I just posted my interview with Jack Lindquist on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, JJack discusses the history of the Walt Disney Travel Company from its inception. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
I just posted my interview with Jack Lindquist on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Jack discusses how he came up with the idea for the very unique grand opening of the classic it’s a small world attraction at Disneyland. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
I just posted my interview with Jack Lindquist on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Jack discusses his days as a child actor, appearing in “Our Gang” comedies and in movies such as “Best Foot Forward,” before becoming the first advertising manager for Disneyland, and later the park’s president. CLICK HERE for the interview
On Valentine’s Day today, I was thinking that about my favorite Disney romantic moment, and mine is the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene. What is yours?
Since today, February 8, 2001, is the 15th anniversary of Disney California Adventure, I thought I’d post some of my old photos from when it first opened. It sure has evolved since then! Even the name used to have “Disney’s” instead of “Disney.” Bountiful Valley Farm became A Bug’s Land. The ABC Commissary Soap Opera Bistro became the Animation Academy, and Toy Story Midway Mania was not even a thought yet. The photos below might bring back a few more memories for you.
Upon entering Disney’s California Adventure, you would find yourself in Sunshine Plaza, which included the “Greetings from California” shop. The music was themed to… (ready for it?) California!! You might hear the Al Jolson hit, “California, Here I Come,” “San Francisco Bay Blues” by Peter, Paul and Mary, or “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys. Today, this is all Buena Vista Street, themed to 1920s Hollywood, when Walt Disney first came to California.
At the end of Sunshine Plaza was the park’s icon, the “Sun Icon.”
Where “Silly Symphony Swings” spin today, Guests originally got swinging in the “Orange Stinger.”
Today, the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue attraction transports Guests to Monstropolis, but when California Adventure opened, you could board a “limo” through Hollywood for the big premiere of your new movie.
Inside Superstar Limo, Guests traveled through a stylized Hollywood, seeing the likes of Drew Carey, Cher, Tim Allen, Whoopie Goldberg and, as pictured above, Regis Philbin. This was, after all, the height of the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” game show craze.
Where the Little Mermaid resides today, was the Golden Dreams theater, offering Guests a short recreation of the history of California.
Through projections, Whoopie Goldberg was seen as part of the theater’s decorations, and served as the host and narrator of the “Golden Dreams” film.
As I mentioned before, when California Adventure opened, it was the height of the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” craze, so at the Hollywood Studios Backlot, next to Superstar Limo, you could see a recreation of the popular game show, and Guests were chosen to be contestants.
What would a Disney park be without a parade? Disney’s Eureka! The California Adventure Parade featured floats representing many of the cultures in the Golden State.
Over in Paradise Pier Guests could board the Maliboomer, to be launched 180 feet high.
While California Screamin’ has remained, the theming has changed a little, and Mickey is now found on Mickey’s Fun Wheel. The photo above displays that attraction when it was still the Sun Wheel.
I just posted my interview with Sonny Anderson on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation Sonny discusses his Disney career starting as a drummer in the Disneyland Band in 1956 and becoming a legendary talent booker for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disneyland’s director of talent booking Stan Freese joins me for additional insight. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
A long time ago… Star Tours took flight at Disneyland with a 60 hour party! It was on this day in 1987 that Guests were first able to hop aboard a Starspeeder 3000 for an exhilarating trip to Endor, even if that meant waiting in a line which stretched from Tomorrowland, down Main Street, and past the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln theater. The new attraction replaced Adventure Thru Inner Space, and rather than inner space, would now blast off Guests to outer space. Although the lines for the popular new thrill ride subsided throughout the sixty hours, Guests were also able to enjoy such things as the new Captain EO 3-D film, eat at the all new Big Thunder Barbecue, enjoy the new Golden Horseshoe Jamboree stage show, or get caught up in the upbeat Totally Minnie parade. Although the new updated Star Tours: The Adventures Continue debuted five years ago, here are some of my photos I took back when the original was just five years old.
I just posted my interview with Peter Marshall on my Mouse Clubhouse website. Peter Marshall reminisces about his career as a big band singer, actor, and television and radio host including “Hollywood Squares” and “Big Bands at Disneyland. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
Happy New Year to all of you from Scott and Shani! We are grateful for all of you who have been enjoying our blog and posts! Back in 1995, when we were married for less than two years, we had the privilege of photographing the Tournament of Roses for Disney, who not only had a beautiful float in it, but provided the pre-show as well. We thought you may enjoy these photos from that New Year’s day 21 years ago!
Somehow, it seemed appropriate to post this cover of the 1980 record album, “Christmas in the Stars.” Released on both record album and cassette, this album featured Anthony Daniels, reprising his role of C-3PO from “Star Wars.” It featured such classics very interesting songs such as “R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and who can ever forget “What Can You Get a Wookie for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)”, which made it to the Billboard top 100 songs! According to one newspaper, that called the album, “The funniest Christmas album since the Chipmunks, claims that the dialogue in the album was taken from a script by George Lucas.
Here’s a taste of the album, featuring C-3PO singing the title song, “Christmas in the Stars.
Lastly, below is an ad featuring “Christmas in the Stars,” right next to one of my personal favorites, “John Denver and the Muppets.” Notice the top of the ad mentions “Disney Christmas albums” and despite that no Disney albums are shown, the two of albums pictured below it are “Star Wars” and the Muppets, both of which would be owned by Disney in years to come. It coincidentally appears
