General

Why For?

Jim Hill returns with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, he reveals why Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is probably going to remain closed, what’s up for DAK after “Forbidden Mountain” opens, what’s the deal with the calendar in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” as well as what may happen at DCA once Disney finally acquires the Muppets.

Published

22 years ago

April 3, 2003

Jim Hill

First a quick thanks to all those kind souls who took part in last month’s beta tests for the JHM Disneyland and DCA tours. Given that no one got injured (except possibly me, the moron New Englander who forgot to put on some sun screen and/or wear a hat … the idiot who ended up with a Class-6 sun burn, not to mention a medium-sized case of sun poisoning) and everyone seemed to have a pretty good time, it looks like JimHillMedia.com will soon begin offering tours of the Disney theme parks as a regularly scheduled feature at the website.

Speaking of which … if any of you folks would be interested in taking part in the inaugural run of the JHM WDW tours, drop me a line ASAP. Why for? Because I’ll be down in Orlando during the first week of May. And I’m giving some semi-serious thought to trying out the initial set of Disney World tours while I’m in Central Florida.

Okay. Enough with the shameless plugs. Let’s get started, shall we?

First up, Shannon writes in to ask:

Hey, Jim –

In planning for my upcoming Disneyland trip, I was checking out the calendar on the Disney website. The Sleeping Beauty Castle attraction walkway is listed as “Closed for Refurbishment” until at least July (that’s when the calendar stops). Any idea what they’re doing up there?

Shannon

Dear Shannon –

I’m afraid that I have some rather bad news for you. Based on recent conversations that I’ve had with longtime Disneyland staffers as well as WDI insiders, it would appear that the Mouse has no plans whatsoever to re-open this classic Fantasyland attraction. In spite of what it may say over at Disney.com, there is no actual refurbishing going on inside Sleeping Beauty Castle. Nor is any rehab work underway. The walk-through is just closed. And it will probably stay closed for the foreseeable future.

Why for? Well, truth be told, there are three different issues involved here:

1. The War with Iraq / Post 9-11 security concerns: The FBI has reportedly told senior Disney Company officials that certain terrorist organizations have placed Sleeping Beauty Castle very high on their “To Do” list. So the easiest way to safeguard this Disneyland icon was just to restrict the public’s access to the structure. Keep the upstairs walk-through — with all of its hard-to-monitor nooks and crannies — locked up tight. So that some (please fill in the ethnic group / religious faction / terrorist organization of your choice here) extremist isn’t tempted to leave some sort of device behind.

2. The Castle’s ADA issues: Given that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the Walt Disney Company to at least try and make all of the rides, shows and attractions in its theme parks handicap accessible, retrofitting Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through with the necessary elevators, wider walkways and lower sight lines for all of the displays (not to mention changing the entire interior of Sleeping Beauty Castle so that this exhibit could be presented on one floor, thereby making it easier for guests in wheelchairs to experience the attraction) would be prohibitively expensive. So — rather than have to swallow the multi-million dollar cost involved with bringing this Fantasyland favorite up to ADA compliance — Disneyland officials are now reportedly thinking that it may just make better business sense in the long run to keep the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed from here on in.

3. Disneyland’s 50th anniversary plans: Given that the folks who actually run the Park are giving semi-serious thought to outfitting Sleeping Beauty Castle with thousands of fiber optics (so that the structure could appear to be awash with pixie dust after dark) and/or painting this entire Disneyland icon (to help celebrate the theme park’s golden anniversary), keeping the castle’s walk-through closed will make it that much easier to get those plans in gear … should Walt Disney Company officials actually free up the cash necessary to go forward with either of these plans.

Long story short, Shannon, Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through will remain closed for the foreseeable future. At least ’til the War with Iraq and/or America’s war of terrorism is resolved. At least ’til Disneyland management decides whether they really want to spend the millions necessary to bring this Fantasyland favorite ADA compliant. And at least ’til DL officials figure out what they’re doing with Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2005 during Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration.

To be honest, the only way that I can see that the castle will re-open anytime soon is if new Disney Parks and Resorts head Jay Rasulo remains on his capacity kick. Given that Jay is reportedly toying with re-opening Disneyland’s long-moth-balled Submarines just because he wants to raise the hourly guest capacity level at the Anaheim theme park, bringing the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through back on line would at least do something to alleviate this situation.

Unfortunately, Shannon, that’s a really unlikely situation. Based on the conversations that I’ve had with veteran Disneyland employees as well as Imagineering insiders, I don’t see anything like that happening ’til the War in Iraq is over and/or President Bush declares that America’s war on terrorism has been resolved.

Sorry to be such a downer, Shannon. Next, Max (AKA DisneyMax) writes in to ask:

Hey, Jim –

This is probably going to be a difficult question … but … Last week, I recorded the Travel Channel’s show on Animal Kingdom. And – toward the end of the show – they mention some of the things that are future plans for Animal Kingdom.

And – while they were talking about (DAK) future plans – they (showed) a very very short low quality CG clip of a giant bug (Or something. At any rate, it looks like it would be a very cool AA figure) rearing up at a passing ride vehicle. Do you have any idea what the heck that clip is from?

Thanks,

Max (DisneyMax)

Dear Disney Max –

Actually, I DO know what that footage on the Travel Channel was all about. That CG was actually a very rough representation of an Audio Animatronic magma worm. This enormous robotic creature is supposed to rise up out of the volcanic muck at the end of DAK’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” attraction.

That’s right, DisneyMax. WDI is reportedly toying with bringing this particular piece of Tokyo Disney Sea’s “Mysterious Island” area stateside over the next 5 to 7 years. The idea is that the “JTTCOTE” ride — particularly when it would be nestled inside of an enormous ride building that would be shaped to look like a smoldering volcano — might make a great anchor for a revised / revived version of DAK’s “Beastly Kingdom.” Not to mention that this mountain would make a lovely addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s skyline.

Now please keep in mind, DisneyMax, that we’re talking about a DAK attraction that’s still very much on the drawing board. Even if construction were to get greenlighted anytime soon, it would still be 2008 or 2009 before any of us could actually get on line to ride “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

First things first, folks. First “Forbidden Mountain: Legend of the Yeti” has to open. Then Walt Disney Imagineering has to decide what the theme of DAK’s live animal exhibit area will be (I keep hearing that – provided that “Brother Bear” is a sizable hit once it hits theaters this fall, that WDI may opt to make Animal Kingdom’s next big enclosure an area that celebrates North American creatures. Animals like grizzly bears, buffaloes and bald eagles. You get the idea, right? … Anywho …) Then — and only then — will the Imagineers decide whether or not they’re actually going to add “Journey to the Center of the Earth” to DAK’s line-up.

And what sort of other other-worldly rides and shows might be added to this radically rethought version of “Beastly Kingdom?” … Stay tuned to JimHillMedia.com, DisneyMax. I’ll try and pass along that info as soon as I hear something definite.

Next, Jeremy H. writes in to ask:

Dear Jim:

Watching “Alice in Wonderland,” I have a particular affinity to the recitation of the poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter” or “The Story of the Curious Oysters.” Every time I cue it up, I enjoy it thoroughly until Mother Oyster winks her eye, shakes her heavy head, and looks at the calendar which displays (the month of) March. (Then) the Capital “R” glows red and flashes … as she warns the young oysters.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Is it something to do with spring oysters tasting better than oysters harvested in the fall? Help me, O Mighty Disney know-it-all.

Thanks a lot. I really enjoy your long winded style.

Jeremy H.

Dear Jeremy H.

What? You’ve never heard the old wive’s tale about how you’re only supposed to eat oysters during a month that has the letter “R” in it?

Mind you, this outdated bit of advice dates back to an era when refrigeration wasn’t readily available. A time when it was quite likely that oysters — freshly harvested or not — would quickly go bad in the warmer months of May, June, July or August. Which is why it was probably wise to avoid shellfish during the hot summer months way back then.

