JeffLangeDVD

A last look at Pleasure Island's Adventurers Club: 1989 - 2008

Hi everyone!

Earlier this month, I made my final trip to the Adventurers Club in it’s current form. Disney announced in June that Pleasure Island would close all of it’s clubs at the end of the evening on September 27th, 2008. That said, I am very excited that I am part of the NFFC group that will be enjoying an evening at this wonderful club in early October!

I am grateful to have enjoyed one last night at the Club before it closes to the public. Both Pleasure Island and the Adventurers Club have changed so much over the years I’ve visited! The best thing about my last AC visit was that it included some of the original actors, which gave it a wonderful feel of previous years!

I’ve been reminiscing lately about the 19 years I’ve enjoyed at the Adventurers Club. There is so much history! What I did miss - but my friend Jim Hill didn’t - was on occasion, Graves (the Adventurers Club butler) would welcome guests back to the club before informing them that in their absence, he was collecting their mail. Graves would then lower a platter for a guest to take an envelope, which the guest would open and read.

I always thought that this was a wonderful, interactive touch! And while remembering this past history of the Club, it reminded me that Jim had once given me an assortment of these sealed envelopes to keep in my personal archives. Today I discovered these letters and finally opened them! I am very happy to be sharing these letters - until now unread by me - with you.

Below is an example of one of these these letters. To view all the letters and more of my vintage Adventurers Club artifacts, please visit partner site Mousesteps.

To listen to Mr. Hill tell the full story of these letters and more about Pleasure Island's history, please click HERE: (The Magical Definition Podcast - Pleasure Island Episode). Also please visit Jim Hill Media for more backstory on these vintage Adventurers Club artifacts!

NFFC Florida Convention:

This year's 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention may possibly the very last chance Disneyana fans will get to experience the Adventurers Club. The NFFC bids a fond farewell to this one-of-a kind Disney venue with a special event that promises to be a full evening featuring a buffet dinner, one of a kind in-depth tour of the Adventurer's Club, and some very special entertainment! The NFFC convention takes place at the Regal Sun Resort (formerly the Grosvenor Resort Walt Disney World) in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The dates are October 3rd through October 5th, 2008. See you there!

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Main Street Electrical Parade Vintage Photos, Contest Update and DVD Check-off Sheet

Hi everyone!

During production of my recently released Main Street Electrical Parade DVD, I came across some interesting images of long retired floats and parade elements. I am presenting them here for all to enjoy!

Below is the Florida opening unit of the Main Street Electrical Parade, followed by Toy Soldiers from Babes in Toyland. As a kid, I thought this was a special Christmas bonus as we often traveled to Walt Disney World for the holidays. I remember seeing them one July and realizing they were always part of the parade.

Next we have the "It's A Small World" section that ran from 1977 - 1991. This was unique as it was the only float that was based on a park attraction.

This next series of photos is very rare. These photos were taken by my father in 1976 (when "America on Parade" was being performed). I don't recall ever seeing a Pinocchio Monstro float in the Main Street Electrical parade. Look carefully and you will see the large headed America on Parade characters driving the vehicles. Was this a nighttime version of America on Parade?

If anyone has more information about these parade units please email me at Jeff@JeffLangeDVD.com and I will post the information on the site.

Available now:

Thanks for the enthusiastic response to my latest title: Jeff Lange Remembers: The Main Street Electrical Parade!

Please click HERE for more information or to purchase this item.

The Gumball Rally:

MiceChat's Dustysage is inviting everyone to a huge upcoming event at Disney World:

Disney fans everywhere are invited to attend a fun four park event this October 18th. The MiceChat Gumball Rally is an event which challenges you to ride a set of attractions in all four parks in just one day! The event is designed to see who can make best use of their time and transportation skills to complete the assigned attractions in the least amount of time possible. It promises to be a fun and unique way to visit the parks - all of them! Since the first Gumball Rally at Disneyland nearly 3 years ago, there have been constant requests to "Bring the Rally to Disney World," and that is just what we are going to do! Whether this is your first visit to WDW or your hundredth, this event was designed for you to have a great time. We hope you'll all join us. For more information and to sign up, please visit this link on micechat.com Gumball Rally Information.

