Toy Story 3 Review

Yes I know, Toy Story 3 came out months ago. I didn’t see it in the theater. It’s a rare day that I actually make it to the movie theater. We have only one within 20 minutes of us and it is ghetto.
Let me start by saying that I was not a fan of Toy Story or Toy Story 2. It’s not that I disliked the movies they just did nothing for me. I think out of all the Pixar movies they are the two weakest.
So what did I think about Toy Story 3?
It’s the best Toy Story movie by a long shot. It’s a very good movie with a great story and a great ending.
I have to say I am happy I did not see this in the theaters. The biggest reason for this is the landfill scene when they are heading towards the blast furnace. This scene shocked me. It was so intense and so dark that for a while I really thought some of the characters were not going to make it. I can only imagine how children would have reacted to this scene. I get the feeling it would be like “Stitch’s Great Escape” or “It’s a Bugs Life.” I can just imagine kids on all sides of you screaming and crying.
There were a few other scenes in this movie that were really tough. One that hits you right away is the pep talk Woody gives. Just knowing that Bo Peep and Sketch, and a number of other toys didn’t make it was rather sad.
On a side note, there was one thing related to this movie that was sad but Pixar couldn’t do much about it. Slinky Dog had a new voice actor. I couldn’t help but see the Slinky Dog and think of Jim Varney who lost his battle with lung cancer in 2000. The new guy did a good job but it just wasn’t the same.
Overall Toy Story 3 was a great movie and worth renting or adding to your Disney collection.

Getting a Memorable Ride Photo

I love ride photos. Or maybe I should say I love good ride photos. Some rides have good ride photos and some of them have awful ride photos. Here is a list of photo / interaction on different rides:

Ride Quality

Splash Mountain Great
Buzz Lightyear Bad
Expedition Everest Good
Dinosaur Good
Test Track Awful
Tower of Terror Great
Rocking Roller Coaster Good
Spaceship Earth (interaction) Great

Why is Test Track awful? It’s at the end of the ride. The exciting part is done and nothing is happening. It’s also very hard to time. I’ve never seen a good photo from this ride. Everyone looks like a doofus in these photos.

There are some rules to follow when doing a ride photo. It has to be predictable or during thrilling part. That’s why Splash Mountain and Spaceship Earth are great. On Splash Mountain you know it is coming and it’s during a thrill. On Spaceship Earth it’s predicable.

Spaceship Earth is a double edged sword. I knew the face capture was coming and I knew it was going to be used in the ending. However, I didn’t know it was going to be posted up on a massive screen at the end of the ride. Why is that an issue? Because I made a funny face. Lets just say I got my butt out of the after ride section as fast as I could.

I have a demented goal when it comes to ride photos. I’ve always wanted to get a ride photo taken when I’m wearing my gas mask. I got a cheap gas mask on eBay a while back. It’s a great gag prop. I think it would be really funny to sit in the back of the log on Splash Mountain and put it on right before the drop. There are some problems with that idea. One I don’t think I could get it through airport security. Two there is a chance Disney would block it at security. Maybe some day if I drive down I’ll give it a shot.

How to Survive a Tough Economy

Disney has been trying to stimulate people into the parks by offer discounts off vacation packages and rooms at their resorts. It appears that this has been effective. This does pose one problem though. You’re getting people there but you’re not making the same kind of money. People just don’t have the money to spend on the extras.

Disney came out with D23 to try to generate some income. Only the hardcore fan is going to want to pay that much for a magazine, some events they’d have to travel to, and the right to buy stuff other people can’t.

At least Disney was heading in the right direction. You need to nab all the people who can’t afford to make it to the parks. Go outside the box in a sense.

So what can Disney do to increase the bottom line? There are a few things. Bad times need creative ideas!

1 – Protection Services: Is your kid getting bullied at school? Why not hire Buzz Lightyear as a body guard? Is someone harassing you at work? Why not hire Brer Bear to club them in the ally? For a nominal fee Disney will take care of your “problems.”

2 – Escort Services: I’m not talking about the bad escort services. I’m talking about a legitimate service. Can’t get a date for the prom? Why not hire Cinderella to be your date? Is a class reunion coming up and you’re not married, have an awful job, and you’re ugly as sin? Imagine the look on people’s faces when you walk in with Ariel. People will think you’re rolling in it! Do you have no luck when you go to a bar or night club? What you need is a good wingman. The ladies love Pluto and for a small fee he’ll be by your side all night!

3 – Dunk a Villian: For five dollars you’ll get three shots to dunk a villain of your choice. Pick from Capt Hook, The Queen of Hearts, The Witch from Snow White, and Piglet. Coming to a mall near you soon! Look for our discount coupon online which will give you one extra ball!

4 – Disney New Line of Adult Beverages: Each character will have their own brand of booze. Mickey’s Malt Liquor, Minnie’s Margarita Mixers, Donald’s Duck Spit Tequila, and Pluto’s Punishing Punch just to name a few. Each will have a bright label with the character’s face on it.

5 – Disney’s Own Line of Firearms: Need a new hunting rifle? Why not buy Goofy’s Gatling Gun? Those deer won’t stand a chance! Are you harassed by witches? Then you need Doc’s Desert Eagle. Those witches won’t dare mess with you again.

6 – Home Security: Thinking about getting a security system for your home? Or maybe you were considering a big mean dog. If you were, you should consider a Disney Home Security System. It’s guaranteed or you money back. For a monthly fee Disney will install a specially programmed EVE in your home. EVE will terminate anyone invading your home. For an additional monthly fee with upgrade you Disney’s Gold Security package. This package includes your own specially programmed WALL-E who will keep EVE in perfect working order as well as compact your trash and entertain the kids with his antics.

7 – Extreme Makeover Disney Edition: There is a guy who’s turned himself into a cat, another lady turned herself in Cleopatra, and Octomom turned herself into Angelina Jolie. Disney will soon be offering character makeovers. Through surgical augmentation and tattooing your can not have your own pair of permanent Mickey ears. Is Goofy more your style? No problem they do that too. Just a few of the other options include: Pluto’s tongue, Simba’s tail, Rizzo’s nose, and Kermit’s arms.