 eager fans on the morning of July 18. The first ticket a rather haphazard production, but still one marked with (for the princely sum of $1) was sold to Dave MacPherson, unfailing professionalism and good cheer. No one ever lost a 22-year-old attending Long Beach State for the summer. his temper or let a smiling face slip — despite navigating “Dateline: Disneyland” had inspired MacPherson to hop on the perils of live television in a crowd of nearly 30,000. his motorcycle and secure his top spot in line in the wee The immense throngs of people certainly complicated hours of the morning. the telecast for the ABC production team, but then the cam- Once the park opened at 10 a.m., though, he barely had era crews wreaked their own brand of havoc on the unsus- time to purchase his ticket and visit the restroom before pecting guests. As on-air personalities moved between the hotfooting it back to school in time for that day’s classes. He various park locations, the walkways became a tangle of was so frazzled that he even forgot to ask Walt Disney for wires and bustling workers. Several attractions and exhib- his autograph! Nevertheless, despite that abbreviated first its even had to be closed to visitors at certain times due to visit, the Disney studio honored MacPherson’s status as the filming. Television and opening day had collided to create a first official Disneyland customer with a lifetime pass to most chaotic situation. the park. By the time the sun set on July 17th, a common consen- Similar lifetime passes were also granted to the first two sus was emerging that Disneyland’s opening day could have children to walk through the Disneyland gates: 5-year-old gone better. Media reports were beginning to filter in and Christine Vess and 7-year-old Michael Schwartner. Young they were decidedly mixed. Most made mention of the Miss Vess would later wonder if she was chosen because she park’s charm, but countered that optimism with countless was crying in line, having just fallen and skinned her knee. stories of the day’s many missteps. One scathing article in If so, a lifetime pass to Disneyland made the best bandage particular took Disney to task for the lack of water foun- of all. tains in his new park. The columnist openly wondered if In truth, the second day was not much of an improve- Walt had cynically skimped on the fountains in order to sell ment on the first. Wait times were long, rides broke down, more soft drinks. and restaurants ran out of both food and room. But the Not accustomed to such accusations, Walt called up the more manageable crowd and lessons learned from the day writer to present his defense — and it was a fair one. A lo- before allowed the Cast Members to roll with the punches. cal plumbers’ strike had left him with the difficult choice So too did the park’s visitors, looking past these shortcom- to either finish the toilets or water fountains at Disneyland. ings to appreciate the limitless possibilities that Disneyland Both would not be an option. Wisely, Walt opted for func- offered. tioning restrooms. Eventually, Walt was able to impress a similar under- If the local press was giving Disneyland’s debut a hard standing upon the local media who felt the “International time, the same could not be said nationally. To the record- Press Preview” had been a dud. He arranged for the report- breaking audience watching “Dateline: Disneyland”, the Ana- ers to return to the park for small dinner parties and other heim park seemed a most magical place. Sure, there were private events. If Disneyland had come up short on opening a few laughs at some of the on-air miscues, but the most day, Walt was determined to make that right. important result was that people wanted — no, needed — And make it right he did. Walt did not let an opening day to visit Disneyland. The seeds of a million family vacations full of blunders and bloopers define his new park. Less than were sown during that single 90-minute broadcast. two months later, Disneyland celebrated its one-millionth Guest. Any complaints about the park’s first few uneven The Next Day steps were buried under an avalanche of acclaim and ster- It may have been a not-so-magical day for the invited ling reviews. The initial troubles were forgotten and Dis- Guests, but the following morning would bring its own neyland took its place as Walt’s greatest accomplishment challenge: paying customers. There was no time for damage to date.

