That's more an observation than a complaint, because while one could reasonably ask for fewer wasted gigabytes, bonus features aren't really expected. VHS rarely boasted supplemental extras of any kind, and that's true of this digital repackaging as well. Truth be told, the bolstered audio track is probably unnecessary and a sales ploy, but it's appreciated nonetheless. There's only the slightest reinforcement from the surrounding channels, but that's fine, as the audio sounds entirely sufficient and won't leave you yearning for anything more. The promised Dolby Digital 5.1 track is delivered, but in modest fashion. While the proper 1.33:1 aspect ratio presumably goes without saying, you won't feel like you're watching your old VHS copy. Many of the shots look a little soft, as they did the first go-round, which is only to be expected. That's mostly due to the nature of the digital disc itself, and what I assume was a fairly clean production to begin with, as it seems neither likely nor apparent that the video was treated with any extensive retouching. Yes, it was a direct-to-VHS production, yes, it's eleven years old, and no, it wasn't state-of-the-art even at the time, but believe it or not, Campout at Walt Disney World looks surprisingly good on DVD, given all the aforementioned limitations. There is, however, something distinctly '90s in the fashion and production styles exhibited herein and something distinctly Disney in its showcase of characters, offering some charm to balance the otherwise deterring packaging that is addressed below. Disney World has changed a lot in the last decade-plus, but that's not very evident from the footage archived here. Its primary value is certainly its tour down memory lane, although I see no reason for today's children to be any less entertained by this set than the now-teenagers who apparently enjoyed it in their younger years were. A few of the stand-out numbers: "By the Beautiful Sea" (the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, that is), "Don't Fence Me In" (where you'll see some of the now-defunct River Country), "Jeepers Creepers" (part of a multi-song sequence involving a Frontierland talent show), and the "If You're Happy and You Know It/Goodnight Campers" medley that serves as a finale.Įleven years after its VHS debut, this program makes its way to DVD in 2005 for a new generation of families and the Disney enthusiast. And if you're going to listen to half an hour of songs you aren't dying to hear, the Disney fan in you will at least be pleased to have Mickey and the gang singing them along with you. The dance numbers that correspond with the music are impressively choreographed, especially given that they involve multiple cast members in bulky costumes and a group of small children. Why the Disney of 1994 thought that the public would prefer fourteen routine renditions of everyday jingles to the Disney classics that would have made more sense is about as understandable as why the Disney of 2005 now sees "sing along" and "recycled princess footage" as synonymous. (Okay, there's an old "Mickey Mouse Club" anthem, but not many are likely to instantly recognize it). After that and a round of "Comin' Round The Mountain," it's traditional campfire songs and reworked standards for the rest of the ride, which is its greatest drawback. "The Bare Necessities" comes in the early minutes of the presentation. You never see much of the resort itself, with the majority of dance numbers utilizing the outdoor campgrounds, but fans of the hotel (and there are many) should be able to recognize the locale.ĭespite the familiar logo and constant presence of park characters, the "Disney Sing Along Songs" here actually include only two Disney songs. As you might have guessed, it takes place almost entirely at the Wilderness Lodge, with occasional theme park excursions. It was later reissued under its current Sing Along Songs title. That same year, Disney released Campout at Walt Disney World as their newest entry in the short-lived Mickey's Fun Songs line. ![]() In 1994, Florida's Walt Disney World Resort opened the doors to the Wilderness Lodge, an elaborately-themed deluxe resort that emulates the forestry of historic Yellowstone National Park. ![]() The series often put their classic feature films and signature characters in the spotlight, but also occasionally ventured to the company's theme park division. An industry leader from the very beginning, their video releases were favorites at retailers and video rental locations, which included the movies that made the company famous, collections of the cartoon shorts that gave it its start, and a whole new kind of entertainment tailor-made for home video: Sing Along Songs. Walt Disney Home Entertainment was instrumental in the advent of VHS as a popular consumer hobby in the 1980s and '90s.
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