Taste Journey Update

As many of you know, I take pictures of the unique food and restaurants in my travels. To make things easier, I linked directly to the Facebook photo album and killed off the un-needed and confusing page here on the blog. Besides, photos, particularly with verifying menus and/or signs lend a bit more cred than just a list. Just a friendly heads up from your fellow food fiend. We now return you to our regularly scheduled buffoonery. Happy munching! :)

A Disney Birthday

Everyone in life has goals they want to accomplish for various reasons, or simply because "That would just be cool!" Me too. One of those was rollerblading along the California coast, which I did in 1992 at Newport Beach. It was a simple pleasure, and it was so worth it.

Just before moving to Orlando, the idea of spending my birthday at Walt Disney World turned into a similar goal. Mickey is a treat anyway, but on your birthday would be even better. This week, I got to live that dream and have the pinnacle of birthdays in my life. From well wishes from family and friends on Twitter, Facebook, and email, to a great group of locals here in Orlando, to Disney's continued excellence, the day was truly epic.

Before we go any further, thanks to Coaster Crew's Matt Grass for this article's photo. Great shot! You can also see more pictures from the day in my 2010 Disney World Birthday album on Facebook.

As you can imagine it was a busy day with much going on during our group's time at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, so here's the sum up:

• Trying for an early start and realizing it was a painful way start to the day...and laughing about it. It did set the mood for much humor once we did get going around 10 am.
• Not five minutes at Epcot, I dropped my Blackberry, cracking the screen in two places. As Mr. Eric Long pointed out, "Crackberry" was no longer just a clever name, but fact. While concerned...oh who am I kidding? I'm at bloody Epcot! You could've amputated my left leg and told me I was a leper for how excited I was.
• Cassie disappeared into Guest Realtions and returned with a birthday button for me to wear. Nice! Free swag gooooood!
• Started off the park time at Coca Cola trying different flavors...and getting much needed caffeine. Beverly is still nasty, German coke helps get rid of said nasty, and there's video of the whole thing.
• First ride of the day was Test Track. Missed World of Motion in a few ways, but a great rework. Even put my hands up on the outside high speed turns. (Yes you read that right.) On a side note, there's a lady in Huntsville Alabama who's proud of me for riding and being less of a weenie, despite the motion sick thing. Thanks Jessie. ;)
• Nixed Mission Space on even the less intense side. Just didn't want to risk feeling lousy all day. Remember, I said LESS of a weenie.
• First character pic (of several throughout the day) was Aurora near France. She taught me the proper gentleman's way to stand next to a lady of quality. This was an unexpected honor and a valuable lesson. Thank you again good lady.
• Soaked in the beautiful landscaping and wonderful architecture of World Showcase. Really appreciate those fine points so much more now.
• Next photo op was Snow White. From voice to giggle, to mannerisms, you'd swear she stepped right off the screen. It was an honor to meet someone so talented. Outstanding job!
• Morocco had some of my favorite architecture. Kept feeling like Indiana Jones again while walking the area.
• After a fun photo op with Jasmine and Aladdin, it was off to Japan, where I lucked out on a Zen garden shot that included the Shinto arch, but the Mexican Pavillion perfectly aligned in the background.
• While in Japan's main gift store, a cast member wished me happy birthday and bowed. I thanked her, and immediately out of habit, returned bow. This surprised her, she giggled and said, "Oh! Ok." I grinned and said, "Old martial arts habit." Don't think she expected that. (chuckling)
• Had lunch at the Biergarten Buffet and caught the show. The festive atmosphere and most tasty German food were an excellent call. Our cast member Natalia, was exceptional, even getting coloring book and crayons that helped soothe the fussy toddler next to us. She and another gentleman gave me a birthday card and she even posed for a picture with me. Can't be sure, but it sounded like this was her first day on the job. If so, wow!
• After lunch was a photo op with Mexican Donald who kidded me about my name (RapidsNerd) and flirted with Cassie quite a bit. Yeah, Donald was a hoot and had everyone laughing.
• On the way to Soarin' we bumped into Chip and Dale. Yup, autographs on the birthday card and photos. Also proved there's nothing a couple of nuts won't do for another. ;)
• Once my height fears settled down, I really enjoyed Soarin. Not only some inspiring arial views, but the scent system was interesting. Smelling the pine trees while flying over them was neat. Also made me miss my helicopter tours Microsoft Flight Simulator.
