Articles – Remain Seated, Please

March 2, 2015September 23, 2017

The Story of Disneyland Auction

This is a re-blog written by our friend Inthia over at This Little Disney Life about the recent (and, unfortunately, now closed) “Story of Disneyland” exhibition and sale at the Van Eaton gallery in Sherman Oaks, CA. Here’s a slide show of the photos we took when we went to visit the gallery last week:

Can you believe this stuff all went for just under $2 Million!? Did you get over to see the exhibit? Let us know in the comments below!

Click here to see the original post

Today is the last day to set your eyes on one of the most amazing Disneyland memorabilia collections that is completely up for auction at Van Eaton Gallery in Sherman Oaks, Ca. If you’re out of the area, they have a wonderful online catalog for your viewing pleasure.

We made the short drive over to check out the exhibit last week and it did not disappoint. Well, only in that I can’t afford a thing there. Well, I could but then I wouldn’t be able to pay rent or eat or anything trivial like that.

The galley is held in two room but it packed wall to wall with all sorts of artifacts. Costumes, signs, furniture, concession containers, souvenirs, models and more! All of them amazingly displayed for my up-close and personal viewing.

I picked out a few awesome favorites to share here but there is soooo much. I know I’ll be hitting up some flea markets and eBay this summer.

Cheers!
*i

January 3, 2013September 23, 2017

New Disneyland Stuff at the Magic Castle!

Last night was the 50th Anniversary of my favorite spot in Los Angeles: The Magic Castle. January 3rd, 1963m Milt and Bill Larsen opened the private magic club in the Rollin B. Lane mansion at Franklin and Orange in the heart of Hollywood, CA. In fact, I would say that The Magic Castle is as close to what The Hollywood Tower Hotel is being touted as in the Tower of Terror library scene – a beacon for the showbiz elite! Richard and Robert Sherman of the Sherman Brothers (It’s A Small World, Mary Poppins, Carousel of Progress, etc.) is one of the very first members of the castle (Richard was in attendance last night!) Carey Grant was on the Board of Directors at one time, establishing the “Carey Grant” rule which still applies today — NO PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE CASTLE! Let’s just say I happened upon these photos from “someone’s” recent trip to the castle.

Imagineer Yale Gracey was a friend of the castle. Yale created many incredible effects at Disneyland including, but not limited to, the Pepper’s Ghost effect – which he had not even read about at the time of its discovery. Meaning he had invented something that, although had been an ancient parlor trick, was an incredible achievement in the world of optical illusion and trickery. It was so impressive that he showed a model to Walt Disney himself demonstrating the effect and thus The Haunted Mansion was born!

That model now lives at the Magic Castle in the wine cellar below the main bar. It has changed positions over its tenure but where it landed was in a hallway of strange and similar parlor tricks. None, however, worked as well as the Pepper’s Ghost model.

Well, last night we ventured down to take a look around and lo and behold, we saw some familiar and new faces to the castle!

The Hatbox Ghost and the Bride from The Haunted Mansion! It seems they have transformed this hallway into a sort-of haunted hall. The Hatbox ghost, in case it’s not clear, is guarding an endless hallway of wine bottles (also recently relocated to this hallway). The Bride is where an old Banjo used to sit. There is a big red button to the right that I thought would make the banjo play but it never did in my time there. However, the button remains with this new Bride display and knowing President Neil Patrick Harris*, he may have plans in store for this effect in the future!

These statues stand about 18 – 24 inches tall and look very authentic. If you have any information as to whether they were sold in the parks or from where they came, let us know!

Also notable there was some new signage to go with the haunted-hallway theme.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Magic Castle, be sure to check out the Haunted Wine Cellar. It’s sure to excite even the most casual Disney fan!

* – Yes, THAT Neil Patrick Harris. He is the current president of the Academy of Magical Arts which calls the Magic Castle its home!

September 16, 2012September 23, 2017

The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibit

It looks as though Tim Burton has written a love letter to his fans. Considered by many to bo one of the greatest living film makers today, “Frankenweenie” seems as if he has returned to a form we haven’t seen in many years. His signature style shines bright in the film and Disney park guests are treated to a peek at the film’s stop-motion characters and props.

