Most heavily traveled

Most heavily traveled
Ryan P. Wilson

In the past decade, Disney, and more specifically Walt Disney World, has realized that small collectibles are a great way to engage guests. Not only was this seen as a way for guests to interact with one another, but also with Cast Members in the parks and around property. One such method that was used to foster these interactions were the Official Walt Disney World Transportation Collector Cards.

Numbering eighteen total cards, each card represented one of the various forms of transportation: buses, watercraft, or monorail. Buses and watercraft each were given three cards, leaving transports like the Friendships out, and the monorail had twelve cards, one for each color monorail. On the front of each card there was an illustration of each transportation method along with a character mascot. The mascots ran the gamut from classic characters (Mickey, Minnie), animation stars (Cinderella, Simba), Pixar headliners (Woody, Sulley), and even a theme park character (Figment). The flip side of the cards were jam packed with information. Each card included a question about the character mascot, a Walt Disney World Hidden Mickey clue, a Hidden Mickey in the card’s illustration, and trivia on the specific vehicle pictured.

Now that we’ve discussed the way the cards looked, lets actually take a peak at them, shall we?

Pub Grub

Pub Grub
Tony Caggiano

On every trip I make to Walt Disney World, I do my best to try something new, especially when it comes to food. I enjoy the journey and exploration of new culinary experiences almost as much as I enjoy the attractions themselves. And while there is a certain excitement attached to each new restaurant and menu sampling, there is also a side of me which craves nothing more than what I know and love, that something tried and true which I look forward to returning for trip after trip, time and time again.

One such comfort zone for me is Epcot’s Rose and Crown Dining Room. Located in the United Kingdom pavilion of World Showcase, the Rose and Crown has been around as long as Epcot itself. I remember coming here for dinner as a boy, a tradition that has continued nearly every year since. In fact, it is a rare trip that does not find us dining here at some point.On this particular trip we had made an ADR for lunch on the day of our arrival. A quick flight and smooth sailing through the Magical Express lines brought us to the door of the pub slightly ahead of schedule and we were seated in no time. During these meals, I find a certain satisfaction in knowing that just a few hours ago I was back home, in this case in the snow, and that now I am I sitting pretty with my vacation laid out before me… but I digress.

The menu at Rose and Crown is a mixture of tradition British fare, nothing terrible exotic, but more or less good old comfort food. Menu selections include, but are not limited to, the delicious English-style Rose and Crown Meat and Cheese selection, an incredible Shepard’s Pie, which I have enjoyed on far more than one occasion, and their number one crowd pleaser, Harry Ramsden’s Fish and Chips.

This day, my wife Charlene and I were in agreement on all of our selections, which is a rare thing indeed. For an appetizer we chose the Scotch Eggs, which are hard boiled eggs, coated in a very tasty sausage mixture and then fried. They are served with a Frisee, green bean salad and toasts. The key to this delicious appetizer, at least in my opinion, lies in the Mustard Sauce that accompanies the dish. The creamy hard cooked eggs covered in the slightly spicy sausage come together with well-balanced flavors. The mustard sauce, with just a hint of sinus clearing spice, brings it all together perfectly.

For our entrée, my wife and I were once again on the same page, so to speak, and we both ordered the Bangers and Mash. The dish consists of traditional English sausages, served with braised Napa cabbage and bacon, along with mashed potatoes and shallot gravy. While the bangers are technically the star of this dish, I think the cabbage and bacon stole the show. The tender, yet slightly firm, preparation combined with the salty smoke of the bacon made for a side which I could eat as the entrée itself. This delectable and rich plate was just what the doctor ordered on a cooler than average day at Epcot.

While I suppose I am letting some of you down when I tell you that we did not have dessert this day, as we were just about full from the two courses topped with the obligatory pint of Guinness, Charlene thought it best to stop early so as to not leave ourselves sluggish with a day of park going ahead of us. I myself felt it was best to leave just a bit of room for later, as you never know what will tickle your palate’s fancy as you wander World Showcase on day one of your holiday, as they say across the pond.

Disney Host Interactive

Disney Host Interactive
Ryan P. Wilson

Growing up, long before I knew the carefully crafted stories of the attractions, I dreamed up stories of other adventures the characters had when guests weren’t around. In those days, I would have given anything for a set of stories that actually brought this world of ideas to life. I may have had to wait a few extra years into adulthood for stories like this, but Ridley Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers has been well worth the wait.

