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In the beginning it was merely meant to entertain. Walt Disney
World opened its doors on October 1, 1971 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
with the Magic Kingdom, a replica of California's Disneyland, two
hotels and two golf courses. But as the number of theme parks grew,
along with the destinations and attractions, the wish to educate,
as well as amuse visitors, became part of the grand plan. Witness
EPCOT where information about space, energy, agriculture, the human
body, science and technology is dished up with subtlety and "spoonfuls
of sugar" through the use of rides, animation and audio-animatronics.
Later, more formal ways of learning were introduced when Disney
University came into being and developed business seminars and programs
for adult groups that center on professional development. Also under
the auspices of the university, individuals are offered tours that
focus on horticulture, animation and cultures of other lands.
Enter Disney Institute (1996)
and a whole new approach to skill developing while on vacation.
More than 60 programs allow guests to have a hands-on experience
in eight areas of interest, such as entertainment, design, performing
and culinary arts, gardening and sports and fitness. It's back to
school in a recreational environment where young and old are taught
to rock climb; hone their techniques with a camera, using the great
park as a backdrop; and improve their green thumbs in the luxuriant
arboretums and gardens.
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Disney's Boardwalk, Lake Buena Vista, Florida |
To celebrate its 25th anniversary Walt Disney World is threw a
year-long, great big birthday bash throughout 1997 with all kinds
of new attractions. But the one that tickled us the most was Disney's
BoardWalk, a hotel and amusement complex that fronts onto
an authentic boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Monopoly players, this
is much like the real thing. Even without Steel Pier and the peanut
man, the mood of Atlantic City in its heyday of the late 30s and
early 40s is evoked with wicker rolling chairs, bicycles built for
the whole family, a fudge and salt water taffy shop, arcade games
and performers.
Disney Institute, 196 N. Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.
Tel. 800-282-9282 for a brochure, video and reservations. www.disney.go.com/vacations/websites/disneyinstitute
Disney's BoardWalk, Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World, Lake
Buena Vista, FL 32830. Tel. 407/W-Disney for reservations at the
BoardWalk Inn and BoardWalk Villas. http://disneysboardwalkinn.orlandofloridareservations.com
Spring 1997
In the beginning there was only Walt Disney World at Lake Buena Vista near
Orlando. Synonymous with the Magic Kingdom and patterned after its West Coast
partner, Disneyland, it was the dream vacation of every American kid. You no longer
need a child in tow as a reason to vacation here. Orlando has become a giant and
permanent world's fair. It's the number one tourist destination in the United States
and keeps on growing–new theme parks, hotels and resorts, sports facilities and communities
plus ongoing changes to update the older attractions.
We recently spent a weekend there (sans offspring) and were as entertained
as if we had seen "the seven wonders of the South." For movie buffs there's
Disney-MGM Studios and Universal Studios. Visit both for each is a treasure trove
of Hollywood lore and a unique way of looking at some of the silver screen's best
moments. The rides take you behind the scenes at the studios to show how things work;
all the fires, hurricanes, explosions, stunts and illusions that make motion pictures
thrilling.
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Bates Motel, Universal Studios theme park (credit:
Edwin Fancher) |
New this season at Disney-MGM is the Hollywood Tower Hotel, done with
the detail that is Disney's genius. It's so real that if its once grand style
hadn't gone to seed you'd swear you could check in and find that Norma Desmond's
Sunset Boulevard home is next door. Visitors scream with delight as they plunge
13 stories down the elevator shaft. Another recent production is a lively film
about how animators, actors, musicians and technicians worked together to make
"The Lion King." Take the Great Movie Ride, which begins at
the Chinese Theater, and see snippets of scenes from
classics such as "Casablanca" where Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
saying good-bye is simulated with Audio-Animatronics, the Disney technique of
using life-sized manikins. A day should do it to visit all the shows and tours,
but leave time to wander around for this is a working studio with real sets.
www.disneyworld.com
We've been to EPCOT several times, but continuously enjoy returning.
There's always an attraction that has just opened, we missed before or liked
so much last time that it warrants a repeat. For example, Innoventions
East and West are two new pavilions that showcase the latest ideas
and inventions for future home, work and play and the Wonders of Life
explains just about everything you ever wanted to know about the body and health.
You could spend the better part of a day here exploring the many interesting
exhibits.
At Universal Studios take the V.I.P. tour, which lasts four hours and
zips you to the front of the lines. The major events are themed to match some
of the most popular films, film makers and TV series of all times– "Jaws,"
"E.T.," "Back to the Future," "King Kong," "Earthquake,"
"Murder She Wrote," "I Love Lucy" and the world of Hanna
Barbera. But the standout interactive show is the one in three parts at Hitchcock's
3-D movie house. A montage of memorable moments from his many films are seamlessly
spliced together for one take your breath away experience. "The Birds"
fly in your face and you learn a "Hitch trick" as you see the reenactment
of the famous shower scene from "Psycho." Universal Studios has six
sound stages and diverse studio sets. We liked strolling Sunset and Hollywood
Boulevards, New York's Gramercy Park and San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.
www.universalstudios.com
Radisson Inn Maingate located in Kissimee, about one mile
from Disney World's main entrance and close to other central Florida attractions,
offers large rooms and suites with Roman-style tubs (room for two) at reasonable
rates. There are two lighted tennis courts, an outdoor heated pool, nice amenities
like a fruit basket and a wonderful friendly staff. We liked the room service
pizza menu and the meals at Humphey's, particularly the Friday night seafood
and the breakfast buffets.
Radisson Inn Maingate, 7501 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimee FL
34747. Tel. 800-333-3333, 407-396-1400. www.radisson.com
Winter 1994-95
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