Monthly Archives: October 2013
Disney Food: Earl of Sandwich
Oct 30
Downtown Disney’s delicious sandwich spot
Disney World is about a 12 hour drive from my home. To make it easier on my girls, we usually drive straight through at night while they are sleeping. Of course, my husband and I are both exhausted by the time we arrive, but it makes it worth it since we don’t have cranky kids when we get there. Since my husband and I are usually worn out when we arrive, we usually do a “down day” when we check in where we hang out at the pool and Downtown Disney. Every time I told someone that was our plan the first thing I heard was, “You have to eat at Earl of Sandwich!” After hearing how great it is so many times, of course you want to try it for yourself. You also hope that it lives up to the hype.
Earl stays busy because it’s just too good
After spending a few quiet hours at the pool and several cups of coffee for my husband and me, we headed to Downtown Disney for the rest of the day. We decided to head to Earl of Sandwich for lunch first, then do some shopping. The crazy long line was a little intimating; however, don’t let it scare you. The line actually moves pretty quickly (we only waited for a total of 15 minutes) and it was well worth the wait.
Despite being crowded, the front of house was very organized. Someone from T-Rex Café should go over to Earl of Sandwich and take notes on how to run things. After ordering, our food was up within five minutes. Surprisingly we were able to find a table right away. It always baffles me when you wait in line for 15 minutes just to order and then can find a table immediately.
Disney-fied Earl of Sandwich
If you think this restaurant is going to be like Subway (like I did) you are wrong. It is so much better. I had The Original 1762, my husband had The Full Montagu, my dad had the Caribbean Jerk Chicken, and my girls shared the Hawaiian BBQ. The bread is fresh and toasted just right. All the ingredients are fresh, and they have figured out how to balance all the ingredients perfectly. Even my picky eater, who asked me six times to make sure that they would not put the yucky cheese (what she calls American cheese) on her sandwich, loved hers.
Now I know why everyone loves Earl of Sandwich so much. I have heard that there is also a Thanksgiving sandwich that is offered in the fall that is also amazing. I think I know what I will be trying on our next fall visit.
Alexia Christensen
Modern Mouse Radio #34: Interview with Gary Wolf, Creator of Roger Rabbit
Oct 28
“Who Wacked Roger Rabbit” out November 29, 2013
Keith and Josh got the honor to talk with Gary Wolf, Roger Rabbit’s creator and author of the original novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit”. He shares stories of his time working with Disney on the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, as well as some other anecdotes about the characters and his time writing the first two books.
Be sure to check out his third book coming out in November 2013. You can pre-order or order the book (depending on when you see this) at http://www.GaryWolf.com
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Disney Trip Planning: Gay Days
Oct 28
Yum yum, acceptance cookies!
Disney Parks are a place for everyone; young and old, short and tall, straight and LGBT! The reason I mention that last one is because, just like the Dapper Day event in the parks I mentioned in my last post, there is also an unofficial event in the parks called Gay Days! This event is loosely organized by an outside group, and isn’t affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, but it usually takes place in the Walt Disney World Parks and surrounding areas during the first week of June in Walt Disney World, and in California on other announced dates on the Gay Day Anaheim official site!
The event officially started in Walt Disney World in the early 90s and had about 3,000 attendees then, but recently that number has grown to over 150,000 participants! Disneyland used to have one night a year where they hosted a private party for gays and lesbians, but that got cancelled in 1998, so instead Gay Day Anaheim was formed to follow suite with what they were organizing over in Walt Disney World.
Gay Days Anaheim
With great milestones happening in the States with LGBT rights, there is reason for those individuals as well as their supporters, family, and friends to celebrate, and where better to celebrate than the Happiest Place on Earth!? The event is usually held over the course of a few days; one day per park so everyone can experience the parks together if they choose! For Walt Disney World, the calendar of events can be found here. There are also other meet ups over the course of the day at other non-Disney locations, so it’s worth checking out the calendar if you plan on attending! Like Dapper Day, if you plan on joining the event, there are discount group rates for tickets and room rates which you can sign up for by checking out their respective websites!
(Of course, there are certain groups that can’t mind their own business who protest the event. So expect it, but don’t let that bring you down.) Also, calling Disney and asking for information on the event, they wont be able to give it to you since it isn’t a Walt Disney Company organized event, so visit the sites below for that!
Lea
rn more about Gay Days in Walt Disney world at: http://www.gaydays.com/
and Gay Days in Disneyland (and surrounding Anaheim areas): http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/
Angie Carreiro
http://www.ILoveAnimalArt.com
Disney Film History: Treasure Island
Oct 25
1950’s Treasure Island
Sometimes things line up just as you want them and for Walt Disney, that is the story of his first full length live action film, Treasure Island. Live action films had become a passion for Walt as he felt that he had mastered animation and had dabbled in live action with the films Song of the South and So Dear To My Heart, but Disney’s distribution deal wouldn’t allow the company to produce something purely without any animation in the film. It’s a special film that catapulted the studio into a different direction, while keeping true to the classic storytelling that they were know for.
