A Disney theme park podcast, dedicated to picking out our favourite things about Disney parks that help to make the magic happen. http://www.makethemagic.ca
After writing Thursday’s blog post entry on Song of the South it seemed to be stuck in my head. So today’s Media Monday will be a clip from the movie featuring one of Uncle Remus’s famous stories as well as a little jingle any Splash Mountain lover will recognize.
Enjoy and have a magical day:)
courtesy of masontrueblood (youtube)
Zip-a-dee-do-dah, zip-a-dee-day, my oh my what a wonderful day…. Everyone knows and sings along to this much loved Disney song. It is a staple present in both Disneyland and Disneyworld’s Splash Mountain; a ride built around the premise of the movie, Song of the South. Almost every ride in a Disney park is based around the premise of a Disney movie. The difference with this ride, however, is that unlike Peter Pan’s Flight or Dumbo the Flying Elephant, very few people who ride it have ever seen, or even heard of the movie.
Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain
Song of the South was released in 1964. It tells the story of Johnny, a young boy saddened by the divorce of his parents. He finds help and comfort from the kind Uncle Remus who shares with him stories of adventure based around Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Breb Bear. These stories teach Johnny and his friends valuable life lessons and help him deal with situations that arise. It is a movie with mixed live action and animation filled with wondeful messages for people of all ages.
The movie was last released in 1986. Many Disney fans have since called for the re-release of the movie but it has been met with resistance and reluctance, due to an suggested racial tone. I won’t go in to the details on this, it’s complicated, and if you are so inclined more information can be found online.
Poster from Song of the South
The downside of Disney not re-releasing the movie is many riders are unfamiliar with the story behind the ride. It is based around one of Uncle Remus’s many stories. It tells the story of Brer Rabbit’s quest to find his Laughing Place. BUt along the way he runs in to the menacing Brer Bear and Brer Fox who trap him. As you go up the final drop you can see Brer Fox on the side about to devour the poor rabbit. But Brer Rabbit outsmarts them both and tricks them in to dropping him in to the Briar Patch where he is safe. The ride then ends with a safe and happy Brer Rabbit and the loveable song Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.
Inside Disneyland's Splash Mountain
I personally would love to see the movie be re-released, if only to finally see and understand all the little details you encounter on Splash Mountain. But until the day Disney releases Song of the South I encourrage you to check out all the clips on Youtube and familarize yourself with the story behind the ride. It’s a great tale filled with moral values, great tales and classic Disney songs.
Working as a character attendant I got to participate in many amazing Disney character experiences. One of my top 5 days of work included working a Mickey’s Dance Party during the Magic Kingdom’s extra magic hours. I was assigned to Pluto who I found out has some secret stellar dancing skills. Armed with my camera I was able to shoot some fun footage of Pluto and Goofy rocking out to Disney’s High School Musical. Enjoy and dance along:)
Last week Epcot unveiled a brand new restaurant in Italy, the Via Napoli Pizzeria. I welcome this new dining option and from the first reviews I have seen the building and decor is gorgeous and the food delicious.
Although celebration is in order for the new opening, I wanted to have one last walk down memory lane for what was once my favourite restaurant in EPCOT, L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, or simply Alfredo’s.
Alfredo's
It was after a long day park hopping that my two friends and I made our way to Alfredo’s with which we had reservations. From the moment you entered you felt like you had walked in to an old Italian restaurant, which is exactly what it is based on. Alfredo’s first restaurant was in Rome and was the birthplace of the famous fettucine alfredo. The restaurant became well known after becoming a favourite hot spot for many celebrities and the restaurant branched out to create more locations, including the one we all used to love in EPCOT.
Andy enjoying some Caesar Salad
It was atmosphere, the food and cast members that made this place special to me. On this particular visit we started with a ceaser salad and bread which were both delicious. Then of course we all had to have the restaurant’s namesake, fettucine alfredo. Being used to the westernized alfredo I was shocked to find out that it merely consisted of noodles, parmesan cheese and butter and that is was de-lic-ious. We then Finished off the meal with an assortment of desserts, including cannoli, custard and chocolate cake.
