The Disney Frontier Blog

Thanks Jim! YouTube - A Wild Adventure.

Check out the Cheetah Girls as they ride Expedition Everest. They are definitely having fun! Thanks to Lauren for point us to this video.

Bummer: The video has been taken down.

The first time you see the Turtle Talk with Crush show, you will be in awe. Watching this video shows a little bit of how that magic is made.

via The Disney Blog

I previously blogged about a Vintage Disney World Map I found on Widen your World. I asked for more info on the map as I hadn’t seen it before and it looked very interesting. Quite a few readers chimed in with comments saying it was from the Contemporary and Polynesian resorts. Now, if you are willing to be the high bidder, you can have a replica for your house. Here are some details:

Rare Walt Disney World Wall Map Reproduction from 1970’s

• This is an excellent Reproduction of the beautiful wall maps that were on the walls of all Contemporary and Polynesian Resort rooms from the opening of the resort in 1971 until the early 1980’s when Disney Refurbished the rooms
• Map includes the Phase 1 Resorts (Polynesian and Contemporary) and Phase 2 Resorts (Venetian, Persian and Asian) that were never built
• Map includes all land from the Magic Kingdom down to the Parking lot and from the Golf Resort and Golf Courses to Bay lake, Treasure Island (later to become Discovery Island) and Fort Wilderness
• Includes details such as the STOL port, Western River Expedition that became Big Thunder Mountain, 20,000 leagues under the sea and countless others
• Very Rare-Originals have been listed on Ebay in recent months for over $100,000, the only other that I know of is on the wall of the Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island, and I have heard that even it isn’t original
• A must have for any Disney Collector
• If you have any questions please email me before Bidding

Map Details

• Map is reproduced on Heavy Canvas and is ready for framing
• Image size is 54″ x 42″
• Canvas size is 58″ x 46″ Includes 2 inch border for framing
• Pictures 1-6 are of the map
• Pictures 7 and 8 were taken by my Dad in 1976 and show the original wall map on the wall of a Contemporary Guest Room
• Map will be rolled and shipped in shipping Tube

From the China Pavilion in Epcot. via Robert Payne.

I just found out that there are power poles in the Orlando area shaped like Mickey heads. I did a quick google search and came up with this.

Via Burnsland

The Harpoonist has taken 12 of her books on a trip to Florida including the Kennedy Space Center and Walt Disney World. She is taking pictures of the books on all our favorite attractions. Check it out.

Walt Disney World is asking Mom’s to join in on educating guests. They are looking for 10-12 individuals - I would assume females since the site is called Walt Disney Moms - to help with a new forum set to launch in 2008. Here is some copy from their site:

Have you and your family experienced Walt Disney World® Resort? Are you a self-proclaimed expert on all there is to see and do? Well, if so, then we’d like to hear from you!

Walt Disney World Moms Panel

LaughingPlace.com blog True-Life Adventureland has six tips for the Walt Disney World fans traveling to Disneyland for the first time.

LaughingPlace.com: Disneyland for Disney World Lovers (True-Life Adventureland)

I think the tips are spot on. And I totally think that the ferris wheel (Sun Wheel) in California Adventure is the scariest Disney attraction.

Jason Wood, you just won a game for the Marlins with your first pinch home run in the major leagues.What are you going to do now?

Get up early this morning and drive to Disney World, believe it or not.

“My wife and I have been before, but our three girls never have,” Wood said Wednesday afternoon after his three-run homer propelled the Marlins to a 5-4 win over the White Sox. “Pretty good timing, huh?”

The combination of a Marlins off day and Daniela Wood’s fourth birthday on Father’s Day sparked the idea. Her father’s unlikely heroics should make everything from the drive to the lines seem shorter.

FishStripes :: A Florida Marlins Blog

A former cast member describes the tunnels under the Magic Kingdom and even provides a map. Take a look.

Tags: WDW,Tunnels, Disney

About.com has some nice photos of Disney’s Pop Century Resort. While their web pages make it difficult to flip through the photos very quickly, use can see in and around the hotel, meals served and old souvenirs.

Rubix Cube at Night: Photos of Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Walt Disney World, Florida

Which is awesome!!! Nothing would kill the Disney magic more than checking into your room and smelling that foul odor of stale cigarette smoke. Via the USA Today

ZAGAT RELEASES WALT DISNEY WORLD - “INSIDER’S GUIDE”

COVERING 578 ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS & HOTELS IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM, EPCOT, MGM STUDIOS, ANIMAL KINGDOM, AND THE WATER PARKS

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Soarin’ at Epcot Ranks as Most Popular Attraction

Victoria & Albert’s Leads for Dining Establishments

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Top Hotel Overall

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NEW YORK, NY. April 25, 2007 – With the summer travel season around the corner, Zagat Survey today announced the release of its first Walt Disney World Insider’s Guide. Based on the experiences of 4,841 avid Disney-goers, the guide comprehensively rates and reviews all six of Disney’s Orlando theme parks for just about everything one might want to do while visiting — including rides and attractions, shopping, dining, nightlife, golf, hotels, resorts and even the Disney Cruise Line. It also features tips on how to save money and minimize waits for rides and attractions. And because of the diversity of Disney visitors, the guide rates every attraction for both “Adult” and “Child Appeal” and provides a rating especially for those “Thrill” seekers.

