Day six, and we arise with great expectations--we have something special
planned!
Back to the Boardwalk and Spoodles for breakfast--yum. A boat ride to
the Studios, and a brief wait for the start of ... wait for it ...
                The Inside Animation Tour!
Our guide, Nancy, started us off with a thorough background in animation
technology, beginning with Gertie the Dinosaur. I got the highest score
in the animation trivia quiz, so was allowed to make smart remarks for
the rest of the tour. The tour used various on-stage features of the
park to make points about the history of cartooning, Walt Disney, and
the Hidden Mickey phenomenon, including some show-and-tell at the Disney
Animation Gallery. Then we went backstage for some hands-on instruction.
After more illustrated lectures on the techniques of classical cartoon
production, we were ushered into a wee studio and sat down with an inked
cel, several jars of paint, and a paintbrush. We were then directed to
paint our own Mickey cels. Great fun--I can't wait until the cels come
out of the dryer and get mailed to us in about a month--finally some
Disney cels I can afford! I found it easy as falling off a ladder, Marta
felt it more akin to falling up one, but she liked it enough to suggest
we buy some cels and paints and give it a go at home. Hmmm, I wonder if
I can put cels through my coputer printer...
We were also treated to a couple of videos on upcomming productions,
plus a few insider rumors. I'll post these in a separate message for the
benefit of those who are not hanging on my every word.
Handouts at the end include a written overview of (classical) animated
cartoon production techniques, a very good bibliography with nearly one
hundred entries, and information about the requirements and procedures
for applying for a post as a Disney animator, including recommended
colleges. Way thorough!
The tour costs $45 per person, and takes about three hours (it does not
require Studios admission). Early reservations are *strongly*
recommended, even during the off season--our tour was full--and they are
not offered but a few days per week.
The Toy Story Parade is pretty good, if short. (How many Green Army Men
do *you* want to watch march past?) Much as I like Randy Newman's music,
it seems to loose something in the translation when performed in the
style of the Kids of the Kingdom. If you, like me, prefer the Aladdin
Parade, you can at least see the camels out in front of the Soundstage
Restaurant. (Be careful, they still spit!)
The Beauty and the Beast stage show was next, and I wasn't too sure
about it going in as I had seen the movie, the touring theatrical
production, and the Disneyland version of the show already. I was quite
disappointed. They mangled the story, with "Be Our Guest" comming before
Belle was even introduced, no explanation of what she was doing in the
Beast's castle, and the ballroom dance scene following the Beast's
return to human form. The stage direction had some problems, too, as
with the Beast changing form on stage--for over two minutes! I won't
actually say, "Don't go," but if you have to choose between BatB and the
Hunchback show on the other side of the lot, go visit Mr. Lumpy--it's
much better.
I can't leave the BatB show without mentioning the warmup act: four guys
dressed as stagehands started messing around with the mikes, making
funny noises, and eventually breaking into a capella song. I'll admit to
being a big fan of a capella music, but that means when I say these guys
are good, I've had a lot to compare them with. The group is "Four For a
Dollar", and if you get a chance to hear them--here or elsewhere--give
them a good hard listen. I like them better that the show that followed.
Having done all we both wanted to do at the Studios, we attempted to
take a bus to the Village Marketplace. Wrong! Another gap in the Disney
Transportation System is revealed. (Our motto: You can't get there from
here.) The nearest connection was at the Epcot resorts connected by
boat, so back to the water for a trip to the Yacht and Beach Clubs. We
had never been there, so took this chance to wander around, read menus,
and check out their "pool", Stormalong Bay. We wanna stay there next
time! (The pool, not necessarily the resorts.)
At the Marketplace, the same Rainforest Cafe that had a long line to
make reservations yesterday at the same time, today had immediate
seating. It seems that Monday is their busiest night--go figure. We were
seated next to a large and occasionally belligerant gorilla, endured two
thunderstorms (lightning *and* rain), and had above average service. In
his Unofficial Guide, Bob Sehlinger warns that some Disney restaurant
kitchens cannot consistently live up to the promises made in their
menus. I fear this is the case here. Marta's dish had Alfredo sauce with
too much of the wrong cheese, and mine had a light and delicate sauce
that was no match for the heavily cajun spice on the chicken. Marta
thought both were pretty tasty, so I guess you'll have to make your own
decision.
A note about the animation at the Rainforest Cafe: Disney didn't do it.
The active animals look very very good while sitting still. When they
move, it reminds me of a mime doing a mechanical man impression. Makes
the Tiki Birds look lifelike by comparison, especially as the event loop
is so short you see the same activities five times during your meal. So
if the animation is so-so, and the food is so-so, so why should you go?
Because it's the only place other than Disney and Chuck E Cheese that
does this, and the idea needs your support. It may be second quality
food and animation, but it is first class fun.
Interim research report: Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club is reported
to have the best sundaes at WDW. So far they are in first place, and
seem likely contenders, but we promise to keep eating ice cream until
all doubt is removed.  8;-)
It's now 9:30, and Marta is already asleep. Sad though it is, it is
probably a good thing that tomorrow is our last day on the property. We
need to get back to work so we can rest!
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (the also weary) Metcalf
---
 þ OLX 2.1 TD þ I'm not really bad . . . I just draw that way.
--- FLAME v1.1
---------------