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elfyourmother · 2 years

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so i've been watching a lot ot Defunctland, and it got me wondering what drew you to Disney? you're the person i kind of defer to when it comes to Disney, because you know SO much about it and are so passionate about it, and i'm curious where that passion came from.

We weren’t a go every year family but we went to WDW a few times when I was a kid because like 95% of New Yorkers we had relatives in Florida, and it made for a (relatively) cheap vacation. So there’s definitely the childhood nostalgia aspect at work. I have a lot of fond memories there, especially with my family, before things got so strained and I started to feel so alienated from them. We still joke to this day about one of my adult cousins being barely taller than the Ewok we took pictures with (they used to do Meet & Greets outside Star Tours in the first couple of years after MGM opened). Things like that. It also helps that as an 80s baby I was square in the perfect demographic to go nuts when WDAS began its Renaissance period. I had all those VHS tapes with the clamshell covers and literally wore The Little Mermaid out, to give you an idea.

I took a 20 year hiatus, my last family trip was in 93 or 94? Despite going multiple times we were not a Disney Family(tm), I wasn’t a little kid anymore (p sure my last trip was when I was 13? I know we just missed the opening of Tower of Terror at then MGM Studios). So Mom was like “alright that’s enough”, because like most folks she believed it was for small kids.

my first time back as an adult was in 2016, when she and I took my younger Floridian cousin there for her first trip as a junior high graduation present to her. Mom and I were absolutely skint but somehow made a quick, largely unplanned Memorial Day weekend trip happen and while the padawan had a good time it was the whole opposite of how I like to travel. I vowed to come back and do it “right” as soon as I was able. Because despite eating at the shittiest quick service places and staying off site, I fell in love with the parks all over again and it became special interest territory for me again.

Like even as a kid I was obsessed with Imagineering, specifically, and not just riding on rides or hugging characters. You have to understand that I was a giant fucking nerd basically from birth, staying up all night playing SimCity and similar strategy games, getting those Eyewitness Books on how stuff gets made from the library, etc. So I was fascinated by how the parks were designed, the storytelling in the theming, insane attention to detail, etc. 80s Epcot was heaven on earth to me, I probably loved it even more than MK if I’m honest. Fuck I used to collect the transportation trading cards for the monorails and boats! I used to tape all those Samantha Brown specials on the Travel Channel. Even the planning aspect was a thing I was crazy for as a kid. When mom would say we were going, we’d always get the Birnbaum guide for that year and I’d sit there with my little highlighter and Lisa Frank notebook making my must do lists, trying to figure out the best strategies for doing everything I wanted, etc. At 7-10 years old fam! 😂 And when I started going back as an adult that childhood special interest came roaring back with a vengeance.

Nowadays I can spend half the day just taking in the theming details at Animal Kingdom for example and I enjoy the atmosphere as much as the attractions. I maintain that one of the most beautiful sunrises anywhere on this bitch of an Earth is over Seven Seas Lagoon on the beaches at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian; I would put it up against the ones I saw on a cruise ship in the middle of the Mediterranean, even. And as an introverted femme, it’s the first place I’ve ever solo traveled to that wasn’t visiting friends or family, and felt 100% safe. My favorite is still the trip I took with Dandy but I have so much fun going solo.

The type of vacations I have there now are completely not what my mom could afford when I was growing up. We never stayed on property except a few visits to the Dolphin that my mom saved up for when it opened, thanks to Costco packages and nurse/govt worker discounts. I knew not to ask for anything and we never ate table service except for the odd character meal at the Swan. Which I understand completely in hindsight I mean my mom was a single parent and while she made ok money as an RN things were tight. But as an adult controlling the purse strings it’s a lot more fun.

There’s many more places I want to visit in the world, don’t get me wrong. I feel sorry for the Disney stans who never go anywhere but the parks. But even as heinously expensive as it’s gotten, even as things are stripped away and watered down by Chapek chasing shareholder profits at the expense of guests, it’s still my favorite place. I still cry when I turn that corner onto Main Street and see the castle. I don’t care how cringe other people think it is or how much we dreaded Disney Adults have become the internet’s favorite punching bag now that it’s not furries, bc of a minority of folks who would make any community look bad. I’m a proud Childless Millennial guest at the parks. One of the benefits to getting older is being freer and freer of fucks to give tbh.

Yes Disney is a terrible corporation that could really stand to be broken up (my fever dream is Parks Resorts & Experiences gets spun back off into their own division and taken over by an Oriental Land Co. type entity that will let WDI really go nuts the way they get to do in the Japanese parks). No, Cast don’t get paid nearly enough for this shit. Yes, Port Orleans Riverside needs to get burned to the ground and re-themed to something besides the damn Antebellum South. But the parks are special to me, still, and I’ll keep going as long as I’m able.

#I’m so sorry you activated the Special Interest mode #and y’all wonder why I love stephanivien so much lmao #glaivesteele #ask bisho

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parksaversnews · 2 months

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Disneyland Paris

Nestled in the heart of Marne-la-Vallée, just 20 miles east of Paris, lies Disneyland Paris - a magical kingdom that has been enchanting visitors of all ages for over three decades. Since its grand opening on April 12, 1992, this iconic theme park has grown to become Europe's premier tourist destination, welcoming over 375 million guests. With its blend of classic Disney storytelling, innovative attractions, immersive themed lands, and unparalleled hospitality, Disneyland Paris continues to push the boundaries of imagination and create unforgettable memories for families from around the world.

History and Development The story of Disneyland Paris began in the mid-1980s, when the Walt Disney Company set its sights on expanding its theme park empire to Europe. After considering various locations, including Frankfurt, London, and Milan, the company ultimately chose a site in Marne-la-Vallée, France, just a short train ride from the heart of Paris. Construction on the ambitious project, initially named Euro Disneyland, commenced in August 1988. To give locals a preview of the magic to come, a preview center called Espace Euro Disney opened in December 1990. The resort's master plan included a Magic Kingdom-style theme park, a shopping and dining district called Festival Disney (now Disney Village), and six on-property hotels. Plans for a second park, modeled after Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, were also in the works. On April 12, 1992, Euro Disneyland officially opened its gates to the public. Despite extensive research and planning, the park faced challenges in its early years, including lower-than-expected attendance and financial difficulties exacerbated by a lingering recession in France. In an effort to turn the tide, the park was renamed Disneyland Paris in 1994. Under the leadership of Jay Rasulo, who became executive vice president of Euro Disney S.C.A. in 1998, the resort implemented a series of changes to improve the guest experience and adapt to the diverse European market. These efforts, combined with new attractions and marketing campaigns, helped Disneyland Paris find its footing and embark on a path of growth and development.

Attractions and Themed Lands Disneyland Paris comprises two world-class theme parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park, the resort's original theme park, is divided into five immersive themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland. Each land is filled with iconic attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland, a thrilling roller coaster set in the heart of the Old West; Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland, a swashbuckling boat ride through a pirate-infested Caribbean town; and "it's a small world" in Fantasyland, a whimsical journey celebrating global unity and diversity. One of the park's most unique features is its covered walkways, or "arcades," which connect the themed lands. These arcades serve as intellectual pre-shows, setting the stage for the adventures that await in each land. Walt Disney Studios Park, which opened in 2002, invites guests to step behind the scenes and experience the magic of moviemaking. The park features attractions based on beloved Disney and Pixar films, such as Ratatouille: The Adventure, which shrinks guests down to the size of Remy the rat as they scurry through the kitchen of Gusteau's restaurant, and Toy Story Playland, where visitors find themselves toy-sized in Andy's backyard. In recent years, Disneyland Paris has continued to expand and evolve, with the addition of new Marvel-themed attractions and experiences, such as Avengers Campus and the upcoming Arendelle: World of Frozen area.

Shows and Entertainment In addition to its thrilling rides and immersive attractions, Disneyland Paris is renowned for its world-class entertainment offerings. From dazzling stage shows and parades to spectacular nighttime fireworks displays, there's always something magical happening at the resort. One of the park's most beloved shows is "Disney Illuminations," a breathtaking nighttime spectacular that combines stunning projections, lasers, and pyrotechnics to bring classic Disney stories to life on the façade of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Other popular entertainment offerings include the daily parade "Disney Stars on Parade," which features an array of colorful floats and beloved Disney characters, and "Mickey and the Magician," a Broadway-style show at Walt Disney Studios Park that showcases the magic of Disney's most iconic films. Throughout the year, Disneyland Paris also hosts special seasonal events, such as the enchanting "Disney's Enchanted Christmas" celebration, complete with festive decorations, holiday-themed shows, and appearances by Santa Claus himself.

