Pinocchio's Pleasure Island Beach Party

It's time to make waves with Monstro the Whale, Figaro the cat, Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio. For the last big theatrical release of Walt Disney's 1940 film starring the little puppet made of pine, Burger King had gear for a day of fun at the beach. Jiminy Cricket would like to remind you to wear sunscreen (seriously, go check out the "I'm No Fool" episode of the Disney TV series "House of Mouse" which features Jiminy Cricket doing a parody of the 1999 "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) song by Baz Luhrmann).

Are you ready? Before we join the party (with special guests Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello), let's grab a cool drink.
In 1994, Burger King had a Pinocchio glass in a special Coca-Cola series issued during the December re-release of The Lion King in movie theaters.

The party never stops at Pleasure Island. Anyone who thinks of Pinocchio as a sweet little movie clearly forgot about this sequence of the film.

Pleasure Island became a real place at Walt Disney World in Florida in 1989 (it lost its original identity years ago). This was an adult theme park, home to liquor, night clubs, lambada dancing and a giant Jessica Rabbit from the 1988 film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." I first visited Pleasure Island shortly after it opened, as a high school student. Pleasure Island was great fun even if you didn't drink. I miss it!

It's time to hit the water! A great way to start is with this snow globe, based on the concept art for Pinocchio created by artist Gustaf Tenggren.

The Geppetto's Workshop Snowglobe was designed by Jody Daily. Over the years, artists Jody Daily and Kevin Kidney have created some of the finest Pinocchio merchandise I've ever seen.

I have a couple song suggestions to accompany our journey with Pinocchio. The first is "I've Got No Strings" performed by Gipsy Kings, which is on the 1991 "Simply Mad About The Mouse" CD. For some twisted Pinocchio music, check out the 1988 album "Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films."

Many of the items seen here are from The Disney Catalog, spanning many years (1989-2005).

It's interesting to see how many big ticket Pinocchio items were sold in the Disney Catalog.

Were these items hand carved by Geppetto himself?

It sure would be nice to be able to buy plush toys of Pinocchio's animal companions.

No need to waste your wish upon a star. Jiminy Cricket and Figaro here were sold in the Disney Catalog in 1994.

Have you ever wondered what a stop-motion animated Pinocchio might look like? You haven't? Well, I have. I bet it would look like these dolls. Each of the hairs on Geppetto's head is spun from the wool of the ultra rare albino Yak located on the top of Mount Everest. The ink used to dye the clothing is made from a squid that lives in the bottom of the ocean in the lost city of Atlantis. That's why these ain't cheap.

In 1980, Rankin-Bass (of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" fame) made a TV special called "Pinocchio's Chrismas." It wasn't related to the Disney version at all. This special was unusual to me because it was a rare case of a female animated character (in this case, a lady version of Gideon the Cat) on the receiving end of some extreme cartoon violence. It's a rare Christmas special that features a character getting struck by lightning multiple times.

Geppetto wished upon a star for his puppet creation to become real.

If Pinocchio proved himself to be brave and truthful, he would become a real human. SPOILER ALERT: He did.

Pinocchio had the help of his appointed Conscience, Jiminy Cricket.

It's a good thing Geppetto's Workshop did not have a roach problem. I can imagine Danny DeVito playing a roach who gives Pinocchio all the wrong advice.

Pinocchio and Jiminy quickly become very good friends.

Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket are both made of wood here. Say, wouldn't it have been wild if the Jiminy Cricket character had been "Timmy Termite" instead? The friendship between puppet and insect would have really been put to the test.

Geppetto also has a pet Goldfish named Cleo. If you rush out and buy a pet fish after seeing Pinocchio, you will be disappointed. Cleo is the most interactive fish ever.

In the "Time Teasers" episode of Disney's DuckTales animated series (1987) inventor Gyro Gearloose had a pet goldfish named Marilyn that looks exactly like Cleo. And that's yet another useless fact that I know.

Geppetto sends Pinocchio off to school.

Luckily, Pinocchio ditches school and we do not have to watch him in a classroom doing algebra.

This sculpture was made by artist Ron Lee, who created all sorts of items featuring popular animated characters.

