Euro Disney ‘Waiting With Mickey Mouse’ Statuette

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Dis-LEE

I hate waiting. I really hate waiting to ride my favorite attraction. I absolutely can’t wait for my next Disney vacation! But… I have to, and so just perhaps, I look a little like this:

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Waiting, but still smiling!

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… and waiting, and waiting…

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Yup, getting a little tired of waiting!

This beautiful piece is branded Euro Disney (pre-Disneyland Paris) and features not one, but four Mickey figures. We aren’t told what he is waiting for, but I’m guessing it’s for Minnie!

On the bottom of the piece are the words ‘Mame La Vallee Cedex’ which loosely translated may refer to the Mame Valley in Cedex, France. If so, I can only assume that is where this piece was manufactured. Or not. I just don’t know for sure.

Maybe that’s what Mickey is waiting for: The answer to this mystery!

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Disney California Adventure – Muppet Vision 3D Props

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Wocka Wocka! It’s time to visit the funniest and furriest puppets ever to grace… just about everything: The Muppets! I love Muppet Vision 3D even though it is dated.

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Perhaps my absolute favorite part of this attraction is the queue area with all the wacky props and awful gags! Let’s start to walk inside, shall we?

CA 141     First, we check in with Security, which is unattended

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Fortunately, Karen has never had to worry about head clearance

Now it’s time to be assaulted with horrible puns. I grimaced but Karen was in her element! Let’s see how YOU fare:

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Which one of these is not the same?

I was reminded of a basic photography tip by a Cast Member while I was taking these last four pictures. And it was embarrassing because I should have known better! When photographing glass, don’t stand directly in front or your flash will cause a flare on the subject. I was reminded to stand at an angle (pic 4) and of course the flare disappeared.

Kudos to the Cast Member for caring enough to help make my memories that much better!

And now to end this post with one of Fozzie Bears best (?) jokes:

Straight Man: Why don’t you wear shoes Fozzie?
Fozzie: Why should I? I’d still have bear feet. Wocka Wocka Wocka!

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Adventures by Disney – Britain and France Tour

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Where in the World would you like to tour if you could do so safely and conveniently? For me, it would be…

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… and France!

Although I was born in Canada, my parents and entire extended family pretty much hail from over the pond in bonny ole England. I’ve been there only three times in my life, but each time I was only a child, the last time being when I was just 14-years old. So returning as an adult and sharing my heritage with my wife certainly appeals to me!

I’m not so much interested in the usual landmarks: Big Ben (you know that is the name of the bell and not the tower, right?), Piccadilly Circus (which isn’t an actual circus), Buckingham Palace (where it would be a rare day to see any Royalty anyway), or the like. But I would rather tour the little towns and pubs and the seaside resorts. I feel that is where the real character of England, and of France, would be found. Having a pint with the locals and hearing their stories would be a real treat! However, you don’t get to choose what you see, so here is what Disney has in mind for you if you choose this Adventure:

  • Red Double-Decker Bus Tour

    Climb aboard an iconic red double-decker bus for a private tour of London with an elevated view of Westminster Abby and Buckingham Palace.

  • 2-Night Retreat in the English Countryside

    Delight in the splendor and serenity of the English countryside during your 2-night stay in a 19th-century manor house.

  • Mysterious Stonehenge

    Walk among towering stone blocks that have stood for millennia at Stonehenge. Explore the mysteries and legends surrounding the construction of this timeless monument.

  • Windsor Castle Tour

    Discover how kings and queens lived during a privately guided visit to Windsor Castle, current home to the British royal family!

  • The Eiffel Tower

    Journey to the top of this 1,063 foot (324 meters) — tall structure and get ready for one of the most magnificent views in Paris — or anywhere in the world!

  • Nôtre Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum

    Marvel at the gargoyles of Nôtre Dame Cathedral. Then, as the adults follow a local expert to view some of the world’s greatest masterpieces in the Louvre, Junior Adventurers discover famous art works on an interactive scavenger hunt.

What I like about the idea of touring these destinations with Disney is the safety factor. I’m not a big world adventurer and don’t like being in situations where I don’t have control. This may curtail a certain amount of fun, but at least I arrive home alive after each of my vacations! And I’m sure a Disney Tour Guide could add a few Disney details to the locations visited.

France appeals to me because of the architecture and art scene, and of course, Disneyland Paris!

So my dream Adventure by Disney would be first to connect with my English heritage, and second, to explore the beauty and Disney Park fun of France. Now if I can just come up with about 6,000 US dollars I’ll be on my way!

