WDWNT The Magazine Issue 1 by Patty Granger

premiere issue March, 2011

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WDWNT: The Magazine 1

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“To all who read this hap py magazine is your maga : Welcome! W zine. Here, a DWNT: The ge relives fo here youth m Magazine nd memorie ay savor the s o f attractions challenge an The Magazin past, and d promise o e is dedicate f future park d to the idea have created s. W DWNT: ls, the dream the Disney th s, and the ha eme parks, w of joy and in rd facts that ith the hope spiration to a that it will be ll our readers a source .” OK, we’re no Walt Disney . But we do and enthusia share his sam sm for the D e passion, d is ney parks an hope of every edication, d entertainm writer, edito e n t, a r, n la d yout artist, c this magazin it is the since ontributor, a e demonstra re nd staff mem tes those fee am pleased ber that lings. On be to present th half of the en is inaugural tire team, I edition of W DWNT: The The driving M a gazine! purpose of th is magazine foster open, is to bring D respectful d isney fans to iscussion wit aimed square gether and hin the comm ly at the seri unity. This m ous Disney fa WDWNT: Th agazine is n with a defi e Magazine nite theme p is written by publishers h a rk slant. Disney fans, ave no intenti for Disney fa on of ever ch advertising re ns. The arging for th venue is ded is publicatio icated to imp n and any roving the m agazine for th As with all a e readers. spects of the WDWNT Ne of this public twork, the m ation (and th ost importan e thing we a feedback we t aspect re most excited receive from about) is rea the readers. age you to se lly the Therefore, w nd e-mails w e absolutely ith your com what you like encourments and su , what you d ggestions. L on’t like, and e t us know what you wo uld like to re In this first is ad about. sue, we have a good varie different typ ty of articles es of Disney that will app enthusiasts w Paris, Space eal to many it h topics inclu Mountain, th ding Disney e Walt Disne Akershus re land y World Mara staurant, Fan thon, Tower tasyland exp festival off-se of Terror, ansion, recre ason, Vinylm ating the Foo ation, Disney photography d & Wine historical do sessions, an cuments, pro d the time of hope that yo fessional the 3 o’clock u enjoy the c parade. We olumns and members of si ncerely fe atures in this WDWNT: Th issue. The m e Magazine edition and w any staff have worked e are excited hard to prod to bring you u c e this first much more in the future. To submit yo ur feedback , please ema il wdwntthem agazine@wd wnt.com. Sincerely,

Josh Stern

Josh Stern Editor in Ch ie

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c o nt ents

18 F EATU R E S

8 Highlights

a look back at this months highlights

DEPARTMENTS

18 Disneyland Paris a Disney fan’s first trip to Disneyland Paris

32 Re-Imagining a Fantasy a look back at this months highlights

40 Four Parks, 26.4 Miles running the Disney marathon

45 Launching Space Mountain a deeper look into Space Mountain

10 Ask Dave Smith

56 Have You Tried?

12 Delving into the D.O.R.K

58 Eating WDW

reader’s questions are answered

discovering the world of Disney books, documents, and ephemera

recreating Epcot’s food & wine festival

50 The Time I...

65 Vinylmation Variation

54 Dining with Kids

76 Evac 101

rode on Tower of Terror

Norway’s Akershus

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Disney’s Photopass professional session

a look at the latest in Vinylmation

a story of a Test Track evac

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Josh Stern

Jason Diffendal, David Smith, Josh Stern

disney dream maiden voyage 1.26.11

DIN G/ EA /

monthly highlights

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Tom Corless, Jason Diffendal, Sarah Holodick, Taylor Martina, Brian Shapiro, Jenni Simon, David Smith, Marci Smith, Jackie Steele, Josh Stern, Michael Truskowski.

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Sarah Holodick,

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Family Fun Weekends at Disneyland Park 1.14.11 - 3.6.11

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1.16.11

Patty Granger, Sarah Holodick, Jenni Simon

Disneyland premiere of the Magic, the Memories & You! 1.27.11

web// www.wdwntthemagazine.com phone// 206.666.2982 email// wdwntthemagazine@wdwnt.com twitter// twitter.com/wdwnt facebook// facebook.com/wdwnt

pixar pal countdown to fun

Truskowski.

CT A T N

Purzycki, & Michael

& D ESIG

Jason Diffendal, Conner

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Demolition begins at Pleasure Island for Hyperion Wharf

2.12.11

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©D isne y

1.01.11

Mickey’s Toontown Fair Closes

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Revisions for the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland revealed 1.18.11

Mickey Mouse’s new Magic Kingdom home, the Town Square Theater, is announced y

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Paradise Pier Attractions Receive Classic Disney Attraction Posters 1.28.11

2.22.11

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“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” debuts at the Magic Kingdom

ElecTRONica Extended Through Labor Day

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1.16.11

2.14.11

HINT: If you click on the titles to any of the above news stories you visit the full article! (pdf verison only)

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A SK DAVE SMITH (No, Not That Dave Smith)

When Disney’s Chief Archivist Dave Smith retired recently, WDWNT thought he would make an excellent addition to the team. However, he didn’t return our calls, so we decided to just go out and find someone with the same name. After going through an extensive screening process, we finally found someone who knew the difference between the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. So each issue, our very own Dave Smith will answer your submitted questions. No, not that Dave Smith… Dave Smith…

Question: “In the pre-2009 Space Moun-

tain at WDW, were the asteroids really just chocolate-chip cookies?” – Felicity A, New York

Dave’s Answer: “Technically, the asteroids

were a projection, meaning they were really “made” of light, as much as something can be made of the quantum properties of light in relation to our perception and… OK, OK, I’m stalling; I know what you are really asking… The chocolate-chip cookie idea is fairly widespread at this point and even made an appearance in Birnbaum’s “official” guide books for the parks. Cast members have also passed this “secret” on to one another and to inquisitive guests. In my three minutes of research, I was not able to find an official answer, although I understand that there was a cast-member memo distributed that answered the question. The general consensus at this point is that the asteroids were not pictures of chocolatechip cookies. However, there are many different theories about what the asteroids actually are. Some of the options include: WDWNT: The Magazine 10

words, when the front of the parade hits a specific location. The answer, of course, depends on the parade and the location. Generally speaking, afternoon parades run from the back of the park to the front, while the evening parades run from front to back. The typical parade float takes about 20 minutes to travel the entire parade route. The center of the route is located right around the bridge between the hub and Liberty Square. Using those guidelines, it’s possible to calculate when the parade will hit certain points on the route. For instance, imagine you are standing at the hub waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade. That parade starts at the front of the park, so you can expect it to hit the hub around 8 minutes after the official parade start time.

To submit your questions, please email AskDaveSmith@wdwnt.com...

loofa sponge (unlikely), a piece of coral (possible but unlikely), or simply an artist rendering of an asteroid (most likely option). Knowing how Imagineers tend to work, it seems unlikely that they would try to use a stand-in for an asteroid when they could just draw it themselves. The confusion over the asteroids stems from the fact that guests only got quick glimpses of them and did not have time to study the details. In addition, the projection system used for the asteroids was not the highest quality since they were only meant to be atmospheric, not key story components of the attraction.

Question: “What time does the 3 o’clock parade start?”– Jack A, New Jersey

Dave’s Answer: OK, this question I

made up, but you’ll often see this on lists of stupid questions asked of cast members. But it’s really not as stupid as it initially might appear. The question is not really “When does the parade start?”, but rather “When does the parade start for me?”, in other WDWNT: The Magazine 11

Most Disney fans are very familiar with Walt Disney’s “EPCOT Film,”

Discovering the world of Disney books, documents, and ephemera

By Jackie Steele New Disney World Project Florida: A Whole

in which he outlines plans for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow that he was hoping to build in central Florida. The movie, which was filmed on Walt’s last day in front of the camera before his death, premiered to an invitation-only audience at the Wometco Park Theaters in Winter Park, Florida in February of 1967. The first audience was primarily dignitaries and politicians, but it would later be shown to industries, lawmakers, and the general public over the coming months as Walt Disney Productions pushed for the various elements needed to make Project Florida a success. It’s a safe bet to say that most Disney fans have seen the film and probably can recite a few of the more-memorable lines from the script. What many Disney fans may not realize, however, is that along with the EPCOT Film there was also an EPCOT book: Project Florida: A Whole New Disney World, released in 1967. It essentially serves as a “companion guide” to the film, touching on many of the same concepts that Walt discussed on camera. It’s a thin book, only about 20 pages long, but is relatively large in stature, measuring about 11 inches x 11 inches. It’s probably even a bit of a cheat to call it a “book,” as “booklet” probably best describes it. But this isn’t a cheap pamphlet; each page is printed in full color on sturdy cardstock. The book begins with a half-page flap featuring the words of Walt Disney: “With the technical know-how of American Industry and the creative imagination of the Disney Organization, I’m confident we can build a living showcase that more people will talk about and come to look at than any other area in the world.”

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Lifting this flap reveals a photo of Roy O. Disney on the overleaf, alongside

an introductory letter which had been obscured by Walt’s quote. This serves, incidentally, as a poignant reminder that Roy was the “flip side” of his brother’s creative genius, always working quietly in the background to help make Walt’s dreams into reality. And now that the era of Walt had passed, Roy would be the one to take the forefront. Roy’s letter promises a proposed development that will, “make a present reality of a community of the future – a community which will be as unique in the year 2,000 as it is today.” The language used in this book is definitely intended to be as persuasive as it is informative. Many times, we read the words “proposed” and “proposal;” nothing is accepted as a given, and the plans are never presumed to be concrete. Much like the EPCOT Film, it is presumed that everything may change time and time again. And we often see mentions of what the Disney organization will need from Florida officials and industries in order for the plans to come to fruition.

“Disney World begins with the same economic stimulant that is the foundation of the booming Disneyland-California area: a major, new Disney family entertainment center, With this attraction as the proven, popular tourist magnet, Disney World will include recreational, industrial and transportation complexes to serve both the permanent residents and the 20 million Florida tourists expected annually by the 1970’s.” The next two pages focus on a series of overhead maps of the amusement park, seven themed resorts, and recreation facilities. It’s interesting to note that with the exception of a proposed “South Sea Island” hotel and an “early American themed resort,” the themed resorts would be clustered in groups of three in land-locked areas near the front and left of the park. Early plans did not include the Disney-created Seven Seas Lagoon, and the hotels would have been close enough to be served by the WEDWay Peoplemover network rather than by monorail.

Walt Disney 1966 - © Walt Disney Productions

Much like the EPCOT film, one of the first things we see in Project Florida is a discussion of Disneyland. The book recaps the early achievements of the park in California. More importantly to this book’s intended audience, it also recaps the economic impact that Disneyland had on Anaheim. The book includes a quote (also highlighted in the EPCOT Film) from James W. Rouse, who told an audience at a 1963 urban design conference that, “the greatest piece of urban design in the United States today is Disneyland.” This and other supporting evidence was doubtless included to help persuade lawmakers and Florida citizens that Disney knew what it was doing and was more than capable of planning a city.

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It’s not until eight pages into this 20-page book that we get our first glimpse of what is being planned for Project Florida. Again, the focus is on what the development can do for central Florida’s tourism and economic interests:

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By page 11, we start to see the focus turn toward plans for phase II, the full EPCOT development. Much like what we see in the EPCOT Film, we get a look at the early plans for the entire EPCOT complex, including numerous diagrams of the radial city plan, the industrial areas, and a side-elevation diagram of the city center, including an 800-room hotel and multi-level transportation center.

The book concludes with another push toward lawmakers, industries, and the general public, highlighting the expected economic impact of the development and citing evidence that the Disney organization is not only competent to handle the project, but also has a history of being a “good host.” If there’s any doubt that the book was designed to influence opinion as much as it was designed to be informative, those doubts are erased with its final words, a plea from Walt Disney himself.

