Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

Yeah, Feb is hard for me too, but I thought if you could make it then, it would mean a free place to stay for me. Meh, I'd have to put up with their 5 children, and I'm sure a time share can't be that big!

You'd be surprised. Some of the Disney Vacation club exclusive resort, like the Disney Old Key West resort, are almost like individual villas, with a number of bedrooms, full kitchen, etc. So depending on what level of Vacation Club plan they bought, they could have a really nice one. But either way, with 5 kids, I don't blame you.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, so this is one Disney trivia that you would have learned had you gone on the Great Movie Ride at Disney/MGM Studios:

What is the name of the sorcerer in The Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence in Fantasia?

Zz.

The answer is

YENSID

... which is "DISNEY" backwards.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Series 3 Cast lanyard pin has just been released. This pin cannot be bought, but can only be obtained via trade with another cast member who wears it on his/her lanyard. This was released yesterday at Walt Disney World.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It appears that the feud between the Disney board and Roy E. Disney is over, based on this latest press release...

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY AND ROY E. DISNEY AND STANLEY P. GOLD

BURBANK, Calif. (July 8, 2005) -- The Walt Disney Company, Roy E. Disney and Stanley P. Gold announced today that they have agreed to put aside the differences that have characterized their relationship over the past several years. Messrs. Disney and Gold have agreed not to run a rival slate of directors or submit shareholder resolutions for the next five years. Messrs. Disney and Gold have also agreed to dismiss all their pending lawsuits against the Company. In reestablishing ties with him and his family, the Company has named Roy E. Disney Director Emeritus and a consultant. The Company also reaffirmed its commitment to the rotation of committee members and chairpersons on its Board committees as currently required by the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines. In putting aside their differences, the Company noted Mr. Disney's long time devotion to the Company and welcomed the reestablishment of a relationship with him and his family. Messrs. Disney and Gold expressed confidence in Mr. Iger's leadership, and as Mr. Eisner retires after 21 years with the Company, they acknowledged his contribution to the Company over the years.

A little known trivia: Roy always stays at the Grand Floridian when he visits Disney World, while Micheal Eisner stays at the Disney Yacht Club resort. No wonder these two don't get along... :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It would only makes sense that, given the close proximity of the French and United Kingdom's pavillion at Epcot, the recent announcement of the 2012 Olympics would have an effect there as well... and it did.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sptolyreact07070705jul07,0,2775575.story

[Again, not sure if you have to register, or for how long this story will be available online]

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Here's a pin collection that I would love to have, but probably will not have a chance to get. Starting on July 15th, they will be releasing this THIRTEEN-pin set (count 'em) of Mickey Around the World, celebrating all the Disney locations around the world. This set includes an artist illustration background.

This is really a neat collection. However, it is way too tedious to get the whole set (I think), because I'm not sure if all of them are being released simultaneously, or one at a time - probably the latter.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I wonder if I can talk Integral into going back to Disneyland this month? :)

The official 50th Anniversary celebration of Disneyland is this July 17th. As expected, I don't think any SANE person would want to go there on that day, or that week for that matter. I expect the place to be packed like sardines.

As anyone can guess, there will be several special pins to be released that day at the Disneyland Resort only. This is the BEST of the whole lot and would probably will go up in price and demand as time goes by. So if you happen to be lucky enough to be in Aneheim, I'd suggest you invest in this pin.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, another trivia. What was Walt Disney's most favorite ride when Disneyland was opened?

Answer: The Jungle Cruise!

It was because he visited Africa a few years before and fell in love with a river boat trip. So he wanted something similar to that at Disneyland. However, I bet that the trip he went on in Africa did not come with a tour guide that spews very bad puns.

A fun pin will be released at Walt Disney World on July 15th. (yes, the Jungle Cruise was also built at the Magic Kingdom). If you have been on this attraction, you will recognize the scene depicted in this pin.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This is one view from my messy desk at work. Can you count the number of Disney-related items from this picture alone?

I won't tell you what's behind because... well, let's just say that people who walk into my office can immediately tell I've been to Disney World. However, in keeping with the Disney spirit, I have been told by many that it is one of the "happiest" office around.

:)

Zz.

 

[Integral]

OK, another trivia. What was Walt Disney's most favorite ride when Disneyland was opened?

Answer: The Jungle Cruise!

It was because he visited Africa a few years before and fell in love with a river boat trip. So he wanted something similar to that at Disneyland. However, I bet that the trip he went on in Africa did not come with a tour guide that spews very bad puns.

A fun pin will be released at Walt Disney World on July 15th. (yes, the Jungle Cruise was also built at the Magic Kingdom). If you have been on this attraction, you will recognize the scene depicted in this pin.

Zz.

I think that the spiel given by the guides has changed over the years.. Me thinks that if Walt could hear the one now given he would be spinning in his grave! They are now nearly making fun of this very dated ride.

 

[ZapperZ]

I think that the spiel given by the guides has changed over the years.. Me thinks that if Walt could hear the one now given he would be spinning in his grave! They are now nearly making fun of this very dated ride.

That's probably true. However, with the changing times, I don't think this ride would have been as popular today if they had done this with a straight face. I mean, c'mon, those things they're showing are pretty cheesy. :)

As it is, the guide's puns are the ones that keep attracting me back to this ride. It's almost like a performance in itself.

Zz.

 

[Integral]

That's probably true. However, with the changing times, I don't think this ride would have been as popular today if they had done this with a straight face. I mean, c'mon, those things they're showing are pretty cheesy. :)

As it is, the guide's puns are the ones that keep attracting me back to this ride. It's almost like a performance in itself.

Zz.

Agree totally!

 

[Moonbear]

I think that the spiel given by the guides has changed over the years.. Me thinks that if Walt could hear the one now given he would be spinning in his grave! They are now nearly making fun of this very dated ride.

Oh, yes, they have changed, but when you're telling bad puns, you have to change them up every so often. I have to agree with you and Zz, that making fun of the ride is what makes it fun. Otherwise, nobody would enjoy it once they were old enough to realize those animatronic hippos aren't real.

Zz, do they have support groups for those afflicted by Disney-itis?

 

[ZapperZ]

Zz, do they have support groups for those afflicted by Disney-itis?

That sounds like a disease... but then again, maybe it is. :)

I dunno. If there is one, I'd be a charter member. I've been looking for the 12-step program to get off this... well, ok, I'm lying.

Like Diana Ross used to sing "If there's a cure for this, I don't want it, don't want it... If there's a remedy, I'll run from it, from it..."

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

July 14 is Bastille Day, and you guessed it! They're releasing a Bastille Day pin, today, only at the Epcot pin trading station in Walt Disney World.

See Moonbie, I told you they have a pin for every occasion and a new one almost every day! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

So, went to the Post Office during lunch time today. Walked up to the counter and asked "Do you have the Richard Feynman stamps?"

Person across the counter made me repeat the name a few times. She then went to the back to check the list of stamps they have. She came back and asked "Do you know who he is or what he did?" I replied "He's a physicist - or at least, he was".

She then said "Oh, we don't keep science stamps very long. Argonne buys all of them!" Drat! So my employer buys all of the science stamps from this post office.

Never mind, I then asked "Well, what about the Disney stamps? Argonne can't be buying all of those too!"

She replied "Oh, we ran out of those within a couple of days!"

.
.
.
.
.
.

I'm depressed...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no... Not another one, and on my most favorite attraction too!

http://www.local6.com/news/4713504/detail.html

Zz.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no... Not another one, and on my most favorite attraction too!

http://www.local6.com/news/4713504/detail.html

Zz.

Oh boy. I sure hope that these are isolated cases and not an early indication that things have gone too far. I would imagine at least that age will be considered more carefully.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh boy. I sure hope that these are isolated cases and not an early indication that things have gone too far. I would imagine at least that age will be considered more carefully.

The difference between these and the incidents at other "smaller" parks is that these attractions were working perfectly, meaning these are not accidents.

Considering the unbelievable number of people visiting all the Disney theme parks, it's amazing how low the number of accidents/incidents like these that have occured. I'd say that most people should just stick to the Dumbo ride, right Evo? :)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Oh boy. I sure hope that these are isolated cases and not an early indication that things have gone too far. I would imagine at least that age will be considered more carefully.

I would imagine with the number of guests they have every year, that a number of guests fall ill or die on the property unrelated to any safety issues, just it was going to happen somewhere, and they happened to be at Disney. That was probably the case with that older woman who had a stroke at the park. As for the 4 year old boy, I still can't understand why a parent takes a 4 year old on a ride like that. Maybe as people enter the park, they need to issue wrist bands, different colors for different ages (admission fees are based on age; so if a parent is going to sneak a 4 year old kid onto a ride intended for 12 yrs and up, they're going to have to pay the higher admission). That way, for the most intense rides, you can have not just a height limit but a minimum age requirement.

However, in this story, a 16 y.o. girl is within a reasonable age you expect people will be going on such a ride. It's too soon to know if it was really the ride at fault. She could have gotten dehydrated or heat stroke from being out in the summer heat in FL all day.

It's still sad.

And, does anyone else find it somewhat disconcerting that the hospital is called Celebration Hospital? That sounds great if you're going there to have a baby, but seems horridly inappropriate when someone dies there.

 

[Moonbear]

Considering the unbelievable number of people visiting all the Disney theme parks, it's amazing how low the number of accidents/incidents like these that have occured. I'd say that most people should just stick to the Dumbo ride, right Evo? :)

Zz.

Now will you let me hold the bags rather than go on Tower of Terror?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

However, in this story, a 16 y.o. girl

Okay, I read that as six, not sixteen. In that case I agree. This must be a coincidence. My thought was that young kids would be more vunerable to unexpected accelerations. They may not have the strength to resist the forces.

 

[ZapperZ]

And, does anyone else find it somewhat disconcerting that the hospital is called Celebration Hospital? That sounds great if you're going there to have a baby, but seems horridly inappropriate when someone dies there.

Er... Moonbie, there is a city called "Celebration". From what I remember, it was a city started within the Disney World complex where you can actually buy houses, have schools, etc. So there is a hospital there in Celebration and naturally, it's named Celebration Hospital.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Er... Moonbie, there is a city called "Celebration". From what I remember, it was a city started within the Disney World complex where you can actually buy houses, have schools, etc. So there is a hospital there in Celebration and naturally, it's named Celebration Hospital.

Zz.

It still sounds bad. Can't they name it after somebody?

 

[ZapperZ]

It still sounds bad. Can't they name it after somebody?

But Moonbie dear, renaming it to Goofy Hospital isn't any better!

:)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

But Moonbie dear, renaming it to Goofy Hospital isn't any better!

:)

Zz.

Depending on how good they are, it might be more appropriate though.

 

[Gokul43201]

Holy crap, Zz ! Did I ever tell you you're completely nuts ?

 

[Evo]

Considering the unbelievable number of people visiting all the Disney theme parks, it's amazing how low the number of accidents/incidents like these that have occured. I'd say that most people should just stick to the Dumbo ride, right Evo? :)

Zz.

I know I'm sticking to the Dumbo ride. If you dared to put me on anything else, well, the possibilities are too mind boggling.

Gokul, where's your sense of adventure? I'd rather go into a hospital with a happy name than one with a gloomy name. "Hospital of no return" or "Terror Tower Hospital" would not be too encouraging.

 

[Gokul43201]

I'm not talking about some goofy hospital <ducks behind chair>

I'm talking about this whole thread...I only just read a large chunk of it.

 

[ZapperZ]

Holy crap, Zz ! Did I ever tell you you're completely nuts ?

Yes, but what kind of a nut am I? Cashew?

Zz.

 

[Evo]

I'm not talking about some goofy hospital <ducks behind chair>

I'm talking about this whole thread...I only just read a large chunk of it.

Oh, yeah, Zz's hardcore. You don't mess with a serious physicist on a Disney quest.

My ex boyfriend had a PHD in biochemistry and was in serious AIDS research, he watched Beavis and Butthead all day and reruns of the Golden Girls all night.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh, yeah, Zz's hardcore. You don't mess with a serious physicist on a Disney quest.

My ex boyfriend had a PHD in biochemistry and was in serious AIDS research, he watched Beavis and Butthead all day and reruns of the Golden Girls all night.

Whoa! Compare to that, my Disney addiction sounds harmless!

:)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Holy crap, Zz ! Did I ever tell you you're completely nuts ?

Unfortunately, we seem to just keep encouraging him. I'm a Disney addict enabler!

 

[ZapperZ]

I will make all of you see the Way of the Mouse.

You will be assimilated.

Resistance is Futile!

Bwahahahahahaha!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Fun Disney events are not just restricted to the Disney theme parks.

There are several World of Disney stores here in the US - the original one in Downtown Disney's Marketplace in Walt Disney World, the second one in Downtown Disney District in Disneyland, and the most recently opened World of Disney store on Fifth Avenue in New York city.

[Note: while the Disney Stores you see at shopping malls and other places were once owned by Disney, they have been sold off. So they are no longer a part of disney, even though they sell Disney items. Their employee are also no longer Disney cast members.]

The World of Disney store on Fifth Avenue has several exclusive items, including Disney Pins (what a surprise!). On Aug. 1st, 2005, they will be running their first ever Pin Pursuit event at that store. This is where you get a card with a map, answer the questions at the back and get a stamp for each of the right answer (or pin trade), and once completed, you get a souvenir pin. They have run this type of Pin Pursuit event for several years at Disney World (I've done it the past 2 years).

Here's an official announcement:

To commemorate the arrival of several "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" Mickey statues, the World of Disney® - Fifth Avenue is launching its first pin pursuit on August 1, 2005. This New York City-inspired pursuit features a map with images of open edition World of Disney® - Fifth Avenue pins. Simply answer the questions of the back of the map or trade a pin with a Cast Member to receive a stamp. Collect all six stamps to receive a complimentary Happiest Celebration On Earth Disney pin.

One can also collect (optional) the pins listed in the Pin Pursuit map. Two of the pins being released as part of this celebration were inspired by the various Mickey statues that were decorated by various artists and celebrities. The first one was decorated by James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) while the other was decorated by Jamie Lee Curtis - she noted that this is the original Mouse pad. Of course, these pins are exclusive only to the World of Disney on Fifth Ave.

So, if you're in NYC on Aug. 1st, want to do a pin pursuit? :)

Zz.