General

Why For Returns

Jim Hill’s back with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim talks about attractions that didn’t get built on Sunset Boulevard, how “Expedition Everest” almost got an over-sized yeti and why Wade Sampson doesn’t write for JHM anymore

Published

18 years ago

May 18, 2006

Jim Hill

First up, Ravi T. writes in to ask about Sunset Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios. To be specific, something that he noticed was embedded in the asphalt on Sunset.

Jim —

Last week, my family and I were down at Walt Disney World. And while we were walking through MGM to get to the Tower of Terror, I noticed what appeared to be old trolley tracks sticking up through the asphalt on Sunset Boulevard.

Now I have been going to MGM ever since this theme park first opened in 1989. But in all that time (Other than seeing that one souvenir cart that’s deliberately modeled after Los Angeles’ infamous Red Cars), I don’t ever recall seeing an actual trolley running on Sunset or Hollywood Boulevard.

So is this embedded piece of trolley track just a bit of theming that the Imagineers stuck into the ground over on Sunset to give the area a sense of authenticity? Or is this piece of track actually a leftover from some attraction that was originally supposed to be built along Sunset that never made it off the drawing board?

Dear Ravi T.

Actually, the answer to both of your questions is … Yes. Yes, that section of trolley track that you see poking up through the asphalt along Sunset Boulevard is supposed to be part of the theming for this section of the studio theme park. The Imagineers had hoped that — by allowing guests to get a glimpse of that small section of track sticking up through the asphalt — they’d then be able to give these WDW visitors a better sense of the time period in Tinsel Town history that they were now experiencing.

I mean, when you see something like that, you know that you’re not back in Hollywood of the early 1920s. After all, that was a time when cars will still something of a luxury. Which meant that people actually needed a working trolley line in order to get back & forth to work.

No, when you see that partially paved-over section of trolley track (Along with those few spots along Sunset where bricks & cobblestones poke through the tar too), you know that you’re in Hollywood on the mid-to-late 1940s. Those years just after World War II, to be precise. A time when paving over all of the city’s brick & cobblestone streets with asphalt actually made some sense. Given that this practice then made all of these old inner-city roads seem that much smoother to people who were traveling in their own cars.

So, yes, Ravi. That piece of trolley track that you saw sticking up through the asphalt along Sunset Boulevard was actually a piece of that theme park’s theming. But — at the same time — it is also supposed to be a nod to the Sunset Boulevard that Disney-MGM almost got. Which was to have been a much grander, much more elaborate version of that historic Hollywood street.

Don’t believe me? Then okay. Take a look at the rough drawing below. Which I believe was done in the Summer of 1989. Right after MGM first opened to the public and was immediately overwhelmed by crowds. Which is what prompted Michael Eisner to turn to the Imagineers and say: “We need to double the size of this theme park as soon as possible. You guys got any ideas for new rides, show & attractions?”

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

Indeed the Imagineers did. And — as you look over this somewhat crude drawing — you’ll see that a number of their ideas did in fact make it off the drawing board and were eventually built as part of the studio theme park’s expansion. Among the easier MGM additions to spot are the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the “Theater of the Stars” (Where “Beauty & the Beast — Live on Stage” is still presented daily) plus that gift shop that’s modeled after the Carthay Circle Theater (You know? The Hollywood movie palace where “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” had its world premiere back in December of 1937?)

But then — if you look closer at this drawing — you’ll notice that there are some things that didn’t actually make it off the drawing board. Like — for example — an MGM version on that beloved Hollywood hotdog stand, the Tail O’ the Pup.

Or — better yet — take a look at that spot along Sunset Boulevard where the Sunset Market Ranch was eventually built. Do you notice the orange grove? Or — better yet — the date shack (Though — truth be told — the Imagineers would eventually get around to resurrecting this particular concept for a quick service food location. Have you ever bought yourself a beverage at DCA’s “San Andreas Shakes?” Well, now you know what the MGM version of this not-so-elegant eatery was supposed to look like.)

But you know the part of this drawing that really breaks my heart. Take a look to the left of that orange grove. What do you see? The Red Car terminal from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Which was supposed to have featured a faithful recreation of the Terminal Bar (You know? Where Eddie Valiant’s girl-friend, Dolores, worked?).

And right next door to the Red Car terminal, there was supposed to be a recreation of Maroon Studios. Where Disney-MGM visitors were supposed to be able to serve as stand-ins for Baby Herman on the “Runaway Baby Buggy Ride.”

And right next door to that would have been … Ah, it’s too depressing to go on. Let’s just say that — when some of us see those trolley tracks sticking up through the asphalt — we still feel a twinge of sadness for the Sunset Boulevard that we almost got.

