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Ruminations

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” And after a full weekend at Disneyland, Roger is back with tales aplenty. So, grab that mug of your favorite warm beverage, a holiday pastry treat or three and pull up the comfy chair. It’s big and fluffy!

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Well, here is the story of a series of “firsts”.

And those of you that have been reading here for a while will recall that when it comes to Disneyland, I usually am somewhat confident that I have seen and done just about everything that one can see and do at the Park.

Until now…

As startling an admission as that may seem, let me say that it was the kind of weekend I will remember for some time to come. Recall last week’s effort where I gave you a glimpse into why I enjoy this time of year in Anaheim, as well as other places. This recent visit was another chance to add to memories and reinforce some others. To sum it all up, I was not disappointed.

Main Street Station all decorated for the holidays!

This won’t be a turn by turn trip report, but more of the highlights. The players for this trip are my mother, Laurie and myself. Wife Michele was about but attended a travel congress for AAA (California State Automobile Association — that’s Northern California, Nevada and Utah) at the Disneyland Hotel. So she has a minor role in this tale…

First up, I’m always amazed that shopping at the Park can have such a yin and yang kind of personality. Either there is a lack of items tempting me to be purchased, or things seem to stand up and shout, “Hey! You’re taking me home, pal!” Don’t know why, but there never seems to be much of a middle ground. Being that we are in the midst of the season of “high retail greed”, you might expect the usual flurry of sales and specials to entice you to put a bigger dent into your choice of plastic commerce. Thankfully, I saw no such seduction in place at the Park this time.

Again, recalling that I hadn’t shopped here since May, it would be easy to see new merchandise and give in to the temptations. But thankfully, with my mother along to remind me, I was good (Are you paying attention, Santa?) and kept my purchases to those for others, instead of for myself. A kind of Christmas shopping for a few friends and family here and there did the trick.

Eeyore (in holiday cap) gets noticed

Major kudos to the various Cast Members on duty at all the shops. As busy as they invariably were, there was no grousing (even from Grumpy) as you’re likely to find from your local mall’s minions, lackeys and varlets. Smiles all around, and the cheerful, willing attitudes that kept folks moving along in lines in front of those cash registers. Boy is that almost an anachronism today! (With credit cards, check or debit cards as popular as they are, the cash transaction is definitely in the minority, or at least, that was the way it appeared this weekend. I did see a fair number of Disney Dollars being used about the Park, however.) While making a purchase at the Market House on Main Street, I was recalled the old, hand crank-operated cash registers. Big brass affairs with real keys to be pushed by the clerk, proudly displaying the price of each item on a pop-up tag, only to have a bell ring out with distinction as your purchase was recorded. Hence the term, “rung up”, for a sale concluded. A great way to keep muscle tone and upper body strength, long before Pilates and other workouts became the fashion.

There was even merchandise specific for particular locations! Something I’m always glad to see, rather than the generic same stuff everywhere.

Lots of pins to tempt one to purchase as well this time. For everyone who says, “Pins are over”, let me set you straight. There are plenty of new pins on the racks with something for everyone. A particular favorite is the Candlelight 2003 pin seen here.

The 2003 Disneyland Candlelight pin

On the other hand, there were disappointments. One in particular was the lack of fleece pullovers with full zippers. Seems that someone must be keeping costs down by going only with half or one-third zippers on these. Lots of them with full-length zippers in children’s sizes, but none for adults.

Setting the WABAC machine for the column on our Memorial Day visit, you might recall that we took the “Walk In Walt’s Footsteps” tour one afternoon. With the 2003 holiday season, there is now another tour to tempt us all. The “Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour” is somewhat popular with space for up to 30 people. The brochure page describes it thus:

“Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour

It’s the Merriest Place On Earth Like You’ve Never Experienced It Before!

The “Holiday Time At Disneyland” Tour
is an absolute “must” for Disneyland fans, or anyone
who loves the holidays. You and your family will
experience the very best of our magical winter
wonderland as you explore the one-and-only
Disneyland park, all decked out for the holidays!

“Holiday Time at Disneyland”
Tour Highlights Include:

– Disney Fastpass access to our most
popular holiday attractions: “it’s a small world”
holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday

– Reserved seating for our
“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade

– Plus, a very special, surprise
holiday treat!

Available until
January 4, 2004,
the “Holiday Time At
Disneyland” Tour
is offered at
$39 per person
for all ages.

Reserved your place today by calling:
(714)-781-4400
Or stop by City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A.”

Just as it had been for the other tour effort, again, my mother, Laurie, wife Michele and I all managed to be on hand at noon in front of City Hall to start this tour. Usually, the Tour Information cart is parked here, but thanks to the rain (more like mist) they were keeping that indoors. (As well, it was somewhat in the way the previous days with preparations underway for the evening’s Candlelight festivities.)