Contest Winner:

Thank you for another great response to my latest contest with partner site Mousesteps! The winner was Eric Hoffman of Georgia and he will receive a free Disneyland Anniversary DVD of his choice!

DVD Check-off Sheet:

The most frequent request at my NFFC show and sale booth last month was a check-off sheet for my customers to keep track of their JeffLangeDVD.com titles. We now have the check-off sheet available HERE, sorted by release date, park, and series.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Photo Memories Featuring Epcot's World Showcase: Maelstrom and Skylaidescope plus a New Release Update.

Hi everyone and welcome back for another update featuring more photos from Epcot's World Showcase .

Photo Memories: World Showcase Part 2 - The first set of photos below are from Norway pavilion's Maelstrom boat ride featuring a trip back to a mythological version of Norway’s Viking days.

This is one of the few 'dark ride' type attractions at Epcot and I have always enjoyed it although it is often overlooked today.

Below are some rare photos (circa 1986) of the original Epcot Center lagoon spectacular Skylaidescope!

In this large scale daytime lagoon extravaganza you experienced a battle between good and evil fought with bi-planes, dragon boats, kites, colorful smoke and daytime fireworks. During the show the classic Epcot Center anthem "we've just begun to dream" plays as the bi-planes buzz and circle the dragon boats diving to almost hit them before pulling up into the sky!

At the end of the show hundreds of colorful balloons were released (a common practice in those days not longer done out of environmental concerns). This was truely a fun spectacle and I miss the days of the daytime lagoon shows. It has been over 15 years sinse the last attempt with Surprise in the Skies and I don't see Disney bringing this type of show back anytime soon... but you never know.

For many years after Skylaidescope ended one of the dragon boats (below) was parked in the lagoon behind the Rock and Roll Beach Club ( closing forever February 3rd) at Pleasure Island. I have not seen it for years and I assume it has been retired or perhaps used as a prop somewhere. If anyone knows the fate of this boat please let me know.

New Release Update: The next title from JeffLangeDVD will be released this Wednesday February 6th. Please check back soon for more information.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Click here to browse all Epcot Center titles.

Production Update: Epcot's World Showcase 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition 2-DVD Set

Hi everyone and welcome back for another update. I am well into production on my current project Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot's World Showcase 25th Anniversary 2-DVD Set. This will feature the original Mexico attraction El Rio de Tiempo , a vintage full circle tour of World Showcase from atop a Double Decker OmniBus, Norway's Maelstrom, The original American Adventure, Skylaidescope lagoon spectacular, Surprise in the Skies and much more.

I have been getting many emails lately requesting the Epcot Center original attraction, Mexico's El Rio de Tiempo boat ride . This will be covered extensively with complete vintage ride thru's from 1991 and 1993 plus full coverage of the exterior, que and exit areas. Also included are detailed 2006 ride thru's recorded just before the ride closed forever.

One of the true gems I discovered is a full circle tour of World Showcase recorded in 1991 from the top of a Double Decker Omnibus ! I had forgotten how much fun these were. If anyone knows why these were discontinued please let me know (I imagine it was for safety or crowding issues).

Also included is a complete multi-angle presentation of the daytime lagoon show Surprise in the Skies featuring the worlds largest daytime fireworks display. Boats, kites, paraplanes, hang gliders, fireworks and giant balloons of the Disney characters dressed for their various countries (above)!

Please check back soon for another photo update featuring Norway's Maelstrom, The original American Adventure and the Skylaidescope lagoon spectacular. I hope to have this ready for release by the end of next week.

Future Projects:

Some other projects lined up for 2008 are:

'Walt Disney World Tomorrowland Classics'

'Epcot After Dark'

'Disneyland Classics 4'

'Pirate & Princess Party 08'

'Walt Disney World Class of 1971'

'Epcot's Millennium Celebration'

'Individual Park Top Ten Series' (get those top 10 lists ready)

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Click here to browse all Epcot Center titles.

