Is there any interest in a Mini - Disney Do?
 

I love Disney and can't seem to convince anyone in my family to go with me. I would love to go to Orlando for 4 or 5 days and visit the some of the parks and check out some of the restaurants. I am not looking to do theme park ride for 18 hours day but a more relaxed adult attitude towards the trip. Anybody interested?

I'm actully down there for a week (4/12-4/19) with friends, so if there is a do I will be present.

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DC-10's Forever!

I have never been and wife has been trying to get us down there for years, so you never know!

You should know, prncess, that no Do with your name on it is ever Mini! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

You have never been to Disney. You poor deprived child! I went when I was about 5 before EPCOT was even open and desperately wanted to go back again but my Dad said he wouldn't take me because it was the car trip from h*ll. I didn't go again till I was 21 when I convinced my Grandma to take my sis and I as a Christmas present. (I love pouring on the guilt http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I have been hooked ever since and have just been dying to go visit the mouse once again.

I think I am just going to have to bite the bullet and pick a date and just go. I may have to find an underprivileged child to take to Disney just so I can experience the magic of Disney through their eyes if no one wants to go!

As a very young man, having worked on several projects there, nothing makes me feel older than when I read statements like this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

That and when my ladyfriend states her first trip there was when she was in diapers, while I was there at the same time in a hard hat!

Let's see...I was there for the Grand Openings of The Magic Kingdom (1971), Epcot Center (1982...now just called Epcot), The Grand Floridian Beach Resort (1988), Disney-MGM Studios (1989), Typhoon Lagoon (1989), Disney's Animal Kingdom, hotels, hotels...blah, blah, blah, and blah. Somebody hand me a cane, Preparation H, and some Polygrip, thankyouverymuch. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm usually there quite often still, so it would be a bit of a "busman's holiday" for me. But if whatever dates you select are do-able, I'd be glad to join you. I could tell you a few stories about the place and the people that built it.

A couple might even be true!

The first time I was at DisneyWorld was in 1973 with my aunt. The trip highlights:

*My aunt thinking "Space Mountain" was an exhibition on space travel. I didn't want to go there. After the ride and my aunt aging 30 years I wanted to do it again!!!

*Eastern Airlines "If You Have Wings" ride. I loved it so much I went on it 39 times. My aunt said I would end up addicted to flying.

My aunt was a wise woman. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I did not go again for over two decades. Had no interest. Then went with two very good friends and rediscovered the magic of the place.

I've been back about three times since.

As my Big Bruddar says... if the dates are "do" able... I would like to come out as well.

What you should do is fly to MCO and get the day pass at Disney World... spend a couple of hours there then fly LAX and use the rest of your day ticket at Disney Land.

Oh My I Looooved this ride. This and the GE one that was right next to it....was it "World of Motion"??
All I remember was the song....
"Now is the time, now is the time, now is the best time of your life...."

"The GE Carousel Of Progress." We were just talking about favorite things at DW the other night. Miss this one.

Hi,

I will be at the Hilton WDW from 19th April to 22nd April.
( I still have a 4 day Park Hopper Plus ticket to use http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

Regards

TBS

Oh yes!! You are so right. Are you saying it is not there anymore?? The last time I was there which was in 95 it was still there, but there was a different song (which did not give it the same feel)

Alright now that everyone has had fun going down Disney memory lane what time frame works well for people? How many days? time of year?

Epcot. May 4.

Dupe

[This message has been edited by yyzflyer (edited 04-05-2003).]

The building is physically there, but has been converted to a sort of multimedia educational/play facility, more in line with what kids are expecting. The C of P was more geared to adults with some knowledge of technological history. My kids found it boring, but Mrs. yyzflyer and I really liked it.

Name a date for the "do" and I'll try to get there. We're good for one trip to MCO per year on average and haven't planned one this year yet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by yyzflyer (edited 04-05-2003).]

yyzflyer...The Carousel of Progress is still alive and well at Walt Disney World. I believe you're thinking of Disneyland in California. There it's former location houses "Innoventions" which is a showcase for various current and upcoming technologies.

The song that plays in the current Carousel of Progress is actually the original song that debuted with the attraction when it premiered at the New York World's Fair (under General Electric sponsorship) in 1964 and later when it moved to Disneyland at the close of the fair.

That song, "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" written by the Sherman Brothers, was replaced when the attraction opened in Florida many years later because GE decided they didn't want to push the future any longer. They wanted you to purchase GE products now!

