Day 1475: Carrie and Debbie

It's not everyday you see hundreds gather with lightsabers and umbrellas at Disney's Hollywood Studios for a lightsaber and umbrella vigil, and it's even more rare that I'm able to be there to capture it all since I'm only at Walt Disney World for select days of the year. I haven't had the opportunity to attend a fan event since the D23 Expo in August of 2015, but as magical as that was, there was certainly something special about January 14 and the gathering at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, on a Saturday in January, fans gathered at Hollywood Studios to celebrate the lives of two of the world's greatest: Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. The mood throughout the day, at times, was somber, but for the most part was filled with the spirit and energy the two women were so known for, and it was incredible to see their legacies directly portrayed through only a handful of their most dedicated fans.

Since I'm frequently found with a video camera in hand, I made a special effort to create a Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Tribute Video, which you can watch above. It features some of the fans I met while at the event, sharing why Debbie and Carrie are so important to them. I was a bit nervous at first, worried that I wouldn't get enough people to make up an entire video, but I eventually relished in each word the fans spoke into my camera, and as I spent an evening editing it, I couldn't help but feel an immense sense of pride. I was getting to edit this video, and no matter how big or small the scale of it, these fans, like myself, felt a connection to Carrie and Debbie, and for the first time since their death, I felt comforted in the fact that we aren't alone, and they most certainly won't be forgotten. 

I encourage you to watch the above video, not for me, but for the fans and for Carrie and Debbie. Share it, and let's continue to pass the lessons they've taught us to future generations. These women may have left us right when it seems we need them most, but that doesn't mean they aren't here beside us, because the force is strong, and we are the future. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1471: Carrie Fisher Tribute

It's only been a couple of weeks since we all lost the wonderful Carrie Fisher and her spectacular mother, Debbie Reynolds, and the wounds are certainly still fresh. This Saturday, however, fans from near and far will be gathering at Hollywood Studios to celebrate the lives of these amazing women, and there's plenty for you to get involved in if you're in the area! 

You can find all the official information on the event HERE on the Facebook Event Page, but here are just a few of the highlights: 

Throughout the day guests will be DisneyBounding their favorite Carrie and Debbie characters, from Princess Leia to Kathy Selden, and you're welcome to join in too! Wear a DisneyBound (being mindful of the costume rules) or dress in your Dapper Best for the event! A group photo will be taken at 2 pm in the courtyard of the Chinese Theater!

Group Rides on Star Tours and the Great Movie Ride are scheduled during the day as well. It's suggested that you get fastpasses for these experiences as well, but something tells me that riding Star Tours with a bunch of Carrie Fisher fans would be pretty entertaining! 

Participate in the Group Viewing of 'Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away' at 3:30 in front of the courtyard stage. Again, this sounds like it would be pretty excited when surrounded by fans just like you! 

Finish off the evening with a Lightsaber Vigil! Similar to the event held at Downtown Disney at Disneyland recently, the lightsaber vigil will take place in front of the courtyard stage, with Disney presenting favorite Carrie moments on the courtyard screen! Help us pay tribute to Carrie and Debbie in the best way we know how! 

Luckily, I'll be attending select portions of the tribute event to celebrate Carrie and Debbie and to help film a tribute video! Information on the filming and how you can be a part of it will be available on the Facebook page and I will share that information here as well when it is available! 

I hope to see many of you on Saturday as we celebrate the lives of these women gone too soon! Let's make it an event they'd be proud of! 

Have a magical day!

Day 1459: Keep on Singing

I can't believe that this is the second of these posts I'll be writing this week. 

I don't think I realized how much I needed Debbie Reynolds until the first time I watched Singin' in the Rain. Prior to a few years ago, I guess I hadn't really paid any attention to the film that would, quite literally, change my life. And then one fateful day while riding The Great Movie Ride, I made a decision to watch some of the old films featured in the attraction. Now I'm on a personal mission to watch all of the AFI Top 100 films and any others featured in the original Great Movie Ride Film (so the one previous to what's there now), but that's kind of beside the point. 

When I did watch Singin' in the Rain for the first time, I was absolutely enchanted. There's no other way to describe it. The music, the color, the characters, the dancing, everything. What was once just some movie about singing in the rain somehow rose above all the others, and at some point, it became my all time favorite movie. I'm still not entirely sure when that happened. 

