Trick or Treat :)

No matter what your age, the last night of October is always one to look forward to celebrating. Halloween means kids running around in costumes, family and friends getting together and a chance talk with neighbors. What other holiday do you have an excuse to eat all the sugar you want and wear whatever you want?

When we think of Halloween in America, many traditions are associated with the holiday. The most common tradition is dressing in halloween costumes, which has European and Celtic roots. These cultures believed they could avoid being recognized by the ghosts that came out on the night of Samhain by wearing masks. They would also place bowls of food outside their homes to satisfy the ghosts and prevent them from entering the home, which could be where trick-or-treating originated. Other sources point to beggars in Ireland who made their rounds to homes of the rich to ask for money and food. They would threaten them with “evil spirits” if they did not give.

The Batman phenomenon hit this summer with the release of The Dark Knight. This year, Amanda and her roommate Rachel opted for Batgirl and Supergirl (pictured above) as they celebrate Halloween tonight with friends in Pittsburgh. My nephews Milton and Brandon opted for the Joker, as portrayed by the late Heath Ledger from this past summer's blockbuster, The Dark Knight.

As an added Halloween Treat, below (courtesy of YouTube.com) is the first Silly Symphonies release, The Skeleton Dance (1929). It is probably one of the most entertaining and imaginative animation shorts ever made, featuring the animation of Ub Iwerks and the music of Carl Stalling.

In this short, four human skeletons dance and make music around a spooky graveyard. When the skeletons first appear you can somewhat see why in 1929 some people thought this was too gruesome for a cartoon. The fact that it is in black and white enhances the eerie graveyard setting.

Sit back and enjoy and hopefully your day was more treats vs. tricks ]:)

The Skeleton Dance is a Silly Symphony Cartoon ©Disney

Review: Event Tinker Bell Sculpture

Yesterday, a pre-Halloween treat arrived .. Tinker Bell! I had only seen this sculpture via pictures but was just as pleased in person. Margi Wray did another fantastic job on Tinker Bell. You may recall, Margi sculpted the 2005 Disney Bank One Visa credit card exclusive of Tinker Bell from Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Blithe Spirit is not only the 2008 Fall Event sculpture but also the first release in the Master Artist Series. In the most recent Sketches, there was an article on the origin of this sculpture and how it came to be. David Pacheco's newest design of Tinker Bell presents a popular character in a fresh situation. "The idea for this piece actually came about a while ago," Dave continues. "I had done a random sketch of Tinker Bell for another project and everyone I work with seemed to like it. It was a little more interpretive and something that wasn't taken directly from the film Peter Pan.

"Putting Tink on a leaf helps to show scale and the rich autumn colors really make her stand out. It makes a better statement than a green leaf which would have been too similar to her costume."

Comparing this Tinker Bell to previous releases, she is much larger both in body size and wings. There is a lot of detail and facial expression (she looks great at any angle) and like how Margi sculpted her bangs falling over her forehead. There is a lot of detail in the leaf and like the color palette that was used. Her wings are what strike you as different vs. previous releases, much longer and more of an arch. They appear more as fluttering, relaxed vs. previous releases where she either preening, rocking back and forth laughing or in flight.

Mary being a huge Tinker Bell fan, it was a no-brainer this one would be added to our collection :) I'd like to thank Pam at Cel-Ebration for locating one for me. Waiting too close to the event proved not a good choice in pre-ordering one, as most dealers sold out. Thanks Pam!

Lonesome Ghosts

Lonesome Ghosts, starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy as members of the agency "Ajax Ghost Exterminators" was released on December 24, 1937.

Four green phantoms want some fun, so they invite ghostbusters Mickey, Donald, and Goofy over to their haunted home with the aim of driving them crazy but things don't work out as planned.

As Donald observes "So you can't take it, you big sissies!". Goofy offers what is considered the short's most memorable quote while warily looking around him: "I'm brave but I'm careful." Another Goofy quip is "I ain't scared of no ghosts!", a line repeated in Ray Parker, Jr's hit Ghostbusters, the theme song of the 1984 film of the same name.

