Rare pictures and Video of the Zorro Show at Disneyland Paris Frontierland

In 1992-1993 at Disneyland Paris, guests could enjoy with pleasure a "Zorro" show on the rooftop of Frontierland buildings, more specifically on the roof of the Fuente del Oro restaurant.

This little swashbuckling show only lasted a few minutes each time, but the Zorro character was highly popular in France, so it was a real good idea, and, like it happen sometime unfortunately with good ideas, the Zorro show ended shortly after this series of photos were shot - in August 1993. It's very difficult to find pictures of this show, so i am happy to post today these rare documents.


As you can see, Zorro was fighting against soldiers - probably soldiers of the evil Monastorio commandante!




Of course, Zorro was victorious...




And before he left, he salute one last time the audience!





In addition with these rare pictures we also have a video of the show posted by Vault Disney, and here it is!



The good question is: Why DLP don't put back this show again, even if it's only during summer... Only three actors/ stunt men were involved in the show, so it's not a very expensive show to produce. The main reason probably is a "licensing" problem. Apparently a company named Zorro Productions Inc owns the rights of Zorro - see their web site here - and although Disney owns the rights of their Zorro TV series they don't necessarily owns the rights for this kind of theme park show, so perhaps DLP may have to take a license if they wanted to do the show again, meaning spend money for the license which they probably are not willing to do for such a small show.

And, talking about Zorro, i won't end without remembering the great Guy Williams who played Don Diego de la Vega / Zorro in the beloved Disney TV series and is now a "Disney Legend".



Guy Williams died May 7, 1989, so unfortunately he wasn't be here in person to receive his Disney Legend award at D23 in 2011, but for me he will always be the best "Zorro" i've ever seen on screen.

Video: copyright vaultdisneyreturns

Photos: copyright Daniel Rous

Guy Williams picture: copyright Disney

New Walt Disney Family Museum Exhibition : Walt Disney's Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation May 17, 2018–Jan 7, 2019

The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to announce its newest special exhibition, Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation, on view to the public from May 17, 2018 through January 7, 2019 in the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall.

This unique exhibition celebrates the distinctive talents and contributions of The Walt Disney Studios’ most celebrated artists, playfully dubbed the “Nine Old Men” by Walt. The famed nine were: Les Clark, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, and Frank Thomas.

Masters of Animation will feature an array of artwork and family mementoes from each of the Nine Old Men, including sketchbooks, caricatures, snapshots, and original art from classic animated films such as Pinocchio (1940), Bambi (1942), Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Sleeping Beauty (1959).



Never-before-seen personal artwork, paintings, sculptures, concept art, and character drawings—including Mickey Mouse—will all be on display, alongside documentary interviews with these masters of animation, and rarely exhibited pencil tests and final color scenes that showcase their genius.

This original exhibition is curated by Don Hahn, Academy Award®-nominated producer of Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994). Hahn conducted extensive research on the Nine Old Men sitting down with each of the animators’ families for in-depth discussions and unearthing details about the unique backgrounds and personalities of the men behind iconic Disney characters and films.

Picture: copyright Disney

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Final Trailer is Here !

The Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom final trailer has been released and the least we can say is that it's a pretty incredible one. Those of you who thought the story will happen all along on the Island are in for a big surprise!

All Infos to Participate to Disneyland Paris Marvel Annual Passholders Evening on Saturday, July 7th, 2018 - Reservations Open Today April 19!

Disneyland Paris released the first informations on the next Annual Pass, Marvel-themed evening! It will happen on July 7, 2018 and will be open to Annual Pass members Magic Plus and Infinity, with the possibility of coming with 2 people.

The special evening will be from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am at Walt Disney Studios Park, and guests will be immersed in a 100% Marvel atmosphere! Exclusive content around Marvel Super Heroes and heroic encounters for the guests of the evening.

To be fully immersed in the world of the evening, participants are invited to wear a costume on the theme of Super Heroes. Entertainment around the costumes will be organized. In relation to the theme and the usual safety rules, participants are invited to replace the wearing of a mask with an equivalent make-up.