There is a suspension of disbelief to these stories, as there are not actually any DHIs wandering around the parks (that we are aware of), but isn’t that the point of Walt Disney World? To use our imaginations to uncover what could be possible?

The release of the third installment in the chronicles of the Kingdom Keepers, entitled Disney In Shadow, is happening today, with a signing taking place at Downtown Disney’s Once Upon A Toy. I was lucky enough recently to talk briefly with Ridley about the world of the Kingdom Keepers and the road ahead. For the Gazette’s readers out there, this is required reading before you rush out and pick up your copy today, which I wholeheartedly believe you should.

MSG: Which park have you most enjoyed researching and writing about?
RP: Each park has its own personality. It's a thrill to get backstage and meet Cast Members at each site. Lately I've been hyper-focused on Epcot and Hollywood Studios, so they are both high on my list right now. But ask me again in another year (another book!).

MSG: What one attraction did you look at and immediately know there was a story to be written there?
RP: It would actually be hard to name one that did not strike me that way. But I must say, when I was in Small World, alone (with must my Imagineer guide) with the lights and music shut off, and I saw a doll move (the Imagineer says "that can't happen," but what does he know?) it immediately struck me as a scene in the first book.

MSG: Is there an Imagineer or Cast Member that you have met that you based Wayne upon?
RP: Wayne is a Cast Member who works on Splash Mountain. People who ride that attraction meet him and can't believe it's actually him. But that's where he's hiding from the Overtakers.

MSG: We have met a plethora of Overtakers in the first two books, any chance of the Keepers getting some help from the 'good characters' in Disney in Shadow?
RP: The good characters are on the rise! Stay tuned!

MSG: We've met two Fairlies now in Jez and Amanda. As the series continues are we bound to find more in the parks?
RP: The Fairlies are a story, and a possible series, of their own. Jez (or Jess, as she's sometimes called) and Amanda play increasingly important roles as the series goes on.

MSG: If you had to pick one spot in any park in Walt Disney World to hide the black plastic fob, where would you hide it and why?
RP: First, you have to hide the fob, because it has to be there for you to Return. The Keepers hide it in the park in which they want to return the next time they cross over. In KKIII a mistake is made with the fob that grows costly. A tip: KKIV is centered around the importance of the fob (spoiler alert: for BOTH sides!)

Thank you so much to Ridley Pearson for taking the time to share some of his insights (and hints!) into the world of the Keepers! We can’t wait to see what happens next!

For more information on the Kingdom Keepers and all of Ridley’s other endeavors, be sure to check out The Official Website of Ridley Pearson. As for today’s signing, keep your eyes to the horizon for a report of the event.

The World of Yesterday

The World of Yesterday
Tony Caggiano

While digging through the crates, as I so often do, I happened to stumble upon some vacation photos from long, long ago. These photos, dated 1975, were all taken along everyone’s favorite thoroughfare, our beloved Main Street USA. I am lucky enough to have a lot of photos from my Walt Disney World visits of the past. However, the thing that caught my attention in these particular pics is that even though Main Street U.S.A. has been there since 1971, there have been a few changes made and a few favorites lost.In our first photo, we are being treated to a performance of the Walt Disney World marching band. While the costumes have changes a bit over the years, the real extinct attraction that caught my eye was the Hallmark Card Shop in the background. The shop was closed in 1985, to make room for the Disney Clothiers. The photograph also has a view of West Center Street, which became a victim of progress when it was built over in the 2001 Emporium expansion.In our second photo, we are treated to the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, visiting with parade watchers as he strolls down Main Street during the afternoon parade. While it is always fun to see vintage Mickey roaming the park, a look toward the far sidewalk shows us a long lost view of the sign for the Tobacconist shop as well as Casey’s Corner, then know as Refreshment Corner. While I would have to agree that the Tobacconist shop had worn out its welcome, I am a happy that the Refreshment Corner has had a second life as Casey’s Corner, a Magic Kingdom landmark!The final picture is far and away my favorite. This long lost view is one that nearly brings a tear to my eye every time I walk down Main Street USA. As a little boy, and continuing up through my early twenties, The House of Magic was always a personal favorite of mine. I can remember as though it were yesterday, walking into the shop, admiring the masks on the wall behind the counter and sifting through the many silly tricks and treats the store had to offer. This was always a treat for boys and girls of all ages.

