Star Tours Meet 2007

 

            As promised, here are some of the pictures I took at this year’s Star Tours Meet.  While I don’t have a great group photo in front of the attraction, I believe our fearless leader Matt is working on getting it.  Make sure you keep your eyes on the forums.  And now, Star Tours Meet 2007!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, Matt didn’t walk us through the queue area and point out the various Hidden Mickeys and trivia; however, Matt did pass out a handout to the same effect. 

While we originally wanted to fill up an entire ride vehicle – we ended up filling up about 2.5 vehicles!  We would like to thank everyone who attended our site’s meet and made it such a huge success.  And like I said, keep an eye for that group photo. 

Security Checkpoint Gets Results

            Before I sign off this week, I did want to discuss a story I found rather amusing involving mandatory bag checks at Walt Disney World.  One thing I hate about carrying a bag with me to the parks is that initial security checkpoint screening everyone with a bag has to endure.  At busy times, lines can be unwieldy, slow going, and sometimes I am so anxious to tour the parks that I don’t bring a single thing with me so I can just walk right in.  And since this article isn’t about my inability to be patient, it does have something to do with the effectiveness of these security checkpoints.  Have you ever wondered, while waiting in line for a security cast member to inspect your bag, that the whole process is rather pointless?  Well, if you thought so, you’d be wrong…

 A 63-year-old woman was arrested for attempting to enter the Magic Kingdom with a loaded silver Beretta .32-caliber semiautomatic handgun, a pair of scissors and a locked-blade knife. Mary Ann Richardson, of Nickelson, PA claimed that she always traveled with them and that she had forgotten that they were in her handbag.  Whether she simply “forgot them” was in fact true or not, the thought of lethal weapons in the parks is disconcerting.  It is fortunate that Disney security found those items before she entered the Magic Kingdom.

If anything, this event demonstrates that Disney security checks are in fact a reasonable and prudent thing to for Disney to do before guests enter the parks.  While people like myself may be impatient as they wait for hundreds of people to navigate the checkpoints, they should take solace in the fact that the screenings are there for a reason – the safety of all park guests.  Knowing that Disney has its guests’ safety in mind all the time, we, as Disney fans, can concentrate on touring the park and having fun. 

 

Next Time…

That’s it for this week’s edition of What in the World?  Coming up, I’ll take a look back at some of the biggest events and happenings that took place in 2007 – and I’ll fire up my Delorean, drive 88 miles per hour and take a look at what is coming (and what may be in store) in 2008. 

Until next time!