A rumor surfaced a few years ago that a Lonesome Ghost sculpture had been planned as a Disneyana release but never materialized (pardon the pun :)) Lonesome Ghosts continues to come up in conversations with fellow collectors, so in keeping with the Halloween Spirit, started a poll yesterday (at right) to gauge interest for something to be released from this film. The poll will end on Sunday at midnight.

For those unfamiliar with Lonesome Ghosts, below is the short courtesy of YouTube.com:


Lonesome Ghosts is ©Disney

Favorite of Recent 4th Qtr. Poll Results

The recent Favorite of the Recent 4th Quarter Poll has ended. The results are as follows:

45% -Signature Series: Alice Down the Rabbit Hole
32% - NLE: Orville, Bernard & Miss Bianca
23% -NLE: Mulan and her Father, Fa Zhou

I will leave the results up from this poll for a few days for anyone who wants to see/compare the final results. As with previous polls, Blogger results never add exactly to 100%, so the accountant in me recalculated the results based on the number of people who voted in each category to the total :)

Thanks again to all who participated!

A ‘Spirited’ Show at CEL-EBRATION! Gallery

Animated villains, ghosts, goblins and ghouls will inhabit the walls of CEL-EBRATION! Gallery in Red Bank, NJ from October 24th through November 15th, 2008!

Original art and limited edition pieces created by Disney artist Mike Kupka and gothic artist and author Gris Grimly will be highlighted. CEL-EBRATION! is the only gallery in the northeast authorized to carry Grimly’s art. Animation cels and drawings representing the scarier side of the cartoon world, such as gallery favorite Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas are included in the show’s mix.

A special gallery event featuring a guest appearance by artist Mike Kupka is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th. from 2:00 to 4:00PM. Mr. Kupka will be signing his work and discussing his unique style of painting Disney characters. Kupka, a resident of NJ, is also well known for his paintings of Universal Studios monsters.

To RSVP for the event please call (732) 842-8489. CEL-EBRATION! Gallery is located at 30 Monmouth Street in Red Bank NJ. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 AM—5:00 PM. For additional information please visit their website at http://www.cel-ebration.com/.

Happy Anniversary Dumbo!

One of my favorite films celebrates the anniversary of it's release today! Dumbo was first released on October 23, 1941 by RKO Radio Pictures and the fourth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. Dumbo is based upon a child's book of the same name by Helen Aberson and illustrated by Harold Perl.

The main character is Jumbo Jr., who is cruelly nicknamed Dumbo. He is ridiculed for his big ears, but in fact he is capable of flying by using them as wings. Throughout some of the film, his only true friend aside from his mother is Timothy Mouse, parodying the stereotypical animosity between mice and elephants.

Despite the advent of World War II, Dumbo was still the most financially successful Disney film of the 1940's. Completed in fall 1941, Disney's distributer RKO Radio Pictures initially balked at the film's 64 minute length and wanted Disney to either make it longer, edit it down to a short subject length, or allow them to release it as a B-movie. Disney refused all three options, and RKO reluctantly issued Dumbo, unaltered, as an A-film.

After its October 23, 1941 release, Dumbo proved to be a financial miracle compared to other Disney movies. The film cost $813,000 to produce, half the cost of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and less than a third of the cost of Pinocchio. Dumbo eventually grossed $1.6 million during its original release; it and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were the only two pre-1943 Disney features to turn a profit.

This film was one of the first of Disney's animated films to be broadcast, albeit severely edited, on television as part of Disney's anthology series. The film then received another distinction of note in 1981, when it was the first of Disney's animated films to be released on home video.

Dumbo, sculpted by Kent Melton, made his Walt Disney Classics Collection debut in 1995. Chosen as the Walt Disney Collectors Society membership gift sculpture for that year, he was available from January 1st thru December 31st, 1995. The sculpture's title defined this piece perfectly, "simply adorable" and still remains my favorite piece to this day in the collection.

