Disneyland 60th Celebration

Happy Almost Summer Disney Fans!!!

Warmer weather is upon us here in Columbus meaning ... Very high humidity and flash rainstorms.  It also means the start of some amazing events happening that only summer can bring.  The local theater organization here in Columbus hosts a summer movie series every summer, where for a $5 ticket you can go to the beautiful gem of the Ohio Theater (normally reserved for the symphony, opera, and traveling Broadway tours) and see a movie on the big screen just like the old days!!  We get to watch movies and hear the old organ all throughout the summer time!!  It also signals a weekend of artisan work, live music and food all around the riverfront area of Downtown Columbus, lovingly called Art Fest (Check it out here http://columbusartsfestival.org/).

It also means the kick off into National Pride month and you know I'm all for a good celebration.  This year I am fortunate enough to get to take part in two different Pride celebrations here in Ohio.  Next weekend (also during my birthday) I am privileged to represent the Ohio Gay Pride Pageantry system as the current Miss Columbus Gay Pride and twirl about in the biggest outdoor drag show and Pride celebration I've ever seen, appropriately names Dragapalooza.  Afterwards in July, I'll be taking part in the first ever Mansfield Gay Pride ... Yes that's right Mansfield, Ohio is hosting it's very first Gay Pride celebration!!  Being able to say I am a part is truly what gives me pride as a person, gay man, and drag queen!!

Needless to say summertime always excites me because of all the happenings including ... TRAVEL!!!!!  This summer also marks the 60th Diamond Anniversary of Disneyland ... the place where it all began!!!  So many fond memories of going to Disneyland growing up and the start of my belief in Disney Magic.  Now ... I will admit that this will be a nostalgic post and that means yes indeed ... I'll be telling you a Disney story.  Let me take you back to one of my first memories of Disneyland:

I would say this was probably back in the 1980's though the actual year I can't really remember.  This was a family roadtrip ... Imagine it ... two RVs and three families of parents, cousins, aunts and uncles.  You could say it was a little hectic and crazy to say the least, especially with cousins ranging in age from 9 to 3 on the way to Disneyland.  When we finally arrived in Anaheim, we didn't end up staying in Disneyland Hotel but the Disneyland RV park (yes there was a Disneyland RV Park).  I can still remember getting up in the morning and walking to the Disneyland Hotel coffee shop for breakfast (to get there we had to walk about two blocks one of which had a strawberry field, I can still smell the strawberries ripening in the summer sun).  Well ... My parents taught me that vacations are meant to slow down and enjoy, which when you're a kid at the age of 4 so close to Disneyland just doesn't happen.  See we had a normal pattern we followed when we went on vacation to Disney: The day we arrived it was normally around afternoon or early evening so we didn't do Disney right off (didn't make sense to spend the money on a ticket for a partial day I guess), instead we went to the Disneyland Hotel and had dinner.  After we got done eating, the kids would get a roll of quarters from the parents and go play with these R/C cars and boats on the Disneyland Hotel property.

I believe this is the area where you could find the R/C fun area. 

The next day, breakfast and then catching a monorail into Tomorrowland.  While I very much enjoyed going to the main gate and getting the experience of walking up Main Street before entering into the park proper, Going to the Monorail Station made me even more excited because of the view it gave of my favorite ride in the entire park, Submarin Voyage.

Favorite view

From there the day started with all the joy that Disneyland can give.  Eating, riding, shows (yes I do remember going on the Carousel of Progress while it was till in Disneyland), and then the parades, the music of the Main Street Electrical Parade still makes me smile.  Sometimes we would stay for the fireworks while in the park or sometimes, we'd beat the crowd out of the park and go back to the RVs where we could see the firework show from the park (normally sitting out in the front of the RVs).  The trip would also include other excursions like Universal Studios, the beach, Knott's Berry Farm and of course shopping at the many malls in LA.  But we always came back to Disneyland and we had many trips back: Family trips, Anniversaries (my parent's spent their honeymoon there 50 years ago!!), and even a few trips in high school with the Magical Music Days.  But those first trips are what really sparked it all for me and later sparked more trips to Disney World.  