63 · Celebrations The Return of the Orange Bird by Lori Elias

Little Orange Bird in the Sunshine Tree, 20-minute Tropical Serenade Show, the precursor to the Won’t you think of something sunny just for me? Enchanted Tiki Room, which featured oversized orange Think a funny thought or a sunny word trees as part of the scenery. To help promote the Pavilion, That will make me happy, little Orange Bird! Disney created a new character: a bird who could not speak or chirp, but instead communicated in “thought bubbles,” or Walt Disney World fans of a certain age, these lyrics which appeared in orange letters on a screen that sat over Fand their perky melody, composed by Disney Legends his head. Designed by C. Robert Moore and Don MacLaugh- Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, will certainly elicit a nos- lin, Orange Bird was (and continues to be) quite brilliant in talgic smile. Older than the park itself, Orange Bird might his simplicity: he was orange – obviously – with his head well be the most popular and beloved Disney character to shaped like his namesake fruit, and green leaves forming have never found himself in a feature his wings. The adorable little fellow would film or Disney park attraction. And one be seen across the state, advertising both would be hard-pressed to name another orange products as well as Walt Disney character whose resurgence, after hav- World, where a walk-around character ing all but vanished for decades, could be would be greeting Guests in Adventure- greeted with so much enthusiasm. land. Images of Orange Bird would also be Orange Bird’s history actually goes available on souvenir merchandise at the back to thirty years before his first ap- Magic Kingdom. pearance. In 1941, the Walt Disney Com- (Considering its sponsorship, it should pany formed a partnership with Florida’s not be a surprise that the early Sunshine Natural Growers (an organization which Tree Terrace menu offered a stunning would later evolve into the Florida Citrus array of citrus products: a tangerine Commission). This collaboration permit- soft freeze dessert, frozen orange juice ted Florida’s Natural Growers to use the bar, jellied citrus salad with orange and likeness of Donald Duck on their orange grapefruit slices, tangerine cheesecake, juice products (and while Donald Duck citrus tarts and Crepes Ambrosia, a Orange Juice is no longer as readily avail- crepe with pieces of orange and tanger- able as it once was, the contract is still in place!). ine mixed with marshmallows and coconut and dipped This partnership continued on steadily through the 1950s in heavy cream, were all enjoyed by the Magic Kingdom’s and 1960s. At the end of that decade, with the impending first Guests!) opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, the two conglomer- ates – Disney and Florida’s Natural Growers, but now as its Orange Bird Hits the Big Time new entity, the Florida Citrus Commission – desired to build Meanwhile, in 1968, the Florida Citrus Commission had on their already strong relationship. A natural fit was the hired Anita Bryant to be its spokesperson. Bryant had been Magic Kingdom’s Sunshine Pavilion, which in 1969 the FCC crowned Miss Oklahoma in 1958 and was the runner-up in agreed to sponsor for $3 million. Included in the deal was the Miss America pageant a year later; as a singer she also the Sunshine Tree Terrace counter service eatery and the enjoyed a string of successes, including “Paper Roses,” “In My

