Greetings dear MiceChatters. If things look a bit different in this column today, it’s because our dear Shelly is suffering from some painful medical issues and is on a short break from writing. Please keep reading below for more information on her situation and how you can help her heal.

But first, we scare because we care. Every year, MiceChat offers the ultimate Haunt event at Knott’s Scary Farm. This year’s event will be on October 1st. For one great low price, you’ll get Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner, early entry into the Haunt, special insider access and info, front of line for the mazes, and a night of fun and VIP experiences with your mice pals. There is simply no better way to kick off the Halloween season. But this year’s tickets are more limited in availability than last year, so get your name on the notification list ASAP:

D23 Destination D

Disney released information this week about the upcoming Destination D event on November 19th and 20th at the Walt Disney World Resort.  They’ve enhanced the event with appearances by James Cameron, Jon Landau, and Bob Chapek.

Additional panels include an exclusive look at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, Tales from the Jungle Cruise, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s 45th Anniversary.

AVATAR creators James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and Jon Landau (producer) will join Imagineer Joe Rohde for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, a presentation where they will unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition, the event will include a conversation with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Plus, Moana screenwriter Jared Bush (co-writer/co-director Zootopia) will be on hand to provide guests an exclusive advance look at the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature.

Cameron, Landau, and Chapek join previously announced Disney Legends Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter; Walt Disney Imagineers Rohde, Chris Merritt, Jason Grandt, and Wyatt Winter; producer Don Hahn (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast); and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline. The event, exclusively for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, celebrates landmarks of the past, present, and future, from the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean to the planet of Pandora.

The Walt Disney Archives will present a special exhibit created exclusively for the event: Walt’s Great Adventures, featuring photographs, props, and models that showcase Walt Disney’s personal voyages, including his trip to South America in 1941, as well as some of his most memorable creations for television, film, and theme parks, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Additionally, during the weekend, guests will be among the first to see the new Ethan Allen | Disney home furnishing line in person.

Additional D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presentations announced include:

Welcome to Adventureland: Set off on a journey through “Adventurelands” at Disney Parks around the world, beginning with a rare look at artist Harper Goff’s exotic concepts for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Tales from the Jungle Cruise: Fans of “the backside of water” unite! Discover the legendary history of the world-famous attraction with a panel of wisecracking experts, including a behind-the-scenes look at recent holiday overlays and the new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s 45th Anniversary: From tropical hideaways to enchanting entertainment, celebrate the spirit of aloha as D23 looks back at 45 years of the classic South Pacific-themed getaway.

The weekend event will take place in the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Tickets, currently on sale, are $190 each for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. Tickets are also available to D23 General Members for $250 per ticket. All guests will receive a special gift created exclusively for the event, and attendees are guaranteed seats at all panels and presentations. Mickey’s of Glendale, the famed Walt Disney Imagineering store, returns with a pop-up shop at the event for attendees, featuring a selection of exclusive Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise as well as limited-edition pins, apparel, and collectibles themed to the event.

Further details about the program and tickets for D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presented by Ethan Allen | Disney can be found at D23.com/Events. Additional details about the schedule will be shared in the coming months.

Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood Celebrates 90 Years with a 25th Anniversary Showing of Beauty and the Beast!

Have you ever been to the historic El Capitan Theater in Hollywood? Disney lovingly restored the theater in 1989 and has been showcasing films in the stunningly beautiful auditorium since the completion of rennovations in 1991. It’s quite the special affair to see a film here. They even have a working Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ which is played before most showings. From September 2nd through 18th, the El Capitan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast. This is one of the top Disney films of all time (some of you may even think it’s the best), do yourself a favor and see this gorgeous film in one of this nation’s most beautiful movie houses. If my gushing isn’t enough for you . . . here’s the press release.  😉

Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST September 2 – 18, 2016. In celebration of the film’s 25th anniversary, as well as the release of the Signature Collection Edition of the movie on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (Sept 6th) and Blu-Ray (Sept 20th), the El Capitan Theatre will have a special appearance by Belle live on stage before each screening of the movie.

