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Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 07:37:26 +0500
From: [e-mail] (Eric T. Simon)
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Walt Disney World - The Overlooked Attractions
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Hi, Laura.

Thank you so much for your kind words.  It's always nice to get feedback
(especially the positive kind *grin*).

>     Also, unless I hear from you, I'm going to put a copy in AOL's Travel
> Library!

Wow, that would be great.  I have attached the latest version of this
document (I'm not sure which version you have).

Best regards and yours in Disney,

Eric T. Simon                             #1 Paige O'Hara/Belle fan
[e-mail]        ()_()    Judy Kuhn/Poca fan
FDC Captain of Monorail Black     ( )     Jodi Benson/Ariel fan

---- Views expressed are my own and not those of my employer.  ----



--- begin include ---



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                   Walt Disney World -  The Overlooked Attractions

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                             Version 1.5 - January 5, 1996
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  1)  Take the boat from Pleasure Island to Port Orleans on the Sassagoula
      River.  Great view of the Treehouse Villas.  If possible, do it on a
      chilly evening with your significant other (SO).  Very romantic.  Price:
      free to WDW resort guests.

  2)  Tea at the Rose and Crown Pub (in UK in Epcot).  "It's usually at 3:30 or
      4:00. There's only one seating, and it only seats 20 people or so, so you
      need to make advance reservations early."  Price:  Epcot admission
      required, plus price of refreshments.

  3)  For the kids:  the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness (just south of Pioneer
      Hall).  Take boat or bus to Fort Wilderness.  Price:  free to WDW resort
      guests.

  4)  Be sure to stop and see the Dancing Fountain shows at Epcot, at the
      Innoventions Fountain.  There are four different shows:

      On the hour:  music from "The Rescuers Down Under"
      On the quarter (11:15, 12:15, etc.):  music from "The Rocketeer"
      On the half hour (11:30, 12:30, etc.):  Mickey-related music
      On quarter to (11:45, 12:45, etc.):  music from "Surprise in the
           Skies"

      Good place to watch the show:  from the middle of the "Epcot" logo
      embedded in the cement to the south of the fountain (toward World
      Showcase).  From there, the huge speakers installed for "Splashtacular!"
      give you the best sound.  Also, Spaceship Earth makes a great backdrop
      for all the shows.

      At night, lighting effects change the shows dramatically - so make sure
      to check this out at night!  After Illuminations, watch the show from the
      Fountain View Cafe.  Price:  Epcot admission required.

 5A)  Tour the WDW resorts/ride the monorails.  Best to do this mid-day, as
      WDW transportation will probably be less crowded.  Price:  free to
      WDW resort guests (food items are extra, of course).

      Following resorts are recommended:

      Grand Floridian Resort:  very nice white sand beach; listen to
           piano/jazz band/whatever in lobby (call in advance for musician
           schedule).  Tea and miniature sandwiches (served on beautiful
           china) are served in the afternoon at the Garden View Lounge.
      Wilderness Lodge Resort:  see Disney's version of Old Faithful (erupts
           on the hour); "check out the Pacific Northwest Indian art at the
           gift shop; the back pool area has to be seen to be believed.  Sit
           in the rows of rocking chairs in front of a huge stone fireplace
           (where Chip and Dale often visit).  At 8:00 PM, an animal handler
           from Discovery Island will be in the lobby with two animals.  The
           handler will tell the kids (big and small) all about the animals,
           and may allow the kids to pet the animals.  Recommend that you
           verify the time with the Wilderness Lodge front desk."
      Port Orleans Resort:  try the beignets, a pastry dish available at
           the bakery.
      Dixie Landings Resort:  "the food court of Dixie Landings is an enormous
           cotton mill. The barbecue sub wasn't bad."  Also, check out Ol' Man
           Island, a combination playground/swimming area.  The bakery is
           highly recommended.
      Yacht and Beach Club Resorts:  get an ice-cream cone or a giant
           milkshake from Beaches and Cream stand; musicians in lobby at
           select times (call Disney Information Services for info).  Also,
           check out the pool at the Beach Club Resort.  Swimming in the pool
           is reserved for Yacht and Beach Club Resort guests.  Looking, how-
           ever, is free.
      All-Star Resorts:  bizarre, oversize theming (giant sports/music equip-
           ment); also character statues you can get photos with.
      Swan Resort:  "Go at night. The inside of the Swan has an enormous
           balloon canopy ceiling you should see."
      Dolphin Resort:  "You can watch the fireworks outside MGM while lying in
           the hammocks outside the Dolphin.  Never crowded."

