WDW Daily News

October 1st 1982 marked, as Disney branded it, the beginning of the 21st century. With the opening of EPCOT Center the world was introduced to the views of tomorrow in the eyes of several industries. But the world was given something else as well. Spanning an impressive 1.2 miles around the 40 Acre World Showcase Lagoon, World Showcase brought together 9 different countries, giving them the opportunity to display their culture, cuisine, and favorite sights to the thousands of guests which would visit this park during its first year. In that first year, plans to expand the park were announced, and some other discussed attractions and pavilions were mentioned, but most of these never left the drawing board. And those that did only made it to the modal stage. 32 years later, only 2 pavilions have been added to World Showcase, neither of which were planned before opening day. Although Norway and Morocco have delighted guests since the early 90’s adding to the wealth of International flavor brought by original 9 pavilions, space remains for an additional 6 pavilions around the lagoon. So what happened to these forgotten attractions? And what were some of the imagineers original ideas for the parks? Come along with us now as we journey to discover these, the “Lost Worlds” of Epcot.

Visitors walking the Showcase opening day were promised 3 new pavilions and one of those was Israel, “The Land of the Bible”. Guests viewing the sign or guide maps would be greeted by this description of the Israel pavilion to come. “The Menorah, symbol of the state of Israel, stands at a courtyard center, surrounded by the buildings reflecting the rich balance of new and old.” From this we can assume the pavilion would reflect the view of then current day Israel and then the description goes on to discuss proposed dining and attractions . “Walk through ancient Jerusalem to an amphitheater to hear performances of both classical and fork music. Sample native dishes under the shade of olive and cypress trees in the Israel pavilion.” Many guest were excited to see this pavilion come to the Showcase but as with most others, its downfall came in the form of no major sponsor.

The Walt Disney Company hoped the governments of these countries would sponsor these pavilions however that never happened. There has only been one county that has sponsored its pavilion. Morocco’s ruler sent artisans, architects, and other craftsmen’s to create a Morocco in Florida that is close to the real thing as possible.

The proposed Spain pavilion one of the more anticipated locations for the Showcase. With the already Euro-centric Showcase displaying most of Europe’s major powers, Spain seemed like an obvious addition. The guide map started by describing Spain’s attractions. “Take a spectacular journey through Spain by dil to little known and out-of-the-way vacation Eden’s. A ride attraction captures the county’s passionate heritage and spirit in her arts.” With 2 attractions the Spain pavilion would have been unique in Showcase. And like all other Showcase pavilions, it wouldn’t be complete without shopping and dinning experiences. “In a waterside, restaurant, indulge in taps, or Spanish-style finger food—a blend of varied ingredients but suitable to simple tastes. And browse the market places of striking contrast, from pueblo village to aristocratic opulence.” As wonderful as this pavilion would have been, again it was the victim of no sponsor. Although we have recently gained a glimpse of this promos with the addition of “Spice Road Table”, the tapas resultant on the waterside in Morocco.

During the TV special “EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration” there is a segment with Host Danny Kaye meets “Roots” author Alex Haley in a spot of land in the World Showcase. From what we can tell this is spot of land between China and Germany. During their discussion Mr. Haley brings up one of the most well know “Lost Worlds” of Epcot, the Equatorial Africa pavilion. This pavilion was going to be the first to represent, more than one county. Again guests were greeted by a sign and guide map description of this pavilion. “The Equatorial Africa pavilion takes you on a safari through a world of natural beauty and adventure. You’ll view the drama of wild animals from the safety of a giant Cailcedra tree.” Sounds like EPCOT was going to have live animals, yes years before Animal Kingdom was ever thought of, Disney was exploring the idea of a venture into the animal kingdom. The description goes on to depict the pavilion as, “You’ll feel the electrifying energy of the “Heartbeat of Africa” show and sway to the jungle beat of the music and dance. Alex Haley, noted author of Roots, is your host for “Africa Rediscovered”, an adventure uncovering Africa’s ancient cultural heritage.” The pavilion was planned to be opened 1 year after the opening of EPCOT Center in 1983 however, again with limited funding, and no major sponsor the planned pavilion never left the model stage.

