"Almost" Wordless Wednesday: The Cave Of Wonders

Rah!  Cave Of Wonders!

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The Saturday Slow-Down: Character Close-Up

The last time we took a Saturday Slow-Down...

...we were approaching the ends of the Disney Animation Building and the Animation Academy.  Today, we're going to wrap up our tour of the building and spend some time checking out the awesome spectacle of the Character Close-Up room.

What makes the Character Close-Up work so well is the Zoetrope.  Awesome to watch, awesomely difficult for us to pronounce.

The closest that we can come to describing it is that it is old, classic animation technique brought into the new century; if that's even correct.  We've probably all seen animators display "moving" characters using the flip technique; drawing characters on the corner of pieces of paper in different stages of movement and then "flipping" the corners of the paper to bring about the illusion of the drawings "moving".

The Zoetrope is the same principle in theory.  This might help explain it a little better:

So, that's how it works.  You can see in the top picture all the little Toy Story characters in different "motions".  Then the box begins spinning around at blazing speeds, begins a fast seizure-inducing strobe effect, and it looks like all the Toy Story character begin hopping, see-sawing, ball-rolling, lassoing and riding like the wind on Bullseye all over the place.  It's really neat to watch, not so easy to photograph (all you get is a white light like in Poltergeist which we should all stay away from at all costs).

Whee!

If you've ever been interested in animation at all, or how it works, then this is the room for you.  Even for people like us who have no real ties to drawing (and as shown in our Animation Academy article a few weeks back, we're not terribly good at it), it's a pretty cool place just to stand and watch, and the kids love it!  There's always someone hanging around watching it all go off.  Definitely worth seeing.

We usually spend about 10 minutes or so watching the Zoetrope do its thing, and if you're still with us at this point, you've almost hit the two hour mark in the building so far; all fun, mostly interactive, shaded and air-conditioned, and some of the best animation in the world.  How great was that?

We hope you've enjoyed our little soiree in the Animation Building.  As we said way back in the beginning, it's one of our favorite places to hang out in The Park.  They are currently reworking the clips and music shown in the lobby (so right now if you go in you're going to be treated to multi-colored panels and not much else, save a message saying they're being worked on), but that aside it's still one of our favorite places to be.  We hope that by showing you a little bit of each, if you have the chance, you'll give it a look and it will become one of your favorite places, too.

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The Saturday Slow-Down: Animation Academy

Last time on the Saturday Slow-Down...

...we continued our wanderings in the Disney Animation Building in the Hollywood Backlot and spent some time in the Sorcerer's Workshop.  Today, we're going to continue our tour through the building and spend some time in another seriously cool room, the Animation Academy.

At the core of Disney is its animation.  For those who have even the tiniest bit of knowledge about the company's history, Disney began with animation, and there's no reason to believe it will ever play anything but a major role in everything that happens at The Parks, hand-drawn cells or computer-generated.

As such, the Animation Academy offers an excellent opportunity for you, the Park guest, to try your own hand at drawing some of The Park's most famous characters.  

After waiting outside the Academy in a little foyer (which provides an excellent location for watching more of those fantastic lobby movie clips we talked about a few weeks ago) you're ushered into a fairly large room (tons of cushioned seating available) where you pick up your artist's tablet, pencil and paper (waiting in your seat for you), and await your Cast Member's instructions.  

A Cast Member explains the process of the Animation Academy

It really is a simple process.  Your Cast Member (they rotate in and out every "show") "teaches" you how to draw whatever character is in rotation at that point.  The characters typically vary show by show.  We ourselves have done Chip, Tigger, Dopey, Pluto and Goofy just to name a few.  We've heard that they also from time to time do Jack Skellington and Roger Rabbit which we've just not been lucky enough to get yet.  And of course, they do all of the regulars such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy et al.

It, of course, works much like you would expect it to.  Your duly appointed Cast Member draws your character up on stage, step by step (it is projected up on a great big screen) and your goal is to follow them as closely as you can, hoping to garner something that even remotely resembles the work of stunning perfection that they've just drawn.  Needless to say, it doesn't always work out that way.

