Shandy’s Corner, A Disney Blog | Magical Mountain

This is a quote by Walt Disney.  I get his quotes sent to my iGoogle page every day,  and this one really made me think. What would Walt think of the state of things today?

There is almost always a sequel, if not a trilogy, to successful films today.  Walt, being a man who always welcomed progress, surely would frown upon the way studios, including Disney, bank on said repeat successes.

Have we lost sight of the ingenuity of Walt? The creativity and originality he was so famous for? Have we become a society who is more concerned with making the big bucks on a sure thing than creating something original?

October 20th, 2008 | Posted by Maureen Buccellato | Comments (1)

By Jeff Lange

2008 NFFC Florida Canvention:

This years NFFC Florida Convention was excellent as expected! Highlights included author David Koenig, who gave a highly informative and entertaining presentation on Epcot’s World Showcase concepts that were never realized. Animation Legend Joe Hale (below right) gave an interesting and candid talk about working at the Disney Studios. His recollections included memories of Walt Disney and dealing with Jeffrey Katzenburg, Michael Eisner and more!

Another highlight was Ike Eisenmann (below left), who spoke about his work on the original Witch Mountain movies. He segued into his involvement with the upcoming “Race to Witch Mountain” film and his own animation company. A very special tribute to Disney Legend Ralph Kent featured emotional memories from Gary Sohmers and a panel of Ralphs friend and co-workers. This was followed by a spirited auction where some of Ralph’s memorabilia was auctioned off by Mr Sohmers to benifit Ralph’s estate.

The convention also included a tour of the Walt Disney World Merchandise Warehouse, the induction of three new NFFC legends: Hank Dains, Jess Rubio, Phil Smith and Gretta Verity. A very detailed talk about the history of the Adventurers Club from Disney historian Jim Korkis rounded out the convention and got everyone ready for the special event that followed!

The Adventurers Club Dinner:

When Pleasure Island opened in 1989, I was 22 years old. It was the perfect age to enjoy all that P.I. offered! That included the Comedy Warehouse, a variety of nightclubs - and the mysterious Adventurers Club. I enjoyed the Island on my frequent Disney trips, but was especially enamored with the interactive characters and atmosphere of the AC. When I found out about Pleasure Island’s closing, I was especially saddened as I would not be able to visit the final night. Fortunately, I was given another chance to say goodbye with the NFFC during a wonderful evening as part of the Florida Convention.

I enjoyed a special evening with other NFFC members, who’d waited excitedly to enjoy the Club one last time. All the characters were in attendance, and even more interactive than usual due to the absence of the library shows.

We were treated to a hilarious New Member Induction Ceremony poking fun at all the “Disney Fanatics” in the room plus two Mask Room shows and two Treasure Room shows!

The actors seemed genuinely happy to host our group, and talked out of character a little more than usual at the end of the evening. Jim Korkis ended the eventful night with a final tribute to the Club and the performers (photo below of the cast posting for us).

It was an unforgettable evening, and I will truly miss this unique Disney experience. I hope it returns in some form in the future. For more photos of this very special event, please visit partner site MouseSteps.

October 13th, 2008 | Posted by Jeff Lange | Leave a comment

Well it is that time of year again, and Disney conventions are ramping up at a feverish pace.  As everyone has already seen from Gracie Neville’s post, the Magical Mountain Staff will be heading to Orlando tomorrow to start our coverage of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, and the NFFC Florida Convention (including a Magical Definition Podcast live from the NFFC’s private Adventure’s Club event with Jim Hill).

This is just the first leg of some great coverage we will be giving you here at Magical Mountain for the rest of the year.  Later this month, The Magical Mountain team will be heading to Orlando again to participate in the Mouse Guest Experience and the Tower of Terror Marathon to benefit Give Kids the World.

Following in November of this year, Magical Mountain will be back to Orlando to cover Super Soap Opera Weekend, and the 2008 IAAPA convention in Orlando – bringing you all the information about the latest upcoming theme park attractions going into our beloved parks.

Finally, after much juggling of schedules, Magical Mountain will have a presence at this year’s Mousefest.  Our annual meet with Kendra Trahan will take place at The Carlowood Pacific Room, inside the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, on December 14th, 2008 at 8:00 pm.  Be sure to stop by and say hi to our team while in town.

Look for more updates this and next week while we are away at the convention. I want to thank everyone again for their support through the years in making the Magical Mountain website and team that it is today.

Last but not least, be sure to be on the lookout for and update later on this week from Adam Rose on his training for the marathon, and please if you can spare it in this hard economic times send your donations to Give Kids The World village by visiting: http://www.firstgiving.com/magicalmountain . Every cent helps.