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“ ‘Overwhelming’ used to be an understatement when one talked about deciding what to do at Walt Disney World,” said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey. “But now, thanks to the input of nearly 5,000 surveyors, this comprehensive guide ensures all visitors can make the most of whatever time they have here at Disney.”

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Disney Lovers Love Disney: The facts and figures about the surveyors for the Walt Disney World Insider’s Guide make one thing very clear – Disney World is widely loved and can be visited again and again and again. In a previously published Zagat Survey, Walt Disney World was ranked the Most Popular Attraction in all of the United States. While 48% of surveyors say the Magic Kingdom is their favorite park, Epcot runs a strong second with 36% of the vote. Lest one thinks Disney World is only for families or kids, 86% of surveyors say they’ve visited as an adult without children.
Starting Young, Staying Long and Going Far: For the vast majority of our surveyors, the Disney “bug” arrived early. One-quarter say they first visited Disney World by the time they were five years old; 55% had done so by age 12; and 62% by the time they were 15. And for most surveyors, it seems there’s no such thing as too long a visit to Disney World. Surveyors spend an average of five days there per visit and 77% plan to return within a year.

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About The Rides: Among surveyors, 61% say that almost all of their time is spent on attractions and rides. For Adult Appeal, the Animal Kingdom’s colossal coaster Expedition Everest earned the top spot while the dazzling, pyrotechnic Wishes Nighttime Spectacular in The Magic Kingdom was tops for Child Appeal. Not surprisingly, the fastest rides scored highest for both Adult Appeal and Thrill Rating. In addition to Expedition Everest, these include: Disney-MGM’s Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, Epcot’s Mission: SPACE, a space flight simulator also known as “the vomit comet”, and The Magic Kingdom’s iconic roller coaster, Space Mountain.

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Where Old and Young Collide: Despite the parent-child divide, one ride manages to please everyone – Epcot’s Soarin’, a virtual hang-glider tour. In addition, there are several other attractions that earn high popularity with visitors of all ages. These include: The Animal Kingdom’s “Broadway quality” Festival of the Lion King, the “authentic, African photo safari” Kilimanjaro Safaris (also at the Animal Kingdom) and The Magic Kingdom’s “always a scream” Splash Mountain. The following chart of Top Attractions illustrates why it’s important to separately consider adult and child tastes:

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Adult Appeal                                                       Child Appeal

1. Expedition Everest (DAK)                                 1. Wishes Spectacular (MK)

2. Soarin’ (EC)                                                       2. Turtle Talk with Crush (EC)

3. Cirque du Soleil (DD)                                 3. Buzz Lightyear’s Spin (MK)

4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (MGM)                      4. Playhouse Disney (MGM)

5. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (MGM)           5. SpectroMagic Parade (MK)

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Dining at Disney: With hundreds of dining options to choose from there is literally something for every taste at Disney World. And while there’s no shortage of fast food, there’s also a plethora of other healthier options. These range from Epcot’s 11 World Showcase pavilions which offer numerous different cuisines (from German to Moroccan to Japanese) and upscale choices like Victoria & Albert’s, Jiko in the Animal Kingdom and California Grill at the Magic Kingdom’s Contemporary Resort. There are also celebrity chefs like Todd English and Wolfgang Puck, and celebrity owners like Gloria Estefan and Don Shula. There’s room service in the “Deluxe” resorts, pizza-delivery at the “Value” spots, and pretty much everything in between.

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Most Popular                                                       Top Food

1. California Grill (MK)                                 1. Victoria & Albert’s (MK)

2. Le Cellier Steak (EC)                                 2. California Grill (MK)

3. 50’s Prime Time (MGM)                                 3. Jiko (DAK)

4. Boma (DAK)                                            4. Boma (DAK)

5. Jiko (DAK)                                                       5. Yachtsman Steak (EC)

6. Hollywood Brown Derby (MGM)                      6. Todd English’s bluezoo (Epcot)

7. Victoria & Albert’s (MK)                                 7. Artist Point (MK)

8. Flying Fish Café (EC)                                 8. Flying Fish Café (EC)

9. Chefs de France (EC)                                 9. Ghirardelli (DD)

10. ‘Ohana (MK)                                           10. Boulangerie Patisserie (EC)

