Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Magic Worlds of Walt Disney
The August 1963 issue of National Geographic featured "The Magic Worlds of Walt Disney," a 49-page article by Robert De Roos. It also featured a rare photo (taken by Thomas Nebbia) of Walt, his wife and their grandchildren in the Disneyland Fire Station apartment ... a photography first!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Disneyland's Helicopter Passenger Service
From the late 1950s to 1968 Los Angeles Airways provided regularly scheduled helicopter passenger service between Disneyland and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and other cities in the area. The helicopters first operated from Anaheim/Disneyland Heliport, located behind Tomorrowland. Service later moved, in 1960, to a new heliport north of the Disneyland Hotel. Arriving guests were then transported to the Disneyland Hotel via tram.
English: Los Angeles Airways Sikorsky S-61L helicopter,
lifting off from the Disneyland Heliport, 1963.
This is the same aircraft that crashed—killing all on board
in August, 1968. Note the Matterhorn Mountain in the background.
The service ended after two fatal crashes in 1968: The crash in Paramount, California, on May 22, 1968 killed 23 (the worst helicopter accident in aviation history at that time). The second crash in Compton, California on August 14, 1968, killed 21
Friday, September 24, 2010
John Stamos & Disneyland Sign
Actor & Disney fan John Stamos was the winning Ebay bidder for the galvanized steel Disneyland sign that stood in front of the park from 1989 to 1999. He paid $30,700 for the marquee.
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Let the Memories Begin
posted at the Official Disney Parks Blog on September 23rd, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
As you just learned during our live coverage out of New York City, Disney Parks has officially launched “Let the Memories Begin” – our special celebration of family vacations and magical memories. And yes, you’re going to be the star. For the first time, your home videos and snapshots will be featured in Disney television ads and other print and online communications.
To kick things off, we’ve launched DisneyParks.com/Memories. It’s a new destination where you can upload your Disney vacation memories captured in photos and videos and share with the world. And getting started is easy:
- Choose to share your memory on DisneyParks.com/Memories; Facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorld; Facebook.com/Disneyland; Youtube.com/DisneyMemories; or Myspace.com/DisneyParks.
- Describe your memory. Memories can upload as photos, videos or text-only.
- Then all it takes is hitting the “submit” box and, once reviewed, a lifetime Disney memory is stored and shared.
Simple, right? So, what should you submit? Your favorite memories – whether it was a first meeting with a Disney princess, a laugh-filled Splash Mountain ride or a magical moment around a holiday fireplace when mom and dad surprised everyone with a “We’re Going to Disney!” announcement – We’re looking for videos and photos that capture your never-to-be-forgotten experiences. Take a look:
And there’s more – beginning in January of 2011, you’ll also become the star of a nightly spectacular at Disney Parks. Photos of magical memories made in the park during the day will be projected that night on Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World and “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort. Pretty cool, huh?
In both locations, Disney PhotoPass photographers will provide images of guests shot during the day to be shared on the icons. While we’re still working on the show details, producers estimate as many as 500 photos will be shown in each location every day.
So, let us know about your favorite Disney memory and share it at DisneyParks.com/Memories.
Monday, September 20, 2010
1st Disneyland's Fireworks
Disneyland premiered its first fireworks presentation in 1956. The show was actually created by hand - with employees touching off the fuses with a flare! (A few years later, technology enabled fireworks to be launched electronically and synchronized with a soundtrack.)
“MAGICAL” – FIREWORKS BY THE NUMBERS
Scheduling of fireworks shows depend on the time of year, during the slower off-season periods, the fireworks are only offered on weekends. During the busier times, Disney does offer additional nights, such as an extra night for a 3 day holiday. Also, Disney does offer Fireworks nightly during its busy periods, which includes Easter/Spring Break, Summer and Christmas time.
- The pyrotechnic devices are fully choreographed to “Magical’s” musical soundtrack, using 750 discreet digital control channels.
