Saturday, November 30, 2013

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies Holiday Show

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies Holiday Show



One of my favorite things during the holidays is to hear Billy Hill and the Hillbillies do some holiday music. Sadly, unless Disney changes their mind this will be the last holiday to see the Billies at Disneyland.

Here is the Billies Holiday show:


If you love the Billies and don’t want to see them retire (Disneyland is retiring them. They don’t want to go.) then write Disneyland, sign the petition and tweet the hashtag #SaveBillies. Post on Disneyland’s social networking pages that you don’t want to see them go!

Here is a link to an earlier post about saving the Billies. Here you will find a link to the petition and where to send Disneyland an email:










My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com



Friday, November 29, 2013

Pixies Faith - My New Blog

Pixies Faith - My New Blog


I have started a new blog called Pixies Faith. In that blog I will share Biblical lessons I’ve learned or been reminded of in Disney Movies. I am putting it separate so those that wish can easily find it and those that do not wish to read posts on this type of topic don’t have to read them.

When I post in Pixies Faith I will post a link and only a link here as well to make it easier for those that wish to find it.

Here is a link to Pixies Faith main page:

Here is a link to Pixies Faith first post on Brave:

Disney's LuminAria

Disney’s LuminAria



Disney’s LuminAria was Disney California Adventure first Holiday show in the Paradise Bay. It lasted only one season (Holiday Season 2001) due to some technological issues and poor guest reaction. I will be honest I loved LuminAria.

LuminAria had several floating “packages” and stylized Christmas Trees. The packages would open up and become large screens. Guests of all ages could draw a “Holiday Card” and Cast Members would scan it. These greetings would be projected on the LuminAria screens during the show.

Low level fireworks were also a part of the LuminAria show. This was ultimately the major problem with the show. The smoke from the fireworks would linger over the show area causing some problems for the guests. Truthfully I had no problem with the smoke and I have asthma.



The music for Disney’s LuminAria was beautiful and up until the last couple of years was available on the Disneyland Holiday music CD.

Trying to compare the new World of Color Winter Dreams to LuminAria is impossible for me. Both shows are beautiful and a fantastic way to celebrate the holidays at the Disneyland Resort. I enjoyed being able to go to the park and make a card and watch for it in the show. I had several cards I made get into LuminAria. Like LuminAria, Winter Dreams offered guests a chance to draw a card and many of them were put into the show. Unlike LuminAria, Winter Dreams only allowed for the cards to be submitted before the show was completed and there are no changes in the cards day to day as there was with LuminAria.

The pictures in this post are from the Yesterland website. Yesterland celebrates all of Disneyland from the past.


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happiest Turkey in the Happiest Place on Earth

Happiest Turkey in the Happiest Place on Earth



Courage the turkey was pardoned by President Obama in 2009 along with his friend Carolina. He was then flown across the country to Disneyland, Anaheim, California. Disneyland and Walt Disney World traded off getting the Presidential Pardoned Birds from 2005-2009.

You may think that taken to a Disney amusement park the turkey would not have much of a chance at living long. Maybe the poor bird would be better off at a petting zoo or some other place. You would be wrong. Usually the pardoned birds live 4-6 months at a petting zoo before dying. It is rare for a pardoned turkey to see the next Thanksgiving

The average lifespan of a domesticated Turkey is 2-3 years. Courage and Carolina were about 6 months old when they came to live at Disneyland. They joined Pecan and Yam from 2 years before. Carolina died last year. Courage is still doing well at the Circle D Ranch where the animals you see around Disneyland are cared for.


Courage, like all domesticated turkeys was overweight when he came to Disneyland. The day the Presidentially pardoned birds arrived at the park they were put on a diet. Between time spent in a large display pen in the Big Thunder Ranch area and off hours backstage at Circle D the birds were exercised. Often a Circle D Cast Member was handed the birds feeding bowl and asked to run or ride a bike around the open area of the ranch. The birds chased the Cast Member around getting the exercise they need.



About a year ago Disneyland stopped putting the Presidential Birds on display. They are kept backstage at the Circle D where they could live out their lives in peace. It was felt the birds were stressing more while on display as they got older. Only Courage remains. I miss seeing Courage and the other birds.

Happy Thanksgiving Courage!!! May you see many more Thanksgivings!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! May you have a wonderful day with family and friends!





My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com



Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Frozen - Review (No Spoilers)

FROZEN – Review (No Spoilers)



Our local theater had the first showing of Frozen at 7pm Tuesday. The audience was small but all seemed to enjoy it. I believe the small audience number can be attributed to the fact the movie was not publicized to be opening until Wednesday.

