The New and the Old About Disney World

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The New and the Old About Disney World"

Warren Jackson
5 years ago
Views:

1 2017 The New and the Old About Disney World Jennifer Lucas Issue #1 11/19/2017

STEP BACK IN TIME by Joan L. Feder AllEars Contributor We hunt through our archives for this monthly featurette, which looks at the history of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company.

is the fourth attraction to occupy the site at the entrance of Tomorrowland. The first, Flight to the Moon, opened on December 24, 1971.

2 STEP BACK IN TIME by Joan L. Feder AllEars Contributor We hunt through our archives for this monthly featurette, which looks at the history of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company. This month we take a long look back at Stitch's Great Escape! and the other attractions that once sat on that same location. Yes, Stitch's Great Escape! is the fourth attraction to occupy the site at the entrance of Tomorrowland. The first, Flight to the Moon, opened on December 24, After a pre-show, guests would learn about their flight and Mission Control from Mr. Tom Morrow (an audio-animatronic figure). Passengers then took their seats on the Lunar Transport that would "fly" them to the moon. This theater-in-the-round had large viewing screens in the center of the floor and ceiling as well as on the walls. During the experience, seats would be lowered and raised, simulating G-forces caused by acceleration and weightlessness, respectively. Upon reaching the moon, guests watched an interview with an astronaut, and visited the dark side. The trip was interrupted by a meteoroid shower, which set off blaring alarms, flickering lights, and bobbing seats before the return to Earth. Flight to the Moon was obsolete before it opened. Four moon landings had already taken place before its debut at the Magic Kingdom. The ride closed in under four years on April 15, Stitch's Great Escape! opened a little more than a year later on November 18, The same theater space and seats were reused. Many of Alien Encounter's animatronics and other show elements remained, albeit in a less scary and purportedly more comedic way. Guests were trainees at an intergalactic prison, and were shown how to handle a Level 1 criminal. Unexpectedly, the recruits are ordered to help transport an extraordinarily dangerous Level 3 prisoner. They proceeded to the high security teleportation chamber where they were harnessed into their seats for safety. The tube in the middle of the room filled with smoke, receiving the prisoner, which turned out to be an audioanimatronic Stitch. Spitting into the cannons meant to contain him, Stitch caused them to misfire and shorted out the system. The lights flashed, and the room went black. Guests could hear and

feel the escaped Stitch running around misbehaving. Eventually power was restored, just as Stitch transported himself to a place called Floor-ee-dah.

Many felt the story was weak and not very funny or charming.

" Right now, Stitch's Great Escape! is still included as an attraction on Disney's website, but no hours of operation are listed.

3 feel the escaped Stitch running around misbehaving. Eventually power was restored, just as Stitch transported himself to a place called Floor-ee-dah. The screens showed cartoon Stitch climbing Cinderella Castle and running amok, as the training came to an end. teens, yet it was too scary for little kids. Many felt the story was weak and not very funny or charming. In October last year it became a seasonally operated attraction and, on September 30, 2017, the sign was changed to read "Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting." Right now, Stitch's Great Escape! is still included as an attraction on Disney's website, but no hours of operation are listed. There were rumors that a Wreck- It Ralph virtual reality experience was in the works, but that has not been confirmed. Hopefully it won't be long before we know more. Stitch's Great Escape! was not a success. It was not terrifying enough for MAGICAL MOMENTS Each month, we like to share a few heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!

We got several pictures and everyone was ecstatic! But as we ventured through the building, Doc kept coming back to our 3-year-old!

4 Ben Sargent: It was a hot day at Animal Kingdom, so to take a break from the heat/sweat/crying we ventured on the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Upon arrival the two little ones had calmed after the train ride and we ventured inside. Once we entered, our 3-year-old couldn't believe his eyes. It was Doc McStuffins! We got several pictures and everyone was ecstatic! But as we ventured through the building, Doc kept coming back to our 3-year-old! The two of them winked, high-fived, and hugged for a good 10 minutes as the rest of our party checked everything out. We've been home for almost a month and our 3-year-old still talks about it. Thanks, Doc! Lori DeWall: Back in March, my two daughters and I went on a last-minute trip to Disney World over spring break. We are DVC members and I was able to get a room at Old Key West Resort. My oldest daughter was about to graduate from high school, and had enlisted in the US Marine Corps. She was leaving for boot camp at the end of June, so we don't know when the next trip together will be. I mentioned this during a phone call, and when we checked in, the cast member said that they would do something special for her. The next day after a full day at the parks, we arrived back in our room to find a beautifully packaged certificate signed by Mickey Mouse (the CEO -- Chief Ear Officer) and a medal celebrating her "Commitment to our Country." The gift was signed from "Your Old Key West Family." My 18-year-old daughter said that it was the coolest thing she'd ever seen! As our family enters a new chapter in our lives, it's nice to see that Disney recognizes and appreciates the military. The three of us had a fantastic trip together, and I am so thankful that we were able to spend this time together. This was a very special memory that we will all treasure.

ADDITIONAL STAR WARS: GALACTIC NIGHTS DETAILS ANNOUNCED November 19, 2017 Additional information about Star Wars: Galactic Nights, the special ticketed event to be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Actors Warwick Davis (best-known as Wicket the Ewok, among other Star Wars characters) and David Collins will be on hand for special appearances during the event, which will also feature a panel that

5 ADDITIONAL STAR WARS: GALACTIC NIGHTS DETAILS ANNOUNCED November 19, 2017 Additional information about Star Wars: Galactic Nights, the special ticketed event to be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Dec. 16, has been announced. Actors Warwick Davis (best-known as Wicket the Ewok, among other Star Wars characters) and David Collins will be on hand for special appearances during the event, which will also feature a panel that will include Imagineers Scott Trowbridge, Robin Reardon, and Chris Beatty, as well as Doug Chiang, VP/Creative Director at Lucasfilm, who will give guests an inside look at the making of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands currently under construction. Star Wars: Galactic Nights will run from 7 p.m.-midnight. CHRISTMAS IN DISNEY! Merry holiday moments from Disney theme parks around the world and a star-studded cast of entertainers will launch a 25 Days of Christmas countdown when The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration airs Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, from 9:00 11:00 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network. The magical two-hour event will be hosted by Emmy Award-winner Julianne Hough, multiplatinum recording artist and television personality Nick Lachey, and sports star, broadcast correspondent and commentator Jesse Palmer. The show will give viewers a front-row seat to a Disney Christmas party like no other a family holiday tradition brimming with colorful lights, snow flurries, memorable music and more. From the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Hough and Lachey will perform a spectacular opening number named for the primetime special.

yuletide treasures from Disney PhotoPass Service.

Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

6 NEW PROJECTS AT DISNEY?? From the edge of the galaxy to infinity and beyond, viewers will discover Andy s world in the new Christmas Party, you can unwrap yuletide treasures from Disney PhotoPass Service. These photo opportunities are sweeter than a sugar plum and the perfect way to deck the Toy Story Land to open next year at Disney s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The new family-friendly Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction will join the original Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction to give Woody, Buzz and Andy s entire toy collection a backyard play land scaled to render park guests seemingly toy-sized. halls or your social media accounts with jolly memories of your visit. DISNEY PHOTOPASS OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY DURING MICKEY S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY Don your merriest attire and dash, dance or prance to Magic Kingdom Park during Mickey's special party for festive photo opportunities! While you go a-wassailing around the park during Mickey s Very Merry When you wish upon a star Walt Disney

7 REFERENCES

2013 Calendar Star Wars Saga DVD 2013 Wall Calendar

2013 Calendar Star Wars Saga DVD 2013 Wall Calendar If you are looking for a ebook 2013 Calendar Star Wars Saga DVD 2013 Wall Calendar in pdf form, then you have come on to correct website. We furnish