Disneyland 60 Airs Tonight on ABC

Tonight Disney airs the Disneyland 60 Wonderful World of Disney two hour special on ABC TV (Disney owned of course),  I have my bar set pretty low as to look for two hours of prime time entertainment or what most Disney specials on TV turn out to be: one long infomercial promoting all things Disney.

So what if it is an infomercial.  It's mid-February and it seems like a pretty nice thing to do - to hope, to dream, to plan of your next Disney experience.

Below is an official Disney promotional photo from tonight's special. As I recall when the Indiana Jones Adventure ride was under construction, Harrison Ford would not allow his likeness or voice used in the ride. Funny how time changes things.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and the Return of Phil

An ABC/Disney/Marvel Publicity Shot for Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

It will probably be the most eagerly awaited, anticipated new TV series in years. Disney owned ABC has officially announced for the 2013 - 2014 television a new action / adventure series called Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. developed under the watchful eye of Joss Whedon last seen as the writer / director of mega-hit The Avengers. Will we see any of the usual Marvel super-heroes? Don't know but the series will see the return of scene stealer Clark Gregg reprising his role as Agent Phil Coulson.

 

But didn't Phil die in The Avengers? Yes.... or did he?

 

Anyway, looks like Tuesday night at 8 pm will be must see TV for Marvel fans.

TRON: Uprising Indeed

The TRON: Uprising Mobile Studio
A Disney Parks Blog Photo

I can't get rid of this thing and Disney just won't seem to let it go. Please note this is only the personal opinion of the aging Disneyland Traveler and maybe an opinion not shared by those who are younger and more hip, as the kids used to like to say. Once again, the Disney franchise known as TRON is resurfacing to needle my existence.

The original TRON movie in the early 80's, while a clever original concept, was poorly executed. The movie was nonsensical and not very well received by critics and movie audiences. Guess what? Disney tried again a few years ago and once again produced a movie that was nonsensical for many and at best, marginally profitability. The clamoring to put up a TRON attraction in Tomorrowland died down a bit after the movie came out and fell on its face. But Disney tried and planted the nighttime street party known as ElecTRONica in DCA for an almost 2 year run. For someone like me, it was an assault on my senses saved only by an appearance of a pretty cool Laserman.

But here it comes, back again, a new animated TV show on the Disney xD channel called TRON: Uprising. While TRON fans (and they do exist) can't wait, I've got an uprising for you, an uprising of one called the Disneyland Traveler who is just a bit weary of having TRON forced down my throat. Yeah, it's a little extreme. To promote TRON: Uprising Disney has put together a pretty cool truck and trailer rig that features a mobile viewing theater where people can look at previews for the new show. It's due to set up a position in Downtown Disney Anaheim later this week.

But life is full of choice, and my choice is, while I had hopes for the reboot of the TRON franchise, I have been pretty dissappointed with what has been delivered. My choice is to go out of my way to avoid anything TRON related until I actually hear that Disney may finally be on to something.

ABC's Modern Family Disneyland Episode

Modern Family - photo from TVGuide.com

I'm not a regular viewer of network television anymore (unlike when I was a kid when your life seemed to regimented around what night your favorite shows were on). There are a few network shows usually record on my DVR to watch at a time that is more convenient, shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and The Simpsons. That's about it for me and network television. Mostly I'm a sports guy, a food channel guy, a travel channel guy, and a history channel guy (back in the day when they actually showed shows about history). I've watched ABC's (a Disney owned network) Modern Family on occasion. It wins so many awards, I had to give it a try but after watching it a few times, I can take it or leave it - mostly leave it.

But I had to watch the show last night because the whole cast did most of the show filmed in Disneyland.  Of  the 22 minutes of actual film time that are available to a 30 minute show, I would say about 15 minutes of show was done in Disneyland and it was nice to see the old girl on network television once again.

A few things stood out, a ride on Thunder Mountain Railroad, a ride on Dumbo, Lincoln, Dapper Dans on Main St., a Splash Mountain splash, and corn dogs in Fantasyland (?). As I think about it, the thing that bothered me about the filming was the camera angles. Since Modern Family is a script based show with actors naturally the camera has to focus on the actors delivering their lines. If I stood exactly where the camera was shooting the actors, my field of vision would be so much larger taking in a much bigger vista, but by focusing on actors rather than the park, I felt my vision was being cut off. 

I would compare that to the Disneyland travel videos I have. For those, much of the time, cameras are mounted on cranes and other platforms that are mounted high and at a distance so a much larger field of view is taken in by the viewer. The park becomes the start, not actors.

So while it was nice to see Modern Family in Disneyland, if I want to see the park on television, I mean really see the park, I'd pop in a DVD of a well made Disneyland travel video. Modern Family in Disneyland is on my DVR. Mrs. DisneylandTraveler hasn't seen it yet but after she has - Delete.