enjoy the magic of celebrations · enjoy the magic of walt disney world all year long with...
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Enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World all year long with Celebrations magazine!Receive 6 issues for $29.99* (save more than 15% off the cover price!)*U.S. residents only. To order outside the United States, please visit www.celebrationspress.com.
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On the Cover: The Wilderness Lodge lobby, photo by Barrie Brewer
ContentsLetters ..........................................................................................6
Calendar of Events .............................................................7
Disney News & Updates................................................. 8
MOUSE VIEWS ......................................................... 15
Guide to the Magic
by Tim Foster............................................................................16
Explorer Emporium
by Lou Mongello .....................................................................18
Hidden Mickeys
by Steve Barrett .....................................................................20
Disney Style
by Cara Goldsbury................................................................ 22
Photography Tips & Tricks
by Tim Devine .........................................................................24
Pin Trading & Collecting
by John Rick .............................................................................2 6
Travel Tips
by Beci Mahnken ...................................................................28
FEATURED ATTRACTION
Spaceship Earth ................................................................30
FEATURED RESORT
Disney’s Contemporary Resort .............................34
Quick Quiz.............................................................................. 68
Lou Mongello’s Wayback Machine .....................70
By the Numbers ..................................................................71
In Search of...Pluto ........................................................... 72
Kids Korner ........................................................................... 74
Mystery Quest: Adventureland ............................78
Tim & Lou’s Top 10 ........................................................... 80
Unwrapping the Magic: Holidays
in the Parks
40
Volume 1 • Number 2
44
48
52
5660
66
A Christmas Tour of the Resorts
Holidays Around the World at
World Showcase
A Very Walt Christmas
Holiday Magic Beyond the Parks
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing
Lights
Music by Candlelight
2 · Celebrations
This is a joyous time of year, the time of year when we celebrate the wonder of the holidays with
family and friends. For those of us who remember staying up all night listening for reindeer on the
roof, driving through the neighborhood looking at all the lights and decorations, or setting out
that perfect dish of milk and cookies on Christmas Eve , the holidays are a magical time indeed.
You might think that a trip to Florida wouldn’t be keeping in the holiday spirit (after all, it’s hard
to keep a snowman comfortably chilled in the Florida sun!), but many of my fondest holiday
memories have taken place at Walt Disney World, or they have at least had a Disney connection.
That should come as no surprise. The holidays are a magical time, and there isn’t a
more magical place than Walt Disney World. Where else can you watch snow falling—even when
it’s 70 degrees outside? Where else could you enjoy a piping hot cup of cocoa under the glow of
a shimmering castle? Whether you’re at the Magic Kingdom enjoying the festive decorations
on Main Street, U.S.A., exploring the joy of the holidays across the globe in World Showcase, or
cuddling up in front of a crackling fire at the Wilderness Lodge, experiencing the holidays at Walt
Disney World is something you will never forget. It is with that spirit in mind that we present our
first holiday edition of Celebrations. Join us as we explore, in true pixie-dust style, all of the magic
and wonderment that comes around at this special time of year. From the parks and resorts to
the special shows and fond memories, we’ll take a look at all of the things that make the holiday
season such a special time of year at the most magical place on Earth.
Looking ahead, we have lots more magic in store in our upcoming issues. We will have Part 2
of Lou’s interview with Richard M. Sherman, where he shares how some of the greatest songs in
Disney history were created, and we’ll also take a look at tributes to closed attractions that you
can find throughout the parks (and we’ll have some more surprises along the way!).
Enjoy!
Tim Foster
Happy Holidays Everyone!
3 · Celebrations
EditorsTim Foster • Lou Mongello
Contributing WritersSteve Barrett
Cara GoldsburyTim DevineJim Korkis
Beci Mahnken John Rick
Jennifer Bright ReichRay HarknessGlenn WhelanPat Whitson
Associate EditorsJennifer Bright Reich • Catherine Lusby
Creative Direction and DesignTim Foster
Associate Art DirectorMichelle Foster
Contributing PhotographersTim Devine, Tim Foster, Barrie Brewer, Lou Mongello, Glenn Whelan, Pat Whitson
Editorial and Advertising Offices:PO Box 584 • Uwchland, PA 19480 • www.celebrationspress.com
Basic subscription rate is $29.99 for six issues ($35.99 for Canada residents, $54.99 for other international residents). To subscribe online visit www.celebrationspress.com. Single issue price is $5.99. All orders must be prepaid and are pay-able in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Celebrations Press, ATTN: Subscriptions, PO Box 584 • Uwchland, PA 19480. SUBSCRIBERS: If the postal service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.
Advertising inquiries (including information on advertising rates and opportunities) can be sent to:[email protected]
We are always accepting story proposals and contributions. You can direct such inquiries to:[email protected]. Unsolicited materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. By sending in unsolicited materials such as photos, you agree that Celebrations Press is not responsible for their safety or return.
©2008 Celebrations Press, Inc. Celebrations is published six times a year in the U.S. by Celebrations Press, Inc. No por-tion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. Statements and opinions herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Celebrations is owned and operated by Celebrations Press, Inc. and is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates.Walt Disney World Resort® is a registered trademark of The Walt Disney Company. The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. This publication makes reference to various Disney copyrighted characters, trademarks, marks, and registered marks owned by The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., and other trademark own-ers. The use in this book of trademarked names and images is strictly for editorial purposes, no commercial claim to their use, or suggestion of sponsorship or endorsement, is made by the authors or publishers. Those words or terms that the authors have reason to believe are trademarks are designated as such by the use of initial capitaliza-tion, where appropriate. However, no attempt has been made to identify or designate all words or terms to which trademark or other proprietary rights may exist. Nothing contained herein is intended to express a judgement on, or affect the validity of legal status of, any word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary mark.While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the passage of time will always bring changes in operating schedules, attraction openings and closings, and policies. The authors and publisher shall not be held liable for any information (valid or invalid) presented here and do not represent The Walt Disney Company.
4 · Celebrations
Leaving the world behind—the “real” world, not Walt Disney World, of course. That’s one of the
things that I believe offers such wonderful appeal about visiting the Disney Parks. While you may
get that same type of “disconnected” feeling while lying on a beach, hiking in the mountains, or
even riding your bike, nothing seems to provide such a transformation as when you take those
first steps into the Magic Kingdom, walk down Sunset Boulevard, stroll the promenade of World
Showcase, or explore Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Admit it (it’s okay, you’re among friends here); you smile just a little bit as you pass
through the archway under the train tracks and step foot onto Main Street, U.S.A. It’s because you
know that you will leave behind “the world of today, and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow,
and fantasy.” You get that same feeling as you leave Orlando and enter the Pacific Northwest
of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or when you journey to an African savannah at Disney’s Animal
Kingdom Lodge.
Walt Disney World truly is a place of magic, where the ability to pass through a doorway
provides a complete disconnect from the stress and pressures of the real world. Have you noticed
that you can’t buy a newspaper in any of the parks? That you won’t find the news playing on a
television in any of the restaurants in Tomorrowland? To allow yourself to be immersed in the
experience, you can’t have distractions that might ruin the illusion that we all buy into so willingly.
But even if you can’t get to Walt Disney World as often as you like (and who can?), you can
get just a small sample of that same disconnect and experience a bit of the magic at home. Today,
we have the ability to leave the real world behind and get a bit of Disney in our minds and hearts
when we listen to a podcast, enjoy music from the Disney parks, talk with fellow fans in an online
community, watch a Disney movie, and hopefully read this magazine.
As we put together each issue, we want to continually bring you articles, information,
and photographs that will provide you with even a small escape from your home or office cubicle.
I hope you enjoy this issue and allow yourself to be transported in your mind’s eye to somewhere
we all consider to be our own little “happiest place on Earth.”
“Now, think of the happiest things... It’s the same as having wings!...
Come on, everybody, here we go!”
Lou Mongello
Leaving the World Behind
5 · Celebrations
When Barrie Brewer retired from her lifelong work in disability services, she was able to marry her newfound passion for photography and her love of Walt Disney World. Though she lives in Portland, Oregon, she finds a way to visit the Mouse several times a year, amassing thousands of photos from the parks and resorts. You can visit Barrie’s website (BarrieBrewerPhotography.com) to view more of her Disney World pictures. You’ll also find photographs from around Oregon, as well as some from her recent Ad-ventures by Disney trip to Italy and France.
Jennifer Bright Reich is a writer, editor, copy editor, and creator of www.DisneyWithKids.net, helping people traveling to Walt Disney World with kids save money, time, and sanity. Jennifer has contributed to more than 150 books and written more than 100 magazine and newspaper articles. Jennifer has traveled to Walt Disney World seven times, and she and her husband were married in the Wedding Pavilion in 2002. She lives in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, with her husband and their three- and one-year-old sons, who all anxiously await their next trip.
Ray Harkness thanks Disney for saving his marriage. As a self professed workaholic, vacation was a 4-letter word. After being shown the joys of a vacation by his lovely wife, he now cannot imagine being away from work if it doesn’t involved a Disney resort. He and his wife, Nancy, have logged almost 50 days in the parks since 2006. When not tour-ing the parks, Ray writes for his blog Grumpy’s Hollow under the name Grumpwurst (grumpyspace.blogspot.com). He also spends quality time in the gym training for bodybuilding competitions.
Jim Korkis is an internationally recognized Disney historian who has authored thou-sands of articles on Disney history. More than a decade ago, as part of his performing responsibilities at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, he played the role of Santa Claus.
Like so many of us, Glenn Whelan came to Disney very early in life. His connection began through the unusual route of the often underappreciated live-action films. However, “True Life Adventures”, “Johnny Tremain” and “Follow Me, Boys!” took a secondary role af-ter the opening of Walt Disney World. On a professional level, Glenn spent many years in the corporate world, then recently turned to writing as well as a new career with Rollins College located in Winter Park, Florida. You can read his blog at:www.passamaquoddy.blog.com
Pat Whitson is the Content Coordinator for DisneyWorldTrivia.com. She is the coordina-tor for The Dream Team Project’s annual charity auction at MagicMeets. She lives on Long Island with her husband and two kids.
Contributors
6 · Celebrations
Letters
Cast Member MagicThe year was 2004, and my wife and
I had the opportunity to bring our
parents and our children to WDW. It
was my fifth trip, my wife’s second,
and countless times for my parents;
but it was the first trip for my moth-
er-in-law and our kids. As most of you
know, not much else beats bringing
someone to the Magic Kingdom for
the first time…and Disney did not
disappoint.
We were staying at the All-Star
Music Resort and arrived just after
the lunch crowd had left, so it was
relatively quiet. After checking in, we
were going through the food court
to find our rooms. A few Cast Mem-
bers were cleaning up, and we didn’t
think much of it. We dumped our
baggage and came back up through
the food court again to catch a bus
to the Magic Kingdom. Now, either
on the way through the first time,
or possibly coming back, one of the
CMs must’ve overheard us refer to
one of our sons by name. So as we
are passing through, he says “Hey
Joshua, would you like to be Chef for
the Day?” We all did a double-take
since it caught us off guard. The CM
calling him by name was the coolest!
It sure surprised him, in a “how does
he know me” kind of way. Of course,
my seven-year old says “Sure”. Who
wouldn’t want to be chef of the day?
Before you know it, they’ve wheeled
out a cart with a Mickey waffle and
ten compartments of goodies: sprin-
kles, strawberries, syrups, etc…he
gets a huge chef hat, (with his name
on it already), and gets to go to town
on the Mickey waffle. There was
singing, decorating, eating, and then
pictures with the ASM food court
crew plus a big Chef for the Day
certificate. My son had the biggest
grin on his face all day, his brother
and sister were totally jealous, and
my mother-in-law couldn’t believe it.
WE JUST GOT THERE!! We hadn’t yet
stepped one foot in a park! It couldn’t
have been a better intro to WDW for
them and it was an incredible start
to an incredible week that we’ll never
forget. It was such a simple act on
the part of those Cast Members, but
the Magic impression they left in
those ten minutes or so was huge.
Needless to say, it gets talked about
all the time and we can’t wait to get
back.
Jeff, Rochester NY
We’ve Got a Problem! Here’s a picture of my 18 year old
niece, Renee Barnett, on Expedition
Everest. It was taken this July on her
first trip to WDW. When she reached
the top of the broken track section,
I yelled her name a couple of times
to get her to turn around so I could
snap a picture. She is a super-ham so
the picture turned out great.
Monica Tompkins, Oklahoma
Great Timing! We took this amazing photo shortly
after a Florida rain; I just happened
to be in the right spot at the right
time. Talk about a magical moment, I
hope you enjoy it!
Cheers, Colin
Got a question, photo or story you’d like to share? email them to: [email protected]
7 · Celebrations
Calendar of EventsMickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18,19
On select evenings in December, guests can experience
the enchantment of “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime
Parade” and the excitement of a holiday-themed fireworks
spectacular, “Holiday Wishes–Celebrate the Spirit of the
Season,” during a special after-hours party inside the Magic
Kingdom theme park.
Holidays Around The World
Epcot
December
Experience the joy and magic of the holidays through the
celebrations, customs and characters of different coun-
tries and diverse cultures from around the world.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Hollywood Studios
Discover a dazzling display of pure Disney delight present-
ed by SYLVANIA! Immerse yourself in the joy of the holidays
as you’re surrounded by millions of blinking, twinkling
lights.
Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve
Disney’s Boardwalk
December 31, 2008
Move and groove into the New Year dancing and dining to
the latest sounds in an atmosphere of timeless elegance.
Walt Disney World Marathon
Weekend
January 8-11, 2009
The upcoming Walt Disney
World Marathon Weekend
presented by CIGNA features
approximately 45,000 runners
entered in the Walt Disney World
Marathon, Walt Disney World
Half Marathon and Family Fun
Run 5K and Kids’ Races. The Walt
Disney World Half Marathon is
a 13.1-mile course that will take runners on Saturday from
Epcot to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot for the
finish.
Disney’s Dreamers Academy
with Steve Harvey
Febuary 12-15, 2009
One-hundred teens from across
the country with big dreams and
aspirations will be celebrated
during Disney’s Dreamers Acad-
emy with Steve Harvey at Walt
Disney World Resort.
An event created to inspire and
enrich high school students,
Disney’s Dreamers Academy
will include workshops with Disney cast members and
executives, sessions with entertainment celebrities and
professional athletes, and time to enjoy the Disney theme
parks – where student participants can see, first-hand, the
results of people who turned their dreams into careers as
“Disney dreamers.”
International Flower & Garden Festival
Epcot
March 18, 2009 - May 31, 2009
An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary featuring four
Disney princesses dressed in “blooming” finery will set the
scene for the 16th annual Epcot International Flower &
Garden Festival.
Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the
seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle
and Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” will debut as the
grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
March, 2009
Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves return to Cham-
pion Stadium for their 12th edition of Spring Training at
Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The 2009 schedule
is expected to feature the most appealing slate of oppo-
nents since the Braves arrived in 1997, along with all-new
entertainment and guest experiences, including the oppor-
tunity to view pre-game batting practice from field level.Photo ©Disney
Photo ©Disney
8 · Celebrations
Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Re-
sort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney
Parks embraces a newly identified family travel trend called “celebra-
tion vacations.”
In this new national trend, American families are hitting the road
to mark life’s special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, graduations,
reunions and more – with a “celebration vacation.” In 2009, Walt Disney
World and Disneyland Resorts will lead this growing trend with new
entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal
milestones into magical Disney experiences.
And to kick it all off – a first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a
free ticket to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks
on their birthday in 2009.
“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay
Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We thought a free
birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new
‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.”
Disney parks provide the perfect setting for this new style of vaca-
tion that celebrates the special occasions in life, Rasulo added.
Whether a guest is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, Quincea-
ñera or any special occasion, Disney parks already are filled with fa-
vorite characters, world-class attractions and entertainment, and
legendary guest service – exactly the “something for everyone” that
trend-watchers say families look for in a “celebration vacation.”
“The special moments in your life become truly magical when you
celebrate at a Disney park,” Rasulo said. “Sharing a milestone at Disney
connects families, friends and generations.”
Turning Life’s Special Moments Into a Personal Disney Celebration
“We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration,” Ra-
sulo said. “Guests can immerse themselves in their favorite stories and
their favorite characters, creating a visit they’ll never forget.
“And when our cast members get involved, it feels as if the entire park
is celebrating along with you.”
At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing
from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magi-
cal fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea
creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character din-
ing, kids’ pirate adventures). At Disneyland Resort, celebrants can book
more than 50 magical experiences, including “My Disneyland Birthday
Party” and unique Disneyland guided tours.
With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebra-
tion with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experienc-
es. Maybe they have a “princess” day with themed meals, shows, attrac-
tions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland. Or they turn
Walt Disney World “wild” with trail riding, bass fishing and water skiing.
LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!: “What Will You Celebrate?” highlights 2009 at Disney Parks
Disney News
Photo ©Disney
9 · Celebrations
Even before the Ypartnership findings, Disney noticed the
celebration trend happening in its parks, Rasulo noted. For
instance, guests have visited the parks to propose marriage,
celebrate a child’s passage into high school, or pull the whole
family together for the golden anniversary of their parents.
“But Walt Disney World and Disneyland are now poised to
champion milestone vacations for families and friends in a
breakthrough way,” he said. “We’re asking our guests, ‘What
will YOU celebrate?’
“Part of the celebration is all the firsts that magically hap-
pen at Disney Parks,” Rasulo said. “Guests become the star of
their own celebration. It could be a first trip to Disney or a
first family vacation without the stroller. We want to make
a first visit – and every visit – even more memorable.”
Even if they’re not celebrating, Rasulo said, guests will be
immersed in a “Celebrate Today!” spirit, making every day a
party.
Customizing Your Celebration
Depending on the Disney park they are headed to, guests
can order everything from special dining to princess tea
parties, from yacht cruises to treasure hunting on a pirate
sailing adventure, from a quiet trail ride to parasailing
thrills. Or they can opt for magical experiences for their
group – from dessert parties to a Magic Kingdom fireworks
cruise to special entertainment.
