Dreamfinder, Figment & me in 1985

Most little girls have a favorite princess, and while I’m pretty sure I grew up being most attached to Princess Aurora, I was never really fanatical about princesses. I was more a Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake girl anyway. Until my 1983 trip to EPCOT Center of course. You’ve heard me wax poetic on that magical trip before. While I cannot find a photo of Dreamfinder and I from that first trip, I can assure you, his impact was felt for decades to come.

Princesses were prim and proper and always said the right thing, while Dreamfinder was a bit of a jokester and would react to the guests around him accordingly. Unlike many rides of the time, where you rode passively through them, Dreamfinder spoke directly to you in Journey into Imagination. “Oh, hello there, so glad you could come along. I am the Dreamfinder!” (I still have that entire spiel memorized in my head.) As an impressionable young child, I felt that Dreamfinder and Figment really were bringing me along for the ride to the Dream Port and that imagination was a powerful force within us all. And just as I cried through my entire last ride through Journey into Imagination on that last day of my first trip, I was all the more excited to see Dreamfinder after we moved to Florida when I was 10.

Dreamfinder, Figment and me in 1986

I wouldn’t always stop to take a photo with Dreamfinder and Figment, but any time he was out there, I always said hello – and of course, riding Journey into Imagination multiple times was a given. I consider myself particularly fortunate to have had EPCOT Center as my playground during that time in my life. It wasn’t an easy transition, moving from a small New England town, close to family and surrounded by friends, to a really tiny central Florida town where I had a three cousins but not much else. EPCOT Center and Journey into Imagination (and Horizons) became my happy place, my refuge from the trials and tribulations of a tween existence, before that age group even had a name. And just as the sweet scent of l’oranges signaled Horizons, Dreamfinder was synonymous with Journey into Imagination. In summary; I liked him.

Fast forward 28 years from that first encounter and I am still as in love with Journey into Imagination and Dreamfinder as I ever was. I walk up to the Imagination pavilion and am flooded with happy memories of joking with Figment, getting soaked with the jumping fountains, the scent of roses, the beautiful white room inside the ride and countless hours playing in the Image Works. I am of course saddened by the changes made to Tony Baxter’s masterpiece, but I hold my version of the attraction within my heart. If you did not get the chance to experience the original attraction, check out Martin Smith‘s video tributes: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Attending D23′s Destination D in Florida back in May, I was brought to tears when Dreamfinder and Figment made a surprise appearance for a sing-a-long with Richard Sherman. My love and appreciation for Disney was renewed that magical night.

Destination D's very special guests

In a random turn of events, I happened to be reading the comments of an old post here. Within the comments, I saw one from a “Ron” that went as follows:

Zanna — It’s a funny thing… Figment & I posed for a million photographs back then but I’ve seen precious few of them. Thanks for posting this one!

I was shocked and amazed that THE Dreamfinder had commented on my silly little blog. Then I realized the comment was a year ago and was disappointed I hadn’t seen it prior to now! I replied to the comment and was filled with such joy and validation, as if little 10 year old me had come full circle in life. Or so I thought.

Enter Lou Mongello, well-known Disney fan, expert, and Podfather who runs the WDW Radio podcast and live news show. Lou writes and records audio guides, trivia books and more, has conducted interviews with amazing Disney legends, and given back through fundraising efforts for the Make a Wish foundation. In addition, he is a great friend. During the past weekend Lou and his WDW Radio team were engaging in a 40-hour LIVE web broadcast to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World and raise funds for Make a Wish. (They raised close to $18,000 that weekend alone!) When, on last week’s live show, Lou announced a “Special Guest” would be appearing on Sunday, October 2, my mind immediately went to Ron Schneider. Before I discovered Ron’s comment on my blog, I never would’ve guessed, but I just had that on the brain and something told me it was a good possibility. After a series of meet-ups on Sunday, I ventured over to the Imagination building, where I heard the WDWRadio crew would be. Sure enough, there was Ron Schneider, in his Imagination symbol shirt (which I almost wore that day!). I stood close and listened to the tales Ron shared of his time as Dreamfinder and with the Disney company. One of the funniest was the story of how Ron had recorded several takes for the exit safety spiel, including his favorite, “Your ride vehicle and the moving platform are traveling at 5000 miles per hour! Good luck!” They never used that take. I can’t imagine why?

Ron Schneider with Lou Mongello, while Lou's beautiful children look on. Scott Otis holds the laptop broadcasting the show live.