There have been a few other announcements and concepts over the years that those who saw them wondered where they went. Prior to the opening of the Norway pavilion in 1988 it was discussed for all the countries of the North Sea including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, would join together in what would be know as the Scandinavia pavilion. In the end Norway investors came up with the needed money to create the pavilion on their own and this Norway at Epcot was born. In the 1972 Annual Investor Report, concept art for a Venezuela pavilion featuring a sky ride past historic Angle Falls impressed those who saw it. In the 1990’s concept art for a Russia pavilion surfaced. The plans for this recreation of the largest eastern European county included replicas of Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square in Moscow. Attractions included a sled ride through the Russian scenery, and a ride through retelling of the Russian folk story “The Fish and the Fool”. There were also some proposed attractions for pavilions that did come into existence. For instance, in Germany and Japan there are show buildings meant to house 2 unique experiences. In Germany, a plan for a Rhine River Cruise featuring scenes of the sweeping vistas one may see on an actually river cruise there. Again no major sponsor was found for the Germany pavilion and thus no river cruise ever made it. As for Japan, the show build was constructed for a ride similar to the Matterhorn in Disneyland. The Mount Fuji roller coaster would have brought thrill attractions to World Showcase and Epcot. After protest from the Eastman Kodak company, the official photography sponsor at the time, that Fuji would make people think of their largest competitor as well as limited resources, the idea was cut, even though from aerial shots the building can still be seen where the ride would have existed.

Walt said, “I would rather entertain people and hope they learn something from it.” His focus with Epcot, and the focus of those imaginers who took his vision and brought us what we know and love today was all centered around this thought. Even though we may not have the chance to explore these “Lost Worlds”, Epcot continues to wow guests with its unique blend of cultures and cuisines 32 years later. And as we continue through the 21st century, we can only wait and see how the creative minds at Disney will surprise us next.

Everyone has been writing about their experiences in the parks and such, while I can’t document my experiences until December, I’ve had to find a diversity of things to write about. I was in a bit of a slump this week until my sister asked me to play a game. And not just any game, Disney Headbands. It’s insanely fun for a game whose demographic age range is ages 10 and under.

It might just be that my sister is hilarious playing it, but we’ve sat it up on the floor about 5 times in the last few days. However, we do play it a different way than the instructions on the box. Instead of asking the questions to get your clues about the characters on your headband, the other players have to give you clues to your character. With my family it usually ends up being clues filled with quotes in butchered accents of the characters, songs from the movies, and reenactments of scenes from the movies. “Fin, Noggin, Dude” coming up several times.

Disney Headbands is a staple for any family who has any knowledge about any Disney Movie. And although there aren’t a vast amount of character cards to guess from, they can easily be made with cardboard or paper to update it or add favorites. I can’t stress enough how much I love this game and how I can’t wait to bring it on our vacation, maybe I can get some of the characters to autograph our cards!

One of my favorite parts about Walt Disney World is the massive amount of people, which is odd considering the fact that I usually hate crowds. However, there’s something thrilling about knowing that there’s literally people from all around the world in the same place as me, experiencing the same magic that I am. Maybe it’s because I’m a small-town girl, or maybe I just like the thought that I can share Disney with so many other people, but I genuinely love to simply sit and watch the people pass by.

Even more exciting is actually striking up a conversation with someone. There’s something bittersweet about knowing that you will, most likely, never see this person again in your lifetime, but you can enjoy the time that you have together right now. My mom and I had this experience with an Irish family while we were waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade one night on our most recent WDW trip. The discussion started with a comment about funnel cakes, and by the time the parade started we were chatting like we were old neighbors. I found myself watching the reactions of our new friends more than the characters floating by, and I honestly didn’t want the parade end because I knew that we would inevitably have to say goodbye. When the time came, I actually felt like crying.

The next time you find yourself waiting for a bus, standing in line for an attraction, marking your spot for a parade, whatever, try making a new friend. It’s funny how much you can find that you have in common with a total stranger. So much, in fact, that while it might just be coincidence, I like to think of it as the magic of Disney. The best part is that even though you might not see your Disney pal again, you’ll always have the memory of them. I know that whenever I pass by our Frontierland parade spot, I’ll always think of a certain Irish family that made our trip extra special just by giving us their company.

Last year I took a whirlwind two week trip to Disney World. I stayed at the Art of Animation hotel and for the first time ever I used the Disney Dining plan! First off let me say that prior to that trip I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a dining plan but oh my goodness it changed my life, but that’s an article for another day! Because I had the dining plan I was able to visit a ton of the amazing restaurants that Disney World has to offer. But the two I get asked the most about are Cinderella’s Royal Tables and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Since I’ve been to both places I thought I’d give a slight rundown of both!

Akershus is in the Norway Pavillion in Epcot. When my friend and I arrived we were about 15 minutes early for our reservation but they showed us right in with no problem. It worked out perfect because the first thing you do when you walk in is meet Belle! Now I have to say I was SO SUPER EXCITED to see her, because when you meet her there, she meets in her yellow ballgown. It was shortly after her new dress was revealed so I was more excited than every little girl in the queue to see her. At the time there was a photopass photographer there to take pictures of us and she signed my autograph book. Best start to breakfast ever. Once we were seated, our server brought us our drinks and then we were able to go to the buffet. It had some traditional Norwegian options, but it also had standard American breakfast items. I got to try smoked salmon there for the first time…I didn’t love it but I was pretty stoaked to get to try something new! About 10 minutes into our meal the princesses started to appear. On my trip we met Snow White, Ariel, Aurora on this particular day. I have been told you can sometimes meet Jasmin and Mulan there as well. I loved the interaction. They spent a good bit of time with each family and in the middle they do the sweetest little processional with all the little kids present. I was well pleased with Akershus. It was a really enjoyable experience and for my first princess meal at Disney World I was pretty pumped!

Later in my trip I made the trek over to Cinderella’s Castle to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table. I also dined their for breakfast so my experiences at both princess meals were in the morning. My reservation was for 8 am and we were at park entrance at about 7:30 am. Because it was before park open it does take a little bit more to get into the park so I would recommend getting there a little early if you can- not to mention if you do have a reservation before park open mainstreet is pretty empty. So me and my friend stopped at EVERY photopass photographer going up mainstreet to get pictures…because we are nerds haha. When we finally arrived after our impromptu photo session, we checked and we headed off to meet the head princess in charge Cinderella! We had our photos taken and we headed off for breakfast. It was a standard sit down meal with a menu. I went for steak and eggs- which was filet mignon and fried egg. It was delicious, but not a standard breakfast option. Everything there was really quite fancy as it should have been I mean we were eating in a castle! The princesses were announced as they arrived which I thought was so sweet! There I met Aurora, Snow White, Jasmin, and Ariel. I didn’t get to spend as much time with each princess but I personally was okay with that because I had already met them elsewhere. If you are looking to spend a solid amount of time with the ladies CRT might not be the place for you. I really enjoyed eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table! My photos and my take away magic wand were absolutely precious so it was well worth it to make the trip there!

But here’s my advice- While Cinderella’s Royal Table is spectacular I would recommend Akershus Royal Banquet instead. Cinderella’s Royal Table is something I would do for the experience, but not to really enjoy the meal, or even the characters because I really didn’t get to spend a lot of time with them. At Akershus I left very very full, and I spent a great deal of time with each princess which means the most to me. That said both are spectacular but I definitely have a favorite! Tell me guys- have you been to both? Which is your favorite? I’d love to hear!

Check out the photo of the week by Stacy Degaro featuring Roy Disney and Minnie Statues at Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom.

It’s hard to believe that September is just around the corner and that means that it’s high time to figure out what I’ll be wearing at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! “Dressing up? That’s for kids!” you say. I assure you I thought the same thing…once.

The first time I went to MNNSSHP I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was staying at the Wilderness Lodge and come around 6:00 I made my way to the boat dock for the ride over to the Magic Kingdom. There were several of the obligatory pirates and princesses on board, and a few parents wearing mouse ears, logo wear and the like. I didn’t feel too out of place since I was not in costume.

