The art of telling tales

Be Magical!

2010-05-21T09:00:00.003+01:00

Details of Tokyo DisneySea’s 10th Anniversary have been released:
Tokyo DisneySea 10th Anniversary Event

“Be Magical!”

April 23, 2011 through March 19, 2012

URAYASU, CHIBA—Tokyo DisneySea® Park will hold the “Be Magical!” special event to celebrate the Park’s 10th anniversary next year. Tokyo DisneySea, which had its grand opening on September 4, 2001, will celebrate this milestone anniversary for almost a whole year from April 23, 2011 through March 19, 2012, divided into five different periods. Mickey Mouse will cast his magic over Tokyo DisneySea, with Disney favorites like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto joining in the fun all dressed as sorcerers. Among the many magical programs to be offered are the new nighttime spectacular, “Fantasmic!” featuring Mickey as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice; and the new attraction, Jasmine’s Flying Carpets.

The celebrations will kick off with the new nighttime spectacular, “Fantasmic!” Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice will create a world of fantasy and imagination on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor every night. The days will also be filled with magic, including character greetings in Mediterranean Harbor featuring the Disney friends dressed in their 10th anniversary costumes, and other special programs.

Summer will see the launch of the new attraction, Jasmine’s Flying Carpets. Guests will be able to take a ride on these magical carpets and fly above Arabian Coast.

Including the opening programs, the celebrations will take place over five different periods, with cooling programs in summer, Halloween events in autumn, Christmas celebrations in winter, and the New Year bringing special programs for a grand finale. Throughout the Tokyo DisneySea 10th anniversary year, guests will fall under Mickey’s magical spell, and experience a world of Disney dreams and fantasy as never before. The 10th anniversary year is certain to “Be Magical!” at Tokyo DisneySea!

Image ©Disney Source: OLC Publicity

TokEO

2010-04-26T09:10:00.002+01:00

Press Release:

Tokyo Disneyland Park will welcome the return of Captain EO after a hiatus of about 14 years. This theater-type attraction features a 3-D film starring Michael Jackson as Captain EO, who leads his crew on an outer space adventure. Original music and unforgettable dance performances are made all the more impressive through 3-D imaging and special effects. This special return of the attraction will be presented from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

Note: Due to the opening of Captain EO, the current attraction MicroAdventure! will be on an extended hiatus starting May 10, 2010. Disney’s FASTPASS® will be available for Captain EO. Captain EO will be presented by JCB.

Theater Capacity: 369 seats

Previous Run: March 20, 1987 – September 1, 1996

OLC Publicity Dept - 26th April 2010

Happy Easter... from Thumper!

2010-04-02T12:02:00.000+01:00

Thumper - Easter Display at Disneyland Paris 2004

Tales Untold: Today and the Trouble with Tomorrow

2010-03-18T12:28:00.004Z

When I was first proposing ideas for the “creative approach” of Tales from the Laughing Place I had worked up an article based on a feature that had appeared on Laughing Place about the issues that continually face Tomorrowland.

Although it never became a finished article I always liked this as a piece - and quite a few other designs that are associated with the article.

The subject has been touched on in further articles that have appeared - notably about Hong Kong Disneyland (in Issue 4) and Epcot (in Issue 11), though hopefully one day it will be appear as a full piece as I think the Tomorrowland story is fascinating.

Original photograph - Entrance to Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom May 2002

Jasmine spins into Arabian Coast

2010-03-18T09:59:00.003Z

Click image for larger picture - Art is ©Disney.

Press Release:

Jasmine’s Flying Carpets - Tokyo DisneySea New Attraction

Themed to the Disney film Aladdin, Jasmine’s Flying Carpets is a ride attraction where guests can soar over Jasmine’s garden on a flying carpet. Guests will be able to maneuver their vehicle up and down to a height of 5 meters, and tilt the vehicle forward and backward, as if flying their own magical carpet. This uplifting ride can be enjoyed by all, from young children to adults. Guests can also watch their friends and family on their flying carpet from an elevated viewing deck.

