tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23463074429523820532024-03-05T21:32:36.461-08:00THE W.E.D. PAGEThe Walt Disney World of Past, Present and FutureTony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-72963139250783428762009-12-25T21:41:00.001-08:002009-12-25T22:53:57.134-08:00Into the New Year with The WED Page...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419424144879582658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mQLsa_SXpbEo99ijAzs-TqFryNk_oEZvFIjW-t7Nnxq_zK5-wF2Ndb1FUhGrw1oXSyAOuKlouhnUPlzKyKUq7_ykrfe_TybszsEJU8ynkxnXuQChEq1uVtjZDHZg3uxbRAre23CmRC2Y/s320/fbwed.jpg" border="0" />A few months ago I started this blog at the recommendation of a few friends.<br /><div></div><div>I had been posting a bunch of old, "vintage" photos for Disney World trips along with a few stories from vacations of long ago as "Notes" on Facebook. Some friends suggested that, since I had so many old photos and stories to share, that I should start a blog and write a little something each week.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>While it has been a mere 6 months since the page started, I have been having a great time and have met so many new friends here online. In that time I have also written for a few of my friends blogs and webpages as well.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>About 3 months ago, while down in Walt Disney World, I met up with a good friend, whom many of you already know, Ryan Wilson.</div><br /><div>Ryan writes The Main Street Gazette. He is one of the most prolific writers I have ever met. He post an article on The Gazette every single day...he also writes on other blogs occasionally and is often a guest on several podcasts. Along with his daily Gazette Articles, he also works on a number of other projects...needless to say, he is very busy creating new, fun stories for all of us Disney Geeks to dig into each week.</div><br /><div>Ryan was telling me about his hectic schedule, as well as his hopes and plans for The Main Street Gazette, moving into the new year. I was adding how I much I enjoyed my own writing and how I would love to do even more with my own page in the future.</div><br /><div>During this conversation we discussed that it might be fun, and beneficial to both of us, to bring our projects together.</div><br /><div>To make a long story short, after much discussion and planning, we are now trilled to announce that as of January we will be working together to bring The WED Page into the folds of The Main Street Gazette.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426740790326466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7XJJYgnIKawJSYaCpGGootU_6EL3LfRxiENzvN-hYtQ99CR0XF2BNcyyVC-GqPixDZGugWhRpi0XiO_KqyYoraZP1JHOHJiVRTDcD1YuO9BuFgegU_Y71s2TO9W171tYEn3rXfadjpjH/s320/MSG.bmp" border="0" />The Gazette will continue to bring a variety of fun and exciting Disney News and perspective to everyone. Ryan will continue to bring his wonderful stories to you all and I will continue to bring the vintage photos and fun of The WED Page content over to The Gazette each week, and I will be contributing additional articles each week as well.<br /><br /><br /><br />Starting in January, here is what you can expect on a daily basis from the Main Street Gazette:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">PERSPECTIVE (Mondays) – Personal reflection on a Disney topic. Thoughts on art, shopping, underexplored areas, changes, anything that sparks the imagination. This will also include the occasional roundtable discussion.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">THE WED PAGE (Tuesdays) – The history of Walt Disney World. The stories, lighthearted and/or documented accounts, covering the past forty years of Walt Disney World.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">DISNEY DELISH (Wednesdays) – Restaurant reviews, the design of dining establishments, home cooked Walt Disney World recipes, if it has to do with food and Disney, you’ll find it here.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">PHOTO SAFARI (Thursdays) – A photo article detailing the highlights of a specific area or a mass quantity of photographs pertaining to a specific topic.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">THE WDW RECORD (Fridays) – The detail resource the Main Street Gazette is going to be creating will take time to develop. This section will highlight a single entry once a week.</span><br /><br />Ryan and I are both very excited to be working together, bringing new, fun content to each and everyone who craves their Disney "Fix" each week.<br /><br /><br />You can read more about our new project in Ryan's new article on The Main Street Gazette at the following link:<br /><br /><p></p><a href="http://www.mainstgazette.com/2009/12/tomorrow-is-still-but-dream.html">http://www.mainstgazette.com/2009/12/tomorrow-is-still-but-dream.html</a><br /><br /><br />I thank Ryan for the opportunity to join his wonderful webpage and hope that everyone who has supported The WED Page over the past months will come on over to The Gazette and see how much more we have to offer moving ahead into 2010.<br /><br /><br />Also, if you are a member of The WED Page's Facebook Fan Page, I would love for you to stop by and join us at The Main Street Gazette's Fan Page at:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Main-Street-Gazette/134802050621?ref=sgm">http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Main-Street-Gazette/134802050621?ref=sgm</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Wonderful and Exciting New Year!!!<br /><br />~TonyTony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-9294262461821435412009-11-22T18:43:00.000-08:002009-11-23T19:29:30.514-08:00Gardens of The World...Topiaries of the Kingdom.Our Walt Disney World vacations of the 70's and 80's had a very different "feel" than they do nowadays. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>In the early days our family would head down for an 8 to 10 day trip to a Walt Disney World that consisted of ONE park and just TWO resorts. </div><br /><div>By today's standards, there wasn't much to do, but at the time we were always entertained and were just as saddened by the last day of our vacation as we are now.</div><br /><div>One of the up sides to the "One Park World" was that we had plenty of time to slow down and check out all that they had to offer. One thing that is often overlooked today, by the hoards to visitors who rush from attraction to attraction, is the landscaping and gardens.</div><br /><div>Today's article will focus on one of my very favorite landscape attractions at Walt Disney World...the topiaries.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407379658967787426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zLCeJH73-4BxHvA5nlqRDUMtMgY9VEgWTdLj-v_ZljMjCmqLUgibb2_26DV-7mMHJMoP8LL9e8XC1Tk-m4_UHSl2GGMBIMbTiWf5eAOf_VfM5WPxqy3OJ70iVp9Hr5MLmdYUVFMpcP4u/s320/dumbo+topiary.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>There are still a few topiaries to be found on a regular basis at The World.</div><br /><div>The Sea Serpent of the Magic Kingdom is still patroling the lawns around the Hub in front of Cinderella's Castle. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407496674595338594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkmg8Htune0Lu0qTOs4DWSGGdaKzrVU74Qld62n7PvDcwmcoSQg60lmKHwmnPsoY9Y-Mrr6wyTckX5WPn0PWSH-nNwvlHkO-Wnquk3A_OW2Ka8Fzi4AQkoDtlROBEJM5Dw_tgnH5_aFpZ/s320/sea+serpent.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>There are also a few to be found around EPCOT, especially during The Flower and Garden Festival, when they all but take over the park.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407501640459453394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhok8-SONExxf2CmDBNo1Iz6KNuS8lUQcjeEIhEaQcwcdxhTyrEBHq8QBpz1M4kDUeEKZfC-e5CD8fZBba7AsYyRzrXrgoMhFm72vMMCLvtebsuZlzNR7rKoVqGXlcehcjqON3xWnGZnL/s320/wdw-epcot-fgf8-702380.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>But back in the day, if you wanted to see a fantastic collection of topiaries you would have traveled to the area between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Contemporary Resort. There you could find a wonderous collection of these fantastic "beasts" and even get up close and personal for a few photographs.</div><br /><div>In these photos, taken around 1979, you can see my brothers and I, along with our Mom, standing with the Elephant Parade Topiaries.</div><br /><div>These sculpures were along side the road, and I remember seeing people posing with them nearly every time we drove past.</div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407494794393456050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikzYzJTTANF28ekgmjaSZp5IFpFgGoWfdS9cIF77G0A5XJoQ1Anp3V651Ux67eEm_RoQcr98JapvPmYnH2sd0GxJjzlXXqJ5w3rmlPLGuWWQjfS75CRvab2piF-D2Z0Ha5e4IlqgglvG0/s320/elephant+parade.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Here is another photo from that very same "Photo Shoot" of my brothers and I posing with the stork and "obelisk" topiaries near the Transportation and Ticket Center. (Note the matching Mickey Shirts, complimented by the vintage Mickey Socks...I'd still wear those, if only I could find them!!!)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407494717152713122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZNzCMLzuJLPGYtFjjh5gEVgKLEOYgu4StPID6r19m7hytMWpXuFvt3pzZcogPnVS7TxgqT3fcjTjUBYQRIaoIqaN2QASRuVlanAJzPCF9znpU42P4vKwAGV6DYgbsC2phbfVK-S4fCk_/s320/us+with+stork+topiaries.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>This photo, from the 1992 book, The Gardens of the Walt Disney World Resort, shows what appears to be those same elephant topiaries some years later, in a different location. Now surrounded by flower gardens, you could no longer walk up to them to pose for a photo op.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407491368480258578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h1Di_YheUGOaWMbVuV_UXG3cJ0fYsFdyMJy2vpG0jYp1LqlwPTZcJFZ1-zRR3BXmJ3QQ6U6GlXgafoCO3DmeHumXREqY7D9e-DF-NptygNNR_7mSk892snS8QLOi6eABXFcPTzMP4oE9/s320/elephants+2.jpg" border="0" />Here is another Elephant sculpture. (apparently, elephants are a hot property in the topiary world). As you can see in the photo, this handsome fella lives at the TTC as well.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407489215814881106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyUoHxA3RGjj8ZLDHc_Xh-etYvJOhxirwdgwi5lUBlUAaaLr-ya4uqpq7NJvMi1ebEHTnEqi_pVOQOglWTjkqWGCJiEgwWS7JBNGBaWt4FyU98fiYH7RBVDKqE5BhKju1DrbhUYxFF5mO/s320/elephant+at+TTC+topiary.