#Walt Disney – Rooting to Rise

Mickey and Minnie ~ My Favorite Valentine Couple

Posted on February 14, 2015May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today I got to thinking about who my favorite Valentine couple is. Having Disney on the brain, I immediately focused on Mickey and Minnie. After some consideration it is decided that they indeed are my favorite Valentine couple!

This year will mark their 87th Valentine’s Day together. The debut of Steamboat Willie was their first public appearance and marked the beginning of their endearing courtship.

Our Valentine couple in 1934 (left) and 1937 (right)

In a 1933 issue of Film Pictorial magazine, Walt Disney addressed the subject of Mickey and Minnie’s relationship, “In private life, Mickey is married to Minnie. A lot of people have written to him asking this question, because sometimes he appears to be married to her in his films and other times still courting her. What it really amounts to is that Minnie is, for screen purposes, his leading lady. If the story calls for a romantic courtship, then Minnie is the girl; but when the story requires a married couple, then they appear as man and wife. In the studio we have decided that they are married already.” -The Walt Disney Family Museum

In 1955 (left) and 1959 (right)

Over the years Mickey has made Minnie the pinnacle of his affection; her happiness is his ultimate prize. Minnie is as much devoted to her leading man so I will coin the term, behind every good mouse is a great Minnie!

(left to right) 1960 to 1970

They bring out the best in each other. Being the finest of friends they are always seen having fun with lots of laughs, spontaneous little kisses and big hugs. They have a keen sense of communication, they know how to gently encourage one another and balance it with just a bit of constructive criticism. They are my ultimate Valentine couple.

(from 1970 to today)

America on Parade ~ Looking back at the Bicentennial Year

Posted on July 4, 2014April 29, 2016 by twomomsadmin

On this happy July 4^th of two thousand and fourteen, I would like to look back about 39 years or so to 1975/1976 when Disney introduced America on Parade in honor of the United States Bicentennial, celebrating the 200^th year anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of independence. It temporarily replaced the Main Street Electrical Parade making its debut in Magic Kingdom on June 6^th, 1975 and Disneyland on June 12, with both parks grand finale held on September 6, 1976.

As I was going through my vintage Disney vacation photographs I found some pictures of this very parade. I was around the age of five at the time these were taken and though I was there I sadly do not recall this parade, but I am more than pleased to have a piece of this significant historical event.

Notice the lamp posts dressed in their Bicentennial decor down Main Street USA and it’s side streets~

This prideful patriotic parade, that I feel Walt would have been so proud of (being a man of great American pride), kicked off with our favorite pal Mickey and his pals Goofy and Donald dressed in their bicentennial best.

The story of our American History was told beginning with early pioneer days to current history (what was current at that time). This parade “spoke” of our achievements and our customs and featured influential figures throughout American history.

Rounding out the ½ hour procession was more of our favorite Disney friends and for the grand finale on September 6^th, 1976 the parade finished with a 1000 piece marching band, an amazing sight to see! Here is a short 7 minute narrated video of this amazing parade, a must see! America on Parade Walt Disney World 1976

This bicentennial parade was created for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort and was the first time both parks worked together on a “production that would appear simultaneously in both parks.” (disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog)

Disney’s celebrations are second to none from their inauguration into the world to this very era; it is just another layer of Disney that draws me in and grasps my heart and holds me tight and why I love my Disney so very much ♥

~Maureen

To read more about Walt and his American pride see Liberty Square a Nod to Walt’s American Pride

Looking back at Walt and El Grupo on their Goodwill Tour

Posted on June 12, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

At age 2 ½ my Rebekah had a fascination with the Three Caballeros. I purchased the dvd for her and she would watch this movie over and over again. When we visited the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot you can only imagine her excitement when she embarked on the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride, we may have won a world record for the amount of times ridden in a row! I discovered this dvd was so much more than a Three Caballeros cartoon, it was a documentary of Walt Disney and his artists. If you are as intrigued as I am about Walt Disney History, this dvd – Saludos Amigos,would be a great addition to any Walt Disney collection.

In 1941, upon America’s entry into World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt enlisted Walt Disney to take a trip to South America on a Goodwill Tour. Walt personified American spirit and was the perfect person to greet and visit with people in South America. From this public relations tour the documentary ”Walt & El Grupo” was created and records Walt Disney and his team of artists, musicians, writers and animators as they embark on this journey the President set forth.

Walt and 16 of his artists visited Brazil, Argentina and Chile, where he met with the president of Brazil and the president and vice president of Argentina. It was said by the time they reached Chile Walt was only interested in meeting with local artists; he had enough of “handshaking with elected officials”. While on this Goodwill Tour the El Grupo are seen dancing with the locals, riding horses, sightseeing and going to lots of parties.

During this trip Walt and his team were introduced to Latin music. It was the first time they had heard the Samba and immediately were taken back and were excited to integrate this music and other folklore tales into new story lines they were developing. This is where Joe Carioca, a Brazilian parrot, was created and later became part of the Three Caballeros.

A little piece of Disney History on this TBT …….

Are you a Caballero Fan? Who is your favorite?

~Maureen