Dining and Merchandise No visit to Disneyland Paris is complete without indulging in the resort's wide array of dining options and unique shopping experiences. From quick-service eateries to gourmet table-service restaurants, there's something to satisfy every taste and budget. Some of the park's most popular dining spots include Bistrot Chez Rémy, a charming Parisian restaurant inspired by the film Ratatouille; Auberge de Cendrillon, a regal dining hall where guests can enjoy a royal feast with Disney Princesses; and Walt's - An American Restaurant, an elegant tribute to Walt Disney himself, serving classic American cuisine.

For those looking to take home a piece of the magic, Disneyland Paris offers a vast selection of exclusive merchandise, ranging from classic souvenirs like Mickey Mouse ears and character plushes to high-end collectibles and designer collaborations. Guests can shop till they drop at the many boutiques throughout the parks and Disney Village, such as Chez Marianne (Souvenirs de Paris), which offers a delightful array of Parisian-themed gifts and keepsakes.

Hotels and Accommodations To fully immerse themselves in the magic, many guests choose to stay at one of Disneyland Paris' seven themed on-site hotels. Each hotel offers a unique ambiance and a range of amenities, from the Victorian elegance of the Disneyland Hotel to the rustic charm of Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch. For those seeking a truly luxurious experience, the recently renovated Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel showcases a stunning collection of Marvel artwork and offers exclusive experiences for fans of the iconic superhero franchise. In addition to the Disney-owned hotels, the resort also features Villages Nature Paris, a joint venture with Pierre & Vacances - Center Parcs that offers a tranquil escape amidst lush gardens and serene waterways.

Disneyland Hotel The flagship Disneyland Hotel is a 5-star Victorian-inspired property located right at the entrance of Disneyland Park. It reopened in 2024 after an extensive renovation. - Accommodations: 319 rooms and 18 suites, all lavishly decorated. Room types include Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Castle Club Rooms, and Signature Suites. - Amenities: Indoor pool, spa, fitness center, concierge service, valet parking. Guests have Extra Magic Time access to the parks. - Dining: Fine dining restaurants, character dining, lounge and bar. - Location: At the entrance to Disneyland Park, a 2-minute walk. - Pricing: Starts around $600-800 per night. The most expensive option.

Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel This 4-star hotel immerses guests in the Marvel universe with over 350 pieces of Marvel artwork on display. Reopened in 2021 after a major transformation. - Accommodations: 561 Art Deco-style rooms and 65 suites. Room types include Superior Rooms, Empire State Club Rooms, and various Suites. Some have Manhattan and Marvel themes. - Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, kids' playgrounds, Marvel Design Studio for kids. Guests can meet Marvel characters like Spider-Man. - Dining: Manhattan Restaurant, Downtown Restaurant, Skyline Bar, lounge. - Location: An 8-minute walk to the parks or 5 minutes by free shuttle. - Pricing: Starts around $400-500 per night.

Disney's Newport Bay Club A 4-star hotel with a nautical New England theme, evoking a 1920s coastal mansion. - Accommodations: 1,098 rooms. Options include Standard Rooms, Compass Club Rooms, and Suites. - Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, sauna, kids' corner, boutique. - Dining: Cape Cod Restaurant, Yacht Club Restaurant, Captain's Quarters Bar. - Location: A 15-minute walk to the parks or 8 minutes by free shuttle. - Pricing: Starts around $350-450 per night.

Disney's Sequoia Lodge Themed like a rustic mountain retreat, this 3-star hotel is surrounded by trees and woodland. - Accommodations: 1,011 rooms, with Standard and Golden Forest Club options. - Amenities: Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, fitness center, kids' playgrounds, boutique. - Dining: Hunter's Grill and Beaver Creek Tavern restaurants, Redwood Bar and Lounge. - Location: A 15-minute walk to the parks or 8 minutes by free shuttle. - Pricing: Starts around $250-350 per night.

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne A 2-star hotel styled like a Wild West frontier town from the Toy Story movies. - Accommodations: 1,000 rooms in 14 frontier town buildings. - Amenities: Kids' play areas, pony rides, seasonal outdoor pool, boutique, video games room. - Dining: Chuck Wagon Cafe buffet restaurant, Red Garter Saloon. - Location: A 20-minute walk to the parks or 8 minutes by free shuttle. - Pricing: Starts around $150-250 per night. One of the most affordable options.

Disney's Hotel Santa Fe This 2-star hotel has a Cars movie theme with a Southwest desert vibe. - Accommodations: 1,000 rooms in pueblo-style buildings. - Amenities: Kids' play areas, seasonal outdoor pool, video games room, boutique. - Dining: La Cantina buffet restaurant, Rio Grande Bar. - Location: A 20-minute walk to the parks or 8 minutes by free shuttle. - Pricing: Starts around $150-250 per night, similar to Hotel Cheyenne.

Villages Nature Paris A large eco-resort with various accommodations 6km from the parks, co-developed by Disney and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs. Focuses on sustainability and nature. - Accommodations: Apartments and cottages that sleep up to 8 people. - Amenities: Aqualagon water park, farm, lake, outdoor activities, kids' clubs. - Dining: Multiple restaurants, bars, and a market. - Location: A 10-15 minute drive to the parks, paid parking available. - Pricing: Starts around $200-300 per night for a 1-bedroom. The Disneyland Paris hotels offer a range of immersive themes, amenities, and price points to suit different tastes and budgets. Staying on-site allows guests to maximize time in the parks and enjoy special perks. The closer hotels provide the greatest convenience, while the farther options are more affordable. With so many magical options, there's something for every family.

Upgrades and Expansions As Disneyland Paris continues to grow and evolve, the resort has embarked on several ambitious expansion and upgrade projects in recent years. In 2015, the park launched an unprecedented renovation and enhancement plan, which saw the refurbishment of iconic attractions like Big Thunder Mountain and "it's a small world". In 2018, the resort opened its first Marvel-themed attraction, "Avengers: Assemble - Flight Force," paving the way for the highly anticipated Avengers Campus, set to open in the near future. This new land will invite guests to team up with their favorite Marvel superheroes and embark on thrilling missions to save the world. Looking ahead, Disneyland Paris has announced plans for a transformative multi-year expansion that will bring new themed areas, attractions, and experiences to the resort. One of the most eagerly awaited additions is Arendelle: World of Frozen, which will transport guests to the enchanting kingdom of Arendelle, complete with a stunning replica of Elsa's ice palace.

Park Secrets and Sustainability For those in the know, Disneyland Paris is filled with hidden gems and insider secrets waiting to be discovered. From subtle nods to Disney history and hidden Mickeys scattered throughout the park to exclusive experiences like the "Castle Club," a private lounge inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, there's always something new to uncover for even the most seasoned visitors. Behind the scenes, Disneyland Paris is also committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The resort has implemented numerous eco-friendly initiatives, such as installing France's largest solar canopy over its guest parking lot, which generates enough clean energy to power a small city. The park also operates its own wastewater treatment plant, which has saved over 1.5 million cubic meters of water since its inception.

Conclusion For over 30 years, Disneyland Paris has been a beacon of magic, wonder, and joy for visitors from around the world. Through its enchanting attractions, world-class entertainment, and unparalleled commitment to storytelling and innovation, the resort has cemented its status as Europe's premier tourist destination and a beloved part of the global Disney legacy. As Disneyland Paris continues to evolve and expand, with new lands, attractions, and experiences on the horizon, one thing remains constant: the timeless power of Disney magic to bring families together and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're a wide-eyed child meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time or a lifelong Disney fan discovering new secrets and surprises, Disneyland Paris will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who have stepped through its gates and into a world where dreams really do come true. Read the full article

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imagidreaming · 2 years

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Dark Kingdom

I know most if not all of these would never happen but this one is the blank check pulled from deep inside the NEVER GONNA HAPPEN FILES.

Disney, the powerhouse it is, the monolith with 6 domestic parks that are booming on any given day should do something next level and open a park that is...EXCLUSIVELY OPEN AT NIGHT!

Hey, man, I work 3rd shift so sue me. I used to work at a movie theater and we'd put on movies after close and i used to go to an all night Halloween movie marathon and there's just something so thrilling about being in a place in the middle of the night. And talk about exclusivity, huh!? The faux accomplishment that only theme parks can provide. "I did it, I did a night at Dark Kingdom!"

