And The Survey Says...

There are times when I think, why put up a poll when you think you already know how it will turn out? That is the case with this poll. I have a very good idea how it will go, but I am asking the question at any rate. There was a poll not long ago when I thought something would be a runaway and was pleasantly surprised. This could be the case here.

Onward with this weeks question. "Of these, which extinct attraction would you most like to see restored?" The choices are:

- Communicore (yeah, I know, it wasn't an attraction like the others, but I still liked it very much and miss it still)

- Horizons

- Journey into Imagination

- The Living Seas

- World of Motion

Okay, the poll is open. And feel free to comment on why you chose the way you did, or if you think something else should have been included. I know I may hear from a few Body Wars and Cranium Command fans out there.

And The Survey Says... Magic Kingdom

(Note: Sorry for the late update on the poll - fighting a very bad cold.)

A few weeks ago, when I thought I'd be spending my New Years Eve in Walt Disney World, I asked you, "The Few, The Proud, The Followers" of The Disney Obsession, to cast your vote for which park you would prefer to celebrate New Years Eve in. I thought it would be fun to see where people would like to be.

Myself, my plan was to be somewhere on the World Showcase in Epcot. There is going to a second showing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth on the 31st which will bear with it a New Years Holiday tag - maybe something a bit different than the regular Let There Be Peace on Earth tag. This is just speculation on my part. But I thought it would be special to be in my favorite park, with some members of my family, perhaps a few friends, and thinking that for that moment, there is peace along with the promises of the new year.

But, that was not how everyone felt and that is more than okay. No, the very slim majority of those who voted wish to welcome in the New Year from the Magic Kingdom. And, that would have been my second choice. Here is how the votes broke down. Of the twenty people casting votes, 10 (50%) would be in the Magic Kingdom while 9 (45%) would be somewhere in Epcot. One voter (5%) chose to be in Disney's Hollywood Studios and I know that person would every bit as much fun there as we would where we are it. Wisely, no one chose Disney's Animal Kingdom and that is a good thing. That park will close at 8:00 p.m. on New Years Eve. The animals need their rest for all the expectant eyes visiting on the 01.01.11.

"Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be!

With God as our Father, brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

"Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry breath I take, let this be my solemn vow;

To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally!

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!"

Something On A Sunday

Balloon Ride 06.20.10

One of the items that sat high up on my wife's bucket list was to take a balloon ride. This summer, she and three of her girlfriends took a ride over Williamson County to celebrate her birthday. She had a wonderful experience!

A Sign Its Saturday

Along the rails of the World Fellowship Fountain you'll find...

Lillian Disney presided over the dedication of the fountain when representatives from 23 countries brought water from 23 lakes and rivers from around the world to feed the fountain.

It is a dream of mine to one day slow down long enough to sit and watch and listen to an entire fountain cycle of water and music. Some day...

Something On A Sunday

Ketchikan, Alaska 05.28.09

A Sign Its Saturday

Whether you prefer the old descent or the new descent, or whether you prefer Cronkite, Irons or Dench, not journey into Epcot is not complete without experiencing Spaceship Earth.

"Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers."

Sort of gives you a hint on which narration I preferred.

And The Survey Says... MVMCP

Low voter turn out - just like in a mid-term election year. Honestly, I was a bit discouraged by this to begin with, then I thought, perhaps some readers couldn't vote because they have not been to either Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. And that is fair, after all, these are hard ticketed events and do not always fit into what could be a very tight budget. So I prefer to think that the reason for only 8 votes is for this reason.

The verdict? With eight votes being cast, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party garnered 2 votes (25%) and the winner with 6 votes (75%) is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

I was somewhat conflicted about this vote. The image of the Headless Horseman riding down Main Street U.S.A., the thousands of people in costumes (some of which are exceptionally good), and the promise of pounds of candy makes the MNSSHP a real treat. But for me, the thought of walking down Main Street U.S.A., an already magical place for me, with snow falling - well, that is special. It is, to me, one of those experiences that help to sum up what Walt Disney World is to me. It is taking an already magical place, and turning the volume up!

Let's move on.

In 14 days I'll be driving to Walt Disney World for the "Papa/Granddaughter Week" in Walt Disney World. It will be an incredible time! Yes, the parks will be more than crowded, but I don't care. I'll be with someone who brightens my life with a simple look in my direction. But I take this trip to help frame the question for this week. We'll be in the parks on New Years Eve. So my question to you is this, "Which park would you prefer to spend New Years Eve in?" Forget the crowds, just think about where you want to be, then vote. Choose from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios or Disney's Animal Kingdom. And if you'd like, feel free to share why in the comments.

I already know where I wish to spend the evening, but who knows, maybe my mind could be changed.

Note: I post about the upcoming trip in a few days - certainly before we leave.

Something On A Sunday

Ketchikan, Alaska 05.28.09

A Sign Its Saturday

I recently reviewed the photographs that have been featured in A Sign Its Saturday and was surprised at how few signs I've used from Epcot. This is especially surprising when I consider that Epcot is my favorite park. So in an effort to begin setting that oversight right, I'll spend the next few Saturdays in December featuring a few signs from Epcot.

Today...

"Feel the flow, here we go,

through the Universe of Energy.

Feel it grow, see it glow,

it's the Universe of Energy."

A Pirates Life For Us... or maybe not

It is beginning to be an exciting time around Doc's house. We are approaching Christmas and the decorations are making their way, although slowly, into the decor. But another exciting aspect of this holiday season is an upcoming trip with my granddaughter to Walt Disney World the day following Christmas. And thinking of all the fun we will have has me reminiscing about the fun my grandson and I had last October. With that, I thought I'd share another Character Connection with Devon. I learned a lot from Devon during that trip.

I always look forward to what I learn from my grandchildren. I have lived a few years on this earth and I am amazed at how little I know at times. I am amazed that the people who I think move faster than anyone in my family, my grandchildren, are the ones who teach me to slow down. I am looking forward to learning something from Shelby - to know that it isn't about the rides or attractions, it isn't about the all the photographs. No, it is about the experience of sharing an extended moment in life with one of the most precious individuals in my life. It is about not seeing things through my eyes, but through theirs. Now, I have the opportunity to schooled a bit more; or to borrow a thought from the film Hook, how not to become a pirate but to stay a Lost Boy.

And now that I think about it, isn't that what Walt Disney World is? Isn't it a place where we can become lost? Lost in a time and place where the real world is a place for grown-ups; not for us.

Thanks kids. I appreciate the lessons.

Where In The World

The other day a friend wrote to ask about Where In The World. I told her I would have a new one available today and here it is. A few years ago I began to look at the different colors and textures that are used to create the magic. Here is a splash of color for your consideration.

Where in the World would you find this?

And The Survey Says... International Flower & Garden Festival

Among the several conversations that take place at our home is one speaks to the question, "What are we going to do about our backyard?" It is a small fenced in space with a few trees and other greenery. Following a trip last October, in which my grandson and I visited Conservation Station, I came home thinking how I could turn the area into a backyard habitat. We already have a visits from squirrels, a great assortment of birds, and the pesky ground moles - why not enhance our little patch of land for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of other creatures who wish to stop by. Not the ground moles of course. Those guys have got to move on.

My wife fancies the idea of a somewhat "whimsical" approach to the space. Let's hang things from the fence, from the trees and place interesting pieces of objects de arte at various places. It is this thought, and an interesting one it is, that leads me to this weeks poll winner.

The International Flower and Garden Festival offers an amazing variety of ideas for any one's outdoor living space; be it large or small. It has been a few years since I have been able to attend the Festival (a situation I plan to correct in '11), but when I am there, I love exploring Future World and World Showcase for those items and ideas the "spark the imagination". And over several visits I have found a good number of ideas that I would like to employ in our back yard. Ideas, some of which, would no doubt land us in trouble with the neighborhood association. But I am drawing very close to pushing the envelop on this.

The voting broke down like this and, it was a fairly close race until the final days. Of the 15 votes cast the International Flower and Garden Festival received 8 votes, or 53%. The International Food and Wine Festival tallied 5 votes (33%) and the Holidays Around the World garnered 2 votes (13%).

I found this to be an exceptionally hard choice to make. I enjoy the variety of flavors that the Food and Wine Festival offer and the opportunity to learn of the various Christmas traditions experienced is very enjoyable. But, not to be missed, is the Candlelight Processional. My personal opinion, and it is one shared by a few readers, is that the Candlelight Processional is Disney at its best. It is perhaps one of the finest live events produced in any of the Florida parks. And yes, I often get emotional during it.

Now, on to this weeks poll. We'll take a monorail back to the TTC and make our way into the Magic Kingdom for our next question, which is, "Of these two, which is your favorite special event in the Magic Kingdom?" The choices are: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

So while you are here, just over to the right margin and cast your vote. And, feel free to leave a comment telling us why you voted the way you did. In fact, if you have a poll question you'd like to ask, let me know. I'd be happy to include it on an upcoming edition of And The Survey Says.

More to follow...

Something On A Sunday

The Harbor at Sitka, Alaska 05.27.10

A Sign Its Saturday

I thought I'd offer just a bit of a twist on A Sign Its Saturday this morning. We'll visit The Land with two people I am big fan's of...

Father (my son)

Son (my grandson)

I suppose the desire and willingness to mug for the camera is a family trait.

(Note to self: I need a photograph of myself mugging for the camera in front of The Land sign.)

...if i lived in central florida i'd...

... visit epcot and get in the soarin' standby queue, simply to listen to the background music loop. someday i'll actually live in central florida and actually do that so then i won't have to be only satisified with listening to the loop on my drive time to work.

still, i'll listen to it while driving. it is that good.