Double-Take: The Two (WDI) Towers

Isn't it strange how sometimes you can look at an image without really seeing it?

I've been working my way through the WEDway Radio archives (well worth checking out, BTW), and something I heard in Episode 13 caught me by surprise.

WEDway Radio episode 13 compares the two domestic versions of the Tower of Terror attraction.  While I was well aware of the substantial mechanical differences between the attractions, I was surprised to hear that each rendition of the "Hollywood Tower Hotel" is actually constructed in a different architectural style.

Even though I've seen (and photographed) both towers in person, I never noticed just how strikingly different they are:

The Hollywood Tower Hotel,

Sunset Boulevard

Walt Disney World Resort, FL

The Hollywood Tower Hotel,

Hollywood Pictures Backlot,

Disneyland Resort, CA

Yet Another reminder to always keep my eyes (and my mind) open!

Until next time,

- Chris

P.S. 

Yes, I know there's actually *four* versions of the "Tower of Terror" attraction.  However:

1) from the pictures, the Disneyland Paris version looks like a twin of the DCA version,

2) the Tokyo tower is radically different, and isn't even a "Hollywood Tower Hotel",

3) Calling the article The Two Towers appeals to my inner Tolkien geek :-]

- C.

Details - The Last Weekend in November...

Walt Disney World's "Value Resorts" have their limitations, but they also offer solid value for the money and have a strong fan following in their own right.

Although clearly not WDI's best work, I do enjoy their festive, over-the-top exterior theming. The value resorts also contain a nice selection of Disney details.

As we reach the end of November, I am reminded of one of my favorite of Disney details, which can be found at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort:

Here we have a colorful tribute to the pageantry of American football, with two larger-than-life helmets facing each from their respective sidelines at mid-field.

This location always reminds me of the classic Goofy short "How to Play Football".

But this scene contains at least one additional layer of detail. Take a look at the color schemes on the two helmets:

Are the helmet colors a co-incidence? I think not.

The fact that "Orange and Blue" is facing off against "Garnet and Gold" seems to me to be no mere co-incidence, as these are the colors of Florida's largest two universities -- two schools that annually face each other on the gridiron in the last weekend of November (by mandate of the state legislature). Many similar in-state rivalry games take place all across the United States near the end of each November.

Castaway Cay - Castmember Homage

(This is part of a series about cruising on the Disney Magic. Click here if you want to go back to the start of the tour).

Welcome back to Disney's Castway Cay:

This remote paradise is apparently home to a number of small island businesses, as is evidenced by the many signs on display.

Some of the names on display in these signs may seem familiar. For example:

A quick trip to wikipedia confirms our suspicions:

"Big" Al Weiss - President, Worldwide Operations, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
(former President - Walt Disney World Resort)

Here are some other examples:

Notice that each sign has it's own look, and that all of them incorporate one or more dimensional elements (i.e. none of them are completely "flat").

Some quick work on the internet will show you that each of these signs contains an homage to a Disney executive (most of them refer to Cruise Line exec's). Or, if you prefer, you can look at this little photo set on flickr to see what I found.

Next time, we'll bid a fond farewell to Castaway Cay and the Disney Cruise Line.

Castaway Cay - More Disney Details

(This is part of a series about cruising on the Disney Magic. Click here if you want to go back to the start of the tour).

Let's continue our tour of Disney's Castaway Cay by pointing out more of the Disney details that dot the island:

For example, as we exit the tram from Serenity Bay, look up to find this hidden Mickey:

As one might expect, some of our aquatic friends can also be sighted:

Perhaps my favorite character presence is simply known as Mount RUSTmore:

Do you fondly remember the bygone days when the Nautilus plied the waters of the Magic Kingdom? Well, the island map hints that those who venture beneath the surface of the snorkeling lagoon may be rewarded by the sight of an old friend:

Next time - castmember tributes.

See you then.

Disney Magic - More Shipboard Details

I'd like to wrap up our shipboard tour of the Disney Magic by peeking at a few more of the many Disney details.

