Saturday, September 16, 2017

Disneyland Halloween Season Begins! Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark and Haunted Mansion Holiday HD Videos!



Halloween Season has started at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure and we have HD videos of the Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark Halloween version as well as the new Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Let's start by Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark and as you'll see, not only the storyline and ride movies are different but even the pre-show with Rocket has been changed!





Haunted Mansion Holiday is back too and here is a low light video, filmed like the one above by LMG Vids.




Video: copyright LMG Vids.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Toy Story Land Model Is Now on Display at Disney Hollywood Studios Walt Disney Presents



Today, Walt Disney Presents, a re-imagined version of the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, officially opens its doors to offer a new look at the past, present and future of Disney Parks.

One of the exciting pieces of the “future” that Walt Disney Presents showcases is a model of the park’s Toy Story Land expansion, which will be on display for guests to view starting today.

The Toy Story Land expansion, which will open in Summer 2018, will shrink guests to the size of a toy and allow them to explore all the fun of Andy’s backyard, which as you can see in these images, has been delightfully filled with familiar toys and sights from the “Toy Story” films.

You can also see some of the charming detail our Imagineers have created for this new land and its two major attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.




The Slinky Dog Dash attraction will be a family coaster themed as if Andy used his Mega Coaster Play Kit to build the ultimate coaster for Slinky. The land’s other major attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, has been designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, in which Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture guests’ rocket toy vehicles with “The Claw.”










Here is a video of this Toy Story Land model, posted by Inside the Magic.




But the Toy Story Land model isn’t the only exciting draw to Walt Disney Presents. Tracing Disney history from Walt Disney’s beginning sketches, photos and storyboards, the attraction celebrates milestones in Disney film and theme park history up through today and beyond. Expect to see models, maquettes, sketches, artist renderings, a portion of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge model, concept art for the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction and more.



Walt Disney Presents will also continue to host greetings with characters like Star-Lord and baby Groot, plus special sneak previews of upcoming Disney films. Check you My Disney Experience app for the latest.

Pictures and text: copyright Disney

Thursday, September 14, 2017

First Pictures and Videos of Disney Theatrical’s "Frozen" Musical, Now Playing in Denver



Disney Theatrical’s new Broadway musical "Frozen", inspired of course by the Frozen animated movie is currently playing in Denver, and will open in Broadway next February. Disney Theatrical is giving fans a first look at the production with these just-released photos of the cast on stage!

Frozen’s pre-Broadway engagement at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts opens tonight and continues through October 1. Performances begin at Broadway’s St. James Theatre on Februrary 22, 2018, and the show opens on March 22, 2018. Tickets (for shows through August 12, 2018) are on sale now—visit FrozenTheMusical.com for all of the details.









Below, an official video of FROZEN Pre-Broadway Opening Night in Denver, yesterday night September 14.




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

WDW Imagineers Ready Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle at Disney's Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land



As you know, Slinky Dog Dash, one of two major attractions planned for Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, has arrived at the park.

 The ride vehicle, which is themed after the character of Slinky from “Toy Story,” took Imagineers from multiple disciplines a few years to design, so the group was thrilled to see the finished product arrive on the site firsthand. According to the Imagineers, the vehicle was created to reflect Slinky’s personality, the movement and motion of a Slinky toy, and of course Slinky’s adorable look which will be visible throughout the land as the coaster moves along the track.

 “This is a ride for the whole family: it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s thrilling, but it’s not scary,” said Imagineer Bob Vignec. “It’s a rollercoaster, but it’s also this fun character that will be out in the land. You sort of get a little bit of goosebumps seeing it here for the first time.”

 Toy Story Land is set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2018.




Picture and video: copyright Disney

Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Its First Resort-Wide Halloween Season


Shanghai Disney Resort Celebrates Its First Resort-Wide Halloween Season and here are all details about it!

Shanghai, September 13, 2017 – This year, the wicked fun of the Halloween season celebration is going to take place throughout the entire Shanghai Disney Resort from September 25 through October 31. The special fall festivities include brand new performances designed exclusively for Shanghai Disneyland’s inaugural Halloween extravaganza, along with family-friendly spooky surprises around every corner that make Shanghai Disney Resort among the best places to experience the fall. For the first time ever at Shanghai Disney Resort, as part of the special Halloween dress-up tradition, guests of all ages will also be welcome to wear costumes during their visit.

