Me and this article had a big sword fight over the past week or so, and the fact that it's been published means that I won. It doesn't mean that I had enough blood left to proofread it as hardcore as I'd like, so if you notice a bunch of typos, please tell me so I can fix them and pretend they were never there.
That's all for now. Thanks for your patience re: Disney, and please arrange the universe so that it makes it okay for me to sleep for the next 70 hours. Thanks.
REPLIES: 187 comments
Ha!
Chestnuts roasted by Kev @ 06/20/2006 12:01 AM EST
Numero Dos. I would've been first if I wasn't busy reading old XE articles about awful bootlegged Star Wars toys.
Chestnuts roasted by Frito @ 06/20/2006 12:05 AM EST
*gasp!* I kneeeeew you'd have it up tonight! Just knew it! 
Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/20/2006 12:09 AM EST
quality. when i went to disney i thought i saw the suburban legends but i don't remember now.
Chestnuts roasted by the modern day pirates @ 06/20/2006 12:14 AM EST
Yay, thanks for the new time killer. I'm looking forward to Monster House. Was the actual movie good, party aside? P.S. According to the Walgreens seasonal aisle calendar, we're currently on summer for about a month more. After that comes Back-to-School, and then Halloween in early/mid September.
Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 06/20/2006 12:16 AM EST
I've had a problem with X-E from time to time and I'm wondering if other readers have had the same. When I begin loading a page that has a lot of pictures, it loads fine until the overlapping Flash ad appears. Then the pictures stop loading and I have to push "back" and then "forward" again to make them continue. And then the ad appears again, making them stop again and creating a vicious tedious cycle. I had to reset Disney World Page 1 twenty times to get all the images on the page. Has anyone else had this problem?
Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/20/2006 12:38 AM EST
Seventh yo! Man, I feel lame, but I really want comment 1 on one of these some day...
Chestnuts roasted by TerrorClawsCole @ 06/20/2006 12:40 AM EST
Okay, Star Tours. Now I HAVE to go.
Chestnuts roasted by John @ 06/20/2006 12:43 AM EST
I want to see the video of the pearl getting sliced open!
Chestnuts roasted by Becky @ 06/20/2006 12:53 AM EST
Well, I started the article, but I have to comment now because it will take a long time to get through this. (Looking good so far.) But... the soap! And shampoo! Yes! That was one of my top ten favorite things about Disney when I went. I was still in my soap collecting phase at the time and I took a crapload of those home. I know I still have at least one, but I have no idea what it looks like now. I believe they may have changed the bottles a little, but the box is still the same. Thanks for taking a picture of that and including it, Matt. This was something I totally forgot about until just now.
And Stacy? I'd be glad to have the captioning on because I had no idea what the heck she was saying have the time in that clip. Criminy! I'd probably go mad with a week of that to watch.
Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 06/20/2006 12:54 AM EST
Holy shit, it took me like an HOUR to read that?? Wow... didn't seem like an hour.
My God I about died when you were talking about the pineapple drinks.
And Brer Rabbit! I was soooo hoping for a picture of him, but at least the mention made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Great work, as always! Can't wait for part th- ... er, I won't say it, and instead, I'll wish you a good hibernation.
Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/20/2006 01:09 AM EST
Disney Part II!
Off to read...
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 06/20/2006 01:12 AM EST
Guess what?
My pants are covered in peeee.
Chestnuts roasted by Jake @ 06/20/2006 01:32 AM EST
yeah, brer rabbit. now there is one of the lost and forgotten . probably pushed into the background for reasons such as this: http://www.mythfolklore.net/3043mythfolklore/images/remus/disney_rabbit.jpg
ah well, whats the fun of searching out lost gems, if there aren't any?
speaking of lost disney... "the black cauldron"! does disneyworld/land have anything from the black cauldron contained within their kingdom walls?
Chestnuts roasted by kevin. @ 06/20/2006 01:46 AM EST
Great article Matt. Thanks for filling a boring weekend night with something entertaining. Although it seems the mexocarousel.wmv movie is only 19kb's.
Chestnuts roasted by Tony @ 06/20/2006 01:51 AM EST
Finished reading...Awesome article...Makes me want to go to Disney again!
And thank god for Stacy's captioning...I'm hearing impaired, and the captioning was the ONLY way I'd ever understand what the heck she was saying...
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 06/20/2006 01:55 AM EST
I cannot describe how many times during my Disney stay I wanted to punch Stacy in the face. Whenever we turned on the t.v., Disney had it programmed to her sickly over enthusiastic nasally satan-woman voice. Everytime she pretended to get her stupid arm attacked in that log I prayed it was real. Everytime I was disappointed. And she stole practically all her dialogue from the free Disney promo DVD idiots.
Anyways, great article. I'm so glad I didn't go on the World Showcase rides. For some reason I'm terrified of dark rides. Even in that Snow White ride, I had to cover my face. And as for the Haunted Mansion, that was as disaster. Little kids were making fun of me for being scared when you get trapped in that room that stretches pre-ride. Embarassing.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 06/20/2006 02:08 AM EST
Mars, I've been having that problem too, and I also had to refresh page one about 20 times before any text showed up, and about 5 times for page 2!
And I do remember going on the River Del Tiempo whatever ride the last time I was at Epcot in 2001, and I have to admit, the next time I go, I gotta be hammered, cause that was one of the more bizarre rides I ever rode.
And Happy Belated 28th Bday to Garfield!
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/20/2006 02:09 AM EST
Hi! This is my third ever post on this blog, i think... Anyway, just wanted to say that the parrot from Aladdin is indeed Yago, but the bird from Lion King is named Zazu (like everyone else with a four-years old in the house can confirm 
). That's all...
Chestnuts roasted by Papa_Taz @ 06/20/2006 02:59 AM EST
I know I'll probably have another post in me for this article, but I came back to browse, and... turkey legs! Holy crap, they were everywhere when I went. Turkey legs to the left, turkey legs to the right, everywhere I looked someone was chowing down on a leg. I'm so glad to see that you covered this, and you captured my thoughts exactly. It was the strangest thing to witness, and I'm amazed that it's still so popular.
Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 06/20/2006 03:24 AM EST
Close but no cigar. The Aladdin parrot's name is spelled "Iago."
"I'm sleepy. I think I'll go to the Hall of Presidents and take a nap." --a line Iago reportedly says if you stay in the room long enough. Ba-Zing!
Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/20/2006 03:25 AM EST
I believe the bird from "The Lion King" was named "Zazu".
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/
--Alex
Chestnuts roasted by Alex Vangelion @ 06/20/2006 06:17 AM EST
Well done, started with II, had to go back to I. This sounds like my vacations. Without the proof. Since WOW is doing Tuesday morning maintenance I was surfing and happily found this. Go on more trips and maybe get a sponsor like a vid-cam company or makers of the beer belly or the Texas catheter
Chestnuts roasted by Bostonjerk @ 06/20/2006 07:02 AM EST
Great article, Matt. Those pineapple cocktails look fantastic. I gott get me some.
Mars...I'm having the same grief with the popup.
Chestnuts roasted by Scott @ 06/20/2006 07:58 AM EST
The Star Tours flight attendent was amazing, great hair.
I loved It's a Small World, I would be one of the protesters if they ever decided to try and get rid of it.
I am now anxious for part 3, but in truth I am always pumped for the next "real" article.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/20/2006 08:25 AM EST
Woohoo! I can get back into my vacation now! And what great timing; I have nothing to do at work this morning!
Chestnuts roasted by Dr Sketch @ 06/20/2006 08:30 AM EST
I stayed in a disney hotel a couple years back and I forgot all about that Stacy chick. It's all coming back to me now (cue cheesy song). I remember that by #4 in the countdown stacy had already hit on like 50 disney world worker men and even got a little fresh with some of the gals. Sweet, stupid memories. What bothers me is that my brain apparently created a file box exclusively for the purpose of remembering Stacy. Thanks for dredging that up, Matt. Thanks a lot..................................................No really, I mean it, thank you.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 06/20/2006 08:54 AM EST
"Just don't buy any drinks that come with a collectible take-home cup, because you'll look like a fucking retard carrying it around all night."
Some of the most accurate advice given, ever, I feel.
Chestnuts roasted by Pete @ 06/20/2006 09:02 AM EST
Regarding the bird names: OOOOOOPS.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/20/2006 09:35 AM EST
Also the new Tiki Room renovations debuted in 1998 not 1991--which makes sense considering Aladdin and Lion King premiered in 1992 and 1994 respectively.
Chestnuts roasted by Luap @ 06/20/2006 10:32 AM EST
If it weren't for this article, I never would have known the Monchichis could be classified as resurgent. Thank you. Thank you.