64 · Celebrations Illustration © Tim Foster 65 · Celebrations Own Little Corner of the World,” “Wonderland by Night” and Orange Bird manages to escape by imagining an orange “Till There was You” from the musical The Music Man. mouse, which easily distracts the baffled cat. The Commission released a series of print, radio and Orange Bird finds himself back in the park where he television ads featuring Bryant and her colorful animated discovers a family enjoying “The Perfect Picnic.” While cohort, with Bryant becoming the voice of the silent little the brother and sister want to keep Orange Bird as a pet, bird. Their tagline, “A day without orange juice is like a day their father grouchily insists that they stay away from the without sunshine,” became a catchphrase of the era. “strange, orangey bird.” After the picnic, the family drives In 1971, in order to create a backstory for Orange Bird, home…without Orange Bird. Disneyland Records released the long-playing album (or in Longing for the affection the children had shown him, today’s vernacular, “vinyl”), The Story and Songs of the Or- Orange Bird follows their car. Being able to see ahead, he dis- ange Bird, narrated and sung by Bryant. She was joined by covers that the family is approaching a bridge that has been the Mike Sammes Singers, washed out. Summoning all a studio chorus who had of his energy, he thinks up contributed to a number a gigantic orange stop sign of Disney-produced albums, to warn them. The father is such as Songs from Bedknobs grateful to him for saving and Broomsticks and Disney’s their lives, and agrees that Christmas Favorites. The Orange Bird should indeed songs were composed by become their pet. As Orange Disney Legends and Acad- Bird happily joins his new emy Award winners Rich- family, he reflects back on ard and Robert Sherman, his one-time home (“Orange who had already made their Tree”). Disney mark via The Parent (Fun fact: The Story and Trap, the Winnie the Pooh Songs of the Orange Bird short films, Bedknobs and was the final Disneyland Re- Broomsticks, The Jungle Book, cords appearance for three , and of course familiar performers: Sam their Oscar-winning work Edwards, who voiced adult for Mary Poppins, as well as in Bambi and Owl in Disneyland and other Disney projects with “it’s a small and Tigger in a number of Winnie the Pooh recordings; Ro- world,” the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Carousel of Prog- bie Lester, who famously sang “Hippity Hop” on Disney’s Peter ress. The story, written by Vince Jefferds and adapted by Cottontail and Other Funny Bunnies and was the “Disneyland Jimmy Johnson, sees Orange Bird approach a group of birds Story Reader” for the Disney Read-Along book-and-record in a picnic park, basking in the joy of their natural abilities series, along with contributing the singing voices of Duch- (“Sing All Day”). He desperately wants to join them, but is only ess in The Aristocats and Bianca in ; and Ron How- able to conjure the image of an orange musical note floating ard, who, in between his stints as Opie on The Andy Griffith in the air. They tease him over his inability to speak, so, lone- Show and Richie Cunningham in Happy Days – and later, his ly and dejected, he decides to make a new start somewhere Oscar-winning directing career – performed with Lester as faraway (“I’ll Fly the Skyway,” which was originally written a brother and sister who are trapped inside a favorite Dis- for Thomas O’Malley to sing in The Aristocats as “My Way’s the neyland attraction in the 1969 release, The Story and Song Highway,” but replaced with “Thomas O’Malley Cat”). from The Haunted Mansion.) And speaking of cats…Orange Bird’s first leg of his ad- A 45-rpm recording of “The Orange Bird Song” and “Orange venture takes him to a big city. He falls asleep in an alley, Tree” was provided as a free souvenir to early Magic King- only to be awakened to the sight of a smirking, scat-singing dom Guests, and word quickly spread, as The Songs and Story cat with a meal on his mind (“A Cat Don’t Like”). The crafty of the Orange Bird was made available to the general public to

66 · Celebrations help advertise Walt Disney World. While there was no direct again encounters a family on an outing, but this time build- advertisement for Florida’s orange industry, only subtle al- ing a sand castle on a beach; and just as in the original story, lusions, the album’s back cover featured a promotion for the he uses his orange stop sign to save the disgruntled and un- new theme park. knowing father, only in this story it is from certain injury With all of this visibility, Orange Bird was flying high. His on a broken fishing pier. (A related comic book, Orange Bird in image appeared on advertisements promoting the Florida Nutrition Adventures, was released the same year.) orange industry throughout the state and, thanks to print The Commission’s sponsorship of the Sunshine Tree Ter- ads, television and radio, across the country, and with him, race ended in 1987, and for many years it seemed as though his “voice,” Anita Bryant. Unfortunately, however, it was that Orange Bird would be a nostalgic memory for increasingly very voice who would be the one to clip Orange Bird’s leafy older Disney fans. But then in 2004, a new line of Orange little wings. Bird merchandise appeared in to help In 1977, legislation prohibiting discrimination based on celebrate the country’s Orange Day in April; similar to Val- sexual orientation was passed entine’s Day, Orange Day, in- in Florida’s Dade County. Bry- stituted in 1994, encourages ant threw her energy into couples to exchange oranges having the law repealed, with or other orange-colored gifts controversial statements and to display their love for each a vehement campaign which other. Guests of the park be- also attacked similar laws in came deeply enamored of other states. Her efforts in the character. His immense Florida were successful, thus popularity across the Pacific having the law overturned, helped to spur a new interest which in turn resulted in a ma- back at home, and in 2011 his jor nation-wide boycott of or- image began to appear at D23 ange products. The Florida Cit- events. A “Destination D” t-shirt rus Commission cut ties with emblazoned with his picture Bryant when her contract ex- was made available to D23 pired in 1979, thus putting an members at the D23 Expo in end to the Orange Bird promo- August, and at the Epcot Trade tion. (Dade County reinstituted their anti-discrimination Celebration a month later, Orange Bird’s image could be law in 1998.) seen throughout the event, including the pins provided to early registrants to the conference. In 2012, it was officially The Return of Orange Bird announced that Orange Bird would be returning the Walt But unlike his persona, Orange Bird was not to be silenced Disney World Resort. He now graces a poster hanging in the forever. In 1980, Disney’s Educational Media Company re- entrance to the Magic Kingdom, and his image can once leased a short film calledFoods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure, again be seen around Adventureland, as well as on mer- starring the endearing avian. Written once again by Vince chandise found throughout the parks, resorts and Disney Jefferds and with music by Will Schaffer, the story bears Springs. From clothing and kitchenware to plush and pins many similarities to the original record. This time, Orange – even a MagicBand! – Orange Bird has once again found a Bird, still being teased by the other birds, wishes to fly south home, enjoyed not by one family, but by many, taking his for the winter, but does not have the stamina to make the place among the beloved characters of Walt Disney World. trip. A visit to the doctor reveals that he needs to improve his eating and exercise habits in order to have the strength With his beautiful orange feathers and beautiful leafy wings, he needs for his newest quest. The rest of the story is quite He’s a fluffy little puffy sight to see, similar to his earlier story: instead of a cat in a city alley, He can turn your frown around when you see him looking down, Orange Bird has to escape an alligator in a bayou; he once The little Orange Bird up in the Sunshine Tree!

Photo ©Lori Elias 67 · Celebrations ur last adventures had taken us to the Frontier- the thought of the Orange Bird put me in the mood for Oland Shooting Arcade, and as fun as it was shoot- some tropical bird crooning. in’ down tombstones and other dastardly varmints, I As is often the case when Wandering Around the realized that it did work up quite a thirst. But how to World, I opted for the path less travelled, and wound quench that thirst? I realized that I was just a few mere my way around the right side of the Magic Carpets of steps from Adventureland...and when you think Adven- . Unfortunately, it was right about as I got to the tureland, only one thing comes to mind. Agrabah Bazaar that the inevitable brain freeze hit me. Dole Whip. Such are the perils of scarfing down ice cream on a hot So my companion and I set off for Aloha Isle and for Florida afternoon. that refreshing pineapple treat that could only be ac- As I was pinching the bridge of my nose to allevi- quired in very few locations. It had actually been a while ate my brain freeze (hey, it works sometimes), I slowly since I had enjoyed one, but I did remember where to opened my eyes to find a pleasant surprise. go....straight to the Swiss Family Treehouse where this It was Aloha Isle, standing right before me. It hadn’t oasis of tropical re- disappeared; it had freshment resided. simply changed I hurriedly made places with the Sun- my way to the Tree- shine Tree Terrace. A house and veered huge wave of relief toward the left...only swept over me. (I just to find that Aloha Isle couldn’t imagine not had disappeared! No being able to enjoy a Dole Whips! No Pine- classic Dole Whip in apple Floats! Instead the heart of the Mag- I was standing at the ic Kingdom.) counter of the Sun- And it was then shine Tree Terrace. I recalled the days from my youth that temptation got the better of me. Even though when the friendly little Orange Bird would reside there I had just finished up my orange flavored treat and (and was happily reminded that the little fellow had wasn’t exactly hungry, I just had to get a Dole Whip...you found his way back to Walt Disney World...but that’s a know...for tradition’s sake. whole other story...). I took my time enjoying it (not wanting to experience While I was a bit dismayed that my beloved Aloha Isle another brain freeze!), and when I was done I wandered had gone, I was still tempted by the citrus treats avail- into the Tiki Room for some whimsical entertainment. able at the Sunshine Tree Terrace. But what should I And so my friends, always remember that something choose? A Citrus Swirl, with it’s frothy combination of you think is gone may just be lurking around the corner, soft serve and orange slushy, a Piña Colada Slushy, or it’s always worth taking the time to explore. And who a Raspberry Lemonade? In the end I went for the clas- knows, you may discover something new along the way! sic Citrus Swirl (who could resist?) and decided to head Until next time this is Ray, and you’ve been Wander- over to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Somehow ing the World!

