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Cover Photography © Mike Billick Issue 53 : Bringing the Future to 40 Contents Life Through Disney News...... 8 Imagination Calendar of Events...... 12 MOUSE VIEWS...... 15 Guide to the Magic by Tim Foster...... 16 The Biggest Little Shutters and Lenses by Tim Devine...... 18 Star in the 48 Hidden Mickeys by Steve Barrett...... 20 Galaxy: Sonny Eclipse by Jamie Hecker...... 22 Disney Cuisine by Heather Coursen...... 24 Disney Touring Tips by Beci Mahnken...... 26 On With the Show! Disney Secrets The History of the 54 by Chris Smith...... 28 Magic Club by J Darling...... 30

FEATURED ATTRACTION The Great Movie Ride...... 32

FEATURED The Circuses of Disney: Dead Men Tell No Tales / 3...... 36

Magic Under the 60 Wandering the World...... 68 By the Numbers...... 69 Big Top In Search Of...... 70 Quick Quiz...... 72 Kids Korner...... 74 Mystery Quest...... 78 Tim & Lou’s Top 10...... 80 The Street Performers 64 of Bringing Worlds to Life

As audiences around the world thrill and delight at the marvel of the new film, we can all look forward to the prospect of seeing our most beloved animated classics brought to life on the big screen. From to The Jungle Book, and now the adventures of Belle, the Beast, and all of their friends, we are experiencing a new way of seeing that Disney magic brought to life in ways we could never have imagined. But in a way, that has always been the case at Walt Disney World. It has been, and always will be, a place where dreams can come true, and a place where you can see worlds that once lived only in the heart of your imagination brought to life before your very eyes. With the release of Beauty and the Beast, we are reminded of this remarkable tale, and can re-experience the wondrous world that we saw in the classic animated film… this time in a whole new way.

But, lest we forget, we’ve always been able to visit these fairytale lands. For example, in the New , the Imagineers at Disney brought the classic tale’s world to life with Enchanted Tales with Belle. We can walk through Maurice’s cottage and marvel at his sketches, drawings, and wondrous inventions. We can see the enchanted mirror and walk through the magic portal to the Beast’s castle, where we can meet the Wardrobe, Lumière, and Belle herself. This magical attraction is just one of many that transports us to new worlds both past present, and even those that live only in our imagination.

As this new wave of Disney unfolds before us, and we get the opportunity to see our beloved animated classics brought to life once again, we are reminded that we also have the chance to visit these worlds ourselves at the , , and the rest of Walt Disney World. A big part of Disney’s magic lies in their ability to take us to whole new worlds, whether in the parks or on the big screen, going all the way back to Walt Disney’s first animated features. There’s no doubt he would be proud today to see how all of the new technological innovations, both in cinema and in the parks, continue to bring our dreams to life.

Enjoy the magic! Tim Foster

2 · Celebrations Editor Tim Foster

Associate Editors Michelle Foster • Lisa Mahan • Lou Mongello

Contributing Writers Steve Barrett Heather Coursen J Darling Tim Devine Jamie Hecker Beci Mahnken

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.

Advertising inquiries (including information on advertising rates and opportunities) can be sent to: [email protected]. We are always accepting story proposals and contributions. You can direct such inquiries to: [email protected]. Unsolicited materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. By sending in unsolicited materials such as photos, you agree that Celebrations Press is not responsible for their safety or return.

©2017 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 Setting the Record Straight In our last issue, we shared with you the story of Wally Boag, one of the greatest per- formers to have entertained Disney Guests throughout the years. Unfortunately, a few of the photos in the article were miscredited ( apologizes profusely, it was his turn to pick out the pictures for the upcoming issue and...well...he goofed!) But in a way, it was a ser- endipitous mistake, for it allows us to give credit where credit is due, and to introduce you to some of the other amazing per- formers that were a part of the Wally Boag story! To recap; for three de- cades, Wally Boag sang, danced, and joked his way through Disney History. Left to Right: Donald Novis, Judy Marsh, and Wally Boag

Wait, That’s Not Wally Boag! From 1955 until 1971, Boag worked center stage at the Golden Horse- shoe Revue, performing as a traveling salesman and Pecos Bill. His act included balloon animals, acrobatics, and a seemingly endless supply of fake teeth (lima beans) that Boag spit out of his mouth throughout the performance. Boag took his act to Walt Disney World in 1971, performing at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon and the Contemporary Resort. After two years, he returned to Disneyland and resumed his duties at the Golden Horseshoe until his retirement in 1987. In 1995, Boag became a Dis- ney Legend and Guests can see him commemorated at the with a window on Main Street above the Carnation Com- pany. Comedian Dick Hardwick as the Travelling Salesman Many thanks to the arti- After Boag’s retirement, the role of the Traveling cle’s author, Shaun Jex, for Salesman in Disneyland was taken by comedian helping us set the record Dick Hardwick. The two bore a passing resemblance straight! and have even been mistaken for each other – even by us, as we incorrectly identified the talented Dick Wally Boag (right) shuffling Hardwick as Wally Boag himself in our last issue! down Main Street with the Firehouse 5 Plus 2 band.

6 · Celebrations Contributors

Kevin Carpenter works in Lori Elias credits her pas- After being shown the joys Shaun Jex is the Editor professional soccer and sion for Disney to long- of a Disney vacation, Ray of the Citizen’s Advocate enjoys writing from his time friend Tara Miller, Harkness cannot imagine newspaper based in Coppell, home in Berea, Ohio. Kevin a Cast Member with the being away from work if Texas where he lives with has been published on ESPN Disney Cruiseline. Lori is it doesn’t involve a Disney his wife and two children. Cleveland, On the Fly, and a Cleveland-area middle resort. When not touring He is the author of the book Cleveland.com. Kevin is a school music teacher by day, the parks, Ray writes for his “Legendary Locals life-long Disney fan with a freelance writer by night, blog Grumpy’s Hollow under of Coppell” and runs a particular interest in the and Disney fan 24/7. She has the name Grumpwurst bi-weekly blog at life and works of its founder, written for a number of (grumpyspace.blogspot. www.shaunjex.com Walt Disney. music publications, and is com). thrilled to be able to share her love of all things Disney.

Lindsay Mott participated Chris Smith loves Walt in the College Program and Disney World because it then worked seasonally makes him feel like a kid for more than five years again. When he visits the at Walt Disney World. Her Happiest Place on Earth, time was centered around Chris completely returns to Magical Moments and that state of mind, ready to seeing as many explore distant jungles, ride times as possible (especially in pirate ships, and fly in Wishes). She is back home rockets. Chris loves to share in Alabama working in the magic of Disney with his marketing and freelance wife Alexis, and his children writing, but her heart will Koty, Samuel, Scarlett and forever be split in two, Alice Anne. Chris works on with half remaining in the Disneykidagain.com, a Walt Happiest Place on Earth Disney World Blog for Disney kids of all ages.

7 · Celebrations Disney News

human conflict with the native Na’vi inhabitants has end- Pandora – The World of ed. The dramatic daytime beauty of transforms to glow by night when bioluminescent flora and intricate nighttime experiences add a dreamlike quality to Pandora. Avatar at Disney’s Animal Pandora – The World of Avatar is a creative collabora- tion of , Cameron and Cameron’s Kingdom: Explore the Magic Lightstorm Entertainment. “We are taking our guests on a journey to this world in an experience that’s as realistic and immersive as possible,” of Nature in a Distant World says Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive. “In the movie, the world of Pandora is a setting Unlike Any Other for the action and characters whose story we follow. Here, guests are the primary characters immersed in an ex- andora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal King- tremely vivid, authentic experience.” Pdom opens May 27 at Walt Disney World Resort. The all- Guests to Disney’s Animal Kingdom cross the park’s Dis- new land will immerse guests in a mystical world of mas- covery River into Pandora – The World of Avatar and con- sive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and tinue along a winding rainforest path for their first glimpse breathtaking new experiences. of the land’s iconic floating mountains. The largest addition in the history of Disney’s Animal “When guests come across the bridge, they are transferred Kingdom, Pandora carries on the park’s tradition of cel- light-years away, to the Alpha-Centauri solar system and Pan- ebrating the intrinsic value of nature, transformation dora,” says Jon Landau, AVATAR producer, Lightstorm Enter- through adventure and a personal call to action. tainment. “It’s an otherworldly, fully-themed experience.” Based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s As guests explore the verdant terrain sprawling beneath record-breaking box-office hit, AVATAR, the new land wel- mountains that appear to float in the sky, they see water- comes guests to the lush world of Pandora long after the falls cascading down the mountainside into meandering

8 · Celebrations streams and pools, and they discover two thrilling new ex- Animals will appear out of the underbrush – big Pandoran peditions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. animals will appear at the edge of the forest and you’ll hear Avatar Flight of Passage launches each guest on an exhila- the very complicated calls they issue back and forth.” rating, wind-in-your-face experience on a winged mountain The thriving Pandoran landscape conveys intrinsic park banshee over the awe-inspiring world of Pandora. Guests messages of the value of nature, transformation through will actually feel the banshee breathe beneath them as they adventure and conservation and stewardship. soar through the forest and past floating mountains. What The artful storytelling in Pandora continues as guests was a rite of passage for Na’vi in Cameron’s film becomes a stop for sustenance at the land’s Satu’li Canteen (pro- multisensory experience for guests seeking the ultimate nounced “Sa-too-lee”), a Quonset-hut-style building. The adventure – a faceoff with the most feared predator of Pan- fast-casual restaurant is inspired the healthful bounty of dora, the Great Leonopteryx. Pandora – wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and hearty On the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey, guests travel proteins. Guests can grab a drink at nearby Pongu Pongu. down a sacred river deep into a bioluminescent rainforest. Windtraders is a shopper’s delight where guests can The eight-seat reed boats float past exotic glowing plants choose from Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more. and Pandoran creatures into the midst of a musical Na’vi Authenticity and realism were drivers in the creation of ceremony. The mystical journey culminates in an encoun- Pandora, and the result is a world beyond belief. ter with a breathtakingly realistic Na’vi Shaman of Songs “The attractions have very deliberate emotional mo- who is deeply connected with Pandora’s life force and sends ments crafted into them, the way a good story does, the positive energy through her music into the forest. way a good film does.” Rohde says. “It’s not as simple as just “The Pandora landscape will be alive with creatures,” Ro- coming to a place that looks realistic. It’s a place that’s been hde says. “We’re bringing to life everything from the largest deliberately imbued with the emotions of awe, of wonder, creature you might encounter to the most microscopic. of respect, of harmony.”

Photos ©Disney 9 · Celebrations Disney News

alongside their treasures. From there, this white-water ad- Miss Adventure Falls Now venture takes them through twists, turns and dips where they will see deep-sea artifacts Captain Mary collected on Open at Disney’s Typhoon her many treasure hunts around the world. With a ride time of two minutes, Miss Adventure Falls is the longest attraction at Typhoon Lagoon. Lagoon Miss Adventure Falls is the latest in a variety of expansion iss Adventure Falls, a new family-friendly water at- projects across Walt Disney World Resort. Coming soon: Mtraction at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, is Pandora – The World of Avatar, opens May 27 at Disney’s Ani- now taking guests of all ages on a high-seas journey. mal Kingdom; a new indoor, multipurpose athletics facility Miss Adventure Falls brings to life the story of Captain at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2018; and a Star Mary Oceaneer, a treasure-hunting heroine and world-fa- Wars-themed land at Disney’s Studios in 2019. mous oceanographer who made it her goal to sail the sev- en seas and collect treasures to share with the rest of the Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon offers water activities suitable world. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon became the home to Cap- for all ages, including signature attractions such as Crush tain Mary’s ship after a rogue typhoon swept it and some of ‘n’ Gusher, a water-coaster that takes riders aboard inflat- her artifacts to shore, where the locals then repurposed the able rafts on a twisting, turning, up-and-down adventure; goods and statues to create this fun, family raft adventure. Ketchakiddee Creek, a water playground for children ages In a first for a water attraction in Florida, guests are trans- two to five (under four feet tall) and their parents; and Cast- ported via a conveyor belt — while seated in their treasure away Creek, where guests hop onto inner tubes for a mean- rafts — to the top of the slide, passing by Mary’s wrecked dering water tour through a misty rain forest and a hidden ship where her parrot and diving partner Duncan talks grotto.

10 · Celebrations Photo ©Disney 11 · Celebrations Calendar of Events Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Party March 1 - May 29, 2017 (Dates to be announced) Epcot Magic Kingdom Welcome the upcoming spring season by treating your Highlights will include: senses to a harvest of vibrant and captivating experiences! • Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular Blossoming once again from March 1 to May 29, 2017, the Chills, thrills and villains await during a wickedly fun cel- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a fun-filled ebration hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s destination for Guests of every age—and the perfect place Hocus Pocus. for nearly every member of the family to dig up their sense • Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Show of curiosity and discovery. Highlights may include: Sing along with some of the most infamous Disney bad • Outdoor kitchens offering delectable bites and libations guys and gals of all time as this spooky spectacular lights • Dozens of world-renowned, Disney-themed topiaries up the sky! • Breathtaking garden spac- es and wildlife habitats • Inspirational exhibits, seminars and demonstra- tions • An outdoor concert series featuring fan-favorite bands • And much, much more With so much to see and do, you can return again and again—and uncover something new each and every time!

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival August 31 - November 13, 2017 Epcot • Global Marketplaces Find international foods at 30 unique kiosks, then nosh on the spot or take to go! • Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade • Eat to the Beat Concert Series Masquerade with costumed Characters—including Get in touch with your inner groupie—bust a move to stars from —for a night of family- live performances during the Festival! Festival Center friendly frights. Happenings • Trick-or-Treat Throughout the Park • Shop, dine and discover must-see Festival events—from It wouldn’t be Halloween without gathering up some book signings and top chef tips to much more! goodies. From land to land, get your fill of sweets, snacks There’s lots more info on the way, so stay tuned for more and more. details! And much more...! Are you ready for some ghoulish hijinks?

12 · Celebrations Photo ©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 Smallest of Details alt Disney World is filled with amazing sights, attractions, and iconic struc- Wtures. It’s easy to marvel at the towering spires of , the grand geodesic sphere of , or the magnificent glamour of Hollywood Bou- levard. But as we’ve talked about many times before, Disney’s true magic lies in the details. Oftentimes these details can be found in the references to the history and the people who brought Walt Disney World to life, and even those who helped build the Disney empire from its earliest days. Other times they can be found in the hid- den jokes and puns written on crates, barrels, signs, and other decorative items. But sometimes these details are nothing more than the seemingly ordinary items that you would normally overlook, but although they may not be readily noticeable, they by Tim Foster add much to the theming of the surrounding area and are just as important in cre- ating a totally immersive setting as the attractions themselves.

Futuristic Finds For example, let’s go to Tomorrowland and see what sort of details we can discov- er. Even before you enter the heart of Tomorrowland, be sure to look down at the ground. You may have never noticed it before, but there is an intricate geometric design woven into the pavement all throughout this futuristic land. The design is reminiscent of a giant map of the galaxy, and is indicative of the intergalactic envi- ronment that is at the heart of the backstory of Tomorrowland. Meanwhile, over at the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, be sure to take a close look at the dioramas that you pass by. In one of them, you’ll note references to the Red and Green lines that, along with the Blue line that you are currently riding, serve as the intergalactic transportation system for Tomorrowland. It may not be evident as you look at the scene, but this is a reference to the land’s fictional backstory in Tim Foster is the creator of which the Green line takes you to the outer Hover-Burbs, while the Red line takes Celebrations magazine and you to other-worldly destinations. The Blue line, or the TTA, serves as the inner city the author of the Guide to the Magic book series, which transportation system. This is not only a reference to the backstory of Tomorrow- includes the Guide to the Magic land, but also a nod to Walt Disney’s original vision of Epcot, the city of the future. for Kids and the Deluxe Guide to He envisioned a city where transportation would be provided by monorails taking the Magic Autograph & Sticker citizens from the outer living areas into the heart of the city, and once in the city, Book. Tim is also the creator of people could travel around via transportation systems much like the TTA. the www.celebrationspress.com You’ll also find some odd looking writing throughout Tomorrowland, most no- website. tably at the newspaper stand near the entrance to the TTA. You can also see this alphabet, (or at least you used to), at ’s Great Escape!, as this was the alphabet used by the alien beings of Stitch’s universe. You may not know what the letters mean on the newspaper as you glance at them, (though they do tell a story which is fun to decipher), but just seeing this alien writing lends an authentic detail, albeit a small one, that helps to reinforce the idea that you are in the middle of an interga- lactic community.

