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Photo Memories #2: More From Animal Kingdom's 10th Anniversary, Collectors Edition DVDs, Upcoming Release Information.

Hi everyone!

Welcome back for more photos from Animal Kingdom’s 10th Anniversary !

Featured here is some great concept art from Joe Rohde’s presentation detailing the changes that were made in the original Animal Kingdom entrance plaza.

ak10thconcepts07 ak10thconcepts013

Note the procession of animals in the left photo below. That concept was deemed unworthy due to the realization that animal backsides would often be included in guest photos.

ak10thconcepts021 ak10thconcepts051

Finally the shots below show early concepts for the Tree of Life and the huge amount of scaffolding used during construction.

ak10thconcepts031 ak10thconcepts041

This was a highly interesting presentation and I personally learned a great deal about the history, design and attention to detail of this great park!

Available Now:

Available now from the JeffLangeDVD Store in a very limited supply: Collectors Edition DVDs featuring Fantasyland Classics.

These DVDs Include an Actual Ride Piece and a 4×6 Color Photo suitable for framing. The Mr. Toad Edition includes a Bumper piece from actual “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride vehicles – The 20,000 Leagues Edition includes Seaweed from the “ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” lagoon.

Fantasyland Classics includes the following attractions:

A photo tour of “Fantasyland“, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (including full coverage of the exteriors and queue plus a complete ride thru), the original “Snow White’s Scary Adventure” , “Peter Pan’s Flight ” and the ” Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed”…”It’s a Small World “.

Please click HERE for more information on these items.

Upcoming Release News:

Please check back soon for more information on my upcoming releases including my all new Photo CD Collection as well as DVD’s on the following topics: Animal Kingdom’s 10th Anniversary, Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival, Walt Disney World Railroads, Tomorrowland Classics and more!

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.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Photo Memories Featuring Epcot's World Showcase: Maelstrom and Skylaidescope plus a New Release Update.

Hi everyone and welcome back for another update featuring more photos
from Epcot’s World Showcase
.

Photo Memories: World Showcase Part 2 – The first set of photos
below are from Norway pavilion’s Maelstrom boat ride featuring a
trip back to a mythological version of Norway’s Viking days.


This is one of the few ‘dark ride’ type attractions at Epcot and I have
always enjoyed it although it is often overlooked today.


Below are some rare photos (circa 1986) of the original Epcot Center
lagoon spectacular Skylaidescope!


In this large scale daytime lagoon extravaganza you experienced a battle
between good and evil fought with bi-planes, dragon boats, kites,
colorful smoke and daytime fireworks. During the show the classic Epcot
Center anthem "we’ve just begun to dream" plays as the bi-planes buzz
and circle the dragon boats diving to almost hit them before pulling up
into the sky!


At the end of the show hundreds of colorful balloons were released (a
common practice in those days not longer done out of environmental
concerns). This was truely a fun spectacle and I miss the days of the
daytime lagoon shows. It has been over 15 years sinse the last attempt
with Surprise in the Skies and I don’t see Disney bringing this
type of show back anytime soon… but you never know.


For many years after Skylaidescope ended one of the dragon boats
(below) was parked in the lagoon behind the Rock and Roll Beach Club (
closing forever February 3rd
) at Pleasure Island. I have not seen it for
years and I assume it has been retired or perhaps used as a prop
somewhere. If anyone knows the fate of this boat please let me know.

New Release Update: The next title from JeffLangeDVD will be
released this Wednesday February 6th. Please check back soon for more
information.

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
.

Click here to browse the
JeffLangeDVD store.

Click here
to browse all Epcot Center titles.

Production Update: Epcot's World Showcase 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition 2-DVD Set

Hi everyone and welcome back for another update. I am well into
production on my current project
Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot’s World Showcase 25th Anniversary 2-DVD Set
.
This will feature the original Mexico attraction El Rio de Tiempo
, a vintage full circle tour of World Showcase from atop a Double
Decker OmniBus
, Norway’s Maelstrom, The original American
Adventure
, Skylaidescope lagoon spectacular, Surprise in
the Skies
and much more.


