Reitz is a California resident and began visiting Disneyland daily in 2012.
โIt started as a joke between friends when Disneyland announced they were giving an โExtra Disney Dayโ when they announced the Leap Day 24-hour event in 2012,โ he told Guinness. โWe decided to use Disneyland as a positive as we were out of work and had annual passes that had been gifted, so it was a source of free entertainment. It helped to get us out and put a positive mindset, log exercise with all the steps taken, and always networking since you never knew who you would meet.โ
Over the years, reporters and radio stations have asked Reitz for interviews. After his first consecutive year of visits, Disneyland gifted him a certificate of Honorary Citizenship along with a gift basket. They offered him a free dinner after his second year, and on his 2,000th day he was given a backpack.
Guinness contacted Reitz last week to share with him that he had earned the record title for the most consecutive visits to Disneyland.
Reitz was just a few days away from his 3,000 consecutive visit to Disneyland when Covid-19 shut the parks down. Since they’ve reopened, he hasn’t visited as often due to the park pass reservation requirements.
Bridge Painting underway for San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure
Construction has been ongoing to transform Pacific Wharf into San Fransokyo Square in Disney California Adventure. We recently noticed that the bridge was getting a fresh coat of paint.
Guests can see construction walls and scaffolding up around the bridge and some restaurants in Pacific Wharf. The bridge is being painted red to become the San Fransokyo Gate Bridge. It will be the iconic landmark of the area.
“Once you cross the bridge, youโll catch a view of the floating wind turbine atop an old fishing net tannery, powering the district from high in the sky. Clues to the areaโs storied and charming past can be found in the details throughout San Fransokyo Square.”
San Fransokyo Square will open sometime this summer and will feature dining, shopping, and a character meet & greet.
Are you excited to see the Big Hero 6-themed area when it’s finished?
Wanting to check out Disney California Adventure soon? Contact me today to start planning your trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Local Orlando Bands Added to Garden Rocks Lineup at 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Some local Orlando bands have been added to the Garden Rocks lineup for the 2023 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The Garden Rocks concert series features more well-known artists on the weekends and local artists Tuesdays-Thursdays.
Journey Former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri March 3 & 4
Daughtry March 5 & 6
Audio Exchange March 7 to 9
Tommy DeCarlo March 10 & 11
Smash Mouth March 12 & 13
Element March 14 to 16
Mike DelGuidice March 17 & 18
Blue Oyster Cult (NEW) March 19 & 20
The Vybe March 21 to 23
Berlin March 24 & 25
The Pointer Sisters March 26 & 27
The Female Collective March 28 to 30
Luis Figueroa (NEW) March 31
Piso 21 (NEW) April 1 & 2
Melina Leรณn April 3
Epic April 4 to 6
STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas April 7 & 8
Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles April 9 & 10
Foregniers Journey April 11 to 13
Blue October April 14 & 15
Switchfoot (NEW) April 16 & 17
Evolution: Motown April 18 to 20
A Flock of Seagulls April 21 & 22
Jo Dee Messina April 23 & 24
Hooligans April 25 to 27
Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player April 28 & 29
Kool & The Gang April 30 & May 1
The Finesse Party Band May 2 to 4
Hermanโs Hermits starring Peter Noone May 5 to 8
Latin Ambition May 9 to 11
The Orchestra starring former members of ELO May 12 to 15
506 Crew May 16 to 18
A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce (NEW) May 19 & 20
Casting Crowns (NEW) May 21 & 22
M-80โs May 23 to 25
Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago (NEW) May 26 & 27
Rick Springfield May 28 & 29
Champagne Orchestra May 30 to June 1
Plain White Tโs June 2 to 5
Glass Ceiling June 6 to 8
The Spinners June 9 & 10
The Commodores June 11 & 12
Element June 13 to 15
Vertical Horizon June 16 & 17
Tony Orlando June 18 & 19
Foreigners Journey June 20 to 22
Simple Plan June 23 to 26
Epic June 27 to 29
Living Colour June 30 & July 1
Wang Chung July 2 & 3
Evolution: Motown July 4 & 5
The Garden Rocks concert series takes place at the America Gardens Theatre. The concerts take place at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.