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>There were also many other topiaries which lived right beside The Transportation and Ticket Center as well as any other number of floral creations which were scattered about the area. </div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose my special memories of these topiaries are not so much about the plants themselves, but more about a time in The World's history where there was less offered but perhaps more to be discovered, simply because you had the time to do so.</div><br /><div>Here are a few more vintage topiary photos which were sent in by our good friend Ryan Wilson of The Main Street Gazette. </div><br /><div>Here we see Ryan's parents posing, very stylishly might I add, in front of a few of the topiaries which were found at the Transportation and ticket Center, circa 1980.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabHtYoehZPE84e9ot6FBVB-rRCmt5MMPFF1ZtA6qKiy1Z8HnlGqkOUfGDFWcBA_nX83bfhdao2s_zjJbODthwRhFcCv3bwLvmyqj5335ZE3LdoUmPhdOK6wXKsswWSDz267jDAe-9p93X/s1600/Dad_Topiary_1980.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407488975028271906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabHtYoehZPE84e9ot6FBVB-rRCmt5MMPFF1ZtA6qKiy1Z8HnlGqkOUfGDFWcBA_nX83bfhdao2s_zjJbODthwRhFcCv3bwLvmyqj5335ZE3LdoUmPhdOK6wXKsswWSDz267jDAe-9p93X/s320/Dad_Topiary_1980.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FbKu4MQX2XbV3SX9M5IH3j9QT6yMQuGoJwV98Fiv-GGwF0UtHLwzCNJ_SuPxkey6GEMh-Jvvklqc90QPw4IfP62heTUlAVvB2vtDg8I9Q91vXAYtbxhJlswC0y_W-n_66jEgT8DOtIUq/s1600/Mom_Topiary_1980.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407489059803559762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FbKu4MQX2XbV3SX9M5IH3j9QT6yMQuGoJwV98Fiv-GGwF0UtHLwzCNJ_SuPxkey6GEMh-Jvvklqc90QPw4IfP62heTUlAVvB2vtDg8I9Q91vXAYtbxhJlswC0y_W-n_66jEgT8DOtIUq/s320/Mom_Topiary_1980.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407489297367491842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR31HyXaynpNa-17uW4M_LJiBB-Z0A476oQls69sLZauJZkHWt2f1YPyz0LlOXOP8hEGWcXjqHN4hwl0FIQr2aDM-PhXcOuaptSdHApYschRtPjf1u65XUGyZJKlzxIhINTbNjBbkvq9P2/s320/Giraffe_Topiary_1980.jpg" border="0" /> A special thank you to Ryan for allowing us to see these rare gems from his family collection.<br /><br /><div>~Tony</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-63477268776827262009-11-04T04:33:00.000-08:002009-11-04T17:34:38.318-08:00Lake Buena Vista Village: Before there was a Lego Store...Today we are going to take a quick trip back in time to visit one of my old favorites, Lake Buena Vista Village.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341470653525650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1xMUbpJXqot3b2ZV8l8HDRehifSqMFbzxN1XSjE77tFE-dX8V2SBV5veaNOg9Hqvbee0BRMdXRXkknSVcLBt3OZIA-lgCcrsGBJsW96CguncKhcMUFMYZCh_U-X87mALdSIpjnJSPZzv/s320/LAKE+B+V.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Who doesn't love to take a stroll past The LEGO Store in The Marketplace? The huge sculptures, created with the Duplo or Lego bricks are awesome.</div><br /><div>But back, long before that store existed, there were often displays of Lego creations strewn about the village, here and there.</div><br /><div>As you would walk around, they would be mixed into the gardens and grassy areas, on display.</div><br /><div>Often, they would have a placard which stated the number of bricks used as well as the time it took to build each sculpture.</div><br /><div>I have not had much luck researching these displays, but I do have quite a few photos from one particular showing that was held there back in the fall of 1980.</div><br /><div>Please excuse the quality of these photographs. They were taken by yours truly, with my very own 128 camera, at the tender age of 9 years old....perhaps that will add, just a bit, to the charm of this long lost attraction.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425259245104914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4b2G13lNvq3KkxXY_Ffu7A-aGxyIRUXf0nEYu_1l10nR96n8yZA93IzGUv3yWX6Spw9LmzjYFwwRrzMvvtaghrAj_xahxODIwc2tT0Wy6lFYa1JOw02bDAFH4qvqJdTqI-IbmpFTvN4F/s320/LEGO+1980.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425457920830130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5iC3VUKxUycS94TNBRfPYogqVbSLvsMMm3fySLSqiNPXXq2Q5gyug8XWHccyrb11da-U_ktr8vDgCgyLpgPDIQOkhcQCzqUM5gseJjjwjiNg91IH0j_n0ksSiAPdasfmUavLtfocyeoE/s320/LEGO+1980+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425570338005490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmHyWO0YRoDNG69JItAa0Qm-k1jbFvlKLC9OQS_5zsnPys8Wf3TZz_Neok_wFnyURtOtuO4KCL_FK_d3tIwfKlybUr0n5rt10tAyciNfI7Am11ZRylJ-7kDieS4HqUO_uwHmTnEi0y7Em/s320/LEGO+1980+3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425662859665986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8XAzcVUx1tcllBrmIO3qRqFVjLpaZCOjSLsOXP1KLbpbkD3cy8jWkI64gOB-T2EDNj_3PVaIEmFE9Qu-ZfvhaYBLpZ2sGMzblEUDH89_67YGzCYcemPBvlsMO5KNqhJqgdcclncqroPX/s320/LEGO+1980+4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425723744310418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0b4VpGY8cxNg658YLSGIxtXzsGSctGZN8rBXqXw625KsTrc2pPTisYD9_K3-QMnkM_Ob2F1U2qS0N-jz7qBaXhhNU_b_ETTOspT6R5oduXrORg4NKzkg_NqybkjZTjaXozWqCf80Ek8A/s320/LEGO+1980+5.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400425778984124434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgPu-9vlCPxH5lSg3n2ERrjf0oRjoHH58A2koxNlXYGsaevAuUvmKS4Rh4P8MrF_7gf27Q2b42loEZWzv1XC-SPlUkdIEcg3-_8r9jtykhEOJjStMj-wcX3fV37AC1z0tzrYJp55l-Rm-/s320/LEGO+1980+7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Enjoy,</div><br /><div>~Tony</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-50074309411545650162009-10-26T09:05:00.000-07:002009-11-02T06:57:45.946-08:00Extinct tastes from around "The World"With the arrival of Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, guests of World Showcase are being treated to all sorts of delicious taste sensations from around the world.<br /><br />I have been down to this event on a number of occasions, and have actually taken a trip around World Showcase already this Fall. As I was perusing some of the literature on this event and was looking forward to sampling foods from around the world, I began to think about some of the "Lost Dining Treasures" from around Walt Disney World.<br /><br />While there are many restaurants that have since moved on and disappeared, in this article I will focus more on the smaller samplings that were available, and have since move on into "extinction". I do realize, that some of these treats may still be available at other locations...but once they left The World, it was like they would never be the same anywhere else!<br /><br /><br />Starting out with a favorite of my entire family...The Beavertail.<br /><br />This tasty treat was available in EPCOT, at kiosk outside of the Canada Pavillion.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395485283742518034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUq7Scm6yiS5LfyuiSvdG4-eerEXOUQih439hXDrHc0FGcDlvPP103mE24jV3DBMCu91p4ZhFywdf2p-9eMycfAR5LLHJBw-qVmeVAXOH35s7w4eL8AcdMdkLUUTSfv04MPRfd33pz67C/s320/Beavertails+sign.jpg" border="0" /><br />A fried pastry, it was available sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, covered with apples and cinnamon or strawberries with whipped cream, with hazelnuts and chocolate or drenched in Maple and Chocolate topping (my personal prefered method).<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395485013449443362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZbwDQnOTG4jtqKW65Zs7W7Lm5LI3tIUuz2GbfvXyrz0GJ_7gYGi2SU4CB4NDNVJRvnvlxFNRo8z2tBQIyV7byWTg4tb3ZYjxuWkwoQCwwF3f8E6zDiWZqZX5vUtE-KTE9U5vvenoM8ca/s320/Beavertail+1.jpg" border="0" /><br />It was tasty and beloved...pair it up with a hot cup of coffee on a cool winters evening and all you needed to add was a choice viewing spot for IllumiNations!!!<br /><br />My brothers and I were crushed when we discovered the kiosk was no longer being used for dispensing this yummy goodness...but such can be life at Walt Disney World!<br /><br />Another wonderful, "extinct" taste sensation was available over at the Boardwalk Resort area...Crepe on a Stick.<br /><br />This taste sensation could appease the sweet-toothed traveler or those in search of something savory.<br /><br />Available in a number of toppings, including fresh strawberry and powdered sugar, apple and cinnamon-spice, Swiss milk chocolate, banana and cinnamon sugar, smoked turkey and cheddar or ham and cheese, this delight was always a hit with our group.<br /><br /><br />I remember one particular trip where my brother and cousin must have eaten over 4o of those bad boys between the two of them.<br /><br /><br />The last of the extinct treats I want to bring back was actually less about the treat and more about the container.<br /><br />Available at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, the Orange juice Oranges were a staple of each and every visit we made to the Magic Kingdom.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395486013506525890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMlx8l3B9fbMaexetvGpxztXmsjiGSy55UyYDzci6t7qdYQgCJ9l2jccjv9qXUoQ5Aqf_achj-oTjHw0gnH60SoOJT3WdVJWobhpJjfF9W8ypQCJYC2LgsvKK8hH8CfnK7OvfI_eDRJtP/s320/Sunshine+tree+terrace.jpg" border="0" /><br />While it was just "regular, old orange juice", the plastic orange with the green leaf/straw top was a major hit with us as kids.<br /><br />We would drink it several times on every visit and would continue to enjoy drink our juice, as well as just about any other beverage we consumed, in these little gems for some time after the trip when we returned home.<br /><br />I wish I still had one of those containers, but alas, they were strictly utilitarian to us as kids and we used them until the were no longer suitable to hold liquids.<br /><br />Since I can't seem to get my hands on any pics of the orange juice containers, I figured I would just throw up a pic of The Orange Bird himself...besides, who doesn't love this guy???<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395487802658479634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsFnLz6ii5Bv6EbyXbLSF2TCMOG3fdZMQqLlP0nJ3zmI2h3ATCiYuNNQ9B-5nkwwQnmJ7ICDX9RWdtFhVa8AYjqsBElHtfYGz6g1P4ChDyC1rmPAlocy7cha-BUQTmGLKTdb2MI-fHKUk/s320/orange+bird.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />These are but a few of MY old favorites, I am sure that there are many more out there, that you all can remember. If there is anything you can think of from your trips to The World back in the day, PLEASE be sure to drop me a note and let me know...nothing better than exploring the past of our favorite, magical place, together!