(no subject)
So, remember the other day, when I was debating on going to either Disney or Tallahassee? Well, I had forgotten that I was supposed to baby-sit Timmy today, while Katie goes to a parenting class her divorce lawyer signed her up for. So Tally had to be scrapped, and Disney was in.
But then yesterday, I got a bit of a surprise when, instead of my scheduled 3:45, I got off of work a wee bit after two. So I figured I'd use the extra time and go to Parks. (Like I said the other day, I've been having mad cravings lately, and I really needed a fix.)
So, after a quick shower (and a desperately need shave), I hopped in the car and headed down to the Happiest Place on Earth (all the while singing along to my On the Record soundtrack; <3 Disney!). Unfortunately, I hit a mess of traffic around Apopka that didn't clear up until I hit the Millenia area (which for people unfamiliar with the area, is quite a considerable distance), so I didn't get to the actual park until after 4.
One thing that I love about getting to the parks late enough is that you don't have to pay the ridiculous $10 parking fee; they just wave you in (wearing, of course, those magnificently large Mickey gloves). And, since a good number of people have already left for the day, they open up the closer parking. Right, so where was I? Okay, got it. First I went to Magic Kingdom, since they were closing early this weekend (7 pm) for GradNite.
Main reason I wanted to go there was because I still hadn't been on PotC since they refurbished it to include Davy Jones, and Capt.s Barbossa and Sparrow. What'd I think? Well, Davy Jones is a badass in any timezone, and the image of him projected onto mist (to look like falling water, which you then boat through) is equally badass. (P.S. - I would like Bill Nighy to father my children.) Barbossa didn't look like himself, and the only way you knew it was him is because his voice is so recognizable. And I liked the first two Jacks, they fit in well and weren't too blantantly obvious that "Hey look everyone! We sell out to ourselves!" It was the third one (treasure room) that bothered me. If only because the old treasure room was pwned when some kids from my senior class jumped off the boat and onto the set on their GradNite. Classic I tell you.
Then, after an unsuccessful attempt at character hunting around Fantasy Land, I decided to do a quick run on Haunted Mansion, since I've had 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' stuck in my head for the past couple of days. And I also love Tony the Tiger. (Sorry, only die-hard Disnuts will get that.)
After that, it was getting pretty close to park closing, so I headed over to Epcot for the rest of the night. I tried to limit my spending, so I only bought two pins (pics below), an Off Kilter CD (I now own the complete collection), and the Official Album of Walt Disney World, (plus a giant pretzel and Sprite, but I really needed the food). Then I grabbed a FastPass for Mission: Space, did a quick tour of World Showcase, (unfortunately, my Off Kilter boys had the day off D: ) and (for old times sake) got in line for arguable the worst ride in Disney: El Rio de Tiempo.
Only, it no longer was. I had known for a while that there were plans to re-do it, but I had no idea they had already done it! Now, instead of overly stereotyped Mexicans trying to sell you cheap gold trinkets ("discount for red-haired lady!"), it the Three Caballeros! Basically, Jose Carioca and Pachito are trying to find Donald, who has decided to go off on his own sight-seeing tour of Mexico. I admit, the ride is better now, but I miss the old school cliches.
Once 9 o'clock came around, though, is when (for me, at least) the real magic started. I had never seen Epcot's fireworks show before (Illuminations: Reflections of Earth), although I was extremely familiar with the music, since I had played it my sophomore year of high school. Oh man, talk about being surprised. The YouTube vids (Part 1, Part 2) of it do not do justice to it.
I also managed to snag some pics with my phone camera (hence the shitty quality). I'll pu 'em behind a cut so I don't choke up your flists.
I originally was going to take a pic of Cinderella Castle for the artist ofrmerly known as _dangerkitty_, but as I was framing up they began shooting off some minor daytime fireworks, as part of the finale to the current Dream Along with Mickey show. So I grabbed that instead.
And just for good measure, the previously intended shot of Cinderella Castle.
Epcot is currently having their Annual International Flower and Garden Festival, during which they make giant topiaries of various Disney characters. This years theme is pirates, and positioned in front of Spaceship Earth they have a giant recreation of the Jolly Roger, with Peter Pan (above), Tink, Capt. Hook, and the Crocodile. All made from growing plants. Behind the ship is also a pirate version of Stitch (below), though the image is extremely hard to see.
Inside the park they have the Fab Five also done up as pirates. Here's a shot of Mickey. (Note: Even the pirate flag is made of plants.)
As I was walking through Great Britain in the World Showcase, I managed to spot one of my favorite characters (and one I've never actually seen before), Alice. Sadly, there was no Reginald Mad Hatter to be found.
I took this pic of the American Experience from across World Showcase Lagoon while waiting for Illuminations to start. It looks much better in person.
I also got two pins, one of Roger and Jessica Rabbit, which is so Eighties cute I couldn't pass it up, and a Limited Edition Hidden Mickey series featuring the fountain from outside Muppet*Vision 3D. And so my collection grows.
The best part is, I get to go back again today. This time, however, I won't be by myself, as _dangerkitty_ will also be with me, which also means I'll be using her camera to take higher quality photos. Squee, I can't wait!
