Tron in Review

I hadn’t intended to read about Tron: Legacy before I saw it. I was planning to go in without any preconceptions beyond those that had been established by Disney’s marketing machine. But I guess that it was actually inevitable. My social media threads are full of geeks and Disney addicts, so in retrospect the comments were unavoidable. My surprise came from their vehemence. I logged onto my Twitter feed to find a debate over the merits of the film in full swing, and I found at least two links out to reviews on my Facebook feed, each claiming to be the definitive analysis of the movie.

So I went to the theater with some trepidation. I had read the allegations that the plot was simplistic, the editing was bloated, and that nostalgia was all the film had to offer. I was hoping that those criticisms were wrong, but I was worried that I would walk out of the theater disappointed.

They were wrong, and I didn’t.

Tron: Legacy is a film that lives up to its hype. Unlike its predecessor, it does not (unknowingly or otherwise) predict the future, nor does it offer some great sagacious moral or complex societal insight. It is not an epic, nor is it a social drama. Tron: Legacy is what a good movie should be – it is a window into another world that offers excitement, heroism, and a chance to hope for a better future.

I’m a child of the 80s, and I carry the nostalgia for that decade that many of my generation do. I’ve read all the sociological and psychological analysis. I know about the analysis of the 80s as a time of rampant materialism, glitz overlying corruption, and lack of social consciousness. But the 80s had something precious that the second millennium CE is lacking thus far – it had a hope for a better future.

Tron: Legacy has many merits. Its visuals are stunning; its score is wonderful; its production design and special effects are groundbreaking. Even its emotional beats are on target with the writers and editors allowing time for character interaction and development between the sweeping visual set pieces. But those merits are not what sold me on the film.

Sitting in the darkened theatre, I found myself thinking back on the discussions I had read about the movie. I realized that, to me at least, those people had missed the point of the film, the theme running behind the cinematic elements. They missed the joy.

Tron: Legacy does indeed rely on nostalgia, but that nostalgia is not merely references to the earlier film, although those do litter the digital landscape. It relies on nostalgia for a cinematic era where fun and adventure were viable bases for a movie, where the future was brighter than the present, and where man’s touch in shaping and creating was not always a death sentence for all that was good. It is an homage to the optimism and the occasionally unhealthy glitter of an earlier era, but it combines that nod with a purposeful optimism for the future that refuses to denigrate the past or complicate the future.

Take, for example, its characters. Flynn the elder is half hippie, half jedi, a decidedly dated, yet deeply empathetic character. His aggressively idealistic vision has been replaced with a refusal to do anything. Flynn the younger is a rebel without a cause, a capable, intelligent young man who consciously refuses to take responsibility. The villain of the piece, CLU, is the embodiment of an impossible and unyielding ideal. And the catalyst that makes it all move forward is a type of program described as innocent and wise who, the film makers are sure to tell the audience, has been nurtured on the literature of human experience and dreams, not unbending ideals. That cast of archetypes leads the viewer through a dazzling world occupied by creatures like the utterly outrageous Zeus (a being whose essence is so deeply embedded in the 80s that he summarizes much of the era). But the denouement is neither an apocalyptic end of all nor a promise for a happily ever after. Instead, it is the affirmation of hope and wonder as a compliment, not negation, of responsibility – a reminder to appreciate the things we take for granted and to cherish the hope that what we bring with us from our experiences can be the key to a better tomorrow.

Will most people walk away from Tron: Legacy with some great truth? Hardly. The film is intended to be a Christmas blockbuster, and I hope it meets that goal – the Walt Disney Company could certainly benefit from the cinematic success. At the very least, it’s some of the finest eye candy out there right now. But beyond the visuals, audiences are offered something more valuable by Tron if they are willing to enjoy it. They are offered a world where human beings can see the potential of the unfathomable, where rebels can find a cause and take responsibility, and, most importantly, where the beauty of the sunrise is something to be recognized and savored.

Tron: Legacy is a film worth seeing. It’s fun, pretty, and it dares to urge us to dream of a better tomorrow and to enjoy all the imperfections of our greatest dreams.

Haunting the Mansion: Burton & Del Toro

In the course of my internet travels recently, I ran into an article discussing the announced Disney Haunted Mansion project.  In the discussion, the author made it clear that most fans felt Tim Burton would have been the preferred director for the film; del Toro was an acceptable second. I passionately disagree.

I guess the essential difference lies in what one expects out of a film and what one expects from the Haunted Mansion. The mansion and I have a long history – having the ride car get stopped in front of the giant spiders on my first childhood ride made what could be called an impression. As an adult, it's one of the "must do" attractions that never loses its chill and its wonder. For me, the mansion is a place of juxtapositions.  It blurs the lines between the natural and supernatural; it traipses without hesitation from disturbing to whimsical, and it blends the truly disturbing with the charming at every turn.  It is a surreal ride, a disturbing experience, and a fun attraction, all while maintaining a personal connection to the viewer and keeping the promise of chilling atmosphere and occasional moments of wonder.

