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Cover Photography © Tim Devine Issue 39 First in the Parks: The Magic of the 42 Contents Calendar of Events...... 8 Rope Drops Disney News & Updates...... 10 MOUSE VIEWS...... 17 Guide to the Magic by Tim Foster...... 18 Creating 3D Before 3D: Hidden Mickeys by Steve Barrett...... 20 How Walt Disney 50 by Jamie Hecker...... 22 Brought Worlds to Life Shutters & Lenses by Tim Devine...... 24 Disney Cuisine by Allison Jones...... 26 Disney Touring Tips by Siera Duiser...... 28 Disney Attractions Disney Secrets Around the World: 54 by Jamie Hecker...... 30 Magic Part 2 by J Darling...... 32

FEATURED ATTRACTION Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set...... 34

FEATURED FILM O’ Canada! ...... 38

58 Wandering the World...... 72 By the Numbers...... 73 In Search Of...... 74 Quick Quiz...... 76 Kids Korner...... 78 Mystery Quest...... 82 Tim & Lou’s Top 10...... 84 The Disney Heroes Hall of Fame 64 Celebrating a New Year of Magic... Your Way

Ah, the start of a new year, and the promise of great things to come. Every year brings a new opportunity to celebrate something special, whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, an anniversary… or even your first trip to Walt Disney World.

Regardless of what you’re celebrating, Walt Disney World makes for a wonderful setting. And no one celebrates like Disney! No matter if it’s the blooming of a new Spring, a festival of culinary treats from around the world, the mischief and ghoulish delights of , or the splendor and warmth of the Christmas season, Walt Disney World puts on a party like no one else can. The Disney Festivals are a great time to visit, when the magic of the parks and resorts is enhanced by those extra special touches that Disney adds during those special times.

But of course, every day is special at Walt Disney World. No matter what the occasion, you can make memories that will last a lifetime as you celebrate your own special event at the most magical place on Earth. What better place to propose to that special someone, or take someone for their Sweet Sixteen. Or how about a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion, or, perhaps most magically of all, taking your little one for their very first visit to the .

Every day is a cause for celebration, and when you combine that with that special , you can share an event with your family and friends that will create enough magical memories to last a lifetime. And dare I say, a little sprinkling of pixie dust on your special moment!

So…what will you be celebrating this year?

Enjoy the magic! Tim Foster

2 · Celebrations Editor Tim Foster

Associate Editors Michelle Foster • Catherine Lusby • Lou Mongello

Contributing Writers Steve Barrett J Darling Tim Devine Jamie Hecker Allison Jones Sara Duiser

Creative Direction and Design Tim Foster Art Director Michelle Foster

Customer Service Senior Manager Lisa Mahan

Social Media/Marketing Directors Jennifer Bright Reich • Jessica Clawson

Contributing Photographers Tim Foster, Tim Devine, Nick Comande, Lauren Javier, Jamie Hecker

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

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©2014 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 the Walt Disney , Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. Walt Disney World Resort® is a registered trademark of . ® 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 Fore! (Disney Style...) My Dad is a huge Disney fan and has inspired instilled that love of Disney in myself and my sister. I found this Letters in my backyard, the ball is a golf training aid but was bitten by a squirrel and the result is a classic Mickey! The Pasquarello Family Conshohocken, PA

spot in both the Japanese Android Store and the Japa- nese Apple App Store. In the Disney Tsum Tsum app, play- ers match three or more Tsums in a in order to score points and coins. The further someone progresses in the Disney Tsum Tsum: The Stackabilities game, the more Tsums they can unlock. Many Tsums in By Rachel Comande the game were converted into plush form which fur- Who would have ever thought that the material used thered the popularity of Tsum Tsums and led to their for screen cleaners could be used to make a cute collect- release in the United States. able toy? Apparently someone did, and that someone On July 1, 2014, Disney Tsum Tsum was released in of course was Disney. Originally introduced in Japan, America. Both the app and plush were a big success. Disney Tsum Tsums are cute plush toys that represent Over 30 different characters were released including beloved Disney characters. In 9 months, more than 1.6 the Disney Originals, (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy), million Tsums were sold in Japan. Tsum Tsums are avail- Favorites, and Winnie the Pooh and friends. Tsums able in 3 different sizes; small, medium, and large. “Tsum can be found on the website and in Disney Tsum” translates to “Stack Stack,” and for good reason Stores across the United States. When they were first too. These plush characters are stackable. But what introduced, because of their overwhelming popular- made Disney Tsum Tsum so popular? It wasn’t the char- ity, a limit of four of one character was placed on Tsum acters, and it wasn’t their “plushiness,” it was actually a Tsums. Since then, and the Seven Dwarfs, Al- Disney Tsum Tsum app! ice and Wonderland, and seasonal characters have also In 9 months, the Disney Tsum Tsum app was down- been added to the Tsum lineup. What will be next? And loaded more than 14 million times, achieving the top more importantly, who is your favorite?

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

Nick Comande is a retired Rachel Comande lives in Lori Elias credits her pas- Ray Harkness thanks Disney Firefighter/Paramedic from Racine, WI. She loves Walt sion for Disney to long- for saving his marriage. the city of Racine, Wisconsin. Disney World, and the first time friend Tara Miller, After being shown the joys Previous work included his of her yearly visits started a Cast Member with the of a vacation by his lovely book Climbing for Causes. when she was only nine Disney Cruiseline. Lori is wife Nancy, he now cannot He has more than a soft months old. a Cleveland-area middle imagine being away from spot for Walt Disney World Rachel really enjoys the school music teacher by day, work if it doesn’t involve a and has visited it many time parades, shows, and freelance writer by night, Disney resort. When not since 1972. Nick has helped attractions, and she hopes and Disney fan 24/7. She has touring the parks, Ray countless numbers of others to someday be an Imagineer. written for a number of writes for his blog Grumpy’s in planning trips to the music publications, and is Hollow under the name land of the large Mouse and thrilled to be able to share Grumpwurst (grumpyspace. has been writing WDW tip her love of all things Disney. blogspot.com). sheets for friends since 1995, earning himself the unof- ficial title of Disnoid.

Cari Keebaugh is a professor Lindsay Mott participated of English specializing in in the College Program and children’s and young adult then worked seasonally literature and culture. Her for more than five years primary passion is for all at Walt Disney World. Her things Disney, and when time was centered around she’s not at WDW, she can Magical Moments and frequently be found either at seeing fireworks as many home watching Disney films times as possible (especially with her awesome husband Wishes). She is back home or at work surreptitiously in Alabama working in eating large marketing and freelance lollipops under her desk. writing, but her heart will forever be split in two, with half remaining in the Happiest Place on Earth

7 · Celebrations Calendar of Events International Flower & Garden Festival Challenge Epcot Disney’s Animal Kingdom March 4 - May 17, 2015 May 1 -2, 2015 Discover dazzling gardens, high-energy entertainment, Embark on an evening of excitement, from a scavenger family fun and more at this spectacular springtime event. hunt and 5k obstacle challenge to a lively post-race party. Sprouting once again in 2015, the Epcot International The Expedition Everest Challenge beckons Guests of all Flower & Garden Festival will be brimming with special ages to set out on a course sure to test the body, mind and experiences for every age and interest. Festival highlights spirit. And when the contest comes to a close, competi- may include: tors can even be rewarded for their efforts with a special • Educational designer presentations celebration. • Themed flower and garden displays where you’ll learn Expedition Everest Challenge Highlights new tips and techniques you can try at home • 5K trek with obstacles • Interactive play areas for kids •Clues to solve before you reach the summit • Topiary displays of Disney characters • Course through Disney’s Animal Kingdom® at Night • An energetic concert series featuring live performances • Disney Entertainment on-course and at the post-race of popular hits celebration

Disney Princess Half Marathon runDisney Kids Races Magic Kingdom/Epcot May 3, 2014 February 22, 2015 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Here’s the run that’s fit for a Princess – a 13.1 mile course Here’s a chance for even the youngest adventurers to par- through the most magical place on earth including the ticipate in fun-filled races designed for kids 4-10 years old. Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Princesses of every age are Activities include running, climbing, and searching – just invited to join the fun during the Half like mom and dad! And every child who participates in the Marathon weekend. Invite a girlfriend and make it a royal runDisney Kids Races goes home a winner with their very team effort with each Princess running to earn her very own finisher medallion! Encourage your young adventur- own Disney Princess Half Marathon Finisher Medal. ers to join the fun. Reserve early - space is limited.

Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival March 2015 Kick up your heels for family- friendly festivities filled with sing- ing, dancing and more! Whether you’re looking for high-energy sets showcasing authentic live music or a step-by-step workshop teaching you how to dance like the Irish, you’ll find it all during the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at the Down- town Disney area and Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Photo ©Disney 8 · Celebrations 9 · Celebrations Disney News Schussler Creative Announces The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats at chussler Creative, specialists in the creation and con- Ssultation of attractions, restaurants, retail stores and entertainment venues worldwide, today announced their latest project: The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Din- ing, Dream Boats – located at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Schussler Creative also is the creator of other restaurant/retail attractions at Walt Disney World Resort including Rainforest Cafe and T- REX™ Cafe (located at Downtown Disney®), and Rainforest Cafe and Yak & Yeti™ (located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® dinary service (recently named Best Steak House in Chica- theme park). go). Guests will enjoy a gourmet menu served daily until 2 Opening Spring 2015 as one of the new venues in The a.m. featuring steaks, chops, fresh seafood and a raw bar. Landing at Disney Springs – a re-imagined and exciting dis- The BOATHOUSE restaurant will immerse guests both on trict of entertainment, dining and shopping — The BOAT- land and on water with live music and romantic Captain’s HOUSE will be an upscale, waterfront dining experience guided tours aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted featuring spectacular floating artwork: dream boats from 40-foot wooden Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries. There also will The incredible culinary experience of The BOATHOUSE be the exhilaration of guided Amphicar rides that launch will be showcased in an expansive restaurant with three from land, entering the water with a splash, taking guests distinctive bars including The Captain’s Raw Bar, The Ad- on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. miral’s Club Bar and The Dock Bar, which is built over the The Harbor Master will orchestrate daily flag ceremonies, water. Other spectacular nautically-themed rooms include accompanied by a lively musical performance of beloved bu- The Runabout, Twin Transoms, and The Lake House. There gle songs, performed aboard a classic 1800’s antique steam will also be two private dining rooms for special events, boat. Authentic nautical items, custom engraved paddles, conventions and presentations: The Regatta and The Tro- distinctive lake-themed merchandise, and other unique phy Room. The BOATHOUSE restaurant will be managed by items “Made on Earth™” will be available at The Ship’s Store, internationally renowned and award-winning Gibsons Res- adjacent to The BOATHOUSE restaurant. taurant Group, celebrated for exceptional food and extraor- “Combining dining with interactive entertainment, The

10 · Celebrations BOATHOUSE helps bring to life our vision of Disney Springs ney history, Disney Springs will be a one-of-a-kind Disney as a welcoming place for guests of all ages to enjoy with experience, treating guests by day and night to great din- their friends and family amid the charm of a waterfront ing, shopping and entertainment amid beautiful open-air town center,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Dis- promenades, flowing springs and waterfront charm. With ney World Resort. an air of sophisticated grace and design that harkens to “We are very excited that The BOATHOUSE is joining the ’s waterfront towns at the turn-of-the-century, Dis- Walt Disney World family at Disney Springs,” said creator ney Springs will be home to four distinct, outdoor neighbor- Steven Schussler. “We are proud to bring the culinary exper- hoods opening in phases: The Landing, Town Center, Mar- tise and impeccable service of Gibsons Restaurant Group ketplace and West Side. The Landing, as the first of the four to The BOATHOUSE. The outstanding cuisine, the excite- neighborhoods and home to unique and memorable dining ment of Amphicars, the Italian Water Taxi, and live music experiences including The BOATHOUSE, is scheduled to open will make The BOATHOUSE a must-see destination for Walt in spring 2015.When fully completed in 2016, Disney Springs Disney World guests from all around the world. Walt Disney will double the number of shopping, dining and entertain- Imagineering has created a wonderful, interactive, culinary ment venues – from the current 70 to approximately 150. and entertainment experience at Disney Springs. We are Disney Springs is part of Walt Disney World Resort, the proud to be part of this magical experience.” number one family vacation destination in the world, lo- cated in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. For dining reservations Disney Springs and more information about The BOATHOUSE, guests will Representing the largest expansion in Downtown Dis- be able to visit Disneyworld.com in the future.

Artwork ©Disney 11 · Celebrations Disney News

one of a kind restaurant, which will be a spectacular din- New Morimoto Asia ing destination at the new Disney Springs,” said Nick Valenti, restaurateur and CEO of Patina Restaurant Group. “I’m very excited to bring this new concept to Disney, Restaurant to Open at something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Chef Morimoto. “It’s a wonderful chance to share some of my favorite foods from across the Asian continent.” Disney Springs Morimoto Asia’s culinary elements will provide flavors hef Masaharu Morimoto is teaming up with Patina Res- from across Asia, while exhibition kitchens will showcase Ctaurant Group to open Morimoto Asia as Walt Disney the continent’s traditions. Included among them are street- World Resort brings to life Disney Springs, an entertain- food stalls, Peking duck carving and dim sum. Morimoto’s ment-dining-retail district re-imagined from Downtown inspiration and perspective will create an unmatched din- Disney. To open 2015 at The Landing, in the heart ing experience in this richly layered setting. of Disney Springs, Morimoto Asia is the Japanese master “We’re thrilled to bring Chef Morimoto’s renowned culi- chef’s first pan-Asian dining experience. nary style to Disney Springs as we expand the range of din- Morimoto Asia’s extraordinary, 36-foot tall, two-story lay- ing experiences for our resort guests as well as local Florida out includes a vast range of areas to explore including open residents,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney terraces, grand hall, private rooms, long bar, cocktail lounge, World Resort. waterside seating and more. The restaurant is being de- For dining reservations and more information about signed by STUDIO V Architecture. Morimoto Asia, guests will be able to visit Disneyworld.com “We are delighted to work with Morimoto to create this in the future.

12 · Celebrations floral vignettes. Topiary and friends will be in on the Fresh Flavors, Gardens, fun. • Fresh new menu items will debut at the festival’s Outdoor Music and Fun on Tap Kitchens where, for the third festival year running, guests can taste garden- and spring-inspired tapas-sized food and beverages and have their complimentary Garden Pass- March 4-May 17, 2015 at ports stamped as they stroll the World Showcase prom- enade. 22nd Epcot International • A Southwest desert garden will premiere as a thriving eco- system. • Ten new mini-gardens will surprise guests around every Flower & Garden Festival corner. Guests will discover a new “health garden,” a pep- pring 2015 will bloom with a fresh take on lush gardens, per garden, a dinosaur-plant garden and a Shakespeare Sinspired flavors and lively entertainment during the garden, among others, each designed with a storytelling 75-day Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March element. 4-May 17 at Walt Disney World Resort. New Disney character • Guests can discover the story of the Monarch butterfly’s topiaries, including a nod to the blockbuster animated film, epic journey across the continent and see butterflies , will offer colorful selfie and family photo ops. Out- emerge from their chrysalises at ’s Butterfly door Kitchens will serve a fresh take on sweet and savory House. noshes. And guests can get “hands-on” with festival fun dur- • A weekend concert series will rock audiences every Friday, ing Disney-led gardening seminars. Saturday and Sunday. Performers will include Gin Blos- • Frozen will melt hearts in the park’s World Showcase: Dis- soms, Pablo Cruise, and a lineup of top bands ney’s first and topiaries will appear in a scene representing four decades of pop music. from the Oscar-winning film’s finale. Other brand-new Dis- • Disney gardeners will lead weekend how-to Gardening ney character topiaries will be Chip and Dale taking a star Seminars at the Festival Center, where guests also can pick turn in two whimsical front-entrance “Goofy About Spring” up signature festival merchandise.

Photos ©Disney 13 · Celebrations The Buttercup Cottage Outdoor Kitchen Offerings at 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

• When the sun sets, illuminated topiary and play gardens yew, thyme and valerian. And the new Shakespeare Garden will glow brightly for an after-dark festival experience. at the United Kingdom pavilion will feature roses to repre- “This is one of our most ambitious festivals ever,” says Eric sent Romeo and Juliet: “What’s in a name? That which we Darden, festival horticulture manager. “We’re telling stories call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Also in we’ve never told before. You’ll get a fresh taste of spring — the garden: rosemary from Hamlet, lavender from The Win- it’ll be like the first spring farmer’s market for America.” ter’s Tale, plus representations featuring poppy, lily, honey- As park guests nibble on inspired Outdoor Kitchen good- suckle and willow. ies, they can wander among multiple themed gardens and Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House will return with hundreds children’s play areas. Nearly 100 expertly crafted topiary of winged beauties fluttering above and lighting upon their characters, including Snow White, , Mickey Mouse, favorite nectar-producing plants. Dozens of Disney-crafted Simba and , will animate the landscape when Ep- “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will add cot transforms to a vibrant wonderland of sweeping gar- to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 den beds and exhibits. bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west The Frozen topiary vignette at World Showcase Plaza will lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat. pop with color as Anna’s and Elsa’s icy world, illustrated with Several special weekend happenings will include Art in white and silver blooms of delphinium, alyssum and other the Garden Weekend (March 27-29); Florida Fresh Weekend floral varieties, transforms to a brilliant spring palette fea- (April 24-26); and Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. turing Gerbera daisies, petunias, Sweet William and other Weekend (May 8-10). flora. For more information about the 22nd Epcot Internation- A Health Garden near pavilion in Future World al Flower & Garden Festival, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). As will display ancient medicinal plants including garlic, aloe, the festival nears, more details will be available at epcotin- chamomile, fennel, mint and others. Plants used to develop spring.com. The festival, including all gardening programs modern prescriptions will be papaya, periwinkle, turmeric, and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

14 · Celebrations Photos ©Disney 15 · 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...!

17 · Celebrations Disney Firsts

he history of Disney (whether we’re talking films, parks, or technological inno- Tvations), is resplendent with notable “firsts.” Many are well known, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarf’s status as the first feature-length animated film, and the first use of a synchronized sound track in with the release of . But there are many other “firsts” to be discovered, some of which are rath- er obscure. Join us as we take a quick peek at five random (but definitely notable) “firsts” in Disney history.

Mickey Mouse’s First Words by Tim Foster As mentioned earlier, the first use of a synchronized soundtrack was for the 1928 animated short, Steamboat Willie. The film is also notable for being the public debut of Mickey and (although both had appeared a few months earlier in a test screening for the short Plane Crazy). However, even though the film featured numerous sound effects and a humorous rendition of “Turkey in the Straw,” as well as the sounds of Mickey laughing and whistling, Mickey didn’t actually speak. He also didn’t speak in the follow up shorts The Gallopin’ Gaucho, The Barn Dance, or Plane Crazy (re-released after the success of the first films). In fact, Mickey wouldn’t talk in any of his first eight films. It wasn’t until the release of 1929’s The Karnival Kid that au- diences first heard Mickey Mouse speak (voiced by Carl Stalling, though Walt Disney himself would eventually provide the voice of the world’s most famous mouse). And what were those immortal words? “Hot dogs, hot dogs!”

