Who's Who: Amy Decker

Welcome aboard! My name is Amy Decker, and I’ll be your skipper, your lion tamer, alligator wrestler, and if you don’t laugh at my jokes, your swim instructor. Oh wait, we aren’t on the Jungle Cruise anymore! Even though I may have hung up my skipper uniform well over ten years ago, my love for Disney will never be put on the shelf, and I am so excited to share my love of Disney with you as a part of the Addicted 2 Mickey team! I am a wife to my Prince Charming, Mike, and mommy to my two adorable little ones, Arabella and Axton.

Loving all things Disney, for me, started at a very young age, when every year my Dad and I would take a very special trip to Walt Disney World all the way from our home in the Seattle area. My love blossomed through my teen years and through college when I decided to attend UCF so I could work at the happiest place on earth.  Since then, I have been a devoted annual pass holder and my husband even proposed on Disney property! To say that we are a Disney loving family is very much an understatement. We frequent the parks at least once a month, and every time we go, something new and magical is experienced. In my spare, non-Disney time, I train for and run half marathons. RunDisney races are my one true love when it comes to fitness, they are the absolute best! For me and my family, Disney is more than just theme parks with smiling faces and heartwarming characters; more than blockbuster movies, enchanting resorts, and the most enjoyable races on the planet. Disney, much like Santa, or the spirit of holidays, has an intrinsically magical quality for us. I am a proud Disney addict, and I can’t wait to share my magical experiences with you!

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Who's Who Wednesday: Pluto

Duffy the Bear has been all the rage the past year or so for Disney, claiming to be one of Mickey’s very best friends; But, let’s not forget the original companion of our beloved Mickey: Pluto! Now, many of you probably wonder on a daily basis the difference between Pluto and Goofy? Both are dogs, so why would Goofy be human-like and Pluto, just a fun-loving pup? I can’t really answer that for you, but I think we can all agree that they are both fun-loving and are very best friends.

Pluto is very popular and is one of the Fab Five. Despite being a true dog, Mickey has trained him well! He’s quick, fun, and loves to play. He’s forever loyal and has a magnificent sense of smell that often helps Mickey during his adventures. While he is curious and helpful to Mickey, making one of the most loving pets, he’s also clumsy and sometimes has a short-temper, especially if someone is teasing him. He’s usually getting himself into trouble and as they say curiosity killed the…oh, well…dog, I guess! 

Pluto is a golden colored dog with long ears and a black nose. He also wears a green collar to make sure that if he ever gets lost everyone knows that it’s Mickey’s dog! Pluto also hates cats, what a surprise! 

Pluto’s debut was in the 1930 cartoon Chain Gang and here’s a fun fact: Pluto’s name was originally going to be Rover! Pluto is very proud of his accomplishments and loves some good attention.

 

 You can spot Pluto in many different shows such as the Mickey Mouse Club, House of Mouse, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Pluto is also very prominent in many of the Mickey feature films like The Three Musketeers! You can see Pluto in the Kingdom Hearts video games as well as Disneyland Kinect. 

Pluto is a very common character at Disney so you won’t have to look too hard to find him! He’s usually standing around with Goofy or wondering with some Cast members in all the parks so be on the lookout!

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Who's Who Wednesday: James P. Sullivan

James P. Sullivan, top Scarer of Monster’s Inc. continuously holds the record for collecting the most screams of children, which powers the city of Monstropolis. Sulley’s job, like many other monsters, is to enter closet doors to the human world to scare kids and play off their fears of monsters in their closet.

With that said, you’d expect Sulley to be a pretty frightening and rugged monster, but we who have watched the movie, know that Sulley is just a soft, big, furry guy with a true heart and sweet intentions. Hardworking, friendly, laid back, and lovable, Sulley and his best friend, Mike Wazowski, possess many of the same qualities, which leads them to the top of the scaring pack. 

 

With bright blue and purple fur and a kind demeanor, it’s surprising that Sulley could scare anyone, but with a flash of his teeth, his furrowed eyebrows, and the swing of his tail, Sulley turns into a ferocious beast. 