Being serandaded.
During our meal we were treated with great service and even serenaded by two wonderful Italians. So as we ring in the era of a new Italian restaurant in Epcot, take the time to think back about all the yummy eats and friendly Italians you met. Alfredo’s you will be missed.
I’ll admit I was all set up to post a video I had taken a few years ago in WDW but I just had to post this video I found. Disneyland celebrated it’s 55th anniversary last week with a re-dedication ceremony, a round of Happy Birthday and a flash mob in Town Square. I definetly shed a tear or two while watching this.
55 Characters for 55 years! Happy Birthday Disneyland!
Video courtesy of dlfreak
A friend recently came to me asking for advice for her upcoming Disneyland trip. She was planning a very quick visit of only a day and half. Of course this lead me into my very long winded explanation of all the amazing Disney things to see and do. It was when she asked me if there was any place she should skip, that I paused. As a Disney enthusiast I immediately wanted to answer, of course not, all of Disney is worthwhile. But unfortunately I did have an answer, the Princess Fantasy Faire.
Upon my first visit to Disneyland in 2005 I visited this area of the park, formerly housing Snow White an Enchanting Musical. It was a wonderful show in an outdoor theater. The show eventually closed and the area under went the transformation to the Fantasy Faire. I became quite excited about visiting the transformed space three years later on my next visit.
Entrance to Snow White an Enchanted Musical 2005
My first glances of the new Princess area, however, were underwhelming. Remnants of the old Snow White musical were still present on stage, mixed in with the new lacklustre Princess show set. The front theater seats were all gone, replaced with nothing but plain concrete standing room. Off to the left was a simple stage used for storytime. And inside a plain ‘box’ one would find the Princess meet and greet….that is after waiting in a three hour long line.
Royal Coronation at Princess Fantasy Faire (2008)
It did have a few positives. The Royal Coronation show was enjoyable (check it out on our Youtube page ) and the actors in story time were entertaining. But all in all the area lacked that certain Disney touch.
I think what bothered me the most, even more than the area itself, was the enclosing of the Princesses within the ’box’. I love the idea of roaming Princesses in the park. Meeting Snow White by her grotto, having Aurora walk past you in Fantasyland, getting a picture with Cinderella by the Carnation Plaza Gardens, all with waits less than 20 minutes. It was a challenge to find all the Princesses, a challenge that was super fun.
Snow White in 2005 by her Grotto
In my opinion I think Disney needs to do away with the meet and greet ‘box’ and return to roaming Princesses as that is a hallmark of Disneyland. The Princess Fantasy Faire can remain but needs to be worked on to create a truly immersive experience. With the addition of more decorations and less concrete they can make it so you are stepping into a regal Palace.
This blog post is a little different than my regular entries. Normally talking about my favourite things I have strayed to talk about an area that could use a little…improvement. I assure you this is not a trend and I hope the Disney gods and fans take mercy on me.
For this week’s Media Monday I bring you the always clear and understandable Swedish Chef. On today’s menu is popcorn shrimp…well kinda. Enjoy:)
(c/o Muppets Studio)
It was a rainy day in the Magic Kingdom on my most recent trip to Walt Disneyworld so my friend and I decided to check out some of the nearby Disney resorts. During our circle tour we decided to take a ferry ride from the Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary. It was on this ferry ride that I got my first glimpse of the now closed Discovery Island. And no, I’m not talking about the new Discovery Island that the Tree of Life sits upon in the Animal Kingdom.
Discovery Island (copyright waltdatedworld.bravepages.com)
Being a Disney enthusiast I had seen and read numerous articles and stories about the former attraction but never before actually seen it with my own two eyes. To the unsuspecting tourist it looked just like any other island. No signs, no lights, just an island. However if you looked close enough you could just make out some remnants of pilings and part of a dock.