I had prepared my phone in hopes of getting a chance to show Ron the photo about which he commented, in person. When Lou asked if there were questions from the audience, I patiently waited for others to ask Ron to describe favorite memories or parts of his work experiences. Then I raised my hand and let him know that I didn’t have a question, but rather a photo to show him, which I did (the photo at the top of this post). He was tickled to see it and remarked again about how rare photos of him as Dreamfinder were. He portrayed the Dreamfinder from 1982 – 1987. I thanked him for the wonderful memories he gave me as a child and how I grew up with EPCOT Center. Tears began to flow as I remembered little 10 year-old me and the lifetime of experiences that has passed between then and now. Hearing my voice break, Ron said, “Oh, come here and give me a hug.” So I did. I hugged the Dreamfinder, without the blue suit and top hat, without that little purple dragon, but the man that gave life to both was all that mattered. It was perfect.

Dreamfinder - Ron Schneider and me, 2011 ♥

While storm clouds may gather…and stars may collide, nothing can take those amazing moments that Disney and Dreamfinder provided. I truly had come full circle. It’s not often you can thank your childhood influences in person, much less hug them. I was so very grateful for the special chance to do so. My oldest son was standing behind me as I was speaking (and crying) to Dreamfinder. I think it was a special moment for him as well, to see that his mom is human, and was once a child full of wonder too. Perhaps he has a bit more understanding as to why Disney is so special to me and such a part of my life. So thank you to Mr. Schneider for taking the time out of your weekend to be there last weekend, and for being a part of childhood memories I hold most dear. Also many thanks to Lou Mongello for making this meeting possible and giving back to Disney fans in so many ways.

Imagination is something that belongs to all of us…and every sparkling new idea can lead to even more! – The Dreamfinder

…

Splash Mountain. Haunted Mansion. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Expedition Everest. Pirates of the Caribbean. These are some of the attraction names that are commonly thrown around when the conversation turns to the best attraction at Walt Disney World Resort. While a compelling case can be made for each of these attractions, I think perhaps an even stronger case can be made for Epcot’s flagship attraction, Spaceship Earth.

I’m sure some of you reading this aren’t yet convinced. You might be scoffing at the suggestion, thinking that it’s not even the “flagship” attraction in Epcot, a title that could arguably be reserved for Soarin’, the American Adventure, or even Test Track. (If you think Test Track is the top attraction in Epcot, you might as well stop reading now, as you’re a lost cause!) Since I think one of the best cases for Spaceship Earth is its strong aesthetic, a large portion of my case will be made through photos. So with all of this in mind, let’s delve into the question,
“what’s so great about Spaceship Earth?”

Location – The geosphere that houses Spaceship Earth, the attraction, is undeniably one of, if not the, coolest icons in all of the Walt Disney World. Given how unique it is, I’d place it above Cinderella Castle, which has no attraction on the inside, and definitely higher than the Tree of Life or Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Its scale is amazing, its design is spectacular, and it is absolutely gorgeous all lit up at night.

If there is any question that Spaceship Earth is the coolest looking attraction/icon at Walt Disney World, see below.

Quality – As an attraction featuring an incredible number of Audio Animatronics and incredibly detailed sets, Spaceship Earth is a high quality attraction with an incredible amount of detail. It is quite the contrast to many other attractions, new and old alike. Other older attractions, specifically Fantasyland style dark rides, offer sets with less depth and less complicated characters. Similarly (although by very different means), many newer attractions over-rely on technology and lack actual depth and dimensionality. While Spaceship Earth did adopt some of this technology, quite poorly, in the attraction’s now-darkened descent as a result of its last refurbishment, this refurbishment also refreshed several Audio Animatronics and substantially improved the first two-thirds of the attraction. So overall, it’s a net gain.

Duration – If you’re anything like me, an attraction’s duration is a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, things like Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster are enjoyable, but if I wait in line even for 20 minutes for an attraction, I’d like it to last for more than just a couple of minutes. At approximately 16 minutes in duration, Spaceship Earth is a wonderfully long and relaxing Omnimover attraction that actually takes time to tells its story. It’s also one of the few attractions where the payoff usually lasts longer than the wait in line for the attraction.

EPCOT Center-ness – Although it has changed some over the years, Spaceship Earth is still true to the original incarnation of the attraction, and accordingly, is one of the last vestiges of the original EPCOT Center Future World. The other epic Omnimover attractions: Horizons, World of Motion, and Journey into Imagination (unless we count the new one which is neither epic or even much of an “attraction,” for that matter), are all gone. It’s one of the last attractions in Future World that still embodies the theme of “edutainment” that was characteristic of all of the Future World attractions at one time.