Jenna in full tour garb the day before at the Disney Gallery at the end
of the “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour.

It wasn’t hard to guess who the tour guides for were as Jenna and Courtney appeared a few minutes before noon in their red raincoats. Keeping us all amused, Jenna related the tale of a visit to Disney World, and especially to Pleasure Island’s “Adventurer’s Club” on Halloween night. She also taught us how Christmas carols were actually taken from Halloween carols. Thanks, Jenna. I’ll never hear “Jingle Bells” now without thinking of you, and no, I won’t share the Halloween version of the song here. Take the tour and ask her to!

Nifty red raincoats and shiny brass buttons. Ooh!
Jenna and Courtney escort the group for the tour.

The tour has a limit of 30 people, and this is broken into two groups. (Ours was 11 including a very young lady — maybe all of four months!) Departing City Hall, our section was being escorted by Courtney, and she introduced us to the Holidays at Disneyland with a brief moment in front of the floral arrangement on the berm below the Main Street Station. With the rain and all of the set-up for the Candlelight, the area around the Plaza and Main Street was hectic, to say the least. Yet we managed to stop at several places along the length. One was in front of the Firehouse where we learned about Walt’s apartment above it, and the decorated tree in the window. From here we also got a fine view of the Main Street Christmas tree. (It may come as a surprise, but it is a real tree this year!)

Main Street and the Christmas Tree!

Without giving away all of the secrets of the tour (and yes, there are some), it is a nice mix of holiday lore and Disneyland history. With the tour equivalent of a Fastpass, the group bypassed the queues at both the Haunted Mansion Holiday (where we kept an eye out for all ten of the Oogie Boogie’s) and “Small World”. A short ride on the Disneyland Railroad from New Orleans Square to Toon Town was a quick way to cross the Park between them. A quick tour of Town Town highlighted the variety of decorations all themed to their particular area or structure.

Rain had canceled the noon performance of the “Christmas Fantasy” parade. (Safety for parade performers and guests both is a concern with only a little moisture needed to make things slippery along the route. I watched a number of guests of all sizes during the day doing the slip, trip and fall routine to make Goofy proud. Slow down folks…)

But the weather held for the 3 p.m. parade and we had great seats (wooden chairs) located directly across from “Small World”. We even had pre-parade entertainment as Jenna and Courtney did their version of “Christmas Fantasy Parade” charades! One young fan of Toy Story requested they do impressions of Buzz and Woody (both who are in the parade). They succeeded much to his enjoyment!

Woody and Buzz in the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

Along with our special seating, we all were greeted with a warm mug of hot chocolate and some yummy holiday treats. The parade was good as ever with all of your holiday favorites including the March of the Wooden Soldiers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a host of Disney characters to accompany Mickey and Minnie. Watch out for the Genie in his sleigh with Jasmine and Aladdin! He’s got a bucket of snow and he isn’t afraid to use it (much to the dismay of the folks cleaning up behind the parade)!

Our tour had a rather unique ending to it. After the parade, we all were waiting for things to calm down a bit before making for other destinations in the Park. But it turned out that this was Courtney’s first “official” tour, and she was greeted by a number of other tour hosts and hostesses in recognition of that. And her parents had been in our group for her first tour. So there was a short ceremony as Courtney was awarded her “D” Hostess pin from her mentor. It was a great finish to another interesting tour.

Courtney gets her pin! A full gaggle of tour guides on display?

As a side note, while I enjoyed the tour, I suspect that on a less crowded weekday, and without the mist (or rain), that the tour would be all the more the magical. Making your way through the weekend crowds can be a challenge, even with out the tour. (Yes, I have some interesting bruises from being run into by strollers on a number of occasions this weekend.)

Now the other holiday event of note for this outing was the 2003 edition of Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony. In all my years of visiting the Park, I somehow had never been to this event. I’m happy to say that this oversight has been rectified.

Candlelight is a tradition that dates back to the first year of Disneyland.
Held in 1955, this was a choral festival with groups performing under a gazebo near the Jungle Cruise. Over the next several years the ceremony consisted of a number of choirs who performed around the hub facing a central choir director. Then in 1960, the event grew to 800 singers who followed the Christmas parades. The following year a narrator was added and since the ceremony evolved into the Candlelight we have today. Past Disneyland narrators include Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, John Wayne, James Earl Jones, Mary Hart and, Edward James Olmos.

A highlight of the performance was the creation of a living Christmas tree (consisting of choir members, each holding a candle — okay, an electric candle) on a platform in front of the Main Street station of the Disneyland Railroad. In recent years, the event had been held at the Fantasyland theater. However, with that facility under renovations for the upcoming “Snow White” musical production, it was not available. This year saw a return to the Candlelight’s previous location in front of the Main Street station.

