Lights, Camera... Toons!

At the other end of Production Courtyard from the action-packed Backlot is the largest area of Walt Disney Studios Park, Toon Studio. This is the place where Disney animated films are brought to life and your favorite characters can be found on the lot, shooting iconic scenes from the movies or just greeting their fans.

One of the original attractions here is the Art of Disney Animation, a Streamline Moderne-styled building capped off with a giant Sorcerer's Hat. Visitors to Walt Disney World might recognize the golden statues of Peter Pan, Wendy Darling and Tinker Bell flying around the hat. They graced the turrets of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom during the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" event in 2005 and were moved here afterward.

Other statuary nearby pays homage to Disney animated creations both classic and contemporary, from Fantasia's Bacchus and Jacchus (1940) to the title character of 1999's Tarzan.

Inside, the Art of Disney Animation experience is similar to the interactive exhibits found at Disney California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios. There's even an Animation Academy (using assets from the now-defunct Chicago DisneyQuest location), where Guests can learn how to draw a favorite character.

Across the plaza from Art of Disney Animation is the Studio 3 Theatre, home to the live entertainment spectacle "Animagique." The "Animagique" show opens with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck working in an animation studio. Mickey warns Donald (and us) not to open a door at the far end of the studio. As soon as Mickey steps out, though, guess what happens. Donald finds himself sucked into the Disney film vault for wild, musical encounters with characters and "black light" sequences from The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Dumbo and The Little Mermaid, all before Mickey returns to save the day.

Outside Studio 3, we find a bit of a set from the Disney-Pixar film Monsters, Inc. Mike Wazowski is standing alongside Boo's door, ready for his close-up. From time to time, even big blue James P. Sullivan stops by for some photos and hugs. What's great, though, is there are so many fun details and things to see in this little corner, Guests are entertained even when the characters aren't around.

This security gate is where toons from Hollywood or nearby Toontown check in to go to work on the lot. It also marks something of a delineation between the production facilities of Toon Studio and the Toon Backlot area, where outdoor sets can be found from films like Cars and Toy Story.

There are several films in production at Toon Studio at the moment. We'll be taking an in-depth look at them next week, so be sure to check back.

Adventure or Bust!

One of my favorite aspects of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom is the Adventure Rovers for each of the VIP characters in the show. These customized Jeeps are not only personalized for each character, but are also packed to the gills with everything they "need" for a camping expedition.

Minnie's Rover, complete with bow and polka dots, is hauling a pair of picnic baskets, along with all the comforts a lady like Minnie would never leave home without. Look for hatboxes and trunks (adorned with stickers from Minnie's travels through Disney's Animal Kingdom), a vanity table and phonograph... even a bathtub with rubber (Donald) duckie, leaving a trail of bubbles as she goes.

Goofy's up next, and he's brought everything... including the kitchen sink! There's a fishing pole, lantern, snowshoes (just in case), golf clubs, tennis racket, tent, radio, pots, pans, broom, washboard, tea kettle, long johns, windsock, barbecue grill and more. The hood ornament on Goofy's Rover is an old bowling trophy, which occasionally tips back as the engine overheats and needs to blow off steam. Look closely at the hood of the Jeep... you'll see the Goof really is prepared for anything! That's the Flying Carpet and lamp from Aladdin. You never know what kind of wish you may need granting when you're lost in the jungle!

A beak leads Donald Duck's Adventure Rover, fully equipped for aquatic fun on this jungle expedition. He's got SCUBA gear, a raft, nets, paddles, inner tubes, an old-fashioned dive helmet, water skis and even a crow's nest (complete with crow). Donald's sailboat has seen better days, but he's patched it up and is ready to go!

Mickey Mouse brings up the rear of the parade with the largest Adventure Rover of them all. Leave it to the Big Cheese, though, to be the most sensible and frugal of packers. He's loaded up with just the things he truly needs - clothes, sleeping bag, supplies and some satellite radio equipment to keep in touch with his pals - allowing plenty of room for extra Guests to ride along.

Mickey's Rover is also completely inclusive. Rather than celebrating himself, it's a tribute to various members of the animal kingdom, from the golden lion hood ornament to the paint scheme in patterns of zebra, tiger, snake, lizard and insect. It's as if all the animals of the entire parade come together for the finale, rejoicing in the "Rhythm of One."

Art + Animals = Artimals!

In yesterday's article, we talked about some of the elements which make up Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Today, let's take a closer look at the artistry involved in depicting the wild animals throughout the parade.

The rickshaw taxis that carry Grand Marshall Guests are each comprised of a tree canopy carriage, "pulled" by a different animal. I particularly like the leaping tiger (above) and the crocodile (below). Notice, even the type of tree is different on each unit.

The drum units are equally unique, with performers sitting high on a camel or nestled into the back of a giant parrot. Look closely, and you'll realize these creatures are made to look as though they were hand-crafted from natural elements, like leaves, branches and tree trunks.

This aesthetic, combining natural-looking elements with vibrant colors, carries through the parade. It's similar to the way depictions of animals are treated in the rest of Discovery Island, where the animals are shown very realistically on the Tree of Life but interpreted artistically in human creations.

Another key design choice for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade was influenced by the overarching theme of Disney's Animal Kingdom - people's relationship with the animal world. As much as the park is about animals, it's also about us. Supporting that idea, the parade performers are not hidden by the animal puppets or costumes. Instead, their faces are integral to the design, and they bring the performance of the animal to life with their expression and direct connection to the audience.

In no instance is that connection more direct than with the Party Animals, stilt walkers who have the ability to stride on over to a Guest along the route and interact. From a distance, we appreciate the artistry that turns a performer into a colorful moose, eagle, lizard, armadillo or lion. Up close, though, we realize they're just like us... human beings caught up in a rapturous celebration of the natural world.

No Foolin'

Today is Friday, April 1 - April Fool's Day - a day when many a Disney website or blog runs phony stories about developments in and around the Walt Disney Company. Well... I won't be doing that. Instead, I present to you this week's final series of vintage Disney Parks photos. Each tells a story that, if not for the photographic evidence, might seem just as far fetched as an actual April Fool's Day prank. Enjoy.

Epcot replaces Disney Characters with

Larger-than-Life People of the World

When EPCOT Center opened in 1982, it was the first Disney Park designed outside the Disneyland mold. To help further differentiate the park from the Magic Kingdom, it was decided the traditional Disney characters would not appear in EPCOT Center (it was actually this decision that led to the first wide-spread use of "Hidden Mickeys"). Instead, the new park would feature a cast of characters all its own, from Dreamfinder and Figment in Future World to the People of the World in World Showcase. These oversize, doll-headed characters were adapted from America on Parade, which ran at the Magic Kingdom in the mid-70s. Brought to EPCOT Center, they were dressed in international costumes and set out to pose with guests around the World Showcase Lagoon. It wasn't long, though, before visitors to the park expressed their expectation that Mickey and friends would be on hand, and the People of the World were retired in favor of the Fab Five in "futuristic" silver jumpsuits.

"Three Little Pigs" Musical Added in Expansion

of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

As part of an early effort to add extra offerings to the Magic Kingdom (significantly more modest than the current park expansion), the Fantasy Faire Stage was created in the back of Fantasyland to host musical performances starring popular Disney characters. Various shows telling stories ranging from "Winnie the Pooh" to the "Three Little Pigs" graced the stage over the years. Even as recently as the mid-90s, this spot was home to Disney Magic Music Days guest performers and Miss Minnie's Country Christmas during holiday events. The Fantasy Faire Stage closed for good in 1996, to be replaced by Ariel's Grotto, and the site is now being transformed once again into part of Belle's village for New Fantasyland.

Disneyland Rivers of America Run Dry

You're not seeing things. This is the dry riverbed of the Rivers of America in Frontierland at Disneyland, with the guide rail for the Columbia and Mark Twain visible on the ground. This level of refurbishment on the park's main river has only been undertaken a handful of times. This particular photograph is from early-1992, when the original infrastructure was added for a new Disneyland nighttime spectacular set to debut that spring - Fantasmic!