Spaceship Earth may lack a 6-story drop, inversions, or other thrills that modern park-goers seem to demand, but it excels at offering the rich Disney Details, depth, and almost poetic storytelling (go ahead and roll your eyes at that one, I stand by it!) that so many of its contemporaries lack. Almost ironically, as the future of theme park attractions race past it it terms of technology, it continues to do an excellent job telling the story of the evolution of communications technology on this, our Spaceship Earth, engaging its Guests and offering an extremely compelling argument for it being the top attraction at Walt Disney World Resort.

Tom Bricker and his wife operate DisneyTouristBlog.com, a website featuring accounts of their adventures at the Disney theme parks. He is also a photographer and blogger for TouringPlans.com. You can contact Tom at tom@disneytouristblog.com.

Now usually, I am a photo-holic and take pictures of any and everything when I visit a place for the first time. However in this instance, I was so completely overwhelmed by the experience, that I found myself without photos of a lot of what we saw when I returned home. (I still have quite a few, and I’ll be posting them over the next few weeks.)

Nicole and I on "it's a small world" Where else but Disney could we get away with those hats?? (photo by Becky Staudt)

That said, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve seen tons of photos of Disneyland, even ride videos, but nothing compares to walking down Main Street, U.S.A. that first time and seeing it all before you in living, breathing color. So while I’m still sharing our memories here with you, my real purpose in writing this post is to implore, even beg any Disney fan that has not yet made the pilgrimage to the “motherland” to do so. If you’re anything like my friends and me, it will change your life.

Now first, a little backstory. I decided to make this journey westward thanks to an amazing friend of mine, Nicole Siscaretti. She is not only a wonderful, caring person, but she’s also going to be a star some day, so you can watch these videos and say later, “ahh, I knew her when…” Nicole was part of our team for the D23 WDW Scavenger Hunt we did a few months back and it was then that I really got to know what a special person she was. After spending the last few months hanging out and “planning” our conquest of Disneyland (I say that in quotes because this was probably the least planned trip either of us had ever taken), she is like a little sister to me. In addition, she loves making fun videos on her iPhone andlooks WAY better on camera than me, so I’m pleased to be able to share a highlight reel of our Disneyland adventures thanks to her.

Before sharing her Disneyland video, I must explain one other thing. Nicole actually embarked on a quest that most people don’t even dream of – visiting all 6 Disney Parks in the US in one day. Nicole had asked me to join her and I was all set to do so before a last minute meeting had to happen at 9 on the morning we left for California. So I got to take the easy way out and only went to the 2 west coast parks. Nicole persevered and accomplished her goal. You can see her Six Parks One Day adventure on YouTube!

And now, without further ado, here are just a handful of our amazing Disneyland memories, shared with local Florida friends, west coast friends and new friends from all over! Disney fans may recognize the famous Scott Otis (@otisney on twitter) and the equally famous Michael Crawford from ProgressCityUSA.com (@ProgressCityUSA on twitter), two great friends from whom we were lucky enough to get amazing Disneyland history and backstory as we toured the lands!

I hope you enjoyed our video and if you’ve never been, do make plans to get to Disneyland some day soon, it is simply incredible!

Here is the Mickey the Magnificent print on the wall

I posted previously about the opening of the Town Square Theater at the Magic Kingdom – the new meet and greet location for Mickey & Minnie, and the Disney Princesses but I had not been actually been inside yet. A few weeks ago, a friend let us in on a little secret that I hadn’t heard about yet, so I had to go check it out. I’ll post soon with a full entry on all the fun little tidbits and homages to other parts of Disney history but for now we’re just focusing on this one surprise element.

As you enter Mickey and Minnie’s dressing room, the small waiting area is lined with a chalkboard listing upcoming ‘rehearsals’ and a poster about “Mickey the Magnificent” unleashing the power of electricity. On the next wall is a larger cut-out of the same design. Since you are normally excited about the main event within the room, Mickey and Minnie, you may not have stopped to take a photo in front of this display. Next time you are there, pause and take a flash photo to see what you can see. If you’d like to see now, keep reading!

As always, click to enlarge the photos.

Ooh, what's this?

Electrifying!

Mickey's x-ray!

Another view of Mickey's x-ray

To view Mickey’s x-ray, simply take a flash photo in front of this display. It seems to be some sort of phosphorescent paint, and to get the best possible photo of the effect, make sure you stand directly in front of the cut-out and make sure you have a strong flash when you take your photo. I’ll be heading back over soon to get even more photos so stay tuned!

Recreating this photo is not possible today! Pre-Sorcerer's Hat and Sunset Blvd.