Ghouls and Scallywags Meanwhile, over in Liberty Square, be sure to pay attention at the objects in the loading area as you head toward your Doom Buggy. It may seem like an ordinary queue, but on closer inspection you’ll notice that the post tops are actually bats, in

16 · Celebrations keeping with the haunting theme of this foreboding man- country. For example, notice how the walkways within each sion. While you’re in your Doom Buggy, be sure to take a pavilion change to reflect the architectural characteristics closer look at the wallpaper, chairs, and other fixtures found of each country. Whether it’s the cobblestones in the United throughout the mansion. You’ll find that everything is not Kingdom or the natural stonework found among the gar- as it seems, and some of the seemingly innocent decora- dens in Japan, you’ll find that each pavilion’s pathways are tions are actually sinister faces staring back at you, adding unique and reflective of each country’s culture. Similarly, to the ghoulish atmosphere found inside this classic attrac- be sure to look at the streetlamps found throughout World tion. Showcase. While the main streetlamps on the major walk- Likewise, over it , you’ll see many ways share a common look, you’ll notice that the lamps take small details in the queue that you might overlook as you on unique designs as you enter each pavilion. For instance, make your way toward the loading area. But if time per- make note of the intricate ornamentation of the lanterns mits, take a closer look inside the in the China pavilion, as well as dungeons and through the prison the elegant and romantic crafts- bars to see the incredible details manship of the lamps found in that can be found within. You can the pavilion. famously see the pair of skeleton Indeed, light fixtures through- pirates playing and eternal game out all of Walt Disney World often of chess of course, but you’ll also take on the theming of the at- see cannon balls, barrels, and even traction or land they are in. While Jack Sparrow’s long-lost rum. As you may not notice them as you exit your boat, take note of you wind your way through the the moving walkway under your queues or wander through the feet. Most of these moving walk- various areas of each land, these ways throughout Walt Disney lighting fixtures and other tiny World have footprints painted on details all serve to form the visual them to help indicate which di- backstory to each area. Whether rection you’ll be traveling. In this it’s the flickering lamps on Main case, you’ll see a single footprint Street U.S.A., the old-fashioned next to a small circle. It may not lights in , or the fu- make sense at first…until you re- turistic fixtures found in Tomor- member tales of peg-leg pirates rowland (including the palm who used to traverse the Caribbean, and you’ll see that trees!), the lights found throughout Walt Disney World not these are actually meant to be the footprints of those das- only serve a functional purpose, but go a long way towards tardly seafarers. adding to the theming and detailing of each area, helping to transport you to lands far far away. Around the World Similarly, over in Epcot the same footprints take on the This is just a small sampling of the details you’ll find in form of manta rays at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at- Walt Disney World, the ones that go beyond historical ref- traction. Most Guests probably don’t even notice these hu- erences and clever jokes that are fun to find…especially morous markings as they disembark from the attractions all of those Hidden Mickeys. But as you’re looking for those to make their way toward the next stop on their itinerary humorous and self-referential details, be sure to look at all or to explore the pavilion. But if you’re on such an attraction, of the seemingly innocent items scattered throughout the be sure to look at the walkway…you just might find a pleas- different lands. You’ll find that most of them are designed ant surprise. in such away that they help transport you to new worlds. While you’re in Epcot, take a stroll around World Showcase As we often say when we talk about Walt Disney World, the to discover many more details that may not be immediately attention is in the details, and that goes for even the small- noticeable, but add to the theming of each pavilion’s home est of items!

Photo ©Tim Foster 17 · Celebrations Bringing Movies to Life he Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is jam-packed with homages Tto some of cinema’s greatest films. Not only is it a wonder to behold, but it’s also a photographer’s treasure trove of memorable subjects. While some of the darker areas may be tougher to photograph, such as the Alien scene, many of the other scenes are brilliantly lit and, with a little bit of careful planning, can yield some beautiful photographs. Here are just a few of my favorites...enjoy!

by Tim Devine

Tim Devine is an avid photographer and the owner and webmaster of www.themagicinpixels.com, a website created for and dedicated to fellow Disney Photography Enthusiasts. In addition to a large gallery of photos you can browse, you’ll also find tips, articles and equipment reviews to help you create magical photo memories of your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Also, be sure to check www.themagicinpixels.com for information on Pixelmania!, an annual festival of Disney photography, friends, and fun in Walt Disney World .

18 · Celebrations Photo ©Tim Devine 19 · Celebrations Hidden Mickeys in Disney Springs s I’d hoped, new Hidden Mickeys are popping up during the construction and Aexpansion of Disney Springs! For this article, I’ll present some new Hidden Mickeys - and revisit a few vintage ones.

1. A large “Florida Ranchers” mural is on an outside rear wall of Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming restaurant. A subtle, light brown classic (three-circle) marking is on the horse’s upper rear thigh. Stand on the nearby bridge for the best perspective of this image.

2. Inside Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, a girl with Mickey ears is at a table at the left middle of a painting on the wall behind the stage. by Steve Barrett 3. In the high-ceilinged central room of the World of Disney store, check out this group of lily pads at the lower right side of a long stained-glass painting on the rear wall. Look behind the check-out counter at the bottom of the panel on the right.

4. On the walls in the central Genie Room of the World of Disney store, blue classic Mickeys can be spotted in the compass paintings.

5. Walk to the Women’s Apparel room at the right rear of the World of Disney store and glance up at the ceiling. Find the moon surround- ed by clouds, which resemble Mickey’s “ears” and “nose” and seem to form a side profile view of Mickey.

Steve Barrett is the author of the 6. Display bins that hold merchandise in some of the rooms of the Hidden Mickeys Guide Book Series World of Disney store have classic Mickey-shaped feet. (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the Disney Cruise Ships) available in the Disney Parks and in book stores, 7. In several outside display windows of the Disney TAG shop in Mar- Amazon, and on Kindle and other ketplace Co-Op, at times you can spot cloud Hidden Mickeys as they downloadable formats. float by the faux airplane windows. The WDW and Disneyland Hidden Mickeys Guide books are also offered 8. Inside Tren-D, a yellow side profile of Mickey Mouse sits at the top as iPhone and Android apps. Steve (maybe the clasp?) of Minnie’s handbag. Minnie is painted on a “Cast and his wife Vickie (hiddenmickeygal) are the webmasters of Members Only” door at the rear of the store. www.HiddenMickeyGuy.com, and are on @hiddenmickeyguy 9. This Mickey image is in the walkway near Disney’s Pin Traders store. and Facebook as Hidden Mickey Guy Disney’s Hidden Mickeys Hunter. 10. Across the first and second rooms inside Once Upon a Toy (as you enter from the front main entrance), large letters in Scrabble tiles on the floor spell “MICKEY.”

20 · Celebrations Photos ©Steve Barrett 1 2

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21 · Celebrations Harrison “Buzz” Price

he pursuit of leisure. In the post World War II era, Americans were putting a Thigher priority on leisure and recreational activities. The rumpus room scene from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress quickly springs to mind. Families and indi- viduals were venturing more frequently out of the house, and Walt Disney knew he needed to tap into this. The concept of ‘leisure-time economic analysis’ was a new field, and Walt found the brightest person in it to help him determine where Dis- neyland should be located. Harrison “Buzz” Price did exactly that. Price was born in Oregon City, Oregon on May 17, 1921. It was his younger sister by Jamie Hecker who helped coin his nickname. As a toddler, she had difficulty pronouncing ‘broth- er’ which instead came out as ‘buzz.’ The alternate name stuck. The Price family moved to when Buzz was nine. As a child, Price was fascinated with num- bers, math, and documenting mundane items. For example, he would tally how many times he played a phonograph record from his collection. Price attended the Institute of Technology and received a Bachelor of Science degree in me- chanical engineering in 1942. He served in the Army during World War II and after- wards, worked in South America as a sales engineer. He returned to California to attend Stanford University, where he earned his MBA in 1951. Upon graduation, Price worked for the Stanford Research Institute, studying demographic, weather and traffic trends, among other factors, to address client proposals. Within two years, Price would have the project that would ultimately define him. Walt Disney had long been tinkering with the idea of a theme park. The original idea was for a “Mickey Mouse Park” on an adjacent parcel of land next to the Bur- bank studio. Concept art was produced, but it never got . Burbank city officials were cool to the thought of the park idea, and Walt kept adding new concepts he wanted in the park. The eleven-acre parcel was no longer sufficient. Walt realized he needed independent professional advice on the ideal location for Jamie Hecker has been a lifelong his park, now dubbed Disneyland. In 1953, Walt conferred with several fan of Disney, and is passing on his love to his sons. He and his family architects on the best location for his dream park. They instead directed Walt to visit Orlando annually and always meet with Price. Within short order, Walt had signed Buzz to a contract for $25,000 look forward to their next trip. to determine the ideal site for Disneyland. Price had three months to determine the When not in Orlando, he resides answers to Walt’s fundamental questions – if the park is built, will visitors attend, in northern Virginia with his and if so how many will they be? beautiful wife Suzanne, two boys Price turned his attention to Orange County, south of Los Angeles. The weather and four cats. You can read more about his trends there were more ideal, and census information showed that it was rapidly “hidden Disney” musings at growing. Interstate 5 was recently extended southward, which also heavily fac- myhiddendisney.blogspot.com/ tored into his research. In the end, Price narrowed it down to Anaheim, more pre- cisely 160 acres of orange groves. “Build it (Disneyland) in Anaheim, and build it now,” recalled Price’s youngest son, when asked about his father’s role in the site selection for Walt’s dream park. Disneyland, sixty-one years young, is by all reasonable measures a smashing suc- cess and an indelible icon on the American concept of leisure. Price found the ideal location and forged a career-long relationship with the Disney company. Price, at the recommendation of Walt and Roy Disney, opened up his own consult- ing firm in 1958, named Economics Research Associates, and Disney was his primary

22 · Celebrations customer. He was called on time and time again for feasi- ables in theme parks such as length of time guests would be bility studies for future attractions, guest attendance esti- willing to stay in line. He recalled in 2004 about that process, mates and site selections for future Disney parks, including “If people are waiting around too long, you’re not going to sleepy Orlando, for its growth potential, as the site for Walt be profitable. But if they’re going through the park too fast, Disney World. Over a decade later, he selected Urayasu as that’s also not good.” Price firmly stood by his analytical ap- the site for . proach to his work. When asked later about it, he replied, Over his career, he prepared over 150 reports for Disney. “Guessing is dysfunctional. Ignoring prior experience is de- A few notable examples include suggested attractions for nial. Using valid numbers to project performance is ratio- the 1964-1965 World’s , and an in-depth sur- nal.” vey of ‘time required to see Disneyland attractions.’ Not all Price wasn’t exclusive to Disney. In the realm of large-scale of Price’s reports came to fruition. In 1962, he wrote a com- outdoor projects and theme parks, he worked with Six Flags prehensive re- and Sea World. port about the He also helped to Enchanted Tiki develop the mas- Room, but not as ter plan for eight a standalone at- world’s . traction. Price’s Price re- report was pre- ceived a life- pared when the time achieve- Tiki Room was ment award in first conceived 1994 from the as a sit down Themed Enter- restaurant, with tainment Asso- Stouffer’s slated ciation (THEA). as the original Later, the award sponsor and pro- was renamed in vider of its food his honor as The services. The Buzz Price Thea detailed report Award. factored in three For his service separate parties to the Walt Dis- – Disneyland, ney Company, WED Enterprises Price was named (which at the a Disney Legend time was Walt’s in 2003, despite privately owned never being di- ‘imagineering’ rectly on the Dis- company), and ney payroll. For- Stouffer’s. Price’s mer CEO Michael report went into great detail about potential dinner show Eisner spoke highly of Price, stating that he was “as much attendance, how many times a day it could operate, esti- responsible for the success of the Walt Disney Company as mated yearly revenue, and an estimated time for all parties anybody except Walt Disney himself.” involved to recoup the initial investment in the attraction. Like many other Disney Legends, Price worked directly The Enchanted Tiki Room did open, but not as Price first with Walt, and found him to be a kindred spirit. He recalled, imagined it. “Walt was a dreamer, but he had a very workmanlike curios- Price had his own style of deriving the answers he was ity about how things functioned, and whether what he was seeking. He dubbed it “roller coaster math,” quantifying vari- talking about would actually work.”

23 · Celebrations Exotic Dining Comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Tiffins n 2016, Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally opened their first signature restaurant – ITiffins. This restaurant has fast become a must-visit for Guests visiting the park. The food is delectable and the atmosphere is peaceful (much appreciated on those hot Florida days!). Currently, Tiffins is off the beaten path, located on the walkway to Pandora, and unless you’re looking for it, you could easily walk right past on your rush to the Safari. But once Pandora opens, Guests will be traipsing right past the entrance to the restaurant and it will surely be packed! There are two sections in this fantastic restaurant: Tiffins and the Nomad By Heather Coursen, Lounge. The lounge is beautifully decorated and features big comfy chairs and CTA - ACC couches to relax in while you enjoy a cocktail and take in the inspirational travel quotes hanging from the ceiling. Guests are invited to write their favorite travel memories down, which Cast Members then hang throughout the bar. But perhaps the best part of the lounge is the outdoor seating area, which overlooks the bridge to Pandora. There are big, comfy couches where you can easily spend an hour or two enjoying great conversation. Tiffins itself is gorgeous. The entire restaurant is an art gallery dedicated to the adventures that the Disney Imagineers embarked on while planning and concep- tualizing Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There is so much on display it’s actually split up over two dining rooms. The Safari Gallery is the smaller of the two dining rooms, and it’s dedicated to the art and artifacts that the Imagineers found in Africa that helped inspire their designs around the park and bring a sense of realism to the land. Especially curious is the electrical panel mounted to the wall – be sure to no- tice how they used that to stage electrical wiring in the Africa section of the park! In the Grand Gallery, the artwork and sculptures all pay homage to the animals the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund works to protect. The artwork here is beau- tiful – there are masks, costumes, abstract animal sculptures and more. Every- Heather is a certified travel where you look there is something different adorning the walls, so be sure to take planner and accredited cruise some time to wander around before or after your meal to really take everything counselor affiliated with MEI & in. Your server will be more than happy to tell you about all of the artwork in the Mouse Fan Travel. Love to travel restaurant! and discover new places? Let Once seated, you’ll be presented with a menu made of real leather, much like a Heather help you plan your dream vacation to destinations around travel journal, in keeping with the theme of the restaurant. Even the wine menu is the globe! She will help plan every designed to look like an old travel journal. As Disney does so well, great attention is detail of your magical vacation, all paid to every detail, no matter how small, in order to bring the restaurant’s back- at no cost to you. Let her help you story to life. make memories! Book your next When it’s time to order, you’ll want to start with a beverage! The wine list here is vacation with Heather at 818-748- fantastic and expansive, with wines from Africa and South America. Your server is 8308 or [email protected]. well-versed in all of the wines, so don’t be afraid to seek out their suggestions. But it’s the specialty cocktails here that really stand out – they’re incredibly creative! You’ll definitely want to give them a try. Two popular favorites are the Annapurna Zing (a light and refreshing mix of gin, mint and ginger), and the Night Monkey (made from rum, guava purée, coffee liquor and cilantro). The latter sounds like it would be

24 · Celebrations awful, but this crazy combination clicks and has the most The specialty of the house is the Wagyu Strip Loin and interesting flavor. Braised Beef Short Rib. It’s the specialty for a reason – it’s The food at Tiffins doesn’t disappoint, either. Every item phenomenal! The Wagyu beef just melts in your mouth, and on the menu is incredible, so there’s no way to make a bad is seasoned lightly with sea salt so the flavor pops. Do your- choice here. You can opt to start with the Tiffins Signature self a favor and order this! But if you don’t eat meat, the veg- Bread Service, but beware – it’s huge! You could easily make etable curry and black eyed pea fritters are both standout a meal out of this if you wanted to. They do have it next options. door in the Nomad Lounge as well, which would be great for The atmosphere at Tiffins is quiet, peaceful, and relax- drinks and a light snack to share. The bread service comes ing. You’ll forget that you’re in a theme park, with the heat with three kinds of bread and four dips, which are present- and crowds just a few steps away. Add to that the amazing ed in a small Tiffin carrier (a small, tiered lunch box used menu, and this is a true winner, and is already considered to in Asia), a wonderful nod to the namesake of the restau- be one of the best restaurants in Walt Disney World. rant. The bread service is wonderful, there’s just something unique about the mix of flavors. Disney dining reservations (ADR’s) are highly recommended. Tiffins is open for both lunch and dinner, and the menu They can be made 180 days in advance through your My Disney for each is great. There is a lot of cross-over, with many Experience account or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. A credit card is items on both menus. However, the lunch menu also offers needed to guarantee your reservation, but it will not be charged the Taste of Tiffins. With this menu you get to choose two (However, keep in mind there will be a $10/person charge for no of the listed items so you can taste more of the menu. The shows or reservations cancelled less than 24 hours before your serving size is pared down, so you’re not leaving so stuffed dining time). If you are using a dining plan, Tiffins is 2 table service that you can’t walk, but you feel very satisfied. credits on the plan.

Photos © Disney 25 · Celebrations Disney Vacation FAQs

trip to Walt Disney World is uniquely magical, but with so much to do and see, it A can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to plan that perfect vacation. Where to start? If you’re not one to work out all of the details on your own, never fear, there’s lots of help! In this issue, our friends at MEI-Travel (the Mouse Fan Travel Team!) can help get you started by tackling some of the most frequently asked questions they receive from Guests as they plan their trips. So without further ado, let’s dive in and By Beci Mahnken make some Disney magic! CTC-MCC and the Mouse Q. When can I make FastPass+ reservations? Fan Travel Team If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can begin making FastPasses 60 days in advance of your arrival date beginning at 7:00 a.m. (eastern) sharp. Disney resort Guests are also granted a 10 day grace period, meaning they can make FastPasses for their arrival date plus up to 10 days into their vacation. Non-Disney Resort Guests can make FastPass reservations up to 30 days in advance, though they don’t get the benefit of the 10 day grace period. This means that they will have to make each day’s FastPass reservations exactly 30 days out. – Sue Passauer, Travel Planner

Q. Can we get FastPass+ at more than one theme park in a single day? Currently, you may pre-select three FastPass+ for only one theme park daily through your My Disney Experience account. However, after you use the pre-select- ed FastPass+ for that day, you can now select an additional FastPass+ to be used later that same day at any of the four main Disney theme parks. Once you use each ad- ditional FastPass+, you can get another one until there aren’t any more FastPass+ available for the day. – Donna Milligan, Travel Planner

Beci Mahnken, CTC-MCC is the Q: Is the Disney Dining Plan ‘worth it’? founder, president, and CEO of MEI- Travel & Mouse Fan Travel. An au- Great question! In general, if you are planning at least one sit-down meal per night thorized Disney Vacation Planner, of your stay, then the Disney Dining Plan (one Table service credit, one quick service Beci has nearly 20 years of vacation credit, two snack credits per person age 3+, per night plus one resort refillable mug) planning experience, specializing in will usually save you money over paying out of pocket. There are a few exceptions vacation packages and cruises, with to this! If you or your children are very light eaters, or if you are only planning one or a team of more than 70 affiliates two table service meals during your trip, then it may not make sense for you. nationwide. Visit www.MouseFanTravel.com – Sue Varney, Travel Planner or follow her on Twitter @beci_ mousefan. Q: What are the benefits of staying in an on-property Disney Resort? Staying in a Disney Resort hotel is magical- and gives you exclusive benefits such as complimentary Magical Express airport shuttle service, Extra Magic Hours (where parks open early or stay open later just for Resort guests), the use of Disney transportation- including monorail, motor coach and boats and the option to add a Disney dining plan to your vacation package. – Jackie York, CTA

26 · Celebrations Q. Can we bring food and drinks into the theme parks? offer this until you are on board. However, once you board Disney is generally very good about allowing you to bring the ship, check with guest services. Your personal navigator, food and drinks into the theme parks and we always bring DCL’s daily newsletter, will also post if there is an Interde- drinks and snacks, which can come in handy in case you get nominational service offered for those sailing on a Sunday. thirsty or hungry while waiting in line. However, keep in No services will be held if you are embarking or disembark- mind that Disney does not allow you to bring in alcoholic ing on a Sunday. beverages, food in glass containers, or food that needs to be – Emily Hartzog, Travel Planner heated up before eating. TIP: Cups of ice water are free at all of the counter service restaurants! The MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel Team are destination ex- – Donna Milligan , Travel Planner perts, based in local offices across the U.S. Our Vacation Planners have a true passion for their craft, and they take great pride in Q: Do I really need a passport for my cruise? What planning magical experiences for their clients. about my children - do they need a passport too? You can reach our contributing vacations planners directly at: Most, though not all, cruises will require all passengers Donna Milligan: [email protected] (even the little ones!) to have a passport that is valid at least (based in Missouri) 6 months past your sail date. But even on those cruises Emily Hartzog: [email protected] where a passport isn’t necessary, it’s highly recommend to (based in Colorado) have one anyway. If there’s an emergency and you need to Heather Coursen: [email protected] fly home from a foreign country you’ll only be able to do so (based in California) with a passport. Better safe than sorry! Jacki York: [email protected] (based in New York) – Heather Coursen, CTA-ACC Sara Varney: [email protected] (based in ) Sue Passauer: [email protected] Q: My family will be sailing on the and (based in Louisiana) we are wondering if they offer a Catholic Mass service Mouse Fan Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner on board? with over 10 years in business. Visit: www.MouseFanTravel.com or does bring on Catholic priests for sail- follow us on twitter @MouseFanTravel. ings over Christmas and Easter. Outside of those events a Got a question for the Mouse Fan Travel Team? Send it to service may be offered only of a priest happens to be sailing. [email protected] and you just might see it an- Unfortunately there is no way to know if your sailing may swered in an upcoming issue!

Photo © Disney 27 · Celebrations But Where is the Rum? n 2012, the Restaurant made headlines when it became the first lo- Ication in the Magic Kingdom to sell alcohol. Four year later, several other restau- rants followed suit by adding wine and beer selections to their menus, including the Liberty Tree Tavern, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skip- per Canteen. While it took over 40 years for beer and wine to become available for purchase by Magic Kingdom Guests, numerous other categories of adult beverages, including rum, wine, and brandy, have always been hidden in plain sight in some of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions, dating back to 1971. By Chris Smith Drink Up Me ‘Earties Yo Ho! The Magic Kingdom attraction most synonymous with alcohol, and in particular rum, is Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates opened in on December 15, 1973, two years following the Magic Kingdom’s opening on October 1, 1971. No good pirate would be caught dead without a bottle of rum, and the rowdy buccaneers portrayed in Pirates of the Caribbean are no exception. Barrels of rum can be found throughout the queue of the attraction. Once Guests navigate through the queue and the attraction actually begins, the rum really begins to flow. Perhaps the best example is “Old Bill,” a generous, intoxicated pirate who is nice enough to even offer a glass of rum to a few stray cats. The attraction concludes with our hero, Jack Spar- row, holding a glass of rum and joyfully singing the famous theme song for Pirates, including the line “drink up me ‘earties yo ho!”

Muskrat Moonshine is a combination outdoor thrill attraction and in- door family located in the Frontierland section of the Magic Kingdom. The attraction opened on July 17, 1992, and part of its backstory relates to alcohol… moonshine specifically. According to Splash Mountain’s backstory, deep in the ru- Chris Smith loves Walt Disney World because it makes him feel ral setting of 1800s Georgia, animals such as rabbits, bears, and foxes wore clothes, like a kid again. When he visits the talked, sang (very well), and interacted with each other in much the same way that Happiest Place on Earth, Chris com- humans do. Rising high above the ground in this magical land is Chick-A-Pin Hill, a pletely returns to that state of mind, tall dirt summit with a scraggly tree at the very top, with burrows, caves, and trails ready to explore distant jungles, of all shapes and sizes hidden within. ride in pirate ships, and fly in rock- As legend has it, the Beaver Brothers constructed a new dam to hold back the wa- ets. Chris loves to share the magic of Disney with his wife Alexis, and ter flow from the Hill’s inhabitants. Unfortunately, Rackety Raccoon was also work- his children Koty, Samuel, Scarlett ing on something more fun…but far more dangerous: a new combustible beverage and Alice Anne. Chris works on in his juice producing still. Trying to pack too many blueberries into this new blend, Disneykidagain.com, a Walt Disney the still exploded and destroyed the dam. Water flooded through Chick-A-Pin-Hill World Blog for Disney kids of all and its many internal living spaces and hideaways. The inhabitants of Chick-A-Pin- ages. Hill then began calling it, appropriately, Splash Mountain. The backstory is not the only place where Guests will find a reference to alcohol in Splash Mountain. During the attraction itself, Guests should also keep their eyes peeled for a large contraption labeled “Muskrat Moonshine.” This moonshine-pro- ducing still is perched atop wood logs (ready to be lit), and surrounded by barrels appropriately labeled “XXX.” Let’s hope that Rackety Raccoon didn’t use too many blueberries this time around…

28 · Celebrations Swiss Brandy traction, the Grand Hall (also known as the Ballroom scene). The is a classic walk-through at- The scene is filled with numerous dancing, dueling, traction that opened with the Magic Kingdom on October flying, and generally having a haunting good time across an 1, 1971. The tree house takes its inspiration from the 1960 live enormous multilevel ballroom. Through use of an old fash- action film Swiss Family Robinson, which tells the story of a ioned magician’s trick known as Pepper’s , the happy family that survives a shipwreck and takes refuge on a lush haunts appear and disappear to the wonder of Guests tropical island. The treehouse itself is a sight to behold at young and old. 60 foot tall and 90 feet wide, with over 300,000 polyethylene In the Grand Hall, a large dining table features a series leaves. The scientific name for the tree is Disneyodendron of ghostly guests, including one apparently celebrating eximus (“out of the ordinary Disney tree”). a “death day” as he is blowing out candles on a cake. Given In the attraction, Guests ascend six stories of amazing the numerous captivating sights that pull the attention of detailed living space, including a living room, kitchen, and Guests in so many different directions, many do not pay at- multiple bedrooms, all constructed by the Swiss family us- tention to the actual place settings atop this grand dining ing remnants of their doomed ship as creative construc- table. Upon closer inspection, Guests will see that amongst tion materials. While the intricate details of the attraction the collection of plates, saucers, cups, and silverware, they’ll are too numerous to list, be sure to look up when walking find numerous wine glasses. The wine glasses vary in size through the living area of the tree house. There you will see and consist of a crystal base and a red top. I’m guessing that a cask of brandy strapped to the rafters, no doubt one of these prefer red wine… the more luxurious prizes recovered from the sinking ship. This is by no means a definitive list of all the alcoholic beverages referenced in Magic Kingdom attractions. For ex- Ghostly Wine ample, whiskey lovers might want to venture over to the Big The Haunted Mansion is a classic Disney dark ride located Thunder Mountain Railroad queue, and wine connoisseurs in Liberty Square. The attraction has entertained Guests who enjoy good old-fashioned country music (and hope- since the park’s opening day in 1971, and combines a breath- fully bears) should take a stroll over to the Country Bear taking Dutch-Gothic building with a richly detailed queue, Jamboree. However, these funny references to pirate rum, ghoulish Cast Members, wonderful theme music, and both muskrat moonshine, Swiss brandy, and haunted wine are classic and cutting-edge special effects to create one of the all examples of the small details and fun finds that Disney most thematically detailed attractions in all of Walt Disney Imagineers use to immerse Disney Guests into the various World. stories found throughout the Disney parks. Never noticed The Haunted Mansion is home to countless dramatic and these “bubbly” attraction props before? Don’t worry, you can intricately themed environments, including perhaps the always take the time to make a “toast-worthy” discovery on most famous attraction scene in any Walt Disney World at- your next trip. Until next time, Cheers!

Photo ©Tim Foster 29 · Celebrations The “Magic” of Main Street U.S.A.

any would argue that the magic of Main Street is found in the clip-clop- Mping hooves of the horse drawn carriage, in the glimpse of Sleeping Beau- ty Castle at the end of the street, or in the scent of vanilla wafting out from the candy shop. Maybe, for some, it’s in the flickering gas lamps that glow to life after dark, or in a treat from the Holly Jolly Bakery. All of these things are true, but it’s often overlooked that there is actual magic on Main Street. Literally. Magic tricks and magicians. Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. has hosted some interesting shops over the years. By J Darling The turn-of-the-century hometown street has had a glass blower, a bank (Bank of America), a candle shop, three card shops, a coin shop, a swimsuit shop, a flower shop, a jewelry shop, a lamp shop, two clock shops, a china shop, a pen shop, and a book shop, just to name a few. Many storefronts have come and gone since the summer of 1955. Although the signs on the sidewalk have changed over the years, this shop opened up two years after opened, in 1955. This year marks the 60th anni- versary of the Main Street Magic shop. It may not be the most popular shop in the park, but it’s certainly a landmark worth investigating. In the past, this shop has hosted unknown budding magician Cast Members who were happy to demonstrate slight of hand to Guest who offered to be an audi- ence. Not sure how a trick works? Ask! Guests are often treated to an on-the-spot demonstration. The shop is so small that a full house would likely only be five or ten Guests, but the intimacy makes the manipulation even more impressive, when J Darling is a California native and done close up. life long Disney fan. Her parents first Guests who have frequented Disneyland since the 50th celebration (May of took her to Disneyland when she was 2005-September 2009) may recall seeing the Main Street Magic Shop featured prom- 2 years old. According to them, her inently in the film starring and in the Main Street Opera eyes just popped out of her head, and House. During the film, Steve Martin confesses that he has always had a fascina- apparently they never went back in. tion with magic. He wasn’t a household name when he worked as a Disneyland Cast Outside of her Disney fandom, J is a singer, , blogger, and Member, but many lucky Guests got to watch Steve Martin demonstrate magic and theatrical actress. slight of hand from the intimate shop itself. Hollywood had yet to come calling, but You can find her music at the young actor was already developing and honing his skills as a presenter in his www.jdarlingmusic.com role at the Magic Shop. and on Myspace at Now, everyone knows a magician never reveals his or her secrets. The Main Street www.jdarlingmusicmyspace.com. Her Magic Shop takes that to heart. A bright red framed poster on the wall (rumored to blogs are available at www.jjourneybook.blogspot.com. be from Houdini’s collection) advertises Houdini as ‘The World’s Handcuff King and Prison Breaker’ and further claims “Nothing on Earth Can Hold Houdini Prisoner” beside an illustration of Houdini in a tuxedo, handcuffed a few dozen times over. While his passing was tragic, his feats of daredevil escapism remain legendary. Beside the poster is one of the turn-of-the-century crank telephones. Guests who pick up the phone are treated to a rare piece of audio, by courtesy of another one of the most famous illusionists, David Copperfield. David Copperfield’s International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts shared an incredibly rare piece of audio with Disneyland Guests. It is the voice of Houdini himself announcing one of his

30 · Celebrations of Houdini’s greatest feats. Displayed in the window, along with the restraint, is a pho- tograph of Houdini in the restraint itself.

Magical Secrets The Main Street Magic Shop’s best kept secret is reserved only for Guests at the Dis- neyland Hotels. On Tuesdays and Thurs- days, during Early En- try days, Guests can stop into the shop and be a part of an ex- clusive, unadvertised experience called the Mysteries of Magic. For $10, Guests will be given a deck of cards and escorted into a pri- vate workshop inside the Main Street Magic Shop. These Guests will learn some tricks and be given a book with 26 magic tricks, as well as a few other props. Stu- A youthful Steve Martin working at Disneyland’s Main Street Magic Shop dents at this workshop also get a 10% discount death defying feats (and offering Guests a reward if they on anything else they’d like to buy at the shop. Classes last can prove that anything supernatural involved with the about an hour and are limited to 10 people per person and trick). rarely sell out, due to the unadvertised nature of the class. But that’s just one of the iconic pieces of magic in the shop. Part of the challenge of magic is in learning how to do The windows are littered with playbills for Houdini’s shows, each trick in a convincing manner. Whenever a Cast Mem- photographs, and rare handcuffs. From handcuffs and leg ber sells a trick, Guests are taken into the workshop to irons to keys, the pieces of history scattered about the shop quickly learn how to use it. are easy to overlook, but eager Guests can take a break from the hustle and bustle of Disneyland and learn a little history Passing the time in line can be tedious, but a little bit of on their way into the lands of fantasy. The most prominent- slight of hand can be just the thing to save cell phone bat- ly displayed restraint is a rare French steel restraint. This teries and bring family and friends a little bit closer. The particular type of restraint was used during the French Mysteries of Magic may just be the perfect way to create a Revolution to house prisoners. Escaping from this was one little pixie dust that Guests can take home.

31 · Celebrations 32 · Celebrations ights! Camera! Action! This issue’s featured attrac- cases featuring actual props and costumes from a wide Ltion is all about the movies! And I hope you are ready variety of feature films. Although these theatrical dis- for your close-up, because we are heading over to Dis- plays rotate and change periodically, below are examples ney’s Hollywood Studios to take a look at the star of that of what Guests could find over the years: park (at least for now), The Great Movie Ride! • ’s hat, gloves, and glasses from the 1988 film The Great Movie Ride is an entertaining ride-through Who Framed ? attraction that utilizes an entertaining queue, numer- • Rose’s dress from the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. ous Audio-Animatronic characters, live-action Cast • Dorothy’s from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Members, special effects, and numerous film clips to pay • The Ark from the 1981 film . homage to the genre of feature films, spanning the silent • Val Kilmer’s pilot costume from the 1986 film . films of the 1930s through blockbusters of the 1980s. It • Eddie Murphy’s Detroit Lions jacket from the 1984 film has entertained Guests since the opening day of Disney’s . Hollywood Studios, May 1, 1989. The Great Movie Ride, • One of the carousel horses from Mary Poppins. perhaps more than any other attraction in Walt Disney • The holographic game table used aboard the Millenni- World, is very symbolic of the theme and atmosphere of um Falcon in the 1977 film . (This prop can now its host park. In fact, it is almost impossible to think of be found in the near ). Disney’s Hollywood Studios without also thinking of The In 2014, Disney reached a deal with Turner Classic Mov- Great Movie Ride. ies pursuant to which TCM agreed to sponsor The Great Movie Ride. This sponsorship brought with it numerous A Glamorous Façade and Queue enhancements to The Great Movie Ride, including new The façade of The Great Movie Ride is unmistakable, as digital movie posters in the lobby that advertise various the attraction is housed inside a glamorous replica of the classic films. TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly known as Grauman’s Chi- Guests next wind through a series of switch-back nese Theatre), one of the most iconic structures in all of lines inside an actual movie theater, complete with large Hollywood. It is located at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, video screen, where a pre-show starring TCM’s Robert directly in front of Guests as they enter Disney’s Hollywood Osborne introduces Guests to various film genres rep- Studios. Thankfully, Guests can now actually see this strik- resented on The Great Movie Ride, including musicals, ing structure upon entering the park, as the Sorcerer’s Hat, westerns, and gangster films (along with some very cool the park’s former “weenie,” was removed in 2015. film clips). The queue eventually leads Guests to a set of A surprisingly detailed queue begins even before Guests doors that open into a 1930s era Hollywood soundstage enter the front doors of the attraction. Directly in front where the actual attraction begins. of The Great Movie Ride is a large courtyard featuring the handprints and signatures of over 100 Hollywood movie Action! stars (both real and fictional) embedded in the concrete In the boarding area, Guests climb into onto large pavement, stars like and to open-air vehicles, as the attention of Guests is immedi- C-3PO and R2-D2. ately pulled towards a large marque with neon lights Also, pay close attention to several display windows advertising the “show” that is about to begin. The Great located on the outside of The Great Movie Ride. One such Movie Ride is one of the few attractions that is actually window pays tribute to the classic 1964 Disney film Mar- hosted by a live Cast Member, who provides humorous ry Poppins, with banners providing information about commentary during your journey. in- the creation of that film and authentic tickets from the forms Guests (via speakers in the attraction vehicles) movie’s premiere displayed on a table. that they are about to be taken through scenes from a Upon entering The Great Movie Ride, Guests step in- variety of classic feature films. Specifically, this journey side a recreation of an actual movie theater lobby. Here, through the history of cinema will take Guests through Guests can experience even more Hollywood treasures, detailed tableaus paying tribute to the following feature as the attraction queue winds past numerous display films and genres:

Photo © Mike Billick 33 · Celebrations Musicals: , Singin’ In the Rain, and from the 1964 film A Fistful of Dollars, welcoming Guests Mary Poppins (actually, it is more like they stare ominously at Guests). The Great Movie Ride first takes Guests though scenes Another shootout occurs between the sheriff of the small paying tribute to the genre of musicals, beginning with a town and a bank robber before Guests enter a very scene from the 1933 film Footlight Parade, complete with different movie genre and scene... glamorous starlets stacked from floor to ceiling. Next, Guests pass a scene from the 1952 musical Singin’ In the Rain, Alien: Scary Science Fiction with an Audio-Animatronic version of Don Lockwood, fa- In perhaps the most frightening portion of The Great mously played by , singing from a lamppost (not Movie Ride, Guests enter a creepy, grimy abandoned space- surprisingly, in the rain). The last scene from the musical ship from the future. Specifically, Guests enter the com- genre features Mary Poppins and Bert, famously played by mercial spacecraft Nostromo from the groundbreaking and Dick Van 1979 film Alien, directed by Dyke, respectively, singing Ridley Scott and starring on the smoky rooftops in . Ripley, in a famous scene Weaver’s character from from my personal favorite the film, is represented in musical, Mary Poppins. Audio-Animatronic form with flamethrower in hand : A Sa- and a very concerned look lute to Gangster Films on her face. Shortly after The journey then moves the Nostromo’s computer, from musicals to a very known as “Mother,” begins different film genre, gang- a self-destruction count- ster films. The attraction down warning, the signa- vehicles enter a dark, dirty, ture Alien creature from and grimy portrayal of 1930s the film drops down from . The scene features the ceiling of the ship to an Audio-Animatronic ver- both surprise and fright- sion of Tom Powers, played en Guests. The combina- by , from the tion of the Alien surprise, 1931 gangster film The Public the loud warning signals, Enemy. At this time, a real- and the flashing lights are life gangster gets involved in more than enough to scare the action, as a Cast Member Guests both young and old. portraying a 1930s-era gang- ster hijacks the ride vehicle Raiders of the Lost Ark from our previous host and and engages in a shoot-out with Having successfully es- rival mobsters. With a gangster now leading the tour, Guests caped the Nostromo unscathed, The Great Movie Ride next proceed to the next attraction scene. takes Guests into an ancient Egyptian pyramid from the 1981 filmRaiders of the Lost Ark starring . The Westerns Raiders scene features Audio-Animatronic representations Next up on The Great Movie ride is a scene from the Old- of both and , who are surrounded by, West, with Audio-Animatronic versions of none other than not surprisingly, hundred of snakes. Snakes…why did it and , playing Ethan Edwards have to be snakes? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. from the 1956 filmThe Searchers and The Travelling further ahead, Guests see a large altar of the

34 · Celebrations Egyptian god Anubis, featuring a large glowing jewel en- one of the most technologically advanced Audio-Anima- cased within the altar. Our Cast Member/gangster host tronic characters ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering. cannot pass up the temptation of cashing in on this price- The Wicked Witch both appears and disappears by virtue less loot, even though the jewel is guarded by a mysterious of a thick flume of smoke. Passing through Munchkinland temple guard. The Cast Member brings the attraction ve- on the , Guests pass by Dorothy, the Scare- hicle to a complete stop and climbs the tall stone staircase crow, the Tin Man, the , and , who are all toward the jewel. Disregarding a warning that anyone who standing in front of the shimmering . disturbs the treasure must pay for it with his or her life, the Cast Member reaches for the jewel. Suddenly, the Cast The Great Movie Ride Finale Member is surrounded by smoke and fire, as the mysteri- The Great Movie Ride vehicles next settle side-by-side in ous temple guard reveals himself/herself to be our original a theatre in front of a large movie screen. The attraction Cast Member host! When the smoke finally clears, we see a concludes with a film montage featuring numerous clas- skeleton hanging from the altar, revealing the fate of the sic films spanning the decades and all cinematic genres. greedy gangster. While the films represented in the finale are too numerous The Great Movie Ride then takes Guests deep into the to list, some of the notable films include: Ben-Hur (1959), The jungle, a tribute to the character of Tarzan, the star of the Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance 1932 film Tarzan the Ape Man, where you can see our jungle Kid (1969), (1981), (1941), From Here to hero swing past while the ape-man’s love interest, Jane, ob- Eternity (1953), Gone With the Wind (1939), The Sound of Music serves atop Timba the elephant. (1965), and The Ten Commandments (1956). From the dramatic building façade that Guests can now Casablanca see when entering the park, to the celebrity handprints out Upon exiting the jungle, Guests ride past one of my favor- front and the numerous Audio-Animatronic characters ite scenes of the entire attraction, the final scene from the that bring some of cinema’s most famous scenes to life, classic 1942 film Casablanca. Audio-Animatronic versions of The Great Movie Ride takes Guests on a grand tour of Hol- ’s Rick Blaine and ’s Ilsa lywood past and present. Whether you’re a movie buff or a Lund embrace in front of a waiting plane, as Blaine utters casual filmgoer, this is an attraction that’s not to be missed! his signature “Here’s looking at you, kid.” On a curious side Are you ready for your close-up? note, you’ll notice a plane in the background…the other half of the plane can be found, in all places, along the banks of Fun Finds the ! • Disney Imagineer’s previously contemplated adding a par- ody of The Great Movie Ride, known as The Great Muppet Fantasia Movie Ride, to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, utilizing Jim Strangely enough, no animated Disney film is represent- Henson’s Muppet characters in place of famous actors. ed in The Great Movie Ride through the use of Audio-Ani- • If you look closely in the entrance courtyard, you will see matronic characters. However, upon exiting the Casablanca that ’s name is actually misspelled. Why? scene, Guests are treated to a series of video clips from the Some people think that’s how he actually spelled his name, 1940 Disney film Fantasia, starring none other than Mickey but the truth is that he was simply distracting when he Mouse himself. was drawing his signature in the wet concrete! • In the scene from the 1981 blockbuster film Raiders of the The Wizard of Oz Lost Ark, two stars from another famed film franchise, Star The final scene in The Great Movie Ride featuring Audio- Wars, can be seen: C-3PO and R2-D2. (Look for them in the Animatronic characters is also perhaps the most famous hieroglyphics carved into the walls.) scene of the entire attraction, as Guests pass through • The Nostromo scene from the 1979 science-fiction film Munchkinland from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Numer- Alien includes numerous hidden gags, including a crew sta- ous Audio-Animatronic are present throughout tus monitor that lists the “estimated time till next special the scene, but the true star is the , effects failure.”

Photos © Mike Billick 35 · Celebrations By Lori Elias

36 · Celebrations fter recent successes involving live-action remakes American film (Body of Lies, 2008) following Iran’s revolution A– The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast – and ac- in 1979, makes her Disney debut as Halifaa Nemi. Stephen claimed original animated stories – and Moana – Graham, who had worked with Depp in Public Enemies the spring of 2017 may well go down in Disney history as (2009) is Scrum. Kaya Scodelario, known primarily for work “the season of sequels,” with two highly-anticipated fran- on television in her native Britain, portrays Carina Smyth. chise pictures headed for theaters across the globe. Also joining the Pirates crew is none other than Sir Paul McCartney! /Wings frontman’s cameo role has Yo Ho, Yo Ho! not been elaborated on as of this writing, but he is the sec- The first, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, will ond rock legend to set sail with the franchise, following bound onto the big screen on May 27. While many Disney in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, who theme park attractions are derived from animated fea- portrayed Jack’s father, Captain Teague, in At World’s End tures (Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie and On Stranger Tides. (Depp had maintained from the be- the Pooh, The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train, , ginning that his portrayal of Jack was partially influenced The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Under the Sea – Journey of by Richards.) the Little Mermaid…just to name a few!), Pirates of the Ca- Dead Men Tell No Tales was written by Jeff Nathanson, di- ribbean is one of a handful of films that is instead based rected by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandburg, and pro- on an existing attraction, along with The Haunted Mansion duced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The score was composed by (2003), Tomorrowland (2015), and the television movie Tower Geoff Zanelli, who collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the of Terror (1997). It is also by far Disney’s most financially suc- soundtracks of the first four Pirates films. cessful venture of the pack, having earned more than $3.7 billion at the box office throughout the course of four films: The Return of Lightning McQueen The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At This Spring’s second sequel is Cars 3, to be released on World’s End (2007), and On Stranger Tides (2011). June 16. Directed by Brian Fee, produced by Kevin Reher and Johnny Depp, who was inducted into the Disney Legends , with a score by Academy Award-winner Ran- at the 2015 Disney Expo in Anaheim, reprises the iconic role dy Newman, Cars 3 sees an older Lightning McQueen striv- of Captain Jack Sparrow for this fifth installment of the ing to compete with the sleek racers of the new genera- Pirates franchise, alongside Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, tion, particularly a brash and privileged newcomer named Academy Award-winner Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, and Jackson Storm. With help from friends both old and new, Kevin McNally as Gibbs. In this newest “tale,” Jack faces the notably race technician and devoted fan Cruz Ramirez, as ghost pirate Captain Salazar, portrayed by Oscar winner well as inspiration from his late, great mentor, Doc Hudson Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall), and his legion (who had been voiced by the inimitable Paul Newman), he of crewmen who have escaped the dreaded Devil’s Triangle faces the next phase of his life with new determination. and now roam over the waters with one goal: to kill every Eleven years have passed since Lightning first limped living pirate. Jack must locate the Trident of Poseidon in into Radiator Springs, but sped into the hearts of Disney order to escape their clutches and take command of the film fans. The 2006 film was followed byCars 2 in 2011, taking seas himself. (While Bardem is new to the Pirates roster, his the scarlet speedster across the continents in the World wife, Academy Award-winner Penelope Cruz, starred as An- Grand Prix. The Cars franchise has enjoyed success at the gelica in the most recent Pirates release, On Stranger Tides.) box office, earning Disney more than $435 million with the Australian-born Geoffrey Rush is joined by two of his first two films. countrymen playing principal roles in Dead Men Tell No Tales. Not only is Cars 3 set to be the most emotionally moving of Brenton Thwaites, who portrayed the dashing Phil- the series, but due to improvements in rendering – the pro- ip in 2014’s Maleficent, is Henry, while David Wenham, recog- cess in which two- and three-dimensional models are cap- nized by fans of the Lord of the Rings saga as Faramir, as well tured in animated film – it will also be the most realistic…or as the wretched Neil Fletcher opposite Hugh Jackman and as realistic as talking automobiles can be, at any rate! Nicole Kidman in Australia (2008), portrays Scarfield. Returning to the racetrack are Owen Wilson as Light- Golshifteh Farahani, who bears the distinction of be- ning McQueen, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Bonnie Hunt ing the first Iranian-born performer to appear in a major as Sally Carrera, Cheech Marin as Ramone, Paul Dooley as

Artwork © Disney 37 · Celebrations Sarge, Katherine Helmond as Lizzie, Tony Shalhoub as Luigi, Dead Men Tell No Tales and Cars 3 Fascinating Facts Guido Quaroni as Guido, and Michael Wallis as the Sheriff. • March 8, 2017, marked the 50th anniversary of the opening This is the second Disney film for Armie Hammer, the of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland. voice of Jackson Storm, who first appeared in the title role The park celebrated the event with special performances of The Lone Ranger (2013). His other notable roles include and restaurant offerings, as well as limited edition mer- Prince Alcott opposite Julia Roberts and Lily Collins in Mir- chandise. ror Mirror (2012) and the mysterious Illya Kuryakin in The • The alternate international title for Dead Men Tell No Tales Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015). is Salazar’s Revenge. Cruz Ramirez is played by Cristela Alonzo, making her Dis- • Apparently swashbucklers and speedsters go together ney debut. The Texas-born writer and comedic actress is no well: in each year a Cars film has been released, a Pirates stranger to voice-over work, having portrayed Shirley the sequel has also hit the big screen. The initial Cars film coin- Old Lady Bird in the The Angry Birds Movie (2016). cided with Dead Man’s Chest (2006), and was released Kerry Washington, known for her work in the film Django in 2011, along with On Stranger Tides. Unchained (2012) and the television series Scandal, is Natalie • Cars 3 director Brian Fee worked as a storyboard artist on Certain. Lea DeLaria (Clarence, Orange is the New Black) is Miss the first two films of the franchise. Fritter. •  head John Lasseter has long expressed his particular Whether you prefer to bound over the open main or put fondness for the Cars films. This may stem from the fact the pedal to the medal, the spring of 2017 offers exciting op- that while he was growing up, his father worked as a parts tions for Disney film fans! manager for a Chevrolet dealership!

38 · Celebrations Artwork ©Disney 39 · Celebrations 40 · Celebrations Photo © Mike Billick Tomorrowland Bringing the Future to Life Through Imagination By Lindsay Mott

41 · Celebrations “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomor- focus. As with Disneyland, Florida’s Tomorrowland opened row, and fantasy.” This plaque greets each Guest entering the Mag- with the park on October 1, 1971, but was also somewhat un- ic Kingdom, and it’s a perfect summation of what Walt Disney had finished, featuring only two opening day attractions: The dreamed about so many years ago. Walt Disney World gives us a Grand Prix Raceway and the to Fantasyland. The chance to forget the day-to-day world, even if for just a little while, Tomorrowland Terrace, the largest counter service restau- and experience something new – or comfortable for those of us rant, was also open. who go often. It’s a place where we can set aside our worries and That same year, America the Beautiful was added in No- cares so that we may experience the magic of all the lands. vember and Flight to the Moon opened in December. There was also an expansion to the south show building to accom- ne land that has become a favorite for many is Tomor- modate If You Had Wings in 1972, and a further expansion Orowland. It’s a world that originally focused on the in 1973 that added the Plaza Pavilion open-air restaurant, future, but now it is focused more on what past thinkers which was also a convenient way to get from Main Street imagined tomorrow would be, creating a sense of nostal- to Tomorrowland. These plans for Tomorrowland were fi- gia for older Guests and the thrill of the unknown for those nalized in 1973, and construction continued for a few more who are younger. years. In 1974, Star Jets (which became the in Tomorrowland was a part of the original design for 1994) opened along with the Space Bar restaurant. Disneyland and opened on July 15, 1955, even though it was In 1975, three big attractions opened in Tomorrowland: the last land to be worked the WEDway PeopleMov- on and most of it was un- er, the Carousel of Prog- finished when the park ress, and . opened, having only a few Space Mountain was the attractions to offer that first indoor roller coaster day. In fact, Tomorrowland in Florida, and the first was the last land to be fin- to have computer aided ished at Disneyland. designs and zoning to al- Tomorrowland was orig- low for eight trains to be inally designed to reflect on the track at the same Walt Disney’s own views of time. The Carousel of Prog- what the future would look ress was similar to the like, the future of 1986 that Disneyland version, but is. He had strong views of rotated in the opposite the future and city devel- direction and featured opment, which he shared the song “The Best Time of with his television audience, and Tomorrowland was just Your Life.” Today, the Carousel of Progress only exists in the a piece of this vision of tomorrow. About the land he said, Magic Kingdom. In 1994, the WEDway PeopleMover became “Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are the Tomorrowland Transit Authority before becoming the opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in 2010. The will benefit our children and generations to come. The To- tour takes you on a sky-high view of Tomorrowland and in- morrowland attractions have been designed to give you an cludes a display of Walt Disney’s original vision of EPCOT the opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living city, as well as an inside look at Space Mountain. By the mid blueprint of our future.” 1970s, Flight to the Moon had also transformed to become Over the years, Tomorrowland has seen many changes Mission to Mars. and new attractions – including the opening of the Matter- In the beginning, Florida’s Tomorrowland had always horn Bobsleds (the world’s first tubular-shell-tracked roller been similar in appearance to its cousin in Disneyland, fea- coaster), the Monorail, and the in 1959 – turing clean, geometric architecture. In the early years, the but it’s the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland that will be our predominant colors consisted of various shades of white

