Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

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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.
  • #541
Hey Zapper, did you know that Disney once sponsored an internet site that claimed that ET has landed? They were in fact teaching kids that ET is here! I kept looking and thinking this must be some kind of joke or mistake, but it seemed to be on the level. It was a site for kids, I think called Disney for Kids, or something like that. I sent a link to a business associate who at the time ran the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and suggested that they need to follow Disney's lead if they want to keep up. :biggrin:
 
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  • #542
Ivan Seeking said:
Hey Zapper, did you know that Disney once sponsored an internet site that claimed that ET has landed? They were in fact teaching kids that ET is here! I kept looking and thinking this must be some kind of joke or mistake, but it seemed to be on the level. It was a site for kids, I think called Disney for Kids, or something like that. I sent a link to a business associate who at the time ran the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and suggested that they need to follow Disney's lead if they want to keep up. :biggrin:

Humm... that must be during the period of BZ... Before ZapperZ. :)

I must admit that I didn't hear of such thing. Of course, now, we all know that Stitch is an alien, but I didn't know there was already one before. :)

Zz.
 
  • #543
ZapperZ said:
Humm... that must be during the period of BZ... Before ZapperZ. :)

I must admit that I didn't hear of such thing. Of course, now, we all know that Stitch is an alien, but I didn't know there was already one before. :)

Zz.

This was about ten [edit: make that five] years ago now. It seemed to be a legitimate Disney site, but I suspect that they had a renegade webmaster on the loose and/or cooperate had failed to monitor the site properly. After about six months the link went dead. The site was still there but that page was gone.
 
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  • #544
Ivan Seeking said:
This was about ten [edit: make that five] years ago now.

That would be about right. I was fully indoctrinated into the Disney Collective in 2001. I went down the slippery slope of getting addicted to Disney Pins in 2003. So if it is anything 4 years or older, I would have missed it.

If I had seen that site in my current state, I'm sure I would have let the Disney people know about it. :)

Zz.
 
  • #546
how often do you go there?
 
  • #547
Opening in 2006, Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

It promises to be a thrilling ride. The synopsis of the attraction so far involves a roller coaster, a Yeti, going forward and backwards inside the mountain, etc.

I can't wait!

Zz.
 
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  • #548
A rosey outlook for the Disney Company after a rocky few years? Just ahead of the release of the financial report for the 3rd quarter from the company comes this outlook:

http://yahoo.smartmoney.com/stockwatch/index.cfm?story=20050808&afl=yahoo

I laughed when I read

Noto adds that theme parks, both on increased revenue and improved margins, make Disney a stronger performer than its rivals. An improving travel market has helped to attract more visitors to California's Disneyland and Florida's Walt Disney World.

At the rate that I've been spending my money there, they'd BETTER be having an "increased revenue"! :)

Zz.
 
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  • #549
Hey Zapper, did you ever go into Innoventions at Disneyland in CA during the years 2001-2002? If so, you may have seen me. I was a performer there. I worked the Disneyanna convention both years, too, as a talker (the person that talks to you while you wait for the goods you put a successful bid on). I don't know if you're enough of a fanatic to have been to one of those.
 
  • #550
loseyourname said:
Hey Zapper, did you ever go into Innoventions at Disneyland in CA during the years 2001-2002? If so, you may have seen me. I was a performer there. I worked the Disneyanna convention both years, too, as a talker (the person that talks to you while you wait for the goods you put a successful bid on). I don't know if you're enough of a fanatic to have been to one of those.

Does that mean you got paid to make idle chit-chat with people standing around waiting for stuff? That sounds like it would be fun...for about a day!
 
  • #551
loseyourname said:
Hey Zapper, did you ever go into Innoventions at Disneyland in CA during the years 2001-2002? If so, you may have seen me. I was a performer there. I worked the Disneyanna convention both years, too, as a talker (the person that talks to you while you wait for the goods you put a successful bid on). I don't know if you're enough of a fanatic to have been to one of those.

Whoa! A real-life Disney Cast Member!

<bows> I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

:)

No. This may be surprising to everyone, but I've never been to the one in California at all. But I certainly intend to some time this next couple of years.

I've read and seen pictures of the Disneyana convention (I think one was just held right before the 50th Disneyland Birthday). I'm just a stinky amateur compare to those freaks... er... collectors. :) I don't think there's one being held at Disney World, at least I've never heard of one being held there regularly.

