Happy New Year from Disneyland Resort … 1972-Style!
posted on December 31st, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
We recently came across a photo taken exactly 40 years ago as Disneyland park celebrated the new year, and we thought we would take this opportunity to share it with you and wish you a very happy 1972 – I mean 2012!
Caption This: Up and Away at Disneyland Park
posted on December 20th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
This photo was taken in 1961 during a Disneyland television special and may be one of the most unusual we have on file.
So, keep your feet on the ground and “Caption This!”
The Last Photo of Walt Disney at Disneyland Park
posted on December 15th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
On this day 45 years ago, the world mourned the loss of one of the 20th Century’s greatest visionaries and most beloved figures, Walt Disney. Just a couple months earlier, in the fall of 1966, Walt had publicity photos taken at Disneyland park. Joined by Mickey Mouse at Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Disneyland Fire Department “Engine No. 1,” Walt was photographed by my former colleague, Disneyland Chief Photographer, Renie Bardeau, who retired in 1998. That day, Renie took what would be the final photographs of Walt Disney at Disneyland park.
Prior to his retirement, Renie told the Los Angeles Times, “There is a little story of when I was shooting that particular picture. It was shot on a Rolleiflex, and there are 12 pictures on a roll. I had shot 11 pictures of Walt at different angles… watching for his smile, watching to make sure Mickey was looking the right way, making sure the (castle) spires weren’t hanging out of Mickey’s ears. Anyway, I had shot 11 pictures, and I had said, ‘Thank you, Walt, that’s it.’ He asked me if I was sure, and I told him I was. He then told me that at the Studio we treat film like paper clips. You shoot, shoot, shoot all the film you need because if it’s not in the can, you will never have it. So he asked me to shoot one more. So, I shot one more and he said, ‘That’s fine, thank you, Renie,’ and he walked away.”
Over time, the photo has become an iconic image of Walt, but few people know that it was the last time we saw him at his beloved Disneyland.
The memorable portrait was recreated for the “Happiest Faces On Earth” photo-mosaic murals featured throughout the park during our 50th Anniversary celebration in 2005. It hung in the foyer of the Main Street Opera House and is now seen by cast members every day as they pass through the lobby of the Team Disney building at the Disneyland Resort.
Every morning when I see it I’m reminded of the rich legacy Walt left the world, and in particular to those of us lucky enough to spend every day at the place he loved so much.
Disney Parks Blog Exclusive Photo: Matt Lanter of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Visits Disneyland Park
posted on November 21st, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
When the actor who voices Anakin Skywalker on the hit series Star Wars: The Clone Wars visits Disneyland park, you just know that he’s going to check out Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, and that is exactly where we caught up with Matt Lanter.
Here is what Matt had to say when I caught up with him inside the Star Trader, moments after exiting his Starspeeder 1000.
“Star Tours is amazing – so awesome. The 3-D is incredible! I mean you can come and experience this more than 50 times in a row and have a different experience every time. That is pretty unique from any other ride.”
I then asked Matt if he’s able to experience Star Tours as other fans do, or does being a part of the Star Wars universe make it different somehow for him?
“It’s really weird for me. I’m such a fan of Star Wars. So on one side I experienced it just like a fan – just in awe of being in these worlds that I’m such a fan of. But at the same time, because I’m part of Star Wars: The Clone Wars I felt like I was watching other people to see their reactions. Like everyone at Lucasfilm, I have such pride and passion for Star Wars, it’s so great to see people enjoy it as much as we all enjoy being a part of it.”
Caption This: Tomorrowland ‘Spacecouple’ at Disneyland Park
posted on November 18th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Guests visiting Tomorrowland in the 1950s and 1960s would encounter a unique original Disneyland character that symbolized Americans’ interest in space exploration. In this rare photo from the summer of 1960, the Tomorrowland “Spaceman” is apparently joined by “Spacewoman.”
So, space explorers, “Caption This!”
Rico Rodriguez and Raini Rodriguez Take a Spin at Disneyland Park
posted on November 14th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Rico Rodriguez from the hit ABC comedy “Modern Family” and his sister Raini Rodriguez took a spin on the Mad Tea Party during a recent visit with friends and family to Disneyland park.
While Rico is busy on his Emmy award-winning series, Raini is set to debut in “Austin & Ally,” a new comedy series about an unlikely friendship, singing, songwriting and the adventures of achieving your dreams, premiering December 4 on Disney Channel.