Which concert do you want to see at Epcot?
If you want to experience all that the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has to offer, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Pink Floral Embroidered Minnie Ears For Your Next Visit To Epcot Flower & Garden Festival!
Add a charming touch to your style with these pink floral embroidered Minnie ears created by ImaginationEarsShop on Etsy for $30. You can order yours here! They are perfect for the Flower and Garden Festival starting very soon at Epcot.
They feature light pink ears with a flowers embroidery design in pastel colors and a peach velvet bow plus some pearls, so cute! Definitely a must have in your Minnie ears collection.
From mouthwatering treats to must-try sips, there is plenty to taste across 12 festival marketplaces. With the new soon-to-be favorites BBQ Beef Brisket Slider from Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo and the Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew from Berry Patch, or the returning Mickey Mouse-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS from Nuts About Cheese, you will be more than satisfied. If youโre looking for plant-based options, this year Paradise Garden Grill will be serving up a plant-based menu for you to treat yourself too!
The festival marketplaces arenโt the only places you can indulge in some delicious flavors. All throughout Disney California Adventure park and even at Downtown Disney District, you can taste your way through California staples. If you want an enhanced feasting experience, consider the Sip and Savor Pass, a special, commemorative credential that lets you try up to eight different food and non-alcoholic beverage items at participating locations anytime throughout the festival. Whether you use all eight tabs yourself โ or split with a friend โ you can purchase yours at various locations throughout Disney California Adventure park.
Disney California Adventure Park
Festival Marketplaces
Nuts About Cheese
Petite Burrata: Grilled ciabatta with tomato and olive jam, burrata cheese, pesto, and freeze-dried balsamic (New)
Crackers & Cheese: House-made herb crackers with white cheddar fromage blanc, spicy salami spread, and cherry jam
Mickey Mouse-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS: Chocolate Mickey macaron filled with caramel ganache and SNICKERS cookie bar pieces
Flowers & Bees: Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and honey, hibiscus, and lavender syrups garnished with a purple pansy (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Uncork California
California Artisan Cheese Plate featuring Marin French Cheese Co. Jalapeรฑo Triple Cream Brie, Fiscalini Farmstead Purple Moon Cheddar, and Craft Beer Cheddar
Celebration Chocolate Fudge Brownie: Gooey Chocolate Brownie with Pecans, topped with Chocolate Pecan Glaze and finished with Chocolate Pearls and Silver Stars
1923 Mimosa: Prosecco, white cranberry juice, white peach syrup, and lemon juice (New)
1939 Mimosa: Prosecco, pineapple and orange juices, and passion fruit and guava nectar (New)
1955 Mimosa: Prosecco, dragon fruit and rose syrups, hibiscus water, and lemon juice (New)
Century of Magic Mimosa Flight (New)
Daou Vineyards Chardonnay (New)
Meiomi Rosรฉ (New)
Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (New)
McBride Sisters Wine Company Red Blend (New)
Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (New)
Robert Mondavi Vineyards, Private Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon aged in bourbon barrels (New)
Scharffenberger Cellars Brut (New)
White Wine Flight (New)
Red Wine Flight (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Flutes (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Berry Patch
Kennyโs Family Cheesecake topped with mixed berry compote (New)
Blueberry Buttermilk Pie
Blueberry Pancake Cold Brew: Joffreyโs Coffee & Tea Co. Mexico Origin Coffee, brown butter, maple and demerara syrup, and oat milk with a blueberry sweet cream made with cream, oat milk, vanilla syrup, and purรฉe garnished with cinnamon-flavored cereal crumble (Non-alcoholic) (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
DโขLish
Beef & Barley Poutine: Potato bites with braised beef short rib, cheese curds, stout gravy, and lager micro sponge (New)
Cubano Slider: Slow-roasted, mustard-crusted pork, and sliced smoked ham with melted Swiss cheese and pickle served on a Hawaiian roll
Sake Melon โ75: Sake, ginger liqueur, prosecco, rock melon syrup, and lemongrass citron purรฉe garnished with an edible purple orchid
Apricot Tequila Colada: Reposado Tequila, Aperol, apricot purรฉe, coconut cream, and orange and lime juices garnished with a lime wheel
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
California Craft Brews
IPA Sausage Dog on a soft pretzel roll with onion-pepper jardiniรจre, cheddar cheese sauce, and malt vinegar-onion crunch
La Bodega Brewing Company Helles Lager (New)
Unsung Brewing Co. Light Ale (New)
Harland Brewing Co. Double Dry-Hopped Pale Ale (New)
Altamont Brewing Maui Waui IPA (New)
Barrelhouse Brewing Mango Fruited IPA (New)
Delahunt Brewing Co. 1924 Raspberry Blonde (New)
Brewery X Pineapple Vanilla Milkshake IPA (New)
Bottle Logic Brewing Co. Aurora Borealis (New)
Chapman Crafted Beer Zodiac Series Hazy IPA (New)
Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. The Dopest Hazy IPA (New)
Golden Road Brewing Strawberry Cart Wheat Ale (New)
Ballast Point Brewing Co. Watermelon Dorado Double IPA (New)
Russian River Brewing Company Happy Hops IPA (New)
BBQ Beef Brisket Slider featuring Fiscalini Farmstead Smoked Cheddar with dill pickles on salt and pepper brioche (New)
Chipotle-Pineapple Bourbon Sour: Bourbon, pineapple and lime juice, honey syrup, and chipotle sour purรฉe garnished with a dried red pineapple wheel (New)
Smoked Cherry Mezcal-iki Cocktail: Dark rum, mezcal, cherry purรฉe, grapefruit and lime juices, vanilla syrup, and bitters garnished with a dried grapefruit chip (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Flutesย (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Garlic Kissed
Grilled Top Sirloin with roasted garlic, gruyรจre smashed potatoes and black garlic chimichurri
Carbonara Garlic Mac & Cheese featuring Nueskeโs Peppered Bacon
Raspberry Limoncello-Ade: Limoncello, grapefruit liqueur, house-made mint syrup, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice garnished with a white orchid (New)
Guava-Lychee Mule: Vodka, guava nectar, ginger and lychee syrup, and lemon juice topped with guava and grapefruit hard cider and garnished with a lemon wheel (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Golden Dreams
Elote Paleta: Sweet corn paleta with parm crema, chile-lime seasoning, corn crunch, and cilantro (New)
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Flatbread with basil pesto (New)
Central California Cooler: Peach purรฉe, apple, orange and lemon juices garnished with an apple chip
Ficklewood Ciderworks Guava Grove: Grapefruit, guava, and tropical flavors with Nelson Sauvin Hopsย (New)
I Heart Artichokes
Artichoke Pizzetta: Artichoke and roasted garlic cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes, pickled onions, and lemon olive oil-drizzled micro greens (New)
Artichoke Toast with Olive Tapenade: Toasted sliced baguette with artichoke cream cheese topped with olive and artichoke tapenade and drizzled with olive oil
Passion Fruit Rum Cocktail: White rum, Italian amaro, passion fruit nectar, orange and lime juices, and guava purรฉe garnished with an orange wedge
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
LA Style
Glazed BBQ Pork Belly with Furikake-Togarashi mac salad
IMPOSSIBLE Gyro-inspired Naan: Gyro-inspired flatbread featuring IMPOSSIBLE ground beef with chipotle hummus, tzatziki, and spiced crispy chickpeas
Echo Park Cooler: Joffreyโs Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon & Raspberry Rose Tea, raspberry purรฉe, lychee and rose syrups, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel (Non-alcoholic) (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Flutes (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Peppers Cali-Ente
Chile Relleno Empanada with arbol pepper salsa and Oaxaca and cotija cheeses
Camarones a la Diabla: Spicy shrimp with California chile and cilantro rice (New)
Cantarito-Style Paloma: Reposado Tequila, habanero-infused pineapple juice, lime juice, rock melon syrup, and Fresca garnished with a pineapple wheel and chile-lime seasoning
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Avocado Time
IMPOSSIBLE Nacho Mac & Cheese: Cheddar mac featuring seasoned IMPOSSIBLE ground beef, tomatoes, olives, jalapeรฑos, and guacamole (New)
IMPOSSIBLE Al Pastor Tacos: Al pastor taco featuring IMPOSSIBLE pork with grilled pineapple and avocado-tomatillo sauce (New) (Plant-based offering)
Blackberry-Lavender Lemonade: Blackberry purรฉe and syrup, lavender syrup, and pineapple and lemon juices garnished with a lemon wheel (New)
Purple Glow Grapes and Green Glow Grapes (Limit 10 per person)
Locations Throughout Disney California Adventure Park
Cocina Cucamonga (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Strawberry Horchata: House-made rice and cinnamon beverage with strawberry sauce (Non-alcoholic) (Available with Spiced Rum)
Seasonal Mango Margarita
Lamplight Lounge
Cookies & Cream Donuts: Fresh, glazed donuts topped with chocolate cookie crumble, with vanilla and chocolate crรจme cookie dipping sauce
