Ready, Set, Let the Games Begin! - Link to new PTR/TR!

[franandaj]

Almost done

Sounds super promising!

Awesome news!

Jill in CO

Thanks all! I ran the report on the woman who said her ex hubby @#$#^&%$# her and if she is telling the truth then I hope they will be good to go. I have to show it to Fran and see if she is willing to take a leap of faith. Anyone who has an ex-husband who @#$%$%&^% them over would be empathetic, and I seem to have a bond with her. However, do I believe her that since she has a good job and good credit for the last year? I'm leaning towards it, but she does have some big marks on her history, I hope Fran will help me out. I'm thinking give the poor gal a chance since she has a good job and stupid men can screw you up if you're not careful, but we will see. I haven't run the other reports yet. I was just too tired tonight.

And I was trying to figure out video solutions to my next update. I think I might have it under control and this should be a real treat!

 

[franandaj]

So Fran and I had the incredible luck to attend an exclusive event for the 50th anniversary of the Tiki room. Our friends invited us to attend and I was able to get some pictures from the event photographer capturing our wait to enter the event.





Once we were admitted to the event we were immediately greeted with Mai Tais!



We found our table and it was decked out impeccably in Tiki garb!



Our menu was waiting for us and we had quite the adventure in store!









Here we are happy and ready to party Tiki style!!!!!



At our table was Marty Sklar and Maggie Elliot. For those of you feminists out there (which I don’t think there are any), but she was the first woman to break a lot of barriers in the Disney world. She reached some seriously high positions in WED, now she is retired and lives near Yosemite. Her Husband was pretty high up there, but this night was to celebrate her achievements so even though he did a lot of stuff, he let her shine at the table.

Looking at this picture, it was before the evening started, we had our drinks but nothing else. I was talking to Tim O’Day about the D23 Expo. It turns out that after all he has done in the past Expos the only thing he is doing for 2013 is producing the Sherman/Menken concert. Now while that is no small feat, usually he hosts 1/3 to half the panels. It makes me think that this concert will be a HUGE event since it is taking up all of his time just for one event!

I was telling Tim how excited that I was for the concert. When Richard Sherman closed the Destination-D events he was awesome! I couldn’t fathom what they would have been like without him, until Alan Menken played. Then it hit me, while Richard Sherman wrote the soundtrack for my childhood, Alan Menken wrote the soundtrack for my adult life. I told him this, and he liked it! Who knows? He might even use it that night, we’ll see.



We were served our Hawaiian Welcome Lomi-Lomi Opaka with Wontons and Taro Chips.



Our bread



Then our first course, Quickly Seared and then Chilled Ahi Poke. Being a fan of Maguro and Tuna Sashimi, I thoroughly enjoyed this course, but I noticed a ton of plates going back to the kitchen untouched, so I guess not everyone was as adventurous as I!



Next we were served Polynesian Grilled Chicken Breast, it had hint of teriyaki sauce and was served over a bed of rice with a coconut sort of sauce. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the coconut part, but as I am finding out, it’s not the flavor of coconut that puts me off, it’s the texture of flaked coconut. This was served with a pineapple wine. It was very unique and tasty!



Next we were served Kona Style Roast Pork. I had really enjoyed everything so far, and this was OK, but not much better than that. It was tender, but really lacked in flavor. There was an onion ring on the top and that was pretty good. It was also served on top of purple mashed potatoes which I didn’t think were all that special. I let Fran have about half my serving.



Then they called up the panel and they started to talk about working on the Tiki Room with Walt.



Tim O’Day called up Marty Sklar, Maggie Elliot and Bob Gurr to the front of the room to talk to everyone.





Here is a shot of Walt in the Tiki Room, but getting there took a lot of work and perseverance.



Nobody had seen talking birds, singing flowers and chanting tiki gods before. Audio animatronics were still in their infancy and getting people to understand this world of wonder was a difficult job. This shot is from a video that the showed where Walt was showing how he controlled an early version of one of the animatronic birds. That lever in his hand allowed you to move the various parts of the bird. You can tell that they guy he is demonstrating this to thinks he is nuts!



During this talk they brought us our dessert. Poi infused Plantain Pudding with Macadamia Chocolate Fudge, shortbread cookie and pineapple ice cream. It was good, but the pudding part was kind of weird.



John Hensch had a lot to do with the Tiki Room. This rendering he made was on display by the bar all night. You can sort of see it behind Tim O’Day in the shot where I am talking to him. This was John Hensch’s rendering of the Tiki Room back when Walt was still toying with the idea that it would be a restaurant.



