July 2016 Walt Disney World Bits and Bites

Feature Article

This article appeared in the June 28, 2016 Issue #875 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

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.

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clock STEP BACK IN TIME
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by Deb Wills
AllEars.Net Founder

Snap Crackle Boom at Walt Disney World

We rummage around in our archives for this featurette, which indulges in a bit of nostalgia, taking you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World and The Walt Disney Company through the ages. This month, we go back to July 2, 1976, as Walt Disney World prepared for the 4th of July celebration during the country's Bicentennial. (Source: Eyes and Ears cast member publication, Vol. 6, No. 27.)

SNAP, CRACKLE, BOOM – Sky Spectacular Explodes to Life this Weekend!

"No matter how you try to describe it, our four-night salute to America's bicentennial will be an extravaganza of such proportions as to truly boggle the imagination. Guests will have a choice of four nights to celebrate our nation's Bicentennial birthday, amid a party that will include fireworks spectaculars, 'America on Parade' performances and special entertainment.

"Starting at 10 p.m. each evening will be a 30-minutes Sky Spectacular, a breathtaking exhibit of more than 2,000 individual fireworks shells and flares; four huge hot-air balloons, 55 feet in height and illuminated with sparkling lights; and a mammoth flag carried over the Magic Kingdom beneath a helicopter.

"At the height of the spectacular, shells will be bursting, the world's largest sound system will be broadcasting, the Electrical Water Pageant with its sparkling American flags and stars will sail across the Seven Seas Lagoon, a giant American flag measuring 60 x 100 feet will be lifted, four hot-air balloons will go up and 12 boat-towed kite flyers will pass overhead trailing sparklers."

Do you remember this special Bicentennial Independence Day celebration? If so, drop us a note HERE.

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tricircle HIDDEN MICKEYS ALERT
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Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickeys books and webmaster of HiddenMickeyGuy.com, encourages you to search for these Hidden Mickeys at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Remember, you don't need a ticket to visit the Disney Resorts!

1. Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. On the second floor of the Zebra Trail, near a hat display and the elevators to Simba's Cubhouse, a classic Mickey is etched at the bottom end of a piece of wood that's roped to two giant "log" supports. Mickey is below the upper rope binding. (Note: these images change or disappear from time to time.) (Thanks to Vance Taylor.)

Hidden Mickey

2. All-Star Sports Resort. Midway along the left wall of the food court seating area, one painting shows Mickey after he's hit in the head with a basketball. Some of the "stars" he sees are yellow classic Mickeys. (Thanks to April Beisser.)

Hidden Mickey

3. Saratoga Springs Resort. Behind Donald Duck in the children's water play area at High Rock Spring Pool, a classic Mickey, about six feet tall and tilted to the left, is made of three depressions in the rock wall behind the waterfall. As you face the rock wall, the Hidden Mickey is at the left side. It's easier to see when the waterfall is off. (Thanks to Jay Stonefield.)

Hidden Mickey

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You can find an archive of past Hidden Mickey Alerts HERE.

And check out our latest Searching Disney with Steve blog.

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reminder MONTHLY REMIND-EARS
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JULY EVENTS

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD!

See "NEWS BITES" below for details.

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Check our revamped Events page for a full schedule of upcoming events.

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REHABS AND CLOSINGS

Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur in Dinoland USA will be closed for refurbishment July 25 through October 17, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Pizza Planet is closed for refurbishment until late 2016.

Walt Disney's One Man's Dream will be closed for a brief refurbishment July 16-19, 2016.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid in the Animation Courtyard will be closed for refurbishment July 24-27, 2016.

Magic Kingdom

Carousel of Progress will be closed for refurbishment July 25-28, 2016.

Swiss Family Treehouse in Adventureland will be closed for refurbishment July 6 through September 24, 2016.

BoardWalk Inn and Villas

BoardWalk Villas rooms are currently undergoing renovations.

The Garden Suites will be unavailable due to refurbishment through July 12, 2016.

Flying Fish is closed through summer 2016, for an extensive refurbishment.

Caribbean Beach Resort

Martinique Pool is closed for refurbishment through July 1, 2016.

Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower is undergoing a soft goods refurbishment, which typically consists of replacing bedding, wall, window and floor coverings and upholstery. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by September 24, 2016.

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Construction work is underway on Loop 2100 through July 24, 2016.

Port Orleans French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter will close for refurbishment on July 11. During this time, the Scat Cat Lounge adjacent to the resort lobby will feature some beloved dishes, like jambalaya, gumbo, po' boys, and beignets. There will also be a selection of grab 'n' go meals available for purchase. For guests wishing for more selection, bus transportation will be provided from 7 a.m. to midnight to Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the resort will continue to offer its in-room pizza delivery service from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. The menu includes pizza, hot and cold sandwiches and pasta. The quick service food court will reopen sometime in the fall, but no specific date has been announced.

Port Orleans Riverside

Routine roof maintenance is ongoing through Summer 2016. During this time guests may see work in progress.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is currently undergoing the largest renovation in its 25-year history. The Swan rooms have been completed; the first phase of the Dolphin Hotel room renovations have just begun, with the entire room project currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

Wilderness Lodge and Villas at Wilderness Lodge

General resort refurbishments and construction work in multiple areas will continue until 2017. Some pathways and the nature trail will be unavailable at certain times.

Hidden Springs leisure pool, resort beach, playground and recreation fire pit are unavailable.

Cub's Den Children's Activity Center is closed now through 2017.

Sturdy Branches Health Club will be closed July through October 2016.

Disney Springs

Fulton's Crab House is closed for refurbishment. It is due to reopen in Fall 2016 with a new concept and name, Paddlefish.

Planet Hollywood is also closed for refurbishment. The restaurant is being transformed into a four-story stargazing observatory to match the design aesthetic of Disney Springs. The interior will feature spherical, planet-shaped lighting fixtures and will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers, while retaining the old movie memorabilia. There will be a new outdoor terrace and an outdoor bar space called Stargazers that will feature live entertainment. The main dining room will include a DJ. Planet Hollywood's renovations will be completed in 2016.

Read HERE for more on Disney Springs.

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A complete list of known rehabs can be found HERE.

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fireworks MAGICAL MOMENTS
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Heart-warming Magical Moments brought to us by the amazing Disney cast members!

Dee Dee: This year on February 14, I was escorting five Girl Scouts back to the hotel after a long day of park touring. It was about 9 p.m. and we were all dragging as we waited for the bus from Magic Kingdom back to our Disney hotel. A bus rolled in, but all the windows were dark and I worried that it was a training bus or not in service. After it pulled to a halt, suddenly all the lights went on and inside we could see that it was decorated for Valentine's Day! There were streamers, helium balloons, Valentine's tinsel. It looked adorable. We asked the driver if he had decorated the bus and he said that a team had decorated several buses for the holiday. We were energized by the bus ride and went to bed with sweet dreams. Disney continues to surprise me with all of the imagination and creativity it puts into every aspect of the visitor experience.

Mike Lofton: My family and I (all adults) had a surprise Disney moment that you talk about all the time. On the first full day at the Magic Kingdom, we had everything lined up with FastPasses, our dinner reservation, and a day of fun ahead. We were about an hour away from our first FastPass when we decided to do the Jungle Cruise. The wait time was 20 minutes, so we thought we'd be done in plenty of time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Ninety minutes later we finished up the Jungle Cruise and were late for Big Thunder Mountain. Then the Disney Magic began. Not only did the cast members let us FastPass Thunder Mountain, but I got a personal phone call from Disney giving my family an additional FastPass on any ride in the park that day. A minor inconvenience turned into a special Disney day as we enjoyed the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train after dark as our special FastPass of the day. Disney Magic is alive and well and made our trip very special!

Trish: My friend and I were visiting Disney World this past January 2016, and after six fun-filled days, we went back to the Magic Kingdom for our last day. I purposely wore my Dole Whip T-shirt because we had decided to have one last snack before leaving. I went up to the counter to order, and while smiling, I pointed to my T-shirt and said, "I'll have one of these!" The friendly cast members were really pleased that I had worn the T-shirt, and when I started to pay, they said, "You deserve one on us." I was really excited, and I took their pictures as well as a picture of me with my delicious Dole Whip snack. What a magical send-off for our last day!

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We just bet you have a story to tell about an unforgettable moment during your Disney vacation! Please send your favorite memory for inclusion in a future AllEars® to: [email protected] Thank you all for sharing!

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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.