Mouse Extra

Over the next couple of weeks, I would like to point out some items you can get the big Disney fan in your life. Today, I would like to discuss the best Disney movie of the year, Toy Story 3, which is now out in various formats.

You can get the movie in traditional DVD format. There is the Blu-Ray version and Blu-Ray/DVD combo -pack. There is also the monsterous 10 Disc DVD/Blu-Ray Toy Story Trilogy with all sorts of cool features and extras like trivia games, commentaries, and featurettes on things like developing the Andy character, designing sequences, etc etc. The only problem with this set is that most Disney fans have the first two movies already. The price for the monster is about $100 bucks although on Amazon its reduced to about $70.

The Toy Story Trilogy box set

The movie itself is classic Pixar. I found the film to be superior to Toy Story 2 and I think it should be mentioned with other Pixar classics like the first Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Up.  I agree with some criticism about the length of the ending but it was a fun flick. Plus, there should be no loss in not seeing it in 3D. This movie didn’t seem designed for that technology. In terms of 3D spectacle, it pales in comparison to How to Train Your Dragon (the best animated movie of the year and the best non-Disney animated movie ever). However, that means it translates much better to the smaller (albeit) High-def screen. The Pixar stamp, especially the colorfulness of the movie, will not be lost.

So, go to the store (or your favorite internet market) and get your loved one, Toy Story 3. You can enjoy it, too.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

Many people look for ways to experience some of that “Disney Magic” at home. One of the more popular ways to do that is the Disney on Ice shows that are constantly touring the country. I know, for example, one show Lets Celebrate came through my area in November and just this past weekend another show, 100 Years of Magic, was here. I was able to take my two kids to Disney on Ice for the first time.

 And I would have to say, it was OK. First of all, I am not a figure skating fan. I find it very dull. So, I would take this over professional figure skating any day of the week. However, there was portions of the show that were that kind of boring to me. Some parts were way too long, like the drawn out princess ice dancing stuff. Other parts, like the Incredibles scene, were just down right dumb.

Basically, Mickey and the gang come out and introduce abbreviated 10 minute versions of a few Disney movies to short snippets of songs from those movies. They had sequences on Nemo, Alladin, Beauty & the Beast, Toy Story, the Lion King the Incredibles, and Pinnochio. The best of these was probably Mulan. It had the right tempo to it. The Pinnochio scene was well done, as well. I particularly liked the Monstro.

My vote for the best scene in the entire show was the Its a Small World scene where Jiminy Crickett comes out to transport Mickey & the Gang to Disneyland. The skaters were dressed as various dolls from around the country. This was followed by a SpectroMagic parade with lit up vechiles and Mickey floating over them in a balloon. I suppose the good outweighed the bad, and you’re child will likely love the show. Just be prepared from some boredom.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

One of the best things about Christmas is that I tend to get a cool Disney gift somehow and this year was no exception. I was given the Lost Journals from Guide to the Magic by Tim Foster. Its billed as an Adventure Guide and it is just that, a fun filled book that I will bringing on my next trip. (Here’s a link to their site )
 
The set up is relatively simple. Each section of a park (like Adventureland or Sunset Boulevard or Dinoland USA) gets their own section. Within each section are several parts. You get a photo journal that shows little tidbits of that land and you have to find them. There is a scavenger hunt. For example, in Liberty Square you need to find 13 lantens, a dog, a steam whistle and many other items. There is also a blurb about various hidden mickeys in that land as well as a hidden symbol you need to seek out.

But my favorite part is the Fact Finding section. This lists numerous proposed questions. For example, in the Future World West section, one question is “I’ve heard that there is a tribute to the greatest thinkers of our time somewhere in Future World. Where is it?” The answer is a series of plaques in a little courtyard exiting innoventions.
 
As you can see, this is a lot different from the typical guide book to the world. There is no “when exiting Attraction A proceed immediately to Attraction B” or any comment about restaraunts, although the author has published a book with just that. The only drawback I can see from this book is it needs to expand to the resorts and the water parks.  But at $15 or so, its more than worth it.

Great music is a long standing Disney tradition.  Walt Disney himself put a strong emphasis on the importance of music, either for films or for theme park attractions.  Over the years the Disney Company has kept this tradition alive with some of the most memorable and beautiful pieces of music that have gone on to achieve incredible popularity and have become part of the culture at large.   But every once in a while, Disney will put out a terrific and unexpected release under the radar, and this week we have one such release.

 
Los Lobos, the group best known for covering the Richie Valens hit song “La Bamba” for the film of the same name, has recorded an album of Disney songs called “Los Lobos Goes Disney”.  And I can say with confidence that you don’t need to be a fan of Los Lobos, or even be very familiar with them, to really enjoy this release.  They have picked some terrific songs and given them a wonderfully sincere and worthy treatment.

The album, which was released earlier this week, features some well known songs done with a very modern approach and often something of a Tex-Mex flare.  “Grim Grinning Ghosts” is given a haunting reggae groove, with a vocal that recalls the original but without sounding like they are copying the ride’s soundtrack.  “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room” seemed on the surface to me like it may be too tropical for a Los Angeles rock band, but they make it a natural fit with perfect fluidity and harmony.  The album ends with an instrumental medley of two Disney classics, “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “It’s a Small World”.  But the band flies through it with a feel that somehow blends California surf and Mexican carnival.

But the diehard Disney fanatic will appreciate the fact that Los Lobos have picked a couple of songs that are not often covered or even heard very much.  The best of these is a version of “Not in Nottingham”, from the largely under appreciated Robin Hood.  It is a good song in the film to be sure, but after these guys get done with it, the song becomes just a gorgeous piece of folk music that makes one think you might find Nottingham somewhere along the New Mexico and Arizona border.  It is obvious that Los Lobos and I share the same positive view of Robin Hood, as they cover the better know “Oo-Dee-Lally” later on the album with equally good results.

“Los Lobos Goes Disney” is an album that will please the Disney fan.  It may not translate as well to small children as it does to adult, but that’s difficult for me to say.  When I saw this album was being released, I didn’t know what to expect.  But what I got was a strong release from start to finish that I can’t stop listening to.  Enjoy.

In the effort to maintain quality family time with our children, we have recently scheduled “family game nights,” a pretty self-explanatory activity. With our entire family being the Disney fanatics we are, we certainly couldn’t pass up purchasing The Magic Kingdom Board Game.

The game is relatively simple for the young player but still packs a fun factor even for adults. The idea of the game is to visit one attraction from each land in the park and be the first player to make it to the exit. The attractions are selected randomly by each player from a deck of cards. We tweaked the rules for our 5 year old, since she is just learning how to read, by allowing every player to see the attractions he/she was dealt. This added to the fun of the game, making it easier to cheer each other on, or in my case, the kids got to send me back to start on multiple occasions to ensure I wouldn’t win. Along with the attraction cards, the game includes Event Cards, complete with Fast Passes for the attractions and helpful tour guides in Cinderella, Dumbo and others. Players can also ride the Railroad and get autographs from Mickey and Donald.
 
I would definitely recommend this game for all families looking to spend some special time together. A few things to keep in mind are; this game is only for up to 5 players and it combines both Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom Attractions. For example, the castle is Sleeping Beauty’s Castle but the Haunted Mansion is the Florida version. But it has created many good memories for about $20.00.

Today’s merchandise review is from Brooke, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.