It wasn't until 2003 that a full scene (with opening title) was released from this film. Up until that time, only stand alone releases (Members Only, Special Event, Open Edition and WDAC Convention) were made available. A complete WDCC listing from this film can be seen in the Dumbo Image Gallery section of the website.

Trivia:

• In December 1941, Time magazine planned to have Dumbo on its cover to commemorate its success, but it was dropped due to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Initially Walt Disney was uninterested in making this movie. To get him interested, story men Joe Grant and Dick Huemer wrote up the film as installments which they left on Walt's desk every morning. Finally, he ran into the story department saying, "This is great! What happens next?"
• The first Disney movie for Sterling Holloway (the Stork) and Verna Felton (the Elephant Matriarch). Both would become regulars in Disney animated films for the next thirty-five years.
• According to some sources this was Walt Disney's favorite film made by his studios.
• During production there was a long and bitter animators strike, in which half of the studio's staff walked out. Some of the strikers are caricatured as the clowns who go to "hit the big boss for a raise".
• While trying to comfort Dumbo, Timothy says: "Lots of people with big ears are famous!". That's a joke with Walt Disney himself, who did have big ears. The line also refers to Clark Gable, renowned for his charming looks and large ears.
• Mrs Jumbo (Dumbo's mother) only speaks once when she says Dumbo's original name.
• The name of the circus (seen on a sign as the train leaves the winter headquarters) is WDP Circus (Walt Disney Productions).
• When the drunken Timothy is sliding down the staircase-shaped bubble Dumbo has blown, his laugh is actually that of Mickey Mouse.
• When Jim Crow plucks the "magic" feather off of the little crow's tail, the crow's yell is actually a snippet of dialogue from The Reluctant Dragon (1941). The full line is the dragon saying "Well, that's splendid!"
  

Below is the 1941 trailer for Dumbo, courtesy of YouTube.com:

Dumbo is ©Disney

Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales to Appear at Castle China (UK)

Disney Dave’s
“Castle China”

Hosting the Walt Disney Classics Collection
Premiere Signing Event of 2008

with Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales

Welcome Jacqueline Perreault Gonazales, WDCC Sculptor & WDCC 4th Quarter Release Presentation with Disney Dave-Castle China, John Brown-ENESCO & Tony & James Oxtoby (Avon Suite, Lord Leycester Hotel)

Doors Open: 10.55am - (Please be in room before start of presentation)Presentation Starts: 11.15am – 11.45am

Itinerary For Saturday 25th October 2008

• FREE raffle ticket for every person attending
• Shop Hours: 11.00am – 5.00pm
• Complimentary Tea’s, Coffee’s & Biscuits (Freemasons Lodge)
• Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales Signing (Freemasons Lodge)
• Question & Answers Session with Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales (Avon Suite, Lord Leycester Hotel)
• Hourly Raffle Draw
• Grand Raffle Draw (For every £25.00 spent on purchases, you will receive a raffle ticket for our main draw). The draw will take place at 5:00pm so be sure to be there right to the end. The main prize is a Beauty & the Beast Signature Series worth £1295.00, other WDCC prizes will also be available. Winner(s) must collect at time of raffle draw or it will be re-drawn.
• Sneak Peek of 2008 – 4th Quarter WDCC Releases available.
• Dinner with Jacqueline has been arranged on Saturday 25th October 2008, 7.30pm at the Restaurant at the Restaurant PREZZO, High Street, Warwick.

Reservations are required. R.S.V.P. Disney Dave's - "Castle China": 01926—400513 or e-mail info@castlechina.com. (Itinerary might change without notification)

Tiki Con Screams Into Niles, Ohio this Weekend!

Screaming Tiki Comic and Pop Culture Convention is being held this weekend in Niles, OH. The convention started on Friday (10/17) and concludes tomorrow (Sunday, 10/19).

