Sams Disney Diary: The Podcast

Maps of the Disney Parks – A 143-page hardcover book from Disney Editions that traces the history of Disney Parks through maps, but not your standard park map. The book features: concept art, maps for things that never happened, attraction maps providing a real history lesson of Disney Parks. From the pre-opening day, original concepts of Disneyland and the latest concept maps, “Maps of the Disney Parks” is a Disney historian must have reference. From maps of Tom Sawyer Island, Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, to preview maps of Nature’s Wonderland, EPCOT Center and Typhoon Lagoon, I can spend the better part of the day just looking at the details.  My recent purchase reminded me of the D23 Expo 2017 Breakout Session of the same title, a session I circled early on as a must do at the conference. Little did I know that this session would be Marty Sklar’s second to last public appearance; excusing himself toward the end of the session so he could prepare for the Legends of Imagineering ceremony (Fu

Last year for Christmas I focused on the current, SamsDisneyDiary 12 days of Christmas, featuring 12 different Disney parks’ Christmas events covering Florida and California parks.  This year, we are going back in time.   Back 30 years to be exact, to the 1987 Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Day Parade.   Originally aired 30 years ago on Christmas morning, the concept was very similar to today; a preview of what’s new at Walt Disney World and what to expect in the next few years.  A 90 minute long commercial so to speak.   And in 1987, it was the dawn of the Michael Eisner “Disney Decade”, the beginning of a massive decade long expansion of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  Get more details at www.samsdisneydairy.com look for Episode #101. I don’t know about you, but I love looking back at these time capsules; a look into the parks, what’s new, what’s on the horizon some of which made it and some that didn’t.  It’s also interesting that after 30 years, the conversation continues.  While we watch this yea

Since 2011, Disneyland guests have been treated to the daily “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade”. The afternoon and sometime nighttime parade is led by none other than Mickey Mouse himself with his syncopated drum line. Mickey’s Soundsational Parade travels from Town Square to It’s a Small World with the direction alternating every day. Mickey is followed by troops or energetic dancers, musicians and many of his friends. It’s a music celebration… Come on, come on, come on; Strike up the band. Feel the beat. What a great sensation. Come on, come on, come on; Move and clap your hands. Get into the spirit. Let everyone hear it. So come on, come on Soundsational. Whoa, whoa - hey, hey, hey. Whoa, whoa - hey, hey! The history of parades at Disneyland can be traced all the way back to opening day in 1955 – and Mickey’s Soundsational represents the latest. For more details, check out the blog here and at  samsdisneydairy.com, the podcast and of course… The Disney Nerds Podcast.

The Hollywood that never was, but always will be…that’s the theme behind Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. It’s also the theme for the Movie Magic Projection Show that debuted earlier in 2017. Leveraging the projection mapping added to Hollywood Studio’s Chinese Theater for the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular, Movie Magic adds sort of a “night cap” to your day at the studios. The projection mapping technology fits nicely inside Hollywood Studios. Disney Movie Magic lasts about 10 minutes and is the first stand-alone projection at the park. Is it a sign of things to come? Absolutely, and an easy way to showcase new properties like Guardians of the Galaxy, and a way to feed the cult following of other properties like Tron and The Nightmare Before Christmas in a way that makes sense. You can even throw in Walt Disney audio and a cameo of Tom Hanks portraying Walt from Saving Mr. Banks, and it feels right. While the show currently plays the role of a “Pre-Show” to the nightly Star Wars Galactic Spectacular Fi

#98: Rockin with the Disneyland Band The Disneyland Marching Band has been a staple of Disneyland’s Main Street USA since opening day in 1955.   Leading up to Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, Disney set out to “Liven up the Band”, and “Reimagine” the Disneyland Band guest experience.  They increased the number of band members to 18 and increased the number of performances throughout the day.  Check your Times Guide.   Just before the 60th Anniversary celebration in 2015, Disneyland announced that the Disneyland Band would be premiering a new sound with new musical arrangements and themed performances along with a high-energy choreography, bringing a new level of entertainment to Disneyland guests. With all of the 60th Anniversary events, it was easy to miss that announcement.  It took me just about 2 years to catch the full impact!   And boy did I!  On a recent trip, I noticed the Disneyland Band marching from Tomorrowland through the hub toward It’s a Small World.   Naturally, I grabbed my camera and

The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters, was a limited time event at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.  The event featured a live orchestra and appearances from Disney Pixar characters.  The event was part of the “2017 Summer Celebration” and featured multiple performances a day in the Hollywood Studios Theater of Stars on Sunset Boulevard.  The theater may be best known as the Beauty and the Beast Stage, which was performed during the day, with The Music of Pixar Live performances in the evening, typically 5:00, 6:30 and 7:45pm.  Featuring highlights from some of Pixar’s greatest movie scores like – Toy Story, Cars, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Up, the performance is an emotional journey of Pixar story telling via music. The live performance took advantage of the huge video screens originally installed for Star Wars Weekends back in 2015 (SamsDisneyDiary #51).  The display, along with the live orchestra, provided a window into Pixar movie magic; and in some cases, had me watching the scre

While Marc’s animation career is well documented, a renewed interest in Marc’s time in the early days of WED has emerged.  With the discovery of some never before seen art work, photographs and attractions that never happened such as Yestermorrow Time Machine, The Fort Wilderness Funhouse, the Garden of Gods and A Silly Symphony attraction, Marc Davis time in Imagineering was a perfect topic for a D23 Expo 2017 panel.  Who better to lead the discussion than Peter Doctor (Pixar Director) and Christopher Merritt (Disney Imagineer), both of which have interviewed Marc personally and have strong connections to Marcs Wife, and fellow Imagineer, Alice Davis.  The focus of the panel and forthcoming book by Peter and Christopher is Marc’s time in Imagineering.  The panel in its entirety is the subject of SamsDisneyDiary Episode #96.  Thanks for watching, and be sure to subscribe for all of the latest.

The Disney Data and Analytic Conference 2017 "Big Bad Data, Wickedly Good Analytics" Keynote address featured non other than Technology Icon, Steve Wozniak.  If your a Disney Fan or Technologist, you will love the insight Steve provides on Disney Parks and Technology.  This Bonus Episode of SamsDisneyDiary is the full Keynote Session!

At the D23 Expo 2015 – 2 years ago, Richard Sherman first introduced us to “A Kiss Goodnight”.  It is the story of a young Walt Disney, a poor farm boy from Marceline, Missouri who was fascinated by the annual Fourth of July fireworks.  It was those fireworks that led to the initial spark that leads to Walt’s great imagination…the imagination that would ultimately bring us Disneyland.  Remembering the Fourth of July fireworks from home, Walt wanted to leave every Disneyland guest with a special “Kiss Goodnight”, a Fourth of July fireworks celebration every night.  We first heard Ashley Brown sing that song at the Expo in 2015.  The song “A Kiss Goodnight” was featured during the Disneyland 60thAnniversary fireworks. It’s fitting two years later, at the D23 Expo 2017: “A Kiss Goodnight” a special book co-created by Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Floyd Norman, made its debut.  What I would consider an adult picture book, starts with “Long ago, there was a farm in Missouri…” and concludes with “There was

2017 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Disney Legends Award, and the opening of the D23 Expo featured the “Legends Ceremony” honoring the 10 newest Disney Legends representing film, movie, television, theater, animation, publishing and voice personalities.  For 2017, the inductees included: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Oprah Winfrey, Stan Lee, and Garry Marshall among others.  Personally, I’m partial to the Imagineers, the people behind the Disney Parks…the people that “found a way to get it done”.  The final panel of the D23 Expo focused on the Imagineering Legends, and the newest being Wayne Jackson.  One of Wayne’s many accomplishments? Moving It’s a Small World from the 1964/65 NY World Fair to Disneyland!  It sounds easy enough, but how do you do that?  Where do you start?  Wayne found a way to make it happen; after all, that’s what Imagineers do…make it happen.  The panel was really a history lesson.   Hosted by John Stamos, yes the John Stamos, who has the “D” from the Disneyland sign in his back yard,

The D23 Expo is the ultimate Disney fan event, with something for everyone.  While most people flock to the Expo Hall and the Big stage “Hall D23” for the big announcement, I prefer the smaller breakouts.   The real Disney Details.  Stage 28 is a great example, a smaller, yet large stage designed to get a little deeper into all things Disney.  Presentations like this one are just speculator – Voices of the Disney Parks!!!   A gem and a session I wish the session was 3 hours long, not just one.   So many questions I’d love to ask.  I hope you enjoy. 

From the official Disney Arrchives to the Pirates of the Caribbean 50 years of Swashbuckling fun panel, the D23 Expo 2017 was the place to be for Pirates! While the 50 years of Pirates arena panel focused on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the Disney Archives took the Disney Pirate connection to a whole new level, tracing Walt Disney’s love of pirates all the way back to the 1920s. If you’re into Disney History, and Pirates – The D23 Expo 2017 was the place for you! If you didn’t make it, here are some of the highlights, along witht he Full 50 Year of Pirates of the Caribbean panel. Be sure to subscribe for more from the D23 Expo and beyond.

The 1988 Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular, originally aired on ABC July 3rd 1988. It’s important to remember back in 1988, marketing of Walt Disney World and Disneyland was still separate so this wasn’t a Disney Parks presentation, but a Walt Disney World Celebration of America. Maybe even more so, a celebration of what’s new for the summer of 1988. Be sure to check out the Video and Blog at www.samsdisneydiary.com   You’ll find full audio in the podcast on iTunes, Google Play and full video at SamsDisneyDiary or Youtube.  

