30k copies?

So what does 30000 copies of Disney's Sleeping Beauty look like? Was at the downtown Dallas Niemen-Marcus store


today and got to see.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Remembering Roy E.

Good article over at the Financial Times on Roy E. Disney:

“Roy saved the company on at least two occasions,” said Clifford Miller, managing director of Shamrock Holdings, Disney’s investment firm. “He kept the flame alive in terms of animation.”

Roy Disney Dead At 79

RIP Roy!

Clifford A. Miller, a spokesman for Roy Disney's company Shamrock Holdings, told the Los Angeles Times that Disney died Wednesday after a bout with cancer.

Tron Legacy

For all you dad's of a 'certain age" out there...I know you can't wait to see Tron Legacy either.  Some great artwork is over on CNET.  Now we just have to wait until December 2010

Fewer 2010 discounts?

Eeeek, for those always looking to feed their addiction on the cheap (that would be me) looks like Disney is going to be a little tighter in 2010 with discounts if the economy starts an upswing:

The world’s biggest theme-park operator has already reduced discounts from a year ago, Iger said today at a UBS AG investor conference in New York. Disney added promotions in November 2008 to attract visitors during the credit crunch.

“We will be able to continue to dial that back over the latter part of 2010,” Iger said, referring to discounts on hotel rooms, food and merchandise. “We are not making these commitments yet until we see the marketplace conditions.”

Pleasure Island - 2012

So we're still not sure what all Disney has planned for Pleasure Island but we now know it won't be done until 2012 atleast.

plan to enhance Pleasure Island, which will feature new shopping and dining experiences to entertain guests of all ages

Happy Birthday, Walt!

Happy Birthday to our favorite Uncle Walt!!

Space Mountain queue gets short-play video-games

Yes, can't wait until Space Mountain opens back up and saw this over on Boing Boing this morning.  More details over at Disney Parks Blog

A reader writes, "Passengers riding Walt Disney World's updated Space Mountain attraction will be able to play video games as they wait in line. Each game lasts about 90 seconds with a 90-second interval and the games can accommodate 86 players at one time."

Manufactured Emotion

Great little story over on Dustin Curtis' blog on meeting "Mr. Q" and discussing his role in the ambient sounds you hear at the Walt Disney World theme parks.

To get the original audio system at Disney World to work, engineers simply attached large speakers to several hundred light-posts randomly scattered throughout the park. It worked reasonably well, and in the decades since, the process has changed very little. For most theme parks, this is how audio systems are still built. But for the happiest place on Earth, and for Mr Q, it wasn’t good enough: it turns out, there is actually a minor flaw with this system. Because the speakers are placed on arbitrarily-positioned light-posts throughout the park, the volume of the music slightly fluctuates as visitors walk along pathways. As they get closer to a speaker, the music gets louder, and as they walk away, it gets quieter.

Shanghai...it's official

China is one step closer

The PAR approval will enable Disney and its Shanghai partners to move forward toward a final agreement to build and operate the park and begin preliminary development work. Upon completion of the final agreement, the project’s initial phase would include a Magic Kingdom-style theme park with characteristics tailored to the Shanghai region and other amenities consistent with Disney’s destination resorts worldwide.

AquaDuck

Over at the Disney Park's blog there's a great simulation video for the new AquaDuck ride that will be on the Disney Dream cruise.

Disney Dream water coaster

New ship, The Disney Dream, will have a four story high water coaster in a see-thru tube circling the ship...my son is going to go crazy over this.  The new ship looks great and sets sail Jan 26, 2011.

Disney Cruise announcement

Live over at http://www.disneycruiselineevents.com/disneydream/

About Walt

Nice talk on Walt Disney on the latest Tank Riot podcast.  Not safe for the little ones but good for the adult Disney-geeks

"Tank Riot just released a new podcast about the the life, works, controversies and urban legends of the animator everyone thinks they know. From Mickey Mouse in Plane Crazy to Donald Duck and Pluto, we discuss the animators like Ubbe Iwerks and the voice actors like Clarence 'Ducky' Nash and Pinto Colvig that made all of the myths possible."

New Disney iPhone apps

Disney Interactive Media Group is releasing a new batch of interactive apps for the iPhone and iTouch

Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) is launching free iPhone and iPod touch applications, giving fans access to Disney content and interactive features anywhere.