<br /><br /><br />~TonyTony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-43767575279617668712009-10-12T09:18:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:14:50.647-07:00Extinct Attractions: A Childhood Favorite.When it comes to extinct attractions, there are a few that pass quietly into oblivion and then there are others that leave sadness and longing in their wake. One of the later, at least for me, was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391759836819259618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh150gx2nNHyiyKw8giFAh3kTtlQACa8RVCzs5UkOFfa3HRvhRp_K0uyxFuw3Qt3jzNvSkbhyCSi5SxH19JbbUy68pRnTEbk0RcvLFx-NW-FlDMVkaL7olIjeUsdc-gRJksx9xrvUDZSm-y/s320/20000league3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>As a young boy, who grew up, not only as a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, but also as a huge fan of Disney's Live Action films...20,000 Leagues was a favorite on many levels.</div><br /><br /><div>I remember the excitement of boarding the subs and completely buying into the "dive" as we desended down into the murky depths of the ocean. The fish looked fake, you could see the waters surface above, the ride itself was cramped, dank and damp and the "animatronics" were sketchy at best.....but to an 8 year old it was MAGICAL!!!</div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391761416541548578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HPiz-rlwKoFUiyY7M5hsx6Oo_16y2mVkfs_RkspnMpJzm5ZWtImF0JpRX9Fns-clSlulsElBu23htB6zE9isNrKfTmgg04TQaBwUYOtRDi0a-69f5AoinaUwWlKNeyAxlBoyaQruiV3N/s320/image017-1_s.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>And, no matter who you were, the giant squid was AWESOME!!!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391761102896165346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfaquzIosCmHivjOv3jFdJUL6gw1P80e01HTepXObECfTqBzNjsdXuIKjtndUwCSNiTqEXNnvFkv7wmaZf8OwNwYM7cPM-L4ky8AzzfBHAitSzBgtA8CQ0TPKYZHHnWSvqL2qNrGAH_uY/s320/20kbehind_ud01_020.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The ride opened on October 14, 1971, just a few short weeks after the World itself. </div><br /><br /><div>The ride was "temporarily closed" for renovations on September 5, 1994, never to reopen again.</div><br /><br /><div>20K's run was offically halted in early 1996, when it was announced that it would not be re-opening.</div><br /><div>Speculation as to why it was closed abounds to this day. Some say it was the high cost of maintanence, others claim that it lacked facilities to accomodate wheelchair bound guests.</div><br /><div>Either way, and for what ever the reason, it is gone and will always be missed.</div><br /><div>For those of you who think back fondly on this classic attraction, and for those who have never had the pleasure of riding, I have attached some video's below, which I found on YouTube and was produced by Bobaiken.</div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cP8_3olnlnc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cP8_3olnlnc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div> </div><div><br /><div>I have also included a couple of photos from Disney's Collection, that were just too good to leave out!!!</div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391761499421971314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtaIulQx_3tQJDEWDX7hDePRpOvevWVVXvtrBWXO6_3CX0MxjDrHsJgOTcm8MTMNjMmu3lwU1XKtCx6WrMv4FMCx8I-pzA2fhaL6aU3yiYBKfJHbJmJ-98fUrA8pTO2GIcvre7z0wRU2u/s320/Nautilus-In-Traffic.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Take a look...and as always, I hope you enjoy the ride!</div><br /><br /><div>~Tony</div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-84645354224704260732009-09-30T08:37:00.001-07:002009-09-30T17:39:26.009-07:00The Diamond Horseshoe: A Rootin' Tootin' Good Time!!!Stepping back in time, once again, we find ourselves at a Magic Kingdom Show that was always a family favorite back in the day, The Diamond Horseshoe Revue. <div><div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387423781730830706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XJcXqB7q_C1whA35bYz-r2yC3VBEFN0BcXXdJNoB4ljpY_UfpKi86327z8CQquXEiTweBbpHbmnqsaJgC9s3DjZo2mDhDizM_TEE0SIULzDH9JXCBNX9CjRsZbIHBZwT-Vx572yqqKFu/s320/DHS+3.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Situated on your left hand side, as you rush from Liberty Square toward Frontierland's gate-buster attractions, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon now sits quietly, often empty, with most Magic Kingdom visitors not even noticing it is there.<br /><br /></div><div>That was not always the case, when I was a kid, I can remember Dad rushing ahead to the building on Main Street USA, where The Art of Disney is now situated, to be sure that he was able to get a reservation for the family to attend the show. While tickets were complimentary, popularity demanded that you reserve them early so as not to miss this extravaganza.</div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387291315102747586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLbA8DsjAvEohJOpHyPeQLJk_2gnZo7uJhxQtKUTzmMl3RxvHdVWfQITLI5dtkxMagOURHjNKHioEPzfL6n8sCkfa4BQ8Z82Xq5aMOeRkBl78EuuBMXwIeR3_NGYW-QfDtDLqy5gFRMmP/s320/diamond_horseshoe.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The original show was called The Diamond Horseshoe Revue, and while the name (as well as the performers) changed a few times over it's 22 year run, the show was esentially the same. A wild west saloon show, with comedians, Can-can girls and musical performances.</div><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387423287693721282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBM7DdqoY0mQUGZnrvMmVauqM5N3n9aa-DXl4_wz-ZX2fvzqjIJJFjkEWf4u5TIVtZxTYa0ycXv3bIPAQtydnHR7J7klsktxPu82lYvSZatZxGPUXPYE3aQN1HPTeTra_qvl7ikOjzdh8/s320/DIAMOND+HORSESHOE+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387423351233117842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa-PP9VkxUgJqqP8lGQKkljjjelLzO2sTH_2fDgiZBxXwNwlcrfTKr4t5CyWDdKmdJXTHTJpbt9gOXibS871rUjavuyICHL7xz_9JhtN4VoJDFmsnp6d8p3hYUt6k5UclbadOHbu7V8U6/s320/DIAMOND+HORSESHOE+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>When the Magic Kingdom, in Florida, first opened, Wally Boag, "The Clown Prince of Disneyland", was brought in and performed for the first three years of the show's run. Wally was the star of Disneyland's Golden Horseshoe Revue and while I do not personally remember his performances, his portrayal of Pecos Bill was always once of my parents' favorites.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387291495281853730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13RMqRegVCJUooT9le_3gJMWs55ZUEKeXOoeDK71moxOLWoDIDpm0K4uvkI1Ao9CRjTiUgc1e6n81n2seViL_eUNEfh1Dr_TQEAFf5hjk1MESWvVutILoeulzXE6UnCOGk_TPQNUSzC6c/s320/WallyBoagPecosBill.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>My family always looked forward to the Revue, as a kid I can remember my youngest brother Jimmy, being brought on the stage be part of the show. </div><br /><div>The look on his face as the drummer's rim shot signaled the opening of a trap door beneath his feet (which was just a joke) will be etched in my mind forever. He did, however, get some nice (and highly coveted by his two brothers) parting gifts for being part of the performance. A certificate stating his participation as well as a huge, Mickey head, topped pencil.</div><br /><div>This wild west style show, in one or another of it's various forms, ran through February of 2003.<br /></div><div>I will always remember it fondly and think about it each and everytime I walk through Frontierland, it was a huge part of my Magic Kingdom experiences as a kid and will be missed.</div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wv-ku6osFzM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wv-ku6osFzM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-1283688123980752352009-09-16T09:58:00.000-07:002009-09-16T19:05:36.093-07:00Character Meals..."Where it all began"What Walt Disney World Vacation would be complete without at least one visit to a Character Meal? <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>If you are looking to sit down and have a meal in the company of Live Disney Characters, choices abound! There is a meal to suit nearly every taste...from dining at Cinderella's Royal Table in the presence of princesses to an African Style Safari with Donald and the gang at the Animal Kingdom's Tusker house, the choices range far and wide.</div><br /><div>Today's trip back in time will take us to where it all began, the character breakfast that is, on a fun filled journey aboard The Empress Lilly Riverboat.</div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382119835289588610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJe_0Ex5jhN3ZAbiWcmJxcf7w7lpRzKRFrJIwLIC9acBXnzQZo24X-P4FU_7A56OaTGIp9W-SsH774zcuh57dODX4xz_9da2A8jynEyjpVppE1EAqq_FCagsPmha2-OhxTnEfbEtGeBs1/s320/Empress+Lilly+Postcard.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Located on the banks of Lake Buena Vista, The Empress Lilly, currently home to Fulton's Crab House, was at one time home to four restaurants and five separate lounges.</div><br /><div>The Baton Rouge Lounge, had a full bar and live entertainment, performed by The Riverboat Rascals, who brought Dixieland Jazz and singalongs to guests.</div><div></div><div>Other lounges included, The Starboard Lounge, The Promenade Lounge, The Texas Deck Lounge and The Empress Lounge.</div><br /><div>The restaurants were known as "The Steerman's Quarter's", a steak house which was located on the aft section of the Main Deck, "The Fisherman's Deck", obviously, a seafood restaurant, forward on The Promenade Deck, The Captain's Table, where private groups would be able to hold their events and the flagship restaurant known as The Empress Room was also located on the Promenade Deck and offered a more lavish dining experience. </div><br /><div>While I remember quite a bit about the Empress Lilly, lounges not withstanding as I was just a boy at the time, the thing that we loved most about dining aboard her was the "Disney Character Breakfast"!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382234812650163202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNgxH13n5SEM-Dw43OedZx-qfsOoL36cAfKK6Gn9S3b-tC1T2CnfN5XSM-zOVHGe0KgWSkTKsAn6Deip3SASgdDTJdTS9vyEAhAEk3CjJXMsiMmneTU69wmc8Iva3ldf9krBL7IRUkMfF/s320/Lilly3.jpg" border="0" /> Located in what I believe was The Steerman's Quarter's Restaurant, this was the very first character meal available at Walt Disney World. Not a buffet, like so many today, it offered a plated, served meal available at either one of two seatings each morning.<br /><br /><div>The atmosphere, at least in my recollection, was for more festive than the character meals of today. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a one of a kind experience back in those days...or perhaps it was just one little boy's perception of the experience.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Mickey shaped balloons were everywhere, we would each receive a felt Disney Character Breakfast pennant as well as souvenir cups emblazoned with Captain Mickey himself.