 

As we mentioned in Mike Wazowski’s character overview, Sulley’s main problem in Monsters Inc.comes in the form of a lizard named Randall Boggs, who’s jealous of Sulley’s success. Randall cheats the system by scaring after hours, and accidently let’s a human child through the door into the monster world. Suddenly, Sulley is pulled into the dilemma, when the child, Boo, becomes attached to Sulley, whom she calls “Kitty”. With his friend Mike, Sulley must find a way to return Boo.

 

So, where can you find this big guy? Head over to Hollywood Studios for possible meet and greets or catch him in the parades and shows at WDW & DL.

Remember, that the prequel to Monster’s Inc., Monster’s University, will be released June 21^st. So, if you are interested in how Sulley and Mike’s friendship began and their time living in a college dorm, hit the theater next month! 

Photo Credit: Disneywikia & Pixarwikia

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Who's Who Wednesday: Mike Wazowski

“Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me!”

Can you name the character who said this?!

Mike Wazowski of course! Our green, one eyed friend is patiently waiting for his new movie, Monsters University to hit theaters on June 21^st, so let’s take a look at Mike’s first screen debut. 

Hot-tempered, hardworking, funny, smart, but uptight. Mike is certainly a complex character! Best friends with the best scarer in all of Monsters Inc, Sulley, he and his pal work around the clock in Monstropolis to keep the city up and running, capturing energy through the screams of human children whom they find through the mass labyrinth of doors to the human world at the company. Mike is not always so work-focused, however, and is extremely fond of his lovely girlfriend Celia Mae, a Cyclops. 

Mike is pulled into one of Monstropolis’ biggest disasters when Randall, the sneaky and sly chameleon, accidently lets in a human child with whom Sulley is now entangled with when he finds Randall cheating the system as he scares off-time. Interrupted on his date with Celia by Sulley, Mike must compose himself and his friend in order to return the little girl to her room, while stopping Randall from his other evil plans; this is where Mike’s rule-following and intelligence shines. 

Despite his straightforward, obvious solutions to problems, Mike doesn’t necessarily see the emotional sides to problems which causes tension when Sulley becomes attach to the human girl. In the end Mike and the Monsters Inc. company decide to produce energy with children’s laughs rather than screams.

Monsters University, is a prequel to the first film, depicting life of Mike and Sulley when they first meet and become roommate in college. The film is set to release June 21^st and soon we’ll get to see how Mike’s relationships developed and how his personality changed when he entered University! 

Mike and Sulley can be found at Hollywood Studios, but they are usually seen in parades and other shows. Mike and Sulley also have their very own show at Magic Kingdom called Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor where guests can interact with live monsters who tell jokes and keep the crows laughing!

 Check out Monsters University's education webpage to check out the campus! http://monstersuniversity.com/edu/

Images from: Disneywikia & Pixarwikia

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Who's Who Wednesday: Hades

Not all Disney characters are heroes, and Hades is here to show it! This Greek God of the Underworld has a taste for evil in Hercules (1997), the main villain set out to steal the throne of Mount Olympus, from his brother Zeus. Hercules is set around the life and tales of the Greek Gods, so it’s not surprising that Mr. Hades is less human-like than us. Blue-skinned with flaming hair, sharp teeth, and a long flowing gray cape that turns to smoke at the bottom, he certainly is a frightenin

g and cunning antagonist. Hades is a bit like Donald Duck in his very hot-natured, losing his temper quite quickly. He is one of the most sarcastic of all the Disney characters, selfish and mean, setting out to destroy Hercules (Zeus’ son) and doing so by enlisting the help of Megara.

 

As a Greek God, Hades does not seek immortality, because he already has it! His search for power leads him to his sidekicks Pain and Panic, both aptly named for their traits, but they fail him at destroying Hercules as a baby. Hades, with his angry personality, has a difficult time handling his minion-like sidekicks. Hades is also owner of the three-headed dog Ceberus, a violent and scary guard of the Underworld. Hades job, while not constantly looking for ways to take control, is to bring the passed on souls to the heart of the Underworld or leave them in the River Styx where they are trapped for eternity. 