1950’s Treasure Island was a movie that really began as an idea for an animated film previous to World War II, along with many other films that would come out of the decade, but the idea was scrapped during the war and money was put into simpler productions that would make money for the U.S. and lift spirits during the war. However, Disney films weren’t just made for American audiences, and many of the films produced before and during the war had big box office draws in the United Kingdom. Great news for Disney, except for one problem, The U.K. government wouldn’t allow the money made by Disney to leave their island. They wanted the money made to be spent there. The idea Walt went with is that they could make a film overseas to be shown worldwide as well. Match that up with something else that fell into place at the same time, Disney’s distribution.
“Ay, There Be Treasure Buried Here”
Since before Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, RKO Pictures had struck a deal to distribute Walt Disney films and one of the decisions they had power over is content. While making Song of the South, RKO was worried that Walt and company were moving away from animation. With So Dear To My Heart, Walt’s original vision of the film was a live action film with no animation at all, but RKO cut the rug out from under that idea and asked for animation to be part of the film. Walt agreed but longed for a time when he could make all of the decisions without the distributor looking over his shoulder. He’d had problems previously with not being the boss of his own studio, so when he could find the money, he went for it. That money came from the package films of WWII and Cinderella. Cinderella was, in fact, the last film RKO ever distributed, and the last film anyone besides Disney would ever distribute.
With the chance to have the final say with his own distribution in place and a large sum of money on the British Isle, Walt went to work on a new live action film, the previously animated production of Treasure Island. Bobby Driscoll, the contracted star from Song of the South and So Dear To My Heart was cast as Jim Hawkins and talented and popular British star Robert Newton was cast as Long John Silver. Newton’s performance would go on to land him other roles as Silver in film and television and he would also create the iconic “pirate talk” that now plagues us whenever “Talk Like a Pirate” day comes around.
Beware Jim Hawkins, I’m a crazy….
The film premiered in London in July of 1950 and did well. It wasn’t the exceptional breakout film of the year as Cinderella had been back in the winter, but it was successful. More than anything, Treasure Island only needed to make it’s money back to prove that live action films could be a success at the Disney company. The 1950s would be an iconic time for Disney live action films. 20,000 Leagues, Old Yeller, Davey Crockett, and the Shaggy Dog would all be a part of the decade and be successful films for the company.
Josh Taylor
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Previous Film: Cinderella
Next Film: Alice in Wonderland
300 Posts: Top 5 Most Popular Posts of All Time!
Oct 24
Wooo!
300 Posts! How exciting is that, guys!? Modern Mouse Radio has of course been up and running since 2011, but really only kicked off last fall, when the site got a whole new makeover. First, the name was changed from “Disney Park History” to “Modern Mouse Radio.” Josh and Keith also started the podcast, which, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t get to listen to those two get as excited as they do Imagineering baby animals in the parks, talking to special guests like Disney Legends and fellow Disney fans, and making jokes at each others’ expense each week. Over the past couple years, more people joined the Modern Mouse team: myself, Alexia, and Ryan included, and we’ve all contributed to those 300 posts that the site has now accumulated. Some posts are naturally more popular than others, and here I will share with you the Top 5 most popular posts of all time on the site!
Animal Kingdom’s dismissed Beastly Kingdom
5. World That Never Was: Beastly Kingdom – Did you know that in the original plan for Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom was to have 3 types of animal themes: animals currently living in the world (Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Jungle Treks, etc.) and animals of the past (all dinosaur themed things), which we know Animal Kingdom as have today, but did you know if was supposed to also have fantasy characters? Sure the Yeti is sort of an ode to that, but there was actually supposed to be a whole land of fantasy characters which was even supposed to have a……….. Well, I’m not going to give it away here, you have to click the link to read more!
4. Top 5: Ghost Stories From Disney Parks – Booooooooo! The Happiest Place on Earth has its own spooky secrets just like any other place! This post is about some real life “happy haunts” in the Disney Parks, from actual accounts twisted to reveal the true story behind some unexplainable occurrences, to legends and traditions cast members practice daily to keep the ghosts at bay! Hey and it’s also appropriate for this time of year!
Spooky! Abandoned spots in Disney
3. The World That Never Was: Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Come on guys, why does a non-Disney thing have to be one of the top posts!? Honestly though, it’s pretty interesting to learn the truth behind why J.K. Rowling turned down the opportunity to introduce Harry Potter to the Disney parks, so now instead you have to get over to Universal Studios if you’re a HP fan! Thanks a lot, lady!
2. Top 5: Disney World Spots Sadly Abandoned – The title says “sadly,” but I say “creepily.” Seriously this is some pretty eerie sh-tuff. It’s amazing that Disney would just leave these places they closed down as they once were; music, lights, and all, when they clearly have enough money to just demolish them. Maybe they left them up for the ghosts from our above story to play! (good luck sleeping tonight!)
The first thing I think of when I am in Disney is, “Now, where can I find a really good bra?”
1. The Wizard of Bras…I Mean Oz…No, I Really Mean Bras – Seriously guys… BRAS interest you the most when it comes to talking about Disney?! What dirty minds you have! Actually, I have to admit, the history of Disney having a lingerie shop on Main St. is a pretty interesting story; one of my favorites. Read it and memorize the story so you can shock your friends!
Honorable Mentions:
Eccentric? More Like Scary!
Top 5: Reasons Once Upon A Time is Deeply Awesome.
Top 5: Disney World Attractions That Are Painfully Awesome
Live Show
Top 5: Worst Places to Lose Your Lunch at Disneyland
Top 5: Ways to Know You’re Disney Obsessed
Thanks for the thousands upon thousands of views you have brought our site! We love that you love our posts and it really just motivates up to keep going! So keep checking back nearly daily for more posts on new weekly podcasts, videos from Keith, Top 5 articles, The Whole Picture articles on Disney movies, Disney Trip Planning blogs, and Disney Food blogs! We are always sharing our reviews, opinions, creativity, humor, and history with you!
What is your all time favorite Modern Mouse Radio post? Leave your answer in the comments below!
Angie Carreiro
http://www.ILoveAnimalArt.com
Modern Mouse Radio #33: Disneyland Paris w/Adam Rucker
Oct 23
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris
Popular guest Adam Rucker returns to the show to talk about his ventures at Disneyland Paris and to compare and contrast the European park to it’s American counterparts. Enjoy our in depth look at the former EuroDisney and let us know your thoughts.
Be sure to check out everything from Adam at and follow him on Twitter at
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Help Spread the Modern Mouse Love!
Oct 22
Hey all you Modern Mouse Radio nerds and social-media-fluent guys and gals! GUESS WHAT! Modern Mouse Radio has just joined Facebook and Pinterest (a little late in the game, but better late than never, right?)!!
Anyway, you should Follow us and Like us, and hey you can even Hug us if the opportunity comes up; we like hugs!
ModernMouseRadio.com is as successful as it is because of all of YOU! The Modern Mouse Radio teams counts on you people to get the word out there about how gosh darn cute and wonderful and charming and funny we all are, and we really want to keep that momentum going by connecting on all of the prominent sites there are out there for people to like and share our things! So, thank you in advance for helping us spread the Modern Mouse knowledge and humor and we love you all, we really do! So, here are the links:
Like Us On the “Book of Faces,” as Mulan Innocently Called it in Keith’s Latest Video!
And Follow Us on Pinterest!
Oh, and don’t forget we are all on Twitter!
Josh:
Keith:
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Ryan:
Angie:
Thanks!
Angie Carreiro
http://www.ILoveAnimalArt.com
Disney Trip Planning: Dapper Day
Oct 21
Why, Walter, you are looking quite Dapper today!
Believe it or not, back in the day, visiting Disneyland was a reason to put on your “Sunday best.” Woman and girls would wear heels and dresses, while men and boys would don suit jackets, ties, and shiny shoes. For those of us who long for those days to come back, you can actually have your wish come true… sort of. What I mean is that there’s actually this great event, organized from an independent, non-Disney third party, who in 2011 started reaching out to the people who dream to dress like they did “back in the day” while visiting Disney Parks. They call this event Dapper Day, and so far they’ve been hosting one 2 days a year (one in the Spring and one in the Fall in the US parks, and a Fall one in Paris) where a whole group of people get together and decide to dress-up for a day in the parks!
If you decide to attend a Dapper Day, understand it is not run by Disney Parks/The Disney Company in any way, but the people who do run it set up group rates for park tickets and for the Disneyland hotel and organize non-private events throughout the day for those who wish to attend. The events are really more along the lines of a casual get-together, if you will. They do organize meet ups though, for example: in the few past Dapper
A couple from the Fall 2013 Disneyland Dapper Day
Day social gatherings, many participants have met up at the Carousel and some sort of meet up for cocktails. This past Fall in Disneyland, the whole group road the Mark Twain together for a group photo and there was even a proposal on board that would make any Disney Princess jealous!
