Mickey and Minnie always greet guests each morning at the Welcome Show to open the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I grabbed this shot in August 2014 after Mickey and Minnie arrive on the Walt Disney World Railroad. Update from 2017: Sorry, folks! but this opening scene no longer takes place!
Allison grabbed this shot of “Darth Maul” during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014. “Star Wars” is big and getting bigger at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a visitor peeking in at lunch on Oct. 11, 2014, at our new favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World. It’s the Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Resort – Kidani Village. It’s a bit out of the way for many guests since it is in the Vacation Club villas but well be going back the next time we’re visiting.
Here’s a shot of the Cinderella Castle in December 2012 during the holiday season. The photo is a bit blurry because of the slow shutter speed at night. I grabbed it (of course) in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
When it rains it downpours at Walt Disney World, as you can see in this shot from the afternoon of Aug. 23, 2014. I tried to do an artistic framing of the shot outside our room at Caribbean Beach Resort (standing water came nearly up to our door). However, the storm blew through and Allison and Debbie went to Hollywood Studios for Villains night.
An early morning trip on the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” gives this view of the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
If you closely in the Liberty Square area of the Magic Kingdom, you’ll notice shutters are askew. It is because during the Revolutionary War metal was in short supply and such material as hinges were taken down and melted to become ammunition. Shutters were then secured with leather. I grabbed this shot when we were at Walt Disney World in August 2014.
Here’s a shot I got as we came to our first ride on Walt Disney World’s new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride in August 2014. As I posted in an earlier photo: We enjoyed the ride, it is too short in duration. It has nice turns, twists and dips, but doesn’t measure up to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Check out all my Disney photos below.
Allison took this shot of some of the statues at the “Haunted Mansion” in the Magic Kingdom in September 2013.
I grabbed this shot in March 2014 of the drained pond near the centerpiece statue of Walt and Mickey area at the castle in the Magic Kingdom (taken from the bridge to Tomorrowland). It was drained for construction work and has since been filled again. When we go back, I’ll try to take a photo from the same place as a comparison.
I enjoy taking photos of the unique design over the center courtyard of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. I got this angle in August 2014.
The MaIn Street Fire Department engine makes stops to deposit cast members performing along the street as well as being a prop for visitors’ photos. Here’s a shot at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World when we were there in August 2014.
Here was a greeter in August 2014 at the Welcome Show that is held each morning to open the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie arrive on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Crowds weren’t a challenge in August 2014 when we visited EPCOT at Walt Disney World. My shot here shows a modest crowd at the fountain. The signature “Spaceship Earth” sphere is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT.
A sight for sore eyes (or feet) is a bus when you’re waiting at one of the transportation points at one of the Walt Disney World parks or yours. I caught this shot at EPCOT on Aug. 23, 2014, while waiting for our ride back to the Caribbean Beach Resort.
Across the avenue from the pyramid building of the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase of EPCOT is a shop where the merchandise adds a colorful splash to the scenery. Note: the Walt Disney World park’s nightly fireworks show called “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is controlled from an office atop the pyramid, according to Wiki. I grabbed this shot on Aug. 23, 2014.
Yesterday (Oct. 10, 2014) we were at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival throughout the World Showcase at the Walt Disney World park. We made the trip so Allison could do “Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom that night.
The “Maelstrom” ride in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT is getting a make-over and will become a “Frozen”-themed ride in early 2016. Here is a shot of its entrance when we were there at Walt Disney World on Aug. 23, 2014.
Earlier, I posted an up-close photo of the “Leave a Legacy,” where people can have their photo etched into steel and put on display at EPCOT. Here is a wider angle of one of the stone displays of the photos shot while we were at Walt Disney World on Aug. 23, 2014.
Here’s a sparrow perched on a ceiling lantern in the dining area of the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway pavilion at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. I got this shot in August 2014 as we watched the sparrows go about their business of snagging snacks from the diners.
Here’s another shot Allison snagged at the end of Walt Disney World’s new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride when we were there in August 2014. The animatronic witch is peeking into the house at the end of the ride. Although we enjoyed the ride, we’re still partial to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.
