Can I Use that Curse Word Now? - I finally talk about the Tower of Terror.

Alright, I've held my tongue here on the blog.  I wasn't sure I wanted to address it because I knew it was going to be a rant.

Let's get a few things out of the way...

• I'm not a Marvel fan. I just don't get it...  Just not for me. 
• Yes, I've experienced the Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World.....and immediately texted my mother to confirm it was better than ours. I have no illusions about DCA's being the "cheap" fix on the struggling park.

That having been said, Disney announced recently that the Tower of Terror is going to shut down in January to make way for...The Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!

For starters, what's that? 

Yeah, I didn't see Guardians.  As a matter of fact, I saw the trailer and said...well, let's just say my reaction was a verbally un-Disney like muttering of surprise.  It just looked awful. Like a low level Saturday morning cartoon. And, yes, before writing this, I understand there is a sequel imminent and I checked out how much money the movie made.

But money and 15 minutes of popularity alone do not predict the popularity of an attraction. Look at Universal.  It's struggled for decades trying to get the "new hip thing" into their park, only to have it fade on them.  And yet, they chose to close Back to the Future, but that's another issue. Point being, do we really want the Disney parks turning into a Universal park? A hodgepodge of conflicting properties that don't make sense together? 

And don't get me on Star Wars, it's really not the same issue. Star Wars has, always been, and now under Disney's ownership, always been a hole that Disney couldn't fill itself.  A perfect puzzle piece from another box, if you will.  Marvel just isn't that, with the exception of Big Hero 6. 

And I've taken the time to read reactions from Marvel fans. Well, Marvel/Disney fans.  And it's similarly negative. 

Also, I knew a Marvel land was on its way to that section of the park, which is fine. I want the Marvel fans appeased but banished to a corner "children's table" where they won't continue to ruin our nice things.  But it seems the powers that be handed the Marvel child our prized Rod Serling vase on their way to sit....

My goddaughter, Naomi, is about to turn 13.  She is my benchmark for the 'young people'.  Frankly, I've been old since I was 6. Last week, while waiting for the tram, we talked about the change.  Yes, the movie was successful, but the most she'd heard of it was from a kid in her class who called it disappointing.  And her father, my uncle, agreed.  And Guardians was just the kind of movie he would enjoy.

The Tower, as it stands now, has always entranced younger children, whether they are ready for it or not. It's something to aspire to ride once you're "big enough". And I think the mysterious/creepy theme of Twilight Zone adds an element of healthy fear to the attraction.  Guardians continues on the path of destroying attention spans.

And, yes, I love the Twilight Zone show, and understand that this storyline is different from the show's more ironic intentions than merely mystery.  But the time in line always allowed me time to think and wonder about the characters in the elevator.  What did they do that this happened to them?
It puts one in mind of the Twilight Zone episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit".

I often hear from Disney apologists, not to judge an attraction before it's even built.  I feel the need to do so, here, because I don't think even Disney is all that gung-ho about this change.  Having Imagineer Joe Rodhe make the announcement was a blatant attempt to hedge their bets against the already growing negative tide based on the rumors alone.  I truly feel sorry for Mr. Rodhe.  Between Avatar in Animal Kingdom and this, it appears he is the choice of the suits to make us, the stakeholders, take our medicine. It's insulting, to him and to us.  To think that because you pulled the bureaucracy card on Joe, means we'll just accept what we're told as a good thing. NO. I refuse. And Mr Rodhe will not be the scapegoat.

Disney, please come to your senses on this one.  I agree to the upgrades.  This attraction deserves to be equal to its east coast sibling, not destroyed for 15 minutes of popularity that won't actually impact theme parks to the degree you hope it will.

In the last fiscal quarter, Disney reported attendance was down at theme parks across the board-- without a real impact on spending, however.  One might attribute this occurrence to the price changes, but Disney didn't seem very alarmed at this change.  Perhaps, again, because it's technically doing what Disney wanted, bringing down the crowd levels.  If you've been to the parks on a busy summer day, or during the Christmas holidays, you can agree this is certainly a blessing.

Point being, this isn't going to be the boom for the parks you think it is. Are Marvel fans going in droves to Islands of Adventure? Did they ever? Then what makes you think last year's popcorn flick hit is going to have the staying power The Twilight Zone does?

Love Disney though I do, there is a reason the Black Hole attraction never got built.  Or the Black Cauldron attraction.  If you're going to put that kind of money into the ground, it better have staying power.

Disney, please stop taking the power AWAY from the Imagineers.  Don't force a property and a miniature budget on them.  WE know you have the resources, just let the Creatives do what they do best. 