“You people here in Florida have one of the key roles to play in making EPCOT come to life. In fact, it’s really up to you whether this project gets off the ground at all.”

Elevation of early plans for EPCOT’s city center. Copyright 1967 Walt Disney Productions The text echoes the dialogue of the EPCOT Film, with assurances that the pedestrian “will be king” at EPCOT, with ease of transportation whilst keeping vehicular traffic separate from living areas. Even more altruistically, the book states that EPCOT aspires to be the first “accident free, noise free, pollution free city center in America.” The next few pages outline the various living and recreational areas in EPCOT, much as we see in the film. There are several pieces of concept art included to help the reader visualize what must have seemed absolutely impossible in the late 1960s.

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Walt Disney 1966 - © Walt Disney Productions

Jackie Steele is a bit of an anomaly in the Disney fan universe, in that his love of the parks came later in life. With the exception of a half-day visit to the Magic Kingdom in high school, he didn't set foot in a Disney theme park until 2003. But the love was instant and soon evolved into a quest to know more about where the Disney parks came from and what made them work. He has amassed a collection of more than 450 (and growing) Disney and World’s Fair books, documents, and ephemera, which he lovingly refers to as the D.O.R.K. (Disney Origins Research Knowledgebase). You can browse through the titles in his collection online at http://brkgne.ws/dork

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PA RI S

DI SN EY LA ND

TO SI T

PARIS

BY W : DW JA F S O AN N ’S DI F F F IR E N ST DA V L I

d n a l y e n s i D

[[Spoiler alert: this article includes detailed descriptions of several attractions at the parks. If you want to be surprised by attractions such as Crush’s Coaster, Phantom Manor, Space Mountain, and others, you should not read further!]]

ack in December, I was in Paris for a business trip. I was fortunate to have a free day while I was there, and it wasn’t hard to decide how to spend it. I just had to visit Disneyland Paris! As a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, and having visited Disneyland several times, most recently this past July for the WDWCelebrations Fifty-Five event, I had certain preconceived ideas of what to expect from a typical Disney theme park. However, as you probably realize, no Disney theme park quite fits the “typical” stereotype, and the particular day I visited Disneyland Paris wasn’t a very typical day at the park either.

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First, let me start with transportation to Disneyland Paris. If only the home cities of the US parks had a transportation infrastructure like this! My hotel was located in Paris, not far from a metro stop. In less than an hour, and with transferring trains only once, I was at the doorstep of Disneyland Paris. And when I say doorstep, I mean doorstep. The Disneyland Paris train station (Marne-laVallée/Chessy) is literally in the middle of the resort – the tracks cut right through Disney property. The walk from the station to the turnstiles is less than 300 meters (I figured I’d use the metric system since I’m writing about Paris, but that’s around 1000 feet for all the US readers!). That’s less than half the distance from the Contemporary Resort to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles, or about the same distance from the Animal Kingdom’s Bus Depot to the turnstiles. The cost of the roundtrip ticket was €13.40, which was around $20 at the time of my visit. As I mentioned, the day I visited wasn’t very typical, at least not for someone accustomed to visiting Disney parks in Florida or Southern California. Mother Nature left around an inch of snow overnight, and the weather was cold enough that it really didn’t melt much during the day. Imagine if the soap bubbles on Main Street during the Christmas parties or on the Streets of America during the Osborne Lights were real snow! What was very surprising to me was that this didn’t seem to be a big concern for the maintenance crew at the resort. It took a WDWNT: The Magazine 19

DISNEY VILLAGE

MAIN STREET

Located in Disneyland Resort paris, france

Located in Disneyland park paris, france

while for them to get many of the walkways cleared, and even after the snow was removed the paths were still slippery. Salt was rarely used. I suppose the United States is a much more litigious society.

was open already, so I went inside. There was some nice Paris-exclusive merchandise, but since I planned to come back in the evening, I just bought a few pins and then headed toward the parks.

Disneyland – it reminds me of a mash-up of Toy Story Midway Mania, Primeval Whirl, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. It is very popular but does not offer FastPass, so Adam Goodger advised that it should be first on my list.

The two parks of the resort are situated sideby-side, so the entrances are within walking distance of each other. They also share a bag check so you can park-hop without having to go through the security line again (like the setup at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure). So I bought a one-day, two-park ticket, intent on seeing the best of both parks in my one day visit. This is not as difficult as it might sound, as the best of Walt Disney Studios park can be summed up in one attraction: Crush’s Coaster. This attraction is like nothing in Walt Disney World or

I got in line at the turnstiles at the Walt Disney Studios Park at 9:30 am. Just as at the stateside parks, it is always good to be in line before the posted opening time. In this case it was very important, because the turnstiles actually opened about 9:45 am. Thus by 10:00 am (the actual posted opening time) I was already boarding Crush’s Coaster. The ride system of this coaster involves 4-passenger cars with riders seated back-to-back. The vehicles freely spin on the curving, banking track during most of the ride, and it’s almost all in the dark. This ride is a lot of fun, and the theming in the queue and loading area is very well done, but since most of the ride is in darkness there isn’t much visible theming during the ride, only sound effects. Due to the spinning and darkness, I felt somewhat disoriented during the ride, since there are few visual clues to let your brain know where your body is going. For me, someone who can ride Mission: Space Orange Team repeatedly with no problems, this was a bit surprising. But the feeling didn’t last and I was fine by the time I exited the attraction.

Having done my due diligence as a Disney nerd (thanks to Adam Goodger of the Disney Brit Podcast for some excellent advice!), I knew the park hours and entertainment schedules for the day. Both Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park opened at 10:00 am. I timed my departure such that my train arrived at the Disneyland Resort station at 8:54 am. My plan was to check out Disney Village (the Paris version of Downtown Disney) first just to see what it was like, then be in line at the turnstiles by 9:30 am. The anchor store here is called simply “Disney Store” instead of “World of Disney,” and it

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At this point it was 10:10 am, and I had covered everything on my list in the Studios,

CRUSH’S COASTER Located in Walt Disney Studios Park paris, france

so I headed toward Disneyland Park, where I spent the remainder of the day. Quite unique here is that the Disneyland Hotel is situated literally at the entrance to the park. The turnstiles are located in an open walkway under the hotel itself (actually what would be the first floor of the building). As you exit the turnstiles, the familiar view of Main Street Station appears in front of you. This is where the déjà vu begins. Much of this park is modeled after the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, with some features of other Disney parks as well. However, many specific features were not simply copied from other parks, but rather improved, based on years of operational experience at the predecessor parks. Throughout this article, I will highlight where these modifica-

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SPACE MOUNTAIN MISSION 2 Located in Disneyland park paris, france

Here, the shows are a “theater-in-the-round” performance since guests surround the stage on all sides.

tions have improved on the guest experience compared to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. As I enter Town Square, Main Street opens in front of me just as it does at the Magic Kingdom. The Emporium is on the left, but the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the end is very different. It’s pink like Disneyland, but is set back much further from the hub, and has a very different design. As I get closer to the hub, one significant difference I notice immediately is that there’s no Castle Forecourt Stage blocking the entrance to the castle itself. Instead, the stage has been placed in the center of the hub. This accomplishes several improvements over the Magic Kingdom. First, it provides an unobstructed view of the castle from anywhere on Main Street. Second, it allows for a much larger viewing area for guests to watch the stage show. And third, it allows guests easy access to the castle even when shows are in progress. WDWNT: The Magazine 22

My first destination is Space Mountain Mission 2. As I make a right turn at the end of Main Street, I notice another stage! This one is located between the castle moat and the walkway to Fantasyland. This is such an excellent use of this space, compared to grassy areas and frequently-unused pavilions at the Magic Kingdom. This setup allows for shows to be performed in a more standard fashion on a stage with sets, and provides the castle as the backdrop. In addition, a large seating area provides a much-needed rest for weary guests watching the show. Discoveryland is the Paris version of Tomorrowland, designed with a Jules Verne-inspired theme so that it does not require frequent refurbishment as tomorrow becomes today (or yesterday). The Space Mountain show building, a shiny bronze color, looms in the distance. As I approach, the wait time sign displays a wait of only ten minutes. Since the Fastpass return time is only 30 minutes away, I grab a Fastpass for later, then proceed into the standby line. Much of the queue area is inside the show building, and is rather dark in many places. However the load area is located outside of the building, so after snaking through the building in the dark the line again returns outdoors. A dual loading platform is used, much like at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. After departing the station, the train begins up the lift

hill that is situated on the roof of the building. The train then stops on the lift hill, and linear induction motors (think Rock n’ Roller Coaster) launch the riders into the show building at its apex. This version of Space Mountain is by far more intense that those at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It is much more of a modern extreme roller coaster, featuring inversions and high speeds. This is a great coaster, quite intense but a lot of fun. However, these types of coasters with over-the-shoulder restraints often make my brain hurt from being jostled around inside my head. Looks like I’m not going to use that Fastpass later. As I head back to the hub, I see one casualty of the overnight snow: Autopia is closed. I didn’t plan on riding it anyway, since it is not significantly different than the one at Disneyland. My next destination is Phantom Manor, the Paris version of Haunted Mansion. I enter Frontierland through a stockade fence and gate much like the one at Disneyland. Here Frontierland is located where we expect

PHANTOM MANOR Located in Disneyland park paris, france

to find Adventureland, so the Frontierland entrance is actually adjacent to Main Street. The whole of Frontierland is tied together in a single theme, the fictional town of Thunder Mesa, a great tribute to the unrealized Western River Expedition project. As I walk past the Rivers of the Far West, I snap a few pictures of sheets of ice floating on the water, being broken apart by Cast Members in one of the old keel boats. (The keel boats were an attraction here but have since been closed.) The biggest change in Frontierland is the island in the center of the river. It’s not Tom Sawyer Island, but rather Big Thunder Mountain! More about that later… The queue for Phantom Manor is all outdoors like at Disneyland, but much larger. The foyer and stretch rooms are similar to the Haunted Mansions, but the load area is quite different. It is very spacious and highly themed. On the opposite side of the ride track is a sweeping staircase and large windows on the wall through which I periodically see flashes of lightning. While

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INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF PERIL

the storyline of the attraction is very different than at the Haunted Mansions, many of the classic elements of the earlier versions are retained. The tone of the storyline is much more dark and gruesome, and is set in the town of Thunder Mesa. The classic Buddy Baker score has been reorchestrated with a much darker tone as well. The western theme becomes very evident in the latter portion of the ride. As I exit the attic, a frightening phantom stares at me, and then I enter something resembling catacombs, with coffins and skeletons. This is quite a bit scarier than the jovial graveyard scene in the Haunted Mansions. The track then takes me through the abandoned town of Thunder Mesa, including some very unique show scenes, before proceeding to the unload area. In my opinion the attraction here is so different from the Haunted Mansion that it’s difficult to make a fair comparison. To be sure, some parts are

superior, namely the load area. But the comparison really comes down to a preference for the macabre scenes at the end, versus the more upbeat graveyard scene in the Haunted Mansion. It’s now 11:40 am, and I decide to get in one more attraction before lunch. I decide that a coaster would be much better before lunch than immediately after, but Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a healthy wait so I grab a Fastpass and proceed toward Adventureland to queue up for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril. This attraction is a fairly straightforward coaster with 2-car, 12-passenger ride vehicles. The very elaborately-themed queue, including a walk up the steps of the temple itself, whets my appetite for a great ride. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. Although the theming is excellent, the ride itself is a rather boring, jerky, and short ride that made me hurt. And although it’s

a custom-designed coaster, it really reminds me of an off-the-shelf system like you’d see at a Six Flags park. This is the only attraction at the resort that I would never go on again. I’d prefer to simply go through the very well-done queue again then take the chicken exit. One of the restaurants I passed on my way to Indiana Jones was the Agrabah Café, a Mediterranean-oriental style buffet in Adventureland, so I decided to try it for lunch. In this restaurant, there is a queue line which ends at the cash register. Here you pay before you are seated, and thus can simply leave when you are finished. The décor of this restaurant is excellent. The “One Thousand and One Nights” setting, including silk draperies, dim but colorful lighting, and colorful furniture, easily transports diners to a scene from Aladdin. The food was basically what I expected: couscous, chicken, lamb, prepared with Mediterranean spices, and a number of other dishes and desserts. While the offerings were tasty, I would probably not return here, as there are many other offerings in the park which I’d probably like better. After lunch, I stayed in Adventureland to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, another attraction where comparisons to the stateside parks is inevitable. As I approach the expansive façade, a fort set on a Caribbean island, I snap a few pictures of the pirate ship and skull rock, which provides a nice nod to the past of Disneyland. I queue up for Pirates,

BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN WDWNT: Magazine 24 Located in The Disneyland park paris, france

Located in Disneyland park paris, france

which has only a 10-minute wait. As I arrive at the loading platform, I am again impressed by the very open, detailed backdrop on the opposite side. As with Phantom Manor, the loading area of Pirates is far and away nicer than those at the US parks. Taking one of the great ideas from Disneyland that we lack at Walt Disney World, a restaurant, the Blue Lagoon, was designed as part of the attraction. The attraction itself contains many of the classic well-known scenes from previous incarnations, but here the storyline was completely reorganized to a more logical sequence, and thus the order of the show scenes is completely different. The boats actually travel inside the fortress during a battle, up a lift hill, then down a waterfall and outside the fort. Notably, no Jack Sparrow animatronics exist in this version of the attraction. In addition, many of the pirates chasing women also remain intact.

