Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[ZapperZ]

I can already hear the screams...

Tomorrow, Jan 26th, is the first day of the 4-day Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members preview of Expedition Everest. I won't be flying in till late on the 27th, and will be doing Expedition Everest on the 28th. A number of members from a Disney forum website, WDWMagic, will be meeting at a designated location at Noon on the 28th. I'll probably ride it again with them.

2 more days!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

From the newswire, the Disney campaign "I'm going to Disney World" for the Superbowl victor is coming back, and bigger than ever (literally!).

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-25-2006/0004267714&EDATE=

Zz.

 

[Mk]

I just don't understand your fascination with Disney...

 

[ZapperZ]

I can already hear the screams...

Tomorrow, Jan 26th, is the first day of the 4-day Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members preview of Expedition Everest. I won't be flying in till late on the 27th, and will be doing Expedition Everest on the 28th. A number of members from a Disney forum website, WDWMagic, will be meeting at a designated location at Noon on the 28th. I'll probably ride it again with them.

2 more days!

Zz.

A reporter from the Orlando Sentinel describes the Expedition Everest attraction. Luckily, he didn't reveal too much about the ride itself and its surprises.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-action2506jan25,0,741878.story

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I can hardly wait!

Roving Mars. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/rovingmars/

After Ivan brought this up, I paid more attention to this whenever I come across reports on it. Here's a brief news report on this IMAX movie.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060125-070346-3245r

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It does not take long for the first fallout out of the Disney-Pixar deal to occur.

Work on Toy Story III, which has been done by Disney's in-house Circle 7 animation unit, has been stopped. According to report, John Lasseter has directed that all sequels of movies that came out of Pixar will continue to be done by the Pixar team, and not by anyone else.

http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00004468.html

This isn't too bad, but it certainly is a sign of more things to come.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

With 4 more days left till I go on my "Expedition Everest" trek, Disney has released pictures of the pins that will be sold at the attraction. These pins will be released on the 26th, the first day of DVC members and Annual Passholders preview of Expedition Everest.

The only question is that since DVC members and AP holders were promised commemorative lanyards AND pins for attending the preview, whether these are the same pins that are being given out.

Zz.

Pin 1 - for DVC members:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904442.jpg

Pin 2 - for Annual Passholders:

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904441.jpg

Holy cow and freaking awesome!

My question has just been answered. The above two pins are the ones being sold at the attraction itself. But the commerative pin that is being given to DVC member and Passholders who did the Expedition Everest preview is different!

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/190126062.jpg

Oh please, please, please... let there still be more of them by the time we get there on Sat!

Zz.

 

[tribdog]

on this day in 1954 ground breaking begins for Disneyland. and you aren't even celebrating. and you call yourself a fan.

 

[ZapperZ]

Latest pictures from Tokyo Disneyland, which is THE most popular Disney theme park outside the US.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-187.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The name of John Lasseter was mentioned several times as one of THE most important asset that Disney is getting back with their acquisition Pixar. Bussiness Week has a very good article on him and why he could be the new Walt Disney.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2006/tc20060126_466477.htm

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

A pin is being released today that also contains a Disney trivia:

This Limited Edition pin celebrates the animated short, "Plane Crazy." While "Steamboat Willie" was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released with synchronized sound, it was not the first one made. "Plane Crazy" was first, but was the third one released after sound was added in 1928. This pin is hinged and features a pin-on-pin vintage Mickey Mouse on the cover. When opened, an image of Mickey and Minnie flying in an airplane and kissing. A photo of Walt Disney is also seen.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904642.jpg

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh no!

A hotel/condo resort is going up near Disney's Animal Kingdom lodge. And get this, it is on a property NOT owned by Disney, so it has nothing to do with Disney.

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2006/01/23/daily31.html

My only concern is, will it be visible from either the Animal Kingdom, or the Animal Kingdom Lodge? The whole atmosphere of those two hinges on the impression that one is really in a secluded area way out in the wilderness. Both Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge is well-hidden among the trees and folliage in such a way that one really can't see how large it is, and all the buildings are no obvious. The illusion of being in a wildlife area is done very well.

