My Disney Blog

What are the odds? My Disney Dream Job Coincidence!

SO, I went out with a friend to a great new restaurant and brewpub in my city of Duluth, MN last night. It is in a restored "iron works" facility, and it has been renovated beyond belief! It's just incredible. So we are talking away, when a person sits down next to us. He was a very kind person - we'll call him Andy (for Toy Story), and I would say he was in his 50s. Well, at some point, he mentions that he used to live in Orlando. I, of course, got all excited, and mentioned that I was a Disney fanatic, and that I just can't get enough of Disney. Andy said "I used to work for Disney - I was with them for about 15 years, and it was the best experience of my life." He mentioned that he would still be with them today, but that he had to leave because it was a rough time in his life. He even mentioned that he went through Disney's chef program, and is now a chef.

This is where the REAL coincidence comes in! He said "ya know - of ALL the jobs I've ever had in my life - my favorite was selling popcorn outside Cinderella Castle". Now, ANYONE who knows me has probably heard me say a hundred times that my dream job was selling popcorn outside Cinderella Castle! I asked him which popcorn stand he was at - and he said the one to the right, just after you come off Main Street U.S.A. ANOTHER coincidence!

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and I'm still trying to figure out why I met the popcorn guy that had my dream job! Isn't that cool? I just think the odds are pretty incredible. I know a lot of people must have worked in that spot over the years, but finding a random person at a brewpub in Duluth, MN has got to be pretty amazing odds!

--- DisneyDean :)  

Photo from Flickr user awl11 - check it out! Great pics!

The Pirates Leaque at The Magic Kingdom

I am so excited about the upcoming addition of "The Pirates League," setting sail one day before my birthday. The Pirates League opens on June 29th, 2009, and could be considered the counterpart to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (which is awesome, by the way).

My son is going to flip the next time we go to Walt Disney World. He is a huge pirate fan, and loves the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I can't wait to bring him to this. My daughter was dressed up like Belle for our last trip. And, considering that it was during Tropical Storm Faye, it was just a tad windy. By the end of the day, she ended up looking more like "Dog the Bounty Hunter" than Belle. You should have seen the looks that we received when people were trying to figure out what was 'going on' with her hair! I swear one mom actually moved her daughter away from ours because she didn't know what to make of it. It was funny because she still had the hair extensions in her hair, but had taken off the dress hours earlier because it was "scratchy". We will never forget it! You can actually see it in somewhat rough shape in my profile picture on Twitter. It got even scarier after that. Anyway, I digress from the main subject at hand - PIRATES!

Here is the press release from Disney:

Calling all scoundrels, rogues and ne’er-do-wells – Captain Jack and the crew of the Black Pearl want you.

Starting in late June, the Pearl drops anchor in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom for The Pirates League, recruiting and training Walt Disney World guests of all ages in the scurrilous ways of buccaneers.

Each guest checking in at the plunder-filled pirate’s lair gets an official pirate name.  Then it’s off to Muster Station for applications of beards and eye patches, scarves and scars, earrings and gold teeth – all done with the savvy skill of a veteran pirate who shares his own tales of sea-sailing adventures.

After the new buccaneers recite a sacred pirate oath, they are officially part of Captain Jack’s motley crew, leaving their old identities behind.  Past a hidden portal and into the treasure room, the shipmates have their “pirate portrait” taken before being turned loose on an unsuspecting Adventureland – and no doubt feeling right at home at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Guests can choose from three daily pirate packages:

First Mate Package: Includes bandana; choice of facial effects; scars; tattoos; fake teeth; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7-inch photo; and personalized pirate oath -- $49.95 plus tax.

Empress Package: Includes bandana; shimmering makeup; face gem; tattoos; nail polish; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7-inch photo; and personalized pirate oath -- $49.95 plus tax.

Captains Package: Includes choice of costume/outfit from selection; choice of facial effects; scars; tattoos; fake teeth; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate  coin necklace; three 5x7-inch photos; and personalized pirate oath -- $124.95 plus tax.

Newly donned swashbucklers can test their pirate prowess on the streets of Adventureland where they search for clues and discover treasures.  And for mateys who need a little more training, learn the secrets for survival by the captain himself during “Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial.”

Boys, girls and grownups ready for the pirate life can start the process by calling 407/WDW-CREW beginning May 11.  For more information about The Pirates League, visit disneyworld.com/crew.

There is another great story regarding this at the Orlando Sentinel - always awesome folks!