As you might know, the Tiki Room was originally supposed to be a restaurant, but Walt realized that no one would ever want to leave the place, so he turned it into an attraction. Here is a shot of John Hensch with one of the models that he produced and a rendering of the fountain in the center of the room.



They also brought us this Kona Coffee to go with dessert.



[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

Another person who was key in working on the Tiki Room was Rolly Crump.



Rolly is quite a character. We had the pleasure of attending a dinner where he was the speaker and he had some hilarious stories to tell. He has recently written a book about his experiences call, “It’s a really cute story…” Evidently he, along with Ward Kimball, were two of the “black sheep” so to speak in the Imagineers bunch. Rolly worked on the Tiki Gods in the attraction. This is a picture of him nowadays from a video they played where he was reminiscing about his work on the Tiki Room.



They talked about working with Harriet Burns next. Burns began working at Disney Studios in 1955 as a prop and set painter for the Mickey Mouse Club. Burns contributed greatly to the development of Disneyland at WED Enterprises by creating both miniature models and actual theme park attractions. One of Burns's first assignments was to craft a model of Sleeping Beauty Castle, a Disneyland landmark which opened with the theme park on July 17, 1955. She continued to work on Disneyland expansions after the park's grand opening. Burns designed models of the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction as a 1/100th scale replica of the famous Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Another of Burns's job at Disneyland was what is called "figure-finishing." Figure-finishing involves applying paint and other finishes to Disneyland attractions and mannequins to create a "finished" look. Burns personally designed and painted the set pieces and underwater figurines for the Submarine Voyage ride. She applied individual feathers to the animatronic birds in Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, which opened in 1963. Burns later confessed in a 2005 interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the Tiki Room birds were one of her most challenging projects ever. "When they breathed out, it would be fine, but when they came back they scrunched. They looked like they had mites." She managed to fix the look of the birds and actively maintained the Tiki Room attraction after its opening.

They also described her as an amazing task master who could tell jokes “with the boys”, and occasionally had the mouth of a sailor!



Marc Davis was also a contributor to the Tiki Room. He was evidently obsessed with the whole Tiki concept and had traveled to the Pacific returning with all kinds of Tiki Gods and Icons. He was a natural for this project.



Then they played some footage from a 10th Anniversary special commemorating Disneyland.



This is the “Barker Bird” which appears outside the Tiki Room beckoning guests to come inside.



Here is Walt in the model shop demonstrating the bird’s capabilities.



Here are some photos from opening day of the Tiki Room at Disneyland.



The “Barker Bird” in his place.



Now this part I found fascinating. Back when computers couldn’t fit inside chambers the size of a medicinal capsule they were really big. These are some photos of the hardware required just to make each bird move.



You see four different modules here. Each one of those controls only one bird/flower.



Here is a ticket from opening day of the Tiki Room.



They concluded the presentation and then walked us all over to the Tiki Room. This sign was outside the attraction. I’ve always seen these kinds of things, but never have I been part of the folks for whom it is closed! I’m usually the poor slob who wants to go in and is denied access



We waited outside until they were ready for us to come in.



It was a little bit strange to see a full size Grand Piano sitting in the middle of the Tiki Room!


We got seats in the second row.



Flash Photography was allowed!



And then in the corner I saw why there was a grand piano in the Tiki Room!



Tim O’Day announced our entertainment for the night, and Richard Sherman sat down at the piano and began to sing and play for us.







[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]

It was about two or three songs into it that I realized that we weren’t at a D23 event. No one had told us to put away all recording devices!!!!!! I wouldn’t normally have thought of this, but at every D23 event there is no recording allowed. Every time I report on one of the musical events PIO teases me that as much as she has enjoyed READING about how great the event was, what she really wanted was to LISTEN to it! I realized that I could finally indulge her in this evening, so I whipped out my cell phone and began recording the rest of the performance.

Here is the tail end of a song from the Jungle Book, which I’m sure you all will recognize.



Here is Richard telling us about how he pitched the songs from the Jungle Book to Louis Prima.





Then he went on to talk about this favorite tune of Disney Fans everywhere.



Then he went on to talk about the Carousel of Progress





He also talked about the inspiration for It’s a Small World.





Can you say Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious backwards?



On all things Tiki….you’ll have to forgive me, these files are a little bit longer and it took me sometime to figure out how to get such large files to upload to the web. It may take some time for them to buffer and download but I think you will really enjoy these!







