Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Disney Documentary Hour: Very First Wonderful World of Color


 
by Keith Mahne

The Walt Disney television series moved to NBC on September 24, 1961 to take advantage of that network's ability to broadcast in color. In addition, Walt Disney's relationship with ABC had soured as the network resisted selling its stake in the theme park before doing so in 1960. In a display of foresight, Disney had filmed many of the earlier shows in color, so they were able to be repeated on NBC, and since most of Disney's feature-length films were also made in color, they could now also be telecast in that format. To emphasize the new feature, the series was re-dubbed, "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color", which premiered in September of 1961, and retained that moniker until 1969. Continue after the page break for the very first episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color...

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Disney Afternoon Story (Part 1)

by Sam Vlas



How many of you, dear readers, came out of school after a long day and tuned in for the Disney Afternoon? Who else grew up with such classics as “DuckTales”, “Rescue Rangers” and “Darkwing Duck”? I certainly did and I was one happy bloke!  Want to know a little bit more about your favorite shows? Let’s get dangerous and continue after the page break…

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Excuse me? Oh, I S.E.A.!

by Sam Vlas


For me, what makes the Disney theme parks so special, are the stories. And those stories can be very clear and well-known. But the mystique of certain parks and resorts is created by the stories that aren’t that apparent, but are certainly there. Today we are going to look at a prime example of such a Story, which is unique to the Asian parks, but can rival Harry Potter in scope and lore. I’m talking about the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Who? What? How? Continue after the page break and find out, adventurer…

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Disneyland Paris 22nd Anniversary Part 2



Today Disneyland Paris celebrates 22 years as being Disney's most beautiful park in the world. On 12 April 1992, Euro Disney Resort and its theme park, Euro Disneyland, officially opened. Visitors were warned of chaos on the roads and a government survey indicated that half a million people carried by 90,000 cars might attempt to enter the complex. French radio warned traffic to avoid the area. By midday, the car park was approximately half full, suggesting an attendance level below 25,000. Speculative explanations ranged from people heeding the advice to stay away to the one-day strike that cut the direct RER railway connection to Euro Disney from the centre of Paris. Regardless of all that chaos Disneyland Paris went on to celebrate the opening of one of its most beautiful parks. Continue after the page break as we take a look back at the opening of Disneyland Paris...

Friday, April 11, 2014

Disneyland Paris 22nd Anniversary Part 1

by Keith Mahne

Tomorrow Disneyland Paris will celebrate its 22nd Anniversary. Following the success of Walt Disney World, plans to build a similar theme park in Europe emerged in 1972. Upon the leadership of E. Cardon Walker, Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 in Japan with instant success, forming a catalyst for international expansion. In late 1984 the heads of Disney's theme park division, Dick Nunis and Jim Cora, presented a list of approximately 1,200 possible European locations for the park. By March 1985, the number of possible locations for the park had been reduced to four; two in France and two in Spain. Both nations saw the potential economic advantages of a Disney theme park and offered competing financing deals to Disney. Continue after the page break as we join Disneyland Paris in celebrating 22 magical years...

Sunday, April 6, 2014

A Special Lion King Performance on Flight to Sydney



Passengers on board a plane in Australia got quite a show recently. The Australian cast of Disney’s The Lion King surprised the passengers by performing the show’s opening song ‘Circle of Life’ while they sat in their seats. Talk about in-flight entertainment! Continue after the page break for the special performance...

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Disney Magic Maker: Orlando Ferrante

By Keith Mahne

Today we begin a new segment here on Disney Avenue called Disney Magic Maker. This segment will pay tribute to the men and women who helped dream up the best theme parks in the world. We will start off with none other than Orlando Ferrante. During his 40 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, former vice president of engineering, design, and production Orlando Ferrante helped create magical Disney lands around the world. From Walt Disney World to Disneyland Paris, Orlando’s keen administrative and planning skills, his “can do” attitude, and his humble and fun-loving heart served him well when orchestrating the combined efforts of inspirational artists, engineers, production, and installation teams creating Disney theme parks. Continue after the page break as we pay tribute to one of the best Disney Magic Makers, Mr. Orlando Ferrante...