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Disney Exhibit Heads to Reagan Library

If you're reading this, it's pretty obvious that I'm a Disney fan. (Duh!) But you might not know that I'm also a huge Ronald Reagan fan--in fact, my eldest daughter is named after him. So I was super excited to read that "D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives" is headed to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library in Simi Valley, California. The largest ever exhibition of Disney archival material will open Friday and will run through April 2013. While some artifacts have been featured in other collections/exhibits, there are a number of items that have never before been presented to the public.

For more information, or to plan your visit, click here.

D23 Videos

I intentionally didn't post much about the D23 Expo that happened over the weekend--mainly because I am not a D23 member. And since the membership fee is a little pricey (and it's hard for us "regular" folks to adjust our travel schedule around their dates of their Expo), I feel that focusing on helping people get to Disney World at an affordable price is better use of my energies. Still, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I was reading the fan sites and paying attention for any big announcements that had to do with the actual Disney Parks.

Sadly, there weren't any great revelations in that department. But I did see these two brief videos that I thought were worth sharing. (There are a lot more lengthy videos out there, if you care to see them. Just do a quick search on "D23 Expo" and you'll find tons of updates.) The first is a quick trip around the new Fantasyland model that was on display at D23.  The other is a virtual ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Both videos are very short, but offer a teaser about what's coming soon to the Disney Parks.

Disney Legends Inductees Announced

Each year Disney honors "magic makers" who have made outstanding contributions to the Walt Disney Company in various fields--performance, imagineering, writing. This year there are five inductees who will be honored in August at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, receiving not only a lovely bronze plaque, but the status that goes with it. Make no mistake: this is a HUGE honor.

The 2011 Disney Legend class includes:

• Regis Philbin (host of TV's "Regis and Kelly" and frequent host of Disney Christmas parade)


• Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets...enough said)


• Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Barbie in Toy Story 2 and 3)


• Paige O'Hara (the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast and its sequels)


• Linda Larkin (the speaking voice of Jasmine in Aladdin and its sequels)


• Lea Salonga (the singing voices of Jasmine in Aladdin and the title character in Mulan--and one of my favorite singers EVER!)


• Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Tiana from The Princess and the Frog)


• Bo Boyd (33-year career in Disney merchandising; instrumental in opening the first Disney Store outisde of Disney property)


• Ray Watson (former Chairman of the Board and real estate visionary with over 30 years service to Disney)


• Guy Williams (actor who portrayed Zorro in film and TV)


• Jack and Bonita Wrather (with Walt Disney, conceived and built The Disneyland Hotel)

Quite an interesting class--a mix of those who make magic behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Although I love, LOVE the Disney Princesses, I am a little surprised to see them on this list--especially Anika Noni Rose, since she is very young and has really only done one Disney animated film. (Jodi Benson, on the other hand, has been working with Disney in some capacity for more than 20 years. And the other "voices" also have sequels under their belts.)

My other surprise from this list is Jim Henson. Honestly, I would have thought he was already a Disney Legend. What took you so long, Disney?

You can read more about the Disney Legends and the criteria used to select them here.