Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

  • Thread starter Thread starter ZapperZ
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AI Thread Summary
A gathering for Disney enthusiasts is planned at Disney World during Memorial Day week (May 28 to June 5), inviting others to join for fun activities like measuring the drop rate at the Tower of Terror and pin trading. For those unable to attend, a return trip is already scheduled for Labor Day week (Sept. 3 to Sept. 11), with tips to find deals on the Disney website. The discussion includes a promise to share a shortlist of must-do attractions at Walt Disney World, encouraging contributions from others. Key tips for visiting include utilizing Disney's transportation, making reservations for dining, and understanding ticket expiration policies. The thread fosters community among Disney fans while providing practical advice for an enjoyable visit.
  • #451
motai said:
It is impossible to live in Florida and not notice the huge, metallic ball that sits in the middle of the state :biggrin:. Then again, I've been to all the Disney parks several times in my years here, discounts for residents and so forth.

The best part, IMO, is the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom every night. It surpasses most New Years celebrations.

Are you talking about Wishes, or the old fireworks show? And have you ever seen Illuminations at Epcot? I think that is THE BEST show, even better than Wishes.

Zz.
 
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  • #452
ZapperZ said:
Are you talking about Wishes, or the old fireworks show? And have you ever seen Illuminations at Epcot? I think that is THE BEST show, even better than Wishes.

Zz.

I believe it was Wishes... the most recent one. I don't remember the old one. I haven't seen Illuminations at Epcot, mostly because it is a several hours drive back to our house, and the last time we saw a night show we didn't get home until at least 12:30 AM. Hence we usually leave before most of the night shows come on.
 
  • #453
motai said:
I believe it was Wishes... the most recent one. I don't remember the old one. I haven't seen Illuminations at Epcot, mostly because it is a several hours drive back to our house, and the last time we saw a night show we didn't get home until at least 12:30 AM. Hence we usually leave before most of the night shows come on.

Oh, then you MUST try to see it some time. Illuminations has the fireworks AND the music. The music isn't just an after thought. Someone I think actually listened to the music first, and then design a fireworks and light show based on that. The best place to view it is at the lagoon entrance right at the top of the sloping pavillion just beyond the roped area. Stake out a place an hour before the show (show starts at 9:00 pm). Bring beach towels and stake your space.

You just HAVE to see Illuminations. Trust me on this! <jumps up and down>

Zz.
 
  • #454
Lanyard

Lanyards are things you stick your pins to and wear around your neck. It indicates that you are willing to trade pins that you have on display. It doesn't mean that you HAVE to trade, especially if you have "valuable" pins and someone wants that in return for something you don't want, but it does imply that the pins you have on display are those you are willing to trade.

It's a fun activity, especially for kids. Of course, there are a few "rules" that one has to abide when doing this on Disney property. One of them is that there cannot be any exchange of money when doing pin "trading". So you cannot offer to sell a pin to someone, or buy a pin from someone. Off Disney properties, anything goes (as can be seen on ebay).

To commemorate the Disneyland Golden Anniversary (yes, that is still going on and will be for the next year or so), a special "golden" lanyard is being released. I think this is already available at Disneyland, but it is going to be released at Disney World tomorrow.

Zz.
 
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  • #456
The Time 100 list of the 100 most influential people has included Walt Disney (of course!).

http://www.time.com/time/time100/builder/profile/disney.html

Zz.
 
  • #457
More Disney trivia...

When did Minnie first appear? Does she have a "birthday," like Mickey?

Zz.
 
  • #458
Evo said:
Ooooh, January might work! That would be a good time to get out of Kansas, the ice storms stink. Zz's birthday at Disney World! That would be very special! :approve:
I'm still hoping that will work for me too. I just need to settle into the new job before I can be certain.
 
  • #459
I am thinking of going to Disney with my ... the other day but...:wink:
 
  • #460
But wait!, i am thinking of doing that with my...:wink:
 
  • #461
Better hose it down first with disinfectant. We don't know where that old dead thing's been? :-p :biggrin:
 
  • #462
Tokyo Disneyland is commemorating Disneyland's Golden Anniversary by presenting a new show called Rock Around the Mouse. It's a musical tribute to the 1950 era when Disneyland made its opening.

You can see plenty of pictures of that show here...

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-108.asp

Zz.
 
  • #463
Oh, this hoitz!

To be released ONLY at Disneyland on the 31st is a jumbo pin that depicts the First Day Ticket to the opening of Disneyland in 1955. The box that holds the pin also has the answer to the trivia "Who bought the first general admission ticket for its public opening on July 18, 1955?"

This is just the kind of pins (jumbo as it may be) that I love to collect. It has some historical significance and it evokes either memories or stories along with it. It isn't just an "object" sitting there doing nothing. I think that's what I like the most about this pin-collecting thing. Going through my pin album is almost like going through a photo album. Most of the pins that I own tend to have a story that goes with it.

...And all of them are happy stories and memories.

Zz.
 
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  • #464
Ooops! Looks like Hong Kong Disneyland is having problems with the environmental issues of their planned fireworks for that theme park.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GG28Ak06.html

Zz.
 
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  • #465
ZapperZ said:
Oh, this hoitz!

To be released ONLY at Disneyland on the 31st is a jumbo pin that depicts the First Day Ticket to the opening of Disneyland in 1955. The box that holds the pin also has the answer to the trivia "Who bought the first general admission ticket for its public opening on July 18, 1955?"

This is just the kind of pins (jumbo as it may be) that I love to collect. It has some historical significance and it evokes either memories or stories along with it. It isn't just an "object" sitting there doing nothing. I think that's what I like the most about this pin-collecting thing. Going through my pin album is almost like going through a photo album. Most of the pins that I own tend to have a story that goes with it.

...And all of them are happy stories and memories.

Zz.

Take note any PFers who live near Disneyland...you can make Zz pay for the pin, your admission ticket and parking, and still make a tidy profit if you go buy this pin and sell it to him. :biggrin:
 
  • #466
Moonbear said:
Take note any PFers who live near Disneyland...you can make Zz pay for the pin, your admission ticket and parking, and still make a tidy profit if you go buy this pin and sell it to him. :biggrin:

Hey, I've paid more for less before. I'm a sucker for these things!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #467
ZapperZ said:
Oh, this hoitz!

To be released ONLY at Disneyland on the 31st is a jumbo pin that depicts the First Day Ticket to the opening of Disneyland in 1955. The box that holds the pin also has the answer to the trivia "Who bought the first general admission ticket for its public opening on July 18, 1955?"

This is just the kind of pins (jumbo as it may be) that I love to collect. It has some historical significance and it evokes either memories or stories along with it. It isn't just an "object" sitting there doing nothing. I think that's what I like the most about this pin-collecting thing. Going through my pin album is almost like going through a photo album. Most of the pins that I own tend to have a story that goes with it.

...And all of them are happy stories and memories.

Zz.
And I thought I was hard core with my collection of brass locomotives. :smile:
 
  • #468
Astronuc said:
And I thought I was hard core with my collection of brass locomotives. :smile:

Brass locomotives? Do they make lanyards for those?

:)

But then again, put a pair of Mickey ears on one of those, and I'd probably collect them too!

Zz.
 
  • #469
ZapperZ said:
Brass locomotives? Do they make lanyards for those?

:)

But then again, put a pair of Mickey ears on one of those, and I'd probably collect them too!

Zz.
:smile: There are just some things that I would never do. :biggrin:

There might be a Disney circus train set! :rolleyes:
 
  • #470
OK, this pin reinforces what Moonbie and I said earlier that Disney has learned from Hallmark to make up "holidays" that don't exist.

Quoting this off Disney's Pin website:

Cinderella is pictured with her two favorite step-sisters Anastasia and Drizella on this pin celebrating Sister's Day 2005. This pin features a dangle in the shape of a crown. Sister's Day 2005 will be celebrated on August 5. This pin makes a wonderful gift for that special sister in your life.

So they're telling you to buy a pin that contains 2 nasty stepsisters and to give this to your special sister? And they say this with a straight face?

Honest! You can't make up these things! :)

Zz.
 
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  • #471
Astronuc said:
There might be a Disney circus train set! :rolleyes:
There is a Disney train set from Lionel, and I own it! :biggrin: I set it up under my Christmas tree every year. It has a boxcar with Goofy sticking out the top, and he ducks every time he passes under the bridge with the thingamabob that triggers the spring doohicky that he's attached to. :biggrin: :-p
 
  • #472
ZapperZ said:
So they're telling you to buy a pin that contains 2 nasty stepsisters and to give this to your special sister? And they say this with a straight face?
:smile: If you knew how sisters think, it would be perfect! It's just the sort of thing I'd send to my sister to tease her. :devil: I also send her birthday cards that compliment myself for her turning out okay, and stuff like that.
 
  • #473
Here you go ZZ...drool over my train set. :biggrin:
 
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  • #474
ZapperZ said:
So they're telling you to buy a pin that contains 2 nasty stepsisters and to give this to your special sister? And they say this with a straight face?
Straight and flat are somewhat unrelated.
 
  • #475
ZapperZ said:
How could one say "no" to something like in this picture? You need to have your head examined if you don't think this is just plain adorable!
I think I'll save up the examination for when I do get whiplash. :rolleyes:
 
  • #476
Moonbear said:
Here you go ZZ...drool over my train set. :biggrin:

Oh Moonbie darrrrrling... I just KNEW that you were a closeted Disney freak!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #477
Moonbear said:
Here you go ZZ...drool over my train set. :biggrin:
:smile: I am one of those who sticks to prototype fidelity. But that is cute. :biggrin:

I take pictures of and model tank cars.
 
  • #478
Astronuc said:
:smile: I am one of those who sticks to prototype fidelity. But that is cute. :biggrin:

I take pictures of and model tank cars.

I didn't actually choose the set. I had just asked many many many many times for a train set for Christmas, and finally, my stepfather bought me a set, and that's what he chose. For running around a Christmas tree, it's cute and fun. I love model trains, but 1) couldn't afford them for a very long time and 2) never had a good place to set them up. I don't want them to just sit in a display case, I want to have them running.

For now, I satisfy my fascination with model trains by going to the museum center here. They have an entire room full of model trains running through models of the city during different years (the museum center is built in the old Union Terminal, which used to be the train station for Cincinnati, so there's a reason they've included model train sets in the section on Cincinnati history).

So, Zz, I'm not a closeted Disney freak, more of a connoiseur! :biggrin:
 
  • #479
Moonbear said:
So, Zz, I'm not a closeted Disney freak, more of a connoiseur! :biggrin:

DRAT!

Not to worry. I will have a lot of fun working on you!

<evil laughter>

Zz.
 
  • #480
Oh what the hell?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=7&u=/ap/20050730/ap_on_re_us/disney_accident

The only consolation is no one got seriously injured, and this for a change didn't happen at Disney World.

Zz.
 
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  • #481
ZapperZ said:
More Disney trivia...

When did Minnie first appear? Does she have a "birthday," like Mickey?

From Dave Smith, the Disney archivist:

Minnie first appeared with Mickey Mouse in "Steamboat Willie," so they share the same "birthday"-November 18, 1928.

Zz.
 
  • #482
More Disney trivia...

In "Beauty and the Beast," according to the song "Be Our Guest," how long has it been since the Beast's castle has had a visitor?

Zz.
 
  • #483
ZapperZ said:
More Disney trivia...

In "Beauty and the Beast," according to the song "Be Our Guest," how long has it been since the Beast's castle has had a visitor?

Zz.

Are you going to make me pop in the video tape to listen to the song again? :biggrin:

Edit: The soundtrack on CD was faster to cue up. 10 years.

(I never said I wasn't a Disney fan. You're just not going to sucker me into that pin addiction of yours - the best way to avoid an addiction is to avoid the addictive substance right from the start. :-p)
 
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  • #484
Moonbear said:
Are you going to make me pop in the video tape to listen to the song again? :biggrin:

Edit: The soundtrack on CD was faster to cue up. 10 years.

(I never said I wasn't a Disney fan. You're just not going to sucker me into that pin addiction of yours - the best way to avoid an addiction is to avoid the addictive substance right from the start. :-p)

Moonbie wins a virtual disney pin!

Humm... you are going to avoid the addictive substance? But Moonbie dear, *I* have been classified as an "addictive substance"! :)

Zz.
 
  • #485
ZapperZ said:
Moonbie wins a virtual disney pin!

