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.

Favorite Things: Tiki

One of my favorite things, Disney or otherwise, is Tiki culture. Maybe it's the Adventureland connection (my favorite land) or just the cool, mid-century retro vibe, but my wife and I love it so much we've done one whole room of our house as a 1960s-style mod' Tiki room.

A signature piece in that room is this "big fig" of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland. It's a perfect replica of the thatched hut at the entrance to that park's Adventureland, complete with a cobblestone-paved garden and the Tiki pre-show totems (Maui, Rongo, Tangaroa, etc.). Some of the totems even have little moving parts, and the entire building can be illuminated from within.

Elsewhere in the room sits this piece, a full-scale replica of the original Enchanted Tiki Room Barker Bird, Juan. Juan was once perched above the entrance to the attraction to talk to passersby and give them an idea of the sort of show they would find inside. This, of course, at a time in the early-'60s when Audio-Animatronics technology was new and guests bought separate tickets for each attraction experience.

Juan ultimately had to fly the coop, since he caused so many traffic jams with people stopping to watch him and blocking the entrance to Adventureland. This resin sculpture, plussed with a real bow tie and collar and artificial tail feathers, was produced several years ago by artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily. Kevin and Jody have created some fabulous pieces over the years, including replicas of items from Disneyland's past that could only appeal to the mostdiehard fans. To have a look at some recent work, visit Kevin's blog at this link.

Another favorite in our Tiki room is this limited edition 9" Vinylmation figure. It's really fun, with representations of Jose and Tangaroa on the front. Around back, it's "Here come the girls!" along with the Tiki drummers and mystical fountain. (I wonder what happened to Rosita?)

Favorite Things: Vinylmation

Vinylmation is one of the hottest new collectibles to come out of the Disney Parks. Started just two years ago, hundreds of designs have already been released, all in the familiar shape of Mickey Mouse. Inspired by previous art programs like "75 Mickeys" for the mouse's 75th anniversary, the potential for Vinylmation is limited only by the artists' imagination.

The figures come in 1.5", 3" and 9" sizes, in both open box and mystery box assortments. Some are limited editions, but even the open editions are typically only available for a limited run. Personally, I've limited my collection to just those special figures that represent things from the parks. Two of my favorites are both from Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The 9" Vinylmation for the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is particularly fun. From the front, it's a perfect representation of the restaurant's marquee, complete with the U.F.O. Turn it around, though, and you'll see art of Mickey and Minnie in one of the Sci-Fi's trademark convertibles, watching a drive-in movie. The image on the screen, part of a clip actually shown in the restaurant, is from the 1957 Ward Kimball-directed "Disneyland" TV episode "Mars and Beyond."

Another favorite is this 3" figure from the recent Park 5 series, depicting the statue of Anubis from the Great Movie Ride. I may be partial, since I was once a tour guide on that "Spectacular Journey Into the Movies," but I really love the details on this piece. The jewel that tempts the ride's bandits and gangsters is a gemstone affixed to the front of the figure. On the back is an image of one of the greatest hidden Mickeys ever made. It's Mickey and Donald as Egyptian hieroglyphics, as seen along the left wall of the ride's Raiders of the Lost Ark sequence preceding the Anubis.

But wait... there's more!

The bottom of each Vinylmation figure bears the signature of the artist who designed it. This particular piece was done by Maria Clapsis, who often adds another little artistic flourish to her signatures. In this case, it's a little tour guide in Egyptian Priest disguise with outstretched hand: "Halt, unbeliever! Disturb the treasure of the gods, and you shall all pay with your lives!"

To discover more about Vinylmation, check out the official Vinylmation site and my friend Steven Miller's Vinylmation Blog.

Favorite Things: Guide Maps

Thousands of families are visiting Disney Parks this week and letting the memories begin. Trust me. It's BUSY! They'll be taking millions of pictures and snapping up tons of souvenir merchandise, but what many may not realize is one of the best souvenirs of their trip is already in their hands... and it's free!

I have a decent collection of park guide maps from my visits to Disney Parks over the years. More recently, I've also tried to pick up new ones as things change in the parks. They're always a fun way of looking back at the way things were. The examples I'm sharing today are from my first visits to each of the four parks at Walt Disney World.