Next stop was the Fort Wilderness boat dock. These folks are some serious Disney devotees! As we approached I look out to see pirates, princesses, adult Woody AND Buzz, a couple, well into their retirement years dressed as Minnie and Mickey. Everyone was in full costume, some Disney, many not but ALL were decked out to the 9’s! Now I felt like I was missing out on something.

As I entered the turnstiles, there was a convergence of all sorts of characters, young and old, some still in strollers. Some guests were in street wear, and others with elaborate costumes. The ambience was amazing as fog machines belched out thick plumes of sweet smelling smoke. The music and lighting cast an eerie spell over the park, but not too intense as to not frighten little ones.

I was alone this trip and yes, I went trick or treating just like everyone else. It really was like being a kid again and took me back to my days of roaming Hasson Heights on Halloween with my friends as we tore from house to house with pillowcases full of treats. My mind was made up that night that this would be an annual event for me and I was going to dress up for thenext occasion!

The following year I attended again but this time with a cast member friend of mine and we went as Pinocchio and Geppetto in costumes I threw together. We met more people, and were asked to pose for more photos than you can imagine. We were joined up with another Pinocchio, three Hogwart’s wizards and a Mad Hatter. We had a blast, starting off as strangers and ending the night as friends.

If you have not had the opportunity to attend this special, ticketed event, I highly recommend you set time aside to do so. This really is what they mean by Disney magic. When you can suddenly be transformed back to your youth, or go trick or treating with your child AS a child, there’s not a ticket price for that. It’s a great way to interact with fellow guests and the cast members get very personal and interactive.

The Mickey’s Boo To You Parade and Hallowishes Fireworks are unique to the experience and as always are sure to please everyone in your party. Oh, and if you don’t get your treat bag quite full making your way around the park…ask nicely on the way out and they’re usually more than happy to top you off!

As summer draws nearer to a close, it is just getting hotter and hotter outside! Many people love to visit the parks during this time of year, but it is absolutely necessary to take precautions so that you do not experience heat exhaustion or sun poisoning. First, you need to make sure to drink lots and lots of water. You may think that you have consumed enough, but you should drink some more! Many people try to hydrate themselves with iced coffee or soft drinks, but these beverages only make you more dehydrated, which leads to heat related problems.

As a cast member, I am outside many days for 10 or 11 hours, so I always drink bottles and bottles of water as well as some sort of low sugar/low calorie sports beverage with my lunch. It is also important to protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen as well as a hat. I always apply sunscreen every morning as well as wear a large straw hat to block the harsh rays of the sun. If you can avoid being outside during the hotter parts of the day, then do so. If you are on vacation, spend some time relaxing in your room or even at the pool. However, if you do go for a dip, make sure to re-apply sunscreen frequently. I have also found that shirts made out of fabric that is created specifically to keep you cool can also help. Many of these shirts are also infused with UV protection to help with the sun.

Carrying a parasol or an umbrella can also help shield you from the sun. Some of the most impacted people during the summer are young children and the elderly or just anyone who is not used to the intense Florida heat. Don’t push yourself to keep moving if you are starting to feel sick or your head is starting to hurt. At that point, you have become too dehydrated, and it is time to take a break. Many people don’t realize it until it is too late, and they are already suffering from heat exhaustion or sunstroke. With this in mind, any Disney restaurant, be it quick service or table service will be happy to give cups of ice water free of charge. All you have to do is ask!

If you start to feel the effects from the heat, make sure to ask for help from a cast member; anyone who works at Disney will be more than happy to help you, and they can direct you to a cool place to sit. With temperatures soaring well over 100 degrees lately, I cannot stress how important it is to stay well hydrated and protected from the sun! Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

I have a confession to make… I am completely Disney- obsessed. I own entirely too many rodent themed clothing items for any self-respecting 40 year old mother of two and my house is beginning to feel a bit like a shrine to the Mouse. I cry every time I hear Wishes, even if I am sitting on my couch listening to Mouse World Radio. To most of my family and friends, it is hard to understand why I have such a strong connection to “a little kids’ park”. “Why do you want to go there AGAIN?? Aren’t you sick of it?” My answer, like that of so many of my fellow Disney kin, is a resounding “NO”.