42 · Celebrations and ochre on the outside of buildings, and reds, oranges, yel- was Tomorrowland when he began creating the attrac- lows, and browns on the insides. Later colors included the tions for . “We are faced with [the fact that pinks and found around the PeopleMover track. Un- Tomorrowland is] out of date. We’ve gotten locked into the like its Disneyland counterpart, the Magic Kingdom version idea that the future was white stucco and gleaming glass.” features an entryway with pylons on either side and cas- You might say that Disney officials learned that the future cading waterfalls pouring into Main Street hub’s moat be- is truly in the past (Dinosaur, anyone?). But how to fix the low. In 1975, the white geometric spires of Space Mountain, problem? Baxter went back to the original essence of To- 183 feet above the ground, would become the iconic symbol morrowland. John Hensch summed it up best when he said, of Tomorrowland. “We were using something that would identify the idea of But predicting the future has always been difficult, if not the tomorrow of the future…something that already has impossible, and the desire to keep Tomorrowland fresh and been established by cartoons, by Flash Gordon, mainly. That forward-thinking, rather than appearing dated, has always kind of language was understandable and it was friendly pushed the abilities of Disney’s Imagineers to its limits. As because the future has its own threats. We feel an anxiety once said, “obviously it’s impossible to design about the unknown. This was something we knew was safe the future…this minute it’s now and tomorrow it will be and we could survive that kind of tomorrow.” yesterday.” A perfect example of this dilemma was the Mon- In 1994, the land was reimagined to resemble a galactic santo House, which offered Disneyland Guests a glimpse spaceport, and was reflective of the futuristic cities envi- into the home of tomorrow until its closure in 1967. The sioned by the science fiction writers and moviemakers of problem was, the “house of the future” included such items the 1920s and1930s. This “retro-future” approach allowed To- as the (at the time) revolutionary kitchen marvel, the mi- morrowland to embrace a kinetic, space-aged theme, with- crowave oven. But devices that seemed unimaginable at the out having the need to update the land constantly to keep time soon became commonplace. Architect and theorist it in the “future.” At that time, many of the attractions also Joseph Rykwert once observed that “the future has always changed or got new names. reserved it surprises, which is why in hindsight forecasts al- You can now look at Tomorrowland as the future, or, to be ways seem quaint, even when they are meant to be spine more precise, as the tomorrow that never was. Instead of a chilling.” Further reinforcing the inadvertent transforma- serious, predictive inference as to what the future may look tion of Tomorrowland into a showcase of the past, archi- like, the new style showcases a fantasy world filled with tectural historian Chester Leibs commented that the irony shiny robots, art deco-neon stylings, a detailed backstory of was that “it was Main Street’s Victorian throwback that Tomorrowland’s purpose as an intergalactic hub for space became the progressive expression at the Magic Kingdom, travelers, and lots of retro-futuristic touches. Guests can [instead] of Tomorrowland [which] looked almost instantly do battle with space aliens, blast off to the far reaches of dated.” outer space, and become temporary citizens of Tomorrow- land. The Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers style features beacons The Future Reimagined that reach up into the sky, and glistening metal illuminated By the mid 1980s, Disney realized that the original design by a spectrum of neon colors and dark purples and blues. for Tomorrowland in both parks was no longer a vision of Elevated highways with quiet transport systems twist “tomorrow,” but more of an out-dated version of yesterday, and turn amongst rockets circling spinning planets, space- or at least how the future was perceived back in the days be- ports and intergalactic transfer stations, and metallic palm fore man went to the Moon. Writing in the “New Republic” in trees that utilize the energy from sun to assist in lighting 1982, journalist Hendrick Hertzberg wrote that Tomorrow- up Tomorrowland after the sun goes down. The overall ef- land was the “only [land] I had really wanted to see as a kid, fect is a friendly, futuristic neighborhood that mirrors the because it was supposed to show what the future would other lands in the Magic Kingdom, but in its own, uniquely be like. But this is 1981, and if Tomorrowland is any guide, visionary way. the future has seen better days.” At that time, while the Contemporary Resort was itself being updated, Imagineer Tomorrowland Around The World Tony Baxter began to confront the ongoing paradox that Tomorrowland is one of Disney’s themed lands that is lo-

43 · Celebrations cated in all of the “Magic Kingdom” style parks around the graded to the Mark VII model with a modern, futuristic look. world (the literal world that is, not World Showcase!). In 2010, Star Tours was updated to Star Tours – The Ad- Each version of Tomorrowland excites Guests with the ventures Continue, and Tomorrowland has seen an even promise of tomorrow, the wonder of space adventure, and further Star Wars takeover in the last few years with Sea- a celebration of the future, though each park does this in its sons of the Force, celebrating The Force Awakens. Star Wars own distinct way. Launch Bay opened as well as Jedi Training: Trials of the Disneyland Temple and Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. Space Mountain The original Tomorrowland of California has seen a num- joined in the intergalactic party and even got a Star Wars ber of design changes, as well as a number of attractions overlay as Hyperspace Mountain. that have come and gone over the years. Some attractions Other current attractions in Disneyland include Astro Or- have since moved to Walt Disney World, while others closed biter, , and ’s Astro Blasters. completely or moved to different lands inside the park (for Tokyo Disneyland example, the Matterhorn’s redesignation as part of Fanta- For Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Imagineers wanted to give syland). this version of Tomorrowland a more urban look than what In 2005 as part of the Happiest Homecoming on Earth was seen in both of the American parks. The idea was for more 50th anniversary, Tomorrowland received a refurbishment of a working community within the science fiction theme, that resembled the 1967 version of Tomorrowland, with rather than just a land of future technology; the special effects more white, blue, and silver colors. were more expensive and the attractions were technology- In 2007, the Submarine Voyage became the specific. While the land has features from both the California Submarine Voyage, and the Disneyland Monorail was up- and Florida parks, it lacks a PeopleMover attraction.

44 · Celebrations Photos © Tim Devine 45 · Celebrations 46 · Celebrations Tokyo Disneyland is home to Space Mountain, Star Jets, Star Tours, , One Man’s Dream II: The Magic At Shanghai Disneyland, Tomorrowland is located to the Lives On, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, and Monsters, Inc. left of the hub rather than to the right like in the other To- Ride & Go Seek. morrowlands. With imaginative design and cutting-edge A pizza-making machine operated by the Audio-Anima- technology, the newest version of Tomorrowland, which tronic Tony Solaroni, who is supervising the machine as it opened in 2016, is able to bring the land’s original themes makes pizza for various parts of outer space, has the feel of the hope, optimism, and potential of the future to a new of Cosmic Ray’s and offers a multi-media show to Guests of culture. the Pan Galactic Pizza Port. The Space Mountain-type ride, TRON Lightcycle Power Disneyland Paris Run, is an indoor/outdoor roller coaster themed to TRON: In Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1992 and is currently Legacy, and the classic spinning attraction here is known celebrating its 25th anniversary, Tomorrowland is known as the Jet Packs. There is also an updated version of a Buzz as Discoveryland, and uses ideas from Leonardo da Vinci, H. Lightyear attraction, heavily based on the opening scene G. Wells and, most prominently, ’s vision of the fu- of 2. Shanghai is also home to a Stitch Encounter ture. The layout of the land is different from the others, but that is similar to Epcot’s , and also fea- it houses such classic attractions as Autopia and Orbitron. tures the Star Wars Launch Bay. The California version of Space Mountain has completely changed, and now features a two-inversion element and The Tomorrow that Never Was a steampunk theme. The land also has a Nautilus Lagoon The “tomorrow that never was” may not have panned out with a walk-through version of the Nautilus submarine. like originally planned, but what it has become has excited This park opened with a Circle-Vision 360 film titled Le Vi- the imaginations of many and taken them to infinity and sionarium, featuring an eccentric time-traveling robot and beyond. And, if Disney Imagineers stick to what they do his robotic assistant who take Jules Verne into the future. best, no one really knows what the future of Tomorrowland This attraction was later exported to the Magic Kingdom holds. It’s written in the stars, as they say. Rumors of major as . changes swirl about regarding significant changes coming Disneyland Paris is also home to Buzz Lightyear’ Astro to this part of the Magic Kingdom. As of this writing, Disney Blasters, Videopolis (a fast food eatery that shows Disney hasn’t announced anything official, beyond the fact that and Pixar animated shorts), Les Mystères du Nautilus, the Stitch’s Great Escape! is now operating on a seasonal basis. Discoverland Station of the , Star Tours: A Wreck-It Ralph attraction is heavily rumored to replace The Adventures Continue and, currently, Stars Wars Hyper- Stitch, but plans often change, so we will all have to wait space Mountain: Rebel Mission. and see! Other rumored changes are said to be coming to the old Galaxy Theater area, which has been a largely un- In Hong Kong, Tomorrowland is home to Buzz Lightyear used area for many years. Today, you can see construction Astro Blasters, Hyperspace Mountain, Orbitron, Star Wars: going on for a futuristic coffee shop…but beyond that, we Command Post, and the recently opened Iron Man Experi- will all have to anxiously wait to see what Disney’s Imagi- ence, which is the first Disney attraction to be based on a neers have in store for us! Whatever the future holds, it’s Marvel property. The land has a heavy Star Wars feel with sure to be magical. the two Star Wars-themed rides and Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. In reference to Tomorrowland, Walt Disney summed it up The park was recently home to more traditional Tomor- best in his 1955 dedication of Disneyland: “[Tomorrowland rowland attractions, such as Stitch Encounter and Auto- is]…a vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying Man’s pia, until the Star Wars takeover. Future Marvel rides are achievements…a step into the future, with predictions of planned for the park as well. The theme is similar to the constructed things to come. Tomorrow offers new fron- other parks around the world, with a focus on adventures tiers in science, adventure and ideals. The Atomic Age, the in space and into the future. Hong Kong Disneyland opened challenge of Outer Space, and the hope for a peaceful, uni- in 2005. fied world.”

Photos © Tim Foster 47 · Celebrations The Biggest Little Star in the Galaxy: Sonny Eclipse By Shaun Jex

48 · Celebrations Photo © Tim Devine 49 · Celebrations rom far across the galaxy, travelling from the planet ter you might expect from a washed up lounge FZork to Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland, come the singer. What might seem trite in a human somehow comes super, swinging sounds of Sonny Eclipse and his invisible across charming in the red haired, big nosed alien from the back up singers, the Space Angels. Yew Nork City. The wise cracking Animatronic alien provides the in-meal Longtime Disney composer George Wilkins, who com- entertainment for Guests of Tomorrowland’s counter ser- posed music for The Living Seas, It’s Tough to Be A Bug!, Test vice restaurant Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. His show, which Track, and The Great Movie Ride among others, wrote the runs approximately 25 minutes long and includes 8 songs, music for the Sonny Eclipse show. Bluesman Kal David pro- features a mix of musical numbers performed on his “astro vided the vocals. Together they created an attraction that, organ.” Between songs, Sonny engages in the corny ban- while often overlooked, has developed something of a cult

50 · Celebrations Wilkins recalls that the Sonny Eclipse show was con- ceived and written by Walt Disney Imagineer Kevin Raf- ferty. The act would replace the “Michael Iceberg and His Amazing Iceberg Machine,” a live act performed by a man that journalist Hunter S. Thompson once described as “somebody crazier than me!” According to Wilkins, the original plan had been for Son- ny to sing inverted versions of jazz standards, taking songs like “How High the Moon” and re-writing them as “How Low the Moon.” The plan was quickly abandoned after the high cost of licensing became apparent. Instead, Wilkins and Rafferty composed original songs like the lovesick ballad “O Bright Little Star,” the bubble gum rock “Hello Space Angels,” and “Gravity Blues.” “He and I wrote all the songs and produced all the tracks at my studio in Sherman Oaks, California,” Wilkins said. “I worked with several animators on this, perfecting all the organ and mouth animation. Because Sonny is a nightclub act he had to have a girls back up trio. Since that would have been impossible money-wise, we made them ‘invisible space angels’ that he could call upon wherever and whenever. As far as the Astro Organ went, we knew a performer who had a MIDI setup very much like we needed that could do any- thing from musical instruments to sound effects.” Wilkins and Rafferty wrote the songs in a two to three week period, before recording demos of the songs in Sonny’s repertoire, along with several that went unused. The demos were then taken in for approval to Walt Disney Imagineering. “After the show was approved we had to come up with who was going to be cast as Sonny,” Wilkins said. “I’d known and loved Kal for a long time and thought he’d be great.” Kal David came with a well-established resume in the world of blues. In 1962, he formed his first band, Kal David and the Exceptions, performing regularly at venues like the Interlude Club in Chicago. By the 1970s he had performed with blues icons like and in the 1980s became lead guitarist for the legendary . following among fans of the Magic Kingdom. “I met George when he came to a club where we were Wilkins broke into the music industry in the 1950s, sing- performing,” David said. “A lounge, actually. He was friends ing alongside Patti Page. By the 1960s he’d formed his own with some of the members of my band. I guess he liked us band, the Doodletown Pipers. As a member of the Pipers, because he returned several times.” Wilkins performed alongside musicians like , Prior to his role as Sonny Eclipse, Wilkins and David had , and . worked together in 1989 for Epcot’s Pavil- “I started with in 1979 as a staff com- ion, with David performing vocals for the “Unhealthy Living poser,” Wilkins said. “I worked with to start Blues” in the Goofy About Health area. Wilkins invited him with and then got very busy writing and producing music to try out for the role of Sonny. for EPCOT and Disney Tokyo.” “He came to town and auditioned on tape,” Wilkins said.

Photo © Tim Devine 51 · Celebrations 52 · Celebrations Photos © Tim Devine “He sang one of the songs along with some of the dialog. Ev- they are great singers with a great natural blend. In order eryone at Disney loved him and we were off and running.” to justify the existence of the Space Angels we wrote a song The two recorded in Wilkins’s studio, with Wilkins per- that tells how they came to exist.” forming the majority of the music on a MIDI synthesizer, The show opened in 1994, as part of the “New Tomorrow- and Kal providing the guitar work. land” renovation. The Animatronic figure used for Sonny “George played all the music that you hear on Sonny’s was a modified version of Officer Zzzzyxxx, a figure found tracks on synth,” David said. “Many layers of complex orches- outside of the Star Tours attraction in Tokyo Disney. Sonny tral harmonies. But the only thing the synthesizer cannot is commonly referred to as a distant cousin of Zzzzyxxx, emulate is the guitar. So he had me play the parts. I play a with the latter hailing from the city of Joo Nerzey on Son- 1964 Gibson Firebird and I think we went direct into the ny’s home planet of Zork. soundboard with no amp. No composing, just improvising. Though it rarely happens, the character has the ability to I just listened and played what I felt, like playing the blues.” lift up off the ground, making way for live entertainment If the transition from in the restaurant. Guests can bluesman to smooth croon- also listen in to Sonny’s agent ing alien were any trouble, Johnny Jupiter by visiting the David does not admit it. Metrophone booth in Tomor- “Although Sonny’s songs rowland, located underneath are for the most part not the the Tomorrowland Transit blues, the transition was easy,” Authority. David said. “George advised me Over two decades later, the to just be myself, so the voice show has demonstrated re- is me singing for real, but the markable longevity in a park lines I speak are exaggerated. that thrives on change. The songs are really quite “It is quite remarkable how beautiful. I just sang them as popular Sonny has become,” well as I could. I tried to give David said. “I hear from his the songs some soul. Sonny’s fans all the time. They return music is not so different from to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe mine.” over and over to catch his act. The role of the Space An- Sonny is a classic! I am happy gels went to a group known to be a part of it. Folks that as “The Brunettes” including know of me will recognize my singer Lauri Bond, who also voice coming out of Sonny and happens to be Kal David’s wife. write to ask, is that you? It has been fun being Sonny’s voice.” The two met in 1977, while Kal was living in Woodstock, “I’d like to think its longevity is because it’s such a fun New York. Bond was pursuing a career as a jazz singer when show,” Wilkins said. “I’ve only seen the show once at Cosmic the two began working together. Before long, they were in Ray’s in Florida. Of course I saw it a million times when we love, marrying a little over a decade later. Together the two were animating it. The day I was there a bunch of kids were have worked on a number of musical projects, with Sonny there and they just loved the character and his jokes and Eclipse and the Space Angels providing an offbeat detour songs. I know he has a fan club because I’ve seen letters writ- along the way. ten to him from people who have seen him at Disney World.” “The Brunettes are Lauri Bono, Amy Weston, and Patti Despite its long tenure at the park, David admits that he Brooks,” David said. “They sang in my larger band and I was has yet to see the completed show. He continues to record musical director for them and the leader of their band. and tour, but hopes to make it to the park some day. When George was casting the Space Angels, we told him “Of course I have an urge to see my alter ego face to face, about Amy and Patti and he liked the idea of the self-con- but I need to get a booking for my band in Florida,” David said, tained group as opposed to hiring three individuals. Also, “Maybe next year. I’m’ waiting for the movie version!”

