January 2022 – A Walk With The Mouse

PIXAR Fan Sits in Front of Studio Gates and Draws on the Pavement

Posted on January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

A 22-year-old PIXAR fan who doubles as a budding artist recently made a trip to the PIXAR Studios in Emeryville, California, but rather than take an iconic photo of herself in front of the studios’ gates, instead, she sat down, pulled out her box of chalks, and began to draw.

“What better way to get their attention than to chalk draw in front of their gates?” she asks in her video.

The young woman, known as Jessie or @cowboyjess on TikTok, made a video of herself as she sat on the pavement outside the studio gates at PIXAR and used her talents as an artist to meticulously blend together colors of chalk to form the likeness of Giulia from PIXAR’s 2021 release Luca.

Giulia is a 13-year-old Italian girl who’s living with her father in Portorosso for the summer when she befriends Luca and Alberto and helps them in their efforts to win the Portorosso Cup.

You can see the video of Jessie’s work here:

@cowboyjess
I went to Pixar to draw Guilia from Pixar’s ‘Luca’ ! What character should I draw next? Follow 4 more 😊 #pixar #pixaranimationstudios #chalkdrawing
♬ Le Festin (From “Ratatouille”) – Karaoke Version – Urock Karaoke

Jessie used multiple chalk sticks in different colors to create Giulia on the pavement in front of PIXAR’s Studios. She says she used 5 colors of chalk on just the shading of Giulia’s skin alone. She took her time, so as not to rush the work of art, as she was leaving it for the up-tops at PIXAR to see.

Once Jessie had her version of Giulia just like she wanted it, she was sure to write–in chalk, of course–her name and her contact information on social media, just in case Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Brad Bird, Dan Scanlon, or perhaps President Jim Morris, were to drive by on their way to or from the studios and see her amazing work of art and wanted to talk with her further. We think she did an amazing job!

This isn’t her last drawing. In her video, Jessica even asks viewers to tell her which character she should draw next.

Cast Member Union Wanted Vaccine Requirement For Guests, Disney Refused

Posted on January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Back in July, Disney announced that it would begin requiring vaccines for all of its salaried and non-union hourly Cast Members. Not long after, Disney began discussions with local unions representing both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Cast Members for potential vaccine requirements. Those negotiations have been ongoing, and we are now learning that Disney will move forward with its plan for a vaccine requirement for unionized Disneyland Cast Members, although full negotiations with the Workers United Local 50 have fallen through.

The union shared the announcement on its Facebook page, saying:

COVID 19 UPDATEWe have received notice, after months of good faith negotiations on the matter, that the company will be moving forward on a vaccine mandate for Local 50 and other Union’s not currently under a mandate. Cast will receive an email with details of the mandate. The deadline will be April 11th to have verification of vaccination submitted. Accommodations for religious and/or medical reasons will be available. If you have any questions contact management or us at the Union office (714 502 0220).In solidarity,Workers United Local 50

The announcement left many wondering why negotiations were still ongoing when it seemed that Unions had no real issues with their members being required to be vaccinated to continue to work at the Happiest Place on Earth. However, Grace Campista, who serves on the union’s executive board, replied to a comment and revealed that the union had wanted Disney to require its Guests to be vaccinated as well — a request that Disney refused to agree with.

Had Disney agreed to require vaccinations for its Guests, they would not be the first Southern California theme park to do so. Universal Studios Hollywood began requiring proof of vaccination for all Guests 12 and older back in October 2021, after a mandate was passed in Los Angeles County. Then, in December, that vaccination proof was changed to include all Guests 5 and over. Guests under 5 are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.

The Workers United Local 50 did not say if the union would try to keep a conversation going about requiring proof of vaccination for Guests. Positive COVID cases in Orange County, CA — where Disneyland Resort is located — have shot up to almost 5, 000 per day, as compared to back in October, when the average number of cases was between 200 and 300.

Disneyland Cast Members will have until April 11, 2022, to prove that they are fully vaccinated and all potential new Cast Members must prove that they are vaccinated before they are allowed to begin working.

Disney Child Star Celebrates Two Years of Sobriety

Posted on January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney+

Disney fans were first introduced to child star Shaun Weiss in 1992 when he starred as goalie Greg Goldberg in the hockey film The Mighty Ducks — which also starred Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, and Jussie Smollet. Weiss would also go on to star in the two follow-up films, D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) and D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996). He was also one of the stars of the 1995 cult film Heavyweights, which also starred Ben Stiller. He would then go on to be featured in a number of films and television shows over the years.

Unfortunately, things spiraled severely downhill for The Mighty Ducks actor and started to get really bad in 2017. Weiss developed a heavy addiction to methamphetamines and found himself repeatedly behind bars for things like theft possession and public intoxication. After his final arrest in 2020 — he broke into a house while high on meth — he checked into rehab and is now celebrating two years of sobriety.

Weiss has been taking to social media to share images celebrating his sobriety, including two which show him at the height of his addiction and now, where he is incredibly happy and much healthier.

“He’s been doing standup a couple places, so that’s cool,” Gallagher says. “He’s been really enjoying that even though he doesn’t love being on stage without any upper teeth. He still can’t resist. “We’re kind of focusing on just trying to get him back out there acting, he’s still as funny as ever. His comedy material is really on point. Shaun’s been in the game since he was a kid so he can hop right back on screen no problem.”

“He’s super passionate about helping others and that’s kind of the big thing,” Gallagher says. “We’re working on a book explaining our experiences over the last five, six years.”

Weiss lost many of his teeth to infection while deep in the throes of his addiction, but was gifted a new set of dental implants by a renowned dentist and is now in his final fittings.

