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Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.

THE MUPPETS PRESENT…

By Jim Korkis

[Note from Dave—this show closed October 5, 2019]

Disney acquired the rights to Jim Henson’s Muppets in February 2004 and tried to reboot the franchise starting in 2008 with new movies and television appearances. Henson had entered into negotiations with the Disney company for the franchise before his death in 1990 resulting in the characters being incorporated into shows at Disney MGM Studios.

However, after Henson’s death, Disney was unable to finalize the acquistion from the Henson family but were able to arrange a license for the Muppet*Vision 3-D attraction. With Disney’s purchase in 2004 the word “Muppet” became a Disney trademark.

After the release of the theatrical feature film Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Disney decided to develop a theme park show about American history that would have featured Sam Eagle interacting with guests and telling in typical Muppet fashion an unintentionally humorous version of famous events where he gets the stories partially right and mostly wrong.

Jim Lewis, who had written extensively for The Muppets for thirty years, was brought in for consultation, and the show expanded to include Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and two of Gonzo’s chicken friends. James Silson and Tara Anderson were co-directors of the show. Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda wrote a new song for the shows.

The Muppets Present…Great Moments in American History premiered in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom on October 2, 2016 with two different shows, The Declaration of Independence and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. The Muppets perform in the upper three windows above the Heritage House gift shop so that it appears as if it is three interconnected television screens.

Because of the distance to the guests below, the puppets were made about five percent larger than the traditional Muppets and were built by the same craftspeople who build the characters for television and film. The pre-recorded voices are provided by Steve Whitmire (Kermit the Frog), Eric Jacobson (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam Eagle) and Dave Goelz (Gonzo) and the Muppets’ actions are synchronized by live puppeteers to the voice track.

The puppeteers are also responsible for several costume changes during the show. Each show lasts approximately ten minutes and is performed multiple times during the day.

The Declaration of Independence show has Sam appearing in a circular portal at the top of the Hall of Presidents and interacting with a live James Jefferson (aka “JJ”), the Town Crier of Liberty Square down below who leads the guests in different responses during the show. As they attempt to share the events surrounding the drafting of the famous document, the other Muppets appear in the Heritage House windows.

These other Muppets portray historical figures Thomas Jefferson (Kermit), John Adams (Gonzo) and Benjamin Franklin (Fozzie). Miss Piggy is irritated that there are no female roles and decides to change King George III and later George Washington into “Georgette” for her to perform as those characters.

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere takes place solely in the windows above Heritage House and is a very loose adaptation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem Paul Revere’s Ride. Kermit portrays Revere and has a stick horse whose face surprisingly animates as another Muppet.

“The show really appeals to everybody, across generations, because the Muppets have such a wonderful history,” said Tara Anderson. “Parents are going to watch the show with their children and they’re both going to laugh! It’s the Muppets we know and love, but new.”

*  *  *  *  *

Thanks, Jim! And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including his latest, The Unofficial Walt Disney World 1971 Companion: Stories of How the World Began, and Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, all published by Theme Park Press.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 12 TO OCTOBER 20, 2019

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

For  more on October 2019 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/12-10/20/19

The Magic Kingdom will be open 8a-11p 10/12, 8a-9p 10/13, 8a-6p 10/14 and 10/15, 8a-9p 10/16, 8a-6p 10/17 and 10/18, 8a-10p 10/19, and 8a-6p 10/20

Epcot will be open from 9a-10p 10/12, 9a-9p 10/13 through 10/17, 9a-10p 10/18 and 10/19, and 9a-9p 10/20

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 9a-10p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8a-8p 10/12, and 8a-9p 10/13 through 10/20

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/12-10/20/19

• Saturday 10/12 Morning: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: none
• Sunday 10/13  Morning:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: none
• Monday 10/14 Morning: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: none
• Tuesday 10/15 Morning: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: Epcot
• Wednesday 10/16 Morning:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: none
• Thursday 10/17 Morning: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios (6-9a)  Evening: none
• Friday 10/18 Morning:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a) Evening: none
• Saturday 10/19 Morning: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a)  Evening: none
• Sunday 10/20 Morning:  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (6-9a)  Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/12-10/20/19

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon parade: 2p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/12-10/20/19

Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom:  9p 10/12, 10/13, 10/16, and 10/19

Epcot Forever at Epcot: 10p 10/12, 9p 10/13 through 10/17; 10p 10/18 and 10/19; 9p 10/20

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7.45p 10/12;  7.45 and 9p 10/13 through 10/18; 7.45p 10/19; 7.30 and 8.45p 10/20

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/12-10/20/19

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

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(Note: this is from the 2019 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2019.)