When touring the Art of Animation gallery, which is currently outfitted with an Art of Frankenweenie exhibit, one can’t help but realize that Burton is a man with a very clear and signature vision. The story, as well as the art direction, has the signature Burton / German impressionistic qualities. Noticeable throughout the gallery (and sneak preview at the Muppet Vision 3D theatre) are nods to past works which made looking at every little detail so much more exciting!

The painstakingly difficult task of animating a feature-length stop-motion animated film is chronicled well in pictures and production diary videos which play throughout the gallery in sporadic intervals. There are three distinct and very detailed sets complete with props, characters, and lighting of which guests are encouraged to peruse and snap photos. Each kiosk is equipped with a video which plays with information about the depicted scenes. We were unable to hear any of the audio from the videos as the exhibit seems very popular among guests but the screens seem equipped with speakers. Perhaps heading over first thing in the morning to catch these shorts is the way to go.

The attic scene where the re-animation takes place is also interactive. Kids and families seemed to really enjoy re-lighting the scene with the series of switches below the display case. It is truly an amazing feat of lighting, art direction, and set design, that scene. Every detail is perfectly executed and ready to be scrutinized by any and all that wish to delve into the darkest corners of the room to try to catch a piece of wasted space or thematic vacuum. Not the case in my experience. Parts of the scene with no light still had an old newspaper complete with headlines, articles, dust, etc. It’s really an inspiring to see these scenes in person.

This exhibit is a true treat. Really take a moment to take in each and every scene, workstation, video, and article there is to see because there’s so much detail and it’s really fun to play cinematographer and take up-close pictures of these masterful creations. Take a look below at some of the photos we were able to take while viewing the exhibit. And then, if you haven’t already, head down to Disney California Adventure park to experience it for yourself and to shoot the scenes with your artistic eye. I can only imagine this exhibit taking up most of your afternoon while you escape those remaining hot summer days! And be sure to catch the 4D preview across Hollywood Blvd. as the experience is thrilling and touching all at the same time.

These figures are so beautifully detailed

The best lighting in the gallery by far!

March 16, 2012

45 Years of Pirates of the Caribbean

It is perhaps the single greatest attraction ever created in the history of theme parks and it’s celebrating it’s 45th anniversary this Sunday.

On March 18, 1967, the world was treated to the most advanced and remarkable attraction in the world: Pirates of the Caribbean. The amount of detail and use of animatronic technology is unsurpassed.

Today, we celebrate the anniversary with a wonderful video posted by the Disney Parks Blog showing the different Pirate attractions throughout the world.

Here are some pictures of the classic attraction as well.

And a special thanks to Daveland for use of their pictures!

August 2, 2011

Pirates Vinylmation

I’m not the biggest fan of Vinylmation, but I love this set that Disney has just come out with!

Most Pirate merchandise Disney puts out is based on the films these days, so it is really refreshing to see a line of figures based on Pirates from the attraction. Yes there is a Jack Sparrow, but at least he’s in a barrel to make him unique to the animatronic figure in the ride. My favorite of these Vinylmation figures has to be the Pooped Pirate. See below:

Let’s hope more Attraction based Pirates of the Caribbean collectibles come out in the future!

July 25, 2011

One Man’s Trash….

…is another man’s treasure! Such a true statement…

A while back, I went to a garage sale in the San Fernando Valley. I was looking through a shoebox filled with old Christmas ornaments and something caught my eye. A plastic bag holding a few ornaments looked awfully familiar. I reached in the box, pulled out the bag, and I then realized why it looked so familiar. It was a classic 1980s Disneyland bag! I remember those bags so well from the park in the good old days! They have so many great park images on it from Pirates of the Caribbean to the Haunted Mansion! I took the bag that no doubt would have been thrown in the trash after the sale and it now sits in my Disneyland collection.

July 21, 2011September 23, 2017

This Is Just Incredible

I love park maps. During the 50th and even a few years after, there was a influx of great park maps. I would always eagerly await and collect these new maps as they came out. Then they did the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion and the park maps took a turn for the worse. And there’s nothing terribly wrong with them but they almost never change and when they do, none of the designs are as good or creative as they were during the “Happiest Homecoming” celebration.

Then we have these classic park maps. These are maps of a park that many of us Disneyland bloggers never got to see. Sure, there are pictures and even old film strips from those early years but these hand-drawn park maps have a level of detail and care that you just don’t see anymore.

