One man's observations today about the worlds of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Club 33 Concept Artwork
(c) Disney
One of the lessons Walt Disney learned from the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair was he needed a quiet, luxurious, very private spot to wine, dine, and entertain special clients and dignitaries. He wanted a place that blended the best in location, ambiance, and cuisine. While he was working on the New Orleans Square expansion, he identified the perfect location – adjacent to his new private apartment.
The club is named for the address of the front door, 33 Royal Street. It opened on June 15, 1967. Sadly, Walt passed away just six months earlier. Walt and his wife Lillian purchased many of the antiques on their trips to New Orleans. The original artwork is by various Disney artists. It is a beautiful place. It should be because the interior design was done by Dorathea Redmond and assisted by decorator Emil Kuri.
Dorathea worked at the Studios as a painter and illustrator. Her incredible career included contributions to movies such as Hitchcock’s Rear Window, Gone With the Wind, Chaplin’s Limelight, and The Road to Bali starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. From there she moved to an architectural firm for 10 years before joining WED.
Her first project at Disneyland was the Plaza Inn. Of course, the quality of her work at Club 33 is self-evident as you can see from these drawings. She also did concept sketches for the Magic Kingdom. You have all admired her work when you stare at the 15’ x 10’ mosaic murals that line the Cinderella Castle passageway. These huge panels are made up of thousands of small bits of Italian glass, real silver, and 14-karat gold. There is a matching set of panels in Tokyo.
(c) Disney
In keeping with the New Orleans theme, she chose to work in the First Empire style. This neoclassic style recalls the era of Napoleon and fits in perfectly with the early nineteenth century setting. Parquet floors, beautiful polish stone accents, and three huge chandeliers define the main dining room. A second less formal dining room is above the waiting area for the Blue Bayou.
Ms. Redmond retired in 1974 and died in March of 2009.
(c) Disney
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Captain EO Debut at Disneyland
This morning I was able to attend the debut showing of what will surely become one of the spring's signature events - the reopening of Captain EO starring Michael Jackson. Opened in September of 1986, this show ran through the Spring of 1997. Now it is back in a limited run called the Captain EO tribute. 
Today was an event designed for the media. Reporters from far and wide were roaming the park. At the entrance was a display table of the items that would be for sale. Disney arranged for a special line for the first showing. People started arriving last night. I am not that crazy and arrived around 840a for the 10a show.
We all had to sign waivers noting that we would be filmed. The spirit of Michael Jackson was alive and this kid, with his sister got a lot of attention and camera time.
A beautiful day.
We were lead into the park as a group and herded like cattle all the way down Main Street, through Tomorrowland, and then toward the entrance of the attraction. People who were not waiting in our line were discouraged to join and ran away from all of us.
Imagineers such as Tony Baxter were working the entrance gate. Lots of interviews. Lots of TV cameras being shoved at folks with questions like, "Are you excited?"
Moooving (get it?) down Main Street our group got squeezed into a small but gentle mob. The excitement was in the air. You had an interesting blend of Disneyland and Michael Jackson fans. Lots of old Captain EO shirts and even some of the old plush toys made an appearance. All in all, it seems that Hooter is the crowd favorite behind MJ.
Disney is prepared for huge crowds (which didn't really materialized by the time I left mid-afternoon. Plenty of switchbacks and an extra line in the Space Mountain hallway.
Just in front of the queue line was a small stage where the media could interview people with the crowd in the background. At every turn was another camera crew asking if we were excited to be at the debut.
Prior to the doors opening is an informative video that provides some historic context. They are certainly treating this as a tribute. Whenever a shot of MJ would flash the crowd went nuts. The waiting music also has that 80s vibe. I remember living through the 80s once already.
One of the big topics were the glasses. Originally, the 3D glasses were purple. It looks like they are reusing the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience glasses and they made a point to tell us they are Disney property and not to leave the theater.
Along with MJ came his little sister Janet.
Inside the theater they block off a section for the media and crammed the rest of us inside. The anticipation from the audience was a big part of the fun. They picked a very proper CM to introduce the film and the cameras were flashing like we were stars. A big cheer went up for the people who spent the night in the garage.
I will not be reviewing the film but limit my comments to the 70mm print that was brilliant and clear, the sound just right (the floor rocking was a cute touch), there were some changes in the original effects (no lasers or pyrotechnics), and overall the movie felt a bit dated in a really good way. We have cycled around in fashion to the point that this mid-80s look is right back in fashion. Oh the hair! Seeing MJ at his peak was certainly the highlight.
At the end of the movie the crowd gave a standing ovation. A big chunk of the crowd left the exit and went straight back into the queue.
Of course there is Captain EO swag. T-shirts, hats, buttons and sweatshirts.
Final thoughts: What a great day. I really dislike Honey I Shrunk the Audience so almost anything that replaced that film would be a treat. But this is just perfect for the people of Southern California. It is going to cross generations. It will bring back memories and create many new ones. However, I hope they limit the run. That will keep it fresh. Better get in line....Monday, February 22, 2010
DESIGN: Disney's Animal Kingdom land by land - Part 1
THE OASIS
Once past the gateway, you enter a land that could only exist in this particular theme park. It is called the Oasis.