The First Walt Disney Company Stock Certificate April 2, 1940 was an auspicious day in Disney history, as that was the day the first Tim Foster is the creator of stock certificate was issued for Walt Disney Productions. 17 years later, the company Celebrations magazine and went public in an IPO, with shares priced at $13.88. Today, (as of this writing), the the author of the Guide to the Magic book series, which price of a share was $89.21 includes the Guide to the Magic (which in of itself is nearly for Kids and the Deluxe Guide to triple what it was a mere the Magic Autograph & Sticker five years ago). Incidental- Book. Tim is also the creator of ly, when Disney purchased the www.celebrationspress.com Pixar on May 5, 2006 (in an website. all-stock deal worth $7.4 billion), it automatically made Steve Jobs (then CEO of Pixar) the largest indi- vidual Disney shareholder, with 7% ownership of shares. Not too bad!

The First Use of in a Disney Film This one is a little tricky, as it depends on how you define “computer animation.” The first fully computer animated feature length film was Pixar’s (1995), though since the film was produced by Pixar and distributed by Disney, it technical-

18 · Celebrations ly wouldn’t be considered Disney’s first computer animated film. For that distinction we’d need to fast forward to 2005’s Chicken Little, which gets the nod as the first fully computer animated film produced by . But com- puter graphics had been utilized in Disney films before the release of either of those movies. Down Under (1990) was the first Disney film to utilize a new animation process called the Computer Animation Production System, or CAPS (which was actu- ally developed by Pixar). The software replaced traditional hand-painted cels, and also allowed animators to simulate three-dimensional multiplane effects, used to great effect in Beauty and the Beast (the second film to use CAPS), particu- larly in the ballroom scene. But even CAPS wasn’t the first use of computer generated imagery in a Disney animated film. That honor goes to 1985’s The Black Cauldron, which goes down in history as being Dis- ney’s first animated feature film to utilize computer gener- ated imagery, which was used to animate various elements The First Disney Park Audio-Animatronic Figures such as bubbles, a boat, a floating orb of light, and the caul- Audio-Animatronic figures have become synonymous dron itself. (Technically speaking, computer graphics were with Disney, and for good reason. The origins of Animatron- first put to use for 1986’s The Great Mouse Detective, which was ic technology go all the way back to a small bird developed in production at the same time as The Black Cauldron. How- by Imagineer Lee Adams, whose expertise was electronics. ever, since The Black Cauldron was released first, it gets the The first Animatronic figure was inspired by a mechanical gold medal.) bird that Walt Disney had gotten in New Orleans (the inspi- rational bird is now on display at the “ Presents Trea- The First Guests to Visit Disneyland sures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit at the Museum of It’s a great thrill to be the first Guest to enter a Disney Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois). Soon after, the in- park. The streets are empty, and in the case of the Magic famous “dancing man” (which used as a real life Kingdom, you get to behold the sight of Castle model) was created by Roger Broggie and Wathel Rogers. towering at the end of Main Street U.S.A. with nary a soul But the first Disney attraction to make use of this new tech- in sight. (For more on this one-of-a-kind experience, check nology was The Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland, which out our feature article on page 42!). But imagine being the opened in 1963. The multitude of birds that performed dur- first person to have EVER entered the Magic Kingdom. For ing this whimsical tropical show were synchronized to a that matter, imagine being the first Guest to enter ANY musical score via an ingenious method of using audio tape Disney park. That distinct honor goes to Dave MacPherson, with prerecorded tones to vibrate a metal reed that closed a 22-year-old college student from Long Beach, who had a circuit to trigger a relay. The relay would send a pulse of waited all night to purchase that coveted first ticket. (Dave’s electricity to a mechanism that caused a pneumatic valve ticket was actually “ticket number 2,” “ticket number 1” hav- to activate a specific part of the bird, whether it be an eye, ing been pre-purchased by Roy O. Disney for posterity). The a beak, or wing. More Animatronic figures were unveiled at first children to enter the park were cousins Christine Vess the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair (and eventually relocated Watkins and Michael Schwartner, who were five and seven to Disneyland), including the Carousel of Progress and Great years old at the time. Walt Disney posed for a once-in-a- Moments With Mr. Lincoln. But the first Audio-Animatronic lifetime photo with the pair, who (along with MacPherson) figures were the tiki birds, which continue to delight audi- received lifetime passes. Christine and Michael were invited ences to this day, and whose origins go back to a small sou- back to Disneyland in 1975 to help celebrate the park’s 20th venir that Walt Disney picked up on a whim. Humble begin- anniversary. nings indeed!

Photos © Disney 19 · Celebrations Hidden Mickeys in Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Disney’s Animal Kingdom onservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch is an area rich with Hidden Mick- Ceys. In fact, it’s one of the most Hidden Mickey-dense places on Disney property; you can find more than 40 Hidden Mickeys here! It’s an ideal environment for the novice Hidden Mickey hunter to experience compelling Hidden Images in an effi- cient, inside (i.e. out of the heat) scavenger hunt. I highlight a few more of the Con- servation Station images below.

1. Locate an opossum on the right side of the mural just inside the entrance to Con- by Steve Barrett servation Station. There is a side profile of Mickey Mouse in its eye.

2. Toward the middle of the mural at the front, near the entrance, a green snake sports a black classic (three-circle) Mickey on its upper back.

3. Along the lower part of the entrance mural on the left wall, to the left of a hippo- potamus, a llama has a dark brown classic Mickey on its neck.

4. On the left lower wall, at the hippo’s right side, an alligator sports a small dark classic Mickey to the left if its green eye.

5. To the right of the alligator on this wall, Mickey Mouse’s smiling face is under a frog’s right eye (the left eye as you face the frog).

Steve Barrett is the author of the 6. Directly above the frog with the smiling Mickey is a walrus with a dark classic Hidden Mickeys Guide Book Series Mickey on the left side (your right) of its neck. (Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the Disney Cruise Ships) available in 7. Just inside the first entrance to the “Song of the Rainforest” area, turn to the right the Disney Parks and in book stores, Amazon, and on Kindle and other panel to see a classic Mickey indentation on a tree. It’s about four feet up from the downloadable formats. floor. The WDW and Disneyland Hidden Mickeys Guide books are also offered 8. Inside the “Song of the Rainforest” area, a white classic Mickey is outlined on a tree as iPhone and Android apps. Steve by door number six, to the left of the words “The Accidental Florist.” and his wife Vickie (hiddenmickeygal) are the webmasters of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, and are on 9. Walk out to the lobby and look at the right side of the tree with the “Song of the Twitter @hiddenmickeyguy and Rainforest” sign (the Grandmother Willow tree). A side-profile Mickey indenta- Facebook as Hidden Mickey Guy tion appears on the tree under the sign and to the lower right (as you face her) of Disney’s Hidden Mickeys Hunter. Grandmother Willow’s face.

10. At the right side of the Rainforest area, on the left front of the tree with the cock- roach display, a light brown butterfly about six and a half feet up from the floor has a tiny black classic Mickey on its back between the wings.

Photos ©Steve Barrett 20 · Celebrations 1 2

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21 · Celebrations ne of the many reasons that Disneyland became an instant success is the ki- Onetic elements it showcases. The perimeter features an authentic railroad with steam trains circling the park. Guests can travel along Main Street, U.S.A. in turn-of-the-century and trolleys and they can travel along water, such as the . Dark venues, including , feature continuously moving ride vehicles. Thrill rides, such as the , especially con- vey the Disney brand of exhilarating speed. If a Disneyland attraction had any element of movement, chances are good that Imagineer Bob Gurr was involved with it. “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I by Jamie Hecker probably designed it,” Gurr recalled. Gurr’s impressive list of accomplishments with Imagineering includes, but is not limited to, the original cars, the Omni- mover ride concept, the Disneyland Monorail system and its counterpart at Walt Disney World, the Main Street, U.S.A. vehicles, and all four Disney-built attractions for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Bob Gurr, born and raised in California, has always been mechanically inclined, fascinated with the design and function of automobiles and airplanes. He studied industrial design at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, and following graduation in 1952, went to work for the Ford Motor Company. His time in Detroit was short-lived and he returned to Los Angeles to strike out on his own, establish- ing R. H. Gurr Industrial Design. Through a serendipitous relationship with the son of Disney Imagineer , Gurr learned that WED, as Imagineering was then known, was developing cars that didn’t yet have a designed or built body. Gurr was hired as a consultant to tackle the cars, which would eventually become the Auto- pia attraction. Walt was so impressed with Gurr’s mechanical and design acumen that he hired him full time to work for WED, beginning a Disney career that would last for three decades. Like many fellow Imagineers, Walt had his full faith and confidence in Gurr’s abil- Jamie Hecker has been a lifelong ity to resolve problems. Gurr’s original fleet of forty Autopia vehicles, patterned fan of Disney, and is passing on his love to his sons. He and his family after Ferraris, proved to be mechanically deficient when they were showcased on visit Orlando annually and always Disneyland’s opening day. Gurr recalled, “about half the cars were out of commission look forward to their next trip. (after the first day), and within a week, I think two of the forty cars were the only When not in Orlando, he resides ones left running.” Walt, understandably, wanted the problem fixed and immedi- in northern Virginia with his ately provided Gurr with the necessary beautiful wife Suzanne, two boys resources to service and maintain the and four cats. You can read more about his fleet. It was a prime example of learning “hidden Disney” musings at by doing, something that the early Imag- myhiddendisney.blogspot.com/ ineers excelled at. “What we were asked to do generally didn’t exist. You just grab your pencil and you start,” said Gurr of the early years. In 1959, Disneyland unveiled its first major update to the park, featuring the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the , and the Disneyland Alweg Mono- Strother MacMinn and Bob Gurr test drive rail System. Gurr’s design and mechani- an Autopia vehicle

22 · Celebrations cal expertise was involved in all three, notably the bobsled ride vehicle and the design of the monorail, now an iconic element of Disney theme parks. Walt always wanted a monorail in Disneyland, and it was during a trip to Cologne, Germany in 1958 that he found his inspiration. He sent Admiral , Disneyland’s General Manager, over to inspect the monorail and strike a business deal with Alweg, the operator of the train. Gurr was tasked with designing Disney’s version. Recalled Gurr, “I immediately had to learn everything about (the German monorail) which I’d never seen in my life. Didn’t know any- thing about it, and in a matter of two or three weeks, come up with a preliminary design, how we would do it, what the Imagineer were discussing attraction ideas. structure would be like, and particularly what it’s going to Said Gurr, “We’re just kind of kicking around different ways look like.” Gurr also knew that he had to work the aesthetics of how can you arrange shows, how can you arrange the to match Disneyland’s . His particular chal- segue from one scene to another, because John was always lenge was to mask the inelegant underpinnings of vehicle talking about [how] rides are like movies and you have to where it met the track. “The German train is like a blocky have logical segues and you have to control the point of looking loaf of bread with a slot on the bottom sitting on a view.” Gurr continued, “you know we can do a car and we stick. Pretty ugly. I wanted to hide that it was a box on a stick can put…on a chassis and the chassis can go up and down and the old Buck Rogers thing with a pointed rocket with and it could turn and then we could have this car body turn the little sled runners, 1938 Buck Rogers, that would do it.” relative to the chassis so you could look in all directions and With that simple strike of futuristic inspiration, the Disney then when the car would go up and down you could keep monorail adapted its classic look. it level or you could tip it, whichever you wanted to do, and Just as impressive as the design was the speed with which it would look in all directions.” This technical breakthrough the Monorail was put into production. With coordination allowed Imagineering to configure the Haunted Mansion as from Alweg’s engineers on the beams and other mechani- an ride rather than a walk-through attraction cal elements, the attraction debuted at the 1959 Disneyland as original envisioned. expansion. Gurr proudly recalled that it “took eight months Not only were Gurr’s design and concepts critical to the from the get go to giving Vice President Nixon (the inaugu- launch and success of the Omnimover, he also gets credit ral) ride. That’s how fast this company moves.” for coining its unique name. As a licensed pilot, he recalled Gurr’s credits go beyond the monorail in terms of mass the omnirange (an aviation navigation tool) and the word transit. Imagineering has perfected the technology to con- ‘omni,’ meaning all, and the goal of moving Guests through tinuously move Guests through attractions and control attractions, and casually coined the phrase Omnimover. “It their experience. Known as the Omnimover, it made its was just a name in a conversation and the name stuck. You debut at Disneyland in 1967 in Adventure Thru Inner Space. have to watch out what you say around here. It was nothing Gurr’s mechanical and design expertise helped to create more than as simple as that.” the ride system, assisting lead engineer Roger Broggie and Gurr went on to help develop transportation systems designer Bert Brundage. The Omnimover has its origins in for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom before retiring the original Disneyland PeopleMover and before that the from the company in 1981. Gurr later made technical con- Ford Magic from the 1964 World’s Fair. Walt always tributions to Imagineering for the Tokyo DisneySea show desired a high capacity ride system, and the Omnimover, BraviSEAmo. which debuted after his death, fit the bill. It ideally directs In addition to being named a Disney Legend in 2004, Gurr Guests to pre-determined lines of sight to control the ex- was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from perience. Think of how the Doom Buggies in the Haunted the Themed Entertainment Association in 1999. Bob Gurr Mansion pivot and turn to maximize the show scenes. is still alive and attends Disney fan community events to This concept came to fruition when Gurr and fellow share his fantastic Disney stories.

23 · Celebrations Take Better Photos By Studying Your Bad Photos ne of the beautiful things about digital photography is the fact that you get Oan instant preview of what you had just captured. Unlike film, where you had to wait until the end of your vacation to get it developed, you get an immediate glimpse as to what you just photographed. This allows you to make corrections or adjustments on while still in the moment so you can refine your settings and angle and take another photo. Studying “bad” photos will help you to develop your eye and improve your ability by Tim Devine to look critically at your photos to find the imperfections in a seemingly good pho- to. There are many, many reasons why a photo can go bad: poor exposure, improper focus, composition, lack of eye contact, awkward pose, external intrusions, closed eyes, hands covering faces while waving, shutter speed too slow, and many more, all of which can combine to wreck what could be a great photo. For the purpose of this edition of Shutters and Lenses, I would like to use some of the rejected photos from recent trips to Walt Disney World to illustrate why the photos went bad and what I did to correct the problems:

Flash Blowout: For this photo of my son Ryan with Rico and Frederick from Hollywood Public Works, my flash was set to fire a full-charge, as I had been taking photos of a dif- ferent show from a distance away and forgot to reset the flash power prior to tak- Tim Devine is an avid photographer ing the first photo. I noticed it on the preview and knocked it way down to get the and the owner and webmaster of proper photo. 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. Tim lives in South Jersey with his wife, Karen, and their sons, Billy and Ryan. Do you have a photography topic that you would like to see in this column? Please email Improper Focus: [email protected] Be sure to check your photos to make sure that your camera focused on what you wanted it to focus on. One tip that I frequently recommend is to set your camera’s focus point to the center point and leave it there. This ensures that the camera will always try to focus on the same stop every time, instead of having the focus points jumping all around and grabbing whatever they can.

Lack of Eye Contact: Merida from the Festival of Fantasy Parade is never shy when she sees a camera

24 · Celebrations Photos ©Tim Devine and on this particular showing of Festival of Fantasy she out just a touch and taking another picture. Simple as that, was in rare-form. Once she noticed me, she struck a series but resist the tendency to over-zoom; it is a very common of six different poses in rapid succession which was great mistake that a lot of people, including myself, often make. fun to photograph. Notice in the “bad photo” that she hadn’t quite been looking in my direction.

Shutter speed too slow: Remember that you need to keep the shutter speed fast enough to stop action so you don’t get motion blur or cam- era shake. Neither is desirable unless you are intentionally Amputating Limbs: doing so for fireworks, moving water, or things like that. You must be very careful not to “amputate” limbs and ex- tremities in your photos by over-zooming. The ONLY time a Hopefully these tips give you something to think about cut-off looks good in a photo is when it is about half-way be- when you take a photo and it just doesn’t look quite right. tween joints, for example in the middle of a shin, middle of There are lots of little things to notice when you start pick- the arm, etc. and even then you must be careful. For the pho- ing apart your photos in a critical manner, and noticing the to of in Festival of Fantasy, I accidentally little things will help you improve your skills and get the cut off her left hand. I corrected the mistake by zooming- best possible photos you can. Until next time!

25 · Celebrations The Glitz and Glamour of the Hollywood Brown Derby his popular Signature Table Service Restaurant is located in the heart of Dis- Tney’s Hollywood Studios, and is a replica of the Brown Derby restaurant that opened in the 1900s near the corner of Hollywood & Vine in California. This fun res- taurant brings you back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when the original Brown Derby was a popular restaurant for actors like Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, James Cagney, Sammy Davis, Jr. and more. With a license from the original Brown Derby, Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings this classic Hollywood fun to Disney World. From the outside of the restaurant, you will see the large tan building with the By Allison Jones famous Brown Derby sign in the shape of a hat. The long maroon canopy at the entrance paves the way into the restaurant. Even the beautiful flowers and land- scaping at the entrance bring California to mind. As you walk into the restaurant entrance, you’ll immediately notice the celebrity caricatures. Recreating the well- known tradition from the original Brown Derby, these celebrity caricatures – hun- dreds of them – are scattered throughout the lobby and restaurant. Once inside, you will be greeted by a host or hostess in a white or black tuxedo who escorts you to your table with all the glitz and glamour of the olden days, mak- ing you feel like a real star. The restaurant features dark wooden tables and chairs with crisp white table cloths. In addition to the caricatures covering all of the walls, you’ll also notice a few additional iron decorations. There are tables throughout the inside of the restaurant, with booths surrounding the outer rim. The ornate ceiling and chandeliers add to the elegant atmosphere of the Hollywood Brown Derby. The food, inspired by the original Brown Derby, includes the world famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake. You’ll also find an assortment of traditional appetizers including Butternut Squash Bisque, Artisanal Cheese, Blue Lump Crab Spring Rolls, Andouille-Crusted Prawn, Local Greens, and Our Famous Cobb Salad. For entrees, you can enjoy Herb-Crusted Grilled Loin of Lamb, Our Famous Cobb Salad, Pan-Seared Por- As an Orlando local, Allison has seen the growth of the Walt Disney World cini Powder-Dusted Pork Tenderloin, Scotch Maple-Glazed Loch Duart Salmon, Crispy Resort. She experienced the inside as a Spiced Duck Breast, Noodle Bowl, Pan-Seared Coriander-Crusted Black Grouper, Ashley Disney Cast Member and has planned Farms Free-Range Breast of Chicken, and Charred-Glazed Filet of Beef. Disney vacations for over 10 years. Be sure to save room for dessert with a mini sampler. You can choose from Ama- Allison Jones is a travel consultant retto Flan, Caramel Custard, Double Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, Warm Berry Cob- with Destinations in Florida Travel bler, Mini Grapefruit Cake, Chocolate Sphere, Milk Chocolate Cremeux, Crunchy and MouseDine. Destinations in Florida is an Authorized Disney Sugar Cookie Puff, or Banana Toffee Cake. Vacation Planner selling Disney vacations. Showtime! MouseDine is a restaurant But there’s much more to enjoy than the elegant, delicious food at the Hollywood consulting company for Disney World Brown Derby. Disney features several entertainment packages, including the “Fan- Dining Reservations. Visit tasmic! Dining Package” and “Dine with an Imagineer.” The “Fantasmic! Dining Pack- www.destinationsinflorida.com or www.mousedine.com for more age” is a free bonus. When you book this package with Disney Dining or your travel information on Disney Dining. agent (before leaving home), you can enjoy a wonderful meal and receive a voucher for admission to a special viewing area to watch that evening’s presentation of Fan- tasmic! There is no additional cost, so it’s a great way to not only have a wonderful

26 · Celebrations meal, but to also enjoy one of the most dazzling nighttime spectaculars in all of Walt Disney World. The” Dine with an Imagineer” package is a popular way to learn more about Disney Imagineers. This experience includes a 4-course meal in the private Bamboo Room at the Hollywood Brown Derby. You can make a reservation for lunch or dinner for this experience, where your whole family will enjoy hear- ing real life stories from an actual Disney Imagineer. You can even purchase a souvenir plate at the end, personalized by your Disney Imagineer host, making it a wonderful ex- perience for the whole family. The “Dine with an Imagineer” package does incur an additional cost and a reservation is required. You can book online, by phone at 407-WDW-DINE, or with your travel agent. The elegant days of Old Hollywood are brought to life at the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plan a meal at this amazing restaurant during your vaca- tion. This is a Signature Table Service Restaurant, so Disney does require (2) table service meals per person. Advanced Dining Reservations are suggested. Book online, by phone at 407-WDW-DINE, or with your travel agent. To bring the glamour of the Hollywood Brown Derby to your own home, we have the most popular recipe created by the original Brown Derby for you to make at home. Enjoy the Cobb Salad!