Well everyone, I admit this time I didn't do my research to see what is upcoming with Disney.  So I apologize for not being on top of that.  But ... I would love to hear your first memories of Disneyland or Disney World.  What was your first trip to the park like?  Where and when did you go??  Let me know in the comments below and as always ... 

Make It A Magical Day -- Pat A 

The Kingdom Keepers -- May 2015

Happy May and Mother's Day Disney Fans!!

It seems as though Spring made a quick appearance before giving way to Summer here in Columbus and I'm definitely ready for the warm weather!

Summer time is on its way and for many that means travel!! I know many of you lucky ones will be traveling with your families to the Disney Parks soon for Disney Vacation Magic; I have two responses to that: 1. Have a wonderfully magic trip and 2. Do you have room for another traveler??  Anyone?  No?  Oh okay ... I'll sit this year out.

Following a new format of making this an all things Disney blog, I've chosen to write on an awesome series of books involving Disney characters, parks, attractions and even the fight of Good vs. Evil ... But first ... a little background ...

In my last post I wrote a little about one of my favorite pastimes: Reading.  After graduating from College of Idaho in Caldwell, I moved to Spokane, WA to take some time to myself and develop myself as a singer and person.  On top of developing my voice and singing with the Spokane/Coeur D'Alene Opera, I also learned what it meant to navigate a day job.  Achieving the balance of singing, work, and social time ... Well that was a task.  It also taught me what it meant to stand your ground and take what chances offered to you when they arose.  As you can imagine money wasn't always abundant and that meant learning how to go without certain things.  In my case, it meant living without Cable TV.

Now I know many of you probably just did a collective, how-on-earth-did-you-survive gasp at that last sentence.  As tough is it may have sounded, after the first several months I found I enjoyed going without cable for a variety of reasons.  I had access to the Interwebs so getting information through that media was easy enough.  I also lived near a store (that I would later work at) called Hastings Entertainment; Hastings dealt with new and used CDs, DVD rentals and sales, and new and used books.  My basement room was contained enough that I was able to close the door, turn on a movie or music and relax.  Sometimes it meant studying a score of an opera with the recording, becoming familiar with roles that I could (or wanted to) sing, watching a DVD or playing my Playstation, but more often it meant spending time in silence and reading.  And I read many amazing books from the Outlander series to non-fiction books about the life of opera singers, composers, and entrepreneurs.

Fast forward five years: I've just graduated with my Masters from Ohio State and now ... time for another day job while starting a voice studio and finding various gigs and groups needing a tenor.  While I did have cable living in the student housing at OSU, afterwards I was again in the same boat: working a day job in retail, singing for my supper on the side, and learning that spending time in my apartment meant enjoying silence which again, led me to start reading more and more.

My love of reading naturally brings me to this month's Disney Blog subject:

The Kingdom Keeper series!!! 

I first heard about the Kingdom Keeper books through an online community appropriately called Addicted to Disney (Check them out on the official Addicted to Disney Facebook page) and are the work of author Ridley Pearson (http://ridleypearson.com/).  The seven book (plus two novels and a novella) series follows the adventures of the Disney parks after they close.  You see ... There's a war being waged between good and evil characters that Walt Disney envisioned and it's up to the Disney Host Interactive (Holographic guides that are able to interact with guests) Finn, Charlene, Willa, Maybeck, and Philby to help decide once and for all that the Good of Disney Magic will triumph over the Evil.  If you want to get more on the story well ... You're just going to have to pick up the books from your local library or bookstore to see what happens (sorry no spoilers). 

The First Seven of the Kingdom Keeper Series

What I enjoy about the series is Pearson includes any Disney character or attraction you can imagine; many characters make and appearance from classic Disney movies such as The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty, Pixar films like The Incredibles and characters from the Disney Attractions (my favorite of all, Madame Leota, even makes an appearance!!).  I have currently read the first seven books in the original series (The Kingdom Keepers proper) and started reading a transitional book, title The Syndrome.  According to the research I've been able to find Pearson's website, The Syndrome leads into the next series of books under the series titled The Return.  Another facet of the series I enjoy is that Pearson doesn't stick with just one land.  The first book starts at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, but as the holographic technology that powers the teens DHI expands to other parks on the resort in Florida, and eventually California and Disney Cruise Ships, so too, does the story and their adventures.  