I have been getting many emails lately requesting the
Epcot Center
original attraction, Mexico’s El Rio de Tiempo boat ride
. This will be covered extensively with complete vintage ride thru’s from
1991 and 1993 plus full coverage of the exterior, que and exit areas.
Also included are detailed 2006 ride thru’s recorded just before the
ride closed forever.


One of the true gems I discovered is a full circle tour of World
Showcase
recorded in 1991 from the top of a Double Decker Omnibus
! I had forgotten how much fun these were. If anyone knows why these were
discontinued please let me know (I imagine it was for safety or crowding
issues).



Also included is a complete multi-angle presentation of the daytime
lagoon show Surprise in the Skies featuring the worlds largest
daytime fireworks display. Boats, kites, paraplanes, hang gliders,
fireworks and giant balloons of the Disney characters dressed for their
various countries (above)!

Please check back soon for another photo update featuring Norway’s
Maelstrom
, The original American Adventure and the
Skylaidescope
lagoon spectacular. I hope to have this ready for
release by the end of next week.

Future Projects:

Some other projects lined up for 2008 are:

‘Walt Disney World Tomorrowland Classics’

‘Epcot After Dark’

‘Disneyland Classics 4’

‘Pirate & Princess Party 08’

‘Walt Disney World Class of 1971’

‘Epcot’s Millennium Celebration’

‘Individual Park Top Ten Series’ (get those top 10 lists
ready)

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
.

Click here to browse the
JeffLangeDVD store.

Click here
to browse all Epcot Center titles.

Bruce Gordon (1951-2007), Epcot's 25th Anniversary Gallery Photo Memories Pt 2, Holidays at Walt Disney World Preview, Production & Travel Update.

Hello everyone and welcome back for a big update this week.

Bruce Gordon (1951-2007):

Unfortunately we begin on a very sad note with the passing of much beloved author & Imagineer Bruce Gordon. I really enjoyed Bruce’s presentations at the NFFC Disneyana conventions and remember the huge smile he always had when he and fellow author/Imagineer David Mumford would throw Disney surprises to the audience. You could just tell how passionate he was about Disney and his work. My friend Jim Hill wrote a very nice tribute that I recommend everyone read HERE.

Flo and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the friends & family of Bruce Gordon.

Epcot 25th Anniversary gallery ‘Photo Memories’ part two:

As promised we continue this look at the special 25th Anniversary gallery paying tribute to Epcot’s history. This edition features some incredible images of Spaceship Earth construction on display in the gallery. We start with the
model and move to a great photo showing the construction of the massive supports.

Below left is one of my favorite shots showing some of the 954 triangular shaped silver panels sitting in the Epcot parking lot. I also love the image on the right with the construction workers looking like window washers.

There are hundreds more great images like these on display in the gallery and I encourage everyone to spend some time there on your next visit to Epcot. I have not heard anything official but it seems like the gallery will be open through 2008.

Holidays at Walt Disney World Preview:

Believe it or not it’s that time again as the Holidays come to Walt Disney World. This year there are some new offerings and changes.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been entertained and mesmerized by Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a special after-hours event in Magic
Kingdom that has added an extra night this season — meaning there will be 19 evenings of holiday fun: Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 and Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. The fun begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours.

Guests can enjoy festive surprises including an all-new Castle Light Show. Cinderella Castle is adorned with thousands of shimmering white lights, covering the turrets and towers like a glistening blanket of ice. The twinkling lights create an elegant wintry effect perfect for the seasonal celebration.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” celebrates the many festive moods of the holiday season, showcasing a series of holiday themes including a Friends and Family Christmastime Party, a sleigh ride through a Winter Wonderland, a romantic Fairy Tale Christmastime, a scrumptious display of Christmastime sweets, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus in a grand finale. And for longtime Disney Christmas parade fans: soldiers, snowflakes and dancing deer are all still in the parade. The parade features original music as well as both classic and current holiday tunes.

Admission to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate ticket. Tickets are $47.95 plus tax for ages 10/up and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3-9 (but with advance purchase, guests can save $7 per ticket for select dates). Note: Many party nights are sold out in advance. To purchase tickets, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/holidays.

Returning again this year is the ‘Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights‘ on The Streets of America backlot at Disney-MGM Studios. Also returning is Animal Kingdom
decked out for the Holidays featuring ‘Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade‘ and Holidays Around the World at Epcot! Below is a preview of some of the merchandise that will be available only at ‘Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party‘ nights.