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Check in, get settled, and head to Epcot.

Today is the first of your three visits to Epcot. I’ve designed this itinerary with three Epcot visits because there are three key Tier One FastPass+ at Epcot, and you will use one each visit. This lets you sleep in before your next two Epcot visits…

Your plan tonight is to see Test Track, to visit the parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, to sample the Holiday Storytellers, and to check out, if you have time, the holiday decorations in the nearby Epcot resorts.

You want to be on your way out of Epcot by 9.30p, so that you miss the crowds that will depart the park after the 9.30 Epcot Forever show is over. (You will see Epcot Forever on Friday night.)

You should have FastPass+ for Test Track, and you have no scheduled dining tonight.

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at your hotel, following the instructions in your Disney’s Magical Express packet if you are using it to get from Orlando International to your Disney Resort. Check in.

Unless you are arriving late, your room may not be ready, but you can leave your bags. First change into clothes more appropriate for the weather–which your To-Do List reminded you to pack in your carry-ons.

Head to Epcot as early as you can, and at the latest in time to make your FastPass+ at Test Track.

AT THE PARK

• Go through the turnstiles and pick up a park map and “Times Guide”–a schedule.
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your Test Track FastPass+, see the pavilions starting with Mexico and going clockwise.
  • Each pavilion will have some or all of shopping, special exhibits, a ride, a movie, and other special events—such as acrobats in China. Most also will have a Holiday Storyteller.
  • Check your map, times guide, and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
  • For scheduled events like the Storytellers, acrobats, etc., sequence what you do when among items that are not scheduled (shops, exhibits, and rides), and bounce back and forth between nearby pavilions, so that you don’t have to wait long for the scheduled item
• Ride Test Track (FastPass+)
• Have dinner at a convenient counter service when you are ready.
• If you have time, head over to the BoardWalk Inn (walk or boat—the walkway and boat are at the International Gateway between the UK and France) and see the holiday decorations in its lobby, continuing on to see those in the nearby Yacht Club and Beach Club, time permitting.
• Be back in Epcot and headed towards the bus and monorail stops or the International Gateway by 9.30p, so that you miss the crowds leaving after Epcot Forever .
• Return to your hotel.

BACK AT THE HOTEL

Buy food, supplies (bowls, spoons, etc.) and get refillable mugs for breakfast in your room at your hotel counter service or gift shop, if you did not have time, or a room assignment, earlier. You can also get these in the morning, but crowds in the shops/counter service will likely be lower tonight.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spend the first of two days at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You want to arrive by 8.15a. Check with your concierge on transport (likely buses) and what time you should be at the bus stop. Pack spare dry clothes, as you will get wet on Kali River Rapids!

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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(Note: this is from the 2019 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2019.)

ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: FIRST SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you begin and end your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which you will return to next Sunday morning. You should have dinner booked at Tusker House as the Rivers of Light Dining Package.

You should have FastPass+ for Na’vi River Journey, Finding Nemo, and Kali River Rapids. Bring spare socks and shoes to change into after Kali River Rapids.

MORNING PLAN

• Arrive at the turnstiles 45 minutes before open
• At open, head to and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• See Na’vi River Journey (FastPass+)
• Explore Pandora
• Have an early lunch
• See the noon Finding Nemo: The Musical (FastPass+)
• See the Maharajah Jungle Trek
• See Kali River Rapids (FastPass+)
• See the 1.30p UP: A Great Bird Adventure
• See it’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Optional: ride the Wildlife Express train to Rafiki’s Planet watch and see its petting zoo and veterinary and conservation exhibits
• Head back to your hotel for a nap and/or time at the pool

EVENING PLAN

• Be back in the park in time for your Tusker House Rivers of Light Dining Package dinner.
• See Rivers of Light –be in the Dining Package line no later than 30 minutes before show start
• If the park is still open, explore Tree of Life Awakenings and Pandora: World of Avatar after dark
• Ride, if you wish, Expedition Everest and/or Kilimanjaro Safaris (if operating) after dark
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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(Note: this is from the 2019 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2019.)

