Toontown Tuesdays: Pinocchio

Geppetto's "Little Wooden Head" was a vicious little jerk in the original book by Carlo Collodi. Walt Disney knew that the audience would need to sympathize with Pinocchio. Otherwise, why would we care what happens to him? As a result, Pinocchio became not a horrible brat but a misguided little kid.

Music Mondays: "Stand Out"

One of the first songs heard in the film A Goofy Movie, "Stand Out" is performed by Goofy's son Max as a way to catch the eye of Roxanne, a girl he has a crush on. Max uncharacteristically takes over a school assembly, apparently getting in trouble for it, to perform this song. Lucky for Max, it's the last day of school so he's not in trouble for very long.

Stand Out

Open up your eyes, take a look at me 

Get the picture fixed in your memory 

I'm driven by the rythm like the beat of a heart 

And I won't stop until I start 

To stand out 

To stand out 

Some people settle for the typical thing 

Livin' all their lives waiting in the wings

It ain't a question of "if", just a matter of time 

Before I move to the front of the line 

Once you're watching every move that I make 

You gotta believe that I got what it takes 

To stand out, above the crowd 

Even if I gotta shout out loud 

'Til mine is the only face you'll see 

Gonna stand out... 

'Til ya notice me 

If the sqeeky wheel's always gettin' the grease 

I'm totally devoted to disturbing the peace 

And I'll do it all again, when I get done 

Until I become your number one 

No method to the madness, and no means of escape 

Gonna break every rule or bend them all outta shape 

It ain't a question of "how", just a matter of when 

You get the message that I'm tryin' to send 

I'm under a spell, I'm in over my head 

And you know I'm going all the way to the end 

To stand out, above the crowd 

Even if I gotta shout out loud 

'Til mine is the only face you see 

Gonna stand out... 

'Til ya notice me 

If I could make you stop and take a look at me 

instead of just, walkin' by 

There's nothin that 

I wouldn't do if it was gettin' you to notice 

I'm alive 

All I need is half a chance, 

a second thought, a second glance 

To prove, I got whatever it takes 

It's a piece of cake 

To stand out, above the crowd 

Even if I gotta shout out loud 

'Til mine is the only face you'll see 

Gonna, stand out, staaaand out 

Stand out! 

Stand out! 

'Til mine is the only face you'll see 

Gonna stand out 

'Til ya notice me

Disney Quote Weekends

"Hey, Baloo, the harbor patrol is using dynamite to chase a sea monster out of the bay... You got any tartar sauce?"

Disney Quote Weekends

"You know, Borris, I do believe this is the first time you've ever gotten a chance to see our lovely, lovely home- it's simple, yet elegant!"

DISNEYLAND Forever

"I grew up with DISNEYLAND. I can't imagine my world without it. Walt put it best when he said 'DISNEYLAND is a work of love'. And like all happy endings, it will be ours to treasure forever more."

-Neil Patrick Harris

Theme Park Thursdays: Edison Square

Guests at DISNEYLAND in the late 1950's would encounter an interesting sight at the end of Main Street. An intriguing display showed what the future held in store for the theme park, an exciting new land called Edison Square.

Wait, Edison Square? Was that supposed to open at DISNEYLAND in Anaheim? Indeed it was. Souvenir maps depicted the new land as "Coming Soon".

There was a ton of conceptual art included in the park's souvenir guide as well.

So what happened? Why did the park quietly remove any mention of the new land from the park? It seems that Mr. Disney just got too busy with other things and in the end, felt that Edison Square would not be interesting enough. The plans wouldn't go completely unused, however. Years later, when Imagineers were looking for a replacement for New Orleans Square for Florida's Magic Kingdom, some of Edison Square's elements were incorporated into that park's Liberty Square.

Disney was still using ideas recycled from Edison Square in 1982 for the United States pavilion at Epcot Center's World Showcase.

The company may have completely scrapped Walt Disney's original plans for Walt Disney World in Florida, but his influence can still be seen in these attractions.

Walt Wednesday: The Magic Kingdom in Anaheim

"Just imagine- if you were standing right here over 60 years ago, you'd be standing in the middle of an orange grove. One visionary man stood right where you are now, but instead of orange trees, he envisioned a Magic Kingdom. This man's name was Walt Disney. And his dream would be called DISNEYLAND."

Toontown Tuesdays: 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.

Music Mondays: There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

When Walt Disney planned out the new GE Carousel of Progress attraction, he wanted a song that would show the positivity he felt towards the future.

He turned to the Sherman Brothers to write a song that would express how the problems of today could be solved in the future.

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow

Shining at the end of everyday

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow

And tomorrow's just a dream away

Man has a dream and that's the start

He follows his dream with mind and heart

And when it becomes a reality

It's a dream come true for you and me

So there's a great big beautiful tomorrow

Shining at the end of everyday

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow

Just a dream away

Disney Quote Weekends

"Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight!
Throw away the key and then turn off all the lights!"