(Click here if you want to go back to the start of the tour).

As one might expect, Mickey's presence is never far away:

This sign may feel familiar to people who have spent time on *other* Disney watercraft:

Many of the design touches help reinforce the theme of "cruising in grand style", such as this next example, which I'm posting especially for George and Andrew:

Many of the passageways display wonderful Disney artwork. Take a look at what's on display near the Neverland Club:

And then there's this little gem on deck five -- a collection of several bits of trivia called "Disney Cruise Line Seaworthy Facts:

A good deal of the artwork is related to the sea, or "magic":

"Film poster from Walt Disney's King Neptune 1932"

"From Walt Disney's film Magician Mickey 1937"

I hope you've enjoyed exploring the Disney Magic along with me. I'm including that last piece of artwork as a preview of our next destination:

Disney Cruise - Mickey's Mates, Treasure Ketch, and Walt

Welcome back to my series about cruising aboard the Disney Magic.

(Click here if you want to go back to the start of the tour).

Now that we've looked around the Lobby Atrium, let's proceed forward on Deck 4, where we are greeted by this hallway:

Let's start by looking DOWN, where we see Yet Another embedded cruise line logo:

Along either side of the hallway are a pair of shops : "Treasure Ketch" on the right and "Mickey's Mates" on the left. Let's pass under the decorative Mickey and duck inside Mickey's Mates for a look around:

As is so often the case in a Disney retail space, guests who take the time to LOOK UP are rewarded. In this case we find the shop is filled with crow's nests containing a host of old friends:

Leaving Mickey's Mates, we find ourselves at the other end of the hallway, with "Treasure Ketch" just a few steps away:

As you might expect, this shop has a more elegant feel, and offers an array of items including resort wear, jewelry, and other higher-end collectibles. (By the way, I wonder if the nautical flags under the boat spell anything in particular?...)

At the forward end of the hallway we find the lobby for the Walt Disney Theater:

Through these doors is the grandest performance space on board the Magic, which serves as the venue for the Disney Cruise Line's signature shows:

You'll have to look elsewhere for pictures of the interior (I'm not posting pictures of *everything*, some things are best enjoyed in person. Besides, low lighting conditions and a moving ship make for challenging photography).

This stretch from the Lobby Atrium to the Walt Disney Theater reminds me of the entrance to Disneyland -- the Lobby Atrium serves as a Town Square, the shop-lined hallway is the Magic's version of Main Street, U.S.A., and the picture of Walt (and the theater named after him) serve as the "weenie" pulling us forward.

Next time, we'll step back for a little perspective.

Disney Cruise - Lobby Atrium

Those of you with long memories may recall that I've been working on a series about cruising aboard the Disney Magic.

(Click here if you want to go back to the start of the tour).

Last time we were topside, so this time let's take a look below decks.

Guests board the Magic in grand style, with their arrival being formally announced at a party in the Lobby Atrium:

This fantastic space starts at Deck 3, Midship and stretches all the way up to Deck 5. Here's the view from Deck 5 looking down:

From Deck 5 you can see the "signature" statue of Mickey at the wheel:

Behind the statue is the entrance to Lumiere's, which is *almost* the nicest place to eat (we'll cover the restaurants in a future post).

The Lobby Atrium contains some of the best decorative details aboard. For example, the banisters on the grand staircases feature character silhouettes. While I don't have a picture that does them justice, these menu covers contain a reproduction of the detail:

Back in the lobby, take a closer look at the elevator shafts -- the design incorporates familiar headgear (in multiple scales!):

Between each deck there's a delightful series of classic characters, including Mickey, Pluto, Clarabelle(!!), Daisy, the Goof, and many others:

We were told by a crew member that each character is dressed to represent one of each of the different crew disciplines on board. (And yes, I was informed that employees of the Disney Cruise line are "crew", not "castmembers".)

In our next installment, we'll leave the Lobby Atrium and take a walk down this hallway on Deck 4:

"See you real soon!"