Even more attractions open for this second Annual Passholders evening, including more family attractions. And new surprises for the most courageous Super Heroes!

Opening ticket sales Thursday, April 19 at 11am!

This second evening is reserved for Magic Plus and Infinity Annual Passholders, with the possibility of coming with 2 people ( whether they are Annual Passholders or not ).

To access to the evening, the invited guests must definitely be with the Annual Passholder with whom they are coming. Readmission in the park will not be possible.

4000 tickets available (like an electroland party, FanDaze or Star Wars).

3 ways to buy tickets:
- via dedicated Annual Pass and Infinity phone lines,
- at the ticket offices at the entrance of the Parks, at the Town Hall or Studios Services, at the Annual Pass Office,
- NEW! Directly online via the link of the online store Passage sent by email this Wednesday afternoon (the link will be active from tomorrow 11am, it will also be available in the section "My news Annual Pass").




In addition, DLP released some feedback on the first evening Annual Pass: the 10th anniversary of the Hollywood Tower Hotel

1180 Infinity Annual Pass members participated in this first evening.

The first results of the annual Pass Evening survey indicate a record satisfaction rate for this first event: 94% of participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the evening.
95% of Annual Pass members say they want to participate in the next Annual Pass evenings.

The Top 3 most appreciated elements during the evening are: the exclusive show on Tower of Terror, the overall atmosphere of the evening including the extras, the lack of waiting for attractions.

Several themes have been widely acclaimed in the survey for the next quarterly Annual Pass evenings, already in production.

The alternation between the Infinity Annual Pass and the Magic Plus + Infinity Annual Pass Parties will be maintained.

Pictures: copyright Disney

The Epcot World Showcase Denmark Pavilion Project You've Never Heard About, and more

Yesterday i've let you know about the Rolly Crump exhibition and auction happening April 28 at Van Eaton Galleries.

Among the items that will be in auction i've found some never-seen-before pictures showing a rare set of seven photos from the personal collection of Rolly Crump which document Crump's work on a model for the Denmark Pavilion "that never was" at EPCOT! This Pavilion would have been an exciting addition to EPCOT for 1995 with a recreated Tivoli Gardens, ferris wheel, carousel, and a LEGO themed boat ride. The folder in auction was assembled by Crump to contain his printed photos of the model which measure approximately 6.5"x10". The set is in very good condition and the folder has Crump's hand-written note "EPCOT LEGO" on the front.

A blueprint on vellum depicting Rolly Crump's "Master Plan" for EPCOT. This blueprint was created for use in Rolly's presentation for Disney's Vice Presidents during the development of EPCOT. The vellum blueprint is signed by Crump in ink and measures 24"x36".



Rolly Crump's original hand-colored "Site Plan" for EPCOT. Accomplished in marker and ink over a brownline copy, this artwork is labeled "EPCOT Site Plan" along the border and was created by Crump and his architect to be used in Crump's presentation for Disney's Vice Presidents.

A special booklet created to mark the Grand Opening of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982. This booklet features a red and gold cover with a die-cut EPCOT logo, and contains 24 pages of photos and information on the pavilions and attractions.

A rare employee training packet from the Opening Year of EPCOT. This packet, titled "The Spirit of EPCOT Center", contains an unused training checklist and a pre-opening guide to EPCOT.

A concept art print featuring Imagineer Walt Peregoy's design for The Land Pavilion at EPCOT. This print is on 3-hole sturdy paper and is signed by Peregoy in pencil in the lower-right corner.


A set of 30 photos from the personal collection of Imagineer Rolly Crump, used by Rolly to document his work on The Life and Health Pavilion at EPCOT. Rolly worked extensively on the abandoned Life and Health Pavilion, and some of his ideas would later be implemented into the Wonders of Life Pavilion. This collection includes photos from the "Great Midway of Life", "Care of Self Carousel", and "Theater of the Mouth", among others.

