My Disney Blog

Great Roy Disney Interview from Buenos Aires

It was such a sad day when Roy Disney, champion of Disney animation passed away this month. I don't know if it's still sunk in about the great loss that we've all experienced with his passing. I have been watching some great videos and reading interviews with Roy Disney, and I ran across this one from Buenos Aires, Argentina - a few days before the Disney Animation Festival in 1995.

I hope you enjoy it too:

--- Disney Dean

Dolly Parton at Walt Disney World

I just ran across this awesome video of Dolly Parton at the 15th Celebration of Walt Disney World, singing 9 to 5. I am a huge Dolly fan, and think she is amazing! By the way, this celebration show was hosted by Beatrice Arthur and Betty White. It aired on November 9th, 1986.

Anyway, here it is - it's a great video to say the least!

AND, here is another great Dolly video that I ran across. It's from the 100 Greatest Country Duets show on CMT. Here, she sings the #1 country duet of all time (according to the show) with Kenny Rogers called "Islands in the Stream". It is one of my favorite performances, as it is their first time singing it together in 15 years. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did :)



--- Disney Dean

A Message from Bob: Roy E. Disney Passes

The following is an email sent to Disney cast members concerning the passing of Roy E. Disney on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. It was a very sad day for all Disney fans and one that I will never forget.

Dear Cast Members,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of our friend and colleague Roy E. Disney. After a courageous year-long fight with stomach cancer, he passed away peacefully this morning at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, surrounded by his loving family.

Roy played an important role in our lives here at Disney, and in the success of our Company over many years. Along the way, he touched many of us in a personal way. During his 56-year association with the Company, his true passion and focus was preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle. His commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of the greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future.

Roy not only helped to keep the legacy alive, but he also embraced new technologies, and gave the filmmakers the tools they needed to tell their stories in new and exciting ways. He encouraged talent, and loved working with the creative community. And they loved working with him.

Roy was a Disney Legend in every sense of the word, and his contributions to this great Company have been profound and will always be remembered. For the next week we will be flying the Disney flag at half mast here at the Studio and at our parks, and I know you join me in sending thoughts and prayers to Roy's wife, Leslie, his four children, and his 16 grandchildren. For those who wish to pay their respects, the family has requested that donations be made in Roy's name to the California International Sailing Association (CISA) to benefit youth sailing.

Bob

--- Disney Dean

Christmas Gift Idea for the Ultimate Disney Fan

Over the past few months, I have become friends with an AMAZING artist named Charles Ott, an artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. What's most impressive is that I'm still talking to him after the Steelers beat my Minnesota Vikings this year, but that's another story! ;)

Anyway, Charles is also known as the Steel City Artist, aptly named for the city in which he lives. I can't remember how I actually came upon his pen and ink drawings, but I remember thinking that I hadn't seen anything like it before in my life. What's best is that Charles even did a pen and ink drawing of Cinderella Castle, at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. I know it can be kind of hard to find gifts for the Disney fan that seems to have it all, and I thought this would make a unique and memorable gift for any Disney fan.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I do not own stock in the Charles Ott corporation :), and I never accept gifts for anything I blog about on MyDisneyBlog.com - so that I can remain 100% neutral and objective. I believe I owe this to myself and most importantly, to anyone reading this blog. If it is of good value, or if it is something I think would be awesome to have, I'll definitely blog about it.

Anyway, please spend some time looking over Charles' website. He has spent a great deal of time perfecting his craft, and coming up with designs that will put a smile on people's face, and I think it deserves a great deal of attention. Thank you, Charles, for including Cinderella Castle in your portfolio for us Disney lovers. We really appreciate it! :)

You can find Charles work on his website. More specifically, you can find the Cinderella Castle Drawings here, and here. I think they are a great value, and I'm still trying to decide if I want to order the black and white version or the pastel version!

--- DisneyDean

Disney Fan Interview with DisneyandBeyond

I am so excited to announce a new series on MyDisneyBlog.com! This idea was suggested by Nicholas Tedesco, also known as @DisneyandBeyond on twitter. I thought it was such a great idea, that I asked him if it would be OK to use it on MyDisneyBlog. Nicholas, thank you SO much for allowing me to use the idea, and for graciously agreeing to be the first person interviewed for this series! I know I am already getting a great deal out of this, and can't wait to learn more about some of the people I've gotten to know through this blog and through twitter.

1) What is the first Disney animated film that you vividly remember seeing as a child? (submitted by @markymarc70)

The film that remains my all time favorite animated film, The Lion King. I just remember staring in amazement at the screen, My parents say that I saw The Little Mermaid before Lion King, but I do not remember that really well.
 
2) What is the number one thing that makes you "The True Disney Fan" (submitted by @mayzic, as well as @WDWJill)

I've seen every Disney animated film to date, my goal in life is to work for Disney is some capacity, and I have over 300 songs on my iPod related to Disney. Does that work? ;) I also have made a 40 minute presentation on the history of animation, which includes much of Disney's history as well.
 
3) How deep into Disney do you think you are compared to how people around you think you're into it? (submitted by @BMSLOU)

I let people know I am really into Disney. The reactions are mixed, but I'm not afraid to hide my love for the Mouse.
 
4) What attraction/event, etc defines "Disney" to you? (submitted by @yourcuppycake)

Splash Mountain. It is the greatest mix of Disney Parks, Disney Animation, and Disney Music. Just pure fun.

5) Withdrawn for clarification
 
6) What draws you back to Walt Disney World or Disneyland time after time? (submitted by @bonnieg88)

I think apart of it is my desire to work for Disney, but mainly because I just can't seem to get enough of it. I've never gotton bored of it, and in fact, I always wish I could have just one more day. I love the little details, and the little moments you see other families having.
 
7) What are your impressions of Disney Cast Member's? (submitted by @afterthemouse)

Aside from one incident where a Jungle Cruise Skipper told her passengers to "tell her managers that she wanted to be fired so that she could have her soul back" while giving the worst Jungle Cruise speil of all time, I have never experienced a bad Cast Member. I love the ones who are able to get into a character, such as at the Haunted Mansion.
 
8) What made you fall in love with Disney, and when did this happen? (submitted by @marcmantoo, as well as @tiffiniholland)

I had loved Disney since I first saw the movies as a kid, and I've been going to the parks for just as long. I can't even remember a time where I didn't love Disney.
 
9) How do you save money for Disney trips? (submitted by @Disneyfotoblog)

Being a member of the Disney Vacation Club helps to book the hotels. Otherwise, I'm not entirely sure, my parents are paying for the trips at this point in my life.
 
10) What is your Disney "happy thought"? (submitted by @Disneyfotoblog)

Honestly, everywhere. I can think of being anywhere in Disney and be happy (except for one place, which you will see later.)
 
11) What would be your "Perfect" Disney vacation? (submitted by @Disneyfotoblog)

One week at Disney World, One week at Disneyland, One Week at Tokyo Disney/Hong Kong, 3 Days at Disney Paris, and finishing with 3 more days at Disney World. That would be the greatest month of my life.
 
12) Name something you've never done at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, but it seems like everyone else has. (Submitted by @rickgregg)

I've never had the chance to eat at Le Celier, which I've heard from everyone as a fantastic resturant.
 
13) When you take a mental trip to a Disney park, where do you imagine yourself? (submitted by @deefordisney)

Depends on what I am in the mood for. For example, when I got accepted into Film School last month, my thought of Disney were directed at me watching the finale film at the Great Movie Ride.
 
14) What is your NUMBER ONE "must do" at Walt Disney World or Disneyland? (submitted by @dwsandy)

Well, I feel that everything at Disney is a must do, so I'll take this space to plug my newst Disney Must Do: The American Idol Experience Finale Show. It is so fun to see the best singers of the day come together to produce an awesome show. Pure Disney Magic!
 
15) What is your favorite Disney song? (submitted by @tiffiniholland)

From the films, I'd have to say "Hakuna Matata" From the Parks "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"
 
16) What attraction, movie, or song sums up your love of Disney? Why? (submitted by @MagicNeverEnds)

"Imagination, a Dream can be a Dream Come True, with just that spark, from me and you." One Little Spark descibes why I love Disney so much. It just takes that spark to make a dream come true, and entertain the world.
 
17) What is it about your favorite Disney Park that makes it so magical to you? (submitted by @MagicalMousecap)

The World Showcase is just so beautifully detailed, and is the main reason why EPCOT is my favorite park. Future World is nice too ;)
 
18) What is your favorite attraction, and why? What is your least favorite attraction, and why? (submitted by @imacdan)

My favorite ride is Splash Mountain, because I find it the prefect mix of everything I love about Disney. My least favorite attraction, and the only one I always skip, is Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I think the Honey I... series is vastly overrated, and the show is outdated.
 
Below are optional questions that Nicholas came up with:
 
What is your favorite World Showcase Country?
As much as I love The American Adventure and O Canada, I have to go with the UK. Rose and Crown, Fish and Chips, and British Invasion all make the UK the best WS Country.
 
Most Underrated Disney Parks moments?
Watching people rush to British Invasion as soon as they hear a Beatles song. Priceless and awesome to see!
 
Most Underrated Disney Movie?
The Great Mouse Detective, Far and Away. It gets lost in the Dark Age mix, but It is a fantastic film.
 
Most Underrated Disney Character?
Scrooge McDuck. His comics are a blast to read, and I'm looking forward to the Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Re-release next year.
 
Favorite Disney TV Show?
Phineas and Ferb. I'll be reviewing the show soon, but I highly recommend it to everyone. Fantastic show with tons of Adult appeal.

Thanks again to Nicholas for this great idea! I look forward to seeing many more interviews over the coming months.

--- DisneyDean (@DisneyDean on twitter)