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EPCOT Survey Station Opens… But Wait, There’s More

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

The kiosk taking shape in one of the former WorldKey information locations at the walkway to World Showcase is now where YOU provide the information. Peek around the back side and you’ll see location for multiple computer workstations now in operation for completing visitor surveys. A cast member told me that guests are chosen at random to participate. The method of selecting participants is random and up to the surveyor. Rather than doing a stand up and prompted survey as they previously conducted, this location (which isn’t quite finished) has participants seated at laptops and answering without assistance.

When I asked the cast member about the front of the kiosk which is still under construction he said “I don’t know, they never tell us anything”. (I’ve heard that before.) But speculation is that it may be related to the Kim Possible interactive adventure coming soon.

Tags: Kim Possible, WorldKey
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Do We Really Need A Cell Phone Guide Through EPCOT?

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Disney and Verizon have just announced a deal where your cell phone will become a device that tracks your location in the park and makes recommendations like where the short lines are and what to eat. The EPCOT wireless service will begin early in 2009 with the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. The new interactive attraction will first use hand-held devices, with the too cute name of Kimmunicators. Those will be used to search for clues and solve puzzles to save the world. The next phase will use an application users download to Verizon’s cell phones.

A lot of the joy in visiting Disney World is when you’re experiencing the locations and the conversations with friends and family while waiting in line. Cell phones will become more of a distraction from the attractions. All the cell phones already in use demonstrate that. The trusty guide map is all that’s really needed.

Maybe there was a misunderstanding in the Disney head office. We said we missed Horizons not Verizon.

Tags: Horizons, Kim Possible
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Chip, Dale & Mickey Make a Cheap Disney Snack

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

I think I may have stumbled on the least expensive food item at the Disney World parks. Look for the Chip and Dale pretzels in the gift shops. These were at Spaceship Earth. A decent size little bag is only 79 cents. A large bag with enough for the family is only $2.49. That’s about the same as you’d pay at your neighborhood grocery. The pretzels are good. The little Mickey shapes and flavor remind me of Eagle snacks. Of course there was the time we visited a Pennsylvania Dutch pretzel factory. I asked them if there were a lot of pretzel recipes for all the different brands they made. They said “No, a pretzel is a pretzel is a pretzel”. But for a quick Disney snack this pretzel is a bargain.

Tags: Food
Posted in Food | No Comments »

Go Left for Faster Lines At Disney World

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

I’m sure you’ve heard that when given the choice, most of us select a line on the right. You often hear cast members directing people in the cues that “both sides are open”. Maybe it’s because we drive on the right. It became really clear the other day at the McDonalds snack stand next to Canada.

The line on the right was stretching down the sidewalk. The line on the left was empty. I have to admit I was in the line on the right until my son pointed out the vacancy. Of course, he’s usually driving in the left lane too.

Tags: World Showcase
Posted in Observations | 1 Comment »