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BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

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12/22/08
--So, What About Leap Year Birthdays?
--Can One Person Get Everyone's Fastpasses?
--What Has Happened to the Yeti?
--What Is That Large Building Behind the Canada Pavilion?
--Magic Kingdom Parade and Show of the '90s?
--What Is This High Tech Dining Room Device?

12/15/08
12/8/08
--What Is This French Toast Dish?

--Park Purchases, Fireworks and Light
s

--How Strict Are the "Birthday Rules" for the New "Celebrate" Promotion?
--A New Fairy Ride in the Magic Kingdom?
--What Is This Epcot Ship?
--One Last Time Before Christmas: How to Buy Park Merchandise From Home

12/1/08
--Best Way to Tote Tickets
--Checking In at a Resort for a Southwest Flight?
--What Are the Sci-Fi Dine-In Movie Trailers?
--Nearest Pharmacy to the Wilderness Lodge
--Will MouseFest and Pop Warner Events Affect Crowd Levels?
--Is There an Age Minimum to Purchase Packages?

11/24/08
11/17/08

--Booking a Room Overlooking the Boardwalk
--How to Tell Who Charged What When a Resort ID is Used
--Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom?
--Why Can't You Go to a Park from Downtown Disney?
--Automatic Gratuities and Counter Service Restaurants
--What Does "BVG" Stand For?

11/10/08
--A Disney "Big Wig" Book?
--Tusker House and Jiko
--Why Aren't We Able to Walk Through the Castle?
--Why Are the Pepper Market's Prices Higher Than Other Food Courts?
--What Are the Alternatives to Free Birthday Admission?
--New Show at the Hall of Presidents

11/3/08
--The Semi-Annual Refillable Mug Question
--Disneyland Disappointment?
--Does This Question Make Scents?
--Dining on a Steamship?
--Was Barbie Ever at Epcot?
--Restaurants with Organic Foods on the Menu?

10/27/08
--The Path between Epcot and the Studios
--It's Holiday Shopping Time! How to Purchase Park Merchandise from Home
--Which Resorts Have Only One Bus Stop?
--What Is That White Plastic Card on a Lanyard?
--Stroller or Pediatric Wheelchair for a Disabled Child?
--Where to Rent a Car on Property

10/20/08
--Dining at Crockett's Tavern?
--Is Changing Resorts Mid-Trip a Good Idea?
--What's Going On When Cast Members Show a Slip of Paper and Switch Places?
--When Does Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade Begin Daytime Performances?
--Will Universal Tear Down Dueling Dragons for Wizarding World?
--Who Is the Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator on Christmas Eve?

10/13/08
--Who Lives Behind the Magic Kingdom?
--License Plates on the Sci-Fi Dine In "Cars"

--Anita's Annual Holiday Crowd Predictions 2008
--If You Knew Sushi...
--The Demise of Pal Mickey/Will He Still Work in the Parks
--Harry Potter Coming to the World?

10/6/08
--Is There a Lounge at the Wilderness Lodge?
--Characters That Can't Sign or Stamp/A Hunchback of Notre Dame Show?
--YoMD: Can You Still Send in Postcard Entries?
--When Are the Summer Crowds Lightest?
--What Is the Difference Between the Dining Experience and the Dining Plan?
--Best Place to Get Sushi at the World?

9/29/08
--Treasure Hunts at the World?
--Is Park Admission Necessary to Dine at Cinderella's Royal Table?
--No More Characters at the Garden Grill?
--How to Get a Christmas Tree for Your Resort Room
--Fort Wilderness Movie Schedule
--Who Is the Voice of Teddi Barra?

9/22/08
--When Does the Holiday Decorating Commence?
--Looking for a Wooden Leg Named Smith?

--More, MUCH More on Those World Showcase OmniBuses
--An Old-Fashioned Phone on Main Street?
--Name of Soap Store at the Grand Floridian?
--Two Tracks at Everest?

9/15/08
--Parking Fees: How Many Times Per Day to Pay?
--Where Is Roy O. Disney's Statue Located?

--Castle Dream Lights for 2008?
--What Happens in Stormy Weather?
--A Mardi Gras Parade at French Quarter?
--Where Is This Hidden Mickey Located Inside the Haunted Mansion?

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Anita Answers

 

 

Hi! I'm Anita!

aaphotoGot a question about Walt Disney World? I probably have the answer! Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide is the most comprehensive guide to the World on the Web, but if you still can't find the information you're looking for by using the Site Map, the Search Function, or the Anita Answer Archives, drop me a line and I'll do my best to find the answer for you. Since there are only 24 hours in a day, I can't answer every email I receive - however, I do read every one and try to answer as many as possible.

