“As true fans of Walt Disney and his Disneyland Resort, it is the sole purpose of “Tales From The Mouse House – A Disneyland Podcast” to deliver the magic and happiness we have experienced in all that Walt Disney created with his Original Park to our listeners by delivering the most entertaining and sincere shows possible through the use of audio and video episodes. Following Walt's example, we will always strive to improve what we bring to our listeners"
Welcome to Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland Podcast Episode 81...our special Halloween Spook-Tacular!! On this very special HALLOWEEN episode, we share what’s been going on around the old Tales Crypt, including some odd bugs buzzing around the backyard that Joyce has a little trouble 'identifying'...(tune in for THAT one!). We also share some Disneyland Resort News, some hauntingly fun ghost stories from around the Disneyland Resort and a LOT MORE fun Halloween themed goodies! Be sure to stick around ALL the way to the end!
Photo Copyright Daps Magic
We wanted to take a moment to thank our good friend Lisa Robertson from the Babes In Disneyland blog for allowing us to include the audio from her recent trip to the Disneyland Resort to chat about some SPOOKY attractions going on for the Halloween season! We also want to give a BIG shout out to our friend Shawn from The Confluence Covers for his awesome coverage of the 2013 Disneyland Halloween Party! Thanks guys!! Hey, if you have a favorite Disneyland memory, how about sharing with us? We'd LOVE to share it with other listeners on an episode of the show! We always love to hear from you guys!
Hey, if YOU'RE in need of a great travel agent, why not give our sponsor, Randy Crane from Mouse Ear Vacations a holler! I bet he can make YOUR vacation a MAGICAL one! Visit Randy at www.randyc-mouseearvacations.com. NOW is the time to book your Disneyland Holiday adventure!
As always, If you’d like to send in comments for the show, you can send us an email to talespodcast@cox.net, leave us voicemail on the Hotline at 304-TALES23, leave us feedback in iTunes or leave comments for us on our Twitter account @talespodcast. Heck, you can even find us on FaceBook, just search for Tales From The House House - Disneyland podcast! If you'd like to listen to the show, you can find it on iTunes, on our podcast site at talescast.com, the direct episode link: Episode 81, or on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!
This Fall, Disney•Pixar celebrates homecoming with the release of “Monsters University” on Digital HD and Digital HD 3D on October 8, 2013, followed by the 4-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, 3-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack, 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013. After scaring up big laughs in theaters, the in-home release of “Monsters University” opens its doors to the movie in stunning high definition Blu-ray, and provides hours of all-new bonus material, in-depth behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, the animated theatrical short “The Blue Umbrella” and much more. Directed by Dan Scanlon ("Cars," "Mater and the Ghostlight," "Tracy"), produced by Kori Rae ("Up," "The Incredibles," "Monsters, Inc."), and written by Dan Scanlon and Robert Baird & Dan Gerson (“Monsters, Inc.”), “Monsters University” marks Pixar’s 14th consecutive film to debut at number one at the box office.
Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike's plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, "Sulley" (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair's out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. “Monsters University” bravely explores themes of self-discovery and the revelations that come with growing up.
Joining Crystal and Goodman as part of “Monsters University’s” monstrously talented voice cast are Steve Buscemi (voice of Randy Boggs), Helen Mirren (voice of Dean Hardscrabble), Alfred Molina (voice of Professor Knight), Charlie Day (voice of Art), Sean P. Hayes (voice of Terri Perry), Dave Foley (voice of Terry Perry), Nathan Fillion (voice of Johnny Worthington) and Aubrey Plaza (voice of Claire Wheeler). Featuring a score from recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman ("Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 3"), MU also includes music from Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia.
Monsters University hits the books on Oct. 29, 2013
Bonus Materials Overview for These Products: Digital HD Digital HD 4-Disc Blu-ray 3-D Superset (3D + 2BD + DVD + Digital Copy) 3-disc Blu-ray 2-D Superset (2BD + DVD + Digital Copy) 3-Disc Blu-ray 2-D Combo Pack (2 BD + DVD)
•Bonus Features Include: •Campus Life – What's it like being on a production crew at Pixar? Get a look at a day in the life of the “Monsters University” crew through their own eyes. •Story School – This documentary examines the challenges of creating a prequel as well as themes that run through the story, and the change in focus from Sulley to Mike. We'll also look at how gags are developed – from writing jokes to brainstorming a million ideas, only 5% of which actually end up in the movie. •Scare Games – At Pixar, we play hard while we work. The same people who keep the film production moving - producers, managers, coordinators and artists - are also the ones who bring spirit and excitement to some of our extracurricular activities. We check out the MU production teams as they go head to head in the mostly playful Pixar Scare Games competitions. •Welcome to MU – Sets aren't just buildings, they are the worlds our characters live in and explore. This look at the Monsters University campus and its development is told from the perspective of the artists who created each piece of the campus from the architecture to the ivy leaves. . •Music Appreciation – Randy Newman's scores are a mainstay of Pixar films, and this documentary will give you a privileged look at his creative process. We follow the “Monsters University” scoring process from spotting to writing and on to the scoring session. including special college-themed recording sessions. •Scare Tactics – Animators are actors who digitally bring the characters to life. In this look at how the MU animation team worked, you’ll see their process of how they channeled their own monster-selves and created moments on screen that were really funny, really scary and also really serious, sometimes all at the same time. •Furry Monsters: A Technical Retrospective – Explore the difficulties in creating characters that are 20 years younger with tools that are 10 years more advanced in this contrasting look at the differing technical challenges that arose when making “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Monsters University.” •Deleted Scenes – Four separate scenes – “Rivalry,” “Recon,” “Movie Night,” and “Drama Class” - are highlighted with an introduction from director Dan Scanlon. • “The Blue Umbrella” – This animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Saschka Unseld and produced by Marc Greenberg, played in theaters in front of "Monsters University." “The Blue Umbrella” tells the story of an evening commute in which the rain starts to fall and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.
Sulley's got school spirit! How about you? Tied to the October 29th Blu-ray release of MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, Sulley paid a visit to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire where the Dartmouth Film Award and Tribute to Pixar was presented to producer Kori Rae and director Dan Scanlon. This weekend Sulley hit Hanover, New Hampshire, the home of Dartmouth College! MONSTERS UNIVERSITY producer Kori Rae and fellow student Sulley started the day Saturday with a photo op with film students in front of the Spaulding Auditorium and then off to the Dartmouth vs. Yale Homecoming Football game. Halftime score had Dartmouth crushing Yale. The Dartmouth Band played a selection of music from MU as Kori and Sulley paraded across the field to salute fans at the 50 yard line. The student body and spectators went wild. Lots of pictures were taken and Sulley lingered to shake hands with a lot of the Big Green. Final score was Dartmouth 20, Yale 13. Sunday evening was the highlight with the Dartmouth Film Award and Tribute to Pixar presented by The Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College. The night began with a moving Pixar tribute reel followed by Sulley escorting Director Dan Scanlon and Kori to the stage for a moderated Q&A and showcase of bonus features "Monthropology," "Scare Games," and "Paths to Pixar."
"Undah the sea...undah the sea...darlin' it's better down where it's wetta take it from MEEEE!" Oh man...that Sebastian REALLY can sing! What do you get when you cross a stubborn willed, disobedient teen aged girl who wants what she wants, no matter the cost, and a mythical sea dwelling race? Well, Disney's The Little Mermaid of course! Back in 1989, Disney brought to life the adventures of strong willed and free-spirited teen-aged mermaid called Ariel, who sets off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend Flounder (yep, a fish) and the above super-star singing crab Sebastian to find true love.
Ariel and Flounder
Now, I remember way back when Disney released The Little Mermaid and thinking how silly this was going to be. BUT...little did I know how awesome this movie was going to be! Yes, I'll admit, I went in skeptical, but came out singing Poor Unfortunate Soul, and Part Of Your World. This film was more than just a silly cartoon, it was an animated masterpiece. Everything was just spot on - the story, the acting, the comedy and the desperate situations our heroes found themselves in. Now, I'm not a fan of musicals, especially animated musicals, but Disney knows how to do them right. Flash forward 24 years. October 1, 2013 to be exact. Disney Animation released The Little Mermaid for the first time ever on Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray. And you know what? I loved it even more! Even knowing what to expect, I still found myself jumping when the Evil Ursula (voiced expertly by Pat Carroll) makes the scene!
Ursula The Sea Witch!
By now, (hopefully) most of you have seen Disney's The Little Mermaid. But yes, there are, I'm sure, some who have yet to experience this awesome classic story told in a way only Disney could tell it. I won't go in to too much detail about the story, remember, we're all about saving the spoilers here, but I will talk about some of the major plot points. So, if you're one who wants to be surprised, fair warning! Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson), is the youngest daughter of King Triton (voiced by Kenneth Mars). All Ariel wants to do is be her own person...err, mermaid and do what SHE wants to do. She's gathered quite the collection of human treasures, like gadgets and gizmos aplenty! And, she's become very dissatisfied with life under the sea, and longs for LEGS so she can live ABOVE the sea, with the humans. Accompanied by her best friend Flounder (voiced by Jason Marin) and her King/Father appointed guardian Sebastian (voiced by Samuel E. Wright), Ariel sets out on an adventure that is bound to
The Crooning Crab Sebastian
'land' her in trouble (ha-ha...get it? LAND???). Of course, what great Disney story would be complete without a GREAT villain? This time around, the nasty villain comes in the form of an octopus sea witch named Ursula, who convinces Ariel she can make all her dreams come true...but, we know, Ursula has plans of her own!! (cue evil laughter here).
Ursula Offers Ariel a Deal
With a terrific musical score by Disney Legend Alan Menken, The Little Mermaid is full of great songs that you'll find yourself singing YEARS after you see the movie! The newly released The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition brings this classic back to it's original splendor. The Blu-Ray version cleans up the print quite a bit, once again showing fans just how beautiful this movie really is. And although the animation is quite old, it's just as spell binding as it was in 1989. We did not review the 3-D version, but from what we've been told, it's spectacular. The 3-D brings out elements of the movie that just blow one's mind.
Ariel's Father King Triton
The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition comes with a few bonus features as well:
An All New "Part Of Your World" Music Video by Carly Rae Jepson (Call Me Maybe)
The Real Little Mermaid: Live Action Reference Model
Part of Her World: Jodi Benson's Voyage To New Fantasyland
"Howard The Merman" A Never Before Seen Deleted Character
Disney Intermission - Press Pause and See What Happens!
@DisneyAnimation - Behind The Scenes with Today's Top Disney Animators
The deleted character bonus was kind of interesting. Not actual animation (presented in storyboard format with animator character narration), Howard was a character from earlier on in the movie that was cut for time. This scene told of the unlucky merman Howard and his dealing with Ursula. So, we would have gotten a foreshadowing of what could happen to Ariel.
Ariel In Trouble...Again!
The Disney Intermission function/bonus is really pretty neat. When you pause the movie, instead of a regular still image, you get a crab-e-okie sing along to help pass the time! Pretty cool...
But, what was NOT pretty cool (in my opinion of course) was the all new music video by Carly Rae "Call Me Maybe" Jepson. Not sure why Disney chose to add this rendition of a VERY classic and VERY well done "Part Of Your World" but they did. And I'm very sorry they did. No offense to Ms. Jepson, but this video makes no sense in the context of The Little Mermaid, and the way in which she sings the song, well, it's just not in line with the 'heart' of the song at all. She sings it rather lazily and honestly, she sounds to me like she's whining. The video takes place in the city, which looks kind of dirty and grimy...a little to urban for The Little Mermaid. For me, this was really the only bad thing about the Diamond Edition, and honestly, Disney should have left it out.
The Little Mermaid: The Diamond Edition is now available for purchase on:
2-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack (Blu-Ray+DVD+Digital Download). SRP $44.99
2-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack (Blu-Ray+DVD). SRP $39.99
Feature Running time approximately 88 minutes, bonus features are over 3 hours.
All in all, The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition brings back all of those great Disney memories from years ago. If you're an old timer like me, it's great to relive the adventures of Ariel. If you're brand new to the story, well, you're in for a terrific treat! The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition is a MUST have for anyone's movie collection, regardless of your age!
Welcome to Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland podcast EPISODE 80!!! YEA!!!! On this special episode, we stray from our usual format a bit, but for good reason. We thought that since it IS the Halloween Season and all, and we DO love the Disneyland Resort at this time of year, we’d share the complete audio/music from the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction! Yep, good ol’ Jack Skellington himself has taken over the Haunted Mansion and turned it into a Holiday DEE-LIGHT! Oh, and we share what’s going on around the old Tales Homestead, and a few Disneyland Resort News tidbits.
It's The Most Wonderful Time...of the Year
Yeah, and we've got to admit, we get a little...'odd' in our Host Chat segment. What can we say? It's been a weird few weeks! What with missing Disneyland and all...yeah, we NEED a Disneyland trip! This time of year always makes me (Al) a bit lonely for Disneyland. I mean, the fall/Halloween decorations, the slight chill in the air during the days, the very chilly nights. One of THE best, if not THE best, times to visit the Resort. Everything is so...so...awesome! I'm sure you've heard the story a thousand times, but this was the season I made my first ever visit to Disneyland. And the season I got hooked on Disneyland. So, if YOU'RE planning a trip to the Happiest Place On Earth, I highly recommend going during the Halloween season!
Hey, if you have a favorite Halloween Disneyland memory, how about sharing with us? We'd LOVE to share it with other listeners on our Halloween Special coming up in October. In fact, it doesn't HAVE to be a Disneyland story. It could be ANY Disney Park or even just a favorite Halloween story. We always love to hear from you guys! Hey, if YOU'RE in need of a great travel agent, why not give our sponsor, Randy Crane from Mouse Ear Vacations a holler! I bet he can make YOUR vacation a MAGICAL one! Visit Randy at www.randyc-mouseearvacations.com. NOW is the time to book your Disneyland Holiday adventure!
As always, If you’d like to send in comments for the show, you can send us an email to talespodcast@cox.net, leave us voicemail on the Hotline at 304-TALES23, leave us feedback in iTunes or leave comments for us on our Twitter account @talespodcast. Heck, you can even find us on FaceBook, just search for Tales From The House House - Disneyland podcast! If you'd like to listen to the show, you can find it on iTunes, on our podcast site at talescast.com, the direct episode link: Episode 80, or on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!
