I’m putting this shot up early since we’re at Walt Disney World today (Feb. 7, 2015). I still don’t like that they’re removing the big wizard’s hat from the central area of Hollywood Studios. More photos will follow in the coming days …
It’s a nice exhibit of the terracotta warriors at the China Pavilion at EPCOT, but when you’ve visited the real thing in Xi’an in China … well, the exhibit at Walt Disney World is good but not great. Allison got this shot during her and Debbie’s day trip on Jan. 3, 2015.
An acrobat entertains at the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT in this shot snagged by Allison on Jan. 3, 2015. Allison and Debbie made a day trip to Walt Disney World to kick off the new year.
We first fell in love with the jumping water streams outside Journey into Imagination when Stephen was young and still check it out. Allison got this shot of Debbie watching the water go overhead when they did a day trip to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015. Allison and Debbie were at Walt Disney World with our new Nikon.
I’ve posted photos of the drummers at the Japan Pavilion before, but Allison, who was there Jan. 3, 2015, with Debbie on a quick trip, took her first at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. As I titled my other photos, they’ve got the beat.
We’ve been to Beijing and Xi’an in China, but we also go to the China Pavilion when we visit EPCOT. Allison got this shot of a performer on Jan. 3, 2015, during a visit to Walt Disney World.
Allison got this shot on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, during her visit to EPCOT with Debbie. They made a day trip (I stayed home because I’m just out of a cast). The shot shows the signature of Spaceship Earth as seen from the area of the jumping waters outside the Journey into Imagination pavilion. It’s our family’s first trip to Walt Disney World this new year and is the eighth visit in 16 months.
It’s a perfect frame for this entryway at the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT. The World Showcase has become a renewed favorite of ours. Allison got this shot during her day trip visit with Debbie on Jan. 4, 2015.
Some of the Christmas holiday-themed decorations were still up during Allison and Debbie’s visit to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015. Allison got this shot of a teapot during that visit to Walt Disney World.
An acrobat looks at Allison as she takes his photo before he entertains at the France Pavilion at EPCOT. Allison got this nice shot on Jan. 3, 2015, when she and Debbie made a day trip to Walt Disney World to kick off the new year.
OK, here are our Magic Bands for our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. We’ll be staying at the Yacht Club Resort again (its companion is the Beach Club) and you can walk from it to an entrance to EPCOT on the path between the United Kingdom Pavilion and the France Pavilion.
Allison was at Walt Disney World yesterday (Nov. 22, 2014) as the Barron Collier High School Marching Band — she’s on the dance line – performs during the Main Street parade at the Magic Kingdom. She sent this shot from her iPhone: Disney cast members escorting riders off Splash Mountain when it stopped.
Here’s another shot Allison got as we came to the end of our first ride on Walt Disney World’s new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride in August 2014. It’s more of a close-up than the first I posted. The new, popular ride is good but we don’t believe it measures up to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Check out all my Disney photos below.
You wouldn’t think so, but it can be lonely waiting for transportation at Walt Disney World. I got this shot of a solitary soul waiting for a bus at the far end of the EPCOT parking lot during our October 2014 visit.
Here’s one person taking advantage of the big rocking chairs on the veranda of the building housing Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I, too, was getting a respite on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, on the veranda.
It wasn’t difficult to see this skywriter over the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. We were headed to Tomorrowland during our seventh trip to Walt Disney World since September 2013.
On our way to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in October 2014, we saw the daily 5 p.m. flag lowering ceremony for the first time. A wonderful tradition to stop and enjoy.
A beautiful sky makes for a great shot at the Plaza Rose Garden at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World as you come out of (or go to) Tomorrowland. The Cinderella Castle doesn’t hurt, either. This shot was taken in August 2014 and there has been some discussion that with the expansion of the “hub” area that the garden is a goner. Well, as you can see, it was there in August 2014.
Here’s another of my slow shutter speed shots from the slow-moving cars in “Spaceship Earth” sphere at the front of EPCOT. I grabbed this shot in October 2014 during our trip to Walt Disney World.
