Disney This Week - 6 January 2012

Greg Grimsley, Doc as he was first introduced to many of us, has said goodbye to The Disney Obsession. Take a moment and give him a proper send off, thanking him for all that he has given all of us over the years.

George Taylor is giving a lecture on The Art of the Amusement Park this month, stop by and see what the buzz is all about on Imaginerding.

Babes in Toyland’s trees from the Forest of No Return are chronicled by Kevin Kidney.

Jeff Heimbach has a thought provoking editorial on the current state of Walt Disney World maintenance in The 626.

Adam and Andrew give us the origin of tiki drums at the Disney Hipster Blog.

A great reflection on the Storytellers Statue comes from Richard Tobin for Mouse Troop.

Melissa Knight Coulter gives us her Disney must dos of 2013 on Disney On Wheels.

Pumpkin Pecan Tart? AJ Wolfe may have made my wife’s upcoming trip with this review from The Disney Food Blog.

Sarah Holodick samples the St. Louis Ribs from Flame Tree Barbeque for Eating WDW.

Photos sometimes hold secrets even we don’t realize, as Estelle Hallick found out when she found the Family Fun Day Parade when she was flipping through pictures at This Happy Place Blog.

Italy’s gelato is sampled by Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley for Mouse on the Mind.

Silent Saturday - Squirting Tikis (October 2007)

World Famous Photo Finishing

It may just seem like the perfect example of advertising or a kitschy way to grab passing by guests, but there is a perfectly good reason why the camera shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, known as The Darkroom, resembles a vintage 35mm camera. In fact, this building isn’t even one of a kind!

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456]

Los Angeles, California is home to the original Darkroom. The shop, which is located at 5370 Wilshire Boulevard, was built under the direction of Marcus P. Miller in the 1930s at the height of the California Crazy movement. California Crazy was a style of architecture that sought to present a visually compelling reason to visit a shop or roadside attraction. Generally these buildings would be larger than life representation of what was being sold within, a giant ice cream cone for an ice cream stand or an oversized camera for a camera shop. However, there were sometimes that a building was just built to look cool, a la the Bulldog Cafe from The Rocketeer (based itself on the eatery that resided on West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles). In the case of The Darkroom, the real life inspiration behind the architecture is an Argus 35mm camera.

The most notable difference between The Darkroom’s original and Disney’s Hollywood Studios versions is the inclusion of the brand name Kodak over the door in the park version. Although I am curious as to how long the name will stay once the sponsorship has ended. There are other differences worth paying attention to with this storefront. For starters, the building that houses The Darkroom at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not the same found in the work of Miller, but is in fact a different commercial edifice that resides on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles and was the handiwork of architect J.R. Horn. Lastly, and this is a more modern development, The Darkroom in California has lost its art deco signage that has been recreated in the shop found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While the building itself is considered a historical landmark, the sign was not included in the 1989 listing of the monument and was removed by a later inhabitant.

So the next time you are passing by The Darkroom, on your way to a date with The Twilight Zone or to play with some of your favorite toys in Andy’s room, stop and take note. Yes, Disney is trying to remind you to make sure you have memory cards, batteries or, should I dare even mention it, film, and if not that they have the perfect place for you to stop in and pick up your supplies. However, Disney is also utilizing a landmark to pay respect to the bygone days when architecture decided to let loose and have a little fun!

World News Roundtable - 3 January 2013

Roundtable Contributors: Elizabeth Caran (Outlander Travel), Estelle Hallick (This Happy Place), Alan Mize, Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley (Mouse on the Mind), Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com), Andrew (Disney Hipsters Blog), and yours truly.

Limited Time Only

 

Andrew (Disney Hipsters Blog)

The announcement of this year’s special promotion Limited Time Magic a few months ago was met with a general and contagious apathy. The idea of there being something unique and special in the parks for each week of 2013 seemed promising enough, but Disney only released a few of the ideas that were in the works...most of which were for much later in the year. July fourth fireworks all week? blah.