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 1: MONDAY AGENDA

You begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, and complete it on Wednesday.  The schedule is a bit fluid, as opening hours may vary quite a bit, as does interest in some of the special features at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. So you have some options…

You should have FastPass+ for Indiana Jones at 2.45p for the 3.15p show, 4p to 5p for Tower of Terror, and 5p for the 5.30p Frozen Sing-Along.

AT THE PARK

• Arrive at the park and be through security and in line for the tapstiles well before the park opens. Right now I can’t tell you how early, but I would aim to be at the tapstiles an hour before open.
• Enter the park, enter Galaxy’s Edge, and if your date is after December 5, ride Rise of the Resistance, then check the lines for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and ride it if the wait seems tolerable. (You’ll see it Wednesday if waits are too high today.) If arriving before December 5th, ride Smugglers Run.
• Exit into Toy Story Land, and ride Toy Story Mania.
• When you get off Toy Story Mania, check the waits for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.  If they look OK, head to it and ride it.
• What happens next depends both on how early you got into the park, and which of the options in the next bullet you wish to pursue. A late park opening and wanting to do many of the options in the next bullet means continuing in the park and working through them; an early open and/or not having an interest in any means you can head back to your hotel and take a nap. You can also put some of the options off til Wednesday.
• The next general point in your itinerary is to be outside of Indiana Jones by 2.45p.  You may wish to return to the park earlier–or even stay in the park–if  you wish to wander more in Galaxy’s Edge, have bookings at Oga’s Cantina or Savi’s [lightsaber] Workshop, or if you want to see some of the minor attractions in the park–e.g. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, Walt Disney Presents, Disney Jr Dance Party, or Star Wars Launch Bay
• See the 3.15p show of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show (FP+)
• See Tower of Terror (FP+)
• See the 5.30p Frozen Sing-Along (FP+). As soon as you tap in, check for FastPass+ availability for another ride
• Have dinner
• See the holiday show projected on Tower of Terror
• Be in line for Fantasmic (the first show, if two are scheduled) no later than 60 minutes before show start, and see Fantasmic
• If the schedule permits, head back to the Chinese Theater area and see the Wonderful World of Disney Animation and then the last show, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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(Note: this is from the 2019 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2019.)

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then in the late morning begin your visit the Magic Kingdom.

You should have FastPass+ for Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.

You should have breakfast or lunch scheduled with the princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table. You have dinner at Fort Wilderness’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Magic Kingdom in time for your Cinderella booking–or if it is later, by 11a

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

At Magic Kingdom today your goal is to begin seeing Adventureland and Frontierland while fitting in your meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and the afternoon parade. You will then end your day at Fort Wilderness’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.

The To-Do List did not give specific times for today’s FastPass+ (Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain), because of the need to fit them around your dining reservation.

So you will need to adjust the sequence below based on your actual meal and FastPass+ times, and also interrupt it to be in position for the afternoon parade near Pecos Bill’s by 15 minutes before it starts at 2p.

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and confirm the time of the afternoon parade
• Have your meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Go to Adventureland and ride Pirates of the Caribbean (FastPass+)
• Walk through the Swiss Family Treehouse
• Do Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• See the Enchanted Tiki Room show
• Ride Splash Mountain (FastPass+)
• See the Country Bears
• Ride Big Thunder Mountain (FastPass+)
• Look for a fourth FastPass+ on your phone if you’d like to return to a ride from today or earlier this week.
• Fit into the above seeing the afternoon parade (find a spot near Pecos Bill’s by 15 minutes before it starts–2p starts are now typical this time of year)
• Revisit rides from today or earlier this week
• Around 5p, head for the main entrance and look for the boat docks right in front
• Take the boat to Fort Wilderness (not the Wilderness Lodge), and follow the crowds to the Hoop-Dee-Doo area, and check in for the 6.15p show.
• See Hoop-Dee-Doo!
• Ask outside for the best way to get back to your hotel.  Most likely you will return by boat to the Magic Kingdom, and catch a bus or monorail there.  But special buses may be running…

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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