I am still working on my Disneyland updates, including photos and video from the recently enhanced Main Street Electrical Parade now appearing at Disney’s California Adventure! In the meantime, here are some photos from Walt Disney World yesterday.
Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland raised prices on Sunday. New prices are listed (below, left). In Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, the demolition continues on the old Skyway building. A larger area is now fenced off, including around Space Mountain and the Arcade (below, right).
It’s been a week since I’ve been back from California, and am finally getting more photos and blog posts up – some photos and the text are courtesy of Mousesteps.com. This article features the D23Disneyland U.S.A. event on July 17th, which was Disneyland’s 54th birthday. I was very fortunate to be one of 200 guests to be part of this D23 event!
We had gotten our wristbands for the event outside of the Disneyland gates, and were given a time to meet at “it’s a small world”.
We were ushered backstage to see the film and panel discussion, hosted by Tim O’Day, that included former DisneylandPresident Jack Lindquist, Chief Disney Archivist Dave Smith and Imagineers Tony Baxter and Bob Gurr. We were told that cameras weren’t allowed to be used at all backstage. It was a longer walk than I expected from Small World to the auditorium (but I could use all the walking I could get before the dessert party!) Before entering, we were treated to some information about the Disneyland fireworks, including the mention that there would be a new Hallowishes show. Everyone was then given bags of candy, pretzels and a bottled water before being ushered inside.
We watched the beautifully restored version of Walt Disney’s 1956 “People and Places” featurettein CinemaScope, “Disneyland U.S.A.” We were given a few things to watch for ahead of time, I was surprised that there used to be fishing at Disneyland – but that soon ended, due to guests leaving their fish behind in the park (which created an odor problem). We were told that there were 17 Disney songs in the film, and you can hear Old Yeller even though it wasn’t yet out.
After the film, each panel guest talked for a few minutes. Bob Gurr talked about how Walt had seen a monorail in Germany, but wanted Bob to design a better one. Gurr had 8 months to design the monorail, but was still learning engineering – he trained himself at Disneyland. He said how it took 13 years to get the Autopia car just right, and that those 1968 cars are still running – and the original subs as well. Gurr also does not like roller coasters, he rode one just to be able to tell Walt that he was doing research for the Matterhorn. Gurr said of his job, “I was paid to design, not ride this stuff”.
Jack Lindquist said that one of his most touching moments in the park was on one Christmas Eve, before the park closed at 6pm. There were only a handful of people left in Disneyland at 5pm, and he fell into step behind a family walking down Main Street. One of the two children in the family turned to their mother and said, “You know mom, you were right. This was better than having a visit from Santa Claus“.
One of my favorite stories of the evening was when Lindquist and Marty Sklar were throwing a party on the evening before the World’s Fair. They ran out of ice, and Lindquist went through an apartment building looking for some – knocking on doors until he finally found a couple who had some to spare. The couple talked to him, and then asked Lindquist if he knew their nephew – Marty Sklar. He did not tell them that Marty had been in town for months!
Geri Bumpass was also one of the panel guests, she was a hostess that can be seen in old film footage and photos with Walt Disney. She told a funny story about how she once slapped Walt’s hand away from reaching from her chest, but it turned out that he was just wanting to take a look at a new pin he’d not yet seen. Bumpass eventually left her job at Disneyland, but returned to work there again many years ago because “I still had Pixie Dust in my blood”.
At one point, we were told that it was okay to bring out the cameras for a photo.
The dessert party included Celebration cupcakes, along with coffee and tea. The area isn’t the best for the fireworks, but I saw Magicalaround 10 times during my trip with castle-front views, so I enjoyed more spending time with friends in a non-crowded setting.
Thank you to D23 for another fantastic event! I am glad to be a charter member. For my report on the D23 Flower & Fireworks event at Epcot this summer, please click HERE.
Bonus Videos – “Magical” Fireworks Show from Disneyland
Jeff Lange takes you back in time to experience this first in a series of DVDs featuring vintage parades from the “Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland!.