But Singin' in the Rain did so much more than become my favorite movie. I once heard a story about how Gene Kelly once insulted Debbie for not being able to dance, because prior to filming she had next to no dance experience. You'd never know with the way she performs on screen, and that idea alone helped give me the courage to audition for Knights on Broadway. I figured that if Debbie had no dance experience and could accomplish something like Singin' in the Rain, I could accomplish something like being a member of Knights on Broadway, where I too had to do a bit of dancing, so you'd better bet that every second on stage I was channeling my inner Debbie Reynolds. 

Singin' in the Rain was the very first movie I put in the box to bring to college. When my brother complained about me taking it, I immediately ordered him a copy of his own to keep at home so we'd never be without the film. 

At some point in high school, I learned every last word of the film, and I can still remember dancing around the band room on one of my last days there while Debbie and Gene mirrored us on the giant screen. 

To this day, Singin' in the Rain is my cure for even the worst day. My friends all know this, and haven't hesitated to put it on or play or sing one of the songs just to make my smile. 

The night I became an official member of Knights on Broadway we had a discussion at dinner about our favorite musicals and what role we'd most like to play - I said without hesitation Singin' in the Rain and Kathy Selden. 

But this goes far beyond Singin' in the Rain. Where Carrie was my courage and my commitment to be the person I want to be, Debbie was my inspiration. These two wonderful women encouraged me to reach for the stars, take risks, and remind myself that we're all a work in progress. We can only start from where we are right now, and if that starting place is one without Debbie and Carrie, then we'll just have to keep going and strive to uphold the legacy that they so deserve. 

It seems almost redundant now to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the family, but they are, especially with Billie. I can't even imagine what this feels like for her, but I do know that Debbie and Carrie are together again, the way they always wanted to be. 

Although something tells me that Carrie is cursing her mother for stealing her thunder. 

We'll miss you both, forever and always. Keep singing and dancing, even from the stars. 

Have a magical day! 

Day 103: Singin' In the Rain

I'm kind of surprised I haven't talked about this yet, and since the April Showers have finally started here in Wisconsin, it was about time to pull out this movie and write a blog post on it.

There is no movie like Singin' in the Rain. I'm not really sure how one couldn't like this movie...since I honestly feel it is one of the best movies I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It's certainly something everyone should see in their lifetime...and I don't suggest waiting, because I know I always want to watch it again and again.

I guess you could say the reason I watched it in the first place was because of Disney, and that's how it ties in. In the Great Movie Ride, very near the beginning, there is a scene from the film, when Gene Kelly is singing in the rain. There are also some clips of the film stuck into the montage at the end, and while I always got the song stuck in my head (I sang "Singin' In the Rain" for a concert type performance a few years ago), I never actually watched the movie until a few years ago.

Now it seems I have everyone hooked...well, at least my best friend and I, who both agree that our favorite character is Cosmo and our favorite songs are "Good Morning" and "Moses." Honestly, we go around quoting all day long, randomly bursting into "Moses Supposes his toeses are Roses, But Moses supposes Erroneously, but Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses, as Moses supposes his toeses to be!" That is probably one of the most difficult things to type out, but the way. I think it's harder to write out than it is to actually say it!

I also feel it's worth noting that Carrie Fisher's mom, Debbie Reynolds, stars in this film, and it's just awesome to see her and see where Carrie came from. Plus it helps explain that time Princess Leia was singing in the Star Wars Holiday Special...but like always, that's a post for another day. 

Either way, this is a great film, and a must see for anyone, especially if you love movies. The history aspect is great, the songs are very very catchy (be careful...they WILL get stuck in your head), the storyline is captivating and the actors just bring it all home. Of course, there are plenty of crazy dance numbers that make you wish you knew how to dance or that you lived in the 1920's, so there's that too. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1743: Thomas Jefferson, the third United States President (and author of the Declaration of Independence), is born in Albermarle County, Virginia. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Visit Jefferson (and all the U.S. Chief Executives) at Disney World's The Hall of Presidents and Epcot's The American Adventure.

Have a magical day...and remember..Dignity. Always Dignity.