Great Movie Ride Wazzup Video

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Top 5 Disney World Urban Legends

5. Cinderella Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom contains a secret apartment that was originally built for Walt Disney and his family. (Walt Disney died in 1966 - long before construction began on Cinderella Castle. The "Cinderella Castle Suite" used for Disney's Year of a Million Dreams celebration was recently constructed out of an unused space in the castle.)

4. In case of a hurricane, the Cinderella Castle's 10 spires can be easily removed to prevent them from damage. (Although the castle was built to withstand hurricane force winds, no part of it can be disassembled in the event of a hurricane.)

3. The plane from the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios OR from the Jungle Cruise at Disney's Magic Kingdom is the same one that was used in the famous final scene of the classic 1942 film, Casablanca. (Actually, the plane from Casablanca was just a movie prop.)

2. A Disney World guest was decapitated after standing up while riding Space Mountain. (According to some reports, it was a "test dummy" that had its head severed during testing by Disney Imagineers before Space Mountain was opened to the public.)

1. Walt Disney's body lies cryogenically frozen in a secret chamber buried deep beneath Disney's Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney was actually cremated and buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.)

Can you think of any others?

Disney World Promotional Film, Early 1970s

Check out this vintage 8mm film produced by Walt Disney Productions and used to promote Walt Disney World shortly after it first opened in 1971. Look for some long-gone Disney attractions such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Walt Disney Story, Plaza Swan Boats, Flight to the Moon and The Mickey Mouse Revue.

Check out new Disney World MySpace Pages

I've created two new Disney MySpace Pages: A Disney World Trivia page at www.myspace.com/disneyworld71 and a Walt Disney Tribute page at www.myspace.com/waltdisney1971. Both are full of interesting Disney World trivia, blogs, photos and videos. Check them out and don't forget to leave your comments and suggestions.

Hit or Miss? American Idol at Disney World

I don't know what to make of the recent announcement that Disney World will open an American Idol attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in late 2008. One of the main reasons that the TV show version of American Idol has been so monstrously successful is the interaction among the judges: Randy, Paula and especially Simon. Without them, American Idol would be just another lame variety show (remember Star Search?). Also, unless you are chosen to actively participate and perform on stage (think Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!), you will probably get bored quickly watching some of the Gong Show-caliber talent culled from the theme park crowd. I think the American Idol attraction will gain a lot of attention initially due to the buzz and then fade rapidly . . . What do you think?

Staying Relevant

"Toy Story Mania . . . reflects the larger pressures and challenges facing [Disney's] $10.6 billion parks and resorts business. To stay relevant to younger, digitally savvy visitors while also delivering growth to investors, Disney, the company that invented the modern theme park, knows that it has to devise a new era of spectacular attractions rooted in technology . . . The quickening pace of daily living, advances in personal technology and the rapidly changing media landscape are combining to reshape what consumers expect out of a theme park, Disney executives say . . . Consumers' fixation on instant gratification and personalization has been reshaping the entertainment industry for some time, but it has finally caught up to the theme park business in visible ways. For instance, Disney has spent much more effort - and money - developing ways to entertain people as they stand in line for Toy Story Mania. An animatronic figure with an estimated $1 million price tag will sing songs and interact with guests as they wait. Employees dressed as 'Toy Story' characters will stroll among the crowds."
- Brooks Barnes, "Will Disney Keep Us Amused?", The New York Times, February 10, 2008

Top 10 Worst Disney World Attractions

We always hear the rave reviews about such great Disney World thrill rides as Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mission: SPACE at Epcot, Splash Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney-MGM Studios. However, what about those Disney World attractions that we love to hate, the ones that never draw a long line, the mediocre rides that have taken the place of true Disney classics (does Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ring a bell)?

Therefore, here’s my own PERSONAL list of the top 10 worst Disney World attractions:

1. Stitch’s Great Escape: Based on a mediocre animated movie, Lilo & Stitch, Stitch’s Great Escape in Tomorrowland tops the list since it will bore anyone over the age of 5 and, worst of all, it actually replaced a popular attraction, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter!

2. Sounds Dangerous: This extremely dull Disney-MGM Studios show highlights “wacky audio illusions” and stars third-tier comedian Drew Carey. Skip it at all costs unless you are in desperate need of some air conditioning to beat the heat.

3. Wildlife Express Train: Don’t worry, you won’t see much wildlife during your five-minute journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, you’ll see a few uninteresting warehouse-type buildings along the way (apparently that’s where they house the animals at night or something).

