Before there was Snow White, Mickey Mouse, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, or even the Alice comedies, Walt Disney was determined to get into the animation business, so he took a borrowed camera to the shed behind his house and created his first film. Soon, having raised $15,000 from family and friends, Walt hired a minimal staff and incorporated Laugh-O-gram Films.
1921 saw the first 4 of 6 Laugh-O-Grams debut in theaters when Disney sold his animated Laugh-O-grams to the Newman Theatre in Kansas City. They include;
A video of Walt Disney sitting at his desk, drawing a picture of a criminal being kicked out of Kansas city.
A video of Walt Disney’s hand drawing a picture of a pair of women’s legs in stockings in the middle of the paper with the top halves of two women on either side of her.
A video of Disney’s hand drawing a picture of someone driving a car that’s in mid-bounce on a bumpy road.
An animation of policemen walking into a police station, then being fired and literally thrown out before someone hangs a “cops wanted” sign on the station.
Like everything made during that time, they were all silent.
We have been awaiting this announcement from Walt Disney World about the new Skyliner transportation system for some time. It was originally thought this would be ready to go with the opening of Galaxy’s Edge at the end of August since Hollywood Studios is on the Skyliner route. However, Disney announced yesterday the official opening of this anticipated mode of transportation.
On September 29, Disney Skyliner gondolas will take flight and officially begin transporting guests around Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney Skyliner connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort scheduled to open in December 2019.
Some Disney Skyliner cabins feature graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters. We previously featured a few of the character cabins on the Disney Parks Blog, including those with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Chip & Dale. Other Disney stories taking flight with guests include:
“Coco”
Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow
“Finding Dory”
Haunted Mansion
“Monsters, Inc.”
Pirates of the Caribbean
“Ratatouille”
Check out this video with the special announcement!
Disney has just announced three excellent promotions for this Fall and Winter – including FREE dining! Each offer requires the purchase of a resort room and park tickets. You’ll then have the chance to enjoy the tasty FREE dining as an added perk with Offer #1!
Offer 1: FREE Dining Package
The free dining package tends to go fast! Be sure to book asap as this is a limited availability promotion. Here are the FREE Dining Package date and restrictions below:
You must book travel by September 29, 2019
For arrivals most nights in the following date ranges
September 1 – 18, 2019
November 17 – 27, 2019
December 8 – 23, 2019
Requires a five-night minimum stay
Includes Park Hopper admission ticket
All guests in same room must be on the same package
Guests at Deluxe resorts will receive the standard Disney Dining Plan for free
Guests at Moderate and Value resorts will receive the Quick Service Meal Plan for free
Guests at Moderate and Value resorts may upgrade to the standard Disney Dining Plan for an additional fee
Excluded resorts include
Campsites
3 Bedroom Villas
Cabins at Copper Creek, Cabins at Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Polynesian
Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation
Children 3-9 must order from the children’s menu where available
Additional charges if more than two adults per room
Gratuities are not included
Advance reservation required
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited
Offer 2: Room Only Offer – Save Up to 20%
Enjoy distinctive Disney Resort Guest benefits and amenities – including early access to Disney FastPass+ planning, Extra Magic Hours, complimentary Resort transportation and entertaining amenities and save up to 20% off your room price!
Book travel by September 29, 2019 for travel most nights September 1, 2019 through November 7, 2019
Book travel by December 24, 2019 for travel most nights November 10, 2019 through December 24, 2019
Length of stay requirements may apply
Excluded resorts include
3 Bedroom Villas
Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation
Polynesian Bungalows
Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Advance reservation required
Additional charges if more than two adults per room
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited
Offer 3: Florida Resident Room Only Offer – Save Up to 25%
Enjoy distinctive Disney Resort Guest benefits and amenities – including early access to Disney FastPass+ planning, Extra Magic Hours, complimentary Resort transportation and entertaining amenities and save up to 25% off the price of your room!
You must book travel by December 24, 2019
For travel most nights September 1 through December 24, 2019
Length of stay requirements may apply
Excluded resorts include
3 Bedroom Villas
Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation
Polynesian Bungalows
Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Advance reservation required
Additional charges if more than two adults per room
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited
Here is where it all officially began, Cleaning Up was the first film produced by Laugh-O-Gram Studio, as part of demo reel. This film is not really animated, it just consists of Walt drawing a single frame. It’s also the first film directed by Walt Disney.
This is the first of 11 shorts created by Walt Disney under the Newman Laugh-O-Grams for Laugh-O-Gram Studio. Which would eventually inspire the creation of Mickey Mouse and The Walt Disney Company we know today.
This short shows Walt Disney at his desk as he draws a man, who then turns into a criminal being kicked out of Kansas city. It’s not a thrilling watch by any means but to just watch Walt and his drawing skills is to look back at all those years ago of a man in an office and how his drawings turned into the mass company today.
Walt Disney World’s largest park by size is also home to some of the biggest attractions in all of WDW. People love animals! People love adventure! Animal Kingdom puts these 2 together in glorious fashion for some of its best attractions.
Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom incorporate a wide variety of technologies that have been refined by Disney—including animation and 3-D. Live shows are colorful and entertaining, and parades showcase character-based safari vehicles, drum sculptures, rickshaw taxis, animal puppets, Disney characters, and Party Animal stilt-walkers.
