Walt Disney

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Sexy, Sparkling and into Crickets ~ A Bio of the Blue Fairy

Published March 14, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Step aside for just a minute Justin Timberlake. The Blue Fairy brought sexy back a long time ago. Sure, maybe she is missing the feistiness of Tinker Bell – and the pleasantly plump physique of Merryweather…

Blue Fairy, Merryweather, and Tink in the Disneyland Parade

Photo credit armadillo444 Flickr.com

but…it’s ok because she makes up for it in motherly demeanor, beauty, and her way of recognizing the good in people. She was the only one who could instill “character” into a wooden-headed boy. Even her spells were beautiful and elegant.

“Little puppet made of pine – wake! The gift of life is thine.” ~ The Blue Fairy

Seriously – who talks like that any more? Now here’s why she’s sexy…

In what was called a “story meeting”  on January 12th 1939, Walt Disney specified that The Blue Fairy was to “give the appearance of loveliness… (but not look like) a glamour girl.” Early model sheets and inspirational sketches reflected Walt’s concept, depicting her as an ethereal beauty with swirling, billowing clothes and loose, (trend-setting) untamed hair. After all – a fairy can’t literally fly in –  and be expected to have to perfectly coiffed hair.

However, at some point in the Blue Fairy’s creation, her design changed, and she became a  less ethereal figure, with more human proportions.

The way we know her today, with her glittery dress, and fabulously 40’s look – suggest the inspiration of Jean Harlow, so ultimately she did resemble the “glamour girl” Walt had initially wanted to avoid. Still, he seemed pleased with this version of The Blue Fairy, whose newly-found sexual allure worked on both Jiminy Cricket and the men working on the film. They reportedly whistled on first seeing a color test of the Blue Fairy.

And just like that – she was quite literally the first to bring sexy back. 

Jean Harlow had a way with the fellas too…Photo credit Chud.com

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She made Jiminy Cricket weak in the knees. Photo credit FanPop.com

A Blue Fairy Biography Refresher:

The Blue Fairy can be found in Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio. She is a magical being who fulfills Gepetto’s wish, and transforms Pinocchio into a living creature  of sorts, and later into a real boy.  Don’t let her soothing voice and calm demeanor fool you, this fairy is no wallflower. During the movie she helps Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket with her magical heroics, both directly and from afar. One of only two female characters in the movie (the other being Cleo the beautiful goldfish), her heroics stand out even more – and the blue fairy is obviously one of the most powerful characters in the cast. She is the one who initially grants Pinocchio life, and who ultimately decides whether or not he should become a real boy.

In my search for some cool video of the Blue Fairy in action- I found this little gem. Check this out this sweet serenade from Ray the Cajun firefly (of Princess and the Frog fame), and the exploration of The Blue Fairy as possibly being his sweet Evangeline.

So, where is she now? 

  • The first place might surprise you when it’s revealed! Tomorrow Disneyways will be posting a Blue Fairy themed edition of World Secrets that you won’t want to miss!
  • The Blue Fairy has her own spell card known as “The Blue Fairy’s Wand Wish” in the interactive Disney theme park game – Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.
  • In the ABC original series, Once Upon a Time, The Blue Fairy plays a supporting role only seen in Story Book Land and is portrayed by Keegan Connor Tracy.
  • In the animated series Disney’s House of Mouse, the Blue Fairy makes occasional appearances.

Where she is not…

This video was shot as a farewell to The Blue Fairy from the cast and crew of the 2008 winter run of Disney’s Electrical Parade. Kind of sad. But stay tuned to Disneyways tomorrow. We will have more on the sexy, sparkling Blue Fairy in our next edition of World Secrets.

 

New at the Grand Floridian!

Published October 12, 2012 by Disneyways.com
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, seen ...

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, seen from the monorail station at the Magic Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New offerings at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

It’s really hard to pick – but the Grand Floridian may just be my favorite resort. Sure I may look ridiculous, red-faced and sweaty…wearing Mickey ears over my wild blonde hair that’s been frizzed out by the humidity. It really doesn’t matter. When I walk in to the Grand Floridian – I am welcomed by the waft of refreshing A/C, and maybe my friend Christine the harpist playing a beautiful tune. All of a sudden I become a classy, refined, lovely lady from the Victorian Era…well…in my own mind that is.

