Super Hero Headquarters in Walt Disney World

By Nick

I've mentioned it in the past, I grew up loving Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel comics. The fact that they are all under one roof so to speak is amazing to me.

When Marvel was acquired by Disney in 2009, I wondered how they would incorporate them into the park, since Universal Studios has had the theme park rights to many of the most popular Marvel characters since the 1990s, and, from what I've read, this contract is pretty ironclad.

Even Marvel merchandise is hard to find within the parks. But fear not true believer,
Super Hero Headquarters recently opened in Downtown Disney’s Westside in Walt Disney World to serve your need for Marvel Tee Shirts, toys, costumes, art, graphic novels, books, and buttons, among other super items! Excelsior!

Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird

By Nick

I was late to the party. Again. I didn't hear that Marvel and Disney had teamed up to bring fans graphic representations of Disney attractions until people all over Facebook started posting pics of the cover of Figment #1, which caused a lot of excitement, not only because it showcased the beloved purple dragon, it also featured the beloved Dreamfinder!

When I investigated and discovered it was actually part of a new comic book imprint called Disney Kingdoms,  I immediately looked into what, if anything, had already been published!

What I discovered was weird. Seekers of the Weird to be more precise.

I bought the graphic novel from Amazon, when it was inevitably released in that preferable format for me, and fully intended on reviewing it for Halloween time, which I thought would be appropriate considering the macabre subject matter.

Obviously, that didn't happen. But I digress.

Seekers of the Weird is based on concept art created by Imagineer and Disney Legend, Rolly Crump, for an attraction that was to be located at the end of The Haunted Mansion, a Museum of the Weird.

This attraction was so far along in the planning stages that it was featured on the Disneyland 10th Anniversary Show, with Walt Disney himself speaking to Rolly about the concept.
The show is on the Walt Disney Treasures-Disneyland USA DVD box set, and it is readily available on YouTube. As an added bonus, Marc Davis discusses concept work for the Haunted Mansion in the same segment.

As for the story in Seekers of the Weird, it is indeed weird. It reminded me very much of the odd horror comics I would read while at the doctor's or dentists office as a kid in the early 70s, or the Vertigo line of comics from DC I bought in the early to mid 90s. This isn't a bad thing, just surprising it's coming from Disney, and it may be off putting to an audience not accustomed to this coming from Disney. Not that the Haunted Mansion isn't on the dark side, come to think of it!

The artwork is good, and fits well with the story. The artists involved did a nice job paying homage to Rolly Crump's concept work.

This is an interesting read, but, to be honest, if not for the historical ties to Walt Disney era Imagineering, it would not have caught my attention. The same cannot be said for Figment, one of my favorite Disney characters, and I've already pre-ordered that graphic novel, which comes out in May.

The Disney Exchange -Episode 004 Show Notes

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

-The Disney Exchange is Lisa Green, David Hodges, and me, Nicholas Maglio. 

-Disney : Best and Worst of 2014

-Lisa jumps in and says Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom as Best new parade and we all agree it is phenomenal.

-I tell them about where I've watched it from, in front of the Disney Emporium, and a theme becomes clear. Apparently I'm obsessed with Episode 002's topic, Disney Transportation.

-Lisa goes on to tell where she has seen it, and the topic of the FastPass+ location is, in front of Cinderella Castle, and Dave tells that is is worth standing in the sun for.

-We talk about our favorite things about the parade.

-We discuss the probable reason why Frozen doesn't have it's own float and shares one with Princess and the Frog.

Photo: Lisa Green

-Speaking of Frozen, I bring up a Best for me, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along Celebration, and Dave and I discuss it. Lisa has not seen it except in video on someone another blog.  (I was rather shocked to discover she looks at other blogs besides mine!)

-Dave loves the construction walls apparently, as there is a wide variety to enjoy. Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney make one feel like a rat in a maze.

-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as then discussed and argued about, with Dave of the opinion it is the best themed ride in Walt Disney World, while Lisa and I feel it Expedition Everest is better. Yes, Lisa agreed with me!  
(For the record, the Best Disney themed ride I've personally been on is Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.)

-Lisa loves the Baby Gorillas at Disney's Animal Kindom, which can be found on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

 Photos: Lisa Green

-Dave votes for the Fantasyland expansion.

-Lisa and I agree Guardian's of the Galaxy is fantastic, and is in fact, it's one of my favorite movies ever, and we are shocked that Dave rates it "acceptable." Lisa loved it so much that her and her husband dressed as Rocket and Groot for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Photo: Lisa Green

-I segue into another of my Best of 2014, Marvel's Agents of Shield and geek out on it a but along with Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

-Big Hero Six is next up, more specifically meeting Baymax at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

-Dave likes Lefou's Brew from Gaston's in the Magic Kingdom, and I learn that 2014 actually begins in October of 2013 per the Government. Yeah, I know, right, ?