Opening date (tentative): Summer 2011

Location: Arabian Coast (next to Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage)

Seating: 4 persons (2 persons in 2 rows) per vehicle

with a total of 16 vehicles

Total capital invested: Approximately 2 billion yen ($22 million)

Information supplied by the OLC.

Alice in... Waterland

2010-02-26T16:38:00.020Z

The premiere of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, London February

25th 2010 - In aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, Odeon Leicester Square

I hate it when the weather reports are right. Even the reports for England (in February I might add) have always held a shadow of doubt and that was what I clinging onto as I saw a flood of blue remain firmly over the map of London for the early evening period on the TV weather news.

The crowds were already numerous in force when I arrived some two hours before the arrivals on the green carpet - it’s called simply the “Depp Effect” I believe and the volume of squeals that greeted “The Mad Hatter” were sure to bring about a noise abatement order.

Still despite the weather the crowds remained enthusiastic for the stars of the film and other invited celebrities - for this premiere would be in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, so everyone was turned out in their finest attire. Not me of course - It would have been a clear case of “Off with his head” had I been attending the film after standing in the rain for three hours with the rest of the photographers...

A very wet - and still to get a lot wetter Leicester Square - several hours before the premiere

Working on the green carpet and film logo at the entrance to the Odeon

Johnny Depp - The Mad Hatter

Mia Wasikowska - Alice Kingsleigh

Helena Bonham Carter - The Red Queen

Matt Lucas - Tweedledum and Tweedledee

Anne Hathaway - The White Queen

Alan Rickman - The Caterpillar

Michael Sheen - The White Rabbit

Barbara Windsor - The Dormouse

Paul Whitehouse - The March Hare

Timothy Spall - Bayard the Bloodhound

Jemma Powell - Margaret Kingsleigh

Geraldine James - Lady Ascot

Crispin Glover - The Knave of Hearts

Avril Lavigne

Danny Elfman - Composer

Tim Burton

The Producers - Joe Roth and Richard D. Zanuck

The Lion King in South Africa - by Lee MacDonald

2010-02-02T11:25:00.002Z

It is a wonder that I ever loved The Lion King.

Back in the early nineties I worked a few shifts a week in my local Disney Store through college. In those salad days of the concept (that is prior to the over-saturation of the chain when north of 700 stores existed) it was a way for Disney fans to feel closer to the magic – and it worked. Being surrounded by Mickey Mouse boxed mugs, basic tees and the signature plush mountain was a welcome immersion into the Disney magic. However there was one part of the job that could be excruciatingly painful – like pulling teeth. And it wasn’t having to stand on greeter duty saying “hi” and “welcome!” for an hour every shift. It was the constantly recycling video footage. The loop ran for thirty minutes so you saw every segment at least eight times per shift. However there was one sequence that always affected me deep to my emotion core despite seeing it hundreds of times prior to my first theatrical visit to see the movie – and that was the opening Circle of Life number from Disney’s The Lion King. The second that the sun rose over the Savannah and the Zulu warbling of Carmen Twillie filled the store with the Nants’ ingonyama chant goose bumps prickled up and my attention was immediately drawn to the procession of animals to Pride Rock. Without exception it got me every time. Over and over again.

That has never changed. People talk about the Second Golden Age of Animation commencing with The Little Mermaid which may be true but it reached its zenith with The Lion King. The movie spawned a host of other critically acclaimed and commercially successful product such as Disneyland’s incomparable The Lion King Celebration parade (arguably the greatest cavalcade to ever roll down Main Street) and of course the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. The latter has grossed over $3 billion worldwide which to put into context to the original movie is four times its worldwide box office receipts. The show continues to play in a host of cities around the world including Las Vegas, New York, London, Paris, Hamburg and Tokyo.

Back in Issue 13 of Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine I had the privilege to talk to founding cast member Ron Kunene about the South African heritage that profoundly influenced the Broadway musical. Ron talked extensively about the rhythmic call and response technique that is used by Rafiki and the visual imagery used through the show that are allegories for South African culture. Director Julie Taymor strove to immerse her vision of the movie in the local narrative which is a reason why the show has been so successful – it isn’t just a book report of the film. After years of negotiation Disney were finally able to take The Lion King musical home in 2007.

South African impresario Pieter Toerien partnered with composer Lebo M (who had worked extensively on the original Broadway version) to bring The Lion King to a brand-new venue built specifically for the musical, the Montecasino Teatro, located in the Fourways suburb of Johannesburg. The Lion King played to packed audiences for 36 weeks, making South African history when it broke all box office records in South Africa, with over 550,000 people watching the show. This Disney musical is the longest-running and most successful show in South African theatre history. The show also received the distinction of being awarded the Best Production of a Musical category in the 2007 Naledi Awards.

The cast was almost entirely sourced from the local area and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment. In addition Disney’s recording partner EMI decided to release the cast recording on CD to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the stage production. The unique difference to this version compared to other OCRs is that it was recorded live at the Montecasino Teatro which adds a grandness and richness to the album that sanitized studio recordings lack. It is a wonder to hear South African performers reclaim the Zulu chanting, the Khosian “clicking” and Lebo’s intricate poly-rhythms. In addition the CD includes a bonus track of Lebo M’s One by One (that opens Act II). Lebo has produced a new remix called Umhlaba Wabantu (which translates as “world of the people” in Zulu) which has a very different vibe due to the addition of new music to the track. It is a real treat for any The Lion King fan. The full track listing can be found here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370283891670&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

The juggernaut that is The Lion King rumbles on. Although the sun has set on Simba’s time in South Africa a host of new cities are lining up including Madrid and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this September. These new productions combined with the existing resident shows and the touring versions will ensure that the musical continues to build on its tremendous success that has resulted in more than 50 million people having seen the majesty of the Pridelands on stage.

Lee MacDonald, Publisher, Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine

Bye-Bye BraviSEAmo! - Hello Fantasmic!

2010-02-02T11:04:00.004Z

Tokyo DisneySea’s night-time spectacular BraviSEAmo! will perform for the final time on November 13th 2010 to make way for Fantasmic! in April 2011. Here is the official release:

URAYASU, CHIBA—Tokyo DisneySea Park has announced that a new nighttime entertainment spectacular titled “Fantasmic!” will premiere in April 2011 to kickoff the yearlong celebration of the Tokyo DisneySea 10th Anniversary, which is September 4.

Taking place at night in Mediterranean Harbor, this spectacular features Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice who creates a breathtaking world of wonder and imagination. The show features fantastic scenes from many familiar Disney films such as Aladdin, Cinderella and Finding Nemo, as well as a thrilling sequence of Mickey fighting a gigantic dragon. Filled with special effects using water and fire on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor, this dramatic show promises a night of unforgettable fantasy and excitement for all.

Performances of “Fantasmic!” will continue to be presented after the Tokyo DisneySea 10th Anniversary celebration ends.

Tales from the Laughing Place Issue 15 - Out Now

2010-01-25T09:57:00.001Z

The Little Mermaid - Ariel - opens the new issue of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine as an introduction to the first (of many) looks at the proposed expansion of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. The article looks at the story and designs of the worldwide Fantasyland’s including Disneyland’s New Fantasyland of 1983 through to Disneyland Paris and the emphasis of the storybook approach which is now heading to Florida - albeit on a far far grander scale.

Other tales in the issue:

• we tell the story behind the long-gone introduction to animation film Back to Neverland with director Jerry Rees;

• the development of PhilharMagic with the Senior Show Writer (and saying a fond farewell to The Mickey Mouse Revue in the process);

• an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at ZED - Cirque Du Soleil’s show that performs only at the Tokyo Disney Resort;

• we talk to Imagineering about the interactive games: Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure and Leonardo Challenge (at Tokyo DisneySea) and

• an exclusive interview about the development of The American Idol Experience

Further details about these tales - and others featured in the issue can be found here

Most egg-cellant news! Tokyo Disney Resort celebrates Easter

2010-01-18T14:45:00.005Z

From April 1 – June 30, 2010 Tokyo Disneyland will host “Disney’s Easter Wonderland”

The official Oriental Land Company release:

The first Easter-themed special event, filled with wonder and surprise, comes to Tokyo Disneyland this spring. A parade-type entertainment program will be offered with Mickey Mouse and his Disney pals appearing along with popular characters from the Disney film Alice in Wonderland.