Goofy Seen Water Skiing on Seven Seas Lagoon

In the early years of the Walt Disney World Resort, when the Magic Kingdom was the only park to visit, guests crossing Seven Seas Lagoon were often treated to surprise appearances by the Disney characters. Favorites like Goofy and Mr. Smee could be seen water skiing alongside the ferries on their way to the park. More than just entertainment value, these stunts also served as a promotion of sorts of the resort's varied recreation offerings, something new that had never been available at Disneyland.

Replica of Mos Eisley Cantina Built at Entrance

to Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios

It's true! Full disclosure, though: The cantina structure was temporary, only built for the official grand opening ceremonies for Star Tours held on January 14, 1990. Look closely at the photo, and you can see the band playing (that's Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes for you die-hard Star Wars fans out there). Michael Eisner and George Lucas presided over the day's events. Star Wars stars Mark Hammill and Carrie Fisher were also in attendance. Even though Darth Vader and his Imperial Guard made an appearance atop the attraction building to try and stop the proceedings, everything opened according to plan. Now, twenty-one years later, we await the debut of the next chapter with Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, opening May 20.

Favorite Things: Props from the Past

One of the bonuses of working for the Walt Disney Company is that cast members can occasionally land unique souvenirs, especially when the time comes for a show or attraction to close.

Ten years ago, I was part of the team of writers that developed the "Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!" live show attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure. When the show closed in 2006, those of us who helped create and operate it were presented with a full set of the pins awarded to contestants during the show's run. I was also fortunate to be able to hang onto my original backstage pass from the production and to snag one of the button boxes when the set was dismantled. It's pretty useless now, but is one of my favorite things for the memories it brings back.

When the Disney-Pixar film Cars opened in 2006, I led the effort to introduce Lightning McQueen and Mater to their fans at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Aside from appearances for photo ops, the Cars stars also took part in the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade on Hollywood Boulevard. In the parade, they were joined by the Rust-eze Girls, a team of roller-skating carhops representing McQueen's main sponsor.

When the parade closed and the Rust-eze girls were retired, I was able to keep one of the cans of Rust-eze they used as a prop in their routine. It was created using original art from Pixar and is definitely one of my favorite things.

Hello, Everybody! We're Mighty Glad to Meet Ya!

The pinnacle of class and civilization in Frontierland is the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, offering the "best food & best shows in the territory." Promotional material outside the venue remarks about the "elegant surroundings" and "decorative appointments... brought at great expense by treacherous voyages around the horn."

Also promised are a "galaxy of gorgeous girls" performing the "shocking new French can-can dance." Of course, ladies are welcome and fellas are warned that there's "no spitting, gun fighting, cussing, gambling or animals allowed... when the gentle sex is present."

The Golden Horseshoe opened with Disneyland in July 1955. In fact, the first performance was held here the evening of July 13, in honor of Walt and Lillian Disney's 30th wedding anniversary. Walt came back to see the Golden Horseshoe Revue many times over the years, taking in the performance from his private booth (the one upstairs on the left). That original show ran through October 1986, becoming one of the longest-running shows in theater history.

Several different shows have been featured at the Golden Horseshoe over the years. Today, Billy Hill & the Hillbillies take to the stage each day. While the entertainment has changed, the venue itself has remained pretty much the same for the past 55 years.

There's even a bit of Hidden Disney here. When you "belly up to the bar," take note of the somewhat scandalous painting hanging against the back mirror. It's actually a prop from the 1963 Disney film Summer Magic, one of the paintings Hayley Mills' character suggested to represent Mr. Hamilton's mother.

More nods to Disney history can be found in the etched glass just inside the entrance to the saloon. Originally, this was Slue Foot Sue's Golden Horseshoe. The character of Sue, portrayed in the show by Disney Legend Betty Taylor (among others), came from an animated segment in the 1948 Disney package feature Melody Time. Sue was the sassy gal who caught the eye of none other than Pecos Bill.

Take a look, and you'll see images here of Pecos Bill on his trusty horse, Widowmaker, as well as Slue Foot Sue riding a giant catfish as she did in the film.