Now & Then...Part Three

So here is part three in a series of posts comparing WDW through photos taken during our various visits over the years; focusing on our first visit in 1991 and our most recent visit some twenty years later in 2011, with a few extra photos thrown in from 1996 - the year we stayed in a Disney Resort hotel for the first time.

This post will look at what was once Disney's MGM Studios and is now Disney's Hollywood Studios.  So we start in front of The Great Movie Ride (let's play spot the obvious difference!)

1991

2011

Anyone seen Roger Rabbit?

1991

2011

Splash!

1991

2011

So, apart from the obvious blue hat, the only real changes in these photos appears to be the greenery and that's about it.

This park has seen some changes over the years, I still lament the loss of the animation studio, but I think there is potential here for new additions...Star Wars Land (I would have one happy husband if this ever happened!)....Carsland....

Oh the possibilities...I think this is what keeps us coming back to Disney parks time and time again; the changes how ever subtle, the improvements, the attention to detail, the story, the desire to do things well and get it right, whilst at the same time retaining the familiarity that brings back the memories and feelings that we hold close.

So, how's the running?

Well part of this blog was to detail my progress as I took up running for the first time, with my aim of running around Lago Dorado at Coronado Springs Resort on our next visit to WDW my motivation.

So after a shaky start this time last year I got motivated and took advantage of working in education and used last years Summer holidays to get into a routine of running three times a week following the C25K plan (Couch to 5K).  And I did really well, I stuck to my goals and by the end of the six weeks Summer holidays I had completed week 6 of the 9 week C25K plan, and even once I returned to work I was still getting out and running as often as I could until early October...

Autumn came along and through a mixture of social commitments, cold and wet weather and darker nights I suddenly found it more and more difficult to find time to go out for a run.  Before I knew it December was upon us and for my birthday Simon bought me some cold weather running gear so I really had no excuse now to get back out there.

So New Year met with new determination and out I set for a run in my new gear, and was pleasantly surprised with myself.  I did better than I thought I would and although I couldn't run for as long as I had been doing I still got out there and gave it my best shot.  A couple of days later I got out for another run and thought I was back on the way to getting into a routine and running regularly again...

But then the British weather took hold!  We have had the coldest and snowiest winter that I can ever remember and conditions just weren't good for getting out and running.

My garden looked like this for what seemed an eternity (actually about  2/3 weeks)

I was also suffering from a chilblain on one of my toes which was making walking, never mind running, extremely painful.  So yet again my running came to an abrupt stop.

I now find myself at another school holiday; two weeks off work!  Now the weather is still awful, apparently it's been the coldest March on record (no kidding!) but I have two clear weeks to get back into that ever so important routine.  So as I write this I am not long back in from my second run in four days...now I say run but to be honest at this point I am back to a combination of running and walking...but at least I am out there and moving!

I have to admit that they haven't been the most pleasant of runs, my cold weather gear has kept me lovely and warm but running in cold air really quite surprised me; really taking my breath away.  Today I was confronted with quite a strong wind which again didn't help matters but two short runs in and nearly 700 calories burnt so I don't think that's too bad.

So although tough going I am pleased that I have got back out there and know that long term I will benefit so much from what I am doing; I shall be fitter, slimmer and healthier.  I am setting myself sensible, attainable goals; I have a 3K fun run planned for 28th April and two possible 5K charity walks coming up.  Simon is also taking part in a 10K on the 28th April as well as our local half marathon in September so I think it's fair to say our house is going to be a lot fitter by the time we take on WDW in August!!

By the way when Simon and I take part in the 10K & 3K on 28th April we will be raising funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation UK.  Having previously supported the WDW Radio Dream Team Project which supports the Make-a-Wish Foundation in the US we felt drawn to help support their UK counterparts.  You can help us fundraise by visiting our Just Giving page and making a donation - thank you x

Now & Then...Part Two

This is part two in my trip down memory lane using photos that have been taken on various visits to WDW; some from our first visit in 1991 and some from 1996 when we stayed in a Disney Resort hotel for the first time, and then comparing them to the 'same' photos taken during our most recent visit in 2011.