Be sure to step into your local library or book store and pick up a copy of the series if you want to read about adventures in some of your favorite Disney places and attractions along with the DHI champions, or you can also purchase them through Pearson's site that I've included in this post.  

Another section I am going to start including in my post I'm simply titling This Month In Disney, where I will be highlighting things I've been hearing through the Mouse Vine ... So I give you the inaugural: 

This Month In Disney

On May 22nd, Disney releases Tomorrowland in theaters.  I'll be sure to have my ticket and share my thoughts in the future. 

Disney Parks have announced the Disney Dining Plan is back for 2015.  In the past from what I've seen, the plan was limited to so many nights stay at specific hotels on the resort.  Qualifying for it now requires booking a 6-night/7-day stay on the resort with purchase of tickets including Park Hopper or Water Park Option (for dates and other restrictions check out the Disney Website Here).  

And on a personal note I'm about 1/3 of the way to reaching my savings goal for the Disney Vacation in 2017 (where I hope I can meet some of you out in the parks).  

Alrighty everyone that does it for this month's blog.  Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers out there and as always ... 

Make It A Magical Day -- Pat A 

A little Disney Spring Cleaning!!

Happy Spring Disney Readers!!

As you may have seen I am not reviewing a movie this month.  I've had a bit of time to mull over some options and rather than keep my focus to just one Disney movie a month, I am going to turn this into an all things Disney blog!!

As you may know Disney is a driving force in my life and has been ever since I was 3.  Some of my earliest memories of going to Disneyland and Disney World helped create me into the performer and dreamer that I am today (Disney was quoted as saying "Adults are kids grown up anyway").  I think this blog would be better suited by broadening it's horizons to anything and everything Disney, which quite frankly will keep me writing for the rest of my life!!  So what Disney magic have I been letting into my life recently?  Read on Disney fans ...

Towards the start of the year I had decided I was going to start putting some feelers out and scope out some job opportunities with Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  I am exploring three different avenues of work: Show production, Hospitality and Event Planning, and Banking.  I've already put in some preliminary applications to get an idea as to the turnaround time of responses, and brushed off the dust on my resume so it can be seen.  There are such a multitude of jobs available that putting out feelers and networking will be an exciting adventure and challenge.

While prepping myself for a possible career path with Disney I picked up two awesome books from my local library: Disney U by Doug Lipp and Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell.  While I love to read I'm not big on books on business management or procedure; I tend to find them rather dry and hard to digest at times.  However for anyone working in business (which let's face it is almost everyone) I highly recommend these two books.  Both are broken down into sections that are pretty self-explanatory and refer back to earlier content as you progress through the chapters. I guess you could call it Disney Magic Homework.

Another addition to the book collection is Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook, a collection of recipes from Walt Disney World resort restaurants in the parks and hotels.  I had toyed with the idea of adding a recipe to go along with the movie of choice, and I still hope to feature recipes every now and again in this blog.  As I explore the recipes then I'll be sure to share them!!

A little Disney Kitchen Magic

Well everyone this blog post will remain rather short.  I would love for your ideas as to what you'd like to see in the future as well! Feel free to leave a post in the comments below and as always ...

Make it A Magical Day!

