Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

Y'know, I've heard about those Mickey burgers, but I've never actually seen one yet. If that is what it really looks like, guess what we're having for our next cookout?

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Goodbye Disney-MGM Studios!

Today, Jan7 2008, marks the first official day of Disney's Hollywood Studios. The name "Disney-MGM Studios" is officially gone and no longer exists.

In a few years, all my Disney-MGM Studios logo pins should be worth something.

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, this is absolutely hysterical!

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/01/how-to-apply-fo.html" - Chief Magic Official. It is accepting applications online. It's a DREAM job, but I don't think I can't take a leave of absence just to do this (trust me, I've checked!) :)

Well, that is not the hysterical part. What's hysterical is that, if you look at the link above and scroll to the bottom of the page, you'd have serious competition for this position if you are thinking of applying - Donald Duck! He's going after that position, and if I were you, I'd mount a campaign as well as he is!

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disneyland Optimized

Just in case anyone thought I'm obsessive compulsive, I can never come even close to what this http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2008/01/disneyland-opti.html" on his family's recent trip to Disneyland.

Did I mention I hate to wait in line for anything and will usually ditch a line and do something else if I can? There was no way I would ever wait an hour for a 4-minute ride. I needed some way to minimize the wait for the Disney rides on a peak holiday visit. Googling around I came across this cool software program that does just that.

RideMax is a Windows only app written by an obsessive Disney fan who feeds into it the latest historical data on wait times for each ride on the precise day(s) you are going. The program uploads this info each time you open the program. You choose the rides you want, and break times, and then it will compute the optimal sequence of rides. For the minimum wait, you tell it you are willing to send a "runner" ahead to secure Fastpasses for your group (which we were) and then it takes into account the time it takes to walk to the next ride it designates. Your entire agenda is detailed down to the minute.

It's hilarious! The irony in all of this is that, after he went through all that trouble preparing for it, the day they got to Disneyland, it wasn't busy at all due to a storm the day before! :)

Still, I might see what that program is all about. :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney World isn’t just for little kids

No kidding!

:)

I know that, most people know that, but just in case you didn't know that, here's a news article from someone who is trying to convince you that http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=AE&volume=55&issue=21&artnum=01" .

She's highlighting all the "adult" stuff that adults might want to do. Still, I don't see anything "unadult" if someone, say, over the age of 40 wants to go on the Dumbo ride, or The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or even Peter Pan! I don't see anything strange with that at all! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney Magic Connection

Things are getting to be quite high-tech at Disney theme parks. Gadget freak would love something like this.

Disney is reported to http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2008/01/14/wdi-r-d-begins-field-tests-of-disney-magic-connection-wireless-units.aspx" that essentially will contain all the info one needs while visiting one of its theme parks. I can see how this can be quite useful for someone who isn't familiar with the theme parks, or wants to maximize a very short visit. However, I don't see regulars, or casual visitors getting such a device.

Still, I guess it is a lot more convenient carrying this small device around for all your park information, rather than carrying me around.

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!

Honest, I'm not making this up! Jan. 18 is really http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/January/winniepoohday.htm" !

And just in time for this wonderful occasion, someone brought up the fact that in the original Winnie the Pooh story, http://womensissues.about.com/b/2008/01/18/winnie-the-poohs-strong-single-mom.htm" , except for Kanga, which is Roo's mother. There's even a claim that this could be the first depiction in popular media of a single mother.

What's next? That Rabbit is a cross-dresser?

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, so we have Mickey Mouse, the symbol for The Walt Disney Company, that represents, among other things, American capitalism. Then you have Mao Zidong, that is the symbol for Communist China. So what did they give Mickey to wear to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year at Hong Kong Disneyland? http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-0yHqxm78hZnLMF3HLreH9GRgfwD8UA8RR80"

Precious!

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More Disney Dream Portrait Series

Annie Leibovitz has shot more pictures in the Disney Dream Portrait Series. This website has not only http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/photos/popupV2.asp?SubID=3450&page=1&GTitle=Annie%20Leibovitz%20shoots%20Disney%20Dream%20Portrait%20Series&pubdate=01/24/2008" , but also a few pictures from behind-the-scenes and the shooting session.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

MSN has a great slide show of all the http://travel.msn.com//Guides/MSNTravelSlideShow.aspx?cp-documentid=449541&imageindex=1".

I've been to two. Only three more to go! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Can you have too many Donald Duck pins? NEVER!

So we've been trying to catalog and record all of the pins that we collect. We're about 80% there. Luckily, all the Donald (and ducks) pins that we have are cataloged. And here they are!

At least now, we can print these out and bring along with us, so that we don't make the mistake of trading for another Donald pin that we already have. After a while, you can't keep track of what you have and what you don't have.

:)

Zz.

 

[GeorginaS]

I am absolutely stunned. Look at all of those Donald Duck pins. Wow!

 

[hypatia]

Puts on a whole new meaning to "keeping your ducks in a row".

 

[ZapperZ]

I am absolutely stunned. Look at all of those Donald Duck pins. Wow!

I'm guessing that we don't even have half of all the Donald/Ducks pins in existence, maybe not even a quarter. So there's a lot of duck pins out there that we still don't have!

That's scary! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This news article highlights http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/traveltips/02/06/four.days/index.html" in the US. The writer brought up an example of when not to go to the Walt Disney World.

For example, say you're planning a Disney World vacation, but you're not sure when to visit. If you're an annual pass holder (full disclosure: I am) you know that "blockout" dates are December 22 to January 4, March 15 to 28, and June 7 to August 14. (Those dates are off limits to some seasonal pass holders because the theme parks are so busy.)

So when's the best time to see Mickey? Well, that's a topic for another column, but I won't make you wait until then. "Value season" runs from early January to mid-February, from mid-August to the end of September and the first three weeks in December. That's when the crowds are thinner and the deals are more generous.

This is a good time to note that our next unofficial PF Gathering is being planned for the first week of December, 2008 at Walt Disney World, which is one of the "value season" for WDW. So if you can swing it, you have 3 very good reasons to join us: (i) you get to meet your PF friends, (ii) you get to go to WDW during their cheapest season and still get to see all the holiday festivities, and (iii) you get me as your personal "tour guide" to WDW! :) While I cost nothing, tips in Disney Pins are greatly appreciated. :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This story highlights the http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSSP16307520080212" for companies like Disney when they outsource the production of their merchandise to factories all over the world, especially in China. It certainly appears, after the recent issue with product safety, that monitoring where and how their products are made isn't as easy in practice as it is on paper.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

This is a good time to note that our next unofficial PF Gathering is being planned for the first week of December, 2008 at Walt Disney World, which is one of the "value season" for WDW. So if you can swing it, you have 3 very good reasons to join us: (i) you get to meet your PF friends, (ii) you get to go to WDW during their cheapest season and still get to see all the holiday festivities, and (iii) you get me as your personal "tour guide" to WDW! :) While I cost nothing, tips in Disney Pins are greatly appreciated. :)

Zz.

Just to clarify, it's the first FULL week in December, right? Something like the 7th through 14th?

 

[ZapperZ]

Just to clarify, it's the first FULL week in December, right? Something like the 7th through 14th?

Correct.

If we follow our normal pattern, we plan on flying in on Sat., Dec. 6th, and fly out on Sunday, Dec. 14th. So those are tentatively will be the dates we will be there.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party dates at the Magic Kingdom haven't been announced yet, but I'm guessing that there will be several dates during the week that we are there. I'm hoping that we can get either DVC or Passholder discounts to some of the selected dates. We can get discounted tickets for everyone in our party for that event, so you or anyone else joining us can get the discounted tickets as well.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The first phase of the Disney Vacation Club units at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodgehttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/02/first-phase-of.html" . So far, in the this phase of the project, the top floors of the existing main building was remodeled to include the amenities that are standard for DVC units, plus new upgrades such as flat-panel TV's. The second phase will involve construction of a whole new building adjacent to the main building, and it will be huge, at least from the plan that we have looked at.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is fast becoming my most favorite Disney resort. It is secluded, and it is exotic. It doesn't hurt that it has my most favorite restaurant in all of WDW - Boma. That is why I am so excited that I will get to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time a week from next Thursday! We will have a Savannah View room, which means that we will have a balcony overlooking the wild animals area (and no, I don't mean Disney guests rushing to a Disney attraction). Everyone in our party is looking forward to this very much. We will try to spend as much time at our rooms as we can stand while trying to do the parks as well. Since I'm a morning person, having coffee on the balcony at sun rise while the animals are being fed will be a treat!

