Tales From The Mouse House Ep...87

Welcome to Episode 87 of Tales From The Mouse House Disneyland Podcast!! As we promised you earlier in the year, we’ll be doing more ‘out of the norm’ episodes, you know, to spice things up a bit! So, on this go ‘round, we’ve got something SPECIAL for you.

DCA of yesteryear 

On February 8th, Disney California Adventure celebrated it’s 13th birthday! Wow, seems just like yesterday we saw the “OPENING SOON” commercials on TV! Well, over the last 13 years, California Adventure has gone through quite a few changes - some great, some...well, let’s just leave that one alone. Disney California Adventure has introduced us to some terrific things (like CORN DOGS), and has reinvented itself recently to include a trip through Walt Disney’s history, as well as incorporate an animated world into our own. All these things add up to one great adventure! So, in honor of their 13th birthday, we thought we’d share some of our favorite Disney California Adventure photos with you, set to music, in this latest VIDEO PODCAST EXTRAVAGANZA! (cue impressive music here)

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 2014 Disney adventure! 

Disney California Adventure TODAY!

YEP! Cars Land has arrived in the REAL world!

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 87, or on Stitcher Radio now! Just visit www.stitcher.com and search for Tales From The Mouse House - Disneyland Podcast!

Thanks for making US a part of your Disney Experience, and remember...
"Make It A Mickey Day!"

                                          ~~ Al, Joyce and Kate (the pup)

Peter Pan...You CAN Fly!

Peter Pan 60th Anniversary Diamond Edition Blu-Ray

 **Note, you're in for a treat! Both Joyce AND Al reviewed Peter Pan...enjoy!

By Joyce - 

I “grew up”  with Disney and just like Peter Pan I have not really grown up.  I first saw Peter Pan when I was 5 years and when it was released on VHS in 1990s, my oldest son was almost the same age as I was when I first saw the movie.  He loved it as much as I did and is now sharing it with his children. This movie has been seen by many different generations. 

Peter Pan, Tinker Bell & Wendy

This classic is one of my all time favorite movies although a view it differently as a adult that I did as a child.  I remember seeing it as a child and did not understand the jealously Tinker Bell had toward Wendy and how this caused trouble for her, Peter, the Lost Boys, and the Darling Children.  As a child I loved Nana the dog and remember being afraid of Captain Hook and Tick-Tock Croc, and also thinking that Peter Pan could magically enter my bedroom and “kidnap” me and I would never see my parents again.  This frightened me as a child but as I watched it recently, I realized that Wendy, Michael and John did not seem to care that they may not see their parents again as they flew away with Peter. It was a dream that they lived while sleeping and they wanted to experience it for real.

“You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I'll be waiting.”

Peter shared with Wendy that she could be a mother to the Lost Boys and this excited her so very much.  Wendy was also upset with her father because she had to leave the nursery the following day.  

I loved the movie and it is a classic but I am not sure that children will understand or appreciate it as I did. Today’s society is also different than it was when I growing up.  There is sensitivity to Indians being referred to as the “Red Man” and "Quite Savage”   

Not PC by today's standards

Things I picked up as an adult seeing the movie that I did not notice when I watched it at the age of 5 and even as a young Mom watching it with my sons. There was lots of violence such as the mermaids trying to drown Wendy and Tinker Bell’s jealously towards Wendy.  In my opinion, even though it is a bit outdated it is ok for children of all ages and parents may need to explain it to the children based on their age and maturity. 

Did you know that the message appearing during the credits: "Walt Disney Productions is grateful to the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London”  JM Barrie gave all the rights to the Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929. 

By Al - 

Ok, I must confess something to you all. I’ve never seen Disney’s classic animated film, Peter Pan. I know what you’re thinking. “But, you’re such a Disney FAN! How could you have NEVER seen this beloved classic?”. Well, I haven’t, ok? I’ve lived a sheltered life, OK? I admit it! I’ve not seen a...few of the Disney Classics out there, but I’m in the process of rectifying that grievous error....

Recently, Joyce and I received a review copy of Disney Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu Ray and I FINALLY watched it, and I truly loved it. Classic Disney, at it’s very best. Now, I’m pretty familiar with the story of Peter Pan, after all, I DO love Disneyland! I LOVE Disneyland’s Fantasmic show in which Peter and Captain Hook have a daring duel with swords on the Sailing Ship Columbia, while the Hook hungry crocodile is chasing after, waiting for Hook to fall into the river!  And, Joyce LOVES Tinker Bell!! I’ve also seen the myriad of Peter Pan movies over the years including the live action Peter Pan (which I found a bit “dark”), and the Robin Williams big budget Hook, which took a rather interesting look at the Peter Pan story. However, THIS Peter Pan is, in my opinion, the best. 

Tinker Bell

For those of you who’ve never seen this 1953 Disney classic (yes, like I USED to be), Peter Pan is the story of a boy who refuses to grow up and the three Darling kids who, when faced with their fathers disapproval of “all things childish”, embark on an adventure that not only allows them to enjoy being a child, but enables them to better understand the need for a balance between being TOO childish and forever putting those childish ways away. 

Ok, so, what did I think of Peter Pan? Like Wendy, John and Michael Darling, I was drawn into Peter’s ongoing war with the evil pirate Captain Hook and delighted in the many ways Peter outwits Hook. On the surface, Peter Pan is a lighthearted look at the age-old struggle between parents and children, where parents insist on their offspring growing up and facing the “real world”, while the children just want to remain children forever. Unfortunately, parents typically win in this battle, and the result is that too many kids grow to forget how fun it is to be a kid, and end up being like Mr. Darling, who has no patience for games. In that regard, it’s not hard to see why Peter Pan is a classic. In true Disney fashion, we’re entertained by some incredibly enjoyable situations, all the while learning a life lesson that few of us would admit to learning. There MUST be balance in the Force (sorry, wrong franchise), there MUST be a balance between becoming a responsible adult and retaining your child-like side. If you can accomplish that, well, then you’d be Walt Disney!

Peter Pan 

One of the things about Peter Pan that I enjoyed is that although there is a “message” in the film, it certainly isn’t too “deep” or too serious like Bambi. Peter Pan appeals to just about everyone really, from the kid who can relate and yearns to have adventures like Peter and his Lost Boys, to the adults who (almost) remember what it’s like to BE a kid. For an animated film, it is very beautiful. At times the animation almost makes you forget it is indeed a cartoon. And again, in true Disney fashion, our hero is triumphant over the villain and saves the day. Every scene in Peter Pan was familiar to me, mostly because of the Peter Pan attraction at Disneyland and the aforementioned Fantasmic show. 

Of course, there are a few things in Disney’s Peter Pan that made me wince a bit. First off, remember it was done in 1953, a time that we didn’t really understand the term “politically correct”. Certain scenes that portray Native Americans in a rather...stereotypical light, but like I said...1953. And, is it just me or is Tinker Bell NOT very nice in this film? I mean, this is NOT the Tinker Bell I know, this one is mean, vindictive, jealous and well, VIOLENT!  When we watched the film, I mentioned to Joyce that if they had made Peter Pan today, those scenes would have been altered drastically to be certain! Aside from that, Peter Pan is one of my new all time favorites and will be one of our “going to Disneyland” movies. The humor, awesome animation, simple yet poignant message, and a story that has the ability to immediately make us not only remember but FONDLY remember what it’s like to be a carefree child, make Disney’s Peter Pan a must see movie for anyone. And, this film is one of three to boast all nine of Walt’s famous “Nine Old Men” as directing animators! So that fact alone makes Peter Pan an instant classic and an historic piece. 

Tick Tock, Tick Tock 

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Disney’s classic adventure Peter Pan as it soars to new heights for the first time EVER on Disney Blu-Ray! By the way, we viewed Peter Pan on DVD and on the Blu Ray version and although DVD is nice, the Blu Ray is beautiful! The level of clarity offered by Blu Ray makes the animation even more outstanding and the sound...well, THIS is what surround sound was made for! 

Disney’s Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu Ray is available now, bonus features include Growing Up With Nine Old Men, Disney View, Disney Intermission, Deleted Songs and Scenes, You Can Fly: The Making Of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tales, Disney Song Selections, Audio Commentary Hosted By Roy Disney, Music Videos and More!

3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack includes Blu Ray disc, DVD, Digital Copy and Storybook App, SRP $44.99
2-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack includes Blu Ray disc and DVD, SRP $39.99

Never Grow Up Games!

Happiest Blog on Earth - Post-Vacation Blues

Well, our vacation was, in a word…awesome! Joyce and I had such a great time on our two week vacation that it made coming back to work most difficult. Oh I know what you’re going to say: “If it weren’t for work, vacation wouldn’t mean as much”. Ah…yeah it would! I’d STILL love it! A LOT! But, without the dreaded dreary mind-numbing thankless work day, we wouldn’t be able to afford such an awesome vacation, so I’ll give you that.

As I mentioned, we took a two week vacation, and as you know, Joyce and I are, well, crazy about the Disneyland Resort. So, as any normal, fanatic would do, spent the first week of our vacation IN Disneyland. Ok, five days of it anyway. We stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel, one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, and it was a fantastic experience. Now, we’ve stayed there before, and always liked it. But this time was special. We celebrated our 15^th Wedding Anniversary at the Happiest Place On Earth. Of all the places in the world we had open to us (cruising, Hawaii, Europe, the Scotch Tape museum in Lompoc, California), we chose Disneyland because it is our most special place.  And between our podcast sponsor Randy Crane and the Paradise Pier Hotel, we were treated to a most memorable time indeed. First, when we checked in, we were upgraded to the 11^th Floor, with an amazing view of Disney California Adventure. NICE! Then, (skipping ahead a bit) on our actual anniversary (October 26^th), upon our return to our luxurious room (had to throw that in) what did Joyce discover waiting for us? A nice tray of chocolate covered strawberries and an ice bucket with champagne (ok, sparkling non-alcoholic wine) chilling in it and a nice card from Randy! Did I say it was AWESOME?!

So, I’ll get into the actual trip details in another blog posting, but for our anniversary dinner, we dined at our very favorite restaurant at the Resort – Café Orleans in the New Orleans Square area of Disneyland. We had a terrific table outside overlooking the Rivers Of America, right next to the lovely tree that shades a lot of that area. Now, it’s interesting to note that the very first time Joyce and I ate there it was at that very table! And we didn’t even have to ask, it was just an awesome coincidence they put us there. We had a wonderful meal, I even tried something out of my ordinary – the Four Cheese Monte Christo! Then after a decadent dessert, we headed over to Downtown Disney to meet up with our good friend Kenny. He had a few things for us (for my birthday and our anniversary). Kenny gave me some Harry Potter goodies from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (by the way, the Acid pops…ARE ACID!), and he purchased matching Yoda coffee mugs for me and Joyce from Disneyland! Thanks Kenny!

All in all, our vacation rocked. Disneyland rocked. It all rocked! Our second week was spent at home, just relaxing. Well, one day we took our puppy Kate to the mysterious Superstition Mountains for a day hike. Kate fell in love with it! It was beautiful and quite and a great way to get some much needed exercise. Then we just did some yard and house work, rearranged our recording studio/office to make it more Feng Shui – ok, that’s a joke. I just wanted more room in there!

But alas, as with all great and awesome things, this too had to come to an end. So now here I am, back at work sifting through 400+ emails, all marked with “urgent issue” wishing and dreaming about our recent trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, as I write the Happiest Blog on Earth! I miss vacation – I miss Disneyland and I miss spending 24/7 with my wife! So, what’s next on my daily planner? Why, planning our NEXT vacation of course! ~~~ Al


View From Our Room! What a way to wake up every morning!



The Happiest Blog On Earth - One Year Later

Wow, can you believe it? We can’t! Tales From The Mouse House Podcast is one year old! Seems like only yesterday that we...ok, well, that’s not true, is it?! We love doing this podcast and it feels so natural to us that we feel as if we’ve been doing this all our lives. Like we were...meant to bring the wondrous magic that Walt Disney created to you!

This podcast started out as a way to allow us to experience the magic of the Original Happiest Place On Earth more than just the few times we get to the Resort each year. We quickly found out that soon after a visit to the Disneyland Resort, we begin to miss that wonderful place a LOT! So we decided to podcast about it. Through the research for each show, and actually talking about it, we found that we kept that magic going between visits. A GOOD thing! But something else happened too. A few months after we started broadcasting Tales From The Mouse House, YOU started telling us wonderful stories about your visits to the Park. Another GOOD thing!! Then, through your stories we got to continue that Magical experience even more.

Then another awesome thing happened. We started getting emails from listeners telling us what our show has meant to them. Listeners who haven’t been able to visit Disneyland, some in years. All telling us, that by listening to us go on about our most FAVORITE place to be, they were experiencing that Disney Magic as well! We were bringing the Magic home for you! That’s like telling a child they have just won anything toy in the toy story they want! We were delighted to hear these tales.

And...(yep, more), we started getting emails from folks from places like England, Australia, and far off lands called Washington! All telling us that they’d NEVER been to Disneyland, but found our podcast and gave it a listen...and got hooked. Our show allows them to feel the Magic of a place they’ve never been to, and now REALLY want to visit!!

So, from the deepest, most Magical places within our hearts, we thank you for all the support you’ve given to us through this first year of Tales From The Mouse House. It’s been a pleasure. We’ve met some of the nicest and true people you could ever meet. This wonderful Disneyland community is one of family, values and fun. Walt would be grinning from ear to ear!! Thank you, and we hope that you’ll invite us into your homes for years to come!! Remember, Make It A Magical Day! ~~~ Al