This week’s mailbag is a grab bag of letters submitted to the mailbag and answered by yours truly. The topics range from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and beyond.
Leah Flanagan writes:
We were on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad this past Sunday night, the 8th of October, and it was stopped for “operational difficulties” (the fireworks started booming when we were in the tunnel). We had to walk out, and of course it was very exciting & my kids were thrilled. We were given a fast pass for returning the same day, but of course no guarantee the ride would reopen. (You’d think they’d give you a coupon for something more tangible, like an ice cream cone). Anyway, when we were being released from the train one of the kids asked the ride operator what happened. He said, “Someone was doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.” Is there some way to find out what happened? Although this is my son’s top favorite ride, I’m hesitant to ride again until I know what the problem really was. I didn’t find the walk out quite as “awesome” as the kids did!
Disney doesn’t usually release details of ride breakdowns; they’re more common than you’d think though. I wouldn’t worry too much about the malfunction. I haven’t heard of any other significant issues with Thunder recently.
Eric writes:
Do you have any information of the future of the Disneyland: Behind the Magic exhibit? Will it go on tour? Or has it been shut down for good?
As far as I can determine there are no plans to tour the exhibit. You might try contacting Exhibitour, who are the tour management group for The Henry Ford Museum, the entity who put on the exhibit originally. The contact information is below:
Timothy J. Chester
Senior Museum Advisor, ExhibiTour LLC
30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 220
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
616-791-9960
tchester@exhibitour.com
You can also go to the official exhibit Web site here.
If you’re anywhere near the Seattle area, there is an exhibit at the Experience Music Project called “The Music Behind the Magic.”
David R. and ML Compton both wrote in response to Andrew’s letter about his experience at Blue Bayou that appeared in a previous mailbag.
David R. writes:
I read the review of Blue Bayou the veggie guy’s view, and I have to say he needs to read the menu better. First off I ate with 2 veggie heads a month ago at the Bayou. We did the same song and dance, but I noticed key words on the menu, which had us asking questions.
First off the salad is marked as being Cajun-inspired. The added word “Cajun” inspired should have set off one question. What is Cajun-inspired wedge salad? As for anything on the whole menu unless stated a veggie dish. When I asked I was told about all the ingredients most of the items had in it. As for the review of this dining experience, it sounds like you had a bad time, but as for a reviewer next time you should bring your glasses.
ML Compton writes:
I was sorry to read the letter from Andrew S. and his poor experience at the Blue Bayou restaurant in Disneyland. I have eaten at the restaurant three times since it has reopened and have had great meals all three times. The second time I ate there, I also ordered the mushroom and couscous dish.
When I ordered the salad, our waiter brought up the fact that there was meat in it “just in case I was a vegetarian since I order the mushroom dish.” And both the salad and the mushroom were delicious and prepared fresh and hot. The same thing happened the third time I ate there when my friend ordered the same dish. So it sounds to me like Andrew just happened upon a bad waiter. It’s unfortunate because I think the Blue Bayou is now a much better restaurant than it was before. Both the food quality and the service have improved tremendously since the change. I would rather pay the price increase for freshly made food than pay the slightly cheaper price for the pre-made food the earlier menu had.
Thank you for sharing your experience at the Blue Bayou. Perhaps it was just a single incident of bad service when the waiter didn’t mention the meat in the salad.
I have yet to eat at the revamped Blue Bayou, but I have mostly read positive reviews.
In that same previous mailbag, Jeanne wrote in asking about the paint at Disneyland. Two readers, Jon and Anna, responded with possible answers.
Jon Crowley writes:
I don’t know if this is true, but here’s what I once heard…
About six years ago, I wrote, produced and directed a documentary on the life of Walt Disney for NBC News (under the show banner, “Headliners & Legends”). Ultimately, it never aired as NBC was scared of being sued by Disney (all the Disney-owned footage was going to be aired under ‘fair-use’ rights). Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Rolly Crump, Sam McKim, Alice Davis, and Marc Davis were all in the show.
I think it was Rolly that told me that marine (latex) paints were once used on the exteriors because they were formulated for boats that spend all their time in harsh elements (sun & water). They also provided a glossy look that looked good in the Main Street environment. The marine paint also lasted a long time before needing a ‘re-do.’
