Duffy The Disney…. Who?
As many Disney fans may know, Duffy the Disney Bear made his American theme park debut today. But if you are anything like me you may find yourself saying Duffy who?
Well for the uninformed, i.e. those of you who don’t care enough to research this character (everyone), here is the story of Duffy.
One day sailor Mickey is about to go to sea, Minnie wanting to give him something special makes him a bear named Duffy. Minnie presented the bear to Mickey at the pier by the old lighthouse on a blustery day. Mickey smiled brightly, and placed the teddy lovingly into his duffel bag. "I'll call you Duffy!" And the two were off to begin a wonder-full journey.
The story goes on, but really that’s the important part.
Duffy the bear is a minor character form an obscure story from Tokyo Disney. The only reason he is coming to Epcot is that Disney believes he will be a big seller.
Don’t believe me? Liz Boyce, Senior VP merchandise development even stated during her opening line during the press conference “I guess you are wondering who in the world is Duffey.”
Now, don’t get me wrong I have no problem with Disney making as much money as they can (I am a stock holder) and I do spend obscene amounts of money that I really don’t have at Disney every year. Like many of you other Disney fans, I spend the money on things that I love. I love the resorts, from the Poly to the Pop each has its own unique appeal, high standard of service, a bit of magic, and it beats the “no tell-motel” down the road. I love the food, the themeing, the cast members and the characters.
Characters that my parents grew up with, that I grew up with, that my son is growing up with. And yes there have been some additions over the years, but normally when they add characters they build a story, an experience, a world around them. Only then, when we embrace them does Disney finally bring them to the parks, sells plush toys, and hold a press conference. To me, Duffy was the exception.
It seems that Disney is trying to make an obscure character a big deal simply to increase the sales of Duffy dolls in the U.S. Fine, great, more power to them, but I don’t know if it is going to work. I dislike the fact that Disney is trying to force this bear down my throat, why not give me something I want. Lets say Phineas and Ferb.
Phineas and Ferb are a favorite in my house. My three year old would wait in line for hours to meet them and Perry. He would also beg me to buy and buy and buy Phineas and Ferb toys. Why couldn’t they bring them to Epcot… Would anyone argue that they would not be a great addition to Innoventions. Or what is Disney doing with the old Wonders of Life pavilion… Maybe a few Phineas and Ferb inspired rides.
I will end here before my blood pressure gets too high, but I will leave you with one fear that I have. My son sees Duffy and wants one, not because he loves him the way he loves Mickey, but because it’s a bear and he is three.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
iPad on Verizon...Is the iPhone next?
Verizon Wireless says it will start selling Apple's iPad and in its retail stores beginning Oct. 28.
The company says it will also offer data plans for the tablet computer for $20 per month, breaking AT&T Inc.'s exclusive hold on Apple's mobile devices. Price for the 16gb iPad and MiFi mobile hotspot will be $629.
One of the best parts of this new announcement, NO CONTRACT. Verizon has announced that the $20per month data plan will be pay as you go.
The deal could give both Apple Inc. and Verizon, the country's largest wireless carrier, a boost going into the holiday shopping season.
Separately, AT&T Inc. says it is also offering the iPad at retail locations for the first time. The carrier has been the exclusive wireless provider for the iPad since its launch earlier this year, offering data plans that start at $15 per month.
Will the iphone be far behind...
The company says it will also offer data plans for the tablet computer for $20 per month, breaking AT&T Inc.'s exclusive hold on Apple's mobile devices. Price for the 16gb iPad and MiFi mobile hotspot will be $629.
One of the best parts of this new announcement, NO CONTRACT. Verizon has announced that the $20per month data plan will be pay as you go.
The deal could give both Apple Inc. and Verizon, the country's largest wireless carrier, a boost going into the holiday shopping season.
Separately, AT&T Inc. says it is also offering the iPad at retail locations for the first time. The carrier has been the exclusive wireless provider for the iPad since its launch earlier this year, offering data plans that start at $15 per month.
Will the iphone be far behind...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Disney computers go down
Just a reminder that Walt Disney World will be updating their computer systems today at three o’clock. Staring at this time many Disney services will be unavailable.
