WDWNT: The Magazine - WDWNT Archive 2014

WDWNT – The Magazine: The History of Echo Lake

WDWNT Author on May 13, 2014

Since Disney’s Hollywood Studios’s opening on May 1, 1989, Echo Lake has gained has a deep history of extinct shows andattractions.

Monster Sound Show, sponsored by Sony, was an opening day attraction. The film, featuring David Letterman, was played on several monitors while guests were waiting in the queue, and the show aimed to display the value of sound effects in a cinema. In what is currently the vacant ABC Sound Studio, the Monster Sound Show asked four volunteers to be involved in the production as Foley sound artists. Foley is a reference to Universal Studios’ sound pioneer who specialized in synchronized sounds in the 1950s: Jack Foley. The show began by showing a short, comedic film clip starring Chevy Chase and Martin Short with studio developed audio effects. Next, the short film played and the Foley sound artists had to use props to re-create the sound effects. Lastly, the film clip played with the sound effects that the Foley sound artists created. The attraction’s duration was about 15 minutes. After the show ended, there was an area called Soundworks that taught guests how to create sound effects on a more in-depth level. The Monster Sound Show ended its tenure in Hollywood Studios in July 1997.

After July 1997, the show was re-imagined to become the ABC Sound Studio. It featured the cartoon lineup from “Disney’s 1 Saturday Morning” that included the shows: 101 Dalmations: The Series, Doug, Recess, and Pepper Ann. “Disney’s 1 Saturday Morning” ran on ABC from 1997 until 2002. The ABC Sound Studio served a similar purpose to the Monster Sound Show, but it showed a much shorter cartoon film clip that lasted 45 seconds. This show asked for seven volunteers to create sound effects for a cartoon clip. The ABC Sound Studio closed on February 20, 1999.

Superstar Television, sponsored by Sony, was also an opening day attraction. This show took place in what is now The American Idol Experience. Guests were given the opportunity to be part of the live studio audience or participate in acting out individual scenes from well-known television shows, including: General Hospital, Cheers, Bonanza, Gilligan’s Island, and I Love Lucy. After the volunteers acted out their scenes, the finished product was played for the audience to watch. This attraction closed in September 1998.

In March 1999, the space that was used for Superstar Television was transformed into ABC TV Theater, the home of a musical based on the hit children’s show, Doug. The show “Doug: Live!” debuted just days before the release of Doug’s First Movie. May 2001 marked the end of the run of Doug: Live!.

The ABC Sound Studio was transformed into the attraction Sounds Dangerous starring Drew Carey in April 1999. This show lasted for around 12 minutes. The audience was told that they were attending an ABC test pilot television episode of a reality show called Undercover, Live. The theater turned fully dark for the show to begin, and binaural sound was used through provided headphones for intensified audio effects. In 2009, Disney announced that Sounds Dangerous would operate seasonally. In May 2012, Sounds Dangerous officially closed. For the 2012 Star Wars Weekends, the ABC Sound Studio was inhabited by the Carbon Freeze Me experience. This gave guests the opportunity to pay for a miniature eight-inch tall figurine of themselves frozen in carbonite, just as Captain Han Solo was in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

Star Tours opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in December 1989. The first version of this attraction was built in Disneyland just a few years earlier, and it was initially planned to be an interactive motion simulator based on the 1979 movie The Black Hole. The lack of success of this movie, combined with the estimated $50 million cost of the imagined attraction, terminated the plan, and Star Tours was born. Star Tours was sponsored from 1989 to 1995 by M&M’s. The sponsorship of this attraction changed to Energizer in 1995 and was later dropped in 2006. In the show there were animated lasers which were made separately from the film that was shown. The lasers were animated by a small special effects company in Burbank, California: Available Light Ltd. This is the same company that was involved in the creation of Captain EO and Honey I Shrunk The Audience. In Star Tours’s pre-boarding video, the woman who briefs riders on safety tips also played the role of Sherry, the assistant in the original Test Track briefing room video. The area that is now Tattooine Traders, the gift shop that guests walk through as they exit Star Tours, was originally called Endor Vendors. It was themed to appear as if it belonged on the moon of Endor. This was changed to Tattooine Traders around 1998-1999. Star Tours closed in September 2010 to be renovated into Star Tours – The Adventure Continues.