Patrick A

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book
Released 1967
Directed By Wolfgang Reitherman

Music By George Bruns, with songs by Richard and Robert Sherman

Happy February Disney Movie Addicts and Fans!!  Normally this is a spot where I beg your forgiveness for being away for the month of January.  While January was a busy month with performing and work, in reality it was a time of self-reflection.  With all the additional shows and tasks at work, February came and I decided it was a time for self-reflection.  I made a conscious decision to stay out of the spotlight for a month and make some decision for the future.  Part of that reflection revolved around where I would like to go with my performance life; part of it is where I’d like to see this blog go and what “extras” for a little extra fun.  The bulk of my reflection however has been reading and immersing myself in books written on business management with Disney as the central case study.  I forget if I have mentioned it in previous posts but I have a dream to eventually go to work for the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Part of my plan to get there is to receive an MBA with an emphasis in hospitality management.  It’s been a pipe dream of mine ever since I was in college (unfortunately going to Disney to study in my college years didn’t line up with my musical goals at the time).  These past few weeks of self-reflection have spurred in me a new passion and a new desire to finally make that dream come true.   In the coming years I’ll be setting goals for myself and seeing them through and with luck by the time I hit 35 I’ll be in Florida working for Disney full time!!

One chilly, snowy night in February I had just come home from a very long day at work.  As is my normal routine, I put on some water to start boiling for pasta, change out of my work clothes into jeans and a t-shirt and proceed make dinner (when I’ve had a rough day, chopping up vegetables and putting together a tasty meal out of various ingredients helps me re-focus and re-center).  When dinner was served I surveyed the movie collection and decided on this month’s movie, The Jungle Book, based on the writing of Rudyard Kipling.  As I watched I began to find the travels of Mowgli back to the human village not unlike many journeys we all take in life towards our goals or destinations.

Released in 1967, we follow the story of Mowgli, found by the panther Bagheera and taken to a wolf pack to be raised until the age of 10, when it’s found out the tiger Shere Khan has returned to that part of the jungle.  With Shere Khan’s hatred toward men, the wolf pack has decided Mowgli must return to the man-village for his own safety as well as the safety of the pack.  Along the way Bagheera and Mowgli run into the easy-going Baloo the bear, the happy-go-lucky King Louis the orangutan, Col. Hathi and his elephant brigade, the hypnotic Kaa the snake, a grab of singing vultures and a run in with Shere Khan himself.  After all the adventures and fighting to stay in the jungle, the trio of bear, panther, and man-cub stumble upon the man-village and a young girl singing a tune attracts Mowgli to the village and what can be assumed a life among man and woman.

Many thoughts hit me as I watched Jungle Book that cold night.  As I watched and listened to the movie that chilly night while eating dinner, it struck me that much like Mowgli traveling (reluctantly) towards the man-village, I too am traveling on a path much different than what I thought I wanted; but ultimately a path leading towards ultimate happiness.  Jungle Book was the last film Walt Disney had a hand in before his death of lung cancer in December of 1966.  In a way … the journey towards Walt Disney Studios also had to go through its own jungle and come out on top to survive as well.  Taking a look at the central characters of the movie, Mowgli is faced with a challenge of staying in the jungle vs. rejoining the human world.  On the one side of him is the voice of concern and reason in Bagheera, oftentimes to his own comedic detriment.  On the other side is the voice of frivolity in Baloo, that even though all’s well that ends well, his laidback and lax attention causes some of the trouble they get into.  Along the ride in the film are troubles meeting Mowgli from the slippery serpent of Kaa, able to lull you into a false security of words before devouring his prey, to Shere Khan the dangerous and tyrannical ruler of the jungle.  And even the temptation of frivolity and falling into the false truths from King Louie (I think it could even be argued King Louie is the danger of fair-weathered friend that makes promises only to get what they want, his “kingdom” being built on ruins of an ancient civilization but easily shattered).  And yet throughout the story, Baloo and Bagheera come to agreement about the ultimately safety and happiness of Mowgli, which leads up to the final confrontation with Shere Khan and meeting of unlikely allies in the vultures.  In the end, nature takes its course and Mowgli hears the lull of a young girl singing about her future as she is fetching water from a nearby stream.  Mowgli finally faced with what the Man-village holds goes in of his own accord (growing up and out of childhood one could say), while Baloo and Bagheera march off back into the jungle (the imagination and fantasy stewards of childhood always there but not in the forefront of the mind as they once were). 