Also, check out the page on the Walt Disney World Resort website - arrrrr

--- Disney Dean

The Magic Triple Mountains

I'm so excited - below is the FIRST post from Disney Mike - my 10 year old son. He came up with the title, and the entire blog post and idea by himself. I'm so proud of him!
--
There are a gigantic amount of rides at Disney world. My favorite trio of rides is Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain. My favorite of them is Space Mountain, an almost pitch dark space shuttle ride. I would check it out on your next visit. You never really know what direction you're going. FUN,FUN,FUN!!!
 
Next up is shocking Big Thunder Mountain. It is awesome!!! First you go left, then right, then, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself, let me start by what it's about. Imagine being in a run-away train on a giant mountain in the middle of nowhere. Well that's sort of what this ride is about. You NEVER know where you're going because there are giant hills covering the sides of the tracks. This is a definite recommendation.
 
When I got off Splash Mountain, all I could think about when I was dropping almost straight down and I'm ahead of myself again arent I. Anyway, Splash Mountain is all about brear rabbit, brear fox, brear bear, and happiness. You will hear lots music, you will ride down lots of giant drops, and most importantly, you will be soaked by the end of the ride, so if it's hot outside, GO ON THIS RIDE!!!
 
Just one more thing, the waits for these rides are soo long. If you are planning on going on them, get some fastpasses. I'll write back with another story. Blog to you later. Bye!!!
 

--- Disney Mike

Sunday May 17, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Another weekend has come to a close, and was it a magical one. OOOYEAAA. Well, let's see - I was at Monster's Inc "photocell," and there was a princess who was unhappy (now how can you not be having the time of your life when you've been to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique so you could be made into a princess?). I greeted her with a bow and asked her if she would dance. She looked at mom and dad and she put her hand in mine and I spun her around. Her face was glowing with happiness and mom and dad's faces were glowing with happiness. The next location I was at was Buzz Lightyear "merge point," and I ran into another princess whose birthday it was. So, I announced to the cue line that it was her birthday, and asked if they would all help me sing happy birthday to her. They did and she was almost embarrassed. But she thanked me. The next location I was deployed to was Carousel of Progress, and there I would greet the Space Rangers and Princesses as they would be coming to see the show. I would find a princess who was wearing a Tinkerbell shirt and ask her if she would do everyone a favor. Of course she would say yes. So, I would ask her if she would go and talk to Mother Nature and ask her if she would hold the rain off till tonight. I asked her if she would make it rain from park close to park open so that all of the guests at WDW can have a magical time - and she said she would try. Moms and dads were saying "please Tink," and I would say to Tinkerbell - remember it is "do or do not - there is no try". John aka crazydisneydancer. Your friend in the most magical place on earth

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Wednesday May 13, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well, another magical day has come to a close, and magic was everywhere - including the weather!! Well, my day started out at Carousel Of Progress, where I would greet the princesses and space rangers as they would be coming to the carousel, or to see Buzz Lightyear for autographs. I would pick a princess and ask her if she knew any magic words?? Most of the time, they would look at me like "huh," and moms and dads would say to her "say abracadabra." I would say that only works with a magic carpet, and I would say to the princess "how about PLEASE, THANK YOU And BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOO," and the doors to the carousel would magicaly open. The children's eyes were like "WOW," and as they would walk in to the carousel, I would say to them remeber "Please and Thank You are just as magical too!!" Then, I went to Monsters theater, where the monsters of comedy were more hilarious then ever. Then, I went to "photocell," and as I was welcoming the humans to monstropolous, I ran into a princess who had gone to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Did she look beautiful! She was dressed up like Jasmine, and I asked her if she was friends with Aladin. She said she was, so I then asked her if she got to ride on his magic carpet today. She said "no." I said "well, you can go and test out one of his other carpets," and she said "I can?" I said "yes - you can when you get done laughing hysterically at the Monsters show - go over to Adventureland and you will see his carpets." She was all excited! I then went out to be a "greeter" at Monsters, Inc, where I saw a couple who had an anniversary button on,  and I said to them "Happy Aniversary - and many happy magical years are yet to come." So, see you in the most magical place on earth. Your buddy in the kingdom. John aka crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Saturday May 9, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well, my day started out like any other day would, as I was greeting the guests as they would be going in to do battle with the evil ZURG. I would be bubblizing the land - making smiles for millions of miles. As I was blowing bubbles, I saw a mom who was intrigued with what I was doing. She asked me "where in the world did you get that," and I said "where I get all of my bubble stuff - Walmart." She said "I've never seen that in my Walmart." So, I asked her where she lived, and she said upstate New York. I said "you need to go to your Walmart's manager and tell them that they need to get these in." Her son loves bubbles and I said to her "who doesn't love bubbles??" She said it was her son's birthday, and I asked where he was. She said he was on Astro Orbiter, and I said "well, when you catch up with him,  bring him over." She said "sure I will." About 20 minutes later, as I was at Buzz Lightyear's Fastpass return, she walked up with the birthday boy. I asked him his name, because he wasn't wearing his button and he said it was Brian. So, I escorted him to the front of the cue lines, and loudly announced that it was Brian's birthday! I asked if the entire cue line would help me sing happy birthday to him, and they did. As we were ending the song, I handed him the bubble wand and said "Happy Birthday." His eyes were huge and mom and dad said "are you sure?" I said "yes, I have 3 backup wands." And that is the magic that happened today -- your friend in the most magical place in the world john aka crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Tuesday May 5, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well, it's time to say goodnight to another magical Tuesday - and it was a magical one at that!! My day started out at Buzz Lightyear as a "greeter," and welcoming the space rangers to their mission!! I was doing that and blowing bubbles, and moms and dads were snapping pictures as their kids were having a blast popping the bubbles. The next location I went to was to Buzz "unload," where the Sunshine Team (which is a group in Florida who bring children who otherwise would not be able to ever come for reasons too long to go into). Most of them are with Make a Wish, and it was making even the smallest one smile!!!!!!!!!!!!! The next location I went to was to Monsters, Inc where I was theater (the mic guy), and the monsters were being hilariously funny. And that was my magical day. Shorter than I like them to be!!! Hope to see you all in the most magical place on earth. John aka crazydisneydancer
 
