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Roundtable Contributors: Elizabeth Caran (Outlander Travel),
Princess Fee (DF’82), Estelle Hallick (This Happy Place),
Eric Hoffman (Netmongrel), Alan Mize,
Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley (Mouse on the Mind), Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com), Andrew (Disney Hipsters Blog),
and yours truly.
Dragon Dice Master and Disney Parks Blog writer Gary Buchanan is nuts
for dragons. This week, he returned to share a grainy film he discovered on the
internet – a video he believes to be of flying dragons.
Dedicated to getting down to the bottom of this strange and mysterious
video, Gary is sure that the noises and strange happenings attributed to this
video are somehow related to New Fantasyland (thanks hashtags!) and even
created a Tumblr
account where we can follow his findings.
This isn’t the first time these dragons have made their mark in the
Disney community. Back in the summer, leaked photos of a strange flying
contraption in California led speculators to believe “this attraction” would be
part of the Avatar-inspired land in Animal Kingdom.
I have less of an opinion on dragons (sorry Gary) than I do on
Disney’s improved use of social media. (Even if it is slow going.) I love that
they are tapping into other outlets (Tumblr, YouTube videos, etc.) to engage
their fans and spread the news of upcoming happenings. It’s almost like we can
all discover it together.
I know one thing... I can't wait to see more of Gary's dragon
memorabilia.
This weekend past, Walt Disney World was host to the annual Children’s
Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Played over the 36-holes of the Magnolia and
Palm Golf Courses, the tournament is the final stop on the PGA Tour for the
year. The final round, as always, is held on the Magnolia Golf course, which is
the longest of the several Disney golf courses.
This year’s winner was Charlie Beljan of the USA, who won by 2 strokes
on 16 under par. Not only was this a magical win for Beljan in the fact it
moves him up a number of places on the PGA Money List, but it was a sort of
miracle. After the second round on Friday, Beljan was rushed to hospital after
suffering from chest pains and spiking blood pressure. He also had paramedics
follow him on the final 9 holes.
After spending some time in hospital for a variety of tests, Beljan
was released and returned to the course to hit a final round of 69 and win his
very first PGA Tour. His win also secures a two-year exemption which will allow
him to play in other PGA tournaments, such as the PGA Championship. On his win,
Beljan said “Every day I drove underneath that Disney sign coming in here that
said, 'Where dreams come true,' and that's just what happened this week.”
This is the final year that the tournament in Walt Disney World will
be sponsored by the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Previous sponsors have
been FUNAI, National Car Rental and Oldsmobile.
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With all the hoopla
surrounding the 'kind of open, but not really open' Be Our Guest restaurant,
something pretty interesting has rolled out.
This restaurant will be the first location to carry the "Mickey
Check" menu items. Part of the
Disney Healthy Living program, the Mickey Checked items will have an emphasis
on food more nutrient dense than your average theme park fare. Whole grains,
and lean protein are both components here...which doesn't say much.
As a vegetarian, I can't
really stand behind turkey meatloaf or whole grain macaroni as healthy
options. The standard American diet is
pretty gross, and this is a step in the right direction, but I think the
emphasis here is on the wrong thing. The
goal here should be nutrient density, which equates to low calorie highly
nutritions foods...aka, vegetables. But
why do we need to trick kids into eating healthy food on vacation? Clearly most
people are doing something wrong in the first place...
Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com)
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The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade will film its Walt Disney World
segments on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 (going into Sunday,
December 2 in the event of inclement weather) at the Magic Kingdom. The taping
will include celebrity performances on the Castle Forecourt Stage, as well as
the actual parade making its way down Main Street. The Disneyland portions of
the broadcast were already filmed, and everything will air on ABC on Christmas
morning.
Guest participation is allowed and even encouraged, as ABC obviously
wants an energetic and enthusiastic audience to depict onscreen. While
“tickets” are only available to Cast Members, you needn’t worry about any
special system to attend the taping. You merely show up at the Magic Kingdom at
opening time on the day(s) of the filming and join the rest of the crowd if
there’s room (which there most likely will be).
That being said, it’s certainly not for everyone. There’s a lot of
stopping and going and standing around, which is a letdown to those thinking
they’ll see a show run all the way through as it appears to be on TV.
As someone interested in film and media as a potential career, I
thoroughly enjoyed attending the taping in 2010. For me, it was really neat to
see what goes on behind the cameras. I would advise, though, to not attempt to
predict the production schedule or talent, even based on what’s been done in
the past (not that I speak from experience or anything… ). If TV production
fascinates you and you come prepared with patience, you’ll have a lot of fun
(and might even be on TV!).
I'm not a huge merch fan.
After a 40-year relationship with the parks, I usually spend a lot more time
than money perusing the shops for something new, unique, and special enough for
me to purchase. But it seems that perhaps my aloof attitude toward the gifts
shops just got a little peppy burst of energy. Why is that, you ask? BEHOLD,
THE MERCHANDISE-INATOR!
That's right. Disney is
finally releasing a plethora of fun Phineas and Ferb stuff that I absolutely
want to fill my shopping bags with. Last week, the latest addition to the
P&F line of swag was announced on the Disney Parks Blog, and I am in love.