Jungle Book holds many wonderful memories for me.  Being one of the first Disney movies I saw in theaters (My hometown movie theater did children’s films for the summer time), opening my eyes to the magic of Disney.  And even now as an adult and learning the history behind the movie, you can see how it has influenced future animated films as well as spurred Walt Disney Studios forward after the death of Walt Disney.  Jungle Book is truly a masterpiece of storytelling and animation that made Disney the force it is today. 

Title: Jungle Book

Perfect For: Any Disney fan

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: This is a difficult one as many characters have been moved into the vault.  However, from my experience you’ll most likely catch Baloo (and sometimes Mowgli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Well everyone … We’ll see what the future holds for all of us.  I will be working on bringing something new to the blog very soon.  It could be a book recommendation or maybe a recipe or history and pictures of parks.  But whatever it may be … I hope you will continue to enjoy this blog.

Make it a magical day – Patrick A

Babes In Toyland

Babes in Toyland
Released 1961
Directed By Jack Donohue
Music By Victor Herbert

Happy Holidays Disney Fans!!  Christmas time is here and that means the bustle of gift buying, holiday parties, and celebrating in every corner of the earth is now happening.  I’ve always loved this time of year.  From as far back as I can remember December was the month of family, food, friends, playing with my cousins, anticipating Christmas morning, and the whirlwind of activity from Christmas Eve until New Years.  You see, not only did Christmas time mean opening presents with my family Christmas morning (normally with me, my sister, my parents, and my grandfather), having a special breakfast my mom made, normally cinnamon rolls, or a cinnamon pull apart, and sometimes a delicious cheddar sausage quiche, then cleaning up and relaxing for a few hours afterwards, and later dressing up and meeting my family.  And we’re talking my WHOLE extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great aunts and uncles and … well you get the idea.  December was probably the most magical month out of the year, right behind June (my birthday month) and October (Halloween of course!). 

As I got older, I began singing in choruses from the community.  Christmas time meant learning all manner of music from around the world and performing in the early weeks of December.  This is a yearly occasion that would start from the age of nine up until the age of 31 (with maybe one year in that time frame that I didn’t sing in a chorus of some sort).  When music became a central force in my life, December meant a time to celebrate in song all the traditions of the seasons, from soloing in multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah to pops concerts, church cantata’s and even a world premiere composition with the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus (if you’re curious look up “Christmas By The Hearth” on YouTube).

Music being a corner stone in my life led up to many wonderful engagements during the “Christmas Cantata season.”  I’m sure many of you music scholars out there are not only familiar with Handel’s Messiah, but also the many works composed by other classical composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Camille Saints-Saens Christmas Oratorio, Glorias  of John Rutter and Antonio Vivaldi just to name a few.  There are also many stage works that give a nod to Christmas as well.  Works such as Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti, and from the Broadway stage Annie, Mame, and even the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast has a Christmas scene.  On the Disney front at home, two movies played constantly on our tape players; a collection of Disney animated shorts simply titled A Disney Christmas Gift and this month’s movie Babes in Toyland.

Movie poster from the premiere

Adapted from the Victor Hugo operetta of the same name, Babes in Toyland takes us to Mother Goose Village where all your favorite nursery rhyme characters such as Little Boy Blue, Bo Peep, Wee Willie Winkie, and the two main characters Tom the Piper’s Son and Mary Quite Contrary.  As you would expect in every Disney film, casting of the perfect actors for each part shows itself here.  With the talents of Tommy Sands, Annette Funicello (who recorded the theme song for another movie in the works at the same time: The Parent Trap) as the leads, the villains Barnabas played by Ray Bolger and his two henchmen played by Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon, the kooky Head Toymaker of Toyland of Ed Wynn, and his zany yet accident prone assistant Grumio played by Tommy Kirk.  Mary’s wards are played by the brothers Kevin and Brian Corcoran, Ann Jillian as Bo Peep (who would later go on to play in Gypsy, Mr. Mom, and the TV miniseries Alice In Wonderland).  Many of these characters would go on to play more with Disney from the small screen to the big screen. 