It’s always neat to look down Sunset Boulevard of the Hollywood Studios park and see the Hollywood Tower Hotel that is “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” ride. I grabbed this shot on a beautiful day in October 2014 when we were at Walt Disney World.
Allison got this shot of what it looks like behind the big screen of the main stage before a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014.
Here’s a shot of the front of “The American Adventure” at the World Showcase at EPCOT. It is the host pavilion for all the countries in the World Showcase. I got this shot when we visited Walt Disney World in August 2014 (crowd count was low at 12:41 p.m. that day – note the time on the clock).
Here’s a shot of the fountain near Gaston’s Tavern in the “Beauty and the Beast” themed part of the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I got this shot when we visited in August 2014.
A good camera and a sharp lens deliver the details in the wood of the sign at the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I got this shot when we visited in August 2014.
Everything looks futuristic in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I got this shot in August 2014.
It’s not easy to get a sharp photo from the ride at the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom. So, it’s much easier to get a nice blur of color from our Nikon’s slow shutter speed (no flash photography!) – here’s the blue of ghosts. We were visiting Walt Disney World when I snagged this one in August 2014.
Characters arrive by train and greet waiting guests each morning at the Welcome Show to open the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I got this shot when we were visiting in August 2014. Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie arrive on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
It’s obvious that this ibis has foraged for food before at La Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase of EPCOT. I grabbed this shot in October 2014 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
After we boarded our tour bus at the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, we were passed by another bus. I believe everyone got the same tour, though. Were were on a visit to the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World in October 2014 when I snagged this shot.
You’ll have to wait nearly another year to see these fall decorations for “Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party” at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot when we visited in October 2014 and they’ve since given way to decorations for “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.”
I wasn’t the only one looking at this Camphor tree lakeside near the Canada Pavilion in the World Showcase at EPCOT. We were making our seventh trip in 13 months to Walt Disney World in October when I grabbed this shot.
One of the things you actually are not delighted to see at one of the Walt Disney World parks: a bus going to a resort other than yours. We were waiting for a ride back to All-Star Movies Resort in October 2014 when I got this shot of the bus for the Old Key West Resort.
You can get a neat photo of architectural details just about anywhere – such as this one from the veranda of the building housing Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom – at Walt Disney World. I got this one on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014.
Here’s a view from the seating area of La Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase of EPCOT. It looks across the edge of the water to the Norway pavilion. I grabbed this shot in October 2014 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
The details are always there wherever you look. I grabbed this quick shot while at Hollywood Studios park when we were at Walt Disney World in October 2014.
Here’s another angle of the pool entrance at the All-Star Movies Resort. I got this one during our visit to Disney World on Oct. 11, 2014. It was our seventh trip to Disney World in 13 months.
The bird of paradise flowers near the central fountain at EPCOT at Walt Disney World were losing their luster when I took this close-up on Oct. 10, 2014.
I got this shot while waiting outside Starbucks at EPCOT at Walt Disney World when we visited in October 2014. The signature “Spaceship Earth” sphere is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT.
Here’s a shot of the front of the All-Star Music resort at Walt Disney World when we arrived on Oct. 10, 2014 for a four-day stay. It was our seventh visit to Walt Disney World since September 2013.
Here’s a look at the stage before the start of the live show “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” at Hollywood Studios park. I was testing a camera when we were there in October 2014 for our seventh visit to Walt Disney World since September 2013.
Going through a “bag check” is familiar to virtually every visitor to the at Walt Disney World parks. I go this shot at Hollywood Studios in October 2014 (I got through quickly because I didn’t have a bag or backpack).
Here’s another shot of the setup in October for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is held at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The lights are turned on this month. Here’s a shot I got Oct. 12, 2014, during our visit.
Here are some cannons near the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride in AdventurelandWe were in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando in August 2014 when I grabbed this shot.
You know you’re at the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride in Adventureland when you see this sign. I shot this photo when we were in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando in August 2014.
Here’s a shot I got of the “spitting camel” near the “Magic Carpets of Aladdin” ride in Adventureland. Across from the camel is the Zanzibar Trading Company and both, of course, are in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando in August 2014. The camel squirts water on unsuspecting guests (hint: note the water on the ground and sidestep it). Many people believe the camel is controlled by a cast member who picks out his or her victims, but it is not.
We got our first look at the impressive Harambe Theater that hosts the Festival of the Lion King performance at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World on Oct. 11, 2014. As you can see, the design is neat and the lighting is special. Most importantly, the show is excellent and should not be missed.
The Zanzibar Trading Company is a shop in Adventureland of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando. I got this shot. Is this a minaret? It’s difficult to tell among the differing architecture.
Here’s what the early crowd looked like at the Hollywood Studios’ special Villains night in August 2014. Such special events are big and getting bigger at Walt Disney World.
Look closely in the illuminated fog drifting down on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at the Magic Kingdom. If you do, you’ll see the squiggle of a red line – I believe it is the reflection of a laser (possibly from my or another camera). It’s length, as does the color, comes from the slow shutter speed on my camera. I grabbed this one when we visited Walt Disney World in August 2014.
It takes heavy lifting to do a special event at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot Allison got of some equipment being moved at the main stage at Hollywood Studios during Villains night in August 2014.
Cast members perform throughout each day on the streets of the Hollywood Studios park. Here are couple I snapped as they walked past on Sunset Boulevard when we were at Walt Disney World in October 2014.
Even the horse-drawn trolley is decorated for “Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. We caught the Main Street Trolley Show for the first time on Oct. 11, 2014. We were at Walt Disney World for the seventh time in 13 months.
I was just looking to get a shot of this colorful snack “truck” near the entrance to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World, but I wasn’t the only person looking … as you can see one friend checking for something in the other guy’s pocket. I got this on Oct. 11, 2014.
You can see these ubiquitous red telephone boxes at the United Kingdom Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT. Although their numbers are decreasing in this cell phone age, you can still see them in the UK and its former colonies. I grabbed this shot while we were at the park at Walt Disney World on Oct. 10, 2014.
After catching our first flag-lowering ceremony at the Magic Kingdom earlier this month, the next morning we caught the Main Street Trolley Show for the first time. We were at Walt Disney World in October 2014 for the seventh time in 13 months.
Decorations such as these went up for the “Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom last month. The special event party at Walt Disney World ends in a couple of weeks. I got this shot when we were there on Oct. 12, 2014.
Sometimes it takes looking closer at a photo to see something. I didn’t notice at first that I had caught a woman posing like “Miss Piggy’s” statue in the fountain outside Muppet*Vision 3-D at Hollywood Studios. I got the shot while we visited Walt Disney World on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014.
Here’s a shot of the Mickey statue that squirts water (yes, don’t let your imagination run wild) at the pool at the All-Star Movies resort. I got this one during our visit to Disney World on Oct. 11, 2014. It was our seventh trip to Disney World in 13 months.
The Walt Disney World transportation system is so busy it now has double-sized buses. You can see the accordion-style separator on this double-bus in a shot I got Oct. 12, 2014, at the bus depot of the Magic Kingdom.
Here is a shot of one of the buildings at the Japan Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT. I grabbed this shot while we were at the park at Walt Disney World in August 2014.
Here’s a blurred look at the Festival of the Lion King performance at the new Harambe Theater at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. We saw this performance for the first time on Oct. 11, 2014, during our four-day visit. It is REALLY good.
Each year the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is held at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Although the lights won’t go on until early November, workers have begun to put the lights in place. Here’s a shot I got Oct. 12, 2014, during our visit.
What’s this? It’s a peek through an opening at the the top of a drum being played by a Japanese drummer performing at the Japan Pavilion on Aug. 23, 2014, at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. As I titled the other photo, she’s got the beat.
It was an overcast start to the evening at the Hollywood Studios’ special Villains night in August 2014 when Allison got this shot. The area had experienced torrential rain just two hours before this photo was taken.
One of the animatronic characters during the “Spaceship Earth” ride at EPCOT is pretty life-like with this flash shot (please refrain!). I grabbed this shot in August 2014 during our trip to Walt Disney World.