Halloween-Inspired Atmosphere and Entertainment Like Never Before

Throughout the spook-tacular celebration, the decorations and new entertainment offerings in Shanghai Disney Resort will feature all the authentic elements of the Halloween season, delivering a mysterious and magical experience unlike anywhere else in Shanghai.

The resort will be cloaked in a vast array of Halloween colors and decorations, including exclusive Disney Character Jack-O-Lanterns, colorful fall foliage reminiscent of authentically Halloween scenes from around the globe, spindly spider webs that have been woven in the shape of Mickey Mouse, and many more eerie surprises and delightful Disney Halloween elements around every corner. As dusk falls in Shanghai Disneyland, the night will come to life with the all-new, Villains’ Cavalcade, starring Hades [from Disney’s “Hercules”], Maleficent [from Disney’s “Maleficent”] and Dr. Facilier [from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”]. With the song “Friends on the Other Side” filling the night air, the three evil villains will captivate audiences along the moonlit parade route and set the tone for a nighttime of Halloween fun in the park!



As guests wander into Treasure Cove, they are likely to encounter phantom Ghost Pirates, inspired by Captain Salazar and his crew in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” They roam the area, seeking a crew to join them on their dark adventures. And at the Arena-E Stage in Tomorrowland, guests can gear up for a brand-new interactive dance party lead by a DJ and a live host introducing a series of music and dances inspired by the popular Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.



There will be tricks and treats for guests along Mickey Avenue where they can meet with Mickey Mouse and his pals dressed in their Halloween costumes, and take photos in front of the stylish photo backdrops.

Dressing Up For the Biggest Costume Event of the Year

In order to let guest immerse themselves in the Halloween atmosphere and really join the party, for the first time ever, Shanghai Disneyland is putting a limited-time exemption on its attire regulations and is welcoming guests of all ages to dress up as any character they like during the Halloween festival period. Guests are encouraged to learn more about the specific costume requirements on the Shanghai Disney Resort official platforms before their visit.

With the entire Sweethearts Confectionery and Marketplace in Disneytown transformed in to Halloween-themed shops, and a vast assortment of themed attire at shops throughout the resort, guests can also easily join the fun by finding the perfect outfit or accessory even after they arrive.



Celebrating the Many Tastes of the Halloween Season

Guests can also celebrate the magic of Halloween with Shanghai Disney Resort’s latest food and beverage offerings dressed up for the occasion. Collectible Devilish Mickey Drinks in Mickey Mouse-shaped Jack-O-Lantern cups will hold delicious new beverages making for a great memory and an exclusive new accessory for the 2017 Halloween season.



Halloween treats include whimsical sundaes with edible cookie cups, Baby Groot Breadmasks, Glow-stick Cotton Candy, that are a classic Halloween collectible, now with added Disney touches, and more. A new version of the popular Tomorrowland Cheeseburger-the Black Magic Cheeseburger will roll out for a limited time in buns turned as black as the night sky... Plus, guests can also enjoy a Halloween themed buffet at Lumiere’s Kitchen in Shanghai Disneyland Hotel.

The Latest Seasonal Merchandise for the Fall Festival

In honor of the first-ever Halloween celebration in Shanghai Disneyland, a new line of merchandise has also been rolled out for guests of all ages. The new collection includes Mickey-shaped Trick or Treat pumpkin buckets, Mickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween plushes in classically creepy costumes, adorable key chains with pumpkins, and magnets featuring frightful phrases. Halloween Mickey Mouse-ear headbands, witch hats, witch and wizard costumes, bright mugs with Halloween scenes and more, along with special family fleeces in a variety of sizes so that parents, friends, children and loved ones can stay warm this fall and take matching photos in Shanghai Disney Resort’s new Halloween attire.




First-Ever Evening Tickets on Offer for Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is releasing its first-ever evening ticket offering only available during this Halloween season. The date-specific tickets at 275RMB will enable guests to enter the park after 4 p.m., from September 25 to October 31, except October 2 to 7. Guests can purchase the tickets through the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center at 400-180-0000, at Shanghai Disneyland Ticket Booths and the Shanghai Disney Resort official WeChat account. For more official and authorized channels and ticket information, guests can refer to https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/ticket/.



