tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83616908430898911692024-03-13T12:39:17.724-04:00Main Street GazetteRyan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.comBlogger3404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-9592073003303671242022-08-23T09:00:00.001-04:002022-08-23T09:00:00.244-04:00The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve started this post at least a dozen times this year
alone, and every time I delete it and tell myself things will get better, I
will feel better, and I will find the space to think, dream, research, and
write. The truth is, and this is clearly well overdue, this chapter that has
been the Main Street Gazette for the past fifteen years has come to a close.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">My constant companion of Rheumatoid Arthritis has left me
little in the way of spare time beyond what energies I need for my traditional
job and daily maintenance around my house. I do not wish this pain and
crippling exhaustion that has sat by my side for the last eight years on
anyone, but I do wish I could express it in words you would all understand.
That said, I want this to be a day of celebration and looking forward.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to reorganize what is still here on the Gazette,
delete obsolete and murky items, plus what I can, and give it a forever home so
that you can find it when you’re looking for something years from now. For many
of its fifteen years, there were posts here daily. Mostly these writings were
from myself, but occasionally from a dear friend, or group of friends. Even
when I was on trips, and before the advent of things like Instagram, I would
send back horrible, horrible cell phone photos, just to slip a little something
special into your day.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I still have stories I want to tell, histories I want to
uncover or rediscover and share with you, opinions that I think have a space in
the world of Disney travel, and photos that aren’t stellar, but are better than
average, that I want to put out there to remind you all of the beauty of
created and cultivated spaces. I don’t know what form that will take. My form
of expression is writing and that isn’t the most popular form of quick
entertainment for many folks these days, so who knows where I go next. Maybe
guest writing somewhere else, maybe longer items on a social media outlet, a
book is never out of the question, perhaps returning to some magazine writing
or a podcast here or there, or something I haven’t considered yet. I’m smart
enough to know what a wonderful avenue is when it is presented to me.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The Main Street Gazette has created so many opportunities
and brought so many wonderful people into my life. Some have come and gone,
some are at great distance but I feel I could pick up where we left off with
just a phone call, and some are still as close to me as family. I cherish every
memory and moment it the past fifteen years of magic have given me. That
includes you. You may have never reached out, never connected with me, but you
were there, and for that I can only thank you. Each of you has meant the world
to me, and I can truly say I am a better person because I have had you in my
life. I was a shy, reclusive young man who thought he had enough knowledge and
insights that he could help people have better trips, that he could provide
some understanding of what had come before. Now, I know I will never know
everything, never be able to help everyone, but strong enough to be there for
those who need me, when they need me, and provide a glimpse of insight. You
gave me that strength, you helped shape me. Thank you.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope you have found a friend, a bit of knowledge you
didn’t have, something that made you chuckle, or a dish you wanted to try
because of the time you spent here. I hope I was able to give you something for
your investment of time in perusing through my blathering. This has indeed been
a wild ride, one that we have undertaken together, and I cannot wait to see
what you do next, and what is next for me.</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-31787749876330698852021-12-20T09:00:00.006-05:002021-12-20T09:00:00.285-05:00Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas<div style="text-align: justify;">It’s been a long while since we’ve done an honest to
goodness trip report, but given that this was our first trip back to Walt
Disney World in several years and, if you’re anything like we were before our
trip, you have more questions than answers about what I trip looks and feels
like now. I don’t know that we can answer all of the questions, or even most of
them, but let me tell you what we saw during our trip, Gazette-style.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOce4Z5SfLm3x_c7eE1i1ThCejKje40bVtWi8ZFTSQegTjH5b7SneQKOoCftVJ8kvUK0CtuXYJaq0AjTgi298oG71Trjv0U_dIQ__EHnKNgJSzjLO4YLrvpVr5cs1lZmOFdoo06Zgi9uj8N3JrW6V2ZtGioRbzKnTYLtltddBVnBB3aTzdDj5MvQ9xuw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOce4Z5SfLm3x_c7eE1i1ThCejKje40bVtWi8ZFTSQegTjH5b7SneQKOoCftVJ8kvUK0CtuXYJaq0AjTgi298oG71Trjv0U_dIQ__EHnKNgJSzjLO4YLrvpVr5cs1lZmOFdoo06Zgi9uj8N3JrW6V2ZtGioRbzKnTYLtltddBVnBB3aTzdDj5MvQ9xuw=s320" width="320" /></a></div>The Good</b> - <i>All the Food</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The food at Walt Disney World has not missed a beat in the
time it was closed and the way things flow now during the prolonged reopening
period. Mobile ordering was already our friend, it just has more friends now,
and it is certainly worth noting that sit down meals are harder to come by
reservations for, but walk-ups are more attainable these days if you’re willing
to wait. Also, the early reports of having to make lunch and/or dinner mobile
orders at 7:00 or 8:00am have, thankfully, subsided and you can regularly find
a time close to when you want to eat throughout the day.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">We had actually made a list ahead of time of all the snacks
and treats we wanted to eat while we were on our trip, and we may have gotten
through half of them. There’s a lot of good food floating around Walt Disney
World right now folks, particularly if you’re touring EPCOT during its (what
festival are we on this week?) Festival of the Holidays. If you happen to be
around for the holidays, then we highly recommend everything from the Bavaria and
L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchens, as well as everything from Tangierine Café, and the
tostada and cranberry-cinnamon margarita from Los Posadas. Elsewhere, Sleepy
Hollow, Docking Bay 7, and Satu’li Canteen continue to impress, and Topolino’s
Terrace became our new favorite breakfast destination, with very few misses on
their menus. Additionally, if you’re more of the lounge set, Ale & Compass
Lounge was shockingly delicious, both for bites and sips, and the 50th
Anniversary venison chili dog was a fantastic addition to an already stacked
menu at Nomad Lounge.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Bad</b> - <i>Crowds</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The week we were at Walt Disney World was supposed to be a
relatively light week, in terms of crowds. While I know that I am out of the
habit of being in large public places, this didn’t feel light to me, even
looking back on the pre-pandemic times. More often than not I could not see the
sidewalk in front of me, regardless of the park or time of day. On more than
one occasion, we walked into a park, utilized a pre-booked Lightning Lane and
then immediately left the park for an alternative activity, such as touring
resorts, taking in a lounge, or enjoying some pool time.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of Lightning Lane, it was a valuable tool for us,
especially the individual purchase options for Rise of the Resistance, Flight
of Passage, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad. The Fastpass-like Genie+
option was good, but we only paid for it on days we felt it could be best
utilized, i.e. the days we were in the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood
Studios. It is not as helpful, and it is not our recommendation, to utilize it
for EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom at this point in time.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Back to the crowds, aside from just the general mobbing of
every walkway and bench, there seems to be a shift in attitude amongst the
general park-going group. It used to be few and far between that you’d hear a
disgruntled parent yelling about how much they spent and how everyone in the
family was going to have a good time. Now, however, it is common place. More
shockingly, however, is that it has morphed into an angry sense of entitlement.
More times than I care to count, I heard someone bellowing about how much they
spent and how that fact alone should provide them with more access than others.
Almost as if their spending, which always seemed like a middle of the road
figure when they were shouting it out for all to hear, was all that mattered.
It was as if they believed that every other guest had miraculously received a
free trip to Walt Disney World, and therefore their spending should be catered
to more. It was enough to churn my stomach.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzIbIW9vF2WOH9JQPV9xuY93md4g8jVw8Ew6E4bc9IKuFiY-S2t8BdMeSkiXjIku5DGyFxMOch2vqvjJ-dj8KYcs6oUIXG05uz-DsibqhYUY108ltrC89Us4Te6tM-n8QgvRwwDA05hCPJe5B6_cm8lEY0fy8uPiWsZPjFM1MVeIatSgbQMzfpAKhIw=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzIbIW9vF2WOH9JQPV9xuY93md4g8jVw8Ew6E4bc9IKuFiY-S2t8BdMeSkiXjIku5DGyFxMOch2vqvjJ-dj8KYcs6oUIXG05uz-DsibqhYUY108ltrC89Us4Te6tM-n8QgvRwwDA05hCPJe5B6_cm8lEY0fy8uPiWsZPjFM1MVeIatSgbQMzfpAKhIw=s320" width="320" /></a></div>The Ugly</b> - <i>Rule Breakers</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The crowds, however, were nothing compared to the anti-mask
brigade. I want to start with this. The rule at Disney is masks stay on in all
indoor spaces, and they’re doing as terrific a job as they can enforcing it.
What was truly ugly were those who would turn their backs to a bus driver once
onboard a bus so they could take their masks off on a crowded bus, or pull up
an incredibly loose-fitting mask when they were asked to, only to immediately
take it back down and roll their eyes once past a Cast Member. The restrooms
were also nightmares with very few guests wearing masks, which seems like a
place you would definitely want to be best protected.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I don’t care where you stand on masks. Actually, that’s not
true. Masks are one of the few things that you can do to protect everyone, especially
those of us who are immunocompromised and want to be out in public. If you
can’t do the basics to help keep me safe, please don’t count yourself among my
friends. That said, and my primary point here is, that rules are rules. Walt
Disney World has plenty of them and if you can’t follow them then you shouldn’t
be there. This rule is no different than having to wear proper attire or not
smoking in the parks. It doesn’t matter what your stance is on a given topic,
Walt Disney World has their rules and that should be the end of the discussion.
It isn’t hard, and the rules aren’t there for you to try and flaunt or to
scheme a way to get around them to make yourself feel cool or superior. You
aren’t.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_G7SKguGhNmWZsHj3rzTZkW6Jbk0E1rE-XAcv12ywYee0d0I5wRzbfwV8PxL4AgptwmSyWhfLMe93TCKHyk7C2DIkmL062fBfIGtLrdwqhonJC9rT1UtBsZSe3erlQQ_HLnx_bEFq0ZrVLarkAhCY0LYyd8g_ShGxm6mi0rOkvoagC-NLBx1tL2EhbQ=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_G7SKguGhNmWZsHj3rzTZkW6Jbk0E1rE-XAcv12ywYee0d0I5wRzbfwV8PxL4AgptwmSyWhfLMe93TCKHyk7C2DIkmL062fBfIGtLrdwqhonJC9rT1UtBsZSe3erlQQ_HLnx_bEFq0ZrVLarkAhCY0LYyd8g_ShGxm6mi0rOkvoagC-NLBx1tL2EhbQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div>The Magical</b><b> - </b><i>Christmastime and Representation</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let’s finish on a high note, the magic of the holidays was
alive and well throughout the parks and resorts. Sure, there were a few less
decorations in some of the corners of the parks (I’m looking at you Frontierland),
but if you don’t walk in the parks or resorts and immediately feel the spirit
of the season, I don’t know what kind of Scrooge you are. The smell of
gingerbread filled the air, twinkling lights adorn trees, lampposts, and
buildings everywhere, holiday music put a spring in my step, and the
intricacies of the personalized attraction and shop garlands everywhere made my
heart smile.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">For us, it was the first time seeing the holiday overlay at
Living With the Land, as well as the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal
Kingdom. Both of which floored us and made us come back multiple times just to
see these works of holiday magic. I want to give special shout-out to the
puppeteers of the Merry Menagerie, the way you give life and personality to
each creature was awe-inspiring. I wanted to take time to study your technique,
but more often I found myself dragged into the world of the animals, talking to,
and interacting with, them as if they were living and breathing.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Representation matters, and it was good to see a bit more of
Hanukkah traditions in the parks and resorts. Although, a small menorah on a
table off to one side of a lobby that is filled with four Christmas trees,
including one that is a good 15 feet tall, definitely seems to suggest there is
still room for improvement. Additionally, on the night we attended the Very
Merriest After Hours event, the parade was headlined by Santa, portrayed by a
Black man. I didn’t see anyone who wasn’t cheering and waving with joyous
fervor at him, though I know there are folks out there who deride this
addition. That evening, by pure happenstance, we ended up sitting next to a
Black family. When I tell you that I started crying because I saw the mother
crying when she saw Black Santa, it is to let you know this isn’t a small
thing. Seeing yourself represented in cherished traditions and mythical,
magical ways is vital and this is one change I was overjoyed to see in person.</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-6347266203357817212021-09-30T09:00:00.022-04:002021-09-30T09:00:00.357-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: You Are the Magic<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1duClfrp0E/YTjhueav1ZI/AAAAAAAAV8Q/s6koPiAmNF4nEGkJOxtJ7RSSlFit97kuACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/MSG%2B01%2B%252804-17%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1duClfrp0E/YTjhueav1ZI/AAAAAAAAV8Q/s6koPiAmNF4nEGkJOxtJ7RSSlFit97kuACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/MSG%2B01%2B%252804-17%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Walt Disney World has played an important role in my life,
throughout my whole life. From the first trip to Fort Wilderness at a couple of
months old in a pup tent with my parents, a moment I definitely have no memory
of, to the friends who have become family through our Disney connection over recent
years, it’s omnipresent. It is in the kitschy souvenirs and artifacts I display
in my house, lessons I’ve gleaned and incorporated into my life from interviews
and books on the parks and company, even down to the etching inside of my wedding
band. There isn’t a part of my life that Walt Disney World hasn’t touched. It
isn’t just a place I visit, a vacation destination that I expound about on the
internet, there is so much more to it.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I wasn’t born until Walt Disney World was just beginning its
second decade, but that puts me in the category of really enjoying many of the
early offerings and having those moments shape me. From the rustic boardwalk at
Fort Wilderness, to the ideals set forth by EPCOT Center, the innumerable trips
to the Fiesta Fun Center or old watering hole, the pomp and circumstance of a
park dedicated to Hollywood, and the dream of getting old enough to really
enjoy Pleasure Island. All of it permeated my youth. It was a magical time to be
a child and preteen in and around the Vacation Kingdom.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3sY6bUYnH0/YTjhz7WATPI/AAAAAAAAV8U/oB1oySIuq7MfVl5vGZ65W5gwU5qvbFSIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/MSG%2B02%2B%252812-15%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3sY6bUYnH0/YTjhz7WATPI/AAAAAAAAV8U/oB1oySIuq7MfVl5vGZ65W5gwU5qvbFSIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/MSG%2B02%2B%252812-15%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For good or ill, however, things change. Living With the
Land lost its tour guides, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea had its final voyage, a
new park dedicated to animals opened its gates, more resorts, water parks,
dining, and entertainment. Passes with our photos on them, like old driver’s
licenses, disappeared for plastic cards, then Magic Bands, and now its on your
phone. Roaming characters found dedicated spaces and places with which to meet
guests. New ghosts moved into the Mansion, Great Movies turned their reel over
to Mickey and Minnie, Pirates changed their tunes multiple times, and Residential
Street gave way to a stunt show, and then to a galaxy far, far away. The only
constant within the boundaries of Walt Disney World is, in fact, change.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">A while back I wrote, and eventually deleted without
posting, an article about the state of the Disney community. At the time I felt
like the group as a whole needed a lecture, a swift kick in the rump for their
behavior, and I, in my hubris and with a very tiny stage in the public square,
felt I was just the person to deliver said reprimand. Like every fanbase there
are always a myriad of voices. Some are august in their approach, some boisterous,
some honest, some silent, and all of them have opinions that may be correct, can
definitely be wrong, and may even be hurtful to others. I deleted my stern
talking-to for many reasons, but let me tell you a story that was in there.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Years ago, I jumped on the “characters don’t belong in Disneyland’s
it’s a small world” train when the changes were announced. My feeling was that
it was a disservice to the original World’s Fair attraction and to its chief
artist, Mary Blair. I was incensed, as were others, even if the original had
already been through changes, not the least of which was a holiday overlay. In
the end, the figures arrived, they looked gorgeous and fit in perfectly, and I
was left feeling sheepish. It is okay to have an opinion and share it, it is
okay to be wrong, especially if you can admit it later, but the constant
attacking of one another, or wanting to keep things the same at the cost of the
harm and burden it places on others, isn’t.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I don’t know what Walt Disney World is to me any longer, except
that it is an intrinsic part of who I am. You all have given my joy and passion
a purpose. I get to share my personal ideas, history, food reviews, and the
love of little details. Honestly, I am never happier than when I am looking at
something and asking myself, “why is that there,” or “what was this like
before?” So, thank you for letting me blather to you for more than 14 years now.
I hope you have tried a new dish or learned something new, maybe a wonderful
bit of trivia to impress your family and friends, because of what we have
shared here, together.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viLg6RDZk6w/YTjh8PyV-AI/AAAAAAAAV8Y/2GNQzi_2ECsAxd--_LBJeinRDvDo56PcACLcBGAsYHQ/s843/MSG%2B03%2B%252809-08%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viLg6RDZk6w/YTjh8PyV-AI/AAAAAAAAV8Y/2GNQzi_2ECsAxd--_LBJeinRDvDo56PcACLcBGAsYHQ/w229-h320/MSG%2B03%2B%252809-08%2529.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>Walt Disney World is the home of so many memories I hold dear.
Each year it seems I have more and more memories with friends or family members
who have passed away, or those individuals I don’t get to see as often as I would
like. It is those cherished moments that I don’t necessarily cling to like a
child to a blanket, but that assuredly bring a smile to my face and a tear to
my eye. Thinking back on the time my father convinced me to go on Space
Mountain for the first time, and then I wouldn’t do another serious coaster for
almost 16 years, wandering Future World with my sister on our own, my mother
perusing the perfumes in France while I slept in the back courtyard, taking my
Nanie on Journey Into Imagination with Figment and having the burst at the end scare
her like nothing else, being at the Adventurers Club one last time with friends
who are as close to me as family, taking my wife our on first trip when we were
dating and knowing that if we could travel together we could do anything
together, strolling World Showcase at night with a dear friend capturing
photographs as the park closes, and belting out Hapa Duniani whilst on safari with
a crew that is always there for me. These are just a few of the memories that
call me back to Walt Disney World, not to live in the past, but to imagine what
new adventure might be next.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">If you catch a theme running through those memories, they
all involve people near and dear to me. That’s sort of the mantra of Walt
Disney World in my eyes. It’s not the attraction or restaurant that calls to
me, it is who I get to experience it with. I don’t agree with everything the
Vacation Kingdom, and the powers that are behind it, decides to do, but I look
at it in a similar way to how I look at life. Not everything is designed for
me, but perhaps there is some enjoyment to be found in it, and if I have more
good days, more good times, than bad, then it has been a fulfilling experience.
In the end, isn’t that all any of us can ask for.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55_SmpJRA2g/YTjiDiGHgRI/AAAAAAAAV8k/jRL6c6-8OAkHbVc5t88YOEm_vL8vn69TgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/MSG%2B04%2B%252810-19%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55_SmpJRA2g/YTjiDiGHgRI/AAAAAAAAV8k/jRL6c6-8OAkHbVc5t88YOEm_vL8vn69TgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/MSG%2B04%2B%252810-19%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>From the time I was a young adult, I had a dream for
tomorrow. I would wake up early, crash the gates of the Magic Kingdom, and be
able to take a multigenerational photo with my Nanie, parents, wife, sister,
and child. For a multitude of reasons, that won’t be how I spend tomorrow.
There was another dream that has stood the test of time, however. That beyond
Walt Disney World’s 50th birthday there would be hope and new ideas that would
spur it on for another 50 years. I may not be here when Walt Disney World turns
100, but based off of the last 50 years, the ups and downs, successes and
failures, I think it is safe to say that someone will be looking back then on a
century of wonder.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy 50th Walt Disney World, thank you for everything! Here’s
to the next 50!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-4818316847375571672021-09-29T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-29T09:00:00.388-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Map of the World<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal">At the time of its inception Walt Disney World stretched out for approximately 30,000 acres. The comparison has always been that the resort is the same size as San Francisco or twice the size of the island of Manhattan, with much of this land still being undeveloped. Yet when the Vacation Kingdom opened it was not nearly as expansive in terms of its built spaces as we currently think of the area, regardless of how much land Disney had at its disposal. In fact, in 1973, this was the entirety of Walt Disney World.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfteGXwy1PY/VERn5TmGS9I/AAAAAAAAQ6U/Nwjy0LeV1DM/s1600/Map%2Bof%2Bthe%2BWorld%2B(1973).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfteGXwy1PY/VERn5TmGS9I/AAAAAAAAQ6U/Nwjy0LeV1DM/s1600/Map%2Bof%2Bthe%2BWorld%2B(1973).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The iconography of those early years, stretching out into the early 1980s, has always had a special place in my heart. The Osceola–class paddlewheel, Ports-O-Call, sitting out in Bay Lake and it’s home dock of World Cruise Landing set the stage of waterway adventures. Meanwhile the barn of Tri Circle-D, campers, and the inhabitants of Treasure Island complete the Bay Lake story, and beckon in the eye and guests. Of course, the prominent feature of Cinderella Castle is front and center, but the inclusion of the Magic Kingdom monorail station is a great touch. Above all though, the single greatest element of this map is the Walt Disney World compass.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Keen eyes will also note that the map includes references to the Walt Disney World Golf Classic event, a small woodland area in the Transportation and Ticket Center parking lot, and a future hotel site, a dream for an Asian resort that was meant to be but never came to pass.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There’s so much that we learn from the early years of Walt Disney World, looking back often provides the best guide to what the future may look like. With the maps we get a chance to see just how spacious the entire resort was, even if the amount of land far surpassed that which guests could actually set foot upon. There are plenty of memories to take away from this map, the things that have changed, the adventures that are no longer available, and the daydreams of what might still be.</div><div><br /></div></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-36910881951495540692021-09-28T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-28T09:00:00.309-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Festive Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8BPb_-XZio/VIeBoVRDJAI/AAAAAAAAQ84/UatZ98afUWc/s1600/Candlelight%2BProcessional%2B(12-72).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8BPb_-XZio/VIeBoVRDJAI/AAAAAAAAQ84/UatZ98afUWc/s1600/Candlelight%2BProcessional%2B(12-72).jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Once upon a time Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional did not take place at Epcot. Even though EPCOT Center opened in 1982, it wouldn't become host to the choir, orchestra, and narrated pageantry until 1984. For the first thirteen years of the resort's existence, from 1971 through 1983, the winter spectacle took place in the Magic Kingdom.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">There were still guest narrators who were popular figures of the day. However, while today’s choir is made up of Cast Members and high school choral groups from more than 30 different states (except for this year's modified experience), those early choirs were comprised of boys’ choirs from central Florida.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">While the Candlelight Processional has become an indelible part of the holiday season at Epcot, you can’t help but marvel at the vision that Walt Disney World had during its first decade. A singing tree against the backdrop of Cinderella Castle, talk about bringing the holidays to life!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-7738482913322398072021-09-27T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-27T09:00:00.411-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Come and Join the Fun<div style="text-align: justify;">It’s hard to not look at Walt Disney World celebrations from
the past and not think about the 25th anniversary and the castle birthday cake.
For me, however, the best celebrations, seared into my childhood memories, is
the anniversary that took place a decade earlier. From October 1, 1986 until
September 30, 1987 there was a spectacular held in Walt Disney World that still
influences today’s annual events. The 15th Anniversary of Walt Disney World,
sometimes referred to as the 15th Birthday Celebration, was shorten and most
commonly referred to as simply 15 Years, with a logo the included both
Spaceship Earth and Cinderella Castle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The celebration itself had gigantic displays at the entrances
to both parks. In front of the Main Street U.S.A. train station there was a
large Mickey Mouse alarm clock with the number 15 filling in every spot where
the 1 through 12 should be. In addition, this area in front of the station was
where guests could find a car from General Motors, but more on that in a bit.
Meanwhile, over in EPCOT Center, there were massive angular cakes filling the
entrance plaza planters. Think of the as colorful predecessors of the Leave A
Legacy monoliths. You can see the cake in the background of the photographs
below, which features my sister and I.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikx0czcYYy0/YUH--GZJZII/AAAAAAAAV9c/YQdBdGla0X0Z2kwQIabtA2wsT3joDf7IACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/RPW%2B15%2BYears%2B%252886-87%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="500" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikx0czcYYy0/YUH--GZJZII/AAAAAAAAV9c/YQdBdGla0X0Z2kwQIabtA2wsT3joDf7IACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RPW%2B15%2BYears%2B%252886-87%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The 15 Years celebration also brought with it a great deal
of entertainment. In the Magic Kingdom alone, there was a float added to the
Main Street Electrical Parade as well as a stage show in front of Cinderella
Castle, and an afternoon parade, entitled 15th Birthday Magic Show and 15 Years
of Magic, respectively. The music from the parade was as clever and catchy as
anything Disney’s ever produced. The sign of which is that even now, more than
30 years on, I can still sing large sections of the song without assistance.
Not that anyone wants, or should ask, that I serenade them with the pure 80’s
sound.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The parade featured Mickey and Minnie in the lead off float,
dressed as something out of Miami Vice. They were followed by a large, top open
present, which was one of several to be featured in the parade, usually in
between two larger floats with characters in between. You can see one just
behind Mickey and Minnie in the above photo. Other major floats included a band
float with Chip, Dale, Pluto, Tigger, Br’er Bear, and the Big Bad Wolf getting
funky. Coincidentally, “funky” is the words of a chipmunk, not this fair
writer. The Fairy Godmother and Donald have their own respective floats as
well, and a number of musical performers and dancers stand atop the glass
castle float, a float that has been utilized for a number of parades over the
past three decades. Perhaps the most memorable float, however, had to be the
baking float. Here Liver Lips McGraw, Wendell, and Shaker of Country Bear
Jamboree fame have created a batter tornado while trying to create a cake
suitable for Walt Disney World’s 15th birthday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd2WCca3R6g/YUH_CI30xtI/AAAAAAAAV9g/8m73sejdfRABqu2FWsEEbFnTy5g4yHs5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/15%2BYears%2Bof%2BMagic%2B-%2BMinnie%2Band%2BMickey%2BFloat%2B%252810-86%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd2WCca3R6g/YUH_CI30xtI/AAAAAAAAV9g/8m73sejdfRABqu2FWsEEbFnTy5g4yHs5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/15%2BYears%2Bof%2BMagic%2B-%2BMinnie%2Band%2BMickey%2BFloat%2B%252810-86%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a></div></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The inclusion of the Country Bears isn’t necessarily
something to scribble out a postcard about, but it leads to another interesting
piece of the parade. No, I’m not talking about the sparkly, roller skating
performers, I’m thinking about the little-known characters to permeate the
parade. These days, there are special events to bring back some of the long-lost
characters, but many we’re present throughout this procession. Included amongst
the rare to never seen these days were King Leonidas (Bedknobs &
Broomsticks), Lulubelle (Bongo segment of Fun and Fancy Free), Penguins (Mary
Poppins), Stromboli (Pinocchio), and even Suzy and Perla (two of Cinderella’s
friendly mice).</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">I can still, from time to time, find myself singing,
“Fifteen years of magic, come and join fun…”</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zzPcOOZAuA/YUH_G5JG1eI/AAAAAAAAV9k/dIwXEuc5tUgCrmwyt1hNow9qHVWmWhsmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s221/15%2BYears%2BFuture%2BWorld%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="221" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zzPcOOZAuA/YUH_G5JG1eI/AAAAAAAAV9k/dIwXEuc5tUgCrmwyt1hNow9qHVWmWhsmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h192/15%2BYears%2BFuture%2BWorld%2BPin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Moving back to the General Motors vehicles in front of the
Magic Kingdom, the cars were there as part of a giveaway. During the 15th
celebration there were prizes given away to guests every fifteen seconds. From
small pins up to the vehicles, the 15 Years event had to have one of the best
guest-to-prize ratios ever seen in a Disney park celebration. While my family
never won a car, even though one was given away every day, the EPCOT Center
Future World pin, featuring Spaceship Earth and a diagonal monorail, is still a
cherished possession.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, the 15th year of Walt Disney World had quality
entertainment, great prizes to be won, and decorations that did not detract
from the overall park going experience. It may be because this was my heyday of
visiting Walt Disney World as a child, but this celebration will always hold a
fond place in my heart.</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-57340304632347956852021-09-26T09:00:00.002-04:002021-09-26T09:00:00.277-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Sand in our Shoes<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">With all of the hubbub and goings on of the opening day and first month of Walt Disney World's operation in October of 1971, it's easy to forget that some things we now consider classics, or hold fond memories of, weren't even open during that first month. As Walt Disney World was entering its second
month of sharing their brand of recreation with the world, Cast Members were still getting used to their on and off
stage duties and what it means to be a part of the Disney family. New
attractions and experiences were still under construction or just beginning to open their doors to guests each and every
day, with crucial information about these new happenings flying around
furiously. In order to help Cast Members stay up to date, the internal
newsletter, Eyes and Ears, had a section containing the most recent
construction and opening briefings. It was called Sand in Our Shoes. So, just
what were Cast Members looking forward to in November of 1971? Let’s read on to
find out!</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qNWBT2q8NE/YUIFpNeS-sI/AAAAAAAAV9w/8EaTma957AIVD6WF9-ajIlqcXU0ksRfYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Fantasyland%2BPre-Opening%2B%252809-71%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="900" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qNWBT2q8NE/YUIFpNeS-sI/AAAAAAAAV9w/8EaTma957AIVD6WF9-ajIlqcXU0ksRfYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fantasyland%2BPre-Opening%2B%252809-71%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Wavemaking Machine in the Seven Seas Lagoon is now
undergoing testing. It is located on the west side of Beachcomber Isle and will
create waves from four inches to four feet breaking on to Surfrider Beach. Surf
boards and instructions will be available through the hotel Recreation
Reception Desks.</i></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i></div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>In Tomorrowland, America the Beautiful… sponsored by Monsanto…
is scheduled to be operational by Thanksgiving. The Flight to the Moon will be
open around Christmas.</i></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i></div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Mile Long Bar in Frontierland serving guests Pepsi and
Frito-Lay products is expected to be complete with the “Karen Anders and Tommy
Russell” show by November 15th. Pecos Bill’s Cafe, also sponsored by Pepsi
Cola-Frito Lay, will be fully operational by mid-month.</i></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i></div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Eastern Airline’s show, “If You Had Wings,” will take guests
on a film and three-dimensional trip to tropical regions around the world. The
show, utilizing the OmniMover, will open this summer.</i></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i></div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>RCA’s exhibit, also in Tomorrowland, is now being designed
by WED, the Disney “Imagineers” in California. The exhibit will give guests a
preview of future inventions -- particularly in the field of communications.</i></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-57341397443645224502021-09-25T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-25T09:00:00.316-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Many Happy Returns of the Day<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJJeetyqDtY/YUIReZKRRgI/AAAAAAAAV94/RgEGzDWdg1wyRgK55zkB75Vmv_dpLKi1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/1st%2BAnniversary%2B-%2BMagic%2BKingdom%2B%252810-72%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="729" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJJeetyqDtY/YUIReZKRRgI/AAAAAAAAV94/RgEGzDWdg1wyRgK55zkB75Vmv_dpLKi1QCLcBGAsYHQ/w324-h400/1st%2BAnniversary%2B-%2BMagic%2BKingdom%2B%252810-72%2529.jpg" width="324" /></a></div>Most of us don’t remember how we celebrated our first birthday, thankfully there always seemed to be someone around with a camera to capture the precious, and often embarrassingly cute, moments. Walt Disney World is no different than the rest of us. With the Magic Kingdom, and the entire Vacation Kingdom, celebrating their 50th birthday next week, is there any better time take a look back at one of the resorts first birthday photos?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For its first birthday, Walt Disney World threw a party at the Magic Kingdom. Mickey led the first birthday parade down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside a giant number 1 birthday candle. No party would be complete without a band and some balloons, both of which could also be seen throughout the parade.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For the curious, and those that love having another piece of trivia at their disposal, the Magic Kingdom’s first year attendance was 10,712,991.</div><div><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-77343764263626582082021-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:002021-09-24T09:00:00.249-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Welcome, Welcome, Welcome<p> </p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TPhMzsqODbI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/8q94BT_obME/s1600/Disney%2527s%2BHollywood%2BStudios%2BEntrance%2B%252804-10%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267392152047026" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TPhMzsqODbI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/8q94BT_obME/s320/Disney%2527s%2BHollywood%2BStudios%2BEntrance%2B%252804-10%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Guests of the Magic Kingdom can view a castle across a lagoon and a turn-of-the-century train station at the turnstiles, while at Epcot the giant geodesic sphere known as Spaceship Earth beckons. When it came time to select a suitable draw for the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios, then known as Disney-MGM Studios, the design was simple and sleek, not extravagant like its predecessors and it felt right at home in the golden age of Hollywood.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps the reason the structure feels so right, is because it was inspired by a real life building in California. The Pan-Pacific Auditorium was opened in 1935. The arena, visualized by the architectural firm of Walter Wurdeman and Welton Becket, was home to innumerable boat, home, and automobile shows. The facilities also housed hockey bouts, basketball games, tennis matches, ice skating performances, radio broadcasts, wrestling matches, concerts, orchestra performances, including one conducted by Fantasia partner Leopold Stokowski, and a speech by soon to be President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Shown below in Los Angeles Time photograph, from its heyday of 1956, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was eventually replaced by a larger facility in Los Angeles in the 1970s and soon began to crumble into a state of disrepair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">A mere three weeks after the first guests past through Disney’s salute to the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, the inspirational site caught fire and was burned to the ground. The site has since been refurbished into a park with a scaled down replica of one of the recognizable towers. Luckily for guests of Walt Disney World, the mint green and white streamlined towers still preside over the land and dreams of tinseltown in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TPhMy_UFKUI/AAAAAAAAJRI/tth2cetuWQU/s1600/Pan-Pacific%2BAuditorium%2BEntrance%2B%25281956%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546267379979594050" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TPhMy_UFKUI/AAAAAAAAJRI/tth2cetuWQU/s320/Pan-Pacific%2BAuditorium%2BEntrance%2B%25281956%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 238px;" /></a></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-72909016264816127492021-09-23T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-23T09:00:00.267-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: An 11 Acre Sanctuary<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SQyw27uf2iI/AAAAAAAACps/_ooulDyxCTo/s1600-h/Discovery+Island+Map+1988.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263776522281409058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SQyw27uf2iI/AAAAAAAACps/_ooulDyxCTo/s400/Discovery+Island+Map+1988.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 354px;" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Discovery Island is the central hub at Disney's Animal Kingdom, but its namesake animal sanctuary once sat off the shores of Fort Wilderness. The history of this particular island in the middle of Bay Lake has always intrigued me. From Raz Island to Discovery Island and all the little stories in between, there is a whole history to this island that many are unaware of.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My fascination with Discovery Island, or Treasure Island as it was known in the early years of Walt Disney World, isn’t just because it is located on Bay Lake near my beloved Fort Wilderness, and it isn't only because of my strong conservation beliefs. It is also because my family has a personal connection to the island. In the late 1980s my Aunt Suzi and Uncle Gene, along with my cousins Nic and Alexandra, rescued a baby Barn Owl, whom they named Owlen. It is one of those little known facts of of the resort that many of the animals there had their own rescue stories. Rather than butcher the tale of Owlen, I’ll let my cousin Alexandra relate the rest of the story to you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olxG3e77OlA/YT8-0EkzsoI/AAAAAAAAV84/0NzqsGai84kUjKVAmKwB7dTEefTjYpZ4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s601/Owlen%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="406" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olxG3e77OlA/YT8-0EkzsoI/AAAAAAAAV84/0NzqsGai84kUjKVAmKwB7dTEefTjYpZ4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Owlen%2B01.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>Dad found her one day while mowing the lawn. She was on the ground, having fallen out of its nest in a tree above. She was really, really young--she didn't even look like an owl. Since she was still alive, Dad brought her inside and mom called the Game and Wildlife people in the state of Florida. They told us that "runt" owls often get pushed out of their nests by their bigger owl siblings. The Game and Wildlife people basically seemed uninterested and said that the owl would not live through the night.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>She did, so the next day, my mom went and got a book on keeping owls alive. Mom found out she had to feed the owl a pleasant combo of raw meat and dog hair, so she could regurgitate. (Owls throw back up bones, feathers, etc. That's called owl pellets.) As she got older we fed her frozen mice (we'd thaw them in the microwave!) and then finally alive mice.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNC0gevA8Aw/YT8-8SxnQDI/AAAAAAAAV9A/1AuNOaRo7xUwiP6QuJvdB7V9SuxV2tYeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s520/Owlen%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNC0gevA8Aw/YT8-8SxnQDI/AAAAAAAAV9A/1AuNOaRo7xUwiP6QuJvdB7V9SuxV2tYeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Owlen%2B02.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>There was nothing wrong with her, but the conundrum was that we could either leave her to die or habituate her to humans. My parents chose the latter. I don't think that in the beginning they ever really expected her to live. At first she lived in the house, but as she got older (and wilder) my parents kept her on the screened in porch. We really only had the owl for 6 or 7 months though.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>A full size owl is a pretty difficult thing to keep around. She was sweet, but she had big talons. It's not like you can go on vacation when you have an owl, either. ("Hey, want to come over and feed my carnivorous predator small, live mice?") It wasn't practical to have an owl, and again, I don't think my parents ever expected her to live -- it was one of those things that just sort of happened.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><br /></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGKdak_o4TU/YT8_Aje6BpI/AAAAAAAAV9E/jFRd4CB2sJIrBmA6xkf0RcbU5xXRESngQCLcBGAsYHQ/s518/Owlen%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGKdak_o4TU/YT8_Aje6BpI/AAAAAAAAV9E/jFRd4CB2sJIrBmA6xkf0RcbU5xXRESngQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Owlen%2B03.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>We gave her to Discovery Island because Keeni (our aunt) worked at Disney, and we knew through her that Discovery Island took animals. I remember when we dropped her off-- Keeni came with us and both my mom and dad cried. (I'd never seen my dad cry, so that day really sticks out in my mind.) While they were saying goodbye, Keeni took Nic and I, and we walked around the island. After that, we went back to visit her sometimes and we got in free. (We just told them who we were and they'd let us in.) Also, they always let us back into the back section to see her after we gave her to Discovery Island -- that was really important to my parents.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ns8WyPiJYD0/YT8_DquJMDI/AAAAAAAAV9M/zyJdBzvf3UAS2PXgAq13DHlrCX7YDPdKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s519/Owlen%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="519" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ns8WyPiJYD0/YT8_DquJMDI/AAAAAAAAV9M/zyJdBzvf3UAS2PXgAq13DHlrCX7YDPdKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Owlen%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-52814092655858942252021-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:002021-09-22T09:00:00.280-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: The Bear Band Bears<div style="text-align: justify;"> Those crazy Country Bears really put on a show! But what if you couldn’t get to Walt Disney World in 1971 when the bears made their debut? The answer is obvious, bring the band to your house! Okay, so it might not seem feasible, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen in some form or fashion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We all remember paper dolls, right? The flimsy figures of a boy or girl that you could cover with a variety of tabbed paper clothing. In 1971, Whitman Books released a similar punch out book for the Country Bear Band. Each bear could be punched out in either one or two pieces, depending on the bear, and came with an instrument that was either attached or tabbed. In the end, children who purchased this book ended up with six jamming bears. Although some appear a little out of character in the book, the bears included were Henry, Big Al, Teddi Barra, one of The Sun Bonnet Trio, Wendell? and Terrence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was one of those great items that promoted Walt Disney World away from the parks that could serve as either a reminder of a trip or a preview of what was awaiting guests down in Florida.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For those beary interested individuals: These pages are all the same size and a band could easily be assembled by printing out the bears on a cardstock, cutting out the figures (be mindful of the shape of Henry who’s top section has to come off of the front page), using an X-acto knife for the slots, and following the simple visual instructions on the various pages. That is, if you’re so inclined to assemble your own jamboree.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbx3rCGM2XU/ThlSrC9WwAI/AAAAAAAAKg4/iceytyJ1XaA/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B01%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627620108858212354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbx3rCGM2XU/ThlSrC9WwAI/AAAAAAAAKg4/iceytyJ1XaA/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B01%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWJQ27WMMWw/ThlSq6JFjII/AAAAAAAAKgw/ukZj6PF7sd8/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B02%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627620106491497602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWJQ27WMMWw/ThlSq6JFjII/AAAAAAAAKgw/ukZj6PF7sd8/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B02%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRU2M99BHpk/ThlSqnOIw9I/AAAAAAAAKgo/3XkLUIIARHI/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B03%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627620101412406226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRU2M99BHpk/ThlSqnOIw9I/AAAAAAAAKgo/3XkLUIIARHI/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B03%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ11Z5dNO_s/ThlSqSmFY0I/AAAAAAAAKgg/6fDuC5ZMPzs/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B04%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627620095875703618" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ11Z5dNO_s/ThlSqSmFY0I/AAAAAAAAKgg/6fDuC5ZMPzs/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B04%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Th43jTniW8/ThlSYmicB_I/AAAAAAAAKgY/ybcUUiEKxCI/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B05%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627619791991474162" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Th43jTniW8/ThlSYmicB_I/AAAAAAAAKgY/ybcUUiEKxCI/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B05%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3l091Zi1T_Q/ThlSYl-WAOI/AAAAAAAAKgQ/zD8SwudzPh4/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B06%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627619791840084194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3l091Zi1T_Q/ThlSYl-WAOI/AAAAAAAAKgQ/zD8SwudzPh4/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B06%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ1I-DayRHA/ThlSX9hzyII/AAAAAAAAKgI/RDml4UOjgBc/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B07%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627619780982982786" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQ1I-DayRHA/ThlSX9hzyII/AAAAAAAAKgI/RDml4UOjgBc/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B07%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjDwfbFWKIc/ThlSX8HL4KI/AAAAAAAAKgA/P20uCBYpFAE/s1600/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B08%2B%25281971%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627619780602880162" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjDwfbFWKIc/ThlSX8HL4KI/AAAAAAAAKgA/P20uCBYpFAE/s200/Country%2BBear%2BBand%2B08%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 146px;" /></a>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-46057806380284164202021-09-21T09:00:00.003-04:002021-09-21T09:00:00.245-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Twists on Familiar Favorites<div style="text-align: left;">There is a lot of delicious food to be had from all of the resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Grand Floridian Resort, or the Grand Floridian Beach Resort as it was known once upon a time, has a ton of restaurants worthy of your dining time just by itself. With so many options for dining and upscale dining, it is easy for a restaurant or dish to go under the radar. Certainly, the Grand Floridian Cafe is one such restaurant. Many have been singing its praises for years, ourselves included, but it still isn't the go-to destination for many diners. Today, while we're cooking up something tasty at home, let's revisit the Grand Floridian Cafe, from the early days of the resort, and prepare one of their signature dishes, Chicken Breast Florentine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlOIzY9m6Nw/YTecirelj3I/AAAAAAAAV8A/qhmjjPfp5fUaj3A6NG31FMSQKklZihmCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Chicken%2BBreast%2BFlorentine%2B-%2BGrand%2BFloridian%2BCafe%2B%252808-21%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlOIzY9m6Nw/YTecirelj3I/AAAAAAAAV8A/qhmjjPfp5fUaj3A6NG31FMSQKklZihmCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h133/Chicken%2BBreast%2BFlorentine%2B-%2BGrand%2BFloridian%2BCafe%2B%252808-21%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CHICKEN BREAST FLORENTINE<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b><i>2 5-Ounce Boneless Chicken Breasts</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">4 Ounces Angel Hair Pasta (cooked)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Cup White Wine</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Cup Fresh Spinach (cut in strips)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/4 Cup Heavy Cream</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">2 Tbsps. Grated Parmesan Cheese</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1 Tsp. Olive Oil</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Tsp. Garlic (minced)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Tsp. Shallots (minced)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">Salt and Pepper (to taste)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Olive Oil (<b>for marinade</b>)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1 Tsp. Rosemary (<b>for marinade</b>)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Tsp. Oregano (<b>for marinade</b>)</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">1/2 Tsp. Chopped Garlic (<b>for marinade</b>)</div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Combine and blend all marinade ingredients (olive oil, rosemary, oregano, and chopped garlic)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Coat chicken thoroughly with marinade and allow to marinate for 24 hours</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Preheat oven to 350 degrees</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>In a hot skillet, sauté</i></span><i> chicken in olive oil until lightly browned on both sides</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Remove chicken from skillet and place in a pan, place in the oven until fully cooked (45 to 50 minutes)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Towards the end of the chicken cooking time, add to the skillet that has remaining olive oil, shallots, garlic, white wine, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, spinach and salt and pepper to taste</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until spinach is limp and all ingredients are blended together</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Placed cooked pasta in a bowl, top with chicken breast and sauce</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There seems to be a lot going on here, so let's break it down a bit. Yes, this dish is going to require 2 days to complete as the marinade needs to be prepared and applied to the chicken the day before. Beyond that, it does get slightly complicated in the time management category while trying to start the sauce and pasta at just the right time to coincide with each other being done, along with the chicken. It's not that complex, but it may feel like it the first time through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for the pasta, the dish calls for angel hair, but I thick a good spaghetti would also work. In fact, that's what we used. I said it a couple of weeks ago, but do not skimp on the pasta. Whatever you decide to use, it can kick this dish up another notch. The chicken marinade works well, but I think rather than using a skillet and finishing it off in the oven, next time I would cook it over my charcoal grill for that added touch. The last thing I want to call out is the inclusion of garlic, or should I say lack thereof. This isn't a sauce that needs to be overpowered by the garlic, but we will definitely be adding more for our next go at the Chicken Breast Florentine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This dish was a rousing success for us, even if we have notes for improvements. It is creamy, but not overly rich, savory and hearty, while not being too heavy, and even includes a little bit of a green vegetable. The Chicken Breast Florentine is a classic dish from a classic resort and restaurant, and it will make just about everyone happy at your table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-45002375159912850142021-09-20T09:00:00.000-04:002021-09-20T09:00:00.299-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: The Era of Air Travel<div style="text-align: justify;">When it comes to extinct attractions we often have a moment or two in the attraction that shine brighter in our mind more than the rest of the attraction. Sometimes it is the big splashy ‘wow’ moment and sometimes it can be that small little detail from the queue that really stuck with us. You can always tell a great attraction from its ability for each guest to have a very different element that was that special place for them. Take, for example Delta Dreamflight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Delta Dreamflight opened in June of 1989 and flew guests through the history of flight and across the globe until January of 1998. It wasn't the first attraction in this space to focus on the joys of air travel, however. It was preceded by If You Had Wings in 1972 and the short-lived If You Could Fly in 1987. Back in 1989, many guests who experienced the Delta Dreamflight iteration of the attraction remember the front section of the plane, known as the Spirit of Delta, and the gate that comprised much of the queue or the cut-out barnyard aerial show that filled a vast show room. Some remember the video screen with high flying stunts, the smoky turbine effect, or the pop-up book of air travel. For me, however it was always the scene with the global clipper.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vs_rkCU-JHE/UhLEc3igrRI/AAAAAAAAQBg/25Rs8jqJ3iM/s1600/Delta+Dreamflight+-+Global+Clipper+(1989).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vs_rkCU-JHE/UhLEc3igrRI/AAAAAAAAQBg/25Rs8jqJ3iM/s400/Delta+Dreamflight+-+Global+Clipper+(1989).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The scene starts in San Francisco, as seen here, with the flying boat docked across from the Golden Gate Bridge. Guests would then move into the dining area of the global clipper, a Martin M-130 that began flying in 1934 and had its final flight in 1945, which is dripping in elegance. Exiting the other side of the clipper, and guests find themselves in a scene that jumps right off of the tour book of Japan. A quick turn, and guests are atop the hills of Paris, complete with sidewalk café and a Delta plane projected in the distant clouds.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">There is so much that I love from the first several decades of Tomorrowland, and Delta Dreamflight is definitely up there for the 1980s babies. Maybe it was the fact that I didn’t fly anywhere as a child, or maybe it was just that fascination with cool looking vehicles, but Delta Dreamflight, its scenes and music are ingrained in my memory and instantly bring a smile to my face. And there is no section of that attraction that I remember more fondly than global clipper tour. What was your favorite scene of Delta Dreamflight?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-27778977895949147542021-09-19T09:00:00.005-04:002021-09-19T09:00:00.264-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Preview Boulevard<div style="text-align: justify;"> On November 15, 1965 Walt and Roy Disney, along with Florida Governor Haydon Burns, held a press conference to announce the construction of Disney World. Walt Disney would pass away before the groundbreaking began took place on May 30, 1967, by which time Roy had renamed the project Walt Disney World in honor of the man who had dreamed the venture up. While it would take over four years before the Vacation Kingdom welcomed its first guests, the Walt Disney World Preview Center opened almost two years before the rest of the development.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SetQuAZOoS0/TxS7tzYKapI/AAAAAAAAMDA/s9oeC7uSja4/s1600/Walt%2BDisney%2BWorld%2BPreview%2BCenter%2B-%2BI-4%2B%25281969%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698385824090581650" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SetQuAZOoS0/TxS7tzYKapI/AAAAAAAAMDA/s9oeC7uSja4/s400/Walt%2BDisney%2BWorld%2BPreview%2BCenter%2B-%2BI-4%2B%25281969%2529.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 316px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The Walt Disney World Preview Center began welcoming invited business and political guests on January 10, 1970 and opened to the general public on the 16th of the same month. Seen here under construction, it was built just off of Interstate 4. Can you see it there in the background? That rinky-dink two-lanes each way road with precisely three cars on it? Yep, that was the main thoroughfare which cut through across the state of Florida. It definitely doesn't look that small, or have that light of traffic, these days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once inside the facility, guests were greeted by a hand-selected group of fourteen hostesses, who were more than happy to answer any questions potential visitors had. From models and construction footage, to the 21 minute Project Florida film, the Walt Disney World Preview Center showcased what the first five years had in store for the swamplands of central Florida. In addition to just seeing what was coming, guest could go ahead and make reservations for the two resorts scheduled to open, the Contemporary and Polynesian Village, and pick up preview postcards and other souvenirs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The building still stands today, situated along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, but has not been utilized as a Preview Center in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-23163999383539345762021-09-18T09:00:00.006-04:002021-09-18T09:00:00.266-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Total Camping Comfort and Convenience<div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve said this before, but back when film was the only way to capture memories at Walt Disney World, I would be very selective in what I chose to photograph with my little 110 camera. Postcards weren't high on my list of souvenirs, but there were a few that I would purchase here and there. I must have owned about a dozen of the same Hoop-Dee-Doo cast photo postcard over the years. These weren't to send to anyone in particular, though I would occasionally scribble a note to myself on the back before I put them away in their box at home, just to have the memories to hold on to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Early on, Walt Disney World saw that postcards weren’t just for sending to family and friends about your adventures, they were a way to remember your trip as well. Thus was born the postcard booklets. Booklets, such as the 8-postcard version from the early years of Fort Wilderness and River Country that we’re looking at today, included perforated postcards that you could tear out and send to whomever you wished. However, the tab the postcards came off of also included a copy of the picture and a section for ‘REMARKS’ so you had something to hold onto for yourself. The only postcard that didn’t have a reproduction inside was the postcard on the cover, whose tab identified what the booklet’s subject matter was.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuPKYeKTD4c/Ulsd9bmaPSI/AAAAAAAAQHk/S17H7_HwA5A/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+Cover+(1973).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuPKYeKTD4c/Ulsd9bmaPSI/AAAAAAAAQHk/S17H7_HwA5A/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+Cover+(1973).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The postcards included in the booklets would change over the years, but at their heart they were a visual almanac to what a specific place and time in Walt Disney World had to offer. Let’s go ahead and venture back to 1973 and see what Fort Wilderness had to offer!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rrElPwUFr0/UlseBubnH6I/AAAAAAAAQHs/CVd5VDkkdW8/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+01+(1973).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rrElPwUFr0/UlseBubnH6I/AAAAAAAAQHs/CVd5VDkkdW8/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+01+(1973).jpg" width="202" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>GOOFY HELPS WATER THE TRAIN</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Goofy helps water a thirsty locomotive at the Ft. Wilderness water tank. The Ft. Wilderness trains, like the ones used in the Theme Park, are powered by authentic steam locomotives.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1hLvYWmJY0/UlseEc5PwKI/AAAAAAAAQIc/aiFEsbfm2is/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+02+(1973).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1hLvYWmJY0/UlseEc5PwKI/AAAAAAAAQIc/aiFEsbfm2is/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+02+(1973).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>HORSEBACK RIDING AT FT. WILDERNESS</b><br /><i>As the narrow guage steam train passes in the background, two Ft. Wilderness campers enjoy one of the more popular sports in the Vacation Kingdom Campground. With many miles of trails and bridle paths horseback riding is an excellent way to see the beautiful Ft. Wilderness area.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-No3FREIWEyw/UlseBzuProI/AAAAAAAAQH8/9MkiYxDkTGU/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+03+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-No3FREIWEyw/UlseBzuProI/AAAAAAAAQH8/9MkiYxDkTGU/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+03+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FORT WILDERNESS CAMPSITE</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fort Wilderness campers enjoy total camping comfort and convenience. Recreation includes canoeing, fishing and horseback trail riding.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtH8U48UUYs/UlseCDaAreI/AAAAAAAAQIE/Efw7hDgSaqg/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+04+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtH8U48UUYs/UlseCDaAreI/AAAAAAAAQIE/Efw7hDgSaqg/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+04+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FT. WILDERNESS STORE-ON-WHEELS</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>A convenient store-on-wheels lets Ft. Wilderness guests purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items right at their campsite. Ft. Wilderness offers over 700 campsites with more planned for the future.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQjJWGFrIcU/UlseCds73WI/AAAAAAAAQII/vo--5ZEX_Og/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+05+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQjJWGFrIcU/UlseCds73WI/AAAAAAAAQII/vo--5ZEX_Og/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+05+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FORT WILDERNESS</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>In the heart of Walt Disney World, at Fort Wilderness, vacationing guests relax in wooded campsites and take part in a wide variety of outdoor recreation.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcros80JyWw/UlseCxz22CI/AAAAAAAAQIY/FxVs66twSf8/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+06+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcros80JyWw/UlseCxz22CI/AAAAAAAAQIY/FxVs66twSf8/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+06+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FORT WILDERNESS TRADING POST</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here, Fort Wilderness campers can select from hundreds of outdoor items. Of course, there’s always time for a game of checkers, too!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1S-VsU7LGKA/UlseDhFe55I/AAAAAAAAQIU/FMoggpEi-nI/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+07+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1S-VsU7LGKA/UlseDhFe55I/AAAAAAAAQIU/FMoggpEi-nI/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+07+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>FORT WILDERNESS CAMPFIRE</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Campfire time at Disney World’s Fort Wilderness is a perfect end to a fun-filled day in the Magic Kingdom. Held every day at dusk, the traditional evening campfire features songs, games and special surprise entertainment.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcAIl0ZFdjA/UlseERZWpxI/AAAAAAAAQIo/Cvc_xIjQ-io/s1600/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+08+%25281973%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcAIl0ZFdjA/UlseERZWpxI/AAAAAAAAQIo/Cvc_xIjQ-io/s320/Fort+Wilderness+Postcard+Book+-+08+%25281973%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>TRI-CIRCLE-D RANCH</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Located within Fort Wilderness, the Tri-Circle-D Ranch features horseback trail riding, a pony ride and a petting zoo for the children.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vv9V2ro4FQ/VAs2HxqX9pI/AAAAAAAAQtE/BGKsjxSc1rI/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B-%2BCover%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vv9V2ro4FQ/VAs2HxqX9pI/AAAAAAAAQtE/BGKsjxSc1rI/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B-%2BCover%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Switching gears, and with summer winding down, let's head over to Walt Disney World's first water park, River Country. Even if it is extinct and in postcard booklet form!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsoM4DcZdYY/VAs2H9hYjGI/AAAAAAAAQs8/bgJ0il9XZ_0/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B01%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsoM4DcZdYY/VAs2H9hYjGI/AAAAAAAAQs8/bgJ0il9XZ_0/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B01%2B(1970s).jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Shooting the White Water Rapids at River Country begins slowly. But soon, guests are caught up in a slippery race with a splashy ending in the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iB4lFt6Y1rM/VAs2HyJKrcI/AAAAAAAAQtA/O_kp-xwd5Uk/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B02%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iB4lFt6Y1rM/VAs2HyJKrcI/AAAAAAAAQtA/O_kp-xwd5Uk/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B02%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>RIVER COUNTRY REALLY SWINGS!</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>A daring leap into the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole from a good old-fashioned tire swing. It’s just one of a wealth of </i>childhood dreams that come true in River Country.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmx-hSfCeoA/VAs2IYJuEiI/AAAAAAAAQt8/AB7dgJPcx4o/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B03%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmx-hSfCeoA/VAs2IYJuEiI/AAAAAAAAQt8/AB7dgJPcx4o/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B03%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>SLIP-SLIDIN’ IN RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whoop-‘N-Holler Hollow in River Country certainly lives up to its name. Packed with slippery twists and turns, it keeps guests whoopin’ and hollerin’ with glee.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSMm1SjoDqE/VAs2IfubvOI/AAAAAAAAQtM/i4GcK-cjl-U/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B04%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSMm1SjoDqE/VAs2IfubvOI/AAAAAAAAQtM/i4GcK-cjl-U/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B04%2B(1970s).jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>SPLASHY ENDING IN RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Guests prepare to make a big splash at the climax of their slippery race down the White Water Rapids in River Country… a grand plunge into the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbas1BMWqpk/VAs2IoY_d4I/AAAAAAAAQtQ/jE-EBZr9nf4/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B05%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbas1BMWqpk/VAs2IoY_d4I/AAAAAAAAQtQ/jE-EBZr9nf4/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B05%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">River Country’s quiet beaches are havens for sun worshipping and picnics. Nearby, Cypress Point Trail showcases Florida’s natural splendor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Or7oRVe0WU/VAs2I8NbVvI/AAAAAAAAQtY/axNMmLjau5Y/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B06%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Or7oRVe0WU/VAs2I8NbVvI/AAAAAAAAQtY/axNMmLjau5Y/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B06%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>RIVER COUNTRY’S AQUATIC PLAYGROUND</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Play Pond is a favorite aquatic playground for little splashers. An entire section of River Country overflows with child-size slides and wading pools.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRokJofXrvU/VAs2JBBQNmI/AAAAAAAAQtk/ZwcEBD2ukWI/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B07%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRokJofXrvU/VAs2JBBQNmI/AAAAAAAAQtk/ZwcEBD2ukWI/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B07%2B(1970s).jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>SHOOTING RAPIDS IN RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Shooting the White Water Rapids in River Country makes hearts race, as guests whoosh through a waterfall and plunge into the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rglzWed0qZc/VAs2JjhuNpI/AAAAAAAAQto/wunmQA1LQIk/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B08%2B(1970s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rglzWed0qZc/VAs2JjhuNpI/AAAAAAAAQto/wunmQA1LQIk/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BPostcard%2BBooklet%2B08%2B(1970s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>CHILDHOOD JOY IN RIVER COUNTRY</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Huck Finn’s spirit lives on at the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole in River Country. Tire swings, white water rapids, twisting-turning slides, and spacious beaches abound.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-1380943736854213762021-09-17T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-17T09:00:00.278-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: W. D. Story<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkNxccGSYnE/YTd7fCPzgKI/AAAAAAAAV70/SLVqNb-GgOA7e0iKRUVmtGneNj7jvOLGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/W.D.%2BStory%2BMailbox%2B%252812-11%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkNxccGSYnE/YTd7fCPzgKI/AAAAAAAAV70/SLVqNb-GgOA7e0iKRUVmtGneNj7jvOLGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/W.D.%2BStory%2BMailbox%2B%252812-11%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Guests who are waiting to meet with Mickey Mouse backstage