“Our Famous Cobb Salad” Recipe Ingredients: Brown Derby Old-Fashioned French Dressing 1/2 head iceberg lettuce Ingredients: 1/2 bunch watercress 1/2 cup water 1 small bunch chicory 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 head romaine lettuce 1 1/4 tablespoons salt 2 medium tomatoes, blanched & peeled 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey breast, diced 1 clove garlic, chopped 3 eggs, hard-cooked 1/2 cup red-wine vinegar 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled Juice of 1/2 lemon 6 strips crisp bacon, crumbled 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped chives 1/2 teaspoon English mustard Directions: Chop all greens very fine (reserve some wa- 1/2 cup olive oil tercress for presentation) and arrange in salad bowl. Cut 1 1/2 cups salad oil tomatoes in half, remove seeds, and dice fine. Also dice the Directions: Blend all ingredients except oils, then add ol- turkey, avocado, & eggs. Arrange the above ingredients, as ive oil and salad oils and mix well. Blend well again before well as the blue cheese and bacon crumbles, in straight lines mixing with salad. Serves 6 People across the greens. Arrange the chives diagonally across the above lines. Present the salad at the table, then toss with Visit Celebrations on Facebook to share your pictures and the dressing (below). Place on chilled plates with a water- stories about making this recipe at home. We would love to cress garnish. hear your experiences!

Photo © Disney 27 · Celebrations More MyMagic+...Magic!

n our last issue, we told you all about the incredible MyMagic+ technology that is Inow being used at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The My Disney Experi- ence website and My Disney Experience mobile app are invaluable tools when plan- ning your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. With all of the updates and changes constantly happening with this new technology, we know that there are still ques- tions and concerns as to how to best use it to your advantage both before and throughout your vacation. By Siera Duiser To recap, you can use your My Disney Experience account to make or modify din- ing reservations, make or modify + selections, view resort reservations, create an itinerary, view your Disney PhotoPass pictures, customize and order your MagicBands, and so much more! As an on-site Guest, you will receive complimenta- ry MagicBands that will serve as your room key, theme park admission, dining cred- its, FastPass+ selections, and room charging privileges. Disney has implemented this technology to give you more freedom and hopefully provide a stress free vacation. As with any new technology, there are sometimes bugs and kinks that need to be worked out, and nothing works perfectly all the time. Each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks offer MyMagic+ service centers with Cast Members specifically trained to help you with any issues you may experience with your My Disney Ex- perience account. Whether you are having trouble linking a dining reservation in your My Disney Experience account, selecting a FastPass+ reservation, or have lost a MagicBand, you can receive assistance in the MyMagic+ service center. Any time you have any questions or concerns about MyMagic+, MagicBands, or FastPass+, you can check with any of the Cast Members in these MyMagic+ service centers.

Here is where you can find the MyMagic+ Service Center in each park: Siera Duiser is a travel expert • Magic Kingdom’s MyMagic+ Service Center is located inside Town Square with Destinations in Florida. She specializes in family and romance Theater travel around the world. She has • Epcot’s MyMagic+ Service Center is located inside East a special love of all things Disney! • Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ MyMagic+ Service Center is located inside Sid She now shares that passion every Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind day by planning magical vacations • Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s MyMagic+ Service Center is located inside Creature for her guests. Contact Siera at Comforts [email protected] or call her at 734-771-1290 to book your next family vacation. One of the great things about FastPass+ is the ability to schedule your FastPasses before you ever arrive in the parks. Once those first three pre-scheduled FastPasses have been used, you are able to get additional FastPasses inside of the parks. How- ever, each additional FastPass+ reservation must be made at a FastPass+ kiosk. They are located throughout the parks, but it can be very helpful to know ahead of time where to find these FastPass+ kiosks. There are Cast Members available at each Fast- Pass+ kiosk location who are happy to help you make new selections or check avail- ability for FastPass+ selections. You can make one FastPass+ selection after your first three have been used. After that additional selection has been redeemed, you can add another FastPass+ selection, and so on. Here is a list of all of the locations of the FastPass+ kiosks, separated by each park.

28 · Celebrations Magic Kingdom: with their My Disney Experience accounts. Attraction pho- • Mickey’s PhilharMagic tos are available at the following attractions: • The Diamond Horseshoe • ’s Space Ranger Spin inside Magic King- • The Jungle Cruise dom • ’s Great Escape •  inside Magic Kingdom Epcot: •  inside Magic Kingdom • Innoventions West Breezeway • Rock ‘n’ Starring at Disney’s • Innoventions Plaza Tip Board Hollywood Studios • International Gateway • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood • Innoventions East Breezeway Studios Disney’s Hollywood Studios: •  presented by Chevrolet in Epcot • The corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boule- • Dinosaur in Disney’s Animal Kingdom vard • Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom • Sunset Boulevard Disney is also expanding this service to include attraction • Toy Story Mania videos so that your videos will automatically link to your • Muppet Vision 3-D My Disney Experience account through your MagicBand. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Attraction videos are currently available for The Twilight • Disney Outfitters Zone Tower of Terror and . • Across from Yak and Yeti Restaurant If you do not have a MagicBand, you can still easily link • Island Mercantile your photos to your My Disney Experience account with the • Next to Tusker House Restaurant new touch points being installed at participating attrac- tions throughout all four theme parks. Magic Kingdom cur- Memory Maker rently has the touch points available, with Epcot, Hollywood Another great component of MyMagic+ is Memory Mak- Studios, and Animal Kingdom following suit shortly. er. Memory Maker offers digital downloads of all of the Memory Maker is available for $149 when purchased in photos you take throughout your magical Disney World va- advance (at least three days prior to the start of your vaca- cation. With the help of Disney PhotoPass photographers, tion) or for $199 inside the parks or for immediate use (if you the whole family can be in the picture. Each time that you are within three days of your trip). Memory Maker can be take a photo with a Disney PhotoPass photographer, simply purchased in your My Disney Experience account, added to scan your MagicBand and the picture will automatically be your Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation, or inside linked with your My Disney Experience account. one of the theme parks. All Disney PhotoPass photos are Memory Maker doesn’t just offer downloads of the active in your My Disney Experience account for forty five photos that you have taken throughout your Walt Disney days after they have been taken. World Resort vacation. You can also add enhancements like the park icon, date, border, characters, or character auto- graphs to your pictures to make them more personal and unique. Plus, Memory Maker includes downloads of Magic Shots, which is where a character or other figure magical- ly appears in your photo. For instance, you can be floating away with Mickey balloons, causing trouble with Stitch, or amazed by Tinker Bell. You can ask any PhotoPass photog- rapher if they are able to take Magic Shots and they will in- struct you on how to pose for the perfect keepsake. A brand new update that Disney just announced for MagicBands and Disney PhotoPass services is that all Guests who are wearing active MagicBands during their vacation will have their attraction photos automatically associated

Photo © Disney 29 · Celebrations Disney Secrets Underfoot alt Disney Imagineering has given us countless examples of rich storytell- Wing, in which the thematic elements of an attraction, restaurant, or even an entire land are captured in exquisite detail. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the area around Serka Zong and through the queue of Expedition Everest offers layer upon layer of detail that sets up the story of Norbu and Bob’s Himalayan Escapes tours and the legend of the Yeti. At Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, an entire cor- ner of the park is intricately recreated as Radiator Springs from the Disney-Pixar film Cars. With details at every sightline and above, it’s easy to miss some critical ele- By Jamie Hecker ments that can be found directly underfoot. Let’s examine several such items that pay tribute to the history of the Walt Disney Company as well as Walt Disney World. We all know the famous Walt quote that “it was all started by a mouse.” Mickey Mouse, created in 1928, just five years after Walt and Roy established their anima- tion business, became an American icon and laid the foundation for the compa- ny, providing the resources and name recognition that allowed Walt to push the boundaries of animation and entertainment. Almost as well known is Mickey’s short-lived name of Mortimer Mouse. Legend has it that Walt’s wife Lillian immedi- ately rejected the name of Mortimer and Mickey was picked instead. Mortimer may be a footnote in the book of Disney, but he occupies a small slice of Disney theme park history. On Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can find a small tribute to him stamped into the pavement near the curb. It reads: Mortimer and Co. Contractors 1928. The year, naturally, references when Mickey was born. The fictitious name also helps to reinforce the theme that Sunset Boulevard is a peek into Hollywood of the 1930s. A business understandably would place its name on the work it did.

Jamie Hecker has been a lifelong fan of Disney, and is passing on his love to his sons. He and his family visit Orlando annually and always look forward to their next trip. When not in Orlando, he resides in northern Virginia with his beautiful wife Suzanne, two boys and four cats. You can read more about his “hidden Disney” musings at myhiddendisney.blogspot.com/

30 · Celebrations There are plenty of other details underfoot at the Walt Disney World theme parks. Just like any municipality, Dis- ney has to address the mundane issues of water, electricity, and other utilities. They frequently run below ground and are accessible via nondescript utility covers. The lids them- selves, though, need not be bland and boring. Walt Disney World has stamped a number of them with elements of its own history. From 1971 through 1995, the logo for Walt Disney World featured a uniform wide and bold font with an oversized D. Tucked inside the D was a Mickey silhouette, with the face taking the form of a globe, complete with latitude and longitude lines, meant to convey that Disney’s presence in Orlando offered a world of vacation fun. Although this logo is no longer in use, it can still be found around the parks, no- tably on utility hole covers. On your next visit to Walt Disney World, scan the grounds for this throwback icon centered on some of the lids. It’s been scaled back to just the capital D and a simplified hidden Mickey inside, but offers an insight to a bygone era at the Magic Kingdom. Another integral chapter in the history of Walt Disney World is the Reedy Creek Improvement District, or RCID. As Disney World that further enhance certain story lines at the Walt Disney Company was determining how to make the parks and resorts. For example, the Port Orleans resorts Walt’s dream of an experimental prototype community of (French Quarter and Riverside) have a deep backstory that tomorrow a reality, it knew it needed land, and lots of it. Fur- involves the founding of Port Orleans along the banks of ther, it would need an autonomous agency to aid and assist the Sassagoula River. One small detail that adds depth to with the development of the property. Disney petitioned the rich backstory is the inclusion of utility covers that read the Florida state legislature to create an Improvement Dis- City of Port Orleans - 1991. The year reflects the year in which trict that “could act with the same authority and responsi- the resort opened. If only it was stamped 1704 to match the bility as a county government. The new legislation said that birth of this fictitious locale! landowners within the Reedy Creek Improvement District, We return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to showcase a primarily Walt Disney World, would be solely responsible final hidden secret underfoot. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Star- for paying the cost of providing typical municipal services ring Aerosmith is one of Disney’s most explosive and exhila- like power, water, roads, fire protection etc.” The legisla- rating attractions. The premise is that the band is record- tion passed and the newly minted Improvement District ing its next hit single at the G-Force Records studio before was named for a nearby existing waterway, Reedy Creek. heading out to its Los Angeles concert. The band graciously The most notable references to this municipal entity are arranges for a super-stretch limo for us to attend the same the various RCID fire stations on property. However, it also show. What follows is madcap dash along the LA highways adorns various utility hole covers at the Disney parks. One and our timely arrival to the concert venue. The plaza out such example can be found near the intersection of Sunset front of the attraction has a grid of alternating white lines and Hollywood Boulevards at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. along large terra cotta-colored squares. At each grid inter- RCID, along with a wavy water symbol, is neatly featured on section is a notable circle in the shape of a vinyl record that the center. The logo is a small and easily overlooked tribute reads G Force Records. As you would expect, they’re all gold. to a milestone of the Magic Kingdom. The next time you’re visiting the parks and resorts, either These are notable examples of utility hole covers at Walt at a commando crawl or a leisurely pace, take a few extra Disney World that celebrate Disney history. However, there minutes to seek out the hidden details and Disney secrets are plenty of other ground artifacts and utility lids at Walt that are underfoot.

Photo © Jamie Hecker 31 · Celebrations When the Parks Close…But You Don’t – The After Hours hough the Disneyland Resort often stays open until midnight during the sum- Tmer and other holiday seasons, what happens on those days when the park closes and Guests aren’t quite ready to retire? Disneyland Resort has some great nighttime hangouts available to late night crowds, and one of the best is Trader Sam’s at the . In May of 1989, the Adventurer’s Club opened as one of the most unique and memo- By J Darling rable nightclub additions to Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was an Adults-oriented experience that celebrated New Year’s Eve every night of the year through street parties, fireworks, live music performances, and plenty of alcoholic li- bations. While several of the clubs were only host to Guests 21 years and older, The Ad- venture’s Club allowed youngsters (with guardian supervision) to join in and become ‘Members’ of this unique society of Adventurers. Everyone who walked through the door walked into something that could have been a stop on the Jungle Cruise or a way station for Lawrence of Arabia. Guests who walked through the doors of The Adven- ture’s Club ended up being inducted into the club as full-fledged members during the nightly Membership Drive. With several ceremonies a night, it was next to impossible to miss one. Colorful characters (ranging from an inept young explorer from Ohio, to a French maid, a butler, a few expert adventure hunters, a talking stone mask on the wall, and ‘the Colonel’ - a mounted puppet on the wall) taught Guests the Club Hand- shake, the Club Motto (“Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you, but J Darling is a California native and always dress for the hunt!”), and the Club Creed: life long Disney fan. Her parents first “We climb the highest mountains, just to get a better view. took her to Disneyland when she was We plumb the deepest oceans, cause we’re daring through and through. 2 years old. According to them, her We cross the scorching deserts, martini in our hands. eyes just popped out of her head, and We ski the polar ice caps, in tuxedo looking grand. apparently they never went back in. We are reckless, brave, and loyal, and valiant to the end. Outside of her Disney fandom, J is a singer, songwriter, blogger, and If you come in here a stranger, you will exit as a friend.” theatrical actress. While the Adventure’s Club itself had enough wonderful showmanship and sto- You can find her music at rytelling to fill an entire issue of Celebrations Magazine unto itself, Trader Sam’s is www.jdarlingmusic.com the closest experience to the Adventure’s Club as possible. Many remnants of the and on Myspace at eclectic décor that once covered the Adventurer’s Club now occupy Trader Sam’s. www.jdarlingmusicmyspace.com. Her Named after the ‘head trader’ from the Jungle Cruise, Trader Sam’s Enchanted blogs are available at www.jjourneybook.blogspot.com. Tiki Bar is a small hut beside the Tangaroa Terrace eatery at the Disneyland Hotel. Inside, Guests find an intimate, dimly lit treasure trove that stepped right out of . Like the Adventure’s Club, there is always something lively going on. Whether it’s an ‘erupting’ volcano on a portrait, or a sinking ship in a bottle, or the live Hawaiian music played on the patio, Guest of all age are likely to be entertained. (Guests under the age of 21 are allowed on the patio and into Trader Sam’s, however they are not allowed in the bar.) While there may not be quite enough food to make a full meal at Trader Sam’s; there are certainly enough mentionable munchies available to satisfy Guests who

32 · Celebrations come hungry. The limited menu takes the idea of ‘bar food’ on an adventure. Instead of French fries, Trader Sam’s offers Panko Crusted Chinese Long Beans with Sriracha Aioli. In- stead of Buffalo wings, Trader Sam’s offers Sweet and spicy Asian Chicken Wings or Tamarind Glazed Island Pork “Wings” served with green papaya slaw. Fish Tacos, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Ahi Poke, and Cheese Flatbread round out the main food offerings here. And, of course, a Dessert Flight is one trip worth taking. It includes Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk Brownie, and a Fruit Parfait). All intrepid adventures will be tempted with something beyond water at this watering hole. The drink menu in- cludes typical bar offerings (beers, wines, soda) and more than a few ‘house specialties.’ A few of the more notable Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon), Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki beverages include the Uh Oa! Pronounced just like it looks, Tiki Rum (made of Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, Pineap- this drink is designed for sharing. In fact, four Guests could ple and Orange Juices dusted with cinnamon and Nutmeg), probably be satisfied with one of these. Served in a small Lost on Safari (a delicious combination of Dark and Spiced ‘volcano’, the Uh Oa! is announced by the staff chanting “Uh Rums, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Sam’s Gorilla Grog), Oa! Uh Oa! Uh Oa!” and lighting the top of the beverage on and Shipwreck on the Rocks (a potent mixture of Bourbon, fire! Small pinch bowls (built into the ceramic ceremonial freshly muddled lemon and mint, with a spike of agave nectar served in a barrel shaped ceramic mug). And for the Guests who had the pleasure of being part of the Adven- turer’s Club, ask the bartender for an Old Style Kungaloosh. It may not be on the menu, but most of the bartenders are skilled in making it! Don’t care for an alcoholic libation? Trader Sam’s covers the non-alcoholic spectrum as well. Guests choosing a dryer expe- rience aren’t left out of the house specialties either. The Skip- per Sipper, Schweitzer Falls (in homage to the Jungle Cruise reference), and the Polynesian Punch are unique blends of tropical fruit juices, lime, grenadine, Sam’s Gorilla Grog, No matter what Guests order, there is no way to go wrong with Trader Sam’s. The friendly staff helps take the edge off of even the most adventure-weary Guests. Lovers of the Enchanted Tiki Room and Disneyland’s tropical Adventure- land will likely love this little hideaway that doesn’t close serving vessel) full of spices encourage Guests to join in by until long after the parks have said goodnight. Take a mo- sprinkling the spices into the flames. Sparks dance from the ment to take a peek at the décor, even if a drink or snack blue flame with each sprinkle. The drink itself is made of isn’t in the plan. Getting lost in Trader Sam’s is well worth Light and Dark Rums, Orange, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineap- the detour. Keep a look out for the post card to the best ple, Grapefruit juices, Falernum, Cinnamon and Lime. Other ‘head trader’ in the jungle – Sam himself. There is enough alcoholic highlights include Krakatoa Punch (made of Re- going on here to keep little adventures occupied while their serve and Spiced rums, Orgeat syrup, Sam’s Gorilla Grog and older counterparts kick up their feet and relax. Well worth Hibiscus Grenadine), Ka-blue-ie! (made of Light rum, cream a detour when a little R&R is called for, Trader Sam’s is the of Coconut, Pineapple Juice, and a splash of Blue Curacao), go-to venue for nighttime adventure, and best of all, it’s just Shrunken Zombie Head (made of Reserve and Aged Rums, a short stroll away from the Disneyland Hotel.

