Free Hugs at Disneyland Paris

I can’t say I was expecting to see a member of the Free Hugs movement at Disneyland Paris last summer. But I can tell you I did in fact hug him, and the look on his friends’ faces when I recognized the sign made my day.

Jentasmic! Pixie Dust and Boxer Shorts

Nothing says “dinner with Len Testa” like waking up the next morning in moose boxer shorts.

But actually, this is a story about Disney’s excellent Guest Services. A tidbit here, to convince you to wander on over to StudiosCentral to read more:

The evening could have taken a less enjoyable turn, though, when our waitress inadvertently dropped a full tray of drinks on my shoulder. A hush fell over the restaurant as clinking glasses and ice cubes hit the ground, by way of my back. I was soaked through from neck to knee, on my right side. This could have been a real joy-killer.

But Disney lived up to its Guest Services standards.

And it all wraps up with Yee Haw Bob. How fabulous was my evening?

What I Learned on My December WDW Vacation

A foggy morning at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Last weekend’s trip to the December fan meets at Walt Disney World will surely be fodder for many blog posts! But for starters, let’s just highlight a few of the lessons learned on this trip:

The Wine Room at the Cali Grill is a bad place to sit if you want to hear Jimminy Cricket announce the fireworks. But it’s hard to imagine a better view of the electrical water pageant.

When your best friend gets engaged, you’re gonna cry for joy, even if the only way you can get confirmation is sitting in your office listening to the WDW Today live feed. You might just get choked up all over again once you see the happy couple in person.

Celebrations at Cali Grill are to be recommended!

Folk wisdom speaks the truth: Everything tastes better when Len’s buying.

The Walgreens on SR535 has gone way downhill. Better check the CVS at the intersection with SR536, next to the 7-11. Be sure not to accidentally leave a bag behind at Walgreens, because they’ll swear you took it with you.

I may not draw the best Pluto ever. But I have a darn good time doing it.

My own artwork, from the Animation Academy

If you’re staying at the Sheraton Vistana, you might consider picking up some butter and syrup on the way from MCO, in case you’re greeted with a welcome packet of buttermilk pancake mix.

You should always remember what size boxer shorts you wear, in the case of a tray of drinks being poured up your shoulder at Le Cellier. You should also be prepared for the possibility of showing up at the Yee Haw Bob meet dressed as a representative of the Canadian Tourism Board and carrying a lovely new handbag, thanks to the No Strings Attached wardrobe enhancements provided by the Walt Disney Company to substitute for your beer-soaked attire.

Wardrobe provided by the Walt Disney Company

Don’t expect much backstage magic on the Segway tour at Epcot. Do expect people to push strollers out in front of you. And we’re just not even gonna talk about the two ladies in ECVs.

They see us rollin', they hatin'.....

The toy guns at Walt Disney World seem now to be available only in primary colors. Which would be a good thing if it actually made people safer on the streets.

Display rack near Indiana Jones Adventure

You never, ever know when a Cast Member named Carlos might make your fan meet just a tad more interesting by jumping in with trivia questions. And you might feel bad about hurrying him along, but you might do it anyways. Especially if people look like they’re itching to get along to Peter Pan.

The s’mores dessert at Prime Time is, in fact, delicious. Just keep those elbows off the table. While some would pay big money to be shamed in public, at the Prime Time it’s just one more service included in their low, low fee. Also, you can still join the Clean Plate Club even if you still have green beans left.

Shame! Shame! Shame! No elbows on the table!

If you eat just one more green bean, you can have dessert

I thought High School Musical 3 Pep Rally just couldn’t feature a cheerleader with pigtails wearing tight black PVC and knee socks. And I was wrong.

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Jentasmic! on World AIDS Day: A Friend Like Kami

My Jentasmic! column this week on Studios Central takes a look at a muppet who’s close to my heart:

December 1 is World AIDS Day, a time that many of us remember those we’ve lost to this illness, and re-affirm our commitment to helping others who are facing this life-changing syndrome. While there are many resources for kids with AIDS, there’s one that may be extra-special to us Disney fans: Kami, a muppet from the South Africa edition of Sesame Street, who is living with HIV, the virus believed to cause AIDS. From MuppetCentral News:

The HIV-infected character was created at the urging of the South African government, which helps sponsor the show, to reduce stigma about the disease.

“Education is vital to ensure that people understand what HIV/AIDS is,” Education Minister Kader Asmal said.

At the unveiling, Kami, who has a mop of brown hair and wears a vest, wanders onto Sesame Street and wonders nervously if residents will want to play with her.

She needn’t have worried. The other Muppets enthusiastically welcome Kami.

Tony, I still miss you.