Had the chance to see my good friend Ruben Procopio, catch up and talk about his latest releases Orville, Bernard & Miss Bianca from The Rescuers and Shere Khan from The Jungle Book. We talked of the wingspan of Orville's wings and how his wings and scarf balance the piece. He liked the Jungle Book grouping I posted the other day on the blog and said Shere Khan is probably slightly bigger than depicted in the grouping but felt it would still work well with the other two pieces.

I had the opportunity to see Masked Avenger Studios first release in a new product line of retro figures called Really Retro (TM), the officially licensed Adam West bust. Click here for additional information. Announced on Friday was the concept drawing of the next release, the Burt Ward bust. Both appeared in the popular and iconic Batman television series (1966-1968).

Feastured guests on hand were Adam West (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Julie Newmar (Catwoman-TV series pictured at right), Lee Meriwether (Catwoman-movie based on the TV Series) and Yvonne Craig (Barbara Gordon/Batgirl). In addition to characters from Batman was Noel Neill, Lois Lane from the Adventures of Superman television series (1952-1958), Margot Kidder and Sarah Douglas from Superman the Movie (1978). It was a great opportunity to see all these people I grew up watching either in film or television in one room, in person.

A special treat was seeing the Batmobile and Batcycle from the television series. The Batmobile's front end design is characteristic of the face of a bat with the hood scoop extending down into the frontal area accentuating the nose. Right and left eyes extend into the ears with dual 450 watt lasser beams installed in amber reflective lenses. Hood scoop follows the front area with a hydraulically operated steel chain and cable cutter blade. Hidden behind the ears are functional headlights for normal street driving. The grille cavity is the mouth of the bat with the internal mounted rockets.

The dash is equipped with many different Batman innovations such as the Batscope that is hooked up with a revolving closed circuit antenna to bring the Batman full vision plus the Bateye switch for anti-theft control, the antenna is for an information radio wave pickup of messages and computering from the Batcave with an electronic unit installed in trunk. A Detect-a-scope is used to determine the area in which Batman or Robin are in, also the Batray reactors and lasser beam button controls, plus many flashing warning lights and directional electronic systems. Attached to the anti-fire theft control systems are swivel 5-way nozzles that eliminate any fire throughout the vehicle. Ad double cable control exhaust cutout system are used for sound volume.

The Batcycle made its first appearance in 1966. It was a 1965 Harley Davidson with a side car, but it was taken on lease and was only used for the first season episode "Not Yet, He Ain't."

Later that year, a new Batcycle was introduced. Off-site was the Bat Copter. Was really cool to see all of these in person plus was able to find the Hot Wheels 1:50 1966 Batmobile that was released earlier this year that up until today, I was unable to find plus the 1:18 Batmobile.

This was my first time attending a comic book convention, was very different seeing a lot of people walking around in costume, those working the convention plus collectors as well.

Walking around were Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Spiderman, the Green Hornet and Kato, Batman villains such as King Tut, Catwoman and the Mad Hatter. Catwoman was dressed just as she appeared in the television series and couldn't miss the opportunity to get my picture with her :)

Was a great opportunity to see Ruben again (Thanks as always Ruben!) and take a walk down memory lane.

Jungle Book Grouping & Size Updates!

Last week, the long awaited remaining releases for the 4th Quarter 2008 were announced along with some of the Members Only offerings for 2009. Two that stood out for me were the Vultures (Members Only Numbered Limited Edition) and Shere Khan (Members Only Villains Series) from The Jungle Book.

Over the past couple years, have been dabbling in Photoshop and having fun from time to time creating my own groupings. I don't profess to be a professional at it but having fun nonetheless and it's been a great learning experience at the same time. I decided to put together a grouping of the two upcoming releases from The Jungle Book with the 2006 Villain Series release from the same film, Kaa & Mowgli. Not 100% sure if I have the sizing right but looking forward to pairing Shere Khan with Kaa & Mowgli and hopefully be able to work in the Vultures as pictured above (click on image for a larger view).