Check out this link: England and France Tours for full details.

Thank you for joining me today.

Posted in Excursions, Travel, Vacation Planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Messing With Disney Icons – Spaceship Earth

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Dis-LEE

The Tronorail at Walt Disney World. World of Cars-themed monorails at Disneyland. And now Frozen is poised to take over Maelstrom? These are just a few of the many incursions Disney has made into our favorite Icons.

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Now that’s how I like to see my Icons!

Messing with Icons is never a safe bet. Puritans will hate it no matter what you do. Armchair Imagineers will think that they could have come up with a better idea. And those that don’t mind will probably stay quiet during the whole controversy.

And so Disney takes a hit. But kudos for trying! If Disney doesn’t take a shot at upping the Magic in the Parks, then we complain about the lack of creativity and innovation. And the odds are that in trying, Disney will fail from time to time.

Case in point: Spaceship Earth’s Millennium makeover.

The addition of the number 2000 and the wand didn’t thrill anyone! And here, Disney didn’t make the mistake in trying something new, but in sticking with it too long. Once the Millennium was over, so should the addition have been. But it didn’t go away. It changed to EPCOT and a wand. And it stayed for years!

Disney fans will tolerate an adjustment to an Icon short-term, but not long-term.

Another case in point: Birthday Cake Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Now, again, I thought this was an interesting idea. I can’t imagine how much work it must have been to transform Cinderella Castle into a cake! But Disney fans hated it and it still draws criticism today.

But Disney knew when to quit back then, and the Birthday Cake Castle only lasted a year. I wish I could have seen it in person.

In the world of Rides and Attractions, Disney has tried new things with iconic favorites. Like adding Disney characters to It’s a Small World. Putting the Tiki Room under New Management. And adding a funny queue alternative to The Haunted Mansion.

Many Disney fans freaked, or are freaking, about these changes.

But I think Disney is learning. And maybe listening to the fans. For the Tiki Room has finally returned to the classic variation. And you can bypass the new queue area at the Haunted Mansion.

But in fear I must ask: What Icon will be affected next?

Will Koda join The Country Bear Jamboree? Will we see The Rock in animatronic form along the shores of the Jungle Cruise? Only time, and the Disney Marketing Department, will tell.

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The Living Seas at EPCOT featuring the Disney Divers

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Dis-LEE

I always try to visit The Living Seas at EPCOT when I’m in Walt Disney World. The huge aquarium there is just too cool to pass up. This time around (January of 2014) I was hoping to see the dolphins, but that didn’t happen. Instead, I saw these strange fish:

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Fishius Homosapius Flipperaus

Everyone thought it was funny to be taking pictures of scuba divers instead of the fish, so:

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It’s not easy to get decent pictures through the glass and with the lighting inside the wrap-around aquarium, but even though the end results might not be as polished or perfect, the subject is always interesting!

In conclusion, can anyone identify this strange configuration?

Disney Last Days 034

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Things You May Not Know About Walt Disney World

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Dis-LEE

… that you can find many interesting things just by looking up, down, or behind the obvious photographic opportunities? Today I’m going to share Four Tips that I used when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2010:

DID YOU KNOW NO. 1

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Little details are everywhere

Just after you enter the Park but before you start down the main street, you can find this survey marker (but I’m not going to tell you just where.) It’s obvious that it doesn’t mark the center of the Park, but must be used, or was used to map out the sections at one time or another. It’s a great little Hidden Mickey that most just step on or over on their way to the E-ticket attractions.

So keep your eyes open for what others may miss!

DID YOU KNOW NO. 2

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Characters can be photographed on their own

If you’re patient and then very quick! Often I don’t want to wait in a long line to pose with a character but still want a picture of them. Sometimes there is a lull between guests, perhaps when a child is a bit shy, and must be coaxed to approach. Usually the Cast Member will stay on model and continue to act and move like the character even though there is no guest immediately in view to interact with.

Have your camera ready and capture that one-of-a-kind shot!

DID YOU KNOW NO. 3

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Many attractions have a unique feature

I had visited this attraction, The Tower of Terror, many times before I noticed this fantastic (and eerie) smoke effect. At first it may simply appear as if the sprinklers have come on to water the foliage, but Disney wouldn’t do that and soak guests in line. Once again, it’s something that only patience and/or timing will allow you to capture.