at the Town Square Theater find themselves with time to explore the
well-appointed furnishings in the queue, including reels of theater tickets
right on down to a McDuck safe. The really interesting stuff, however, comes to
those who explore the set of mailboxes. While each has a tale to tell, the one
that struck me the most is labeled W.D. Story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a clear nod to the attraction that originally
resided in what is now known as Exposition Hall, The Walt Disney Story, a 23-minute
film dedicated to the life and achievements Walt Disney. While the groundwork
was being prepared for Walt Disney World in 1969, a staff of around 200 people
at Walt Disney Productions began culling through thousands of hours of Walt
Disney interviews in order to compose a narrative of his life, as told through
his own words. There was an opening narration provided by Pete Renoudet, the
voice of Henry from the Country Bear Jamboree and Captain Nemo in 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage, before Walt Disney takes over the
chronicle of his life. With Walt recounting his youth through Disneyland’s
formative years, there was an obvious void at the tail end of the film
documenting Walt’s passing.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The attraction was housed in the Gulf Hospitality House, but
was not ready for the Magic Kingdom’s opening day. Instead, it opened in the
spring of 1973 and featured a queue filled with props and exhibits highlighting
Walt Disney’s career, think One Man’s Dream or Walt Disney Presents but on a
smaller scale. Just before entering one of the two 300 seat theaters stood a
mural, designed by Bill Justice, depicting over 170 Disney characters. At the
exit to The Walt Disney Story was the Audio-Animatronics figure of an owl named
Hoot Gibson, who previewed the coming attractions of Walt Disney World.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">The Walt Disney Story closed its doors in 1992 and was
eventually folded into the Kodak inspired exhibits of the Exposition Hall. One
of the theaters was converted into a showcase for vintage Mickey Mouse cartoons
and photo-op cutouts, such as the television from 101 Dalmatians where guests
could pretend they were in the cartoon. Today, while the Town Square Theater
and its characters occupy the space, The Walt Disney Story once again occupies
a small corner of its original home.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-26674204007651554172021-09-16T09:00:00.005-04:002021-09-16T09:00:00.268-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: You Can Build It<div style="text-align: justify;">As we look to the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, there is a focus, and rightfully so, on the Magic Kingdom and first resorts that are celebrating their 50 years of recreation. With that, however, is also everything that came after that opening. Some brand new pieces will be added to the Disney history books this year, to go along those pieces that are 10, 15, 20, 30, or 45 years old and everything in between. Looking back at the entirety of the resort's history wouldn't be complete without talking about EPCOT Center. The park which will be celebrating its 39th anniversary as Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For my part, the construction of EPCOT Center has always fascinated me, and sent me in search of construction photos continuously. Whether from publications, professional shots, or those photos taken by construction workers inconspicuously. Presented today are two sets, one one the more professional side and the other with a more personal camera lens, of EPCOT Center construction photos for us to look back on and enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpo0ZICI/AAAAAAAADik/CBW7bdUpVoM/s1600-h/China+(04-82).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294695660352249890" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpo0ZICI/AAAAAAAADik/CBW7bdUpVoM/s400/China+(04-82).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 298px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The gate to the China pavilion and the replica of the Temple of Heaven in their early stages.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpfH9BNI/AAAAAAAADic/Rpa8hudrrgk/s1600-h/France+(04-82).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294695657749939410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpfH9BNI/AAAAAAAADic/Rpa8hudrrgk/s400/France+(04-82).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 295px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The exterior to Chefs de France.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpStIExI/AAAAAAAADiU/Y2cr0l1km4Q/s1600-h/Canada+01+(04-82).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294695654416192274" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpStIExI/AAAAAAAADiU/Y2cr0l1km4Q/s400/Canada+01+(04-82).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Hotel du Canada, based upon Ontario’s Chateau Laurier, is beginning to take shape with rockwork beginning to be framed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294695652522558578" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SXqJpLpphHI/AAAAAAAADiM/-LiJVNK4MKs/s400/Canada+02+(04-82).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 290px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Canada's trees, with branches to be added in later.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving on the the personal collection of photos I acquired a few years back. There are hints at a lot of projects, The Land and Spaceship Earth chief amongst them, but the majority continue with World Showcase, particularly Canada and the United Kingdom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5t-qdggNIA/VA4eZtXmwvI/AAAAAAAAQvE/P0pGkjBAefs/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5t-qdggNIA/VA4eZtXmwvI/AAAAAAAAQvE/P0pGkjBAefs/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Listed as Roof U.K., you can spot the well-known dome of The Land’s greenhouses in the background behind the temporary power lines and framing of the United Kingdom pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ua57YcJWw-s/VA4eZuMex2I/AAAAAAAAQu8/3XYmnJj9-ks/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ua57YcJWw-s/VA4eZuMex2I/AAAAAAAAQu8/3XYmnJj9-ks/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we stand at the crossroads of the United Kingdom pavilion. To the right we see the construction of the Rose and Crown, and the shops across the road. Down the lane is the chateau in Canada with Spaceship Earth further off in the distance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NS852PZ3dsc/VA4eZrBjkqI/AAAAAAAAQvA/nPg_XHXIV-s/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NS852PZ3dsc/VA4eZrBjkqI/AAAAAAAAQvA/nPg_XHXIV-s/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">While the framing is taking place for the United Kingdom pavilion here, the real draw is obviously the chateau and Spaceship Earth once again.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZWf41h5FGQ/VA4eaG6aCeI/AAAAAAAAQvI/efQmP8AiQSE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZWf41h5FGQ/VA4eaG6aCeI/AAAAAAAAQvI/efQmP8AiQSE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Freshly installed chimneys. These would gain paint and a fresh coat of soot, or textured paint that appears to be soot, to give life to the pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnaKoRxyMwg/VA4eaJOBIhI/AAAAAAAAQvM/D7gbNlO3z3o/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnaKoRxyMwg/VA4eaJOBIhI/AAAAAAAAQvM/D7gbNlO3z3o/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The construction of gabled 1800s structure by the garden square.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSCaMOSH8Tk/VA4eaKLquAI/AAAAAAAAQvQ/B468S1BZ9rE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSCaMOSH8Tk/VA4eaKLquAI/AAAAAAAAQvQ/B468S1BZ9rE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">An almost finished version of the shop exterior seen above. The pedimented gable is much more prevalent here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CSHaDg1kKM/VA4eaY7fo1I/AAAAAAAAQvU/6uAl2N2oarI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B07%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CSHaDg1kKM/VA4eaY7fo1I/AAAAAAAAQvU/6uAl2N2oarI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B07%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The small cottage modeled after Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdPcIOedU1E/VA4eax_PT4I/AAAAAAAAQvg/6VUHWj8VDQY/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B08%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdPcIOedU1E/VA4eax_PT4I/AAAAAAAAQvg/6VUHWj8VDQY/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BUK%2B08%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The backside of the cottage area, much of the theme of this corner was inspired by set drawings for Mary Poppins.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puYCsu4opi0/VA4mglLs27I/AAAAAAAAQwM/5pRFrhfgSMU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puYCsu4opi0/VA4mglLs27I/AAAAAAAAQwM/5pRFrhfgSMU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A close up, if somewhat blurry, look at the exterior of The Land’s greenhouse dome.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dTLYrTlBcA/VA4mgtqkOPI/AAAAAAAAQwE/wUKYSmj-a3Y/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dTLYrTlBcA/VA4mgtqkOPI/AAAAAAAAQwE/wUKYSmj-a3Y/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another view of The Land’s domed greenhouse, this time we can also catch a glimpse of the red aquaculture facility.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOjLRu7GCwM/VA4mgiJycKI/AAAAAAAAQwI/IA5kfFTo-No/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOjLRu7GCwM/VA4mgiJycKI/AAAAAAAAQwI/IA5kfFTo-No/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A shot of World of Motion off in the distance, notice how it is already glimmering even at this stage in the construction process. Also, the lagoon sits empty during this period.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPC8aTaTbQ4/VA4mhOFBgsI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/QVSg-pfvCBc/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPC8aTaTbQ4/VA4mhOFBgsI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/QVSg-pfvCBc/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BFuture%2BWorld%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The lagoon begins to take on water, and is met by a sea wall. World of Motion in the distance, and even beams of the monorail have begun being installed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBt6QE3CXG0/VDHBKxNYR1I/AAAAAAAAQ3E/A65VVGUsIUI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBt6QE3CXG0/VDHBKxNYR1I/AAAAAAAAQ3E/A65VVGUsIUI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A set of rockwork closest to the ground, with another structure taking place beneath a tarp. Also the stairway through the mountain can be seen along the bottom right of the photograph.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--plleGXEYGU/VDHBK5umsKI/AAAAAAAAQ28/qnHTbCjn_WU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--plleGXEYGU/VDHBK5umsKI/AAAAAAAAQ28/qnHTbCjn_WU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">For a look at the scale of this mountain section, there is a set of crew members looking over plans.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPvaUDMQcVw/VDHBKxmCejI/AAAAAAAAQ3A/mOCwSbLo6vE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPvaUDMQcVw/VDHBKxmCejI/AAAAAAAAQ3A/mOCwSbLo6vE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A look back at the same section, but with fabrication happening throughout the landscape.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqCTzLNYtAs/VDHBMNMsrrI/AAAAAAAAQ3Y/hWk7P_B8QfU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqCTzLNYtAs/VDHBMNMsrrI/AAAAAAAAQ3Y/hWk7P_B8QfU/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">While forced perspective may have been utilized to make the mountain appear larger than it actually was, this photo makes sure that we understand it is still a massive and impressive structure.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqN_f7SglPQ/VDHBLlFgasI/AAAAAAAAQ3I/C2XkMz8WsQQ/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqN_f7SglPQ/VDHBLlFgasI/AAAAAAAAQ3I/C2XkMz8WsQQ/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Hotel du Canada, with scaffolding and the beginnings of rockwork formations.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EVErIV2H3I/VDHBL-UAEDI/AAAAAAAAQ3U/LJtjrQyRZag/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EVErIV2H3I/VDHBL-UAEDI/AAAAAAAAQ3U/LJtjrQyRZag/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BCanada%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Details meant to be perceived as limestone brickwork on the Hotel du Canada start to appear.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YhrpHgqYDM/VA4vALwHrRI/AAAAAAAAQyo/klO-Dp0jAoA/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YhrpHgqYDM/VA4vALwHrRI/AAAAAAAAQyo/klO-Dp0jAoA/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we step backstage to see Friendship I and Friendship II docked.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOcA8rINsA/VA4vBeIROzI/AAAAAAAAQzI/zm3_MbOegMc/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOcA8rINsA/VA4vBeIROzI/AAAAAAAAQzI/zm3_MbOegMc/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Friendship I makes its way out to World Showcase Lagoon, passing by China along the way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlbEw1ZmdvY/VA4vA7lN7qI/AAAAAAAAQy0/DcQK8FivpvY/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlbEw1ZmdvY/VA4vA7lN7qI/AAAAAAAAQy0/DcQK8FivpvY/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Friendship II makes its way by the raised bridge near China.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AIzzDsIQk/VA4vBX1n52I/AAAAAAAAQzM/1wQ5yp3P4qk/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AIzzDsIQk/VA4vBX1n52I/AAAAAAAAQzM/1wQ5yp3P4qk/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we see one of the double decker buses from World Showcase Transportation parked backstage.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IBBcFORsEk8/VA4vB-vi1GI/AAAAAAAAQzU/FJToQevSy_8/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IBBcFORsEk8/VA4vB-vi1GI/AAAAAAAAQzU/FJToQevSy_8/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A row of projection, fountain, and firework barges for World Showcase Lagoon's first nighttime show, Carnival de Lumiere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbtP-VBp1ps/VA4vB19Vx7I/AAAAAAAAQzg/GXbET4wNjP0/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbtP-VBp1ps/VA4vB19Vx7I/AAAAAAAAQzg/GXbET4wNjP0/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B06%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A close up view of one of the barge’s inner workings.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-go0aUD1wA4A/VA4vCI2ogiI/AAAAAAAAQzo/8wrT0geMEyE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B07%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-go0aUD1wA4A/VA4vCI2ogiI/AAAAAAAAQzo/8wrT0geMEyE/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BTransportation%2B07%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Getting up close and personal with a pair of barges and their set-ups.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nG3eea2UnTA/VDHHJYx9u4I/AAAAAAAAQ4c/-pKBJgyI6_E/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nG3eea2UnTA/VDHHJYx9u4I/AAAAAAAAQ4c/-pKBJgyI6_E/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">You can make out the sea walls that were constructed to create the islands of World Showcase Lagoon. Also, the irony of what was considered a dry lagoon was not lost on our photographer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3d0CIPRoqE/VDHHJTbk62I/AAAAAAAAQ4k/BNLb4yNWs0s/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3d0CIPRoqE/VDHHJTbk62I/AAAAAAAAQ4k/BNLb4yNWs0s/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The girders for Japan are being hoisted into place.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ut33wafsK4I/VDHHJtNZJ-I/AAAAAAAAQ4g/cHWego01ttI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ut33wafsK4I/VDHHJtNZJ-I/AAAAAAAAQ4g/cHWego01ttI/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">China is further along in its assembly than some of the other pavilions.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24kooQ6AWb4/VDHHKHqoYeI/AAAAAAAAQ4o/MVVvDWb0dkg/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24kooQ6AWb4/VDHHKHqoYeI/AAAAAAAAQ4o/MVVvDWb0dkg/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BLagoon%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">While the two pavilions are clear to those of us who have seen the finished product, it is easy to see how St. Mark’s Campanile in Italy could have been confused with England’s Big Ben. The silhouette of The American Adventure, however, is unmistakable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">There are sites around Walt Disney World that tug at our heartstrings, make us wonder how they were created, and move us to capture them for all eternity in a photograph. Yet, the argument can be made that Spaceship Earth is the most awe-inspiring vista in all of the resort.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The idea for a geodesic dome came from R. Buckminster Fuller, but his influence goes even beyond the structure itself as the EPCOT Center icon was given named after a phrase Fuller coined, Spaceship Earth. I don’t think you’ll need my guided tour today, just enjoy these construction photos of Spaceship Earth in your own time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMh5mzbfwuQ/VDHEJ7uSEXI/AAAAAAAAQ3w/VxR8QvyaIyQ/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMh5mzbfwuQ/VDHEJ7uSEXI/AAAAAAAAQ3w/VxR8QvyaIyQ/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B01%2B(1980s).jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Ce3Laib9o/VDHEJycsPtI/AAAAAAAAQ4Q/MB2qdRzlqik/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Ce3Laib9o/VDHEJycsPtI/AAAAAAAAQ4Q/MB2qdRzlqik/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B02%2B(1980s).jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpLQL0RM5Fw/VDHEJ6Rh2PI/AAAAAAAAQ30/mJUnQBrBAQs/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpLQL0RM5Fw/VDHEJ6Rh2PI/AAAAAAAAQ30/mJUnQBrBAQs/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B03%2B(1980s).jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8eOhLBkF_g/VDHEKV3Y_XI/AAAAAAAAQ34/UYhjBJLZBe0/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8eOhLBkF_g/VDHEKV3Y_XI/AAAAAAAAQ34/UYhjBJLZBe0/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B04%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkmYrcypyOc/VDHEKocy5BI/AAAAAAAAQ4A/0i236s1qR0g/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkmYrcypyOc/VDHEKocy5BI/AAAAAAAAQ4A/0i236s1qR0g/s1600/EPCOT%2BCenter%2BConstruction%2B-%2BSpaceship%2BEarth%2B05%2B(1980s).jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-47895343715872752462021-09-15T09:00:00.003-04:002021-09-15T09:23:15.619-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: From the Islands<div style="text-align: justify;">The Coral Isle Cafe was a true tropical hideaway during the first several decades of the Polynesian Village Resort. The opening day eatery was a mainstay of Polynesian dining until 1998, when it would become Kona Cafe. The menu here, particularly during the early years, was a mixed bag. There was American fare, sometimes given horribly out of place names, such as the Rueben that was presented as the Rueben Rarotonga, to go alongside the spaghetti and meat sauce and the broiled filet mignon. There were also an assortment of dishes "From the Islands," including chow mein, beef teriyaki, and Fried Chicken Hawaiian.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Exotic Salads were always intriguing to me, but never in an "I had to order it" way. They included The Volcano (a ton of meats with tomato and cheese), The Bali Hai (assorted fruit with either sherbet or cottage cheese), and The Surfer (king crab and shrimp with hearts of palm, egg, tomato, and green pepper). They were, to say the least, eclectic. One thing that the salads at Coral Isle Cafe had going for them was a signature dressing, Buttermilk Coconut Dressing. Let's give it a try.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">BUTTERMILK COCONUT DRESSING</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVM3XyIa6DM/YTdpA5lx3VI/AAAAAAAAV7s/sQFsA2hohDAZa2se0jBax15lBKGn0xf1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Buttermilk%2BCoconut%2BDressing%2B-%2BCoral%2BIsle%2BCafe%2B%252808-21%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVM3XyIa6DM/YTdpA5lx3VI/AAAAAAAAV7s/sQFsA2hohDAZa2se0jBax15lBKGn0xf1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h133/Buttermilk%2BCoconut%2BDressing%2B-%2BCoral%2BIsle%2BCafe%2B%252808-21%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b><br /></p><div><i>1/3 Cup Buttermilk</i></div><div><i>1/4 Cup Sour Cream</i></div><div><i>1/4 Cup Mayonnaise</i></div><div><i>1/4 Cup Coconut Milk</i></div><div><i>2 Tbsps. Red Wine Vinegar</i></div><div><i>2 Tbsps. Vegetable Oil</i></div><div><i>1/2 Tbsp. Sugar</i></div><div><i>1/4 Tsp. Salt</i></div><div><i>1/4 Tsp. Black Pepper</i></div><p></p></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Leftover dressing will keep for 1 week, in an airtight container and refrigerated.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Does this sound like a ranch dressing recipe? Because that's what it felt like and tasted like to me. Albeit, a very sweet-savory dressing, with a hint of coconut happening in the background. It probably could have used some herbs or spices, just to give it a little more of a punch in the flavor department. Overall though, it was a very solid salad topper that we'd probably make again, with a little more dressing up of the dressing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one thing to remember is that homemade dressing are rarely as thick as those you get in restaurants. The Buttermilk Coconut Dressing follows suit, and is very thin. So if thin dressings are not your favorite, the kind that can form small pools at the bottom of your bowl, then it may be best to skip this one. Regardless, it is exceedingly simply to put together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While it will give you some coconut to tingle your taste buds, this dressing is not indicative of those found on the islands of Hawaii. The sweet-tart flavors of this dressing is a nice change of pace from your traditional dressings, but this one feels like it is missing something. It may be a nice reminder of Polynesian Village days of yore, but I would definitely tinker with this one if you plan on making it at home.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-1204849260752041942021-09-14T09:00:00.011-04:002021-09-14T09:00:00.273-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Faraway Places Yet Unseen<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_iCgeT9990/YR7g-FSBs2I/AAAAAAAAV3Y/VgQH3fFJlRArQJcsDL6q34FYOk9YjFUKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Palais%2Bde%2BCinema%2Band%2BFountain%2B%252810-19%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_iCgeT9990/YR7g-FSBs2I/AAAAAAAAV3Y/VgQH3fFJlRArQJcsDL6q34FYOk9YjFUKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Palais%2Bde%2BCinema%2Band%2BFountain%2B%252810-19%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Impressions de France has a special place in the hearts of