Frolics with Fred: Sneaky Peeking

Hi, Everyone!

So....I was hopping past Thunder Mountain...heading to my favorite BBQ spot....and...well.....

..............Did you all know it's closed?!

I know! I was hopping mad!

There were all these walls up. Something about wars and stars, I don't know....lotta people saying a lotta stuff.....

I tried to take a peek through the hole in this wall.  It was just rabbit sized.  Mariah gave me a boost. 

Anyone know anything? Mariah wouldn't tell me...

Anyone wanna recommend something a rabbit should do at Disneyland? Comment and let me know!

Love, Fred

Kanine Krunchies: O-Zell Soda

Hello, everyone!

This is kind of an unorthodox blog food and beverage review.  Also, for future reference, product reviews (this is technically also a product review) will go under the heading "Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty" in reference to my original favorite Disney princess....Ariel.

I was in Burbank a while back, and ran into Rocket Fizz for a look, only to find a piece of Disney fan treasure staring at me....O-Zell Soda.

To simplify things, here is the link to the site: http://www.o-zell.com

Their site does a lovely job at detailing the Disney origins of the brand, so I won't even attempt to replicate it.  To make a long story short, the brand was originally created by Walt's father Elias, and has recently been revitalized in the Silver Lake, CA area, its proceeds going to help restore Walt Disney's Birthplace Home in Chicago, Illinois.

So, since I was so anxious to actually try O-Zell Soda (It wasn't quite in my budget when they had a booth at the last D23 Expo), I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all, so you know what you're getting into...

In short....GET SOME!

Alright, now that I've calmed down...I'll go through each flavor.

Root Beer
The root beer float flavor is a little non-traditional, there are a few hints of a licorice-y taste in there, most likely due to its being more natural than most mainstream root beers of late.  We all found it, however to be a mild flavor.  I wouldn't drink it to quench your thirst, I'd do so to enjoy it's flavor, slowly.

Vanilla Dream
I have to confess here, I'm a cream soda girl.  It's my particular favorite, although I save it for special occasions. So I might be a tad biased, but this truly was a Vanilla Dream.  It was smooth and perfectly flavored.  I wouldn't call it an all out cream soda, hence it not being called "cream soda".  I would, if I could, buy this by the case!

Pineapple Whip
This is the first of two that are particular flavors I wouldn't call sodas, per se.  Certainly, the pineapple is meant to be a call back...call forward? Sideways....? to the Dole Whips available at the Disney parks (a favorite of my goddaughter's).  Now, it's not really my cup of tea, but it was certainly interesting, just rich enough in pineapple flavor.  Like I said, not really a soda.  I didn't taste any real carbonation, but there is an essence of the "whip" part of it in there.  As my goddaughter, Naomi, would say, "it's like drinking a Dole Whip!"

Cherry Jubilee
Other than Vanilla Dream, this was by far my favorite.  It isn't a cherry cola, which I kind of thought it would be...for some reason....but it's just a fabulous cherry treat.  Just a delight to partake.

These are, in my opinion, non-traditional drinks, not just simple novelty sodas.  i highly recommend them if you want to add a little pizzaz to your party or gathering, even though they are hard to get your hands on.  Again, you can go to their website to get the information, but I found O-Zell soda, in all four flavors at Rocket Fizz, http://rocketfizz.com.

While doing research for this post, I noticed O-Zell now has coffee as well.  I, personally, am not a coffee drinker, but my mother LOVES Grand Marceline Company Coffee, which also has Disney roots.  So, if I get enough feedback in the comments of this post, I'll snag some O-Zell Coffee and we'll do a comparison.  If it's anywhere near as good as these sodas are, it should be fabulous.

So...that's it for now.....except another Frolic from Fred soon and then a post I've been ruminating on for awhile....it's half a product review and half a rant.

Have a great week, everyone! And Just Keep Swimming!

"Can I use that curse word now?" - A D23 Discussion

Hello, Everyone

Sorry for the delay in my next post, but lately it seems I try to get my next review up (it's going to be a good one, by the way), and something comes up that I feel I should address...

Which brings me to my next segment, "Can I use that curse word now?" in honor of Inside Out's Anger (though I'm partial to Disgust).

https://d23.com/d23-expo-2017-tickets-on-sale-beginning-july-14-2016/

The link above is the announcement that tickets are going on sale for the D23 Expo 2017, on July 14th, which is next week.

There is no significant change in the price for normal tickets, for both D23 members and non-members.  

