Post Olympics and Those Always in Ears.....Top Fives

Another Vista Way Morning


I have two Top Fives for you happy people today, and I guess you unhappy people can read them as well if you so desire. The first delves into what the Olympics would be like if it were composed solely of Walt Disney World events. The second gives you ideas of when you can wear your ears when you aren't in the parks. Enjoy!


Top Five Disney World Olympic Events

5 Waterfall Roulette – I know that I have mentioned this in a previous post, but it bears repeating for the Olympics. For those of you who are unaware of what roulette is, it’s a gambling game in which you choose a spot or color on a wheel. The wheel is then spun a ball is dropped in. If the ball lands on the spot you selected you win. But what if the game is reversed? What if instead of winning on the selected spot, you won by choosing where it lands wrong? That’s what Kali River Rapids does. You and eleven other guests enter a circular watercraft. Come waterfall time, 2-4 guests are going to be met with a wall of water. You had better have chosen correctly.

4 End of the Night Triathlon – After a full day of rides, food, and fun in the Magic Kingdom, all you want to do is go home. And guess what, so do the other ten thousand guests in the park. Welcome to the End of the Night Triathlon. It is you and your friends against the hoards of guests with only one goal, be the first in line to the monorails or ferries or risk waiting up to an hour and a half to get back to the TTC……easier said than done. But once you pass this first hurdle and you think your home free, guess again. Now you must make your way to the trams, not as long of a line, but everybody thinks they can fit ONE more person on…..watch out lady with the stroller that doesn’t fold up for whatever reason. Finally you are at your car and home free, HA you wish. Now it’s time to get out of the parking lot and well, I’ll leave that fun portion of the event up to you imagination.

3 The Rope Drop 100 Yard Dash – The park just opened and you start to your favorite ride, but just as you are about to enter your favorite line you are met with an obstacle, fifty guests and one scared cast member with a rope in their hands. That cast member knows they are the only thing standing in the way of you and your favorite ride…..that and the fifty guests who ALSO want to be the first one in line. I hope you stretched up because once the countdown is done, it’s every man/woman for themselves

2 The Please Fill in All Available Space Gymnastics – You know this one. You have been waiting in line for anywhere from 1-2 hours to see the popular show or ride the popular ride but space is limited in the preshow room. From here you will be split into one of two sub events, “the suck up” or “the one more inch.” The suck up occurs if you are one of the first people in the room. Suddenly you and forty of your new best friends are standing elbow to elbow so tightly I believe its technically illegal in some countries (not really but it sure feels that way), and then you hear it. Like the voice of Satan calling to you from the PA system, “Please fill in all available space so we can fit in a few more people”.....and the only thing going to through your mind is THIS (It’s a link, click on it already. Jeez.). Then there’s the one more inch and if you don’t know what it is then you haven’t been paying attention. You are the person who feels like, for that instant, the Tetris God who sees such a way that the guests can move so that you and your five friends can squeeze in to THAT showing rather than waiting for the next one….prepare to be dispised.

1 Guest Swimming – This is an event we all participate in. Let me paint the picture: You have just gone through the turnstiles and you are walking underneath the train station when you notice a bunch of guests in front of you. Then you get the full picture, it’s parade time and every guest is on Main Street. You don’t have time to wait for it to finish because all you want to do is ride Splash Mountain. It’s guest swimming time. So you limber up, take a deep breath, and dive right in. A million “Sorry, my bad” and arm swipes with squeezing between people later and you look up…..you are only at the Confectionary. Happy Swimming!



Top Five Places to Wear Mickey Ears Outside of Disney World

5 Class – First of all (for those who, like me had to wear uniforms through middle and high school) nothing celebrates your new found freedom like black ears. Plus, who knows, your teacher could be a big Disney fan and there could be some extra credit coming your way

4 The Bar- Nothing says party like Mickey ears

3 A Funeral – Nothing says party like Mickey ears…..wait, umm anyways…..

2 Job Interview – Nothing tells employers that you deserve that position in accounting like a pair of black Mickey ears. Plus, it goes great with your suit. Don’t own a suit? Buy a suit, suits are cool. (SUIT UP)

1 Presidential Campaign Trail – Heck, I’d vote for you.



Have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah-Day!!!!!

Quick Reply to Lyanne

She Wrote:

I wrote a super long comment the day you posted this but something happened with my internet and then I had to leave for school and now I don't really remember what I said...

