There’s a joke that’s going around WDI these days that Pixar head John Lasetter would come to the opening of an envelope … IF the opening of that envelope were being held at a Disney theme park.
Well, I don’t know how true that it is. But I will say that it was nice to see the director of “Toy Story” & “Toy Story II” on hand for the official opening of Disneyland’ s “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster” attraction.
Photo by Jeff Lange
You know who else it was nice to see at this event? Outgoing Disney CEO Michael Eisner.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Oh, sure. I know. It’s become very fashionable to bash Michael. To attempt to portrary Eisner as evil incarnate. But you know what I see when I look at the above photo? A proud poppa.
To explain: Do you see that “Sahara” logo on Michael’s baseball cap? Well, “Sahara” is actually the title of Breck Eisner’s big screen directorial debut. So — by wearing that hat — Eisner is actually helping his son’s movie get some free PR.
Of course, given that “Sahara” is actually a Paramount Pictures release, I can’t imagine that Walt Disney Studios’ marketing department was all that thrilled to see the company’s CEO wearing that cap.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Which perhaps explains why Michael wore the t-shirt that he wore to the “Buzz Lightyear” opening. Which was a vintage Mickey Mouse Club shirt. Which — not-so-co-incidentally — is the new line of clothing that Disney Consumer Products is pushing particularly hard right now.
Anyway, Eisner introduced Tim Allen …
Photo by Jeff Lange
Who — having just completed work on that “Shaggy Dog” remake that he’s making for Disney — evidently had a few moments to spare before he gets started shooting “The Santa Clause III.” So Tim drove on down to Disneyland and once again proved himself to be a good sport by first doing some shtick with puppet-versions of “Toy Story” ‘s Little Green Men …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… Then by trading quips with a costumed version of the character he voiced in that same film, Buzz Lightyear.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Then — after a photo op with Eisner & Buzz …
Photo by Jeff Lange
Allen headed over to the “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster” attraction itself. Where the “Home Improvement” star shared a space ship with Disney’s CEO …
Copyright 2005 The Walt Disney Company
Where … Well, I’m not quite sure how high Mike & Tim’s scores actually got. But I’m pretty sure that they didn’t reach “To Infinity and Beyond!”