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 13, 2013 | Magic Kingdom, Tips and Tricks
Over the weekend I was walking up to our local grocery store and I noticed ceramic pumpkins greeting me at the door. Where has the summer gone? Thinking they were a bit early in celebration, I saw just yesterday The Disney Parks Blog discussing the addition of Jack Skellington to the lineup for this year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. For those of you who have not made it to this party you, you have to get it on your bucket list. We have pictures and a snippet of our favorite parade on our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Page to wet your appetite.
Ok, where is the trivia? I figured you would ask, well if you looked at our page or the page over at The Disney Parks Blog you will know the answer to the following trivia.
How many tons of candy does Disney World expect to give out this year for the Not So Scary Halloween Parties?
A. 15 tons
B. 95 tons
C. 175 tons
D. 220 tons
Well, I’m wondering whose job it was to weigh all the candy and how much they weighed after doing so, but the answer is D. 220 tons. Now that’s a whole lot of candy. Our family was discussing our Halloween costumes for this year, looks like I might be Wreck It Ralph, our son will be Fix It Felix and my wife Vanellope. What are you planning to dress up as this year?
Be sure to check out all the other great trivia 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 12, 2013 | Adventureland, Hidden Mickey, Magic Kingdom
Our Hidden Mickey this week was found the Magic Kingdom after riding The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. After everyone is seated the Cast Member walks around the ride and then goes into the control booth. Next time you are exiting the ride, look into the control booth at the emergency lighting. There it is! A 3D Mickey. Where did you find a Hidden Mickey?
Want more Hidden Mickeys? Be sure to head over to our friends Frontierland Station and Plus the Magic.
by Sean | Aug 6, 2013 | Epcot, Fantasyland, Future World, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Wordless Wednesday
Theme: August Calendar
by Sean | Aug 6, 2013 | Magic Kingdom, Tips and Tricks, Tomorrowland
What attraction at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is entirely outside the park (outside the train tracks)??? Hmmm think hard. Have you ever ridden the train and sat on the left side, don’t see much, do ya? Except after you leave the New Fantasyland station… wait for it…..wait for it….. There it is, Space Mountain. Don’t believe me, take a look at the Google Image Map Below.
The attraction went through many different design changes before the current layout was selected. Originally it was supposed to be in the southern portion of Tomorrowland similar to Disneyland’s placement. What ended up there? You guessed it, the Carousel of Progress. So now, to reach the attraction we travel through the star corridor which is actually an underground tunnel taking us under the train tracks and technically outside the park.
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.
