April 2016 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the March 29, 2016 Issue #862 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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STEP BACK IN TIME
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by Debra Martin Koma
AllEars® Editor

Each month, we rummage around in our archives for this featurette, which indulges in a bit of nostalgia, taking you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company through the ages. This month, as we anticipate a host of changes at Disney's Animal Kingdom later in April, we take a look at the early days of the park and one of its original (and shortest-lived) attractions, the Discovery River Boats.

Back when Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, the Discovery River Boats provided a short cruise through the waterways of Animal Kingdom. The Imagineers originally intended that the five natural gas-powered boats would provide guests with an orientation of Animal Kingdom, and provide transportation from one side of the park to another. Guests could board Discovery River Boats at one of two stations, one located near the entrance to Dinoland and the other in Asia.

At early cast member previews in March 1998, the lines waiting to board the whimsically named DartingDragonfly, Otter Nonsense, Leaping Lizard, Crocodile Belle and Hasty Hippo were more than an hour long. When the park opened there were very few attractions operating, and so the lines grew even longer. Tired guests did not appreciate waiting for a 10-minute boat ride that went in a circle with nothing to look at. Animal handlers were on the boats for a show-and-tell with small critters such as tarantulas, geckos, and scorpions, but this did little to entertain the masses.

Disney closed the ride for retooling a few times, reopening it as the Discovery River Taxis and then eventually the Radio Disney River Cruise, with Radio Disney DJ voices as part of the ride. But plagued by long waits, slow boarding and difficulties with the steering, the boats were closed permanently in August 1999, after just 16 months of operation.

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HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, points out a few Hidden Images at Disneyland and California Adventure. Most Hidden Images are Hidden Mickeys, but some qualify as Hidden Surprises. Enjoy!

1. Disneyland, Indiana Jones Adventure. Along the inside queue, look for this Hidden Surprise. On the other side of the office that has the desktop magazine with Minnie and Mickey, the words "Deliver to: Club Obi Wan" are stamped on the far wall of the office and behind a wooden wheel. It's a reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Star Wars movies and to Club Obi Wan in the "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" movie. The Walt Disney Company now shares rights to the Star Wars movies (except for Episode IV, the first one released in 1977) with 20th Century Fox. (Thanks to Thea Dodge.)

2. California Adventure, Paradise Pier, Seaside Souvenirs shop. Two brown Nautilus submarines are painted high on the walls behind merchandise shelves inside the shop. (Note: "Nautilus" is the submarine commanded by Captain Nemo in Jules Verne's novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.") (Thanks to Darin Thompson.)

3. Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. Be alert for carpet Mickeys at the Disneyland Resort! For example, white classic Mickeys appear in the dark blue guest hallway carpets in Paradise Pier Hotel. (Note: Carpets change from time to time, but you can usually find Hidden Mickeys — and decor Mickeys — in any new carpets in the hotels.) (Thanks to Kim Bacon.)

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

And check out our latest Searching Disney with Steve blog.

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MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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APRIL EVENTS

Through May 30
EPCOT: Flower and Garden Festival — To celebrate its 23rd year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will expand to 90 days and run from March 2-May 30, 2016. The popular spring festival previously ran for 75 days. Fresh farm market flavors at the festival's Outdoor Kitchens, new Disney character topiaries, interactive play gardens and live rockin' music will shower spring surprises on park guests.

EPCOT: Garden Rocks Concert Series will run on weekends throughout the Flower and Garden Festival. The tentative schedule of performers (subject to change) for April is:

— April 1-3 – Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
— April 8-10 – The Guess Who
— April 15-17 – Blood Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice
— April 22-24 – Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company
— April 29-May 1 – Georgia Satellites

April 14, 21, and 28
Magic Kingdom
Disney After Hours — a special ticketed event in the Magic Kingdom. The $149 (plus tax) ticket will allow guests to stay in the Magic Kingdom for three hours after the park closes. Guests will have the chance to enjoy most of the park's popular attractions and character greetings, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Princess Fairytale Hall. In addition, the cost of admission includes ice cream novelties and select beverages. April dates for the event are: April 28 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. April 14 and 21 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more details or to purchase tickets, call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 827-7185. Number of tickets to be sold for each evening are limited.

April 14 – 17
Resort Wide
Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side — The race weekend will include kids' races, a 5K and a 10K in addition to the half marathon, plus a variety of Star Wars experiences, medals, events and merchandise inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Among its many features will be a unique 13.1-mile course that propels runners through Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios and finishes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There will also be a Star Wars Dark Side Challenge — running the 10K and the half marathon on consecutive days that offers each finisher a Death Star-themed medal. Jedi and Sith Lords who dare to experience both Star Wars race weekends will have the chance to take on the Kessel Run Challenge — completing the Star Wars half marathon missions on both coasts. Kessel Run Challenge runners can earn a commemorative "Coast to Coast" medal inspired by the Millennium Falcon starship.

April 22
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Earth Day
Rivers of Light Show Debuts — The all-new Rivers Of Light waterside show will premiere. This date will also see the debut of significant changes at Disney's Animal Kingdom, as it transitions into a full-day experience.

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

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REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Animal Kingdom

Flights of Wonder will reopen April 6, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Midway Mania — More midway track is being added; work is expected to be completed in 2016.

Pizza Planet is closed for refurbishment until late 2016.