Ron Lee also made sculptures of clowns. I wonder if he made the clowns from "Dumbo?" When I was about three or four years old, my grandparents gave me an Emmett Kelly ventriloquist dummy for Christmas. I can remember opening the present and screaming in terror. The Emmett Kelly dummy was donated to my brother's classroom at school.

This Pinocchio desk set is highly detailed. The Disney Catalog did a great job with this sort of merchandise.

Pinocchio's problems really start when he meets up with Honest John the Fox and Gideon the Cat.

Stromboli the puppeteer captures Pinocchio and forces him to be an entertainer.

Stromboli is sort of like a stage mom with a bad temper.

Stromboli puts on a puppet show with all sorts of colorful characters.

Pinocchio has co-stars representing cultures from all over the globe that are nowhere near as nice and friendly as the dolls in "It's a Small World."

Pinocchio ends up on Pleasure Island, where he starts to turn into a donkey.

Luckily, with Jiminy's help, Pinocchio escapes Pleasure Island before the transformation is complete.

Pinocchio then meets up with a whale, and other things happen.

I'm not writing a book report here. Look at this clock and you can figure out what happens.

Disney has not yet made a sequel to Pinocchio, but the characters have appeared in many other projects.

Figaro and Cleo returned to the big screen in a short cartoon called "Figaro and Cleo" in 1943.

Jiminy Cricket may be a tiny little bug, but he's Pinocchio's biggest star.

Jiminy Cricket has appeared in films like "Fun and Fancy Free" (1947) and "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983) and has hosted TV shows and starred in educational films. Crickets really are good luck.

Figaro later starred in animated shorts with Pluto and Minnie Mouse, and he has appeared in the "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" DVD film (1999) and in the "House of Mouse" animated TV series (typically as a foil for Pluto).

Figaro continues to appear with Mickey Mouse and the gang on the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" animated TV series.

For decades, the Pinocchio characters have been featured as core Disney characters on an extensive line of merchandise, including the popular tiny Disneykins made by Marx (a company that also made large Disney figures that seemed to be everywhere in the Seventies).

One of my favorite Pinocchio items is the Pinocchio's Traveling Show Matchbox car (there was also a Jiminy Cricket Vintage Car). Pinocchio and Jiminy were the only movie characters in this collection, which also featured Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy in a variety of vehicles.

Pinocchio has been a popular character in the Disney theme parks for many years.

Visitors to Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the Eighties may remember these plush toys, which were also sold at the Disney Store.

In 1983, Pinocchio got his own ride at Disneyland in California and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan.

The Pinocchio's Daring Journey dark ride attraction was also built in Euro Disneyland (now called Disneyland Paris) in 1992. Elements of Pinocchio can also be found at the Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland in California and at Disneyland Paris in France.

Pinocchio can also be found in the European section of the "It's a Small World" attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland and at Disneyland in California.

One of my favorite places to eat at Walt Disney World in Florida is the Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.
The Pinocchio Village Haus includes a view of the boat launches for the "It's a Small World" attraction next door. It used to serve hamburgers and fries (the famous "Figaro Fries"). Pinocchio's Village Haus can also be found at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

In 1988, Pinocchio and many other classic Disney characters appeared with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes in Disney's Touchstone Pictures release, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." In 1989, you could get a framed Roger Rabbit cel from Sotheby's for a price.

Voice over legend Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and most of the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes) was no stranger to Pinocchio, having provided the voice of comedic villain Gideon the Cat in the Disney film. That is, until it was decided to make the character silent, and only Blanc's hiccup sound effect for Gideon remains in the film.

Gideon and Honest John (AKA J. Worthington Foulfellow) have been greeting visitors to the Disney theme parks for years. In silence.

As a toy maker, Geppetto is really busy at Christmas.

You can decorate the tree with some fancy limited edition Pinocchio ornaments.

Don't make Pinocchio feel bad at Christmas. If you have Pinocchio ornaments, only put them on a fake tree.

Geppetto has some unique Teddy Bears in his toy shop.

The Geppetto stuffed bear is hilarious. Love the hair.

