The chill of ghost goodwill

When D23 took over the presenting duties of Walt Disney – One Man’s Dream, there was very little in the way of changes made to the displays. The most dramatic change, however, was the addition of an office behind glass. The office, belonging to Senior Vice President for Walt Disney Imagineering Eric Jacobson, typified a classic workspace of a Disney enthusiast. Complete with figures and figurines, buttons, shelves filled with books new and old, art, and even the occasional prop or piece from the theme parks, the office certainly reminds me of people I know, right down to the cluttered desk top.One of the more unique items found in the display is a copy of three scarols, from A Book of Scarols. Scarols use traditional Christmas carol melodies and apply new, ghostly and grim, lyrics. A series of ten scarols have been known to be sung throughout the Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland. Those ten scarols are the Elfman Medley, God Rest You Merry Grinning Ghost, Grim Grinning Ghosts, Old Mansion Tree, Over the Graveyard, Scary Bells, The 13 Days of Christmas, Up on the Housetop, We Wish You a Scary Christmas, and Wreck the Halls.Displayed on the desk are the lyrics to Up on the Housetop, Over the Graveyard, and We Wish You a Scary Christmas. In order for you to be able to scare up the spirit of whatever season you would like to use scarols for, here are the lyrics for those three songs.

Up on the Housetop
No No No! You shouldn’t go!
No No No! You shouldn’t go!
All through the Mansion, there goes Jack!
Down through the graveyard with his sack!

Over the Graveyard
Over the graveyard and through the tombs
A happy haunt’s delight!
Oh, feel the chill of ghost goodwill!
Come scream on Christmas Night!! Ahhh!

We Wish You a Scary Christmas
We wish you a scary Christmas!
We wish you a scary Christmas!
We wish you a scary Christmas
And a Haunted New Year!

Galeria de la Fuente

Caribbean Plaza, in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, showcases a unique water feature. The four fountains that surround the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction highlight not only desires that a pirate may have, such as for fortune and art, but also more subtle cravings like serenity and clear skies.The four fountains, of which most are dry and used as planters these days, may be difficult to find as they are scattered about the area. However, even if you cannot find the buried treasures that are the fountains, the exploration of Caribbean Plaza and the Castillo del Morro are well worth the time.For the fountain seekers amongst you, the four fountains are: Fuente de la Fortuna (Fountain of Fortune), La Fuente Serena (The Calm Fountain), Galeria de la Fuente (Gallery of the Fountain), and Fuente Cielo Azul (Fountain Blue Sky).

Laugh and play and learn

I believe at some points it is always a good idea to take pause and remember where we began. The same holds true for Walt Disney World and the four parks held within its borders. In order to realize the dreams of tomorrow, one cannot forget about the founding principles of a park, as set forth by their dedications. Luckily, observant guest do not have to venture through various archives to find these dedications, as they have each been engraved and immortalized near their home park’s entrance gates.

Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place… a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn – together.

Dedicated this 25th day of October, 1971
Roy O. Disney

EPCOT Center (Epcot)

To all who come to this Place of Joy, Hope and Friendship
Welcome
Epcot is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.

May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.

E. Cardon Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Productions
October 24, 1982

Disney-MGM Studios (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood – not a place on the map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was – and always will be.

May 1, 1989
Michael D. Eisner

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Welcome to a kingdom of animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama and learn.

Dedicated this 22nd day of April, 1998
Michael D. Eisner

The miracle that I've been dreaming of

The Main Street Gazette would like to depart from its regular content today to wish Aileen Maura Sheehan-Wilson a very happy birthday. To put it simply, without her guidance, calming effect, and belief in what I do and what I can do, none of this would be possible. She is my second star to the right, conscience, my curious partner in this wonderland, best friend, and princess (whether or not she likes the term). So, today, like all days, but especially on her day, I hope all of her dreams come true!

And yes, this “What are you doing, get away from me, you crazy man” look she has in this picture is, by and large, the manner in which she conducts herself with me.

Happy Birthday, my love!

Work magic in our kitchens

There are formulas for just about everything. While some may be more about the spoken word and the information exchanged, such as the formula for what makes a fundamentally sound guest experience, others are indeed all about the numbers. Even sweet treats are not immune from appetizing equations, as is made evident by the photographs below. While the Goofy Candy Co. displays a few of its mouthwatering blueprints over at Epcot’s MouseGear, the Evil Queen and her tempting tricks appear in a more old-fashion form.

Tigers in this forest

As a general rule I try to keep personal stories out of the Gazette’s headlines. That isn’t to say that there has not been the occasional mention of my wife, parents, sister, or friends, or that I have spun a tale about a terrific evening here or there, but for the most part I try to focus on the history and fantastic elements of Walt Disney World and less on my personal accounts. However, to describe some of the truly unique experiences available to guests, I find that, in this instance, I must resort to personal anecdote.

