The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
In the first letters this week, Walt Disney World Update author and MouseStation podcaster Mark Goldhaber answers some reader mail.
Mark writes:
What is the future for the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland? Will it be closed forever or what will go in its place?
The Haunted Mansion isn’t going anywhere. The Mansion at Disneyland will be closing September 4-20 for its annual conversion to Haunted Mansion Holiday, then it will close some time in January to change back its normal appearance. Have you heard anything to the contrary?
Mary C. writes:
A comment on the trivia question about the original attractions at Disney’s MGM Studios: My husband and I visited the park the first summer it was open. We did early entry, which then started at 6:30 a.m. (!) and by 10:30 a.m., we had seen everything. As we were leaving we were asked to be part of a taping of a TV show. This was done over in the area now called Mickey Avenue. We went and participated in a taping of, interestingly, “Divorce Court.” It was our fifth anniversary — luckily we are still married. Other attractions that summer included a game show that was taped onsite, and a live show featuring “Dick Tracy.”
Some TV shows did actually tape at the Studios back in the early days, also including “Thunder in Paradise” starring Hulk Hogan. However, the live show “Dick Tracy Starring in ‘Diamond Double Cross'” didn’t open until May 21, 1990, just over a year after the park opened.
Thanks for writing, and congratulations on 23 years of marriage!
Janice H. writes:
I know in the United Kingdom pavilion you can purchase your family’s coat of arms. How can I contact them in order to purchase one?
You can contact the folks at Walt Disney World merchandise either by e-mail (wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com) or by phone (407-363-6200). If they can’t help you themselves, they should be able to put you in contact with the store.
In the next letter this week, a MousePlanet reader takes issue with Alex Stroup’s review of National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Pete writes:
Alex, sometimes I think people who are hired or tasked with reviewing movies try too hard to review movies. Like Roger Ebert when he originally panned A Christmas Story, only to re-review it once it became a cult hit; the movie didn’t change, just Ebert’s perception of it. Sometimes it just comes down to one question: did you have fun at the movies. I had fun!
Movies like this one are designed to be fun, and this one was just that. Think of it as Indiana Jones-lite! It wasn’t written/directed/performed to be Oscar-worthy, but People’s Choice Award-worthy, and it succeeded. I loved seeing Ed Harris in a “fun” film; it was great seeing “Her Majesty” in a less-serious role. The movie hit all the right notes for the type of movie that it is. My two kids (14, 11) and I saw it on Saturday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience! PLUS! How could you not have mentioned the new Goofy short!? Perhaps they didn’t have it on every screen, but what a hoot to see a new short in front of a Disney film.
So, while I appreciate the fact that you are trying really hard to be a serious movie reviewer, it might be better not to take yourself so seriously and use the old “fun-factor” measuring stick once and a while, especially for movies like this one.
I agree, that sometimes it is enough to just have fun at a movie. See, my recent review of Dan in Real Life (link) where I comment that there are quite a few things that one could legitimately criticize about the movie but in the end I was entertained and that is what is important (or that I’m in he theater opening weekend for any Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or Jason Statham movie).
I did not have fun watching National Treasure. You mention a fun stick: I felt like I was being hit by a stick. I am not denying myself pleasure in pursuit of being a “serious reviewer” but I also recognize that not everybody is going to agree (and in my review mentioned that I expected I would be receiving letters like yours). I view it as my job simply to tell what I think of a movie and try to explain why I think so.
I can’t think of it as Indiana Jones-lite. It was, in my opinion, too painfully stupid to legitimately be mentioned in the same paragraph as those movies. My wife chided me afterward for “thinking too much about it” and after thinking about it, my view is that this isn’t a movie where you should avoid giving it too much thought but rather one where you need to avoid giving it ANY thought, for even the slightest consideration reveals layer upon layer of poor writing and nonsensical events. I don’t require a movie to make sense in relation to reality, but do ask that it do so in relation to itself and it fails completely in that regard.
But if you enjoyed it then we’ll just have to disagree. That is the great thing about purely subjective judgments, there is no “error” implied for disagreeing. When entertained by a movie, many sins are forgiven that become insurmountable if it isn’t connecting; I had no connection so the myriad problems were simply unforgivable.
Finally, MousePlanet staff writers answer questions from readers regarding the Disneyland Resort.
Louise writes:
I don’t recall the 2Fer ever allowing a guest to visit both parks on the same day. A guest would have to wait until the following day, at the earliest, to use the 2Fer ticket for the second park. If a guest were allowed to use the 2Fer for both parks on the same day there would be no reason for Disney to sell the One-Day Parkhopper.
Officially the 2Fer was never intended to be a one-day park hopper, but during the first promotion in 2005 there was no specific verbiage to that effect and so people were doing just that. Most Cast Members would allow it with little more than a warning that the ticket would not be valid on a future visit.
In 2006 they closed the loophole and offered a discounted Park Hopper at the same time the 2Fer was offered. If a guest tried to use the second day of their 2Fer on the same visit, CMs were instructed to send them back to the ticket booth to “upgrade” their ticket to the hopper.
For 2007 they specifically added verbiage that reads “Admission valid for one day at Disneyland park and another day at Disney’s California Adventure park, but not for both parks on the same day.” Although they did not include a Park Hopper option in the original offer, they have announced a discounted two-day Park Hopper for Southern California residents. The ticket is $25 more than the 2Fer.
Norma F. writes:
During a retirement luncheon a couple of co-workers were discussing the free admission to law enforcement and a reduce price for family members. I have been searching Disney’s Web page and I have not been able to find any information.
Pete writes:
Have you received any additional information on the Heroes Salute. I’m with a Northern California Police Department and several of us participated in the activation during a mutual aid response. I would like to bring my family down in January, but we’re a bit reluctant based on the information currently available addressing qualification for the current promotion. Just wanted to check back in to see what you may have heard.
The best information we have is what’s on the official Disneyland Web page. If there’s any doubt whether you qualify for the program, we suggest you call the number listed on that page (714-781-7290) to find out exactly what the requirements and restrictions are. Thanks for writing–and for your service to the community.
Steve B. writes:
What are they going to do with the old Monorail? Maybe they will sell it on eBay?
We haven’t heard what Disney plans to do with Monorails Red and Blue. Orange was used at Imagineering as a research platform to aid in designing and building the new trains. When we do get information about the fate of the two remaining Mark Vs, we’ll certainly post it in the weekly Disneyland Resort update (link) here on MousePlanet.
Marion Q. writes:
I am writing from Germany and I am looking for a board where you can find former cast members? Could you tell me if there are any Web sites like this? I worked in Paris in 1995. It would be great if you could give me any advice.
I’m sorry, I’m not aware of any forums or message boards dedicated to former Cast Members; that’s not to say they don’t exist, just that I don’t know about them. Why don’t you try posting your question on MousePad?
[Editor’s note: If you happen to know of such a Web site, please write into the Mailbag and let us know!]