5 Questions with Jeff Kurtti

Ever since I was a kid, I've always thought the guy with the best job was the guy who got to write the novelization of movies, cartoons, etc.  In 1989 I bought the novelization of Tim Burton's yet-to-be released Batman.  I read it cover to cover, multiple times before the movie even opened.
And I began to really consider what a great gig that was for the author.  First off, I'm lazy.  So the idea of just writing down what somebody else already did was perfect, right?  Plus, the writer got advanced access to the movie, the script, probably marketing materials.  How cool was that???
Truth be told, I realized quickly it was not the job for a lazy writer.  The pressure of being an author representing a huge franchise could be the most daunting challenge of all.  Still I couldn't and cannot now think of any better way to make a living than writing about stories, characters, people, and places that I already love so dearly. 
And that's why Jeff Kurtti is very much a hero of mine!

 Jef Kurtti writes about Disney.   

Disneyland Through The Decades


A Bug's Life:  The Art and Making of an Epic of Miniature Proportions 
 
Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park
 
Dinosaur:  The Evolution of an Animated Feature

Just to name a few!  Tangled, Mulan, Princess & the Frog, . . . I could keep going and going!  
He's written books about Disney movies, Disney art, Disney Imagineers, and Disney parks.
His insights into the stories of Disney are deeply thought out and observed with a unique, uncanny perspective.  Jeff has worked with the Walt Disney Family Museum.  He was a producer of the great documentary The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story ( a must see for Disney fans!)
But my first experience with the writing of Jeff Kurtti was through what could be considered the sacred text of Walt Disney World fanatics, his book When The World Began : Walt Disney World The First 25 Years!
 
15 years later it is still the premiere literary work about our favorite resort.  I pray Disney already has plans to tap Jeff for a 50 year edition.
Jeff has persevered with and worked for the Disney company for . . . well, we'll simply say "a few" years now!  His singular voice, intellect, and wit make him not only an accomplished writer but an amusing voice of insight, reason, and sanity!    
So it is with great honor and adoration and hell of a lot of respect, I present . . .

5 Questions . . . with Jeff Kurtti! 

Q:  Disney movies (even working in a movie theater, as I recall) have played a large role in your career.  Can you name your top 3 Disney movies and what was their impact on you?

JK:  The first movie I saw in a theater and the moment when my "Disney Switch" got flipped was Mary Poppins at the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham, WA in 1965. From that point on, I wanted to know all about Walt Disney and everything connected with him.
As a teenager, a friend took we with him to an advance screening of The Rescuers at the University of Washington.  There were several of the filmmakers there, it was one of the "college tours" they used to do.  It was a very exciting event, and I have a special place in my heart for that film to this day.
About a year later I worked in a movie theater in North Seattle called the Crest 70, and we had gained some national renown for showcasing widescreen movies and state of the art stereo.  We were selected by Buena Vista to do a test reissue of Sleeping Beauty in Technirama 70MM, and Disney sent up Eric Larson, Howard Green, and Dick Cook for a three-day appearance/press junket.  I was 17, and was their "plaid skirt" during those three days, and became friends with all of them.  That was a big turning point for me, as you might expect.

Q:  I've found recently that writing about one particular subject, no matter how much you love it can alter your perspective of it.  As can other people connected to it.  I'm reminded of something I heard you say in an interview, and I'm paraphrasing: "You can love this company all you want, but it's never going to love you back."  

Has writing about Disney & working on so many Disney projects changed your perspective at all? 

JK:  Apropos of that quote, I learned a long time ago to separate the Company from Disney.  They aren't actually the same thing, they run parallel, and cross-resource, but the culture of Disney is strong and unchangeable; the Company, by its nature and need, is more fluid.
Working on Disney projects has certainly altered my ability to be as "immersed" as I was as a kid, but I began studying the "behind the scenes" stuff when I was young, so I don't notice it as a change of perspective.
Having kids helps you get a perspective on Disney, and lots of other things, that's very refreshing.

Q:  Since this blog is Disney Parks heavy, do you guys get to take the family to any of the parks much? Calling Seattle home, I imagine Disneyland is a little easier trip? Have you been to Carsland yet? 

