Day 38: Frankenweenie

Tonight I decided was a movie night, and my brother joined me in watching Frankenweenie. My mom gave me this movie this week so it was kind of obvious that I should watch it.

I have to say, I've always been a semi-fan of Tim Burton. It's not really my favorite genre, but this was a really cute movie. Maybe it's just because it has a dog, but still!

The beginning of the movie was so darn sad. I mean, the dog dies! SPARKY DIES! Granted, I'm sure you figured that out from the cover of the movie, but it still is very sad. I won't tell you how he dies though...you can watch it for yourself. But I think one of my favorite moments was Colossus. That's all I'm going to say about that though...it was hilarious...so watch it!

This movie was originally based off of a Tim Burton short from many years ago, which up until I wrote this blog post, I had no idea that's where the idea came from. I do think it's an adorable take on the idea of Frankenstein, the fact that it's a dog and not a human. Oh...and Martin Short does some of the voicing...that automatically makes this movie awesome.

Here's today's Disney History:  2006: Bambi II is released direct-to-DVD and VHS in the U.S.

Have a magical day!

Day 37: The Muppet Show

It's days like today that I wish I could do a few things.

Of course, I really wish I could just go to Disney World for the evening, specifically Epcot, ride Spaceship Earth and Test Track a few times, catch a showing of the American Adventure and eat a dinner of food from around World Showcase. Of course, that's not how things work...and that can't happen...but if I could teleport, that's certainly where I'd be!

I've talked before about how I instead listen to Disney Parks music...but I didn't do that tonight. I grew very frustrated at my musical rehearsal, for a number of reasons that I won't go into, but it was frustrating and I was tired and just no longer wanted to think. Instead of listening to the music I did the work I had to do and then watched an Episode of The Muppet Show with my cat, LillyBelle.

This past Christmas, my parents bought me the first three seasons of the Muppet Show, as four and five aren't out yet. I've been watching them all in order, and I haven't had time to watch the past few weeks because I've been so busy. But I watched last night, and just like any other time I watch the Muppet Show, I had my cat take a nap on me while I curled up in a blanket on my living room couch and I watched.

Last night's episode really made me feel better too, because it is totally my favorite of all the episodes I've seen. It was the Julie Andrews episode, and the reason I love it is probably because I love Julie Andrews (but then again, who couldn't love her?), but it was still a really great episode.

And so, there's another way I tend to de-stress after a tough day at school. It's always Disney, of course, and it always makes me feel a lot better. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1859: Elias Disney (the father of Walt Disney) is born to Kepple Disney II and Mary Richardson in Bluevale, Ontario, Canada. 

Have a magical day!

Day 36: Touring

Today I went on a couple of tours of local businesses with my FBLA Chapter because, guess what...It's FBLA week! We toured a local YMCA and a performance venue, but here's the funny part. Originally I wasn't going to be going on these tours, but the other day my friend decided that she could indeed miss her Calc class and that we would be able to go. So we went, and there were signs all over that I should be there, which I was!

For instance, while at the YMCA, there was a commercial on one of the TV's and it was something Disney. All I know is that I glanced in that direction and then was like "Wait...Did I just see Mickey Mouse?" My best friend and teacher both laughed because they saw it too. I really do feel it was the first sign.

Then, later when we were at the performance venue there was more evidence...and this time I have pictures!

As we were waiting in the lobby to go on our tours, we started seeing commercials on a giant screen for Disney on Ice, which is headed to my area and that venue in just a couple of weeks. It was just very interesting that it was there, and while it's something they probably run almost all of the time within a month or two of the show, it was still funny that I was there at the time. 

Also, on the giant TV was an ad for our local hockey team, and on this ad was a kid...he had a lightsaber and later tried to force choke some people. Is it coincidence that his lightsaber is green and so is mine? I think not!

And then, as we toured backstage I kept commenting on how much their backstage area looked like the Utilidors at Disney. I can't say much more, but it really did look a lot like it. Of course, I then had to explain to a whole bunch of people about what the Utilidors are and how these hallways resembled them. 

To round out my day I made a trip to the grocery store, for bubbles, Dr. Pepper and a snack for musical practice. Of course, while searching for bubbles my friend found these...

I'm not sure why you'd want premium Disney Cotton Swabs, but maybe if you really love Disney that much. I'd buy them, but I feel like I wouldn't use them because they're Disney and I'd want to keep them. So I didn't buy any. 

Here's today's Disney History: 2000: The Disney Channel Original Movie "The Color of Friendship," based on a true story about the friendship between two girls from different worlds who learn to overcome their differences, debuts. It will earn an Emmy Award. 

Have a magical day!

Day 35: WDW'S 25th Anniversary Special

This morning, as I was catching up on my Super Bowl commercials, I was on Youtube and it suggested I watch "Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Special." Of course, like any good Disney fan, I went and am currently watching the show.

It's hosted by Caroline Rhea, who for those that don't know, played Aunt Hilda on Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, and she now voices the mom on Phineas and Ferb. She's pretty comical. I'm also very jealous of her, getting to host a Disney special. Someday...maybe that will be me. Well, I can hope, right? 

I don't really remember the 25th Anniversary, since I was just a very little girl, but I do know what the castle looked like...and if you haven't seen it, here's a picture...

No, you're not seeing things. It really does look like a giant castle of a Birthday Cake. 

I do think it's pretty funny how they travel between the different years. She travels from the 25th Anniversary back to 1965, before Disney World existed, and now she's at Disney on opening day. Personally I envisioned the park being a bit busier, but it looks pretty awesome either way. I've actually seen the opening day special from Disney World. 

And now we're headed to my personal favorite grand opening in 1982. The opening of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow...otherwise known as EPCOT. Ahh back in the days of Horizons. Those were the days, but a topic for another blog post as well. Spaceship Earth, amazing in it's own right...and..ahem...the best Disney attraction ever...ahem. 

Anyway, if you'd like to watch the entire 25th Anniversary Video yourself, it's embedded below. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1947: Disney consultant Tim Onosko is born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Known as the go-to guy for the future, Onosko accurately forecasted how technology altered the entertainment landscape. He helped define Epcot by steering the theme park’s designers toward cutting-edge gadgets.

Have a magical day!

Day 34: History

If you didn't notice yesterday, or the day before, I've begun my Daily Disney History posting here, something I've been doing on my Facebook Account for the last month.

This, obviously, won't be a long blog post, as I'm really just talking quickly about this...since I've had an extremely long day, but I wanted to explain how the entire thing works, and what I hope to do with it in the future.

I use GoogleDocs a lot...more than I ever used to. I create a separate document for each month, and then organize it by day. Then I search for something that happened on that day, record it, and then as the days go by I just copy and paste from the document. It's easy enough to do.

In the future, I'm hoping to create pictures for each day, and go back and do the ones I missed. This takes a lot of time, and since I already have several other personal projects, as well as school work that I'm doing, this might get to be a little difficult. It just looks like I'm going to have to use my time wisely and plan everything out. I've got a lot I want to do and not a lot of time to do it, but I will get it done!!! =)

So here's today's Disney History: 1925: John Fiedler, the original voice of Piglet in many of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh movies and TV programs, is born in Platteville, Wisconsin.

Have a magical day!

Day 33: FBLA

Today was my regional FBLA competition. I know I talked briefly about it the other day, but since today was the actual competition and it largely involved Disney for me, I figured I'd talk about it a little more.

I participate in Public Speaking II, which means I write a speech, memorize it and then present it to a group of judges. This is my third and final year in FBLA, and I'm more determined to go to nationals than ever. Why? Because it's in a little city called Anaheim, California...which just happens to be the location of Disneyland. I have been excited about it for quite a while...and I really want to make it to nationals. At the moment though, I really want to focus on state and getting to finals. One step at a time. One step at a time. 

But anyway, we don't have a lot of guidelines for writing this speech, other than it needs to include an FBLA goal and be centered on Business. This year, since it is my final year, I decided to do a speech on just how much FBLA has impacted me. I don't want to talk too much about the content here though, just in case someone out there is reading...but it does center largely around how FBLA has changed me as a person and has helped me in my decision to become an Imagineer. Of course, it's a challenging occupation  but basically because of FBLA I am prepared to do whatever it takes to reach that goal. 

And so, I ended up recieving first place, and that means I'm going to state competition. I won first place the last two years as well at the regional level, once in Public Speaking I and once in Public Speaking II, and at state I got 1st in public speaking I and 5th in Public speaking II. Overall pretty successful I think. I'm exciting to be headed to state for my third year, and I can't wait to continue work on my speech and make it the best it can be. 

Here's today's Disney History: 2006: Disney announces that the Disneyland and Disney World Pirates of the Caribbean attractions will be undergoing a 3-4 month makeover to work in character and plot elements from the movie series that took its inspiration from the original attraction. (The attraction now features Jack Sparrow, Mermaids and several other elements of the film series).

Have a magical day!

Day 32: Illuminations

This week Illuminations celebrates 25 years...which I have to say, is pretty impressive. I've grown up with the show myself...and honestly can't think of a better fireworks display in the entire world.

I remember this one time when I was much younger. My parents took my brother and I to a fireworks thing not far from our home, and I didn't want to go. I distinctly remember using the excuse of "It's not like Illuminations!" and what happened...the FIRST display (it was a bunch of different ones put together), used Illuminations music. It wasn't as good of course...but still!

And then there was the Cassette tape. Oh yes...the cassette tape. But it wasn't just any cassette tape...it was my Illuminations cassette tape, and we played it in our van every time we went somewhere for many years. I don't think it mattered where we went...it was playing. It's probably the reason I know the music by heart and my friends look at me funny when I do these little actions to go along with it.

A few weeks ago I was listening to it on my car ride into school for Jazz Band, and I pick up one of my friends on the way. It was towards the end, and I was very carefully telling her what was going on in the show based on the music. "So now there's this globe floating out on the water, and it's slowly opening, and now...wait for it...there! Fireworks shoot from the center of the globe. And now it's shooting in opposite directions. And now everything stops. Single firework. More...and boom boom boom...." Yeah. She was kind of freaked out that I knew the show that well.

But either way, I'd like to wish my favorite fireworks show a happy 25th birthday...and may it amaze many more people in the future. I'm not sure what my childhood would be like without this show...so I'm glad it's still around. =)

Here's today's Disney History: 1998: The "25" is removed from Epcot's Illuminations 25 (as Disney World's 25th anniversary celebration has ended) the same day Illuminations 98 debuts.

Have a magical day!