Thursday 20 August 2009

squawk! Tonight's post is somewhat unique, and calls for a different kind of introduction. upon a recent trip to the Hollywood tower hotel i noticed a few hidden things for you all to look out for. for all my feathered readers i would recommend perching on the concierge desk or book shelf and let the mass of frantically moving people all hurrying to bypass all the little things that make this ride truly special. for my skin covered readers i would say just hang around a bit throughout the whole queue to really find everything.
one of the first things to notice as you enter the lobby look to the wall to the right of the desk and notice that the AAA (American Automobile Association) awarded the hotel a 13 star award. . .


A guest with an im'peck'able eye for detail and a love for The Twilight Zone will notice this sign for the Tip Top Club in the lobby. Where the poor unfortunate souls from that dark stormy night long ago where heading before they found themselves. . . Misplaced. the name of the live musician playing on that night was Anthony Fremont. The name of the child in one of the more remembered episodes "it's a good life"



I decided to land on this sign for a bit and sit really still and pretend to be a prop, and just as guests got near "squawk" you should have seen their faces. ha ha ha




while i was there i had a good view of something people usually miss so be sure too look out for it while you are there. the fallen letters from the sign create a chilling word of warning to all who enter


as you walk/fly through into the library notice on top of the bookshelf the mystic seer or swami from The Twilight Zone episode "nick of time" featuring William Shatner



and a very familiar yet haunting book from the episode "To serve Man"

as you enter the ride elevator their is an inspection certificate dated to October 31st 1939. . . Halloween! also look for the signature at the bottom. recognise the name "Mr Cadwallader" from the episode "Escape clause" one of the devils many names in the popular cult classic.

Anyway I spy a tourist with a open bag of popcorn so if you will excuse me there will be more on The Tower of Terror later.

Monday 17 August 2009

last night whilst on a routine swoop down Main street a unusual scene caught my eye behind the second floor windows! You can notice it if you look for at the windows for a while whilst visiting the magic kingdom park. shadows are cast against the windows by candlelight as if the owners are always home making the park feel that much more alive.
I decided to perched on a rather tall mans hat as he walked back up the street to really see what the windows mean to the park. Here are some of my favourites. Squawk!



RAILROAD OFFICE honours Walt Disney and his love for trains it is the first window you will see when walking into the park and reads "Walter E Disney keeping dreams on track"





BUENA VISTA MAGIC LANTERN SLIDES honours WDI's (Walt Disney imagineering) great special effect artists like Yale Gracey and Bud martin who's works included The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean




Hollywood Publishing although the photo is not very good honours the show writers of the Magic kingdom like the legendary F. X. Atencio who bought us the classic "Yo ho Yo ho a pirates life for me"
There are many Main Street windows each crediting the imagineers who shaped the park. There are so many who deserve a mention so keep following for more on Main Street soon. Anyway I'm off too steal some popcorn from a none the wiser guest. hahahaha

Sunday 16 August 2009




Not many people take time to notice the top of the haunted mansion as I have. Having perched on top of there many times to watch the foolish mortals enter the house i noticed something of a reoccurring signature in wdw by my personal friend Marc Davis. Although the imagineers are forbidden to sign their work some leave little clues. Marc Davis had a love for the game of chess and left pieces in his work. You may have also noticed these with a keen eye but for those who wish to see notice the clear chess pieces sitting on top of the mansion or perhaps the" never ending" chess game between our swashbuckling friends in the queue over at pirates of the Caribbean.