June 2003 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the June 3, 2003, Issue #193 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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STEP BACK IN TIME
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Ever wonder what Walt Disney World was like way back when? We rummage around in our archives for this feature, which takes you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World through the ages.

This time we take a look at the 1985 WDW Merchandise Catalog. The cover sports an 18" x 24" full-color poster featuring Mickey, Minnie, Figment, Tinker Bell and the Castle. It was yours for the low price of just $2.00!

Here are some other items in the catalog:

  • Walt Disney World blue mug with gold lettering: $5.50
  • Alice's Tea Set – Toy China – 9 pieces: $9.00
  • Figment and the Rainbow – Child's T-shirt: $6.50
  • Mickey Golf Towel: $4.00
  • A Dream Called WDW Video: $39.95
  • Epcot Center T-shirt: $8.50
  • Epcot Center Navy Cap: $7.00

You could even order WDW Sweet Florida Citrus, 1 bushel for $34.95!

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DONALD'S BREAKFASTOSAURUS
by Debra Martin Koma
ALL EARS® Senior Editor
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This character breakfast, held every morning at the Animal Kingdom's Restaurantosaurus (in DinoLand USA) is one I hadn't tried before, so, when I had a chance recently to meet there with a friend and her two little ones I jumped at it.

After being greeted cheerfully at the podium, we were escorted to a little staged area for a photo op (we knew they'd try to sell it to us later), then brought inside the restaurant, where our greeter gave us the breakfast's "back story": Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto had gone camping the night before, and Pluto had found a special fossil when looking for firewood — the bone of a mythic "duckosaurus". We were then shown to our table, given our beverages (unlimited juice, coffee or tea, and milk), and told to help ourselves from either end of the centrally located buffet table.

Was Donald's Breakfast for the birds? Read the full review at: http://allears.net/din/rev_dbrk.htm

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NESTLE'S JUNIOR CHEF PROGRAM
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Several times each day in the Land Pavilion in Epcot, youngsters between the ages of 3-10 can participate in the Junior Chef Program, free of charge.

The Junior Chefs help two grown-up chefs make a delicious and magical batch of chocolate chip cookies. The children also each get a personalized paper chef's hat and, at the end, a little container of Nestle chips and two cookies.

Ryley and Maddy S. recently participated in the Junior Chef Program and their mom sends along her report and some photos!

http://allears.net/din/rev_jrchef.htm

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ENTERTAINMENT NOTES
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As part of June's Black Music Month observation, the following bands and artists will be appearing at Pleasure Island's West End Stage and in The Jazz Company: Cassanova's Old School Experience, Herb Williams, Davonda Simmons & Soul Conspiracy, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, Jackie Jones, Valerie Tyson, Ruby Baker and Heatwave.

In addition, DJs at Pleasure Island clubs and New Year's Eve videos will showcase black artists. Special New Year's Eve fireworks shows on June 14 and 21 will be choreographed to a wide range of music by black artists.

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Souven-EARS
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Gloria from Miami has helped AllEarsNet® "behind the scenes" with news and information for some time. Now she shares her Souven-EAR shopping know-how with us! Look for Gloria's regular Souven-EARS featurette in the monthly ALL EARS® "Bits and Bites" issue:

Most every child (and probably an equal number of adults) who goes to Walt Disney World returns home with some sort of headgear — silly hats, baseball caps, hair wraps, ponytail holders, headbands, or maybe even a Princess Tiara. But most personal of all are the traditional Mickey Mouse Ears embroidered with your name.

Mickey Ears are available at a number of locations throughout the World, but the easiest place to get them is right at the beginning of Main Street USA in a little shop called The Chapeau. The Chapeau has the traditional black Mickey Mouse Ears for children, however, your little ones are not limited to these. You can also find pink Mouse Ears for your own little Minnie fan, black pirates' hats, black cowboy hats, and green Peter Pan hats complete with a real red feather for the little guys. All children's caps and hats sell for $6.50, including personalization.

As in all of Disney World, the fun isn't just for the children! Traditional Mickey Mouse Ears are available in an adult size for $7.99. In addition, caps with Mouse Ears are also available for the same price.

If you're celebrating your honeymoon at Walt Disney World, you should make The Chapeau your first stop in the Magic Kingdom — those popular white "bridal veil" Mouse Ears and the black-eared top hats sell for $10 each. Unfortunately, these cannot be personalized.

The Chapeau is also the place to stop when the temperature drops into the 40s or even 30s! It doesn't happen often in Florida, but if it does and you find yourself stranded with no gloves or hat, this is the place for some nice warm gloves and stocking caps. Nothing too stylish, but who cares about style when your fingers and ears are beginning to feel like icicles?

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MOUSEFEST 2003
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What do Deb Wills, Jennifer Watson and Dave Marx, Bob Sehlinger, and Mary Waring have in common? These are just a few of the special guests who will be at WDW for the Mega Mouse Meet on Saturday December 6, 2003! Everyone is invited to join in the fun! Check out the website and see all the folks planning to attend! http://allears.net/btp/meetandgreet.htm

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MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Debbie of Hawkinsville, GA: We went to an E-Ride Night on our last vacation to Walt Disney World. Our then-15-year-old daughter bought one of those glow-in-the-dark twirly things that spells out a message. She programmed it to say "Space Mountain Rocks". Right after we passed through the turnstile in the line to ride Space Mountain, the Cast Member at the gate called our daughter back! We thought she'd done something wrong. They handed her the phone and she looked up at the control booth where a guy was waving at her. He told her he really liked her message and asked her if she wanted to ride twice in a row! She started waving back and grinning and gave him a big YES! After we rode the first time, no one said anything, so we started to leave. A Cast Member came running after us. "They just called and told me to send you back to the front of the line!" She told us how to get back up there and they immediately put us back on the ride. We gave a big wave and three ear-to-ear grins to the guy in the booth and got back on. Our daughter was thrilled — it really made our night! I wish we knew his name — but thanks for a great Magical Moment!

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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.