But if there's a condo building near by, it will stick out like a sore thumb!

:(

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This will probably be my last post before leaving for the weekend Expedition Everest trip. The next transmission, hopefully, will be from the Happiest Place On Earth.

I'm off to see the Yeti!

http://www.disneyeverest.com/

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Greetings from the Happiest Place on Earth!

We got in late last night, drag our bodies to our "Home" at Saratoga Springs Resort, and crashed. So now we're up early about ready to go hunt for breakfast, and then make our way to the Animal Kingdom. We want to be there when it opens and dash to Expedition Everest right away.

I'm meeting a couple of my cast members friends, and a couple of other people that I've never met before from another Disney fan website. The last two are neither passholders or DVC members, so we're "adopting" them this morning to go on the ride with us (each DVC members can bring 3 other guests, so the two of us here can bring 6 people!). There are also other people from the fan website meeting at a designated location at Noon, so I'll probably ride Everest again with them.

See, why can't we do the same thing on PF?!

:)

Anyway, since we're here only for a short time (leaving tomorrow evening), it will be a very full and busy day. Will report again as soon as I have the chance.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Have fun! I hope it's everything you're expecting and more!

*wanders off grumbling that they had to wait until the end of the month to open it...so close, so close*

 

[ZapperZ]

Brief Expedition Everest Report

We just got back to Saratoga Springs for a rest. I will start off by saying that it was WORTH the effort of getting here for the weekend JUST to do this.

First of all, we got there at around 8:30 am thinking that we'd be the first in line to get in when they opened at their advertized time of 9:00 am. Well, we knew something was up because as the early birds, they made us parked ON THE GRASS close to the entrance. Right off the bat, we knew that they were expecting HUGE crowds that day. I got a hint of it when I passed though the main entrance into the parking area and showed my annual pass ticket. The cast member replied "Thank you. Enjoy Everest!"

Well, when we got there, they were already letting people in. It seemed that they opened Animal Kingdom at 8:00 AM. I found my pals from the Disney fan website, but my cast member friends weren't there yet because like us, they were informed that Animal Kingdom would be opened at 9:00 am. So we waited for them till they showed up.

We immediately made our way to Expedition Everest. And that's when it got REALLY crowded. Remember, this is a preview only for Annual Passholders and DVC members. The lines are already estimated to be about 1 1/2 hours long. We didn't care. This is where, when Disney tried to sell Animal Kingdom as being Nohtazu, today, it WAS a zoo!

We got right in, and were given vouchers to get the special lanyard and pins (hooray) that we can pick up in the gift store AFTER the ride. As we sneak along the line, we passed through many artifacts and stuff indigenous to the Himalayas, many of them authentic items picked up from that area. They really outdid themselves here. No one was the least bit bored while in line.

Luckily, the line moved faster than predicted. We were in it barely 45 minutes long, and with 6 of us there, we had plenty of things to talk about. But the highlight is about to happen. We finally got on the attraction. First of all, it is an EXTREMELY SMOOTH ride. And it truly matched the hype that it was given. IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD! To call it a roller-coaster is an insult. There is nothing like it anywhere! And that's all I'm going to say about it! If you ever get a chance to get on it, I want you to experience it without knowing anything just like I did and be blown away by it. Trust me, it will be worth it!

When we got out and right into the gift store, it was, as expected, a zoo. We picked up our lanyards and pins, and even our guests, who are neither DVC members nor passholders, also got the pins and lanyards, so that was very nice and they were very greatful. The only disappointment, which isn't surprising, was that the two limited edition pins for Annual Passholders and DVC members were all gone, sold out. So I couldn't get those.

We rode Expedition Everest a 2nd time and it was even better, because I now paid closer attention to many things in greater details (and also took pictures).

It was a very satisfying day. Along the way, we of course did a lot of pin trading. Got a lot of cast member pins that we were looking for.

We're resting for tonight - probably a quick hop to Disney/MGM Studios, dinner, and then rest for tomorrow because we're going back to Animal Kingdom and doing Everest one last time.

Will post pictures later...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Expedition Everest Pictures 1

As promised, here are the pictures on Expedition Everest.

