General

Why For Returns

Jim Hill answers even more of your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim politely pulls the plug on that DCA “Western River” rumor that’s currently making the rounds, tries to find out what actually became of those missing “TL2005” recordings and then announces a new set of JHM tours as well as revealing the website’s new promotional partner.

Published

21 years ago

May 20, 2004

Jim Hill

First up, it’s a note from Noreen. Who wrote to me earlier this week to share what she thought was some great news:

Jim —

Did you see today’s article over at Screamscape.com? The one that says the Imagineers are supposedly thinking about dusting off the plans that Marc Davis drew up for Disney World’s ‘Western River Expedition’ ride and reinvent that attraction as a possible post-TOT addition to DCA. Isn’t that a really cool idea?

Dear Noreen —

It is — admittedly — a really cool idea. Unfortunately, it’s also an idea that only seems to exist on the Internet. I wish I didn’t have to tell you this, Noreen … But every Imagineer that I spoke with this week about this Screamscape.com story immediately dismissed it. Brushing the whole thing off as wishful thinking on some Disney dweeb’s part.

Don’t believe me? Then — here — let me share an excerpt from an e-mail that I just received from Mortimer Mouse:

Yeah. I heard about that Screamscape story too. It’s making the rounds at work today. Everyone here just finds the story hilarious.

I mean, the very idea that Disney would actually tear down every ride, shop, show and attraction from “Golden Dreams” to “Burger Invasion” just to resurrect Marc Davis’ plans for ‘Western River” is laughable. Not to mention completely impractical.

The plan — as Screamscape lays it out — just makes no sense. I mean, why propose building something in that exact spot? The one part of DCA that cozys right up against the Grand California? Don’t the weenies who make up these stories realize that tourists pay top dollar for the rooms that face INTO the park? So that they can see Paradise Pier’s twinkling lights at night before they go to bed?

So now — in an effort to “improve” California Adventure — Disney’s now supposed to build an attraction that’s so large that it has to be housed inside of a five story tall show building. Which would then effectively block that spectacular view that people are paying big bucks so much to see

Never mind all of the back-of-the-house stuff that would also have to fit into that long, thin piece of property between the Grand California and Paradise Bay. Plus the fact that Disney would — in effect — be ripping four rides & shows out of a theme park that’s already woefully short on rides & shows in order to replace them with a single E Ticket. There’s nothing about this Screamscape story that makes any sense.

Particularly when you realize that DCA already has a huge piece of property that’s standing empty right now, just begging to be used as the site for a major new attraction for the park. Where am I talking about? That chunk of land right behind the Pacific Wharf food court area. You know, where they build that motocross arena for the XGames Xperience last year.

Yeah, Disney’s just going to ignorant that space and tear down “Golden Dreams,” “The Golden Zephyr,” “Jumping Jellyfish,” “Mulholland Madness” and the “S.S. Rustworthy” — plus all those shops & restaurants — to build “Western River.” Does that make any sense to you, Jim?

Whoever submitted this story to Screamscape really didn’t know what he was talking about. I mean, saying that Disney’s also toying with tearing down “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play it!,” “Superstar Limo” and “Hollywood & Dine” to put in a “Monsters, Inc.” coaster. Yeah, we are toying with putting in a “Monsters, Inc.” ride. But not in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area.

The site that we’ve tentatively selected for this “Monsters, Inc.” themed ride is — you guessed it — where the old XGames Xperience arena used to be. (That’s why Al Lutz made that “X Marks the Spot” joke last week in his MiceAge column. And — frankly — I’m amazed that more people didn’t pick up on Al’s rather obvious hint …)

But the people who make up these stories, they never go with the obvious, logical choices. They’ve always got the Imagineers flattening dozens of buildings in order to put in one mega-attraction Which just makes no economic sense.

I kind of feel sorry for the guys over at Screamscape, though. For falling for what’s obviously a bogus story. But — what the hey, Hill — you’ve fallen for a few bogus stories over the years too. So don’t get too smug.