The living Christmas Tree 2003

Getting a seat has been something of a trial — no matter where the event was held. Usually, there is a major block of seats reserved for Disneyland VIP’s, invited guests, and Club 33 members. A somewhat popular option was created for the rest of us, as detailed in this quote from their 2003 Candlelight event press release:

“Interested guests can get reserved seating for “Candlelight” (park admission not included) by dining at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants on the day of the presentation. Participating restaurants include Hook’s Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel, Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® (minimum spending of $40 per adult, $15 per child age 3-9); Granville’s Steak House at the Disneyland Hotel, Yamabuki at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel (minimum spending of $50 per adult, $15 per child); Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel or The Vineyard Room in the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure? (minimum spending of $75 per adult, $20 per child).”

When we first considered attending the event, we thought we might explore using one of our connections and seeing about dinner at Club 33 for this. Now this might have worked, had we thought of it way back when, say in August? All of those spots were filled long ago.

I experienced an interesting phenomenon when I inquired about dining packages for Candlelight back in late October. I called the dining reservations line and they didn’t have any information. Transferring my phone call somewhere else in the Disneyland Resort, I was informed that the event was to be for “Disneyland invited guests only”. Imagine my surprise a week or so later when the press release came out…

All of the lesser packages went quickly, and it turned out that there were still some left at the higher end. As much as I want to experience the “Napa Rose” or the “Vineyard Room” at some point, this wasn’t it. So the choice became “Granville’s Steak House” at the Disneyland Hotel.

We arrived just a bit early for our Saturday 5:00 p.m. reservation and waited a few minutes while our table was prepared. It had been several years since I had ventured into this part of the Disneyland Hotel. Stromboli’s had given way to Goofy’s Kitchen, but the Top Brass bar still offers a somewhat quiet spot for a cocktail. I was impressed by someone’s thought at creating a video theater for kids across from the entrance to Goofy’s Kitchen. It is an enclosed room (glassed-in) that has big spaces on several levels for kids to camp out while waiting for their tables to be called.

Stromboli’s had been the location of one of my more interesting meals at Disneyland a few years back. One of the group of which I was dining with that evening worked at a planetarium doing a variety of presentations. For that, he had picked up a laser pointer to help out when it came time to highlight items in the night sky (or the ceiling of the dome). Being one of us who appreciates newfangled gadgets, he brought it along for that trip to the Park.

Back then, the windows at Stromboli’s were heavily tinted. From inside we could see out, but not vice versa. So… He spent the better part of that meal teasing and torturing passers-by with that little red dot racing along the ground outside the window. One young child had to be repeatedly pulled away in protest by his parents. Call it part of the magic, but it was certainly amusing.

Meanwhile, back to our meal at Granville’s…

Stepping inside, you quickly forget the chaos of Goofy’s Kitchen. It was quiet and peaceful with songs from a vintage Bing Crosby radio show playing over the sound system. (Seems I have that same disc at home…)

Our server was right there to ask if we were interested in a cocktail or a glass of wine. As much as we were tempted, we both passed. As a side note, we had enjoyed a free tasting of a BV Beauzeaux — pronounced Bozo — just a bit before at the Golden Vine in DCA. We discovered that opportunity strictly by chance, and it was limited to the first 50 guests — not that there were that many on hand on that rainy, er misty, afternoon.

From the label on the bottle:

“Big red nose, round, generous body and a taste as big as its size 34 feet.”

“It’s a virtual three-ring circus in the mouth… in-your-face-berry pie flavors. It can be juggled with a variety of flavorful foods.”

And it was! It was also mentioned a being lower in alcohol content than most wines. Something I imagine investigating for one of my upcoming train events…

Now recall that in order to obtain tickets for seats for the Candlelight ceremony, we had to each spend at least $50 on our meal. And that would not include taxes, gratuities or alcohol. Looking over the menu, we had a great selection to choose from. Had we not been under the restriction of that amount, there was a surprising offer of a prix fixed meal at only $28 per person. But we forged ahead and chose the following:

Dungeness Crab Cake

Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

A 10 ounce Filet Mignon

Forest Mushrooms in a Port Reduction

Heirloom Potatoes with Garlic and Onions

Coffee

Grand Marnier Soufflé with Grand Marnier Ice Cream

We also got a chuckle as we were asked if we wanted still or sparkling water with our meal. During our trip to Germany in September 2001, it was frequently referred to as “with gas or without.” We chose the still, and were served from a chilled glass bottle of Evian.

Our servers noted we were attending the Candlelight and did their utmost to be certain we would be there in plenty of time. And our Annual Pass discount took some of the sting out of the cost.

