As the father of a five year old, shows on Disney Jr are a mainstay in our house. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse? Meeska, mooska, mouske-check. Handy Manny? Si, yes. Sofia the First? We’re finding out what being royal’s all about. Jake and the Never Land Pirates? Yo Ho, let’s go! I’m sure we’re in the same boat with many other parents who find themselves watching these shows quite a bit more than they’d care to admit. Generally, we’re okay with this fact; the shows on Disney Junior teach great life lessons and application skills – even if you think you don’t really need to lay out three simple steps to take a drink from the drinking fountain, lessons (and values) are being learned. But as an adult, you do find yourself longing for a break from these shows. Sometimes, even a regular old Disney movie is enough to take a break from the kiddie set. Possibly you find yourself driving in the car by yourself, coming to the grim realization that you’re just so used to the music that you forgot the fact that the CD really does eject from the stereo. Yes, my wife and I are in that boat as well. But, here’s the thing; my confession if you will…
I think my wife and I are even bigger fans of Sharkey and Bones than my daughter. We discovered this when I bought the CD, only to have my daughter ask to turn it down as daddy and mommy were bobbing our heads in the front seat….
If you’re a parent of a youngster, you’ll know who I’m talking about. If not, you may be asking, “Who?” Sharkey and Bones (Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson) are the pirate rock duo responsible for little ditties at the end of every Jake and the Never Land Pirates episode. Over the top silly, yet infectious, this duo has earned a place on my Disney playlist with catchy songs like, “Aw, Coconuts,” “Bubbly Blue,” “Pirate Password,” and this one:
I’d call it a guilty pleasure, but at the same time, I’m not ashamed. I plead guilty all the way – as I do with other Disney pieces that may be considered “less popular.”
In a conversation with a fellow Disney fan (Adam, author of the wonderful California blog San Magnifico) , we both came to the realization that we are fans of “Pete’s Dragon,” and not afraid to admit it. Although it’s not quite the critical darling that other films from the Disney spectrum are, it still holds a spot very near and dear to some. For me, I have fond memories of reading along with my “See, Hear, Read” records and listening to snippets of “I Think I Saw a Dragon” over and over again. As a grown up, I still get the biggest kick out of watching Jim Dale and Red Buttons scheme their way through Passamashloddy.
“Watch the Profits Come Rolling In!!!!”
As well, I know many people who will tell you that the musical film “The Happiest Millionaire” isn’t worth your time. I, however, am not one of those people. In fact, the soundtrack for this film is toward the top of my list. The Sherman Brothers had a masterpiece on their hands with this one (at least in my opinion). From the silliness of “By-um-pum-pum,” to the incredible cheesiness of “Detroit” (maybe this one works for me as a Lions fan?), and the rousing “Let’s Have a Drink On It” number, there’s not a sour spot in the movie. Every time Tommy Steele is on the screen, the movie is even more fun.
I mean, anyone who babysits alligators has earned my respect!
I know I speak of the “Magic of Disney” an awful lot, but to me there is magic in the fact that some things, while not looked upon as great by many – be it kiddie show pirate rock duos, lower rated movies or less than popular theme park attractions – can still mean so much to some who gladly make their feelings known. And in that moment, we find others who feel the same way, and we don’t feel alone in our fandom.
What about you, fellow DisNerds? Do you have any “not so guilty” Disney pleasures that set you apart from others? Feel free to share here!
Confessions Of A DisNerd 
There are 3 steps to drinking from a water fountain? Hmm…
I didn’t like “Pete’s Dragon” and the songs were…tolerable in my opinion; but I LOVE “The Happiest Millionaire” and its songs! I truly believe it’s the 2nd best live-action Disney musical after “Mary Poppins”.
The three step thing comes from Special Agent Oso – yes, it can be rather crazy that way. And yes, the music especially from Happiest Millionaire is awesome!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE “The Gnome Mobile”. It’s funny to watch it now because so much of it seems so tacky, yet my love for it is still there. The girls chasing Jasper in the soap to see who will win his heart? Best scene by far! I can thank my parents for introducing me to that movie at a young age. It’s because of them that I have my appreciation for all things Disney.
WOuld you believe that’s about the only (or one of the only) Disney movie I haven’t seen? Crazy – must watch it now!
I love “The Happiest Millionaire”! The songs are good, the movie is eccentric and I adore the rich Gay Nineties setting. It’s one of those key films you need to watch to get the vibe and catch the references on Main Street USA. I don’t think my fiancée will ever forget me singing and dancing along to “Fortuosity”…
Presently I’m growing in my appreciation for Disney’s live action films from the Fifties and Sixties. I’ve gotten a pretty big kick out of “The Shaggy Dog,” “The Misadventures of Merlin Jones,” and even “The Parent Trap,” and “The Absent-Minded Professor” is drop-dead hilarious. Fess Parker is always good for a bit of softer-edged Western action. I love the Gay Nineties setting, so “Pollyanna,” “Summer Magic,” and “So Dear to My Heart” work for me on that level, alongside “The Happiest Millionaire.” I also quite enjoyed “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” even though I can never figure out what Janet Munro is staring at and the whole thing is kind of a big mind-trip. I’m working on finishing my set of the British movies, already having “Treasure Island” and “The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men” (I gotta’ order “The Sword and the Rose” and “Rob Roy: Highland Rogue” off of the Disney Store before the free shipping offer expires!). And, of course, I couldn’t go without mentioning “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and my indirect success in visiting every extant Disney park attraction based on it in the world. My big pin collection is Disney’s Jules Verne-inspired movies and rides.
In a similar vein, I really like Disney’s attempts at VIctorian Sci-Fi/Adventures: “Atlantis,” “Island at the Top of the World,” “In Search of the Castaways,” “Tarzan” and the actually-way-better-than-anyone-thinks “John Carter.” “Treasure Planet” is a very unfairly maligned film too. But that’s the problem with “John Carter” and “Treasure Planet”: they’re the sort of movies *I* would like, therefore no one else does.
Oh yeah, and the war-years anthology movies are neat too: “Make Mine Music,” “Fun and Fancy Free,” “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” the South American features, etc. “Melody Time” is actually one of my favourite Disney movies. On the theme park side of things, I tend to like a lot of the slower attractions that give a good sense of place, like the Disneyland Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, and Main St. Cinema. Most of my favourite attractions in Disneyland Paris were actually walk-throughs!
Love it! I find myself listening to the Cars Soundtrack and the Tron soundtrack in the car a lot when the kids aren’t there (and of course the DL 50th anniversary 6 disc set). LOL. And I sing the Doc McStuffins song to my boys when they’re at the doctor, to take their mind off of shots 😉 We love Sharkey and Bones and one of my kids favorite songs is the “Heave Ho” song…….not sure if that’s the exact title, but they run around the house saying Heave, Ho! haha. Pretty sure it’s from an album before Sharkey and bones were on Disney Junior……..