Ribeye for Two paired with a specially selected glass of wine: Share a 28oz bone-in ribeye with glazed baby carrots, poblano-potato bake, roasted mushrooms, cipollini onions, and bourbon-bacon compound butter with Cookies & Cream Donuts for dessert
Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaรงao, and fresh basil
Lamplight Lounge โ Boardwalk Dining
Lamplight Lounge Food & Wine Cocktail: Gin, elderflower liqueur, peach, basil simple syrup, lemon, blue curaรงao, and fresh basil
Pacific Wharf Cafรฉ (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Grilled Peach Toast with ricotta-mascarpone spread and arugula salad on toasted sourdough bread (New)
Berries and Cream Bread Pudding: Seasonal berry bread pudding with whipped topping, strawberry sauce, and crรจme anglaise (New)
Cappuccino Cart presented by Joffreyโs Coffee & Tea Co. (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Horchata Cold Brew: Creamy blend of cold brew and house-made rice and cinnamon beverage
Paradise Garden Grill (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Torta de Chilaquiles: Fresh-made Telera bread with green chilaquiles, chorizo beans, chipotle crema, pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado spread (New) (Plant-based offering)
Bulgogi Fried Rice with kimchi, egg, pickled cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based offering)
Buffalo Mac and Cheese topped with roasted buffalo cauliflower, ranch, and a carrot and celery salad (New) (Plant-based offering)
Peach-Blueberry Cobbler (Plant-based offering)
Wine Float Cocktail: Tequila, Triple Sec, Agave and Lime & Orange Juices with a Red Wine Float
Paradise Garden Grill Beer Garden
Stereo Brewing Co. Perfect Day IPA
Stone Brewing Co. Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager
Golden Road Brewing Get Up Offa That Brown Ale (New)
Golden Road Brewing Ride On 10 Hop Hazy IPA
Mother Earth Brew Co. Cali Creaminโ Vanilla Cream Ale
The Bruery Or Xata Blonde Ale
Rincon Reservation Road Brewery Rez Dog Hefeweizen (New)
Smog City Brewing Co. Coffee Porter
Beer Flight: Create your own flight of four beers
Cocktails @ Sonoma Terrace hosted by CORKCICLE (Mobile order available; Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Black Forest Ham Grilled Cheese: Sourdough grilled cheese with black forest ham, smoked mozzarella, and red wine-poached pear jam served with sun-dried tomato-cheese sauce (New)
Food & Wine CORKCICLE Stemless Flutes (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Studio Catering Co. (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Korean Fried Chicken topped with gochujang sauce, kimchi, coleslaw, and pickled onions served on sweet Hawaiian bread
Watermelon Punch: Korean-style watermelon punch with Sprite and oat milk
Terran Treats (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Like a Lemon-Raspberry Pie Churro: Raspberry-flavored spiral churro topped with a lemon and marshmallow glaze and pie crust crumbles (New)
Outdoor Vending Carts
Pretzel Bites with beer cheese sauce (New)
Ballast Point Brewing Co. Speedboat Salt & Lime Blonde Ale (New)
Brewery X Orange Electrolyte Hard Seltzer (New) ๏ปฟ
Churro Cart in Buena Vista Street (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Pineapple-coconut Churro with pineapple sugar, pineapple topping, coconut cream icing, and toasted coconut
Churro Cart in Hollywood Land (Sip and Savor tasting-size portions available)
Tiramisu Churro rolled in vanilla-cocoa sugar and drizzled with espresso sauce
Downtown Disney District
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
Tomato & Burrata: California grown heirloom cherry tomatoes, California burrata, parsley, garlic, shallots red wine vinegar, and olive oil (New) (Available March 3 through 31)
Coconut Curry Shrimp: Marinated shrimp served on white rice with curry broth and nori leaf (New) (Available April 1 through 24)
Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available March 3 through April 24)
Pizza Caprina: White pizza, fresh mozzarella, and bruschetta tomato mix topped with fresh arugula and goat cheese (New)
Ralph Brennanโs Jazz Kitchen (Available March 3 through April 24)
BBQ Shrimp & Grits: Gulf shrimp simmered in a New Orleans BBQ sauce with roasted garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and Creole seasonings served over andouille sausage and parmesan grits
Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Available March 3 through April 24)
Grilled Ahi & Avocado: Seared buttery ahi tuna tossed in kimchi ponzu and stuffed into a scored and grilled avocado plated with sushi rice and drizzled with additional kimchi ponzu and spicy mayo and garnished with sesame seeds finished with wonton chips
What are you looking forward to eating at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival?
