FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Spaceship Earth

Wally had me at Spaceship. Earth, that is: one of my favorite Disney attractions, which I ride many times during each trip to Disney World, even though the latest refurbishment was a disaster. But with Wally aboard, the fun is back!

- by Walter Octavius March, July 18, 2011

KUNGALOOSH!

And good morning, my friend! I'm so glad you could join me here on the Boardwalk for breakfast this morning.

Would you like some danish from the Boardwalk Bakery? Maybe a baguette or a fruit tart? I especially enjoy the strawberry ones. Or maybe a hot sandwich? No, nothing? Just coffee from Boardwalk Joe's?

Very well, then. I'll join you after I get myself a croissant.

Wally's Morning Repast

Isn't it nice sitting here watching the Friendship Launches going to and fro? Enjoying a cup of coffee this time of the day makes you remember to slow down while you are here in Walt Disney World, doesn't it? I'm thinking today we shall take a relaxing stroll into Epcot when it first opens.

Yes, I know that the park opens in two different shifts, but I think if we stroll over into the park using the International Gateway entrance, we can enjoy Future World, which opens at 9:00 AM, and then wander over to one of the Pavilions in the World Showcase for lunch.

Yes, it is a good idea! Finish your Java and let's get going. It's nearly 9:00 already.

Yes, my friend, the walk from the Boardwalk to the park is nice. I think the path to Disney's Hollywood Studios is also a good walk, but it does get warm on mornings at this time of the year. I like seeing the Eiffel Tower as you walk through the Gateway, don't you?

Now, what would you like to do first? Really? Spaceship Earth? No, I'm not disappointed, I am just surprised - most people want to head to Test Track or Soarin' first thing in the morning, or at least get a FastPass for them.

Ah! You were here yesterday, but didn't go on Spaceship Earth. I understand.

Wally Seeks Hidden (Historical) Mickeys

Spaceship Earth is quite an enjoyable ride. I like trying to find its Hidden Mickeys. What's that? What is a hidden Mickey? Well, a Hidden Mickey is a shape of an outline or a shadow of a Mickey Mouse head hidden somewhere that you can see them.

Here, let's go this way; maybe I can show you one.

There on the Mouse Gears sign above the doorway of that store. You see the three circles? The G makes the bottom one and then the gears make the top two: that is a Hidden Mickey! I know of a few of them in Spaceship Earth. We should see if you can find them. Let's join the queue.

While we're waiting, let me tell you more about these Hidden Mickeys. They originally started as inside jokes by the Imagineers - you know, the Disney designers - to help pay tribute to one another. Many were originally not Hidden Mickey Mouse heads, but things that were named after the Imagineers themselves. For example, the Haunted Mansion graveyard has a tombstone with Brother Roland on it. This is a tribute to Imagineer Roland "Rolly" Crump, who created the Museum of the Weird concept which was never used with the mansion. (And who also writes a column for my publisher, Disney Dispatch!)

Look: in the mural on the wall. Do you see the Rocket's identification numbers? Yes, that is a Hidden Mickey! Good job, chap! Now that you know what they are, you'll have to keep your eyes peeled during the ride. Here's our vehicle. Climb in and we'll get started.

I do enjoy this attraction, I'm glad you chose to ride it this morning. It is nice and peaceful and it is fun to look back on the history of the world in this way.

I think one of our Mickeys is hidden in the next scene. It's too bad they can't slow the ride down until we find it. What's that? You think you found it? Where? Yes, I see the sleeping Monk, and yes, that is one on the paper in front of him. My goodness, you're adept at this!

I could have used those eagle eyes of yours on my last undersea excursion. We were very deep in the ocean and the light was rather dim when I thought I saw a friend swimming toward me. It turned out to be a bull shark. The monster was rather perturbed with me loitering in his domain, and I had to swim away quickly. Of course, he was going to out-swim me, So, I took off my scuba tank and spun the nozzle all the way open. The force of the oxygen propelled me away from the great beast.

Anyhow, here in the Renaissance Period, there are supposed to be a few Hidden Mickeys. I see one of them on the table. Do you see the three circles created by the paint? Very good. What's that? To the left? My gracious, that is another one. Well done!

I think there are a few more throughout the rest of the ride. We'll have to see if we can find them. I like how they have us jump ahead through time. Look in that lad's room. The baseball cap has a Mickey on it and you're right, the alarm clock has one, too.

This is fun, isn't it? What's that? No, this isn't the only ride that has Hidden Mickeys; most of them do. Not only that, but there are Hidden Mickeys all over Walt Disney World. In the hotel rooms, in the lobbys, even on the streets.

Wally Goes Interactive

I wonder why we are stopping now. Oh, look - the little screen in our vehicle is lighting up. They took a picture of us! And now we have to answer questions? I haven't been on this ride in a while. I don't remember this. But those questions were interesting. I wonder what they will do with them. Well, this is the end of our ride, my friend.

How's that? Follow you? Okay, I'm game. Just don't shoot me, though. Ha-ha. Hey, look at that, it's us in a little cartoon! That's why they took our picture and asked us those questions. I've made it to the big time! I am a cartoon character!

What's that? I am a great character? You flatter me, sir. What else is there to do in this room? I think I'd like to explore.

What's that? You have a lunch reservation at Le Cellier? How many seats did you reserve? Just two? Well, that is very kind of you, I would... ah, you're meeting your mother there.

I see.

That is fine, my friend. Enjoy your mother's company. We will meet again at another time.

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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