Editor's Report - Jan 31, 2002

Editor's Report
Page 2 of 3

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Haunted Mansion Holiday

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!: The rumor of Haunted Mansion Holiday has been around for years. Some thought it was a good idea, but I think most felt it best not to muck up the Mansion with Nightmare Before Christmas, not even for the Holidays. Personally, I didn't care. As long as it was temporary, I'm all for experimenting. I heard Steven Davison's presentation on Mansion Holiday at Disneyana and, as usual, he sold me. Unfortunately, I was in Florida when it opened so I had to hear from everyone else how great it was. When we got back our first Disneyland stop was Haunted Mansion Holiday. We spent about an hour in line and finally got on. Fa la la la la! What a ride! Please Disneyland, keep this holiday trend going.
Links: Haunted Mansion Holiday Special Event  • Haunted Mansion Holiday Media Event

Left, Up, Down, Jump! You might not know it from looking at me, but I love Dance Dance Revolution - that game with four arrows that you step on in time with the music and the display on the screen. I've watched it in the arcade but never had the guts to try it in public. Then we were introduced to Disney's version - the Jungle Book Rhythm 'n' Groove program for Playstation. We bought it, bought a pad and got hooked. We've since bought an import Playstation just so we could buy the Japanese version of the Disney version of Dance Dance Revolution. It's got a great version of the Baroque Hoedown (the theme for the Electrical Parade) that I'm loving! There are many, many ways in this world to love Disney.
Link: Review of Jungle Book Rhythm 'n' Groove Pack

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Monsters, Inc.
(c) Disney/Pixar

Kitty: All I heard before Monsters, Inc. opened was it's good - but not as good as the Toy Story films. So when I sent to see it, I expected to enjoy it, but not necessarily love it. So much for expectations. I enjoyed Monsters, Inc. every bit as much as Toy Story 2 and more than the other Pixar films. As usual, the film was hilarious. But what really got me was Boo. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Boo is easily the cutest and most lovable animated human ever created on film.
Links: Toon Talk review of Monsters, Inc.

Big Al Has Left the Building: I liked the Country Bear Playhouse, but I can't honestly say I miss it. It was fun, but not a big draw for me. But like any loyal Disney fan, I had to attend the final day. I will admit, though, I didn't stay for the final show and perhaps I should have - I've heard some great stories about being there. Instead I met with a bunch of Bear fans, heard sad stories and caught a couple of shows in the afternoon. And while I understand the attachment many had to the Bears, I have to admit my enduring memory of that afternoon was seeing the line for the Pooh meet and greet being longer than the line for the Bears. Oh yeah, and seeing the Pooh and Bear walk-around mock fighting - that was funny!