• Stopped by The Character Spot (old Commicore East and West for those who remember). A short 25 minute wait, and we went down the line for pics with Mickey, Pluto, Minnie, Donald (who's a ninja fast costume change artist) and Goofy. Meeting them was well worth the short wait as was the cast member who said I looked 23 after a birthday wish. Well said and gave me a good laugh.
• Ended up riding Monorail Teal to Magic Kingdom. This was the new train made out of the two that crashed. There was still pink trim inside our compartment. My heart goes out to the driver lost and his family. As expected, no rides at all in the driver compartment.
• During the monorail ride, we were treated to a know-it-all teenager with an annual pass trying to prove his Disney superiority. Sorry kid, cast member knowledge > fan knowledge.
• Coaster Crew's Matt Grass nailed a terrific shot of Partner's statue and castle. Not a bad picture of me either. Liked it so much, it's accompanying this article. Thanks Matt!
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin was high on my list since my shooting dark ride addiction started with Men In Black and Toy Story Mania. Definitely a fun ride. Scored 96,600 (Space Ranger 1st Class?). And lo and behold, Buzz Lightyear was right outside. Picture time! To the threequal...and beyond!
• Remember the birthday card from lunch? It disappeared somehere between monorail ride and Space Rangers. Yes folks, FAIL!
• About this time Matt made and excellent call for ice cream. Mmmm, Coke Float...
• While in the gift shop near the ice cream place (Tomorrow Land), I picked up a few pins to go with my Vinylmation Lanyard and ticket holder. The teenager girl ahead of me was 16 cents short and walked off to find money. I offered the cashier my spare change and settled the bill. The girl came back and tried to pay. It took a couple times before she realized what happened. She then offered me the dollar in her hand. I quietly declined. She then gave me a hug and a thank you. Ok, I'll take that. Hey, somebody did the same for me once.
• After ice cream and new pins, it was time to see the Princesses and Fairies for photo ops. Yes, I realize I'm hemoraging man points here, but wouldn't you want take a picture with a beautiful woman if the opportunity presented itself? Needless to say, it was a delight to pose with Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora once again. I thanked Aurora for her lesson earlier that day and she asked if I'd practiced since then. Yes ma'am. Well, she is royalty after all!
• Sadly, the wait was huge for the Faeries and our cameras were almost out of juice. Had hoped to get a picture with the very pretty Tinkerbell (manpoints be damned!). With all of the other photos ops throughout the day, this was not a loss and could wait another visit.
• At this point it was about five in the evening. Our party now included The Legend and we walked onto Winnie The Pooh and Sleeping Beauty. Nice little odes to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Winnie the Pooh. Toad offering the property deed to Owl was a nice touch in one scene. Aww, I miss that ride.
• Mickey's Philharmagic was next. Cool medley of popular disney movies, redone in 3d. And yes, Philhar-pie lived up to it's smell-good billing.
• Haunted Mansion was also a walk on. The updated audio and scenes really added to the already great ride. Also got a picture of Madam Leota's head stone to honor my World of Warcraft character based on her. It's a double dose of dorktacular folks. ;)
• Next up was a short wait for Jungle Cruise amid the evening chill. Side note, the backside of water is AMAZING. Seriously.
• Natatomic from Theme Park Review met us in Adventure land. We took a Dole Whip break and sat for a bit, talking coasters and other goings on before taking up position for Wishes on Main street. So glad you could make it out Natatomic!
• First time seeing wishes and enjoyed it. Definitely worth taking in if you get the chance.
• Cassie, Legend, and Natatomic all had to bail after the mad dash to exit Magic Kingdom and I was really tired and hungry. Matt and I monorailed over to Epcot to get his car and find the nearest McDonalds. I needed a cheeseburger, STAT!
• When Matt dropped me off at Legend's apartment, there were some "interesting" goings on that kept us from walking right in. Finally, when we did get in, there was a lit birthday cake on the counter. Yep, I'd been had...for the past few days. LOL! What a great way to end an exceptional day! Hearing all the trickery that went on was really funny. Needless to say, I have some VERY sneaky and good friends. Thanks again you guys. :)

So much happened this day, and it was over in a blink. Simply put, I could not have asked for any more. My heartfelt thanks to all for making it such a wonderful day. :)

TL Brown's Debut Album 2U

What do you get when you combine a singer with roots in Alabama, Bel Biv Devoe, Barry White, a whole lotta Soul, Hip Hop, and a variety of 80's and 90's influences? You get TL Brown's new album 2U.