Photo ©Lauren Javier 33 · Celebrations By Tim Foster

34 · Celebrations Photos © Tim Devine he Boneyard. Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. Mission: Oliveri (who played the Szalinski children), Thomas Wil- TSPACE’s Advanced Training Lab. . son Brown and Jared Rushton (as the neighbor’s kids) These are just a few of the many places at Walt Disney and Marcia Strassman, who played Wayne Szalinski’s World where a kid can be a kid, where they can play and wife, Diane. The film was a surprise hit at the box-office, create wonderfully imaginative adventures that will take grossing over $222 million worldwide, which at the time them on a dinosaur dig, under the big top, to far reaches made it the highest-grossing live action Disney film in of outer space, or in dark, mysterious caves. At one time, history (a record now held by : Dead little ones could also frolic in the Hundred Acres Woods Man’s Chest, which has grossed over $1 billion). The film at Pooh’s Playful Spot (and can now enjoy the numerous spawned two sequels, Honey, I Blew Up the Kid in 1992 and activities in the attraction’s queue), and have a soaking Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997, as well as a TV show that good time at Donald’s Boat in Mickey’s Toontown Fair. ran from 1997 to 2000. Because the name of the film has But while some of these play areas were loosely in- lent itself to numerous sequels and park attractions, it’s spired by their respective movies, there’s a hidden gem hard to believe that it wasn’t the original choice. Rejected that puts kids right in the middle of one of Disney’s clas- title ideas included Teeny Weenies and The Big Backyard! sic family films, and what better place to host a cinemat- The popularity of the film made it a natural inspira- ic playland than the place where movie magic comes to tion for new attractions at Walt Disney World, and about life, Disney’s Hollywood Studios. a year and a half later, on December 17, 1990, the Honey I Nestled in the concrete canyons of New York Street is a Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure opened on what unique play area where you can pretend you’re on a wild was then known as New York Street at the Disney-MGM adventure while also pretending you’re playing a part in Studios (the area now known as the Streets of America). a Disney movie. But which The playground welcomes movie? Well, have you ever children to go on their imagined what it would own miniature adventure, be like to be shrunk down with the premise that they in size? Now’s your chance have been shrunk by Sza- to see what it was like for linski’s shrinking ray. Along the kids in the 1989 film, the way kids will encoun- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. ter 30-foot-tall blades of The movie tells the grass, a giant spider web story of inventor Wayne (actually a series of rope Szalinski and his electro- nets), a Giant Super Soaker magnetic shrinking ray. (watch out for large drops Unfortunately, things of water as it leaks all over get out of control, and the lawn!), large, squeaking through a series of mishaps the shrinking ray is acciden- ants that you can actually climb on, giant bumblebees, tally activated and shrinks his kids (as well as his neigh- a slide disguised as a canister of Kodak film, and a huge bor’s kids) down to a quarter of an inch in size. Finding dog’s nose poking through the blades of grass (yep, that’s themselves in the backyard, the kids embark on a thrill- Quark!). Careful though, Quark has a runny nose! Inciden- ing adventure to make their way back to the house. Once tally, each of those stalks of grass (45 of them to be exact), they find their way back, their troubles aren’t over, as holds two to three 28-foot blades of grass, and are sup- they suddenly find themselves in a (to them) giant bowl ported by 500 pounds of structural steel. They can with- of Cheerios, about to be eaten by their father! Only the stand winds of up to 80 mph (or a good-sized dog sneeze). quick intervention of the family dog Quark saves the day, The play area is geared toward children four years and and soon everything is back to normal. under, though all are welcome to join in on the fun. The The film starred Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski, entire floor is extra spongy, so you don’t have to worry with the cast rounded out by Amy O’Neill and Robert about any bumps, and a map at the entrance will give you

35 · Celebrations an overview of things to look for. However, one thing you and Eastman Kodak. The film was an imaginative view of won’t find on the map is a special Hidden Mickey. Look on the world through a child’s eyes, making extensive use of the dark concrete wall near the entrance to find it; it’s about spectacular 3D effects. closed on February waist high and tiny — approximately 2” in diameter. Best of 9, 1986 and reopened in in the Magic Kingdom all, you can spend as much time in the play area as you like, on December 15, 1987. (After several years, Magic Journeys fi- though (parent tip!) it’s a good idea to agree on how long nally closed its doors for good on December 1, 1993 to make you’ll stay ahead of time so there are no misunderstandings. way for the Legend of theater show.) The Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure is a The theater’s next show, debuting on September 12, 1986, great place for kids to have fun and to use their imagina- was a new film, Captain EO. The film, which was produced by tions, and it’s also a great place for parents to kick up their and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starred feet and relax while the little ones let off some steam Michael Jackson and Angelica Huston in a music filled sci- (though we won’t tell anyone if you want to take a ride ence fiction adventure. The film thrilled audiences for eight down the slide!). years before it closed its doors to make way for Wayne Sza- linski and his infamous shrinking ray. Honey I Shrunk the Audience The premise of the film was that you were cordially in- In November 1994, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids franchise vited to attend the Imagine Institute’s Inventor of the Year welcomed its newest member to the Imagination pavilion Award presentation. Your host for the evening was Dr. Ni- in Epcot, with the debut of the , Honey I Shrunk the gel Channing (who has since taken up residence as your Audience. The film was housed in the theater originally host for the Imagination Institute’s open house tour, along known as the Magic Eye Theater, which, when opened, pre- with his purple pal Figment), and he was there to present sented a film called Magic Journeys that utilized an innova- the yearly award to Professor Wayne Szalinski. In addition tive 65mm 3D process developed jointly by WED Enterprises to his Incredible Shrinking Machine, Professor Szalinski

36 · Celebrations Photo © Tim Devine had also invented the Dimensional He earned an Academy Award nomi- Duplicator. As you might have ex- nation for the 1985 film Silverado. pected, the awards ceremony didn’t While the film itself was in 3D, the go quite as planned, and after some attraction was often referred to misadventures with the Hoverpad, as a 4D experience, as it included Professor Szalinski attempted to other elements such as squirting demonstrate the Incredible Shrink- water that timed perfectly with ing Machine. Of course, things went Quark’s final sneeze (and yes, that was humorously wrong, and it was you, only water!). the audience, that ended up being shrunk. Once you Many cast members from the film, including Rick mixed in a few hundred mice (courtesy of the Dimen- Moranis and Robert Oliveri, reprised their film roles sional Duplicator), Gigabyte the snake, and Quark the for the attraction, joined by Monty Python veteran Eric family dog, it seemed there was quite a problem! But Idle in his new role as Dr. Nigel Channing. Marcia Stras- a calm Dr. Channing assured everyone that Professor sman (who sadly passed away recently at her home in Szalinski would soon have everything back to normal California after a long illness), reprised her role as Di- and that in no time he would be able to blow you up... ane Szalinski, playing a vital role in the safe “return” of ummm...well, you knew what he meant! the audience. The attraction closed its doors on May The theater was notable in that the entire seating 9, 2010, to make way for the return of Captain EO. But area was actually on a platform that could be raised you can still see Professor Szalinski in the queue of the four inches to simulate the lifting of the theater. The Imagination Institute with his coveted Inventor of the music for the film was composed by Bruce Brough- Year award. ton, who has composed several movie soundtracks. Just be aware of stray laser beams…

37 · Celebrations By Lori Elias

38 · Celebrations nce upon a time, long before there was a hit Disney- From the Stage to the Big Screen Oproduced television series on ABC called, well, Once Disney’s film is the third attempt to bring Into the Woods to Upon a Time, composer and writer the silver screen. In 1994, the rights were acquired by Ameri- drew on fairy tales to create a musical called can , the film company owned by Francis Ford Into the Woods. The show opened in September 1987 at the Coppola. A screenplay was penned by the respected team Martin Beck Theatre (renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theatre of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (City Slickers, A League of in 2003), ran on Broadway for nearly two years, and this Their Own, Fever Pitch), with Sondheim and Lapine acting as December transfers to the big screen as Disney’s latest live- consultants. Penny Marshall was approached about direct- action feature. ing the film, and she went so far as to amass a group of per- Into the Woods is directed by six-time Tony Award nomi- formers at her home for a reading of the script, including nee Rob Marshall, an Oscar-winner for the movie musical some of the biggest names of the day: future Disney Legend Chicago (2002). Marshall had previously directed the fourth and Goldie Hawn portraying the Baker and installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, On his Wife; Cher as the Witch; another Disney Legend-in-the- Stranger Tides (2011), as well as the Disney-produced televised making, , as the Wolf and Mayim Bialik as Little musical (1999), starring Tony Award-winners Audra Red Riding Hood; Elijah Wood as Jack and Roseanne Barr as McDonald, Kristen Chenoweth and Alan Cumming, and his mother; Danny DeVito as the Giant; and Brendan Fraser Tony nominees Kathy Bates and Victor Garber. and Kyle McLachlan as Cinderella and Rapunzel’s princes. It Much like Once Upon a Time, Into the Woods uses charac- seems that such a remarkable cast would prove to create ters and story lines from a variety of famous fairy tales an unstoppable film, but it was the cost of that cast that originally written by the Brothers Grimm, as well as one grounded the movie before it could be made. conceived by Lapine and Sondheim of a Baker and his Wife. The rights to the film were purchased by Sony, who, in The couple has been cursed with childlessness by a Witch, 1995, signed a deal with Jim Henson Productions to col- and the two are willing to risk all that they have in order laborate in producing family-friendly films. It was indeed to make their wish for a child of their own come true. To Jim Henson Productions who was to take over the new Into reverse the curse, they venture “Into the Woods,” where they the Woods feature, with yet one more future Disney Legend, cross paths with a number of familiar names, including Billy Crystal, as the Baker, and his When Harry Met Sally (1989) Cinderella and her step-family, Rapunzel, Jack and the Giant co-star, Meg Ryan, as his Wife, with Disney villainess-to-be (of beanstalk fame), and Little Red Riding Hood, along with Susan Sarandon (Queen Narissa in 2007’s Enchanted) as the her grandmother and the Wolf, all of whom have wishes of Witch. Heading the film would be Rob Minkoff, who, with their own. Their individual story arcs increasingly interact Roger Allers, had directed The Lion King to silver screen glory as they pursue their respective quests: the previous year. New songs were planned, as were new Into the Woods to have the child, characters, in order to showcase the puppetry prowess of To wed the Prince, to get the money, Jim Henson Productions. While again this version seemed To save the house, to kill the Wolf, to have all the makings of a hit, changes in the front office To find the father, to conquer the kingdom, of Sony pushed the making of the film to the back burner, To have, to wed, to get, to save, and thus it was never made. To kill, to keep, to go to the festival, But as is so often true, the third time is the charm! As his Into the Woods, Into the Woods, work on Pirates of the Caribbean was winding down, director Into the Woods, then out of the woods, Rob Marshall spoke to Lapine about bringing the musical And happy ever after! to the big screen. After sealing Lapine’s approval (as well as The journey is enhanced with songs such as the reflective his agreement to write the screenplay), Marshall pitched his ballads “Giants in the Sky,” “No One is Alone” and “Children Will ideas to Disney, who was ready to finally move forward. The Listen,” the patter of “Ever After” (the song quoted above) final fruit of their labors hits theaters on Christmas Day and the provocative “I Know Things Now.” According to the Like the unfilmed versions before it, Disney’s take on the liner notes for the compact disc set Stephen Sondheim: The beloved musical features larger-than-life names. Perhaps Story So Far…, Into the Woods deals “with the consequences no film star alive today shines as brightly as Meryl Streep, of wishes, and what happens after happily ever after.” who headlines Into the Woods as the Witch. While she is

Artwork © Disney 39 · Celebrations known primarily as one of the greatest cinematic actresses Bringing the iconic character of Cinderella to life is Anna of all time, she has also shown off her singing prowess in Kendrick. While roles in the Twilight films and Up in the Air films including Postcards from the Edge (1990) and Mamma (2009) have placed her in the limelight, she, like Depp, is an Mia! (2008), and on-stage at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre accomplished singer, having been nominated for a Tony as the title role in Mother Courage (2006). Nominated for a re- Award at age 12 (the second-youngest actress in history) for cord 18 Oscars, Streep has won three : Best the musical High Society (1998) and starring in the movie mu- Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), and Best Ac- sicals Pitch Perfect (2012) and The Last Five Years (2014). tress for Sophie’s Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011). Cinderella’s Prince must be handsome and heroic, and James Corden portrays the Baker. Corden is known pri- few could better fit that bill than Star Trek’s Captain Kirk! No, marily for his work in the theatre, where he was acclaimed it’s not William Shatner, but the current generation’s Cap- in both London’s West End and on Broadway for his Tony tain Kirk, actor Chris Pine, who starred in 2009’s Star Trek, as Award- winning performance in One Man, Two Guvnors, as well as Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). Pine returns to Disney well as British television, for which he earned a British Acad- after a ten-year hiatus, having portrayed Nicholas Deveraux emy of Film and Television Artists (BAFTA) Award for the in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004). series Gavin and Stacey. His name became more familiar to Two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Baranski plays American audiences when in September it was announced Cinderella’s Stepmother, reuniting with Rob Marshall after that he will replace Craig Ferguson (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh portraying Mary Sunshine in Chicago. Television audiences and Brave) as host of the Late Late Show on CBS, following will recognize her from roles in The Big Bang Theory and The Ferguson’s retirement in December. Good Wife. Corden’s fellow Briton Emily Blunt plays the Baker’s Wife. Mackenzie Mauzy, who has made her mark in the soap Perhaps best known for her roles in The Devil Wears Prada opera The Bold and the Beautiful, is Rapunzel. She has also (2006) and Gulliver’s Travels (2010) Disney film fans will recog- been seen on the Broadway stage in the musicals A Tale of nize Blunt as Miss Piggy’s receptionist in the 2011’s The Mup- Two Cities and the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to pets (in which her husband, The Office’s Jim Krazinski also Normal. Fellow soap opera veteran Billy Magnussen (As the made a brief appearance). World Turns) plays Rapunzel’s Prince. Magnussen has made Disney fans will also have no trouble recognizing the man guest appearances on numerous television series, many of behind the mask of the Wolf: Johnny Depp, who has dazzled which are police dramas, including Law & Order, Law & Order: audiences as Captain in the Pirates of the Criminal Intent, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Caribbean franchise. Depp displayed his musical talents in and Blue Bloods. another film adaptation of a Sondheim stage musical, Swee- Frances de la Tour, who portrayed Aunt Imogene in Disney’s ney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007); he has been live-action version of Alice in Wonderland (2010) rounds out the nominated for Academy Awards for both roles. His young principal cast as the Giant. The British-born actress won the nemesis, Little Red Riding Hood, is played by Lilla Crawford. Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as While she may not be well-known to film-goers and tele- Mrs. Lincott in The History Boys, which she reprised in the film vision-viewers, theatre fans will recognize her as the title of the same name in 2006. She has been seen in recent films character in Broadway’s recent revival of Annie. such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and Another child actor with a major theatre role under his the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010) and Hugo (2011). belt is Daniel Huttlestone, who portrays Jack. Huttlestone played spunky Gavroche in the West End production of Les Into the Woods Fun Facts: Misérables before bringing the character to the big screen in • Into the Woods is the first Disney adaptation of a Broadway the 2012 film starring Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. His or musical (though several Disney films have been adapted mother is portrayed by the versatile Tracey Ullman. Along into Broadway musicals: Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, with a number of her own series, Ullman has been seen in , , The Little Mermaid, Newsies and ). acclaimed films such as ’s Bullets Over Broadway • The original Broadway musical was nominated for ten (1994), and television series including Ally McBeal, State of the , winning three: Best Book (script) for James Union and How I Met Your Mother. Lapine, Best Score for Stephen Sondheim and Best Actress

40 · Celebrations for Joanna Gleason (Mr. Holland’s Opus, The Wedding Planner) • Into the Woods composer Stephen Sondheim is an Emmy as the Baker’s Wife. shy of achieving “EGOT” (earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar • Along with Gleason, the musical starred Chip Zien as the and Tony; the elusive honor was most recently achieved Baker, Kim Crosby as Cinderella, Ben Wright as Jack, Dani- by Frozen co-composer Robert Lopez). He has won eight elle Ferland as Little Red Riding Hood, Robert Westenberg Tony and Grammy awards; his Oscar comes from the song as the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince and three-time Tony “Sooner or Later,” written for Dick Tracy (1990). Award-winner as the Witch. • In 2010, the Henry Miller’s Theatre in Manhattan was re- • The musical was revived on Broadway in 2002 starring Ste- named in Sondheim’s honor, a distinction reserved for phen DeRosa and Kerry O’Malley as the Baker and his Wife, those who have made the most significant contributions Laura Benanti as Cinderella, Molly Ephraim as Little Red to . Riding Hood, Christopher Sieber as the Wolf and Rapunzel’s • The original musical features some “mature” themes that Prince and Vanessa Williams as the Witch. were reworked for Disney’s adaptation.

Artwork ©Disney 41 · Celebrations First in the Parks: The Magic of the Walt Disney World Rope Drops by Nick Comande

42 · Celebrations First in the Parks: The Magic of the Walt Disney World Rope Drops by Nick Comande

Photo © Tim Devine 43 · Celebrations magine what it would be like to be the first one through a great thrill in being among the first to pass through the Ithe gates of a Walt Disney World park first thing in the gates, and to see the parks in a way that very few have every morning. Anticipation grows with every second. Minutes enjoyed. seem like hours as you look forward to what lies before Your quest to be among the first in the park can be a you…an open, unblocked avenue leading to a world of mag- once-in-a-lifetime thrill, but it will take lots of planning… ic, whether it’s the thrill of meeting with your favorite Dis- and little bit of luck. There are a number of obstacles along ney Character, or being the first to board your favorite at- the way that will affect your place in line. First, are you stay- traction. Best of all, you’ll get to experience the unique thrill ing on or off Disney property? If you’re on-site, which resort of believing that, just for a moment, you have the park all are you at and which park are you going to? For example, to yourself. if you are staying at the Contemporary Resort or the DVC But let’s face it, there can only be four lucky individuals Tower, you can walk to the main gate of the Magic who can claim the honor of being the first to enter a Walt Kingdom. If you are staying at a more remote resort, such as Disney World park on any given day (five if you include the the Caribbean Beach, you’ll either have to drive, take a cab, International Gateway entrance of Epcot). And with mul- or catch the very first Disney bus to get to any park in time tiple entrance kiosks spread out to accommodate the large to get to the front of the gate, and even then there’s no guar- number of Guests, how would you even know if you were antee that you’ll get into the park first. Face it; determina- the first person to enter the park when the OK was given tion, commitment and even luck will play a big part in being to “come on in”? While it might be nearly impossible to earn first in line. But even if you’re not the absolute first person to the claim of “very first person to enter the park,” there’s still pass through those magic gates, with a little effort you can

44 · Celebrations Photo © Nick Comande be among the first, and oftentimes that’s just as thrilling. don’t start out in front. Once you cross the bridge, you are stopped by several Cast Members that are literally standing Getting An Early Start behind the ropes. Here they gather Guests, filling in all the If you decide to take on the challenge of being one of the available spaces to see a pre-show starring Safari Mickey, first inside the parks, you’ll first need to do a little research. Goofy, Donald, and Minnie on a safari bus. Does the park you’re visiting have Extra Magic Hours in the The Tree of Life stands tall in the background as the show morning? For the uninitiated, Extra Magic Hours allow Re- concludes and the safari vehicle pulls away. At this point the sort Guests the opportunity to enter the park one hour be- ropes are gathered and Guests are finally released into the fore it is opened to the general public. If that’s the case, you’ll park to start their day. (Note that even though the event is want to time your arrival accordingly (assuming you’re stay- commonly referred to as the “rope drop,” the Cast Members ing on-site, if you’re not staying on property you’ll want to don’t physically drop the rope…instead they carefully gath- avoid those parks on those days, as thousands of Guests er it to the side before allowing Guests to enter…just in case will have already arrived by the time you enter). In general, you were worried about tripping on it!) From this point on, you’ll want to arrive about a half hour to forty-five minutes Cast Members will be on hand to point the way toward the before the park’s opening. During special events days (like major attractions such as Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), you’ll Kilimanjaro Safaris, letting you know which way to go and, definitely want to get there closer to the forty-five minute for safety’s sake, reminding you to walk…don’t run. (Do keep mark, or earlier. that in mind as you make your way into the parks. While Once you’ve arrived at the park, you’ll still have a bit of a there’s a tremendous thrill in being among the first to get journey before you make it to the main entrance. For ex- to your favorite attraction, above all else be courteous and ample, when heading to the Magic Kingdom by car, you’ll mindful of your fellow Guests!) Depending on how quickly need to take a monorail or boat to get to the main entrance. you move (in a safe and orderly manner of course), you may For any of the parks, once you’ve arrived you may need to find yourself fortunate to be the first, or among the first, go through security; where camera bags, backpacks, and to scale Expedition Everest, travel back in time on Dinosaur, purses are checked. However, if you don’t have a bag you can or view the beasts of the Serengeti on Kilimanjaro Safaris. bypass the security line, and in the interest of getting to On non-Extra Magic Hour morning days, there are en- the front of the crowds your best bet is to leave your bags trances on the right as you face the park, these are reserved back at your resort. (Though if the rest of your party doesn’t for Guests with Character Breakfast reservations. If you’re mind moving at a slower pace, you can always leave your one of these people, you’ll be afforded the opportunity to bags in their trusting hands so that you can enter through stroll through the park and go directly to your restaurant. the “No Bags” line.) Names are checked to make sure that you do have a reser- OK, you’re past security, you’re right at the entrance, now vation. Even though you won’t be heading to an attraction, what? Well, here’s where each park handles their openings you will get to enjoy the beauty of the park with very few a little differently, so let’s visit each of the parks in turn for people inside. some special tips. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Animal Kingdom At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the process is much the At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, people will start to line up same. Most Guests will arrive by bus or car, but if you’re early at the entrance, preparing to wave their MagicBands staying at one of the Epcot resorts you’ll get the chance to so they can enter the park. About 15 minutes before the of- travel by boat. For the more adventurous, you can even walk ficial opening, Guests are allowed through one of the many to the entrance of the park from the . The gates and can then make their way through the Oasis, tak- walk takes about 15-20 minutes, and is quite enjoyable and ing either the left or right side paths, passing exotic animals tranquil. The pathway follows the canal that leads to the along the way, until they reach the entrance to Discovery Studios, and along the way you’ll get some gorgeous views Island. Be forewarned, the paths are narrow in spots and it of the Swan and Dolphin resorts. Once there, Guests will may be a little difficult to get to the head of the pack if you gather at the front of the park, waiting patiently for the OK

45 · Celebrations to wave their MagicBands in front of the electronic read- , and the entrance procedure is very similar ers and move forward down Hollywood Boulevard, about to that of the Animal Kingdom and the Hollywood Studios. 10 minutes before the official opening of the park. Cast About 15 minutes before the park’s official opening, Guests Members will hold up the crowd at the intersection of Hol- can scan their MagicBands and proceed into the park. Here lywood and Sunset Boulevards in order to watch the cine- you can choose to take a ride on Spaceship Earth (though matic pre-show. Cast Members will work to make sure that be aware that you may face some longer-than-normal lines all of the spaces are filled in. This not only gives as many first thing in the morning, as many others will have the people as possible a chance to see the preshow, but it moves same idea), or you can continue on toward the heart of Fu- the growing crowds away from the main entrance. When ture World and the other headliner attractions such as Test given the OK to move forward you can chose to head down Track and Soarin’. While Guests can generally head to their Hollywood Boulevard toward Toy Story Mania, or Sunset favorite attractions right away, be aware that occasionally Boulevard for the one-two thrill punch of the Twilight Zone there will be a second rope drop in place at the respective Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. entrances to Future Worlds East and West. If that’s the case, The most popular attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Stu- Guests will be welcomed into the attraction areas once the dios (and arguably all of Walt Disney World) is Toy Story park officially opens. Mania. The quickest way there is head straight down Hol- Epcot, which was built after the Magic Kingdom, did lywood Boulevard toward and turn much to accommodate larger crowds and therefore has right just past the Tip Board to the Animation Courtyard. wider walkways to get from place to place. While this does A sharp left turn down Mickey Avenue will lead you to Pixar allow more people to enter the different areas of the park Place and to Toy Story Mania. If you don’t have a problem in a less frenzied manner, it does mean there will be more of with stairs, you can take a path between The Great Movie you heading in the same direction…and a lot of Guests near Ride and the entrance to the Animation Courtyard that the “front of the line.” So again, try and maintain a brisk but may shave a few moments off you travel time to Pixar courteous pace to ensure an early arrival to your favorite Place. FastPass Guests will be directed toward the right, and attraction. standby riders toward the left. Be forewarned that even if The Land pavilion, home to Soarin’ (Epcot’s most popular you arrive early, the standby line for Toy Story Mania grows attraction, along with Test Track), has its own opening pro- very long very rapidly, so if your intent is to be near the front cedures. Guests are invited to enter the pavilion through the of the standby line, you’ll need to move very quickly and de- right hand doors. To the uninitiated, you may see that the terminedly to make sure you’re at the front…in a safe and left hand doors appear to be open (and less crowded), but controlled manner of course, no running please! (As an don’t be fooled. If you attempt to go through the left doors aside, as we were preparing this story, Disney was doing ex- a friendly Cast Member will direct you to the right and to perimental testing at Toy Story Mania that would require the proper entrance. Additionally, if the pavilion is especial- all Guests to have a FastPass, meaning there would be no ly busy, you may be directed in a particular direction with standby line. While the original test only lasted a few days, the rest of the crowd. The purpose here is to facilitate an you’ll want to keep an eye on further developments if you orderly flow through the pavilion as Guests make their way plan on visiting the parks later in the year.) down to the lower level and Soarin’, so don’t be confused (or If you’re heading down Sunset Boulevard toward the try to go in the opposite direction). If you’re heading for Test Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, there is no Track, you’ll find that this too draws large crowds, both Fast- trick to getting there. Just follow the Cast Members who Pass and Standby, very quickly. A good tip, if you don’t mind are leading the way, and in no time you’ll be screaming out riding alone, is to opt for the Single Riders line instead. You your lungs in sheer delight (or terror.) may find the wait time to be a small fraction of the wait times for the other two lines, and sometimes you’ll practi- Epcot cally walk right on (this strategy is useful throughout the Epcot is the only Walt Disney World park that has 2 en- day, not just first thing in the morning). trances. The main entrance (where the busses, trams, and Keep in mind that World Showcase doesn’t open until 11 monorails drop off Guests) faces Epcot’s signature icon, am, at which time it has its own rope drop ceremony. But

46 · Celebrations Photo © Nick Comande Co-author Rachel Comande standing in front of on a deserted Main Street U.S.A. what does that mean if you’re entering through the Inter- The Magic Kingdom national Gateway before World Showcase opens? Don’t The Magic Kingdom, the oldest and most popular of the worry; you can still make your way to Future World. A rope Walt Disney World parks, typically draws the largest crowds, will prevent you from turning right toward the pa- but the effort and anticipation of being among the first to vilion, but you can stroll along the path that takes you past enter the park is well worth the effort. There are actually the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions. Once past the two sets of “gates” you’ll pass through as you enter the Mag- Canada pavilion you can continue on to the World Show- ic Kingdom. The first is the actual admission area where case promenade if you’re heading toward Test Track, or the you’ll scan your MagicBand, while the second is the series of rose pathway that meanders past the Imagination pavilion tunnels that pass beneath the Walt Disney World Railroad if you’re heading toward Soarin’. Station that leads to Main Street U.S.A. Approximately 15 When the park first opens, Guests entering via the Inter- minutes before the actual opening of the park, Guests are national Gateway will be held up at the bridge that leads admitted through the admission kiosks and into the front toward France and the rest of World Showcase until the courtyard in front of the train station. It’s here that you’ll park officially opens. Once you start walking toward Fu- find the iconic flower bed that features the familiar face of ture World, you’ll be afforded some amazing views of the Mickey Mouse. This is a great time to get a group photo, but surrounding areas, which are especially spectacular dur- you’ll need to hurry as this area fills up very quickly! Cast ing the Flower and Garden Festival. If you have breakfast Members will hold Guests at the entrances to the afore- reservations at Akershus in Norway, you’ll continue on past mentioned tunnels. the Mexico pavilion on your way to Norway (though keep in As opening time approaches, the crowds will build quick- mind the pavilions themselves won’t open until 11:00). ly in anticipation of one of the most magical experiences to

47 · Celebrations be seen at Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom Welcome goal was to make a place for families and people of all ages Show. Mickey and friends arrive onboard one of the Walt to enjoy themselves. A place where parents can bring their Disney Railroad trains while festive music is played in the children, to see them smile with shear delight as they have background. Joined by an entourage of Main Street citizens one of the greatest times of their life. Who could ask for any- and dancers, the show culminates in a joyous countdown thing more? to signal the opening of the park. Keep in mind that if you As you make your way toward the individual lands, (as- were fortunate enough to make your way to the front of suming you’re still at the front of the line), you’ll encounter the crowd, you won’t have a good view of the show, but you another rope at each of the land’s entrances. Once the Cast will be among the first to enter the park. As the countdown Members welcome Guests inside, they will lead you to the proceeds, Guests are permitted into the Magic Kingdom headliner attractions (keep in mind that the Cast Mem- (typically about five minutes before the official opening of bers set the pace…you’re not allowed to go past them…so the park). On days where there is no preshow (usually dur- don’t make any plans to run past them and make a beeline ing slower seasons), a family is chosen by random, typically toward Splash Mountain). Generally speaking, there aren’t one with a child dressed as their favorite princess or Disney many shortcuts to take advantage of, but there is a path Character. The family is then asked to help open the park by that may help you get to Big Thunder Mountain and Splash throwing pixie dust into the air Mountain ahead of the mul- as music plays and the grand titudes looking to be among countdown is played over the the first to ride (while you loudspeakers. can’t go past the leading Once they pass under the Cast Members, this is a good train station, Guests will find way to “catch up” if you fell themselves in the heart of behind making your way Town Square at the beginning down Main Street). As you of Main Street U.S.A. It’s admit- make your way through Ad- tedly a mad dash to make your ventureland, look for a pas- way to front of Main Street sageway on your right that (though there will be plenty leads to several restrooms. of friendly Cast Members on The passageway actually hand to make sure everyone is opens up into safe and orderly, don’t forget to on the other side, and if you do your best to cooperate!), but take this shortcut you’ll save if you can make your way to the some valuable steps on your front you’ll be treated to one way to the twin mountains of the most memorable sights that anchor Adventureland you’ll ever see…Cinderella Cas- and Frontierland. tle towering at the end of a deserted Main Street, a setting With a little bit of planning, a bit of luck (and a comfy pair fit for a princess (or prince)! of shoes), you can find yourself in the envious position of be- While you walk down Main Street U.S.A. (sometimes still ing the first, or among the first, to ride your favorite attrac- wet from a pre entry wash down), you can savor the views tion. You’ll also get the chance to see some wondrous views, of the empty streets and sidewalks, closed shops, and an oc- to enjoy the rare sight of the parks and walkways without casional Cast Member wishing you a magical day. Soon you’ll the crowds, and most of all, to collect a memory that will come upon another great photo opportunity; the last a lifetime. With adrenalin rushing as you pull back on Statue featuring Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. This is a the safety bar to whatever pirate ship, mine train or doom great opportunity to have your family’s photo taken with buggy you are sitting in, you can relish in the thought that no one behind you, making for an excellent souvenir of your you made it here first. Out of the thousands that will visit trip. After all, this was Walt’s dream, a man of vision whose here on any given day, it was you that did it.

48 · Celebrations Photos © Nick Comande 49 · Celebrations Creating 3D Before 3D: How Walt Disney Brought Worlds to Life by Tim Foster

50 · Celebrations rom film to attractions, the concept of immersing the 2003, with the release of James Cameron’s Ghosts of the Abyss, Fviewer into a fully-realized three-dimensional world that a new wave of 3D technology ushered in a resurgence has revolutionized the entertainment industry. Rather in 3D films. Techniques for creating these films include tra- than being passive viewers, members of the audience can ditional (but highly sophisticated) dual-camera systems, now become a part of the action, and movie-makers and motion capture or performance capture (where real actors’ Imagineers alike now possess the tools to bring their most motions are filmed and used as the basis for creating com- ambitious visions to life. puterized 3D models), and computer animation, in which In the theaters, blockbuster films are nearly always pre- the animators can use multiple virtual cameras to bring sented in ultra-realistic 3D, particularly animated films and their 3D worlds to life. effects-driven action and sci-fi movies. A wealth of new tech- The technology used today is very innovative and com- nologies has emerged to bring the on-screen images to life, plex, and the results can be absolutely breathtaking. But the though the basic principles are similar to the old 3D films roots of creating a 3D experience go way back, long before that were all the rage in the 1950s (where the viewer wore the advent of revolutionary computer and optical technol- glasses with colored lenses, remember those?). The premise ogy. Walt Disney developed several innovations that would of 3D imagery is that two images of the scene, from slightly create the illusion of 3D on film, and also strived to trans- different perspectives, are projected on the screen, and your port Guests into fully realized, totally immersive worlds in brain is tricked into combining them into one, resulting in a his parks. 3D image. The specific techniques for presenting the images on-screen vary. One method uses polarized light to project Creating 3D Worlds on the Big Screen the images simultaneously; the 3D effect is achieved by The first fully computer-animated movie released by wearing special glasses with polarizing filters, with each fil- Walt Disney Feature Animation was 2005’s Chicken Little (Di- ter blocking the light used to project the image intended for nosaur, from 2000, and the early Pixar films were also com- the other eye. (This is the technique used in attractions like puter-animated, but they were only distributed by Disney Mickey’s PhilharMagic, if you remove your “opera glasses” and not produced in-house). Early films such as Beauty and you’ll see the two images together on the screen). Another the Beast (1991) and (1982) also incorporated computer- alternative is for the projector to rapidly alternate the left/ ized visuals. right images on the screen. The viewer wears special liquid But creating a 3D experience actually goes back to the crystal shutter glasses that block the appropriate image earliest days of Disney animation, long before the advent to the proper eye in sync with the projectors. It all sounds of computer technology. The first cartoon filmed in ste- very complicated, but the result is that the viewer “sees” the reoscopic 3D was Walt Disney’s Melody from the Adventures movie from two slightly different perspectives, just like we in Music series, released in 1953. It was followed a year later see the world in our everyday life. Our brain seamlessly com- by the /Chip ‘n’ Dale short, Working for Peanuts. bines the two images into a fully realized 3D environment. (Working for Peanuts was eventually remastered in digital 3D Viewing 3D films is one thing; creating them is quite an- and rereleased with the theatrical Disney Digital 3-D ver- other. In the days of old, filmmakers simply used two cam- sion of 2007’s .) Both shorts were eventu- eras side by side and showed the film using two projectors. ally shown at Disneyland in the Fantasyland Theater as part Red and green filters were used to block the left and right of the 3D Jamboree show in 1956. images, and the audience wore cardboard glasses with col- However, Walt Disney’s original innovation for bringing ored film to view the movie (the films themselves were ac- a 3D look to his animated films goes back even earlier. In tually black and white). It was a novelty to be sure, but the the earliest days of hand-drawn animation, images were images were far from perfect. Additionally, many filmmak- drawn on cels, which were laid on top of each other and ers, in an attempt to cash-in on the 3D fad, often made films photographed as one image. This allowed for a character that were short on plot but long on gimmicky 3D effects. 3D to be drawn separately from the background and other films fell in and out of favor over the years, with occasional scene elements, saving the animator the task of drawing resurgences, but never graduated to the same artistic and the same non-moving elements over and over. However, critical level of mainstream films. It wasn’t until the year creating the illusion of a 3D world rested solely on the artis-

Photo © Disney 51 · Celebrations tic skills of the animator, and even then the challenge was revolutionary technique, the first true nearly an impossible one. For the most part, filmmakers (which utilized four layers of artwork) was invented by were content to have figures move against a static back- former Walt Disney Studios animator/director Ub Iwerks ground. To create the illusion of motion, animators would in 1933 using old automobile parts. (Iwerks had temporarily pan the background as the scene progressed (by moving left the Walt Disney Studios in 1930, though he would later the foreground and background cels relative to each other return and was highly influential in creating new anima- with each shot), but it was still a far cry away from creating tion techniques throughout the rest of his Disney career.) a 3D environment. Alternatively, animators could move the Though Iwerks created a number of cartoons utilizing the camera itself to create the sense of motion. new camera, their popularity was short-lived, and they are Disney’s first animated film to incorporate a moving notable today primarily for their historical significance. camera was Plane Crazy (which coincidentally was Mickey It was of course Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Studios Mouse’s first animated appearance, though it was only a that would take the multiplane camera to a whole new lev- test screening). One of the scenes from the film was a POV el. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made extensive use of the (point of view) shot from the plane as it dove toward the camera, which by now incorporated seven layers of inde- ground. To create the illusion, the filmmakers actually piled pendent artwork painted in oils on glass plates. Invented by books under the spinning background to painstakingly William Garity, the camera was completed in early 1937 and move the artwork closer to the camera. was given a test run with the production of the Silly Sym- In real life, different tricks of perspective aid our brain in phonies short, . One of the primary differences perceiving a three-dimensional world. For example, when between Disney’s multiplane camera and the earlier incar- driving down a road, nearby bushes and trees whiz past nation developed by Iwerks was that the Disney version our view, while distant mountains move much more slowly had the art plates positioned vertically beneath a moveable (and stars in the sky don’t move it all). The combination of these different elements, moving at different speeds, allows us to per- ceive depth. The trick was, how could that concept be brought to the world of anima- tion (without the animator having to draw each scene completely from scratch)?