NFFC Part of Your World Dinner Disney Legends

September 25th, 2008 | Tags: magical definition podcast, nffc, tower of terror marathon | Posted by Nathan Rose | Leave a comment

I am officially not a happy camper today…ok….here goes my rant…first we had the Millennium Celebration, then the 100 Years of Magic, then the very LONG Year of a Million Dreams, and now get in Free on your Birthday? Am I the only one out there that finds this to be so incredibly lame? I mean, it’s nice and all but to make such a big deal out of announcing this in New York is ridiculous to me. I was hoping on something a little more exciting like some sort of resort or even the rumors about the new itineraries for the cruise line would have been exciting than this.

I know that I am not the only one who thinks that this “announcement” is lame… if you go to the forums, others used exactly that term, and another term that I now deem my new favorite word. =0)  “Craptastic”.

As someone on the forums stated, not only does this not matter for those who have an annual pass, but you still have so much more money to spend at the park once you are there. Ok, so it’s nice to get a break where you can.  Every little bit helps the wallet.
However, to base a whole year celebration on this is absurd.

Disney already enhances your trip by having specialized services available for people who are celebrating special occasions.  When my husband and I went there on our honeymoon, they had champagne and flowers set up in the room for us when we checked in.  Plus, you can order things from their gift basket service or bakery.

I guess my problem with this whole thing is not so much the actual act of giving people free admission on their birthday… that in and of itself is pretty nice, but making such a ginormous deal over this announcement is really what got my goat.  If they had just announced this as normal news, I don’t think they would have this much of an extreme reaction to the news.  Just my opinion folks!!!!

Until next time everyone….. Have a great day!

September 18th, 2008 | Tags: Celebration Vacation, disney announcement, theme parks | Posted by Maureen Buccellato | Comments (1)

Well in a few weeks some of the MM will be off to this convention.  I actually enjoy the NFFC convention more than Mousefest.  Perhaps in the love of history, esp. Disney history that makes me like this convention better.  This year four Disney Castmember will be inducted as a NFFC Disney Legend:

Jess Rubio—A Disney character artist who knew Walt and developed the character drawing programs at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Gretta Verity—Who began her career as a Disneyland tour guide and went on to develop the “Disney Look” for theme park cast members. She also worked in Walt Disney World’s costuming department and was part of the ambassador program.

Phil Smith—The man behind the Land. As an attorney for Walt and Roy he managed the purchase of “the Florida property.” He also worked as part of the legal department during the construction and first years of operation of Walt Disney World.

Hank Daines (Posthumously)—A decorator and designer who worked closely with and for Lillian and Walt Disney and Emile Kuri,. Accepting on Hank’s behalf will be his son Joe who will share many of his dad’s experiences from Hank’s rich career as a decorator of Walt and Lillian’s home, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

I love hearing from people who have worked with Walt and the original Disney Team.

Perhaps the best event will be the first and last time I go to the Adventurers Club.  Yes, it will be closed to the public by than but Disney is going to open it up just for NFFC members.

The one thing I will miss are my kindergarten students - most who have never been to WDW.  If I had the money I would take them all!!!

Have a magical day!!!

Grace

September 17th, 2008 | Tags: nffc | Posted by Gracie Neville | Leave a comment

Well, the blog is finally live and I , for one, am looking forward to it! I think it will be great to share and communicate this way with the Magical Mountain Community, as well as other Disney fans.

I love Disney World (of course) and am a DVC Member. We own points at Saratoga Springs Resort, which, to be honest, I could give or take.  We prefer to stay at Wilderness Lodge or Boardwalk.  I am also looking forward to staying in some other DVC resorts as well.  Too bad the points for staying in one of Disney’s regular hotels are so much high… I would like to stay at the Polynesian Resort sometime.

Sadly, we had to cancel our trip this year.  The money just isn’t there! We canceled last year as well. Hopefully, we will return to making our annual trips next year!

I have heard time and time again, “How do you go to Disney every year? Don’t you get sick of it?” That would be a big fat NO!!! =0)  I think they just see it all rides and crowds and probably have never gotten to really experience all that Disney has to offer. Oh, well. Their loss!

Well, I guess that’s about it for my first post… I think I was pretty scattered with everything I was talking about, sorry!!!! Hopefully I will get better at this as we go along!

September 16th, 2008 | Tags: DVC, Saratoga Springs, vacation, Walt Disney World | Posted by Maureen Buccellato | Leave a comment