Christopher Robin at Disney Studios and El Capitan!

Screening theatre at Disney Studios, photo by the author. 

I suddenly found out that D23 was having a free advance screening of Christopher Robin at Disney Studios.  This was when I already bought a ticket for the Opening Night Fan Event at the El Capitan Theatre the next day!  I had not at the studio in two years so it was welcome return.  I messed up though, there was a line of cars going in and I thought it was the employee entrance, so the Uber car went around to the other side.  This ended up with a walk around the studio to the correct entrance.  I checked in at the Zorro parking structure and walked over to the theater which screens movies.  I passed the water tower and the animation building, though Disney Animation has it’s own complex across the street. At screening there is usually a popcorn tub, but there was only bottles of water.  There was an announcement about the embargo for reactions or reviews of the movie on social media and any other form.  It would last until 7 p.m. Thursday when I would be seeing the movie again at the El Capitan.  

Pooh stuffie reference at the El Capitan Theatre, photo by the author.

The El Capitan Theatre.  This is old Hollywood at it’s finest.  It is restored by Disney with fine decorations, it makes me feel I should dress up, but there is no dress code for the theater.  I hurried in and immediately went downstairs to see the display.  It had one part of the side wall on the right with the stuffies used in the film for reference.  There was Piglet, Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger all sitting in beach chairs with sunglasses.  Then, I got my drink and popcorn (which comes with the VIP ticket), and then got to my seat.  On stage was the Side Street Strutters playing Disney tunes by the Sherman Brothers with their jazzy style.  They finished with “The Winnie the Pooh Song” from the animated films.  They had some giveaway baskets that went to the people in the balcony.  Then, Jim Cummings, the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, came out on stage.  He took the mic and made an announcement that “no bears, no tigers, no donkeys, no rabbits, no owls, no piglets, and no marsupials harmed in the making of this movie.”  He is funny.  

Jim Cummings, photo by the author. 

Then, Jim Cummings thanked everyone on behalf of the filmmakers, before shifting into Pooh voice, “My hunny sense is tingling.” He finished in Tigger voice saying it was time to see Christopher Robin.  They brought a beach chair for a picture of Jim and the audience.  I was in the second row behind Jim so I might show up in that pic.  Then, the film played, at the end of it I was trying to get a pic at the backdrop with the film’s title and Pooh with his red balloon.  Next to it, was the lady who was interviewing audience members along with a cameraman.  She asked me if I would like to be filmed for the El Capitan commercial. I was so excited about the film that I said yes. I was asked what was my favorite part of the film and I had to say Winnie the Pooh.  Then, she handed me the mic and gave me the line saying to come to El Capitan Theatre to see the movie which I do believe.  Next, it was a little tricky, she said that I liked the Side Street Strutters.  On camera with the mic, it really came out as the “Slide Sleeth Struthers.”  Two takes, same result.  I took my pic with the backdrop and then left with the exclusive poster for that event.     

#ChristopherRobin, #DisneyStudios, #ElCapitan, #JimCummings