Walt Disney in a Home Movie at DisneyLand - 1956

via vimeo.com
Through a "post of a post" I found this video that I just had to share! Quite a gem!

Jeff Altman, the owner of this visual trip back in time writes:

"Shot by my grandfather on his Bell & Howell Filmo using 16mm Kodachrome film stock. This footage was taken a year after the California theme park opened.
It was quite a surprise going through this and seeing my grandmother meeting Walt Disney himself! I've been doing my best to find out what they were shooting at the front of the park. So far I've been unsuccessful.
Transferred to HD (1080PsF 23.98) myself off a Spirit and Color Corrected using a da Vinci 2k Plus. Slowed to 18fps to match the original film speed."

Posted via web from Walt Disney Says...

Walt Disney in a Home Movie at DisneyLand - 1956

Have You Seen the Magic Kingdom Frontierland Hoedown?

via disneyparks.disney.go.com

Posted on April 8th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks. He writes:

"I have fond memories of Frontierland Hoedown at Magic Kingdom Park and there’s a chance you do too. It’s been part of the park experience over the years. Frontierland Hoedown Happening is the latest installment…and yes, you can be part of the show.
The action begins without notice at Walt Disney World. A lone operator from Big Thunder Mountain walks into the street and starts waving a hat. He’s soon joined by other residents of Frontierland, including the Country Bears and other friends. See for yourself."
 
Have you "hoedowned" while in Frontierland?

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Have You Seen the Magic Kingdom Frontierland Hoedown?

See The Special Peter Pan Exhibit at The Walt Disney Family Museum Apr 7 - June 27

(April 7, 2010) Peter Pan, a story which captivated the imagination of Walt Disney as early as 1935, will be showcased in a special exhibition at The Walt Disney Family Museum from April 7 – June 27, 2010.  The feature-length animated film, released in 1953,  will also be celebrated as the Museum’s film of the month in May.
Highlights of the exhibition include 16 original concept drawings by renowned Disney artist Mary Blair, which were loaned to the Museum by the Walt Disney Animation Studios Research Library. Also on display are 1930s character sketches, storyboard outlines, original concept art, model sheets, and vintage posters from the collection of the Walt Disney Family Foundation. This stunning collection of works, combined with special artifacts and Mary Blair’s concept art, reveals the evolution and results of the 1953 film. This project was also the last in which all members of Disney's illustrious Nine Old Men worked together as directing animators.

 

 A first edition copy of the play by J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, is displayed alongside a “final treatment” of the Disney film dated from March 1946, and they are opened to the same moment in the story, when Wendy learns that Peter can fly.
Also participating in the Museum’s salute to Peter Pan will be actress Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced the role of Wendy, eldest of the Darling children. She’ll appear at The Walt Disney Family Museum to share her memories as a voice-over artist on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm.  Tickets are available online at www.waltdisney.org.
-- Posted April 7, 2010
via laughingplace.com

Has anyone had the chance to go to the Walt Disney Family Museum? Share your thoughts with us below!

Posted via web from Walt Disney Says...

See The Special Peter Pan Exhibit at The Walt Disney Family Museum Apr 7 - June 27

Was Sedona Disney's inspiration for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?

A Mom and The Mouse, Featured, Kristin Ford — By Kristin Ford on April 6, 2010 at 12:05 am

This view from Submarine Rock in Sedona's famous red rocks looks at Capitol Butte, which is now better known as Thunder Mountain because it was said to inspire Walt Disney to create Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. (Kristin Ford/Orlando Sentinel)

On a jeep tour of Sedona’s red rocks during the weekend, the tour guide told our group that Walt Disney owned a house in the area in the 1940s and 50s. From his place on Disney Lane, he supposedly first viewed the rock formation Capitol Butte, which helped inspire him to build Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Capitol Butte now is better known as Thunder Mountain in this area.
The Southwest-themed attraction first opened at Disneyland in 1979, with the Magic Kingdom’s larger version in Florida opening in 1980. While his time in Sedona may have jump-started Disney’s plan for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the actual rock formations for the ride are based on the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah.
Imagineers say care was taken to make it appear that the rocks were in place first — with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad track built around the rocks — unlike earlier mine-themed rides. The action of this ride takes place in the sagging, old tunnels of the mountain.
In addition to the gorgeous backdrop of the red rocks, Disney’s love of trains also came into play with this attraction. His fascination began when, as a teen, Disney had a summer job selling newspapers and concessions on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, thanks to his uncle, a steam locomotive engineer. He later built a 1/8th-scale miniature railroad, named Carolwood Pacific Railroad, in his backyard for his daughters and their friends to ride.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad showcases the beauty of the Southwest in a fairly tame roller coaster. After seeing the red rocks up close, I’ll be looking more at the scenery than the tracks the next time I ride.

via thedailydisney.com

Posted via web from Walt Disney Says...

Was Sedona Disney's inspiration for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?

Space Shuttle Discovery Soars Over Cinderella Castle!

Absolutely amazing photo of Space Shuttle launch this morning!

Posted on April 5th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

Photo by: Kent Phillips,  DisneyParksBlog

Posted via web from Walt Disney Says...

Space Shuttle Discovery Soars Over Cinderella Castle!

TRON wrapped monorail at Walt Disney World - A Short Video Look!

First posted by Attractions Magazine's YouTube Channel - Disney's 3D sci-fi adventure film "TRON: Legacy" doesn't debut in theaters until December, but guests at Walt Disney World in Florida can see a bit of the TRON universe zipping high above their heads.

Renderings of yellow and blue light cycles have transformed one of the trains on Walt Disney World's legendary monorail line. A blue light cycle zips to the left along one side of Walt Disney World's "highway in the sky" and the yellow light cycle zooms to the right. This particular monorail currently takes guests between Epcot and Walt Disney World's main Ticket and Transportation Center.


"TRON: Legacy" is a sequel to 1982's classic "TRON," both starring recent Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges.


"TRON: Legacy" will be released in both Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D and is currently scheduled to debut across the US on Dec. 17.

Posted via web from Walt Disney Says...

TRON wrapped monorail at Walt Disney World - A Short Video Look!