Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

In the Green with Envy contest, I was torn between using the picture of that waterfall, or this one. Maybe I should have used this instead since it has something different.

This is from Disneyland's Jungle Cruise attraction. I don't believe that you find the same thing at the same attraction at Walt Disney World.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, so this one may not be as extreme as the guy who https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1280178&postcount=2834" with Disney characters, but it is no less "impressive" (or sick, depending on your perspective).

This couple (who before they met each other was already into the Haunted Mansion/Halloween theme), have amassed a huge collection of Haunted Mansion memorabilia.

Their collection began with a large copy of the original Haunted Mansion attraction poster from Disneyland, and slowly grew from there. The Vines' estimate they have 250 to 300 items.

"It started where we just wanted the big collector pieces," said Carrie. "But at one point the sickness took over, and now we have to have everything Haunted Mansion related."

Not only that, the husband is also one of the 20 finalists in the Disney's Dream Job contest. I'm sure he's aiming for the Haunted Mansion butler position.

Again, compare to these people, my Disney "obsession" is rather pathetic!

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Again, compare to these people, my Disney "obsession" is rather pathetic!

Zz.

Don't worry, just give it a little more time and ask Argonne for a nice raise to support your habit...

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney's Meet The Robinson's open today nationwide in the US. It is the 2nd digital animation out of the Disney in-house animation studio (not to be confused with Pixar), after Chicken Little last year. It will also be the 3rd movie that will also receive the Disney Digital 3D, after Chicken Little and the re-release of Nightmare Before Christmas. So select theaters will show Robinson's in digital 3D.

However, what is more significant with this movie is that this will be the first http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070329/film_nm/robinsons_dc_1" to the movie and possibly delayed its opening. So this movie has a lot at stake, not only for Disney, but also for Lasseter professionally.

BTW, if you see Robinson during the opening weekend and you have a Disney Store in your area, you can bring the ticket stub of the opening weekend to a Disney Store and receive a FREE collectible Meet The Robinson's kaleidoscope, while stocks last of course.

I will be seeing it tomorrow and then will head directly to a Disney Store nearby.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I wrote a http://mydisneymania.blogspot.com/2007/03/meet-robinsons-my-review.html" , so I won't repeat it here. All I can say is, if you have the chance to see it in a movie theater, especially in 3D, GO SEE IT! You'd probably get to see Donald with Chip 'N' Dale in Working for Peanuts before the movie, which hasn't been seen in ages! That is also shown in 3D because it was first made in "stereophonic" vision at that time.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/lakebuenavista/orl-epcot0107apr01,0,5357051.story" , begins this Thursday and run through till June 3rd. I've always love this festival, because Epcot is decorated with plants and flowers to the hilt. The topiaries being exhibited are usually amazing.

I will catch the tail end of this festival this year. So I hope to bring back lots of pictures.

Zz.

 

[Vagrant]

just saw your office pics. All that stuff is simply awsome.And I loved the pic of the chalk board with Mickey on it. I can't imagine what sort of heartless brute would call it crap.

 

[ZapperZ]

just saw your office pics. All that stuff is simply awsome.And I loved the pic of the chalk board with Mickey on it. I can't imagine what sort of heartless brute would call it crap.

No one here is calling it "crap". In fact, one of the staff here brought her daughter one day and I got to teach her how to draw Mickey. Unfortunately, according to her mother, the first place she drew it when she got home was the dining room table!

I'm such a positive influence on kids, I tell ya!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Whoa!

I just got a heads-up notice from a member of our local pin trading club here in the Chicago area that there is a "pyramid-scam type" pin trading that is being distributed on the internet. The scam works the same way as your regular disgusting pyramid scam, but instead of sending money, you send a pin to the person on the top of the list and then add your name to the bottom. You then send the list to 5 of your "friends" telling them to do the same.