You’ll notice I didn’t say “Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” because I truly fell in love with the Disney-MGM Studios, which is no longer the proper name, as we all know. It will forever be “MGM” to me when I speak of it among family and friends, just as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover will always be the “Wedway Peoplemover”. But I’m not here to talk about why I’m stuck in the past or yell at you kids to get off my lawn. Oh wait, I actually am going to talk about why I’m stuck in the past. Sorry about that. Hopefully you’ll bear with me and perhaps even agree with some of my thoughts.

I am pretty bad with dates and official names for things, so apologies up front if I remember something incorrectly. I used to be great with details, but then I had three kids. In any event, my first visit to the Disney-MGM Studios was some time in 1989, probably in June when I got out of school (a 14 year-old Sophomore). We were living in Lynchburg, VA at the time and would’ve driven down to Orlando. My trips sort of mesh together around this time, so I’m not sure where we stayed, it could’ve even been off-property. It’s hard to imagine that this was a time before Disney’s Port Orleans (either side), Beach Club, or Wilderness Lodge Resorts existed, but it was. I remember there being a lot of buzz surrounding the park, because it was supposed to be a Disney version of the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, or Hollywood East. Sort of.

My late father was a huge old movie buff. He loved all the classic black and white films, the over-the-top musicals and everything in between. So to say he was excited for this new park was an understatement. As I’ve mentioned before, I spent from 1983-1986 visiting EPCOT Center and the bonds I’d formed there were unbreakable. We had so many memories as a family there, we all had high hopes for the Disney-MGM Studios. And we weren’t disappointed.

From the moment you walk into the Studios, you are greeted with tiny details giving a nod back to old Hollywood, or as their slogan goes, “The Hollywood that never was and always will be.” I remember how completely thrilling it was to walk into the 50′s Prime Time Cafe for the first time and see items I saw in my grandmother’s home as an even younger girl. It truly was another world, different from the Fantasy, Adventure or Tomorrowlands of the Magic Kingdom or the futuristic (it still was back then!) world of EPCOT. It was like reality, only better.

Back then there was no Sunset Boulevard but that didn’t mean anything felt lacking. The only Sorcerer’s hat was that seen atop Sorcerer Mickey’s head as he stood on top of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre to kick of the Sorcery in the Sky fireworks, which premiered the following year in 1990. Pixar Place did not exist and Lights, Motors, Action! was actually home to Residential Street, which I still miss to this day. What made Disney-MGM Studios so magical, to me, was not only the incredible attention given to each themed area, but also the amount of guest interaction and audience participation. It was, after all, the birthplace of Streetmosphere!

Who can forget their very first journey on the Great Movie Ride when your car is over-taken by either a gangster or a western bank robber and you are right in the middle of the show? I remember thinking it was the greatest ride ever, even if I did close my eyes in the Alien and Raiders of the Lost Ark scenes. During the finale with the movie clips, I’d listen to my dad name every movie that came on, and usually know all the lines too. As a result, I really can’t sit through that part of the ride today and not tear up, remembering him and his favorites.

Another attraction I loved was the Monster Sound Show. I am a huge Martin Short and Chevy Chase fan, and seeing this fun little movie was great, along with the chance for the audience to create their own sound effects to the film? Hysterical. And? Interactive. Super Star Television was an example of this as well. Housed where the American Idol Experience is now, the stage held several sets for different famous television scenes. Employing blue-screen technology, guests chosen from the audience can then act out the candy factory scene from I Love Lucy, or be a jilted lover in a soap opera, or appear on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. My dad was chosen during our visit and played that soap opera character, complete with long trench coat and fedora. It is such such a special memory and he loved getting to talk about it.

The Rocketeer's Bulldog Cafe on the Backlot Tour

I think my favorite at that time was the Backstage Studios Tour (now the Backlot Tour).  When the attraction first opened, you entered where the Animation tour is now and an actual cast member gave you the tour spiel on the tram. Driving through the costuming and set-building departments, something was always being worked on. You truly felt like you were a part of the backstage magic. The tour then went down Residential Street, which showed the front facades of houses used in opening shots of tv shows. The Golden Girls house was there and the house from its spin-off show, Empty Nest as well as the house from the Disney Channel Adventures in Wonderland series. It was just fun to look at these pristine houses from the front, then make a turn and see nothing but framing and no back to the houses at all. I never watched the Golden Girls the same way again! Later, the Bulldog Cafe from the wonderful Disney movie The Rocketeer was placed on the tour too. It was not a real cafe and really very small in person. It did not age well and was removed along with the other houses when Lights, Motors, Action was being built.