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 06/20/2006 10:40 AM EST
Courtesy of Google Video, here's the entire Stacey video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3565027122658478429&q=disney+resort+tv
Chestnuts roasted by Luap @ 06/20/2006 10:57 AM EST
Ok, haven't finished yet, but I had to stop and say way to go, Matt, for defending the dark rides. Lately, it seems Disney is going all open season on them. And when they do try to update them, it all goes to hell, like Journey Into Imagination.
Now, so far I've picked up only one mistake: the mexocarousel vid ain't working.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/20/2006 11:05 AM EST
Luap...noooooo. I know I won't be able to resist her charms.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/20/2006 11:08 AM EST
The oysters are seeded with round pieces of plastic, shell, or whatever, that are close to the size of a standard pearl. That means the oysters only take a fraction of the time to coat 'em. So not only is it NOT a real pearl--I don't think it even qualifies as a decent cultured pearl...and that still isn't enough to stop me from ripping them out of oysters at popular tourist traps. The best time was when I picked an oyster that had a pearl with a penis. Can't wait for part 3--I'm using your articles as a way to convince my husband that we need to go to Disney World!
Chestnuts roasted by snarkychef @ 06/20/2006 11:22 AM EST
Matt -- Saved you the trouble with the turkey leg. It tasted horrible. They're not like roasted or broiled or anything. They're smoked. Yes, smoked.
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/20/2006 11:29 AM EST
El Rio del Tiempo=Mexican "it's a small world..."
My wife and I (annual passholders) had a very difficult time understanding the lyrics as well, so we made up our own. Many are not safe for work.
Chestnuts roasted by Darkrose @ 06/20/2006 11:29 AM EST
Oh my god, I went on that mexican ride in 2000 and the horrible video clips have stuck with me. I love it.
Chestnuts roasted by Goldmineguttd @ 06/20/2006 11:30 AM EST
But LemurCat...smoked meat is the meat that takes the longest to lovingly prepare!
Chestnuts roasted by Ragnarok @ 06/20/2006 11:41 AM EST
Matt Great article. Holy sweet Jesus did that bring back memories. I had been to Disney so many times with my family, and haven't been on vacation with them in so long, it brought back some amazing memories. Especially El Rio De Tiempo. Even though I'm not Mexican, I always kind of felt it was great that Latins were represented in some way, you know, aside from the translated warnings about closing doors and keeping your arms in the trams at all times. I especially liked the last projected video wall of the guy trying to sell you a dead chicken or something.
Wow, what great fucking memories.
Someone asked about bolding names in the last blog, here how:
[b]*name*[/b]
Just replace the brackets [] with the greater than/less than characters (sideways triangles, next to the ? on most US keyboards.
I actually learned that here since I asked the same question a few weeks ago.
Oh yeah, Stacy deserves an ion cannon blast to her face....
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Galvatron @ 06/20/2006 11:47 AM EST
Ragnarok -- Be that as it may, it still tasted terrible. And it wasn't nearly as convenient to eat as I had imagined. I had thought it would be like a poultry corndog, but I wasn't even close. It was kinda messy really. Kinda made me feel as if I had regressed just a bit into a neatherthal.
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/20/2006 11:47 AM EST
Hooray for Disney Part 2! It was worth the wait.
Chestnuts roasted by Jon @ 06/20/2006 12:04 PM EST
I too have to give kudos for the photo of the Mickey toiletries in the hotel rooms...wow they really haven't changed much! We used to bring home tons of that stuff... they actually had a pretty nice moistureizer in a little jar...I used to use it long after we got back from our trips!
Chestnuts roasted by m1928mouse @ 06/20/2006 12:05 PM EST
I was only able to watch Stacy up until the part when she said Mickey was her boy. And aren't the Power Rangers a Toei thing,not Disney?
Chestnuts roasted by Kid Nicky @ 06/20/2006 12:26 PM EST
Amazing stuff, Matt! Thanks for all the work you're putting into these Disney articles- you really deliver, and allow us all to live vicariously through your adventures. Thanks. You brought back a lot of memories.
I had an experience at Disney similar to what happened with you after the pineapples...We were TIRED of walking around the Magic Kingdom (We had travelled on a bus for 43 hours to get to Florida, arrived the night before and hit the Magic Kingdom on 3 hours sleep) SO, we took a break and sat down right across from Cinderella's castle, on the curb. Next thing you know, the streets fill up and the goddamn parade goes by! I had forgotten all about the parade, and yet there I was, front and center...and Robin Hood (the fox) actually LEFT rank to come and kiss my hand when I yelled that I loved him...an unexpected moment, but maybe the best part of the day.
Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 06/20/2006 12:37 PM EST
My friends and I always drink in every country of the World Showcase. It's pretty much the best part of the vacation. And I think PotC is closed so they can add Jack Sparrow... lame.
Chestnuts roasted by Jen Diff @ 06/20/2006 12:42 PM EST
Ok, all done. Best part: the Water Pageant. That's Disney Magic for you, Matt. That's why a lot of people (me included) would spend every single vacation of their lives there if they had the chance. No 2 times are the same, and you ALWAYS come home with a little story about a close Encounter of the Magic kind.
As for PotC, yeah, they're adding 3 Jack Sparrows, 2 Barbosas and a Davey Jones fog. It is lame, but it could've been worse. It seems they're doing it rather tastefully, so as not to upset the old-time fans.
Also, there was a Disney Adventures Magazine in one picture. Did that come with the room? I used to subscribe it back in the day when I was honing my English skills, but there were constant delays/no-shows, probably because some Brazilian mail worker dumbass kept stealing them, so I canceled it. Coincidentally, right after they changed the editorial staff and the thing got too "hip" for my tastes. I was in it for the comics anyway.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/20/2006 12:57 PM EST
Kevin.! I love you for posting that picture! Mainly because it has Brer Fox on it, and he's the one that made me laugh ALL night long after I read that story when I was just a tot. Mom couldn't shut me up.
Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 06/20/2006 01:02 PM EST
Wow, I just managed to stick it out with that Stacy video for five minutes. Is that a record?
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 06/20/2006 01:54 PM EST
I didn't know you WERE into Disney. YOu have no idea how much of a Disney park geek I am and how cool it is to see you reviewing these things
Chestnuts roasted by Dragonrider @ 06/20/2006 01:58 PM EST
On a completely unrelated note, a little McSweeney's humor for your Transformers-loving selves:
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/lists/20HenryS.Kivett.html
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/20/2006 01:59 PM EST
YES
Chestnuts roasted by Fox @ 06/20/2006 02:42 PM EST
Roddy -
I too was a Disney Adventures subscriber, and it did try to get too hip, it seemed like they wre aiming for a demographic that was older than what they had.
I preferred the random facts pages to the comics.
Chestnuts roasted by selvig @ 06/20/2006 03:01 PM EST
I think the Tiki Room looks interesting
Chestnuts roasted by yelinna @ 06/20/2006 03:01 PM EST
yelinna, I like the old one, but mostly for nostalgia. The new one is much funnier. Most Disney Dweebs say it's sacrilegious, though.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/20/2006 03:08 PM EST
So I finally finished the article.
First, Splash Mountain. My Mom and I must have waited upwards of 90 minutes to ride this one and it was totally worth it. The only super-long-wait ride I can say that about. I loved everything about it.
Second, collectible cups. I got a beverage in a Pocahontas cup that featured faces of the characters that would appear when you put a cold drink inside. I brought it home, and one day when my Mom was doing dishes, she noticed that there was something red on the cup (the faces), so she scrubbed until she scrubbed them away. Then it was just a stupid cup. And yes, everyone who carries a collectible cup around looks like an idiot. If you get one, please, conceal it in a bag or something.
I also liked the Japan section the most.
The Genie looks really scary in that picture.
Sometimes you really make me laugh, Matt. Your pineapple beverage saga was hilarious. It's times like these and when you venture out on your own somewhere (that one blog entry from ages ago, others) that I feel I can really relate.
Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 06/20/2006 03:17 PM EST
Roddy -
I too was a Disney Adventures subscriber, and it did try to get too hip, it seemed like they wre aiming for a demographic that was older than what they had.
This depends on what year you're talking about. Eventually the mag degraded to the point where the comics were about Britney Spears battling space monsters (I gotta scan that thing in...)
Chestnuts roasted by Mars again @ 06/20/2006 03:34 PM EST
My Mom, My uncle and his GF at the time, went to Disney on the opening month in the 70's, the GF was eating this chocolate banana covered in nuts ice pop thing, and she was eating it on space mountain...she screamed and chocked and the peanut got INSIDE her lung and totally trashed it. So much so, that when she got back to Jersey, she had to have the peanut removed, and 6 years later the ENTIRE lung b/c of the dam disney people not kicking her out of the ride for eating....she died right after I was born, and I got my middle name JOY from her.