So, the Sherman Brothers were commissioned to write a new song for the attraction..."Now Is The Best Time (Of Your Life)." Why wait? Now is the best time! Go out and buy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

But the Sherman Brothers are just darn good, and it was a memorable song as well. And some guests who grew up with Best Time think that Beautiful Tomorrow sounds strange and miss their old favorite. But many guests are thrilled to hear Beautiful Tomorrow again when it was brought back. This difference of opinion sort of "dates" a guest. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Why was the original song brought back? When Disney rehabbed Florida's Tomorrowland, they decided instead of being a World's Fair type of serious attempt at "prediction of the future" like it always had been, that instead it would become a more fanciful and fun "50's/60's retro look" back at what we thought the future would look like from that past vantage point. More Jetsonesque. More Buck Rogers than Buckminster Fuller, if you catch my drift.

During that rehab Disney Imagineers delighted at restoring the Carousel back to it's original perhaps overly optimistic vision of future. As a tip 'o the hat to Walt's original vision, the attraction was renamed "Walt Disney's Carousel Of Progress," Beautiful Tomorrow was brought back as the song, Rex Allen's voice and words as "The Father" were replaced by famous humorist's Jean Shepard's (A Christmas Story), and some of the show elements were enhanced a bit. Pre-show was also added that shows the history of the attraction with Walt explaining it's original concept in his own words.

And the Carousel that actually goes somewhere (the future) instead of just going 'round and 'round...still delights audiences today, almost 40 years after Walt and his talented team of artists and technicians created it.

And what makes the Carousel actually go round? I'll let you in on a little secret, and it's not as hi-tech as you might think. The entire theater sits on motorized flatbed railroad cars that circle standard railroad track! Choo-choo! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 04-05-2003).]

PremEx,

You're probably right. Having been to both parks in the last year gets a bit confusing. However, I'm pretty sure the C of P in DisneyWorld has been closed for some time despite what it says on their webpage. It was definitely closed when we went around it several times on the WedWay People Mover (or whatever it's called now) while waiting out some bad weather late last summer. Innoventions at DW is, of course, in Epcot, but is the California attraction the one where you choose your "adventure" starting point (actually chosen for you by line position) and is hosted by that annoying robot that looks and sounds like Steve Urkel? A short lecture follows, then you are free to explore. I thought this was in DisneyWorld. If the C of P is still there, that alone almost makes at trip worthwhile. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW, the Eastern Airlines (then Delta) attraction is now the Buzz Lightyear ride. Same ride path, different concept.

Edited to add - Thanks for the history, PremEx. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif Like the earlier poster I thought the 70's version was the original song.


[This message has been edited by yyzflyer (edited 04-05-2003).]

When one mentions Disney, I can only think of the original, Disneyland! Right here in my backyard.

Also, from the Yesterland website:

On October 29, 2001, the Orlando Sentinel reported, "Carousel of Progress, which first appeared at the 1964 New York World's Fair, is now shuttered. Although there isn't a 'closed' sign on the futuristic building, the attraction has been taken off Magic Kingdom guide maps and the daily bulletin board on Main Street." It appeared that Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress had welcomed its final audience -- ironically just as Walt Disney World began the "100 Years of Magic" celebration, honoring Walt Disney one hundred years after his birth. However, during the 2001 holiday season, the Carousel of Progress reopened for a few weeks, closing once again in January 2002. The pattern repeated for peak periods in spring and summer of 2002. So, for now, if you visit the Magic Kingdom during a busy season, there's a good chance you'll find the Carousel of Progress operating. Take advantage of the opportunity, because it's likely that the Carousel of Progress will come to a permanent standstill one of these days.

So what we need is an Orlando FlyerTalker to report on the status so the "Do" can be planned when it's open.

Also see http://www.carouselofprogress.com.


Edited to add link above.

[This message has been edited by yyzflyer (edited 04-05-2003).]

It's still there and running. Might have just been down for maintenance. Sometimes it doesn't operate during slow seasons.

And in California's Innoventions, the voice of Tom Morrow (which was the name of the scientist in the old Flight To The Moon/Mission To Mars attractions...Imagineers love putting in references to past attractions) is not that of Steve Urkel. It's the voice of Broadway favorite and Tony Award winning Nathan Lane (most recently Mel Brook's The Producers and is the voice of Timon in The Lion King). Tom Morrow's name is not the only reference to past attractions in that show. Tom (Nathan) also sings a reworded version of "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" from the Carousel of Progress that used to occupy that same location. "It's A Great Big World Of Innovention" was written by the Sherman Brothers under another commission, and they were thrilled to be a small part of this new attraction.

Whenever an old favorite attraction is replaced by another, Imagineers try to hide or make reference somewhere in the new attraction to what stood before as a sort of tip 'o the hat to their Imagineering forefathers and what they created. Along with "Hidden Mickey's"...it's a favorite pastime for many Disney enthusiasts to hunt these historical references down, and Imagineers love getting more creative in their ways of "hidding them in plain sight." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 04-05-2003).]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I will already be in DisneyWorld May 10 - May 14 @ the Polynesian Resort then on Disney Cruise Line May 15 - May 18 with friends. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Regards,
- Anna

[This message has been edited by AnnaS (edited 04-05-2003).]

You are too lucky. I have been obsessed the last few days with Disney. I have been reading another Bulletin Board for info on Disney and I am bound and determined to get there!

I am so jealous you are staying at the Polynesian. Everything I have read just raves about this resort.

Might be at Epcot on 5/4 with family

TW

If it's on a weekend or a 3 day weekend, I'll go. I can combine family visitation with FT carnage.

I prefer Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and even have an annual pass for them I haven't had a chance to activate yet (I was actually down in that general area (Kissimmee/St. Cloud) for the past three days but did not have time to get to any of the parks ...).

May 4th weekend would work for me as well.
Space Mountain, here I come! (I hope)

I think trying to put something together for May is unrealistic. I am shooting for mid to late September.

How about Labor Day weekend?

Ohhh... one of my favorite rides. The Carousel of Progress. I remember it from the Worlds Fair in NYC in 196?. I also remember It's a Small World from the same fair.

I always go on both of these rides as soon as I get into the Magic Kingdom. The last ride is also always It's a Small World & I throw a coin in so that I can return. Yes, it's strange. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. But it gets me back a couple of times a year http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I haven't been able to get on Carousel of Progress my last 3 trips. Cast Members have told me that it's open "seasonally" and only during the day. Well, I was there for Columbus Day & it didn't open. I'm afraid that it has done it's last turn around the park http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif.

We'll be at the Polynesian for Memorial Day weekend. Gotta get some more uses out of those annual passes before they expire.

Thanks for the ride down memory lane!

Mary

Remember, mid September is the SEA DO V.

Later September would work, giving time to find cheap fares and hotels.

Keep us posted Prncess.

If people are really going to go to Epcot, etc. on May 4th I might be able to run down there. I've never actually visited any Disney theme park because I've been waiting for a guided tour from PremEx... that's not actually true since I've only known PremEx for about 4 or 5 years. But it's ironic for reasons of which PremEx is well aware.

Hey! I'll be at WDW May 12-17th with my sister.

Would be happy to go again in September. I must admit to doing a MR to go to Disneyland for a day (well, 8 hours) - DTW-IAH-LAX-IAH-EWR-DTW.

I like this site for things Disney: http://www.disboards.com/

Tolarian, SeeYa, Mister G, et al...I'm available all day Sunday May 4th for Epcot, and might be available for something else Monday May 5th, depending on a pitch I have to make. But Sunday I'm off and available, for sure. Departing MCO Tuesday May 6th.

RichG...I'd love to take you to The Big Bamboo(Don't ask, but you'll love it)! Come on down! We can both do some corporate bashing while riding The Universe of Labor Unions attraction (located in Fantasyland in "right-to-work" Florida)!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

All sounds like a definite E ticket, so when details are solid I'll see what I can do! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I agree...better roller coasters/thrill rides. That being said I could always be convinced to go to the do and perhaps spend a day at Disney and a day at Universal.

Well in a perfect world I could go to all the theme parks. I could live without the Magic Kingdom, but I have never been to Animal Kingdom so I would like to check that park out and I think dining around the World Showcase in EPCOT would be cool. I haven't been to Islands of Adventure so it's on my must do list but I have been to both Universal Parks fairly recently so I could live without that one as well. I like MGM as well just so I can go on Tower of Terror.

Why am I always a day late & a dollar short? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif I would have loved to join you.

Any hope for Memorial Day?

Mary

Animal Kingdom ... I'd go to Busch Gardens in Tampa before Animal Kingdom ... better rides ...

I can't even imagine going to a Disney Park anymore anyway ... at Universal Studios Florida/Islands of Adventure (USF/IOA) I always stay on-site at the Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay Hotel and you get Express Access to all the rides with your room key ... I've never waited more than ten minutes (average of less than five minutes for all rides) to get on a ride at USF/IOA ... who would want to mess with Disney and the lines (though I hear there aren't a lot of lines these days at the parks ...).

Personally I think the Hard Rock Hotel/Universl Parks combo can't be beat, you can walk to either of the Universal parks or City Walk in five minutes from the hotel, plus they have self parking lot that is much closer to either park and City Walk than the park's own parking decks, which makes it real easy to go out for lunch or run to the store or what ever.

Sorry, letting my strong USF/IOA bias show through ... sorry Mr. Love http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif