Pat Carol

One of the most influential things about the artistry of the Disney franchise is its ability to portray the voices of these characters to bring them to life. Sure, we know that through the countless hours that animators put into their work that no character can truly thrive without the powerful voice to put behind them. This is true in the parks as well. No matter who is on stage, or in the attraction, the voices are just as important and they are art as well. Art transcends sketches and papers, it also has to deal with the emotional presence it puts on you. So for this month, I’ve decided to focus this blog on the still living artist of voice Pat Carol. 

Though I do not remember, since it is far back in my memory, Pat Carol was a neighbor of mine and never got to truly remember her, but we all do because of her powerful performance she puts into Ursula, time and time again. The woman is always put back into the character of Ursula, through attraction, parade, or even just a spot on a television show where Ursula is cast. It is because of this, that Ursula’s presence not only in the film, but in the countless parades and attractions that she is reborn and her voice is used. 

If her voice was not used, the striking fear we see when that float comes by in the parade when Ursula comes by is not just by the extravagant detail the concept artists put into the float, but the voice that erupts from the mechanical mouth that brings us to goose bumps. 

Mary Blair

This post will be dedicated to the Disney Legend Mary Blair. She was one of the most influential concept artist in Disney films, one of which was “Alice in Wonderland”. It was because of her artwork that the Disney Studios was finally able to produce the movie. Walt Disney had wanted to do Alice in Wonderland for a long time. He had even wanted it to be the film to do before Snow White, but because of the concepts and scripts they postponed. It wasn’t until Blair’s breakthrough work through her cartoon and bizarre drawings that allowed them to find the world of Alice to live in. 

She found that she was very successful in her artistry, and many of her work had helped bring about one of the most well known attractions in the world “it’s a small world”. Even her work has inspired animators in her style, such as in the paintings of “Up”. Her contributions to the Disney company are legendary and her art had made our world have a much more interpretive and intriguing way to see the world.

She is also known for her work in “Peter Pan”, “Cinderella”, “Three Caballeros”, and she also worked briefly on “Dumbo”, “Fantasia”, and “Lady and the Tramp”

If you look at her work, she has made each scene to be much more interesting that the next, giving what our characters have seen in the films. For just as important is the animators who create these wonderful characters and the voices that help bring them to life, there is the scenery that help give these characters a world that they could interact in. Especially in “Alice” the reason they had not been able to make the film was they could not figure out how to make the world she lived in. It was not bizarre enough, was not unique enough, and it was Blair’s sketches and designs that made it possible for them to bring the story to life. Without Mary Blair many of our favorite classic films would not have existed. So for my first blog post, I want to honor Disney Legend Mary Blair for her work and dedication to the Disney Company. 

Mary Blair passed in 1978, and became a Disney Legend in 1991.

Disney to Come...

Alright, it's time for me to get full swing into this. The blog has been lagging due to my busy schedule and college work, but never fear! I will be continuing my blog and posting lots of fun facts and information up soon! I will speaking more about Disneyland and some more of the history of the Disney movies and the random facts that you may not know! Make sure to still follow us @DlandInsider on Twitter, and please, make sure to send in comments on what you would like to see on the Dland Insider!

Thanks so much to those who have been following the blog and still checking in, it means alot that the blog has gone off so much since I stated posting. So thanks again!

Extra Disney Day

Well, the time is coming up to February 29th, the day that the Disney parks will be open for 24 hours straight with no interruptions and no reasons to not go! Except for those of us with work, it lands on a work day...The question is now, do you play hookie or do you continue on and wish you had gone to the Disney parks...OR! Are you going to be the risk taker and just go, leave in time for work and possibly go back?

Tell us here and let us know your plans for that extra Disney day!

Villain of the Month

Sorry guys, I have been soooo busy with stuff. BUT I am trying to come back slowly and surely. So! with that being said, I will be posting our villain for this month. I shall see if we can get back to our lovely Villain of the Week, but, at least my favorite, villains, will be appearing back here.

So! This month, for the month of February is...MOTHER GOTHEL!

Now, why is she a good villain may you ask? She is probably the most dangerous of all the villains. Despite her not having any supernatural powers, besides her just living forever, she is deceiving, and she put the idea of being a mother in someone's head. She put the idea of someone and manipulated Rapunzel. That is probably the most dangerous and realistic of all the villains. This is a real life villain, for there are people that do that in our everyday lives. So for some, this could strike home to people. So, know for sure that she is perhaps one of the most powerful villains of all. She played with Rapunzel's fragile mind...

Beauty and the Beast

Though it came out last week, Beauty and the Beast is back in theaters in Disney Digital 3D!

Top 3 Disney Movies Of the Moment

Well, this is my first post in 2012! Sorry it has taken so long guys. I have been super busy and haven't had a chance to do any posts. But! I will say that I have been watching lots of Disney movies in that time. I am especially into watching the older Disney movies. So, my top 3 older Disney movies of the moment are:

1. 101 Dalmations - such a classic. the music, the characters, everything was so well done, and was actually the first animated movie to incorporate Xerox and partial live action. Such as the cars, especially Cruella's were all live action. So, just a great movie in general.






2. Dumbo - Though I was not a fan at first, it has become one of my favorites right now. The production on Dumbo was so well done. Despite not getting alot of revenue from the movie, it was a great one and was one that Walt Disney liked as well as the animators who were some of the last of the greats who worked on that film.






3. Alice In Wonderland - The music is great, the concept art by Mary Blair is stunning. The songs are memorable, and it is interesting to note that Walt Disney wanted this to be the first Disney animated film, but until Mary Blair's drawings they could not decide on how to make it.

So those are my three choices. I hope to get more posts up soon!