One project that sadly never became a reality was a musical stage version of Pinocchio produced by Julie Taymor.

The Pinocchio musical was mentioned as a follow up to Julie Taymor's successful production of The Lion King on stage (I saw this show in Louisville, Kentucky years ago and thought it was spectacular).

I imagine the "I've Got No Strings" sequence of Julie Taymor's Pinocchio musical would have been a puppeteering show-stopper of epic proportions. Maybe if we wish upon a star, we'll get to see it someday.

Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas: Mickey Mouse For Your House

I've never been to Walt Disney World in Florida in December (one of the busiest times of the year for the Magic Kingdom) but I did grow up watching the Very Merry Christmas Parade on Christmas Day.

In 1993, I got a Holiday Flyer from Walt Disney World, which featured some great items that were exclusive to the Florida parks.

The arms and legs on the very animated Nutcracker Mickey ornament move when you pull his tail.

Back in 1993, Disney's Hollywood Studios was called Disney MGM Studios, and Santa visited Epcot for an International Holiday.

What's in the box that Mickey and Minnie are opening on the Disney MGM Studios ornament? I bet it's a giant Sorcerer's Hat.

Nothing oozes sex appeal quite like Candy Cane striped Ebenezer Scrooge pajamas with Mickey Mouse Ears.

Mickey, Goofy and Minnie entertain Walt Disney World Guests every single day of the year.

I was able see Walt Disney World decorated for the holidays for the first time in November of 2009. It really is amazing. It's a great time to see some Disney characters that are only at the parks during Christmas, including the famous Disney theme park Reindeer.

Walt Disney World features the ultra-rare White Reindeer! I never saw these variants of the goofy Reindeer during the Very Merry Christmas Parade on TV. Maybe they were only featured during the Jolly Holidays Dinner Show. I can't believe Disney hasn't made plush toys of these Reindeer.

The artist that created this 1993 Walt Disney World Pluto tie did a great job capturing the look of 1930s Disney cartoons.

Most cartoon Reindeer tend to look like Bambi-type deer. Not these guys! I think these are my favorite Disney Reindeer.

Mickey and Goofy pilot some less interesting looking reindeer for these decorations.

It's too bad someone in the merchandising department did not use the 1930s-looking Reindeer for these items, or the Reindeer characters used in the Christmas Parade.

Show your neighbors you are a Disney fanatic and put this stuff all over your house.

Vermin decorations are popular at Christmas.

The Walt Disney World parks show up on ornaments, too.

It's curious that there wasn't a Magic Kingdom Disc Ceramic Ornament, considering it's the most popular park in Florida.

Mickey and the Gang would love to decorate your tree.

Not shown is a "Donald on a Sleigh" ornament. I guess we'll never know what it looks like.

In 1993, there were no Pixar characters yet to be featured on Walt Disney World ornaments. It is rare for a character like Baloo to show up on much merchandise these days.

Get your Walt Disney World mug ready for Santa. Fill it with milk, or hot cocoa. Or maybe even Rum (Santa's had a long night).

Check your watch---Christmas is almost here.

Santa is messy. Better leave him a napkin so he doesn't get crumbs all over your house and attract some mice that are not as nice as Mickey.

Hang up your stockings and put on your Santa Mouse Ears.

Give Santa Claus a big Welcome and he'll leave you something cool.

Don't forget those cookies for Santa!

Mickey is a method actor, so he gains 30 pounds to play Santa.

Kids, you better grab a stuffed animal and get to bed, or Santa might pass you by.

Winnie the Pooh asked Santa Claus to bring the ride system from Tokyo Disneyland's "Pooh's Hunny Hunt" attraction to Walt Disney World in Florida. Naughty Winnie the Pooh stole some honey from some bees, so don't count on that gift!

Not a creature was stirring, except Santa Mickey and Minnie.

The world's largest mice are in your home. Don't worry, that is a good thing.

Soldier Mickey leads his troops to a victorious holiday celebration.

You can even have a VHS tape of a Walt Disney World Christmas. Hey, it's the White Reindeer on the cover!