Here are pictures of the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that I took from one of our trips last year.

All the view shown below are what you'll get with a Savannah View room.

The lobby of AKL is a jaw-dropper. And the carvings and woodwork are authentic and were commissioned by Disney from various African artisans.

Just 9 more days to go...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Disney Insider this month has a nice, short article on the http://disney.go.com/inside/mainattraction/080219/index.html" . It is difficult to realize that it has only been 8 years since Disney decided to produce Disney pins regularly and support the pin-collecting business.

If you are ever at either WDW or Disneyland, and they have an open pin trading night, I would suggest you go and take a look. Some will amuse and amaze you, while others will simply be frightening. :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Did http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/23/whitler123.xml"? I hate to say it, but they look rather good.

Oy vey!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Ratatouille wins the Best Animated Feature Oscar!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Greetings from the Most Magical Place On Earth!

We arrived yesterday, and are staying at the DVC villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Only one word to describe this resort and our room - SPECTACULAR!

Just to give you an idea, this is what we see from the balcony of our room.

If you have a chance at staying at this resort, grab it with both hands! You won't be sorry. Ask for the savanna view room. You pay a bit more, but it is well worth it.

The only drawback here is that we tend to stay too much in our room so far and not enough time at the theme parks! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This past March 1st, we attended the Pirate and Princess Party at The Magic Kingdom. It was a spectacular event, mainly because we could get on any attraction that evening with hardly any wait. We also had treasure hunts and characters meet-and-greet. But what made it even more spectacular was the fireworks show that evening titled Music, Magic and Mayhem. It was an awesome show.

We, of course, videotaped the complete fireworks. There are 2 versions of this video:

1. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-157754250747402040&hl=en" - the live sound has been replaced by the actual music that was used to accompany the fireworks.

2. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2383200191746349448&hl=en" - same as above, but with the actual live audio.

What can't be seen in the video is the "perimeter" fireworks. At various points during the show, there are fireworks along both sides of Main Street, so that one is almost surrounded by the fireworks.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Someone just sent me a picture that he took at Tokyo Disneyland (thanks, Kai!). It's hysterical. :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney welcomes the birth of a http://www.local6.com/news/15587362/detail.html" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The first Hartmann's Mountain zebra ever born at the Walt Disney World resort is named Kidani, according to Disney officials. Kidani currently weighs about 65 pounds and stands just over 3 feet tall. The zebra could reach 800 pounds when it becomes an adult.

Also, a female baby giraffe named Makena was born at Animal Kingdom. At birth, Makena, which means "Happy One," weighed 118 pounds and stood just under 6 feet tall. Makena is the first calf for her mother, who was also born at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

It seems that both of them will eventually be on display at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was where I stayed on this last trip, and which is where I will try to stay for the December trip. So I'm hoping the babies will be out and about in December. So, for anyone thinking of joining us for our unofficial PF Gathering at WDW, you might want to consider the AKL savanna view room! :)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Someone just sent me a picture that he took at Tokyo Disneyland (thanks, Kai!). It's hysterical. :)

Zz.

That's hilarious! Somehow I missed noticing there were recent updates in this thread.

 

[ZapperZ]

Since this is technically St. Patrick's Day, here's a Muppet's tribute by performing the good ole "O' Danny Boy". If you don't find this hilarious, check your pulse! :)



Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Seth Stevenson at Slate.com is in the middle of a series of "trip reports" to Walt Disney World. Unlike my trip reports (which typically gush over everything Disney), his reports have a certain "edge" to them, and I think he looks at the whole thing with a healthy dose of skepticism.

I'm guessing that for someone who either does not care for, or is ambivalent towards, Disney theme parks, these reports would be the ones to read.

http://www.slate.com/id/2187177/entry/2187178/"
http://www.slate.com/id/2187177/entry/2187179/"
http://www.slate.com/id/2187177/entry/2187180/"

Zz.

 

[GeorginaS]

Okay, The Swedish Chef, Animal, and Beaker singing Danny Boy was beyond funny. I'll give it that.