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Dumbo

Happy Mother’s Day!

12 May 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Happy Mother’s Day! I created this little collage of some of my favorite Disney moms. Who are your favorites? Hope all the mothers out there have a wonderful day!

Disney Moms

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Filed Under: Disney Movie News & Reviews Tagged With: disney moms, Disney mothers, Dumbo, Emperor's New Groove, Merida, mother's day, Queen Elinor, Tarzan, Tarzan's mom, Tiana, Tiana's mom

PHOTOS: Inside Walt Disney World’s NEW Dumbo Interactive Kids Lounge

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Disney fans may have been following the news of the opening of the next phase of the new Dueling Dumbos attraction at the Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus area, part of the new Fantasyland expansion. The Disney Parks Blog recently shared some video from inside the tent:

;

Thanks to Nicole Siscaretti we now have some photos from testing going on today at the Magic Kingdom. You can find more photos and awesome video of the activities and interactive areas inside the new Dumbo queue at Nicole’s new site: SparklyEverAfter.com – be sure to check it out! The area should be open permanently for all guests in the next few weeks.

[nggallery id=2]

Enjoy the photos – can’t wait to take my little guy down there to check it out in person soon!

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Circus, Disney parks, Dumbo, Dumbo lounge, Dumbo queue, Dumbo's circus, fantasyland, Fantasyland Expansion, interactive areas, interactive queue, kids play area, Magic Kingdom, New Fantasyland, Nex Gen, NextGen, Nicole Siscaretti, queue pagers, SparklyEverAfter, Storybook Circus, Timothy Mouse

Hidden Details in Storybook Circus in the New Fantasyland

14 March 2012 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

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Fantasyland Station
View approaching from Fantasyland Station

I was able to make it over to Storybook Circus yesterday and experience it firsthand, after sharing others’ photos of the opening day fun. If I may make a recommendation, I advise you to arrive in Storybook Circus via the WDW Railroad, which pulls up at the new Fantasyland Station, now named Carolwood Park. It is the best way to see the new area, where you immediately see new details and the attractions, rather than construction walls where the other parts of the new Fantasyland are busily being built. As you know, much of Disney’s magic is in the details, and this new area has no shortage of its own magical details.

I was ridiculously happy when I saw the new areas. The Carolwood Park station is just lovely. It fits right in to the 1940’s American snapshot that the traveling circus we see featured in the animated film Dumbo creates. The atmosphere is set right from the start, where the ground itself looks like a dirt road, well-traveled by trolley cars, horses, and circus animals alike – without actually being, you know, dirt.

One of my favorite parts of the Storybook Circus area is the actual train station. Around the back, you’ll find a brand new set of restrooms and the entrance area back onto the train. It is around the corner from the restrooms where we see stacks of luggage waiting to be boarded on the arriving and departing trains. Much in the vein of the amazingly themed Town Square Theatre, the details are here to discover for those who do more than just pass by on their way to attractions.

I’ve gathered some photos here of my favorite details. Be sure to look for them on your next visit, and maybe discover some more on your own! Click to enlarge.

Carolwood Park
Carolwood Park - Fair Weather Place

 

Carolwood Park Station
The gorgeous detail of Carolwood Park Station restrooms entrance

 

Carolwood Fire Dept
Carolwood Fire Dept. sign - love this detail.

 

Carolwood Park Station
Carolwood Park Station luggage closest to the restrooms. I wonder where that bird escaped to?

 

Carolwood Park Station
More luggage stacks with a barn-door look to this side of the station.

 

Carolwood Park Station
More Carolwood Park Station luggage stacks. And oats!

 

Carolwood Park
Close-up of luggage stacks.

 

Carolwood Park
Another close-up of luggage stacks.

 

Carolwood Park
More close-ups of luggage stacks. These circus-folk are well-traveled!

 

Azusa sticker
My favorite luggage sticker: Azusa Californa - Drink your OJ!

 

Chicago luggage sticker
Wonder who in Imagineering is from Chicago? 😉

 

You can see more luggage sticker close-ups here on flickr.