What I'd really like to discuss is the Sorcerer Package.  Last year, this package was $2,000.  I admit, I previously thought it was only $1,000 for the last Expo.  Still, there is a grievance here I would like to address with D23...

Now, let's just go by last Expo's numbers for a second....as Lou Mongello from WDW Radio would say, "Go with me here..."

If you bought the tickets during the Early Bird period, a three day adult ticket is $104. 

And the Sorcerer Package was $2,000.

Now, this year that package is $2,250.  And don't get me wrong, lots of interesting perks, but why the substantial price difference? 

With a regular ticket, my party (ok, it's my mother and me, but we are rather ruthless, I promise!) spend an incredible amount of time in line for shopping, the Disney Store being the worst offender.  I understand that Disney is most likely trying to price out or somehow deter those who just buy up everything and re-sell it on eBay, but how is this kind of a price difference going to help that? Is it really helping? And then why give so many perks that can be sold on eBay, like the luggage?

Now, this could be just another angry blog from an irate Disney fan, but I'm not mad....I'm disappointed.  Why isn't there a middle ground? I don't want to re-sell anything, I just want to maximize my time.  I don't want to miss out on meeting the cast of Girl Meets World this time..I WANT to go to the presentations (Disney Legends, Animation, Live Action, Theme Parks, etc.) without sleeping outside all night (by the way, I hope y'all are showered at some point in that process.  Another deterrent).  I just don't understand why D23 hasn't worked on a middle ground type package.  I'd even be satisfied to pay more for JUST guaranteed seating to the presentations.

You hear that, Disney? I WANT to pay more money!

I'd sincerely like to know who this Sorcerer Package caters to, because it's certainly not the fans. I even have names for the middle package, free of charge, Disney.  The Broom Package! The Dancing Hippo Package.  The Chernabog Package...???

I cannot be the only person flummoxed by this odd price tier.  Please feel free to leave your comments down below.

Have a great week, talk to you all soon!

Frolics with Fred: The Circle of Carrots

Hello, everyone!

Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events...

I went with Mariah to the Plaza Inn last week for a nice breakfast (have you tried their carrot cake?), and to meet my brethren.  Yes, I call the characters my brethren.

Anyway, I went to say Hello to Rafiki and apparently....well..that is to say...Long story short, he snatched me up and christened me the new King of the Jungle!

I was presented to all the kingdom (room full of hungry people), and anointed, as per tradition. I must say, I was a little terrified, being up so high.  And Rafiki is a little...kooky? Then, I suddenly realized what was happening...I shall be King! (I hope Simba's ok with sharing.)

Here is (blurry) proof, for all you naysayers.  I'm lookin' at you, Scar!

That day gave me a great lesson....you can be anything you want to be...or something you didn't even ask for!

So, while I'm looking for a mane made out of leaves....have a great weekend!

Love,
King Fred

Life's Like a Movie.....Finding Dory

Hello, All!

OK, so while I've been collecting interesting content for you all, the pacing has been a little funky.  Fred has a frolic for you this week (it's a doozy!), and I have a few Disney related reviews for you all.

BUT, since I took my favorite test audience to see Finding Dory today, I figured I'd get it out fast.

By the way, HERE is my test audience, in all their glory...

Naomi (12), Olivia (5), and Reuben (7).  Aren't they the cutest things?

So, we couldn't wait to see Finding Dory.  Lemme just push up my sleeves.  Wait, I don't have any sleeves.  How am I supposed to emotionally prepare for this without sleeves?!

We were, in all honesty, prepared for an emotional experience.  Truly, as excited as I was, there was also a little fear in there.  Not that I thought Pixar would ruin anything, but...you know how they are.  They like to encourage feelings we can neither understand nor explain (Much like Lightning McQueen).  

If anyone hasn't heard the impetus for the sequel, director Andrew Stanton reportedly said after Dory's line in the original, wondering about her family, his paternal instinct activated and he felt compelled to help her find her family.  Every ounce of that real feeling went into this film, and it shows.

On a mere technological level, it's beautiful.  Utterly.  As in many Pixar sequels (Or, prequel) the team takes the opportunity to step up the visuals a notch.  That's saying something when so much of the original looks like an IMAX nature film.

Story-wise, it is Pixar's usual solid story.  I really can't see a problem with it.  It's tone was light (and HILARIOUS) enough to keep the heavy from getting too heavy, without undercutting it.  