With the addition of Pandora – The World of Avatar to its lineup, what was typically a half to full day visit has now turned the park into one that you may want to revisit in a single vacation.
Here are our top ten Animal Kingdom attractions:
10. TriceraTop Spin
If your children love dinosaurs, they’ll love TriceraTop Spin in DinoLand U.S.A.. Although any age can ride TriceraTop Spin, the whimsical dinosaurs operate much the same way as Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, a longtime favorite and gentle ride for the youngest park guests.
9. Rafiki’s Planet Watch
If you are needing a break during the busiest time of the day, board the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. This attraction just reopened July 11th, 2019 with a new area called The Animation Experience at Conservation Station.his brand new experience offers guests the opportunity to learn more about how live animals have inspired some of Disney’s most iconic characters. Additionally, guests who visit have the chance to create a personalized piece of Disney art featuring Simba, Zazu, Pumbaa, Timon from Disney’s The Lion King and others through an instructor-led animation class.
The “Affection Section” is where young and old alike have an opportunity to interact with the animals. At first, they appear to be the usual petting zoo variety of animals, but you’ll discover that they are exotic breeds of sheep, goats, deer, pigs, etc.
In the main building, you will find viewing areas where exams and surgical procedures may be observed. In addition to the veterinary facilities, experts are on hand to educate you on the caring for, and meal preparation for the many animals found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
8. It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Special effects, 3-D animation, and audio-animatronics characters bring to life “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” While awaiting entry to the theater, you’ll wind your way through a mass of gnarled roots and collect your pair of bug glasses. Inside the theater, custom log seating and a vine-draped ceiling set the stage for a hilarious look at the oft-misunderstood life of bugs.
Special effects shrink the audience to the size of bugs and turn the tables as they dodge the sweeping of a giant flyswatter and blinding fog of a giant can of “Bug Doom,” among other adventures of a bug’s life.
This is a good way to also beat the Florida sun. This ride has no age restrictions but can be a little scary for younger children.
7. Dinosaur
Board a rugged Time Rover vehicle and set off on a thrilling adventure through a primeval forest filled with life-like dinosaurs. Careen through unpredictable hairpin turns. Dart around a fearsome Velociraptor hunting for prey. Avoid the clutches of a Cearadactylus soaring overhead!
As the clock counts down, fiery meteors crash down around you. Will you make your escape before the dinosaurs—and you—become extinct?
You’ll ride in a 12-seat Time Rover on this dark and scary ride. Children must be at least 40 inches tall to go on the Time Rover.
6. Kali River Rapids
Whitewater raft ride spinning freely down a river through rainforest, ruins, and deforested areas with message of conservation. You will get wet on Kali River Rapids, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get absolutely soaked–it’s all random.
There are free (2-hour) lockers nearby, and we strongly recommend using them for a change of clothes (or wear a poncho on the ride). The queue is quite gorgeous. Kali River Rapids has a 38″ height requirement. Kali River Rapids is a good use of a FastPass.
5. Na’vi River Journey
The Na’vi River Journey in the world of Pandora takes you deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in a woven boat. You’ll feel enveloped by the rainforest, the darkness, and the out-of-this-world lighted features as you travel in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. This is a slow and peaceful ride that even the smallest visitors can love.
4. Festival of The Lion King
Maybe the best show at Walt Disney World, this show takes you into the world of the Lion King. This show has something for everyone. The singers are fantastic and sing all of the classic songs. The acrobats are amazing to witness, the monkeys are my favorite. The stage floats bring some of the classic characters to life with an appearance from everyone’s favorite meerkat , Timon.
This show is a nonstop party from start to finish that the audience plays a role.
3. Kilimanjaro Safari
These final 3 could be labeled 1a, 1b, and 1c. All three are awesome attractions. Kilimanjaro Safari is reminds you that you are in a zoo type theme park.
You will ride an all-terrain safari vehicle thru Africa. On the Kilimanjaro Safari, your guide will point out the wild African animals—zebras, rhinos, lions, and giraffes and many more. Prepare to be entertained by your tour guide as they drive thru the rough terrain . During your safari, you’ll travel rutted dirt trails, cross shallow waterways, and plow through heavy vegetation to reach a spectacular view of a vast savannah.
My favorite area of the trip has animals roaming free and sometimes will block your route or come right up to the vehicle for a close encounter. This gives you a great opportunity to snap some unforgettable photos.
2. Expedition Everest
One of Disney’s most exciting coaster experiences, Expedition Everest brings the legend of the Yeti to life. It’s hard to miss the impressive landmark mountain located in the Asia section.
The roller coaster features steep climbs, breathtaking plunges. You will encounter a break in the track which will force you to travel backward back into the mountain. In the mountain, you will be confronted by the Yeti. You must then race for your life to safety back down the mountain.
This is arguably one of Disney’s best thrill rides and a must do for any coaster enthusiasts.
1 Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage was one of those rides that when you ride it for the first time, you are on awe of what just happened. This simulation ride is unlike any you will ever encounter. You will board your “banshee” and the screen in front of you transplants you into the world of Pandora
Pandora is a lot like Earth, but not exactly like Earth. On this thrill-a-minute ride, you’ll get a mountain banshee’s-eye view of the moon of Pandora. Your exotic and exciting trip will take you over water, trees, and creatures on the back of this otherworldly winged creature in this rite of passage for a Na’vi hunter.