Among add-on experiences guests can choose to custom-
ize their “celebration vacation”:
Custom Bakery Cakes and Signature Desserts: Disney
chefs create an unforgettable finale to a special dinner with
a beautifully decorated cake themed to any occasion or a
new line of celebration desserts.
For Lovebirds: Sweetheart dinners for two in which cou-
ples can clink “Celebrate Today!” champagne flutes.
Family Portraits: Capture the memory with a portrait ses-
sion with Walt Disney World photographers. Build a custom
photo album with Disney’s PhotoPass.
Personalized Souvenirs: Mark your occasion with person-
alized Mouse ears, character T-shirts and collectible pins.
Decorate Your Disney Guest Room: Step into a resort
room decorated to fit your celebration theme with confetti,
banners, surprises and more.
Stay Inside a Dream Theme: Book a themed guest room
at either destination – princess-themed or Mickey-inspired
at Disneyland or – coming in 2009 – pirate-themed at Walt
Disney World Resort.
Set Sail: Book a private romantic cruise on a yacht or set
your party afloat on a shared magical fireworks voyage.
Go Inside the Magic: Behind-the-scenes tours take you in-
side the storytelling, adventure and history of Disney Parks.
Disney Story Book Experiences: Choose from pirate ad-
ventures, tea parties, princess makeovers and more – all
with the magic of Disney.
Disneyland Parties: “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue
at Big Thunder Ranch,” all-new in 2009, is a full-blown party
complete with frontier entertainment, goodie bags and a
surprise treat for everyone – no matter what they’re cele-
brating. “My Disneyland Birthday Party” features cake deco-
rating, party hats and even Mickey and Minnie pay a visit.
Celebrating in the Parks
Disney is unwrapping all-new entertainmentwith mem-
ory-makers in mind, allowing guests to focus their celebra-
tion on favorite characters, favorite attractions and favorite
stories to create a custom celebration in the park. New park
experiences coming in 2009 for all park guests to enjoy:
Street Parties: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
and Disneyland Park come to life with interactive street
parties. The call to “Celebrate Today!” goes out to guests, mu-
sic floods the streets, dancing kicks into high gear and the
parks become “the happiest party on Earth.”
Tomorrowland Party: A high-energy, retro-futuristic mu-
sic video dance party features Stitch, an interactive dance
troupe, and a DJ celebration host who’s inviting all Walt Dis-
ney World guests to come party, dance and celebrate.
Park Décor: The parks will be decorated with colorful ban-
ners, balloons and festive party hats – as if awaiting your
celebration.
Buttons: Complimentary celebration buttons will help Dis-
ney cast members and fellow guests recognize you and your
celebration.
“We believe Disney parks are uniquely positioned for any
celebration and offer the ultimate setting for marking a
cherished milestone,” Rasulo said. “People trust Disney to
make an occasion truly magical. And now more than ever,
Disney will help guests seize those special moments and
turn them into memories that will live forever in their
hearts.”
For more information or to book a Disney “celebration
vacation,” guests can visit www.disneyparks.com, call
407/W-DISNEY or contact their local travel agent.
9 · Celebrations
10 · Celebrations
To celebrate the animated film “Tinker Bell,” Disney’s
most famous fairy and four of her best friends are fea-
tured in a meet-and-greet experience in Mickey’s Toontown
Fair at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests en-
ter a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place
deep in the heart of Never Land.
Tinker Bell, made famous in the 1953 Disney animated
classic “Peter Pan,” for her “hostess” role in Disney tele-
vision specials and for “f lying” above the Disney theme
parks, is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends:
Fawn, an animal fairy; Iridessa, a light fairy; Rosetta, a
garden fairy; and Silvermist, a water fairy.
In addition to meeting the Fairies at Magic Kingdom,
guests can learn more about the Disney Fairies at dis-
neyfairies.com.
And if Tinker Bell doesn’t “ring a bell” or jog a memory,
here are some “fun fairy facts” about the sprightly pixie:
• Tinker Bell debuted at Walt Disney World Resort in 1971,
as the classic attraction Peter Pan’s Flight opened in
Fantasyland. The beloved attraction immerses guests
in the “Peter Pan” story as passengers board f lying pi-
rate ships bound for Never Land.
• Tinker Bell began “f lying” from high atop Cinderella
Castle in 1985. Since then, she has taken her f light thou-
sands of times to light the sky with fireworks.
• Tinker Bell made her Walt Disney World parade debut
in 2007. She made that premiere appearance atop a
f loat in “Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade,” an en-
tertainment extravaganza during Disney’s Pirate and
Princess Party.
• Tinker Bell merchandise continually ranks among the
top sellers of character-based merchandise at Walt
Disney World Resort.
Disney’s Favorite Pixie, Tinker Bell, Introduces Magic Kingdom Guests to Her New Fairy Friends
Photo ©Disney
11 · Celebrations
Walt Disney World guests can go on an adventure back
in time to dine among the dinosaurs at T-Rex: A Pre-
historic Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and
Discover® at Downtown Disney.
T-Rex, developed by Schussler Creative, Inc. and operated
by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., features dining and retail in
a 30,000-square-foot, 600-seat, family-friendly interactive
prehistoric environment. The concept is built around wa-
ter, fire and ice: Guests are greeted with life-size animatron-
ic dinosaurs among cascading waterfalls, bubbling geysers,
a fossil dig site and much more.
Schussler Creative Chairman Steve Schussler, the found-
er of Rainforest Cafe and the T-Rex restaurant, depicts the
experience as “edutainment,” noting that this “treat for all
five senses” includes artifacts such as fossils – all carefully
labeled – that are hundreds of millions of years old, carefully
crafted animatronic dinosaurs and even a meteorite found
in Argentina.
A full-size skeleton replica of Argentinosaurus, one of the
largest of the dinosaurs and copied from a museum speci-
men about 125 feet in length, looms over the entrance, joined
by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
The prehistoric theme extends to the menu, which fea-
tures items with names such as Caesarsaurus (Caesar salad),
Raptor Ribs (Asian BBQ ribs), Pterodactyl Wings (Buffalo
chicken wings), Triassic Tortellini (tri-colored cheese tortel-
lini) and Gigantosaurus Burger (think really big hamburger!).
Menu choices range from starters (appetizers, salads and
soups) to pastas, burgers and sandwiches to a broad selec-
tion of entrees plus desserts. Some favorites include rotis-
serie chicken, fried shrimp, steaks and ribs, tarragon chicken
salad sandwich, Cobb salad and “Chocolate Extinction.”
T-Rex at Downtown Disney Takes Guests on a Dining Adventure to a Prehistoric Time
RAPTOR RIBS OR TRIASSIC TORTELLINI?: A giant animatronic dinosaur looms diners in “T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop and Discover”
Photo ©Disney
12 · Celebrations
Two highly anticipated resort developments announced
today will expand the Walt Disney World experience
and continue the rapid growth of Disney Vacation Club, Dis-
ney’s innovative vacation-ownership program: the 15-story
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is sched-
uled to join the Disney Vacation Club family of properties
in fall 2009, while the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga
Springs Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in summer 2009,
will become the next room category offered at that resort.
Disney Vacation Club also announced that Bay Lake Tower
sales are scheduled to begin on Sept. 21 for Disney Vacation
Club Members, while sales to the general public and sales
for the newest phase of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort &
Spa will begin at a later date.
“Our founder, Walt Disney, was well known for having one
foot in the past and one in the future,” said Disney Vacation
Club President Jim Lewis. “These new resort developments
share that dynamic sensibility, blending modern luxury and
design with the nostalgic
spirit of two of the most
storied resorts in Walt
Disney World history.”
The announcement
comes during an unprec-
edented era of growth
for Disney Vacation Club,
established in 1991 to
give families decades of
affordable vacations at
Disney destinations and
beyond. Disney Vaca-
tion Club membership
has more than doubled
since 2004, expanding to
include more than 350,000 individuals from approximately
100 countries and every U.S. state.
That membership growth has also driven Disney Vaca-
tion Club expansion, inspiring Walt Disney Imagineers to
dream up new vacation home opportunities. In addition to
Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse Villas, development con-
tinues on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at the Walt Disney
World Resort in Florida, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Califor-
nian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort in California and
the recently announced resort at Ko Olina on the island of
Oahu.
“What excites me most about this tremendous growth is
that we’re not only creating new accommodations, but new
experiences,” Lewis said. “Each of the projects we’ve under-
taken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously
available in our resort portfolio, and both Bay Lake Tower
and the Treehouse Villas proudly build on that tradition.”
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The new, curvilinear Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contem-
porary Resort is designed to complement the fabled styling
of the original building, which opened with the Magic King-
dom Park on Oct. 1, 1971, and featured comedian Bob Hope as
master of ceremonies.
Mimicking the color
palette and strong hor-
izontal lines of its iconic
predecessor, the new
structure even sports a
rooftop lounge inspired
by the original resort’s
A-frame architecture.
The tower’s crescent
shape, hugging lush
landscaping, planned
recreation options and
a lakeside pool, prom-
ises to deliver some
of the most dramatic
views available anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Some villas face scenic, undeveloped stretches of Bay Lake,
while others offer spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom
Park, located a short walk away.
The views promise to be equally appealing inside the
Disney Vacation Club Continues Unprecedented Growth With Two New Development Projects
13 · Celebrations
tower’s 295 two-bedroom-equivalent villas, where visionary
design meets Disney chic to define the vacation experience.
As the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom Park, Bay Lake
Tower guests can easily return to their rooms for quick
breaks from their busy day in the Park, where they can relax
in an inspiring setting offering many of the conveniences
of home.
Most of the rooms in this iconic resort will feature innova-
tive touches, such as modern artwork designed specifically
for Bay Lake Tower, flat-screen TVs, full kitchens complete
with granite countertops and modern appliances, sepa-
rate bedrooms, washers and dryers, and other home-like
amenities. Plus, to accommodate larger families or families
traveling together, many Bay Lake Tower vacation villas are
designed to sleep up to nine, though some units can also be
divided into one-bedroom villas that sleep five and studios
that accommodate four, creating flexible options for small-
er groups.
“These vacation homes will be furnished with some
amazing custom pieces that are works of art unto them-
selves,” said Imagineer Brian McFarland. “It’s all about main-
taining that feel of clean lines and open spaces, with plenty
of Disney touches.”
Add to the plans a spacious lobby filled with woven
woods and glass-wrapped columns, sweeping views from a
rooftop lounge and fireworks viewing deck, and the conve-
nience of a sky bridge linking families to shops, restaurants
and the monorail station, and you have a Disney Vacation
Club destination that is both practical and fashionable.
Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs
Resort & Spa
Meanwhile, nestled in natural forest glens just around
the river bend from the bustling Downtown Disney area,
the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort &
Spa will mark the newest phase of what has become the
largest Disney Vacation Club resort. Phase one of the idyllic
lakeside community debuted in 2004, and phase three sold
out earlier this year.
This new phase will revive Walt Disney World “treehouse
living,” a cherished tradition from 1975-2002. While crews are
replacing villas of the ‘70s with brand-new vacation homes,
Imagineers took special care to honor the original octago-
nal design.
The construction process itself is unique as each stand-
alone Treehouse Villa will come together like a giant 3-D
puzzle to ensure both superior quality and environmental
sensitivity.
All 60 three-bedroom homes, elevated 10 feet off the
ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the
forest environment, will sleep nine and are planned to offer
modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite coun-
tertops and flat-screen TVs, all presented in a style dubbed
“cabin casual.”
“I was lucky enough to have a treehouse as a kid, but it was
certainly nothing like this,” said Imagineer Todd Thomas-
son. “In developing this resort, we’ve all learned a new word,
‘glamping,’ which apparently means glamorous camping.
The Treehouse Villas will be glamping at its absolute best.”
Disney Vacation Club is owned by Disney Vacation Devel-
opment Inc., part of the magic of The Walt Disney Company.
To learn more, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.
13 · Celebrations
Photos ©Disney
15 · Celebrations
Welcome to MouseViews, a special section of
Celebrations Magazine where you’ll get an insider’s
peek at the Walt Disney World Resort. In every issue we’ll
bring you a treasure trove of tips, secrets, magical moments,
special insights, little known facts and a whole lot more!
Whether it’s a different look at a familiar attraction, a
hidden secret waiting to be discovered, or a helpful piece of
advice for your upcoming trip, you’re sure to find lots of
fun-filled information inside.
So put on your Mickey ears, set your imagination free, and
get ready to discover all of those things that make Walt
Disney World the most magical place on Earth.
Ready? Then here we go...!
15 · Celebrations
16 · Celebrations
Tim Foster is the author of the Guide to the Magic book series, which includes the Guide to the Magic for Kids, the Lost Journals, and the Guide to the Magic Autograph & Sticker Book. Tim is also the creator of the www.guidetothemagic.com website.
by Tim Foster
At Walt Disney World, you’ll find no shortage of festive displays during the holi-
day season—everything from giant Christmas trees and gingerbread houses
to falling snow and colorful decorations. But for me, what best evokes the magic
of the holidays is the lights. There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of thousands
of twinkling lights blinking and dancing in a myriad of shimmering colors to put
you in that holiday spirit. And of course, at Walt Disney World, you’ll find lighting
displays that will leave you spellbound.
A Holiday Dream Come True
A walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at night is always a magical time, but during the
holidays it’s even more special. The stores are lined with hundreds and hundreds of
lights (as they are every night of the year), but during the holidays they are also ac-
cented with colorful Christmas decorations everywhere you look. Your walk down
Main Street, U.S.A., takes you to Cinderella Castle, of course, and this is where you’ll
enjoy one of the most astonishing lighting effects that you’ll ever see.
The Castle Dreamlights (which made their debut in November of 2007), trans-
form the fairy tale splendor of Cinderella Castle into an enchanting ice palace. LED
lights—200,000 of them—twinkle and shimmer in cascading sheets down the cas-
tle’s turrets, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that could only come from a dream.
Intersperced among the lights are 500 strobes, which to help create the dazzling
effect. What’s truly amazing is that the lights appear to be a part of the castle itself.
This was achieved by anchoring the lights to 32,000 square feet of fishing net, all
held in place by 15 miles of cable that was custom dyed to match the exterior colors
of the castle walls.
The Dreamlights display is the centerpiece of the Magic Kingdom’s holiday cel-
ebration, but you’ll find other subtle lighting effects throughout the park. For ex-
ample, many of the trees found throughout Adventureland and on up through Lib-
erty Square are softly lit by deep reds and greens, creating an atmosphere of joyful
serenity that helps create that holiday mood.
Lighting Up the Winter
The Magic Kingdom isn’t the only place where you can find impressive lighting
displays. Epcot has it’s own share of holiday magic—though of a much different va-
riety. The promenade to World Showcase turns into a kaleidoscope of color with
the Lights of Winter display. More than 30,000 lights illuminate the canopy archway
that connects Future World and World Showcase, leading to the giant Epcot Christ-
mas tree. (Be sure to catch the tree lighting ceremony just before 6 p.m.) The lights
are actually synchronized to a holiday soundtrack and pulsate, and they blink in
time with the music. But as you make your way through, don’t forget to look back to-
ward Spaceship Earth. You’ll see an charming display of glowing white-tipped trees,
and you’ll also notice that the Fountain of Nations is part of the Lights of Winter
show, with jets of water and colorful lights joining in on the fun. As in the Magic
Kingdom, you’ll also find a host of other lighting displays at Epcot to enjoy. One of
my favorites is near the America Gardens Theatre (home of the not-to-be-missed
Lighting Up the Holidays
Candlelight Processional), where you will find the surround-
ing trees covered in hundreds of lights, shimmering like
jewels in the nighttime air.
Hollywood Holidays
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the biggest and
grandest of all of the Walt Disney World lighting displays,
the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. You’ll find
a gallery of photos and lots of fun facts later on in this is-
sue, but here’s a touring tip for you. The Osborne Lights at-
tract quite a crowd, so to avoid getting stuck in the teeming
throng of people winding their way down the street, arrive
at the Studios earlier in the afternoon. Enjoy some of the
fine attractions and shows, then head on over to the Streets
of America about a half hour before show time. You can
wander around at your leisure and be there for the light-
ing ceremony, which is an amazing sight to see. You should
still be able stroll around and enjoy the lights as the crowds
continue to build. This will give you a great opportunity to
look at all of the wonderful details. Eventually, the incoming
crowds will swell to the point where everyone will form one
huge line to walk up and down the street, but hopefully by
that time you will have enjoyed the unique display to your
heart’s content. It may take you a while to make your way
through the crowd of people coming in as you leave, but as
you exit the Hollywood Studios and catch a glimpse of the
long line of people waiting to come in, you’ll be glad you ar-
rived early !
A Rustic Winter Wonderland
You’ll find a variety of wonderful Christmas displays at
all of the Walt Disney World resorts, but there’s something
extra special about the Wilderness Lodge that really brings
the holiday spirit to life. Here you’ll find a giant Christmas
tree in the eight-story lobby, and you’ll also notice that
all of the balcony railings are adorned with pine garland,
wreaths, ribbons, and lights. Those lights really sparkle
against the dark backdrop of the wooden railings, creating
a dazzling Christmas display that will leave you breathless.
Combine that with a roaring fireplace and the timber frame
construction, and you’ll really feel like you’re in the Pacific
Northwest in the middle of winter. (I even had the occasion
one year to enjoy a Christmas concert performed by a bell
choir; that was truly a magical moment I will never forget!)
For an extra special treat, go to one of the upper floor bal-
conies and look for one of the many fireplaces tucked away
here and there. Grab a nice cup of hot chocolate, curl up on
a couch, close your eyes, and pretend you’re in a cozy, snow
lodge in the middle of a winter wonderland!
The holidays at Walt Disney World are truly a magical
time, and if one of your favorite holiday traditions is driv-
ing around looking at the neighborhood lights, you’ll find
enough dazzling displays here to create a lifetime of won-
derful Christmas memories. Enjoy!