So what kind of "magic" is taking place this first week of the new year?  A Tomorrowland dance party. No, I'm not joking.  Taking place on the old "Stitch Stage" the new show is called Bling In The New Year...and yes, the name just made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.  Disney dancers and various characters will countdown the new year every evening this week...ala Pleasure Island.  Though the characters aren't listed, I'll just assume they're Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, and Mike Wazowski, because whoever writes these shows has virtually no creativity.  Let’s hope they pull out something better for the following weeks.  Happy New Year! :/

Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com)

The Disney Time sweepstakes is underway, allowing anyone to register once a day, every day, all January long for a chance to win a Disney vacation. Users select which vacation prize best fits their interests, whether they enjoy thrills, romance, or something in between. What's curious, however, is that two of the packages include Adventures by Disney's one-day "Lights, Camera, Magic" experience in Hollywood and the Walt Disney Studios, though the tour was planned to be cancelled after its January 18 date.

According to Guests who were signed up for the tour throughout 2013, Disney called all participants and informed them the experience was shuttered. I asked these same people if they had heard anything different, and so far the consensus is nothing but more questions. Why would Disney Time publicly offer a tour that's being discontinued as a prize? Did Adventures by Disney change their mind and decide to keep it going, is someone at Disney Time unaware of its discontinuation, or will the sweepstakes winner simply be treated to a private, exclusive experience unavailable to others? I went on Lights, Camera, Magic this past summer and was shocked when I learned it was being cancelled. It is THE tour to take for the Disneyland Guest who also wants to see a bit of Hollywood during their vacation. In fact, my family was so impressed with it that we scrapped our planned second Hollywood day and spent an extra day in Disneyland instead. I hope the tour continues, because in my mind Disney had a real winner on their hands.

The Luck of 2013

Estelle Hallick (This Happy Place)

Some people like to kick off the new year with champagne or a gym membership. But me? Well, I like to commemorate the occasion with new Disney art. And this year those clever Disney artists have managed to turn the "unlucky 13" superstition on its head with some snazzy art featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and even Oswald. (My personal fave is the vintage circus poster with the sorcerer hat taking centerstage.) The folks at the Disney Parks blog informed us that these images will also be translated into Vinylmations (eh), coasters (yes!), dishes (woo hoo), and iPhone covers (yippee!). I don't know about you but I'm more likely to splurge on some retro-stylized merchandise than anything with bright colors and a big 2013 on it.

Discounts at a Premium

Elizabeth Caran (Outlander Travel)

Normally at the holiday season, the biggest topic of conversation among my Disney geek friends is nothing worse than how crowded the parks are and whether or not the Christmas Parade was better than last year's. But this year, Disney put out a little bit of news just before Christmas that had many of us scratching our heads a little and fuming a bit as well. The merchandise discount for Premier and Premium Annual Passholders has been reduced from 20% to 10% as of January 1, 2013.

As a member of DVC, I was lured into upgrading to PAPs for my entire family back in October because of the incredible discount on the pass offered to us. I've often eyed the pass, but since I have young kids, water parks are only just becoming a viable option for us and the same goes for DisneyQuest. (Call me crazy, but I wanted my kids to at least be tall enough to see the screen on an arcade game before I'd pay admission to get them in.) However, this deal, almost too good to be true, it seemed, was enough to say, "Sure! Let's add a water park and a trip to DisneyQuest next time and do it! Maybe I can finally use that discount to buy one of the higher end watches or figurines or something as well!"

Too good to be true, indeed.

Disney prints on all their materials that they have a right to change the terms and conditions of tickets and annual passes at any time. So for those who feel you are entitled to the discount just because they said that it would be 20% when you purchased... I think we are out of luck. We never think Disney will make those changes because we know it's kind of tacky to do. But yet, they did.

It is hard to believe that with the markup on Disney merchandise that profit is the only factor in this decision. I know cast members felt it was a huge impact on service when they had to scrutinize every pass and remember which one gets which discount. I know... sounds simple... but every time I use my pass to get a discount, I get the same request for pass, ID, and then some explanation of why I get 10% instead of 20% (presumably in an effort to get me to buy up next time). Regardless, I am very glad I didn't pay full price for my PAP. I'll use it this year and then I can't imagine (unless the prices stays so low) that I will want a PAP again. It simply doesn't make financial sense unless you are completely addicted to the water parks and DisneyQuest. And although I enjoy those attractions, I can't see going more than once per trip. I'm sure Disney had good reasons for making the change, but as a fan and a passholder, I see this as a big fail on corporate's part. Very disappointing.

We’re Gonna Refurb Around the Clock

Alan Mize

First off, I'd like to wish all of you a Happy New Year!  I trust that you had a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve. Hopefully, you weren't in the five hour queue for Test Track! 

This time of year is generally slow in terms of news and announcements from Walt Disney World, but as the holiday season comes to a close and the crowds thin out in the parks, the annual closings will start to take place. It's pretty common for January to feature several attractions that are closed for refurbishment.  Perhaps it's just my imagination, but this year the list seems to be longer than usual.  Attractions that will be closed in early 2013 include Splash Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Liberty Square Riverboat and Kali River Rapids.  Both Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage and Disney Junior: Live on Stage will be closing over at Hollywood Studios and Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be getting their annual refurbishments as well.  It's not just attractions that will be getting some TLC this winter.  A few dining establishments will be closing as well.  Fountain View, Main Street Bakery, Boardwalk Bakery and California Grill are all scheduled to close during the winter months.  Even with all of those closings, there will still be plenty of things to entertain guests this winter and we all know that attractions and restaurants need some down time occasionally.  Hopefully, the down time will give the Imagineers a chance to show these attractions and restaurants the love they deserve and the love that they need, especially Splash Mountain!

Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley (Mouse on the Mind)

According to WDW Magic, BoardWalk's main quick service spot will be closed for a full refurbishment from January 6 through April 27, 2013. In addition to a new entrance, a new queue and an expanded menu, the newly renovated space will include a proper refillable mug station!! That last bit is key for me--yes, the Bakery can be extremely crowded, but that's always bothered me less than the inability to get my refillable mug filled at the grab-and-go spot. You'd walk out with an empty refillable mug in one hand and a disposable cup in the other ... infuriating and not too eco-friendly. For those of you wondering, you'll still be able to get your morning joe and baked goods at a temporary kiosk on the BoardWalk.

Tomorrow’s Maintenance Requests, Today

Ryan P. Wilson (Main Street Gazette)

My good friend Jeff Heimbuch wrote a stellar piece detailing many of the disappointing sights around Walt Disney World that could be straightened up with a bit of spit and polish, or maybe some paint and ceiling tiles. It’s true that things age in Walt Disney World just as they do anywhere else in the outside world, but given the premium price guests pay for admission, food, and merchandise, is it any wonder that we expect a bit more from the Vacation Kingdom?

My case in point, IllumiNations. When I was in Epcot back in September, IllumiNations was delayed. Then it was delayed again and some guests began to make their way towards the gates. A third delay. Then finally that evenings performance was cancelled, almost an hour after it had been slated to start. It happens, I know that. However, I’ve heard of it happening all too frequently this fall, and then came New Year’s Eve and a six minute delay on the countdown to 2013. Unacceptable.

Now, I am all for safety. The safety of the guests and Cast Members surrounding and operating the IllumiNations production must be first and foremost, but the show must go on without delays going forward. I’m not sure if these are technical delays or human delays, but whatever the cause, perhaps it is time to start the new year off on the right foot and give IllumiNations the upgrades it deserves.

Extra Choice Florida Oranges

I have held off talking about the return of the Citrus Swirl for almost a year now. The main reason for my restraint isn’t because I was casting the idea off as everyone else was talking about them, but more for the fact that I was so thrilled my brain could come up with little more than, “I can’t believe it’s back. It’s delicious. It’s delicious! IT’S DELICIOUS!”

Early on in with the Main Street Gazette I began a series called S.O.S., otherwise known as Save Our Swirl. The segment was a call to arms over places and things that had disappeared from Walt Disney World for no logical reason. The first installment lamented the loss of the Citrus Swirl as we knew it. At the time, the Citrus Swirl had become a concoction of vanilla soft serve and orange sherbet. I went so far as to say, and I stand by the statement, that the pale copy Citrus Swirl was decent, but even I would prefer a Dole Whip over this knock-off. If you know anything of the Citrus Swirl v. Dole Whip argument, you know how serious these words are.

In a little time the Citrus Swirl’s memory was saved, as the lacking variation of the treat was removed from the menu of the Sunshine Tree Terrace entirely. This remained the status quo for a few years until the spring of 2012 when the Citrus Swirl made a quiet return to the Sunshine Tree Terrace. Little menu placards sat near the registers announcing the treat was available, but that was the whole fanfare it initially received. At the time, the pavilion was under refurbishment. Once completed later in the spring, this refurbishment would see the Little Orange Bird restored to prominence not only in this corner of Adventureland, but throughout the Magic Kingdom.

So, what makes the Citrus Swirl so unique? The menu reads as follows, “Orange Slush with Vanilla Soft-Serve Ice Cream.” There isn’t much to gleam there, is it? The soft serve is the typical vanilla ice cream found all around Walt Disney World, from poolside at the resorts to specialty treats in the parks. The orange slush is actually a frozen orange juice concentrate. When paired together you get would think you’d get a creamsicle type flavor, but it carries a much stronger orange citrus flavor, with the creamy, vanilla ice cream serving as almost a palate cleanser between bites.

The rub with a Citrus Swirl, particularly as it is served in Florida, is that it does not have a long shelf life. That is to say that it melts, in fact it begins to melt almost immediately. Which means you cannot sit down and savor every bite of the Citrus Swirl slowly. You can savor every bite, but those bites had best come in rapid succession!

I grew up in the orange groves and strawberry patches of Florida, when the Little Orange Bird may have been faded, but he was still painted on fencing and roadside souvenir/travel stops. With the Citrus Swirl, there was a ridiculously delicious ice cream indulgence that highlighted one of my home’s best natural resources. For this Floridian, and I’m sure a great many others, the Citrus Swirl carried a sense of pride with it. With its return, the Citrus Swirl not only gives Floridians back something to crow about, but also adds another distinguishing palate pleaser to Adventureland, and also continues to highlight the what’s old is new mentality hanging around Walt Disney World.

Oh, and if you need any further persuasion to try the Citrus Swirl, here is my review: It’s delicious. It’s delicious! IT’S DELICIOUS!

2012 Best in World of Yesterday - Beating a drum

With over forty years of history to sift through, there is always something new to talk about in World of Yesterday. Old landscaping and architecture, long gone attractions, the concepts that were tweaked or never were, the possibilities are endless. Even a simple photograph, say of Mickey Mouse Beating a drum, can say a lot about the day and age in which it was taken!

Walt Disney World on Parade was the moniker given to the 5,000 participant rolling spectacle that was part of the dedication events for Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom. We’ve talked previously about the 1,076 member marching band led by Meredith Wilson, but today I want to stop for just a moment and admire the role of the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, in the parade.

In almost every parade, Mickey is seen in one of two positions, the very first or very last float. He has been a conductor, sorcerer, other sorts of conjurers and, as is the case in the October 25, 1971 Walt Disney World on Parade, the band leader. Notice how high Mickey is and how small he looks compared to the drum? As it turns out, Mickey was at the front of the parade on that balmy Monday in 1971, which also happened to be Veterans Day, banging along on a bass drum that was the largest in the world at the time.The little thing I notice from this photograph is the simple and gorgeous iconography set upon the sides of the drum. In the background he castle stretches skyward, while a monorail whooshes from within the belly of the Contemporary on its way to the Magic Kingdom, and a sailboat races along in the choppy waves of the foreground. It is succinct and simple and provides just a taste of all that the Vacation Kingdom has to offer. Then, of course, there is the capital letter D wrapped around the global Mickey symbol that was the insignia of Walt Disney World for so many years.

There are performers in the background and we could also talk about the horses pulling this mighty drum, but perhaps we should stop here and let Mickey and the drum enjoy their day in the spotlight.