My one quiet voice from the Gator Nation with photos, movie reviews and more …
D7
I now have 16 photo galleries of all our Disney photos (this is the seventh)!
Below, click one image for larger photos in a gallery format!
Here’s another nice shot Allison got at the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom on March 6, 2016. We were doing a long weekend at Walt Disney World when we caught the parade.
Here’s a shot I got Feb. 6, 2016, of Star Wars Storm Troopers at the newly opened Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Star Wars is a major theme that’s taking over a chunk of Studios, including Streets of America and our favorite snack shop: the Writer’s Stop. We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend when we visited Studios.
Now here’s a father at Walt Disney World. He’s got it all: he’s with his children; they’re having a moment; and he’s wearing his Mickey Mouse ears. You don’t see any better Disney experience than what you see here! I got this shot as we went to dinner in Italy in the World Showcase of EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016.
The view across the water from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is always nice, but a really neat photo is always available on a clear day when you can get some backlighting with the sun. I got this shot at Walt Disney World on Feb. 5, 2016, as we walked from our room at the Beach Club to EPCOT for dinner.
Allison got this shot of the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 6, 2016. We were doing a long weekend at Walt Disney World when we caught the parade.
Allison likes shooting night images and here’s one she got at the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 6, 2016. We were doing a long weekend at Walt Disney World when we caught the parade.
The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios features scene from classic films (the ride is now sponsored by Turner Classic Movies). Here’s a shot of the “Wicked Witch of the West” appearing and then disappearing in a swirl of smoke in the scene from “The Wizard of Oz.” I got this shot Feb. 6, 2016, while we were at Walt Disney World.
Take a look at Debbie and my new Magic Bands. We got them for renewing our passes (we’re “Silver” now … in the past we were Florida resident seasonal passholders). Allison ordered them ahead of our next trip to Walt Disney World in May. Oh, yes, and a day trip this month, too! We now have more than 20 of the Magic Bands from all of our visits to WDW.
Who’s more menacing? The Walt Disney World cast member at right (in dark shirt) escorting these two Star Wars Storm Troopers or the storm troopers themselves? I got this shot as the characters “interrogated” guests outside Voyage of The Little Mermaid near the newly opened Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Feb. 6, 2016.
Sigh. Everyone should realize change happens, but our family doesn’t like the plans to close a neat, quiet café called the “Writer’s Stop.” It can be found near Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and next to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, just as the Streets of America will be replaced during an expansion of Star Wars at Walt Disney World, it will be closing by early May. We enjoy it because it is an oasis of quiet even on the busiest days. I got this shot of its understated window on my iPhone on Feb. 6, 2016.
Not every guest likes it when it rains at Walt Disney World, but Allison sees an opportunity for photography. Here’s a shot of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom with reflection from the wet ground between Allison and the castle creating neat reflections. She got the shot Feb. 6, 2016, while we were on a long weekend visit.
Here’s a scene you won’t see for very much longer: the quietness of a shop is called the “Writer’s Stop.” It can be found near Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and next to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, just as the Streets of America will be replaced during an expansion of Star Wars at Walt Disney World, it will be closing by early May. We have always enjoyed it because it is an oasis of quiet on busy days at the park. I got this shot on my iPhone on Feb. 6, 2016, during a long weekend visit.
Here’s “The Lion King” character “Rafiki” headed out from greeting guests at Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot Feb. 7, 2016, while we were on the ride during a long weekend visit to Walt Disney World.
Allison got this shot at dusk as we returned to Disney’s Beach Club Resort on Feb. 5, 2016. The setting sun illuminates the other side of the resort, while leaving our side in semi-darkness and makes the lights at the resort and on the transportation boat easily visible. We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend and was returned from our dinner in EPCOT.
Here’s another view of a skywriter over Walt Disney World. We were headed to dinner at the Tutto Italia Ristorante at the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016, when I got this shot. This view is from the Japan Pavilion.
We were headed to dinner at the Tutto Italia Ristorante at the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016, when I got this shot of a skywriter doing his or her work. The skywriter got “TRUST J” out before winds apparently began to blow the writing apart (and we went inside the restaurant). We were back at Walt Disney World to celebrate Allison’s birthday.
Well, we recently stayed at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and I got this photo of a sign – there’s no swimming at the Beach Club beach. Actually the Yacht Club and Beach Club share the best pool facility of all the resorts at Walt Disney World. I this shot on Feb. 5, 2016, as we walked from our room at the Beach Club to EPCOT for dinner.
No, this isn’t a remake of the movie classic “The Birds.” I was trying to get some stop-motion shots of birds flying above and swooping around Main Street and near the Cinderella Castle when I captured this image. It was a brisk morning at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016, during a long weekend visit to Walt Disney World when I got this photo.
I never get tired of beautiful morning skies while we’re at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Here’s the beautiful cloud formation that greeted us on Feb. 6, 2016, as we were headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios via water transportation (it’s turning to make its approach to the dock). We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend.
OK, it’s your basic seagull, but I like the photo. I got it Feb. 6, 2016, at the boat landing area of the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts (we were at the Beach Club) while waiting for transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We were doing a long weekend at Walt Disney World when I got the shot.
Here are some flames that erupt during The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ride was updated (sponsored by Turner Classic Movies) with a refurbishment that re-opened to the public in 2015. I got this shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
I love shots of balloons. Here’s one where the hanging plant looks like it should be among its lighter-than-air friends. I got the shot on a brisk morning at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016, during a long weekend visit to Walt Disney World.
Want to spend some REAL money at Walt Disney World? Well, at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can plunk down $9,000 for a Life Sized First Order Stormtrooper Statue. I got this shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
I like the design of the sign for the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. So, I take photos of it. Here’s one. Pretty simple, huh? We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend when I got the shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
Mickey Mouse ears are synonymous with and can be spotted everywhere at Walt Disney World. I always take photos of guests wearing the ears and this guy has a set of ears that feature the Sorcerer’s Hat that was once the icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (it’s since been removed in the remodel of much of that park). We were at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016, when I got the shot.
It’s difficult to see in this photo (impossible?), but there’s a bald eagle perched on top of one of the large roof figures at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. I got this shot Feb. 6, 2016, while we were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend. We were using the water transportation to go from our lodging at Disney’s Beach Club Resort to go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
You want strollers? Well, Walt Disney World has corrals of them. Here’s a shot from the character signing area next to the Star Wars Launch Bay. I got it on Feb. 6, 2016, and that’s quite a roundup of perfectly parked strollers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Here are the characters Chip ’n’ Dale at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I got the shot on Feb. 5, 2016, while we were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend visit. They have their own guest experience at another park: Meet Chip ’n’ Dale near The Diamond Horseshoe.
Here’s the entrance hallway to the newly opened Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Star Wars is a major theme that’s taking over a chunk of Studios, including Streets of America and our favorite snack shop: the Writer’s Stop. I got this shot Feb. 6, 2016, while we were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend when we visited Studios.
This bird is not part of the Fife and Drum Tavern at the World Showcase at EPCOT. I caught it in this photo just after it alighted from a quick flight from the World Showcase Lagoon on Feb. 5, 2016, during our long weekend at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a nice nighttime shot Allison got of the Cinderella Castle on Feb. 6, 2016, while she and Debbie were at the Magic Kingdom. I was back at our room at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and getting recharged for the next day.