Time to “hop” over to Tokyo perhaps?

Eye-Spy Changes to Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!

2010-01-18T13:43:00.008Z

Oriental Land Company has announced changes are coming to Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! Here is the official press release:

URAYASU, CHIBA— Tokyo Disneyland® Park’s popular attraction, Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!, will re-open on May 1, 2010 with enhancements to the hide-and-go-seek aspect of this ride.

The new Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! will be even more full of surprises and fun. With this renewal, new monsters will be hiding throughout the attraction. Moreover, when guests shine their flashlights on the hiding monsters, the helmets worn by the monsters will light up as they come out and reveal themselves. There are also additional appearances by Boo – the human girl who prompted the discovery of the power of laughter. Throughout the ride, Boo’s laughter will now create a ―power surge, causing the lights to spark.

This enhancement will provide everyone with a great opportunity to enjoy anew the fun and wonderful world of the lovable monsters. This attraction will be closed for the renovations from March 23 to April 30, 2010
...........

“Eye-Spy Kaiju” looks at how the Tokyo Disney Resort celebrated Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! throughout 2009 in Issue 15 of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine

From the Archive: Is it Time to Remember...?

2010-01-15T08:37:00.001Z

Apologies for making the title a question - and using Is it instead of It Is - but I have never been sure just how divisive the Magic Kingdom’s/WDW’s 25th Castle decoration is.

Among the hordes of cameras I have hauled around the parks over the last 16 years one of my favourites was a freebie 35mm “panoramic”. For the two weeks I spent at the resort in late September early October 1996 (those days are so long gone) I predominately shot in black and white with a few transparency films thrown in. The panoramic acted as a colour reference or reminder and although the image quality is not great I do love the soft focus towards the edge of the shots - something which reminds me of the Holga camera I use today. I have included a couple of the black and whites and also a group shot of the Castle being decorated. Click the photographs to enjoy or not enjoy them - only you can decide if it is time to remember...

From the Archive: A Little Bit of Wonder

2010-01-12T07:29:00.001Z

December 31st 2005 was the last time I visited Epcot’s Wonders of Life pavilion. Both Body Wars and Cranium Command were open so I took a final turn on them. I also spent some time taking photographs - a few of which I have posted here. Further images can be seen in our Epcot set on Flickr.

From the Archive: Screamin’ in the Sun

2010-01-09T17:56:00.001Z

California Screamin’, Sun Wheel, Golden Zephyr

- Paradise Pier Disney’s California Adventure 2004

From the Archive: The Toad and the Skyway

2010-01-09T16:55:00.000Z

Mr Toad’s Wild Ride from the Skyway, Magic Kingdom 1996

From the Archive: Cinderella Castle 1996

2010-01-09T16:51:00.000Z

Cinderella Castle (just prior to the 25th Anniversary) Magic Kingdom 1996

From the Archive: Space Mountain 1991

2010-01-09T16:49:00.000Z

Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 1991

From the Archive: Paradise Pier

2010-01-09T16:42:00.001Z

Paradise Pier - Disney’s California Adventure 2002

Season’s Greetings

2009-12-24T09:33:00.000Z

From all at Tales from the Laughing Place

For Roy

2009-12-23T13:21:00.000Z

The above photograph shows the flags at the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland at half-mast in remembrance of Roy E. Disney who passed away last week.

With kind thanks to Tetsuya Kawamura for the photograph.

Tales photographs in Disney Fan Magazine

2009-12-22T11:43:00.001Z

The current issue of Japan’s long-standing Disney magazine Disney Fan features 9 photographs by Tales Creative Director Lindsay Cave (me in other words :) )

The photographs are of the new land/attraction models displayed at the D23 Expo in September for Cars Land, Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land and Mystic Point and are shown in conjunction with other events from the show.