So, yeah, it's a spooky, villain-laden mirror-universe of Magic Kingdom. It's where the likes of The Other Side, Ursula's Unfathomable Uprising & Ichabod's Midnight Ride would be. The energy of a Villains After Hours Party but every night, all night.

BUT ALSO NOT JUST VILLAINY, it's also where the Land of the Dead could be! A Coco themed land! And this park's version of Fantasmic, the grand finale, closing show, would be Ernesto de la Cruz's Sunrise Serenade! How cool! And yeah, Halloweentown from Nightmare Before Christmas as a land, too!

Another thing? Since it's only open at night and people are gonna need to stay up, that good ol' Coca-Cola product, MONSTER ENERGY DRINK is readily available everywhere and yeah sure coffee too. Hmm, who's a good theme for coffee. I wanna say Maurice from Beauty and the Beast but he doesn't really fit in at the park. Hades! He's got cappuccino energy and then you can have some big dumb instagramable drink that comes in the vile the poison he gave Hercules was in. Yup!

Yeah, ok, fuck! You know how Disney made MGM Studio simply to try and undercut Universal? This is their swipe at HHN. Integrate the ingenuity that comes with the booths at Epcot into a revolving cast creepy characters selling novelty food and drink, more thrilling attractions than found elsewhere on property and yeah SCAREZONES! Not tooooo intense but themed little stretches with characters and fog that are less about jumping out to getchya and more about facilitating a VIBE! And then sure around Halloween time they get turned up to 11 and are full blown scarezones.

And listen this isn't adults only or anything, it's just gonna skew that way naturally just based on what it is, ala HHN, right? But it's also still a Disney park, so, it's goal isn't to scare kids but it'll get up to that line. Heck, maybe bring back Snow White's Scary Adventures and Alien Encounter! A park for the Breck Eisner's of the world! A park for ME!

Yeah, shit, this is for me so the icon, the weenie of the park is THE HORNED KING'S CASTLE FROM BLACK CAULDRON! No one knows that movie, I know but how many kids can identify Cinderella or Sleepy Beauty's castle? If ya don't know the pre-existing IP it becomes original IP!

And, yeah, it'd really mess with the passes, like, you can't park hop to it but, again, exclusivity! And more money to the company! You do a 5 day ticket with park hopper AND a one night pass to Dark Kingdom! It becomes a rite of passage for kids, it rules, it rocks! FUCK!

Ok, if we lean into the mirror-universe thing, what if, for the psychos like me who would do Magic Kingdom and then head over to Dark Kingdom, there were a Harry Potter train-esque transit/ride that exclusively takes you from MK to DK...I wanna say a River Styx boat ride but that might just be in the park.

Anyway, this will be an ongoing project.

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tcm · 4 years

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Just Give Her the Spotlight - The Marvelous Mrs. Miller By Constance Cherise

In 1987 at the age of 64, legendary tap dancer Ann Miller performed “Shakin’ the Blues Away” on the television special Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood. In 1988, Miller performed a medley from the nine-year running production “Sugar Babies” on the Palladium stage along with Mickey Rooney, and in 1989 she performed the tap dance routine from 42ND STREET (‘33) for the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening television special.

While recently watching these productions, I feared that I was going to witness a frail elderly woman, who was still convinced she “had it,” either embarrass or hurt herself. Thankfully, my future 64-year-old self is encouraged to say I was utterly wrong.

I watched each performance with unblinking eyes, in complete shock and jaw-dropping disbelief. Generally, mature performers are surrounded by dancers and ornamentation as distraction, while the older dancer waves their arms and kick their feet a time or two then get whisked off stage. Not so with Ann Miller. It’s true, a bevy of tap dancers joins her, but they are only for Broadway effect. She owns every performance, complete with her rapid-fire footwork and powerful Broadway belt (and when I state the term “belt,” I do not mean she sang well for her age, I mean “where did that voice come from Ethel Merman belt”). Miller claimed she never had to practice vocalizing, that her power came naturally. I suppose being used to many stars that were dubbed, I never questioned whether Miller’s voice was actually being used during her performances. I was too busy dissecting her dazzling costumes, lavish sets and trying to figure out how she could possibly execute gun-machine taps and appear as if her feet did not leave the ground.

Houston-born Johnnie Lucille Collier (her father anticipated a boy) aka Ann Miller was enrolled in dance school from the age of six. And, after confronting her philandering father who was caught red-handed with a nude woman in his bed, Miller and her mother of Cherokee descent, Clara, moved to California.

The naturally adept Miller eventually won a contest where she appeared for two weeks at the Orpheum Theatre. At 13 years old while performing at a supper club, Miller was discovered by talent scout Benny Rubin and comedienne Lucille Ball, who suggested she test with RKO. Required to prove her age, Miller enlisted her father, a criminal lawyer whose clients included Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker (yes, that Bonnie and Clyde), to provide a false birth certificate stating she was 18 years old. As she began quite young in films, her mother Clara was her constant companion and protector, a memory that Miller would speak fondly of. The two remained close until Clara’s passing. Miller worked for multiple studios including RKO, Columbia and MGM, toured with major Broadway productions and had numerous television appearances.

Her debut was an uncredited role in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (‘34). She performed on Broadway at age 16, and after a two-year stint she returned to Hollywood. She mainly appeared in B films until she auditioned for MGM’s EASTER PARADE (‘48), where she performed the entertaining number “Shaking the Blues Away.” In an interview with Robert Osborne, Miller admits to performing the number in a brace, due to her former husband’s physical abuse where in a drunken rage, he threw her down a flight of stairs breaking her back. Miller, who was nine months pregnant at the time, gave birth to her daughter, who tragically survived for only a few days.

A believer in the metaphysical, Miller wrote a book, Tapping Into the Force, about what she concluded were her psychic gifts. She would recall during the opening night of “Sugar Babies” in New York while standing alongside Rooney: "In the middle of the number, I felt this force hit me! It almost knocked the breath out of me. All of a sudden I started singing like I'd never sung before!” When returning backstage, her earring, which was securely fastened, fell from her ear landing near a piece of scenery with the letters “J-U-D.” Miller stated, “This inner voice I have said...Ann it's me, Judy!” In explaining her supernatural experience to Rooney, Miller revealed to Rooney, "Judy was on the stage with us tonight,” to which Rooney replied…“I know it.”

Big hair jokes aside, there really is something absolutely adorable about Miller that is hard to place your finger on. Beams of light still seemed to emanate from her face in her elder years. Not only was she the consummate professional, exuberant and entertaining with the mind of a steel trap, she was an essential keeper of the flame of all things Golden Age.

Her performances in KISS ME KATE (‘53), EASTER PARADE (‘48), LOVELY TO LOOK AT (‘52) and HIT THE DECK (‘55) were showstoppers, and those are only from her MGM years. Even her Stan Freberg directed Great American Soup commercial was one-minute and three-seconds of camp genius. If you are a musical fan and have not seen this commercial, stop reading now and look it up...don’t worry, I’ll wait. The way she rips her apron off to reveal her glittering costume as if she has been desperately awaiting this chance for her entire life, the overwhelming expression of sheer unadulterated rapture on her face, how she tosses her top hat with dynamic gusto, performing her signature twirls returning to the set of the kitchen— there is even a touch of Busby Berkeley for good measure. It simply could not be more gloriously MGM-musical perfect.

“It’s funny I never studied a lot of acting, I just thought acting was being me!”-Ann Miller

Usually, I have no issue detailing my favorite performances, however, with Miller I simply cannot. Each performance is consistently perfect and sure-footed with precise accuracy—it's almost impossible to choose one over another. Although she was not a Hollywood leading lady, she was showbiz through and through. Miller did, however, state in a 1990 interview with Bob Thomas, “Sugar Babies gave me the stardom that my soul kind of yearned for.'' If you watch her in interviews and her performances, you will find there is no line of delineation. Miller was a willing, fully assembled readymade pre-packaged star born for the spotlight. From her earliest performance to her last, one thing is resoundingly true—Ann Miller was not created for Tinseltown, Tinseltown was created for Ann Miller.

#Ann Miller #musicals #MGM #old Hollywood #TCM #Turner Classic Movies #Constance Cherise

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dfilms · 3 years

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Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening, 1989

#Disney #Walt Disney World #Minnie Mouse #Mickey Mouse #1989 #1980s #TV #Disney MGM Studios

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khdiscussions · 6 years

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Kingdom Hearts Attraction

So uh, for those of you not up to date: This was said as a mention about the idea of Square and Disney collaborating for this and if it gets off the ground it will be huge. Right now, it’s nothing more than a pipe dream, but I’d like to address this anyways since I come with a very unique perception in that not only do I live near the Disney parks, but the parks might be the only thing I’m more obsessed with than Kingdom Hearts.