If you want to share this e-mail with your readers, feel free. The sooner that we can pull the plug on this whole stupid “Western River” rumor, the better.

Okay, Mortimer. Consider this plug pulled. Though — to be honest — I’m kind of sad that this particular “Western River” rumor turned out to be false. Mind you, if the stories that I’ve been hearing coming out of Disneyland Paris for the past few years eventually turn out to be true, this saga could still have a happy ending …

But that’s a story for another time …

Next up, Richard H. has a question about some music that was reportedly written for “Tomorrowland 2055,” that late, lamented Disneyland redo:

Hello, Jim.

I have a question regarding Tomorrowland 2055 music but — before I get to that –I’d like to thank you for providing a dependable and
interesting voice in the ever growing section of the web devoted to Disney. A few of us who are absolutely nuts regarding Disney theme park music have been debating a question for the past year now and I thought you might be able to shine some light on the subject based on responses to questions I’ve seen in your ‘Why For?’ column.

It is well known music was composed, arranged, and recorded for the Disneyland TL2055 project even though the attraction itself never quite made it off the drawing board. The tracks included in this score include many of the great, iconoclastic Epcot themes (‘Energy’, ‘Golden Dream’, ‘Listen to the Land’, ‘It’s Fun to be Free’, ‘One Little Spark’, ‘Universe of Energy’), some treasured Tomorrowland tunes (‘Monorail Song’, ‘Miracles from Molecules’, ‘Go Go Goodyear’, ‘Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow’), and other Disneyland and DisneyWorld songs all of which we can identify.

However, there were 4 tracks specifically authored for the project referred to as ‘TL2005 Fanfare’, ‘TL2005 Fanfare and Theme’, and ‘TL2005 Theme 1 and 2’ that we cannot track down. Some have speculated these were recorded at Fox Recording Studios in the early 1990s. But — other than that –I have no other information on these items. Should you find this request of interest, I’d be much obliged if you’d pass along our request to some of your colleagues who might be able to assist us in solving this musical mystery. Once again, thank you.

Best regards,
Richard

Richard —

What an interesting question. I too share your fascination with the musical tracks that were allegedly recorded for “Tomorrowland 2055.” Which — so the story goes — was supposed to played continuously in the room where all the TL2055 models & concept are were kept. With the hope that this futuristic mood music would then help convince Disney Company executive that this extensive & expensive Disneyland redo would be well worth its proposed $100 million-plus pricetag.

Okay, I know. That sounds kind of extravagant. But the idea was — once the execs said “Yes” and Tomorrowland 2055 actually got built — this same loop of professionally orchestrated & performed music could then be used inside the park. Only now to set the mood for the tourists who were exploring the full-sized TL2055, rather than inspire the executives who were looking down at the foamcore models.

Over the years, I’ve managed to hear some of the “Tomorrowland 2055” bathroom mix, Richard. (“Bathroom mix?!,” you query. To explain: Once Tomorrowland 2055 officially got canceled in the mid-1990s, the Imagineers who worked on the project mourned for a while. But then … Well, they wanted to make the best of a bad situation. Which is why — rather than just tuck that tape of TL2055 music in a drawer — they arranged to actually have that music played in the park. So that Disneyland visitors could at least have a little taste of what-might-have-been.

Unfortunately, the only place in the park that the Imagineers felt safe in doing something like this [a move that could potentially really tick off Disney Company executives] were the bathrooms in the exit area of Disneyland’s Space Mountain. Which was why this particular recording [which eventually became highly sought by Disney theme park audiophiles like Richard & myself] eventually became known as the “TL2055 Bathroom Mix.” Its other less-dignified name was the “Toilet Tape.” Anyway …)

Getting back to Richard’s questions … You know, while I have heard those wonderful redos of the signature tunes that used to be featured in Epcot’s Future World pavilions as well as those classic Tomorrowland anthems, I have yet to ever come across copies of the tracks you mentioned, Richard:

‘TL2005 Fanfare’
‘TL2005 Fanfare and Theme’
“TL2005 Theme 1 and 2”

But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a JHM reader out there who hasn’t heard of these particular recordings. Who might then know what their production history was and — more importantly — might be able to tell us Disney audiophiles how we might be able to get our hands on these “TL2005” tracks.

So — if someone out there can help Richard & I with our quest — I’d really appreciate it. So — if you can shed some light on what the real deal is with these “Tomorrowland 2055” fanfare and theme recordings — please drop me a line here at JHM. And I — in turn — will pass along the appropriate info to Richard.

Speaking of info, David F. just wrote in — seeking some advance info on the tours that JHM will be offering next year during Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Dear Jim:

Was very excited to hear about all the plans for Disneyland’s ’05 Celebration (and per your article today, ok, thanks, Al…). I did some
checking around on the official Disney website as well as some unofficial Disney travel planning websites, and it looks like Disney is offering
packages at the Disneyland Resort which include the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps guided tour.

My question is, will and how often do YOU plan to offer YOUR guided tours at Disneyland/DCA during the golden anniversary celebration? I think this would be a really good question to put up on Fri.’s Why For? column, for those of us out there who are already trying to set up next summer’s vacation plans (although if memory serves, you don’t tend to do your tours during the summer months, but anyway…). And if you’re not planning on doing any kind of tour, is jimhillmedia.com planning on doing anything in connection with the ’05 Celebration (à la Deb Wills’ MouseFest gatherings, which you’ve written about on your site)? I don’t know if you’ve even planned your calendar that far ahead yet, but just in case…

Thanks. A loyal MO reader…

(speaking of things MO, I would LOVE IT if you could come to Marceline’s ToonFest some day…I’ll even be your contact here in St. Louis.)

David F.

Dear David —

To be honest, it’s a little early yet to be announcing JimHillMedia.com’s plans in regards to what sorts of special tours the site will be offering its readers during the Summer of 2005.

But — please note — that I only said that it was “a little early” to announce this sort of stuff. You see, JHM does actually have some plans already in the works. Some pretty ambitious plans at that.

Which is why this site just formed an alliance with Mouseketrips.com. Get used to seeing that name, folks. For Mouseketrips — over the next few weeks — is coming on board at JimHillMedia.com as our promotional partner. More importantly, as the site’s new official travel provider.

And — as part of Mouseketrips’ new JHM-related duties — this snazzy little travel site will be handling all of the travel arrangements for all of our upcoming tours. Which will (hopefully) include a New York City theater tour. Which take a select group of JHM readers into NYC to see all three Disney musicals — “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Aida” — before “Aida” officially ends its Broadway engagement on September 5th.

That sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Well, that’s just one of the tours that Scott Liljenquest (AKA the Big Cheese over at Mouseketrips.com) and I currently have in the works. And — as for 2005 — I promise you, David, we are actually looking into doing something sizable to help celebrate Disneyland’s 50th anniversary. And — as soon as we’re free to talk about it — we’ll be sure to post info about that here at the site.

But — for now — we’re going to continue to go with what we already know. Which is why I’m pleased to announce that — on Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th — JimHillMedia.com will be hosting another round of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure tours. For further information on this next set of tours, just follow this link over to Mouseketrips. Where Scott will explain all of the particulars.

And that — my friends — brings another installment of “Why For?” to a close. Again, my apologies to all you “Western River” fans out there. But — despite what it says over at Screamscape — this Marc Davis masterwork is NOT raising from the grave yet again, just so DCA can have its own “Pirates” – like attraction.

But — that said — all is not lost for all you WRE enthusiasts. What is it that Rick said to Ilsa at the end of “Casablanca”? “We’ll always have Paris.”

When I’m free to talk about this, I will spill the beans. But — for now — have a great weekend, okay?

General

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

Published

10 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

10 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

10 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