New Post (again)!

WOW! My last post was on April 20, and it is now June 4th... where did May go??????

I will be updating the blog over the next few days, so be sure to check back for more updates... I will back date them as I should have posted them a long time ago... but for now just a little recap on my thoughts.

My official internship is over on June 10th... that's just 6 days from now! I am furtunate enough to have extended for one week, so my last day will be June 18th. As of June 11 I will no longer be a Professional Intern with the Walt Disney Company, but a full blown Cast Member! (kinda exciting!)

I have moved out of Disney Housing, and I am now in an extended stay hotel. I could no longer stay in Disney Housing, and needed to find a place to live, and this seemed like the best solution. It is pretty nice. I have two twin beds, and desk, lounge chair, T.V., kitchen with a two range stove, and refrigerator, and of course, a bathroom. The bed is 1000 times more comfortable than the one I had in my old apartment, so I get a better sleep.

I do have one small concern though... it took two trips to take all of my belongings here from the old place... I have made several new purchases like a TV and toaster oven, and some other miscellaneous items, so I am worried I wont have enough room for everything for the return trip home. I am hoping everything didn't fit in the car because I had some groceries... but time will tell.

Last night I attended the Cast preview of the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom. This parade will be replacing SpectroMagic for the summer months. I personally like SpectroMagic more, but the other one was different, and a nice change of pace. Tomorrow I will see the last showing of Wishes for the summer as well... they will be replacing it with a new fireworks display staring Sunday, June 6th. It should be interesting, but I truly love Wishes... I have probably seen it about twenty times, but I still get goosebumps (and I am not ashamed to say an occasional tear to my eye) every time I watch it.

There are fifteen days until I will be in Maryland. I am excited to come home, and get back started on my life and finish what I have started (college). I am sure I will miss Disney, but as of right now I am ready to come home.

Until then... Have a Magical Week!

A Visit from the Grandparents!

My grandparents just paid me a visit. They arrived Wednesday afternoon/morning, and after seeing the room we went to Animal Kingdom. I gave a small tour, and we got to see Flights of Wonder, and ride the Safari, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur. My Grandmother wouldn't ride Expedition Everest, but I got her to go on Dinosaur, and I think she enjoyed it :-) Also, while on the Safari we got to see the baby rhinoceros on show (this is the first and only time I have seen her on show).

Later that night (9:50) we had dinner at one of the best Disney restaurants... Ohana. It was a little late and we were pretty much the only ones in the restaurant when we left, but it was very much worth it, and I hope to take my parents there when they come down. The following morning we attended a character breakfast at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa... it was also a very good meal, and got to see some characters not often seen. We then went to EPCOT to see the flower and garden festival, and to go on a few rides. Test Track seemed to be a favorite with my grandmother... she talked about it for the rest of the trip, which is good. I was worried she may not like it. We then had a very good dinner at the Grand Floridian at Citricos.

The following day I, unfortunately, had to work. But I was visited by my grandparents, and they talked to a few of my co-workers, and one just raved about them. When I got off of work we went to Sweet Tomatoes, an all you can eat salad, soup, and bread buffet. Saturday I was treated to the California Grill, which is a top of the Contemporary Resort. The plan was to watch the fireworks from up there to get a new perspective... but like all good thought out plans they sometimes do not work. I did not know that night would be Grad Night, so they had a private fireworks display at midnight (needless to say we did not stay that long, but we did get to see a beautiful sunset, and some other beautiful views).

The following day was our last day together at the Happiest Place on Earth... and we went to the Magic Kingdom to watch the parade and Wishes. Before the parade and fireworks we ate dinner (at a quick service... who would have known all the sit down restaurants require reservations... I surmise I should have known... whoops!) We then watched one of my favorite 3D shows, PhilharMagic, and then rode the Pirates of the Caribbean. I did not tell my grandmother about the little drop otherwise she wouldn't have gotten on it ;-) We then ended our time together by watching SpectroMagic (not the best view) and then had an excellent view of Wishes.

I thank my grandparents for treating me to many fine restaurants, but most of all coming down and spending time with me. It was truly a pleasure and I created memories to last a lifetime, and I hope they had a magical time as well!

This Week in Disney History: April 19-25

April 22, 1964 - The New York World's Fair opens
Held in Flushing Meadows Park in the borough of Queens, the 1964 World's Fair was emblematic of the can-do spirit of the Space Age and the promise of tomorrow. But theme park aficionados know it as the place where Walt Disney perfected ride and show technology that still amazes guests to this day, as evidenced in the four attractions he built for the fair. "it's a small world" was a hopeful salute to the children of the world, while the Carousel of Progress followed a family embracing modern conveniences from the turn of the century through the present. The PeopleMover ride system debuted in the Magic Skyway attraction, where riders took a spin through time in a Ford automobile; while at the Illinois pavilion, guests marveled at Disney's most sophisticated Audio-Animatronic yet in "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln." Three of the four found their way to Disneyland Park (and two later to Magic Kingdom Park) after the fair closed in 1965.

April 22, 1998 - Disney's Animal Kingdom opens
After wandering through the dense canopy of the Oasis, the enormous Tree of Life welcomes guests to Disney's largest theme park, where seven distinct lands covering more than 500 acres feature animal exhibits, attractions and entertainment underscoring the importance of wildlife conservation. Whether enjoying a rugged African photo trek aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, thrilling through time while narrowly evading a Carnotaurus aboard DINOSAUR, or laughing with the insects from "A Bug's Life" in It's Tough to be a Bug, visitors can explore the world of creatures real, extinct and imaginary. Disney's Animal Kingdom continues adding to its unique array of experiences, opening the hair-raising roller coaster Expedition Everest in 2006 and the innovative Finding Nemo - The Musical in 2007.

April 19:
1999 - Sales of tobacco products are discontinued at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, and smoking is prohibited except in designated areas

April 20:
1946 - Walt Disney Pictures premieres Make Mine Music in New York City
1991 - The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios
2000 - Walt Disney World announces plans for Mission: Space at Epcot

April 21:
1930 - The animated short "Just Mickey" (aka "Fiddlin' Around") debuts
2009 - Characters in Flight opens in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World

April 22:
2002 - Primeval Whirl opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom
2009 - Disneynature releases Earth

April 23:
1957 - Midget Autopia opens at Disneyland Park
1986 - Leaders host the groundbreaking ceremony for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1990 - Mickey's Birthdayland closes at Magic Kingdom Park

April 24:
1989 - "The All New Mickey Mouse Club," taped at the Disney-MGM Studios, debuts on Disney Channel
2009 - Imagineer and Disney Legend Marty Sklar announces his retirement, effective July 17

April 25:
1930 - "Wild Waves" (Mickey Mouse animated short) debuts
1952 - "Let's Stick Together" (Donald Duck animated short) debuts
1997 - Touchstone Pictures releases Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
2003 - The 10th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins

This Week in Disney History: April 12-18

April 15, 1983 - Tokyo Disneyland opens
On a site overlooking Tokyo Bay in the suburb of Urayasu, fifteen minutes by subway on the Keiyō Line from the heart of the world's most populous urban area, lies an incredible piece of Disney magic. The massive, glass covered World Bazaar welcomes guests to the eastern hemisphere's most visited theme park, with Cinderella Castle perched at the top of the central plaza leading to seven themed lands, each featuring Disney Parks favorites spanning from the Haunted Mansion to Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Tokyo Disneyland operates under a unique partnership between Disney and the Oriental Land Company. Card Walker, the Disney president fundamental in the building of the Walt Disney World Resort and Epcot, gave the opening day dedication, modeling his words after Walt's address at the opening of Disneyland Park. Tokyo Disney Resort continues to thrive, opening the companion park Tokyo DisneySea in 2001 while inaugurating its own monorail line and shopping district.

April 12, 1992 - Disneyland Paris opens
Located just a stone's throw from Paris, a whole new Disney theme park opened its doors in the heart of Europe. Disneyland Park pays tribute to its continental homeland in many ways: the design of Discoveryland is heavily influenced by European visionaries and the way they imagined the future, including Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. The centrepiece of the theme park is the splendid Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, a Sleeping Beauty Castle unlike any other. The magnificent monument displays flourishes inspired by the natural world, fairytales and even medieval literature. With its towers spiralling into the sky, the castle has much in common with France's Mont St. Michel, with further inspiration from the works of Sleeping Beauty artist Eyvind Earle. In 1995, the park took a considerable leap forward by opening a re-imagined Space Mountain, then reloaded the attraction in 2005 as Space Mountain: Mission 2. The 200 millionth guest was welcomed in summer 2008.

April 12:
1946 - The cartoon short "Pluto's Kid Brother" debuts
1995 - 'Ohana opens at Disney's Polynesian Resort
1996 - Walt Disney Pictures releases James and the Giant Peach

April 13:
1935 - "Mickey's Kangaroo," the last black-and-white Walt Disney Studios cartoon short, debuts

April 14:
1934 - "The Big Bad Wolf" (Silly Symphony) debuts
1984 - An updated version of the Alice in Wonderland attraction opens at Disneyland Park
2008 - Ollie Johnston, Disney animator and the last of Walt's "Nine Old Men," dies at age 95

April 15:
1932 - The Mickey Mouse animated short "Barnyard Olympics" debuts, coinciding with the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles
1938- The animated short "Donald's Nephews" debuts, featuring the first appearances of Huey, Dewey, and Louie
1962 - The episode "Disneyland After Dark" debuts on "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"
1973 - The Walt Disney Story opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1975 - Flight to the Moon closes at Magic Kingdom Park

April 16:
2001 - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

April 17:
1958 - The Circarama film America the Beautiful debuts at the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium; the first Disney attraction ever to open outside a Disney Park

April 18:
1953 - The Mickey Mouse short "The Simple Things," debuts; over 30 years would pass before the release of the next one, "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983)
1983 - Disney Channel goes on the air
1994 - "Beauty and the Beast: A New Musical" premieres at the Palace Theatre in New York

This Week in Disney History: April 5-11

April 6, 1990 - Blue Ribbon Bakery opens at Disneyland Park
On any given morning, you'll spot hundreds of half-asleep families bearing left upon entering Disneyland and trudging into this Main Street, U.S.A. mainstay. And no one could blame them. With the sweet aroma of fresh baked cinnamon rolls wafting out the door, a satisfying breakfast pastry paired with a vanilla latte is a perfect pre-op before conquering Space Mountain or finding Mickey for a photo. But no one says you can't stop back later for a deli sandwich and an iced mocha before staking out an afternoon parade spot, or maybe another espresso with a chocolate chip cookie chaser at park closing for the drive home. The Blue Ribbon originally opened next door to its current spot, which was occupied by the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor; in 1997, the two locations switched places, and the parlor became the Gibson Girl.

April 7, 2006 - Expedition Everest opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom
In the Himalayan village of Serka Zong, brave guests make final preparations for a train ride to the base of the world's tallest peak. Historical artifacts, writings and the tattered gear of those who've climbed it before bear witness to the creature locals fear - the snarling, ferocious Yeti. As the train climbs high into the mountains, the journey stops abruptly as the tracks ahead have been ripped apart. But the only way out isn't exactly the same way you came in… say, what's that snarling sound? Expedition Everest has a distant cousin in the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland Park, but stands over 50 feet higher, and at a top speed of 50 miles per hour, travels nearly twice as fast. The intimidating Yeti audio-animatronic stands 22 feet tall and has its own support structure separate from the track and the mountain; the actuators making it move can simultaneously create more thrust than a 747 jumbo jet.

April 5:
1965 - Mary Poppins wins 5 Oscars at the 37th Academy Awards, including Best Actress honors for Julie Andrews
1998 - The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) opens at Magic Kingdom Park
1999 - The Studio Costuming Company, the new costume issue building for Disney-MGM Studios Cast, opens
2006 - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opens in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World

April 6:
1991 - "Darkwing Duck" debuts on Disney Channel
1998 - The new Walt Disney Studios Animation Florida building at Disney-MGM Studios opens
2007 - Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros! opens in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot

April 7:
1939 - Disney's final Silly Symphony cartoon, "The Ugly Duckling," debuts
1983 - The 150 millionth guest visits the Walt Disney World Resort
1995 - Walt Disney Pictures releases A Goofy Movie
1997 - The original run of Captain EO ends at Disneyland Park
2001 - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It!" opens at Disney-MGM Studios

April 8:
1973 - The Walt Disney Story opens at Disneyland Park
1974 - Treasure Island in Bay Lake (later Discovery Island) opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
2006 - Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opens at Disneyland Paris