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One not-to-be-missed experience for WDW fans is Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here, there is actually something to do inside that can be considered an attraction. On the second floor (yes, you go upstairs!) there are a number of gorgeous tapestries and stained glass windows that tell the stories of the princesses. In addition, the second-floor outdoor balcony is accessible to guests, with great views of Fantasyland.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN Located in Disneyland park paris, france

No pressure to be politically correct here! There is also a unique scene with two swordfighting pirates in a duel. With the length of the ride close to that of Disneyland (i.e. much longer than the Magic Kingdom’s version), I agree with many others that this is the best incarnation of the attraction. As I exit the attraction, it’s about 1:20 pm, and I decide it’s time to head into Fantasyland. Next on my list is It’s a Small World, sporting the holiday overlay. The passageway into Fantasyland is relatively small, hiding the view on the other side much like at the Magic Kingdom. As I enter, Fantasyland unfolds into a broad, open landscape with plenty of open space, waterways, and trees. This Fantasyland is gorgeous, quite unlike the cramped enviroment at the Magic Kingdom. This is the look Disney is probably trying to mimic for the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland, based on the concept art (or at

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least I hope so!). As might be expected, the queue for Peter Pan’s Flight is quite long, but Fastpass is available so I get one. I then walk past the Mad Tea Party, situated on a pseudo-island surrounded by a moat. The openness of the entire land is so refreshing and calming. No queue lines or strollers clog the walkways. The exterior façade and loading area of It’s a Small World takes up an enormous amount of space with all of its landscaping and water. I am very excited for my first holiday overlay experience. Much of the attraction is similar to the stateside versions, except for the addition of the America scene. The holiday overlay is subtle but nice. A number of animatronics sport holiday attire, and the music includes Christmas songs. There are a few Santa Claus animatronics added into the show scenes. Quite cool, and a lot to see, so much so that I want to go back for another ride.

Over the next hour, I ride Pinocchio, It’s a Small World again, then hop in line to use my Fastpass for Peter Pan’s Flight. One noteworthy touch of detail is the working smoke effect coming out of a chimney sculpted into the backdrop of the load area. It is very nice to see a working smoke effect, especially one as small and subtle as this, since these types of effects seem to be so unreliable at WDW.

station is a thrilling addition due to the high speed during your return trip. It’s now about 3:45 pm, and it is getting noticeably darker. The sun seemed to begin to set around 3:00 pm, but it was hard to tell due to the overcast skies. I sneak in my second ride on Phantom Manor before heading to Main Street. I decided to take the train from Main Street Station to Tomorrowland, then check out Star Tours. During the train ride, it begins to get much darker, and a light snow begins to fall. Upon disembarking the train, I head to Star Tours, but it was posted as a 30-minute wait. My schedule didn’t allow for a 30-minute wait here. Having prepared well in advance, I planned to see the 6:00 show in the hub, followed by the Castle Dreamlights at 6:30, then Fantillusion at 7:00. I walked

It’s now time to use my Fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. On the way to Frontierland, I can’t help but to catch a second ride on Pirates before heading to Thunder Mesa. As I mentioned earlier, the main mountain of this attraction is located on an island in the Rivers of the Far West. Fortunately, there is no need to take rafts to access the load station – it is on shore. After boarding, the train enters a tunnel under the waterway to get to the first lift hill on the island. The ride itself is similar to the Magic Kingdom’s version, but to me a little more thrilling. Certainly the tunnel back to the

“ITS A SMALL WORLD” WDWNT: Magazine 27 Located in The Disneyland park paris, france

Fantillusion is a parade that I had been eagerly anticipating all day. As a big fan of the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic, I knew Fantillusion was going to be great. I wanted to find a good vantage point for Fantillusion, to see the parade in all its glory, but also because I planned to record it for the WDWNTube video site. Not having a good idea of the precise parade route, I ask some Cast Members about the parade route and starting point. It starts in Fantasyland, at the gate next to It’s a Small World. Knowing from my experience at the Magic Kingdom that there should be less crowds further into the park, I head back toward Fantasyland and find a good spot next to WDWNT: The Magazine 28

Around 7:05 pm, I am getting anxious, so I ask several Cast Members if the parade will still be running. They assure me the parade will run even in the snow. And in a few minutes, the gate opens and I grin from ear to ear as the parade begins! As the floats pass by, the snow is accumulating on the characters; some, such as the Beast, are almost completely covered. Overall the parade is excellent. But, I am a little disappointed with the length – it is rather short. And I don’t think the music is quite as good as the Main Street Electrical Parade or SpectroMagic. But it’s a brand new nighttime electrical parade for me, and I’m so excited I decide to race the parade to Town Square. (I’ve done this at the Magic Kingdom, racing SpectroMagic from Town Square to Frontierland – it’s quite fun!) After the last float, I follow the parade to the hub, then head for the “Discovery Arcade” – the long walkway that runs behind the shops on Main Street. This is a great concept that allows for quick transit parallel to Main Street, and is especially useful at exactly a time like this – when a parade is in progress! I arrive at the Town Square end of the arcade right at the parade gate, just as the first float passes by. I get to enjoy the whole parade again! (My video is posted at wdwntube.com.) By now it’s almost 8:00, a full hour after

Located in Disneyland park paris, france

I got back to the hub in plenty of time for the Castle Dreamlights show. While this show is shares its concept with the synonymous display at the Magic Kingdom, here the show itself is rather short. It also seems there are significantly fewer lights on the castle. While I must give credit to the Paris version as the original, the Magic Kingdom version is definitely better.

the castle. The snow has now intensified, and a grim thought enters my mind: the possibility exists that the parade might be cancelled.

FANTILLUSION PARADE

through Discoveryland in the snow, and into the hub to get a good spot for the show. Unfortunately, enough snow had fallen that the stage was deemed too slippery for the performers, and the show was cancelled. Having 30 minutes to spend freely, I decide to run back into Frontierland and ride Phantom Manor for the third time. The exterior takes on a whole new feel in the dark, especially with snow falling!

the posted closing time. I snap some nice shots of Main Street and the Castle all lit up, with not a soul to be seen. If you’ve been following my travelogue closely, you’ll realize that I forgot to do something of importance: eat dinner! Luckily, Europeans tend to eat late dinners, so there were plenty of options for me at Disney Village. I decided that I should also check out the hotels surrounding the adjacent lake, and thought that I might have a better meal in one of the hotels. Disney Village is rather small; even smaller than Downtown Disney in Anaheim. After passing through the shopping area, I proceed on the promenade around the lake toward the Hotel New York. The snow is still falling, and beginning to accumulate on the walkways which are now quite slippery. But of course a little snow isn’t going to deter me, and so I march along. The Hotel

New York has an ice skating rink in front, likely a nod to the Rockefeller Center ice rink. Someone write in and correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the only ice skating rink on a Disney property anywhere in the world! The list of restaurants posted outside doesn’t persuade me, so I continue on to the Sequoia Lodge. This hotel is set back behind some large trees (how appropriate!) and the entrance to the property is through a large gate that reminds me of the structure over the entrance road to the Wilderness Lodge. I pass the Sequoia on my way to the final hotel situated on the lake promenade, the Newport Bay Club, hoping to find something to eat here. You could easily mistake the Newport Bay Club for Walt Disney World’s Beach Club Resort. The color scheme is similar, there is a lighthouse out front, and the theming is very similar. There is also a seafood bufWDWNT: The Magazine 29

fet restaurant called the Cape Cod Buffet (Cape Cod is probably more recognizable in Europe than Cape May would be!). I decide to give this a try, since the next stop on the promenade is back to Disney Village. It’s about 8:45 pm, and I head to the hostess stand to inquire about a table. The hostess tells me the first available table will be at 9:15 pm. I tell her I’ll take it, and I’ll be back shortly. In the meantime I check out the shop looking for pins, and take a walk around the rather small lobby. I head back to the restaurant around 9:10 pm and I am seated promptly. I ask the server for a bottle of water and I head for the buffet. The offerings here are all seafood-oriented, but clearly crafted for European tastes. There are no steamed clams or mussels like you’d find at the Cape May Buffet. But the food is very good, and of course the dessert table is excellent. Often a cheese course is served after the main meal, so there’s a cheese tray as well. I’d highly recommend this restaurant if you like seafood.

ney World or Disneyland. Some of us plan trips to be there for the opening day. Others discuss it for hours on forums and podcasts. My first visit to Disneyland Paris is much like this on a grand scale – so many new (to me) attractions to experience, and all in one day! A day I will definitely remember, and a fantastic experience that makes me want to go back!

Jason Diffendal is Chief Operating Officer of the WDWNT Network, overseeing operations across the network as well as keeping Tom in check. A Disney fan since his first WDW visit at age 2, his introduction into the Disney online community came with his involvement in Celebration 25, the unofficial fan event marking the 25th anniversary of Epcot. The success of this event led to the creation of WDWCelebrations, which he cofounded with Adam Roth.

