Dancing with the Stars 6.5 Results
The bottom five couples were so close last night, I’m really not confident in my predictions. I’m quite interested to see who is in the bottom two and who leaves.
disney
And now for a moment of Magic Kingdom Zen
I am 100% sure this will happen to me someday.
Repatriating White Rhinos – 10 Years of Caring: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Next to his own most intimate self-concerns, man is most fascinated by creatures of the animal kingdom. — Walt Disney In 2006, two white rhinos, both born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, became the first-ever to repatriate from the United States to Africa. The two white… Read More »Repatriating White Rhinos – 10 Years of Caring: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Imagineer Kim Irvine talks about “it’s a small world” changes
Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine was just on KCRW’s design and architecture show. She talked about changes coming to “it’s a small world” and the fan uproar surrounding said changes. You’ll probably be able to find an archive or transcript of the show at the KCRW… Read More »Imagineer Kim Irvine talks about “it’s a small world” changes
Walt Disney Studios honors Ollie Johnston 1912-2008
The Walt Disney Studios has issued a long tribute to Disney Legend Ollie Johnston’s life in the form of the traditional press obituary. It contains many deserved and heart felt tributes from luminaries in the very field Johnston helped define as well as details of Johnston’s richly lived life. Roy E. Disney, John Lasseter, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja and John Canemaker all have tributes.
The full press release is below the cut:
Previously: List of online tributes to Ollie Johnston, Legendary Disney Animator.
Read More »Walt Disney Studios honors Ollie Johnston 1912-2008
VMK: Saving Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom
This is the story of how Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) came to its end and how and why it doesn’t have to be that way.
The year is 1959. Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom of Disneyland is just about to enter its third year of operations. Disneyland has been very successful not just in attendance, but in creating a new type of community; a remaking of Main Street America in Walt’s image. Walt calls Disneyland his great experiment. He uses it to cross-promote his movies, television shows, and his growing interest in urban planning.
However, something is not quite right. The surrounding area has penned his magical kingdom in with cheap looking motels and tourist traps. Disneyland really needs to grow, add new attractions, even remake whole parts of the theme park that just aren’t working. Walt has got grand ideas, add a steel roller coaster hidden inside the Matterhorn, bring online a monorail system (even extending to Downtown Los Angeles), remake parts of Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and even Main Street. Perhaps to open even a whole new city where urban blight will be a thing of the past.
All that will cost money, take time, and talent. Those are resources Walt could use elsewhere in his growing company. So he decides that his ‘experiment’ in 360 degree themed entertainment has been a success. But he wants those customers go enjoy one of his other projects where there is a higher margin so he can afford his future plans.
So, shocking everyone who has come to love and enjoy Disneyland, worked there, made friends there, even come to regard its wide avenues and wondrous attractions as part of Americana itself, Walt Disney decides to end his experiment and set up shop elsewhere (perhaps Florida, where he’ll have more room).
Dancing with the Stars 6.5 – Latin Night
It’s time for the hottest night of the competition. Unlike normal weeks where half the couples are doing a Latin dance and half are doing a ballroom dance, this week, everyone will be doing a Latin routine. So turn on a fan (or the air conditioner) and let’s get to it.
Ollie Johnston, last of Walt’s Nine Old Men, Disney Animator dead at 95
Some very sad news to impart tonight. Jenny Lerew and a host of other animation sites are paying tribute to Ollie Johnston, who died today at the age of 95 in Sequim, Washington. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Ollie was the last… Read More »Ollie Johnston, last of Walt’s Nine Old Men, Disney Animator dead at 95