Chestnuts roasted by mandy_reeves @ 06/20/2006 03:35 PM EST
Speaking of souvenier cups before...I had a PAC MAN one fron Great adventure circa 1986 or 85..it had ice tea in it, and was this big yellow pac man shaped canteen. I still have a Hershey park refillable for free at any stand, souvenier cup from '91 only 5 bucks but more like 10 in todays money, it has a plastic whistle straw that I love to annoy people at work with.
Chestnuts roasted by mandy_reeves @ 06/20/2006 03:44 PM EST
Mars again, the ones I have have stuff like Talespin, Darkwing Duck, Rescue Rangers, DuckTales, Goof Troop, Bonkers, Marsupilami and the occasional Mickey and/or movie of the year comic. Some sections of it, like the TV and movie stuff, make more sense to me today than they did at the time, both because of my English but also because it used to take a while for stuff to get here on TV.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/20/2006 03:44 PM EST
I remember my sister telling me a story about being yelled at by a large Norweigian woman during the Malestrom because one of her friends she was riding it with touched the 'shoreline' while the boat was moving.
Moral of the story? Don't fuck with Norway's water rides.
Chestnuts roasted by Timmy @ 06/20/2006 04:07 PM EST
Apparently someone else thought Rio del Tiempo was disturbing as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvp_qjfV5y8
Chestnuts roasted by Barbie @ 06/20/2006 04:27 PM EST
I stopped getting the magazine a long time ago, probably just after Pocahontas came out.
But maybe I skipped straight from cartoon loving scamp to cranky old man...
Chestnuts roasted by selvig @ 06/20/2006 04:32 PM EST
Oh...My...God....
Stacy needs to be stuffed into a garbaga bag, sealed in a concrete box and then tossed into Niagra Falls...
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Galvatron @ 06/20/2006 04:36 PM EST
Talk about bringing back memories! Wow! I went there once, when I was maybe 5 or 6, and I'm starting to remember all those repressed memories! King Mickey touched me.... ~shudder~
Anyway, nice to see the Maelstrom again. I remember getting a sugar sculpture in the Japan (I think?) part, not knowing it was sugar, and it ended up melting before I ate it...
Hey, in that Rio del Tiempo video right above me, is that Cheech? 'Cause it really looks like him...
Well, I'm off to see the shrink now. Thanks!
Chestnuts roasted by Dr Sketch @ 06/20/2006 04:46 PM EST
You mention that ToT isn't the tallest thing in the park... but you never mention what IS the tallest thing in the park.
That honor goes to the new Mount Everest in Animal Kingdom at 199 feet tall. The reason for the 199 is that if it were 200 feet tall, it would require a blinking red light on top, thanks to some state law... and you know Disney is all about "realism"
Anyway... just thought I'd mention that. Great articles, btw. I've been a longtime reader and have always loved your stories, and was excited to see a story about one of my favorite places on Earth, Disney World... I'm 24, and my fiance and I LOVE going there... we'll be taking a mini-honeymoon there in October and can't wait. It's definitely not just for kids.
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/20/2006 05:36 PM EST
Hear hear! where's the belligerent drunken pearl video!?
Chestnuts roasted by FangsFirst @ 06/20/2006 05:55 PM EST
Fun fact: the cartoon that made Mickey Mouse famous (although not the first cartoon featuring the character, despite what many folks will tell you) was called "Steamboat Willie," and featured the beloved rodent kicking it old-school as a riverboat captain. If that's what the free stickers aboard the happy boats are alluding to, I heartily approve. Of course, if they really wanted to recapture the atmosphere of those old cartoons, they would give out tattoos instead. Laced with LSD.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 06/20/2006 06:47 PM EST
Stacy is a satanic animatronic!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Kevin @ 06/20/2006 06:49 PM EST
Teeeeeek!
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Poop @ 06/20/2006 06:52 PM EST
Wow 50 bucks for three drinks!!! I am not sure, but maybe this is the reason I have been fighting my wife about taking our daughter to Disney World. We would be homeless when we got back.
Chestnuts roasted by Old E @ 06/20/2006 08:00 PM EST
I was having a horrible day until I came home and discovered you had posted Disney II. I am now happy. (I suppose, though, that the few rum and cokes that I had helped, even though they weren't contained in a pineapple).
Chestnuts roasted by DeeJay @ 06/20/2006 08:34 PM EST
Old E... I imagine what he had was this: "Lapu Lapu - Tropical fruit juices and Myers dark rum served in a fresh pineapple topped with Bacardi 151 $10.99"
The menu for the place can be seen here: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_tbl.htm
Overall, prices are somewhat expensive at WDW, but not horrible. Counter meals you can eat for ~8 bucks a person with drink, sit down meals for ~20 depending on where you go (it can be more or less, of course). But the food there is an experience in itself if you'd like it to be.
I'd go for it... you can do it affordably. Stay in a value resort in the value season for 79 bucks a night... Pop Century is a fun place for a kid. (adults, too) You'll love it and so will your daughter.
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/20/2006 09:01 PM EST
I'm not surprised by the turkey leg stands. They're one of the most popular foods around here (it's mobility probably) when the state fair comes here every year. Although I've never had one personally.
I wonder if the guests waiting in line at Splash Mountain ever question the employees about the various SOTS characters there since they're never releasing the movie. I would to annoy them.
I'm surprised at how old fashioned the Disney Arcade was. You'd think they would get more-up-to-date games. But why mess with classics?
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 06/20/2006 09:04 PM EST
You also brought back quite a few memories for me.
I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO LIKED THE TIKI BIRDS! I considered it a small triumph when I got my sister to sit through this in 1990, considering her complaints about how cutesy it was. I can still sing the whole damn original song. The new show sounds like a blast; even though "Aladdin" is far from my favorite Disney film, I've always liked Iago.
On the other hand, riding "It's a Small World" in 1990 nearly sent me into sugar shock, but my sister loved it. Go figure.
Some of my happiest memories from my Disney World trips in 1986 and 1990 occured in the World Showcase.
I was about 7 and my sister was 6 in '86, and we had a high old time running around the bazzar under the Mexico pavillion, playing with every toy, serape, and musical instrument in the place. It's amazing the two of us and our biological dad and stepmom didn't get kicked out. I don't think we got to El Rio Del Tiempo, though. I'm glad to see that one's still there; there's been rumblings about that being updated or replaced for years.
I visited the Japanese mini-mall when I went to Epcot with my dad in 1990 (my stepmom and sister opted to stay in Fort Wilderness and ride horses). Unfortuantly, everything in the entire store was beyond the price range of an 11-year-old, even the stuffed animals I really wanted, but it was cool to look around anyway. I did finally buy my mom a lovely set of English Rose-shaped earrings from the United Kingdom pavillion; wonder if she still has those...
But my fondest memory of the World Showcase (and Epcot in general) would be of Illuminations. Dad and I found a fairly quiet spot near the Mexico pavillion to watch the show, and we weren't disappointed. Even Atlantic City in July never had as much fun with the pyrotechnics as Epcot did, with bombs going off, noise and color and water boat riders everywhere. We almost got crushed in the stampede going home afterwards, but it was worth seeing Illuminations.
Dad and I managed to drag sis and stepmom back a few days later, and my sister and I rode the Maelstrom together. We had a great time. The ride broke down and didn't go over a dip, and we STILL had a great time.
Though we stayed on-site in 1990 (I forget where we were in 1986, but it was off-site), we weren't at the beach. I wish we were. I'm glad the Electric Water Pageant's still there, too.
It's true, Matt, that so many magic moments happen when you least expect them. My fondest memory of the 1990 trip is of my sister and I pretending to "drive" the golf cart Dad rented to get around the sprawling Fort Wilderness. We had as much fun doing those pictures as we did on any ride; my mom still has the photographic evidence of how goofy we looked, me in my bathing suit with my big old pink and gray Poloroid between us.
Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 06/20/2006 09:15 PM EST
Oh boy. I've got some really bad news for the Disney purists. I try to be laid back about such things, but I'm righteously indignant at the mo.
Made some notes made on the article while I was meant to be working: Tatootine Trader is the best shop at DL. Last time I was there I flitted from item to item in a spaz of consumer joy, while my decidedly uninterested friends lost interest and went to fool with the "water ball". Do they have that at DW?
The rarity of smoking spots has been the bane of my existence the last few trips. DL only has four of the motherfuckers, which is completely lame, but at least there's a chainsmoking Cast Member who goes from one to the next making balloon animals for all the trapped kids forced to inhale their parent's deadly weaknesses.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/20/2006 10:06 PM EST
For what it's worth, a quick note about the turkey legs...
I'm from Oklahoma and they seem to be a very popular item here. Not only can you find them at theme parks here as well as almost every carnival, festival and fair in the state, but even some grocery stores sell them cooked and packaged for your flesh-tearing pleasure. Maybe it's just a southern thing, but I really like 'em. They're a hell of a lot better than other foods you get at carnivals, festivals and fairs, and for they price they're a great bargin, provided you're willing to really dig in and get all the meat around the tendons and bone.
