February 2002 WDW Bits and Bites
by Deb Wills, ALL EARS® Editor
Feature Article
This article appeared in the February 5, 2002, Issue #124 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)
Step Back in Time:
I recently added a 1977 World Magazine to my collection. It had some interesting tidbits.
— Seems the Hoop Dee Doo menu hasn't changed much in 24 years! The highlights in 1977 were: fried chicken, barbecued ribs, baked beans and apple pie!
— Some of the big corporate sponsors were Coca Cola (Main Street Refreshment Corner and Tomorrowland Terrace), Pepsi Cola and Frito-Lay (Country Bear Jamboree, Pecos Bill's Cafe), GAF Corporation (Main Street Camera Center), Oscar Mayer and Company (Town Square Cafe) and the Gulf Oil Company (Walt Disney Story and Hospitality House).
— The Empress Lilly debuted in April 1977 with three restaurants, a Dixieland show bar and banquet room.
— The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village included a Pottery Chalet, the Chalet Candle Shop, Heidelberger's Deli, Cap'n Jack's Oyster Bar and the Village Restaurant.
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Pleasure Island Celebrating Mardi Gras February 8, 9 and 12!
Mardi Gras is in full swing at Pleasure Island, which is decorated for the party with Mardi Gras masks, banners, flags and lights. Ambassadors from Bacardi & Corona will be tossing beads & doubloons starting at 10 p.m. on February 8, 9 and 12.
And don't forget Pleasure Island's 5 for 5 Special, which is offered seasonally! Turn one night's Single-Day Ticket into 5 more consecutive nights for $5!
Courtesy of Steve Soares, WDW Entertainment Site: http://wdwent/
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Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Mickey's Backyard BBQ is offered at the Pavilion at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground from March 5 until November 26, 2002, on Tuesdays and Thursdays only and then December 3, 10, 17, 26, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. You can enjoy an evening of family fun with a live country band, line-dance instructor, and appearances by Disney characters. Food is served buffet-style. There are no reserved tables (like Hoop dee Doo Revue) — you are seated as you arrive. Tickets are $38 adult (12+) tax and gratuity included; $25 child (3-11) tax and gratuity included.
Previously, we asked you to LEND US AN EAR and tell us about your experiences with Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We received quite a mixed bag of comments.
The range of feedback went from very positive: "We've been to Mickey's BBQ twice during the past year with two very different groups of people and found that both times it was one of the highlights of our vacations!" (Janet and Tom Sansone)
…..to very negative "Our ten year old, who has visited Disney at least once a year (we're vacation club members) since 3, told us outright he would never go again to the BBQ. We voiced our opinion to WDW in writing. We DO NOT RECOMMEND the Backyard BBQ to anyone!" (Kristine and Steven)
A number of folks commented about the large crowds and lack of organization regarding character autographs and photos. On the other hand, some families seemed to enjoy the country music and the opportunity to do some country line dancing.
By the way, we had offered a Giveaway to one lucky respondent and our Congrats and thanks go to Kimberly Tornillo of New York! Her email was chosen at random and she won a HBoND postcard book.
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Hoop Dee Doo Revue Discount!
Brigid Christenson writes: I noticed in the 2002 Disney Club discounts that there is now a DC discount for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. I called and had it subtracted from my reservation total. I thought you might want to remind your readers of this discount.
Read more about the Hoo Dee Doo Review at:http://allears.net/din/hddcom.htm
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Disney's Welcome to the Magic Kingdom Tour
New in 2002 is a 90-minute walking tour of the Magic Kingdom, which sounds like more like an orientation. Your tour guide will show you how to use the park guide map, what services are available in the Magic Kingdom, dining and entertainment options, and world- famous Disney attractions (including the opportunity to experience Disney's FastPass). Cost is $20 for everyone 10 and older (those under 10 are free).
If you take this tour, ALL EARS® would like to hear what you think!
For more details on this and the other tours at WDW visit: http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm
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Pinformation from Dizpins.com
Walt Disney World has cordially invited pin enthusiasts to attend The Princess Ball Pin Event at the Magic Kingdom on February 23, 2002. Reservations are now being taken at WDW Special Events at 407-827-7600. This grand pin event will feature the release of six new Princess Pins, and an Artist Choice Pin, featuring the Evil Queen. The highlight of this event is the exclusive bonus or event pin, featuring Walt and Tinkerbell!
WDW has scheduled many pin events in 2002, leading up to a three-day celebration of pin collecting in September. This will be a grand celebration bringing together pin collectors from all over the world. So mark your calendars! Here are some of the major WDW Pin Events for 2002:
February 23, 2002 ~ The Princess Ball at the Magic Kingdom March 16, 2002 ~ Disney-MGM Studios April 13, 2002 ~ Chester and Hester Pin-O-Rama at Disney's Animal Kingdom May 16, 2002 ~ Disney's Pin Trader Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder June 1, 2002 ~ Disney's Wide World of Sports June 29, 2002 ~ Disney's Contemporary Resort September 20, 21 and 22, 2002 ~ Epcot
On the first of each month, the WDW Pin of the Month Series (each a LE 5000) will feature Animated Legends. On one side of the pin, will be an animated drawing of a character, and the "flip" side will feature the character in full animated color. January's pin, Tinker Bell, kicked off this great series of pins.
Other new series of WDW pins include the open edition Walt Scroll Quote pin, released the 25th of every month, and the "With Walt" series, released on the 7th of each month. The "With Walt" series features images of Walt Disney growing up through the years with some of his favorite characters.
The Sunday Comic Strip Series, which began in 2001, continues with a new pin released on the 15th of each month. Once completed at the end of 2002, this series will reflect on one comic strip made famous from the Sunday Morning Funnies.
The Disney Store has released a new collection of pins called the 12 Months of Magic. The highlight of this series is a calendar pin, which will be released every month with one of our favorite characters, a Pooh Birthstone Pin and many holiday pins! This collection also has Movie Poster Pins, which are a continuation of the Movie Poster Pins released for the 100 Years of Dreams Pin Collection.
For the latest up-to-date information on Disney pins, don't forget to bookmark Dizpins.com. From all of us at Dizpins, Happy Pin Trading!!
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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.