</div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382237440970217170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n68DZ8vFhXzuL8-HxMAB94grods_VtAMXnMo6XOkIJHHdGTbiXazEgoL-kYkOjS3oxaCjSoc2zBrjtwGi5Eza3dWX6tYiKVAbjQHP6BtEVzRJlMdcY-Sx_6Y6pMNvtVZddU73qBP1b8q/s320/Lilly+mug.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The following photos are from back on August 26th, 1981, while we were aboard The Empress Lilly to celebrate my brother Frankie's 8th birthday.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382235615665544562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSH6SkX9Y5WF_9nOtPYctr8jTuBWlfHVkqkG6JpLJJFfH6KzarreEb8ECiOr001bT08a3Jkif1XNc2hQYg3rhgrMrCjEl0JZodTTi0qWHbOYed4VyGowPf7H9zXGZJqAFI3VV2yDbjYjP/s320/Lilly+6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382234774371789282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrzLkWKJWRbUFLgFLZ6_sQ_bgof7b9jmzhlSmmCoJoATDyA6VHS7bbKs8nUoKZmfyZnCNyyfdAp7JFNK-kA8D3YamtmKfVTvtlhar3xMyH22E3upFAaJ5Yq7WdmrbyVvwzWldS92kal-K/s320/Lilly2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382234892634912658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58w_RF71ny_4PGiFquAUhW_22gi-mxy2mSwsQixDpjCyoGXXhSLSOBj3e9dWgYy5WHLXMixV8FOPtUDF7B6Ed-KBwUH4_bAQxl1mnYEZv0pKRJsFCzUHYCBgtx22GRAlJuPimYs8dSHMw/s320/Lilly5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382234725677266530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitta4hyphenhyphenTaiycW6LbCX7BZC6LwAlyg9zBUrHg6Qz0YrE71zdD0Q86MOYRoIvhd0uNbYBMg_A_H-Ahi5YCIr1z0A8Rc2GUdfkCTsFfDzOGijQ1-11IsBE4qeNoG-r-qa3vQ9NGl7oGCJiVHc/s320/Lilly1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The characters seemed to spend a bit more time " getting to know you" back in those days. Walt Disney World was a much smaller place and with only one park to visit during a 10 day stay, we certainly seemed to take more time to enjoy the little things The World had to offer.</div><br /><div>Now, don't get me wrong, I still absolutely love to take my little ones to the character meals...heck, even before my little ones showed up, I always made time for at least breakfast with Mickey.</div><br /><div>I will, however, always have a special place in my heart for the meals I had aboard the beautiful Empress Lilly. Meals that took place in a simpler world, in simpler times...at least for me!</div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-22662040659497802352009-09-09T06:54:00.001-07:002009-09-09T17:11:07.557-07:00Traveling back in time with Fellow Readers...Since the debut of The WED Page, back in July, I have been lucky enough to receive many incredible photos from readers of the blog.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have decided to make my job a little easier this week, taking a break from writing and sharing some of these fantastic photos with you all. (With permission of those who submitted the photos, of course.)</div><br /><div>Some of these pics show lost characters, unseen in the parks for years, others were submitted to coincide with a past article. The fact of the matter is, no matter what the photo is actually of, they represent wonderful, fun filled memories of the place we all love, Walt Disney World.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>The very first photo that we ever received here at The WED Page came to us from Missy Bowser Sexton of Alaska, in response to the article on Fort Wilderness Campground...and she wrote:</div><br /><br /><div><em><strong>Tony,</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Thank you for inviting me to be a fan of The WED Page.</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>After I visited your blog, I was inspired to dig out some old photos and scan them into the computer. Well, I have uploaded one so far :), my progress with the kiddos around is somewhat slow at times, but hey, I'm moving forward!!!</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>I uploaded a photo of myself as a toddler in the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness. I grew up near Downtown Orlando and my parents would take us camping at Fort Wilderness at least annually.</strong></em></div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div></div><div><em><strong>Staying there was always a momentous occassion! </strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>When I was a bit older, my parents would bring the bikes along and my older brother and I would spent the whole day biking around Fort Wilderness..and of course, swimming!!!</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Thanks for inspiring me to bring back the memories!!</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Sincerely,</strong></em></div><br /><div><em><strong>Missy in Alaska</strong></em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379468906578830130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72EH0eavYrgFNvFIizCq_RNEic14n2AfCFmmDJiPQCz897l2DjaqQYJK0XC5J_0L3lDdBeV4WTNChcMQR-jK4-slvYVKSUpfoip2sC9uDMBmnWWENfuG9qDalvGnTC7xdeAamtY9ePn3o/s320/Missy.bmp" border="0" /></div></div><div><br /><br /></div><p>Another reader, Cathy Lord from Ohio, was nice enough to send in a few pics from a trip she took to Walt Disney World back in 1973. (You gotta love the big , fuzzy headed Mickey!!!)</p></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379469788544118786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjUe3oHGnmPSC6kFHHXvmpBzqzBvMB5Qn0sf0_Rb4gt7sHdmXV84AJusIZVqQ1FuS_w3H5LMOdeotVrxEZo8cRkzy5dWYuyTq82NmZV-74nxBy6OJ-NrovDdUotIrXy44Ds646gzWC9UG/s320/Cathy+Lord+with+Mickey+1973.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379469941043948722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFovzavaT3W5dJ48ivG_Y7sqcRVRessRcPknKSk8oHpEU2L7Epp4QW5uD8UGm2TsHFnggWoUpXCOpY28QiTSJhoxNC_DeWnfh3byLd6oXZu0q5A0JmR-iKmd2SHTYweDJEfaWxyKPIBH_/s320/Cathy+Lord+with+The+Big+Bad+Wolf+1973.bmp" border="0" /></p></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, Christine Jahn from Nevada, was nice enough to send us some amazing photos from back in 1979.</div><div><br /></div><p>Now I am sure that you all, being the well versed Disney Geeks that you are, will notice that these photos were actually taken in Disneyland. </p><p>After thinking long and hard about it, I decided to forgive Christine and post these photos anyhow.</p><div>These pics have a little bit of everything I love about "digging through the crates" and pulling out those vintage pics...old parades photos, Long Lost Characters, fantastic, out of style couture on the guests...and so much more!!!</div><div><br />Christine wrote:</div><div><br /><br /><em><strong>Hi Tony,</strong></em></div><div><br /><em><strong>These are my personal pictures circa 1979. Feel free to use them. </strong></em></div><div><br /><em><strong>Your Disney friend, </strong></em></div><div><br /><em><strong>Christine Jahn </strong></em></div><div></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379485054784602194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdvoLV5CocYPusrBK4qMwbxmQqPsuSOxHA3cG8WowdvbOoFwSMH7mPokX_Lp9HmeENk399WGNHYbx5LlEAq6AQgqk6Mg5pGwFMK25KoxdRoGdcKrDzrkux0NaE-VCqezkXLLPlwAnz7DF/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+1.bmp" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379485332670130434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjHBlr_vUs75EVs3_Jlzv1sbl8-sI4MKfZ7wWelJZ7zp5G1BOClYfxO3zSYc8Yiq3YAas4-XACrrd85t_fZzY4VP3fDDCxyrTk3cgf3vSRTUb2X0IHXQl28mbG58vMeyxstDfdtzlvvVn/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+3.bmp" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379485232049469298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00wd2RU2kBmeVlkEB-mWuwkPEYGilLw6aYyInhsNpZQUlNBkwRXQSG5o65FUY6rbRGEahc3dFAjhLeYlvxj2ntWJc_RO2xKY30bPXXnWt2E9a9DK82qUgHp4BSjrAr0brEeMeDOMZl50N/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+2.bmp" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379485424452320882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtyqJFMx-bossVsQxD9aHNiQ-LeUseakStasGlSUcZH0_lzvYx18ChyeCumoU7MfYU1PYWXYHAh-ItrJB2yeNY2aMLqw6Ebdy_ga_BT0i_IRjhxCCZ8OkHjg7Jvz_-zXcPUQa6I9wix5/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+4.bmp" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379485515471260914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvMd__FcBIFvH4HOj57bpCAbctQrC5nWPQ7XddxqwKF_afUZgCgQWwygCNW6MiqX8KWtzL2n8lS7YCKO7sS9LjW2KMG_tG3MxBq28jyxERGAbeVFIa-gRLFfbtoARW-CQIhHy1LMHYtrd/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+5+bmp.bmp" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379486104833381154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEVTO594pwMsuEr-ckvSdgTKOnfD1rPny_A11KY6VYnGUbDHVQqb4V1XwAaxkx1i2rxopFa-zfWgK5bzZ7EuINoB7xH2GrWBepqKZ6neljQzQyxtYVQgAcdRM4G8ENv9tfFuWQepAis5G/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+6.bmp" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379486383317572178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9zuhuTSFGH4qdO0mcR2FrUVwKQp5ogMZ3Ng_MNh6LFzygyNug-N2ypTk0BjrQFcBArI6A58IB_H40eeElhhQ_DjYM4XfgRAwGW4BG4BtGCH_ZcO7kkIe-LXfm9nCdYUMykCFQNp7S5Rv/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+7.bmp" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379486489620254930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgbWCr6s_P3rvKZXMQRwzaiHWEiASVcM6oaXoZ-0t5VLdaSBOk_qvrIw7adExTukAdTZdQvjJLLDIPmsYk1TgBqROf17iysHXwiUX4ansvCyEQN57-I8SOjkZAfPnY75_7UTaM9FD8zcA/s320/Christine+Jahn+photo+8.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I cannot thank Missy, Cathy and Christine enough for sharing these terrific photos with all of us.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p align="left">I also want to let those of you have sent in photos but did not see them here know, fear not, there are more to come over the next few weeks.</p><p align="left">I hope these pics will help to motivate others to dig deep and see what they find in their own box of memories!!!<br /></p><p align="left">With the 38 year of memories from Walt Disney World Magic behind us (more if I continue to allow all of you Disneyland Fans to voice an opinion) I am sure that there are vast, untapped caches of memories to be discovered, if only we take the time to look!!!<br /></p><p align="left">~Tony</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-19362708320527818312009-09-02T11:45:00.000-07:002009-09-02T19:54:53.356-07:00Another "Out of Disney" Experience...While the usual "bill of fare" here on The WED Page falls under the heading of vintage, I always enjoy exploring new and exciting offerings on anything Disney. <div><div><br /><div>Today's article is about an event I was lucky enough to take part in this past weekend, Disney's Doorway to the World Event.