[EDIT: This entry took me over two hours to type. Man, two year olds like to interfere.]
But then yesterday, I got a bit of a surprise when, instead of my scheduled 3:45, I got off of work a wee bit after two. So I figured I'd use the extra time and go to Parks. (Like I said the other day, I've been having mad cravings lately, and I really needed a fix.)
So, after a quick shower (and a desperately need shave), I hopped in the car and headed down to the Happiest Place on Earth (all the while singing along to my On the Record soundtrack; <3 Disney!). Unfortunately, I hit a mess of traffic around Apopka that didn't clear up until I hit the Millenia area (which for people unfamiliar with the area, is quite a considerable distance), so I didn't get to the actual park until after 4.
One thing that I love about getting to the parks late enough is that you don't have to pay the ridiculous $10 parking fee; they just wave you in (wearing, of course, those magnificently large Mickey gloves). And, since a good number of people have already left for the day, they open up the closer parking. Right, so where was I? Okay, got it. First I went to Magic Kingdom, since they were closing early this weekend (7 pm) for GradNite.
Main reason I wanted to go there was because I still hadn't been on PotC since they refurbished it to include Davy Jones, and Capt.s Barbossa and Sparrow. What'd I think? Well, Davy Jones is a badass in any timezone, and the image of him projected onto mist (to look like falling water, which you then boat through) is equally badass. (P.S. - I would like Bill Nighy to father my children.) Barbossa didn't look like himself, and the only way you knew it was him is because his voice is so recognizable. And I liked the first two Jacks, they fit in well and weren't too blantantly obvious that "Hey look everyone! We sell out to ourselves!" It was the third one (treasure room) that bothered me. If only because the old treasure room was pwned when some kids from my senior class jumped off the boat and onto the set on their GradNite. Classic I tell you.
Then, after an unsuccessful attempt at character hunting around Fantasy Land, I decided to do a quick run on Haunted Mansion, since I've had 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' stuck in my head for the past couple of days. And I also love Tony the Tiger. (Sorry, only die-hard Disnuts will get that.)
After that, it was getting pretty close to park closing, so I headed over to Epcot for the rest of the night. I tried to limit my spending, so I only bought two pins (pics below), an Off Kilter CD (I now own the complete collection), and the Official Album of Walt Disney World, (plus a giant pretzel and Sprite, but I really needed the food). Then I grabbed a FastPass for Mission: Space, did a quick tour of World Showcase, (unfortunately, my Off Kilter boys had the day off D: ) and (for old times sake) got in line for arguable the worst ride in Disney: El Rio de Tiempo.
Only, it no longer was. I had known for a while that there were plans to re-do it, but I had no idea they had already done it! Now, instead of overly stereotyped Mexicans trying to sell you cheap gold trinkets ("discount for red-haired lady!"), it the Three Caballeros! Basically, Jose Carioca and Pachito are trying to find Donald, who has decided to go off on his own sight-seeing tour of Mexico. I admit, the ride is better now, but I miss the old school cliches.
Once 9 o'clock came around, though, is when (for me, at least) the real magic started. I had never seen Epcot's fireworks show before (Illuminations: Reflections of Earth), although I was extremely familiar with the music, since I had played it my sophomore year of high school. Oh man, talk about being surprised. The YouTube vids (Part 1, Part 2) of it do not do justice to it.
I also managed to snag some pics with my phone camera (hence the shitty quality). I'll pu 'em behind a cut so I don't choke up your flists.
I originally was going to take a pic of Cinderella Castle for the artist ofrmerly known as _dangerkitty_, but as I was framing up they began shooting off some minor daytime fireworks, as part of the finale to the current Dream Along with Mickey show. So I grabbed that instead.
And just for good measure, the previously intended shot of Cinderella Castle.
Epcot is currently having their Annual International Flower and Garden Festival, during which they make giant topiaries of various Disney characters. This years theme is pirates, and positioned in front of Spaceship Earth they have a giant recreation of the Jolly Roger, with Peter Pan (above), Tink, Capt. Hook, and the Crocodile. All made from growing plants. Behind the ship is also a pirate version of Stitch (below), though the image is extremely hard to see.
Inside the park they have the Fab Five also done up as pirates. Here's a shot of Mickey. (Note: Even the pirate flag is made of plants.)
As I was walking through Great Britain in the World Showcase, I managed to spot one of my favorite characters (and one I've never actually seen before), Alice. Sadly, there was no Reginald Mad Hatter to be found.
I took this pic of the American Experience from across World Showcase Lagoon while waiting for Illuminations to start. It looks much better in person.
I also got two pins, one of Roger and Jessica Rabbit, which is so Eighties cute I couldn't pass it up, and a Limited Edition Hidden Mickey series featuring the fountain from outside Muppet*Vision 3D. And so my collection grows.
The best part is, I get to go back again today. This time, however, I won't be by myself, as _dangerkitty_ will also be with me, which also means I'll be using her camera to take higher quality photos. Squee, I can't wait!
[EDIT: This entry took me over two hours to type. Man, two year olds like to interfere.]