Dis Unplugged Universal: Baby!

[samsteele]

Ryno mentioned Baby: Secret of the the Lost Legend (1985) right off the top of the show today in reference to dinosaur animatronics. This was a Disney production and the script was, well, really skunky. However, the dinosaurs were incredible for their time and some members of the cast were stellar and sadly underused. Yes, it starred Bill Katt & Sean Young. However, incredible supporting actors were Pat McGoohan (of Prisoner fame . . . "I am not a number!", Lew Grade's Dangerman/Secret Agent in the US market and Longshanks in Braveheart) and Julian Fellowes (creator/writer behind Gosford Park and Downton Abbey. Fellowes also did a neat little turn as Kilwillie in Monarch of the Glen). Trivia alert: this film marked McGoohan's completion of his Trilogy of Films under an old Disney contract. He starred in the Three Lives of Thomasina and the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh in the 60s. Both films are neat fun little gems to watch. Thomasina is still available on dvd on amazon. Warning: it is a cat movie. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Romney Marsh is the superior movie but is a much harder find. Sadly, its now likely locked in the Disney vault. McGoohan was contractually obligated to complete a third film for Disney. Too bad it ended up being Baby. He was much too talented for that script. Fellowes was also far too talented for Baby. McGoohan gave an interview months before his death in which spoke fondly of Walt Disney. Essentially, he respected Disney for his talent and industry savvy. If you know of McGoohan's difficult and exacting reputation in the industry, then you'll appreciate this was high praise indeed. If you get the chance, watch Baby for the dinos and for McGoohan and Fellowes. I would recommend a very liberal use of the fast forward button for other parts of the film. And yes, I am indeed a fount of useless information.

 

[Hunterr]

I didn't see today's show yet, and my first thought reading the thread title was "Craig is going to be a dad".
Phew!

 

[Karyn B.]

I'm looking forward to JeniLynn's review of rides. My boys will be 13 and 10 when we go next year. I would love to know what they will enjoy and what the will not enjoy.

 

[Hunterr]

I'm looking forward to JeniLynn's review of rides. My boys will be 13 and 10 when we go next year. I would love to know what they will enjoy and what the will not enjoy.

I dunno if JL's kids would be the same as your kids, though. Everyone's different.

I was shocked when my cousins kids (i forget what those are called) were all about the thrill rides! They went on Splash Mountain/Tower of Terror/Space Mountain/etc. like it was nothing! And they are just tall enough to ride these things, and they took it like a champ. They thoroughly enjoyed it.

Meanwhile, my nieces (about the same age) are too scared to even attempt these rides (though, they did make it onto Everest because their friends went, and they did ok).

Baby steps...I think if they can handle Transformers or Spiderman, they can handle Simpsons. And if they can handle those, they can handle The Mummy, and so on...

 

[Karyn B.]

Well my older son is very timid and younger one very brave but they both loved the Simpsons in Hollywood. Most of the rides in Orlando are on a different scale altogether. Spiderman and Forbidden Journey look like very different technology.

 

[Hunterr]

.

I would describe Spiderman and Transformers as Simpsons but with an actual moving vehicle. It's moving between set pieces with 3d screens and physical props (they are also the same ride vehicle).

Forbidden Journey may be a bit intense. It's similar to ^^, but ride vehicle is floorless and you feel thrown around a lot more.

But my gawd, it is SUCH AN AWESOME ride. It's easily one of my favorite attractions ever. They create the illusion your in this huge massive space, even though you're never really that far from the ground at all.

Gringotts is also similar to the simulators, but the ride vehicle is more like a large roller coaster (though, it's not a coaster at all. Its vehicle is much like The Mummys).