The meal was perfect from start to finish. The crab cake was tender and flavorful; the vinaigrette had plenty of berries; the filet’s tender and a perfect medium rare; heirloom potatoes roasted just right; an assortment of tasty mushrooms; finishing with that soufflé. Yumola!

Yes, this crab cake tastes every bit as good as it looks!

We needed the walk from the Disneyland Hotel to Main Street just to recover from dinner and dessert!

We were provided with tickets for seats in the Silver Section for the Candlelight. Not knowing what to expect, we re-entered the Park and were quickly directed to a line on either side of the gate. There was one for tickets with the color-coded sections and one for open seating. We chose the left side and were a short distance from the start of the line, safe and dry under the berm. Our wait time here was less than a lot of lines we have stood in for attractions — maybe 30 minutes. But at about 6:35 p.m. we were directed to our seats.

It turned out that the Silver Section was stage right, and directly in front of the orchestra and the narrator’s platform. To our left was the Blue Section, and I’m guessing to the left of that was the Gold Section. We chose two seats in the second row on the inside aisle between the Silver and Blue. Very nice…

The Candlelight Choir and Orchestra

For the 2003 event, Louis Gossett Jr. was scheduled to perform the narration (a reading of selected verses of the Biblical description of the birth of Christ). However, he was unable to do so on Saturday night (after a small bout of food poisoning, so various places have reported). Marie Osmond was at the park that day for the release of the latest in her Adora Belle series of dolls (as a Tiki Room hostess). She stepped in and provided a very stirring reading of these passages. After the ceremony, she thanked Disneyland for the opportunity, saying that it was extremely difficult to be there and not sing.

Marie Osmond as the guest narrator.

Among the folks we spotted while waiting for the ceremonies to begin were a trio of Disneyland presidents. Matt Ouimet, the current one, along with Jack Lindquist and Ron Dominguez all were seated together in the center of the Blue Section (directly in front of the orchestra platform).

Matt seemed well at ease while chatting with various folks before the performance. Sans necktie, it looked like he was having a good time. (Michele told us later that he had also spoken to the travel congress earlier that day.)

The name tag says “Matt”.

Lots of CM’s we chatted with have been impressed with his being out and about the parks, and have hopes for the future, based on his actions so far.

The Candlelight was everything I expected and more. I later told my mom that I felt like we had almost been to a Christmas midnight mass. I found myself humming along with many of the selections having sung them enough over the years. While I can’t share the program with you –something I wish had been handed out to guests, so I could have — it did close with us all singing “Silent Night”.

So with much appreciation, kudos to everyone (from the performing musicians, choir members, soloist, Rebecca Visca — who translated the evening into sign language for the hearing impaired–, conductor Nancy Sulahian to all of the CM’s working guest control and more!) who participated in bringing this event to us. It was indeed a magical and inspirational evening.

We finished up by watching the Believe holiday fireworks (and the snowfall) from the area in front of the Plaza Pavilion, and then shopped for Christmas ornaments in New Orleans Square. One of the benefits of travel by automobile this time was that we could carry items like that home with a minimum of potential for breakage. In previous years, we’ve been somewhat suspicious of handing over luggage with breakables to the airlines. So, this time, the goodies made it home safe and sound.

Guess I need to mark the calendar for those Club 33 reservations next summer…

Michele and Roger relaxing at DCA.

So there is the tale of the “firsts”. Next week? Well, it’s a ways off yet. No telling what I’ll come along with for that.

 

If you’re looking for something to do in January, why not consider joining me for our annual private railroad car excursion to the Silver State. Plenty of seats available. Check the web pages for information. Should be another fine time!

Thanks again to everyone for your continued support. If you would like to show your appreciation, click on Roger’s Paypal Donation Box. Any amount is always welcomed!

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History

The Super Bowl & Disney: The Untold Story Behind ‘I’m Going to Disneyland!’

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One of the highlights of the Super Bowl isn’t just the game itself—it’s the moment when the winning quarterback turns to the camera and exclaims, “I’m going to Disney World!” This now-iconic phrase has been a staple of post-game celebrations for decades. But where did this tradition begin? Surprisingly, it didn’t originate in a stadium but at a dinner table in 1987, in a conversation involving Michael Eisner, George Lucas, and aviation pioneers Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager.

Credit: AP News

The Unlikely Beginning of a Marketing Sensation

To understand the origins of this campaign, we have to go back to December 1986, when the Rutan Voyager became the first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. Pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager completed the nine-day journey on December 23, 1986, flying over 26,000 miles before landing at Edwards Air Force Base. Their historic achievement earned them national recognition, and just days later, President Ronald Reagan awarded them the Presidential Citizen Medal at the White House.