“The El Capitan Theatre is the perfect place to revist Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, or discover the magic and wonder of this beloved modern classic for the very first time” said James Wood, operations and stage productions for the El Capitan Theatre. “The film was nominated for six Academy Awards®, winning Oscars® for Best Song, by the renowned Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, and Best Original Score. It’s the perfect Disney movie for El Capitan guests of all ages. ”

Daily showtimes are 10 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, available at the El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group rates for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110. Showtimes and dates are subject to change.

On select dates, El Capitan guests may enjoy breakfast, meet Belle and receive a commemorative photo before seeing the 10 a.m. movie. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

The El Capitan Theatre will also host a very special Tiny Tot Tuesday every Tuesday at 10 a.m. during the run of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. During these special screenings, parents and small children may enjoy the movie in a tot-friendly way—with lights dimmed rather than out and reduced sound levels. At the end of the film, guests will have the opportunity take pictures with Belle on stage.

ABOUT BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ magical classic “Beauty and the Beast” captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of Paige O’Hara), a bright and beautiful young woman who’s taken prisoner by a hideous beast (voice of Robby Benson) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince.

Featuring unforgettable music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and an enormously talented vocal ensemble, “Beauty and the Beast” was the first animated feature to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

CELEBRATING THE EL CAPITAN THEATRE 90TH ANNIVERSARY

“Restored to showcase its original lavish architecture, the El Capitan Theatre’s history dates back to Hollywood’s inception as the center of the entertainment world,” said Ed Collins, General Manager of the El Capitan Theatre.

In the early 1920s, real estate developer Charles Toberman envisioned Hollywood as a thriving theatre district, playing a role in developing over 30 buildings, including the Roosevelt Hotel and the Hollywood Masonic Temple (now the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, home to ABC’s late night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!), and along with Sid Grauman, building the Egyptian, the Chinese, and the El Capitan theatres.

Local architect, Stiles O. Clements, of Los Angeles based Morgan, Walls & Clements, designed the elaborate cast-concrete Spanish Colonial style exterior. G. Albert Lansburgh, a San Francisco architect known for his design of over 50 West Coast theatres and luxury cinema houses, designed the lavish East Indian inspired interior. The El Capitan Theatre, the largest legitimate theatre in Hollywood, debuted on May 3, 1926. Theatre producer, Henry Duffy, produced over 120 live plays here including NO, NO, NANETTE, ANYTHING GOES, and AH, WILDNERNESS; stars like Clark Gable, Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford Joan Fontaine, Henry Fonda, and Will Rogers graced the El Capitan stage.

In 1941, the El Capitan Theatre was converted from a playhouse to a movie theatre with the premiere of Orson Welles’ first feature film, CITIZEN KANE. The theatre then closed for a renovation, reopening in March 1942 as the Hollywood Paramount, a new, streamlined “art moderne” first run movie house.

Collins goes on to explain, “In 1989, the Walt Disney Company joined forces with Pacific Theatres and launched a two year, museum quality restoration of the historic theatre, led by renowned theatre designer Joseph J. Musil. Musil with the supervision of the National Park Service’s Department of the Interior, and guidance from conservator Martin Weil and architect Ed Fields, achieved the goal recreating the original 1926 look and feel of the El Capitan Theatre.”

Collins said, “Declared a Historic Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles, the El Capitan Theatre reopened its doors on June 19, 1991 for the world premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ THE ROCKETEER, the first of many Walt Disney Pictures feature films to premiere here.” For the past twenty-five years, the El Capitan Theatre has been an exclusive first run theatre for Walt Disney Pictures and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology (currently one of the few theatres in the world capable of Dolby Vision™ 3D and Dolby Atmos®), hosting live stage shows, world premieres, and other special events

Call 1-800-DISNEY6, visit the theatre box office or www.elcapitantickets.com

Upcoming MiceChat Events:

• August 20th – La Mirada Symphony Golden Clef Awards Show.  We have a special discount for our loyal MIceChatters! Use code “MICECHAT” when purchasing online or over the phone and receive an 10% discount on tickets. Visit: http://lamiradatheatre.com/goldenclefawardsgala/ to purchase tickets for this very special event!

