Tuesday Trivia - Adventureland Fun

The crocodiles that guests encounter on the Jungle Cruise in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom are named Ol' Smiley and Ginger. Whatever you do, don't forget that "Ginger Snaps."

Tuesday Trivia - Epcot Construction

During the park construction of Epcot at Walt Disney World, more than 54 million tons of earth were moved.  It took more than 3 months to pump in all the sand required to fully cover the bed of the World Showcase Lagoon.
 

Tuesday Trivia - Disney Cruise Line's Special Paint

Did you know that each ship in Disney Cruise Line's fleet (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy) are painted with a special coating on the hull that is 100% non-toxic?  It's true.  This special paint is just another part of Disney's commitment to the environment, which is a benefit to the seas that the ships sail in;  plus, as an added benefit, the special paint increases each ship's fuel efficiency while at sea.

 

Tuesday Trivia - Game Time

Game on, sports fans!  Did you know that each of the ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet have a dedicated sports pub onboard?  True that!  Diversions on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, 687 on the Disney Dream and O'Gill's on the Disney Fantasy are laid-back locations filled with screens airing a multitude of live events being broadcast at just about any time.  These spots are ideal for watching football, with up to six games shown at the same time - but it's also ideal for watching baseball, basketball and occasionally even hockey.  If there's a specific game you're interested in, be sure to ask about it at the door.  And oh yeah, there's even an occasional mini-buffet with great game-time food such as wings, hot dogs, and of course plenty o' beer to wash it all down with. The food is free, the suds are extra. Be sure to check it out the next time you sail with Disney Cruise Line!

Tuesday Trivia - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

After nearly 10 years of planning, and 18 months of construction, the Magic Kingdom's version of the Frontierland classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1980.  Designed to resemble the look of Utah's Monument Valley, more than 650 tons of steel, 4.675 tons of specially formulated "mud", and more than 9,000 gallons of paint brought "the wildest ride in the wilderness" to life in Central Florida. Construction costs for the attraction came in at about $17 million, the cost to build Disneyland back in 1955. To lend an air of authenticity in set designs, the Imagineers spent more than $300,000 alone on decor items such as the ore-hauling wagon, double-stamp ore crusher, old mill ball and wooden mining flume. 

Tuesday Trivia - Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly known as Cinderella's Golden Carousel), was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, but it was certainly not a new carousel.  The 90-horse masterpiece was found and purchased by Disney Imagineers in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1967.  It had been spinning in Olympic Park for more than 39 years, but was originally built and placed into use in Detroit, Michigan in 1917.  The original "Liberty" carousel was in a good state of disrepair and required restoration and preservation.  The band organ that adds classic Disney sounds to the attraction is the original instrument.  The horses, made of hard maple, are also original, having been stripped down, restored and repainted, and they come in five different sizes, with the largest on the outer rows. 

Tuesday Trivia - Golden Horseshoe Revue

Disneyland's "Golden Horseshoe Revue" truly was a record-breaker.  The show, located inside the heart of Frontierland, premiered the day PRIOR to the park's Grand Opening July 17, 1955 for a special performance for various corporate sponsors who came along and helped Walt Disney get the park built.  The show was an Opening Day attraction, and ran continuously until October 12, 1986 when the curtain finally came down for the last time on the original production, enjoyed many, many times by Walt Disney himself, from his box at stage right.   With more than 43,000 performances, the Golden Horsehoe Revue was listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the longest-running show in history. 

Tuesday Trivia - Ships of the Disney Cruise Line

Did you know that there is enough cable onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder to run an extension cord between Texas and Michigan... 1,367 miles worth!  And there's even more on Disney Cruise Line's newer ships the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy!  

Tuesday Trivia - United Kingdom Pavilion

The United Kingdom pavilion found in Epcot's World Showcase features eight different architectural styles for a tour of the islands that make up the U.K.  Styles include:  London Victorian, Yorkshire manor, Tudor, Georgian, Hyde Park, Regency and Shakespearean cottage.  

Tuesday Trivia - it's a small world holiday

Since 1997, Disneyland has been delighting guests with the super popular seasonal transformation of the quintessential Disney theme park attraction, it's a small world with it's a small world holiday.  The overlay isn't just to the exterior as seen above however - but is completed on the inside as well, including a specially modified soundtrack incorporating "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" into the traditional it's a small world melody.  Now into it's 16th season, this park tradition is a more than just a fan-favorite, it's definitely a reason to visit the park!  Below enjoy some fun facts and a video that were originally shared & published on the Disney Parks Blog last year on December 7, 2011. 

