Introducing Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Since it opened on May 1, 1989 as the third major theme park at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney-MGM Studios has celebrated the golden age of Hollywood with such attractions as The Great Movie Ride, Magic of Disney Animation and the fascinating Backlot Tour. However, starting in January 2008, Disney plans to change the theme park's name to "Disney's Hollywood Studios . . . more info

Dream Along With Mickey

If you want to see a great little show full of your favorite Disney characters, I suggest you check out "Dream Along With Mickey," which takes place several times daily in front of Cinderella Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Check the daily schedule for times and arrive 15-20 minutes early to stake out a good spot to view the show.

Man Dies After Riding Expedition Everest

Another tragedy at Disney World, in this case a man died Tuesday after riding Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here are the details: Man Dies After Disney Roller Coaster Ride.

Disney World Trivia

Did you know . . . Golf legend Jack Nicklaus captured the first championship at the inaugural 1971 Walt Disney World Open Invitational?

At 199.5 feet tall, Expedition Everest is the tallest artificial mountain at Walt Disney World Resort?

Cinderella's Golden Carrousel was originally built in 1917 and once stood at Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey?

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios launches you at a speed of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds?

President Richard Nixon gave his famous "I am not a crook" speech during at convention at Disney's Contemporary Resort in 1973?

I've created a Disney World Trivia Page that will include fascinating facts about Disney World, including Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney. If you have any additions or corrections, just let me know . . .

Chilling Out in Liberty Square

I always enjoy wandering around Liberty Square for several reasons: It's often uncrowded, it hasn't changed much since 1971 and it's the only one of the "enchanted lands" that features some actual history. First, I hopped aboard the Liberty Square Riverboat for a leisurely cruise along the "Rivers of America," one of those great attractions where you can just relax and forget about all the long lines and frantic tourists swirling around you. Then I decided to check out Hall of Presidents since I did Haunted Mansion during my last visit. The brief film was excellent, followed by the appearance of the animatronic presidents. However, I do believe they gave George W. Bush too many lines - he speaks longer than Abraham Lincoln! Hopefully, when Bush leaves office, he will be relegated to his rightful position in the lineup - hopefully right next to James Buchanan, Warren G. Harding or Millard Fillmore. After the Hall of Presidents I checked out the replica of the Liberty Bell in the center of Liberty Square, as well as the adjacent Liberty Tree. Finally I strolled through some of the cool gift shops in Liberty Square before calling it a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom . . .

Christmas at Disney World

Below are some photos of Christmas decorations, etc. I took during my most recent trip to Disney's Magic Kingdom last Tuesday. More Disney World holiday photos will be on the way shortly.

Goofy Statue in front of Cinderella Castle


Christmas Display, Main Street, U.S.A.


Mickey Mouse Decoration, Main Street, U.S.A.


Main Street, U.S.A. Christmas Decorations


Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree


Donald Duck Christmas Tree Lot


Cinderella Castle

Disney World Timeline

I'm working on a Disney World Timeline that I believe is already the most comprehensive Disney World timeline on the Internet. Check it out and let me know if I have any factual errors or have left out any significant events. I've also added Disney movies that were released during this time period that may be helpful for Disney movie buffs. Tomorrow I head to Disney's Magic Kingdom and hope to get some photos of all the Christmas decorations out there . . .

Haunted Mansion Review

The Haunted Mansion at Disney World was closed from June 7, 2007, to September 13, 2007, for major refurbishments. Just like Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney managed to make some cool renovations to Haunted Mansion without ruining the essence of the attraction. The new staircase scene at the beginning was awesome - sort of like a haunted M.C. Escher painting. Another big change was the Disney World Attic with the changing portraits and the "Haunted Bride" with the ax. Very cool! I also enjoyed the "floating" Madame Leota. Only negative about the ride is that it stopped about three times - each of the times was about a minute long and really annoying. All in all, a great experience though!

A New, Improved Spaceship Earth?

I read in the Orlando Sentinel the other day that Spaceship Earth at Epcot is scheduled to reopen in mid-December "for sneak previews with a new story overlay, new technology and a whole new soundtrack." Great! I always thought Spaceship Earth needed to be completely updated. Also, there will be a new narrator, Academy Award winner Judi Dench (replacing Jeremy Irons who replaced Walter Cronkite). I will get out there when it reopens and provide a full review of the new, improved Spaceship Earth. In the meantime, enjoy some video footage of the current version of this classic Epcot ride . . .