Many previously running parades ran through parts of Echo Lake, including Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade, Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!, and Block Party Bash. For a background of these former parades, please visit WDWNT – The Magazine: The History of Hollywood Studios Parades.

WDWNT – The Magazine: The History of Hollywood Studios Parades

WDWNT Author on April 10, 2014

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been home to several memorable daytime parades. The themes of these parades include: Aladdin, Hercules, Mulan, Pixar, and more.

The first parade began in September 1991 and was titled Dinosaurs Live. It starred the Sinclair Family from the hit ABC television sitcom Dinosaurs; this parade ran around the area that now encompasses the Sorcerer’s Hat. After about two and a half minutes of its seven minute production, the main floats stopped in front of The Great Movie Ride for a short, live show. This parade ended in August 1992.

In December 1992, a parade titled Aladdin’s Royal Caravan followed in the footsteps of Dinosaurs Live. A duplicate version also ran in Disneyland beginning in 1992. Three floats of Aladdin’s Royal Caravan showcased the very amicable Genie; this included the headlining float of the parade which depicted him as 32-feet tall. This float was later re-used in The Magic Kingdom’s Remember the Magic parade. Aladdin’s Royal Caravan was seen on an episode of the ABC television sitcom Full House. This parade was the first home of the water-spitting camels that now inhabit The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in the Magic Kingdom. Before they were permanently relocated to this attraction, the two camels were used as decorations in the Soundstage Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Aladdin’s Royal Caravan closed in August 1995 to make way for a new parade oriented around the first feature-length Pixar film: Toy Story.

Toy Story – The Parade first delighted guests of Hollywood Studios in November 1995. This parade consisted of the major Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz who were walking freely, and others who were built onto the float structures such as Mr. Potato Head and Hamm. After this parade ended, the floats were later used in the small show “Operation Toy Story.” This was a focal point of the brief “Toy Story Weekends” that allowed for Buzz and Woody to hold meet-and-greets before they were given a set location in Hollywood Studios. Toy Story – The Parade’s first float was themed for the Green Army Men and was later refurbished to be transformed into the Giraffe float in the Animal Kingdom’s Festival of the Lion King show. The parade was cancelled in June, 1997.

Also in June 1997, the Hercules Zero to Hero Victory Parade debuted. Running twice a day, this parade allowed for a random family inside Hollywood Studios to be chosen for each performance, dressed in Hercules-inspired Greek attire, and be members of the “Theban Family of the Day.” As of May 1998, the Hercules cast of characters no longer marched down Hollywood Boulevard.

The successor of Hercules Zero to Hero Victory Parade was the Mulan Parade. The opening day of Mulan, the film, was also the first day of the accompanying parade in Hollywood Studios. The parade utilized fifty-three performers, and its primary theme was an instrumental version of Honor to Us All. As of March 2001, the Mulan Parade ended its tenure.

May 2001 marked the beginning of the longest running parade in Hollywood Studios–Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade. This parade was brought to Walt Disney World as a part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration and ran from around the Backlot Tour to the side of what used to be Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind shop. Disney characters either rode in or walked alongside an intricately themed car. These characters frequently interacted with those in the crowd which gave the parade a unique element. There was a Toy Story car that was designed to resemble Andy’s bed. The parade had a Mary Poppins car that had two carousel horses. The car themed for Jim Henson’s The Muppets was topped by an attached blimp. Star Wars was represented in its own car that had Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia riding inside. Mulan’s car featured a Chinese umbrella hanging over her. Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. characters Sully and Mike Wazowski sat inside a red convertible that resembled the car in the Disney/Pixar’s short film Mike’s New Car. The car that held Aladdin and Jasmine was the Genie transformed into the shape of an automobile. Serving as the finale of the parade, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy rode in a 1929 Cadillac. Other movies and characters who appeared in the parade include: Hercules, Disney Villains, Lilo & Stitch, The Little Mermaid, Power Rangers, Playhouse Disney characters, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cars, Alice in Wonderland, and Pinocchio. Disney Stars and Motor Cars ran until March 2008.

Block Party Bash began in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in March 2008. This stage show/parade first debuted in Disney California Adventure and was then transported to Walt Disney World. Block Party Bash touched upon unprecedented elements within Walt Disney World parades because of its heavy emphasis on dance music. The floats and characters of this parade were representative of most Pixar movies released at that point: Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles. It was replaced in January 2011 by a very similar production, Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!

Pixar movies that were released after what was encompassed in Block Party Bash became a part of Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!; these movies include Ratatouille, UP, and Toy Story 3. Many of the floats from Block Party Bash were recycled for this parade. Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! was the latest parade to run in Hollywood Studios, and it ended on April 6, 2013.

Until a new parade surfaces the streets of Hollywood Studios, guests will need to settle for already existing forms of entertainment within the park. The rock band, “Mulch, Sweat n’ Shears,” still performs on a regular basis, as well as the other live stage shows: Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Disney Junior Live on Stage, and Fantasmic.

WDWNT The Magazine: The Original Captain America – Winter Soldier

WDWNT Author on April 10, 2014

Ed Brubaker’s Captain America: Winter Soldier hit my reading wish list for one simple reason, I love the trailer for the upcoming movie of the same name. I am excited about this Marvel Cinematic Universe feature and really wanted to dig into one of the story sources of this hopefully epic movie.

Captain America’s arch-enemy Red Skull has acquired a very weak Cosmic Cube . And since Captain America’s actions have become increasingly violent some people, including Nick Fury, wonder if Cap kill the Red Skull. The search for the Red Skull’s murderer leads deeply into Captain America’s past. General Aleksander Lukin, the apparent mastermind behind the theft of the Cosmic Cube was mentored by Soviet Colonel Vasily Korpov who has links to Captain America, Bucky and the Invaders. Apparently General Lukin has inherited control over a Cold War assassin known as the Winter Soldier who is cryogenically frozen until needed to complete his master’s bidding. The search for the Cosmic Cube includes the stories of other men who had worn the uniform of Captain America and the unbelievable identity of the Winter Soldier!

The big question is of course what could be kept in a film version. The origin of the Winter Soldier could actually hold up, where he was a tool of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In fact, based on the trailer that element could really be a great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The trailer, with its political thriller feel, could easily be set in a post Cold War World. And the use of that element could allow the master villain pulling the strings of the Winter Soldier to be a former disgruntled Soviet. And the fact that there are flashbacks to World War II would allow us to see Peggy Carter, Bucky or Howard Stark, which would make MCU fans happy. Also we already have Cosmic Cubes in the MCU, the Tesseract from Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers. However, the one seen in The Avengers is now being stored in Asgard. I wonder, based on the mid-credit scene of Thor: The Dark World if another object may take the place of the Tesseract, one which might also catch Thanos’ interest. But Avengers 3 is a long way off and Marvel may not feel the need to reveal another piece of Thanos’ future.

There are some changes that will need to be made. First, in the comic universe, Agent Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp in the new movie) and Steve Rodgers have a prior romantic relationship in the original story. Since we have yet to see Agent Carter the past on the screen , the tension between the two shown in the book would be lost to the viewer. Second, there are a number of MCU cast in the movie that have no role in this story including Black Widow (will she be stealing Agent Carter’s role?), Agent Sitwell, and Alexander Pierce. Of course the role we see Robert Redford playing as Pierce is completely different from the comic’s Agent Pierce. So while there are great elements from this book which the MCU can adapt, clearly the story must be greatly revised to fit within the MCU.