My soon-to-be-husband counseling his victim...er, volunteer

The Catastrophe Canyon section was the same and it was actually believable that we were stuck in the middle of a movie production. Now there is no pretense, and guests are told up front that we are just witnessing special effects. The tour ended where the Studio Catering Company now is, and guests could take a break before going on to the second part of the tour – Inside the Magic: Special Effects & Production Tour. This was always fun because you got to see things like blue-screen technology used to make the flying bee scene in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and miniatures used in the making of Dick Tracy. You then walked through a series of production studios, including a section on sound hosted by Pee Wee Herman and Mel Gibson. You were also able to see actual shows being produced, including the new Mickey Mouse Club. We then watched the short film, The Lottery, starring Bette Midler and filmed right on New York Street. The last part of the tour was walking through a room filled with the set pieces from The Lottery. This was later replaced with pieces from the 101 Dalmations live-action film.

The details are a but hazy as to when the changes to this part of the tour were made, but I know the bee room and the miniatures room were still in effect back in 1995, because that’s where my husband (then-fiance) worked when we first moved to Orlando to work at Disney. He started out in Merchandise at the Little Mermaid shop, but then transferred to Attractions and worked at the special effects water tank, the two inside special effects rooms, and rotated to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set play area. I remember being so jealous that he was in Attractions! It was really fun to watch him perform his show. At that time there was a tv show on the Disney Channel also called Walt Disney World Inside Out. It started with Scott Herriott as host but changed in 1995 to J.D. Roth, Brianne Leary and George Foreman. J.D. Roth filmed a segment at the Inside the Magic tour and my husband was the cast member responsible for (off-screen) setting off all the correct cues to make the bee and other parts of the attraction work. Fun fact!

The water effects tour is slightly different today...

Needless to say, we enjoyed our first visit. My mom and I returned in 1991 with my high school class trip to Walt Disney World. At that time, Here Come the Muppets was where the Voyage of the Little Mermaid is and the Dick Tracy show was there (I may only be remembering the Dick Tracy show from the vacation planning video though – I seem to remember it being part of the Backlot Tour…maybe it was just a display of some sort?). EDIT: Confirmed by StudiosCentral.com – here’s a YouTube video of the Dick Tracy finale with some other great Backstage Studio Tour footage! Thanks, Matt!

Here Come the Muppets sign

Later when we moved to Orlando in 1995, we would enjoy the Aladdin parade and see the debut of the Toy Story Parade. I cannot hear “Strange Days” without remembering that time in my life – good memories of course! I haven’t even touched on Streetmosphere (see that link above, it’s worth a read!) or the wonderful Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas stage shows, which had incredible sets, actors and special effects. The park has of late received a lot of criticism and I will admit that I myself even thought less of it as the years went on. Things like Residential Street being destroyed, the Sorcerer’s Hat addition, and lots of Disney Channel synergy moving in have changed the feel of the place. However in recent times, I realized how much I really did fall in love with the Studios and what a special place it is.

Dorma Nesmond to the rescue during the D23 Great Scavenger Hunt

One thing that brought this into view was taking part in the D23 Great Scavenger Hunt about a month ago. There were so many difficult questions that caused you to really stop and notice the impeccable detail and Hollywood spirit with which the park is imbued. Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards are brimming with nods to old Hollywood, little inside jokes and other Imagineering details you’d expect in any Disney park but may not have ever noticed here. While the scavenger hunt was frustrating, it definitely gave me a renewed appreciation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

As with all Disney parks, things will change and corporate decisions will be made that may not feel right as a guest, but great decisions are made as well – Star Wars Weekends are one of my favorite times of the year and the all-new 3D Star Tours is probably my favorite ride right now. If I were to speak to the decision-makers at Disney I would implore them to remember what made the Studios so appealing: interaction. They are on the right track with Star Tours and the “Rebel Spy” aspect, which is now a goal for each guest as they ride. After all, don’t we all want to be a star?

The park history remains as well. Just as I regale my children with tales of Horizons and KELP and how Living with the Land was once LISTEN to the Land, I now tell them how there was a time when the 8×10 glossies hanging in Mama Melrose were relevant actors and how their daddy used to dump gallons of water on people every day. So during this Disney’s Hollywood Studios Awareness Week, I have become acutely aware of how important it is to capture and record these memories while they are fresh and appreciate the best laid plans of Mice and men.

Take me for example. My love affairs with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Expedition Everest, Disneynature, Frontierland, EPCOT Center, Zorro, Davy Crockett, etc. have all been well documented. Two other films I have long fancied have not been as readily recorded, not because I am ashamed of them, but merely because there is so little to really be gathered on the topics. I am of course speaking of The Rocketeer and Dick Tracy. It is treasures from these movies that really set my heart soaring while I scramble for my checkbook.

If there is a single item related to Dick Tracy that I have continually sought after it is a collection of Crimestopper game pieces tied to the 1990 release. The two stage scratch-offs were from McDonald’s and included a multiple choice scene and a mug shot.