The Magic Kingdom guide book from Summer 1978 featured separate page spreads on each land, with information about all the attractions, shops and restaurants. There's also a map and information inside about the rest of the Vacation Kingdom. If you look closely, you can see where my dad checked off each attraction we visited and the alphabetical ticket required for admission. For a better look at this guide book, check out this article.

My family first visited EPCOT Center in June 1983, less than a year after the park opened. The guide map at that time was truly unique to differentiate the Epcot experience from that of the Magic Kingdom. It was a cardboard tri-fold that opened on a map of the overall park, followed by spreads on Future World and World Showcase. For even more information, the back panel of the guide included a rotating disc that could be used to "dial in" details about specific pavilions. Later in the '80s, Epcot would adopt a style of guide book more consistent with the Magic Kingdom's. For an example of a page from that, visit this previous post on the CommuniCore attraction.

I was fortunate to be a guest on May 1, 1989, the opening day of Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios). The guide I have from that day is a real treasure, since there's probably no other park that has changed quite as much as the Studios over the years. Take a look at the original map of the park in this article I wrote celebrating the 20th anniversary of Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The final example I have for you today is the very first guide map produced for Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's from the Cast Preview Days, held in March 1998, more than a month before the park opened to the general public. A quick glance shows you not everything was ready. A couple attractions are labeled "Coming in April," and the entire land of Asia is depicted as a construction zone (Asia opened in 1999).

Click to enlarge the image, and you'll discover all sorts of things that have changed since the early days of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Dinosaur! and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail are listed under their original names, Countdown to Extinction and Gorilla Falls. Countdown to Extinction states a minimum height requirement of 46 inches (the ride was toned down a bit so the height could be reduced to 40 inches, making it more accessible to a wider audience). There are also listings for several extinct attractions, like the Dinosaur Jubilee and Journey Into Jungle Book show.

This collection of guide maps is definitely one of my favorite things. Every time I crack one open, it's like hopping into a time machine to the Disney Parks of my memories.

Favorite Things: Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise is one of the classic Disney attractions. It's been around since the opening of Disneyland in 1955 (In fact, it was the only attraction in Adventureland back then). While it continues to be a favorite today, the Jungle Cruise is the subject of relatively little merchandise compared to its thrill ride cousins.

I have a handful of items in my personal collection. One of my favorite things from Jungle Cruise is the serigraph cel of the Trapped Safari scene, with the Fab 5 standing in for the hunting party. I especially enjoy that the boat depicted on the cel is of the original, candy-striped variety. I also have a plastic model of one of those original boats. The real boats on the Jungle Cruise have all been replaced with craft sporting a more rugged, realistic look. I like the new boats, but it makes me smile to have examples of the classic boats.

A particularly unique item is this trivet from Tokyo Disneyland. The merchandise selection in Japan is quite different from what we're accustomed to seeing in the domestic parks. Many items are smaller and more practical in nature, but they also take the opportunity to feature art from attractions that don't get represented as frequently.

Of course, my fondness for the Jungle Cruise is bolstered by the fact that I was once a skipper there. You can read about some of my experiences and see a picture of me piloting a boat here, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for more of my favorite things.

Favorite Things: More Attraction Toys

Over the course of the past decade, Disney has produced toy versions of many of their most popular attractions and resort icons, from the monorail and railroad to Space Mountain, the Tree of Life and the Polynesian Resort. Two of my favorites, though, have to be these Haunted Mansion play sets (Disneyland on the left; Magic Kingdom on the right). Each is finely detailed (if not completely color accurate) and even come with sounds from the attraction.

Each one opens slightly differently, presenting some favorite scenes from the Haunted Mansion. There's the Endless Hallway, creepy eye wallpaper, stretching portraits, Seance Circle, library and ballroom. They even came with little toy items of the grandfather clock, a coffin and that trio of Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Beyond the play sets, Disney also once offered a complete line of die-cast attraction ride vehicles. Only a few of these, like the XP-37 from Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, are still available. Most of the subjects came from attractions found in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, although there were a few from other parks. There were boats from El Rio del Tiempo and Maelstrom at Epcot and a cab from the Studio Backlot Tour.

There were even a couple examples made for attractions exclusive to Disneyland, the Alice in Wonderland dark ride and Matterhorn Bobsleds. They're definitely two of my favorite things. The detail on the bobsled is especially fun, with a Matterhorn shield on the nose and a frightened Harold Snowman riding in the car with Mickey, who's wearing lederhosen!