I think one of the biggest possible changes is the tone of the story. The trailer shows a political thriller. It appears that Pierce and Fury are in a struggle of some sort to control S.H.I.E.L.D.. Yes Captain America: Winter Soldier does have elements of a political/business thriller, but honestly, it is really a very personal story of Steve Rodgers’ past. One of the reoccurring events is Rodgers hallucinating about his past. In fact he misremembers events like Bucky’s death. And the use of other Captain Americas reinforces the story element of identity. I really hope that the personal tone of the story is kept on the big screen. Because, while it may be a big story I hope it is also a little story about a man and his past.

I really enjoyed Captain America: Winter Soldier. I found it to be an excellent story that explored Steve Rodgers’ past and his struggles to fit into the modern world. And the reveal of the Winter Soldier’s identity is one that rocks Captain America to his core, while for the reader you have enough warning to keep from being completely shocked. Sadly since Marvel has apparently been on a spoiler kick lately with them announcing the identity on national television, the big reveal may not be as impactful to those who still do not know the secret. In the end, I found this to be a great story which is worth adaptation within the MCU.

WDWNT: The Magazine – The “Festival of Fantasy” Heads to Walt Disney World

WDWNT Author on February 17, 2014

Since 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort has delighted guests with many memorable parades. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is the quintessential home for these theatrical shows which incorporate beloved Disney characters and movies. There have been little-known daytime parades in the past such as the Surprise Celebration, and widely-known night-time parades such as SpectroMagic; each had the responsibility of entertaining Magic Kingdom visitors for their respective periods of time. Now that the most recently running daytime parade, Celebrate a Dream Come True, has ended, its long-anticipated replacement, Festival of Fantasy Parade, is set to make its debut next month.

Spectro Magic Parade

Many devoted fans of Walt Disney World will argue that the greatest Disney parade of all time was SpectroMagic. This show encompassed all that typically comes to mind when the word “Disney” is mentioned. Full of excitement, sparkling lights, Disney characters, and an enchanting musical score, this adored parade seemed to fit its role perfectly.

Main Street Electrical Parade

Leaving the Magic Kingdom in 2010 to be replaced by the currently active Main Street Electrical Parade, Disney stated that SpectroMagic would eventually make its return. In the summer of 2013, Disney extinguished any hopes for this parade to once again be a part of the experience of the Magic Kingdom, which shocked its fans. Although the ‘Electrical Parade’ is still greatly loved by guests, it has been unable to reach the extremely high level of success that SpectroMagic attained with guests. Now with the Festival of Fantasy Parade on its way to the Magic Kingdom, one can only wonder if the void left by SpectroMagic will soon be filled.

Festival of Fantasy will be a daytime spectacular with visually stunning and elaborate floats. Through images and the above video released by Disney, we know that the float designs will include the movies Brave, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Pinocchio. To the delight of the many Frozen fans, characters Anna and Elsa have been announced to be on the “Princess Garden” float.

Given that the Festival of Fantasy Parade is themed according to New Fantasyland, there is limitless creativity to be incorporated in the design of the costumes. New techniques used by the creative costuming team, such as 3D printing and 3D origami, give a unique overall appearance to the performers’ costumes. In comparison to costumes seen in other Walt Disney World parades, the remarkably innovative styles seen in the Festival of Fantasy are unprecedented. This modern look that appears throughout the entertainers’ attire and the floats is similar in style to that of Tokyo Disneyland’s Happiness is Here Parade. The modernization of both parades shows a growing trend in Disney productions to radiate contemporary feelings while simultaneously satisfying audiences by the use of cutting-edge technology and designs.

What has been your favorite Disney parade? What are you looking forward to seeing in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade?

Here is a sneak peak that Disney shared with us on the upcoming parade:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AW9w0o7kAM]

In memory of a fellow Disney fan and friend, Monique Tartt (1995-2014)

WDWNT: The Magazine – 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Review

WDWNT Author on January 23, 2014

This year marked the 21st Walt Disney World Marathon. There was also a Half Marathon, a 5K and the first ever WDW 10k. Around 30,000 runners descended upon Walt Disney World last weekend to take part in one or more of those runs. Those who completed both the half and the full achieved the Goofy Challenge. And over 7,000 of those where insane enough to run all four races over four consecutive days to earn the coveted Inaugural Dopey Challenge finishers medal.

