News: Frozen is officially the highest grossing animated film

photo credit thestranger.com

Today it was announced that Frozen had officially become the highest grossing animated film of all time. Frozen has just hit 1.072 billion dollars at the worldwide box office, surpassing Toy Story 3. I have not made it a secret how I feel for the film but I will say credit is due. This finally puts Walt Disney Animation at their rightful spot at the top. My only concern is I hope the company takes heed and makes sure to take care of this film. I don't want them to start pumping out sequels and tv series like they've done so many times before. I would hate to see them saturate the audience with stuff to make more money.

photo credit: frozenheartburninghands.tumblr.com

Now of course if the story is there and it works, do it. Personally I hope if they make a Frozen 2 that it has a story I saw online. The idea is that Hans has fire powers which explains why he always wore gloves like Elsa. This could start off with a magical showdown with Elsa for the kingdom.This could carry on to a great moment where Hans and Elsa fall for each other and realize that together they can control their powers. And can they do the Heat Miser/ Snow Miser song. Just wishful thinking I guess. 

Thanks for reading and tweet me or email me.
Josh

Hearsay and Rumors: Disneyland's Astro Orbiter

Hi there, this is a new post that I am introducing to cover the hearsay and rumors going on in the Disney-sphere of things and my thoughts. 

Me posing in front of the rocks and Astro Orbiter

I am sure you all know by now that the newest Disneyland rumor is that the Astro Orbiter that has cluttered the entrance to Disneyland's Tomorrowland would be moved. Where to you might ask, according to the ghosts of the Peoplemover, there are two locations depending on who you listen to. One is up on the Peoplemover track where it used to be and the other is up on the helipad area of the outside queue of Space Mountain. This would be part of the rumored Star Wars Tomorrowland retheming. Also the huge rocks will leave according to this rumor.

I am a little skeptical right now about this as you may have heard that the highly rumored Nemo Subs going away was dispelled by Bob Iger at the Shareholder's meeting. I am sure most people are now skeptical about Disneyland moving or removing anything for the time being, as am I. I also am a little on the fence because this would make the walkway into Tomorrowland even more messed with the construction walls and it would also force another attraction into the out of commission list. But I suppose this would have to start soon so as to be cleared in time for next year, Disneyland's 60th Anniversary.

Now let me furthermore add that I welcome this as I hate the bottleneck you get at the entrance to Tomorrowland. Any visitor to Disneyland knows that this area is a high traffic area even in the offseason. It is particularly bad because on the sides of the path you have the extended queues of Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and smack in the middel is the Astro Orbiter and it's switchbacks. I have to admit though that I do think the rock work at the entrance gives it a kind of epic look but I don't mind those leaving either.

from Yesterland.com

Now to jump onto my soapbox, I would much rather have the Peoplemover/Rocket Rods track worked on and the Peoplemover returned to it's rightful place. I know they would have to spend money on the track but is it really that hard to replace? Also consider that it doesn't need a real queue as it is such a fast loading people eater that you can basically just install a moving ramp up to it, like at Walt Disney World. Personally, I loved the Peoplemover and every trip I've made to WDW, the Peoplemover is the attraction I ride the most. It's so easy going and you get a great sight of all of Tomorrowland. It would be perfect to return to Disneyland. Not to mention, Disney fans have been begging for it's return since it left. We might get lucky though since as announced at the Shareholders meeting, we are finally getting the one Pixar sequel we all wanted the Incredibles.

from Yesterland.com

Also when it comes to the Star Wars Tomorrowland retheming or even going as far back as the Avengers Tomorrowland retheming, I don't like the idea of retheming all of Tomorrowland as a franchise. I believe more so in Disneyland Paris and to a lesser extent WDW's "Tomorrowland That Never Was". It's true that it's hard to not date yourself with a land of tomorrow theming but it works so well to be the "tomorrow that never was." It would be easier too to explain having the Avengers, Buzz Lightyear, Star Wars, Tron, and even Captain EO all in the same place under this theme.

Let me also add that the proposed area that the Astro Orbiter would go would block out the sight of Space Mountain. This is such an iconic showbuilding. So personally I hope we just get a return to the old Astro Orbiter or Rocket Jets. Couple that with a return of the Peoplemover and you've got a little kinetic energy to the entrance sight line.

Also the Orbitron needs to go.

And for my brother, Hunter, let's add Alien Encounter somewhere.

from Endorexpress.net

So this will wrap it up for this first Hearsay and Rumors post, what did you think? 

