Krakatoa Palace: Explorer and Exotica Lounge

Back in the shop building birds. It ain't a Raven. #

Recipes for Monorail Pink and Monorail Red recipes from @waltdisneyworld s Top of the World restaurant, now known as the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort (1970s and 1980s). But let's talk about the differences between "Lemon bar" Mix, and Lemon "Bar Mix". As my time and energy spent researching and creating cocktails, and working behind the stick (bar slang for the uninitiated) started post craft cocktail resurgence, I had never used powered mixes before as ma...de famous during the dark ages of American cocktails during the late 1960 and 1970s . To craft bartenders its considered "sacrilege" to use anything less than fresh ingredients when they're available. That being said, I wanted to make a Monorail Red and Pink as they were or envisioned, and hey, Im all for experiments for science and experiences. They say social media is posting your glamor-life highlight reel. Forget that noise. Lets talk about wrong interpretations, and add some humility to the mix instead (pun intended). In my moment of excitement and intrigue @kailaaa_marie rushed to the local super market's baking aisle to buy.... "Lemon Bar" mix upon my request. Not half bad, but made for a very clumpy and chalk-like concoction. Im thankful that my buddies @jookygreg and @marquisdupre found it to be so humorous they sent me the "real deal" as a form of enlightenment. Final verdict. Stick to fresh ingredients of lemon juice and simple syrup #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #cocktail #cocktails #oops #bar #bartendingblunder #tiki #tikiaf #tiki #tikicocktails #artificial #nope #monorail #disney #waltdisneyworld #contemporaryresort #topoftheworld #topoftheworldrestaurant #magickingdom #resort #bartendinglife #bar #cocktaildarkages #epcot #magickingdom #californiagrill #mistake #mistakes #barfail #craftcocktails #disneycocktails

A bit about me. #FBF to 16 years ago. Once upon a time in a former life, I was a Disneyland Guest Relations tour guide, having earned my D-pin on the short-lived Mysteries, Myths, and Lengends tour playing the role of tour guide "Gracey". I also got to work on the opening of the #DCA Tower of Terror promotion. I've now worked for the Walt Disney Company on three separate occasions, one of which was in my now 20-year career field (more on that in a separate installment...) and was the most memorable and fondest segment of said career. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #disney #disneyland #disneyhistory #anaheim #california #mainstreetusa #disneylandtourguide #tourguide #disneylandguestrelations #guestrelations #plaid #plaids #hauntedmansion #madameleota #hitchhikingghosts #20000leaguesunderthesea organ #twilightzone #twilightzonetowerofterror #disneycaliforniaadventure #dca #greatmomentswithmrlincoln #waltdisney #waltsoffice #organ #piano #waltspiano @ Disneyland

Venturing away from my own projects for a moment, I had the honor and pleasure of visiting a current build in progress to discuss applying some of my own technical visions, creativity, and storytelling to compliment the massively talented effort already underway. This is going to be a fun time....let the creative process begin..... #thekrakatoaproject #losttempleoftheforbiddenmaitai #tiki #tikiaf #tikilounge #tikiaf #tikicocktails #tikiroom #statues #shipwreck #nautical #tropical #story #storytelling #rum #fx #specialeffects #escapism #exotica #immersion #immersiveexperience #diy #creativewriting #creativeprocess #art #bartenders #bartending #speakeasy #maker #makers @ Lost Temple of the Forbidden Mai Tai

Chatting with my bud @theliquidhome for some late night collaboration on an episode and live chat; marrying the essence of immersion, escapism, story, cocktails. Other notable industry personalities will be joining us. Stay tuned! #thekrakatoaproject #theliquidhome #krakatoalounge #cocktails #cocktail #craftcocktails the wizard of #club33 and #21royal #tikilounge #beyondtiki #tikicocktails #rum #rye #gin #bourbon #brandy #spirits #disney #disneyland #tradersams #disneylandhotel #disneylandcalifornia #bar #bartending #homebartending #upyourgame #escapism #story #storytelling #creative

Aside from future updates on my own insani ..er...vision along with episodes, live chats, and tutorials, one of the things I want to feature is the creative excellence of others that are near and dear to me. My buddies @darcyeprevost (Production Designer) And @jasperjandersonfx (Puppet Wrangler) just wrapped with the Season one production of "Earth to Ned" with Jim Henson Studios on Disney+. I've got to tell you, its as wonderfully weird and funny as you would expect from ...Henson. From the quick witted banter to the regular improvisations, it reminded me of the dialog on classic Muppets shows and other Improv locales (Adventurers Club anyone?). Each episode had me laughing harder than the last. Congrats to you both on a fantastic job! #krakatoalounge #thekrakatoaproject #tv #disney #disneyplus #earthtoned #setdesign #setdesigner #production #productiondesigner #space #alien #jimhenson #hensonstudios #muppets #adventurersclub #pleasureisland #animatronics #animatronic #puppets #puppet #talkshow #ned #cornelius #specialeffects #fabrication #modelmaking #miniatures #miniature #fx @ Jim Henson Studios

