January 2004 WDW Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the December 30, 2003, Issue #223 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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STEP BACK IN TIME
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Ever wonder what Walt Disney World was like way back when? We rummage around in our archives for this feature, which takes you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World through the ages.

This month's Step Back in Time is taken from "Disney: The First 100 Years," by Dave Smith and Steven Clark. Let's travel back 31 years to 1973:

"The Walt Disney Story" opened on Main Street, USA in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Narrated by Walt himself, this was a film that told his life story.

The Richard E. Irving Riverboat sailed on its inaugural voyage down the Rivers of America in WDW's Magic Kingdom, which also debuted its own version of Pirates of the Caribbean.

A new resort called the Golf Resort Hotel opened in 1973, as well. Now known as Shades of Green, this resort is undergoing a major rehab and is scheduled to reopen later this spring.

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Souven-EARS
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A long time ago in a land far, far away, there was a young woman (well, young in spirit anyway!) who searched Walt Disney World for unique and special souven-ears to share with her friends at AllEarsNet® Months passed and no one received any news from the intrepid shopper. Folks speculated whether the shopper had met with an untimely demise.

Fear not! Your Souven-ear Shopper has returned to the shops and is back at her keyboard, bringing you news from the gift shops in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

If you're looking for something a little more unusual, something a little out of the ordinary, the Animal Kingdom is the place to look. Even many of the Disney logo items found in this park are unique. If you're looking for something without a Disney label, something interesting and a treasure for your home, this is one park you should not overlook.

At the Mombasa Marketplace you'll find the World's best selection of "Indiana Jones" type hats, as well as wonderful wooden animal sculptures ranging in size and price from tiny, tiny to very grand ($1 to as much as you want to spend!). One particularly interesting item is a lamp [3] with two carved and painted giraffes on the base, and a black shade ($95), the perfect accessory for an office or library. You'll also find many other examples of native African art [4] including ceremonial shields, animal masks and tribal figures. Too esoteric? You can also find wonderful sets of placemats, napkins and coasters ($34), carved wooden kitchen utensils ($8) and picture frames ($15-$28).

To read Glo's entire article, with photographs, visit: http://allears.net/btp/glo5.htm

Look for the Souven-EARS featurette in the monthly ALL EARS® "Bits and Bites" issue. To read Gloria from Miami's other Souven-EARS articles, visit: http://allears.net/btp/gloria.htm

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TOYS IN EPCOT'S JAPAN
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The Kitahara Collection of Tin-Toys is on display for the next three years at the Bijutsu-kan Gallery in Epcot's Japan pavilion. More than 350 toys that were produced from 1880 to 1970 can be found in the Gallery. The toys include planes, cars, animals, spaceships, Japanese cartoon characters and even Disney characters! The exhibit also has a toy rabbit that you can "activate," as well as a video of John Lasseter (director of Toy Story and A Bug's Life) explaining how the Kitahara collection inspired him to create Toy Story.

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MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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Fantasmic! will be be closed for refurbishment January 26 – January 30, resuming shows on Saturday, January 31, 2004.

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Remember that Timekeeper and Carousel of Progress in the Magic Kingdom are open while Alien Encounter is being renovated.

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The Wonders of Life Pavilion in Epcot will begin its new schedule beginning January 5, 2004, with the rides operating only during peak crowd conditions.

http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_body.htm

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If you missed the Christmas Show at the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland, you have until January 11 to catch it. The attraction will close January 12-16 to convert back to its regular show.

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_frland.htm

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Visit the 75 "InspEARations" of Mickey Mouse, an artistic showcase on display at the Magic Kingdom through April 2004 in honor of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary.

http://allears.net/news/hnews.htm#1103

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The Walt Disney World Marathon takes place on January 11. Read more about it here:

http://allears.net/tp/marath.htm

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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Kelly T. of Pennsylvania writes: My first Magical Moment occurred in 1999 — our family's first trip to Walt Disney World. My children, then 2-1/2 and 4-1/2, and I spent six long months planning our trip, taking virtual tours on our Disney World CD-ROM and "dreaming" as we waited for dad to return from his six-month deployment with the United States Marine Corps — this was to be our welcome home vacation. It was our first morning at the Magic Kingdom and because we were staying at a WDW resort, we entered an hour early and headed straight for Fantasyland and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel. My husband and brother-in-law stood outside the carousel with cameras and video cameras ready to capture the perfect moment. My sister and I got all three children (my 4-1/2 year old niece included) on the horse of their choice and then jumped on, too. In the few moments before the ride began, I took a moment to soak it all in… a perfect blue sky, not a cloud to be seen, the sun shining, a sparkling park, not a speck of dirt in sight or a flower out of place. I think, for me, it was a dream come true… something I had dreamed about since I was a little girl: taking my children to Disney World! My eyes got all misty as emotions came over me. My sister looked at me and the next thing you know, her eyes were misty, too. We began laughing so hard (to avoid really crying I'm sure). The looks on our husbands' faces were priceless… they must have thought we had completely lost it! It's a moment I will never forget!

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Katie Coleman shares: Our magical moment happened AFTER returning home. My daughter had lost her purse with all of her money and some jewelry while we were in WDW in October. She had gone to the front desk of the Beach Club and reported it lost, but we did not expect to ever see it again. In late November, we received a package from WDW's Lost and Found. It was my daughter's purse and everything was still in it, including all of her money! This act of honesty and kindness is a reason we love WDW!

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Laura Dennis writes: My husband and I are childless and make up for that any way we can by acting like children. On our second trip to WDW we discovered the joy of characters and autographs. We stood in line at the Toontown Hall of Fame tent, not once, but twice! We discovered Cinderella and her two mice and knew we had to try again for Winnie the Pooh and friends, my personal favorites. We were treated to not only Winnie, but Tigger and Eeyore. After bursting into tears of joy at my discovery of my long time friend, Winnie the Pooh, I noticed that no one was visiting with Eeyore. He was sitting on the floor, looking sadder than usual. I knelt down and asked if I could have his autograph. He obliged and held my hand as my husband snapped our picture. When I moved to leave, Eeyore shook his head no and held my hand a bit longer. I didn't get to leave until he was ready! That was one of our favorite moments.

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Each month in our WDW Bits and Bites issue we share ALL EARS® subscribers' Magical Moments stories. Send your Magical Moment to [email protected]

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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.