The new "Best Day Ever" t-shirts feature all the beloved characters
cavorting around the parks and dropping their most famous catch-phrases. Phineas,
Ferb, and Candace are "so busted" when they get locked in the jail at
Pirates of the Caribbean and Perry--not the infamous dog--holds the keys to
their freedom). Another t-shirt features Phineas at the helm on the Jungle
Cruise while the t-shirt begs the question: "Aren't you a little young to
be a skipper?" But my favorite, by far, is Professor Doofenschmirtz
standing outside one of the service elevators at the Twilight Zone Tower of
Terror and exclaiming, "BEHOLD, the ELEVATOR-INATOR!"
Yeah, Ferb, I know what
purchase I'm going to make today.
With Disney California
Adventure's Starbucks doing swift business, Disney has finally announced two of
the new Starbucks locations in Walt Disney World. One will take over the Main
Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom, while a second will find a home in Fountain
View in Epcot. There has been a lot of griping about the "death" of
Main Street Bakery, but I couldn't be happier! Until now, I've had to leave the
Park to get a decent cup of coffee (The Wave and the Kona Coffee Bar come to
mind)—this new coffee bar will help me keep swimming all day. Starbucks will
also serve some of their delicious signature breakfast sandwiches in addition
to frothy coffee beverages, and I am looking forward to having some more
options on Main Street. (I've eaten one too many ham, egg and cheese
croissants.) For those of you worried: your favorite cinnamon buns will still
be available at Gaston's Tavern, and Sleepy Hallow Refreshments will be dishing
up homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Eric Hoffman (Netmongrel)
On November 9th, Disney
announced that the venerable Main Street Bakery on Main Street USA will in fact
be one of the locations for Starbucks coffee signaling an intent to keep this
WDW landmark open for the foreseeable future.
Earlier in the year, Disney
announced that they planned to roll out 6 locations for the Seattle, Washington
based purveyor of popular java drinks within Disney properties in Florida and
California.
With the confirmation of
Main Street Bakery as one of the Florida locations, WDW regulars with a sweet
tooth can now enjoy those sweet treats with a rich, flavorful cup of real
coffee. The near-ubiquitous Nescafè brew
that was sold there in the past was not what any Javaphile would consider an
acceptable cup of coffee.
As for what the new menu at
the MSB will look like, that is an entirely different question. The bakery will close for refurbishment in
January 2013 and reopen in the summer with the full selection of Starbucks
eats. Disney generically states in a
story on the Disney Parks Blog that a selection of Disney favorites will also
be available.
The move to better coffee in
the parks, and the thought of a cup of Starbucks while watching the world go by
me on Main Street is certainly a wonderful thought. However if the Banana Bread Pudding doesn't
survive the refurbishment…
Alan Mize
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Last week, I told you about
my favorite Walt Disney World Christmas event, The Osborne Family Spectacle of
Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios.
This week, Disney began construction on another Walt Disney World
Christmas tradition, the often-overlooked gingerbread displays. These aren’t your basic run of the mill
gingerbread kits that you can find at your local supermarket. These are life size creations that take
hundreds of man-hours to build and can be found all over The World. While most of these gingerbread creations are
found inside resorts, there is usually one located inside The American
Adventure pavilion at Epcot, which sells Egg Nog, and other holiday
treats. In addition, you can find other
gingerbread creations at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort and the Contemporary
Resort.
In the past, the WDW Food
Services cast members have built Christmas trees, gazebos, and carousels just
to name a few of their creations. The
highlight of the year is the gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand
Floridian Resort. Over the next week,
over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread will be used to build a 16-foot tall
gingerbread house. Once complete, the
house will be used as an actual kitchen where they will bake and sell various
gingerbread snacks for you to enjoy.
This is the 14th year for the Grand Floridian gingerbread house and it
is a truly amazing thing to see in person.
If you’re planning on being at Walt Disney World during the Christmas
season, take the time to stop by the Grand Floridian or the other resorts to
see these magnificent creations. I know
that most people try to spend as much time in the parks as possible, and I can
understand that desire, but this is one time where you really should stop and
smell the roses…or the gingerbread.
You’ll be glad that you did.
Ryan P. Wilson (Main Street
Gazette)
Okay, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has come to a
close. The festival center has been shuttered, the kiosks will slowly begin to
make their way back to their home on the access road behind Epcot, and the
bunting and banners will soon be replaced with garland. So, as Epcot
transitions to the winter months, I should be getting psyched about Holidays
Around the World, right? Wrong.
Now is the perfect time to get those bulbs in the ground and
preparation of a gorgeous spring! That’s right, I’m pumped because now I can
begin prepping for my favorite festival of the year, The Epcot International
Flower & Garden Festival, the dates of which have just been announced.
Running from March 6 to May 19, the 2013 installment will be a celebration of
festival’s 20th anniversary. The gang will all be there in celebratory topiary
fashion, along with an display tied to Monsters University and a Cars play area
near the newly redesigned Test Track.
I don’t know if it is the fact that I grew up with all types of
gardens around my home or if it is because I don’t have space to speak of to
create my own gardens in my current residence, or it could simply be that Walt
Disney World instilled in me a love of topiaries at a very young age, whatever
the reasoning I love the Flower and Garden Festival above all other events and
festivals Walt Disney World puts on throughout the year. From the
demonstrations, the Do-It-Yourself guides, and the amazing work from Disney
Horticulture, I have gathered a lot of materials and ideas over the years,
which will make for one stellar looking yard once I have one!
Oh, and did I mention that Micky Dolenz,
Herman’s Hermits, and Chubby Checker are all slated to croon for the crowds and
flowers?!?!
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