As I leave, the snow is still falling, it’s about 10:00 pm, I’m tired, and I still have an hour train ride ahead of me. I get to the station, catch the 10:46 pm train, change to the subway line in Paris, and finally get back to my hotel around midnight. A full day: cold, tiring, but great fun. We Disney geeks get so excited when a new attraction opens in Walt DisMAIN STREET WDWNT: The Magazine 30

WDWNT: The Magazine Located in Disneyland park paris, france

re-imagining a Fantasy

WRITTEN BY: TOM CORLESS WDWNT: The Magazine 32

he room was packed and you could almost feel time moving in slow motion. Every word that came from Jay Rasulo’s mouth seemed to take forever. Every person in the room knew we were in for something exciting. Alright, I’m probably making this moment more dramatic than it should be, but if you’re a Disney fan, the Anaheim Convention Center was where you wanted to be at 10:00AM on September 12, 2009. It wasn’t long into the presentation before the bombshell was dropped. The Magic Kingdom was about to see the largest expansion in its nearly four-decade history. The crown jewel of the flagship park of the Walt Disney Company was going to be completely re-imagined. Half of Fantasyland set to become a fairy-tale forest. It seemed too good to be true. When I went back and watched the video, the response to the announcement was amazing considering it was being made across the street from the Disneyland Resort, all the way at the other end of the country from where the construction would take place. My “WHOOO!” of joy was audible (along with many others) from half-way across the auditorium. What was there to not be excited about? Apparently, there were a few things.... For years, I had been told that the long-rumored dark ride taking guests into “The Little Mermaid” was coming to Walt Disney World. It was even one of the very first rumors posted on WDW News Today in July 2007, well before the attraction was announced as part of the re-imagining of Disney California Adventure. It was pretty much definite. What wasn’t definite was the remainder of the changes for WDWNT: The Magazine 33

Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Imagineers had decided to scrap a few concepts for some new ETicket attractions for the park and use the money to build more than one amazing new ride. It was decided that the park would benefit more from a number of smaller, incredibly well-themed attractions and experiences. The earliest concept I can recall placed “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” on the plots occupied by Ariel’s Grotto, Pooh’s Playful Spot, and the remainder of the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction space. This older plan had the attraction entrance over the current “Dumbo: The Flying Elephant” plot, moving a double-dose of Dumbo spinners near The Mad Tea Party. “The Little Mermaid” ride would exit into a new shop and meet & greet hall for all of the Disney Princesses. The other side of Fantasyland would get involved as well, removing “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” for a “Beauty & the Beast” dark ride and replacing the Fantasyland Skyway station with a Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train roller-coaster. Between 2007 and 2009, all of this changed. Just a month before the 2009 D23 Expo, an interesting image began making its way around the internet. This blueprint showed a much more ambitious plan that would remove Mickey’s Toontown Fair and create an entire circus town for Dumbo and a permanent Pixie Hollow home for Tinker Bell & her fairy friends. The remainder of the land would contain “The Little Mermaid” dark ride, a “Beauty and the Beast” realm consisting of an interactive meet & greet experience, 2 restaurants, and a store, along with interactive meet & greets for Cinderella and Aurora. Just minutes into the “Imagineering the Disney Parks” presentation, the plans were confirmed. The presentation was only 30 minutes long and focused on all of the Disney Parks and Resorts around the world,

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so not a tremendous amount of time was spent on the Magic Kingdom expansion. However, there was a Q&A with Imagineers working on the project immediately afterwards. Many more of our questions were answered at that press conference, but it seemed the Imagineers didn’t have a grasp on their own project. If you were to ask anything about the Beauty and the Beast, or Little Mermaid realms, you would get a solid answer. If you asked about Pixie Hollow, the Barnstormer, or the Aurora & Cinderella meet and greets, the Imagineers would actually state something to the effect of “we haven’t gotten that far yet”. While it was stated that the confusion was because these other concepts would open in the second phase in 2013, that story very quickly changed. The Fantasyland Forrest was a cool concept and the artwork was magnificent, but apparently some people did not feel this way. The Disney online community was rather upset about the lack of attractions that appealed to boys. This claim always seemed like a cheap way of saying “I’m a guy and it’s not fair that girls get stuff only they might like to see in the park!” When Walt Disney Pictures made films such as Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid, they aimed to create films for the entire family. Quite frankly, the financial success of all of these films would suggest that male consumers had not only seen the films, but enjoyed them! What a crazy idea, a Disney film that appeals to everyone! I hope you’re catching my sarcasm, because I’m laying it on pretty thick. As someone who has visited Walt Disney World from childhood into adulthood, never once did this topic ever cross my mind. Never once did I think about not riding Snow White’s Scary Adventure because the main character is female. I never skipped a Princess meet and greet and thought Disney should remove them just because I don’t © Disney

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want to do it. The Magic Kingdom offers something for everyone. Did anyone ever go online and blog about Pirates of the Caribbean being just for boys? You know, the attraction that has women being auctioned off and used to offer a scene where they are chased around the town. Never once did I hear that complaint. The only complaint I ever heard was about changes to make the attraction more politically correct by having the women attack the Pirates. So why is it alright to open attractions that may be considered “boys only”, but not build a land of mostly Princesses and Fairies? It wasn’t. Anyone that states changes to these Fantasyland plans are because of the “girls only” complaints is sadly mistaken. There was a much larger complaint being lodged that I can at least understand. Why was there only one entirely new ride-through attraction in an expansion doubling the size of Fantasyland? The first attempt to correct this issue was apparent in pictures of a model of the Fantasyland Forrest that leaked onto the internet a few months later. A spinning ride similar to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree being constructed at Disney California Adventure was visible in the Pixie Hollow area, appearing to be themed to “Cheese the Mouse” from the directto-home-video Tinker Bell series. While it wasn’t an “E-Ticket”, I felt this addressed the issues with the expansion. Even if I wasn’t the biggest fan of Princess meet and greets and Tinker Bell’s friends, I understood that there was an entire generation of children that would be ecstatic to see these characters and enter their worlds. That was good enough for me. Around this time, Tom Staggs was made president of Disney Parks and Resorts. Staggs had worked for the company for many years, but had never even set foot inside of a Disney theme park. On August 13, 2010, the Orlando Sentinel posted a story featuring Staggs where he admitted that the company was redrawing the plans for the Fantasyland Expansion. It would be 5 months until Disney would reveal what these new plans were, however, construction had already begun. In February 2010, walls popped up behind Pooh’s Playful Spot and Ariel’s Grotto in Fantasyland. On April 11th, both areas were closed for demolition. Before the end of 2010, guests © Disney would see buildings for “Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid”, “Be Our Guest Restaurant”, and “Enchanted Tales with Belle” rise over the construction walls in this area. Also by this time, a new queue

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© Disney and facade would be completed for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard would become Fairytale Treats and get a new forest themed roof, and a new food cart intricately themed to Beauty and the Beast would appear in front of the walls, long before any new plans were revealed. For months, Magic Kingdom visitors were left in the dark on exactly what was happening to the pile of dirt behind the walls. In January 2011, Disney finally revealed the updated plans for Fantasyland Forrest, now being simply called New Fantasyland. On January 18th, 2011, “Dreams Come True with Cinderella”, “A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty”, and “Pixie Hollow” joined the exclusive club of announced attractions to never be built. The land formerly to be occupied by the two classic princesses was claimed by the long-rumored Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train coaster, while the Fairies were ousted for an expanded Dumbo-themed area to be called “Storybook Circus”. The new story of the Barnstormer was also revealed, recasting Goofy as the Great Goofini, a dare-devil who will teach guests amazing aerial tricks aboard the already existing plane-trains. The biggest story in all of this might be the removal of an opening day Magic Kingdom attraction. After surviving early plans for removal, Snow White’s Scary Adventures was put back on the chopping block, to be replaced with a new home for some of the Disney Princesses called “Princess Fairytale Hall”.

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As soon as these announcements were made, it seemed all of the complaints stopped. There were some mad about the removal of Snow White’s Scary Adventures, but it’s hard to fight for another Snow White attraction when a new, and pretty amazing, thrill ride themed to Walt Disney’s first animated film is on the way. With Walt Disney Imagineering developing a completely new ride system that swings guests on a central pivot and reacts to every twist and turn of the ride, the roller-coaster promises to be a unique re-imagining of what a dark ride can be. Combining thrills with scenes straight out of a Disney animated film has been a great combination in the past with attractions like Splash Mountain, so the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train promises to be an instant classic. Combining this new attraction with the already announced attractions and restaurants of the expansion simply makes the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom that much more amazing. Not only will guests have a new cutting-edge dark-ride in “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid”, unique dining experiences in the “Be Our Guest Restaurant” & “Gaston’s Tavern”, and a vastly improved version of the immortal “Dumbo The Flying Elephant”, they are now getting an attraction guaranteed to invigorate the first Disney feature film while still having a new home in which to visit their favorite Princesses. In all of this, the one minus is really the cancellation of Pixie Hollow. Now don’t get me wrong, I was not too excited about this addition, but Disney seems to be leaving the tents of Toontown Fair untouched. These temporary tent structures were erected in the late 1980’s as part of Mickey’s Birthdayland, and have managed to remain for over two decades now with no removal in-sight. While Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow sound intriguing, we still don’t have any details on this area or the additional tent that seems to be added in the concept art for the overall expansion. I hate to be negative, but this sounds a lot like

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the announcement of Pixie Hollow, where we had the project confirmed, but with little to no details on it. Hopefully, this time around they won’t change their plans again. In the grand scheme of things, this project has been like every other Imagineering project before it. Sometimes projects get announced a little too early, and I think that was the case here. This time around, we publicly viewed the Disney Company do what it usually does behind the scenes, change plans. Every attraction, restaurant, and experience in the parks goes through hundreds, if not thousands of revisions before it leaps off the page or computer into the Magic Kingdom. With a project the size and scope of the Fantasyland Expansion at the Magic Kingdom, I am more than happy that Disney decided to make sure everything was perfect before moving forward with construction. Great care and thought should go into decisions like this, especially if you are going to make radical changes to the premier land of the world’s premier theme park. Sometimes, changing your dreams is not such a bad idea...

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FOUR PARKS 26.2 MIL ES WR

ITT

BY:

Mic

hae

l Tr

usk

ows

ach year, the first weekend in January sees

more than 50,000 people descend on Walt Disney World during what would otherwise be a very quiet time of year. It’s an interesting time to be at the resort. Christmas is over, but it is not gone yet. The trees are still up, lights still shine at night (although the famous dancing lights are silent), and much of the atmosphere music is still the holiday medley. Of course, this is not the reason for the mass migration to the resort. Runners of all levels come down to take part in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. This ever expanding event has become a yearly experience for many Disney fans of all fitness levels. This year I experienced both my first Disney running event, as well as my first full marathon. Like so many of my fellow participants, I would never have described myself as a runner until very recently. About two years ago I started running regularly in an attempt to lose some post college weight. After cheering on a friend in the NYC Marathon in 2009, I signed up for my first race WDWNT: The Magazine 40

later that month. It was a four mile run,

Challenge offers you the chance to run

a daunting distance for me at that point

both races, and receive a special medal to

in my running experience. I had the idea

commemorate the achievement.

of tackling the 26.2 miles in the back of my mind, and I decided what better place

If you are going to run either of these races, know that you will be waking up ear-

than my favorite place, Walt Disney World, ly – very early. I was on the monorail from the to try. I signed up for the 2011 WDW

Contemporary at 3am. As a special bonus for

Marathon. Over the next year, I ran five half marathon weekend, the Contempo Café had marathons and almost 1000 miles in prepa-

24-hour service, offering running staples

ration for the race. I went from someone

like bananas and bagels. Disney advise

with no athletic ability whatsoever to being a you to be there early, and you defintely full-fledged runner. The weekend is not the marathon

need to be – the walk from the staging area to the start corrals took almost an

alone, but consists of several running

hour. I got in place with about half an hour

activities for nearly every age group and

to go. The starting point is on the highway

level of fitness, as well as the expo (which behind the Epcot parking lot. In true Disney all runners must attend to pick up their

style, the race begins with fireworks and

numbers and goody bag, as well the

other pyrotechnics.

requisite merchandise opportunities.)

There were thousands of spectators

For younger runners, there are two days

at the start. If you do intend to go to the

worth of kids races, including the Mickey

start to cheer, know that you will not have

Mile. Friday morning features a family 5K

a clear view of what is happening at the

race at Epcot. I used this race as my final start, as spectators are not permitted at warm up and I could run with my partner.

the start corrals. But stick around for mile

We finished in just over 27 minutes, a very four, as the race will pass the same point nice finish especially considering that he is again, this time on the near side of the not a runner. The 5K is a great way for highway, giving you a better opportunity to those who are not runners to introduce themselves to the sport. The weekend continues with the

see your runner. I normally wear headphones when I run, but not for this race. Disney has

half marathon on Saturday morning and entertainment set up all along the course. the full marathon on Sunday morning.