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376944199391876786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b09TKUtXTswwih_xrmXj-4hGX-_y8WpuNtGj2FUFm8mwejOBmm-UfiVIVPCt3i2QAvDv6BPd0d3jKixdrpWT3UapbsgZjF0cAWaK8HXWj0-mw2RUhsMHPgO1MV2FUEndGSxSiqcdY71G/s320/DOORWAY+HEADER.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Held at t he Garden City Hotel on Long Island New York, this event was presented by Disney's Vacation Club. It was sort of an introduction to the new "Disney's Doorway to Dreams" store, which is soon to open at the Roosevelt Field Mall, also located in Garden City. The event was held over a three day period this past weekend. </div><br /><div>I received the invitaion several weeks ago and immediately went to the website to learn more and hopefully sign up, only to find that nearly every spot had already been filled. We did manage to secure a few slots for our group, and I am certainly glad we did!</div><br /><div>The event started with a presentation by a couple of DVC agents, and while it initially looked as though it was going to become a sales pitch, it quickly turned into so much more than that.</div><br /><div>While it was a bit "sales pitchy" in a few segments, they did an amazing presentation of the DVC's newest offerings at Bay Lake Tower and The Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village. </div><br /><div>While I, and I believe most of the audience, seemed to be well versed in these locations, they continued on to show projects that are currently either, in the works, or in the planning stages, both for DVC as well as the Disney Company in general.</div><br /><div>Highlights included, the upcoming addition to Disney's California Adventure, CARS LAND. </div><br /><div>Now, I have seen some artist concept drawings for this addition, but in this presentation they elaborated on what we already knew and we got a look at a sneak peek of just what was going to be offered there in DCA starting in 2012... and I for one, can hardly wait to get out there to experience it all first hand!!!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376944270462297330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWhPcXPUcwU2QZDKFBx06Vqte-To6h-AOX4-9wauxoNlFQ6NvfFrr3IOngOhX1dqBG9d_ziBvo61hdgFfxkUY6Q8ppVBq5oYUWxCyDJd0Ozvl9WSWPWb4LkGBncPiVUcyDnYe7kFLl2fu/s320/cars-land.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>They also showed DVC's Hawaiian Resort Project, which is under construction on the island of Oahu at the Ko Olina Resort...this one also very high on my families list of FUTURE MUST DO's.<br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376944341603949986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuKEhkvhsCkvMz9TbJ2ZIZF7CNwMpNg8k-OV-nxqoxdbSpciU1JEJPS8qj63n7OXui3d08XVymoS_99u3cVNO9iV9tDzds5BSdG9yUhKw4L_Whqhks2OvQ7_CY3rYeHsHQo1mOUcTHKOg/s320/DISNEY+HAWAII.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>After the presentation portion of the event (at which we also scored some very nice DVC swag, might I add) we were led down to the lower level of the hotel where we found a "Night club" style set up, complete with DJ. We were then treated to an wonderful dessert buffet and finally some special guests... Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto were all in attendance. </div><br /><div>All of the kids (and kids at heart) were out on the dance floor, cutting a rug with Pluto and Goofy. Over to the side of the DJ booth was a meet and greet where you could take photo's and have some quality time with The Big Cheese himself and his lady love. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068685991051842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Kg6GO2ecnHG7-Tqp9vRIkU25xKx-UWJyb-IQnaSUswrAjPe1RCEZJ5wSOrQScWgxdbWLqPmiipURjB6_ZT2qrB9o9b7Das4w66jsb2Io-dHXGWdCls8ubH-hM7nrEWEEGfLcI2DbQXc/s320/IMG_7774.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Everyone in our group had a blast!!! </div><br /><div>While, I think, the presentation had alot of information that "dyed in the wool" Disneyphiles were already familiar with, they did a great job of sneaking in plenty of surprises and never before seen photos to get the blood pumping. Most importantly, it was great to be able to get a quick "Disney Fix" between trips to The World. </div><br /><div>I know that this is only the third Disney's Doorway to Dreams Store to be opened, with one in Chicago and one coming to the Greater Boston Area, but if and when a new one shows up in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend that you seize the day, and be sure to get your tickets early...as word gets out, they will fill up quick!!! </div><br /><div>And be sure to bring your camera...you never know who might turn up at these events!!! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Until next week.....</div><div> </div><div>~Tony</div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-91292462571032363192009-08-26T09:18:00.001-07:002009-08-26T22:04:37.336-07:00MISSING: Classic Disney CharactersWho doesn't love to meet and greet Disney Characters???<br /><br />While, these days, most character meetings take place at either a character meal or a formal meet and greet location, that wasn't always the case at Walt Disney World.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374433248588894338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXdFyg-xs-_f5XHJ2cyNGky6lPUVdeHHKSeYEiR_9r58S4G6qzZsE6zdoJENz-ScG3DRSg19wuCoZidXy2Q3XcY5xy2tqyxEdWKvivcqCqQUmz5CWk8Vtlm5D9_K2qGZERINFOYsZTRwQ/s320/Missing+Characters.jpg" border="0" />There was a time when you could bump into a character just about anywhere. Walking through Fantasyland you may come across any of the Seven Dwarfs...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87B9Y2S8_pRh6os4s392qON_aeTmqjh2Lvo2uOGZ3ZyNsMQJk54VsSltC9_-KD6Q4iqSigxKbblssJ51uiIsExVJdg90kqz3Ei9dSGA03MLmdIFU8NwXwTx56dPA5OgPVnfwo0FQ31eXl/s1600-h/Missing+Characters+002.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374434827074677650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHglvrPeYlOoiFiFEex3Wk6uJeZufMj98D8m2Xfu27w2InmHN_iMAkt1cuno2HR_T1a24SNDQoPuMKmcTrAt0DGPNKpjSxYaA_YAML6oYqNzj2osUVKk5pzlthQpfyd1v6dr3e3NMDGnL/s320/Missing+Characters+012.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>or while passing through Cinderella's Castle you may stumble upon Robin Hood and his Merry Men...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-xdXuGWs1zIS1NuNigqX3nYDSAAIaZSIitcNzyoQkzvNcV2pgTsVYBSxwZ1wYQcrC_xQf17ZOyYcf2hgO9Pr2VHa1qieDoJf1kmX4frOUe65JYGkfbNABHaINBLo6aKK4mSbpI_mduB_/s1600-h/Missing+Character011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374434770066473810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-xdXuGWs1zIS1NuNigqX3nYDSAAIaZSIitcNzyoQkzvNcV2pgTsVYBSxwZ1wYQcrC_xQf17ZOyYcf2hgO9Pr2VHa1qieDoJf1kmX4frOUe65JYGkfbNABHaINBLo6aKK4mSbpI_mduB_/s320/Missing+Character011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>how about walking past your resort pool and stopping by to have a chat was Pinocchio himself?<br /><br /><strong>Those were the days!!!</strong> While I can, half-heartedly, force myself into understanding the fact that the parks and resorts are far busier than they were in those days, I do so miss the "spur of the moment" meet with the characters we all know and love.<br /><br />One thing that I do miss, even more than <em>where</em> we met the characters, is just <em>who</em> we met. Most of today's character interactions are with the Fab Five, of course the princesses, and a few of the more popular, recently introduced characters.<br /><br />Once again , I can most certainly understand the laws of supply and demand, but I will always miss the surprise of not knowing just who will be waiting for you outside the tunnel to Main Street USA...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374433457094487138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdpqbbQrZ4NHmNoyA8gy6VjPBLEkCTXSueop0tXXCbiG1J3Ru-na0aARmA7SErjxj17Lqsy2bkgeKNaUcStyFsiQJX-RB1tckTYvma9OWNzGmE9FFpW2DuhX6d8Cyh3FKpNfn_36iKLXy/s320/Missing+Characters+005.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgB6zka0Fq3mTFiyYEHqRVnPPPfmVTIpM-6cCfRCnAGBoyTvHt0nCjmlliKxe_B5MLi03wBYD2dAIZVCOTWIAVZU8WYjYBDjUZiTF43_sC2MJsTe9XPB1_LVZPpujkYk0xKuRcsccya24/s1600-h/Missing+Characters+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374432859358157538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgB6zka0Fq3mTFiyYEHqRVnPPPfmVTIpM-6cCfRCnAGBoyTvHt0nCjmlliKxe_B5MLi03wBYD2dAIZVCOTWIAVZU8WYjYBDjUZiTF43_sC2MJsTe9XPB1_LVZPpujkYk0xKuRcsccya24/s320/Missing+Characters+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>or who could be wandering around Adventureland...<br /><br />or perhaps, even a chance meeting down at The Lake Buena Vista Village (now I know, I am REALLY dating myself with this one!!!)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374433317833636322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63dOYo716ygXqiHnqOVZbJ1-lmNqKf5S9DLIgOtJOEOgk8jg8p1qRSN0UiTyxa96BouVTzkHD67ag3_ju5jYEo0zx4RG4tNKB0kYYXllUYkGeJVbgOnDGanfL1vOB0NmgUfV-v0Z5fPEp/s320/Missing+Characters+004.jpg" border="0" />But I think you guys get my point!!!<br /><br />With such a rich history of fantastical character creations...I would love to see a greater variety of walk around characters, I long for the days when you could meet just about any character from Disney's long list of Classic Films...just about anywhere!!!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Maybe even playing back up The BIG CHEESE himself...</strong><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374433603276664338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh1xPnmfFXp_jJQTYeLp7Wo9DD_KRxb8C_pWG5FkhjoeixMVQyb2jNNS-TVasVeeoDaQRVw_n9Y-yiTq6fOEy5NL19R-VIxg93OZmBNcJShnQnkHy9il0yYAjsOXXsp-vCbQMTnN7NjGN/s320/Missing+Characters+006.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div align="center">**************************</div><br /><div align="center">**************************</div><br />I am always looking for New, OLD photo's of the "LOST" Characters of Walt Disney World.<br /><br />If you are ever digging through your own secret stash of Vintage WDW photo's, and would not mind sharing, please shoot me an email...I am sure there are plenty of others here on The WED Page, who would love to see what kind of MAGIC you have to share!!!<br /><br />Until next week....<br /><br />~Tony</div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-17165164680318638942009-08-19T18:51:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:39:44.463-07:00Frontierland:The Rulers of Days Gone By!!!While "digging through the crates" last week, I stumbled across a little something that took me back...way back.