Photo by the Walt Disney Co.
The July re-launch of the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom adds an audio-animatronic likeness of President Obama, who will have a speaking role, along with the figures of Washington and Lincoln. Disney World employees do a lot of speaking, too, but some remarks need a "translation."
Years ago, a group of Walt Disney World employees (or "cast members," in Disneyspeak) put together a satirical newsletter that unofficially translated phrases frequently heard around the Magic Kingdom. Here are highlights from the list, which was reprinted in the book "Realityland."
* "We are experiencing technical difficulties."
Something bad just happened.
* "We should be operating again in about an hour."
I have no idea how long it will be.
* "These 3-D glasses will impair your normal vision."
They look goofy if you wear them outside.
* "Excuse us, please."
If you don't move, a one-ton cart will run you over.
* "Yes, I do work here."
What tipped you off, genius? The nametag or the dorky costume?
* "Please remain calm."It's time to panic. You are all going to die!
Websites' airline-ticket trick upsets a senator
U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has introduced legislation to stop online websites from offering service under a major carrier's name and waiting until buyers pay to reveal that a small regional carrier is actually doing the flying. "The airlines are pulling a bait-and-switch, and it could be making flying less safe," Schumer told the Daily News. He cited Expedia and the big airlines' own websites.
A luxury rafting trip for $995 a person
A new four-day Middle Fork of the Salmon Rafting Adventure, beginning Aug. 25, will be offered for $995 per person. The 70-mile trip, from ROW adventures is a one-time event. Rafting will start in Boise and end in Salmon, Idaho. The free-flowing Middle Fork drops 3,000 feet through central Idaho's remote "River of No Return" wilderness. Natural and diverse, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River is one of America's first "Wild and Scenic Rivers" protected by Congress.
Call 800-451-6034 or e-mail info@rowadventures.com. For more about Salmon rafting, click here.
Worth quoting
"Is there anything as horrible as starting on a trip? ... The last moments are earthquake and convulsion."
-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh
A chance to see the Dead Sea scrolls in Toronto
The Fairmont Royal York is promoting a Dead Sea Scrolls Package that gives preferred access to the newly opened exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. The package is available seven days a week and includes a night's accommodations, complimentary valet parking for one car, a $25 food and beverage credit and two adult tickets to "Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World," with a reserved time. Rates begin at about $205 U.S.
Click here or call 800-441-1414.
And speaking of Toronto ...
Canada's largest city is multicultural indeed, with nearly 47 percent of its population belonging to a visible minority group. To emphasize that, someone decided to do a little Photoshopping on the cover of the city's Summer Fun Guide.
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New Hampshire enters the blogosphere
A new blog, "Karno Trip Picks," is continually updated with the latest travel news from selected New Hampshire-based travel organizations and destinations. These include the Waterville Valley Resort, the White Mountains Attractions organization, the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, the Cog Railway, the Barnstormer's Theatre in Tamworth, and the M/S Mount Washington cruises on Lake Winnepesaukee. Readers can subscribe via email, via an RSS feed, or follow the feed on Twitter @LkarnoTripPicks.
The blog can be found at http://www.karnotrippicks.com/. The Twitter feed is called "New Hampshire Travel."
Friday's trivia answer
No, Hagatna is not an East European stew. Rather, it's the capital of Guam and one of the American island territory's busiest commercial districts.
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