My affection for Disney began when I was a teen, with an ever-growing appreciation of both classic Disney animated features (Lady and the Tramp was my first Disney love) and later the “new” classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. I became fascinated with Walt Disney, the man, and the history behind the company. Although I had been to Walt Disney World once as a 6-year-old child, I was not even close to prepared for what I would feel when I visited for the first time as a young adult.

The year was 1998 when my husband and I took our first trip, and on the risk of sounding dramatic, it was truly a vacation that changed my life (yep, that’s dramatic, all right!). I distinctly remember stepping off of that Disney bus in front of the Magic Kingdom. Standing there in front of the floral Mickey and looking up at the train station, my heart pounding and the butterflies dancing in my stomach, I knew instantly that something had just begun. That moment was the true birth of a love affair that has only deepened over the years.

Walt Disney World became our young family’s go-to spot for fun and the making of lasting family memories. Both of my daughters’ first airplane rides were to MCO, with one being only 4 months old on her first trip. WDW was our “thing” as my then- 5 year old described to her kindergarten teacher. I watched my babies grow to toddlers, then preschoolers, then to confident young girls with Cinderella Castle as their backdrop. Although we could never go to WDW as often as I wished, the once-yearly trip was enough to stave off my Disney blues.
As much as it pains me to report, the Disney pull started to wane for my husband a few years ago. He began to feel as if he had “seen it all” and became more interested in seeing other new, exciting places for our family vacations (I know! The travesty!). This has been a devastating turn of events for me, as my Disney love has only grown. Although my husband may not love WDW as much as he used to, he does love me- he gave me the most amazing gift of an annual pass for my last birthday! My WDW trips look a little different now, with a few solo jaunts stuck in between trips with my family, but I am adjusting.

Why do I love Walt Disney World so deeply? WDW is a place like no other that I have experienced. From the moment I drive under those iconic gates, I am immersed in a world that is both fantasy and a sort of reality perfected. My worries melt away. For just a while, I can be free of the craziness of “normal” life, with its endless driving, forgotten lunches, annoying co-workers, lost shoes, and sick dogs. For me, the draw is not really the attractions. Don’t get me wrong, I love a soggy plunge down Splash Mountain or a flight over California as much as the next girl. I enjoy each attraction for its inherent merit. I find the magic, however, in the moments between the attractions; in the small, more hidden, intricate details that can easily go unseen in the mad dash down Main Street or the hunt for that perfect spot to wait for Illuminations. In the immaculately themed street lights and marquees.

In the smell of freshly popped popcorn, or the musty water of the Pirates of the Caribbean. In the look of amazement in the eyes of a young girl with a fresh lipstick mark on her check from her meeting with Ariel. In the taste of a Nutella and fruit waffle sandwich while watching the late Main Street Electrical Parade. In the cast members, who work hard every single day to make each guest’s experience magical. They truly are the stars of the show- without them, there would be no “most magical place on Earth”.

Is Walt Disney World perfect? No. It only takes a quick look around on a hot, July afternoon to quickly see the weariness on parents’ faces; sunburn, blistered feet, whining children, ridiculously long lines, and high prices can quickly take the sails out of the best laid plans. It might even be true that WDW isn’t for everyone. In my opinion, however, the good far outweighs the bad. Even on the worst Disney day, it is still a Disney day. The magic is still there- it might just take a harder look to find it right under the surface.

So I will continue to make my pilgrimage as often as I can, like so many others. My time at Walt Disney World is my time to recharge. The magic innate to this special place feels like a sustaining life force. When I drive through those gates, my soul is at peace and my heart is bursting. That’s why for me, and for fellow Disney lovers everywhere, a trip to my beloved Walt Disney World is not just a vacation- it’s a way of life.

And in case you are wondering, yes, I have been drinking the kool-aid. And loving every sip.

