Road Trip

Bonjour, mes amis! I'm back (finally) from my trip to Europe and have lots of fun details and stories to share with you. First up, though, is something a bit closer to home. Guests visiting the Backlot of Disney's Hollywood Studios right now are discovering that the Luigi's Casa della Tires set, the former photo location for Lightning McQueen and Mater, is being rebuilt for the launch of Cars 2 in June. In its place is a construction wall with this incredibly detailed image (above ©Disney/Pixar).

The image, printed on a giant billboard, conveys some of the international fun and excitement in store for audiences with Cars 2. A cursory glance reveals some of the locations in the new film, including Tokyo, Japan; London, England; Paris, France; and Porto Corsa, Italy. Look closely, though, and you'll spot lots of really fun details, like this sign in Tokyo that's a tribute to the last Pixar film, Toy Story 3.

Elsewhere in the Japan portion of the image, you'll spot a sumo match in progress:

In the London portion, you'll see cars racing down The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Be sure to note the royal viewing stand and palace guards:

The Italy section includes none other than the Pope Mobile, riding in his very own Pope-mobile:

And then there's one of my favorite details of all. In the village part of the Italy section, you'll find this quaint little tire shop, Topolino's. What's great about it, is this is perhaps one of the most subtle forms of Hidden Mickey. After all, Topolino is the name for Mickey Mouse in Italian.

One of my favorite moments from my recent trip was seeing Mickey in an appearance at one of the Disneyland Resort Paris hotels, where an excited Italian father ran up with his children shouting, "Topolino! Ciao!" It really hit home in that moment how universal the love of Disney truly is.

Hints of Fantasia

As part of its renovation in the 1990s, Disney's Contemporary Resort shifted thematically from a look reminiscent of the American Southwest to a style inspired by modern art. At the time, there was also a desire to bring more of a "Disney" feel to the resort, so designers turned to the studio's most artistic endeavor, Fantasia. Elements from Fantasia were introduced throughout the property, many of which (such as the Sorcerer Mickey topiary above) are still around today.

The influence began as soon as guests entered the resort, where they were greeted by this bronze statue of Mickey Mouse shaking hands with Conductor Leopold Stokowski. Inspired by the scene at the conclusion of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence in the film, the statue stood inside the lobby of the Contemporary Resort for more than a decade. When the resort was next renovated in 2005, the statue moved for a time to the exhibit gallery at The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios (where the photo below was taken).

Disney's Contemporary Resort has always been a convention hotel for Walt Disney World. The original meeting and event facilities on the second floor still bear names from the resort's earlier era: Ballroom of the Americas, Grand Republic Ballroom, Atlantic and Pacific. The convention center expansion of 1991, however, brought a new series of room names: Fantasia, Nutcracker and Pastoral.

Fantasia and Disney's Contemporary Resort continue to fit well with one another, and the influence of the film has extended even to recent projects like the Fantasia Shop on the Grand Canyon Concourse.

Built into the previously unused space between the existing series of stores (one of which was converted into a new arcade), the Fantasia Shop incorporates fun details which pay homage to Disney's classic film, from the whimsical sorcerer's hat portals to marching brooms and dancing thistles.

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.

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.

Walt's Little Car

In honor of the 109th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth, I have something fun to share with you today. Between 1960 and 1965, Walt commissioned four electric runabouts for use at Disneyland, primarily for escorting VIP guests around his park. Designed by Disney Legend Bob Gurr, the cars were replicas of a 1900 curved-dash Oldsmobile, complete with fringe tops and brass headlamps.

Two of those original vehicles (dark blue and white/green) are still at Disneyland and occasionally put on display. You might be surprised to discover, however, the whereabouts of the other two. The burgundy and the all white runabouts are actually being used daily in Florida at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

So the next time you pause to enjoy the antics of Otto Von Bonn Bahn, Evie Starlight or the other Citizens of Hollywood, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you're thisclose to Walt and a real piece of Disney history.

Who's the Leader of the Club?

Sometimes, a promotion in the Disney Parks can serve a dual purpose. For about two weeks at the end of April 2009, characters from Disney's online virtual world Club Penguin appeared at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests could meet Blue and the elusive pirate, Captain Rockhopper, in an area on Mickey Avenue near the Studio Backlot Tour.

The appearances served to promote Club Penguin, but they were also a test to gauge Guest reaction. This is frequently done with new characters from non-traditional sources, since their familiarity and popularity may not be as broad as characters from Disney's animated films. The two-week Club Penguin test was relatively well-received, but the characters have yet to pop up anywhere else. Who knows? We may yet see them again some time. Of course, fans of Club Penguin know that sightings of Captain Rockhopper can be rare indeed!

The Day the Sky Fell

With each new Disney animated feature, some sort of promotion is typically done to support the film within the Disney Parks. Over the years, these promotional opportunities have ranged from new parades and shows to the introduction of characters from the film. For the launch of Chicken Little in 2005, the star of the movie and his best friend Abby Mallard began making regular appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Just to make sure no one missed the fact that the movie was coming out, the entire east face of Stage 5 (the Playhouse Disney theater) was repainted for the occasion with an enormous sky backdrop. Adding to the effect were an inflatable Chicken Little on the roof and a hexagonal piece of the "sky," planted on the ground nearby as if it had recently fallen there.

