Duffy!

Momma Don't Wup Little Buford!

Who is Little Buford, and why would Momma want to whip him or pound on his head in the first place?  These country bears sure do feel like Buford needs some sort of punishment because they advocate shooting him instead.  Poor Little Buford, I hope he can clean up his act and live a long life free from any crime that would either get him whipped, pounded, or shot instead!

Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Animal Kingdom

The Yak and the Yeti is a fantastic restaurant in Asia in the Animal Kingdom.  This restaurant has great service, and the food is consistently good.  We usually start our meal with egg rolls, which are fresh and also come with a semi-sweet dipping sauce.  For the main course, there are many options.  The menu is fairly extensive, and even a picky eater could fine something to his or her liking.  The desserts also offer some nice variety.  However, my favorite is the mango pie.  The pie has a sweet taste, and it comes with some fresh fruit on the side.  Most of the time, you can walk up to this restaurant with no reservations.  This is a welcome stop on a usually hot day in the Animal Kingdom.  If you listen, you can hear the calming sounds of the Asia background music being piped into the restaurant.  Check out this eatery, and enjoy the food and the calming ambiance of the highly detailed architecture and decorations.

DHS Awareness Week: The Earful Tower Topiary

More Balloons!

Do you remember the giant Epcot wand?

If you look to the top of Spaceship Earth today, you just see the gleaming sphere in its unadorned glory.  However, if you visited Epcot during the millennium celebration or several years after, you will notice a giant wand sitting on top of Spaceship Earth.  Most people in the Disney online hardcore fan community didn't like the wand because it detracted from the beauty of the symbol of Epcot.  I have to tell you that, honestly, I am indifferent to the wand.  I don't really hate it, but I don't really love it either.  The wand is gone now, and Spaceship Earth does look less cartoonish, which is good.  However, the wand didn't offend me as much as it did some other Disneyphiles.  Anyway, I just thought we'd stroll down memory lane and take a look at Epcot from 2005. 

I wish I could be eating dinner here tonight!

Rope Drop!

The anticipation is more than you can handle!  You have arrived at the Magic Kingdom for rope drop.  You step off the monorail and see the walkway; it is empty; you are the first one to make it to the promised land.  The ramp is calling to you, and all you can do is hold yourself back from sprinting in to the entrance for the bag check so that you can enter into the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.  You safely make it down the ramp; maybe stop for a peek at the bunnies that so often populate the gardens.  The crowd surges around you, and you try to keep your family together.  Finally, you arrive at the bag check.  Then, it's off to the turnstiles.  

You have made it.  You can see the Mickey Head floral; the train station is within view, and now all you have to do is wait.  Then, cue the music; it's time for the welcome show.  Either the mayor or the newspaper reporter makes his entrance, and the dancers arrive.  They bid you "Good Morning."  You can hardly contain the excitement.  I always get so emotional when the music starts to play. . . "A kingdom full of endless dreams for every girl and boy.  A wondrous land of make believe to fill your heart with joy.  Step inside our storybook; imagine what's in store.  It's all pure magic wrapped up in pixie dust.  Welcome to a place where dreams come true.  A timeless journey filled with fantasy where only a wish creates things like this  to appear: the most magical place on earth is here"  I just can't get enough of that song.  Anyway, the show continues on, and you are treated to some musical numbers, and then it's the train!!!! I think I see Mickey!  It's almost time.  The anticipation is almost too much to stand.  The train zooms by, and the characters exit, and then it's time to count down 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and then the pop, the pixie dust covers the crowd!  

Here's where the calm, nirvana ends, and the crowd moves as one giant beast all of the mindset, must get to space mountain, must get to fastpasses, push, shove.  But, then a pleasant voice reminds you to move slowly and carefully to your destination so no one is injured.  Finally, you make it through the train station and prepare yourself for the big reveal, Main Street, the smell of popcorn, and then Cinderella Castle.  It is so shiny in the morning!  What could be the better start to any morning?  

Welcome to the land of today, tomorrow, and fantasy!  “To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland (or World in this case) is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”  

Thank you Walt!

Do you remember the burning cabin?

This is a photo from June of 2005, and this is the last time I remember seeing the cabin burning.  This cabin could be viewed from the Liberty Belle, and it perpetually burned.  There are many stories that surround the currently extinguished flames.  I don't know if there is an official Disney word on this, but I think that this is a nice picture to remind us of the interesting sights that could be seen while riding the river boat.

Balloons!

WDW, The Happiest Place on Earth. . . For Us Anyway!

As I sit here waiting for my next trip to WDW to occur, I can't help but wonder why I find such peace in a theme park.  I think of the time not spent in WDW as filler until it is time to return.  I guess that means that we need to move to Florida !  Anyway, I can tell you that I am happiest when my husband and I are there.  It is not the rides or the stores or the shows.  It is something intangible that is very hard to put into words.  I love the time that we are able to spend together; time that is not hampered by our demanding work schedules.  We can just enjoy being with one another.  In addition, I love the illusion of perfection that WDW provides.  Everything is clean; there is so much attention to detail.  The castmembers are friendly and accommodating.  They are such hard workers, and we have had very few bad experiences there.  All in all, Disney World is the happiest place on earth for us anyway.  

I really hate when people make comments on our constant need to visit the World.  They make comments like, "oh didn't you just go there?;" or "you know that is not reality;" or "you know that place is meant for kids."  All of these jabs and many more always make me a little sad.  Clearly, we love going to Disney, so why knock it?  I am going to chalk it up to jealousy or just the inability to understand what it means to be passionate about something.  Regardless, I will not let the naysayers stop us from making innumerable trips to Disney World.  Only 30 more days until we go again; I can't wait!!!!!