Getting iPhone 3G S at AT&T Store

Carol and RIch go to the AT&T Store to buy their iPhone 3GSs then to the Apple Store for an iPhone 3GS workshop. “We love our iphones!”

Toy Story 3 Teaser Trailer (HD)

This would be worth another trip to the El Capitan Theatre to see!

(Edited at 11:24 am May 20, 2009 to include parts that were left out by mistake early this morning due to a formatting problem… now fixed. Be sure to check out the Comments to this blog entry as well, to see a three-part video of an interview Leonard Maltin did with Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor.)

I can’t believe it, but it is true. The Disney Legends website confirms it tonight:

Wayne Allwine passed away on May 18, 2009 at the age of 62.

Wayne Allwine’s talents will live on in the many productions in which he gave voice to Mickey Mouse — and Mickey will always live on, forever.

In 1988 a Mickey Mouse cartoon named “The Marathon” was directed by Aleksandr Petrov with co-director Michael Tumelya and presented to the Disney Company on Mickey’s 60th birthday.

“The Marathon” is a black-and-white cartoon, a film with no dialogue and so it didn’t have Mickey’s voice in it. So why am I remembering it now that Wayne Allwine has passed away? Well, allow me to explain. It was first shown to the public at the 1st Official Disneyana Convention in 1992 at WDW and also aired during the Disney Channel’s celebration of Mickey’s 65th birthday celebration. The cartoon shows a digital clock counting the years as Mickey began. Mickey plays with a young boy as the clock ticks up. The boy turns into a teen who dances spectacularly with Mickey. Mickey stays the same as the boy ages into a man, who needs to slow down his dance steps. As the clock approaches 60 years, the man has become very old while Mickey still has his fresh, youthful appearance and still dances with much energy. The man needs to sit down and a chair appears, which he uses. Mickey pulls back into a TV screen, and as the clock shows 60 years the old man watches Mickey on the screen as the man’s grandchild comes on the scene. The child sees Mickey and approaches the screen. The camera shifts position once more, so that the front edge of the screen becomes a dividing line between the boy and Mickey.

As the young boy and Mickey play together, the clock resets back down to the beginning and starts to count up again, just like before. It sums up without any words the timeless quality of Mickey that will last through the ages, delighting each new generation in the decades to come.

I just found “The Marathon” on YouTube, still remembering it after seeing it all those years ago:

Wayne Allwine was told by JImmy Macdonald, the previous voice of Mickey, “Just remember, kid, you’re only filling in for the boss.” after Allwine took over as Mickey’s voice when Macdonald retired. Walt Disney was the first person to give voice to Mickey.

In an interview for a “Walt Disney Treasures” box DVD set, Wayne said, “It’s really not about me; it’s about Mickey, and Mickey is Walt’s. So what I do is I get to take this wonderful American icon and keep it alive until the next Mickey comes along, and it will one day. And that’s also one of the heartbreaks of the character, of doing the job, because, you know, I’m three; there’s going to be a four.”

Wayne, though you’ve joined Walt Disney and Jimmy Macdonald in heaven, the life you put into Mickey lives on for the ages.

Rest in peace.

Our condolences go to Wayne Allwine’s family and Russi Taylor, his wife, as well as his friends and many fans.

I am one of them, feeling especially blessed that I was able to meet Wayne and Russi at two Disneyana Conventions as well as hosting them during a live, online chat at EMuck.com (I was in the role of “Mickey” during the chat).

Here is the transcript:

This is a transcript of a special invited talk with Mr. Wayne Allwine and Miss Russi Taylor, Disney’s voice artists for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

The chat occurred on Friday 30 January 1997 at 11 PM U.S. EST (GMT -0600) at the Arbordale Auditorium on AmberThree Productions’ EntertainMuck.

This transcript logs only the questions asked to Mr. Allwine (WayneAllwine) and Ms. Taylor (RussiTaylor), comments from moderator Rich “Mickey” Koster, and assorted opening and closing comments. Audience comments during the talk are not generally included.

You leave Mickey’s Cyber Diner and arrive in…
The Arbordale Auditorium
Special Invited Talks with celebrity guests take place in this large
auditorium.
Current Topic: Disney’s Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse voice artists
Current Moderator: Mickey
Current Guest Speakers: RussiTaylor(Minnie) & WayneAllwine(Mickey’s voice)
This chat begins Fri., 1/30 at 11 PM Eastern/10 PM Central/8 PM Pacific
To ask a question of anyone at the podium, enter ‘REQUEST’ (without quotes)
and wait to be prompted to enter your question. Your REQUESTed question can
be longer than one line – Just wait to press your Enter key until after you
finish typing your question (not at the end of *each* line). Many questions
may be in the REQUEST queue ahead of yours, so please be patient. No one at
the podium can hear what is said in this room so use REQUEST for questions.
Exits:
Doorway to the [Podium], Mickey’s Cyber Diner [MCD], Arbordale [C]enter,
No-Spam Seats [EHX]

ANNOUNCE (Mickey) Wayne Allwine & Russi Taylor on online now, awaiting the
start of tonight’s chat!
ANNOUNCE (Mickey) Wayne (voice of Mickey Mouse) Allwine and Russi (voice
of Minnie Mouse) Taylor will be chatting with us in the Arbordale Auditorium
tonight in about 12 minutes. Enter ‘run welcome;a’ to get there now!
Mickey offers Wayne & Russi a Mouse-ke-cola
WayneAllwine says, “Thanks for the soda.”
Mickey bows, “My pleasure!”
RussiTaylor says, “Dee-licious.”
RussiTaylor giggles
Mickey giggles
Mickey gets up, to stretch his shorts.
Mickey leaves the podium and heads through the door to the Arbordale
Auditorium.
WayneAllwine says, “Wait for ussss!”
Mickey comes onstage from the Auditorium.
Mickey runs all around, huggling Meecelet, WayneAllwine, and
RussiTaylor one by one very tightly!
WayneAllwine says, “What happened to my wallet?…”
WayneAllwine says, “Hmmm…”
ANNOUNCE (Mickey) Wayne (voice of Mickey Mouse) Allwine and Russi (voice
of Minnie Mouse) Taylor will be chatting with us in the Arbordale Auditorium
tonight in a couple of minutes. Enter ‘run welcome;a’ to get there now!
Mickey offers Wayne & Russi more Mouse-ke-cola and some Mickey
ice cream bars.
RussiTaylor says, “How hospitable.”
Mickey says, “We’ll be starting soon, folks!”
RussiTaylor says, “I’m going to need a diet after this!”
Mickey says, “You? Never!”
Mickey looks up in surprise as a sudden gust of wind blows the
Mouse-eared Moderator hat off his head and it sails to the ground.
WayneAllwine looks in awe at the Mouse-Eared Moderator Hat.
Mickey takes the Mouse-Eared Moderator Hat and puts it on, smiling
as he senses it fits him!
WayneAllwine says, “Hope the shorts fit…”
Mickey adjusts his shorts again.
Mickey grins.
WayneAllwine says, “And if the shorts fit…”
CHIME: CUCKOO!
Mickey says, “Wear ‘em?”
RussiTaylor says, “close enough”
Mickey puts on his mouse-eared Moderators Hat and prepares to
start tonight’s Special Invited Talk.
* [Figaro has connected] *
RussiTaylor says, “I’m so happy my cat is here!”
Mickey waves to Figaro!
ANNOUNCE (Mickey) The Special Invited Talk with Wayne Allwine and
Russi Taylor, Disney’s voices of Mickey & Minnie Mouse, will now
begin in the Arbordale Auditorium. Enter ‘run welcome;chat;a’ to
get there if you’re not already there!
Mickey says, “AmberThree Productions and the FANtasEARS Disney
Fan Club, in association with The Walt Disney Co., are proud to
present the eleventh in our series of Special Invited Talks with
our special guests, Mr. Wayne Allwine and Miss Russi Taylor.”
Mickey says, “In high school, Wayne formed his own acoustic folk
music group and is still an accomplished musician. He recorded with
several groups and had the hit single ‘Blue’s Theme’ with the ‘Davie
Allan and the Arrows’ rock group.”
Mickey says, “Wayne is also an award-winning sound effects wizard,
winning a Prime Time Emmy Award, two Golden Reel awards, and the
Golden Scissors award for his work on Steven Spielberg’s ‘Amazing
Stories’ and Disney’s ‘The Great Mouse Detective.’”
Mickey says, “He was personally instructed in sound effects
techniques by his dear friend and teacher, Mr. Jimmy Macdonald.”
Mickey says, “Jimmy was the 2nd person to provide a voice for
Mickey Mouse — Wayne is the 3rd — and Jimmy learned from Walt
Disney himself, the first man to ever voice Mickey.”
Mickey says, “After 8 years as Mr. Macdonald’s only assistant,
Jimmy pronounced Wayne “more than ready” to assume the role of
Disney’s Chief Creative Sound Effects Person.”
Mickey says, “Since 1977 Wayne has provided Mickey with a voice
in cartoons, animated features, radio, TV shows, commercials,
talking books, toys, cassettes & CDs, talking computer games,
talking wrist-watches & clocks — even talking toothbrushes! –
and of course in Disney’s theme parks worldwide.”
Mickey says, “Wayne was nominated for an Academy Award for his
first featurette, ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol,’ and got an Oscar
nomination again for his latest theatrical production with Mickey,
‘Runaway Brain.’”
Mickey says, “Wayne is married to our other special guest
tonight, Miss Russi Taylor. Russi Taylor is as bubbly as the
fa-mouse Disney Character she gives voice to, Minnie Mouse.”
Mickey says, “Miss Taylor sang a duet as Minnie with Elton John
on the ‘Totally Minnie’ special and has given Ms. Mouse life in
many other specials, TV productions, features, commercials, Disney
theme parks worldwide, radio shows and toys.”
Mickey says, “Russi has nine Emmy award certificates for her
vocal work, is fluent in four languages and a variety of accents,
and provides voices for many other Characters besides Minnie Mouse:”
Mickey says, “Huey, Dewey, Louie (Donald Duck’s nephews) and Webby
on ‘Ducktales’… On ‘The Simpsons’ she’s portrayed class president
Martin Prince, the twins Sherry and Terry, and Uter, the German
exchange student…”
Mickey says, “Russi is also Baby Gonzo on ‘Muppet Babies,’ the
mean cat in ‘Babe,’ Pearl’s mother in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid,’
as well as the voice of Widget, Strawberry Shortcake, Pac Baby,
Pebbles Flintstone and many others.”
Mickey says, “Wayne and Russi, thanks for joining us this
evening!”
Mickey says, “And to all of you out there in the Arbordale
Auditorium, thanks for joining us, too. Let’s give a big EMuck
welcome to Mr. Wayne Allwine and Miss Russi Taylor!”
Mickey is out of breath!
RussiTaylor says, “I’m exhausted just reading all that!”
Mickey says, “None of us onstage can hear you in the audience
while we’re at the podium, so that is why there is the REQUEST
feature in the auditorium…”
Mickey says, “To leave a question, enter the word REQUEST and
then wait to be prompted to enter your question. If your question
is longer than one line, just wait to press your Enter key until
the end of your question, not the end of each line.”
Mickey says, “While we’ll ask all of the questions in the
REQUEST queue, there are already a lot of questions lined up,
so please limit your follow-up questions. To follow-up, enter
PAGE MICKEY=MyMessageHere and I’ll pass it on to Wayne and Russi.”
Mickey says, “Transcripts of tonight’s chat will be available
at EMuck’s web site and ftp site in a few days. We’ll announce
when the transcripts are ready.”
Mickey says, “Wayne & Russi, this year the Characters of Mickey
Mouse and Minnie Mouse turn 70 years old. Since you are Disney’s
official voices for those two `Meeces,’ let me be among the first
to wish you `Happy 70th Birthday!’ and thank you for kicking off
this year’s big birthday bash with us here on EMuck!”
Mickey grins at WayneAllwine and RussiTaylor and wiggles his
nose. As it jiggles up and down, his big mousie ears wiggle-waggle!
Mickey exclaims, “Huh-hah!”
Mickey says, “So Wayne, how does it feel to be talking *to*
Mickey, instead of *for* him? 8=o)”
WayneAllwine says, “Very strange. But nice.”
Mickey says, “Ready for more questions, Wayne & Russi?”
RussiTaylor says, “You betcha.”
Mickey says, “OK, here we go!”

Next question:
(Double_D) Can you tell us anything about the upcoming TV series,
‘MouseWorks?’ Has production already started? (P.S. Please change
the title!)

RussiTaylor says, “Yes, we’re already in production. The scripts
are wonderful, just like the old time cartoons.”
RussiTaylor says, “We’re having a wonderful time and feel very
lucky to be doing it. Also, it’s nice that Roy Disney is involved
in the production.”
WayneAllwine says, “These new shows are gag-driven, not dialogue-
driven.”
WayneAllwine says, “Wish we could help you with the title problem…”
RussiTaylor says, “I like it.”
WayneAllwine says, “Far out of our domain.”
Mickey says, “We’re lucky to be able to see y’all in new regular
productions! What is Roy Disney’s involvement?”
RussiTaylor says, “He’s executive producer, I believe… and watch
dog. He’s certainly putting the ol’ Mickey back to work.”
Mickey grins

Next question:
(Double_D) Can you tell us anything at all about the plans for
Mickey and Minnie’s 70th birthday party?

RussiTaylor says, “So far, it’s a surprise…”
WayneAllwine says, “Even to us!”
Mickey says, “Great! I love birthday surprises!”
WayneAllwine says, “Alice says to watch for a big truck to go
across the nation.”

Next question:
(Mickey) Wayne & Russi, what other upcoming projects are you
involved in (that you can talk about) as Mickey & Minnie — plus
anything else you’re doing?

RussiTaylor says, “Today I was a Laughing Bee for the Animal
Kingdom parade.”
WayneAllwine says, “And we’re both recording next week for the
Cruise Line.”
RussiTaylor says, “Plus I’m doing some Grandmother Willow next
week.”
RussiTaylor says, “And we also have a project of our own that we
have written and produced. It’s very exciting for us.”
WayneAllwine says, “It’s a non-Disney project, but we’re very
excited about it. We’ve been working very hard on it.”
WayneAllwine says, “Sorry to say, it’s still confidential, as
far as any specifics go. But hopefully — please keep your fingers
crossed — you’ll all be hearing a lot more about it SOON!”
Mickey says, “We’ll keep our eyes and EARS open! Follow-ups:
Did you record for promotions for the Disney Cruise Line, or for
what will be heard onboard ship? Also, you weren’t the original
Grandmother Willow, correct, Russi? Have you played her before?”
WayneAllwine says, “So far, just the show on the ship. This
will feature Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Captain Hook… and
I think Chip ‘n’ Dale.”
RussiTaylor says, “About Grandmother Willow, no, I wasn’t the
original — that was Linda Hunt. But I am the official substitute
voice and am very, VERY honored to be doing the voice of such a
wonderful actress.”
RussiTaylor says, “I’ve admired her for a long time.
RussiTaylor says, “I have played her before…for the Pocahontas
stage shows for Disneyland and WDW. I enjoy it very much… Well,
I love doing any kind of voice work.”
Mickey says, “I’m sure you do a fine Grandmother Willow, Russi!
I’ve heard wonderful things about those stage shows. When does
‘Mouseworks’ prem-EAR?”
WayneAllwine says, “Good question.”
WayneAllwine says, “Of course, they record the voices first, and
there’s a lot of animation to be done. So, who knows?”

Next question:
(Alice) Wayne & Russi, I wonder if you could briefly tell us how
you each got your starts in voiceover.

RussiTaylor says, “What shall I say? Well, uh… it’s a lonnnng
story…”
Mickey is all ears!
RussiTaylor says, “I’ll try a shorter version.”
RussiTaylor says, “I like doing voices. So I started. And I’m
still going. And I’m very lucky.”
Mickey says, “Heh-heh! How about a little longer version?”
RussiTaylor says, “Okay….”
RussiTaylor says, “When I first got back to the U.S. from Europe,
I took a voice-over workshop, because I knew that’s what I wanted to
do. I was very lucky. I got a very fine agent. He started sending
me out on everything in town. Including jobs specifically for men!”
RussiTaylor says, “And I started getting lots of work
immediately… As I said, I’m very lucky.”
WayneAllwine says, “And very talented”
Mickey agrees!
WayneAllwine says, “It helps a lot…”
WayneAllwine says, “I got my start by accident. It’s true.”
WayneAllwine says, “Um… I filled in for an actor who missed his
audition, and was told a few weeks later, that I had to join the
Screen Actors Guild because I got the role… as Mickey.”
RussiTaylor says, “The rest is history!!! And ‘her-story’ too!”
Mickey says, “Wow!”
RussiTaylor giggles
Mickey says, “Who was the actor?”
WayneAllwine says, “Nobody knows. His name didn’t appear on the
sheet — or in the credits.”
Mickey says, “So this job you filled in on at the last moment was
for doing Mickey’s voice, or something else?”
WayneAllwine says, “Mickey’s voice.”
Mickey says, “Which production?”
WayneAllwine says, “My first job would have been the opening for
‘The New Mickey Mouse Club’ which ran in late 1977 or 1978.”
WayneAllwine says, “Scary isn’t it?”
Mickey says, “It wasn’t Jimmy Macdonald, then?”
WayneAllwine says, “No. And it wasn’t Jimmy Macdonald on the
original Mickey Mouse Club, either.”
WayneAllwine says, “It was Walt.”
Mickey thinks that actor who missed the session is kicking himself!
RussiTaylor says, “I’m sure he doesn’t even know it happened.”
RussiTaylor says, “I’m glad it turned out the way it did, though.”
Mickey is very grateful Walt provide Mickey’s voice on the original
MMC… we can still hear him each weeknight now on The Disney Channel.
WayneAllwine says, “Right.”
Mickey says, “If you listen to Walt’s Mickey on that MMC very
carefully, you can hear Walt’s voice in there.”
Mickey says, “He sounded different than how he did Mickey when
he was younger”
WayneAllwine says, “Well, it was the last Mickey that Walt
recorded. He was a smoker, and his voice pitch had dropped
slightly.”
Mickey says, “Yes, that was the last of Walt’s Mickey we ever
heard…. not ‘Mickey and the Beanstalk’ like some publicity has
said.”
WayneAllwine says, “Uh-huh.”
RussiTaylor says, “But Beanstalk was his last feature film.”
Mickey nods
RussiTaylor says, “Not everyone knows he did that MMC. It was
sort of a drop-in.”
WayneAllwine says, “Actually, a peek-around-the-corner…”
WayneAllwine says, “He reminded Jimmy Macdonald that ‘I can
do that too, ya know…’”
RussiTaylor says, “Jimmy probably said, ‘Step right in,
Walt…’”
Mickey says, “He was the boss!”

Next question:
(Double_D) Russi, I read that there was an unusual audition
for Minnie’s voice. Please tell us about it.

RussiTaylor says, “Well, it was interesting. I wasn’t really
that nervous, but I was very excited. I really wanted to land the
role. It’s such a privilege.”
RussiTaylor says, “I have a very high voice, naturally. And
mostly, I was studying vocal mannerisms. Once I got into the
audition and they heard that my voice matched Minnie’s, they
asked me to improvise to see how well I could capture the
character with new copy, or when ad-libbing.”
RussiTaylor says, “So, I took a deep breath, and just gave it
my all, and the rest is her-story!”
RussiTaylor says, “Okay… the first thing that popped into my
head was… Romeo and Juliet. So, I swooned a little and let ‘er
rip…”
Mickey says, “Did you sing ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’
sometime early in your career as Minnie?”
RussiTaylor says, “You betcha. Thanks for asking.”
Mickey grins
RussiTaylor says, “I did the Kiki Dee part. What a thrill!”
Mickey says, “I loved the ‘Totally Minnie’ special you did with
Elton John, singing that song with him.”
RussiTaylor says, “Thanks!”
Mickey says, “Did you sing that song on your audition, too?”
RussiTaylor says, “Nope. But there was a lot of Baloney,
Macaroni, and Huckleberry Pie!”
Mickey says, “M-I-… C-K-E-Y-eye!!!”
Mickey says, “Don’t forget…”
Mickey says, “To dot…”
Mickey says, “The I!”
Mickey grins — he couldn’t resist.
Mickey says, “Follow-up from Max: Was there a version of Toni
Basil’s ‘Mickey’ recorded as sung by Minnie? For some reason that
sounds familiar…”
WayneAllwine says, “Yes, on the Mickey Sports CD. It came out
about a year ago.”

Next question:
(Double_D) Did you learn the voices of Mickey and Minnie from
someone else, or were you able to do the voices by yourself
beforehand?

WayneAllwine says, “No, I auditioned from what I remembered
Mickey sounding like on the MMC when I was a kid.”
RussiTaylor says, “I listened to voice reference tapes. I
studied up for the audition.”
Mickey says, “Follow-up from Rufus: What are ‘voice reference
tapes’?”
RussiTaylor says, “It’s called
go-out-and-buy-anything-you-can-find-of-the-character…
and learn it!”
Mickey grins

Next question:
(Alice) What would be the most important pieces of advice you
would offer one hoping to break into the voiceover biz?

Mickey waves to Alice!
WayneAllwine says, “Remember it is an acting job.”
RussiTaylor says, “Learn to act.”
WayneAllwine says, “Take workshops.”
RussiTaylor says, “And remember, it is really a job, not a hobby.”
Mickey says, “If this was ABC or The Disney Channel, we’d break
for commercials now… but it isn’t, we’re on EMuck. So on to the
next question!”
RussiTaylor says, “Okay!”
Mickey says, “Double D asks….”
Mickey says, “How and why are you also the singing voices for
Mickey and Minnie?”
Mickey says, “My guess: talent!”
WayneAllwine says, “Aw…”
WayneAllwine says, “We are both very lucky to be fairly good singers
as well as actors. It’s very important for the character to remain
consistent. It’s so much easier if we can do both the acting and
singing…”
WayneAllwine says, “I guess that’s part of the reason we
landed the roles.”
Mickey says, “Yes, Wayne, and you started with music back in
your high school days, right? Do you still sing and play — not as
Mickey?”
WayneAllwine says, “Yes. Sometimes I play the drums with the
remaining members of the ‘Firehouse Five + 2.’ Russi and I both
sing with the band. It’s a Dixieland band.”
Mickey says, “Is the group still called the ‘Firehouse Five + 2?’”
WayneAllwine says, “It’s no longer called the ‘Firehouse Five +
2′… It’s now the ‘Monrovia Old-Style Jazz Band.’”
Mickey says, “Are there records/CD’s/tapes of the new group?”
RussiTaylor says, “No.”
Mickey says, “Any plans for that?”
WayneAllwine says, “We’re only nine years old, after all….”
RussiTaylor says, “And we just play for fun.”
Mickey says, “I’m sure it would be fun to listen to it, and
maybe one day we’ll all get lucky enough to hear y’all.”
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you!”
Mickey says, “Where do you perform?”
WayneAllwine says, “Jazz festivals around the state.”
WayneAllwine says, “Catalina sometimes…”

Next question:
(Double_D) How often do you do your voices in public?

RussiTaylor says, “VERY seldom. Every once in awhile, when we do
radio remotes live from Disneyland or WDW. So, the public may
be able to hear and see us then. But it’s very rare.”
RussiTaylor says, “It’s very important to protect the
mystique of the Characters. The company tries to protect
childrens’ perception of the Characters.”
RussiTaylor says, “Wouldn’t want to traumatize them, ya know…”
Mickey says, “Yes, indeed. I was lucky enough to see both of you
perform in public at one of the Disneyana Conventions, and was also
thrilled to meet you in person then. I still remember the last
thing you said to me, Wayne… You said ‘Seeya real soon!’.”
Mickey grins
WayneAllwine says, “Aw, that’s nice.”
RussiTaylor says, “Thanks for remembering.”
Mickey says, “How are you two doing? Ready for more questions?”
RussiTaylor says, “Sure!”
WayneAllwine says, “Sure!”