68 · Celebrations Number of years that the Magic Kingdom has hosted Mickey’s Not-so- Scary Halloween Party (count- 22 ing this year’s spooktacular celebration). 176 Number of individually themed carved pumpkins put on display on Main Street, U.S.A. Amount of cable (in feet) installed for the lighting and sound effects used during the party (that’s 23,100 over four miles!).

Number of Cast Members that bring Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade to life (that includes float 175 drivers, costumers, decorators, maintenance workers, and of course, the performers).

Length, in miles, that the parade will traverse throughout the Halloween season (that’s a bit less 23 than 24 trips around World Showcase!).

Amount of candy in tons, (yes, tons!), that will be handed out to party Guests throughout the season’s 245 Halloween parties.

Different kinds of candy that will be handed out at the parties throughout the 13 tasty treat loca- 40 tions, including Skittles, M&Ms, Kit Kats, and other special surprises.

Photo ©Disney 69 · Celebrations The Holographic Game Table By Tim Foster

Along with Disney fans and Star Wars fans worldwide, I was thrilled to hear about all of the Star Wars attractions that would be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The thought of reliving my favorite moments from the films took me back to the early days of . In addition to including a clip from the original Star Wars film in the montage at the end of the ride, the queue was home to one of my favorite props in A New Hope; the holographic game table aboard the Millennium . I always wondered what it would be like to match wits with R2-D2 as we moved our creatures around the circular board. (I wasn’t so sure I would want to challenge ...as I do value my arms and wouldn’t want them torn from my sockets…but that’s another story.) Sadly, the table had long disappeared from attraction’s queue, and I slowly began to realize that I would never see it in person again.

But then something magical happened. Whether it was a sprinkling of pixie dust or the will of the Force, I found out that the holographic game table could once again be found at Walt Disney World. But where? Though I hadn’t visited it in quite a while, I had learned that several interactive games were added to the queue of Space Mountain many years ago. I anxiously stood in line, wondering if I would find the famous Star Wars relic inside. Alas, there was no holographic game table to be found, but the bright side was that I did very well in the game that was actually in the queue. But still my quest continued, and I decided to journey to another space-based destination.

I journeyed over to Epcot and to Mission: SPACE. Remembering that the journey to Mars would take a long time, they surely must have some sort of onboard entertainment to while away the days. I strapped myself in to my Engineer’s seat, and searched high and low for the controls that would activate the game. Unfortunately, none were to be found…and as it turned out the folks at mission control had a different idea on how we would pass the time on our long journey to the Red Planet: hypersleep. When I awoke (and after a few anxious moments during the landing), I found that our journey had come to an end. However, my optimism brightened when I found myself in the Advanced Training Lab, where I found several games including Mission: Space Race, where I had to work with my fellow astronauts to bring two X-2 spaceships back to Earth. Fun as it was, it wasn’t the futuristic chess-style game that I was seeking.

70 · Celebrations It was then that I realized that I should be investigating the Walt Disney World home of Star Wars itself, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. Though I knew I hadn’t seen the game table there in any of my previous visits, I wondered if I might uncover a clue, or perhaps even find the game itself. I boarded my StarSpeeder 1000 and was delighted to see that the attraction featured an all new sequence; the thrilling chase through the remains of a Star Destroyer on the desolate world of Jakku. Seeing as I was so close the Millennium Falcon itself, I figured that the game table couldn’t be far behind. But despite a thorough search of the Tatooine Traders gift shop, I still couldn’t find a trace of the elusive game.

Despite my momentary setback, I could sense that I was getting close. I wandered over to the newest area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Star Wars Launch Bay. After watching a short film showing how the Star Wars saga was brought to life, I ventured into the various galleries that showcased props and models used in the films. I saw Rey’s speeder, a pod racer, ’s TIE advanced fighter, an X-wing fighter, the Tantive IV, ’s Slave 1, and best of all, the Millennium Falcon itself. I could sense my quarry was getting close...