53 · Celebrations On With the Show! The History of by Lori Elias

54 · Celebrations “It’s time for fun with music/Fun with music…Whether it’s a Four different series were planned. The Walt Disney Show song from home or some foreign land/Music is the language would star Walt sharing the Studios’ newest films.The True we all understand.” Life Show was to feature interesting stories from the world of wildlife. The World of Tomorrow would combine live action “Today is Tuesday—you know what that means/ and animation to depict new inventions and ideas for fu- We’re gonna have a special guest!...Wiggle your ears/ ture innovations. Like good Mouseketeers…’cause Tuesday is Guest Star Day!” The fourth show was to be called The Mickey Mouse Club. The idea of a “Mickey Mouse Club” was hardly new. After the “Today is the day that is filled with surprises/ success of more than two decades earlier, Nobody knows what’s gonna happen…And so, if you’re pleasure movie theaters around the country were encouraged to bent/We are glad to present/ host “Mickey Mouse Clubs” which would meet before Sat- The Mouseketeers’ ‘Anything Can Happen Day.’” urday matinees. Participants received a membership card, and local merchants donated items for game prizes and “Here comes the circus/Everyone loves the circus/And that birthday gifts. (While this may sound rather quaint by to- includes the merry Mouseketeers!” day’s standards, at one point more than a million children from countries all over the world counted themselves as “Saddle your pony, here we go/Down to the talent rodeo… members of their local Mickey Mouse Clubs!) Join the talent round-up/Round ‘em up, bring’em in/ For the television series, The Mickey Mouse Club would not Everybody’s sure to win!” only showcase Disney films and Disneyland, among educa- tion-based programming, but would also feature highly- hese words should be very familiar to Disney fans of talented young performers, who made their public debut Ta certain age, for on every weekday afternoon at five at the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, which was o’clock, from 1955-1959, youngsters would rush to their televi- broadcast across the country. As America watched, twenty- sion sets to spend an hour with the talented young singers four boys and girls, some dressed in cowboy and cowgirl and dancers who were better-known as the Mouseketeers costumes, others in what would become the very famil- of The Mickey Mouse Club. iar short-sleeved sweaters with their names emblazoned The ground-breaking series took well-thought prepara- across the front, burst into a song that would become a tion years before the first Mouseketeer danced into pop staple in just a short time: the “Talent Round-Up,” which was culture history. While many film producers eschewed the destined to become Friday’s theme song for the series. then-new idea of television, Walt Disney, ever the visionary, “Talent Round-Up” also beautifully describes the demand- saw its potential in promoting his films though initially he ing audition process the Mouseketeers endured in order to was not quite ready for the idea of a regular series. Instead win these highly-coveted positions. Walt resisted his advi- he agreed to produce a one-hour holiday special, One Hour sors’ suggestions to comb professional schools to find tal- in Wonderland, which was broadcast on Christmas Day 1950. ent: he instead wanted, as he said, “ordinary kids” who could Hosted by Walt and starring , the voice of be taught the requisite performance skills. While a number Alice, the show introduced the upcoming film to the Ameri- of “ordinary kids” did appear at the casting calls in March can public. It was followed by The Walt Disney Christmas Show 1955, so did many, many youngsters who had performed in the following year, again starring Ms. Beaumont, but this their area talent shows or had studied at singing and danc- time in her new film role: in Peter Pan (1953), ing schools. Each child was asked to list his or her skills on alongside (the voice of Peter), Hans Conried the audition application, and each was asked to perform in (Hook), Paul Collins (John) and Tommy Luske (Michael). Both his or her respective specialized areas for the show’s two were extremely well-received, thus bringing Walt around to casting directors, Jack Lavin and Lee Traver. Walt himself the concept of using television to further spread the word watched the auditions as well, and talked to a large number on Disney’s always-expanding list of upcoming feature films of the applicants, looking for exactly the right personalities and other projects, one in particular: Disneyland. to feature on his new program. Unsurprisingly, he insisted on the highest standards of Also sitting in on the auditions were two gentlemen – entertainment, as well as “broad family audience appeal.” and eventual Disney Legends – named and

55 · Celebrations Roy Williams. Both had already been cast as the adults for tract was for a 48-hour, six-day workweek, Monday-Satur- the show, acting as the group’s leaders. Dodd was hired first; day, which means they spent more time “at the office” than the alumnus of the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory many of their own parents! On Mondays-Fridays, half of of Music was plucked straight from Disney Studios’ music their eight-hour day was to be spent in school, which con- department, where he worked as a songwriter. In fact, he sisted of two trailers overseen by Mrs. Jean Seaman, who penned the famous “Mickey Mouse March” (also known as had worked for years tutoring young actors working in film the “Mickey Mouse Club March”) heard at the beginning of and television. every program: Stage parents have on occasion earned a rather unfortu- “Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me? nate reputation of being pushy and demanding, manipulat- M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! ing situations in order to showcase their own son or daugh- Hey, there! Hi, there! Ho, there! You’re as welcome as can be! ter. Walt wisely allowed parents to be present at the Studios, M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!” but they were kept in the lobby of the Studio theater. The Not only was he a talented composer, singer and dancer, Mouseketeers and their parents were able to eat lunch but he had a kind yet enthusiastic personality, which would together, and even spend the kids’ short breaks together, work well to lead and meld the attitudes of his young co-stars. but parents were not permitted on the actual set, and if a Williams too was “home-grown” talent. He had been parent did become too much of a “stage parent,” more of- working in the Studios’ art department after Walt himself ten than not their child did not have his or her contract re- financed his education at Los Angeles’s acclaimed Choui- newed at the end of the term. While these could be rather nard Art School. Williams was hesitant at first, as he felt long and uneventful days for the parents, this arrangement that his talents were more suited in creating the scene on of being nearby, but not so much as to be intrusive, did have paper rather than on a stage, but Walt’s encouragement its advantages for both the parents and their children. convinced him to accept the opportunity. Roy’s influence on both the show and ultimately Disney merchandising On With the Show would far surpass any of his other contributions to the Dis- Production began in March – a mere two months af- ney company: it was Roy Williams who created the iconic ter the initial auditions – and the Mouseketeers worked Mickey Mouse ear hats! through the summer, rehearsing and recording song and And so after a series of auditions and interviews, the chil- dance routines for the demanding five-shows-per-week dren were cast: dancers like Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess schedule, particularly for each Monday, which was “Fun and Karen Pendleton; singers such as Tommy Cole; those with Music Day.” But the Mouseketeers made up only part who could do both with equal aplomb, like Lonnie Burr, Dar- of The Mickey Mouse Club program. Episodes also included lene Gillespie, Doreen Tracy and future recording star, film newsreels: unlike the news footage shown in full-length fea- actress and Disney Legend , hand-recruit- ture films, these were essentially educational short films. ed by Walt Disney after he saw her perform in the ballet They featured young people and covered topics ranging Swan Lake; and even an eight-year-old drummer, Carl “Cubby” from culture and religion, nature and science, and sports O’Brien. They would comprise the core group of Mouseke- and recreational activities. Mousecartoons – a short Disney teers who would appear on each episode in the first season. animated feature – were another regular offering. Filling out the group were performers who were a part of Sooty, a cuddly bear puppet from the , that first performance at Disneyland and would appear in- made frequent appearances, along with his human handler, termittently throughout the first season: Nancy Abate, Bil- Harry Corbett. While Sooty did not speak, he would “whis- lie Jean Beanblossom, Johnny Crawford, Dennis Day, Dickie per” to Harry, who would share their adventures with the Dodd, Mary Espinoza, Judy Harriet, John Lee Johann, Bonni viewing audience. (While virtually unknown to American Lou Kern, Mary Lynn Sartori, Bronson Scott, Michael Smith, audiences, Sooty was and continues to be quite the legend Ronnie Steiner, Mark Sutherland and Don Underhill. across the pond. Sooty has had his own television program While earning the title of “Mouseketeer” made them running under various titles since 1955, and holds the record the envy of children all over the country and beyond, they of having the longest-running children’s television show in worked hard for their $185 weekly salary (which, with yearly the United Kingdom.) options, could eventually reach as much as $500). Their con- Tuesday was Guest Star Day, and the show welcomed a

56 · Celebrations 57 · Celebrations wide range of entertainers, including Wally Boag and his character, an entitled city boy, had to adjust to his rural sur- menagerie of balloon animals; a variety of singers encom- roundings, and his burgeoning camaraderie with the other passing several genres--Sons of the Pioneers (western), boys. The series proved to be so popular that the second sea- Archer and Gile (folk), Carla Alberghetti (classical) and the son included Further Adventures of Spin and Marty, adding Mellomen (contemporary); comedians Morey Amsterdam Mouseketeer (and by now teen sensation) Annette Funicello and Jerry Colonna; and Disney actors and Buddy to the cast. With season three came “The New Adventures Ebsen (Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier), as well as voice of Spin and Marty,” also including Annette, as well as fellow actors Candy Candido (Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty) and George Mouseketeer Darlene Gillespie, who had enjoyed a starring Givot (). Acrobats, ice dancers, roller skat- role in another first-season serial Corky and White Shadow, ers and instrumentalists were all featured throughout the with Darlene as Corky, alongside her trusty German shep- show’s three seasons. herd. Wednesday was “Anything Can Happen Day,” and typi- Another popular serial was “The Hardy Boys,” based on cally included the promotion of a Disneyland attraction or the young people’s book series by Franklin W. Dixon, starring Disney film. Thurs- Considine as Frank day was “Circus Day,” and Tommy Kirk, a which brought acro- new Mouseketeer, bats, clowns, jugglers, as Joe. Just as in the magicians and a slew books, the two Har- of animals to The dy brothers joined Mickey Mouse Club set. together to solve Friday, Talent Round- mysteries and fight Up Day, allowed chil- crime. dren outside of the The Mickey Mouse Mouseketeers to Club was a roaring show off their abili- success. Letters from ties. Young perform- children begging to ers from all over the be made a Mouseke- country vied for the teer poured in from opportunity to per- around the country, form on one of the and Mickey Mouse most popular shows Club merchandise on television, but it was in huge demand. was even more than As the show con- that: along with this honor came a free trip to Disneyland! tinued over the ensuing seasons, the programming was Featured story arcs appearing over the course of multiple tweaked a bit to accommodate changing trends. Some episodes included Animal Autobiographies, exploring the crea- Mouseketeers moved on or were released, while others tures of the natural world; Christmas ‘Round the World and were added, including Don Agrati, who, going by the name Foreign Correspondent, introducing audiences to world cul- Don Grady, would rise to fame playing Robbie Douglas in the tures and traditions; and What I Want to Be, allowing young classic series . In the third season, much to people to examine career choices. Jiminy Cricket also frequent- viewers’ chagrin, shows were cut to thirty minutes. This was ly appeared to provide a variety of educational topics. at the behest of ABC, who cited the lack of corporate spon- Another very popular aspect of The Mickey Mouse Club was sorship for television programs geared toward children. the serials, the most famous of which being “Spin and Mar- This sadly was the beginning of the end of The Mickey Mouse ty.” (shown above) Starring as Spin and David Club, for while a fourth season was broadcast, each episode Stollery as Marty, the story, based on the 1942 novel Marty consisted of previously-aired footage. The well-loved series, Markham by Lawrence Edward Watkin, centered on a group with a total of 260 hour-long shows and 130 half-hour shows of boys and their summers at the Triple R Ranch. The title under its belt, officially ended in September 1959.

58 · Celebrations The Return of the Mickey Mouse Club Disney World…but unfortunately, no more ear hats! This The Mickey Mouse Club was not to be silenced forever, how- “MMC” yielded a notable amount of star quality, including JC ever. The show was re-aired in syndication from 1962-1965, Chasez and Justin Timberlake, who would form almost half then again in 1975, and finally in 1983, when the Disney Chan- of the quintessential ‘90s boy band NSYNC (and the latter of nel was instituted. Its popularity during the 1975 run led to whom is enjoying a tremendously successful solo career); the creation of The New Mickey Mouse Club, which aired from pop superstars Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears; and January 1977-December 1978. Featuring brightly-colored cos- actors Keri Russell (Felicity, The Americans) and Ryan Gosling tumes, with themes and topics updated for a “Generation X” (La La Land, The Notebook). audience, this new edition of the program showcased an en- There are very few television franchises, children’s or tirely new lot of performers. While none of these Mouseke- otherwise, who can claim five decades of quality entertain- teers would go on to the stardom of Annette Funicello, two ment. This was achieved by maintaining Walt’s high perfor- actresses from the group, Julie Piekarski and Lisa Welchel, mance standards and insistence on wholesome and educa- would go on to star in the 1980s hit sitcom The Facts of Life, tional—yet fun—programming. It seems fitting to end this and future “Brat-Packer” Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club, journey through more than fifty years of The Mickey Mouse Sixteen Candles) briefly appeared on the show. Club in the same way the original Mouseketeers closed each The most recent version of The Mickey Mouse Club, rebrand- episode--with the unforgettable music and lyrics of Jimmie ed as MMC, was a staple of the , running Dodd: from 1989-1994, then weekly in 1995 and in re-runs through “Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our company. 1996. This version, like the ones before it, was designed to ap- M-I-C, See you real soon! peal to the young people of that era, which this time meant K-E-Y, Why? Because we like you! skits and music videos, many of which were filmed at Walt M-O-U-S-E.”

59 · Celebrations The Circuses of Disney: Magic Under the Big Top by Kevin Carpenter

60 · Celebrations alt Disney refused to stand still. Even after Disney- had once been a savior in hard times, Disney hoped Wland’s first few months of operation proved success- that the Mickey Mouse Club Circus would similarly light the ful beyond imagination, he knew that continual innovation way to a surprisingly successful year-end. remained the only path forward. Crowds from far and wide Announcing the new attraction, he enthused that “we were pouring through the gates in record numbers — and just had to have a circus.” Set to run from Thanksgiving 1955 Walt meant to keep them coming back for more. To accom- until early January 1956, the circus was temporary in name plish this, plans for new attractions were already afoot — only. Walt confided, “To tell the actual truth, we may keep including a large surprise to mark the park’s first holiday it as a permanent part of Disneyland. The show will cost season. The circus was coming to Disneyland. around $300,000, but we are quite willing to spend money in The Mickey Mouse Club Circus, to be exact. Having debuted order to make it. Our designers have done a magnificent job on ABC just one month earlier in October 1955, The Mickey on the circus decor.” Mouse Club daily variety program had already vaulted into In truth, that design work stood as the studio’s trump the ratings stratosphere and the Disney studio was under- card to set this circus act apart from all the others. When standably eager to capitalize on that popularity. Walt leapt first drawing up the plans for Disneyland, Walt made it at that rare opportunity to kill abundantly clear that his two birds with one stone — new park would share little in creating a new attraction to common with other amuse- keep Disneyland fresh while ment centers. Where his ri- also incorporating the young vals seemed dirty and seedy, Mouseketeer stars. As Circus Disneyland would be a gleam- Day was already a staple of The ing exemplar of creativity and Mickey Mouse Club schedule, a wonder. And, so far, the effort big top exhibition seemed the seemed to be paying off, as most sensible solution. guests lavished the park with It was a theme close to praise for its family-centric Walt’s heart. After all, circus atmosphere. life had been richly explored His comments never overt- in one of the Disney crown ly touched on circuses, but jewels, 1941’s Dumbo. At a time of trouble for the studio, buf- many mid-century sideshows undeniably straddled that feted by European winds of war and growing labor unease fine line of tastefulness. To remedy this, the Mickey Mouse at home, that animated feature turned out to be manna Club Circus would bear only a superficial resemblance to its from the heavens. Without Dumbo’s inexpensive production many carnival cousins. Like the idyllic turn-of-the-century and box office receipts, who knows if the business could Americana of Main Street, U.S.A., this show would evoke have survived those difficult days? the spirit of the circus, rather than re-create the ofttimes Walt Disney Productions not only survived, but thrived sketchy reality. to the point of dominance. Few others in Hollywood could Walt and his Imagineers at WED Enterprises fully un- rival Disney’s growing list of classics and, with Disneyland’s derstood the importance of creating a grand centerpiece rousing reception, Walt’s stranglehold on the public con- — and they spared no expense in erecting the largest red- sciousness never looked stronger. But his was a genius that and-white striped circus tent in the world. Leading up to could not be sated and the prospect of his park’s first holi- the pavilion were relics and trinkets from circuses of yes- day season nagged at the back of his mind. teryear. The design team scoured the country in search of Today, large crowds routinely flock to the Disney parks genuine period pieces, eventually procuring an impressive to celebrate Christmas. But, back in the ’50s, most families array of antique circus wagons. Found in varying states of spent the holidays at home with loved ones. The idea of ven- disrepair, these wagons — complete with intricately carved turing out to an was practically unheard details and adornments — were lovingly coaxed back to life. of. Walt, though, aimed to turn that notion on its head. As The set dressing did not end there, however. A 1907 steam

Opposite Photo © Mike Billick Artwork © Tim Foster 61 · Celebrations calliope, originally built for the defunct Mugivan & Bowers Jimmie Dodd stepped in as ringmaster, appropriately clad show, lent a very authentic sound to the attraction. No cir- in a top hat with whip at hand. His television sidekick, Roy cus could hope to be complete without a calliope’s whistling Williams, traded in his “Mooseketeer” uniform for that of a siren song. circus strongman. All the design work in the world, though, meant little if While the actual Mouseketeers left the death-defying the actual circus acts failed to entertain. Walt (with the stunts to the professionals, they did perform in an aerial invaluable assistance of Bruce Bushman, Dick Irvine, Hal ballet. Even some of their moms got in on the act by dressing Adelquist, and George Whitney) arranged for the renowned as Disney characters during the parade. Former Mouseke- Ted DeWayne troupe of gymnasts and acrobats to plan and teer Lonnie Burr remembers: “We did a safer ‘flying show’. coordinate the show. This would not be the first Disney-De- The boys swung a short ladder that was perpendicular [to Wayne collaboration, for Ted’s group actually performed on the ground] and lifted after the girls got on. While swinging an early Circus Day episode of the Mickey Mouse Club. The back and forth, the girls did a routine of balletic poses.” Gil Gray Circus also pitched in to fill out the show’s infra- To conclude the show, the Mouseketeers donned special structure. costumes — Peter Pan for the boys and Tinker Bell for the Another Circus Day veteran was Professor George Keller girls — that glowed in the dark. This grand finale, dubbed and his Feline Fantastics. In the show, the good professor “The March of the Toys”, also featured a menagerie of cos- ventured into cages of fearsome lions, panthers, and the tumed Disney characters coming to life and marching in like, with no protection but his training and wits. Walt a big circle. Embracing the Yuletide theme ever further, a marveled, “I think George hypnotizes the beasts. He’s really Christmas tree “grew” 40 feet in only 10 seconds to reach a amazing.” star suspended from the top of the tent. Even Santa Claus While these names may not be familiar to modern audi- dropped by in his sleigh to close the show and to wish the ences, they were unquestionably the cream of the crop in assembled crowd a very Merry Christmas. the circus world. The Mickey Mouse Club Circus was lucky to Even the best laid plans run afoul of the occasional mis- have them — not to mention that they graciously agreed to step — and the Mickey Mouse Club Circus was certainly play second fiddle to the Mouseketeers at Disneyland, even no exception. One particular lowlight was the day the lla- though they routinely headlined shows on their own. mas broke free and loped out of the circus and down Main Other show-stopping acts included: Serenado the Wonder Street, U.S.A. For Main Streeters, shock turned to dismay Horse, who danced, played the chimes, and even treated the when the llamas began spitting. crowd to a unique rendition of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”; On the lighter side, a female trapeze performer suffered a Nollie Tate’s balancing dog; an all-clown band; trained seals; wardrobe malfunction while flying through the air, unable and Bob-O the Clown. to properly cover herself since she had to extend both arms On the circus’s opening day — November 24, 1955 — Walt to grasp her partner’s hands on the opposite trapeze. It was pulled out all the stops to launch the new show in style. He a decidedly un-Disney moment. joined Fess Parker as Grand Marshal for a special celebra- Creating the Mickey Mouse Club Circus represented tory parade. Few men could claim to rival the fame of Walt something of a closed circle for Walt Disney. While growing Disney, but the meteoric rise of Davy Crockett made Parker up in Marceline, Missouri, the young Walt briefly dabbled in just about the most popular man in the country at that the circus trade. He invited his friends to come to his fami- time. Starting on Main Street, U.S.A., the cavalcade wound ly’s barn to see a show he had created, all for the low price of its way through the park until reaching the circus’s home ten cents. As ringmaster, he welcomed his guests and pro- in Holidayland. ceeded to put on a haphazard and clumsy show. Consider- This parade also coincided with the official lighting of the ing that the highlight of the afternoon was Walt unveiling Disneyland Christmas tree and the first illumination of the a bagful of cats and releasing them in a tumble, the puzzled park’s Christmas lights. In a way, it imparted the message audience’s response was muted. that the Mickey Mouse Club Circus was Walt Disney’s Christ- His grumbling friends left unhappy, leading Flora Disney mas present to his guests. to force her son to reimburse each and every attendee’s A 75-minute affair, the circus lived up to its name by fea- admission fee. It was undoubtedly an inauspicious start turing many of the Mickey Mouse Club’s Mouseketeers. to Walt’s career in entertainment, but also drove home an