<br /><br />I was sending my buddy Ryan, Editor-in-Chief at <a href="http://www.themainstgazette.com/">The Main Street Gazette</a>, a collection of Disney World songs, some rare and some out of date, that I had found online. As I was going through this collection, I came across one song in particular, that caused me to stop dead in my tracks. It was the Finale from The Country Bear Jamboree.<br /><br />Back before the days of Splash Mountain and even Big Thunder Mountain for that matter, there was an attraction that absolutely captured the imagination of three little boys from the Bronx...THE "E-Ticket" attraction of Frontierland, back in the day, was without question <strong>The Country Bear Jamboree.</strong>This weeks article is less about the show, which we all know and love, and more about a little boy (or three) who were obsessed with it.<br /><br />We had always loved the show while we were on our family vacations to Walt Disney World, but thanks to a very special gift from Santa Claus on Christmas morning 1976, our obsession was taken to a whole new level...<br /><br />Many people credit albums from their childhood or teen years for having a profound impression on them, an album that changed their lives. For some it was The Beatles, other had Jimi Hendrix or The Doors.<strong>For me...it was this album... </strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">(Please Note: LAUGHING WILL NOT BE TOLLERATED!!!)</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpF6IxD4V1B6e2_rKzSYxIaYDXr7YF-T_PVLl9E1mK_oDh5liln6wJGifbw5159Vf9jjiIeY8HSguGRNf835QFxsRUWAmnvX9gNCBm9XUDfKL_UECgXygOC11I4UWD5SUCBHuEWjjRFRQV/s1600-h/bearalbum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371861571339728626" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 312px; height: 295px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpF6IxD4V1B6e2_rKzSYxIaYDXr7YF-T_PVLl9E1mK_oDh5liln6wJGifbw5159Vf9jjiIeY8HSguGRNf835QFxsRUWAmnvX9gNCBm9XUDfKL_UECgXygOC11I4UWD5SUCBHuEWjjRFRQV/s320/bearalbum.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>THE COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE!!! </strong><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Now, at the tender age 6, I had amassed quite a collection of vinyl. That Christmas morning I added this album to that collection. Sandwiched on a shelf between a Jackson Five album and something by the Carpenters, this was now my prized possession.<br /><br />I can not say with accuracy, just how many times we played that album...it was certainly enough to know every song, word of word...and also enough to bring a grown man to tears (not sure if Dad looks back on those day as fondly as I do) but what I do know with certainty, in our room, it was on <em>maximum rotation</em>!!!<br /><br />To this day, I quietly sing every song, every word for that matter, right along with the Bears. If my brother Frankie is there with me...we just may sing it out loud!!!<br />Our love of the Bears didn't end there. Back in those days there was "Bear's Swag a Plenty" to be found in the Magic Kingdom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU4Uqw0niWeegvPW0mHWeCZSXYH1SBEglYMX6q4jvIhGv_mvyrRBZ1JjR8Kb8GtRKufMGV8Hn08c11CQYd37iz9ZVP3TlqebzNxgTz4KopFsb_P_TyGazcJqFJeJ0p22LbAMjBtApB4BO/s1600-h/BAlbertCountryBear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371865128656840850" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 276px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU4Uqw0niWeegvPW0mHWeCZSXYH1SBEglYMX6q4jvIhGv_mvyrRBZ1JjR8Kb8GtRKufMGV8Hn08c11CQYd37iz9ZVP3TlqebzNxgTz4KopFsb_P_TyGazcJqFJeJ0p22LbAMjBtApB4BO/s320/BAlbertCountryBear.jpg" border="0" /></a>We loved all of the critters in that show, but there was no one quite like Big Al...he was an absolute stud back in those days, a Magic Kingdom <strong><em>SUPERSTAR</em></strong>!<br /><br />There were Big Al plushes, Big Al books, Big Al buttons...and we had them all. He was the undisputed King of Frontierland and he ruled with an iron fist...er, paw!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje41scAVwx9wg3Ttsyx7jHWy3lprUwUKzomxedPkmdhVMNmx3oom4TxJSel3Zjp9nDPzjvrFop13sGIFkuyosUhcOvVQy315GaQpjvqxEAcibThNYCvgPkoUlOEpmMbIYHckm1Cm99q-6l/s1600-h/BIG+AL.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371865227945470610" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 299px; height: 288px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje41scAVwx9wg3Ttsyx7jHWy3lprUwUKzomxedPkmdhVMNmx3oom4TxJSel3Zjp9nDPzjvrFop13sGIFkuyosUhcOvVQy315GaQpjvqxEAcibThNYCvgPkoUlOEpmMbIYHckm1Cm99q-6l/s320/BIG+AL.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sadly, those days are behind us now. While you may come across the odd collectible or two, the "hey-day" of The Country Bears has long gone by. Not to mention the fact that The Country Bears has since departed from Disneyland. I certainly hope that same fate does not await them at Walt Disney World.<br /><br />One really neat little treasure that has been lost from WDW's Frontierland, used to be just next door in the Mile Long Bar. While I was thrilled with it's replacement (after all, who doesn't LOVE Pecos Bill's) I do miss seeing the boys, Melvin, Buff and Buck, singing their hearts out for the crowds as they exited the show.<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371869453216851394" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsk4W0t-5qE6tlG3YsBqAC60RHV23N6jVyEDRrc2byDRrodOwuPgu-ayiJc5eDI0nXzxxb6rVRFQHb1CuoC2hsZVN5zp-89AKvhKcT4-dD501TFGVnvwR6O-d506NH1h3mTNbFSXnjudR/s320/333035624_7da072b4a8.jpg" border="0" />There wasn't much to it really, but to see Audio-animatronics, outside of an attraction, was very cool to me. I can remember walking out the exit of Grizzly Hall, looking forward to seeing them "belting out a little ditty" for the crowd.<br /><br />As I had mentioned, I know the album word for word, but of all the songs in the show, I still get the most excited for the Grand Finale. I assume that if you are reading this Blog, you are well aquainted with these songs. The first song in the Finale is <em><strong>The Ballad of Davy Crockett</strong></em>, a classic by anyone's standards. The second song from the finale, is certainly the lesser known of the two. As a kid we always called it <em><strong>Bear Tracks</strong></em>. I had always assumed that it was written just for the show.<br /><br />Some of you may already know this, but during my research earlier this week, I discovered that, after almost 38 years of being The Country Bears biggest fan, that this song is actually titled <strong><em>Ole Slew Foot </em></strong>and is a Blue Grass Classic.<br /><br />I think that I have gone on about The Bears enough for one week.<br /><br />Whether you are a huge fan of The Bears, who checks out the show each and every trip or a rare patron of Grizzly Hall, I urge you to stop by and take in the show next time you find yourself in Frontierland.<br /><br />I hope you can see the MAGIC that captured three little boys back in the early 70's and possesses them, now grown men with their own little ones, to this very day.<br /><br />~ Tony<br /><br />PS. Here is just a little something to enjoy before you head off...a few videos to send some pixie dust your way.<br /><br />The first selection is The Country Bears Finale, taken for 1971 Demo Footage of the show.The second is a vintage video of a performance of <em>Ole Slew Foot</em> by Jim & Jesse, back in 1976.</div><div><br />'Til next week...Enjoy!!!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="364" width="445"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w3GrsefZ8bE&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="364" width="445"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KT5kU-Ff0s0&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KT5kU-Ff0s0&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="364" width="445"></embed></object></div></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-82209921126525474402009-08-12T08:20:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:40:30.306-07:00An "Out of Disney" experience...While <strong>The WED Page</strong> is offically dedicated to <em>"The Walt Disney World of the Past, Present and Future"...</em>not all Disney experiences happen at The World.<div><br />This past weekend I had one of my greatest Disney experiences of all time...and I was smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369617049140044466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 490px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12VkYxZamUNwSnjQSuIZIbg2fGzGkkDg1Xh-oIMQVnatp3QXFOK_0NwfwrhjEcxawc_Q_o1Ert7invCdwQ5G-bDaveET2gcEnNrfHMueNSfUj9nS7blhO5S27dcGnqDoaCTectl_z3w4P/s320/Meets+banner+final.JPG" border="0" /><br /><strong>Fred Block's MagicMeets</strong> was the absolute epitome of what the Disney experience should be...Good friends, great times and whole lotta magic!!!<br /><br />We arrived early so that we could help out with The Dream Team Auction. For those of you who do not know what the Dream Team is, it is a group started by Lou Mongello. It is a fund raising effort which helps to send sick children to Walt Disney World through the Make A Wish Foundation.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369617721967876274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4lXfQtxsioldqnSaflhEkgDVDhk8XVLfKbhkG9QQiQthDb5KPzxjJqC52PsKvhcIBUn9I73gIAJYN4zGUZHunmVpXiTbMgIpqOG4zCvXCAzu0A9kIEL9FCxzQdCUaB50G2cjJwfxDyiw/s320/IMG_7587.JPG" border="0" />This year marked the 4th Auction to benefit this effort, to be held at MagicMeets. The auction was actually the brain child of a great friend, Pat Whitson. Pat does all of the coordinating for the event....no small task mind you, but she does it in a manner that all of those around her see nothing but a smooth well oiled machine when the auction takes place...and for this we are all TRULY thankful to her. In addition to Lou and Pat, there are a whole host of others who dedicated their time and efforts to making sure that this dream becomes a reality.<br /><br />This years event raised $27,000 for The Dream Team Project...an absoulutely remarkable amount, which is a true testament to the generosity of the Disney Fan Community.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369617901745851874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4Y4garkAzzq30teGlwv2FbIWQl9JBW05EQAypV1cECXRO5G1y9NkNwUpdXV3UmDyo6fhuZ4HNcms5rKDdRJJM5Sj6ufsdUYamEvg2Sf04kwecXFFoUpcxTP6ZQ47eifserL-fD3umgEZ/s320/IMG_7626.JPG" border="0" /><br />The Dream Team Auction is only part of this great event. There was also a fantastic key note speech by Disney's CMO (Chief Magic Officer) Justin Muchoney. This was an incredibly inspiring event, and I hope that you all get the opportunity to hear Justin speak sometime...it is absolutely time well spent.