The “Star Wars” storm troopers were out in force when Allison and Debbie went to Hollywood Studios for Villains night in August 2014.
You obviously know what this is: a close-up of the signature “Spaceship Earth” design near the front of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. The sphere is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT.
You’ve heard of the the silver screen? Well this just wasn’t a big screen during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014, it was a HUGE screen! Allison shot this one during our weekend trip to enjoy the special event.
Although there was this line at the signature “Spaceship Earth” sphere at the front of EPCOT at Walt Disney World in August 2014, it wasn’t much by “really crowded day”standards. The sphere (you can see the distinctive design of the sphere at the the top of the frame) is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT.
Is it coming or going? This monorail was caught going away from my camera at EPCOT at Walt Disney World when we visited in August 2014.
Of course Walt Disney’s vision and spirit are everywhere throughout Walt Disney World. However, it’s great to see the “One Man’s Dream” at Hollywood Studios. Allison got this shot when she was at the special Villains night in August 2014.
Walking to the France pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT, you might believe you’re on a street in Paris. I grabbed this shot while we were at the park at Walt Disney World in August 2014.
I framed this shot across the lake at the World Showcase with a fence. You’re looking at the Canada Pavilion in the distance at EPCOT. It was during our sixth visit to Walt Disney World since September 2013.
visible from just about every spot in EPCOT and I grabbed this shot Aug. 23, 2014, during our recent trip to Walt Disney World.
Some entertainment spots (most famously casinos in Las Vegas) don’t make clocks conspicuous. However, you can always find the time on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We were there in August 2014 when I got this shot (note the time of nine minutes before the “official” opening.
Wow! Allison did a good job getting this shot (one of many) of the main stage during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014.
Here’s another shot by Allison of the main stage during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014.
Here’s a shot by Allison of the main stage during a performance at the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014.
It appeared that “Governor Ratcliffe” of “Pocahontas” was out during the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014. Allison grabbed this shot with some neat backlighting.
Even the lightposts at the Japan Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT has that Disney touch of detail. I grabbed this shot while we were at the park at Walt Disney World in August 2014.
Here’s a shot from Hollywood Studios before the start of Villains night in August 2014. Allison grabbed it and it shows clouds after a passing storm drenched the Walt Disney World region.
It absolutely poured down rain at Walt Disney World on the afternoon of Aug. 23, 2014. I took this one at our room at Caribbean Beach Resort (standing water came nearly up to our door). However, the storm blew through and Allison and Debbie went to Hollywood Studios for Villains night and it was a lot of fun.
Allison got this shot of someone taking a photo of a performer during the Hollywood Studios special Villains night in August 2014. Special events are a staple of Walt Disney World.
Yes, we’ve been back at Walt Disney World for the sixth time since September 2013. We stayed this weekend (Aug. 23-24, 2014) at the Caribbean Beach Resort and here’s a shot I got in EPCOT at the end of the Soarin’ ride on Saturday, Aug. 23. The lights are shining on the seating gondola in front of our row.
Here’s another shot I got of a Japanese drummer performing at the Japan Pavilion on Aug. 23, 2014, at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. As I titled the other photo (click here to see it), she’s got the beat.
Here is a shot of the paifang gate (a traditional gate structure in China) at the entrance to the China Pavilion at EPCOT. I grabbed the shot on Aug. 23, 2014 during our weekend visit to Walt Disney World. The Japan Pavilion has a similar structure on the World Showcase lake called a “torii” gate.
The posts designating different bus stops appear as if they are part of a futuristic top of this Walt Disney World transportation system bus. I caught the shot at EPCOT on Aug. 23, 2014, while waiting for our ride back to the Caribbean Beach Resort.
No, this is not an outtake from a big sheet of comics. It is the “Leave a Legacy” where people can have their photo etched into steel and put on display at EPCOT. I grabbed this shot while we were at Walt Disney World on Aug. 23, 2014.
The “Joy of Tea” shop is outside of the China Pavilion at EPCOT. Since I enjoy tea, I grabbed this shot while we were at Walt Disney World on Aug. 23, 2014.