See the posts below for a look at more celebrity visits at Disneyland Resort:
- Rebecca Romijn and Daughters Meet Minnie Mouse at Disney California Adventure Park
- Heidi Klum and Seal Celebrate Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
- Jessica Lange Meets Mickey Mouse at Disneyland Park
Rebecca Romijn and Daughters Meet Minnie Mouse at Disney California Adventure Park
posted on November 8th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Rebecca Romijn visited Disney California Adventure park recently, where Minnie Mouse stopped by to say hello to Rebecca and her adorable two-year-old twins, Charlie and Dolly, outside “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” Rebecca said her girls are really big fans of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” on Disney Channel.
Rebecca, her daughters and Minnie Mouse fans everywhere will be interested to know that Minnie is about to star in her own Disney Junior short-form series, “Minnie’s Bow Toons,” premiering November 14, on Disney Channel!
First Look: Nick Cannon, Christina Aguilera, OneRepublic and More at the Disneyland Resort for the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC
posted on November 7th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
This weekend, we completed some segments at the Disneyland Resort for the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, and here is a preview of what to expect this year on the ABC broadcast that has become a family tradition.
First, it was great to have proud new papa, Nick Cannon, back hosting at Disneyland park this year. Nick posed for this Ferb-tastic photo following Phineas and Ferb’s big “Gitchee Gitchee Goo” number on Main Street, U.S.A.,
During that performance Nick was also joined on stage by a certain secret agent and … I think I’ve said too much. You’ll just have to see it for yourself.
Next, the star of Disney Channel’s “A.N.T. Farm,” China Anne McClain, was joined by her sisters Lauryn and Sierra for The McClain Sisters’ version of “Jingle Bell Rock.” These talented young ladies really brought the holiday cheer.
Later, OneRepublic sang their smash hit “Good Life” on an incredible multimedia stage in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Then, Nick Cannon was joined by Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin to introduce singer-songwriter Nathan Pacheco and vocalist Katherine Jenkins who performed a stirring version of “O Holy Night.”
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Nathan and Katherine were joined by Katie Leclerc and Sean Berdy from the ABC Family hit, “Switched at Birth.” Sean and Katie interpreted this performance beautifully in American Sign Language.
Finally, Christina Aguilera sang the holiday classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Her performance was simply fantastic and one I know you will not want to miss when the show airs December 25.
At the conclusion of this year’s taping at the Disneyland Resort, Minnie Mouse stopped by to wish Christina and her family a very merry Christmas.
Check back for updates on the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade in the coming weeks. For those of you making your plans now, here’s when you can catch the show on ABC all around the country on Christmas Day:
- Eastern Time Zone: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Central Time Zone: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Mountain Time Zone: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Pacific Time Zone: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Raleigh: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Fresno: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
John Ratzenberger Shares Exclusive Sneak Peek of Cars Land on ‘Cars 2’ 5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack
posted on November 1st, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney•Pixar’s fast-action summer hit “Cars 2” comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D (a first for a Pixar film), Movie Download and DVD today. One of the great bonus features on the 5-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack is a feature called “The Nuts and Bolts of ‘Cars Land,’” a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the creation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park with prolific Pixar voice talent John Ratzenberger.
John, who was joined on the construction site by Imagineer Kathy Mangum, has the distinction of performing a role in every Pixar film to date. Can you name his character in the “Cars” films and one other?
Can’t wait for the Summer 2012 opening of Cars Land? Here’s a look at its progress so far:
‘Good Luck Charlie’ Stars Enjoy Halloween Time at Disneyland Park
posted on October 26th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Leigh-Allyn Baker and Bradley Steven Perry from the Disney Channel hit series “Good Luck Charlie” scared up some fun with Mickey Mouse and Goofy at Disneyland park last week.
Bradley’s real-life mom, Kim, was also on hand and this was the first time any of them had experienced Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. In addition to seasonal favorites like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday, both of them were most excited about checking out Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
Bradley and Leigh-Allyn also told me they have their own family traditions for Halloween. Bradley and his family head to his aunt’s house for a homemade chili dinner, and Leigh-Allyn said she creates her own unique candy combination: candy corn and M&M’s!
TV’s Duncan family already has big plans for another holiday season. Disney Channel has just announced that “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!,” a Disney Channel Original Movie, premieres Friday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
