I don't even know what to say... many of you know, and many don't yet know, but our beloved friend Sandy Graham, has taken a turn for the worse in her struggle to battle brain cancer.
Several months ago, a tumor was removed from Sandy's brain - and at the time, we weren't sure whether Sandy would make it or not. You can imagine the joy, tears and happiness when the word came that the doctors had removed the entire tumor and that the surgery was a "success", even though there were residual effects that Sandy's had to learn to live with.
Recently, Sandy's progress in her recovery has slowed and then, things started becoming more difficult when they should have been getting easier. Tawnda, Sandy's sister, knew something was not right. This week, Tawnda took Sandy to the emergency room where tests were done over a 24-hour period and the devastating news came - it appears that Sandy's tumor is returning, and at this point, most of the doctors do not feel that Sandy has more than 12 months to live.
Anyone close to Sandy feels like they've been hit in the stomach with a baseball bat. The utter sadness, frustration and ultimately, helplessness that we have all had to face in light of this new prognosis has been one of the ugliest realities that we've ever had to deal with.
UPDATE: Sandy has been discharged from the hospital and is now at home under the supervision of hospice care.
Now, more than ever, it is time to show your love and support for this amazing human being. If you have free time, go visit Sandy. If you don't have the time, make the time and go visit Sandy.
To arrange a visit with Sandy at home, please call her sister, Tawnda, first. Tawnda's phone number is (310) 480-7514. Their home address is:
23594 Underwood Circle
Murrieta, California 92562
There are still up-coming benefits for Sandy, and now more than ever, we need to come together as her friends, fans, loved ones and supporters and be the wind at her back; those who hold her up and cherish her for the incredible individual she is.
If you have not yet signed up for the Disneyland Resort Benefit Event for Sandy, please do so by clicking here for more information. Even if you do not have a way to get in to the Park, there is an entire portion of this that takes place in Downtown Disney, the hotels and the common areas so that everyone can participate in this.
It is extremely important that you do not mention anything about the tumor or prognosis to Sandy when you see her. Tawnda has requested that the subject not be disclosed to Sandy, as that is a very personal situation obviously; Tawnda will have to have that talk with Sandy when the time is right.
Please respect Sandy's family's wishes and do not disclose any medical information to her whatsoever. Simply visit her, love her and tell her you cannot wait for her to visit Haunt, get better, etc. ONLY positive thoughts and things, please. It is imperative that everyone is on the same page with this and respects the family's wishes.
For more information or to visit Sandy's personal blog, click here.
Spread the word, share these links - but most of all, continue to support our dear Queen Sandy. We love her, love her family and wish there was more we could do in the face of such dire news.
On Sunday, August 29, 2010, the next benefit event for Sandy Graham will take place at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California!
There will be two separate divisions, so that everyone can participate in this fantastic scavenger hunt; the first division is for those with Annual Passes (or those willing to buy a ticket to Disneyland Park), as it will take you all over the Magic Kingdom and let you see the park in a whole new way! The second division is for those without Annual Passes or tickets to Disneyland Park; it will take you on a hunt through the common areas - the central area between the two theme parks, the transportation areas, the three Disney hotels and Downtown Disney!
The cost is $20 to enter, and that entry fee is for a team of two to four individuals! Not bad at all, considering the proceeds from this event go to everyone's favorite Vampire Queen!
A Look at How Disneyland Revolutionized Entertainment Storytelling Through Mechanical Means - from Songbirds to Dragons and Beyond!
Once-in-a-lifetime event will celebrate Disney’s mechanical magic, from the shores of the Jungle Cruise and Monorail beams, to Pirate ships, and beyond!
This September 18th 2010, Ape Pen Publishing and the 1313 Club will host an event celebrating the incredible mechanical story of Disneyland—beginning with simple motorized figures and leading to the development of Audio-Animatronics.
Unique in the world of themed entertainment for its design and production of hundreds of mechanical devices for the revolutionary theme park, Disney’s creative efforts led from simple animated humans and animals to ride systems, vehicles, special effects, and some of today’s most striking lifelike animatronic characters.
The event will illustrate Disney’s incredible mechanical achievements by spotlighting attractions, characters, and memorable devices created by the Disney Studios and, later, the MAPO arm of WED Imagineering.
Using rare images, video, and authentic props and animatronics, guests will gain insight into the fascinating MAPO division as never before.
Disney Legends Bob Gurr, Alice Davis, Floyd Norman, Rolly Crump, and Xavier Atencio, Garner Holt, Bill Farmer, (plus many more!) will shed light on this little known but highly intriguing aspect of Disney history—plus performances by Disneyland entertainers and the World premiere of the world’s most advanced animatronic figure!