Of course, nowadays — thanks in large part to vast improvements in modern food handling techniques and technology (not to mention those enormous factory ships that prowl the seas with their own on-board refrigeration units) — you no longer have to worry if you’re offered an oyster during a month without an “R” in it. So, if you have the chance to sample some shellfish this summer, Jeremy, feel free to indulge yourself.

Me personally? I can’t stand oysters. I wouldn’t eat one of those slimy things if you held a gun to my head. Give me a bucket of fried clams anytime.

Finally, Jim S. writes in to ask:

Dear Mr. Hill:

By now, I’m sure that you’ve heard that – once again – Disney and the Muppets are doing their little dance. Jim, is this deal ever going to get done? And – if yes – what kinds of things can we finally look forward to at the parks.

Keep up the good work,
Respectfully Yours,

Jim S.

Dear Jim S.

Well, you’re right. The Walt Disney Company is currently in negotiations with EM.TV & Merchandising AG (the German entertainment consortium that currently owns the Jim Henson Company) to purchase certain portions of the Henson corporation. Not the entire Jim Henson Company, mind you. Just the rights to the Muppet characters themselves as well as the 600 or so hours of motion pictures and television programs that JHC has in its film library.

So — should this deal actually go down — what would this acquisition mean to the Disney theme parks? Well, for starters, the Imagineers are hoping that — once this deal is finally signed off on (which could come as early as the tail end of April / the first few weeks of May) — that they can immediately begin work on changing DCA’s defunct “Superstar Limo” into “Miss Piggy’s Superstar Limo.” Where guests will board a stylized version of a limousine for a trip through a Muppet-ized version of Tinsel Town. This revamped ride would come to its conclusion when Disneyland Resort visitors would arrive at the big Hollywood premiere of a film starring the one, the only Miss Piggy.

So what exactly would this proposed change-out of “Superstar Limo” involve? Well, as of this moment, the plan is that the ride system for this Hollywood Pictures Backlot attraction is supposed to remain the same. Likewise the ride vehicles and the track layout. Thankfully, the rest of this much maligned DCA attraction is slated for demolition. The ride’s original 2D sets will be torn out and those minimum-tronic figures of Drew Carey, Regis Philbin, and Cher are headed straight for the recycling bin.

Look for “Miss Piggy’s Superstar Limo” (provided that it actually goes forward) to feature a whole new set of sets, not to mention a wide selection of full-sized Muppet figures. More importantly, expect this radically revised version of this Hollywood Pictures Backlot attraction to have all the style and wit that the original “Superstar Limo” lacked.

Mind you, this all depends on Disney actually being able to close the deal with EM.TV to acquire the Jim Henson Company. And — given that the Mouse has managed to screw up this deal several times before — well … I won’t actually believe that the Muppets have become part of the Disney family until I see the Kermit the Frog walk-around character strolling around DCA, signing autographs for tourists.

Once that happens, I’ll feel better about telling you all about the “Miss Piggy’s Superstar Limo” clones that are reportedly headed for Disney-MGM in Florida and Disney Studios theme park in Paris. Not to mention how the “Days of Swine and Roses” character show may be end up revived for staging inside the “Goofy’s Beach Party Bash” theater at Disney’s California Adventure theme park.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves now, shall we, Jim S.? Once Disney finally finalizes its deal with EM.TV & Merchanding AG, THEN we’ll talk. Okay?

Well, that’s enough for this week, folks. Have a great weekend, okay?

jrh

General

Seward Johnson bronzes add a surreal, artistic touch to NYC’s Garment District

Published

9 years ago

June 23, 2015

Jim Hill

Greetings from NYC. Nancy and I drove down from New
Hampshire yesterday because we'll be checking out
Disney Consumer Products' annual Holiday Showcase later today.

