Archive for September, 2009

Walt Disney World has one of the most stringent fire codes in the U.S., which has served as a model for many states.  But, there are no fire stations in the country quite as playful as those of the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

With its giant fire hose fountain and massive fire hat canopy, RCFD’s Station #4 is a visual masterpiece, while Station #1 sports Dalmatian spots.  Look for the wonderful fire hydrant “sculpture garden.”

The Disney organization’s control of the Walt Disney World property has allowed them to enforce strict building codes and onsite protection system requirements.  This permits the nearly 200 staff members to focus on a comprehensive inspection schedule, code reviews, and a range of life and safety issues rather than the fire suppression activities of the typical fire department.  Walt Disney World has not sustained major fire loss of a building;  most fire calls are to vehicles in the parking lots.

They also have a particular expertise in the area of pyrotechnics; an important skill in a district where more than a half a million fireworks shells are fired each year.

The RCFD provides emergency medical services to both employees and guests of Walt Disney World.  Innovative Medical Assistance Response Carts, which are special golf carts fitted with medical equipment, are located at all theme parks and Downtown Disney, allowing personnel to respond quickly in emergency situations.

The Reedy Creed Fire Department stations – another delightful Disney Detail!

I remember visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the construction of Expedition Everest, seeing the train track dropping vertically down from the side of the unfinished mountain, and thinking, “Not in a million years!”

Being a bit of a ride wuss, my idea of perfect is any of the Magic Kingdom mountains, although I’ll admit it was ten years before I climbed aboard Splash Mountain, and I am worried that the current Space Mountain rehab will put it beyond my comfort zone.  So, no one was more surprised than I to find myself looking down at the spectacular view from the top of Everest.  Seeing the minimal headrests and restraints should have been reassuring, but it wasn’t.  I was nervous; I was trying to smile; but I was nervous; very nervous.

Yes, it’s backwards and forwards, stopping and starting, darkness and light.  The ride vehicles, which are reproductions of old tea trains used to transport tea leaves down the steep cliffs of the Himalayas, ascend slowly and swoop down and around at speed, but the ride is smooth, the park panoramas are breathtaking, and the Yeti monumental – or so I’ve been told.  My eyes were shut tight and I completely missed seeing the highlight of this attraction.  Now, that I know I can ride  and live to see another day, I need to try and keep one eye open for the Yeti next time.

Six years of research by Disney Imagineers, which included a number of visits to Nepal, have resulted in an astonishing recreation of a fascinating culture.  We see glimpses of the art and architecture, the religion and superstitions, of a remote and exotic locale.  Prayer flags, faded signs, crumbling stonework and vintage photographs, antique maps, old canned goods, dented tinware and tapestries, museum artifacts, camping gear, college “diplomas,” and elaborate statuary; the details are woven together into a sprawling and evocative still life that transports us to this distant land – Anandapur.

Expedition Everest

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Guests must transfer from wheelchair to ride vehicle

Height restriction – 44 inches

Park admission required

Love it or hate it, it’s impossible to ignore the big blue icon which has become the symbol of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The Sorcerer Mickey Hat, or BAH as it is known by many, was erected to mark the 100 Years of Magic Celebration in 2001, which also commemorated the 100^th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth.

The 100-foot tall, 165-ton construction,  conceived as a giant reproduction of the hat worn by Mickey in the Disney animated film, Fantasia, sports two moons and six stars that sparkle in gold on a brilliant blue background.  Swirling golden shapes form mouse ears, and the “walls” of a Disney Pin Station housed beneath the brim.

This huge symbol of “The magic of show business and the entertainment wizardry of Disney” sits at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, and therein lies the source of the controversy.  While few will deny that it is truly fun and quite magical indeed, it completely blocks the beautiful façade of the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre which most guests feel is far more attractive.

Rumors continue to circulate about the possibility that the Hat will be removed at some future date.  We can only wait and see!

The Wanyama Safari has changed a bit since I last participated a few years ago; which strikes me as the perfect excuse to sign up for a third time.  Once available only to guests staying at the concierge level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, it is now open to all guests of the Lodge and Villas, although it is more expensive for those in non-concierge rooms.

The safari takes place in the three private savannahs of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge rather than at Animal Kingdom Park, and allows participants into areas which are otherwise off-limits to the public.  Every effort has been made to duplicate an actual African safari, drawing on the advice of experienced safari-goers amongst the cast members.

Meeting in front of the hotel, a maximum of twelve guests board a vehicle and head for the savannahs surrounding the Lodge. It’s a wonderful safari truck with a roof which raises to allow passengers to stand up and look outside.

Quite a lot of time is spent driving around the different areas behind the resort. A bit in front of the vehicle, handlers put out special food (browse) to attract the more than 200 animals that call these savannahs home. Consequently, guests are surrounded by animals during the entire excursion. It is an amazing experience.  Many animals are  close enough to touch; looking in the truck, walking around and in front of it, pecking at the tires.

During my first safari, one ostrich was particularly enamored of our truck and began exhibiting mating behavior on the road in front of us, ultimately lying down in front of the vehicle. We were told this is what they do when they’re really infatuated.  Be sure to bring cameras along.  No matter how many photos may have been taken from a balcony or along the route of the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride, this is an opportunity to see both animals and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from a totally new perspective. The guides accompany the guests in the vehicle, allowing for lots of questions about the lives of the animals; their care, feeding, training, and day-to-day routines.  With such a tiny group, it is an astounding, intimate experience.

