As you might recall, this McDonald’s once had enormous caricatures of a hamburger, fries, and a shake on its roof. For whatever reason, the powers-that-be decided it was time for a change and both the exterior and interior of this restaurant received a major makeover. Here are a couple of pictures of the new exterior. Gone are the fanciful figures to be replaced by sleek, modern lines.

The outdoor seating area has been given a casual feel complete with some comfortable wicker chairs and palm trees.

The ordering station and beverage bar received only minor changes.

The seating area is more festive than its predecessor. This is accomplished by using white tables and chairs of primary colors. In addition, the overhead panels now display sporting scenes, also in colors that coordinate with the chairs.

Two “group” seating areas are clustered together under light colored wood canopies. Four flat-screen TVs can also be found within this setting.

The inside ordering counter and dining room are open daily from 5am to 1am. The drive-thru is open 24 hours.

Note, this McDonald’s is extremely busy for breakfast and dinner. At lunchtime, it’s practically deserted.

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 that this would be easy pickin’s, they aimed their canon at the door. Unfortunately, they missed their target and their canon ball lodged itself into a stone wall. But their second shot was better directed and knocked down the door.

After the booty was safely stowed aboard there ship, Captain Jack surveyed the empty warehouse and decided that this would be the perfect spot to recruit and train new pirates. Being the hearty soul that I am, I signed up to become a swashbuckler.

My adventure began outside of the East India Trading Company – oops, The Pirates League. This is located near the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. It was here that I picked the pirate-look I would live with for all eternity. I was allowed to choose from the following: Cursed Pirate, Smokey-Eyed Jack, Multi-Eyed Jack, Black-Eyed Jack, and Captain Hook. If my sister had been along, she could choose from any of the above plus Empress for a more feminine look. I chose the Cursed Pirate.

After making the necessary arrangements, I went inside. Here, some of Jack’s pirate folk greeted me with a hearty “aargg.” While looking around I found some pirate accoutrements for sale if I was inclined to part with some pieces of eight.

The first thing all shipmates-in-training must do is discard their old name for a new pirate identity. This is done with the greatest of skill and precision. First, I was asked to blow on two dice, one black and one white. Then these dice were carefully placed in a treasure chest that was attached to a ship’s wheel. I was then asked to give this wheel two complete turns. When finished, the dice were removed and the numbers read aloud.

Another, nearby pirate took these numbers and consulted some ancient parchments associated with my birth month. After careful consideration, a name was chosen for me -- Benjamin Damploather.

Next stop was one of the ten Muster Stations where I met my trainer. Her name was Brenna and she spoke perfect pirate-ese. I was seated in a chair and made comfortable. Brenna then reconfirmed my pirate selection and started to work on my makeover.

During the makeover, Brenna engaged me in conversation. But keep in mind, Brenna is an eighteenth-century pirate. She doesn’t understand modern English words. When she asked why I wanted to become a pirate, I explained that I was here to experience the training program, then write a blog about it on my computer. This totally confused her. She had no idea what a blog or a computer were. So after some thought on my part, I told her that I would be using my quill pen to ink some scrolls which would be distributed to all of you using magic beyond her imagination. This seemed to satisfy her.

After the makeup had been applied, I was given a bandana and a painless tattoo.

Brenna told me that Captain Jack required her to take three weeks of training before allowing her to transform new recruits into swashbucklers.

When my makeover was complete, Brenna gave me a pirate’s booty bag. In it, she placed my earring and false teeth as she isn’t allowed to place these items on the trainees. However, a parent or friend can assist you if you’d like to don them for your upcoming portrait.

The makeover took about thirty minutes. At its completion, I pledged allegiance to Captain Jack and took the Pirate’s Oath.

I was then escorted to another section of the warehouse where I was given my sash and sword by a different pirate. With the sword came a command that I was not to slash, poke, jab, prod, slice, cut, or carve my siblings, parents, strangers, birds, animals, or Disney property. After agreeing to this condition, I was asked if I’d like to see Captain Jack’s secret treasure room with the condition that I would not take any pictures or ever reveal what took place inside this inner sanctum.

So if you want to know, you’ll have to become part of Jack’s crew.

After leaving the mysterious room, I was given a packet that contained my pirate’s oath, complete with my pirate’s name. Also included was my pirate photo.

Reservations for Pirates League are strongly suggested. They can be made 90 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-CREW (939-2739). A credit card is needed at this time to secure the reservation, but is not charged until the actual event. Ten doubloons will be applied to your card if you cancel less than 24-hours in advance. Guests are requested to bring a brush, but this really isn’t needed for boys and men with short hair. Captain Jack does not allow his trainers to have brushes but some Empresses require them in order to pull their hair back.

There are three packages available. The First Mate and Empress packages each cost 50 doubloons plus pirate tax. This includes a choice of one of the six facial treatments, a tattoo, a photo and an assortment of pirate accouterments. The Captain’s package costs 125 doubloons plus pirate tax. It includes all of the above plus an appropriate costume. The age limit is 3 and above. Those 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

I asked if trainers accepted pieces of eight for their services. I was told that this is never solicited, but Captain Jack does allow his mates to accept doubloons if the trainee feels that he or she received a job well done.

While being made up, I saw three brothers as well as a father and son take the oath. They all seemed to be having a good time. I know I did. But this was just the beginning of my adventure. The subsequent walk through the Magic Kingdom is where my decision to become a pirate really began to sink in. You’d think these tourists had never seen a dead man walking before.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the name of the attraction now has a subtitle –“The Hall of Presidents – A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders.”

Beneath the porch is a new “countdown” clock indicating how many minutes until the next show begins. Hopefully this will save the cast members from having to answer this question innumerable times a day.

