Escape from Tomorrow: a review

Last night, on Netflix, I watched the film "Escape from Tomorrow" (EFT), which takes place in the Walt Disney World resort. However, this is NOT a Disney movie, not even by a long shot. The director/writer, Randy Moore, shot this thing guerrilla-style at the parks sans the House of Mouse's permission which gives the whole film a very naughty feeling.

The naughtiness carries through to the story as well. As the film begins we see the main character, Jim, receives a phone call while enjoying the sunrise views of the Magic Kingdom from his balcony at the Contemporary Hotel. Unfortunately, the picturesque scene is shattered when it turns out the phone call is Jim's boss telling him he has been let go from his job. As Jim's day progresses, things spiral into the weird and surreal.

If you are one who enjoys surreal, drug-induced-hallucination-and-paranoia-type movies, this is right up your alley. Alas, I am not really one of those people. Some of elements could have been much worse, but still, a lot of what is in the film went beyond my taste.

The story really reminded me of Cory Doctrow's novel "Down and Out In the Magic Kingdom," which also featured a great deal of paranoia and several trippy elements. The setting probably influenced my familiarity, also. But Doctrow's story seemed to work better than EFT's which at times felt really forced.

The acting was not all that great, either. The only characters I could really get behind were the kids, although being kids in the Magic Kingdom playing kids in the Magic Kingdom probably wasn't all that tough. Especially because long days of secretly shooting a movie and not being able to enjoy your surroundings would make anyone grumpy enough to beliebably portray those children.

Overall, I would say I, personally, didn't enjoy EFT, but it isn't my type of movie, either. I would say if you enjoy campy, surreal, B-type movies, you would probably enjoy this. I'm just not one of those people.

King of the World: Hollywood Studios Addendum

With all of the rumors going around about the American Idol Experience and Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney Hollywood Studios, I have been thinking a lot about my two previous blog entries on what I would do to fix things.

First part: http://notestowalt.blogspot.com/2014/03/king-of-world-disney-hollywood-studios.html?m=1

Second Part: http://notestowalt.blogspot.com/2014/03/king-of-world-disney-hollywood-studios_10.html?m=1

Well, after some thought, I now feel this type of reorganization and re theming is a must at the studios. Why? Because it fits the current business plan for the parks, namely, synergy. If they were to theme each land in the Studios after on of their studios, then they instantly have an interactive area to promote new films.

New Star Wars film coming out? Head on over to Lucasfilm where you can meet the star of the day from that film. New Pixar film? Head over to Pixar Place where you can get your photo taken with the main character. Get the point?

The possibilities are endless! Any film from any Disney studio could be marketed and promoted right there naturally without the hassle of awkward theming. Plus, with the idea of a character or actor of the day tied directly to whatever film is being promoted, Disney can provide something guests want (fresh interactions) with a classic concept harkening back to the early days of the Studios. 

Overall, I feel confident that the core concept--re theming the Studios with lands based around each of Disney's film studios--would be just the shot in the arm DHS needs, all while maintaining the business model Disney seems to be after.

My Maleficent Review (SPOILERS)

SPOILERS! You've been warned!

Oh, "Maleficent". You raised all of our hopes: FINALLY Disney was going to give us a dark film, delving into the heart and soul of one of it's most malevolent villains. Why, oh, why did this twisted fairy wish such ill will upon the Princess Aurora and her parents? Here, we were to get those answers.

And answers we got, yes indeed. However, in order to truly enjoy "Maleficent," one had to be sure to remove his or her "Sleeping Beauty" lenses. To compare the two films--with their generation and stylistic differences--would be unfair. I can hear you now: "Why would it be unfair? One uses the other as source material and the characters are the same." To that I say, "read on!"

As I've said, "Maleficent" is based upon Disney's 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty" about a young princess who is cursed at her official announcement ceremony by a wicked fairy (http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0053285/). "Maleficent" is billed as said wicked fairy's side of the story. Right off the bat, the audience is told this isn't the story we have heard before and, MAN, they weren't lying!

Through the story, we see Malevolent as a curious, loving young fairy, fall in love, grow to be a fierce warrior, be betrayed, and have her heart turn cold and vengeful--and that's just the first twenty minutes. Personally, I think more time could have been spent here, on the title character's backstory. Several aspects felt as if they came very quickly, like the emotions involved didn't have time to fully evolve and therefore lost their weight. With a running time of ninety-eight minutes, I think another five or ten could have been used here without hurting the film's pacing.

The whole backstory culminated with "the scene": the announcement ceremony at which Maleficent, twisted with anger and jealousy, curses the young princess Aurora. Large chunks or this scene seemed to be lifted word for word from the animated predecessor, all to the benefit of the film. This was clearly the most important scene for the filmmakers as it brought tied the audience in and told them "here is where the real story begins." What is interesting, is that one slight change was made to the wording of the curse which foreshadowed the softer version of Maleficent this movie portrayed.

The story goes on and we see Aurora growing up through the spying, ever-watchful eyes of Maleficent. That's right, huge change there, as in the source film, Maleficent spends sixteen years searching for the princess to no avail. And, not only does Maleficent keep watch over Aurora, she makes efforts to protect her. The two eventually even become friends. This was tough for me to swallow. In "Sleeping Beauty," Maleficent's goal in life was to destroy King Stephan and his family, and here she is in "Maleficent" being a guardian angel for Aurora. Something about it sat sourly in my stomach.

Frankly, most everything after this point sat sourly in my stomach. Here is where I thought the poor choices the filmmakers made really caught up with them. Certain things I was very excited to see didn't come to fruition because if said choices (the dragon). Other things which were necessary to the story seemed frivolous because of those choices (Prince Phillip). However, one decision they made (the kiss) was perfect FOR THE STORY THAT WAS TOLD. Clearly, someone high up on the Disney ladder has made a great decision about the future of Disney Princesses and it should be applauded--the message is getting out!

In the end, the hero saves the day, evil is vanquished and everyone lives happily ever after in a way completely and utterly different from the original "Sleeping Beauty." 