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Dining with Your Favorite Character: Everybody has a favorite character (37% say Mickey and 11% say Goofy). And there’s nothing like enjoying a meal with your favorite character at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, Goofy’s Liberate Your Appetite at Liberty Tree Tavern, Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus in Epcot’s Norway Pavillion, Playhouse Disney’s Play ‘n’ Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney-MGM, and for Donald Duck fans, Donald’s Breakfastosaurus at Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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As for the Shopping: Whether your taste runs to Moroccan rugs, Mikimoto pearl necklaces or Disney branded custom Croc sandals, you can find it at Walt Disney World. The biggest retailer in the Magic Kingdom is the usually super-busy Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., but for one stop shopping there’s also World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace, which boasts over 50,000-sq. ft. of retail space. In addition to the variety of Disney branded opportunities, including the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where girls ages three and up are dressed to look like princesses, there’s also LEGO Imagination, Virgin Megastore, Sosa Family Cigars, Magic Masters, and a host of other fine shops.Â

Most Popular

1. World of Disney (DD)                                 6. Animation Gallery (MGM)

2. Disney’s Days of Christmas (DD)                      7. Once Upon A Toy (DD)          Â

3. Art of Disney (multi. locations)                      8. Disney Studios (MGM)                     Â

4. Emporium (MK)                                            9. LEGO Imagination (DD)

5. Mousegear (EC)                                           10. Disney’s Pin Traders (DD)

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Still Up for a Night Out?: After all that, there’s still potential partying to do and that’s why the new Disney Insider’s Guide rates and ranks a variety of nightlife opportunities. From drinking one’s way around the globe at Epcot’s World Showcase to drinking kitschy cocktails amid Tinseltown trappings at Disney-MGM’s Tune-In Lounge or enjoying an African sunrise at the Animal Kingdom’s Dawa Bar, there’s always plenty to choose. And if all the sports bars, comedy clubs, Irish pubs, pool bars, and dance halls don’t entice you, names like Jellyrolls, Magic Mushroom Bar and River Roost may. Here are a few top-rated examples:

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Top Appeal                                                       Top Decor

1. Raglan Road           (DD)                                            1. Adventurers Club (DD)

2. Adventurers Club (DD)                                 2. Raglan Road (DD)

3. Narcoossee’s (MK)                                            3. Victoria Falls (DAK)

4. Comedy Warehouse (DD)                                 4. Tune-In Lounge (MGM)

5. Jellyrolls (EC)                                            5. Magic Mushroom Bar (DD)

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A Good Night’s Rest: When all is said and done, not to mention ridden, eaten, shopped and danced, there’s nothing more important than a good night’s rest so the Disney visitor can get up and do it all again. According to the survey, 68% stay at an on-property Disney-owned hotel. The Insider’s Guide rates and ranks everything from the Deluxe hotels like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts to the Vacation Clubs like Disney’s Old Key West Resort or the Villas at Wilderness Lodge to the Campgrounds like Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. And with ratings for Top Rooms, Service, Dining and Facilities, visitors are certain to find what they need. Here are a few of the better bets:

Top Rooms                                                       Top Service

1. Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (DD)                      1. Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (MK)

2. BoardWalk Inn (EC)                                            2.  Wilderness Lodge (MK)

3. Old Key West Resort (DD)                                 3. Animal Kingdom Lodge (DAK)

4. Yacht Club Resort (EC)                                 4. Yacht Club Resort (EC)

5. Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (MK)           5. Polynesian Resort (MK)

Additional Details: In addition to everything else, the new guide also includes sections on Disney Golfing and the Disney Cruise Line. And like all Zagat Survey guidebooks, this one is loaded with helpful lists and indexes. For example, Attractions are broken down by type (Animatronic, Fireworks, Roller Coaster, etc.) as well as by special features like Rainy Day Appropriate, Teens Too and Educational. Dining is divided into lists by cuisine, as well as such features as Dining Alone, Family-Style, Notable Chefs, Outdoor, Romantic and many more.  For Nightlife lovers, the lists tell you whether it’s for Dancing, Quiet Conversations or great Views. Shopping is divided into categories by product and the Hotel lists mention special amenities from Spas and Jacuzzis to Fishing and Sailing. And every section includes Zagat Top Lists of favorite places.

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The Walt Disney World Insider’s Guide ($15.95) was edited by David Downing. It is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through ZAGAT.com or by calling 888/371-5440.

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About Zagat Survey, LLC

Zagat Survey is the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content. With more than 250,000 surveyors, Zagat Survey rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories. Zagat content is available in print, on the Web, on the Palm and Windows Mobile operating systems, on BlackBerry, on mobile phones, and on TV. For more information, visit www.ZAGAT.com.

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Trust me, it’s a lot more interesting and entertaining then the title gives credit.

You can watch more from Rich using his YouTube Playlist.