A very rare WED File Copy print of concept art for the "Great Midway of Life" for EPCOT. Rolly Crump's designs for the Great Midway of Life were planned for a Health pavilion for the opening of EPCOT, but ended up influencing aspects of the Wonders of Life pavilion for 1989. This print depicts a carnival-style fun house, and is stamped on the back with a Disney copyright stamp and a WED File Copy stamp. The print comes from the personal collection of Rolly Crump and was framed by Rolly.


You can find the estimates for all of these lots on the auction page HERE. I remind you that the auction will happen at Van Eaton Galleries on April 28 and you can also order the great catalog HERE.

Pictures: copyright Rolly Crump

“The Life and Career of Disney Legend Rolly Crump” Exhibition and Auction at Van Eaton Galleries, April 28

Van Eaton Galleries is doing on April 28 a fantastic auction of WDI Imagineer Rolly Crump. Titled “The Life and Career of Disney Legend Rolly Crump”, it's an exhibition and auction which brings together items and stories from the amazing career of one of Disney's most unique Imagineers. This exhibition and auction contains over 400 artifacts, props, and original artwork which highlight some of Rolly's iconic achievements.

Rally Crump worked on such attractions as the Enchanted Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion, and It's a Small World, and some of his personal artifacts are seen here for the first time since they were initially created. This collection represents a lifetime of creativity and imagination from the mind of Rolly Crump.



Roland Fargo "Rolly" Crump (born February 27, 1930) is an American animator and designer noted particularly for his work as a Disney Imagineer. Crump was born in Alhambra, California, and joined Walt Disney Studios in 1952. Initially he worked on inbetweening, before becoming an assistant animator working on movies including Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. In 1959, he joined WED Enterprises, later Walt Disney Imagineering, and became a designer of some of Disneyland's attractions and shops, including The Haunted Mansion, Enchanted Tiki Room and Adventureland Bazaar.As well as his work at Disney, he designed innovative and satirical psychedelic posters in the early and mid 1960s, including several for the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band as well as logos for the band's singer Bob Markley. He also designed guitar string packaging for Ernie Ball.

He was responsible for designing many of the Disney attractions at the 1964 New York World's Fair, including It's a Small World and in particular the Tower of the Four Winds marquee. In 1966, when the attraction moved to Disneyland, he designed the large animated clock at the entrance that sends puppet children on parade. Rally Crump contributed to early designs of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, and worked on designs for NBC's Disney on Parade in 1970, before leaving Disney to work on outside projects including Busch Gardens, the ABC Wildlife Preserve in Maryland, and Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus World.

In 1976 he returned to work for Disney, designing the Land and Wonders of Life pavilions at the Epcot Center, before leaving again in 1981 to design the proposed Cousteau Ocean Center in Norfolk, Virginia, and to set up his own business, the Mariposa Design Group, which developed projects in Oman, Las Vegas, Denver and elsewhere. Crump finally returned to Disney in 1992, as executive designer at Imagineering, working on the Epcot Center. Rolly retired from Disney in 1996, and published an autobiography, It’s Kind of a Cute Story, in 2012

A lot of Rolly artwork are presented in the exhibition and in the auction, like this color print of Maui from the "Enchanted Tiki Room"...

...to his famous concepts for the "Museum of the Weird" that Walt wanted to put at the exit of the Haunted Mansion before it was cancelled after Walt death.






And of course the famous Rolly Crump's design for the "Tower of the Four Winds" for the famous New York World's Fair, signed by Rolly.

Or a gorgeous painting featuring his interpretation of Mary Blair's original sketch for the "It's a Small World" facade clock...

...as well as an incredible set of five model sections created by Rolly Crump for the facade of Disneyland's "It's a Small World





...and the original model created by Rolly Crump for the "It's a Small World" facade clock.

The auction also include the fun and provocative "drugs" posters designed by Rolly Crump in 1957...

...or this 2001 original painting by Rolly Crump of French singer and entertainer Josephine Baker.