Look closely between the shooting fountains of water at EPCOT – it’s a helicopter! No, it wasn’t coming into the park … I just happened to catch it as it passed well away from the park. I took this shot in August 2014 during our trip to Walt Disney World.
Here’s what the main stage at Hollywood Studios looked like during a Villains night performance in August 2014. Allison got this shot while we were visiting Walt Disney World.
You can spot Mickey or Minnie ears anywhere during a visit to Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot I got from the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” in August 2014 over the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom. Two of the five visitors here are wearing their ears.
Goofy is one of the statues at the “Hub” in front of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I grabbed this quick shot facing the Liberty Square area of the park. I got this shot in August 2014.
Here’s a look at one of the entrances (this view is actually looking out) to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I got this shot in August 2014.
Here’s another great shot that Allison got of the main stage during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014.
I’m not sure if the crane’s still at the Polynesian Village Resort during the ongoing construction this year, but it was there when I took this shot in August 2014 when we visited Walt Disney World. We were there for the Hollywood Studios special Villains night.
Here’s another look at the Main Street Trolley Show at the Magic Kingdom. I got the shot in October 2014. We were at Walt Disney World then for the seventh time in 13 months.
Here’s a closer look at “Miss Piggy’s” statue in the fountain outside Muppet*Vision 3-D at Hollywood Studios. I got the shot while we visited Walt Disney World on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014.
Here’s a view of the stage between the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” platform and Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot in October 2014 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
Here’s a slightly different angle of work on the “Hub.” I got it while we were on the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” on Aug. 24, 2014. It shows work at the pond at the “Hub” in the Magic Kingdom (the Walt and Mickey statute is the center of the “Hub”). It is all part of an expansion project at Walt Disney World.
Here’s yet another shot of the “Leave a Legacy,” where people can have their photo etched into steel and put on display at EPCOT. I got it while we were at Walt Disney World on Aug. 23, 2014.
A character gives a wave after getting off the Main Street Fire Department engine. I got this shot at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World when we were there in August 2014.
Here’s a shot by Allison after she put her Duffy the Disney Bear in the Mickey design of towels on our bed at the All-Star Movies Resort when we visited in October. Guests can meet Duffy at EPCOT (to find Duffy’s visiting area, turn to the left as you go to the World Showcase toward the Mexico pavilion) when they visit Walt Disney World.
Here’s another shot of one of the red telephone boxes at the United Kingdom Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT. I grabbed the shots while we were at the park at Walt Disney World on Oct. 10, 2014.
Hey, Walt Disney World has its own navy! Here’s a shot of the Friendship V on the lake at the World Showcase in EPCOT. Disney’s transportation system doesn’t just include buses, it also has vessels throughout the entire property in a water transportation division. I grabbed the shots while we were at the park at Walt Disney World on Oct. 10, 2014.
OK, for our seventh visit to Walt Disney World that began on Oct. 10, 2014, Allison was behind the wheel for the trip (I’ve been hobbled by an Achilles issue). I got this one from the backseat while we were on Interstate 75 before the turn to head east on I-4. Thanks, Allison!
Well, we didn’t get up to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World this year. However, since today is Christmas Day, I’m running this nice shot from November 2013. Merry Christmas!
Allison took a number of nice shots of performers during the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014. Here’s another one.
It might look like there’s a lot of people on Sunset Boulevard at the Hollywood Studios park (this shot looks away from the Hollywood Tower Hotel that is “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” ride). However, this is a very small crowd on a quiet day in October 2014 when we were at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a shot early one morning right after the opening of the Animal Kingdom park. The building is for facilities near the Harambe Theater that hosts the Festival of the Lion King performance I got the shot Oct. 11, 2014, while we were visiting Walt Disney World.
Detail shots sometimes appear as art. I took this photograph of the struts for the center courtyard of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. I got this angle in October 2014.
In the distance you can see walkers on the suspension bridge along the Wild Africa Trek. I got this shot from our tour bus at the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World in October 2014.
You can get interesting angles for photos of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT in Walt Disney World from the monorail area. I shot this one in October 2014.
The characters really stand out at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot in October 2014 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
I have to say I don’t enjoy the iconic Mad Tea Party attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this shot in October 2014 during our visit to Walt Disney World. All the spinning doesn’t really agree with me.
Here’s a look across the lagoon at the World Showcase at EPCOT during our visit in October 2014. It shows the Japan Pavilion to the right and the “The American Adventure” to the left (along with the back to the main stage). I got this one during our seventh visit to Walt Disney World in the previous 13 months.
I got a new Nikon 5200 as a Christmas present (thanks, Santa!) and its images are wonderful and a great upgrade from our now-exhausted D70 (with 15,000+ images it finally was retired). Allison got this one of the signature “Spaceship Earth” across the lagoon during her and Debbie’s visit to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015, at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a shot by Allison showing guests watching the show at the China Pavilion. She got the photo on a day trip to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015, during a visit to Walt Disney World.
Entertainers come out at the Italy Pavilion and Allison got this shot during a visit to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015. Allison and Debbie made a day trip to Walt Disney World to kick off the new year.
You can walk to EPCOT from the adjoining Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts. Allison got this shot walking into the park (you can see the Eifel Tower at the France Pavilion in the distance) when she and Debbie were at Walt Disney World on Jan. 3, 2015. Some of the holiday decorations were still up – but about to come down.
Before walking to EPCOT, Allison got this shot of Disney’s BoardWalk across the beach from the adjoining Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World on Jan. 3, 2015.
Even the entrances and walkways leading up to resorts are nice at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot Allison got walking up to the adjoining Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts on Jan. 3, 2015.
The boy in the background of this photo must have wished he was staying at Hollywood Studios for a Villains night performance in August 2014. Allison got this shot while we were visiting Walt Disney World.
Here’s an exterior shot of Journey into Imagination that Allison snagged when she and Debbie visited EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015. We don’t usually take time at the attraction, but we do enjoy the jumping waters there (look for one tomorrow). Allison and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a day trip when she got the photo with our new Nikon.
Here’s another shot I got in in October 2014 of the daily 5 p.m. flag lowering ceremony at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. We were on our way to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant When we saw this wonderful daily tradition.
Here’s another shot I got of the expansion work at the “Hub” in the Magic Kingdom (the Walt and Mickey statute is the center of the “Hub”). I took this one during our visit in October 2014 to Walt Disney World.
Characters always catch the attention of guests to Walt Disney World. In this shot at the Magic Kingdom in October 2014, you can see a small princess enjoying the experience.
Here’s the corner of Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios. Allison got the shot just before the start of a Villains night performance in August 2014.
Allison got this shot at “The American Adventure” at the World Showcase at EPCOT when she and Debbie did a day trip on Jan. 3, 2015.
Here’s a decoration at the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT that Allison photographed when she and Debbie went to Walt Disney World for a day trip on Jan. 3, 2015.
Here’s what comes out of the decoration at the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT that Allison photographed when she and Debbie went to Walt Disney World for a day trip on Jan. 3, 2015.
Here’s one of the outside decorations at the Toy Story Mania! attraction at Hollywood Studios. Allison got the shot just before the start of a Villains night performance in August 2014.
Here’s a view of the France Pavilion area as you come over the bridge from the United Kingdom Pavilion area. Allison got this shot at EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015, when she and Debbie made a day trip to Walt Disney World.
The Sum of All Thrills simulated thrill ride is now at EPCOT. Allison and Debbie visited it on Jan. 3, 2015, when they did a day trip to Walt Disney World.
Somehow, the sun shines a bit brighter when you’re on vacation (or even a day trip). Allison got this shot at the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts as she and Debbie headed over to EPCOT on Jan. 3, 2015, during their visit to Walt Disney World.
What’s behind the hedge? A snowman! Walt Disney World was taking down its holiday decorations when Allison and Debbie visited for a day trip on Jan. 3, 2015. This shot was taken at EPCOT.
The sun makes a nice backlight when Allison got this shot at the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts on Jan. 3, 2015. It’s a nice effect on the resorts’ lighthouse. Debbie and Allison visited Walt Disney World for a day trip to start the new year.