JK:  We have been to all the domestic Parks, and go on a Cruise about once a year or so.  We have not been to Carsland yet, but I think all of my boys will go insane with delight.  We will be good Disney nerd parents and watch both of the features the day before we take them.
When we lived in Glendale, we all had Annual Passes, and the kids were very used to just "going" to Disneyland.  And if you look on page 110 of my book  Disneyland Through the Decades, that's my oldest son, Brendan.

Q:  Aside from your writing, for which I'm a huge geek, one thing I greatly admire is that you are incredibly outspoken and candid about your feelings, beliefs, political views, etc.  As a writer working on a Disney related project, I sometimes find myself biting my tongue (err, fingers) in arenas like Facebook where there's such a large Disney fan community for fear of offending potential reader (let's be honest, book buyer!) 

 I admit, I'm finding it harder to do, regardless of the outcome.  Have you ever felt any backlash, specifically from the Disney company for being so honest?

JK:  No. I am actually allowed to have my own Facebook Page and my own opinions, like everyone else.  I am who I am, and if people don't like a political view or an idea that is different from theirs, they should Unfriend me immediately and go to my Fan Page instead, which is safer for people who are scared of "politics."
I had a Disney Fan get very angry with me because I think Ayn Rand is a huge fraud.  He became indignant and sent me a message saying "You aren't who I thought you were."  Well, first of all, he friend Requested me.  Second, did he think I live with bunnies and flowers in a magical pixie glade or something?  I can't really bear responsibility for things people presuppose.  Finally, what does my thinking about the fraudulent philosophy of a terrible writer have to do with anything?  It's just an opinion.  As Jefferson said, "What matters it to me if it neither picks my pocket or breaks my leg?"
In arenas of Disney I actually feel more comfortable and less "questing" in my discussions, since I have done so much "homework" for so many years.  Sharing Disney information also comes from a far less threatening place for people most of the time.
On a big picture scale, I certainly can play the nice game of compromise and deference when necessary, but in areas that have no relationship to my work, who cares what I think?  Heck, even people who agree with me don't care what I think.

Q:  The Disney Insider. The Walt Disney Family Museum. Since The World Began (the MUST-READ for anyone claiming to love Walt Disney World. The Boys. 

Your name has been attached to some incredible Disney projects. What's next?

JK:  I'm at a crossroads right now, to be honest.  Moving to a remote place and focusing on raising my kids has changed my perspective somewhat.  There are some personal projects I am developing that mean a lot to me, so I'm interested to see where they go.  Certainly I plan to continue "Wonderful World of Walt," if Disney Insider wants to renew it, and other things pop up here and there, now and again.  I'd love to do more books, but it feels like that part of my career has ended.  I am poking around a few ideas with some colleagues, but I'm not sure where they'll wind up.

As a fan, I cannot wait to see where that road leads!  But I certainly hope we haven't seen the last books from Mr. Kurtti!  Be sure to check out Jeff's feature "Wonderful World of Walt" in the Disney Insider!  Seriously, do it now!  This weeks article "The Unexpected Walt Disney" is fantastic!  disney.go.com/disneyinsider

To D23 . . . Or Not To D23?

The time has come, the walrus said.  Last week I received my quarterly blue box and inside a flyer that said "This will be your last issue!  Renew today!"

Let me wind the clock back.  A few years ago, a great mystery fell upon Disney fans?  On simple, enigmatic question .  .  .


Nobody knew what it meant?  Some strange riddle perhaps?  A great philosophical self-analysis?  Am I 23?
Is the answer 42? 
The big mystery was soon revealed.  The curtain thrown back and many fans were incredibly . . . well . . . underwhelmed. 

D23 is the first official Disney fan club, created and administered by the Disney company.  What did that mean?  Would we get free park tickets?  Would we get free anything?  Well, not really. 
For $75 a year, members would receive (wait for it) FOUR whole magazines!  And . . . a watch!
 

But wait, there's more! 
Clubs mean exclusivity right?  Well members of D23 had the exclusive privilege to buy exclusive D23 merchandise from the special exclusive D23 online store. You're not imagining!  It's not too good to be true!  You could pay for the exclusive privilege to pay some more later! 