Let's see:

I mentioned that Pushing Daisies was an amazing show. The art department for it was just incredible and I was sad to see it go.

That I couldn't agree more about the Disney touch. That's what really makes the difference between a theme park and an amusement park even if there are other non disney theme parks. Nobody can deny that there are no other parks that do it like Disney. It's all those little details that the imagineers create that make the experience so magical even if most (including myself) don't notice at first.

Would Walt like everything that is going on in his company these days?
Well, I doubt he would agree with everything but above all I like to believe he wouldn't love Stitch's Great Escape.
I love Stitch but his ride... not so much. I'd like to see some "progress" in that corner of Tomorrowland.

And I agree with Jenn about the Jacob quote.
Sorry for writing so much. I think the 3 essays I had to write last week got to me.

Wow! That comment seemed like an essay and I love it, thanks.

I lean towards agreeing with you about the Stitch attraction in that I feel that there is so much more potential.....so much more. That being said, Tomorrowland has to be the hardest land to imagineer for. The fact of the matter is, technology is evolving at such a fast rate that by the time something new comes out, chances are its already obsolete. So no matter what the imagineers do, by the time they plan it and execute the plan, it probably wont seem too futuristic.

Now that's not to say there isn't some solutions around this issue. The tomorrowland we have now is a future that never could have possibly been or a "fantasyland/tomorrowland" hybrid. It incorporates the Pixar characters and other characters like Stitch and Buzz to present a Disney Movie future full of monsters and such.

Another option, and the one that I wish they would use, is the original concept for Tomorrowland and that is "the tomorrow that never was and never will be." Something out of the Jetsons that represent the Tomorrow that is impractical but fun. Robots running around, personal rockets to Mars....pretty much what we see in the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Personally, I would like to see Tomorrowland draw inspiration from Meet the Robinsons with all the bubbly over the top buildings, vehicles, people, and robots.

But to each their own I guess....

(P.S. The Puching Daisies style was neat, very unique)

That's What They Call Progress Dear: Part 2

I wasn’t sure where to start with this answer, and then Bree commented on my post. She wrote:

I have always wondered about Walt, and what he would think. Like (I personally have nothing against it) but I don't think he would like his name associated with "Desperate Housewives" and some of the other shows that are "of our time".

Now, it’s relatively hard to speculate what a man with the mind that conceived Disneyland, Mouse Ears, and full length animated films would have thought about today’s shows like Desperate Housewives. But I would like to believe that he would…..like it. Truth be told, tv is meant to evolve and you can’t really predict what the next step is. All you can do is study the trends, set the bar, and strive to plus everything you do. So when you look at a show like Desperate Housewives, you have to understand that it revolutionized the Soap/Drama into almost a parody of the genre. I think LOST is the same way in that there will never be a SciFi/Drama show anywhere else that’s like it. The now cancelled Pushing Daisies showed a uniqueness in it’s field and which drew a large fan base just as Nathan Fillion’s show Castle is now (I miss Firefly though). I don’t even think I need to explain what ESPN did to the world of sports and how we watch it now and how we will watch it 100 years from now. So do I know what Walt would think about having his name associated with a show like Desperate Housewives? It’s tough to say (maybe it just wouldn’t have been his cup of tea). Though I do believe he would appreciate the contribution it has made to its particular genre. That’s not to say there’s no room for improvement….but that’s not for today.

So now to what this whole thing was about, the parks. And I want to start this with the rollercoaster. You see the way I understand it, Walt wanted a park that everybody could enjoy, from the young to the old (aka the young at heart.). So if you add a rollercoaster, that’s one ride that a good demographic of the guests couldn’t enjoy. The second problem is that Walt was all about story telling there was no conceivable way to tell a story with a rollercoaster. But as Dylan said, “The times, they are a changin.” Walt and his group of mad scientists created the Matterhorn. This rollercoaster was just extreme enough to please the thrill junkies while tame enough that the height limit wasn’t so great that many of the younger kids couldn’t ride…..and best of all, it told a story. And that was progress. We look at where we are today and not only has the Matterhorn stood the test of time, but it paved the way for other story rich coasters such as the Space and Big Thunder Mountains, Rock ’n Rollercoaster, and the grand mac daddy of them all…..Expedition Everest. Eureka….

