From The Dis: Worth watching!!! Enjoy!!
Month: November 2013
Holidays at EPCOT
This weekend brings a tradition at EPCOT back to life. The 2013 Holidays Around The World begins with storytellers and cultural presentations in the pavilions of World Showcase. Make sure to pick up your guide for times and presentations.
Also returning, is the well-known Candlelight Processional. This nightly presentation of the Christmas Story is narrated by different celebrities throughout the season. This year’s schedule includes:
Gary Sinise November 29 to December 1, 2013
Neil Patrick Harris December 2 to December 3, 2013
Ashley Judd – NEW! December 4 to December 5
Whoopi Goldberg December 6 to December 7, 2013
Sigourney Weaver – NEW! December 8 to December 10, 2013
Dennis Haysbert – NEW! December 11 to December 13, 2013
James Denton December 14 to December 16, 2013
Edward James Olmos December 17 to December 19, 2013
Trace Adkins December 20 to December 22, 2013
Steven Curtis Chapman December 23 to December 25, 2013
Blair Underwood December 26 to December 28, 2013
Amy Grant December 29 to December 30, 2013
For the hearing impaired, an American Sign Language interpreter translates the legendary account, allowing Guests of all kinds the opportunity to enjoy the event.
It is times like this that I was a local to see so many of my favorite people like Gary Sinise, Dennis Haysbert, and Steven Curtis Chapman. I will, however, get to see Whoopi Goldberg this year. I’ll likely have a review and maybe some video for that one.
I wish you all a festive and enjoyable Christmas Season!!
Disney World Transportation Information – Disney Bus Schedules
As some may know, I am particularly interested in anything having to do with the transportation system at Walt Disney World. Here is a posting from The Dis on updated schedules and general information. It’s good stuff and I just wanted to pass it on to those who may need to know.
Disney World Transportation Information – Disney Bus Schedules.
Toys for Tots and Krista on the WDWNT Podcast
this is worth passing on!!!
WDWNewsToday.com is hosting a live podcast that will feature a drive for Toys for Tots begining at 8 p.m. eastern November 29th. Here you will have a chance to donate what you can to Toys for Tots through the FirstGiving fundraising page or in-person at the Theme Park Connection store.I am super excited to be joining a team of 6 other hosts live on the show on Saturday November 30th from 5-7pm eastern. The entire broadcast will be streamed live on WDWNT.com by going directly to WDWNT.com/listen. WDWNTunes also streams through several mobile applications available at WDWNT.com/apps.WDWNT: The Radio Show is a live, weekly radio program on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando that began airing in August 2013. The show can be listened to online at 1520WBZW.com
More on the show, details and how to tune in were published by WDWNT – and here…
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Yeehaa!!
One of the most entertaining Cast Members on the entire Walt Disney World, HAS to be at the Port Orleans – Riverside Resort. If you are looking for an intimate setting and pure enjoyment, just head inside to the River Roost Lounge for the Yeehaa Bob Show! His show starts every Wednesday through Saturday evening at 8:30PM. However, I wouldn’t wait to arrive as the room fills up quickly, and Bob makes the rounds through the house to visit with patrons before he gets started.
Bob Jackson is a busy guy. Besides playing at Riverside, he also gives a lot of time to the kids in the Orlando, Florida area. He plays several times at the “Give Kids The World Village”. And, spends a lot of his summers playing the at the Libraries in the area, as well. He has a real heart for those who have a special need, and a desire to instill in them a special experience.
He has traveled all over the world with his music, but now calls Orlando his home with his wife of 35 years and his two children.
There are three sets in his show, and the first one is especially deemed safe for children. He doesn’t really get raunchy with his music, but the later shows may include jokes of a more adult nature. You can visit him at http://www.yehaabob.com.
Thanks Bob, for all your hard work and dedication to entertaining the masses for all these years at the Port!
YEEHAA!!!!