Here is a list of the known areas which will be unavailable during the system maintenance:
All Disney hotel bookings including Walt Disney World resorts, Disneyland resorts, Aulani in Hawai, Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island
All Disney Vacation Club villa bookings
Magic Your Way ticket redemptions and upgrades at Lobby Concierge desks (theme park Guest Relations booths will be able to assist with all ticket transactions but extended wait times are expected)
Advance Dining Reservations
Behind the Scenes tour bookings
Watercraft rentals, golf tee times and all other recreation reservations
Cirque du Soleil ticket pick-up from Lobby Concierge (box office will still be able to issue tickets)
Ticket pick-up for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Ticket pick-up for dinner shows including Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
On-line check-in service will be down
Key to the World charging privileges MAY be impacted--park guests are advised to carry alternate payment media
Use of Disney Dining Plan credits is NOT expected to be interrupted.
Member Services will be closing at 3pm eastern while other systems are scheduled to go down at 4pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Access is expected to be restored early the morning of Thursday, October 14, 2010.
If you need to use any of these services or make reservations do so now.
Here is a list of the known areas which will be unavailable during the system maintenance:
All Disney hotel bookings including Walt Disney World resorts, Disneyland resorts, Aulani in Hawai, Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island
All Disney Vacation Club villa bookings
Magic Your Way ticket redemptions and upgrades at Lobby Concierge desks (theme park Guest Relations booths will be able to assist with all ticket transactions but extended wait times are expected)
Advance Dining Reservations
Behind the Scenes tour bookings
Watercraft rentals, golf tee times and all other recreation reservations
Cirque du Soleil ticket pick-up from Lobby Concierge (box office will still be able to issue tickets)
Ticket pick-up for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Ticket pick-up for dinner shows including Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
On-line check-in service will be down
Key to the World charging privileges MAY be impacted--park guests are advised to carry alternate payment media
Use of Disney Dining Plan credits is NOT expected to be interrupted.
Member Services will be closing at 3pm eastern while other systems are scheduled to go down at 4pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Access is expected to be restored early the morning of Thursday, October 14, 2010.
If you need to use any of these services or make reservations do so now.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ticket Books Start Today (in1955)
Though many of us Disney fans know about or have heard about the ticket books that were once used at Disneyland and later Disney World, many of us don’t realize that the ticket book was not what was used when Disneyland first opened.
On opening day at Disneyland, guests were expected to individually purchase tickets, much like at a carnival today. Originally there was a park admission price and tickets cost between 10 and 35 cents.
To address complaints that visitors were being "nickeled and dimed to death," Disney introduced lettered tickets on October 11th 1955, just three months after opening day. At this juncture, there were l only 3 types of tickets “A”, “B”, and “C”.
The "D" tickets were added in the middle of 1956 and the famous "E" ticket was introduced in June 1959 with the opening of the Matterhorn, Monorail, and Submarine attractions.
The "E" ticket represented the best and most exciting attractions in the park and the phrase made its way into popular culture. For example, when the first American woman was a crewmember on the Space Shuttle was asked to describe the launch, she called it "a real e-ticket ride."
However, the lettered tickets were phased out around 1982 in favor of all-inclusive passes which allowed visitors to visit as many attractions as they wanted to wait in line for.
On a side note, I can’t imagine having to pay per ride at Disneyworld. Part of the magic of Disney is that when I am there I can do what I want as often as I like without regard to how much I can afford.
For more Disney info, history or travel tips be sure to visit www.mousellaneous.org
On opening day at Disneyland, guests were expected to individually purchase tickets, much like at a carnival today. Originally there was a park admission price and tickets cost between 10 and 35 cents.
To address complaints that visitors were being "nickeled and dimed to death," Disney introduced lettered tickets on October 11th 1955, just three months after opening day. At this juncture, there were l only 3 types of tickets “A”, “B”, and “C”.
The "D" tickets were added in the middle of 1956 and the famous "E" ticket was introduced in June 1959 with the opening of the Matterhorn, Monorail, and Submarine attractions.
The "E" ticket represented the best and most exciting attractions in the park and the phrase made its way into popular culture. For example, when the first American woman was a crewmember on the Space Shuttle was asked to describe the launch, she called it "a real e-ticket ride."
However, the lettered tickets were phased out around 1982 in favor of all-inclusive passes which allowed visitors to visit as many attractions as they wanted to wait in line for.
On a side note, I can’t imagine having to pay per ride at Disneyworld. Part of the magic of Disney is that when I am there I can do what I want as often as I like without regard to how much I can afford.
For more Disney info, history or travel tips be sure to visit www.mousellaneous.org
Sunday, October 10, 2010
11 years of Pin Trading
Disney Pin trading.. An event that was only supposed to last a year celebrates its 11th anniversary.