The American Adventure pavilionduring the holiday season
A bell choir performing in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge
17 · Celebrations
Photo ©Tim Foster
Photo ©Tim Foster
Walt Disney World (and Disney as a whole) is the very best at so many things,
and that’s not only why we keep going back, but it’s what we’ve come to ex-
pect from Disney, and what it always seems to deliver.
On the WDW Radio show, I often highlight the very best that Disney has to offer in
the Walt Disney World theme parks, resorts, and everywhere else. Now don’t get me
wrong here. This isn’t always about the most expensive items, resorts, or souvenirs.
I look at some of Disney’s best values, food (of course), freebies, hidden treasures, and
so much more! That may be Disney’s best spa, best burger, or even the best place for
a romantic couple’s getaway.
For many Guests, much of their enjoyment is time spent outside the parks, en-
joying the incredibly themed resorts on property. An integral part of each of the
resorts is the amenities they offer, including pools that are appropriately themed
to match that of the resort itself and that are unlike any others found elsewhere.
Arguably the best of the best pools on property for adults and children at any
Walt Disney World Resort can be found at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club re-
The Best of the Best: Stormalong Bay
Lou Mongello is the host of the award winning WDW Radio podcast (www.wdwradio.com), and the author of the definitive Disney trivia books, “Walt Disney World Trivia” Volumes 1 and II. You can discover more secrets, rumors and facts at Lou’s website: www.disneyworldtrivia.com He is also the producer of the newly released Audio Guides of Walt Disney World, a CD series that gives you a personal tour of the happiest place on Earth.
by Lou Mongello
18 · Celebrations
sorts. Called Stormalong Bay, this shared pool is the larg-
est—and deepest—on property.
The “pool” actually consists of two quiet pools, a spa, a kid-
die pool, a lazy river, bridges, waterfalls, oh and just three
acres of water slides, currents, and unique sand-bottomed
areas. That’s right. Sand. This pool holds 750,000 gallons of
water, making it the largest sand-bottomed pool in the
world. There are zero-depth entry areas, making the pool
easily accessible to both adults and children. (And, yes, you
can bring your sand toys.) A number of lifeguards are sta-
tioned throughout the entire area.
One of the first things you’ll notice at Stormalong Bay is
that across the promenade is what appears to be a giant,
beached pirate ship called the Albatross. That’s where the
pool’s main slide is hidden, as well as a smaller slide for kids.
Throughout the large pool area, Cast Members lead
Guests in a variety of games, volleyball, dance contests, and
much more, most of which are completely free. In fact,
there’s even a children’s 24-hour playground adjacent to
Stormalong Bay where kids and run, slide, and play.
Unlike the other pools at Walt Disney World, you must put
on a free wristband before entering the pool area. These
wristbands are only available to Guests staying at Disney’s
Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts .
When all of that swimming works up an appetite, visit
Hurricane Hanna’s Grill for sandwiches, wraps, hamburgers,
chicken, or a frozen tropical drink that you can enjoy in the
casual poolside seating area. Ready to get back in the water?
Stop by the beach shack to rent giant inner tubes or noodles
or pick up more suntan lotion or (free) towels.
So when we think of pools on property and say best of
the best, Stormalong Bay clearly comes to mind first. Then
again, maybe “pool” is a misnomer, because clearly Stor-
malong Bay is more like a smaller, free water park, right at
your resort. If you want to see for yourself, you are welcome
to walk by and see the pool , or better yet, why not stay at
one of Disney’s best of the best resorts and explore Stor-
malong Bay on your own? I’ll race you to the water slide!
To hear a full discussion of this attraction, including audio recordings and music,
listen to Episode #41 of Lou’s WDW Radio Show at www.wdwradio.com
19 · Celebrations
20 · Celebrations
Steve Barrett is the author of “The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation” and “Hidden Mickeys, A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets”. You can check out more Hidden Mickeys at Steve’s website: www.hiddenmickeysguide.com
by Steve Barrett
One of Walt Disney World’s deluxe resorts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, is
themed as an African game lodge. You’ll find many interesting sights here,
including exotic animals such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and...Hidden Mickeys!
Over 30 Mickey images are hidden inside and outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Lodge. Here are a few of my favorite images at this scenic resort:
Animal Kingdom Lodge Hidden Mickeys
Make a special trip to Disney’s Wide World of Sports to find this full-body Mickey. You’ll find him looking out over the court near the high central ceiling in the Milk House (the Field House). He’s on an upper rafter above “The Milk House” sign, in front of a yellow triangular wall partition that is opposite the main entrance. I spotted him to the upper left of the lower seats of section 104.
Mickey on a Chandelier: Inside the main lobby, you can find a classic Mickey near the bottom of the second chandelier on the right (as you face in from the front entrance). The Hidden Mickey is near the bottom of one of the shields.
Make a special trip to Disney’s Wide World of Sports to find this full-body Mickey. You’ll find him looking out over the court near the high central ceiling in the Milk House (the Field House). He’s on an upper rafter above “The Milk House” sign, in front of a yellow triangular wall partition that is opposite the main entrance. I spotted him to the upper left of the lower seats of section 104.
Mickey near Jiko: As you enter Jiko Restaurant, stroll to the third table on your left, next to the glass windows. Look outside to the shallow pool area and find the first rock island from the left with one pillar jutting out of it. A classic Mickey image is in the side of the rock. Kudos to the Disney rock sculptors!
Mickey on the Zebra Trail Hallway Wall: On the third floor, check out the first short hallway to the right of the main Zebra Trail hallway. An upside-down classic Mickey design hangs on the wall at the end of the hall.
21 · Celebrations
Mickey on the Water Slide Rock Wall: A light-colored classic Mickey is cut into a rock wall behind the swimming pool. The wall forms the back of the pool’s water slide. The Mickey is several feet above the walkway, below a gazebo that marks the starting point for the water slide.
Mickey in the Vines: Outside the rear doors from the main lobby, a green Mickey in side profile hides in the decorative vines to the right as you exit.
He’s about two-thirds of the way up the side of the vine-covered column, above the middle horizontal brace. Look for him at the top of an open
space in the vines. He’s looking into the lobby. This Mickey is hard to find! He’s very difficult to spot at night, so look for him in daylight.
Mickey near the Staircase: Several classic Mickeys carved in rock are scattered around the resort. This image is a good example. Toward the bottom of the staircase that winds from the right side of the main lobby to Boma restaurant, there’s a classic Mickey on the rock wall next to a waterfall.
Mickey on a Mural: On the right wall mural between the outer and inner entrance doors to the main lobby, an orange and brown creature
sports a classic Mickey in a circle on its mid-back.
Salmon-Colored Mickey at Arusha Rock: I’d been looking for this terrific Hidden Mickey for a long time. In retrospect, I’d not been able to spot it because I was always searching for it at dusk or later. I visited the area in the bright sunlight, and a helpful Cast Member knew right where it was. To find it, walk outside the rear of the main lobby and to the very back of the Arusha Rock Overlook. In the right middle of the rock wall opposite the Animal Overlook sign and about 5 and 1/2 feet above the ground is a tiny light brown, salmon-colored classic Mickey. It’s to the right of a vertical crack in the rock, behind the Cast Member’s umbrella. Spotting it is worth the effort!
Photos ©Steve Barrett
22 · Celebrations
Does a royal lifestyle appeal to you? Then I have just the thing—a fabulous Walt
Disney World suite in “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
Disney’s suites range from a 500-square-foot junior suite, to one- and two-bed-
rooms suites with small parlors, to the ultimate in luxury—vice presidential– and
presidential-style accommodations, some as large as 2,500 square feet. In them,
you’ll find two or more bedrooms, numerous flat-screen TVs, expansive balconies,
sweeping views, oversized marble baths, service kitchens, wet bars, living areas
with plenty of room to spread out and relax, and rich furnishings. The list goes on
and on.
I know you’re thinking that for upward of $2,000 per night, these suites must sit
vacant for most of the year. Wrong! It can be difficult to find availability in these VIP
accommodations. They are extremely popular with both families and corporate
executives, except in the slowest of seasons such as after Labor Day and New Year’s
Day. So if you want the best, think many months if not a year or more ahead.
Among the many great Disney suite choices, the following are two of my favor-
ites.
Royal Assante Presidential Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Renovated in the fall of 2008, this two-bedroom, 2,115-square-foot suite is remi-
niscent of famous African lodges. It offers panoramic views of the main savannah,
which is teeming with exotic wildlife.
Just off of the entry is the lovely dining room, boasting a massive table made
from a single tree trunk and eight faux-zebra-skin chairs. The suite’s highlight is its
circular living room with an amazing thatch ceiling, a stand-up balcony the length
of the room, hardwood and stone flooring, rich African textiles and artwork, a rock
fireplace, and hand-carved furnishings, including easy chairs and a curved sofa.
The master bedroom comes with a wonderful mosquito net–draped king-size
bed composed of tree trunks, a wall of reed built-ins filled with drawers and a flat-
screen TV, and a sitting area with sleeper sofa and drum-style table. The adjoining
bath is one of Disney’s best with its free-standing soaking tub, double sinks, vanity,
shower, mini TV, and separate toilet and bidet area. The second bedroom is stan-
dard sized with two queen-size beds. A deep balcony with lounge chairs and an out-
door dining table runs the length of both bedrooms, which is the perfect location
for a dinner overlooking the savannah.
You’ll also find a half bath with a river rock vanity and raised basin, an office fea-
turing a grass cloth and copper clad desk, and a service kitchen with a full-size re-
frigerator, wet bar, microwave, and separate entry.
My only problem was I couldn’t bear to leave!
Emperor’s Suite at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
All of the presidential suites at the Walt Disney World Dolphin are stunning. But
I tend to favor the look and space of the Emperor’s Suite, which was completely re-
vamped just this summer. The only glaring drawback is the dated outside hallway
that leads to this incredible abode. Once inside, however, all thoughts of the out-
Cara Goldsbury is the author of “The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort”, has appeared in 2008 as a leading Disney expert on two Travel Channel specials, Disney Splurge! and Disney Royalty, and has been cited numerous times in national news articles as an expert on Walt Disney World. Visit her site at www.WDWLuxuryGuide.com. A travel agent for over twenty years, she can plan your luxury Walt Disney World vacations at www.LuxuryOrlandoTravel.com.
The Suitest Place on Earth
by Cara Goldsbury
23 · Celebrations
side world are forgotten. This is Walt Disney World’s loftiest
suite. It’s situated high above Walt Disney World on the re-
sort’s 20th floor. The suite offers a breathtaking panorama
of Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the BoardWalk Inn, which
are seen through massive windows
and also from the splendid down-
stairs balcony that runs the length of
the suite.
The suite’s look and feel of opu-
lence begins when you walk across
the hardwood floor of the entry hall
onto soothing charcoal gray carpet.
The opulence continues into the ca-
pacious vaulted living room with its two luxurious, taste-
fully contemporary sitting areas surrounding a shiny black
baby grand piano. One sitting area contains a cherry red,
sectional sofa, and the other sitting area features a charcoal
and white seating arrangement. Proceed through rooms
filled with live palms and orchids, multiple flat-screen TVs,
leather-topped desks, and other very chic furnishings. Dine
in the eight-seat dining room on meals prepared in the full
kitchen. Work, if you must, at a trendy desk in the spacious
office.
All baths, including the powder room, have been refit-
ted with stunning contemporary
fixtures, cream-colored marble
countertops, cutting-edge square
sinks, and chocolate-colored marble
flooring. Both the downstairs and
upstairs guest rooms are fit for a
king (or an emperor for that matter)
with two queen-size beds adorned
in white silk. Upstairs, the enormous
master bedroom is striking in its red and chocolate décor,
with its bathroom outfitted with a walk-in closet, double
sinks, whirlpool tub, separate shower, and separate toilet
and bidet room.
In short, this suite is modern renovation at its best. I was
overwhelmed with its sheer beauty, and I hope that you get
to experience it someday too.
The presidential suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, also called the Royal Asante Suite, is a lavish, 2,115-square-foot oasis with hand-crafted armoires, a cozy curved couch nestled by a remote-control fireplace, a bubbly Jacuzzi, original African artwork decor, and a wood-carved grand canopy bed. Below: The Emperor’s Suite at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.
Main Photo ©Disney; Inset Photos ©Cara Goldsbury
24 · Celebrations
When it comes to pure eye candy, there is no time like the holidays at Walt
Disney World. From the awe-inspiring Osborne Family Spectacle of Danc-
ing Lights to the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights, there are new photo opportunities
around every corner.
From the Osborne Family to Yours
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
is a holiday lights spectacular like no other. If you are looking for photos of holi-
day lights, this is your place. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to take pictures in
this area, but you need to be careful because this area can get mighty crowded. The
lights are bright enough to be able to hand hold your camera, but be sure to use
a fast enough shutter speed so that you don’t get blur from camera shake. I pre-
fer to use my tripod and use timed exposures to properly capture the experience.
When using your tripod, take care to ensure the safety of your equipment and other
guests and be patient so as to no obstruct others. I also prefer to use a cable release
to activate the shutter so I don’t have to touch the camera. That’s because, even
with a tripod, you can still get camera shake if you’re not very careful when pressing
the shutter button.
When photographing lights, it is very easy for your camera to get “tricked” into
underexposing the scene. The lights are so bright that the camera’s meter wants to
expose them darker than they actually appear. You might want to try over exposing
or under exposing by up to one stop either way to improve your exposures.
Be sure to vary your focal length to ensure a mixture of wide-angles and close-ups.
Wide-angle shots down the Streets of America help establish the mood of the area,
while tight close-ups of the set pieces lock in the details that make your memories
complete. Some of my favorites are the spinning ball near the entrance to Lights, Mo-
tors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and the manger scene near the entrance to the Stu-
dio Backlot Tour. Using a tripod with a slow shutter will also cause spinning displays
to appear as glowing orbs instead of wire-framed stands of lights. Take your time and
experiment because some truly spectacular images can be created from the Osborne
Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Try the following settings as a baseline: ISO 100, f/8,
2-4 seconds. Experiment up and down from there, depending on your equipment.
In a Dream
Similarly, the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights can be a wondrous sight to behold
and a joy to photograph. The camera settings for photographing the Dreamlights
are very similar to those used for the Osborne Lights. You may need to over or un-
derexpose slightly to ensure a nice photograph. By using a tripod with a slower
shutter speed, the lights will have a chance to cycle through their on/off phases,
which makes them all appear to be on in the photograph. One thing to keep in mind
is to make sure you turn off the flash! You are too far away from the castle and the
flash is not powerful enough to have any effect. Plus, the flash will wash out the am-
Photographing the Magic of the Holidays
Tim Devine is an avid photographer and the owner and webmaster of www.themagicinpixels.com, a website created for and dedicated to fellow Disney Photography Enthusiasts. In addition to a large gallery of photos you can browse, you’ll also find tips, articles and equipment reviews to help you create magical photo memories of your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.Tim lives in South Jersey with his wife, Karen, and their son, Billy.
by Tim Devine
25 · Celebrations
bient lighting and colors in the area, leading to a drab, poorly
exposed, uninteresting photograph.
In the Parades and Nighttime Shows
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade offers a
unique photography challenge in that it is a nighttime pa-
rade with floats that are not illuminated. If you want to be
able to get good photos of the parade, stand on Main Street,
U.S.A., where there is a lot of ambient light from the build-
ings and floodlights on the roofs. Set your camera to ensure
a fast enough shutter speed so that you don’t have motion
blur due to the natural tendency of a camera to slow down
because of lower light levels. But don’t set the shutter so fast
that you underexpose the photos due to not enough light. I
used settings of ISO 3200, 1/125 second during the parade last
year with good results. Experiment to find out what suits
your equipment best. Resist the temptation to use your flash
during the parade. It will overpower the ambient light, wash
out the details and colors, and give ugly black backgrounds.
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade, by contrast, is a daytime pa-
rade with the characters decked out in their holiday best. It
is much easier to photograph due to the daylight. Ironically,
you should use the flash during the daytime parade. Dur-
ing the day, the flash will fill in dark shadows and give just
enough fill light to make your images much more pleasing.
When trying to photograph the holiday finale to IllumiNa-
tions, be aware that there are a lot of shells in the air toward
the end of the presentation, which can quickly lead to overex-
posed blowouts. You will need to increase the shutter speed
or stop down the aperture to ensure proper exposures.
At World Showcase
While in Epcot, be sure to check out the Candlelight Pro-
cessional, which is a moving and passionate retelling of the
Christmas story, complete with a 50-piece orchestra, massive
choir, and celebrity narrator. Photographing the Candlelight
Processional can be challenging because of the stage light-
ing, but it is possible. Because you might be seated quite a
distance from the stage, avoid using your flash. It will be not
be powerful enough to have any effect. You will need to raise
the ISO a bit, but the good thing here is the performers are
mostly stationary, so you can use slower shutter speeds, if
your hands are steady enough.
One last nighttime feature of Epcot is the Lights of Winter
archway, which spans the walkway between Future World
and World Showcase. This beautiful display features lights
that flash and change colors to a musical soundtrack. Again,
you might want to increase the exposure compensation a
bit to ensure bright, vibrant lights while taking care to not
create blowouts or lose color due to overexposure. A baseline
setting of ISO 100, f/8, and 2 seconds on a tripod should get
you just about on the mark. Experiment a bit with your par-
ticular equipment.
Once you are comfortable and confident with your camera
and you know how to properly adjust the settings to suit the
task and hand, you will realize that the holidays at Walt Dis-
ney World are truly the most wonderful time of the year!
PHOTOGRAPHY 101Here are some handy photography basics.
• If you don’t have a cable release or if your camera will
not accommodate one, use the self-timer to achieve
the same effect.
• Follow this simple rule of thumb for hand holding a
camera: 1/x seconds, where x is focal length. For ex-
ample: If you are shooting at 200mm, you should try to
have at least 1/200 second shutter speed.
