Sunday, January 29, 2017

A Video Tribute to Walt Disney - The Ultimate Dreamer

By Keith Mahne




Walt Disney is a legend, a folk hero of the 20th century. His worldwide popularity was based upon the ideas which his name represents: imagination, optimism and self-made success in the American tradition. Walt Disney did more to touch the hearts, minds and emotions of millions of Americans than any other man in the past century. Through his dreams, he brought joy, happiness and a universal means of communication to the people of every nation. Join us as we celebrate a man who has given and continues to give so much joy to so many with this video tribute to Walt Disney, the ultimate dreamer...

Sunday, January 22, 2017

56 Vintage Walt Disney World and Disneyland View-Master Photos You Have Got To See

By Keith Mahne




An old pastime among Disney Park fans that would often occur between trips was to flip through View-Master reels of Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Looking at these reels of the Disney Parks and Resorts was sure to fill one with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. What made looking at Walt Disney World and Disneyland View-Master reels particularly special was how the device would take advantage of a human’s stereoscopic vision by presenting a slightly different image to each eye. The brain then combines both together to create a three-dimensional image with a sense of depth. This created the perfect way to escape back to the Parks between family vacations and that's just what we'll do in today's new article with these 56 vintage Walt Disney World and Disneyland View-Master photos that you have got to see...

Thursday, January 19, 2017

A Look Back at Walt Disney World's Buena Vista Land Company

By Keith Mahne




When Walt Disney World first opened its gates in 1971, the entire Vacation Kingdom utilized only 2,500 acres of the total 27,500-acre site owned by the Disney Company in central Florida. The 43-square miles of land represented a substantial opportunity, and an equally significant responsibility, for the Walt Disney Company to develop and enhance the lives of those that would live, work and visit there. Out of this need came the Disney owned Buena Vista Land Company. Let's take a look back at the organization originally responsible for the development of the Walt Disney World property and examine what plans it had back in 1972 in today's new article...

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The Story Behind Disneyland's Original Main Entrance Music Loop

By Chris Lyndon




Background music in the Disney Parks is an important subliminal way to help transport guests into a different time and place. Join us in today's new article as Disney Avenue contributing writer Chris Lyndon, through his extensive digging and research, explains the story behind Disneyland's Original Main Entrance Music Loop...

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Donald Duck In Nazi Land

By Stokes Laird




Throughout the years of the United States’ involvement in World War II the entire country was involved in helping out with the war effort. Walt Disney and his company were no exception. During the years of the war, Walt Disney Productions released a number of films and short cartoons that were meant to encourage citizens to buy war bonds to help out the Allied cause in the war. These films varied in topic from attempts to sell theories on how long range strategic bombing could help win the war to more whimsical cartoon exaggerations meant to serve as propaganda. No other character short film released by Disney during the time of the war has had as lasting of an impact as one starring Donald Duck appropriately titled, “Der Fuehrer’s Face”...

Saturday, January 14, 2017

The Force Is With Carrie Fisher and Me

By Ron Baxley




When Disney bought the "Star Wars" franchise, they inherited a different kind of princess, a feisty, independent one named Princess Leia played by the recently deceased Carrie Fisher. (In fact, some people are petitioning on the Internet to make her an official Disney princess.) Although Disney Avenue contributing writer Ron Baxley, Jr. will, of course, never be able to interview Ms. Fisher, he did write this tribute column shortly after her passing in December 2016 and has adapted it specifically for Disney Avenue readers. It is sure to resonate with many long time "Star Wars" fans…

Sunday, January 8, 2017

HORIZONS: A Detailed Look Into an EPCOT Classic

By Ted Linhart




There isn't a former Disney attraction that inspires as much passion presently as Horizons. From 1983-1999 GE’s follow-up to the Carousel of Progress took EPCOT guests on a ride into the 21st Century for a purportedly realistic look at life in the future. Join us today as we take a detailed look back at Horizons via a 1983 cast member booklet and a GE corporate magazine as we remember the most legendary dark ride to have ever come out of the minds of Imagineering...