Haunted Mansion Tombstones

Just in time for Halloween, there's a great article over 2719 Hyperion on the stories behind the Haunted mansion tombstones.

Shanghai?

Interesting article that hit Reuters this morning on President Obama's upcoming visit to China:

With U.S. President Barack Obama due to visit China next month, speculation is swirling Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) may finally be about to announce a long-awaited deal to build a theme park in Shanghai.

Disney and the Shanghai government have been waiting since January for Beijing's approval to move forward with what would be the country's second Disneyland, after a Hong Kong park opened in 2005 to a string of operational problems and lacklustre attendance.

180-Day Window

According to the Disney Parks Blog:

Disney Parks vacation planners: Beginning today, we’re adjusting to a 180-day booking window for dining, recreation and tour offerings at Walt Disney World. Our theme park operating hours calendar will be published 180 days out as well. The changes will help you coordinate and plan upcoming vacations to Disney Parks.

Lou Mongello's Audio Guide to Walt Disney World - Fantasyland

Yippee...

Received the latest audio guide put out by "Mr. WDWRadio and Disney Trivia Buff" Lou Mongello this past weekend. Our family uses Lou's audio guides on our trips down to WDW to build the expectation even more as well as stop the Disney-downers once we leave the parks to get us over the shock of "leaving the bubble".  Just like his other audio guides (Main Street USA & Adventureland that I will review a little later), Lou has filled this little gem with all sorts of nuggets of trivia.  From being a longtime WDWRadio listener and even before with Mouse Tunes, I can tell you that all of us Disney-geeks are in awe of Lou's often inane and obscure knowledge about Walt Disney World.

This CD is setup in much the same as the his other guides (thank you Lou for making sure there are chapters for each attraction) and is a walking guide around Fantasyland with our favorite Disney-geek.  The guide starts with an Introduction of the land and then, of course, moves to an extremely detailed segment on Cinderella's Castle.  Do you know how many stones make up the castle?  OK, that's an easy one.   Hmmm, what's that weird looking flag really for?  Who's coat of arms are on the castle?  How many gallons of water are in the moat surrounding the castle?  I do get a chuckle every time Lou uses the word "approximate"...cause I just know Lou has probably actually measured everything down to atleast a pixie's height.

From the WDW icon (a good 20 minutes on the castle and courtyard), Lou takes us around all of the other current attractions (Cinderella's Golden Carrosel, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Pooh, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, Ariel, Mickey's Philharmagic, Peter Pan's Flight and of course, It's a Small World).  Thankfully, Lou also touches on some of our beloved Fantasyland attractions of yesteryear with Mr. Toad, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and the Skyway).

Lou takes the listener around thru the rest of the attractions making his way over to the conclusion at the portal to Liberty Square.  Hmmmm, so wonder if the next land will be Liberty Square & Frontier Land?  Can't wait to find out and hear what Lou has in store for us no matter where he strolls.

You can purchase a copy of this guide over at this link for $9.99 on CD (download it for $7.99) or take advantage of Lou's 3-pack special and download all three guides for $19.71 (hmmmm, where'd that weird price come from?) or on CD's for $24.95.  With Disney's announced changes coming to Fantasyland over the next couple of years, I'm sure Lou is already gearing up for the next volume one of my favorite lands.

Great job (again), Lou!

The WDW Christmas Day Parade Taping

It's a deep dark secret...but the Walt Disney World Christmas Day parade isn't really live on Christmas Day...but don't tell anyone. The tapings are now scheduled for Dec 3rd, 4th & 5th and you can register to be in the crowd over here.

Got New Years Eve plans?

Do it up right at Disney's Victoria & Albert's in the Grand Floridian.

Victoria & Albert’s restaurant is known for its special, personalized touches — and this event will be no exception. A chef and sommelier will prepare a menu that includes caviar from around the world and a collection of some of the most eclectic and famous champagnes available. Also, Chef Scott Hunnel and his team will make personal appearances during the event.

The eight to 10 course menu with wine and gratuity will be $375 plus tax. You should know that guests must to be older than 10 years of age to attend and older than 21 to be served alcohol.

New Annual Pass...in FL

Lucky Florida folks (except for the heat and hurricanes of course).