• Using lower ISO with a tripod will require longer shut-
ter speeds at night. However, your images will appear
sharper and have better colors and less noise.
• Timing is everything during parades. Wait until the
characters look at you before taking the photo.
Photo ©Tim Devine
26 · Celebrations
Millions of holiday lights dancing to Christmas music, a magnificent choir ac-
companying a celebrity narration of the Christmas story, Goofy dressed as
Santa Claus, and snow on Main Street, U.S.A.—these are some of the signs of the
holiday season at Walt Disney World.
For many, the holidays at Walt Disney World are a time for great family memo-
ries. For me, the holiday season at Walt Disney World will always hold a special place
in my heart because it marked my first return visit to the World as an adult. The
recollection of entering Main Street, U.S.A., from under the railway station on that
Christmas Eve night to find the Magic Kingdom in full holiday splendor is a memo-
ry I will always cherish.
Disney has a way of bringing a unique perspective to the meaning of a holiday
celebration as it relates to people and places around the country and around the
globe. The holidays typically generate the largest release of pins for the entire year.
In addition to the parks and resorts being depicted in their holiday finery, the char-
acters, attractions, and special holiday events are also represented with many holi-
day pins.
Holiday Pins from the Parks
In the world of Disney pins, we see this connection starting with Mickey’s Very
Merry Christmas Party. Disney releases numerous limited edition pins during the
evenings of these parties, and Disney also releases many open edition pins specific
to Christmas. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a framed set contain-
ing all the pins from each of the parties is also available, as well as a “completer pin”
that is only available in that framed set. This year marks the 25th anniversary of
the Christmas party celebration, and to commemorate that milestone, each of the
pins for this year’s event carries a special 25th anniversary logo. Annual passholders
exclusively can purchase a pin uniquely designed for them. And finally, there is usu-
ally a colorful holiday jumbo pin as well as a boxed set, featuring favorite characters
engaged in holiday activities.
The Magic Kingdom is not the only park celebrating during the holidays. Epcot’s
Candlelight Processional, Hollywood Studio’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing
Lights, and Animal Kingdom’s Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade all have pins, each cap-
turing the essence of these events as portrayed by the very talented artists of the
Disney Design Group. Many of these tiny holiday treasures become quite popular,
for the event or party they represent, and also for the ability of the artist to provide
Guests with a unique opportunity to celebrate or relive family memories of trips.
Representations of our favorite characters, attractions, or resorts help us com-
memorate any occasion at any time, but it seems that holiday pins remind us more
vividly than any others.
Holiday Pins at the Resorts
Not to be outdone by the parks, the Walt Disney World resorts also are celebrated
with special holiday pins. I hope you have had the opportunity to see some of the
wonderful gingerbread houses displayed annually at the resorts during the holi-
days. This year, Disney has also released pins to celebrate the art of the various chefs
John Rick founded the Central Jersey Disney Pin Traders in 2002. You can visit the website at www.cjdpt.com and contact him at [email protected]. John is also one of the Hosts of the Disney Pincast- the only weekly podcast dedicated to Disney Pins. It can be found at www.disneypincast.com. John and his wife Sheila live in central New Jersey.
Collecting Holiday Magic
by John Rick
27 · Celebrations
at the resort and the fantastic gingerbread creations they
create each holiday season. This season, Disney chefs will be
available for pin signings so Guests can have their pins au-
tographed.
Being one of the busiest times of
the year, Disney wants to be sure to
provide us with many different ways
to add holiday pins to our pin collec-
tions. Each resort on property has its
own pin to mark the holidays. Many
pin collectors try to collect holiday
pins from all of the resorts. With the
number of resorts, the fact that the
pins are only available at each specif-
ic resort, and the mileage involved in
gathering them, this becomes quite
a quest. Because there is a large as-
sortment of pins to choose from, I
suggest holiday pins as a possible fo-
cus for new Disney pin collectors. In
that very large group of pins, you’ll no
doubt find some aspect that will ap-
peal to you. Perhaps a specific charac-
ter dressed for the holiday may be the
start of your latest search.
In addition to Christmas, Disney
recognizes the other December holi-
days with pins that mark the obser-
vance of Kwanza and Hanukkah, plus
special New Year’s Eve and New Year’s
Day pins. Although there are fewer
choices, these events receive the rec-
ognition they deserve with the very
creative use of the characters along
with the traditional symbols associ-
ated with these festive events. Typi-
cally, the New Year’s Eve pin is coor-
dinated with the New Year’s Day pin
in some way. For example, the same
characters may be featured on both
pins, although themed a bit different-
ly. This way, if you display the two pins
together, they convey a very cohesive portrayal of these two
occasions.
Another very interesting take on the holiday theme are
pins that have been designed to be used as Christmas tree
ornaments. Some take the shape of what we would consid-
er a typical ornament, while others move beyond the norm.
These pin ornaments can become very interesting addi-
tions to your tree, or perhaps they can become the basis of
a pin-themed Disney tree.
Buying Holiday Pins
For the pin collector on your holi-
day shopping list, Disney makes it
easy to shop for pins from the com-
fort of your own home. You don’t
need to plan a Walt Disney World
vacation or break the bank on the
secondary market to get pins for
the pin collector in your life. At
www.odpt.com you can find all the
information you need to purchase
pins directly from Disney. You can
also search to find out which pins
are being released and when. Some
pins will be marked “not available via
mail order,” such as pins from Mick-
ey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
However, in the case of open edition
pins, each description offers a “sku”
number for each item. If you call 407-
363-6200 on the day a pin is released,
you can purchase it typically with
no limit, because there is no limit
in Walt Disney World on purchasing
open edition pins. You can also order
by email at wdw.mail.order@disney-
world.com.
The same directions apply for pur-
chasing limited edition pins; howev-
er, you must wait until 30 days after
a pin’s release to call. If at that time
there are any left, you are permitted
to purchase two of each, which is
the same restriction on purchasing
limited edition pins in the parks.
Collecting holiday pins from Walt
Disney World is only limited by your
own interests, memories, and favorites. Disney has once
again provided us with a large and diverse selection of
product to choose from, as well as some convenient ways
to acquire them.
Until next time, happy trading and happy holidays!
Pho
to ©
Joh
n R
ick
28 · Celebrations
Great hotels? Check. Thrilling theme park rides and exciting shows? You betcha.
A wide array of culinary delights from tasty snacks to world class fine dining?
Absolutely! Walt Disney World has it all, including affordable options so that you can
truly savor your vacation. In addition to the basics of accommodations and theme
park tickets, Disney’s Magic Your Way package offers a host of add-on options that
offer easy ways to prepay for dining and save money, too.
How does it work? Depending on the dining plan you select, you will receive a cer-
tain number of credits, per person, per night, that are encoded onto your Key to the
World card. You can use these credits at more than 100 participating dining loca-
tions around Walt Disney World, providing variety and flexibility to the plan.
To properly identify the best vacation plan for you and your appetite, it’s
important to understand the following meal credits and benefits that are offered
in the plans.
Quick-service meal: This meal can be obtained from a walk-up counter-service
location, aka fast food. A quick-service meal includes one entrée or combo meal
(think burger or chicken strips), one juice at breakfast or dessert at lunch/dinner,
and one single-serving nonalcoholic beverage.
Snack: You can purchase snacks at participating carts or kiosks or from
some counter-service locations. Choices include ice cream, popcorn, and grab bags
of chips.
Table-service meal: These meals are eaten at traditional restaurants where
you are seated at a table and usually have the benefit of a server. The meal includes
an entrée, nonalcoholic beverage, and dessert, or a buffet and a nonalcoholic
beverage.
Refillable mug: If mugs are included in your package, each person in the party
will receive one keepsake, refillable mug. You can refill your mug with certain bever-
ages at select soft drink locations at your resort.
Unlike some vacation meal plans that require you to use your credit each day, the
Disney dining plans allow you to use credits in any combination over the course
of your stay, up until midnight on the day you check out. This comes in handy if
your stomach is set on one of the premier signature restaurants or for the very
popular dinner shows such as the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or the Spirit of
Aloha Dinner Show because all of these options require two table-service credits.
Now that you have all that down, let’s dig a little deeper and look at some of the
package add-on options.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Plus Quick-Service Dining: New for 2009, this pack-
age includes two quick-service meals and two snacks, per person, per night, plus
one refillable mug, per person. This package is a good choice for Guests who want
flexibility in their schedules and may not want to be tied down to table-service res-
ervation times, yet still want some prepaid options in their plans.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Plus Dining: In my experience, this option has been
Beci Mahnken, CTC-MCC is the Founder, President and CEO of MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel. Beci has over 10 years vacation planning experience, specializing in vacation packages and cruises, with a team of over 50 affiliates nationwide. Visit www.MouseFan.Travel for expert planning of magical vacations to Disney destinations, andwww.MEI.Travel for vacation packages & cruises around the globe.
Disney’s Dining Plans Offer Something for Everyone’s Appetite!
By Beci Mahnken, CTC-MCC
29 · Celebrations
the most popular choice for the typical family. It includes one
table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack, per
person, per night. Many people find that this plan offers flex-
ibility without overdoing the amount of food being offered.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining: This
plan offers three meals and two snacks, per person, per
night. Unlike the dining plan above, this plan also includes
appetizer choice, and a refillable mug. It’s ideal for people
who really enjoy culinary experiences as a primary part of
their vacations or for people who prefer to eat frequently
throughout the day.
Just in case you don’t think you have enough choices, if
you are looking for full meal plans that include select ac-
tivities, explore the Premium Package or Platinum Package.
If you’d like to let out your inner sommelier, check out the
Wine and Dine Plan, which includes one bottle of wine from
a selected list, per night. You can add the Wine and Dine Plan
to any dining plan that includes table-service credits.
I am often asked if I recommend the dining plans. My
answer is, “It depends.” Your needs and expectations are
unique. I highly recommend taking some quality time with
your vacation planner to ensure that you are matched with
the right package. With so many choices, the Disney dining
options offer something delicious for every taste.
The following tips will help you to make the most out of your
dining plan.
• Before you select a plan, really think about your eating hab-
its when you are on vacation. Do you tend to eat three full
meals a day? If not, the standard dining plan might be a
good choice for your needs—and your pocketbook.
• Due to the popularity of Walt Disney World restaurants, I
strongly recommend that you take advantage of Advanced
Dining Reservations, which can be made up to 180 days in
advance.
• Each time you redeem credits, your receipt will show how
many credits you have left.
• Some things are not included in the dining plans, so you
may receive a bill with your credit deduction. For example,
most gratuities are not included, and alcoholic beverages
are an additional expense.
• Try to preplan how you intend to spend your credits. Many
Guests don’t use all of their snack credits, for example. Un-
used credits are not refundable.
• If you are a Disney Vacation Club member staying on
points, an Annual Pass holder, or a Guest traveling on a
Disney Cruise Line land/sea package, special dining plan
options are available. Ask your booking source which plans
are available during your stay.
Chef Mickey and his friends take a break from cooking up delicious, well-balanced meals to mingle with guests of Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, just one of the many resaurant choices you can enjoy on the Disney Dining Plan.
Photo ©Disney
30 · Celebrations
When ECPOT was being developed as a new
theme park, Disney Imagineers knew that
it would require an iconic landmark similar to Cin-
derella Castle to represent it. But while Cinderella
Castle symbolized fantasy and fairy tales, the EPCOT
landmark needed to represent the future and tech-
nological innovation.
Imagineers came up with the concept of a geode-
sic sphere, which was soon to be named Spaceship
Earth and home of a dark ride that took Guests on a
tour through the history (and future) of communi-
cation. To create the attraction, Disney Imagineers
collaborated with noted author Ray Bradbury (who
would later contribute to the conception of the Or-
bitron space ride at Disneyland Paris, then known
as Euro-Disney ), the Smithsonian Institution, the
Huntington Library, the University of Southern Cali-
fornia, and the University of Chicago.
The phrase Spaceship Earth goes back to 1879,
when it was used in a passage from the book Progress
and Poverty by Henry George. The phrase was popular-
ized by R. Buckminster Fuller, who wrote a book titled
Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth in 1963. Fuller also
investigated the concept of geodesic domes in the
early 1950s. Although Fuller was not the original in-
ventor of the geodesic dome, he developed and popu-
larized the idea, receiving a U.S. patent in the process.
The geodesic dome is extremely strong for its weight.
When the dome is expanded to a full sphere, it enclos-
es the greatest volume with the least surface area of
any three-dimensional shape. It seemed only natural
that a geodesic sphere become the home for Space-
ship Earth, and the very symbol of Epcot itself.
The massive construction project took 26 months
to complete, requiring a total of 40,800 labor hours
to build. (That’s more than 4½ years!) Spaceship
Earth is 180 feet high and 165 feet in diameter, and
it weighs nearly 16 million pounds. The support pil-
ing for the six massive support legs are buried from
120 to 185 feet into the ground. The sphere is in two
parts; the upper part sits on top of a “table” support-
ed by the six legs, while the bottom half is suspend-
ed underneath. The sphere is actually composed of
two spheres. The outer sphere is comprised of 11,324
silvered facets on 954 triangular panels. The inner
sphere contains the tracks and maintenance rooms
for the attraction itself.
Originally, the attraction featured narration by
actor Vic Perrin and a quiet orchestral ending. On
May 26, 1986, Walter Cronkite rerecorded the narra-
tion, and a new ending was developed with a new
theme song, “Tomorrow’s Child.”
On August 15, 1994, Spaceship Earth closed for ren-
ovations, during which time new final scenes were
added (dropping the ending theme “Tomorrow’s
Child” in the process). Spaceship Earth reopened on
November 23, 1994, with a new narration provided
by Jeremy Irons, and the new Global Neighborhood
replaced the original Earth Station in the post-show
area. Five years later, the Global Neighborhood was
updated and renamed the New Global Neighbor-
hood with new hands-on exhibits.
During the Millennium Celebration, a large Mick-
ey Mouse hand was added to the exterior of Space-
ship Earth. It originally included the year “2000” in
large numbers. After the Millennium Celebration
concluded, the “2000” was replaced with “Epcot.” The
entire structure was removed in 2007.
Spaceship Earth closed for a lengthy rehab at the
end of 2007, reopening on February 18, 2008. Many of
the animatronic figures were updated (with stun-
ning results), and a new interactive video feature
was added to the latter half of the ride. A few scenes
were removed, such as the Internet communication
scene between two teenagers and all of the scenes
after the planetarium segment (including the much
beloved City of the Future). New scenes included the
birth of the personal computer and a retro-futuris-
tic computer center. An updated narration was also
recorded by Dame Judi Dench (who recently played
the role of M , James Bond’s boss, in the James Bond
films, and was the voice of Mrs. Caloway in the Dis-
ney animated film Home on the Range).
Spaceship Earth is filled with dazzling effects and
spectacular visuals, and it is truly a classic attrac-
tion that’s not to be missed!
31 · Celebrations
Your adventure begins as you board your Time Machine and climb through a dazzling star field. During your ascent, you will have your picture taken. This will be used later in your journey, so be sure to smile!
Starting with a cave scene set in prehistoric times (demonstrating the beginnings of the spoken language), your vehicle takes you past various scenes depicting highlights and important breakthroughs in man’s never-ending quest to reach out to one another.
After the cave scene, you’ll visit an Egyptian temple. Note the hieroglyphics on the walls. They are recreations of actual writings, and the pharaoh’s letter is a duplicate of an actual letter sent by an Egyptian pharaoh.
Next up are two scenes showing Phoenician merchants and a Greek math teacher. Both of these scenes are especially magical due to their nighttime settings. Look to the right in the Phoenician scene for a beautiful view of a distant ship under a star-filled sky .
You’ll then venture to Rome, where you’ll hear about the extensive network of roads that crossed the vast empire. Watch for the chariots driving off in the distance! As you turn the corner to see Rome in ruins, make note of the markings. They are based on actual graffiti found in the ruins of Pompeii. You can also smell Rome burning!
The Islamic scene is next. See if you can spot the authentic replica of a tenth-century quadrant, which was a device used for navigation and astronomy.
In the Sistine Chapel scene, look closely at the system used to convey paint up to Michelangelo as he paints the ceiling. It is an exact duplicate of the original.
In the Renaissance scene, the book being read is Virgil’s Aeneid, and the musical instruments are intricately detailed replicas of two instruments from the period, a lute and a lyra de braccio . The Bible inspected by Johannes Gutenberg in the Renaissance scene is an exact copy of one of the pages of the original Gutenberg Bibles. Plus the type on the printing press is actually movable!
As you journey into the 20th Century scene, it also offers its share of detail. The steam press is an exact replica of one developed by William Bullock in 1863. The Morse code message being received in the telegraph office announces the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Point in 1869, which was the event that completed the transcontinental railroad.
You’ll next witness several new scenes chronicling the development of the computer, and you’ll take a trip through the Tunnel of Facts and Figures. As you near the top of Spaceship Earth, you’ll see a truly stunning sight. The interior of the giant sphere is transformed into a colossal planetarium, with a majestic view of planet Earth high overhead.
For the remainder of your journey, your attention shifts to a video screen in your vehicle, where you can get a glimpse of what the future holds for you. Simply answer a few questions via the touchscreen, and you’ll get to see a whimsical video of your personalized “future.” You’ll see that your face has been digitized into the characters on the screen. Aren’t you glad you smiled?
32 · Celebrations
Spac
esh
ip E
arth
Inte
rio
r Ph
oto
s ©
Tim
Dev
ine
33 · Celebrations
In the Renaissance scene, look for the painter on the left. On his table, you’ll see that he’s left three rings of white paint...
Look carefully at the parchment on the sleeping monk’s desk to find another Hidden Mickey.
In the Middle East scene, look on the bookshelves behind the scholar to the left. You’ll see three parchment scrolls facing out, with their ends forming a clever Hidden Mickey.
In the new exit area, watch the screens on either side of the giant blue globe. You’ll see lots of spots gliding slowly across the screen. Occasionally they will form Hidden Mickeys!
To be mathematically precise, Spaceship Earth is not a sphere but a pentakis dodecahedron.
In the scene showing the birth of the personal computer, look for the poster of Fleetwood Mac on the wall. Could the second part of the band’s name give you any clue as to which computer is being developed?
On the second floor of the back of the building facing Future World is a VIP lounge. The curved room is highlighted by a wall made up of several large windows that provide a stun-ning view of the park. When Siemens took over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth , the lounge was named “Base21 .”
A specially developed gutter system keeps rain from cascad-ing off of the sphere. Rainwater is instead channeled through underground drains that lead to World Showcase Lagoon.
SecretS & Hidden mickeyS
Photo ©Disney
What do Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth and Disney’s Contemporary Resort have in common? All of them are iconic symbols of
Walt Disney World, recognized the world over. It may seem odd to include a resort on that list, but the Contemporary’s distinctive A-frame structure is an awe-inspiring sight, especially as you pass through the interior aboard the futuristic monorail. No other
resort provides the spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom that you’ll find here, and it’s
also the only resort that’s within walking distance to the park. So join us as we take a tour of this innovative resort and discover
the magic inside!
34 · Celebrations
As one of the original Magic Kingdom resorts (it opened
along with Disney’s Polynesian Resort), the Contempo-
rary Resort was (and still is) a bold, innovative architectural
concept. Modular rooms slid into a towering A-frame struc-
ture with a grand, open concourse (dubbed, appropriately
enough, the Grand Canyon Concourse). Because the Contem-
porary Resort was meant to provide a glimpse into the future,
it faced the same challenges that Tomorrowland had: How
do you portray the future without it become dated over the
course of time? Having the monorail pass though the Grand
Canyon Concourse certainly helps. (There’s nothing quite like
the sight of the monorail gliding overhead as you make your
way to Chef Mickey’s!) But the true charm of the Contempo-
rary Resort lies inside. In stark contrast to the concrete forms
and angular lines seen on the outside, the interior of the re-
sort is alive with color and retro-futuristic décor. The lobby
and rooms have recently undergone an extensive transfor-
mation, with modern day stylings of earth tones, metals, and
suede replacing the Art Deco kinetics that evoked historic vi-
sions of the future (as seen in Tomorrowland).
In addition to the main building (known as the Contem-
porary Tower), the complex also features the South Garden
Rooms, a convention center, and the DVC Bay Lake Tower,
which is currently under construction. On the second floor of
the Contemporary Tower are several meeting rooms, which
is where you can discover one of the Contemporary Resort’s
best kept secrets. You might think it would be difficult to find
a nice, quiet, out-of–the-way place to relax in one of the most
popular tourist destinations in the world. But if you make
your way to the second floor, you’ll find a number of quiet
sitting areas tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the
lobby and the Grand Canyon Concourse. It’s the perfect place
to kick up your feet and enjoy a quiet moment. Best of all,
when you’re all refreshed, you can take a quick ride up the es-
calators, hop on the monorail, and head on back to the Magic
Kingdom for an evening of Disney fun and excitement!
35 · Celebrations
Guest Room Photo ©Disney; All Other Photos ©Tim Foster
36 · Celebrations
The giant mural in the Grand Canyon Concourse was de-
signed by Mary Blair, who also created the distinctive shapes
and colors found on “it’s a small world.” The mural consists
of 18,000 hand-painted tiles, and it is 90 feet tall.
See if you can spot the five-legged goat in the mural. It is best
viewed from the seventh and eighth floors on the monorail
side of the tower.
If you want to walk from the Contemporary Resort to the
Magic Kingdom, you’ll find a path outside the main en-
trance leading to the park. The walk takes about 10 minutes,
and you’ll be able to see the monorail gliding overhead!
See if you can find this Hidden Mickey at the Sand Bar (the
refreshment stand near the pool area). In the wallpaper
border are several figures holding semaphore flags. If you
look on the upper left wall, you’ll see that one of the figures
is wearing a pair of Mickey ears!
You can spot an unusual Hidden Mickey in the landscaping
leading up to the main entrance. If you’re on the monorail
or on the west side of the building, see if you can spot the gi-
ant Mickey Mouse wristwatch hidden in the landscaping!
The monorail isn’t the only form of transportation available
at the resort. You can take a boat to the nearby Wilderness
Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
The Contemporary and Polynesian resorts were only two
of the original five resorts planned for the Magic Kingdom.
The other resorts were going to be the Asian Resort, the
Persian Resort, and the Venetian Resort .
Talk about style! Some of the rooms in the new Bay Lake
Tower with a Magic Kingdom view will have moveable par-
titions in the bathrooms so that you can watch the evening
fireworks from the luxury of your bathtub!
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS & SECRETS
The Wave, located on the main level, is the Contemporary Resort’s newest restaurant, featuring a unique menu of healthful cuisine. You can also relax in one of the several futuristic lounges (below) and enjoy a quiet drink or snack.
The California Grill, located on the 15th floor, is one of Walt Disney World’s most critically acclaimed restaurants. If you time your dinner right, you can enjoy a unique view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks!
(left) Gone but not forgotten! The Concourse Steakhouse was an upscale restaurant located on the Grand Canyon Concourse underneath the monorail. Serving scrumptious steaks (and wonderful creamed spinach!), the restaurant recently closed to make way for a quick-service eatery .
37 · Celebrations
Concourse Steakhouse and Wave Photos ©Tim FosterAll Other Photos ©Disney
Photo ©Barrie Brewer
38 · Celebrations
The holiday season is a magical time at Walt Disney World, and in this special section of Celebrations, we’ll explore all of the things that make
this festive time of year so wonderful.
Grab some hot chocolate, find yourself an open sleigh, and climb aboard as we celebrate the holiday season—Disney style!
39 · Celebrations
40 · Celebrations
Photo ©Disney
41 · Celebrations
Orlando may be thousands of miles away from
the North Pole, but that doesn’t stop Santa’s elves
(with a little bit of help from Disney’s Imagineers), from
transforming Walt Disney World into a magical holiday
wonderland.
Around every corner of every park, you’ll discover the
enchantment and splendor of the Christmas season.
The characters are dressed in their holiday best, stores
burst with special treasures, joyous parades feature
dazzling displays and traditional music, and every win-
dow and street lamp is aglow with twinkling lights. So
join us as we take a look at what happens when pixie
dust combines with Christmas sparkles…
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Every holiday season, the Magic Kingdom is trans-
formed into a storybook Christmas scene. And while
you can enjoy the festive decorations throughout the
day, an evening at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
is where you’ll really get into that holiday spirit. Taking
place on select nights through the holiday season, this
wondrous celebration is filled with dazzling entertain-
ment, scrumptious treats, and even a bit of snow. Snow
in Florida?? Why not! This is Walt Disney World after all,
the most magical place on Earth! Once you pass under-
neath the Walt Disney World Railroad station, you’ll be
transported to a glittering Christmas setting straight
from a fairy tale book. There’s nothing quite like that
first glimpse of Main Street, U.S.A.,
decked to the halls with baubles,
bows, garland, greens, and tinsel, with Cinderella Castle
adorned in shimmering lights in the distance.
Take a turn off of Main Street, U.S.A. into any of the
lands, and you’ll discover even more holiday magic.
For instance, you’ll find special character greetings
throughout the Magic Kingdom. Keep an eye out for
Minnie and Mickey, dressed in their best holiday finery.
You’ll also get to enjoy many of the most popular Magic
Kingdom attractions, but in a way you’ve never experi-
enced them before. Just imagine catching a glimpse of
the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights while you’re riding
the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, or seeing giant
snowflakes illuminating the futuristic spires of Space
Mountain.
But there’s more to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas
Party than decorations and attractions. You’ll find
plenty of spectacular shows and events, starting with
the lighting of the Castle Dreamlights. The ceremony
actually takes place at 6:30, so if you’re coming to the
Magic Kingdom for the party (which starts at 7:00), be
sure to arrive a bit early so you can see this amazing
sight (it’s truly a magical moment that you will never
forget). Of course, that’s only the beginning!
At the Castle Forecourt Stage you can see the delight-
ful “Celebrate the Season” show, where all of your favor-
ite Disney pals (including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy,
Photo ©Tim Devine
42 · Celebrations
Pluto even Chip and Dale) are joined by characters from
“The Nutcracker Suite” for a magical evening of fun and
music. You can also see Mickey’s “’Twas the Night Before
Christmas” at the Galaxy Palace Theater in Tomorrow-
land, with shows running throughout the evening.
You’ll never hear the classic Christmas song “Santa
Baby” the same way again once you see Minnie Mouse
singing it to Santa Claus (or is that Goofy dressed up in
a big red suit?).
If you like parades, you’ll definitely want to check out
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, which winds
its way from Frontierland down Main Street, U.S.A.
Highlights of the parade include Chip and Dale building
a pair of unusual “snowmen”, Goofy’s magical gumball
machine, and a deliciously charming collection of gin-
gerbread men marching down the street. But the high-
light of the parade is most certainly Cinderella herself;
riding in an elegant, snow white carriage drawn by a
team of horses (speaking of Snow White, you’ll find her
there too, waving from a magically lit float of her own!).
Here’s a tip: there are two parades during the party, one
at 8:15 and one at 10:30. If you want a great view (or don’t
care to jostle through throngs of people looking for
that perfect spot), try attending the second parade; it
usually draws much lighter crowds.
When you think of Magic Kingdom nighttime spec-
taculars, fireworks inevitably leap to mind. During
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can see the
spectacular Holiday Wishes show, made even more
magical by the accompanying musical score of holiday
classics. In the mood for some dancing? Then be sure
to check out the two Character Dance Parties, where
you can join some of your favorite characters as you
take the dance floor to classic Christmas tunes. Join
Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia (from Cinder-
ella) and others at Ariel’s Grotto, or groove along with
Stitch, Chip, and Dale over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
in Tomorrowland.
All of these shows and parades may make you a little
hungry, and of course the holiday season wouldn’t be
complete without a nice cup of hot chocolate and some
cookies. So why not get some? You can stop at one of
the special holiday stands found throughout the park
for some complimentary hot cocoa and Christmas
cookies. You’ll even find delicious apple slices and juice,
as well as sugar-free hot chocolate and cookies. If it’s
43 · Celebrations
more of a meal you’re looking for, the Liberty Tree Tav-
ern and Tony’s Town Square restaurants serve special
holiday fare.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held se-
lect nights through December 19th, from 7 p.m. to mid-
night. A separately priced ticket is required for admis-
sion, and advance purchase is recommended.
Other Holiday Happenings
Not to be outdone by the Magic Kingdom; Epcot, Dis-
ney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom
all have their own seasonal surprises.
Over in Epcot, holiday magic abounds. Many of the
pavilions in World Showcase offer storytellers, includ-
ing France’s Père Noël, Italy’s LaBefana, and America’s
Santa Claus, who share their tales of holiday folklore.
At 6 p.m., stop by the World Showcase Plaza Tree Stage
to watch the tree lighting ceremony, which is hosted
by Mickey himself. Take your time walking there so
you can marvel in the beautiful Lights of Winter that
line the World Showcase Promenade. This festive light
show runs nightly at the World Showcase Plaza.
Three times a night, you can also see the Candlelight
Processional, which is an unforgettable retelling of the
Christmas story at the American Gardens Theater in
World Showcase. You can make a whole night of it with
Disney’s Candlelight Dining Package. It includes dining
at an Epcot restaurant and reserved general seating for
the processional. The event is extremely popular, so be
sure to make arrangements early. If you don’t happen
to get a seat in the theater itself, you can still enjoy the
beautiful music as you stroll through the American Ad-
venture pavilion. Celebrity narrators for the 2008 holi-
day season include John O’Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris,
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Viginia Madsen,Marlee Matlin,
Monique Coleman, Chita Rivera, Abigail Breslin, Steven
Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos, Angela Bassett
and Courtney Vance.
At the end of the evening, you can enjoy a special
holiday version of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. It
begins with a new song, “Let There Be Peace On Earth”,
which plays as the giant Earth globe slowly closes. Next,
several messages of peace are spoken in different lan-
guages, with the appropriate pavilion lighting up for
each reading. You’ll then hear the famliar voice of Wal-
ter Cronkite as he delivers a moving message of peace
and holiday wishes, after which you will be treated to
one of the most breathtaking fireworks displays that
you will ever see. To
Looking for more magic? At Disney’s Hollywood Stu-
dios, check out the breathtaking Osborne Family Spec-
tacle of Dancing Lights. In addition to millions of danc-
ing lights, there’s also a 100 percent chance of snow!
Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, look for the tower-
ing 65-foot Christmas tree as you enter the park. Once
inside, stroll over to Camp Minnie-Mickey, where you
can find your favorite Disney characters decked out
in their holiday best. You’ll also find plenty of photo
opportunities here, along with beautifully decorated
trees and live entertainers. Finally, the Animal Kingdom
welcomes in the holidays with Mickey’s Jingle Jungle
Parade. Join Mickey and his friends on a holiday adven-
ture, celebrating the holidays and the world of nature
as the parade winds through the park.
There’s no end to the holiday magic at Walt Disney
World, and if you visit during this special time of year
you’ll be sure to discover that it’s the perfect place to
share the Christmas spirit with family and friends.
Joy to the World!
Photos ©Disney
44 · Celebrations
45 · Celebrations
RESORTS
Every resort at Walt Disney World puts on its own unique holiday display. Christmas trees, lights, wreaths and more adorn every lobby, with a few surprises along the way. For a magical evening, take the monorail and visit the Magic Kingdom resorts, or stroll along Crescent Lake to see the Epcot resorts. Be sure to bring your holiday spirit!
(opposite) The beautiful Victorian Christmas tree in the Grand Floridian lobby(above) The Yacht Club makes a magical evening outdoor spectacle, and you can gather ‘round the Christmas tree in the lobby for some holiday storytelling!(right) Festive decorations transform the Boardwalk Inn lobby into a colorful carnival of Christmas magic
Grand Floridian Photo © Pat Whitson; All Other Photos ©Tim Foster
The Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge (below) have some of the most extravagant holiday displays in all of Walt Disney World. The rustic decorations and breathtaking lights will leave you spellbound...and wishing for a cup of hot cocoa!
46 · Celebrations
Photos ©Barrie Brewer
47 · Celebrations
48 · Celebrations
By Lou MongelloPhoto © Pat Whitson
49 · Celebrations
One of the best times to visit Walt Disney World is
during the holiday season, as Disney celebrates
with special events throughout the parks and resorts.
In addition to the incredibly well-themed holiday deco-
rations in and around the resorts, each of the theme
parks is decorated appropriately as well. Epcot’s World
Showcase offers an additional number of experiences
that are not to be missed. And unlike a ticketed event
such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party over in
the Magic Kingdom (which is also a must-see!), all of
the holiday festivities in Epcot are included with your
admission.
Along the promenade of World Showcase in front of
each nations’ pavilion at various times throughout the
day, the legends and folklore of the holidays are told
by storytellers native to that country. Dressed in tra-
ditional attire, the storytellers explain the traditions
of their countries, along with the fascinating stories
behind them. They are often interactive, and their 5-
to-10-minute-long presentations are fun for kids and
adults alike. Join me as we explore the promenade in a
clockwise direction .
Mexico
These storytellers hold a unique distinction of all
those we’ll see on our journey. They are the only “they” in
the list, because the storytellers are actually the Three
Kings. “Los Tres Reyes Magos” tell their story of search-
ing for the blessed infant in Bethlehem. Christmas in
Mexico is known as “La Navidad,” with its primary cele-
bration being known as “Las Posadas.” Meaning “shelter,”
this celebration focuses on the journey of Mary and Jo-
seph seeking and finding shelter in the town of Beth-
lehem. To honor that journey, for nine nights begin-
ning on December 16, children dress like the holy family
and visit their neighbors and enjoy the nacimientos
(Nativity scenes) set up in their homes. But the festivi-
ties don’t end on Christmas day. January 6, known as
“Dia de los Tres Reyes” (Three Kings Day), celebrates the
day the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem, met, and
gave gifts to the baby Jesus. As part of the traditional
celebration, Mexican children leave their shoes on
their doorsteps, much as the kings probably did before
entering the stable in which Jesus was born. The
next morning, the childrens’ shoes are surrounded
by presents brought to them in the middle of
the night.
Norway
Much like Mexico, Norway does not celebrate with a
large, jolly fat man with a white beard dressed in a red
suit. Instead their stories are told by Julenissen, a short
fat elf with a white beard dressed in red and green.
Nevertheless, the holidays in the Land of the Midnight
Sun are very festive, and here the animals get as many
gifts as the people do! On Christmas Eve, animals that
inhabit the farms and barns in which Julenissen lives
are offered the very best barley and grains, and even
the birds are given the finest grain, placed high upon
spruce poles. But before you start worrying that chil-
dren in this beautiful land celebrate the season by feed-
ing the farm animals, have no fear. They also get to feed
Julenissen as well, by leaving a bowl of porridge in the
hayloft to thank him for acting as the guardian of their
family. But what about the toys and presents, you ask?
Don’t worry; the children’s pre-holiday celebrations are
rewarded with not one, but two Christmas days! On
“Christmas day,” children attend church and then spend
the day at home with family. On “second Christmas day,”
the holiday takes on an almost Halloween-like atmo-
sphere, as costumed children celebrate “julbukke” by
going door to door for treats.
China
Here, the Monkey King, known as “Sun hou-kong” re-
counts the ancient, humorous yet moral legend from
birth redemption. Born from stone, Sun hou-kong was
raised by humans and earned his title by conquering a
monster in China. After pilfering a magical stick from
the Dragon King, he began to abuse his powers and was
banished inside a mountain by Buddha. A monk name
Thang Seng, trusting in the Monkey King, asked Bud-
dha to release him, so that he could join Thang Seng on
a journey to retrieve Buddha’s original teaching texts. It
is a captivating story celebrating China’s heritage and
its biggest holiday.