Frozen is Disney Animation Studio’s 53rd animated feature movie. It is loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson’s story, “The Snow Queen”. The story is about the relationship between two sisters. They are princesses and much beloved by their parents. Elsa and Anna are the newest Disney Princesses! (And Disney said they would make no more Princess movies!) This is a new culture for Disney to do a movie on, Scandinavian. In the past they have done German, French, English, Chinese, Arabian, Native American, American of African descent, Scottish, Dutch (kind of).

The movie is full of wonderful music. This is a Disney Musical in the style of Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Jungle Book. This will be a soundtrack to get and enjoy for a long time. Some of the songs pull the heart strings and others make you laugh. Either way the music is enjoyable. There is one thing about the music that kind of confused me. Some was cultural sounding and other songs were in a different musical styles that did not quite “fit” for me. Most Disney movies stick with a general musical style or styles that complement each other. I still enjoyed it all. The music truly drives the story and moves the plot along.

The animation is beautiful and Disney at its best. The characters are believable, engaging and warm. The special effects are fantastic! The background artwork is AMAZING. There is a great balance between slapstick humor, romance, drama and just some awwww moments.

This is a great movie to take children to and discuss relationships and honesty. It is a good opening to talk about fear stopping you from using your abilities. It can be used to show how people can and should work together to solve problems. It is a movie the entire family can enjoy together and everybody can take something home to think about. We had 3 generations of our family together enjoying it tonight. Our 19 year old daughter being the youngest laughed many times throughout the movie. My husband and I were thrilled by the movie. My Mum-in-Love came and smiled the entire time.

Elsa is the elder sister who has a magical gift, or is it a curse. This causes her and her parents to fear what could happen if she loses control and people find out.

Anna is the younger sister with a playful spirit that adores and looks up to her elder sister. She thrives on their relationship and is crushed when the relationship changes with her sister.

Hans is a prince, 13th in line for the throne of his country. He is good looking and suave.

 Kristoff is a woodsman that sells ice. He has a reindeer named Sven.

Olaf is a snowman that loves warm hugs and dreams of summer. He doesn’t have a clue!

I highly recommend this movie, 2 wings WAY up for this movie! One major recommendation, stay until the very very end of the credits! There is a very short fun added treat for those that do.

Now I’m going to tell you about Mickey in Get a Horse! Get a Horse is a Mickey short that plays with Frozen. Below are spoilers for this short so read only if you don’t mind spoilers!

Mickey Get a Horse is drawn in the classic Black & White 1928 Ub Iwerks style. (Ub Iwerks created the original Mickey Mouse cartoons.) The cartoon starts out in black and white. Mickey and the gang are riding on hay wagon pulled by an early version of Horace Horsecollar. Pegleg Pete come up behind the fun loving gang and starts pulling his usual tricks. Here is where the cartoon gets interesting. Pete tosses Mickey and Horace so hard they break through the screen and become color! If you see this in 3D it is really amazing as they go from black & white to full color (just the characters) AND to 3D from 2D style of animation!


Here is something interesting to know. The voice used for Mickey Mouse was Mickey’s original voice talent, Walt Disney. They compiled the words from other Mickey Mouse shorts that Walt did. The only problem was Walt only did the voice of Mickey for black and white cartoons. He never did Mickey saying the word “red”. When you hear that word in the cartoon remember it was never said by Walt. It took several months of cutting together the individual sounds to make up that word to get it right. Just listen for the word in the short!











My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Jingle Cruise at Disneyland and WDW Magic Kingdom

Jingle Cruise at Disneyland and WDW Magic Kingdom



It seems the skippers at the world famous Jungle Cruise Adventures in both Disneyland and the WDW Magic Kingdom got home sick for the holidays. They have decorated the queues and if you listen to the radio playing in the background as you wait to board you may just hear a Christmas radio program on the air. The ride itself has not changed much but a few holiday themed jokes have been added by the skippers.

I personally have ridden the Jingle Cruise once and enjoyed it but noted it was not much different from the usual. The reaction I’ve heard from others has been mixed. Some say it is dull and just the same as the standard Jungle Cruse others are blown away by the experience. I believe it depends on the Skipper you have for your excursion. If you have one that has the holiday spirit and can cut lose you will have lots of fun.