Admittedly, while I can GREATLY appreciate the contributions from both the Hip Hop and Soul musical communities, they just aren't my preference. Even so, 2U was an enjoyable and smoothe listen, as well as an inspired blending of the above musical styles. Mr. Brown also throws in some interesting cadences in places that freshen things up as well as atmospheric effects to further tell certain musical stories. Translation: Unexpected variety and experimentation. As a fellow artist in the general sense of the word, I applaud this move in the name of creativity.

2U is a solid (yes I went there) debut and Mr. Brown should be proud. Good bet we'll see more good things from him in the years to come.

You find out more about this up and coming artist at the following:
www.myspace.com/tlbrownmusic2
www.facebook.com/tlbrownmusic2
www.youtube.com/user/tlbrownmusic

New Theme Park Show Blog

As everybody knows, part of the fun of blogging is talking about things you enjoy. There's also joy in carving a niche for yourself and covering unique topics. CASe in point, there's a new blog out by a friend of mine covering theme park shows. I think this is a great idea since there is a whole subset of theme park fans who really enjoy the shows or eventually want to work in them. Check it out!

http://thatthemeparkthespian.blogspot.com/

Just as someone did for me a year and a half ago, Welcome to the club Cassie! ;)

Guitarist and Didgeridoo Player Dominic Gaudious

My first week in Orlando, a buddy of mine and I went over to Downtown Disney to see the sights. While he caught me up on what all had changed at Pleasure Island, we noticed a couple hundred people gathered over by Wetzel's Pretzels. Their focus was on a lone guitarist with a couple didgeridoos. What we heard was incredible.

Dominic Gaudious was playing a double neck acoustic guitar (12 and 6 string) through distortion, pulling off not only heavy rock riffs and 80's arpeggios, but throwing in didgeridoo as an alternate talk box effect. The result was a driving rock song, the switched to something tribal and Aborigine and back again...and the crowd loved it! No kidding people were dancing and cheering for this guy and for bloody good reason.

I had a chance to meet the talented Mr. Gaudious this past week. He graciously signed a CD and posed for a pic while on a short break, smiling and content the whole time. Needless to say, I had to write about him here.

Upon further listening, Dominic Gaudious is not just a rock riff meister, but seems to draw a variety of musical influences. Listen carefully and you'll hear bits of Disco, John Tesh, Rock, Santana, and, of course World music. You'll also hear a very genuine and simple level of fun in his playing.

If you're in the Orlando area, check out this performer at Downtown Disney. Also check him out online at www.DominicGaudious.com.

Thanks again to Mr. Gaudious and best wishes!

Media Publishing Credits and Appearances

Here's a look at projects I've contributed to other media outlets, as well as some appearances. Special thanks to all these great folks!

• Star Wars: WSMI Photo - Published with Redstone Rocket article
• The Credit Whore Article - Coaster101.com
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Trip Report - Coaster101.com
• Imagicopter Book Tour Videos
• Imagicopter Waypoint 1 Hernando, MS Photos
• Imagicopter Waypoint 2 GMX Convention Trip Report
• Imagicopter Waypoint 3 Jackson, MS Photos
• Imagicopter Waypoint 5 Corinth, MS Photos
• Contributed multiple video segments for Season 3 of The A Walk In The Park Podcast
• 2009 Point Mallard Water Park Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2009 U.S. Space and Rocket Center and Panoply Arts Festival Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2009 ConNooga Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2009 RV Show Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2008 Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2008 Florence Ren Faire Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2008 North East Alabama Fair + Oktoberfest Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2008 Opryland USA Remnants Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2007 Opryland USA Remnants Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2007 Alabama MisAdventure Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• 2007 Southern Adventures, Space and Rocket Center, Former Get-A-Way Skate Park Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• Retro Mini Photo TR: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com
• Mini Retro Walt Disney World Photo TR Trip Report - ThemeParkReview.com

Appearances

• 2010 Nerd Returns to Orlando Video - Matt Grass/Coaster Crew
• 2010 Coaster Crew and friends at Fun Spot. Video Part1, Video Part2.
• As Otto Von Clank/Steampunk 2009 Geek Media Expo (GMX)
• As Otto Von Clank/Steampunk Airship Revenger Crew 2009 ConNooga
• As Otto Von Clank/Steampunk Airship Revenger Crew 2008 Crisis Con
• Guest on Coaster Crew's In The Loop Podcast 2009.

Jane Wiedlin in new movie "STUCK!"

If you're a GoGo's/Jane Wiedlin fan, be sure to check this out if you're in the LA area:

"JaneWiedlin
http://twitpic.com/xydun - I'll be at the LA premiere of “STUCK!” at The Egyptian Theatre on Wed, February 3, 2010!" - Quoted from Twitter.com

Always good to see folks striking out on new creative projects and doing new things. This is essential to grow and progress as an artist, especially in your own quest for personal satisfaction.

Jane, everybody here at the blog (that's my multiple-personalities and I) wishes you well. Congratulations! :)

Downtown Disney

Sometimes the simple and unexpected can yield life's quiet little pleasures. Case in point, my sunny and cool impromptu morning photo shoot at Downtown Disney.

I originally intended to pick up a couple more pins for my ever growing collection, when creative inspiration tapped me on the shoulder...and grinned. Yep, picture time, especially with hardly anyone around and good morning light. You can see those pictures HERE if you're so inclined.

Yes, just a quiet morning I felt like sharing. Hope you all enjoy. :)

Disney Hollywood Studios

The year of a thousand surprises continued yesterday with a trip to Disney Hollywood Studios...in the rain...and 30 degree temps...This IS Florida still, right?

Cold snap jokes aside, it was good to see what used to be Disney MGM Studios from my high school years. So much happened, there's just not enough time (or worn down, typed out fingers) to put it all here, so, I give you the sum up:

• Cold and rainy day.
• Fail cam died, came back to life, and then battery died...after a full night charge! "You have failed me for the last time..." Buh-bye Failcam and thank you to Blackberry for a wonderful backup.
• Rode Star Tours, loved the Tatooine Traders gift shop, and got a pic on an Imperial speeder bike. Bought a Jedi Academy badge that said Jesus on it along with a Stormtrooper helmet with mouse ears pin.
• Saw Muppets 3D twice during the day and enjoyed it much. Now that's my kind of humor!
• Our friend Ron (TY on the catch Cassie) made it into American Idol, but did not make the evening show cut. All the singers were good, but he had the better stage presence. Ron giving Fake Aussie Simon the evil eye was priceless. The little girl who said Ron was her idol was adorable. (She really started to cry when Ron lost. Awwww...)
• Rode Toy Story Midway Mania, aka Wii: The Ride. Though the initial concept did not appeal to me at all, it was well themed and enjoyable. Simply put, Disney did a very good job with this ride and I was wrong. (Insert chorus of "I told you so's" from our friends at Theme Park Review here.) ;) Scored 109,500 with a 43% accuracy. Respectible for a noob.
• Enjoyed the Block Party Bash parade more than exptected. One of the Nerf balls landed right in my hand while I was checking Blackberry for messages. Thump! And there it was.
• Yes friends, pure awesome is a hot fudge sundae on a freezing day while your friends ride Tower of Terror. No line, hungry, and resourcefulness for the win. And I'd do it again too!
• Picked up an Aerosmith Photographer badge at the Rockin Roller Coaster gift shop. This, and Jedi Jesus badge will now be standard park wear from here on.
• Saw One Man's Dream Walt Disney retrospect. Loved the scale models for things like Typhoon Lagoon and had no idea how much Walt had struggled between successes. While the failures aren't talked about as much as the successes, this made me appreciate his work and legacy so much more.
• Enjoyed the Lights Motor Action stunt show and would love to take the backwards hero car for days drive on the freeway, just for the reactions.
• Did The Great Movie Ride. While I missed the slime dripping from the ceiling Alien, Jessica, our cast member was both entertaining and had some great trivia to offer during the ride. Kudos to her. And the Wicked Witch of the West animatronic is still awesome after all these years.
• Saw the Pixar Lamp (Luxo?) dance and jump to different music outside Toy Story Midway Mania. Another excellent and fluidly-moving animatronic. We laughed when it sulked instead of dancing to polka music. Quote of the day: "Was that Gumby?" - Random lady after watching the Pixar Lamp.
• Caught Beauty and the Beast. Hats off to some VERY cold performers. Know that was a tough performance day for them, but they did well. And the sundae costume that folded down into a lady in a ball gown was a very cool trick.
• I grabbed a drink to go in a souvenir cup from Pizza Planet. Yes, there's really a themed counter service restaurant! Had to do it.
• Cassie, Cody, and Ron all got in on a street performance group composed of an Italian Mel Brooks Director, Chicago Beat Cop, and Self Absorbed Starlet. All did well, but the Starlet especially was hysterical, particularly the way she would rapidly flap her tongue when saying "love". We all ended up getting Mardis Gras bead gold trophies from the director. Yay for bonus swag!
• In addition to the Star Wars pin, Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom pins were added. Saw a very cool Mickey Indiana Jones pin with a rotating boulder. Also saw more of the YoYo pins (Stitch, Chip n Dale, Mickey). Tower of Terror had a colorful Fantasmic pin with the dragon on it, that might wind up being a future addition. So....many.....cool.....pins.......must....resist....urge....to sell.....body......on....street corner....
• Took photos with Mr. Fredrickson, Russel, and the dog from Up. Even got to use Mr. Fredrickson's walker! Didn't know who they were, nor seen the movie, but it was fun. Saw the movie later that night. "I do not like the cone of shame."