 

Storybook Circus
Bear tracks! And monkeys too! Behind these walls is where the new Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station will be located. I wonder if that's where all these animals are headed to cool down?

 

Storybook Circus
Peanut shells and lion or tiger prints?

 

Storybook Circus
Heading toward Tomorrowland, animal tracks and brick road

 

Storybook Circus trashcan
Storybook Circus trashcan - can't wait to see the others in the new Fantasyland!

 

UPDATE! At the recent Orange Bird unveiling, my friends and I wandered over to the Storybook Circus area again, since one friend had not been yet. I was surprised to see these new props out on display and wanted to share them with you all!

Storybook Circus elephant tubs
Check out the new water tubs with some familiar elephant names...

 

Storybook Circus details
More new details - "Melody Time Brass Horns - Always in Toon" and "Property of Hyacinth Hippo - the most exquisite sensation of the big top"!

 

Hyacinth Hippo
Hyacinth Hippo trunk and"The Big Bad Wolf - Balloonologist Extraordinaire - He'll huff and he'll puff and create the animal of your choice!"

 

I could post a hundred more photos, but for now I’ve created a Storybook Circus set on flickr and you can see the rest of my photos there. Including lots more of Dumbo and the Barnstormer. Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Disney Attractions, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: animal tracks, Carolwood Park, Casey Jr., Disney details, Dumbo, fantasyland, Fantasyland Expansion, Fantasyland Station, hidden gems, Humphrey the Bear, Imagineering details, luggage stickers, new Dumbo, New Fantasyland, peanut shells, Storybook Circus, travel stickers, WDW Railroad

Disney Cruise Line Fantasy Limited Edition Ear Hat & More New Designs

29 September 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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This morning, Disney Merchandise Communications Manager, pal, and all-around great guy, Steven Miller visited the local Fox station to share some of the fun 40th Anniversary merchandiseavailable at Walt Disney World. When I saw what he was sharing, I had to snap some photos and in turn share here. I’m sure there will be more announcements and better photos coming soon, but for now, enjoy what I snagged of the ol’ tee vee screen!

Steven Miller
Steven Miller about to show off the fabulous Kevin Kidney/Jody Daily Contemporary Resort vase
Haunted Mansion Ear band
I haven't yet seen this in the parks - but could this be a Haunted Mansion-themed Ear head band WITH a tiny hat? Come to mama! (I could be wrong, but either way, they look great!)
Tiny Hat Mouse Ear Headbands
Another adorable one, could this be Dumbo-themed? Circus stripes, top hat, feather?
DCL Fantasy Ear Hat box
The cool steamer trunk box for the Fantasy Ear Hat
DCL Fantasy Ear Hat
Front of the Disney Cruise Line Fantasy Limited Edition Ear Hat - the porthole ears are a nod to multi-plane cameras pioneered by Disney in the past!
DCL Fantasy Ear Hat back
The back of the Fantasy ear hat

Thanks Steven and Disney Design Group cast member Mark for sharing these with us this morning! Can’t wait for more fun new merchandise from Disney Parks.

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Filed Under: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Merchandise, Disney Special Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: DCL, DCL ear hats, DCL Fantasy, Disney 40th Anniversary merchandise, Disney Cruise Line Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line Fantasy Limited Edition ear hats, Disney Cruise Line merchandise, Disney Merchandise, Dumbo, Ear hats, Haunted Mansion, Kevin & Jody merchandise, Limited Edition, Mouse ear hats, Mouse ear headbands, Steven Miller, WDW 40th Anniversary merchandise, WDW merchandise

Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition-Classic Lessons For All

22 September 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Timothy Q Mouse

“The very things that held you down, are gonna carry you up and up and up!” ~Timothy Q. Mouse

Dumbo has always held a special place in my heart, I think for its quiet simplicity and life-lessons. Unlike the previous Disney animated films of Snow White and Pinocchio, there were no real “scary” parts for me as a child, so it was therefore a safe movie to see again and again. Of course I wasn’t around when it first premiered in 1941, but I do remember being slightly scared by the evil Queen and the Pleasure Island scenes in Pinocchio and relieved by the lack of those elements in Dumbo. While we did own Dumbo on VHS, it had been quite some time since I’d viewed this classic and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing it again.