When we went on the Jingle Cruise we used the handicap entrance and the boat for a wheelchair. There were no holiday decorations in that are so we missed out on the fun of the queue. Many of the Skipper and Cast Members helping to load the boats have on Jungle themed Santa hats and that was fun to see.

Here is a video of our Jingle Cruise at Disneyland:










My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com



Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thor - The Dark World - - Review

Thor – The Dark World - - Review



I know Thor – The Dark World came out 2 weeks ago, I finally got to see it!

I have always been a big Marvel Comic fan. I believe Disney has done a good job of translating the comic books into good action movies. Thor – The Dark World is no exception.

Thor – The Dark World starts with some backstory about Bor, father of Odin in an epic battle with the Dark Elf Malekith. Malekith had a weapon, called the Aether and Bor captured the weapon destroying Malekith’s home world in the process. Bor thought Malekith and all his followers were destroyed as well.

Then the story picks up a couple of years after the Avengers Movie and battle in New York. Thor had returned to Asgard after the final battle in Avengers. Dark World picks up with Thor and the Asgard warriors finishing their battle to pacify the “Nine Realms”.

Shortly after the Nine Realms were united a rare event called the Convergence happens. During this convergence movement between the Nine Realms becomes easier and less ordered. Jane disappears into one of these openings and Thor is alerted. He goes looking for her and finds she shows unusual abilities that concern him. He takes her to Asgar to seek help for her.

Once in Asgar Odin is aware Jane is there and demands she be sent back to earth. Then he sees she has been infected by the Aether. The Malekith and his Dark Elves return and Thor must decide to follow his father’s orders or his heart.

Because I do not wish to spoil the movie for those who have not yet seen it I will not go into further details. I will share my feelings about the movie.

Thor has a problem. Will he follow his father’s orders or save the woman he loves? Will he sacrifice his heart in order to be obedient and loyal to his father? That is the main driving force of this movie.

Even though Thor is an action adventure comic book movie it is not just a adolescent boy’s movie. There is plenty to enjoy for everyone. The characters are complex. What is the issue between Thor and Loki? Will a mother’s love be enough to turn her bad son, Loki around? Will Thor obey his father, Odin or follow his heart to save Jane? Will Thor and Jane be able to truly  have a relationship!

I found this movie kept me on the edge of my seat. When I began to feel the tension was almost too much there was just enough humor to release the right amount of tension so it could build again and pull me right to the edge of my seat once more. Bravo, well done!!

If you have not seen Thor yet I highly recommend it!









My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Storybook Land Canal Boats at Christmas

Storybook Land Canal Boats at Christmas


At Christmas the buildings of the Storybook Land communities get decorated. Little Christmas Trees are put inside windows. Wreaths are placed on doors. You can see small boats tied at the docks with small packages waiting to be delivered.

Here is a video I took of the Storybook Land Canal Boat attraction during our last visit.


 Storybook Land Canal Boats at Christmas


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Diane Disney Miller Dies

Diane Disney Miller Dies
December 18, 1933 to November 19, 2013



It is with a sad heart I post Diane Disney Miller, eldest of Walt and Lillian Disney has died at the age of 79.

According to the Los Angeles Times she died of complications from a fall she had several months ago.
Here is a link to the Los Angeles Times story:

Diane Disney Miller was the only biological child of Walter and Lillian Disney. Her younger sister was adopted. Diane Disney Miller spent the later years of her life living in the San Francisco area. She spent her time, energy and money working to remind the world Walt Disney was more than an Entertainment Company. Walt Disney was her father. She wanted people to know some of the personal side of the Man Walt Disney. To that end she made sure the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. Lillian Disney had started the project to honor Walt and Diane finished it to honor them both.

After making sure the Disney Concert Hall was built Diane went on to build a museum in San Francisco to honor her father, The Disney Family Museum.
Here is a link to the Disney Family Museum website:
Here is a link to their memorial comment about Diane:
Here is a link to the Disney Concert Hall:

Diane Disney Miller is survived by her husband, Ron Miller and her 7 children.

If you wish to do something to honor her go to the memorial comment page of the Disney Family Museum.

Here is a link to the WikiPedia page about Diane:

Disneyland Disability access Service (DAS) Review

Disneyland Disability Access Service (DAS) Review  



I’ve been to the park twice since the new DAS system was instituted. The first was with a friend with mobility issues and physical issues that make long lines hard. She is in a wheelchair. The second visit was with my husband who has disabilities that make long lines impossible. He has ADHD and other issues. His limitations are not visible or noticeable. My friend was also with us on the second visit.

