Disney World PF Gathering and Tips for Disney Mania!

[Math Is Hard]

Even the male nurses?

:)

Zz.

I know. Go figure!

 

[Moonbear]

I know they were in Toy Story I. I have to double check if they're in Toy Story II also.

Zz.

Oh, I was thinking they didn't show up until Toy Story II. Guess I got the two movies mixed up.

 

[Ceramist-by-day]

Oh, I was thinking they didn't show up until Toy Story II. Guess I got the two movies mixed up.

I'm a newbie in this forum, but thought I'd chime in here.

These guys are in both Toy Story I & II.

I love most all things Disney and have been to WDW numerous times. I'll be sure to check in here more often!

 

[ZapperZ]

I'm a newbie in this forum, but thought I'd chime in here.

These guys are in both Toy Story I & II.

I love most all things Disney and have been to WDW numerous times. I'll be sure to check in here more often!

Thanks for the confirmation. I just found out about that too. So everyone's right!

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney's shareholders meeting is this Friday in Anaheim. Unlike the last few years, everyone expects that this meeting to be "the happiest place on Earth" with very little suprises.

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Sto...272426}&source=blq/yhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival is coming up!

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival returns April 21-June 11, featuring colorful and fragrant gardens, elaborate topiary displays, interactive presentations from gardening experts, special themed weekends and more.

Also returning is the popular Flower Power Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre. This nightly concert series, included with Epcot admission, is expanding this year to include iconic bands from both the 1960s and 1970s. While entertainment is subject to change, this year's concert lineup is scheduled to include The Nelsons (April 21-24), The Buckinghams (April 25-27), Gary Puckett (April 28-May 1), The Grass Roots Featuring Rob Grill (May 2-4), Paul Revere and the Raiders (May 5-8), The Association (May 9-11), Davy Jones (May 12-15), The Tokens (May 16-18), BJ Thomas (May 19-22), Felix Cavaliere's Rascals (May 23-25), The Guess Who (May 26-29), Tony Orlando (May 30-June 1), Arlo Guthrie (June 2-5), The Turtles Featuring Flo and Eddie (June 6-7) and Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone (June 8-11).

Performances take place on most evenings at 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m.

"Davy Jones" as in The Monkeys? Tony Orlando (how appropriate) but no Dawn?

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Traffic alert for March 9th for the Disney/Pixar's world premier of the trailer for Cars.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=1043

... er... world premier of the trailer??! Oh good grief!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney's shareholders meeting is this Friday in Anaheim. Unlike the last few years, everyone expects that this meeting to be "the happiest place on Earth" with very little suprises.

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Sto...272426}&source=blq/yhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo

Zz.

The webcast of the Disney annual shareholders meeting tomorrow can be viewed here:

http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/presentations.html

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hahahahhaha!

This is rather amusing and, I am almost embarassed to admit, almost FUN!

Some disney fans collects pins, some collects plush toys, etc. But this person collects locations of SURVEY MARKERS at various Disney theme parks!

I LOVE IT! :)

http://www.wintertime.com/OH/GC/Disney/disneymarks.html

I suppose this is no different than going around and hunting for the hidden Mickeys all over the parks. I now have the itch to look for a few of these next time I'm there.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Climbing a volcano? Hiking through Yellowstone? Learning pasta making in Tuscany?

This is not your Mom and Dad's Disney vacation!

http://disney.go.com/inside/issues/stories/v060307.html

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Hell's Angels are suing Disney!

http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/09/news/funny/hells_angels/index.htm?cnn=yes

This might be a very funny scenario that I secretly wish it'll go to trial! :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh, the mouse will adopt you any time, but it'll cost ya. It's called the Disney Vacation Club! :)

[Remember: Money Grabbing Mouse]

Since the Animal Kingdom Lodge seems to be a major selling point for some people, I thought I'd post more pictures from there, so here they are. Just think, you could see giraffes out of your hotel window each day!

Zz.

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9527/akl17re.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8681/akl23jj.jpg

[PLAIN]http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/5665/akl30kz.jpg[/QUOTE][/URL]

An update on the Animal Kingdom Lodge: It just received the Florida Green Lodging certification on March 1st of this year. This certification is given to Florida lodging industry that tries to reduce its impact on Florida's ecology and wild life.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/GreenLodging/

These were the steps that Disney's AKL took to receive the certification:

http://www.earth911.org/library/greenlodging/features.asp?locationid=140107

Zz.

 

[Ceramist-by-day]

An update on the Animal Kingdom Lodge: It just received the Florida Green Lodging certification on March 1st of this year. This certification is given to Florida lodging industry that tries to reduce its impact on Florida's ecology and wild life.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/GreenLodging/

These were the steps that Disney's AKL took to receive the certification:

http://www.earth911.org/library/greenlodging/features.asp?locationid=140107

Zz.

Disney's AKL is one of my favorite resorts. We've stayed there twice and had great experiences both times. This last time we stayed in one of the rooms that have the thatch roof balcony, at the end of the Zebra Trail. Do you know where I mean? I'd love to post a picture but I have no idea how to do that on this forum. If I can get a little help, I'd gladly post if people are interested.

Btw, have you guys done a Disney Trivia question of the day thing at all. Just thought it might be fun.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney's AKL is one of my favorite resorts. We've stayed there twice and had great experiences both times. This last time we stayed in one of the rooms that have the thatch roof balcony, at the end of the Zebra Trail. Do you know where I mean? I'd love to post a picture but I have no idea how to do that on this forum. If I can get a little help, I'd gladly post if people are interested.

Btw, have you guys done a Disney Trivia question of the day thing at all. Just thought it might be fun.

Have you stayed at the conceirge level? Supposedly, you get food/refreshments/snacks all day long there, and you get to go into Animal Kingdom very early in the day for the Sunrise Safari and breakfast.

As for uploading pictures, the best way (other than via attachments which will allow only a very small size) is to go to one of the free picture hosting site such as imageshack.us. Once you have uploaded a picture there, you'll get a url to make a directly link to that picture form any website. On here, you use the img command to imbed the picture into your posts. If you quote one of my posts that has pictures in it, you can see the syntax of the img command that you need.

Zz.

P.S. I know this is a very long thread, but did you see my pictures from the DVC/Annual Passholder Preview of Expedition Everest this past January?

 

[ZapperZ]

Hey Moonbie. You and I may have seen our last ever Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade at Disney/MGM Studios.

Rumors are running rampant that the parade is going to be replaced by a version of Disney's Block Party Bash that is currently running at the California Adventure theme park.

Humm... and we captured the whole parade on video too last time. Maybe I should edit it and sell it on e-bay when the parade is gone. :)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This is a terrific commentary of the most under-rated and under-appreciated Disney animation movie - Treasure Planet.

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510200.asp

After reading this, I am darn curious to see this movie.

Zz.

 

[scott_alexsk]

What? I actually thought Treasure Planet was good. You know what this says to me, don't listen to the critics. They are all full of it anyways. They are the ones who praised Brokeback Mountain I remind you.
-scott

 

[ZapperZ]

What? I actually thought Treasure Planet was good. You know what this says to me, don't listen to the critics. They are all full of it anyways. They are the ones who praised Brokeback Mountain I remind you.
-scott

Eh? I thought Brokeback Mountain was an excellent movie, one of the best ever. So that comparison of yours doesn't quite work with me.

And if I recall, when Treasure Planet came out, the review wasn't totally bad, but it wasn't as widely acclaimed as a Pixar movie. I just wished I had seen it when it was released then.

Zz.

 

[scott_alexsk]

I did not mean it that way, but I meant that they say movies are good that most people would not see. And in turn they say movies are bad that most people would say are good.
-scott

 

[ZapperZ]

I did not mean it that way, but I meant that they say movies are good that most people would not see. And in turn they say movies are bad that most people would say are good.
-scott

I wouldn't use that either. I've seen many movies that had good reviews that WERE good. I don't tend to go for the "blockbusters", although I do see a few in a particular year. I tend to go for more "meaningful" movie. If I want "mindless entertainment", I'd watch my old Disney cartoons and my Loony Tunes collection. :)

And I have, unfortunately, seen a few movies which got bad reviews, and guess what? They WERE bad! (Star Wars Episode I, II, and III anybody?).

I think what I'm trying to say here is that you can't use a movie critique's review for or against a movie. While I find that my taste seems to agree with Roger Ebert's often, it also isn't true all the time (I didn't like Swimming Pool as much as he did, but liked it more than my friends who hated it).

Anyhow, Disney's Shaggy Dog was released yesterday and Roger gave it only 2 stars. It has been getting rather lukewarm review almost universally here. Do you think this is a movie you WILL like and deserves 4 stars?

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Coverage (with neat pictures) of the groundbreaking of Tokyo's Disneyland Hotel.

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510190.asp

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hey Moonbie. You and I may have seen our last ever Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade at Disney/MGM Studios.

Rumors are running rampant that the parade is going to be replaced by a version of Disney's Block Party Bash that is currently running at the California Adventure theme park.

Humm... and we captured the whole parade on video too last time. Maybe I should edit it and sell it on e-bay when the parade is gone. :)

Zz.

With the rumors of the possibility that this parade is going to end, I'm going to post a series of pictures from Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade taken just this past January.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade - Pt. 2

Just who is this fella?
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8302/img17836wl.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9794/img17938bf.jpg

Zz.

 

[Cyrus]

That image of the guy in the car in the SS uniform with the flags just isint right

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade - Pt. 3

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8650/img17967ij.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6752/img18031bk.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9576/img18093nu.jpg

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade - Pt. 4 (Final)

Last series of pictures from this parade at Disney/MGM Studios that is rumored to be on its last leg.

Zz.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6885/img18321kn.jpg

 

[ZapperZ]

Just because you have one extremely successful and popular theme park, doesn't mean building one right next to it will be equally popular. We saw this with Disney's California Adventure, and we're seeing it with Tokyo's DisneySea.

A terrific article on Tokyo's DisneySea and what they're doing to increase its popularity can be found here:

http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID510180.asp

A lot is riding on the Tower of Terror that is supposed to open sometime this year.

Zz.

 

[JamesU]

WTF is that thing?!

 

[ZapperZ]

*** is that thing?!

Zowie, from Rolie Polie Olie.

http://disney.go.com/disneychannel/playhouse/rpo/index.html

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

For those of you who couldn't fully see the Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom because you sat way too close to the castle (you know who you are), this is a video of the full fireworks.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7825514351492762564

Zz

 

[ZapperZ]

A short notice. If you missed the first airing of this, you may want to see it or record it.

History Channel is going to re-run the Modern Marvel episode on Walt Disney World again tonight, March 12, at 11 pm Eastern. This, as I recall, was a VERY good show, and I believe should be out on DVD soon, if not already.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Is it Spring Break already?

They're releasing this pin on Wednesday at WDW, and it's a gorgeous one.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10930886.jpg

 

[Moonbear]

Yep, it's spring break. One of the grad students is heading to Disney on Wednesday. I'm not going to ask her to spend her entire time there shopping, but if you really love that pin (or one or two others) I might be able to ask her to pick them up while there.

I won't promise she's a reliable source, but I can at least ask and if she doesn't flake out, she might actually remember to get them while there.

 

[ZapperZ]

That's for the offer, Moonbie, but my cast member friends owe me a huge favor when I bought them in with me for the DVC member preview of Expedition Everest. So I already have them buying me a few pins already, although they are drawing the line at 20. :(

:)

I wish I get spring break. I so need one right now.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Oooh... The Post Office is going to release a new Art of Disney stamps!

The release party will be held at Epcot on April 21. The new stamps are gorgeous! That Lady and the Tramp stamp alone is worth getting the whole set.

http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2006/images/06_disney_300s.jpg

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

BusinessWeek Online reports on the lovefest at the last Disney shareholders meeting.

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2006/pi20060310_909483.htm

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hey Moonbie, you don't have any of your grad students over there going on a Disney cruise, do you? I don't mind getting one of this pin.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904649.jpg

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Nope...grad students can't afford cruises. I never got to take a spring break when I was a grad student...they're spoiled now!

 

[ZapperZ]

Nope...grad students can't afford cruises. I never got to take a spring break when I was a grad student...they're spoiled now!

I haven't had a spring break since I was a grad student either. In fact, many a year where I didn't even know it was the middle of a spring break, since I was always away from campus. The end of the semester was also meaningless other than the annoying "exams" when I was still taking classes.

Maybe that's why I'm into Disney with such passion. I'm trying to get back all those missing years! Or maybe I'm just regressing back into my childhood. At this rate, I should be 9 years old some time at the end of this decade.

:)

Zz <sucking his thumb>

 

[ZapperZ]

Ugh! My camera lens is filthy!

Night shots like this brings out all the flaws... Too bad, this would have been such a nice picture.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

This is a terrific site:

http://www.wdwmaps.net/

It uses Google Map to show the entire Walt Disney World resort, including a clear boundary of the resort. You can also click several items to see where they are located. Don't expect to see much of the backstage area though - those have never been seen even using the regular Google Earth.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The release of the Easter pins have begun. This is the first of many Easter pins for this year. This was relesed today at WDW.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904443.jpg

 

[Moonbear]

The release of the Easter pins have begun. This is the first of many Easter pins for this year. This was relesed today at WDW.

Zz.

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/10904443.jpg

Hey, finally, Tink doesn't look evil...she looks drunk! Must be all the spring break fun.

I don't even get a break from teaching during spring break. The med students are given a different week than the rest of the university for spring break, so while everyone else has a week off from teaching, I don't.

 

[ZapperZ]

A school in Alabama received a windfall of costumes from Disney!

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1142291705269660.xml&coll=1

Sometime, Disney does some good.

:)

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The future of Disney Magical Express will be decided some time soon.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-express1406mar14,0,7865806.story

Considering that this is a service the guests really want, a service that has revolutionized how people travel, is being copied by other resorts and hotels, etc.. it is silly if Disney is forced to stop it.

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

The future of Disney Magical Express will be decided some time soon.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-express1406mar14,0,7865806.story

Considering that this is a service the guests really want, a service that has revolutionized how people travel, is being copied by other resorts and hotels, etc.. it is silly if Disney is forced to stop it.

Zz.

I'm still not sure what the fuss is about. People who would rent a car would do so anyway. And resorts have offered free shuttle service to and from airports for ages. The only real difference is that they also add the convenience of handling your luggage for you, which isn't even relevant if you were planning to rent a car. Heck, if I wasn't meeting you there when you already had a rental car, I'd have probably rented a car too. The parking lots sure didn't look like there was any shortage of people renting cars at Disney. Might it cut into the taxi revenue? Sure, if you had a choice between a free shuttle provided by the hotel, and paying a taxi, unless you were in a hurry, you'd probably choose the shuttle, regardless of whether the luggage service was inclusive. Though, that's no different than in any other city either. I've taken advantage of free airport shuttles to and from hotels in many places, as well as discounted shuttles provided for conference attendees; even the shuttles you pay for are usually cheaper than a cab ride, so I only take a cab if I'm in a hurry and don't want to wait for a shuttle (even with the Magical Express, you have to wait a bit before it's ready to leave, and then it stops at several hotels on the route...overall, it's a bit slower than taking a direct hotel shuttle, and a lot slower than a taxi, so if I was traveling on business and knew I had a meeting I HAD to get to, I would go with a taxi or rental car). Competition is a part of business.

Though, I wouldn't mind an alternative service where Disney still handles the luggage heading to the resort, but I could opt to take any form of transportation for myself. The luggage service is the appealing part, not the shuttle service. Since Disney offers the service free anyway, they don't lose anything if they can send out a cargo van for the luggage rather than an entire bus...it would probably even work out more efficient for them to do that since they can just quickly load a van and get out rather than sitting around with a motor running waiting for passengers to straggle over to the bus. Actually, to me, the ideal service would be for Disney to handle the luggage and then provide a car-rental package deal along with everything else, so I don't have to drag my luggage around the airport getting to the rental counters (are those even in the main terminal in Orlando, or did you have to get onto another shuttle or walk across the parking lot to get a rental car?)

 

[ZapperZ]

Actually, to me, the ideal service would be for Disney to handle the luggage and then provide a car-rental package deal along with everything else, so I don't have to drag my luggage around the airport getting to the rental counters (are those even in the main terminal in Orlando, or did you have to get onto another shuttle or walk across the parking lot to get a rental car?)

The car rental counter is on the lowest level where you got on your DME bus. The car port is in the same car park ramp across from the airport. So yes, you still have to haul your luggage to it.

That's why we only have one large luggage and one carry-on each when we travel there. It's so much easier to roll them to the car rental pickup area. Besides, we almost go on automatic pilot since we know exactly where to go.

The DME is all about convenience, no doubt. Many who have used it liked it a lot. It will be too bad if they take it away.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

The Japanese Crown Prince and his family visits Tokyo Disneyland.

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20060313p2a00m0na012000c.html

Zz.

 

[Moonbear]

Ooh, I finally got around to ordering some of that African Autumn tea we had at the Boma restaurant. It took me a while to justify spending that much for a tin of tea, but when it comes to tasty foods, I seem to manage to talk myself into it eventually. I sat here just sniffing it while the first pot was brewing. I think it's going to become a regular bed-time tea for me (it's all herbal...no caffeine...didn't know that before, but know it now).

I might have to get a second tin to keep at my office...even without the caffeine, the lovely aroma will make it a nice tea to sip on a stressful day.

 

[ZapperZ]

Ooh, I finally got around to ordering some of that African Autumn tea we had at the Boma restaurant. It took me a while to justify spending that much for a tin of tea, but when it comes to tasty foods, I seem to manage to talk myself into it eventually. I sat here just sniffing it while the first pot was brewing. I think it's going to become a regular bed-time tea for me (it's all herbal...no caffeine...didn't know that before, but know it now).

I might have to get a second tin to keep at my office...even without the caffeine, the lovely aroma will make it a nice tea to sip on a stressful day.

I haven't gotten around to ordering that yet. I already have 3 differnt types of teas at work, and even more at home. So maybe I'll wait a little while longer.

We just finished making all of our reservations for the Memorial Day week trip. We're staying for free (using Marriott points) while we're doing Disneyland/California Adventure. And I didn't realize till now that there's hardly any direct flight from LAX to Orlando. So with the plane change and the time difference, we're spending almost a whole day time traveling to Orlando from LA.

71 days left. I can't wait!

So now we're trying to finalize our Sept. trip.

:)

Zz.