There’s been debate over the ethical concerns of marine life captivity at theme parks and aquariums. For example, the treatment of dolphins and how they are used for both education and entertainment. It helps guests to see these creatures up close for learning purposes, but the enclosure size of aquariums and trained entertainment behaviors concern some individuals. However, an idea that was first conceived by former Disney Imagineers over 20 years ago might be the solution for our future.
The Living Seas exhibit at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park features a six million gallon aquarium. Twenty years ago, a robotic dolphin known as the Dolphin Robotic Unit, or DRU, would swim around the tank and interact with real divers and real sea life. The scripted performance didn’t fool anyone until DRU was used as part of an interactive experience at Disney’s Castaway Cay. Guests were able to get in the water and interact with the robotic dolphin in a way that simulated a true dolphin encounter. The former Disney Imagineers did improve upon their robotic dolphin in the years since then.
The robotic dolphin was designed to not only simulate the movements and appearance of an actual adolescent-aged bottlenose dolphin, but to feel like one too with a realistic skeletal and muscle structure underneath its outer skin, and accurate weight distribution that helps make its swimming motions look like the creative is actually alive. The robotic dolphin operates as a self-contained puppet with its movements controlled by a nearby operator.
At this time, the upgraded robotic dolphin isn’t heading to a Disney theme park or resort. Instead, the technology is being developed and tested for a series of attractions at a new Chinese aquarium. Who knows? If it tests well with the public, we may see the former Disney Imagineer’s robotic dolphin come to our aquariums in the states!
From our friends at chipandco.com Filed Under: Other Disney Stuff, News, Tips &Tricks, Disney Engineers, Disney Imagineers, Dolphin, Imagineers, Walt Disney Imagineers
We’ve been hard at work scoping out all the latest news for you this week. Today we have all the details on what’s happening that affects the Disney Parks, hotels, and MORE!
New DFB Video — Explaining Disney World’s Biggest Changes
Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got FOUR brand new videos EVERY WEEK showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re sharing our latest video: Explaining Disney World’s Biggest Changes — and don’t forget to subscribe here.
Deal of the Week: Order the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for 25% off
Get the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining
With over 700 pages of full-color photos, tips on the best restaurants, an ENTIRE chapter on snacks — including the best snack credit values throughout the parks and resorts — and a full break-down of whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your family, now’s the time to get started!
A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks.
A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips!
Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning.
A comprehensive index of bars and lounges WITH reviews. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic.
The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket!
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com Filed Under: Disney Food Post Round Up, Disney News, News, 2020 disneyland, annual passholder preview, broadway closed, Champagne Margarita, cirque du soleil drawn to life, dfb face masks, DFB YouTube Videos, Disney college program suspension, disney hotels, Disney Monorail, Disney Park Pass, disney skyliner, disney villains clue, Disney World Cast Members, Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District, dooney and bourke, Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf, four seasons resort orlando at disney world, fourth of july treats, Garden Grill, gideon’s bakehouse, grand floridian fence, Homecomin’ Brunch, house of blues, loungefly bags, mary poppings mug set, meme mugs, MLS at Disney World, moonlight magic, NBA at Disney World, nirvana, Oga’s Cantina, park hopper, Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe, ppe vending machines, seven dwarfs mine train, splitsville disney springs, swan and dolphin, temperature screenings, test track cast members, theme park dining reservations, Uncle Slam, vaccine, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Wine Bar George
We could all use a cruise right now and where better to sail than the beautiful French Rhône River? But because times are tight and people are staying home, Disney has decided to treat us from the comfort of our own couches. Presenting: “Adventure at Home: Rhône River Cruise.”
First things first, you’ll want to get acquainted with the surroundings. Watch this virtual tour of destinations that guests find themselves exploring on this Disney Cruise, such as Lyon, Avignon, and Tournon. It will certainly whet your appetite for this delightful French vacation.
Next up on our cruise itinerary is a delightful game called ”Who is the Character?” The game is a classic cruise activity, typically hosted by an Adventure Guide, but here it is in a video format for at-home use. It’s an easy (but fun!) way to get the whole family playing together. The video shows French names of various Disney characters which participants then must guess the English names for. The person with the most correct guesses wins! But no fair if they’re already francophone!
No cruise down the Rhône would be complete without some delicious French food, so Disney chefs have shared a special recipe to make at home: Mickey Mouse French Macarons. They are much simpler to make than might be imagined, and of course, the recipe holds some helpful tips for those who may not be as comfortable with their baking skills! Click the link to try the recipe yourself.
