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Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians and author of Jim’s Gems in The easy Guide, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.

THE LOVE BUG AT DISNEY WORLD

By Jim Korkis

The Love Bug (1969) was the second highest grossing film in Disney history after Mary Poppins (1964) when it was first released. The Love Bug was “Herbie,” a little 1963 white Volkswagen Beetle with racing stripes and the number “53,” who had a mind of its own and helped a variety of different owners. Producer/writer Bill Walsh was a fan of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale who wore the uniform number “53”.

The huge success of the film inspired the theatrical sequels Herbie Rides Again (1974), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) and Herbie Fully Loaded (2005). There was also a short-lived television series in 1982 and a made-for-television movie with actor Bruce Campbell in 1997.

Herbie, named after the punch line in a comedy routine by comedian Buddy Hackett who co-starred in the original film, has made several significant appearances at Walt Disney World.

Two buildings (#6 and #7) devoted to the character opened in March 1999 at the All-Star Movies Resort. Herbie was displayed on a racetrack-themed courtyard. It was later relocated to the backlot tour because people kept climbing on it.

The gigantic front and rear Herbie sculptures (because Herbie can split in two) on the buildings are approximately five times the normal size of a VW Beetle. At night, they illuminate.

Both buildings are themed to a racing motif with oversized tools like a wrench, a screwdriver and wheel stating “Winner’s Circle”. The oversized movie clap board says the production is “Bananas” probably referencing Herbie Goes Bananas.

A Herbie was originally on the Disney MGM Studio backlot tour in a driveway on Residential Street (the Burns house from Ernest Saves Christmas) when in opened in May 1989. It was designed to rise up, smoke its back tires, open its doors and hood, squirt water from its washers and do a few other tricks. Unfortunately, it suffered a major electrical fire, was completely burned and Disney decided against replacing it.

A vehicle from Herbie Fully Loaded appeared in its place until the attraction shut down.

Another Herbie that was used in Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) hung from the top of the ceiling of Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney where his lights blinked and the headlights could turn to look down.

When the (now closed) Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show premiered at Disney MGM Studios Herbie also appeared in a cameo and as part of the show and split in two. He also appeared in the original Paris version of the show. Herbie was later replaced by Lightning McQueen in July 2011. Just outside the stadium was Herbie’s Drive-In a counter serve snack stand that had hot dogs, chips, chili, drinks and more.

In 1976, Imagineers proposed a Herbie dark ride for Disneyland that would take guests in oversized Herbie vehicles through scenes from the first two Love Bug movies (e.g., driving up the Golden Gate Bridge, skipping across a lake, etc.) The proposal even included Herbie splitting in half at the end of the attraction.

While Disneyland hosted Love Bug Days in 1968 and again in 1974, to promote Herbie Rides Again Walt Disney World had its own “Beautify Your Bug” contest in connection with the film.

The contest sponsored by the Volkswagen Clubs of America and the Central Florida Volkswagen dealers was held June 15, 1974. Entries were limited to 200 contestants. Judging was done by winners of similar nationwide contests with the ultimate winner receiving a new Volkswagen. The top finalists had to be content with participating in a special parade down Main Street U.S.A. with the Disney costumed characters.

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Thanks, Jim! For more on All-Star Movies, see this.

And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including his latest, Secret Stories of Disneyland, his Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and his contributions to The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, all published by Theme Park Press.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: AUGUST 3 TO AUGUST 13, 2017

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on August 2017 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 8/5-8/13/17

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-10p every day

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9.30p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-10p every day

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 8/5-8/13/17

Saturday 8/5 Morning:  Animal Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Sunday 8/6  Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: Animal Kingdom

Monday 8/7 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: Animal Kingdom

Tuesday 8/8 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot, Animal Kingdom

Wednesday 8/9 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom

Thursday 8/10 Morning: Epcot Evening: Animal Kingdom

Friday 8/11 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Saturday 8/12 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Sunday 8/13  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: Animal Kingdom

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 8/3-8/13/17

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 8/5-8/13/17

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 9p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.30p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 9.15p and 10.30p every night

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 8/5-8/13/17

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians and author of Jim’s Gems in The easy Guide, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.

BLAZE PIZZA AT DISNEY SPRINGS

By Jim Korkis

Blaze Pizza took over the space in Town Center at Disney Springs that used to be occupied by the town’s lumber mill – The Buena Vista Timber Company established in 1868. It opened August 5, 2016.

The restaurant design includes elements reminiscent of the workings of a saw mill from a prop wood planer to the layout of the dining room where the tables and benches are arranged in rows to suggest logs that have been pulled up to the mill from the springs.

The Cypress wood panels that line the counter have a rough hewn bark edge. Log hooks hold up the menu signs. Vaulted ceilings and open trusses throughout give an open and airy atmosphere to suggest the vastness of the original mill.

(c) easyWDW

The building is a showcase of the evolution of wood construction — from early, traditional timber framing to modern-day feats of high-strength wood engineering. To highlight the change, the restaurant uses single species wood in the open kitchen and ordering area.

Materials then transition to multi-species wood in the indoor dining room. The design on the outdoor patio features furniture made from eco-friendly, reclaimed wood and sawdust composite.

Award-winning Los Angeles designer Ana Henton worked with Morris Architects to bring the project to life.

On the wall under a sheet of laminate is a cross section of a log with the following description:

“This ‘sinker’ Cypress log was recovered in 2013 from Florida’s Apalachicola River where it was buried under more than two feet of river slit. At the time of its recovery, the log was estimated to weigh nearly 6,000 pounds and span just under fourteen feet in length. Experts believe the Cypress was approximately 350 years old when it was felled in 1812.

“Through careful work of a team of craftsmen, the log was split and sawn into wood used in this structure. The result of this effort is a material that displays timeless beauty, is environmentally sound, and represents a time capsule from our nation’s earliest days.”

Blaze Pizza is in a 5,000 square foot building with seating for approximately two hundred people. The first Blaze Pizza restaurant opened on August 6, 2012, in Irvine, California. It now has over 150 franchises in 31 states and Canada but none in a themed restaurant environment like this one.

Because of the business’ stated commitment to “Intelligent Choices for Our Pizzas, People & Planet,” all dough is made in-house, pizza and salad ingredients are free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and the restaurant uses only eco-friendly packaging.

The concept for the restaurant is that the guest gets to build an artisanal custom pizza from selecting a variety of toppings and then the hot ovens cook it in one of the two open hearth ovens in roughly three minutes or less.

“When you think about the story of a Disney restaurant, it is the ambience, it is the structure, and the storyline that comes with the structure,” stated Teresa Roth, director of food and beverage operations integration at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“We’re fortunate with our Imagineering partners; they have created a great storyline. It’s then taking that great storyline and creating it into a living, breathing document. The last thing you want is for somebody three years later not understand the story or the ‘why’ behind some of the elements.”

“We are excited to be part of the new Disney Springs expansion where we get the chance to introduce our super-fast artisanal pizza to guests from around the world,” says Rick Wetzel, cofounder of Blaze Pizza.

“True to Disney’s high standards, we have built an amazing flagship restaurant that will include interesting architectural elements, great service, and fantastic meals.”

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Thanks, Jim! My co-author Josh has a review of Blaze Pizza here on easyWDW.com.

And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including his latest, Secret Stories of Disneyland, his Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and his contributions to The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, all published by Theme Park Press.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: JULY 29 TO AUGUST 6, 2017

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on July 2017 at Disney World, see this, and for more on August, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/29/-8/6/17

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-10p every day

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9.30p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-10p every day

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/29-8/6/17

Saturday 7/29 Morning:  Animal Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Sunday 7/30  Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: Animal Kingdom

Monday 7/31 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: Animal Kingdom

Tuesday 8/1 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot, Animal Kingdom

Wednesday 8/2 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom

Thursday 8/3 Morning: Epcot Evening: Animal Kingdom

Friday 8/4 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Saturday 8/5 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: Animal Kingdom

Sunday 8/6  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: Animal Kingdom

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/29-8/6/17

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/29-8/6/17

Happily Every After at Magic Kingdom: 9p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9.30p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 9.15p and 10.30p every night

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/29-8/6/17

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!

OVERVIEW: JANUARY 2018 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews January 2018 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

Early January 2018 will be dominated by holiday crowds and higher prices, but after the 6th, most days will see low crowds and low prices–with upticks around the Martin Luther King Day three day holiday weekend, and possibly during the days before the Pro Bowl on January 28.

January is not recommended for first-time visitors who may never return, because of ride closures. For returning visitors–and first timers who know they can return–after the first week it’s usually a great time to visit, with low crowds and low prices.

[Read more →]

(For the first page of this review of Copper Creek Villas, see this.)

THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S COPPER CREEK VILLAS

This photo tour covers the baths and master bedroom spaces of a Copper Creek Villa. The living/dining/kitchen space, and the master bedroom and baths, are the same in both One and Two Bedroom Copper Creek Villas.

The floor plan shows a Two Bedroom Villa.

(The living, kitchen and dining spaces in a Copper Creek Villa are here.)

From the entry to the Villa, turn and and you’ll see this hall.

On one side is the laundry.

At the end is this open closet with coat hooks and cubbies, a couple of small drawers, and shoe storage at the bottom.

The other side has an entry from this hall to a full bath, with a sink, toilet…

…and a large shower.

The shower has both a rainfall head…

…and a mounted handheld head.

Accessible both from this space and from the master bedroom is a second bath area, with a sink and a soaking spa tub.

A closer view of the tub.  The jets are at the bottom, and after you are done and gone, and the tub has emptied (it takes a while to fill it by the way) the jets come back on with a bit of a surprising roar to clear them.

The hair dryer is in a sink drawer. There may be another one in the full bath–I forgot to check.

The makeup mirror.

The master bedroom itself has a king bed on one side.

The king from the back.

Closer.

Note the interesting headboard. Note also the power points on the bedside table.

There’s two such tables, each able to power four devices.

There’s room for typically-sized rolly bags and such under the bed.

The other side of the room has a desk, dresser, TV and wardrobe.

The inside of the wardrobe.

The dresser and TV.

Lots of drawer space.

The desk adds more power points and has a cute stool that adds some color.

Also adding color is the large art thingy between the spa tub and the master bedroom, which perhaps is meant to be petrified wood.

The art thingy is translucent, so lets light escape from the master bath area into the bedroom when the lights are on in the bath.  All told, despite the room being short on art, I would have preferred drywall.

Finally, there’s a balcony outside.  Our seventh floor room had small dormer balconies–Villas on other floors will have larger ones, most with rails instead of solid walls.

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