Here’s a shot I snagged 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 to expand the viewing area for the nightly fireworks.
Here’s a shot I got of a Japanese drummer performing at the Japan Pavilion on Aug. 23, 2014, at EPCOT. It was during our sixth visit to Walt Disney World since September 2013.
Look familiar? Just after we got on the bus Aug. 23, 2014, at the Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World, it became fuller and fuller with each stop (there are seven stops in the resort).
Everything has a neat, efficient look to it at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot I got Aug. 23, 2014, while waiting for our bus at the EPCOT parking lot.
We stayed this past weekend (Aug. 23-24, 2014) at the Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot I got in EPCOT at the Italy Pavilion in the World Showcase.
Allison got this shot with the reflection of riders on Walt Disney World’s new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. The house is at the end of the ride. She got the shot on Aug. 24, 2014, and while we enjoyed the ride, it is too short in duration. It has nice turns, twists and dips, but doesn’t measure up to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.
This is a composite photo that shows half a shot from each of two locations that had construction between March and August 2014. They were taken from approximately the same spot between Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland.
I grabbed this shot in August 2014 of the pond near the centerpiece statute of Walt and Mickey area at the castle in the Magic Kingdom (taken from the bridge to Tomorrowland) at Walt Disney World. It was drained for construction work and has since been filled again.
Here’s a second shot I snapped in August 2014 of the drained pond near the centerpiece statute of Walt and Mickey area at the castle in the Magic Kingdom (taken from the bridge to Tomorrowland looking back to Main Street and the Plaza restaurant). It was drained for construction work and has since been filled again. I got this photo as an update to the first when we were at Walt Disney World.
We’re back at Walt Disney World again! We stayed this weekend (Aug. 23-24, 2014) at the Caribbean Beach Resort and here’s a shot I got in EPCOT of the gondolas on the lake at the World Showcase at the Italy Pavilion. Wonderful weather through the day, but it dissolved into wicked thunderstorms by 5 p.m. Still, any day at a Disney resort is a good day.
Here’s a view in EPCOT with the replica Eifel Tower at the France pavilion in the background. The view, which I shot in March 2014, shows flowers in bloom along the central lake at the World Showcase at Walt Disney World.
It was a low crowd-count day in March 2014 when I grabbed this shot from the Disney Resort Monorail looking at the signature “Spaceship Earth” sphere at the front of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. The sphere is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT.
When you wait for the doors to open at the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, make sure to check out the eyes on the face on this tombstone. You’ll see her eyes open. Allison grabbed this shot in March 2014. Click here for a Wiki look at all the characters at the Haunted Mansion.
Here’s a shot I took in March 2014 of the trail of smoke from fireworks at the Welcome Show that is held each morning to open the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie arrive on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Here’s a nighttime view from our patio at the Yacht Club resort at Walt Disney World in February 2014. In the distance is Disney’s BoardWalk.
As this photo shows from when we were at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in February 2014, there wasn’t much traffic at the Tomorrowland Speedway (pun intended). We try to choose off-peak times and have become a bit spoiled. I shot this one from the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” that has reopened this month after some renovations.
Here’s one image from the International Flower & Garden Festival in March 2014 at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.
The Spaceship Earth sphere has to be the most photographed structure at EPCOT. I snagged this one during our visit in March 2014 to the International Flower & Garden Festival.
It wouldn’t be a parade on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World without a pack of balloons being hawked before the parade. We’ll be back for a visit again this month.
Here’s a second shot I snapped in March 2014 of the drained pond near the centerpiece statute of Walt and Mickey area at the castle in the Magic Kingdom (taken from the bridge to Tomorrowland looking back to Main Street and the Plaza restaurant). It was drained for construction work and has since been filled again. When we go back to Walt Disney World this month, I’ll try to take photos from the same places as a comparison.
There’s always a nice touch of detail at Walt Disney World. Even above you at the Transportation Center. Allison grabbed this shot in September 2013.
While taking a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at the Magic Kingdom, I used a slow shutter speed to blur the colorful lights. The PeopleMover, which was called the WEDWay PeopleMover until 1994, according to Wiki, was closed much of this summer season but has now reopened.