If you look closely, you can see the face of a little three and a half year old boy, the same age my own son is now, gazing skyward at a glorious and magical collection of original Mickey shaped balloons. That is, of course, yours truly, as I was setting off down the path to Disney World geekdom, a path which I travel to this day. Unfortunately, my own little guys will never have the pleasure of visiting the House of Magic, but with every loss we gain something new. That means it is my job to make sure that years from now, they look upon the photos of their own Walt Disney World vacations of the past with the same longing and nostalgia that I do when I look upon these pictures.

Disney This Week - 4 April 2010

Disney This Week - 4 April 2010
Ryan P. Wilson

I don’t have a fear of snakes, but plenty of people do, including Indiana Jones. Princess Fee takes us to Disneyland Paris this week on DF’82 and asks the question, “Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?”

Sticking with his history of the Swiss Family Treehouse, Kevin Kidney offers up some delightful tales from the Moreton Bay Fig Tree and the film set treehouse built in Tobago Treehouse.

Tim Weston began a hefty chore this week when he began compiling a list of the power outlets in Walt Disney World for the readers of The Daily Mickey.

Concept art has been released for the refurbished Cantina De San Angel, and it is unsurprising that our good friend AJ, of the Disney Food Blog, has the scoop.

Always one to make dreams come true, Lou Mongello and The Dream Team Project, announced this week that they are now sponsors of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

Photographer Gene Duncan showcased a marvelous photograph of Morocco’s cabbage patch and Aladdin topiary over at the Disney Parks Blog.

Glitz and the glitter

Glitz and the glitter
Ryan P. Wilson

Main Street U.S.A. was plucked from the memories of Walt Disney and his life in a small town Midwestern town. Meanwhile, across property, the boulevards of Disney’s Hollywood Studio exemplify a golden era of Hollywood that may, or may not, have existed. Even as this golden age is in flux, there is truth and stories to be found in the architecture presented along these roads. One fine example can be observed at the end of Sunset Boulevard. The shop may be known as Once Upon A Time, but the building is the Carthay Circle Theater.

Built as a silent picture movie house in 1926, Carthay Circle Theater had fifteen hundred and eighteen seats, and rivaled Grauman’s Chinese Theater in opulence. From the tile work to the top of the tower, fountains, reliefs, busts, chandeliers, and paintings filled this single screen theater. This monument to Spanish Baroque architecture was the work of A. Dwight Gibbs, who also designed the Mesa Theatre and helped design the Pasadena Playhouse. You can see the Carthay Circle Theater in all of its splendor below in a photograph from the Los Angeles Times photographic archive, the film being shown in the photograph is Life of Emile Zola.Eventually sound, and other technological advancements in the field of film, forced the Carthay Circle Theater to evolve, but there was one film advancement he could not compete with, the multiplex. In 1968, the theater shuttered its doors and drew the curtains down for the last time. The grand theater was torn down and two office buildings, divided by a park, were built in the space in the 1970s.

So, where does Carthay Circle Theater fit into the Disney story? As it turns out, the theater was the venue chosen to host the premiere of Walt Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The premiere was such a success that there were, reportedly, thirty thousand people on the streets outside who could not get in to attend the premiere. Bringing the story of Disney and the theater full circle, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ premiere at the Carthay Circle Theater is immortalized in a series of three photographs found behind one of the registers in Once Upon A Time.

Life and art in miniature

Life and art in miniature
Tony Caggiano

Every year I do my best to schedule a trip down to Walt Disney World sometime in the spring so that I can be sure to catch a glimpse of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. As a homeowner, I am an avid gardener and, while I enjoy the manicured grounds and gardens of Walt Disney World every trip, the festival always seems to bring that little something extra for those with a green thumb to enjoy.

As I wandered through World Showcase during the opening weekend of the festival this year, I was stopped in my tracks by one particular display. Along World Showcase Lagoon, actually over the water, in the Japan pavilion, I discover the most beautiful display of Japanese Bonsai. Always a fan of this art form, I found myself completely enamored with this year’s display.

When I returned home from my trip, I spent several hours looking up information on bonsai, hoping to learn more about these amazing little creations. More than giving a lesson on bonsai, I wanted to show some photos of these trees here so that others could admire this beauty in miniature. These particular trees were on loan from members of The Bonsai Societies of Florida.For me, spending some time, contemplating their beauty and admiring the effort and ingenuity that goes into their creation, was a welcomed respite from a hectic day of attraction hopping at the parks.

