D23 Destination D: Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary Live Blog!!

[SummerInFL]

This weekend D23 is descending upon the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World and MiceChat's Orlando Parkhopper is going to be on hand giving you up to the minute news, photos and updates!

A two day event showcasing this magnificent milestone of Walt Disney World with a historical look at "Project Florida", and we will be live blogging right here with what's going on as it happens!!!

There will be appearances by notable Disney Legends:

• Marty Sklar
• Bob Gurr
• Jack Lindquist
• Charlie Ridgway
• Tom Nabbe
• Bob Matheison
• Orlando Ferrante
• Ron Logan
• and Debra Browne, the 1971 Walt Disney World Ambassador to the World.

The weekend will culminate with an enchanting concert, Magic Journeys: A Flight of Fancy through 40 Years of Walt Disney World Musical Memories, featuring Disney Legend and Academy Award® winner Richard M. Sherman.

There will also be a special exhibit on hand featuring rare items and artifacts pulled from the Disney archives!!

Then, join us Monday morning and read our full report with HD photos posted in the Orlando Parkhopper Blog!!

This is sure to be an action packed weekend for all those involved and we're super excited to bring it all to the MiceChat community!!

[SummerInFL]

So excited to finally be here!

Just arrived at the Contemporary to check in, word of warning, they are turning away anyone who is trying to park at the Contemporary itself, you need to park at the MK parking lot and take the monorail over.


The Fantasia ballroom where all the action will be taking place this weekend.


The event package that you receive upon check in, complete with a reproduction of the original booklet they released before the park opened in 1971.


The line is already forming for the exclusive D23 merchandise available!


Time to get in line, snag some D23 items for purchase!!!


Stay tuned for merchandise photos!!!

[SummerInFL]

It took almost an hour to get through the merchandise line for purchases, its been a fun and crazy evening, but so far a wonderful experience.

Here are the merchandise photos from the event, they had a lot of great vintage stuff! I managed to snag an EPCOT Center Tshirt, a Contemporary TShirt and two vintage park maps of MK and Epcot (from their original opening).

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

They handed out a list of things for sale to those waiting in line, which was helpful in planning what you'd like to purchase!




Here are the prices for all the items:

PINS AND PATCHES
Destination D Logo Pin: $22
Destination D Logo w/Orange Bird Pin: $22
Destination D Logo w/Figment Pin: $22
Destination D Logo w/5-Legged Goat Pin: $22
Scavenger Hunt Pin: $22
EPCOT Center Pin: $22
Disney Geek Pin: $22
Armchair Archivist Pin: $22

T-Shirts (Up to 2XL)
EPCOT Center: $20
Disney Geek: $20
Orange Bird: $20
Blue Contemporary: $20
Scavenger Hunt: $20 (They didn't have this one available but they did have a button up alternative for $62

OTHER ITEMS
EPCOT Center Opening Day Map Reproduction: $12.50
Magic Kingdom Opening Day Map Reproduction: $12.50
Walt Disney World 40th Exclusive Buttons (set of 5): $8.00
Walt Disney World 40th Buttons (Set of 3): $4.00 (Although if you purchased all five different sets of the set of 5 buttons (that's a mouthful), then you got the Set of 3 for FREE!

D23 Publication Case:
(The quarterly magazines available by volume purchase)
Vol. I - 2010 (Holds 4 Issues): $49
Vol. II - 2010 (Holds 8 Issues): $65
Vol. III - 2011 (Holds 4 Issues): $49

PINS & PATCHES:
DON Tron Pin (Limited Edition 500): $22
Up All Night Pin (Limited Edition 1,500): $22
D23 Launch Day Pin: $22
D23 First Anniversary Oversized Pin: $33
Walt Disney Archives Oversized Pin: $33
Epcot Future World Patches (Set of 9): $49

OTHER ITEMS:
Gold D23 Membership Card: $74.99
(Free D23 First Anniversary Membership Pin w/purchase)
Silver D23 Membership Card: $34.99
(Free D23 First Anniversary Membership Pin w/purchase)
D23 Mickey Tote Bag: $4 (FREE with membership purchase)

Orange Bird T-Shirt: $20


Disney Geek T-Shirt: $20


Destination D Logo w/Figment Pin: $22
Destination D Logo w/Orange Bird Pin: $22
Destination D Logo w/5-Legged Goat Pin: $22


Armchair Activist Pin: $22


The system flowed really well, however, the biggest back up came from people trying to decide what they wanted. So many choices!


This was the $62 shirt that replaced the scavenger hunt T-shirt that wasn't available. It felt nice, made a good fabric, not sure about the price tag though!


Vintage Park Maps for EPCOT Center and Magic Kingdom: $12.50 each.


WDW 40th Exclusive Buttons (Set of 5): $8.00 (There were five different sets of five!)


Walt Disney Archives Oversized Pin: $33
EPCOT Center Pin: $22 (I was so tempted by this pin, opted for the Contemporary shirt instead)




EPCOT Future World Patches (Original logos!): $49


D23 Launch Day Pin: $22


There were a few other items not listed on the sheets but available for purchase, unfortunately I did not get the price of this item.


Contemporary T-Shirt: $20


The first evening was great! The merchandise they made available was an unexpected surprise. I can't wait to see what they do tomorrow and you can be sure I'll be posting about it here for all of you!

Good night!

[SummerInFL]

Standing in line to get in!! The archived exhibit is open and holds a lot of great items. From the opening park packet to the Tom Morrow that was removed from EPCOT. (Still trying to find out why) I'll have photos up as soon as I can but they will definitely be up by lunch break!

[SummerInFL]

Seat is secured!! Currently waiting for the festivities to begin, however, I have uploaded the archived photos to the FB page of Orlando Parkhopper, for your viewing pleasure.

Orlando Parkhopper's Photos - D23 Destination D: Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary Event | Facebook

[SummerInFL]

Dave Smith is currently speaking about the Orlando area and what was here before Walt Disney World came to town.

Early photos are being shown of the old I4 and orange groves.

[SummerInFL]

Just finished an exciting presentation by Dave Smith of everything in Walt Disney World that is no longer there.

Will have photos and commentary uploaded shortly!!!

[SummerInFL]

We have some of the photos uploaded to the OPH Facebook page if you'd like to look through them. Otherwise, below is a shorter version of the events thus far.

The line was already around the corner to get in at 8:00 a.m.


Unique fans all bringing their own flair to the event.


Archives Exhibit












































More photos to follow soon!!

[SummerInFL]

Weird Walt Disney World

Following their laugh-out-loud antics at Destination D Disneyland 55' Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline and Disney historian Paul F. Anderson are at it again - this time taking guests on a fun-filled trip through the strangest and most bizarre parts of Walt Disney World history. A peculiar "lawnmower ree" A crazy cast of singing fruits and vegetables? Who knows what the duo will unearth as they explore the wonderfully weird and wacky side of the Vacation Kingdom.









There was an article ran in a local newspaper regarding Fantasia and the photo that was originally submitted was cropped to the image you see in the second photo below. The newspapers request was for Disney to cover the centaur with a sweater. The resulting 3rd image below was their response.






Weird Characters


Creepy opening of the Alice in Wonderland attraction at Disneyland.


Clowns in mini Herbie Cars!


The Fantasia Ballroom


Tom O'Day came out to discuss a hilarious story regarding the Baby New Year.




When the Herbie cars came to WDW, they changed from clowns to Chip and Dale.




The Disney Executive Babysitting Program












Yes, at one time there were even Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters.






I agree, the Spectromen are CREEPY!!


Cast Member Costumes












Astuter Computer Revue


Earl the Pearl from Mary Poppins










The Magical World of Barbie was shown at the American Garden Theater (EPCOT) at one time.




Welch's was one of the opening sponsors who provided an unique recipe book that one of the ingredients called for "red hots."


The Big Finale was this incredibly creepy video for a Grad Nite promotion that involved rounding up the high schoolers with pied pipers, putting them on a bus and taking them to the Magic Kingdom.
















They also gave away a few goodies to some lucky attendees if you had the right sticker under your seat!


The event is about to start up again for the second half, check back at dinner break for another update and more photos!!

[SummerInFL]

Steven Vaginini and Paul F. Anderson are now talking about Walt's vision for EPCOT, the original idea, how it started, the inspiration and what they took from it for EPCOT now.

[SummerInFL]

Past Forward: A History of Walt Disney World in Television with Rob Klein and Tim O'Day
Currently showing a video with Bob Hope inside the Contemporary, the adult innuendos are plenty (as Bob was known for) and its a great historical piece of this wonderful hotel.

[SummerInFL]

Now showing a promotional video from US Steel and how they built the Contemporary Hotel. How it was built and constructed for the Walt Disney Company.

And now they are covering The Wonderful World of Disney.

[SummerInFL]

Did you know that River Country had its own theme song? Do you remember the Mickey Mouse Club of the 70's? They are singing it right now, its.....interesting.

[Dustysage]

Update from Disney World. Star Tours has soft opened.

[SummerInFL]

Promotional video being shown about Big Thunder Mountain opening at WDW. Great time lapse film on the construction and completion of this attraction.