Leave a comment, 

tweet me at twitter.com/giodisney 

or email me at giodisney113@gmail.com

Thanks for reading,

Josh

Trip Planning for an Infant Part 1: Attractions!

the Giordano and Garcia clans meet up to celebrate Ellie's first trip

I recently made a couple of trips to the Disneyland Resort (DLR) to enjoy my 3 month old's first trips to my favorite destination in the world and second home, Disneyland. One thing I love to do is plan for trips. I will say that I am still open to suggestions and will alter around it, but for the most part I know what I will be doing on a trip. Now planning this trip was a whole new experience. This was completely different from any other trip I've taken. I thought I would share with you some of my experiences and hopefully help you out too. Now this post was taking up so much time and was so lengthy I have decided to split it up, so I hope you enjoy!

Some of us were not so amused by Ellie's driving skills

Attractions- I love attractions. I hate to admit it, but yeah I will tend to go commando and just ride everything. Naturally, the biggest change was the fact that I could not do this. I thought there were far less attractions that were good for all ages, however, most attractions in Disneyland are for all ages. Of course, Disney California Adventure has fewer attractions. I must warn you though, between the bathroom breaks and feedings, you will not do probably half of this list. Here are the attractions suitable for all ages:

Obligatory Partners shot and no, I am not asleep

Disneyland

Main Street

• Disneyland Railroad
• Main Street Vehicles
• Horseless Carriage

Fantasyland

• Peter Pan's Flight
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
• Snow White's Scary Adventure
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey
• King Arthur Carousel
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Casey Jr.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Mad Tea Party
• Alice In Wonderland
• "it's a small world"

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage*
• Monorail

Adventureland

• The Enchanted Tiki Room
• Jungle Cruise
• Tarzan's Treehouse

New Orlean's Square

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Haunted Mansion

Critter Country

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Frontierland

• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Sailing Ship Columbia

Mickey's Toontown

• Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

A new favorite spot, Storytellers

Disney California Adventure

Buena Vista Street

• Red Car Trolley

Hollywoodland

• Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue

a bug's land

• Flik's Flyers
• Heimlich's Chew-Chew Train
• Francis' Ladybug Boogie

Paradise Pier

• Golden Zephyr
• King Triton's Carousel
• Mickey's Fun Wheel
• Toy Story Midway Mania

My one caveat would be that Toy Story Midway Mania, though an all heights attraction, you should not do. I say this from experience. I took my daughter on there at three months and instead of enjoying the attraction, I spent it preventing her from the whiplash-esque turns. It was definitely way too intense.

Cars Land postcard sign

I would also like to take this time to tell you to use the Child Switch pass to your advantage. I had never done this before this trip but it definitely helped out a lot. The way it works is that both parents cannot ride an attraction together when they have no one to watch the baby. Instead of having to bypass the attraction, the Child Switch pass is given to the family member sitting off and the rest stand in line and ride the attraction. When the family member sitting off gets to go, Disney doesn't expect them to suffer riding the attraction by themselves. Instead they can bring 2 others with them to the FastPass line and ride the attraction. Another tip on that would be, you can use it on FastPass. This means that the general group heads on using their FastPass and the person sitting off gets the Child Switch "FastPass" to head back on with 2 others. It definitely made it possible to do such must sees as Radiator Springs Racers!

Ellie was quite excited in the mornings!

Remember though, you are not doing this for the enjoyment of attractions but for the memories that you will cherish for years to come and reminisce fondly on later.I know I will always remember how she slept through half of the "it's a small world holiday" then woke up halfway to confusement of what was happening. Or when we rode The Little Mermaid attraction and she would get excited when hearing Part of your World and Under the Sea because we sing them to her all the time. These are some of the reasons why I have been touring Disney Parks all my life and why I could not wait to bring my own daughter and make some memories of our own.

Getting in that quick nap before "small world"

Hopefully this list and tips will help you out on planning your trip with your infant and please feel free to comment or chat with me on twitter. Also expect to see more posts as this will be a 4 part series, next is Character Meet and Greets! Thanks!

Ellie and I try our hardest to pull this weight!

In the Pinbag!

Hi there, this is a new set of posts I am starting to share with you some of my Disney swag. As you can tell with the title, this will be featuring pins in my Pin Trading bag. My pin bag is from Walt Disney's 100th birthday in 2001. This bag came with a special pin that was part of Eric C. Robison's One Hundred Mickeys collection.

The pin I will be featuring today is from the 45th Anniversary of Disneyland. This is part of the many pins collected before Disney branded it and it became a huge commodity. This is one of the first pins I ever collected and so, it has a special meaning to me. It features the Partners statue, which is the staple of every Magic Kingdom park in the world and is meant to be a constant reminder to guests of the man behind Disneyland and Mickey Mouse. Enjoy!

In the Pinbag Part 2: The Happiest Homecoming on Earth!

Hi there, just wanted to make a quick pin blog entry so here are some Disneyland 50th Anniversary pins that my mom has! These are a few of the designs made for the Disneyland 50th Anniversary celebration, which was a worldwide event being celebrated at all the parks around the world. I really liked the last one, as a Pirates fan myself (and I mean attraction). Enjoy!