Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Walt's Appartment


As Disneyland was being constructed, Walt Disney wanted a place that he and his family could stay and watch all the activity. Walt had a special apartment built on the second floor of the Main Street Firehouse. The elegant apartment was private and hidden from the rest of Disneyland, it was the perfect place for Walt to do quiet work, or enjoy with his family. Continue after the page break for a wonderful look into Walt's home away from home...

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day...Thank You



To all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we may be free...THANK YOU!!! God Bless You and God Bless AMERICA!!!



Memorial Day Poem by Michelle Keim

As we stand here looking
At the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent
A few of the true American brave

They fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine

As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let's pass this word to others
It's what they would expect

I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.

Let's pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do

Let's not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care

No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.

So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.

Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Walt Disney's Last Filmed Appearance


Many people believe that Walt's last filmed appearance was when he was discussing EPCOT and the Florida Project. I'm told the picture above was Walt's last time being photographed in Disneyland. Continue after the page break for a short video on Walt Disney's last filmed appearance...


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Roy O. Disney


Many things have been said about Walt Disney and his accomplishments. Behind those accomplishments was a steady, measured, dedicated and brilliant man: Walt’s older brother Roy. While Walt was the creative man, Roy was the one who made sure the company was financially stable; Roy and Walt both founded Disney Studios as brothers and I believe without either one the Disney Enterprise would never have become what it is today. Continue after the page break for the wonderful life of Roy O. Disney...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Marc Davis



Animator, artist, Imagineer are just a few words used to describe Disney superstar Marc Davis. Marc dedicated his creative genius and his life's work to helping Walt Disney realize his dreams, ranging from perfecting the animated story to creating the world's first theme park, Disneyland. About his years at Disney, Marc once said, "I rarely felt confined to the animation medium. I worked as an idea man and loved creating characters, whether they be for animation or any other medium." Continue after the page break for more on the great Marc Davis...

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!


Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms from all of us here at Disney Avenue!!! Continue after the page break for a Disney Mother's Day tribute...

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Making of: New Orleans Square


"Disneyland has always had a Big River and a Mississippi sternwheeler. It made sense to build a new attraction at the bend of the river, and so New Orleans Square came into being - a New Orleans of a century ago when she was the 'Gay Paree' of the American frontier." said Walt at the dedication of his brand new New Orleans Square. Being that I'm from the actual New Orleans I have a special appreciation that my unique city enthralled Walt to add a part of it in his park. The city of New Orleans influenced Walt tremendously and continues to do the same to the company he created today. Continue after the page break for a closer look at the creation of New Orleans Square...

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Disney Documentary Hour: Shoot for the Moon






Today I would like to return to our Disney Documentary Hour segment. In 1995 the BBC made a documentary about the creation of Disneyland Paris' version of Space Mountain, called "Shoot For The Moon". It was a fascinating 44 minute program, following Tim Delaney and his team in bringing Jules Vernes' "From The Earth To The Moon" book to life. The documentary shows the whole development of the attraction, from conception, to construction, up to testing and fine tuning leading up to the final version of the attraction. One of my favorite parts of the film is when a problem arises with the attraction close to opening and we see Tom Delaney speaking with Marty Sklar, who was one of the top Imagineering executives at the time, and we see how they eventually work it out. Continue after the page break for a wonderful, behind the scenes look on how Disneyland Paris' Space Mountain came to life...

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Marvelous to Mediocre: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter




ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, or just Alien Encounter for short, was a "theater-in-the-round" attraction co-created by George Lucas and located in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom found only at Walt Disney World Resort. It was a darkly humorous science-fiction experience that used binaural sound to achieve many of its effects and it was simply a MARVELOUS attraction! Sadly, it has been replaced by Stitch's Great Escape! For all of you who love the original attraction continue after the page break and let us reminisce...