Could they really make this place any better?

Walt used to say he wanted to “plus” things. He loved taking his work just a step further to really delight Disney guests.  I think it may be in that tradition that the Grand Floridian has added some enhancements recently.

The new Beaches Pool Bar and Grill is an outdoor quick-service location with style. After you place your order at the window, a Cast Member will deliver your made-to-order meal to you. This added convenience allows you to lounge by the pool or watch your children splash in the new water activity play area instead of waiting in line for food. Take THAT Tomorrowland Terrace.

Not just your average pool bar, everything at Beaches is made fresh, completed after you place your order. Looking for an adult beverage? Let’s go visit the pool bar, equipped with a TV, signature drink selections and the option to order food from the grill. Soon, the bar also will offer local and micro brews. Beaches Pool Bar and Grill is open 7 a.m.-11 p.m., offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Times and offerings are subject to change.

Nearby, our kids (48 inches or less) can splash in the new “Alice in Wonderland”–themed water activity play area. This zone, with lifeguards, features a metallic green dump bucket fashioned after the Mad Hatter’s top hat; it pours gallons of water over the jungle-gym structure and children playing on and around it. Two slides, three pull-string sprayers and a shallow pool complete the water wonderland. This area is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with operation times changing seasonally.

Perhaps Alice and Wonderland with all her fanciness and Tea over in the Garden View Tea Room (also located in the Grand Floridian) is the one that inspired things to  continue to get “curiouser and curiouser” all through the fall and winter seasons. Soon we will see additional refurbishment of Sandy Cove Gifts & Sundries merchandise location, Gasparilla Grill & Games quick service spot, and the Courtyard Pool.

Pinkies up ladies!! Now if you’ll excuse me – I’ve got to take my refined self to the ladies room and straighten my Mickey ears.

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World Secrets: Video! Walt Disney and the 1960 Olympics

Published July 28, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games was on TV  – and with it – lots of talk about the Olympic Games of the past. In 1960 the organizers of the Olympics asked Walt Disney to provide the entertainment for the event. Walt brought in big named entertainment, fashion shows, and even snow sculptures to the Winter Olympics. He also had Art Linkletter plan logistics for performers to provide nightly entertainment for the athletes and officials. You will hear Art Linkletter tell you in this video that the stars and performers came out to be a part of this at no charge. Not only that – but Art got to be a guest in Walt’s home while all this work was taking place.

Walt wasn’t just responsible for glamour and glitz – they even asked him to provide help with tickets, parking, and security. Walt was such a pioneering business man, was there anything he couldn’t do?

The 1960 Olympics were where many “firsts” took place – thanks to Walt. For instance, this Winter Olympics introduced Disney artist John Hench’s Olympic Torch design, which all further torches have been based on. Then came the idea of having the first ever Olympic sponsors. Walt Disney decided on the concept of thirty steel poles for the flags of all nations participating in the games. They each cost $500-$600 (big money back then!) so every flagpole came with a plaque from Walt thanking the Olympic sponsors for their contributions. What a way to get your company some exposure!  After the Games were over, each company received the flagpole their finances had helped place. Things I wold imagine you don’t read on a thank you note every day…my paraphrased version: “Yay you got to be one of the first Olympic sponsors in history! Thanks so much, and here’s your flagpole back now.” Actually, I’m sure Walt Disney would have written a thank you note with much more class…if he actually wrote thank you notes that is.

Olympic officials complained about the costs for some of Walt’s elaborate plans but he quickly responded, “Either we’re going to do it the right way or Disney will pull out.” (You tell ’em Walt!) The Opening and Closing Ceremonies involved 5,000 participants, 1,285 instruments and 2,645 voices from 52 California and Nevada high school bands. This and so much more meant Disney set new pageantry standards for future Olympic games. In the Los Angeles Times, reporter Braven Dyer wrote, “The opening ceremony was the most remarkable thing I ever saw. No matter how much credit you give Walt Disney and his organization, it isn’t nearly enough.”