This once-in-a-lifetime evening will honor Disneyland as one of the world’s great storytelling environments, with special emphasis on its technological wonders. Combining history, entertainment, and lots of surprises, it’s an event not to be missed by any Disneyland Fan.
Sept 18th , 2010 at the Disneyland Hotel
Celebrating 55 Years of DISNEYLAND!
Staring Disney Legends!
&
Featuring Authentic Animatronics Presented By
GARNER HOLT
Garner Holt Productions
Creators of many Disney Audio-Animatronics including Mr. Lincoln &
Toy Story Midway Mania's inner-active Mr. Potato Head
With Live Entertainment presented by:
The Original Golden Horseshoe
Can Can Girls
&
Golden Horseshoe Performer
Kirk Wall
Confirmed Disney Legend Speakers
X Atencio-Show writer/lyrist for Pirates of The Caribbean, & The Haunted Manson
Milt Albright-Original Disneyland Park Manager
Katherine Beaumont-The original speaking voice of Alice & Wendy
Rolly Crump-Show designer of it's a small world, Pirates, The Haunted Mansion, The Tiki Room
Alice Davis-Costume Designer, it's a small world, Pirates of The Caribbean
Bob Gurr-Creator of The Monorail, Autopias, Mr. Lincoln, The Flying Saucers
The good stuff keeps coming in now - here's a shot of the original Snow White darkride mural from Disneyland. The artwork is by Disney Legend Ken Anderson, circa 1963...
Most people taking the time to read this editorial have grown up with one of the original Disney theme parks as part of their lives, I would imagine. Whether your "home" park is either Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida, we've witnessed the parks evolve from the 1950s on.
With that evolution, we've watched as technology advances the experience - from the very first dark rides such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Peter Pan, to more innovative systems today such as Monsters, Inc. or soon, The Little Mermaid.
We've also watched as large-scale attractions became known as "E"-Ticket experiences, from Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion to Indiana Jones and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Even the parades and shows at the parks have done their own evolution - from simple parades down Main Street USA or the two-dimensional Main Street Electrical Parade units of the '70s to the dynamic wonders of Fantasmic!, the newer versions of the Electrical Parade and this summer, World of Color at Disney's California Adventure.
As fans, we've grown up with Disney and its parks; it's been a collective maturing on all fronts - the way the parks and rides are built; the way fans became superfans with the advent of the Internet; the way once-a-year vistitors have become three-times-a-week Passholders. The boost the Internet has given theme park fans has taken us from clueless enthusiasts to very savvy fans that often know more than theme park employees themselves about what's happening within their own company - sometimes, right below their own noses. It's not a swipe at them at all; it is a testament to how powerful the Internet and modern communication is in informing the masses and how quickly news can be relayed around the planet just by retweeting a link from your cell phone or posting an image or video online.
Recently, something truly epic in importance and the industry took place that literally stopped me in my tracks and has moved me so that I've been buzzing about it ever since. Something happened at Disneyland that was captured on video and posted to YouTube that has changed the Disney theme park experience forever.
It's something that needs to be seen to be understood:
Now, watch it again.
Maybe a few more times.
I'd venture to guess, if you haven't yet seen this for yourself online, you're sitting there with your mouth open and a fairly dazed/surprised look on your face. And if you weren't sitting down to begin with, I'd wager you are now.
Watch it again; this time, study the people in the room with Mickey experiencing this - because it's critical.
Through a highly-classified effort by the Research & Development branch of Walt Disney Imagineering, this technology has been a held patent of Disney's since July 5th, 1994. This is nothing new - yet, it's been so quiet and so under-the-radar that virtually no one saw it coming until it went viral online this past week. Even as late as last night (May 7, 2010), high-level Disney executives were going online to see this character costume technology for themselves. No one knew this was about to land - and yet, it did. It exploded in our midst in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland.
And now, the whole game has changed.
This is beyond huge. This is, in my opinion, the single most jarring and paramount advancement we've seen at a Disney theme park since the introduction of Audio-Animatronics in 1961. I believe this is bigger and more important than any ride system, large-scale attraction or show we've witnessed come online.
Watch the video again, and this time, focus completely on the young children. Total suspension of disbelief has taken place and for the first time ever - ever, folks - children and people of all ages are directly communicating with and having a real conversation with Mickey Mouse. This hasn't happened in 55 years. Anywhere. Ever. Yet, watch those kids; it's normal to them and they engage Mickey without hesitation. I'd say, they engage Mickey with even less intimidation than they would a silent five foot-tall character waving at them to come closer.