Humm... you are going to avoid the addictive substance? But Moonbie dear, *I* have been classified as an "addictive substance"! :)

Zz.

:smile: Maybe I just need to choose my addictions carefully. :biggrin:
 
  • #486
Here are more pins to tempt Moonbie...

On Aug. 2nd, two open edition pins will be released at Walt Disney World. Again, with the big "50" on display, these pins are part of the Golden Anniversary celebration. Hopefully, these pins will still be around by the time I get there in a month. They are part of a larger, open-edition set. However, I fully expect not being able to obtain all the pins in this set.

Zz.
 
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  • #487
ZapperZ said:
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:



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? :)

It's Aug. 1st! The first official Disney Pin Pursuit at World of Disney in NYC is underway! By tonight, I'm expecting the first complete set of pins from this event to be available on ebay!

:)

Zz.
 
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  • #488
ZapperZ said:
It's Aug. 1st! The first official Disney Pin Pursuit at World of Disney in NYC is underway! By tonight, I'm expecting the first complete set of pins from this event to be available on ebay!

:)

Zz.

Have you been in the Disney store in NYC? That's where I first saw all the dishes and other housewares with mouse ears on them that made me want to register there if I ever got married. (How often do people really use formal china? But dishes with mouse ears, you could bring those out for lots of fun ocassions!) See, I have very refined tastes when it comes to Disney. :biggrin: :smile:
 
  • #489
Moonbear said:
Have you been in the Disney store in NYC? That's where I first saw all the dishes and other housewares with mouse ears on them that made me want to register there if I ever got married. (How often do people really use formal china? But dishes with mouse ears, you could bring those out for lots of fun ocassions!) See, I have very refined tastes when it comes to Disney. :biggrin: :smile:

I haven't been to that store. The only World of Disney store that I've been to is the one in Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World. Presuming they have roughly the same type of merchandize at all the World of Disney stores, I'd say yes, I've seen those dishes, etc.

And let me tell you this, if you like those, wait till you get to downtown disney and look at the other Disney stores around that area, especially their home furnishing stores!

BTW, in one of my earlier picture of my front entrance shelf, did you not notice that I have a set of Disney dishes/mugs, cream&sugar set? :)

Zz.
 
  • #490
ZapperZ said:
I haven't been to that store. The only World of Disney store that I've been to is the one in Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World. Presuming they have roughly the same type of merchandize at all the World of Disney stores, I'd say yes, I've seen those dishes, etc.

And let me tell you this, if you like those, wait till you get to downtown disney and look at the other Disney stores around that area, especially their home furnishing stores!

BTW, in one of my earlier picture of my front entrance shelf, did you not notice that I have a set of Disney dishes/mugs, cream&sugar set? :)

Zz.

I've been to Downtown Disney too. I think they have a lot of merchandise in common, though when I'm at Disney World, I'm really not there to shop like I am when I'm in NYC. I didn't notice a home furnishings store though. :bugeye: I better stay away from that. I still don't own a proper dining room set, and I'd never live it down if I wound up with mouse ears on the backs of all my chairs or something like that.
 
  • #491
Moonbear said:
I've been to Downtown Disney too. I think they have a lot of merchandise in common, though when I'm at Disney World, I'm really not there to shop like I am when I'm in NYC.

As a passholder, I get 10% discount when shopping at the WDW World of Disney Store. So I tend to do almost all of my shopping there AND have the stuff shipped directly home to Chicago (saves the trouble of worrying if they will all fit in my luggage). So I tend to scout things that they have there first, so that I'll know if I find something else that they don't have elsewere in WDW.

...and I'd never live it down if I wound up with mouse ears on the backs of all my chairs or something like that.

Oh, is that a bad thing? <looks at the mouse ears on top of his computer monitor>

Zz.
 
  • #492
BTW, I've been baiting Doc Al to go to the NYC World of Disney store to do the pin pursuit. So far, he's not biting.

:)

Zz.
 
  • #493
ZapperZ said:
BTW, I've been baiting Doc Al to go to the NYC World of Disney store to do the pin pursuit. So far, he's not biting.

:)

Zz.