I could look at this all day — and I probably will. But I thought I would share this park map from 1962 posted by Flickr user Wishbook who has a ton of other great park maps. Check him out!

CLICK HERE to see a high-res version of the park map and download it as well!

June 19, 2011September 23, 2017

Captain EO Holy Grail

Sure you may have the glove, or the little red leather jacket, or perhaps even a decent moonwalk, but let me ask you this, do you own an LED Captain EO Disneyland visor? I’m guessing that you probably don’t, not because you aren’t the biggest Michael Jackson fan of all time, the kind of fan who pretends to know all the thriller dance moves, but because this item has become a rarity in the Michael Jackson and Captain EO collectible market. Let me for a moment reflect on why I think that is.

Apologies in advance for all the questions; I enjoy a certain rapport with my readers, but have you ever in all of your days at Disneyland spotted amongst the crowds of Disney park-goers someone wearing this piece of sparkling Disney imperfection? The answer is probably no, that is unless you’ve actually had the rare opportunity to catch my blinking head in the park, and the reason for this is immediately apparent for anyone who has ever witnessed or worn this piece of Disneyana.

The problem has to do with the fact that the LED lights are powered by a 9-volt battery. Yes you heard that correct, a 9-volt battery strapped to the side of your head just in front of your left ear by your temple. The battery hangs loosely inside of an elastic loop and batteries can get hot, hot enough to burn the side of your Michael Jackson loving face. Sometimes the price to pay for hip retro fashion is a nasty 9-volt battery burn, lucky me.

Note: The black electrical tape pictured is strictly to compensate for elastic wear and tear.

June 15, 2011September 23, 2017

The Leprechauns of Disneyland

I would like to thank Tim Ray Hodges, the previous owner of Walt Disney’s Little Man of Disneyland, for providing me with the means to review this quirky and odd look at Disneyland’s initial construction.

With that said, did you know that the orange groves of Anaheim were once populated by leprechauns? Mickey, Donald, and Goofy somehow forgot to ask this dwindling population for the right to tear down their houses and homes in order to build the many wonders of the Magic Kingdom. If this were true, which I’m sure it is, they could have at least covered it up a little better, by maybe not publishing a children’s story about the leprechaun culling of 1955. This fact angers leprechaun Patrick Begorra, who eventually allows the animated trio to continue with the construction of Disneyland if he can reside in a home of his choosing within the park. Who would have thought leprechauns to be such pushovers? The book concludes with challenging readers to locate Patrick’s home on their next visit. For those of you thinking this plot synopsis is fabricated in anyway, believe me, sadly and awesomely it is not.

The weird nature of the story itself is a major selling point, especially for collectors who like children’s books that are a little too strange and messed up for their intended readers. For pure Disneyland fans the book has some great illustrations of the park’s construction, from mainstreet and the castle, to New Orleans Square and the Jungle Cruise. If you spot this Golden Book nestled in a stack at your local used bookstore, take my advice and pick it up, you wont be disappointed.

June 14, 2011September 23, 2017

If The Shoe Fits Play It

In 1965 Parker Brothers and the Walt Disney Company teamed up to produce a lovely board game adaptation of the classic Disney animated film Cinderella. Recommended for children 5 to 10, but still enjoyed by bloggers of a more sophisticated age, the game allows 2 and upwards of 4 players to compete for the role of Cinderella. The first player to navigate the game board, successfully fit the glass slipper, and reach the castle is declared Cinderella and the winner of the game.

Like many Disney board games of the time, the Cinderella Game uses cards to propel players throughout game play. These cards, known as Cinderella cards, feature iconic characters and locations signature to the film, like Gus, Drisella, and the Clock Tower. Each of these cards contains specific instructions for moving players either forward or backward on the game board. Once players reach the end of Cinderella’s journey they are forced to draw one of five colored slipper cards in hopes of matching that card with the corresponding color of their playing piece. If a match is made, the player with the match has won the game, and if not, the player is forced to move back several spaces to an illustrated pumpkin where they must try again.

The game requires no strategy whatsoever, but is still fun to play for kids and grownups alike because of the wonderful and retro 60’s artwork printed on the board, the box, and Cinderella cards. Overall this game is a must have for Cinderella fans, and find it while you can, because this edition with original art is becoming more and more scarce.

-David Brown
Contributing Writer