If you can tell who your drawing is supposed to be, then you've been successful

But, the show is all about fun.  If you're willing to go into it with a light-hearted attitude and just have fun with it, we can almost guarantee that you'll have a great time!  And it's pretty darn awesome that you get your own free piece of Disney artwork, all of your own making, that you get to take home with you.

Like the Sorcerer's Workshop, the Animation Academy is something that we typically ignored.  But since we started going in, it's something that we've typically tried to do on a regular basis, if for no other reason than to see what character we might wind up with this time. 

It usually takes about a half hour to do the Animation Academy (between waiting and the actual "show).  So at this point, if you're still following us around and haven't dropped off, you've spent about an hour and 40 minutes in the building so far.  Are we having fun yet?

Next week, we'll move into the last room in the building, the Character Close-Up.  Only one week to go, and we hope you'll be here to wrap up our little tour with us!

Hidden Mickey(s)!

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The Saturday Slow-Down: The Sorcerer's Workshop

Last time on the Saturday Slow-Down...

... we continued our meanderings in the Disney Animation Building in the Hollywood Backlot and spent some time talking to a sea turtle in The E.A.C.  Today, we're going to continue our tour through the building and spend some time in one of our favorite areas in the building, the Sorcerer's Workshop.

The Sorcerer's Workshop is actually broken up into three separate rooms, each with its own speciality:  The Magic Mirror Realm, Beast's Library, and Ursula's Grotto.

Inside the "Magic Mirror Realm", guests are treated to a whole host of animated type gadgetry on display.  Drawing tables are set aside for people to explore their own drawing and animating doodles, and the room is full of all sorts of devices made for exploring frame by frame animation from many of the most popular Disney animated classics.

Should you grow weary of all that doodling, a trip into "Beast's Library" might be in order; a room designed just like, you guessed it, Beast's library from Beauty and the Beast.

This is probably our favorite room in all of the workshop.  The room is filled with electronic "books" (you can see people "reading" them all around) designed to tell you which Disney character you are most like.  By answering a simple selection of questions about your personality, your book will magically tell you which character (male or female) you are most like.  The fun doesn't stop there, however.  If you've answered the questions honestly to begin with, you've likely found out which "good" character you are like.  We urge you pay attention to the last question, however, and answer it a little bit differently on subsequent readings.  You just might find out what "bad" character you are most like.  Then of course, answering differently as to whether you are a boy or girl opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.  We've spent many an hour just playing around with different combinations.  Plus, there is a camera attached to your little reading table that takes your picture as part of the whole process, which the kids seem to love almost as much as finding out what character they are for some reason.  

Oh, and every so often a storm rolls through, the room gets dark, and the picture of the prince is torn to shreds like we see it in the movie.  It's pretty cool stuff.

Lastly, once done with the library, a quick stroll through a dark hall will bring you into "Ursula's Grotto", a sound recording studio of sorts.

"Ursula's Grotto" is peppered all around with little alcoves people can go into, have their voices "stolen" from them (much like Ursula does to Ariel in The Little Mermaid), and used in different scenes from a few select Disney classics.  Ever wanted to be Scar or Simba from The Lion King?  Now's your chance.  Dreamed of singing along with the Seven Dwarfs?  Ursula will be only too happy to grant that wish for you.  There are a few others, but we don't want to spoil the whole thing.  It's easy to spend quite a bit of time in here just acting out all of the different options.  There are about three different singing ones, and three different talking ones if memory serves right.  And again, the kids love this one.  Just don't take it too seriously and let it ruin the fun.  We've learned since we began going in the Grotto that we sound nothing like Jeremy Irons or Jonathan Taylor Thomas, but we've accepted it and moved on.