Translating that to the movie screen is no small task.  Of course, a slavish adaptation of any of the various haunted mansions in parks around the world would be an utter failure.  The Mansion (whichever one may be under discussion) is an attraction, not a movie.  Furthermore, the “stories” of the attractions in California and Florida are more than a little up for speculation.  I think the key to creating a financially successful Haunted Mansion franchise is the same as the uncovered secret that makes the Pirates of the Caribbean films a success – capture the spirit, not the letter of the attraction.

To me, del Toro is a far better choice for doing just that.  In my opinion, Burton’s films tend to careen between charming and garish with little in between. When he finds the heart of a film – Edward Scissorhands or Nightmare Before Christmas – he can create a charming, almost childlike cinematic gem.  When he focuses on his signature bizarre elements – Sleepy Hollow or Alice in Wonderland – he creates a visually stunning film that fails to connect to the audience on a level deeper than its “coolness” factor.  To me, Burton’s imagery is rooted deeply in the visual tradition of the German expressionists. And while The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and Bride of Frankenstein remain classics, Burton’s interpretations of expressionism serve to emphasize the almost cartoonish un-reality of his worlds.  He draws a clear line between "here" and "there," and although his fantastic worlds certainly commentate on reality, they are unquestionably not as real and nuanced as our own.

Guillermo del Toro is, without question, a less established director.  His vision is less familiar to most audiences, and, certainly, he too has made films that fail to find an emotional center or connection with his audience.  Yet his films, perhaps because of his cultural heritage, display a mastery of juxtaposition – a refusal to see the world of the inexplicable and fantastic as discrete from mundane reality or to acknowledge one as more “real” than the other – that seems perfect for interpreting the spirit of the mansion.  Just as Burton seems to echo the German expressionists of the early cinematic world, del Toro’s style seems much of the same piece as the literary magical realism of Central America.  Like Borges or Marquez, del Toro has a sense that the fantastical has a reality of its own, and its hyper-real beauty and horror is embedded in our world.  Take, for example, Pan’s Labyrinth; its two worlds are equally viable and nuanced as well as deeply interconnected. Rather than merely bizarre, cartoonish, or childishly innocent, del Toro's fantasy world embraces those elements and reaches beyond them to create a world as complex as "reality," filled with laughter and fear genuine enough to win his audience's credibility and emotional investment. 

I guess for me, the Haunted Mansion is a place of atmosphere and heightened reality.  It is a crossroads where different worlds – beautiful, terrifying, dead, living, whimsical, and horrific all intersect.  To put the spirit of that place on screen, with its genuinely chilling moments and its charming whimsy, and to let us, as the audience, walk out the door with both a smile and a suppressed chill at the thought that a ghost might follow us home…I think we need someone who can weave a world that is more than visually stunning.  We need someone who can make the magic a new reality, not an expression of an opinion or moral.  Here’s hoping del Toro can live up to that.                                  

The Great Movie Ride Dinner: Tables in Wonderland

What:  Tables in Wonderland Dinner in the Great Movie Ride

Where:  Disney's Hollywood Studios

When: July 17th 2010

The whole event came about thanks to AJ over at the Disney Food Blog who posted the Tables in Wonderland listings when they came out for the month of July.  I've never been on the Tables in Wonderland email list, although I've been a member for years (back when it was Disney Dining Experience).  I've seen Tables in Wonderland dinners before, but they are always quite pricey, and I'm hesitant to lay out that much money apiece on a meal without some further inducement.  But when I saw that dinner was being served inside the Great Movie Ride, I was a goner.  The food is great - the experience is what sold me.  I dithered about the event, planning to wait and ask Bret if it would be all right, but the knowledge that the reservations capped out at 80 people kept nagging at me, and I eventually decided to put our names in via the Tables in Wonderland (TiW) email system.  I figured that I would just see what happened - if we weren't able to get seats, so be it; we'd save the money. 

I was, however, unspeakably excited when my cell phone rang 4 days later to confirm the booking for the evening of Saturday, July 17.  I pored over the menu provided, took careful note of the fact that cameras were  "allowed at the event.  Photography will be allowed in designated areas" and that the dress for the evening was "Casual Evening Attire."   

On the afternoon of the 17th, we arrived at the studios around 6:20.  Two greeters at the front gate spotted us and waved before we even reached the turnstiles. They had seen we were dressed up and assumed we were there for the dinner.  They confirmed our names on the list, but we didn't need their escort since we had our passes in hand.  Going through the turnstiles, we made a visit over to the Art of Disney Animation to enjoy the art store and have a look at the Toy Story 3 exhibit currently in the show exit area.  I thoroughly enjoyed that area, as always, and there were several books I might have purchased if I had not been on my way to a dinner event. 

Around 7:00, we headed over to the front of the  Great Movie Ride and checked in with the two delightful cast members there. The ladies checked our names off on the list, gave us star-imprinted wrist bands, and chatted with us about the event itself. We discussed our excitement over seeing the details and theming in the ride at our own pace, and they actually even recommended a Disney art book! They told us to just wait in the courtyard; our "director" would arrive a little before 7:30.   In the interim, we wandered the area, looked at the hand/foot prints in the pavement, and snapped a few photos.  The crowd continued to grow around us, and eventually, we joined in the picture taking frenzy, asking someone to snap our photo for us.

Just about 7:30 sharp, our director emerged from the building.  A sprightly gentleman garbed in a vintage suit, argyle socks, a straw hat, and a silk scarf, he announced himself as Otto von Bon Bon, director extraordinaire, our host for the evening.  The actor was delightful - he seemed to be working on channeling Fritz Lang with his outrageous affected German accent and megalomanical pronouncements. Chewing on his still-wrapped cigar, he informed us that we were to be his guests tonight, and that he was going to show us the sets of several films he was working on.  And, he added, several that he had nothing at all to do with. He broadly forbade us to take pictures while actively posing for the cameras, and warned us not to take pictures within the ride with the same sincerity. With a flourish of his megaphone and a bit of flirtation with one of the ladies waiting in line, he invited us into the theatre, and we followed him into the Great Movie Ride.

I was actually rather sorry that we didn't pause in the queue; I would have liked to snap photos of the dresses from Shakespeare in Love and Narnia and of Mary Poppins's horse, but I guess that everyone was eager to get to the main event. And, of course, those things are available any time the ride is open.  We moved into the pre-show room and paused at the bottom load area.  It was silly, but I still felt a thrill coming into that pre-show room and seeing it completely empty, all the twists and turns of railing roped off and empty.  I've been through that line so many times, and walking into that area, with the movie montage playing on the screen at the front, and knowing that there was no line, this was all for us, was quite a thrill. 

We paused at the bottom of the room to let everyone else file in after us.  While we were waiting, Otto again reminded us of his name, and took a few moments to crack a few suitably horrible jokes (what do you call it when you drop a piano down a mine shaft?  A flat minor...). During his spiel, the cast member at the door controls was a much fun as Otto, encouraging us to applaud where appropriate (and mouthing "he'll be mad") and giving us the across-the-throat "cut" sign when we shouldn't encourage him.   Once we had all cued up, Otto officially welcomed us to his movie set, and brought us through into the regular load area.  The area was brightly lit, with not a ride vehicle in sight.  We moved down the platform a few steps, and then Otto stopped, brandishing his megaphone.  "These are work lights," he explained, lifting the megaphone to his lips. "Turn these things off, will you?"  There was that wonderful "thunk" that emulates a switch being thrown, and the area went into ride mode. The lights dropped, the lights on the background of the Hollywood skyline began to light up, and the beginning strains of "Hooray for Hollywood" filled the room.  In front of us the neon of the marquis blazed out, and the dark cave of the ride yawned open. 

Otto guided us down the stairs onto the ride track, and I couldn't stop grinning.  Around me, I could hear other guests singing along with the music, and there was energy in the air.  This was it! 

We moved past the dark entrance and rounded the first corner to see the swirling light patterns on the one-way screen.  The back lighting kicked in, and there was the Buzby Berkeley scene in all its silver glory. At that point, the group started to split up a bit.  I paused to take pictures of the Berkeley scene; I have to admit my respect for the man.  Probably unlike a lot of the other people in the group, I've watched Berkeley films for my degree, and the man was amazing - he was one of the first directors to make the camera dance.  I ducked through the crowd, snapping a picture of Gene Kelley on his lamp post just singin' in the rain, and then followed the crowd into the Mary Poppins scene.  We paused for several moments there, enjoying the atmosphere and the nostalgia.  I think Mary Poppins provides a lot of good memories for both of us, and the area music with Mary, Bert, and the dancing chimneysweep silhouettes brought out that sense of childhood wonder all over again.

From there, we moved around the corner into the gangster scene, where a black-cloth covered table was waiting for us. 

The table was staffed by a large, classically clad gangster brandishing a Tommy-Gun and his feather-bedecked moll.  She was busily calling party names in a nasal-voiced New York accent that was thick enough to cut with a knife.  Her gangster associate was busy correcting her pronunciation, the two of them playing their parts to the hilt.  When our name was called, we went over to retrieve the little card with our names and our table assignment for dinner - Calamity Jane. 

We hung out at the back of the room for a while, enjoying the banter between the characters.  It seemed that the gangster, Tony, had been providing a good bit of financial encouragement (and a few threats) to the cash-strapped Otto in exchange for the guarantee that his girl would star in Otto's next picture.  Evidently, their presence there was for the purpose of her "audition," and their help was just a means to an end.  The actors were delightful, playing their parts and interacting as they moved through the crowd.  As we stood back there, we spotted a tray with virgin Shirley Temples, and since we had had a long wait in the heat outside, we gratefully snagged those.  Moving forward, we saw a lengthy line that evidently led to the bar and queued up, enjoying the piano music being played by a performer somewhere ahead of us to the left. 

Along the wait, we did encounter 2 trays of hors d'oeuvres.  One had a lone, last white serving spoon bearing the Dillinger’s Seared Shrimp with Dill. Bret snapped that up, and declared it absolutely delicious.  After perhaps 5 or 6 minutes, we encountered a second tray, again with only a few items left.  We were able to grab Bonnie and Clyde’s favorite Chive-stuffed Potatoes for each of us.  The potatoes were in shells of new potatoes no more than an inch across.  The interior had been scooped out and replaced with a delicately swirled bite of something loaded with cream and chives. They were heavenly, and I could have had about 5 more. 

We finally reached the bar, which was a large, black affair at the right of the room (standing in front of the black gangster vehicle for those familiar with the scene). The bartender was a slight gentleman who looked like a blending of William H Macy and Alton Brown, and I believe he was a saint.  There were 2 beers (a Busch light and a Heinekin), a white Zinfandel, a chardonnay, several mixed drinks, and a cabernet.  Since I'm a red-wine girl, I went for the Canyon Road Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was lovely, no harsh tannins, and a smooth, rich flavor.  The piano player was still playing along, and I was enjoying the music, but the crush of people at the front of the room was rather intense, so I retreated toward the rear, finding a spot at one of the standing tables.

After a few minutes, the characters moved toward the front of the area.  It was time for the "audition."  The young lady's warm-up was suitably horrible, with the actress working the Singing in the Rain scratchy voice to its fullest potential.  After a moment, the gangster stepped in to "give her confidence," telling her that he'd sing a line first, and she could follow him.  Of course, it turned into a full performance.  The "gangster" was actually a powerful tenor 2/ baritone, who rolled through a medley of Italian classics, filling the space with his rich voice.  As he ended, the crowd broke out in applause and whistles, and as things quieted down, Otto stepped forward to tap Tony on the chest and declare that he was going to put HIM in the picture.  Brandishing his megaphone, Otto beckoned us into the next scene, telling Tony to bring his "makeup artist" with him if he wanted. 

Stepping into the warm light of the Wild West scene was a truly remarkable transition.  The right hand side of the area was filled with tables topped with red and white checked cloths, and labeled with signs matching the cards we had been given earlier. We streamed into the room, milling about to take pictures as we found our way to our designated table and said "hello" to the others at the table with us.  The tables each seated 10.  We were located closer to the entrance of the room, and my seat faced John Wayne atop his horse.  The environment was really amazing, and it gave a chance to appreciate all the wonderful details of the ride.  We read the wanted posters and newspaper clippings attached to the walls, and Bret actually noticed that just inside the entrance, mostly concealed from the ride vehicles by a tree branch, is a noose.  Now that's something you don't see every day in Disney... Furthermore, we took the time to look at the floor and realized that there doesn't seem to be a "ride track."  Evidently, those cast members driving the ride vehicles are not just there to deliver the spiel and add life and joy to the ride - they really are driving.

As we settled in, Otto visited each table, telling us that he "had important production work to do...oh, all right, I have to use the restroom."  He excused himself, and headed back out the way we had entered.  Watching him go, I realized that the bar had followed us.  It was situated just inside the scene, and right behind it were two cast members with the lighted "light saber" lights that Disney usually uses for directing parade traffic guarding the entrance.  Within a moment, our "host" for the new scene stopped by our table - Momma.  The actress was dressed in sterotypical "western" wear with a stiff gait and wild hair.  She was wielding a dangerously large turkey leg and an arsenal of even more dangerous jokes.  She interacted with everyone at the table, asking the lady beside me if she had crocheted the sweater she was wearing and then pausing to call out to her "boys" - the musical entertainment that had just emerged on an elevated stage to our right, near the area exit. 

The "boys" were a 3-man band, a tuba, a banjo, and a guitar.  They were lively and thoroughly enjoyable, playing a variety of "Ol' West" tunes such as Rocky Top and Disney classics like the "Bear Necessities."  They were delightful without being overwhelming.  In the course of the meal, they played 2 sets, and when they left, the piano player from the gangster scene filled in, providing a rich flow of music from one end of the room or the other throughout dinner.

Dinner itself began pretty quickly with a bowl of Creamy Free-range Yard Bird Corn Chowder with Grilled Flatbread.  The corn chowder was wonderful - rich and creamy with a perfectly seasoned flavor.  It was the kind of soup that you want a large bowl of on a cold evening. The "grilled flatbread" was fairly nondescript, reminding me of grilled flour tortilla.  I tried dipping some in the soup, but it didn't really add any amazing compliment to the soup.  The quiet, efficient servers were already clearing soup bowls before I had finished my portion, so I was a little behind in getting my next course, but that was all right, since I had no intention of letting that soup go without finishing every drop.

