Jill - September 2001

I just got back from a quick long-weekend trip with my friend (Girl's weekend away from cooking, cleaning, etc...). The most exciting news is that the 100 Years celebration is up and running at MGM as of this morning!! I got my Interactive Magical moments pins and i was the FIRST person to activate hers at the video kiosk under the new Sorcerer's Hat - the CM's were all standing around me and helping us figure out when they would "go off". Basically- all 5 pins activate at all the parks- so you don't have to have the MGM one to have it light up at MGM. Also, the 4 little colored lights do go off when you touch the front- but much more slowly than when activated remotely. At MGM, they can be activated at the video kiosks under the sorcerer's Hat - you basically answer some WDW trivia questions, and when you get a correct answer the pin lights up. I missed the parade (Had to get to my plane), but look forward to seeing them light up in October. (Oh, they are $15.09 each- ouch) I asked about the "free pin with purchase" that requires the certificate- those will be non-interactive- and will be Mickey in his Sorcerer's hat sitting at a computer. According to the CM I spoke to- those really won't be available until Oct. 1- but if you get your pins early, you can just show them your receipt and certificate at that time to redeem it. I also went thru the New "One Man's Dream" Attraction- it is a walk-thru exhibit of Walt's life and history of Disney's accomplishments with scale models and such- followed by a movie narrated by Michael Eisner. The movie brought tears to my eyes - very touching for a lifelong Disney fanatic. Other trip news: Saw the new "Dream/Snowglobe" parade at MK- It's cute- basically five Large "snowglobes with different themes. One is Mickey's various reincarnations thru the years, then there is the wonder of flight (Alladin, pooh, Dumbo, Mary Poppins...), then the "romance" snowglobes depicting all the famous couples (cinderella/prince, beauty/beast, Ariel/prince), My fave- the Villians, then an allpurpose WDW main characters snowglobe. I love these parades- they so remind me of my childhood! Of course, all these snowglobes are available for purchase at $80 each at Disney giftshops. Lots of "Patriotism" at the parks!! In fact- you have to stand in line to buy anything at the shop in Epcot's America, and the american flag-Mickey shape pins are completely sold out and won't be available until Oct. 6th!! At Epcot - The Epcot Fountain is up and running again- YEAH!!!! At the Animal Kingdom - The "Annual Passholder's Lounge" wasn't open on Sunday- you could sit there, but there was no CM, no fast pass access, and no water. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge- which is just beautiful. But it was WAY TOO hot this weekend to sit out on the bacony for too long to enjoy the animals. Also- lots of mosquitoes (I'm thinking that Disney can't control them as well here because of the danger of chemicals getting to the animals)(Or it could just be that the buggies like me cuz I'm soooo sweet?)- anyway my tip is: If you are staying here during Bug season (that is usually Mar-Nov), bring citronella candles or bug spray if you want to sit out on your balcony. Also- please pre-warn your children that the animals Will leave if they are too loud (screaming/hitting the rails- like the family above us), so if they want to see them, they need to use their "inside" voices, even on the balcony (I think warning them at the Lodge is going to be hard because they will be too excited). We also LOVE Boma- Breakfast and dinner!!(The dinner menu rotates here every 3rd night, except Sunday which is potluck). Three more things- then it's off to bed - Attendance went back up dramatically this past weekend, according to the CMs I spoke to- but still call prior to going, as WDW is changing Park hours according to attendance, and doing it days before the change- not weeks or months. And last but not least- I didn't have any trouble getting thru the Manchester or Orlando Airports- Check-in with Southwest was quick and easy and my luggage (checked and carry-on) was never searched (Of course, I didn't dare bring the dreaded nail clippers). Some luggage is being completely searched however (and according to SW ticket agent, those people are chosen at random in a sort of ticket number lottery)- so pack your nice undies. They are also checking bags/fanny packs at the park entrances- but that was very sketchy and not very effective (How about asking to look in that video camera bag?).