Underappreciated Disney Characters Part 2

Welcome back to our ongoing tribute to Disney's most overlooked supporting players. Last week, we focused on Col. Hathi and Alice's Horn Ducks. Today, we've got another unjustly ignored pair of troupers.

JOANNA

Bursting onto the scene in The Rescuers Down Under, Joanna the goanna (I used to think she was a komodo dragon) is the funniest villain sidekick in Disney history. She doesn't speak a word, but her brilliant animation will delight you--and make your skin crawl at the same time.

She's incredibly important to the film, because this movie's villain, McLeach, is one of Disney's most hateful and frightening scumbags. There's no way to lighten up an eagle-killing kidnapper who thinks nothing of tossing a human child to crocodiles. Enter Joanna, who--even though she's on McLeach's side--provides some welcome comedy during the film's darkest moments.

APPEARANCES OUTSIDE THE FILM: None

Joanna has pretty much vanished in the company's eye, and that's Disney's loss. Can you imagine how many Joanna plush or rubber lizards they could sell every day in Adventureland? How about a Joanna hat? And wouldn't she be a natural at Disney's Animal Kingdom? By the way, if you've never seen the excellent Rescuers Down Under, it's streaming on Netflix right now!

Next up, we've got man's--and woman's--best friend...

BRUNO

This image captures my favorite moment in Disney's Cinderella. Look at it from Bruno the dog's perspective:

1) He's just been through a humiliating night as a human.

2) He had to hike home after Cindy forgot the one thing the Fairy Godmother told her to remember.

3) His well-deserved slumber is now rudely interrupted by over-caffeinated birds who only serve to remind him that Cinderella never sewed any clothes for him, oh no sirree.
 
Everything--Cinderella's future, Gus-Gus's life, the fate of the Kingdom--depends on how quickly he can wake up. And, once he does snap out of dreamland, he delivers justice like only a true-blue dog can do. Bruno is the real hero of this film. Okay, the mice get some credit, too.

The moral of Disney's Cinderella has nothing to do with wishes or magic: If you're nice to people, you increase the odds that, someday, your friends just might come through for you when you need them most. All that's summed up perfectly in Bruno.

APPEARANCES OUTSIDE THE FILM: Rare

Bruno's gotten the occasional merchandising nod: I once owned a fun little PVC statuette of the ol' hound. Being a dog has its advantages when it comes to product potential. Of course, there's also the two video sequels, but the less said about them the better.

Join us next time for part 3. In the meantime, who are your favorite underappreciated Disney toons?

Top Five Favorite Safety Spiels

Who says safety can't be fun? In addition to informational signage, most Disney attractions feature audio warnings to discourage riders from doing incredibly stupid things such as standing up and/or sticking their legs out of a moving vehicle.

Fortunately, Disney injects a lot of character and humor into their audio safety spiels. Some, such as "Hang on to them hats and glasses" and "The spirits will materialize only if you remain quietly seated" have become classics. I'm not including those most famous lines on this list; Consider them forever enshrined in the Great Ride Warnings Hall of Fame.

Although four of these five come from my "home" parks (Disneyland & DCA), the top prize goes to a Walt Disney World ride I haven't even experienced yet! I have Internet Radio and YouTube to thank for my exposure to the joys of WDW attraction audio!

Here we go! Oh--and be sure to remain seated and...well, you know the drill...

TOP FIVE FAVORITE SAFETY SPIELS!

5) Snow White's Scary Adventures as spoken by the Wicked Witch:

"Looking for Snow White, Deary? Then SIT STILL!"

4) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as spoken by Ratty:

"Welcome to Toad Hall! To be sure of a safe and glorious drive in your motorcar, remain firmly seated with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside. Watch your children--and do try to drive more carefully than Toad."

3) Radiator Springs Racers as spoken by Sheriff over the car radio:

"All right. You be sure to remain seated with your seat belt buckled! Don't make me come after you. Sheriff out."

2) California Screamin' as spoken by The Barker

"Second thoughts? TOO LATE! Head back! Face forward! And hold on like ya mean it! And away you go in five, four, three, two, ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And, here we are: My current favorite ride safety audio:

Video by wdwfacts1

1) TriceraTop Spin as spoken by Chester:

"Hey, spinners! It's Chester here, reminding you for your safety ta stay seated with that seatbelt fastened good n' tight as you spin. Whilst yer spinning, keep your hands, arms, feet and legs inside--and be sure to watch your children."

It's the "whilst yer spinning" part that busts me up and crowns this as number one. I haven't been to Dino-Rama in person yet, and I had mixed feelings about the area's concept--until I heard this awesome performance that tells me all I need to know about the land's backstory in one simple, great delivery of a safety warning. Suddenly, I really, really like Chester and Hester. Dino-Rama has become a must-see for me.

What are your current favorites? Do you find the ever-present safety spiels annoying, or is Disney doing a good job of working the warnings into the story?

Flo's V8 Cafe - Our New Favorite Spot at Disneyland Resort

From the Blue Bayou to the quiet far side of Tom Sawyer Island, we have a lot of favorite spots to relax and enjoy the scenery at Disneyland resort. Until recently, they all resided in Disneyland Park itself. Since June 15, however, Disney California Adventure has claimed the top honors with Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land.

It offers a whimsical 50's atmosphere, terrific food, and a wonderful staff. The music is great fun, whether you're listening to the indoor playlist of Motown hits or the outdoor Route 66 tunes. Inside and out, the place is packed with clever details relating to Flo's showbiz past (and Doc Hudson's two-sided career if you head into the next-door seating area).

Flo's handles large crowds very well with smart, friendly service; even long lines move quickly.

Best of all, if you grab a table on the Radiator Springs Racers side of the cafe, you'll  be treated to an incredible view of the ride, with the desert landscape and mountain range spreading out before you...and towering above you. Mater and Lightning McQueen drive past frequently as they head to and from their meet-and-greet location at the Cozy Cone Motel. Everyone around you is in a great mood. It's immersive, magical and very, very relaxing.

Although you can order excellent milk shakes, you'll find no burgers, hot dogs or fries; Flo's offers delicious comfort food based around the kind of diner fare you might find on the real Route 66. We're talking Barbecued Pork Loin with Coca-Cola sauce. Citrus Turkey and Mashed Potatoes. New York Strip Loin. Amazing Veggie Tater Bakes. Apple Chedar Pie. Seriously, just thinking about the food at Flo's makes me want to drop everything and head to DCA for dinner!

The children's meals at Flo's are well designed, with a choice of Mac and Cheese or sandwich (turkey or roast beef), plus fruit and beverage (milk, juice or water). The optional Lightning McQueen lunch boxes are awesome, and cause many adults to order the kids' meals for themselves!

Speaking of Children's meals, the child's' waffles at breakfast (stamped with Mater and Flo portraits) are a big hit with all ages, though adults might also enjoy the Brioche French Toast or Chicken Tamales.

The breakfasts at Flor's taste fine, but lunch and dinner are much, much better. We can't choose a favorite between the NY Strip Loin and the Pork Loin; both are fantastic. You can pick two of six side orders; all taste great, but don't miss the excellent mashed potatoes

When you visit Cars Land, be sure to unwind and spend some time at Flo's. It may end up being one of your favorite spots as well.