Disney Layoffs
I’m not sure what this means for the future of the company. There were several layoffs at PIXAR also, because of the delays to Dinosaur. This could be good, or this could be bad. I guess only time will tell.
From The Dis:
Three Disney executives laid off
Leah Zanolla | Posted: Nov 20, 2013 | Updated: Nov 20, 2013 – 10:30:31 PM
Three more executives have been laid off from the Walt Disney Co’s theme park division. These make six in the past few months. Rick Continelli, senior vice president of park sales and services for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was one of the most recent layoffs. Continelli was in charge of the Disney Institute, youth, military, weddings and sports programming and Disney’s convention business. In addition to his everyday duties, Continelli also represented Disney on the Visit Orlando tourism team. Karl Holz, president of new vacation operations for Disney Parks, will take over control of the Disney Institute.
The other two layoffs came from the information technology group. Laura Hall and Allen Fazio were vice presidents in this field and had been with the company for over 20 years.
Disney also announced a restructuring of the animals, science and environment team. No positions were laid off from this change. Other jobs lost recently include two research employees and one Internet group employee. These were due to a reorganization that combined the sales and marketing groups.
In addition to the executives who have been laid off, three other executives have recently left the company as well. Former vice president of global park operations and planning, Brian Britton, left to take a position as chief operating officer at Levy Restaurants. Two other Disney executives are now employed by NBCUniversal.
The only comment made by Disney on all the changes was this: “We regularly evaluate our organization to meet the evolving needs of our guests and our business.”
Magic Kingdom Park Makes Disney History As All Walt Disney World Parks Go Turnstile Free « Disney Parks Blog
Is this a significant step in the MyMagic+ roll-out? I think it is, but I am really starting to get concerned about how long this seems to be taking to complete. When I couple this system with the continued crashing of the Walt Disney World website, I am beginning to doubt how much stuff can be put on the MagicBand. But, I am trying to remain hopeful that these bugs will be worked out! Please read on, and respond if you feel led.
What Mode?
She didn’t voice it, but why do I think she was the model for the part of Edna Mode?
Personal MyMagic+ Testing Next Week
Greetings Readers!
Beginning Wednesday, December 4, I will be at Walt Disney World and starting my own personal testing of the MyMagic+ system. I plan on taking notes and passing it on to you all daily. I am excited about what this could all be, but also a bit apprehensive.
There has been a lot of negative stuff on the web the past few days, talking about how the investment in this project has halted other ‘creative’ projects. This may be true, but I don’t know if the source can be trusted. All I know is that am one who believes that Disney will get it right! Walt was one to create technology that didn’t previously exist, and this is just another step in that process.
As I am preparing for my departure, I am working to make sure I have everything I need to give you as much as I can. That may include pictures, some video, or who knows what.
If there is anything specific you want to know about the MagicBand process, please email me at threestrandswdw@hotmail.com and I’ll do my best to get results!
The adventure begins Tuesday as I drive about 19 hours to WDW! Until then, may Disney Magic fill your weekend! Happy Thanksgiving to those in the USA!
Be Blessed!!!
T – 9 and Counting
As the day of our return to Walt Disney World approaches, my focus has turned to the little details. Gathering the electronic devices needed to record our adventures. Collecting all the paperwork, or digital information, just in case the MyMagic+ system goes a little awry. And, triple checking my ADRs, FP+ and other activities planned.
Yes, I have been waiting for this a very long time! It is my hope to be able to forget reality for a week and truly enjoy the place that brings me joy, Walt Disney World!
For this time away, I will actually NOT be following the Podcasts I enjoy when I am not in park. I WILL, however, be making daily, if not minute-by-minute, reports via this blog. Pictures, some video, and my feedback will be a part of the journey. Any issues with MagicBands will be posted promptly along with any resolution offered by Cast Members.
I hope you will all join me and my family as we rediscover the wonder of WDW!
Blessings and Magic to you all, today and every day!
threestrandswdw 