A Day at the Magic Kingdom

This was posted on the Disney Parks Blog, it is so cool.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

“A Day at the Magic Kingdom Park” is a never-before-seen look at the park in miniature scale. The video is created from a series of photos snapped inside the Magic Kingdom Park. And the trick is tilt-shift photography.

It’s a sunrise-to-sunset story told without words. But the message is clear — celebrate.

Our celebration begins at the Magic Kingdom front gates and the Seven Seas Lagoon. The character train welcome and “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” are also featured.

Also, we captured some amazing images of our attractions and the “SpectroMagic” parade on one of the days it was running on Main Street, U.S.A.

Enjoy.

Visiting Disney Epcot in December

When Joanne and I arrived at Epcot the first and foremost place we had planned to head to was where you get your pictures taken with the characters.

Joanne had to get her very own, up close, by herself, personal picture with Mickey. But, I was standing close by to make sure she behaved.

You might notice that I didn't get my very own,up close, personal, by myself photo with Minnie. I was told that people were waiting in line behind us and there wasn't time for that. Aha, I think I see a problem here.

This was the "Finding Nemo" Ride at the The Sea exhibit. I call this picture "Joanne on a Half Shell".

This is the Italy Pavillion in Epcot.

We had dinner Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion . It was the first time we had eaten there and it was excellent. The food and service are great, the old world atmosphere is great if you're looking to slow down a bit and catch your breath.

The real highlght of the day way going to the Candlelight Processional at the American Gardens Theatre.
The event retells the story of Christmas with a special celebrity narrator, Jodi Benson was the narrator that night, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Joanne and I had finished eating dinner and were just walking by as it was getting ready to begin and decided to try and get a seat. They escorted us to the front row, right in front of the sign language interpretor. They may not have been the best seats for seeing the entire choir and orchestra, but we were pleased. The sign language interpretor on our side of the stage was a show in herself and I mean that in as good of a way as can be inmagined. She didn't just use her her hands; she had the facial expressions and body movements all incorporated. I could imagine someone not being able to hear the music, watching her, and thinking, "That's what it sounds like."

There was a family seated next to us and when the narrator was reading, the mother and the children would be whispering. At first it was annoying, but I realized it was a different language. After the program, I spoke to the mother and asked her what she was doing. She told me that they were from Brazil and that her children didn't speak a word of English. So as the narrator was telling the story of the first Christmas in English, this mother was retelling the story to her children in Portugese. I was reminded of how we, as Christians, are to retell the story of Jesus.

Joanne was trying to sneak in the side door of the English Tea Shop. But, why? To get in line to have a picture with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too.

Father Christmas came out to the Tea Garden and told us of the Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom. That is a ball of mistletoe atop his walking stick. When we got our picture taken with him, we had an opportunity to make use of it.

This was Brunhilda, who related the Christams traditions of Germany.

Another wonderful day at Walt Disney World.

Visiting Disney Hollywood Studios in December

The first week in December, Joanne and I went to Orlando for our yearly visit to walt Disney World. Our forst park to visit was Disney's Hollywood Studios. It was probably our last warm day during our visit, but we had a great time.

We enjoyed the rides and shows. I got to ride the Rock'nRoller Coaster twice, which is one of my all time favorite rides. We also went threw the Narnia set.

We ate at our favorite restaurant in the park, the SciFi Cafe. You are seated in seats the are like a car and watch old scifi movies. The food is great, the movies are a hoot, and the atmosphere is relaxing.

When the sun went down we headed over to the Osborne Family Christmas Lights. Christmas lights cover all the building and a lot of other things. The lights blink in time with some fantastic music like Mannheim Steamroller's "Carol of the Bells".

Every fifteen minutes there is a manufatured snow storm. Actually is small soap bubbles, but it's really cool to watch.

Even bicycle props were covered in lights.

It was a great ending for our first day at the parks. Its hard to walk away and not feel in a Christmas mood, especially if you got one of those hot cups of cocoa.

A Visit to WDW

After we finished with the CLMA Convention in Tampa we decided it would be a waste of a trip, besides bordering on insanity, not to take a few days to visit one of our favorite places, Walt Disney World. I had heard that you could possibly catch a ride up front on the monorail. When I asked they told me that it might take a while. Well, we weren't in any real rush, so we waited.

I know some of you have heard about the crash of the two monorails at WDW, resulting in the unfortunate death of an operator. This was the first accident of the monorail since Disney World opened in 1971. I would ride in that front car again in a heart beat. It's that cool!

It was very cool and well worth the wait. It was a view we had never had before.

We got to see old friends performing.

It was beautiful weather, even if it was very hot and humid. Besides, a bad day at Walt Disney World is better than a good day most anywhere else.

Just think, we got kisses from Mickey and Minnie. It doesn't get much better than that.

I got to ride my favorite roller coaster.

I almost thought that Joanne wouldn't be making the trip home, but I got Minnie to step in and everything worked out.

We had to give Mr. and Mrs. Incredible a few workout tips.

We may have been a few weeks early, but this was our 38th anniversary celebration. It works for me. Though I think we'll stick to Fall and Spring visits and avoid the heat.

Officiating a Wedding at Walt Disney World

Our last day at Walt Disney World, I officiated the wedding for Heather McBride, the daughter of Tammy McBride, a nurse from our office. It was one of those divine coincidences. We had already had our reservations in Orlando before Heather had made her wedding plans. The day we were to leave Orlando was the day the wedding was planned. So, Joanne and I packed the car, got dressed, checked out, and headed to the wedding site.
Heather and Anthony got married at the Wedding Gazebo at the Yacht Club Resort on Walt Disney World. The weather was the best it had been all week. The temperature was about 75 and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Heather's dad, Tony, escorted her to the Gazebo. Her sister Heather was her Maid of Honor and Anthony's brother, Michael, was the Best Man.

Michael, Anthony's brother is deaf. So, during the service, his mother was outside the gazebo doing the service in sign language so he would know where we were in the service. I lost my place one time because I was trying to watch her sign. I had never had anyone do sign while I spoke and I wanted to see what it looked like.

Anthony and Heather cutting the cake. You may not be able to catch the cake topper, but its Mickey and Minnie.

Michael did the toast in sign language, while his mother stood to the side and interpreted for the rest of us.

Anthony dancing with his Step-Mother

Heather and Tony dancing the Father-Daughter dance.

Anthony and Heather had the first dance together.

The violin player supplied by Disney was excellent. He went from table to table asking for requests and never missed a beat. Joanne and I had him play the theme from Beauty and the Beast for us. Fits doesn't it?

As soon as possible I lost the robe. While the weather was perfect, the robe was tad warm in the sun.

Heather's family.

Anthony's family.

Brooke, Heather, Anthony, and Michael.

If you know me, you know I love WDW. Being able to do this at WDW was something new. I'm trying to think of some way I can put on my resume'; Job Experience - Officiated Wedding at Walt Disney World. Heather and Anthony, thanks for allowing me to a part of your wedding.