Germany
Stories from Germany will be familiar to many peo-
ple, because many American traditions and customs
are rooted in German legends. St. Nicholas tells the
tale of the first Christmas tree, an oak cut down by St.
Boniface, the saint who brought Christianity to Ger-
many. The oak was cut from the site of where the son
of a chieftain was to be sacrificed, and in its place grew
50 · Celebrations
an evergreen, which St. Bonafice said represented the
Christ Child (Christkindl). He taught that the evergreen
Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) should be honored by
being placed in homes during the holidays. And speak-
ing of trees, how can we forget the pickle? No, not a tree
that is made from pickles, nor one upon which you hang
your Kosher dills, but the single pickle that hangs from
the Christmas tree. According to tradition, the pickle
brings good luck, and after every other ornament is
hung, the pickle ornament was hidden among them.
On Christmas day, the first child to find the pickle (and
not break every other ornament in the process) would
get a special present left by St. Nicholas.
Italy
The only woman among the traditional storytell-
ers is a witch. (Oh, that’s going to get me in trouble, I
just know it.) No, really! But (like Glinda from The Wiz-
ard of Oz), she’s a good witch. Italy’s La Befana recounts
her story of her 2000-year-old search for “il Gesu Bam-
bino,” the baby Jesus. She also tells of how Christmas is
a very sacred, intimate holiday to be shared and spent
with family. However, instead of celebrating on Christ-
mas Eve or day, which recognizes the birth of Jesus,
Italians celebrate the Epiphany, a celebration of the
birth of Jesus and the visits from the Magi (three wise
men). On the eve of the Epiphany, celebrated on Janu-
ary 6, La Befana brings presents to boys and girls and
leaves them in their socks. Christmas Eve is celebrated
by a Nativity ceremony centered around a “Precipio,”
which consists of a manger and figures of all of those
who were present at Jesus’s birth. Afterward, the fam-
ily attends midnight Mass, and then, well, yes, they eat
(sounds like my house!), during the “cenone.”
United States
We stop next at the American Adventure, where we
check in with Santa Claus to be sure he received my
Christmas list, and to be sure I’m on the “nice” list and
hear traditional Christmas tales. If you feel as though
you need a little extra help, you can even put in a good
word with Mrs. Claus, who is on hand to join her hus-
band as well. Of course, Christmas is but one holiday
celebrated by the diverse population of the United
States, and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa storytellers share
the traditions of these celebrations as well. The Hanuk-
kah storyteller, normally located inside the American
Adventure pavilion, explains the Jewish traditions and
meaning behind the Eternal Flame lamp that burned
for eight days, the story of the Maccabees, and much
more. The Kwanzaa storyteller tells of the celebration
of the harvest, as well as traditional values of fam-
ily unity in this traditionally African-American holiday.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are explored, as well
as the importance of this rich, spiritual celebration.
Japan
One of the most unique stories can be heard in Japan,
not by a Christmastime storyteller, but by the Seller of
“Daruma,” good luck dolls and symbols of the New Year.
Celebrated from January 1 to 3, O-Shogatsu is the Japa-
nese New Year, and an important element of the cel-
ebration is the Daruma doll. The dolls are named after
a Buddhist monk who meditated for nine years. After
sitting in a single position during that entire time, his
arms and legs shriveled up and fell off, which explains
the doll’s unique shape and ability to (as Japanese
proverb states) “fall down seven times, get up eight.”
The dolls are crafted without pupils in their eyes, and
custom dictates that children are to make wishes and
paint their dolls’ left eyes. If their wish is granted before
the end of the year, they may paint in the right eyes as
well, as a lesson in patience and persistence. Family,
food, and reflection are also important elements of the
New Year, as is the ringing of bells, as they are rung in
Buddhist temples throughout the country to ring in
the new year. Many homes will be decorated with kado-
matsu trees, because their plum blossoms symbolize
hope for the New Year, the pine branches represent
strength, and the bamboo represents growth.
Morocco
Tales of the Taarji, the storytelling drummer, are
told in Morocco, where the history and celebration of
Ramadan are told. A time for both worship and con-
templation, Taarji shares the meaning of the Festival of
Ashura, the celebration of the new year, and the nightly
celebration that occurs when the traditional fast is
broken. He plays a traditional Moroccan drum as he ex-
plains how well-behaved children get presents during
this festive season.
France
France’s Père Noël, known as the good spirit of the
51 · Celebrations
season, looks very much like a Santa Claus on a low-carb
diet, dressed in a traditional red robe and sash. While
telling his story, he reads a Christmas letter from little
Babette and goes on to explain that in France, children
put their shoes by the fireplace on Christmas Eve in
hopes that Père Noël will leave some toys in their shoes.
(Their goes François’s hopes for an Xbox 360.) And like
American children do for Santa Claus, French children
also leave Père Noël snacks. But instead of milk and
cookies, he is left a glass of wine, as well as beet greens
for the donkey that travels with him. (That explains
the difference in Santa and Noël’s weight classes.) Also a
very important religious holiday, homes and churches
traditionally are decorated with a “crèche” or nativ-
ity scene surrounded by candles. A
Yule log is burned in the fireplace,
and after midnight Mass, the fam-
ily enjoys Le Réveillon, which is a
meal consisting of ham, goose, oys-
ters, salads, cheese, champagne, and
Bûche de Noël, a cake shaped like a
traditional Yule log.
United Kingdom
As expected, many American
traditions are rooted in those cel-
ebrated in the United Kingdom.
Christmas carols such as “Deck the
Halls” were first sung in the United
Kingdom, and even the hanging of
mistletoe came from across the pond. One of the UK’s
oldest traditions, it dates back thousands of years to
the Druids celebrating the winter solstice. According to
legend, berries were removed from the mistletoe every
time someone kissed beneath it until all of the berries
(and thus the kissing) was gone. Most important, the
idea of Father Christmas comes from the United King-
dom, and save for the color of his tunic (green versus
red), he looks very much like Santa Claus. Then again,
while Santa received children’s letters, reads them, and
brings presents to those on the “good” list (remember
me, Santa?), Father Christmas would get the child’s
card. And burn it. And while he would burn the un-
opened cards, he would be able to read the smoke that
was carried up the chimney. Nevertheless, he is still
quite jolly, and of course, brings children presents and
holiday cheer.
Canada
In Canada, bigger isn’t necessarily better, because
once again we find a jolly little elf telling takes of the
nation that is the home of Santa Claus. (Technically the
North Pole is in Canada.) Our little friend tells tales of
traditional cookie-baking parties and the fun and food-
filled celebrations on Christmas Eve. Because Canada,
like the United States, is filled with people from many
different cultures, religions, and background, he re-
counts tales of other traditions and how they are cel-
ebrated throughout the nation. While many Canadian
traditions—such as waiting for Santa, trimming the
tree, and singing Christmas carols—are found through-
out many nations, Canada has some unique traditions
as well. For example, we all know
about the “naughty or nice” list, but
some Canadian children have to be
on the lookout for a little creature
known as a Belsnickle, who can en-
ter the homes of naughty children
and wreak havoc. For the Inuit chil-
dren, creatures called Naluyuks
pound the floor with sticks before
questioning the children to see if
they’ve been good or bad. The chil-
dren sing carols to appease the Na-
luyuks, and then the Naluyuks give
the good children their presents. In
other provinces such as Quebec, a
traditional French dinner called Le
Réveillon is shared after midnight Mass on Christmas
Eve. And on December 26, Canada celebrates Boxing Day,
which is an old English tradition of giving boxes of gifts
to the poor.
The storytellers are one of the highlights of the holi-
days in Walt Disney World, and I think that far too often,
too many Guests simply walk past without enjoying
the diverse tales they have to share. In continuing with
the message of Epcot, they embody the concept of edu-
cation through entertainment, and for most people,
they will offer the only insight into the holiday tradi-
tions from around the world. While some of the stories
will seem familiar, because they have influenced the
holidays we celebrate today in the United States, other
stories will give new insight into the people and tradi-
tions of many exotic lands from around the globe.
52 · Celebrations
A Very WaltChristmas
by Jim Korkis
Photo ©Disney
53 · Celebrations
In the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream attraction at
Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World,
there is a letter from Joyce Hall, the founder of
Hallmark Cards and a good friend of Walt Disney’s,
where Hall recounts the story of being on an airplane
with an excited child who had just visited Disneyland
for the first time.
Hall asked the child if he thought that Walt Disney
was a real person or someone like Santa Claus. The
child thought for a second and with the enthusiastic
conviction that comes from being young,
thoughtfully replied, “Both!”
It’s certainly natural to think of Walt Disney as a
modern Santa Claus. For many people, he brought
presents into their homes weekly on his television
program, whether it was an animated cartoon, a
live action adventure, or a behind-the-scenes peek at
something new for Disneyland.
54 · Celebrations
In 1938, a magazine reporter asked Walt Disney if he
believed in Santa Claus. Walt responded, “Certainly,
yes. When my little daughters confront me with the
question, I shall say without a twinge, ‘Of course there
is.’ Long live Santa Claus!”
However, in that same Woman’s Day magazine arti-
cle, it was revealed that Walt “found out at the age of six
that there wasn’t any team of reindeer waiting up on
the roof while a fat man slid down his chimney, but he
had fun pretending to his parents that he still believed
the whole works.”
When Walt was a small boy growing up on a farm
near Marceline, Missouri, Christmas was a very special
time of the year with relatives coming from near and
far and neighbors dropping by for holiday visits. The
hard daily chores on the farm were temporarily post-
poned while attention shifted to the holidays.
Walt grew up in a family of limited means. With the
feeding and clothing of five children (Herbert, Ray-
mond, Roy, Walt, and Ruth), the Disney family had little
or no money left over for luxuries. That often meant
that a Christmas gift was something of a practical na-
ture such as new clothes or shoes.
Walt told a reporter that, “There were few extra dol-
lars for such frivolities in those days. I always got some
sensible, modest present. One time Roy (Walt’s older
brother ) bought me a shiny gyroscopic top with its
wonderful spinning ability.”
Walt fondly recalled those wonderful days before
Christmas when he would go with his older brothers
into the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree
(usually a pine or a cedar) and harvest decorations for
the tree from nature, such as big red berries and mis-
tletoe. Nights were spent with his family around the
large potbellied stove, stringing popcorn and cranber-
ries, cutting out stars and angels, and creating other
homemade ornaments from scraps of paper and tin-
foil to decorate the tree.
Walt followed those same simple holiday pleasures
when it came to his own family. Diane Disney Miller,
Walt’s oldest daughter, recalled in 1956, “My sister [Sha-
ron] and I were talking about Dad. When he gives gifts,
he wants to give gifts you can remember him by. He’s
afraid that he’s going to be gone and forgotten. He loves
to give us jewelry. He gave us each a watch when we
were seven years old, and it was inscribed on the back
with the dates.
“And every Christmas, he’s given us a little piece of
jewelry. For Christmas, it was usually something an-
tique. He loves antique jewelry. Nothing expensive or
elaborate but something like a little pair of antique
gold earrings. He gave Mother once some seals in the
forms of a necklace and then at a later Christmas there
were some seals hanging from a bracelet—seals used
for sealing wax and things like that .”
Recently, Diane wrote that her parents “always used
to be very insistent upon observing the Santa Claus
myth. Mother would fill our stockings in the middle of
the night on Christmas Eve. They were hung outside
our bedroom doors. I think we probably had them out-
side the doors because it was easy for Mother to get to
them. She probably arranged it that way.”
When Walt’s daughters were younger, he loved be-
ing a little more theatrical at Christmas, especially
when the box office success of Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs allowed him to use that windfall to re-
ally have Santa bring an amazing gift. When Diane was
eight years old and Sharon was six, Santa Claus brought
them a special playhouse that was very reminiscent of
the dwarfs’ cottage from the animated feature .
Last year, Diane shared the following Christmas
memory that demonstrates Walt’s ingenuity and at-
tention to detail.
“One Christmas, Santa Claus brought us [Diane and
her younger sister, Sharon] a playhouse, and I just knew
that Santa Claus did because it just appeared Christmas
morning out in our backyard. It was this darling little
playhouse. It was designed at the studio, and the studio
carpenters put it up. It was a little one room, about the
size of a good-sized closet. It had little leaded glass win-
dows and one of those little mushroom chimneys on
it, though there was no fireplace, and a sink with run-
ning water. It had a little tank inside the cooler that you
filled then you could turn on the faucet and the water
would come out. It had a little cooler all stocked with
little tiny canned goods. You know, the small cans that
you can buy. It had a telephone in it that would connect
with our phone in the kitchen.
“And I talked to Santa Claus on it that morning. We
had a big butler at the time, and it must have been him
that I talked to. He asked if the house was all right, and
I said, ‘Yes, Santa, fine.’ I was afraid to speak. My eyes
were probably as big as saucers, because I knew it was
Santa, and I knew he had brought the house. Some way,
55 · Celebrations
he had managed to keep me out of the house all day
before Christmas. The studio carpenters had come up
and given their time to put the house up for us. I still
have pictures, and I have a few things [out] of the little
house.
“It was so dear, and I knew Santa had brought it. And
a little boy next door was sort of cynical about it. I said
to him, ‘Well, Morgan, look what Santa brought.’ He said,
‘Santa Claus? You’re crazy. There were men up in your
front yard all day yesterday putting the house up.’ I said,
‘Morgan, you’re a liar. I was out in the front yard playing
all day long, and there were no men.’ I was so positive.
I remember it. I just couldn’t have been more positive
that Santa had brought that house. It was really a won-
derful thing. .”
It wasn’t just Walt’s own children who received gifts
from Santa. Walt maintained a file of hundreds of chil-
dren of his personal friends, members of the press, stu-
dio workers, film executives, and more. Walt made sure
that his secretaries knew that each child was to receive
one big, important Disney merchandise gift and a few
smaller items at least until the age of 12.
Walt’s secretaries were in charge of the gifts, and
Walt’s direction was that each gift had to be wrapped
separately, no matter how small. This job kept a staff of
assistants hopping right up to a few days before Christ-
mas. A room in the studio warehouse was converted to
a virtual Santa’s workshop early in November, and Walt
dropped in daily to inspect the packages and to make
sure that his directions were being followed.
Walt loved Christmas so much that there was a holi-
day celebration the first Christmas Disneyland opened.
In December 1955, there was a live Christmas tree placed
to the left of the entrance of Sleeping Beauty Castle. At
the Magnolia Park Bandstand near the Jungle Cruise,
individual choirs performed. This “Christmas Bowl”
(officially named that in 1956) featured scores of local
youth bands and choral groups.
That tradition led in 1958 to the creation of the first
Candlelight Processional down Main Street, U.S.A., de-
veloped from a concept by Charles C. Hirt of the Univer-
sity of Southern California School of Music. Celebrity
narrators who told the Christmas story were added
in 1961. Actor Dennis Morgan was the first celebrity to
share the story of the first Christmas on Main Street,
U.S.A. Other celebrity narrators over the years included
John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, Charlton Hes-
ton, and Gregory Peck.
The Florida version of the Candlelight Processional
began on Main Street, U.S.A., at the Magic Kingdom in
1971, and it moved to Epcot in 1994, where it is held to-
day.
The Christmas Around the World Parade premiered
at Disneyland in 1957 and ran until 1964, when it was of-
ficially replaced by the Fantasy on Parade that ran to
1976 during the holiday season and was later revived
for 1980 through 1985. The Christmas Around the World
Parade included brightly costumed local ethnic dance
and choral groups.
A 20-foot tall Christmas star was installed on the
Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1961, but it was later retired as
part of Disneyland’s energy conservation efforts.
The first two Disney television shows were run on
Christmas Day. One Hour in Wonderland (1950) and
Walt Disney Christmas Show (1951) had Walt summon-
ing the servant of the Magic Mirror to share clips of
Disney animated cartoons with millions of television
viewers. The first show was seen by 20 million viewers
at a time when there were only 10 1/2 million televi-
sion sets in the entire United States. The show served
as a template for the later weekly Disney television
program.
One of the most well remembered and loved pro-
grams of that weekly Disney television series was From
All of Us to All of You, which premiered December 19, 1958,
directed by Jack Hannah and updated over the decades
by adding a segment to spotlight the latest animated
feature release. Jiminy Cricket takes over the hosting
chores from Walt to share Christmas cards that trans-
form into animated cartoons with a holiday theme .
On the Disney anthology television show episode
“Holiday Time at Disneyland” that originally aired De-
cember 23, 1962, audiences discovered that Walt Disney
was a friend of Santa Claus. At Disneyland, Walt gave
the jolly old elf an early Christmas present of jingle bells
that Walt had been using to perform with the Disney-
land Dickens Christmas Carolers.
Sadly, Walt passed away December 15, 1966, 10 days af-
ter his 65th birthday and 10 days before Christmas, but
his feelings about the magic of the season still resonate
today.
Walt was truly a Santa Claus 365 days of the year, and
his joy of the holiday season is still very much in evi-
dence at the Disney theme parks today.
56 · Celebrations
There’s no shortage of holiday spirit at Walt Disney
World Resort. During the month of December par-
ticularly, the pixie dust spreads to virtually every cor-
ner of the property. Every planter, window, and build-
ing has been decked out in holiday finery.
The theme parks, of course, are spilling over with
trees, tinsel, garlands, greens, baubles, and bows. But
even beyond the theme parks, Disney’s decorating elves
make sure that holiday magic is everywhere. Every re-
sort has its own carefully themed, unique decorations.
For example, at the Caribbean Beach Resort, you’ll find
sea shells and tropical colors on the evergreens, while
over at the Yacht Club, the trees have nautical embel-
lishments, including model yachts. The deluxe resorts
also have elaborate gingerbread and/or chocolate dis-
plays, and I’ve seen smaller displays at Caribbean Beach,
near the food court.