And speaking of things that we almost got, GG writes in with some comments about Disney’s Animal Kingdom‘s “Expedition Everest.” In particular, GG doesn’t seem all that impressed with the size of this new thrill ride’s central character. Which is why she writes:

Why is everyone making such a big deal about the Yeti in “Expedition Everest”? To read some of the notes on the Disney discussion boards around the Web, you’d think that this thing was big as a house and was supposed to move as fast as a jet.

What I saw on “Expedition Everest” last week really wasn’t worth the hype. That AA figure barely moved. And given how dark the cave was, I couldn’t see those huge teeth & sharp claws that people keep talking about.

Am I the only person who was disappointed with this new DAK attraction?

Dear GG —

To be honest, no. Over the past few months, a number of Disneyana fans have written to me with complaints about “Expedition Everest.” Some people have griped that — at just four minutes long — this new DAK thrill ride was far too short. While still other folks have complaining that the way Disney has been advertising “Expedition Everest” is somewhat mis-leading. That the TV commercials make “EE” look a lot like a roller coaster, when what this new DAK attraction actually is more like “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” As in: a runaway train ride.

But the way I see it … When you take into consideration what could have happened, how far track the “Expedition Everest” project really could have gone … You should thank your lucky stars that Animal Kingdom’s newest thrill ride turned out as well as it did.

Dont believe me? Then — the next time you’re at Walt Disney World — be sure and pick yourself a copy of this book ….

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

This “Premiere Souvenir” is worth picking up just for so you can read the excerpts from Joe Rohde’s journal. Which describes all the research that he did in order to get “Forbidden Mountain” ‘s details just right.

But — as an extra added bonus — this limited edition collectable book includes numerous sketches that the Imagineers did as they tried to get a handle on the Yeti. What color the creature’s fur should be. What shape his skull should be. More importantly, how big the Beast should be.

And — as you can see by the illustration below — at least for a while there, the guys at WDI were toying with building a pretty enormous Yeti …

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

… One that was obviously inspired by the enormous King Kong figure that Bob Gurr built for Universal Studios Hollywood back in the 1980s.

Copyright Universal Studios Hollywood

And then there was the version of the over-sized Yeti …

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

… that seemed to borrow an awful lot of ideas from the final earthquake-cave-in sequence on Disney’s “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” ride.

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

So when you take into consideration how poorly “Expedition Everest” could have turned out … Well, you should thank your lucky stars, GG, that DAK’s new thrill ride turned out as well as it did.

Speaking of things turning out well, I just can’t say enough nice things about this “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins.” It’s beautifully illustrated and a quick read. If I have to have one complaint about this book, it’s that Disney Editions went with far too small a print run.

To explain: Disney Editions has only printed 10,000 copies of “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins.” And when those books are sold out … That’s it, my friend. There won’t be a reprint.

And — to add to your difficulties — this limited edition collectable is only being sold at Walt Disney World. So if you’re a completist and really need a copy of “Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: The Journey Begins” for your Disneyana collection … You’d best get on a place and head down to WDW ASAP. For I hear that these things are flying off the shelf. And when they’re gone, they’re gone.

And speaking of things that are gone, in our final letter for this week, Paul A. writes in to ask an AWOL JHM columnist:

What happened to this week’s “Wednesdays with Wade” column? I have always enjoyed Wade’s writings and was really looking forward to reading this week’s story. But when I opened the site yesterday, all I found was your “Wouldn’t it be cool if … ” article and that Bonnie Arnold interview.

Can you please tell me what’s become of Wade? Is he on vacation? Have you shifted his column to another day?

I’m afraid I have some bad news, Paul A. Wade Sampson no longer writes for JHM.

I don’t want to get into the particulars here. Other than to say that there was a personality conflict. Which is why — last week — Mr. Sampson suddenly decided that it was time to move on.

The good news is … It appears that Wade has already found a new home on the Net. While I’m not yet at liberty to say which website it is that’s agreed to take Sampson on … What I can tell you is that I used to work with these guys. More importantly, if this deal actually goes through … Well, this new site should prove to be a great showcase for Wade Sampson & his stories.

Beyond that, I & the rest of the staff here at JHM wish to thank Wade for the nearly-three-years of hard work that he poured into this site. Here’s hoping that Sampson will be a whole lot happier once he sets up shop at this yet-to-be-named website.

And that — my friends — is it for this week. Here’s hoping that you have a great weekend and that we’ll see you all again bright & early come Monday morning.

Til then, you folks take care, okay?

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