Meanwhile, Disney was gearing up for the grand opening of Star Tours at Disneyland, set for January 12, 1987. Following its usual playbook of associating major theme park attractions with real-world pioneers, Disney’s PR team invited astronauts Gordon Cooper and Deke Slayton to the launch event. But in a twist, they also invited Rutan and Yeager, who were still making headlines.

Credit: Endor Express

A Dinner Conversation That Changed Advertising Forever

After the Star Tours opening ceremony, a private dinner was held with Disney CEO Michael Eisner, George Lucas, and Eisner’s wife, Jane. During the meal, Eisner asked Rutan and Yeager, “You just made history. You traveled non-stop around the planet on a plane without ever refueling. How are you ever going to top that, career-wise? What are you two gonna do next?”

Without hesitation, Jeana Yeager replied, “Well, after being cramped inside that tiny plane for nine days, I’m just glad to be anywhere else. And even though you folks were nice enough to fly us here, invite us to your party… Well, as soon as we finish eating, I’m gonna go over to the Park and ride some rides. I’m going to Disneyland.”

Jane Eisner immediately recognized the power of Yeager’s statement. On the car ride home, she turned to Michael and said, “That’s a great slogan. I think you should use that to promote the theme parks.” Like many husbands, Michael initially dismissed the idea, but Jane persisted. Eventually, Eisner relented and pitched it to his team.

The Super Bowl Connection

With Super Bowl XXI just around the corner, Disney’s PR team saw an opportunity. The game was set for January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena—just miles from Disney Studios. What if they convinced the winning quarterback to say, “I’m going to Disneyland” live on-air?

Disney quickly struck a deal with both quarterbacks—Phil Simms of the New York Giants and John Elway of the Denver Broncos—offering each $75,000 to deliver the line if their team won. Simms led the Giants to victory, making history as the first athlete to say, “I’m going to Disney World!” on national television.

A Marketing Triumph

That year’s Super Bowl had the second-highest viewership in television history, with 87 million people watching Simms say the famous line. The next day, Disney turned the clip into a national commercial, cementing the phrase as a marketing goldmine.

Since then, “I’m going to Disneyland” (or Disney World, depending on the commercial) has been a staple of championship celebrations, spanning the NFL, NBA, and even the Olympics. What started as a casual remark at dinner became one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history.

A Lasting Legacy

Jane Eisner’s keen instinct and Disney’s ability to act quickly on a great idea created a tradition that continues to captivate audiences. The “I’m going to Disneyland” campaign remains a testament to the power of spontaneous inspiration and smart marketing, proving that sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.

To learn more about Disney’s ties to the world of sports, check out I Want That Too: A Disney History and Consumer Product Podcast.

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Television & Shows

How the Creators of South Park Tricked A-List Celebrities to Roast Universal – “Your Studio & You”

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Your Studio and You

Universal Studios has a rich and storied history, but few moments are as peculiar—and as hilariously cutting—as the creation of Your Studio & You. This 14-minute parody film, commissioned in 1995 to celebrate Universal’s new ownership under Seagram’s, brings together an all-star cast, biting humor, and the unmistakable comedic fingerprints of Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Long before South Park debuted on Comedy Central in 1997, Stone and Parker were already carving out a reputation for their irreverent style, and Your Studio & You perfectly encapsulates their knack for turning even the most corporate project into something delightfully subversive.

Matt Stone & Trey Parker Before South Park

Stone & Parker were already known out in Hollywood as funny guys. Thanks largely to “The Spirit of Christmas,” which was this video greeting card that they’d crafted for a Fox executive – who then distributed this infamously funny thing (which had Our Lord Jesus Christ & Santa Claus literally duking it out for the holiday affections of Cartman, Kenny, Stan & Kyle) to friends & family.

This was the early 1990s. No internet. Each copy of “The Spirit of Christmas” was made on VHS tape and then mailed. Went viral the old-fashioned way. It’s rumored that George Clooney made over 300 copies of “The Spirit of Christmas” and passed these VHS taps along to friends and family.

Things didn’t move as fast as they do today. “The Spirit of Christmas” still became a sensation out West.

Zucker Brothers

Matt & Trey also had other supporters in the entertainment industry. Among them David Zucker, who was one of the members of ZAZ (i.e., Zucker Abrahams Zucker), the talented trio that made “Airplane!” in 1980, “Top Secret!” in 1984 and the three “Naked Gun” movies.

  • The original “Naked Gun” in 1988
  • “Naked Gun 2 & 1/2 : The Smell of Fear” in 1991
  • and “Naked Gun 33 & a 1/3: The Final Insult” in 1994

All five of these parody films had been made for Paramount Pictures. But in the Late Winter / Early Spring of 1995, Universal had persuaded the Zucker Brothers to come over and set up shop in a bungalow on their lower lot. With the hope that – at some point further on down the line – David & his brother Jerry would start making funny films for Universal.