Anyway … After checking into our hotel (i.e., The Paul.
Which is located down in NYC's NoMad district), we decided to grab some dinner.
Which is how we wound up at the Melt Shop.

Photo by Jim Hill

Which is this restaurant that only sells grilled cheese sandwiches.
This comfort food was delicious, but kind of on the heavy side.

Photo by Jim Hill

Which is why — given that it was a beautiful summer night
— we'd then try and walk off our meals. We started our stroll down by the Empire
State Building
…

Photo by Jim Hill

… and eventually wound up just below Times
Square (right behind where the Waterford Crystal Times Square New
Year's Eve Ball is kept).

Photo by Jim Hill

But you know what we discovered en route? Right in the heart
of Manhattan's Garment District
along Broadway between 36th and 41st? This incredibly cool series of life-like
and life-sized sculptures that Seward
Johnson has created.

Photo by Jim Hill

And — yes — that is Abraham Lincoln (who seems to have
slipped out of WDW's Hall of Presidents when no one was looking and is now
leading tourists around Times Square). These 18 painted
bronze pieces (which were just installed late this past Sunday night / early
Monday morning) range from the surreal to the all-too-real.

Photo by Jim Hill

Some of these pieces look like typical New Yorkers. Like the
business woman planning out her day …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the postman delivering the mail …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the hot dog vendor working at his cart …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the street musician playing for tourists …

Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention the tourists themselves.

Photo by Jim Hill

But right alongside the bronze businessmen …

Photo by Jim Hill

… and the tired grandmother hauling her groceries home …

Photo by Jim Hill

… there were also statues representing people who were
from out-of-town …

Photo by Jim Hill

… or — for that matter — out-of-time.

Photo by Jim Hill

These were the Seward Johnson pieces that genuinely beguiled. Famous impressionist paintings brought to life in three dimensions.

Note the out-of-period water bottle that some tourist left
behind. Photo by Jim Hill

Some of them so lifelike that you actually had to pause for
a moment (especially as day gave way to night in the city) and say to yourself
"Is that one of the bronzes? Or just someone pretending to be one of these
bronzes?"

Mind you, for those of you who aren't big fans of the
impressionists …

Photo by Jim Hill

… there's also an array of American icons. Among them
Marilyn Monroe …

Photo by Jim Hill

… and that farmer couple from Grant Wood's "American
Gothic."

Photo by Jim Hill

But for those of you who know your NYC history, it's hard to
beat that piece which recreates Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photograph of V-J Day in Times Square.

Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, a 25-foot-tall version of this particular Seward
Johnson piece ( which — FYI — is entitled "Embracing Peace") will actually
be placed in Times Square for a few days on or around August 14th to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day).

Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, if you'd like to check these Seward Johnson bronzes in
person (which — it should be noted — are part of the part of the Garment
District Alliance's new public art offering) — you'd best schedule a trip to
the City sometime over the next three months. For these pieces will only be on
display now through September 15th.

General

Wondering what you should “Boldly Go” see at the movies next year? The 2015 Licensing Expo offers you some clues

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2015

Jim Hill

Greeting from the 2015 Licensing Expo, which is being held
at the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center in Las
Vegas.

Photo by Jim Hill

I have to admit that I enjoy covering the Licensing Expo.
Mostly becomes it allows bloggers & entertainment writers like myself to
get a peek over the horizon. Scope out some of the major motion pictures &
TV shows that today's vertically integrated entertainment conglomerates
(Remember when these companies used to be called movie studios?) will be
sending our way over the next two years or so.

Photo by Jim Hill

Take — for example — all of "The Secret Life of
Pets" banners that greeted Expo attendees as they made their way to the
show floor today. I actually got to see some footage from this new Illumination
Entertainment production (which will hit theaters on July 8, 2016) the last time I was in Vegas. Which
was for CinemaCon back in April. And the five or so minutes of film that I viewed
suggested that "The Secret Life of Pets" will be a really funny
animated feature.

Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, Universal Pictures wanted to make sure that Expo
attendees remembered that there was another Illumination Entertainment production
coming-to-a-theater-near-them before "The Secret Life of Pets" (And
that's "Minions," the "Despicable Me" prequel. Which
premieres at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival next week but
won't be screened stateside 'til July 10th of this year). Which is why they had
three minions who were made entirely out of LEGOS loitering out in the lobby.

Photo by Jim Hill

And Warner Bros. — because they wanted "Batman v
Superman: Dawn of Justice" to start trending on Twitter today — brought
the Batmobile to Las Vegas.

Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention full-sized macquettes of Batman, Superman and
Wonder Woman. Just so conventioneers could then see what these DC superheroes
would actually look like in this eagerly anticipated, March 25, 2016 release.

Photo by Jim Hill

That's the thing that can sometimes be a wee bit frustrating
about the Licensing Expo. It's all about delayed gratification. You'll come
around a corner and see this 100 foot-long ad for "The Peanuts Movie"
and think "Hey, that looks great. I want to see that Blue Sky Studios production
right now." It's only then that you notice the fine print and realize that
"The Peanuts Movie" doesn't actually open in theaters 'til November
6th of this year.

Photo by Jim Hill

And fan of Blue Sky's "Ice Age" film franchise are in for an even
longer wait. Given that the latest installment in that top grossing series
doesn't arrive in theaters 'til July
15, 2016.

Photo by Jim Hill

Of course, if you're one of those people who needs immediate
gratification when it comes to your entertainment, there was stuff like that to
be found at this year's Licensing Expo. Take — for example — how the WWE
booth was actually shaped like a wrestling ring. Which — I'm guessing — meant
that if the executives of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. didn't like
the offer that you were making, they were then allowed to toss you out over the
top rope, Royal Rumble-style.

Photo by Jim Hill

I also have to admit that — as a longtime Star Trek fan —
it was cool to see the enormous Starship Enterprise that hung in place over the
CBS booth. Not to mention getting a glimpse of the official Star Trek 50th
Anniversary logo.

Photo by Jim Hill

I was also pleased to see lots of activity in The Jim Henson
Company booth. Which suggests that JHC has actually finally carved out a
post-Muppets identity for itself.

Photo by Jim Hill

Likewise for all of us who were getting a little concerned
about DreamWorks Animation (what with all the layoffs & write-downs &
projects that were put into turnaround or outright cancelled last year), it was
nice to see that booth bustling.

Photo by Jim Hill

Every so often, you'd come across some people who were
promoting a movie that you weren't entirely sure that you actually wanted to
see (EX: "Angry Birds," which Sony Pictures Entertainment / Columbia
Pictures will be releasing to theaters on May 20, 2016). But then you remembered that Clay Kaytis —
who's this hugely talented former Walt Disney Animation Studios animator — is
riding herd on "Angry Birds" with Fergal Reilly. And you'd think
"Well, if Clay's working on 'Angry Birds,' I'm sure this animated feature
will turn out fine."

Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, there were reminders at this year's Licensing Expo
of great animated features that we're never going to get to see now. I still
can't believe — especially after that brilliant proof-of-concept footage
popped up online last year — that Sony execs decided not to go forward
with production of Genndy Tartakovsky's
"Popeye" movie. But that's the
cruel thing about the entertainment business, folks. It will sometime break
your heart.

Photo by Jim Hill

And make no mistake about this. The Licensing Expo is all
about business. That point was clearly driven home at this year's show when —
as you walked through the doors of the Mandalay
Bay Convention Center
— the first thing that you saw was the Hasbros Booth. Which was this gleaming,
sleek two story-tall affair full of people who were negotiating deals &
signing contracts for all of the would-be summer blockbusters that have already
announced release dates for 2019 & beyond.

Photo by Jim Hill

"But what about The Walt Disney Company?," you
ask. "Weren't they represented on the show floor at this year's Licensing
Expo?" Not really, not. I mean, sure. There were a few companies there hyping
Disney-related products. Take — for example — the Disney Wikkeez people.

Photo by Jim Hill

I'm assuming that some Disney Consumer Products exec is
hoping that Wikkeez will eventually become the new Tsum Tsum. But to be blunt,
these little hard plastic figures don't seem to have the same huggable charm
that those stackable plush do. But I've been wrong before. So let's see what
happens with Disney Wikkeez once they start showing up on the shelves of the
Company's North American retail partners.

Photo by Jim Hill

And speaking of Disney's retail partners … They were
meeting with Mouse House executives behind closed doors one floor down from the
official show floor for this year's Licensing Expo.

Photo by Jim Hill

And the theme for this year's invitation-only Disney shindig? "Timeless
Stories" involving the Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm brands that
would then appeal to "tomorrow's consumer."

Photo by Jim Hill

And just to sort of hammer home the idea that Disney is no
longer the Company which cornered the market when it comes to little girls
(i.e., its Disney Princess and Disney Fairies franchises), check out this
wall-sized Star Wars-related image that DCP put up just outside of one of its
many private meeting rooms. "See?," this carefully crafted photo
screams. "It isn't just little boys who want to wield the Force. Little
girls also want to grow up and be Lords of the Sith."

Photo by Jim Hill

One final, kind-of-ironic note: According to this banner,
Paramount Pictures will be releasing a movie called "Amusement Park"
to theaters sometime in 2017.

Photo by Jim Hill

Well, given all the "Blackfish" -related issues
that have been dogged SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment over the past two years, I'm
just hoping that they'll still be in the amusement park business come 2017.

Your thoughts?

General

It takes more than three circles to craft a Classic version of Mickey Mouse

Published

9 years ago

June 9, 2015

Jim Hill

You know what Mickey Mouse looks like, right? Little guy,
big ears?

Truth be told, Disney's corporate symbol has a lot of
different looks. If Mickey's interacting with Guests at Disneyland
Park (especially this summer, when
the Happiest Place on Earth
is celebrating its 60th anniversary), he looks & dresses like this.

Or when he's appearing in one of those Emmy Award-winning shorts that Disney
Television Animation has produced (EX: "Bronco Busted," which debuts
on the Disney Channel tonight at 8 p.m. ET / PT), Mickey is drawn in a such a
way that he looks hip, cool, edgy & retro all at the same time.

Looking ahead to 2017 now, when Disney Junior rolls out "Mickey and the
Roadster Racers," this brand-new animated series will feature a sportier version
of Disney's corporate symbol. One that Mouse House managers hope will persuade
preschool boys to more fully embrace this now 86 year-old character.

That's what most people don't realize about the Mouse. The
Walt Disney Company deliberately tailors Mickey's look, even his style of
movement, depending on what sort of project / production he's appearing in.

Take — for example — Disney
California Adventure
Park's "World of Color:
Celebrate!" Because Disney's main mouse would be co-hosting this new
nighttime lagoon show with ace emcee Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Goldberg really had
to step up Mickey's game. Which is why this master Disney animator created
several minutes of all-new Mouse animation which then showed that Mickey was
just as skilled a showman as Neil was.

Better yet, let's take a look at what the folks at Avalanche Studios just went
through as they attempted to create a Classic version of Mickey & Minnie.
One that would then allow this popular pair to become part of Disney Infinity
3.0.

"I won't lie to you. We were under a lot of pressure to
get the look of this particular version of Mickey — he's called Red Pants
Mickey around here — just right," said Jeff Bunker, the VP of Art
Development at Avalanche Studios, during a recent phone interview. "When
we brought Sorcerer Mickey into Disney Infinity 1.0 back in January of 2014,
that one was relatively easy because … Well, everyone knows what Mickey Mouse
looked like when he appeared in 'Fantasia.' "

"But this time around, we were being asked to design
THE Mickey & Minnie," Bunker continued. "And given that these Classic
Disney characters have been around in various different forms for the better
part of the last century … Well, which look was the right look?"

