July 2013 - Page 3 of 4 - On the Go in MCO

WWE Performance Center Grand Opening

WWE Performance Center Grand Opening

Last Thursday the WWE celebrated the grand opening of it’s new state-of-the-art training facility in Orlando, the WWE Performance Center. 26,000 square feet in size, the WWE Performance Center is not only one of the largest facilities of its kind, but it’s also currently the only facility of its kind.

Filled with seven training rings, world-class strength and conditioning programs, and a cutting-edge edit and production facility, the WWE Performance Center is sure to become a home away from home for many of the WWE’s superstars of the future.

During the grand opening, we were fortunate enough to be able to take a tour of the facility lead by Paul Levesque (Triple H) and his wife Stephanie McMahon. Needless to say we were more than impressed. The WWE spared no expense when it came to building the facility spending just over 3.5 million dollars to put in some of the most advanced equipment in the sports entertainment industry today.

One thing that particularly caught our attention was the promo room along with editing and production suites that the NXT Superstars had available to them.

One of the things that seem to be getting better year after year is the WWE’s production value and the variety of talent they are able to bring forward. Broadcasting in full HD across the globe in over 150 countries, the WWE certainly knows how to keep their fans coming back on a weekly basis. Now, with the WWE Performance Center readily available to developmental talent, they will finally have a place where they can work on their craft through character development, promo cutting, and on-camera performances all in one place.

Not only will it be simple for the talent to use, but they will also have the opportunity to send their works in progress over to the WWE headquarters for review by executives of the WWE with a simple touch of a button, something that could not be done before. This will not only aid the NXT talent in perfecting their on-screen personas, but it will almost make scouting future talent for the WWE much easier as the executives can look in live to the performance center at any time.

httpv://youtu.be/0BGe6mwx10g

Just as important as it is for these superstars of the future to be able develop themselves as a character, it is also of great importance that they remain in peak physical condition as the business can be very physically demanding. With a 5,500 square foot strength and conditioning room and one of the best-in-class sports medicine facilities, not only will the talent have access to full-time athletic trainers and physical therapists when training, but they will also have some of the most cutting edge strength and conditioning equipment right at their fingertips. This will help to ensure that the athletes are not only remaining in peak condition, but it will also help to prevent many possible future in-ring injuries.

As Paul Levesque said during the event “Talent is the WWE’s only natural resource and without it we have absolutely nothing.” The opening of this training facility is not only a tremendous milestone for the company, but it also solidifies the WWE’s commitment to providing top-notch superstars for years to come.

As a big wrestling fan myself, I could not be any happier with the direction the WWE is going with it’s NXT developmental brand as it expands by leaps and bounds and I greatly look forward to see what type of talent this facility will be able to produce in the future.

Orlando City SC Lions Draws Against Dutch Lions

Dayton Equalizes Late, Orlando Grabs Point Away From Home

Hard-fought away match consisting of seven bookings results in road point for Lions

Orlando City SC (11-2-5, 38 points) played to a 3-3 draw against the Dayton Dutch Lions (7-4-6, 27 points) Sunday night at Beavercreek High School Stadium in Beavercreek, Ohio. Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer) loanee and MLS 2011 Rookie of the Year C.J. Sapong scored his first goal for the Lions in the second half to put the Lions up 3-2, but Orlando was unable to hold off a late Dayton rally to end the match at 3-3.

Orlando notched the first score of the match in the 24^th minute, with Forward Dennis Chin knocking in a loose ball in front of Dayton Goalkeeper Matthew Williams to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. After the ball was previously scooped up by Williams, Chin refused to give up on the play- knocking in fumbled possession by the goalkeeper for the early lead.

The Dutch Lions responded later on in the first half, with Dayton Midfielder Shintaro Harada equalizing in the 35^th minute of play. After a pass in by the Dutch Lions, an unlucky rebound found Harada, who blasted his attempt past Sporting Kansas City loanee and Goalkeeper Jon Kempin for the goal.

Orlando wasn’t done with scoring in the first half, with a well played give-and-go between James O’Connor and loanee C.J. Sapong resulting in the Lions’ second goal of the evening. After receiving a pass in the midfield, O’Connor made a run on the left side of the pitch, finding Sapong in the heart of the Dutch Lions defense. Sapong immediately fed it back to O’Connor behind the Dayton backline, with the midfielder converting for the 2-1 lead.

Orlando City SC — Photo : Alex Schierholtz

Dayton’s Shintaro Harada, who was shown a yellow card for a tactical foul in the 42^nd minute, was given his second at the start of the second half for the Dutch Lions after the same type of professional takedown – putting the home side down to a disadvantage of 10 men for the rest of the match.

Despite the man down, Dayton equalized off of a penalty kick in the 59^th minute. A handball was called on the Orlando backline inside the 18-yard box, awarding the penalty opportunity. Dutch Lion Joel DeLass took the opportunity in the 57^th minute, with it being called back due to early movement on the home team side. DeLass calmly converted the second attempt a minute later, tying the match at 2-2.

The Lions answered with a penalty conversion of their own, with Sapong scoring his first goal for Orlando in the 66^th minute. Dutch Lion Goalkeeper Williams fumbled a long ball played in, pushing off Sapong as the forward attempted to take away possession. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year slotted it past Williams, giving Orlando the 3-2 advantage.

Dayton’s final goal occurred in the 89^thminute, with a well-played volley from substitute Brandon Swartzendruber beating Kempin in the upper right hand corner to tie the match at 3-3. Despite a few late chances by Orlando, the match ended at the same 3-3 scoreline.

Orlando continues play on the road this Wednesday, July 17, against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium. The two squads have yet to meet in 2013, with the Lions holding a 2-0-2 record all time against the Riverhounds. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. EST. For more information on the upcoming away game in Pittsburgh and Orlando’s next home game on Saturday, July 20, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com.

