This is my last post from my Disney trip to California with the #DisneyInHomeBloggers in August. I’m kind of sad! It was such a great trip and I was thrilled to be able to represent and guest post for MomGenerations. I have to tell you the visit to Disney Toon Studios was once of the highlights with the #DisneyInHomeBloggers for me. Inside the Toon Studios are groups of filmmakers, artists, and production teams who constantly work to create timeless stories with Disney’s most beloved characters.
Just walking in and seeing all of the Secret of the Wings posters was a bit breathtaking. My eyes were drawn to the back wall especially, to the scene from the movie where Warm meets Winter. It made me feel like I was in the actual spot and it was beautiful.

It seemed like a really exciting atmosphere to be able to work in. We started our day with a welcome breakfast as we got to check out some of the Tinker Bell, Periwinkle and other Secret of the Wings merchandise that is now being sold. Then it was time to see an advanced screening of the Secret of the Wings in 3D. You already know how much I loved it. Leaving the screening I thought nothing could top the movie, but I was so wrong. An amazing day was set up for us. After breaking down into small groups, I had some time to actually meet Ritsuko Notani.

It was amazing to sit down with her as she discussed the way Secret of the Wings was animated. And she gave us an actual drawing lesson for Periwinkle, step by step. I could not believe we were sitting there with her teaching us to draw. I’m not the best artist, but here is my Peri.

In another group, we got to see how the voices are put into a movie. That alone was cool… but then I got to actually step into the booth and record my voice over a part of the movie. I wish I could show you the videos that were taken but due to embargoes we are not allowed to put them on the web. To hear my voice over a scene in the movie was surreal. Also? So much harder than you would think to get your voice to match up with what is going on in the movie!

We even had a special session with Peggy Holmes (Director of Secret of the Wings) and and Michael Wigert (Producer of Secret of the Wings). Not only did we get to ask them anything we wanted, but they also explained to us how they came up with different parts of the movie. Peri’s outfit came from lamb’s ear – they tried to use things you can find in the real world. Her hair came from an actual frost flower . Peri was actually first an icicle fairy, then they changed her to a to frost fairy, because of the snow expert they got. That’s right, they even had a snow expert as they made the movie – so everything would be accurate.

It was really special talking with Peggy. I asked her to tell me how they decided to make Tinker Bell and Periwinkle not just twins, but identical twins. She went over how they came to the decision, how they consulted experts on twins who had been separated and what that is like so they could use things (like one collecting ‘lost’ things and the other calling them ‘found’). The next thing I knew I was telling her how much I loved the identical twin aspect because of my own identical twins and we both got so emotional we were teary. These movies become a piece of them.
Disney Toon Studios was an amazing experience that will stay with me forever. I am so grateful to Disney and my trip with the #DisneyInHomeBloggers. Everyone who is involved with Disney has such a love for their job, and it shows.