From: Rich_Koster@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Rich Koster)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Disneyana - Grand Entrances
Distribution: world
Date: 5 Oct 92 05:08:46 CST
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

1.  The Disney way of introducing new Theme Park characters to
enthusiasts:
 
The characters of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine were brought out to
the Fantasia Ballroom of the Contemporary Resort Friday, September 25,
with great fanfare.  The ballroom was darkened.  The back doors opened
and spotlights swung to the back of the room, to reveal the Aladdin
character (nice chest! says my wife) riding a horse (Arabian?),
followed by a live camel, followed by the lovely Princess Jasmine
(nice chest!) riding her own horse (Arabian?), to the music soundtrack
of the upcoming animated feature.  My wife Carol said as she turned
around in her seat to look at the procession into the ballroom, she
could see several rows of people with their jaws just about down to
the floor in amazement.  We sat in the front row and got to see the
three animals stop in front of us while everyone waved a friendly
wave.  The camel was a little too close in front of us -- and we
began to regret we were in the front row. ;-)  It would not be budged,
even though its handler tried his best.  He motioned to an assistant
and she came up and shoved the camel on its rear, and it moved a more
comfortable distance away from the front row.  We were worried what
the animals might do to the spotless carpet in the brand-new
convention center, but those animals were *very* well-trained and
no souvenirs were left behind for us collectors! ;-P
 
2.  The Disney way of introducing the company archivist to
enthusiasts:
 
Again, same ballroom, different day, same back doors and spotlights,
to reveal a Wells Fargo armored truck, Mickey Mouse sitting on top
of the hood and waving to his fans as the truck was being driven
into the ballroom, if I'm not mistaken to the soundtrack of the
Main Street Electrical Parade.  The truck drove around the
perimeter of the ballroom to the front.  Most of the gusts in the
room were on their feet at this point and clapping with the music.
Out of the truck comes Dave Smith and his assistant carrying a
briefcase containing the rarest and most fascinating things, to be
described in another post.
 
3.  The Disney way of announcing the dessert course at a banquet:
 
Same ballroom:  Bring up the music, parade the wait staff in their
best dress in front of the hall, stack thedessert trays in their
hands with fire on the trays, then parade through and between the
tables to serve the goodies.
 
4.  The Disney way of inaugurating the start of the 1st Disneyana
Convention:
 
Have a live stage show outside, with most of the costumed characters
dancing and prancing for the folks, two of the balloons from the
20th Anniversary Parade billowing up in front of the crowd, daytime
firewrks at 9 a.m., and then have costumed paraders on stilts, also
from the 20th Anniversary Parade, and also all the costumed
characters, parade into the ballroom and lead everyone outside
inside.  All this began with the best and hugest character breakfast
buffet outdoors we've ever seen!

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