For those who truly wish to be surrounded by the beauty of the French countryside, there remains one more perk to your Disney Cruise from home. Disney has shared a background for your laptop, phone, or conference call, of the hilltop village of Gordes. For personal use only, this gorgeous vista will instantly give users the feeling of being in a world of relaxation. It’s the closest thing we have to cruising from our living room couch!
While we all anxiously await the day we can take the Disney Rhône River Cruise for ourselves, we are excited to do the next best thing at home. Happy sailing!
Photos and videos courtesy of Disney
From our friends at chipandco.com Filed Under: Disney & Co, Adventures by Disney, 2020 Adventures by Disney, Adventures by Disney Europe, Disney Cruise, Disney Europe, Disney France
And it looks like the reversals have started processing! As of this weekend, Annual Passholders have reported that they’ve seen the unexpected charges removed from their accounts.
Annual Passholder Email Screenshot
We reached out to Disney and a Cast Member confirmed that everyone who was charged should see the reversal processed automatically, without needing to call.
Cast Member Chat
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any additional developments!
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, annual pass, Annual Passholder, Annual Passholder refund, annual passholders, Disney World Annual Passholders, surprise charge
Touring Plans are step-by-step customizable guides for touring each of the parks at Walt Disney World, saving guests up to four hours in line. We even have Ultimate Touring Plans designed to help guests see every attraction, show, parade, and live performance in a Disney theme park in a single day.
But for today, I’m introducing a Touring Plan that’s not focused on a single park, but rather a single individual: an Imagineer! Since I’ve already shared the Joe Rohde Imagineer Touring Plan, the Tony Baxter Imagineer Touring Plan, and the Kevin Rafferty Imagineer Touring Plan, today I’m introducing the Marc Davis Imagineer Touring Plan focusing on attractions and locations that best represent Marc Davis’s contributions to the parks.
Who is Marc Davis?
(c) Disney
Marc Davis was a legendary animator, Imagineer, and one of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men. As an animator, Marc Davis animated Bambi, Thumper, and Flower for Bambi, Tinkerbell for Peter Pan, Cinderella, Aurora, and Maleficent for Sleeping Beauty, Alice for Alice in Wonderland, and Cruella De Vil for 101 Dalmatians.
Walt Disney recruited Marc to Imagineering where he played a vital role in creating some of the greatest Disney attractions of all time. Marc’s wife Alice Davis was also drafted by Walt Disney as a costume designer. Today, both Marc and Alice have windows next to each other on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland.
The Marc Davis Imagineer Touring Plan Challenge
I created a Personalized Touring Plan on the Touring Plans site by entering in the attractions I wanted to experience and then utilizing the “optimize” option. This organized my list of attractions into an order that saved the most time in line.
Note: While this plan can’t include every project Marc Davis worked on, the attractions and activities I’ve included hopefully best reflect his work and overall impact on Walt Disney World.
1) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
While it’s true Tony Baxter is the Imagineer responsible for Frontierland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, much of the ride was inspired by Marc Davis’s plans for the Western River Expedition pavilion for the Magic Kingdom.
Unfortunately this massive and ambitious attraction was never realized due to its expense and the fact guests wanted a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. However, as mentioned, a number of the ride’s elements were used for Big Thunder Mountain and other future Disney attractions.
2) Country Bear Jamboree
The origins of the Country Bear Jamboree is rooted in Walt Disney’s plans for the Mineral King Ski Resort in California. While the resort was never built, Walt tapped Marc Davis to work on a show for its guests. The Country Bear Jamboree is one of the last attractions Walt oversaw.
Marc’s show found a home at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and opened with the park in 1971. Due to its popularity, another version of the show opened at Disneyland in 1972.
According to Marc Davis, his last conversation with Walt was about the Country Bear Jamboree. Walt was pleased with Marc’s work on the bears; and before he left, he said, “Goodbye, Marc.” At the time, Marc thought it was strange as Walt never said that. It was only three weeks later that Walt passed away.
The Country Bear Jamboree is still going strong at the Magic Kingdom today and represents Marc Davis’s humor and emphasis on character, as well as one of Walt’s last dreams.
3) Hall of Presidents
One Nation Under God was Walt’s idea for a show featuring all of the American Presidents. Unfortunately, that idea was deemed too ambitious for the early day of audio-animatronics. Walt then decided to focus on one President – his childhood hero Abraham Lincoln.
When Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair, an audio-animatronic Lincoln would stand and give a speech. A version of this show then opened at Disneyland in 1965 and can still be seen today.
“You know, on Mister Lincoln I didn’t turn the knobs that controlled him myself, but someplace you’ll find my “dialogue sheets” all marked out just like you do for animation … every move Lincoln was to make … and whether it was a larger move, to turn his hand at this point, and so on.”
When Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, it offered The Hall of Presidents, a show that finally realized Walt’s original dream.
4) Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion Before Walt Disney World March 2020 Closure
Walt Disney and the Imagineers grappled with ideas for a haunted house-style attraction for years. Marc began working on concepts for the attraction following the 1964 World’s Fair. He was eventually brought on as one of the Haunted Mansion’s main designers along with Claude Coates.
Coates gravitated towards the spooky and creepy while Davis liked gags and character. Both of their respective styles are reflected in the Haunted Mansion with its creepy beginning and whimsy conclusion. The Haunted Mansion finally opened at Disneyland in 1969 while Walt Disney World’s version opened with the park on opening day in 1971.
“As I say, we had a lot of art directors there. And these were guys—you know, most of them were architectural or like motion-picture art directors. And as far as producing the ideas, I produced most of the ideas. I’d say maybe 85 percent of the ideas that are in the Haunted Mansion are things that I did. But they were trying to tell a story about a bride who was stood up at her wedding and so on—and Walt kept saying, ‘No.’ And that was another reason why when I inherited my part of the thing, I didn’t do that.”
5) “it’s a small world”
This charming, whimsical boat tour around the world with its famous (infamous?) ear worm was a last-minute attraction for the Pepsi-sponsored UNICEF pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair. A number of Disney legends worked on “it’s a small world,” including Mary Blair, Marc Davis, and Alice Davis who designed each of the dolls’ authentic costumes.
(c) Disney
The Magic Kingdom’s “it’s a small world” is unique in that it doesn’t include the extra Disney character-inspired dolls that have been added in recent years.
6) Jungle Cruise
In the early 1960s, Walt Disney asked Marc for his input on Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise that had opened with the park in 1955. Back then, the quirky, corny Jungle Cruise we know today was much more serious with no gags or jokes at all.
What was Marc’s suggestion? Humor. Using his visual storytelling skills, Marc drew several scenes for the Jungle Cruise. Today his trapped safari scene and the elephant pool scene are some of the attraction’s most memorable and beloved.
“When I started working down there, there was nothing that was funny in any of the attractions that I can recollect. And this was a thing all the way through that I have tried to do, is to bring in humor… And I think the trapped safari was probably the first laugh that Disneyland had in an attraction.”
7) Peter Pan’s Flight
An opening day attraction at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan’s Flight has maintained its popularity with guests through the years and is still just as charming and magical today as it was then.
Marc Davis animated Tinkerbell for 1953’s Peter Pan and was naturally called upon by Walt Disney to help with the design of Peter Pan’s Flight for Disneyland.
8) Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland in 1967 and is still considered one of the greatest theme park attractions of all time. Initially planned as a walk-through museum, the success of boat ride attractions like “it’s a small world” led to Walt’s pirates attraction adopting a similar ride system.
(c) Disney
Walt tapped animator Claude Coates for the attraction’s sets and backgrounds and Marc Davis for the pirate characters. The duo’s strengths and specialties are why the ride works as well as it does. Also, Marc’s wife Alice was again assigned to create the dozens of costumes needed for the audio-animatronic pirates, many of which lasted for decades.
Due to Florida’s close proximity to the Caribbean and the surrounding area’s rich pirate history, Walt Disney World didn’t open with a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Disappointed guests soon changed this state of affairs and the Magic Kingdom opened their version of Pirates of the Caribbean in 1973.
9) Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Yet another 1964 World’s Fair attraction, this four-act audio-animatronic show all about how electricity’s impact on an American family in the 20th Century was originally called Progressland. Like most World’s Fair attractions, Marc Davis created concept art for the show’s characters and other story elements.
The Carousel of Progress moved to Disneyland in 1967 and then to Walt Disney World in 1975. Its name was changed to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in 1993. The show is still in operation today and stands as a testament to both Walt Disney and his Imagineers.
10) Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
During a trip to New Orleans, Walt Disney purchased a mechanical bird. When he returned to California, he gave the bird to his Imagineers and challenged them to learn how it worked. This was the beginning of audio-animatronics at the Disney Parks and, as Walt saw it, a new medium of animation.
Originally, there were plans for a restaurant where audio-animatronic birds would entertain guests. When that was deemed too distracting, the restaurant concept evolved into a show today known as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The original version debuted at Disneyland in 1963, and many of its birds, flowers, and tikis were designed by Marc Davis!
Walt Disney World’s version of the Enchanted Tiki Room debuted on the Magic Kingdom’s opening day and was titled Tropical Serenade. The attraction was re-imagined as The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) in 1998 but was thankfully reverted to its classic status and renamed Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in 2011.
“This thing began to develop as a show. One thing kind of after another happened, and I was asked to do some birds… We didn’t know what they were going to be sitting on, if they had cages, and so on. And like a lot of things we do; a lot of things just happen.”