Just Hear Those Sleigh Bells Jingling
In the month of December, on the closest thing to a
sleigh in central Florida, specially decorated carriages
carry guests on “sleigh” rides from the Wilderness
Lodge through a path in the surrounding woods. The
ride is about 25 minutes long, and it costs $60 per sleigh
. The sleighs depart on the hour and half-hour, and if
you time it right, you might be able to see some of the
Magic Kingdom fireworks on your return trip. Make
reservations by calling 407-WDW-PLAY .
Another fun horse-drawn trip is the carriage rides
through the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Campers decorate their campsites with lights and dec-
orations, turning the woods into a holiday wonderland.
They even have a contest for best decorated campsite!
To get the best view, take a carriage ride from Pioneer
Hall. They cost about $35 for a 25-minute ride, and the
carriages hold up to four adults or two adults and three
children. Call 407-WDW-PLAY to make a reservation.
Make a List, and Check It Twice
What would the holidays be without shopping?
Story and Photography by Pat Whitson
57 · Celebrations
There’s no better place than Downtown Disney for all
your gift-buying needs—or at the very least for some
serious window shopping! Downtown Disney’s Festival
of the Seasons features decorated window displays,
holiday entertainment, and the chance to have your
photo taken with the jolly ol’ elf himself, because Santa
has a place here, too.
The World Of Disney store is the largest for all things
Disney, including holiday-themed home goods, cloth-
ing, and accessories with that extra helping of pixie
dust. Here you’ll find the perfect gifts for all of the Dis-
ney fans on your list. Check out my two favorite spots:
the villains room for jewelry, watches, and pins and the
centrally located souvenir room for stocking stuffers.
Just watch out for Stitch on the roof; he’s definitely on
Santa’s “Naughty” list!
A few steps away from World Of Disney, at Once Upon
A Toy , you can relive childhood memories or find the
perfect gift for under the tree. Once Upon A Toy could
almost be an extension of Santa’s workshop, especially
its LEGO Imagination Center.
Elsewhere in Downtown Disney, you’ll find dozens
of specialty shops, spread from Downtown Disney
Marketplace to Downtown Disney West Side. A mu-
sic lover on your shopping list? Try Virgin Megastore.
Athlete or sports fan? The Team Mickey Athletic Club
is the ticket. Culture buff? Check out the Cirque Du So-
leil Shop. Budding paleontologist?
T-Rex Café has dinos galore. Unique
stocking stuffers? Check out Mag-
netron Magnetz, Magic Masters,
Candy Cauldron, Mickey’s Mart, and
Basin. And, of course, you’ll want to
visit the Disney’s Days Of Christmas
shop. Despite it’s “Christmas” name,
it’s open year round, and it is the
perfect place to buy personalized
ornaments and holiday decora-
tions.
Figgy Pudding and Sugar Plums
With all this shopping, you’re
bound to work up an appetite. Luck-
ily, you’ll find dozens of options at
all of the great Downtown Disney
restaurants. Truly, there is nothing
quite like eating a Ghirardelli ice
cream sundae while listening to strolling carolers !
Festival of the Seasons runs from November 28
through December 24, 2008.
Another place that’s open year-round, but is always
full of holiday spirit, is Disney’s Winter Summerland
Miniature Golf. Here, you can putt your way through a
course designed by Santa’s elves while Christmas car-
ols play. You’ll find plenty of surprises on the courses to
guarantee that Santa won’t be the only one chuckling.
You even get a souvenir golf ball to keep at the end of
your game! It’s a fun way to spend an hour or so and ex-
tend those holiday feelings even if it’s after New Year’s
Day.
Celebrate Good Times
The town of Celebration, which is just a little ways
from the Walt Disney World Resort proper, has its
own holiday traditions. From November 29th through
December 31st, residents and visitors can enjoy Now
Snowing, where “snow” falls on the town’s center every
hour on the hour for about 10 minutes. It’s enough to
actually accumulate on the ground. Strolling Charles
Dickens Carolers and horse drawn carriage rides
complete the quaint scene.
Of course, photos with
Santa and
58 · Celebrations
distinctive shopping and dining are also a part of the
picture. Many residents decorate their homes, so a tour
of the side streets is in order. The Now Snowing event
ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve with live music, fire-
works, and the final snowfall of the year. Parking and
admission are free, and it is a very nice way to spend an
evening. You can find more information and directions
at www.celebrationtowncenter.com.
Happy holidays!
The Yuletide Fantasy Tour
To really appreciate how much goes into the an-
nual decorating of the 43 square miles of the Walt
Disney World Resort, take the Yuletide Fantasy
Tour. This 3½-hour tour gives Guests a behind-the-
scenes look at what is involved in making the holi-
day season truly magical. A motor coach whisks
you to backstage entrances for short forays into
the parks.
In Epcot, you’ll learn a bit about the Holidays
Around The World. Then it’s over to Disney’s Hol-
lywood Studios to learn about the Osborne Family
Spectacle of Dancing Lights and how Tinseltown
influenced our holiday celebrations. A stop at a
Magic Kingdom area resort follows; most often
this is the Grand Floridian to see the incredible
gingerbread house. The highlight of the tour for
many people is the chance to see Holiday Services,
which is the backstage area where the holiday
decorations are created and stored. Of course, in
December most of the decorations are out at the
parks and resorts on display, but the size of this
facility their organizational system are amazing.
This tour may vary somewhat due to activities at
the stops.
The Yuletide Fantasy Tour is only available Mon-
day through Saturday from December 1st through
30th, and it costs $69 per person. The tour starts at
9:00 a.m., and some days a second 1:30 p.m. depar-
ture is available. You must be at least 16 years old
to take the tour. The tour often runs longer than
the stated 3½ hours, and there is a lot of walking
involved. You can get more information and make
a reservation by calling 407-WDW-TOUR.
OSB
OR
NE
FAM
ILY
60 · Celebrations
Spectacle of Dancing LightsSTORY By Ray Harkness • PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM DEVINE
What would the Christmas holiday season be without the lights? From a single strand of multi-colored bulbs surrounding a front
door, to a Christmas tree adorning the front window of a house, lights have become a major part of family decorating traditions.
61 · Celebrations61 · Celebrations
62 · Celebrations
Some people take the level of holiday luminescence
to extreme heights. These folks plan elaborate dis-
plays that the neighbors go out of their way to see when
they are on their nightly strolls or driving through the
neighborhood. They spend as much time designing
outdoor displays as a person would put into planning a
wedding. Common annoyances such as increased pow-
er bills, tangled strands of lights, and the frustration of
chasing down that one burned-out bulb don’t seem to
deter them.
For some people, lighting displays are all about the
celebration and sharing it with their communities.
For others, it’s all about the challenge of building a dis-
play that tops the past Christmas. Their passion drives
them to make bigger and bigger displays that even-
tually garner the attention of the national press and
turn the neighborhood into the Christmas version of a
drive-through safari zoo.
Jennings Osborne of Little Rock, Arkansas, is one such
individual. His passion started in 1986 with a simple re-
quest by his then six-year-old daughter to put up a few
Christmas lights. The loving father obliged with 1,000
red lights. This is a rather small amount of lights, which
one might find on a well-strung Christmas tree.
With each succeeding year, the display grew at such
a pace that by 1993, Osborne’s yard display contained
more than 3,000,000 lights. The display was rumored
to be so bright that a plane could spot his house from
miles away.
To this day, Osborne insists that he didn’t create his
gargantuan lighting displays to garner attention; he
says he did it to make people happy. Osborne received
countless letters of appreciation every year, which
helped remind him why he was doing the display every
year.
For Every Santa Claus, There Is a Grinch
Osborne had to deal with his neighbors, who didn’t
see his displays as being an attempt at altruistic gener-
osity, but as an extreme annoyance. The neighbors be-
63 · Celebrations
came so annoyed that they filed a lawsuit that made it
all the way to the Arkansas Supreme Court. To keep the
display shining brightly, Osborne was forced to make
concessions, which included time limits. Osborne was
also required to hire police officers to keep things orga-
nized and traffic flowing.
But Osborne always remembered why he put up his
display. When a family came to his house one night
moments after the mandated time to shut the display
down, he couldn’t bear to send them home without
seeing the lights. Osborne lit up the night, just for them.
This act resulted in a $10,000 fine, which he graciously
paid. But Osborne’s detractors used this violation to
shut him down permanently. Even a plea to the U.S. Su-
preme Court couldn’t reverse what had been done.
Lights: We’re Going to Walt Disney World!
No Disney story would be complete without a happy
ending. Shortly after Osborne’s lights were flicked off
permanently, the Walt Disney Company contacted him
about bringing his family’s spectacle of lights to Walt
Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
On November 4th, 1995, four giant moving trucks ar-
rived at Disney’s MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood
Studios), containing all of Osborne’s display elements.
The first year was stressful for the team of technicians
and Imagineers. They needed to have the display ready
for Guests by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. For-
ty technicians worked 24-hour shifts to complete the
installation of the display on Residential Street, part of
the Studio Backlot Tour. Osborne personally assisted
with the initial design, walking down Residential Street
with the team and giving advice on how he’d decorate
each house.
On November 22, 1995, the Osborne Family Spectacle
of Lights debuted with an explosion of glittering lights
adorning Residential Street. The attraction was an im-
mediate success, and visiting it quickly became a new
tradition for families at Walt Disney World during the
Christmas holiday season.
For several years, the lights shined on Residential
Street, but they eventually had to be moved to the
64 · Celebrations
Streets of America to make way for the construction of
the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.
Since the light display’s transplant to Disney’s Hol-
lywood Studios, the Imagineers have constantly tried
to plus the experience from previous years. One such
“plussing” was the inception of the dancing lights in
2006, which prompted the attraction’s name to change
to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
One brilliant Imagineer stumbled across a special
type of electrical component known as a step relay
that would allow them to control the light intensity in
1 percent increments. This gave the Imagineers unlim-
ited control over the lighting effects. More than 1,500 of
these step relays are now used in the display.
Each building has its own circuit and 36 additional
sub-circuits. Every circuit must be painstakingly pro-
grammed to create the dancing effect. This task is
undertaken by the very patient Cast Member Su-
san Rose, who sits in the middle of the street for 3
weeks each year, carefully listening to the music and
programming how each building’s lights will react to
the sounds.
The entire process to get the Streets of America
dressed for the holidays now takes 15 weeks with a crew
65 · Celebrations
of 25 technicians. Every evening after the lights switch
on, another crew of six to eight technicians walks the
street, looking for strands that need replacing.
Don’t Rain on Our Parade
Anyone who has ever put up their own outdoor dis-
play knows that a rainstorm wreaks havoc on the in-
tegrity of the display. The Osborne Family Spectacle of
Dancing Lights is no exception. The masterminds who
maintain this attraction are constantly coming up
with new ways to increase the lights’ resistance to the
elements.
Tying down the cords and insulating the lights from
the metal structures upon which they are hung was
one improvement. Previously, the lights were touch-
ing the metal building structures and catwalks (which
weave throughout the backside of the buildings), which
was causing electrical shorts when the metal got wet.
Using special plastic shrink wrap sleeves that cover
the connectors was another innovation. It’s a lot of
work, but the effort seems to be paying off. According
to John Phalen, show director of the Osborne Family
Spectacle of Dancing Lights, in 2007 they lost 25 percent
of the lights to rain during test runs. But this year, they
lost only about 5 percent. (It should be noted that if the
weather results in the quality of the display deterio-
rating too much due to line shorts, the display will be
turned off.)
Phalen also points out that the technicians hanging
the lights are given a lot of liberty to think of unique
and crazy lighting display elements. This has created
such wonderful elements as the snowman in the phone
booth and lights being strung over grills and bicycles,
which is a tribute to Osborne, who was infamous for
stringing lights over anything and everything left in
the yard.
Tradition, Tradition! Tradition !
This attraction has traditions, like many attractions
at Walt Disney World. One tradition is to find differ-
ent locations to place the giant illuminated cat. The
cat was actually a design element from a Halloween
display that somehow ended up being sent to Florida
along with Osborne’s Christmas lights.
It wouldn’t be a Disney attraction without Hidden
Mickeys, and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing
Lights is no exception. For instance, look closely at the
smoke coming from the giant train to find a clever Hid-
den Mickey! .
More than just lights, the magic of the Osborne Fam-
ily Spectacle of Dancing Lights is in the little details. You
might spot a TV in a window that is playing the ABC “25
Days of Christmas” TV promo. Or you might notice that
the fire escapes are decorated with different themes,
depending on the residents.
The one constant with this attraction is that it’s always
premiering something new. This year is no exception. For
example, a lot of the colors have changed . Also, as part of
Walt Disney World’s Green Initiative many of the strands
have been converted to LED bulbs. They consume less elec-
tricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, and the color
intensity is much more brilliant as well. We’re not going to
give it away, but Guests will also have the pleasure of hear-
ing a new song debut this year .
So, if your travel plans afford you the opportunity to
tour the parks between November 28, 2008, and Janu-
ary 4, 2009, don’t forget to stop by Disney’s Hollywood
Studios after sunset to see one of the best Christmas
displays anywhere. The Osborne Family Spectacle of
Dancing Lights typically stays open for guests up to an
hour after park closing.
If you ask Osborne what he thinks about getting
his display shut down, he would be quick to tell you
that he thinks that it was probably the best thing to
ever happen to him. Now he gets to share his gift with
the world.
Fun Facts
• More than 5 million lights
• More than 500,000 strands of lights
• Each strand of light holds 100 bulbs
• More than 35 miles of electrical cable
• 10 miles of rope light
• 800,000 watts of electricity consumed
• 30,000 lights on the red canopy
• 80,000 lights on the 70-foot tree with 3 layers of
color
• 110 angels
• 33 snow machines, using 100 gallons of snow fluid
each evening
• 2 million tie wraps
• 40 Hidden Mickeys
• 20,000 man hours to install the display
66 · Celebrations
You would think that after more than 400 perfor-
mances of the same show over a decade, it would
get boring. You might think that, if you’ve never met
John Sinclair, D.M.A. One of Central Florida’s most
prominent musicians, Dr. Sinclair is the director of
music for Rollins College in Winter Park. He conducts
high-profile orchestras around the world, but most
prominent for our discussion is his involvement with
Walt Disney World where he conducts the Candlelight
Processional in Epcot.
Nightly throughout December, guests attending the
Candlelight Processional experience an unforgettable
retelling of the Christmas Story by a celebrity narrator
accompanied by a mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra.
I talked with Dr. Sinclair about his experiences conduct-
ing the masterful event.
After a decade, does the performance ever be-
come routine?
It feels different every night. And it feels different
because the choir is different. And the orchestra, while
they are the same players, they rotate in, too. It’s like a
recipe, but the ingredients change every night. The out-
come is not predictable. And that’s where the challenge
and the fun come for me.
Are you involved in the preparation for the
event?
I do the warm-ups in the tent like every other con-
ductor does. Rick Mizell [music director for Walt Disney
Entertainment ] and I hear all of the audition tapes
from the groups. I think we heard over 200 this year. I’ve
been involved in writing rehearsal notes. At that point
my main obligation is in preparation for the orchestra
for the entire run. We’ll begin rehearsals starting on
November 23rd, 24th, and 25th, and then the run starts
on the 28th.
Then I gratefully rely on this fabulous cast of people.
There truly is “Disney magic” happening. How do they
get all students in there and coordinate all of their
schedules? There is pixie dust! So I gratefully get to
wave my arms on those nights. It really is great fun and
a blessing.
Do you enjoy the show?
I don’t ever get tired of it. It’s exhilarating. It’s Christ-
mas on steroids. It’s bigger than life. Even if I’m a little
Music by Candlelight
An Interview with Dr. John Sinclair, Conductor of Epcot’s Candlelight ProcessionalBy Glenn Whelan
Photo ©Glenn Whelan
67 · Celebrations
tired after a long day of teaching, at the downbeat all
of a sudden it is magic again!
There are all these different elements involved.
You have the orchestra, the high school choirs, the
cast choir, and the Voices of Liberty. They were all
rehearsing separately?
All separately. You don’t really hear all those pieces
together for that particular night until the perfor-
mance. The students have had a short rehearsal in
the tent. The orchestra rehearsed on November 23rd,
24th, and 25th. You could have a different concert mas-
ter from one night to the next. Of course, the Voices
of Liberty cast changes somewhat each night. And
the cast choir changes every night. So, it’s not until
the downbeat that you have the full list of your
ingredients.
And there’s a narrator as well?
Yes! There’s a narrator, too, and sometimes they bring
surprises. I’ve had one who has skipped readings, and
you have to figure out if you should skip the piece or
catch them up or motion to go back. They usually smile
at you and wave, unaware that they had skipped the
narration. You can’t fall asleep out there. That’s where
I get the exhilaration. You’ve got to bring your A game.
For that reason, I truly feel that I give my best effort ev-
ery time I’m out there.
That’s a long run, more than a decade. Have there
been any changes over that time?
There is always tweaking. And it is always with the
eye on “How can we make this better? How do we
streamline it? How do we make it more consistent?”
I believe it was last year that they put in new sound
system elements as an upgrade. We’re always
tightening the level of quality on the Disney choir
end.
It is much harder to become a visiting high school
choir then it was a few years ago. That bar has been
raised. All the parts of the operation have gotten more
efficient and streamlined.
This may sound odd, but you wear a mustache and
beard. Was there any problem with that?
Well, there was some controversy over it at the
very beginning. This was a long time ago. I under-
stand that Disney does now allow for facial hair. I
remember Mr. Eisner coming to one of the events.
Afterward one of the managers backstage gave
me a thumbs-up and said, “He thinks it looks like a
costume.”
I’ve had the beard for a long time. My daughter is 20,
and she hasn’t seen me without it. It used to be black.
Now it’s white. I’m only afraid that they’re going to
change my venue and send me over to sit at the Santa
Claus stand.