The Sorcerer's Workshop is something that we actually missed out on for the longest time.  We knew it was there, but whenever we'd wander into the Animation Building we would kind of just ignore it.  But since the first time we went in, it's been a mainstay ever since.  We never go into the Animation Building without going in anymore, and we always have a lot of fun when we do, no matter how many times we've seen it all.  It comes highly recommended if you haven't already done it.

We usually spend a good half hour or so in the Workshop, so if you've followed our pattern up to this point, you've spent about an hour and 10 minutes in the building so far.  Not bad!  And the best part?  You've been in a nice, shady, cool building and gotten to see and interact with a lot of really cool stuff!  

Next week, we'll move on into the Animation Academy and do some artwork of our own.  We can't promise it'll be any good, but we'll do our best.

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The Saturday Slow-Down: Turtle Talk With Crush

The entrance to "Turtle Talk Theater"

Last time on the Saturday Slow-Down...

...we strolled into the Disney Animation Building in the Hollywood Backlot for some down-time in The Parks.  Today we're going to look at one of the many interactive options within one of our favorite buildings; Turtle Talk With Crush.

Turtle Talk With Crush is one of the very first rooms we went into the first time we went into the Animation Building with our kids many years ago, and so holds some pretty special memories for us (more on that in a future post, so stay tuned). 

The premise behind Turtle Talk is pretty simple.  Audiences gather in a "theater" where they interact, real-time, with Crush from "Finding Nemo".  A Cast Member is on hand to help move the show, which usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, along.  The children in the audience typically sit down front with a parent to get a better view of our favorite sea turtle, and so they can be in prime "turtle talking" distance.

Crush makes his appearance much to the delight of children and big children (a.k.a. "adults")

After explaining the process to the guests a computer generated Crush comes on screen to talk to the audience, as well as taking and answering questions from the kiddies.  We won't spoil the entire show by explaining exactly how it's done (you can probably guess much of it for yourself), but it's always great fun sitting in the audience and listening to the different types of questions both the kids and the adults in the audience throw in Crush's direction.  One of my personal favorites was hearing a little boy in front asking Crush if he enjoyed eating fish.  The look on Crush's face was priceless.  And one of our own kid's best was asking Crush where Nemo was to which he replied, "Is that little dude lost again?!"  The kids absolutely love their giant turtle friend, and a lot of times we'll go in for the show even when we don't have our own children with us.

Crush seems to be pondering the meaning of life. Either that, or he's rolling his eyes at some adult's inane question.

So, the next time you're in Disney California Adventure, give Turtle Talk With Crush a look-see.  Just be prepared with a question to ask the big guy should you be called upon.  You don't want to be one of "those people" who stumble, and generally cause a lot of laughter (and not the good kind), when given the opportunity to shine. 

Looking back we've probably spent about 40 minutes in the Animation Building at this point (if not more), but we'll say we've spent 20 minutes in the lobby watching movie clips and listening to music, and 20 minutes in Turtle Talk. 

Next week, we'll move on into the Sorcerer's Workshop and see what that interactive room has in store for us.  Can't wait!

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KILT (Karacters I Love Thursdays): Chip & Dale!

Mark's been talking about getting his picture taken with Chip & Dale (together!) for quite some time.  It didn't help matters at all, or help calm him down, when Chad kept telling him about the number of times he had taken pictures of Chip & Dale together.

A dream came true during an end of the summer trip when he walked out of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and saw both of his favorite chipmunks hanging around outside the store as you exit the attraction.

Mark (L) and Bryce (R) palling around with Chip & Dale

Next week, a villain!

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The Saturday Slow-Down: Disney Animation Building

If you spend time in The Parks on any kind of a regular basis you will undoubtedly find a "groove" at some point.  You begin to have your own favorite spots to eat (and favorite items to order there), your favorite attractions, favorite restrooms, and even a bunch of favorite "secrets" that you like to keep to yourself.  Along with that "groove" I spoke of earlier will also come favorite spots to hang out.   

That said, we thought it would be fun to take a few Saturdays in the future and slow it down a notch (hence the article's title) and look at some of our favorite spots in The Parks where we just like to take it easy and hang out.  One such spot for us is the "Disney Animation Building" in the Hollywood Backlot in Disney California Adventure.

Artwork and Disney quotes adorn many of the walls leading into the lobby

It's a place that we can go when we need a breather and just want to relax, and it is absolutely awesome!  And as you can well imagine, it's all about its namesake, Disney Animation.

There are actually five different areas in the building (six if you count "Off The Page", a store where you can shop for your own animation merchandise), all of them dedicated to the wonderful art of Disney that we all know and love so much.

The four "interactive" areas of the Animation Building:  
Sorcerer's Workshop, Character Close-Up, Animation Academy and Turtle Talk With Crush

Over the next few Saturdays, we'll take a more in-depth look at each one individually, but today's post will take aim at the first room you see when you enter the building, the Lobby; or, as our friend Ashley from Twitter likes to call it, "The Lobby of Awesome Disney Clips".  

'Fantasia' flits by

The lobby itself is much as it sounds like it would be; it's a lobby, after all.  There's lots of space for sitting and milling around, and it's huge!  But what makes this one so unique, and so darn cool, is the never-ending cycle of Disney artwork, concept drawings, and music from many of your favorite Disney flicks which continue to pour forth from every screen and speaker.

It's not exaggeration in the slightest to say that we could spend hours in here, with our backs pressed up against the wall, just listening and watching.  And, in point of fact, at any given moment in the lobby if you stop and look around, you'll see many other people doing just that.  It is, without a doubt, one of our favorite places to hang out.  It's a fantastic place to watch the world and the animation go by, and hum (or sing if we get especially brave) along with our favorite soundtracks.

We're pretty sure she's singing about playing in the sun right now

Next week, we'll take a look at Turtle Talk With Crush.  In the meantime, are there any favorite places to hang out while you're in The Parks?  Give us a comment!  We'd love to post on some of yours in the future.

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"Almost" Wordless Wednesday: Flynn's

Do we really need to say anything?

DitP Perspective: Muppet*Vision 3D

Attraction Notes:
Opened: Originally opened in Walt Disney World in 1991, opened in Disney California Adventure in 2001
Attraction Type: 3D movie
Length of attraction: ~15:00
Age: All Ages

Note: For this being a show review, we will do our best to keep from spoiling moments of the show.  We have no intention of spoiling it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but to encourage you to.

When you think of favorite childhood characters, most people would think of a Disney one right away.  Well, unlike most people, we often thought of Kermit the Frog,  Fozzie the Bear, or Gonzo the Whatever.  To us, they often seemed more real than our own two feet.  Having the chance to watch them on their outrageous adventures across America, London, Manhattan, and yes, even the infamous Area 51, was pure joy.  Now, thanks to Disney, we get to watch them in a whole new dimension, literally!  So let's get "movin' right along" and talk about Muppet*Vision 3D.

One of the greatest things about Muppet*Vision 3D is that the "show" isn't only the movie; there are tons of things to see and look at here!

Located in the heart of the Hollywood Backlot, the Muppet*Vision 3D Theater stands tall and proud.  Well, at least until the Muppets arrive (sorry, we've been spending way too much time with Waldord and Statler lately).  As you enter the building and make your way to the pre-show lobby, make sure that you pick up your 3D glasses; otherwise, have fun squinting your eyes for the next twenty minutes or so.  For those who have received their special glasses, you wont be needing them quite yet.  Make sure you spend some time before you enter the lobby checking out the hallway leading in.  There is a ton of detail in here and lots of things to see.  Definitely worth checking out!

Before you enter Muppet Theater you will be given entertaining instructions about the rules of the theater.  This is a must see!  If you can, make sure you get to the show early to check out the room and see the pre-show.  As you can see, the pre-movie lobby is full of gags, props, and other things to look at.  In addition, the many TVs surrounding the room broadcast a special Muppet Show (that often travels from TV to TV) which is meant to keep you occupied while you wait, but which is actually pretty funny.  Some of our favorite gags out of the entire Muppet*Vision 3D experience (the 3D movie included) actually happen during this pre-show, including a very funny appearance by Rizzo the Rat disguised as a very famous mouse.  