Favorite Things: Attraction Toys

For those of you who are celebrating Christmas today, I hope Santa was good to you. Maybe you even got some new Disney toys under the tree. The collection of Disney attraction toys on display in my study at home is rather extensive (and harder each year to keep out of reach of my 5-year-olds).

Some of my favorites are toys from attractions that are no longer in the parks. In the grouping pictured above, you can see a couple of toys sold during the early years at Disney California Adventure. That's a working model of the California Screamin' roller coaster (with original Mickey ears icon) and a spinning toy of the Orange Stinger swing ride (since replaced by Silly Symphony Swings).

A closer look reveals that the toy even sports the bumblebee seats that were on the real ride at opening, but didn't survive long (they kept cracking into each other).

This grouping also includes Mickey and Grrr plush from the Golden State area of the park, a Block Party Bash ball (acquired when the parade was still in California), an Autopia car promo piece from Chevron and a Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Vinylmation figure.

There's even a boot-shaped mug I picked up at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon on my very first trip to Disneyland back in 1991. I'm not sure if they still offer these mugs or not, but every time I look at it, I can still taste the root beer I had in mine.

Favorite Things: Family

Not all my favorite things are material. Perhaps my favorite of all is my family. The time we've spent together in the past year, much of it at Disney destinations, has produced memories I'll cherish for a lifetime.

From my family to yours, we wish you a very merry Christmas.

Favorite Things: Disney Books

One of my favorite things is my collection of Disney books. I always enjoy finding a new volume to pore over, eager to learn all I can about the man, his company, his creations and the legacy that continues to this day. Of course, my collection pales in comparison to some (I'm looking at you @otisney and @biblioadonis!), but there are a few books on my shelf that I truly cherish.

First and foremost is Disneyland - The Nickel Tour by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford. On the surface a tour of Disneyland postcards through the years, the book is a treasure trove of detail, history and minutia on The Happiest Place on Earth, written in a humorous style by two guys who lived much of it and helped create some of it. Whenever I want to research something about Disneyland, this is the first thing I pick up.

Another invaluable resource is Dave Smith's Disney A to Z. Three volumes have been printed thus far, and an online supplement is available, documenting everything that has come along since the last edition of the book. Between my wife and I, we own all three print editions of Disney A to Z, but my favorite is the first.

That first edition on my shelf is signed by the author, but also has a few other special autographs within its pages. Years ago, I would carry my copy of Disney A to Z to every Disneyana Convention and special event, with the hope of getting some of my Disney heroes to sign the book.

Flipping through and seeing those pen marks today takes me back to those moments. It brings a smile to my face to remember what a joy Jodi Benson was (not to mention how cool it was to hear the voice of my favorite princess talking directly to me!) or how honored I was to be in the presence of Marc Davis, a true Disney Legend. It's those memories, far more than the object, that makes this book one of my favorite things.

A Few of My Favorite Things

We'll get back to our tour of Disneyland soon. Meanwhile, in the spirit of the holidays I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite things. No, they're not raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens. They're items from my collection of Disneyana, things I particularly cherish or that are unique in some way.

Naturally, I have to start with my favorite Disney character, the wacky Professor Ludwig Von Drake. This Mr.-Know-It-All (who's not quite an expert on anything) made his debut back in 1961 on the premiere episode of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color." Between the silly predicaments in which he finds himself and his wonderfully thick-accented voice (portrayed by Paul Frees, who was also the Haunted Mansion's Ghost Host), Ludwig never fails to make me laugh.

Having a favorite like Von Drake makes collecting a challenge. Very little in the way of merchandise has ever been produced with his likeness. When I do come across something, though, it's like discovering a priceless treasure. So far, I've managed to accumulate eight pins, a 1960s-era placemat, an album of groovy tunes and the Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture that I've incorporated into the design of this blog. It's not much, but I love every piece and have fond memories of how I came to acquire them.

The most recent addition to my collection is this plush Professor Von Drake. With Ludwig's appearances on "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," he's become a bit more well known to a new generation. This plush doll of him was offered for sale at Disney Stores. I found him propped up in my bed when I came home from work one day. My wife happened upon him at the mall and bought him on sight. She was so excited to bring Ludwig home to me, but not nearly as thrilled as I was to have a new Von Drake to call my own.

Between now and the new year, I'll be sharing more favorite things. Drop me a comment here or on Twitter, and let me know what you like to collect.