Disney Fan magazine will celebrate 20 years of publication this year.

The February 2010 (number 2) edition is out now and represents the first of many collaborations to come from Tales from the Laughing Place and Disney Fan.

Leaving a Legacy

2009-12-18T14:23:00.002Z

Roy Disney “hand print” for Walt Disney Studios park - Paris March 2002 (Lindsay Cave)

The passing of Roy E. Disney was very sad news this week. Tales contributor Rhett Wickham reflects on the legacy of Roy at LaughingPlace.com in the touching

Oh Captain, My Captain...

In Spirit... The World Premiere of Disney’s A Christmas Carol

2009-11-05T17:50:00.020Z

Inevitable, obvious or predictable may have been first thoughts that came to mind when it was announced that the World Premiere of Disney’s A Christmas Carol would take place in London - after all - despite how worldly and worldly-wise the Charles Dickens classic story is, the setting can never stray far from its’ home.

However, what transpired as promotion for this interpretation of the story cannot fit into those descriptions that begin this piece. In short: One film, the largest ever premiere of a 3D-movie. a world-record attempt at Christmas carol singing-en-masse and the first ever co-ordinated switch on of three sets of Christmas lights across different locations in London. Tick boxes all round.

At night Regent Street, Oxford Street and St. Paul’s Catherdral are currently playing host to “A Christmas Carol” lights - all switched to “on” consecutively on the Premiere evening of November 3rd by Jim Carrey & Robert Zemeckis (Oxford Street), Bob Hoskins (St Paul’s Cathedral) and Colin Firth (Regent Street). Beyond this premiere, England’s capital has adopted the notion of “London’s Christmas Carol” and despite the use of the film logo and “Scrooge” graphics - “Disney’s” is absent from the street decoration.

Regent Street design

Post-lighting the aforementioned stars would gather in Leicester Square where not one, but three cinemas were hosting the film. The central park was turned into a winter wonderland of snow covered trees, snow flurries, a screen that transmitted coverage from the other London locales and “streetmosphere” featuring Dickens’ era Londoners.

Andrea Bocelli - who performs the closing number of the film - took to a stage and along with the St Paul’s Cathedral choir led the four crowds (Regent Street, Oxford Street, St Paul’s and Leicester Square) in the record-breaking Christmas Carol attempt via the screen (with lyrics, of course!). Bocelli’s “Silent Night” vocal (as well as his other performances) proved to be a highlight for those attending this premiere.

Andrea Bocelli leads the choirs...

... and Jim Carrey joins the choir

Carrey, Zemeckis, Firth et-al would make the rounds of the press and the photo calls with Carrey giving one girl from the children’s choir that performed in front of the photographers a truly distracting moment as he crept around the back of the choir to sing with her to the delight of the fellow choristers.

After all the snow and singing, interviews and photographs the audiences left the park to three of Leicester Square’s cinemas. A little treat was placed on the cinema seats that may have sweetened how they viewed the film - a treat however that could also have them agreeing with the central character’s key phrase: a humbug.

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy

Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli

Robert Zemeckis and Leslie Harter Zemeckis

Bob Hoskins

Producers Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke

Andrea Bocelli

Oxford Street design

Detailing the Dream - Dining the Dream

2009-11-04T15:01:00.000Z

The restaurants on the Disney Dream include an updated Animator’s Palette and two new experiences: the Royal Palace and the Enchanted Garden. The following images feature cast member costume design and plate or decor for these restaurants.

Animator’s Palette

Enchanted Garden

Royal Palace

Detailing the Dream - Theatres of Dreams

2009-11-01T17:16:00.000Z

This series of photographs features the furnishings of both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre. A new show “Villains Tonight!” will debut - with scenes featuring the Emperor's New Groove’s Yzma, Captain Hook, Cruella and “Welcome to the (F)underworld” of Hades.

Buena Vista Theatre

Walt Disney Theatre

Detailing the Dream - Enhancements of Character

2009-11-01T16:18:00.002Z

New “innovations” and “firsts for a cruise line” are key elements of what the ship offers, the most exciting being the first ever water coaster aboard a cruise liner: AquaDuck. The photos feature the logo - and the tube which guests will ride on.

