I thought I’d drop in to make note of today’s deal of the day on Amazon. They’re bundling four Blu-ray Disneynature titles – African Cats, Crimson Wings, Oceans, and Earth – for the low, low price of $48 (or 55% off their regular price). For those of you who might have been thinking about checking these nature documentaries out, this would be a great time to pick them up. I’ve seen three of the four and they’re quite spectacular and well worth your time. The sale just lasts through today (Friday), and you can order here.
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Good news, everyone! Under the cover of night, a ray of sunshine landed in Adventureland at Walt Disney World and the Florida Orange Bird reappeared at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, from which he had been absent for many years. First, please watch: So with the Orange Bird back and spiffed up, and Citrus Swirls back on tap, the Sunshine Tree Terrace is once more a must-stop destination for citrus-friendly visitors. What a change from a few months ago, when you could only get plain vanilla soft-serve and Cokes there! Hopefully this will reap dividends for the Mouse and management will realize that a differentiated slate of unique offerings throughout the parks benefit everyone in the long run. I can’t help but think those lines of people queued at the Sunshine Tree Terrace back up our argument: It’s possible to do things the right way and make money at the same time! As we’ve talked about in the past, these small victories are always the result of hard work on the inside by people going out of their way to bring back little touches of the “real” Walt Disney World. After so many years of things being removed and lost without replacement, some of this texture is returning. So kudos to everyone involved! I can’t wait to see what’s next. That begs a question – what would you like to see make a return to the parks next? What lost detail, snack, character or bit of atmosphere would you like back? Dreamfinder? Teriyaki burgers? The Penny Arcade? Let us know – and most importantly, let Disney know!  "Your bathing suit might catch on something on the way down..." In February of 1976, River Country was hardly a water jamboree. It was still under construction, as we see from this picture which was published on February 27th.
River Country would go on to open June 20, 1976 (with a guest appearance by presidential daughter Susan Ford!) and, sadly, would close forever in November of 2001. It continues to sit there, disused and overgrown, today. And, weirdly, just a few months after River Country’s closure, Walt Disney World would get one of those “amusement park” Wild Mouse coasters in the form of Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom. Coincidence? Believe it… or not!  Not pictured: Tom 1.0 I just happened upon this picture of a “solosub” undergoing animation testing at WED Enterprises in January 1983. Later that year it would be packed and shipped to Orlando for installation in Horizons, which opened that October. All I’m saying is that it’s been almost thirty years since the ride opened, and more than a decade since it closed, and I still want one of these suckers really bad. As Orange Bird mania sweeps the nation, we felt it necessary to point out this sterling bit of cultural anthropology by Hoot n’ Chief over at Fresh Roasted Corn. Back in the 90s, as the vestiges of old Florida began to fade in earnest, they took a fantastic voyage through the wilds of central Florida to uncover the last remnants of their citrusy friend. The results, unsurprisingly, were entertaining… |
 
Essays about the first forty years of Walt Disney World, including two pieces by yours truly. Available in print and for Kindle. |
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