Ann Jillian as Bo Peep and Kevin Corcoran as Little Boy Blue

As mentioned before, Babes in Toyland held a special place in the month of December along with A Disney Christmas Gift.  Both movies heralded in the Christmas season with song and dance, playing constantly throughout the month.  Not only did we have a Christmas at home with the family, but often times my family would travel for New Year's Celebration, including many trips to Disneyland for my parent's anniversary (where they spent their honeymoon).  Which brings me to some exciting news!  Next year I will be traveling out to spend Christmas and New Year's with my family in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, meaning I'm sure there will be a trip to Disneyland and California Adventure parks!!  If any of you are out that way, leave a comment on my blog and I'll be sure to take multiple pictures to post!!!  

Title: Babes In Toyland 

Perfect For: The entire family at Christmas Time!!

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: The magical Toy Soldiers during Christmas parades at the parks.  

Well everyone this year is about to close out with another bang.  I’ll be keeping you posted on my adventures in Disney films (Two more just came in today!!) and I hope you and your family have a 

Happy Holiday Season and an incredible New Year!!

Have a Magical Christmas!  -Pat A

Top 5 Disney Movie Picks

Happy Thanksgiving Disney movie fans!!

This month I’ve decided to do something a little differently.  In my searching around for the perfect Disney movie in it with a Thanksgiving theme I spend a lot of time in my living just staring at my collection and feeling thankful that I was introduced to Disney movies and Disney magic at such a young age.  Feeling thankful that Walt Disney taught through example that anything is possible.  One of the most inspiring things I have learned about Walt Disney throughout my life is that he had a dream of making something possible and he inspired those around him to make it happen.  Whether it was creating a movie magic for both animated and live-action films, making a theme park against that went against the grain of amusement parks of the day (my favorite Walt Disney story: When he sent some Imagineers to propose the idea of Disneyland at a theme park convention, everyone stated reasons it would never work and he said well good if they liked it I would have been worried.  I’m paraphrasing this of course).  To me this approach of letting the imagination take flight and finding ways to make it happen epitomizes the term Disney Magic.

On a more personal note, I’m also thankful for living in a time and age where I can be who I wish to be and achieve my own personal goals and dreams.  That means being able to express my feelings in the blog as a Disney Addict, being able to perform in many ways, and sharing those thoughts with all of you out in the world.  Thankful I have a loving partner that I am able to share my life and experiences with and that loves to travel to Disney as much as I do, even if he doesn’t understand as much (We plan on going for our five-year anniversary and celebrate like we did for our first anniversary!).  There are a lot of things I am thankful for in my life, and that have happened in my life to get me to this point.

Now, I’ve been mulling over the proper time to do this post and to be honest, November seemed like a good time to introduce what are my top five picks for Disney Movies.  This partially came from the lack of Thanksgiving movies put out by Disney (and if you know of any with a Thanksgiving like theme please comment below) and partially looking forward to the Christmas season.  Now as a general rule I don’t normally discuss Christmas before Thanksgiving as I prefer to take one holiday at a time and enjoy the warmth and love each give, but I’m willing to bend that rule this time around because this may help give some you readers ideas on what to give your Disney Addict friend or family member, or a jumping off point to starting your own Disney DVD collection. 

Now a quick disclaimer: I did not to a lot of researching, polling, interviewing and what have you to create this list; it is my own personal opinion.  If I left out a movie that you think should be on the list or have your own list, then I invite you to share it in the comments.  But any negative posts will be deleted.

I have divided the lists up into three different categories: 1. Disney Classic Animation, 2. Disney Pixar Films, and 3. Disney Live-Action.  So let’s dive in shall we?

