July 2001 WDW Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the July 3, 2001, Issue #93 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAELSTROM!

Happy Birthday to Epcot's Maelstrom at the Norway Pavilion! The Maelstrom opened to guests on July 5, 1988. The Maelstrom takes you on a journey back in time (to a 10th century Viking village) to the Norway of old, aboard dragon-headed 16-passenger boats. The Maelstrom actually shares its name with a famous whirlpool between the islands of the Lofoten island group off the northwest coast of Norway. Did you know that in the mural that greets you at the Maelstrom's loading dock you will find a Viking sporting Mickey Ears??

Other July Disney Dates include…..

July 1, 1996: BoardWalk resort and area opened

July 1995: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Pavilion opened

July 30, 1998: Disney Cruise Line launched first ship, the Disney Magic

July 1987: Total attendance topped 250 million!

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COOL SUMMER NIGHTS RETURN

Disney Adventures' Cool Summer Nights at Disney's Boardwalk Resort return July 19 – July 22 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. Participate in fun, interactive games and win prizes! Test your knowledge in Disney Adventures Magazine's' Trivia Challenge. A radical bike and blade show will also be performed.

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RESTAURANT NEWS

El Pirata y el Perico Restaurant in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom reopened on June 27th after a two-month rehab.

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WDW PIN NEWS
by DIZPINS.com

We're counting down to the biggest pin event of the year at WDW, which will take place at Epcot on August 9-12, 2001!!!

June was another "pin-filled" month for Disney pin collectors. The Countdown Event at the Magic Kingdom was a "magical" experience for all who attended. Guests went on Pixie's Pin Path, where they were taken on a magical adventure through the Magic Kingdom…pursuing that ever elusive pixie, Tinker Bell!! Of course, guests had the opportunity to purchase new and exciting open edition pins of attractions and locations throughout the Magic Kingdom.

Many pins were released, including a LE (Limited Edition) 1000 Swan Boat with Mickey and Minnie Pin, along with the fourth Countdown dangle pin. The second in a nine-pin series of limited edition, individually numbered pins celebrating the 100 Years of Magic of Walt Disney was also released: Walt's First Animation Studio 1923. A gorgeous boxed LE set of Cinderella's Coach was also released.

July will see many new and exciting pin adventures at WDW. On July 1, 2001, the Pin Celebration at Epcot celebrated the last Pin Celebration Countdown at the monorail resorts. The Contemporary was the central location of the event. There will be several new LE pins released, including a LE 1000 Golfing Mickey; the third pin in the 100 Years of Magic series; and a LE 7500 Minnie 4th of July light-up pin, featuring Minnie as Lady Liberty. There will also be the premier of eight new Disney's "It's A Bug's Life" open edition pins. Guests will be invited to go on the Hunt for Pintopia, which will lead them on an exciting pin adventure along the monorail beam. In three different resort locations, including the Contemporary, the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian, guests will trade pins or answer trivia questions while on their adventure. If they complete their adventure, they will be rewarded with a rare, collectible pin.

The release of a number of LE pins will ring in Independence Day. In addition to "Lady Liberty Minnie", there will be a LE 5000 4th of July Lenticular Pin, as well as other Independence Day pins set to be released in each of the four parks, but specifics were unknown at press time.

Did you know: Last year, cast members at WDW traded more than 1,000,000 pins with guests!!!

Just keep your Mickey "Mouse" on www.dizpins.com for all the new and exciting pin information.

Look for DIZPINS.com to host a special pin trading meet at December's RADP-6 Meet! Our 6th Annual WDW Meet for Internet Fans from Around the World! Everyone is invited!

http://wdwig.com/btp/01meet.htm

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Have You Met…?

ALL EARS® introduces a new segment in our monthly Bits and Bites called "Have You Met?" Each month, look for an introduction to an animal that makes its home in Disney's Animal Kingdom or Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This month we introduce you to the capybara.

Capybara (which means Master of the Grasses) is the largest living rodent in existence. Two can be found at the Discovery Island Trails in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Capybara are semi-aquatic and native to South America. They live in small, traveling herds near ponds, lakes and rivers. The capybara will dive into the water to escape the jaguar, its predator.

They are most active in the early morning and evening, although some can be quite nocturnal. They live 8-10 years in the wild and are herbivores.

Visit http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_capybara.htm to learn more and see photos!

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Walt Disney's Hometown Celebrates his 100th Birthday
Disney's Dreams Began in Small Missouri Town

(Marceline, Mo.) – The largest-ever international gathering of Disney historians and authors is expected in Marceline, Mo. on September 21-23, 2001 for Walt's Hometown 100th Birthday Celebration.

Walt himself claimed Marceline as his hometown in a letter he wrote for the Marceline News in 1938, "I'm glad I'm a small town boy and I'm glad Marceline was my town."

Located about 90 miles from Kansas City in north-central Missouri, Marceline was Walt Disney's home during his formative years The period was a major influence on his work and the rest of his life. In fact, the main street of Marceline was the model for "Main Street, U.S.A.," the entryway to Disneyland and Walt Disney World amusement parks.

Marceline's three-day birthday celebration will include lectures and roundtable discussions by Disney historians, artists and authors; storytelling and reenactments of Disney events in Marceline; the Doc Sherwood Art Contest; the Barnyard Olympics, where children of all ages can compete in some of Walt's daily chores around the farm; a baked apple pie and barbecue contest; the Cricket Market, including unique collectibles from the world's most famous Disney collectors; and the Main Street USA Parade where visitors are invited to grab their instruments and the sheet music provided by the event organizers and join in.

The town of Marceline is also converting the old train depot into an interactive museum that will celebrate the Disney family's time in Marceline and the town's railroad heritage. Visitors to Marceline will have the chance to tour more than 20 different sites considered significant to Disney's life.

For more information about this event visit us on the Web at www.wd100birthday.com.

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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.