Overall, "Maleficent" was a good movie. The acting wasn't anything spectacular with the exception of Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. This was her movie and she reveled in it. Clearly, Maleficent represented that strong womanly character Jolie has been searching for in films like "Tomb Raider" and "Wanted," both of which failed to hit the mark. Maleficent hit the nail on the head, showing a strong woman who is loving and caring while at the same time powerful, vulnerable, and flawed. Fantastic work.

Here is my problem: this film didn't have to be called "Maleficent". It didn't have to be about Maleficent. They could have made a film about a fallen fairy out to fix the wrongs she has inflicted upon the world without using pre-existing characters. Instead, by choosing to use the "Sleeping Beauty" characters, the filmmakers open themselves up to criticism and fan scorn. Yes, we think we know the story and are therefore surprised when things don't turn out as expected, but doing that makes the ending feel hollow. I think I would have been more satisfied with all new characters and a similar story (dropping all the "Sleeping Beauty" references) than I was with what I received from "Maleficent." I will concede, though, that the name helped get me into the theater, so ultimately, I get why it was done.

I'd say, go see "Maleficent". You'll be entertained for a couple hours and hopefully your sons and daughters will come out believing true love does exist.

WDW Radio: Podcast Features #1

I've said it before (though not here) and I'll say it again (probably here) that my headphones are the only thing keeping me from losing my mind at work. Typically I'm not listening to music, but instead, I enjoy audiobooks and podcasts. Outside of Mugglenet Academia and Star Talk Radio, my podcast playlist consists of shows centered around love for Walt Disney World.

These podcasts helped inspire me to write this blog so, I thought I would do a series of features on various podcasts that I listen to and tell you how each stands out.

So, where should I start? I was thinking I should start with a feature in the podcast that got me started in my podcast craze: WDW Radio. 

WDW Radio is hosted by Lou Mongello, a former lawyer and IT director from New Jersey who decided to pursue his passion and love for Walt Disney and share it with the world. He started by writing two volumes of Walt Disney trivia before getting into podcasting. Since then, WDW Radio has become one of the most popular podcasts on the web and has been awarded the best travel podcast award every year since 2006.

What sets WDW Radio apart from the rest of the pack, is Lou's honest passion and desire to get as much helpful information into his podcast, as possible. Through his own personal knowledge, as well as a wide variety of special guests, Lou has helped teach people about ways to save money at WDW, what to do if you have special needs, various aspects of the park and greater Disney history, and any other question one may have.

However, WDW Radio is not just a stream if facts, oh no. Lou keeps things light and entertaining through fun segments like "Top 10 with Tim Foster", e-mail segments with travel expert Beci Mahnken, and walk arounds with Disney historian Jim Korkiss. All of this is enhanced by Lou's affable personality which shines whenever he is talking to a guest, whether they be reoccurring or a one-timer.

But that isn't enough for Lou. He takes things to a new level with his Dream Team Project, a charitable organization he runs to raise funds to bring children with terminal conditions and their families to Disney through the Male-a-Wish Foundation. Lou frequently run auctions or other projects to achieve these goals and uses WDW Radio to both promote and explain these wonderful endeavors.

All-in-all, WDW Radio is everything if sets out to be: entertaining, engaging, and informative. If you love Walt Disney World or are planning a trip there, I can't recommend WDW Radio enough.

www.wdwradio.com

King of the World: A Frozen Resort

I read a tweet the other day (follow me @notestowalt) asking the twitter-verse what they would do if they were an Imagineer and were tasked with making a "Frozen"-themed attraction. My mind raced to the rejected dark, boat ride themed after the Snow Queen called " The Enchanted Snow Palace" thought up by Marc Davis (http://mobile.dudamobile.com/site/jimhillmedia?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjimhillmedia.com%2Feditor_in_chief1%2Fb%2Fjim_hill%2Farchive%2F2013%2F01%2F03%2Ftitle.aspx#3122).

But then my mind started drifting and I started thinking about Disney's proposed Mineral King Resort, a development based in the Mineral King Valley of California. The resort was centered around skiing, nature activities, and shopping areas. Ultimately, the park was scrapped due to conservationalists' protests over the resorts potential impact on Sequoia National Park (http://www.yesterland.com/mineralking.html). My thinking is, why not try again, some place else?

I'm picturing a large ski resort in Colorado themed around the kingdom of Arendelle, with Elsa's castle as the centerpiece (the non-ice-crystal one). Various attractions themed around winter concepts would be found around the castle. Attractions like the "Enchanted Snow Palace" ride (imagined using Frozen characters), a bob-sled roller-coaster aka the Matterhorn, figure skating demonstrations, and a tea-cup-like ride featuring ice cubes spinning around on a sheet of ice, and the "Snowmen Serenade," among other attractions. Families could play together here as they would in the Magic Kingdom. However, I should say that I do not picture this "Frozen Kingdom" to be the same size as any of the other parks as this would be intended for people staying at the resort, not day visitors.

To one side of this play district, the town could feature shopping districts with a wide variety of shops and outlets. Imagine a place similar to Downtown Disney, but with a greater focus on stores. While all of the wonderful stores that can be found at DD would be here, I can also see more common outlet-style shops here.

To the other side of the play district, the greater town area would feature a water park in a manner similar to Blizzard Beach with lazy rivers, water slides, and wave pools. This would help attract families during the off-season when skiing is unavailable.

Behind the town would be one large, grand hotel which could feature a variety of amenities.  Various room sizes and capabilities would allow Disney to make this large hotel cover price ranges from value all the way up to deluxe in one facility.

Around the town could be nature walk spaces for hiking, horseback riding, and campgrounds. People would be able to appreciate the nature of the landscape away from the park areas.

When winter sets in, the resort could become a full-fledge ski resort catering to families looking for an all-encompassing resort with several ski-runs, spas, hot tubs, shopping, and several of the in-door attractions from the summer season.

All of this is right from the top of my head and heavily inspired by other ideas like Mineral King and the "Enchanted Snow Palace" but I still believe a Disney-themed winter resort could work and what better way to theme it than with the Mega-hit Frozen? 