- Guests see the burst of fireworks before hearing it because light travels roughly a million times faster than sound.
- The Disney Air Launch system installed in 2004 creates less ground level smoke than the former system that used black powder.
- Disney is recognized as the world’s largest producer of fixed-base fireworks shows, at its parks in the United States, France, Japan and China.
- Disneyland opened to the public in July 1955. There was no fireworks show that year.
- In 1956, after seeing fireworks tests in the Disneyland parking lot when the park was closed, Walt Disney said, “Let’s give it a try.”
- Mickey Aronson, who worked in Disneyland Resort Entertainment for more than 50 years (originally as an outside fireworks consultant), began “shooting” Disneyland fireworks the summer of 1956. In those days, Aronson fired the show by hand, touching off the fuses with a flare.
- Beginning in the late 1960s, Disneyland Entertainment developed a system for firing the shells electronically, synchronized to a musical soundtrack.
- During this period, the fireworks “choreography” was storyboarded like an animated cartoon. At one time, the storyboard artist was Roy Williams, the “Big Mooseketeer” from “The Mickey Mouse Club.”
- The current system, with its multiple fireworks launch sites, special lighting and lasers, and high-tech marriage of music and choreographed pyrotechnics, was first installed for the 2000 Bicentennial/Disneyland 45th Anniversary show, “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars.”
Elaborate fireworks shows synchronized with Disney songs and often have appearances from Tinker Bell or Dumbo, flying in the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Since 2000, presentations have become more elaborate, featuring new pyrotechnics, launch techniques and story lines. In 2004, Disneyland introduced a new air launch pyrotechnics system, reducing ground level smoke and noise and decreasing negative environmental impacts. At the time the technology debuted, Disney announced it would donate the patents to a non-profit organization for use throughout the industry.
* Regular Fireworks Show:
o 1958–1999 Fantasy in the Sky
o 2000–2004 Believe... There's Magic in the Stars
o 2004–2005 Imagine... A Fantasy in the Sky
o 2005–2010 Remember... Dreams Come True
* Special Fireworks Show:
o June 12, 2009 – September 20, 2009 Magical: An Exploding Celebration In The Sky
o September 25, 2009 – November 1, 2009 Halloween Screams
o November 13, 2009 – January 3, 2010 Believe... In Holiday Magic
Since 2009, Disneyland has moved to a rotating repertoire of firework spectaculars.
* Yearly Fireworks Repertoire
o Winter – Spring Remember... Dreams Come True
o Summer Magical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations
o Independence Day Week Disney's Celebrate America: A 4th of July Concert in the Sky
o Halloweentime Halloween Screams
o Holiday Believe... In Holiday Magic
During the Holiday Season, there is a special fireworks presentation called Believe... In Holiday Magic which has been running since 2000, except for a short hiatus in 2005 during the park's 50th Celebration.
Scheduling of fireworks shows depend on the time of year, during the slower off-season periods, the fireworks are only offered on weekends. During the busier times, Disney does offer additional nights, such as an extra night for a 3 day holiday. Also, Disney does offer Fireworks nightly during its busy periods, which includes Easter/Spring Break, Summer and Christmas time.
The show is normally offered at 9:25 PM if the park is scheduled to close at 10 PM or later, but shows have started as early as 5:45 PM. Also, a major consideration is weather/winds, especially at higher elevations, which can force the cancellation of the show. Disney usually waits an additional time (15 minutes) to see if the winds die down. Shows, with a few minor exceptions, such as July 4 and New Year's Eve, must finish by 10 PM due to the conditions of the permit issued by the City of Anaheim.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Jack Wagner - The Voice in the Monorails
Most of Jack Wagner's Disney recordings were made at his own house where he had a recording studio (which was installed by Disney in the 1970s).
A voiceover booth in his home was connected to Studio D at Disneyland in Anaheim.
At the time, Jack's home in Southern California was one of the first to use a direct audio link from a remote recording studio!