April 9:
1961 - Walt Disney dedicates the grotto and wishing well adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle, with donations benefitting children's charities worldwide
2005 - Space Mountain: Mission 2 debuts at Disneyland Paris

April 10:
1930 - "The Barnyard Concert" (Mickey Mouse cartoon short) debuts
1988 - America Sings closes at Disneyland Park
1992 - Walt Disney Pictures releases Newsies

April 11:
1997 - Hollywood Pictures releases Grosse Point Blank
2003 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens at Disneyland Park
2003 - Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! opens at Disney's California Adventure Park
2009 - Yamabuki, a Japanese restaurant, closes at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

This Week in Disney History: March 29 - April 4

April 2, 1954 - Walt Disney announces Disneyland Park and television show plans
On a bench in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, Walt Disney dreamed of a place where parents and children could have fun together. Imagining it was one challenge, but financing it was quite another, forcing Disney to look for outside help. The ABC television network agreed to become a partner in exchange for several considerations, including original programming. Once both boards finalized the 35% stake, two "Disneylands" were announced - the park and a television series. ABC debuted the first episode on October 27, 1954, treating viewers to an exclusive look at the park under construction as well as production work on Sleeping Beauty and Davy Crockett. The "Disneyland" television series would continue under various names through 2008, including "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" and "The Magical World of Disney."

April 1, 1995 - Blizzard Beach opens at the Walt Disney World Resort
According to legend, a freak snow storm once blanketed the southwest corner of Walt Disney World, and enterprising locals took advantage, creating Florida's first ski resort on Mount Gushmore. But when the usual hot weather returned, the black diamond runs and bobsled tracks melted away to create some of the world's most thrilling toboggan runs. (It's implausible, but then again, this place did open on April Fool's Day.) Walt Disney World's second water park features a family-friendly mix of unique and exciting attractions, but for many the signature ride remains Summit Plummet. Perched atop a ski jump launch, daring riders plunge down this 120 foot tall incline hitting near freeway speeds; fittingly, there's a radar gun at the bottom displaying yours. Learn more about Blizzard Beach's 15th anniversary in the March 25 issue of Eyes and Ears.

March 29:
1998 - Disney hosts Central Park event in New York City for the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom
2002 - Walt Disney Pictures releases The Rookie

March 30:
1997 - The Disney's Wide World of Sports box office officially opens
2007 - Walt Disney Pictures releases the computer animated feature Meet the Robinsons

March 31:
1958 - Grand Canyon diorama (part of the Disneyland Railroad) opens at Disneyland Park
1999 - Touchstone Pictures releases 10 Things I Hate About You
2000 - Touchstone Pictures releases High Fidelity
2002 - Primeval Whirl opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom

April 1:
1974 - Pioneer Hall opens at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

April 2:
1940 - Walt Disney Productions becomes a publically traded company, offering stock for the first time
2007 - Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens at Magic Kingdom Park

April 3:
1994 - Frank G. Wells, President of The Walt Disney Company, dies in a helicopter accident

April 4:
1954 - Joe Fowler is hired as a construction supervisor for Disneyland Park; he later becomes its operations manager, then a key executive in the construction of the Walt Disney World Resort
1994 - Michael Eisner assumes the presidency of The Walt Disney Company following Frank Wells' death

I Made Magic Today!

So today I made some noticeable magic that I need to share with everyone!

It was raining heavily for the last half of the day today, so we were not too busy in the kids' clubs, and people often come and seek shelter from the rain for a few minutes. This one older woman stopped by to seek shelter, and catch her breath, and in the process placed her glasses down on our counter, and then walked away leaving the glasses there. The woman who I was working with noticed the guest forgot her glasses, and I was able to leave the area to give them back to her. Just as I was approaching her she realized she lost her glasses, and was beginning to panic. Just at the moment she started to panic I presented her with her glasses and a wave of relief and gratitude swept over her face... it was very memorable for me, and "magical" to say the least... but that's what we do at Disney.

There was also a magical story one of my co-workers told me. She had a guest at her kids' club, and they said they were heading to their next one (which was mine) after they came to mine they went back to hers to tell her about how it was so cool and fun at my station, and how I had all the bugs on my vest, and it made their day. :-)

All-in-all it was a very magical day, and I hope you all have a Magical Day yourselves!