 5B)  A quick resort tour:  "For the monorail hotels, try parking at the new
      Wilderness Lodge about 10-15 minutes before the hour, watch the geyser on
      the hour, then take the boat to the Magic Kingdom.  Next, take the clock-
      wise monorail to each hotel in turn - but walk between the Polynesian and
      the Grand Floridian.  Then monorail back to MK, and boat back to the car
      at Wilderness Lodge.  It takes a couple of hours, but is great fun even
      in poorer weather, as once you get on the monorail everything is under
      cover (if you want it to be)."  Price:  free to WDW resort guests.

 5C)  An evening on Seven Seas Lagoon:  "eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe in
      Wilderness Lodge.  If you time it right (get there for about 7:30 PM to
      8:00 PM), you can have a nice meal and finish dessert just after 9 PM, at
      which time you can stroll down to the jetty area to watch the Water
      Pageant as it passes the Lodge.  Then board the next boat toward the MK,
      (no earlier than 9:45 PM) and you will be half-way across the lake when
      the 10 PM fireworks start over Cinderalla Castle.  This is a beautiful
      way to view the fireworks, and is really romantic as the boat captain will
      dim the onboard lights during the show, and may even pause before docking
      to allow you to see the show to the end.  Sit in the front of the boat for
      the best view, it's really beautiful."

      There are fireworks in the MK only when it is open late, and the showtime
      for fireworks may vary.  You will have to adjust the times accordingly.
      Price:  dinner at Wilderness Lodge, transportation is free to all WDW
      resort guests.

  6)  Walk the carriage path from Port Orleans to Dixie Landings.  Do this in
      the evening with your SO.  Price:  free to WDW resort guests.

  7)  For the nature lover:  Discovery Island, a Disney zoological park located
      in the center of Bay Lake.  "A wonderful nature park, accessible only by
      boat.  There is a walking trail throughout the island, a bird aviary, and
      educational lectures/shows."  Not for the non-outdoorsy type.  This is
      not a "typical" Disney park - it is very low key.  Price:  requires
      separate admission or included as part of Park Hopper pass.

  8)  Take the boat ride from the Contemporary Resort to Fort Wilderness
      across Bay Lake.  Will also stop at Discovery Island during the
      daytime.  If possible, do this at night with your SO.  Very
      romantic.  Price:  free to WDW resort guests.

  9)  Take a boat from the Yacht Club to Epcot for a viewing of Illuminations.
      "To make reservations, call the Beach Club at [phone] and ask for
      extension 6112."  The boat is named the Breathless, after Breathless
      Mahoney from Dick Tracy.  Boat can accomodate up to 7 people.  Boat
      departs at about 8:40 PM.

      You can also charter the "Breathless" throughout the day for half-hour
      daytime cruises.  You may want to tip the captain, although there are
      no "hints" that this is expected.

      Price:  $75 for evening cruise, $50 for afternoon cruise.  Prices are per
      cruise, not per person.  Cruises are free with the Food'N'Fun card.  Pay
      ahead of time at the Yacht Club Marina.  Make reservations as early
      as you can, because there is only one evening fireworks cruise.


 10)  "One very pleasant surprise that I did not know about was the little park
      in the Great Britain pavilion at Epcot.  It's not very big, but I sure
      felt as if I was on Cherry Tree Lane.  The Mary Poppins inspired topiary
      certainly helped.  Just follow the lane that leads away from the water-
      front and the park is just around the corner."  Price:  Epcot admission
      required.

 11)  "On a steamy day (early in the morning), take a walk through the cool
      mists of the woods at Fort Wilderness."  Price:  free to WDW resort
      guests.

 12)  "Drink a glass of sweet wine at Germany (Epcot) and keep the glass."
      Price:  Epcot admission required, plus the wine!

 13)  For the kids:  "let him wear his/her swimming suit to the Disney Village
      Marketplace and s/he will love to play in the fountains that spray water."
      Great chance for Mom and Dad to catch a break.  Price:  free.