• September 3rd – An Evening with Terri Hardin at the Anabella Hotel’s Tangerine Bar and Patio. Join us for cocktail and drink specials and some amazing inspiration from former Disney Imagineer and runDisney fangirl, Terri Hardin. The event will take place from 6pm until 7pm at the Tangerine Grill & Patio. The event is in celebration of the big runDisney event that weekend. But whether you are racing or not, come join us for drinks with Terri!  There’s also an exclusive hotel rate and perks for MiceChatter for that weekend –     MiceChat Runners Deal at the Anabella Hotel

• October 1st – MiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt Event.  Join us in the fog for a night of spooky treats and VIP experiences. For one low price, you’ll get a chicken dinner, early entry into the event, tours, meet and greets with Knott’s creatives, front of line for the mazes, VIP seating for shows, and a night of fun with your mice pals at the haunt which started it all.  We have a VERY limited number of tickets available this year, get your name on the list HERE so you don’t miss out.

• October 10th – Mickey’s Halloween Party @ Disneyland – Join the MiceChatters for a not so scary Halloween event on Monday October 10th. Please buy your own tickets directly from Disney. Then sign up for our event list HERE to be notified about event meeting times and locations.  It promises to be a night filled with candy, friendship and fireworks!

• November 3rd and 4th – New York Meet-ups and events. The MiceChatters invade NYC in November before their New York to Puerto Rico cruise. We’ll be seeing Aladdin and Cirque Du Soleil Paramour as well as taking a city tour. If you are interested in any or all of these activities, please contact [email protected] for more information.

SOS – Save Our Shelly

I had to put this part last because it breaks my heart to write it and I just wasn’t sure I’d be able to get through the rest if I started with this sad news. Last week Shelly (the Fabulous Disney Babe) notified me that she needed to undergo a procedure for “lady reasons.” I wished her well but didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation. Her procedure was on Monday and left her in a lot of pain. The doctors let her know that she will also require a hysterectomy. That news alone would be devastating and scary. But what is worrying Shelly more than the pain of recovery and the pending major surgery is the fear of what her huge medical bills will do to her family. The decision is literally between paying rent or paying medical bills.

We simply love this woman too much to let her recover in pain only to suffer the mental anguish over bills. On Monday night, we launched a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Shelly and her family. The campaign seeks to raise a modest $5,000 to help the family with medical bills and keep them in their home. While there have been some large donations, a donation as small as $5 would make a real difference.

Shelly’s husband, Noe, wrote some beautiful words on the campaign page which I’d like to share:

I’d like to thank everyone for the support they’ve shown for Shelly and I (I am her husband Noe). In a short amount of time you’ve helped us get back on our feet. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have such caring people in our lives. We read about it on the newspapers but now we understand how suddenly one medical bill can make it impossible to get ahead. How quickly debt can put a person, or a family, on the street. Without our friends and family we might have been another statistic.

The campaign is currently $3,000 away from its goal. Can you help us get our Shelly back online and feeling better? Here’s the link to where you can make a donation (of any size):

Direct Link to the Fab Fund for Shelly’s Recovery

Thank you to everyone for your support of MiceChat and its columnists. We are a dedicated bunch of Disney nerds. On the surface, our lives must seem like a walk in the park. But the reality is that all of us are volunteers on this site and we all do our best to hold down real world jobs to support our theme park addiction. Every once in a while life gets in the way. It’s nice to know that there are real people on the other side of the screen willing to lend a helping hand when needed.

Our thoughts and wishes go out to Shelly and her family. We hope she’s able to return to this column soon.

Hugs and love to all,

– Dusty