by Sean | Aug 15, 2013 | Adventureland, History, Magic Kingdom
How many of you were the captain of your own Jungle Boat? How many of you had kids kicking and screaming wanting to drive the boats after riding the Jungle Cruise? OK, maybe it was just us, but who here remembers Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats, this often overlooked attraction was located just to the right after you exited your Jungle Cruise Boat on the Paradox (Pair of Docks).
Shrunken Ned’s was open from January 1997 till August of 2012. 15 years in business is a good run, but many asked about Shrunken Ned’s either didn’t know it existed or knew about the remote control boats but didn’t know the name. To drive the boats you needed 2 tokens that could be purchased for $1 each with each trip lasting a few minutes.
The pond in which the boats moved had intriguing obstacles like tikis and elephants, and each ship was commanded via an authentic-looking ship’s wheel and throttle The steering was not at all precise so even a skilled driver had a tough time. Getting out of a corner was next to impossible. The last few years in business we found many of the boats out of order and had to round up cast members to get our money back to find a new boat.
If you enjoyed this blog then my name is Sean and this is the DisneyDayByDay blog. If not, then my name is Bill and this was Pirates of the Caribbean. Enjoy the rest of your day here at DisneyDayByDay!
Don’t miss all the other great Disney History on the hop this week and enter our current Giveaways: Back To School and Celebrating 4 years with Gluten Free and Dairy Free at WDW
by Sean | Aug 8, 2013 | Epcot, Future World, History
The Wonders of Life pavilion opened their doors in October of 1989, seven years after the opening of Epcot Center and as New Years was being celebrated and welcoming in 2007 it closed it doors. Today it is used off and on for special events, one of these is during the Flower and Garden Festival, so you can still get a peek inside during these events.
The pavilion was dedicated to Body and Healthy style attractions. Including the following:
- Body Wars – this was the main reason we would visit the pavilion. Body Wars was similar to Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. The same ride system so over the past years parts have been used as replacements for Star Tours. The ride shrinks you down and puts you into the body to help do a white blood cell count at the location of a splinter. But, the doctor is pulled into the blood stream which sends you on a journey through the blood stream and into the lungs. Finally the team has to head to the brain to gain energy to repower the ship so you can leave the body.
- Cranium Command – this was a fun theater style show which explained the brain and it’s interactions with different parts of the body.
- The Making of Me – was a Martin Short movie about birth. Although funny, as a kid this was not on my must see list.
- There were also many play areas including my favorite the Wonder Cycles where you could pedal power a TV. Yep you would pedal a bicycle and the TV would come on, what kid wouldn’t find that cool. I really worked up a sweat.
I still miss Wonders of Life and wonder what attractions from the pavilion do you miss most?
by Sean | Aug 1, 2013 | History, Magic Kingdom
Last week I mentioned Discovery Island which was open to the public from 1974 to 1999, but how did you get to the island? Well, you sailed the Southern Seas (II). The Southern Seas (II) was built at the Disney Central Shops and Drydock and put into service in 1977. A picture of the ship is below (from a postcard purchased when I was a young lad), notice the side paddlewheels which were the propulsion for the ship.
The Southern Seas (II) made hourly trips taking guests to Discovery Island and also over to Bay Lake. After park close she was used heavily by Conventions. After EPCOT Center opened in 1982 usage dropped as guests traveled to EPCOT rather than to Discovery Island. Even with the day time guest drop off the Southern Seas (II) still maintained good convention traffic until 1996. In 1996 the ship was in much need of a rehab and the costs could not be justified. It was removed from the water and remained in Drydock for about a year before the decision was made to scrap it.
I have some fun memories on the Southern Seas (II), did you ever get a chance to sail with the Southern Seas (II)? Thanks to Frontierland Station for hosting our history lessons, be sure to check out the others on the blog hop.
by Sean | Jul 24, 2013 | History
Continuing from last week’s 1987 visit. As you entered the park the turnstile would print out a ticket (seen below) indicating if you won a prize. It was said that there was a prize given away every 15 seconds at either Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Prizes ranged from buttons, light up visors, to one day tickets to the parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or Discovery Island) Yes Discovery Island, how many of you remember this?
Discovery Island?? Well, if you have traveled across the Seven Seas Lagoon you have passed it. Originally called Treasure Island, Discovery Island was a 12 acre island which allowed guests to visit and get up close and personal with wildlife. The island was open to the public from 1974 to 1999. After closing all the animals were moved to the Animal Kingdom and you will notice that the Discovery Island name moved with it and is now the home to the Tree of Life.
by Sean | Jul 18, 2013 | History, Tips and Tricks
On June 14, 1987 Sean visited Walt Disney World. How many of us remember the hand stamped ticket? These tickets never expired and allowed you entry into one of the 2 parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center) Any guesses to how much a 5 day worldpassporter cost? Answer is after the picture below.
This 5 Day ticket was a child ticket and cost $71, the adult ticket cost $95, the cost to enter a single park today for 1 day.
Loving the History, but don’t forget to enter a couple great GIVEAWAYS!
by Sean | Jul 11, 2013 | History, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Welcome to our first post in the Fastpass to History, hosted by Frontierland Station.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 1996, the castle was transformed into a giant 18 story birthday cake. This was by far not my favorite idea from the Imagineers. Fortunately the cake was removed in early 1998.
What made up the cake??
- 1000 feet of pink and blue inflatable icing
- 400 Gallons of pink paint
- 26 Candles ranging in height of 20 to 40 feet
- 12 five foot gumdrops
- 16 five foot candy bears
- 4 six foot Life Savers
- 30 three foot lollipops
- 50 two foot gumballs
