Tribute To Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations at WDW

It has been announced that Jim MacPhee will retired from Disney after 42 years.

He was warm, gracious, and generous with his time when I encountered him during Epcot's 25th Anniversary as part of Celebration25 group. We were having our walking tour of various attractions at Epcot when he stopped by to visit with us and chatted.

This was the day before the official Epcot's 25th anniversary.

He also revealed the park map that would be distributed the day of the celebration, so we all knew that we would have to get one (or more) when we showed up the next day.

The day of the celebration was centered over the fountain of nations (now gone).

At the end of the ceremony, he and the Disney Ambassadors at that time took a photo with our entire Celebration25 group.

We had a special area to watch Illuminations that evening. Even though it rained, we had a great time. The Disney parks people sent us ponchos and ice cream. And as a final surprise, Jim MacPhee actually came over to check up on us before the evening ended.

 

His presence and acknowledgement of us made the day even more special. Not many (if any) Disney executives would go out of their way to greet die-hard fans like that.

I did a short video on the that fun time:

Have a wonderful retirement, Mr. MacPhee. Thanks for giving us such wonderful memories!

Zz.

What Will Happen To The Morocco Pavilion?

 Disney had officially taken over the running of the Moroccan pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase after the previous company running it went into default. Yesterday was the last day that restaurants such as Spice Road Table was opened, and the area around the pavilion is now closed for renovations, including the bazaar area.

This was my most favorite pavilion at the World Showcase. For many of us, this was the most unfamiliar culture among the various nationalities represented there. While the food quality at both sit-down restaurants have gone down over the years (in my opinion), they were still not the familiar run-of-the-mill fare that most people know. Moroccan food and restaurants are not very common in many parts of the US, even though there is one amazing Moroccan restaurant in Orlando itself called "Moroccan Breeze" which we have been to twice during our last two visits.

This takeover and renovation can go well, or can go very wrong (what other possibilities are there?). I don't know what to make of it. The ONLY thing I wish for is authenticity both in the decor and in the food. Disney is a master at the former, but often skimp on the latter. We shall see.

In the meantime, here's one final tribute to the bazaar at the Morocco pavilion.

Zz.

Wear A Mask

 Hey, it's a very clever parody of a Disney movie, so I'm posting it here! :)

Zz.

Nightmare Before Christmas Summer Shirt And Hat

 I was walking around Woodfield Mall here in Schaumburg, IL yesterday, and as I was window shopping, I saw a display of Nightmare Before Christmas clothings at a store. It wasn't the Disney store, which was on the same floor. It was at a store called "Box Lunch". I have never heard of this store before, and had never been in one.

When we went in, they had quite a few more Disney-related items, and many of them I haven't seen anywhere else. But I zoomed in on the Nightmare stuff. They were having "Buy one, get one at half off", and I immediately stumbled upon two items that I wanted and eventually bought. I'll so them to you here.

First is a Nightmare summer shirt. It is 100% cotton, and a lovely color. Full price is $44.90.

Here are close-up shots of the prints on the shirt:

But wait, there's more! I found a matching bucket hat!

The prints on the hat are identical to the shirt.

With the discount, both came out to $59.35. I could have spent more so easily.

But here's the best part. Turns out that they have a lot more stuff online at www.boxlunch.com. We saw in the store quite a few Mandolorian stuff, including shirts with Baby Yoda on it. Not only that, for every $10 you spend, they donate a meal to Feeding America.

I signed up to be on their list, and got a $15 BoxLunch money if I spend more than $30 in mid Sept. So I'm saving that for my next trip there because I have a few other stuff that I want to get.

That store is dangerous to my credit cards!

Zz.

Roy Disney Family Home and Walt's Disneyland Apartment

Two cool new videos (as of this moment) that I want to share.

First is a look at family home of Roy Disney.

The next one is what most Disney fans already know, Walt's private apartment at Disneyland.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photos Ending

With the partial reopening of WDW theme parks today, the photo that I posted just now was the last one (I hope so) in conjunction with the parks' closure due to COVID-19. We can all hope that everyone who visits the parks during the next few months stay safe and obeys all the guidelines that they have in place. Don't be those selfish morons we hear on the news or see in those videos who think that they are somehow entitled to not wear a mask and no one can force them to.

And yes, I did call them selfish morons.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 84

Oooh.. I think it's going to rain at Epcot!

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 83

The amazing chandeliers at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 82

Only a few more days before the Walt Disney World parks reopen, at least partially. A lot of people still think it is a bad idea to open it at this time considering the spike in positive COVID-19 result in Florida.

In any case, this is today's pictures, from Disney's Hollywood Studios Slinky Dog coaster.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 81

Future World at Epcot.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 80

Here's something a bit different. This is the atrium of the Disney Dream, decorated during the holiday season,, with Admiral Donald looking on.

Zz.

Disney Cruise Line's Chocolate Souffle

If you have been on a Disney cruise, and have dined at Palo, you would have heard of their infamous chocolate souffle. I've had it each time we ate at Palo, which has been on every cruise so far. Here are three pictures from three different cruises of the chocolate souffle.

Well now, they have released a short video on how to make the souffle!

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 79

The Tinker Toy sculpture in Marketplace at Disney Springs.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 78

Off to go find the Yeti at Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 77

Sunset at World Showcase, Epcot.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 75

Donald at Jiko, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. He's just hoping that he's not going into wood oven.

Hum, roast duck sounds like a very good idea right now.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 74

Fireworks from Illuminations - Reflections of Earth, at Epcot's World Showcase lagoon.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 73

Donald on the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 72

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction at the Magic Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 71

Can never have too many fireworks photo above Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 70

The Tree of Life up close at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 69

Donald at one of the floating island of Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 68

View of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 67

Searching for the Yeti on Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 66

Monorail zipping out of the Contemporary.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 65

This was during one of our stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. Notice the peak of Expedition Everest from Disney's Animal Kingdom above the tree-tops in the background.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 65

Yes, I was there when Walt Disney World turned 40. But it wasn't much of a celebration, and by noon time, there wasn't any trace left that that day was the 40th anniversary. It was disappointing.

Zz.

Disney Parks Shutdown Photo of the Day 64

Happy balloons on Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom.

Zz.