Pins have always been present at Disney parks, but it wasn't until 1999 as part of the Millennium Celebration that Paul Pressler introduced Disney Pin Trading at the Disneyland Resort. (The pin trading "event" was originally only supposed to last through the Millennium Celebration) The next year, the craze spread to the Walt Disney World Resort, which has become the home of most Pin Trading events. Since then, Pin Trading has spread to Disneyland Resort Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Lines with each location creating their own pins and traditions.
Many people don't understand the draw that pin trading has and I will admit I was once and still am one of those people. Having said that I also have to admit that with the money I have spent on pins, I could probably have paid off my house.
So why do people trade pins, well everyone has their own reasons, for me I use them to commemorate special events. I have pins from spring training, birthdays we celebrated at Disney, opening day of a new ride or movie, fathers day pins, and the mostspecial frequent event... my son says "Daddy can I please have that pin". Hey it beats buying him a bunch of candy.
Pins have always been present at Disney parks, but it wasn't until 1999 as part of the Millennium Celebration that Paul Pressler introduced Disney Pin Trading at the Disneyland Resort. (The pin trading "event" was originally only supposed to last through the Millennium Celebration) The next year, the craze spread to the Walt Disney World Resort, which has become the home of most Pin Trading events. Since then, Pin Trading has spread to Disneyland Resort Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Lines with each location creating their own pins and traditions.
Many people don't understand the draw that pin trading has and I will admit I was once and still am one of those people. Having said that I also have to admit that with the money I have spent on pins, I could probably have paid off my house.
So why do people trade pins, well everyone has their own reasons, for me I use them to commemorate special events. I have pins from spring training, birthdays we celebrated at Disney, opening day of a new ride or movie, fathers day pins, and the most
Monday, August 16, 2010
Free Dining Extended
Free Dining Has Been Extended Through SEPTEMBER 2011! Lots of blackout dates on this one and Disney raised the maximum night stay to 4-nights.
You can get FREE dining when you book a full price 4-night/5-day or longer 2010 or 2011 Magic Your Way vacation package for stays most nights 10/1/10 - 10/7/10, 10/22/10 - 10/28/10, 11/12/10 - 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 - 12/21/10, 1/1/11 - 1/5/11, 1/9/11 - 1/13/11, 1/21/11 - 2/3/11, 2/11/11 - 2/17/11, 2/25/11 - 3/3/11, 5/27/11 - 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 - 9/29/11.
To qualify, you must purchase a vacation package that includes at least 4 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a 5-day theme park ticket.
You can get FREE dining when you book a full price 4-night/5-day or longer 2010 or 2011 Magic Your Way vacation package for stays most nights 10/1/10 - 10/7/10, 10/22/10 - 10/28/10, 11/12/10 - 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 - 12/21/10, 1/1/11 - 1/5/11, 1/9/11 - 1/13/11, 1/21/11 - 2/3/11, 2/11/11 - 2/17/11, 2/25/11 - 3/3/11, 5/27/11 - 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 - 9/29/11.
To qualify, you must purchase a vacation package that includes at least 4 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a 5-day theme park ticket.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Food and Wine 2010 Part 1
Well it’s coming up on that time of year again; Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival! I know it hasn’t started yet, actually it’s about two months away, but for this I start planning early. This is one of the best if not the best event that happens in all of the Walt Disney World Resort. Every year starting in October and running through the beginning of November Epcot adds even more delicious food and wine selections to their menu.
Add to that the Eat to the Beat concert series, and numerous classes, workshops, wine pairings, and tastings and you have the making of one great month at EPCOT.
We at Mousellaneous look forward to this event all year long, in fact we spend months drinking in order to prepare for this event. Check back in tomorrow for a review of some of the food that is making a return from last year. Keep checking for our tips hints and tricks for getting the most out of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Stop by www.mousellaneous.com for festival map, details, and concert schedule.
Add to that the Eat to the Beat concert series, and numerous classes, workshops, wine pairings, and tastings and you have the making of one great month at EPCOT.
We at Mousellaneous look forward to this event all year long, in fact we spend months drinking in order to prepare for this event. Check back in tomorrow for a review of some of the food that is making a return from last year. Keep checking for our tips hints and tricks for getting the most out of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Stop by www.mousellaneous.com for festival map, details, and concert schedule.
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