A voiceover booth in his home was connected to Studio D at Disneyland in Anaheim.
At the time, Jack's home in Southern California was one of the first to use a direct audio link from a remote recording studio!
CLICK HERE TO SEE HIS BIO AT THE DISNEY LEGENDS PAGE
You can hear Jack Wagner's Disney Monorail voice recordings here.
You can hear Jack Wagner's Disney Monorail voice recordings here.
Statement made by Jack Bohannan on Hidden Mickeys
I would like to set the record straight on the voice. Throughout the 1970's and into the 1980's the voice heard on all Disney monorails, as well as most all the voiceover work for all the parks was the legendary "Voice of Disney", Jack Wagner.
I have had the privilege of working with him many times through the years.
One interesting side note is that Jack's home in Southern California was one of the first uses for a direct audio link from a remote recording studio. It was put in by Disney in the 70's and connected a voiceover booth in his home to Studio D at Disneyland in Anaheim. He frequently would receive last minute calls for special events and was able to just walk over to the booth and "beam" it directly to the park. Anyhow, with the amount of work that Florida was generating after Epcot and the Studios opened, plus the fact that Jack wanted to head towards retiring sometime, other voice talent was sought out locally in Florida.
There have been several people used in voiceover work since then, one of them being Kevin Miles, who is one of the original members of the Voices of Liberty at Epcot, and can still be heard there daily. Kevin recorded the monorail voiceovers after the Grand Floridian was built, and his voice was still there until the 25th Anniversary rolled around, when it was updated by one of the new voiceover talents.
The amount of voiceover work at the parks now is astronomical, and it is shared by a couple of people who have "the voice", including Kevin. Interestingly enough, though, Jack's voice can still be heard welcoming everyone to Orlando on the monorails at the airport terminals.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Best Camp Rock 2 Sneak Peak
This is It, Guys!
Take a look at Camp Rock 2 with interview, live performances and more :)
Take a look at Camp Rock 2 with interview, live performances and more :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Second Star to the Right & Beyond the Laughing Sky
Both are the same song, just different lyrics. The 1st one is from Peter Pan and the 2nd one, was made first for Alice in Wonderland but never used.
Click Here for all the Details, lyrics and more!
Click Here for all the Details, lyrics and more!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
[MP3 DOWNLOAD] Almost Alice + Alice in Wonderland 2010
ALMOST ALICE
16 SONGS + LYRICS + COVER ART + ALICE'S WEBSITES
120 MB Download
Alice in Wonderland
AMAZON.COM
Click on the links to go to the website.
Almost Alice: $12.99
Alice in Wonderland: $ 12.99
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Magic Continues
Bruce, 48, San Jose, CA
My parents first took the four of us kids to Disneyland about 35 years ago. We'd arrive almost an hour before the Park opened and wait with excited anticipation as we were usually first in line those days.
The doors would open and we'd scamper in. First thing we'd hear would be the familiar low voice of the conductor, "Your attention please ... the Disneyland Limited is now approaching Main Street Station." Proceeding through the tunnel always made us smile and that first look at Main Street was always incredible – the cleanliness, architecture, and lights were magical. We visited the Penny Arcade and played the old Soccer Game, which was actually there until a few years ago. We even watched all of the old silent movies for a penny!
Then we'd wait behind the rope until a recording of the late, great Walt Disney himself announced, "Disneyland is your land. To all who come to this happy place ... welcome." We would walk fast and quickly went on all of the rides over and over again. It was incredible. We stayed until midnight and were barely able to walk to the shuttles that drove us to where our car was parked.
My wife and I have been taking our kids to Disneyland since they were three years old. A few years ago, I was sitting next to my then 13-year-old daughter on a bench in New Orleans Square when she admitted that the 'magic' wasn't the same as it had been when she was younger. I told her that even though I understood, I felt there was always MAGIC in Disneyland ... even after 47 years! The memories that our family has shared at the "Happiest Place on Earth" are magical and will remain in our hearts always.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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