(Going under a read more because when I talk about parks I get rambly.)

So first off, if this becomes a thing, which it still needs to be discussed with a bunch of people first, it will very likely start off in one of two parks. The more likely Tokyo Disneyland or the Walt Disney World Resort. Tokyo Disneyland is likely due to...well...Japan. Japanese video game company, I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you. Disney World, however, has already had a history with the parks as early as 2004 when costumes of Sora, Donald, and Goofy were actually able to have meet and greets due to Mickey’s Not So Scary, as well as a couple other tiny easter eggs. Furthermore Walt Disney World is still the number one tourist destination in the world, so really there’s a 50% chance of anything new starting there between the four parks. Admittedly Disneyland is possible due to the Dandelion meet up taking place in Anaheim, but like with Disneyland Paris being the park Nomura visited for inspiration on attraction flow, it doesn’t feel like enough to lock in that park for a likely location.

So limiting ourselves down to Tokyo Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, there’s really only six parks it can go in. So let’s break it down:

Animal Kingdom: If Disney still has a shred of self respect for themselves and their theming, they won’t do this. This might be the combination that could have KH make me cancel my Disney park pass and that’s all I feel should be said on the subject.

Tokyo DisneySEA: I would normally consider this likely, however, Disney has just announced a huge expansion opening in 2022. With this in mind, it’d be bad business practice to announce the KH anything here next year (since if I were them I’d announce summer 2019 so long as it ends up being worked out) since that’d be opening around the same time and be horribly overshadowed. It’d be like if they decided to open a KH ride in MGM in 2019 when Star Wars land opens. It just isn’t going to happen.

Tokyo Disneyland/Magic Kingdom: Admittedly, I don’t know a lot about the Disneyland clone over in Tokyo, but what I do know is that it shares similarities with the park we have here (down to both parks having Cinderella Castle), as such I feel confident in lumping it in with Magic Kingdom. If they were to build the ride here, it would fit in best with Fantasyland theming, which touches on the various Disney movies and high fantasy elements, it’d work pretty well. On the flip side, a Gummi Ship based attraction could fit in well in Tomorrowland, and exclusively in Tokyo Disneyland there’s also Toontown, which might work decently. So long as they stay out of the Adventureland and Frontierland skinned areas (and even then if done properly Adventureland could be justified), it would work. (This applies to any of the Disneyland clones, do Anaheim and Paris apply here too.)

Hollywood Studios: I mean it’s unlikely because it goes against theming but also at the exact same time this park is identity-less and bad anyways so I wouldn’t even be mad if they did destroy theming here for it. I’d just be excited to have a reason to care about the park. I don’t even care about the principle I just really hate this park.

Epcot: This is the most likely location for a Kingdom Hearts themed attraction at the Walt Disney World resort, if not period. Not only is the park due for major refurbishments soon (Guardians and Ratatouille being the start of that) but the park also has two locations it could work. Future World, using the same excuses as Guardians and making a Gummi Ship explorations attractions, something in Innoventions perhaps, putting the empty space to good use, or in the Japan Pavilion as an attraction. Personally I’m not the biggest fan of this idea since I don’t really care for the direction Epcot seems to be going in and I’m very protective of the park, but I can accept it.

Disney Springs and the like: Unlikely as all get out but for once I’m literally going to let my bias come into play and concept: Cancel the stupid NBA experience and make Disney Quest 2.0 with a heavy focus on Disney’s video game related properties such as Wreck it Ralph, Disney Infinity, Epic Mickey, and Kingdom Hearts. It’d be so much better of an idea and can you tell I’m still salty about Disney Quest being torn down?

Anyways, basically it’s going to be in one of the main parks (Disneyland/Magic Kingdom/Disneyland Paris/Tokyo Disneyland) or it will be in Epcot due to openings, announcements, and theming.

So that being said, what can we expect from this? In truth um...not as much as you’re thinking.

As much as I’d love to go blasting the drums and screaming for a whole Kingdom Hearts theme area, not a lot of things get the same treatment that Star Wars and Pandora got. And trust me, considering my opinions on those franchises I would much rather KH get that attention. If I’m honest, I hesitate to even propose the idea that Kingdom Hearts should get a ride.

Looking at the ride types, the only attraction the ride could feasibly get would be a coaster, a dark ride, or a screen ride. A dark ride is immediately out of the question imho due to the story of KH being impossible to do anything with in that format. A screen ride, while doable, is a gamble since they can run the gambit of really good (Star Tours and Flight of Passage) or really bad (Jimmy Fallon at Universal Studios is the worst ride I have ever been on) and runs the risk of being underwhelming, since it could be simply a sit down show. Which would then bring the problem of these rides are meant to be enjoyable for non fans too, or else it would be shut down. A coaster would be the easiest to implement and most likely to succeed since nobody has to know the theme to enjoy a good coaster, so I could see them doing that, but coasters require a decently large amount of space to build, especially when compared to a screen ride, which creates its own problems.

So what do I think KH will likely see? Well for one: Merchandise. Even if they don’t make a cooperative effort into a ride or attraction, KH might still have a presence in the gift shops like Magic Kingdom’s Emporium as time goes on, or even simply a new pin available at Pintraders. The game is huge and people care. So some merchandise coming from Disney milking the cash cow is inevitable. You might also see some small shout outs such as changing a store name or a restaurant name to feature Sora and co. Hell maybe even a new one will be built as part of promotion. Or we’ll get new costumes for Sora this time around.

However, I think what will most likely be seen is a new game sort of thing. Similar to how Magic Kingdom has Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot had the Kim Possible and, later, the Phineas and Ferb missions, an interactive game could be an easy fit for the series. Similar to how Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom allows players to fight eight iconic Disney villains, a game like this could easily have players aid Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they take on Heartless and iconic Disney villains around the parks. It doesn’t require extensive knowledge of the series and a final showdown with Xehanort or even an entirely original villain or Maleficent herself could make for a fun way to kill the day. It’d keep in the spirit of KH and not distance it too far from Disney properties. It could also end up similar to VOID, the new Star Wars laser tag experience at Disney Springs, and focus in on the Keyblade War instead and have vr whacking people with stuff. Is it what I want...well no. I’d actually really like a VR coaster for this, but I think it’s a safe bet and gives them the ability to update either Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom or the Phineas and Ferb world showcase adventure, both of which haven’t had changes in a very long time. It also puts KH in a position where if the attraction doesn’t do well it doesn’t feel like a huge waste of investment and allows Square and Disney both to test the waters to open up the gates to a more grand Kingdom Hearts attraction.

Anyways, that’s my two cents. Really I’ll be happy with any representation at the parks since for years all we’ve had is a Sora shirt, sweatshirt, three Disney pins, and a hidden poster at Epcot, but who knows, maybe we could see something a little bit more at long last along the horizon.

#Kingdom Hearts #Just some speculation stuff

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katrinaashley1957 · 4 years

Video

Memories of MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park 1994 Part 3

MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park was a theme park adjacent to the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It operated from 1993 to 2002.

The original plan for the theme park was to make it family-oriented by providing activities for children. The overall Wizard of Oz theming of the hotel and casino provided the motto to literally "follow the yellow brick road" from inside the hotel to the entrance to the theme park, which was built on the hotel's backlot. Opened on December 18, 1993, along with the rest of the complex, the then 33-acre (13.4 ha) MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park looked like a small-version of larger counterparts Disney's Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios, which utilized a movie studio-backlot theme. During a later expansion of the hotel's pool and convention facilities, the area of the park was reduced by 40% to an area of 18.8 acres (7.6 ha).

For 2001, the theme park was renamed The Park at MGM Grand and served as a rental facility for corporate functions, before being closed permanently in 2002. Since 2006, the property has been occupied by The Signature at MGM Grand.

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heydaytravelcompany · 4 years

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How To Get Around Walt Disney World

This is a continuation of our Walt Disney World Guides. So far we’ve covered a general Planning Timeline, Planning guide, Resorts guide, and a Dining guide. If you come across any terms that you’re not familiar with, please refer to these other guides as they’ve defined most of the terms used around WDW. Don’t worry about being whisked away, the links above will open in a new tab. To help we’ve also included maps for your reference.

Walt Disney World Resort Map

Up to this point, we haven’t gone into much detail of how you’ll get around Walt Disney World. As we have mentioned before, it is a big place! With nearly 47 sq miles within its borders, some travel may take a while. In fact, Disney recommends that you plan on at least 1.5 hours when traveling between points. If you’re going by bus that buffer could be consumed quickly. Imagine this: you may have to wait 20 minutes for the bus you want, 20 to 30 minutes on the bus itself, great if that is your final destination (you may only have a 15-minute walk to where you want to be), and unfortunate if you have to wait another 20 minutes for your next 20-minute bus ride. As we said, it is a big place. So why is this important? Unless you’ve been there, it is difficult to appreciate the size of the resort. Time and distance will certainly play a role as you navigate around on your vacation. When you have a 5 pm ADR for Chef Mickey’s and you’re looking at a 4:00 pm FP+ for Expedition Everest you’ll have a sense of its feasibility. Spoiler: it’s not. Expedition Everest is in the Asia portion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is in the back of the park, and you wouldn’t be able to board until 3:55. You’d be fortunate to be exiting the ride by 4:15 pm, with a 15+ minute brisk walk out to the buses, a potential 20-minute wait for a bus to Contemporary Resort, and another 30-minute ride. You’re looking at just over an hour of transit time. If everything goes perfectly, you could make it. We just advocate giving yourself a little more time. Things are hectic enough on vacation, no need for unnecessary stress. This is certainly one of the less glamorous aspects of vacationing at Disney World. It also reinforces why it is important to consult, at a minimum, with people that have recently been there if not experts like the team here at Heyday Travel Company. Sometimes there is just no replacement for experience regardless of how many articles you read. With that out there, let us get on to our article!

Disney Transportation Options

Buses: This service runs primarily from the resorts to the parks and Disney Springs. Busier times of year and days, you may also find them running between the parks at a reduced interval. On average they depart about every 20 minutes. They can sometimes take longer and at peak travel times during the day you could wind up having to wait for multiple buses. Boats: This service is not available at all resorts. However, where they are available, they can be a nice change of pace for transportation. Most commonly available at all of the Magic Kingdom area resorts; running between the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, and the Magic Kingdom. For this guide, we’ll also include the Ferry that runs from the Ticketing and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom. Beyond there, you can also get a boat from Old Key West, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, as well as Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs and back. Additionally, there are boats running around Crescent Lake. These boats provide transportation between Hollywood Studios, the Swan and Dolphin resorts, Yacht and Beach Club resorts, Boardwalk Inn resort, and Epcot. Monorail: This provides service on three different tracks. There are two loops around the Magic Kingdom area, circling the Seven Seas Lagoon. One is an “express” track from the Ticketing and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom. The other loop is a “local” service starting at the TTC, to the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, Contemporary then returning to the TTC, in that order. Also available from the TTC is a loop providing service to the Future World entrance at Epcot. If traveling from the Polynesian, we recommend walking to the TTC for the Monorail to Epcot rather than taking the loop around.

Skyliner: This is the newest mode of transportation offered on-site, a gondola system. The main station is located at Caribbean Beach with 3 different legs running to; the International Gateway entrance of Epcot by way of Riviera Resort (which has its own station), Hollywood Studios, and the Hourglass Lake station providing access to the Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts. This has quickly become a favorite among guests and quickly reached transporting 1 Million guests after only a few weeks. Walking: Although technically an option from anywhere, it is only feasible from a few of the resorts. The Epcot resorts around Crescent Lake (Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Clubs, Swan, and Dolphin) can walk to Hollywood Studios or Epcot. Most of the Magic Kingdom area resorts can walk to that park with the Contemporary being the most convenient, with the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts now being able to with the new pedestrian bridge being completed.

Ride-hailing / Minnie Van: This service isn’t complimentary as the others are. So what you gain in convenience and time will cost you some money. Sometimes this is well worth the tradeoff. While we do suggest using the other options first, the one area these services really excel is when you’re looking to travel between resorts. Many of the most desired ADRs are at resort locations making it difficult to get there from or back to your resort. In these moments the $15-$20 (approximate averages we’ve spent) is quickly worth it rather than the multi-leg journey otherwise needed. The Minnie Van is a specific service offered in partnership with Lyft in which the drivers are Disney cast members. Recently, this service has been expanded to include more resorts and the Orlando International Airport. This helps maintain the Disney feel while using an outside service and there is an increased cost for this over even regular ride-hail costs. One definite benefit to this service is if you have someone using an electric scooter in your party. Minnie Vans are able to accommodate these but need to be requested at bell services because not all vehicles are equipped to. This may lead to an extended wait for the specific vehicle to come available. Driving: Some people also prefer to rent or drive their own car from the resort to the parks. Keep in mind, there are charges for parking at the parks. I don’t really have much to comment on this other than I know some people like to. This isn’t anything that I’ve done while staying on property.

Disney Theme Parks

With knowing how to get around, we’ll take a look at the 4 primary theme parks in Walt Disney World. Disney's Magic Kingdom Theme Park Map

The Walt Disney World Resort opening on October 1, 1971. At its opening, there was only the Magic Kingdom, now covering 154 acres, and two resorts: Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Resort. All arrivals to the Magic Kingdom take place the front of the park by way of Boats/Ferry, Monorail, and Buses. From the train station at the front of the park, it is about a 10-minute walk to Space Mountain on the right side of the map or Big Thunder Mountain on the left side. These times don’t include what it may take to get from your transportation through security and the ticket kiosks. Disney's Epcot Theme Park Map

Epcot, formerly EPCOT Center, opened October 1, 1982, covering 305 acres, more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. The park is divided into two areas, Future World and the World Showcase, currently undergoing a reimagining over the next several years. Epcot allows you to enter at the front of the park into Future World by way of Monorail or Bus. Spaceship Earth is a quick 5-minute walk after security and ticket kiosks with all other locations in Future World taking about 10 minutes. To reach the farthest parts of the World Showcase from the front can easily take you 20 minutes with crowds. You can also enter directly into the World Showcase by way of the International Gateway shown on the right side of the map. This is a quick walk from any of the Crescent Lake area resorts, Boats, and the Skyliner. Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park Map

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, originally known as Disney-MGM Studios, opened May 1, 1989, covering 135 acres. After the recent additions of both Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge, the park now covers 154 acres. All entry to Hollywood Studios is by way of the front gate by way of Buses, Boats, and Skyliner. Galaxy’s Edge, top left of the map, can take you about 10 to 15 minutes to reach after entry depending on the crowds. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, right side, will normally take you about 10 minutes. Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Map

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. It is by far the largest of all of Disney’s theme parks covering 500 acres. To give you some perspective, all of the Magic Kingdom could fit inside of the savannah of the Kilimanjaro Safaris. All-access to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is from the front gate with only Buses servicing the park. It is secluded by design to protect the animals from the noise of fireworks at the other parks. Also because of its size, you can expect to do significant walking here. After entry, it will take about 10 minutes to reach Discovery Island (the central hub) and easily another 10 minutes for all of the other areas from there. If you’re traveling to the Conservation Station your travel time will be extended. There is both the wildlife express train that you’ll take and additional walking after that. “Wow – that’s more geography than I was expecting to need for my vacation!” is a common response. This all contributes to the steep learning curve we’ve mentioned before. Fortunately, that’s what we’re here for! Check back soon as we’ll be covering the FastPass+ system and the attractions with the highest demand.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Let Us Help YOU!

Heyday Travel Company can plan a Disney vacation that’s perfect for you. We are a free Disney travel planner with expert knowledge of the entire Disney catalog and Universal Parks destinations. No matter where you want to go, our experienced team is excited to help you make it happen. We provide our service at no charge, so you’ll only have to pay for the vacation itself. If you want help planning a Disney trip that’ll make your dreams come true while also fitting your budget, let’s talk!

Fill Out Our Form To Start Planning Your Perfect Disney Vacation!

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#DisneyMaps #DisneyTransportation #HowToGetAroundWaltDisneyWorld #WaltDisneyWorldMaps #WaltDisneyWorldThemeParks #WaltDisneyWorldTransportation

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samsdisneydiary · 5 years

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Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration Aired on NBC

What Do Michael Eisner, Harry Anderson, Ashford and Simpson, George Burns, Joy Monica and Leanna Creel, Walter Cronkite, Jane Fonda, John Forsythe, Estelle Getty, George S Irving, Kate Jackson, Rue McClanahan, Ann Miller, Eve Montand, Willie Nelson, Buster Poindexter, The Pointer Sisters, Stephanie Powers, Tony Randall, John Ritter, Smokey Robinson, Mickey Rooney, Suzanne Somers, James Stewart, Dick van Dyke, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Lech Walesa all have in common?