After that there were a couple more little surprises. Mickey Mouse showed up and we sang Happy Birthday.





Then Richard Sherman started the regular Tiki room show and we were treated to a performance of the original show. I think this also gave him the chance to sneak out and not have any adoring fans approaching him for autographs or other conversation.



Following the spectacular concert, we were released into the park which was still open and very much bustling. Fran made her usual stops at the Disney Gallery where a CM mentioned to her that the steamboat figure she was admiring was the “last one”. Two words that cause Fran to whip out her wallet immediately. We also stopped at World of Disney where I bought another one of those cute red dresses, just in case anything happens to the one I have (stains, tears, etc). I'm not sure what time we left the resort but it was really late and I'm pretty sure we slept in as late as we could (with Darcy coming over to work on the apartments!)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Alison!


That is one magical update.

Congrats on scoring the opportunity to go to this 50th anniversary event. That would have been something special to sit with Marty Skylar and Maggie Elliott.

And on top of all the pictures, you posted videos as well. O.M.G.

I am in heaven!!
Been sitting here for the last little while just downloading and buffering and listening. Those are great snippets into the night that you've shared and it was such a pleasure to even get this little glimpse into such a special event and moment. How fantastic to be able to see and HEAR Richard Sherman play all those great historic Disney songs.

Thank you so much. I'm so overawed by your generosity to tape it and share. :goodvibe

 

[missmdr]

Loving reading about the history of that attraction!! Knowing it must have taken ages, thank you!!!
You two sure do a lot of shopping - it seems you are always buying stuff

 

[dolphingirl47]

I hope that everything works out and you get your apartments rented nice and quick.

I loved your report from the Tiki Room event. I think I would have struggled with the menu between being a fuzzy eater and my freak allergy to bananas. It was strange to hear One Little Spark at Disneyland.

Corinna

 

[dgbg100106]

Well I won't count my chickens before they hatch, but I took applications on both vacant apartments today. Jim finished putting up the blinds and I shortened all the horizontals today. Now he is replacing the broken window cranks. All that will be left is to rescreen three screens and install them.

I'd like to fine a curtain to cover the front doors as they have clear glass windows on the top half. Icouldn't find any at Anna's the other day so I'll try Lowe's again. We're almost all done !

I just need to run the credit reports when I get home, but I think at least one couple is somewhat of a "yes". Although until I put their deposit in the bank, I won't count on anything!

have you tried Bed Bath and Beyond for the curtain's... I know I saw them in ours..

 

[dgbg100106]

Alison, so wonderful, the evening looks and sounded amazing! I am green with jealousy...

 

[Pinkocto]

What an amazing event! While the Tiki room isn't my favorite as an attraction, learning about all that history would have had me riveted! I loved the picture of the computers, it's amazing how far they've come with engineering/electronics. And oh my goodness the concert. My computer is making me mad so have to come back and listen but what a treat!

Thanks so much for sharing

 

[jedijill]

Omg, what an amazing event! I can't believe the Richard Sherman presentation...so fantastic! Thank you for uploading the videos and sharing them...I've spent the last hour or so watching each one.

Jill in CO

 

[franandaj]

Alison!


That is one magical update.

Congrats on scoring the opportunity to go to this 50th anniversary event. That would have been something special to sit with Marty Skylar and Maggie Elliott.

And on top of all the pictures, you posted videos as well. O.M.G.

I am in heaven!!
Been sitting here for the last little while just downloading and buffering and listening. Those are great snippets into the night that you've shared and it was such a pleasure to even get this little glimpse into such a special event and moment. How fantastic to be able to see and HEAR Richard Sherman play all those great historic Disney songs.

Thank you so much. I'm so overawed by your generosity to tape it and share.

I'm just glad that after all these years of you prodding me that I could come through! Now I have these memories captured for myself too!

Loving reading about the history of that attraction!! Knowing it must have taken ages, thank you!!!
You two sure do a lot of shopping - it seems you are always buying stuff

Yes, we do way more shopping than any person in their right mind!

I hope that everything works out and you get your apartments rented nice and quick.

I loved your report from the Tiki Room event. I think I would have struggled with the menu between being a fuzzy eater and my freak allergy to bananas. It was strange to hear One Little Spark at Disneyland.

Corinna

Thanks, I'm hoping maybe this week, we'll have to see. Fran doesn't like to move quickly on anything.