Hades powers are fire and chains of smoke, which correspond well to his title of lord of the Underworld. Hades also appears in Hercules: The Animated Series, House of Mouse, and Kingdom Hearts Series. Hades is very rare at Disney parks so don’t expect to run into him too often, not that you’d want to!

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Who's Who Wednesday: Pongo

Puppies, puppies, everywhere!

That’s the theme for Disney’s 1961 film, 101 Dalmations featuring one of our favorite canine friends, Pongo.

Pongo is the mature and laid-back owner of Roger Radcliffe. Oh wait, I guess it’s the other way around isn’t it? It’s hard to tell in a movie all about the dogs! Roger and Pongo are the best of friends so Pongo, naturally, wants to help Roger find a nice wife to live with. He scouts out suitable mates from their apartment in the city while listening to Roger play his piano. After Roger has a run in with Anita, they marry and Pongo soon becomes husband of Anita’s Dalmation, Perdita.

But, why is it named 101? Well, the happy couple are parents to around 20 puppies, but when they rescue more Dalmations from Cruella’s home, Roger, Anita, Perdita, and Pongo decided that 101 is just the right amount! 

Pongo is a loving father and companion. He’s intelligent and determined but doesn’t worry about much. He’s very relaxed which he’s learned from his owner Roger. He is a Dalmation, and once he spots Perdita at the park, he immediately falls in love. Pongo loves his puppies and does everything in his power to rescue them from Cruella, using his friends across town to communicate his whereabouts and sound the alarm. 

Pongo is also great friends with the Colonel (English Sheepdog), Sargeant Tibs (a tabby), and Captain (a gray horse), among others whom help him rescue his puppies and other stolen Dalmations. 

Pongo has made appearances in many other shows including The Wonderful World of Disney, Oliver & Company, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and even in a series titled 101 Dalmations: The Series. Fans can also find him in 101 Dalmations II: Patch’s London Adventure, House of Mouse, and Kingdom Hearts. ABC has even featured Pongo as a real life Dalmation owned by Jiminy Cricket: Archie Hopper. 

Pongo does not make appearances at the Disney Parks but fans can find a giant statue and Dalmation-themed area at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort! 

Photo Credit: Disneywiki

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Who's Who Wednesday: Ridley Pearson

Most Disney fans know him as the author of the famous Kingdom Keepers series, but Ridley Pearson has much more to offer than our favorite Disney adventures. Ridley Pearson is a New York Times best-seller and has written around thirty mystery novels and fifteen children fiction stories. His adventure book list (co-witten with Dave Barry) includes Peter and the Starcatchers,  and Never Land Chapter Books along with a few of his own solo projects. His suspense novels include his Walt Fleming series, Matthews series, and others which he has been publishing consistently since the late 1980s. Before his authoring days, Pearson traveled the road as a singer/songwriter for an acoustic rock band. Soon he attended Kansas University as well as Brown University and began his novel career. He currently lives with his wife and two daughters in St. Louis.

 Of course, the books that we are most familiar with would be Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers series which follows five friends as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime, becoming Disney Interactive Hosts (DHI) at Walt Disney World. However, for a story to have a hero (our very own Mickey Mouse), there must be villains and not everything at Disney is what it seems. Finn Whitman and his friends Charlene, Maybeck, Willa, and Philby must do their best to cross over to their DHI states and protect Disney from being overtaken by the villains, named the “Overtakers”, including Captain Hook, Hades, Judge Frollo, Cruella, and the most powerful of all: Maleficent. To conquer them, the group enlists the help of an imagineer, and new allies.

Photo Credit--ridleypearson.com

 

The most recent installment of the Kingdom Keeper series, book six, was released on April 2^nd, 2013; Kingdom Keepers: Dark Passage which takes place upon the Disney Dream cruise ship. Ridley Pearson is currently on his Kingdom Keepers tour and will be visiting the following places for meet and greets with fans:

  

  Wednesday, April 10

Walt Disney World

Once Upon a Toy

4:00-7:00 pm

Orlando, Florida

Thursday, April 11

Walt Disney World

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Writer's Stop

9:30-11:30 am

Orlando, Florida

Friday, April 19

Poisoned Pen

6:30 pm

Phoenix, Arizona

Saturday, April 20

“Sagas and Series” panel at Los Angeles Festival of Books

2:00 pm

Los Angeles, California

Whether you are a kid or an adult who loves Disney or a mystery seeker, Ridley Pearson has a great selection of books that appeal to all ages. So, head over to the local bookstore or hit up your local library and see what he has to offer! You may just find a new favorite author!