I'm guessing that most of the seasoned Disney pin collectors would not fall for such a scam. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that such a thing is even going on.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney theme parks occupies 6 of the top 7 positions in the newly released http://www.connectingindustry.com/pdfs/TEA-ERAAttendance06.pdf" for 2006. The Top 10 are (with attendance numbers and percentage increase over the previous year):

1.The Magic Kingdom 16,640,000 3.0%
2.Disneyland 14,730,000 1.2%
3.EPCOT 10,460,000 5.5%
4.Disney-MGM Studioes 9,100,000 5.0%
5.Disney's Animal Kingdom 8,910,000 8.6%
6.Universal Studios Orlando 6,000,000 1.2%
7.Disney's California Adventure 5,950,000 2.1%
8.Seaworld Orlando 5,740,000 2.5%
9.Islands of Adventure, Orlando 5,300,000 -4.8%
10.Universal Studios Hollywood 4,700,000 0.0%

All the Disney theme parks showed an increase in attendance, with the Animal Kingdom showing the largest increase, thanks to Expedition Everest.

I think I alone accounted for a large portion of those numbers!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Keith Richards' macabre remark about snorting a mixture of cocaine and the cremated remains of his deceased father may have amused music fans with its ghoulish sensibilities, but it caused a moment of alarm inside Walt Disney Studios, home to the movie marketing team behind the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

As if the upcoming Pirates movie needs anymore publicity, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/la-et-richards5apr05,0,7557587.story?coll=orl-home-entlife" even more now whether it wants to or not! He should know better that the Mouse is not amused by this!

Still, I can't wait to see this raisin face in the movie.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-388.asp" all decked out as it prepares to celebrate its 15th Anniversary.

That's 15 troubled years.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Ooh, yay for Disney!

LOS ANGELES - Same-sex couples who want to exchange vows in front of Cinderella's Castle now have the chance.

The Walt Disney Co. had limited its Fairy Tale Wedding program to couples with valid marriage licenses, but it is now making ceremonies at its parks available to gay couples as well.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070406/ap_on_re_us/disney_gay_weddings;_ylt=AsK0TjhDgU1X2ilaeP7v.Jus0NUE

I wonder if this means they'll also let Zz get married in his Cinderella gown now.

 

[ZapperZ]

Ooh, yay for Disney!



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070406/ap_on_re_us/disney_gay_weddings;_ylt=AsK0TjhDgU1X2ilaeP7v.Jus0NUE

I wonder if this means they'll also let Zz get married in his Cinderella gown now.

I have bought those glass slippers already!

Zz.

 

[Astronuc]

in his Cinderella gown

Umm, wouldn't that clash with the mouse ears? Not that I'm a fashion expert by any stetch of the wildest imagination.

 

[ZapperZ]

Umm, wouldn't that clash with the mouse ears? Not that I'm a fashion expert by any stetch of the wildest imagination.

No it wouldn't. Not if the ears are attached to a tiara! I got it on loan from Minnie.



Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-390.asp" from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival that started last week. It looks like this year, there's a very heavy emphasis on the pirate theme. I hope the flowers are still in full bloom by the time I get there...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The recruiters for the http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/UPDATES01/70410002" will be at the Ohio State University campus today at 6:00 pm. They are looking for people to do an internship at the Walt Disney Resort.

So there you go, Gokul! It's your chance to be Goofy!



<ZapperZ runs and hides>

But then again, after what University of Florida has done to the Ohio State teams in 2 major championship games, I don't know if anyone from the state of Ohio would ever want to step into the state of Florida anytime soon.



Zz.

 

[Gokul43201]

After all that talk about Physics PhDs in the A&CG thread, I couldn't go and do an internship at WD, even if I wanted to. As for the Florida thing, we were just being charitable.

 

[ZapperZ]

Major changes are coming to Epcot's icon http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disney1207apr12,0,3948558.story" (it's that golf ball-looking thingy). This includes a new exit display area that has been empty and depressing for years since AT&T pulled out its sponsorship.

The only bad thing here is that the renovation closure of Spaceship Earth will go through Epcot's 25th Anniversary on Oct. 1st of this year. This will be sad.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Aww, they didn't show any pictures. When I was young (at that age when big, poofy wedding gowns are something that sounds appealing), I wanted a gown like Cinderella's.