A number of attractions/shops are closing permanently on April 3, 2016, to make way for the Studios theme park expansion:

— Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
— Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
— Mike and Sulley Meet and Greet
— Prop Shop Mickey Avenue
— Studio Catering Company
— Watto's Grotto
— Writer's Stop

EDITOR'S NOTE: It is rumored that the Writer's Stop will be open temporarily after April 3, acting as a lounge for the neighboring Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant, but as of press time there has been no official announcement to this effect.

Epcot

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

Circle of Life in the Land pavilion is due to reopen April 3.

Soarin' closed January 4, 2016, and will remain closed throughout the summer, as another theater is being added, as well as new screens and a projection system.

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

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Railroad will be closed for refurbishment April 11-23, 2016.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Jambo House Villas are undergoing a soft goods refurbishment from now through May 20, 2016. (Soft goods typically consist of design materials including bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery.)

BoardWalk Inn and Villas

BoardWalk Villas rooms are currently undergoing renovations.

BoardWalk Inn is also undergoing exterior repairs and painting now through May 5, 2016.

Flying Fish Cafe is closed through September 30, 2016, for an extensive refurbishment.

Seashore Sweets' closed permanently on February 1, 2016, to make way for a new experience.

Caribbean Beach Resort

Aruba Pool is closed for refurbishment through April 15, 2016.

Saratoga Springs

Treehouse Villas — A soft goods rehab runs through June 22, 2016.

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 Hotel room renovations have just begun, with the entire room 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.

Disney Springs

Fulton's Crab House will close for refurbishment April 4. It is due to reopen in Fall 2016.

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

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

Read HERE for more on Disney Springs.

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A complete list of known rehabs can be found HERE.

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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!

Jessica M.: My parents and I took our first Disney cruise in 2004. Our first magical moment was that my father actually won the trip in the late Hollywood Studios' Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play It! attraction (but that's a whole other magical moment.) I was 10 at the time and one night on the cruise, my father and I took a walk around the desolate ship near the gift shops. We were peering into the dark, locked up windows when two hands suddenly covered my face from behind, blocking my vision. I turned to see Peter Pan who took off running down the hall as he screamed, "Off to Neverland!" He reached the end of the hallway, and turned back to my father and me with a wink before disappearing around the corner. As an annual Disney-goer, I've had my fair share of unrivaled Disney magic, but whenever I'm walking home from college classes or in a big hallway by myself, I always wonder: Where's Peter now?

Becca Burger: In March of 2015 my sister and I took our families to Disney with our parents. Growing up we went to Disney almost every year, and it was wonderful to bring all the grandchildren to Disney with my parents. Our father's health has not been perfect recently and Disney has always been a favorite place for him to visit, especially with his grandchildren. On our last day, right near closing, we rode Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom. We enjoyed a wonderful tour with other families as the animals were being quite active. When the tour ended, it took a few minutes to unload the 10 members and get my father to his wheelchair. As I looked around, there were no other people in line to board the vehicle, and the park still had 20 more minutes before close. I leaned over to the cast member and asked politely if we could ride again. Excitedly she said "Yes! I'd love to give a private safari ride to a beautiful family!" So our family boarded again, she gave the children official safari guide cards, and we had a one-on-one tour! It was amazing and so personal! We could not have asked for a better way to end our Disney vacation! My father still talks about how this was his favorite moment of the trip! Thank you, Disney!

Trix: I was fortunate enough 10 years ago to spend my 40th birthday in Disney World, but recently I was even MORE fortunate to have spent my 50th birthday in Disneyland! It had been 25 years since I had last been to California and had never seen Disney's California Adventure. My husband and I were walking along Paradise Pier when we came to "Toy Story Midway Mania." What a pleasant surprise as I hadn't realized they had one in California! As we stood there deciding if we should wait in the 35-minute line, and finally deciding we would, a cast member came up to us and said, "Hey folks, ever been on this before?" I said, "Yes, but in Florida. We've never been here." He dropped the rope and said, "Come with me." He led us through the exit and right onto the ride! It's such a small thing, but was SUCH a happy moment. My husband isn't nearly the Disney nut I am (he actually just tolerates it for me), but he likes that ride a lot and we had an absolute blast! Thank you to the cast of The Happiest Place on Earth. And thanks for giving me a magical moment as part of my 50th birthday trip!

Cindy: My youngest son and I made a special pre-kindergarten trip to Disney last summer when he was 5 years old. He loved pin-trading and penny smashing and kept a lanyard around his neck for his supplies. One evening in Epcot, he left it in a restroom stall at the UK pavilion. We found a spot to watch the fireworks and were talking about the day when he suddenly looked up at me in a panic and announced that he had left his lanyard in the restroom stall. We hurried back to the UK restrooms and he ran to the stall, but the lanyard was not there. He was close to tears, and I tried to assure him that someone had probably found it and turned it into the lost and found. We went into the closest store and asked the clerk if anyone had turned in a lanyard with pin case. It was not there, but the clerk got on the phone to call lost and found. He then called around to find the restroom attendant. My son was quiet, but he was clutching my hand and large tears were now rolling down his cheeks. I told him not to worry. Unfortunately, I had not thought to put any identification in the pin bag, so there was no way for anyone to call us. The clerk suggested we head to the nearest pin cart and that he would have someone contact us there. Within 10 minutes from when we realized the bag was lost, the attendant for the UK restroom had run back from her next cleaning stop with the lanyard bag. She had found the lanyard, but hadn't even had a chance to turn it in yet. My son gave her a big hug, and took a deep breath. We bought a Union Jack Mickey head pin to remember his good luck! I love that everyone at Disney works to keep the magic alive. That cast member saved the day for my 5-year-old boy!

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

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