 14)  Visit the Disney Village Marketplace.  BIG Disney store (The Disney
      Character Shop), glass stores, toy store, clothes stores.  Closest decent
      restaurant is The Fireworks Factory, located outside Pleasure Island.
      Price:  free (well, unless you actually buy something).

 15)  Go to Fort Wilderness for the campfire/sing-along.  A Disney classic
      movie follows the sing-along.  Chip and Dale usually make an appearance.
      Movie begins at sundown.  The Fort Wilderness staff will provide a
      campfire; bring your marshmallows, hot dogs and sticks if you have them.
      If not, marshmallows and sticks are available for purchase.

      The movie shown is different each night of the week.  You might be able
      to catch "Song of the South" here.  Price:  free to all WDW resort guests.

      Note:  the campfire/sing-along is located in the middle of the Fort
      Wilderness campground (about a 15-minute walk from Pioneer Hall).  If
      you do not wish to walk, you will have to catch a bus which is on the
      internal Fort Wilderness route (you can catch this bus at the Pioneer
      Hall busstop).  Get off at the Meadowlands Trading Post stop.  If the
      campground is crowded, the campfire/sing-along may also be crowded.  :-(

 16)  Go to the theatre in the Contemporary for a free Disney classic movie.
      Note:  you may be able to see "Song of the South" here.  Theatre is
      located at the rear of the arcade behind the front desk.  Price:  free to
      all WDW resort guests.

 17)  See the Electrical Water Pageant Parade.  This show can be seen at the
      Fort Wilderness Beach, behind the Contemporary Resort, from the
      Polynesian Resort Beach, and from the Grand Floridian Beach.  The show
      lasts about ten minutes.  A chain of parade floats will entertain you
      with lights and music from the water.  Show time varies slightly from
      resort to resort (anywhere from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM).  Call the resort
      for schedule.  Price:  free to all WDW resort guests.

 18)  For the coffee afficianado:  "try the little coffee bar in the lobby
      of the Wilderness Lodge.  Stop by and ask what the current specialty
      is.  Everything we tried was wonderful!"  Hot chocolate at this bar is
      also recommended.

 19)  "Ride up front with the driver on the monorails.  As long as no one else
      is waiting, and they aren't too busy, if you ask the Cast Members, they
      will usually let you do it.  It's a great view, especially at sunset."
      If you decide to do this, it is best to try for an off-peak time.  The
      Cast Members will usually be more accomodating when things are quieter
      (try to avoid morning and evening rush periods).  If you are a WDW
      resort guest, schedule this for a day when you are not going to the
      parks.  Price:  free.

 20)  For the beer lover:  "At the Contemporary Resort they have Monorail Ale!
      I make it a point on any trip to Disney to stop at the Contemporary
      Resort's Outer Rim Lounge and enjoy this fine honey wheat ale that is
      brewed in Orlando.  The view of Bay Lake is also quite nice."

      At Epcot's World Showcase:  Guinness, Harp, and Bass on tap at the Rose
      and Crown in the UK pavillion.  Becks and Becks Dark in Germany.
      Other countries also have other country-specific brews in bottles:
      Mexico (Dos Equis), Japan (Sapporo), Italy and France.

      Others:

      Port Orleans/Dixie Landings:  Blackened Voodoo Lager
      Wilderness Lodge Resort:  Lodgehouse Ale
      Disney/MGM Studios:  Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (at most restaurants)

 21)  "Try sitting in the Top of the World lounge at the Contemporary
      Resort during the Magic Kingdom fireworks (they pipe in the music and
      the view is great) and then stroll outside on one of the balconies
      and watch the Electrical Water Pageant."  Price:  free to all WDW
      resort guests.

 22)  "There is a nice, self-guided nature walk in the woods near Fort
      Wilderness. The trail begins at the far east end of the beach on Bay Lake
      (the end farthest from River Country). This trail is normally VERY
      private and can be nice for a romantic walk in the woods. Best seen
      during daytime as there are no lights and some of the trail passes
      through swampy areas, making misstepping off the trail somewhat
      unpleasant."  Price:  free to all WDW resort guests and to River Country
      guests.