1. This is the view of the very busy and long line to get to just the area restricted only to Passholder and DVC members.

2. The view as one starts the queue.

3. Another scenary along the queue.

[cont]

 

[ZapperZ]

Expedition Everest Pictures 2

[cont]

4. Some of the artifacts hanging from the ceiling as one moves along the queing line.
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/2301/img23086ya.jpg

5. We're almost there, right at the loading area!
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6093/img23284zx.jpg

6. Climbing up the first and tallest hill...

7. Oh no! Something horrible has happened to the train tracks! It looks like it has been ripped apart! We're stopped in our tracks!

[cont]

 

[ZapperZ]

Expedition Everest Pictures 3

[cont]

8. A picture of the first hill climb.

9. A big drop down from the mountain and a sharp curve right back into it.

10. A view from a distance of the entire mountain of Expedition Everest.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4736/img23812nz.jpg

11. And this is what brought me here - the lanyard and pin. The top pin is the one that came with the lanyard. The bottom pin is one of the last open edition pin they had. Even those were being snatched like crazy.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Wow, your pictures show it even better than the video on the Magical Express bus (when I was leaving, they put on a video of upcoming attractions...you know, to make you want to come back...and they showed a little bit of Expedition Everest...just that first steep hill up though with an empty car running on it...must have been taken when they were testing it).

I'm not looking at any more pictures though...I don't want to spoil it all by knowing too much of what I'm going to see before I ever see it.

 

[ZapperZ]

Don't worry, I'm not going to post anymore pictures beyond these scenes. Anyone wishing to see the interior of the mountain will have to do this attraction. It will be well worth it.

This will be my final transmission from here. We're checking out in the morning, and then head back to Animal Kingdom to do Everest. Then off to the Magic Kingdom till we have to leave for the airport late afternoon. I won't see this place again till Memorial Day week <sob>.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

I'm back... to reality. :(

It was a glorious last day. Went on Everest again (and got another lanyard + pin). Found out that (and this will kill Moonbie) they will open Expedition Everest to Disney Resort guests starting next week! Of course, no special lanyard and pin, but still...

We also went back to Disney/MGM Studios and did Tower of Terror. Then went shopping at Downtown Disney and shipped a lot of stuff home. It was also a productive weekend in terms of pins - we got several cast lanyard pins that we didn't have before and that we were looking for.

But of course, the highlight was Everest. I don't know if it'll turn out to be a turning point for Animal Kingdom, but this WILL be a humongous hit and has all the trappings of boosting the attendence at this theme park.

Will post more pictures soon of our last ride, but no scene from inside the mountain - you will have to experience it yourself. :)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

I'm back... to reality. :(

It was a glorious last day. Went on Everest again (and got another lanyard + pin). Found out that (and this will kill Moonbie) they will open Expedition Everest to Disney Resort guests starting next week! Of course, no special lanyard and pin, but still...

I was just one month too early! Now I have to wait...well...I don't know how long!

With two trips to Disney in one month, I wonder how long it's going to take for that euphoria of yours to wear off?

 

[ZapperZ]

I was just one month too early! Now I have to wait...well...I don't know how long!

With two trips to Disney in one month, I wonder how long it's going to take for that euphoria of yours to wear off?

It'll wear off very quickly, as soon as I come into work.

:)

Needless to say, I'm already looking forward to Memorial Day. I may have to smooth this out with my boss, though, since that trip will be about 1 1/2 months before the workshop that I'm co-organizing. I'm hoping things would have gone smoothly and on schedule by then so that I can leave for a week to do my "mini grand tour". And then, of course, there's the Labor Day week trip, but that's way after the workshop, so that shouldn't be a problem (any PF members thinking of coming along?). If I get to do that all that, it will be a new record on the number of times I go to WDW in a year (4).

We should see if we can on another PF members trip to WDW. I am guessing that I may not do the holiday season trip this year (i.e. the early January trip). So the Labor Day week trip may be a good one for anyone here who is considering joining me there.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It appears that they are certainly serious about keeping and preserving the Pixar culture and the name. It is also good news that John Lasseter is given the ultimate say in the creative part of this whole thing.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-pixar2706jan27,0,6525225.story

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

As can be expected, the blogs and various fan forums are just clogged with commentaries about the Disney+Pixar thing. However, the BEST single commentary on this thing, in my opinion, is by Rhett Wickham at LaughingPlace. It is some of the most insighful comments found anywhere, the highlight of which is this:



YES!

