Tuesday, October 1, 2013

'Part of Your World,' Ariel's 'I Want' Song

"In almost every musical ever written, there's a place--it's usually about the third song of the evening, sometimes it's the second, sometimes it's the fourth, but it's quite early--and the leading lady usually sits down on something. Sometimes it's a tree stump in Brigadoon, sometimes it's under the pillars of Covent Garden in My Fair Lady or it's a trash can in Little Shop of Horrors. But the leading lady sits down on something and sings about what she wants in life. And the audience falls in love with her and then roots for her to get it for the rest of the night." -- Howard Ashman


Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, remembers Howard Ashman and making The Little Mermaid.




The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition is available today on Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Unofficial Guides to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 'The Mouse Castle Lounge'



The Unofficial Guides to
Disneyland and Walt Disney World
In the Internet age of instant access to information, where dozens upon dozens of Disney websites--both official and unofficial--keep readers informed of the many things there are to see and do at the theme parks in real time, it's easy to forget about printed travel guides--you know, actual books--that were once the staple of travel resources in the days before the World Wide Web. Keen Communications certainly hasn't forgotten. They publish The Unofficial Guide series of books that takes an extensive look at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Their newly-released 2014 guides are detailed reference books for both new Disney resort visitors as well as seasoned veterans. The guides carefully break down each resort destination, analyzing them by theme park, attraction, hotel and restaurant and assigning star ratings to each venue. Ratings are based on years of statistical research by the Unofficial Guide team and feedback from guide readers as well as visitors to the Unofficial Guide's supporting website at www.TouringPlans.com.

Bob Sehlinger
My guest in The Mouse Castle Lounge today is the founder of Keen Communications and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, Bob Sehlinger. Bob is an award-winning author who has written 27 books in his prolific career. In our conversation, we discuss the hard work that has gone into publishing The Unofficial Guide series and how you can save yourself time and money on your next visit to a Disney theme park. Enjoy!

The Mouse Castle Lounge can also be heard on iTunes and Stitcher.


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Win Stuff in the Mouse Castle Fan Appreciation Giveaway!

This week, we hit 1,500 likes on The Mouse Castle Facebook page. To celebrate this momentous occasion, I'm cleaning out the gift closet and giving away a bunch of Disney stuff. You could win one of these very cool prizes:

  • Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong by Michael Labrie, companion book to the current exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum plus two tickets to the museum.
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film by J. B. Kaufman, signed by Lella Smith, creative director with the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and curator of the former WDFM exhibit.
  • The Fairest One of All: The Making of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by J. B. Kaufman.
  • The Sword in the Stone 50th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack.
  • Robin Hood 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack.
  • Disneynature's Chimpanzee Blu-ray/DVD.
  • Oz the Great and Powerful DVD.
  • Disneynature's Crimson Wing DVD.
To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is LIKE our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/themousecastle and JOIN our event at www.facebook.com/events/180775945440694/. You must be a U.S. resident to enter. Only one entry per person, please. Winners will be announced on our Facebook page after the entry deadline. Thanks for supporting The Mouse Castle and The Mouse Castle Lounge. Good luck!