Cool Discovery in Fantasyland!

It's always cool to find something in the parks that you never saw before. 

While in the Magic Kingdom this past week, saw these two stained glass windows in the Castle Couture Shop in Fantasyland. The stained glass on the left features Tick Tock Crocodile and on the right, Mr. Smee from Disney's Peter Pan (1953).

I'm guessing these go back to when the shop was originally built and called Tinker Bell's Treasures.

Being a fan of this film, this was a very cool find. .

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in the New Fantasyland!

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World is very much like the ride at Disney California Adventure.  

However, in Florida, it gets a unique twist with Prince Eric's Castle and an interactive queue.

The detail of Eric's Castle is Amazing! This was the standout for me when we visited this past November. There is so much detail.

I'm looking forward to when this area is 100% complete to truly appreciate the detail of not only the Castle. When here in November, you could walk past the ride into Storybook Circus.  This trip, that entrance is blocked due to construction on Snow White's Mine Ride.

The cascading waterfalls are in homage to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea which used to be in this area.

Click Each Image for a Larger View 

Enesco Announces Additional Sell-Throughs!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection yesterday announced the Sell-Through Status on the following releases:

Randall - Sully & Mike's direct rival nemesis from Disney/Pixar Monster's Inc. (2001) was an Open Edition released in November, 2005.

'Slithery Scarer' plussed with pewter feet and crest was retired in December, 2012.

Gus & Jaq - That charming duo from Cinderella (1950) was an Open Edition released in February, 2006.

'Tiny Tailors' sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales is a bronze miniature of Gus & Jaq with Ribbon that completed the scene release of Cinderella, the Dress Mannequin, Mice in Baskets and Lucifer that were released in February, 2005 in honor of the films 55th Anniversary.


The miniature was retired in December, 2012.

Genie - Aladdin's memorable sidekick from Aladdin (1992) was a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500 was released in August, 2006.

'Magic at his Fingertips' sculpted by Ruben Procopio was plussed with a pewter beard tip.

Baloo & Mowgli - That inseparable pair from The Jungle Book (1967) was a Limited to Production release in 2011.

'Good ol' Papa Bear!' sculpted by Bruce Lau was plussed with a pewter cowlick on Mowgli.

Contact your Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection dealer for availability.

Olszewski PokitPals

Many Disney collectors might be familiar with Olszewski PokitPals.

I discovered these about 3 years ago.  Last night while ducking the rain, stopped in the Main Street Cinema in the Magic Kingdom and was browsing around. The PokitPals caught my eye as I own 2 already (Dumbo & Mr. Toad). I immediately spotted Mater (pictured at right) and those who know me, knew my heart had to skip a beat :) 

In addition to Mater, they had Lightning McQueen and Ramone. Of course they were stocked on the other two but only had the display Mater. I think the Castmember realized I wasn't leaving the store unless Mater was leaving with me. He looked, found the empty box and well, I think you know the rest :)

What is a PokitPal? A PokitPal is an artistically designed container that is small enough to fit into a pocket or purse. A genuine PokitPal has two parts: (1) an outside shell; and (2), an inside container that slides to open and close and keeping secure with a magent.  They are made of high quality resin material.

I removed the outside shell for the above picture to see both the top and bottom. The photo doesn't show the detail around the sides of the box.  Etched in the sides are images of the Butte and Mater towing Lightning McQueen.

The rain may have made for a somewhat wet evening but turned into a cool find for me!

Grand Floridian DVC Progress Photos

Disney latest Vacation Club at Disney's Grand Floridian is really coming along since we were down in late November.

The new property is slated to open in late 2013, and will be the 12th DVC property. 

In addition to the 8 existing Walt Disney World DVC resorts, Disney Vacation Club recently opened Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, and operates the The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina, and Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida.

Click Each Image for a Larger View

'Snow White Mine Road' Progress Photos

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be a steel roller coaster by Vekoma. The ride will travel both indoors and outdoors. 

Unlike some other Disney roller coasters, such as California Screamin' and Rock 'n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, this attraction will be less intense and more family-friendly. It will feature a new ride system which simulates the swaying and tipping one would expect to experience in a mine cart.

It is part of a major expansion of Fantasyland and is based upon the classic story of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney's first animated feature film.

Click Each Image for a Larger View

New Fantasyland 'Tangled Tower Area' Updated Photos

When we were last at Walt Disney World at the end of November, I was following the progress of the Fantasyland Construction (click link for construction photos) in the area where the new restrooms were going. That area is now complete and turned out very nicely.

The lanterns and tower are a nice nod to Tangled. The area as you exit The Haunted Mansion Attraction is now an open walkway to enter Fantasyland.

Enjoy the photos below (click each image for a larger view).

Disney Twenty-Three's Summer Movie Spectacular Rides into Homes May 14th!

