The survey, taken by Directive Analytics, reveals what America loves most about Disneyland in Southern California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The survey polled more than 8,000 consumers nationwide to gauge opinions about park attractions, characters, events and dream jobs in the parks.
Here are some survey results related to Utah:
l Twenty-three percent would like to spend a day with Goofy. Utah was one of 36 states that identify most with Goofy.
l Fifteen percent of Utahns say they would most like to spend a day with Julie Andrews touring a Disney park.
l Twenty-three percent of Utahns dream theme park job would be to be a skipper on the Jungle Cruise ride.
l Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain ranked first and second as Utahns' favorite rides at Disneyland.
l Forty-nine percent of Utah residents have worn mouse ears.
Fjords added to list
UNESCO announced that two Norwegian fjords, Naeroyfjord and Geirangerfjord, will be included on its World Heritage List, which includes such sites as the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Zambia's Victoria Falls and the Grand Canyon. The purpose of UNESCO's World Heritage List is to draw attention to parts of humanity's heritage that are so important and have such outstanding universal value they must be preserved for future generations.
The Naeroyfjord is the narrowest fjord in the world. The Geirangerfjord, farther north, is known for its pristine beauty and magnificent waterfalls. For information on fjords, log onto http://www.fjordnorway.com.
FESTIVALS
Aloha festivals
The Aloha Festivals, Hawaii's statewide celebration of music, dance and culture, will be held throughout the islands, with opening ceremonies Sept. 8. Events run through October. The theme, "The Spirit Within," a tribute to Hawaii's sea turtles, celebrates the living bond of the Hawaiian people with the land and the sea. For more information, visit http://www.aloha festivals.com.
Running of the sheep
The "Running of the Sheep" Sheep Drive is Sept. 4 in Reed Point, Mont. The event includes hundreds of Montana-bred woolies charging down the six-block Main Street in an event some say is matched only by the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. The event also has a parade and contests with monetary prizes. For information, call 406-326-2325.
THE ARTS
African art in D.C.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art will host "African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection" from Nov. 16 through Feb. 26. The exhibit features 100 objects by 27 contemporary African artists. It includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, mixed media and video installations from the Contemporary African Art Collection of Swiss entrepreneur and photographer Jean Pigozzi. Admission is free. For information, call 202-633-4600 or log onto http://www.nmafa.si .edu/.
BOOKS
Quirky Arizona book
Those who enjoy the quirky side of traveling might want to check out Sam Lowe's You Know You're in Arizona When . . . 101 Quintessential Places, People, Events, Customs, Lingo and Eats of the Grand Canyon State (Globe Pequot, $9.95). The book offers a different take on the "you know you're a redneck" routine. For example, you know you're in Arizona when your Christmas tree is a weed, when you walk across the London Bridge, when rattlesnakes are a cash crop or when dry heat is a permanent part of the language.
ON THE WEB
Cheap Europe
Are you looking to see Europe on the cheap? You might want to check out the Web site http://www.eurocheapo.com. The site is a guide to budget hotels and cheap traveling in Europe. It provides guides to 13 cities, with six more being added in September.
GEAR
Extreme pen
Having an easily accessible travel pen that writes under all conditions is a bonus. Boulder, Colo.-based Inka has developed a $25 pen on a key ring. It is watertight and can be used in its smaller size or, with a few twists, as a full-sized writing instrument. The pressurized ink cartridge will write wet or dry at any angle, temperature and altitude. For information or to order, log onto http://www.inka corp.com.
BARGAIN
New York deals
NYC & Company is offering big discounts on shows, stores, restaurants, hotels and museums in New York City for American Express Card holders. For a listing of participating businesses, visit http://www.nyc visit.com.
TOP 10: MEDIUM-SIZED AIRPORTS
These 10 medium-sized airports (10 million to 30 million passengers per year) headed the list of overall passenger satisfaction, according to a J.D. Power and Associates 2004 global airport satisfaction index study, as reported by The Washington Post.
1. Singapore
2. Pittsburgh
3. Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky
4. Portland, Ore.
5. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Fla.
6. Tampa, Fla.
7. Salt Lake City
8. Memphis, Tenn.
9. Honolulu
10. San Diego
"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken."
- Frank Herbert