A chipmunk gown...that would require a lot of chipmunks, don't you think?

Here's your opportunity to catch the Disney gowns, Moonbie. They're going to premier them during http://home.businesswire.com/portal...=news_view&newsId=20070415005036&newsLang=en"!

If they show a Mickey ears diamond tiara, I'm buying it!

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Here's your opportunity to catch the Disney gowns, Moonbie. They're going to premier them during http://home.businesswire.com/portal...=news_view&newsId=20070415005036&newsLang=en"!

Oh, I'm so disappointed. It just looks like any other poofy wedding gown. I guess it's nice enough if you're into poofy gowns.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean attraction is still going strong at the age of 40. Of course, with the movie franchise going wildly popular, the attraction is having a revival. The new upgrade incorporates elements of the movie that should ensure it will continue to be popular for a very long time.

This is quite a good news article, because it has some stuff that even I didn't know about. For example:

Francis X. Atencio remembers riding with Walt Disney through the dark swamp in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride before it opened — from haunted caverns to a pirate galleon to a ransacked Caribbean seaport.

He turned to Disney and apologized as they drifted past a bustling marketplace scene, where a pirate auctioned off a woman to a crowd of rowdy buccaneers.

“I’m sorry we can’t hear all of their lines,” Atencio said.

Disney responded: “This way, each time people go through it, they’ll hear something new.”

I love anecdotes about Walt like that, especially first-hand anecdotes.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Zagat Survey has polled Walt Disney World guests to find their favorites. This poll http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-zagat2507apr25,0,4973812.story?track=rss" in the first ever Zagat survey of the WDW resort.

Based on this news report, they really got quite a number of "hardcore" Disney fans (fanatics?) to give them what they really like. Of course, I participated in this survey, and am looking forward to getting a copy of it.



Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More on the newly-published Zagat Survey.

Laughing Place has http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10026360.asp" on it. One of the more fascinating fact that they have gathered is this:

Disney Lovers Love Disney: The facts and figures about the surveyors for the Walt Disney World Insider's Guide make one thing very clear - Disney World is widely loved and can be visited again and again and again. In a previously published Zagat Survey, Walt Disney World was ranked the Most Popular Attraction in all of the United States. While 48% of surveyors say the Magic Kingdom is their favorite park, Epcot runs a strong second with 36% of the vote. Lest one thinks Disney World is only for families or kids, 86% of surveyors say they've visited as an adult without children.

That should dispel all myths that WDW is meant only for kids.

A lot of my personal favorites made the list. My most favorite attractions (Soarin', Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, and Splash Mountain) all made the list of top favorites. Even Boma, my most favorite restaurant in ALL of WDW, made it in the top 5 of favorite restaurants. However, I am quite surprised to see Saratoga Springs (our "home") became the #1 most favorite resort to stay at. I would think Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, or even the Polynesian might be at the top. But no. It is a large, still-expanding Disney Vacation Club resort that made it to the top. That's certainly a big surprise.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

With all the talk about Disney wedding gowns, here's something that people might want to watch. On Monday, Apr. 30, the Food Network will air a special titled "Fantasy Weddings"

A look at three unique, over-the-top weddings. Included: a fairy-tale wedding at Disney World; a Texas wedding with seven cakes; a winter-wonderland wedding for two skiers.

It will air at Monday April 30, 2007 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern time.

The on May 4th, the Food Network will also air Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings.

You're invited to join host Sandra Pinckney for a special hour of Disney Fairytale Weddings. From choosing the reception menu to constructing the cake, tag along as a celebration filled with Disney delicacies comes together.

It will air on Friday May 4, 2007 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern. This special first aired on June 20, 2004.

I guess Spring is here with all these wedding shows.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Almost 9 minutes of clips from the upcoming Disney-Pixar movie Ratatouille is being made available today, May 1st, on http://home.disney.go.com/index". As expected, the movie looks amazing! However, the storyline so far looks rather compelling (a mouse with an ambition to be a chef in a French restaurant is compelling, no?) :)

The movie opens June 29.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Things You Must Do At Walt Disney World

I've updated this list to include some new stuff available since this year. This new list can be found http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5w5j9q_2ch3cbn" .

Obviously, this will be updated after my next visit, which will be in 27 days. There are several new attractions that are just waiting for me to "evaluate".

Zz.

 

[Astronuc]

I've updated this list to include some new stuff available since this year. This new list can be found http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5w5j9q_2ch3cbn" .

How much time to do everything on the list? It would seem to require several weeks, unless one is sprinting all day long.

 

[Moonbear]

I've updated this list to include some new stuff available since this year. This new list can be found http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5w5j9q_2ch3cbn" .

Obviously, this will be updated after my next visit, which will be in 27 days. There are several new attractions that are just waiting for me to "evaluate".

Zz.

Might be worth noting in the part on Wishes not to sit TOO close to Cinderella's Castle if you want to see all of the fireworks.

 

[ZapperZ]

How much time to do everything on the list? It would seem to require several weeks, unless one is sprinting all day long.

I always suggest a week. In fact, I've had a friend experimented with the list, and he said he and his family could do ALL of it leisurely in 5 days.

Might be worth noting in the part on Wishes not to sit TOO close to Cinderella's Castle if you want to see all of the fireworks.

Yowzah! How could I forget that part! Thanks for the reminder. I'll include that in the next update.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney has quietly pushed for the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End to be moved ahead a few hours. Instead of officially opening it on Friday May 25, it has convinced a few theater exhibitors to http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964457.html?categoryId=13&cs=1" to the evening Thursday May 24th.

I still won't be able to see it then. I would be trying very hard to fall asleep that Thursday evening before leaving on my vacation the next day.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I originally didn't care to publicize this, but it is just way too silly and ridiculous to not mention. That stupid TV program shown to Palestinian kids, now ridicule everywhere as "Martyr Mouse", http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/10/mideast.mouse/index.html" .

While The Walt Disney Company is understandably not amused by this, the strongest response came from the seldom-heard surviving daughter of Walt Disney.

Walt Disney's sole surviving daughter, Diane Disney Miller, on Tuesday told the New York Daily News the show "is just going against the grain of humanity."

"What we're dealing with here is pure evil and you can't ignore that," she was quoted as saying on the Daily News Web site.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The inaccuracy of Wikipedia is not only restricted to the science and politics. It has also hit Disney. With great fanfare, Disney recently announced a new movie, The Princess and the Frog, that will be significant in 2 aspects: it will be a return to hand-drawn 2D animation, and will feature the first Disney black princess.

However, a story line about this still-in-development movie has http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2007/05/frog_princess_d.html" and caused a controversy. Some has even called it "Song of the South II", referring to the movie that Disney has refused to re-release so far due to the nature of its racial references.

It is amazing that people put that much faith in what they read on Wikipedia so much so that they have no qualms in using it to make such definitive statement about something that hasn't even been completed! Disney has flat-out stated that the information is wrong. Now how many of these people will pay attention to THAT rather than some stupid entry on Wikipedia?

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Well, so much for planning on going to WDW just twice this year. After going there 4 times last year, we were planning on "cutting back" to just twice this year. Our upcoming trip late May/early June will be one, and the other will be lately Sept/early Oct will be the other. We are skipping the Labor Day week trip that we normally do each year just so that can do the Halloween party this year, and also be there when Epcot turns 25 on Oct. 1st.

Well, that has changed due to the persuasion of our pin buddies. We have added a Sept. 6-9 trip to our plan just so we can attend this years http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/event?id=20121" event (we are so weak!). After being persuaded by a lot of people, and seeing the pins that will be released at this event, we decided to fly in just to attend that. So essentially, we will be going to WDW twice in Sept. this year.

We have officially registered for the Pin event, but haven't made our pin selection yet - that usually requires careful coordination and planning to make sure we increase our chances of getting what we want. One good thing about this year's pin theme is that there's a lot of pins with Figment, a character that we do not collect. So at least, we're not being tempted by many pins that we want. But the few that we do want are amazing, especially the sets and the jumbo pins.

So now, there are 3 very different trips to look forward to.

Zz.