DID YOU KNOW NO. 4

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PhotoPass Photographers will shoot in any direction

I know! As a photographer, you like to be the one taking the pictures. But sometimes you want to be in the shot and so you avail yourself of the PhotoPass option. Most PhotoPass Photographers have their tripods set up to face a particular Disney backdrop. In the photo above, the PPP was actually facing the opposite way so that the Sorcerer’s Hat would be behind us. We hate that hat! So we asked the PPP to swing his tripod around and use the Crossroads booth for our backdrop. After a moment of silence (complete with stunned look) he complied.

This gave us a unique shot that perhaps no one else has, and gave the PPP a new story to tell. Win win.

So did you know these things?

Posted in Attractions, Characters, Disney's PhotoPass, Photography, Walt Disney World | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Disney Movie Rewards: Movie Tickets

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Dis-LEE

You likely know that if you attend a Disney movie you can claim up to four tickets and get 50 points for each added to your Disney Movie Rewards account. The process is easy and is a nice addition to the program.

But did you also know that Marvel movies are also eligible?

I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy on opening night and have submitted my four tickets to collect my 200 points.

Scrncap1     Tickets for blog

Here’s a tip for you: If you are a couple, just ask someone seated near you if you could have their ticket stubs. This is best done after the movie has ended, as people are getting up to leave. I do this at every eligible movie I attend so that I always have four tickets to submit. I haven’t once come upon anyone who knows about the Disney Movie Rewards program, or is even interested after I explain it to them, so no one has ever refused . Go figure! But if they want to throw away free stuff, who am I to stop them? I’ve also picked tickets up off of seats or the floor.

Yes, I’ll do anything for free Disney stuff! Won’t you?

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Wild About Disney at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a unique experience to say the least. Not a thrill-ride Theme Park or just a zoo, it manages to be more than both. Some claim it is a half day Park, but I disagree. If you’re only staying for half a day, you obviously don’t have a camera with you!

I, on the other hand, always have a camera with me:

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Guess where we’re going

The Kilimanjaro Safari is one of the best attractions in the Park. The above shot was taken from a bridge in the queue where you could watch the ride vehicles return to the loading area.

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On board and on our way

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Of course, the animals are the main attraction in this, er… attraction. So let’s see what species are out and about this particular day. Please keep your arms and legs inside the ride vehicle at all times:

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It isn’t the easiest thing to take pictures in a moving vehicle when Disney is trying to give you a realistic Savanna experience! The scenery may be manufactured, but the bumps are very real.

So to the ‘half day Park’ people: Buy a camera and stay a little longer!

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Empty Disneyland Pre-Covid Pandemic

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Dis-LEE

In January of 2013 we visited Disneyland for the first time. We held off for many years because we felt that there was more value in a Walt Disney World vacation, what with the larger Magic Kingdom, and the addition of so many other Theme Parks.

But in the end, the allure of Walt’s First pulled us onto a plane headed for California, where we saw:

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Which way to go first?

Of course, the only choice had to be ‘Disneyland’ itself with Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure waiting for another day. Maybe you notice the peculiar lack of people? I was early to take advantage of an Extra Magic Hour to get in line for tickets to the limited engagement of the Golden Horseshoe Revue revival. Unfortunately, Frontierland is not opened for this extra time, so I had to find something else to do to kill an hour before the regular hours began.

And ‘Yes’, I chose to take photographs!

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Notice again how these areas are empty

Having much of the Park almost to myself to take some uncrowded pictures was magical, to say the least. As others were running to E-ticket attractions to get in an early ride with low wait times, I was enjoying a uninterupted walk around Walt’s dream. I think I made the better choice!

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So empty, even the Cast Members were missing!

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But the ducks were getting ready to great Walt’s guests

OK, I did manage to squeeze in a few rides, like the Matterhorn (never again!) But I’ll always remember this visit for the time I spent ‘alone’ walking the pathways that Walt had walked, and maybe seeing the Park like he did: Like an eager host just waiting for someone to entertain.

EDITORIAL UPDATE: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic (2020), pictures like the ones in this post are all-to easy to obtain! Things will open up again, but let’s not hope for a Park with too many guests, as short wait times for the attractions is a definite plus!

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His and Hers Sombreros at Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Dis-LEE

The last time I visited Walt Disney World and found myself at The World Showcase in EPCOT, I decided to pop in to the Mexico Pavilion. I remembered trying on a sombrero during an earlier trip, and wondered if they were still there.

They weren’t. Pity, because Karen and I had fun seeing who looked better wearing one:

203     204

Votes?

Posted in Attractions, Clothing, Merchandise, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment