Mainstreet Mugs - Expedition Everest

Mike and Justin review the chilling Animal Kingdom icon.

Backstage WDW with Eric Boardman ( Early 90's )

Mainstreet Mugs - Lights, Motors, Action!

Mike & Justin review this exciting Hollywood Studios attraction!

Mainstreet Mugs - Spaceship Earth

Mike & Justin review the classic Epcot icon.

Mainstreet Mugs - Carousel Of Progress

Mike & Justin review the classic Walt Disney World attraction

Walt Disney's Carousel Of Progress - Justin Poe, The Walt Disney World Critic

Ah the Carousel Of Progress!  Good times and great memories.  No other attraction at Disney World screams "Walt" like this classic ride.  From the story told in the intro, to the feeling you get watching the show, Walt's personal touch is sprinkled all throughout this 20 minute trip through the decades.
The show has been updated throughout the years and at one point even changed theme songs.  During the 80's, I visited the Magic Kingdom as a kid, and I grew up with the "Now is the Time" version of the ride.  So in my eyes, when they changed the song to "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" in the mid 90's, I thought it was a travesty!  I wasn't aware at the time that this new song was actually the original tune of the attraction, written by the Sherman brothers, who have so masterfully provided the songs for most of the classic attractions at WDW. 
The show has changed throughout it's run, but not too much.  It still has the same spark as it did when I was a child. 
The basic idea is this:  A family shows us through example (all except for the father, who speaks directly to us) what their day to day life is like "back in the day".  As one scene or "era" ends, you rotate around to the next one.  It's called a carousel because that's exactly what it is.  The entire outer ring of the round building rotates, while the center (stages) remain stationary.  I find it very interesting that the show literally never stops.  These audio animatronics never stop from the time the park opens until the guests leave for the night.  As each scene ends, the characters begin singing that familiar theme song.  When they finish the song, their spiel starts all over again.  You won't know this, however, because the carousel will have moved you to the next stage during the song, so that when the singing ends you'll be sitting in front of the next scene.  It's really cool, the way it works.  Simple... yet genius.  
The nostalgia of the setting creates that much more nostalgia in the attraction.  Also the apparent fact that the Carousel Of Progress was Walt's favorite attraction, makes it extra special.   I love the feeling that this ride provides.  I love the music, and even the familiar smell when you enter the theater... I can't describe it... but it's there!  
Another aspect of this attraction that is very entertaining to me is the voice talent provided to the characters in the show.  Voices such as Jean Shephard, famous for his narration of the film "A Christmas Story", providing the voice of the main character and narrator in the attraction.  Another big cameo is Mel Blanc, the original voice of Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes.  He lends his talents to the squawking parrot in the radio scene, and also takes on the vocal role of everyone's favorite house guest.... Uncle Orville! 
People say that this is a great attraction to escape the heat... and while I do agree... I have to say this is SO much more than just a "kill some time" show!  The Carousel Of Progress is a treasure chest of historical fun facts and pieces of Walt Disney's legacy.  The more research you do, the more interesting and entertaining it becomes. 
I have to be fair. There ARE a couple things I don't care for when it comes to my personal favorite attraction in WDW.  The show desperately needs a revamp.  Its becoming more outdated every year.  The last major upgrade was roughly 16 years ago, and unfortunately, the Carousel doesn't seem to get the love or respect that it should.  Along the same lines, the Carousel apparently isn't a priority on the "fix-it list".  Whenever something goes wrong or breaks, it usually stays that way for a while before being corrected.  For example, I recently rode the attraction and watched the daughter, Patricia, act out her skit with her hair brush stuck and dangling in her hair.  Apparently, it had come unattached from her hand.  Couple of days later.... still unfixed....   To be fair, this was only a minor detail, and didn't distract too much from the show, seeing as she was only visible for about 30 seconds... so I suppose a person can't complain too much about an instance like this, considering the amazing things that Disney pulls off day in and day out.  I can give them a break, lol.  
The Carousel Of Progress never has a line of people waiting to ride (plus!) which unfortunately means that it sometimes becomes a target of loud annoying teens who are only in the theater to hang out in the AC and don't actually care about or respect the show. (ugh)
All in all, the pro's far exceed the con's.  The Carousel Of Progress is by far my favorite attraction of all time, and I hope that it will be taken care of and entertain us for years and years to come.... making each and every day a great big beautiful tomorrow!

Fantasmic Finale!

Here is a video of what I believe to be the most well-shot fan footage of Walt Disney World's Fantasmic finale at Hollywood Studios.  I've caught myself watching this several times in a row before, lol.  It really puts you in the show!
Thanks to youtube user sunocox for posting this video.

"Where's Talking Mickey?" - Justin Poe, The Walt Disney World Critic

A while back, Disney unveiled a video of the world's first talking Mickey Mouse, and stunned everyone. However, this session with the new talking Mickey was just a test... and currently, Mickey still doesn't talk at the one-on-one character greetings. So why not??? This is amazing! Bravo Disney! ...but why aren't we seeing him? Obviously the prototype works... What's the deal?
Maybe it doesn't work as well as I think. After all, I'm only going by what I see in the videos. I'm sure there is a lot more to this complex technology then I know of... So I have no room to talk I suppose... One thing about Disney Imagineers, They take their time on projects like these and they do it right, so that it lives up to Disney standards, and I respect that and as a fan, am proud of that. Still, I would like to at least find a little information on this subject. But, alas, much like the Yeti's infamous "B mode" status, there seems to be a vast deserted space in the web where the updates should be.
If YOU have any information on Talking Mickey, Please comment and let me know!

Thanks to DisneyParks and Youtube user DoingFlorida for posting this video.

Remember This Guy?

If you watched the Disney Channel back in the late 80's to early 90's you probably remember Eric Boardman, the sort of "pre-internet era" video blogger. Eric always sported a sweater, and took us on guided trips through the Disney parks to show us behind the scenes tidbits as well as day to day things like in the video above.


Thanks to Vault Disney for posting this video.

Walt Disney World Tribute

It only seems right that this post be first on this new blog. I have spent ALOT of time watching this very well made video. It's a little outdated in some of the shots, but hey, it's hard to help that when Walt Disney World is constantly changing. But we're glad it does! ...and I for one am glad that we have fellow fans like these who put together these amazing videos so that you and I can watch them over and over again! Enjoy!

Full Credit for this video goes to Youtube user GoofyStitch