--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Monday May 4, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well, another Monday has come to a close, and was it a fun and illuminating day! My day started off at Buzz Lightyear "load 2," where I would close the clamshell doors on the space cruisers so the new Space Rangers could go and do battle with the evil emporer Zurg!! I would salute the Space Rangers as they started their Mission!!! The next location I went to was to the Carousel of Progress, where I would ask Tinkerbell if she would open the doors of the carousel. I would make sure to say PLEASE, and she would open them. As I was there - entertainment was doing a soft opening of STITCHES SUPERSONIC ZONE - a stage show which officially opens on Wednesday. The next location was Buzz Lightyear's "merge point" - my favorite location!!! While there, I had the cue line sing Happy Birthday to a Space Ranger and to 2 princesses. Then, I went to Buzz Lightyear "unload," and welcomed the Space Rangers back from their mission - giving them high fives - and low fives!!!!!!! Hope to see you all in the most magical place on earth. Your friend in the Kingdom -- John aka crazydisneydancer
 
--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Sunday May 3, 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well hello to all my friends! I hope everything is good with you all!! Well, my day started out at Buzz Lightyear as a "greeter." The first princess I saw was Cinderella, and she had gone to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She looked beautiful, and I reached out my hand as if to shake her hand. I gently grasped her fingers and gave her a spin and her face was gleaming with happiness!! Mom and dad had smiles from ear to ear, and I began filling the area in front of Buzz Lightyear with bubbles. The children were having a blast popping the bubbles!! The next location I was deployed to was Buzz Lightyear "stroller parking." While there, I continued blowing bubbles - and as I was blowing bubbles - I heard a young princess who was not a happy princess. I walked over to her mobile throne and began blowing bubbles onto the top of her throne. The bubbles would gently drop over the top of the throne and pop in her lap. Once the bubbles started, the unhappiness turned to a joyful giggle and laughter. Then I saw a father who had a grumpy shirt on and I said to him "we need you to turn your shirt inside out." He looked at me like what are you talking about and I explained to him that on the inside of a grumpy shirt is a happy shirt - just like on the inside of a grumpy old man is a happy inner child waiting to bust out. I hope to see you all in the most magical place on earth -- John aka crazydisneydancer
 
--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!! 

Friday April 24 2009: Magic Kingdom Update

Well, it was another bubbly magical day at the Magic Kingdom!! It started out at Buzz Lightyear, where I was a greeter. While there, I would fill the land with bubbles. The next location I went to was Monsters "photocell," where I would greet the humans as they would be entering into the Monsters world!! The next location I was at was Monsters "greeter," where i was again filling the land with bubbles. Suddenly, I heard a very unhappy princess who was unhappy because her mom had gone into the Stitch attraction and she was too short. So I walked over to her stroller/mobile throne and she was looking at me like "what are you gonna do." So, I started blowing bubbles and she stopped crying and she had a smile from ear to ear. Mom and grandma had bigger smiles. See you in the most magical place on earth. John aka the crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!