Next question:
(Alice) Wayne, I understand you did some voicing for ‘The Black
Cauldron.’ For which characters did you provide voices? And…did
you enjoy working on that project?

WayneAllwine says, “Henn Wenn, the pig, and about 85% of the
voices heard in the castle. It was an interesting project, working
with three directors, one of whom was Rich Rich, who went on to
direct ‘Swan Princess,’ I believe.”

Next question:
(Double_D) What voices for other characters have you done? And
a follow-up: Does Russi do the voice of Birdie from the McDonald’s
commercials? Minnie’s and Birdie’s voices are very similiar.

RussiTaylor says, “Uh-huh, I sure do.”
WayneAllwine says, “I’ve done other characters over the years.
The last thing I did was re-voice an ambulance driver in ‘Alien
Nation’ — the movie — not to be confused with the TV series, of
course…”
WayneAllwine grins
Mickey nods!
RussiTaylor says, “What have I done? Oh my…”
Mickey says, “You’ve been very busy, Russi!”
RussiTaylor says, “Baby Gonzo in ‘The Muppet Babies,’ the nephews,
Webbigail, Strawberry Shortcake,…”
RussiTaylor says, “Martin Prince, Uter, Sherry & Terry on ‘The
Simpsons,’”
RussiTaylor says, “5 Ponies and the Bushwooley Leader on ‘My
Little Pony’ in the film and series….”
RussiTaylor says, “the cat in ‘Babe’… I’m in ‘Babe 2′ — coming
out in November this year… and, and, and, um… long ago…
I was Ted and Georgette’s baby on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show.’”
WayneAllwine says, “She was also the sick baby in ‘Terms of
Endearment.’”
RussiTaylor says, “I’ve done so many babies I don’t even know
their names anymore!”
RussiTaylor says, “I was Roseanne’s baby– Baby DJ, and… I
can’t think of any more. Wayne knows better than I do.”
WayneAllwine says, “Leave me alone, I have a headache.”
Mickey says, “Have you ever done Chip & Dale?
WayneAllwine says, “No, we haven’t done the chipmunks.”
Mickey says, “Do you do the voices of Donald Duck’s nephews
with a different technique than Tony Anselmo does for Donald’s
voice, Russi?”
RussiTaylor says, “Yes, I do the nephews using a different
technique — and there are three different, distinct voices for
each… if ya listen…”
Mickey nods
Mickey says, “Russi, I remember you telling the Disneyana
ConventionEars that you use your hand in some way when doing the
nephews”
RussiTaylor says, “Don’t tell everybody!”
Mickey is sorry!
Mickey smiles
RussiTaylor says, “I’m embarrassed enough!”
Mickey says, “You need to avoid stress in the throat?”
RussiTaylor says, “Don’t we all?…”
Mickey says, “Well, would you tell us about how you use your hands?”
RussiTaylor says, “I cross all my fingers. I put all the tension in
my hands –”
RussiTaylor says, “My throat is loose as a goose!”

Next question:
(Lumiere) Russi, you do a lot of character voices for ‘The Simpsons’
and I really love the one you do for Uter. What is your favorite voice
to do on that show?

RussiTaylor says, “Martin.”
Mickey says, “The class prez”
RussiTaylor says, “He’s just so, so… innocent.”

Next question:
(Mickey) When your kids realized you provide the voices of Mickey,
Minnie, and many other Characters, how did they react? Are your
children learning how to imitate character voices?

RussiTaylor says, “They think they are!”
Mickey smiles
RussiTaylor giggles
WayneAllwine says, “The biggest problem is that their classmates
don’t believe them”
CHIME> CUCKOO!
WayneAllwine says, “We end up having to go to Parents’ Day to prove
it to all of them. It sounds silly, but it’s true.”
RussiTaylor says, “The kids thought it was really cool.”
Mickey says, “What are your kids’ ages?”
WayneAllwine says, “They range in age from 10 to 26.”
Mickey says, “Do you take them to Disneyland?”
RussiTaylor says, “And how!”
Mickey grins
RussiTaylor says, “And they all love Disneyland!”
WayneAllwine says, “Yeah. That’s for sure.”

Next question:
(Double_D) Do you find some of Mickey and Minnie’s characteristics
in you and vice versa?

WayneAllwine says, “I’ve come to find them over the years. Doing
Mickey has definitely changed my life. I can say that in all
seriousness.”
WayneAllwine says, “Russi?”
RussiTaylor says, “I think Minnie and I are alter egos.”
Mickey says, “What characteristics do you share with Mickey, Wayne?”
WayneAllwine says, “Big ears and tail.”
Mickey grins and wiggles his ears!
Mickey says, “No, really”
RussiTaylor says, “They’re both just great guys.”
WayneAllwine says, “And naive as can be! Well, sort of…”
RussiTaylor says, “Don’t believe it.”
WayneAllwine says, “Russi is all of the goodness that is Minnie.
But Russi also has Minnie’s good sense, and…”
WayneAllwine says, “gulp…”
WayneAllwine says, “temper.”
Mickey says, “Oh my!”
RussiTaylor says, “What do you mean?!!! Temper?!!!!”
RussiTaylor says, “Hmph!”
WayneAllwine says, “Sorry…”
RussiTaylor giggles
WayneAllwine giggles…sort of
Mickey passes out more Mouse-ke-cola to calm things down.
RussiTaylor says, “Thank you!”
Mickey says, “Time for the next question!”

Next question:
(Double_D) Do you feel that you are carrying on some kind of
“tradition” as the voices of Mickey and Minnie?

RussiTaylor says, “Absolutely.”
WayneAllwine says, “Definitely.”
RussiTaylor says, “And we’re very proud to be part of it.”
WayneAllwine says, “I was going to say that, too!”
Mickey says, “Wayne, did you ever have an inkling when you met
Walt Disney in person that you’d be representing Mickey, the
corporate symbol of Walt’s Company? How does that make you feel?”
WayneAllwine says, “No, I met him as one of his lower-echelon
employees from the mail room. I was just happy to be working at
the studio.”
WayneAllwine says, “I’d known since I was about 7 that I wanted
to work for The Walt Disney Company, but in typical Mickey fashion
I never thought about WHERE in The Walt Disney Company I wanted to
work.”
RussiTaylor says, “Then what happened?”
WayneAllwine says, “Actually, I was recruited into the Music Dept.
by Bob Jackman, who just passed away and oddly enough, had supplied
the voice for Goofy in several cartoons.”
WayneAllwine says, “Bob asked me if I’d like to learn Jimmy
Macdonald’s job — he assumed that I’d know who Jimmy was and what
his job was.”
WayneAllwine says, “Looking to move in any direction except down,
I said — ‘Sure!’ I asked Bob if I needed to buy any supplies for
the job and he said, ‘Yes. Buy a drumset.’”
WayneAllwine says, “And this led to a wonderful 8-year relationship
with Jimmy Macdonald, Disney’s sound-effect wizard.”
Mickey grins and stage-whispers, “Psst! I wanna work for Disney,
too! As do a lot of folks in the Auditorium.” :: wink :: Follow-up
from Rufus: Does this feeling of tradition make the work harder for
the two of you?
RussiTaylor says, “That’s a very good question. I don’t know if I
should answer yes or no.”
WayneAllwine says, “I don’t know if it makes it any harder….
It certainly keeps you on your toes.”
RussiTaylor says, “And it’s a tremendous responsibility. These
Characters are precious and they have to be treated right. We love
them, very, very much.”
Mickey says, “Both Mickey & Minnie are in the best of hands with
the two of you.”
RussiTaylor says, “What a nice compliment!”
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you very much.”
Mickey says, “More compliments coming in from the audience now….”
Mickey listens…
RussiTaylor says, “We can’t read the nice things you’re all writing
yet, but Mickey told us how wonderful you all are.”
Mickey says, “Double_D says, “There’s a lot of people who expect
things from Mickey and Minnie, and you two give it to us.”"
Mickey says, “Many others agree, as do I.”
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you! It’s always nice to know we’re
pleasing the folks we work for.”