<br /><br />There were also fantastic "Break-out" sessions, with presentations by Lou Mongello, Matt Hochberg, Mike Scopa, Deb Wills, Beci Mahnken, John Rick and others. I was not able to attend all of these, but the ones I did manage to make it to were great fun and very informative.<br /><br />I was also hoping to attend April and Janet Baker's Very Popular Scrapping Meet on Saturday evening, but two tired toddlers and standing room only right through Midnight, made it quite difficult...maybe next time!!!<br /><br />I heartily urge you all to try and make it , at some point, to a MagicMeets Event.<br /><br />Last week at this time, I already felt as though I was part of a special community. A wonderful group of people who, like me, had a special place in their hearts for everything Disney. This past weekend changed all of that!!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369619705383531058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAaR6inN9M818WlL66ItlVxVelDTum7agXWWUkL-n1raDa22_hdFYYOCOdMO5aoq14_vvDWnDQCxsUIsTHGNllDdWpeTBx5adcOlyR_ZPth9N3N1jhuTGKB95OD80QuFrFLgU0rxDQpzP/s320/IMG_7573.JPG" border="0" />More than just a "community", I now feel as though I am connected to an incredible group of friends who share the same love as I do. Some of these friends have become even more than that...they are an extension of my family and will be an integral part of my life and the lives of my wife and children for years to come...and for <em>THAT</em>, I am truly greatful and blessed!!!<br /><br />Please take the time to learn more about the great things that are happening with The Dream Team Project. You can connect to us through this link: <a href="http://www.wdwradio.com/Dream-Team-Project.html">www.wdwradio.com/Dream-Team-Project</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.wdwradio.com/Dream-Team-Project.html"></a>You can also find out more about the great times ahead at future MagicMeets Events at: <a href="http://www.magicmeets.com/">www.magicmeets.com</a><br /><br />I would like to take a second to thank everyone who I met this past weekend...it was great fun to meet face to face with so many of you who have friended me on Facebook or have been following here on The WED Page...please stay in touch and I will certainly do the same.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369619502905841970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmbv3DR6hmB9fd1z4jGPbqTXzkdT7v_LRBsO04Gq7w1kfY8K1_uWk4xMgJ40rWEb_zOKDkKDNcY-lXJIdtcLc_FIQpyHTTaYoCNvZ3xPc0cXnUvY0pemJECja67ZlQ459GiAbIF56TMy3/s320/dream+team.bmp" border="0" /><br />To <strong>The Dream Team</strong>, Valerie, Lesa, Steve, Lori, Linda, Kathryn, Terry, Cassidy, Tracy, Lou, Pat, Janet, James, Kathleen, Kate, Erica, Tracy S., Amanda and Brian...I can't thank you guys enough for helping inspire Charlene and I to make a difference...we cannot wait to see you all again, real soon!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>And to everyone who donated, whether it was at the auction, online or elsewhere...thank you for helping us make a difference!!! I will be back next week with an all new trip back in time at Walt Disney World...see you then!!!<br /><br />~Tony</div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-35847192419537379702009-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:44:28.407-07:00Looking to share OUR Walt Disney World memories...I just wanted to start off by thanking everyone who is taking or has taken the time to read my scribblings here for the past month.<br /><br />In my first post, I gave a brief description of what I hoped to do with <em>The WED Page</em> and what I thought I would share with everyone. To start off, the everyone I thought I would be sharing with has already grown to be more than I expected...The WED Page's Facebook Fan Page is already pushing 400 members, a number I never could have expected, especially in just 4 short weeks.<br /><br />In addition to the Facebook Membership, I have also received SO MANY great emails and messages from friends who have been touched in someway by the stories I have written and/or the personal memories they have brought to life. Some of those who have written, have also sent along incredible photo's of themselves from WDW vacations of long ago...and THAT is what has got me thinking!!!<br /><br />What I would REALLY love to do here on <em>The WED Page</em> is to make this experience even more personal, more of a sharing experience between myself and all of the readers.<br /><br />In a few weeks I will start posting photos from the readers (with their permission of course). These photos may coincied with an article you have read here, or may just be a great WDW photo that you would like to share.<br /><br />For example, I am going to start off with this photo:<div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365212289259027618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYJx_SN3tP-4088clBZVOdx9Sv2dP3m9xMf86USO90ievkXoXS4lpa0xJsqU-rmymAUVJR0j_AO-CVWnDEbA-yxI0FUOauu-llbhrQVzpjgUeAl5jT0DAyizEHK77xpo9L1jPQavjJt2I/s320/MAIN+STREET+1974.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />While I realize that it is fairly non-descript...this is, far and away, THE Walt Disney World vacation picture for me.<br /><br />It is just a photo of my younger brother, Frankie, and I sitting with our Mom, waiting for the parade to start on Main Street USA back in 1974. We are just sitting in front of The Main Street Bakery eating our ice cream.<br /><br />The funny thing about this photo is, if you ask Frankie to name any single picture, from any of the many vacations we have spent at WDW...THIS is the one he remembers the most as well!!!<br /><br />Maybe this isn't the kind of photo that you would expect me to post and go on about...it doesn't have any great extinct rides in it, nor does it have shows or characters of days gone by...although, I will admit, that I think it is a blast to check out the fashions of the day when you go through your "vintage" vacation collections (like that guy standing behind us in the very swanky plaid trousers and sportscoat in a pattern whose description eludes me at the moment OR those amazing pants that my little brother is wearing!!!!)<br /><br />But in the end...this is what <em>The WED Page</em> means to me...going back in time and finding the memories that matter most. Someone recently said that the best Walt Disney World memories are not thinking back on the time you got on Splash Mountain 11 times in a row without ever getting out of the log (yes, I did that back in 1993)...they are the quiet times, times spent in a far off corner of the World, times that were shared between just you and someone special to you....<br /><br />That being said, I certainly hope that more of you will take part in this little experiment, PLEASE feel free to email me stories and photos of your memories at Walt Disney World.<br /><br />They DO NOT need to be from 1971, but reach back and find something from your earlier experiences, one of the memories that got you HOOKED on Walt Disney World...<br /><br />Attach your name and a brief description and Email them to me, friend me on Facebook (if you haven't already) or join The WED Page Fan Page on Facebook...no matter how you choose to get them to me...JUST DO IT...join in the fun...it promises to be a good time!!!<br /><br />See you next week...<br /><br />~Tony</div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-87063083243864718392009-07-27T08:09:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:37:17.575-07:00A (recently) Extinct Attraction: The Mickey Mouse Revue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXb4V28UWBFm80_owZjf0KTrH3UOIr8NmJbz218rfzjeFn6ioeoREYa-EWUeQ5WmsauKRb2iZTXQu-BKz71dq24jv170wwP4DPRKQXkQjrGU5Rd6iuWRublaZYAb3FL5PPRsAgplTeAlSO/s1600-h/CURTAIN+MMR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363168829231819682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXb4V28UWBFm80_owZjf0KTrH3UOIr8NmJbz218rfzjeFn6ioeoREYa-EWUeQ5WmsauKRb2iZTXQu-BKz71dq24jv170wwP4DPRKQXkQjrGU5Rd6iuWRublaZYAb3FL5PPRsAgplTeAlSO/s320/CURTAIN+MMR.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had originally planned for a very different blog this week. But while surfing through some Disney News Feeds, I found some news that really bummed me out.<br /><br />While it may be old news to some, I just recently discovered that one of my <strong>ALL TIME</strong> favorite Walt Disney World attractions was about to go the way of the Dodo...<br /><br />Well, technically, it isn't a Walt Disney World Attraction...but it WAS!!!<br /><br /><em>The Mickey Mouse Revue,</em> which has been an attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Toyko Japan, since it was packed up and shipped out of Walt Disney World, is closing it's doors forever.<br /><br />I realize that I may be dating myself (especially since it left WDW on September 14th, 1980) when I tell you that this show was one of our family's must see's, every vacation.<br /><br />Even though it has been nearly 30 years (and it pains me to say that) , I can still remember it as though I saw it yesterday...<br /><br />The Revue will always be a true classic in my book...<br /><br />To begin with, name one other attraction that can boast such a star studded line up as the Revue?<br /><br />With characters from Disney Classics such as Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Song of the South, The Jungle Book, The Three Caballeros, The Three Little Pigs, Alice in Wonderland and Dumbo...and that's not to mention the Fab Five, Huey Dewey and Louie and even some lesser known characters such as Abner and Monty (The Country and City Mice).<div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363168921401164882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 402px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tEdMOdQgHQtyRmaqqWtVM3WL23nXrdxlY9HR23EAV0K7kp3qMwwJCEWiQYF37EalMFvHpJwHv8vYESYl-Uf2eAFVzHcAj-klsa2F9sk3wAmTlZKPtZioMMU8hexG0cI5gh4Zr1iPjnTf/s320/MMR_Orchestra.jpg" border="0" /><br />Now, I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way, as I am a <strong><em>HUGE</em></strong> fan of what we all have to enjoy these days at our Four Parks, but it would be nice to see a show, or attraction for that matter, with some "new" faces in it. I love what they have done at the parks lately, with the more "marketable" characters, but I wish that we had a chance to see more of the classics...more of the characters that got us all hooked on Disney in the first place!!!<br /><br />And with classic songs from all of the above films, this was a not to be missed attraction...<br /><br />I had always assumed I would get a chance to see it again when I, someday, visited Toyko Disneyland...but alas, that will unfortunately not be the case...<br /><br />I could drone on and one about the show, the songs, the characters, and how it made me feel, but instead I have decided to simply attach the footage of the Mickey Mouse Revue, from the Grand Opening of Walt Disney World Television Broadcast...