May 14, 2013

Animal Kingdom Opening Day Remembered by Ron D’Anna For the Disney Parks fans, there can be no greater event than the opening of a new theme park.  The last time this rare event occurred at Walt Disney World was April 22, 1998. I was there–a senior in high school skipping class to attend. Earth Day was an apt choice to birth a new park based on conservation and the natural world. Disney’s Animal Kingdom officially debuted that Wednesday at 7 AM. Animal Kingdom had already been in soft openings for weeks for Cast Members and annual pass holders, but the official opening still felt like something special. Arriving to the plaza in front of the turnstiles a little before 6AM, I was already so far behind in the sea of people I could not see any of the actual...

Apr 4, 2013

Bob Gurr: The Wizard of Wheels by Daniel Butcher Everyone who has visited a Disney park worldwide has experienced the creativity of Bob Gurr.  When reviewing the numerous vehicles and attractions that he has helped bring to life, his two and a half decades as an Imagineer seems too short for the magnitude of his achievements.  Bob Gurr’s design career did not end after he left Disney, but continued to grow into new and unexpected areas.  With a legendary career and an infectious personality, Bob continues to be a Disney fan favorite. Detroit Dreams On October 25, 1931, Robert Henry Gurr was born to Henry and Helen Gurr in Los Angeles, California.  Young Bob was a creative boy who was an energetic handful for the teachers unable to keep him occupied.  In fact,...

Apr 1, 2013

Una Comunidad de Fanáticos de Disney en Español A Spanish Disney Fan Community By: Brandon Brush The Disney Parks have always been a source of family entertainment for guests of all ages, nationalities, and languages. While many Disney fans enjoy learning the history and future of the parks through community websites, it appears that most sites cater specifically toward English speakers. In 2007, Oscar Feito decided it was time for a new Disney fan site. Disney Hispana has been a popular blog among Spanish Disney fans for five years and has expanded its reach to message boards, social networks, podcasting, and Disney travel books. Oscar Feito, originally from Madrid, Spain, has been a fan of Disney for as long as he can remember. He has lived in London and...

Mar 17, 2013

Mr. Baxter’s Wild Ride by Josh Hall   Tony Baxter. It’s not necessarily a household name and for most, it’s not even a familiar one. True enough, if I asked you to name an influential person in the history of Disney Theme Parks, Tony Baxter might not even come to mind. But for some of you, this behind-the-scenes giant of Imagineering is the first person who comes to mind. It’s been a few weeks since Tony announced that he was stepping down from his position as Senior Vice President for Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering and reactions have run the gamut from anger to sadness. Tony Baxter has left his mark on the hearts of millions through his designs, his ideas and his imagination. But who is Tony Baxter and what has he done in the past 47...

Mar 6, 2013

With the Epcot International Flower and Garden festival for 2013 now underway, here is your complete guide to everything you can expect from this year’s festival. Festival Dates: March 6th through May 19th, 2013 What’s New This Year Garden Marketplace culinary creations ranging from smokehouse barbecue and shrimp with grits and Zellwood corn to sweet “frushi” made with fresh fruits and coconut rice.  Chefs are perfecting menus for marketplaces that will include Florida Fresh at World Showcase Promenade, Smokehouse Barbecue and Brew at American Adventure courtyard, Primavera Kitchen at Italy showcase, Hanami at Japan showcase and eight others.  Around the World Showcase promenade Garden Marketplace refreshing libations with a kick like Hot Sun Tomato...

Mar 3, 2013

Test Track: First Impressions by Ron D’Anna December 11, 1998 was a landmark day at Epcot. While not officially open, it was the first day Test Track saw riders. After over two years of waiting and delays, Epcot received its first thrill ride. While official Cast Member previews would begin the next day, Epcot cast members and their guests got to experience the attraction before anyone else. However, though I wasn’t working at Epcot, I managed to get in with a group of friends that night as well. After years of waiting for the ride to open, I was there for its first night, and what appeared to be its first breakdown. Just as I pulled into the unload area, the ride suddenly stopped and the Imagineers who had been lining the platforms scattered. It was a truly...

Feb 28, 2013

Life Outside of the College Program By Bret Shroats If you are interested in participating in the Disney College Program, you may have several questions about the program. One of the questions you should have is, “Will I have a life outside of the role Disney casts me for?”As a Disney College Program alumnus, I am pleased to report that the answer is completely up to you. The Disney College Program offers a diverse amount of options for a cast member’s schedule; you may take as much or as little overtime at your work location as you want. Now, you have no control what you get scheduled, but you control the amount of overtime and what you do with your free time. I know participants who went to Walt Disney World to work, and that was all they wanted to do,...

Feb 20, 2013

Un Jour à Disneyland Paris Michael Truskowski Bonjour et Bienvenue Most of my friends had always assumed that when I finally got married, the honeymoon would take place at Disney World. This really was not too much of a stretch when you think about how much of a Disney fan I am.  I have been visiting Walt Disney World since I could not even count. I even ran my first marathon at Disney World. When the big wedding day finally came on September 15th of 2012, we surprised everyone when we did not board a plane for Orlando – rather, we headed to Europe. As much as I love Disney World, I really wanted to do something new and extra special for a honeymoon (not to mention my new husband is not quite the diehard Disney fan that I am). So it was rather convenient that in...

Feb 16, 2013

Epcot Memorium: Kitchen Kabaret by Tom Corless The Kitchen Kabaret Revue was a 13-minute audio-animatronic show that was located inside The Land pavilion, premiering on October 1, 1982 with EPCOT Center. The host, Bonnie Appetite, introduced the various acts in a musical review and comedy format that advocated healthy eating and provided a basic primer on the four food groups: Meat, Dairy, Cereal, and Fruits/Vegetables. The entrance stood on the bottom floor, to the left side. The entrance used pastel colors like the remainder of Epcot, but looked like a Broadway theater with it’s marquee. The first waiting room had guests cross under another marquee, complete with a host of production posters along the walls. The final waiting are had a third marquee, calling...

20 Years Running by Michael Truskowski When the Walt Disney World Marathon was first run in 1994, a few thousand runners took part. This year, for the 20th running of the race, over 20,000 took part in the 26.2 mile run. Not to mention the other 40,000 or so participants who participated in the weekend’s other activities, such as the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, the Disney Family 5K, and the Kid’s Races. As the sport of running has gone mainstream, the runDisney events have become some of the most popular on the Disney Parks calendar. My first Disney marathon (and my first marathon ever for that matter) was the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon. Last year I stepped it up and ran my first Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. The Goofy, for those who may not be...