I wandered into an intergalactic cantina, which brought to mind the famous Mos Eisley cantina scene from A New Hope. I looked around nervously (trying to avoid the Jawas who were trying to bargain for my meager possessions), and then I saw it. Tucked away in an unassuming corner…there it was. The holographic game table from the Millennium Falcon itself. I made several sketches and took copious notes, and was tempted to try and partake in a game myself. However, I decided that my skills wouldn’t be up to the task. Before I left though, I learned something quite interesting. A nearby local told me that the game that briefly appeared on the table in The Force Awakens had picked up exactly where it had left off in the original Star Wars film. Content with uncovering that curious nugget of trivia, I ventured off on my next quest, thankful that a Wookie hadn’t taken out his frustrations on my limbs…

71 · Celebrations How Much Do You Know About Disney Birds? by Tim Foster

1. Which of the following birds is not one of the 6. What is the name of the singing rooster in the hosts of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room? film Robin Hood? a. José a. The Merry Minstrel b. Antonio b. Roger O’Dale c. Pierre c. Alan-a-Dale d. Fritz d. He has no name

2. What is the name of the rooster in Mexico’s 7. What are the names of Daisy Duck’s nieces? Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros? a. April, May, and June a. Panchito Pistoles b. Rose, Violet, and Scarlett b. Jose Carioca c. Maisy, Jaisy, and Kaisy c. Raul Roostales d. Dora, Debbie, and Donna d. Fred 8. Who provided the voice of Scuttle the seagull 3. What is the name of the stage at Disney’s in The Little Mermaid? Animal Kingdom Flights of Wonder exotic bird a. Thurl Ravenscroft show? b. Buddy Hackett a. The Himalayan Theater c. John Ratzenberger b. Aviary Arena d.  c. Maharajah Temple d. Caravan Stage 9. What is the name of the mute pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean films who has a blue- 4. What species of bird provided the inspiration and-yellow macaw do his talking for him? for the look of Kevin in the film Up? a. Cotton a. Rainbow Lorikeet b. Pintel b. Himalayan Monai c. Ragetti c. The Bali Bird of Paradise d. Gibbs d. Lear’s Macaw 10. What type of bird did Iago imitate when he 5. Aladdin’s Iago was named after a character in a lured Aladdin out into the palace courtyard so Shakespearian play. Which play was it? he could steal the magic lamp? a. Hamlet a. Owl b. Othello b. Dove c. Macbeth c. Ostrich d. Romeo and Juliet d. Flamingo

72 · Celebrations 11. What type of bird appears throughout the 14. What was the name of the squeeze toy Haunted Mansion? pelican in Toy Story 2? a. Vulture a. Wheezy b. Raven b. Squeezy c. Crow c. Squeaky d. Midnight Hawk d. Chilly

12. What is the name of the pelican who helps 15. What is Donald Duck’s middle name? Marlin and Dory in Finding Nemo? a. Gildory a. Roman b. Fauntleroy b. Nigel c. Sebastian c. Gerald d. Bartholomew d. Sherman

13. The pelican in the last question was voiced by Quiz Answers Geoffrey Rush. What other memorable Disney 1. B 6. C 11. B character did he portray on-screen? 2. A 7. A 12. B a.  b. Master Gracey 3. D 8. B 13. C c. Captain Barbossa 4. B 9. A 14. A d. King Stefan 5. B 10. D 15. B