Bruce Gordon (1951-2007), Epcot's 25th Anniversary Gallery Photo Memories Pt 2, Holidays at Walt Disney World Preview, Production & Travel Update.

Hello everyone and welcome back for a big update this week.

Bruce Gordon (1951-2007):

Unfortunately we begin on a very sad note with the passing of much beloved author & Imagineer Bruce Gordon. I really enjoyed Bruce's presentations at the NFFC Disneyana conventions and remember the huge smile he always had when he and fellow author/Imagineer David Mumford would throw Disney surprises to the audience. You could just tell how passionate he was about Disney and his work. My friend Jim Hill wrote a very nice tribute that I recommend everyone read HERE. Flo and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the friends & family of Bruce Gordon.

Epcot 25th Anniversary gallery 'Photo Memories' part two:

As promised we continue this look at the special 25th Anniversary gallery paying tribute to Epcot's history. This edition features some incredible images of Spaceship Earth construction on display in the gallery. We start with the model and move to a great photo showing the construction of the massive supports.

Below left is one of my favorite shots showing some of the 954 triangular shaped silver panels sitting in the Epcot parking lot. I also love the image on the right with the construction workers looking like window washers.

There are hundreds more great images like these on display in the gallery and I encourage everyone to spend some time there on your next visit to Epcot. I have not heard anything official but it seems like the gallery will be open thru 2008.

Holidays at Walt Disney World Preview:

Believe it or not it's that time again as the Holidays come to Walt Disney World. This year there are some new offerings and changes.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been entertained and mesmerized by Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a special after-hours event in Magic Kingdom that has added an extra night this season -- meaning there will be 19 evenings of holiday fun: Nov. 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 and Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. The fun begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours.

Guests can enjoy festive surprises including an all-new Castle Light Show. Cinderella Castle is adorned with thousands of shimmering white lights, covering the turrets and towers like a glistening blanket of ice. The twinkling lights create an elegant wintry effect perfect for the seasonal celebration.

"Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" celebrates the many festive moods of the holiday season, showcasing a series of holiday themes including a Friends and Family Christmastime Party, a sleigh ride through a Winter Wonderland, a romantic Fairy Tale Christmastime, a scrumptious display of Christmastime sweets, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus in a grand finale. And for longtime Disney Christmas parade fans: soldiers, snowflakes and dancing deer are all still in the parade. The parade features original music as well as both classic and current holiday tunes.

Admission to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate ticket. Tickets are $47.95 plus tax for ages 10/up and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3-9 (but with advance purchase, guests can save $7 per ticket for select dates). Note: Many party nights are sold out in advance. To purchase tickets, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/holidays.

Returning again this year is the ' Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights' on The Streets of America backlot at Disney-MGM Studios. Also returning is Animal Kingdom decked out for the Holidays featuring ' Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade' and Holidays Around the World at Epcot! Below is a preview of some of the merchandise that will be available only at ' Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party' nights.

Production Update:

I am in the process of working on some great Holiday titles. The first release will be 'Walt Disney World Holiday Classics' featuring the 'Country Bears Christmas Show' (below) shot from multiple angles, 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade' from 2003, 'Holiday Wishes' fireworks and 'The Osbourne Lights' from 1996 when it was still presented on Residential Street at Disney-MGM Studios.

I also will be doing a 'Disneyland Holiday Classics 2' disc featuring some great footage from Disneyland including the Christmas Parade from 1985, Small World Holiday, The 50th Anniversary Remember... Dreams Come True holiday fireworks including the 'White Christmas' finale complete with a magical snowfall and more.

Finally, I hope to offer the current Holiday offerings from Walt Disney World including the all new 'Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade ', 'Castle Light Show' and 'Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights'

Travel Update:

I will be traveling to Florida next week to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and record all the new Holiday changes. I will also be covering Super Soap Weekend and recording footage all around Walt Disney World for future releases. While I am traveling you will still receive the same level of quality service and guaranteed 24 hr shipping you have come to expect from JeffLangeDVD .

