Sunday, May 28, 2017

Disneyland Magical Audio Tour - Chapter 3: Main Street USA

By Chris Lyndon




It's time to continue our new series of articles here on Disney Avenue celebrating the sounds of Disneyland. At contributing writer Chris Lyndon's website called DisneyChris.com you will find a collection of over 1300 audio tracks taking you on a magical musical visit through the Happiest Place on Earth. We will be highlighting each of the 25 chapters included in this "Magical Audio Tour" in the weeks and months ahead. Join us today for our third stop on this nostalgic audio tour of Disneyland's yesteryear as we travel down the turn of the twentieth century Main Street USA...

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Announcing the New Disney Avenue Mobile Music Player Page

By Keith Mahne




The time has finally come to tell you all about our brand new Disney Avenue Mobile Music Player Page. After hours of work so that our famous Disney Avenue Music Player can be accessible to you on a mobile device, it brings us great joy to finally announce the completion of this new section of DisneyAvenue.com. Allow me to fill you in on all the details in today's new article...

Monday, May 22, 2017

This 1967 Pirates of the Caribbean Radio Commercial Is Delightful

By Keith Mahne




This past March, Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean attraction turned 50 years old – and what a ride it’s been. It's unique, unconventional, uncharacteristically dark and  – without a doubt  –  one of the most iconic theme park rides of all time. Launched on March 18, 1967, the original "Pirates" ride featured a 1,838-foot flume with a 12-minute running time, making it one of the longest theme park rides in existence. The attraction quickly became a fan favorite and an icon for the park that had opened only twelve years earlier. The ride was one of the first to combine multiple elements for users to enjoy: audio animatronics, a double drop, theatrical effects and more. Join us today as we celebrate 50 years of plundering fun with this delightful 1967 Pirates of the Caribbean radio commercial that you have got to hear...

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs Review

By Keith Mahne




Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs is back in business after a year of renovations to totally rejuvenate the venue as a massive, and I mean massive, Observatory. The restaurant looks and feels brand new both inside and out. Recently, I was invited to check the place out for myself and I'd like to tell you all about it. Was my trip "out of this world" or "Houston we have a problem?" Find out in today's new article as I review Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs...

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Disney That Never Was: Thunder Mesa and the Western River Expedition

By Brittany Bell




When guests are taking a walk down the crowded streets of Frontierland, they are transported back to a simpler time of the American West when cowboys and outlaws ruled the streets. Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain reign as the kings of the land, towering over the frontier streets. However, this land was originally slated to be much different than it is now. Join us today as we look at what was planned for the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland and the never-realized but absolutely remarkable Thunder Mesa and the Western River Expedition...

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Rod Miller: The Master of Disneyland Ragtime Music

By Keith Mahne




Those toe-tapping ragtime tunes Disneyland guests heard on Main Street, U.S.A. since 1969 came from the patio of Coca Cola Refreshment Corner. On piano, the remarkable man responsible for that enthusiastic, honky-tonk music was the great Rod Miler. Rod has made that sound a cheerful part of the Disneyland experience for 30+ years. Join us today as we celebrate the master of Disneyland ragtime music, the legendary Rod Miler...

Saturday, May 13, 2017

A True "Disneyland Dream" (1956 Video)

By Keith Mahne




In July 1956, the five-member Barstow family of Wethersfield, Connecticut, won a free trip to the newly-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in a nationwide contest. This 30-minute amateur documentary film tells the fabulous story of their fun-filled, dream-come-true vacation filmed on the scene at Walt Disney's brand new Disneyland. And, as if incredible early footage of Disneyland wasn't enough, this movie is also noteworthy as the uncredited first screen appearance of a young Disneyland employee named Steve Martin. Let's join the Barstow family back in 1956 for a truly magical family adventure to the "Happiest Place On Earth"...

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Review

By Rebekah Coley




Last spring, the curtain officially fell on the long-running Magic Kingdom castle show "Dream Along with Mickey". By early June, this slot had already been filled by the promising newcomer, "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire". In addition to featuring the updated "faces" for Mickey and Minnie, this new production also showcases brand new music, an impressive ensemble of dancers, and characters from recent, smash-hit films. Check out today's article to learn more about the newest castle show to grace the stage...

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Story of Walt Disney World's First Family

By Keith Mahne




On October 1, 1971, Bill and Marty Windsor crawled sleepily at dawn from their Volkswagen parked behind a Texaco station off I-4. They'd been slapping mosquitoes all night, and there was no time for breakfast if they wanted to make their destination. The goal for the Windsor Family that morning was to be among the first guests to enter Walt Disney World for the very first time. Learn the story of how the Windsors actually became Walt Disney World's first family in today's new article...

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Back to the Drawing Board: A Look at EPCOT’s Never-Built Switzerland Pavilion

By Stokes Laird




For decades, Disney’s Imagineers have invested countless hours thinking up and planning hundreds of attractions, shows, restaurants, hotels, and shops for the Walt Disney World Resort and other various Disney destinations. Many of these ideas have been fully realized and have been actually constructed so that guests in Disney Parks all around the world can enjoy them. However, there are many ideas that never quite make it off the drawing board, or through the so called “blue sky” phase. This does not mean that these ideas or plans are not substantial or worthy of being constructed. In fact, some of Disney’s most intriguing concepts can be found in this sort of Imagineering graveyard and many of these ideas had the potential to be as magnificent as the biggest headliner attractions we all know and love today. One of the more impressive ideas that has never made it to fruition is the proposed Switzerland pavilion that was to be included in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Let's take a inside look at this incredible, never-built attraction in today's new article...