The full commentary can be found here:

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510020.asp

Zz.

Part 2 of Rhett's commentary is now available, and continues the insightful observation that was in Part 2.

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510030.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

To be released tomorrow are two of the CUTEST pins you'll ever find anywhere.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10930847.jpg

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10930848.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

More pictures from the last day at Animal Kingdom to do Expedition Everest preview one last time...

This is the front entrance to the Animal Kingdom. For 4 days at the end of January, this WAS the center of attention of many Disney fanatics like me. And it was well worth the effort to get there...

Again, the long lines and the huge number of Annual Passholders and DVC members made the trek towards Expedition Everest.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3621/img24218da.jpg

More to come...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Continue...

As you get closer to the attraction, there are signs everywhere about Yeti sightings...

There are amazing artifacts and cultural icons along the queing line. This one is just one such example. However, americans have a nasty habit of wanting to toss a coin at something open, such as a pool of water. Here, they tried to toss coins into the cups and pans, as if they're at an arcade! So there are coins scattered everywhere! Oy vey!
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5504/img24298iw.jpg I have no clue what this is (didn't spend time reading about it while I was in line), but it looked mighty impressive.

More to come...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Continue...

We're now on the trains heading towards the mountain...

One of the many hill climb towards the summit.

There are waterfalls along the way...

We are climbing towards the summit!

We are diving at a very fast speed towards the inside of the mountain!

... and that's it. The rest, you will have to see and experience yourself!

:)

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Is that just sun glare, or do they actually have mist to make it look like you're in the clouds at the top of the mountain? Those are great pictures!

 

[ZapperZ]

Is that just sun glare, or do they actually have mist to make it look like you're in the clouds at the top of the mountain? Those are great pictures!

They do have mists at different points of the ride to make it look as if it was cold. This whole ride is not skimping on details at all. That's why I went on it multiple times, not just because it was one kick-ass ride, but I wanted to pay attention to all the details.

It's a Disney ride definitely. No other theme parks would pay this much attention to story telling and details on a ride.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oscar nominations are out, and Disney gets shut-out in the Best Animation category.

It isn't surprising. Though Chicken Little was fun, it was hardly a masterpiece. And there were no Pixar movie released in 2005.

So that just showed how far down the Disney animation division has gone downhill. Hopefully, the new "culture" and personnel acquired from Pixar will help.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

While I was there, I also saw a few friends on a boat. As you can see, they saw us too.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This pin was released today.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904623.jpg

I really don't mind getting this pin for Valentine's Day.

<hint, hint>
.
.
.
.
.
I said <hint, hint!>

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

An interview with Beth Stevens, the head of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, and how Expedition Everest fits in into the theme and mission of that park.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-qna3106jan31,0,2394088.story

I forgot to mention that I SAW the new baby elephant during this last trip. They have put her and her mother out in the Safari attraction.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

A heart-warming review of a trip to Disneyland.

http://boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=1996&p=.htm

It reflects how I feel when I am at Walt Disney World Resort. I look forward to feeling the same way when I finally get to Disneyland Resort this Summer.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

A report on the Disney exhibition at National Museum of the United States Air Force.

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510040.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

While no Disney animation movies received Oscar nominations, Disney didn't go completely empty-handed.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was nominated for Achievement in Makeup, Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects.

Tsotsi, which is to be distributed by Miramax was nominated for Best Foreign Langauge Film of the Year.

Howl's Moving Castle which was distributed by Disney was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. The other two films nominated for Animated Feature are Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, and Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. None of the nominees are CGI."

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

From the Disney Vacation Club e-mail update:

Expedition Everest™ fun facts
With the new Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ ready for its spring debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (while the "official" opening is set for April, sneak "peaks" may begin earlier), the Vacation Magic staff is pleased to present the following fun facts about the newest addition to the Walt Disney World® mountain range. (Commit these facts to memory, and you can amaze those around you while waiting in line for your encounter with the legendary Yeti!)