Photo ©Disney
68 · Celebrations
1. Where in Walt Disney World have you heard:
“We’ll blow you up as soon as possible.”?a. Stitch’s Great Escapeb. Dinoasaur!c. MuppetVision 3Dd. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
2. Who is the Director of The Dino Institue in
Dinoland USA?a. Dr. Helen Marshb. Dr. Grant Seekerc. Dr. Catherine Jobsond. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
3. What attraction did Mickey’s Philharmagic
replace in 2003?a. The Mickey Mouse Revueb. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ridec. Legend of the Lion Kingd. Magic Journeys
4. What are Sonny Eclipse’s backup singers
called?a. The Star Queensb. The Moonbeamsc. The Rayettesd. The Space Angels
5. The topiaries located outside The Universe of
Energy were originally located where? a. 1964-65 World’s Fairb. Disneylandc. Marceline Missourid. Rockefeller Center
6. What in the world is “kaki-gori”?a. The acrobats in Chinab. A comedian in Monsters, Inc Laugh Floorc. An appetizer at Ohanad. A dessert in Japan
7. Where can you see a “salute to all nations, but
mostly America”?a. American Adventureb. Illuminationsc. Hall of Presidentsd. Muppet Vision 3D
8. In World Showcase, what country is located
between Germany and the American Adventure?a. Japanb. Italyc. Franced. Morocco
9. What was the original name of Cosmic Ray’s
Starlight café?a. The Lunching Padb. Tomorrowland Terracec. Mickey’s Martd. Aunty Gravity’s
10. Who was the first sports personality to say “I’m
going to Disney World” after winning a sports
championship and MVP honors? a. Phil Simms b. John Elwayc. Troy Aikmand. Emmit Smith
Lou’s TriviaCornerby Lou Mongello
69 · Celebrations
11. What is your destination on Star Tours?
a. Endorb. Tattoinec. Endor’s moond. Hoth
12. Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland was originally
called:a. Star Jetsb. Rocket Rodsc. Astro Blasterd. Mission to Mars
13. The Theater in the Wild has an attraction
based on what film?a. Finding Nemob. A Bug’s Lifec. The Little Mermaidd. The Lion King
14. Where in Walt Disney World can you find The
“Dimensional Duplicator”?a. Stitch’s Great Escape b. “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” c. ExtraTerrorestrical Alien Encounterd. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
15. Disney’s BoardWalk is located alongside what
body of watera. Crescent Lakeb. Bay Lakec. Echo Laked. Stormalong Bay
Answers:1. D 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. D 6. D7. D 8. B 9. B 10. A 11. C 12. A
13. A 14. B 15. A
ANSWERS:KIDS KORNER (pages 74-77)
MATCH ‘EM UP
Abu: Aladdin
Rex: Toy Story
Sally: Cars
Cleo: Pinocchio
Flower: Bambi
Gus: Cinderella
HIDDEN MICKEY HUNT
There are 18 Hidden Mickeys
TRIVIA CORNER
1. C 2. C
SPACE RANGER SCRAMBLE
CLUE ANSWERS:
Hamm Sid
Bullseye Wheezy
Toy Barn Fusion
Pete Mania
Scud Andy
Emperor Tim Allen
Ranger Friend
Planet Tom Hanks
Jessie Round Up
Bo
SECRET PHRASE:
To Infinity and Beyond!
BRAIN BUSTERS
Mexico
Norway
China
Germany
Italy
United States (American Adventure)
Japan
Morocco
France
United Kingdom
Canada
CONNECT THE DOTS BONUS
Japan
FIND THE DIFFERENCE
1. The wait time has changed
2. The “I” point value has changed
3. The “A” block is a different color
4. The “&” is missing
5. The back of the card is blank
6. The crayon is missing
7. The hole is missing from the “O”
8. The rope is gone
9. There is an extra monkey
10. The pencil tip has changed
WORD SCRAMBLE
1. Donald Duck
2. Prince Charming
3. Flounder
4. Minnie Mouse
5. Robin Hood
6. Thumper
7. Simba
8. Pocahontas
MYSTERY QUEST ANSWERS
(pages 78-79)
SECRET SYMBOLS
1. Swiss Family Treehouse Sign
2. Agrabah Bazaar Sign
3. Aloha Isle
4. Jewel in the ground near Magic
Carpets of Aladdin
SCAVENGER HUNT
1. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Enchanted Tiki Room sign
3. Jungle Cruise
4. Swiss Family Treehouse
5. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
6. Swiss Family Treehouse or Aloha Isle
7. Jungle Cruise temple
8. Pirates of the Caribbean queue area
9. Swiss Family Treehouse kitchen
WHERE AM I?
1. Swiss Family Treehouse
2. Jungle Cruise queue area
3. Pirates of the Caribbean queue area
4. Jungle Cruise sign
5. Entrance to Adventureland
6. Enchanted Tiki Room preshow area
7. Enchanted Tiki Room interior
8. Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats
near the Jungle Cruise
For this issue’s trip aboard the Walt Disney World Wayback
Machine, we’re going to look at something that, according
to Disney, had the whole town cookin’! It’s an attraction that
not every reader may remember, or many even have seen. But
if you did, chances are it left an indelible impression on you
for a number of reasons—the music, characters, or even the
message. For me, well, I just can’t forget Bonnie Appetit and
the rest of the cast of the Kitchen Kabaret.
The (kitschy) Kitchen Kabaret opened with the Land pa-
vilion (and all of EPCOT Center) in October 1982, sponsored
by Kraft. This very unique musical
show was developed by Imagineers
Jeff Burke, Rolly Crump, and Steve
Kirk, and it offered a whole new twist
on the education-through-entertain-
ment concept.
Guests entered the lobby, which
was made to resemble a movie the-
ater. The entrance to the show was
located where the queue for Soarin’ stands today. Back then,
it had jazz music piped in, and it was lined with benches.
Kitchen Kabaret was a very interesting show that deliv-
ered a musical education in basic nutrition and the four
food groups. Because of its use of music and Audio-Anima-
tronic figures, Kitchen Kabaret was really the only attrac-
tion in all of EPCOT Center that resembled what Guests
might have been used to seeing in the Magic Kingdom, such
as the Country Bear Jamboree.
This musical show featured a number of songs written
by Scott Hennesy and Norman “Buddy” Baker, and it was
hosted by the only human character in the production,
Bonnie Appetit. As the show opened, a tired-looking Bonnie
appeared onstage, sitting atop a stack of cookbooks. Bonnie
sang about not being able to figure out what to cook, thus
she had a case of the mealtime blues. The curtain opened to
reveal Bonnie’s kitchen, including the large refrigerator and
oven. The house band, the Kitchen Krackpots, then sang a
ragtime tune with Bonnie to “chase those mealtime blues
away.” You never heard of the Kitchen Krackpots? It was the
band with Mustard on the saxophone, Parmesan Cheese on
guitar, BBQ Sauce on bass, and Mayonnaise on drums. (The
drums being a can of tuna and a can of beets.)
Next on stage was Mr. Dairy Goods and his Stars of the
Milky Way, including Miss Cheese (a well-dressed... well, piece
of Swiss cheese that resembled Mae West), Miss Yogurt, and
Miss Ice Cream.
The Cereal Sisters then sang about their favorite piece of
trumpet-blowing toast, during the Boogie Woogie Bakery
Boy act. The next scene introduced us to two of the show’s
most memorable characters, the vaudeville-style comedy
duo of Hamm and Eggz, who sang about the wonders of
the meat food group.
The next act gave us the show’s unofficial theme song,
“Veggie Veggie, Fruit Fruit,” which was sung by Colander
Combo and the Fiesta Fruit, in a scene that also gave us
Bonnie reappearing from the top of the stage on a crescent
moon, dressed like Carmen Miranda.
In the show’s finale, Bonnie (still on
the moon) and the rest of the cast sang
a medley of songs from the show. Bon-
nie then reappeared on a side stage to
highlight the importance of nutrition
and the four food groups.
Kitchen Kabaret closed on Janu-
ary 3, 1994, and it was replaced by an-
other musical show featuring singing food items—Food
Rocks. Why? First and foremost, sponsorship of the pavil-
ion changed from Kraft to Nestlé. Also the concept of the
four basic food groups had been replaced by the theory of
the nutritional food pyramid. Bonnie was replaced by a hip
rapper called Fud Wrapper in a show that was meant to be
a benefit concert for good nutrition. The Kitchen Kabaret
music was replaced by popular, modern songs. The only
character from the original show that made the cut and
stayed on for Food Rocks was Mr. Dairy Goods.
Why was it so popular and memorable? Well, for a num-
ber of reasons. The show was fun yet educational (you never
realized that you were being taught anything useful, which
was one of the goals of EPCOT Center), had a definite Disney
feel to it (much like the shows Guests were used to seeing in
the Magic Kingdom), and left us with a cast of unusual char-
acters and catchy tunes. Trust me, if you had heard “Veggie
Veggie, Fruit Fruit,” you’d be singing it to yourself now!
Kitchen Kabaret
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300,000Pieces of glass used to make the interior murals
27Number of towers on the castle (Twenty nine were originally planned, but two were deleted during construction)
189 Number of feet Cinderella Castle soars above the Magic Kingdom1 Number of days the castle
was playfully vandalized with toilet paper and graffiti to “commemorate” the opening of Stitch’s Great Escape!
3Number of elevators inside the castle
200526 Number of candles that adorned
the castle when it was turned into a giant pink birthday cake for the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World
0 Total number of bricks and stone used in the construction of the castle (The castle is actually constructed of steel frames and reinforced concrete.)
Year the castle was decorated in honor of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland (shown here)
Cinderella Castle
71 · Celebrations
Photo ©Tim Foster
In the previous issue, I discovered the elusive Tom Morrow, forever being paged to meet his party from Saturn on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. When I found him in Epcot, he declined to come back and meet his party, instead remarking that they should visit Pluto instead. So off I went, looking for this mysterious “Pluto,” who I was told was some sort of dog. Back in Tomorrowland, I visited Space Mountain and found this playful canine, but alas, it wasn’t Pluto.
I found the dog story to be rather far-fetched, so I grabbed my telescope and looked up. Aha! That must be the Pluto Tom Morrow was talking about! It made sense because Tomorrowland is the home of the League of Planets. But I was reminded by a local resident that Pluto is no longer a planet, so I renewed my search for a dog.
I took a walk down a quiet pathway next to some train tracks and came upon a whimsical place called Mickey’s Toontown Fair. As I walked past a colorful barn, I noticed an odd hole in one of the walls, no doubt made by a dog who crashed through it in his plane! I asked if that could be Pluto, but was told no. The chap who made that hole was known at one time as Dippy Dawg, though I found that name to be a bit Goofy.
I continued on to a strange but magical house, and this is where I found my first real clue. There in the backyard I found Pluto’s doghouse, as well as his food bowl and an old chewed-up bone. But where was Pluto (and where was the owner for that matter)? I searched and searched but to no avail. I was about to give up hope when I heard a faint howling in the distance. Thinking that might be the mysterious pooch, I went off in search of the source of that mournful cry.
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Yep, that’s really Pluto! (The space object, not the dog!)
Soon I came upon another house, but this one was very different from the last one. I ventured inside and found a ghoulish collection of ghosts and spirits, and I eventually stumbled into a graveyard where I saw this scrawny fellow standing next to his equally scrawny master. “Pluto!” I yelled. No answer. But I did hear a catchy song called “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” sung by a collection of marble busts. One of the faces bore a striking resemblance to the statue of Walt Disney that I had seen in front of the castle. (I later learned that they are not the same person. The face on the bust was a gentleman named Thurl Ravenscroft, who I’m told also provided the voice of Tony the Tiger, but that’s another tale.) But I still thought the coincidence was significant, so I headed to the castle to see what I could find.
Well hello! This little fellow turned out to be Pluto himself, though of course he was just a statue. (I guessed that Pluto was quite an important figure around these parts.) Someone then told me that they spotted Pluto back in Tomorrowland, so I quickly headed back to see if I could discover him for myself.
Not having checked inside the Carousel of Progress, I went in to see if Pluto was there. I did discover this friendly canine, and while I found out that he has answered to various names over the years (including Rover, Sport, Buster, and Queenie), Pluto was not one of them.
I left the theater and was about to give up hope when I looked up and...there he was! Riding high atop the Astro Orbiter, Pluto was flapping his ears and wagging his tongue, seemingly enjoying his high flying adventure (though I couldn’t help chuckling to myself, wondering if he realized he was only going around at 11 revolutions per minute). I yelled up at him, asking if he had met up with Tom Morrow’s party from Saturn. I’m not sure if he was too dizzy to speak or didn’t understand the question, but he just tilted his head to one side and bounded off toward his home in Mickey’s Toontown Fair. I would have followed, but I thought I might take this Astro Orbiter for a spin. Maybe I can meet the party from Saturn myself...
73 · CelebrationsPhoto ©Disney
Match these Disney characters with the film they appeared in:
Abu CarsRex BambiSally AladdinCleo CinderellaFlower Toy StoryGus Pinocchio
1. In which state was Dino-Sue discovered? A. Massachusetts B. Idaho C. South Dakota D. Texas
2. How tall is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? A. 52 feet B. 156 feet C. 199 feet D. 5,280 feet
How many Hidden Mickeys can you find in the shapes below?
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All of these Toy Story clue answers are missing a letter. Fill them in, then copy the letters into the matching numbered spaces at the bottom to discover a famous quote from Buzz Lightyear himself!
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Answer on page 69
There are 11 countries represented in World Showcase at Epcot. Can you name them all?
Connect the dots to find a famous landmark in World Showcase.
BONUS: Can you name the country this object appears in?
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Looks like the toys are up to some mischief at the Toy Story Mania! attraction in the Hollywood Studios. Can you spot the 10 differences?
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
1. LANDDO CUDK 5. BONRI DOHO
2. NICERP GARINCHM 6. HEPRUTM
3. DONLEFUR 7. BAIMS
4. NIMINE SOMUE 8. SHONTACOPA
Unscramble these Disney characters.
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Answers on page 69
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Secret Symbols: Where would you find these cryptic inscriptions?
Scavenger HuntHere are a variety of items you might find around Adventureland. Do you know where they are?
1. A Cat2. A Paintbrush3. A Gas Can4. A Waterwheel5. Jewels in the Ground6. A Pineapple7. Golden Plates8. Chess Pieces9. A Potato
Adventureland Secrets• Landscapers needed to bore through 14 inches
of impervious clay to make the pits necessary to accommodate the root structures of the various trees. This is because the Adventureland area of the Magic Kingdom was constructed over an extensive landfill (created to raise and level the grade of the site).
• Great care was taken in the landscaping of Adventureland. Imagineer Morgan (“Bill”) Evans was primarily responsible for the design. The variety of exotic plants in Adventureland includes the cape honeysuckle, the Chinese hibiscus, Mexican flame vines, Brazilian bougainvillea, sword ferns, spider plants, and Australian tree ferns.
• When Pirates of the Caribbean was being conceptualized for Disneyland, it was originally going to be a walk-through attraction with wax figures. Partly out of concern for crowding and traffic flow, it was later decided to incorporate boats as the means of conveyance through the attraction.
Follow along as we journey into a land of exotic jungles and faraway lands. You’ll never know what will happen as we make our way through Adventureland. Just be sure to pay attention to your tour guide! Answers on page 69.
1 2 3 4
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Where Am I?Can you determine where these photographs were taken?
Only the best explorers will be able to figure this one out...
12
3
4
5 6
78
80 · Celebrations
1. Mickey’s birthday is November 18, 1928, the day that the
short Steamboat Willie was released. But that wasn’t Mick-
ey’s first appearance. He made his debut in Plane Crazy and
had a follow-up short called The Gallopin’ Gaucho. However,
Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon
to find a distributor, and that’s when his career really
started.
2. Fifty years later, Mickey celebrated his birthday by getting
a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making him the
first cartoon character to be so honored.
3. Mickey’s ears have the unusual characteristic of always
appearing perfectly round, no matter which way he is
facing.
4. He also has three fingers on each hand instead of four.
Why three? It’s not a bizarre quirk of mouse anatomy; it
just makes his hands easier to draw.
5. Mickey made his CGI debut in the Magic Kingdom attrac-
tion, Mickey’s Philharmagic. The 3D film actually follows
the adventures of Donald Duck as he searches for Mickey’s
sorcerer’s hat as seen in the film Fantasia during the Sor-
cerer’s Apprentice sequence.
6. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice scene was also the inspiration
for the giant Mickey hand that adorned Spaceship Earth
for many years. The Mickey hand held a giant magic wand,
despite the fact that Mickey never held a wand in the film
itself.
7. Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon to feature a syn-
chronized sound track. However, Mickey himself wouldn’t
speak for six more shorts. And what were his immortal
first words? “Hot dogs, hot dogs!”
8. The first Mickey Mouse watch was manufactured in 1933
and sold for $3.25. Looking for something a little more ex-
travagant? You can purchase a diamond studded, hand-
painted Mickey watch with a Mother of Pearl dial for a
mere $4500.
9. Mickey Mouse’s voice was originally provided by none oth-
er than Walt Disney, who took great pride in perfecting
Mickey’s falsetto vocal style. Mickey’s current voice actor
is Wayne Allwine, who is coincidentally married to Russi
Taylor, the current voice of Minnie Mouse.
10. The name Roy Williams may not be familiar to Disney
fans, but he’s responsible for one of the most familiar Dis-
ney symbols of all. A long time Disney employee, Roy was
handpicked by Walt Disney to be a new (but much older)
Mouseketeer on the “Mickey Mouse Club”. Why? According
to Roy, Walt “looked up at me and said, ‘Say, you’re fat and
funny looking. I’m going to put you on [the show] and call
you the Big Mooseketeer.’ But his greatest contribution
would come, not through his acting, but from his idea
(inspired by a gag in the 1929 short The Karnival Kid where
Mickey tips his ears to Minnie), of creating a little cap for
Guests that would let them tip their own set of ears. And
thus was born one of the most endearing Disney souve-
nirs of all time, the famous Mickey Mouse Ears.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Mickey Mouse
Keepsake Image: “Partners Sharing a Dream” • Photography by Tim Devine
Back Cover Photography by Barrie Brewer
Photo ©Disney
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!