Well, the 2014 version of Mickey’ Not-so-Scary Halloween Party begins on Sept. 1. Here’s a view of the parade from 2013 on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. The special events at Walt Disney World are special … really!
Here’s another photo Allison shot at the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom when we visited in September 2013. It’s one of the crypts you can enjoy reading in line to enter the Haunted Mansion.
Here’s a view from outside our room at All-Star Sports resort in September 2013. I grabbed it as we headed out for, well, just about all the parks one day at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a photo Allison shot of the engagement ring “hidden” at the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom. The ring is in the longer entrance line near a trash can. It’s part of the backstory of the bride who kills her husbands. Such little details at the parks of Walt Disney World make for a lot of fun.
You can find fun things to watch at your feet sometimes at Walt Disney World’s parks. Here’s your basic shot of a sparrow getting some crumbs from a snack at the Magic Kingdom in March 2014. While waiting for a parade, we will go down one of the alleys along Main Street and grab a table (they are always available except for those near the Plaza restaurant). Closer to the big pond near Cinderella Castle you’ll find ducks to come and beg for a morsel.
Ah, the Imperial Stormtroopers were out at the entrance to the Hollywood Studios when I got this shot in 2012. We always enjoy Star Wars themed events at the Studios at Walt Disney World. Special summer weekends begin in 2015.
You can always get a good shot of the Spaceship Earth sphere, especially from the World Showcase at EPCOT. I snagged this one during our visit in March 2014 to the International Flower & Garden Festival. We always enjoy the special events throughout the year at the Walt Disney World parks.
Here’s a shot from the monorail of the entrance to EPCOT at Walt Disney World. On the left side you can see a slice of the Spaceship Earth sphere. Further back, of course, is the World Showcase.
Here’s a view of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT in Walt Disney World from the monorail and it obviously frames the U.S. flag over the park entrance. I shot this one in March 2014.
Here’s a shot from the private island beach during our Disney cruise during 2001 (wow, that many years ago). It was a great experience and an extension of the Disney entertainment empire.
I grabbed this shot of the transportation boat dropping off passengers in the World Showcase at EPCOT during our visit in November 2013 to Walt Disney World.
Here’s another shot using Spaceship Earth’s sphere to orient the photo. It was taken from the World Showcase at EPCOT. No matter that this is an easy shot, I enjoy the view and it looks good on my screen. I grabbed this one in September 2013 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
Here’s a view of one of the outside pieces of artwork at the All-Star Music resort at Walt Disney World when we visited in November 2013. We’ve been to all the All-Star resorts as well as The Yacht Club, Port Orleans, the Wilderness Lodge and we’ll be saying once again at Caribbean Beach resort when we return this month.
Here’s a shot I grabbed in November 2013 of birds in a tree during our visit to the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. We caught sight of the birds during the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride.
Here’s a shot from 2004 during our Studio Backlot Tour at Walt Disney World that shows Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream that he used to scout locations for the future Disney World. At the time I took the photo, the park was called the Disney-MGM Studios, but that changed in 2008 when it became Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It was a pre-World Cup soccer image at the International Flower & Garden Festival in March 2014 at EPCOT in Walt Disney World when I snapped this shot.
Yes! We got the Disney box via USPS with our latest Magic Bands! We’re headed back to Walt Disney World (staying at Caribbean Beach Resort) next month. The Magic Bands make everything a convenience: early online sign up for FastPasses, room key, tickets, special event tickets, etc.
The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade made its debut this year at Walt Disney World on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom and I grabbed this quick shot of a guest photographing a performer.
Here’s a morning view at the Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World. We were visiting in 2006 when I snapped this shot. We’ll be returning to Caribbean Beach next month. While the Yacht Club Resort was wonderful earlier this year and a big hit, we have a sentimental attachment to Caribbean Beach because we’ve been there so many times.
The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade made its debut this year at Walt Disney World on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom and I grabbed this quick shot of a guest photographing a performer.
Here’s another of my photos from the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in November 2013. The popular event will return to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in mid-November of this year and run into early January 2015.
Mmmm, mmm, good! Here’s the red velvet cheesecake cupcake from the Starring Rolls Cafe at Hollywood Studios. We always stop there for the indulgence whenever we’re at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a view of one of the outside pieces of artwork at the All-Star Music resort at Walt Disney World when we visited in November 2013. We’ve been to all the All-Star resorts as well as The Yacht Club, Port Orleans, the Wilderness Lodge and we’ll be saying next month once again at Caribbean Beach resort.
A visit to Walt Disney World and its parks are not typically lazy days for guests, but for those inside the parks it can be a different story. Here are some hippos taking their leisure in their pond that can be seen on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Animal Kingdom. I shot this one during our visit in September 2013.
Obviously anyone can take this shot of the Spaceship Earth sphere from across the water in the World Showcase at EPCOT. No matter, I enjoy the view and it looks good on my screen. I grabbed this one in September 2013 during our visit to Walt Disney World.
Well, this one of our seasonal annual passes to Walt Disney World (we got the cards but also have a variety of Magic Bands – bottom left of the photo). It is our ducat to the Kingdom (Magic, of course) as well as EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The card’s nice, but the Magic Bands are an efficient delight (everything with the swipe of your wrist).
Here’s a pretty straightforward shot I took during a trip to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in 2008. Of course we were riding on the Studio Backlot Tour. The ride has been updated and rerouted over the years, but the signature Catastrophe Canyon adventure remains the featured part of the tour.
I grabbed this shot in 2008 on one of our many rides over the years on “Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain” at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. It’s a good coaster (sorry, but certainly not in the class of Hollywood Studios’ “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith” and definitely not in the class of Busch Gardens’ “Montu” coaster) and an even more excellent experience. One time Allison and I went in at early opening and managed six straight walk-ons, with three being front-of-car. We really like this one. Click here for the Wiki history page about Expedition Everest.
Here’s another shot of the guitar-shaped pool (featuring the “Three Caballeros”) at the All-Star Music resort at Walt Disney World. One photo tip: always check the background as it can hurt your photo. In this case, the two women across the pool probably wondered why I was shooting in their direction (I was focused — literally — on the characters’ statutes). Oh, well. We’ll be at Caribbean Beach next month for our sixth visit to Disney World in less than a year.
Here’s a shot of the guitar-shaped pool (featuring the “Three Caballeros”) at the All-Star Music resort at Walt Disney World. We stay at a variety of resorts each year, depending on our Florida residents or annual passholder offers from Disney. In just the past year we’ve also been at the Yacht Club, All-Star Sports and will be at Caribbean Beach next month.
Allison took this shot of the “Viking Chocolate Mousse” at the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway pavilion when we were visiting EPCOT at Walt Disney World in November 2013. It’s a bit pricey at $4.19, but you can choose at right from “Rice Cream” or “Worms in Dirt.” While Allison like the “School Bread” in Norway, my favorite is the Norwegian Club sandwich … it is big and at $8.95 is a bargain anywhere but especially at Disney.
Here is the main building of the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase of EPCOT. The building resembles a Mesoamerican pyramid and the Walt Disney World park’s nightly fireworks show called “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is controlled from an office atop the pyramid, according to Wiki. I grabbed this basic exterior when we were in EPCOT in November 2013.
When we went to the back of the Magic Kingdom to ride “Splash Mountain” I caught this shot of the “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” in March 2014, we found some work being done on “Big Thunder.” It was a time of work and construction at Walt Disney World with the “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train” and efforts such as at “Big Thunder.” Work always happens in the Disney parks, such as the renovations being completed now to the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover” that will reopen in August 2014.
September means the start of “Mickey’s No-So-Scary Halloween Party” at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot of pumpkin projections on buildings across Main Street I grabbed in September 2013 along the parade route. The Halloween party runs Sept. 1, 2014, through Oct. 31, 2014.
Here’s a look at a colorful waterfall as you wind your way into Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in the expanded Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World. I took this shot in September 2013 and we will be headed to the nearby Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that just recently opened when we return to the park in August.
Fireworks explode during the “Wishes” nighttime spectacular over Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street U.S. A. at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in this shot I grabbed in September 2013. The Disney parks each night light up with tens of thousands of dollars worth of fireworks as a close to each evening at the parks.
Even the animatronic seagulls outside “The Seas with Nemo and Friends” get a view of the signature “Spaceship Earth” sphere at the front of EPCOT. The sphere is visible from just about every spot in EPCOT and Allison grabbed this shot as we headed in to help find Nemo in November 2013.
One of the really nice (and few) “walk-on” rides at Walt Disney World is “Living with the Land” in the Land pavilion at EPCOT, across from “Soarin.’” You get a nice ride in a boat through the history of the earth’s land and then through a fish farm, gardens under glass and examples of hydroponic farming. In this photo from November 2013, you can see that the staff members have to wear booties over their shoes to keep contaminants or material from other parts of the garden from spreading.
Here’s a view from the bridge linking the United Kingdom pavilion and the France pavilion (kind of sounds like a match in this World Cup year) at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT. The view, which I shot in November 2013, shows the boat landing and walkway side entrance to the park (you can walk from the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts or take a boat from each or from the Swan and Dolphin hotels). The side entrance in walking distance is why we enjoy the Beach or Yacht clubs.
I’m not sure what you’ll see now on the Studio Backlot Tour ride at Hollywood Studios. The ride at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios has been getting a makeover and the official Disney website reports it is now open. However, in 2003 you could have seen this replica of a World War II P-40 fighter plane.
When I snagged some nice shots of giraffes at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom park during the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, this was one of the best: a mugshot of a giraffe. The photo was taken in November 2013 during one of our five visits to Disney World since last September. Oh, here’s the link to my other photo of giraffes at Animal Kingdom.
Here are some contrails we saw while at the World Showcase at EPCOT during our visit in November 2009. I certainly cannot be sure, but they might have been from aircraft flying out of MacDill Air Force Base in nearby (as jets go) Tampa. At least that’s my story. Click here for Wiki’s answer as to what causes contrails.
Here’s a shot from the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in November 2013. The popular event will return to Hollywood Studios in mid-November of this year and run into early January . Click here for the Wiki background about the show and how it came to Walt Disney World.
Here is a shot of the torii gate across from the entrance to the Japan pavilion at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. I grabbed this shot in September 2013. A torii gate is a traditional entrance to a sacred place. Click here for an explanation from Wiki and you can click here for Wiki’s description of the Japan pavilion (or follow link clickable on the photo to the official Disney website).
Here’s a shot I grabbed of the Contemporary resort at Walt Disney World in September 2013 from a Disney boat headed to the Wilderness Lodge. The A-frame Contemporary tower has been joined by the Disney Vacation Club’s Bay Lake Tower (you can see it in the background) and the tower, of course, has the monorail running through it.
While taking a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at the Magic Kingdom, you’ll see this strange sight. Kind of like a nightmare from “Sheldon Cooper” on “The Big Bang Theory,” huh? The PeopleMover, which was called the WEDWay PeopleMover until 1994, according to Wiki, is closed and will now reopen by mid-August.
A little backlighting never hurts a good photographic subject and the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is no exception. Here’s a shot I grabbed during our visit in September 2013.
I grabbed this shot of the Goofy statute on a bench just off the roundabout on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in September 2013. The setting sun’s light offered a great setup for the shot.
I snagged a shot of this bonsai on display near the Japan pavilion in EPCOT during the 2014 International Flower & Garden Festival. It is an annual event and you can follow the link in the photo for updates about next year’s festival.
Well, it’s not a truly great photograph (or even an excellent one), but I do like anything that resembles ‘Whack a Mole.’ Here’s one of the visual treats on your way into the “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World taken when we visited in September 2013.
Well, it’s not the orange and blue of the Gators of the University of Florida (at least there’s no “Gators” script on the sides of this helmet), but we enjoyed our visit to the All-Star Sports resort in September 2013.
