Monday, April 27, 2009

GAF Talking View Master Reels of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins


This is a set of GAF Talking View Master Reels for Walt Disney's classic feature film, "Mary Poppins". This was a Christmas present that Santa Claus brought to our home around 1972. Mary Poppins is my favorite Disney movie (and my favorite movie of all movies, for that matter). I don't really remember looking at these particular reels very much, but I'd probably enjoy them more now (I'm thinking about buying myself a Talking View Master).


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Michael Jackson's Pinocchio Display Created by Walt Disney World Display





This is a display of a scene from "Pinocchio", created by Walt Disney World Display for Michael Jackson. This unique work of art, which is owned by pop singer Michael Jackson, was on display at the Julien's Auctions display of Michael Jackson's things from Neverland Ranch. I had heard about this display, and I'm glad that I got to see it last week. In this scene, like in Walt Disney's classic animated feature, "Pinocchio", the Blue Fairy comes and grants Gepetto's wish. She says, "Little puppet made of pine, wake! The gift of life is thine!", and all of a sudden, there's a bunch of sparkling lights around Pinocchio, and he starts to move and blink. Jiminy Cricket then says, "And look! There's Michael! Gosh, what they can't do these days!", as a little puppet of Michael Jackson also comes to life (in the "Smooth Criminal" suit and hat) and moonwalks. This display comes complete with music, lights, great scenery, character voices-it's like the displays that you see in the windows at The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, only better. To start the show, you have to push this blue button on the controls. I'm so glad that Michael Jackson called the auction off, because I'd hate for him to lose his cool Disney stuff!


Friday, April 24, 2009

D23 Charter Year Membership Certificate


This is the D23 Charter Year Membership Certificate for the D23 Community of Dinsey fans, available at Disneyshopping.com. This club is the official Disney Fans club, and this beautiful certificate comes with your membership. You get inside Disney information and historical Disney information as part of your membership to this magical club. I also got a poster for signing up early with the club- (but I haven't opened the poster yet, so I don't know what it is- I will post it here after I get it framed!). This new D23 club is even sponsoring a convention at Disneyland Resort in September- check out www.disney.com/D23 for details.


Disneyland Golden Autographs Book


This is a Disneyland Golden Autographs Book, sold during Disneyland's golden anniversary. Books like these are sold at Disneyland so that children and children-at-heart can get the autographs of their favorite Disney characters while they're at Disneyland. I use this particular book to get the autographs of celebrities that I meet around town (I live in Los Angeles, and only recently started using this book for celebrity autographs). Notice that Disney's "Fab Five" are featured on the cover- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto.


Monday, April 6, 2009

The Disney Store Challenge 1995 Jeans Jacket


This is a jeans jacket that all of the Cast Members at The Disney Store #471 in Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills Plaza won for its 1995 Challenge. We won this nice, very unique jacket featuring Disney's "Fab Five" because our store did extremely well in the "sales over goal" category (which the Company set for us). Our store was #9 of all Disney Stores in the Company in sales over goal for the movie, "The Lion King" on VHS home video. How did we do it? We REALLY encouraged everyone to buy the video, and we talked to everyone who would listen. We also did extremely well in other video sales challenges. You know what? That store (where I worked for 4 years) is closed now- an apparent victim of the economy- although, to be fair, down in the same mall, there's a large new space that's blocked off that says, "Coming Soon- The Disney Store".


Saturday, April 4, 2009

Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store Napkin


This is a nice napkin from Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store, located in Hollywood, CA next door to the El Capitain Theater. I had a banana split there about a month ago, and it was delicious! They have sandwiches (like BLT) and lots of choices of ice cream. There are celebrity photos and autographs on the wall. They also sell tons of Disney merchandise! This was an extra napkin that I decided to take home because I liked it.


Walt Disney Company's Annual Report 2008


This is The Walt Disney Company's Annual Report for 2008. This is the first hard-copy of the Annual Report that I've had in a few years- Disney encourages people to receive this report online. However, it's a pretty cool book to have, so I made a special request to get the real book sent to me. I like the pictures.

Disney had a pretty good year in 2008 financially, despite the recession. This book highlights Disney's businesses, and has pictures of Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and, of course, Disney characters at Disney's theme parks. Disney also owns ABC Television, ESPN, Pixar, and a few other businesses as well.