Carl Barks' "Lost in the Andes": A Review

Just in case my idea for a fifth Walt Disney World park didn't tip you off, I would like to make something clear: I love Duck Tales! Since I saw it as a child, Duck Tales has struck a chord with me; nowhere else could a kid find that blend of humor, adventure, and good ol' Disney reliability.

As I got older, I became interested in comic books and was pleased to learn that Duck Tales is based upon the cartoon work of some guy named Carl Barks. It turns out this Carl Barks guy is pretty important. His techniques and styles are a major influence on today's cartoon styling, and his stories and gags have played a role in some major adventure stories we love today. Barks is generally recognized as one of the best cartoonists of all time.

Barks started with Disney as an animator on Donald Duck shorts before moving on to comic book cartoons during World War II. During his time as a cartoonist, he became known as "The Duck Man" and contributed a great deal to the Donald Duck mythos, most notably "Duckburg" and "Scrooge McDuck."

Armed with all of this knowledge, I sought out some of Carl Barks' work and was pleased to discover that Fantagraphics was in the process of publishing "The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library." I snatched up the first published volume--which was actually volume 11, I believe--"Lost in the Andes" and read it right away.

"Lost in the Andes," as I said, is actually volume 11 in the series. Fantagraphics decided to published the works starting at the peak of Barks' career and and working out toward the beginning and end of his work. This volume is part of the Donald Duck series and separate from the Scrooge McDuck series. Barks himself considered the story "Lost in the Andes" to be his best work, and I could see why.

That story in particular featured all of the things that Barks is famous for: great humor, lots of action, and fantastic art. It tells the story of Donald and his nephew's (Huey, Dewey, and Luey) trip to the Andes to find the birds that lay mysterious cube-shaped, rock-like eggs. What they find is a tribe of natives who speak with a southern accent and like in a cloud-covered tract of land unaware of the world around them. 

While this particular tale would probably be considered politically incorrect today, when taken in the context in which it was created, it was obvious why "Lost in the Andes" was so popular.

There were also several more stories in this volume as the book featured all of Barks' work from one calendar year (I believe). While most of the stories are not as good as the featured tale, each one contains all of those elements Barks' is known for.

Overall, I would highly recommend "Lost in the Andes" to anyone who likes Donald Duck or Duck Tales. I also recommend it to anyone who likes comic books, cartoon strips, or their history. Lastly, I recommend them to any fan of Disney history, as this really is a slice of that rich pie.

Fun Fact About Hubs and Spokes

Ever notice how, when you fly, your flight usually goes through Charlotte or Chicago or Dallas even though they are way out of the way?  Well, you can kinda blame Walt Disney for that.  Let me explain.

When WED (the predecessor to Walt Disney Imagineering) were designing Disneyland, they decided to lay it out using a "hub-and-spoke" system.  In the "hub-and-spoke" system, Guests are guided to a centralized part of the park, called the hub.  From there, they can choose one of several paths (or spokes) which will lead them to various areas of the park. Essentially, they chose to the design of a wheel to map out their park.  It is a very efficient system, making getting around easy for Guests.

The hub-and-spoke was not invented by Disney, but the application of the system in a theme park was revolutionary and showed on a nice scale how effective the system could be.

Soon after Disneyland opened, several executives from Pan Am (I believe, though it might be Delta) were touring the park and were amazed at how effectively the hub-and-spoke system worked and thought they could apply it to air travel.  

A few months later they had rearranged their flight patterns to have all of their flights go into a centralized hub airport where passengers could connect to other flights going to other parts of the country or even other parts of the world.  

So, when you are flying from Boston to Italy via Chicago, you can be cursing the man, the myth, the legend himself, Walt Disney and the "efficient" hub-and-spoke system.

Frozen: Origins and Review

There will be SPOILERS so... yeah.  You've been warned.

Like a lightning bolt from a clear sky, Disney's Frozen came out of no where to strike gold and leave its mark on the Anerican film landscape.  On the surface, Frozen appears to be a typical Disney animated feature (princesses! working song! love will conquer all!), until you dig down and see that in reality, Frozen is a two hour revolution put to music.

Frozen had to be good.  It just had to be.  Disney had been working on the film for so long , you would hope they had a blockbuster on their hands.  Frozen is "based" upon Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, a story about a boy cursed by an enchanted mirror and held captive by the titular Snow Queen, who is rescued by his friend.  Sound like Frozen to you?  Yeah, me either, that's why "based" was in quotations.

Let's start at the beginning: in the 1940's Walt Disney Productions were in a tough spot.  Several of their animators had gone to war and the only work the studio was able to get was from the government making instructional and propoganda films.  In an attempt to kick start things, Walt wanted to team up with his friend Samuel Goldwyn to make a biography of Andersen in which Goldwyn and his production company would film the live parts and Disney Studios would animate several fairy tales some of which being The Emperor's New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, and The Snow Queen.  Eventually, Disney dropped out of the project.  Goldwyn would go on to make the Andersen biopic and receive six Oscar nominations for it.

During the warly 1990's, after the success of The Little Mermaid, Disney entered what is called the Disney Renaissance and were putting out animated features as quickly as possible. In order to do this, the heads of the studio dug into the archives to find any idea they could, including early work on The Snow Queen.  Over the next decade, Disney tried unsuccessfully to get a story together.  The hang up was the Snow Queen character; no one was able to figure out how to make her relatable.  Finally, the project was scrapped in 2002.

During the following decade, no fewer than four attempts were made to get The Snow Queen on film, before John Lasseter made it a priority.  A break through came when someone pepped making the protagonist (now named Anna) and the Snow Queen sisters, giving the audience a reason to be compassionate for the Queen.

After the success of Tangled, audiences were primed for a new CGI fairy tale and Disney was prepared with Frozen.

When I saw Frizen in theaters, I found it underwhelming.  I was much more impressed with the accompanying short, Get A Horse, than I was in the main feature.  I thought Frozen was good and had a great message, but I felt it lacked a true villain and I really wasn't a big fan if the music.