Next question:
(Zeus) How do things like colds and sore throats affect your work?
Have you had to reschedule a recording session due to an illness or
do your character voices remain unaffected?

WayneAllwine says, “Well? We try to avoid crowds, especially
around holiday times when flu and colds are most rampant. But
occasionally, we pick up a bug or two.”
RussiTaylor says, “We’re always very careful with our voices, but
when we get sick, the people we work with are always the first to help
us in any way they can. If it’s rescheduling, or whatever, they’re
always there for us. We’re very lucky that way.”
WayneAllwine says, “Yeah, they’re like family.”
Mickey says, “Alice has just initiated a group hug for all the
audience and podium folks!!! Thanks, Alice.”
RussiTaylor says, “That felt good.”
Mickey smiles
WayneAllwine says, “Hey! Where’s my wallet?”
Mickey giggles
WayneAllwine giggles not
Mickey says, “Hey! Where’s my Michael Eisner watch?”

Next question:
(Double_D) Please tell us the story on how you two “lovemice” met.

Mickey says, “Oooo, great question with Valentine’s Day approaching”
RussiTaylor says, “Uh…”
WayneAllwine says, “We met at the ‘Totally Minnie’ session, didn’t
we, Russi?”
RussiTaylor says, “Yes.”
WayneAllwine says, “I was the voice on the cutting-room floor in
that production.”
RussiTaylor giggles
Mickey says, “Please tell us all about how you met!”
RussiTaylor says, “Well, um…”
RussiTaylor says, “We met long before we ever got serious about each
other.”
WayneAllwine says, “Yeah.”
Mickey says, “Sometimes love at first sight is only in the cartoons.”
RussiTaylor says, “We met doing the voices, of course. You get to
know other actors, and Wayne was always very professional and a pleasure
to work with.”
RussiTaylor says, “At one point, we’d both gone through difficult
divorces, and got together as friends after work, just to talk.”
RussiTaylor says, “We’ve been talking ever since.”
Mickey says, “And we’ve been listening and enjoying hearing you talk!”
RussiTaylor says, “It was fate.”
WayneAllwine says, “Yes, beloved.”
Mickey sees big red Toony hearts appear around Wayne & Russi.

Next question:
(Double_D) What are some of your favorite Disney films? What are
some of your favorite projects with Mickey and Minnie’s voices?

RussiTaylor says, “Everything!”
WayneAllwine says, “Favorite projects… I loved doing ‘Prince and
the Pauper.’”
RussiTaylor says, “You were wonderful in that…”
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you.”
Mickey says, “Yes you were! Doubly so!”
WayneAllwine says, “‘MouseWorks’ is a lot of fun.”
RussiTaylor says, “‘Runaway Brain’ was a lot of fun. All the shows
in the park are a lot of fun. Toys, games, toothbrushes?…”
RussiTaylor says, “It’s all fun!”
RussiTaylor says, “It’s ALL fun, do you hear?!!”
RussiTaylor laughs
Mickey says, “I was so glad to see ‘Runaway Brain’ and that your
Characters were given new life. Great to hear about ‘MouseWorks’
coming up, too! So, about the Disney films? Are they all your faves,
or do you have any particular ones you like more?”
WayneAllwine says, “‘Peter Pan,’ and ‘Lady and the Tramp’ would be
my favorites.”
RussiTaylor says, “I just love everything. That’s why I wanted to
work for the company!”
Mickey applauds.

Next question:
(Double_D) Russi, why are women usually chosen to do voices for
young children, especially boys?

RussiTaylor says, “Children are used a great deal in the business.
However, sometimes, especially in voice work, the hours can be
grueling. Sometimes there’s a need for a more mature understanding
of the role.”
RussiTaylor says, “There’s also an added expense because a social
worker/studio teacher must be provided for the children at all times
for their protection.”
WayneAllwine says, “It helps if you have the voice box of a ten year
old, like Russi.”
RussiTaylor says, “Before we move on, I did want to mention an
example of the grueling hours and so on…”
RussiTaylor says, “When Heather O’Rourke, the little girl in
‘Poltergeist’ was barely 5 years old, she had to loop (replace
dialogue) — her own voice — in many scenes. In some cases, it was
too difficult for her, and also, Steven Spielberg was concerned that
looping, a very difficult art, might be frustrating for her.”
RussiTaylor says, “So, I would finish sentences for her and make
small fixes in her dialogue for clarity, etc.”
RussiTaylor says, “We were a very good voice match. And Steven was
incredible to work for.”
RussiTaylor says, “Incidentally, Wayne’s Emmy was for a production
for Steven Spielberg.”
Mickey says, “Yes, ‘Amazing Stories!’ Thanks for the extra
information, Russi! Wayne, does doing Mickey’s falsetto strain your
voice in any way?”
WayneAllwine says, “No.”
Mickey says, “That’s good to hear.”
WayneAllwine says, “I was a rock singer early on. I sang first
tenor parts on club band covers of Righteous Brothers songs. So,
falsetto was never difficult for me to work in.”

Next question:
(Double_D) Wayne, ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol’ was the first film you
did as Mickey’s voice. What were your feelings about your debut as
Mickey’s new voice?

WayneAllwine says, “Scared.”
WayneAllwine says, “I learned that you have to trust your director
to make the right choices from the many takes recorded. The voice-over
actor has very little say as to which take is used.”

Next question:
(Double_D) Wayne, in ‘The Prince and the Pauper,’ you did not only
Mickey’s voice, but also the voice of the prince (Mickey with a British
accent). Whose idea was that? And why were you chosen to do both roles?

WayneAllwine says, “George Scribner was our director, so, I guess it
was his. I prayed they’d find a nice young English kid to do the
prince. But no… they kept saying ‘No, the voices have to match.’”
WayneAllwine says, “I was so happy with George’s choices from the
takes at the sessions. I was very lucky… Many of my takes sounded
remarkably like Julia Child.”
RussiTaylor giggles
Mickey says, “Had you done dialects before that? You did very well
at it, by the way!”
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you.”
WayneAllwine says, “I owe it all to my vocal coach, a man named
Larry Moss, from UCLA. By the way, Larry voiced Leopold Stokowski in
the digital re-make of Fantasia.”

Next question:
(Double_D) Wayne, have you ever worked with animator Andreas Deja,
who drew Mickey for ‘Runaway Brain?’

RussiTaylor says, “You betcha!”
WayneAllwine says, “Yes!”
RussiTaylor says, “He’s wonderful. He’s just so great.”
WayneAllwine says, “He’s a very good friend. And what a talent!”
Mickey looks at the Mickey Mouse clock on the wall…
Mickey says, “We’ve got 20 more questions in the queue…”
Mickey says, “Want to take one more tonight?”
RussiTaylor says, “Sure.”
Mickey says, “…and would you mind coming back again for more
questions?”
WayneAllwine says, “Not at all.”
RussiTaylor says, “We’d love to.”
Mickey says, “Thank you both very much! I’m sure we’ll think of
many more things to ask for next time!”
RussiTaylor says, “No, no. Thank YOU.”
Mickey says, “You’re very kind. Okay, here’s the last question
for tonight…”
Mickey says, “…but the others in the list WILL be asked the next
time you come to EMuck.”
Mickey says, “First, a message from EMuck’s Baloo… He says he’s
sorry he didn’t get to meet you there at Disney tonight.”
Mickey waves to Baloo in the audience.
RussiTaylor says, “We’re sorry, too.”
WayneAllwine says, “Where are you?”
WayneAllwine waves
Mickey says, “He’s at home right now — and out there in the
Arbordale Auditorium listening to this chat.”
RussiTaylor waves, too
Mickey says, “OK, here’s the next and last (for tonight) question:”

Next question:
(Alice) For Wayne and Russi: Do you find that, aside from Disney
work (or heck, even inclusive of Disney work) that vo characters have
become more and more ‘edgy’ and ’sarcastic’? Do you think this trend
will continue?

