Disney Destinations

I am thrilled to have read that Adventures by Disney has added two interesting new destinations. Where? Greece and Northern France. Would love to go to both, but Northern France got me thinking. This will take you to the home of Claude Monet and also to last place Leonardo Di Vinci was known to live. There is also a trip to Normandy, Omaha Beach and to the American Cemetary. I know that can be emotional for some. Last year they added Egypt, but because of the political upset that occured they suspended it. They are going to resume the trips to Egypt.

Speaking of Disney Destinations, my boyfriend, his son and I are going to be there this weekend. I love seeing Disney through this little man's eyes. R. said that he knows he is going but doesn't seem to understand. Will be his first flight.

Added to the Online Dining Reservations

This is going to be a great help to those who are wanting to book meals that can become great memories. They Disney team has added the opportunity to book the Candlelight Dinner Package, Fantasmic! Dinner Package, Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party, Dine With an Imagineer and Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner at the Flying Fish Café. I have not booked any of these through the online dining reservations, but have enjoyed the dining packages for both the Candlelight Processional and Fantasmic! Dinner package. I will enjoy being able to see what is available when planning for a trip and wanting to add the Fireworks Dessert Pary at Tomorrowland Terrace or Dine With an Imagineer.


I hope that if you do any of these that you have a great meal with wonderful memories!

Upcoming Trips

I have a couple upcoming trips this year and 3-4 involve family. I can hardly wait! 2 of those still have to be booked. I am waiting for some confirmation on when my 25th HS reunion is so I can plan around that if I need to. Have some great things planned for the first big trip that is coming up soon enough. Not going all out for planning but just here and there. We are all excited for it though. My sister, niece, mom and I had discussed of it today over lunch. I will be calling Disney in a couple weeks to make some new additions after talking about some ideas today. So much we want to do and wondering if there is enough time. Could add a night to the beginning and/or the end. If I add it to the end, I would just have to head home in work clothes or check out earlier to get home to change. Hmmm... got an idea =o)

Have you heard the GREAT, WONDERFUL news?!

"The Adventurer's Club is returning!!!" I had heard from a CM friend about this back in November, but this is the closest to an official announcement I have heard yet. You want to forward it to about 5:50 to get to the information. I really hope this isn't false hope.

Holiday Tradition Continues

This past weekend, my mom and I continued our annual weekend trip to Disney. We missed last year because of my car accident and her incident. This year, my sister was able to come and join us. We saw the Candlelight Processional, the Osbourne lights and the Dreamlights on the castle. The castle was stunning as always and the fog made it even more of a delight... including when the fog caused the castle to disappear from sight.

For the Candlelight Processional, we had lunch at San Angel Inn (something I can check off). Not somewhere I would normally pick to eat at, but was very nice. The narrator we had was Thomas Gibson, from "Darma and Greg" and "Criminal Minds". He read very well.

The last thing we did was go to the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread house. We had some photos taken there which I need to take a look at. They will be very special to us.

Return of Main Street Electric Light Parade

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nightime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"

On Saturday, the 5th of June, the Main Street Electric Light Parade returned to Walt Disney World. I was thrilled to be there for this as it was initially suppose to return on the 6th. I surprisingly wasn't up on the curb of Main Street to watch this, but the magic was still there for me. I was able to see the flash of lights reflecting off the buildings as it headed toward us. I could hear the music and felt people bumps on my skin. Then the lights went out....


Now for me to finally get a view, the floats had to come around the hub and start to cross the bridge into Liberty Square, but there it was... the parade I have missed. Tinkerbell was leading the way in a brand new float. There were 2 other floats that were new. They were with Pinnochio. I have to say though, that I wish they had not removed any floats though... miss seeing the Blue Fairy and Dumbo with the circus.


I saw Goofy in his train and remembered the commercials showing that it was coming back during its last run. They made it look like it was really parading across the US in the commercials. There was Alice and others from Wonderland, the snail, the turtle and my FAVORITE lightning bug! I remember when it left again too. I know at the end of summer, this favorite will once again be gone. I still have the poster that they gave to AP holders (maybe SP too, but I don't remember) when it left. I have pins that light up from it in a shadow box with a postcard of Goofy in the train in front of the castle. I may add the 2 new pins to that.


I will miss it when it is gone, but in the meantime, I welcome it back like I would an old friend who has been away. Thanking in my heart for the time we get to enjoy memories that Disney has brought to us.

Pulling things together

I am in the middle of some planning for an upcoming trip. A few things are starting to be pulled together. I have the pleasure of sharing time and space with some close friends and family. Looks like a large pajama party at the moment. I want to do some things for gifts or surprises for my roomies. Need time to get things done, but also need a couple trips to WDW. I need to see if I can find some glasses that I had seen there once. Another idea might be a little more costly, but worth it I think. That one I need to include a couple others that aren't staying with me for.


I realized something else about all of this today too. Jen and I had planned a trip in October last year for some group activities. This was noted in the thread she had started. We were going to use DVC points and have a 2 or 3 bedroom and get the gang together. She wanted to do a tour or two and also go out on a fireworks cruise. Now, she was thinking smaller scale (or price?) with the pontoon boat vs the Grand 1. She was hoping for a stay at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.... and that is where we currently are. Though she also hoped for Bay Lake Tower. I am hoping for a change of view at DAK or else trying for BLT lake view or non view.


I need to make some lists. Lists are good. Hmmm I see another blog to write about!!! See you again soon with that one!!!

The Grand 1 Yacht

I have always wanted to take a cruise on the Grand 1 yacht. The yacht has changed a couple of times over the years and the current one allows you to have 18 people on board. It is incredible and expensive.

I still want to do this for a date, and I will one day... but I have been on it for another wonderful reason. I rented it to celebrate a friend's birthday and her wedding. She and her husband have been married for 9 months at the time, and because she gave up her Disney wedding (for the right reason), I wanted her to have something special. She and I worked together in getting the cake picked, and discussing some of the details.

We had assistance through the Grand Floridian in getting everything together. Pat was wonderful. We decided not to have a butler, which it is optional. The Captain was great. He made sure that we had great view of the fireworks (Hallowishes) and we cruised around the 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

The Grand 1 has been used for parties, romantic dinners, engagements, celebrations like anniversaries, a private taxi to go to and from different places around the Seas. Now, I do not recommend the private taxi myself, but if you have the money to blow on that, that is your choice.

Art the Greeter

Today I got the official news that Art, the Greeter at the Beach Club Resort and Beach Club Villas is retiring. I am sure there are many reasons for that final decision, but the main one I can say, as it was confirmed, is that it will allow him more time with family, especially with the upcoming holidays.

Art had talked about it before he was out a few months ago. He had to take time here and there off because when you start taking social security, you can only work so many hours in a month and a year. He had talked about some things he would like to do, "when the time is right".

I saw Art this past weekend, and now knowing that this is official, it make sense on something made in passing. I knew it was coming, just not when. One of the things I have loved when I see Art, is his visiting for moments with families who want to stop and take a picture with him. I have taken MANY of those pictures when I stop to visit over the past several years. I just took one picture of him off the refrigerator and replaced it with another. He will soon have a more special spot, as I am planning to get a photo of him with my mom, sister and niece. It's a 3 generation shot. That one will get framed and treasured, for many reasons.

Art is a huge inspiration and also motivator. I went back to school in 2007-2008, and Art would tell me whenever I was at WDW, "Mediocrity is unacceptable." He is so right. Bring yourself up a level and strive harder. Be better at what you can do and be. Don't do things halfway because it's easier or because someone else can come along later and fix it. Do it right the first time.

I've noticed with conversations I have had with him and some others, that he doesn't judge people, he doesn't take sides. He is the most humble human being I have come to know. He is generous with his time, which is evident when he is at work. If someone asks to see him on his break... he has insisted that staff get him. Only once have I ever interrupted a break, and I was just going to wait for him. Management went to get him instead.

If you can get to WDW before 17th October, I hope you can get by to see Art. I am not sure if he is going to continue to take Sundays and Mondays off, but would think that he will be taking them off. I feel truly blessed to call him a friend... and to have been in the presence of someone like him. He truly is a living icon of all things Disney, and will missed by thousands.

I wish you well Art! May God bless you many, many times over. And thank you for the joy, happiness and peace you have given me.


About the photo: Art was talking with a guest. I had moved around out of the way by one of the pillars closer to the back door. Art had looked up and looked up again when he realized I was there. I had my camera ready, as I wanted a candid shot and got this picture. 24th January 2009.

My Last Kungaloosh

Last night I went to one of the last Adventurer's Club private events. It was very bittersweet. Saw some of the "box people", Lou Mongello and Ryan, author of the Main Street Gazette blog. I brought my friend Rebecca who was with me there a year ago (almost to the day).  She was my backup because someone wasn't able to be home from a trip. (I remember my first time was with an ex BF when we went to PI years ago. AC intrigued me.)


We were escorted in and walked down the stairs. We had a buffet set up with salad, beans, mashed potatoes, couscous, chicken, roast beef and bread. No alcohol.... sadly... was looking for a Kungaloosh. Disney did not keep up the license for that building. The library was full, so Rebecca and I went into the treasure room to eat.


As we finished dinner the show began. We came into the rotunda and had the official greeting and induction... you know the greeting, the creed and the song. You do know the secret greeting?? How about the creed?

We climb the highest mountain,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans, cause
we're daring through and through.
We cross the scorching desert, martini in our hand.
We ski the polar icecaps, in tuxedo looking grand.
We are reckless, brave and loyal, and valiant to the end.
If you come in here a stranger, you will exit as a friend.

KUNGALOOSH!

We moved into the Library as the show carried on. The other group behind us ate. The show was way too short! After the show we came back out, had dessert in the back and then re-entered. The show continued in the Rotunda, then the Mask and Treasure rooms. It ended too soon. We were able to take pictures... live for the last time in 1937.
The cast members made comments throughout the show about the club being closed a year and about things being shipped to Hong Kong. I am glad to know I can still see a couple in few places around the parks. I will miss them and this place that made me smile so much... and let me escape my reality. I am glad that I did decide to take my camera at the last moment. Though I think that this is one of WDW largest mistakes, I pray that the magic carries on however it is used (even as props) in Hong Kong.
Thanks you Lou Mongello and MEI/Mouse Fan Travel for hosting this!

Photography at Disney

I was at Walt Disney World yesterday with a friend and her family. And there was a moment when I was thinking about photography at the World.

There are so many things you can do... and places to take photos. Giving it a different take just by letting your imagination go. I actually did not take my cameras with me this trip. It was nice. But always taking photos in my mind. Thinking angles. Do not let your mind stay the same. Take a moment and think the shot... look at it through your lens for a bit (if it is not a spur of the moment shot). You do not have to take a photo straight either. Turn it one way or the other to make it a little off angle. A friend took a photo of her stepdaughter and I as we walked ahead of them. I can't wait to see it.

Another thing... turn your flash OFF on rides like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion (you know the rides =0) They specifically ask you to not use a flash there). One really really takes away from others experience. I saw photos on someone else's blog from the HM and it really is a shame that the flash was used. Washes out the photo and the effects that Disney has created. With the different photo editing programs you can do so much. Plus, take the time to read about how the settings work on your camera. I am STILL learning about mine! I actually would like a class again to learn about some things I have forgotten from my graphic arts class in high school.

Take advantage of the photopass people too. Ask them to take photos with your own camera, or ask someone walking by to take it. Even if you are always behind the camera, or do not like the way you look, consider that this isn't just your memory..... whomever you are traveling with wants memories of you too! So get out from behind the camera and get some shots of you too.