Anyway, being in Florida I'm not at all surprised you encountered them. Welcome to the South, ya Yankee!
Chestnuts roasted by Frito @ 06/20/2006 11:20 PM EST
Oh man, I went to Disney for the first time a few years ago, and while I was there I kept saying that before I leave I want to try a turkey leg. I never did get one.When I got back I told my mom how I saw people eating them and how I wanted one, so she bought one for me. Yet I forgot about it sitting my my fridge and it went bad. This gives me a reason to go back.
Great stuff Matt
Chestnuts roasted by IHAQ @ 06/20/2006 11:51 PM EST
that article was sooo good. it really makes me feel as though i'm in disney when i read it.
Chestnuts roasted by so good @ 06/21/2006 12:12 AM EST
hey y'all- i'm about to go read the second wdw article, but i wanted to ask for everyone's help w/ a project. i'm a songwriter and am asking people to send in their favorite word or phrase and i'm going to cobble them together into a song which will be avail as a dl.
this one of the few sites i read religiously and the only board i monitor and i think you folks would have some great ideas. thanks!
http://www.caseyabrams.com/songwriting.php
(btw, matt- hope this post doesn't run afoul of some web etiquette i'm not aware of!)
Chestnuts roasted by consulatsunset @ 06/21/2006 12:32 AM EST
Jedoc:
I was under the impression that the reason Steamboat Willy was famous was that it was the first cartoon with sychronized sound..not necessarily the first cartoon with Mickey Mouse. After all, Steamboat was in 1928, and I thought Mickey was older than that...
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 06/21/2006 12:37 AM EST
While Mickey did debut before "Steamboat Willie", his debut was still made in 1928 with "Plane Crazy."
Chestnuts roasted by Ragnarok @ 06/21/2006 12:55 AM EST
Matt...plain and simple, I love you. This was just plain great. I was not sure if I liked this better than the first Disney article or not--it's a toss-up--but then I realized that they are all part of one saga. Maybe someday I will come to appreciate this as the cliff-hanger Empire Strikes Back of the whole trilogy.
Or maybe it's 1am and I'm babbling.
Disney Adventures: I used to get it for the comics. DuckTales! Rescue Rangers! All of the Disney Afternoon was represented. Then things started getting crappy (I vaguely remember some NSYNC comics). Then I cancelled my subscription and started looking at pornography ALL THE TIME. Long story short, you will turn into a degenerate if you take Disney out of your life.
You ever realize that nobody uses "long story short" unless they've already told a long story? Sorry.
Chestnuts roasted by Spoodles @ 06/21/2006 01:04 AM EST
Wow, this article brought back many memories. The first and only time I went to Disneyworld was in 1992, when I was 4 years old. My grandparents got my whole family tickets to go, but they gave them to us for christmas.
Quick tip: NEVER go to disneyworld in winter.
Needless to say, it was cold and miserable, and everyone in my family suddenly hated eachother with a passion. Of course, it was understandable, seeing as how my parents were already about to get a divorce, and my sisters were 1 and 5. My little sister cried the whole fucking time, and my older sister (by one year) refused to talk to anyone for some reason.
But, since I was a loner even as a small kid, I enjoyed myself quite a bit. Reading these 2 articles has dredged up memories i've repressed for a long time, but it's amazing remembering how truly magical that place is, even under bad circumstances. The 2 things I can clearly remember are the Epcot ball (it was so huge to me back then) and the "Electrical Water Pageant". The rest of my memories are extremely muddy, but that just makes it much more mysterious.
Oh, and I also have a picture of myself with Michaelangelo, because we went shortly after the TMNT movie came out and they had some kind of TMNT stage show.
I'd love to return there some time with my girlfriend, and make some new memories.
Chestnuts roasted by Gooble74 @ 06/21/2006 06:34 AM EST
Wow. Even my computer didn't want to see Stacy. It crashed while I was watching the video. Gimundo crashed.
Great article, Matt. I think the fact that you were able to have fun by accident automatically makes it an awesome trip. I've been wanting to go to Disney World for forever, but hardly anyone I know wishes to tag along. I guess they're too "cool" for it. I've never been there (I've only been to Disneyland, which I barely remember), so if I do go, I fully expect to happily run around the Magic Kingdom like a spaz to make up for lost time.
Chestnuts roasted by Dr. Acula @ 06/21/2006 07:12 AM EST
Regarding Tinkerbell now having the voice of Brittany Murphy:
Maybe if all of us really believe,and clap our hands hard enough,Michael Eisner will have a stroke.
Chestnuts roasted by Kid Nicky @ 06/21/2006 07:30 AM EST
I've been reading the site for so many years and these two have to be some of the best articles ever written.
The "storyline" of Star Tours, though, is that you're riding an Endor Express to endor, and you got caught inbetween the battle of the death star by a mistake in Rex's navigation. Not sute if anybody mentioned that, but after going on the ride about 12 times, you know it a bit too well!
Chestnuts roasted by Stephen @ 06/21/2006 07:36 AM EST
Dr Ac, I'll go! I've wanted to go again for almost 20 years now!
Contrary to what is said above, Steamboat Willie IS the first appearance of the mouse. Plane Crazy is the third of 4 movies that he appeared in in 1928, the other two being Gallopin' Gauch (#2) and The Barn Dance (#4)...
I've heard rumors about Britney Murphey doing the voice of Tink too; I hope it isn't so! Hey, lemme know when to start clapping, I'm ready for Eisner to be out too!
Damn, I wanted to say something witty and larconic, but the whole Tink thing just brought me down...
Chestnuts roasted by Dr Sketch @ 06/21/2006 08:54 AM EST
JLAJRC wrote:
I wonder if the guests waiting in line at Splash Mountain ever question the employees about the various SOTS characters there since they're never releasing the movie. I would to annoy them.
(Raises hand) Guilty. Actually, I asked them if there were any tar babies on the ride. The Cast Member said no. I asked the Cast Member what exactly a tar baby was and the Cast Member bristled, mumbled something unintelligable and walked away. Almost as good as when we were checking in the Dixie Landings (now Port Orleans Riverside) and told we were in Bayou 15 instead of Plantation 12 as we'd requested. I grinned at the Cast Member behind the desk and said politely "Oh, so we're in the slave shacks? Do we still get maid service there?" The Cast Member just about had a heart attack.
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/21/2006 09:16 AM EST
Just watched the "stacy" video.
I can't think of anything worse than having to be her camera man.
You'd have to spend the entire day with her. Even worse, you'd witness some of the stuff that even the editor of the "Top Seven" deemed "too annoying".
If something ruined the shot, you would heve to say - through gritted teeth - "Can we do that again Stacy?"
I think falling off a wall onto a bike with no seat would be more appealing.
Chestnuts roasted by Pete @ 06/21/2006 09:20 AM EST
I remeber having a Disney Adventures magazine that had a comic with Weird Al in it. I think he fought aliens too.
Chestnuts roasted by Deuce @ 06/21/2006 09:35 AM EST
Dr. Acula just go by yourself, I did it back in december for 3 days after being in Tampa for work, I had a blast. I was able to hit two parks each day(including the Universal ones) since it was the slow time of year and the weather wasnt great, I thought it was going to be weird but it wasnt. Also that Stacy chick isnt just on in Disney hotels, I stayed at a Radisson a few miles from Disney and she was the tv there also.
Chestnuts roasted by ltp74 @ 06/21/2006 09:56 AM EST
Matt - One bitch to pitch. it's a small world made it's debut BEFORE Disney Land opened, at the 1964-5 New York Worlds Fair. Goddamned thing actually pre-dates Disney Land.
Chestnuts roasted by Erich @ 06/21/2006 10:16 AM EST
Mmm... good article
I'm not sure about the pearls and the turkey legs, but I'll ignore them along with the 2 zillion things I have against Disney as a company... when Walt was in charge the company was awesome, and that's when Disney World was built. Oh man I can feel the love just seeing the pics!
MGM never really did it for me... I'm really into Universal Studios, and MGM just seemed like a not-as-good version of it. Back to the Future: The Ride is, barring the cool references and the godly places you walk through on line, way better than Star Tours, and there's not too much else at MGM, really. The Magic Kingom, however, is absolutely where it's at! Sadly, however, Space Mountain was closed the one and only time I went there, so I've missed its wonder.