RussiTaylor says, “I hope not.”
WayneAllwine says, “The nature of animation in the past was to
mirror the society it was created for. The Disney Characters are
unique — the original Disney Characters, that is — in that they were
created in a gentler time.”
WayneAllwine says, “Um… “
WayneAllwine says, “Sadly, ‘South Park’ — nothing against the
creators of ‘South Park’ — mirrors kids today. Not ALL kids…”
RussiTaylor says, “Well, maybe many ADULTS’ vision of kids today.”
WayneAllwine says, “Do I think it will continue? As long as they
can sell advertising time, it will.”
RussiTaylor says, “However… We’re hoping, with our own project,
we might be able to add a more gentle voice to children’s animation.
We’re very proud of who we are and what we do. We LOVE trying to
continue the tradition.”
WayneAllwine says, “We’ve certainly had the best teachers in the
world.”
Mickey says, “Wayne and Russi, on behalf of Amberthree Productions,
the FANtasEARS Disney Fan Club, and all of us on EMuck, we thank you
so very much for coming here tonight! Would you please join me down
in the audience for a few minutes to meet your fans?”

Meecelet leaves the podium and heads through the door to the…
The Arbordale Auditorium
Special Invited Talks with celebrity guests take place in this large
auditorium.
Current Topic: Disney’s Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse voice artists
Current Moderator: Mickey
Current Guest Speakers: RussiTaylor(Minnie) & WayneAllwine(Mickey’s voice)
This chat begins Fri., 1/30 at 11 PM Eastern/10 PM Central/8 PM Pacific
> To ask a question of anyone at the podium, enter ‘REQUEST’ (without quotes)
> and wait to be prompted to enter your question. Your REQUESTed question can
> be longer than one line – Just wait to press your Enter key until after you
> finish typing your question (not at the end of *each* line). Many questions
> may be in the REQUEST queue ahead of yours, so please be patient. No one at
> the podium can hear what is said in this room so use REQUEST for questions.
Exits:
Doorway to the [Podium], Mickey’s Cyber Diner [MCD], Arbordale [C]enter,
No-Spam Seats [EHX]
Contents:
Plush Mickey Mouse doll, Plush Minnie Mouse doll, Air Russis, Air Waynes,
Stenographic camera
Players:
Lumiere, Alice, Angela, Rufus, Double_D, Max, Phil, Gromit, Disneygirl,
SunniGummi

Max grins and nods.
Alice looks at Rufus!
WayneAllwine comes down into the main part of the Arbordale Auditorium
from the stage and podium.
Alice applauds wildly!
Double_D applauds again.
Lumiere applauds!!!
Max claps loudly.
Mickey comes down into the main part of the Arbordale Auditorium from the
stage and podium.
Sunni applauds
Gromit applauds but does not speak.
Phil claps.
Mickey exclaims, “Let’s hear it for Wayne & Russi!”
Rufus applauds loudly.
Alice jumps up and down!!!
Angela applauds
RussiTaylor comes down into the main part of the Arbordale Auditorium from
the stage and podium.
Sunni says, “Encore!”
Double_D shakes Wayne and Russi’s hands.
Gromit applauds but does not speak.
WayneAllwine exclaims, “Thank you!”
Mickey claps his white gloved hands as loudly as possible!
Max gathers everyone together and begins leading them in singing the
Mickey Mouse Club march!
RussiTaylor exclaims, “Thank you very much!”
WayneAllwine says, “Aw, you guys are swell.”
Alice whistles loudly (unladylike, sure, but enthusiastic!)
Gromit continues to read his book, ‘Electronics for Dogs.’
Mickey says, “And thank you for being so kind as to come back again
another night for more chatting, Wayne and Russi”
Alice exclaims, “Gosh, this sure has been a treat!”
Max nodnods!
Double_D nods.
Phil says, “Oh, and you have your shoes. =:o)”

[Phil made 'Air Waynes' for Wayne and 'Air Russis' for Russi.]

Disneygirl exclaims, “Well hello you guys! Welcome to EMuck. (extends
her hand) I’m Disneygirl.”
Mickey says, “Folks, a transcript of this chat will be available in a
few days. We’ll announce when it is ready.”
Rufus exclaims, “Yeah, even better than meeting you at the Parks!”
Angela had no idea that Russi did voices in some of her fav cartoon
shows, ‘Muppet Babies,’ ‘Strawberry Shortcake’ and ‘My Little Pony!’
Rufus exclaims, “Yeah, check out Phil’s shoes!”
WayneAllwine slips on the Air Waynes, giggles, and suddenly feels like
wiggling his ears and eating cheese…
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “I’m Gromit and glad to meet you
both.:)”
Alice slips on the Air Russis and feels like wearing polka-dots to go
with them!
WayneAllwine slips on the Air Waynes, giggles, and suddenly feels like
wiggling his ears and eating cheese…
Double_D says, “We’ve got cheese next door…”
Mickey says, “Wayne & Russi, I’d like you to know that you are welcome
here ANYTIME, and not just for these special chats. You also can
request anonymouse character accounts here if you’d like to come
incognito to have fun here.”
Phil says, “Type ‘look Air Waynes’ or ‘look Air Russis’ =:o)”

[look Air Waynes]
They’re yellow Mickey shoes you can put ‘on’.

[on]
You slip on the Air Waynes, and giggle at how they feel. You suddenly
feel like wiggling your ears and eating cheese…

[look Air Russis]
Look! They’re cute little yellow high-heels you can ’slip’ on.

[slip]
You slip on the Air Russis, and feel like wearing polka-dots to go
with them!

Angela wants to know which ponies Russi voiced.
Double_D gives the plush Mickey Mouse doll a big hug!
Sunni says, “yeah”
Double_D gives the plush Minnie Mouse doll a big hug!
Rufus exclaims, “You should see the version of ‘Mickey’s Beanstock’
here!”

[There is a Disney-style themed virtual roller coaster based on
'Mickey and the Beanstalk' on EMuck in the 'Toon Gardens' theme park.]

RussiTaylor says, “Thank you. You’ve made us feel very welcome.”
RussiTaylor says, “You’ve made it very easy.”
Mickey says, “Double_D made you two ‘Plush Mickey Mouse doll’ and
“Plush Minnie Mouse doll’. You can ‘look’ at them!”

[look Plush Mickey Mouse doll]
It’s a plush doll of Mickey Mouse. He is wearing his classic red
shorts with white buttons, and big yellow shoes. You feel like giving
him a big ‘hug’!

[hug]
You give the Plush Mickey a big hug! As you squeeze, you can almost
hear him squeak.

[look Plush Minnie Mouse doll]
It’s a plush doll of Minnie Mouse. She is wearing a dress and a bow
that are red with white polka dots, and big yellow high heel shoes.
She’s so cute, give her a big ol’ ’squeeze’!

[squeeze]
You give the plush Minnie Mouse doll a big hug! As you squeeze, you
can almost hear her squeak!

