mission inside the human body . Before boarding Body Wars , guests viewed the requisite safety video , in which I actually had a cameo
… or at least a close-up of my hand inserting the buckle into the seat belt . For years , I was able to brag to friends and family : “ Hey — that ’ s my hand !” Even with that , Hollywood never came calling . Go figure .
A HISTORIC BEACH PARTY The grand opening of Typhoon Lagoon was an amazing beach party , to say the least . One of the best sights that day was watching Dick Nunis , then president of Walt Disney Attractions and former surfer , riding the waves to the crowd ’ s delight .
Here ’ s an interesting bit of trivia : Dick had always wanted a wave-making machine at Walt Disney World and originally had one planned for the Polynesian Resort ’ s beach , but for a variety of reasons , it just didn ’ t work out . I guess you can say the idea was a wipeout .
IT WAS A PLEASURE Pleasure Island was Disney ’ s adult-oriented experience , where New Year ’ s Eve was celebrated every night . It opened on May 1 , 1989 , and was located in what is now called The Landing in the central part of Disney Springs . Anybody who visited would be hard-pressed to forget the 30-foot neon sign of Jessica Rabbit , as well as an assortment of eclectic nightclubs including the beloved Adventurers Club , conceived and created by Imagineers Roger Cox and Joe Rohde .
In a dotted-line connection to the club and WDW Magazine , it was at a 30thanniversary reunion of the Adventurers Club characters ( see Page 40 to find out more ) that I met our now managing editor , Rain Blanken . She later asked me to write for the magazine , and the rest , as they say , is history !
I hope you ’ ve enjoyed this month ’ s Figments of My Imagination . Please feel free to email any thoughts or comments to me here at the magazine or at brian @ wdwithme . com !
Opening day memorabillia from MGM Studios . PHOTO BY ERNIE CARR