There were a lot of people who struggled with the menu, it seems that Hawaiian inspired food is an acquired taste. We even split a corn dog from the Little Red Wagon after the show, there just wasn't a lot of filling food there.

have you tried Bed Bath and Beyond for the curtain's... I know I saw them in ours..

I'll have to try there!

Alison, so wonderful, the evening looks and sounded amazing! I am green with jealousy...

It was so much fun. I was talking with ACDSNY and PIO on the Fogies thread on the way home, just bouncing off the walls with excitement!

What an amazing event! While the Tiki room isn't my favorite as an attraction, learning about all that history would have had me riveted! I loved the picture of the computers, it's amazing how far they've come with engineering/electronics. And oh my goodness the concert. My computer is making me mad so have to come back and listen but what a treat!

Thanks so much for sharing

I'm not sure why the tracks are taking so long to buffer, but they're really neat to listen to!

Omg, what an amazing event! I can't believe the Richard Sherman presentation...so fantastic! Thank you for uploading the videos and sharing them...I've spent the last hour or so watching each one.

Jill in CO

My favorite part was when he was describing the early presentations of the Tiki Room and everyone said, "That's great Walt, but what the he** is it?"

 

[eandesmom]

Rats!!! The songs won't play on my phone but oh i LOVE the pictures. What a wonderful event and update, I would have adored the food, well really everything about it. Wonderful update. Will come back and listen on the laptop.

 

[scottny]

The food from the Tiki party made me hungry and I just ate. LOL
That looked like a wonderful event to attend.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful evening.

 

[Leshaface]

Oh how amazing that Richard Sherman was there to perform for you guys! And even better, that you got some video from it. Thanks so much for sharing. Dan really enjoyed seeing some of these videos too!

 

[dgbg100106]

Where is the fogie thread...

 

[rentayenta]

Oh my gosh, what a fabulous event! Sorry I'm so behind.

The Tiki Room is one of my all time favorites in fact I've been known to watch it alone; happily at that.

My phone won't allow me to play any of the clips but I'll do that when I'm at the Mac.

The menu looks great, authentic. I bet it was fun for the chef to make different items too.

I can't believe you got to hear him live again! You are truly blessed when it comes to all things Disney.

 

[ACDSNY]

I love the clips with Richard Sherman, thanks for sharing them with us.

I'd love to see how the technology has changed over the years. My dad use to get to tour the DL computer areas about twenty years ago and they were massive back them.

 

[franandaj]

Rats!!! The songs won't play on my phone but oh i LOVE the pictures. What a wonderful event and update, I would have adored the food, well really everything about it. Wonderful update. Will come back and listen on the laptop.

I have that same problem with my phone. I could never play podsnel's videos and I guess it was because I kept trying to access them from my phone.

The food from the Tiki party made me hungry and I just ate. LOL
That looked like a wonderful event to attend.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful evening.

You're welcome! It was a lot of fun!

Oh how amazing that Richard Sherman was there to perform for you guys! And even better, that you got some video from it. Thanks so much for sharing. Dan really enjoyed seeing some of these videos too!

I'm glad you enjoyed them and shared with Dan!

Where is the fogie thread...

Here is the link. Fogies thread. We are on our 4th clubhouse! It's a few of the Moo Moos and Boo Boos, and some other refugees from the LTP thread.

Oh my gosh, what a fabulous event! Sorry I'm so behind.

The Tiki Room is one of my all time favorites in fact I've been known to watch it alone; happily at that.

My phone won't allow me to play any of the clips but I'll do that when I'm at the Mac.

The menu looks great, authentic. I bet it was fun for the chef to make different items too.

I can't believe you got to hear him live again! You are truly blessed when it comes to all things Disney.

I know! I couldn't believe that he was there to close out the evening! It was a perfect night!

I love the clips with Richard Sherman, thanks for sharing them with us.

I'd love to see how the technology has changed over the years. My dad use to get to tour the DL computer areas about twenty years ago and they were massive back them.

They say that they can't change the DL Tiki Room because the technology of the time is "built into the attraction" or so I've heard. I wonder if they still use all those giant computers or if they have smallered them down over the years.

 

[glaserjm]

What a great experience! I love that you got to see and hear such an in-depth history on one of the attractions that Walt really had a major hand in creating.

I also love the inclusion of the Imagineers and espeically Maggie Elliott...it's inspiring to see someone who was such an early pioneer in a field that even today is so heavily male dominated.