Art around the ship - including the atrium features another unique enhancement - where the art becomes animated - an example would be a scene from Bambi where a butterfly flies through the picture. This is created via an LCD screen that activates when a guest is looking at the art.

The inside staterooms also give the guests another first in the industry - the Virtual Porthole where High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video of the view outside of the ship. At times animated characters - such as Peach - will appear at the window.

Detailing the Dream - A Model Ship

2009-11-01T15:00:00.000Z

The soon-to-be-much-photographed Admiral Duck that stands in the atrium of the Disney Dream

The model of the Disney Dream was on display along with many of the designs that will feature on the new ship. Here are some photographs of the model:

Detailing the Dream - Media presentation

2009-11-01T14:50:00.000Z

Details of the Disney Dream - the third ship of the Disney Cruise Line were presented to media on October 29th in New York. The gala event began with a presentation by Disney Dream Cruise Director Rachel Quinn who introduced Bob Iger to the stage who in turn handed over the Jay Rasulo to outline some of the ships new features.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something... Flew?

2009-10-22T19:29:00.004+01:00

Nope, nobody is getting married, I just found that with a few little gentle shoves the contents of the next Issue of Tales can fall into the above familiar saying:

SOMETHING OLD:
In The Kid in the Candy Store we take you back in time to the opening of the Disney/MGM Studios with Jerry Rees, the director of the film Back to Neverland that introduced guests to the process of animation with Robin Williams and Walter Kronkite.

SOMETHING NEW:

In Beyond these Castle Walls we take a first look at the expansion of Fantasyland coming to the Magic Kingdom - and you don’t get much newer than that!

SOMETHING BORROWED:

Okay, technically borrowed isn’t the right term - but cloned or duplicated certainly doesn’t apply to the ONLY attraction to have ever been a part of the opening day line-up of two parks (on two different continents no less) - when only one version of the attraction has ever existed - The Mickey Mouse Revue.

SOMETHING... FLEW?

More than just something, many... aerial artists fly in Poetry in Motion as we take you behind-the-scenes of ZED, the resident Cirque Du Soleil show at the Tokyo Disney Resort. We take you up quite high too.

Wishing Sayonara! to The Mickey Mouse Revue in Issue 15

2009-10-20T15:30:00.003+01:00

In With a little help* from his friends (* and a lot of hinderance from a certain Duck!) Issue 15 of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine wishes Sayonara! to the long running Mickey Mouse Revue and talks to Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Show Writer Kevin Rafferty about the original development of the attraction that will replace it at Tokyo Disneyland: Mickey’s PhilharMagic! As I couldn’t fit in all the photographs from the show further images will feature on the Tales website soon...

Tales Issue 15 Cover artwork

2009-10-20T15:21:00.000+01:00

Here is the cover for the upcoming Issue 15 of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine - featuring Greg Pro’s bird’s - eye view illustration for the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom.

The Tales website will be updated shortly with full details of the contents of issue 15.

I’m supposed to ask - are you afraid of heights?

2009-10-01T17:44:00.003+01:00

That was the question asked AFTER I had taken these photographs.

I was given access to the Cirque Du Soleil theatre at the Tokyo Disney Resort so I could photograph the stage/ arena, training room and costuming for a tale about bringing the second permanent Cirque show ZED to a Disney resort.

I was taken straight up to the top of the building where my first glimpse of the arena was from the roof down amid lighting gantries, elaborate costuming hoists (there are 42 harnesses for aerial performers), rigging and control panels. The entire area was set to show conditions - that is - pitch black - as run-throughs were taking place for the “clowns”, ever popular with Cirque shows. This is some 21 meters above the stage.

As we headed back down the host paused and said - “I’m sorry - we are meant to ask - are you afraid of heights?”

It turned out that my occasional fear of heights didn’t bother me one bit, perhaps because of how amazing it felt to be viewing a Cirque stage from that perspective and seeing the complexity involved in the show.

