Gary Cruise

Gary hails from Canada and he’s a lifelong Disney fan. In the 1950s he watched the original Mickey Mouse Club and The Wonderful World of Disney on a snowy old black-and-white television. Gary was mesmerized by the Disneyland that Walt introduced to the world during those Sunday night shows! In 1977 he took his young family to Walt Disney World for the first time and suddenly that Disney magic he experienced as a child was rekindled. Since then Gary and his wife Carol have enjoyed about 70 trips to Walt Disney World, 11 trips to Disneyland and 11 Disney Cruises.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Posted on by Gary Cruise
If you have read some of my previous blogs, you will know that Carol and I are huge fans of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. We just love spending time there in our RV . . . but I’ve often wondered what it would be like staying in one of the cabins. Carol stayed … Continue reading "The Cabins at Fort Wilderness"
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EPCOT Trade Celebration 2013 — Part 2

Posted on by Gary Cruise
To conclude my report on the annual EPCOT 2013 Trade Celebration I want to share some photos of the gifts and merchandise that I brought home from the event. If you missed Part 1, you can read it HERE. As I mentioned in my previous blog, this year started last September with the first pin … Continue reading "EPCOT Trade Celebration 2013 — Part 2"
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Epcot Trade Celebration 2013

Posted on by Gary Cruise
It was a beautiful day as I drove over the 1000 Island International Bridge; my destination was the Syracuse Airport where I had a 4 p.m. flight to Orlando. It was the start of my annual trip to Walt Disney World to partake in the Epcot Trade Celebration. I really enjoy this opportunity to spend … Continue reading "Epcot Trade Celebration 2013"
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Fondest Disney Memories

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Whenever I hear the word “Disney” I get a comfy, warm feeling. I have so many memories of wonderful times at the parks that the mere mention of “the D word” evokes a smile. What is the best memory? My fondest memory? Wow – that’s a tough question. It took me quite a while to … Continue reading "Fondest Disney Memories"
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The Disney Room

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Do you have a Disney Room? I think every Disney fan should have one. If you are an obsessive Disney collector, like Carol, a Disney Room is imperative! When Carol and I first started dating she proudly showed me a small cabinet containing her collection of Disney music boxes. They were displayed in a bookcase, about three shelves, with glass doors. Nice! She also showed me her Disney themed Collector Plates and some very nice porcelain Mickey Mouse Figurines.
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It’s All In How You See It

Posted on by Gary Cruise
It’s an odd quirk of human nature that we can all look at exactly the same thing yet we might actually see something totally different. Our experiences and our memories shape our perceptions in some very different ways! Here’s an example – that park bench with the Goofy statue in Magic Kingdom’s Town Square. I … Continue reading "It’s All In How You See It"
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Getting ready for the Annual EPCOT Trade Celebration

Posted on by Gary Cruise
This year the annual Disney Trade Celebration is called “13 – Reflections of Evil” It starts on Friday the 13th (spooky) this September. There are several changes to the event and to event procedures this year that I will go in detail about below. But the one change that has put me in conflict is … Continue reading "Getting ready for the Annual EPCOT Trade Celebration"
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Disney Rituals

Posted on by Gary Cruise
When Carol and I visit Walt Disney World there are plenty of little rituals during the trip, quirky things which add to the fantasy and add to our enjoyment! If we are travelling south in our motor home we are always vigilant, looking to spot our first palm tree – a sign that we are … Continue reading "Disney Rituals"
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Disney’s Oldest Parade – Electrical Water Pageant

Posted on by Gary Cruise
Walt Disney World has plenty of parades. The Magic Kingdom currently has the “Celebrate A Dream Come True” parade every afternoon at 3:00 and the “Main Street Electrical Parade” at 9:00 and 11:00. Disney’s Animal Kingdom features the “Jammin’ Jungle Parade” at 3:45 Over the years there have been many themed parades at each of … Continue reading "Disney’s Oldest Parade – Electrical Water Pageant"
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Dayton Disneyana – 2013

Posted on by Gary Cruise
The Dayton "Plane Crazy" Chapter of the Disneyana Fan Club, who host the event annually, describe it as "a Show and Sale of Disneyana Collectibles and Disney Pin Trading Event" but it is actually much more than that. It's more like a convention for Disney fans! This year's event included two well known speakers; 1) Jim Hill, an award-winning entertainment writer from Boston who written extensively about The Walt Disney Company. 2) Jim Korkis, an internationally respected Disney historian who has written hundreds of articles about all things Disney for over three decades.
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