The attraction was listed twice on park guide maps – it was listed as the Skyway to Tomorrowland from the Fantasyland terminal, and as the Skyway to Fantasyland from the Tomorrowland terminal. Guests boarded the Skyway in Fantasyland from a loading area themed like a Swiss chalet, and from an area west of Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.

The attraction was open year round until dusk, and closed temporarily during rain storms or high winds. The one-way ride required a “D-Ticket” and took an almost 90-degree turn as it passed near the Grand Prix Raceway. On November 9, 1999, the slow-loading and slow-moving Skyway closed for good, joining its Disneyland counterpart, which closed exactly five years earlier. The Skyway in Tokyo Disneyland closed in November, 1998.

The towering pylons were removed, as were the planters and fountains, which made up their base. Look carefully at various locations on the ground in Fantasyland and see if you can find the small circles of stones which mark where the towers once stood.

In addition to its unique, 90-degree turn, and presence in two lands in the Magic Kingdom, it also gave Guests a series of amazing vantage points and views of the park.

For example, here are a few looks at Fantasyland in ways that you may have never seen before. Notice anything different in these photos (other than the fact that you’re looking at it from above)?

Point out some of the changes from these photos to the present in the Comments section below, and share your memories of the Skyway. Is this something you wish could return?

Above photos courtesy of Tara Lenharth

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The post Walt Disney World Wayback Machine – Views from the Skyway appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

This week we get to know the Dads from the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, and discuss some of their tips and recommendations, and things for guys to do on their “mancation.”

We’ll continue our detailed tour through Mickey’s Toontown Fair, as Jim Korkis and I do a DSI: Disney Scene Investigation through Minnie and Mickey’s Houses as well as Donald’s boat, pointing out the details, secrets and history before Toontown makes way for the expansion of Fantasyland.

I’ll have some announcements about The Dream Team Project charity at the end of the show before playing more of your voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

You can email the show at lou@wdwradio.com or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

INFORMATION AND LINKS FROM THIS WEEK’S SHOW

Walt Disney World Mom’s Panel

Part One of our Virtual Tour/DSI of Mickey’s Toontown Fair with Jim Korkis – Show # 158 – February 21, 2010

The Dream Team Project

Donate to the Dream Team Project at the Make-A-Wish web site

The post Show # 163 – March 28, 2010 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

It’s time to answer more of your listener emails, including questions about how and when to find characters in the parks, special dining requirements, Disney transportation for Extra Magic Hours, choosing a moderate resort for a family with kids, arranging surprises for people in your party and more.

And with the recent announcement of the unprecedented expansion of Fantasyland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, while fans rejoiced at what is to come, we need to remember that in the process, some things may go. Case in point, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, the last land added to the Magic Kingdom, will be the first to be removed as part of the expansion. And before this whimsical land disappears forever, I wanted to take you on a virtual tour in hopes that you will have a chance to visit one last time, and appreciate so many of its amazing details and stories. Joining me this week in the first of a multi-part series exploring Mickey’s Toontown Fair is noted Disney historian, author and friend of the show, Jim Korkis.

I’ll play more of your voicemails at the end of the show so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

INFORMATION AND LINKS FROM THIS WEEK’S SHOW

Click Here to Talk About This Week’s Show in the Forums

Come join the WDW Radio Show Fan Page on Facebook!

 

Click here for details and booking form

Disney Dream official web site at DisneyCruiseLine.com

Please come and join us for an upcoming

WDW Radio Show Meet of the Month!

Click Here to See Upcoming Meets of the Month

Purchase signed copies of Lou’s Walt Disney World Trivia Books and Audio Guides to Walt Disney World in the WDW Radio Store

Be sure to watch the latest WDW Radio Videos from Walt Disney World!

The post Show # 158 – February 21, 2010 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Fluffy feather comforters beneath the regal canopy draping of two queen beds … A cut-stone bedchamber floor inspired by the mosaic art masterpiece that adorns the castle’s breezeway entrance to Fantasyland … A parlor sofa that invites kicking off the shoes and curling up to read a chapter beneath the richly detailed vaulted ceiling of the salon … Familiar castle-gray stone walls, rich hardwood paneling and ornate stained-glass windows.

In the foyer of the suite, guests will discover a design of the fairytale pumpkin coach in the marble floor inlay. A memorable artifact from the story, the famous glass slipper, adorns a cove. And  through the doorway, the bedchamber and salon are appointed with furnishings in the style of the era of “the Louies,” as Silvestri refers to the French rulers of the period inspiring the castle and Cinderella story. Nooks showcase clocks, porcelain and accessories befitting the period. Doors are richly detailed; the walls are covered with wood panels and wall coverings. In the bathroom, hand-decorated copper basins sit atop the vanity, recalling a time when fresh water was carried to the bedchamber.

Despite all the careful attention to centuries-old details, the amenities of the Cinderella Castle Suite are definitely 21st century. There’s a lavish garden tub plus a shower. There are also wheelchair
accessible bathroom and bedroom facilities and elevator access to the suite. As for an ornately framed, 17th-century-style portrait of Cinderella above a regal fireplace in the bedchamber: it magically
changes into a modern, 21st-century flat-screen HDTV.

