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On the Cover: The Wilderness Lodge lobby, photo by Barrie Brewer Volume 1 • Number 2 Unwrapping the Contents Magic: Holidays 40 Letters ..........................................................................................6 in the Parks Calendar of Events .............................................................7 Disney News & Updates................................................. 8 A Christmas Tour MOUSE VIEWS ......................................................... 15 of the Resorts 44 Guide to the Magic by Tim Foster............................................................................16 Explorer Emporium by Lou Mongello .....................................................................18 Holidays Around Hidden Mickeys by Steve Barrett .....................................................................20 the World at Disney Style World Showcase by Cara Goldsbury................................................................22 48 Photography Tips & Tricks by Tim Devine .........................................................................24 A Very Walt Pin Trading & Collecting Christmas by John Rick .............................................................................26 Travel Tips 52 by Beci Mahnken ...................................................................28 Holiday Magic FEATURED ATTRACTION Beyond the Parks Spaceship Earth ................................................................30 FEATURED RESORT 56 Disney’s Contemporary Resort .............................34 The Osborne Family Quick Quiz.............................................................................. 68 Spectacle of Dancing 60 Lou Mongello’s Wayback Machine .....................70 By the Numbers ..................................................................71 Lights In Search of...Pluto ...........................................................72 Kids Korner ...........................................................................74 Music by Mystery Quest: Adventureland ............................78 Candlelight Tim & Lou’s Top 10 ...........................................................80 66 Happy Holidays Everyone! This is a joyous time of year, the time of year when we celebrate the wonder of the holidays with family and friends. For those of us who remember staying up all night listening for reindeer on the roof, driving through the neighborhood looking at all the lights and decorations, or setting out that perfect dish of milk and cookies on Christmas Eve , the holidays are a magical time indeed. You might think that a trip to Florida wouldn’t be keeping in the holiday spirit (after all, it’s hard to keep a snowman comfortably chilled in the Florida sun!), but many of my fondest holiday memories have taken place at Walt Disney World, or they have at least had a Disney connection. That should come as no surprise. The holidays are a magical time, and there isn’t a more magical place than Walt Disney World. Where else can you watch snow falling—even when it’s 70 degrees outside? Where else could you enjoy a piping hot cup of cocoa under the glow of a shimmering castle? Whether you’re at the Magic Kingdom enjoying the festive decorations on Main Street, U.S.A., exploring the joy of the holidays across the globe in World Showcase, or cuddling up in front of a crackling fire at the Wilderness Lodge, experiencing the holidays at Walt Disney World is something you will never forget. It is with that spirit in mind that we present our first holiday edition of Celebrations. Join us as we explore, in true pixie-dust style, all of the magic and wonderment that comes around at this special time of year. From the parks and resorts to the special shows and fond memories, we’ll take a look at all of the things that make the holiday season such a special time of year at the most magical place on Earth. Looking ahead, we have lots more magic in store in our upcoming issues. We will have Part 2 of Lou’s interview with Richard M. Sherman, where he shares how some of the greatest songs in Disney history were created, and we’ll also take a look at tributes to closed attractions that you can find throughout the parks (and we’ll have some more surprises along the way!). Enjoy! Tim Foster 2 · Celebrations Editors Tim Foster • Lou Mongello Contributing Writers Steve Barrett Cara Goldsbury Tim Devine Jim Korkis Beci Mahnken John Rick Jennifer Bright Reich Ray Harkness Glenn Whelan Pat Whitson Associate Editors Jennifer Bright Reich • Catherine Lusby Creative Direction and Design Tim Foster Associate Art Director Michelle Foster Contributing Photographers Tim Devine, Tim Foster, Barrie Brewer, Lou Mongello, Glenn Whelan, Pat Whitson Editorial and Advertising Offices: PO Box 584 • Uwchland, PA 19480 • www.celebrationspress.com Basic subscription rate is $29.99 for six issues ($35.99 for Canada residents, $54.99 for other international residents). To subscribe online visit www.celebrationspress.com. Single issue price is $5.99. All orders must be prepaid and are pay- able in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Celebrations Press, ATTN: Subscriptions, PO Box 584 • Uwchland, PA 19480. SUBSCRIBERS: If the postal service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Advertising inquiries (including information on advertising rates and opportunities) can be sent to: [email protected] We are always accepting story proposals and contributions. You can direct such inquiries to: [email protected]. Unsolicited materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. By sending in unsolicited materials such as photos, you agree that Celebrations Press is not responsible for their safety or return. ©2008 Celebrations Press, Inc. Celebrations is published six times a year in the U.S. by Celebrations Press, Inc. No por- tion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. Statements and opinions herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Celebrations is owned and operated by Celebrations Press, Inc. and is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. Walt Disney World Resort® is a registered trademark of The Walt Disney Company. The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. This publication makes reference to various Disney copyrighted characters, trademarks, marks, and registered marks owned by The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., and other trademark own- ers. The use in this book of trademarked names and images is strictly for editorial purposes, no commercial claim to their use, or suggestion of sponsorship or endorsement, is made by the authors or publishers. Those words or terms that the authors have reason to believe are trademarks are designated as such by the use of initial capitaliza- tion, where appropriate. However, no attempt has been made to identify or designate all words or terms to which trademark or other proprietary rights may exist. Nothing contained herein is intended to express a judgement on, or affect the validity of legal status of, any word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary mark. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the passage of time will always bring changes in operating schedules, attraction openings and closings, and policies. The authors and publisher shall not be held liable for any information (valid or invalid) presented here and do not represent The Walt Disney Company. 3 · Celebrations Leaving the World Behind Leaving the world behind—the “real” world, not Walt Disney World, of course. That’s one of the things that I believe offers such wonderful appeal about visiting the Disney Parks. While you may get that same type of “disconnected” feeling while lying on a beach, hiking in the mountains, or even riding your bike, nothing seems to provide such a transformation as when you take those first steps into the Magic Kingdom, walk down Sunset Boulevard, stroll the promenade of World Showcase, or explore Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Admit it (it’s okay, you’re among friends here); you smile just a little bit as you pass through the archway under the train tracks and step foot onto Main Street, U.S.A. It’s because you know that you will leave behind “the world of today, and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” You get that same feeling as you leave Orlando and enter the Pacific Northwest of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or when you journey to an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Walt Disney World truly is a place of magic, where the ability to pass through a doorway provides a complete disconnect from