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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.

MAIN STREET CONFECTIONERY SHOP

By Jim Korkis

The candy shop on Main Street is more than just a location to enjoy such treats as candy apples, Rice Krispie treats, cookies, different flavors of fudge, cotton candy, peanut brittle, and of course, chocolate.

In 1998, Imagineer Kevin Neary (who has authored several Disney related books) came up with an interesting concept for the redesign of the location that was developed and finished by Imagineering Show Writer Shawn Slater. They combined two details from Disney history.

The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 (also known as the Columbian Exposition) was meant to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus and his arrival in the New World. Walt’s father, Elias moved from Florida to Chicago in 1890 and found work as a carpenter for a dollar a day, seven days a week building pavilions for the fair.

He loved working on the fair and years later shared stories about it with an impressionable Walt, who was fascinated and obviously inspired to some day build a similarly impressive family friendly venue.

The Confectionery Shop on Main Street references that fair with a poster, announcing the Columbian Exposition, near the counter selling fudge and with all the mechanical devices throughout the store supposedly inspired by the fair’s Hall of Machinery.

When a young Walt Disney was in a desperate situation in November 1922 and close to losing his first animation studio, Laugh-O-grams, a local dentist, Dr. Thomas McCrum came to his rescue. He agreed to pay Walt $500 to make a short live action film about how bad things would happen to young people if they didn’t take good care of their teeth.

Tommy Tucker’s Tooth (1922) was not only Walt’s first educational film but provided money to pay off mounting debts and finance the production of the short Alice’s Wonderland.

The following is the back story of the shop:

“Thomas and Kitty McCrum had run a candy store on Main Street for as long as anyone could remember. In fact, they became famous for their sweet creations. But Thomas McCrum was never one for resting on his laurels. He was always looking for new and exciting ways to improve his candy making and increase his business.

“On a fateful trip to Chicago, for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, McCrum found inspiration. He and his wife entered the Expo’s storied Machinery Hall and were mesmerized by the mechanical machinations on display.

“Upon returning home, McCrum set out to duplicate some of what he’d seen, applying the wondrous new innovations to the creation of chocolate and other such delicacies.

“He moved quickly from prototypes and test recipes to full-blown production. In no time, the McCrum’s little candy store had expanded, pushing into nearby storefronts and taking over an entire corner on the Town Square.

“Now, at the turn of the 20th century, the McCrum’s Main St. Confectionery is poised and ready to take advantage of a new era of technological advancement: the electric age!

“Kitty McCrum, of course, has had to hire additional help, especially to get through the busy season, when streams of tourists pour forth from the railroad station at the edge of town. But it’s all worth it to see the smiles on their faces.

Now if she and Thomas could only stop sampling their own creations.”

Besides utilizing elements of Disney history, the gag about the shop is that it is a dentist who is operating the store and, in a way, generating more business for his primary profession by selling cavity causing treats.

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Thanks, Jim! Come back next Friday for even more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and The Vault of Walt: Volume 4, and his contributions to The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, all published by Theme Park Press.

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The latest edition of WDW Magazine, which despite the title focuses on fun for boys, is out!

The magazine is available on iTunes, for Android, and on the web.

Editor (and friend) Carl Trent has this to say about this month’s edition:

“Walt Disney World truly is a place of Adventure. Everywhere you turn there is a new Adventure to be found. This month we dive into some of the top adventure themes around WDW.

“Arrrgh maties. Are you ready for some pirates? That’s how we kick off the Pirates, Jedi & Adventure issue by looking at where you can get your pirate fix at Walt Disney World.

“Then we head over to Hollywood Studios and look at all the Star Wars adventures.

“Next we go off searching for Pixar Pals. Pixar Pals are everywhere. Buzz, Woody, Mike, Sully, Russell, Dug, Green Army Men, Dory, Crush, Nemo, Flick and lots more are all around Walt Disney World.