DISNEY TWENTY-THREE’S SUMMER MOVIE SPECTACULAR,

STARRING THE LONE RANGER, RIDES INTO HOMES MAY 14

NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO D23 MEMBERS

Insider Glimpses of Monsters University, Iron Man 3, The Lone Ranger and Disney’s Planes

Plus an Extensive Feature Saluting 60 Years of Walt Disney Imagineering

BURBANK, Calif. – April 29, 2013 – The summer issue of Disney twenty-three, the flagship magazine of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, features a mega summer movie preview of Disney’s upcoming theatrical releases. D23 gets readers back in the saddle with filmmakers Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski for Johnny Depp’s upcoming The Lone Ranger; Billy Crystal talks about scaring up big laughs for Monsters University; the masterminds behind Marvel’s newest film, Iron Man 3, offer an inside look at how they're bringing Iron Man back to basics; and John Lasseter shows us how the upcoming animated film Disney’s Planes will soar.

Disney twenty-three also celebrates 60 years of Walt Disney Imagineering with a special commemorative back cover. Imagineer Tony Baxter discusses his work on some of the world’s most iconic attractions, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours. “You Do What?” profiles some of the most unusual jobs Imagineers have had over the years, from rock designer to castle architect. “Imagineering Fact? Or Fiction!” debunks some of the long-time myths and legends of the Disney Parks. And there’s much more, including “23 Imagineering Game Changers” and a salute from Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs to the thousands of creative individuals whose contributions have changed the way guests experience Disney around the world.

Beginning with the summer issue, Disney twenty-three, hailed by critics for its superlative fan content and collectability, will be offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members who will continue to receive the magazine as a benefit of their membership. Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, and this issue contains a special member gift—a metallic D23 keychain, signifying how members hold the key to unlocking the magic of Disney through D23.

Disney twenty-three’s favorite sections are back with new images and content, too. In this issue:

• An image of Walt and Lillian celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary just prior to the opening of Disneyland in “PHOTOfiles”
• “A Walk with Walt” takes readers back to 1946, the year following the end of World War II—a transitional one for Walt and his company
• In “D Society,” Ne-Yo, Rod Stewart, and Tina Fey are among the stars shown visiting the parks 

The Disney discoveries don’t stop with the end of the summer publication. In conjunction with the summer issue of Disney twenty-three, www.D23.com will feature original and exclusive stories that complement the contents of D23’s glossy magazine. Beginning May 14, only on D23.com you’ll find an exclusive video interview with Imagineer Tony Baxter.

New to the Blog: Disney/Pixar Cars Diecast!

Click Image for a Larger View

In addition to collecting the Walt Disney Classics Collection, since the release of Disney/Pixar Cars, I also collect diecast.  It harkens back to when younger, collecting Matchbox® cars with my brother. 

My collection is focused mainly on the diecast released by Mattel® but also includes some diecast done by the Disney Store®, Shake 'n Go's by Fisher Price®, Vinylmation® and metal signs through promotions done by State Farm Insurance®.

The photo at right is one of my favorite displays from my collection featuring the Motorama Girls (Sheila, Laverne & Rhonda) displayed with the Flo's V8 Cafe playset. The Motorama Girls from the Story Teller Collection were a very rare release, each done individually and sold as a set. These eluded many collectors. 

The difference in collecting diecast vs. the Walt Disney Classics Collection, diecast isn't always as easy to find upon release.  Some releases have been only released overseas, limited quantity per carton or only available by purchasing a case and the amount of variations can be mind boggling at times.  Am blessed with a great network of friends who have helped me feed this addiction.

Click Image for a Larger View

In international versions of Disney/Pixar Cars 2, the character Jeff Gorvette is replaced with race car drivers better known in the specific countries in his dialogue scenes (however, he still appears as a competitor). 

Mattel released versions of those characters as Ultimate Super Chase Cars .. Vitaly Petrov (Russia), Jan "Flash" Nilsson (Sweden), Long Ge (China), Memo Rojas, Jr. (Mexico) and Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom (all pictured at left).

These diecast were the hardest to come by. A lot of searching, eBay and the help of my good friend Matthew, made it possible to finally have all five represented in my collection.

From time to time I'll share more pictures of my collection and upcoming releases for Cars enthusiasts to look forward too!

Passholder: You’re invited to Monstrous Summer!

100-Word Exam:   Monstrous Summer Name:   Pat Passaré Subject:   Passholderology Date:   April 26, 2013

"How I'm spending my summer vacation"

1. Go to the Magic Kingdom® all-nighter Friday, May 24, 6 a.m. to Saturday, May 25, 6 a.m., hosted by Mike and Sulley. Enjoy select attractions—including New Fantasyland™ stuff—for 24 hours! 2. Ride the Walt Disney World® Monorail—now transformed into a Monster-rail—to the all-nighter. Present my valid Passholder ID for admission. Text jokes to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor®. 3. Keep celebrating Monstrous Summer! Meet Mike and Sulley at Disney's Hollywood Studios®. 4. Use my Passholder discount to see Disney•Pixar Monsters University, opening June 21 at the AMC® Downtown Disney® Dine-In Theatres.

Monstrous Summer will be very, very, very, fun! (100 words—yesss!)

Visit the Monstrous Summer section of DisneyParks.com for more information about Monstrous Summer at Walt Disney World and Disneyland® Resorts. Magic Kingdom Park hours are 6 a.m. on May 24 to 6 a.m. on May 25, 2013. Subject to capacity restrictions. Select attractions, entertainment and services will be available. Valid Theme Park admission required.