Perhaps the one aspect that did excite fans was the announcement of the D23 Expo in Anaheim. 
 

A first of its kind that would rival even the great San Diego ComiCon!  Johnny Depp was there!  The Avengers were there!  Members would have access to advanced tickets sales, advanced entrance to special presentations, even a members lounge.
And the first year I heard nothing but raves from members about the Expo.  It was said to be amazing!   

However two years later, the stories changed drastically.  For whatever reason, attendance increased but space was decreased.  The members lounge was reportedly a messy room where members could buy terribly overpriced cans of Pepsi.  Event lines were horrendously long and if you weren't willing to wait for hours, missing everything else going on, you would not get in to the presentations.  I've heard tales of attendees who spent the entire weekend sitting in lines - not seeing anything on the floors - and in many cases were still turned away at the door.   Meanwhile there were entire sections of seating left empty inside.

These are the stories that make me glad I didn't attend, as those experiences could sour ones affinity for a brand.  I will say it has been widely reported there were major shakeups in management after the last expo and next year hopes to be much improved, closer to the original in every way.

But that is not why last December, after literal years of debate, I finally joined D23.  It was announced there would be a travelling "mini-expo" of sorts in the summer of 2012, and the final stop would be sweet home Chicago!  That was it.  I wasn't going to miss Disney coming to town.  So I clicked "Join." 

I got my first magazine.  Nice enough, I guess.  And I eventually got my promised watch.  Which I did love, even though the band was clearly not made for a man's wrist.  And when the time I came, I bought my ticket for the D23 Chicago Fanniversary.  You can check out my review elsewhere on this blog but essentially it was "meh."  D23 was probably smart not to reveal too much of what we might expect.  That's exactly what it was for me as well as many I've spoken to:  not what we expected.  An hour long slideshow.

In the 8 months I've been a member, I guess I don't really see where I got my $75 (+ roughly $30 for the Fanniversary ticket and train into the city) dollar value.  The magazine covers are admittedly gorgeous, but inside haven't really presented anything I couldn't see online.  The watch has already tarnished and the band is disintegrating.  And I haven't really seen any news coming down the pipe to get me all that excited about re-upping another year.  

I'm just wondering, how many fans out here have continually renewed their memberships?  Is there something I'm missing?  Do you really think it's worth the money?  Am I, in fact, 23???   Are you? 

5 Questions with . . . Tom Corless!

I am a huge podcast geek!  There was a time admittedly when I thought the idea of listening to people just talking on my iPod was ridiculous.  Who wanted to listen to people just talking, I’d think as I listened to Howard Stern or Steve Dahl or the entire WGN talk-radio air staff here in Chicago.

Awesome indi-film pioneer and brilliant comedian/writer Kevin Smith was the first to get me to download a podcast.  Shortly after I discovered there actually podcasts devoted to my biggest obsession, Walt Disney World.  In fact, there are loads of them! 

I’ve listened to most  of them at least once.  I’m not going to put any down.  I applaud them all for following their passion and putting something back into the Universe.  Anything Disney makes the world a bit better.  Especially for those like me who can't get down the World as regularly as we wish.  

That said, only a couple are still on my subscription list today. 

One that stands out in my mind (and heart . . . aww) I discovered probably most recently but became an instant favorite.  I’m talking about The WDW News Today Podcast hosted, Captained, and Masterminded by this week's special birthday boy, Tom Corless!  

 

The show is extremely well-produced and always interesting.  It is chocked full of content from news and rumors to listener lists to detailed histories of attractions old and new (and yet to be!)  Most important, at least to me, the focus is always Walt Disney World.  The only exception I know of:  a tremendous  4 hour special devoted to the opening of Carsland at DCA! 

It’s said of journalists, they’ve failed once they become the story, instead of reporting on it.    

In five years I don’t think Tom has let the show lose its vision or stray from its purpose.  Admittedly there are times the show makes me crazy!  Much of the show is discussion between Tom and his cast of characters.  I mean actual other people (he’s not schitzophrenic, as far as I know!)  A few  of whom hold differing opinions about attractions and parks from my own.  But rather than get mad and unsubscribe (the iTunes equivalent to Unfriending someone) I just listen and laugh (and yes, sometimes yell at my iPod!) 