<br /><br />For those of you who have seen this before, I am sure it will take you back in time...for those who have never seen it, I hope you can get a feel for just how special a show it was.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the show...<br /><br />And as always, feel free to drop in with a comment...I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on The WED Page!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zj2e0k4Lvr0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zj2e0k4Lvr0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div></div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-38943102074044823382009-07-20T10:01:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:32:22.083-07:00Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground..... A Long Lost Attraction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VHzZFWwvspS6hSkxPpthc2I0mACD5aKAy-J3KmYDpAm0WZpyXEJ27RdAzc-1soufrC3Na-p2y_TRDHM9RVPlP9zdflu5770VV_kzOU3u5msrKPEbKjLzs3_RPYIqJ_ReJoL9bauG0tzd/s1600-h/fortwildmickeynar2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360706677628978562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VHzZFWwvspS6hSkxPpthc2I0mACD5aKAy-J3KmYDpAm0WZpyXEJ27RdAzc-1soufrC3Na-p2y_TRDHM9RVPlP9zdflu5770VV_kzOU3u5msrKPEbKjLzs3_RPYIqJ_ReJoL9bauG0tzd/s320/fortwildmickeynar2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Let me start, right off the bat, by addressing your possible reaction to my title this week...<strong>Yes,</strong> Fort Wilderness Campground is still there, and <strong>yes</strong>, it is now, and has always been, a very popular destination at Walt Disney World!!!<br /><br />What I am refering to is a Fort Wilderness that existed a long time ago, in a much simpler "World".<br /><br />Every year, Mom and Dad would pack my 2 brothers and I into the plush and roomy back seat of Dad's 1974 AMC Hornet (that car was <em>one sweet ride</em>), and make the 1000+ mile pilgrimage down to a Walt Disney World that was a mere speck compared to the World we all know today. A resort <em>so</em> different, that most years we were lucky enough to spend a few days in <em>every</em> resort on property...<u>both of them!!!</u><br /><br />On these vacations, which usually lasted 10 days or so, we would hit the park (yes, I said <strong>park</strong>) almost every day. Disney World fans of today would more than likely go stir crazy if they were to spend all of their time in just one park, but back in the day, we were absolutely thrilled to do it...perhaps, it was because it was all we knew...even with just a single park, it was still, far and away, the most magical place you could ever think of.<br /><br />With up to 10 days to enjoy in The World, we were always on the lookout for new and exciting activities...one of our favorites was The Fort Wilderness Campground. Now, I know many of you have been there, many have stopped by for a night at The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review or maybe the Backyard Barbeque. But for us, Fort Wilderness was so much more...it was truely a must see attraction. As important to us as Space Mountain or in later years, Big Thunder Mountain (that bad boy didn't open until a few years into our relationship with The World...scary considering it is almost 30 years old now), a day at Fort Wilderness was one of the most magical moments of any vacation.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360709043445425586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiif2zoNCbNuxxjmMKOj2SPlX1d_hjEvkW0RXVpISdFySxKmXRAYNf8z8cBO5MzohyphenhyphenqwRMCJPiQB58FVXV9LmEkLOMXNbuKxht1syNXZzs0sss3WPaWubdVFcBCj7Ih8J0xvmGUo_8Ju3OV/s320/Ft+Wilderness+2.jpg" border="0" />Coming from New York City, (the Bronx to be precise) where we grew up, this was truely <em>THE WILDERNESS</em>. At least one day on every trip we would run down to the dock at our resort, hop on the launch and head over for a day in the great outdoors.<br /><br />My brothers and I could hardly wait to get down to the <strong>TriCircle D Ranch</strong> to visit the farm and pet the goats, sheep and other critters that called it home (This was also home, in later years, to the World Famous Minnie Moo). We would then head on over to the stables and saddle up for our very own cowboy adventure...(an adventure which became even more poignant, come 1980, when my Urban Cowboy obsession began...an obsession which is more than apparent my choice of head wear in these photos)...thinking back now, I can remember, more than once, peering down on alligators from the back of my trusty steed, as we would enjoy a trail ride through the campground and surrounding "wilderness".<div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360712150422452770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeuAqHzgtim4LvkNEH9eN36xRcsvbSOWyYUR19VwE_-qWuHQ_oxDpO8PIJsrtpbDX-lpw2tw4m0PvcWlp44auHhp8UHMAjLBiOKxqvK2X7B5QMNpu0jovItOOFw6FDx4qL40DOuNz-ryX/s320/minnie+moo.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360711108329005842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApFJREZxX3DcGGlbHMCLZXcQzB5urgD16oQxxcX-O9C761_Hts_pLx_quWHfYGAM4BCdqfEVz2g73Dy8AtgVnSeR4ORRi_DpnAJFD5e4d3cpxq6liuH0ZLKsbrh1cUyW8edqWlITXBZTf/s320/Ft+Wilderness+4.jpg" border="0" />But the GRAND FINALE of our day at Fort Wilderness, each and every vacation, was our feast (or at least that is how 3 young boys looked at it) at the <em>Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review</em>. I still to this day, sing along (under my breath, of course, so as not to scare off my fellow vacationers) to all of the classics songs at this amazing show.<br /><br />Now I could also go on and on about all of the good times we had at, what we considered our own personal swimin' hole, River Country, but I will save THAT one for another blog.<br /><br />The real point I am trying to make here, is that while I would never give up all that we have to enjoy nowadays at our World, I do sometimes long for the simpler pleasures of those Disney Vacations. Back before the days of "<strong>GOING COMMANDO</strong>" through the parks. A time when we could really enjoy the little things the resort had to offer. Amazing, hidden treasures that I still to this day dream about.<br /><br />Now that I myself am a Dad, I am trying to expose my own little guys to these wonderful, laid back, experiences of the World and I whole heartedly urge you to do the same...<em>slow down, snoop around, see what you can find</em>...there is so, so much out there that even many veteran Disney World Commandos don't know about.</div>Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2346307442952382053.post-33772651866340535472009-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:002009-08-26T22:25:00.438-07:00The WED Page...your invitation to the past!!!With all of the blogs and websites out there talking about Walt Disney World: past, present and future, some may ask "<em>Why start another</em>?" I have been asking myself that very question for several months now. The only answer I could muster up was, why not?<br /><br />I have been posting "messages" on Facebook to my friends, mostly in an attempt to share some of the photos and memories of my "relationship" with Walt Disney World. A relationship that may go back farther than that of some others and certainly involves as greater "percentage" of my own life than that of many. I was born in 1971, just 5 short weeks before the opening of <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358374840679634050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitufeXE7kzw_hTd_kD_IYjKIA2vVS3AoxoSPQafm_W6E46k1Ot-yacDY6_8DJBctB8V6uLlaqMjvaogoPTAuEOG949qeTc5IOjKtWsJNxVFusquxoepU9-LvqT0F-IrmJg1eaklNd_3tBb/s320/WDW+BACK+IN+THE+DAY...1974+001.jpg" border="0" />WDW, with my first trip just a few months there after. I have since been back every year, as many as 6 times a year, for almost 38 years now. Looking at that number written down is a bit scary, to be honest with you, I am not really sure how that happened, time certainly does fly on by!!! But on the "Upside", all of those years of running around "The World" offer me a rare opportunity to bring the rich history of the parks and resorts to all of you. Some of whom may have fell in love with it all just a few short years ago, as well as those of you, who like myself, have been going down for decades...and decades...and decades!<br /><br />The purpose behind this particular blog is to open up lines of communication between my friends, some "Disney Geeks" (you guys know who you are!!) and some not. Even those who are not as hard core about WDW as some of us are, may have been to The World on vacation, once, twice, perhaps a dozen or more times in their lives, and almost everyone, whether addicted to the "Magic" or not, will have some story of how it touched their lives, some memory that will last a lifetime and that will always be able to bring them back to a time of childhood innocence, when having FUN was really what life was all about.<br /><br />While I will be exploring, rather in depth at times, the history and lost treasures of everyones' favorite parks, resorts and attractions...I also look forward to the new discoveries, stories and more from all around Walt Disney World and it's online community.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1W6olbvd08JWn2WAGP-NRh1xd_rVbljweCmjNO_VANa-QifX775JYbgDzVHN-EHXy5UIcN1XvHYnLbyp6PCATbbX80aVYMvYFVLLfILHxal7sxkzDr9i3XLLcz2T5vEHnU_ZDBf56YiA/s1600-h/IMG_6498_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358382182902611730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1W6olbvd08JWn2WAGP-NRh1xd_rVbljweCmjNO_VANa-QifX775JYbgDzVHN-EHXy5UIcN1XvHYnLbyp6PCATbbX80aVYMvYFVLLfILHxal7sxkzDr9i3XLLcz2T5vEHnU_ZDBf56YiA/s320/IMG_6498_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Moving forward with this page, I hope that those who find themselves here...flipping through the stories and photos, do more than just take a peek and then fade of into the sunset.<br /><br />Please be part of the fun, please feel free to share your photos, stories and memories!!!<br /><br />Send me an email or even better yet, come by and friend me on Facebook...and become part of this incredible Online Community of Walt Disney World "Geeks."<br /><br />I have only been part of it all for a very short time, a few months really, but in that time I have made some fantastic friends, heard some incredible stories and shared alot of myself with those I have met and you could certainly do the same as well!!!<br /><br />So, once again, WELCOME to The WED Page...Tony Caggianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14720453498508684062noreply@blogger.com12