Special backstage tours details - Project X - June 17th-20th '05

[Penny12]

Right-o,

For anyone not knowing what Project X is - click here to find out our plans for a series of special private events scheduled for June 17th-20th June 2005.


Here are some details that I have of the special backstage tours offered to large groups via the Disney Institute. They are from some PDF documents (I can't copy/paste from a pdf so I've re-typed them out but it means in places I have just paraphrased a bit) I was given during the summer and so are dated December '03 so are a year old now. I'm hoping that they will update these again this December so we can confirm details are still accurate - therefore don't take them as 100% gospel...this is just to give you all a <i>taste</i> of what these tours offer.

Tours are only for <b>16 year olds and upwards</b> - and before you ask, I don't know what the gift is...I imagine it's a pin like all the rest of the tours give but if there's sufficient interest in these tours then I'll find out the details. What I can probably then arrange is for 1 of each tour to be arranged sometime over that weekend.


<b><u>INSPIRATION: THROUGH WALT’S EYES</u></b>

Discover with this tour the events and milestones in Walt Disney’s life that inspired many of the fine details that are found around the WDW resort.

This 3 hour adventure will share stories about Walt’s life and career plus discover not only how Walt was inspired himself, but how he went on to inspire those around him.

MGM:-

Unknown facts surrounding the Sorcerer’s Hat icon.

Here stories from a ‘grand’ Disney premiere at this theatre in Hollywood.

Explore Walt Disney’s legacy in Hollywood and how tinseltown made him into an American icon.

Venture backstage to see how the Disney Studios got it’s start (NOTE: This info is from a PDF supplied to me before the Animators were laid off – therefore I don’t know what this now entails)


MAGIC KINGDOM:-

Learn the ‘language of vision’ in Main Street USA, a location inspired by Walt’s childhood.

OTHER BACKSTAGE AREAS:-

Journey backstage to the place where the ‘can do people’ create everything from parade floats to Audio-animatronics.

<b>Participants currently receive an exclusive Disney gift and myst be at least 16 years old (photo ID is required). Walking is involved so comfortable shoes are a must. Theme park admission is not included or required. Actual locations or the order in which they are presented are subject to change at any time.

Tour lasts 3 hours, $99 per person, includes transportation, minimum 10 people required.</b>






<b><u>INNOVATION IN ACTION</b></u>

When people hear ‘Walt Disney’ most people thing of Mickey Mouse, movies and theme parks. What they don’t often think of or know about are his many innovative ideas that eventually led to the creation of the WDW resort. Innovation in Action highlights Walt’s many accomplishments and takes you on an unforgettable journey where you see firsthand how to make ‘magic’.

This behind the scenes adventure will share stories of the early days of Walt’s career and take you to a variety of locations for an up-close look at innovation.

NURSERY TREE FARM:-

See how the Disney horticulturists create their world famous topiaries at the WDW Nursery & Tree farm.

PRODUCTION CENTRE:-

Take an up-close look at the backstage elements of the Disney parades and stage shows at the Production Centre.

TEXTILE SERVICES:-

Visit the new state of the art laundry facility – one of the largest in the world at Textile Services.

MAIN STREET USA:-

Discover how Walt’s life and film career heavily influenced this turn of the century location.

UTILIDOR:-

Visit the support system of tunnels located ‘beneath’ the Magic Kingdom park

<b>Participants currently receive an exclusive Disney gift and myst be at least 16 years old (photo ID is required). Walking is involved so comfortable shoes are a must. Theme park admission is not included or required. Actual locations or the order in which they are presented are subject to change at any time.

Tour lasts 3 hours, $99 per person, includes transportation, minimum 10 people required.</b>





<b><u>DISNEY BY DESIGN</b></u>


Discover the ‘tricks of the trade’ used by Disney artists, designers and landscapers to turn resorts, theme parks and offices at WDW into masterpieces of illusion.

This adventure makes your attendees privy to the inside story of how Disney uses architecture, color, landscaping, furnishings and an acute attention to detail to evoke a variety of themes. After attending Disney by Design, you may never look at buildings the same way again!

Travelling across property, you’ll visit the following locations for a close up look at ‘architheming’

TEAM DISNEY:-

See how Eastern architecture and the culture of Disney comet together to form an efficient work space.

WDW CASTING:-

Learn how the design and décor of the building helps convey the corporate culture.

EPCOT:-

Step behind the scenes to see how Disney recreates the international landmarks and landscapes of the World Showcase.

DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE:-

Experience how nine elements of design can transforem an ordinary hotel into a world of fantasy.

CENTRAL SHOPS:-

Explore the world of the ‘can do’ builders of the Disney ‘magic.

<b>Participants currently receive an exclusive Disney gift and myst be at least 16 years old (photo ID is required). Walking is involved so comfortable shoes are a must. Theme park admission is not included or required. Actual locations or the order in which they are presented are subject to change at any time.

Tour lasts 3 hours, $99 per person, includes transportation, minimum 10 people required.</b>




Interested? Then you can register your interest in Project X (if you haven't done so already) here!

Details of our planned Adventurer's Club event and our Illuminations Dessert Party are already too!

Please register - I just can't stress enough the fact that the more information I know now before signing any contracts, the easier it is for me to plan in the long run

 

[goofy4tink]

I would have loved to do a backstage tour, but since dd is only 11 that let's us out. Oh bother!!! But, I'm sure there will be plenty of other offerings for us.