The Florida Resident Weekday Select Pass, will be good on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays, costs $169 for ages 10 and older, $149 for ages 3-9. Proof of Florida residency will be required, such as a driver license or an ID from a Florida college

Toy Story in 3d

Taking the kids (or are they taking me?) to the Toy Story double
feature tonight

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New Coaster simulator at Epcot

Raytheon has a new rollar coaster simulator exhibit opening today at Epcot Innoventions.  It's called "Sum of All Thrills".  Hmmm, wonder how close this is to my son's favorite Cyberspace Mountain at DisneyQuest?

The ride begins, after a tutorial, in a design room. On a touchscreen computer, visitors pick a vehicle shape and determine how fast the ride should go based on ascent, inversions or corkscrews.

The information is saved on a magnetized card strip and fed into the simulator, where visitors experience the track they just designed. The cards are imprinted with numerical identifiers kids can use at home for a Raytheon educational Web site with more math and science problems.

Steve Jobs and the new Disney Stores

Interesting article making the rounds today on how Steve jobs is working on revamping the Disney Stores.

Good old Stevesy runs pretty much the most profitable retail chain in the country, the Apple Store, and coincidentally also owns Pixar—and thus sits on Disney's board. So he heavily consulted with Disney when they decided to totally redesign their retail store's image, and it shows.

Country Bears

Found this little gem over at Boing Boing

Passes to The Princess and the Frog

So kewl. Friend of mine at the office just got back from WDW (yes, insanely jealous) and snagged my kiddo's a couple of free passes to The Princess and the Frog. Can't wait til December to see it.

Over 500 million served

With help from my handy dandy DisneyWorldTrivia.com desk calendar...Did you know that on this day in 1995, Walt Disney World welcomed it's 500 millionth guest?

Trip Pre-planning

Listening to old podcast on my way into town this morning. Just some
random thoughts on things you should do in planning your trip to WDW.
• Make sure you have comfy shoes and walk in them to break em in
• Know what attraction closings will be and plan around
• Get those dining ADRs taken care of
• Print out park hours (these can change but a good start)
• Check out menus online
• Order the latest WDW DVD from Disney and the custom park maps
• Have each member of the family pick one 'must see/do' on the trip.
• Got enough batteries / chargers / memory cards for your electronics?
• Sunscreen & ponchos

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Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc...done deal

Looks like Blackstone Group has officially got their hands on "some other tourist attraction in central Florida" called Sea World & Busch Gardens for $2.7B. 

Blackstone, the New York-based private-equity giant, will pay AB InBev $2.3 billion in cash plus give the beer brewer a right to participate in its return on investment up to $400 million. Blackstone will own 100 percent of Busch Entertainment.

As rumors of the sale swirled, analysts speculated that Blackstone could ultimately seek to package Busch with Merlin ahead of an initial public offering or pair it with Universal Orlando -- which it co-owns with NBC Universal -- to create a more formidable competitor to Walt Disney World. But Blackstone says it does not intend to pursue any such combination; the firm noted it bought Busch, Universal and Merlin out of separate investment funds with separate investors and interests.

Water sketches

I haven't had the chance to see these in person yet at Magic kingdom...but love the video of it over at the Disney Parks Blog.  This is a great example of why we return to WDW time after time.  It's the details like this street art that clearly sets them apart from the rest.

The Basics at WDW for dining

WDW is trialing a new quick-service approach at four of it's restaurants called "The Basics" for lunch. 
At Pecos Bill's, Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Rays & Pinocchio Village Haus guest will be directed to one entrance by a greeter, handed menus, place orders at the registers and then directed to an empty table by anoither cast member.  WDW is hoping this will cut down on people "saving" tables instead of getting their food and then sitting down to eat.  Pecos Bills also is trialing self-ordering kiosk also.

AFV

Just watched the season premiere of America's Home Video with Wilson
(oh how he loves the countless groin shots and people falling on their
heads). Wow. The grandprize this season is a trip for 20 to WDW with
some "private time" in the Magic Kingdom. Quick! To the trampoline.
Start the camera...

Great miniature video of the Magic Kingdom

Love this video over on the Disney Park's blog

Happy Birthday WDW

It's been a great 38 years!

It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).

Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour

For all the Atlanta-area folks, the train tour will be at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth October 6, 2009.  It's Free!  One day only!  More information available on the web site

more info on the give a day...