If you’d like to experience the festival, contact me today and let’s start planning your trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Longest Serving Cast Member Disney Legend Burny Mattinson passes away at age 87
Disney Legend Burny Mattinson, who worked as an animator, director, producer, and story artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios during an unprecedented 70-year career, passed away Monday, February 27, at Canyon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Canoga Park, California, following a short illness. He was 87 years old.
Mattinson was the longest-serving cast member in the history of The Walt Disney Company and was due to receive his 70th-anniversary service award (the first ever) on June 4.
Among Mattinsonโs achievements were a solo directing credit on the animated featurette Mickeyโs Christmas Carol (1983), which returned Mickey Mouse to the silver screen for the first time in 30 years, and a role as producer as well as co-director of the 1986 Disney feature The Great Mouse Detective.
Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios, said, โBurnyโs artistry, generosity, and love of Disney Animation and the generations of storytellers that have come through our doors, for seven decades, has made us betterโbetter artists, better technologists, and better collaborators. All of us who have had the honor to know him and learn from him will ensure his legacy carries on.โ
Academy Awardยฎ-winning Disney director Don Hall said, โFor almost 30 years, Iโve had the privilege to work alongside Burny Mattinson, from Winnie the Pooh to Big Hero 6 to, most recently, Strange World. I have marveled at his artistry, enjoyed his good humor, and sat enraptured by his stories of Disney history. At 18 years old, he followed his dream of working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and for almost 70 years he lived that dream every day, inspiring all of us who had the good fortune to follow in his footsteps. I love him dearly.โ
Mattinson was still working full-time at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a story consultant and mentor at the time of his passing. Long beforeย Strange Worldย (2022) andย Big Hero 6ย (2014), he worked as an artist on such classics asย Lady and the Trampย (1955),ย One Hundred and One Dalmatiansย (1961),ย The Sword in the Stoneย (1963),ย The Jungle Bookย (1967), andย The Rescuersย (1977). He served as a key member of the story team on contemporary Disney classics includingย Aladdinย (1992),ย Beauty and the Beastย (1993),ย The Lion Kingย (1994),ย Pocahontasย (1995),ย The Hunchback of Notre Dameย (1996),ย Tarzanย (1997), andย Mulanย (1998). He served as the story supervisor on the 2011 theatrical featureย Winnie the Poohย and contributed to the 2007 Goofy shortย How to Hook Up Your Home Theater.