In the multiple choice section, a painted backdrop is used to highlight a scene in which the customer, aka detective, is given an assignment, including finding the location of a robbery, a gangster cheating at cards, or the hiding place of key evidence. Three of the five rub off spots were GAME OVER boxes, while one led to a successful mission and prizes such as free food and drinks, coupons, and cash prizes. The remaining spot was always a tip to the winning location. This often took the form of telling customers which box (A, B, C, D, or E) to scratch, but in the best of cards it was a clue, for example to try the tallest gangster or search near the telephone. This game play made me love these pieces as a kid, and I was drawn to McDonald’s as often as I could convince my parents to drive me there.

The second stage of the game, detachable from the colorful movie scene, featured the name and mug shot of a wanted mobster. Throughout the contest, near mug shots would appear on a most wanted board at participating restaurants. Match a mug shot to your game piece and collect your rewards, up to $1,000,000!

After years of sifting through the evidence, I now have a completed set, well of the scenes at least, with several extras I’ve been able to scratch off. For those of you who enjoy all things tied to the yellow clad detective, I present a full set of scenes and assignments for you to enjoy!

The Scene: A burglary is in progress.
Your Assignment: Help Dick Tracy find the thief’s location.

The Scene: Dick Tracy is chasing The Kid who stole an old man’s watch.
Your Assignment: Find where The Kid threw the stolen watch.

The Scene: Tess Trueheart is being followed.
Your Assignment: Find the mobster following her.

The Scene: The mobsters are at Club Ritz.
Your Assignment: Find the mobster passing counterfeit money.

The Scene: Someone is going through Dick Tracy’s desk.
Your Assignment: Find the evidence that identifies the intruder.

The Scene: The police line-up.
Your Assignment: Pick out the bank robber.

The Scene: The jewel thief is hiding from the police.
Your Assignment: Find his hideout.

The Scene: A bank robber is escaping in a car.
Your Assignment: Find his getaway car.

The Scene: The boiler is about to explode.
Your Assignment: Find Dick Tracy’s best escape route.

The Scene: The Mob is planning a robbery.
Your Assignment: Find who is masterminding the robbery.

The Scene: The Kid is running from The Brow.
Your Assignment: Find where the mobster is.

The Scene: The Mob’s Card Game.
Your Assignment: Find which mobster is cheating.

If you perhaps aren’t familiar with the new Star Tours, check out this video below for more information on the new destinations and features of the attraction. I’ve been on it about 6 times now, and it’s amazing every time!! My favorite planets are Hoth and Naboo, but I’ve yet to get the Pod Racing yet, so we’ll see! In the video below, you’ll also see a little cameo by yours truly…thanks to the Disney team for allowing us to take part in that fun experience!!

Special thanks to my amazing cast member assistant, Ethan G., for some of the photos in the first video. He was pretty much the nicest and most helpful cast member ever! Thanks Ethan! Also thanks to Betsy Bates for giving me the music for the first video! I get by with a little help from my friends!

The great part about these new interactive queues Walt Disney World is creating is that if guests want to experience them, they must separate from the regular standby line, thereby essentially agreeing to engage in a more laid back, slower-paced approach to a ride. The interactive queues are also not accessible by the FastPass line since those guests are clearly on a mission.

When I first walked through the new Haunted Mansion queue, it was a strange feeling. You could stop and really explore the details to each section; posing for photos or trying out all of the interactive elements, but what that meant was that you were also willing to relinquish your spot in line if you wanted to wait for a picture while guests behind you chose to move on. It really goes against everything Disney has drilled into us as guests! Keep moving, no line cutting and definitely don’t hold up the line with silly antics like taking pictures or playing with displays!

At first, people were polite and tended to stay within their ‘places’ but once some saw I was taking kind of a LOT of pictures, they went ahead. And…that was okay. It was sort of a zen-like experience to just let people go and know that we were all getting to the same place anyway (which is really my philosophy in the parks anyway, granted this is easier to do when you are a resident, I know). It was also a lot of fun watching other families and children experiencing everything at the same time. All in all, I think the interactive queues are a great addition and will hopefully foster this new type of park-goer that is more mellow and willing to spend longer to get to the same attraction at a more leisurely pace vs. the ever-present Dumbo-or-die mentality.

And now, without further ado, here is a video montage of my photos from my last visit – designed just to give you an overview, so you can discover them in detail on your own. Make sure you watch till the end for a very special part of the new queue. Of course die-hard Disney fans will notice the previous tombstones honoring Imagineers Marc Davis, X. Atencio, and Yale Gracey among others. The new organ also pays tribute to Thurl Ravenscroft, famous for his part in the singing busts at the end of the ride (as well as the voice of Tony the Tiger and the Grinch songs). Be sure to look for these details on your next visit!

