I don’t know if I’ve ever done this before so it’s worth a try. Everyone does it so it must have some merit. I’m talking about looking back at 2006 and reflecting upon those Disney memories that will be forever etched in my mind. Of course along comes the looking ahead for 2007.
So indulge me as I share with you what 2006 will always mean to me.
2006 Walt Disney World Half-Marathon
Although I had been running for decades and had run some races here and there this was my first half-marathon. Marathon weekend is best described as the ultimate surreal experience. It’s next to impossible to not get excited the night before the race. Hopefully some sleep comes to the rescue.
First there is the 2 a.m. wake-up call; then the getting ready; putting on the gear; then of course arriving at Epcot before 4 a.m. It’s quite the scene to see thousands of people arriving at Epcot several hours before daybreak. Nothing quite gets the adrenalin flowing lie music, the excitement, crowds, and the notion of running 13.1 miles on WDW property. Trust me.
Of course I’ll always remember stepping on several pieces of clothing just before entering Magic Kingdom and some intense pain. I did not know then that I had broken my ankle. It didn’t matter. When you are never sure if you will get a chance to do something this special again you just keep going. That masked the pain as did the promise I had made to two friends saying I would meet them at the finish.
I remember a special moment at the finish line when we all hugged and shed some tears. That’s my most vivid memory of the 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon.
2006 Minnie Marathon Weekend
Not to bore you with more “Mike’s running memories” but this weekend was important in my getting back to running and training, for it helped me heal real fast. I did two races: a 5K and a 15K. Women’s heath was the focus that weekend and it had an impact on me, and I was very moved by all that I had learned.
The one moment I will always remember was during the 15K race. I think I was one of maybe 100 or so men who were running and one of the state troopers handling traffic said to me, “Oh a prince among princesses!” A woman’s voice called out to me, “So how does it feel to be one of the few men running in this race?”
Now we’re about six miles into this race and just entering Disney-MGM Studios. I turned to see where this voice was coming from and found this very elegant woman running right along with me. I committed a mortal sin and asked her for her age. She was 63 and proceeded to pass me. God love her. That’s what the weekend was all about—healthy women.
Of course my male ego took over near the Swan and Dolphin complex and I managed to catch up to her. I wanted to tell her “good luck,” and she smiled and waved at me as I passed her on the bridge. Still, 63 years old and running a 15K. Imagine being 63 and running that well.
Year of a Million Dreams announcement
I was lucky enough in June to attend the announcement of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion. It was pretty cool to fly in as guest of the Disney Company and put up in the Soho Grand.
Of course with all this hoopla came a responsibility, and that was my opportunity to discuss what works and doesn’t work regarding the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Program. I spent four hours with two of the most gracious people, Yadira Ambert and Greg Erhbar. I have never been treated so special in all my life and although my wife Carol had met these two people that day, it seemed we had known them for years. They made us so comfortable and we had so much fun together. Thank you Yadira and Greg, you are two special cast members.
I do think the Year of a Million Dreams promotion is a good idea. I agree 100 percent with my colleague Brian Bennett who said to me, “Perhaps this whole ‘promotion’ is just being used… as a ‘lever’ to get Disney’s management behind the kinds of friendly behavior and small giveaways that used to be commonplace. I expect that when the promotion officially ends that the attitudes instilled in cast members worldwide will remain in place and provide an even longer-term benefit for the Walt Disney Company.” I think Brian is right.
Regarding Jay Rasulo’s efforts, Brian also said, “He’s basically institutionalizing the spreading of pixie dust and Disney magic… He’s bringing back what used to be so special about the Disney parks—but so unusual everywhere else. Maybe, finally, Disney will start acting like Disney again… and our years of spending our time in a Disney-class park operated by Six Flags-class employees will finally be dropped in favor of Disney-class parks hosted by Disney-class Cast Members once again!” How true.
That trip to New York City will long be remembered.
Dismeets 2006
Who knew that Disney magic could be spawned somewhere other than a Disney theme park? Fred Block and his crew knew. In mid-July the Dismeets gathering in Allentown, Pennsylvania produced a special magical day. It was a day where 350 people got to interact and find out about so many things and learn how special Disney magic is. It was very much like a mini Mousefest.
Although an obvious highlight for me was the honor of being the first presenter and addressing an entire ballroom filed with Disney fanatics, I can never forget the end of the day when Lou Mongello held up a sign indicating how much money had been raised in a silent auction for the Starbright Children’s foundation. I was overwhelmed by the generosity. We’re talking over $3800 folks. How can I ever forget the feeling of generosity and warmth in that room? Of course it all started with Fred Block and Lou Mongello.
You can’t put a value on the emotions that run through your entire being when you witness the outpouring of generosity. It was a special weekend.
Free dining
Okay I decided to try it. Perhaps the fear of the “worse hurricane season in the history of mankind” had a lot to do with this offer of free dining being made last summer. So what did we get one or two hurricanes? Did we ever get pass the “C” names?
Anyway, I had never even tried the Dining Plan so this would give me some credibility when it came to making any commentary of the Disney Dining Plan and on free dining.
So here’s the deal, each day you are given a sit-down meal, a quick-service (counter) meal, and a snack. Sound good? Well, I never got to use every meal. When it comes to food, after the first three days of a WDW trip I tend to say “Timeout!” and end up just eating a fraction of what I had been eating the first few days.
Don’t get me wrong. Free dining is free dining and the Dining Plan is definitely worth it for many people, just not sure I’m one of them.
There were days when I didn’t want to spend time in a sit-down restaurant. This means I was not hungry and not willing to invest an hour to ninety minutes when I could be fighting Zurg, Soarin’ over California, or laughing at Fozzie Bear getting hit with a 3D pie.
I do think that everyone should try the Dining Plan once. Who knows, I may do it again some day.
Race for the Cure/Taste Weekend
I guess it started with the Minnie Marathon weekend and the awareness of the many issues health issues facing today’s women. I always saw myself as very informed in all areas. Not so. I learned so much and felt that I needed to help so I decided to see if I could help and raise some funds for the Susan G, Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The response from friends, readers, and listeners (on the WDWTODAY podcast) was overwhelming and all these wonderful people who were the real heroes in this effort. I was forever moved by everyone’s generosity and just have to think that somehow the money raised help someone’s wife, mom, daughter, aunt or grandmother in the future.
Of course, God forbid I run in a race without some type of injury. I pulled a hamstring some 25 yards before the finish. I should have learned from my little deal at the half-marathon that my stubbornness would not stop me from running in the Race for the Taste 10K the next day.
So looking back this year was all about running and helping others, but I could not have done it alone.
Mousefest
I’ve already shared my feelings about Mousefest in a previous column. I think the one thing that I cannot stress hard enough is that Mousefest is really a “Friendfest” and that it is a time to celebrate the joys of Disney and the joys of Disney friendship. It seems every year I look more and more forward to seeing friends than to hopping on my favorite attraction.
Mousefest 2006 was to me the real first Mousefest in which I really noticed many communities crossing over and enjoying each other’s meets.
Looking Ahead
It’s dangerous to look too far down the road and envision what lies around the next corner. So what’s ahead for 2007? I can’t help but think of the following:
- Looking forward to the 2007 WDW Half-Marathon which I will run during the weekend this column surfaces. I’m hoping this year’s race will be injury-free.
- The Princess and Pirate parties will soon be starting up. It remains to be seen just how well these parties will be received and if they will be worth the extra money. It seems like the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party seem to be offering less and less each year and I remember coining the phrase “the $50 cookie” when describing the MVMCP value. Let’s hope we all start getting our money’s worth this year.
- Perhaps 2007 will see Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally stepping up and becoming a real theme park. Expedition Everest continues to gain popularity and the new Nemo musical attraction and new sit-down restaurant can only make this theme park more palatable to yours truly. I still feel however that Beastly Kingdom needs to receive some attention. Time will tell.
- For 2007 I have a good feeling about one of the core attractions in Magic Kingdom. Sure I could mention which one I’m thinking of but let’s wait and see if we notice if the powers that be finally spend some time, effort, and funds into an attraction that has been neglected for so long. I?ve got this “haunting” feeling that it just might happen.
- Recently someone asked me for my opinion as to what may be the next big thing coming down the road. With the entire craze regarding Disney pins who is to say that we won’t see a line of Disney rings appearing soon? I keep waiting to see this happen.
- For those who will be visiting WDW this year take note that you may notice a slight increase in the crowds. I think there are fewer and fewer “off weeks” during the year than there were some five years ago. It seems every month there is something going on to draw guests to the House of the Mouse.
- Of course we’ll see how the Year of a Million Dreams plays out. I think it will do wonders for the guest experience and that’s what it’s all about.
Who know? I’m always saying to myself things like, “Okay this year put together columns that will make the readers laugh, cry, wonder, and help them in their Walt Disney World trip planning experience.” So that’s what I will try to do.
So looking ahead, I’m sure there are many surprises down the road and I’m looking forward to sharing them with everyone and together we will…
…remember the magic.
Happy New Year.
Next time
So what is this thing called a “podcast” and what do you do with it? Also, there is a rumor floating around that Mouseplanet will be launching their own podcast this month? Well perhaps it’s about time we look at this animal and see what it can do for us.
Until then class dismissed.