Let me start off with the explanation of how the system works. Be aware that things may change as Disney gets feedback from guests. Also, I am talking about Disneyland Resort not Walt Disney World. I will make a comment at the end of this post on what Disney Parks says is different between DLR and WDW DAS.

How to get and use a DAS:

1.     Go to Guest Relations (City Hall in DL or Chamber of Commerce in DCA) and ask for a DAS. They will ask what your need is. You will tell them if you can’t walk at all, can only stand for a limited amount of time, can’t do stairs or if you have a non-visible issue (ADHD/Autism, PTSD, or other issue in this category) that makes large crowds and lines hard, etc. . . If you are in a wheelchair you do not need a DAS as you will wait in the regular lines and make use of regular Fastpasses as you wish. (All lines at DCA are wheelchair accessible. Not all lines at DL are wheelchair accessible. If they are not you can go to a designated wheelchair/handicapped entrance. If the line is not wheelchair accessible your wheelchair acts as your DAS. No card needed.) You will pick your first attraction while in Guest Relations and get a return time. You will be given a card to show Cast Members at the attractions.
2.    They will take your picture to put on your card.
3.    You will tell the Cast Member how many people are in your party. They will usually give you up to 4 people on your card without seeing them but more than 4 they will want to see your entire party. The maximum allowed on the card is 8. All members of your party (up to the number of people listed on your card) can ride the attraction with you but you must ride with them. If your group splits up and fewer than the stated number on the card are going with you on an attraction that is no problem. The Cast Member at the attraction will ask the number of people going with you.
4.    Your card will be issued for one day or for the length of your stay at the resort for a maximum of 2 weeks. If your stay is longer than 2 weeks or you are an Annual Passholder you will just go back to Guest Relations and get a new card after 2 weeks. Your DAS will work at both DLR parks. One card for both parks.
5.    Return Time: your return time for an attraction is the current length of time for the standby line for your chosen attraction minus 10-15 minutes. (If the line for Haunted Mansion is 60 minutes you will return to enter the Fastpass or Handicapped access line in 50-45 minutes.)
6.    When your return time comes just go to the attraction and enjoy! Don’t worry if you miss your return time! Your return time does not “expire” as a Fastpass does. You may only have ONE return time chosen at a time and cannot get another until the current one is crossed off by a Cast Member. Just go to the Fastpass or handicapped entrance. Do not hesitate to ask a Cast Member for help if you can’t find the proper line. It can be a little confusing trying to find the correct entrance at some attractions. You will show them your DAS and be granted appropriate access.


7.    There are 10 locations in the DLR to get return times for the DAS. You can go to either Guest Relations where you get your DAS cards or to any of the 8 kiosks set up throughout the parks. There are 4 kiosks in each park. ANY member of your party can take your DAS and go to the kiosk to get a return time! The person with the DAS does not have to go get the return time. This is a plus for parents with children with ADHD, Autism and similar issues. (Please see the picture below for locations.)
8.    You can get return times for either park at any DAS kiosk. You can be in DL and ask for a return time for Radiator Springs Racers in DCA if you wish. Usually by the time you leave one park and cross into the other your return time has come.
9.    You can also use the standard Fastpass system to add more line saving options to your time in the park. You will have to follow the Fastpass system rules, such as having a one hour window on the return time.
10.  Please do not abuse this system!!! Do not use it to give tours or cut to the front of the line!! Most important DO NOT get a DAS if you do not need it!! (this message is from your Pranking Pixie)



I have found that with the new DAS in place at the Disneyland Resort (DLR) the wheelchair lines are shorter than with the old system. There were times, with the old Guest Assistance Card system that the wheelchair line was actually longer than the standby line for the attraction! There are fewer able-bodied people renting wheelchairs in an attempt to cut lines. Those with ADHD, Autism and similar issues are sent to the Fastpass line when available, helping to shorten the wheelchair lines and actually making the wait shorter for everybody.

Those with ADHD, Autism and similar issues are being served well using the Fastpass system along with the DAS. If they can wait the standard wait time of 15-20 minutes (sometimes shorter) of a Fastpass line this is great! If even that is too long a wait talk to Guest Relations about other options. They do have them available when needed.

It is a hassle to have to go and get return times for rides and does take some of the spontaneity out of your visit. The payback of shorter lines does make up for the inconvenience of having to keep going to the kiosk to get a return time.