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Who's Who Wednesday: Merida

-->If you could change your fate, would you?

March 8^th, the world celebrated international women’s day. Being a feminist myself, I find that Meridais definitely a strong role model, a woman who pushes the boundaries of what it means to be female and takes her fate in her own hands. Starring in her feature film Brave in 2012, Meridais the Scottish princess of DunBroch with a love for archery.

At sixteen years old, this spunky princess doesn’t agree with the rules of the kingdom or what it means to be a princess and is incredibly rebellious, especially towards her mother, who is preparing to set up Merida up in an arranged marriage with one of the three Lords’ sons. The movie is named, aptly so, as Meridais brave when she disobeys her mother, chooses archery for the marriage competition and decides to compete for her own hand.

Adventurous and stubborn, Merida is furious when her mother denies her the right to choose her own paths and soon gets mixed up with a witch and, thinking the witch has given her a potion to change her mother’s mind about the marriage, ends up turning her into none other than a…bear!

Using her tough, intelligent, and kind spirit, Meridasets out on a way to save her mother before the spell becomes permanent. Meridalooks much different than many of the other princesses, the first to be created with 3D effects. Her Curly, bright red hair is one of her main features along with her pale skin and freckles. Merida’s favorite clothes seem to be her dark green dress which she wears through much of the movie. Merida loves archery and often rides out into the woods with her horse, Angus, on adventures. Meridaloves her family despite their differences, especially her triplet brothers!

It’s important to note that out of all the Disney princesses, Merida is the first Pixar Princess and will be joining the princess line up in June of this year! Right now, Merida is a very common character at Disney. At Magic Kingdomyou can find her at the Fairytale Gardenin Fantasyland. She can also sometimes be seen roaming through Epcot. At Disneyland, you can find her near It’s a Small World. 

Image Credit: Disneywikia

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Who's Who Wednesday: Kuzco

YOU THREW OFF MY GROOVE!

 

If there is one Disney character who could claim the “most sassy” award it would definitely be Emperor Kuzco from the movie The Emperor’s New Groove. Debuting in 2000, David Spade voices that ever so childish Kuzco. Emperor of the Kuzoconian Empire in Peru, Kuzco runs his empire on carelessly, making decisions on whims and catering to his own personal needs rather than the catering to his citizens. We can’t be too hard on the kid since Kuzco is only 18 and his parents are missing throughout most of the movie. The main problem in The Emperor’s New Groove is that Kuzco has somehow….welll…gotten himself turned into a llama.

This all begins when Kuzco tries to kick out a village in order to build himself a new waterpark. These citizens, including the kind Pacha, are not able to find anywhere to go. Antagonist, Yzma with her sidekick Kronk (advisers to the king), are in the business of killing Kuzco so that they may take over the kingdom for themselves. Things don’t exactly go according to plan and Kuzco ends up… as a llama and must befriend Pacha In order to regain his rightful seat on the throne. 

 

Pacha and Kuzco develop a rocky yet lasting friendship through their trials and Kuzco learns a lot on his journey back to the kingdom. For a long portion of the movie, Kuzco remains a llama but his selfish and sarcastic attitude shines through as bright as ever. Not everything about Kuzco is bad, he does provide a lot of comic relief and viewers can relate to Kuzco’s child-like need for every desire. 

Kuzco has a couple of his own catch phrases including “You threw off my groove!”  and “No touchies!”.  You can catch Kuzco in a couple of other movies including Kronk’s New Groove, the television show The Emperor’s New School,and Disney’s House of Mouse series. 

Kuzco is a very rare character to meet but if you want to find him you might hang around Disney’s Hollywood Studios and see if you can catch him. He’ll be in his llama form! If you’re not so lucky head over to WDW Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom and play a couple games with Kuzco and help him defeat Yzma! 

Photo Credit: Disneywikia 

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