Found out some additional sizing information for Orville, Bernard & Miss Bianca from The Rescuers and Mulan & Fa Zhou from Mulan.

The approximate width (based on Orville's wingspan) is 18-1/2" for Cleared for Take Off the Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 sculpted by Ruben Procopio, slated for November, 2008.

This sculpture marks the WDCC debut of Orville and second appearance of Bernard & Miss Bianca. Orville is plussed with resin and pewter legs and the Boarding Stairway (which you can't see in this image) is separate, so that it can be moved around.

Also making his WDCC debut is Fa Zhou, Mulan's father. The cherry blossoms almost makes an umbrella over Mulan and her father in this Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500 sculpted by Kent Melton, slated for November, 2008. The approximate dimensions are 8" across by 11" from side to side.

This touching sculpture is plussed with resin and pewter and features a 10th Anniversary backstamp in honor of the film's release.

Jack & Behemoth: Theme Park Contact Information

Collectors have been inquiring about contact information for acquiring the recently released Jack (as the Pumpkin King) and Behemoth: "All Hail the Pumpkin King!"

Guests can inquire as follows:

Walt Disney World® Resort
Orlando, FL

Guest Services:

Mail Order Line: (407) 363-6200
Ask for Walt Disney World item #15633331 (Collectible WDCC Jack and Behemoth).

Gallery Locations:

• Art of Disney, Downtown Disney (407) 828-3929 (no park admission required, free parking)
• Art of Disney, Epcot (407) 560-6481
• Animation Gallery, Disney's Hollywood Studios (407) 560-4567

Disneyland® Resort
Anaheim, CA

Guest Services:

Disneyland® DelivEARS Delivery Service: (800) 362-4533

dlr.delivears@disney.com

Ask for Disneyland item #507-51504-0292 (Collectible WDCC Jack and Behemoth)

Gallery Locations:

• Disneyana Shop, Main Street USA (inside Disneyland® Park)
• World of Disney Store (collectibles area), Downtown Disney (no park admission required, free parking)
• Off the Page, Disney's California Adventure Park

Special Note: Due to the large, fragile size of this piece, it is highly recommended that this piece be picked up in person. If unable, please feel free to contact Mail Order and/or DelivEARS for shipment.

Members Only Releases from The Jungle Book!

Part of the 2009 members only assortment were two releases from Disney's 1967 classic (and last film under Walt), The Jungle Book:

• Members Only Limited Edition-Vultures
• Villains Series-Shere Khan
  
• The Vultures, rarely portrayed in any other medium mark not only their WDCC debut but the return of the Members Only Limited Edition. This Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,000, sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons will be made available in February, 2009.
  
  "Things Are Right Dead All Over" is plussed with pewter plant stalks and branches as well as the feathers on Flaps, Buzzie, Ziggy and Dizzy.
  
  After making his debut in 1998, Shere Khan makes his second appearance in the Walt Disney Classics Collection. For his debut in 1998, he was the Spring Event Sculpture. This time around, he is the 13th release in the very popular Villains Series.
  
  "Savage Sophisticate" is sculpted by Ruben Procopio and will be available from May 2009 thru March 2010.
  
  Special Update: Ruben has recently updated his blog with concept sketches of the upcoming Vultures, Shere Khan and the Evil Queen & Raven plus images of the upcoming sculpture of Orville, Bernard and Miss Bianca from The Rescuers and Shere Khan done in clay.
  
  This is not the first time that Ruben sculpted Orville, Bernard & Bianca. If you click on the concept drawing of Shere Khan at your left, you can view all these images (sculptures and concept drawings) plus read a funny anecdote when he sculpted the maquettes for The Rescuers Down Under.
  
  Below are two clips (courtesy of YouTube.com) from The Jungle Book. The first clip features the Vultures and the second clip is an encounter between Shere Khan and Kaa:
  
  The Vultures
  
  
  
  Shere Khan & Kaa
  
  

The Jungle Book is ©Disney

2009 Membership Year Announced!

As part of the remainder of the 4th Quarter releases, was the announcement of some of the membership offerings from the Walt Disney Collectors Society for 2009!