it's a small world holiday fun facts, 

as originally published and shared on the Disney Parks Blog, Dec. 7, 2011

• “it’s a small world” Holiday – The holiday version of this Disneyland classic debuted in 1997. The original attraction was inspired by Mary Blair’s storyline: a group of housebound kids on a rainy day create an international art project using all their dolls, toys and decorations.
• All That Glitters – Each holiday season, an estimated 50,000 Christmas lights are installed on the façade. The breathtaking and intricate lighting design calls for six brilliant colors that interplay with clear twinkling lights. The nighttime splendor comes aglow with more than 300,000 watts of light.
• Yuletide Treats & Merry Surprises – As you float along the canals of Europe, the scent of freshly cut pine lingers near a 20-foot Christmas tree in a scene that pays homage to “The Nutcracker.” The sweet smell of candy canes will tantalize as you pass by Italy’s hanging candies. (Both are enhanced aromas, added to the attraction.) Merry bubbles float down as you voyage through the South Seas, where a plate of fish has been left out “for Santa” (by Ariel and the mermaids).
• A Sparkling Seasonal Wish – Wishing you “Happy Holidays” in the attraction’s final scene is a 14-foot sparkling snowman, dressed in his wintery best with a gold top hat, golden scarf, and hundreds of twinkling lights. A frosty snowflake mobile twirls over his head, flickering with an icy translucent glow. The snowman’s “Happy Holidays” sign is a jolly sight, too. It’s sculpted out of ice that changes color.
• Storage Space – 100 percent of the holiday overlay props and scenic elements used are actually stored inside the attraction all year ‘round!
• Up On The Housetop – Santa’s reindeer can fly to the top, but the elves that make holiday magic at “it’s a small world” Holiday use four high-reaching lifts, including one that stretches to 80 feet into the air. Riggers repel off the back wall using special safety rope access.
• Secret Elf Society – It takes 12 Technical Services cast members 5 nights a week for 7 weeks (35 days!) to install the glittering yuletide façade. Inside the attraction it takes more than 20 Technical Services cast members 18 days in a row to decorate the holiday attraction’s dazzling interior!
• “Fa La La La La” – The attraction’s soundtrack is a merry mix of “Jingle Bells” and “Deck The Halls” in counterpoint with the classic “it’s a small world” tune. Children’s voices sing along in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Scandinavian languages. If you listen closely, you’ll hear the South Seas Mermaids singing their own holiday carol: “Jingle Shells.” Holiday greetings in many other languages – French Canadian, Dutch, Chinese, Asante (of Ghana) and Hawaiian to name a few – can be discovered on banners and signs throughout the entire attraction.

as reprinted from the Disney Parks Blog © Disney

Tuesday Trivia - Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional first premiered at Disneyland in December 1958.  This parade of of carolers illuminates the Magic Kingdom with the glow of a thousand candles and the music of a thousand voices, as the performers process down Main Street, U.S.A. to then mass in front of the Train Station, with the "Living Chistmas Tree" at the center (made of participants from the Disneyland Employee Choir). 

© Disney

Tuesday Trivia - Aulani

At its' core, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa located on the leeward coast of Oahu is found Hawaiian artistry and tradition.  A big part of what makes Aulani so special is the rich musical score that can be heard all throughout the common areas of the resort composed by Kealil'i Reichel. The score itself pushes the boundaries of Hawaiian music, while remaining grounded in Hawaiian tradition, specifically featuring the pahu, or the drum, the ipu, or the double gourd and other specifically Hawaiian percussive instruments. The score includes sections or themes which are integral to Hawaiian culture:  relationships between people, the land, and the elements. 

Here is just a small sample taken from the Makaala, or lobby.  I wish it were longer, because the best part of the score is after what is recorded here.

Tuesday Trivia - A Primary Change for Phantom Manor

Unlike her predecessors in Anaheim, Orlando and Japan, the story of Phantom Manor begins the moment guests enter its' foyer as a faint image of the ill-fated bride appears in an ornately framed mirror and the Ghost Host begins to tell her tale of lost love.  

Tuesday Trivia - Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean, one of the quintessential Disney theme park attractions, which first opened at Disneyland in 1967, was originally conceived of as a walk-through attraction?  

© Disney

As designed it would have led about 60 guests at a time through a series of 6 or 7 vignettes filled with wax figures.  Thanks to the findings and learnings taken away from the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, Walt had his imagineers completely redesign the attraction to be a ride-through attraction utilizing the bateaux style boats we all know! 

Tuesday Trivia - Chef Mickey's

4,000 eggs.  1,700 Mickey Mouse waffles & 1,500 pancakes.  That's the quantity served daily at Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort.  Wow! 

Tuesday Trivia - Pirates IN the Caribbean

The original plans for the development of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World did not include a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  The thought was that Florida was already close enough to the real location that guests would not enjoy the attraction in the same way that guests at Disneyland did.  However as guest demand indicated, the planners and designers of the resort were wrong, and Walt Disney World's version of Pirates of the Caribbean opened in Adventureland in December 1973.  

Tuesday Trivia - Magic Kingdom Grand Opening

More than 5,000 human performers joined in Walt Disney World's Grand Opening and dedication festivities on October 25, 1971 - and were joined by roughly 500 doves released over the Magic Kingdom.  

Tuesday Trivia - Electrical Water Pageant

South Seas performers are featured nightly at Disney's Polynesian Resort in the Spirit of Aloha dinner show (originally known as the "Polynesian Revue") at Luau Cove at the resort.  This tradition began in October 1971 with the Grand Opening celebration for the resort that was then-known as the Polynesian Village.  

 At that time guests were served on the sands of the resort, and saw the Electrical Water Pageant for the very first time, which has been delighting Magic Kingdom area resort guests since 1971!

Tuesday Trivia - The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly riverboat, with its elegant cargo of fine restaurants and lively lounges is a gleaming centerpiece among all of the shops, boutiques and other restaurants in Downtown Disney (formerly known as the Walt Disney World Village).  While it is no longer known as the Empress Lilly, the riverboat still houses fine dining opportunities as Fulton's Crab House.  At one time there was a charming character dining experience onboard the ship.  

Tuesday Trivia - Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (originally known as Cinderella's Golden Carrousel) was originally built in 1917 in Maplewood, New Jersey.  This 60 foot diameter carrousel is one of the largest carrousels ever built.