Don't get me wrong, I thought Frizen was cute.  The humor made me giggle several times, especially Olaf, who was, quite simply, a laugh machine.  But I couldn't get over the fact there was no real villain introduced into the story until the third act.  Yes, I know he was there and there was the bald dude, but still, the antagonists nefariousness didn't occur at all until the film was almost finished.  In addition, the music seemed too poppy to me, like it was not meant to tell the story, persay, but rather, that it was written to sell an album.  It left a sort of bitter taste in my mouth, souring my generally good feelings about the main story itself.

However!  My wife and I re-watched Frozen last night and my feelings have changed quite a bit.  If you asked me now, I would tell you Frozen is a future classic and a watershed moment in Disney animated history.

Since I saw Frozen in the theater, I have watched The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.  Both of those are absolute Disney classics, each holding important places not only in Disney's storied legacy, but in film history as well.  The structures of those two films, the way their stories are told, and how their songs are integrated into their stories gave me a new perspective on Frozen.

First of all, about the music: being more familiar with the songs this time around, I found them much more enjoyable, especially the love song between Anna and Hans (which is absolutely hilarious).  The music erupted from the story without feeling forced or shoehorned into the plot, as I felt it was the first time.  Even the bizarre song Olaf sings seemed to fit into what was going on this time around.

Obviously the "show stopper" was Let It Go, which, in my opinion, is a very good song, and catchy as hell.  However, I'm not a big fan of Idina Menzel's performance.  As my exposure to Broadway, classical, and operatic music increases, I become less and less impressed with Ms. Menzel's singing style.  Some parts felt like she lost control of her voice (or came very close), and I found it distracting.

The villain issue still sticks in my craw a bit.  I wish there were more clues earlier in the film to foreshadow Hans' true intentions.  While I don't feel the twist came out of left field, or anything like that, I still think it could have helped.  Even if he were more friendly with the Weaseltownians or just had a grin with a bit more cockiness in it, it could have made a difference.  But, hey, that's not to say Frozen needed a villain from start to finish.  I guess I'm just a bit of a traditionalist in that way.

For me, what is most significant about Frozen, and what makes it an important film in Disney's history, is the story, specifically, the ending. Anna sacrificing herself holds so much meaning!  First, she is able to save her sister by stopping evil Hans' malevolent sword slash.  If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time a Disney Princess (Elsa) is saved by a sibling's act of true love.  In this way, Anna physically saves Elsa's body.

Beyond that, by sacrificing herself to protect Elsa, Anna is also able to save herself.  Her act of live for her sister is what saves her from her frozen heart.  In doing this, Disney is telling young people, "you can be your own hero," which is a shift from previous films. (Princess and the Frog has a similar message, but goes about it in a more literal manner)

What really sets the ending apart, for me, is immediately before Anna's sacrifice.  As Kristoph and Anna race toward each other for true love's first kiss, Anna hears Hans' sword being unsheathed.  In that instant, she decides protecting her sister is more important than saving herself and turns away from Kristoph.  In that same moment, Disney is turning away from its time-honored tradition of romantic love being what saves all and instead saying any love works.  Anna is metaphorically turning from the past and looking toward a bright new future for Disney film-making.

Frozen's story tells us to be ourselves and not to be ashamed of who we are inside.  It's topical, appropriate, and a great message overall.  It is about love and acceptance.  It is beautiful.

I would recommend Frozen to anyone who enjoys a good time and a great story.

My Top Five Disney Movies

Over dinner my wife asked me, "what are your top five Disney movies?"

Instantly my head started spinning! What a loaded question! How can I pick five? My personal favorites or what I think are the five best they made (very different lists)? Does Pixar count? Live action or just animated? Wow!

So, here are the rules: five personal favorites, all animated, Pixar counts.

My lists and why:

5. and 4. Sword and the Stone/Robin Hood

I can't really choose between these two. They are both fun adventures that caught me when I was young. I believe Sword in the Stone appealed to me--and still does--because I see a bit of myself in Wart: scrawny kid dreaming of a great destiny. Plus, Merlin is wicked cool. Robin Hood is just a swashbuckling good time so what isn't there to love?

3. Toy Story 3

I sobbed like a child fighting nap time when I saw this. Man oh man! The story wrenched at my heart as someone fighting hard to hold on to my childhood. It really got to me and still does. Just a beautiful movie.

2. Aladdin

One critic called it "Disney's version of Indiana Jones" and that spoke to my youthful self! As a fan of Indiana Jones, I can totally agree! Adventure at every turn! Humor and romance are woven in between to create a compelling story that appeals to every audience.

1. The Little Mermaid

This is by far my favorite Disney film. It is one of my all-time favorite movies in general. The animation is completely spot on, letting the artists show their creativity while also being technically sound. I mean, look at Ariel's hair! The award-winning music is breathtaking, upbeat, and inspiring. The story is compelling as are all of the characters. Throw in one of Disney's best villains and you have a masterpiece!

That's my list, what's yours? I'd love to hear what your top five Disney films are. You don't have to go by my rules, either. Like Mary Poppins? Throw it on your list! Like Air Bud? I'll be judging you, but you are free to put it on your list. Any way you mix it, I want to see it! You can post in the comments section or on my Facebook status or Google+ post. Thanks in advance!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train POV

Sweet new roller coaster at Disney?  And it's based on the original Disneey classic?  Awesome!

Wanna check it out? Here's two trips through, front seat and back seat:

http://youtu.be/9A4vjeYLcXw

Personally, I cannot wait.  I want to go now!

King of The World: 5th Gate: Duckburg University

The Duckburg University Neighborhood was originally going to be a part of Duckburg proper, a downtown university, if you will. But as I've reconsidered some of my ideas, I've moved it's location within the park, thus necessitating making it its own Neighborhood.

The first Duckburg University attraction will be Gyro's Flying Saucers based on the Gyro Gearloose character from Duck Tales and the Scrooge McDuck comic books. Gyro is known for his screwball inventions and Guests would get the chance to test ride his latest: the flying saucer! Disney has perfected the hovering vehicle over at California Adventure with the Tow Mater ride so it would be very easy to translate it into a new theme. For those who aren't aware of the Tow Mater ride, picture a GIANT game of air hockey combined with bumper cars. Guests float on the air in round vehicles bouncing off of each other much to everyone's delight.

Time-traveling adventures await Guests on the next attraction themed around Ludwig Von Drake, Disney's resident professor of everything. This simulator ride would take Guests through history as told through cartoons. In the process, though, Guests will also be brought through the history of cartoons starting with Gertie the Dinosaur right up to modern day Mickey Mouse. Guests will soar through 3d representations of some cartoon classics as an animatronic Ludwig guides them through the adventure.

For food, we are going back to the basics. The Campus Dining Hall would be a straight up cafeteria offering a HUGE variety of foods to please any palette. Quick service in all its simple elegance.

Finally, Guests could stop in at the Campus Bookstore where they could buy any if a variety of Disney-themed books or movies as well as Duckburg U apparel.

I picture Duckburg University as a quaint, quirky college-themed area where guests can experiment and learn all while having a great time!

King of the World: 5th Gate: The Other Side of The Tracks

The Other Side of the Tracks will be the Neighborhood that highlights some of Disney's villainous toons. Disney's baddies are very popular, so much so that some people want to give them their own park. I don't really buy into that idea, but I do think an area dedicated to some of the...gentler villains could work really well.

The first attraction is the Weasels' Wicked Wild Whip-Around! Guests will go on a wild car ride with the weasels as they escape from their latest caper. This would be very similar to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, but themed with a city-scape as they travel between buildings.

Next up is Magica's Magical Seance where Scrooge McDuck's villainous rival Magica DeSpell attempts to speak to a passed spirit but only ends up conjuring every other spirit out there. Comedy and mayhem ensues until she is able to get everything back in order. I imagine this as a more advanced Tiki-Bird-type show.

Two of my favorite eatery ideas are in this Neighborhood. First is Ma Beagle's Bakery. If anyone has seen the TV show Duck Tales, or are familiar with the villainous Beagle Boys, they are probably aware of Ma Beagle. She is the loving matriarch of the gang known to send home-made baked goods to any of her boys who end up in the slammer. She likes to slip a surprise into her snacks, usually something to help her boys escape. The unique thing about Ma Beagle's bakery is that each item will come with a surprise souvenir inside for guests to bring home with them.

Finally, you have Peg-Leg Pete's Smokehouse. Pete the cat is known as the cigar chomping thorn in the Fab Five's side. Nothing says "smoking" like barbecue, so logically, Pete has a barbecue joint. Guests would be able to get classics like turkey legs and pork shanks from this classic hole-in-the-wall.

The Other Side of The Tracks would be a small corner of the park, dark and out of the way, but with the type of attractions people love.

Star Wars EU No More!

Disney and Lucasfilm announced this week a clarification of the future of Star Wars storytelling.  There were a lot of words in the press release, but basically, what it all boils down to is that from here on out, the old Star Wars Expanded Universe (the print stuff and video games) are no longer considered to be part of Star Wars continuity.  All that currently is in continuity are the films and the Clone Wars TV show.  In addition, they also announced that a new expanded universe will begin soon with four new novels coming out.  

Here is a link to an article explaining all of this:

http://www.blastr.com/2014-4-25/disney-announces-first-four-novels-new-star-wars-canon

So, here's the thing: people are pretty pissed about this and frankly, I don't get the frustration.  People are saying, "I've invested 30 years of my life into this and they are just going to abandon it?"  I'm saying, "of course they are!" 

The Expanded Universe created a very tight box for the filmmakers to work with. Were there some good stories in the EU?  Yes.  Some.  But none that could viably be adapted to the screen which means the Disney would need to write a new story that fit into 30 years of continuity.  That's a tough job.  On top of that, if they did write a film within the EU parameters, they would have been forced to either try to explain all of that to non-EU experts or leave those millions of people in the dark.  That wasn't about to happen.

People are saying Lucas have his stamp of approval to everything in the EU and considered it canon.  Yeah, ok.  He ignored all of the cloning tech and back story created in the Thrawn Trilogy when he made the prequels.  Lucas went out and created his own ideas without any regard for what was happening in the EU.

Frankly, Disney is doing the right thing.  They are going to keep all of the original EU in print under a separate brand as its own story.  Now they are going to tell their own story with a committee whose job it is to keep the continuity consistent.  

End rant.

Which Classic Disney Character Are You?

I love Buzzfeed quizzes.  Like, a lot.  I took this one this morning and got Chip! I was surprised by this answer so I am curious which character you got.  Let me know in the comments below!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/which-classic-disney-cartoon-character-are-you?bffb&s=mobile

King of the World: 5th Gate: The Waterfront

The third Neighborhood up for discussion is simply called The Waterfront. As you can guess, this is the dock area featuring fewer attractions but some other unique things to draw people to this part of the park.

First of all, I would like to start with Donald Duck's home. It is similar to all of the other homes we've discussed so far except that Donald's house is a boat. Guests can walk through before doing a meet-and-greet outside.

Across from Donald's would be Daisy's Diner, where guests can enjoy usual diner fare. This could be a good spot for character meals. I picture a typical (albeit larger) diner with counter seats, booths and even a jukebox featuring a variety of Disney songs. The ideal here would be to have that familiar feeling where everyone knows you and is happy to see you.

Next up would be the Import/Export Exchange, a large shopping complex comparable to the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom. It would be themed in the fashion of a dockside warehouse full of all sorts of exotic wares. Guests should be able to find whatever they need there, whether that be a Disney tee, a toy or plush of even an obscure character, a necessity like a poncho or umbrella, or even things one wouldn't expect to find at Disney like antiques or art pieces. If you can think of it, it should be there!