Orlando City SC Match Recap:

Team 1 2 Final

Orlando City 2 1 3

Dayton Dutch Lions 1 2 3

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Dennis Chin (unassisted) 24^th

DDL- Shintaro Harada (unassisted) 35^th

ORL- James O’Connor (C.J. Sapong) 43^rd

DDL- Joel Delass (penalty) 59^th

ORL- C.J. Sapong (penalty) 66^th

DAY- Brandon Swartzendruber (unassisted) 88^th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin; D Renan Boufleur, Rob Valentino, Erik Ustruck, Luke Boden; M James O’Connor, Anthony Pulis, Adama Mbengue, Jamie Watson (Jonathan Mendoza 55’); F C.J. Sapong, Dennis Chin (Long Tan 61’)

Dayton- GK Matthew Williams, D Taylor Lord, Brock Granger (Eric Kissinger 77’), Gregory Preciado, Shane Smith (Remco Kiaasse 46’), M Joel DeLass, Shintaro Harada, Irakll Khutsidze (Joseph Broekhulzen 85’), F Tjeerd Westdijk, Gibson Bardsley (Joseph Madigan 64’), Thomas Garner (Brandon Swartzendruber 88’)

Penalty Summary:

DDL- Shintaro Harada-42^nd (Yellow)

DDL- Shintaro Harada-47^th (2^nd Yellow/Red)

DDL- Matthew Williams- 66^th (Yellow)

DDL- Brock Granger- 74^th (Yellow)

ORL- Rob Valentino- 75^th (Yellow)

ORL- Anthony Pulis- 86^th (Yellow)

DDL- Tjeerd Westdijk- 90^th (Yellow)

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 6:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Clear

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com and OrlandoCityYouth.org.

What Is That Disney Vacation Club Kiosk About?

Stopping at the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) kiosk, what happens next:

Most guests just walk by the kiosks, you’ve decided to stop and see so what is this all about. Disney’s Vacation Club program is a timeshare but not your typical timeshare.

The sales person at the kiosk will have photos of the current models.. They can answer some questions you may have. Next, you can decide to take a tour or walk away. If you decide to take a tour, the sales person will escort you to the front of the park and a van will be ready to take you to the preview center.

At the preview center, there will be snacks and drinks. There is also a kids club available so your kids don’t need to take the tour with you. You’ll be introduced to another sales person. You’ll get name tags and a tour of the models of the current hotels they are selling.

After your tour, you will get a sales talk.

This includes pricing, along with the features of buying directly from Disney. Yes, there are other ways of buying DVC called resales, we plan to discuss this in a future blog post.

What else can you get by taking a tour?
Offers vary, in the past they have offered gift cards, fast passes or limited pins.
There also will likely be a buying incentive offered.

What is the price of DVC?
As an example 160 Vacation Points Per Year Costs are based on a cash purchase of a real estate interest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas:
One-Time Purchase Price: $24,000
Closing Costs: Approximately $424.50 2013
Annual Dues: (Dues for future years will vary.) $907.20 or $75.60 per month
Transaction Fee: (For vacations to destinations other than our Disney Vacation Club Resorts) $95 per transaction
You receive 160 Vacation Points each year of Membership. Disney Vacation Points are very flexible, you decide when you want to go , how long you want to stay and what type of room you want. Your vacation points will end in 2042 or 2057 depending on what location you buy.

Here is an easier way of explaining this:
When you buy you will need a downpayment.
After your down payment you will have 2 future payments.
Your first payment is your loan payment which will typically last 10 years.
Your next payment is your dues payment, you can pay this annually or monthly.

Do you have to have a loan?
No, if you’ve got the money you can pay it all upfront.

Do you have to pay dues?
Yes, dues are needed for upkeep, transportation and other needs.

What does DVC get me?
Basically I think of DVC as a forced savings plan. It gets you enough points to stay at Disney on property once a year or once every other year. You stay on site and get amenities better than most hotel rooms. (unless you are in a studio)

Can I use DVC in other states where there is no Disney?
Yes Disney has a partnership with RCI Timeshare system. Do your math, since your 160 points are basically worth $12 per point.

Can I rent out my points?
Yes, we plan on discussing this in a future article.

What is a home resort and why is it important?
Your home resort (in My case Boardwalk villas) gets you 11 month access to book before other resorts (example Aulani)

Lets use my upcoming trip to California as an example: I wasn’t able to get in for some of the days I needed because I had to wait until 7 months before. I am offsite for some of my trip because the Grand Californian was unavailable.
In some cases this may cause you to transfer resorts or choose another resort.

Wait: You live 15 minutes from Disney and still own DVC. Why??
I bought DVC back when I lived in Massachusetts in 1999. My first loan for 170 points is paid off. I pay my dues monthly and I feel its affordable. I enjoy not having to save up. In my case I save up to visit family and friends.

How do you use your DVC?
My husband has the running bug so we use it for races:
I am using 124 points to stay from Sept 2 – 6 in a 1 bedroom at Disney’s Grand Californian.
I am using 22 points from Sept 6 -7 in a studio at Disney’s Grand Californian.

What if I don’t use my points or need more points?
You can bank and borrow points.

How does banking work?
You must banks your point by a certain time. If you miss your banking deadline. You must use them (yes this includes renting them) or lose them.

How does borrowing work?
If you are short points you can borrow from the next year.
Borrowing is a final transaction and borrowed points can’t be banked if you cancel.
If you cancel using borrowed points the points must be used or they get lost.

What if I cancel?
I don’t suggest canceling but If you cancel before 30 days your points go back to their current use year. Depending on your use year you can bank your points and/or book another vacation.

If you cancel between 30 -1 days your points go into holding. I don’t recommend this.
Holding points have very restrictive rules.
Get travel insurance. DVC offers this, as do other services.