This 70th Anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray combo pack are impeccably restored and you’d think the film was just released with its crisp, clean animation. Dumbo is notably one of only two Disney animated feature films to use watercolor backgrounds. Lilo and Stitch animators used some watercolor backgrounds as a nod to this classic style. The result in the film is a beautiful environment that just draws you right in.

Things I never really paid attention to before this viewing of Dumbo are how the elephants are the only animals which speak (aside from Timothy, the Stork and the crows of course). All the other circus animals are much less detailed, letting the audience know that our story lies here, with Mrs. Jumbo and her precious baby and not with other popular animals like lions and tigers. The elephant ladies are given human-like characteristics of being proud and gossipy, and showing emotion in the case of Mrs. Jumbo. What mama doesn’t feel the same sense of pride and need to defend one’s child if attacked? We instantly feel for Dumbo and his mom, knowing they are different than the other, rude and shallow elephants that rely on appearances and worrying ‘what the neighbors will think’. At the same time, we see Dumbo jump right into the action and be ready to pull his weight, help out, and be a part of the circus family.

Dumbo and Timothy
Timothy keeps Dumbo motivated

The circus scenes, and in fact the entire movie, do not feature much in the way of human interaction. The faceless roundabouts setting up the circus tents sing a song as they work, the clowns grouse about wanting more money, and the Ringmaster worries only about entertaining the crowds and making money. This is truly an animal’s tale, but a reflection on all of us as well. The result is a captivating tale for little ones, as my almost-3-year-old has been entranced by it ever since I opened the case. It is rare he’ll sit through an entire film of any sort, animated or otherwise. Dumbo has held his attention and been on repeat for the last 4 days! The dialogue is scarce, and as a result, has much more meaning when it is spoken.

Some history about Dumbo of interest, it was actually produced in the midst of the Disney animator’s strike, which resulted in several strikers receiving caricatured appearances as the clowns, complaining of wanting more money. In addition, Dumbo was created in an attempt to recoup financial losses from Pinocchio and Fantasia, which is why the film is so stark and plain in detail, compared to the first two films. I think this is exactly what makes the film so heartwarming, as you focus more on the characters and Dumbo’s story than on other details. Dumbo does not utter a word, but captures our heart completely. Each song is memorable and singable and the hi-jinx from Sterling Holloway as the Stork leave you smiling.

An exception to this simplicity is, of course, the Pink Elephants on Parade scene, which comes to pass as Dumbo and Timothy accidentally imbibe water laced with Champagne. After viewing this fantastical segment multiple times over the past week, this has become one of my favorite animated sequences ever. I’m no Disney historian, but I think you can definitely feel the Fantasia vibe here, as well as some foreshadowing of the upcoming Three Caballeros South American influence. Truly a unique and masterful spotlight on Disney animation. And Technicolor pachyderms.

Now you’ve made it through the entire review and I didn’t even mention Baby Mine. You didn’t think I’d forget, did you? Of course this heartfelt, tear-inducing song is one of the most tender moments of the film and certainly part of what makes it a classic in every sense of the word. I sung it to all of my babies and it still brings a tear to my eye today. Motherly love at its finest.

Back to Timothy’s quote – the life lessons within Dumbo hold true and are relatable to by every generation since its release. You may not be what society expects you to be, but being yourself and owning your individuality can lead to great success. And despite thinking you have something holding you back, it just might lift you up. Magic feather or no, you truly can fly in life, if you believe in yourself.