Production Update:

I am in the process of working on some great Holiday titles. The first release will be ‘Walt Disney World Holiday Classics‘ featuring the ‘Country Bears Christmas Show‘ (below) shot from multiple angles, ‘Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade‘ from 2003, ‘Holiday Wishes‘ fireworks and ‘The Osbourne Lights‘ from 1996 when it was still presented on Residential Street at Disney-MGM Studios.

I also will be doing a ‘Disneyland Holiday Classics 2‘ disc featuring some great footage from Disneyland including the Christmas Parade from 1985, Small World Holiday, The 50th Anniversary
Remember… Dreams Come True
holiday fireworks including the ‘White Christmas finale complete with a magical snowfall and more.

Finally, I hope to offer the current Holiday offerings from Walt Disney World including the all new ‘Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade ‘, ‘Castle Light Show‘ and ‘Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Travel Update:

I will be traveling to Florida next week to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and record all the new Holiday changes. I will also be covering Super Soap Weekend and recording footage all around Walt Disney World for future releases. While I am traveling you will still receive the same level of quality service and guaranteed 24 hr shipping you have come to expect from JeffLangeDVD.

Latest Release:

Epcot’s 25th Anniversary October 1st, 2007 is available now featuring the Entrance and Rope Drop, Silver Anniversary Celebration, Full coverage of the 25th Anniversary Gallery, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth 10-01-07, Epcot’s 25th Anniversary Fireworks Finale plus bonus footage of the Fire Barge Burn Off and much more! For more information please click HERE.

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

All New Epcot's 25th Anniversary DVD Production Update & Preview Plus Epcot's 25th Anniversary Gallery Photo Memories Feature.

Hello everyone and welcome back for the Epcot 25th Anniversary themed photo memories feature as promised a few
weeks ago. This edition features part one of a series on Epcot’s 25th Anniversary Gallery. This is a temporary display showcasing concept art, models and historical memorabilia. Please note that these are only highlights as I ended up photographing all 720 plus images in the gallery over many hours.

One of the slightly hidden gems of the exhibit is the ‘Dream Catching Machine‘ from the classic version of ‘Journey Into Imagination‘ hanging overhead. It is very detailed and reminds me of a similar model that was displayed for years in  Disneyland’s pet care center. If anyone knows the story behind these models please email me. I am very curious as to the history and origin of these great miniature props.

The next display features vintage cast member costumes. The plaque reads: “The costumes the Epcot cast members wear help them establish the character of the role they are playing in the show and help guests to understand a part of the story being told. This can be a polyester jumpsuit for a guide on a flight into the future or a recreation of a traditional outfit worn for centuries in a far off land”.

The robot below is from the Horizons – Lifestyles in the 21st Century display. The photo on the left is from the ‘
Horizons
‘ vintage Epcot Center attraction. The next two shots are from the exhibit. It is great to see him again and in such excellent condition. I can only hope his friends share his good fortune. I will be featuring much more from this great exhibit in upcoming Photo Memory editions. Please check back again soon!


Production Update: I am deep in production on my next release Epcot’s 25th Anniversary October 1st, 2007 featuring the Entrance and Rope Drop, Silver Anniversary Celebration, Full coverage of the 25th Anniversary Gallery, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth 10-01-07, Epcot’s 25th Anniversary Fireworks Finale plus bonus footage of the Fire Barge Burn Off and much more! The tentative release date is November 1st. Below is a sneak preview of this all new DVD cover.

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.

Photo Memories: Epcot Center Pre-Opening Monorail Preview, JeffLangeDVD Travel and Production Updates.

Hello everyone and welcome back for another Photo Memories
update. As we are about a month away from
Epcot’s 25th Anniversary
, I have decided to feature some vintage
pre-opening photos. On October 1, 1979
Epcot Center
had it’s official groundbreaking and begun construction. As
the official Oct 1st 1982 Grand Opening approached, a free Epcot Center
Monorail Preview was offered to Florida residents and
Walt Disney World
resort guests.


