September 2013 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the August 27, 2013 Issue #727 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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STEP BACK IN TIME
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by Keith Gluck, AllEars.Net Guest Blogger

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, we take a look at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which closed 15 years ago this September to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. (The Disneyland version of this attraction is still operating.)

During early planning for Walt Disney World, Chief Operations Officer of WED Enterprises Richard Irvine tapped Imagineer (and future Disney Legend) Rolly Crump to spearhead all of the Fantasyland attractions.

Thrilled with the assignment, Rolly immediately began formulating ways to improve upon the existing dark rides from Disneyland. One of the rides Disney decided to carry over was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which was extremely popular in Anaheim. In fact it was so popular, Vice President of Operations Dick Nunis advised Rolly that they should build two identical Toad rides, one right next to the other. Rolly did not share his vision. "I thought that was a dumb idea," Rolly said. "I told him to let me think about it for a while, and I'd come up with something better." And come up with something better, he did.

Rolly designed a two-track ride system that was housed in the same show building, giving riders two noticeably different ride experiences. On track one, passengers traveled through Toad Hall's library, over a farm, through Town Square, in and out of jail, past a shootout between cops and weasels, down the wrong way of a railroad tunnel, and ultimately, to Hell.

Track two also started riders out in Toad Hall, but through the Trophy Room instead of the library. The journey continued through a gypsy camp, Town Square, Winky's Tavern, the countryside at night, and their own Hell, also by way of the wrong way of a railroad tunnel.

The design was brilliant. Rolly even had the two tracks nearly intersect at points, giving the illusion of an impending head-on collision. Not only did having a second track double ride capacity, but the motorcars were modified in the '90s to hold four passengers compared to Disneyland's two.

The ride was a huge hit, and a perennial guest-favorite from Opening Day…

To read the rest of Keith Gluck's piece on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, visit the AllEars.Net Guest Blog at
http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2013/08/fifteen_years_ago_next_month.html

RELATED LINKS:

Disneyland's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride:
http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/toad.htm

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HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of www.HiddenMickeyGuy.com, encourages you to have fun finding the following images in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

1. Just inside the building along the entrance queue of "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin," the second poster on the right wall is called "Planets of the Galactic Alliance." At the right lower corner of this poster, a purple planet ("Planet Z") has three craters that form a sideways classic Mickey with "ears" to the left. (Thanks to Sharon Machuga and Mei Li, and Tyler Glynn.)

http://allears.net/btp/images/hidden-mickey-408.jpg

2. In Adventureland, a window display about pirates inside the Tortuga Tavern restaurant has three candles stuck in a bowl that form a classic Hidden Mickey. (Thanks to Todd Carballo, Bonnie Smith, Chuck Lionberger, and Octavio Perez.)

http://allears.net/btp/images/hidden-mickey-409.jpg

3. On Main Street, U.S.A., a small classic Hidden Mickey is on the middle back of the overhanging entrance sign to Tony's Town Square Restaurant. Look up as you exit the restaurant. (Thanks to Denise Morelli.)

http://allears.net/btp/images/hidden-mickey-410.jpg

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You can find a selection of past Hidden Mickey Alerts here:
http://allears.net/btp/hiddenm2.htm

And check out our Searching Disney with Steve blog:
http://land.allears.net/blogs/stevebarrett/

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RATE & REVIEW SPOTLIGHT
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Compiled by Deb Koma, Editor

With the first 2013 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party less than a month away, we've been getting lots of questions from readers as to whether this after-hours Magic Kingdom event is worth the money. We thought we'd share highlights from the comments readers left us in our Rate and Review section about last year's parties to help you decide whether MNSSHP is for you:

Recommended by 84 percent of AllEars.Net reviewers.
Overall rating of this experience: 7.4 (out of 10)

— "The only reason I can't give this a 10 is because it took us 15 minutes to get from the restrooms near City Hall to the lockers due to the absolute FLUX of people entering the park at 7 p.m. on the dot. The parade, fireworks and trick or treating were just FANTASTIC and we had a WONDERFUL time!"

— "We visited at the end of September and found that apart from the awful weather conditions, the crowd levels were unacceptable. Being in a wheelchair I felt very compromised and not at all safe. We had done this originally back in 2000, when the crowds were far more acceptable and the evening had been far more enjoyable… For the amount of money the tickets cost we felt that the evening was not value for money… I will not be rushing back to do another 'party' at Magic Kingdom."

— "Loved the party! It was crowded, but we still walked right on almost every ride we wanted to. New Fantasyland was opened just for the party…. almost worth the price of admission right there! No waits for the new rides/experiences! Parade route was crowded, despite attending the later parade. Tried to get dinner at Casey's hot dogs… terrible service and crowds! Trick or treating was fun and guest services traded our nut allergy bag and our daughter received some awesome allergy-friendly choices! This was one of our favorite things we did on our vacation!"

— "My wife and I went to MNSSHP on October 16. We had an excellent time. It was crowded entering Main Street, but once we were in the park the crowds were fine. Showed up 10 minutes before the first parade and got a front row spot in Frontierland. Rode our favorite rides with no lines. Had a Dole Whip and saw the fireworks from the bridge over Tomorrowland. It was a great night. Would definitely do it again. Next time we might even bring the kids with us."