I have no idea if this is the case, but it sure did sound logical. (I love your site, and look forward to Monday morning’s park update)
Thank you so much for writing in with a response to the paint question! I don’t know if it’s still the case that they use marine paint, but I haven’t gotten very many responses, so it’s as good as any. That documentary must have been a fascinating endeavor; what a shame it never aired. Are you still with NBC now?
Thanks for the letter, and for being a faithful reader!
Anna Bird writes:
One of your readers asked what kind of paint they used on Main Street in Disneyland and how often they touched up. I don’t know the type of paint and I can only tell you about touching up in Epcot. I have been constantly amazed at how often they touch-up. One week I had an early, early shift (7 a.m.) and the painters were all over the place touching up. This one painter touched up the wall at the African trading post every single morning as I walked by. This week I was staged at Norway and a painter was touching up the grates below the doors that go into the attraction. He told me they use a special automotive paint because it lasts longer. There were painters hanging on the lampposts painting that morning too. Disney believes in keeping everything looking its best.
Thank you so much for sending in your response. Another reader sent in a letter that he thought Disneyland had used marine paint at one time. Marine paint and auto paint both seem to make sense, given their ability to last longer in the elements.
Roger writes:
I’ve read the posts on the Jedi auditions for Disneyland and also read about the Buzz stage being replaced. I might have missed them, but are there any pictures on the progress of their work on the Jedi Stage, and is it still opening in October some time? Thanks for all the great info and resources you provide on this site.
Sorry for the delay getting back to you. The stage renovations are complete and the Jedi Academy is open for business. Here’s a picture of the stage in its closed position:
Here’s another photo submitted by a MousePad poster of a young trainee in action.
Now we move on to letters related to the Walt Disney World resort, starting with Mary Jo, who writes:
We have stayed at both Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter and would not stay at any other moderate. I have heard that the recent (much needed) refurbishment at Caribbean Beach really made the facilities better but the place is extremely spread out. Without a rental car I wouldn’t want to stay there. I really liked the landscaping at Riverside—very beautiful and romantic but I still prefer French Quarter. I like the pool area better and the food court is much better. Not to mention the delicious beignets. The area is not as confusing as Riverside. The boat service to marketplace is much better now than just a few years ago and the bus service has never been a problem.
Thank you for sharing your views on the moderate resorts. I haven’t stayed in the French Quarter since they remodeled it, but my stay there back in the late ’90s was a memorable one. I too love the more intimate feel of the smaller French Quarter even though the landscaping at Riverside is wonderful.
Amy writes:
I have a question that I’m hoping someone might have the answer to. At Epcot, maybe 15-30 minutes before Illuminations begins, all around World Showcase a song plays and it’s absolutely wonderful. It has bagpipes in it (that’s my favorite part and the only part I seem to really remember). Do you have any idea what it’s called or where I might be able to find it? Any information would be fantastic. Thanks!
You’re in luck! I did some searching online and found this great page at Amazon.com. All of the tracks are listed there, along with links to what is available at Amazon.com. I’m not sure which track you are referring to in your e-mail, but if you saw the show before July 2004, I’m guessing it’s the track “Superwasp/Along the Coast of Norway/Neckbuster” from the group Seelyhoo.
Best of luck!
Ronda Swanson writes:
Love your column! We will be at Walt Disney World 9/26-10/2 for our first stay at the Polynesian Resort. Any recommendations on longhouses? Our 10-year-old is autistic and we need a quiet (smoke-free) place. Also any updates on the remodeling?
All refurbs at the Polynesian (with the possible exception of Captain Cook’s) should be done before your vacation in September. I have never stayed at the Poly, so I’m afraid I can’t provide any recommendations. You might call the Poly and let them know your circumstances; they might be able to give you a recommendation. Another option is to check out Steve Seifert’s outstanding Tikiman site, which is the authoritative site on the Poly. The Web site is at Tikiman.net. Emailing Steve might also help you make a decision.
Thanks for reading and writing to MousePlanet! I hope you have a great trip.
