July 30, 2011

The Weekend is Finally Here


Thank goodness! That means it's time for pictures from all three tour guides as we promised. If you read the post yesterday, we shared what today's post would be about. If you didn't, well then shame on you and get out of the boat. I'm sorry that was rude. Please get out of the boat. Today's special tour is not for you... Okay, fine... you can come. Enjoy!

Mary Costa the Sleeping Beauty


Crazy things happen on Twitter some times. Crazy, unexpected, amazing things. We recently had the pleasant surprise and pleasure of such a thing. We were given the opportunity by a friend on Twitter to ask Mary Costa a question. If her name isn't familiar to you, her voice certainly is, in the role of Sleeping Beauty. We were thrilled at the opportunity and gave it sincere thought. We decided on asking what the most challenging thing was to overcome in playing Aurora. We felt that it might not be a typical question for her and stories of overcoming are always inspiring. We were certainly not disappointed with her answer and hope that it moves you the way it did us. Here's the e-mail we received from our friend:

"Hi! Mary said that she thought your question was a great one. Matter of fact, she had to think a moment. She then told me of how she and her father use to play around doing funny accents when she was growing up. She lived in Knoxville up until she about 15 (I think that was the age). Anyway, she had quite the southern accent in her normal speak. So, when she was on the sound stage rehearsing for Sleeping Beauty, she started doing the roll with her normal voice (thus with her regular southern accent). Marc Davis came out of the sound booth one of the first days and was asking her about her accent. She could tell that he and the other Disney people seemed concerned. He asked her if she had ever heard someone speak with a British accent and she responded perfectly in a British accent. And he looked amazed. He asked her how she did that and she told him how she and her dad use to play around doing different accents when she was growing up. Mr. Davis left momentarily and when he returned he asked her if there was anyway she continue to do that British accent for an extended bit. And it went from there. She continued to do the roll as Aurora with the British accent until it was complete.

So, the answer to your question was overcoming her southern accent was the biggest obstacle she faced in playing the roll of Aurora. She said that she had to remind herself during production of Vivian Lee. If a British actress could play a southern lady in Gone With the Wind, then surely she could do the opposite."


Sleeping Beauty


Sleeping Beauty - Disneyland
A scene from the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through.
Photo by Michaela Hansen


So Familiar a Gleam


So Familiar a Gleam - Disneyland
A statue outside the Walk-Through entrance at a drinking fountain.
Photo by Matthew Hansen


Sleeping Beauty Night


Sleeping Beauty Night - Disneyland
The always classic Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Photo by Kevin Crone

Comments (8)

On July 30, 2011 at 9:50 PM , Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC - Love all three photos and the story is so sweet! I hope a smile will come to the face of Mary Costa, as it has for me. Thanks again for your wonderful work!

 
On July 31, 2011 at 11:09 AM , Matthew Hansen said...

Thank you so much! We have been really excited to share that story. We're thrilled it brought you a smile and we really hope that Mary enjoys our post if she sees it! What an incredible lady.

 
On July 31, 2011 at 9:33 PM , Anonymous said...

Your wonderful photos really make my day. Thanks for all the joy!

 
On August 2, 2011 at 9:37 AM , Anonymous said...

Thank you so much!

 
On August 3, 2011 at 12:21 AM , DisneyLoveee said...

If i am correct, you are standing on the bridge on the left side of the castle??

That's where i got proposed to :DD Best spot in the park :)

 
On August 3, 2011 at 12:29 PM , Kevin Crone said...

Yes, that is correct. Oh wow, how magical! Totally agree, it is definitely one of the best areas of Disneyland.

 
On August 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM , Kevin Crone said...

Well, now that I think of it...actually not the bridge. I was kneeling down next to the fence very close to the water.

 
On August 3, 2011 at 9:34 PM , 400 Miles to Disneyland said...

This is my favorite movie and I LOVE the photos! That statue is beautiful! One thing that I've never been able to find the answer to is, why does Aurora and Prince Philip stop talking halfway through the movie? They don't utter a word after Aurora returns to the kingdom. I wish I would've known about the Twitter opportunity so I could ask!