The Multiplane Camera The answer was the invention of an all new animation process that made use of a special type of camera, called the multi- plane camera. Simply put, the camera al- lowed the operator to shoot several layers of artwork at once. The different layers were mounted separately within their own independent frames, allowing the animator to move the different layers of artwork past the camera at various speeds and at various distances from camera, allowing for much greater flexibility and freedom one another, all in the same shot. By leaving various parts of movement (Iwerks’ version had the plates standing up of the artwork transparent, other layers could be seen be- before a horizontal camera.) The Old Mill would go on to win hind them, and through careful calculation of the timing the 1937 Academy Award for Animated Short Film, and the and movements of the different layers, an illusion of depth multiplane camera was used prominently in subsequent is created. films such as Pinocchio, , Bambi, and Peter Pan. While animators such as Lotte Reiniger and Berthold The final film to utilize the mulitplane camera was 1989’s Bartosch has used equipment that would foreshadow this The Little Mermaid, though the actual animation was done

52 · Celebrations where; from the pirate pre- cariously perched with one foot on the dock and one foot on the boat and the pirates drunkenly singing arm in arm, to the flames raging inside the buildings and the road that winds its way past the overhead bridge (making great use of forced perspective). The sounds of crackling fires, cackling pirates, and the fa- A still from The Old Mill, showing how the multiplane camera was used to create the illusion of depth, from miliar strains of “Yo ho, yo the spider webs in the foreground to the mill itself in the background. ho, a pirate’s life for me!” fill by a third party as Disney’s cameras were no longer opera- the space around you, and everywhere you look (and listen) tional. Having long been supplanted by computer technol- is filled with little touches and details that afford you the ogy, the traditional multiplane camera has gone the way chance to experience something new every time you ride. of the typewriter, a relic of the past but one that had a sig- Similarly, the graveyard at the Haunted Mansion is filled nificant impact on future technologies. Today, you can still with several layers of action, with events going on simulta- see three multiplane cameras on exhibit at The Walt Disney neously in the foreground and background. Sure, everyone Animation Studios in Burbank, the Walt Mu- has enjoyed the harmonious voices of the singing busts as seum in San Francisco, and at the they warble their way through “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” but attraction at in Disneyland . have you noticed the ghoulish tea party or the howling cats? The conceptual idea behind these and many other attrac- 3D in Real Life tions was to bring Guests into a fully realized world, filled The notion of creating a “real life” 3D environment may at with all the sights and sounds that the Imagineers could first seem contradictory; after all, we do live in a 3D world come up with. The cinematic lessons learned through years (well, there’s another place in Walt Disney World where you of animation and live-action production (such as staging, can experience another dimension of sound, sight, and lighting, props, and the blocking out of scenes) were used… mind…but that’s a story for another time). In this case, and are still used…to great effect to bring these imagined what we’re referring to is Walt Disney’s desire to immerse worlds to life. And lest we think it’s all about sight and sound, his Disneyland Guests into fully realized and detailed envi- don’t forget the added element of smell. Whether purpose- ronments. Disneyland was never about recreating the same ful, like the burning embers in the Rome scene from Space- old carnival environment that people had long experienced. ship Earth, or unintended side effects, like the musty water It was a place where Guests would be able to experience aroma that permeates Pirates, these added elements add new worlds; to be taken away to magical destinations in to the total sensory immersion that Guests experience. the realm of imagination. This was a natural extension of Today’s Imagineers have the opportunity to employ newer Disney’s cinematic background, and indeed, many of the at- technologies and innovations in today’s attractions, includ- tractions incorporated many theatrical elements to fully ing new-generation Animatronic figures with ultra-real- immerse Guests into the story of the attraction. istic movement (like Lumière from Enchanted Tales With To cite one example, Pirates of the Caribbean is filled with Belle), and ingenious projection techniques (such as those rich details and sensory elements. Visually, each scene is used in The Seas With Nemo & Friends that place the char- comprised of several levels of action. Things are happening acters from the film right in the aquarium with the actual simultaneously in the foreground, mid-ground, and back- fish). But the goal remains the same, to create fully realized ground. Think of the scene were the mischievous pirates are 3D worlds where Guests can let their imagination run free. ransacking the port-side town. Things are happening every- Just the way that Walt intended.

Photos and artwork © Disney 53 · Celebrations 54 · Celebrations n our last issue, we embarked on a tour around the world fans have come to expect from the Haunted Mansion. While Ito see how some of the most iconic Walt Disney World at- the ride track is similar – Guests will recognize the séance tractions were presented in other Disney parks around the room, the ballroom, the attic, and other iconic areas of the globe. Because every Disney park has its own identity, due Haunted Mansion – has a very definite, and to the different cultures and customs of its host country, very different, storyline. Second, Walt Disney famously pro- many familiar attractions take on a whole new life. While claimed that the outside of the Haunted Mansion shouldn’t some of the details, both minor and major, may be differ- look like a haunted house – he didn’t want to emulate the ent, the one thing that always remains constant is that dirty atmosphere of a carnival or midway in his new park. unforgettable Disney magic and attention to detail. Join us “We’ll take care of the outside and let the ghosts take care as we continue our journey across the globe as we take a of the inside,” he famously told his Imagineers. Why, then, look at two of the most famous Disney attractions of all, the does Phantom Manor look like a stiff breeze could knock it Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world.” Passports ready? down? Then let’s go! Phantom Manor’s outside actually has a lot to do with its inside. (Spoiler alert!) Located in Frontierland, Phantom The Haunted Mansion Manor tells the story of gold tycoon Henry Ravenswood As all fans of Walt Disney World know, the Haunted Man- (who dug his gold out of Big Thunder Mountain, right next sion is a gothic manor situated at the end of Liberty Square. door, tying the attractions of Frontierland together in one But did you know that the Haunted Mansion resides in a dif- narrative) and who murdered his daughter’s fiancé to keep ferent land in each park? In Disneyland (shown oppo- site), it can be found in , for ex- ample. And Tokyo Disney- land wanted to place the Mansion somewhere that made sense culturally to the park’s visitors. Accord- ing to Imagineer Jason Surrell, that meant placing the Haunted Mansion in, believe it or not, Fantasy- land. Surrell tells us that in Japanese culture, “ghost stories are often cat- egorized as fairy tales or fables. Since fairy tales be- longed in the Magic King- dom Fantasyland, so, then, would the Haunted Man- sion.” ’s attraction is the exact same as that found in Walt Disney her from leaving home. Convinced that her love would World except for its placement in the park, the only change come for her one day, Ravenswood’s daughter, Melanie, re- was the addition of two huge griffins that guard the front mained in her wedding dress, roaming the halls of the man- gate. These creatures were installed to help the Haunted or and waiting for the day her love would come back to her. Mansion’s exterior fit into its Fantasyland home. In the meantime, the walls of the once-stunning mansion Unlike the Haunted Mansion in Tokyo, ’ began to crumble and erode. Both the gold tycoon and his Phantom Manor (inset) completely breaks the mold of what daughter haunt the halls of Phantom Manor, he trying to

Photos © Disney 55 · Celebrations keep wayfarers trapped in the house forever and she try- come to life, including one of a young woman who becomes ing to help them – us – escape. Guests are whisked through Medusa, much like that in the Portrait Gallery in the Haunt- the manor – including variations on the famous ballroom ed Mansion. and attic scenes, complete with Melanie Ravenswood tak- in takes its cue ing the place of the beating-heart bride and/or Constance. from the various other Haunted Mansions, but like Phan- However, instead of seeing Imagineer ’ iconic tom Manor, Mystic Manor has its own unique backstory – in graveyard scene, we are instead ejected from the grounds fact, Mystic Manor departs even further from the Haunted into the Old West town of Thunder Mesa. We quickly learn Mansion than Phantom Manor does. (Spoiler alert!) At To- that this is no ordinary western town, though – everyone kyo DisneySea, one backstory of the park that helps tie mul- is dead. The mayor greets us by tipping his hat...and his tiple attractions together is the Society of Explorers and Ad- head comes with it. Skeletons shrouded in cobwebs reach venturers, and that theme is continued here. One member for each other, and for us. “Wait!” I can hear you say, “that’s of this organization, Lord Henry Mystic, has invited Guests not the Disney attraction I know and love!” Indeed, it isn’t. into his home. The queue shows posters detailing “The Col- And that’s why the outside looks dilapidated and like...well, lection of Lord Henry Mystic” to help you identify the vari- like a haunted house. That way, the exterior provides some ous collectibles that Lord Mystic picked up during his ad- ominous foreshadowing for what Guests can expect inside. ventures, including various musical instruments, statuary, The French generally have a different attitude towards and even a sarcophagus. Pay attention to these posters – the horror genre (and the American Old West) than most you’ll be seeing these objects up close soon enough. Americans. If a Parisian is told they’re going into a haunted Rather than a “Stretching Room,” Mystic Manor’s pre- house, they will expect a certain level of scariness and gore. show takes place in a screening area off of a projection While Phantom Manor isn’t really gory (beyond the skele- room. Lord Mystic himself introduces the attraction to tons) or all that terribly scary, it is definitely more intense you from said projection room, welcoming you to “a world than its American counterparts, and many children who class collection of art, antiquities, and [his] first residence.” are fine with WDW’s Haunted Mansion may not be amena- A lively Animatronic Albert – Henry’s pet monkey and travel ble to riding through Phantom Manor. companion – also makes an appearance in the pre-show. In In addition, like most of Europe, the French population is the first scene after boarding, Albert opens the music box enamored with the American Old West – it’s exotic to them and inadvertently brings several artifacts to life. In the next in a way that regular graveyards and gothic structures room, various instruments play themselves under the influ- aren’t. Surrell quotes Imagineering legend : ence of the enchantment, and paintings come to life in the “Gothic mansions and graveyards are part of the neighbor- room after. The effects – a blending of Animatronics and hood in France – they see them every day. There’s nothing digital animation – are astounding. exotic or magical about it…We had to do something that However, the enchantment turns nasty in the green- would appeal to that audience.” Thus, the haunted Old West house, where a Venus fly trap lunges at you and a painting town of Thunder Mesa replaced the graveyard scene to freezes the entire room. Several suits of armor come to life, make the last bit of the attraction more appropriate for its (including a samurai uniform that begins attacking Albert), European Guests. canons fire themselves at your ride vehicle, and the Egyp- In the spring of 2013, a new Manor opened its doors in tian mummy (I told you those posters in the queue were Hong Kong Disneyland, featuring a trackless ride system, there for a reason!) is released from its sarcophagus. The amazing special effects, and a score composed by Danny effects in the final rooms are particularly impressive, as an Elfman (who did the music for The Nightmare Before Christ- entire wall of the manor is ripped away and a large statue mas). Mystic Manor doesn’t follow the Haunted Mansion calls down lightning bolts around your vehicle. But Albert template established in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is able to grab the music box and slam shut the lid, return- but the attraction does acknowledge the Haunted Mansion ing everything back to normal. While Mystic Manor departs several times throughout the ride. For example, a bust re- from Disney’s original Haunted Mansion, its incredible tech- sides in Lord Mystic’s study that looks suspiciously like one nology, amazing immersiveness, clever references to other of the quartet of singing busts found in the Haunted Man- Disney attractions, and meticulous attention to detail all sion’s graveyard scene. In the next room, multiple paintings mark the ride as distinctly Disney.

56 · Celebrations it’s a small world after all While all of the versions of the attraction around the world One of Disney’s most popular, most iconic rides is cel- use the iconic theme song, some versions have made slight ebrating its 50th anniversary. Its longevity is well deserved changes to the original score. For example, the instrumen- – debuting at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, ‘It’s a Small tation in Hong Kong Disneyland includes traditional Chi- World’ has come to represent Disney’s commitment to the nese instruments like a xiao (a large vertical flute), guzheng spirit of childhood and the bringing together of families (zither), and a pipa (a lute-like stringed instrument). Hong and cultures alike. And there’s no better way to conclude an Kong Disneyland’s version also includes four new languages: exploration of attractions around the world than to look at Korean, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Putonghua. Also different is the one that started it all! Disneyland Paris’ score, which was arranged by After the attraction’s success at the World’s Fair, Disney and recorded by the London Chamber Orchestra. moved “it’s a small world” to Disneyland in 1966 (where the Besides the music, some versions of “it’s a small world” name was slightly modified to consists of all lower case let- contain different dolls. Disneyland features a doll that is ters…the exact presentation of the name varies slightly a tribute to , whose distinctive artistic style in- park to park, another unique aspect of this beloved at- spired the whimsical design of the attraction itself. In the Paris scene, look for a little blonde girl with glasses who is flying a bal- loon – that’s Blair! In addition, both Disneyland and Hong Kong Dis- neyland feature dolls represent- ing classic Disney characters such as Cinderella (shown here), many from their respective countries. and Mushu can be found in Asia, (Don- ald, Jose, and Panchito) are in the Latin America scene, and Ariel and Flounder can be spotted in the Pa- cific Island setting. See how many Disney characters you can spot across the “world.”

Coming Home It’s only fitting that we’ve con- cluded our tour around the world with a look at “it’s a small world.” Being able to see classic Disney traction). Versions of the attraction can now be found all attractions presented in unique ways that pay homage to around the world, in Walt Disney World (1971), Tokyo Dis- their host countries reminds us that while we all live to- neyland (1983), Disneyland Paris (1992), and Hong Kong Dis- gether on this, our Spaceship Earth (though that’s a story neyland (2008). In fact, because of time zones and park op- for another time!), one of the wonderful things we can cel- erating hours, the theme song “it’s a small world” is always ebrate is the uniqueness and diversity of cultures and tra- playing somewhere in the world at any given time of day! ditions throughout the world. A tour through some of the The theme song was originally written by the Sherman most iconic Disney attractions of all time brings this gift of Brothers (who also worked on classics like Mary Poppins, Bed- wonderment to life, and while we can enjoy that same Dis- knobs and Broomsticks, and ), and it featured ney magic throughout the world, we can also enjoy the va- instrumentation from all over the world, including Scottish riety of cultures that indeed make our planet “a small world” bagpipes, Tahitian drums, and Peruvian flutes, to name a few. indeed.

Photo © Disney 57 · Celebrations 58 · Celebrations Photo © Tim Foster 59 · Celebrations long with the intricate pavilions and ornate land- filmed the movie in 360° Circle-Vision, so that the audience Ascapes of Epcot’s World Showcase, special experiences would be enveloped by images from across the regions of help to immerse Guests into the country they are explor- Canada. The movie was scored by film and television com- ing. Shops, foods and attractions can temporarily transport poser Richard Clements, whose other work for Epcot has Guests to eleven lands across the globe, and three pavilions included music for and Magic Jour- run continuous showings of films that literally surround neys, a 3-D movie running in the Journey into Imagination their audiences with the beauty of these countries. Reflec- Pavilion from 1982 until 1986, and was later moved to Fanta- tions of China takes Guests through history, with a look syland in the Magic Kingdom, where it ran from 1987 until back at ancient China as well as the land of today; Impres- 1993. sions de France blends music by great French composers The film introduced Guests to Canada with a mosaic of with images that range from cobblestone village streets photographs of its diverse population, greeting the audi- to the glory of Versailles. The last of these, O Canada, spans ence “from the Maritimes, along the rocky coasts of the its title nation’s ten provinces and three territories to give North Atlantic…from Québec, with its French heritage Guests a taste of the vast land north of the border. and joie de vivre…from Ontario, the most populated and The original film was part of the Canada Pavilion since industrialized province of all…from the plains and prairies the day Epcot opened in 1982. Disney created O Canada in of the heartland, where we tend vast fields of grain…from cooperation with the Canadian Tourism Commission, and the mountains and the shores of the west, and the tundra

60 · Celebrations Photo © Tim Foster of the far north.” After being encircled by a troop of the were then taken inside the glorious Notre-Dame Basilica Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or “Mounties,” resplendent of Montreal, accompanied by the majestic Prelude in D by in their distinctive scarlet coats, Guests were taken on a Montreal native Pierre Grandmaison, who has served as 20-minute journey across the world’s second-largest nation. the Basilica’s organist since 1973. The original tour of Canada began with a rollicking guitar The next section of the film was used to highlight Cana- and fiddle tune accompanying a look at Canada’s east coast da’s vast wildlife and outdoor beauty, from its wooded lakes and the Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia to the wide variety of northern fauna; bald eagles, moose, and Prince Edward Island. Noted in the narration was the elk, and a mass of other four-legged friends, along with a famed Bay of Fundy, the site of the world’s highest tides. flurry of fiddling, took the film to Canada’s western prairies. Due to its large size and funnel-like shape, the bay, which Scenes were shown from what was without a doubt the Cal- straddles eastern New Brunswick and western Nova Scotia, gary Stampede (though unnamed in this film), an almost- boasts tides that typically reach 30 to 40 feet in height, and annual tribute to the Old West held since September 1912, have been known to extend as high as 53 feet! when promoter Guy Weadick presented a vaudeville show Another treasure of the Maritimes, the schooner Blue- dedicated to the legends and lore of the western frontier. nose, received a special mention. The Bluenose was built in Though World War I prevented the show from continuing the small bayside town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. In 1921 annually, as originally intended, it was reinstituted in 1919 as she was entered into the International Fishermen’s Race, a “Victory Stampede,” commemorating the end of the war. a regatta which had been instituted a year earlier to test Four years later, the Stampede joined forces with the Cal- the maritime mettle of North Atlantic sailors. Unlike many gary Exhibition, putting on a joint event in July, where it has boating competitions of both that time and today, the In- remained a fixture on Calgary’s calendar ever since. ternational Fishermen’s Race pitted working fishing boats The Trans-Canada Railway, also unidentified in the film, against each other in the challenging waters of the Grand then took Guests through the Canadian Rockies and the Banks, a particularly rich fishing haven southeast of New- breathtaking lakes and rivers of Alberta, with its iconic foundland, with the winner receiving the most rewarding resort hotels, which modeled in the Canada Pavilion itself. prices for the fish they had caught during their quest. The Ski tracks along the mountains led to a look at Canada’s Bluenose went on to win the trophy for seventeen more prowess at winter sports, including sledding, ice-skating years, thus cementing her place among Canadian lore; an along Ottawa’s Rideau Canal and the country’s national pas- image of the ship has appeared on Canada’s dime since time of hockey. The film then gave a quick glance at some 1937, as well as on three postage stamps and the provincial of Canada’s major cities: the capital city of Ottawa; Toronto, license plate of Nova Scotia. Sadly, the Bluenose was dam- Canada’s largest city; Vancouver, on the country’s west coast; aged beyond repair after hitting a reef in Haiti in 1946, but a and Victoria, with its strong British influences in the city’s replica vessel, Bluenose II, was launched in 1963 and contin- architecture. ues to sail to American and Canadian ports, offering tours Performances by a military band, bagpipe troupe, fife and and local cruises. drum corps, and military honor guard concluded the narra- One of the highlights of the former film was the use of tive portion of the film; unfortunately, specific locations for authentic Canadian folk music, performed by famed Cana- these performances were not indicated. Guests were then dian singers. The Bluenose segment was accompanied by provided with views from across the country, to the strains a song by the same name, written and performed by Stan of “Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey),” a bi-lingual anthem Rogers, one of Canada’s most deeply-respected folksingers. to Canada’s natural beauty. The song was composed by Bob The song was written for a 1976 short film called Bluenose Moline (who also wrote “Golden Dream,” featured at the end in the Sun, a promotional documentary about the two Blue- of the “American Adventure” Audio-Animatronics show, as nose ships. well as “Listen to the Land,” which used to be heard in Epcot’s Another folksong, “Vive la Canadienne,” ushered in the attraction), with French lyrics by Guy film’s next stop on its cinematic voyage: the city of Mon- Bonnardot, and performed by singers John Zov and Juanice treal, the largest French-speaking city outside of France, in Charmaine. the province of Québec. From the streets of the city, Guests While a visually beautiful film with a laudable use of