62 · Celebrations important lesson. When you ask for someone’s hard-earned terest in the circus. Finally, in 2011, Walt Disney World opened money, never leave them dissatisfied. To his credit, he never New Fantasyland and its love letter to circus life, Storybook forgot that — building his career (and Hollywood empire) Circus. Although a circus in name only, it serves up a visual on constantly delighting his audience. feast with countless small details and lush theming. Although the Mickey Mouse Club Circus’s quality dwarfed that of his first Marceline endeavor, it unfortunately did not The Circus Comes to Florida prove much more successful. The Mouseketeers were enthu- The newly-expanded Dumbo the Flying Elephant attrac- siastic performers, the professional circus acts thrilled and tion draws most of the attention, but even a quick stroll amazed, and the themed design work earned top marks. through the Storybook grounds reveals a virtual abundance What it didn’t have, though, was a consistent audience. of eye-catching nods to this favorite Disney theme. From With seating for up to 2,500 at each performance, most the festive music and bright circus posters to the wonders shows began with a crowd numbering in the hundreds. The of the Casey Junior Circus Train water play area and Big Top Mickey Mouse Club Circus could not be fairly considered an Souvenirs, the area marks a true celebration of all things outright failure, but it did not spark crowds as had been hoped. circus. Right down to the tracks left behind by the parade Where the rest of Disneyland offered unique attractions of animals and the stray peanuts dropped by the elephants and displays, guests were reluctant to spend their time and in the pavement, the entire area has allowed Imagineering money on a conven- to flex its creative tional circus, even muscles. While each with the popular new addition to Mouseketeers at- the Disney parks tached. Most people prompts many to of that era had been query what Walt to a circus before, would think of it, but how many had one must imagine sailed down the riv- his delighted won- er on a jungle cruise der at seeing what or taken a rocket appears to be a new trip to the moon? circus that has just When the ini- rolled into town. tial run ended on Storybook Cir- January 8, 1956, the park reluctantly announced that the cus’s re-imagination of the big top evokes memories of Mickey Mouse Club Circus’s engagement would not be ex- Walt’s original circus dream. The Mickey Mouse Club Circus tended. The tent, though, would not sit empty — for Profes- turned out to be so much more than a holiday attraction sor George Keller and his band of exotic cats continued to in 1955 — it was a project that Walt held close to his heart. perform there for a few months more. The Junior Autopia The show’s program included an eloquent tribute to the replaced the circus, but also closed after a short while. Now, man who made it all happen. “This was all brought about be- the iconic Matterhorn stands on the grave of Holidayland. cause one man, as a boy, stood on the curb of a small town Remnants of the Mickey Mouse Club Circus still occasional- Main Street each spring and witnessed a circus parade and ly pop up, though. Eagle-eyed viewers of 1960’s Disney feature who had a justifiable yearning to someday ‘have a circus’ — Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks in the Circus, might recognize some a real, old-time circus.” familiar-looking circus wagons. Indeed, these were the same While this may seem little more than public relations antique wagons restored in 1955. After making their film de- puffery, it is, instead, the honest truth. Walt Disney so loved but, they were shipped off to the Circus World Museum in circuses that he long harbored the hope of bringing one of Baraboo, Wisconsin, where they can still be seen today. his own to life. The Mickey Mouse Club Circus may never go Between frequent re-releases of Dumbo, the aforemen- down in the annals of history as one of Walt’s more stellar tioned Toby Tyler, and even the Disney Channel classic successes, but it still stands as an example that dreams can “Dumbo’s Circus” program, the Disney studio never lost in- come true — no matter how old you are.

Photo © Mike Billick 63 · Celebrations The Street Performers of Walt Disney World by Shaun Jex

64 · Celebrations very day, the Walt Disney World Resort comes alive with along the trolley line. Cast Members ride on the trolley, Ea host of musicians, acrobats, and other street perform- pouring onto the street at each stop to sing songs like “The ers dedicated to bringing life and magic to park Guests. Most Magical Place on Earth” and “The Trolley Song,” a num- Though often overlooked by visitors bustling from attrac- ber made famous in the film Meet Me in St. Louis. tion to attraction and show to show, these Cast Members The group’s signature number is “I’m Walking Right Down help create the fully immersive atmosphere that makes the Middle of Main Street U.S.A.” Singer and songwriter Stu Walt Disney World the Most Magical Place on Earth. Nunnery composed the piece in 1978 while working as a jingle There are dozens of street performers and shows scat- composer in New York City. The Disney Company purchased tered through each park, and dedicated Walt Disney World the rights to the song in 1980, but it disappeared until 1985, enthusiasts all have a favorite. We’ve selected a few of our when Marie Osmond performed it for a television special. favorites in the hopes that it will encourage Guests to slow The song, and the Citizen’s of Main Street, perfectly cap- down and take in some of the amazing performances hap- ture the feeling of turn-of-the-century Marceline, Missouri, pening all around the park. which served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for the original Main Street U.S.A.: The Main Street Trolley Show I’m walking right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A. Location: Main Street in The Magic Kingdom It’s the heart of America, the heartbeat of a holiday… Every morning, the Citizens of Main Street travel by trol- I hear the music playing ley through Main Street U.S.A., stopping periodically to sing From the old time ragtime band and dance for Guests. Dressed in turn-of-the-century styles I feel the whole place swaying (think straw boater hats, canes, pastel bows, and dresses With the people from across the land with poofy sleeves) the citizens have been performing their You see the greatest smiling faces up and down the street act since December 1, 2004. The group typically performs It’s remarkable how friendly all the people can be three shows a day with each show stopping three times I’m walking right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A.

Opposite Photo ©Mike Billick, Top Photo ©Garry Rollins 65 · Celebrations Main Street Philharmonic Servuer Amusant Location: Main Street and Town Square in the Magic Kingdom Location: The France Pavilion in Epcot Marching Bands have a long Disney history. The opening Outside Les Chef de France, an acrobatic chef and wait- of Walt Disney Word in 1971 featured a 1076 piece marching er entertain Guests visiting the France Pavilion in Epcot’s band, along with Mickey Mouse playing the world’s largest World Showcase. bass drum. Since that time, a variety of bands have called The 20 minute act, known as Servuer Amusant (or Amus- the Magic Kingdom home, including The Walt Disney World ing Waiter in English), features a chef juggling wine bottles Band and The Main Street Marching Band. and a waiter who performs a balancing act and various ac- Today, the Main Street Philharmonic serves as the Magic robatics on a growing stack of wooden chairs, all set to a Kingdom’s official marching band. The Philharmonic is a jaunty soundtrack of accordion music. The act typically be- 12-piece brass and percussion band that performs up and gins with a small amount of audience participation, with a down Main Street and at Town Square. handful of Guests being pulled into the show. The chef danc- Making their debut in 2000 as a replacement for the Main es and clowns about, interacting with the crowd before the Street Marching Band, members of the Philharmonic don waiter begins building his tower of chairs. As the platform red and white marching band uniforms, including hats with of grows, the chef takes to throwing each new chair into tall white plumes. The group performs ragtime and swing the outstretched arms of the waiter who then adds it to numbers, along with old standards like “Alexander’s Ragtime the stack and performs handstands, the splits, and other Band,” “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and Meredith Wilson’s feats of daring while the breathless crowd watches below. “76 Trombones” from the The Music Man. They play variations The act even incorporates a giant champagne bottle that on Disney classics from films like The Little Mermaid and Beau- the waiter uses as part of his teetering tower. ty and the Beast, as well as the ever-popular “Mickey Mouse In the early years of the show, the acrobatic waiter was Club March.” The Philharmonic has also been known to take actually a surprise participant in the show. As the show requests from Guests bold enough to ask. started, the chef would amuse the crowd with his juggling The group consists of a cast of musicians who are often antics. But before he got too far, he would pull a seemingly involved in other areas of music throughout the parks. They random member from the audience to participate in the perform three times a day on Main Street and once a day at show. He would goad the Guest into climbing on top of a the Storybook Circus. table, then on top of a chair placed on the chair, and then another chair precariously placed atop the first. To the au- Casey’s Corner Pianist dience, it would now be clear that the “Guest” was actually Location: Casey’s Corner on Main St. USA part of the show, and a talented gymnast to boot. Jim Omohundro has been bringing ragtime music to the These days, both performers come out together. There Magic Kingdom for over thirty years. Omohundro plays the is no talking during the show, but the chef has no problem piano outside of Casey’s Corner on Main Street of the Magic communicating with the audience with the humorous use Kingdom, an eatery featuring a menu of American ballpark of a whistle, which he uses to “instruct” participating Guests foods like hot dogs, popcorn, French fries, and Cracker Jack. on where to stand and what to do. Much of the humor of Omohundro made his debut playing the “rinky tink” piano the show comes through this wordless interaction, and it’s in the Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day of 1983. Prior to well worth watching for that reason alone. that he worked as a sub at the Disneyland resort before the company asked him to come on full time in Orlando. He Sergio the Clown plays a mix of classic ragtime music and Disney tunes given Location: The Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase the ragtime treatment. Between songs, Omohundro cracks Adorned in a red and white shirt, black fedora, tattered jokes and even takes requests from Guests. pants, and a green sash around his waist, Sergio the Clown In a video tribute released by the Disney Company, Omo- glides through the Italy Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase hundro reflected on his decades with the company, explain- atop a scooter designed to resemble a Venetian gondola. ing that the piano serves as little more than a prop that Sergio performs his act in pantomime, though he is far doesn’t truly come alive until Guests join in the fun. from silent. Like the French chef in Servuer Amusant, Ser-

66 · Celebrations gio sports a whistle that he uses in place of his voice. After The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats stopping his gondola, he lays out a circle of rope marking of Location: China Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase the boundaries of his “stage.” His act is a blend of juggling, The variety arts, which includes acrobatics, plate spinning, physical comedy, and audience participation. Sergio juggles contortion, and tightrope walking, have a long history in Chi- a variety of items, including soccer balls and umbrellas. He nese culture. The earliest reference to the variety arts dates also uses children volunteers; bringing them into the circle all the way back to the Qin Dynasty (around 221 B.C.). Over the and having them hold a basketball net. He then throws the centuries Chinese acrobats have performed for emperors, soccer balls into the net from ever increasing distances. commoners, and even found government favor after the Sergio also keeps an active social media presence on sites founding of the People’s Republic of China. With such deep like Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ClownSergio/) ties to the country’s history, it is only fitting that Chinese ac- where he posts regular photos with guests and videos of robats would take center stage at China’s pavilion. performances and is happy to answer questions from fans. From 1996 to 2011, the Dragon Legend Acrobats performed “I started working in 1988,” Sergio once explained. “I was 15 in the pavilion. The group consisted of athletes, ranging in years old. I did many different shows. Movie. Theater. A TV age from 10 to 18, from the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobatics show in Europe.” in China. The group mixed hula hoops, jump ropes, contor- tion, and spinning cloth plates into their act. After fifteen Mariachi Cobre years the group left Walt Disney World and were replaced Location: Mexico Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase by the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. Mariachi Cobre has performed at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion The Jeweled Dragons are a slightly older group than the since the park opened in October of 1982. Today, they are one Dragon Legend Acrobats, with their athletes ranging from 18 of the world’s best known mariachi bands, performing the to 21 years old. The original group was made up of six male music of Mexico’s western state of Jalisco along with other performers and two female, though the ratios have varied regional styles. over the years. The Dragons perform their act on the red car- The members of Mariachi Cobre got their start as part of pet to the right of the Paifang, or Main Archway at the pavil- Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson (a name which translates to ion’s entrance. Their act begins with demonstrations of Bian the Ugly Little Monkeys of Tucson), a youth mariachi group Lian, or changing faces. Bian Lian comes from the Chinese Op- that regularly traveled to and performed in Disneyland in era and the Sichuan Province. The performers dramatically California. In 1971, Randy Carrillo and his brother formed change faces through a series of graceful maneuvers that Mariachi Cobre with two fellow students from Los Chan- they use to shift between a variety of hand painted masks. guitos. They began playing weddings, parties, and at the Los They then transition to the acrobatic portion of the show. Yentes restaurant before becoming seasonal performers at The Dragons spin flags, perform flips, lifts, handstands, form Walt Disney World in 1973. a human tower and utilize a variety of other props like plat- Over the years, Mariachi Cobre have recorded the forms and a traditional dragon costume. Mariachi Cobre, Este Es Mi Mariachi, and XXV Anniversary: 1971- 1996. Author and musician Patricia Greathouse featured Still More Adventures Await... the group in her 2009 book Mariachi. The group has also These seven “street performers” are only a portion of the performed in symphony orchestra concerts, at Ronald Rea- magic that Guests can find if they’re willing to take their gan’s inauguration, and with Linda Ronstadt. time while wandering through the parks. Disney’s Holly- Mariachi Cobre has featured a rotating and growing cast wood Studios and Animal Kingdom also incorporate a va- of musicians over the years, incorporating trumpet, violin, riety of street performers like the Citizens of Hollywood, guitar, guitarron (a large, acoustic six stringed bass) and DiVine (a walking plant made up of leaves and vines that the vihuela (a five stringed guitar like instrument). Randy wanders Animal Kingdom and hides among the foliage), Carrillo left the group in 2015 to join the Mariachi Heritage and the Afro-Pop group Burudika, which performs in the Foundation as the Director of Mariachi Curriculum serving Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Market. With so many enter- the Chicago Public Schools, but Mariachi Cobre continues tainers to be found, there is more than enough opportunity delight Epcot Guests year round. for Guests to find something new on each visit.

67 · Celebrations hen we last parted ways, my companion and I there was another secret room up there, similar to the Wwere ogling the beautiful and sparkly Cinder- much rumored basketball court in the Matterhorn at ella Castle sculpted in crystal located in the Crystal Disneyland. Arts shop on Main Street U.S.A. Now that the parade I guess I was talking louder than I thought, because had made its way past and the crowds had dissipated, a Cast Member came up and informed that no, that we were once again free to move our way down Main wasn’t the fabled basketball court, but it was indeed the Street toward Cinderella Castle so we could enjoy our infamous Cinderella Suite as we suspected. I asked how ADR at Cinderella’s Royal Table. We made way to the Cas- much it was to stay there, but the Cast Member told tle and gazed at the beautiful mosaics that adorn the me that since the Year of a Million Dreams promotion breezeway toward Fantasyland. But despite our earlier ended, the room cannot be reserved or booked, nor do detour, we still realized that we were early. So instead they do tours of the space anymore. (I suppose if I were of standing in line or hovering around among the oth- a high priced movie celebrity that might give me a little er Guests waiting to be seated, we decided to wander pull…but unfortunately that’s not the case!) around outside, though we made sure to stay close in But she did point out the designs on the three win- case we needed to rush back. dows, and though there were As we were strolling around hard to see from this distance, the Castle, I recalled tales of a she told us that they depicted room that was originally built the story of Cinderella, includ- to serve as an office for Walt ing the castle, the invitation to Disney, though it was never the ball, and the clock that fa- completed (and had later been mously struck midnight (and in home to, of all things, Disney fact the hands on the clock are phone operators!). But in 2006, a indeed set at 12:00!). beautifully appointed suite that We thanked this helpful Cast looked out over Fantasyland Member, and as she walked was created, and became the away my companion turned to Cinderella Castle Suite. This elaborately decorated suite me and said, “Isn’t funny how we run across so many was themed after the film Cinderella, and lucky Guests Cast Members with encyclopedic knowledge of the could win a night’s stay in the Castle during the Year of a lesser known details of the Parks?” Funny indeed! Million Dreams (which actually ran for well over a year, So sometimes you’ll find that the smallest details are from October 2006 to December 2008). actually just the tip of the iceberg, and more elaborate But having never stayed in the suite myself, I wasn’t secrets are sometimes hidden behind them. That’s why sure where it was located. As we wandered around the it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open and look left side of the Castle, my companion pointed out three around…you’ll never know what sort of surprises you’ll tall stained glass windows that stood out a bit from the find, large or small. architecture of the building. I hadn’t noticed these win- dows before and wondered aloud what if they might Until next time, this is Ray, and you’ve been Wander- be the windows to the suite. I made a joke that maybe ing the World!

68 · Celebrations Weight, in pounds of each of the cars (without the 4,100 Guests, that is).

Number of speakers installed along the track. All the 850 better to hear that page for Mr. Tom Morrow!

Length of time it takes to complete the TTA tour. You 10:03 could take four rides on Space Mountain in that time!

Length of the track in feet, or a bit over one mile. That 5,484 may seem like a long way, but if you could stretch out the TTA on the World Showcase promenade and start in Mexico, you would barely make it to the United Kingdom pavilion (don’t forget you still have Canada to visit!)

Maximum speed, in miles per hour, that the TTA trav- 6.84 els. That’s a bit faster than a brisk jog…and much bet- ter than walking!

Speed, in miles per hour, of the loading platform. 1.84 (Just in case you were wondering if you had to break out in a short sprint to board your car!) 32 Number of vehicles on the TTA. Number of electromagnets located throughout the 533 TTA’s tracks. Electricity flows through the electro- magnets, “pulling” on the steel plates under each vehicle. By sequencing the on/off state of the mag- nets, the TTA cars are propelled down the track in a process called linear induction. With no moving parts, linear induction is pollution-free and environ- mentally friendly source of locomotion…the perfect transportation technology for a vehicle of the future!

69 · Celebrations The Dumbbell Nebula By Tim Foster

I must admit I’m a bit of an astronomy buff, and one evening I was gazing up at the stars with my telescope and stumbled across this glorious sight. I looked it up in my star atlas and saw that it was called the Dumbbell Nebula, due to its unique shape. I further read that it was the first nebula to be discovered, way back in 1764. When I ventured to Walt Disney World the next day, I was eager to tell anyone and everyone about what I had found in the night sky. As I wove captivating tales of my wondrous discovery, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Someone then whispered in my ear that the Dumbbell Nebula could be find right here in Disney. I turned to ask where, but my mysterious tipster had disappeared down Main Street U.S.A...

My first thoughts went right to MISSION: Space...where better to find a deep space object? I wandered through the queue, and while I saw some amazing space artifacts like the Lunar Rover, I didn’t see the nebula. I was determined to look carefully on our journey to Mars, but once we landed I realized I hadn’t found it (I think I might have dozed off a bit...I recall some mention of hypersleep). I wandered off through the interactive play areas and gift shop, and looked up to see a magnificent sight...a bright red nebula painted on the ceiling! Was this the Dumbbell Nebula? Alas, no, this was the Mickey Nebula...and I had a vague recollection of finding it in one my earlier adventures. (I also had a nagging suspicion that it wasn’t an actual nebula!)

I began to think I wouldn’t find the nebula at Epcot (though I did take a quick trip on Spaceship Earth just to be sure, but beyond the magnificent site of the Earth floating in a myriad of stars midway through the tour, there was no mention of any other-wordly space objects). So where to next? The obvious choice seemed to be Tomorrowland, and so I set my course for the world of the “tomorrow that never was.” As I entered this retro- futuristic land, there were space references all around...I hardly knew where to start. As I wandered around I stumbled across this small map, depicting several planets and a constellation. But even though I saw something that appeared to be a Coca Cola nebula, there was no Dumbbell Nebula to be found.

70 · Celebrations I then thought that perhaps I should consult someone who was an expert on space travel, and who better to ask than Buzz Lightyear himself? I saw that he was recruiting new Space Rangers for a secret mission, so I hastily wandered inside to see if he knew anything about this elusive nebula. Unfortunately, when I found him he was in the middle of an inspiring recruitment speech, and try as I might, I just couldn’t get his attention. However, it was then that I noticed several maps of the various sectors of the galaxy that we were to traverse, and I noticed an odd-shaped nebula-like object near an Earth-like planet with an unusually shaped continent (but that’s a tale for another time). However, upon closer inspection, I saw that this object was called the Molbekk Nebula. I didn’t recall any mention of that in my star atlas, so I decided to look elsewhere.

My next stop was the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, or TTA, which looked to be the main form of transportation in this intergalactic hub. I boarded my car, anxiously looking for any signs of the Dumbbell Nebula, when my car passed this transfer station. The sign reading “Outbound Departure” grabbed my attention, as I thought that perhaps this would take me to a conveyance that would transport me to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and my long sought-after nebula. I found that this was a transfer station for the Red and Green Lines of the system (I was currently riding the Blue Line). While the Green Line provided local transportation to Tomorrowland’s “Hover-Burbs,” the Red Line promised to take you to other destinations in the galaxy. Unfortunately, the cars in the transfer area didn’t seem to be functioning, so it looked like I was stuck on Earth.

I finally admitted defeat, and started to wander back out of Tomorrowland. I was comforted with the knowledge that I would be able to gaze on the nebula tonight through my telescope...but then realized that I wasn’t quite sure where to find it (my original discovery was purely accidental). I consulted my phone and looked up “Dumbbell Nebula” on the Internet so I could find out which way to point my telescope. Sure enough, up popped Dumbbell Nebula, along with a bit of a description and its Messier catalog number. I noticed that the nebula was also known as M27, and I immediately froze. I KNOW I had seen that number somewhere, and I quickly looked around. It didn’t long to find it, as it was on one of the “advertising” signs at the entrance to Tomorrowland. This particular sign was promoting the opportunity to see “The Latest Galaxy M27 Sports Equipment”...and I burst out laughing. For years I had seen that sign but never got the joke...Sports Equipment...M27...Dumbbell Nebula. Relieved that I had found the elusive nebula, I raced back home (though I was torn between the desire to go stargazing or to do a bit of weight lifting...)

71 · Celebrations How Much Do You Know About Refurbishments at Walt Disney World? by Tim Foster

1. In the Haunted Mansion, what was in the 6. Before you could meet Tinker Bell in the Town room now home to the Escher-like staircases? Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A., which a. A fireplace area of the park could you find her in? b. A giant spider a. Fantasyland c. A floating top hat and cane b. Mickey’s Toontown Fair d. A trio of skeletons c. Frontierland d. Adventureland 2. What is the current model number of the monorail? 7. Who was the first president to be added to the a. Mark VI Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents? b. Mark V a. Richard Nixon c. Mark IV b.  d. Mark X c. Jimmy Carter d. Gerald Ford 3. In the original Living Seas pavilion, what were the elevators called that took you down to 8. Which of these “Pirates” characters have not Seabase Alpha? been added to the attraction? a. The Hydrolaters a. Will Turner b. Sea Cabs b. Davey Jones c. Diving Bells c. Blackbeard d. Hydroponic Transports d. Captain Barbossa

4. In Pirates of the Caribbean, a new skeleton 9. Who were your hosts in the Enchanted Tiki was added to the first cave scene. Who’s? Room (Under New Management)? a. The Kraken a. Fritz and Pierre b. Davey Jones b. Iago and Zazu c. A mermaid c. Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca d. A British soldier d. Donald Duck and Goofy

5. In the original Soarin’, which of these was NOT 10. In the prior spiel for the TTA, Mr. Morrow was one of the scents you could smell? asked to meet his party. Where were they from? a. Roses a. Mars b. Oranges b. Jupiter c. Evergreens c. Saturn d. Sea spray d. The Moon

72 · Celebrations 11. Before New Fantasyland was built, Cinderella 14 What was the name of Journey Into Castle was the only castle in the Magic Imagination with Figment before its most Kingdom. How many castles are there now? recent renovation in 2001? a. 2 a. Journey of Imagination b. 3 b. Journey Into YOUR Imagination c. 4 c. The Imagination Institute d. 5 d. Journey Through Your Imagination

12. In the prior version of , what test 15. In the “moon landing” scene in Spaceship were you undertaking before you began your Earth, you used to see two teenagers video speed test on the outside tracks? chatting through their computers. What a. The environmental test countries were the two kids from? b. The crash test a. United States and India c. The brake test b. France and Canada d. The handling test c. China and d. United States and Japan 13. The latter part of Spaceship Earth used to show you a glimpse into the future of Quiz Answers communication. One scene showed students 1. B 6. D 11. C transforming a bee into what type of vehicle? a. A rocket 2. A 7. D 12. B b. A space shuttle 3. A 8. A 13. B c. An airplane 4. C 9. B 14. B d. A helicopter 5. A 10. C 15. D

ANSWERS SPACE SPIN FIND THE DIFFERENCE 4. VOLCANO KIDS KORNER (pages 74-77) 5. EMPEROR ZURG L I G H T Y E A R O C K 6. ROBOTS WHO AM I? E 7. SPACE CRUISER 1. Tramp N D E A T H S T A R T 8. SCOREBOARD 2. Eve A L A 3. Prince Eric L A C E A R T I T MYSTERY QUEST (pages 78-79) 4. Nala W R H G O SECRET SYMBOLS 5. Mrs. Potato Head O R E E H O 1. Leonard Burnedstar sign near the 6. Sally R E C R O F T I entrance to Tomorrowland 1. The laser beam is longer 2. Sonny Eclipse sign FAR OUT O T R N 2. “Twin” is missing 3. Tomorrowland Interplanetary 1. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin M A E H T I S N A E 3. One of the wings is black Convention Center symbol 2. MISSION: Space moon M B 4. “Spin” is changed to “Pin” 4. Tomorrowland Speedway sign 3. Queue of Star Tours - The Adventures O T U A N O R T S A L U 5. The cannon handle is gone Continue BRAIN BUSTERS 6. The rear fin is missing WHERE AM I? 4. Mural at the entrance of Spaceship The Carousel of Progress 7. The arrow is longer 1. Metal Palm Trees Earth 8. “Crystolic” is misspelled 2. Structure atop the PeopleMover 5. Marble globe in the heart of 9. The design is reversed 3. Tomorrowland Speedway tracks Tomorrowland 10. There are more shadow lines 4. Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s 6. Exit scene on Space Mountain Space Ranger Spin FIND THE DIFFERENCE BONUS 5. Asteroid Art sign near the entrance to ANSWER Tomorrowland Planet Z 6. Metal fin along the track of the PeopleMover WORD SCRAMBLE 7. Pots and pans in the final scene of the 1. ION CANNON Carousel of Progress 2. BATTERIES 8. Viewport near the Tomorrowland 3. VIEWMASTER Terrace Noodle Station

73 · Celebrations Who do these Disney characters fall in love with? 1. Lady 2. WALL-E 3. Ariel 4. Simba 5. Mr. Potato Head 6. Lightning McQueen

Can you figure out where you’ll find these intergalactic scenes and objects throughout Walt Disney World?

1 2

3 4

5 6

74 · Celebrations Use the clues below to fill in the spiral. Some of the answers will overlap (indicated by the gray squares), you can use these as a clue to figure out the trickier questions!

1. Buzz ______5. You’ll see two of them on your 10. “The Galaxy ______” 2. ______Tower Plaza first climb in Space Mountain in Tomorrowland 3. ______Traders (and Luke 6. Space Mountain’s home 11. Tomorrowland ______Skywalker’s home planet) 7. It blew up Alderaan Noodle Station 4. A space object; you’ll find a 8. ______Cafe, home of Sonny 12. Spaceship ______in Epcot Mickey-shaped one in Eclipse 13. “______Awakens” MISSION: Space 9. Tomorrowland ______Authority PeopleMover

Answers on page 73 75 · Celebrations Where can you see the original model for Walt Disney’s EPCOT city?

Looks like Emperor Zurg has been doing a bit of sabotage at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Can you find the ten differences in the photos below?

______

______

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______

______

______

______

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BONUS QUESTION What is your final destination of your secret mission on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?

76 · Celebrations See if you can unscramble these things you’d find at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin!

1. NOI OCNNAN 2. STRETABEI

3. ARMWESTIVE 4. CLAOVON

5. PROMERE GURZ 6. BROOTS

7. CAPES SUECRIR 8. DRABCOOSER

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 you think I catch them all! But be sure to be on the have met at Disney World? – Carley, age 4 lookout for a very familiar shape on the table! Hi Carley! I love meeting the characters!! I try to fill my autograph book every time we visit. If you could have one of The All the characters are awesome to meet...Mickey Incredibles super powers, which one is classic, Baymax is so huggable, and Peter would you want to have? Pan is brave. Of course, Tinker Bell is always an Violet’s of course! If I could be invisible I could adventure to meet but I HAVE to visit Rapunzel stay at Disney park all night long! Just kidding, every time - she is just so kind and pretty and Mickey needs his sleep ;) always super happy to see me! If you could put a new Disney park What is your favorite room in the anywhere in the world, where would Haunted Mansion? you build it? The Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite Anywhere? Like a “Frozen” Magic Kingdom in places to visit! Those ghosts really know how to Iceland? Or even in Australia? But if i was picking, throw a party ;) There are so many creepy rooms I would choose somewhere in South America, - they do have to fit 999 ghosts and have room maybe Peru like The Emperor’s New Groove! The for one more - and my favorite to watch is the theming could be AMAZING...now I need to go Ballroom. There are so many things to see, I don’t watch Kuzco again :)

77 · Celebrations after the opening of the Magic Kingdom itself). Did You Know? Unfortunately, Stitch and his ship (along with a Hidden Mickey or two) have since disappeared as As you take a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit the shop has been remodeled. Authority PeopleMover, you’ll enter the cavernous darkness of Space Mountain. Along the way you’ll Speaking of Hidden Mickeys, you’ll find several in see a sign for STARPORT SEVEN-FIVE. That’s a the Carousel of Progress. Since the attraction was reference to the year 1975, when Space Mountain one that was near and dear to Walt Disney’s heart, opened. it’s only fitting that one of the more dramatic Hidden Mickeys can be found in an abstract At one point, you could also find a tiny painting of painting in the Christmas scene room. The Stitch in the gift shop of Buzz Lightyear’s Space painting is that of Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia Ranger Spin. The ship had several mysterious (albeit a bit distorted!), a film that Walt Disney was markings on it, which turned out to be letters, particularly passionate about. using the same intergalactic alphabet seen inside the Stitch’s Great Escape! attraction. Similar to the One of the early plans for Space Mountain had part sign seen on the TTA, the lettering translated to of the track going outdoors, but it was determined “1972,” the year the attraction building that’s now that the roller coaster technology available at the home to Buzz Lightyear opened (a few months time wouldn’t stand up to the Florida climate.

Where can you find these cryptic inscriptions?

2 1 3 4

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

1 3 2

6 4 5

7 8

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

Answers on page 73 79 · Celebrations Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Moana

1. Appropriately enough, Moana means “ocean” in many Poly- the role since she was aware that there already numer- nesian languages, including Hawaiian and Maori. ous auditions done over YouTube, and the effort seemed 2. Although technically not a yet (though pointless. However, she was spotted at a charity event by she may become one someday), she does share the royal an Oahu talent agent, who convinced her to audition any- characteristic of not having a last name. Or does she? way. She won the role over hundreds of other actresses, At the film’s announcement during the Expo in 2015, and was actually the last person to audition. Moana’s last name was revealed to be “Waialiki,” and many 7. The film took more than five years to develop and produce, sources continue to cite this as her last name, but it was and during the course of their research, directors Clem- never uttered in the film. ents and Musker recruited experts from across the 3. As with many new Disney characters (especially South Pacific to form an Oceanic Story Trust, in those of the Princess variety), new technol- order to aid them in portraying the film’s cul- ogy was developed to convincingly animate tural aspects accurately. The Trust proved Moana’s hair. In addition to giving her hair a to be an invaluable aid to the produc- more realistic appearance, this allowed the tion team. For example, they objected animators to more easily style her hair dif- to a scene where Moana threw a ferently depending on the requirements tantrum by throwing coconuts, so of the scene. the scene was deleted from the 4. This was the first fully computer- film. The movie actually went animated film for directors John through nine versions before Musker and Ron Clements. During it won the approval of the the initial stages of development, Trust. there were a few attempts made at us- 8. You can spot a feline version of Mo- ing traditional hand-drawn animation, but ana In Zootopia. Look for her on the cover it was quickly determined that the visual de- of Duke Weaselton’s bootleg copy of Meowana. mands of the film’s setting, particularly the 9. You might also have seen here in a 2016 holi- ocean, could be rendered much more real- day Target commercial. A doll version of istically through CGI. However, not every- Moana could be seen turning on the stage thing in the movie was done through com- lights for the rehearsal of the Toycracker. puter. Maui’s tattoos were all hand-drawn. 10. Over forty designs were considered 5. Moana was voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, for Moana’s necklace, which was in- who made her acting debit in this film. tended to represent Moana’s ties She is of Chinese, Irish, Native Hawaiian, to both the land and sea. Addition- Portuguese, and Puerto Rican descent, ally, the stars on the necklace rep- and was living in Mililani, Hawaii when resent her expert navigating ability. she auditioned for, and won, the And that’s not all; the red in Moana’s coveted role. clothing represents her royal heritage 6. But she almost never got it, or even as the daughter of a chief. (Wait, auditioned for it. She had originally that does make her a princess decided not to bother auditioning for after all!)

Keepsake Image: “Will Work for Peanuts”• Photo © Garry Rollins 80 · Celebrations Back Cover Photo © Mike Billick

“...it all started with a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them too.” – Walt Disney