Snow White Remixed

Check out Lou Mongello's WDW Radio blog for these fun videos.  If you don't use them already, I highly recommend Lou's podcast and website - great for getting information on Walt Disney World Resort to plan your vacation or just satisfying in your Disney craving.

Destination D: Day One Part One

Destination D was held September 24 and 25 2010 at the Disneyland Hotel.  Registration began on Thursday and much to my surprise there was no wait.  The registration packet included a schedule of events, a D23 fan (the same one being handed out at the DVC booths) and a set of 23 (of course) Disneyland vintage postcards.  Merchandise was available for sale including the full set of Epcot patches, scavenger hunt water bottle, and Destination D patch.
The event began with a welcome from Steven Clark, head of D23.  They showed some 'advertising' posters that didn't make it.  (Many of these posters were shown at the WDW 1st anniversary party).  It was also announced that Destination D's next stop will be WDW this spring for the 40th anniversary followed by a two day WDW scavenger hunt.  D23 also announced that this November they would add a second weekly podcast - this one called the Armchair Archivist: a weekly look into the Disney Archives.

The next session was Weird Disney with Becky Cline and Paul Anderson.  We were treated to pictures of various odd moments in Disney history:

Early on Mickey Mouse Club's were run by theater owners, not Disney, hence a Mickey Mouse Parade

One theater's Minnie Mouse

A Silly Symphonies Show featuring characters from flowers and trees and skeleton dance

When Pinocchio came to this theater men were hired to put on Pinocchio costumes to wave at patrons as they walked by.  But someone forgot to bring the men up some lunch so they took matters into their own hands.  The men got a liquid 'lunch' and played a 'spirited' game of cards - so spirited that the police had to be called to take the men away (after putting them in pillow cases to cover their indecency)

Minnie at the main switch board - that building is still there at Disneyland, although used for a different purpose now.

While they look like custodial staff, the men are there to provide a refreshing drink to guests (If I remember right it was Pepsi vs. Coke sampling)

Yup- that's a clown

Working on a house project?  Go to Disneyland and order your aluminum siding or Dutch boy paint!

Turning on the fountain at the Krane bathroom of tomorrow.

Fishing on Tom Sawyer's Island.  And, es, you got to keep the fish.  Interesting idea, carrying around a dead fish all day.  Although some guests gave up and left them for custodial staff in very creative places.

Ladies undergarments on Main Street

Piano teachers day on Main Street

A lovely traditional Victorian Christmas....with a space man?

(I had every intention of publishing this article sooner - but time flies!  More to come...)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Enjoy making Snow White's Ruby Red Cranberry Holiday Necklace from family.com.

Halloween with the Queen

Visit Disney Park's Blog for more

Disneyland Alumni Club Celebrates Disneyland 55

On July 17 Disneyland Alumni Club hosted 55 Years of Music Magic. I was able to join the alumni club after I left my college Disneyland job.  This event was held at Disneyland Hotel.  The event was a wonderful evening filled with memories and music to benefit Children's Hospital of Orange County.
The introduction and welcome was from Ron Stark and, of course, Mickey Mouse.  Disney Legend Ron Dominguez, Jim Walker president of Disneyland Alumni Club, and George Kalogridis all welcomed us to the event.

The Hosts for the evening were Mouseketeers Tommy Cole and Sherry Alderoni.

Shag created artwork for the cover of the program, seen below, that was aviable of a print.

Roy P. Disney took the stage and paid tribute to his father in a touching cermeony.  He brought with him a film that was shown at the tribute to his father held at El Capitatn eariler in the year. 

 

Then dinner was served and we were treated to sounds of Main Street, Frontierland, New Orleans, Disneyland Stages, Music of Richard Sherman, Entertainment, the Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic!, and World of Color.

 Ron Miller from Coke Corner

 The Dapper Dans

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies

X Atencio joined on stage for a tribute to New Orleans Square.  Of course, a few other 'surprise guests' to celebrate X Atencio's work.  X Atencio was a Disney artist from 1938 - 1965.  He then became an Imagineer working on Adventure Thru Inner Space, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion.  (It is X Atencio's voice saying "Hey! Let me out of here!" in the coffin in the Haunted Mansion's conservatory)

The next act was the Nocturnes.  The Nocturnes was a popular band that performed throughout the park.  The band performed in different shows, parades, and background tracks for shows and attractions.

Richard Sherman was scheduled to be there but was unable to attend but sent a clip of him at his piano playing some of his most memorable tunes. 

The last few presentations featured Don Dorsey who played a key role in Fantasmic and is responsible for the synthesizer arrangements and performances of Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade.  He discussed how the Electrical parade took shape and how he had to change to sound from the Main Street to Disney. 

 

Finally, Bruce Healey took the stage to discuss Fantasmic and World of Color.  Bruce began in 1973 with the company and was a big part of special projects like super bowl halftime shows, television specials, parades, and shows.  He composed, arranged, orchestrated, conducted, and produced shows including Lion King Celebration, Light Magic, Fantasmic, and World of Color.  The Grand Finale featured many alumni taking the stage for a jam.  It was a wonderful event and I can hardly wait for the 60th!