Tuesday 24 February 2009

Random Tuesday

As I've mentioned before, there are some changes happening at DF'82 - some trips planned and some exciting things I have all set to show you in the coming months. So, I thought today we could be random!

I'm going to share with you some pictures from Liberty Square, one of my favourite places in the whole of the Magic Kingdom. And today's fact from the amazing DisneyWorldTrivia.com Page-a-Day calendar. Please stop by Lou's site if you haven't already.

Today's fact: Disney.com, the flagship website of the Disney Company, launched in 1996.


Liberty Tree Tavern

Liberty Square Heritage House

The Hall Of Presidents

Thursday 19 February 2009

Double Take

Taking a look around the world, sometimes there are similarities between the Disney parks. For example, the Castle in Tokyo Disneyland is a replica of the Castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Soarin' Over California is the same as Soarin' in Epcot. And sometimes, just sometimes, you come across very similar phone booths.

Do you know which Disney parks you can find the following? (Please note, princesses not included!)

phonebox1 phonebox2

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Welcome to Monstropolis

If I'm not mistaken, Ryan over at Main St. Gazette has introduced us to some great Disney Details with regards to meeting Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

monsters1

Jumping over to the other side of the States, the Monsters have their own ride in Mike & Sully To The Rescue in Disney's California Adventure. Whilst you are waiting to get into your very own Monster-Mobile (as I like to call it!) there are some fun Disney Detailing all around.

monster2

Now, excuse me, I'm going to go and grab myself a can of Blort!

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Living In a Tree

As many of you may know, I have been lucky enough to work at Walt Disney World twice now. Whilst taking my time out of my Royal duties, I was able to work for a year between 2004 and 2005, and then again for 6 months in 2006.
Treehouse Villas
During my second placement in the World, I was lucky/unlucky enough to stay at the Treehouse Villas. With the recent news that the Villas are going to be reopening as part of the Disney Vacation Club and the Saratoga Springs Resort, I thought it would be nice to talk about them a little here.
Hidden Mickey Door
The Villas were open to guests between 1975 and 2002, and were built about 10 feet off the ground and designed to blend in with the environment around them. The Resort is located between Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, and are right next to the Lake Buena Vista golf club. The Villas were badly damaged during the hurricanes of 2004, and it would take them another couple of years before they were refurbished enough to accommodate Cast Members.

When I went out in 2006 to participate in the International College Program for the summer, I was given accommodation in the Treehouse Villas. Whilst I was super-excited to be staying on Disney property, there were a lot of negatives to this. I won't go into too much detail, but let's say needing a chemist or a supermarket and not being able to walk to one isn't very convenient for a start!
Kitchen in Treehouse Villas
But let me tell you a bit more about life there 3 years ago. The Villas were home to mainly internationals working at the Magic Kingdom - especially a lot from Hong Kong and Brazil. There was a pool area and a spot for barbecuing, but no gym amenities (which the other communities housing Internationals had at the time). Anyway, each Villa would sleep 5 Cast Members - there was a basement room (which had a lovely double bed but also no door and you had to get through to go to the laundry facilities!), and two bedrooms upstairs, one an en-suite. The kitchen and the dining room were in one small area and the living room was at the entrance. In my opinion, each Villa was far too small to sleep 5 complete strangers - I will be very interested to see how they could sleep up to 9 guests, without some major changes!
Tree Impression
The first Villa I stayed in, I slept in the basement room, which was actually great fun! The main downside was that the Villa was just off the golf course, and sometimes I would be woken up with a golf ball hitting the windows!
Inside Treehouse Villas Inside Treehouse Villas
The area itself is beautiful - a very natural area, with tall trees and a lot of wildlife passing by! It was strange how we were living in Walt Disney World, with the Magic Kingdom mere minutes away, but it never felt like it... During the first couple of months, there was no internet access within the Villas - we were told they couldn't upgrade due to conservation laws. But as the months progressed, we were gradually given internet access - I guess this was because in the long run Disney had other plans for this Resort!

Whilst this is a very brief introduction to my stay in the Treehouse Villas, at the time I didn't appreciate the history behind them. I look forward to seeing what Disney will do with the Villas - and maybe I will, one day, be able to stay in them and reminisce over my time as a Cast Member who lived on Walt Disney World Property!
Around Treehouse Villas View from our Treehouse

Head on over to this article at allears.net about what the new Treehouse Villas will 'house' - including some great artist's impressions. Click on photos to enlarge!

Monday 9 February 2009

Monday Memories - On a Mission

Let's go back in time - way back, again, to this Princess's first trip to the magical Walt Disney World. I thought I would share some more snaps from the Royal Archives. Remember a few weeks ago I showed you my prized autograph book? Well, the following photos show me on a mission... A mission to get a very elusive Villain's autograph! (click to enlarge!)

Here you can see me looking a little annoyed. Why annoyed? Well, I need to get some autographs for my book!

Florida 1990 (15)

I'm getting impatient - we're getting closer, and we don't have time to be taking photographs, parents!

Florida 1990 (33)

"Okay, fine, Mickey, if you must sign my autograph book you can! Although are you sure you don't want my autograph instead?"

Florida 1990 (27)

"Honestly, first you make me wear these rediculous shorts and now you make me pose for more photographs?!"

Florida 1990 (39)

Here, I manage to get an autograph - but it's not the one I need! Is that him, out of the corner of my eye?

Florida 1990 (38)

Yes! I did it! I got Captain Hook's autograph! It's terribly difficult tracking down that villain, but I did it! Now, I just hope he doesn't throw my book in the water in a rage...

Florida 1990 (34)

Friday 6 February 2009

Snow All Around!

It's been a hectic time here in the Royal household - snow has been impacting upon us in a big way! So I apologise for the randomness of this blog, but it has been a very random week...


DSC00228

Over the next few weeks there may be some changes to DF82 - but all for the good! I love this blog and I only want to make it better and more appealing for you all. Whilst it will definitely still focus on Disneyland Paris, I would like to include more from the other Disney parks around the world - especially Tokyo Disneyland.

Until then, all being well, regular posting will resume! And to commemorate the snow we have been having in the UK, let's look at the efforts Disney will put into making snow all year round in their parks!


Main Street USA


Snowing on Main Street

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Up, Up and Away!

With all the talk surrounding the new balloon experience that is under development for Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World, I thought it would be nice to have a little look at the balloon that is currently at the Disney Village in Disneyland Resort Paris.

PanoraMagique balloon is situated at the end of the Disney Village, close to Hotel New York. It is the largest tethered balloon in the world, and raises up to 100m in the air, allowing you to get a fantastic view of the Disneyland Paris Resort!


balloon

The balloon opened on April 9th 2005, and has a capacity of around 30 people. It is also filled with around 5,000 cubic metres of helium and around 1600 squared metres of material used to create the balloon itself. Whilst I have not had a chance to experience this - because it can be closed in very cold weather - this is a great way to see the surrounding area, and get some great views of the park! I know I will have a try of this when I get back to DLRP.

I think something like this will be fantastic in the Downtown Disney area. I'm not a great fan of the balloon's attractiveness, but the experience to get some great views of the Walt Disney World resort will be the main attraction!