Miyazaki in Epcot

Miyazaki's Ponyo opened in the US last week (limited release).

I was fortunate enough to go see it on Friday. I'm a fan of his work (including the Pixarian-directed English language dubs), and I loved Ponyo. Check out the review over at Imaginerding.com.

In honor of Ponyo's US release, here's a image I captured of Miyazaki plush on sale at Epcot's World Showcase in November of 2005:

Questions for the blogosphere: Have there ever been Miyazaki walk-around characters in a Disney park? Should there be?

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: