Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[Moonbear]

Not unexpectedly, the Disney Magical Express has been under attack especially by other transportation company in the area. My personal view on this matter is... TOUGH! That's like the hotel industries complaining that Disney is building hotels on their property and taking their business away!

I hope DME continues in its present form beyond the end of their trial period, which is Dec. 2006. I don't use the DME service and still rent a car, but I can see how this is a terrific service to Disney resort guests.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disneyexpress1405dec14,0,1995038.story?coll=orl-home-promo

Zz.

I say TOUGH too! Especially since I'm going to use the service. Other resorts and hotels provide free shuttles for their guests, so why shouldn't Disney? It's not like Disney owns every hotel in the area, or offers the service to people not staying at their hotels. The only difference is they pick up your luggage for you too, but even if they didn't do that, I'd use the shuttle of whatever hotel I was staying at if it was offered as part of the hotel package (unless I was planning on driving around the area a lot with a rental car). I know from past experience that it's a bigger pain to find parking for a rental car than to just get an airport shuttle and either walk or take cabs. It just means instead of taking the cab from the airport, I'll take cabs around town if I need them.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, after putting out all these jumbo pins and super jumbo pins, a box set of mini pins will be released tomorrow. They sure know how to cover all the bases, these Disney people. Consisting of the Fab 5 plus Tink, this is a cute set in a rather festive box.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10193639.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

Surprise Pins

Awwww... these are cute!

They just announced a pair of surprise pins being released today. The nasty thing is that these, which obviously are meant to be together as a pair, are being released at different locations! Mickey is at the Wilderness Lodge, while Minnie is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I hate when they do that! They are tree ornament pins, meaning you can hang them up on your trees, besides them being pins also.

Limited edition of 1000? Humm... what are the odds that a few will still be around when we get there? Moonbie, are you game to take a short boat ride to the Wilderness Lodge to do pin hunting? We are already going to be at the Animal Kindom Lodge for dinner on the 5th.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904473.jpg

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904474.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

From Dec. 16 till Jan 12, you can get 1 of 8 Narnia characters with every Happy Meals at McDonalds.

http://happymeal.com/narnia/

I'll pass, thank you. There's many things I'll do to collect Disney stuff (refer to my account of crawling on my hands and knees at a Home Depot to look for Disney pins in Energizer battery packs). Eating at McDonalds is not one of 'em.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

December 25 is not only Christmas Day, but this year, it also marks the beginning of the Walt Disney World podcast, where you could get live and exclusive content.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/around.htm
http://disneyworld.com/podcast

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Welp, the Orlando Airport authority is full of a bunch of jokers, I tell ya! They have made rules that put Disney at a disadvantage. Unbelievable! They are "punishing" and alienating the entity that is bringing the most amount of business and money to them.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disneyexpress1505dec15,0,2584864.story

I have a suggestion for Disney - build your own airport! You have more than enough land for it. This way, your guests can bypass not only the Orlando Airport, but also the two toll booths strategically placed just so Disney guests driving to the resort have to pass through 2 of them within minutes of each other.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Welp, the Orlando Airport authority is full of a bunch of jokers, I tell ya! They have made rules that put Disney at a disadvantage. Unbelievable! They are "punishing" and alienating the entity that is bringing the most amount of business and money to them.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disneyexpress1505dec15,0,2584864.story

I have a suggestion for Disney - build your own airport! You have more than enough land for it. This way, your guests can bypass not only the Orlando Airport, but also the two toll booths strategically placed just so Disney guests driving to the resort have to pass through 2 of them within minutes of each other.

Zz.

Well, since they've now created a new category of "resort transportation services," I hope a bunch of hotels in the area join the bandwagon in providing similar services and drive all those whiners out of business! They come up with an innovative and good idea for their customers and the other numbskulls who didn't think of it are whining that they're losing business. Welcome to the free market! So, if they aren't going to allow Disney to have greeters in the airport, does that also mean when people plan conferences in Orlando, that they'll be forbidden from having greeters in the airport to provide assistance to conference attendees? Seems like a good reason to choose a different venue to me.

 

[ZapperZ]

With the first in the series of the Chronicles of Narnia doing very well, Disney and Walden Media are rumored to have given an OK for the next installment in the series - Prince Caspian.

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/675/675387p1.html

I'm sure both of these companies are hoping the Narnia franchise is as successful as the LOTR series.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Sooooooooooo...Evo...I heard you got something in the mail (a little bird told me). When are you going to post a pic?!

 

[ZapperZ]

Sooooooooooo...Evo...I heard you got something in the mail (a little bird told me). When are you going to post a pic?!

<tweet> <tweet> ... <tweet> <tweet>

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh, hey now, this is FABULOUS!

This is more like it, Disney! This is a jumbo pin, and it has not only the Cinderella's Castle, but also the Fab 5 in it! And look at how happy they all are, even Donald!

This jumbo pin will be released on the 18th all over WDW. This will be at the top of my list of stuff to get the moment I get there. Since it's a jumbo pin, it will be in a decorative box, meaning it makes a terrific gift to another Disney fan for Christmas next year! What a concept!

:)

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904444.jpg

 

[Evo]

Sooooooooooo...Evo...I heard you got something in the mail (a little bird told me). When are you going to post a pic?!

Probably this weekend, just dropped into show off my new signature.

 

[ZapperZ]

Probably this weekend, just dropped into show off my new signature.

Love your new signature. Maybe you could also include something like

°o°

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Terrific pictures and videos of Disneyland's 2005 Candelight Procession event.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-176.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hey, now you will be able to get Mickey Mouse ice cream beyond just the Mickey Premium you get at the parks.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051215/RCOOLBRANDS15/TPBusiness/Canadian

I can't wait to bite the ears off...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney is suing a man for illegally file-swaping The Incredibles.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.disney16dec16,1,7581545.story?coll=bal-local-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true

I tell ya, don't mess with the Mouse!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Why is the Disney-Pixar negotiations taking so long? The Wall Street Journal makes some speculation, and it may involve Disney buying a major stake in Pixar and Steve Jobs sitting in Disney board of Directors!

Say it isn't so!

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05349/622919.stm

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

From the Disney press release:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort in Florida invites America to celebrate its 22nd annual Christmas Day Parade telecast from the heart of Magic Kingdom, with special performances from Disneyland Resort in California. America's favorite television and radio personality, Ryan Seacrest, will host the festivities from Disneyland Resort while America's hottest morning talk show duo, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of Live with Regis and Kelly, co-host in Walt Disney World Resort.

For more than two decades, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade has been a family tradition featuring Disney's most cherished characters including: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pinocchio, Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, as well as the Disney Channel's favorite Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House; Stanley; Little Einsteins; The Wiggles; JoJo's Circus and others.

The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade telecast airs on ABC Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to noon (EST), 9 to 11 a.m. (CST), 8 to 10 a.m. (MST) and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST). Viewers should check their local listings for any changes in programming times.

Zz.

 

[scott_alexsk]

Why do you like Disney so much (brace yourselves)? I mean my family likes Disney because it has such high-quality parks. We find the movies morally sound and entertaining. Are these your reasons in a nutshell?
-Scott

 

[ZapperZ]

Why do you like Disney so much (brace yourselves)? I mean my family likes Disney because it has such high-quality parks. We find the movies morally sound and entertaining. Are these your reasons in a nutshell?
-Scott

You'd be surprised to hear that this is actually a rather new obsession, since 2001. In addition, I am more of a fan of the theme parks, in particular, Walt Disney World (WDW), than anything else. While I like their movies, I don't have a collection of Disney movie characters or anything like that. My most favorite Disney movie is The Aristocats, and I have not a single merchandise from that movie.

So why do I like WDW then? It is a snowball effect that feeds back onto itself. Literally, to me, it is the Happiest place on earth. I get into this mindset when I'm there that I can act foolish, childish (without the temper tantrum), carefree, etc. without someone wanting me to be institutionalized. And in that mindset. I get carried along with the whole Magical theme, and I make friends with strangers very easily, especially when we're standing in line at an attraction, or if I see they have someone who is having a birthday, or a couple that is spending their honeymoon there, or people who are not familiar with the park. This makes for an even happier, magical time. That's why I said that it sort of feeds back on itself. Chatting with people while waiting for Illuminations, discussing what we did that day, what we should do, etc... etc. It's very fulfilling talking about our common likes and dislikes.

I suppose the familiarity with the park is what makes it so "homely" for me. I do feel that I'm home whenever I'm there. And with our recent purchase in the Disney Vacation Club, they literally greet you with "Welcome Home" when you show up at your resort. Gives me goosebumps everytime I hear that.

So most of my collecton has a lot to do with the theme parks, and WDW in particular. Things that reminds me of it, and the good times I had, are the ones I collect and cherish. My office at work is filled with such things, including the original Disney characters, what I call the Fab 5 - Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto. I have dozens and dozens of pictures with these characters when I'm at the parks. So they remind me more of the parks than the movies or the TV cartoons that they were in. That's why I collect their plushes and figures.

Did that answer your question? :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

To illustrate, here's a sight that warms the cockles of my heart and makes me run towards it like a kid chasing after an ice cream truck - the arrival of the character bus!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

A rather quirky thing will occur in this year's Tournament of Roses parade:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_3320847

Don't miss the Disney float in the parade:

The next float to stop will be in the 47th spot in line - Disney's 150-foot rolling reproduction of the five magic castles from each of the Disney theme parks. The float will feature children and fireworks, and the pre-recorded "premiere" of a song called "One."

Zz.

 

[scott_alexsk]

I like Disney World because it is so well put together. I mean it has great rides and an atmosphere to match. Most themeparks just have the rides (even though I have only been to one besides Disney). Also the people working there actually care. This is a far cry from the rest of the world. I mean I get worked up when we first come in and see the hedges which are shaped like the characters. And also the park has the LEGO store. I love that place. Hopefully this year I can find someone who can outbuild me. But so much work was put into it to completely immerse you in a different world. I mean in the Animal Kingdom I remmeber looking at the village, straining to see wires or something. I could not find anything. It was just perfect. What is your favorite park anyways?
-Scott

 

[ZapperZ]

I like Disney World because it is so well put together. I mean it has great rides and an atmosphere to match. Most themeparks just have the rides (even though I have only been to one besides Disney). Also the people working there actually care. This is a far cry from the rest of the world. I mean I get worked up when we first come in and see the hedges which are shaped like the characters. And also the park has the LEGO store. I love that place. Hopefully this year I can find someone who can outbuild me. But so much work was put into it to completely immerse you in a different world. I mean in the Animal Kingdom I remmeber looking at the village, straining to see wires or something. I could not find anything. It was just perfect. What is your favorite park anyways?
-Scott

I actually don't have a favorite WDW park. On my first day there, I've been know to go to either one first. So I don't have a particular park that I really want to go - anyone of them will do. Of course, Magic Kingdom holds a special place because it is where WDW started. But other than that, I like them all equally.

On this next trip, I'm going to kidnap Moonbie after she arrives at her resort and take her to Disney/MGM Studios first to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I've never seen it before, so that's why we're doing that first.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

On this next trip, I'm going to kidnap Moonbie after she arrives at her resort and take her to Disney/MGM Studios first to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I've never seen it before, so that's why we're doing that first.
Zz.

That sounds fine to me. I've never been to MGM before, so that'll be a good one to start with. I haven't been to Animal Kingdom yet either.

 

[ZapperZ]

So I spent the afternoon baking gingerbread cookies. Of course, my cookies had to have a Disney theme. See for yourself. :) [I've sprinkied them with powdered sugar]

Zz.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7007/img16193zf.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

No bonuses for Disneyland Paris cast members, but the managers still get theirs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051217/bs_afp/franceunionsleisure_051217220923

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Kwanzaa pin is delightfully fun, and it has Donald in it!

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10168729.jpg

I think the WDW Kwanzaa pin is cuter. Nevertheless, they both have Donald in them, so that makes them very collectable for me.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904459.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

They released a surprise pin today at the Disney Contemporary Resort, and it's a Pooh Bear pin!

We are definitely going on a pin hunt in January!

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904551.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney has just announced a new 12-pin series titled Hidden Disney Collection 2006. A pin will be released each month that reveals a unique experience of the Walt Disney World resort, including trivia and locations of "hidden Mickeys" at a particular location.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/event?id=13669

I've never had any luck with trying to get a complete set of pins when they're released over such an extended period of time. So I'm not even going to try...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Less than 2 weeks to go before we get to see this at Disney/MGM Studios:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3144/disney2813lw.jpg

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

A huge collection of vintage Disney collectables found in Japan! Who knew?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051219/ts_alt_afp/afpentertainmentjapananimationdisney_051219140758

Zz.

 

[Cyrus]

Those are great photos you have. Keep them comming!

 

[ZapperZ]

Where did Disney get their idea for the Disney Magical Express service? Look at BAGS.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cover1905dec19,0,5170409.story

It just shows how silly the Orlando airport commision is in trying to curtail this just to please a bunch of people who can't see this thing coming.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Walt Disney World on the History Channel 12/25/05

Here's something you can do on Christmas Day if you get bored with the relatives. :)

Modern Marvels
Disney World.
Premieres:
Sunday, December 25 @ 8pm ET/PT

Journey underground and backstage at the technological marvel that is Walt Disney World. Enter a make-believe world spanning some 27,000 acres, brought to life by cutting-edge technology. What was once Florida swampland now boasts the world's largest theme park. The ride technology ranges from space-age centrifuges to enhanced motion vehicles powered by 3,000 PSI of hydraulic pressure. And hundreds of audio animatronics brought to life through the power of pneumatics, hydraulics, and electrical systems. Walt Disney World is made up of four separate theme parks, each with its own innovations: the 107-acre Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The four parks are all part of a megaplex of a resort. Twice the size of Manhattan, it was the final vision and crowning achievement of a man who spent more than 40 years pushing the limits of technology to create entertainment magic: Walt Disney.

Zz.