Oh, and Stacy is really annoying but I do think she's kinda cute. Thankfully I will never meet her to make the hideous mistake of thinking "wow, she's cute, let me go talk to her"
Chestnuts roasted by Vegan Mike @ 06/21/2006 10:26 AM EST
Sorry Dr Sketch, it has been confirmed that Brittany Murphy will be providing the voice for Tinkerbell (see my post above). It's not even the casting that bothers me; I usually enjoy her work and Luanne Platter is one of my favorite animated characters ever (a girl after my own ditzy heart). It's the idea of a talking Tinkerbell launching a new "Disney Fairies" line of movies that makes me want to compose angry manifestos and shake my fists from rooftops. I did always wonder why Tink got shut out of the whole "Princess" line, but I don't see how they have all that many Disney affiliated fairies with which to launch a whole new line.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/21/2006 10:44 AM EST
squee:
1. Tinkerbell.
2. Krysta.
3. Orlando Bloom.
That's got your trilogy right there. What more can you ask?
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 06/21/2006 11:12 AM EST
Yeah, the whole Fairies thing is terrible. Apparently, the Princesses and Pooh lines and the pimping of Stitch don't get them enough money, so they gotta start ruining other stuff.
And I'm in with the Eisner thing, but it'd only be sweet revenge, really, since he's been gone since the begininning of the year. Bob Iger is in his place, and he seems to be doing good. He got Pixar back, for starters, which means Lasseter messing with the Parks and Imagineering, and the return of traditional animation.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/21/2006 11:22 AM EST
They could have Cinderella's Fairy Godmother knit a shawl in one movie.
And there's also those three binks from Sleeping Beauty. The Blue Fairy from Pinocchio. Haven't seen any since Hunchback, so there may be a few holed away.
Gaston? Closet fairy.
Chestnuts roasted by Spoodles @ 06/21/2006 11:26 AM EST
Kid Nicky Yeah, it has been confirmed. I heard it this morning on the equally aweful and annoying WB11 morning show. I can't believe those clowns over there actually refer to themselves as reporters....
I personally can't stand Brittany Murphy. I find her annoying as hell, and she's a pretty terrible actress. Most of Hollywood is all flash and zero substance nowadays.
$50 bucks for 3 pineapples filled with alcohol actually isn't that bad. HAve any of you tried to by drinks at a bar or club/loungue in Manhatten? A half glass of Greay Goose or Belvedere with cramberry will run you anywere from 12 to 15 bucks. For a half glass, it's that overpriced out here. It's retarded.
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Galvatron @ 06/21/2006 11:28 AM EST
I'll settle for some Old Skool Chip-n-Dale action (not Rescue Rangers), or some Mickey adventures like back in the day. You'd think ABC would have a Disney shorts show on Saturday morning ...
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/21/2006 11:28 AM EST
Thanks for the Halloween Music!
Chestnuts roasted by CrazyMike @ 06/21/2006 11:42 AM EST
We are going to DW next year for 10 whole days. I will be printing out these articles as a guidebook, no joke!
I agree that Stacy is annoying as hell but I bet she's a screamer during sex. I like that.
Chestnuts roasted by freudguy @ 06/21/2006 11:48 AM EST
You should've tried the turkey leg...messy but wonderful! Lovin' your Disney top 45! Did ya notice the Kermit the Frog robot on Star Tours? Yes, EPCOT is better when you drink your way around the countries! Mexico ROCKS! Did ya find any Hidden Mickeys? Can't wait for the third installment! BOTTOMS UP!
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/21/2006 12:36 PM EST
Hey,
I wanna see the video of the prick pissing off the Japanese woman oyster murderer. Sounds like wholesome entertainment!
Chestnuts roasted by an open fire @ 06/21/2006 12:43 PM EST
Some things:
1) That 'Stacy' video plays on a loop at pretty much any hotel you stay at around Disney. There's no escaping it.
2) I was at Disney in '96, and I'm pretty sure the Tiki Room was not under new management at that point. I'm not a fan of the new version.
3) Star Tours owns.
4) Off topic: I found the only remnants of Tron in Disney world: at the sound area of MGM. You can do the voice of the Master Control Program in a clip from the movie. (The other clip choice is from "Flight of the Navigator." Hell yes.)
I'm pretty sure that part of the WEDway People Mover (now renamed something dumb) used to be Tron themed, but now it's gone the way of the good Spaceship Earth, like that part where the kid's shoe is floating in zero-g.
END OF RANT.
Chestnuts roasted by David @ 06/21/2006 01:46 PM EST
"it's a small world made it's debut BEFORE Disney Land opened, at the 1964-5 New York Worlds Fair."
Not true, actually... Disney Land opened in 1955. IASM was moved to DL after the Worlds Fair and opened in '66.
The version in the Magic Kingdom was there when the park opened in 1971.
And David is right, the Tiki Room was closed in Sept '97 and reopened in April '98 "Under New Management"
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/21/2006 02:58 PM EST
I would definitely say ditch the hollowed out Pineapple drinks then, and just smoke some kind.
Chestnuts roasted by Old E @ 06/21/2006 03:12 PM EST
As a big time cook, I'm kinda curious as to how those pineapples are hollowed out. Was there a hole in them other than the one the straw went into? Maybe the top was cut off and stuck back on? I can't tell from the picture...
Chestnuts roasted by Vegan Mike @ 06/21/2006 03:28 PM EST
look closer - the top has been removed.
Unless its all new disney magic!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Pete @ 06/21/2006 03:34 PM EST
I just watched most of the Stacey video (it stopped after 21 minutes) and Holy Craaaaaap!!
1) she's stacked
2) All those things you wished happened to Stacey....yeah, I'm joinin' ya. I was watching one of the older resort videos on there (the 3rd one on the list) that was less interesting, but it had a male host that wasn't NEARLY as annoying as Stacey. The stop-motion animation used in this one was pretty damn cool, and seemed to have been made in 2002 or sometime before Mission: Space was installed and the Notre Dame show was dropped.
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/21/2006 03:42 PM EST
I meant to ask this after part 1 but I kept forgetting.
Is the 3D Muppet show attraction still there?
My wife saw it when she was there over March Break a few years ago.
Being a fairly large Muppet fan (I enjoyed Treasure Island)I want to see this show before its gone. Maybe if there's news it'll be closing I can convince the lady to go there in Jan for my birthday.
Chestnuts roasted by selvig @ 06/21/2006 04:00 PM EST
selvig, Muppetvision is indeed still there, and extremely popular. And I doubt it's going anywhere soon, because Disney aquired the rights to the Muppets last year (the Muppet Show muppets, not any of the Sesame Street ones or any other Henson projects)
And holy crap, my post finally went through!
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/21/2006 04:05 PM EST
Not to be off-topic, (even though that is exactly what this is) but is there/will there be a chat set up for people who post on this blog? You all seem like pretty decent folk to chat it up with.
Chestnuts roasted by Old E @ 06/21/2006 04:27 PM EST
Excuse my french, but what the FUCK is up with this?
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i12/rjs6281/duckride.jpg
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 06/21/2006 04:34 PM EST
Rebecca That has to be the most disturbing thiing I've ever seen.....!!!!
You should put a warning sticker or something on you post.....
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Galvatron @ 06/21/2006 04:44 PM EST
Haha. Sorry about that.
WARNING: The above posted link is fiercely disturbing and should definitely not be viewed by pedophiles and/or anyone who would like to continue to watch Donald Duck cartoons in peace.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 06/21/2006 05:14 PM EST
Video Arcades? Kiddie stuff? Nightlife? Free booze? I hate you, Matt!
*sigh* Still waiting for the good life to begin for me.
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/21/2006 05:18 PM EST
I actually like Britany Murphy, she's a decent actress, but dammit Tink shouldn't have a voice! In my mind, she's always going to be the spunky cartoon character from my childhood, who couldn't talk, Julia Roberts be damned!
Also, seems I was wrong, kind of. Steamboat Willie was released before Plane Crazy, but Plane Crazy was actually animated/recorded/whatever you wanna call it before Steamboat Willie. Oops!
Chestnuts roasted by Dr Sketch @ 06/21/2006 05:29 PM EST
I'd forgot how cool disney was, I'm off to the vacation club site.
This has go to be one of the best disney Ad's I ever seen.
http://www.o2pictures.com/gallery/xwing.html
Chestnuts roasted by TrU Kid @ 06/21/2006 05:45 PM EST
My PC is screwed up so I can't hear quicktime and flash player audio, so I missed out on the audio in the epic full-length Stacey video. The sound I did hear in the quick clip though in the article showed what a blessing that is. However, Stacey isn't bad to look at, so watching her frolic to no sound was cool. You can add your own soundtrack! I heart Stacey.
Chestnuts roasted by Rob @ 06/21/2006 05:45 PM EST
LemurCat: That's evil! I love it.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 06/21/2006 06:09 PM EST
It's a small world is a creepy scary ride ever. at rented video stores,thay have alot of walt disney cartoon classics so at hollywood videos.
Chestnuts roasted by FLIPPY FAN @ 06/21/2006 06:10 PM EST
Not to be rude or anything, but what the hell did the guy above me just say? And his link goes nowhere, but that doesn't matter.