Which is why Jeff and his team at Avalanche Studios began watching hours &
hours of Mickey Mouse shorts. As they tried to get a handle on which look would
work best for these characters in Disney Infinity 3.0.

"And we went all the way back to the very start of Mickey's career. We began
with 'Steamboat Willie' and then watched all of those black & white Mickey shorts
that Walt made back in the late 1920s & early 1930s. From there, we
transitioned to his Technicolor shorts. Which is when Mickey went from being
this pie-eyed, really feisty character to more of a well-behaved leading
man," Bunker recalled. "We then finished out our Mouse marathon by
watching all of those new Mickey shorts that Paul Rudish & his team have
been creating for Disney Television Animation. Those cartoons really recapture
a lot of the spirit and wild slapstick fun that Mickey's early, black &
white shorts had."

But given that the specific assignment that Avalanche Studios had been handed
was to create the most appealing looking, likeable version of Mickey Mouse
possible … In the end, Jeff and his team wound up borrowing bits & pieces
from a lot of different versions of the world's most famous mouse. So that
Classic Mickey would then look & move in a way that best fit the sort of
gameplay which people would soon be able to experience with Disney Infinity
3.0.

"That — in a lot of ways — was actually the toughest
part of the Classic Mickey design project. You have to remember that one of the
key creative conceits of Disney Infinity
is that all the characters which appear in this game are toys," Bunker
stated. "Okay. So they're beautifully detailed, highly stylized toy
versions of beloved Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm characters. But
they're still supposed to be toys. So our Classic versions of Mickey &
Minnie have the same sort of thickness & sturdiness to them that toys have.
So that they'll then be able to fit right in with all of the rest of the
characters that Avalanche Studios had previously designed for Disney Infinity."

And then there was the matter of coming up with just the
right pose for Classic Mickey & Minnie. Which — to hear Jeff tell the
story — involved input from a lot of Disney upper management.

"Everyone within the Company seemed to have an opinion
about how Mickey & Minnie should be posed. More to the point, if you Google
Mickey, you then discover that there are literally thousands of poses out there
for these two. Though — truth be told — a lot of those kind of play off the
way Mickey poses when he's being Disney's corporate symbol," Bunker said.
"But what I was most concerned about was that Mickey's pose had to work
with Minnie's pose. Because we were bringing the Classic versions of these
characters up into Disney Infinity 3.0 at the exact same time. And we wanted to
make sure — especially for those fans who like to put their Disney Infinity
figures on display — that Mickey's pose would then complement Minnie.

Which is why Jeff & the crew at Avalanche Studios
decided — when it came to Classic Mickey & Minnie's pose — that they
should go all the way back to the beginning. Which is why these two Disney icons
are sculpted in such a way that it almost seems as though you're witnessing the
very first time Mickey set eyes on Minnie.

"And what was really great about that was — as soon as
we began showing people within the Company this pose — everyone at Disney
quickly got on board with the idea. I mean, the Classic Mickey that we sculpted
for Disney Infinity 3.0 is clearly a very playful, spunky character. But at the
same time, he's obviously got eyes for Minnie," Bunker concluded. "So
in the end, we were able to come up with Classic versions of these characters
that will work well within the creative confines of Disney Infinity 3.0 but at
the same time please those Disney fans who just collect these figures because
they like the way the Disney Infinity characters look."

So now that this particular design project is over, does
Jeff regret that Mouse House upper management was so hands-on when it came to
making sure that the Classic versions of Mickey & Minnie were specifically
tailored to fit the look & style of gameplay found in Disney Infinity 3.0?

"To be blunt, we go through this every time we add a new character to the
game. The folks at Lucasfilm were just as hands-on when we were designing the
versions of Darth Vader and Yoda that will also soon be appearing in Disney
Infinity 3.0," Bunker laughed. "So in the end, if the character's
creators AND the fans are happy, then I'm happy."

This article was originally posted on the Huffington Post's Entertainment page on Tuesday, June 9, 2015