Entering Epcot at mile two we were treated

For those of you who are not satisfied

with several floats, and of course the music,

tackling one of those alone, the Goofy

from the Main Street Electrical Parade. AfWDWNT: The Magazine 41

to the recycling and water treatment facility, and then to Animal Kingdom. The course is full of music, and one ter Epcot, it’s off to World Drive and the Magic Kingdom. It was here at about mile seven that the sun finally came up. Thousands of spectators lined up at the Transportation and Ticket Center. The first major hill occurs just before the Contemporary, when you run under the water bridge. You may not have realized it from riding on a Disney bus, but that slope is steeper than it looks. The high point for so many runners (other than the finish line) is at mile ten as you enter the Magic Kingdom. Main Street is completely packed with spectators. It’s almost a surreal experience as you run toward Tomorrowland and cast members cheer you on rather than asking you to slow down. Long stem trumpeters play as you come through the Castle. After exiting the Magic Kingdom behind Splash Mountain (and getting a great backstage look at the actual working structure of the attraction), it was on to the next stretch of roadway. The halfway point occurs just beyond the Polynesian Resort, before the course turns off on to Bear Island Road, a road on which most WDW guests never travel. This leads

song that stuck in my head for weeks after the race was at mile fifteen. A hot air balloon was in a perpetual state of takeoff with “Up Up and Away” by the Fifth Dimension playing in the background. The road into Animal Kingdom was a long one, passing the numerous large security fences that are out of the view of any guests in the park. Cast members stood by with goats on leashes as we entered the park. After running past Everest, it was into the parking lot and on to Osceola Parkway. This was the most difficult part of the course. This is the point where many runners will begin to feel very tired and “hit the wall.” As the sun rose higher in the late morning, the lack of tree cover here was quite noticeable. This section of the course also contains the largest change in elevation, with hills on the overpasses breaking up what had been a mostly flat course to that point. The worst of those hills is the one over the front entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Studios had the distinction of being the only park that was fully open and operational as I ran through.

Animal Kingdom had opened for the

medal to your list of Disney collectibles.

day as well, but most guests were still

Registration for next year’s Marathon

arriving. The crowd was an interesting

Weekend opens March 15, 2011. There

mix of those cheering loudly, and those

are other opportunities to run at Disney

who had no idea they were walking into

during the year. The Princess Half

mile twenty three of a marathon course.

Marathon is held in February (a female-

Crosswalks were provided and staffed

focused event, but men may run as well),

by cast members. If you ever find your-

the Champion 5K in March, the Expedition

self in the park on marathon day, follow

Everest Challenge in May, and the Wine

cast member instructions. I nearly took

and Dine Half Marathon in October. Disneyland

a small group out who crossed without

also hosts its own half marathon over

waiting for instructions.

Labor Day weekend. If you complete the

You would think knowing that the

WDW Marathon, Half Marathon, Prin-

finish line was three miles away would

cess Half, or Wine and Dine Half in the

make things easier, but those last

same calendar year as the Disneyland Half

three miles felt longer than the first ten.

Marathon, you will receive the Coast to

Thankfully those cheering in front of the

Coast medal in addition. More information

Yacht and Beach Club were among the

and registration for all Disney running

most enthusiastic. Many of them were

events can be found at www.rundisney.com.

cheering for runners by name (it is printed on your race bib.) Finally, entering Epcot again, hours

Michael Truskowski has been a Walt Disney World fan for over 25 years. He lives in New York City.

after starting at the park, runners take one loop around World Showcase, through Future World, and into the parking lot where a wall of cheering blasts from the bleachers. Finishing the marathon was a truly emotional experience. I will admit to getting quite teary-eyed as I finally completed the course in five hours and fourteen seconds. Two years ago, I never would have thought I would be able to accomplish something like the Walt Disney World marathon. With the right amount of training

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and determination, you can add a Mickey

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LAUNCHING SPACE MOUNTAIN by David Smith I remember the countdown on the lift hill. That’s all. That is not entirely true; I also remember the screams reverberating through the queue line. I was seven at the time, and I was convinced that those screams represented the final moments of terrified people being flung off the track and into the dark void. With every passing minute and scream, my fear continued to escalate in much the same manner that the lift hill would physically elevate the “space ships.” Click, click, click… ever closer to a spiraling doom. I don’t remember boarding, but I do remember hearing the countdown as the ship climbed the multi-thousand foot hill (at least it felt that way to my seven year-old self). “30 seconds to lift-off…” “15 seconds to lift-off…” “10 seconds to lift-off” And then blackness. Nothing. I remember very little of my first encounter with Space Mountain in Disneyland. I had sworn off roller coasters at age 5, but through a strategic combination of insulting reassurance and compassionate accusations of timidity, my family had convinced me to try a roller coaster for the first time. My friend’s graphic description of the Abominable Snowman on Matterhorn, and my own reticence about riding a runaway train on Big Thunder Mountain left me only one option- Space Mountain. I mean, what could possibly be scary about space? (I had not seen Alien yet in this point of my life.) By the time I was at the crest of the hill ready to launch into the starfield, I was fully convinced I had made a mistake, and if I survived, I would definitely need to find a new family. I don’t remember the twists and turns, the dips, the speed, or the details of that first ride, but I absolutely remember exiting the attraction and wanting to go again. Not only had I survived, I was hooked. I would ride Space Mountain (and roller coasters in general) many more times after that. What was it about this attraction that played a vital part in turning me, and many others like me, into a Disney theme park junkie? To answer that question, let’s look back on the history of the attraction leading up to its opening at Walt Disney World and the various iterations that followed. WDWNT: The Magazine 44

WDWNT: The Magazine 45

“Why can’t we have a ‘space mountain’ ride?”

Conceptualization As with most things in the Disney theme parks, the genesis of Space Mountain has to be traced back to Disneyland and Walt Disney’s vision. In 1959, Disneyland opened the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction, decisively establishing that 1) the tubular steel track design was an evolutionary leap forward in coaster design, and 2) thrill attractions could absolutely have a place in Disney theme park storytelling. With the major Disneyland expansion completed, Walt Disney then turned his attention to renovating Tomorrowland with a planned completion in 1967. Walt and his Imagineers had been working on creating a cohesive “Space Port” theme for Tomorrowland. During one design review session, Walt is said to have asked, “Why can’t we have a ‘space mountain’ ride?” With this single question, the 11-year journey from conception to reality began. As he often did with things requiring a futuristic motif, Walt Disney asked John Hench in 1964 to begin work on designing a space mountain with the working title, “Space Voyage.”

For engineering the track layout, the Imagineers once again turned to Arrow Development, who had created the ride system for the Matterhorn Bobsleds. As originally conceived, the attraction would consist of four separate tracks populated by single-car ride vehicles. As with Matterhorn, the layout would make use of “energy wheels,” which enabled the innovative block zone operations. Since the attraction was originally going to be installed in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland with southern California’s more predictable weather, the initial track layout included both indoor and outdoor elements that would instantaneously transition riders from blinding sunlight to complete darkness. As the design team struggled to fit the four-track design into the available space, it soon became apparent that the design was just too large to fit into the available land in Disneyland. Therefore, the team made the decision to go with two tracks and two-car trains, thus reducing the required space while maintaining capacity. The design and engineering process continued at a steady pace, until that day in December 1966 that changed everything in the Disney Company. With Walt’s death, focus shifted away from expanding Disneyland to the Florida project. The Space Mountain project was put on hold, and many of the team members began working on the Thunder Mesa project. It would be five years before the Space Mountain project was resurrected. During the hiatus, the Imagineers encountered many of the same engineering challenges that they had faced, and would face again, on Space Mountain. Even though the Thunder Mesa project itself would be put on hold, the experience and lessons learned on Thunder Mesa would have a direct impact on the Space Mountain design.

One of John’s early sketches for Space Mountain adorns the cover of his book, Designing Disney: WDWNT: The Magazine Imagineering and the Art46 of the Show, published by Disney Editions in 2003.

For instance, after visiting Arrow Development in 1968, WED engineer Bill Watkins concluded that Arrow’s “energy wheels” would be prohibitively costly to operate and maintain, and would likely increase the number of attraction shutdowns. Thus, when development of Space Mountain resumed, it was quickly decided to make it a pure-gravity coaster.

Even prior to the Magic Kingdom’s opening in 1971, park executives recognized that in order to attract the teen and young adult demographic, more thrill rides were required. There was some talk of replicating Matterhorn in Florida, but the lack of space in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland quickly ended that idea. Looking at previous ideas, “Space Voyage” quickly came to the forefront, and in early 1971, the project was restarted.

Construction of Walt Disney World’s Space Mountain began in 1972, and the attraction was announced to the public in a joint statement with the attraction’s sponsor, RCA.

One of the first decisions was to change the attraction from an indoor / outdoor experience to a purely indoor one. The primary factor behind this was central Florida’s less than predictable weather. It was also at this point that the track layout was finalized. Bill Watkins played a key role in engineering the track layout and is one of people most responsible for how Space Mountain feels. At the time, computers were still too slow to handle the calculations required. The WED computers that were capable of calculating the track curves would require an entire night to process the necessary data for a single curve. Therefore, the curve calculations were all done by hand. Bill used his experience as a pilot to provide a reference for how the curves of Space Mountain were meant to be felt. During a coordinated (normal) turn, the speed and the bank of the aircraft determine the radius of the curve. In addition, banking into a turn in an aircraft is usually a smooth transition and the pilot applies pressure to the controls. Using these concepts as a guide, Bill designed the turns to have a smooth transition into and out of banks while also setting the curve radius to approximate the feel of an aircraft making a coordinated turn. With the track layout finalized, it was time to start construction. However, there was one final decision to make. From the start, the very early sketches of Space Mountain showed the building having a cone shape. During the design though, there was a sizable contingent of people that wanted the attraction to be covered with a dome shaped building. A dome would be significantly easier, and cheaper, to build. After much debate within the company, the decision was handed down that Space Mountain would have a cone shape. Aesthetic value had won out over economic concerns.

“Clearing the Tower”

Opening On January 15th, 1975, Space Mountain was officially dedicated as a Magic Kingdom attraction. Guests at the opening were entertained by a 2,000 piece marching band and the release of over 50,000 balloons along with fireworks. During the ceremony, the Chairman of RCA, Robert Sarnoff, and the Chairman of Walt Disney Productions, Donn Tatum, unveiled a bronze dedication plaque engraved with the words: “ONE GIANT STEP... Dedicated to the men and women whose skills, sacrifice, courage and teamwork opened the door to the exploration of man’s exciting new frontier...outer space. Because they dared to reach for the stars and the planets, man’s knowledge of his universe, earth and himself has been greatly enriched. Presented by missile, space and range pioneers. January 15, 1975.” After nearly twelve years of designs and redesigns, starts and stops, technical obstacles and breakthroughs, cones and domes, Space Mountain was now open to the public and on its way into the stratosphere of American popular culture. WDWNT: The Magazine 47

“First Stage Separation”

From Back of the Napkin to Icon

Other Versions

When Walt and his Imagineers sat down that day in 1964, they set out to create a themed thrill-ride capable of entertaining guests while still telling a story. They, along with the hundreds of designers, engineers, construction workers, inspectors, etc., accomplished just that. None of those who generated the original idea for the project, or those who constructed the first Space Mountain in Florida could have ever imagined how iconic Space Mountain would become.

With the critical and public success of Space Mountain in Walt Disney World, it was only natural that the other Disney theme parks would receive their own version. The first “copy” of the attraction was built in Disneyland. Because of the more limited space in Disneyland, Space Mountain in Anaheim required a complete track redesign. Instead of two separate tracks, Disneyland’s Space Mountain contains a single track, but with larger trains to keep capacity high. In addition, while Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain had more emphasis on unpredictable turns, Disneyland’s focused on speed and the sensation of flying. Next in the line of “copies” was Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain. This version is almost identical to Disneyland’s version. Disneyland Paris received a Space Mountain, but it was actually more a scaled down version of Discovery Mountain that was planned for the park than an actual descendant of the original Space Mountain. Disneyland Paris’ Space Mountain includes a train launch mechanism and inversions. It was also the first Space Mountain to include an audio track, although most have been updated to include audio at this point. Finally, Hong Kong Disneyland opened with its own Space Mountain, which has the same track layout as the Disneyland version, but with some thematic changes to provide a different experience. And of course, as is typical of Disney attractions, the original Space Mountain has received a number of updates over the years including a significant renovation in 2009. There is no doubt Space Mountain has become an integral part of Disney’s theme park landscape. WDWNT: The Magazine 48

Space Mountain is a scary, yet fun, roller coaster. Through the years though, it has become something more, something bigger, and something vastly more important. It has become a cultural icon, a rite of passage, a touchstone experience that connects millions of people via a shared encounter that is unlike anything that can be experienced elsewhere. There are thousands of people out there, like me, whose first roller coaster ride was on Space Mountain. For some of us, it was the beginning of a longstanding obsession with theme parks and Disney attractions. For others, it was simply their first roller coaster. Even that, though, is a life-changing event. For those people, they may not leave with a neverending passion for Disney, but they have now felt the exhilaration and the terror of hurtling through darkness with only gravity and the other laws of physics to guide them. That feeling can never be duplicated or simulated. Even for those who were quite familiar with coasters before riding Space Mountain, it offers a unique occurrence that very few attractions can even begin to approximate. Space Mountain is the textbook collaboration of technology, design, art, and entertainment all balanced to envelop guests in a physical and emotional story. Is it scary? Yes. Do I want to jump back in line? Absolutely!

FACTS (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

• • • • • • • •

Designer: WED Enterprises Manufacturer: Arrow Development Company Soft opening date: December 15, 1974 (original) and November 13, 2009 (refurbished) Opening date: January 15, 1975 (original) and November 22, 2009 (refurbished) Vehicle type: Rocket sled Vehicle capacity: 6 Cars per vehicle: 2 Guests per car: 3

• • • • • • • •

Ride Duration: 2.5 minutes Length: 3186-3196 ft Total height: 183 ft Track height: 65 ft Maximum speed: 28-31 mph Height requirements: 44” Number of lifts : 1 Sponsored by • RCA (1975-1993) • FedEx (1994-2004)

Post Script: The culture at Walt Disney Imagineering has always been more focused on getting the job done rather than on assigning credit. The downside of this is that it is nearly impossible to get a single story on the genesis of an attraction. This article was put together by trying to correlate information from many different magazines, books, and websites. I’m sure that I may have certain events occurring in a different order than really happened. The stories from Imagineering follow the time-honored oral method with all the associated multitude viewpoints, exaggerations, and fog of memory. This article is by no means meant to be a definitive guide, but rather a starting point meant to encourage readers to investigate the many related stories about Space Mountain in order to better appreciate the motivations, the emotions, and the ambitions of the hundreds of people involved with bringing classic Disney attraction to life. David Smith dreams of becoming an Imagineer when he grows up. Until then, he enjoys visiting the Disney parks as often as possible with his wife and two children. He can be reached at david@wdwnt.com.

The Time I…. … Rode the Tower of Terror

It was May 2007 when our “Girls Gone Disney” group headed to Walt Disney World for a much needed getaway. The Walt Disney World Resort was celebrating the “Year of a Million Dreams” and we were all excited and hopeful that we might actually win one of the amazing prizes and experiences being offered. We crossed our fingers and prayed for an overnight stay in Cinderella’s Castle, but really we’d have been happy to just hold one of those magical “Dream Fastpasses.” I’ve been going to Walt Disney World for years and have always enjoyed being there when a special event is taking place. One of my favorite trips was back in 1994. I was there for the opening of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. At only 10 years old, Tower at night while cast members beckoned new riders to check-in to this new hotel for a stay. Above me the screams of the first of many riders who would experience the terrifying drop could be heard. The dark ambiance, along with all the screams, was enough to send me walking in a different direction and into a happier section of the park – like the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. Thirteen years later, I was faced with the same terrifying invitation from Bellhops who beckoned me to visit the hotel. As a Disney fan, I was embarrassed that I’d never been on the attraction before. Thirteen years of chickening out whenever I walked up to the building was far too long. (The irony that it took me exactly thirteen years to build up enough courage wasn’t lost on me, nor was the fact that the wait time being displayed was also 13 minutes. ) So I made the journey into the Hollywood Tower Hotel for the first time ever, making sure to take along a close friend for support. The lobby was incredible! The only time I’d seen it before was in pictures that I now realize didn’t do it justice. Every detail was there in perfect Disney fashion; from the cobwebs on the ceiling to the oh-sofamous lipstick left on the wine glass.

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BY JENNI SIMON

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After winding through the lobby and taking the infamous journey towards the service elevators, I was practically shaking with fear when we were asked to walk through the elevator doors. I was 23 years old and there were five-year-olds on the ride who appeared © Disney braver than me. As the bellhop closed the doors, he asked, “Is everyone ready?” and I let out a weak, “No, but here goes nothing,” under my breath. I didn’t expect him to hear me, but at that moment, he opened the doors back up and asked, “You’re not scared are you?” My friend quickly explained it was my first ride before the doors closed again sending us on our journey beyond the fifth dimension. When the ride ended my stomach was churning and I’m sure I was white as a ghost. When the doors opened again the same Bellhop was waiting there saying, “Jenni… come with me.” Creepy! But that’s when my magic moment happened! The bellhop offered to let us ride again, this time for a special picture with him sitting next to me. Of course I accepted the offer. I mean, how many people have on-ride photos with a bellhop sitting next to them? WDWNT: The Magazine 52

This magical moment made my second ride even more memorable than the first. And I have a great souvenir photo to show for it. The cast member was phenomenal and had a great sense of humor. We laughed through the entire ride and it totally took the edge off as we dropped 13 floors into darkness. Of course, I still get nervous when I stand outside the looming building, knowing that cold air and shivers are waiting inside. But no matter how afraid I am, I’ll always remember the time I rode the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with a bellhop!

Jenni first started working with WDWNT after winning the “Who Wants to be a Podcaster” contest. She’s been an avid Disney fan since she first watched Snow White and become completely obsessed after her visit to Walt Disney World in 1994. She lives in Ohio with her husband, Tony and three cats: Dr. Marsh, Issabella and Mickey. She still visits the parks at least once a year and looks forward to WDWNT’s photo repots to get her through all the times in between.

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Akershus Royal Banquet Hall A Dining Review by Marci Smith

We really loved the medieval flair in this Norwegian castle-themed restaurant. The arched doorways, high ceilings, large wooden beams and beautiful leaded glass windows enhanced the experience. The food was served family style – an American ‘all-you-care-to-eat’ breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and biscuits among other things. There was also a self-service area with cold items: a selection of cheeses, breads and smoked fish. Breakfast was decent…not bad, not great, pretty standard buffet fare that has become pretty typical at character meals. There was a nice selection of fruit which made my son very happy.

My family and I love going to Walt Disney World, and we especially love dining in the many restaurants at WDW. In the past few years, the romantic dinners at Jiko and Victoria & Albert’s that my husband and I had shared have been replaced with table pounding, food flinging madness that, although no less enjoyable, has required us to make some changes in our dining venues. Who knew that the same two people who loved that intimate, leisurely, threehour dinner with wine pairings would now be scoping out dining options with characters, singing, and crayons? Yep. That’s us. My husband and I, along with our two children ages four and two, recently had a wonderful family dining experience that included Disney Princesses. One of my four year old daughter’s favorite places to eat is Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. My husband wanted 54 to go to the Kona Café, but to WDWNT: The Magazine

a four year old girl, Tonga Toast will never compete with princesses. We have been to Cinderella’s Royal Table as well, but this location is great because it’s much easier to get a reservation and is less expensive, but is still hosts an array of Disney Royalty. Upon arrival we were required to check in at a podium outside the restaurant, which could be a problem if the weather is bad. Once our name was called, we made our way to the back of a very long line to get our photo taken with Belle. Here’s a tip: if you don’t care about having your photo taken, let the hostess know; you will be seated much faster. Of course, that did not apply to us since our little darling was all decked out in an exact replica of Belle’s ball gown. If the photo package hadn’t been included with our meal, I would have been out of that line really fast! After the photo op, we were seated at a great table right next to a window.

The princesses arrived almost immediately after we were seated. My daughter could hardly contain herself and became more and more excited as each new princess appeared. My son quickly caught on, and with each new smiling face threw his hands up and cheered along with his big sister. The characters here change periodically but during our visit we saw Belle (for the photo), Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, and Ariel. They were each very engaging with both of the kids, but especially our daughter, taking the time to ask her questions about her little brother and commenting on her beautiful dress. She loved it! I have to say that even though I’m not ecstatic about the food from any of the character meals we’ve had, the look on the kids’ faces when they see their favorite princess or get to hug Mickey Mouse more than makes up for it. We all really enjoyed eating at Akershus. I especially appreciate that the food was served quickly, which is great for antsy, hungry kids,as well as parents, like me, who are extremely grateful for any meal that lasts under an hour and doesn’t turn into a loud, messy ordeal. One of my only real complaints about this place is the location of the bathrooms. They are directly in the entranceway across

from the massive line for pictures with Belle. Not only do you have to fight crowds of people trying to get in and out of the restaurant, but when you finally reach the restrooms they are small. Like every other mom in the place, I thought it would be a good idea to change my daughter out of her dress before riding Maelstrom, so there was no avoiding the tiny restrooms and hordes of people waiting for their photo with Belle. Looking back, I would absolutely go to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall again to dine with the princesses. The only thing I would change is to have my daughter wear her dress over her clothes to avoid the closet they call a bathroom. In the end, even though I now leave each meal with scrambled egg or macaroni and cheese on my shirt, I can honestly say that this new adventure is one that my husband and I embrace with excitement, laughter, anxiety, and sometimes sheer terror. The days of being a childless couple are gone, along with our personalized Victoria and Albert’s menus but, in all honesty, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, located in the Norway pavilion at Epcot, offers character dining experiences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with prices ranging from $15 WDWNT: The Magazine 55 to $60.

HAVE YOU TRIED?

…A PhotoPass Professional Session Written By: Josh Stern

hen I first heard about PhotoPass professional sessions at some of the Disney resorts, I was very weary of this. When I have looked at my PhotoPass pictures from the parks, I am usually disappointed. I decided to look into the sessions by starting on discussion boards at several fan websites. It seemed that many of the people that I had heard back from were more than happy with what they got in the session. Since it had been about six years since my family had a family photo taken by a professional, I decided to make a reservation to have a session done at the Grand Floridian. (As a DVC member, we also received a discount on the package.) When I made the reservation, the photographer told me that it would be best to wear solid colors. From there, my wife selected clothing for all of us, and we waited for our trip and the PhotoPass session. We arrived at the Grand Floridian and we checked in at the PhotoPass desk. We were sent into the gift shop to pay for the session and then we were whisked away to begin our session. The photographer immediately asked us if we had any special places in mind for backdrops. Since it was December, we felt that we had to have some pictures in front of the gingerbread house. We also posed for some pictures in WDWNT: The Magazine 56

front of the huge Christmas tree in the lobby. The photographer then led us to several other locations around the resort grounds. We even took a few on the Grand I yacht and in the shadows of our home resort, Bay Lake Towers. In the end, we had a number of great family photos, as well as a few of just the kids, each kid alone, and some great pictures of my beautiful wife and me. As we returned to the desk, we were surprised to learn that, in addition to the CD containing all the pictures in digital form, we would also be getting two 8 x 10 prints and two 5 x 7 prints of our choosing. Once we looked through our pictures, an unusually easy and quick process, we

chose the four we wanted to have printed. Minutes later we were handed our prints and the CD. Overall, I was very pleased with the entire experience. The price was fair considering what it costs for a similar session with a professional photographer at home. The photographer did a good job, and the pictures were of better quality than what is usually taken in the parks. My only complaint was that the day was overcast, but as we all know, Disney hasn’t yet figured out how to control the weather! I look forward to our next family trip to Walt Disney World when we are planning to have a professional PhotoPass session at the Polynesian Resort. Other resorts offering this service include the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Josh Stern lives with his wife and three children in Michigan because they do not yet have enough DVC points to stay in Bay Lake Tower for a full year.