For decades, Mattinson worked to pass along the Disney legacy by inspiring new generations of storytellers and filmmakers. โBurny was the Renaissance man of Disney Animation,โ said legendary Disney animator Eric Goldberg, a close friend and colleague of Mattinsonโs. โHe literally did everything that could be done at the studioโassistant animator, animator, story artist, producer, and director of many films that made an indelible mark on our collective appreciation of the Disney ethos. He was also, when he started, traffic boy to Walt, giving Walt his weekly spending cash.โ
Speaking of Mattinsonโs art, Goldberg added, โBurny was low-key, charming, inventive, and superbly gifted as a draftsperson and a storyteller. His storyboards were beautifully acted and wonderfully atmospheric, which I first encountered when I joined the studio for Aladdin. The more I saw of his work, the more I became in awe of his breadth of talent. I value his cheerful friendship and lasting inspiration to me and so many other animation artists. He will be missed, but not forgotten.โ
Burnett Mattinson was born in San Francisco on May 13, 1935, the first of two children. Before he was 6 years old, his mother took him to the San Francisco Orpheum Theatre, where he saw Walt Disneyโs Pinocchio. โEver since I saw that film, this was my dreamโto work in this business,โ Mattinson once recalled. โSo, I worked every day, drawing.โ
His father, a drummer with Horace Heidtโs Big Band, moved the family to Los Angeles after the bandโs demise in 1945, and Mattinson continued drawing through his school years. By the time he was 12, he was skillfully drawing Disney-style cartoons, and he kept dreaming of being a Disney artist.
After his high school graduation, his mother drove him to Burbank and dropped him off at the Studio gate. A kindly guard took a look at the teenagerโs portfolio and called the head of the personnel department. Mattinson got an interview and a job, beginning in the mailroom. Six months later, and with no formal art training, he started work as an in-betweener on Lady and the Tramp.
He was promoted to assistant animator under Disney Legend Marc Davis on Sleeping Beauty and continued in that capacity on One Hundred and One Dalmatians. When that film ended, he began a 12-year stint with Disney Legend Eric Larson, working on a variety of projects including Walt Disneyโs Wonderful World of Color television series (1961-1979), The Sword in the Stone, Mary Poppins (1964), The Jungle Book, and The Aristocats (1970).
After completing an eight-week internal training program, Mattinson became an animator on Robin Hood (1973) and a key animator on Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Too (1974), working with Disney Legend Ollie Johnston. Disney Legend Frank Thomas saw Mattinsonโs thumbnail sketches and asked him to help on storyboards for The Rescuers. โStoryboards are as close to direction as you can get,โ Mattinson later said. โYouโre telling cameras where to go, whatโs happening onscreen, where to cut, and really making a blueprint for the film.โ
Inspired by a Disneyland Records Christmas album, Mattinson brazenly sent it, along with a note containing an idea for a film, to Ron Miller, then head of the studio. The next day, Mattinson was summoned by Miller. Mattinson feared that his boldness had been a gaffe, but was pleasantly surprised when the studio chief agreed with his idea, assigning the startled animator to direct Mickeyโs Christmas Carol, which he also produced. This success led to his contribution as producer and director on The Great Mouse Detective.
โAnimation is 75 percent thinking and 25 percent drawing,โ Mattinson once said. โEverything must be carefully thought out first. Our animators not only have to think like actors but also figure out how to get that performance across on paper and on the screen. Our characters pause to think and connive. You can see it in their eyes.โ
He added, โThe important thing to remember about good animation is that less is more. Moving the characters too much is the sign of a real amateur. We put our efforts into more subtle, carefully thought out actions that communicate the point clearly and in an entertaining way.โ
Mattinson was named a Disney Legend in 2008. He set the cast member longevity record on March 5, 2018, when he passed the previous recordโheld by Disney artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend John Henchโof 64 years, eight months, and 29 days (or 23,651 days).
When asked to reflect on his long Disney career at the half-century mark, Mattinson said, โI mean, 50 years is a long time, but I still feel like that 18-year-old kid that came here back in โ53, you know? I never feel like Iโve gotten old.โ
Mattinson is survived by his wife, Ellen Siirola; his son, Brett Mattinson, and his wife, Kelly, and their two children; and his daughter, Genny, her husband Larry Ellena, and their two children. Funeral services will be private, and he will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MPTF (Motion Picture and Television Fund) in Woodland Hills, California.
A newly created light show will be shown on Spaceship Earth for this year’s Flower and Garden Festival
The 2023 Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT, which is slated to run from March 1, 2023-July 15, 2023, will feature an all-new light show on Spaceship Earth.
Per Disney, โStarting at sunset, festival guests can celebrate with a vibrant spectacle of light on Spaceship Earth set to a fresh and fun new soundtrack.โ The updated light show will replace the current nightly rotation of the Beacon of Magic and EPCOT 40 shows.
The Flower and Garden festival is a fan-favorite festival that spans 127 days and features outdoor kitchens, amazing topiaries, live concerts, and custom merchandise.
Ready to book that next magical vacation to Walt Disney World and check out the Flower and Garden festival for yourself? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel, my travel planning services are included at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation package through me.
Go Under The Sea With This New Little Mermaid Collection!
This new Little Mermaid collection if filled with gadgets and gizmos aplenty! It features very soothing pastel colors in green and purple tones with artwork featuring Ariel and her friends like Sebastian and Flounder.
The collection offers lot of cute home decor pieces and accessories, take a look:
Start your morning with your favorite drink in this Little Mermaid mug with a gorgeous green iridescent color and artwork featuring Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian and ocean icons like shells, sea stars and more!
Every nap will make you feel like you are floating under the sea when you use this Little Mermaid pillow! It features a shell shape with pastel colors and an all over pattern of Ariel and marine icons, so cute!
ARIEL BLANKET
Stay cozy at home or at the beach with this blanket in a soothing mint green color and Ariel’s signature embroidered on the trim, so cute.
Add a little shimmer and glow to your part of the world with this accent light shaped like an open shell atop of a pretty pedestal and a pearl that lights up! You can choose between a white glow or sequence of different colors.
LITTLE MERMAID SCRUNCHIES
You can add some magic to your hair with these scruchies in different green tones, perfect to channel your inner mermaid!
(Feb. 26, 2023) Neely Gracey celebrates in a sea of confetti as she is crowned the overall race winner with an impressive time of 1:15:55 at the 13.1-mile Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by CORKCICLE in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Colorado resident is only the third woman in runDisney history to be the overall half marathon winner. (Elisa White, photographer)
(Elisa White, photographer)
Neely Gracey of Colorado wins the 2023 Disney Princess Half Marathon
At perhaps the most prominent women-focused half marathon in the nation, it was fitting that Neely Gracey flexed her โgirl powerโโ to win the Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by CORKCICLE on Sunday at Walt Disney World Resort.
Gracey, in fact, beat the entire field, crossing the finish line ahead of everyone, marking only the third time in runDisney history that a woman was the overall winner. She joins Giovanna Martins (2017 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon) and Jackie Pirtlehall (2019 Disney Princess Half Marathon) who have accomplished that feat. And Gracey won despite running โ and winning โ the Disney Princess 10K the day before, logging nearly 20 miles in two days.
โIโve never done back-to-back races like this before and so running the 10K yesterday and then prepping to run the half (marathon) today, I had to utilize some strategies that Iโve learned over my almost 20 years of running to really make sure that I was able to finish strong today and it paid off,โโ said Gracey of suburban Denver, Colorado.
Graceyโs win didnโt come without a fight. She passed second-place finisher Michael Fussner in the final stages, crossing the finish line just seven seconds ahead of him. Gracey covered the 13.1-mile course through EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park in 1:15:55 followed by Fussner (1:16:02) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Connor Brock (1:17:39) of The Woodlands, Texas.
โI passed the top female at that point when we were in Magic Kingdom and then I just kind of kept rolling after that,โโ said Gracey, who was running in her first event of 2023. โI was in third for a while, then second for a while and then I really didnโt get past the top male until we were about less than half a mile out from the finish line. So, it really all just happened in the last two minutes of the race.โโ
(Feb. 26, 2023) Runners take their marks at the Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by CORKCICLE at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the final event during the four-day race weekend. The women-inspired event featured thousands of runners, plus entertainment and themes geared toward women throughout the weekend. (Elisa White, photographer)
In the wheelchair division, Heather Sealover of Bossier City, Louisiana, came in first place with a time of 1:08:00 followed by Julius McManus of Port Washington, Florida at 1:15:27 and Sidney Knox of Benton, Maine at 1:29:46.
Sundayโs half marathon was the final leg of the three-race weekend that included the 5K on Friday and the 10K on Saturday, plus a yoga event at Magic Kingdom Park and the runDisney Health & Fitness expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Runners are now setting their sights on the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (April 13-16), the fourth and final race weekend of the 2022-2023 runDisney race season.
