Featured Attractions

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Theme Park Thursdays: The Largest Hidden Mickey


The largest Hidden Mickey is extremely hard to see, though millions have probably been through it without even knowing. DISNEYLAND Drive in Anaheim is an access road that runs through the DISNEYLAND Resort’s Hotel District and under Downtown Disney. The lush landscaping and sidewalks were designed to appear like the world famous mouse when viewed from above.


Guests walking along this road to and from the parks and the convention center might wonder why the sidewalk has an odd path, not realizing how it all looks like from above.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Walt Wednesdays: The Happiest Millionaire


The Happiest Millionaire was a musical that Walt Disney had hoped would repeat his past success with Mary Poppins. Based on a book and featuring a musical score written by the Sherman Brothers, the studio had high hopes for the film.


The film, with none of the fantasy elements that charmed Mary Poppins audiences, underperformed at the box office and isn’t as well known as other Disney films. In fact, it was one of the movies that Disney licensed to an outside video company for a home release. Eventually the company would re-embrace the film. The film should hold a special place in the hearts of  Disney fans; it was the last film produced by Walt Disney himself.


Walt Disney, pictured above with the film’s cast, would not live to see the picture released. While not a major success, the film would launch the career of Lesley Ann Warren, who holds a special fondness for Mr. Disney even today. Look closely at the picture above; the phone booth pictured on the right side of the picture was relocated to DISNEYLAND, though it is not visible to the majority of park guests; it is located inside the exclusive Club 33.


Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Toontown Tuesdays: Oliver and Company


Whenever a new Disney Film is released, the company often puts all of its promotional Might behind it, which often means a presence (temporary or not) inside DISNEYLAND. If the movie takes off, the presence might be more permanent. If it doesn’t, the presence might be fleeting. When Oliver and Company was released, it received a presence in the form of a parade float and several walk around characters.


Full costumes were created for Oliver and his friends- Georgette, Tito, Rodger and Rita. Right before Mickey’s Birthday parade, the characters would step out on their own float and dance along to the film’s main song- Why Should I Worry? which ran twice daily. The characters would later slip out into the park to meet and greet their fans. While the movie was modestly successful, it would be outshined by the Disney film released the very next year- The Little Mermaid. While Ariel would get a full-fledged ride of her own in Disney California Adventure, Oliver and friends would be rarely seen in the parks afterwards. In Tokyo, however, Oliver would get resurrected as a very popular meet and greet character.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Music Mondays: Cut From The Film


1992’s Beauty and the Beast was considered an instant classic upon its release. The film was a throwback to Disney’s golden age of animated musicals and delighted audiences around the world. The film did everything right, becoming the first animated film nominated for Best Picture.

The movie seemed to have began life fully formed, but a lot of hard work went into making it. Not only did its creators have to carefully decide what to include in the film, they also had to decide what to cut. One song cut from the film was Human Again. The song focused on the enchanted household objects and their desire to, of course, become human again. Originally the sequence would have run for 11 Minutes in the film. Disney management, however, felt that the song would be too long and distract from Belle and the Beast. The song was cut and replaced by Something There, which was shorter and concentrated more on the movie’s leads versus the enchanted objects.




A demo version of the song was released in the mid-90’s on a CD box set. Interest in the song resulted in its inclusion in the broadway musical version of Beauty and the Beast. Eventually, the song made its way into a special edition version of the film released on IMAX screens and a DVD re-release.


Human Again

I'll be cooking again, be good-looking again
With a mademoiselle on each arm

When I'm human again, only human again
Poised and polished and gleaming with charm

I'll be courting again, chic and sporting again
Which should cause several husbands alarm

I'll hop down off this shelf, and tout de suite be myself
I can't wait to be human again

When we're human again, only human again
When we're knickknacks and whatnots no more

When we're human again, good and human again
Oh, cherie, won't it all be top drawer?

I'll wear lipstick and rouge, and I won't be so huge
Why, I'll easily fit through that door

I'll exude savoir-faire; I'll wear gowns; I'll have hair
It's my prayer to be human again

When we're human again, only human again
When the world once more starts making sense

I'll unwind, for a change (Really? That'd be strange)
Can I help it if I'm t-t-tense?

In a shack by the sea, I'll sit back sipping tea
Let my early retirement commence

Far from fools made of wax, I'll get down to brass tacks and relax
When I'm human again

So sweep the dust from the floor
Let's let some light in the room
I can feel, I can tell someone might break the spell any day now

Shine up the brass on the door
Alert the dust pail and broom
If it all goes as planned our time may be at hand any day now

Open the shutters and let in some air
Put these here and put those over there
Sweep up the years, the sadness and tears, and throw them away

We'll be human again, only human again
When the girl finally sets us all free

Cheeks a-blooming again, we're assuming again
We'll resume our long-lost joie de vivre

We'll be playing again, holidaying again
And we're praying it's ASAP

We will push, we will shove; they will both fall in love
And we'll finally be human again

We'll be dancing again, we'll be twirling again
We'll be whirling around with such ease

When we're human again, only human again
We'll go waltzing those old one-two-threes

We'll be floating again, we'll be gliding again
Stepping, striding, as fine as you please

Like a real human does, I'll be all that I was
On that glorious morn when we're finally reborn
And we're all human again!

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!






The character most associated with The Walt Disney Company and its founder began his life due to desperation- Walt Disney had just lost his character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Universal Pictures and he needed a new cartoon personality to keep his company doors open. On a long and somber train ride from New York to California, he recalled a mouse he had as a pet in Kansas City. This burst of inspiration led him to draw the immortal- Mortimer Mouse. Luckily his wife was also on the train and convinced him to change the name to something else- Mickey Mouse.



Working with his loyal animator Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney introduced his newest creation to the world, not only providing him with life, but also his voice. Mickey Mouse was a sensation, quickly eclipsing Oswald to become the world's most recognizable figure. Mickey's peppy, optimistic nature came from Mr. Disney himself. Everyone who knew Walt personally said that Mickey Mouse was just like his creator and Walt carefully took care of Mickey and his image. 




Today, many years after his creation, Mickey is still an optimistic little person who still attracts the love of children around the world. They may not know where he came from or who created him, but they instantly love him all the same. Even newborn babies love him. Today he holds court in his father's Magic Kingdom, welcoming guests from around the world to DISNEYLAND.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Mickey Mouse Birthday Week! Food Fridays: Mickey Shaped Food


In most cases, people want to avoid thinking about mice when they’re eating for obvious reasons. Mickey Mouse, however, has bucked this trend. Countless food items shaped like Mickey are served daily at DISNEYLAND.






Mickey’s Food presence isn’t limited to the Disney theme parks, however. Some food can bring Mickey’s magic to any house.





Thursday, November 16, 2017

Mickey Mouse Birthday Week! Theme Park Thursdays: Around DISNEYLAND


In 1954, Mickey Mouse’s presence in DISNEYLAND wasn’t a certainty. DISNEYLAND was originally setup as a separate corporate entity from Walt Disney Productions and while Walt Disney intended for Mickey to be associated with DISNEYLAND, he would have to convince his brother to support and approve of the use of Disney characters. Of course, approval was given. Eventually DISNEYLAND would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Walt Disney Productions and Mickey would be inextricably linked with Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This link would result in Mickey’s presence throughout the Resort.

His presence would be obvious:



Subtle...






And even hidden...





Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Mickey Mouse Birthday Week! Walt Wednesdays: A Friend For Life





“Mickey Mouse is to me. a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end. He popped out of Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner. Born of necesity, the little fellow literally freed us of immediate worry. He provided the means for extending our organization to its present dimensions and for extending the medium of cartoon animation to new entertainment levels. He spelled production liberation for us.” 

-Walt Disney



“The life and ventures of Mickey Mouse have been closely bound up with my own personal and professional life.” 

-Walt Disney

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Mickey Mouse Birthday Week! Toontown Tuesdays: Mickey’s House



According to Disney Lore, Mickey’s Toontown was created in the 1940’s as a place for the Disney toons to escape to after long days of filming in Hollywood. When Walt Disney was dreaming up DISNEYLAND, Mickey Mouse suggested he build it adjacent to the mythical town in Anaheim so that Mickey and friends could easily meet and greet their fans at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The town stayed hidden, though Mickey Mouse built a movie barn behind his house to allow him to comfortably work on projects in between his duties in DISNEYLAND. In 1993, the denizens of Toontown decided to open the gates to their mythical town so that DISNEYLAND guests could explore it for themselves.


The real world reason for the land’s construction was Mickey Mouse’s popularity. Guests often complained if their visit to the Magic Kingdom ended without a hug from the big cheese. Creating a location where Mickey would always be found resolved the issue while providing a colorful new world to explore.



Monday, November 13, 2017

Mickey Mouse Birthday Week! Music Mondays: Mickey Mouse Club March


The Mickey Mouse Club March was written by head Mouseketeer Jimmie Dodd for the 1955 television show. Prior to The Mickey Mouse Club, children’s entertainment on television was locally based and cheaply produced. Walt Disney wanted to improve the quality of shows geared towards children, so he put his studio’s most talented resources to work on creating The Mickey Mouse Club, which doubled as an attempt to reintroduce Mickey Mouse to a younger audience. It worked beyond his wildest dreams.












                           Who's the leader of the club
That's made for you and me
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
You're as welcome as can be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mickey Mouse!
Mickey Mouse!
Forever let us hold our banner
High! High! High! High!
Come along and sing a song
And join the jamboree!
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mickey Mouse club
We'll have fun
We'll be new faces
High! High! High! High!
We'll do things and
We'll go places
All around the world
We'll go marching
Who's the leader of the club
That's made for you and me
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
You're as welcome as can be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mickey Mouse!
Mickey Mouse!
Forever let us hold our banner
High! High! High! High!
Come along and sing a song
And join the jamboree!
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

We’re Back!


We’re back to regular posting earlier than planned! Did you miss us?