ANSWERS 10. Astro Orbiter FIND THE DIFFERENCE BONUS SECRET SYMBOLS KIDS KORNER (pages 74-77) 11. ANSWER 1. “P” in Polynesian Village Map in lobby 12. The Land Pavilion balloons The Hall of Presidents and the Liberty 2. ‘Ohana sign WHERE AM I? Square Riverboat 3. Kona Island coffee bar sign 1. Animation Courtyard BRAIN BUSTERS 4. Pineapple Lanai sign 2. Frontierland Madame Leota WORD SCRAMBLE 5. Tamu Tamu Lounge rafter design 3. Dinoland U.S.A. 1. ARENDELLE 4. Tomorrowland FIND THE DIFFERENCE 2. PRINCE HANS WHERE AM I? 5. Sunset Boulevard 3. TROLLS 1. Hidden Mickey in lobby entryway 6. Adventureland 4. KRISTOFF 2. Kona Island Coffee & Sushi sign 5. QUEEN ELSA 3. Painting near lobby elevator D-O-N-A-L-D 6. DUKE OF WESELTON 4. Tiki at Trader Sam’s 1. Playhouse Disney 7. SVEN 5. Giant spoon at Pineapple Lanai 2. Kilimanjaro Safaris 8. OAKENS TRADING POST 6. Detail of resort map in lobby 3. Soarin’ 7. Comic book in display case on lower 4. Mad Tea Party MYSTERY QUEST (pages 78-79) level 5. 8. Tiki inside the BouTiki gift shop 6. “it’s a small world” 1. A rail post is missing TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 2. The fence is taller 1. The Contemporary Resort and the Fort SUNNY DAYS 3. A lamp is missing Wilderness Campground 1. Primeval Whirl 4. There is an extra buckle 2. John Lennon signed the papers that 2. The Little Mermaid (film) 5. The compartment door is gone officially disbanded the group while 3. “it’s a small world” 6. The canopy is a different color vacationing at the Polynesian. 4. The Lion King (film) 7. There is an extra globe 3. 20 bungalows were added, and are 5. ’s Tower Courtyard 8. The window design is upside down known as the Bora Bora Bungalows. 6. WALL-E (film) 9. The rail ornament is flipped 4. The Eastern Winds 7. Toy Story Mania queue 10. You can see the Hitchhiking Ghosts 5. 8.5 tons 8. Mexico pavilion pyramid in the glass 6. The Strangler Fig 9. Frozen (film)

73 · Celebrations In what park “lands” will you find these attractions? 1. Star Wars Launch Bay 2. Splash Mountain 3. Finding Nemo The Musical 4. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor 5. Tower of Terror 6. Magic Carpets of Aladdin

See if you can figure out where you’ll find these letters that spell the name of our favorite duck!

1 2

3 4

5 6

74 · Celebrations See if you can figure out where you’ll find these “suns.” (Some are in the parks and some are from Disney films.)

1 2 3

See if you can figure out where you’ll find these letters that spell the name of our favorite duck! 4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11 12

Answers on page 73 75 · Celebrations Who’s ghostly head is in the crystal ball inside the Haunted Mansion?

The spirits seem to have been causing some mischief at the Haunted Mansion. Can you find the ten differences in the two photos below?

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BONUS QUESTION Beside the Haunted Mansion, can you name the other two attractions in Liberty Square?

76 · Celebrations See if you can unscramble these things you’d find in the movie Frozen!

1. REDLEANEL 2. CRIPEN SHAN

3. STROLL 4. FORKFIST

5. NUEQE SALE 6. KEDU FO SLOTNEWE

7. EVNS 8. ONESKA DINGART SPOT

Answers on page 73

In each issue, our Kids Korner columnist will answer questions that are too tough for the grown-ups! If you have a question for her, send it to: [email protected].

Who is your favorite character fly through the sky just like he did. It might from Frozen? be a little scary though (unless they made it Hmmm...that’s a tough one! I’d love to go like Soarin’). is pretty cool for a ride with Sven, and who doesn’t want to too, he’s very polite! build a snowman? I think having a snowball fight with Olaf would be fun! But I’d have to Have you seen the new Star say my favorite character is Anna, I got the Wars fireworks show at Disney’s chance to meet her in person the last time I Hollywood Studios? was in Walt Disney World and she was just as Yes, it was SOOOO amazing!!! Just being nice in person as she is in the movie :) able to hear the music and hear the different characters from the movies was great, but the Who is your favorite Avenger? fireworks were even more amazing! I’ve never Wow, I think Black Widow is pretty cool, I seen fireworks like that before...not even in wish I could jump around like her. I haven’t Wishes or IllumiNations. I got to sit way seen all of the movies yet, but I’ve always up close so the fireworks were going off all liked ...just because he has the around me. It just might be my new favorite neatest gadgets. Just imagine being able to fireworks show...mostly because I love Star fly around like that! It would be cool if they Wars, but also because they were so amazing! made an Iron Man ride at Disney, you could

