January 2002 WDW Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the December 31, 2001, Issue #119 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!!!!!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPACE MOUNTAIN!

That's right, Walt Disney World's Space Mountain opened on January 15, 1975, and was the first computer-controlled thrill ride! In addition, the side-by-side tracks were one of the first computer-aided designs. Space Mountain actually originated in the early 1960s when Walt Disney conceived the idea of a high-speed thrill attraction based on the excitement of the Space Age.

Did you know that Space Mountain is more than 180 feet high, 300 feet in diameter and took more than two years to build? RCA was the first official sponsor of Space Mountain from 1975 until 1993, at which time Federal Express became the official sponsor. During the 2.5-minute ride your space rocket travels up to 28 miles per hour!

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30 Years Ago…

You know those infamous commercials: "You Just Won the Super Bowl! What are you going to do next?" Well, long before those ads hit the airwaves, celebrities have been visiting Walt Disney World. Thirty years ago, in 1972, notable WDW Guests included: Senators Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie and Henry Jackson; Sargent Shriver, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt and space pioneer Werner Von Braun.

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Pinformation from Dizpins.com

'Tis the Season… for PINS!

The past few months have been very busy with Disney pin releases from one corner of the globe to the other! And many new friends are finding and sharing in this wonderful hobby!

Disneyland Paris Pin Trading is in full swing with the release of many park exclusive pins. All open edition pins from Disneyland Paris can be ordered through a link on Dizpins.com

In recent pin trading news, WDW sponsored the Christmastime in the City Pin Event, held at Downtown Disney on December 15. This event saw the release of six LE pins specifically made for the event, as well as a special lanyard and LE 1000 pin celebrating the 100th Birthday of Walt Disney. Guests were then taken on a Goofy Tree Trimming Tour throughout Downtown Disney Marketplace. When they completed their tour they were given a very special gift pin.

All of the parks have released pins to mark the 100th birthday of the Man Behind the Mouse. Most of these pins depict pictures of Walt Disney through the years, adorned with all of the characters we have come to love. In addition, WDW is releasing monthly Walt Quote pins in the shape of a scroll.

Many collectors completed the Disney Store 100 Years of Walt Disney's Dreams pin collection. This series concluded on December 15, 2001, and the many friends made in these 15 weeks of early rising, waiting in line and getting the pins will not be forgotten.

What is in store for 2002? Pins! There will be special pins released throughout the year at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. Unfortunately, Tokyo Disneyland issued a press release stating that pin trading will cease there in February 2002. While many Japan pin traders are saddened, pins will still be released in Japan at the Disney Stores and the Mickey and Pals Shops.

Walt Disney World, Disneyland and the Disney Stores have also released many patriotic pins for all of us to show our support and patriotism in these most trying times.

For the latest up-to-date information, don't forget to bookmark Dizpins.com!

>From all of us at Dizpins, Happy New Year… and Peace on Earth!!

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You're Going Again?

People ask me all the time why I continue to go to WDW so often. Haven't I seen it all and done it all? Even though I have been fortunate enough to visit the parks many, many times in the last 10 years, there are still many things I have not yet done! Here are some things I did for the first time on my most recent trip:

**Played with Imaginum (formerly the Living Statues) in France at Epcot

**Had my photo taken with Br'er Rabbit, who was walking around Animal Kingdom

**Dined at Olivia's Cafe at the Old Key West Resort

**Enjoyed Holidays Around the World Storytellers in Epcot's Italy, Mexico and China, which I had not seen before

**Rented a surrey bike and pedaled around the Boardwalk area

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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.