My family was staying at the
Polynesian Village Resort
and were notified upon check-in about this
complimentary preview. We acquired our tickets at the Magic Kingdom (in
the Epcot Center Preview Center located where the Walt Disney Story was
usually shown). I remember boarding a monorail at the Ticket and
Transportation Center and circling
World Showcase
for the first time. I was amazed by what I saw next!

It was truly awesome to see the huge
Epcot Center
layout and the massive construction going on as we slowly
glided to our destination, the Epcot Monorail Station. We were then able
to disembark the train and view displays and concept art of this
exciting and inspiring new type of theme park! Disney cast members where
stationed on the platform answering questions and explaining what the
park would be like when it opened! We were also allowed to take photos
from the platform of the finishing touches being made to
Future World
.


 

The shot above shows
Spaceship Earth
before the installation of the mirrors on the base. Also
note in the foreground the entrance fountain can be seen without the
Epcot logo acrylic centerpiece.


My entire family was very excited by this sneak peek and we would return
later that year soon after
Epcot Center
opened on October 1st, 1982! The Opening Day Dedication was
as follows:

"To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome."

"Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative genius. Here, human
achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of
enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting
benefits for all."

"May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire. And, above all, may it
instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a
world that offers hope to people everywhere."’

E. Cardon Walker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Walt Disney Productions

Oct. 24, 1982

I look forward to being there again twenty five years later as part of ‘
The Epcot Thing
‘ 25th Anniversary fan event! I will have much more
information on this great event plus announce some special guests in the
coming weeks!

JeffLangeDVD Travel Update: I am once again traveling to
Walt Disney World
this week to record video footage for future projects
and assist in the final planning of the ‘
Epcot Thing
‘ event. As always, while I am traveling you will still receive
the same level of quality service and guaranteed 24 hr shipping you have
come to expect from JeffLangeDVD.

JeffLangeDVD Production Update: I am currently working on my
Epcot’s 25th Anniversary
series with ‘Communicore & The Living Seas
, ‘World Showcase and ‘Epcot’s Millennium Celebration. I will
also be continuing my ‘Class
of
‘ series with ‘Walt Disney World: Class of 1971’. Check back soon
for a ‘Special Collectors Edition’ of a very popular retired attraction
that will include an actual piece of the ride and a vintage photo
suitable for framing. For more details and release information please
check JeffLangeDVD.com. I have included a subtle hint below.


Please remember, 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.

Photo Memories: Epcot Center's The Land Pavilion Featuring Kitchen Kabaret Plus Epcot's 25th Anniversary Display At The Walt Disney Archives.

Hello everyone.  Welcome back for more photo memories featuring Epcot’s The Land Pavilion and the great new Epcot 25th Anniversary display at the Walt Disney Archives.

The above shot is a vintage photo from the late 1980’s before the landscape had fully grown in. Note the name of the revolving resturant in the above image. It was originally known as ‘The Good Turn Restaurant‘ (October 1, 1982 – May 1, 1986) before the name was changed to ‘The Land Grille Room‘ (May 2, 1986 – November 15, 1993). In late 1993 it finally changed to the current name ‘The Garden Grill‘.

Above are some great vintage images of the Epcot Center opening day audio-animatronic show The Kitchen Kabaret. The above photos are from the following numbers: ‘Chase Those (Meal
Time) Blues Away
‘ by Bonnie Appetite and the Kitchen Krackpots and ‘The Stars of the Milky Way‘ by Dairy Goods and his Stars of the Milky Way.

Probably the most memorable segment from the show was ‘Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit‘ (above) performed by Colander Combo and the Fiesta Fruit. I remember I always got a laugh out of the way the broccoli singer would raise his glasses to emphasise the cha cha cha at the end of the chorus! Here he is (above right) on display at the Walt Disney Archives in Burbank California. The Kitchen Kabaret closed January 3, 1994.

The archives have added a fantastic new display to the entrance lobby commemorating Epcot’s 25th anniversary including these great early concept sculptures of Hamm (from Hamm & Eggz) and the Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy also from the Kitchen Kaberet show. Please keep checking back for more photos from this great display.

Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot’s The Land Pavilion 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition is available now featuring the original ‘Listen to the Land‘, ‘Kitchen Kabaret Revue‘, Farmer’s Market scenes, ‘Food Rocks‘, ‘Living with the Land‘ and more. For more information or to order the DVD please click HERE.

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.