61 · Celebrations music by Canadian composers and performers, in time its The natural beauty of the country makes for a smooth documentary style began to feel dated, and the lack of iden- segue into the wildlife of Canada: like its predecessor, this tification of locations was a detriment to any Guests who version features footage of animals who make Canada were not intimately familiar with the country. These issues their home, ending with the polar bear (and incidentally, were rectified when the film was re-made, making its debut Churchill, Manitoba, is considered the “Polar Bear Capital of in September 2007, and continuing to run to this day. the World”!). These kings of the tundra lead into the film’s segment on winter sports. Curling gets a special mention, A New Film…With A Twist and not only are skiing and skating on the Rideau Canal The updated version of the film features comedic actor (which is identified this time around) reviving their roles in Martin Short, a native of Hamilton, Ontario. It begins with this film, but so is hockey, both in the community setting an unseen narrator offering a tongue-in-cheek poke at and the National Hockey League. As the ice thaws, spring what many people must believe actually occurs in Canada: and summer sports come into play, including whitewater as a blinding blizzard surrounds the audience, they are rafting, horseracing, lacrosse skateboarding and the sole told that, “here in the Great White North, it snows 24 hours Canadian representative to Major League Baseball, the To- a day, every day of the year; its frozen landscape is dotted ronto Blue Jays. From here the Bluenose has its mention with igloos, homes for the vast majority of Canadians.” in the new film, accompanied by Scottish fiddling, which is A Hawaiian-shirt-garbed prevalent in the province of Nova Short indignantly interjects Scotia. (It’s not surprising, seeing that no, this is not true, and as the province’s name actually proceeds to take Guests on a means New Scotland.) journey through his “home Short points out that in spite and native land” (as sung of the propensity of natural set- in the country’s national tings, with quaint town names anthem, which is the film’s such as Moose Jaw, Saskatchwan, namesake). and Medicine Hat, Alberta, not to This film opens with mention Canadians’ love of the what is a familiar sight— outdoors, most of the populace and site—to most: glorious lives in the large cities scattered Niagara Falls, which bor- across the country. The film then ders the United States and provides Guests with an up-close Canada outside of Buffalo, look at the coastal cities of Victo- New York. After a glimpse ria and Vancouver, British Colum- of Horseshoe Falls, which is bia; Calgary, Alberta, and the Cal- found on the Canadian side gary Stampede; Toronto, with a of this natural wonder, Guests head northeast to the Bay of special nod going to the annual Toronto International Film Fundy, and are then whisked across the country—and six Festival, one of the silver screens’ biggest moments of the time zones, as Short reminds the audience—to British Co- year; and finally Québec City and Montreal, Québec, which lumbia’s Butchart Gardens. In 1904, cement magnate Robert Short points out is the home of Cirque du Soleil, the inter- Pim Butchart developed a limestone quarry to supply a ce- nationally-known acrobat troupe that hosts a permanent ment company he’d built on Vancouver Island. His wife Jen- theater in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs. nie wanted to create a work of beauty out of the quarry, and Guests are then treated to a montage of Canadian-born so over the next several years developed a series of gardens actors and singers surrounding the audience, including Mi- that now attract visitors from around the world (and are chael J. Fox (Edmonton, Alberta), Mike Myers (Scarborough, in fact the inspiration for the lovely landscaping of the Can- Ontario), Catherine O’Hara (Toronto), k.d. lang (Consort, ada Pavilion’s “Victoria Gardens”). Also featured is its island Alberta), Matthew Perry (born in Massachusetts, raised in neighbor Cathedral Grove, and its trails through forests of Ottawa) and Keanu Reeves (born in Beirut, Lebanon; raised Douglas fir trees found in MacMillan Provincial Park. in Toronto). The final star is Short himself, who brings the

62 · Celebrations Photo © Tim Foster film full circle by returning to Niagara Falls, and encourag- Cirque du Soleil. ing Guests to visit the country itself: “Hook a left near that • Short mentions crossing six time zones spanning the big silver ball and keep walking due north—you can’t miss country. Along with the four time zones used in the main- it.” Like its predecessor, this version concludes with “Canada land United States (Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern), (You’re a Lifetime Journey”), but with a more contemporary Canada also utilizes Atlantic Standard time, which is one pop arrangement, and sung by Eva Avila, a native of Gatin- hour ahead of Eastern, in the provinces of New Brunswick, eau, Québec, and winner of the fourth season of Canadian Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and most of Labrador Idol (2006). (the mainland region of Newfoundland and Labrador); and As the song states, “Canada, my Canada, you’re a lifelong Newfoundland Standard Time, which is 90 minutes ahead journey for the traveler.” While you may not be able to de- of Eastern Standard Time and used on the island of New- vote an entire lifetime to exploring the countless beautiful foundland, as well as a small part of Labrador. sights of Canada, spare 20 minutes on your next trip to Ep- • During the segment featuring the Toronto Blue Jays, base- cot and enjoy the images and music—not to mention Mar- ball fans might recognize the film’s iconic moment of the tin Short’s endearing charm--of O Canada! Jays’ Hall-of-Famer Joe Carter belting a walk-off homerun against Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Mitch Williams to win O Canada Fast Facts Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. • The theater has no seating, but Guests are welcome to use • Listen carefully and you may hear excerpts from “O Cana- “leaning rails” throughout the center of the theater. da,” the country’s national anthem composed by Calixa La- • Martin Short is placed in scenes throughout the movie, vallée, just before Eva Avila begins to sing, and at the very including the Calgary Stampede, the hockey segment and end of the song at the conclusion of the movie.

63 · Celebrations The Disney Heroes Hall of Fame by Lindsay Mott

ith the release of , our thoughts started to turn to WDisney Heros in general, and we realized that the history of Disney animation (and Disney itself) is filled with all sorts of heroes; some obvious, some not so obvious, but all deserving of that most honorable of titles: Hero. We thought it would be fun, in honor of the new Disney hit film, to come up with a list of our six favorite Disney Heroes. And so here they are, our nominees for the inaugural Celebrations Disney Heroes Hall of Fame. Along the way, we’ll share our reasons behind our selections, and our thoughts as to what makes these characters so heroic. But it was difficult (meaning, nearly impossible!) to narrow down the list to only six, and we knew there were plenty of other worthy candidates. So we turned to you, our readers, for some extra help, and asked you who you thought should be included in the Disney Heroes Hall of Fame. We’ll share those results (some surprising!) at the end of the article. But for now, let’s get started with our Heroes roll call, and head straight to our first inductee, a boy who will never grow up (a sentiment many of us share no matter what our age). Ready? Then here we go...!

64 · Celebrations First Appearance: Peter Pan (1953) Origins: Peter Pan originated as the work of playwright and novelist J.M. Barrie in the early 1900s, but Walt Disney turned him into the original bad boy with his interpretation of the classic story. Peter Pan spends most of his time in Never Land but has formed a fascination with the Darling family and comes to London to hear Wendy’s stories about his adventures. Peter Pan is the leader of the Lost Boys and friends to the infamous Tinker Bell. He also outwits and outfights Captain Hook and his crew more than once. Peter Pan also has his very own attrac- tion, Peter Pan’s Flight, at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Heroic Deeds: Peter Pan is fearless and takes care of Captain Hook in a way that no one else can; he even chopped off Hook’s hand and fed it to the crocodile in an early battle. He displays pretty intense knife fighting skills against the more experi- enced Captain, but always seems to prevail. Plus, he can fly, and that certainly never hurt a hero’s abilities. He leads the Lost Boys and appears to be respected by all those living in Never Land. He also puts himself in harm’s way to protect his friends, including Tiger Lily, the Lost Boys, and the Darling kids. In “Return to Never Land,” Peter Pan sticks to his heroic traits by rescuing Wendy’s daughter Jane from Captain Peter Pan Hook. He also works to get Jane to believe in magic to save Tin- ker Bell again.

Little Known Facts: ones being of Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. • The voice of Peter Pan was provided by Dis- • Peter Pan has since been on “,” ney child actor, Bobby Driscoll. He was also the “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” and the ABC close-up model for the animators. Bobby was in television drama “Once Upon a Time,” along other Disney productions including Song of the with other books, video games, etc. He has South and Treasure Island. cameo appearances in “This is Your Life, Donald • The original animation idea for Peter Pan was Duck” and “The Lion King 1 ½.” that he would be a small boy and a more fairy- • Traditionally, Peter Pan has been played on tale like creature; the animators eventually set- stage by an adult woman. Disney’s version is tled on the look of a nearly teenaged boy even one of the few where he is a boy. though Peter Pan doesn’t age. • Peter Pan was nominated for “AFI’s 100 Year...100 • Peter Pan is great at impersonations; his best Hero and Villain” list. He came in at number 269.

65 · Celebrations First Appearance: The Lion King (1994) Origins: Simba is the son of the lion king Mufasa and knows that one day he’ll get to rule everything. He can’t wait to be king, but his uncle Scar has other ideas and sets a trap for Mufasa and Simba. Somehow Simba escapes, but he blames himself for the death of his father and runs away, finding Timon and Pumbaa. A run-in with his childhood sweetheart reminds him of who he is and he returns to take his place as king. Heroic Deeds: Simba starts out as a young cub at the begin- ning of the movie, with a touch of pride and a knack for getting into trouble. After seeing his father die in front of his eyes, he runs away from the pride and subsequently meets some new friends, including a (seemingly) crazy monkey. During his ex- ile, Simba displays his heroic nature by protecting Timon and Pumbaa from an attacking lion, which turns out to be his for- mer childhood sweetheart Nala. Simba is a hero because he is able to face his past (after some convincing from Nala) and real- izes he must return to face Scar, who has laid waste to the pride lands and convinced the pride that Simbaa was responsible for the death of his father (a terrible burden that Simbaa had car- ried throughout his whole life). But he risks his own safety and fights Scar until the end, ultimately forcing Scar to reveal the Simba truth about what happened. After defeating Scar, he takes his rightful place as king and restores order to the land, thus con- tinuing the circle of life.

Little Known Facts: his singing voice provided by • Simba also appears in The Lion Jason Weaver. Adult Simba is King II: Simba’s Pride, The Lion King voiced by Mathew Broderick. 1½, and the spin-off TV series • In some design concepts, Sim- “Timon and Pumbaa.” He was ba is actually shown with blue also on “House of Mouse” and eyes. In developing the older has been in numerous video version of Simba, the anima- games. “The Lion King” musical tors incorporated some of is also a Broadway production. Matthew Broderick’s appear- • Simba voice was performed by ance and personality into the three actors. Young Simba is final design. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, with • In Swahili, “Simba” means “lion.”

66 · Celebrations First Appearance: Aladdin (1992) Origins: His story comes from “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights” (also known as “The Arabian Nights”), but he ac- tually wasn’t original to the stories. Aladdin is a Middle Eastern folk tale that was added to these stories in the 19th century by a Frenchman. In the Disney version, Aladdin is a good kid who finds himself dealing with some unfortunate circumstances. He is caught under the watchful eye of Jafar, who acknowledg- es him as “the diamond in the rough” and is used as bait by the evil wizard. He meets a Genie, becomes a prince, saves the king- dom, and wins the girl. And, that’s just in his first film. Not too shabby for a street rat! Heroic Deeds: Aladdin puts himself in harm’s way time and time again to fight for the greater good and to save Jasmine more than once. He first saves her in the marketplace without even knowing who she is, and the pattern continues as he falls in love with her. He confronts Jafar in his normal form and after he turns himself into a giant cobra. Aladdin is able to convince Jafar to ask to be turned into a genie. Jafar thinks this will give him unlimited power, but it actually restricts his power and saves the kingdom. At the beginning of the film, Aladdin shares the food he worked so hard to get with two hungry children, and he keeps his promise to give the Genie back his freedom at Aladdin the end. He has his ups and downs throughout the film, but his heroic spirit runs through, like any good Disney hero.

Little Known Facts: an animated television series for a while. He • Aladdin was Disney’s first prince to marry into has also made appearances in “: The royalty. Animated Series” and “House of Mouse,” and has • Aladdin actually had two voices. His speaking cameos in “Lilo and Stitch” and “The Lion King 1 voice was provided by Scott Weinger, while ½.” He has also appeared in a number of video Brad Kane stepped in when it came to the sing- games, several Walt Disney World park attrac- ing. You would probably recognized Weinger as tions, and is now the star of Disney’s “Aladdin – DJ Tanner’s boyfriend Steve from “Full House.” The Musical” on Broadway. • Aladdin has since made appearances in a num- • Aladdin was the most successful film of 1992, ber of places in the Disney universe. The origi- with over $217 million in domestic revenues nal movie had two sequels, and over $500 million worldwide. The film was and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, and was also nominated for five Oscars and took home two.

67 · Celebrations First Appearance: Frozen (2013) Origins: Princess Anna of Arendelle is the younger sister of Snow Queen Elsa in Disney’s latest animated classic. The story of Frozen is loosely based on “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, and Anna’s character resembles Gerda, who goes on a journey similar to Anna’s to save her best friend from the Snow Queen. In the Disney version, Elsa is misunderstood and not evil and is cursed with the ability to freeze things but not control it. She hides her power, but an argument with Anna lets it out. Elsa runs away to the mountains and Anna goes af- ter her. In the end, they defeat the villain and end the curse to- gether. Heroic Deeds: Anna is not your typical Disney princess or hero (heroine if you prefer). She’s a little quirky and awkward and not quite as graceful as some of the other princesses, but like the rest, she’s daring and fearless, believes in the greater good, and sacrifices herself to protect others, especially her sister Elsa. She takes off into the wintery night alone to rescue Elsa without thinking of herself or her safety. She offers to help Elsa deal with her curse and won’t leave until Elsa forces her too. In the end, the sisters save each other from the evil Hans and the curse itself, but it’s Anna’s journey and faith in her sister that Anna gets them all to that point.

Little Known Facts: venture to find the Snow Queen. But the filmmak- • The singing and speaking voice of adult Anna is ers had trouble working out the relationship be- performed by Kristen Bell, who was also the prime tween them, until the film’s directors hit upon the inspiration for the character. Anna’s awkwardness idea of making Anna and Elsa sisters, giving them and “not so princessy” nature were purposeful for a dynamic relationship (just like all sisters). this character. Anna has the most voice actors • Anna is confirmed to appear in the upcoming of any Disney Princess. In addition to Bell, Livvy animated short. She’s been added to Stubenrauch provides Anna’s 5-year old speaking numerous books and video games, and the sisters voice, Katie Lopez her 5-year old singing voice, and of Arrendelle have all but taken over the Disney Agatha Lee Monn her 9-year old singing voice. parks. • Anna is the 12th Disney princess; being inducted • In March 2014, Frozen became the top-grossing ani- along with Elsa. mated film in box office history, with a worldwide • Anna’s character was originally meant to be a box office estimated at $1.072 billion, pushing past peasant with a frozen heart who was on an ad- .

68 · Celebrations First Appearance: Hercules (1997) Origins: Hercules has a problem. He’s the son of the Greek gods Zeus and Hera but he is stripped of his immortality by Ha- des, and he has to work to become a true hero to reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus. While he still has his god-like strength, he needs the help of his friend Pegasus and his train- er, Phil the satyr, to go from a zero to a hero. Heroic Deeds: Hercules sticks to his compassionate roots and stays pure of heart by not letting his ego inflate too much after becoming famous. It’s heroic for him to seek out his ori- gins and then heed the words of his father Zeus to become a true hero. He saves Meg from Nessus and the Hydra that Ha- des sends to him, along with a variety of other monsters. He then shows his true heroic nature by sacrificing himself for the safety of Meg. He defeats the Cyclops and, after regaining his strength, is able to thwart Hades’ invasion of Olympus. He again performs a selfless act by attempting to rescue Meg’s soul from the Underworld, offering to trade his soul for hers, and then diving into the river Styx to get her back. This sacrifice turns him into a true hero and he becomes a god again, allowing him to return Meg’s soul to her and ultimately to defeat Hades. But his true heroic act comes when he gives up his immortality to live with Megara. Hercules learns that a true hero is not just Hercules about having strong muscles, it’s about being a good person too, a lesson he learned through his love of Meg.

Little Known Facts: up Hercules is Tate Donovan, and his singing • Hercules’ strength surpasses that of many of voice is done by . the other gods. In the Disney Universe, only • In mythology, Hercules and Ariel would be re- Zeus and the Genie can rival or surpass him. lated. Hercules’s father, Zeus, is the brother • Hercules appears again in the sequel Hercules: of Poseidon. One of Poseidon’s many sons is Zero to Hero and again in Hercules: The Series, Triton; and, of course, Ariel is Triton’s seventh “House of Mouse,” and the “” daughter. This means Hercules is Triton’s first series. At Walt Disney World, he is a very rare cousin, and Ariel is Hercules’s cousin once re- meet-and-greet character, but does make ap- moved. There is some question of King Triton’s pearances in “Fantasmic!” and “Wishes: A Magi- lifespan as The Little Mermaid takes place in the cal Gathering of Disney Dreams.” 1800s and Hercules takes place well over 3000 • Hercules is actually voiced by three different years in the past, but King Triton is a god and, actors. Young Hercules is Josh Keaton, grown- most likely immortal.

69 · Celebrations First Appearance: Wreck-It Ralph (2012) Origins: According to Disney’s official bio, “Ralph is a heavy- handed ‘wrecking riot’ with a heart.” He’s the bad guy in the Fix-It Felix, Jr. arcade game and his low reputation is starting to wear on him. Heroic Deeds: Ralph sets out to change his status from vil- lain to hero, unwittingly for selfish reasons. He thinks that being a good guy will solve all of his problems, and the only thing he needs to turn his fortunes around is a medal. While the effort to turn one’s self into a hero is a good thing, Ralph initially goes about it all wrong. After some initial mess-ups, including get- ting off on the wrong foot with Vanellope, he eventually stands up for her when she is being bullied by the other racers in Sugar Rush. He then helps her build a kart for the race (albeit for his own purposes), but risks his newfound friendship with Vanel- lope by smashing her kart in order to keep her from racing. When he learns the truth, he shows his true heroic nature by returning to Sugar Rush to make everything right. Ralph is no longer worried about just himself, and this is the mark of a true Disney hero. So is self-sacrifice, which is exactly what Ralph does when he realizes that Vanellope can’t leave the game (which is now on the verge of being destroyed) , and he stays with her at Ralph the risk of being destroyed himself. Fortunately, Ralph comes up with a plan to defeat the bugs, saves the day, and ends up being what he always wanted to be: a true hero.

Little Known Facts: somewhat resembles. At some points, • Wreck-It Ralph is voiced by John C. he even resembled Pete, the villain in Reilly. early Mickey Mouse cartoons. • At the very beginning, Ralph was a sup- • Ralph makes a cameo appearance porting role in this film, with Fix-It Fe- in Big Hero 6. He has also been seen in lix, Jr. being the main character, but the some spin-off comics and video games. writers decided Ralph’s story would be He has made some appearances at more compelling. He was originally Walt Disney World parks including a designed as a monster, at one time be- few parades and events and has his ing red and furry, before the designers own segment in the night-time castle made him look like the abominable show “” at Magic snowman, which his final character Kingdom.

70 · Celebrations So, there are our choices for the Disney Hero Hall of Fame! But as we said, this is a highly subjective list, and we’re sure everyone has their fa- vorites. So we posed the question to you, our readers. Who is your favorite Disney Heroes? Here are your choices, along with a few surprises!