Disneytown to Feature Special Halloween Décor and Entertainment

Disneytown will also come alive with more spooky Halloween decorations. Every Friday to Sunday from September 29 through October, and on October 30 and 31, guests can enjoy a series of weekend Character and DJ Dance Parties, and fun appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Guests will also be able to visit special venues hosting a variety of classic Halloween activities and treats from the World of Disney Store. More fun will be added to these weekends starting from October 13, when children up to 16 years of age can enjoy the fun tradition of trick-or-treating at participating stores in Disneytown.

Shanghai Disney Resort is dressing up to celebrate one of the most magical, mysterious and fun celebrations of the year. Guests of all ages are welcome to join the first resort-wide Halloween celebration and experience all the spooky surprises Shanghai Disney Resort has to offer.

Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

New Trailer and Poster for Pixar "Coco", And This One Is The Best Trailer Yet!


New trailer - and poster - for Pixar "Coco", and this one is the best trailer yet! Here’s the official synopsis:

 Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson.

"Coco" will be released in theaters on November 22!




Picture and video: copyright Disney - Pixar

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

D&M Tribute: Francis Xavier ‘X’ Atencio Legendary Disney Animator and Imagineer, Co-Author of "Yo Ho, a Pirate's life for me" and "Grim Grinning Ghosts" Passes Away at Age 98


Francis Xavier ‘X’ Atencio Legendary Disney Animator and Imagineer, Co-Author of "Yo Ho, a Pirate's life for me" and "Grim Grinning Ghosts" Passes Away at Age 98. Here is D&M tribute to this great Animator and Imagineer, starting by the official release from Disney.

Disney Legend Xavier “X” Atencio, a former Imagineer and Disney animator, passed away on September 10 at the age of 98. X was responsible for helping bring to life a number of beloved Disney Parks attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, as well as such animated classics as Pinocchio and Fantasia.

Born on September 4, 1919, in Walsenburg, Colorado, X—whose friends shortened his name from Francis Xavier to simply “X”—moved to Los Angeles in 1937 to attend the Chouinard Art Institute. X thought a job at Disney was out of his reach, but the then-18-year-old artist’s instructors prodded him to submit his portfolio. In 1938, when he got the good news from Disney, X ran from the original Hyperion Avenue studio to his aunt’s house shouting, “I got a job at Disney! I got a job at Disney!”

X first saw his work on screen at the 1940 premiere of Pinocchio, and as he watched, he was incredibly moved by seeing the audience’s reaction. That year, he was promoted to assistant animator for Fantasia but left temporarily to join the Army Air Corps in the war effort, where he earned the rank of Major.

Upon his return in 1945, he picked up where he left off, returning to the studio and working for the next eight years on animated short subjects. His first on-screen credit was for Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom in 1953, an Oscar®-winning film that took audiences through the history of music. Other films X contributed to during this time included Noah’s Ark (1959) and A Symposium on Popular Songs (1962), both Academy Award® nominees, as well as Jack and Old Mac (1956). He worked on the “I’m No Fool” series for the original Mickey Mouse Club, and in the 1960s, X provided memorable stop-motion sequences for Disney feature films The Parent Trap (1961), Babes in Toyland (1961), and Mary Poppins (1964).



At the request of Walt Disney, X transferred to WED Enterprises (later Walt Disney Imagineering) in 1965 to work on the Primeval World diorama for Disneyland. At first, X was unsure of the move to WED: “I went over there reluctantly because I didn’t know what I was getting into, and nobody there knew what I was supposed to do either,” he recalled. “About a month later I got a phone call from Walt. He told me ‘I want you to do the script for the Pirates of the Caribbean.’” From that point on, X cemented his legacy at WED, playing a key role in the development of music and dialogue for the attraction, including co-writing the iconic song, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).” For the Haunted Mansion, he wrote the attraction’s dialogue and co-wrote the song “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” For Walt Disney World, he contributed to If You Had Wings and Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, as well as Spaceship Earth, World of Motion, and the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. Throughout his career, X always said that his reward, as it was in the days of Pinocchio, “is still the audience’s reactions.”

“X was an enormous talent who helped define so many of our best experiences around the world,” said Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering. “Some may not know that when he wrote the lyrics for ‘Yo Ho’ he had never actually written a song before. He simply proposed the idea of a tune for Pirates of the Caribbean, and Walt told him to go and do it. That was how X worked—with an enthusiastic, collaborative attitude, along with a great sense of humor. His brilliant work continues to inspire Imagineers and bring joy to millions of guests every year.”