11) Happily Ever After
The Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display is absolutely worth seeing anytime and on any touring plan; however, it’s more than appropriate for this Marc Davis Touring Plan because it takes place both on and above Cinderella Castle, the very home of the classic character animated by Marc Davis. It also features Tinkerbell flying from the castle down over the park, another one of Marc Davis’s signature characters.
WHERE TO EAT
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen – Due to the significant influence of Marc Davis on the Jungle Cruise and the experience it offers today, dinner at the Skipper Canteen is the perfect dining destination for this Marc Davis touring plan. After all, the Jungle Cruise’s humorous experience wouldn’t exist without Marc Davis and you may find an Easter Egg or two paying tribute to him.
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Since Marc Davis animated Cinderella for the 1950 animated film, it’s only appropriate for this Marc Davis Imagineer Touring Plan that participants dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella Castle! Note: Cinderella’s Royal Table is a signature table-service restaurant and is difficult to get advanced dining reservations for due to its popularity and incredible location.
HIDDEN MARCS
Most likely everyone knows about the Hidden Mickeys Imagineers hide all throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, but there are also a number of hidden references to Marc Davis throughout Walt Disney World too.
When floating by the final scene aboard Pirates of the Caribbean, look above Captain Jack Sparrow’s treasure room to see the name “Marco Daviso” under a crest showcasing chess pieces. “Marco Daviso” refers to Marc Davis and the crest for his love of chess. Note: He’s also responsible for the famous skeleton stalemate chess scene in the attraction’s queue.
Pay special attention to the gravestones at the Haunted Mansion. “Grandpa Marc’s” is referring to Marc Davis!
Be sure to look up when dining at the Jungle Skipper Canteen Restaurant. One of the office doors on the second level is for Skipper Marc!
When in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, be sure to keep an eye out for Marc Davis’s name on some of the queue props and signage.
Will you give the Marc Davis Imagineer Touring Plan Challenge a try when the parks reopen? Let us know!
From our friends at touringplans.com Filed Under: Attractions, Walt Disney World (FL), Alice Davis, disney world, Disneyland, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, imagineer, Imagineer Touring Plan, Imagineering, Jungle Cruise, Magic Kingdom, Marc Davis, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, touring plan, walt disney world
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NEWS!
While it’s true Tony Baxter is the Imagineer responsible for Frontierland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, much of the ride was inspired by Marc Davis’s plans for the Western River Expedition pavilion for the Magic Kingdom.
The origins of the Country Bear Jamboree is rooted in Walt Disney’s plans for the Mineral King Ski Resort in California. While the resort was never built, Walt tapped Marc Davis to work on a show for its guests. The Country Bear Jamboree is one of the last attractions Walt oversaw.
One Nation Under God was Walt’s idea for a show featuring all of the American Presidents. Unfortunately, that idea was deemed too ambitious for the early day of audio-animatronics. Walt then decided to focus on one President – his childhood hero Abraham Lincoln.
This charming, whimsical boat tour around the world with its famous (infamous?) ear worm was a last-minute attraction for the Pepsi-sponsored UNICEF pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair. A number of Disney legends worked on “it’s a small world,” including Mary Blair, Marc Davis, and Alice Davis who designed each of the dolls’ authentic costumes.
What was Marc’s suggestion? Humor. Using his visual storytelling skills, Marc drew several scenes for the Jungle Cruise. Today his trapped safari scene and the elephant pool scene are some of the attraction’s most memorable and beloved.
“When I started working down there, there was nothing that was funny in any of the attractions that I can recollect. And this was a thing all the way through that I have tried to do, is to bring in humor… And I think the trapped safari was probably the first laugh that Disneyland had in an attraction.”
An opening day attraction at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan’s Flight has maintained its popularity with guests through the years and is still just as charming and magical today as it was then.
Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland in 1967 and is still considered one of the greatest theme park attractions of all time. Initially planned as a walk-through museum, the success of boat ride attractions like “it’s a small world” led to Walt’s pirates attraction adopting a similar ride system.
Yet another 1964 World’s Fair attraction, this four-act audio-animatronic show all about how electricity’s impact on an American family in the 20th Century was originally called Progressland. Like most World’s Fair attractions, Marc Davis created concept art for the show’s characters and other story elements.
During a trip to New Orleans, Walt Disney purchased a mechanical bird. When he returned to California, he gave the bird to his Imagineers and challenged them to learn how it worked. This was the beginning of audio-animatronics at the Disney Parks and, as Walt saw it, a new medium of animation.
Most likely everyone knows about the Hidden Mickeys Imagineers hide all throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, but there are also a number of hidden references to Marc Davis throughout Walt Disney World too.