Alice admires the plush Minnie Mouse doll.
WayneAllwine says, “Thank you.”
Alice gives the plush Minnie Mouse doll a big hug!
WayneAllwine admires the plush Minnie Mouse doll.
Rufus admires the plush Mickey Mouse doll.
Double_D blushes. “Gosh, Mickey.”
Mickey asks, “Which one of us, Double_D? “
Disneygirl snickers.
Double_D exclaims, “Er, both!”
Rufus admires the plush Minnie Mouse doll.
WayneAllwine admires the plush Mickey Mouse doll.
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “We are glad you are keeping up
the Disney traditions for excellent entertainment.”
Max says, “PaulP would be proud…”
Alice admires the plush Mickey Mouse doll.
Mickey changes back into his classic attire of red shorts and big
yellow shoes.
Mickey looks up in surprise as a sudden gust of wind blows the
Mouse-eared Moderator hat off his head and it sails to the ground.
Alice gives the plush Mickey Mouse doll a big hug!
Sunni wonders if Wayne or Russi did voices for ‘Gummi Bears?’
RussiTaylor says, “Thank you, Gromit.”
WayneAllwine asks, “How’s Wallace?”
Max nods at what Gromit said. “Thanks for keeping the magic, and
tradition, alive!”
Angela exclaims, “I have a real plush Mickey in the attic!”
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “He’s not on here unfortunately.”
Like the Cheshire Cat, Alice disappears and quickly reappears as
Glamour_Alice, and cries out, “Congratulations to EMuck on its new
home! How simply MAH-velous!”
Disneygirl Extends her Muck pad. “Could you sign this for my little
sister? Just make it out to Disneygirl….*ahem*”
Rufus rubs against Wayne and Russi’s legs in appreciation.
Glamour_Alice curtseys glamourously!
Gromit laughs at Disneygirl.
Glamour_Alice glamourously exclaims, “You have both been so dahhhhhling
to join us tonight!”
SunniGummi gives the plush Mickey Mouse doll a big hug!
Double_D agrees with Alice.
Meecelet admires the plush Minnie Mouse doll.
Meecelet gives the plush Minnie Mouse doll a big hug!
Meecelet gives the plush Mickey Mouse doll a big hug!
Glamour_Alice waves to Meecelet!
Sunni says, “hello Meecelet”
Meecelet waves!
Lightning flashes and the lights go out. A moment later the light
returns… But Max is gone. In his place is the vampire Goofula!
RussiTaylor says, “Well, now it’s time to say goodbye…”
WayneAllwine says, “To all our company…”
RussiTaylor exclaims, “Everybody!”
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “M I C…”
Double_D exclaims, “MIC!”
RussiTaylor says, “M – I – Ceeeee”
Lumiere exclaims, “Goodbye!”
Rufus says, “M-I-C”
Glamour_Alice elegantly says, “K E Y”
Double_D exclaims, “KEY!”
RussiTaylor says, “M – O – U – S Eeeeeeee”
Double_D raises his hands, and they begin glittering golden dust. He
waves his arms around the room, and pixie dust comes shooting out from
his hands in all directions. Soon, RussiTaylor, Mickey, WayneAllwine,
Meecelet, SunniGummi, Disneygirl, Gromit, Phil, Max, Rufus, Angela,
Alice, and Lumiere are generously sprinkled in pixie dust.
Mickey wiggles his nose and loudly exclaims, “Goodnight! Seeya back
here on EMuck ‘REAL SOON!!!’”
Mickey wiggles his nose and loudly exclaims, “Thanks again for
coming!!!”
Sunni says, “Goodbye, Russi and Wayne, nice to meet you”
Sunni waves
Disneygirl exclaims, “Bye! Thanks for coming! “
Rufus says, “Thanks ever so for dropping by.”
Phil brushes the dust out of his goat fur.
Gromit exclaims, “Yeah!”
Angela waves
WayneAllwine says, “Nice to meet you, too.”
Double_D says, “Yes, thank you very much.”
Phil exclaims, “Yeah! It was great!”
RussiTaylor says, “Goodbye everybody. Thanks for being here tonight.”
Glamour_Alice watches Jimmy the Head Mouseketeer wink.
WayneAllwine exclaims, “So long!”
Gromit exclaims, “I used to play that all the time at work, it drove
everybody nuts! “
Max exclaims, “Thank *you* both for coming!”
RussiTaylor says, “And we’ll see ya…”
WayneAllwine exclaims, “Reeeeeeeal soon!”
Mickey claps!!!
Double_D grins.
Angela smiles
Glamour_Alice smiles and waves!!
Gromit offers the mouses cheese.
Double_D applauds also.
Rufus applauds loudly.
RussiTaylor exclaims, “Thanks!”
WayneAllwine exclaims, “Bye!”
Max wears out a pair of his white gloves clapping… time to reorder.
Sunni says, “Please come again and visit us”
Sunni smiles
WayneAllwine vanishes in a puff of smoke to the Welcome Center Lounge.
Max exclaims, “Seeya!”
RussiTaylor vanishes in a puff of smoke to the Welcome Center Lounge.
Gromit waves.
Rufus wavies bye-bye.
Glamour_Alice glamourously exclaims, “Gosh, that was GREAT!”
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “I hope they got the cheese.”
Double_D says, “Wow, that was great.”
Sunni hands Meecelet a bottle of Juice
Mickey wiggles his nose and loudly exclaims, “I’m so happy I could
burst!”
Sunni smiles
Double_D hifives Glamour_Alice.
Glamour_Alice is ecstatic!!!
Fri Jan 30 23:55:25 CST 1998
Lumiere asks, “Why did Mickey and Minnie come to EMuck? It’s the
cheese!”
Disneygirl asks, “Mickey, did my question get asked? I had to step out
to the bathroom for a sec…”
Mickey happily says, “EMuck… It’s the cheesiest!”
Mickey says, “Huh-ha! Hah-ha!! Gosh, that’s a good one!”
Glamour_Alice was with them the whole time!
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “It’s like we had our hands on
history tonight. It’s like we went back in time and lived during the
days when Walt was alive…………..”
Mickey perks up his big mousie ears and asks, “Two computers in that
room, Alice?”
Double_D cowers to Disneygirl.
Sunni huggles all
Mickey happily says, “Gromit, that is so true. Good point!”
Lumiere oohs! “Alice was with the Meeces?”
Glamour_Alice nods to Mickey! “One of ‘em a Mac laptop!”
Angela wishes Susan Egan would come here again.
Mickey wiggles his nose and loudly exclaims, “Alice, we gotta get you
the ability to connect when you’re at work!”
Sunni asks, “Meecelet?”
Max asks, “Your PowerBook 180c, Alice?”
Glamour_Alice HA’s!
Glamour_Alice nods yes to Max.
Phil says, “Well, all. I best be off.”
Double_D looks at the camera that is recording everything seen and every
word spoken.
Mickey says, “G’nite, Phil”
Angela waves
Rufus exclaims, “G’nite, Phil!”
Lumiere exclaims, “Goodnight Phil!”
Mickey says, “Nice shoes!”
Double_D exclaims, “Bye!”
Gromit hugs Phil tightly.
Max nods… “My 180c is semi-retired now… having been supplanted by
a 5300c.”
Mickey says, “And nice Plush, Double_D! How much did PaulP pay you?”
Max grins.
Mickey runs up to Phil and gives him a macho mousie huggle!
Phil says, “I handed them to them.”
Phil waves.
Double_D asks, “Who? Oh, him..uh.”
Phil hugs the mouse back.
SunniGummi gives the plush Mickey Mouse doll a big hug!
Phil zaps Phil.
Phil has left.
SunniGummi drops Plush Sunners
Double_D says, “I did it out of the goodness of my heart, and to add
items to my apt…”
Sunni smiles
Mickey says, “I can’t tell you how bizarre it was to be here, ‘Mickey,’
listening to Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor!”
Glamour_Alice has to log off!!!
Gromit rolls his eyes as if to say, “Well, good night, all.”
Glamour_Alice waves g’nite to all!!
Max waves to Alice. “Seeya!”
Angela waves
Lumiere exclaims, “Goodnight, Alice!”
Rufus exclaims, “G’nite, Alice!”
Glamour_Alice curtseys and dashes off.
Mickey says, “Double_D, next time they come back, have them ‘autograph’
the plush for ya!”
Gromit hears Wallace’s voice. “It’s the wrong trousers, Gromit, and
they’ve gone wrong! Help me, Gromit, help me!” Gromit rolls his eyes,
hops in his plane and leaves.
Sunni waves to Alice
Mickey wiggles his nose and loudly exclaims, “Bye bye, Alice! Drive
carefully”
Glamour_Alice hears a whisper on the breeze that is calling her home…
Alice has left.
Double_D exclaims, “I’ll put a tag around them, good idea!”
Lumiere says, “I too must now leave. Goodnight everyone!”
Mickey says, “Goodnight, Lumi!”
Double_D picks up the stenographic camera along with its keyboard.
Max waves to Lumiere. “Seeya!”
Angela waves
Rufus exclaims, “Nite, Lumi!”
Lumiere goes home.
Lumiere has left.
Double_D will go turn his camera off…
CHIME> CUCKOO!
Sunni huggles Meecelet
Double_D says, “Brb..”
Meecelet grins and huggles Sunni
Double_D has left.
Sunni asks, “How are you today, Meecelet?”
Meecelet says, “I’m so happy to have been up onstage with Wayne &
Russi, and Mickey!”
Disneygirl says, “Woah, the population sure dropped all of a sudden…”
Mickey says, “You were very good, Meecelet”
Meecelet grins
Angela rereads her letter from Susan Egan over and over and over . . .
Sunni just got a ISP connect so her RL will stay for a while
Sunni hands Meecelet some Gummi Berry Juice
Disneygirl asks, “Did you get a new one Angela, or is it the same one?”
Angela exclaims, “New one!”
Mickey says, “Folks, Wayne & Russi *will* be coming back… and Friday
nights are good for them.”
Double_D has arrived.
Double_D arrives and pauses to catch his breath from a brisk run.
Mickey says, “I’ll work it out with them when is good for them, and they
will be back for more fun!”
Angela exclaims, “Cool!”
Sunni applauds
Rufus says, “They seem like our kind of people.”
Mickey still wonders who took his Michael Eisner watch during that group
hug!
Angela’s eyelids are drooping
Mickey says, “Even though Alice had to leave, I’d like to publicly
thank both her and Baloo for working on technical things there at
Disney that helped get Wayne & Russi connected tonight.”
Rufus smiles and says, “Say goodnight, Angela.”
Sunni puts toothpick to hold up Angela’s eyelids
Rufus says, “Me too, Mickey.”
Mickey says, “I’d also like to give a big thanks to Susie at Disney,
who typed everything Wayne and Russi said tonight.”
Double_D says, “Goodnight, Angela.”
Mickey says, “Sweet dreams, Angela!”
Angela protests, “I don’t want to leave yet!”
Mickey says, “Then stay! By all means!”
Rufus offers Angela a cup of Cappucheeso to help her stay awake.
Angela giggles
Sunni gives Angela a cup of starbucks Coffee
Angela says, “The only thing I don’t like about special chats is you
don’t get to have a conversation with people”
Mickey says, “So, how do y’all feel?”
Angela cuddles her hamster
Mickey says, “I’m just as happy as after spending a day at a Disney
park!”
Double_D asks, “Um, happy?”
Sunni asks, “which park did you go to, Mickey??”
Angela exclaims, “Disney park! Wahhh!”
Mickey pats Angela consolingly on her back
Double_D says, “Happy as a….”
Sunni may, if luck holds out to go later this year.
Max has left.
Angela exclaims, “TN isn’t near anything!”
Double D leaps up high into the air. At the peak of his jump, his
body changes in a blinding flash of light. With a cry of “Hoo hoo
hoo hoooo!” Double D comes down dressed up in a finely detailed
costume of the one and only Tigger!
Mickey says, “Sunni, I mean I’m as happy now *as if* I had just gone
to a Disney park!”
DD(Tigger) bounces Mickey!
Mickey bounces!
DD(Tigger) exclaims, “Hiya, Mickster!”
DD(Tigger) asks, “Say, did I come in time for you?”
Max has arrived.
Sunni says, “yeah, Mickey”
Mickey says, “Rehi Max”
Mickey says, “Tigger, you’re late!”
DD(Tigger) gets off Mickey’s chest.
Mickey says, “Meecelet, you can stop taking notes now!”
DD(Tigger) looks around. “Say, not a lot of people here for the chat.”
Meecelet puts down his crayon.
Double D stands proudly in his Tigger costume. Suddenly, in a blinding
flash of light, the costume disappears around Double D’s body, and his
familiar robe and white gloves return to him.
Double_D says, “Sorry, I wanted to do that.”
Mickey says, “Meecelet does a great job of taking transcripts, but I
don’t think we need one anymore tonight.”
Sunni picks up Meecelet
Mickey smiles
Double_D exclaims, “Night, Meecelet!”
Meecelet waves bye-bye!
Rufus says, “Nite, Meecelet.”