Anyways, How long are we gonna wait for Part III now????
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/21/2006 06:45 PM EST
I think FLIPPY FAN watched that El Rio del Tiempo video too many times and has reverted to not making any sense.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 06/21/2006 09:01 PM EST
I made it to the part where she started talking about free water park wedgies. Normally I'd be kind of interested- Wait it's still running in the background, and I just heard her say "Where's my bathing suit?"
Damn. She's still wearing her bathing suit.
Actually, she's so annoying that I probably still wouldn't be into it. Why do I imagine her crying out "Woo! Mickey! Awesome action hump fest! WOOO!" during the act of love?
Anyway, I never went to any Disney parks when I was a kid, and I never felt the lack before now. Disney has been added to my list of places I want to go.
Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 06/21/2006 09:06 PM EST
Don't know if anyone ever posted about it for the blog on Part I, but someone should check out www.waltopia.com. It's a website about Walt Disney's original plans for Walt Disney World. It contains articles, pictures and designs for various attractions (many of which were never built), and, best of all, a 24-minute film made in February 1967 for the media and government officials, meant to illustrate Walt's real plans for Disney World and perhaps a glimpse at what could have been.
Chestnuts roasted by Thomas @ 06/21/2006 10:41 PM EST
I am truely enjoying, no savoring this wooly-mammoth multi-part article. I have been to disney a dozen times since I was a child. I have so many memories like everyone else. Since you mentioned monorail earlier... I remember asking the staff if we could ride in the NOSE of the monorail. And yes, we were granted this FIRST CLASS admission and what a view. And not only did we get to sit up in the NOSE with the Driver / Conductor dude. It was on the BEST monorail - the one with the BLACK STRIPE - not some girlly pink or lime green one - WE ARE UP FRONT ALONE with the driver on the KING monorail. It was like Pulling up to a stoplight in a Ferrari and next to you is a Hyundai. I'll share more another time..........
Chestnuts roasted by Xenophobe @ 06/21/2006 10:59 PM EST
Hey! I LIKED my Hyundai! What other car sells for $22k with leather, a sun roof, and a kick-ass stereo?
Okay, I'd rather have the Ferrari.
Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 06/21/2006 11:38 PM EST
1) When I was in line for Soarin' a few weeks ago, I was in line for 90 fucking minutes, even though I wasn't even NEAR the 90-minute mark. Why? Because the gate guy was being a douche and was letting in ALL of the Fast Pass people while only letting in about two or three people in the regular line every five minutes, even though there were two entrances.
2) Seriously, I didn't know until that boat ride that Mexico was inside of the Playboy Mansion Grotto and was inhabited by little munchkin manequins.
Chestnuts roasted by Sara @ 06/21/2006 11:43 PM EST
Oddly enough, It's A Small World does indeed make visions of world peace and a general sense of amnesia dance across my brain.
I got about 12 minutes into the Stacy-a-thon. I got through the "Gigondo" and "Bling Bling" alright, but when she said "in the name of all those that rock, start this thing" I blacked out.
Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 06/22/2006 03:01 AM EST
Looks like there was someone more annoying than Stacey at one time.
http://www.pbase.com/ysic/christa
Chestnuts roasted by CrazyMike @ 06/22/2006 03:34 AM EST
Ok, guys, compare for yourselves. Here's Kryssa with the Top 7 Must Sees from 2004.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2726151869110888249&q=disney+resort+tv
I've got tons of work right now, but as soon as I have some free time, I'll watch her first, then Stacy (since that's the order thsy started anoying the world in) so a decision can be made for WDW's most Perky Annoying Host Ever.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/22/2006 09:21 AM EST
Honestly, Kryssa is absolutely not as annoying as Stacy. She just seems excited to be in Disney World, and really who wouldn't be? Stacy seems to have watched Kryssa's acting and thought "Oh, okay, so she's acting really really excited. I can do that. Oh, let me take my uppers first"
Chestnuts roasted by Vegan Mike @ 06/22/2006 09:36 AM EST
I must say my favorite part of the whole article was when Admiral Akbar acted like he was going to bitch-slap the kid with the camera. Hi-larious!
Chestnuts roasted by Jillybeann @ 06/22/2006 10:15 AM EST
I've been to disney world 2 times. Once when I was about 7 or 8 and once when I was about 13 or 14 and I gotta say........ I don't remember half of that shit! All I remember is star tours, its a small world and this ride with a big glass tube in the middle and a big ass alien breaks out and eats people.
Chestnuts roasted by PRSense @ 06/22/2006 11:48 AM EST
PRSense, that kick-ass attraction was The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. It had creative input from Geroge Lucas, and it is said that when it was done and Eisner and some execs had experienced it, he asked Imagineers to tone it down a bit, because it was THAT scary. Sure, it didn't have much replay value, but it sure was creepy. But it's gone, replaced with Stitch's Great Escape. Basically, the same thing, but lighter, funnier and Stitchier (like much of WDW lately). I haven't been on it yet, but general fandom says it's pretty lame.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/22/2006 12:12 PM EST
PRSense wrote:
"All I remember is star tours, its a small world and this ride with a big glass tube in the middle and a big ass alien breaks out and eats people."
Yeah, Alien Encounter. They got rid of that, turned it into some Lilo and Stitch type thing. It was Journey to the Moon or somethng like that originally. Anyway, they apparently got rid of Alien Encounter because people found it too scary. I can't say I agree. It was like "The Blair Witch Project" of Disney rides -- all hype but no real scare pay-off.
Chestnuts roasted by LemurCat @ 06/22/2006 12:15 PM EST
I LOVED Alien Encounter. Maybe it was my 12-year-old-boyhood, but that was THE HIGHLIGHT of the Magic Kingdom for me last time I was there. Tower of Terror was MGM's best and Epcot bored me (I still don't drink, but I'd probably have a new appreciation for it now). I also really enjoyed Universal for many, many reasons.
Chestnuts roasted by Spoodles @ 06/22/2006 12:23 PM EST
Sorry if this was posted before, But I was hunting around on IMDB and came across this guy:
Peter Renaday
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0719115/
In his Trivia section it says:
"Pete's voice announces the arrival of trains at the Main Street station, Disneyland. "Your attention please..."
Pete Renoudet provided his voice to these Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions: Rocket to the Moon - Captain Mission to Mars - First Officer Collins Country Bear Jamboree, Country Bear Vacation Hoedown, Country Bear Christmas Special -- Henry the Bear
He also played the voice of Splinter in the Ninja Turtles cartoon, AND the voice of Master Blaster on Kidd Video!
Chestnuts roasted by Chappy @ 06/22/2006 01:13 PM EST
So, while checking out the game room pictures I noticed the last game on the right in the third picture (only partially visible) looks like its "Tux Racer":
http://tuxracer.sourceforge.net/index.html
If so its neat that you can find open source video gaming in a place like Disney!
Chestnuts roasted by Mark @ 06/22/2006 02:12 PM EST
Alien Encounter was awesome, Im sad they changed it... it was definitely a creepy attraction, especially for younger kids, maybe thats why they decided to fluff it up with Stitch. I havent been on the Stitch version yet, but Im sure its probably similar effects, just kid friendly.
Remember the little creature from Alien Encounter, Skippy?? The little long-nosed furry thing?? I bought my sister a plush toy of Skippy that she still loves. That thing is definitely worth some bucks now, I bet.
Chestnuts roasted by m1928mouse @ 06/22/2006 04:35 PM EST
This Disney Website was in the latest Entertainment Weekly.
www.wdwmagic.com
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 06/22/2006 04:45 PM EST
I'm a member of WDWMagic. Used to post a lot over there, but the fact that I don't know when I'm going next started depressing me, so I decided to take a leave of absence.
As for Skippy, maybe he's still being sold, since they kept it in the attraction, I think.
On other news Brazil won against Japan, 4 to 1, which means at least one more holiday for us next Tuesday. Seriously, the whole country STOPS. Except me, of course, because if I don't work I don't get paid. Humbug.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/22/2006 05:18 PM EST
Know what i remember about disney - HA when the parade would go down mainstreet all the horses and elephants would crap all over the place - well while we were enjoying all the parade - i turned to the side - i saw a phoney wall open and a bunch of shit scoopers came out cleaned up right behind the animals - and disappeared behind the wall again just as fast, hahaha
Chestnuts roasted by Angry Andy @ 06/22/2006 08:03 PM EST
Invader
Your comment on FLIPPY FAN just made me spit my tea. (Once again, not trying to be rude to him.)
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 06/22/2006 09:30 PM EST
Thanks, kb, I guess.
JLAJRC, Roddy, I've been a member of that site too and I don't hang out in the message boards very often for that exact reason.