Top 5 Picks for Disney Classic Animation Films:

1.        Snow White and The Seven Dwarves – May as well start at the beginning.  Originally released in 1937, this is the movie that started the full-length, animated feature films revolution that would became a hallmark of Disney Animation Studios
2.        Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 – There are going to be certain instances where I bend a little and rather than select a movie, choose the series it belongs to and this is one such instance.  Not only are you getting classic animation from these movies but also an exposure to great classical music pieces. 
3.        The Princess and the Frog – Disney success in animation stems from being able to take classic stories and rework them in new ways, and here we see that very situation.  Taking place in New Orleans during the height of the Jazz Era, this isn’t your typical frog needs the kiss of a princess to be back human.  But if you want the whole story, grab a copy for yourself (no spoilers here).
4.         Lilo and Stitch – There are very few movies in my collection that I am able to watch over and over again that provoke the same visceral reaction.  Lilo and Stitch happens to be one that holds this honor.  The story of a broken family putting the pieces together again and showing us that family is who we choose it to be.
5.        The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Now … while this is an example of a story from classica literature being “Disney-fied” I chose this movie because of the music written by the amazingly talented Alan Menken (Who also wrote music for Aladdin, Hercules, and The Little Mermaid just to name a few). 

Top 5 Picks for Disney Pixar Films:

1.         Finding Nemo – The pure artistry of this film and how they are able to create wonderfully unique characters while still retaining the element of realism in their movements makes this a true triumph for the Pixar studios.  And I must admit I have a soft spot for anything involving the ocean as I considered a degree in marine biology while in college. 
2.         The Incredibles – So what happens when superheroes have to conceal themselves full-time?  Take day jobs?  Raise families?  Gain a little weight?  Pick up this film and you can see for yourself and enjoy a day in the life of Mr. Incredible and family.
3.         Ratatouille – Okay I admit it … I love food and I love to cook.  This film gives us the imagination and aspiration of a rat that wishes to cook and enjoy food (voiced by Michael J. Fox).
4.         Wall-E – In line with the honor that is held by Lilo and Stitch, another movie that moves me to tears each time I see it.  Set in the future, it’s also a commentary on the future of our world and our uses of resources (as you can see around multiple projects at Disney World and the focus on conservation).
5.         Brave – I’m sure you’re surprised not to see Frozen on this list.  While Frozen is a great film, I love the adventures of Merida in Brave as she learns the perils of impulsiveness and the meaning of family.

Top 5 Picks for Disney Live-Action Films:

1.         Mary Poppins – Practically perfect in every way from the casting to the music and the story.  From Julie Andrews to Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson and Glynis Johns, this movie will delight any age group in your family.
2.         Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Taking place during World War 2 follow the adventures of apprentice witch Eglantine Price (played by the incomparable Angela Lansbury) as she does her part to serve England and the war effort.
3.         Enchanted – “Show me a person who can laugh at himself and I will show you a person that will never cease to be amused.”  This saying comes to mind with Enchanted as Disney pokes fun at the fairytale genre and what could happen if it comes crashing into our lives. Be sure to pay attention to many “hidden Mickey” moments.
4.         Apple Dumpling Gang – Come back out to the Old West and see what’s brewing with Don Knotts and Tim Conway as they blunder one heist after another.  Sure to delight any fan of the Western. 
5.         Pirates of the Caribbean Series – Again bending the rules just a little bit as taking the entire ilk of Pirates of the Caribbean is necessary.  The continuous story based on the popular ride at the parks shows that literature and books may not be the only inspiration for movies.

Well everyone there you have it.  My top picks for the Disney film collection.  There are many movies that I have left out and this list is by no means definitive or authoritative.  But having these movies I think will enrich your collection or give you a good place to start collecting.

Next month will be Christmas time and then getting ready to start a new year.  All of you I hope will have a happy Thanksgiving and until the next blog, I remain your fellow Disney movie addict.

Make it a Magical and Thankful Day – Pat A

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion
Released 2003
Directed By Rob Minkoff
Music By Mark Mancina

Happy Halloween (or Samhain for my Pagan readers) Disney fans!!  So who among does not love dressing up for Halloween each year!!!  I can tell you I'm seeing a lot of American Horror Story clowns (kinda creepy if you ask me!!), Frozen inspired outfits, and in my neck of the woods a lot of young draglings coming out and trying their hands at drag for the first time.  Halloween is the time of haunted houses, haunted corn mazes, zombie runs, dressing up and things that go bump in the night.  