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EATING WDW go ahead. eat the world.

Food & Wine on Your Time by Sarah Holodick

Norway

Africa (Refreshment) Coolpost

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe has been one of my favorite places in World Showcase to get a sweet treat. I am a fan of the Rice Cream, but on my latest visit I went with the Cloudberry Horn just to try something new. Other popular items include Lefse, School Bread, and the store’s namesake, Kringla. You can also order Carlsberg beer.

Even though it is not a pavilion, I still think it is worth a mention. The Africa Coolpost offers standard American fare and beverages. Why is this worth a mention? I believe it has potential. The South Africa kiosk at F&W seems to do well, thanks especially to the seared beef tenderloin. Disney does have more than a few African recipes in their repertoire as well. In fact, the “Flavors of Africa: Salad, Bread and Spreads” served at F&W was similar, although not as high quality, as the “Flatbreads & Dips” I received a couple months prior at the Taste of Africa Street Party held at Animal Kingdom. The restaurants of Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa appear to be well received. Hopefully we will one day see some African inspired options at Coolpost, but until then, hydrate with a bottle of water while you make your way over to Germany.

Inside the Puffin’s Roost you can find alcohol such as Linie Aquavit, Christiania Vodka, and Vikingfjord Vodka. They also sell a selection of Swedish foods, such as cookies and preserves. Although many of the candies are made in Sweden, you can find a few products from Norway, such as Non Stop candy coated chocolates.

China There are several reasons to visit Walt Disney World in the fall: cooler weather, smaller crowds, and holiday décor to name a few. However, for many guests, it is simply not a feasible time of year. Unfortunately, not being able to visit in the fall means missing the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. 2011 marks its 16th year and will occur from Friday, September 30th through Sunday, November 13th. Like many, the Food & Wine festival is a personal favorite experience at WDW. I am in attendance most weekends when it is occurring. I gather as much information as I can find in the upcoming months and plan what I will eat, see and do during those 6 weeks. Yes, spreadsheets are involved, and I have a countdown to the festival on my phone as well. For those who do not have the good fortune of living within 15 minutes of WDW and are unable to visit during the festival, you can still recreate the experience any time you are at Epcot. Yes, it will be on a much smaller scale, but it will provide the opportunity to see World Showcase in a different light. As a bonus, you will not be relegated to eating turkey legs and popcorn… well, unless you WANT to. In our trek around World Showcase, we will search for viable options for a festival stand-in. We will be on the lookout for more authentic, smaller dishes (portion-size and price-wise), native beverages, and will attempt to stick to kiosks. To make the trip even more accessible, I am also including snack ideas from the shops at the pavilions, perfect to take back to your hotel or home. Start at any pavilion, pick whichever destination you would like to try next, and take a few days if you would like. Your journey begins now!

Mexico At the close of the 2009 festival, a substantial, well-themed Food & Wine kiosk remained open in the Mexico pavilion while the building that now houses both La Hacienda de San Angel and La Cantina de San Angel was constructed. It provided lighter fare as a quick service restaurant for the pavilion and remained through the 2010 festival. Since the festival has passed and La Cantina now fills the need for quick service, the kiosk was removed and we likely will not see it again until September. La Cantina offers treats like Churros con Cajeta (a milk caramel sauce) and Paletas (fruit popsicles), as well as Agua De Horchata (Rice beverage with cinnamon, vanilla and almond), Jarritos (Mexican soda in pineapple, mango or fruit punch), Sidral (Mexican Apple Soda), margaritas (in Lime, Passion Fruit and Wildberry), and Dos Equis beer. Nestled inside the Aztec temple in Plaza de Los Amigos is La Cava de Tequila, a perfect location for a respite from the Florida heat and humidity, or the afternoon showers. Capacity is small, but there are plenty of bartenders ready to pour you a delicious tequila-based concoction. Searching the merchants set up around the plaza, you will find assorted chips, salsas and sauces. They also sell tequila and Hot Chili Lollipops. Of course, if you just want a frozen margarita, you can always stop by the outdoor kiosk and continue on to Norway.

The Joy of Tea kiosk has a variety of teas served cold, hot, or as a slush. Tsing Tao beer and Plum wine are also available. Food options include Chinese BBQ Pork Buns, Curry Chicken Pockets, Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls, and Strawberry Red Bean and Caramel Ginger ice creams. At the time of my research, a “Lucky Combo” was also offered, which for $9.98 includes one each of the Pork Bun, Chicken Pocket, Egg roll, soft drink and ice cream. Yes, this combination does cost more than a typical festival offering, but it is decent value if you cannot decide on one item to try, and it is a great choice to share.

Flatbreads & Dips Taste of Africa Street Party, July 2010

Ordering the Chinese BBQ Pork Buns, I was not quite sure what to expect. Was it going to be a shredded version of the bright red pork found in fried rice? I was hoping not, and I am quite glad it was not. The filling was ground seasoned pork, and, overall, both the bread and the filling were sweet as opposed to savory. Not what I was ex p e c t i n g , but delicious nonetheless. Unfortunately, my research day would not permit me to explore the Yong Feng Shangdian shop as it was closed for refurbishment. The open air section in at the rear of the pavilion had some merchandise from inside the store for sale, but alas, no food items. In the past, the store offered tea and a few types of cookies.

Flavors of Africa: Salad, Bread and Spreads Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, September 2010

Germany

Italy In Germany, you will not have a problem finding a beer. Just outside the entrance to Biergarten is the quick service stand Sommerfest. Here you can find Bratwurst, Apple Strudel, Black Forest Cake, and Bavarian Cheesecake as well as alcoholic drinks. They also sell hand-twisted pretzels. The last time I dined at Biergarten, I tried the Bavarian Cheesecake and it was pretty darn amazing.

One of my favorite aspects of the Germany pavilion is they change up the beers offered from time to time. On the day of my visit, they had Radeberger Pilsner and Altenmünster Oktoberfest. If beer is not your thing, you can also get Apfelkorn Schnapps, Rumplemintz, Jagermeister or Liebfraumlich Wine. The pavilion also opened Karamelle-Küche in September of 2010. The shop features fresh caramel drizzled confections including caramel corn, apples and Rice Krispies treats, and they sell an assortment of Werther’s candies. Moving further through the connected shops is Süssigkeiten, which is where you will find assorted cookies and candies. Next to Süssigkeiten is Weinkeller where you can find a large variety of wines. They also offer wine flights, and this is also one of the three World Showcase locations of the Wine Walk. If your sweet tooth still has not been satiated, walk across the plaza to Der Teddybar where you will find many varieties of Haribo gummies and even more cookies.

For Italian cuisine being so popular in America, the pavilion’s options are severely lacking. It was not until August 2010 that a second restaurant, Via Napoli, opened. For a very brief amount of time during the holidays, a window to the left of the main entrance served as a temporary quick service stop for cheese pizza, stromboli, cannoli, and wines. This filled an important niche for food in the pavilion, but alas, it was gone almost as quickly as it arrived.

Morocco

The Japan pavilion has always been my favorite in World Showcase. It is one of three pavilions (the others being Mexico and France) to feature three restaurants: two table service and one quick service. A kiosk next to Goju-no-to sells Kaki-Gori, a syrup-flavored shaved ice, as well as sake, plum wine and draft Kirin beer.

Morocco is the often overlooked, hidden gem of World Showcase. Tangierine Café serves my favorite quick service food on all of property. The only kiosk at the pavilion serves Casa beer along with slush drinks named Moroccarita, Habibi Daiquiri, and Sultan’s Colada. If you venture into Tangierine Café, I recommend trying one of the available side dishes: Tabouleh, Lentil Salad, Marinated Olives, or Tangierine Couscous Salad. There is also a coffee bar located in the back of the restaurant which offers pastries including baklava.

Italy’s lone kiosk offers a selection of wines, Italian sodas, coffees, gelatos, and granitas. Enoteca Castello is the second stop on the Wine Walk as well. The only food items for sale in the shop include cookies, chocolates, imported pastas, and seasonings. It is unfortunate that this pavilion is rather underwhelming, especially after seeing how much Germany offered.

Meandering through the openair market of the pavilion, you will likely find both rose water and orange blossom water. Tucked away in the corner of one of the shops is a small wine tasting area which has some small tables. The counter had a large variety of spice blends for seasoning meats as well as Halva.

The American Adventure Ah, the U. S. of A. Check the Fife & Drum Tavern, and you can choose from... a turkey leg, popcorn (available in a souvenir bucket, of course), and cheese-stuffed pretzels (or plain with available side of cheese). See? I said you could have turkey legs and popcorn if you really wanted it! Each park needs its requisite turkey leg stand, after all! I will say that it is a bit refreshing they offer a Sam Adams Specialty Brew as opposed to only the lighter American beers. Heritage Manor Gifts sells only Disney branded snacks, courtesy of Goofy’s Candy Company, Chip & Dale Snack Company, and Minnie’s Bake Shop. Outside is the Funnel Cakes stand which also sells Fried Ice Cream. They sell a funnel cake gift kit so you can make these fair staples at home, too. I would also consider a “cheat” here if you wanted to peek at the Liberty Inn’s menu as they offer a Baked Apple Dumpling.

Some of the offerings at Karamelle-Küche

Japan

The pavilion, much like Africa Coolpost, strikes a bit of a sad note considering Disney does a great job representing America during F&W festival. Whether they feature a region of such as New England, the South or Midwest, I believe these are better options than what is currently being served on a daily basis. Perhaps they should leave the standard “American” fare in Future World.

France Because of my longstanding fascination with Japan, I have always loved shopping in Mitsukoshi. Walking all the way to the back corner of the store, you will find a vibrant assortment of Japanese treats. Some you may find in your local grocer, such as Pocky and wasabi peas, but you can also find items that you just do not quite know what they are. Fortunately, brief English descriptions such as “Gummy Candy” can usually be found on the back of the packaging. Mitsukoshi possibly has the widest selection of food from its host country in all of World Showcase. Sections are dedicated to cookie treats, savory cracker snacks, chocolates, candies, traditional food, soft drinks, tea, and sake. Over by the sake display is a Sake Bar where you are able to sample a few different varieties. If not knowing what to expect from a package featuring anime characters and Japanese text is intimidating, take a minute to stroll up to Yakitori House for a bowl of Miso Soup. As a note, if you are interested in trying one of the Ramuné sodas, Calpico soft drinks, or canned coffee, they are sold warm in the store. However, the small gift shop across from the base of the stairway to Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining offers several items chilled in a cooler, so be sure to check for your drink if you are looking to consume after purchase. The Cast Member at the checkout will typically ask if you would like to drink it now and refer you to the shop to swap your beverage for a cold one.

France has a variety of kiosks and shops for food and wine, much like Germany. Whether you are in the mood for a fresh crêpe, flaky croissant, baguette, or cheese, the pavilion has you covered. Crêpes des Chefs de France serves crêpes with your choice of sugar, chocolate, or strawberry preserves. At Les Vins des Chefs de France, you can order from a selection of wines, champagne, Kronenbourg beer, or the popular slushes made with either Grand Marnier or Grey Goose Citron. To the left of the theater entrance is Les Vins de France, which houses the third and final stop on the Wine Walk. Apart from several bottles to sample is a small room filled with assorted bottled wine for purchase. There is also a section of salts and seasonings and well as individual French chocolates. Exiting the shop will place you in front of the Boulangerie Pâtisserie where you can buy baguettes, cheeses, croissants, quiche, and assorted pastries.

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United Kingdom One of the first items you will spot walking into the United Kingdom pavilion is the Yorkshire County Fish shop. The line for this kiosk can get quite long. If you are not a fan of fried fish, you can get just a basket of chips or some shortbread. Or, you know, a beer. Just past the Rose & Crown Pub is the Rose & Crown Dining area, which conveniently doubles as a beer stand. When the inside Pub gets to be too busy, you will have better luck getting in line for a beer here. They have Bass & Stella on draft, Guinness (can), and bottles of both Woodpecker and Strongbow Cider. The Tea Caddy is the shop to find Twinings Tea as well as cookies and candy bars. They do not sell beer though.

Canada Our final stop on our tour of World Showcase is the Canada Pavilion. If American Adventure did not disappoint you, our Neighbors to the North just might. They have a snack cart which sells Moosehead, Moosehead Light, and Labatt’s beer, as well as a Torontopolitan (made with Iceberg Vodka). I looked into the pavilion, hoping to spot some treats from Canada, but was only left with a few bottles of wine, candies (Cadbury and Nestlé brands), and Ketchup Potato Chips. The flavor of chips is not foreign to me, as I would always find them in the supermarkets during the ten years I lived in Maine. So if a beer or ketchup chips just are not your thing, there is hope for the fans of Le Cellier’s Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup; it is rumored that if you ask the host or hostess, they will allow you to get an order to go. Yes, this would be pricey in terms of a Food &Wine budget, however, the small portion they offer at F&W costs $3.75, where a cup of soup at Le Cellier is $5.49 and a bowl is $6.99 at both lunch and dinner.

BY B

RIAN

And with that, our gastronomic tour of World Showcase draws to a close. It may not have all of the glamour of the Food & Wine Festival that is held each fall, but delving into the pavilions in this manner can bring forth new experiences. Whether or not you have been to the festival, eaten at all the restaurants, snacked at a few pavilions, or never really tried any of the foreign items, any time can be your chance to eat around the World.

The two most important things to remember: have fun and do not be afraid to try something new! Sarah lives in Orlando and spends much of her free time over on WDW property. You know, for “research” purposes. She can be reached at sarah@wdwnt.com

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Vinylmation had an incredible year in 2010. Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relatively new hobby exploded in all kinds of amazing directions. The Park and Urban series each returned with series four and five. They were joined by Muppets, Have a Laugh, Toy Story, Nightmare Before Christmas, Animal Kingdom, Big Eyes, Oh Mickey, and Sports. Disney also introduced us to Vinylmation Jr with two unique series and released several special sets like Billiards, Condiments, and Disneyland Ticket Books.

Vinylmation even branched out beyond vinyl figures. Now you can wear Vinylmation shirts, carry Vinylmation handbags, sport Vinylmation watches, and cool your drinks with Vinylmation ice cubes! Starting in Jaunuary 2010, Disney Pin Trading Nights became Disney Trading Nights as Vinylmation trading became a sensation in and around Disney parks.

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Vinylmation even made its debut at the annual Walt Disney World Pin Trading Event, Trade City, with a one day event of its own featuring figures created just for the event as well as some one-of-a-kind figures that were auctioned. By the end of the year, not only could you purchase Vinylmation at the parks or the online store, you could also find figures at your local Disney Store. In fact, with the grand opening of the Times Square Disney Store in New York, Disney released some exclusive figures that could only be purchased at that location, including the first Vinylmation figure that came in an individually numbered limited edition! As we begin the year 2011, how can Disney possibly top the year that was 2010?

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The first series released for 2011 was the Animation 1 series and it included twelve designs based on classic and current Disney Animated features. One of the great things about Vinylmation is that you will often see more obscure characters make an appearance, As a result, not only were Peter Pan and Alice in Animation 1, so were Dodger from Oliver and Company and Marie from Aristocats.

Vinylmation was off and running in 2011, no pun intended, with three great Marathon figures. The figures included a 9” figure with Goofy’s face for the 2011 Goofy’s Race and aHalf Challenge, a 3” figure with Mickey’s face for the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon, and a 3” figure with Donald’s face for the 2011 Walt Disney World Half Marathon. All the figures had a place on the back to write in your race time, and the 3” figures each came in a windowed box with a podium to display them on. What a great way to commemorate your marathon! Not only is Vinylmation joining its big brother, Disney Pins, at Disney Trading Nights and Events, it is now following in Disney Pins’ footsteps with weekly releases in 2011. Disney has promised a release of some sort every week, and collectors are waiting in line for D-Street and Disney Store releases or waiting up late at night and getting up early in the morning to click the refresh button for online releases. In January, Disney has released or announced the release of three incredible new series for this month! WDWNT: The Magazine 66

© Dis Even the chaser for this series ney was obscure, the Pink Elephant from Dumbo! With the Pink Elephant, Disney introduced its latest innovation in Vinylmation, variants. Variants are different versions of the same figure, and which one is included in a case is random and a mystery. In the case of the Pink Elephant, there are four variants, a solid pink one, a solid darker pink one, a clear pink one, and a clear purple one. In fact, not only were there variants of the chaser, there was a variant of one of the known designs, Pinocchio in Donkey Form.

The main version of this figure actually featured a new innovation in Vinylmation, an actual tail (Mushu in the set also had a tail). The variant of this figure did not have a tail and presented Pinnochio in his usual non-donkey form. Several 9” figures are part of the Animation 1 series, and two of them were released this month at the parks, some Disney Stores, and online. These included the Beast from Beauty and the Beast and a 9”/3” combo of Elliot and Pete from Pete’s Dragon. Speaking of obscure characters, where else can you find merchandise featuring Pete?? © Disney

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The third series arriving in January was the Disney Storeexclusive Villains 1 series and was officially released on January 31, although some stores were selling them earlier. Villains are deviant enough, so there are no variants for this series. This series does include some great characters not typically featured in most Disney merchandise, like Governor Ratcliffe from Pocahontas, Madame Mim from Sword in the Stone, and Prince John from Robin Hood. The chaser for the series is a sinister looking Jafar. The artwork for this series is very impressive. Cruella DeVil is especially impressive!

ÂŠ Disney

The second series released for 2011 was the much anticipated Star Wars 1 series. This series was inspired by characters from the Empire Strikes Back, and it arrived at Walt Disney World with one of the staples of any Star Wars feature, a midnight release! For the first time, a Vinylmation series was released at midnight with Star Wars and Disney fans all lined up to purchase the series and meet its designer, Mike Sullivan, of the Disney Design Group. The eleven designs for the series have been known for a long time, but when fans began to open their foil packs, they were surprised to see the accessories that came with them. There were removable light sabers for Vader and Luke and a jet pack for Boba Fett! However, some fans cried foul when the chaser was revealed. It was the elderly version of Obi Wan Kenobi, who had actually died in Episode IV: A New Hope, the movie preceding Empire Strikes Back. Disney had one last surprise, though. There was a super rare variant of the chaser with Obi Wan in ghost form! For those strong enough with the Force to get one, this figure was clear blue with same design as the regular chaser. Agreements with Lucasfilm will limit this series to a park only sales and thus they will not WDWNT: The Magazine 68 be available in Disney Stores or online.

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ÂŠ Disney

At the end of January, Disneyland released the 55th Anniversary Frontierland 9” figure, and Walt Disney World released six 3” 40th Anniversary figures. Four of these, one for each of the main parks at WDW, can be purchased. The remaining two must be obtained by trading with Cast Members.

Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World also released the Flags series, comprised of figures resembling the flags of the eleven countries of World Showcase at Epcot, plus Brazil.

Also released this January were some of the 9” Urban 5 figures, and this time Disney gave us the names for the figures! These include Moon, Drippy, Hidden 28, and the 9”/3” combo Creatures. There was also an online exclusive 9”/3” combo called Car and Driver. This clever set featured a 9” figure with a head that looks like a car, complete with a license plate that reads, “BRN N RUBR.” The body of the figure features a highway design. The included 3” figure depicts a feisty looking Driver with the name “Dash” on his shirt.

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The brand new Disney Dream cruise ship had some sensational exclusive figures complete with a random selection process on its maiden voyage on January 26.

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Now that is a lot of releases, and we are just beginning 2011! This year promises to be an exciting year for the hobby with more Park and Urban series, Cutesters Too, Muppets 2, Occupations, Nerds, and Steam Park on the way. No doubt we will see some great stuff at the annual trading events in Walt Disney World and Disneyland and at the second D23 Convention. The Disney Store in Times Square is also promising to have more exclusives in the future as well. Now that there are vinylmation variants, who knows what new innovations Disney has in store for collectors! Fasten your seat belt, secure your wallet, and keep your hands and feet in the vehicle at all times. It’s going to be a wild ride! WDWNT: The Magazine 72

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EVACUATIONS 101 The Story of My First Ride Evac

BY TAYLOR MARTINA

I know all about evacuations. Growing up in New Orleans, it was a pretty regular occurrence in my life. Every two or three years, a major storm would threaten the city and we would flee. It was always a little bit of a nuisance, but they were, for the most part, fun. We always ended up getting a few days off from school and spending time with our friends. Therefore, I expected the same thing for a ride evacuation at Disney; however, in seventeen trips and many near-evacs on Dinosaur and Spaceship Earth, I was not, shall we say, fortunate enough to have a full-fledged evac from an attraction. That all changed recently. And as you might guess, it happened on the ride that breaks down so often that its Cast Members don’t even have to go through the monthly evacuation drills: Test Track. Two of my friends and I had gotten into the queue shortly before the park officially closed at 9 p.m. By the time we got on the ride, it was 9:20. Everything went perfectly until we got to the tunnel after Track Course A, where we slowed down briefly after the truck almost hit us. Once we got into the barrier test area, however, we came to a full stop and the “Remain Seated Please” spiel played throughout the show building. I figured it was no big deal, as I knew this sort of thing happens all the time. In fact, it had happened about 15 times earlier that day while I was riding Splash Mountain. But then another voice came over the speakers, and this one wasn’t pre-recorded: “Work lights coming on!” As my two friends sitting with me in the car can attest, I suddenly became extremely giddy. It was at that exact moment that I knew my good fortune: I would finally get evacuated from a Disney attraction.

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After sitting in the barrier test room for a good long while, a Cast Member appeared with the guests from the two cars in front of us. He told our group to get out of the car in a single file line and follow him down the track. This was what I was waiting for! We walked back through the tunnel and along the entirety of Track Course A, which was a super cool nerd moment for me. I got to see up close and personal the layout of the track; for instance, did you know that Track Course A is adjacent to the Hill Climb? Or that the ABS tests really are in a huge open area? I also got an extended look at something all the EPCOT Center fans love to pieces: part of the brick wall from World of Motion, which is still off to the left hand side of Track Course A. When we reached the exit of test room seven (Corrosive Conditioning Test), the Cast Member led us to a door hidden off to the side. After descending a few flights of stairs, we were ushered through yet another door and to my surprise we were already miraculously inside the post-show area! The Cast Members handed us Fastpasses to return at a later date and thanked us for our cooperation, and that was that. Overall, I was thrilled to be evacuated from the ride. For a huge Disney fan like me, this was a dream come true – I got to see up close and personal, without the normal show lighting, how the attraction works. It really put in perspective how the building is put together, something that I love looking at every time I go backstage as part of my job. For a Disney nerd like me, who can quote the entire ride, and even did the “lateral forces” line when we walked that portion of the track, this was a dream come true.

Taylor Martina is taking a break from his studies at Louisiana State University to be part of the Walt Disney World College Program.

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