Latest Release:

Epcot's 25th Anniversary October 1st, 2007 is available now featuring the Entrance and Rope Drop, Silver Anniversary Celebration, Full coverage of the 25th Anniversary Gallery, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth 10-01-07, Epcot's 25th Anniversary Fireworks Finale plus bonus footage of the Fire Barge Burn Off and much more! For more information please click HERE .

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com

All New Epcot's 25th Anniversary DVD Production Update & Preview Plus Epcot's 25th Anniversary Gallery Photo Memories Feature.

Hello everyone and welcome back for the Epcot 25th Anniversary themed photo memories feature as promised a few weeks ago. This edition features part one of a series on Epcot's 25th Anniversary Gallery. This is a temporary display showcasing concept art, models and historical memorabilia. Please note that these are only highlights as I ended up photographing all 720 plus images in the gallery over many hours.

One of the slightly hidden gems of the exhibit is the 'Dream Catching Machine' from the classic version of ' Journey Into Imagination' hanging overhead. It is very detailed and reminds me of a similar model that was displayed for years in Disneyland's pet care center. If anyone knows the story behind these models please email me. I am very curious as to the history and origin of these great miniature props.

The next display features vintage cast member costumes. The plaque reads: "The costumes the Epcot cast members wear help them establish the character of the role they are playing in the show and help guests to understand a part of the story being told. This can be a polyester jumpsuit for a guide on a flight into the future or a recreation of a traditional outfit worn for centuries in a far off land".

The robot below is from the Horizons - Lifestyles in the 21st Century display. The photo on the left is from the ' Horizons' vintage Epcot Center attraction. The next two shots are from the exhibit. It is great to see him again and in such excellent condition. I can only hope his friends share his good fortune. I will be featuring much more from this great exhibit in upcoming Photo Memory editions. Please check back again soon!

Production Update: I am deep in production on my next release Epcot's 25th Anniversary October 1st, 2007 featuring the Entrance and Rope Drop, Silver Anniversary Celebration, Full coverage of the 25th Anniversary Gallery, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth 10-01-07, Epcot's 25th Anniversary Fireworks Finale plus bonus footage of the Fire Barge Burn Off and much more! The tentative release date is November 1st. Below is a sneak preview of this all new DVD cover.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories: Epcot Center Pre-Opening Monorail Preview, JeffLangeDVD Travel and Production Updates.

Hello everyone and welcome back for another Photo Memories update. As we are about a month away from Epcot's 25th Anniversary, I have decided to feature some vintage pre-opening photos. On October 1, 1979 Epcot Center had it's official groundbreaking and begun construction. As the official Oct 1st 1982 Grand Opening approached, a free Epcot Center Monorail Preview was offered to Florida residents and Walt Disney World resort guests.

My family was staying at the Polynesian Village Resort and were notified upon check-in about this complimentary preview. We acquired our tickets at the Magic Kingdom (in the Epcot Center Preview Center located where the Walt Disney Story was usually shown). I remember boarding a monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center and circling World Showcase for the first time. I was amazed by what I saw next!

It was truly awesome to see the huge Epcot Center layout and the massive construction going on as we slowly glided to our destination, the Epcot Monorail Station. We were then able to disembark the train and view displays and concept art of this exciting and inspiring new type of theme park! Disney cast members where stationed on the platform answering questions and explaining what the park would be like when it opened! We were also allowed to take photos from the platform of the finishing touches being made to Future World.

The shot above shows Spaceship Earth before the installation of the mirrors on the base. Also note in the foreground the entrance fountain can be seen without the Epcot logo acrylic centerpiece.

My entire family was very excited by this sneak peek and we would return later that year soon after Epcot Center opened on October 1st, 1982! The Opening Day Dedication was as follows:

"To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome."

"Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney's creative genius. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all."

"May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire. And, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere."'

E. Cardon Walker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Walt Disney Productions

Oct. 24, 1982

I look forward to being there again twenty five years later as part of ' The Epcot Thing' 25th Anniversary fan event! I will have much more information on this great event plus announce some special guests in the coming weeks!

