Staff writer Lisa Perkis answers the first two letters this week, written in response to her most recent DVD reviews of Enchanted and the Classic Caballeros Collection.
Jeff P. writes:
It sounds like you viewed the full-frame version of Enchanted, since you say that the DVD presents the film at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. However, the film is also available formatted for 2.35:1. Since the movie was filmed for a very wide screen, this means that you are missing almost half the image when you purchase the full-frame edition.
Regarding the shortage of extra features on the DVD, it is worth noting that Target stores include an extra DVD slipped into the regular packaging which contains a 31-minute film on the making of Enchanted. However, this is the only content on this “exclusive” disc, and it is not formatted for 16:9 televisions.
Thanks for the feedback–I did post about the bonus disc from Target in our discussion forums because I had several people give me the head’s up on that. I actually received the film in the 2.35:1 format, but did not catch that detail when I gave the specifications in the review. A full-frame edition of any movie is not usually welcome in my house, as every true movie lover knows that it’s the devil’s handiwork.
Riki B. writes:
I agree with your review [of the Classic Caballeros Collection]. I am a fairly new Disney collector and have not seen any of these before and wanted to add them to my video collection but this was not one of Disney’s finest offerings. It is available on sale for $14.99 at Target, Best Buy and Circuit City (online only), plus if you are registered on Disney Movie rewards there is a $3 off manufacturer’s coupon Disney e-mailed to me that I used so it further reduced the price to $11.99 at Best Buy. Plus the bonus points gave me enough points to redeem for the Zorro 5-DVD first-season collection. I’m excited.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Newport Beach Film Festival to hear Richard Sherman in person and meet him. Now that was a treat! Also to hear stories from Roy Disney and Don Bluth and watch Disney shorts, plus I was sitting right in front of Tony Baxter! What a great night. Thanks for a great review. I enjoy all your reviews on MousePlanet.
Thanks for the feedback. You did your homework in finding the best price—good for you! That way, even though the DVD isn’t the greatest, you only paid $11.99 for it and now have it for your collection.
It sounds like you had a memorable night meeting Richard Sherman—that’s something you will be able to tell your kids about.
In our next letter, Tony Phoenix answers a reader who enjoyed his article analyzing the economics of Disney Vacation Club ownership, “Buying DVC.” Tim K. writes:
Thanks Tony for your very complete picture of what purchasing into DVC looks like. We were on the Disney Magic cruise ship a few weeks ago and listened to the DVC presentation as well, looked at some of the numbers and the advantages of purchasing DVC or just reserving places as we go.
We decided that DVC looked like a very good way to go but didn’t want to jump into it too quickly without researching it properly. We also decided we needed to take care of some other expenses first, then save enough money to hopefully pay cash for the initial investment.
We booked another cruise while we were on board for the end of April 2009 and are seriously considering purchasing into DVC. Everything I have read, investigated, analyzed looks very positive for it if you use your points every one to two years, which we would more than do. We have been going back to Disney every other year with our four children, and hotels are getting very expensive since we can’t just reserve a normal hotel room anymore. We have to have at least a one-bedroom that sleeps six or reserve multiple rooms (like we did on the cruise). I also like the idea of being able to use our points at other resorts because we travel to China/Hawaii often and would have the flexibility of using our points at resorts there.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your number-crunching analysis because they make more sense to me than just making an emotional decision and regretting it later. This way, we go into the decision with our eyes wide open and happy with the ultimate decision of how many points to purchase. That ultimately is the most difficult decision for us because I want to make sure we have enough to do or stay when/where we want and my wife is more conservative with how many points she thinks we will ultimately need. Of course, I will ultimately give in to what she sees we need to purchase (a very rational business decision on my part), and understand later that she was probably right all along.
I am glad that you found the analysis helpful. It is very easy to get caught up in the hype, and it helps to be able to look at the hard numbers, to make sure the decision is right for you.
One thing to bear in mind when it comes to the number of points: Once you have your initial ownership, it is very easy to add additional points if you find you need them. So my recommendation would be to go with your wife’s conservative number. As you gain some experience with how you use your points, if you find you need more, just add them on. Points can be added in batches as small as 25 at a time for current owners. (In fact, Add-On-itis is a bit of a running joke among a number of DVC owners).
Finally, MousePlanet photographer Frank Anzalone answers photography and other questions from readers. Mikki writes:
I really wanted to say “Thank you” for your photo tip articles. I recently found your articles while planning a trip to Disneyland and they really helped me to take some very nice pictures. I loved the pictures you took for the articles and I was curious if you had a gallery up anywhere? I am currently working on scrapbooking my recent Disneyland trip and I’m finding it difficult to find pictures of the inside of rides.
I am glad you got some great shots! Those Disney memories are pretty special! If you are looking for other pictures, try looking through the MousePlanet links for “images for computer desktops of Disneyland and WDW.” These are a selection of images that I have been collecting during my trips to the parks. Enjoy!
Brenda writes back in response to a previous question about suggestions for what to do with your Disney photos after you’ve taken them:
I think scrapbook may be the best way, but as you know trends change so fast. I am going to scrapbook some of my pictures. My girlfriend, with whom I visited our favorite place, is an excellent scrapbooker. I myself have made several copies of my favorite pics, and I’m making a slide show of our photos for my father’s birthday at the end of this month. That might be something to write about.
It’s important to get your pictures, but also just as important is the way they are displayed. For example, I was at my in-laws and started showing them our pictures, but they got bored very quickly. However when I showed them what I had done to the slide show they couldn’t stop looking. I’m new at the slide show too, but I love pictures and am finding it a great way to spend what little free time I have. I think you are doing a great job and look forward to reading anything else you publish. Thanks again for the great tips.
Yes… I think the times are changing and people like seeing pictures in a slide show format on a computer, television or even on an iPhone! I carry my portfolio in my pocket with my iPhone.
There are so many ways to make a slide show, it is all up to personal preference in the flow. I am going to work out a little tutorial/suggestion list about assembling photos together, to tell a story, to flow, or just to make sure that you have these memories! I’ll let you know when we (hopefully) publish those tips.
In the mean time, keep watching MousePlanet for great Disney information!
Mark F. writes:
Do you happen to have a source for some of the local people who design, build, and program the attractions at Disneyland? I’m looking for a good source for designing and building display cases/units and interactive computer kiosks for an aviation museum.
Thanks a bunch and blue skies!
Wow! Good question… I think I would contact Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) in Glendale, California. That is the place that I am sure would have a list of vendors that possibly could help you out. I am not sure who to talk to there—but take a shot!
Another place you might try is the Oakland Museum. They had a Disneyland exhibition a little while back and there were interactive kiosks. Maybe they could point you in a positive direction for this project. Here is the name of my contact there:
Elizabeth Whipple/Publicity & Marketing Manager
Oakland Museum of CA
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, CA 94607
www.museumca.org
The only other idea I had was to contact video game companies like Atari or Electronic Arts. Good luck! I hope you find what you need!