A Day (and a Night) in the Life of the Cinderella Castle Suite

• Each morning, a magical time and place is randomly selected from anywhere on Walt Disney World property to find a winner of a night in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
• A Disney Dream Squad of cast members is advised of the selection, heads to the location and identifies the winning guest from the selection criteria.
• The Disney Dream Squad informs the guest of their prize, explains the details of the prize and asks if they want to accept it.
• If they accept, after a short verification process, the fanfare begins. (If the guest does not accept the prize, the computer randomly selects another lucky guest. The computer will select up to three guests each day.)
• The winner and up to five guests head back to their hotel to pack an overnight bag. Then it’s on to their day of royalty.
• First event is a photo session on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. They are proclaimed royalty for the day and led down Main Street to their suite.
• The Royal Concierge checks them into the suite and gives them a formal tour, regaling them with the history and spectacle of the suite’s royal heritage.
• After a bit of free time to explore their imperial quarters, the winning family is awarded one of the highest honors bestowed on guests of Magic Kingdom as they become Grand Marshals of the “Disney Dreams Come True” parade.
• Following more luxurious relaxation time in the suite, the winner’s magical evening begins with dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table, a feast fit for a monarch, with a meet-and-greet with Cinderella.
• Dinner is capped with VIP viewing of the “SpectroMagic” nighttime parade and “Wishes” fireworks spectacular. *
• For up to two hours after the scheduled close of the park, the family will have access to Magic Kingdom with a VIP Guest Relations cast member.  This will allow them to enjoy the atmosphere of the park before they retire for the evening.  Suggested after-hours tours will be available which include modified versions of “Art of the Theme Show” and “Keys to the Kingdom,” which are tours that explore the history and creativity behind Magic Kingdom. This special “after hours” opportunity gives these guests an amazing opportunity to see Magic Kingdom in a way that few guests have experienced.
• Then it’s back to the suite for a night of “suite dreams.” At the suite, they discover their beds turned down with royal sweets, and their room stocked with a variety of snacks and drinks. (The Royal Concierge is just a stone’s throw away should the family require anything during the night.)
• After a glorious night’s sleep in the royal chamber, the winning family is awakened by a personalized wake-up call from Cinderella.
• Then, as with every fairytale, the clock strikes and the family returns to their magical vacation, checking out of the Cinderella Castle Suite, which is then readied for the next day’s royal visitors.

Available most non-special-event nights.

Cinderella Castle Suite: A Regal Tour

Foyer

• Cinderella’s Coach mosaic tile floor contains more than 30,000 tiles, including 3,400 24-carat gold and more than 120 white-gold pieces.
• The tile creation entailed four months of hand-cut work by four craftswomen who share more than 100 years of experience working with mosaics.
• Custom-made — and priceless — glass slipper (Steuben Glass).

Royal Bedchamber

• From the Netherlands, a Dutch secretary desk (17th century) with inlaid wood and velvet-lined shelves.
• From Thailand, three hand-woven rugs.
• Two authentic antique “slipper” chairs. They look like children’s furniture, but were actually used during the 17th and 18th century by adults who sat in the chairs to put shoes on.
• Two custom designed headboards stand 8 feet, 2 inches with “C” (for Cinderella) crest.
• Venetian glass sconces adorn either side of the fireplace and contain a Cinderella and prince likeness etched on each.
• A painted portrait of Cinderella magically changes to a television above the fireplace, using newly created special effects dreamed up by Imagineers.
• Inspired by the Cinderella story, playful carved mice cavort on support columns.
• 600-pound antique limestone fireplace — 17th century Gothic molded from an original wood fireplace from France. The fiber optics give the appearance of a fire with glowing embers.
• Two cinder pots reflect Cinderella’s humble roots. Made from hand-hammered copper. French reproduction, red with gold accents.
• Rich wood furnishings. Mahogany and maple throughout.

Royal Sitting Room

• Magic mirror — based on French design. Special glass mirror that transforms into a TV as part of the entertainment center.
• Custom designed sofa bed — one-of-a-kind with French-carved details.
• Stained-glass windows telling the story of Cinderella. They face west fittingly toward Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel in Fantasyland. Crystal jewels adorn the windows.
• Right and left mirrored spaces in the parlor open to reveal hidden drawers and space for hanging clothes. (Castles always were full of hidden doors.) The center space opens to reveal the DVD player and small refrigerator.

Royal Bath

• Grotto-inspired design.
• Ceiling features a dome of twinkling stars.
• Custom-made 4 x 4, multi-jet Jacuzzi tub with waterfall faucet and Chromatherapy Lighting.
• Three mosaics containing a total of 30,000 tiles made of Italian smalti glass, hand-cut and placed by Disney artisans. Features include a crystal slipper, a crystal pumpkin, the initials “WD” (Walt Disney) and a mouse looking up toward the castle — plus a few other surprises.
• Hand-hammered copper leaf basins with silver leaf.

The post Cinderella Castle Suite appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

The Swan Boats that traveled the canals of the Magic Kingdom were originally supposed to be controlled by an electronics guidance system that never worked properly. The navigational system was quickly abandoned due to mechanical issues in favor of two water jets below the hull.

The green-roofed dock on the water’s edge between Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland, still exists today, although the boats are long gone, having been sold by Disney after the ride’s closure. Contrary to rumor, they were not sold to the City of Orlando, nor are they found on nearby Lake Eola .

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