August 2015 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the July 28, 2015 Issue #827 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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STEP BACK IN TIME
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by Debra Martin Koma
AllEars® Editor

Each month, we rummage around in our archives for this featurette, which indulges in a bit of nostalgia, taking you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company through the ages. This month, we journey back to the fall of 1982 to look at a ground-breaking attraction that opened that October.

The 3D movie Magic Journey debuted on Epcot's opening day, October 1, 1982. Presented by Kodak in the theme park's Imagination Pavilion, Magic Journeys was the first-ever polarized 3D film. The 17-minute presentation took a look at the world through the eyes and imagination of a child. The attraction's sign welcomed visitors: "Follow Figment to Magic Journeys, a 3D Film Fantasy."

The Magic Journeys pre-show, Working for Peanuts, was an animated 3D short film starring Donald Duck and Chip and Dale that was produced in 1953. The pre-show lasted eight minutes. Throughout the lobby of the attraction were 3D pictures of the cast and crew of Working for Peanuts. There was also a countdown clock for those wondering, "When does the next show start?"

The introduction of Michael Jackson's Captain EO film forced Magic Journeys to move to the Fantasyland Theater in the Magic Kingdom on December 15, 1987. It remained there until December 1, 1993.

Magic Journeys also appeared in Disneyland from 1984 to 1986, and in Tokyo Disneyland, where it played from 1985 to 1987.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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Do YOU have a wonderful photograph that captures the Magic of the Disney Parks or Disney Cruise Line? Send it to us and it could be chosen as our Photo of the Week! Each week we'll select one photograph that we think best conveys that extra sprinkling of pixie dust, and display it for all our readers to see. Send us your favorite memories and let's see what "develops!"

Be sure to check our guidelines before sending in your entry!

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HERE'S THIS WEEK'S PHOTO:

"Down by the Old Mill Stream"

Taken April 2012, at Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Photo by Stephanie Price of Elmer, New Jersey

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HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, encourages you to search for these Hidden Mickeys on your next journey to Walt Disney World.

1. Disney's Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. On the left side of the display aisle of this walk-through attraction, in the 1940 Fantasia exhibit, a young Walt Disney holds a painting. Three large, round bushes in the painting form an upright classic Mickey. (Thanks to Rodrigo and Alejandro and Rogelio Orta.)

2. Disney's Hollywood Studios – Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Look down for a tiled floor just as you enter the inside of the building along the Standby entrance queue. In the middle of the walkway at the end of this floor section, before you enter the carpeted room, two classic Mickeys are each formed by three tiny round tiles. The circles are all the same size, but these images are purposeful and they're sentimental favorites. (Thanks to David Campbell, Heather Beland, Evan, and Sam Loynes.)

3. Epcot – Club Cool, Future World West. A classic Mickey is formed when the rear doors open. Stand inside and watch the door on your left. When it's fully open, circles on the door and the glass wall come together as a Hidden Mickey in the center of the door. (These are the current images; the circles have changed over time after periodic refurbishing.) (Thanks to Ed Bouligny, and Matthew.)

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You can find a selection of past Hidden Mickey Alerts HERE.

And check out our latest Searching Disney with Steve blog.

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MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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EVENTS

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Frozen Summer Fun LIVE runs through September 7. See details in our "NEWS BITES" section below.

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Check our Events page for a full schedule of upcoming events.

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REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Animal Kingdom

Disney Outfitters on Discovery Island is being expanded to include the addition of a clock tower. The construction is expected to be completed sometime in November.

Epcot

Innoventions in Future World West is closed except for the Visa Character Photo Location.

The Vision House exhibit in Innoventions East has closed permanently.

The Maelstrom attraction and Spirit of Norway movie have closed to make way for "Frozen Ever After," based on the animated film, "Frozen." The new attraction will take guests to the film's land of Arendelle and is expected to open in early 2016. The Norway pavilion will also again host a royal greeting location where the characters Anna and Elsa can meet guests.

Magic Kingdom

Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square will be closed for renovations through November 19, 2015.

Dream Along with Mickey, the Castle Forecourt show, will not be performed through August 22, 2015.

Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland is closed through September 25, 2015.

Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed for refurbishment August 4 – 10, 2015.

Several enhancements to the Central Plaza area between the end of Main Street and Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom are coming over the next few months. Parts of the project have already been unveiled; the project is scheduled to be completed this year.

Monorail

The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment that affects the Express monorail beam, which runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and the Magic Kingdom. Now and throughout the summer, Express beam shutdowns will occur between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Resort beam will continue to run during downtimes. Guests arriving at the TTC during downtimes will be directed to the ferry boats.

Beach Club

Guest Rooms are being refurbished with new hard and soft goods. Some noise could travel. Work takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, now through August 22, 2015.

Villa rooms at Disney's Beach Club are also currently undergoing renovations. Small blocks of rooms will be renovated at one time. Major in-room modifications include new furniture, carpet, flooring, curtains, linens and stainless steel appliances. Upgrades to the electrical system will add USB charging stations and additional electrical outlets to the villas. Deluxe Studio villas are being expanded to accommodate five guests with the addition of a fold-down sleeper.

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Gasparilla Island Grill will close for refurbishment on August 23. It is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, September 5, 2015.

Polynesian Resort

Polynesian East Pool is closed for enhancement through early 2016. Expect noise and construction; some pathways may be blocked.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is currently undergoing the largest renovation in its 25-year history. The Swan rooms will be completed in 2015. The first phase of the Dolphin Hotel room renovations will not begin until 2016, with the entire room project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

Downtown Disney/Disney Springs

The multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs will treat guests to more shopping, dining and entertainment amid open-air promenades, springs and waterfront charm. Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands, from boutique shops to unique flagship anchor stores. The Landing section of Disney Springs will open and be rededicated in 2015.

Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive – Through March 2016. Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Downtown Disney and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.

Parking Lots – Entrance 2 – Lots A-G – closed through August 2016, in preparation for the construction of Town Center and the East Garage.

Paradiso 37 on Pleasure Island is set to nearly double its seating. It will add more terrace dining and a new outdoor performance stage. The menu will continue to offer a culinary tour of North, Central and South America. Paradiso 37 will remain open while undergoing renovations, which are expected to be finished by this summer.

Read HERE for more on Disney Springs.

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A complete list of rehabs can be found HERE.

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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Nathan F.: I just came back from Walt Disney World, a father/daughter trip I took with my 9-year-old daughter, and had to write in about a Magical Moment we had. My daughter had just met with Alice outside the cottage on the main road at the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot. We asked a cast member when Mary Poppins would be coming to the cottage since my daughter wanted to meet her. The cast member told us that Mary Poppins doesn't meet at the cottage, but down the path next to the cottage, near Twinings Tea Shop. Just as we were about to go, the cast member said, "Oh, here comes Mary Poppins now," and to my daughter's delight, she saw Mary Poppins walking towards her. Mary Poppins saw my daughter waiting by the path, and started walking with her, just my daughter and Mary Poppins walking down the path, alone, to the place where she needs to be for her meet-and-greet. She got to her destination and said, "Oh, I see there are people waiting to meet me! Thank you for walking with me." The smile on my daughter's face was priceless — this was a dream come true, not just for my daughter but me, too.

Carolyn Brooke-Millward: We have many, many happy memories of trips to Walt Disney World over the last 25 years, (from the UK, no less!), but one of the loveliest recent ones happened to us in 2013. I LOVE Epcot, it is my absolute favourite park, and I am always so excited to go there again. On our first day there in November 2013, as we approached the turnstiles I began to tear up a bit. This is nothing unusual for me when at a Disney park, although it usually happens during parades and fireworks. Oh, and shows. And when leaving each park for the last time on that trip. And when I first walk up Main Street and see the castle. Anyway, I digress — we got through the turnstiles and I was staring at Spaceship Earth, tears streaming down my face and my husband trying to ignore me, when a very tall and magnificent cast member said to him, "Is she crying ALREADY? Man, it's gonna be a looooooong day!" This made us both fall about laughing, and stopped me from grizzling my way 'round the entire park that morning!

Robert B.: It was our 20th anniversary and we chose to go to the World. We stayed at BoardWalk Villas because Epcot is my wife's favorite park. The whole day of our anniversary was made special by all the cast members, but one event was really special. We were at the American Adventure watching the singers perform when a cast member came up to us and asked us to follow him. We were a little confused as he brought us to a room and said there was a phone call for us. On the line were Mickey and Minnie wishing us a happy anniversary! Then we were led to an elevator that allowed us to get our seats before everyone else. It was just that extra touch that made our day extra special. Thank you, Disney.

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We just bet you have a story to tell about an unforgettable moment during your Disney vacation! Please send your favorite memory for inclusion in a future AllEars® to: [email protected] Thank you all for sharing!

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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.