Zucker Brothers featured in "Your Studio and You"

And it’s during this same window of time (We’re now talking April of 1995) that news breaks that Seagrams (Yep, the adult beverage company. Who – at the time – was making an absolute fortune on the sales of wine coolers) was about to buy a majority stake in MCAUniversal. We’re talking control of 80% of that company’s stock. Which would effectively make Seagrams the new owners of Universal Studios.

Edgar Bronfman

And Edgar Bronfman – the owner of Seagrams – knew that Universal had had a tough time with its previous owners – which had been the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. of Japan. Matsushita had bought MCA back in November of 1990 for $7.5 billion but had never really understood the entertainment industry.

This is why – after repeatedly butting heads with Lew Wasserman & Sidney Sheinberg (i.e., the heads of Universal Studios & the Universal theme park respectively) when it came to creative control of this company – Matsushita decided to wash it hands of the entire enterprise.  Agreeing to sell their holdings in MCA to Seagrams for $5.7 billion (effectively taking a nearly $2 billion loss on this investment).

Edgar M. Bronfman
Credit: NYTimes

And Bronfman … He knew that some bad feeling had developed between Hollywood’s creative community and the Japanese owners of Universal. The thinking was that executives at Matsushita Electric had just not gotten what it took to make movies & TV shows.

And Edgar? Right from the get-go, he wanted to show that Seagrams was NOT going to be Matsushita Electric Redux. Bronfman was looking for a way to send a clear message to Hollywood’s creative community that Universal’s new owners got it. That they were willing to work with Hollywood to make the best possible movies & TV shows at Universal.

And how did Edgar decide to get this message across? By making a funny movie.

Zucker Commissions Trey Parker for “Your Studio & You”

Mind you, Bronfman himself didn’t make this film. The owner of Seagrams reached out to David Zucker. Who – after initially agreeing to produce this introduction-to-Universal film – then farmed out the production of the actual project to Trey Parker. Who – just two days before shooting was supposed to star on the Universal Lot – persuaded Matt Stone to come help him on this project.

Which brings us to “Your Studio and You.” Which is a parody of an educational film from the 1950s, right down to being shot in black & white and featuring a very generic soundtrack.

Now what’s amazing about watching “Your Studio and You” today is that this 14-minute-long film features some of the biggest names working in Hollywood back in the mid-1990s. We’re talking about people like recent Golden Globe winner Demi Moore, Sylvester Stallone, Michael J. Fox and Angela Lansbury. Not to mention two of the most powerful men in all of Hollywood, Steven Spielberg & Jeffrey Katzenberg.

And what’s especially interesting about watch “Your Studio and You” is that – as you watch these performers go through their paces in this motion pictures (which – most of the time – involves doing some innocuous task while holding a Seagram’s wine cooler) – you often get the feeling that this star is not in on the gag.

So how did Matt & Trey get away with this? Simple. There was never actually a script for “Your Studio and You.”

Filming “Your Studio & You” at Universal Studios Hollywood

Mind you, David Zucker would always insist that there was. Especially when he’d phone up celebrities on the Universal Lot and say “Hey, I’m sending over a couple of college kids later today. They’re working with me on a new parody film. It’s something that we’re doing for the new owners of Universal. I need just a half hour of your time. We’re shooting something special for the party we’ll be holding when the Seagrams people first arrive at the Studio. Absolutely. You’ll definitely get an invite to that party. So can I count on you to help these kids out? Beautiful. They’ll be over there later this morning.”

And then Matt & Trey would show up and say “… Dang, Miss Lansbury. We’re sorry. We must have left our copy of the ‘Your Studio and You’ script back in our office. Which is clear on the other side of the Lot. So – rather than waste your time – why don’t we do this instead? Follow us over to the Psycho House. Where we’re then going to get footage of you painting the front porch on Mother Bates’ house while you say ‘Gosh, with all of the wonderful improvements going on around here, everyone is going to want to work at Universal.’ Oh, and can we also get you to wear this button on the front of your blazer which reads ‘Universal is A-OK’ ? “

And over & over again, the biggest names who were working for Universal at that time took part in the production of “Your Studio & You” because A) David Zucker vouched for Matt Stone & Trey Parker and B) this was something that was being made for the new owners of Universal. And it’s just natural to want to get in good with the new boss.

Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg, and Jaws

But no one at Universal anticipated that “Your Studio & You” would wind up being as sharp edged as the finished product turned out to be. I mean, it’s one thing to bite the hand that feeds you. But “Your Studio & You” ? It doesn’t just bite the hand. It takes the hand off at the wrist.