Beginning March 1, guests can enjoy a springtime event filled with enchanting topiaries, brilliant gardens, fresh flavors and lively entertainment at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. For the first time, innovative topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from the Disney animated film โEncantoโ will greet guests at the main entrance of EPCOT. (David Roark, photographer)
New Topiaries in Bloom for 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Disney has shared with us a sneak peek at the New Topiaries in Bloom for the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!
For the first time, innovative topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from the Disney animated film โEncantoโ will greet guests at the main entrance.
Here is a timelapse video of the Encanto display being installed!
A new Princess Tiana topiary will grace The American Adventure. Doesn’t she look beautiful?
Hereโs a list of all topiaries featured at this yearโs festival.
Encanto Characters – Main Entrance
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale & Pluto โ Bridge to World Showcase
Woody, Bo Peep and her Sheep โ World Nature near The Land
Goofy โ World Showcase
Princess Tiana โ The American Adventure
Buzz Lightyear โ World Discovery near Mission: SPACE
Donald and Daisy โ Community Garden Near Connections Cafรฉ, World Celebration
Figment โ near Imagination!
The Three Caballeros โ Mexico Pavilion
Anna and Elsa โ Norway Pavilion
Troll โ Norway Pavilion
Dragon โ Japan Pavilion near Torii Gate
Pandas โ China Pavilion
Simba and Friends โ Between Imagination! and The Land
Pumbaa and Timon โBetween Imagination! and The Land
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs โ Germany Pavilion
Lady and the Tramp โ Italy Pavilion
Beauty and the Beast โ France Pavilion
Lumiere and Cogsworth โ France Pavilion
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy โ Between France and Morocco
Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc โ Between United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions
Winnie the Pooh and Friends โ United Kingdom Pavilion
Tinker Bellโs Fairy House Garden โ United Kingdom
Bambi and Friends โ near Imagination! Refreshment Port
Geese โ Canada
Butterflies โ Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth, Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy
Disney Horticulture and Walt Disney Imagineering worked together to design, build and grow diverse topiary masterpieces, including the debut of fearless Princess Tiana from the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic โThe Princess and the Frog,โ plus the courageous Madrigal sisters and young Antonio from Disney Animationโs Academy Award-winning โEncanto.โ
This process of pushing boundaries and growing new magic began nearly a year ago. Talented artists developed sketches, Imagineers designed 3D models, skilled welders molded frames, and horticulture specialists chose plant materials. The results are charming, whimsical โ and definitely photo-worthy!
First Look at the Merchandise for the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Disney has given us a first look at the merchandise for the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!
The merchandise collections for the Flower & Garden Festival will feature bold new designs. In fact, a little Orange Bird told me that a new โ70s-inspired collection will help spread sunshine to guests of all ages!ย
From the stylish Spirit Jersey to the cute Loungefly backpack, the bright orange shades contrast beautifully with the lush gardens around World Showcase. Add a sparkling headband, a limited-edition Disney Munchling, and a CORKCICLE tumbler!
Iโm also blooming with joy over the new Snow White collection with its Dooney and Bourke bag. The collection also features a charming garden-inspired headband. And itโs hard to resist these comfortable and adorable Figment Crocs from the Figment collection. Guests can visit Festival Markets, Odyssey, and Creations Shop to purchase these collections while supplies last.ย
The 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival debuts on March 1st and continues through July 5th, 2023.
New Whimsical Fantasyland Tumbler Spotted At Magic Kingdom!
Add a touch of whimsy to your day while using this Fantasyland Tumbler we found at The Emporium in Magic Kingdom for $22.99! It’s so cute and a great tumbler to take your favorite beverage with you.
The tumbler features a very simple but super magical design with an off white color and Fantasyland logo in teal on one side and what looks like the It’s A Small World facade and Dumbo flying over Fantasyland all in pastel colors. The artwork with geometric figures and whimsical touches reminds us a lot to Mary Blair, so it might be inspired in her work, very cute!
You can take a closer look at this tumbler in our Instagram post:
