Talking Disney

 Walt Disney once said…” Let’s not lose sight of one thing; that it all started with a Mouse” and while this poignant statement may be true, the real success of Disney’s company was Walt’s success in taking the primitive medium of animation and transforming it into a highly developed art form. When Walt first...
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There are more pictures taken at the Walt Disney World parks and resorts worldwide than at any other vacation spot in the world. Millions of pictures a year are snapped at the “Happiest Place on Earth” and this is not counting the pictures taken by Disney’s own Photopass photographers’. With the advent of digital...
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Now that the Christmas season is past, it’s time to reflect on some of the wonderful memories this season has left us. Family gatherings gift-giving, decorations and Christmas dinners all coalesce in our minds and give us another year of thanks. For Disney enthusiasts and lovers, like me, the Christmas season creates its own...
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Last night Mickey news was invited to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party press event. Walt Disney World allowed each journalist three guest passes for family and friends to experience this, one of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular Holiday event. This separate ticketed party runs on selected nights during the Holiday season. The press event...
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History paints Walt Disney, among his many artistic talents as one of the world’s greatest story tellers. And few would dare to dispute that. But coming in at second place would be none other than internationally known Disney Historian and author Jim Korkis. Jim is a staple in the Disney community, anyone connected with...
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 We all know Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad; these iconic attractions have been thrilling guests for years and are the anchor rides for Frontierland. But how many know that a much larger, more complex attraction area was planned for the space that these favorites now occupy? Walt Disney World was first planned...
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Disney is well known for its attention to detail and storyline. No matter what you might encounter; be it an attraction, show, character etc. you will find a fascinating story behind it and the detail, both historically and functionality are true to life. For me, there is no attraction on property more beautifully and...
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In my last submission, we explored and walked the Maharajah Jungle Trek located in Asia here at Animal Kingdom. Today we’ll trek along its sibling trail, Africa’s Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. This wonderful natural trail, like the Maharajah Trek is again overlooked or skipped by many guests, which is a shame, because it offers...
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 Ever since the fire broke out in the Enchanted Tiki Room-Under New Management on January 12th of 2011, much conjecture on what its return would be like was rampant. It was announced at the D-23 Walt Disney World 40thanniversary conference that it would return to its original show format, as in Disneyland. On a...
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One of my favorite happenings at Walt Disney World is the International Food and Wine Festival here at EPCOT. Since it’s inauguration in 1993, it has been a guest favorite. This year’s 16th annual festival returns (September 30th to November 13th) with over 25 authentic samplings from around the world, a chance to obtain...
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Opened for about a week and a half, Japan has revamped the old Kakigori refreshment cart into a newer, expanded menu outlet called the “Kabuki Café” This café is named after the traditional Japanese theater art form which originated in Japan around 1603, originally with female performers. This form of theater was popular among...
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On May 29th, 1941 Walt Disney pulled up to his studio on Buena Vista Blvd, and saw a sight he will never forget. Almost 300 angry protesters were picketing the studio, all of them his cartoonists. Shouting and holding signs, it was a sight that Walt would never forget, and never forgive. But what...
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 I have passed by it numerous times, always making a mental note to try this separate ticked event. I’m talking about one of Disney’s most popular venues, the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party. (Also known as the Wishes Dessert Party) This event made its debut on June 23rd, 2009, running on select days. It...
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If you love the movies like I do, there is no better place to get your “fix” than at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This theme park celebrates Hollywood during its Golden era from the ‘30’s and 40’s. From its fantastic detailed streets like Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards from the era, to attractions like “Catastrophe Canyon”...
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Walt Disney World is full of detail, stories and trivia. No matter what park you go to, almost anything; be it a picture, a date on a window, a building or even music in the background, has a reference to something Disney. For the savoir-faire guest, there is a treasure-trove of exciting information staring...
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Walt Disney World continues to be the most visited vacation spot in the world. But what makes it such a desirable destination? How is always in the top spot; what is its secret? Aside from the cutting-edge attractions, shows, rides and performances, Walt Disney World always strives to give its guests the latest in...
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Perhaps no Sci-Fi Genre franchise has been as popular or continues to draw in new, rabid fans as “Star Wars”. Conceived by director/producer George Lucas, the first film “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” released on May 25th, 1977 and the following five sequels are a phenomenal success story. Disney decided to create...
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On Saturday May 14th thru Sunday the 15th, D-23, the Official Disney Fan Club celebrated Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary here at the Contemporary Hotel. For two magical days here in the Fantasia Ballroom, members were treated to the most amazing collection of stories, history, unseen pictures and videos of the creation of Walt...
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Who is Bob Woodham you say? The name may not ring a bell, but if anyone has ever gone to a Disney park, you met him, or actually met many people like him…For Bob was a Disney Cast Member. Disney’s Cast Members are what I call “Disney’s Ambassadors”  Most guests will never meet Bob...
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With more than 3,500 more square feet than the old Lego Center, this newly renovated store has opened this week.  Of course there are more of those iconic “Lego Statues” in addition to the classic Water Dragon in the lagoon and the “Tourist Family” we all remember. The Dragon remains the same, but our...
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When Disney announced the new Fantasyland expansion project and that Toontown was soon to be a memory, everyone wondered where would Mickey and Minnie go? Rumors were rampart, but now the wait is over. With the scrimshaw over the old Exposition Hall, now re-named the Town Square Theater finally gone,  Mickey (Magician Mickey!) and...
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Walt Disney World is always in a state of flux. You never know when a cutting-edge attraction, show or store will make its appearance.  That‘s what makes the World such a magical place; guests are continually experiencing unique and exciting things. Case in point … a tasty new shop called “The Spice & Tea...
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How many remember the Autopia cars on opening day at Disneyland? Or how about the Skyway Buckets, the People Mover, Mr. Toad’s Wild ride or perhaps the famous Flying Saucers. If you do, then you can thank Mr. Robert Henry Gurr for these and for working on more than 100 designs for attractions and...
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I spent the last three days at the Flower and Garden Festival. I wanted to actually take my time and smell the roses (I know, a really rotten pun!) so to speak and see the differences from last year’s festival. The 2011 Festival seemed much brighter and vibrant this year, with a host of...
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Sports fans are rejoicing this weekend, as the eighth annual ESPN the Weekend begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This mega sports filled weekend gives fans a one-of-a-kind chance to see and hear their favorite sports heroes and ESPN personalities in person. The event will feature live broadcasts interactive games and stage shows. At the...
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As most of us know by now, for the past several months, Disney has walled off the left side of the Haunted Mansion Queue line in order to bring a new, interactive one along with a chance to the iconic cemetery and its headstones. I have been speaking to managers and cast members for...
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For most folks, just mention Walt Disney World and they immediately conjure up images of shows, exciting rides and great restaurants and of course, Mickey Mouse. And that is a shame, because Disney is just so much more. Almost everything here at the parks has a fascinating backstory, be it a building, an innocuous...
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Since Disney announced its massive Fantasyland expansion over a year ago, there was much speculation as to what it would look like and what new attractions would it have. Disney had a major press event on Tuesday, January 18th to give out the major details of the project. Disney first reveled that a revision...
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In the first installment of the Disney Dream preview Cruise, we spoke of the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign; The Fantasyland Expansion and its new attractions were previewed. The new Castle Light Show, “The Magic, The Memories and You!” was presented for the Media. All of this leading up to the preview cruise...
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