They all participated in the Walt Disney World MGM Studios Opening Day Television Special; well maybe not together, but they were on the same telecast on April 30th 1989.

30 years ago, Disney MGM Studios opened to the public and with only 5 opening day attractions: The Great Movie Ride, The Backstage Studio Tour, The Magic of Disney Animation Tour, The Monster Sound Show and Superstar Television. MGM Studios was the definition of a half day park. The Great Movie Ride was the last opening day attraction at MGM studios until it closed August 13, 2017, marking the end of an era. The recently opened International Gateway at EPCOT Center allowed guests to board a tram to MGM Studios then return to EPCOT Center later that same day. The tram pickup was where the Skyline Station is currently being built, and the ride included views of the still under construction Swan & Dolphin and Yacht & Beach Club.

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Being a Disney history buff, I find it fascinating to look back at how Disney positioned the opening of the new park. The Hollywood that always was, and never will be; at the time, it was a working studio giving you a look at how movies and television shows are made. After Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, there were lots of rumors of a 5th gate at Walt Disney World, another theme park. I think it’s safe to say that with the changes at Disney Hollywood Studios over the last 5 years, they have created that new theme park while we were watching and paying admission to Studios. It’s clear the new Hollywood studios, if that’s the name, will immerse us into the movies, not behind the scenes of the movies.

I hope you enjoy this look back at Hollywood Studio’s opening day as much as I do!

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration Aired on NBC

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – Smokey Robinson takes flight on Hollywood Blvd

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – John Ritter

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – Harry Anderson

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – John Ritter

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – A look inside the animation studio

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – Herbie and Micky on residential street

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – New York Street

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – Hollywood Blvd full of Performers

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration – Fireworks

Disney MGM Studios Opening Day Celebration

Disney MGM/Hollywood Studios Opening Day Celebration What Do Michael Eisner, Harry Anderson, Ashford and Simpson, George Burns, Joy Monica and Leanna Creel, Walter Cronkite, Jane Fonda, John Forsythe, Estelle Getty, George S Irving, Kate Jackson, Rue McClanahan, Ann Miller, Eve Montand, Willie Nelson, Buster Poindexter, The Pointer Sisters, Stephanie Powers, Tony Randall, John Ritter, Smokey Robinson, Mickey Rooney, Suzanne Somers, James Stewart, Dick van Dyke, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Lech Walesa all have in common?

#hollywood studios #MGM Studios #Opening Day Celebration #Wonder WOrld

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adventurelandia · 5 years

Photo

The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening (1989)

#my gif #The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening #margaret thatcher #ronald reagan #gif #gifs #gifset #vintage #television #disney #vintage disney #disney gif #1989 #1980s

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tvkyle · 6 years

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Formerly an acceptable theme park

Our family just completed one full year as Walt Disney World® Passholders. We started bringing our little guy to the Mouse House before he was three months old, and I thought it would be great to share some of our experiences and also offer advice based on our 12 months of Magic®. I'm going to share breakdowns of all four parks, including what you should and shouldn't visit. Feedback is welcome. Enjoy!

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS®

Originally MGM Studios, DHS opened in 1989 as a theme park dedicated to the production and creation of movies. Today, you will see absolutely none of that, but you will see Star Wars all over the place. HAY DID YOU KNOW DISNEY BOUGHT STAR WARS? In case you need four dozen reminders, you'll see them all over DHS, in all different areas of the park. In its defense (like Disney needs some defending), they are building a big Star Wars area soon. But for now, Star Wars junk infringes on kid zones, the Chinese Theater, and more.

OVERVIEW

As of this writing, DHS is home to four (4) rides. Four. Rides. At a Disney park. There are more rides in Fantasyland than there are at this entire park. When we first got our passes, there were five (5) rides. 20% OF HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS' RIDES HAVE CLOSED UNDER OUR WATCH. Important to note that on June 30th, Toy Story Land® opens, bringing two new rides with it. DHS is about to add 50% MORE RIDES. The ones that are currently there are: Star Tours, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania! (their exclamation mark, not mine) and the Tower of Terror.

BEST RIDES FOR BABIES

Ummmmmm, kids can only ride one thing for now. Toy Story Mania!! Riders will be zipped around an arcade, firing fake projectiles like NERF® bullets and lasers at targets on a 3d screen, trying to accumulate the highest score. We had to hold the little guy on our laps, but still had a lot of fun. The baby buddy seemed unimpressed though. 1 star.However, there is a Disney Junior puppet show with Mickey and Pals, and characters from Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. The characters team up to throw a big birthday party for Minnie. Cute. BUT WAIT!!!!!! This is closing in September, to make room for a new Dance Party show with other Disney Junior characters. Gotta keep things fresh®, y'know?

BEST RIDES FOR PARENTS IF THEY CAN FIND SOMEONE TO WATCH THE KIDS FOR A LITTLE BIT

The other three rides. Tower of Terror is the park's icon, whisking people up and down more than 100 feet in a classic drop tower setting. But, before all the motion sickness, you'll see some spooky scenes inspired by the Twilight Zone. Rock 'n' Roller coaster stars the single greatest band of all time: Weez... AEROSMITH! Ride in a super stretch limo all over town as you listen to a medley of Foo F... AEROSMITH songs. Shoutout to Ken Marino who is the real star of the attraction. Then, there's Star Tours, a simulator that was (probably not) the key sticking point of that $592 Billion Disney/Lucasfilm deal. Star Tours was actually in place for years before the deal, but it has recently been upgraded to include scenes from the new films. Journey across sand world, ice world, forest world, and more.

THIS RIDE IS POINTLESS AND YOU SHOULDN'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH IT

Well, we have four to pick from. They're all fun in their own right. So I'm going to say... the parking lot tram.

HOW ABOUT THE CHARACTER MEET-AND-GREETS?

The main Mickey meet-and-greet is sort of hidden, and can be easy to miss. It's over by the Star Wars attraction. Which one, you ask? Hmmmm, should I tell you... Yes. It's Star Tours. There are also Star Wars character meet-and-greets on the opposite side of the park, and tots can meet the stars of Disney Junior including Jake and Doc McStuffins. (It's so popular, it's not even on the park map! For real. I checked when I was writing this.) There's also an Olaf Encounter which doesn't fit here at all. If free meetings aren't your thing, you can eat the Hollywood and Vine restaurant. This expensive buffet affords you the chance to get photos with Mickey and Friends® but reservations are taken quickly. ACT NOW.

BEST ATTRACTIONS TO USE YOUR FASTPASSES ON

Disney groups the Fastpasses at DHS into tiers. The fancy rides are in one tier, and shows like Indiana Jones and Fantasmic (fireworks) are in another. This is done because THEY ONLY HAVE FOUR RIDES. If people were allowed to book FPs for 75% of the rides, that would suck for the rest of us. Book whatever you can, man.

DO NOT BOTHER WASTING A FASTPASS+ ON THESE

ALL THE SHOWS. All the Fastpass+ does when you reserve a show is put you in a reserved seating section. Sometimes, that's nice. Sometimes, you can just walk up and get a seat wherever and still have a good time. We wasted Fastpasses on Muppetvision and Disney Junior, and you don't need to do the same.

BABY CARE CENTER DETAILS

Ah yes, the Baby Care Center. The single best place for parents and kids. Every Disney Park has one. Studios's' is located at the very front of the park, in the same room as guest services. This is an incredibly-cramped room, and it has virtually no amenities compared to the other Baby Care Centers. We only used this room once, on account of only going to this stripped-down version of a park twice during our 12 months as passholders.

I LIKE TO SPEND LOTS OF MONEY ON FOOD. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Good news: DHS has several unique dining options. Aside from Hollywood and Vine, there's a Sci-Fi dine-in theater, a replica of the Hollywood Brown Derby, and dueling Italian joints near Muppetvision. That's besides the bevy of quick service stands.

DIDN’T MORE THINGS USED TO EXIST HERE?

The Great Movie Ride is closed. It was the last attraction from the park's grand opening, but it finally got the guillotine in August of 2017. There are now zero (0) slow rides. That's great for thrill-seekers, but lame for parents who want to take their babies on relaxing rides. Other things that are closed: Backlot tour, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (which sounds totally cool and totally was cool). The Earffel Tower and giant Sorcerer’s hat are also gone.

