Category Archives: Disney

What this? This collection of Disney-related articles is just a glimmer of my passion for the empire Walt created. The real amazingness is over here.

Assassin’s “Fixer Upper” proves that Bob Iger isn’t a Szechuan aberration

A co-worker was poking around Google Maps and stumbled upon this unusual, yet practical demonstration of chromatic aberration (Wikipedia). Us Weekly | ‘Fixer Upper’ Was Presenting a ‘Security Issue’ for Chip, Joanna Gaines So beautiful! I’ve only seen the show a handful of times, but the hosts always struck me as genuinely good people and this only confirms it in my mind. PC Gamer | For better or worse, Assassin’s Creed: Origins is an RPG now This very much whets my appetite for more. 27 October can’t get here fast enough! Polygon | Disney chief was consulted about decision to kill Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens I don’t know why, but this feels like Iger trying to (unneccesarily) prove that he’s a mover / shaker or something. Polygon | Rick and Morty fans, McDonald’s is bringing back Szechuan sauce This is very amusing to me. I don’t … Continue reading →

Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center Anniversary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALT DISNEY WORLD (46) AND EPCOT CENTER (35)!!!

On this day in 1971, the vacation kingdom of Walt Disney World (Wikipedia’s article) first opened the gates of the Magic Kingdom (Disney’s second theme park), the doors of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and the links of the Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses. Wikipedia’s article on Walt Disney World This Day In Disney History’s article on Walt Disney World’s Grand Opening Walt’s big brother Roy O. dedicated the Magic Kingdom with these words: Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney … and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can … Continue reading →

Disneyland’s 62nd Birthday!

62 years ago, Walt Disney uttered these famous words. To all who come to this happy place – Welcome – Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past…and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America…with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Happy Birthday, Disneyland! 😀 *HUG*

Scott Adams goes Inside Out and a Geographical Oddity

Build a Habit-Robot in your Brain (from Scott Adams’ Blog) I find myself further and further fascinated with Scott’s musings, but this one was especially poignant given the number of “what’s going on inside their head” things that I’ve encountered this year (Disney Pixar’s Inside Out and Kristen Anderson-Lopez/Robert Lopez’ Up Here!).   Where the Palm Meets the Pine (from A Geographer’s Scrapbook) This was a fascinating article to read that was randomly posted in an internal work email and something I’ll have to remember to keep an eye out for next time I’m driving north!

I’m a Jim Dale Fan

I loved Pete’s Dragon growing up, then come to find that Doc Terminus also portrayed Barnum in Cy Coleman’s musical biography of Phineas Taylor was almost too much. And then he goes and narrates Pushing Daisies (one of my favorite cancelled shows of all time)! And he’s the audio book reader for the Harry Potter books? Get out. Just get out! So when I stumbled across Scott Kurtz’ tribute to Pete’s Dragon, I couldn’t help but squeal. 🙂 Every Little Piece – PVPOnline by Scott Kurtz For further enjoyment, here’s the original song that Scott is referencing.

Monsters University (2013)

Monsters University – Edwards Brea Stadium West 10, Brea, CA

Really fun! First prequel that Pixar has done. Great music by Randy Newman. OH MY GOODNESS NATHAN FILLION!!!!! I knew Johnny Worthington sounded familiar, but I couldn’t really place it. Although the same thing happened with all of the voices (except for the big three who came back from the first movie), which is weird (for me anyways). Great tie-in to the existing universe (although one of my cousins pointed out that a line from the first movie presents a problem – spoiler below). In Monsters, Inc., when Mike and Sulley walked through Monstropolis to go to the company, Mike said to Sulley “You’ve been jealous of my good looks since the fourth grade”. In this film, we’re told Mike and Sulley met in college. [In the commentary, director Dan Scanlon explained that there was a lengthy scene that would have followed Mike and Sully throughout their years in elementary … Continue reading →

Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play by Ridley Pearson

Started: 27 November 2012 Finished: 28th November 2012 Excellent continuation of the overall story, but…I had some definite “Disney” issues with this one. On the front cover of the book (hardcover edition at least) is a picture depicting a scene from the book (starts somewhere around page 128). This image depicts Judge Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame threatening one of the Kingdom Keepers. But when he actually makes his debut in that scene…it’s really weird. He is described as wearing clothes that sound more like something Captain Hook would wear. And then he’s speaking in a French accent! How is that a realization of the character Disney created (voiced by the phenomenally talented Tony Jay)?!? On page 290, the Keepers are back in EPCOT and are splitting up into teams to get to two pavilions: China and Morroco. But as we follow them past the pavilions: they’re … Continue reading →

Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow by Ridley Pearson

Started: 31 October, 2012 Finished: 3 November, 2012 Another excellent addition to the saga, although it was a bit like leaving us waiting for the other shoe to drop at the end. Thankfully the other book was already available and we were able to move right along to it! And as far as I can remember, nothing really “wrong”, at least not that this Disney nerd noticed.

Kingdom Keepers II: Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson

Started 29 October 2012 Finished 31 October 2012 Great/quick/fun read and an excellent sequel/second book in the saga. Just as solid story/character-wise as the last book, and very fun to explore the backstage areas of Animal Kingdom this time around. Of course though, it once again comes with it’s share of Disney nerd problems that are puzzling and frustrating to endure. The biggest one (to wit) is this: Page 369: “…while black webbing formed under the thing’s arms like…bat wings” Excuse me? Chernabog doesn’t have glider wings like Lexington from Gargoyles. Click for full size. He’s got giant black wings on his back! Click for full size. Sad panda!

Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson

Started 9/10/2012 Finishes 11/10/2012 Heck of a good story. So much fun to have the worlds of Disney and technology merged and to hear so many exciting background details around Disney World! Makes me want to go re-read Cory Doctorow’s Down and Out In The Magic Kingdom. Laura brought up an interesting point in comparing this teen series with the beloved teen series of my youth (K.A. Applegate’s Animorphs) – the teenage protagonists feel much more real here. The things they say, the way they react to events, the choices they make; she find them more believable. My friend Nik (Disneyland Cast Member / fellow Disney nerd) brought up an interesting point as well: how could Walt have placed the quill clues in attractions that weren’t built until years after his passing (to be even more exacting, the Magic Kingdom was just a gleam in his eye when he passed)? … Continue reading →