WDW Fan Boys Podcast

Check out WDW Fanboys Podcast Episode #48 "Behind the Scenes with Mitch"- that's me!

So a few months ago I discovered this hilarious podcast series starring Tim, Paul, and Brett (pictured above*). Then lo and behold a few weeks ago Brett emails me asking if I'd be on their show.  Jeepers, I'd love to.

We recorded earlier this week and talked about who-knows-what but mostly about the way things are at the Disney parks nowadays.  We learn a bit about my past and how I started (and ended) my creative career at Disney--- this includes a never-before-publicly-shared ride concept I pitched to WDI only to get DENIED. Yep.

Listen here:  Episode #48 "Behind the Scenes with Mitch"

Subscribe to WDW Fan Boys on iTunes.
Follow them on Twitter. 
 

Other episodes you might enjoy from the Fan Boys:

Episode #47 "The Haunted Mansion"
Episode #46 "Times of Change 1988-1989" with guest Jim Hill
Episode #39 "Live in Florida"
Episode #35 "Disco Yeti"
Episode #30 "Responding to Harry Potter" with guest Jim Hill
Episode #26 "Disneyland vs. Disney World"
Episode #23 "Favorite Moments in Attractions"
Episode #22 "Our Favorite Animatronics"

Really the only other two podcasts I faithfully follow are Wedway Radio and The Progress City Radio Hour. You best be subscribing to them too.

Thanks, fellas for a fun conversation. Hope you all enjoy the recording.

*Image may not be the actual WDW Fan Boys. Photo credit: Duke Yearlook

Carousel of Progress Like You’ve Never Seen It

As a boy I was entertained to no end by the cleverness that was Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.  Today I enjoy it just as much-- Laser discs and all.

Here we get a look at our favorite animatronic family and their surroundings from all new angles. Photos provided anonymously with statement that they were taken with permission a number of years ago. **May contain partial animatronic nudity!**

 
I too spent a bit of time working on-set at Carousel of Progress and noticed a few interesting things.  First of all, it was great to work with some of the very same props seen in photos and video of Walt with the Carousel sets.  Few things at Walt Disney World were around for Walt to enjoy so this attraction has great meaning.

I thought it was fascinating that inside the cups and other dishes there are screws and other tiny pieces of hardware for Maintenance workers to easily access.

The printed paper props (newspapers, calendar, etc.) are made up of stacks of the exact same print.  If the top print wares out or goes missing, the subsequent layers of paper are identical.  Was this always the case? Don’t know.

The stages are not as deep as I would have thought.  I had suspected the center core of the building be be much smaller- that the stages went further in.

Rover has a two-piece shell of fur (head and body) that easily pops off.  Until recent years, his fur was glued directly to and animatronic components and had to be cut away and sewn back together every time the dog was maintained.

The television Grandma is watching is driven by 8mm film projectors running footage from the basement below- the ballroom dancing footage and the boxing footage (for when Grandpa’s asleep).  “Give’m a left you big lug!”  Here you see an actual piece of dancing scene film stip thrown out after breaking:

Preview of Things to Come

In our new and upcoming series we compare the old to the new and see what remains the same.  Golly this will be fun!

This post is intended to be a simple study of attraction staging with no intent to spoil illusions.  Please do not photograph or visit backstage areas without permission.

Related posts:

A Look at the Progress City Model - Then and Now
Horizons Animatronics Found Under Carousel of Progress
America Sings
 HORIZONS MURAL, "The Prologue and the Promise [High Res]

Pirates of the Caribbean Like You've Never Seen It

A look at the masterpiece that is Pirates of the Caribbean-- the ride.  For nothing more than a glance at the amazing artistry and ingenuity of some of the world's most memorable animatronics.  These shots were taken long before there were Davy Jones projections and Johnny Depps. These specific photos have never been posted on the web until now.  

The parrot you see (and sometimes do not see) above the shoulder of the hairy-legged pirate.

The hairy-legged pirate.

The Backside of Pirates

Don't Be Cheecken, Carlos!

Related posts:

The Haunted Mansion Like You've Never Seen It

Carousel of Progress Like You’ve Never Seen It

Animatronics 101

Painting Animatronics

Pirates Exit Music