This Day In History...A Look Back at Epcot

It's one of those historical days...today, in 1982, Epcot was dedicated.

I have to say that Epcot is ties with MK as my favorite park at Disney World.  I'm reminded so much of Walt Disney and his vision for tomorrow.  Most of us Disneyphiles know that EPCOT is short for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.  I wonder how many visitors even comprehend that?

I think certain sections of the community don't get that "amusement parks" and "theme parks" are distinctly different. In certain circles, Epcot is snubbed for not having enough "rides" to make it "worth it" to buy a ticket to go there. Sure, Soarin', Test Track and, to some extent, Mission:Space, have their fans, but the people who are only looking for "rides" are missing the point of Epcot.

We'd do better to follow Walt's example:  look for and pursue innovation of all types.

One of my favorite non-fiction books that sits in my office is titled, "The Quotable Walt Disney."  Here's a couple direct quotes that I feel really apply to Epcot, even though Walt died before he could see it opened:

"I believe in being an innovator."

"I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my own imagination."

If you spend any time in Future World, especially Innoventions, you'll find that while some exhibits could be considered mainstays, there always seems to be a new kid on the block.

If you've always breezed by these buildings and never taken the time to "take it in" because you are in a rush to hit the "rides", take a step back and check out all that Future World has to offer.

You might be surprised at what you find.

Hello! I'm back!

You probably thought I fell off the face of the earth right?

Or maybe that I snuck off to WDW and didn't tell you?

Fortunately, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.

Unfortunately, I wasn't at WDW.

Welcome to my world of two teenagers in fall sports and activities,  and a busy VA practice.

So what do I have to talk about today...Lots of news in the past couple of weeks. Bear with me if I've covered something that's old hat for you:

Duffy the Bear appears in Epcot
You may be asking yourself, "Who the heck is Duffy the Bear?"  Well he's no other than Mickey Mouse's own teddy bear. He's now making character appearances at Epcot.  I think his likeness may end up coming home with us the next trip.

Food & Wine Festival is in full swing
Seriously, I have to make time to go...without my kids.  I love them to pieces, but I'd really love to do to F&W Fest and just pig out on all the goodies that are available.  Eating and Drinking Around The World...doesn't that sound fun?

Food &Wine Fest happens every year at Epcot.  It usually starts around the first of October and runs through mid-November. Not only are there food and beverage samplings from around the world, but there are also the Eat To The Beat Concerts.  Classic 80s groups.  Gotta love it.

Rejected...again.
Earlier this week, I found out I was on the Disney Moms Panel reject list...again.  I didn't let myself get too hung up on it this year so it wasn't the devastatingly crushing blow that it was last year.  You'd think after four times, I'd at least get through the first round. Good gravy.

Let's see...what other news can I share with you...

Still no word on Destination D at WDW.  I need those dates.  Scheduling people...if by some chance you've found my teeny little blog, please don't schedule Destination D on April 9 or May 21.  My sister's getting married and I have to ground crew the air show.

As I look at my handy-dandy Firefox add-on countdown timer on my taskbar, I'm approaching 40 days to my next trip home.

I can shamelessly say that I'm in full Disney Christmas withdrawal and I can't wait to get there.  I'll save the dissertation on WHY I love Christmas at Disney for a later post.  Otherwise, you'd probably be scrolling and scrolling....and scrolling.

Check out the Holiday 2010 Planner.  Lots of fun stuff!.

Random Disney Musings

It's been one of those weeks where there have been a lot of little tidbits of information and I'm just now getting to posting here about it.

This time of year is when we tend to see a lot of announcements from Disney because Oct. 1 begins its year.

So here are a few random musings about what I've heard this week:

Destination D is coming to WDW Spring 2011

So. freaking. excited.  I really wanted to go to Destination D and its associated scavenger hunt at DL in August, but with two teens in high school sports, it just wasn't going to fly in August.  I watched the reports come in and I was just wishing I could be there.

THEN...D23 announces that they are bringing Destination D, the scavenger hunt AND an Ultimate Disney Trivia Contest to WDW in the Spring 2011!

I'm SO booking as soon as they announce the dates!

Ok...small caveat...I can go if it's not April 9 (my sister is getting married that day) or May 21 (I'm in Civil Air Patrol and we're ground-crewing for an air show).   Pixie dust that D23 stays away from those dates!

Karamel Kuche in Germany at Epcot

The new Caramel Kitchen is open at Epcot.  Get a paper towel and have it handy.  Then head over to the Disney Food Blog because they talked about it way better than I could and there are pictures.

I want the Apple Pie Apple.


Food and Wine Festival

It started yesterday and I'm already wishing I was there.  The food booths offering sound amazing.  I haven't been to a F&W Fest for a couple of years and withdrawal has definitely set in. If you ever have the opportunity to visit WDW during F&W Fest, do it.  You won't regret it.

Countdown to my next visit

We're sub-60 days.  I'm SO ready for a vacation. My DD asked if we could make a chain yet.  She's 13 and she still loves to make the paper chain. I told her when we hit 50, she can make the chain.  Otherwise, it's too long and hangs on the floor.

That's all for now.  It's a beautiful fall day today and I'm off to have some girl time with my DD.

Have a good one!

Mary

Disney's Big Announcement - Let The Memories Begin

I just watched the live Ustream announcement from DisneyParks and it's official:

Let The Memories Begin is the new Disney campaign.

Disney is inviting guests to share memories with their photos, stories and videos online.  Tom Skaggs coined a new phrase ~ Guest Generated Content. 

You can send them in advance or that same day while you are in the DisneyParks. 

They want to celebrate the memories and experiences of their guests.  Because that's what DisneyParks are all about.

Check out the Let The Memories Begin website! 

What do you think!?!?!?

More on Disney's Art of Animation Resort

WaltDisneyWorld.com supposedly has made some improvements.

One of the new bits of information is an official page for the NEW Disney Art of Animation Resort.

Be sure to visit the page for the details, but here are some highlights:

• Located in across the bridge from Pop Century on the previous Legendary Years site.
• Four different room themes: Lion King, Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid and Cars
• A whole bunch of rooms will be family suites, suitable for up to 6 people

Disney isn't taking reservations yet for this new resort, but they have announced that it will open Summer 2012.

Random Tips for First Time Travelers

Well, I survived the first week of "back to school."  On one hand, I think I  got a lot more done now that my kids are back at school.  On the other hand, this first week seemed pretty hectic with work.   Not that having a lot of work to do is a bad thing.  It just makes me want my vacation that much more. ;-)

One of the things I absolutely LOVE is being asked to help plan a Disney vacation. One of my college friends happens to be on Facebook.  She posted on Thursday, "Help!  I think I'm going to Disney World on Oct. 1."

She booked her family for 10 day trip (she has 3 days where she's at a conference in the middle) for Free Dining at Pop Century. It's the first time she's been there since 1989 and neither her kids nor her spouse have been there ever.

I LOVE helping this type of vacation traveler!  Rookies are so much fun to help! Not that we veterans are like old dogs, but someone who's never been is so much fun to guide along the way.

So, in honor of Janet's family trip in less than a month, here are my random tips for first time travelers to WDW:

1. Don't be a park commando.
No matter how long you have, you'll never see it all.  I've been to Disney nearly 20 times and I still haven't done everything there is to do there.

2. Make a list of "must do's."
This goes along with #1.  Use a guidebook.  Look on the internet. Watch a video.  Do what works best and find out what each person in your party really wants to see and do.  Then make sure you hit everything on that list.  Anything else after that is gravy and just make the experience that much more fun.

3.  It's not just about the rides.
Disney is not just about rides.  There's so much more to it than that.  Not only are there shows, but it's the whole immersive experience.  Yes, I will say it; you should live and breathe the Disney Magic while you are there. 

4.  Look for those small things that can be so easily overlooked.
Pressed penny machines are everyone.  In the parks and on the property. Sword in the Stone? Jedi Academy? DeVine? Mulch, Sweat & Shears? Sum of All Thrills?  The Jammitors?  If you haven't experienced all of these things, you are missing out on some pieces that make up the experience!

5. Make Dining Reservations
There have been times where I have planned the rest of my vacation around my dining reservations. Even if you aren't doing that, you'll want to take time to make some reservations.  Walk-up reservations can be hard to get in many table service restaurants.  Some of the most popular placed won't even take walk-ups. I understand wanting to be on vacation and not be "scheduled", but if dining is important to you, then take the needed steps to enjoy it.

6. Take a break.
This goes along with #1, too.  We always go out in the morning, come back to the resort for a pool and rest break and then we might go out again in the evening.  It's a great way to manage everyone's stamina, especially in the hotter months of the year.

7. Pack outfits for kids
When my kids were younger, I'd pack outfits in large ziploc bags.  Then in the morning, when it was time to get dressed, we'd just pull out one bag and go for it.  So much easier than picking out a shirt and shorts and arguing about it.

8. Use that camera
Not just for the scrapbook.  Take a picture of the kids each day before you head out to the parks. That way, if by some strange chance you do get separated and the Cast Members ask you, "What was Johnny wearing?", you can pull out that digital camera and show them rather than go, "Huh?"

9. Get a Passpouch
Don't mess with fanny packs.  And unless you really need to carry a lot of crap with you, leave it in your room. Disney has security outside each of its parks.  If you have a camera bag, diaper bag, backpack...any kind of bag, you have to go through security before you even reach the turnstiles.

We all have something similar to the Passpouch that Passporter offers.  It's goes around your neck, has space for your ID, room key, cash, and a pen. Hands-free so you don't leave it on a ride. Love it.  Won't travel without it.

10.  Get a water bottle strap
We have several.  You can wear it over the shoulder and across the body.  Instead of hauling a bag to carry a beverage for each person in your party, give everyone a strap and they can carry their own water, soda, whatever. 

Bonus: With a water bottle strap and a Passpouch, you can skip security and go through the "Guests with no Bags" entrance.

Well, I hope this has been helpful.  

Wouldn't it be great if Disney Transportation had this app?

I know I've been lax in posting here at the end of summer, but I'm hoping once we get back in the fall routine, I'll have more time to chat with you all.

I came across this website from Mississippi State University.

They have an application that shows the locations and arrival times for the buses in this system.

Now, Mary rarely takes the bus at WDW (remember, I'm a control freak in that department.), but so many WDW Resort Guests rely on the Disney Transportation System to get them to and from their locations. 

Live Maps to see where the buses are.  Arrival Times to see when the bus will arrive at a given stop.

This wouldn't be valuable just to the information junkie, but also to the mom whose kids are getting a little wiggly who can say, "The bus will be here in 6 minutes."

What do you think?