Day 1306: Only On Film

Since I found out a few years ago that you could meet Indiana Jones after the Epic Stunt Spectacular, waiting at the end of the show sort of became a tradition. We waited the first time on the band trip (as you can see above), when there was a whole row of us watching the show and six of us in the picture with Indy and Marian. I had no idea what I was doing waiting down there that first time, and honestly, was simply hoping that what I had read online was indeed true and I wasn't wasting the time of my entire group waiting on something that wouldn't happen. 

But it did happen, and several months later, we were back for more Indiana Jones and another picture. This time, in January 2015, we were able to see the whole show, and we were lucky enough to meet Stunt Double Dale for the first time. They signed our autograph books and we had a grand old time. 

Fast forward a year to January 2016, when Frank and I again headed to Walt Disney World...and happened across Dale again! By this point you might notice a trend with our pictures - every time we go we loose two people (or half of our group, depending on how you want to look at it after a while). This time around I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Stunt Double, so staying after for pictures was a must...especially when we realized it was Dale. 

So you can imagine my surprise when I headed to Indiana Jones again this July and Dale was the doubling for Harrison Ford. I wasn't intending to stay for a picture this time, and a phone call actually forced me to leave part way through the show. But I came back to watch the end and get a picture with my now favorite Indiana Jones Stunt Double. We made a pact that next time, if he's not Indy, I won't take a picture, and that's a promise I intend to keep. 

If you're interested in meeting Indiana Jones, you too can do so by heading down to one of the stage entrances on the right side of the technical booth after the show. They usually wait for a few minutes, allowing the stadium to clear out and for them to take a quick break and cool off before pictures, but if you sit and wait, they'll almost always come over to say hi. They'll sign autographs, take pictures, and I even have a video greeting from Dale to one of my best friends, but honestly, these stunt doubles are some of the nicest people in the world, and if you're an Indiana Jones fan, this is a must do when heading to Hollywood Studios! 

Have you met Indiana Jones at Hollywood Studios before? 

Have a magical day!

Day 1109: Extra, Extra!

I'd most certainly be lying if I said I hadn't been looking forward to the day I was cast as an extra at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. In fact, since I realized back in June 2014 that I was, finally, actually old enough to be cast, it was sort of a wake up call, but the actual chance to be a part of the show never really came. I was always in the middle of doing something else (mostly filming a band trip video) or wasn't chosen. Still, I longed for the day that I could be in the middle of the action of my favorite show at Walt Disney World. 

And that day finally came. When we made our way into the bleachers I figured we'd be placed in a weird spot that would, per usual, not help with the selection process. However, much to my excitement, I ended up in the absolute perfect spot to be picked as an extra. Almost front and center and right on an isle, there was no way I wouldn't stand out if I jumped up and down a few times when we headed to my section. Needless to say (and pretty obviously considering the picture above), it did work, and for the first time ever, I got to be a part of Indiana Jones! 

Being an Extra at Indiana Jones is, easily, one of the coolest things I've done at Walt Disney World in a long while. To give you a brief rundown of what happens if you've never been chosen, basically you go up and do your introduction and then make your way up to the top of the set. Cast Members are waiting up there with a robe for you to wear for your time as an extra and quickly help you into it while you sign a waver (yes you do actually sign one). From there, you're seated in a roped off section for the first scene of the show and then make your way down onto the set, where you're given strict instructions on motions to follow and are placed for your time as the entire population of the city of Cairo. Honestly though, if I didn't know what was happening around me from the numerous times I've seen the show before, I'd have no clue what was going on, but it was really awesome to be right up in the middle of the action. 

I have to say that I laughed more than a little bit when the stunt double disguised as a volunteer extra (you know the one) and I teamed up for our frozen poses during the introduction, even if our coordinator wasn't quite as thrilled. It certainly made the whole experience more awesome and I can't wait to volunteer again in the future. Of course, we had to go and meet Indy and Marian afterwards too, who are always more than happy to take pictures and chat with you after the show. 

And that's my experience being an extra at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and if you haven't been one yet, why not!?! Like I said, this was honestly one of my favorite experiences from all my time in the parks and would do it again in a heartbeat! After all, who doesn't want to be in Indiana Jones!?! 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This Blog Post was written on January 24 due to travel).

Day 276: Making Movies, Kind of

The Disney Blog the other day featured a blast from the past about Disney's Hollywood Studios...then Disney's MGM Studios, and about the making of it. It was a promotional item for the park way back from who knows when, but I assume sometime around 1989 when it opened.

Of course, when I was sick this past week I just had to sit down and watch it because I didn't really feel like doing anything else, that's for sure. That's kind of what I do when I'm sick. Sit and watch stuff about Disney or TV or movies because I don't feel like living otherwise. It's really hard to do your homework for music theory when you feel like you're head is going to explode. It just doesn't work.

So here's the video, if you wish to watch it...

The entire video talks a bit about Disney World in general, but then goes into deeper detail about the Studios. I think it's really really interesting to see how much stuff has changed...and how much hasn't changed. For instance, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is featured in this video. That's still there today. As is The Great Movie Ride. Neither have really changed much at all since opening day. But then there are things completely missing, like Star Tours and the Muppets. 

And then there's the Backlot area. That lovely portion of The Studios that was still there when I was a kid that I really miss now. 

But the question asked on The Disney Blog is "If you were in charge of an extreme makeover for DHS, what theme would you give it?"

It's a tough question, it really is, and honestly I don't know what my answer would be. I talked about this a while back, and I still agree with what I said then. I don't want to see a Carsland at Walt Disney World, and I really don't wish to see a giant Star Tours land either. I don't think it would fit. So what does that say about what I think would fit? If I had to change Hollywood Studios, I turn it around. Go back to what it was originally. 

I'm not saying that it needs to be a movie studio anymore. Not a complete one at least. But make new, thrilling attractions that excite people about movies. I love movies, I really do. So let's make it a big mix of it, right? It seems that, in general, the idea of educating people about how movies are made is fading, and it's fading quickly. There's talk of Indy going, and I really hope to never see that. Unless they have plans for a new Indiana Jones attraction that's just as thrilling but different from the wonderful things at Disneyland. 

So take some of the most famous movies and make them into a bigger thing. Make Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard a really Hollywood. Bring it back to walking right onto the set of a movie. More street actors, and make it a community of Hollywood. 

But most of all. GET RID OF THE STUPID STAGE AND HAT. 

I never thought I hated it so much, but the more and more I look at the Great Movie Ride, the more I find the beauty in it. In fact there's an entire portion in the video just about creating the building, and they go back and forth from the real Chinese Theater and the one at Disney and YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE except for it tells you. Why in the world should all of that beauty be covered up? And with the use of the Chinese Theater, why not make the entire area different from Buena Vista Street by making it the Hollywood of the 1950's instead of the Hollywood of the 1920-30's. It would be completely different and authentic. It would be beautiful with the theater at the end. 

Then refurbish the entire Backlot Tour. Make it exciting again. Super exciting. Bring in new movies that are popular now. I don't know what, but something. Not movies from 10 years ago or longer, movies that were made this year or last year. And then relate those stunts to that. Remake Catastrophe Canyon, but use some of the same technology. Get the audience involved, and make for less walking! Bring back real people instead of a recording! 

Actually, now that I'm getting into it, there are so many things I would change. Things I would keep, take away, bring back or invent. But all I know is that the Studios of today is a far cry from the spectacular place imagined in 1989. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1971: Peter Pan's Flight opens at Walt Disney World, on the park's third day in business. Based on the 1953 animated film, guests board vessels (Attached to rails above) and "soar" over the skies of London. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on October 12 because I was sick).