Update for October 9–15, 2006
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News and Views
Ohio family gets Magic Kingdom to themselves for a morning
Disney launched its “Year of a Million Dreams” campaign last Wednesday, as the lucky winners of the “Keys to the Magic Kingdom” sweepstakes walked down an empty Main Street, U.S.A. along a red carpet laid down the middle of the street. The only sound was the background music coming quietly from the speakers. They paused as they got to a piece of red carpet laid across the main path at Center Street, with the intersection marked with a star for an expected photo opportunity.
Suddenly trumpets blared a melody based on “When You Wish Upon A Star” and the Magic Kingdom announcer’s voice came over the speakers up and down the street. “Good morning, Tammy, Ray, Derick and Ashley, and welcome to your Magic Kingdom!” With those words, the Spangler family from Randolph, Ohio was surrounded by 2,000 screaming cast members and 80 characters who came streaming out of the shops on Main Street where they had been hiding out of view.
To the strains of “Be Our Guest,” the family was swarmed for several minutes until, accompanied by Minnie and Mickey Mouse and their VIP tour guide for the day, they headed to the wait time board at the end of Main Street to see the list of attractions with “No Wait” listed for each. They and their guide then boarded the Main Street Fire Engine to be driven to Tomorrowland, the first stop on their personal tour of the Magic Kingdom.
Highlights of their tour included a private trip on Space Mountain, riding Cinderella’s Golden Carousel with dozens of Disney characters and a voyage on the Jungle Cruise with Ashley driving the boat.
“This is beyond the dream,” Ray would sum up the experience. “This is something that you can’t even think of dreaming of, yet we have it. It’s unbelievable.”
While the Spanglers entered the park around 7:30 a.m. by themselves, the Magic Kingdom opened in phases, with Tomorrowland and Fantasyland opening at around 9:00 a.m. and the remainder of the park opening to the general public one hour later than normal, at 10:00 a.m. Other guests to the park were allowed to enter each land as the Spanglers completed their tour of the attractions there and moved to the next land.
The Spangler family walks down a deserted Main Street before their big surprise. Photo © Disney.
The family, Tammy and Ray, both 38, daughter Ashley, 11, and son Derick, 13, also enjoyed A Fairytale Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table, were named grand marshals for the Disney Dreams Come True parade, celebrated with an “unbirthday party” and finally enjoyed special seating for the evening’s showing of Wishes. And they had more time to enjoy the rest of the resort, as the full prize included a four-day, three-night stay at the resort, with a priority entrance pass (available with executive approval only) for the length of their stay.
Tammy Spangler said that she “hardly ever enter[s] these things,” but decided to enter anyway because it was for a Disney vacation. Out of the 50,000 online entries, hers was the one chosen.
As of October 1, Disney has begun giving away the 1.25 million prizes in the Year of a Million Dreams promotion. Dream squad members were distributing prizes, taking winners into special VIP rooms to open envelopes containing the larger prizes. (Even the Dream Squad members don’t know what the prizes are before the envelopes are opened.)
If any MousePlanet readers are winners, we’d love to hear about your experience. Write in and let us know!
TSA slightly loosens restrictions on liquids, gels
As of September 26 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adjusted the August 10 ban on liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on luggage and in the secure area. You may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size clear plastic resealable bag and, after clearing security, you can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
Remove the bag of liquids at the security checkpoint and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt to make it easier for the security officers to X-ray and visually scan the items. Larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must still be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening, and medication should still be in the original container with the passenger’s name on it.
The agency warns not to expect further easing of this policy in the near future. This policy affects all flights originating in U.S. airports. If you’re coming to Walt Disney World from overseas, you’ll still need to check on the rules in effect at your local airport.
For more information, see the announcement on the TSA’s Web site (link).
Castle suite update
The suite inside Cinderella Castle will not be opening until late January, but some details are beginning to emerge. When the prize-winning guests arrive at the parlor, bedroom and bathroom of the Castle Suite, off of a private marble-floored lobby four floors above the Magic Kingdom, they will find decor inspired by the 17th-century fairytale and the French chateaus that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle itself.
Two queen beds with fluffy feather comforters sit atop a cut-stone bedroom floor inspired by the mosaics designed by Dorothea Redmond that adorn the castle’s breezeway. The bedroom ceiling will feature twinkling stars that bring forth thoughts of pixie dust.
A sofa sit in the parlor beneath a vaulted ceiling. The walls feature wood paneling, stained-glass windows and glimpses of the gray castle “stone”. A 17th-century-style painting above the fireplace will actually conceal a modern flat-screen television. All furniture is in the style of the era of “the Louies,” according to Stephen Silvestri, the Imagineering show producer/director overseeing the project.
The bathroom will include hand-decorated copper basins atop the vanity, a lavish garden tub, plus a shower. The marble floor of the suite’s lobby will feature an inlay of the fairytale pumpkin coach, while an alcove will feature a glass slipper reminiscent of the story.
The elevator and the entire suite will be wheelchair accessible.
Expected to open to winners on January 25, eligible guests will be selected randomly by early in the afternoon on most days. (Some days will be reserved for special circumstances, such as winners of other contests.) The winning guest and up to five members of their party will begin their evening with dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Philippe Gas named worldwide HR head
On Thursday, Philippe Gas was named to replace Meg Crofton as Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (WDP&R) worldwide by Jay Rasulo, Chairman of WDP&R. Crofton recently left that position to take the job of President of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Gas, 43, a 15-year Disney veteran, will be reponsible for all human resources-related services for WDP&R around the globe, including employee/labor relations, diversity/inclusion, compliance, recruitment, Disney University training and development, organizational development, benefits and workforce planning. His position is responsible for nearly 100,000 employees worldwide.
Gas most recently served as Senior Vice President of International Human Resources for WDP&R.
The castle is getting a bright new coat of blue paint. Photo by Mike Scopa.
Coinstar to begin installing Disney rides outside theme parks
While it’s not like they’re installing copies of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or even one of the “spinner” rides, Coinstar will be installing the only Disney rides in the United States outside of the Disney theme parks. Coinstar – creator and manufacturer of all sorts of kiddie rides and other machines commonly found at the entrance to more than 60,000 retail locations including supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, convenience stores, and restaurants – has begun manufacturing rides featuring Disney characters.
The initial line incudes Mickey Mouse, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Pumbaa and Buzz Lightyear. Next year, characters from Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lilo & Stitch will join the line. Coinstar expects to install around 1,000 of the rides beginning this fall at toy stores and other mass merchants in select regions.