More info on the Give a Day, get A Disney Day promotion can be found at http://giveadaygetadisneyday.com/

Insider Tips For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Great notes and video on some tips for those attending this event at the Magic Kingdom over on the Disney Park's Blog.  This is the one hard ticket event that I have not attended but would really love to make it one of these days...heard great things about it and gotta see the headless horseman.

Kids can see Disney's 'The Princess and the Frog' for free

Kewl, your kids can see the new Disney film for free. 

Visit one of Disney World's four parks starting Monday, Oct. 5, through Nov. 22 and you can get a free child's movie voucher for "The Princess and the Frog," which opens Dec. 11.



Guests must be 10 or older to collect the card with instructions to receive the voucher, which is good at participating theaters with one paid adult movie ticket. The voucher is worth up to $8 and must be used between Dec. 11 and 31.

Disney park's Blog

Disney has started up a new official Disney Park’s Blog.  Check it out over at www.DisneyParks.com/blog

What Will You Celebrate part duex

Disney has announced that they will be continuing the “What Will You Celebrate” promotion through 2010.  One thing changing is that they are not offering a gift card in lieu of a free ticket on your birthday.  Next year, the gifts offered will be a one-day park ticket, the special fastpass, an EarHat figurine with exclusive trading pins, or the option to donate your park ticket to a participating charity.

 

Buzz & Buzz

Real-life astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin joins Buzz Lightyear for a ticker-tape parade on Friday, October 2 at 2:45 pm at the Magic Kingdom Park. Aldrin will also be signing his books, Magnificent Desolation and Look to the Stars!

Give a day

Hey, do some good in the world and get into the World!!!

The "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program will provide certified volunteers with a one-day ticket to any park at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., or Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla., in 2010.

5 nights, get 7 or 4 nights, get 7 special is back on

WDW is at it again...buy 4 nights and get 7 (Moderate & Deluxe) or buy 5 nights and get 7 (Value) for dates November 1 - December 24th and Janurary 3 through March 27th.  Details over at Mousesavers:

• Buy a 4-night/4 day vacation package at a MODERATE, DELUXE or DELUXE VILLA resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 3 FREE hotel nights and 3 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 43% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 4 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 3 FREE nights and the 3 extra days on your tickets.
  
• Buy a 5-night/5 day vacation package at a VALUE resort, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 2 FREE hotel nights and 2 extra days on your theme park admission tickets, equivalent to a 29% discount on your room and tickets! You must buy a package that includes at least 5 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 5-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the 2 FREE nights and the 2 extra days on your tickets.
  

Disney-Marvel and Kirby problems?

Ran across an article where it looks like there could be some issues coming from the Marvel purchase.  The heirs of Jack Kirby have filed some copyright terminations for the company’s biggest superheros.  That $4 billion purchase may end up costing a little more.  Read more about it here:

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/in-wake-of-disney-marvel-deal-cartoonists-heirs-seek-to-reclaim-rights/?hp

Oct 2nd

Been watching all the commercials tonight about the Toy Story double
feature in 3D. October 2nd, here the Hasty family comes. Can't wait.

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The Fantasyland extreme makeover

Spent the morning on the back porch with coffee in hand and looking around at all of the various stories concerning theWDW Fantasyland "Extreme Makeover".  Wow...could be really cool!  Now we just need to work on Tomorrowland some more...

Dick Cook resigns

Head of the Disney Studio, Dick Cook, is stepping down after almost 30 years.

I am stepping down from my role as chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, effective immediately. I have loved every minute of my 38 years that I have worked at Disney … from the beginning as a ride operator on Disneyland’s steam train and monorail to my position as chairman of the Walt Disney Studios. To wrap up my Disney experience in a neatly bundled statement is close to impossible...

The princess and the frog

Watching the previews for the new Disney film. Wow. Forgot how much I missed Disney's 2D non cgi animation. It looks great.
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EO?

Saw this little blurb over on TMZ about Michael Jackson's kids getting to have a private viewing of Captain EO last week at Disneyland. I never got to see EO at Epcot (my Disney addiction hadn't taken full hold of me yet) but wouldn't it be great to get this back at Epcot. We definitely need something new (or old) to replace Honey, I Shrunk the Audience...it's ran it's course and can't remember the last time I actually went to it.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/16/mjs-kids-watch-private-screening-of-captain-eo/

Empress Lily

Wow...I look SOOOOooo thrilled to be at WDW with my new wife.  I believe this is before the Disney bug bite me in 1994?  Here we are at the Empress Lily for breakfast. The Empress Lily closed in 1995 to later reopen in 1996 as Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney.  

 http://www.wdwradio.com/Downtown-Disney/Empress-Lily-Riverboat-Closed.html

 

WDW Fantasyland Expanding

Ok...so much good stuff came out of D23 Expo this past week that I gotta make it next year to the gathering.  "The expansion, announced at the D23 Expo over the weekend,will double the size of Fantasyland. All work is expected to be completed by 2013."

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2009/09/14/daily1.html

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel Search Begins!

Well, sent in my submissions for this year's "moms" panel. Cross your fingers and pass the pixie dust for this ol' WDW Daddy to become a "Mom". Submit your entries over at Walt Disney World Moms Panel and good luck

Skeleton Dance

Ran across the original Skeleton Dance on youtube the other day...still a masterpiece that helped start the place we all love:

Can you feel the magic?

Some great Disney/Marvel mashups

Some great mashups over here

Spidey senses are tingling

Disney to Acquire Marvel Entertainment

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel's properties.

Disney's test of centralized fastpasses

So could this be the end of my morning sprints across Disney's Animal Kingdom? I'm usually in charge of running to Everest when the rope drops and meeting my family back at either Kali River or the Safari after I gather our fast passes for later. Disney is currently trailing a new centralized location an the Animal Kingdom:

In its continuing efforts to exceed Guests' expectations, Walt Disney World is trying something new out at the Animal Kingdom park – a centralized Fastpass distribution center located in the middle of the park and convenient to everyone no matter where they may be.

Happy 40th Haunted Mansion!

Another Disney World employee dies

Whats going on? Another cast member has died

http://mobile.timesoftheinternet.com/102085.html

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Disney Pirate Dies

Unfortunatly, another Disney World death

http://cbs4.com/local/walt.disney.world.2.1123058.html

Monorail crash

Tragic events this morning on the Magic Kingdom monorail line.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2200-Orlando-Theme-Parks-Examiner~y2009m7d5-Breaking-new-Two-monorails-crash-at-Disney-World-on-Epcot-line-one-Cast-Member-dead
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Luxo Jr

Looks like Luxo Jr had made an appeareance at the Studios

Loves his mickey

Ok, I'm thinking my obsession is not that bad...

Captain EO

Thought it appropriate to post this video today:

Tim Burton's Alice

Images from Tim Burton's take on Alice in Wonderland are over at Wired. Can't wait.

Disney Netbook

Disney, Asus bring Netpal Netbooks to kids

Kewl, Disney is partnering up with Asus for a kids netbook.

All Aboard for "Disney's A Christmas Carol" Train Tour

Kewl, a Disney train tour (and sweepstakes) for A Christmas Carol from Amtrak...

UP Easter Eggs

A good list of some of UP's Easter Eggs is over here:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/31/easter-eggs-in-pixars-up/

Back and UP

Well, we got home yesterday from our wonderful 8 days at WDW. Will
have to get used to no turndown service and innkeeper lounge snacks.
Snif. We did just go see UP and it again reminds me of why I'm a
Disney freak. Pixar sure can tell a fabulous "Disney" story. Film is
amazing and will be seeing it again. Now to go back home to my non-
concierge house and start planning our next trip.

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Wet!

Ahh, been at Blizzard Beach since opening. Chillaxin at the resort
then off to Epcot tonight.

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Tuesday?

You gotta be kidding me. It's only Tusday? Wow. We're off to EPCOT
for the day (extra magic hours tonight) and maybe a jump over to
Blizzard Beach midday.

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Typhoon Lagoon

Just got back from Typhoon Lagoon and heading to animal kingdom before
the rains hit

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We're home

Like crazy people we decided to drive all night and made it to the
Boardwalk Inn at 6am today. To our surprise, our room was ready. Had a
quick bite to eat in the concierge lounge then off to Magic Kingdom.
Went back the hotel to swim some then poured on while leaving
DisneyQuest. Was planning on heading back to magic kingdom for extra
magic hours but dead tired.

Packing

It's almost here...I can taste it!!! Or I can taste a turkey leg in my future. Waiting to see if I get pulled into strike duty tonight and if not decided to head down a day early so we can be at the Boardwalk Inn bright and early Sunday morning. I mean, Magic Kingdom is only open until 2AM Sunday so we won't have much time .

Ok, I'm telling myself to relax on this trip...just because a park is open doesn't mean it's only open for me. Trying to let the family relax and not drive them crazy this next week with go..go...go. It's going to be tough.

Next stop...Lake Buena Vista...

Ran across this in my morning Disney news scanning...

R.I.P. Wayne Allwine, Voice of Mickey Mouse

he voice of Mickey Mouse for over 25 years and a certified Disney Legend, Wayne Allwine, passed away Monday, May 18th at the age of 62 due to complications from diabetes.

Disney in DC?

Ran across this article this morning. So a DC DVC in the works?

Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor

Walt Disney Co. has bought a 15-acre parcel at Prince George's County's sprawling National Harbor development, a shot in the arm for a project that opened with big ambitions a year ago, only to run headfirst into one of the sharpest economic declines in decades.

So close

So close we can taste it...yum...Tonga Toast that is. We're counting down to under a week to go before we check in. Trying to make this trip a relaxing one (trying) and have not planned a lot. Double checking what days we're hitting what parks. Trying to not park hop on this trip but instead use that money to buy Water parks and More (ok, DisneyQuest is the more now I guess). We arrive next Sunday morning and it looks like Magic Kingdom is only open until 2AM...what will we do?

Almost

Got in our reservation package from Mouse Fan Travel (thanks Coleen)
yesterday. Can't wait for our trip to begin.

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Eager and worried

We're soooo close to our week at Wdw. Can't wait. Only issue we have
now is the possiblity of being called for strike duty if one of our
unions walk out at work. So can't wait to check into the Boardwalk
Inn and hope I get to stay the whole week.

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in the home stretch

Family is getting excited...we're down to a month until our next trip and we can't wait.

It's JUST another amusement park, right?

I'm sure many of you Disney-geeks out there hear that question over and over by your friends. Why is a Disney THEME park so different then the local AMUSEMENT park? Why do you always go back to Walt Disney World over and over? It's way too expensive! Why do your co-workers assume with each long weekend they know where you'll be?

It's the Disney difference.

It's always present and makes you smile.

I was reminded this past weekend just how many "differences" there really are with a trip to

my local Six Flags. Here's some of the minor differences that set Disney apart from all other AMUSEMENT parks.

• Disney operates all-inclusive THEME parks...not just amusement with some plywood cutouts
• Why was I in shock when I got off the Sky Buckets and the Six Flags employee actually said these words, "have a nice day"
• For a park that's closed 4-5 months of the year, is there really any excuse for the paint chips the size of your head falling off the rides?
• Bees!!!! Where else can part of the thrill be for your kids to dodge bees, wasp and other swarming critters at every trash can and ride entrance?
• Gotta love a carousel horse with moss growing off the pole - I mean, they just opened for the year...did you expect it to be clean or something?
• Getting to go thru multiple metal detectors at the entrance.
• The joy of having a season pass and still getting to pay $60 for parking

We live about 10-15 minutes from Six Flags Over Georgia. That's just close enough to where our kids do enjoy the occasional thrill ride and the season pass makes it tempting. Every year we vow to never do it again and somehow end up with a season pass. (This year was only going to be Six Flags White Water park but with 2 planned trips to Over Georgia planned for school it made sense to get the dual pass).

After our first trip to Six Flags this season, I can atleast say that in 7-weeks...we'll be back home again at Walt Disney World.

The countdown

Today's the day that for some reason I woke up thinking "it's only 2
months to my next trip to WDW!". Love that feeling. Now to start the
serious planning and building of my next infamous trip folder

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Hidden Mickeys

On your next trip how about a little family challenge to see who can find the most hidden Mickeys. What's a Hidden Mickey you say? (from Wikipedia)

A Hidden Mickey is a subtle formation of a silhouette of the head of Mickey Mouse and his two ears, a more complete representation of Mickey Mouse (such as Mickey mixed in with a crowd or in the background), or a representation of another character (such as the huge hidden Jafar at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in Africa in the Animal Kingdom) that is found in various Disney media, such as animated films, TV series, or the Disney theme parks.^[1] Mickeys may be painted, made up of objects (such as rocks, or three plates on a table), or be references such as someone wearing Mickey Mouse Club ears in a painting.

HINT: Always check out your hotel room (This is the bedspread at Disney's Yacht Club)

Steve Barrett has an excellent book and web-site to help you on your Hidden Mickey journey.

Some geeky info on Toy Story Midway Mania

Was listening to the Netcot podcast and Vann mentioned a geeky article on the technology being used on Toy Story Midway Mania. It's a great attraction and a technical wonder.

Disney Rides on Wireless Ethernet

The automation system breaks new ground in other ways too. One is its scale. “It’s the biggest system we’ve done, not geographically but in the number of control zones,” says Gerstner. Another is in the amount of integration work that had to be done to weave the attraction’s distinct game, ride and show elements into a seamless user experience. And the attraction is a great example of how the clever use of position sensors and software can take up the some of the mechanical slack in motion control systems.

Hopscotch across the UK

One of our families favorite relaxing things to do on our trips (yes, I'm told trips to WDW can actually be relaxing) is to take our time and wander (wonder) around Epcot's World Showcase. My favorite relaxing spot is the United Kingdom. Our son usually finds a game of hopscotch occurring in front of the Rose and Crown pub as I grab my Guinness or black and tan. Grab some fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and head out back to hear the British Invasion play. My deep dark secret is that I've never really been a Beatles fan but I do enjoy the music this way at Epcot. I've promised my wife that our next trip is actually going to be relaxing and we're staying at the Boardwalk Inn...so I believe I'll find myself sneaking thru the International Gateway and finding myself in the UK often during that trip.

Are you 23...yet?

Looks like the secret is out on the “Are You 23?” question. It’s the official online Disney community over at http://disney.com/d23 (fyi, The Walt Disney Brothers Studio was founded on October 16, 1923).

· Looks like membership is $74.95/year

· You get 4 quarterly “23” magazines

· Membership Card and Certificate

· Exclusive Special Events and Merchandise

· Surprise Collectible Gift

· D23 Expo in Anaheim, California from September 10-13, 2009. (hmmm, like Mousefest?)

· Subscription to bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter with breaking news and special offers.

· Access to http://disney.com/d23 for daily updates

That special picture

One of the things we try to do on each trip with our kids (we go a lot...really attempting to limit to once per year soon...really) is to take a picture in the same special place. We have a nice collection over the years of the kids growing up in the parks. One of our favorites is in the Magic Kingdom overlooking Cinderella Castle on the walkway from Sleepy Hollow. This is our artistic one (with the kids back to us while wishing on that star). We also have a large collection of attempts at freeing the sword from the stone in Fantasyland , of course. (My daughter was able to pull the sword out not once but THREE times last November...a first). So try to pick a spot on your next trip for that extra special memory.

The Kitchen Sink Sundae...and Monday...and Tuesday

One thing I always suggest for folks to try on their next trip, especially if they're veterans and think they've seen and done it all, is the kitchen sink sundae over at Beaches and Cream. It's over at Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Resort tucked away behind the amazing Stormalong Bay pool. Make sure you skip a meal before attempting to tackle this monster. Eight scoops of ice cream with every topping they can find with a whole can of whipped cream on top...served in...you guessed it, a kitchen sink.

Testing mobile posting

One of Wilson's favorite trophy's is from when he was Ski Captain for the Day at Disney's Blizzard Beach

Playing around with format

Playing around with Photoshop this week and various layouts for the blog. Will settle on a look and feel soon and then get into more content.

We did just move our reservations for our May trip to take advantage of the "buy 4 get 3 free" promotion at the Boardwalk Inn...and concierge too...yeah!!! We're starting the planning for the trip which I have promised my wife would be a calm and relaxing one this time. But in my defense, if WDW wouldn't keep the Magic Kingdom open until 2am if they didn't WANT me to be there, right? Nothing like riding Big Thunder Mountain after midnight and then insisting we be at the next day's rope drop.

Starting Up

Welcome to the WDWDaddy Blog.

My name is Gary and I'm addicted to Disney...there, I said it. I have 2 Disney kids, Wilson & Ella, who run the podcast wdwkids.com and a VERY understanding wife named Lisa. I plan on using this blog to help calm my nerves in between trips to WDW as well as to hopefully post some helpful tips I've learned from my travels and interactions with the company.