We're happy amigos

We're happy amigos
Ryan P. Wilson

Last November the Gazette brought you the news that Mexico City booth from the International Food & Wine Festival had stuck around to become Taqueria Del Lago. The stand has become a temporary quick service location for those craving Mexican dishes while the Cantina de San Angel undergoes a massive refurbishment. Taqueria Del Lago’s menu looked tempting enough that, on my next trip to Walt Disney World, I decided to give it a taste drive.

Looking over the menu I decided on the Tostadas de Pollo. This dish serves up two tortillas of chicken marinated in chipotle. The chicken is then topped with black beans, lettuce, sour cream, and queso fresco, while pico de gallo and guacamole come served on the side. The chicken was very tender and not overly spicy, and is not overpowered by the items piled high on top of it. Unlike traditional guacamole, Taqueria Del Lago’s was not a pasty connection, instead large chunks of each vegetable could be readily found. The pico de gallo, like the chicken, was not spicy enough to send me in search of my beverage, but I liked that it was included on the side so that each diner may choose their level of zing for themselves.If I have one complaint about the Taqueria Del Lago, it would most certainly be the lack of seating or tables. While I understand that the Cantina’s seating area is unavailable, there should be some accommodations made accessible for patrons. The fare here can get messy, and there are only so many steps in front of Mexico that can be taken up by guests eating before the walkway into the pavilion is entirely clogged. I, myself, had to find a spot on the nearby bridge to balance my meal on while I ate. A few pub tables where guests can stand and eat shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Overall, I would definitely eat at Taqueria Del Lago again, the food was fresh and flavorful and really hit the spot. While I don’t foresee a change in dining furniture before the Cantina de San Angel reopens, I can hope that the type of menu offerings now found along the promenade make their way on to the Cantina’s regular menu.

Planning for the past

Planning for the past
Tony Caggiano

While we, admittedly, cannot plan for the past, we can take a look at how we planned in the past and today that is exactly what we are going to do.

Every year or so, the folks down at Walt Disney World offer a new vacation planning video to help visitors plan for their upcoming visits. While I may or may not require the assistance of these videos, I am always first on the list of recipients when a new video is offered. During a recent discussing on Facebook, I found that I was not alone in my love of the WDW Vacation Planning Video. Many people joined in the conversation and many of them had differing opinions on which “edition” of these videos they liked the most.

One video that had a lot of favorable comments was the planning video from 2005-2006, commemorating the Happiest Celebration on Earth, the celebration of the 50th birthday of Disney Parks Worldwide. This video has an upbeat tone and fast paced editing, and it is certainly one of my favorite editions. Not only does it do a great job in talking about new additions and offering, but it also offers suggestions on when, where, and how to plan a fantastic visit to Walt Disney World.

Whether a newbie to the world of Disney vacation planning, someone who is looking for tips to make the chore easier, a veteran vacationer looking for a bit more of that magic, or someone who is getting psyched up for an upcoming trip, these videos are a fantastic and free way to get a taste of the magic at home, both before and after a Walt Disney World vacation.

Members emeritus

Members emeritus
Ryan P. Wilson

This morning, we have a small, but imaginative, group sitting around the Gazette’s Roundtable. Pleasure Island, in its heyday, offered a variety of experiences for every guest who ventured out into the night. There is, perhaps, no one club that is looked back upon more fondly or well remembered than the Adventures Club. With most of Pleasure Island still sitting vacant, is it any wonder that we dream of what tomorrow could be like on the Pleasure compound? That is exactly what Chris Fore invited us to do when he presented the question below. If you have your own ideas, please feel free to post them in the comments!

Roundtable Topic: What would you like to see as a follow-up setting (time period, character type, theme, decor, etc.) for a new Adventurers Club?
Roundtable Guests: Matthew Sedlar (The geekTicket), Chris Fore (Yet Another Disney Blog), Greg Grimsley (The Disney Obsession), and myself.

Greg – Interesting question. One thing that struck me about the Adventurers Club in it previous incarnation was that it was a place that adventurers came to once the adventure was complete to tell of their exploits. What if the club was actually situated in the adventure; meaning why not place it among the lush rainforests, or on a tea plantation in Ceylon during the British Colonial era. In terms of Walt Disney World, this would place it somewhere near the Jungle Trek. Though the trek would incorporate a few Asian Elephants into the mix.

The club would be large and full of open spaces, especially on the tea plantation. Carpets, tropical vegetation, rattan furnishings, with an interior of dark woods and polished white marbles. Yes, there may be a library, but books would be scattered all about and within easy access. Drapes are gently moving to a light breeze. And, owing to its proximity to the jungle, a few animals and birds will be among the guests.

Hathaway, Pamelia, Samantha, et al, will continue to stop by and share of their days adventure; either tracking elephant, tigers, and so forth, but we may well finds the likes of a Hemingway type or perhaps some chap named Quartermain. Either way, with these gentlemen, the hunt is the thing, and they are sure to make a gift of some recent conquest to the head of the household. And who knows, with adventure just outside on the verandah, it may easily find itself inside with the blink of an eye.

The beverage of choice, why, cognac of course. “Remy, everyone!”

Matthew – Charles Muntz's Spirit of Adventure airship from Up. The time period would be while Muntz is still a world-renowned explorer. Two reasons for this: It would be impossible to get dogs as the wait staff, and Muntz's years spent in Paradise Falls might be a little too dark and creepy. The Muntz character could be charming and witty, but still show a little bit of the madness that later settles in. I could actually see Disney using a theme like this. They're always looking for ways to use successful Pixar properties inside and outside the parks.

Chris Fore – The time is 1947. We find ourselves on a small island in the Adriatic Sea, still trying to find it's place in post-war Europe. Although the local population has always done decent business playing host to a variety of local sea-pilots, recently the island became a port-of-call for cruise ships. These ships are bringing a never-ending parade of fresh faces (and money) to this once-sleepy island community.

Our setting for this evening is an American-style cafe - a favorite watering hole for both the cruise guests as well as an eccentric mix of ex-pat's, former G.I.'s, musicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and others. Some of these lively characters have stories to tell; tall tales of adventure, improbable anecdotes, or perhaps even a business proposition for those who are willing to seize the opportunity.

Our ship leaves port in the wee hours of the morning - but until then, why not stick around? The food is good, the libations are flowing, the music is lively, and the conversation even more so...

Ryan – I would love to see something in the vein of Rick's Café Américain, a place full of mystery, romance, and vultures everywhere. Live music, such as the works of Duke Ellington, The Andrews Sisters, Fats Waller, or Vera Lynn, could be performed throughout the main rooms, with smaller stories, including an ill-fated romance, shifty underworld dealings, or even a thief being conned by a better thief, taking place in the distant corners and tuck away rooms. For real entertainment, guest could venture in to the gambling room where, as it turns out, there isn’t any gambling going on at the moment, but there is a spectacle taking place that is sure to attract the attention of every person in the room. And what better way to end the evening, than with a raid, and closure of the Café, by the police.

Disney This Week - 28 March 2010

Disney This Week - 28 March 2010
Ryan P. Wilson

If you have come to love Walt Disney World in the past two decades, then you know about the Fife and Drum Corp in World Showcase. However, this was not the original version of the patriotic experience, as George Taylor related to readers of Imaginerding through a vintage postcard.

I love to get my haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street U.S.A. As it turns out, I can get the same experience in Disneyland Paris. Princess Fee shows off the Daper Dan’s Barber Shop, as well as some clever details, over at DF’82.

I have always loved the International Flower and Garden Festival. To be totally honest, it is one of the reasons I always do my research in the spring. So, it is without wonder as to why I love Tokyomagic!’s tour of Tokyo DisneySea 2008 Spring Carnival. You can follow along over at Meet the World by reading Part I, Part II, and Part III.

AJ will forget more about Disney Dining in her lifetime than most of us will ever know, and if she doesn’t know something, she knows where to get the answer. That is why it is so great to see her collaborate with her Disney Food Blog readers to come up with a fantastic collection of Disney Dining tips.

Some places in Walt Disney World you dine at for the food, some for the ambiance, and some for the entertainment. This week, Amanda Tinney takes Disney Every Day to a spot where you can have all three, Whispering Canyon Cafe.

I have long been a fan of night photography found at The Disney Obsession. In fact, Greg Grimsley is the one who inspired me to figure out how to take quality night pictures with my point-and-shoot.

Alice in Wonderland has been smashing the recent box office and Princess in the Frog has been released for home theathers, but the buzz this week should be revolving around the film that takes a look at Disney animation in the 1980s and 1990s. Scott Wolf, of D23, offers his review of Waking Sleeping Beauty.

VinylNation reports on the Passholder Preview of the new Vinylmation store, D Street. The preview is next Saturday, April 3. I am going to make sure to be there, even if it means arriving to Epcot a little later in the day.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, specifically the Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, take great pride in the history of Hollywood. Over at Studios Central, Matt Hochberg offers up a detailed look and the historical inspirations for Villains in Vogue.

Staying in the Studios, Lou Mongello takes WDW Radio on the road as he scours the park for Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ best snack.

Every week, there is a ton of great stories coming out of the Disney Parks Blog. In case you missed it, Jackie Ogden reveals details behind the rescue and rehabilitation effort for sea turtles caught in the abnormal cold this winter offered up.

I will be in Walt Disney World the next two weekends, but fear not, Disney This Week will still make its appearance on Sunday mornings. Although the article list may not be as extensive as it usually is, it will still be available for your weekend viewing.

Also, if you’d like to follow along on my adventures I will be sending pictures and updates to Twitter. Be sure you are following along, because you never know what I’ll see or who I’ll run into!

This way to spectacular

This way to spectacular
Ryan P. Wilson

Directional signs, whether to tell you how to find the nearest restroom or how to get to a given land or attraction, are crucial to the flow of traffic in a space. Using carefully selected fonts and adding details to these signs enhance their attractiveness and allow them to seamlessly integrate into their environment. No park does this with more flair than Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Take, for example, this large directional sign that lives in the heart of Asia, near Yak and Yeti, Kali River Rapids, and the path to Expedition Everest.At first glance, it appears to be a collection of signs that have been bolted onto a lamppost, some of them in a rather precarious fashion. What makes these signs intriguing, however, is not the level of authenticity to signs found in real world Asian marketplaces, it is the mixture of locations found in the Asia of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and businesses created to further the backstory of Anandapur. Starting at the top, an exploration of each piece of the sign reveals the following.

Seven Summits – A mountain trekking service that does not actually exist within the park. Expanding beyond the borders of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, however, and we can find Frank Wells’ window on Main Street is for Seven Summit Expedition. Seven Summit Expeditions is a reference to his desire to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Bat Cliffs of Anandapur – Can be viewed along the Maharajah Jungle Trek trail, specifically from the Community Hall.

Public Telephone and Restrooms – Both actually exist, in the guise of the structure housing a bathing fountain, and can be found near the entrance to the Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Maharajah Jungle Trek – Bats, tigers, and birds, oh my! If you’re not sure where this actually exists, just follow the big red arrow.

Kali River Rapids and Kali Rapids Expedition – Kali River Rapids is the attraction, but Kali Rapids Expedition is the company that is home to Kali River Rapids. Their offices can be ventured through in the queue for the wet rafting journey.

Anandapur Rail Service – Home to the former Royal Anandapur Tea Company, the Anandapur Rail Service, and its route from Serka Zong to all points beyond, has been put back into service by Himalayan Escapes, otherwise known as Expedition Everest.

Anandapur Woodcarving – While not a place you can visit, the idea planted here is that there are handicrafts and a cultural identity to be found in Anandapur.

Bi-Cycle On Hire – When thinking of transportation in Asia, more often than not thoughts turn to the lasting images of the pedaling people. Bikes have, for a very long time, been the transport of the masses, and can be found all throughout the Asia of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Himalayan Escapes – Tied to the Anandapur Rail Service above, Himalayan Escapes is the company that dares to challenge the Forbidden Mountain and its occupant with their excursion known as Expedition Everest.

Flying Yak – Until Disney’s Animal Kingdom creates a prop plane adventure for Asia, this company only serves to showcase how modernized the area is.

Manam Travel and Tours (P) Ltd. – With so many vast wild places to explore in and around Anandapur, it is no wonder that the there are multiple travel groups in the area. This one, however, cannot be found within the borders to help you plan your next trek.

Shangri-La Trekker’s Inn & Internet Café – While a physical building located near Himalayan Escapes/Expedition Everest does exist with this name, the only piece of the building we can visit is the public restrooms.

Brightest, sharpest, most colorful pictures

Brightest, sharpest, most colorful pictures
Ryan P. Wilson

A while back we took to the old photo trail of the Magic Kingdom in 1972. The exploration utilized a 1972 guidemap, complete with icons denoting the stops on the photo trail, and visited the same locations today to see what views were offered. This journey seemed so successful, that I thought another tour was due, this time into EPCOT Center in its early years, namely 1984.

Why 1984, you may ask? Honestly, in my personal opinion, 1984 is a very precise point in the evolution of EPCOT Center. Both Future World and World Showcase still had pavilions to be constructed. Horizons, what many believe to be the pinnacle of the Future World discussion, due to the fact that it touches upon every theme in the remainder of Future World, had just opened. The Living Seas and the Wonders of Life pavilions were both years away from their release, although The Living Seas was previewed on the map itself. Morocco was also previewed in the Spring 1984 map, as it was mere months away from opening. Elsewhere in World Showcase, Norway Outpost, and International Gateway were still awaiting their openings.As for the tour of the Kodak Photo Spots, as Walt Disney World had moved away from GAF and towards Kodak since 1972, it is difficult to track some of the spots due to their confusing placement on the map. Examples include Italy being left off of the large map but included in the detailed map of Italy, the appearance that Universe of Energy and Horizons shared a common Photo Spot, and the placement of a two spots that looks to be setting up odd shots, including a picture for France from across the bridge but is on the wrong side of the bridge (I took the liberty of moving to the other side of the bridge for this shot) and another across the waterway from what would be The Living Seas that either was meant for a long shot of Future World West or the construction of The Living Seas (I chose to snap a picture of The Seas in this instance). As could be expected, most of the spots have held up over time, especially in World Showcase. In some case, also not surprisingly, new buildings and foliage have enveloped the original vista, but that didn’t stop me from taking the picture anyway.

Enough of my chatter, let’s take a walk, shall we? Oh, and be sure to have your cameras ready!

Off Menu Dining: Widowmaker Fries

Off Menu Dining: Widowmaker Fries
Tony Caggiano

You might be asking yourself, what in the world is “off menu dining?” And you are not wrong to do so, reason being…I made it up!

With so many dining options in Walt Disney World one would assume that there was more than enough to keep a person happy, gastronomically speaking. Myself, personally, will never likely be satisfied. Not in a bad way mind you, but I will always be looking for something new, something different. That’s how off menu dining came to be.

It began during a trip to Walt Disney World in 1998 or so. My cousin, James, and I were looking for a bite to eat, but with SpectroMagic about to begin, we didn’t want to sit down and miss the parade, so we figured we would grab a quick bite. Figuring it would be easier to not have a plate to hold I ordered a large order of fries, as back in those days a side of fries came in a large cup, similar to one which popcorn comes in at your local movie theater. Cup o’ fries in hand, I proceeded across the restaurant to get some condiments. As I was just about to add a squirt of ketchup to my fries I was overcome with the delicious aromas of sautéed mushrooms and onions from the fixin’s bar… this is when it struck me.

A cup o’ fries sounded nice, but I was really hungry. “What if I was to add some of them fixin’s to my fries,” I thought. I mentioned this to my cousin, who was about 18 at the time and prone to eating anything that wasn’t nailed down, and he thought that it was a great idea. Never one to do anything half way, I told him that if we are going to do this, let’s do it right and add all of the condiments to our fries.

That’s just what we did, and thus Widowmaker Fries were born!

I chose to name them this for two reasons. One, as many people may know, Widowmaker is the name of Pecos Bill’s horse. Secondly, the name just fit. Since that fateful trip twelve years ago, each and every trip to Walt Disney World has been blessed with the presence of Widowmaker Fries.

While they might not be for everyone, it is important to note that they are a Walt Disney World tradition in our family. You are more than welcome to partake of the Widowmaker Fries and even add them to your own list of traditions, but first and foremost the important thing here is to have traditions.

I have included my official-unofficial recipe below, so that those brave souls who wish to give them a try may do so. But, please, do not call them Widowmakers if you do not follow the recipe to the letter... that would just be wrong!

WIDOWMAKER FRIES

Directions:

First thing you will need is the fries. Since Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn Café no longer offers their fries in a cup, you will need to get them on a plate. If you plan to use the fries which accompany your burger, ask for an additional plate… you’re gonna need it.

Once your fries are on a plate of their very own, you should proceed to the Fixin’s Bar. While I will not list ingredients here, the important thing to know about Widowmaker Fries is this, in order for them to qualify you must add each and every item offered on the fixin’s bar. On the particular day these fries were photographed, they happened to have a fine offering of fixin’s available. These Widowmakers include: shredded lettuce, tomato, salsa, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed onions, shredded cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, olives, peppers, pickles and nacho cheese sauce.