My Disney Collection...03/29/2011

So everyone knows I'm a big Disney fan. A BIG DISNEY FAN! I love Disney movies, Disney music, Disney ice shows, Disney history and of course Disney theme parks. I also collect various Disney items. Posters, pins, figures, art work and more. So I thought I would share what I have in my collection. Mind you, while I am a Disney Dork, I don't buy EVERY Disney item I see. If I did, I would never leave the theme parks and certain people in my house-hold would never speak to me again!!! LOL!!!

So for this 1st installment, I would like to present a 1971 Walt Disney World Glass Bowl Ashtray:

As we know, Walt Disney World open on October 1st, 1971. At that time, the Magic Kingdom was the only Disney theme park in Florida. From the panels on this ashtray, you can see seven images that represent Walt Disney World at that time.

The top panel details the steamboat Osceola. This is one of the ferry boats that carries people from the main Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom. In the background, you can see the Contemporary Resort, the first hotel to open at Disney World.

The next panel details the classic Disney attraction It's A Small World which is located in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

The next panel depicts the area known as Liberty Square. In this land, you will find the Hall of Presidents attraction.

The fourth panel shows one of my favorite attractions at any Disney park, the Jungle Cruise boat ride. This attraction is located in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom.

This panel above details the area known as Main Street U.S.A. It is the first thing you see as you enter the Magic Kingdom.

In the panel shown above, you see a Disney World tram exiting the Contemporary Resort. When this resort opened, it had a very futuristic look and feel to it. Over time, it has become more "contemporary".

And in the center space, you have an image show-casing Cinderella's Castle, one of the most recognized places at Walt Disney World, located at the center of the Magic Kingdom.

As you look at the ashtray, you notice that the panels are arranged just like the various 'land' sections are arranged at the Magic Kingdom. You have the castle in the center and the various lands spike out from the center. I love anything that is 'retro' and this ashtray is so retro. I also love the art-work used. You can see details in each panel. My two favorite panels are the Small World and Jungle Cruise panels. I found this ashtray about a year ago at an second-hand store. I think I paid a couple of bucks for it. I've seen similar ashtrays on Ebay for around $15-$20. So I guess I got a deal on this. Either way, I just LOVE this ashtray. I'm trying to find a matching Disneyland ashtray, but so far no luck. So for now, I'm happy with what I have. Thanks for letting me share.

John

Madonna Music Monday - 03/28/2011

Well the cold weather is keeping Chicago hostage from the warmth & sun. Just when you think its warming up, a cold blast comes right in. It's almost April and we're still dealing with cold weather!!! Over the weekend, all I could think about was one of my favorite Madonna songs. Today's video is Madonna's electronic hit FROZEN from the Ray of Light album. Madonna sports an amazing Gothic look that suits the song well. You could feel the icy coldness as you watch this video. Enjoy!



John

Jane Powell Remembers Elizabeth Taylor...

I was able to attend a special screening of the classic musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that was presented by Turner Classic Movies. In attendance was actress Jane Powell, the star of the film. Before the film, Powell discussed her life as a big-studio star. She also talked about her friend, film legend Elizabeth Taylor, who had passed away the day before. Here is that conversation.



John

Elizabeth Taylor at Disneyland...

With the recent passing of screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, I've been re-watching some of Taylor's films. Today, The Biography Channel aired an extensive program on Taylor's life. One of the fun facts about Taylor was that she celebrated her 60th birthday at Disneyland. It was a big production to honor the screen actress. I found some footage of that event that I would like to share. So here is Elizabeth Taylor having fun at Disneyland for her 60th birthday. Enjoy!



John

Madonna Music Monday - 03/21/2011

Well Spring is finally HERE!!! Hopefully the weather stays constant from now on, but I hear that snow is expected this weekend in Chicago!!! I just want sunny days, warm air, bright lights and good times. I'm tired of grey skies, cold air, snowy difts and freezing nights. I want Spring to burst wide open and land with a BANG!!! And how do I imgaine that happening? I think it would happen like it does in the Madonna video LOVE PROFUSION. So for your viewing pleasure, and hopefully as a tease for what is to come, here is Love Profusion from Madonna's American Life album. Enjoy!



John

The Haunted Mansion: A New Inter-Active Queue...

With out question, my favorite attraction at any Disney theme park is the Haunted Mansion ride. While I have been to the one at Walt Disney World many, many times, I have in recent years fallen in love with the classic version at Disneyland. But that might change. Recently, the Magic Kingdom version has gone thru an exterior face-lift. The outside section has been re-vamped and a new walk-thru experience has been installed. Instead of being herded into the attraction, you now snake thru an elaborate cemetery maze filled with motion-sensor tombstones. Its really something to see and experience. In the following clip, we get a pre-view of what to expect. We also get to see some behind-the-scenes work that went into installing the new inter-active experience. I can't wait for my next Disney World trip so that I can check this out in person. So for now, Enjoy!



John

Madonna Music Monday - 03/14/2011

Over the weekend, I went to a bar/club looking to get a retro 80's music fix. Well it didn't work. So instead I had to resort to listening to music at home. And watching videos on-line. For me one the most important and satisfying things about the 80's was Madonna's music & videos. In the beginning, it was all about the music. Fun music you could dance to. This song is with-out question one of my favorite songs of all-time. So I thought I would start the week off in a lively mood. Here is BORDERLINE from Madonna's debut album. Enjoy!



John

Alice In Wonderland - Disneyland - 11/27/09

I thought I post a ride video from one my recent trips. I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan. I knew that there was a Alice ride at Disneyland. That was one of my top priorities when I 1st visited Disneyland in 2006. And every time I visit Disneyland I HAVE to ride the Alice ride. So here is video from my November 2009 trip. Hope you enjoy it!



John

The Disney Dork is ON THE GO...!!!

Well today is a new day and I'm testing my new Blogger on-the-go mobile app...lets see how this works...thanks for understanding...!!!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Madonna Music Wednesday - 03/09/2011

Where does the time go? Well it has been a busy week. Work has been busy. I attended a Disney Blogger Meet & Greet on Sunday, followed by a Disney scrap-booking session. Then yesterday was Mardi Gras. I wish I was in New Orleans this week, but it just didn't work out this year. With life so crazy, I ask myself "Where Does the Time Go?" Sometimes you get caught up in Life's rat race and you can't take time to stop, breath and enjoy the moment. Why are we always on the move? Why must we do everything? When do we get to rest? For today's selection, I picked a Madonna video that visually captures the day to day grind, the hectic pace of urban living, the non-stop lifestyle. But this song has hope. This video shows we can stop and embrace what we have. We just need to remember to take a moment to stop what we're doing in our lives and take everything in. When I hear this song and watch this video I do get a calming sensation. So for the next five minutes and six seconds, while you watch this video or just listen to the song, I want you to take in these moments and relax. So here is Madonna's RAY OF LIGHT, from the album of the same name. Enjoy!




John