Too bad. If I wasn't in the middle of moving, I had tentative plans to visit a friend in NYC later this month (he's disappointed too because it was the only excuse he had to get out of a family vacation with his in-laws if he had someone else visiting from out of town, so now they're stuck having to put up with his in-laws...her parents, but I think she gets along with them better than he does...at a beach house for a week). Anyway, if I was going, I'd have at least made some of an effort to find you a pin if I had time while wandering between stores.

I'll be in NJ for Christmas, and can probably hop a train to NYC for a day if there's anything going on then (it'll be a short visit there though if I'm planning on meeting up with you in FL in January). I got a very early invitation from a friend of mine, which I jumped on since it means I won't have to stay in my sister's filthy house for Christmas and listen to my brother-in-law whining about whatever he's whining about this time. :rolleyes:
 
  • #494
Moonbear said:
Too bad. If I wasn't in the middle of moving, I had tentative plans to visit a friend in NYC later this month (he's disappointed too because it was the only excuse he had to get out of a family vacation with his in-laws if he had someone else visiting from out of town, so now they're stuck having to put up with his in-laws...her parents, but I think she gets along with them better than he does...at a beach house for a week). Anyway, if I was going, I'd have at least made some of an effort to find you a pin if I had time while wandering between stores.

Awww... you are so sweet! And yes, I would like to have some of the pins exclusive to the store. I'm hoping that I get to visit Brookhaven Lab for a few days in Nov. on work-related stuff, and take the LIRR into Manhattan. But I think I have to change that (not sure yet) for a symposium in... ahem... Maui. [It's a tough job, but somebody got to do it]

I'll be in NJ for Christmas, and can probably hop a train to NYC for a day if there's anything going on then (it'll be a short visit there though if I'm planning on meeting up with you in FL in January).

Phew! I was just about to ask you that.

I think I will know more about the Jan Disney trip by early Nov. Unless something goes wrong, I don't see it being a problem. The only problem being that if we plan on flying in Jan 1st, that's still the tail end of a very busy time of the year, and it is usually advisable that hotel/plan reservations are made early for that period.

But you'll be staying with your parents, no? If Evo and I can't find a place to stay, can we crash at your parents' place? :)

Zz.
 
  • #495
Whoa! Are we ready for ANOTHER Disney theme park in China this soon? The one in Hong Kong isn't even open yet!

http://au.biz.yahoo.com/050731/18/6ddy.html

Zz.
 
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  • #496
I don't appreciate my posts being deleted :wink:
 
  • #497
ZapperZ said:
But you'll be staying with your parents, no? If Evo and I can't find a place to stay, can we crash at your parents' place? :)

Zz.
:bugeye: I thought the idea of this was to stop into see my parents while having a fully viable to excuse to avoid actually staying with them...at least not for any longer than it takes to drag them to the AAA office to get the resident discount on Disney passes. :biggrin: But, yeah, I'd probably stay with them a day or two, but they aren't that close to the Magic Kingdom. I think it was an hour or so drive, so I'd spend my Disney time at a Disney hotel. I learned last time that driving back to their house after a long day at Disney is not much fun.
 
  • #498
Moonbear said:
:bugeye: I thought the idea of this was to stop into see my parents while having a fully viable to excuse to avoid actually staying with them...at least not for any longer than it takes to drag them to the AAA office to get the resident discount on Disney passes. :biggrin: But, yeah, I'd probably stay with them a day or two, but they aren't that close to the Magic Kingdom. I think it was an hour or so drive, so I'd spend my Disney time at a Disney hotel. I learned last time that driving back to their house after a long day at Disney is not much fun.

Oooh... yes. That certainly is the better plan. We will have to coordinate where we will stay. I vote somewhere close to Downtown Disney. That way, we just have to drag ourselves only a few feet to get back to the hotel after a night out at Pleasure Island.

Of course, if Evo brings Evo Child, this plan may change. :)

Zz.
 
  • #499
More Disney trivia...

In the Tower of Terror attraction, how many passengers were on the elevator that was truck by lightning on its way up?

Zz.
 
  • #500
ZapperZ said:
BTW, I've been baiting Doc Al to go to the NYC World of Disney store to do the pin pursuit. So far, he's not biting.
Bah!

So... just where is this den of iniquity? And what is it that you want exactly? (Can't you just order it online?)

Perhaps if I'm home one weekend (I spend more time in NJ than in NYC ) I can put on the dark glasses and hike uptown.
 

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