Smiles and surprises are yours to enjoy all year with the Walt Disney Collectors Society. Join or renew your membership for 2009 and you grin with a loveable Dwarf, thrill to wicked monarch’s power, laugh with a zany bunch of buzzards, cross the path of a tyrannical tiger, and more ....

This entry will focus on the three offerings from the 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

• Membership Gift-Dopey
• Members Only Ornament-Snow White Apple Ornament
  
• Of Dreams & Magic-Evil Queen and Raven
  

Sweet Dopey ("Gleeful Grin") is the Membership Gift Sculpture for 2009. Sculpted by Bruce Lau, it will be available from January 2009 thru December 2009.

2009 marks the return of the Members Only Ornament. The Apple Ornament ("Sweet Surprise") is available from January 2009 thru March 2010 and will be available for Instant Redemption at authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection retailers when collectors purchase their Membership Kits. Sculptor information is not available.

This year's Of Dreams & Magic release marks the first time a Villain has been the subject of this series plus marks the WDCC debut of the Evil Queen's Raven.

"Now Begins Thy Magic Spell", seventh release in the series, recreates the terrifying moment when the Evil Queen completes her potion and summons the thunder and rain. Richly plussed with glass, rope and pewter and sculpted by Kent Melton, this two-piece set is available from January 2009 thru March 2010.

Below is a short clip (courtesy of YouTube.com) of the Evil Queen as she transforms, through the help of her magic spell, into the Old Hag:


Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is ©Disney

2008 Signature Series: Down the Rabbit Hole!

This past week, the last of the 4th Quarter releases were announced. In addition to the two previously discussed Numbered Limited Edition releases (from Mulan and The Rescuers), this year's Signature Series release was announced as well. From Disney's 1950 animated classic, Alice in Wonderland, is the moment when Alice falls down the Rabbit Hole.

"Down the Rabbit Hole" is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500, sculpted by Dusty Horner (this marks Dusty's 4th Signature Series release!) making it's debut in December, 2008. This sculpture also marks the WDCC debut of Dinah, Alice's cat, a much requested character by WDCC collectors.

The sculpture is elaborately plussed with pewter and resin and boasts 84 components and one of the tallest WDCC sculptures to date at 18-1/4" tall (Whoa!). The sculpture also includes a Signature Card, hand-signed by Kathryn Beaumont, the original voice of Alice.

Below is a short clip (courtesy of YouTube.com) leading up to and showing Alice as she falls down the Rabbit Hole:

Alice in Wonderland is ©Disney

Cleared for Take Off!

A message in a bottle from Penny, a kidnapped girl, is found by the Rescue Aid Society. Two of its members, a hesitant Bernard and the elegant Miss Bianca set out to rescue Penny. They are aided by various animal inhabitants of the Bayou where Penny is being held and a comical albatross named Orville.

"Cleared for Take Off" a Numbered Limited Edition of 750, sculpted by Ruben Procopio depicts Bernard and Miss Bianca all fastened in and ready for take off! Scheduled for a November, 2008 release.

Trivia: Orville, voiced by actor Jim Jordan, would have appeared again in the sequel had he not passed away. In the sequel, Rescuers Down Under (1990), Orville was given a brother Wilbur (voiced by the late John Candy). The names are a play on the famous Wright Brothers. A third Rescuers movie was planned for 1996, but after the death of Eva Gabor (voice of Miss Bianca), this and all future Rescuers movies were scrapped.

Below is a short clip (courtesy of YouTube.com) showing Orville, Bernard and Miss Bianca as they prepare for Take Off:


The Rescuers is ©Disney

Beautiful Bloom!

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all" are words spoken by Mulan's father, Fa Zhou to his daughter Mulan.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection has captured this touching and endearing moment showing a brave young woman's love for her noble father with a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500 sculpted by Kent Melton.