Features the following classic Disneyland parades: Very Merry Christmas Parade (1985), Totally Minnie Parade (1986), Party Gras Parade – Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary (1990) and The World According to Goofy Parade (1992)!
Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.
Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!
Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:
Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad (1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993), Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) and Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!
Running Time: 66 Min
For more information or to purchase this item, please click HERE.
Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to experience the best of all the “Wishes” nighttime fireworks spectaculars!
Features: Wishes - A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Holiday Wishes – Celebrate The Spirit of the Seasonplus Bonus: Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks!
Pixar has an UP balloon display outside of the AMC theaters at Downtown Disney (Orlando), Denise Preskitt from site partner Mousesteps was there to get photos and video! The Up balloon flies above the house (below, left). She then took a photo of the balloon from behind the fountain (below, right).
Jeff Lange takes you back in time to experience this first in a series of DVDs featuring vintage parades from the “Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland!
Very Merry Christmas Parade (1985)
Enjoy a front row seat for the Very Merry Christmas Parade, recorded from Christmas Tree Point with a view down Main Street USA! This beloved holiday tradition includes segments from Disney classic films, including: Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, Herbie the Love Bug, Dumbo, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 101 Dalmations, Fantasia and Mary Poppins. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by Santa Claus, joining perennial parade favorites including the soldiers from Babes in Toyland, snowmen, prancing reindeer and a Christmas train packed with a multitude of Disney characters!
Totally Minnie Parade (1986)
Join Minnie Mouse as she creates her new music video! This vintage Disneyland parade features bouncy music, Mickey as the producer and Donald Duck as director of this unmistakably 80′s spectacle. All of Minnie’s friends turn out – you’ll enjoy appearances by The Three Little Pigs, Prince John, Snow White, Pinocchio and so many more!
Party Gras Parade (1990)
Stilt walkers and acrobats accompany a variety of floats in this Mardi Gras influenced procession, celebrating Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary! Marvel as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Roger Rabbit appear as gigantic cold air balloons towering nearly 40 feet above Main Street USA. The parade was shot from multiple camera angles so you don’t miss any of the action!
The World According to Goofy Parade (1992)
Goofy’s 60th birthday is celebrated in style, with a Goofy twist on the history of civilization! The World According to Goofy Parade ran only 5 months in 1992, but many Disney parade fans consider it to be one of the best daytime parades in Disneyland’s history. Opening with Ludwig Von Drake giving a Goofy history lesson, you’ll see Goofy through the years from the stone ages through today!
Relive these special Disneyland parade memories year after year or experience the magic for the first time by purchasing a copy of “Jeff Lange’s Disneyland Parade Classics”.
Running Time: 60 Min
Buy 2 or more titles from my store and receive free shipping with no handling charges.
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Fathers Day is quickly approaching and if your dad is a Disney fan (like mine is) we are now offering two special combo packs (Disneyland and Walt Disney World editions)!
My father, Walter Lange first brought me to Walt Disney World during it’s opening year of 1971 with my family and got me hooked on all things Disney. He used to record our Disney vacations on audio tape and later progressed to 8mm home movies. I guess I took to the recording of the parks by watching him and enjoying the results. Happy Fathers Day Dad and thanks for all the special vacations and everything you have done for me!
$39.99 (free first class shipping included on your entire order)
Walt Disney World Fathers Day Combo Pack
The Walt Disney World Fathers Day Combo Pack includes three of your all time Disney World historic favorites! Fantasyland Classics and Tomorrowland Classics feature all your favorite vintage attractions from those lands (click titles for full details). Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary chronicles the Surprise Celebrations from 1991 including the original opening version of SpectroMagic and the Sorcery in the Sky fireworks spectacular!
$39.99 (free first class shipping included on your entire order)
For Priority Mail or Overnight Delivery requests, Please email me for delivery options at Jeff@ JeffLangeDVD.com.
As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.
Denise from Mousesteps stopped by Epcot yesterday to see what was left from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. There wasn’t much left in Future World, but World Showcase still had a number of topiaries and gardens left in place. The main topiary is now down (below, left). Green grass fills in where Sorcerer Mickey once was (below, right).
