Entries from The “World” According to Jack tagged with 'Magic Kingdom'
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - 2009
I know you're saying to yourself, "It's too early to be celebrating Christmas." And in most cases, I would agree with you. But partaking in this festive season at Disney World is something special. The parks and resorts take on...
Cinderella Wishing Well - Magic Kingdom
Like so many other articles I write, I can't talk about Disney World without first mentioning Disneyland. The first Disney wishing well appeared on March 27, 1961. As the story goes, Walt received an anonymous gift postmark from Italy. In...
Tiana's Showboat Jubilee
Today, October 26, 2009, Princess Tiana was formally welcomed into the Disney family. As with any royal ceremony, Disney pulled out all the stops to receive their ninth and newest princess. Many of our favorite characters were on hand at...
TTA – Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Update
Update: October 3, 2009 Yesterday, I rode the TTA. I was surprised to hear a new audio track had replaced the old narrative. A cast member told me this change took place on Thursday, October 2nd – the day I...
Magic Kingdom Skyway
After I published my blog about the demolition of the Tomorrowland Skyway Station, one of my readers wrote and asked me to write a blog about this defunct attraction. I don’t usually take requests for articles, but I felt that...
Tomorrowland Skyway Station
On November 10, 1999, a favorite ride for many of us closed. The Skyway that once carried guests over Tomorrowland and Fantasyland stopped running. It was a sad day. The towers and cables were removed soon after, but both stations...
Where Does the Music Come From?
Most people pay very little attention to the music being played in the background while visiting a Disney theme park. Our eyes are much too busy taking in all of the sights to consciously pay any attention to the melodies...
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Hang on to them hats and glasses cuz this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness. In reality, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad isn’t the most thrilling coaster in the world. In fact, it only reaches a top speed of somewhere...
Liberty Square Odds & Ends
Since I recently wrote a feature article and a blog about the Hall of Presidents, I thought I’d write a companion piece about a few of the other, less noticed sights in the area. Let’s start with the porch to...
Pirates League
Avast ye mateys, Captain Jack Sparrow is on the lookout for additional crew members! It seems that while some of Captain Jack's men were on a plundering raid, they came across the warehouse of the East India Trading Company. Deciding...
Hall of Presidents Reopens
I was invited to a special preview of the new Hall of Presidents show today (June 28, 2009). The actual grand opening is July 4th. Here’s what I experienced. The first thing you’ll notice is that the name of the...
Magic Kingdom Opening Show
“Good morning. Good morning. It’s great to stay up late. Good morning. Good morning to you, and you and you and you.” Anyone who has made the effort to be at the Magic Kingdom before opening will have this song...
Magic Kingdom Odds & Ends
I have a few more bits of trivia to share with you, so sit back and enjoy. Let’s start at City Hall. Inside this building are two paintings hanging on the wall behind the receptionist desk. (I only have a...
Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration
Ah, the sacrifices I make for you all. Today (May 6) was the official opening of a new Tomorrowland show in the Magic Kingdom called Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration. It takes place in a new venue that was especially built for...
Fantasyland – Old and New
The information in this next blog has been presented before – some of it on this website, some of it on others. But since I’ve started blogging about Disney World trivia, I thought these tidbits were worth repeating. Often, when...
Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!
In keeping with this year’s new “Celebrate Today” theme, the Magic Kingdom kicks off a new show/parade on February 13 titled “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” This high energy event starts near the Fire Station on Main Street...
Golden Oak Outpost and Button Cart
It pays to read the AllEars Newsletter. I was unaware that the Golden Oak Outpost, which replaced the McDonald’s Fry Cart in Frontierland, had opened until I read Kitty Smith’s blurb. I figured that I’d better get some pictures to...
Magic Kingdom - Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Today (January 23, 2009) a "new" parade kicked off at the Magic Kingdom. I was on hand to snap a few photos so I could share them with you. Since I rarely watch the daytime parades, I really can’t tell...
Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom Part 1
I just got back from vacation. A portion of my trip was spent visiting the Disneyland Resort in California. For those of you who have read my bio, you know that I grew up in Anaheim and visited Disneyland often...
Main Street Train Station Bulletin Board
There is an “Arrival and Departure” bulletin board on the ground floor of the Main Street Train Station. The locations depicted are not just random names, but have meaning. Here they are: Grizzle Bear Flats: The Grizzly Flats Railroad...
1972 Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Pictures - Part 2
This is my last set of January, 1972 pictures. I do have others, but they are of things that have changed very little over the years, such as Main Street and portions of Fantasyland, and really aren’t of any historical...
Adventureland - Magic Kingdom - History Lesson
Q: Do you know why Adventureland is located on the west side of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World? A: It’s because Adventureland is located on the west side of Disneyland in Anaheim. When planning the Magic Kingdom, Imagineers...
Harper's Mill, Old Time Telephone, and Kingdom Tower - Walt Disney World
I recently wrote a blog about the bird’s nest hidden in Harper’s Mill on Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom. One of my readers, Chris, wrote to tell me that if you listen carefully, the creaking gears inside the...
Step Back in Time to 1972 - Back by popular demand
Last time I posted old pictures of WDW I received numerous emails requesting more. So here goes. Once again, all of these pictures were taken in January 1972, just a little more than three months after the “World” opened. These...
Old Walt Disney World Pictures
A couple of months ago, I published some old pictures I had taken at Walt Disney World. I received several letters asking that I publish more, so here goes. All of these were taken in January, 1972, just a little...
The Old Mill
In 1937, Walt Disney produced “The Old Mill,” one of the Silly Symphonies. This was the first film to use the multiplane camera, a device that added depth of field to animation. This film also depicted realistic animal behavior, wind...
Liberty Tree Tavern Pagers
A very old tradition has died at the Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom. In the past, when guests checked in at the podium, they were asked what state they were from. Then, when it was time to be...
Diamond Horseshoe
The Diamond Horseshoe in the Magic Kingdom is currently serving lunch from 11am to 4pm during the busy President’s week. Premade sandwiches, a Caesar Salad, and drinks are available. I asked a cast member if this was a permanent arrangement...
Pirate Tutorial
The “Pirate Tutorial” show at the Magic Kingdom has been moved to a new location. Once performed in a make-shift area next to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction, the “Pirate Tutorial” show has now found a permanent, more substantial...
Step Back in Time - Magic Kingdom
I first visited Disney World in January 1972. Over the years, I took a number of pictures while vacationing here. Looking back, I wish I had taken more, but then I have to remind myself, film was expensive and having...
Main Street's City Hall Gets a Face Lift!
In order to keep Walt Disney World looking as good as it looks, attractions and buildings must be occasionally closed for refurbishment. In years past, plywood panels would be erected around the building so workmen could clean, repair, and paint...
Crystal Arts - Main Street Magic Kingdom
Earlier this year (or maybe even last year), the Bakery on Main Street needed to expand its seating area. To do this, Disney displaced the Arribas Brothers glass shop that shared this area. Shortly after the expansion was complete, the...
Exposition Hall in the Magic Kingdom
Where do you go at the Magic Kingdom when you’re hot and tired and want to escape the unmanageable crowds and cool down? Try Exposition Hall located on the Plaza at the beginning of Main Street. The front half of...
Art of Disney store in Magic Kingdom
The Art of Disney, or as I like to call it, the “good” store, has opened in the Main Street Cinema building in the Magic Kingdom. This store sells upscale merchandise. Lenox, Armani, the Disney Classic Collection, and original and...
Monsters Inc., Laugh Floor
My good friend Anita Answer suggested I check out the changes made to the Monsters Inc., Laugh Floor attraction in the Magic Kingdom. First, the lobby, or initial waiting room, has been redone. When the Laugh Floor first opened, a...
Updates Around Walt Disney World
The day after Halloween, Disney went to work decorating for Christmas. The transformation takes weeks as Santa’s Helpers move from park to park and resort to resort, stringing garland and decorating trees. I visited the Magic Kingdom and Main Street...
Haunted Mansion Comes Alive
All Ears® Team Member Jack Spence (accompanied by Anita Answer and friends) files this report: The good news: it’s still the Haunted Mansion. It has been improved. Some changes are obvious, others would hardly be noticed. They come together to...
Magic Kingdom Decks out for Halloween
Jack Spence Reports..... Town Square in the Magic Kingdom is all decked out for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Here are a few of the scarecrows that welcome guests....
Patriot's Day Flag Retreat
A special Flag Retreat was held at Town Square in the Magic Kingdom Tuesday in honor of Patriots Day (9/11). The Voices of Liberty were on hand as well as the Disney Philharmonic. Several of the numbers performed were, Proud...
Pecos Bills - Magic Kingdom
Several years ago, the Pecos Bill Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom tested a couple of automated "ordering" stations where guests could place their meal order via touch-sensitive screens instead of interacting with a cast member. For whatever reason, these...
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