You can see the string of monkeys from the Toy Story Midway Mania’s barrel of monkeys, but that’s not the only interesting detail in this photo. Look at the top of the building in the upper left side of the photo. What’s he doing up there? Allison got this shot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Feb. 26, 2016, during her quick stop at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a close-up shot of “John” – the narrator of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. The Carousel of Progress has a bunch of interesting back stories, including that “John” has been voiced by the late Jean Shepherd – he wrote the book that is the basis of the film “A Christmas Story.” Anyway, I got the shot on Feb. 7, 2016, during a long weekend at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a view from the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride. It’s a moment before you drop down … way, way down! Allison got the shot on Feb. 26, 2016, as she was headed home from the University of Florida for Spring Break. I don’t know if it’s scarier to ride in the day for a view like this, or at night when the darkness brings a different dimension in the ride at Walt Disney World. Of course, it’s located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
February is a time you see trimmed trees that will soon bloom in either a leafy canopy or give an explosion of color. Here’s one at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, where we stayed during a long weekend at Walt Disney World. I got the shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
Well, you won’t be seeing this view for very long. This is Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it is being dismantled to make way for an expansion of Star Wars at Walt Disney World. I got this shot while we were there Feb. 5, 2016, for a long weekend visit.
Well, it looks like this Walt Disney World vessel (it’s the “Friendship I” if you look close enough at the bottom center of the windshield) had at least one big scrape! We were waiting to board it on Feb. 6, 2016, as we headed from our room at Disney’s Beach Club Resort to go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios when Allison got the shot.
If you want a definition of ubiquitous, then here’s the visual: a character greeting guests at Walt Disney World. Allison got this shot of Goofy signing autographs for these children at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Feb. 26, 2016.
Several days ago, I used a shot of the wheel of a Walt Disney World transportation vessel to illustrate a rainy day. Well, here’s a shot on a WDW bus where the driver’s wearing gloves on a cold morning. We were headed to the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016, when I took the photo. We at Walt Disney World at the end of a long weekend visit.
We never did find out which VIP was staying at the Beach Club resort at Walt Disney World on Feb. 7, 2016, while we were staying there (obviously someone with our impeccable taste in lodging). However, we did see this Florida Highway Patrol cruiser join another parking at the resort on that Sunday morning. We know the Florida Highway Patrol doesn’t investigate crimes at resorts, so we thought that the troopers were there for escort duty.
What’s that smoke? Well, it’s not smoke. It’s steam from the Walt Disney World Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot while riding on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover on Feb. 7, 2016, during a long weekend at Walt Disney World.
I got this shot of a seagull coming in for a landing on the sign for Casey’s Corner restaurant at the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016. We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend and were headed back to Main Street, U.S.A. when birds began to land in the area.
We were at Walt Disney World on Feb. 6, 2016, when I got this shot of the main lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. We stopped on our way to the Magic Kingdom on the Resort Monorail and stopped to do some shopping. Live music for guests is a really nice touch.
Here’s a shot I got of the iconic Spaceship Earth sphere at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016. You can see the glow from the setting sun’s last rays – but I can tell you the photo doesn’t do justice to seeing it yourself. We were back at Walt Disney World on a long weekend when I got the photo.
The neat design of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover makes a nice frame for a photo out over one of the entrances to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. I got this shot Feb. 7, 2016, while we were on the ride during a long weekend visit to Walt Disney World.
Here’s a look at the new(er) security measure being taken at Walt Disney World – making selected guests go through metal detectors. I got this shot at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom on Feb. 7, 2016, as a security official led guests to the tent where the metal detector was housed.
We’re back at Walt Disney World to celebrate Allison’s birthday. On Saturday (Feb. 6, 2016), we found a little (some … well, a lot) of rain falling. Here’s a shot I got of the raindrops on the windshield of the WDW transportation boat taking us from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to our room at the Beach Club resort.
Hooray! The whole family is back at Walt Disney World today! It’s the first time in 2016 that we’ve all been here together. We’re here for a long weekend to celebrate Allison’s birthday. Here’s a shot she got yesterday (Feb. 5, 2016) of one of my favorite subjects – the central hub at EPCOT. Allison used the design in the center of the hub to accentuate Spaceship Earth.
What are these? Well, if you’re under the age of 25, you might have only seen one in photos. It’s a pair of pay telephones. We were at Disney’s Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World on Feb. 7, 2016, when I got this shot.
Why are these people seated facing the back main entrance to the Beach Club Resort? It’s because the sun would be shining directly into their eyes if they turned around. We were at Walt Disney World on Feb. 7, 2016, when I got the shot.
Allison was on yet another day trip to Walt Disney World when she got this shot on Jan. 30, 2016. She and some friends traveled from the University of Florida and went to the Magic Kingdom where she got this shot with her new Nikon on Space Mountain.
Well, today we’re back at Walt Disney World. It will be my first time this year, while Allison has been there twice already in 2016. Here’s a shot she got at the Magic Kingdom. “Star Wars” is pervasive throughout WDW and here’s a balloon of the new hit robot BB-8.
Allison got this shot of a performer’s wonderful expression during the parade at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on Jan. 17, 2016.
Allison got some nice shots of the daily parade at the Magic Kingdom on Jan. 17, 2016. Here’s another shot of a character. Allison was at Walt Disney World on a day trip when she got the shot.
Yesterday, I posted a photo that Allison got with her iPhone showing her Nikon’s image of Pluto greeting a service dog at the Magic Kingdom on Jan. 17, 2016. Well, here’s the original photo from her Nikon. Allison was at Walt Disney World on a day trip.
Even with a reservation, the restaurants at Walt Disney World can have a line. Make sure you have a reservation, but when you do you still might get one of these. We were waiting at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when I grabbed this pedestrian shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
Here’s “Elsa” from the sing-along performance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Allison shot this photo while she was at Walt Disney World on a day trip on Jan. 17, 2016.
Allison was visiting Disney again yesterday (Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016) on another day trip to Walt Disney World — coming down from the University of Florida at Gainesville. It was her first visit of the new year. Here’s an interesting shot: she used her iPhone to snap this shot of a photo she had just taken at the Magic Kingdom. It shows the character Pluto enjoying a moment with a guest’s service dog.
Allison got some nice shots of the daily parade at the Magic Kingdom on Jan. 17, 2016. Here’s Donald Duck getting a buss from Daisy. Allison was at Walt Disney World on a day trip when she got the shot.
While waiting on the fireworks near the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, Allison got this nighttime shot. It was her second trip to Walt Disney World this year.
Allison got this shot of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom during her day trip Jan. 30, 2016, to Walt Disney World.
Here’s a shot of the Cinderella statute in the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this shot during her visit to Walt Disney World on Jan. 17, 2016.
Well, we’re headed back to Walt Disney World next month! We got our Magic Bands yesterday (Jan. 20, 2016)! I will start posting as soon as we get there!
I like this shot Allison got of performers during the Main Street parade at the Magic Kingdom on Jan. 17, 2016. The background is a bit cluttered, but you can’t ask for better expressions. Allison was at Walt Disney World on a day trip when she got the shot.
I believe this is “Tinkerbell” during the parade at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this shot while she was at Walt Disney World on a day trip on Jan. 17, 2016.
Here’s a shot that shows Mickey’s PhilharMagic entrance at the Magic Kingdom with the Cinderella Castle in the background. Allison got the shot Jan. 30, 2016, on a day trip to Walt Disney World.
Allison got this shot of “Ariel” during the parade at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on Jan. 17, 2016.
Mickey Mouse looks out atop a post at the entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Allison visited Disney on Jan. 17, 2016, and got this nice shot at Walt Disney World – with the color provided by the setting sun. She came down from the University of Florida at Gainesville for a day trip.
Here’s an up-angle photo of the arched sign for the entrance to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom Allison was at Walt Disney World on Jan. 17, 2016, when she got this shot.
Whenever a character makes its rounds in one of the parks at Walt Disney World, there’s at least one cast member as an escort. Here’s a shot of the cat “Marie” with her escort at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this shot while she and Debbie were visiting Walt Disney World on Dec. 16, 2015.
Allison tried to snag the glowing colors from the blacklights that highlight the scenes at Peter Pan’s Flight in the Magic Kingdom. She got this shot looking down on this ship scene during her visit to Walt Disney World on Jan. 17, 2016.
Here’s one of the cards that Walt Disney World uses to track how long lines are at attractions. Allison did this hand selfie of the card at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a pre-Christmas visit when she got the shot on Dec. 16, 2015.
Look closely and you’ll see the bird on top of a Christmas-light wrapped post in front of this spire on the Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. It’s a nice field-of-focus shot Allison got at Walt Disney World on Dec. 16, 2015.
Allison got this shot of a horse at the Magic Kingdom – and notice the Mickey logo on its bridle. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a pre-Christmas visit on Dec. 16, 2015, when she took the photo.
Allison got some great shots on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Here’s one where a spray of water helps the experience of motion on the coaster. Allison got this one on it as the “train” was going through a tunnel. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a pre-Christmas visit on Dec. 16, 2015.
Allison is a very good photographer and she’s got a “good eye” with the camera. She got this almost surreal view of the walkway out after a ride on Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on Dec. 16, 2015.
Here’s another shot Allison got on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this one on it as the “train” was coming out of a tunnel and into a turn. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a pre-Christmas visit on Dec. 16, 2015.
Allison got this interesting shot in a blur of color on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this one on it as the “train” was going through a tunnel. She and Debbie were at Walt Disney World for a pre-Christmas visit on Dec. 16, 2015.
While there are no really big roller coasters at Walt Disney World, it does have great coaster rides such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this one on it as the “train” was coming out of a tunnel and into a turn. She and Debbie were there for a pre-Christmas visit on Dec. 16, 2015.
Everyone perks up when a monorail train cruises into a station. Allison got this shot of the arrival of one on Dec. 16, 2015, while she and Debbie were at Walt Disney World.
Here’s one of Mickey Mouse during a performance in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Allison got this shot while she and Debbie were visiting Walt Disney World on Dec. 16, 2015.
Allison got some nice shots of the daily parade at the Magic Kingdom on Jan. 17, 2016. Here’s one of a performer in a swing. Allison was at Walt Disney World on a day trip when she got the shot.
Although it’s not an ideal spot to watch the fireworks of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, it’s not terrible. I was sitting in the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe at the Norway Pavilion at World Showcase at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016, when I got this shot. You can see a narrow perspective of the grand finale of the EPCOT day at Walt Disney World.
Here’s a somewhat close-up (it was shot with my iPhone) of the live band playing Feb. 6, 2016, when we strolled through Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. We stopped in the early evening on our way to the Magic Kingdom on the Resort Monorail and stopped to do some shopping. Live music for guests is a really nice touch. We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend visit.
Well, you won’t find many bad views at Walt Disney World. Here’s a shot of the bridge leading to the entrance portico at Disney’s Beach Club Resort (we were staying there for a long weekend when I got the shot on Feb. 7, 2016). Just use a tree branch to give the scene a nice accoutrement and … voilà! A nice image.
Here’s the ride entrance to The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Turner Classic Movies is now the sponsor of the ride. I got this shot on Feb. 6, 2016, during our long weekend visit to Walt Disney World.
One thing you’ll see at Walt Disney World is a group. When we were at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016, we saw a bunch of groups of cheerleaders. Here’s one coming across the bridge from the France Pavilion area and headed to the United Kingdom Pavilion.
The setting sun’s rays brighten the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT on Feb. 5, 2016. I got the shot across the World Showcase Lagoon while we were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend.
Here’s a young guest chasing birds on the sand at Disney’s Beach Club Resort on Feb. 5, 2016. We were at Walt Disney World for a long weekend and headed to dinner in EPCOT when I got this shot.
Recognize this? It’s a reproduction of the home of Munchkins from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” This is part of The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ride was updated (and now sponsored by Turner Classic Movies) with a refurbishment that re-opened to the public in 2015. I got this shot on Feb. 6, 2016.
