October 2016 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites
Feature Article
This article appeared in the September 27, 2016 Issue #888 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)
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.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
STEP BACK IN TIME
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
We rummage around in our archives for this monthly featurette, which indulges in a bit of nostalgia, taking you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company through the ages. This month, as Walt Disney World turns the ripe old age of 45, we take a look at the early days, all the way back to October 1972, when the Vacation Kingdom consisted of just the Magic Kingdom and a few hotels.
Some interesting Magic Kingdom tidbits from this era:
— The first pneumatic refuse removal system (called AVAC, Automatic Vacuum Collection System) in the Western Hemisphere was in use, whisking refuse away from guest areas at high speed.
— WDW boasted the world's largest food operation, with the capacity to serve 175,000 meals per day. Since its opening a year prior, WDW had at that time produced more than 19 miles of brownies.
— The Magic Kingdom had two character parades daily, at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m., except during extended park hours.
— One of the "new attractions" at the time was the Water Ski Spectacular, which was performed Saturdays through Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on the Seven Seas Lagoon. There was a separate charge for this show of $1/adult, $.50/child (3-11).
At this time, the Contemporary Resort was the world's only hotel to feature a monorail train running through it. The resort's mural, "The Pueblo Village," was one of the world's largest, at 18,000 square feet. Restaurants at the resort in those days included El Pueblo on the fourth floor and the Gulf Coast Room, which featured French dining, on the second. The Top of the World, on the 15th floor, had entertainment twice nightly. Room rates for the 1,057 rooms ranged from $29/night to $44/night, depending on location.
Meanwhile at the Polynesian Village Resort, there were 492 rooms in eight longhouses, also going for $29/night to $44/night. The resort's Papeete Bay Verandah had a Kaui-Pono Polynesian Revue dinner show nightly, while over on the beach there was the nightly South Seas Luau.
Fort Wilderness, along with its 500 campsites (at $11/night), offered a variety of activities: a night nature excursion ($3/person); canoes ($2/hour); bicycles ($1/hour), including tandems and three-wheelers ($2/hour); and over at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch pony rides ($.50) and a petting zoo (where it cost 5 cents for feed!).
Finally, I know we can't compare 1972 prices with today's, but it's still fun to see what admission was back then. General admission (including transportation) was $3.75/adult, $2.75/junior (age 12-17) and $1.25/child (age 3-11). A 12-adventure ticket book (which included admission and transportation) cost $6.30, $5.85, and $5.30 respectively.
Yeah, times have changed.
Source: Eyes and Ears of Walt Disney World (cast member publication), October 14, 1972
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
RELATED LINKS
As part of the Walt Disney World 40th anniversary celebration, AllEars.Net had the chance to speak with several cast members who were working at the Magic Kingdom on opening day in 1971:
Kevin Myers
Darlene Kennedy
Heather Will-Browne
Magic Kingdom's 40th Anniversary Ceremony Photo Gallery
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, reminds you to spend some time at your Disney Resort searching for Hidden Mickeys. Ask a Cast Member; they'll sometimes direct you to a new Hidden Mickey or two! Let's check out Saratoga Springs Resort.
1. In Saratoga Springs' Congress Park section (Villas 1501 to 1836), near the lagoon over which you can see Disney Springs, a large faint classic Mickey is on an outdoor red wall. I stood near this red wall and could spot the Rainforest Cafe across the lagoon. (Thanks to Elizabeth Gutmann.)
2. Classic Hidden Mickey holes are in the corners of the decorative design work along the ceiling perimeter of the carousel-themed gazebo at the Carousel Villas. (Thanks to Martha Tischler.)
3. In the main registration lobby, red swirls in the center carpet form a series of classic Mickeys. (Thanks to Jason Gall.)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
You can find an archive of past Hidden Mickey Alerts HERE.
And check out our latest Searching Disney with Steve blog.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
OCTOBER EVENTS
Club Villain at Sunset Showcase — Friday and Saturday nights through October 29, and on Halloween night, October 31.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party — From 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights guests can enjoy Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade; trick-or-treating throughout the Magic Kingdom at numerous locations; and the special Happy HalloWishes fireworks. Lots of characters are out in the park, wearing their favorite costumes. The October dates are: October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31. NOTE THAT OCTOBER 31 IS ALREADY SOLD OUT!
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival — Top celebrity chefs, brand new Disney resort cooking and dining experiences and Eat to the Beat concerts will highlight the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase. The annual Disney celebration of global flavors runs through November 14, featuring more than 30 marketplaces and special dining events. For the second consecutive year, ABC's Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, "The Chew," will produce a full week of programs from the festival. "Chew" hosts Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz will share their Disney culinary adventures and tasty recipes before Epcot audiences October 5-7 in shows scheduled to air October 10-14.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Food & Wine Classic returns for its seventh year October 28-29. Sample wines from around the world and savor culinary artistry from pastries to pasta. The Food & Wine Classic also offers 10 educational seminars on wines, cocktails, beer, pasta-making, cheese pairing or the fine art of sushi and sake.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Check our Events page for a full schedule of upcoming events.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur and the Dino Institute in Dinoland USA are closed for refurbishment through October 17, 2016.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Pizza Planet is closed for refurbishment until Fall 2016, when it will reopen as PizzeRizzo, themed after the Muppets character Rizzo the Rat. The casual Italian-American dining experience will feature pizza and other Italian specialties, with updated indoor and outdoor seating areas, a banquet room, and a special booth designated just for Rizzo's celebrity friends.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close for refurbishment October 27. It is slated to reopen November 9, 2016.
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment through November 19, 2016.
All Star Sport Resort
Grand Slam Pool will be closed for refurbishment October 10 through December 2, 2016.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kidani Village villas are undergoing a "soft goods" refurbishment (replacing bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery) through January 2017.
BoardWalk Inn and Villas
BoardWalk Villas rooms are currently undergoing renovations.
Pop Century
Resort rooms will undergo a "hard goods" refurbishment starting October 16; the refurbishment will run through 2017.
The Computer Pool will close for refurbishment October 31. It is set to reopen January 3, 2017.
Port Orleans French Quarter
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter closed for refurbishment on July 11. The space adjacent to the resort lobby is now serving some food items throughout the day. You'll find the temporary menus for Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory while it's undergoing refurbishment HERE. There is also a selection of grab 'n' go meals available for purchase. For guests wishing for more selection, bus transportation is provided from 7 a.m. to midnight to Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the resort continues to offer its in-room pizza delivery service from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. The menu includes pizza, hot and cold sandwiches and pasta. The quick service food court will reopen sometime in the fall, but no specific date has been announced.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is currently undergoing the largest renovation in its 25-year history. The Swan rooms have been completed; the first phase of the Dolphin room renovations is underway, with the entire project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.
Wilderness Lodge and Villas at Wilderness Lodge
General resort refurbishments and construction work in multiple areas will continue until 2017. Some pathways and the nature trail will be unavailable at certain times.
Hidden Springs leisure pool, resort beach, playground and recreation fire pit are unavailable.
Cub's Den Children's Activity Center is closed now through 2017.
Sturdy Branches Health Club will be closed through October 2016.
The Yacht and Beach Club Convention Center is undergoing expansion and renovation now through February 1, 2018.
Disney Springs
Fulton's Crab House is closed for refurbishment. It is due to reopen in Fall 2016 with a new concept and name, Paddlefish.
Planet Hollywood is also closed for refurbishment. The restaurant is being transformed into a four-story stargazing observatory to match the design aesthetic of Disney Springs. The interior will feature spherical, planet-shaped lighting fixtures and will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers, while retaining the old movie memorabilia. There will be a new outdoor terrace and an outdoor bar space called Stargazers that will feature live entertainment. The main dining room will include a DJ. Planet Hollywood's renovations will be completed in 2016.
Read HERE for more on Disney Springs.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
A complete list of known rehabs can be found HERE.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
MAGICAL MOMENTS
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Each month, we like to share a few heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!
Carol C.: Our family are Disney fanatics. A few years ago my husband, son and daughter-in-law, daughter and fiance stayed at All Star Music as a celebration for our daughter graduating from college. The kids flew down, but my husband and I drove. On the last day my daughter said she had seen a mug in Animal Kingdom that had a picture of a tiger and Pooh with a magnifying glass asking, "Is that you Tigger?" She said she wished she bought it, but there was not time to go back to Animal Kingdom. My husband and I were staying that night and leaving in the morning so we said we would see if we could find it. We searched but couldn't find it. Cast members told us when we got back to our hotel to talk to the gift shop and see if they could have one sent to us. We went to the gift shop and they said they would contact Animal Kingdom and see if it could be sent over the next morning. When we went back in the morning it was not there yet, but they had sent one of their workers over to Animal Kingdom. The cast member came back with the mug — we were excited because it was exactly what our daughter wanted. My husband took out his wallet to pay but the cast member handed us the wrapped up mug. We looked at her, very confused, and said we didn't pay for it yet. She said, "Have a magical day," smiled and added, "see you next year." This act of kindness was so nice… I have told many people about it. Disney has the best customer service and the stories you print just prove Disney does try to do it right.
Neal M.: During a past trip to Walt Disney World, we purchased tickets to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. My two sons were dressed up, one as Stitch and the other as a Power Ranger. After entering the park, I approached a cast member who was handing out flyers about the party and asked him if I could have one. He responded, "Sure, if you could do me a favor." I was thinking, "What could he possibly want from me?" To my surprise, he asked if I would allow my kids to ride in the Halloween parade. They got to ride on a float in the parade, making that trip one we will never forget.
Jenna Daire: On a trip to tour the national parks of Florida, we surprised our daughters with one day at the Magic Kingdom. It was our 5-year-old's first trip, and we only had one day to spare, so we had an ambitious itinerary… My husband waited in line at a FastPass kiosk in the heat for more than 45 minutes and didn't want to leave the line when we reached our lunch reservation time for "Be Our Guest." Since your entire party must be present to be seated, we were torn, but my husband ended up leaving the FastPass line and joined us for lunch. When we were seated, our server was joking with us and said, "Well, I have some bad news." Our faces must have shown our worn-down state, and my youngest was close to crying. I quickly told the server to break it to us gently since we had waited for a good while to gain FastPasses, but had no luck. She was going to say that the bad news was that our food was ready early, but she changed course and said she needed to check on one more thing. Five minutes later she came out with five FastPasses good anywhere in the park at any time. She told my daughter the Beast had heard our story and wanted to treat us to any ride she wanted. Oh, the Magic! (It sounds like one week after our trip, Disney rolled out an app for FastPass service, which we were glad to hear.) We used that FastPass to get back on track with our plan and are proud to say we made it until midnight! My 5-year-old will never forget that kindness, and neither will we!
-=-=-=-=-=–=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
We just bet you have a story to tell about an unforgettable moment during your Disney vacation! Please send your favorite memory for inclusion in a future AllEars® to: allearsnet@yahoo.com Thank you all for sharing!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
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.