 

[Tiffany]

All three of these tours sound great. Would they run on each day? Meaning one on Fri, one on Sat and one on Sun or maybe Sat, Sun and Monday? We would love to do each of these.

 

[Penny12]

As long as we can get hit our minimum target on each tour then there would be no problem to organise a different tour each day over 3 days - that's something we can iron out the details of in the New Year

 

[RachelTori]

I would have loved to do a backstage tour, but since dd is only 11 that let's us out. Oh bother!!! But, I'm sure there will be plenty of other offerings for us.

Same situation here. DD is 11 so we'll do other things that can include her!

Laura

 

[westjones]

Same situation here. DD is 11 so we'll do other things that can include her!

Laura

Same here! I have twin DDs who are 11, so we can't do these either. But they do sound interesting.

DJ

 

[Penny12]

I understand guys - I wanted some events to be family friendly, but not necessarily family exclusive...hopefully there'll be something to suit everyone next June

 

[taswira]

Count me in for "Inspiration: Through Walt's Eyes," and "Disney By Design"!

 

[westjones]

Make sure if you are interested in doing these events that you go to this thread to 'register' with Penny so you can count you in the numbers:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=693061&page=1&pp=15

I think the more people we have the better Penny's chances are of getting some of these things off the ground. She has been doing a great job! Everything is sounding wonderful!

DJ

 

[taswira]

I did register with her as she requested when she first posted about registration, but was just letting her know that after reading her new details/prices I am still interested in these particular events. Thanks.

 

[zippeedee]

Penny,
I've already registered my email address, but wanted to let you know that I am definitely interested in the Disney by Design tour (or any of the three that ends up being offered). I also got confirmation that a friend will be joining me so count me as "two" for the adventurer's club, the dessert party and pretty much whatever else you come up with!
I'm almost more excited for this event than I am for my cruise in April!
Patti

 

[Penny12]

Cool Patti - I'm hoping to organize one of each tour (just waiting to have the Disney Institute/my rep to confirm that these tours aren't changing in 2005) - personally I like the sound of both Disney by Design and Innovation in Action, not sure I can justify stumping up for both though and it's gonna be tough for me to choose.

 

[Tiffany]

Cool Patti - I'm hoping to organize one of each tour (just waiting to have the Disney Institute/my rep to confirm that these tours aren't changing in 2005) - personally I like the sound of both Disney by Design and Innovation in Action, not sure I can justify stumping up for both though and it's gonna be tough for me to choose.

Hi Penny,

Any update on what days/times these tours are going to take place?

 

[Penny12]

Hi Tiffany

Sorry I missed your question!

The provisional days for this are the Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 1 tour on each day. I'm just waiting to have one little thing cleared up with the tours before I go ahead and firm up which tour for which date and then open them for registration - this'll hopefully be done to coincide with the official registering with deposits for the other events some time around the weekend. Notification will go out first <i>only</i> to people who are on the mailing list. Anyone else who's interested but hasn't pre-registered will get notification via the boards sometime next week I imagine.

 

[Penny12]

Ok everyone - I'm giving this one last 'bump' before I start to sign the contracts...this should happen this week and means that I'll be opening official registration and taking deposits probably at the weekend.

However, at that time I will initally <i>only</i> be opening registration to the people who so kindly helped me get an idea of numbers and Pre-registered for the events. Everyone who has joined my mailing list should receive an email from me with instructions on what to do before I announce it on the boards. This is to ensure that these guys have the best chance of booking their place on the events that have a maximum capacity (Adventurers Club and now, because it's getting so popular I may limit the Illuminations Dessert party too - don't want us all crammed in there like sardines...kinda defeats the purpose of having a special area in the first place!) - so...if you want to be have the very best chance to book your places, it's not too late to still Pre-register here! Remember, to be fair registrations will be on <b>strictly</b> first come-first serve basis.

So, just to recap, the events that I have information up for so far are the our Illuminations Dessert Party and the private event at the Adventurers Club. Backstage tours info has now also been added, as has the outline proposal for an after park closing Safari Dinner at Animal Kingom.

Also, I have just had it confirmed that we will be allowed to buy Disney meal vouchers in advance - obviously you will have to partake in at least one event in order to qualify for these and the vouchers will most likely expire either end of June or end of July. I'm just waiting to get a confirmed list of all the places these can be used at - once I do, I'll post more info.

Thanks everyone

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would be interested in disney by design and the innovation tour

thanks penny

 

[Penny12]

Just a FYI. The registration mail was sent late yesterday afternoon and everyone on the mailing list should now know what they need to do in order to pay their deposits.

If you think you should already be on the mailing list but didn't receive the email, or are interested in attending any of these events but haven't already pre-registered then send an email to projectx@wdwinfo.com and I'll get the info back to you by return of mail.

There is a maximum attendance limit on both the Adventurers Club and Illuminations Dessert Party and therefore places will be offered on a strictly first come, first serve basis based on when the deposit payment is received.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

This is in response to the deposit email that I recieved today.

I hope that this is where you will find this. My husband and I are waiting to see if we can get the time off work before I mail in our deposit cheques. I hope that I will hear soon. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go.