Marc Davis

The Disney Parks Blog has a wonderful post today about Disney animator and imagineer, Marc Davis.  Marc is responsible for many of the wonderful characters found in Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, and the Country Bear Jamboree.  Here is a really great picture of Marc creating some of the famous gags in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Soon, we will have an article featuring Marc Davis’ art of Pirates of the Caribbean.  He created some really great things.

Fantasmic! Glow With the Show – REVIEW! Pt. 1

Wow — just wow.  This show’s dramatic soundtrack mixed with the Glow With the Show ears is mind-blowing.

We got to the park, checked in, and got a spot along the Rivers of America by 8:15 pm.  The park was delightfully empty for a summer evening and we landed an incredible spot front and center.  Thinking back on it now, I suppose we got there pretty early but considering the check-in started at noon and I am not typically off work until 7, I figured we would get a good spot near the back which would offer an incredible perspective of the Glow With the Show experience.

Anyway, we took turns leaving the spot to run some errands — picking up Halloween stuff for our new home, replacing some defective first-run GWTS ears (the first batch were rushed and are inherently defective.  You can get a voucher to replace them from City Hall and take it to any GWTS ear outlet for a replacement — FREE!*), and getting some Pumpkin Fritters which are getting justifiable internet buzz.

Pinocchio merchandise voucher!
Pumpkin. Fritters. — Better than you’re imagining if you can believe that.

New ears in-hand, epic spot secured, we were then met with some of TDA’s inhospitable customer service follies: everyone on the Rivers of America were required, when the park closed, to clear the area and reenter to ensure no one was getting into the show that was not an AP that had RSVP’d and wearing a wristband.  Even more ridiculous, I had my wristband checked every time I would leave and reenter the area.  It was severely unorganized and not a single person was ok with the decision.  We even witnessed a cast member forcing someone in a wheelchair to walk up the steps to wait with the rest of the crowd and everyone in the area was utterly confused as to how this made any sense.  I understand the idea of checking wristbands but the person that cleared us out could have, instead, just checked the wristbands one by one.  It was not overly crowded and it did not seem that anyone was outnumbered or overwhelmed.  It seemed like a gross exercise of power and mismanagement.  One may never understand their rationale once something that seemed like a good idea on paper in-turn becomes a terrible idea in practice.  It seems that reason goes out the door and people will only do what they’re told as opposed to stepping back and finding an alternative.  We need, and frankly expect, more improvisation from our TDA leaders with the ability to adapt at a moment’s notice.  Anyway, everyone got back to their original spots so all-in-all it worked out in their favor but my wife said that while she offered her wristband upon reentering the area, not a single cast member checked it or lit it up with a flashlight.

Once back in the area, I was worried about the quality of the show.  While it appeared everyone in the area had their ears out and on, it was not as impressive as the WoC display.  Was the area not large enough?  Had people not brought or bought ears?

While not a bad image, it was not nearly as impressive as one may have expected.

That is, of course, until the show started.  Just — wow.  Everyone had their ears on and synced up with the show.  Every music cue was accented by the GWTS ears and the vocal response from the AP’s solidified, we were a part of something so special.  I’ll follow this review up this weekend with video coverage of the show to hopefully drive the point home that this was an incredible experience and should not be missed!  I can’t help but think GWTS will be added to “Wishes…” this holiday season and how incredible that’s going to look!

Fantasmic! GWTS

* I did not pay for my original ears — they came from the GWTS premiere with World of Color at DCA.  I was never asked for proof of purchase but cannot guarantee everyone’s experience will be the same.

Sneak Preview of the Mansion’s Gingerbread House!

The Disney Parks blog posted a sneak peek at this year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday’s Gingerbread House.  Here is a diagram of how the house will be built.

Such Detail!

 

Wouldn’t you love to take a bite of that nightmarish treat?  I know I would!

Every year, the Gingerbread house which is featured in the grand ballroom of the Mansion is different.  And besides that, it’s real!  Disneyland bakers create unique masterpieces every year complete with its own animation!

I’m thinking about past Gingerbread houses that have been on display inside the Haunted Mansion.  Who can forget the mini Mansion complete with a set of munching jaws?  Or who can forget the spinning Oogie Boogie themed cake?

Which was your favorite Gingerbread house from the past?

Disneyana: The Auctioneer

We continue the take off of our new long running series: “Disneyana”.  We will be showcasing some of our most treasured Disney collectibles.

Today’s item is the Pirates of the Caribbean Auctioneer Big Figure.

What be I offered?

 

This 28″ statue was released at Disneyland for the park’s 50th anniversary.  I remember how excited I was to find it under the Christmas tree that year!

Do any of you have any “Big Figs” you would like to share with us?

Disneyana: Shag

Adding to our list of Disneyana here at Remain Seated Please, I wanted to share this piece my wife and I just got from Disneyland.  Online, it looks like this piece is pretty old but I absolutely love it!

Our Shag as it appears in our home!

This piece shows Shag’s take on New Orleans Square.  It depicts a family between Pirates and Mansion with the father taking a photo.  This picture, minus the kid, basically is my wife and I at the parks!  I love Shag’s 60s style, I love that it has a 60s take on the Mansion, and I love how the characters look so enamored with the park.  I can only hope my kid is as cool as this one some day.

Do you have a favorite Shag piece?  Let us know in the comments below!

Shag!

Trivia Tuesdays

Welcome to another Trivia Tuesday.  Before we get on to our trivia question, let’s answer last week’s question, shall we?  Remember the question?

What are the names of the hitchhiking ghosts found in The Haunted Mansion?

The answer is: Phineas, Ezra, and Gus

Congratulations to:

cameron

TinkerTerror

You did a great job this week!

And now on to today’s question:

Which attraction replaced The Country Bear Jamboree?

Leave your answers in the comment section below and look out for future prizes!

Trivia Tuesdays

Welcome to another Trivia Tuesday.  Before we get on to our trivia question, let’s answer last week’s question, shall we?  Remember the question?

What is the name of the ancient temple idol only found in “Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye”?

The answer is: Mara

Congratulations to:

Cheekonyourface

Alyssa Mazzera

You did a great job this week!

And now on to today’s question:

What are the names of the hitchhiking ghosts found in The Haunted Mansion?

Leave your answers in the comment section below and look out for future prizes!

Happy Birthday Disneyland!

57 years ago, Disneyland opened its gates!  Thanks to Daveland, here are some photos from opening day: July 17, 1955!  Enjoy!

Trivia Tuesdays – Once Again on a Wednesday!

Welcome to another Trivia Tuesday.  Before we get on to our trivia question, let’s answer last week’s question, shall we?  Remember the question?

“Splash Mountain is based upon which film?”

The Answer is: Song of the South

Congratulations to:

Gabriela

Erica

Angela

Rachel

Jacob

Jim

Cameron

Brittany

Matthew

You all did a great job this week!

And now on to today’s question:

What is the name of the ancient temple idol only found in “Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye”?

Leave your answers in the comment section below and look out for future prizes!

Trivia Tuesdays

Welcome to another Trivia Tuesday.  Before we get on to our trivia question, let’s answer last week’s question, shall we?  Remember the question?

“Where in Disneyland can you find the item pictured below?”

The answer is: Fowler’s Inn where the Columbia docks.

Congratulations to those who got the correct answer!

And now on to today’s question:

Splash Mountain is based upon which film?

Leave your answers in the comment section below and look out for future prizes!