That’s what’s wonderful about Walt Disney World, there’s something for everyone!  And it’s so much fun to discuss!  Since I often don’t have anyone to talk Disney with (which I could do for hours . . . ask my less-than-amused wife) the next best thing is listening to others who are as passionate as I am.

 

Tom Corless & the WDWNT crew ride to work with me.  They mow the lawn with me.  Sometimes they shower with me (HELLO!!!) 

My Facebook followers might remember the pic I posted this summer of my coffee pot and a long orange extension chord.  We were without power due a terrible storm.  I got up early the next morning and desperately ran that chord to a generator so I could brew my coffee!  Well, that generator was also powering an iPod dock so I could listen to T.C. and WDW News Today!  Both were equally important in helping me feel normal and happy in a temporarily chaotic situation!

That’s why I am so happy to present Not Another Disney Fan Blog’s 5 Questions With Tom Corless!  

Q:  One of the (many) things I love about the WDW News Today podcast is how deep and detailed you dig into the attractions when you feature them on segments like Back to the Future! Imagineering comes to you and says “What should our next attraction be?” You can choose which park, any Disney property (movies, cartoons, etc.) & what kind of attraction regardless of budget. What do you tell them? 

TC:  I play armchair Imagineer a lot in my head, so there are a lot of ideas I have that I would love to see built, but I guess I would love to do a re-imagined version of the original Journey into Imagination attraction. I’d make it a trackless ride system and upgrade all of the technology in the ride to more modern effects. I think with the incredible things WDI has been coming up with such as living characters and projection mapping, a ride that literally travels into the imagination could be amazing.

Q:  You’re a young guy but you’ve quietly (or maybe not so) built an impressive WDWNT empire over roughly 5 years, plus See Ya Real Late, WDWNTube, WDWNTunes, etc. What did you think you wanted to do say 7 years ago?

TC:  Well, I had already decided to go into journalism at that point, bit I didn’t believe I could do that pertaining to theme parks, so I was going to be a sports writer. ESPN was at the height of its popularity at the time, so it was something everyone wanted to do. I always liked writing, so I would have always went into journalism anyway, but it was definitely a goal to be a sports writer at the time which didn’t really change until I saw what was possible in covering theme parks.

Q:  I’ve told you this before but something I love about your podcast is how crazy it sometimes makes me when someone voices opinions completely contrary to my own. It’s a testament to how good the show is because rather than get mad, I keep coming back! Plus I realize some of our differences are strictly generational. But gun to your head, you have to ride Horizons for 24 hours straight, or listen to the Orange Bird song in the Sunshine Tree Terrace for 12 hours straight. Which is it?   

TC:  I’ll ride Horizons because at the end of the day it was at least a good attraction. I do like the Orange Bird song and I used to like the character before it became this insane craze amongst people who never actually knew what it was. It’s just annoying that is became this craze because it really was nothing to begin with. It’s an orange juice mascot. At least I can somewhat understand people liking Oswald because the character was Walt’s, but the Orange Bird is like Toucan Sam or Tony the Tiger, it’s a food mascot. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t have any emotional connection to Captain Crunch or Boo Berry even though I like their cereal...
(I wasn't going to editorialize, but that's a great answer!)

Q:  Forget you’re a blogger, podcaster, etc. Think strictly as young Tom Corless, WDW lover. Money’s no object. You can have your dream Disney vacation. Where do you stay? How many days? What special thing do you do (with someone else’s money?)

TC:  I’d stay at the Grand Floridian for sure because that feels like home to me. As for the number of days, is there a limit? Obviously, I will stay for as long as possible. I have been on trips to WDW ranging from 2 days to 3 weeks, so I can realistically stay there everyday of the rest of my life and never feel bored or get tired of it. As for special things, there isn’t much at WDW I haven’t done that I really feel the need to do. I guess I would do the lunch with an Imagineer since I haven’t done that before... not that it is really expensive, I just never seem to find the time to do it.

Q:  Finally, I’ve heard you mention you’re planning an eventual relocation to Orlando. Is that true? How do you envision that affecting the podcast or any of your other projects? And what are you most excited about for the future of WDWNT?