With a tear in your eye… and a thump in your heart… you go home.

[End of transcript]

Did you notice the link above to Titanic Ghost Tour? Disney EchoEar Ron Schneider (original Dreamfinder and Figment at Epcot) presents a bewitching tale of the seas which will materialize before your very eyes… if you are brave enough to click the link .

Sometimes, life being what it is, you just can’t take a Disney vacation as often as you’d like. That doesn’t stop you from dreaming and imagining what your next trip will be. Your imagination can bring you to far off magical lands even quicker than the fastest jet plane!

Here on the Disney Echo Eyes and EchoEars Travel Blog you can take a virtual Disney vacation by reading the trip reports as well as taking part in the Disney Echo’s ongoing interactive story-creation game, “You Make A Story.”

See background information about what “You Make A Story” is all about by clicking here or jump right into Chapter 3 – Part 1 – “Movin’ Right Along” by clicking here.

You can participate by leaving comments or by becoming a Disney EchoEar and actively adding to the ongoing story!

Either way, we hope you enjoy the story and have a great time as we do some virtual Disney travel.

From our sister blog, I Can Has Pixie Dust.com…

There are Disney Parks for a lot of fun
where the Characters will hug everyone.
Though you go near and far
and whoever you are
it’s a small world after all.

(Repeat the last four lines to infinity… and beyond!)

Caption by Rich Koster

Original picture

What this is all about: Disney’s Iconic ‘Small World’ Ride Makeover Finds Nemo

Hard economic times getting you down? Can’t take a trip to a Disney theme park as often as you’d like because of the recession?

In between real visits to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, try some virtual Disney fun at I Can Has Pixie Dust.com and the Disney Echo, both sister websites of this Disney Echo Eyes and EchoEars Travel Blog!

Heading into downtown Los Angeles? This sounds like a fun thing to do!

We enjoyed the stage show we saw at the El Capitan Theatre before WALL-E during our last trip to Disneyland, and both the stage show and movie presentation were great! I’m sure “Oliver and Company” will look wonderful with the El Cap’s digital projection as well.

Then having breakfast with Mickey and Minnie at Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store would be something I’d like to do before heading into the theatre. The restaurant is not all that big so there’s sure to be lots of “face time” with the characters.

The curtain has risen again at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans and the prediction from my wife Carol and I is that Disney will have the world premEAR of “The Princess and the Frog” this December in New Orleans either in that beautifully-restored theater or in the Superdome (as they did for the world premEAR of “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame”).

It would be a perfect setting for Disney to hold the world premEAR of “The Princess and the Frog” at the newly-renovated Mahalia Jackson Theater. The animated feature is set in New Orleans’ French Quarter – the Mahalia Jackson Theater is located in Louis Armstrong Park on the edge of the French Quarter. The theater is beautiful and elegant (just like the look of the movie itself) and it already has state-of-the-art digital projection and a ballet-class stage (unlike the Superdome). It would cost Disney less to have the premEAR there rather than the larger Superdome, and since the theater seats fewer people it would make managing the world premEAR event easier.

“Dreams Do Come True Down In New Orleans.”
– Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”

Is this just a pipe dream we have, that Disney will have a world premEAR of the New Orleans-located “Princess and the Frog” animated feature?

Well, remember the great response I got from Disney CEO Bob Iger at the 2007 Disney Shareholder Meeting in New Orleans when I asked him in that very question…

When Disney is ready to spill the (red) beans about the world premEAR, I’ll let y’all know if our hunch is correct!

Here are photos by phototographer Ted Jackson from today’s New Orleans Times-Picayune about last night’s reopening of the renovated theater.

Patrons mill about outside the newly refurbished The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts as the facility is officially dedicated and reopened Thursday, January 8, 2009.

The Mahalia Jackson Theater was rebuilt for $22 million with a 21st century sound system, a digital cinema screen, enhanced lighting, a new orchestra shell and a cutting-edge ballet floor.The original chandelier is set off by new LED lights in the newly refurbished lobby of The Mahalia Jackson Theater.

Tricia Huff and her dog Uptown Georgia Brown stand by as the Armstrong Park archway is lit during dedication ceremonies for the newly refurbished theater.

Mouseketeer Cheryl of TV’s original Mickey Mouse Club dies of cancer

Cheryl Lynn Phelps (later Cheryl Holdridge after marriage) was born in New Orleans before her family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child. She died January 5, 2009 in Santa Monica, CA after battling lung cancer for the past several years.

Our condolences and prayers go out to her soul as well as her family, friends and many fans.

“Through the years we’ll all be friends wherever we may be…”