With every event in your life, whether it’s good or bad, leaves an impressionable memory. Memories can fade in and out at random times, however the memories that last are always the 1st impressions because those are the times you talk about the most. Spending your vacation at Walt Disney World is no different. I would like to share with you the 1st memory I have with my very 1st visit to the World.

For those of you who don’t believe in magic, take a trip to Walt Disney World for a change of heart. I was once a skeptic. I believed that the saying, “The Most Magical Place on Earth!” was simply a myth…That is until my very first visit!

In February 2007, my wife, 3 children and I, decided it was time we took our first real family vacation, and the top spot on our list was Walt Disney World. Now planning your first vacation can be frustrating, but just pretend you’re Santa Claus…make a list and check it twice…or 3 – 4 times just to be sure. In our case, it was more like 14 times.

Words can’t express how excited my whole family was for this trip. Finally the day has come. From Pittsburgh to Orlando we go. This was pretty much a 2 for 1 deal because this was also are first trip by airplane. Counting down the hours, the minutes, the seconds. We’ve landed. Already we’re amazed, just by the seemingly Disney themed portion of the airport where we await the Disney Magical Express. On the bus trip to our hotel, we were also greeted by a video from the Disney characters themselves, which made me feel nostalgic. Knowing that we’ll be there soon, made our hearts race with anticipation. The bus arrives at the All-Star Movie Resort, 101 Dalmatians to be exact. We go to our room, just briefly, to view and awe over the decor. We then immediately proceed to the line to wait for a bus to transport us to the Magic Kingdom.

What’s so magical about this you ask? Well, wouldn’t you believe that while we were in line for the shuttle it begins to rain. Much disappointment covered our faces , as well as the others in line. The bus arrives and my saddened family, along with several other grumpy (no pun intended) faces boarded. All the way there, the rain seemed to get harder and harder. I tried to stay optimistic because, HEY…it’s Disney World. Whether it’s raining or snowing, we’re going to have a good time. The shuttle driver announces we will be arriving in just a moment. We look out of the window…our bodies shaking with excitement…we see the sign.

The sign ahead reads, “MAGIC KINGDOM”. We made it, despite the rain, we were going to have the time of our lives…and then it happened. As we passed under the “MAGIC KINGDOM” sign, the rain instantly stopped. It was an amazing and memorable moment for my family. At that moment, I believed…we believed in magic.
The one thing I have learned from this experience, is to, always stay positive! Even when the rain starts…the sun is always shining somewhere. And even if it kept raining…It would be better to be in Disney while it’s raining then working in the sun!

I have twelve tattoos, five of which are Disney related (with several more planned in the future.) I generally receive compliments on my artwork, but I also encounter condescending comments. My favorite is “Wow… you must really like Disney.” This comment makes me feel more judged than if someone blatantly tells me my tattoos disgust them. I don’t know why it irks me so much. I think it the patronizing tone or the implication that my art work is immature.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you don’t like my work you don’t have to say anything. The truth is I wear what I love, and my tattoos are for me and only me. Disney has been such a huge part of my life that I wanted it to be on me forever. I know any tattoo is an invitation to disapproval, but I don’t want to be called childish because I carry permanent artwork of something that is very dear to me. You should never judge a book by its cover; or a person by their seemingly childish tattoos.

So how do I respond to negative comments? I usually just smile and walk away, but sometimes I take it a bit further. Sometimes I share a piece of the tattoos meaning. This simple action of personally opening up to a stranger has changed how some people react to me. The best example I have is my tattoo that says “You are my sunshine” with a classic Winnie the Pooh. The handwriting is my mom’s and she’s called me Pooh for as long as I can remember. I’ve seen people’s faces totally change after hearing the background. Another positive story, one time I was given V.I.P. seating at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular just because the Cast Member really liked one of my tattoos.

I’m going to wrap this up now by proudly saying yes I do have Disney tattoos. No I do not think they’re childish, and I will never regret them! Do you have Disney tattoos? How do you handle any negative feedback? I’d love to see your art and hear your stories. Hit me up on Twitter @hoodie_life.