X retired from Disney in 1984, but continued working as a consultant to Walt Disney Imagineering for many years, and was inducted as a Disney Legend in1996. He is survived by his wife, Maureen; his children Tori McCullough, Judianne, and Joe; his stepchildren Brian Sheedy, Kevin Sheedy, and Eileen Haubeil; sons-in-law Mike McCullough and Chris Haubeil; daughters-in-law Kathy Atencio, Trish Sheedy, and Beth Sheedy.

He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Kelsey McCullough, Audrey Atencio, August Atencio, Kate Sheedy, Julia Sheedy, Samantha Haubeil, Blake Haubeil, Connor Sheedy, Sarah Sheedy and longtime aide Gio Landicho. He was predeceased by his wife Mary and his son Jerry.



Tori McCullough is X Atencio's daughter - as well as a former Imagineer Interior Design Director - and she posted this beautiful remembrance in memory of her father:



Now, D3 asked sometime ago to X Atencio 23 questions about his life and career at Disney, i post them below, you can read the original D23 article HERE:

D23: How does a kid from Colorado join the Studio at age 18? 
“X” Atencio: After I graduated high school in Colorado, I came out to California to go to school at the Chouinard Art Institute. At the end of a semester, a couple instructors told some of us to get our portfolios together and they would take them to the Studios to get critiques on our work. I had developed a character, Poncho, a Colorado Cowboy, and I had done a storyboard, but that was about it. And I thought, “I’ll never get a job over there.” So I went to Disney to see if I could get a summer job to make some money to go back to Art School. When I got there, George Drake, the fellow who recruited all us people, said, “Sit down here for a minute, I’ll be right with you.” And with that, three other guys from my classes came in and I thought, “There goes my job. I’ll never get a job now.” And George says, “We went through your portfolios and we like what you’ve done.” Would you be interested in coming to work for us?”

Quite a pinch-me moment? 
Well I was living in Hollywood at the time, and from Hyperion to Western Avenue in Hollywood, if you happen to know the area, is a pretty good jaunt. And I ran all the way home. “I got a job at Disney!” I was so excited that I was going to work for Mickey Mouse.

Pinocchio was your first film for Disney. What was the very first character you worked on? 
I went into production out of the Training Center with Woolie Reitherman. Bill Justice was his first assistant. I was his second assistant, an in-betweener, really. The first thing we were working on was Monstro the Whale. Then Jiminy Cricket, but mostly it was Monstro.

What do you remember about working at the Hyperion Studio? 
At that point in my career, I was just an in-betweener. The Animation Department wasn’t privy to all the wonderful things that were going on in the studio. It wasn’t until you moved up to an animator that you were in meetings with Walt. But they kept us little in-betweeners off in the corner there to do our pick-and-shovel stuff. Almost as bad as the Ink & Paint Department!

Do you remember the first time you met Walt? 
No, but I remember the first time Walt met me! I was waiting in the hall for the elevator, and Walt came by and waited for the elevator, too. So I said, “Hi Walt,” and he said, “Hi X, how are you doing?” I thought, “He knows me, he knows who I am!” I almost fell on the floor to kiss his boots. That was a wonderful feeling that this great man actually knew who I was.


What was it like to leave the Studio and head off to World War II? 
When the [Animators’] strike came in 1941, I went out on strike. I didn’t know what I was out there for. But all my buddies were out there. When the strike was over [five weeks later], they called me and asked me to come back to work on Monday. I think they realized that I wasn’t a rabble-rouser. I said I’d love to but I just got a greeting from Uncle Sam, so I went right off to war. I was in England for two years, in Greenland for a year. Everywhere I went they knew I was a Disney cartoonist, I was like a real celebrity!

Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (1953), the first animated cartoon to appear in widescreen CinemaScope, won an Academy Award® for Best Short Subject (Cartoons). What do you recall about the making of that film? 
That was my first screen credit. Ward Kimball recruited me to do that picture. He said, “You might want to work on our picture, we got one called Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, and it’s your style of animation and design.” We used to call them pointy nose characters as opposed to the little fat bunnies. Ward knew that I had a talent for this type of animation and design. I once asked Walt, “Why don’t we do something like UPA [United Productions of America] has been doing? I like those stylized characters.” He said, “They’re making pictures for the intellect, we’re making pictures for the heart. And there’s a hell of a lot more heart than there are intellects.”