Check back weekly and see if your answer is waiting, and be sure to check out my blog, Anita Talk. Meanwhile, I'm All Ears!

March 24, 2008

Contemporary Resort Decor/Using Clear Bags
What Happened to the Wand?
What's on the Radio on the Safari?
A Watery Hidden Mickey?
What Is the Symbol on Walt's Tie?
Finding Nemo - The Musical

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Joy writes:

Great column and advice!!

Two questions for you. My family of seven is hitting the World in late spring. We'll be staying at the Contemporary. I've checked several websites and I noticed that on AllEars.net the rooms are decorated with nice white bedspreads and muted earthy colors, etc. Other sites show very busy rooms. We're staying in the Garden Wing, so what can I expect?

Also, I have purchased a see-through purse and backpack along with see-through wallets, etc. Would I be able to bypass the park security check line, as nothing I carry into the parks will be hidden from view? Thanks.

Hi Joy!

All rooms at the Contemporary Resort have been refurbished and look like the white and brown-toned rooms in the AllEars.net pictures. The "busy" rooms are gone, and the other pictures you saw are of the old room decor.

Although transparent purses and bags will help get you through the security checkpoints quicker than regular ones will, you will still have to go through the checkpoints. The only guests who can skip the checkpoints are those without bags.

Have a magical time at the World!

A.A.

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Mike writes:

What happened to the "Epcot" sign that hugged the ball at the entrance and was put up for the Millennium Celebration?

Hi Mike!

The giant Mickey hand holding a wand and the "EPCOT" banner were removed late last summer as part of new sponsor Siemens' plans for the refurbishment of Spaceship Earth. The last time I saw the wand and banner, they were in pieces in a remote backstage area awaiting sale as scrap metal.

When it was erected in 1998 for the Millennium Celebration, which was headquartered in Epcot, the wand and banner were only intended as a temporary enhancement, and the banner read "2000." It was later changed to "EPCOT" and stayed that way for several years. Last summer, as it started to come down and you could see it closely, it was obviously quite worn-looking and past its prime. It really was time for it to go. The newly refurbished Spaceship Earth, Epcot's icon, once again looks as great as it did at the park's opening in 1982.

A.A.

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Thor writes:

I've been trying to find out the artist and song title of the music that plays on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride for about five years. I submitted the question to the Disney Archivist and never received an answer. Figured I'd give this a shot. Thanks!

Hi Thor!

The song heard on the radio on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride Is "Hapa Duniani" and can be found on the CD "African Dawn" by African Dawn. Produced in 1998, the CD is still available for purchase at online retail websites such as Amazon.com. You can find a direct link to Amazon in the AllEars.net store by clicking here.

Happy listening!

A.A.

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Colleen writes:

Hi Anita. If anyone has the answer to this question it is you. I was playing around with online map software, and zooming in on WDW I found a body of water that is in the definite shape of a Mickey. It is west of North World Dr. Where exactly in the World is this? Thanks.

Hi Colleen!

The Mickey-shaped body of water you saw is located in the middle of Walt Disney World Speedway. The Speedway is located on the south end of the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. There is at least one other Mickey-shaped body of water on property, albeit much smaller. Flamingo Island on the Kilimanjaro Safari is also shaped like Mickey.

A.A.

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Will writes:

When viewing my 2007 Walt Disney World pictures on my computer, in the one of the "Partners" statue in front of the castle, on Walt Disney's tie there was a strange symbol. Could you possibly tell me what it means?

Hi Will!

The strange symbol is actually the initials of Smoke Tree Ranch. Smoke Tree Ranch is a Palm Springs, California vacation retreat, where Walt Disney used to own a home.

A.A.

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Lisa writes:

I was wondering if you knew how I could get a copy of the current show times for "Finding Nemo" at Animal Kingdom? Do you know how long the show is and how many times it is played during the day? Any info would be helpful. We missed this show last year and are mainly going back to just this park to see it.

Hi Lisa!

Finding Nemo - The Musical is usually performed daily at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Occasionally, the show is scheduled differently for various reasons, or a show has to be canceled due to technical difficulties. Check the tip board or the daily entertainment guide for any changes for the day you visit.

Finding Nemo - The Musical is approximately 30 minutes long. It is advised that you line up very early to see this popular show, as it nearly always plays to a full house. If the line stretches back under the large yellow dinosaur in Dinoland USA, chances are slim that you will get in, and if you do, it will be standing room only.

Have a great trip!

A.A.

 

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That's it for this edition!

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