Like any adventure, the sights and sounds are always exciting, but the people you're with are what really make the difference. Needless to say, I've met some good ones once again, and an otherwise cold, nasty day was made grand. :)

A Night at Universal CityWalk

Had a great night out with friends with drinks and karoake at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and Catch a Rising Star. Found 3 more pins for the rapidly growing collection (thank you Hard Rock Cafe!). Shot some great video of Cassie bringing the house down at CaRS while the crowd with a most excellent vibe cheered her on (we're talking a couple hundred people here easily). Even had a spur of the moment psuedo job interview at one of the shops. Also got some cool night pictures with the Blackberry. Yes, an epic night indeed!

CoCo Key Indoor Water Park Construction

Just a short update on the CoCo Key construction off I drive. Passed it Tuesday on the way to Millenia Mall and saw several wooden racks of multi-colored slide parts sitting up against the fence near the highway. There's even a sign that grabs your attention. Traffic was just too dodgy to attempt a drive-by picture. Looks like things are moving along on that project. Will try for a closer look in the next few days and hopfully have some progress to talk about.

New Tech Behind Old Disneyland Lincoln

From Coaster Crew website: http://www.coastercrew.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2671

Thought is was a fascinating read about the technology involved and the detailed updating to the Abe Lincoln animatronic. They've basically rebuilt Abe from the ground up, using Computer Aided Design, updated techniques, and 3D printing, while adding more movement to his jaw and face.

Robotics, as a topic, has always fascinated me. Of course, Disney has been a groudbreaker in this department for many years, and their technology just gets better.

My fandom started with Sci-Fi movies like Aliens, that featured the J-5000 Power Loader Ripley uses to put the smack-down on the alien queen. When we took a our second trip to Walt Disney World, Communicore East and West featured Expo Robotics (circa 1992) that showed the latest in assembly line robotics and their precision capabilities. Some robotic arms scanned peoples faces and would draw caricatures while others spun tops and balanced them on sword blades. Anyone remember Bird and The Robot from World of Motion? I sure do.

In the last several years, we've seen the advent of mobile attractions that are very well detailed and believeable. Lucky the Dinosaur and Muppet Mobile Labs are two such examples. Good grief, I was impressed with the hulking walking platform with flat screens for eyes that was shown as a prototype on a Discovery Channel special. The former refinement were all the more impressive after seeing the prototype.

More recently I've seen both the Jack Sparrow additions to Pirates of the Caribbean and Hopper animatronic in It's Tough to be a Bug. The fluidity of movement and the improvements in the technology are almost scary, particularly of with Mr. Sparrow. VERY hard to believe that was not a real actor in places.

Now I'm curious to see Mr. Lincoln's show at Disneyland as well as the updated Hall of Presidents featuring "RObama".

The First Disney Collector Pins

Yes, my pin collecting career has begun. There will also be Hard Rock pins in the future. Pin/Button and Magnet photo albums coming soon.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Well gang, the rough year that was 2009 went out with a bang. I was treated to a surprise trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom! An early get-up had us over at the park around 8:30 or 9. While on our way over, the Magic Kingdom's access roads were filling up fast. You knew it would be a busy day. And it was.

