Some of My Favorite Things

I love being in Epcot at festival time. It doesn't matter if it is the International Flower and Garden Festival or the International Food and Wine Festival. Either one is fine with me. 

One of the favorite aspects of the former festival is the display of bonsai trees exhibited in Japan. If I am fortunate enough to visit the park during this this time, I will spend an hour or so enjoying and photography these works of art. 

Sadly, I cannot tend or grow bonsai. There was a time when I would buy a tree from Mitsukoshi, bring it home, and do my best to tend it. But within six months the tree was dead. I finally gave up. 

Now I simply enjoy the artistry of those who raise these treasures. 

In the quiet moments...

The World Showcase in Epcot is one of my favorite places to be in Walt Disney World. It is a cultural and sensory delight to stroll along the promenade and bask in what each country has to offer. 

World Showcase also provides a number of off-the-beaten-path locations where the weary park guest can pause, rest, and collect themselves. The garden in the United Kingdom and  the back alleys of Morocco are two places you can find me. They are usually quiet and I can sit and enjoy being in a place that I love. The Japanese Gardens in the Japan Pavilion is a treasured place to enjoy a cup of tea and enjoy a moment of tranquility. 

Leave a comment and let me know your favorite place to take a few moments to slow down and rest. 

More to follow...

You're Still Here...

I have been away for a while. Of course you know that. 

In the interest of full disclosure, my interest in taking numerous trips to Walt Disney World has waned. My last trip was in April 2016. I have found that as I have gotten older there are other places that I want to visit, or revisit, while I have both the time and the fitness. Instead of Central Florida, I have found myself in Washington (both the state and the capitol) on numerous occasions. There have been journeys to England, The Netherlands, France, Belize, and Northern Ireland. So as you can see, I am still getting around. Just not to The World. 

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when for some reason I logged into The Disney Obsession to have a poke about, only discover that there are many good people still visiting here. To all of you let me say, I apologize. I apologize for not having anything new here in years, and many thanks for continuing to look in from time to time. I hope now to make it worth your while again.

With so many wonderful blogs and podcasters out there filling the far reaches of the internet and cyberspace with Disney content, I will rarely post anything that you do not already know. I will, from time to time, add a comment or offer my opinion when it mood strikes (e.g. I can hardly wait to photograph The World of Avatar at night or see what the magic the Imagineers create for Star Wars). But for now I am going to commit myself to getting back to posting photographs. I do this for two reasons. One, is to honor those who find yourself browsing this place every so often. Secondly, it serves to motivate me. My creativity in the area of photography has been lacking for some time now and though I don't have any trips to Orlando planned for anytime soon, I do have a nice catalogue of images to pull from. This will then (I hope) serve to entice me to shot more in my daily life and on my other adventures. 

So thank you for being here. For sticking around as I have been away doing other things. Such is life.

To begin I offer you this from the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. I have long been a fan of the Bard. Perhaps some of you are as well. 

More to follow...

Early mornings

I have been trying to do something new with every trip to Walt Disney World. Now, with the time between trips becoming longer and longer, this is more important to me, and in a way easier. With time, things change. Old things are taken away and replaced with new things. 

Still, when I look for something new I think about backstage tours. They cost a little more, yes. But they are worth it as they are quite informative.

Another benefit of these tours is that they usually require a very early morning arrival at the park you'll be touring. And those early arrivals offer some rather nice photo opportunities. This comes from an early morning just before the "Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour." Wonderful tour! 

"Get your kicks..."

"If you ever plan to motor west,

travel my way, take the highway that is best.

Get your kicks on Route sixty-six."

~ Bobby Troup

Out of the Way

I have been on Hollywood's Tower of Terror. Twice. The same day. The first year it opened. And with a developing fear of heights, that was enough. Consequently, I don't go up the hill at the end of Sunset Blvd. very often. I did have a prowl around on a recent trip, looking for some interesting out of the way places. This is one. I think.

The Little Things

After innumerable holidays in Walt Disney World, searching out and enjoying the little things is what I enjoy now. Yes, I still take photographs of the castle and of Spaceship Earth, but finding those hidden gems of design and decor is what draws me back nowadays.

The Morocco Pavilion is packed with these gems. Over the years, the Morocco Pavilion has grown on me. The depth of the details incorporated into its design and the small vignettes found within its walls are a feast for the senses. This is one my favorite of my favorite vignettes.