Use year? What is a use year?
When you buy, you can be assigned a certain month or request a certain month.
Your points will be deposited into your account each year on that month.
My use year is March: On March 1st 2013 I got 170 points to use and I must use them by Feb 28 2014.

Does DVC ever make exceptions to the rules?
I have heard of where DVC has extended things in special cases, I do not recommend relying on these stories.

Make sure you have your plans set and get travel insurance if you want to totally be covered.

I have more questions, who do I contact?
You can ask me and I will try to answer the best I can.

You can get the DVC dvd from DVC or stop at a kiosk and ask.
DVC has a website at http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com

What do you get if I buy?
Readers can use my name as a referral.
I will get a benefit from Disney if you buy.
You can also choose not to use me. The choice is there.

LeSportsac Giveaway Reminder!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Don’t forget that you can enter to win this Disney It’s A Small World LeSportsac purse every day!!!

The LeSportsac purse we will be giving away is a Molly purse which is a great size at 9 x 14 x 7.5 in, 22.86 x 35.56 x 19.05 cm, and is a very special purse to the collection as it wasn’t a part of the initial release! The Molly purse has a ton of usable space featuring a zipped closure main compartment, exterior front and back snap closure compartments, a cell phone pocket in front compartment, and zipper pocket in back compartment. Since this is a sample bag it does not come with a matching zip closure pouch, but does come with the pattern’s Mary Doll Charm.

There are just a few days left, so don’t let the chance to win pass you by!

Disney Interactive Invites Fans To Explore Interactive Storytelling at D23 Expo

Disney Interactive invites fans to play, discover, and explore the future of Interactive Storytelling

at Disney’s D23 Expo, August 9-11, 2013

Division to offer sneak peek at un-announced projects, including Arena presentation with exclusive performances, reveals and D23 Disney Infinity giveaway

Disney Interactive is inviting fans to experience the latest digital offerings from Disney at the D23 Expo, August 9–11, giving fans hands-on experiences, first-look presentations, and exclusive D23 Expo giveaways. With an unprecedented lineup of upcoming games and products, including Disney Infinity, Fantasia: Music Evolved and more, Disney Interactive is turning up the excitement with its largest D23 Expo presence ever including a show floor pavilion, daily presentations, and the D23 Expo Arena.

Arena Presentation: On Sunday, August 11, fans won’t want to miss “To Infinity and Beyond: Disney Interactive Takes the Stage,” Disney Interactive’s first ever D23 Expo Arena Presentation. Kicking off at noon, Disney Interactive Co-Presidents, Jimmy Pitaro and John Pleasants, host an inside look at the division’s upcoming slate of games, apps, and online shows including:

The world premiere of Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story, the highly anticipated upcoming web series based on the Vinylmation franchise.
An Expo-exclusive demo of the just-announced video game Fantasia: Music Evolved, complete with a live performance from the Disney Chamber Ensemble.
Disney Infinity will pull out all the stops with several surprises fans won’t want to miss, including un-announced character reveals, brand new game features and an exclusive giveaway of a never-before-seen Disney Infinity figure for every fan in the audience!

Pavilion Experience: Located in Hall B, the Disney Interactive pavilion lets Guests step into the world of interactive storytelling through hands-on experiences with the latest games and products from Disney Interactive. Gamers, fans and families will have the opportunity to discover Disney Interactive’s upcoming digital innovations bringing them closer to the characters and stories they love on the platforms and devices they use every day.

Just days before Disney Infinity arrives in stores, attendees will be among the first to experience the new gaming platform that lets fans play in the worlds of their favorite Disney and DisneyPixar films.
Fans can assume the role of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in the upcoming game Fantasia: Music Evolved and transform classic and contemporary music through motion-controlled movement like never before.
Guests can join the “D23 Expo Story Scavenger Hunt” by using Disney’s new personal storytelling app, Story, to share their favorite memories and moments from this year’s expo to win great prizes throughout the weekend.
Attendees will have the chance to demo an un-announced premium tablet experience which gives Guests unprecedented access to Disney’s rich heritage.
Catch exclusive trailers and sneak peeks from the latest online shows like Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story, apps, and games at the Disney Interactive Main Stage.

With exclusive collectible giveaways, still-to-be-announced panels and presentations, and first looks at the Fall’s hottest digital products, Guests won’t want to miss the surprises Disney Interactive has up its sleeve. Visit www.D23Expo.com and DisneyInteractive.tumblr.com for more updates leading up to the D23 Expo 2013.

About Disney Interactive

Disney Interactive is one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality interactive entertainment across all current and emerging digital media platforms. Products and content released and operated by Disney Interactive include blockbuster mobile and console games, online virtual worlds, and No. 1-ranked web destinations Disney.com and the Moms and Family network of websites.

About D23 Expo 2013

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit www.D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website with members-only content at D23.com; and member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9–11, 2013.

Fans can join D23 for free at www.D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Orlando City SC Defeats Charleston Battery

Watson Scores Brace, Lions Top Battery 2-1 Thursday Night

Club breaks mid-week attendance record with 8,729 fans at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl

Orlando City SC (10-2-4, 37 points) downed the visiting Charleston Battery (7-3-6, 27 points) 2-1 Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl in front of a club mid-week record crowd of 8,729 fans. Jamie Watson scored a goal in each of the halves to propel the Lions to a crucial home win in USL PRO play, moving Orlando further ahead in the league table.

“It’s a huge relief to get this tonight,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “After losing players and a few past results it was important to get three points.”

The Lions fielded a starting lineup that featured all four Sporting loanees, including Defender Kevin Ellis and Forward C.J. Sapong- who arrived in Central Florida earlier in the afternoon.

The early parts of the first 45 minutes were a back and forth affair between the two sides, with Orlando attacking in pockets behind Sapong and team-leading scorer Jamie Watson. Those pockets continued to open up, with the Lions capitalizing on a well-played series in the 29^th minute.