DOES THAT MEAN MORE THINGS ARE COMING?

Yes. Toy Story Land® opens June 30, Star Wars Land® opens in 2019, and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will occupy the Chinese Theater spot when it opens in 2019. My review of all three of these is: FIVE STARS! Truly magnificent!!!!

SUMMARIZING IN SUMMATION

In case you can't tell right now, DHS is NOT VERY BABY FRIENDLY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. If your kids are 5+, or if they're in to Star Wars, or if you have the good fortune of leaving them with Grandma and Grandpa for the day, then you'll enjoy DHS. Keep in mind, though, that this is geographically a very small park and it can get crowded. On a non-busy day, you could probably see everything you want to see in half a day. So, go grab a snack if you have nothing better to do.

#disney #disney world #walt disney world #hollywood studios #mickey mouse #mickey #star wars #star tours #aerosmith #dhs #muppetvision #great movie ride #wdw #tower of terror #new dad reviews #new dad

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mouseandhispals-blog · 6 years

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Hollywood Studios

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome back to my Blog. Today we are going to carry on with talking about the parks at Walt Disney world by discussing the 3rd park to be built there which is Hollywood studios formerly known as MGM studios. Today I am going to talk about the parks history as well as my favourite rides attractions and restaurants at the Hollywood studios park. Disney’s Hollywood studios open May 1st, 1989 and was originally named Disney’s-MGM Studios. This was the 3rd of 4 theme parks built at Walt Disney world. The Park was dedicated to the imagined worlds of Film, television, music and theatre drawing Inspiration from Hollywood in the 1930/40s. Disney's Hollywood Studios initially opened as both a theme park and an operating production studio, with active film and television production services, an animation facility branch, and a functioning backlot. To increase public interest and the variety of film representation within the park, Disney entered into a licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, wherein the park's original name was derived. The park's current name took effect in 2008, with the removal of the MGM-branding throughout the park. The park's icon was originally the Earffel Tower from the park's opening until 2001 when the Sorcerer's Hat—a stylized version of the magical hat from Fantasia—was erected in the park's central hub. It then served as the park's icon until its removal in January 2015. The tower was subsequently removed in April 2016. Currently, the park remains without an official designated icon, although both The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and The Chinese Theatre are represented as such in marketing materials. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is divided into 7 different lands. These Lands are called. • Hollywood Boulevard • Echo Lake • Grand Avenue • Pixar Place • Sunset Boulevard • Animation Courtyard • Commissary Lane • In the coming months there will be 2 new lands coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Toy Story land will be opening on the 30th of June this year and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will be open sometime in 2019. In the next park of this blog I will be talking about my 3 favourite rides/attractions at the park. In 3rd place is Fantasmic. Fantasmic is the Parks Night time spectacular with lots of Disney music and some great fireworks. Quite a lot of Disney’s most well-known characters make appearances throughout the show. In 2nd place is Star Tours. Star Tours is a 3D motion simulator ride through a Galaxy Far Far Away. There are a few different journeys you can take on star tours, so you don’t always get the same ride each time. In 1st place and my favourite ride in the park is the Hollywood tower of terror. The Hollywood tower of terror is an accelerated drop tower dark ride. Each ride you take on here will be totally different from the last because the technology randomises each time this ride operates. There are many other great rides/attractions in this park, but I would like to give a special mention to Toy Story Midway Mania. This is an interactive 3D shooting gallery featuring characters from the Toy Story Franchise. Each section of this ride is completely different with assorted styles of games and ammunitions to play and use. I have not had the chance to eat at many of the restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood studios but there are some great restaurants to try if you ever get the chance. Some that I would recommend trying are. • Sci-fi Dine-In • Backlot Express • Hollywood Brown Derby • 50s Prime Time Café • At this moment in time Disney’s Hollywood Studios is only really a half day park because of all the construction currently taking place at the park. Once both Toy Story land and Star Wars land open this will very quickly become the busiest park in Walt Disney World. I no this blog is a bit shorted than my other park blogs so far, but I will revisit this park once the new lands open. I hope you have enjoyed reading about Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Please follow us on Facebook at The Mouse and his Pals and on Instagram at the_mouse_and_his_pals. Daryl

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alienation2016-blog · 7 years

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New Post has been published on Alienation

New Post has been published on https://alienation.biz/landlord-of-nuisance-houses-sells-remaining-of-his-actual-estate/

Landlord of nuisance houses sells remaining of his actual estate

The belongings at 609 Morningside Ave. Isn’t any greater damaged than the common foreclosure home her business enterprise buys, but Jennifer Derr of Remade Properties stated she still expects the gut and redesign to take months.

Derr’s organization bought the assets in May for $one hundred sixty,000, in step with metropolis files. It changed into one of the remaining residences in Madison owned by way of Ray Peterson, who was ordered by using a judge to relinquish his management of dozens of rental homes that were deemed public nuisances.

Remade Properties buys, renovates and sells vintage properties, stated Derr, who co-owns the commercial enterprise together with her husband and brother-in-regulation.

“We’re going to turn (the building) into a unmarried-circle of relatives domestic and restore it to what it ought to have been,” she stated.

After the town of Madison won a 2015 lawsuit and a decision deemed the Morningside Avenue property and 44 others public nuisances, Peterson, 92, offered all of his rental properties.

The City Attorney’s Office stated Peterson has now offered all 48 residences he had owned inside the metropolis for a complete of approximately $6.3 million, despite the fact that the proceeds are difficulty to expenses that the organizations dealing with his residences have incurred inside the interim.

“Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Zilavy has labored diligently on this remember for over years,” City Attorney Michael May stated. “Bringing a remember of this complexity to an end in that point body took numerous attempt.”

The metropolis filed the general public nuisance complaint against Peterson in October 2015, claiming that his houses had racked up more than 1,400 building code violations over the preceding 5 years and greater than $650,000 in accrued judgments from building code prosecutions between May 2011 and June 2015.

Florida Investment Real Estate and What Are Considerations Before Buying

Considering investing in property? What are some pertinent things to don’t forget before taking this leap? Of all of the funding opportunities, investment in land normally produces a superb effects. It is vital, however, to carefully investigate the professionals and cons, blessings and deficits of real estate funding. Most people study funding real estate as unstable and sense woefully inadequate to tackle this shape of investing. They experience misplaced, no longer knowing wherein to even start!

A multitude of records is available and understanding a way to seek can appear daunting. A web website seek will produce boatloads of facts, a few valuable and a few no longer. Some key phrases to search are real property investment, investment belongings, and making an investment in real property. This will begin the manner for you. Not all to be had information is worth it slow, however. Beware when the website promises excessive return for little down. Also beware of sites whose principal goal is to solicit your cash. Web looking is one shape of research. Another is speaking to a good real property broking or actual property attorney. One of the high-quality sources of records is a pal you consider who has accomplished real property investing. A honest pal who began as a newbie and stepped forward to real investing is probably your exceptional source of reliable records. Their voice of revel in rings the loudest since they are a layman like you who needed to find out for themselves every step of the manner how to make a hit investments.

Investment Real Estate, Rental Units

Let’s have a look at some sound reasons for making an investment in real property. Real property usually appreciates at a extra fee than the fee of inflation and gives extraordinary tax benefits. Selecting actual estate in a appropriate vicinity will prove to be profitable especially in burgeoning regions, usually in suburbs that are an inexpensive shuttle to town jobs. Of direction the vintage adage, vicinity, vicinity, place is a very pertinent piece of recommendation to take to coronary heart. Think of the maximum steeply-priced housing markets these days. If you’ve got lived in an high-priced housing marketplace, or have visited there, you’ll notice that in conjunction with top notch houses provided on the market at exorbitant fees, small, older homes you will never remember buying in any other market are being offered for big bucks. Why? Location, of path. When a housing area will become ideal, even the ones small dumpy homes will sell for a large amount of money. Let’s stop for a second and take a look at the blessings of investing in condo units in preference to shopping property for resale. One of the biggest factors to take into account in purchasing assets for resale is finding residences with the intention to resell at a better rate than purchase, of direction. Finding these properties is not as easy these days as it could were in the past. It used to be that fixer-uppers and foreclosure have been prevented through house owners and traders alike. Not so these days, those equal homes are being feverishly snatched up inside the current booming housing markets.