Neighboring the Import/Export would be something exciting (if you asked me): The McDuck Towers. Straddling the boarder if the park, McDuck Towers would be two tall, in-park, deluxe hotels connected by a common lobby and an enclosed causeway. Guests would be given the benefit of a private entrance into the park as well as the best, closest park views of any hotel on property. It would have a signature restaurant as well as a rooftop lounge, each on a respective roof. The restaurant and lounge would not be accessible from the park.

Back in the park, we have the only "ride" attraction in this area, Baloo's Seaplanes which would be based upon the TaleSpin TV show. Picture the Dumbo ride, but instead of elephants, the Guests ride around in seaplanes. The special feature of this ride is it's proximity to the water and that the planes would swoop and soar over the bay!

Finally, there will be a lounge--the only one in the park-- called Louie's Lounge, based upon Baloo's favorite watering hole and fueling station from TaleSpin. Dressed all shabby and worn down, this lounge would be a well broken-in place, comfortable and easy. 

I think the key to this Neighborhood is the comfort level the Guests will have here. The Waterfront should feel lived in, like it has been there for quite a while. As there is really only one ride, the store and eateries need to really stand out which I think they would. 

King of the World: 5th Gate: Spoonerville

The second Neighborhood in Toon Town would be Spoonerville. This one is a bit obscure, as it comes straight out of the Goof Troop TV show and movies. Goofy is classic, though, so I see no reason why he shouldn't have a land where he is the centerpiece.

As such, the first attraction would be Goofy's House, a walk-through like Mickey's and Minnie's houses, respectively. It would also be a meet-and greet for Goofy and his son from the show, Max.

The big weenie (as Walt would have called it) in this part of the park would be the Goofy's Candy Co. Factory. Goofy's Candy Co. is the Disney brand of candy that you can purchase throughout all of Walt Disney World (and all the other Disney parks, I would imagine) and so it would make sense that that candy is made somewhere. The attraction would be a dark ride tour of the factory and follow a storyline like the classic Goofy cartoons which "teach" people how to do various things (like play baseball or football). It could also feature homages to other classic candy scenes like from I Love Lucy or Willy Wonka. 

The second attraction in this Neighborhood would be Dippy Dog's Joust. Dippy Dog was Goofy's original name when he was first introduced. In one of his early cartoons, Dippy Dog had to face Mickey Mouse in a medieval confrontation for the love of Minnie Mouse. Carrying on that idea, this would be a "dueling" roller coaster as I call it. It would feature two tracks which eventually cross past each other like knights in the joust. 

And of course there would be food! It would be one quick-serve restaurant like a creamy stand from the northeast. One side would be food (like hot dogs and such) and the other side would have soft serve ice cream. You could call it Dippy's Dawgs and incorporate both the hot dog theme and the ice cream dip.

Last, but certainly not least, would be the Spoonerville Train Station accommodating Spoonerville and neighboring Mouseville.

This little corner of the park would celebrate the rich and varied history of Goofy, one of the Fab Five, and give families some thrills and humor. Accompany that with some good ol' American food and you have yourself a good time.

A Review of Cars

The "Cars" brand is the fourth most lucrative in the world, or so I've read. I believe, too. Two "Cars" movies with a third on the way, a "Planes" movie with another on the way, a dedicated land at Disneyland, a featured area at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, toys, games, and countless shirts, shoes, socks, underoos and other apparel. Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater can be seen anywhere you turn. Kids everywhere love Cars and everything about it, so I thought I ought to watch the movie and see what the big deal was all about.

I signed up for My Disney Rewards a couple months back and registered a couple DVDs I had around the house. In doing so, I qualified for a free DVD so I picked Cars so I could give it a look-see. Overall, I thought it was pretty good.

The story was nothing spectacular, but I am far from the target audience and went in knowing I wasn't watching Citizen Kane. I will say that if my 8-10 year-old self had been the one watching Cars, I would have thought it was wicked sweet! It was big, it was bright, it was loud, it was everything a little kid could want in a film!

The animation was Pixar's standard brilliance. Some of the colors seemed to explode off the screen and the landscaping was stunning. The cars themselves moved fluidly and "naturally". Everything you would expect from Pixar.

Characters in the movie were pretty stock and simple, but still fun and entertaining.

I can say that I enjoyed Cars, but I wouldn't say that I loved it. Pixar has set a high standard when it comes to gravitas and emotion which Cars failed to reach. That's not to say it was disappointing, just different, which for some, that might even be a good thing.

King of the World: 5th Gate: Mouseville

The first of "Neighborhood" in Duckburg that I want to talk about is Mouseville, home of everyone's favorite rodent, Mickey Mouse!

Speaking of Mickey, he and Minnie would be the stars of the first couple attractions, those being their individual residences. I picture fun walk-through attractions, like the ones from Toon Town Fair, filled with hidden treasures for ardent fans to find. I also see these as meet-and-greet areas for the characters.

The next attraction would harken back to before even Mickey's time. A few years ago, the Disney Company was able to re-acquire the character Oswald the Bunny who was a character that was originally created by Disney to star in shorts for Universal way back in the day. I figure, if you have him, use him! 

One classic Oswald skit involves Oswald having an adventure on a construction site. Kids love construction equipment and Disney, so let's combine the two. I imagine a play area filled with cartoony construction equipment (bulldozers, trucks, etc) for kids to climb in and around. There could be picnic tables for families to eat on or for adults to sit while the little ones burn off some energy.

The "big" attraction in this area would feature two other old-school Disney characters: Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow. I call it Horace and Clarabelle's Hayride Adventure! Picture The Jungle Cruise, but on a farm! Not do much? To quote Tim Foster, "go with me here." It would be a hay ride (sans actual hay) and would bring Guests through various farm scenes: some pigs singing in the mud, cows gossiping in a field, a bull chasing a farmer around, etc. I think it could be a great deal of silly fun which could be enjoyed by the whole family. It could also be an opportunity for Cast Members to interact with guests in a fashion similar to The Jungle Cruise.

Of course there are going to be places to eat in Mouseville! First off would be Chip and Dale's Nut Cart. Here I picture of if those classic carts you see outside of baseball games sell peanuts, pistachios, hot pretzels! A nice protein snack to get through a busy Disney day.