During the course of my last trip, I took several trips into the jungles of Anandapur and forests of Pangani. These trails offer some of closest and native environments for viewing the creatures that we share the planet with. Often, as it was on the days I visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom, these lesser experienced attractions were bypassed in favor of Dinosaur and Expedition Everest. For guests like myself who enjoy the time they have to be in the company of animals, the fact that the trails are not as crowded as they could be is a boon we cherish, but I also feel sorry for those who are missing out on these encounters.

While strolling along the Maharajah Jungle Trek, I was informed that the tigers were out in about. Almost all of the tigers I discovered were in a state similar to this:This isn’t really surprising, but I still stopped and marveled at each tiger I found. I stopped when I reached the Tomb of Anantah, the first ruler of Anandapur, which also serves as ground-level viewing of part of the tiger region and the entrance to the aviary. There had been one tiger strolling and frolicking about in this area before I made my way down, and I was wondering if I would be able to catch a glimpse of the large cat once more. Unable to see the tiger, I began to move away when an orange flash pounced up into the window where I was standing.

It did not appear angry or annoyed, more curious, but for approximately fifteen seconds I was nose-to-nose and eye-to-eye with a tiger, with only a piece of glass between us. To say that it took my breath away would be a gross understatement. I savored my moment with this majestic creature before the tiger jumped down and continued to move about the enclosure. Honestly, even though it was only ten o’clock in the morning, the rest of my day would pale in comparison.
As I have repeated this story to friends and family I was reminded that I became, for a few seconds, Winnie-the-Pooh as he is portrayed on my very favorite Disney’s Animal Kingdom shirt. I did not snap a photograph of the tiger in the window, and no one was with me to capture the moment forever, but as soon as the tiger jumped down I did capture one picture.

It is an encounter that I know I will never forget, and a story I wish I heard more often from other guests. While the trails and exhibits of Disney’s Animal Kingdom offer shade from the Florida sun, a vast amount of information on the animals of the planet, and quality time with the same creatures, they are not fulfilling their full potential as guests are not taking the time for these experiences. It is a shame to see such a treasure trove go unnoticed, and I hope a situation that is remedied as more and more guests find the true joys of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

First inhabitants of Norway

During the 2009 International Flower and Garden Festival, Norway’s trolls escaped from the Puffin’s Roost and descended upon the unsuspecting gardens of the pavilion. Numbering twenty in all, most of the trolls seemed content to stay clear of the actual flowering beds and to stick to the eaves and windowsills of the various buildings in the area.According to the tales, the trolls lived amongst the forests mountains long before the Nordmenn came to Norway. These creatures of the night came in various sizes and with diverse traits such as tails, long noses, shrubbery, or even tree-like growths. Though mischievous at times, if a troll took up residence in your home, most likely due to your respect for the creatures, it was said to be a sign of good luck and fortune.

Blaine Gibson – Capturing the Spirit

Cinderella Castle can be seen from just about everywhere within the Magic Kingdom. While it may be the most often photographed structure in the world, the Partners sculpture that adorns the Hub in front of the castle has gathered its own dedicated following in the years since its unveiling. The statue, which features Mickey and Walt Disney surveying the landscape, was originally created for and positioned at Disneyland in 1993 before being duplicated for the Florida property in June of 1995.

Designed and sculpted by Blaine Gibson, the Summer 1991 issue of Disney News featured an article on Blaine Gibson’s life and career, with a particular interest in his work with Partners. The article, Blaine Gibson – Capturing the Spirit, was written by Scott Elmore.

As you stand in the ‘hub’ of Disneyland – the circular park at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. – you can almost feel the presence of Walt Disney. Soon, you’ll actually be able to see him as well. Later this year, Disneyland will unveil a new tribute to its creator: a bronze statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse standing hand-in-hand, gazing down Main Street. To create this memorial, Walt Disney Imagineering selected renowned sculptor – a man who had developed a close working relationship with Walt during the building of Disneyland – Blaine Gibson.

Gibson started his career at the Disney Studios in 1939 as an apprentice animation artist. Beginning as an “inbetweener” for the cartoon short “Bone Trouble,” he soon worked his way up to the feature animated films.

“Walt was very informal at the Studio, always walking the halls,” Gibson remembers, “I had talked with him many times, but I really didn’t know him until we started working on Disneyland. Walt had noticed the sculptures in my office, ones I had done in my home, and he asked me if I would come over and sculpt for the Park.”

Gibson’s first sculptures for Disneyland included Indian chiefs and mermaids. Soon he found himself working on pirates and presidents.

“I had a chair in my studio at Imagineering,” he recalls, “and Walt used to come in all the time, sit down, and say, ‘What are you up to, Blaine?’ He was always interested in everything we did.

“That’s what impressed the most about him, his enthusiasm,” Gibson says. “For instance, when we were working on the bathing elephants scene for the Jungle Cruise, he acted out the part of the elephant up on the shore. Walt climbed up on a chair and even scooted his pants down a little to get that baggy elephant skin effect,” Gibson chuckles.

Blaine Gibson retired from Walt Disney Imagineering in 1983 and moved to Sedona, Arizona with his wife, Coral. However, he still does projects for Disney now and again, such as the statue of Walt and Mickey for Disneyland.