I grabbed this shot inside the Contemporary resort at Walt Disney World with my iPhone in September 2013. I tried to get some backlighting, but the iPhone’s camera is no match for a quality digital SLR. Still, not bad.
Clouds move over the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in this view from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover with the Tomorrowland Speedway below in this photo from September 2013. Currently the PeopleMover, which was called the WEDWay PeopleMover until 1994, according to Wiki, is closed and will reopen by the fall.
Mickey gives a wave one morning in February 2014 at the arrival of characters for the opening of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. The park opens each morning with the Walt Disney World Railroad arriving at the Main Street, U.S.A., station. I grabbed this shot from between other visitors. Disney World even makes the park opening an event.
It’s difficult not to get a photo (or even a good one) of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. It is the signature sight at the park and can be seen from any place in the park. Ride tip: do it as you LEAVE the park. Everyone seems to jump into line early as they walk in (except those running to Soarin’ in The Land pavilion) and the early line usually dissipates. Allison grabbed this shot in March 2014.
We really love the Soarin’ ride at The Land pavilion in EPCOT. Allison grabbed this photo as we walked the FastPass lane in February 2014.
The Living With the Land boat ride at EPCOT in The Land pavilion across from Soarin’ is one of my favorite “little”rides. It’s a walk-on most times and has a fun presentation and then tour through a fish farm and hydroponic gardens. One of the neatest things growing at The Land is the nine-pound lemon. It’s as big as a bowling ball. I grabbed this shot in November 2013.
Here a slow shutter speed blurs the boat launch on the “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros” ride in the Mexico pavilion of the World Showcase at EPCOT in Disney World. I caught this action on a busy evening in February 2014.
It’s kind of difficult not to be able to snag a photo of the monorail in central EPCOT — it runs right above the park. Here’s one I grabbed during our visit in November 2013.
While not technically a great shot (a bit soft because of slow shutter speed and moving on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover) this is a nice view of dusk at the Magic Kingdom. Allison grabbed it during our December 2012 visit.
Allison always snaps a shot of this Mickey-shaped power line tower as we arrive (yea!) and we leave (boo!) Walt Disney World. Drivers eastbound on Interstate 4 will see it just before their exit to fun, while westbound drivers are headed away from Disney World (it is just west of main exits to the parks and resorts). Allison grabbed this shot in September 2013.
Walt Disney World debuted a refreshed parade along Main Street and here’s one shot from the route during its debut in March 2014.
Here’s a look from the monorail at EPCOT in March 2014 during the Flower and Garden event.
It was a dark and stormy night … no, it was a chilly, foggy morning at the Yacht Club resort at Walt Disney World in February 2014. Here is our view from a ground-floor room looking at the lighthouse.
Our first encounter with the jumping waters at the Imagination pavilion near The Land in EPCOT was with our son, Stephen, many years ago. Now, we have this photo from November 2013 of Allison (with Debbie) enjoying the same jumping waters. Duck!
Well, into life at Walt Disney World a crane must be used some times. Here’s a shot of Cinderella’s castle from Main Street in the Magic Kingdom in February 2014 when a crane was in operation.
I grabbed this shot at the “Beauty and the Beast” stage show at Hollywood Studios park at Walt Disney World in November 2014. We’ve seen this show several times and it’s really a sharp stage production.
A slow shutter speed blurs the colors during the Under the Sea Little Mermaid ride in September 2013 in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.
In this shot taken in March 2014 during the Flower and Garden Festival, the sun blazes through the decoration atop the FastPass kiosk in the central square of EPCOT (The Land and Soarin’ is behind me and Test Track on the other side).
I was lucky with lighting and being on the correct side of the vehicle to grab this shot of giraffes at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. The photo was taken in November 2013 during one of our five visits to Disney World since last September. Oh, in the foreground is a termite mound.
We enjoy Disney World. Here’s a view of the main fountain on your way to the World Showcase at Epcot.
Water is a key element throughout all of Walt Disney World – from the resorts to the parks and right down to the restaurants. Here’s a fountain at the France Pavilion. Allison got this shot at the France Pavilion on Jan. 3, 2015, when she and Debbie made a day trip to EPCOT.