JeffLangeDVD Travel Update: I am once again traveling to Walt Disney World this week to record video footage for future projects and assist in the final planning of the ' Epcot Thing' event. As always, while I am traveling you will still receive the same level of quality service and guaranteed 24 hr shipping you have come to expect from JeffLangeDVD.

JeffLangeDVD Production Update: I am currently working on my Epcot's 25th Anniversary series with 'Communicore & The Living Seas' , 'World Showcase' and 'Epcot's Millennium Celebration'. I will also be continuing my 'Class of' series with 'Walt Disney World: Class of 1971'. Check back soon for a 'Special Collectors Edition' of a very popular retired attraction that will include an actual piece of the ride and a vintage photo suitable for framing. For more details and release information please check JeffLangeDVD.com. I have included a subtle hint below.

Please remember, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories: Epcot Center's The Land Pavilion Featuring Kitchen Kaberet Plus Epcot's 25th Anniversary Display At The Walt Disney Archives.

Hello everyone. Welcome back for more photo memories featuring Epcot's The Land Pavilion and the great new Epcot 25th Anniversary display at the Walt Disney Archives.

The above shot is a vintage photo from the late 1980's before the landscape had fully grown in. Note the name of the revolving resturant in the above image. It was originally known as 'The Good Turn Restaurant' (October 1, 1982 - May 1, 1986) before the name was changed to 'The Land Grille Room' (May 2, 1986 - November 15, 1993). In late 1993 it finally changed to the current name 'The Garden Grill'.

Above are some great vintage images of the Epcot Center opening day audio-animatronic show The Kitchen Kaberet . The above photos are from the following numbers: 'Chase Those (Meal Time) Blues Away' by Bonnie Appetite and the Kitchen Krackpots and ' The Stars of the Milky Way' by Dairy Goods and his Stars of the Milky Way.

Probably the most memorable segment from the show was 'Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit' (above) performed by Colander Combo and the Fiesta Fruit. I remember I always got a laugh out of the way the broccoli singer would raise his glasses to emphasise the cha cha cha at the end of the chorus! Here he is (above right) on display at the Walt Disney Archives in Burbank California. The Kitchen Kaberet closed January 3, 1994.

The archives have added a fantastic new display to the entrance lobby commemorating Epcot's 25th anniversary including these great early concept sculptures of Hamm (from Hamm & Eggz) and the Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy also from the Kitchen Kaberet show. Please keep checking back for more photos from this great display.

Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot's The Land Pavilion 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition is available now featuring the original 'Listen to the Land', 'Kitchen Kabaret Revue', Farmer's Market scenes, 'Food Rocks', ' Living with the Land' and more. For more information or to order the DVD please click HERE.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Journey Into Imagination Photo Memories: A Tribute To Dreamfinder.

Hello everyone and welcome back. Today I will be continuing my Journey Into Imagination Photo Memories series with a tribute to Epcot Center's long lost keeper of Imagination (and friend of Figment) 'Dreamfinder'.

This was the area that you exited into after experiencing the 3-D film Magic Journeys (or later Captain EO). Dreamfinder could usually be found here posing for photos with his friend Figment (like above with my sister Amy). Note the Kodak camera & film shop in the above photo. This area has now changed to 'Figments Place', a meet & greet with a giant sized Figment.

"I am the Dreamfinder", This was your first encounter with the Dreamfinder as he introduced himself from the controls of his Dream Catcher. We next encounter our new host painting a color changing mural using a giant fiber optic paint brush.

More scenes from the classic attraction feature Dreamfinder in various performing arts persona's Above our friend conducting a laser light symphony and next he is dressed as a mysterious wizard.

In the above scenes Dreamfinder operates a scientific contraption to show the miniature workings of nature. These are projected on movie screens surrounding the ride vehicles.

Finally we come to the end our our Journey Into Imagination. We see the Dreamfinder behind an old fashion camera telling us to "Use our newly found sparks of imagination in the Image Works". Next we look straight ahead and see that an on-ride photo (taken earlier going between scenes) is projected on a screen. This was well before these became common as a merchandising feature. These photos were never sold and they only exist now for those guests who photographed them with their personal cameras. This was not an easy task in those days before digital photography (yes, that is me above in the back right).

My latest release 'Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot's Journey Into Imagination 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition' is now available, please click HERE for more information. As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #13, World of Motion & Journey Into Imagination Preview.

Hello everyone & welcome to my photo memories #13, featuring part one from another Epcot Center classic attraction World of Motion! I hope you enjoy the photos.

I loved the concept of the attraction going outside and back (which it still does today as GM Test Track). The cave people above remind me of the animatronics from the 1964 NY Worlds Fair. Just don't tell GM they were in the Ford Pavilion!

These two figures ended up traveling to Disneyland to become Pirates in the updated 1997 PC re-theming of Pirates of the Caribbean after World of Motion closed in 1996.

The invention of the wheel above. Would you buy a used chariot from this man? Please check back next week as we continue out World of Motion photo tour.

Lately I have been getting a number of emails asking about my next Epcot's 25th Anniversary release. I am currently working on Journey Into Imagination. It will feature multiple vintage ride thrus, full coverage of the original Image Works, a photo slideshow of images from the attraction, the short lived second version plus the updated Image Works, the current version featuring the return of Figment plus much more. Please check back here for more details and release information. Below are some photos of the stars of the attraction! I even had the chance to meet them in person back in 1991 (we all look so young).

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #12, Epcot Center's Horizons Pt 4.

Welcome back to Photo memories #12, part 4 of Epcot Center's Horizons. This is the final edition of the series... for now.

The space station Brava Centauri.This scene really blew me away! It just seemed like such a cool concept to live in space. I always wondered how they filled the swimming pools up there.

The Century 3 Intercolony Spaceship. It looked sporty like a space motorcycle. I think the virtual excercise machine above has come to exist in real life.

Sure makes walking Napoleon (the dog) a lot more interesting. Father never seems to manage to get that shoe!

"Just think, materials from space for all kinds of industries back on earth." A final goodbye to a wonderful old friend. Horizons 1983-1999.

Production Update: I am in the final stages of wrapping up my next DVD title "Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot's World of Motion 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition". It is going to be a 2-Disc set packed with features! Please check back later this weekend for this all new release!

As always, if anyone wants to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #11, Epcot Center's Horizons Pt 3.

Hello and welcome back to Photo memories #11, part 3 of Epcot Center's Horizons. More photos from my Horizons archives (and also one of my all time favorite attractions).

I always loved that the audio-animatronic girl was talking to a real person on the viewscreen and in the following scene it was reversed and it was a real girl talking to a audio-animatronic "beach boy".

I remember the instructor telling the kids "don't horse around... don't even sea horse around!". The purple containers and yellow diving helmet are now on display at the prop warehouse prior to boarding the trams on the Backlot Tour at the Disney MGM Studios (see below).

The giant Sea Bass shown here always reminded me of the ones featured in the 20,000 leagues Under The Sea attraction. Maybe they are from the same mold.

I hope you are enjoying this look back at this Epcot Center Classic attraction and please stop back soon for Pt 4 of the Horizons Photo Memories extended series. I am currently working on my next DVD title, Jeff Lange Remembers Epcot's World of Motion 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition. I have some great ride thru's (including one with the audio mixer and two microphones), the complete Bird & Robot show, full coverage of the Transcenter exterior displays and the GM corporate lounge, a promo movie not seen for 25 years, a fully restored slideshow of vintage photos and full coverage of GM Test Track. Check back here for more details and release information.

Once again, if anyone wants to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #10, Epcot Center's Horizons Pt 2.

Hello and welcome back to Photo memories #10, part 2 of Epcot Center's Horizons. Below is a shot of the future from the 1950's. I always referred to it as the neon city.

Our next stop is the desert farm Mesa Verde. To fully appreciate the above orange harvester section, spray some orange air freshener and take a deep whiff (to this day, every time I smell that orange scent I think of this scene). This was the Soarin of it's time.

Next is the harvester control module and hovercraft. You get the opportunity to fly this back to the Future Port at the conclusion of the ride (you could choose between Desert, Undersea & Space endings).

The next transition scene features the cat and jumping fish (a similar effect could be found on the retired Disneyland attraction Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland). Finally we see the family preparing for a birthday party in the futuristic desert kitchen.

Please stop back soon for Pt 3 of the Horizons Photo Memories extended series.

Once again, if anyone wants to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo memories #9, Epcot Center's Horizons.

Hi everyone, welcome to my photo memories #9 featuring part one from Epcot Center's classic attraction Horizons! I hope you enjoy the photos.

The photo above was taken shortly after Epcot Center opened and Horizons was still under construction. Above is Jules Verne from the "Looking Back at Tomorrow" scenes.

The scene of the man in the moon above reminds me of a similar scene in the new version of Journey Into Imagination with Figment. I will post a photo comparison in a future edition.

I always loved the retro look of the robots in this section of the attraction. It looks like the one on the right really has his hands full.

I will be releasing my latest DVD title featuring Horizons very soon. Please check back for details. The Horizons attraction was always a favorite of mine so I have been working extra hard to make the DVD I always wanted but could never find. The process has involved editing multiple video recordings of the attraction from 1991-1998, scanning classic Epcot photos (over 1000 scans from 47,000+ images) for this and the other pavilions for my Epcot 25th Anniversary series, color correcting and dust removal, sometimes pixel by pixel of the Horizons photos for the slide show (very painstaking & time consuming work but the end result really makes the photos come to life). As I have such an abundance of great footage and Images, I will again be offering a standard edition, companion collection title and a 2-disc set containing everything.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #8 Pleasure Island, DVD Production Update

Hello everyone, welcome to photo memories #8. In this edition I am featuring images from the early years of Walt Disney World's nighttime entertainment district Pleasure Island.

You can notice changes to the outside of the island in these first two photos. The left image was taken around 1990 and the right was from this past year. Note the worn looking warehouse paint job on the older shot and the growth of the tree and upgrade to the bridge in the current photo.

The above were restaurants from Pleasure Island's opening years. Merriweather's Market was a food court that operated from 1989-1993 and was where Raglan Road stands today. The Fireworks factory was a pyrotechnics themed restaurant (a favorite of mine) that operated from 1989-1997 and is where Motion dance club is currently.

Jessica's of Hollywood and the XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome were both very short lived.

The Grand Funmeister was your original host of Pleasure Island (as seen on the West End Stage). The Comedy Warehouse originally featured a parody show called "Forbidden Disney" (which will be featured in it's entirety on my upcoming Pleasure Island Classics DVD).

As stated above I am currently working on a new DVD title featuring the Original Pleasure Island shows and performances. It will include the entire original New Years Eve countdown show and fireworks, The rarely seen "Forbidden Disney" show from the Comedy Warehouse, scenes from around the Island & the original nightclubs, various 'Adventurers Club' Library shows and skits from it's early years and more. If anyone has any suggestions on this new title please send them to the email address below.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #7, Epcot Spaceship Earth Satellite & Next Release.

Welcom back everyone. If you remember back to the Photo Memory #3 entry, I was made aware of a long thread on the WDW Magic forums discussing a satellite featured in the original version of Epcot's Spaceship Earth. The discussion has grown to almost 600 posts and while looking for additional images for my new Companion Collection series, I came across some additional photos of the elusive satellite seen below.

The view below of the Spaceship Earth spaceman looks very similar to this spaceman currently featured on the speedramp at the exit of Space Mountain. Could this be one and the same?

I am currently working on my next release. I'll provide a few photo hints below on the subject. I don't think it will be very difficult to figure out what the title will feature.

Once again, if anyone wants to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #6 Pirate & Princess Party conclusion.

Welcome to the 6th edition of photo memories. In this edition we conclude our coverage of Disney's Pirate & Princess Party at Walt Disney World.

Even outside the park you cannot miss the event being held.

Like all the other special party's, there are displays advertising the Pirate & Princess Party at the ticket & transportation center and outside the Magic Kingdom.

The entrance features a walk down the red carpet to the sounds of pixie dust being sprinkled. Themed projections are featured down Main Street USA!

There are even pirate or princess themed balloons for sale!

The pirate precision flag team replaced the gravediggers in the Boo To You parade from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party.

The pirate play spot is where you can play games for small prizes or dunk the pirate!

Next week we'll be back with more vintage photos and an update on our next DVD release.

As before, many thanks for all the help at the Pirate & Princess party's to Robert Bish, Max Schilling and Suzy Castle! As always, if anyone wants to request a future photo memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #5 Back from Walt Disney World!

Hi everyone. I have returned from a very productive trip to Florida last week. The N.F.F.C. World Chapter meeting was very entertaining. I especially enjoyed Charlie Ridgeway's talk and having the opportunity to chat with him about his upcoming book. The Magical Mountain meet with Nathan Rose was great! I had a fantastic dinner at Raglan Rose and made some new Disney Friends! I am currently working on a project with Mr. Rose that will be announced in the coming months. I also attended the Daytona 500 and although there was no Disney/Daytona promotion this year, it was a excellent race and a great time!

The Pirate & Princess party's were excellent! I attended two evenings of this new Disney hard ticket event and it far exceeded my expectations! I recorded the new 'Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade' from three different locations. The 'Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial' was better than ever at the party, especially with a energetic crowd dresses in their Pirate best. The 'Princess Jasmine's Royal Guard Recruitment was fun and very reminiscent of the Jedi Training Academy from Star Wars Weekends. I was also able to record the 'Dream Along With Mickey' castle show featuring the new articulated movements. Watching Mickey and the gang talk and blink really brings them to life! The real highlight of the party is the all new 'Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks Spectacular'. This has to be the best fireworks show ever presented at the Magic Kingdom. This comes close to matching my all time favorite Fireworks show 'Remember...Dreams Come True' at Disneyland. I am currently working on a new Pirate & Princess Party DVD that will feature all the above shows, parade, fireworks and more!

This edition of photo memories features shots from the various events at the Pirate & Princess Party.

I have also added a few shots from the Daytona 500. The first shows last years winner Jimmie Johnson crashing out of the race. The second is the field heading to the checkered flag on the final lap!

Many thanks for all the help at the Pirate & Princess party's to Robert Bish, Max Schilling and Suzy Castle! As always, if anyone wants to request a future photo memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #4 & Travel Update

Welcome back everyone. This week I will be traveling back to Walt Disney World. I will be attending the N.F.F.C. World Chapter meeting featuring Charlie Ridgeway on Feb, 10th (click here for more information). On Sunday I will be attending a meet for MagicalMountain.net with Nathan Rose and friends at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. Next week, I will be attending the Pirate & Princess Party's at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on February 12th & February 15th. Also next weekend I will be attending the Daytona 500 so look for some images of Disney at Daytona in the coming weeks.

Because of all the traveling, I won't be featuring a photo memories for next week. It will return the following week, but to tide everyone over I'm posting some very cool shots of The Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America drained during a past rehab. Enjoy!

The last photo with the big cheese is of me (back right) & my brother and sister taken in the 70's.

As always, if anyone wants to request a future photo memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Photo Memories #3 More Epcot Center's Spaceship Earth Scenes

Welcome back everyone. It has been an exciting week as I have been made aware of a long thread at the WDW Magic website discussing these original Spaceship Earth ending scenes. To view the thread click here. I have decided to post more Spaceship Earth photos to help in any way possible to resolve the questions brought up in the thread.

Above is another shot of the small satellite and astronaut and large spaceship as viewed from the original ending scene on Spaceship Earth. Next is the female figure looking out the window into space followed by scenes from the descent thru the core.These scenes were viewed as the song 'tomorrows Child' played. Finally the last shot is from Earth Station where after you exited the ride, films showing all the Future World attractions were shown on the large screens surrounding the worldkey reservation kiosks. If anyone is interested in reliving these memories or experiencing them for the first time, I am releasing a DVD series celebrating Epcot's 25th Anniversary. The first release will feature Spaceship Earth thru the various incarnations. Please check here for release information. Once again, if anyone wants to request a future Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.