Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Welcome Mat Is Out, Today!

owdy, Stranger!

     It’s happened, again. Eric and I get to experience something we believed was forever lost. Disney has announced their theme park promotion for this term, Limited Time Magic, in which each theme park will have a series of limited time events all though the year. We really believed that it would only take magic to bring back one of the most fabulous staples opening day at Disneyland had to offer: the record-breaking Golden Horseshoe Revue at The Golden Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland. Well, 'magic' it is, because ‘Limited Time Magic’ is returning the show to Disneyland on January 10th, 2013 and will run through February 4th,  2013!!!! If you are visiting the park during this time I urge - no, BEG -you to grab some food, kick up yer spurs at The Golden Horseshoe (make sure to look up showtimes in your park schedule!) and catch this riveting revue. It was one of Mr. Disney's favorites, so make sure to tell 'em 'Walt' sent ya.

  Purists, be warned, the title of the show is ‘A Salute to The Golden Horseshoe Revue’, so it’s hard to tell what may or may not be included. We might be lucky and experience a tribute in the way Captain EO returned, missing atmosphere, but nothing content-wise. The 30 minute revue has quite a few musical numbers, and each rootin’ tootin’on their own, so I’m hoping nothing is taken from the structure of the actual show. I also hope that whoever they use in place of the late Betty Taylor and Wally Boag not only realize how lucky they are, but fill their fascinators and holsters as best they can. Either way, I've been ready for this show all my life!

  I’m not sure where to place my insatiable gratitude: with former Disneyland President, Matt Ouimet, for his wonderful execution of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, ‘Happiest Homecoming on Earth’ and reminding people that ‘old’ is actually CLASSIC and really cool; the hard work, fun, and enthusiasm that Betty Taylor, Wally Boag, and the entire Golden Horseshoe Revue company put into every show they performed and making the experience unforgettable, despite the 26 years the revue’s curtains have been closed; or to Mr. Disney himself, for giving us the gift of something to remember – to say the very least. I think the real truth is, they all deserve my highest saloon girl kick for my being able to experience a slice of Walt Disney’s Disneyland, once again. But I digress ... afterall, a lady has to mind her P’s and Q’s.

  The Golden Horseshoe Revue, won’t you please come home!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merr-"E" Christmas!

e here at "... But It Wasn't Always That Way!" would like to issue you all one very grand, colorful, musical, charming, and loving Season Greeting!


          Brightly,
               Eric, Ginger, and the Fantasyland Ticket Booth


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Once Upon a Melody Time

ear those merry snow bells chime? That’s just this yuletide lullaby from Melody Time. This festive short was brought to us in 1948, care of the incomparable artistic vision of Mary Blair and directed by Hamilton Luske, who directed – among many other Disney classics – our personal favorite documentary: People and Places – Disneyland, U.S.A.! Featured here is also an angelically beautiful tune sung by Frances Langford. I feel this song is sorely overlooked as a holiday classic, but there’s no Wintertime like the present to start requesting it from your local holiday music station…..! So round up your chestnut mares, jingle those merry chimes, and enjoy with your Sweetheart… Once Upon a Wintertime.




Wednesday, December 5, 2012

111 Years Young at Heart!

appy Birthday, Mr. Disney!

 We couldn't think of a more suitable honor for this honorable, suited man than by celebrating him through his first and greatest love... Art! (No, not 'Linkletter'.) So join us, please, as we salute Mr. Walter Elias Disney from the bottom of our hearts and the surface of our canvas ('and things')...

A simplistic sketch of an intricate mind, by Eric.


Eric illustrates Walt's gift to US... "That's right, 'Audio Animatronics!'"



Deconstruction with construction paper. Another labor of love by Eric.

And finally, let's wrap up this exaltation with a song, sung by a newer generation offset of the Main Street Melodeers. Send us home, Dapper Dans..!


Best wishes on your most spectacularly special day, Mr. Disney!

Love, Eric and Ginger