When it comes to original Disney Experience paper models, it’s anybody’s guess what scale the models will be. Truthfully, I don’t worry about scale. I design them to be large so that I can fit a good amount of graphic detail in, they’re easier to assemble (some large-fingered guests have thanked me for this), and the finished models make an impressive display. Plain and simple.

What some of you have been asking about is what scale each model is in so that they can be scaled up or down to fit with model layouts (O and HO scales are the most popular). For years, I’ve had to reply with, “I don’t know.” But, I’d like to remedy that, and it will require the help of . . . you!

To determine the approximate scale of the models, I will need direct measurements of some part of the actual structures. Something like the height of a doorway would suffice as long as it can be compared to a part on the paper model. I haven’t been to the parks in a couple of years, so the fastest way to get this information is to arm yourselves with tape measures and/or measuring sticks. Here’s how . . . Read More

Christmas comes early every July! That’s when the Hallmark stores release their first wave of Keepsake Ornaments. July 16-17 was this year’s debut. I typically collect only Disney ornaments, and this year, I have my eye on three. Over the weekend, I picked up the Clock Cleaners ornament, which features movement, light, and sound. Both C.L.U.’s light cycle and the Nautilus are on my radar as future purchases. Read More

I know that I missed this year’s release of the Theme Park Attractions icons. I was busy with other birthdays.

Here is another set of attraction posters, along with a new wallpaper.

This is one elusive font! Ever since the movie came out, I have received queries about the existence of a Lilo & Stitch font. Luckily, Steve created Buka Bird back in 2009, and has shared a link to all of his font creations. If you follow the link, you will also discover Market Deco, the typeface used in the Disney Experience logo.

This sample chapter was sent to me, and thought it was an amusing tale that I had to share. The chapter comes from an ebook, Stories from a Theme Park Insider, containing 40 Cast Member stories from Walt Disney World.

“Sorry for the hold-up, folks. Seems to be a slow-moving train up ahead. You just remain seated, and we’ll be right with ya.”

The “Old Man” was up, which meant we were down at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I’d been trained at Thunder only a couple weeks earlier, but had already learned about the Old Man – the pre-recorded spiel of a supposed prospector that played automatically whenever the roller coaster’s computer system shut down the ride.

A little kid on the main side station had been crying, so the crew held the train. Disney rules prohibit dispatching a ride vehicle with a crying child: The child has to either stop crying, or get off the ride. We would allow families to wait on the unload platform as long as necessary until their child stopped bawling, then reseat them on the next train. But no train was going anywhere with a crying kid on it.

Unfortunately for everyone in line, if the family of the crying kid didn’t accept the, uh, invitation to wait to the side, that train could not leave. And if one train didn’t leave on time, that meant there was no room in the station for the train behind it on the track, outside the station. (Thunder has two stations, with up to five trains on the track.) The Old Man was getting up, and the ride was going down. Read More

Yesterday, I was introduced to a wonderful little website called Tours Departing Daily (TDD). TDD features photos of the Disneyland Resort in HDR (high dynamic range). And, these photos are drop-dead gorgeous! I fell in love with the New Orleans Square and Adventureland ones, making them my new set of rotating Desktop wallpapers.

HDR photos capture a wider range of light than traditional photos, creating unique and artistic effects. If your digital camera has an HDR mode, I’d love to see what you capture at the Parks.

-CORRECTION-

Having an HDR mode on your camera is not going to cut it. You actually have to take 3 or more photos (at different exposures) and combine/adjust them with an image editing program(s).

Ah, another long-overdue update. But, it’s a big one! Check out the E82 wallpapers (14 in all!) designed by Joshua. He’s always adding more, so check in on his site for the latest and greatest.

Although I haven’t posted much in a while, I am still working on things and collecting goodies from around the Net.