4. Donald’s Boat: Near the back of Mickey’s Toontown Fair lies this big empty boat. Kids will run into it with great expectations and find absolutely nothing to do here. Occasionally, a little water play area is in operation in front of the boat, the S.S. Miss Daisy.

5. The Circle of Life: Characters from Disney’s The Lion King appear in this “amazing ecological adventure” at Epcot. A real snoozer!

6. Swiss Family Treehouse: A massive concrete tree with polyethylene leaves, the 60-foot-tall Swiss Family Treehouse at Adventureland offers a spectacular view from the top. However, you have to climb a total of 116 steps through uninvolving exhibits to get there.

7. Journey into Imagination with Figment: The original Journey into Imagination, which made its debut at Epcot in 1983, was by far the best incarnation but Disney has totally ruined the ride by tinkering with it so much over the years.

8. TriceraTop Spin: Basically a rip-off of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, TriceraTop Spin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives you the opportunity of waiting in line for 40 minutes to an hour in order to take a ride for 1 ½ minutes aboard a spinning dinosaur-shaped vehicle.

9. Astro Orbiter: Another spinning rip-off of Dumbo means another extremely long wait for a short, dull ride. Been there, done that (however, you do get a good view of Tomorrowland from high above).

10. Tomorrowland Indy Speedway: Yes, it’s one of the original attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (originally known as Grand Prix Raceway). However, you’ll have more fun at your local go-cart track without having to deal with ridiculously long lines, annoying gas fumes and beaten-up race cars that travel at speeds up to a whopping 7.5 miles per hour along a guided track!

Disney World Trivia Quiz

1. What year did Disney’s Magic Kingdom open its doors?A) 1955
B) 1971
C) 1975

2. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex during Spring Training?
A) Houston Astros
B) Atlanta Braves
C) Milwaukee Beers

3. What is the tallest structure at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Space Mountain
B) Swiss Family Treehouse
C) Cinderella Castle

4. What is the name of Disney World’s major promotional celebration that runs throughout 2007?
A) Year of a Million Dreams
B) Year of a Thousand Dreams
C) Year of 10 Dreams

5. What is the tallest artificial mountain at Disney World?
A) Expedition Everest
B) Splash Mountain
C) Space Mountain

6. What is the fastest ride at Disney World?
A) Space Mountain
B) Test Track
C) WEDway PeopleMover

7. Which Cirque du Soleil show takes place at Downtown Disney?
A) Mystere
B) La Nouba
C) La Strada

8. Encompassing more than 500 acres, which is Disney World’s largest theme park?
A) Epcot
B) Boardwalk and Baseball
C) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

9. What is the name of the indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney?
A) DisneyQuest
B) DisneyInterQuest
C) Cirque du Quest

10. What is the name of the free reservation system Disney World uses for its most popular rides and attractions?
A) QUICKPASS
B) FASTPASS
C) SUNPASS

11. What year did Disney-MGM Studios open its doors?
A) 1982
B) 1989
C) 1998

12. Which of the following countries is represented at Epcot’s World Showcase?
A) Bangladesh
B) Morocco
C) Algeria

13. Who was the first champion at the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Golf Invitational in 1971?
A) Jack Nicklaus
B) Tiger Woods
C) Arnold Palmer

14. What is the former name of the Astro Orbiter attraction in Tomorrowland?
A) Skyrockets in Flight
B) Star Jets
C) Mon Calamari Star Cruisers

15. Which astronaut took the first ride during the grand opening of Space Mountain in 1975?
A) Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson
B) Commander Neil Armstrong
C) Colonel Gordon Cooper

16. What is the name of Disney World’s first water park, which opened at Fort Wilderness Campground in 1976.
A) River Country
B) Splash Country
C) Wilderness Country

17. What did EPCOT originally stand for?
A) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
B) Experimental Polyester Clothes of Tomorrow
C) Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed

18. Which thrill ride can be found in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot?
A) Troll Trauma
B) Maelstrom
C) El Rio Del Norway

19. Singer Gloria Estefan owns which Downtown Disney restaurant?
A) Raglan Road Irish Pub
B) Bongos Cuban Cafe
C) Latin Quarter

20. Which is one of Disney World’s two miniature golf courses?
A) Disney’s Winter Summerland
B) Disney’s Summer Winterland
C) Disney’s Fall Springland

21. What International Drive landmark is known as “Orlando’s only upside-down attraction”?
A) Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
B) Skull Kingdom
C) WonderWorks

22. Which PGA golf tournament takes place at Disney World each October?
A) Children's Miracle Network Classic
B) Arnold Palmer Golf Classic
C) Bushwood Golf Classic

23. Summit Plummet, the world’s fastest and tallest free-fall waterslide, can be found at which water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) DisneyQuest

24. Which legendary rock band is associated with a thrill ride at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Guns N’ Roses
B) Aerosmith
C) Insane Clown Posse

25. Which annual event takes place at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Fear Factor Live Weekend
B) K-Fed Rapper Wannabe Weekend
C) ABC Super Soap Weekend

26. Which NASCAR legend offers a stock car “Driving Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Speedway?
A) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
B) Richard Petty
C) Ricky Bobby

27. Which Disney World theme park has more than one entrance?
A) Disney-MGM Studios
B) Disney’s Animal Kingdom
C) Epcot

28. The Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot has changed its name to honor which Disney animated character?
A) Nemo
B) Arial
C) Foghorn Leghorn

29. What year did Epcot open its doors?
A) 1978
B) 1982
C) 1989

30. Which is not one of the characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be added to the Pirates attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Captain Jack Sparrow
B) Barbossa
C) Cap’n Crunch

31. Mount Gushmore serves as the centerpiece of which Orlando area water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

32. Which Fantasyland attraction boasts the world’s largest seamless projection screen?
A) It’s a Small World
B) Peter Pan’s Flight
C) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

33. The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by what 1946 Disney movie?
A) Song of the South
B) Fantasia
C) Splash

34. President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech during a convention at which Disney resort in 1973?
A) Polynesian Resort
B) Contemporary Resort
C) Motel 6

35. Which science fiction writer assisted in the design of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?
A) Ray Bradbury
B) Isaac Asimov
C) Thomas Anderson

36. How many ghosts reside at the Haunted Mansion?
A) 99
B) 999
C) 9,999

37. Name the body of water that lies directly in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
A) Discovery Lagoon
B) Seven Seas Lagoon
C) Toon Lagoon

38. Which was not one of the original attractions when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) Haunted Mansion
B) Jungle Cruise
C) Pirates of the Caribbean

39. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland was replaced by which attraction in the late ‘90s?
A) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
B) If You Had Wings
C) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

40. How much did a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) $4.75
B) $8.75
C) $67.75

41. How tall is Space Mountain?
A) 89 feet
B) 189 feet
C) 29,028 feet

42. Which of the Country Bears sings “Blood on the Saddle” during the Country Bear Jamboree?
A) Big Al
B) Mr. Big
C) Notorious B.I.G.

43. What is the name of the fort that is connected to Tom Sawyer Island by a swinging suspension bridge?
A) Fort Courage
B) Fort Longhorn
C) Fort Langhorne

44. What is the nickname of the vehicles used at The Haunted Mansion?
A) Doom Buggies
B) Creepy Carriages
C) Haunted Hearses

45. Which is not a location of one of the three Walt Disney World Railroad stations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Frontierland
B) Adventureland
C) Mickey’s Toontown Fair

46. What is the highest rank you can achieve through accumulating points at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?
A) Galactic Hero
B) Starfleet Captain
C) Space Nerd

47. What is the maximum speed of the Indy cars at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway?
A) 2.5 mph
B) 7.5 mph
C) 160 mph

48. Which of the following animated films was worked on at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Mulan
B) Treasure Planet
C) Fritz the Cat

49. What is the original name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority?
A) Mach Go Go Go
B) Blade Runner
C) WEDway People Mover

50. The Leave a Legacy Sculpture is located near the entrance to which Disney World theme park?
A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom
B) Disney-MGM Studios
C) Epcot

Answers: 1) A, 2) B, 3) C, 4) A, 5) A, 6) B, 7) B, 8) C, 9) A, 10) B, 11) B, 12) B, 13) A, 14) B, 15) C, 16) A, 17) A, 18) B, 19) B, 20) A, 21) C, 22) A, 23) A, 24) B, 25) C, 26) B, 27) C, 28) A, 29) B, 30) C, 31) B, 32) C, 33) A, 34) B, 35) A, 36) B, 37) B, 38) C, 39) A, 40) A, 41) B, 42) A, 43) C, 44) A, 45) B, 46) A, 47) B, 48) A, 49) C, 50) C

More Disney World Trivia Questions

Barbershop Quartet, Main Street, U.S.A.

While you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney's Magic Kingdom, don't miss a chance to catch a performance of the immensely entertaining Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet . . .

Disney Flashback: 1990's Epcot Commercial

Since there is a reference to Captain EO and Epcot is referred to as "Epcot Center," I would date the above Epcot commercial in the early 1990s. I really enjoy the last shot of Mickey Mouse high atop Spaceship Earth. Awesome!

2008 Epcot International Flower & Garden Fest

I always look forward to festivals at Epcot, especially the food and wine festival and the upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which will boast world-class flower and horticultural displays, specially themed weekends and the Flower Power concert series. I plan to wander through the endless displays of colorful roses, wildflowers and Disney topiary displays, as well as attend some of the fascinating gardening seminars, workshops and demonstrations. Children's activities will be available also at the 15th-annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which has been expanded to 75 days this year - from March 19 through June 1, 2008. Best of all, the festival is included in Epcot's regular admission price.

2008 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Themed Weekends
March 21-23, 2008 - Premiere Weekend
March 28-30, 2008 - Characters in Bloom
April 4-6, 2008 - Art in the Garden
April 11-13, 2008 - Wellness Weekend
April 18-20, 2008 - Green Weekend
April 25-27, 2008 - I Dig Bugs
May 2-4, 2008 - Florida Farmers Market
May 9-11, 2008 - Coming Up Roses
May 16-18, 2008 - Garden Party
May 23-25, 2008 - Outdoor Living
May 31 - June 1, 2008 - Festival Farewell

In addition, the 2008 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will feature a stellar lineup of live entertainment through the Flower Power Concert Series such as The Guess Who, The Searchers, The Ventures and The Cowsills. All concerts will take place at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:45 PM, 7 PM and 8:15 PM during the dates specified below.

2008 Flower Power Concert Series
March 19-22, 2008 - The Guess Who ("American Woman")
March 23-24, 2008 - Petula Clark ("Downtown")
March 25-29, 2008 - Paul Revere and the Raiders ("Good Thing")
March 30-31, 2008 - The 5th Dimension ("Up, Up and Away")
April 1-3, 2008 - Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons ("Can't Live Without You")
April 4-5, 2008 - Jay Black ("This Magic Moment")
April 6-9, 2008 - Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone ("Henry the 8th")
April 10-12, 2008 - The Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill ("Midnight Confessions")
April 13-16, 2008 - The Happenings ("See You in September")
April 17-18, 2008 - Peter & Gordon ("A World without Love")
April 19-23, 2008 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas ("We Built This City")
April 24-26, 2008 - The Ventures ("Hawaii Five-O")
April 27-30, 2008 - B.J. Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head")
May 1-3, 2008 - Arlo Guthrie ("Alice's Restaurant")
May 4-5, 2008 - The Searchers ("Bumble Bee")
May 6-10, 2008 - The Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight")
May 11-15, 2008 - Davy Jones ("Daydream Believer")
May 16-17, 2008 - Jose Feliciano ("Light My Fire")
May 18-20, 2008 - Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals (Good Lovin'")
May 21-24, 2008 - Gary Puckett ("Over You")
May 25-27, 2008 - The Cowsills ("The Rain, the Park and Other Things")
May 28 - June 1, 2008 - Tony Orlando ("Tie a Yellow Ribbon")

Note: Concerts are subject to change without notice.

Upcoming Disney World Calendar of Events

Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens February 2008

Atlanta Braves Spring Training - Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
February 27 - March 27, 2008

Disney's Pirate & Princess Party - Disney's Magic Kingdom
Select Dates in February and March 2008

ESPN The Weekend - Disney's Hollywood Studios
February 29 - March 2, 2008

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Epcot
March 19 - June 1, 2008

Block Party Bash - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens Spring 2008

Toy Story Mania! - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens Summer 2008

Star Wars Weekends - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June 2008

Toy Story Mania! Sneak Preview

I just received my Spring 2008 copy of Mickey Monitor, which features a sneak preview of Toy Story Mania!, the new attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2008. Inspired by Disney-Pixar's immensely popular Toy Story movies, Toy Story Mania! will provide a combination of "colorful, ride-through excitement, 3-D technology and full-on competition!" Riders will take a unique journey through a "Midway Games playset" and stop at various carnival booths along the way where they will use their "spring-action shooter to launch virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens and eggs at barnyard targets," states Walt Disney Imagineering Show Producer Chrissie Allen in the Mickey Monitor. To learn more about Toy Story Mania, visit toystorymania.com.

Toy Story Mania! Sneak Preview Video

Last Chance for Disney Stars and Motor Cars

The Orlando Sentinel gave a heads up today for those wishing to check out the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade. It will be replaced soon, even as early as next month, by the Block Party Bash. Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade features characters from some of Disney's best-loved animated films such as Toy Story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lilo & Stitch, Ratatouille and much more.

For more information about discount tickets for Disney's Hollywood Studios, visit Orlando-Florida.net.