The original Mighty Ducks trilogy, as well as The Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series and the new Disney+ original series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers are all currently available to stream on Disney+.

Controversial Names Removed From Disney World Attraction

Posted on January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Disney World has removed names from one of its most iconic and long-standing attractions in an effort to remain culturally sensitive and rid the attraction of the dated term.

Last week, Disney World Cast Members removed wording that referred to “Injun Joe” at the Tom Sawyer Island attraction at Magic Kingdom. There was originally a sign that labeled a cavernous area of the attraction as “Injun Joe’s Cavern,” as well as a raft with the name “Injun Joe” on it. The plank on the raft on which Injun Joe’s name was painted was simply painted over, meaning that both references were removed from the attraction.

Disney also painted over the planks on the rafts that had the names “Becky Thatcher” and “Tom Sawyer” on them.

In the story of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by author Mark Twain, it is Injun Joe who is the villain–a half-Native American who robs graves, is guilty of murder, and commits other crimes throughout the story.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer': Plot Summary

According to a post at ComicBook.com, “Twain wrote the character as a fundamentally evil and irredeemable character, with multiple characters in the book claiming that his evil nature was due to his Native American heritage.”

Not only is the character portrayed as villainous, but his acts are often attributed to the fact that he is a Native American. The name “Injun Joe” also includes a term considered derogatory by many for Native American men and women.

Last year, Disney made a pledge to be more diverse and more inclusive in its efforts as an organization. The Jungle Cruise attraction at Adventureland was also updated in an effort to remove potentially harmful and hurtful stereotypes from the attraction, and The Splash Mountain attraction at Frontierland is being completely reimagined for the same reasons. The current attraction is based on the Disney film from 1946, Song of the South.

Song of the South': Fast Facts About Disney's Most Controversial Movie | IndieWire

According to Disney, “Song of the South is a 1946 American musical film released by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. The live actors provide a sentimental frame story, in which Uncle Remus relates the folk tales of the adventures of Br’er Rabbit and his friends. These anthropomorphic animal characters appear in animation. The hit song from the film was “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”, which won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Song and is frequently used as part of Disney’s montage themes, and which has become widely used in popular culture.”

But Song of the South has received major backlash over the years from those who say the film harbors racist themes and is full of stereotypes against African Americans. For this reason, producers at Disney decided it would not be added to the streaming line-up on Disney+, and it is almost impossible to find it in digital form anywhere in the United States. Because the Splash Mountain attraction was inspired by the film, it was decided that the entire attraction would be reimagined and take its inspiration from the delightful story of Princess Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

Fans Left Torn on Minnie’s New “Controversial” Look at Disney Park

Posted on January 28, 2022January 28, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

In a story we covered recently, Minnie Mouse received a new look to celebrate Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary celebration and many Disney fans shared their opinion on this big change for the iconic character.

In honor of Women’s History Month, beginning on March 6, 2022, Minnie Mouse will begin wearing a brand-new pantsuit at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. This new outfit ditches the classic dress look that many are so used to seeing on Minnie Mouse. Please note that at the moment, this outfit will only be seen at Disneyland Paris Resort.

Although Mickey Mouse didn’t get any new designs, this decision seems to go hand-in-hand with other changes to the Disney Parks, as the Walt Disney Company has been pushing for more inclusivity and representation lately. From retheming the iconic Splash Mountain into a The Princess and the Frog attraction, a gender-neutral dress code at the Parks, or even removing culturally offensive names from Tom Sawyer Island, the company has made multiple efforts in being more welcoming toward everyone.

This change has been met with a lot and appreciation, as well as some criticism. Our story on the change received a ton of comments from our readers voicing their thoughts and opinions on the change.

Inside the Magic reader, Mitch H. said:

Nope not buying it

Emma P. asked:

What’s wrong with girls wearing pantsuits?? I love them!

Erica D. simply said:

Ewwww

Melanie S. had this to say about the change:

What’s next? Pants suits for Cinderella, Snow White and Belle? This seems like a really bad marketing decision. If you see red and white polka dots with a splash of black, you think Minnie Mouse. Minnie has always had great dresses. Why can’t we celebrate that? Why are dresses suddenly a ‘bad’ thing? I loved Minnie’s khaki outdoor skirt attire that she often wore for meet n greets in Animal Kingdom. Are we to believe that feminists have been aggressively demanding this change? What is the rationale? I’m a 56 year old female mechanical engineer and I totally prefer Minnie in her cute dresses.

Sharon G. questioned why Disney would do this:

If we didn’t know before, Disney is changing to more woke

Nikki K. said:

my childhood is slowly being ruined

Josh S. posted a hilarious comment:

Now focus on Donald Duck who has been walking around without pants on for years

Jeanne M. said:

This is nothing new. Who remembers her “Totally Minnie” look from the 80s?

Veronica P. said that the new outfit looks like Minnie is going to bed:

Looks like Minnie In Pjs to me

Judy A. said:

Why her dresses are gorgeous leave her alone

Jason C. didn’t care:

I don’t really care, she’s always had several outfits. Looks like comfy pjs to me

See what Disney had to say about Minnie’s newest look on Disney Parks Blog:

And we’re thrilled to announce the First Ultrachic Pantsuit for Minnie Mouse at Disneyland Paris, designed by Stella McCartney herself. In honor of Women’s History Month, starting on March 6, 2022, find Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney Studios Park as she rocks a new take on her signature polka dots. As part of International Women’s Rights Day, Stella McCartney will market a unique Minnie Mouse t-shirt exclusively available online and in Stella stores on March 8, 2022. Starting spring 2022, a limited-edition product line inspired by the cult movie Fantasia will be also launched by Stella McCartney.