Special thanks to Denise from MouseSteps.com and Jeff and JeffLangeDVD.com for letting me use her photo of the wedding ring in the queue. This was added after I took my photos so I haven’t yet seen it in person. If you’d like to see the interaction in action, check out their video of the Haunted Mansion queue. I’m also including their video of the new Hitchhiking Ghost scene at the end of the ride, if you haven’t yet experienced that (with location of the wedding ring at the end of the video!) –

It was a super crowded Mother’s Day when I arrived but there was still plenty of space to explore and take photos. Actually, too many photos for one post, so I threw them all into a video for you! I am so completely impressed with the LEGO sculptures, especially the Maleficent dragon, which I seriously could have taken about 100 pictures of. If you look closely at the end of the video, you’ll see that Maleficent’s raven, Diablo, came to perch…okay, it was just a crow, but I couldn’t pass up capturing that image. The way the LEGOs seem to have texture and shadows on the dragon and the Prince’s cape, and the colors in the flame from the rocket with Buzz and Woody…just breathtaking. This will definitely be a favorite spot for me to explore in future visits.

I hope you enjoy the video! Oh, and the song I chose was for no other reason than I just like it.

Mickey's hand points out that character greetings are this way! (and crushes that lady's head )

The Town Square Theater sign, with wait time boards for Mickey and the Princesses

When we were there, the wait time for Mickey was only 5 minutes

While the Princesses wait was 30 minutes

Around the corner from Tony's, to the right of the Chapeau, is the Fast Pass distribution area for Town Square Theater

Atrium inside Town Square Theater leading to the queue

Looking over to Tony's from the atrium of Town Square Theater (construction was still going on on the low walls)

The extensive queue area, leading to either Princessess or Mice!

Inside is another wait time board for Mickey

While the Princesses sign lets you know which princesses are appearing

I’ll leave the rest of the experience inside Town Square Theater as a surprise for when you are able to visit but until then, I leave you with some friends, posing with our favorite rodents -

Thanks to pals and all-around awesome folks Nicole, Cade, and Mike for letting me share their photo with you all!

Disney Junior Live on Stage - coming in March to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney news buffs may have heard that Playhouse Disney Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been closed to make way for the all new Disney Junior Live on Stage, opening in March. Until the new show starts in the Studios, you can check out the new Disney Junior line up starting on Valentine’s Day – February 14th on the Disney Channel.

Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block is becoming “Disney Junior,” a new multiplatform brand devoted to children ages 2-7 and their families. Disney Junior will invite parents and grandparents to join their children in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, both classic and new, while incorporating specific learning and developmental themes.

Among the new series are “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an animated adventure combining new and classic Disney characters Captain Hook and Smee (“Peter Pan”); a series of Disney Poetry Shorts which showcases poems for children set against classic Disney animation; two short form series, “Mickey Mousekersize” and “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps,” to encourage healthy lifestyles for preschoolers and families; “Babar and the Adventures of Badou,” an updated version of the classic “Babar,” that introduces King Babar’s energetic eight-year-old grandson, Badou, and friends as they explore the world of Celesteville; and “Tinga Tinga Tales,” a vibrant animated adventure inspired by traditional African animal folktales and the art of Tanzania. Playhouse Disney hits “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Handy Manny,” “Special Agent Oso” and “Imagination Movers,” among others, will be part of Disney Junior.

As part of Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living initiative, which encourages healthier lifestyles for kids and families, Disney Junior will premiere two new short-form series, “Mickey Mousekersize” and “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps.” Hosted by Mickey Mouse, “Mickey Mousekersize” focuses on the fun of exercising and encourages children at home to get up and move along with Mickey and pals. “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps” features Oso and friends as they watch a live-action kid demonstrate three healthy steps to exercising and eating right.

For more information, visit www.DisneyJunior.com.

You can also “Like” Disney Junior on Facebook!

Check out these videos of the magic coming to your living room:

Disney Junior – Where The Magic Begins

Disney Junior Through a Child’s Eyes

Sneak Peek of Jake and the Never Land Pirates!

Ready for anything with Mickey stickers!

It’s not news to any regular readers that we go to Walt Disney World…a lot, nor that we have 3 children. My oldest son is about to turn 12 this weekend, my daughter is 10 and my youngest son turned 2 the end of October. While we have visited the barber shop in the Magic Kingdom many times, in both its locations, we had never experienced a “first haircut” there. With our first child, the thought just never occurred to us and we took him to a local kids hair cutting place. With our daughter, well, we just never really cut her hair until she was about 4 anyway! So since we now frequent Disney a lot more than “normal” with the blog and Moms Panel and twitter meet-ups etc. It seemed only natural to experience this rite of passage, well, the right way.

