Category: Travel
Pictures and Video from the reopening of Captain EO at Disneyland
The 3D theme park film “Captain EO” starring Michael Jackson reopened to hundreds of excited fans this morning at Disneyland. While I couldn’t be there personally, I was able to send Jeremiah Daws in my place to cover the opening of the long-rumored return of this popular attraction.
We’ll have a complete video of the morning’s activities (including interviews) a little later, but here’s a quick glimpse at what we’ve received so far.
The photo above shows the new “Captain EO Tribute” sign and poster that has been installed in the former location of “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” -- which took over for “Captain EO” in that location in the first place.
Before reaching that point, hundreds of Disneyland guests lined up outside:
Captain EO merchandise was for sale outside the Disneyland entrance, including T-shirts and buttons:
Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter was on hand to mark the occasion, seen here talking with two Captain EO fans who drove all the way from San Francisco overnight to see the return of the film.
Main Street signs directed guests to the attraction:
And here’s a quick video of fan reactions just after seeing Captain EO for the first time today:
I’ll keep updating this post as more fun emerges.
TweetA night at Epcot with Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, and chef Robert Irvine
Last night at Epcot was a continuation of a two-day Disney media event surrounding their ongoing 2010 promotion, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.” Day one was at the newly-renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports and brought several exciting announcements for the upcoming summer season.
During the day yesterday, a few events were held at Epcot, including the unveiling of a world record-breaking sculpture of canned goods and appearances by Kermit the Frog and Ty Pennington. But unfortunately I wasn’t there to see any of that until late in the afternoon, as it was a rather busy day at Lanyard Lab (which is a good thing).
Prior to arriving at Epcot, I followed the day’s actions on Twitter (using @attractions, @ThemeParks, and @etckt as my main sources of information) and found out that the Food Network show “Dinner: Impossible” was filming an episode there that day. Since I knew that dinner was on the media event schedule that night, I assumed that chef Robert Irvine and his crew would be serving food to all attendees of the event. Needless to say, after years of regularly watching that show, salivating over most of what Irvine prepares, I was excited to finally get a chance to sample his cuisine.
I finally got to the park at around 5:30 p.m. and immediately headed for the media center (set up inside the former Wonders of Life pavilion) to put in an interview request for Robert Irvine and/or “Dinner: Impossible” producer and former “Double Dare” host Marc Summers, who apparently was there… somewhere. Unfortunately, since I showed up so late, neither interview panned out.
The dinner area opened at 6:30 p.m. and I was ready to dive into some buffets filled with expertly-prepared food. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that the food cooked for “Dinner: Impossible” was being served only to the 350 volunteers who were part of the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” activities and their families. So instead of coming back here with a complete review of “Dinner: Impossible” food, I am here to say that I ate some decent Disney buffet food instead. I’m not complaining, as it was free and good, but I was a bit disappointed to not get a chance to sample what I was hoping to.
But I did get to see chef Robert Irvine when he went on stage in front of the Fountain of Nations to address the audience. Here’s a video:
Before Irvine, a teenage boy band of sorts that apparently is Disney’s “next big thing” performed on the same stage. I didn’t catch their name and by the reaction of everyone watching, I don’t think anyone believed they have any chance of being the “next big thing.”
A little while later, Radio Disney DJ Ernie D introduced Disney Channel stars Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Adam Hicks, Daniel Curtis Lee, Alyson Stoner, Roshon Fegan, who are all part of Disney’s “Friends for Change,” which focuses on environmentally-friendly topics. I’m not a fan of the current set of Disney Channel shows or stars, but I know thousands upon thousands of kids are, so here’s a video of that bunch on stage as well:
Finally, the main entertainment for the night was to commence. Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas returned to the stage to sing a pair of songs together, the first of which was premiering last night. It’s called “Make A Wave” and was written for “Friends for Change.” Again, here’s a video for the Lovato and Jonas fans:
The last time I saw a Jonas brother in person (actually all 3), I was at the 2007 Christmas Day Parade taping at the Magic Kingdom. At the time, I didn’t really know who the Jonas brothers were, but the hundreds of screaming girls around me certainly did. For that performance, the group lip synched and pantomimed to pre-recorded music (though it was their music).