Mulan and her Father, Fa Zhou "When it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all") will feature a 10th Anniversary backstamp in honor of the film's release. In addition, an Opening Title will be released. Both are scheduled for a November, 2008 release.

Special Note: A close-up of Mulan and her father plus a backview have been added.

Thanks Jim!

One section of the website that is an on-going mission in trying to complete is the Special Events section, recapping all the promotional items that were available through the dealers, theme parks, etc.

I'd like to thank Jim Williams for noticing that I was missing images of some of the t-shirts, taking the time to photograph and send them to me. For those interested in past promotional items, t-shirt images have been added for the following:

• Fairy Godmother (1996 Fall Sculpture Event)
• Winnie-the-Pooh (1997 Spring Ornament Event)
• Hercules (1997 Fall Ornament Event)
• Blue Fairy (1997 Fall Sculpture Event)
• Simba (1998 Spring Ornament Event)
• Ursula (1998 Fall Sculpture Event)

Thanks Jim!!

Tinker Bell Fall Event Poll Results!

Our recent Tinker Bell Fall Event Sculpture poll has ended. The results are as follows:

25% -Pre-ordered Immediately & Secured One
14% - Pre-Ordered After Sold Out & Secured One
0% -Pre-Ordered After Sold Out & Still Looking
7% -Taking My Chance Event Weekend
54% -No Interest

39% have secured one, whether pre-ordering before it was announced that Tinker Bell sold out, 7% taking a chance she'll be available the event weekend and 54% having no interest.

I will leave the results up for the Tinker Bell Event Sculpture Poll for a few days for anyone who wants to see/compare the final results. As with previous polls, Blogger results never add exactly to 100%, so the accountant in me recalculated the results based on the number of people who voted in each category to the total :)

Thanks again to all who participated!

Happy 21st Birthday Amanda!

Happy 21st Birthday Amanda!

We have been so blessed to have a very special daughter who makes us so proud! Seems like it was only yesterday we welcomed you into the world, holding you in our arms and bringing such joy in our lives that you just can't put into words. It's been a joy and pleasure watching you grow from a sweet, little girl into the young woman you've become.

Congratulations on all your accomplishments throughout life and this past year and may God continue to bless you. There is no doubt, you are going to go far!

Love,

Mom and Dad

The following Walt Disney Classics Collection sku #'s have a new Suggested Retail Price due to an October price increase:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Dancing Snow White and Prince
SKU# 4004515
New Price: $299.00

Doc (Mine Scene)
SKU# 1232431
New Price: $130.00

Bambi

Bambi (Winter Scene)
SKU# 4002442
New Price: $130.00

Flower in Burrow (Winter Scene)
SKU# 4004662
New Price: $130.00

Cinderella

Dancing Cinderella & Prince Charming
SKU# 1028568
New Price: $299.00

Lucifer on Footstool
SKU# 1234614
New Price: $80.00

Sleeping Beauty

Dancing Aurora & Prince Phillip
SKU# 1028723
New Price: $299.00

Dancing Briar Rose & Prince Phillip (Woodland Scene)
SKU# 4006683
New Price: $299.00

The Little Mermaid

Dancing Ariel & Prince Eric
SKU# 1234743
New Price: $299.00

Beauty and the Beast

Dancing Belle & Beast
SKU# 1234743
New Price: $299.00

Dancing Belle & Prince (Beast in Human Form)
SKU# 1234743
New Price: $299.00

Lumiere Promotional Candle
SKU# 4002994
New Price: $12.00

Toy Story 2

Buzz
SKU# 4004486
New Price: $160.00

Woody
SKU# 1234728
New Price: $160.00

Stinky Pete
SKU# 1234731
New Price: $160.00

Monsters, Inc.

Mike
SKU# 1227456
New Price: $99.00

Sulley
SKU# 1217913
New Price: $145.00

Small World

Flagship (Opening Title)
SKU# 1236784
New Price: $65.00

Nightmare Before Christmas Release & Signing this Weekend!