After a Charleston attack, Defender Rob Valentino began the series by clearing out the Battery offensive, finding loanee and 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year Sapong at the mid stripe. The striker then nodded the pass to fellow Sporting KC player Christian Duke, who played a through ball to a charging Watson. Watson then slotted his attempt in the lower right-hand corner past Battery Goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper for the 1-0 advantage.

The second half began with Charleston on the offensive, with the Lions backline clearing out multiple early chances by the South Carolina based side. Charleston equalized in the 55^th minute, with a Jose Cuevas goal putting the match at 1-1. Battery Forward Dane Kelley set up the strike, finding Cuevas in open space inside the 18-yard box for the goal.

The Lions’ pace picked up after allowing the score, controlling possession while creating more opportunities as the second half progressed. Sapong created Orlando’s next scoring chance, with the striker getting tripped up while making a run just inside the penalty area- awarding the Lions a penalty kick. Watson took the attempt, converting past Cooper, despite the goalkeeper guessing correctly to give Orlando the 2-1 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes of the match.

Despite some late chances by the visiting side, Orlando held strong while keeping the scoreline at 2-1- gaining three valuable points at home with the win.

Orlando takes to the road for their next two matches, playing away at the Dayton Dutch Lions and Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 17, respectively. Dayton currently stands in 7^th in the USL PRO table with a record of 7-4-5 (26 points) while Pittsburgh is three spots behind in 10^th with a mark of 5-6-6 (17 points). Orlando has taken on Dayton once in 2013, topping the visiting Dutch Lions 4-0 back on April 27. The Lions and Riverhounds have yet to face this season.

Both matches will be streamed live on USLNation.com, with Sunday’s match kicking off at 6:30 p.m. EST. For more information on the upcoming away matches and Orlando’s next home game on Saturday, July 20, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com.

Orlando City Match Recap:

Team 1 2 Final

Orlando City 1 1 2

Charleston Battery 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

ORL–Jamie Watson (Christian Duke) 29^th

CHB-Jose Cuevas (Dane Kelley) 55^th

ORL-Jamie Watson (penalty) 70^th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Luke Boden, Renan Boufleur, Rob Valentino, Kevin Ellis, M James O’Connor, Christian Duke, Freddie Braun (Jonathan Mendoza 55^’), F Long Tan (Dennis Chin 62’), Jamie Watson (Erik Ustruck 84’), C.J. Sapong

Charleston Battery- GK Odisnel Cooper, D Emmanuel Adjetey, Colin Falvey, Kenneth Ellison (Taylor Mueller 83’), John Wilson, M Jarad van Shaik (Haviel Cordoves 75’), Nicholas Patterson, Michael Azira, F Jose Cuevas (Bryce Alderson 71’), Quinton Griffith, Dane Kelley

Penalty Summary:

CHB– Kenneth Ellison (Yellow) 25^th

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Overcast

Attendance: 8,729

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pream has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com and OrlandoCityYouth.org.

Poster Art of the Disney Parks book review

Poster Art of the Disney Parks was a book I knew I must have as soon as I heard it was announced. I have always loved the classic travel posters one used to find in travel agents’ offices and I even have some in my own home. This amazing book is the work of Imagineers Danny Handke and Vanessa Hunt, but includes plenty of history of quotes and artwork from Disney legends to satisfy any Disney history aficionado. You’ll find an introduction from recently retired Imagineer Tony Baxter, as well as artwork from likes of Rolly Crump, X. Atencio and Herb Ryman.

The book features poster art from dozens of attractions starting with concept artwork for Disneyland from the 1950s and going up to the newly refurbished Disney California Adventure in 2012. In addition to the two California Disney parks, included are posters from the Walt Disney World parks here in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland as well as Tokyo DisneySea. It is great to read about the history of how the parks started and how Walt Disney wanted to invite guests into the park like he was welcoming them to a theatre show.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter One, Here You Leave Today:

“The Imagineers looked to several different poster styles for inspiration, including national park, military recruitment, magic show, WPA (Works Progress Administration), and World’s Fair posters. The final result was heavily influenced by graphic artist Bjorn Aronson, who had experience designing travel posters before coming to WED Enterprises (WED, the initials for Walter Elias Disney, was the name Walt originally coined for Walt Disney Imagineering in 1952.) Travel posters were large, silk-screened graphics desplayed at train depots, bus stations, and airports that could be read quickly and easily in a fast-paced society. The style involved a well-balanced arrangement of flat colors with an emphasis on light and shadows. Aronson designed several of the original attraction posters in 1955 and 1956 with this approach. These posters were consistent in style and themed to their represented lands and time periods. The silk-screening printing technique helped make these large posters bright, colorful, and more importantly, attention grabbing.”

As I read through the book and admired the poster art, I found myself gravitated to the artwork of Bjorn Aronson more and more. It seems I have seen more of his posters than any of the other artists in the book, and to me they represent the clean aesthetics of mid-century modern. Perhaps you’ve seen his work, and haven’t even known it. Some of his original artwork inspired the recent Churro shirts produced by DesignerLand’s Richard Terpstra. Look at the original poster art and you will see the similarities.

Poster Art that inspired the churro shirt

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite attractions in Disneyland

I also love how you can see poster art for attractions through the years and their changes. It is interesting that some of the Matterhorn posters from Disneyland show it in Tomorrowland and others in Fantasyland. The artwork does welcome you to the show in the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland as you enter under the train station. This is to show you, much like coming attraction posters at a movie theater, what lies ahead. It is a great way to whet the appetite of guests and show all the amazing experiences in store.