many Epcot enthusiasts. For starters, it is the sole surviving opening day film
from 1982. It has had its upgrades over the years, and now shares in venerated
hall with a singalong feature, there is still magic in that music and panoramas
offered by the film. Speaking for myself, personally, as someone who’s grandmother
came to this country from France after World War II, this attraction holds
special meaning for me. So much so, that when she passed away several years ago
and I returned to Florida, I made a special trip to Epcot just to see this film.
Impressions de France, and Taco Bell bean burritos, are two of the cornerstone
memories of my Nanie that I carry with me to this day.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Forgive the emotional interlude, let’s get back to the film,
and the theater that houses it.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Impressions de France is shown in the Palais de Cinéma,
a theater which can accommodate three-hundred and fifty guests. Once throught
the preshow gallery, guests view the 18-minute film one five screens that are
revealed during the film’s opening scene. Each of the five screens are 27 and a
half feet wide by 21 feet tall that, when used together to form a single image,
treat audience members to a 200-degree view. The film itself features 45
individual scenes and locales, including, but not limited to, Loire Valley,
Vezelay Church and village, Monbazillac Vineyard, Versailles, Chaumont Castle,
Charmonix, La Rochelle Harbor, Normandy, Mt. Blanc, and various landmarks and
vistas of Paris. Meanwhile, the score from Impressions de France is
composed of music from Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Jacques Offenbach,
by François-Adrien Boieldieu, Maurice Ravel, Éric Satie, and Paul Dukas.
Additonally, original scoring was done by Buddy Baker.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">This score is something that created a mental agitation for
me in my preteen and early teen years. Having been captivated by the music in
the opening scene, but living in a pre-Google/iTunes/Shazam world, I was at a
loss as to what the music was. Even relatives who were still living in France
were unable to assist me in my plight to find this singular piece of music.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVC-JSoRPIE/YR7gp1wyZoI/AAAAAAAAV3M/9u73Fgch1IMs8EWJL_MsQ7YhCZcCNXH1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s629/The%2BMusic%2Bof%2BImpressions%2Bde%2BFrance%2B%25281994%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="483" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVC-JSoRPIE/YR7gp1wyZoI/AAAAAAAAV3M/9u73Fgch1IMs8EWJL_MsQ7YhCZcCNXH1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w154-h200/The%2BMusic%2Bof%2BImpressions%2Bde%2BFrance%2B%25281994%2529.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>Finally, after so many years of needing to know what this
piece of music was so badly that I was about to burst at the seams, this shy
middle school boy wandered up to a Cast Member at the entrance to the film and
asked if he knew the music that opened the movie. In my memory of this moment,
I definitely tried to hum him a few bars, but it is also just as likely that I’ve
created my own figment of imagination there. The young Frenchmen smiled, asked
me to wait for a moment, and reached around the door before producing a piece
of paper.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">This single information sheet contained everything I could
ever want to know about Impressions de France’s score was now mine. He pointed
out the singular piece of music that I had been pining after for years: Aquarium,
composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. He continued to smile as I thank him and
sprinted away. At that time, finding a particular CD of classical music was
just as difficult as finding out what the music was you were looking for in the
first place. I searched every music store in the area, but could not find a
single recording of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Aquarium performed by the London Symphony
Orchestra. In the end, I opted for single compact disc I was able to find with
a recording by the Philadelphia Symphony, and fell in love with everything on
it.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Impressions de France remains, to this day, my favorite
attraction in Epcot, followed closely by Living With the Land. I’ve long been a
firm believer in the fact that every attraction is someone’s favorite,
solidified by my own predilection to this film (and the curious man I heard
speaking about his love for Sounds Dangerous, but that’s a story for another
time), and love to hear the stories of why someone loves a given attraction. I
hope you do as well, and I appreciate you letting me share one of my stories
with you.</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-47444676706976660152021-09-13T09:00:00.002-04:002021-09-13T09:00:00.257-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Roller Rink-Disco Emporium<div style="text-align: justify;">Remember when Pleasure Island had a nightclub where the hottest music would play while you enjoyed an adult beverage and roller-skated around the club? Yeah, it sounds and looks like a great concept, doesn’t it? But unless you visited Pleasure Island during its first year of operation, the likelihood that you remember this is scarce to none. The reality is that giving the imbibing public a place where they could strap a pair of wheels to their feet and start dancing as they rolled through the club was probably not the best of ideas, regardless of intention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy49zuCx-g0/UHENSUD-okI/AAAAAAAAN1I/UB7adfYimCk/s1600/XZFR+Rockin%27+Rollerdrome+Concept+Art+(1987).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy49zuCx-g0/UHENSUD-okI/AAAAAAAAN1I/UB7adfYimCk/s400/XZFR+Rockin%27+Rollerdrome+Concept+Art+(1987).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Presented in 1987 as a "roller rink-disco emporium," the concept would eventually be known as the XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome. According to the legend of the Rollerdrome, one of Merriweather Pleasure’s passions was the idea of life beyond our planet. In this warehouse he built experimental aircraft and beamed messages, including a beacon that used Morse Code to spell out W-E-L-C-O-M-E, to reach out to intelligent life elsewhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Having opened with Pleasure Island in 1989, the XZFR Rockin' Rollerdrome lasted less than a year due to safety concerns in 1990. It would be replaced by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club, which would stay open until the nightclubs of Pleasure Island shuttered in 2008. With roller skating making a comeback this year, this is definitely a concept that should not be revisited. To paraphrase a grizzled cinematic detective, "we're too old for these skates!"</div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-15375602566764949252021-09-12T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-12T09:00:00.250-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Innovations for Tomorrow and Nations of Today<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Growing up, as is still the case, I was much more intrigued by the photographs I could obtain with my 110 than I was with the assortment of postcards available in the Walt Disney World gift shops. It wasn’t that I could take better photographs, I couldn’t, and it wasn’t the fact that I lived right around the corner from the Vacation Kingdom, which I did, and could see these vistas just about any time I wanted to. Postcards just never produced the ‘must have’ response in me that I felt for other items, such as telescoping cups, pennants, and plastic figures. In more recent years, I have wished I collected more of the postcards back then. </span><span style="text-align: left;">The postcards I love the most, are those that feature multiple scenes or concept pieces that I was never privy to. EPCOT Center produced several sets of cards that fit this description perfectly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">As part of the prelude to EPCOT Center’s opening, Walt Disney World put on quite a show. In addition to a preview center, guests were also able to take a trip aboard the monorail to view the project in the final stages of its construction, and there was even a way to excite friends and family back home. A postcard booklet featuring preview images of concept art and scale models was the perfect preview for those who couldn’t wait to explore Future World and World Showcase.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The second set included the pavilions of EPCOT Center, with compilations of shots that highlighted the various elements found within each pavilion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlXsTzVX2ks/UBcRP-PnjEI/AAAAAAAANcQ/X0t_tfH2OiE/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+01+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlXsTzVX2ks/UBcRP-PnjEI/AAAAAAAANcQ/X0t_tfH2OiE/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+01+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The booklet wasn’t a collection of postcards to send out to various destinations, it was an accordion style pamphlet that folded up and was sent to one person in one neat package. The thirteen images within covered the pavilions of Future World and World Showcase, as well as EPCOT Center as a whole.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">30 years ago, as Walt Disney World was on the verge of unveiling EPCOT Center to the world, this would have been the perfect way to pass the coming weeks until the park opened. So, let’s venture back to 1981 and early 1982 and see what the future would look like on October 1, 1982.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7DR3WyVGM0/UBcRQCVaVaI/AAAAAAAANcY/tX_qiLfcC0w/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+02+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7DR3WyVGM0/UBcRQCVaVaI/AAAAAAAANcY/tX_qiLfcC0w/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+02+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>EPCOT CENTER</b> opens Oct. 1, 1982, showcasing innovations for tomorrow and nations of today.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyUwdRkBcmM/UBcRQi9c66I/AAAAAAAANcg/Ku0UsqpiIkM/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+03+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyUwdRkBcmM/UBcRQi9c66I/AAAAAAAANcg/Ku0UsqpiIkM/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+03+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Reaching nearly 17 stories high, <b>Spaceship Earth</b> will be the first “geosphere” ever.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBagRbEltRI/UBcRRKY_v7I/AAAAAAAANco/fdxraiCjHr8/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+04+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBagRbEltRI/UBcRRKY_v7I/AAAAAAAANco/fdxraiCjHr8/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+04+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Guests will set sail for “Tomorrow’s Harvest” aboard the “Listen to the Land” boat cruise in <b>The Land</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c40HL4B1ZQ/UBcRRtZg2_I/AAAAAAAANcw/UUqb16827wM/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+05+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c40HL4B1ZQ/UBcRRtZg2_I/AAAAAAAANcw/UUqb16827wM/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+05+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">In <b>Horizons</b>, guests will actually visit three-dimensional future habitats.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSBsXhf7hYc/UBcRSKpt5EI/AAAAAAAANc4/V96D2I2V0EU/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+06+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSBsXhf7hYc/UBcRSKpt5EI/AAAAAAAANc4/V96D2I2V0EU/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+06+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Guests will ride through <b>World of Motion</b>, a humorous look at the evolution of our “Freedom of Mobility.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jZISAUQMoA/UBcRSaU4wmI/AAAAAAAANdA/X4uN8vpjZDA/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+07+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jZISAUQMoA/UBcRSaU4wmI/AAAAAAAANdA/X4uN8vpjZDA/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+07+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Colorful realms of creativity will be explored when guests ride through a <b>Journey into Imagination</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DH8rxCBhnyA/UBcRS6WuAwI/AAAAAAAANdI/F9k9ZTrKf8U/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+08+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DH8rxCBhnyA/UBcRS6WuAwI/AAAAAAAANdI/F9k9ZTrKf8U/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+08+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Audio-Animatronics figures of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain will host The American Adventure.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1okb0cLG9YI/UBcRTkJOm9I/AAAAAAAANdQ/Fp2h5C0QxQU/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+09+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1okb0cLG9YI/UBcRTkJOm9I/AAAAAAAANdQ/Fp2h5C0QxQU/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+09+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">In the “Rose & Crown” pub of the United Kingdom pavilion, guests may feats of traditional British fare.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-WL8JSzsaE/UBcRT6T_kLI/AAAAAAAANdY/YG6uZOgjJ3U/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+10+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-WL8JSzsaE/UBcRT6T_kLI/AAAAAAAANdY/YG6uZOgjJ3U/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+10+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Within the majestic Mayan pyramid of the Mexico pavilion, guests will sail along “Rivers of Time.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ld5tPGLz2D0/UBcRUYOqbBI/AAAAAAAANdg/RBNih48hoy4/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+11+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ld5tPGLz2D0/UBcRUYOqbBI/AAAAAAAANdg/RBNih48hoy4/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+11+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The towers of an ancient feudal fortress will be the dramatic backdrop for the Japan pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA4r9kPjU_s/UBcRU59pqAI/AAAAAAAANdo/jxyd5ZyJ2dw/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+12+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA4r9kPjU_s/UBcRU59pqAI/AAAAAAAANdo/jxyd5ZyJ2dw/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+12+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A new “Eiffel Tower” will rise above the boulevard shops filled with French products in the France pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJv2mwih4Ro/UBcRVY99i7I/AAAAAAAANdw/Qwe1M-HYNXc/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+13+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJv2mwih4Ro/UBcRVY99i7I/AAAAAAAANdw/Qwe1M-HYNXc/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+13+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">CircleVision 360 surrounds guests with imagery of China in the People’s Republic of China pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPbhD1ANdqc/UBcRV3uzZ5I/AAAAAAAANd4/xUN99swn5L8/s1600/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+14+%281981%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPbhD1ANdqc/UBcRV3uzZ5I/AAAAAAAANd4/xUN99swn5L8/s320/EPCOT+Center+Preview+Scenes+Postcards+14+%281981%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Oktoberfest revelry will be enjoyed year-round at an authentic biergarten in the Germany pavilion.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY__W35wI/AAAAAAAAIfw/otKuqv5UAPY/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Spaceship+Earth+(1983).jpg" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593264824968962" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY__W35wI/AAAAAAAAIfw/otKuqv5UAPY/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Spaceship+Earth+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><strong>Changing communications</strong> in Spaceship Earth, a “time machine” traces the path of civilization. The spoken word becomes printed, then is transmitted, as many constantly improves his communications. Presented by AT&T.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3LS8S1I/AAAAAAAAIfI/Hx59JIjZMas/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Energy+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593113410882386" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3LS8S1I/AAAAAAAAIfI/Hx59JIjZMas/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Energy+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>Bridge to the future</strong> The creation of fossil fuels is part of Universe of Energy in Future World. The story of the search for new energy sources even extends into the reaches of outer space. Presented by Exxon.</blockquote><p><br /></p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3B_mtPI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/SWcZMk_YNLE/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Horizons+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593110913856754" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3B_mtPI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/SWcZMk_YNLE/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Horizons+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 260px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>Welcome to the future</strong> Designed to reflect all aspects of Future World, Horizons combines the many facets of tomorrow – energy, communications, transportation in a fascinating portrait of the family of the future.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfZADXsE1I/AAAAAAAAIf4/KytZg07_K_M/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+World+of+Motion+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593265902130002" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfZADXsE1I/AAAAAAAAIf4/KytZg07_K_M/s400/Future+World+Words+-+World+of+Motion+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>It’s fun the be free</strong> It’s also exciting! As man’s mobility grew, so did the complications. The World of Motion in Future World shows the advances in transportation throughout the ages. Presented by General Motors.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY24xNZ-I/AAAAAAAAIfA/UoQUAiCi3Z0/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Communicore+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593108437559266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY24xNZ-I/AAAAAAAAIfA/UoQUAiCi3Z0/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Communicore+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 261px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>Technology and innovation</strong> The latest information systems provide “hands-on” displays in CommuniCore, the hub of Future World. Advances for today and tomorrow allow better understanding of our changing world.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY_u6HJCI/AAAAAAAAIfo/OAlirM8yVd8/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Land+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593260409365538" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY_u6HJCI/AAAAAAAAIfo/OAlirM8yVd8/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Land+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>Listen to the land</strong> in the country-fair setting of The Land, review age-old agriculture techniques. Then sail through the environments of the world and glimpse Tomorrow’s Harvest. Presented by Kraft.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY_IBYVWI/AAAAAAAAIfg/dshsYKx7kxo/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Kitchen+Kabaret+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593249970869602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY_IBYVWI/AAAAAAAAIfg/dshsYKx7kxo/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Kitchen+Kabaret+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>Seasoned performers</strong> Enjoy some spicy numbers on good nutrition at the Kitchen Kabaret, in The Land. Acts include Fiesta Fruit, Dairy Goods, and the hit of the Breakfast Circuit, Ham & Eggz. Presented by Kraft.</blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3tC_-TI/AAAAAAAAIfY/Hvg075_AD-w/s1600/Future+World+Words+-+Imagination+(1983).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487593122470820146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/TCfY3tC_-TI/AAAAAAAAIfY/Hvg075_AD-w/s400/Future+World+Words+-+Imagination+(1983).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong>One Little Spark</strong> in Journey Into Imagination, Dreamfinder and Figment introduce the Dream Machine, 3-D Magic Journeys and the Image Works, where light and sound spur creativity. Presented by Kodak.</blockquote><p><br /></p></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-49297863296088126332021-09-11T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-11T09:00:00.231-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Water in a Sheltered Cove<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">During its first summer of operation, Walt Disney World’s original swimming hole, River Country, garnered visits and attention from guests, media, and even Cast Members looking to splash around and relax. There were also those who wondered just how River Country worked as a cove of Bay Lake, but still managed to keep to water fresh and moving. A simple, yet inspired, solution was created to give River Country its cascading rivulets and churning pond.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>State of the art pumps in the mid-1970s were ineffectual at keeping the million gallons of water in River Country from becoming stagnant, much less to get needed flow up to the top of White Water Rapids and Whoop-‘N-Holler Hollow. Engineers figured out a system that would utilize the functions of Mother Nature, i.e. gravity, and the most modern technology to make the park a reality. This great diagram from the August 20, 1976 Eyes and Ears, shows off just how the feat was accomplished.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43HpORFofpo/WMCztfkcn4I/AAAAAAAATDk/p0gRZkccbFwZgqewdc9tr1pZ7l87zO60ACLcB/s1600/River%2BCountry%2BWater%2BFlow%2B%252808-76%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43HpORFofpo/WMCztfkcn4I/AAAAAAAATDk/p0gRZkccbFwZgqewdc9tr1pZ7l87zO60ACLcB/s400/River%2BCountry%2BWater%2BFlow%2B%252808-76%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The rubber bladder that separates the swimming area from Bay Lake is the key to the entire operation. The tube stretches across the entirety of the cove’s mouth along with its sensory device that can pump water in or drain water out as needed. The sensor fills the bladder until it is filled enough to float six inches above the surface of the lake. As water levels drop, the sensor automatically activates the drainage system will ensure that the bladder stays at the six inch mark.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As for the water movement itself, an intake pipe deep out in Bay Lake pulls in water and moves it along the lake bottom. Once inside the boundary of River Country’s cove, the pipe makes its way to the base of the waterslide hill. From here the water is pumped up to troughs at the top of the slides, which is then careens back down the hill in the flumes towards the swimming area. The churning of the water, not to mention the guests tubing, zip lining, tire swinging, and cannonballing into the main swimming area causes water to splash out of the cove, over the bladder, and back into Bay Lake. From there the process could start all over again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With 8,500 gallons of water moving through the attractions each minute, is it any wonder that River Country had to break the mold on design and engineering to bring the old fashioned swimming hole into the 20th Century?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-22988237456171731772021-09-10T09:00:00.006-04:002021-09-10T09:00:00.273-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Making the Park<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I've posted this transcript twice before, in 2008 and 2015,
but felt it was time for a revisit. At the 10th anniversary of Disney's Animal
Kingdom the lead designer of the park, Imagineer Joe Rohde, gave a talk on the
creation of the park, its themes, and the concepts intrinsic to its creation. Rohde has since left Disney, at the time of his departure he was the Executive Designer and Vice President, Creative, but his legacy will be felt for generations. With that in mind, I thought it was only fitting to listen to some of his insights from the creation of last park to be built at Walt Disney World. Without further ado, Joe Rohde.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Well thanks Val.
So, I know since we’re all kind of insiders. You know we’re all cast members,
and we kind of, you know, know the ropes of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Rather
than doing a very very formal presentation, I was gonna try and just talk about
some of the ideas that went into making the park. I know some of you were
probably here when the park opened, but I imagine there’s quite a few of you
that have come to Animal Kingdom since it opened. So some of this might be old
information to some of you, some of it will be new information to others of
you, and I’ll just try and talk about some of how we went about the process of
conceptualizing the park, and what we tried to have it mean.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"I mean Imagineering has been around for a long time,
some of you may have had direct involvement with Imagineers through one aspect
of your job or another. It’s quite a diverse group of people that we are, and
not simply diverse in the fact that we come from different professional
backgrounds. Indeed we have architects, and engineers, and business managers,
and illustrators, and sculptors, and acoustical engineers, and industrial
engineers, all kinds of people working in Imagineering. But also, there’s not
really kind of like a formal job qualification to be an Imagineer, so we end up
with extremely diverse people from very very diverse points of view. It’s
really an odd mix of people that we bring together to do this job. And when we
set out, this was a million years ago, it was actually, I’ll tell you the very
first meeting that I ever ever had to talk about doing something that was gonna
have to do with animals was probably in August of 1989. And Eisner had this
idea ‘we want to do something about animals,’ and I went into this meeting with
him, a meeting which lasted about five minutes. In which he was like, “people
like animals, people like Disney, if Disney did something with animals, people
would like that.” You know, and that was it. There was one other statement
which was, “You know, we’ve got the Magic Kingdom, we should have the Animal
Kingdom.” Like that’s a sentence that somehow makes sense. So, and that was it.
It was sort of like, you know, mystic words from the pharaoh, okay. That’s the
mission. And away we’re gonna go with it.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"And I have to say, in the early years of thinking about
Animal Kingdom, all of this seems rather old news to many of us now, but it was
a real dark horse kind of project. I mean everybody was, they were still
building the European Disneyland, the one in Paris, there were all kinds of
other ideas out there that drew tremendous focus from Imagineering and from the
company, and here was this tiny little team of people, nobody had really ever
heard of any of us, it’s not like we were famous, and, you know, my earring was
much smaller, so, you know, nobody noticed me running around, doing this thing,
with this odd group of people. And I would have to say, in general, most people
figured, ‘okay, this is just some odd exploration of some idea, may or may not
happen, but probably won’t happen.’</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"If you’ve read the book, the Making of Animal Kingdom, I
think this is mentioned in the book, because Eisner had had such a, he really
wanted to do this thing with animals, they had gone off and done this big
study, a huge 400 page white paper study, from the Business Division, what used
to be called Strategic Planning, study of zoos all over the country, and you
know, how much did people pay to go into them, how much did they cost to run,
and blah, blah, blah, all these things. And this big document basically was
presented to the company saying, ‘you don’t want to do this. There’s zoos all
over the country, you know, people pay fifteen bucks to go in, they’re all
subsidized by governments, they’re subsidized by volunteer labor,’ a million
reasons why this isn’t a good idea. So all of this was already in place the
first morning any of us sat down to think about Animal Kingdom. But they did us
the great favor of presenting us with this giant 400 page document. Which
basically described, okay, you know, if you don’t do this, then you might be
able to do something. So we set about really from the very beginning to make
sure that what we were describing, what we were talking about doing, would sort
of veer off sideways from everything that was described in this giant document
they so obligingly gave us to read.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Pardon me if my voice is a little shaky, I was talking all
day long, ‘til like midnight yesterday, and of course all morning this morning.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"So, I have slides that I am gonna sort of talk through a
little bit of that history of how things went down in those years. But one of
the things I think would interesting for all of you to understand is that to
the degree to it, as much as Animal Kingdom is a place, it’s obvious that it’s
a place it is built out of concrete, it’s built out of steel, it’s got doors,
it’s got air conditioning, people come and go, it was really conceptualized as
a story. We really do think about it the way that we think about a movie, the
way you think about a play, the way you think about a novel. It just happens to
be built out of physical objects, but, in fact, it is meant to function like a
story, a story that when people come they are wrapped up inside of this story.
And to the degree that they choose to use their own imaginations and to indulge
in the reality of that story, to that degree, we wanted to provide them a place
to be that real for them. Not everybody wants to do that, obviously there’s
some people who want to ping off, you know, every E-Ticket they can here and
then buzz off to another theme park. Okay, that’s great. I don’t actually think
that’s the way to reap the value of what has gone into Animal Kingdom. I really
think the best way to get the value out of Animal Kingdom is to really really
slow down and pay attention and sort of read it the way you would read a really
really complicated and rich kind of novel.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Like I said, I’m not, this isn’t like a, I don’t have
like a structured presentation, I’m gonna sort of show slides and I’m gonna
talk about what the slides represent talk about some ideas, I have one little
riff I’m gonna take you through, might help you understand how we think, and
we’ll just see where that leads us.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Now, I wonder if, is that screen good enough for you guys?
Cause some of these slides, let’s just see when we go to this slide if its,
cause otherwise I can take the lights down a little bit.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Okay, so this is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you travel the
property at all you can almost see where everything is. There’s the big canal
that runs through the Northern Savannah, as a matter of fact, that little
crossover is still there, right in the middle of the elephant area of the
Savannah. See where the little road goes over the canal. And then that great
big thing that looks a little bit like a racetrack, big chunks of that are
still there, pretty much where Asia is today, where the unbuilt part of Asia,
beyond Kali River Rapids, that’s kind of where that is. And then as you look
down that road that continues on down, you can kind of figure out where Africa
goes, almost half way down, really to where those, you see the sort of three
big sandy patches, that’s about where Africa is. And the Tree of Life is almost
where that sandy patch starts to touch, sort of beyond that sandy patch, just
the beginning of that dark foliage. It was just this gigantic piece of land,
that we were going to imagine, we were going to do something interesting on.
Which is, in its way, if you think about it, it’s incredibly arrogant, that a
bunch of us just sat down like ‘Would you please give us this giant giant piece
of land, and give us millions and millions of dollars, and just trust us that
we’re gonna do a really cool thing with all of it, later, that you can see when
its open.’ And for some reason, that escapes me to this day, they decided that
was a good idea, and we got to do it. But it did take many many years before
the company was ready to make that decision and to fund the project. And those
years were spent in a tremendous amount of study and preparation to begin to be
serious about getting Animal Kingdom built.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"This is us, I think we are measuring off the spot where the
Tree of Life ended up being. And we sort of drove out, this was our first
chance to go out on the site, we were all so excited, we put on our boots,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">‘cause we are all afraid of snakes, and we go tromping off
into the middle of this site, most of which was cow pasture and the old
fireworks testing area. But there were these little areas with trees in there,
mostly the kind of scrub pine kind of stuff, and then the oaks, which, of
course, in the end we saved the saved the areas where we found the oaks.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"For those of you who weren’t part of getting it built, or
that weren’t here on opening day, or that weren’t privy to all of the stuff
that went into describing the project when it first opened, it is kind of hard
to imagine that, once upon a time, it was just sand. I mean, miles of sand.
This is looking from the Tree of Life towards Asia, those of you who can kind
of recognize the scene a little bit will see that the foundations of the Asia
bridge, you can see the little peninsula doesn’t even have the little temple on
it yet, down here is the shop. There’s like nothing. When I came down here for
my first, I relocated down here to build Animal Kingdom, I walk out on the
site, and this is probably 1995, and it just looked like Mongolia. As far as
you could see was nothing, nothing but nothing, giant dunes of sand and
imported soil stretching to the horizon, with sandstorms on them. I mean it was
like Lawrence of Arabia. And you’d walk off onto this giant site, you really
could not even see across the site, and far away you’d see a little truck
disappear behind some sand dune that’s like a mile away.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"I actually got lost one day. I really did. I was walking, cause
you’ve got to picture, there’s no navigational stuff, right, there’s just
mounds of dirt and trails of dirt that some of them just dead end. I’m walking
along, and I realize that I don’t know where I am. I, I don’t know where I am.
And I don’t know which way I’m going, and I’m surrounded by sand and sand
dunes, and I go to the top of the sand dune and I just see more sand dunes. I
just have to walk until I get to the edge, you know, and then that will tell
me, I’ll walk along the edge until I find something.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"So, it’s amazing really how much of this is a creation. What
we see today is a creation, a thing that was made, and in that sense, it’s a
fiction, it’s a fictional thing. We made it up, we put it in, it grows, but
because it’s a story, rather than really really truly real place, you really
have to always keep in mind, and we always try to keep in mind, the fact that
it is meant to be structured like a story. And I don’t know how many of you
have ever read a book on storycraft, or how to write your award winning screen
play, or how to write a play, but they generally all open with the same kind of
information. And it talks a lot, as a matter of fact, about theme, and about
the fact that if you expect your story to hang together across the long run, you’ve
got to do a lot of work right up front on what is the theme. That word theme,
this some of you may know this, it drives me completely out of my mind crazy
when I hear this word misuse. Theme is a noun, it is not a verb, you cannot
theme a thing. A theme is the underlying value system upon which a story is
built. It is not the fake wood detailing on the outside of a box. So when you
start by thinking about theme, you really have to ask yourself hard questions.
Well, why am I interested in this story? What would move me emotionally about
this story? Why would other people be interested in this story? What’s the
universal human value at the bottom of this story? That’s gonna be the theme.
And if you can find those themes, and there can be very many of them, because
they start cross past each other and getting way too complicated, you find
those themes, you dedicate yourself to those themes, and you try to drive every
single piece of design to follow these themes.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Now, not the only one, but one of the major themes of
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is this intrinsic value of nature, this idea that
nature itself has a value, which is a greater value than anything else you can
put on the other side of the ballast. Nature’s value is greater than money,
nature’s value is greater than convenience, nature has intrinsic value, a value
in and of itself. I don’t have to save the environment because it’s good for
the watershed, I can just save the environment because it’s got value. So, if
this is one of the fundamental values of Animal Kingdom, and we decided very
early on if you were going to have animals, by default, it’s gonna be, you’re
gonna have this theme of nature, and the animals can’t be strangers in this
environment. This has to be a place where animals make sense, and animals don’t
behave like theme park audio-animatronics, they have life, they have will, they
do what they please, they live, they have babies, they eventually die. So, if
you are going to have a place that is about animals, it has to be about the very
idea at the very bottom of animals, which is the intrinsic value of nature.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"So, if you set that at the base of an idea, and then you
start to roll out a bunch of choices, the choices become very clear, it’s
really interesting. For example, if there was no Animal Kingdom, and you were
faced with a choice of, okay, I want to do a park about the intrinsic value of
nature, is that park going to be fundamentally about architecture or
fundamentally about landscape? Landscape. Landscape, it’s just so obvious,
right? So, you go, okay, it’s gonna be about landscape. Well, this is a
landscape element. This landscape element does not say very much about the
intrinsic value of nature, as a matter of fact, is say a whole lot about the
overwhelming power of mankind. It’s a little plant, surrounded by circle, in a
bunch of pavement. But, it’s a landscape object, so clearly the job is not yet
done, there’s more story work to be done, before you even begin your design.
There’s all kinds of landscape, you need to sort it all, gather it into
bundles, and present yourself with another branching choice.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"If my park is about the intrinsic value of nature, and I
have to choose between kind of formal, linear, organized, grid-like landscape
elements or curvilinear, natural, irregular landscape elements, which am I
gonna choose? Irregular. Because formal, straight, linear: not nature. So you
choose. And what that leads us to, what it led us to, was a kind of a statement
that we could say, ‘Look, when we begin designing, our design is going to be
like this. The intrinsic value of nature means that, you know, nature is gonna
dominate the whole design, it’s gonna be about natural forms, we’re gonna let
natural things take place, we’re going to deliberately make the architecture
subordinate to the natural forms, the architecture has to appear to either be
celebrating nature itself or it has to appear to be succumbing to nature
itself. That way it will be obvious in the very design of the park, when we
begin to design, that this is a park about the intrinsic value of nature.’</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"And so we did this several times, we took different design
elements, we did, in fact, revisit the architecture itself, and figure, ‘Okay,
we know we have to have architecture, we just know we don’t want to have the
architecture be dominant. So, how does this theme express itself in
architecture?’ We did this with several themes, the intrinsic value of nature,
this sort of transforming power of physical adventure, that if you go out and
dare yourself to do things, you will come back changed, this sort of theme of
the universal love of animals, that one way or another, whether it’s a live
animal, an imaginary animal, a prehistoric animal, a storybook animal, one way
or another there is a form of the animal world that brings people emotionally
alive and that we can use to bring them into contact with this idea. And that
all happens before we start thinking, ‘Okay, maybe we could have a ride that
did this, a maybe we could do that, and there could be a big tree, maybe there’s
a river, maybe there’s an island, maybe there’s a giant broccoli, whatever.’