Reader Nominations: Will Turner constantly was unselfish and gave Roy Disney, the financial guru that made Walt’s his life for the woman he loved! Of course, now park a reality. – Ashley Lynne Blake he is doomed for eternity to replace Davy Jones! – John Antonides Bob Parr – Jamie Hecker If it can be a real person, then Walt Disney of – Rod Wheaton Mr Incredible! course! I grew up watching cartoons he envi- Rapunzel – Michelle Smith sioned, filmed on a camera he invented.. Every Jack Skellington; he went the long way around Sunday I looked forward to watching him on but saved christmas just in the nick of time. any of his shows. Then he invented the amuse- – Glen Turner ment park for families, he’s the ultimate hero! – Glen Turner

71 · Celebrations he last time we parted ways, my companion and I naturally brisk walkers, but as we were surrounded by Thad just finished visiting different resorts via the woods (with very little to remind us that we were still launch boats on Bay Lake. We eventually made our way on Walt Disney World property), our stride shortened back to the Wilderness Lodge because we really enjoy and our pace slowed. One thing I really liked was the op- wandering around this property…both outside and in- portunity to see indigenous wildlife like squirrels and side. One of the things I love about this resort is the fact various birds. But the craziest things we saw was an that it reminds me of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa armadillo. Imagine our surprise when that critter scur- at Disneyland. ried by! After we got our fill of wandering the outside trails Another thing that was apparent was that we were and watching the geyser shoot into the air (and finding pretty much alone on this walk. I would guess that was the Hidden Mickey amongst the rocks!), it was time to because many people either didn’t know about the path figure out what to do next. Of course, the conversation or preferred a quicker ride between the resorts. But at quickly turned to food and there was some discussion one point, the quiet was disturbed with the sound of about eating at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. But I real- “on your left!” We quickly turned and saw a couple of ized that it had been a while since people on bikes heading our way. I we had eaten at Trail’s End at Fort hurriedly asked them where they Wilderness, so we decided that that got the bikes, and they hollered would be our next stop. The only back that they rented them back question now was how to get there. at the Wilderness Lodge. (We lat- Should we take a bus or hop on the er learned that you can also rent boat again? bikes at Fort Wilderness.) A Cast Member overheard our While the walk wasn’t a long debate and pointed out that we one, we immediately saw the ben- could actually walk from the Wil- efit of having a bike if you’re the derness Lodge to the Fort Wilderness Campground. type of person who might be seeing yourself going back That sounded like a nice, relaxing alternative, and with and forth between the two resorts. For those staying at that the Cast Member pointed us in the direction of the the campgrounds it would be like living in the country trailhead and we started off on our journey. It wasn’t but only being a short car ride away from civilization. long before the landscape quickly changed; one mo- After about 20 minutes we arrived at Fort Wilderness ment we were on resort property and the next we were and quickly made our way to Trail’s End for a yummy deep in the woods with nary a soul in sight. The cha- lunch consisting of good old American comfort food. otic sounds of resort life and families having fun by the Many times here at Wandering the World, the path pool quickly faded away, leaving us to enjoy the sounds less taken is more figurative than literal. But don’t be of animals and the rustling of the tree branches…the mistaken, Walt Disney World Resort has many paths kind of quiet people often seek out as they hop in their that are literally less traveled. Your task is to find them car to get away from it all. and take them. As we were walking we noticed something else...our Until next time, this is Ray and you have been Wan- pace dramatically slowed. My companion and I are dering the World.

72 · Celebrations 30 million Number of blooming flowers on display throughout Epcot Number of butterflies that take up residence in Tinker Bell’s Butterfly 1,000 House

Number of plants, trees and shrubs that are planted for the festival, 500,000 250,000 of which are annuals

Weight, in pounds, of the giant Sulley topiary. The topiary is made of 4,000 4,300 plants that fill his 13-foot frame.

Number of floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, in the two 225 ponds that border the promenade between Future World and World Showcase

Number of Cast Member hours it takes to prepare for the yearly Spring 24,000 spectacular

Number of Walt Disney World horticulturists on hand to install the festi- 400 val landscape, topiaries and exhibits

Photo ©Disney 73 · Celebrations Captain Nemo’s Organ By Tim Foster

I recently found myself reminiscing about one of my favorite long- lost attractions at the Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues . It was thrilling to go beneath the waves and relive the scenes from one of Disney’s classic films. Although I hadn’t seen the film in quite some time, one of the scenes that always stuck in my head was the scene where Captain Nemo broodingly played the large pipe organ. To this day it still haunts me, and I recalled tales that the very same organ seen in the film lay somewhere in this land. Even though I could no longer ride the submarines, I thought it would be fun to seek out this cinematic treasure, so I set off on my quest.

After a bit of researching as to the whereabouts of the organ, I discovered something quite interesting. It seems that back in 1955 (just a year after the film was released), there was a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea exhibit put together at Tomorrowland in Disneyland. There were many props from the movie on display, including the infamous giant squid, and sets and models of the Nautilus itself. But one of the biggest highlights of the exhibit was the recreation of Captain Nemo’s Grand Salon, complete with his famous pipe organ. The exhibit was a huge hit, and no wonder; the set designer had just won the Academy Award for Art Direction. The exhibit was open for a year, so the question was, where did the pipe organ go?

I decided to make my way back to Fantasyland via Adventureland, thinking I might find a clue in the original home of the attraction. Along the way, though, I heard the familiar sounds of an organ playing in the background. Could this be it? I searched high and low, and by high I mean really high, for I soon found the source of the organ music in the branches of a very tall tree. Alas, it wasn’t Captain Nemo’s organ, but it was a reference to an equally well known Disney film, Swiss Family Robinson. I learned that the bouncy tune that the organ was playing was called the Swissapolka, written by and Bob Jackman. But as charming as it was, this wasn’t the instrument I was seeking, so I continued on my search.

74 · Celebrations I soon wandered past the Pirates of the Caribbean, and I suddenly realized that I had seen a similar scene of an evil captain playing a haunting pipe organ; none other than Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, no doubt inspired by Captain Nemo himself. I thought I might find Davy Jones inside, but alas, he was nowhere to be found. (I did hear that he had once appeared as an apparition on the misty waterfall at the beginning of the attraction, but his spectre has since been replaced by that of Blackbeard). I also learned the actual organ from the film had been on display with other Pirates of the Caribbean memorabilia as part of The American Film Institute movie villain showcase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios back in 2010. Interesting, but still not the quarry I was seeking.

Continuing on through Liberty Square, I once again heard strange musical sounds coming from a dilapidated mansion. I soon found the source of these ghoulish musical notes, and found that were “played” by Guests as they wandered past an odd structure comprised of the images of many instruments that sounded when touched. I also came across this familiar looking organ, and did a quick double- take, thinking that I had found it! But alas, this wasn’t the one, a fact I quickly surmised when I saw the inscription “Ravenscroft” above the organ keys. I realized this was a tribute to , whose distinctive voice can be heard inside the mansion singing “Grim Grinning Ghosts” (coincidentally, also written by Buddy Baker, who had penned the aforementioned Swissapolka). But something told me I wasn’t far from the real thing...

As it turned out, I was a lot closer than I thought (well, sort of, but we’ll get back to that). In the famous ballroom scene, amidst all the flying and dancing ghosts, I saw a massive and ominous pipe organ being played by a talented but creepy ghost. The melody was a twisted version of “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” but it was the organ itself that interested me, for there it was! Captain Nemo’s original organ, resting in peace for all eternity at the Haunted Mansion! Delighted with my discovery, I couldn’t wait to share it with my fellow travelers. My mood turned somewhat bleak, however, when one of the mansion’s butlers told them that while the organ I saw was indeed inspired by the one seen in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this wasn’t the actual organ. The real one, I was told, resides in the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. But even though the news was a bit disheartening, I realized that this was as close as I would get. Even though it wasn’t the actual organ from the film, it’s origins were definitely inspired by the original, and that was good enough for me. Now if only I could find a way out of this graveyard...

75 · Celebrations Disney’s : How Much Do You Know? by Tim Foster

1. We all know Figment is basically purple, but 6. Which of the following princesses had a special what color are his wings? color ink specifically formulated for her by the a. Pink Disney art department? b. Orange a. Sleeping Beauty c. Yellow b. Mulan d. Green c. Ariel d. Cinderella 2. Which of the following was not one of the original spotlight colors created specifically for 7. In what year did the TV show “Walt Disney’s IllumiNations? Wonderful World of Color” begin? a. Pumpkin a. 1961 b. Mint b. 1954 c. Tangerine c. 1970 d. Lavender d. 1967

3. What was the first Disney animated short to be 8. At the Wilderness Lodge, what color is the flag in color? on the boat heading for the Magic Kingdom? a. Flowers and Trees a. Green b. Plane Crazy b. Purple c. The Old Mill c. Red d. The Skeleton Dance d. Blue

4. What color is ’s collar? 9. In Cars, what is Chick Hick’s main paint color? a. Orange a. Light blue b. Blue b. Green c. Green c. Midnight Black d. He doesn’t wear a collar d. Orange

5. Which of the following is not a fictional 10. Many of the walkways throughout the passenger line on the Tomorrowland Transit parks are tinted to provide contrast to the Authority PeopleMover? surrounding foliage. What color are they? a. Purple a. Light yellow b. Red b. Violet c. Green c. Sky blue d. Blue d. Magenta

76 · Celebrations 11. At the entrance to the Land pavilion in Epcot, 14. The jewels found throughout the Seven there are tile murals that line the walls on Dwarfs Mine Train come in six colors. Which both sides of the walkway. The murals are of these colors is not one of them? identical in all respects except for one tile. a. Amber What color is that tile? b. Clear a. Sapphire blue c. Purple b. Ruby red d. Orange c. Pearl white d. Emerald green 15. What is the only color that can be found in every flag of the World Showcase countries? 12. During the production of Snow White and the a. Green Seven Dwarfs, the women who worked in the b. White ink and paint department volunteered to c. Red add a bit of “make up” to each and every cel to d. Blue make Snow White more realistic. What was it? a. A bit of blush on her cheeks b. Red lipstick Quiz Answers c. A touch of eye shadow 1) B 7) A 13) B d. Highlights in her hair 2) C 8) C 14) D 13. Tinker Bell’s outfit is green, what color is the 3) A 9) B 15) C outfit of her fellow fairy Silvermist? 4) C 10) D a. Silver b. Blue 5) A 11) D c. Violet 6) C 12) A d. Pink

ANSWERS BRAIN BUSTERS WORD SCRAMBLE SECRET SYMBOLS KIDS KORNER (pages 78–81) 95 (symbolizing the year 1995, the year 1. Rapunzel 1. Logo for the Basin White shop that Pixar’s first full-length film, Toy 2. Flik 2. Logo for the Summer Lace shop WHERE AM I? Story, was released) 3. Merida 3. Logo for The Grand Floridian Cafe 1. Splash Mountain 4. Buzz Lightyear 4. Logo for M. Mouse Mercantile 2. Tomorrowland Transit Authority FIND THE DIFFERENCE 5. Baloo 5. Peter Pan silhouette found in the PeopleMover 6. The Beast marble tiling on the floor in the main 3. Mission: SPACE 7. Violet Parr lobby 4. Toy Story Mania! 8. Marlin 5. The Boneyard 6. The Haunted Mansion (worn by WHERE AM I? Constance the Bride) MYSTERY QUEST (pages 82–83) 1. Grand Floridian Society Orchestra bass drum RATS! TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 2. Soap display in Basin White 1. Remy (Ratatouille) 1. 1988 3. The Alice in Wonderland-themed 2. The Dormouse (Alice in Wonderland) 2. Citricos, Narcoossee’s, The Grand children’s area of the Beach Pool 3. Basil of Baker Street (The Great Mouse 1. The train is a different color. Floridian Café, Victoria & Albert’s, 4. The grand staircase in the main lobby Detective) 2. The man is missing. 1900 Park Fare (buffet dining) 5. The giant antique bird cage in the 4. Gus (Cinderella) 3. The train crossover is missing. 3. Mizner’s Lounge main lobby 5. Bernard (The Rescuers/The Rescuers 4. The track is straight 4. Alice in Wonderland 6. Shingles on the life-size Gingerbread Down Under) 5. The house is gone 5. Main Building, Sago Cay, Sugar Loaf, house on display during the 6. Nobi (The Lion King-don’t worry, you 6. The house roof is taller Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Christmas season still get credit even if you didn’t know 7. There is an extra glass support Key 7. Antique car by the entrance of the his name!) 8. The window is one pane of glass 6. Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries Grand Floridian 9. There is an additional window 7. Disney’s Grand Floridian Society 8. Close-up of the saxophone used by STRIKE OUT 10. There are extra trees Orchestra the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra Secret Phrase: “It was all started by a mouse.-Walt Disney” FIND THE DIFFERENCE BONUS ANSWER China and Italy

77 · Celebrations In which attractions will you find the following props? 1. A Mickey-shaped fishing bobber 2. A model of the EPCOT city 3. A lunar rover 4. A giant Candyland game board 5. Xylobones 6. Five pearl necklaces

Mickey Mouse may be the most famous rodent in the Disney Kingdom, but there are lots of other furry friends to keep him company. Can you name them all?

1 2

3 4

5 6

78 · Celebrations Following the clues below, strike out the appropriate words in the grid. When you’re finished, the remaining words will spell out a famous quote about our pal Mickey.

Answers on page 77 79 · Celebrations In Cars, what was Lightning McQueen’s race car number?

It looks like someone wandered through the miniature train village in the Germany pavilion in World Showcase and did a bit of damage. Can you find the ten differences in the photos below?

______

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BONUS QUESTION What two World Showcase pavilions can be found on either side of the Germany pavilion?

80 · Celebrations See if you unscramble these famous Disney heros and heroines.

1. LUZAPNER 2. LIFK

3. DIMEAR 4. ZUBZ THARGILER

5. LAOBO 6. HET STABE

7. LOVETI RAPR 8. LANRIM

Answers on page 77

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].

If you could ride another come true, isn’t it?!?! Actually, they are all animal, who would it be? so much fun that I couldn’t say which is the most Why Pegasus of course!!! Hercules is such a lucky fun. I would suggest doing them all...multiple guy to have such a cool best friend. It could be times, to see what’s your favorite!! ;) a ride that is a mix of Soarin’, , and a 4D movie. Imagine, flying through the air on a Is the Flower & Garden Festival fun for winged horse...soaring, dodging, and diving as kids? you help Hercules fight the Titians! Maybe even Actually, it’s my favorite, and not just because a Buzz Lightyear-like blaster to get points to save my birthday is in the Springtime too :) There is Olympus....hmmm...I can almost see it :) so much to see and do, even for kids. One of my favorite things to do is to find as many topiary Which is the most fun, Sorcerer’s of characters as I can, there is always somebody new. the Magic Kingdom, Agent P’s World Another is to visit the Butterfly House - I still Showcase Adventure, or Treasures of hope to have a butterfly land on me! You can let the Seven Seas? your parents rest or sample the food items while We always make time for Agent P when we you check out the play areas. This year there was visit Epcot, and for finding the hidden treasures a Muppets Scavenger Hunt with clues throughout around Adventureland. But becoming a Disney World Showcase to search for that tricky frog, Sorcerer and defeating those dastardly villains is a Constantine!

81 · Celebrations 4. The Grand Floridian offers several Test Your Knowledge of pool areas for splashing good fun. One Disney’s Grand Floridian is a miniature “water park” geared Resort & Spa toward children, inspired by a famous Disney animated classic. Can you

name it? 1. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa was the first new Magic Kingdom resort 5. The Grand Floridian resort actually to open after the Contemporary, comprises several buildings, all Polynesian, and Fort Wilderness. In individually named. Can you name what year did it open? them all? 2. The Grand Floridian features five 6. What is the name of the sundries sit-down restaurants, can you name shop at the Grand Floridian? them all? 7. In addition to the piano player that 3. Those aren’t the only places to grab occasionally delights Guests relaxing a quick bite of course, can you name in the main lobby, you may also hear the lounge that resides on the second a 6-piece band playing on the second floor of the main lobby? floor. What is the name of the band?

Where can you find these cryptic inscriptions?

5 1 2 3 4 82 · Celebrations Here a few obscure locations found at the Grand Floridian, can you figure out where?

2 3 1

4 5 6

8

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

Answers on page 77 83 · Celebrations Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About

1. Big Hero 6 is the 54th animated feature in the Walt Disney beings. This eventually lead to the concept of Baymax’s in- Animated Classics series, and the first to feature Marvel flatable, vinyl, (and huggable) design. Comics characters (as opposed to films like The Avengers 6. The actual concept of a huggable robot came from pro- that were distributed, but not produced, by Disney). Bay- duction designer/artist Lisa Keene, who has also worked max’s first appearance was in the comic & Big on such Disney classics as and Frozen. Hero 6 #1, created by Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Rouleau, 7. While the basic design for Baymax was driven by ground- released in September 1998. breaking technology, the look for Baymax’s face was in- 2. Baymax’s voice was performed by Scott Adsit. Previously, spired by an ancient copper bell that Hall came upon while Adsit appeared on the NBC comedy 30 Rock as Pete Horn- visiting a temple in Japan. Known as Suzu, these bells are berger, as well as the animated programs Moral Orel and round and hollow and contain pellets that make a distinc- Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole that appeared on Adult Swim. In tive sound when shaken, much like a jingle bell. referring to Scott’s performance, producer Roy Conli said 8. The challenge of creating Baymax’s armor proved dif- “The fact that his character is a robot limits how you can ficult. Hall already knew that he didn’t want a mechani- emote, but Scott was hilarious. He took those boundaries cal looking robot in the mold of WALL-E or C-3PO, so the and was able to shape the language in a way that makes problem was how to provide Baymax with mechanical you feel Baymax’s emotion and sense of humor. Scott was armor without losing his “huggable” qualities. According able to relay just how much Baymax cares.” to co-director Williams, “A big part of the design challenge 3. Big Hero 6 was actually released under the title Baymax in is when he puts on the armor, you want to feel that he’s Japan and Germany. a very powerful intimidating presence...[but] at the same 4. As with many Disney animation projects, new computer time, design-wise he has to relate to the really adorable software was developed to bring the film to life. Among simple vinyl robot underneath.” them was a program called Denizen that was used to cre- 9. Curiously, the researcher that first showed Hall the soft, in- ate the 700 or so characters that live in the city, and an- flatable vinyl arm that inspired the design of Baymax was other called Bonzai that created (what else) the city’s developing it for use in the health care industry as a nurse 250,000 trees. For Baymax, a new rendering system or doctor’s assistant. In the film, Baymax is introduced dubbed Hyperion (a reference to the street that as an inflatable robot built by Tadashi (Hiro’s older was home to the Walt Disney Studio, which brother) to serve as a healthcare companion. took up residence there in 1926), allowed 10. Baymax is one of the playable characters in for innovative illumination effects, such : Marvel Super Heroes, the as the light shining through Baymax’s sequel to 2013’s Disney Infinity. The first translucent vinyl covering. group of heroes included The Avengers, 5. Inspiration for Baymax’s design Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Gal- came from a research trip under- axy. A little over a month later, Baymax taken by director and his became available as a single character design team to Carnegie Mellon pack, along with other Disney heroes University’s Robotics Institute. It was such as Merida, Stitch, , Tinker there that they were introduced to a new field Bell, Hiro Hamada (from Big Hero 6), Aladdin, called ‘soft robotics’ that incorporated in- and everyone’s favorite Disney hero…Don- flatable vinyl in the creation of artificial ald Duck!

Keepsake Image: “Castle Solitude”• Photography by Tim Devine 84 · Celebrations Artwork ©Disney Back Cover Photo © Tim Devine

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