Families watching the "pre-show" in the lobby

Referencing our favorite of ALL of the Muppet movies

They even spelled the band name right - cool!

After receiving your instructions, you will "walka walka" into Muppet Theater, but remember not to stop in the middle of the aisle because that is unpatriotic (cue Sam the Eagle).  We love the Muppet theater.  It is very well detailed and like everything else in the building, there is loads to see.  Make sure before the movie starts that you take some time to look around and take it all in.  It won't stay looking that way for long once the Muppets get a hold of it.

So, is it time to "start the music, light the lights, and meet the Muppets tonight"?  Not just yet.  Time for some final last-minute instructions from the Muppets' lab assistant, and now that everyone knows the rules it's time to put on the show.  Soon you'll hear the melodious sounds of a penguin orchestra.  Why penguins, you might ask?  Beats us, "must have taken the job for the halibut".  And as the curtains rise, we get our first glimpse of the 3D Muppet world.

Muppet Theater just before the beginning of the show

Now we promised we wouldn't spoil the show for anyone, so we won't give away much in terms of show details.  Let's just say the Muppets are well represented, they're up to their usual hi-jinks, and nothing goes according to plan.  And there are plenty of other things to see in addition to the movie:  Waldorf and Statler are constantly heckling the Muppets from their perch in the balcony, the aforementioned penguin orchestra is constantly in motion and doing something, and a giant Sweetums walking around just to name a few.  As a special pointer, make sure and turn your head and look behind you during the Swedish Chef portions of the show.  They actually have a Chef animatronic back there who interacts with what's going on on-screen.  We didn't notice him for the longest time, but it's pretty funny stuff. 

That said, we do need your opinion on something.  In the "grand three hour finale", a "Tribute To All Nations But Mostly America", we've noticed that some of the toy soldiers in the background seem to have forgotten to put on their pants before the show.  Are they naked, or simply wearing brown pants?  What say you?  Whatever the case may be it never fails to keep us in stitches for the remainder of the movie.

We absolutely love Muppet*Vision 3D.  More often than not, if we're strolling through the Hollywood Backlot, we inevitably find ourselves in the Muppet building.  It's just a fun experience overall, and that's exactly how it goes about presenting itself and maybe that's why enjoy it so much.  And it's good for all ages!  Other than a few loud noises (cue explosions, cannon-fire and musket-shots), which never seem to bother any children when we're in there too much, there's nothing here that the little ones shouldn't enjoy.

Highly recommended!

Quite possibly the greatest band on the planet...

"Almost" Wordless Wednesday: ElecTRONica!!!

Yes, we think that TRON will rock too!

The Holidays In The Park: Disney California Adventure

Even though we may personally feel that Disney California Adventure might not be living up to its fullest potential, at least as far as Holiday decor is concerned, we still think there are some pretty neat decorations up and around this Park.  

It saddens us to say this will be the last year that the letters in California will be standing, and so the last year we'll see them with their candy cane feel.  But we're hopeful that with all of the changes that will soon be coming that there will also be some new Holiday decorations to look forward to, as well.

These are some of our favorites.  Hope you enjoy them, too!

We're going to miss the letters, and seeing them like this.  Glad we got to see them this way one more time.

Goofy doing what he does best on the letter "A"

It all starts with Mickey...

We tend to like this version even more than the real bridge.  Does the real one have a beautiful wreath on the front, too?

Why, Thank You, Mickey.  We'll do our best! (inside Greetings From California)

Flik thinks that he is Santa high atop the Fun Fair

We love this tree heading into Paradise Pier!  And while you're perusing, keep your peepers open and see if you can spot the Hidden Mickey on it.