What was the biggest compliment you ever received from Walt? 
One time we were in Detroit at Ford making a presentation for Epcot. I made my presentation, and after that, we all got back on the plane and went on to New York to see the World’s Fair. And Walt came to the back part of the plane—this was the Gulfstream we used to fly in those days—and he went to the back of the cabin and took a little nap. And a bit later, he came out and drew the curtains open and said to [then vice president of advertising and sales] Card Walker: “Open up the bar.” So we all went up to the bar and Walt stood behind me and put his hand on my shoulder, and said, “You know, you did a good job, X. But don’t let it go to your head!” That was the way Walt was. He would compliment you with one hand and with the other hand he’d challenge you to keep it to yourself. I always remember that little scene of Walt being so personal with me.

What do you remember about your stop-motion days? 
In the 50s, Bill [Justice] and I were working on short things like Jack and Old Mac [1956] and things like that, which were based on Walt’s doodles. Walt was a great doodler. At all the meetings I remember the secretary would pick them up and save them. So Walt suggested we do a film on doodles. It was crude and very short, but it was well received. And then we moved on to the stop-motion Symposium on Popular Songs, which has much more detail. Bill was really good at animating these things, he had a lot of patience. I had none. I was more at the design end, designing the characters [rather] than the actual animation of the rags and bones and pieces of junk.

What do you remember about Babes in Toyland (1961)? 
Well, if you’re watching, “my” soldiers were the ones with the straps on the back in the form of an X!



The stop-motion opening title sequence for The Parent Trap (1961) is the stuff of legend. What do you remember when you see that sequence today?
How much fun it was. I remember working on it with Bill [Justice] and T. (Thornton) Hee. T. was more of a designer and animator, more like I was. We were more alike. T. was an ego. That’s why didn’t stay at the studio for 900 years like I did. These guys kind of felt like they were as talented as Walt was. And they were, maybe, just in a different way. T. was a great talent, but he wasn’t a Walt Disney.

Your career can be divided into three parts: First you were an animator, then a designer/stop motion animator, then you have this fantastic career at WED [Walter Elias Disney Enterprises, now Walt Disney Imagineering]. Looking back, which role did you most enjoy?
People often ask me which phase I enjoyed the most, and I’d have to say it was my time at WED. Primarily because that was an assignment I received directly from Walt. I remember when he called me up to his office and he said, “Well, X, I’ve been wanting to get you to WED for some time, and now is a good time to go.” I said, “Okay, boss, whatever you say.”

What were your early days at WED like? 
Nobody knew what I was supposed to be doing. I just kind of flubbed around and then latched on to [Disney Legend] Claude Coats, who was one of my favorite guys, and helped him do the design for Primeval World. I worked with Claude for about a month or six weeks, then Walt called me and said he wanted me to make the script for Pirates of the Caribbean. I had done storyboards before, but never a script. So I put on my pirate hat and dug out any information I could find out about pirates. The first thing I worked on was the Auctioneer scene, and I sent it over to Walt and he said, “Fine, keep going.”

What was it like at WED and you heard Walt was coming over? Were you nervous? 
You would be. First, you’d hear that chronic cough. “Here he comes,” we’d think. He never came with an entourage. He wanted to be alone to think with us. I remember you’d be at the storyboard, and you’d have your back to him. And he’d be in his wooden chair. And then you’d hear him tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair, and he was suddenly way ahead of you. And he’d talk about a board further down in the sequence than where you were, and he’d say, “Why don’t we take that sequence down there and move it up here? We should have thought of that.” If he were with you, boy, he’d be standing up there dancing, doing the whole thing. If he wasn’t, he’d be coughing with disappointment.

What did Walt say when you first showed him Pirates in mock-up? 
We mocked it up on a soundstage in full size and we pushed Walt through it, we rigged up a cart that moved about the same pace the boat would and we moved him through and we had the Auctioneer up here and he said, “What do ye offer this buxom wench?” and on the other side a pirate yells, “Six bottles of rum, etcetera, etcetera.” But it was hard to hear, and I said, “I’m sorry Walt you can’t hear stuff too clearly.” And he said, “If you go to a cocktail party you tune in on one conversation, and then you tune in on that one. Every time they come through they’ll see something new.” And I thought, “Why the heck didn’t I think of that?”