Sinbad's Storybook Voyage featuring Chandu the Tiger — Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage featuring Chandu the Tiger

The book also takes you through the process of making a poster and how you add one color at a time to the silk-screening process. I enjoy how interviews with the artists and Imagineers are interspersed with the incredible, and often full page, color posters throughout the book. The glimpse into the design process is fascinating to me and I appreciate all the work that goes into something that the average guest will only see for a few seconds at most.

Red Car Trolley poster inspiring the shirt

Of the newer artists of poster art, I tend to appreciate the work of Greg Maletic. His newest work can be seen in the fantastic posters for the reimagined Disney California Adventure. In the book Greg talks about how he drew inspiration from each of the corresponding decades that the attractions he was designing posters for came from. The Red Car Trolley poster to the left inspired the shirt I got last summer, which you can see in my collection here. For instance, Grizzly River Run he said was supposed to evoke the feeling of a 1930s National Park Service poster. Cars Land, on the other hand, came straight out of the car culture that was burgeoning across America, and of course Route 66, in the 1950s. I love how his work is reminiscent of Bjorn Aronson’s, but distinct enough to be Maletic’s own style.

Poster Art of the Disney Parks is a great book for anyone who is a fan of Disney art, parks, or history. This is a unique peek behind the curtain to see some of what Imagineering does and their creative process. I could not be happier with this book as it was everything I was hoping for and more. It is so gorgeous at around 150 pages, including many of those full page color posters. Looking through the book again, I realized I had seen some of these original Disneyland attraction posters at One Man’s Dream in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can see my previous post about them here. If you haven’t had a chance to pick this book up, I would encourage you to do so. I have seen it for sale in the parks and also on Amazon. Do you have this fantastic book already? What are some of your favorite elements?

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sneak Preview “Taste Your Way Around The World”

Tables in Wonderland Food & Wine Festival Special Event

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sneak Preview “Taste Your Way Around The World”

Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot^®

Saturday July 27, 2013 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Price: $133.13, tax and gratuity included

Counting down the days to the Festival? Looking forward to international marketplaces featuring tasty tapas-sized dishes and refreshing beverages? Eager to try your hand at mixology? Ready for some Culinary Demonstrations? Excited to enjoy an exhilarating outdoor concert?

With the 18^th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival just around the corner, we would like to invite Tables in Wonderland members only to a “sneak preview” of this year’s Festival! Join us as we sample the food and hear speakers talk about the new and exciting things we have in store for you this year! Learn what new marketplaces will be added, as well as new special events. Be one of the first to be “in the know” as we taste our way around the world!

Please visit the following website www.disneyurl.com/SneakPreview for self-booking and instant confirmation.

The website will go live and begin taking reservations on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 10:00am.

When you go to the website please have the following information ready:

Tables in Wonderland Ticket Number (number beginning with a W and includes a date)
First and Last Name of everyone in your party (you may purchase up to 10 tickets)
Home address
Phone number
Credit Card Number
Billing Address of the Credit Card
Personal Email Address
Food Allergies (if any)

Things to note about this event:

The event is limited to 150 Guests, and is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members. Park admission not required.

The menu for this event is inspired by the International Marketplaces:

Buffet Reception:

Florida Local: Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with White Cheddar and Sweet & Hot Pickles
South Korea: Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce and Kimchi

Terra: The Vegan Vine Red Blend
Cheese: Once Upon a Vine’s The Fairest Chardonnay
Brazil: Carnaval Moscato White Sparkling
Craft Beers: Sierra Nevada, Torpedo® Extra IPA
Poland: Frozen Szarlotka (Frozen Polish Apple Pie) featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

Plated Dinner

Appetizer

Brazil: Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro

Brazil: Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery, Xingu Black Beer

Salad

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival Rewind
Florida Fresh: Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction

Florida Local: Florida Orange Groves Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria

Entrée

Canada: “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce
Scotland: Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
With Baby Root Vegetables

Africa: The Wolftrap Red (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier)
New Zealand: Mohua Sauvignon Blanc

Dessert Trio from Desserts & Champagne:

Chocolate Orange Cupcake
Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse

Desserts & Champagne: Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé

Soft Drinks, Water, Coffee, Tea

If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, which you have not already told us about, please send an email to WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@disney.com to give us time to accommodate your needs.

Wordless Wednesday – Prayer Ribbons

Wordless Wednesday – July 10, 2013

WWE NXT Ticket Giveaway!

Don’t miss “The Showoff,” WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler, appearing live during the SOLD OUT July 11, 2013 WWE NXT taping at Full Sail University.

This very special WWE NXT evening will include NXT Champion Bo Dallas, NXT Tag Team Champions Luke Harper and Erick Rowan from The Wyatt Family, the NXT Divas and more.

It’s crazy quick, but we have four (4) general admission tickets to the WWE NXT July 11, 2013, sold out show to give away!!!

Entering to win is SUPER easy!

Mandatory: Leave a comment letting us know why you’re a wrestling fan!
Extra Entry: Follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter and leave a comment that you do
Extra Entry: Follow On the Go in MCO on Facebook and leave a comment that you do
Extra Entry: Subscribe to the On the Go in MCO YouTube Channel and leave a comment that you do
Extra Entry: Follow us On the Go in MCO on Pinterest and leave a comment that you do

Winners will be chosen at random and entries must be in by July 10, 2013 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced by July 11, 2013 at 7:00 am and will be able to pick up their tickets at will call with a valid ID from the Full Sail Live Box Office, 141 University Park Dr., Winter Park, FL 32792.

Congratulations Mark Bate for winning the WWE NXT tickets!!! Thanks to everyone who entered our ticket giveaway!!!

For future NXT event ticket sales, purchases of tickets for future WWE/NXT tapings will be made available at the end of each event inside Full Sail Live or online. And it’s important to know that tickets and seating for this event will be made available on a first come, first served basis.

For some of our favorite tips about attending a WWE NXT taping, check out Mike’s post!