In addition to artworks the auction also include plenty of Rolly's sculpture or merchandise item related to Disneyland Tiki Room or Haunted Mansion so the best is that you have a look by yourself on the auction site HERE. A catalog of the auction is also available HERE.

Pictures: copyright Rolly Crump

Breaking News: Oriental Land Announces Plans to Expand Tokyo Disney Resort, but NO third theme park

Oriental Land Co. on Sunday officially announced plans to expand Tokyo Disney Resort. The operator of TDR is planning to expand one of its two theme parks, either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea. It ruled out the possibility of establishing a third theme park. It will announce more information about the plan, such as new attractions and when the expansion will be complete, as soon as the details are confirmed.

“We would like to create a Tokyo Disney Resort that fulfills new dreams. Currently, we are planning the park’s expansion and looking into how to expand our park,” said Oriental Land Chairman Toshio Kagami at a ceremony commemorating the 35th anniversary, and giving the first official word on the expansion plans, reported last November, which aim to increase visitor numbers and reduce congestion.

Details of the expansion and when it will happen have not yet been determined. A project to turn the existing ground-level parking lot into a multistory car park tower is scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2019. The development will free up land and open the way for new features to be added. The expansion project is expected to start after the parking revamp is complete.

Tokyo Disney Resort drew 30.1 million visitors in fiscal 2017, marking the fifth year in a row in which more than 30 million people have passed through its gates. The theme park’s success means the need to reduce congestion has become more pressing.

More attractions to be completed over the next few years include one named “ Soarin’,” which will open at Tokyo DisneySea in 2019, and a "Beauty and the Beast"-themed facility to be added at Tokyo Disneyland in 2020.

( From Asahi Shimbun and Japan News )

The Secrets of WDI Imagineer Yale Gracey's Haunted Mansion Visual Effects

I've got something great for you to start the week! As you know WED Imagineer Yale Gracey was the one who created the stunning visual effects of the Haunted Mansion, and more, at Disneyland. Now, what you'll see below is one of the items who are put in auction in the fantastic Rolly Crump auction happening on April 28 at Van Eaton Galleries, and it's "a set of three working prints on trimmed artist's board featuring the early effects and illusions planned for use in the "Haunted Mansion" at Disneyland", with an estimate of $500 - 700.



Here is the auction description: "These boards come with a copy of a letter sent from Yale Gracey to fellow Imagineer Wathel Rogers regarding the prints, as well as a copy of a 3-page list of 89 effects planned for the Haunted Mansion. The boards feature information and illustrations on how to perform a variety of these early effects including "Clawing Hand", "Bats", "Rocket Skull", "Ghostly Footprints", "Turning Mask", projection of film onto a statue head, and more. These documents come in a folder that Rolly Crump titled "Yale's Work", and this set represents an incredible look at early development for the "Haunted Mansion". The boards measure 11"x8.5" and the set is in very good condition with minor wear from use."

What is even better is that most of these secret visual effects designed by Yale Gracey are amazingly simple, that's even the beauty of them. So simple in fact that you probably can recreate some of them at home if you wish! Make sure to click on each page to see them in big size!

Now, you probably don't know it but a book was precious for Yale Gracey which is titled "The Boy Mechanic", published early last century, and Yale Gracey said that he spent countless hours to study the book to find tricks to do visual effects for Disneyland ( although the book don’t talk only about magic or special effects ). Yale Gracey even said that if he had knew the book before it would have avoid him to spend so much time to invent some of the Haunted Mansion effects. Here is the cover of the book which is also on sale in the Rolly Crump auction with an estimate of $100 - 200.

Now, it happen that the book is now in public domain and the FULL book is downloadable in PDF on the Gutenberg project website HERE in different formats, choose the “PDF” download, 18 megas only. The book include explanations of all kind of things, including magic tricks and others effects so its download is highly recommended, specially knowing that he inspired the magic of Yale Gracey in attractions you all love.

Pictures: copyright Yale Gracey, Disney