On January 24 Xlibris (a print on demand online bookstore) released Walt’s People – Talking Disney with the Artists who Knew Him – Volume 1, the first volume of a series of books that aims to re-animate the field of Disney research. The Walt’s People book series, edited by Didier Ghez, is a collection of the best interviews ever conducted with Disney artists.
The Orlando Sentinal considers the documentary film "Dream on, Silly Dreamer" that captured the final days of hand drawn animation at the Walt Disney Studios. The article also has a look at some of the personal stories that arose from the closing of the Disney Animation Studios in Orlando. For instance, Project Firefly Animation Studios… Read More »Dream On, Animation Funereal Dirge
Despite improved attendance numbers, apples to apples profit numbers reveal that the parks are having their worst years since the 80s. I’m sure the number crunchers up in Burbank have better models than me, but since you asked… the company is now reaping what it has sowed. The 90s were supposed to be the Disney Decade at the Themeparks. Instead we saw cuts in attraction budgets, a reliance on the cheaper (sometimes! remember the expensive mistake that was Light Magic) entertainment, cuts in training, and an across the board slashing of maintenance budgets. Not only has this resulted in death and injury at the theme parks, but it affected Disney brand as the top quality family entertainment vacation destination.
Comingsoon.net reports on the progress of two new Disney flix: A remake of Swiss Family Robinson and a new film based off Disney’s themepark attraction, The Jungle Cruise. Now since the theme of The Jungle Cruise was largely lifted from the African Queen, you’d think they would find some similarity there. But it looks to… Read More »Jungle Cruise, The Movie
For a long time, Peter on the stage was played by a young woman in tights – the rump, as it were, of late Victorian theatre. A nubile woman in the role, with her frank appeal to the heterosexual adult tastes of the fathers in the house, obscured the difficult matters of child sexuality, sibling… Read More »Oedipus Pan
Over at The Disney Blog: Kid’s World, we’re examining the origins of my favorite Disney song "It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow."
Forbes reports the yearly tally of attendance at major Themeparks worldwide. The numbers are up with the hurricanes having hardly any affect at all on the final tally for Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Second Place is once again claimed by Disneyland.
Scott visited Epcot this last weekend and the result is this fabulous collection of photos. Have a look. Cory Doctorow, author of Down and Out at the Magic Kingdom, has also been visiting Orlando recently. His photos are up on Flickr. And LaughingPlace.com has pictures up of the Holidays at California Adventure.