Looking for something a bit nicer? Alright, how about Remy's? Straight out of Rattatouille, Remy's would be a sit-down restaurant themed like a French bistro, but one you might see in small-town U.S.A. Make sense? Let me try to clarify: you know how many small towns have swanky restaurants that feel...not quite out of place, but more like...fancier than one might expect for that town? That is how I picture Remy's.

Mouseville would be a laid back kinda country Neighborhood. A place where a family could go to get away from the hustle and bustle and catch their breath, all the while experiencing a history of Disney animation (Oswald->Horace/Clarabelle->Mickey/Minnie->Chip and Dale->Remy) in a nice, subtle way.

King of the World: the Fifth Gate

For a long time, there has been talk of a fifth park at Walt Disney World. 

Unfortunately, most of the whispers you hear tend to be pretty narrow, focussing on one target audience. This, however, is pretty problematic as it specifically going against Walt's dream of a place where families can have fun together.

But, I have an idea. It's a park where a kid can be a kid, an adult can be a kid, big kids can get their thrills, and families can really have fun together. It features a theme which is immensely Disney, able to explore both classic characters and new ones.

It would be Toon Town. Yes, I know, that isn't an original idea. In fact, there already is a Toon Town in Disneyland, however, this would be much grander. Not just a Toon "Town" but a Toon CITY; Duckburg, to be precise, complete with suburbs, docks, schools, municipal buildings, and train stations.

I picture a fully functional city. You'll have a mayor, police officers, fire fighters, everything! Shops, restaurants, factories, you name it, it will be there.

So, where's the fun, you ask? Everywhere! These are toons, everything they do is fun!

There would be six "Neighborhoods": Downtown Duckburg, Duckburg University, Mouseville, The Waterfront, Spoonerville, and the Other Side of the Tracks. Like any cartoon, these will be vivid, colorful areas each their own with separate themes and stories. Guests will be entertained with various attractions aimed at exploring the fun world of Disney cartoons.

In future posts, I will explore each Neighborhood individually and show what stories I would tell through them.

Why I Am Now Pumped for Avengers 2 *Spoilery*

Say it with me everyone: Hulkbuster armor.

HULKBUSTER ARMOR!!!!!!!!

As seen last night on the Marvel: Building a Universe special, concept art for the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron was shown depicting Hulk battling Iron Man.  Normally that wouldn't be a fair fight (Hulk eat metal man for breakfast), but Tony seems to have come prepared with 12 foot tall armor designed to fight the green goliath!  Early, un-CGIed footage was also shown of the epic battle taking place in Johannesburg and it involved a semi- truck getting tossed around like a little doll.

Ugh, I can't wait!  I guess Captain America will have to hold me over.

Want some more info? http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/9-things-learned-marvel-studios-assembling-universe-021719525.html

The Incredibles 2: Initial Reaction

It's about time!!!!

Bob Iger announced today that Disney/Pixar will be making a sequel to their 2004 hit The Incredibles and Brad Bird, who directed the original, is writing the script.  

I'm psyched.  The Incredibles, to me, was a perfect superhero movie full of intrigue and fun, but, unlike a lot of the superhero flicks out there today, didn't take itself too seriously.  An homage to the golden and silver age of comic books, the original weaved Bond-esque gadgetry and style with the heart you would expect from a Disney/Pixar film to create a highly entertaining film.

The original also left the door wide open for sequels.  Now that Brad Bird sees some light at the end of the Tomorrowland tunnel, hopefully he can begin focusing on the Incredibles again and produce another classic.

Iger also announced Cars 3 (ho hum) and said that he can't say anything about the new Star Wars.

Here's a link to an articles about his speech to investors in Oregon:

http://www.newsarama.com/20602-disney-announces-incredibles-2-confirms-star-wars-episode-vii-details.html

King of The World: Disney's Hollywood Studios pt. 2

So, let's pick up where we left off, shall we?  Last time we had scrapped the Backlot Tour in order to make room for an expanded Pixar Place.

Next door to that is the Lights! Motor! Action! stunt show.  I feel like that type of stunt show is pretty cool, but without the tour right there, the theming would need to be adjusted.  But, what would you chane it to, you ask?  "The Great Gonzo's Magnificent Exploding Stunt Spectacular!"  With the rebirth of the Muppets, it is time to expand their presence in the parks.  The Streets of America would be a great place to convert into 'The Muppet Studios.'  

Street building could be designed to show their impact, 'Muppet-Vision' could be updated a bit, there is a ton of potential for a Muppets themed area.  My favorite idea would be to convert Mama Melrose's into The Shmorgishborgi, a restaurant run by the famous Swedish Chef.  Like the Monsters, Inc roller coaster, this isn't an original idea, but it is brilliant and Disney should absolutely do it! In my vision, you would be able to see into the 'kitchen' which is manned by various Muppets and like anything they touch, hi jinx ensue.  How much fun would this be for the kids--or adults, even?

The next big theming change I would do would be to convert much of Echo Lake into LucasLand.  I mean, this isn't a stretch as a good chunk of the area is taken up by Star Tours and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and their various shops and snack kiosks.

However, I would make a slight change and expand a bit by turning what used to be the Drew Carey Sounds Dangerous show into Skywalker Sound.  It would be the same basic concept, just with a Lucas Film focus.

Next, I would move the American Idol Experience.  I wouldn't get rid of it, just move it to another area, as you will see in a minute.  I would use that building to put on some kind of new live show about the making of a TV talk show or sitcom.  It would be improved with a looses script and feature some audience interaction.

Also, I would move the Disney Junior Play and Dine over the that new area we created for restaurants in Animation Courtyard.

I would leave Hollywood Boulevard as it is (excluding the changes to the Great Movie Ride), and head toward Sunset Boulevard.  Sunset seems to me to be a bit if a catch-all for anything that doesn't really fit any other theming, but I also feel that one or two changes could fix that quickly.  