A couple of other great sites I frequent are in that article too, like Televison Without Pity and Popculturejunkmail (which led me to Fark)
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 06/22/2006 09:41 PM EST
The Stacy video is all over youtube,and I hope she isn't there when I'm gone. Lol.bling bling and gigondo,WTF is that?
I saw Fantasmic back in 99,god I want to see that again,and stay inside WDW. :p
Chestnuts roasted by Felix @ 06/22/2006 09:51 PM EST
the stitch ride is so awful. we went on around midnight when there was no line and even then it was a complete waste of time. its one of those that takes forever to get in as they try to extend the "experience." then you sit in this room while the ride proposes that stitch has escaped and is running around the room. the chairs push out sound, vibrations, and scent. i think its supposed to be funny when stitch burps in your face and this awful smell envelopes you. its gross.
Chestnuts roasted by burp @ 06/22/2006 10:33 PM EST
Dug up more on the Tink movie:
"Tinker Bell" is the next step for the Disney Fairies line of stories and products, which was launched with the book "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" novel, written by acclaimed "Ella Enchanted" author Gail Carson Levine. Disney Fairies builds on the world of Pixie Hollow featuring Tinker Bell and her other fey pals. At least three more films are tentatively planned for the Disney Fairies line.
Here's the Amazon page for the book, and here's more books about all her friends. This is where I drop my cynical stance against; the books look cute, especially the illustrations (and the Shrinkydinks!), and between King of the Hill, Sin City, and Boy Meets World, I can't be hating on Brittany Murphy like that.
Another link: Go to www.disneyparkpirates.com to watch a clip about the upgrades they've made to the Pirates of the Carribbean ride.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 06/22/2006 11:24 PM EST
Brittany Murphy was great in Freeway, one of my most favorite movies. She was a little heavier and had dark hair, and talked about putting a gram of tar in her cootch.
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 06/23/2006 12:13 AM EST
Noticed something about the two girls,they say the exact same thing during the Blizzard Beach segment:
"And the wedgies are free with admission!"
However Kryssa>Stacy,Stacy seems as she had a caffeine shot from Disney. I'm still cracking up at gigondo,who the hell says that?
Chestnuts roasted by Felix @ 06/23/2006 12:22 AM EST
Roddy, Is Lasseter bringging back traditional animation or Iger. ANd what do you think would be so great about Lasseter doing Imagineering?
And Kiwi, what are they doing to the dark rides? THose things are cool.
ANyway, Matt I love those articles! I've never been to Disney World, but your articles make me really want to go. But, unfortunately, my dad thinks it'll be hellish because of long lines and crowdedness (Just to clarify, I am NOT one of those losers who lives with their parents, I'm just 14)and my stepmom is scared of Florida, because she was snatched away there as a child. I really effing want to go there.
Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 06/23/2006 02:21 AM EST
you = awesomness! good job dude! also? here's a place for those "flash mountain" shivs of radness
http://www.europa.com/~cabelsa/flash/
Chestnuts roasted by Josh @ 06/23/2006 02:50 AM EST
Kryssa is so much better than Stacy. Probably just because of the hair, but better nonetheless.
When Kryssa says "surfs up dude", I believe her, when Stacy says it, all I hear is "I will make your life a living hell, and you can never leave me...I mean the Magical Kingdom, NEVER NEVER".
Did you notice they both did the golf fake-out leading into the waterparks?
Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 06/23/2006 04:44 AM EST
Stacy said, "slingshot on steroids." Oh boy.
There is a California equivalent to Stacy but I have no idea what her name is. Honestly, I think the Calif one is worse. Whereas Stacy is a cutie if you can get past the bubbly-super-duper-ness, the Cali one is probably some woman in her thirties who acts like she's 15. I just found it depressing. Stacy kinda reminds me of Sarah Silverman, you know, if she got really high and wouldn't shut up.
And Stacy does the Mark McKinney head-crusher--maybe I'm in love . . . anyway, the bubbly blonde in Cali, I won't forget--the worst part is when she gets a fast pass and is so friggin excited it's like Mickey Mouse just placed some biological material in her palm.
Now, it looks like Stitch's Escape is in the place where Extra-Terror-Estrial once was. Please, please, someone link me to a picture of the evil wicked man-eating alien that used to be there before Stitch. I heard about this attraction, became absolutely fascinated but have never been able to see what this wicked monster looks like. PLEASE I need to see a picture before it vanishes from obscurity.
When I was last on Small World I looked up and noticed . . . well, ceiling tiles. Not Disney neato ceiling tiles but Dentist office ceiling titles, completely visible because of all the light in that place. Sorta took me out. No longer was I traveling the world over, I felt like I was just floating in a weird warehouse, like Home Depot, which still felt surreal but not in a good way.
And before I go to bed, anybody else think the idea of Pleasure Island is a little not-Disney? I mean, Pleasure Island was where kids go to become sinful and turn to donkees.
Oh, so tired.
Chestnuts roasted by inkmage @ 06/23/2006 05:50 AM EST
TOM, Lasseter is the one pushing for traditional animation to return to Disney. I suppose Iger gave him his blessing to do whatever he seems fit. And as for Imagineering, it's pretty interesting. Back when Pixar fist started cranking out hits with Toy Story, everybody was amazed at how Disney-like those guys looked. And in fact, many Pixar crew members were once Disney workers who left disillusioned because of the way Eisner was leading the company. So to me, in a way, we now have a bunch of really Disney guys back in Disney, with geekiest one of all being Lassiter. If he actually manages to mess with the parks any way he wants, updating and creating attractions, there could only be greatness ahead. If the suits don't hold tight on the money, obviously. But I think it'd be an end of this pimping-out characters tren we're seeing, at least in the parks. I mean, you can barely see the classics anymore. It's all Pixar, Pooh, Stitch and the Princesses.
Chestnuts roasted by Roddy @ 06/23/2006 08:14 AM EST
Man I like stitch and everything I think he's a pretty funny character but did they really have to get rid of the scary alien ride? That alien was the shit, he looked like he could really eat you and shit out your bones.
Chestnuts roasted by PRSense @ 06/23/2006 08:37 AM EST
So Matt... How long before it's ok to start buggin ya about part three? Like I said, this is my vacation this year! We finally made it out of the baggage check, and got on a ride (We'll say "It's a Small World"
but the ride stopped halfway through! What's worse is that even though the ride has stopped, the lights, animatronics, and (worst of all) soundtrack keeps going, an we're locked in our seats, surrounded by water, with no escape! Yargh!!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Dr Sketch @ 06/23/2006 09:35 AM EST
or you are riding the Universe of Energy ride and you are stuck below a dinosaur chewing on some swamp muck.... and he's chewing and chewing and you aren't moving in your super big theatermobile....and you keep waiting and waiting and he's chewing and chewing.....
yes, Matt... we are anxiously anticipating the next and sadly FINAL installment!
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/23/2006 10:07 AM EST
inkmage: This might be as good as you're going to get.
Seeing the alien is kind of the "money shot" of the ride, so my guess is that no promotional pictures were released. Did someone above say they had a toy version? Pictures?
Chestnuts roasted by Spoodles @ 06/23/2006 10:12 AM EST
Only wrote the above because it really happened when we visited EPCOT once. They turned on the lights after we sat there in our supertheater-moving-thing a while and the whole Jurassic charade was over! I realized the dinosaurs weren't real ... what a disappointment! JK!
Anyway, it does take away the magic when the ride stalls.....HINT HINT MATT!
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/23/2006 10:12 AM EST
I think Matt really is sleeping 70 hours! There hasn't been a post from him lately! :0
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/23/2006 10:21 AM EST
~~~Kevin wrote... "speaking of lost disney... "the black cauldron"! does disneyworld/land have anything from the black cauldron contained within their kingdom walls?"
DISNEY'S
POP CENTURY RESORT
If you stay in the 80s building your room has a wall collage of Disney 80's memorabilia. On the poster it had Ariel, Oliver & Co, Figment, Roger Rabbit, Black Cauldron, Fox & The Hound and a few others.
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/23/2006 10:41 AM EST
Good site for onride disney videos. So yes, you where a pussy for not taking pictures 
.
http://www.geoffreynease.com/news.php
just register and hit download up on the top. Alien Encounter videos on there too.
Jungle Cruise better get a mention on your blog. It's easily one of the best rides left at Disney.
Chestnuts roasted by Methodis @ 06/23/2006 11:10 AM EST
Can't get the "Geoffrey Nease" site to work but it looks pretty neat.
I've never understood the bad rap Epcot gets. To me Epcot IS Disneyworld as some of my most vivid childhood memories in general stem from my family's trips to that park in the mid-late 80's. As cool as some of the new rides are I'm one of those people that misses the old "edutainment" dark rides of yesteryear—"The World of Motion", the original "Universe of Energy" and HORIZONS. Lordy, lordy I loved "Horizons". I still do, really. I can still smell the oranges! (If you've been on that ride you know what I'm talking about).
The Magic Kingdom was and is great but there was just something about Epcot Center back in the day. As silly as it might seem you really felt like you were seeing what the future was going to be like. It was just an all-around immersive experience and for an imaginative kid like me anything but dull.
Chestnuts roasted by Chris D. @ 06/23/2006 12:14 PM EST
Tom, what do you mean by what are they doing to the dark rides? Which ones? Pirates of the Caribbean is closed now for refurbishment, and they're adding some things from the recent movies... I really hope they don't change things too much, though.
"And before I go to bed, anybody else think the idea of Pleasure Island is a little not-Disney?"
Somewhat, but it's a good place for adults to go after hours to have some fun... they don't really have any late night entertainment, and going to a comedy club at PI (or a dance club, whatever you prefer) is a great way to wrap up a day.
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/23/2006 12:14 PM EST
ok, I know this is ridiculously off topic, but I figured if anyone could help me, you people could. I'm looking for a video clip of the old sesame street cartoon where the kid is going to the grocery store and he keeps repeating "a carton of milk, a loaf of bread, and a stick of butter". apparently, this is a hard to find clip...
Chestnuts roasted by bitchpants @ 06/23/2006 01:03 PM EST
Stacy has got more quotes than Bill Cosby,I laughed my ass off when she said: "In the name of all that's rock..".And she went NUTS in Blizzard Beach,rofl. Awesome job Matt with part one(Poynesian Resort FTW)and this one,I can't wait to go to WDW someday. Now we're waiting for part 3..
Chestnuts roasted by St205 @ 06/23/2006 01:56 PM EST
I can still smell the oranges! (If you've been on that ride you know what I'm talking about).
I know exactly what you're talking about ;-) I always loved that section of the ride... Horizons was one of my favorite rides as a kid... being able to pick how you "got home" was always fun... too bad it's closed now :-(
Back in the 80s (maybe early 90s) we actually got to go to a "backstage" area at Horizons... my grandfather worked for GE, who sponsored the ride, so we got to go to some special lounge... nothing special, but back there they had these tangerine candies that tasted EXACTLY like that part of the ride smelled, haha... so that's what I always think of when I think of Horizons and the orange/tangerine smell.
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/23/2006 02:05 PM EST
I know I went through Horizons but honestly I do not remember it at all. So...
*Chris D.* please relive your HORIZONS experience and describe it for me. I am truly drawing a blank! That section of EPCOT has been closed sooo long.
By the way, has the Wonders of Life pavilion been open recently. It seems every year when we go to Disney it is closed. Well, I think it was open in 2000. But since then.... what happened? I really liked the ride where you get shrunken and stuck into a needle. Body Wars.....AHA! That was the name of it! Is it still running? Any news on this ride?
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/23/2006 02:28 PM EST
Threebee, if you're interested in Horizons, check out http://www.horizons1.com/
Lots of pictures, and lots of audio from the ride as well.
Chestnuts roasted by kiwi @ 06/23/2006 03:07 PM EST
that link I posted in my above comment has a Horizons on ride video.
http://www.geoffreynease.com/
Like I said before, just register and go to the top on the download. It's got lots of videos of defunct rides and such. You guys can also search Disney Central Torrents at:
http://www.dc-torrents.com/index.php
Chestnuts roasted by Methodis @ 06/23/2006 04:15 PM EST
Thanks for the link kiwi. I knew there was a Horizons tribute site around somewhere!
Horizons was very similar in structure to the "Spaceship Earth" attraction (which is still going strong, thank God, despite a few cosmetic changes).
The vehicles themselves were basically 3 person benches (sort of like a ski lift chair but with a back, sides, and a dashboard. Unlike a ski lift you moved "horizontally" through the ride (if that makes any sense). If I recall the concept of the ride was about future life in 3 zones (under the sea, in the desert, and outer space). It also took you through some scenes of the past ala "World of Motion" and "Spaceship Earth".
For it's time it was a pretty advanced ride. In one scene you saw an animatronic family in outer space talking to a "real" person a TV phone. Then when you got to the "under the sea" part you saw the same guy from the TV in animatronic form talking to the family now in "real" form on his TV phone dealy. Kinda of a neat concept.
The best part (and the one kiwi mentioned) was at the end where you got to "vote" along with the other people in your car which scene you wanted to see (outer space, under water, or desert landscape). The car tallied the vote and then gave you a neat little 12 second modest motion-simulator experience. One of the first rides to include rider "participation" which was carried over onto the new Mission:Space ride that replaced it!
Wonders of Life has been closed for a while and I don't think there are plans to open it again.
For more Disney park info and fun check out the Inside the Magic podcast:
www.distantcreations.com/insidethemagic
also www.miceage.com has a lot of commentary and articles on Disney park developments.
Chestnuts roasted by Chris D. @ 06/23/2006 04:22 PM EST
I'm no scientist, but I'm willing to bet that "desert landscape" didn't get elected very often.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 06/23/2006 10:08 PM EST
I think Matt's voice is at the end of the pearl video saying "oh, i'm sorry". or it may be at the end of the gift shop video. PS the pineapple drink story was AWESOME
Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 06/24/2006 12:55 AM EST
Wow - after watching that Stacy video from Google video, I have to ask: what substance is that Stacy chick on, and where can I get some?
Chestnuts roasted by Jeff @ 06/24/2006 02:48 PM EST
I remember the Polynesian arcade from my visit back in '92 or so.
I was BLOWN AWAY by Sega's Time Traveler. First off, there was never anyone in the arcade but my sister and I, and then I see this friggin' game-of-the-future!
Chestnuts roasted by Stephen @ 06/24/2006 11:08 PM EST
In my two years of reading XE I've never commented on a single article. So what does it say about me that the very first thing I'm going to say on this site is, "I have a huge crush on Stacy?"
Chestnuts roasted by Fleak16 @ 06/24/2006 11:39 PM EST
kiwi Thanks for the Horizons link!
Chris D. Thanks for the Horizons memories! I recall the part with the underwater scenes best!
Methodis Thanks for the link to the geoffreynease site with all the video downloads. COOL! There are so many I want to watch!
I have watched the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter because I remembered it being better than Stitch's Great Escape. The actual "ride" was so much better because you sat in the dark with that THING breathing on you and jumping on you and was that BLOOD? or ACID? that got on ya... I can't remember. Anyway, I do remember SCREAMING! So I have to say the actual experience was better that the video but it helped me to remember more that I had before!
Chestnuts roasted by threebeesatdisney @ 06/25/2006 03:15 PM EST
he he np, it's my duty to make people happy at work or out of work at Disney ^_^.
Chestnuts roasted by Methodis @ 06/25/2006 07:51 PM EST
alien encounter figure
http://www.mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/review052503.shtml
Chestnuts roasted by PORCHLIGHT @ 06/25/2006 11:49 PM EST
You know, I'm probably in a minority, but I liked the Tiki Room's new incarnation. Admittedly, I never saw the old one, but I'm a nerd and the Iago and Zazu animatronics were just spiffy.
That, and I liked the use of "Friend Like Me." >_>
Chestnuts roasted by Paul @ 06/26/2006 07:53 AM EST
I think it's worth noting that when I visited DW as a Star Wars-obsessed 6-year-old boy (this was during the dark times when no Star Wars toys or movies were being made), I actually thought C-3P0 and R2-D2 were going to be on the Star Tours ride. Like, my younger brother and I were making plans on what to ask them about. Despite this, I still managed to love the heck out of it.
Also, on my second trip there, in 2004, I ate a Turkey Leg. And loved it. Every half-cooked-chunk-of-flesh bit of it.
Chestnuts roasted by Luke @ 06/26/2006 11:45 AM EST
another great article! its just as i remembered when i was like 10 or so. Keep up the good work buddy!
Chestnuts roasted by Rusty @ 06/27/2006 10:44 PM EST
Porchlight, you just made my day. Suffice it to say, though, I'm kinda-sorta disapointed. Under the right lighting, I'm sure the thing is freaky as all hell, but coming out of a little cup or what not, it's barely an 80's saturday morning cartoon villain. Still, I can put my mind to rest.
Chestnuts roasted by inkmage @ 07/02/2006 04:47 PM EST
Hey, I was in Disney about the same time you were and I can attest to almost all that stuff. Except my friends and I kind of laughed at Stacy's over-the-top exuberance.
Chestnuts roasted by Chris @ 07/03/2006 08:06 AM EST
"And then, it happened. A neon dragon popped up out of the water and put on a concert for us..."
...Yeah...SUUUUUREEEE it did...WOW, you must REALLY drink alot!
...neon dragon...sheesh.
Chestnuts roasted by ASMx4 @ 07/05/2006 07:24 PM EST