Chicken Little and Abby have since returned to their lives in Oakey Oaks, rarely making appearances in the Parks. The film's title on the side of the building has also long been painted over, but the image of the sky remains as a backdrop for the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant.

Sounds & Sights Along the Way

In the early years of Walt Disney World, that trip up World Drive to the Magic Kingdom offered little to see but trees and the occasional sign. Even the Auto Plaza was fairly nondescript. The fancy pink and purple Welcome statement that's there today only dates back to the 20th anniversary in 1991 (Interesting side fact: the arch across the top that holds the words "Magic Kingdom" was once part of the marquee for the Wonders of Life pavilion at Epcot).

Keeping Guests entertained and informed during the drive was a limited-range radio station (broadcast from a space inside Cinderella Castle that's now part of the Castle Suite). One of the first signs encountered on Disney property invited you to tune your AM dial to the station, where you could hear information on park hours, show times and special events, along with a selection of popular Disney tunes. Until it was discontinued in the mid-90s, the Walt Disney World radio station was a key element in creating that sense of "arrival."

While the '90s silenced the radio station, other forms of Disney promotion found their voice. With rare exception, Walt Disney World never used to directly advertise itself, opting instead to rely on word of mouth and the "free advertising" that resulted from regular press events. Today, those are still key to Disney's marketing strategy, but the company has also entered into television and outdoor advertising in a big way.

Billboards touting Disney Parks and attractions have become part of the landscape along Interstate 4, International Drive and other Central Florida roadways, but the most special examples are found within the borders of the actual resort. The entire entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios is a giant Streamline Moderne and film strip statement, promoting some of the newest and most popular elements of the park.

Nearby, a billboard for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror looms over World Drive, bringing the excitement of the attraction to life with animation and lighting effects. This particular billboard, one of the first to land on Disney property, has been in place for nearly fifteen years. It debuted shortly after the Tower of Terror's 1994 opening and has even been altered slightly over the years with the introduction of each variation to the attraction.

Elsewhere, dimensional billboards promote Disney Vacation Club, Mission: Space at Epcot (with glowing rocket flare) and "It's Tough to be a Bug" at Disney's Animal Kingdom (complete with a smoke effect emanating from the rear of stinkbug Claire de Room).

On-property advertising has certainly come a long way from that quaint little AM station, and it just goes to show that even when it comes to something as everyday as highway billboards, nobody does it quite like Disney.

Slip Him a Mickey

During Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, the hero of the film being shot sees a lot of action, but if he's looking closely, he might notice one or two other things... Hidden Mickeys!

The most subtle of these is in the window of the Motomania shop - the one through which he crashes in his efforts to elude the bad guys. Tucked behind the top right pane of glass (actually Plexiglas panels) is a set of gears and belts arranged in the classic three-circle pattern:

Slightly more obvious (and even visible from the grandstand by those with sharp eyes) is the Mickey in the window of the antiques shop next door to Motomania. More accurately, it's on the window, where you'll spy an image of a 1930s-era Mickey Mouse toy.

The Stunt Master

When the precursor of Lights, Motors, Action!, Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular, opened at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, nothing like it had ever been done before. In order to bring the appropriate level of thrills, credibility and safety to the production, Disney's Imagineers partnered with legendary French stunt coordinator Rémy Julienne (photo below ©Le Post/Tony Frank). Since the 1960s, Julienne has created memorable stunts for films ranging from the original The Italian Job (1969) to The Da Vinci Code (2006).

Rémy is perhaps best known for his work on several of the James Bond films, including For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights and GoldenEye. It's no coincidence that the faux film shoot that's part of the show bears a striking resemblance to a 007 adventure. In fact, had it not been for a contentious relationship between Disney and Bond's home studio of MGM, the park may well have been able to boast a James Bond stunt show.

While the "film" being shot may be generic, the stunts performed are anything but. When the villain cars bump up on two wheels during the show, they're performing a balance routine pioneered in the 1971 Bond outing Diamonds Are Forever.

The prototype cars featured in the show are equipped with a unique gear system, based on a design by Rémy Julienne, allowing the driver to go into reverse regardless of the amount of revolutions per minute. This provides incredible maneuverability in performing stunts like the close encounters in the Ballet Chase.

At the conclusion of each show, the footage from "today's" sequences is edited together with previously shot scenes to give the audience a sense of what the finished film will look like when it all comes together. In that film, the "hero car" is actually driven by Rémy Julienne's nephew. In all, three generations of the Julienne family worked on the show, included Julienne's son Dominique.

The "finished film" that plays on screen as part of the finale of Lights, Motors, Action! is the same one originally shot for the Paris version. The sets for the two shows match almost exactly, although a close observer may be able to pick out some subtle differences.

One thing that's the same, though, whether you see the show in France or Florida, is the pure rush of adrenaline that comes from this high-octane production, one of the most thrillingly realistic stunt spectaculars ever staged.