Creepy Mad Hatter Picture in 1961 Disneyland Fashion Photo

It’s not just me, right? There’s just something kinda creepy about this picture, featured in Kevin Kidney’s blog post on a 1961 Midwest Magazine fashion spread. Maybe it’s the fact that his hands are so much smaller than they should be, compared to his head. Maybe it’s the fact that he doesn’t really have much of a torso. But mostly, it’s the pinned pupils, they make him look evil.

Hat tip to my dear spouse for sending me the link! Somehow I’ve been falling behind in my RSS feeds. Can’t imagine how that could happen.

Disney Punch Mash-Up Trailer

Courtesy of forensicator8 on YouTube. Hat tip to blastr, and to my beloved for sending the link.

Disney Hipster Meme

Who knew there was a whole meme going on out on the interwebs about Disney hipsters? And no, I don’t mean trendy themepunks . . . I mean photoshopping and captioning Disney characters into hipster status.

I’m lucky enough to have a teenage son to clue me into these things, and he sent me these as a bit of a sampler (click on the images for larger versions):

And hey, if you’re inspired, here’s a palette of Disney hipsters, all ready for you to caption.

Rumor has it there’s a little place called MemeBase where people churn this stuff out every day. In fact, right now there’s a pretty nasty caption on a Buzz Lightyear drinking cup posted there. But you didn’t hear it from me.

Curiouser and Curiouser: Alice’s Labyrinth

When we first visited Disneyland Paris in 2005, I would not have imagined how enchanted my then-8-year-old son would be with Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. Somehow though, this simple attraction is an absolute must-do for us now, which we wandered through twice on our recent trip.

It’s very simple really: A hedge maze sprinkled with characters from Alice in Wonderland, finishing up at the castle of the Queen of Hearts. There are a few water features (watch out!), several characters that pop up from out of sight, and a small Queen of Hearts Castle.

(All pictures below are sized down for your convenience, and linked to larger versions with far more pixels than you’re ever likely to need. Ditto was true for my opening trip report yesterday.)

He's late, he's late!

I never know which way to turn

Honk!

Much like a scene from a sidewalk cafe in the 1st district of Paris, actually

Time for the caucus race! This section of the labyrinth comes shortly after water fountains that'll soak you if you're not careful or lucky (hence, I kept my camera covered there)

Every caucus must have a leader, n'est-ce pas?

Once again, I'm baffled

She is always so cranky! This figure pops up at you (slowly), yelling in French

We're almost there....

....and finally, we arrive at the Queen of Hearts' Castle

Give my regards to the Dormouse on your way out!

Disney and Star Wars Cosplay at ConnectiCon 2009

Most of the cosplay at ConnectiCon is either anime or gaming characters, but since it’s a multi-genre conference, all sorts of characters show up! Here are a few Disney costumes I spotted last weekend at the Hartford Convention Center (and captured with my sub-optimal camera phone, unfortunately).

Alice in Wonderland, with the Cheshire Cat

Tink and Peter, woot!

The 501st Legion Connecticut Garrison! I was lucky enough to interview a representative; watch for this on the Those Darn Cats podcast in coming weeks.

Carl Fredricksen, from Pixar's Up. After I took his picture, he gave me a balloon. ❤

The ultimate nerd showdown!!!

Prince Ali, fabulous he

Kiki, from Kiki's Delivery Service (an ever-popular costume for sure)

Maleficent, evil incarnate, seems strangely out of place against the backdrop of Convention Center striped carpet

Cosplay at Anime Boston 2009

Hmm, didn't I meet his brother at ConnectiCon last year?

Methinks this is the caterpillar from the book, not the movie. Supercool.

You never know who you'll run into at these conventions. Like, maybe even Darkwing Duck.

I still haven't played Kingdom Hearts, but I recognize this character for sure.

How do I love Totoro? Let me count the ways.

Kiki, from another great Miyazaki film: Kiki's Delivery Service.

Not for the Disney Purist: Alice in Wonderland, Muppets Remixes

Both created by waambat, hat tip to BoingBoing.

Hey Goths and Lolitas! Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party

The LAist, via BoingBoing brings us news of a fabulous fashion opportunity in Culver City, California:

When Scot Reyes, owner of the pop culture doll shop The Valley of the Dolls (see LAist’s visit to this store), announced his plans for a Mad Tea Party at Royal/T, LA Lolitas and doll collectors took notice. Then “lolitamom” posted the event information in this Live Journal entry on the la loligoth page prompting several lolitas to discuss their costume plans for the big party. Variations on the Queen of Hearts costume is sure the be popular and a some goth Cheshire cats too.

LA Lolitas, doll collectors, and other Alice in Wonderland fans have until Saturday, March 21 (from 3-9pm) to get dolled up and ready for the Mad Tea Party at Royal/T. With music by International Pop Conspiracy, high tea, a raffle, and a Valley of the Dolls pop up shop, it is sure to be a magical day. LAist will be there to check it out.

If any of y’all go, you simply must share your pictures with me! I imagine there will be plenty of overlap between this and the Bat Day in the Fun Park event. I must say, those West Coast types have way better alt/Disney events than I’ve ever seen back here in the Northeast. Just  look at the show my friend Geoff blogged about recently. Damn. At least I can console myself next week with Japan Nite US Tour, even if it’s totally Disney-free.

Ice Capades Alice in Wonderland Album Cover

This fabulous, disturbingly-adult album cover comes to us from LP Cover Lover, via BoingBoing.