Proceeds from ticket contributions benefit the Full Sail / WWE Scholarship Fund.

Disney Consumer Products At Disney’s D23 Expo 2013

Disney Consumer Products Takes Fans On Journey From Sketch to Shelf At Disney’s D23 Expo 2013

Disney’s Ultimate Fans to Enjoy Access to Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content and Merchandise

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney’s most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel and Star Wars timeless characters during the bi-annual D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan event. Held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Aug. 9-11, 2013, Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures and final product displays.

While at the D23 Expo fans will also be able to immerse themselves in exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, special signing opportunities and exclusive product offerings at the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion.

Disney Consumer Products’ exciting lineup of events and attractions includes:

Celebrating Disney, Marvel and Star Wars

Disney Junior Fun Spot – Get a sneak peek of brand-new toys before they hit store shelves this fall and enjoy special giveaways while supplies last.

Disney Princess Ariel-Themed Sephora Pop-up Shop – Sephora Pro artists and manicurists will give attendees the royal treatment with products from the Disney Ariel Collection by Sephora. The collection will be available for purchase along with an exclusive-to-D23 Expo-only Swarovski crystal-encrusted Ariel compact mirror. Attendees will receive starfish hair clips with every complimentary beauty service each day, while supplies last.

The Mystical World of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen – See feature animation art concepts, storyboards, unreleased film clips, and products from the mystical world of Frozen, the daring comedy-adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios releasing in November 2013.

Steamboat Willie Redux – Celebrate the history and timelessness of the most cherished Disney character through this graphically re-interpreted mash-up of the pioneering 1928 cartoon short, Steamboat Willie.

Spider-Man’s Ultimate Innovation – Come check out products on the cutting edge of product innovation and design featuring one of the most popular Super Heroes in the world, Spider-Man, in Marvel’s first-ever appearance in the DCP showcase at the D23 Expo.

Star Wars at D23 Expo! – For the first time at the D23 Expo Star Wars fans can have access to experiences created for them by Lucasfilm and Disney. Darth Vader: The Evolution of a Villain, located in the DCP pavilion, showcases the development of the iconic villain from early concepts to striking realization. Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101, presented by Lucasfilm’s resident authority Pablo Hidalgo at Stage 23, will give Star Wars newbies and experts alike a thorough grounding in all matters of the Force and the Star Wars legacy.

Fans will have the opportunity to participate in other immersive experiences, including: Find Your Voice with The Little Mermaid, a karaoke experience celebrating the music from the film; Journey through the Art of Tink, a gallery where Disney artists, designers, illustrators, and animators from around the world have re-imagined our magical, sassy and feisty fairy, Tinker Bell; What Makes a Puppet a Muppet?, which will help fans learn what it takes to create a Muppets “plush” and then create your own; Take a Ride with Disney•Pixar’s World of Cars and Disney’s Planes, which explains how the highly collectible diecast vehicles are made; Assembling The Avengers Franchise, an exclusive tour through the history of The Avengers and the chance to see the latest The Avengers products; and I heart Mickey & Minnie, a rarely seen collection of beloved Mickey Mouse toys, apparel, and accessories from past decades, along with a showcase of Minnie Mouse-inspired fashions from around the globe.

Disney Store

D23 Members attending the Expo are invited to attend the Disney Store signature store opening ceremony to “Unlock Imagination”, each morning at 9 a.m. at the Convention Center, when the D23 Expo floor opens for members. The 1,800-square-foot Disney Store retail space will be packed with the latest D23 Expo merchandise created by Disney Store and will feature guest artist signings. In addition, guests will find an array of products not yet available to the public, including a Disney∙Pixar capsule collection, which will bring together multiple characters from Disney∙Pixar’s cherished portfolio of films for the first time ever.

Presentations from Disney Store on the Disney Consumer Products Workshop Stage include:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection – Guest artist signing with Gerald Mendez and Jessica Fuchs (Friday, Aug. 9 – 10:15-11:15 a.m.)

The Art of Ariel – Special guest artist signing with Gerald Mendez, Enrique Pita, Quincy Sutton, and Steve Thompson (Saturday, Aug. 10 – 10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)

Artist Series Two – On Sunday, Disney Store will launch Artist Series Two, a collection of merchandise with artwork created by Disney Store artists and will host a guest artist signing on stage with Robert Farrell, John T. Quinn III, Jeff Shelly, and Becky Wong (Saturday, Aug. 10 – 2 p.m.-3 p.m.)

Disney Publishing
Disney Publishing will take fans into the world of books, apps and everything in between by showcasing how artists, storytelling and innovative content combined creates stories full of magic and adventure. Guests can participate in live readings with Fairy Godmother on Friday, watch artists behind popular Disney stories sketch live on Saturday and get their hair styled like a Disney Princess by Sephora on Sunday with the help of the Disney Princess Royal Salon app. New books and never-before-seen lithographs featuring Peter Pan, Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty will be available for sale inside the booth.

Disney Publishing’s Stage 28 presentations and signings include:

Ridley Pearson and The Kingdom Keepers Insider App Quest – New York Times best-selling author Ridley Pearson embarks on a journey to write the seventh and final book in the Kingdom Keepers series—only this time, his readers are helping him write it! Join the author as he reveals how deception and betrayal rock the Kingdom Keepers’ world as the merciless group of Overtakers (Disney villains) stage an unexpected comeback (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Signing: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., Talent Round Up).

Dave Bossert Remembers Roy E. Disney with special guest Roy P. Disney – Dave Bossert and Roy P. Disney will share stories, drawings and candid photos found in Bossert’s new book Remembering Roy E. Disney: Memories and Photos of a Storied Life (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Signing: 2:45 – 3:45, The Dream Store).

Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar Presents…Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms – Disney Legend Marty Sklar will take guests through a presentation based on his new memoir—one that recounts his epic Disney adventure, including working as Walt’s literary right-hand man for the Disney Parks, writing a film expressing Walt’s philosophy for the Walt Disney World project and Epcot and opening nine of the 11 Disney parks around the world (Presentation: Friday, Aug. 9 – 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Signing: 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Talent Round Up).

Tickets and pricing information for D23 Expo 2013 are available at D23Expo.com Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on admission, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests. More details about D23 Expo entertainment, events, and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting D23Expo.com or by following “DisneyD23” on Twitter and Facebook.

About D23 Expo 2013
The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit www.D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; and member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9–11, 2013.

Fans can join D23 at www.D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world’s largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into consumers’ homes with products they can enjoy year-round. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities: Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, magazines, and digital products and also includes an English language learning business, consisting of more than 40 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental learning book program. DPW’s growing library of digital products includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps that leverage Disney content in innovative ways. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe, and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide and is known for providing consumers with high-quality, unique products. Disney’s official shopping portals online are www.DisneyStore.com and www.DisneyStore.co.uk. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products www.DisneyConsumerProducts.com or follow us at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving, www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving, www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving and http://www.Pinterest.com/DisneyLiving.

LeSportsac It’s A Small World Purse Giveaway!!!

Hi, my name is Shelley and I am a purse addict.

Seven Months ago, Dave got me a LeSportsac It’s A Small World Purse and cosmetic case in the London Pattern for the holidays and I was hooked!

What really drew me to the LeSportsac purses is that they are super light-weight, durable, and come in sizes and shapes that are extremely practical while still being stylish.

Above all else, is that these LeSportsac It’s A Small World purses are inspired by Mary Blair’s artwork for the attraction. The colors, whimsical patterns, and playful doll charms all are such special touches that make these purses special to me.

As a tribute to the original It’s a Small World Attraction at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these LeSportsac It’s A Small World bags are donated to UNICEF. And each product in this line comes with information about both UNICEF and the original It’s A Small World exhibit.

Every season they are releasing a new pattern featuring a fun new design from the It’s A Small World attraction, and I was sent a few LeSportsac bags to review.

I was sent the Spring 2013 Holland Blooming Joy Kasey and Medium Weekender Bag which I can’t wait to take to Disneyland for my first visit for the D23 Expo! The bags feature great zip closures and compartments that will make my travels more organized and fun! I love how it’s just enough ‘Disney’ without looking cartoon like.

The Deluxe Shoulder Satchel in the Around the World pattern is also a great bag for park visits and beyond, because while it is on the smaller side of purses in the line at 7.5 x 11.75 x 5 it is full of usable space and pockets with zip closures. The white background and colorful designs really scream summer to me!

And now for the fun part!!!

We are super excited to giveaway a LeSportsac It’s A Small World purse in the Summer 2013 Around the World Pattern.

The purse we will be giving away is a Molly purse which is a great size at 9 x 14 x 7.5 in, 22.86 x 35.56 x 19.05 cm, and is a very special purse to the collection as it wasn’t a part of the initial release! The Molly purse has a ton of usable space featuring a zipped closure main compartment, exterior front and back snap closure compartments, a cell phone pocket in front compartment, and zipper pocket in back compartment. Since this is a sample bag it does not come with a matching zip closure pouch, but does come with the pattern’s Mary Doll Charm.

Entering our giveaway is super easy, but make sure that you read all the details as there are ways to earn extra entries every day!

Good luck and we are looking forward to bringing you more LeSportsac giveaways in the future!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Take On Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2

Come For The Minions, Stay For The Story

I was able to attend a media preview of Despicable Me 2, and I cannot tell you how happy I was to be able to see this movie!

In Despicable Me 2 we meet up again with the Gru (Steve Carrell), Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Agnes (Elsie Fisher), Edith (Dana Gaier), Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), and of course the minions as they have settled into a more…domestic style life.

Gone are Gru’s days of villainy, and here to stay are days of fathering, running a more respectable business, and tailoring his gadgets and minions to create a lifestyle of fun and ease for the family.

httpv://youtu.be/U5Ou90w5lDc

But as time passes Gru finds himself looking for more, and is recruited in a not so traditional way by Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) of the Anti-Villain League to help crack a tough case.

And while Gru deals with the job of solving the case, he find finds himself facing his fears of the girls growing up, the evil that is boys, his mixed emotions of missing his past life, and falling in love.

Despicable Me 2 has a story that is quick to draw you in, to make you laugh, to reflect, and to even cry.

The new characters that join in the story of Despicable Me 2 blend in seamlessly, and as always the minions are there to keep things super fun and help move the plot along. There are definitely more minions, and they play an even larger part in the movie and that is okay with me!

If you haven’t had the chance to go to see Despicable Me 2 in the theaters, what are you waiting for? This is definitely a movie that you will want (and probably in my case have) to see more than once with a smile on your face!

Orlando City SC Draw Against Charleston Battery

Orlando City SC Lions Score First, Hold Off Charleston in 1-1 Draw

Orlando Takes Key Point Away From Home Despite Playing Man Down in Final 27 Minutes

Orlando City SC (10-2-4, 34 points) played to a 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery (7-2-6, 27 points) at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., Friday night. After having a goal advantage early in the second half, the Lions went down a man – allowing a last-minute score to even the match at 1-1.

An unlucky challenge got the game off on the wrong foot for the Lions, with Winger Bryan Burke going off the pitch due to an apparent leg injury in the 8^th minute of play. His status will be evaluated early next week.

Sporting Kansas City loanee and Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who was making his first start in league play in just under a month, made key saves for the Lions to keep the score line even early. One of those saves was in the 18^th minute, with Battery Midfielder Michael Azira blasting a shot inside the 18-yard box only to be deflected out of danger by the Kansas native.

The goalkeeper continued to play at a high level throughout the first half, keeping Charleston scoreless despite multiple chances by the opponent’s frontline in the later part of the first half.

After the break, the Orlando offense turned up the heat-with the Lions capitalizing in the 56^th minute of play. After earning a corner kick, Defender Luke Boden whipped in an attempt, finding Rob Valentino on the volley for the 1-0 advantage.

Despite the 1-0 lead, the Lions went down to 10 men after Midfielder Adama Mbengue was shown a straight red card with a challenge on the Battery in the 63^rd minute of play. The man-down put Orlando at a disadvantage for the rest of the match, with Charleston capitalizing in the final minutes of regulation.

The Battery came on the offensive in the final parts of the match, attacking open spaces in the Orlando backline. The Charleston side knocked it even in the 89^th minute, with Haviel Cordoves’ shot deflecting past Kempin to even the score line at 1-1. The Lions held off another late charge by the home team, taking a key point away from Orlando in the draw.

With the result, Orlando stretches their lead atop the league table over second-place Harrisburg City Islanders (31 points) by a full three points.

Orlando returns home for a rematch against the Battery on Thursday, July 11, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. For more information on the upcoming Charleston match, including ticket prices and more, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.

Orlando City Match Recap:

Team 1 2 Final

Orlando City 0 1 1

Charleston Battery 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Rob Valentino (Luke Boden) 56^th

CRL- Haviel Cordoves (unassisted) 89^th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Bryan Burke (Erik Ustruck 9’), Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, Renan Boufleur, M Jonathan Mendoza (Brian Fekete 77’), Anthony Pulis, Adama Mbengue, James O’Connor (Freddie Braun 46’), F Dennis Chin (Long Tan 77’), Jamie Watson (Christian Duke 45’)

Charleston Battery- GK Odisnel Cooper, D Mark Wiltse, Colin Falvey, Kenneth Ellison (Haviel Cordoves 73’), Emmanuel Adjetey, M Jarad Van Schaik (Bryce Alderson 69’), Quinton Griffith (Zachary Prince 81’), Nicholas Paterson, Michael Azira, F Jose Cuevas, Dane Kelley

Penalty Summary:

ORL- Adama Mbengue (Red) 63^rd

CRL- Nicholas Paterson (Yellow) 81^st

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Clear

Attendance: 4,387

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

A Silver Bullet Review of The Lone Ranger

Yesterday was July 4th, and I found it or that while I was standing in the middle of the Magic Kingdom that my only goal was to head over to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and get myself a root beer slush. Admittedly it was a fairly hot day, but that wasn’t why I was getting the drink. What I wanted was the mug that it came in, shaped like a boot, and stamped with the logo for the newly released Disney film The Lone Ranger and the image of a Texas Ranger badge. For the longest time, I’ve been a fan of the character, and his history. As a child I had a spray-painted silver bullet on my desk, had made myself my own Halloween costume (that got worn more often), and was even a Texas Rangers fan. So I’ll just apologize upfront if this seems biased.

The legend of the Lone Ranger goes back to a 1933 radio show which was one of the most popular of all time. It has since gone on to produce a highly successful television program, a series of books, comic books, other movie treatments, merchandising, etc. It’s safe to say that for 80 years this character has never not made money in some capacity. And in 2007 the Weinstein brothers, after having left Disney, found themselves planning to buy the rights to the Lone Ranger for use in the home video market – only to see the company that was selling it to them snatched up by Dreamworks before this could happen.

Eventually, with the help of Jerry Bruckheimer, the movie was set up at Disney. The first script treatment had had an extreme supernatural overtone, trying to play off the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I’m not kidding, there were werewolves. Elements of this original script were brought forward into the final product and can be found very obviously imbued into nature of the characters of Tonto and Butch Cavendish primarily, and to a lesser extent that of the main character John Reid. In 2010, after the idea was on the verge of being scrapped, Gore Verbinski steps into the picture, and production kicked into high gear. While Johnny Depp had been signed to the project back in 2008, they needed their Ranger, and Armie Hammer was signed to do so.

In my time as a fan I’ve read, watched, or listened to more than a dozen different version of the origin story of the Lone Ranger, and I have to say that this movie, The Lone Ranger, is a very fresh adaptation. If you look closely it has so much of what has been brought before in it. The Ranger is the lawman seeking justice, more literally as a lawyer. Tonto is still the guide, taking a more spiritual bent. And Butch Cavendish is as vile, rotten, and disgusting as he should be, adding a new bent that wasn’t too hard to… swallow (do you see what I did there). A few of the twists in the movie are nicely done, especially the reveal – which is only lightly telegraphed. There are still mines of silver and even nephew Dan as a future sidekick is alluded to.

For 22 (or more) minutes of the film I was on the verge of tears. Why? Because on the screen is something I feel no filmed treatment has gotten right since the television series use of the William Tell Overture. The full treatment, overlaid on the end game of the movie is one of the most enjoyable on screen moments I’ve experienced. The timing of every note to the action, movement, and feeling of the moment rounded this movie out fully and really brought it home for me. It said to me, “Yes, this is the Lone Ranger.”

Right now you’re seeing a lot of negative criticism about the movie, but really audience reviews of the movie are great. Try to ignore the professional critics and go watch this movie and make your own decision about it. There are some gruesome moments in the movie, that if you’re bringing your children you may get questions about. Up front, I’ll warn you that Westerns aren’t for everyone, but we seldom get good ones that have the right feel to them anymore. This however is one. And if you’re a fan of the genre I feel you’re going to enjoy it.

In addition to doing the web designer and programming for the On the Go in MCO website, Todd Perlmutter is a host for the Disney Film Project Podcast. You can join him and his fellow hosts for a Live Review of The Lone Ranger on Thursday, July 18, 2013.