This time, Joe Jonas and Lovato definitely sang live and it wasn’t nearly as painful to my ears as I was expecting it to be. I can’t say that I’m a Lovato or Jonas fan now, but I didn’t mind the music either. Of course, the 500+ comments and 50,000+ views on YouTube for the above video (in less than 20 hours) tell me that the new song is sure to be a hit when its music video is premiered on Disney Channel on March 14 and is put up for sale on iTunes on March 15.
The second song they performed is called “This Is Me” and Lovato did most of the singing:
Then they were whisked away and the stage show concluded. During the second/last song, I noticed that Epcot vice president Dan Cockerell had been standing next to me watching the show. He seemed to be enjoying it (and busy communicating with important people on his Blackberry).
It was time for me to call it a night. I had a few more hours of work to do after coming home (like I said, it was a busy day at Lanyard Lab), so I skipped seeing the Illuminations fireworks show that I’ve seen so many times already.
Disney certainly knows how to put together a grand event. This one rivaled the party I attended in California for the opening of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage -- and there wasn’t even a new attraction to celebrate this time! But they certainly got the media talking about the Summer Nightastic events coming up in a few months and re-talking about the Fantasyland expansion that won’t be ready for a couple of years. Plus, we all got have a little fun, socialize, and eat some food. All in all, it was a fun night spent with a few celebrities and a good couple of days in promotion of some exciting things to come. I’m looking forward to it.
TweetSummer Nightastic at Walt Disney World to bring the Electrical Parade back to Main Street and more
I remember the last time I saw the Main Street Electrical Parade actually ON Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. It was announced that on April 1, 2001, the popular nighttime Disney parade would be finishing its run at Walt Disney World.
Now, at the time, I didn’t realize that Disney parades hopped coasts and came and went every few years. I wasn’t frequenting Disney fan web sites to find out all the latest news as I do today. And there were no podcasts to deliver the news either. So I was under the impression that when Disney was giving the Electrical Parade a farewell, they meant for good.
I made sure to not miss it, so I made one last trip to the Magic Kingdom to see it before it went away. This was before I moved to Orlando, so it was a great vacation and a chance to see my favorite parade one last time.
Of course, since then, I have seen the Electrical Parade at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim many times, but it’s just not the same as seeing it on Main Street. So I was thrilled to hear the announcement last night at the “What’s New, What’s Next” media presentation that the Main Street Electrical Parade would, indeed, be returning to Orlando and will be shown nightly on Main Street throughout the summer of 2010.
In addition, Disney announced that an all-new fireworks show would be performed each night throughout the summer, as part of their new Walt Disney World Summer Nightastic, a name borrowed from last summer’s event at Disneyland in California. Disney also hinted at new effects and enhancements being added to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, one of my favorite rides.
Here’s a video of the announcement and an interview with Walt Disney World Marketing Director Carrie Matson:
While at the media presentation, I also had a chance to speak with Walt Disney Imagineer Diego Parras about the now-ongoing Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom:
There’s plenty of excitement to be found at the Magic Kingdom in the coming months/years and I can only imagine that this is all part of Disney’s plan to drive at least *some* attention away from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening in a couple of months at the Universal Orlando Resort. I doubt any Potter fans will pass up the Wizarding World to see the Electrical Parade and a new fireworks show, but they will almost certainly now add a visit to the Magic Kingdom into their vacation plans.
TweetMy review of The Pee-Wee Herman Show
I’ve just returned from a two-and-a-half day trip to California, which I went on for specific purpose of seeing The Pee-wee Herman Show. The stage show, running for just four weeks, reunites Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) with his famous Playhouse and includes a memorable cast of characters, some familiar from the original show and some brand new.
(That’s me pictured here, in front of the stage before the show began. No photos or video were allowed during the show. The photos that follow were taken after it ended.)