Do you still work there? I'm guessing not. How much of your experience working for Disney can you talk about? I have 2 friends who are still Disney cast members at Disney World (one working at the Animal Kingdom Lodge handling customer reservations, the other is suffering through the heat at the Disney Pin Central at Epcot). So I have a bit of an idea of the behind-the-scene training and Traditions classes one has to go through. And since you have a speaking part, does that mean you are also part of an actors equity?

So many questions, so little time... :)

Zz.
 
  • #552
ZapperZ said:
I've read and seen pictures of the Disneyana convention (I think one was just held right before the 50th Disneyland Birthday). I'm just a stinky amateur compare to those freaks... er... collectors. :) I don't think there's one being held at Disney World, at least I've never heard of one being held there regularly.

They hold a convention every year at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. I remember one year I worked it a couple bid $10,000 for the doors to Fantasy Land. They said they were going to use them to enter their Disney paraphernelia room.

You wouldn't believe the freaks there.

Do you still work there? I'm guessing not.

It's been a couple years.

How much of your experience working for Disney can you talk about? I have 2 friends who are still Disney cast members at Disney World (one working at the Animal Kingdom Lodge handling customer reservations, the other is suffering through the heat at the Disney Pin Central at Epcot). So I have a bit of an idea of the behind-the-scene training and Traditions classes one has to go through. And since you have a speaking part, does that mean you are also part of an actors equity?

Oh, I can talk about any of it. I'm not in possession of any company secrets. I can tell you that the cast at Innoventions goes through a good deal more of that training than most cast members, though. In addition to Disney University and the whole history training, we also have to undergo an additional week of early-morning training on Innoventions standards, which are even higher than the rest of the park's, due to our being partially financed by outside companies (jeez, I still say "our").

I don't know what you mean by an actor's equity, but I was part of the entertainers section of the Teamsters Local that represents all of the cast, and we did make significantly more than costumed characters and non-entertainment cast.
 
  • #553
loseyourname said:
I don't know what you mean by an actor's equity, but I was part of the entertainers section of the Teamsters Local that represents all of the cast, and we did make significantly more than costumed characters and non-entertainment cast.

I took the "Keys to the Magic Kingdom" tour last time I was at the Magic Kingdom. It was sort of a backstage tour and we get to ask all kinds of questions to our tour guide. She indicated that if one has a speaking part in any of the shows, one can actually become part of an actors equity since one is doing a live "stage" show. If that's the case, then one is actually on a contractual basis with Disney, even though one is earning a bit more than regular cast members.

So, got any pictures? :)

Zz.
 
  • #554
ZapperZ said:
I took the "Keys to the Magic Kingdom" tour last time I was at the Magic Kingdom. It was sort of a backstage tour and we get to ask all kinds of questions to our tour guide. She indicated that if one has a speaking part in any of the shows, one can actually become part of an actors equity since one is doing a live "stage" show. If that's the case, then one is actually on a contractual basis with Disney, even though one is earning a bit more than regular cast members.

What kind of a contractual basis did she mean? All of the cast have contracts. They don't specify length of employment, if that's what you mean. If we could have gotten that, that's news to me.

So, got any pictures? :)

Nothing from backstage, sorry. I'm not much of a picture taker at my workplaces. I've got plenty of my vacations, but none of those were at a Disney theme park.
 
  • #555
loseyourname said:
What kind of a contractual basis did she mean? All of the cast have contracts. They don't specify length of employment, if that's what you mean. If we could have gotten that, that's news to me.

I think her contract when she was a performer was renewed each year, and from what I understand, that is different than other cast members.

Nothing from backstage, sorry. I'm not much of a picture taker at my workplaces. I've got plenty of my vacations, but none of those were at a Disney theme park.

Oh, I can understand the no backstage picture part. When I went on the Keys... tour, we had to leave our cameras behind in a locker.

Zz.
 
  • #556
ZapperZ said:
I think her contract when she was a performer was renewed each year, and from what I understand, that is different than other cast members.

Well, we were evaluated and re-auditioned every year. Really, I'm not sure what she's talking about, though.

Oh, I can understand the no backstage picture part. When I went on the Keys... tour, we had to leave our cameras behind in a locker.

Zz.