 23)  "The best stop in Epcot:  the Matsu-No-Ma Lounge.  At the very back end
      of the park, you've walked a long way to get to Japan.  On the first
      floor is a department store.  Now ascend the steps to the second floor,
      and enter the Matsu-No-Ma Lounge.  Here you can sit in front of large
      picture windows and watch the crowds hurry by on the pavement below.
      You can look out over the lagoon, watching the workers prepare for that
      night's showing of Illuminations.  Meanwhile, you can relax, sipping hot
      sake."  Price:  Epcot admission required, plus food items.

 24)  "Eat/Drink/Shop around the world.   Pick something you like to do, and
      then try to do it in every country of Epcot.  For example, buy a t-shirt,
      drink a beer, or find a water fountain.

      You should be able to complete this in one day's visit. If you succeed,
      try to repeat the task in every Land of the Magic Kingdom, or in every
      hotel in WDW."

      Price:  admission to theme park, plus food/gift items.  OK, if you're
      going to "shop around the world", this could get a little pricey.  But
      think of the collection you'll have!  You could get a whole new wardrobe
      this way.  :-)  And if you manage to do something in every WDW hotel,
      you'll have really accomplished something (like blistered feet).

      A cheaper alternative:  take a camera and a friend, and have your picture
      taken in every hotel in WDW (or every land in Epcot or Magic Kingdom).
      When you get your pictures developed, try to convince your friends that
      you went around the world in 8 days.

 25)  Watch Illuminations after a rain.   "For some reason, everybody seems to
      leave the parks if a little rain appears, especially late in the day.  If
      you just stick it out, you can secure a great spot to watch Illumina-
      tions with no waiting required."  Price:  Epcot admission required.

 26)  Take the long way out of Epcot/Magic Kingdom.

      "At Epcot:  after Illuminations ends, as everyone scurries to the exits,
      wait to let the crowds die down, and then take a leisurely stroll around
      the lagoon.  You'll have a nice quiet time with minimal people, and a
      chance to look at the skies above.  The Disney buses or your car will
      be there whenever you get out, and security won't start asking you
      to leave for about a half hour."

      "In the Magic Kingdom:  Main Street doesn't close for a half hour
      after the rest of the park.  So while other folks fight the crowds in
      the parking lot, stop off for ice cream or a pastry.  You can even
      sit while you eat."

      Price:  theme park admission required.

 27)  See Christmas at the hotels.   "During the holidays (from Thanksgiving
      through New Year's Eve), you'll find interesting decorations in every
      hotel lobby.  Plus they may have free entertainment, or free refresh-
      ments, if you hit the right time of day."

      Some free Christmas attractions:  pictures with Santa (Swan), cookies and
      hot chocolate (Contemporary), gingerbread decorating contests (Port
      Orleans, Wilderness Lodge, Dixie Landings).

      Price:  free to all WDW resort guests.

 28)  "Rent one of the boats (pontoon, etc.) from Dixie Landings or Port
      Orleans and cruise the canals to the shopping village.  Or go to one of
      the resorts by the Magic Kingdom and rent a boat there to cruise Bay Lake
      and the Seven Seas Lagoon.  Very relaxing and enjoyable."

      Price:  varies, depending on which boat you rent.  Boat rentals are free
      with the Food'N'Fun card.  WDW/public transportation between all the WDW
      resorts is free to all WDW resort guests.

 29)  "Find the secret garden at World Showcase/Epcot.  Take the path running
      down the side of the Rose & Crown Pub on the French side that screams
      'Just Ignore Me.'  There's a nice little sitting area there right by the
      lagoon.  This area will sometimes be reserved in the evenings for private
      parties."

      Price:  Epcot admission required.

 30)  "Thursday evenings at the Fireworks Factory bar are fun because that is
      cast night, which makes for a more lively than usual time.  And be *sure*
      to check out the men's room there.  It has a fascinating little surprise
      to it.

      Price:  admission to the Fireworks Factory is possible _without_ paying
      admission to Pleasure Island."

 31)  "Around twilight, take a walk through the rose garden outside King
      Stefans (between the castle and TomorrowLand). It is off the beaten path
      but offers a beautiful view of the castle and the smell of roses is
      everywhere.  My wife thinks it is the most romantic spot.

      Another garden area is the one next to the waterfall in Canada."

      Price:  MK admission required to visit rose garden outside King Stefans,
      Epcot admission required to visit garden next to Canada pavillion.

