#SavingMrBanks, a Guest Blogger Review!

Recently MapleMouseMama was given the chance to attend an advanced screening of the long anticipated Disney epic “Saving Mr. Banks.”  I am very fortunate that my friend, fellow Disney fan and blogger, Jacqueline Psarianos, was able to attend in my place.  Please have a read through Jackie’s review and show her some love!!  Once you are done why not head over to The Autistic World of Disney , Jackie’s place of contemplation. 🙂

FT&PD

Suz

It was an extreme honour to be asked by my friend Suzanne Rudge, owner of MapleMouseMama, to attend a preview of “Saving Mr. Banks”. Little did I know that I would feel as if I was standing alongside Walt Disney. That is how you feel from beginning to end, if you even want to peel yourself off the seat when the film is done that is. End credits began to roll and no one got up, everyone was riveted. No one wanted to let go of Walt Disney’s hand.

It all begins with a twenty year old promise that Walt Disney made to his daughters to make a movie of their favourite novel by P.L. Travers called Mary Poppins. After many attempts over a period of twenty years, Walt sets out yet again to obtain the rights. Once again, he encounters a stubborn Travers who is curmudgeonly and uncompromising but seems slightly interested as the sales of her book have been diminishing and agrees to head out to Los Angeles to at least hear and see all the plans for the movie.

During those challenging weeks in Los Angeles, P.L. Travers was immovable even though Walt Disney and the Sherman brothers pulled out all the stops. It appeared as if the imaginative story boards and sprightly music were winning her over but it was the mention of animation, particularly the penguin scene that sent Travers back to England ‘spit spot’ with all hopes of the film quickly dashed. Walt Disney wasn’t about to give up and got on the very next flight to England.

Upon deep contemplation into his own childhood, Walt Disney discovers the hidden ghosts that haunt Travers. It was then that he was able to convince Travers to face the heartbreak of her past and agree to make the movie. Together they set out to create the most innovative, beloved and endearing movie in cinematic history.

Two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar winner, Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks”. They both did a fabulous job re-creating the characters of P.L. Travers and Walt Disney. The film was directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer. It was written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Christine Langar, Andrew Mason and Troy Lun.

Jackie Psarianos

A little bit about Jackie…..

“After twenty-five magical vacations to the Disney Parks (Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort), Aulani-A Disney Resort and Spa and eight cruises with Disney Cruise Line on all four ships in the fleet, I can say with great certainty that those trips have bonded my family and allowed us the opportunity to surpass our challenges with our autistic teenaged son. We are looking forward to our ninth cruise with Disney sailing from Venice this July of 2014. I cannot say enough how on each and every Disney vacation our son has made huge developmental and social gains, which in turn is helping to heal our family.

As a result of these memorable and positive experiences, it is my wish to spread the magic of vacationing with Disney to other people, especially those with special needs family members by blogging about my experiences as well as helping people plan their own Disney vacations while navigating The Walt Disney Company travel websites and social media.

Disney after all, gives everyone a fair chance of hope and happiness and no one should leave this Earth without having experienced the magic of Disney.”

Jackie’s blog: The Autistic World of Disney

Jackie on Twitter: @JackiePsarianos

Jackie on Facebook: Favorite Disney Things and Neat Facts About Disney