TC:  Well, I’m not envisioning anymore. I just got hired by an Orlando company and will be starting work soon, so I’ll be moving in the next few weeks. I think it is going to be great for WDWNT because I’ll actually be there where the news and content is. There are a ton of really great creative ideas we have postponed over the years because when I travel to WDW I usually have a certain set number of things I have to cover or see. With no time constraints, I can get those things done and really improve upon existing things as well. Not to sound pompous, but if there is one thing I have done enough in my life, it is visit Disney World and I dare say there are few people on this planet with such an intimate knowledge of the place. With that expertise and the last 5 years experience with podcasting, photography, and audio & video recording, I think WDWNT can become a lot bigger, even much bigger than it is right now. As for the future of WDWNT in general, I think some of our ideas are just starting to catch on, especially “See Ya’ Real Late”. I foresee that becoming a much bigger deal in this community over the next few years.

Thanks to Tom for taking the time to answer my far-too-wordy questions!  If you're Walt Disney World fans do yourself a favor!  Go to iTunes and subscribe to The WDW News Today Podcast (and download some of the archived episodes!)  Don't forget to head over to  http://wdwnewstoday.com/ to check out the blog, news, great pics, links to Tom's other great projects, etc! 

Closing the Doorway to Dreams.

It was rumored (and let slip off the lips of Cast Members) since the spring, but Disney has officially announced they are closing both DVC Doorway to Dreams retail locations.



On Sept 14th, my local store at Woodfield Mall (the mall with the most shopping locations in America - suck it Minnesota!) will be pulling down the gate for good.  The other location, located someplace called Longuyland will follow suit in early November.



"Another Doorway is about to hit the shredder!"

This news doesn't come as a terrible surprise.  I live about 20 minutes from the Schaumburg location and have been there numerous times.  I rarely see customers in there very long, and of those I can't imagine how many are buying.  Especially the casual shopper who happens by and sees the mouse ears and the cool lenticular signage and the statue of Goofy and mistakes it for the Disney Store.



Still, I'm sad to see it go.  It was nice to have that extra Disney presence in the mall.  I had this borderline OCD ritual of lunch at Rainforest Cafe (or at the very least a turn through the gift shop), hit the Disney Store, and then just before leaving do a drive-by of Doorway to Dreams just to pause and take it in.
The store was beautiful inside.  Even smelled like a Disney resort.  And the replica rooms, first of Animal Kingdom Villas and then Bay Lake Tower were really cool.  In the most recent BLT mock-up, the wall was made to look like you were staring out over Space Mountain as Wishes was going on just beyond!  Pretty sweet!
 
 While some of the Cast Members seemed culled from a local used care lot (hey it was a sales gig) they were always friendly (not quite Parks level though.)  My kid always bilked them for a sleeve of stickers.  And I did have this little dream of one day, when we were finally in the right place financially, casually strolling in, pointing at whichever CM I was getting the best vibe from, and saying "this is your lucky day!"

Okay, that would be really irritating and I wouldn't actually be that guy!

Guess they could have used that dream coming true.  Though that's the problem, the store was really made for the Disney fan like me.  The casual shopper wasn't going to pay the rent.  But how many of "me" are there out there, hitting that sudden windfall to enable them to join?  I've always said the DVC is a great value, but let's face it, it's not a great deal.  There are other more affordable time shares / vacation clubs.  We buy in because it's Disney.  But it takes a certain kind of person to get that. 

Of course I'm certain these closing in no way signify any trouble for the Disney Vacation Club.  I'm sure DVC is doing fine.  They just don't need the stores.  Anyone who wants to join knows how to join.  They don't need a store.  Why drive to the mall?  They can pick up the phone and join in their boxers (now there's an image for ya!) 
What might have saved this concept?  Who knows?  Maybe selling some select park merch.  I know local fan groups would meet there regularly, but that doesn't equate to revenue.  There probably is no answer.  It was just an experiment that just didn't yield results.  Sooner or later, this was inevitable.  I bet if they built a concept like this in one of the parks or resorts, the results would have been very different. It works in Vegas! 

I just wanted to offer a little tribute in my own way to Disney's Doorway To Dreams!  Like the Stones said, they can't say you didn't try!

p.s.  Come to think of it, I applied for a part-time sales position there a few years ago and never heard from them.  Maybe we do know why they're closing!  Tribute-shmibute!  On second thought . . .   

Just kidding.  I probably couldn't have take the job - just thought it would be cool to say I was a Cast Member without having to move!  That's what I tell myself . . . to stop the tears . . .   ; ) 

Catching Up (With Apologies To My Vegetarian Friends!)

So it's been eating at me (no pun intended . . . well maybe a little) that I haven't posted on here in weeks.  I know both of my faithful readers have been emotionally distraught.  Of course, there also in prison so I can't take all the credit for that!

The reason I haven't been so prolific a blogger is that I've been elbows deep in the stuff, trying to get a book finished.  We're close kids.  Very close! 

And so, to let those of you who care know I'm still alive and that this blog is a priority, I wanted to put something out there for you.  I do have some pretty exciting things coming up soon.  My interview series with some familiar and interesting names, all Disney-related, is shaping up nicely.  Better than I anticipated in fact. 

Beyond that, honestly I've found recent news coming out of the kingdom to be a bit bland.  Ironic since the biggest story is about a restaurant.  I know a lot of WDW fans are losing their stuff over the anticipated opening of Be Our Guest. I'm sure it's going to be great, but I mean, it's a restaurant.  I know to look at me, you'd think a new eatery would be top of the list.  But for me, New Fantasyland doesn't open until The Seven Dwarves Mine Train rolls out (literally.)  Okay, so I'm excited about Mermaid too! 

But as long as we're talking about food, I thought as an apology for being so absent, I'd throw you guys a bone.  Fortunately this particular bone is covered in smoked, succulent poultry!  A small morsel from my book in which I briefly ramble about one of my favorite souvenirs at Walt Disney World.  For the uninititated, Disney Parks offer as a snack at various kiosks and counter service locations enormous, delicious barbecued turkey legs.  They're a $10 dollar snack but fortunately each one is practically a meal!  The turkey leg is kind of the Michael Bolton album of Disney Parks.  They sell over a million a year, but every time I ask, no Disney fan admits to liking them!  Methinks I can see turkey grease shining on your finger tips!     


"How can we be lovers . . . if you won't share your turkey leg?!"

Here, torn right from the pages of my upcoming tome's chapter on Disney's Hollywood Studios is a small segment I call a  . .

TURKEY LEG TANGENT!!!

Lately I’ve noticed every carnival and fair now sells turkey legs.  The first place I ever saw them (and ate one) was years ago at Walt Disney World.  I tried one at our local County Fair once.  I spit out the first bite and pitched the rest to the raccoons.  It was heinous.  I tied the vendor to the Tilt-a-Whirl and punched a prize-winning sheep on my way out. 

However, the barbecued turkey legs at Walt Disney world are delicious!  I don’t know that anyone would ever plan a trip just for one of these babies, but trust me, they’re almost reason enough!  They’ve become something of a staple snack at every Disney Park, but the first park I ever tasted one was Hollywood Studios.  I will always associate the two.  Theme park food is often hit or miss, but these ginormous drumsticks are a definite hit.  Perfectly smoked with a nice pinkish color, they taste almost more like pork than poultry.  Drop one (or let’s be honest, two) of these babies on my Thanksgiving plate and I’m a happy Neanderthal.  One caution though, there was a time when a turkey leg constituted a “snack” and one could use a Dining Plan snack credit.  Apparently someone in management wised up as that option has been removed.  At nearly $10 bucks a leg, they might be the most expensive snack on property.  Fortunately it’s a snack that eats like a meal.  And let’s face it, if you were to drive down Hollywood Boulevard on a Harley, smoking a Cohiba, with a gun rack on the front fender and two Hooters waitresses on the back of the bike, you still wouldn’t look as manly as ripping bird from bone, as nature intended!  You’ll feel like Henry the VIII!  Plus, no table required.  You don’t even need a plate.  The bone is nature’s handle.  You can keep on walking while you eat, making sure you’re not missing out on any fun!  If only more food came with a built-in utensil!