Was Walt concerned at all about whether or not Pirates was appropriate for a Disney audience? 
Yes there was some talk about it. They put up a sign hanging there behind the Auctioneer that said, “Take a Wife.” They were not just doing hanky-panky, they were shopping for a wife or a mate. That took the onus off it being too vulgar.

You wrote “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me). Where did that come from? 
The last meeting we had, I suggested to Walt maybe we should have a song in this one. I had a lyric in mind and kind of a melody so I half sang it and half recited it. He liked it, he said, “It’s good. Get George [Bruns] to do the music for it.” So George and I worked on the music. Later I did the Haunted Mansion “Grim Grinning Ghosts (The Screaming Song)” and suddenly I became a songwriter.



There’s a school of thought about Haunted Mansion, that [artist and Disney Legend] Ken Anderson came up with the scary side and [animator/designer and Disney Legend] Marc Davis the humorous. Is that true? 
 I don’t think so. Walt implanted this in Marc’s mind. This was basically Walt’s idea. We researched Japanese spooky stuff, and Walt didn’t want any blood and guts. In the song “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” I say, “Come out to socialize.” That was the key to it. They terrorize but their main point was to socialize. Walt bought that idea. That was the hook, the Disney angle. “Socialize” is the key word.

What was the biggest challenge facing the team creating Haunted Mansion? 
[Imagineer and Disney Legend] Yale Gracey worked on it and came up with some great illusions, and we ran into the problem of how were we going to move people through [efficiently]. And Dick Nunis kept saying we had to get capacity. Hopalong Capacity we used to call him [Nunis].

What was it like working with Paul Frees, the voice of Haunted Mansion’s Ghost Host? 
Paul Frees would come in on a call and spend the first half hour telling you how great he was. And you would say, “Okay, Paul, can we get to work now?” And he’d take a script and just run with it. Man, he was a genius. One take! Other people would try doing it all sorts of ways. Not Paul. He just ran with it and he’d put things in it and ad-lib it at exactly the right place. I couldn’t think of it, but it was always a great addition.

Which do you like more, Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion? 
Oh, the pirates. But I love the ghosts, too.

In 1997, the Auctioneer sequence in the Pirates attraction was changed so that the pirates pursued women holding pies. Later they also added Jack Sparrow. Do you like the changes? 
I liked adding Jack. The pirates chasing the gals… nobody asked me but my reaction was this is Pirates of the Caribbean not Boy Scouts of the Caribbean!

Do you ever wish you were working now with all the new technology? 
Yes and no. I enjoy my retirement. I paid my dues. I remember when I retired, John Hench told me, “You’re going to get tired of playing golf. Then what are you going to do?” And I said, “I’m going to clean out the garage for one thing.” I still haven’t cleared out the garage!

Pictures and Q&A Interview: copyright Disney

Disneyland Paris Christmas Season Will Run From November 11 Till January 7 - Full Program of Show and Events !


Disneyland Paris just announced the Christmas season, here below is the program of shows and events with the full DLP press release!

An amazing Christmas in BOTH Disneyland Paris Parks - From 11 November 2017 to 7 January 2018 - Want to celebrate Christmas before everybody else? Then set your watch to Disneyland Paris time as of 11 November 2017. This year's celebrations will include Walt Disney Studios Park with a fantastic novelty that will put the sparkle in your eyes. Ready to celebrate Christmas with Goofy and all his friends?

A TRULY GOOFY CHRISTMAS AT WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PARK

That's right – this year, Goofy's bringing the Christmas celebrations to Walt Disney Studios Park. And the good news is that he doesn't do things by halves. Goofy will be transforming the Hollywood Tower Hotel into the backdrop for a spectacular magical journey – along with a few unexpected twists! Christmas is also coming to Disneyland Park – THE unmissable venue – with an extraordinary Parade, magical decorations and fairytale meet and greets... So what are you waiting for?

Goofy's Incredible Christmas
Let's start by looking at what’s new at Walt Disney Studios Park. Get ready for an immersive night-time experience that uses mapping technology and breathtaking special effects to transform a cult attraction – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™. Goofy will light up the show in true Christmas spirit. He'll take you on a journey over spectacular landscapes, from the North Pole to the most extravagant party you could possibly imagine. Watch out for a few unexpected surprises – it is Goofy, after all!



Sing me a Merry Christmas!
Walt Disney Studios Park will be buzzing with the sounds of Christmas in the daytime as well. Get your voices warmed up! Several times a day, the Production Courtyard stage – located at the foot of the Hollywood Tower Hotel – will host a huge musical production featuring some of the most famous Disney Characters. They'll invite you to take part in the magic of Christmas by singing along to the most famous seasonal songs. Throughout the day, post your photos on social media to get a chance to see them appear on the big screen. And don't forget you can meet Mickey and Minnie in their best Christmas outfits – not forgetting Goofy, who's bursting with pride in his Santa suit at Walt Disney Studios Park.
 
A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS AT DISNEYLAND PARK

Discover the magical Disney’s Christmas Parade! 
Do you like Disney Parades? Then you're going to LOVE this Christmas season – you'll be treated not only to the year's biggest novelty, Disney Stars on Parade (you know, the one with the iconic dragon), but also two special opportunities to see THE Disney’s Christmas Parade. It's making a big comeback, spreading the magic of winter across Disneyland Park – and it's even making snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A. Mickey and Minnie are getting ready to celebrate Christmas in style with a host of singers and Disney Characters.

New show – "A Merry Stitchmas"
Does the name remind you of any Disney Character in particular? You guessed it! Stitch will be leading the event on the Sleeping Beauty Castle stage. Yes, that's right – this Christmas has some surprises in store. Mickey, Minnie and their friends will teach Stitch the meaning of Christmas through songs. Are you ready to feel the beat of a super fun Christmas?

Mickey’s Christmas Big Band
There's yet another new show waiting for you in the warm and cosy Videopolis – in the best Disney Christmas tradition, Mickey’s Big Band Christmas includes everybody’s favourite Christmas songs in a live show featuring singers, musicians and Disney Characters.

The Enchanted Advent Calendar from 1- 25 December
Every morning, you'll have the chance to awaken the magic of Christmas at the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle with a captivating event. Make sure to visit the Enchanted Advent Calendar! Magical meet'n'greets and decorations at Disneyland Park At Disneyland Park, you'll feel the Christmas spirit as soon as you set foot inside, with amazing snowmen of famous Disney Characters. As if by magic, snow will fall at special moments every day on Main Street, U.S.A. You'll have the chance to meet Marie from the Aristocats, Scrooge McDuck, Thumper, Miss Bunny and more!

And where there's Christmas, there's Santa, of course. As you might expect, he's decided to take up residence in Fantasyland. To meet him, head to 'Meet Mickey Mouse' up to and including 25 December . Just like Mickey, Santa will have his own dressing-room where he'll give you the warmest welcome. It's a magical meeting you'll treasure forever.

Light up the tree with 'Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights'
There's nothing quite like the moment the Christmas tree lights are switched on at Disneyland Park. And it's not just any tree – this one measures no less than 24 metres in height and will be switched on by magic at an event attended by Mickey, Minnie and Santa! With a festive countdown, enchanting Christmas lights, snow and Disney magic, Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights is sure to immerse you in the wonder of Christmas.

COCO, the new Disney.Pixar animated feature takes the spotlight at Disneyland Paris
Throughout the season, you will discover at Fuente del Oro the puppet of Miguel, the hero of COCO!

The heroes from Frozen are back for an unforgettable Christmas!
They're some of Disney's most famous heroes – and just hearing their names conjures up the very essence of the magic of winter. So it's good news – Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff are back! The Frozen Sing-along show is back on stage at The Chaparral Theater, giving you the chance to sing along to the great hit songs from this Disney classic in Frontierland.

Welcome in 2018 with the unmissable New Year's Eve event.
On the evening of 31 December 2017, Disneyland Paris is promising you a star-studded evening¹ that's packed with a constellation of surprises. It's a truly unique way to welcome in the New Year. Come and celebrate a fun-packed year and let yourself be swept away by our exclusive, The Incredible New Year’s Eve Parade. Filling the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle, the New Year fireworks will amaze and astound kids and grown-ups alike. And why not make the most of the party atmosphere to take to the dance floor or enjoy a whole host of other surprises? Remember – places are limited! Reserve your special tickets for New Year's Eve now.

Get ready – you'll have exactly 58 days to experience a Christmas like no other from 11 November 2017 to 7 January 2018 at Disneyland Paris.