Animal Kingdom was park I'd always wanted to see and it was absolutely gorgeous! Everywhere you look is lush greenery. The bamboo towers over many of the walkways while stone markers and themed ruins along the nature trails make you feel like Indiana Jones. You'll see everything from Otters to Komodo Dragons here, amidst carved stone and water falls. This very much reminded me of the atriums at Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Our first stop was the Safari, on which a couple Ostriches passed within 6 feet of the truck (How YOU doin?), and some of us got air time after a bump in the road. Yes, my backside went up about 8 inches out of the seat. Good laugh and marveled at all the animals, inluding a rare up and at'em lioness.

After just missing the time for the Lion King show, we opted to get pictures with Santa Goofy, Minnie, and Donald Duck. Yes, I was on my best behavior! Goofy sniffed my armpit and broke wind right when we took the picture. Minnie was decked out in her Christmas sweater and apparently she's a "hugger". Hey, Minnie was sweet to me and I appreciated that. Even Donald was enthusiastic in his Safari gear. Probably had his Starducks coffee. Get it? Starducks? (crickets)...ahem. Moving on...

While some of the group road Expedition Everest, it was prime time to get pics and video of the ride in the observation area. With rides done and pictures taken, we stopped for some of the best soft serve ice cream I've ever had! My Coke float (aka breakfast) was most tasty.

Our next stop was Kali River Rapids for more pics and vids. Do you have any idea how hard it is to be a Rapids enthusiast and NOT ride? Well, I had to pass on this one because of the drop on the end. Hated to, because it was a pleasent 74 degrees out and the ride looked like fun, but when big drops make you feel like a cross between hang over and jet lag, it's not worth it. Even so, the time eating ice cream and hanging out on the bridge above the ride channel was still a lot of fun. I really do like the expedition themeing, complete with backpacks, on the boats. No doubt, Kali River Rapids will kick off the pin collection as soon as one is found.

Time to head back to Lion King...and find out you're a pig. Well, a Warthog really, as per how they divided up the audience. Giraffe, Lion, and Elephant were the others. This was a colorful and well done show, complete with large mobile set pieces, stilt walkers (always a favorite), a fire juggler (who probably doubles over at the Polynesian Luau), and acrobatic monkeys. I STILL get chills everytime I hear the opening to Circle of Life. The four hosts, particularly the Michael Clark Duncan fellow and the sweet and sassy Warthog leader lady, all did a great job getting people into the show. After a questionable elephant trumpet, the Michael Clark Duncan guy said with a grin "That's an elephant sound I won't soon forget."

Next up was to explore the Tree of Life and it's remarkable carvings. Some terrific detail here and it's really fun to play "find the animal" in not only the main tree, but also the sprawling roots. For those that don't know, the structure is a modified oil derrick with a theatre below. That theatre is where we saw, It's Tought to be a Bug. Yes, we were bug sprayed, swatted, stung, squirted, and farted on...all in 3D! Flik and friends from A Bug's Life, put on a brief but entertaining show. I think exiting is the best part. No, that's not a shot at all. Some comical stuff happens, and if you've seen the show, you understand. ;)

And then there was Dinosaur, or Animal Kingdom's answer to Indiana Jones and The Temple of the Forbidden Eye at Disneyland. This is where I got set up (looks at cohorts with raised eyebrow). Apparently front row, right end, is the prime seat for a suprise during the ride, complete with onride photo proof at the end. Dinosaur was fun, and it almost set off my motion sickness with all of the movement. There were a few times I had to shut the eyes to keep composure. Needless to say, I wasn't walking straight for a bit after, but recovered quickly enough. Still enjoyed it and had a good laugh at the set up.

We did the gift shop thing before heading home for the day. Yeah, I'm coming back for Disney kitchen stuff as well as pins and magnets. How can you not like a Micky Mouse Butt egg timer or Mickey pot holders? There's a possibility of some Vinylmation figures too. Even saw a small model monorail. Other noteworthy souvenir swag: Disney Star Wars Figures (Goofy as Darth Maul, Stitch as Yoda, etc.), TONS of pins for trading, Muppet Star Wars Figures (Beaker as C3PO, etc), Skull Pirate Mouse Ears, Yeti Ball and Mini Yeti Christmas Ball, and a Winnie the Pooh Animal Kingdom magnet, where Pooh is facing a real tiger and says "Tigger, is that you?"

Oh indeed, this was a grand way to wrap up 2009 and I owe those who made it possible a BIG thank you. This was a treat! And thank you to Disney for a great day! :)