Soldier Mickey Mouse battles the cold weather to make a cool Mickey Mouse Snowman.

I believe some of the Snowman Mickey plush toys played music.

Over the years (1990-2005), the Disney Catalog offered some great Christmas merchandise.

Snow in Florida? At Walt Disney World, anything can happen.

Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or in a van down by the river, you can celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World in your home.

The Walt Disney World Railroad doesn't operate during the Parades, nor does it operate here.

At Disneyland in California, the It's a Small World attraction gets a holiday makeover. These ornaments represent Disneyland's version of the ride. This is California's hippo (yes, there is a difference!).

The Christmas Parade at Walt Disney World is full of toys, reindeer, gingerbread people and more.

Before Disney Pixar's Planes movie, there was Pedro the Plane, who has been featured on toys and on items like this Snowglobe.

Over the years, there have been many versions of the Mickey Mouse Nutcracker.

I know that at Disneyland in California, there was a Mickey's Nutcracker stage show, which at one point featured Ratigan from the animated film "The Great Mouse Detective" as the Mouse King (one of the best bits of casting ever, as Ratigan was a rat who called himself a mouse).

Mickey Mouse leads a Parade of Nutcrackers. No, it's not a mob of overly aggressive women, it's a cavalcade of Christmas decorations!

I guess Daisy Duck did not make the cut. She's probably too high-maintenance to be a soldier.

Nutcracker Minnie has had some wardrobe changes over the years as well.

All those years of Minnie dancing to the Mickey Mouse Club March song have paid off!

Goofy celebrates the holidays with son, Max.

Goofy leads the K-9 Unit of the Disney Nutcracker Soldiers.

Pluto is second in command.

Pluto would probably be the leader if he could talk.

Geppetto and Pinocchio represent Fantasyland.

If Geppetto carved Pinocchio, who carved Geppetto?

Even though Pinocchio is a compulsive liar, he will probably get something for Christmas.

Don't get too excited, Pinocchio. You'll be getting a Terminix Termite Bond.

Tinkerbell and Nutcracker Captain Hook make a truce for the holidays.

How are Santa's Reindeer able to fly? With Tink's help, of course!

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger make sure the Hundred Acre Wood is decorated for the holidays.

Nutcracker Pooh enjoys Honey Roasted Almonds.

Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey is very busy at Walt Disney World.

Sorcerer Mickey hosts the Mickey's Philharmagic 3D attraction at the Magic Kingdom, and the Fantasmic! night time show at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Scrooge McDuck and Mickey star in "Mickey's Christmas Carol," based on the Charles Dickens classic haunted holiday story.

Before the film debuted in 1983, there was a "Mickey's Christmas Carol" record album. This featured songs not used in the film.

Even though they are softies, Tigger and Pooh became soldiers, too!

The Parade of Disney Nutcrackers is ending.

A small group of the soldiers have decided to take over the Christmas Tree by force.

Don't let their cuteness fool you. These characters possess an awesome power.

Now that the Parade on Main Street is over, it is time to go window shopping.

The windows on Main Street are home to some animated Christmas displays.

Tigger, Pooh and Goofy entertain us with their wacky antics.

Pooh is eating cookies in bed. Those cookies were for Santa, Pooh!

It's now time to enjoy the Christmas lights.

Why isn't there a Main Street Electrical Christmas Parade?

Mickey and Minnie have been really busy, and are ready to relax with a few bottles of wine.

They'll have to leave the Magic Kingdom and go to Epcot.

Check your watch, because it looks like it's time for the Disney Parks to close.

Get back to your hotel and get to sleep, because soon it will be Christmas Day at Walt Disney World.

On Christmas Eve, Santa has a long night ahead of him. He's also got lots of hotels and parks to visit in Orlando.

Luckily, Mickey has set up a satellite toy shop in Florida for Santa.

Don't worry, Santa, Mickey has volunteered to help deliver Christmas presents, too!

This year, if you hear a creature stirring on Christmas Eve, know that it may be a mouse. And that mouse could be Mickey. So be sure to leave out a plate of cheese. Unless you live in an apartment in New York City. I hear rats can be a problem there.