Sam Gennawey's Blog, page 24

SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE WALK THROUGH LITHOS

Eyvind Earle is one of my favorite artists. The fact that he worked for Walt Disney and was the critical player in the look for Sleeping Beauty is just a bonus. While the movie was still in production, Walt asked Eyvind to sketch out some dioramas that could be installed inside of the signature castle in Disneyland. The castle was not meant to house an attraction when it was first built but somehow they shoehorned one of the true hidden delights within the park. Please take the time and check it out. Below are the sketches. At one point you could buy a set of 6 lithos from the Disney Gallery. The series was limited to 50. One set currently hangs on my bedroom wall.

Bayside Skyway

A dramatic ride on the Bayside Skyway at Sea World in San Diego.

IF I WERE KING: WDW'S MAGIC KINGDOM

You've just been crowned monarch of the Disney Parks in North America. You can change anything you want without regard to budgets or corporate politics. As the benevolent dictator you can command your minions to do your bidding. My question to you is "what exactly is it that you want to do?"

A few weeks ago I decided to have a bit of fun and crowned myself king of Disneyland. I love Walt's little park and have been there so often others have wondered about my sanity. But we know better, right? Many of you rose to the challenge and I highly recommend readers cruise through the comments on thatarticle. There is some brilliant stuff in there.

Now it is time to travel east to the Walt Disney World Resort.


READ MORE AT MICECHAT

Walt Disney Family Museum Hosts Special Screenings of Bam...

Walt Disney Family Museum Hosts Special Screenings of Bambi To Celebrate Film's Entrance into National Film RegistryTwo Big-screen Presentations on March 3 The Presidio, San Francisco, CA, (January 31, 2012) – The Walt Disney Family Museum celebrates the perpetual preservation of beloved Bambi by the Library of Congress' National Film Registry with two special screenings of the 1942 classic animated film presented in the Museum's digital, state-of-the-art Fantasia-inspired theatre, on Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Free with Museum admission. Hosted by Disney Historian J.B. Kaufmann, the screenings bookend a discussion of the Museum's extensive collection of Bambi artifacts. Each screening includes a question and answer session.Librarian of Congress James H. Billington selected the film and 24 others from more than 2,000 nominated films to be preserved as cultural, artistic and historical treasures in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.One of Walt Disney's timeless classics (and his own personal favorite), this animated coming-of-age tale of a wide-eyed fawn's life in the forest has enchanted generations since its debut nearly 70 years ago. Filled with iconic characters and moments, the film features beautiful images that were the result of extensive nature studies by Disney's animators. Its realistic characters capture human and animal qualities in the time-honored tradition of folklore and fable, which enhance the movie's resonating, emotional power. Treasured as one of film's most heart-rending stories of parental love, Bambi also has come to be recognized for its eloquent message of nature conservation.Other Walt Disney films in the National Film Registry include Fantasia (1941); Pinocchio (1940); Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937); Steamboat Willie (1928); and Three Little Pigs (1933).For each title named to the registry, the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation works to ensure that the film is preserved for future generations, either through the Library's massive motion-picture preservation program or through collaborative ventures with other archives, motion-picture studios and independent filmmakers. The Packard Campus is home to more than six million collection items, including nearly three million sound recordings. It provides staff support for the Library of Congress National Film Preservation Board, the National Recording Preservation Board and the National Registries for film and recorded sound.Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. It seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the fascinating story and achievements of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to an art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global and distinctively American legacy. Opened in October 2009, the 40,000 square foot facility features the newest technology and historic materials and artifacts to bring Disney's achievements to life, with interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland and much more. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays through Monday; closed on Tuesdays and the following public holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.Tickets: $20 adults, $15 seniors and students, and $12 children ages 6 to 17; Admission is free for members.Where: 104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129  415-345-6800Website: www.waltdisney.org www.facebook.com/thewaltdisneyfamilymuseum
www.twitter.com/WDFMuseum 

DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE LOBBY

One of my favorite grand public spaces at Walt Disney World is the lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The hotel came from the mind of architect Peter Dominick. He also designed the Grand Californian and the Wilderness Lodge. Although all three share many of the same elements (the use of height, texture, a grand central room surrounded by activity nodes, etc. this is his best effort.

SEAT WITH A VIEW

Okay I realize what day this is. However, when I travel to the theme parks I tend to travel alone. Not such a big deal at Disneyland where there are thousands that use the parks as, well, parks. At Walt Disney World I tend to get more strange looks and odd behavior from the Cast Members. One trick is to ask for a seat with a view. Here is a good example of the perfect seat at the Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom.

Sam Gennawey on Ripley Radio

Believe it or not (lol) I am the guest on the latest episode of Ripley Radio. Did you know that Walt Disney proposed to build a city in a swamp?


FIND THE EPISODE RIGHT HERE

Mineral King: The Rest of the Story Part II

On January 21, I was delighted to host a panel discussion and presentation entitled Walt Disney's Lost Last Project at the  Walt Disney Family Museum  in San Francisco. In the last episode of Samland, I began to summarize the event to the best of my knowledge in  Part One of this Mineral King series .


The topic was the rise and fall of Walt's lost last project - the Mineral King ski resort to be located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. My special guests were Ron Miller and David Price. Ron Miller, former CEO of Walt Disney Productions and one of the founders of the Museum, was in the room with Walt when decisions were being made and brought his firsthand knowledge and insights. David is the son of Harrison "Buzz" Price and a renowned architect of themed environments in his own right. David spent many days in the Mineral King valley when the project was under development and he brought his memories and professional insights into the discussion. The event was sold out.


READ MORE AT MICECHAT

THE NON-PC MOUSE - PART 1

Occasionally I find these images.

THE BEST SEAT

Quite simply the best seat for the Horse Trolley is not a seat at all. You can stand along the back deck, lean against the rail, and ride. The effect is not unlike a dolly shot in a film. I highly recommend it.