First, I would remove Beauty and the Beast and put Anerican Idol into that theatre.  Then, I would alter Rockin' Roller Coaster and instead theme it around American Bandstand.  Lastly, I would replace Fantasmic with a modified version of the World of Color show from Disneyland.  With those three changes, this area becomes Television Magic!

And just like that, Disney's Hollywood Studios becomes a park where a guest can enjoy the magic of Hollywood while exploring the various studios Disney owns.  Guests can see action and technology in LucasLand, irreverent comedy in Muppets Studios, all ages fun in Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard, and thrills in the Television magic area.  The park would continue to display the magic of Hollywood, while showcasing the company's history and various film studios.

Well, what do you think?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback, so please, leave a comment below!

Steamboat Willie: A Review

One thing I love to do is write movie reviews.  They are fun and--hopefully--helpful.  As this blog is about all things Disney, I am going to have ample opportunity to do reviews of all kinds of movies; everything from modern films to classics, and even shorts are on the table.  

I thought it would be appropriate to start off by review one of Disney's oldest classics: Steamboat Willie.  I'm going to stick a link in here for the YouTube video of the short that Disney has provided, that way you can have a point if reference  for what I'm going to say.

http://youtu.be/BBgghnQF6E4

Our friend Mickey Mouse made his big screen debut (alongside his lady-friend Minnie Mouse) in Walt Disney and Ub Iwerk's classic short.  Historically, Steamboat Willie has to be considered one of, if not the, most important animated films of all-time.  Between it's experimentation with sound and music, and the character introductions, Willie's significance is solidly cemented.

The first time I watched Steamboat Willie, one thing became eminently clear to me: this could never have been made today.  Oi, between the violence to animals and the bit about chewing tobacco, the censors would have had fits!  I mean Mickey throws a bucket onto the head of a bird, tortures various animals to make "music," and concludes it all by pelting the bird again, this time with a potato.  

On top of the violence, there was the tobacco.  Certainly, in today's day and age, this is a major no-no.  However, Steamboat Willie wasn't made in today's day in age, but rather in an era where tobacco was commonplace, an everyday sight. The is no denying that Pete's bit with the tobacco was very funny.  We've all done something like that before.

In general, Steamboat Willie is pretty funny and the physical comedy holds up to the modern viewing.  I think people should check this out not only for the entertainment value, but also for the little slice of history that it represents.  Mickey Mouse--and Walt Disney, for that matter-- has become such a cultural icon, it's fun to go back and see where it all began.

I recommend everyone watch Steamboat Willie, if only once to appreciate the first step on Disney's path to becoming the Goliath it is today.

King of The World: Disney's Hollywood Studios pt. 1

Welcome to my first REAL entry and the introduction if my first type of segment: King of The World.  In my King of The World segments, I will discuss how I might change things at Walt Disney World if I were in a position to do so.  These are pie-in-the-sky, unlimited funds ideas which I know would never happen, but are fun to think about.

So, I figured, if I am going to explore a fantasy idea at Disney World, I might as well be super ambitious, right?  With that in mind, I am going to explain how I would shuffle and reorganize Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I was looking over a map of the Studios today and one thing stuck out to me: how disorganized it is.  Originally the park was essentially supposed to be themed like the Hollywood that never was, yet always will be.  Disney used famous landmarks and architectural techniques in order to evoke the familiar feel of the old Hollywood we all know from its portrayal in films such as 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.  Over time, though, various things have changed and been added which take away from that theming, things like the The Rockin' Roller Coaster and the American Idol Experience.  

HOWEVER, I think I can solve these theming issues.  What I would do is shift the theme from a general Hollywood exploration toward a more Disney-centric exploration.  We can still keep the focus on Hollywood entertainment, but look at it through a Disney-focused lens. Yes, some things will need to be closed and others would need to move, but, hey, that's okay.

Let's start right on Hollywood Boulevard. First and foremost I would get rid of the hat.  It's awkward and--after my planning--won't be necessary, for, you see, I would redo the entrance to the Chinese Theatre and change it to the Carthay Circle Theatre.  In addition, I would change the Great Movie Ride.  Instead of it being an exploration of films throughout the years, I would make it a boat ride which explores Mickey Mouse's history in cartoon.  I think this would be a nice centerpiece to the idea that Mickey Mouse is truly the heart of Disney's film studios and has been from day one. And it would tie-in to Disney's first animated feature, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' which premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in 1937.

Turning to the right one can now head down Mickey Avenue which leads toward Pixar Place and Animation Courtyard.  Above Mickey Avenue I would place a sign which indicates that one is entering the World of Animation which would encompass both Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard.  I would remove The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and put in a new film of some kind, something akin the Get a Horse which explores both classic, drawn animation and newer, computer-based technologies.  

I would also rearrange the current Carthay Circle Theatre area on Sunset Boulevard by initially tearing down that CCT in order to allow some dining and shopping options in Animation Courtyard.

Heading back toward Pixar Place, I can tell you, I want to expand!  Pixar is huge and needs more to do than just Toy Story Mania.  Where do I want to expand to, you ask?  Well, as if I haven't committed enough heresy by saying I'd get rid of the Great Movie Ride, I will really cap it off by saying I'd get rid of the Backlot Tour.  There is a lot of space back there and in my opinion, it could be put to better use, starting with a Monsters, Inc roller coaster.  Not an original idea, I know, but a good one.  

Also, I would include a ride though show about how a Pixar short film is made.  This will really tie in the idea that Pixar is a film studio and bring the whole area back to the core theme of this being one of Disney's Hollywood studios.

Finally, I would move Pizza Planet over to Pixar Place because, well, it's a Pixar thing and would fit perfectly with the area's theming.

Well, I think that's a good start.  What do you think?  Plead, if you have any ideas or opinions, please leave a comment below.  Keep an eye out for part two coming soon!

Notes to Walt

Hello and welcome to my new blog 'Notes to Walt'!

In my blog I will explore my love of all things Disney.  The blog will feature movie reviews, book reviews, theme park discussions, and general opining on whatever Disney-related things scurry across my mind.

I look forward to any feedback you have and wish to share.

Thanks and have a great day!
Sam