I didn’t really notice any changes to the cast member’s costumes, but to be honest, the old ones weren’t burned into my memory so I can’t be sure.

For the most part, the interior waiting area has not changed significantly. As always, the first thing you’ll notice upon entering this room is The Great Seal of the United States.

On the back wall you’ll find the new title of the show.

When you visit, be sure to check out the display cases that contain actual artifacts from previous presidents. One of the many items of interest is a Tea Caddy/Game Box used by George Washington at Mount Vernon.

Many of the same portraits that we’re familiar with still hang on the wall.

The biggest change to the waiting room is the addition of a display showcasing dresses of three first ladies, Nancy Reagan, Edith Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Monroe (dress pictured).

In the past, those traveling in wheelchairs entered the theater first to allow them a chance to get situated before the rest of the crowd. Now, wheelchairs line up on the right side of the waiting area and enter the theater with everyone else and are directed to a special area toward the back of the room.

Because this was a preview, Disney asked that no photography of any kind be used during the performance. So, from this point on I have no pictures to share with you. Once the show has its grand opening, things will return to normal and photography should be allowed as long as you don’t use any flash equipment.

Spoiler alert! I’m going to do my best to describe the new show. For me, there was one “surprise” that caught me off guard and moved me to tears. If you want to experience this unexpected moment for yourself, stop reading now.

Wow!

First, the movie is digitally projected. In other words, there is no film to become scratched and faded. The movie is crystal clear and the colors look vibrant. Next, the sound system is all new and everything was digitally recorded. Once again, voice and music sound better than ever.

Morgan Freeman narrates the show which begins with a brief discussion of the war for independence and George Washington. We’re told that by Washington refusing to become king and then stepping down after his second term, he helped set our country in the direction that any man, not just the gentry, could rise to the highest office in the land.

To prove this point, the next president highlighted is Andrew Jackson. A common man that played a pivotal part in our country’s early years.

Next slavery is discussed, and with this, Lincoln becomes the focus of the film. After several minutes, the center screen rises and we see an Audio-Animatronics figure of this great man, sitting all alone on stage. He rises and delivers the Gettysburg Address. This was a stirring moment and I wasn’t the only person wiping the tears from my eyes. At the conclusion of his speech, the screen lowers and the movie continues.

As the film progresses in time, paintings are replaced by photographs and then videos as Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush are all briefly discussed or highlighted. A sharp eye will notice a picture of a high school-aged Clinton meeting Kennedy.

Many of the paintings used in the film are familiar to us from the previous show, but many of them are new. Also, only three of the five screens are used in this new feature, but that’s entirely okay. You don’t miss them at all.

When the film concludes, the curtain rises on all 43 presidents. As always, this is awe inspiring. The roll call commences and the new lighting system highlights each president. Their position on stage has been rearranged so the audience can follow the introductions better.

When the roll call concludes, George Washington stands and talks about the importance of the presidential Oath of Office that all of the men here on stage have taken. He then gestures to Obama who recites this oath. Interestingly, this was recorded in the Map Room, the same room he retook the Oath of Office after a slight mishap occurred during the actual inauguration.

When Obama finishes, Morgan Freeman gives him a second, more elaborate introduction. Obama then delivers another short speech about the significance of the American dream. The show concludes with a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

At this point, the theater erupted into applause and many were wiping tears away. I knew a number of people in the audience today. After the show, we discussed what we had just seen. It was unanimous. Disney has done an outstanding job of reinventing this attraction. The Audio-Animatronics figure of Obama is stunning. Please, please put this on you “must see” list on your next visit to Walt Disney World. You’ll be glad you did.

For more information about how this show was created, click here for an official Disney press release.

Last year I wrote a blog about the Morse Museum which features one of the largest collections of Tiffany glass in the country. Today I’m going to write about another local, non-Disney attraction. As before, I’m aiming this information to those of you who have visited Disney so often that you mouth the words along with Ben Franklin and Mark Twain in the American Adventure. You could skipper a Jungle Cruise boat because you know all of the jokes by heart. And you know the difference between an okapi and a bongo you’ve ridden Kilimanjaro Safari so many times. In other words, to those of you who could use a break from the Mouse.

The Lakeridge Winery is located about 35 minutes northwest of Disney World in the community of Clermont. As the name implies, the vineyard is perched on a ridge overlooking a lake. A total of 127 acres of gently rolling countryside make up the estate. The setting is tranquil and is exactly what you would expect from such a facility.

When you enter the visitor’s center, you find yourself in a welcoming gift shop filled to the brim with merchandise and wine. You can easily spend twenty minutes checking out all of their wares. In one corner you’ll find a number of gourmet items to accompany your next wine party. These are the type of food supplies that you won’t find in your local grocery store like exotic salsas, flavored oils, and fancy crackers just to mention a few. A number of cookbooks are also available.

In other sections of the shop you’ll discover wine paraphernalia. Every kind of cork screw you can imagine, and some you can’t, are on display. Wine racks, decanters, and glasses of every description are available. Cheese slicers, mortar and pestles, and of course, Lakeridge Winery T-shirts can be had.

In the back corner of the store is a case displaying the many awards the winery has won. Also in this section of the room is a window that looks into the laboratory where samples are tested for sugar, acid, and pH balance, among other things.

The rest of the shop is devoted to wine. A number of racks display their offerings with a price list and description overhead. You can either pick up individual bottles or if you’re really thirsty, cases can be found underneath the shelves. You can also mix and match cases with several varieties. The more you buy, the bigger the discount.

For those of you who decide to buy a case or more, red wagons are available so you can pull you purchases out to the car.

Tours are given every thirty minutes – on busy days, sometimes every twenty. Since there is enough merchandise in the shop to keep you busy until the tour begins, you don’t need to worry about timing your arrival at the winery.

