tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post8593109095286476200..comments2024-03-07T09:25:09.142-08:00Comments on Long-Forgotten: Jean Lafitte and the "Mega-Theme" TemptationHBG2http://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-5029725676430559472022-10-27T20:21:41.735-07:002022-10-27T20:21:41.735-07:00Whooops, guess I mean dozen rather than decade. Bu...Whooops, guess I mean dozen rather than decade. But always…thanks. Fun time traveling. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-20170542522260944202022-10-26T15:19:41.093-07:002022-10-26T15:19:41.093-07:00You're very welcome.You're very welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-34385954618469000172022-10-26T13:28:07.504-07:002022-10-26T13:28:07.504-07:00It’s Oct 2022. I have always believed that Disneyl...It’s Oct 2022. I have always believed that Disneyland was a ‘sampler’, an ‘introduction’ to the wider world, an invitation for you to discover ever-more about a million things suggested and seen in the park; such as history, design, literature, business, science, gardening; even nature itself, and the occult in this case (also economics, how to best spend those ticket books?). <br /><br />I became an architectural designer because I was intrigued with the finishes within Disneyland and especially how all it’s spaces fit together. I garden because I could see great examples of what was possible in scale and texture, fragrance and color. I started my own company after understanding how DisCo. works as art and commerce. These topics and so many more have propelled me through a life full of incredible experiences I would not have otherwise encountered. <br /><br />Disneyland isn’t just beautiful or merely fun, it is profoundly INSPIRATIONAL (those “Dreams” in gooey corporate parlance). <br /><br />Here, a decade after this amazing ‘boundless book’ was first published, it is still endlessly fascinating to learn further details. … with years more reading to go (hoping / presuming we’ll get into the huge glass panes, elevator innovations, wallpaper details and although EDL, perhaps the bride-in-mirror-skull). <br /><br />Thank You for your outstandingly good work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-85317466453145829142018-08-23T02:39:36.330-07:002018-08-23T02:39:36.330-07:00I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I...I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates. <a href="https://view.ly/v/MXfpB9r8EUb2" rel="nofollow">https://view.ly/v/MXfpB9r8EUb2</a><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-76375407145457382172017-09-01T20:49:08.766-07:002017-09-01T20:49:08.766-07:00Astounding! I'm with you. I believe wishful th...Astounding! I'm with you. I believe wishful thinking is more powerful than canonical facts. Let's not forget how much we loved the Mansion when we knew precious little about the happy haunts. Our imaginations filled in the cavernous space between. It's a gift handed down from the beginning. <br /><br />I've been following the growing mega theme of the S.E.A. and finally got around to sharing a bit of it on my blog. Whether I'm right or wrong about the Imagineer's intent, I don't quite care. I'm simply happy to dream alongside them. Let me know what you think. http://freddymartin.net/2017/08/28/disneyland-finally-gets-sea-connection/ Skipper Freddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16582346857366245574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-16344880364453141762017-07-08T10:50:31.796-07:002017-07-08T10:50:31.796-07:00Hmm...to my eye the resemblance to April-December ...Hmm...to my eye the resemblance to April-December is slight.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-72810713551728691562017-06-29T16:43:55.214-07:002017-06-29T16:43:55.214-07:00On the off chance you see this comment on this fab...On the off chance you see this comment on this fabulous old post, I'd like to bring your attention to a piece of concept art posted today, June 29th, 2017, on the D23 website (but I would hardly be surprised if you've already seen it!). In an article with the headline "New Pirates Setting Sail at Disneyland Paris’ Pirates of the Caribbean on July 24," D23 has announced that the auction scene in the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland will change to feature everyone's favorite redhead as a pirate rather than a soon-to-be bride. That's not what I'm focused on here, though. What I'm looking at is the left side of the artwork where a woman in a pink dress is depicted to be holding a large painting of a sitting girl, waiting for her turn to hand her treasure over to the redheaded pirate. A sitting woman who, even when just barely scribbled out, looks remarkably similar to Marc Davis' April...TJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-10518012882124637612016-11-23T12:35:34.265-08:002016-11-23T12:35:34.265-08:00I happened to come across your blog through a link...I happened to come across your blog through a link that someone shared on a recent FB post about this so called crypt, and I am so happy that I decided to click on your link. Thank you for sharing this Disney history. I have been going to Disneyland since I was a little gir with my parents and sisters, and when I had my own own family, I have continued to go with my husband and two sons every year as APs. I have seen the Lafitte sign in POC, the anchor, and yes, even that crypt, (and I will have to really check out the attic in HM next time around), but never thought about or realized their connection, whether deliberate or not, until reading your blog. And the bonus was reading all the comments that came after, which to my surprise included Mr. Ed Soto himself. Thanks again! I loved reading your blog. This will add to a wonderful Disney discussion with my sons. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11040883789746658923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-23951460274241813862016-11-16T00:00:20.223-08:002016-11-16T00:00:20.223-08:00I absolutely loved this read. Thank you so much fo...I absolutely loved this read. Thank you so much for sharing the disney history with us.D203https://www.blogger.com/profile/06959212291761445020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-88124985449707122662015-08-24T08:53:27.484-07:002015-08-24T08:53:27.484-07:00Here's an update four years later: "Jacks...Here's an update four years later: "Jackson Island" is in fact the name of the island in Mark Twain's book.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-4027718642791730632015-02-23T09:47:48.794-08:002015-02-23T09:47:48.794-08:00Well, in my own case and career that is exactly wh...Well, in my own case and career that is exactly what happened.<br /><br />I first visited The Haunted Mansion in late 1969 or 1970, at about age 11 or 12. I was terrified to go in there the first time; by the time I emerged from the exit, I was first back in line to ride again.<br /><br />I was so captivated by not only the techniques used to create the visual effects, as well as the spiritual aspects suggested by "happy haunts" that I found myself learning all I could about visual effects for film and stage, and shamanism, world religions, and occultism in my teens.<br /><br />It did not take long for me to know this was the kind of magic I wanted to make for a living.<br /><br />These days I'm a visual effects artist, supervising VFX work on films and TV. Including STAR TREK NEW VOYAGES.<br /><br />So, it did happen for me, cynics notwithstanding!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-67929620533674416982014-01-30T15:20:06.277-08:002014-01-30T15:20:06.277-08:00Of course, I was talking about Disney World's ...Of course, I was talking about Disney World's Mansion and Columbia Harbor Harbor House. But, who knows? Maybe that mysterious person you had in mind lit the flame over at the World. I'm a younger reader and so first time I read Susan Veness' book I was quite little. Still, the Mansion/Pirate connection caught my eye even then. Perhaps this is because I was such a huge PotC fan since I was extremely tiny but perhaps it was because the mega-theme makes sense, even in small dosages. I am a huge fan of these types of connections. It's like seeing Rapunzel and Eugene's cameo in Frozen, it suggests that they and Anna and Elsa live in the same world. This mega-theme, however, is more like that Pixar movies theory that connects all of the studio's films, winding up with Boo from Monsters Inc. being the old witch is Brave (if you haven't read that go look it up!). It seems to me Laffitte's historical story is fits almost too perfectly into the parks and this intrigues me. How could only a handful of people have noticed?<br /><br />Also, in response to cynics saying Disney, as only an amusement park, shouldn't say they inspire on such large scales. If they can't imagine a sub technician who knew that was the job for him after Disney, then imagine a little girl who knew that she wanted to be an Imagineer after her first visit. If Disney didn't inspire her in that way then, well, she wouldn't be (re)reading and commenting on this marvelous post.Pixienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-5194097614782479032014-01-30T14:26:51.520-08:002014-01-30T14:26:51.520-08:00Never heard of that, but the DL Mansion has always...Never heard of that, but the DL Mansion has always had a changing portrait called the "Flying Dutchman", and WDW has had it since 2007. If anyone was deliberately making a connection, it would likely be with that, but it sounds like coincidence to me.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-69515046696347123142014-01-30T13:51:29.353-08:002014-01-30T13:51:29.353-08:00I've been reading this for quite a long time n...I've been reading this for quite a long time now but I, regrettably, hardly comment. I often reread articles, especially the this one and the ones about the Attic Bride.<br /><br />I have to ask though... I always remembered one sentence in Susan Veness' book The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World. She says that each room in Columbia Harbor House is either dedicated to a ghost ship or ship lost at sea. Also, when you look out the windows on the top floor it faces the Haunted Mansion. This particular room so happens to be themed after the Flying Dutchman. I can't help but connect this to the Captain in the Mansion and to the Pirate/Mansion Mega-Theme attempt. I fully well know that the Pirates franchise came much later but doesn't it seem fitting for them to choose the Dutchman? Your thoughts?Pixienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-35569774583218928332013-09-24T06:58:19.370-07:002013-09-24T06:58:19.370-07:00I haven't seen this mentioned yet, and I thoug...I haven't seen this mentioned yet, and I thought it was interesting: there's an old Disney TV movie from the 60s called "Mystery at the Pirate Inn" (that might not be the exact title). The pirate in question is, you guessed it, Jean Lafitte.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-41476255352479483952013-05-25T12:54:25.724-07:002013-05-25T12:54:25.724-07:00I was led here through a michechat newsletter. Wha...I was led here through a michechat newsletter. What a good read. I've got to,know if the geocache ever happened. I've never thought to use my geocache app while in the park. Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03438199804298622546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-67564654062932546032011-04-21T18:37:42.885-07:002011-04-21T18:37:42.885-07:00So Sklar's in on it too? The tentacles, the t...So Sklar's in on it too? The tentacles, the tentacles...HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-36001073556453330692011-04-21T18:09:32.309-07:002011-04-21T18:09:32.309-07:00So I had to laugh last night, half watching an old...So I had to laugh last night, half watching an old 1967 Wonderful World of Color special dealing with the making of Pirates and the New Tomorrowland. All of a sudden I hear the Disneyland ambassador say on her tour "New Orleans used to be the home to real Pirates like Jean Laffite". And why New Orleans is the perfect setting for a pirate ride. Interestingly enough, Marty Sklar wrote the script to that episode.Dr Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292579927503536511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-6021258090449264322011-04-20T10:51:29.539-07:002011-04-20T10:51:29.539-07:00Very interesting indeed. Almost a tail-wags-the-d...Very interesting indeed. Almost a tail-wags-the-dog situation, but not really. We tend to think of Davis as an idea man and concept artist, but clearly he was deeply involved in these projects all the way through. He was the guy who decided when the HM would open, and he yanked the HBG. There's a picture in Surrell's POTC book showing a bunch of guys working on the animatronics of the Auction scene, obviously late in the game, right there on the set, and there's Marc in the thick of things, alongside Wathel Rogers and Bill Justice. It always amazes me how utterly un-pigeonholed those old Imagineers were. Everyone did everything and anything. Walt always seemed to want guys equally at home with a pencil or a screwdriver in their hand.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-44129599038577156582011-04-20T09:59:49.867-07:002011-04-20T09:59:49.867-07:00No, we just hide a book that we can share when we ...No, we just hide a book that we can share when we go to the park. I'm sure it will get found (probably sooner) and tossed eventually, but it would be fun to have a secret "stash". "Geo cache" means using a pre determined GPS coordinate to mark the location. I wish the Keystone on the Lafitte arch was removable! <br /><br />BTW- I had an interesting conversation with a 1.5G retired Imagineer who had worked on Mansion and other shows during the "Golden Age". He told me something pretty interesting about Marc Davis. He was telling me that as part of his process, Marc would occasionally redesign his figures as the staging in the scene evolved. So once the sets were designed and the space became more defined, he would do a new piece of art to reflect the revised staging. He would work directly in ink and do these the same day. So perhaps this is one reason his art ends up looking like the final show we see. I thought this was worth sharing.Dr Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292579927503536511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-62087129536510323922011-04-19T21:22:09.750-07:002011-04-19T21:22:09.750-07:00How would that work? A reading room, where books ...How would that work? A reading room, where books don't leave the area, or what? Sounds interesting.<br /><br />You know, I'm now hoping this Lafitte thing—which must certainly be peculiar to DL—will be our firewall against that awful stuff in the WDW queue. I am already convinced that the Constance saga is slated for expansion sometime in the future (incorporating the Ghost Host and probably the HBG into the tale), and if the Del Toro movie is a big hit there will be pressure to add something to reflect its original contributions (a la Jack Sparrow at POTC). If a Lafitte-Jackson layer is also going to be added, they surely wouldn't be so dense as to add <i>yet another</i> whole story layer on top of <i>that,</i> would they? The cartoonish Dread family and their dorky murder mystery? Tell me they couldn't be that dumb.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-30058529616237603342011-04-19T11:26:21.269-07:002011-04-19T11:26:21.269-07:00I was thinking of creating our own in park library...I was thinking of creating our own in park library of reading material.Dr Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292579927503536511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-65990183413444341222011-04-18T12:39:35.433-07:002011-04-18T12:39:35.433-07:00Would "geo-cache" be hiding the book whe...Would "geo-cache" be hiding the book where someone may actually find it, or putting it in a place where no one would likely discover it? Manufactured Karma!<br /><br />"Pirate churros." Reminds me of something that came out when they were redoing the island for Pirate's Lair. Seems the demo crew discovered a case of 7up and a case of Coke inside some rockwork around the entrance to Injun Joe's Cave, unopened and in mint condition. Rumor has it Tom was all about 7up, while Huck preferred Coke. Well, it sure beats "Kilroy was here," but if you're going to leave something like a time capsule, I would think it would have been more intriguing to leave a copy of Huck Finn or something.<br /><br />You wonder how much of that goes on.HBG2https://www.blogger.com/profile/05073387557562504315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-27545727819958299872011-04-18T09:16:00.155-07:002011-04-18T09:16:00.155-07:00I may bring a copy the Lafitte memoirs to the Isla...I may bring a copy the Lafitte memoirs to the Island and geo-cache them so there can be a secret library right there.. thoughts?Dr Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292579927503536511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4444762441887107389.post-10756260860162386742011-04-18T09:10:16.949-07:002011-04-18T09:10:16.949-07:00Well, I never thought anyone was "crazy"...Well, I never thought anyone was "crazy", but now that the park is supporting the story, it is of course, becoming more "real" and I kinda like the" Jackson Island" reference. The "fringe" aspect to me was assuming those loose recycled Jackson props from the Island in the HM attic were intentional. I still doubt they were thinking in those terms. More than anything, I'd love to see a subtle, historically based overlay take hold that does not stifle the attractions. the bulletin board was a nice touch and perhaps in video games or RPG's this could be a better way to experience this. Even get deeper into the Columbia and Capt. Gray and supporting that. <br /><br />When we end up with a "Lafitte's Pirate Churro" stand you can count me out.Dr Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292579927503536511noreply@blogger.com