* Crews moved about 40,000 cubic yards of dirt, poured about 18.7 million pounds of concrete, used about 2,000 gallons of stain and paint, and installed about 5,000 tons of steel to bring the mountain to life.

* The mountain's rockwork is comprised of 3,307 pre-fabricated "chips" made from about 27,000 individually computer-bent pieces of rebar.

* The ride's track stretches 4,424 feet.

* Four species of bamboo, 10 species of trees and 114 species of shrubs cover the attraction's five-acre site.

* Standing at just shy of 200 feet in height, Expedition Everest now ranks as Florida's tallest "mountain."

* The online world is buzzing about the attraction, with more than 2,360 web sites featuring Expedition Everest. (Visit www.disneyeverest.com for the official online Expedition Everest experience!)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Reuters now has an article on what most Disney fans already have said before - that John Lasserter is the new Walt Disney.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/stocks/Quo...74_2006-02-01_20-11-52_N30298039&symbol=DIS.N

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Either Time Magazine has an insider within Pixar, or they have a psychic. They seem to know what is in the pipeline at Pixar-Disney.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1154215,00.html

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Starting tomorrow, they are releasing a series of pins commemorating Disney's Alice Comedies.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904660.jpg

From the Disney pin site, here is the info accompanying this release:

This Limited Edition pin celebrates the collection of animated shorts, "The Alice Comedies." Between 1924 and 1927, Walt Disney produced a series of 56 silent cartoons featuring a live girl acting in Cartoonland. These shorts were Walt Disney's first attempt at combining live action with animation. This spinner pin features an image of Walt Disney and the title image for "The Alice Comedies." The inkwell is a pin-on-pin. This pin was designed by Disney Design Group Artist Alex Maher.

This is just the first of TWELVE pins. I don't even want to start...

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Animal Kingdom was opened from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm last night for Disney resort guests. Those who attended the Extra Magic Hours had a wonderful surprise - they got to ride Expedition Everest!

Of course, no special lanyards or pins were given out, but still, this is certainly something very special.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Fresh on the tremendous success of the Chronicles of Narnia, Disney has begun pre-production of the second installment of this series.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060201/film_nm/media_disney_caspian_dc_1

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

More not-so-good news coming out of Hong Kong Disneyland. Riots? People scaling the closed gates?

These are very un-Disney!

http://news.inq7.net/world/index.php?index=1&story_id=64946
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney020206,0,1806129.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

There's a problem when it isn't popular, and a problem when it is THAT popular.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction both at Disneyland and WDW are closed for renovations.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bk-pirates020206,0,216404.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

If find it rather strange. They are renovating it to include elements from the hit movie, which in itself was based on this attraction. I suppose it isn't that strange in the entertainment industry. After all, look at The Producers. It was originally a movie, then a Broadway musical based on the movie, and now they have made a movie based on the Broadway musical that was based on the original movie.

Are you following all this?

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

It is no big surprise, but Disney seems to know just exactly what to do to make me part with my money.

They will release tomorrow a new pin for the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. Let's just get this out of the way, it is GORGEOUS pin! Of course, it is a limited edition, and of course, they had to release it now, rather than when I was there last weekend.

But what makes it worse, is that this is the first pin of a 4-part collection! And get this, they are all supposed to fit together to form a puzzle.

I'm just dying here...

I can't exactly have my contacts over at WDW buy this, because they're not DVC members. My only hope is there there is a remote chance that some of the pins are still available when I get there the first week of June. (fat chance).

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904645.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

Tomorrow, Feb. 4th, marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the first Disney's Winnie the Pooh movie, Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Of course, to make this occasion, a very cute Pooh pin will be released on the same day.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904587.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

Those of you who want to see a video of the Expedition Everest attraction, you can check it out here...

http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-190.asp

However, there is a SPOILER warning. If you want to experience this for the first time yourself, DO NOT watch the video since it does show the actual ride itself (although the Yeti doesn't appear that clearly).

Consider yourself warned.

Zz.