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.

Jammin in the Jungle

As some of you may be aware, I recently joined the team of contributors on the official Disney Parks Blog. My first post there, which went up earlier this month, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Taking another look at the parade after all these years gave me new appreciation for the details and craftsmanship found throughout the show.

Rafiki leads the way on this Jammin' Jungle Expedition through the Discovery Island section of the park. His Adventure Rover, like those carrying each of the featured characters, is a highly-customized Jeep with lots of fun details, from the Anandapur stickers on the luggage to the vanity plate on the back of the vehicle.

The original procession which debuted with the park in 1998 was entitled March of the ARTimals. Following that rather esoteric display, one of the key goals for Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade was to introduce more Disney DNA and characters into the park. The show definitely maintains its own identity, though, unique to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The parade becomes a celebration of animals, with designs inspired by the color and craftsmanship of the Discovery Island villagers. The Party Animals (stilt walkers) each give the impression of a distinct species, such as the tiger and crocodile pictured above, without being literal translations.


Larger creatures, like the elephant and giraffe below, are suggested by the forms of giant rolling drum units and elaborate puppet contraptions. The puppets for the parade were created in partnership with Michael Curry, the designer who produced the pieces for "The Lion King" on Broadway. That same type of artistry is in evidence here.

One of the most special aspects of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade is the level of Guest involvement. Rather than a single Grand Marshall family, several groups of Guests get to ride along and join in the celebration throughout the parade. Some of the VIP Guests are carried in spectacular rickshaw taxis, which are among my favorite elements of the show. In the example below, the carriage for the Guests is formed by a series of canopy trees and their root system, while out front the whole works is pulled along by a depiction of a hippopotamus. Even the performer/driver gets into the act, dressed as an oxpecker bird on the back of the hippo!

Check back tomorrow. We'll explore more delightful details from Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade.

Flashback: 15 Years of Magic & Tencennial

"It's been 15 years, and we're having a party.

Here at Disney World, there's a party all year long!"

Kicking off in 1986, the Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary Celebration was marked with a brand new parade and fabulous prizes. The premiere weekend, held for thousands of press and invited guests October 2-5, also coincided with a celebration of the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Guests visiting the Hall of Presidents signed copies of the Constitution, renewing their commitment to that enduring document, and it was during this time that the authentic replica of the Liberty Bell was added to the park's Liberty Square.

Inspired by the Gift Giver Extraordinaire, which had been such a success during the Disneyland 30th anniversary in 1985, Walt Disney World celebrated by giving gifts to guests who entered the Magic Kingdom. Every 15 seconds, all year long, guests were surprised with vouchers for presents ranging from buttons to T-shirts, and once a day, someone walked away with a new car!

Among other features, the 15 Years of Magic Parade introduced the Crystal Castle float, a unit which continues to play a part in Magic Kingdom parades 25 years later. There was even a limited-run 15th Anniversary float added to the Main Street Electrical Parade that year.

Five years earlier, October 1981 saw the start of different parade in honor of the Walt Disney World Tencennial. Celebrating the resort's 10th birthday, Tencennial was the first anniversary celebration held in Florida. As they liked to say at the time, it was a party "a year long and a smile wide!"

The Tencennial Parade featured theme music adapted from the "Disneyland Is Your Land" song created for that park's 25th anniversary a year earlier. The parade included homages to each of the lands of the Magic Kingdom. It's song, "Walt Disney World Is Your World," also became the title and theme of a new stage show introduced that year.

Tencennial was a huge success, concluding with the October 1982 opening of EPCOT Center, and it paved the way for future anniversary celebrations in the Vacation Kingdom of the World. (All photos ©Disney)

Flashback: Surprise Celebration

We continue our look back at Walt Disney World anniversary celebrations today with a trip to 1991 and the 20th anniversary of the resort. The theme that year was Surprise Celebration, with surprise elements each day and new surprise features added as the year went on. (All photos ©Disney)

Ahead of the celebration kickoff, a group of cast members gathered in front of the railroad station at the Magic Kingdom for an official anniversary photo. I was there that day and lucky enough to be chosen to take part in the photo. That's me, standing at the railing by the engine cab in the Haunted Mansion butler costume. Look around in the photo, and you'll also discover several costumes from the park's past which are no longer in use today: the yellow vest of the Diamond Horseshoe server, the original It's a Small World sailor outfit, the old mustard yellow Fantasyland lederhosen, the red and white with mouse ears from Mickey's Starland and the blue-clad crew of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (there are several of those guys at the upper right).