-Lisa and I tell of our love of the Pork Shank, also at Gaston's and Dave says bacon is just alright which pushes me over the edge and I threaten to go to my trailer in protest. Yes, our show has THAT big of a budget, we have a production trailer. YES, I am joking.

- A Dave worst, the Monorail being down in January.

-Lisa's worst, maybe ever, the new Lumberjack show at the Canadian Pavilion in Epcot. 

-A discussion of Maelstrom being replaced by a Frozen based attraction leads to Lisa's displeasure in classic Disney Princesses being replaced by Anna and Elsa

-We spin the brand new Wheel of Distany, and the topic is : What are we looking forward to in 2015?

-Lisa says she is looking forward to the Sorcerer's Hat coming down at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

-I choose eating at Trattoria al Forno because, clearly, my main focus is food. For proof, see the photo above of me with a big smile on my face holding up half a pig.

-Dave is looking forward to construction walls at Downtown Disney coming down and Disney Springs emerging.

-We talk about the lack of parades at all other parks other than the Magic Kingdom and I tell of being photo-bombed by Rafiki in the now gone Jammin' Jungle Parade.

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Website: info@thedisneyexchange.com

Mostly Spoiler Free Review of Big Hero 6

By Nick

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from Big Hero 6. I knew it was based on a Marvel comic, and that was the extent of my knowledge of the source material. From the previews, I expected a cute and fun movie I'd enjoy, but I wound up really loving it.

The opening cartoon short, Feast, was worth the price of admission. It is sweet and funny, as is the feature film that follows.

To be honest, I was a little nervous in the beginning. It started off with a bit of action, but got somewhat slow, which was necessary to move the story along, but it had many of the children at our matinee show very fidgety.

But then, with the extended appearance of Baymax, the robot pictured above, the movie finds both it's true heart, as well as fun and excitement. I'm not exaggerating when I say Baymax is now one of my favorite Disney characters. Ever. I enjoyed every moment he was on screen. There are many laugh out loud moments, that had adults and children cracking up together.

The film moves very quickly when it finally gets going and there are several exciting action sequences, as well as moving moments. The animation is superb. The visuals are stunning.

There are some predictable plot points, but this didn't detract from  my enjoyment of the film at all. I wanted to see it again immediately after it ended.

Speaking of endings, stick around through the credits for a surprise cameo.

Guardians of the Galaxy Mostly Spoiler Free Review

By Nick

I love Marvel movies. I've seen them all, and own most of them, but for some reason, I've never written a review for one on this blog. I am compelled to now. Why? Because Guardians of the Galaxy is my favorite Marvel movie to date.

Ever since we saw the first trailer introducing the team, my wife and I were super excited to see this film, even though I was not at all familiar with the characters or team, despite being a comic book collector from the age of 12 to my mid 30s. It looked hilarious. It certainly helped that one of our favorite actors, John C. Reilly, the voice of Wreck-It Ralph, featured prominently in the preview.
Then the following previews showcased the action and special effects, which looked great.

I stayed away from spoilers, but did pick up the Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Prelude paperback, which gave a back story to some the characters.

So, I was prepared to laugh and to see great effects, but what I wasn't prepared for was how emotionally attached I would become to this new group of heroes.

As the movie started we were immediately emotionally invested in the team leader Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord.

The movie then kicks into high gear, and the action and fun almost never let up. Sprinkled throughout are classic songs from the 70s and plenty of cultural 80s references. The writing is clever and the jokes are rapid fire, and I'm sure I missed a couple of lines because we, along with the rest of the audience were laughing so hard. There are also more emotional moments, yes, even tear jerking moments, which never become overly sentimental, because a lighter moment follows close behind.
There is not a dull moment or scene that goes on too long.

And if you are worried you won't be able to make a connection to a CGI  wise cracking, gun wielding raccoon and a walking tree, don't worry, their scenes pack some of the biggest emotional punches and biggest laughs.

As Barbie says, there are previews that promise a lot, but don't deliver. All of the best material are shown in those brief clips. This is certainly not the case with Guardians.

Stick around after the credits, it will reward true comic book history fans, as well as cheesy 80's movie lovers.

At the end, we were left wanting more. And the movie promises more, in fact, it tells us the Guardians will be back!

We can't wait!

A Little Splash of Disney Color

by Nick

Back in late February-Early March, my wife's father treated the family to a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
One of our stops was in Port Canaveral Florida, and, probably not surprisingly, we chose a day at Walt Disney World as our excursion.

We thought that would be all the Disney we'd get on the cruise, but we had one more little splash of Disney color when we stopped in Key West.

Not far from the port, at 251 Front St., is a Del Sol store. Seeing Mickey made us want to stop in!

Del Sol carries a line of Disney Color Changing products.

There also carry Marvel!

A friendly store employee was happy to share how UV rays change the t-shirt's graphics from black and white to full color.

Did I buy one? No, I confess, I did not. But not because I don't think they are incredibly cool, but because I have soooo many Disney shirts I never wear already.

What do you think of the color changing clothes?