Fastpass to History ~ BSC and the Big Red Boat
Welcome Fastpass to History Blog Hoppers!
Sorry for the late posting tonight, I am finally the proud owner of a working and functional internet connection! The early posts this week either went out on their schedule (early week) or typed on my (brand spanking new) iPhone 5S courtesy of the blogger app and cellular data (last couple days).
Tonight I'm celebrating with easy internet access and my laptop's full keyboard!
Ahem, back to history.
Back in 1983, Premier Cruise Line paired up with Walt Disney World to provide what would come to be known as a seven night land and sea package. Through this arrangement, the "Big Red Boat" licensed the use of Disney characters in onboard meet and greets. The ending of this relationship in 1993 paved the way for the formation of the Disney Cruise Line in 1994.
In the midst of this era, I read voraciously. Like any other girl, I devoured each and every installment of Ann M. Martin's The Baby-Sitter's Club (or The BSC) series. I eagerly stalked my local B. Dalton booksellers for the next book release. In the summer of 1989 a new and to my great elation longer books (deemed "Super Specials") emerged. What you may not have realized is the first time the babysitters went big they also went Disney.
The first "The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #1: Baby-sitters on Board!" featured the entire BSC vacationing together taking the equivalent of a land and sea vacation. That marked the first time I had ever thought about cruising. I couldn't watch television outside of PBS and I certainly hadn't seen the Love Boat (yet) but here were my favorite girls going on a cruise and so was I (in my imagination anyway).
The first portion of the book is devoted to the various sitters and kids impression of their first cruise while the latter half cover their three days at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The ship featured in the book, the Ocean Princess was not the Big Red Boat, but the allure of a cruise definitely wasn't lost in translation. The Walt Disney World segments hit right on the mark, Disney detail accuracy is on point and one of the fun elements of reading through this novel is seeing a favorite park or attraction through different eyes. My copy of this piece of history long ago left for the local Half Price Books, but thankfully is widely available on Kindle.
Overall, this book falls into the Mickey Ear Hat, three o'clock parade and cotton candy category. Nothing too deep, fun, wholesome and an excellent way to give an early elementary student a glimpse into a cruise vacation before you set out on your first voyage. I'm loading it onto my Kindle to enjoy some throwback Thursday, Disney style!
Do you have any childhood books you associate with vacationing?
Sorry for the late posting tonight, I am finally the proud owner of a working and functional internet connection! The early posts this week either went out on their schedule (early week) or typed on my (brand spanking new) iPhone 5S courtesy of the blogger app and cellular data (last couple days).
Tonight I'm celebrating with easy internet access and my laptop's full keyboard!
Ahem, back to history.
Back in 1983, Premier Cruise Line paired up with Walt Disney World to provide what would come to be known as a seven night land and sea package. Through this arrangement, the "Big Red Boat" licensed the use of Disney characters in onboard meet and greets. The ending of this relationship in 1993 paved the way for the formation of the Disney Cruise Line in 1994.
In the midst of this era, I read voraciously. Like any other girl, I devoured each and every installment of Ann M. Martin's The Baby-Sitter's Club (or The BSC) series. I eagerly stalked my local B. Dalton booksellers for the next book release. In the summer of 1989 a new and to my great elation longer books (deemed "Super Specials") emerged. What you may not have realized is the first time the babysitters went big they also went Disney.
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| Yes, they're going on a cruise and to WDW! |
The first portion of the book is devoted to the various sitters and kids impression of their first cruise while the latter half cover their three days at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The ship featured in the book, the Ocean Princess was not the Big Red Boat, but the allure of a cruise definitely wasn't lost in translation. The Walt Disney World segments hit right on the mark, Disney detail accuracy is on point and one of the fun elements of reading through this novel is seeing a favorite park or attraction through different eyes. My copy of this piece of history long ago left for the local Half Price Books, but thankfully is widely available on Kindle.
Overall, this book falls into the Mickey Ear Hat, three o'clock parade and cotton candy category. Nothing too deep, fun, wholesome and an excellent way to give an early elementary student a glimpse into a cruise vacation before you set out on your first voyage. I'm loading it onto my Kindle to enjoy some throwback Thursday, Disney style!
Do you have any childhood books you associate with vacationing?
I just happened upon this when I was checking out your weekly tiggerific trivia and I LOVE THIS! I loved those books. I remember the super specials and tried not to get sucked into bsc little sister, though I know I read a few or more of those. What fun trivia - I want to find that book!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
Delete(If you have the kindle, it's available.)