Roger Rabbit played a big role in the celebration of the 20th. Still riding high on the success of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Disney's newest star led the Surprise Celebration Parade. He also popped up "unexpectedly" in shows across the park to surprise guests with prizes, ranging from 20th anniversary T-shirts to caps with plush Rogers affixed to the bill.

The Surprise Celebration Parade was a spectacular, Mardi Gras-inspired procession of colorful costumes, giant character balloons and (for the first time at WDW) stilt walkers. The parade made its grand debut the morning of October 1, 1991, immediately following a park rededication ceremony presided over by Michael Eisner and Roy E. Disney.

I was at the park on that day, as well, but this time as a guest. For the ceremony, I was standing under a large yellow balloon just to the left of the photo above. I had a great view... of the back of the dedication float. Even though I couldn't see well, it was impossible not to be excited by all the Disney Legends in attendance or to get choked up when Roy picked up the dedication plaque and reread the words his father had spoken on that very site 20 years earlier.

Another major element of the 20th anniversary celebration was the premiere of SpectroMagic, a new nighttime spectacular to replace the original Main Street Electrical Parade. My memories of SpectroMagic are of the crunch to get the parade ready on time. I recall working on the Jungle Cruise dock when our manager came down looking for people willing to pull some overtime helping out on the parade. The available shifts were either 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Brutal. I was willing to do it, though, for the chance to see something new up close and personal.

I was scheduled off the next day, so I chose the day shift. I spent those twelve hours backstage at the Magic Kingdom Production Center meticulously placing black tie-wraps on either side of every light bulb on the Silly Symphony float. The show's director wanted the lights in SpectroMagic to be precise, unlike the shaky lighting strands on the old parade. Whenever SpectroMagic makes its return to the park, look for those tie wraps, and think about all those Jungle Skippers (and other cast members) it took to get everything just right.

For me, the 20th Anniversary Surprise Celebration was my first big event as a Disney cast member. I've had the opportunity to participate in many more, even grander events since then, but the 20th will always hold a special place in my memory.

Flashback: WDW 25th Anniversary

As we count down the days this week to the next Destination D event, this time honoring the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort, I thought it would be fun to look back on anniversary celebrations over the past 40 years.

Aside from Disneyland's 10th anniversary in 1965, the large-scale celebration of Disney Parks anniversaries was most in vogue during the 1980s and 90s. Today, Disney acknowledges each anniversary with smaller events and collectible merchandise, saving the big blowouts for significant milestones (such as Disneyland's 50th in 2005). The last major celebration at Walt Disney World kicked off in October 1996 for the 25th anniversary. (All photos ©Disney)

The 25 Years of Magic celebration was marked by the debut of the Cinderella Castle Cake, a remarkable transformation of the Magic Kingdom park icon into an enormous, candy-colored confection. The castle cake continues to be as controversial today as it was then. I, for one, actually liked it. To see it in person was an unbelievable experience. While it made me smile every time, I also understood why others didn't care for it. It was perhaps too dramatic a departure from the classic castle image, and for those visiting Walt Disney World on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, it just wasn't what they expected to see.

What guests that year did enjoy, however, was the new Remember the Magic parade. Featuring a gospel-inspired theme, the parade introduced a new concept to the park, show stops. For the first time in Magic Kingdom history, the parade came to a stop at points on the route, and guests were invited into the street to take part in the celebration.

The 25th anniversary was also treated as a reunion of sorts. Every guest who had ever visited the Magic Kingdom was invited to return for the celebration. At the 25th Anniversary Welcome Center on Main Street (in the current home of Town Square Theater), guests could check in and receive a special badge identifying the year of their first visit. Mine proudly proclaimed: 1978! New to Walt Disney World? You got a First Visit badge, the precursor to the celebration buttons common today.

The Welcome Center included a sneak preview of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, set to open at the conclusion of the 18-month-long anniversary celebration. At the time, 25 Years of Magic was the longest and most successful campaign the Walt Disney World Resort had ever seen.

For those of you who will be celebrating Walt Disney World's 40th at Destination D this weekend, be sure to look for me. I'll be at several of the presentations during the day and at times volunteering in the merchandise area of the Contemporary Resort Convention Center, so come say, "Hello!" I look forward to meeting you!

If you would like to attend Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th, tickets are still available at this link.

Where in Disney's World - Wednesday 11/24 Answer

Did you get it? Today's clue was the horns atop the rolling one-man-band contraption guided by Sulley as he leads the daily Pixar Play Parade at Disney California Adventure.