Florida Investment Real Estate – Why Florida Is a Good Choice

Finding houses to purchase and turn over fast for coins is turning into more and more tough, main many to recollect buying belongings for the motive of renting. What are a few benefits to renting and what locations could be most applicable for purchase with a condominium purpose in thoughts? Owning rental assets presents some specific advantages. If you have got the time as well as the budget to make investments, condominium belongings may want to come to be paying for itself within the long time. In order for this to be genuine, the maximum vital element to look for is belongings in a outstanding vicinity for renters. You do not need to be looking for renters for months on cease whilst you’re being drained of capital. Those mortgage payments in no way stop, even when the list of renters has been exhausted. Buying rental investment property in a college metropolis is a good wager for the possibility of continual renters and also shopping for in temporary regions and traveller areas. Of all of the above, tourist areas have a tendency to be your most excellent source of consistent renters. Numerous excessive density vacationer areas exist across the country, however one in all your satisfactory bets for purchase and constant renters would be a solar-drenched spot with a yr-round temperate climate. California and Texas could suit the bill, but as we all know, the maximum ideal locations in California may be out of reach due to the high cost. Texas can be considered a very good choice, but most effective one country ranks because the best traveller destination inside the international and that might be Florida, the light country.

Florida Investment Real Estate – The Orlando Area

With Florida’s burgeoning population, Florida investment actual estate is a terrific choice. Florida ranks 4th in populace behind California, Texas and New York. Florida has one of the quickest charges of increase inside the country, making Florida investment real property a very appealing option for investors. In the 1990’s, Florida grew via 23.5 percentage with five counties increasing via more than 60 percent. Projected kingdom growth might convey the populace to over 19 million through 2010. An increasingly more better population manifestly will increase the want for housing. The growing resident population being a amazing motive to pursue Florida investment actual property; allow’s no longer forget another face of growing housing want. Florida has a tourism price of almost 77 million visitors in 2004, making it the top travel destination inside the international and producing $fifty seven billion of income. Tourists flock to all components of Florida, the seashores being one of the most appealing destinations. However, Orlando pulls inside the maximum visitors, with 2.6 million international tourists, no longer inclusive of the regular circulate of domestic tourists. This alone could provide sufficient motive to purchase condo assets. But considering that the grand general of tourists touring Orlando in 2004 became forty eight million humans, what splendid housing investment potential for traders! The largest drawing card within the Orlando region is, of direction, Walt Disney World. The vicinity surrounding Disney has a resort rate occupancy of about 80 percent. It’s obvious why the Orlando location is considered one of the maximum ideal vacationer locations in the world.

Florida Investment Real Estate – What are Reasons Tourists Come to the Orlando Area

Owning Florida investment real estate will deliver travelers who go to the Orlando vicinity an area to live whilst you accumulate the rent. Theme park attractions are considered one of the most important reasons Orlando has turn out to be a #1 traveller destination. The 3 maximum famous are Disney, which includes Disney World, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios, Sea World and Universal. Each enchantment holds an appeal for people of every age with households and singles alike enjoying each. Kissimmee is the metropolis closest to Disney in which households mainly experience many of the greater laid returned sights along with Green Meadows Farm. Green Meadows is in an idyllic united states setting with excursions of the farm and more than 300 farm animals to touch and notice. Also in the Kissimmee place is Horse World Riding Stables. The 750 acres of open pasture beckons horse enthusiasts to enjoy a journey underneath the open sky. The Orlando Science Center beckons technology buffs each old and young. Learning happens as a by-product right here via the realistic, interactive and simply plain a laugh reveals. Fabulous night existence is to be observed each in Kissimmee which boasts two very famous dinner points of interest, Medieval Times and Arabian Nights. Both serve delectable huge portions of meals with terrifi jousting and medieval type enjoyment. For the consumer, Shopping and eating abound in the Orlando region also as do all types of natural environmental experiences.

Real Estate Investment in Florida – Bimini Bay Resort Florida

A properly-saved mystery however one placed simply 5 miles from Disney, in the middle of Florida is Davenport, a treasure of a town near the main attractions, but a international away. On eighty acres of land inside the Davenport area, you will discover Bimini Bay Resort, Florida. A grand funding opportunity awaits you at Bimini Bay Resort, Florida in which the investor participates in property appreciation however isn’t stricken by terrible coins flow in the course of the off season. At Bimini Bay Resort, Florida you may discover a planned network of high-priced metropolis houses, presenting three bed room two baths which can be absolutely furnished and prepared. Bimini Bay Resort, Florida is unique in that the investor can stay within the bought unit at the same time as on excursion for a minimum fee at the same time as renting the unit the rest of the year. Management body of workers at Bimini Bay Resort unearths the renters at the same time as you experience a assured condo income every month. Planned amenities at Bimini Bay Resort encompass foremost restaurants, a grocery, deli and food courtroom and a sports bar eating place. Bimini Bay Resort may also encompass a spa and workout facility. A huge enterprise conference center and twin theaters also are planned at Bimini Bay Resort. Peace of mind may be yours at Bimini Bay Resort with its gated get entry to with security playing cards. A exceptional actual estate investment in Florida at Bimini Bay Resort awaits the investor who desires a steady earnings without the headaches of daily management. Bimini Bay Resort is well worth investigating.

Our Featured Orlando Properties: You have an opportunity to sign up for one of the quickest developing tendencies inside the United States and the sector. Orlando is one of the most explosive markets within the us of a and the Disney resort area has an average inn occupancy of round eighty%. Orlando is known as the holiday capital of the arena and the top rated quick term condo marketplace, one that indicates extremely good capability for real investors.

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disneydreamlights · 7 years

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Heather’s Official Opinions on Disney Ongoing Nighttime Shows (Missing Galactic Spectacular because fuck that and Rivers of Light because I haven’t been to Animal Kingdom since it opened and I wanna go see it live):

Because I’m bored.

12. Disney Illuminations (Disneyland Paris)

That show from Disneyland Paris...tbh I thought you couldn’t get much worse than Disneyland Forever...I was wrong. I was very, very wrong. You can, and it’s bad. Bring back Disney Dreams.

11. Ignite the Night (Shanghai Disneyland)

It’s like Disney Illuminations, but better. Points detracted because Star Wars though.

10. Once Upon a Time (Magic Kingdom)

Good show, Frozen throws off the pacing, still love it though.

9. Fantasmic! (Tokyo Disneyland)

Listen, I love it, but it’s not Fantasmic! until you’re about half way through, I unfortunately have to subtract some points for that.

8. Fantasmic! (MGM Studios)

Because listen, I love my Fantasmic! but I actually acknowledge in the grand scheme of things it’s the worst of the three.

7. World of Color (Disney's California Adventure)

Cute show, nicely done. Would love to see in real life.

6. Once Upon a Time (Tokyo Disneyland)

And at last I see the light~ And also really nice projections and a well put together show.

5. Disney in the Stars (Hong Kong Disneyland)

Picture Wishes. Now picture Wishes with a Whole New World as its main theme and a bit more like the modern day projection shows. That’s this.

4. Fantasmic! (Disneyland)

From what I can tell of the true Fantasmic! it’s good. I hope the additions that they’re putting in now don’t ruin it.

3. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Epcot)

Tbh I’m 95% certain there’s nostalgia bias here but I love IllumiNations, much better show with that name than the first.

2. Remember...Dreams Come True (Disneyland)

...Listen it’s got my melody line and a park tribute good shit here.

1. Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams (Magic Kingdom)

STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT I WISH I MAY I WISH I MIGHT HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT WE’LL MAKE A WISH AND DO AS DREAMERS DO AND ALL OUR WISHES WILL COME TRUE. I love Wishes, have I mentioned I love this show I love this show.

Bonus: Parades

5. Paint the Night (Hong Kong Disneyland)

Beautiful, flashy, and gorgeous, but why is half the parade Pixar???

4. Fantillusion (Disneyland Paris - Retired)

Villains! Villains! Villains!

3. SpectroMagic (Magic Kingdom - Retired)

On this magic night a million stars will play besides us cast a spell of light, glimmering, shimmering, carouseling round the world tonight a symphony in SpectroMagic pure enchantment lights our way~ There’s nostalgia but I don’t remember it so...also very nice parade

2. Main Street Electrical Parade (Disenyland)

...Don’t look at me like that MSEP is my love.

1. Tokyo Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade Dream Lights (Tokyo Disneyland)

Like MSEP, but updated and better.

#personal stuff #you can just ignore this I'm being a dumb shit XD

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