SmokeTree Ranch and Disney (D23) And….What is on Walt’s Tie?

 

Have  you ever wondered about the ‘mystery’ symbol on Walt’s tie in all of the partner statues?

Wonder no more!

It is the official brand for SmokeTree Ranch.

Don’t know what SmokeTree ranch is, and WHY it is so important to Disney?

Check this out:

Can you imagine visiting there as an official D23 member?

YOU CAN. And they have some big plans for you too. Check it all out here.

Tam O’Shanter Inn: Walt’s favorite restaurant is waiting for you (D23 Disney & Dickens)

In Los Angles, near the Disney Studios in Burbank is a little restaurant, that was Walt Disney’s favorite. Disney employees came so often it was referred to as “The Studio Commissary”.  Near the fireplace in a quaint corner is table 31, where you would find Walt sitting nearly every day at lunch time.

I completely and totally understand why Walt loved this place. It embodies so much of what he was about; joyful service, incredible product and transformative theme experience. He loved it so much he created (yes, apparently drew himself) a large work with the Tam-O owner (Lawrence Frank) with Mickey, Minnie, Donald's and Goofy all in their best Scottish outfits.

  

Lunch from the bar is a carving station with unearthly good brisket or turkey, homemade potato chips and side salads. There is a full dinner service menu which is more upscale and just as delicious. Oh and if you are thinking of going, try to go during the Holidays. It is simply beautiful during the holiday season.

  

If you are a member of D23 (and you should be!) they offer a special Disney & Dickens Holiday night complete with carolers and more.

(For more information on D23 visit here)

From Wiki: The Tam O'Shanter Inn was established by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp, founders of Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakeries who went on to found the Lawry's restaurant chain.[2] They commissioned Harry Oliver to design the building. He constructed the Storybook Style building aided by movie studio carpenters. The Tam O'Shanter Inn opened in June 1922 and was a great success. The owner said, "Every piece of wood which was used in this structure was thrown into fire first with the result that we never had to paint it and it got more beautiful as the years went by." The Tam-O, as it is known for short, is located at 2980 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90039 at the corner of Boyce Ave and Los Feliz Blvd in Atwater Village.

D23 legend photo shoot!

Being invited to the Disney Studios is always a huge honor. But being invited to come and take a photo with some the greatest legends ever? People who contributed to the amazing successes of Disney through out the years? An amazing event.

They were gathered to take a photo for the cover of the upcoming D23 magazine, and we were there to meet them (I am on the left, 4 rows back)

So who are these people?

Kathryn Beaumont, voice of Alice and of Wendy Darling
Alice Davis, Imagineer and costume designer
Lisa Davis, voice of Anita in "One Hundred and One Dalmatians"
Joe Hale, animation producer
Dickie Jones, voice of Pinocchio
Margaret Kerry, live-action model for Tinker Bell
Floyd Norman, animator and "story man"
Richard Sherman, composer and lyricist
Ruthie Thompson, supervisor of Scene Planning department (Ink & Paint)
Tyrus Wong, background artist

But do you know Richard Sherman?
I am a huge and sincere fan. And after watching the Sherman Brothers, I felt like I just wanted to hug him when I saw him. But he is so bubbly and happy in real life- just joyful that I forgot all about that sad documentary of his life and collaboration with this estranged brother.

He asked to see Walt’s piano- and his wish was granted (and mine too!) and here is  a video of him singing (to me!) a song he wrote for Mary Poppins that was never used in the movie...OH and he is performing on WALT's original piano inside the Disney Studio archives. Pretty amazing stuff.

Here are SOME movies that he wrote the songs for....
Mary Poppins, 1964                                                                    The Jungle Book, 1967
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968                                                 The Aristocats, 1970
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971                                           Snoopy, Come Home, 1972
Charlotte's Web, 1973                                                                  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1973
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977             The Tigger Movie, 2000

And in the theme parks? all of these earworms and many more:
There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for Carousel of Progress
"it's a small world (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair attraction Pepsi
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

While we were visiting Disney Studios we were given the opportunity to visit the archives on site. Where we were shown this amazing piece of history. This is the original story board notebook for Steamboat Wille. Believed to have been created by Walt. Not gonna lie. This was amazing to see in person.

And then there was Alice Davis taking a look at one of her costumes on an It’s a Small World character…

But as I was just walking along, I see a rack of costumes, and find this. Just sitting there- waiting for me to try on take a pic.

 

And then I grabbed some shots of some Lost stuff for Jack.

 

And then? THIS.

Tiny sign next to it says ‘Escape from Witch Mountain’. Awesome right? Come on all children of the 70’s tell me you aren’t excited about seeing this!

I actually have so much more to tell you….

More about D23 and the awesome adventures they are offering members coming soon!

Holidays at Disneyland 2011

As you know I am very fortunate with my work with Disney to get to meet and interview all kinds of amazing legends and celebrities. But none as big as the guy in the red suit.

Was fun to ask him if he is on Twitter….

Interested in seeing what It’s A Small World looks like on the inside for the holidays?

(click the image for the complete video)

I am very proud of my work with Disneyland and my role as a Three Disneyland Mom. We would love for

you to connect with us on Google Plus for all things Disney as well.

(click it!)

Phineas and Ferb Rock & Rollin Dance Party

The Holidays and Disneyland Resort are beautiful and lovely and all that jazz, but speaking of jazz…

or JAZZ HANDS…

How about a dance party with Phineas and Ferb?

Well okay.

But NO LAUGHING.

Be sure to join in the dance party fun at Disney California Adventure!