For those of you that are Halloween buffs, you'll know that the holiday is based around All Hallow's Eve and as mentioned earlier Samhain in the Pagan wheel of the year.  It's the time when it was believed that the veil that separates the physical world with the spiritual realm is at its thinnest and that occupants from either side can pass through.  We dress up to scare away or confuse the spirits as some are not as benevolent as others.  Disney hosts a Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World and Disneyland, and even a celebration for our four-legged companions (Howl-O-Ween). 

The Haunted Hallway

But enough of the history lesson, this month presented me with a challenge of which movie to choose for the Halloween festivities.  How does one choose between Hocus Pocus, The Adventure of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and Blackbeard’s Ghost; or possibly delve into the mystery shows like The Great Mouse Detective or Candleshoe, or even TV shows (Who else remember watching Disney’s Halloween Treat?)  But after much deliberation I’ve decided to review a rather new movie but an icon of the parks, The Haunted Mansion.  While it did not rise to the critical acclaim of its ride-inspired predecessor, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion still gives us a taste of Disney Magic and homages the ride found in every Disney park (random fact, the attraction is one of the few rides that’s different in every park; Disneyland and Disney World has the Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Paris has The Phantom Manor, and Hong Kong Disney has Mystic Manor).  With a cast headed by Eddie Murphy, this light-hearted romp through Gracie Manor gives us one interpretation of how hauntings can occur (complete with broken hearts, unrequited love, intrigue and mystery).  And all of our favorite characters from the ride are present, Jennifer Tilly as the all-seeing Madame Leota (complete with crystal ball), Emma (played by Dina Waters) and Ezra (Wallace Shawn) the maid and footman, Ramsley the butler (Terence Stamp), and all the ghosts and ghoulies you’d expect to see in the graveyard scene of the ride, all the way down to the singing busts. 

Grim Grinning Ghosts Come Out To Socialize

When it comes to the many wonderful attractions at the Disney parks, the Haunted Mansion and I had one of those love/hate relationships for many years.  I remember first going on the ride at the age of 4 in Disneyland.  In Disneyland, the exit of the Haunted Mansion meets up to the entrance of Splash Mountain (which happened to be my favorite ride in Disneyland) on the border of New Orleans Square and Critter Country.  The funny contrast being that to get to my favorite ride normally meant having to go on my least favorite ride in the park.  I’m also not too proud to admit that up until I was in high school, I opted to hide my eyes or not go on the ride at all mainly because of how skittish I am at jump scares (coupled with severe arachnophobia … because let’s face it, where there are old houses and there is most likely spiders).  But when I finally did open my eyes on my senior year trip, it started my appreciation and eventual love for the ride.  As with every undertaking Disney does, I appreciate the detail and thought put into the ride.  I mentioned before that this is one of the few rides that has different incarnations: Disneyland, Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld, and Tokyo Disney are scenes moving from bumps in the night to outright ghosts in the cemetery; Disneyland Paris has the Phantom Manor that connects Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to the builder of the mansion; Hong Kong Disney has Mystic Manor, a completely new take following an eccentric collector of world artifacts and his companion.  If you wish to see more information or ride through of these attractions then check out YouTube!! 

The all-seeing Madame Leota

While the movie may not have been a smash hit, what I enjoy looking for in the movie is how many nods to the ride are in the movie.  Of course there are the iconic characters such as Madame Leota and the ghosts in the cemetery like the hitchhikers (random fact, three ghosts have names! The one carrying the bag the Eddie Murphy first talks to is Phineas, The skeleton is Ezra, and the prisoner is Gus); but there is also parts of mansion itself the give a nod to the ride.  When watching pay attention to the singing busts (one modeled after the original lead singer, Thurl Ravenscroft), the eyes in the wallpaper, the morphing paintings, and the “breathing” doors, all drawing on inspiration from the original ride. 

Title: The Haunted Mansion

Perfect For: The haunter in your family.

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: What else but the haunted beauty herself.  In all of its forms the Haunted Mansion will delight you and your Disney family.

Well everyone another month has passed and another movie.  I hope you are all have a fun and safe Halloween and I will see you next month for another Disney movie.  

Have a Magical Day -- Pat A