Jentasmic! on Limited Time Magic

Limited Time Magic! It sounds so, so . . . so much like legalese! So entirely unmagical, in fact, that I have a hard time believing it came out of Disney. But despite the lackluster name, I do like the concept. From this week’s Jentasmic! at StudiosCentral:

But now that I’ve got my bitterness out of the way. . . Oh man, I am loving the concept of this new promotion, which I’ll just refer to as LTM to contain my annoyance. As a regular Guest at Disney Parks, I like to plan my trips around special events, whether Disney-hosted (like Star Wars Weekends) or fan gatherings (like Reunion 2012 – be there or be square). I enjoy seeing special decorations, going to talks or shows that just aren’t offered every day, and yes even buying special merchandise that you can only get at a certain time. As much as I hate the phrase “limited time,” there is something special about things that are only available, well, for a very limited time.

Head on over to StudiosCentral to read the rest.

Gorgeous Cakes and Marriage Equality: 2011 Disney Wedding Awards

Sometimes a girl needs a little boost on a Monday morning. And I must say I got choked up a bit looking at the nominees for the 2011 Disney Wedding Awards on the Disney Wedding Blog, and seeing a number of same-sex couples among the honorees. It doesn’t feel all that long ago that we were fighting for same-sex couples to have equal access to Disney Fairy Tale Weddings. I especially loved the series of engagement pictures for Joaquin and Ruben (the full set of photos is separate from the voting page).

And of course, I’m thrilled that my BFF’s nominated as well! Lisa and Trace are in the running for Best Wedding Cake, for their Haunted Mansion-themed grooms’ cake.

Star Tours: In Praise of Avoiding Spoilers

With an old buddy, at Connection 2009

[Spoiler alert! Spoiler alert!]

I waited . . . and waited. . . and waited. I guess you could say I’m dual-diagnosed, because I’m both a Disney fan, and a Star Wars fan. And still, I managed to avoid almost all spoilers about the recently-updated Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Was it worth it? From this week’s Jentasmic! column:

I’ve got an analytical mind, and I find it hard to shut off. But that first time through, I was completely swept away. Darth Vader was there, and we were in his grip. My friend Eliyanna was a rebel spy! C3P0 and R2D2 managed to get us free, and before I knew it we were dodging AT-ATs on Hoth. Then a message from Admiral Ackbar (it’s a trap!!!), and now off to Naboo! I was having so much fun even Jar Jar didn’t get to me. I do believe Matt will vouch for me when I tell you that after the ride was over, I was so happy I could have cried.

Head on over to StudiosCentral to read the rest . . .

Nyan Cat Goes to Disney!

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Some of my happiest memories just got a little bit happier. (Hat tip to Trace, since I used his picture of Rufus in a TDC shirt.)

Also, please enjoy this Oswald Nyan Cat, courtesy of 365ral:

Aoi Nishimata Artwork Coming to US Disney Parks

From Anime News Network:

Aoi Nishimata, the artist who designed the characters in the Shuffle! and We Without Wings – Under the Innocent Sky anime, announced on her blog on Sunday that she is collaborating with Disney. The “Disney Collaboration” Princess Line feat. Aoi Nishimata will not be sold in Japan at first, but at the Disneyland Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

I’m of two minds about the Tinkerbell artwork above. On first glance, it feels a little disturbingly moe to me. On the other hand, I like that it reflects a more girlish Tink, and a more, well, sprite-ly fairy than some of the more glamorized, ditzy Tinks that we’ve seen in recent years (for example, this pin). So I’m very curious to see more as the series continues.

Captain EO is the Answer. What Was the Question?

"Hello, good times"

Some mornings, Captain EO is the only reasonable answer. And at times like this, I thank my lucky stars for sites like E82 which keep me well-stocked with nostalgic Epcot tunes. (Why yes indeed, I did need to hear Angelica Huston hiss “Infidels!!!” on my way to work this morning. Not sure if I could have survived the commute without it, at least on an emotional level.)

Hat tip to The Adventures of a Lost Boy, whose author clued me in on E82.

Long-Forgotten: The Haunted Mansion as it Could Have Been

Long-Forgotten has a great piece today on rejected ideas for the Haunted Mansion. Some influences can clearly be seen on the finished product . . . and some absolutely can’t. I particularly enjoyed the one-eyed ogre version of Rasputin.

Hat tip: BoingBoing.

Jentasmic: Top 5 Disney Dining Memories

The view from Walt's American Restaurant, Disneyland Paris

In this week’s Jentasmic! column at Studios Central, I meditate further on that all-important question: Is theme or food more important in my Disney Dining experience? In particular, I look at my five favorite memories, and consider how much food, theme, or other factors influenced the experience overall. For example:

Walt’s American Restaurant, Disneyland Paris. The food was pretty good, especially given that we’d chosen to eat “American food” in Paris. We’d scored a table by the window, at the right time for the evening parade. Sadly, the parade was rained out, so all we could watch was the parade of tourists in hastily-purchased ponchos, heading for the front gates. But what made it special? Knowing that this was the only place on the entire planet that a Guest can sit in a restaurant on the second floor of Main Street, overlooking the crowds. No forced perspective here — it’s a full-fledged Main Street second floor.

Head on over to Studios Central to read the rest. . .

Vinylmation: Pink Elephants on Parade

I’m loving these new Vinylmations, inspired by Dumbo‘s Pink Elephants on Parade.

I can stand the sight of worms
And look at microscopic germs
But technicolor pachyderms is really too much for me

XKCD on Queuing and Sexual Arousal

You know you spend way too much time thinking about Disney Parks when you read this comic, and think, “Stop! That is way too much PDA for the queue!”