Sams Disney Diary: The Podcast

New for the summer of 2019 just past the Rock and Roller Coaster in the Sunset Showplace you’ll find Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.  The courtyard outside the academy is a perfect spot to get a picture with Cruz Ramirez and the Piston Cup.  Don’t forget to check your times guide for DJs dance party –“DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” where you gather around DJ for Cars-inspired dances and games.  Then cruise on inside for the Racing Academy.  The Academy premiered on March 31, 2018.  The show lasts about 10 minutes, inviting guests into the world of Pixar animated, “Cars”, where you become a rookie racer and learn the rules of the road from Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen himself.  Lightning appears live on stage with a 17-foot-tall wraparound screen stretching more than 200 feet across.  Lightning shares racing knowledge he gathered over the course of his career- and if there’s one thing he’s learned?  Things don’t always go the way they are supposed to, but with some help from your friends – you’ll g

Produced by Tampa's WTVT in 1989, now FOX 13 Tampa, “The Making of… The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park” was hosted by Fred Newman.  He also hosted the “All New Mickey Mouse Club” from 1989-1994 which was filmed at the Studios.  The behind the scenes special includes a storyline featuring Fred Newman going undercover to find out what this Hollywood in Florida is all about.  The Storyline is a little corny in retrospect, but the interviews with Imagineers and construction images more than make up for the storyline.  Also included are images as far back as April 1987 when only a hole where Echo Lake would be was identifiable.  We get to watch the iconic Chinese Theater get its top and a look at how Hollywood influenced construction all over Hollywood Boulevard, from the Crossroads of America to California crazy architecture.  The interviews with cast members during construction and Disney Executives including Michael Eisner and Jeffery Katzenberg echo what MGM Studios was all about at opening, a working movie and

Just over 30 years ago, April 30th, 1989, John Ritter introduced us to the concept of the Disney MGM Studios, a new theme park that was a fully functioning television and movie production studio providing you a peek behind the scenes at moviemaking magic where you could even be part of the action.  If you're into Disney history, the 90-minute special is a must watch – You can catch the full episode here Walt Disney World celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening for Disney Studios earlier this month.  The festivities included a cavalcade of Disney characters on Hollywood Boulevard led by none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse.   Mickey and Minnie introduced us to the Disney Hollywood Studios new logo and limited time merchandise, food, and drinks commemorating the 30th Anniversary. It’s hard to believe that when the studios opened, MGM Studios was a half day park, a side trip from Epcot where you could learn how movies were made.  Fast forward 30 years and Disney Hollywood Studios is about to become the

Cinderella Castle is the ultimate theme park icon and the perfect backdrop for a classic Disney stage show.   The current show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, has been making daily performances since June 2016.  The castle stage saw some refurbishment along with the hub, expanding viewing locations and making the area more guest friendly.  The 23-minute musical celebration is hosted by none other than Mickey and Minnie.  In total, 15 Disney characters from different stories come together to showcase the discoveries you can make through friendship. The Merry Makers have invited guests from other lands to join them in a grand celebration.  In addition to Mickey and Minnie, the show features Donald, Daisy, and Goofy with appearances from the newest Disney Classics: Frozen, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog. Check your time's guide, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire is presented multiple times a day.

All new for 2019, it’s a surprise celebration honoring the originals, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, with new merchandise and beverage offerings including the Mickey Sipper and Birthday Hat Straw at various quick-serve restaurants throughout Magic Kingdom. Don’t miss the Mickey Burger at Cosmic Rays. The burger comes with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, flaming hot cheese dust, and bacon served on a Mickey Mouse bun. You’ll also find a wide variety of merchandise and special entertainment including Mickey and Minnie greeting guests together at Town Square Theater in their celebration outfits; and they keep the party going with an all new street party, bringing all of their favorite Disney pals in the “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” right in front of Cinderella Castle. Mickey and Minnie will have their brand new celebration outfits covered in confetti and pompoms to lead the energetic, live-singing host on a fun-filled “mouse”-ical procession down Main Street USA to Cinderell

The Mariachi Cobre has been entertaining guests traveling around Epcot’s World Showcase since opening day making them one of the best-known Mariachi bands in the world. The internationally-acclaimed performers share that opening day distinction with only the Voices of Liberty. The Mariachi Cobre started in 1971, a full 10 years before Epcot Opening Day. It was formed by Randy Carrillo with the support of his younger brother Steve, his friend Mack Ruiz, and musical arranger, Frank Grijalva. Mariachi played in Anaheim at Disneyland for a Cinco De Mayo event not long after they became an opening day addition to Epcot where they have been playing ever since. The group has worked with such renowned artists as Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias, Vicki Carr, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Ana Gabriel, Guadalupe Pineda, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Rocio Banquells, and Beatriz Adriana. Those recordings include:  Mariachi Cobre, Este es Mi Mariachi and XXV Anniversary. While the Mariachi Cobre continues to entertain guests with trad

Spring is in the air, and the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is right around the corner.  If you’re like most people, you head straight to the festival blooms and topiaries around World Showcase.  But wait, what is that?  A parade of gardeners headed toward Test Track in Future World, or is it?   That’s none other than the JAMMitors bringing their synchronized sounds with “Found” equipment…  and for the Flower and Garden Festival.  Those my friends are the Jammin’ Gardeners using their gardening gear as instruments.

One of Walt’s Nine Old Men, Marc was revered for his knowledge and understanding of visual aesthetics. He was responsible classic Disney characters including: Snow White, Bambi, Brer Rabbit, Fox and Bear, Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Alice, Tinkerbell and Cruella de Vil. After 101 Dalmatians in 1961, Marc Davis was recruited by Walt to become one of the original members of WED Enterprise, as one of the original Imagineers. Marc was heavily involved in the development of all the 1964-65 World’s Fair attractions: From the dinosaurs in Ford’s Magic Skyway, to the family in Carousel of Progress, children of the world in Small World, and creating the “illusion” that Abraham Lincoln could stand up. After the World’s Fair, Marc followed the attractions back to Disneyland where he noted that none of the existing attractions included humor. He worked on the “re-do” of the Jungle Cruise that included the introduction of humor. Marc went on to heavily influence Tiki Room, The Country Bears, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Cari

What does the Pixar Play Parade at Disney’s California Adventure (March 2008 – August 2017), the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade at WDW Hollywood Studios (January 2011 – April 2013), and the Pixar Play Parade “Pixar Fest Edition” Disneyland (April 2018 - November 2018) all have in common?  I’ll give you 5, 4, 3, 2…. FUN. Yes, they are all Disney/Pixar parades… AND they all share the same soundtrack.  “Welcome to our world of play. Come on, it’s time to celebrate…. everyone countdown to fun, yea… 5, 4, 3, 2, Fun...”.  While they share the same soundtrack and mostly the same characters, they don’t share the same floats.  In fact, the parade itself is much different between the Florida and California versions.  California Adventure used floats that featured water jets that would shoot water into the crowds, while most of the floats at WDW Hollywood Studios were recycled from the Block Party Bash from disneyland(March 14, 2008 – January 2011).  Block Party Bash itself was more of a traveling stage show than a

Disney and Pixar Did That? Advertisements and Animated Commercials –– Join archivists and research specialists from across The Walt Disney Company who help to oversee Disney and Pixar historical collections as they share with you rarely seen advertising campaigns and animated commercials spanning from the 1930s to Pixar’s efforts of the 1990s. Through artwork, film clips, and stories behind some of the familiar, yet no-so familiar projects, learn about a little-known aspect of the creative history of Disney and Pixar while gaining new perspectives on the productions and products themselves. The panelists included: • Elizabeth Spatz, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Archives • Kevin M. Kern, Walt Disney Archives • Fox Carney, Animation Research Library (ARL) • Christine Freeman, Pixar Living Archives Each bringing wonderful insight directly from the Archive they represent. Along with interesting trivia like: Tinker Bell advertised the first commercially available glass jar with a s

California, Here We Come!!!! – That’s what you hear headed down Buena Vista Street toward Carthay Circle at Disney’s California Adventure, multiple times a day. The News Boys are arriving on the Red Car Trolley with a copy of today’s late edition.  Did you see that headline?  “Walt Disney Arrives in Hollywood” “Mr Disney, he traveled west just a few bucks to his name.  Along the way, he met Mickey Mouse, and the world will never be the same.  He had a suitcase and a dream.” Ok, so that’s not exactly how it happened, but it does make for great show.  Like the Five and Dime, the News Boys have been a part of Disney’s California Adventure since the re-dedication in June of 2012.   With Carthay Circle Theater as the backdrop, the show drops us right into the 1920s, well 1923 to be exact, when a young Walt Disney arrived with his suitcase and a dream.  The show’s theme fits perfectly into the 1920s influenced Buena Vista Street.  The inspirational show is all about following your dream, with an original song, Suit

What’s that making its way down Hollywood Blvd to Carthay Circle in Disney’s California Adventure? That’s nothing but an old jalopy, or is it?  That old jalopy makes its way down Hollywood Blvd multiple times a day.  The five jazz performers and one powerful vocalist riding along are none other than the Five and Dime. The Five and Dime fit the 1920s theme of Buena Vista Street perfectly and set the stage for your day at Disney’s California Adventure.  The 15-minute show has been performed daily since the re-dedication of DCA in 2012.  The group sold everything they had back in Chicago, purchased the jalopy, and drove all the way to Hollywood to make it big in the movie business.  Dime, the singer, is quick to drop her microphone and start the jazz with 1920s and 30s classics like “I Got Rhythm” and “Ain’t We Got Fun”.  All that fun proves too much for Goofy to resist joining in on the action.  As the story goes, the Five fellas from Chicago and the female vocalist named Dime hit it big when they met a fellow

Shortly after the opening of Walt Disney World’s Toy Story Land, Disney Parks presented “To Infinity and Beyond”, a look at what’s next from Disney Parks and Resorts all over the world.  The presentation took place at The Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort, which is currently in the middle of a major renovation itself, a 15 story expansion to be exact. The presentation included Gorge Kalogridjs, President Walt Disney World Resort; Catherine Powell, President Disney Parks Western Region; Kathy Mangum, Kevin Rafferty, Charita Carter and Scott Mallwitz from Walt Disney Imagineering; Laurie Jordan, Senior Vice President, Disney Parks Live Entertainment, and a special Q&A Round Table. Focused on What’s Next, New and Exciting at Disney Parks, the presentation focuses on the Incredible Summer of 2018 and the adventures planned for Disney Parks around the world including:  Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, both coming to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studio, along

Star-Lord and Gamora take guests on a musical journey through the cosmos in the Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live! show at Epcot. Featuring hits from Star-Lord’s Awesome Mixtapes, the show really functions as sort of pre-show to the pre-show that will be in the new attraction. “Recent events have brought our interesting planet to the attention of Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire”.  Star Lord has identified “Epcot” as a cultural epicenter of our planet, and as part of an outreach program, Xandar has sent cultural ambassadors to be the first to share Xandar’s extra-terrestrial cultures with us.  Music is an important part of Xandaran History, so to be the first representatives Xandar has identified the finest and bright artist to share the harmonious songs of Xandar.  The show starts with the Xandarian Chamber Orchestra playing some traditional Xandaran music…  and as you would expect, it isn’t exactly pleasant to us earthlings.  The show is quickly interrupted by Peter Quill, who sets the record s

The Walt Disney Archives Stage at the D23 Expo is a must do for me. It is the first schedule I check when the lineup is announced, an amazing assortment of Disney history and inside information from the experts. With the dates for the D23 Expo 2019 recently announced (August 23-25) and some recent changes at your local Disney Store, I remembered The Walt Disney Company’s Celebrated Product Legacy and the Exciting Future Ahead session from 2017. Hosted by Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, the session was the first of the day on Friday, the same time as the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony; but knowing that the legends ceremony would be all over YouTube, I decided to cover the product showcase. The description read, “Get an inside look at the making of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel products and collectibles and get a first look at exciting new products before they hit the shelves!” The description did not include the wonderful giveaway bag, preview of the new Disney Store, parade of expert

The spring of 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. My favorite of Epcot’s 4 annual festivals, Flower and Garden is a beautiful time to visit; and for someone living in the northern United States, a sure sign of spring and a welcome break to the northern winter. Starting February 28th, 2018, just 9 days after the Festival of Arts, the Flower and Garden Festival starts its 90 day run at Walt Disney World’s Epcot through May 28th, Memorial Day and traditional start of summer in the United States. The Flower and Garden Festival has something for everyone in the family; from play gardens to outdoor kitchens, the whole family can find something to keep them entertained.

Back in Episode #91, I covered the 1988 Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular and Episode #101 was the 1987 Christmas Day Parade both a the beginning of the “Disney Decade”, the period of time starting in the late 1980’s into the 1990’s.  Michael Eisner was CEO, and Michael leveraged a formula that Walt himself had perfected: leverage television to promote Disney Parks.  Not the same way it’s done today, but in a “let’s show the audience why they should come to the parks” sort of way.  Something that the company has gotten away from recently.  Have you noticed the recent televised Christmas celebrations aren’t really parades at all, but a showcase of Disney recording artists performing in front of park icons? That’s a story for another blog. By the mid-1990’s, the cadence had been set; audiences, especially youngsters, could expect an Easter Day parade, 4th of July fireworks and Christmas Day parade all “live” from Walt Disney World.  Live, in quotes of course; but as one of those youngsters and befor

Last year, 2017 marked the first Epcot Festival of Arts; a weekend event designed to showcase Disney culinary, performance and visual arts. The Figment topiary greeting guests and the art work all around World Showcase was a great touch, and the blending of Epcot history gave a contemporary feel to the festival.   To say the event was a success is an understatement. The second annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts in 2018 expanded to 7 days a week and stretched from January 12-February 19th – A perfect fit between Holidays Around the World and the always popular Flower and Garden Festival. Featuring world-class cuisine, remarkable visual art and an extraordinary lineup of live entertainment, the Festival of Arts allowed guests to experience art in action all around World Showcase. Festival of Arts is everything you love about the arts all rolled up into one salute! Feast on artistic dishes with a delicious Disney twist at specially-created food studios. Witness the incredible talent behind Disney

The Disney Family Album was an original documentary series produced by The Disney Channel in the mid 1980’s. Episodes aired from June 1984 until January 1986 with each episode running about 30 minutes. They were produced by Michael Bonifer along with Carden Walker, the son of Card Walker (The third Disney Company leader after Walt and Roy Disney). The series lasted just 20 episodes and was designed to take a look at the artist and performance that shaped Disney Studios and Disney Parks, most of whom worked directly with Walt. The people featured created some of the most iconic Disney characters, movies and attractions ever developed. Narrated by Buddy Ebsen, the series is a true history lesson and provides the perfect time capsule with incredible insight and behind the scenes stories. In the greater scheme of things, the timing of these 20 episodes was perfect; any earlier or later in Disney History, and they may not have happened. Of the 20 episodes produced, 7 showcased one of Walt’s Nine Old Men: Marc Davi

With great fanfare, Epcot celebrated its 35th Anniversary this past October 1st. The Epcot 35 Commemorative Ceremony included an Epcot Musical Tribute by the legendary “Voices of Liberty” – including songs like Making Memories, Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit; One Little Spark and Horizons. There were also special D23 Presentations and a special Epcot 35 Tribute following Illuminations that evening – Illuminations 35. I was lucky to represent The Disney Nerds Podcast and attend some of the media events, including interviews with Imagineers, the Vice President of Epcot and a 35 Year Epcot Cast Member. You can see those videos here. An amazing experience, and sincere thanks to The Disney Nerds Podcast. If you’re an Epcot fan, you know that every fall brings the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. A major part of that festival is the “Eat to the Beat” Concert series.   Eat to the Beat is a nightly concert series featuring popular bands from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s included with Epcot admission. Eat to the Beat features 3 p