77 · Celebrations Test Your Knowledge of the Polynesian Village Resort 1. The Polynesian Village Resort was one of three 5. The rooms of the Polynesian were originally original resorts to open at Walt Disney World in 1971. constructed off-site and then brought to their final What were the other two? home on Seven Seas Lagoon. (Contrary to popular belief, the rooms were never intended to be slid 2. A significant event in the career of the Beatles in and out of the main structure if they needed occurred at this very resort. What was it? to be renovated or updated.) How much did each individual room weigh? 3. How many bungalows were added to the resort during its DVC expansion, and what are they 6. On the grounds of the Polynesian Village Resort, actually called? you’ll find a giant tree marked with a plaque. The plaque makes reference to a particular plant that 4. In the early years of the Polynesian, Guests could is taking over the host tree (a sable palm), giving take a cruise on an authentic 65-foot Chinese the tree a unique appearance. The invading plant is Junk, which was docked at the resort and offered known as the Ficus Aurea. According to the plaque, chartered excursions that included a cocktail what is its more common name? lounge and fine dining. The ship left Disney in 1978. What was the name of the ship?

Where can you find these cryptic inscriptions?

5 1 2 3 4

78 · Celebrations Can you figure out where these photos were taken? 3 1 2

4 5 6

7 8 Only the best explorers will be able to figure this one out...

Answers on page 73 79 · Celebrations Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Anna and Elsa

1. Did you know that Elsa has her own snowflake? When the Snow Queen to free her , and she had no the animators were dreaming up Elsa’s different abilities, relation to Elsa. However, as the filmmakers struggled to they came up with a signature snowflake just for her. You make the two characters mesh, they hit upon the notion can see this snowflake when she slams her foot into the of making Anna and Elsa sisters, thus providing them ground to create the floor of her ice palace, as well as in with a believable, and emotional, relationship. the pattern on the doors of her ice palace balcony. Most noticeably, it is the snowflake inside the “o” in the word 6. Anna was also going to originally be named Greta, after “Frozen” as seen on the title screen of the film. the original heroine of The Snow Queen, Gerda.

2. Elsa has the ability to change the color of ice to match her 7. Even though Elsa sings the film’s signature song “Let It Go,” emotions; blue when she’s happy, red when she’s fright- Anna does the most singing of all the characters in Frozen. ened, purple when she’s sad, and amber when she’s angry. 3. During the 2013 D23 Expo, writer offhand- 8. When Elsa is in her guise as the Snow Queen, she wears edly suggesting that Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph would make her hair in a loose French braid tied with a crystal-like a good couple. In , if Ralph and Elsa are hairband. Her hair appears especially thick, and it’s no introduced to one another, Ralph will tell wonder since her hair is composed of 400,000 strands Elsa that she’s “really pretty,” and Elsa (four times more than an average person). will reply “…and you have a warm heart.” 9. Speaking of hair, Anna, being the younger sister, has two 4. The reason that Elsa pos- braids in her hair, one more sesses the magical abil- than Elsa. ity to control ice is never explained in 10. Anna and Elsa were origi- the film. How- nally intended to join the Disney ever, according Princess lineup as the twelfth to Jennifer Lee, and thirteenth Princesses respect- the source of her fully. However, since the pair has magic may have proved to be so popular on their been caused by own, it was decided they would a 1000-year align- instead be the stars of their ment between Sat- own franchise based on the urn and other distant film. Even though they are planets (similar to how not official Disney Prin- Rapunzel got her blonde cesses, they can often be hair from the Sun). seen with the other prin- cesses, and were also ref- 5. Early in the story’s development, Anna erenced as Disney Prin- was going to be a peasant who would ask cesses in Sofia the First.

Keepsake Image: “Nighttime in Norway”• Photo © Mike Billick 80 · Celebrations Artwork ©Disney Back Cover Photo © Disney

“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” –Walt Disney