Back in the day this Island was an attraction and a park. Filled with numerous plants and both caged and free roaming animals. Areas included the Monkey Colony, Trumpeter Springs which had swans, Bamboo Hollow and Vulture’s Haunt. You could come for a nature walk or check out one of the numerous shows.
One of the Bird Shows on Discovery Island (c/o Allan Oakley)
Having opened April 8 1974, Discovery Island was eventually closed exactly 25 years later on April 8 1999. Ultimately due to the brand new park that had just been built, Animal Kingdom, in which you can now find the new Discovery Island.
Since this time the park has been closed, completely abandoned and over grown. As I stared at the island I couldn’t help but think how cool it would be to walk around what one person described as the “holy grail of modern ruins for Disney fans”.
There is no official Disney way to gain entry to the island. But of course there is always some way, albeit not very legal. The Island is surrounded by the waters of Bay Lake which in the past have been known to house alligators and bacteria that can result in death. Of course this doesn’t stop everyone. One blogger many years ago swam to the island under the cover of night. He found most of the structures were still present including cages and canopies. Even stumbling across old cast member photos and preserved snakes in jars. I highly recommend reading his account here: http://shaneperez.blogspot.com/2009/12/discovery-island.html
The Now Abandoned Discovery Island (taken by ShanePerez.com)
It should be noted that this is high risk to anyone attempting. I personally love Disney far too much to ever risk getting caught and banned from the parks so you won’t see me swimming the waters. But I would love to see Disney open up a special behind the scenes tour of the Island. Although it is questionable whether this is possible due to the countless number of birds now occupying the Island, but one can hope. Until that day I guess I will just have to be satisfied viewing it from a passing ferry.
June is a great month to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the time when Star Wars and Disney lovers alike join to celebrate during Star Wars Weekends. There are Star Wars celebrities, parades lead by the 501st Division (aka Vader’s Fist) and special merchadise galore.
But by far, the funniest thing to attend is the Hyperspace Hoopla dance off. A yearly challenge where Star Wars characters battle, not with light saber’s, but with the best dance moves.
Throughout all Disney parks at any time of any day look around and you will be sure to notice a Photopass person. Armed with the best technology in cameras they are able and willing to take your picture. These pictures are stored on a credit card size card that you can view on your computer at home. This entry is all about how to use Photopass to get the best bang for your buck, or as we like to say it, Make the Magic.
Adding a Character's Signature in Photopass Editor
1 Pre-order the Photopass CD before your trip. This option is only available to those who have booked through Disney (not a travel agent) and are staying on Disney property. This can save you %20 off the CD. If this is not an option be sure to check out the special offers on the website as they often have a discount.
2 If you see a Photopass person, take a picture! We all know that the Photopass service is not cheap and if you plan on getting the photo CD you want to get be sure to get the most out of it by taking tons of pictures. It doesn’t matter if you take 10 pictures or 500 pictures, you pay the same price. So you might as well take advantage of the quality photographs and take as many as you can.
Pose with Tinkerbell on Main Street
3 Work as a group. When claiming your pictures online you can register multiple Photopass cards under one account. So don’t worry about getting all your shots on one card. If your group wants to split up make sure they both take pictures and you can combine them later. You can split the cost of the CD and have more money for another Disney souvenier!
4 Make it special. Photopass has a lot of tricks up their sleeves which can make for some really magical pictures. In different locations all over the parks they can digitally add in a character or a prop in to your shot. This ranges from the classic ‘Tinkerbell’ shot on Main Street, to pointing at Stitch popping up in the pavement, to battling Hook, sitting with Minnie and hitchhiking with some ghosts.
Hitchhhiking with Ghosts Using Disney's Photopass
5 Edit! Once you arrive back home and have claimed your Photopass pictures go crazy with the editing options on the website. You can edit as many pictures as many times as you like and it will always cost you the same. Make it black and white, add a border, put in a characters signature and zoom out/in.
When you see a Photopass person feel free to ask them for a specific shot or ask them if they have any ideas. Although it can be pricy, the unqiue quality photographs for me are worth the price. Just remember to smile and say “Mickey!”