It’s a brutally funny film. With one of the meanest moments reserved for Steven Spielberg, who plays a driver on the Universal Studio Tour who’s trying to persuade a tram full of bored tourists (one of whom is played by Jeffery Katzenberg) that the “Shark Attack” scene down by Jaws Lagoon is actually exciting.

Spielberg actually says lines like “ … Whoa, whoa. What is going on here? Ladies and gentlemen, this never happens. Look out! It’s a shark! Whoa, that is one big scary shark.”


Mind you, as footage of this mechanical shark repeatedly coming up out of the water is shown, “Your Studio & You” ‘s off-screen narrator (who is voiced by Trey Parker says):

“But what about tomorrow? If we don’t keep in step with the times, things that were once neat and thrilling can become old and stupid.”

“Your Studio & You” Reception

This film was supposed to be shown only once at the welcoming party for Seagrams executive on the Universal Lot. And I’m told that – when Edgar Bronfman saw the finished product at that party – he reportedly turned to David Zucker and said “ … That’s a little more mean-spirited that I think it needed to be.”

And with that, “Your Studio & You” was supposed to go back into the Universal vault, never to be seen again. But when “South Park” debuted on Comedy Central in August of 1997 and then became a sensation for its biting humor, there was suddenly a lot of interest in what else Matt & Trey had done. Which is why copies of “The Spirit of Christmas” began to circulate. And – over time – copies of “Your Studio & You” began to bubble up.

Which – as Stone & Parker have repeatedly pointed out – was just not supposed to happen. Largely because none of the celebrities who appeared in “Your Studio & You” had never signed releases for Universal’s legal department. Because – again – this was for a movie that was only going to be shown once at a private function on the Universal Lot.

Matt mentioned (as part of a career retrospective at the Paley Center in LA back in 2000) that “ … they wouldn’t even let us keep a copy of the finished film.”

It’s a funny but brutal movie. And worth taking a look at today especially if you’re a theme park history buff because it shows Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Jurassic Park: The Ride” still under construction on the Lower Lot. That attraction would finally open to the public in June of 1996.

“Your Studio & You” became a lot easier to see after Seagrams sold off its share of Universal to Vivendi in 2000. Copies began propagating online after that. Though Universal Legal will periodically make an effort to get the latest copy of “Your Studio & You” taken off the Internet because – again – none of the performers who appear on camera ever signed the proper releases and/or were paid for their efforts.

That said, if you’re up for a mean-spirited laugh, “Your Studio & You” is well worth 14 minutes of your time. That said, once you watch this thing, be warned:

  1. You’re immediately going to be thirsty for a Seagram’s wine cooler
  2. And you’re going to have a sudden desire to go out & buy a porcelain deer.
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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Disney and Macy’s 90-Year Thanksgiving Day Parade Partnership: From Mickey’s First Balloon to Minnie’s Big Debut

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Now, folks, if you’re like me, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without a coffee, a cozy seat, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the TV. And if you’re really like me, you’re watching for one thing: Disney balloons floating down 34th Street. Ever wondered how Mickey, Donald, and soon Minnie Mouse found their way into this beloved New York tradition? Well, grab your popcorn because we’re diving into nearly 90 years of Disney’s partnership with Macy’s.

The Very First Parade and the Early Days of Balloons

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade goes way back to 1924, but if you can believe it, balloons weren’t part of the festivities until 1927. That first lineup included Felix the Cat, a dragon, and a toy soldier, all towering above the crowds. Back then, Macy’s had a pretty wild idea to end the parade: they would let the balloons drift off into the sky, free as birds. But this wasn’t just Macy’s feeling generous. Each balloon had a message attached, offering a $100 reward (about $1,800 in today’s dollars) for anyone who returned it to the flagship store on 34th Street.

And here’s where it gets interesting. This tradition carried on for a few years, right up until 1932, when Felix the Cat almost took down a plane flying over New York City! Imagine that—you’re flying into LaGuardia, and suddenly, there’s a 60-foot balloon drifting toward your wing. Needless to say, that was the end of Macy’s “fly away” stunt, and from then on, the balloons have stayed firmly grounded after the parade ends.

1934: Mickey Mouse Floats In, and Disney Joins the Parade

It was 1934 when Mickey Mouse finally made his grand debut in the Macy’s parade. Rumor has it Walt Disney himself collaborated with Macy’s on the design, and by today’s standards, that first Mickey balloon was a bit of a rough cut. This early Mickey had a hotdog-shaped body, and those oversized ears gave him a slightly lopsided look. But no one seemed to mind. Mickey was there, larger than life, floating down the streets of New York, and the crowd loved him.