Well, it never even occurred to me to bring a camera to work in the first place. Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to play down Disneyland. I still love the place even though I know it inside and out. But we worked in a building and almost never even got to go outside (although it was quite fun the times I was outside and the Fab Four were playing at Club Buzz - those were the days). Plus, the backstage area near us was mostly custodial supply sheds, nothing all that exciting.
 
  • #557
It appears that one of the ugliest episodes in the Disney corporate history is over.

http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2005/08/09/disney-eisner-ovitz-cx_pk_0809autofacescan13.html

Zz.
 
  • #559
A large collection of initial pictures from the about-to-open Hong Kong Disneyland.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-112.asp

The South China Morning Post have reported that the new MTR Disneyland Resort Line is taking over 10,000 people per day to the main gates at Hong Kong Disneyland to experience the new Mickey-themed trains, the new Disneyland station and to visit the esplanade in front of the park. This peaked at 22,000 on Sunday alone

Zz.
 
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  • #560
Pal Mickey

OK, so picture this one. A cuddly looking Mickey about... oh, 10 inches tall. It has a belt clip on its back, so you can clip him either to your belt, belt loop, or even on a lanyard that hangs around your neck. He doesn't weigh that much. Sounds fun, no?

But wait, there's more!

He actually has a switch on his back! You turn him on before you walk through the turnstile in a Disney World theme park. And then, watch out! It turns out that his NOSE is an IR receptor! As you walk around the park he will vibrate when he wants to say something. That's right, he talks! To hear what he wants to say, you either press his hand, or his tummy. But what does he say? He says a number of things:

(i) if you are passing by an attraction, he will tell you what that attraction is. For example, if you're in line to get onto the Tower of Terror, he will tell you to put him securely in a bag because he's afraid of heights and the dark.

(ii) he will tell you if there's a parade coming up soon. For example, half an hour before the start of Illuminations at Epcot, he will remind you that it is a good time to start looking for a place to view it. He even will recommend a good spot if you happen to be walking past certain areas.

(iii) he will tell you if there's a special even that either is about to go on, or if it is going on, such as character greetings. He'll say something like "I hear my sweetheart Minnie likes to hang around here".

(iv) he will, at random, tell you silly jokes. (How do you stop a rhino from charging? Why, take away his credit card!)

Disney world theme parks have many IR transmitters that triggers Pal Mickey to convey a huge number of info. It downloads new instructions (supposedly) when it passes through the turnstile at each park - that's why you have to have it on. Or you just bring it to the store where it is sold and they'll download it to your Pal Mickey.

Of course, away from the theme park (like when you go back to the mundane reality of life), he's not going to vibrate and tells you what is the best seat in the house to view your 56" plasma screen HDTV. However, you can still turn him on and press his hand. He will continue telling you the silly jokes - and he has a huge collection of them too so it will be a while till you hear the same one again (he randomizes them).

Do I have a Pal Mickey? You bet your Mickey Ears hat I do! It started almost 2 years ago, and it has become quite a hit, especially with kids (and we all know, what's a hit with the kids, would be a hit with ZapperZ). I bring my Pal Mickey back to Disney World each time I go back so that it can call into the Mother Ship and download all the latest stuff.

Now if only he can tell me where I put my car keys...

Zz.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/specialindex?id=PalMickeyPage
 
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  • #561
More news on Expedition Everest. WDWMagic.com is reporting that testing has even begun on this highly anticipated attraction. The latest pictures snapped by people visiting the Animal Kingdom shows a rollercoaster car being pulled through for clearence tests.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/beastly.htm

I wish they would announce when this will open for preview by cast members and passholders (like they did for Mission Space), so that I can plan my vacation next year already!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #562
Ooooh.. this is a good one.

Take an interactive tour of Walt Disney's apartment at Disneyland! [Requires Flash6 player]

http://www.ocregister.com/multimedia/disneyapartment/

Zz.
 
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  • #563
A good issue of Disney Insider this week contains Walt Disney's take on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

http://disney.go.com/inside/issues/stories/v050809.html

Zz [23 more days and counting]
 
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  • #564
Disney PhotoPass

Like the FastPass system, this is another one of Disney's invention.

When you walk around the Disney theme parks, especially when you just entered the park, there are many Disney photographers eager to take your pictures at the most spectacular sights and locations. This is usually a good idea to get everyone in the group in the picture, rather than have one person always missing who has to take the picture.

Now having a picture taken by a Disney photographer does not obligate one to purchase it. After your picture is taken, what used to happen is that the photograher will hand you a receipt or number. You can then go to the photo center after an hour or so to look at the picture and, if you wish, purchase it. What is special about these pictures is that they can sometime add stuff to it, such as having the theme park's logo on it, have a character such as Tinkerbell spreading sparkling stuff as the border of your picture, etc.

Now, this whole process is made even simpler and a lot of fun. When you take your first picture with a Disney photographer, he or she will give you a PhotoPass card, very much like a credit card. The info of your picture is recorded on that card. If you decide to take more pictures with other Disney photographers, either at that same theme park or at other Disney theme parks, you only need to give the photographer that one PhotPass card. All of your picture info are recorded on that picture card.

What this means is that if you wish to either view or purchase all or any of the pictures that have been taken, all you need to do is visit one of their photography places anywhere within the Walt Disney World resort complex. They can display all of the pictures that have been taken, discuss with you any special enhancement that you want, etc. This is very convenient. You can take as many pictures with the Disney photographers as you want, and then maybe at the end of your trip, decide which ones you want to keep as momento.

But it gets even better!

The pictures you took are available, ON LINE, for 30 days from the date the pictures were taken. So even after you leave the park, you can go online and view the pictures as part of your picture album. You can even delete, add the enhancement available to that picture, and even order the pictures. You can even send e-mail invitations to other people to view your album (while the pictures are still available). So if you are still there and still taking more pictures, people can go online and see the latest addition to your Disney PhotoPass album. Even they can order the pictures they like, so family members, grandparents, etc. can have copies of the kids having way too much fun at Disney World.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/specialindex?id=DisneyPhotoPassPage

Zz.
 
  • #565
Ivan Seeking said:
Hey Zapper, did you know that Disney once sponsored an internet site that claimed that ET has landed? They were in fact teaching kids that ET is here! I kept looking and thinking this must be some kind of joke or mistake, but it seemed to be on the level. It was a site for kids, I think called Disney for Kids, or something like that. I sent a link to a business associate who at the time ran the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and suggested that they need to follow Disney's lead if they want to keep up. :biggrin:

Oh no... I just read something that may resurrect this UFO thingy!

Laughing Place is reporting a rumor that an interactive play area being built at Hong Kong Disneyland will be tentatively called UFO Zone! It will feature crash-landing shuttles, water sprouts, etc. It is scheduled for opening some time in 2006.

And I thought Stitch was bad enough!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #566
While we are all caught up with Disneyland's 50'th Anniversary (we? What do you mean by we?), it turns out someone else is going to celebrate a 75th Anniversary soon!

Pluto, the faithful Mickey's dog, will turn 75 this September. A pin will be released on Sept. 5th to mark this day - and for a change, I will already be at WDW when this occurs! So who wants Pluto 75th anniversary pins??! :)

Zz.
 
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  • #567
ZapperZ said:
Those nasty people at Disney are trying to start a new addiction...

We all know how big baseball card collecting is, and that this has expanded into other areas too (animation character cards, etc). So why not disney characters? But would they do this without doing something special? Nooooooo! They are doing character cards that include surprise pins included with each card!

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=10721

This is like an addiction double-coupon! They're trying to entice those of us poor slobs who already can't resist the pins into another coma-inducing card collecting addiction!

Must resist the temptation... must resist the temptation...

Zz.

Today is the release date of the Disney pin card collection. I'm afraid my will power is slowly melting away. I just know that I'll grab the whole set when I go there in 22 days. I'm just so weak! <sobbing>

On another cheerful note, today is also the release date of a lovely open-edition pin. It depicts a golden castle to celebrate 50 years of Disney theme parks. Since this is an open edition pin, it should still be available for quite some time.

Zz.
 
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  • #568
"Happiest celebration on earth"!? well.. SOMEONE needs to get out more.
 
  • #569
Disney's Trash Is Man's Treasure

This is another proof that there are a lot of "nutty" Disney fanatics out there who would buy anything. This is also the kind of site that would be VERY dangerous for me to visit.

:)

http://www.wesh.com/travelgetaways/4840153/detail.html

[Thanks to jcraycraft at wdwmagic for the link]

Zz.
 
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  • #570
The Hong Kong Disneyland just simply cannot get a break at all, even when it isn't their fault. After all the bad publicity and problems they're having, now comes this..

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GH11Ak01.html

Zz.
 
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