 32)  For the nature lover:  in the Land pavillion in Epcot, there is a walking
      tour of the "Living With the Land" boat ride.  The tour is about thirty
      minutes, and you get to walk through the area in a VERY small group of
      about 15 people.  You may have seen these groups while on the boat ride.

      You are guided through by a Disney horticulturalist.  Disney has a
      program where graduate students will come to do research, and part of
      their "job" is to do about two tours per week.  The guide will explain the
      growing methods in much greater detail, answer any questions, and show
      you the plants in much more detail.

      Price:  Epcot admission required, plus $5 for adults, $3 for children.
      Although few people have ever heard of this, you must sign up first thing
      in the morning.  There are only a few tours per day, and they fill up
      quickly.  When you go into Epcot, go straight to the Land pavillion and in
      a corner on the ground floor there is a stand where you can sign up.  Ask
      a Cast Member to direct you to the stand.  There are two tours per hour.
      You cannot make phone reservations for this tour.

 33)  "Check out the Discovery Center in Epcot's Future World.  The first floor
      is a shop; walk upstairs and there are several information packets avail-
      able for free.  These include:

           Animation of the WDW resort - ten pages of info on Disney Animation
                and a listing of all the Disney animated features
           Disney History - a bio on Walt himself, philosophy of Walt Disney,
                history of the resort (with various facts and figures)
           Hydroponics Packet - from the Land pavillion
           Quotes from the American Pavillion"

      Price:  Epcot admission required.

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ATTRACTIONS

  1)  Restaurant:  Roaring Fork at the Wilderness Lodge
      Menu:  burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches
      What's special:  get take-out, and eat your food in front of the hotel.
      The view of the lake at night is beautiful and very peaceful.  Good idea
      for a meal with your SO on a budget.

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A note on the WDW transportation system:  if you are registered as a guest
at a WDW resort, you are entitled to unlimited free use of the WDW resort
transportation system for the duration of your stay.  Cast members may or
may not check your resort ID.  However, they are checking to see if you
are a WDW resort guest, NOT to see which resort you are staying at.  A guest
at Fort Wilderness may ride the Port Orleans boat, and vice-versa.
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Many thanks to all the fine people from rec.arts.disney.*, and specifically the
following people who contributed to this list (in no particular order):

     ?, [e-mail]
     Andre Willey, [e-mail]
     Ben Wern, [e-mail]
     Bill Ellett, [e-mail]
     Bozena, [e-mail]
     BZall, [e-mail]
     Charles P. Buchanan, [e-mail]
     Chris Loris, [e-mail]
     Cosmik, [e-mail]
     Dan Roman, [e-mail]
     David C. Barber, [e-mail]
     [e-mail]
     [e-mail]
     DocWombat, [e-mail]
     Ethan Solomita, [e-mail]
     Georgia Jones, [e-mail]
     John Donat, [e-mail]
     Lori L Fowler, [e-mail]
     Michele Petrey
     Mike Stailey, [e-mail]
     Patti Gallagher, [e-mail]
     Phil Wright, [e-mail]
     Randy Berbaum, [e-mail]
     Rich Pearl, [e-mail]
     Robert A. Yetman, [e-mail]
     Sue Nurczyk, [e-mail]
     Suzy Davenport, [e-mail]
     Ron Lancaster, [e-mail]
     STramp, [e-mail]
     Todd Masters, [e-mail]
     Werner W. Weiss, [e-mail]
     Xris Albers, [e-mail]

Special thanks to Don Bertino, for graciously providing an ftp location
for this document!
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This list is available via e-mail from me at:  [e-mail]
(this is not a server, so it may take me a while to reply).

This list is available via ftp from:
                ftp.netcom.com /pub/be/bertino/docs/WDW.overlooked.attractions

Please e-mail corrections/additions to:  [e-mail]
                                         Eric T. Simon
                                         [phone]
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Resort and attraction names are trademarks of The Walt Disney Company, all
rights reserved by The Walt Disney Company.  This listing is presented for
informational purposes only.  This listing is not endorsed by nor provided
by the Walt Disney Company, and does not imply any obligation (contractual
or otherwise) of the Walt Disney Company.  This listing is subject to change
without notice.

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