Magic Kingdom ABC's: Z

Z is for Zazu. 

(Now gone from two Magic Kingdom attractions.)

Making Memories: One Little Spark leads to another

This is a photo I found online from a D23 event. where Richard Sherman performed "One Little Spark" along with Dreamfinder and Figment. What a surreal and perfect moment. The man who wrote the song in 1982, The man he wrote it for, and the Figment of his imagination. This is a classic example of life imitating art. And below a bonus picture one of my favorite shots of Dreamfinder and Figment.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: Y

Y is for Yankee Trader.

Photoshop Fun: The Polynesian Village at sunset

The beach of the Polynesian Village Resort at sunset.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: X

X is for XXX on this powder keg at Big Thunder. 

(what do you want X is a hard one)

Gardener's Shack: Sorcerer Mickey

This Gardener's Shack heads to the Hollywood Studios to take a look at one of the most famous topiary's at Disney World. The Sorcerer Mickey Topiary between the two hats. That's the Sorcerer hat and the Brown Derby hat or derby I guess. Mickey always makes for a great photo opp and I really enjoy it for the fact it has color unlike the traditional green topiary. It also has several enchanted brooms accompanying Mickey which adds a nice touch.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: W

W is for Wedway People Mover. The highway in the Sky.

Photoshop Fun: Three Points on EPCOT

Several Triangles in EPCOT architecture.

( Spaceship Earth, The Land, Wonders of Life, Imagination.)

Magic Kingdom ABC's: V

V is for the African Veldt .

Art's Archives: Figment Fanboy

Art's Archive is where I share some memrabila from my own personal collection. Everything from park tickets to souviners. From maps to exclusive Cast member stuff from my time working for the mouse. This time I wanted to share a part of my Figment collection. I have always loved That purple dragon and have been collecting from all the way back in the 80's.

My collection has everything from magnets to a near life sized figment. Also some stuffed animals that aren't shown here.

Top Left: Figment photo frame  Top Right: 5 rubber figures from the 80's

Middle Left: my Figment pins  Middle Right: Figment bank from 80's

Bottom Left: near life size Figment  Bottom Right: Figment magnets

Magic Kingdom ABC's: U

U is for Utilidors the Kingdoms Secret underground. (you got two U words in that one.)

Electricians Closet: Main Street Holidays

No place do we see the seasons change like we do on Main Street U.S.A. From the normal pin lights threw Halloween and right up till Christmas the lighting sets the stage. One of the best displays of thematic lighting in the parks. At Halloween the colors on the buildings make them look like pieces of candy. But at Christmas the lighting takes you from magical to enchanting. The addition of soft blue lighting to the buildings helps add to one other special effect... Snow! The fake snow that falls onto Main Street is made to look as real as possible with the help of that soft blue lighting. It reflects on the snow the same way moon light does on real fresh falling snow and that is magic.

Main Street Station at Halloween and Christmas.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: T

T is for Town Square.

Photoshop Fun: Tiki Tower

The tower at the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: S

S is for Sonny Eclipse now performing at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

Photoshop Fun: Safari Side

Silence on the Savannah.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: R

R is for the Walt Disney World Railroad. All Aboard!

Panoramic Paradise: Wilderness Lodge Roof Top

A view from the top of lodge. Only a few people get this view... and the birds.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: Q

Q is for Queue Lines, They are always worth the wait.

Making Memories: Dusk at the Wharf

Evening at the Pacific Wharf Cafe at California Adventure.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: P

P is for Peter Pan's Flight (and it's 90 minute wait times.)

Making Memories: Golfer Mickey

Mickey welcomes guest to Fantasia Gardens for a fun evening of whimsy and mini golf.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: O

O is for Astro Orbiter.

Panoramic Paradise: Seven Seas Sunset

The sun sets over the Wedding Pavilion on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: N

N is for Not So Scary Halloween Parties.

Panoramic Paradise: Polynesian Mornings

Early Morning on the shores of the Polynesian. 

Nooks and Crannies: Snow White's Grotto

This lovely little spot just to the left of Sleeping Beauty Castle is often over looked by guest. It's the little areas like this and Arial's Grotto next to it that really add that special level of charm to Disneyland. The white Statues off set by the green foliage and water features make for a great photo opportunity for families looking for that nice family photo and not worry about someone walking in front of the camera. It may not be a place you would sit down at for a long time but it is definitely a nice place to slow down at and smell the roses.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: M

M is for Mountain like the one called Big Thunder.

Audio Adventures: Tiki Tunes

Today on the YouTube I uploaded a little track from Adventureland. The audio the plays by the Tiki Statues in front of the Jungle Cruise. They have been painted to look more colorful in recent years so try to spot some of the older pics I took in the video.

The old man on the bench.

Walking through Downtown Disney these days is more like walking in a war zone then walking down a peaceful Irish road. But if you can get around the construction walls and find yourself in front of Raglan Road Irish pub you will see that familiar figure sitting on a bench. But who is this man and what is his connection to Raglan Road? Well he wrote it. Wrote what you ask? Well not the menu but the poem that the restaurant is named for. His name is Patrick Kavannagh, and along with  Joyce and Yeats and all the rest he is one of Ireland's best know wordsmiths. The poem was published in October of 1946 and later turned to song as many great Irish poems do. below are the words to the poem and song that gives us one of best dinning experiences in all of Downtown Disney.

On Raglan Road

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew 
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue; 
I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way, 
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day. 

On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge 
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge, 
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay - 
O I loved too much and by such and such is happiness thrown away. 

I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that's known 
To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone 
And word and tint. I did not stint for I gave her poems to say. 
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May 

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now 
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow 
That I had wooed not as I should a creature made of clay - 
When the angel woos the clay he'd lose his wings at the dawn of day.

So next time your visiting Raglan Road for dinner or just posing for a picture with old Pat. Be sure to pop inside for a pint and toast the old man outside sitting on the bench watching the world go by.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: L

L is for the Liberty Belle Riverboat on another trip 

with Captain Horace Bixby and his Pilot Sam Clemens

Ye Old Sign Shop: Toons Poo Too !

If you ever find you got to go while in Toontown then Goofy's Gas is the place to "Go". And if the gas and go puns aren't enough take a look at these two signs. Featuring the stars of the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Roger and Jessica help guest figure out what door to go through. Now if I could just figure out what to do if your not a Toon or a Rabbit. Guess I'm going to have to dance to Fantasyland. 

Magic Kingdom ABC's: K

K is for the Keel Boats that once floated down the Rivers of America.

(I thank my Grandfather for this great Photo. I was one at the time and hadn't grasped 

proper photo composition yet... or walking.)

Photoshop Fun: Sunset Blvd.

Views from Sunset Boulevard.

Magic Kingdom ABC's: J

J is for Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid.

Audio Archives: Epcot - Fountain of Nations Loop

Below is a link to the new Manifesting the Magic YouTube page. The first video for your listening pleasure is the Fountain of Nations Loop. This track plays between show segments when the fountain is in its resting positions. This track is one of the most relaxing clips from around the "World" and I enjoy setting it to loop and laying back to enjoy it. I added in a few photos to make the listening experience a little better. If you drink Coke out of small paper cup while misting yourself with water from a spray bottle, you'll feel like your right there. LOL. Enjoy.

Rockets red glare...Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

Up(date) the rabbit hole... Alice gets a face lift.

This week a old Disneyland favorite got a refurbishment that really looks great. Below are some pics I took on my last trip to the mouse in the west. Also I included a Inside the Magics YouTube video of a ride along of the new additions. I really enjoy the new projections but let me know what you think in the comments section.

The Big Comeback

So for the Last two years or so my external hard drive has been out of order. But just like the word "village" is making its way back to the Polynesian Resort so to is this blog. I still haven't got all my files back but all my Disney photos are ok. Also all my Disney audio and video so look forward to some YouTube videos soon also. I don't have any of my Photoshop work back yet or any panoramas that i have made at Disney so it will make new ones in the mean time and try to recover what I can from my saved photos on fliker. But for now the Blog is back and hopefully it will be better then ever, enjoy.