A new adventure awaits at Walt Disney Worlds Animal Kingdom. Encounter winged creatures that you can fly and rivers that glow. Can you find these things in Africa or Asia? No. Where in the world? Well, they’re not in this world. The all-new Pandora - The world of Avatar is a land within Animal Kingdom.  Providing a unique experience, completely disconnected from Animal Kingdom itself.   You have entered Pandora, where everything is familiar but different; it’s a surreal experience.   Rather than making a straight line to the latest attractions, the Valley invites you to explore. And that's exactly what we will do in this episode of SamsDisneydiary.  Explore both attractions including the pre-show.  Be sure to stick around for my review, live from Hollywood Studios ;-)  And be sure to check out the video at youtube.com/SamsDisneyDiary or in the bonus content of this Podcast! Thanks for listening!

The hidden gem of the Festival Center has to be “The Garden Theater” featuring the “Making of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2017”. A wonderful behind the scenes look at the activities that happen behind the scenes, the 45 minute “show” is on a continuous loop and plays while the Festival Center is open. This the is type of behind the scenes documentary that I love, the type of television special I go out of my way to record. But there was no way for me to take it home, no way to watch it, without spending 45 minutes of my day in the theater. I tried to buy it, but it isn’t available. So I did the next best thing, and I set up my tripod and recorded the entire documentary.   And that documentary was the one little spark that led to this episode of SamsDisneyDiary.  You’ll find full audio in the podcast on iTunes, Google Play and full video at SamsDisneyDiary or Youtube.

What is "A Living Character", what is the “Disney Living Character Initiative”.  As I watched “Muppet Mobile Labs” at Walt Disney World’s Epcot in late 2016, i couldn't help but ask myself exactly that?  Some quick internet searches, really didn't provide any insight...  So I did some home work, and come up with the best answer I could..  It's all in this episode of SamsDisneyDiary. Thanks for Listening.  Be sure to check for the latest videos www.youtube.com/samsdisneydiary email samsdisneydiary@mail.com and of course www.samsdisneydiary.com      

On the 12th day of Christmas, Sams Disney Diary gave to me, Disneyland Small World Holiday.  Absolutely amazing, a remarkable holiday overlay to a classic Disneyland attractions that just keeps me wanting more.  From Santa Clause to traditional holiday settings throughout the attraction along with a few Disney characters.  Small World Holiday is perfect, and a reason for you to visit Disneyland during the holidays.   I hope you enjoy!!  Disneyland Small World Holiday Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast!  iTunes

On the last episode of SamsDisneyDiary, we focused on the holiday story tellers around World Showcase.  This time, let’s take a musical tour around World Showcase.   Music is such an important piece of any Walt Disney World experience, and the Holidays around World Showcase are no exception.  Let’s start with an Epcot original, the Mariachi Cobre, then a quick look into the famous Candlelight Processional, followed by the Voices of Liberty, the American Music Machine and a full set from one of my favorites, the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast!

Epcot Holidays Around the World is an annual holiday celebration, and Epcot’s 3rd annual “festival” – not only around world showcase, but all of Epcot. Similar to flower and garden and food and wine, grab your “Holiday Passport” and start enjoying all of the unique destinations, and entertainment offerings. From the Candlelight Processional to Merchandise to entertainment, the Guide Book is your map to everything happening. For 2016 My Favorite “Holiday Entertainment”, Not only because of the brand new location in front of “Frozen Ever After” is Sigrid and Julenissen. A Storyteller is surprised by a mischievous Christmas Gnome. The comedic value keeps the kids entertained and adults alike. On the 10th day of Christmas Sams Disney Diary gave to me a Norwegian Christmas Tale. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast!  iTun

Epcot’s Fountain of Nations is located directly behind Spaceship Earth, so you can’t miss it; in fact, you walked past it more than once on your last trip.  Every fifteen minutes, the fountain springs into life with a water ballet choreographed to music.  While the fountain operates daily, during the holidays it becomes part of the Epcot holiday tradition.   But you won’t find it on the map, or Times Guide.  It’s an Epcot secret.  Today I have a special treat, a 30 minute continuous recording from the 2016 holiday edition of Fountain of Nations.  My camera was positioned behind the fountain looking toward the front of the park.  Relax and enjoy, Epcot Fountain of Nations Holiday Edition. Thanks for watching and listening to SamsDisneyDiary.  Be sure to check out all 12 days of Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas playlist.  Subscribe to the YouTube channel and be sure to check out Sams Disney Diary the Podcast!  iTunes