Mickey wasn’t alone that year. He was joined by Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, and even the Big Bad Wolf and Practical Pig from The Three Little Pigs, making it a full Disney lineup for the first time. Back then, Disney wasn’t yet the entertainment powerhouse we know today, so for Walt, getting these characters in the parade meant making a deal. Macy’s required its star logo to be featured on each Disney balloon—a small concession that set the stage for Disney’s long-standing presence in the parade.

Duck Joins and Towers Over Mickey

A year later, in 1935, Macy’s introduced Donald Duck to the lineup, and here’s where things got interesting. Mickey may have been the first Disney character to float through the parade, but Donald made a huge splash—literally. His balloon was an enormous 60 feet tall and 65 feet long, towering over Mickey’s 40-foot frame. Donald quickly became a fan favorite, appearing in the lineup for several years before being retired.

Fast-forward a few decades, and Donald was back for a special appearance in 1984 to celebrate his 50th birthday. Macy’s dug the balloon out of storage, re-inflated it, and sent Donald down 34th Street once again, bringing a bit of nostalgia to the holiday crowd.

A Somber Parade in 2001

Now, one of my most memorable trips to the parade was in 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Nancy and I, along with our friends, headed down to New York, and the mood was something I’ll never forget. We watched the start of the parade from Central Park West, but before that, we went to the Museum of Natural History the night before to see the balloons being inflated. They were covered in massive cargo nets, with sandbags holding them down. It’s surreal to see these enormous balloons anchored down before they’re set free.

That year, security was intense, with police lining the streets, and then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani rode on the Big Apple float to roaring applause. People cheered his name, waving and shouting as he passed. It felt like the entire city had turned out to show their resilience. Even amidst all the heightened security and tension, seeing those balloons—brought a bit of joy back to the city.

Balloon Prep: From New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to California’s D23 Expo

Each year before the parade, Macy’s holds a rehearsal event known as Balloon Fest at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This is where handlers get their first crack at guiding the balloons, practicing with their parade masters, and learning the ropes—literally. It’s an entire production unto itself, with dozens of people rehearsing to make sure these enormous inflatables glide smoothly down the streets of New York on parade day.

In 2015, Macy’s took the balloon show on the road, bringing their Buzz Lightyear balloon out to California for the D23 Expo. I was lucky enough to be there, and watching Buzz get inflated piece by piece in the Anaheim Convention Center parking lot was something to behold. Each section was filled with helium in stages, and when they got around to Buzz’s lower half, well, there were more than a few gas-related jokes from the crowd.

These balloons seem to have a personality all their own, and seeing one like Buzz come to life up close—even outside of New York—had all the excitement and anticipation of the real deal.

Mickey’s Comeback as a Bandleader and Sailor Mickey

After a long hiatus, Mickey Mouse made his return to the Macy’s parade in 2000, this time sporting a new bandleader outfit. Nine years later, in 2009, Sailor Mickey joined the lineup, promoting Disney Cruise Line with a nautical twist. Over the past two decades, Disney has continued to enchant parade-goers with characters like Buzz Lightyear in 2008 and Olaf from Frozen in 2017. These balloons keep Disney’s iconic characters front and center, drawing in both longtime fans and new viewers.

But ever wonder what happens to the balloons after they reach the end of 34th Street? They don’t just disappear. Each balloon is carefully deflated, rolled up like a massive piece of laundry, and packed into storage bins. From there, they’re carted back through the Lincoln Tunnel to Macy’s Parade Studio in New Jersey, where they await their next flight.

Macy’s Disney Celebration at Hollywood Studios

In 1992, Macy’s took the spirit of the parade down to Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando. After that year’s parade, several balloons—including Santa Goofy, Kermit the Frog, and Betty Boop—were transported to Hollywood Studios, re-inflated, and anchored along New York Street as part of a holiday display. Visitors could walk through this “Macy’s New York Christmas” setup and see the balloons up close, right in the middle of the park. While this display only ran for one season, it paved the way for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which became a holiday staple at the park for years to come.

Minnie Mouse’s Long-Awaited Debut in 2024

This year, Minnie Mouse will finally join the parade, making her long-overdue debut. Macy’s is rolling out the red carpet for Minnie’s arrival with special pop-up shops across the country, where fans can find exclusive Minnie ears, blown-glass ornaments, T-shirts, and more to celebrate her first appearance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For those lucky enough to catch the parade this year, you’ll see Minnie take her first float down 34th Street, decked out in her iconic red bow and polka-dot dress. Macy’s and Disney are also unveiling a new Disney Cruise Line float honoring all eight ships, including the latest, the Disney Treasure.

As always, I’ll be watching from my favorite chair, coffee in hand, as Minnie makes her grand entrance. The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live on NBC, and it’s a tradition you won’t want to miss—whether you’re on 34th Street or tuning in from home.

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