The week stared with the Run Disney Race Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports where guests picked up their race bibs and shopped for merchandise. There were a variety of exhibitors on hand selling everything from clothing to food to displays for your medals. There was also a large official Disney Merchandise section that had shirts, hats, magnets, mugs, pins, Vinylmation and more for the various races. New Balance was also on hand, and for the second year in a row, had character inspired running shoes that may have been the most coveted piece of merchandise at the event. Runners and couch potatoes alike stormed the baseball stadium early Wednesday morning to sign up for a time to come back and try on and purchase the new kicks.

The designs included Sorcerer Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella and Goofy. These highly detailed, and very comfortable running shoes, retailed for $72-$125. I picked up the Sorcerer Mickey pair and actually ran all four events in them. I only wear New Balance anyway, but they fit and performed extremely well. I look forward to some new designs next year. There was talk from the sales associate of a new princess shoe each year, with 2015 being Snow White. My fingers are crossed for a certain duck as well.

Thursday, the first race day, was the 5K. A 3.1 mile course that took runners from the Epcot parking lot, through some back lot, around the World Showcase and back into the parking lot. It was a very short race, so character photo ops were non-existent however Pluto and the rest of the Fab 5 were at the finish line. Pluto is the mascot of this race, and finishers received a rubber medal with the pup in front of his dog house. Later that morning were the kids races at the Wide World of Sports.

Friday morning was the Inaugural 10K. This was a 6.2 mile course that wound out of the Epcot lot and down the street before looping back toward Epcot and once again around the World Showcase and some back lot areas before winding up back in the parking lot. It was a rainy morning, but not cold. There were a few character stops inside Epcot such as Mushu, Dopey and some princes and princesses. The mascot of the 10K is Minnie Mouse, so she adorned the first ever finishers medal for this event.

The mile markers were new this year. They had characters from various Disney and Pixar animated films as well as the Fab 5. People always enjoy posing for photos in front of these. I was impressed that they already had a Frozen one for the event. Here were some of my favorites.

Saturday was the Half Marathon. 13.1 miles that started at Epcot, continued up towards the Contemporary Resort, then into the Magic Kingdom back lot, up Main Street USA, around Fantasyland and out through the back of Frontierland, then we made our way back to Epcot for a jog around Spaceship Earth, before ending up in (you guessed it) the parking lot. Donald Duck is the face of this race and the finishers medal glistened with his image.

The final race was the WDW Full Marathon. 26.2 miles that wound around all four parks, the WDW Speedway and ESPN Wide World of Sports. The mascot for this race was Mickey of course.

For those who ran both the half and the full had completed the Goofy challenge and the ones who ran all four completed the first ever Dopey Challenge.

Like most Run Disney events that I have been a part of, I was happy with the way the races were organized. It was easy to park and find my corral. The staff at the end of the race were attentive with the food and medical care. It was also easy to find where I had to go for my medals and wristbands (proof of race completion). As for the course itself, I found a positive and a negative as compared to previous runs.

The positive was the water stops. The tables seemed to stretch further than before, with more volunteers to hand out the drinks, meaning there was never a hold up. They also did not run out of water, as I had seen in years past.

The negative was the character stops. I am a newbie, only taking part in Run Disney events for two years. I also may have been spoiled by the amount of entertainment that was on the 15th anniversary half and 20th anniversary full, but there seemed to be a real lack of entertainment this weekend. And a majority of the characters out there, were not completely special. That being said, there were some great photo opportunities. Here are some of the highlights.

From my point of view, the inaugural Dopey Challenge was a success. It was extremely fun to take part in a full weekend worth of runs and activities around Walt Disney World. The price, coming in at around $450, could be an issue with participating every year. I may have to pick and choose. I may also cut the Tower of Terror and Wine and Dine runs out of my calendar due to cost. But with the 15th anniversary of the Goofy Challenge next year (and a special medal) I do look forward to adding the two shorter races and completing the Dopey again in 2015.