We can figure everything we need to know about progress in the parks by looking at the Matterhorn next to Expedition Everest. The Materhorn was a first of it’s kind. Sure places like Coney Island had more thrilling coasters, but what they didn’t have were heart….. the Matterhorn had heart. The same thing can be said today, Expedition Everest doesn’t have any fancy loops or super backward ultimate death defying whatevers that you would find at competing parks but it has heart, it has a story……it had the Disney touch. This is why I think if Walt were to walk around Disney World today, he would be grinning the Chesire Cat. Because behind all the techno do-dads and what-cha-ma-call-its, it still has the Disney spirit that knew Snow White and the Seven Dwarves would succeed, that knew people would want to be transported into the world of pirates and princesses, and knew that when you wished upon a star that there’s a good chance your dreams will come true (life lessons taught to us by a Cricket ….imagine that).

We have to tell ourselves that progress is good, progress is good. Progress gave us Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and I enjoyed it Then times changed and so came the Many Adventures of Whinnie the Pooh. While I was upset to see Toad go, I also noticed Pooh gives the new generation the same joy that Toad gave me…..and in the end, that’s what matters. It’s what happened when If You Had Wings eventually led to the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin I enjoy. As I look to conclude this, a quote from LOST comes to mind. As Jacob sat on the beach talking to the Man in Black he says, “It only ends once, the rest is just progress.” And that’s what it is, as long as Disneyland, Disney World, and every other Disney park is around…..let’s make it simple, as long as Disney is around, things will come and go in the name of “progress.” But, based on THEIR track record, I look forward to the progress.


I know this was a long post, but that’s what I think. Also, take a moment to listen to the video (HERE) and because, Fess Parker was just as important to the Disney Company as anybody I can think of. He played Davy Crockett in movies, he basically shaped Frontierland to what it is today, and let’s face it, he made the coon skin a pretty awesome thing. He passed away on Wednesday. So yeah…..




Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Day!!!!!!

That's What They Call Progress Dear: Part 1

Today and tomorrow I have a different kind of post in store for those two or three of you that still read my blog....when its updated....every decade or so. Today's post asks the question of progress and I hope to come up with an answer or two by tomorrow (That's right, its the same wing it attitude that got me where I am today....where ever that is). And if this isn't your kind of post, don't worry. I have a great top five that is just about finished which will be posted either Thursday or Friday...so yeah. I hope you guys and gals enjoy this (if not, at least have the decency to march in single file when you come at me with the pitchforks and torches):


I think I have let it known that I enjoy the Carousel of Progress. It creates a false nostalgia where we yearn for simpler days, simpler times. A time when the latest technology meant an ice box, and not the next generation of Ipods. A time when the news meant information on a small town event or the creation of a “flying contraption” and not how many babies Octomom has now or who’s suing whom because their coffee was to hot. A time when the youts (“What did you say? The two what’s?” Sorry, My Cousin Vinny reference) were expected to be home from formal events at nine…..okay, so we don’t yearn for all of it.

But this isn’t a post of comparing the world then and now. Rather, I want to contemplate the idea of progress as it pertains to the wonderful world of Disney (not the tv show…but you get the point). You see, as I wandered around the inter-web today, I found myself watching a video of the Cranium Command from the old Wonders of Life pavilion. From there, chaos ensued and I found myself watching everything from old Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ride-through videos to video of 20,000 leagues under the Sea, and even old videos of Walt talking about his dream of the “Florida Project.” And it brought up the question in my mind that I’m sure has flown through yours in the past as well, “What would Walt think if he saw what Disney Animation Studios and Disneyland and Mickey Mouse had done to the world?”

He wanted to make movies so he started an Animation Studio with his brother, it later evolved into a full movie studio. Today, that studio is responsible for over 300 full length animated and live-action movies as well as many more short animated features. Then he said “there should be something built where parents and children could have fun together,” and Disneyland was born. Today, there are five Disney resorts in four countries, with a total of eleven parks around the world and a twelfth park coming to Shanghai in the near future. To see the rest of the company’s success and evolution throughout the ears, all you have to do is walk through a mall. In record stores, there are sections devoted to Disney music. Clothing stores feature everything from Peter Pan shirts to Donald Duck shoes to Mickey Mouse Pajamas (I used to have 101 Dalmation jammies…party like a rockstar). Walk into any game store and there, in their PS2 Greatest Games section, you will find both Kingdom Hearts games (If you don’t know what Kingdom Hearts is, then a say shame. But think Final Fantasy meets Disney meets a bottle of steroids meets the essence of epicness….with only a single player mode). Fact is, everywhere you look, its Disney Disney Disney. All this from a man who left for a better life with nothing more than $40 and an idea or two…or three….or four.

