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DISNEY
100 YEARS OF MAGIC |
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Our visit this
time began at The Animal Kingdom Lodge and was it a treat! The
decor is But the Lodge was
for respite and we had lots to see. Our first stop was to Epcot
to see and Remember the magnificent parade at Epcot .. The Tapestry of Nations? That has now been transformed into Tapestry of Dreams. It celebrates children, dreams and the legacy of Walt Disney. There is a fantastic Dream Catcher float, covered in bells, wind chimes and flowing colored fabric that opens this pageant. With its astounding 416 speakers throughout the World Showcase promenade, it explodes with rhythm, color and music. Near the end of the parade, we heard the voice of Walt Disney saying, “The era we are living in today is a dream coming true — today we are the shapers of the world of tomorrow.” What beautiful thoughts to sleep on.
In case you were not aware, if you get to a favorite ride and the line is very long ... you can put your Park entrance ticket through a machine and it will give you a time to return. When you return you go to a special entrance and the wait is only between 5 & 10 min. Now that is a real crowd pleaser! All around the
park there are interactive kiosks that tell the Stories Behind
the Magic ... giving us insights about the dreams and events that
inspired the creation of the Magic Kingdom Park. We were able
to explore some Disney history through interactive computers with
games and trivia questions. A quick spin of Mickey’s ear and a
press on his nose ... actually a real computer “mouse” What really caught our attention was the Hall of Presidents. That is not new but we got to see its newest executive figure ... George W. Bush. President Bush personally recorded a speech written especially for the new version of the show. Eric Jacobson, from Walt Disney Imagineering, told us that the Disney crew visited the White House to obtain this recording.
Later that evening, at the Magic Kingdom, we the had the pleasure of seeing a presentation of another of the many new parades .. Share A Dream Come True and then the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks. Disney milestone moments are presented in parade units inspired by snow globes. Remember those little globes that we would shake fiercely and then watch the white snow fall down? Picture one of those globes with Mickey inside ... another with Cinderella ... and another with Beauty & the Beast ... and still another with Pinocchio ... and so many more ... larger than life ... parading in front of you. There are 100 Disney characters starring in this parade, highlighting favorite moments from the early days of Mickey Mouse cartoons to the newest animated Disney characters. We were mesmerized and enchanted.
For the first time ever, a parade spectacle unfolds daily in all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. “Walt loved parades,” says Marty Sklar, vice chairman and principal creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering , who worked with Walt Disney for many years. “Parades were important at Disneyland from ‘Day One’.”
Next morning we
were off to see the animals. At Animal Kingdom we roamed around
the all-new Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama ... and took a ride
on the flying, twirling Triceratop Spin where we went up-down-and
around on vehicles that move around a The new parade for Animal Kingdom is Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. It is the first time Disney characters have been featured in a procession in this park. The jungle beat is a pageant of party animals. It is an interactive island street party and as the parade winds through the park a menagerie of abstract animals come to life in handcrafted theatrical designs. We understand the
challenge was the narrow pathways through the Animal Kingdom,
so the new parade is single file, never more than 14 feet wide.
We were determined to cover as much as possible ... so off we
went to MGM to discover even more. Regis (on film) is among the
“newbies” with his “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It!”
... As a fan of the show ... and of Regis ... we got to feel the
excitement and drama of the TV series as we got to play along
Playhouse Disney
- Live on Stage! is a great place for the children ... and was
for the child in us! The children sing, dance and play along with
their favorite Playhouse Disney friends and we fell in love with
a big Bear!! Bear in the Big Blue House is a huge hit ... you
just want to go up and hug this fabulous animal. The show is geared
for pre-school children bu MGM also has its
new parade.. Disney Stars and Motor Cars. Motorcars take on the
visual personality of Disney characters. More than 70 Disney characters
ride in cars and walk along the street. Many ride in customized
cars that date from 1929 to 1951 and the finale is a 1929 Very special this day was a unique birthday celebration. December 5, 2001 was the 100th birthday of Walt Disney ... Everyone entering the MGM park received a birthday hat and there was a colossal cake event marking the anniversary of Walt’s birth. You had to see this cake! One hundred bakers paraded in, each carrying a lovely square cake with some decoration on it. Each placed his cake on a large board in front of the partygoers. When the procession was finished and all the cakes put in place ... there before our eyes was a rendition of Walt Disney’s face! On stage was Mickey, Minnie, several other characters and the cake was surrounded by the bakers and other Disney characters. Songs, cheers and applause were followed by serving pieces of the cake to all present. So much excitement and so much fun but the main attraction for us this trip was Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream exhibit. This is an amazing journey that was Walt’s life. Disney Imagineers have uncovered artifacts the public has never seen and created a new, multi-sensor entertainment experience based on this man who was willing to bet everything on his dreams. Dave Smith, the keeper of the Disney archives, was part of the team deciding what would be shown. We heard from him how difficult it was to make the decision as to which articles would be in the exhibit. They wanted to have a few from each decade of his life. The early years were more difficult as there was not much around. We were able to
see the Sleeping Beauty castle model, a Mickey Mouse club guitar,
Walt’s personal office desk, chair and cabinet. You could feel
his presence as you walked through the exhibit. Absolutely amazing
what this one man could accomplish with his dreams ... and “When you walk through this attraction, you’ll see that it’s not so much about the life of a man as it is about the life of a dream,” explained Roy E. Disney, Walt’s nephew and vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company. Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company stated, “Walt Disney World has always been a place where people from around the world come to put aside their worries, and make lifetime memories with friends and family. Now, more than ever, our guests are looking for this kind of magical experience, and we’re honored to be able to provide it.”
Oh, we never told you about the new icon ... The Sorcerer’s Hat is 122 feet tall and takes center stage at MGM Studios. It is shaped like the pointed hat worn by Mickey in the animated classic “Fantasia,” weighs 156 tons, is a brilliant blue and decorated with moon and star shapes of glittering gold. An equally great Mickey hand tips the hat, which rests on two shimmering ribbon loops that are stylized versions of Mickey’s ears. At the official dedication, several of the original “mouseketeers” were on stage and we all sang M I C ... K E Y ... M O U S E..... The little ones in the audience joined in also but could not understand the tears in the eyes of all of us “oldtimers.” Talking of “magical memories” we love a couple of the souvenirs you can carry home from this visit. Beautiful snow globes in all sizes. There are re-creations of six “snow globe” parade units from the Magic Kingdom parade. If you are a pin collector this one is a must. Disney’s Magical Moments pins are the hottest collectibles, giving mini light shows as they interact with parades, attractions and shows throughout Walt Disney World Resort. These “blinking lights” were a “must have” for our collection. “Nearly everyone can remember when they were first touched by the magic of Disney,” Al Weiss, President of Walt Disney World said. “Here at the resort that bears Walt Disney’s name, we’ll give them a chance to share those memories and make new ones.”
We have to agree.
It was one of the best times we have had at Disney. There is so
much new ... so much nostalgia ... so much to see, hear, experience,
learn, enjoy ... with great food choices ... accommodation choices
... for young, old ... and in-between ... you have to have a great
time when your vacation choice is Disney. The 100 Years of Magic
Celebration makes it even more special!
FAST FACTS .. WALT DISNEY WORLD 100 YEARS OF MAGIC CELEBRATION Dates: ... Through Dec. 31, 2002 Location: Centered at Disney-MGM Studios with new spectacles throughout Walt Disney World Resort Theme: Tribute to Walt Disney’s legacy. Celebration marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth on Dec. 5, 1901. Icon: a 122 foot tall Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney-MGM Studios celebrating Disney magic and entertainment wizardry. Entertainment: Information:
 © 1997-2002 Alese & Morton Pechter E-Mail: 73517.257@compuserve.com WEBSITE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE BY: PALM BEACH ON-LINE |
Neither
rain nor hail nor sleet nor terrorists ... can deter a Disney
Happening! Postponed from its original time schedule, the official
opening of Disney’s 100 Years of Magic proved even more exciting
than we had anticipated. Coinciding with the actual date of Walt
Disney’s 100th birthday ... December 5, 2001 ... the man to be
specially honored this whole year ... all the stops were pulled
and Disney World in Orlando, Florida was awash with extravaganzas.
This was our introduction to all that is new and exciting at our
favorite family get-away-place, but it shall be continuing for
everyone for the whole year. 
authentic
Africa ... except for the huge decorated Christmas Tree as we
entered. Our room had a balcony that overlooked a Savannah where
the animals actually roamed. To be sure there were not herds of
animals stampeding by but we did see zebras, giraffes and several
other species grazing the fields. It made for a very beautiful,
peaceful landscape setting. All the “pluses” were there .... large
pool, spacious eateries, comfortable, deluxe rooms and fabulous
Disney service. We were so impressed with the huge ceiling light
fixtures made of authentic African spears and shields. We could
not imagine how bulbs ever got changed or the fixture cleaned
until one evening we returned to find one had been lowered by
electric motor to the floor ... the shields and spears removed
for cleaning and bulbs were being replaced. We even had the chance
to take photos holding the shield and spear. 
hear
the unique holiday concert, the annual Candlelight Processional
& Massed Choir Program. Throughout the holiday season, 95 performances
are presented and each evening nearly 400 performers fill the
stage to retell in song and narration the traditional story of
Christmas. Among the guest narrators this year were Marlee Matlin,
Phylicia Rashad, Robby Benson and we had the pleasure of hearing
Wayne Brady. It is held outdoors at the America Gardens Theatre.
The park was filled with holiday decorations, the sky was clear,
the stars shone above and we listened, enraptured to magnificent
voices filling the air around us. Certainly an evening we shall
long remember. 
Bright
and early next morning we were off to the Magic Kingdom. We were
most anxious to experience all that was new but have to admit
it took us a while to find the “new” activities .... not because
they were difficult to find but once in the park we just HAD to
get to Tomorrowland and the ride at Space Mountain and Splash
Mountain. They are still great rides and made even better now
as we could pick up a Fast Pass and do not have to wait in long
lines. 
Brand
new is the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, a ride that whirls you around,
lifts you up and down as you glide through Agrabath, dodging,
of all things, a spitting camel. Sixteen 4-passenger “carpets”
circle around a giant genie’s lantern, moving up and down and
pitching forward or backward at the “command” of the rider. We
enjoyed this one as a way to relax with the children. As we glided
around we could enjoy the excitement in their eyes without the
“roller-coaster” breath holding.
button
... and we found both questions and answers. 
There
is a new live Castle Forecourt Show ... Cinderella’s Surprise
Celebration ... Cinderella has invited Mickey and his pals for
a surprise celebration and there are lots of surprises to be sure.
The music filled spectacle includes vocals by Cinderella, who
is joined by the characters in an original song, “A Little Bit
of Me.” Sound good? It is! 
A
full, exhausting, fun-filled day to be sure but there was more
to come. 
giant spinning toy top that opens up to reveal ... a dinosaur!
We also had the chance to get an advance sneak peek at Primeval
Whirl a spinning roller coaster that sends riders through a maze
of curves, hills and drops. The ride was fun and the roller coaster
should be a blast. 
right
from our seats. A few even got to sweat it out in the hot seat
on the authentic re-creation of the actual New York set. Of course,
no cash is given out, but contestants can win Disney prizes. 
t
we watched lots of older kids and adults having just as much fun.
Cadillac
that features Mickey, Minnie and Goofy as chauffeur. 
as
he once noted, “it was all started by a mouse.”
on
all year so you can see it for yourself. 
Disney
Stars and Motor Cars parade at Disney-MGM Studios