I am super excited about this coming year’s Spring hosting of Dapper Day occurring on February 23, 2014 in Disneyland and March 9, 2014 in Walt Disney World. I will actually be attending the Disneyland one with Josh and can’t wait to go shopping for the cutest park-friendly outfit I can find. I have to remember though, it has to be Space-Mountain-vehicle-exiting friendly – of course!
The great thing is about Dapper Day, you can really dress however you want. While the thought of the event conjures the image of vintage inspired fashions, lots of people really just look their best, even in modern or classic clothing. Go to their official site for inspiration: http://www.DapperDay.com
Angie Carreiro
http://www.ILoveAnimalArt.com
Keith’s Food and Wine Festival 2013
Oct 19
October isn’t just a time for Halloween at the Disney parks, it’s also the best time for food lovers and drinkers of fine exotic beverages. Epcot’s Food and Wine Fest is one of the best annual events at any Disney park and this year Keith Lapinig was able to make it. Funny enough he isn’t really much of a drinker but he does love food. Enjoy this video of fun foods and Keith’s faces of disgust with every drink he has. Also be sure to visit Keith at the following links:
Top 5: Life Lessons You Shouldn’t Learn From Cinderella
Oct 19
When I originally did my historical look at Snow White, I took the time to examine the film, what it taught us, and maybe poke fun at it a bit. I ended up writing a post titled “Top 5 Life Lessons You Shouldn’t Learn From Snow White”. I had a great time writing it and all of the lessons seemingly fit. While taking a look at Cinderella last week, I learned that these life lessons gone wrong tend to be much more prominent in princess stories,, possibly because they directly deal with humans. Regardless, I found more life lessons that I wanted to share! So here are my top 5 life lessons you shouldn’t learn from Disney’s Cinderella.
Mice can’t really make dresses
#5-Dear parents, if your child doesn’t want to marry, that’s okay! The Prince doesn’t want to marry and all the King can think is how he won’t ever have grandchildren. Granted, he is royalty and if the Prince doesn’t have children, the bloodline would be lost and the ruling of the kingdom would go to someone else, but I don’t think that part of it is really explained. I think the King just wants his Prince Charming to go out there and find himself a lady to mate with. That’s inappropriate on the Kings behalf. All parents beware!
#4-Mice and birds will not help you clean the house no matter what you sing. I thought we went over this with Snow White! Animals, whether they are from the forest or a barn, are not going to help you sing or clean or fix up a dress or really anything except for eat your food and poop in your house. Unless they are house trained and your family has adopted an animal as a pet, don’t let them in the house because it will just end badly for you and your animal friends.
Godmothers can be crazy!
#3-Beware of old ladies promising she can turn mice into horses. Godmothers are great. I enjoy spending time with those who have seen me grow up or people who have been close with my family for years. That being said, I ‘m sure if my godmother saw my clothes were a wreck and I needed a ride to the ball, I could get fixed up nice and get one. There is no need to start changing animals into other animals and turn pumpkins into carriages. That’s crazy talk and your godmother doesn’t need to help you, she needs help of her own. She probably belongs in an asylum.
#2-Glass is not a stylish nor comfortable footwear. Speaking of that Fairy Godmother of yours, if she gets you glass slippers, return them! That sounds like the worst walk you’ll ever take. There are so many other types of footwear that are much more comfortable, stylish, and still unique. I’d also be afraid of breaking my shoe because, you know, it’s freaking glass. If that’s the case, the shoe breaks and you get jabbed in the foot with a piece of broken glass and you are bleeding everywhere. Now try having an enjoyable evening at the ball falling in love! The only thing you’ll be thinking about is if you can get to a doctor quickly.
Don’t send a Duke to do a Prince’s job
#1-After falling in love, remember more than the love of your life wearing a glass shoe. Guys, I know sometimes we are dumb, but after deciding that you’ve found the love of your life during a whimsical time dancing in the moonlight, be sure to get more than just the ridiculous glass slipper that fell off of her by mistake. Be sure to remember what she looks like, or at the very least, get her name. It seems silly that you wouldn’t send your Duke out on a goose chase with nothing but a shoe that will only fit on one person’s foot. Plus, how do you know it only fits one foot? Maybe there are multiple women with the same size foot! Giving him a name or a look to go along with the shoe might help speed up the process a bit. Also, for the record, why didn’t the Prince go out to find her? What kind of things is he doing all day that he can’t just go out and find her? He just met the love of his life but can’t go searching for her? Ladies, if a man sends another man to find you so that he can marry you, either he had better have an amazing explanation or he is just plain lazy. Don’t marry a lazy prince!
Any other lessons from Cinderella? Comments? Suggestions? Leave your thoughts below! I hope you enjoy this series and with more princess films to come, I’m sure I will have more to talk about.
Josh Taylor
https://ModernMouseRadio.com