We have just witnessed the entire scope of theme park experience change forever. And even so, those small children have no idea that until now, Mickey has never spoken a word to any Disneyland visitor. Now, listen to the woman at the end of the video; she is obviously thrilled that the children are talking to Mickey - but there is definitely something more going on. She is trying to wrap her head around what's happening and what she's witnessing herself; you can hear it in her voice as the video ends. It's total amazement. Absolutely.
Why people aren't going as crazy about this yet as I thought they would - I have no idea. Perhaps just not enough people know about it; perhaps the heft of this advancement hasn't yet clicked or sunk in. But I firmly believe that we have just witnessed a jarring, incredible evolution take place.
This is Disney's next step into the future that changes everything for everyone. Manual to automatic auto transmission; black and white to color television; cassette tape to CD; video to DVD; film to digital projection.
Mickey Mouse speaks now. Soon, it will be common to see Mickey and the other Disney characters walking down Main Street saying hello to guests and also, communicating amongst themselves. This technology doesn't just stop at Mickey. Goofy's laugh will be heard punctuating a corny joke, Donald will perhaps laugh in his raspy voice, Minnie will tell Mickey he's her sweetheart.
Welcome to the next level, folks. This is history that's just taken place. Some may read this and look at my enthusiasm as being way too much. I respectfully disagree. The line between fantasy and reality has been blurred. The day absolutely exists now that kids of all ages will not remember "back when characters didn't talk". Technology has caught up with that 1994 patent and Walt Disney Imagineers have made it so.
In the days, weeks and months to come, likely a landslide of video and information will emerge regarding this breakthrough. Disney has released their own video (the one first embedded in this article) and one of the main forces behind this next generation initiative, Scott Trowbridge, has said that there are many more tricks up their sleeves that we will witness in the future. And I believe him.
This has to be the beginning of the touted $1.5 billion technology push that Disney's been promising would take theme park experiences to the next level. It has to be. This is the tip of the iceberg, folks.
Personally, I cannot wait to witness this in person - although I imagine being lucky enough to be in the right place whenever talking Mickey makes an appearance will be a feat unto itself. But, we'll see.
As of the writing of this article, only two more videos that I have been able to find are online. Here they are:
Take a very enthusiastic Disneyland fan that has a rich background in computer programming, give him an iPhone and toss a handful of pixie dust all over it and you have the seed for Wishing Stars.
Kind of. There was also a heck of a lot of work that went into the development for the wildly-popular iPhone GPS-based game, designed by Greg Maletic.
Based in San Francisco, California, as the Founder of the creative technology application firm The Future of Pinball, LLC, Maletic became interested in creating a social fan application for Disneyland that would allow fellow enthusiasts to communicate with one another via Facebook and Twitter by letting them post where they were at the theme park and what they were doing. At the same time, Greg also began toying with a feature that was originally, supposed to be just a fun little twist to the application - users being able to unlock secret, additional features as they used Wishing Stars more and more.
As the project took on a life of its own, Greg soon realized that the social application could, and would be much more; a new game was being born that was unlike anything any company (including Disney) had previously created for iPhone users.
Utilizing the GPS technology resident in both the iPhone 3G and 3GS, Greg began creating a virtual scavenger hunt that would take Disneyland visitors all over the Magic Kingdom in search of "stars" that would unlock further quests within the game.
After much planning, studying other iPhone GPS-based applications for the iPhone platform and many trips to Anaheim, Greg rolled out the first version of Wishing Stars in the iTunes Store in the summer of 2009. Quickly, and with much fanfare online, Wishing Stars became the most talked about Disney app for the iPhone amongst Disney enthusiasts. Theme Park Adventure caught wind of this application as its followers started raving about it online. The capper was when TPA's good pal and indutry designer David Cobb told us that Wishing Stars was a must-haveand that we needed to check it out.
We contacted Greg and he very kindly welcomed Theme Park Adventure to download and test it at Disneyland for ourselves. And we became obsessed.
Wishing Stars is made up of different quest groupings, which Greg has dubbed "Quest Books". They range from easy fun (perfect for kids) to extremely challenging for the most veteran Disneyland enthusiasts around. To advance through the game and unlock further Quest Books, users need to go to specific locations at Disneyland Park and answer Wishing Stars questions correctly. The GPS technology then kicks in and if you've given a correct answer, Wishing Stars lets you advance further into its wonderful world of trivia.