These birds were left over from an idea i had a few years back that i decided to abandon for a variety of reasons. These have been sitting on a shelf for the last 1.5 years and are no longer being used, so i figured I'd do a brief writeup. Any Disney and Tiki fan dreams of having their own tiki room show right in their own home. If the idea of programming and controlling every aspect of the show from audio sync to every movement intimidates you, there's a great consume...r grade alternative that oodles of people have embraced called a Squawker Macaw. By disconnecting 3 separate wire connections from "Squawker" you can plug them into a board called a "Squawker Talker". This board will allow you to play an audio track using your phone, computer, or favorite media player and have the beak (speaking), leg, wing, and head "servos" syncronize to the audio you choose. Dialog tracks are best unless you want your squawker singing a tasty guitar riff. On-board trim pots (little knobs adjusted with a small screwdriver) allow you to adjust sensitivity and frequency of movement. For a more advanced project you can split the stereo audio channels into two separate "Squawker Talker" boards and have 2 birds converse. With a bit more know-how using a digital 5.1 or 7.1 channel output and receiver, you could have 5 to 7 birds syncronized, interacting, and doing your own at home #tikiroom show. As you can see in the last photo, I feathered and made one bird in the likeness of my buddy @oldmanmerrell. You can feather, paint, and customize then however you want. Its an entertaining payoff without a lot of investment of time or money. Here's a link to my friend Jennifer's creation where she did a Tiki Room barker bird version using the method described above. https://youtu.be/H-l7ZtjfK0o #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #disney #animatronic #animatronics #animatronicsmadeeasy #lowtech #disney #disneyland #waltdisneyworld #tikiroom #adventureland #tikiaf #tiki #tropical #tropicalhideaway #tropicalserenade #tradersams #tradersam #enchantedtikiroom #waltdisneysenchantedtikiroom #groggrotto #enchantedtikibar #diy #toy #toys #waltdisney @ Krakatoa Palace: Explorer and Exotica Lounge

Ok ok ok. Fine here's another. In the latest display of chic headwear (sheik headwear to follow), a flight cap and goggles once belonging to the epic explorer and adventurer Sir. Hedley Livingston Marr. Sir Marr is the only founding member of all three branches of the illustrious "Loyal Triad of Exploration and Discovery". Something we will be discussing at length in the coming weeks. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #adventure #adventurer #explorer #travel #history #tiki #tikiaf #tikicocktails #tikilounge #story #storytelling #storytelling #immersive #bar #cocktails #aviation #immersiveexperience #shop #workshop #creative #diy #exploration #goofingoff

I subscribe to 5 creative "philosophies": 1. If its worth doing its worth overdoing. 2. If you're continuously the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. 3. Help and share information when possible those in need and are willing to show drive and initiative. 4. Its OK to dream bigger than yourself and seek out help and new skillsets through like-minded people who possess that knowledge.... 5. ALWAYS credit those who help you evolve in your journey and vision. With that in mind, I'd like to take a moment to thank those who have come along for the ride of helping develop a vision into a reality and lend their guidance, expertise, and muscle along the way. @boozethusiast, @kailaaa_marie, @pachinkomedia @kingcommodore Not pictured:@flanneljedi @themadammimm This is by no means a complete list, and like any creative endeavor, more will be credited for their work and efforts as projects evolve and more is divulged. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #backyardthemepark #immersive #history #escapism #exotica #tiki #tikicocktails #tikiaf #beyondtiki #krakatoa #volcano #animatronics #themepark #themeparks #diy #maker #creative #story #storytelling #lightingdesign #lighting #led #construction #fx #fxdesign #specialeffects #themedentertainment

A cocktail Garnish experience and storyline I conceptualized several years ago that has gone through 2 entirely different code bases and rewriting as the concept grew and took on a mind of its own ever since. What started off as a standalone effect, quickly grew into a completely surrounded, immersive full room interactive experience. Details, humorous stories of failures and adjustment, and a localized demonstration will be posted tomorrow. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #tiki #tikiaf #tikiroom #tikicocktails #creative #effects #immersiveexperience #specialeffects #pyro #explorer #exotica #maker #lighting #polynesianpop #cocktail #cocktails #craftcocktails #rum #bourbon #gin #tikibar #lounge #history #travel #bar #bartender #bartending #hospitality

Every moment of evolution and advancement, has those that blazed a path before us. From time to time, we awill take a moment to recognize some of those folks who were pioneers in their fields and wo firmly planted the seeds that have allowed us to continue carrying the torch of positive creative expression, and explore new techniques and technologies that wouldnt have been possible without their tireless effort and impact. Today we recognize and celebrate the efforts of WE...D Enterprises' first female Imagineer - The wonderfully creative and talented Ms. Harriet Burns. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #creative #tiki #tikiaf #enchantedtikiroom #wed #waltdisney #disney #wedenterprises #wdi #imagineering #waltdisneyimagineering #disney #disneyland #waltdisneyworld #adventureland #history #harrietburns #female #pioneer #jungle #escapism #immersive #explorer #exploration #cocktails #tikicocktails #craftcocktails

In future installments we will be going in depth on tropical plants, climate zones and their role in carefully curating the environment. Here are a just a few found at the Krakatoa Lounge, though as I type this I'm temporarily removing/relocating many to keep them out of harm's way as construction projects start to ramp up. Like Disneyland, plants and trees staying in place have been tagged. However we will be making accommodations for anyone who's colorblind (obscure reference) #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #construction #themepark #backyardgarden #home #homethemepark #gardensofinstagram #garden #tropical #tiki #explorer #travel #escapism #immersive #anaheim #animatronic #animatronics #tikiaf #beyondtiki #palmtrees #tropicalplants #disneyland #interactive @ Krakatoa Palace: Explorer and Exotica Lounge

The Volcanic Gardens Cabana Lounge walls are framed. Now to worry about electrical, lighting and a roof. The 3D model has progressed with amazing results. Looking forward to sharing it with a few surprises in future update. #thekrakatoaproject #krakatoalounge #imagineering #homeimagineering #framing #woodworking #themeparks #themepark #themeparkathome #home #animatronics #jungle #tiki #exotica #tikiaf #beyondtiki #exotic #maker #storytelling #theming #immersive #immersion #escapism #attraction #art #creative #effects #diy #volcano # @ Krakatoa Palace: Explorer and Exotica Lounge