Now what’s changed since our last visit, aside from the new location, is that you can now actually book appointments at the Harmony Barber Shop. Since this is such a popular attraction among those who know the Magic Kingdom, the wait time can get quite long in the shop. Simply calling 407-WDW-DINE will secure you a spot in the barber’s chair. Walk-ins are still available but will be taken when available around those with appointments. Our time was for 11am on a busy Saturday, and despite the line out the door, the wait wasn’t too bad for those without appointments. These dual-skilled cast members/stylists know their stuff and do it efficiently. The “First Haircut” package is $18, a child’s haircut is $15, Adult haircut is $19 and colored hair gel and pixie dust is $7.50

Giovanni is pretty good around people he hasn’t met, as long as we introduce them and ask him to say hi. He’s been known to give a high-five or two as well. However, we’d never been in a situation like this before where something was happening TO him, aside from doctor visits of course. I think Gio definitely prefers getting his hair cut after this. As luck would have it, we were assigned to Michal, who is known pretty much world-over as THE barber at Harmony (as evidenced by his appearance on the Disney Parks Blog). I have no doubt the other cast members are just as proficient and we have in fact gone to others in the past, but having known of Michal since my brief days of working on Main Street, U.S.A. selling t-shirts and watches as a merchandise hostess, I was excited. I remember seeing him in the break-room down in the tunnel or in passing on my way to or from my post at Disney Clothiers, Main Street Athletic Club or Uptown Jewelers. He always had a smile or a wave. I can’t even begin to imagine the number of hair cuts or styles he’s given in his many years at the Magic Kingdom but it was an honor to know he’d be the first person cutting our last child’s hair.

Doling out the stickers

Which brings me to my next worry, Gio’s hair. Those who have seen pictures know of his curls. They also know that he gets mistaken for a little girl and called Princess more times than I can count. But that’s okay. I know he’s my little guy and after cutting off both his older brother and sister’s curls, I want him to keep them as long as possible! I explained this to Michal and he assured me his curls weren’t going anywhere. Whew!

We started in by lifting Gio into the little kid-bench part of the barber chair and Michal began saying his hellos and covering Gio in Mickey stickers from head to toe. (Well, not head, that wouldn’t be good!) He put some on his siblings and Dad and me too, just to keep him occupied and entertained. Gio was already clutching his mama elephant and baby elephant toys, so between that and the stickers, I think he was distracted enough to not really notice what was actually about to happen. To him, it seemed like this nice man was just covering him in stickers and combing his hair.

Getting ready to cut...

The challenge: Don't lose the curls or give him a mullet!

A few strategic snips later and the hair was out of his eyes but his curls were still in-tact. Michal carefully saved aside his cut hair and brought out the kid-sized Mickey Mouse ears with “First Haircut” embroidered on them. He did it! Michal then filled out the certificate so we can save it with all the other precious memories we have.

Checking out the Mouse Ears and in the mirror!

I actually shared this photo on the Disney Parks “Let the Memories Begin” site, to let Disney know how special the memory was to us.

First Haircut Mouse Ears!

The Mouse Ears didn’t stay on too long “I no like it…” but we got some pictures anyway and we have them to show him when he’s older too. Daddy then got his hair cut too to round out the day. It’s such a fun, happy place where everyone walks out with a little bit of pixie dust (even if it’s the kind that you can wash off).

On one of our favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom...

I also wanted to share our previous memories of the barber shop, when our two oldest visited a few years back. Christian was donning a mohawk back then, which he wore at his own request from age 5-8 off and on. He had wanted one since he was about 3 and I finally relented when he was 5. As my mother always says (and I’ve said many times myself after hair fiascos) “it’s only hair.” Anyway, his mohawk had started growing out, so he got it trimmed and then covered in red gel, while his sister, Sophia got some gel and pixie dust over her long hair. They were around 5 and 6 at the time and going through a period of bickering (well, I guess that period hasn’t ended yet!). When they walked out of the barber shop, they both marveled at each other’s new looks and were pretty in awe of themselves. In fact, the experience rained down such peace and, yes, harmony on the day that they actually HELD HANDS down Main Street, U.S.A. It’s one of my favorite memories of my family at Disney.

Thanks to Disney, we have these amazing moments captured forever in our hearts and minds. Cast members, wide-eyed children (and adults too), and pixie dust make memories to last a lifetime. Great thanks to Michal and all the Harmony Barbershop cast members for the magic they spread each day.