My friend Donald and I were there on a Monday and things were rather slow. As it ended up, we were the only two people on the tour. Our guide was informal and made us feel welcome. We headed upstairs and the tour began in a small theater. Here we saw a fifteen minute video chronicling the history of the winery and we learned a little bit about grape harvesting and processing. I know the benches look hard, but don’t worry, they are padded on the seat and back.

When the video finished, we were escorted into the “barrel” room where fermenting takes place in stainless steel tanks. Our guide then provided us with a detailed explanation of what goes on during this portion of the wine making process.

The next stop was on a balcony that overlooks the vineyard. If you think the lake looks rather pitiful, you’re right. It does. The drought in Florida has taken its toll. We were told that in an effort to conserve water, all of the vines are irrigated with either a drip or mist system. This uses 1/10 the amount of water of that of conventional irrigation.

Also from this vantage point we could see the grape harvester, crusher-stemmer, and presser. The presser uses a large balloon that inflates and deflates numerous times to gently squeeze the juice from the fruit.

Back inside we find the bottling, corking, and labeling machine. All of the wine produced here is bottled here as well. Also in view is the warehouse.

The walking tour takes 20-30 minutes. Since there were only the two of us, and we’ve been to many wineries in the past, we didn’t have many questions. But questions were certainly encouraged on this casual tour.

When we returned to the shop, it was time for wine tasting. Our guide spent the next fifteen minutes pouring us seven different samples and explaining their differences. Keep in mind, these are “samples.” You’re only getting a small taste of each. I suppose in total we were given one full glass if you combined them all.

The primary grape grown at the Lakeridge Winery is the Muscadine. This is a sweet variety that is well suited for the hot Florida climate. Several hybrid grapes have also been developed that do well in this region and are used in several of their selections.

A banquet room is available for special occasions and you can choose from several local caterers for food service.

The winery offers a number of festivals and events during the year. Everything from jazz and blues concerts to wine-stomping contests takes place in a grassy picnic area adjacent to the main building.

I purposely did not go into detail about the wine making process or the varietals produced here. I wanted to leave something for you to discover on your own when you visit.

Lakeridge Winery is open Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 11am-5pm.

From most locations at Walt Disney World, travel south to US-192 and head west toward Tampa. At US-27, go north toward Clermont. In approximately 21 miles, make a U-turn at Libby No 3 Road – you are now traveling south on US-27. The winery will be on the right side of the road. You can’t miss it.

The tour, parking, and tasting are all free. Shipping is available.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
19239 U.S. 27 North
Clermont, Florida 34715
1-800-768-WINE

For more information about the winery and the special events held here, check out their extensive website.

http://www.lakeridgewinery.com/index.php

I’ll leave you with two pictures I took from the parking lot.

Located toward the back of the France Pavilion, this is the spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre, one of the trio of chefs who oversee “Chefs de France” and “Bistro de Paris” was responsible for many of the creations available at Boulangerie Patisserie. Sadly, he passed away this past January, but his temptations live on in this wonderful sidewalk café.

Be forewarned, this eatery becomes busy early in the day and remains so until closing. Either arrive at opening, or be prepared to wait in line.

Most people miss the small baking displays near the doors they’re so busy to get to the gooey concoctions. It’s worth your time to take a moment and look at how beautifully this café is decorated.

Once you’re fully inside this pastry shop, your eyes widen and your mouth begins to water. Ahead are cakes, tarts, turnovers, éclairs, cream puffs, and much, much more. The Napoleon is my favorite, but I always get powdered sugar all over myself. After you’ve made up your mind, all you have to do is point and a charming French cast member will be happy to place your selection on a paper plate and tray.

Although luscious desserts are the primary draw at Boulangerie Patisserie, a cheese plate and various meat-filled croissants and baguettes are also available. These are perfect if you’re in the mood for a light meal.

Here is the current menu.

There are two sides/lines and two cash registers. It’s at the register that you order your beverage. Besides the usual Coke products, cappuccino, espresso, and a few other tasty concoctions are for sale.

After you pay, don’t forget to pick up napkins, knives, forks, spoons, and other necessary condiments found on an antique table near the exit.

There are numerous tables right outside the Boulangerie Patisserie. On a pleasant day, it doesn’t take too much imagination to make believe you’re actually in Paris enjoying your taste treat on a quiet street.

However, these tables fill up quickly and sometimes it’s difficult to secure one. If you discover that all of them are occupied, don’t despair, more are available just inside the Souvenirs de France shop. Actually, on a hot day, these inside tables are a better choice than their outside counterparts as you’ll find air conditioning waiting for you here.

If you look around the interior of this shop, you’ll find it’s been designed to look like a train platform. This is also the same shop that the Impressions de France movie exits into. But this takes place on the other side of this large room so these occasional crowds should not interfere with your meal.

I have to believe that 95% of you have already experienced Boulangerie Patisserie and this blog is nothing more than a pleasant reminder of a pleasant spot. But for that other 5%, this needs to be a “must see” on your next visit to Epcot. I can pretty much guarantee that once you try it, you’ll become a regular customer.

The tramp steamer, S.S. Down the Hatch, that houses Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner represents the waterfront theme seen in the movie. The architectural style of the building is called “California Crazy.” It became popular in the 1930’s and the concept was to catch the eye of the consumer and create a lasting impression.

Dinosaur Gertie's on the other side of Echo Lake is another good example of this style.

Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner is a great place to stop and catch your breath. A number of umbrella-covered tables are nearby and offer excellent people-watching opportunities.

Here is the current menu. As you can see, the offerings are simple, but I’ve got to tell you, the pretzels are pretty good.

But the real reason I’m writing about Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner has nothing to do with the above. It has to do with more Disney trivia just waiting to be discovered.

This “building” is supposed to represent a cargo ship. If you look around, you can see freight ready to be loaded aboard.

To the left side of the ship are a number of large crates.

Take a look at who these wooden boxes are addressed to.

For those of you who aren’t movie buffs, these are characters from the films Citizen Kane, It’s a Wonderful Life, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and The Producers (respectively).

So there you have it, more details.

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Addendum:

The insignias over the S.S. Down the Hatch alternate between flags and pennants. The flags represent letters, the pennants represent numbers.

The flags spell out: D O C K S I D E D I N E R

The numbers are: 7 8 2 5 6 2 8 9 6 3 5 4 (I think -- I was looking at a picture and the wind was blowing, making it difficult to read some of them.)

I'm no cryptographer. If someone else knows the significance of these numbers, please let me know.

When I worked at Club 33, I often came in contact with company executives – and I was expected to call them by their first name. Saying “Good morning Mr. Tatum” was a no no.

The reason for this policy is simple. Walt wanted his cast members to treat the “customers” (a banned word at Disney) like they were “guests” in their own home. He wanted a casual informality at Disneyland. Everybody is friends at a Disney theme park. He also wanted the cast members to know that all of their jobs were important when it comes to creating the “show.” It doesn’t matter if you wash dishes backstage or conduct VIP tours for heads of state; everyone’s efforts are needed, important, and valued. Being on a first name basis with all was a leveling tool.

To promote this first-name policy, everyone in the company wears a name tag. It’s considered part of your costume. Even backstage, where guests never go, everyone sports their name.

I always liked this policy. First, I’m horrible with names and it made it a lot simpler for me when I was getting to know a new cast member. Also, this informality made it easier for me to talk to my boss. Calling your supervisor by his or her first name helps break down barriers. And finally, from the guest’s point of view, this casualness creates a relaxed atmosphere. When a guest sees your name tag, they’re far more willing to strike up a conversation with you because you seem more approachable.

Here’s what my name tag looked like in 1971. Pretty boring.

At Club 33 my name tag was a little more elaborate. They still use this same design today.

And here’s what the Walt Disney World name tags looked like in 1971. Once again, pretty boring by today’s standards.

The first real change came to the name tags in 1976. In honor of the bicentennial, Disney was promoting a new pageant, America on Parade, and decided to use the name tags as a marketing tool. After that, it became common place to advertise the latest happening on these plastic wonders.

Nowadays, name tags display a city (or college for those on the College Program). Each cast member is allowed to select a “home town” when they’re hired and can change this location at any time. The city selected doesn’t have to be where they were born or where they last lived, but simply a place that holds significance for them.

Here is the current name tag being used at Walt Disney World. Notice it promotes the “Where Dreams Come True” ad campaign.

Something I wish had been around when I worked at Disneyland was the “Earning My Ears” ribbon.

This wonderful piece of trimming attached to a name tag immediately tells the world that the cast member doesn’t have all the answers, that he or she is still in a learning mode. And it’s not just worn by new hires. When someone transfers from one job to another, they once again don this announcement. The amount of time this ribbon is worn varies depending on the complexity of the job.

Besides giving the cast member a little breathing room while they learn their new role, it’s also an excellent conversation starter. I know whenever I see this ribbon, I take extra time with the cast member and ask them questions like, “How’s it going?” “Are you overwhelmed?” Stuff like that.

Another pin you might see, although not on a name tag, is the Disney Trainer pin. The cast members who wear this badge are designated instructors in a certain discipline and have completed classes in a given field.

After a cast member completes a year of employment, they are given a Service Award pin that they may place on the right side of their name tag. After that, they receive a new pin after completing segments of 5 years. Below are pictures of 1 through 40 years.

Cast members are not required to wear their Service Anniversary pins. So just because you don’t see one, don’t assume that you’re dealing with a newbie. They might have worked at Disney World for years.

There is one other embellishment that you might spot on the left side of some cast member’s name tags. This is called the “Partners” pin and it designates that this individual has won the “Partners In Excellence” award.

The Partners In Excellence award celebrates those cast members, both onstage and off, who exemplify the Disney spirit. The recipients of this award must achieve and sustain excellent job performance as measured by three criteria: Guest Satisfaction, Cast Excellence, and Business Results.

To be eligible for this award a cast member must have worked for the company a minimum of three years. Then they must be recommended by a fellow cast member or their supervisor. Once a year, all of these recommendations are reviewed and a portion of these are actually accepted and the cast member is informed that he or she has been nominated to receive the award. The nominations are then reviewed again and a select few receive the Lifetime Achievement Award called Partners In Excellence.

In 2007, 3,816 people were recommended. Of that, 2,934 were nominated and 515 actually won. When you consider that Disney World employs over 60,000 people, it is an honor to receive this award.

The Disney name tag has a lot of tradition behind it. It indicates much more than just a person’s moniker. It means that an individual understands what the “Disney-way” is all about and they will do their best to make sure you enjoy yourself while visiting.
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Addendum:

After this blog was posted, one of my readers, Ben, sent me the following link.

http://www.nametagmuseum.com/

Check it out. You'll find a wonderful history of Disney name tags.

Thanks Ben!

Back in April, I wrote a blog about Fort Wilderness activities and the reopening of the swimming pool. At that time, the kiddy pool was not complete and I promised to return and take pictures once it opened. Also, a number of you requested additional swimming pool pictures. So today (May 29, 2009), I returned to Fort Wilderness with camera in hand.

First the bad news. The kiddy pool still isn’t ready.

But the good news is, it appears that the kiddy pool will open any day and I was able to get some pictures that will give you a good idea of what to expect once it’s done. It looks as if the water surrounding this slide is only a couple of inches deep. It also seems that their might be some water sprays emanating from the top of the structure.

Next to this new slide is another children’s wading pool. The depth here is about one foot.

Here is a picture of the spa.

The following pictures are of the main swimming pool and the new slide. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the barrel on the slide came from River Country.

A number of construction fences still surround various portions of this area. But from what I could see, everything looks close to completion and I have to believe Disney is doing their best to finish everything before summer.

Anyone who has made the effort to be at the Magic Kingdom before opening will have this song stuck in their head all day long – or at least until they ride “it’s a small world.”

I’ve always advocated being at the parks as early as possible if it’s your desire to experience the rides with as little wait as possible. But there is an extra added bonus for you early birds – a show. All four theme parks present a short opening performance before rope drop. All are entertaining, but I think the Magic Kingdom’s is the best.

If you want to see this show, I suggest you arrive at the Magic Kingdom (not the TTC) at 8:30. On slow days this might be a little early, but on busier days, you’ll be glad you arrived at this time. Once there, proceed through the turnstiles. The show takes place up in front of the train station so anywhere in the courtyard offers good viewing. However, if you plan to take pictures, you might want to move to the right side of this area so the sun is at your back.

To keep the little ones entertained before the show, Disney provides a number of hula-hoops for their enjoyment.

At about 8:50, a citizen of Main Street appears and welcomes everyone to the Most Magical Place on Earth. By the way, Disneyland in California is the “Happiest Place on Earth.” The Magic Kingdom is the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

After a short introduction, the Main Street Singers appear and present a lively rendition of “Good Morning.” Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, most of us are familiar with this song from the 1952 movie “Singin’ in the Rain,” but in reality, it first appeared in the 1939 movie “Babes in Arms.”

When their number completes, we hear a whistle in the distance. A few moments later a steam train chugs into view to the tune of “Casey Jr.” and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." Onboard we see Mickey Mouse and a number of his friends waving to the crowd below. Also onboard is the “family of the day.”

After the guest family is introduced, a backwards countdown from ten proceeds to officially open the park. At zero, the guest family throws pixie dust onto the crowd and canons erupt, sending streamers flying.

The entire show lasts less than ten minutes, but it’s a lot of fun. It also allows your children the opportunity to see some Disney characters first thing which might pacify their urgent need for a few moments.

This show sets the mood for your day to come. If you haven’t already seen it, I strongly suggest dragging yourself out of bed a little early one morning and make the effort. You’ll be glad you did.

Since Bay Lake Tower is still under construction, we entered the building through a loading dock rather than the main entrance. We boarded an elevator and up we went to the top. Upon entering the Grand Villa, everyone’s reaction was the same… Oh my god! The view of the Magic Kingdom is stunning when seen from this level through two-story windows. We were all blown away.

Here are a few more pictures of the living room. Note, the flat-screen television is wired for surround sound.

A dining table seats ten and can be expanded to twelve.

The kitchen has a very modern design and features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

A Grand Villa has four spacious balconies, one off of the kitchen and others off of the three bedrooms. The balcony off of the first floor bedroom can also be accessed from the living room. Take a look at the view!

This next picture hangs in the entryway. Also, notice the hidden Mickey on the rug.

Since the resort is still under construction, many of the amenities like towels and small appliances were missing from this unit. In addition, we were asked not to take pictures of the beds since they did not have sheets or bedspreads.

Here are some pictures of the master bedroom and bath located on the first floor. The bathtub is separated from the sleeping area via sliding doors.

Now we venture upstairs where we find a loft and laundry room. There is also a second door to the hotel hallway on this level.

These next pictures are of the second-story bedrooms and baths that flank each side of the loft. Note, the bedrooms have windows that look down into the living room.

I think Disney did a great job of creating a “contemporary” décor that doesn’t sacrifice warmth for styling. From what I could see, the color palette looks vibrant and compliments the dark woods chosen for the cabinets and flooring. I’m looking forward to seeing one of these units when all of the final touches have been added.

Here are two pictures of the pool area. The pool offers zero-entrance.

I asked a few additional questions of my guide, and here’s what I found out. The Contemporary and BLT will share the existing bus stop for folks traveling to the Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, and the water parks.

Check-in, concierge, and bell services all originate at the Contemporary.

As of today, only members staying on points and guests of members staying on points may use the lounge at the top of Bay Lake Tower. Guest using cash to stay here are not eligible for this perk. But please note, this policy is still in flux and could change frequently until all the dust settles and actual demand can be determined.

As far as food service, the lounge at the top of BLT will offer light appetizers (afternoons and evenings), but that's all. At this time, I do not know what food will be offered at the pool.

There are no restaurants at BLT. For these you need to walk over to the Contemporary.

Room service is available at Bay Lake Tower via the Contemporary kitchens.

The entire resort and all of its amenities will open simultaneously.

In all, Bay Lake Tower will offer 295 units made up of studios, one, two, and three bedroom plans.

In 1975 a unique accommodation opened at Walt Disney World, the Treehouse Villas. Nestled deep within a pine forest a short distance from the Walt Disney World Village (now Downtown Disney), these octagon-shaped suites offered a full kitchen, two upstairs bedrooms and a downstairs den which was later converted into a third bedroom. These units had a loyal following and many felt that they had “bragging rights” if they had stayed here. But over the years time took its toll and this once special place became tired and showed its age. In 2002 this property was closed to the public. For a short period of time, many of the international cast members and those on the college program called these units home. However Disney knew that this wasn’t the best use of the property and eventually decided to give this area a much needed facelift. But how do you do this without destroying the very forest that makes this place so special.

