John Lennon's Magical Monorail Drive at Walt Disney World

Disney World Discounts and Park Updates

• 🎢 Walt Disney World is offering a promotion of two additional theme park days with a non-discounted 4-day room and ticket package for stays between January 8th and September 25th, 2021, indicating a soft period for travel.
• 🏖️ Blizzard Beach water park is set to reopen on March 7th, 2021, with no current update on Typhoon Lagoon.
• 🌸 The Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will run from March 3rd to July 5th, 2021, making it the longest festival of its kind.
• 🚢 A large, aircraft carrier-like structure is being tested in World Showcase Lagoon for a new projection show, requiring significant water and power.

Culinary Delights and Nostalgic Decorations

• 🍮 A standout culinary item at Disney's Hollywood Studios is the $14 caramel apple whiskey creme brulee at the Baseline Tap House, described as exquisitely done with perfect proportions and textures.
• 🎄 The giant Mickey Mouse wreath decoration on the Contemporary Resort was discontinued after the opening of Bay Lake Tower in 2009, as focus shifted to decorating the entire resort.
• 🎅 The Contemporary Resort's early Christmas tree decorations in the 1970s are described as particularly unappealing.

The Short-Lived Disney World STOL Airport

• ✈️ Walt Disney World had a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) airport next to the Magic Kingdom parking lot, operational for just over a year until December 28th, 1972.
• ⚠️ The airport was reportedly shut down abruptly due to a pilot allegedly flying too close to the Magic Kingdom to thrill passengers.

Walt Disney World Hostess Recruitment in 1970

• 🌟 In 1970, Walt Disney World sought hostesses for its preview center, requiring them to be personable, attractive, neat, enthusiastic, and possess a flexible schedule.
• 👩‍💼 Over 400 women were interviewed, with 14 ultimately chosen to work in the $500,000 preview center, which soft-opened on January 10th, 1970.

John Lennon's Monorail Adventures and Beatles History

• 🎶 John Lennon and his son Julian stayed at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort in December 1974, befriending a Monorail operator named Hal East.
• 🚄 East allowed John and Julian to drive the Monorail on two separate occasions, creating a memorable father-son experience.
• 📜 It's believed that John Lennon signed the final agreement dissolving The Beatles at the Polynesian Village Resort on December 29th, 1974.
• 🎬 The Beatles' history is intertwined with Disney, including potential voice roles in the animated Jungle Book and proposed remakes of 'Yellow Submarine'.
• 🎬 Peter Jackson's documentary 'The Beatles: Get Back' aims to correct the negative portrayal of the band in the 'Let It Be' film, highlighting their camaraderie.
• 🏢 The potential sale of MGM Studios is being considered by Disney, Netflix, or Apple, raising antitrust concerns for Disney's growing media library.
• 👨‍👦 Lennon's final public performance was joining Elton John on stage in November 1974, shortly before his Disney World visit, where he seemed to have softened his stance on Disney.