And that goes down on cards.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Now this is kind of cool. I don’t know why we did this, but
as we were developing Animal Kingdom, we never threw these cards away. We stuck
them in boxes. So these are the real cards, we really did pin to the board,
almost twenty years ago, when we were beginning to talk about the design of
Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These words that are written on these cards, most of
that is my handwriting, which I’m not necessarily proud of, and the other
handwriting I recognize as from Kevin Brown, who has moved on to other things,
he was one of our chief writers. And we just started riffing on this idea and
branching it out, sort of diagramming it. So, again, there’s no design going
on, we’re sort of diagramming out the story of, ‘Okay, if those are the values,
and these are the opportunities, how does this diagram itself out into a story
that people can interact with?’ And these, again, are from 3x5 cards and 5x7
cards that are almost twenty years old, that we drew these little diagrams on,
as we tried to, you know take our brains through, ‘How are we going to organize
this,” and when we get to the sub pieces, how are we going to organize them.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Now, you may notice that these don’t necessarily look like
the way the park actually turned out. It’s because there are many many of these
cards. Anything we worked on, it doesn’t go in a straight line, it can’t go in
a straight line, ‘cause you really don’t know the conclusion, you only know the
goal. So, every day, every day presents you these branching choices in design,
and you’re constantly steering and branching, and steering and branching, as
you find your way towards which of the potential goals will actually be the
goal we can reach when we get to the outer end of this process. In a way, it
resembles a tree, where you start out at the root, you start out where the tree
touches the ground, and you know you’re gonna end up on one leaf of this tree
by the time you’re done, but you do not know which leaf. So you just start
travelling up this tree of ideas, and constantly you are meeting opportunities,
challenges, changes, and you find your way out. So, these diagrams sometimes
don’t look like what ended up getting built, but they represent the way we
thought about how to build it, so that by the time it was done, we would be
confident that there would be strong, anchored ideas beneath what otherwise are
kind of weirdly disparate elements. I mean, there’s nothing that necessarily
pulls these things together emotionally, so that they make sense as a story,
not just as a place.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Like logically, sure, I can logically go to Africa, but,
which Africa? There’s so many versions of Africa, we want an Africa that is
going to tell us a story about a very particular thing. In fact, we want it to
be a story about a challenge to the beauty, and the wonder, and the intrinsic
value of the natural land of Africa. So that tells us if Africa, the Africa we
are going out into, is supposed to be this beautiful, natural place, to make
that place appear more beautiful and natural, the village that you depart from
should not be that. So, where in Africa can we go to find inspiration from a
style of architecture that is authentic, that is Africa, but does not mimic the
feeling of nature that we want to have when we go out into nature? And so that
led us to the Swahili architecture of the East Coast of Africa that, indeed,
became the inspiration for Harambe. It is true that this is a real form of architecture
that really exists along the East Coast of Africa, but that’s not why we chose
it. We chose it because the geometry, and the hardness, and the whiteness, and
the cubic quality of that architecture sets it apart from this world of nature
that we’re gonna go into, and will make that world appear more natural when we
go out into it, because, after all, it’s not natural, it’s a giant machine that
we are building for keeping animals alive and moving thousands and thousands of
people an hour in vehicles through, so it’s got to feel like nature. Not just
look like nature, feel like nature. And part of the way we are gonna do that is
by managing the emotional sequence at the beginning. So, if you feel the
naturalness of that, then you are gonna feel the threat all the more. Which is,
of course, a threat to harvest out the value of that nature, turn it from
intrinsic value into monetary value, and therein lies the conflict that is at
the source of almost every story at Animal Kingdom. The conflict between monetary,
material value and the intrinsic value of nature. Even Expedition Everest plays
out this story through its plotline.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"So that makes it sound like, ‘Oh we thought this up, and we
followed the diagram, and we came up with this idea, and it all worked out very
neatly.’ But, of course, as I said before, that is never how it really happens.
It’s sort of like being blindfolded with a stick, and sent off into the woods,
and you sort of beat and whack your way through the woods until you get to the
other side. So what follows, remember we already know we’ve got this park about
love of animals, intrinsic value of nature, we know that we want to bring
people into this park in some way that is different than the way they’ve gotten
into the other parks, which are about human stories, and which are very
architectural environments, and what follows is a series of renderings of
various explorations of how we might do that.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"There was the Ark version. Where we thought, ‘Well, you
know, we’re trying to save the planet, like Noah, what if it was like an Ark?’
And we thought, ‘You know what, we will never make it two steps down the
racetrack with this idea before we are up to our hips in controversy.’ So, no
Ark.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Then we thought of this idea, okay, it’s like a garden
architectural environment, and it’s got sculptures of all these animals and
they’re marching their way into the park, like they’ve come to the park as if
it was like an Ark, and they’re all marching in from everywhere, and we march
in with these animals, and they’re all around us and they’re all headed into
the park. And then we thought, ‘Okay, so that means when I come to the park,
and I look, at my first view, and I take the photograph of my view, I am
looking at hundreds of animals’ butts.’ Okay, so it’s not that, it’s not that,
that’s not the idea.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"We go to another idea. Okay, no, it’s gonna be like this
kind of Woodstocky, woodsy little village, with stained glass and, you know,
art nouveauy little cottagey things in the woods. And then we thought, ‘Okay,
that’s great if you’re like a hippie, but that’s not about animals, that’s
going all the way back to being about macramé and stained glass and granola,
and that’s not Animal Kingdom.’ So, we didn’t go there.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Then we had this, okay, it’s going to be this gigantic
cavernous grotto, and it’s full of ferns, and it’s like the beginning of the
world and you’re gonna go into this huge grotto and you pop out on the other
side, and you end up in the park. And, in fact, the grotto concept is the final
one that sort of everybody looks at and goes, ‘Alright.’ In my head, this is my
sad job, I have to do this all the time, I have this little calculator in my
head, and you go to somebody, ‘Okay, so, the grotto concept, which is very
appealing, very interesting idea. If you measure your grotto, you’ll realize
that the grotto alone, just the grotto, represents about 400,000 square feet of
rockwork, which is twice the size of Expedition Everest.’ So, that’s probably
not actually the idea, because that’s like all the cement in Florida, going
into one thing, and we have a whole park the build. But there’s something in
this idea, we can use this idea, and find our way to the spirit of a place that
we can build, that still is this rich, green, caverny kind of place that we go
into on our way into the park, that calms us down, that changes the mood, that
instantly establishes that this experience, this park, is about a different
story, a different kind of experience than any experience you’ve done before.
And that’s kind of how you finally get to one of these ideas.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Same thing with the Tree of Life. This is one of the very
first renderings of the Tree of Life. And if you look at the people wandering
around the Tree of Life, you’ll see that it’s much smaller than even the Tarzan
Treehouse. It’s like a little tiny Tree of Life. This is another thing I do all
the time, if I take my fingers and I measure people in other people’s drawings,
so like, ‘Okay that person is six feet tall, right? That’s a grown up, ‘cause
there’s a little kid next to them, so they’re six feet tall. So if they’re six
feet tall, and they’re standing next to that tree, that tree is forty feet
tall. Well, there’s twenty-five thousand dollars for that one tree. So, and
that tree’s forty five feet tall, that means that tree back there is forty five
feet tall, and if that tree is forty five feet tall, then that means that that
tower that you how behind that tree is three-hundred and seventy-five feet
tall. And if it’s really three-hundred and seventy-five feet tall, it’s gonna
have a big red light on top. Is that what you meant?’</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"It is worth looking at these renderings, because you
really can see, Look, the people are big, really big, that means the tree is
really small. And it wasn’t even in the middle of the park, but we moved it to
the middle of the park when we realized this one the kind of symbol we wanted
in the middle of the park. And then when we made the tree really big, we
completely chickened out, and decided, ‘Okay, well the tree is now so big, that
the only way we’ll ever be able to hold it up is to build a giant geodesic
dome, and then we’ll like stick fake leaves on the outside of the geodesic
dome. And it will look very geometric, but kind of like a tree.’ And we spent a
long time on this version of the tree, which had a restaurant on the bottom
floor, and kind of a play environment all through the body of the tree, and
this geodesic dome. And finally one day, very late, very late, one of the engineers
came and said, ‘You know, now that we have designed the steel and the branches
to hold up that geodesic dome, those branches would hold up anything. So, we
don’t need the geodesic dome, because the tree is so strong now that we can
just hold up the branches themselves.’ So, of course this sounds really cool,
but it’s like a disaster, because it’s really late in the sequence. And we’re
like, ‘Okay, alright, if that’s what you want to do, we gotta do it, we gotta
do it quick, we gotta make these changes, gotta come up with a new vision for
the tree.” So we rapidly reconceptualized the tree to become the tree you see
today, and went through our design process, and that, indeed, became the Tree
of Life that we built.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"You guys have all seen the pictures with the
giant steel thing that’s inside of it, and getting the sculpting done on the
surface of the tree. Which was, another whole thing that, you know, you have
this great idea, and then you realize, ‘Okay, okay, the whole tree is a work of
art. It’s all about what the tree looks like. It’s covered with animal forms,
and tigers and wildebeests and birds, and blah, blah, blah, blah, all this
great stuff, and we’re gonna sculpt that all over the tree. Well, anyone out
there with an art background knows that when you’re creating a work of art, you
need to be able to see it. But, to build it, you have to build scaffolding, to
get up and work on it and, of course, the scaffolding to build the tree is so
thick you can’t see the tree. So, we’re constantly trying to imagine, I mean we
are right up on top of this tree for a year and a half trying to imagine, ‘Oh
my god, I wonder what this thing is going to look like when we drop all this
scaffolding down, because, you know, we’re not going to get much of a chance to
learn,’ and we, just frankly, you know, worked very very hard, they’re very
skillful artists, a lot of the work on the Tree of Life was done by real
professional sculptors who did a fantastic job of bringing it to life.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"I’ll talk about one other thing, I’m trying to go through
some of these ideas very carefully. Remember that we did a lot of research, we
travelled all over the world, doing the research to make Animal Kingdom for a
lot of reasons. One of the reasons is just that we knew that this park needed
to feel like reality, really feel like reality, and when you build a three
dimensional place, it’s not the same as a picture, it can be very deceptive. If
you go to a coffee table book, and you think about, well, let’s just picture
Venice, Italy, beautiful place, lovely place, people go there on vacation. If I
had the job of doing a coffee table book on Venice, Italy, there’s all these
layers that happen by the time that coffee table book shows up. Some
photographer goes to Venice, Italy, he makes personal choices about what’s
gonna make a good photograph, not what Venice, Italy feels like, but what’s
gonna make a good photograph that he can put in a book to sell in his book
about Venice, Italy. So, he’s taken all of these photographs and looking, not
for the essence of Venice, Italy, but for those photographs which you can take,
which might evoke some qualities which are editorial about Venice, Italy. Then
he goes to a publisher, who says, “Well, you got seventy-five thousand
photographs here, I’m gonna use three hundred of them. I like these, these will
make a good book.’ We put that into a book, there’s only so many of them, their
sold in so many book stores, you know, you’re way down at the bottom of this
upside down pyramid of information by the time you get a book in your hand
about a subject.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"When you go to a real place, and have real experiences, with
real people, in that place you come away with a very immediate holistic
sensation of what is it like to be there, and the experiences that we have then
become the foundation for the feelings that we try to incorporate into this
thing. Even with Everest we came away with this, all the prayer flags, that was
added rather late because when we went to the area of the Himalayas that it was
based on, I’d been there before, but even I had not really thought through how
much you feel the wind in these areas. And the reason you feel it is because
there are these prayer flags everywhere, and they respond to the movement of
air, and they give it a whole atmosphere. So, this idea of travelling, to go to
these places, to have experiences, and to personally collect those details,
which you need to tell your version of a story is part of what, I think, makes
Animal Kingdom have that funny unique quality of feeling so weirdly kind of
real.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"It also helps you realize there are things you cannot do.
These are photographs we took in the Serengeti, on our very first trip to
Africa, which, immediately made it clear, ‘Look, we can’t do this. You would
need hundreds of square miles. You know, you can’t do this. If you lived in
Kansas you could do this, you know. We’re not in Kansas. We’re not doing this.’
We went and looked for other photographs, photographs that we also took in
Africa, where I said, ‘Okay, we could do that. That looks like something we
could do. So let’s focus on that.’ So, we started looking through the
photographs, you know, culling through these photographs trying to figure out
what kind of environment can we create, that would be based on something real,
that fits our narrative needs. We’d make notes, we’d add things up, and, as you
guys know, eventually we’d come up with these techniques to mimic the qualities
of the environment that we saw in the real places we went to.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"But it is a very very designed environment. Africa, for
example, I was just out there yesterday with this safari guide guy and we were
driving around, and you know, we all know there are like thirty-five trucks out
there driving around, right? And you never really see more than maybe three or
four at a time, and part of that is because of the very very deliberate design
that we put into Africa from the very beginning. We did some of the very first
digital modeling for large landscape firms that was ever done at this scale. It
took us days to print out one job like this, from these rooms of computers that
were sending all the data into. Now you do this in Sketch-Up it’ll take you an
hour and a half. But if you look closely at the design plan for Africa, you’ll
notice all these little humps, the little shadow and highlight humps, like on a
relief map, and those humps are set in place just like the walls in scene
between scenes, just like in Pirates of the Caribbean. You know, as you ride
through Pirates of the Caribbean, you don’t realize that you are kind of
looping back and forth through an architectural environment from room to room,
because the walls in the scenes of the rooms prevent you from being aware of
all the other boats, and all the other rooms, and all the other scenes, and the
African safari was designed the same way. So that, when it was finally
executed, and when it was done, you wouldn’t really understand how it laid out,
and you wouldn’t be aware of the reality of what it is. We’re not trying to
present you with the reality of what it is, you’re supposed to be inside a
story, inside a story about being in a safari camp in Africa. So, you know, we
would do the renderings, expressing kind of where we wanted the story to go.
Another problem that we came up against, which is kind of interesting, and a
lot of these pictures I don’t know have been seen before, they’re just kind of
stuff I pulled from the file. But, so we knew, unlike a scene in a ride, where
you can direct people to look over here, we knew two things. One, you can look
where ever you please, and number two, we will never know where the focal
object is going to be, which is an animal. The animal could be anywhere and you
could look anywhere. So, when we did our storyboards we every thirty seconds,
we drew a line on the ride track, estimated the average speed of the vehicle,
made a dot every thirty seconds, and we drew these hundred and eighty degree
storyboards that we would hold up in front of our faces, like this, and go,
‘Okay, that’s at, you know, second number seven-hundred, we’re here seeing
something like this, wildebeests might all be over here, they might all be over
here, but they’re gonna be here in this scene. Okay, pick up the next one,’ you
know. And we’d bend it around our head and go, ‘Alright, this is the next
scene, ‘ so we could get some sense of what is this going to be like to
progress through this environment, because back then there wasn’t like, you
couldn’t do a digital ride-through or something, no such thing existed.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"And then of course, how successful are we going to be at
everything we know, keeping the guests from knowing those things, so that what
they see, and what they feel is completely natural in its feeling. This is a
photograph I took during production of the flamingo pool. And this is virtually
the same view, from the guest point of view as they drive by on the ride track.
So, this feels like nature and, of course, those flamingos have to be able to
stay there, they have to not have to worry that, you know, animals are going to
come get them, they have to have a safe life on a little island where they can
raise their babies, and yet, we don’t want you to feel that. We want you to
feel that, ‘Wow! I’m in Africa, and there happen to be some flamingos over
there.’ So we trying to sort of bury the work that we did.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"This is just another example of starting from a real
experience. In this case, we have the gibbons who are on the islands, you know,
in Asia. And we know that they need something to swing on and climb on, that’s
what they want to do, they live in trees. So, we’re trying to figure, ‘Well,
what in the world could we possibly build that doesn’t look like a jungle gym,
that makes sense out of an environment where these gibbons would be climbing
and playing, and blah, blah blah.’ And we just happened on one of our research
trips to see this temple under restoration. The one in the upper left hand
corner, that’s a real temple, in Nepal, under restoration, and that became the
inspiration for what we ultimately built as the gibbon temples, because it
solved a problem that, frankly, we didn’t know how to solve until we came
across this example.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"It’s another interesting thing about the work we did is just
working with all of these different people from around world. Working with Balinese
carvers, working with bronze casters in Nepal, working with all these different
individuals from different cultures, it’s a real privilege with Animal Kingdom
to be able to do that, and to see the work of all these people turned into
something that not only is it a beautiful theme park environment, but it has a
kind of reality of its own. More than just, ‘Oh, beautiful design,’ you know, a
bunch of, you know, designers in California thought it up, drew it, got built
in a factory somewhere, there really is real art in Animal Kingdom.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Everest, which, of course, is the most recent, is one of
the best examples of that, I think, in the park. And Everest has these ancient
roots, this actually, let’s see if I have this image here, this is painting
from, I did this, 1991. And it is a view from, pretty much, where Flame Tree is
now, looking out across the water to what Everest is now, only that’s Bhutan,
instead of Nepal, and the safari village, that was Asia, moved on to the side
of Asia, instead of on the side of the island. The safari village originally
were kind of on the island, and you crossed over for just the safari. So this
just went in a box, and just went in a box, of like, ‘Okay, you know, we’re
moving on, we’ve branched off, we’re heading out towards the outer end of our
tree, way way way way way way down the road.’ And when the challenge came back
to do Expedition Everest, I had remembered that we had this rendering and that
we did have the idea that a mountain might be able to fit on the other side of
the river over there, and so we revisited this idea, and then we, of course,
had to go through all of that exercise again of bringing meaning to this story.
How is this challenge of putting a roller coaster ride in Animal Kingdom ever
going to fit into the story of the intrinsic value of nature?</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"Some of you have heard, or read, about the work we put
into exploring the legend of the yeti. The oral traditions, the Tibetan oral
traditions of the yeti, definitely involve this aspect of the yeti as a
protector of pristine forest environments. Where you find active legends of the
yeti, where people really believe that the yeti is real, they will point out
where they believe he lives, and it is always untouched, virgin, ancient
forests, and there’s very definite ways that they know. ‘This forest is
untouched, this forest is ancient, that’s where the yeti would be, the yeti is
the protector of the forest,’ all that kind of stuff. So, once we knew that we
had a story about the yeti as a protector, the yeti as a defender of the
mountain, a defender of the forest, a defender of a place that humans are
supposed to respect, and leave alone, we had a story that we could run with,
and we could begin to create these little poems. You know, like there’s this little
equation between the shrine on the little peninsula and the mountain, and there
you see the yeti sitting on the shrine, and the shrine looks like the mountain,
so the mountain must be like a shrine, and there’s a yeti in the mountain, like
that. We chose the area of the Himalayas. There’s all kinds of Tibetan
architecture, there’s all kinds of Himalayan architecture. Once again we wanted
to go and pick the style of architecture that would push forward the story that
we wanted to tell, and that meant we needed to pick a style of architecture
that was all about symbols, symbolism, and storytelling itself, and that indeed
is what we did. So while it is, indeed, authentic, it does look like real, it’s
also been editorially chosen for its ability to push a very particular story
forward. You know, we were able again to involve these people in creating the
idea because we could explain to them what’s the underlying message underneath
this, and then set these Tibetan, this guy this was designed by a Tibetan guy,
and we just sort of told him the story, and what’s the underlying idea of the
story, and let him go with the imagery. And that’s how we come up with, you
know, satisfying a very simple mission to put a coaster into a park, but to do
it in a way that contributes to the overall feeling of the park.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"I think when we all started a long long time
ago that I’m sure none of us realized how complicated it would be, we sort of
learned as we went, but it is something that does work very well, and it is
something that does include all of you. It’s the same process in the actions
that you take every day in your interactions with the guests, which, after all,
are the most living things they are going to interact with are the things you
do. Your actions at Animal Kingdom are the last layer that these guests will
interact with, and to have those actions embody the spirit of these ideas, the
intrinsic value of nature, the value of adventure, the love of animals, the
spirit of this place, it really helps push that story forward and have the
guests walk away with the sense that they’ve experienced something special.
They rush really fast, you know, they come with a lot of anxiety, they spent a
bunch of money, they’re trying to get their value back, and there’s this
anxiety of like, ‘How do I get my value back from the money I spent to get
here?’ And in their mind, I think, is this idea that, ‘I’m gonna get my value
back by doing all these things, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, one
after another.’ I don’t think that’s true, I don’t think that that’s where the
value is, I think the value is in slowing down and enjoying these
relationships, relationships with you, as you speak to them, as you interact
with them, relationships with the animals, if they take time to observe them.
It takes so little time to just, you know, if you wait forty-five seconds,
instead of ten, that animal is gonna walk around that bush and walk over here
and it’s gonna walk away, and then forty-five seconds later he’s gonna walk
over here, but if you come for three seconds, you miss all of that. It’s like
channel-surfing at too fast of a speed. So, as you present yourself, and
present the park, to the guests, and in knowing that they come with this, you
know, urge to rush, it would be, it’d be wonderful if you could get them to
slow down, to both enjoy the park, but also to enjoy the conversations, the
relationships that they have with all of you. It is a unique park that offers
us all the ability to deal directly with people, to have real conversations, to
actually talk about something, to not simply, you know, perform a function. And
so, I think it’s great that we have that opportunity, I really don’t think that
people come to Animal Kingdom just to look passively at beautifully designed
environments, there are beautifully designed environments all over the world,
there are individual environments that have been designed in zoos in America
that are better than some of the stuff we have done, they come for something
else. They come for something richer, something more meaningful, something more
personal, something more emotional, and I think that that is the aspect of the
park that you all bring to it, and that’s really important.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">"We’ve obviously nowhere near finished with Disney’s
Animal Kingdom, and much much more to come in the future, and I hope that, as
we go forward, you take this to heart, you know, when you go out and have a day
in the park, remember, really, you guys kind of are the show, and all that you
do is really what the guests really experience, and I hope that you treasure
that, and value that, and I certainly thank you for it. And thank you for your
patience and sitting through my rambling explanations, so, thank you very much."</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SBNrDhz5RTI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yTsRm6pAEBo/s1600-h/Joe+Rohde+and+I.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193612503648126258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jv-dS4NpxPE/SBNrDhz5RTI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yTsRm6pAEBo/s400/Joe+Rohde+and+I.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-67056524380684303532021-09-09T09:00:00.003-04:002021-09-09T09:00:00.284-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Captain Nemo's Adventures<div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we look back and think about some of the Magic
Kingdom’s earliest show-stopping attractions, it is hard to not immediately
focus in on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage. This Fantasyland
staple ran from mid-October 1971 until its closure in 1994. No trip to Walt
Disney World was complete until you had boarded one of Captain Nemo’s famed
Nautilus submarines and taken a journey that he narrated, voiced by the
impressive Peter Renoudet, and escaped from impressive sea monsters. Living to
tell the tale was one of the souvenirs every child took home with them.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">As someone who loved the attraction as a child, and has only
seen that fascination grown over the years since it was closed, it is the
development, construction, and the remnants of the voyage that continue to draw
me in. Today, let’s take an exploration of those when guests could have dreamed
of what could be and afterwards when they remembered what once had been.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Even after it had stop taking guests on fantastic voyages
through liquid space, there was still something to be gleamed from visiting the
area. The rocky shores with tropical vegetation were still there. So too were
the metal fixtures and shelter of the queue. And while there wasn’t a single
Nautilus to be seen prowling the waters of Fantasyland’s Vulcania, the
waterfall covered caves still beckoned for a photograph to be taken of them. Of
course, this corner of the Magic Kingdom had to see a ton of work in order to
ensure it was worth of being called Nemo’s home port.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Due to the fact that the Magic Kingdom had to be elevated in
order to accommodate the utilidors, while not disturbing the close to the
surface water table, the Submarine Voyage was able to begin building without
much in the way of excavation. True, there was bush hogging that was needed to
clear out vegetation, but overall the site was in good condition from the
start. The lagoon would be lined with concrete, and the major show scenes,
those that occurred beyond the waterfall’s veil in the darkened depths of the
oceans, would take place in a large warehouse-like show building. Here we can
see what the construction of the attraction, and this corner of Fantasyland for
that matter, looked like early in its life.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_m7S2GYZ9qI/YTZEfjAxFRI/AAAAAAAAV6E/Kh0lGmW1J-szynTwzyqxcUBZxzO13LMmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BUnder%2Bthe%2BSea%2B-%2BAerial%2BConstruction%2B%25281970%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_m7S2GYZ9qI/YTZEfjAxFRI/AAAAAAAAV6E/Kh0lGmW1J-szynTwzyqxcUBZxzO13LMmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BUnder%2Bthe%2BSea%2B-%2BAerial%2BConstruction%2B%25281970%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>You can see the track, lagoon walls, and the yet to be
covered by rockwork show building. The four vehicles perched on the edge of the
unfilled lagoon are sitting on the spot that the queue will eventually occupy.
While the reef and show scenes haven’t begun being constructed yet, you can see
some of the foundational and utility work taking place in the center of the
lagoon. If you look closely at the bottom left corner, you can even see one of
the turrets of Cinderella Castle taking shape above the building that will be
home to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFtGlcRDCYM/YTZEnRbwB2I/AAAAAAAAV6I/lohbNiP23nU09lfO-rMxhkL3ZN-lbjPhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BConstruction%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="800" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFtGlcRDCYM/YTZEnRbwB2I/AAAAAAAAV6I/lohbNiP23nU09lfO-rMxhkL3ZN-lbjPhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BConstruction%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The fleet of Nautilus submarines, which would end up
numbering twelve submarines before it was finished (fourteen if you count the
two prop subs that are attacked during the voyage), and their design was the
brainchild of George McGinnis. Meanwhile, over in Tampa, Bob Gurr had the task
of merging all of the unruly drawings and electrical diagrams, not to mention
the hull assembly of the submarines themselves. Between the shipyards of Morgan
Yacht and Tampa Ship, the pieces came together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of you may have already guessed the problem, the 20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea subs were extremely large, and they had to be transported from Tampa to
Walt Disney World. The route to transport these underwater marvels had to dodge
power lines, stay clear of the low clearance underpasses, and worry about the
size, weight, and awkward shape of the submarines. As with all Disney projects,
the team found a way to make the difficult look easy. And while most of us can
remember viewing the subs plying their watery course in the attraction, how
many of us can say that we saw the subs motoring down the highway, as in this
1971 photograph from Walt Disney Productions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD1vuTYD3gQ/YTZEsD1m7uI/AAAAAAAAV6M/dglmWPhFaN8yJe3CdkP6EJvjUxG4Y4azwCLcBGAsYHQ/s763/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BTransport%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="763" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD1vuTYD3gQ/YTZEsD1m7uI/AAAAAAAAV6M/dglmWPhFaN8yJe3CdkP6EJvjUxG4Y4azwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BTransport%2B%25281971%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">After 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage was
permanently shuttered, many of the Nautilus submarines in the fleet were given
unceremonious entombments on land. Two of these vessels, however, were given
proper sea burials. Their windows and hatches were removed, as were the “eye”
section at the top of the submarine, metal mesh was placed over all windows and
openings to ensure guests wouldn’t find their way inside, but that fish could,
and they were sunk along the snorkeling section of Castaway Cay.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnTyRL2iLm0/YTZFJBYXtiI/AAAAAAAAV6g/yXc-KJv7ZLYjJtIgyuZ6HPJgEAK0YDXpACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Nautilus%2BStorage%2B02%2B%25281998%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="800" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnTyRL2iLm0/YTZFJBYXtiI/AAAAAAAAV6g/yXc-KJv7ZLYjJtIgyuZ6HPJgEAK0YDXpACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Nautilus%2BStorage%2B02%2B%25281998%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3AM5wP48Hs/YTZFJCTKIsI/AAAAAAAAV6c/yYjm4Xfmn0Q0DTRIkkIvVnpVz_mG4S_vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Nautilus%2BStorage%2B01%2B%25281998%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="800" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3AM5wP48Hs/YTZFJCTKIsI/AAAAAAAAV6c/yYjm4Xfmn0Q0DTRIkkIvVnpVz_mG4S_vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Nautilus%2BStorage%2B01%2B%25281998%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: justify;">Snorkeling is not a skill that I was born to, but to see a
Nautilus again, I was able to make the voyage out to see them myself. Eventually,
have long periods of learning how to navigate under through the ocean, it came
into view through the murky, sun-drenched blue waters. From its stunted nose to
the gorgeous curve of its tailfin, this Nautilus was sight to behold. I swam
around the vessel, taking it all in. The memories of boarding the attraction
with my father swept back over me as I peered down the stairwells, the
conversations with George McGinnis about their construction came to me as I
made my way along the top and towards the tail section (where the rowboat would
have been), and the realization that these gorgeous pieces of history had found
a new life gave me peace.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5aAV2LTtT8/YTZFRokp6EI/AAAAAAAAV64/qD6jHXJ2R_0n4_lVKfFSeGg3KxC1wXvsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B06%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5aAV2LTtT8/YTZFRokp6EI/AAAAAAAAV64/qD6jHXJ2R_0n4_lVKfFSeGg3KxC1wXvsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B06%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5T25D5eILM/YTZFRRi3N9I/AAAAAAAAV60/SEVArQgVlMouo-OhvZnd1yufJyEMrIFlACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B05%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5T25D5eILM/YTZFRRi3N9I/AAAAAAAAV60/SEVArQgVlMouo-OhvZnd1yufJyEMrIFlACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B05%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRfwDzn-dSw/YTZFRJbKZ7I/AAAAAAAAV6w/rnMbHnHxvOIucCP8uG54_x55AQlU0649QCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B04%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRfwDzn-dSw/YTZFRJbKZ7I/AAAAAAAAV6w/rnMbHnHxvOIucCP8uG54_x55AQlU0649QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B04%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trUSFaNZ2W4/YTZFQrBtctI/AAAAAAAAV6k/KK_4ShdIF-IW2szySvJ_xsSSh9EULTXQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B03%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trUSFaNZ2W4/YTZFQrBtctI/AAAAAAAAV6k/KK_4ShdIF-IW2szySvJ_xsSSh9EULTXQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B03%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYMPdlUbAmM/YTZFQ00n84I/AAAAAAAAV6s/a1o7KUjNkVkE4sh79mih-o-pD8NzWlOSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B02%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYMPdlUbAmM/YTZFQ00n84I/AAAAAAAAV6s/a1o7KUjNkVkE4sh79mih-o-pD8NzWlOSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B02%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MrIP9PMOMk/YTZFQ1hawaI/AAAAAAAAV6o/5zAYaAlIusoAvxOHWGEmzXGfaJubP2alwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B01%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MrIP9PMOMk/YTZFQ1hawaI/AAAAAAAAV6o/5zAYaAlIusoAvxOHWGEmzXGfaJubP2alwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%252C000%2BLeagues%2BNautilus%2BReef%2B01%2B%25282017%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361690843089891169.post-15792785941815144762021-09-08T09:00:00.001-04:002021-09-08T09:00:00.242-04:00Walt Disney World 50 for 50: Most Famous Circus Train<div style="text-align: justify;">Storybook Circus has a lot of fantastic details strewn about the land, considering it is one of the latest additions to the Magic Kingdom. There is name-checking luggage, subtle and no-so-subtle nods to Walt and the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, and even some musical cues and props to take note of. Some of the most interesting details, however, come from the various train cars and wagons that can be found throughout the land. We’ll start our numeric tour over at the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwDyK6Ktpgc/V5YBhwJFl9I/AAAAAAAASZM/gqL03WhUAR8oG3hVkIHK6BSfTYdLnFsggCLcB/s1600/Storybook%2BCircus%2B71%2B-%2BElephants%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwDyK6Ktpgc/V5YBhwJFl9I/AAAAAAAASZM/gqL03WhUAR8oG3hVkIHK6BSfTYdLnFsggCLcB/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B71%2B-%2BElephants%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7w6l_hRuoM/YTZNoD7milI/AAAAAAAAV7M/Tnnf4jaKkEUsMm8gaF029IByl1iK95ZJACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Storybook%2BCircus%2B82%2B-%2BMonkeys%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7w6l_hRuoM/YTZNoD7milI/AAAAAAAAV7M/Tnnf4jaKkEUsMm8gaF029IByl1iK95ZJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B82%2B-%2BMonkeys%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPrxQQRNSqg/YTZNsER8PjI/AAAAAAAAV7Q/bx9c43OswCQVwn7pJuGH893QHC7R7UyRACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Storybook%2BCircus%2B89%2B-%2BGiraffes%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPrxQQRNSqg/YTZNsER8PjI/AAAAAAAAV7Q/bx9c43OswCQVwn7pJuGH893QHC7R7UyRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B89%2B-%2BGiraffes%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dccMLiVf4D0/YTZNuQ8DwLI/AAAAAAAAV7U/-od8iCJ32I0wBtvnFGZOOUy2yW-C4vTtACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Storybook%2BCircus%2B98%2B-%2BCamels%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dccMLiVf4D0/YTZNuQ8DwLI/AAAAAAAAV7U/-od8iCJ32I0wBtvnFGZOOUy2yW-C4vTtACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B98%2B-%2BCamels%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This is a great little area for children to let off some steam, Casey Jr. certainly does! The monkeys, giraffes, and other circus creatures are all having a bath, or a holiday, or whatever cartoon animals do when there is a bunch of water around. Now, there’s a Jungle Cruise joke about water in here, but I’ll leave that to your imagination. What I’m really after are the numbers on the back of the train cars. Chronologically, they are: 71, 82, 89, and 98. We’ll keep this one simple; they’re the dates in which the four parks of Walt Disney World opened.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYLBHT38trM/V5YBhnmKRtI/AAAAAAAASZE/4zBoOvivy1Ed7qNgmk7TIr2gKVpR-S8MgCLcB/s1600/Storybook%2BCircus%2B55%2B-%2BHot%2BDogs%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYLBHT38trM/V5YBhnmKRtI/AAAAAAAASZE/4zBoOvivy1Ed7qNgmk7TIr2gKVpR-S8MgCLcB/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B55%2B-%2BHot%2BDogs%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now that we got the hang of the pattern, we can quickly puzzle out another one. Heading on over to the wagon serving up hot dogs, emblazoned with the number 55, an obvious stand in for the 1955 opening of Disneyland. The first park which saw the Dumbo, The Flying Elephant attraction take to the skies as an opening year attraction.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GV5awJYEALk/V5YBhim1nLI/AAAAAAAASZQ/zRlFjVPMFhAsaIp09eHi91qGWC3kyKQ1wCEw/s1600/Storybook%2BCircus%2B13%2B-%2BPopcorn%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GV5awJYEALk/V5YBhim1nLI/AAAAAAAASZQ/zRlFjVPMFhAsaIp09eHi91qGWC3kyKQ1wCEw/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B13%2B-%2BPopcorn%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Next up, we’re going make our way over to the popcorn wagon, popcorn and the circus just go together, right? Its wagon number of 13, however, has thrown me for quite some time. While I can’t be 100% certain, my best guess is this relates to the dedication of the Storybook Circus area as a whole. It is my belief that the plan was for this land to be dedicated and officially opened in 2013, even though pieces of the land had come online much earlier than that. However, the land ended up being officially opened in December of 2012. Now, if someone has a better explanation of this number than I do, I would be happy to be proven wrong!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFITqfQKE-4/V5YBhn9VNFI/AAAAAAAASZI/Dt8CgmoU1FM1L7vg0L9mdQdOPMwyPU41QCEw/s1600/Storybook%2BCircus%2B34%2B-%2BPretzels%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFITqfQKE-4/V5YBhn9VNFI/AAAAAAAASZI/Dt8CgmoU1FM1L7vg0L9mdQdOPMwyPU41QCEw/s320/Storybook%2BCircus%2B34%2B-%2BPretzels%2B%252804-16%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The last, but not insignificant wagon to be numbered in Storybook Circus is the number 34 pretzel wagon. We’re venturing back in the 1900s for this one and 1934 may not be a date that many readily recognize. It was actually a fairly busy year for Disney. It could be referencing Ward Kimball’s arrival to the company or the copyright of Mickey Mouse for books and comics, but we’re actually in Silly Symphony territory on this one. What short could tie in to the Dumbo theme of the area, you ask? How about a cartoon entitled The Flying Mouse that features a tale about a little mouse who saves a butterfly, a butterfly that is in fact a fairy, that is able to grant the mouse’s wish to fly? After being granted this great power, he finds he is reject by mice and bats alike and just wishes to be himself again, a wish the fairy butterfly is happy to bestow upon him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The wonderful minds of Imagineers continue to find new ways to tuck away small details that pay homage to the history of all things Disney, big and small. Each new attraction, restaurant, or land is filled to the brim with these nods, some that are clear as day and others that require a bit of historical perspective or perhaps research, both of which can be seen in the numbering of the train cars and wagons of the Storybook Circus. It’s a great big Walt Disney World out there, and there are always more stories to uncover!</div><div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>Ryan P. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00350754822474406675noreply@blogger.com0