To begin with, all of the treehouses were razed down to their foundation. In an effort to be environmentally friendly, over 65% of this demolished material, including concrete and metal, was recycled. Then a unique construction process began. For the first time since the Contemporary and Polynesian Resorts were built, these houses were constructed modularly. The living area is comprised of three sections and were built in Pennsylvania and trucked down Interstate 95. The roof is comprised of two modular sections and these were built locally. The deck makes up the sixth section.

On any given morning during construction, the three sections of the basic house were brought onsite. A giant crane lifted each section up and over the trees and dropped it into place. In the afternoon, the two roof sections and the deck arrived and by 2pm the basic structure was complete.

Opening on June 1st, these new villas are now part of the Saratoga Springs, Disney Vacation Club complex. All sixty units are identical and offer a living and dining area, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. They are perched ten feet off of the ground and sit on a pedestal and beams designed to blend into the forest. They sleep nine and offer modern luxuries like flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet connection. For you DVC members, the Treehouse Villas are considered a “two-bedroom equivalent.”

I think Disney did a great job with the décor. They captured a rustic feel yet were able to incorporate modern amenities into the design. These units are very warm and inviting. The home we visited today is located on the 17th hole of the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Here are pictures of the kitchen and living area.

If you look closely, you can see hidden Mickey’s in the carpet.

The end table is also designed to be a hidden Mickey.

Following are pictures of the master bedroom and bath.

Here are pictures of the other two bedrooms and the “guest” bath. Notice the bedspread on the bunkbeds.

Every unit has its own BBQ. Also, there is no longer any living space on the ground floor.

The Imagineers decided to keep the original pool, but it had a depth of 8 feet, which by today’s standards, is a little deep. The pool was filled in and now sports a depth of 3 feet to 4 feet 11 inches. There is also a spa and restrooms in this area but no food or beverage service is available. Note, this pool does NOT have a lifeguard.

Check in for the Treehouse Villas takes place at Saratoga Springs. There is a lovely walking path between the two areas and a cast member will be happy to use an electric vehicle to transport you and your luggage if you don’t have a car.

Internal transportation is provided by a bus that makes the rounds between Saratoga Springs and the Treehouse Villas. For transportation to the theme parks there are two bus stops located among the treehouses. For transportation to Downtown Disney a new dock has been constructed on the Sassagoula River for a leisurely boat trip.

If you’re not in the mood to cook, head back over to Saratoga Springs (via bus or walkway) and try Artist’s Palette and the Turf Club Bar and Grill. No room service is available at the Treehouse Villas.

I think future occupants of the Treehouse Villas will also have bragging rights. This is a wonderful spot to spend your vacation.

According to one of my readers, there are 3 units that are ADA compliant. They have ramps instead of stairs, and have roll-in showers.

AllEars Founder Deb Wills, along with Debra Martin Koma and Jack Marshall will be spending the first 2 days at the Treehouse Villa beginning Monday. Look for more photos and updates from them next week!

Star Wars Guide Map - Very large file

Star Wars Weekend Tips

Additional Star Wars Weekend Information

I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios today to check out the opening of Star Wars Weekends. I arrived at 8:30am and the lines to get into the park were already long. This picture was taken five minutes later. I was standing at the ticket booths and as you can see, the lines extend all the way to the security check point.

To keep the crowd entertained, Storm Troopers were on hand taunting and threatening us.

While waiting for the park to open, I struck up a conversation with some folks in line. I learned that if you want an autograph and/or photo opportunity with the “celebrity of the day,” you need a FastPass. These are handed out on a first come, first issued basis at the far right side of the ticket booths (outside the park) starting at around 8:15am. The people I was speaking with told me they were in the FastPass line at 5:30am and they were definitely not the first to arrive.

A limited number of these “celebrity” FastPasses are available, but if you’re lucky enough to secure one, you’re guaranteed the opportunity to see your favorite Star Wars hero. Just show up at the designated location during your 15 minute window. After all of the initial FastPasses have been distributed, a limited number of Stand-by FastPasses will be handed out. However, these “secondary” tickets do not guarantee you an autograph or photo session – but it’s worth a try.

The celebrity of the day will autograph their photograph and any merchandise you bring with you. A number of people brought in posters to be signed.

Also handed out early in the morning outside the park are color coded wrist bands. These allow shoppers priority entrance into Wicket’s Warehouse where you can buy limited edition and collectable Star Wars merchandise.

Located through out the park are various Star Wars character meet-and-greet locations. Unlike the celebrity sessions, you do not need a FastPass for these photo ops. But be warned, within minutes of the park opening, every one of these venues had a long line.

Star Wars T-shirts are seen everywhere and some folks pull out all the stops and dressed to the nines.

Here is yours truly as a Storm Trooper. Not to menacing, am I?

Always a favorite, but especially during Star Wars Weekend, is the Jedi Training Academy. Here kids can find out if they have what it takes to become a Jedi Warrior. Children are selected at random and it’s best to arrive early (at least 30 minutes during Star Wars Weekend) if you want your little one selected.

Some of the other activities include the “Padawan Mind Challenge.” Here, Younglings use their “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” knowledge to pass the trivia trials and become an official Padawan learner. This event is for children 11 and under and registration begins at the Star Wars Information Desk beginning at 9am.

At the Premiere Theater you can see host Ashley Eckstein in “Clone Wars: Behind the Force” – a show that explores the excitement of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” with a fascinating look behind the scenes led by the voice behind “Ahsoka” and other guest celebrities.

Since this blog is all about Star Wars, I thought I’d share some Star Tours trivia with you.

When you enter the building, the queue makes a switchback or backwards “S.” You know why?

Because this section of the queue was loosely based on the Star Tours attraction at Disneyland in California.

But do you know why the queue follows this configuration at Disneyland?