— "Overall, the experience was nice; my daughter and I were down for a father-daughter getaway. We have done Christmas and Pirate and Princess, so we thought this was a good way to round out the experiences. I agree with previous reviews that being a hard ticket event, they should limit the number so the event is more enjoyable; little wait for rides; neat to see people dressed up in costumes; really enjoyed Boo to You parade. I would recommend doing this once to experience Disney magic."

— "We had dressed up as a family and it really got us into the spirit of things. It was fun seeing that lots of other people were in costume as well. Lines for rides were quite short when we arrived and just got shorter as the evening wore on. Near closing our kids (7 and 10) were riding Dumbo multiple times without getting off. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain were walk-ons. The Boo to You parade was great — a must-see. Dancing ghosts from the Haunted Mansion, gravediggers, and of course the Headless Horseman… We also loved HalloWishes, a nice Halloween take on the fireworks. The lines were long for trick-or-treating but they moved quickly. Both our kids had no trouble filling their bags up. There were crowds but they didn't interfere with us having a great time. We were glad that we went to MNSSHP at least once. However for the extra cost, we are not sure if we would do it again."

— "We attended the Not So Scary Halloween Party on October 18. It was extremely crowded. We couldn't get on rides or get near the characters. It's a good concept, but the crowd is just too large to allow enjoyment of the event."

To read more about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, or to share your experiences from the 2013 parties, visit:
http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=222&title=mickey-s-not-so-scary-halloween-party-magic-kingdom&cat=65

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MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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EVENTS

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Animal Kingdom

Coronado Springs Resort

Downtown Disney

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Don't forget to check our Events page for current updates: http://allears.net/pl/events.htm

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REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Disney's Hollywood Studios

All-Star Sports Resort

Contemporary Resort

Downtown Disney

The Osprey Ridge golf course, its pro shop and the Sand Trap restaurant are now closed. When Osprey Ridge reopens next year, it will be under Four Seasons ownership. To date, there is no indication whether play will be limited to Four Seasons Orlando guests and Golden Oak residents, or if Walt Disney World guests and/or the general public will have access. This closure leaves Walt Disney World with three 18-hole courses, Palm, Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista, as well as the Oak Trail 9-hole course. For more info on golfing at Walt Disney World: http://www.wdwgolf.com/

The Palm golf course is closed for a major rehab through November 16. The work will include a redesign by Arnold Palmer Course Design. For more details visit:
http://www.wdwgolf.com/2013/05/23/palm-course-to-close-june-10-2013-for-renovations-by-arnold-palmer-course-design/

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A complete list of rehabs can be found here: http://allears.net/tp/rehabs.htm

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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Joann B.: Years ago when we travelled to Walt Disney World, our daughter, who is now 32, left her teddy bear (we called him One-eyed Ted because he was so worn and loved and missing an eye) under the covers in her bed. Well, of course it was laundry day and off he went. We called the front desk and told them of our plight, never expecting to see him again. Later that day when we returned to the room there was a Dalmatian puppy waiting for her with a note of apology. How very kind of Mickey and the Gang. Not enough magic for you? Well, the next day who should appear but TED, along with a note explaining his Magical Mystery Tour of the Disney laundry facility. We laughed and laughed. To this day she doesn't travel without Ted, even though he's had his eye replaced with a shiny button and he is so threadbare you can see his stuffing though his fur. Thanks for the memories, Mickey! Can't wait to see you November!

Lucinda: Our family enjoyed a wonderful post-Disney Cruise visit to Walt Disney World this past May. Our first day at the parks happened to be my Dad's 76th birthday. Our first stop was at City Hall for a birthday button. As expected, Dad received a lot of birthday wishes throughout the day and met several "birthday buddies." As our day was winding down with dinner at Columbia Harbor House, a cast member stopped by our table and noticed Dad's button. She wished him a happy birthday and chatted a bit. She was in her 60s, so I think she felt a connection with my parents. After visiting a bit she left, but returned shortly with a piece of chocolate cake and "I'm Celebrating" buttons for the whole family, reminding us that a birthday is a celebration for all of us! She was so sweet. Her small act of kindness added a special touch of magic to a very special day!

Mindy Lowder: My husband and I took our two sons to Disney World in May 2013. It was my first trip, too! My older son, who is 7, LOVES Indiana Jones. On the day we went to Hollywood Studios, he of course wore his Indiana Jones costume. He loved that all of the cast members greeted him with, "Hi, Dr. Jones", "Hey Indy!", etc. He felt like a movie star! But his day turned even better when one of the cast members at the Indiana Jones stunt show asked if he would like to introduce the next show. He was so happy and did a great job. After the show, Indy came and talked to him, let him look at props from the set, and answered all kinds of questions. Then, Indy asked my son if he had a pair of Indiana Jones gloves. When my son said no, Indy said "Well, you do now." He took off the gloves he had worn during the show and gave them to my son! He could not believe it! What a wonderful Disney moment!

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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.