Walt Disney Classics Collection Presents

"All Hail the Pumpkin King!"
Sculpture Release & Signing

October 4, 2008
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Disneyana Shop, Disneyland® Park

Numbered Limited Edition of 500
$750.00 US
Sculpted by Ruben Procopio

This event marks the worldwide debut of a spectacular new Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture starring the Pumpkin King (Jack Skellington in his rarely seen Halloween night costume) and that briefly-seen-but-impossible-to-miss monstrosity, the Behemoth, just as they are seen at the beginning of the film before the town square sequence. Halloween brings out the best of the worst, as evidenced by the Behemoth ponderously pulling the oddly constructed straw horse on which the Pumpkin King rides through the night.

One of the most elaborate Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures ever released, this Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of only 500 was sculpted by Ruben Procopio and hand-crafted in fine porcelain. It is richly plussed with over twenty-five separate terrifying touches including elements of precious metals, wire, rope, and resin to bring the scene to three-dimensional life (all based on original animation film reference).

Special Note: Merchandise available while supplies last. Only two (2) items be signed per Guest. No personal items to be signed. Event merchandise must be purchased on the day of release at the event location. Valid Disneyland® Resort receipt may be required. Artist signing is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed. Artists will only sign their respective merchandise purchased on the day of the event only. Event information subject to change without notice. Separate admission is required to enter Disneyland® Resort theme parks.

Choice for 2009 Membership Gift Sculpt Results!

Our second poll has ended, with an overwhelming 183 people participating! The results are as followes:

49% - Classic Film Character
15% - Classic Short Character
15% - Pixar/Touchstone Character
8% - Princess
6% - Fab Five Character
5% - Live-Action Character
2% - Other

I will leave the results up for the 2009 Membership Poll for a few days for anyone who wants to see/compare the final results. As with the previous poll, Blogger results never added exactly to 100%, so the accountant in me recalculated the results based on the number of people who voted in each category to the total :)

Thanks again to all who participated!

PA Commission for Women Kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Pink Fountain Tour

As many are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately we have someone in our family who has been battling this disease and has been an inspiration for us all as she daily fights this dreaded disease.

Three of Pennsylvania's most notable fountains will turn pink as the Pennsylvania Commission for Women kicks-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in honor of the women and families who have so valiantly fought the disease. The commission is coordinating the pink fountains as a reminder and as a tool to educate the public on the disease.

"Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Pennsylvania women," said Leslie Stiles, the commission's executive director. "Until we reverse that trend, we must continue to raise awareness about breast cancer; educate women about breast health; and support the women and families who are living with a breast cancer diagnosis."

The three fountain events held in advance of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month will feature remarks from Pennsylvanians whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. The fountain outside of the Capitol's East Wing in Harrisburg was the first to turn pink this week on Monday.

Yesterday, the Point State Park fountain in Pittsburgh (pictured above) and the Perry Square fountain in Erie turned pink at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

"The pink fountains inspire deeply emotional reactions," said Stiles. "These events are opportunities to communicate new treatment options, to talk about the value of early detection and, most importantly, to remind people there is hope. There are still women who we need to reach -- women who must be reminded to get that annual mammogram and to do their monthly breast self exam."

Tips on how to reduce the risk of breast cancer include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, knowing family history, understanding the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, limiting alcohol intake, and getting regular breast cancer screening whether through monthly self examinations or an annual mammogram.

Signs that a woman -- or a man -- may have breast cancer include a new lump, swelling, pain, irritation of the breast skin or nipple area, change in size or shape, or a nipple discharge other than milk. The Pennsylvania Commission for Women's mission is to identify and advance the diverse needs and interests of the state's women and girls; to inform, educate and advocate for its constituents; and to provide opportunities to empower women and girls to reach their highest potential.

I had the opportunity to see the fountain today while in Pittsburgh. It was both moving and touching, knowing what it symbolized and was so nice to see so many employees in the city wearing a pink ribbon.