I grew up watching Pee-wee Herman. In fact, there were times growing up when I thought I was Pee-wee, laughing uncontrollably on the floor and relentlessly inquiring, “I know you are, but what am I?” But I was still rather young when Paul Reubens had stopped “being” Pee-wee and I never even dreamed I would have a chance to see him in person. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to fly across the country and see Pee-wee’s Playhouse for myself.
Of course, making the trip required a considerable expense. Factoring in the costs of round-trip plane tickets, hotel nights, rental car, parking, show ticket, and souvenirs, I estimate I spent around $600 to see Pee-wee Herman in person. Was it worth it? Ab-so-lutely. Every penny.
From the moment that Pee-wee emerges from behind the curtain to the moment the whole cast takes a bow at the end, The Pee-Wee Herman Show is a non-stop laugh-fest, packed from opening to closing both with the childlike humor Pee-wee is famous for as well as plenty of jokes that only the adults in the audience get. Throughout the show, when I wasn’t in awe from seeing the original actors playing Ms. Yvonne and Jambi or from staring at the entire Playhouse gang including Chairry, Globey, Pterri, and Magic Screen, I was laughing hysterically with tears in my eyes. I don’t think I have ever laughed as hard in my entire life.
Update: Here’s a clip of the first few minutes of The Pee-wee Herman Show that I found on YouTube. It appears to be shot by the TV show “Extra” though it wasn’t uploaded by them so who knows how long it’ll stay online:
This version of The Pee-Wee Herman Show is based on the original stage show that launched the Pee-wee phenomenon so many years ago. It has the same plot and a lot of the same dialogue, which is a treat unto itself as I have watched the HBO special of that stage show countless times, always wishing I had been in the audience to see it. Memorable moments from Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure are also worked into the act. But the show has also been updated, lightheartedly including contemporary jokes and topics ranging from silly late-night infomercials to even gay marriage. It’s an amazing feat that Reubens and his team can make a show seamlessly work so well for both the child and adult inside all of us.
The Playhouse set was painstakingly rebuilt, not entirely for accuracy, but to give exactly the right Playhouse feeling condensed all onto one stage. There are no set changes during the show, allowing the audience to marvel at seeing Pee-wee’s Playhouse right in front of them for the duration. The puppets and puppeteering are top-notch, bringing life to Conky, Randy, the Flowers, and Fish. Nothing on the set goes unused and no character isn’t without his or her moment in the spotlight. In fact, some of the funniest one-liners aren’t even delivered by Pee-wee but instead come from some of the supporting cast.
I was genuinely sad when the show ended after roughly an hour, as I knew my time at Pee-wee’s Playhouse was likely over forever. I would live in Pee-wee’s Playhouse if I could. But I didn’t stay sad for long, as I knew there was an extra special treat coming next.
The current run of The Pee-wee Herman Show was originally scheduled to take place in November/December 2009 at a different venue. Ticket sales exceeded expectations and the show was moved to later dates and the larger Club Nokia venue (which still wasn’t all that big). In the transition, ticket holders from the first venue had to re-buy their tickets for the second venue and, as is typical with Ticketmaster, there were many problems and many unhappy customers. Fortunately, Paul Reubens is hugely thankful for his fans and decided that everyone who stuck with the show through the venue change would have a chance to meet him after the show.
Around 30 minutes after the curtain closed on The Pee-wee Herman Show and after all of the non-original ticket holders had left the building, Pee-wee Herman emerged once again on the stage. This time, however, he was Paul Reubens. He was still dressed as Pee-wee, and thus was still able to joke around as only Pee-wee can, but he wanted to get real with his most loyal fans and give us the opportunity to hear amazing stories and ask any questions we could think of.
Before the Q&A began, Pee-wee/Paul made a point to talk to every single child who was still in the audience, asking them their names, ages, and favorite parts of the show. He later admitted that when planning this incarnation of The Pee-wee Herman show, he hadn’t initially considered the fact that children would want to attend. He simply assumed it would be all of his fans from years ago coming back to see the stage show that started it all -- a stage show that wasn’t intended for children. But clearly Pee-wee’s Playhouse was for children (of all ages) and he did ultimately want to embrace his new, younger audience.