Dumbo dvd Blu-ray
Click to purchase the combo-pack

So whether you are just a Disney fan picking this up for your collection, or a family looking to entertain your little ones, or a Disneyphile looking for a snapshot into Disney history, this is a must-have for you. There aren’t too many DVD bonus features, but the Blu-ray definitely offers more, so I highly recommend the combo pack for the most options. The Blu-ray has additional animated shorts, art galleries and games in addition to deleted scenes and songs, as well as expanded viewing experience and Cine-explore experience. The DVD also features the deleted scenes, making-of, and some behind-the-scenes featurettes. The deleted scene shows Timothy Mouse’s explanation of why elephants are afraid of mice, saying how millions and millions of years ago in “pre-hysterical times” giant mice 100 times as big as a circus tent roamed the earth, with “tails as long and fat as a sewer pipe”. A fun, if unrealized little scene.

Be sure to check out the Backstage at Disney scenes in the Bonus Features. This showcases the the sound effects created for the black and white Casey Jr. train scene in The Reluctant Dragon and it is, in a word, amazing. What a treat to see the original voice and sound actors creating movie magic. Did you know Casey Jr. was “voiced” by a woman? You can see the Sonovox technology used to create Casey Jr.’s signature train-whistle style of sound. This also held my littlest guy’s attention, assuring me that he’s got the Disney gene.

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Movie Reviews, Movies & Books, Reviews Tagged With: Casey Jr., Disney Animation, Disney history, Disney movies, Dumbo, Dumbo 70th Anniversary dvd+Blu-ray, Dumbo review, Movie Reviews, Pink Elephants, Reluctant Dragon, Timothy Mouse, Walt Disney Animation

Fun New Characters & Halloween Mouse Ear Hats at Disney Parks

30 August 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Back in “The World” (aka Walt Disney World) over the weekend, I noticed these cute new Ear Hats. I think of all the new styles that Disney keeps coming out with, these are the cutest. They really play into the cartoony look of the characters they are emulating and make for a fun statement.

Check ’em out!

 

Ear Hats
Donald, Dumbo, Cheshire Cat, Minnie, Goofy, Tinker Bell, and Pluto make for some adorable Ear Hats

 

Ear Hats
Most of the hats have tails that match their character. Tink has her hair in a bun!

 

Ear Hats
Donald, Minnie and Woody hats

 

Ear Hats
Goofy, Pluto, Woody and Tink

 

Ear Hats Halloween
Here are the Halloween ones out now too!

 

Ear Hats Halloween
Runaway Brain-like Franken-Mickey too! These all glow in the dark.

 

Be on the look out next time you’re in Disney Parks!

 

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Filed Under: Disney Merchandise Tagged With: Cheshire cat ear hat, Donald, Dumbo, Ear hats, Goofy, Halloween ear hats, Mickey ears, Mickey Mouse ears, Minnie, Mouse ear hats, pluto, Pumpkin ear hats, Tink ear hat, Woody ear hat

Baby Mine…Don’t You Cry – Happy Mother’s Day

7 May 2010 by Suzannah Otis 10 Comments

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Mother and Child by Gustav Klimt

I could probably fill a million blog entries with the memories and emotions I feel about being a mother. It is, quite simply, the one thing I knew I was destined for before I was even married. Believe it or not (ok, so it’s probably pretty easy to believe if you are a frequent reader) a lot of how I knew I wanted to be a mom is tied to Disney. I would cry at Disney movies knowing I wanted to share the love I saw on screen with my own children some day. I’d watch other people’s children dance around at the end of the Festival of the Lion King show in Animal Kingdom and be a crying fool thinking of how sweet they were…hoping to someday share memories like that.

I never babysat as a child, in fact, I never even changed a diaper until my first son’s 11 years ago. It wasn’t that I had this need to ‘mother’ or that I felt I would somehow be great at it, it was more about the memories I knew would be there. I had such a wonderful childhood and I wanted to be able to give that experience to my own children. I wanted to treasure my children as much as my mom treasured me. I don’t think I’ve measured up to the bar she set, but I keep trying.

[Read more…] about Baby Mine…Don’t You Cry – Happy Mother’s Day

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Filed Under: All blogs, Commentary Land, Family Memories Tagged With: babies, babies movie, baby mine, being a mom, Dumbo, memories, mother's day, movie trailers, Tarzan, videos, you'll be in my heart

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