Seeing it with the kids, everyone had a marvelous time.  The two little ones tend to be quiet anyway, but neither found anything emotionally disruptive.  Oh, how I long for the days of going along for the story's ride and not being effected by it.  (Well, who are we kidding, I was an 8 year old who cried during A League of Their Own, I've always been like this!)  They all LOVED the finale, which, yeah I won't give away, but was a stroke of GENIUS.

I feel like this review is a little disjointed, but remaining spoiler free and attempting to find criticism with this film is incredibly difficult.  Time will tell how it holds up to Finding Nemo, but I think it will do just fine.  Pixar has had a habit of letting the side kick become the protagonist of a sequel.  Here, it was a perfect concept.  The movie's emotional heart is, naturally, Dory herself.  It would have been easy to continue to make Dory's short term memory loss, her disability if you will, a continued hindrance to the story.  It's allowed to deepen her character, a film intended for the audience to understand her.  Hence, heartbreak. 

What I saw in theme was really a lesson of .....well, just keep swimming.  For one thing, Dory, though accidentally, didn't let her memory loss stop her.  She just kept trying. In all things.  I'll just leave it at that. Also, I could see the analogy of disability here.  You see Dory's parents try to help their daughter through her memory loss and it emotionally pays off so beautifully in theme. 

The only criticism I can think of is from Reuben.  No sharks.  He was unhappy there was no Bruce, but that was the only disappointment expressed. 

OH! One other note.  If the short that came with it, "Piper", doesn't get the Oscar for best Animated short, I'd be surprised.  It was a perfect compliment to the film, theme wise.

Now, just one last note, something that's irked me for some time, but was further brought to my attention at my..screening.  This isn't a "kid's movie".  Well, it's a family film.  Two different terms.  Do NOT think because you took your family to see a movie geared towards families and children, that your children shouldn't have to behave in a theater.  I might do a full blog on this later, but just because a movie is animated or made by Disney doesn't mean it's stupid or just for children.  That was never Walt's intention.  Don't devalue the intense artistic and technical artistry here because of its supposed content. 

That's about it.  GO.  Now. Bring 1 tissue.  I think you'll do ok with that much. 

Oh, and STAY through the credits! (Why aren't you already doing that?)

Have a great weekend.  Just keep swimming.....

Life's Like a Movie...Alice Through the Looking Glass

Hello, Readers!

I just barely got home from seeing Alice Through the Looking Glass, so while it's fresh in my mind, let me give a review.

First off, I try not to read reviews, but the one I did read mentioned how the story was kind of thin, a lot of style and not a lot of substance.  I really take issue with this because I'm tired of movies being judged by only one measuring stick.  This review calls to mind the bad reviews for Muppets Most Wanted (same director, James Bobin), where at least one reviewer called the plot merely a device to string Muppet jokes and gags together.  The answer to that being, "Yes, and...?" Some movies are about other things than plot (as a screenwriter, that can be a difficult fact but here we are).  Also....it's Alice in Wonderland, the less sense it makes, the more true to the original material it is, so clam up, reviewers!!

The story, not to reveal any spoilers, focuses a little more on the real world than the original, as Alice is pulled back to Underland to help an ailing Mad Hatter, while at home, her family's future is in its own turmoil.  In order to help Hatter, she must go ask a favor of Time, played by Sasha Baron Conan, who was a tolerable addition to what I consider a cast of favorites.  I almost don't want to comment on Johnny Depp's performance, because he is always fantastic.  I will say his performance here does anchor the emotional underpinning of the story, properly motivating Alice's journey.

And, frankly, I've always liked Anne Hathaway as the White Queen because it seems like she's channeling Stevie Nicks.  Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen was undercut slightly, but all for a good cause in the end.  One of those "bigger picture" issues.

It's hard to know what I really can say, in total.  Again, if you're going for a particular story being paramount to the whole, you might be in the wrong theater.  I admit, I wondered why a sequel was necessary in Disney's eyes.  What I can surmise is the need to rejoin these characters, and director James Bobin did a great job of letting you have that.  This particular Burton interpretation (and while he didn't direct, he did produce) is much more character based, in my opinion.  The sequel was made to reunite an audience with good characters.

On the basis of good characters, one place I think the movie really hits it out of the park is with Alice herself.  In the three years interim in the story, Alice has grown and changed in her own right, much to her mother's chagrin, as well as society's.  This interpretation of Alice as a strong woman of her own will in the 1870s really doesn't get enough credit for the necessity it is even in our modern world.  My goddaughter loves both versions of Disney's Alice, and I can't wait to take her to see this one just so she gets an added reminder that she really can do the impossible.

PLEASE, go see this movie and just enjoy yourself.

See you in Wonderland/Underland/Fantasyland!