Finally, as the sun begins to set, just as on an African safari it is time to stop and have sundowners. Although these beverages aren’t alcoholic, it gives a very real sense of a true safari. The vehicle pulls up near a small table waiting in a clearing and fruit drinks are ceremoniously poured and passed around. There are also traditional safari foods on offer: dried meat, fruits, and nuts, served from containers that I know as “tiffins,” which are stacked, metal dishes with a wire carry handle, designed to keep out insects and animals.

Meanwhile, one guide has gone behind the bushes to offer some special treats to the giraffes which have been trained to come up close to the location behind a high fence. This allows everyone to have their pictures taken with giraffe backdrop!

Then, it’s on to dinner at Jiko, where guests are immediately greeted and seated together before the Chef appears to introduce the upcoming “culinary safari.”  As each course is served, the Chef returns to describe the different dishes and answer questions. The wonderful thing about this meal, served family-style, is that so many choices are available. Rather than just choosing one appetizer, entree, dessert, etc., platters arrive with six types of appetizers, three or four of their most popular entrees, a half a dozen different desserts. The meal also includes several different South African wines from Jiko’s impressive cellar. For those unfamiliar with this restaurant which specializes in the cuisines of continental Africa, it also boasts the largest collection of South African wines in North America

I cannot say enough about this wonderful activity. Much like Cirque du Soleil, it is worth giving up the cost of a day or two in the parks to participate in this unique program.

Wanyama Safari

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday – late afternoon

3 hours

Concierge guests: adults $160.00, children 8-9 $80.00

Non-Concierge guests: adults $210.00, children 8-9 $105.00

Participants must be 8 years of age or older

48-hour cancellation policy; Business Casual dress code for Jiko

Walt Disney World is a popular choice for destination weddings.  Many little girls grow up dreaming of a wedding fit for a Princess.  To accommodate the bridal couples, Disney offers a number of different venues for the ceremony, none lovelier than the Wedding Pavilion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Located on its own small island in the Seven Seas Lagoon adjacent to the resort, the building welcomes up to 300 guests, who cross a bridge under leaf-entwined arches to enter the non-denominational chapel.

Its simple beauty is enhanced by a fairy tale touch:  Cinderella Castle perfectly framed in the central window behind the altar.

For the title of this post, we’ve shamelessly stolen photographer Jeff Bergman’s  original caption for his beautiful image featured at the top.

Whether you call it Tomorrowland Transit Authority, the TTA, or the WEDway People Mover; it’s still the classic we all love.  Weaving slowly around and through many of Tomorrowland’s attractions, the TTA allows riders to view this area of the Magic Kingdom from a unique perspective.

A long-time favorite of veteran park goers who know it’s the perfect spot for taking a break, parents have also found that the gentle motion will coax a nap out of an overtired baby.

Since it’s generally not crowded, a smile and a wave to the cast member after the first ride will usually be sufficient for several uninterrupted circuits of the route.  The ten-minute journey is accompanied by a humorous narration which continues the theme of a busy metropolis of the future.

Closed for the refurbishment of Space Mountain, the TTA is also expected to receive some enhancements of its own including new LED lights that will be synchronized with the music of Tomorrowland, fresh paint, and a new audio system.  Reopening has been rescheduled for September 12, 2009

If there are lines for this attraction, which is generally a walk-on, you can be certain that the Magic Kingdom is having a very busy day, indeed.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Magic Kingdom

Approximately 10 minutes

All ages

No wheelchair access; guests must be able to negotiate steeply ascending moving ramp, moving turntable, and moving ride vehicle

Park admission required

Vacationers may not realize that Walt Disney World is one of the premier meeting and convention centers in the country.  There are six resorts with convention facilities: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort; offering more than 600,000 square feet of meeting space which can be configured to suit nearly any requirement.  For 2009, five Disney Resorts have garnered Gold Key and Gold Tee Awards from Meetings and Conventions magazine.

Businesses and groups can take advantage of Disney’s legendary creative resources to assist them with every aspect of their event, including program development, technical services, entertainment, theming and décor, photography, videography, special tours and theme park experiences, even speakers from the Disney Institute.  With thousands of guest rooms, complimentary transportation, and a diverse range of entertainment options unavailable anywhere else on earth, Walt Disney World offers meeting solutions for every budget.  Whimsical World Travel specializes in arranging imaginative programs for small groups.  We’ll be happy to put together a proposal for your special event which includes accommodations of ten to fifty rooms.

Guests staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge should be sure to ask about being a Flag Family during their stay.  Each morning, one fortunate group has the opportunity to climb to the top of the Lodge, and walk out to assist the ranger in raising the flags.

It’s an early-morning ceremony that includes our American flag, the flag of Florida, and flags representing Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Walt Disney World.  There’s time to take pictures and enjoy the spectacular views from high up on the roof.

The family is presented with a certificate, has a photo taken and is given a frame to hold this memento of their special Disney moment.  Some families are invited to enjoy breakfast at the Old Faithful Club, the private concierge lounge on the seventh floor.

Those hoping to participate should make their request at the time of check-in.  This is very popular and limited to one party each day.

Photo by Joe Penniston