“Then we take a look at all the cool transportation, science fiction and technology that makes Walt Disney World the most Magical Place on Earth.

“We finish up at a look at what there is for boys of all ages to do at Walt Disney World. I think you might be surprised by the conclusion of this one.”

My column for first-timers focuses on Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. Curious? Of course you are! Sample a free issue here. Also, now available is a preview function–check it out! Or subscribe via iTunes, Android, or on the web.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: SEPTEMBER 10 TO SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

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

Note that typos happen, and schedules change! If something seems odd, or if you want to double check, use the calendar links near the bottom to get the latest official Disney World scoop.

For more on September 2016 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 9/10, 9a-7p 9/11, 8a-11p 9/12, 8a-7p 9/13, 9a-10p 9/14 and 9/15, 9a-7p 9/16, 8a-11p 9/17, and 9a-7p 9/18

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p 9/10 through 9/15, 9a-10p 9/16 and 9/17, and 9a-9p 9/18

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p 9/10 through 9/16 and 9a-8.30p 9/17 and 9/18

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

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

Saturday 9/10 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 9/11 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 9/12 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 9/13 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 9/14 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 9/15 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 9/16 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 9/17 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 9/18  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

The Magic Kingdom:

• Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day
• Evening Main Street Electrical Parade: 10p and 12MN 9/10; 10p 9/12, 9/14 and 9/15; 9 and 11p 9/17

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 9p 9/10, 9/12, 9/14 and 9/15; 8p 9/17

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p 9/10 through 9/15; 10p 9/16 and 9/17; 9p 9/18

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.30p 9/10 through 9/16; 8p 9/17 and 9/18

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.45p 9/10 through 9/16; 8.15p 9/17 and 9/18

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

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

LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECAST FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/10-9/18/2016

See this for forecasts.

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MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY 2016

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (“MNSSHP”) is a special, separately ticketed party that happens on certain nights every September, October and some years even early November at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

At the party you will find un-crowded rides, a special parade (shown twice, at 8.30 and 11.15p), special fireworks at 10.15p, a Hocus Pocus show, trick-or-treating, a dance party…and a ton of guests in costumes!

I had a chance to see it again in early September 2016, and the scoop follows!

(See this for more on logistics–Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates, ticket prices, etc.)

NOT MUCH NEW FOR 2016 AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

The 2016 party pretty much follows the 2015 version, continuing the changes we saw last year. The most important of those was that the parades and fireworks are more spread out, and later.

This isn’t really thinning crowds in front of the Castle, mainly because the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (photo above, and also at the top of the page), with its showtimes my date of 9.15p, 10.40p and midnight, is packing them in. (Later 2016 party dates will add a fourth show at 7.45 or 8p.) There’s more on this show later in this review.

The best approach to the Party remains the same–see rides until the fireworks and watch the second parade rather than the first–but, because of the 9.15 Hocus Pocus, it may be hard to get to the hub after riding rides to see the 10p Celebrate the Magic and 10.15p HalloWishes from there.

Frankly, much as it pains me to suggest this, the hub congestion is not worth seeing Celebrate the Magic. And while HalloWishes, like all Magic Kingdom fireworks shows, is best seen from between the Castle and the Main Street railroad station, it does work really well from elsewhere in the park, because of things that happen in the finale that I’m not gonna spoil here.

So do rides until ten, find a good nearby fireworks spot, then see the characters and go trick or treating, see the 11.15p parade, and see the midnight Hocus Pocus show. A late night, but one that avoids the congestion around the Castle hub and Main Street.

COSTUMES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Costumes are not required, and not everyone wear them. But even after the increased security that began in December 2015, they are still allowed at the party.

Above is the official Disney lingo (click it to enlarge it)–this came with my ticket, and as you can tell, no design professional saw this letter.

The most common costumes I saw in my September 2016 visit to MNSSHP were, as usual, princess costumes and pirate costumes, and after that Star Wars costumes. Lots of Princess Leia hair!