The Oasis serves the same function as Main Street, Hollywood Boulevard or walking under Spaceship Earth. The job is to create a shared experience that sets up the adventures that lie ahead. For this park, the Imagineers were trying to slow you down. They described the Oasis as a “cool, green decompression zone”. People will always run toward the Safari or Everest, so this is a feat is rarely achieved on the way into the park. On the way out, it is a different story.
At every other theme park, it is the destination that matters. At Animal Kingdom the best way to enjoy the park is to let the journey become the thing. This park is designed to reward the guest who takes their time.
The pathways in the Oasis meander and cross under a land bridge just like the train tunnels at the Magic Kingdom. This obstruction acts like a curtain that sets up the big reveal; your first view of the iconic Tree of Life. The wide walkway over the main bridge is designed to accommodate the large crowds who just stand there and gawk. Many visitors will not realize that from the parking lot to this point you have walked up a 20-foot hill.
Like the other Disney park entrances, the Oasis funnels you through single entrance and a narrow portal to separate you from the real world and allow you to enter the fantasy world of the park. At the end of the pathway is a hub with the various lands radiating out like spokes on a wheel.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
DAILY DOSE OF DISNEY
2008 - Spaceship Earth reopens at EPCOT with new sponsor, scenes, narration, and music.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
DAILY DOSE OF DISNEY
1985 - Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration airs on NBC
2002 - President George W. Bush joins the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney Studios D23 Tour - Part 2
To see Part One of this tour go HERE.
It was a beautiful day in Burbank last Saturday. A perfect day to take a walking tour of the Walt Disney Studios. D23 was at it again and I was part of the first group of tour takers.
While waiting for the tour to begin, we were herded onto the porch of the Hyperion Bungalow to wait for the group of 50 to be divided into two groups. This was one of a couple of structures that were moved from the 2nd Disney Studios that was located at Hyperion and Los Feliz. Today it is used as a couple of conference rooms. 
Across the street from the Bungalow is the Hyperion Health Club. I like the orange tree that graces the entrance.
Above the door of the Disney Archives is this wonderful series of Mickey through the years.
Up on a shelf in the archives are models used for films and the theme parks. My favorites were these three guys from the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Of course, we can't forget bacchus from Fantasia.
Another delight is the opportunity to hold a real Oscar. Walt won more Academy Awards than any other person. With such a bounty, Dave Smith dragged one out from the archives and gave us all a chance to act like a star. Feels good in the hand.
This artifact was just stunning. This is the little mechanical bird that Walt and Lillian found in New Orleans that become the inspiration for the audio-animatronics. Even more remarkable is the thing still works. The Archives founder, Disney Legend Dave Smith wound it up and let it play a tune. Amazing.
Right next to the bird were early head molds for the prototype audio-animatronics. 
Mary Poppin's hat.
Something near and dear to my heart. Here is the hat worn by Sam the Eagle from America Sings!
I am looking forward to the sequel to TRON. Here is a helmet from the original.
We got to enter one soundstage. This is the one built for the production of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It features a removable floor with an 8 foot pool.
One thing I really enjoyed was watching the security guy who was attached to our group. Very nice man who just seemed to alway be just at the edge of where we were. He was in charge of a group of more than 40 people and they protect the 44-acre facility. He mentioned that the water tower is no longer in use but it does hold 4 cameras that cover the entire lot.
We also learned that the six-legged water tower was designed by Roy Disney. He thought it would look better than a 4-legged tower.
Michael Grave's post-modern Eisner Building with the Legends courtyard in front.
And the iconic street sign created for the Reluctant Dragon movie.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Animal Kingdom Postcards
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a treasure trove of details that may be unsurpassed in any of the parks. With the unifying design concept of a sense of place where the people just left, you can start to see the culture projected upon the environment. Maybe one of the best examples of this is the Harambe village in Africa. Throughout the land there is evidence of advertisements plastered on the wall that highlight some of the local activities. A few years ago, I picked up a incredible box of postcards stored in a little wooden box. Let's take a closer look:
Of course the big attraction is the Harambe Wildlife Reserve that features the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your photographic safari will be enjoyed in "one of our modern, comfortable safari vehicles" and you might see "Elephants, the Big Cats, the Herds of Antelope".
Another way to tour the Reserve is by balloon. That mode seems to always to be unavailable when I am touring the Village. Oh well. They have been around awhile. The flights started back in 1995 and even feature a champagne breakfast at set down. How fun would that be?
I just love this postcard. It is a map of the safari attraction that creates a sense of context for the exhibits. Look closely at the graphics and you will follow the current tour step by step. I would purchase a full size version of this in a heartbeat.
Oh this happens to me every time I go out on safari. Can hardly move with all of the animals around. Send this one back to relatives and make them jealous.
Getting hungry? Of course you are. Takes a lot of energy out there in the bush. I would recommend Tusker House Restaurant, which is located "in the center of Old Harambe." Well-Come!?
The diversity of wildlife in the Reserve is famous world wide. I always like to bring along a game spotting guide just like this one. Kind of like animal bingo. Without the yelling.
Who would have thought that the Kilimanjaro Safari folks would have competition. But along some Cap'n Bob's Super Safaris. With offices in Harambe, Cap'n Bob promises that "camping doesn't mean 'cheap' - it means 'value'." Of course, how can you top the camel rides and the Mauti Crocodile farm?
No detail is too small. As the folks over at Pixar like to say, "we even sand the bottom of the drawers." Take some time and enjoy the Village of Harambe and the people who live there that we just missed.
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