There were very short lines at the return time kiosks. I had thought this would be a problem when I heard about the new program but actually it seems to be working well. Most times there was no line and when there was a line it was only a 2-4 people ahead of us. The short line moved quickly and efficiently.

Our last visit we had 2 members of our party with DAS cards. As a group we decided what attractions we wanted to go to and those with DAS cards would get return times for different attractions. It worked well for us.

Now for the differences between DLR and WDW. The system is the same except for one major difference. Just like the DLR DAS the WDW is one DAS card for all parks. Unlike DLR at WDW you can only get a return time for an attraction at the park you are in. The only difference is in how you get a return time. At WDW to get a return time for an attraction you must go to that attraction and ask there. It is like the old Fastpass system in that way. WDW does not have kiosks set up around the parks to issues return times.

Here are a couple of suggestions I have for Disney Parks on the new system.
·        Change the name of the system! People with limitations are still guests. They don’t want to be called disabled. It feels demeaning.
·        Make WDW DAS work more like DLR by adding kiosks where guests can get return times. It is hard to push a wheelchair back and forth across a huge amusement park. I can see how a guest would have to “roll” over to Splash Mountain and get a return time for 2 hours away. Then “roll” over to someplace else to find something they can do while they wait. It would allow the guest to get a return time at other resort parks as well.
·        At both DLR and WDW, get “Smart” Fastpass machines and have them set up in central locations, like the kiosks at DLR for the DAS return times. Many times I’ve gone to Splash Mountain at DL to find that my return time is 3-5 hours later. This is hard if you are pushing someone in a wheelchair. It means 2 trips back there instead of one.














My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com


Monday, November 18, 2013

D23 Membership - - Perfect gift for any Disney Fan!!

Hello and Happy Holidays from D23!

We wanted to send a reminder that a D23 membership is the perfect gift for any Disney fan. D23 unlocks the magic of Disney year-round in exciting, easily accessible ways no matter where you live. It comes in three different levels: you can gift yourself for free with the D23 Free Membership, or give the gift to a friend or family member with the D23 Silver ($34.99) or Gold (74.99) Membership. All membership levels offer access to members-only content on D23.com, exclusive merchandise and money-saving discounts! 

If you would like to suggest the membership gift idea we would be happy to supply you with some fun D23 holiday art. More details about the memberships are below:
Still thinking of what gift you can give to a loved one? Why not a Silver or Gold D23 Membership, or why not give yourself some Disney magic with the D23 Free Membership?

To help you save during the holiday season, D23 Free Member discounts include the ABC TV Store, Brookstone, SuperShuttle, and a special offer on Disney Magazines.

But perhaps more exciting for many Disney fans, Membership gives guests exclusive access to special in-depth content on D23.com. The site is updated daily with news about Disney theme parks, live-action features, animated films, television shows and celebrities. There are behind-the-scenes exclusives from the Walt Disney Archives, including never-before-released photos taken personally by Walt Disney. For kids of the ’90s there’s a celebration of the Disney Afternoon. And for fans of Disney TV shows today, there are exclusive interviews with stars of Once Upon A Time and Phineas and Ferb! The site also features the complete Disney A-Z, with more than 7,000 entries from the Disney encyclopedia.

In addition to a free membership, D23 offers two levels of paid membership. Why not unlock the magic of Disney this year for the fan in your life—even if that fan is you? D23 is the world’s only Official Disney Fan Club, and a Gold ($74.99) or Silver ($34.99) membership is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious gift idea for any Disney fanatic!

Paid Membership highlights include everything above plus:

Disney twenty-three Magazine – This glossy, oversized, quarterly publication is sent exclusively to only D23 Gold Memberships, and each issue includes in-depth features and vibrant imagery. 

Special Events all over the U.S. – D23 Members can take part in amazing tours of the Walt Disney Studios and Archives; signature events at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort; special screenings, such as the recent Hocus Pocus 20th Anniversary reunion, and Member Mixers at Disney Stores across the country. Members also receive a special discount to Disney’s D23 Fanniversary 2014 event, which will visit cities in the coming year. These unique experiences are created specifically for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.

More discounts! – D23 Gold and Silver Members can save more than the membership costs on just one purchase! Paid member discounts Disney Store, DisneyStore.com, Disney shows on Broadway, House of Blues in Orlando & Anaheim , Mandara Spas across the country, The Walt Disney Family Museum, local hotels and restaurants near Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, and much, much more.

Annual Member Gift – Each new and renewing D23 Member receives a special collectible gift from The Walt Disney Archives Collection. 

Fans can give themselves, their family or friends the gift of Disney by visiting www.D23.com.

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!




The Big Cheese turns 85 years young today! Well, that is not actually correct. Today is considered (by Disney and the fans) the day Mickey Mouse first appeared in cartoons. It is the day he first appeared as Steamboat Willie in 1928. But, it is not actually his first appearance in a cartoon. Mickey first appeared in Plane Crazy on May 15th, 1928.

The Disney Brother’s Studio did not have a distributor when they first released Plane Crazy. Steamboat Willie was actually the second of 130 shorts Mickey Mouse has appeared in and the first that made him popular. Plane Crazy was not widely distributed and was not popular when first released due to distribution issues.

How did Mickey Mouse come to be? You may have heard the story Walt use to tell years ago that went something like this;

Well, it was on a train on the way back from New York. Disney had just lost Oswald the Luck Rabbit and needed a new leading character. Walt was sitting on train with his wife, Lillian and was just doodling and thinking about what to do next. A funny looking mouse was what he drew and it kind of struck Walt’s fancy. Walt wanted to name this mouse Mortimer but Lillian said that name was not right and suggested Mickey.

This is what really happened. Walt went to New York to sign a contract to continue distribution with Charles Mintz, a producer who distributed through Universal Studios. Walt was hoping to ask for more his very popular Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons but Charles Mintz told Walt he, and therefore Universal Studios owned Oswald and Walt was to take a 20% cut for making future Oswald cartoons. Not only had Mintz taken Oswald he had secretly hired most of Walt’s animators out from under him as well! So Walt was left with no character and only one trusted animator, Ub Iwerks. Ub was not only an animator he was Walt’s business partner and part owner of the studio.

While traveling home Walt sent a telegram to Ub Iwerks telling him of what happened and requesting he design some new characters for him to look at when he got pack. Walt also sent a telegram to his brother Roy. Roy’s telegram said something to the effect that they had lost Oswald but everything was going to be ok.

When Walt returned to the studio Ub had several characters for Walt to look at. There were dogs and cats along with a male horse and a female cow that later returned as Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow. There was also a frog that was later used as Flip the Frog.

The Disney Brother’s Studio was not the first animation studio that Ub and Walt had started. Laugh O Graham and the Iwerks Disney Studios were the other two studios they created. Both early ventures had failed. In 1925, at Laugh O Graham Hugh Harman drew mice around Walt. This picture of Walt with the mice inspired Ub to design the mouse that later became Mickey.

Walt provided the voice of Mickey from 1928 to 1946 and again for a soon to be released Mickey Mouse short (Mickey Mouse in Get a Horse) Walt’s voice is used again.
Jimmy McDonald, a sound effects artist at the Disney Studio did the voice from 1946 to 1977 when he retired.
McDonald trained Wayne Allwine to do Mickey’s voice before retiring. Allwine said the greatest advice to keep things in perspective from McDonald was, “Just remember this kid, you are only filling in for the Boss.” In 1983 Wayne make his theatrical depute as the voice of Mickey in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Wayne was the voice of Mickey until his death in 2009. Allwine married Russi Taylor the voice of Minnie Mouse, you could say Mickey and Minnie were really married!

In 2009 Bret Iwan took over the voice work for Mickey. Even though he is the main voice actor for Mickey Chris Diamantopoulos does the voice of Mickey for the 2013 Mickey Mouse animated series.

Here are some quotes of Walt Disney about Mickey Mouse.
The life and ventures of Mickey Mouse have been closely bound up with my own personal and professional life. It is understandable that I should have sentimental attachment for the little personage who played so big a part in the course of Disney Productions and has been so happily accepted as an amusing friend where films are shown around the world. He still speaks for me and I still speak for him.”
All we ever intended for him or expected of him was that he should continue to make people everywhere chuckle with him and at him. We didn’t burden him with any social symbolism, we made him no mouthpiece for frustrations or harsh satire. Mickey was simply a little personality assigned to the purpose of laughter.
“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing - -
that it was all started by a mouse.”

We can’t forget Minnie Mouse!!! She first appeared in Plane Crazy and then was with her sweety in Steamboat Willie!




So Happy Birthday Mickey & Minnie Mouse!!! May you continue to live to make us laugh!!!

To find out more about how Mickey was created see if you can find the documentary by Leslie Iwerks (Ub’s Granddaughter) called, “The Hand Behind the Mouse.”














My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!
This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.
You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

For your Nook the link is:

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.
The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.
You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com