It was also quite clear throughout the Q&A session (which lasted around 45 minutes) that Reubens is a humble guy who’s excited to see his career as Pee-wee gloriously returning. He admitted to being somewhat of a lazy person and that it took quite a lot to get him to commit to bringing back the show.
Here’s a video I shot of a small portion of the Q&A:
I didn’t have a specific question for Pee-wee/Paul, as I was thrilled at being within a mere few feet of him, enjoying the entertainment he was providing, but I did want to talk to him. So when he came to me, I simply thanked him for bringing back the show that so many of us had grown up with and loved for nearly our entire lives. The comment received applause from the audience around me and he thanked me for supporting him and for being a fan.
The entire 2-3 hour experience at The Pee-Wee Herman Show was one of the best I’ve ever had. And I do thank Paul Reubens for bringing Pee-wee back to the world. I’m not sure that anyone can completely say why the character of Pee-wee Herman is so likable. Maybe it’s his childlike charm, innocence, and naivety. Maybe it’s his witty comebacks and catch phrases. Maybe it’s the cast of characters that surround him. Or maybe it’s just that deep down inside, we all wish that life was bit more like life in the Playhouse, filled with screams, laughter, and where any wish can come true.
In the end, I can only think that if Pee-wee Herman reads this post, he would likely ask me, “If you loved the show so much, why don’t you marry it?”
TweetPee-wee Herman Show changes dates and venues, causes ticketing problems
One of my few recent posts on this blog was about the announcement of the return of the Pee-wee Herman Show to the stage.
I jumped at the chance to get tickets for the show, despite the fact that it’s clear across the country from my house in Orlando, and was excited to head out to California to see it in November. But plans have now changed.
Due to the show’s popularity, dates have been moved to Jan./Feb. 2010 and the venue has changed to the slightly larger Club Nokia, which holds 2,300 people. Existing ticket-holders for the original shows were told via e-mail that they’d have a chance today to exchange their tickets beginning at 10 a.m. by calling a Ticketmaster customer service number.
I dialed the number at exactly 10 a.m. this morning only to find that they meant 10 a.m. Pacific Time, not Eastern Time. The e-mail notice did not mention the time zone but the Ticketmaster representative said that times always correspond to the state in which the event takes place. I suppose that makes sense.
So I waited three more hours until 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST) and tried to call again. At first, I received busy signals but managed to get through after 4 or 5 tries. After 31 minutes of being on hold, a representative finally answered and began to verify my information… and then we suddenly got disconnected. I tried calling back for the next 40 minutes getting nothing but busy signals.
And I wasn’t alone. It’s clear from these comments on Pee-wee’s official Facebook page that there are many other fans who were feeling frustrated at the situation.
Finally, acting on a suggestion from my wife, I called the main Ticketmaster phone number (which is 800-745-3000) and asked the automated system to connect me to a representative. A man answered within a couple of minutes but he was a sales representative, not customer service, so he had to transfer me. I assumed I was going to be on hold for another 30+ minutes but, to my surprise, around 7 minutes later I was connected to a customer service representative who was able to quickly exchange my old ticket for an excellent second-row center seat for one of the January dates.
After hanging up, I decided to call back just to verify that the change was confirmed. Within 10 minutes, using the same system, I was able to get a hold of another representative who assured me that I was good to go.
It took nearly two hours to get my new ticket squared away for the Pee-wee Herman Show, but it’s a better ticket than I had originally and ultimately was the same price, so I’m happy overall. Plus, Pee-wee is telling pre-ticketed fans via Facebook that we’ll have a chance to meet him backstage (though details on that are non-existant at this point).
If anyone out there is still trying to get through to Ticketmaster to exchange your tickets, don’t worry. There seem to be a lot of great seats still available for the later shows and if you follow the steps I explained above, you shouldn’t have too much more trouble. Though today’s secret word has definitely turned out to be “frustration.”
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