Check back tomorrow for another fun challenge. In the meantime, why not revisit some of my previous articles on Disney parades. You'll find them at this link.

B-L-O-C-K in the U.S.A

Every day at 3 p.m., the Toy Story gang leaves Pixar Place and hits the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios in Block Party Bash. During this high-energy show, there's so much going on, it's nearly impossible to see it all. Yet even in the face of sensory overload, there are plenty of subtle details and Hidden Disney treasures to be found.

Atop the main Toy Story unit is that familiar red, yellow and blue ball from Pixar's "Luxo Jr." that we saw earlier inside Toy Story Midway Mania. On the front of the float is Mr. Microphone, with one slight difference from the real version. To avoid potential legal entanglements, this one is from OldSkool, rather than PlaySkool.

You may also notice the crayons in shades of Bo Peep Pink, Gamma Quadrant Blue or Zurg Purple. Of course, rather than Crayola, they're Pixola brand.

Along with Toy Story, Block Party Bash also includes units from popular Pixar hits A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc. Throughout the parade you'll see these stacks of blocks known as "Tweeners" (the name comes from being placed between the main floats). The look of the Tweeners and the use of the Green Army Men are intended to provide a sense of unity to the show. Pay attention, though, and you'll see that each one is slightly different, with artwork inspired by their respective films. The costumes for the Pixar Pals also change from unit to unit, reflecting elements of the toys, monsters and bugs with which they're associated.

The Monsters, Inc. float is the largest single float ever used in a parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios, weighing approximately 15 tons. It brings a little piece of the Monsters, Inc. factory floor to the party. Watch the mini-Door Vault as it rotates. You might just spot Boo's closet door from the movie.

There's another fun detail on the back of the Monsters float. It's a Monstropolis license plate, and the registration stickers, "MAR" and "08," indicate the month and year the parade premiered at the Studios. Of course, Block Party Bash actually made its debut three years earlier at the Disney California Adventure park during The Happiest Celebration on Earth. At that time, the license plate read MAY 05. Today, the original with that date is hanging backstage in the Studios' parade barn.

Bringing up the rear is the unit representing A Bug's Life. Heimlich the caterpillar plays DJ for this leg of the party, which includes credits for some of the creative talent behind the show. Look for the B. Kaye Bakery label on the cookie box (a reference to Art Director Brad Kaye; the film version mentioned animation story man Joe Grant, co-writer on Dumbo, hence the Casey Jr. reference). There's also a Davison's logo along a crushed can at the front of the float, a nod to Steve Davison, Creative Director for this and other spectacular shows like the new World of Color.

At the back of the A Bug's Life unit, you'll no longer find Dim the beetle. He and his umbrella hitch were retired from the parade back at California Adventure. It seems that one piece made the whole procession just a hair too long to allow for adequate crowd flow in the park during the show stops.

Without Dim, though, we can get a much better look at the back of that box of Casey, Jr. Cookies. Check the Nutrition Facts to realize that the cookies are a great source of Dietary Fly-ber and Vitamin Flea. Then again, a single serving is 15,000 calories!

Pixar fans will note Vitamin A113. The designation A113 appears in every Pixar film, as a tribute to the room number of the animation classes many of the artists attended at California Institute of the Arts.

It's hard to read, but the Ingredients list is jam-packed with plays on words. Someone had a lot of fun with this. So just what's in the cookies? Well...

Essence of low-fat butterfly, pollinated flower, tuck and roll oats, weevil seed, brown honey, caterpillar of salt, corny-joke syrup, evaporated bug juice, mighty mite malt, mashed moth-eaten maize, natural vanilla, minimally natural vanilla, I-can't-believe-it's-not vanilla, you-couldn't-call-it-vanilla-if-you-wanted-to vanilla, giraffe, hippo, zebra, lions, tiger and bears, oh my!, roach red #40, grasshopper green #8, brown beetle sugar, vita-veta-vegamins, folic aphids, vitamins A+, Be 12 and a pinch of P.T. Fleas's Famous Flaming Death.

Zinc Zapper & Insect Iron (Mineral Nutrients) - Vitamin C (centipede friendly) - Vitamin Bee 6 (pyrodox hydrolox paradox) - 2 Bee (or not 2 Bee?) - Vitamin Bee 1 (it's the queen bee's knees) - All in amounts that wouldn't hurt a flea

Naturally, the cookies are "Blueberry Troop Taste-Tested and Approved" and the "Winner of the Good Bugkeeping Seal of Approval." Yumm!