The Fabulous Disney Babe
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The film started late because of the traffic problems caused by the huge crowds outside the theater, with throngs of fans and onlookers being held back by both police and Disneyland security. Yes, Disneyland security. If anyone knows how to control crowds, it's Disneyland Cast Members, and no chaos erupted while we were there. I wanted to get a picture of the marquee, so we crossed the street. There were even more people enjoying the hoopla from there, watching the limousines dropping people off. We showed our tickets and went inside, picked up our popcorn and soda, and waited. Finally, the director, Garry Marshall, came to the front of the theatre and started talking to us, thanking us for coming, and talking about the making of the film. It was an impromptu speech to kill time, but it was hilarious. Whitney Houston was one of the Executive Producers, and Mr. Marshall wanted to make a film that everyone in the family could see together. (For instance: I love Pretty Woman, which he also directed for Disney, but can't imagine letting Alice watch it until her late teens because of the content.) He also noted that while the book was set in New York (and encouraged people to read the book) he decided to set it in San Francisco because "that's where my grandchildren live". After his speech, I asked him if I could take a picture of him. "Of me? No. With me? Sure! Who wants a picture of just me?" Here we are.
Garry Marshall and Michelle Smith
After the film, guests exited the theatre and walked the red carpet behind the velvet rope over to the entrance, where their arrival was announced by four blue-clad trumpeters. Inside, you got to run the gauntlet of Disney Princesses: Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Snow White, Pocahontas and Mulan. I know, Mulan's not a Princess. Shhh. Maybe she was standing in for Ariel. For those who haven't been to the Entertainment Centre: it's massive. On the left of the Gauntlet was The Rose Room, on the right, The Violet Room. Just to the right of the Rose Room was the staircase upstairs, and straight ahead, a gigantic poster from the film, with a stairway leading underneath it to the main dining room. The Royal Pear Juggler kept people entertained while they waited for a photo with their favorite princesses.
On the left as we entered, there was a dessert table with waffle cones, See's candies, rocky road, tarts, strawberry pound cake with whipped cream, and some other treats. Just past there was a set of makeover tables hosted by Hard Candy Cosmetics, and the first of many bracelet-making tables. There were several bars in booths against the back wall of the room, which was filled with round twelve-top tables with white tablecloths. Two huge crystal chandeliers hung overhead, and there was a very family-friendly buffet against the right wall: corn dogs in either beef or turkey (you have to see the film to "get" it) macaroni and cheese, pasta, salads, and pizza, with an M&M pizza "just for show" (again, you have to see the movie). Against the fourth wall, next to the door, was a princess dress-up area, where smaller guests could try on Princess costumes and get dressed up. (No, no Jessie costumes. She's a rodeo queen, not a princess).