But I still haven’t gotten to any sort of point yet. Why is that you may ask? Well its so…….I ….. umm…..have something to write about tomorrow and anyways, this post is getting long enough as it is. You see, the question I hope to answer tomorrow is, “What would Walt say if he were to see Disney World now?” I also want to try to explain that first concept of “progress” in the parks. Why is it that beloved attractions come and go to make way for the “progress?” And other stuff. I’m not considered one of the great thinkers of the world. At this point, I’d settle for one of the great thinkers of my house (though I think my sister takes that crown from me).

These are not really thoughts. These are not really ideas. These are simply ramblings of a crazy man. But really, what’s wrong with that?




Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Day!!!!

And the Award Goes to.....

Well, the Academy Awards came and went yesterday with Disney and Pixar's UP! coming home with a few pieces of gold. Also yesterday, we had the last day of voting for the "Best Ride at Disney World" competition (or "The Most Drawn Out Competition in the History of Ever"....I mean, it started in November). Now, before I reveal the winner of the competition (in case you haven't already seen it) and in the spirit of yesterday's Award show, I have come up with what I feel are represent the best rides in each of my selected categories. These categories are as random as I am...that's very, in case you haven't been paying attention. The winners of each category were chosen using a very scientific algorithm I developed known as T.M.O.S.L.W.I. (or They're My Opinions, So Live With It). Enjoy:

1. Wildest Ride in the Wilderness – (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad)

2. Least Wildest Ride in the Wilderness – (Goofy’s Barnstormer at Wiseacre Farms)

3. Best View of the Backside of Water – (Jungle Cruise)

4. Best Example that Disney Should Re-evaluate their Janitorial Staff – (Tower of Terror with Haunted Mansion as a close second)

5. Best Ride Featuring a Battle in Outer Space – (Dinosaur….why? Because it’s my list and I wanted to remind you who holds the power….however limited it may be)

6. Queue that Would Best Benefit from a Fire Breathing Dragon….or Anything Really – (Dumbo the Flying Elephant)

7. Best ride that based a movie that based a ride……huh? – (Pirates of the Caribbean)

8. Most Likely to Have a Wait Time That Makes you Say “Wait, what? Are you Kidding Me?” – (Peter Pan’s Flight)

9. Best Ride Who’s Lesson is Eclipsed By a Giant Waterfall – (Kali River Rapids)

10. Best use of the Phrase “Car Phone” in an Attraction – (Walt Disney’s Carousel or Progress)

11. Best Near Death Experience by a Cardboard President – (Test Track…for more elaboration, click here)

12. Trippiest Ride – (Journey into Imagination)

13. Best Collection of Dead People Outside of the Haunted Mansion – (Hall of Presidents)

14. Kid’s Ride the Gives Me the Willies – (It’s a Small World)

15. Best Cameo by Lieutenant. Dan – (Mission Space)

16. Fastest Way to Tire an Arm – (Toy Story Mania)

17. Best Audio Animatronic That’ll Never Work – (Expedition Everest)

18. Most Original Ride – (Dumbo….er…Astro Orbiter….er….Magic Carpets of Aladdin…..er….Triceratops Spin)

19. Best use of a Montage Featuring Eddie Murphy, The Sting, and Scarlett O’Hara Getting Spanked – (The Great Movie Ride)

And of course, the winner of the Best Ride at Walt Disney World is....

20. Champion - (Splash Mountain)


Now, with as long as this copetition lasted and the amount of voting participation as it received, I fell like I should do something. So I have decided that sometime within the first week of arrival at the program, I will have some sort of event at Splash Mountain. Maybe we get a group of people to ride the ride a few times, watch the parade and fireworks, and maybe grab something to eat.....I dunno, its still a ways away. Anyways, that's it for today....



Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Day!!!!

Well, It's Getting There

I am still in the process of writing my Disney World: Academy Awards post. That’ll go up tomorrow, so look forward to it. That being said, today I have two College Program tips. The first deals with your ID tag, the second talks about making smart purchases with your discount. I also linked up an older post to the first tip and I encourage you to check out some of my older posts as I have articles that deal with what to bring, your first week of the program, and a bunch of other interesting tips, tricks, quizzes, and whatnots. It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents…eh, just enjoy it:


Tip 108: Keep your ID hidden when on stage- Congrats, you work for the Walt Disney Company. Is there proof of this? Of course, you have your company ID. This card will get you into the parks, backstage, and just about anywhere else you need to get (please don’t flash this and expect to backdoor rides or something because you will be laughed right out of your job). Now I mentioned in this post (http://bit.ly/c8fYQy) that when you are backstage you need your ID out at all times when you aren’t in costume and that the key is to have an ID lanyard. Yeah, yeah, yeah….okay, back to the rule. Wear the lanyard, but when you are out in the parks, keep it tucked in your shirt. If you don’t, ONLY BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. I will repeat that, ONLY BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. First of all, I think there may actually be a rule against having it out. Secondly, let’s say hypothetically that you have an accident with a guest and someone gets hurt. If they think you are also a guest they will chalk it up to an accident, but if they see that you are an employee of the Walt Disney Company then….well, let’s just chalk it up to ONLY BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. And thirdly, all that aside, there are so many other cast members working in the park and enjoying their day off, who are you really trying to impress?

Tip 316: Do you want a soda or water? Pick it up at a merchandise location- Logic tells you that if you want food or drink, then you pick it up at one of the many QSFB carts and restaurants. It only makes sense. But here’s something to consider, there are few if any (I don’t think there are any) QSFB locations that you get the cast discount at. That just won’t do. But, you do receive the discount at most merch locations and guess what. (What John?) Many of the stores have places where you can purchase a soda or water. And because places like the Confectionary on Main Street are considered a store, you can pick up a snack at discount as well. The fact is, when money is tight, knowing where these places are is very important.


Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Day!!!

Victory or Death....Wait, is there a third option?

Wait,wait, wait, wait, and wait. Before I go any further, I was reading the comments section of blog and I came across this from one of my earlier posts and I have to thank Lyanne for both giving me a laugh and teaching me something in the process:

I was re-reading your blog and I thought I should mention that if anybody is wodering how to say "I just saw a platypus highjack a blue Prius in the Magic Kingdrom parking lot" in spanish...it's:

Acabo de ver a un ornitorrinco robarse un Prius azul en el estacionamiento del Reino Mágico.

So now nobody has an excuse to not be able to say this...except pronounciation problems...



Anyways.....

Guys and gals who haven’t unsubscribed from my blog, thank you. February has been a busy month so I haven’t been able to post anything. Ill give you a quick overview about what’s been going on (DCP wise) before I get into my article:

-We had our one and only campus presentation for the season and we met our numbers, so you guys may see a couple of great people from FAU and PBCC while on your program.

-I got accepted into the Summer Alumni 2010 program as a Quick Service food and beverage cast member.

-Several other bloggers got into the program, so check out the blogs that I follow and start subscribing to them if you haven’t already.

-Speaking of friends, some of your favorite bloggers (if you’ve been around since fall/winter) are already out there and enjoying their roles. Check out Katie’s “When You Wish Upon a Star” blog, Ashlie’s “Princess Ash’s WDWCP Blog Presents” blog, and Ryan O’Neill’s “Ryan O Disney Show” blog/vlog to get a feel for what the CP is like including what it like to work in the parks and life in the DCP apartments.

-The Purple Folder Wait Watchers blog has been absolutely thriving in my absence and I want to thank the contributors for taking it, wrapping some dynamite around it, and making it absolutely EXPLODE. Great job.

-Lastly, if you haven’t already done so, go onto FaceBook, look up the Disney College Program Fall 2010 group and check it out. There you will find over 500 other students all who will be doing the program with you.


Now, I want to start my reemergence into the blog-o-sphere with a clean slate, so today I am going to be finishing a bit of old business and tomorrow we will have a new fun, and dare I say interesting, Top 5(ish) list. Today however, we have a Best Ride at Disney World competition to finish up. In this very last round we are featuring a 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 match up. Why the extra 1 you may ask? (or you may not, who knows) Well upon looking at the votes, Splash Mountain ended up tying Great Movie Ride. Quite frankly I didn’t think it would be fair to allow a coin flip to determine which should be in the final three (especially since if Splash Mountain won the toss, Ashlie would tear my arms off and if Great Movie Ride won the toss, Abby would tear my limb from limb). No…..I chose life.

So, we will see these four proverbial juggernauts go head to head where four rides enter and only one ride exits. (Don’t worry though, no rides are actually hurt in the making of this blog). So enjoy, happy voting, and as always……


Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Day!!!