The waiters emerged from the back with huge metal bowls piled high with salad.  The presentation was quite lovely, and they proceeded to serve out portions for each of us at the table.  This was the  Wild Greens tossed with Cactus and Cilantro Vinaigrette plated tableside and topped with Carrot Tumbleweeds.  The greens were lovely and fresh, and the Vinaigrette was nice, if a bit bland.  I saw a lot of the others around the table salting their portions, and after a few bites, I did the same.  As always, I enjoyed the mixed greens with the variety of flavors. It was during this course that our House made Roasted Onion Bread with Butter arrived, and it was definitely worth noting.  Quite frequently, bread at any restaurant is just a tad stiff.  It's been sitting out for a little while as part of the natural serving flow, and although tasty, it can be a hint stale.  The onion bread was amazing, not only because of its sweet-smoky taste, but because the bread itself was moist and tender as if it had just come off a baker's rack.  It was delicious and incredibly fresh. 

The main attraction arrived not long after as the waiters emerged with towering trays of individually covered plates stacked three high.  The Mesquite-grilled Beef Filet with Herb Butter, Truffle Mac and Cheese, and Molasses Pinto Beans.  The main entree was thoroughly lovely.  The beef filet was tender enough to cut with the butter knife without difficulty, and it was done to a perfect medium (perhaps on the medium-rare side, but the lovely texture of the cut  gave it a velvety mouth feel with none of the gummy sliminess that I associate with rare meat).  The spices on the exterior were flavorful, and the meat was of excellent quality.  And then there was the truffle mac and cheese.  I'm honestly conflicted about whether to give that mac and cheese its own paragraph; it just may deserve it.  Now, in all honesty, I'm a big mac and cheese lover. Heck, I love comfort food in general, and mac and cheese is hard core comfort food for me. The truffle mac and cheese was incredibly rich and smooth.  The pasta was nicely done, and the cheesy, truffly goodness was smooth and wonderful, not oily at all.  The lady seated next to me was impressed enough to comment on that portion of her dinner in particular.  Overall, our table liked the filet, but we loved that mac and cheese.  The pinto beans were also excellent.  I'm not a big baked beans fan, but Bret ate both of our portions and declared them delicious - a good balance between sweet and savory. 

In the course of the meal, Bret got me another glass of wine, since the alcoholic goodness was unlimited for the dinner, and I must say that the cabernet was lovely with the steak and mac and cheese

. 

After our plates were cleared, Otto reappeared (we joked that it was a really long bathroom break), and announced that we would be walking through several more of his "sets" on our way to dessert.  He led the way, and we peeled ourselves off our chairs and headed off into the darkness. 

This was actually the part of the experience I was a little hesitant about.  I am a total and complete scaredy-cat, and I get a bit freaked out by the Alien section of the ride normally, let alone going through it on foot.  I could feel the hesitation in my step as we headed through the darkened doorway and I could hear the radio call audio coming out of the next room.  The star fields loomed before us as we turned the corner, and I actually snapped a picture of them.  I don't think I had ever appreciated that effect in the ride; it really is a brilliantly simple scene-setter to make the transition to a completely new time and place.  When we arrived, the area was filled with people, and I was able to take Bret's picture with Ripley - that's something you don't get to do every day.  I also snapped photos of the brilliant detail on the space suits at the side, and managed to get several pictures of the alien at the side wall without getting too close to it.  As I snapped the fourth picture of the wall-bursting alien, I heard the hiss of steam above and behind me, and I knew that my nemesis - the overhead alien - was cycling in.  I took several shots of the creature, and was thoroughly disturbed to learn that, in the flash of my camera, the thing has a highly disturbing screaming skull visible in its head.  Lovely.  I'd just finished reviewing my shots when the darn thing went off again, leaving me skittering toward the next room.

That room was, blessedly, Indiana Jones.  I loved getting to gawk at the recreation of the Well of Souls, and Bret and I both took pictures with the snakes and the Ark.  As we moved through, one of the lovely ladies from out front, now bearing the orange light-saber, was kind enough to point out the R2-D2 on the wall that I had read about, and I was able to get a picture of it as well.  I could actually have stayed in that room a bit longer, not only because I wasn't eager to head into the zombie world of horror film but also because as a humanities teacher, the detail was actually really amazing.  It's only a footnote on the ride-through, but seeing it without rushing, the area is actually quite remarkable.

We  moved on through the zombie area (again, remarkable detail in the theming, and you miss it when you ride through), the Tarzan scene (which was a lot of fun with Otto shouting "direction" at Tarzan through his megaphone), and the Casablanca scene.  It was lovely, again, to appreciate the detail.  That plane is really something, especially when you can appreciate its scale.  From there, we moved past the Sorcerer's Apprentice screen and into...Munchkinland.

The Munchkinland scene was beautifully decorated.  With its hyper-saturated colors and fantasy theming, that area is a wonderland to begin with, and the addition of tables each marked with a giant jar of lollipops topped by a huge lollipop from Dylan's candy company only added to the atmosphere.  We moved across the room to the huge urns of coffee.  The bar was still following us, but I knew that I had to drive home before too long, and a cup of coffee seemed a far more appealing idea than another glass of wine. The coffee was piping hot, and quite good, and it was served in "real" cups, not the disposable kind common in large service areas.  Beyond the coffee was a table of wonders.  There were all sorts of finger-sized desserts.  There were cannoli upended in one side of a plastic container, the filling in the other.  There were ladyfingers served the same way, with the cream in the other side of the plastic serving container.  Beside the more mundane offerings of small cookies and muffins, a large tray offered little confections that reminded me of zebra domes, only they were green.  Now, anything that is reminiscent of a zebra dome is quite all right with me, so I quickly snagged one of those.  Beyond that were a variety of little confections on sticks that looked to me like white and milk chocolate covered marshmallows.  I grabbed two of those as well.

Moving away from the serving table, we found a couple we had shared our dinner table with and settled down next to them.  The zebra-dome thingie turned out to be a grasshopper dome, a lovely mint concoction on a chocolate crust base.  I was sorry I didn't have more than one of those; my goodness they were delicious.  The muffin was fresh and delicious, and the ladyfinger was delightfully light and good.  The chocolate coated creation on a stick turned out to be a rolled, creamy icing of some sort that was quite delicious, and I devoured that quickly. 

While we were eating, Otto was busy screaming "No pictures" while posing with guests, but he was quickly upstaged by the arrival of the star of the evening - Glinda the Good Witch of the North.  Glinda was amazing, pretty and gracious in an unbelievable concoction of shimmering taffeta and silk, she swirled through the tables with grace and ease, waving her blinking wand ahead of her.  She was an instant hit, and Everyone (yes, I capitalized that on purpose, because I mean Everyone) wanted a picture with her. The actress was really amazing - she had a gentle grace that really "sold" her part, and her costume was truly spectacular.  Someone should turn her loose at a princess meet and greet; I think the little girls would congregate on that dress - Bret certainly did.  Eventually, she stepped up on one of the "sidewalks" behind us,and led us in a sing-along with the munchkins which was, of course, interrupted as the Wicked Witch of the West emerged in a plume of smoke. The animatronic was impressive as always, and we had front row seats to the exchange, which was delightful.  Glinda boldly delivered the complimenting lines to the figure and vanquished her, then led us in a sing-along with the munchkins.  We filed out past the yellow brick road and into the final holding area of the ride.

A lot of the group was slow heading out; they were still taking pictures of Glinda and of the yellow brick road.  Otto, who was in the final room kept heckling the people behind us, again shouting "no pictures," and trying to gently move everyone along.  Finally, the majority of us arrived in the theater, and Otto instructed some unseen projectionist to "cue the lights."  We stood there in the dim twilight, watching the history of film unfold before us on a screen that seemed even larger from a standing vantage point, and then the doors opened, spilling us into the unload area and back out into the humid air of the summer night around 10:15. 

The Rock-n-glow dance party was wrapping up, and we paused for a moment, arms around each other, to just enjoy the awesome music.  We were delighted to see a lot of young adults (and adults) dancing in front of the stage, and even after park closing, the band seemed to have a decent crowd still fired up.  We headed down Hollywood Boulevard to the strains of "We Will Rock You," and climbed into the car to drive home.

Overall, the experience was a wonderful one.  I would definitely recommend it to others. If nothing else, the experience of taking one's time walking through the Great Movie Ride is remarkable, especially if you love movies and Disney theming.  Furthermore, the opportunity to take one-of-a-kind photos is unmatched.  Although the confirmation email said that pictures were allowed "in designated areas," there was no place where we were limited in picture taking.  Certainly, Otto gave us constant "no pictures" warnings, but they were obviously intended as sarcasm.  The food was wonderful.  My main criticism of the night was the passed reception.  There were not enough servers or enough hors d'oeuvres to go around. For my husband to get 2 bites and me to get 1 at a "passed reception" seemed rather inadequate. That seemed unfair, and I was a bit resentful of that set-up.  Other than that, everything was handled beautifully.  I loved the fact that each "stopping point" in our meal had characters and entertainment, and I thought that the whole experience was absolutely delightful. 

Review of Olivia's Cafe

Location:

Olivia’s Café, Old Key West Resort

Date:  

1 July  2010

Context:  

We had received an email a few weeks prior about the passholder preview for the return of Captain Eo at Epcot.  Since both Bret and I had very fond memories of that attraction at Epcot, we decided to head down after our respective work days and catch a showing. 

We were able to head out in good time, and planned to stop off at Olivia’s café before heading over to Epcot for our 8:20 showing of the film.  There were, however, several crimps in our plans.  The first was traffic.  Since we were travelling the Thursday night of a holiday weekend, traffic was a little heavier than usual, but I wasn’t overly concerned.  After being stuck in Tampa, the turnpike to Orlando is pretty tame.  The real complication came in when we hit a true Florida downpour.  Thunder, lightening, and rain so thick it was hard to see through.  Traffic slowed to a crawl.  Our hour and a half drive turned into a 2 hour and 15 minute journey.  I-4 was bumper to bumper, and I was pretty enervated by the time we finally reached the turn off for Epcot and Downtown Disney.  We debated whether to even try for dinner with only an hour left before our 7:50 required check-in at Captain Eo, but Bret wanted to try it, and I was game. Besides, we were curious about Olivia’s new menu, which we had not yet tried.

Background: 

Olivia’s is a special place to us.  There have been several times in our visits to Diisney property where something we planned has utterly flopped.  A restaurant we wanted to eat in was utterly packed, or the line just to check in for a reservation was 30 minutes. On a few of those occasions, we’ve had something magical happen – we’ve tried a different restaurant, and it has saved us.  Olivia’s was one of those places.  


Several years ago, we were unable to get into a restaurant, and, terribly disappointed, we decided to head over and try Olivia’s at Old Key West.  We were seated immediately, our server was remarkable, our food was delicious, and we had an overall delightful experience.  Since then Olivia’s has been one of our “home” restaurants – one of the places we could count on. 

Experience: 

Even at 6:00 on a Thursday night, we had less than a 5 minute wait for a table at the restaurant, which was comforting to say the least after the drive we’d just survived.  We were seated at one of the tables in the center of the airy dining room.  Again, I was grateful – Olivia’s is designed with ample space between the tables, so we were comfortable and felt that there was a measure of privacy for our conversations, even in the midst of the dining room.


We looked over the menu (something we’d already checked out online) and quickly decided what we wanted.  Our waiter arrived to take our drink order, and I was delighted.  It was the same gentleman who had served us the very first night we had washed up on the mercy of Olivia’s, and for the first time, I felt that the evening might work out all right.  He was charming, professional, and warm.  I let him know that we were on property for Captain Eo, and that unfortunately, we were rushing dinner to make our show time.  He asked our show time, and reassured me that we’d have a great dinner and get out in time…what a comfort!


Bret ordered a Buzz Lightyear punch, and a Sultry Seahorse (disaronno amaretto, crème de banana, pineapple juice, orange juice, and a float of cherry brandy), and our waiter warned us not to let Buzz at the alcoholic beverage.  I stuck with soft drinks – after the journey down and the possibility of more rain, I didn’t want to drive with any impairment. Bret’s drink was, as usual, amazing; it was tasty and had quite a kick to it.


We started off with the Taste of the Keys for Two (shrimp & smoked cheddar grits paired with conch fritters and dipping sauces).   The plate was beautifully arranged, with two clusters of fritters (3 on each side of the plate) and a pair of barbecue shrimp skewers in the center of the plate, nestled on a scoop of grits.  Being me, I immediately went for the grits, and they were a little bit of heaven.  The smoky cheddar flavor paired beautifully with the sweetness of the corn, and the texture was lovely.  Although shrimp are not my favorite food, I did try one of the little skewered barbecue bits, and it was lovely. It was tender, but not overdone, and the barbecue sauce was smoky and tangy.  The conch fritters were delicious – crisp on the outside and tender-savory on the interior.  Our waiter also shared that, although they weren’t on the menu, one could just order conch fritters as an appetizer, and that the fritters with dip was growing in popularity.


We polished off the whole appetizer, and I thought it was perfect.  For me, “appetizer” portions are often so massive that dinner becomes irrelevant.  I usually find myself ordering soup because I’ve wasted my “dinner” on the appetizer.  The Taste of the Keys was what it was advertised to be – an appetizer.  It was a delicious combination of tastes in a portion just enough to take the bite of hunger off for two.


As a main dish, Bret ordered the Slow-Roasted prime rib with Olivia’s potatoes, rare.  It came with a rich red wine sauce for dipping.  From the moment he popped the first piece in his mouth, he started cooing.  The steak was really amazing – and that’s in the context of having eaten at Yachtsman 2 weeks ago.  It was tender, well cut, and the spices on the exterior coating were succulent.  The dipping sauce was remarkable. It was full bodied and sweet-smoky without overwhelming the taste of the steak.  I actually had a piece (although I don’t usually do rare), and the steak really was wonderful.  The way it was cut produced a shorter grain, and the texture was silky and soft rather than the chewy, slimy texture I often associate with rare steak.  The Olivia’s potatoes were also lovely, paper thin slices of potatoes with a creamy sauce between them.  They reminded me of my mom’s scalloped potatoes, just thinner sliced and fancier.


I chose the Olivia’s pasta with chicken (olive oil, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and spinach in a light cream sauce) because I needed comfort food before venturing out again.  The portion was generous, and the smell coming up from my plate was mah-vellous.  I dug in and was pleasantly surprised.  The pasta was perfectly done – the al dente that all pasta should be. It was soft enough to offer no resistance (not gummy), but it was firm enough to give a wonderful texture and distinctness.  The sauce was an incredibly delicate cream sauce based off a wine that gave it a sweetness, almost like a sweet marsala.  It paired beautifully with the mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes.  The chicken on top was…well…chicken.  The chunks were about 1”, and they were good enough tasting, but they didn’t really seem in any way seasoned to marry them into the dish.  They were the added protein, and they were good enough, but not a real taste addition to the flavors. 


We finished off our meal and boxed up my remaining pasta in time to head out to Captain Eo thanks to our waiter’s consideration, prompt service, and kindness.  I can’t say enough good things about him. He was, as I remembered him being, personable, kind, and efficient.  He chatted with us and made us feel special and cared for, but he never intruded.  He was so considerate of us and made sure that we were done with our meal and on our way in order to meet our reservation at Captain Eo.  Bravo for good Disney service.  That’s why we love Olivia’s.


Overall, the meal held up to my expectation of Olivia’s. The food was good, flavorful, and filling. The atmosphere was “homey,” relaxed, and not overcrowded.  We felt, as usual, well cared for and pleased with our experience.  Of course we’ll be going back!

Once Upon a Never Was

Sometimes remembering something that never existed is the first step on the path to something greater. Sometimes human beings need the inspiration of a dream, the reassurance that there once was before we can believe that there will be. 

That is one of the reasons that I love going to Disney. Now, don’t get me wrong; as a Florida resident, I can be as cynical about the Rat as the next person. I know a good bit about the corporate machine behind the curtain, and I know that I could never work happily within that system. Furthermore, I am more than familiar with the historical and ideological criticism of the parks. I’ve read the structuralist analysis of the ways in which Disney manipulates history and promotes consumerism; I’ve perused diatribes declaring Disney’s watered-down historicism and internationalism to be something akin to the tool of Satan. 

But I think many of those passionate condemnations, for all of the viable points they may raise, ultimately miss an important consideration. Disney promotes itself as a place of dreams, and as saccharine and artificial as that may seem in syntax, it has a deep booming echo in the reality of the parks. I teach history and humanities; I understand what a messy, morally ambiguous place history is, but I still find a chill climbing my spine to settle into a lump of unabashedly emotional patriotism when I read the bronze plaque affixed to the entrance to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom. That proud place of hard working men and women of integrity and vision who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the dream of Liberty is something of real consequence. And ultimately, it does not matter whether that place ever existed in the convoluted world of reality. It matters that the dream inspires; it matters that the place exists in imagination and that Liberty Square provides enough of a taste of that idealized, unrealistic past that those passing through it may hope for a better future. 

As we age, we learn the harsh reality of our world. We learn that you can’t always trust the policeman to help you when you’re lost. We learn that stories don’t end “happily ever after.” We learn that our heroes all have feet of clay. Losing those illusions is an important part of maturity and of being a contributing part of our world. However, the total abandonment of those ideals is equally destructive. When we completely close the door on the hope of a better world, we fall into the morass of hopelessness. If we accept that there never was a good time, we acknowledge that there will never be a good time, and in so doing we give up on anything worth fighting for beyond the next meal and the next breath for ourselves. That is, certainly, a way of living, and it is more and more frequently a way of living embraced in our world. Our world, however, also reflects the consequences of that path; the death of dreams cheapens the life lived only in sensory reality of the moment. 

I refuse to condemn the “Disney version” of reality out of hand because I think it serves the same purpose as the stories proverbial grandparents tell; stories that far too rarely are heard or heeded. It reminds us of a time that never existed, a time we wish had existed, a time we need to have existed. That perfect, picturesque main street of yesteryear, filled with happy, friendly people had a place in reality, but we need to believe that somewhere, sometime that sense of beauty and good will was a part of our world. If we can believe that and carry that memory with us, we can carry with us the hope of re-creating it. That colonial square with its dreams of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all humankind may never have existed beyond a long ago shattered inkwell, but remembering it as a lost, cherished memory changes our perceptions. It makes us long to bring back that forgotten place, and in that longing we strive for a better future. That inspiration is the greatest gift imagination can give. 

Times are tough. Trust and idealism have become dirty words, along with enterprise and progress. So many of us are too busy trying to get through today to believe that tomorrow will be better; heck, some of us feel that idealism and trust are the things that got us into this mess in the first place. There is a sense that progress and improvement are illusory at best and downright manipulative at worst. Yet I passionately believe that without remembering the world that never existed, without the belief that good things are possible, dreams die beyond resurrection, taking hope with them. And without hope the people may not perish, but the idea of a society based on ideals rather than self-preservation falls into a dark abyss. So I will choose to maintain my annual pass and take my pilgrimage to the plaque outside Liberty Square. I will remind myself of a place that never was in hopes that it will inspire me to put a little hard work into creating a place that someday just might be.


Originally posted 3/16/2009