The tale “Poetry in Motion” - Cirque Du Soleil at the Tokyo Disney Resort features in Issue 15 of Tales from the Laughing Place.

The not so small world of Blair

2009-09-26T08:20:00.002+01:00

I received an email on my recent trip to California which said that a package had been delivered to my house and been left outside. The package - “a book” - was then duly wrapped in a series of plastic bin liners and left propped at the back door. Naturally upon my return home the weather was far more winter than early autumn and torrential downpours were not conducive to the package surviving.

It would have been better had I actually remembered that the package was there when I got home - but I eventually recalled the email and went in search.

As I wasn’t expecting any book material it was with utmost delight that the book was “The Colors of Mary Blair” - a 300+ page volume featuring the works of Mary for an exhibition that has been held in Japan.

The collection features an impressive number of Mary’s paintings from both film and theme-park attractions - and the “small world” selection is anything but small. An added bonus to these are context images from imagineering - for example a Marc Davis illustration of the (unrealized) Western River Ride is shown alongside Mary’s interpretation of the scene.

However my favourite section is for the giant mural housed in Disney’s Contemporary Hotel which features details of the designs.

The Contemporary Hotel Mural

“it”s a small world”

Peter Pan

There is such a delight in viewing Mary’s work “together” that hopefully one day the exhibition will travel.

http://www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng/2009/mary/index.html

Peek-a-Boo!

2009-09-26T07:40:00.005+01:00

...or rather Peek-a-Rocky.

As we head into a season of Halloween happenings, some monsters are just too cute to spook you. This adorable, but hard to find little “monster” of Monsters, Inc Ride & Go Seek! at Tokyo Disneyland will be less shy in the next issue of Tales from the Laughing Place. Rocky is one of several new “monsters” to be found with your searchlight in the interactive dark ride and was designed by Walt Disney Imagineer Larry Nikolai. If you are really observant you might even find all six...

Happy 10th Anniversary Reflections of Earth

2009-09-23T07:54:00.006+01:00

On October 1st 1999 Illuminations: Reflections of Earth officially opened after a short period of soft opening (which according to Wikipedia began on September 23rd). I first saw the show on December 31st of that year having only seen one illustration which showed the “open” globe - and it has remained my favourite nighttime show since. Gavin Greenaway’s score is amongst the finest ever for a Disney production.

In Issue 16 of Tales Illuminations: Reflections of Earth will begin a series looking at the evening spectaculars from the Disney parks around the world called Night Magic.

Further photographs can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesfromthelaughingplace/sets/72157612673322860/

Happy 10th Reflections of Earth.

Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land model images from the HKDL expansion

2009-09-21T17:01:00.003+01:00

Toy Story Land, Grizzly Trail and Mystic Point models - Preview images from future articles about the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and the art of the Disney model-maker in Tales from the Laughing Place. Further images will appear in the updated teasing tales section of talesfromthelaughingplace.com soon.

Updates to Tales from the Laughing Place website

2009-09-20T18:24:00.011+01:00

I have updated the look of several pages on our website, including the telling tale page which now features a clear menu to other areas of the site. We will be adding a couple of new preview stories to the teasing tales section which will feature exclusive photographs of the fantastic models for Cars Land and the Hong Kong Disneyland expansion - a couple of these are shown here...

Tales from the Laughing Place at the D23 Expo

2009-09-20T17:27:00.002+01:00

A big thank you goes out to our existing and new readers for visiting our booth at the D23 Expo. It was a great pleasure to meet and talk with you all. I congratulate everyone who managed all four days, I’ll bet your feet hurt just as much as mine!

I must thank Hilary for the kind assistance in working the show and the desire to describe the magazine in her best English accent...

Welcome to the art of telling tales

2009-09-20T17:05:00.005+01:00

Just a note to say hello and welcome to our blog for updates on Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine. We aim to feature unseen photos, extracts from previously published and upcoming articles, along with notes and thoughts on future issues. Full details on the magazine can be found at
http://www.talesfromthelaughingplace.com

Enjoy!