Some of Wishing Stars' questions are image-based; the game gives you a picture to look at and it's up to you to scour Disneyland in search of its actual location. The integration of the GPS technology makes it impossible for lazy gamers to cheat and simply input the correct answer - if the game says to go to a certain spot within Mickey's Toontown or on Tom Sawyer Island, you'd better lace up your boots and get moving, because that is where you will need to go in order to submit a correct answer to the application!
The way that Greg has designed Wishing Stars reminded me very much of the thought process that Blizzard Entertainment uses in designing quests for its World of Warcraft game - not every quest has to take up hours of your time; some can be handled in minutes, some a bit longer. This flexibility and variety of questing allows gamers to participate and play as they can - there is no pressure to spend an hour playing Wishing Stars at a time if you wish to make progress. Some of the game's quests can be completed in minutes; others take longer. Rather than be a burden on your time and schedule, Greg has created Wishing Stars to be a companion - an enhancement - to your Disneyland visit. And whether you're an Annual Passholder who's at Disneyland a few times a week or a visitor that makes it to Anaheim once every few years, Wishing Stars is the perfect application to take along, as it allows for a whole new dimension of fun to what's already a fun-filled trip for the whole family.
The range of questions and the difficulty levels make Wishing Stars a blast for the entire family to play as a team - young children may be able to answer easier questions or find more obvious landmarks along the way (although don't underestimate your kids - their level of observation sometimes trumps us "big kids") and older folks in your crew can handle the tougher trivia. Wishing Stars has something for everyone - it doesn't leave anyone out, which is one thing we really loved about this game.
Whenever you talk about a trivia game and think of people being left out, hard core fans will tell you that it's usually them left behind - in many cases, in order to appeal to a wider audience base, trivia games are watered-down and made too easy, leaving little more than a semi-amusing and half-rewarding experience for the vets. Fear not, Wishing Stars users! Greg has included many quests in the game that really stumped us as we searched the Mouse House high and low - we were really pleased that much of Wishing Stars is not dumbed-down; it is a perfect challenge for even the most extreme Disneyland fan out there!
For the purpose of getting through Wishing Stars as quickly as possible to review the game for our readers, Theme Park Adventure blasted through the game as quickly as we could - and even though we went to Disneyland with the specific intention of completing Wishing Stars quickly, it still took two trips and hours to complete. Casual gamers not in such a hurry or on such a focused mission will find that it takes quite a while to successfully take on Wishing Stars; this isn't a one-time deal. It's a fantastic Disneyland trip companion that you can pick and poke at, however you' like. It's great and doesn't take over your life - unless you want it to!
Almost-Free Download
Since its debut in 2009, Wishing Stars has been through a couple price adjustments within the iTunes Store. Starting at $5.99 and then dropping to $4.99, Greg has now made Wishing Stars a free download, along with two complimentary quests. This new pricing structure allows gamers to try before they buy - and we're confident that once you do try, you will buy. Individual Quest Books at varying difficulty levels are available for purchase, making it easy for users to expand their Wishing Stars game at their own will, however they'd like.
Expansions Coming
Wishing Stars is currently only available as a Disneyland-based trivia game. Greg does however, assure us that a Walt Disney World version is on the way, as well as new Disneyland Quest Books! For the time being, Wishing Stars is a Disneyland-based game - which shouldn't be too much of a business roadblock for Greg, as the Anaheim resort now has more than one million Annual Passholders; some of them are sure to have iPhones!
As new Quest Books are made available and other Disney parks are added to the mix, Greg will keep users posted via the Wishing Stars Twitter feed, as well as on Facebook. Theme Park Adventure will also keep its readers updated as Greg rolls out future Wishing Stars expansions and upgrades.
This is a product that we feel is absolutely worth-while and worth the price. Wishing Stars is completely well thought-out and there was definitely a lot of love and effort that went in to making this game. Our honest suggestion is that all Disneyland fans try it out; we're sure you'll love it as much as we do!
Theme Park Adventure applauds Greg for bringing Wishing Stars to life - it's absolutely a must-have iPhone app for all Disneyland fans, casual or hard-core. The game is thoughtful, well-rounded and most of all, fun. There is no doubt in our minds that The Walt Disney Company has kicked themselves for not rolling out something like Wishing Stars. The quality of the game is high and gameplay itself is simple and very user-friendly. If you lose your signal (Disneyland has horrible GPS/cell reception in some areas) or you have to turn your iPhone off to take in a ride or have a meal, the game auto-saves your spot so that you're not stuck repeating quests. This is a smart, fun, very "Disney" application that brings Disneyland trivia and scavenger hunts to the next level.
Huge props and kudos to Greg - and to Wishing Stars. Give it a go - you won't be disappointed.
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