It’s because the Disneyland building originally housed Adventures Thru Inner Space. When the attraction was retired to make room for Star Tours, there was no reason to rip out this perfectly good walkway so the Imagineers just did some retooling with the props that surrounded it.

And while were on the subject of Adventures Thru Inner Space, did you know you can see a section of the Mighty Microscope from that attraction on Star Tours?

When Disney replaces an older ride with a new attraction, they try to leave some sort of legacy behind. In other words, gone, but not forgotten. For example, in the Winnie the Pooh attraction at Walt Disney World, there is a picture of Mr. Toad handing over the deed to the property to Owl. And at Mission: Space in Epcot, the old Horizon logo can be seen on the rotating space station in the queue area. The same is true for Star Tours. This attraction pays homage to Adventures Thru Inner Space. Here’s what to look for:

As you begin your Star Tours adventure, you unexpectedly take a wrong turn. Then your vehicle drops off the edge of a platform and plunges downward. As Captain Rex regains control of the craft, he pulls you out of your freefall. At that moment, if you look to the right-hand side of the screen, you can see the Mighty Microscope. You must look quickly, but once you know what you’re looking for, there is no mistaking it.

And here’s a bit of personal trivia for you. I went to school with Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) in Yokohama, Japan. We were even in a school play together. It’s not a very good picture, but I’m on the left and Mark is on the right.

Star Wars Weekend is very popular. If you’re visiting Disney World over the next several weeks and you’re a Star Wars fan, then you should definitely visit Disney's Hollywood Studios during one of these days. But if you’re not a Star Wars fan, visit other parks on the weekend and save the Studio for a Monday through Thursday.

May the force be with you.

I arrived at SeaWorld around 8am and was met by Jayce, a Marketing representative who would be my guide for the morning. After introductions she told me that SeaWorld has actually built two new attractions, an aquarium and a coaster. We decided to start with the tamer of the two.

Replacing the original aquarium that opened in 1973 and closed in 2000, this new exhibit houses over 100 species of fish including eight types of rays. The marine life is housed in ten different tanks beautifully designed along an indoor pathway. Interestingly, no Mantas can be found here as they are usually considered to be too large for most aquariums.

One of the more unique creatures you’ll find here is the leafy sea dragon. This fish is closely related to seahorses and pipefish and use their unusual appearance to hide among undersea foliage.

A truly unusual chamber in the aquarium is the Overhead Room. Here, you walk underneath a plate of glass and watch the rays swim above you.

Another aquarium allows kids, and crazy adults, to crawl inside a tank.

The aquarium is self-paced so you can spend as little or as much time as you like here.

After strolling through the undersea world it was now time for me to pull my nerves together and ride Manta. Our first stop was at the lockers located next to the entrance. Before you can ride you must empty your pockets of keys, cell phones, and anything else that you cherish. In addition, there are NO storage compartments on the coaster so you cannot bring your camera, purse, or anything other than yourself. The lockers cost 75¢ for a small unit and $1 for a larger model.

Also located outside of the attraction are warning signs and a duplicate of one of the actual chairs you’ll be sitting in. This allows you to check it for size before waiting in line.

Much of the queue for Manta travels along the backside of the aquariums we saw earlier. This will help pass the time while waiting in line. But since I was attending a press event, Jayce and I walked straight to the loading platform.

The idea behind the Manta Coaster is that you’re secured to the belly of one of these magnificent rays. After you’re seated, your chair retracts and you’re now in a facedown position – and it’s too late to chicken out now.

Manta speeds riders through four showcase inversions, including two in-line spins, one flat spin, and one pretzel loop. Specially crafted rails make Manta one of the world’s smoothest coasters as it reaches speeds of 56 miles per hour.

I was hooked up for sound, video, and stills so my first ride could be captured for posterity.

Here are some pictures of Manta in motion.

I have to admit, when I got off, my stomach was a little upset. But there was a coaster fan club also present and some of these enthusiasts had already ridden ten times and were queuing up for more. They loved it!

I think Manta is an excellent attraction for coaster lovers. And it’s definitely more intense than Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. If you’re okay with RNRC, then I think you should give Manta a try. However, if RNRC is too intense for you, then stick to the aquarium.

Of course, just like at Disney, there is a Manta shop nearby selling T-shirts and other logo merchandise.

SeaWorld Orlando is a beautiful park. If you haven't already experienced it, you should. Take a day off from Disney and treat yourself to a new adventure.

When I was first invited to cover this event I thought to myself, “Who’s going to want to learn about dry financial matters when they visit Disney World?” But Disney has been educating us for years in entertaining ways so I attended this grand opening with an open mind – and I’m glad I did. I had a good experience and I think others can too if they take the time to check out this latest Innoventions attraction.

Shortly after I arrived at the press event I was introduced to Todd Cleary, Director of the Retail Division of T. Rowe Price. We spent the next half-hour discussing The Great Piggy Bank Adventure as he walked me through the various games used to teach us how to save and invest wisely. One of the first questions I asked Todd was how Disney and T. Rowe Price came together to create this new exhibit. I was told that a little over three years ago, Disney decided they wanted to showcase the importance of saving money and felt Innoventions was the perfect spot to accomplish this goal. After scrutinizing a number of financial institutions it was decided that T. Rowe Price and Disney shared similar philosophies and the teaming of the two would be a good match. Representatives from T. Rowe Price and Disney Imagineers then sat down together and tried to come up with a fun way to learn about a staid subject.

At first the Imagineers wanted to create scenarios that allowed the guests to easily save money and win the game. But since T. Rowe Price is a regulated company, it was required that the challenges be true-to-life and teach us that there are hazards along the way and achieving financial security takes some hard work and smart choices. With this new information in hand, the Imagineers came up with four stations that teach us how to invest wisely. These are, Pick Your Dream, Save It, Inflation Race, and Diversify.

I’m now going to walk you through the game and give you and idea of what’s in store at The Great Piggy Bank Adventure.

As with all Disney attractions, you start in the queue. It’s here that we’re first introduced to the hero of our story, P.I.G. (Personal Investment Guide). In the following portraits we can see him enjoying the Ultimate Vacation, a College Education, Retirement, and an Extreme Bedroom Makeover.

Once past the queue we enter a child’s bedroom. We tap on one of the touch sensitive screens and our PIG comes alive. After a short explanation of how the game works, we are asked to select a goal, which are the same as the portraits we saw earlier. We’re also asked how many people will be playing the game, one, two, or three.

After the selections are made, we’re requested to open one of the drawers where we find our own PIG guide which will accompany us during our financial journey.

The second station teaches us the importance of saving money. When we arrive, we place our PIG on a conveyor belt to the left side of the machine. As he moves into the mechanism, our PIG is transformed from a three-dimensional piggy bank into a two-dimensional cartoon character who will now help us learn to save money.

After a brief explanation, coins of various amounts start to fall from the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen are various buckets labeled, Savings, Candy, Toys, MP3s, and Outfits. The idea is to direct the coins into the pots marked Savings. But just when you think you have all of the levers positioned correctly, a wolf appears and switches the position of the pots. This forces you to constantly change the levers so that your money is being saved rather than spent.

The lesson here is obvious. We need to be constantly aware of how we spend our money and not forget to save along the way.

At the conclusion of the “Save It” game, our PIG is returned to us and we take him to the “Inflation Race” kiosk. We place our hero into a pneumatic tube, push a plunger, and away he goes on his way to help us learn about the dangers of inflation.

On this next screen our PIG floats from balloons and is carried on currents of up and down drafts. Coins, and the wolf, are also present and you must work as a team to maneuver your PIG around the display collecting money and avoiding obstacles (inflation). Once again, when the scenario completes, your PIG is returned to you and you move on to the final station.

At the “Diversify” kiosk we use magic wands to move our money into various pots. Each pot has a growth factor associated with it. The higher the number, the faster your money will grow in that pot. At first you might think that the smart thing to do is move all of you coins into the higher numbered pots, but occasionally the game comes to a stop and the wolf appears. He sneaks around the screen and snatches money randomly from different accounts – and you have no way of knowing where he might strike. Thus we’re taught not to put all of our eggs into one basket. We must diversify our money.

We have one final stop along the way. Here we return our PIG and find out if we achieved the goal we selected at the beginning of the game. If you did well, your cartoon pig sprouts wings and flies happily to his destination. If you failed, like I did twice, you land in the mud. The entire game lasts between 15-20 minutes.

I think this is a fantastic way for children to learn the importance of savings. And the debut of this attraction couldn’t be better timed with today’s financial climate as it is. But I strongly feel that The Great Piggy Bank Adventure is something that a parent should experience with their children. The games are appealing to the younger set, but some of the lessons might be lost without some guidance from an adult. But the good news is, the games are engrossing enough to keep us older folk entertained as well.

If you want to continue the fun once you get home, check out the link below for the home version of The Great Piggy Bank Adventure.

www.thegreatpiggybankadventure.com

At 10 o’clock, the official grand opening of the event occurred. Dan Cockerell, Vice President – Epcot, Jim Hunt, Senior Vice President – Walt Disney World, Brian Rogers, Chairman and CIO – T. Rowe Price, and Edward Bernard, Vice Chairman of T. Rowe Price were on hand for the official ribbon cutting. And of course, no Disney event would be complete without an appearance from the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse.

I know that many of you only visit Innoventions when it’s raining or you want to escape from the heat. But there are a number of engrossing exhibits here if you’ll take the time to explore. Are they as exciting as Test Track or Soarin’? No. But they can be a lot of fun if you give them a chance. And The Great Piggy Bank Adventure falls into this fun category.

Let’s start at City Hall.

Inside this building are two paintings hanging on the wall behind the receptionist desk. (I only have a picture of one.)

Did you know, these paintings appeared in the “movie” section of the Hall of the Presidents attraction?

Currently, the Hall of the Presidents is undergoing and extensive rehab. I do not know if these paintings will be part of the show in the future. But for 37 years these works of art could be seen at two locations in the Magic Kingdom.

Speaking of the Hall of the Presidents…

This next tidbit was brought to my attention by my good friend Anita Answer. On the side of the building, in a second story window, are two lit lanterns. You remember the old warning, “One if by land. Two if by sea.”

Now let’s venture to Fantasyland. I shared this next bit of trivia in my Disneyland Paris series, but just in case you missed it, I think it bears repeating.

Timothy the Mouse holds a whip at the Dumbo attractions in Tokyo and California. In Florida, Hong Kong, and Paris he holds Dumbo’s magic feather.

Now let’s visit Mickey’s Toontown Fair and Minnie’s house.

It seems that this talented mouse is quite an artist. She has set aside one room in her home as an art studio.

If you look closely at the paining on the easel, it seems that Minnie captured a pivotal moment in Goofy’s aerial career.

And if you look out the window, you’ll see the actual view Minnie had while painting this masterpiece.

Now let’s move next door to Mickey’s house – specifically, his garage.

It seems that our industrious friend has quite a workshop here.

If you look closely behind the books and containers on the shelf, you’ll find three cans of Mojave Oil.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “I’ve heard that name before,” you’re right. You probably have. Mojave is the oil company whose tanker truck is washed away at Catastrophe Canyon at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

That’s it for this time. But don’t worry. I’ll be out there searching for more interesting bits of trivia to share with you.