And this group in Tomorrowland proved a Disney princess theme was not required!

THE PARADE, FIREWORKS, DANCE PARTY, HOCUS POCUS SHOW AND TRICK-OR-TREATS AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Besides most rides being open to short (or shorter) waits, MNSSHP has a special set of Halloween-themed activities (see above–click them to enlarge it).

For example, the parade–Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade–is seen only at MNSSHP.

It begins with a surprise–pay attention when the Cast members start to rope of the crosswalks (dampness on the streets may eliminate this first surprise).

It then shifts to with ducks and mice…

…then some pirates…

…more pirates…

…but then shortly shifts to my favorite part, Haunted-Mansion themed dancing gravediggers and ghouls.

More ghouls.

The gravedigger dance.

Soon comes candy…

…then the parade goes back to scary, ending with Disney villains!

There’s two showings of the parade, at 8.30p and 11.15p, with spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks between at 10.15p.

While the fireworks are best seen from in front of the Castle with the Main Street train station behind you, this will lead you into a wildly crowded section of the park.

Because of their spectacular finale the fireworks can be seen from elsewhere in the park–you’ll miss a little but gain a lot of comfort from avoiding the mobs in front of the Castle.

The Liberty Square and Cosmic Rays dance parties left last year, but there’s still an outdoor Monsters-themed dance party at the thingy between Astro-Orbiter and Space Mountain.

The Hocus Pocus show is quite popular.  The three sisters from the movie return…

…and call on hordes of Disney villains to help them stay.

The show includes strong songs and dances, the fun characters, and some spectacular effects. Those familiar with the movie need not get close to the stage (thought it can’t hurt), but if you haven’t seen it, the characters of the three sisters are much more apparent if you are closer to the stage.  This is pretty easy at the midnight show, not so easy at the earlier shows.

Character meet-n-greets are all over the place–with both common and unusual characters…

…and there’s also a ton of trick or treat locations, marked by lighted columns…both of which raise an issue.

STRATEGY AND RIDES AT MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

All the major rides are open, and many minor rides as well. Most have very short waits–e.g. 10 minutes for Space Mountain. In our visit, only Peter Pan and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had annoying waits.

The trick-or-treat spots and character greetings, on the other hand, have pretty long lines.

So the best approach is to skip the character greetings and trick-or-treats–or delay them until after the fireworks–and spend the first part of the evening on rides.

Do rides until just before the 10.15p fireworks show and watch it.

Some families will be worn out by now.  If yours has energy left, keep going with with more rides, or trick-or-treating or character meets! Then see the second (11.15p) parade and the midnight Hocus Pocus show.

I struggle with whether or not this party is worth the money for first-time family visitors who may never return.

It’s quite expensive–more than $200, and even over $300 on some dates for a family of four.  And it’s just a five hour show (7p to midnight)–though Disney unofficially lets you in starting at 4p.

Yet the fireworks are the best Disney World offers, the parade is a hoot, the rides have short lines…and the costumes are fun!

My overall take is that for first-timers this time and money is better spent elsewhere, but that’s a really close call, and for sure I’d recommend it to returning visitors!

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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.

PINOCCHIO VILLAGE HAUS

By Jim Korkis

If the 1883 children’s story about Pinocchio, the little wooden puppet who came miraculously to life, is Italian, then why does the restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland resemble a medieval Bavarian building and uses the German word “haus”?

Walt Disney specifically wanted his animated feature Pinocchio (1940) to have the same artistic approach that echoed the old world storybook illustrations done by German artists that had made Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) such a success.

For the film, concept artist Gustaf Tenggren was responsible for the design of the Alpine town in the shadow of the mountains. The Germanic influences include not only the architectural detail in the streets but also the carved interior of Gepetto’s workshop. The character of Gepetto is German as are the toys, clocks and music boxes he carves. Even actor Christian Rub who voices Gepetto was German.

Tenggren’s inspiration for the buildings, signs, streets, steps and more in the final film were from the many drawings he had done of a Bavarian town called Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Gepetto’s house bares a close resemblance to the Hotel Altfrankische Weinstube in that town.

In fact, Pinocchio’s Village Haus was meant to so precisely recall the classic animated feature, that the view from above, which when the Magic Kingdom opened in October 1971 could be enjoyed on a leisurely Skyway ride that closed in November 1999, resembles the overhead opening scene in the film.

That view, as well as the one in the film, included a distinctive bell tower. Imagineer John Hench had located an old rusting, dented bell that was able to duplicate the exact ringing tone necessary.

Unfortunately, after the bell was shipped from California to Florida, overeager workmen in Central Shops cleaned off the rust and hammered out the dents and the bell no longer had its pleasing tone. An audio electronic track was substituted.

The world “village” was chosen specifically for this food and beverage location because both the exterior and the interior are designed with a village courtyard and separate “houses” clustered together since a building this large would not have served as a restaurant in medieval times. There are even different weather vanes on the roof to suggest different businesses or families living below.

The main entrance, although indoors, is designed to invoke the outdoors with a lighted ceiling suggesting the sky and the various food counters having shingled roofs on building facades with stained glass windows and flowerboxes.

The largest dining area is the Stromboli Room. Outside the building is puppeteer Stromboli’s cart that he uses to travel from town to town to perform his puppet shows and sell merchandise. Entering from that cart into the building takes a guest into the puppet theater.

The long, thin stained glass windows feature marionettes on strings while the narrow small balcony up above the seating area is meant to suggest the catwalk of a theater. A large fresco on the wall reads, “Stromboli presents Pinocchio the string-less puppet” just like a poster for the show.

Each of the other dining rooms are homages to different characters from Pinocchio: The Blue Fairy, Geppetto (with wooden cuckoo clocks), Cleo (all glassed in like a fish bowl with images of the fish swimming), Figaro, Jiminy Cricket, and Monstro (near the window overlooking the Small World oceans where he roamed).

The location even includes two porcelain tile covered authentic German bakery ovens that still work. An architectural mistake in the installation of an Exit sign has been corrected by painting the mischievous cat Figaro seemingly playfully moving it off center.

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Thanks, Jim! Come back next Friday for even more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and The Vault of Walt: Volume 4, 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 Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: SEPTEMBER 3 TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

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

Note that typos happen, and schedules change! If something seems odd, or if you want to double check, use the calendar links near the bottom to get the latest official Disney World scoop.

For more on September 2016 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-1a 9/3, 9a-12MN 9/4, 9a-11p 9/5, 9a-9p 9/6 and 9/7, 9a-7p 9/8, 9a-10p 9/9, 8a-12MN 9/10, and 9a-7p 9/11

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

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

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-11p 9/3 trhough 9/5, and 9a-9p 9/6 through 9/11

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

Saturday 9/3 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 9/4 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 9/5 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 9/6 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 9/7 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 9/8 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 9/9 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 9/10 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 9/11  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

The Magic Kingdom:

• Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day
• Evening Main Street Electrical Parade: 9 and 11p 9/3 and 9/4; 10p 9/5; 10p 9/9; 10p and 12MN 9/10

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 9/3 and 9/4; 9p 9/5 through 9/7; 9p 9/9 and 9/10

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.45p every night

Jungle Book Evening Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9 and 10.30p 9/3 through 9/5.

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

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

LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECAST FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 9/3-9/11/2016

See this for forecasts.

DISCLAIMER

Everything is subject to change and typos! Check the Disney Calendars for updates and official schedules. These calendars can be found by clicking the following links:

• Magic Kingdom Calendar
• Hollywood Studios Calendar
• Animal Kingdom Calendar
• Epcot Calendar

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