“I chose to depict Walt as he was in 1954,” he explains. “I think that was when Walt was in his prime. It was tough trying to match the media image of Walt Disney, the one the public knows, to the real Walt, the one we knew.

“I don’t like to leave a sculpture until it has a feeling of life,” he continues. “I had done a bust of Walt in terra cotta while he was alive, but it wasn’t right. I hope this time I’ve captured that magical spirit of his.”

The statue will be larger than life, to match Walt’s image, coming in at six feet, five inches. The base will be designed so that it will be easy for guests to get in close for their pictures. Facing towards Main Street, the bronze image will have the perfect backdrop – Sleeping Beauty Castle.

When asked what expression he was trying to achieve in Walt’s face, Blaine Gibson replied, “I think Walt is admiring the Park and saying, ‘Mickey, look what we’ve done.’”

Happy places

If there is one thing I can be accused of, for which I am guilty, it is that so often I point my camera at a specific detail. I create list after list of details in my professional, Disney, and personal lives, but always seem to miss the big picture. In Walt Disney World that means taking pictures of friends and family, as well as the long shots through a well crafted scene of Adventureland, Echo Lake, or along Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savannah.These sweeping views, such as the first reveal of Cinderella Castle after any period of time away, are often the ones that leave lasting and indelible impressions upon us. It was a goal of mine during my most recent trip to take a step back and really see what lay before me. Today’s photo safari offers a few of my favorite big pictures.

Rattle our quills

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to over three hundred species of animals (birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) and fifty species of fish. In an effort to educate their guests on the natural tendencies of the creatures in their care the park has created numerous ways in which guests can gleam information on habitats, dining preferences, defense mechanisms, and other habits critical to each animal’s survival.

Caretakers regularly speak with guests, both at scheduled and unscheduled intervals, safari and walking trails build informational spiels into their experiences, and there is statistical signage almost everywhere one could look throughout the park. Each land of Disney’s Animal Kingdom takes a differing approach to its signage, with Discovery Island offering the most distinctive and memorable signs. Here, oversized notices have artwork showcasing how the animal, and its natural environment, looks, a map detailing where the creature can be found, the common and scientific name of the animal, and a verse about the animals life.

That’s right, verse, as in poetry. The time-tested method of using rhyme to educate, a technique used regularly to create and increase children’s vocabulary and reading skills, is uniquely employed in Discovery Island. While a child, or even their parent, may remember the giraffe they saw on Kilimanjaro Safaris, they will surely be able to recall, “When predators come and test our wills,/We stamp our feet and rattle our quills.”

Like all exhibits and experiences within Disney’s Animal Kingdom, these signs, and their ability to impart a lasting impression is based solely on the guests ability to slow down, take some time, and explore the often overlooked aspects of the park. This isn’t to say that guests shouldn’t be walking quickly towards Kilimanjaro Safaris or Expedition Everest as the park opens, but they should also find time to experience the exhibits and attractions that feature the park’s stars, the animals, before rushing off to another park at midday. The rewards of using curiosity, imagination, and a relaxed pace can truly offer many one of a kind rewards.

We have no time to stall

The Main Street Gazette household has a new car in the driveway starting this week. In honor of this I thought would take a look at a classic car that is on display at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This 1927 Chevy Depot Wagon, otherwise referred to as a Woody Huckster, sits in front of the lobby. Among its very stylish details are bench seats within the wood cabinet area, a single manual windshield wiper, and a wooden steering wheel.

Antique and elegant automobiles can be found throughout Walt Disney World, be sure to keep an eye out as you make your way around property. In the meantime, here is a Woody Huckster for your desktop.

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Commassary Lane

The emotional responses created by the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World are a part of the human experience. Another quality of the human experience is the ability to make mistakes, a trait that even Walt Disney World is not impervious to, especially typos.Take, for example the Gate 1 guardhouse at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the entrance to Commissary Lane, it keeps the eateries, sets, and backstage areas closed off to star seekers and unauthorized personnel. Yet, the log for those coming and going through Commissary Lane misspells the location, instead referring to the area as Commassary Lane.On the resort side of Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness offers us this sign about the restriction of pets. While the sign may seem straight forward enough, the quotation marks indicate that this is a direct quote from someone else. If you are going by what is simply on the sign, you would have to think that they are quoting someone named Thank You, which is clearly not the intent.

These signage misspeaks, while amusing, show us that nothing is perfect anywhere, not even in Walt Disney World. Where there are little things, like these typos or flaking paint on a boat, there is often a solution around an upcoming corner. The same goes for all aspects of Walt Disney World. Though we may not always like the solution, or how long it takes to arrive, it is that part of the human experience, the continual growing, learning, and experimenting which occasionally leads to an error, that binds each of us to the other.

Dancing hippo

If you have ever played a round of miniature golf over at Fantasia Gardens, you have probably noticed a rather spacious pavilion across the fountain pool. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice/Dancing Hippo structure, while often underutilized, is available for rentals, but skimps on nothing to present a Walt Disney World quality atmosphere.For those of you who have never ventured over to the pavilion, here is a closer look at what the area entails and its various details.