In this second post let's look at Epcot...

We start with photos taken outside of The Land pavilion with the Imagination pavilion in the background.

1991

2011

Honestly the Imagination pavilion is there, it's just hidden by trees!!

And various shots around World Showcase...

1991

2011

These photos are taken in Canada looking across the World Showcase Lagoon.  It was tricky trying to recreate this photo, as you can see the original wooden fence has been replaced with some planting, along with a smaller fence placed in front.

1991

2011

And here we are in Japan, which apart from some growth in the trees hasn't really changed that much.

Look out for 'part three' in this series....coming soon!

Now & Then...Part One

Our last visit to WDW in 2011 marked the 20th anniversary since our first visit back in 1991.  So we decided to re-create some of our first time experiences by recreating photos we had taken, some from our first visit in 1991 and some from 1996 which was the first time we had stayed in a Disney Resort hotel.

I don't think we did too bad - what do you think?

Now as we'd taken quite a few photos I've decided to split them up into small blog posts, with this first one focusing on the Magic Kingdom.

Let's start with various shots in front of Cinderella Castle...

1991

1996

2011

2011

1996

And next we have Big Thunder Mountain...

1991

2011

And finally Main Street, USA...

1996

1996

2011

2011

The differences are subtle, perhaps a change of position or a change of paint colour or a change in planting, but the differences are there and help to make every trip just that bit different.

Disney Ink

I spoke a while back about how Disney fits into my every day life, one way being my Disney themed tattoos.  Well I promised at the time that I would talk about my Disney ink in more detail at a later date, so here goes!

After a few years of watching the slue of 'ink' programs on television both Simon and I had become intrigued with the world of tattoos; we both loved the artistry involved and the stories behind the tattoos.  And we began talking about getting our own and what we would have done and why.

My reasoning was very simple - it had to combine the loves in life (family and Disney) as well as be designed by Simon.  The thought of having a piece of his art on my body was a no-brainer as far as I was concerned.

So my first tattoo is at the base of my spine and spans across my lower back with a tri-circle Mickey at the centre; this was designed by Simon, and tattooed by Gray Silva at Rampant Ink Tattoo Studio. It also incorporates Simon’s initials and those of our two children (if you know where to look!)

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Dinoland USA after riding Primeval Whirl, 2008

My next tattoo carried on the Disney theme, once again incorporating the classic tri-circle Mickey at it's centre.  This was designed again by Simon but with help from my tattooist, Rachel Huntington at Rampant Ink Tattoo Studio

Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, 2010

My third tattoo is around my ankle and foot and has flowers with tri-circle Mickeys at their centres flowing off an abstract tri-circle Mickey.  This time I took Rachel some designs of tri-circle Mickey’s that I had come across on our previous visit to Disneyland, explained where I wanted the tattoo and that I wanted cherry blossom type flowers as well.  I told her all about ‘hidden Mickey’s’ and love the fact that she was able to get so many into one tattoo; between the main ‘Mickey’, the flower centres and tiny hidden ‘dots’ there are 11 hidden Mickey’s!  I also love the fact that those in the know see the 'Disney' element straight away but for others I have to point it out, and when they realise they are completely awestruck!

Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, 2011

Now, it is true what they say - once you've had one tattoo you will want more!  I am now thinking about my next tattoo; what to have and where to have it.  It will of course have to incorporate a tri-circle Mickey...watch this space ;)

Disney Memories

So there I was catching up on podcasts and found myself listening to The Minnie Minxes Episode 27 all about Downtown Disney at WDW and heard a passing reference to Pleasure Island...to which all on the show admitted to having never been there whilst it was still open.  This led to Simon and I screaming at our 'generic mp3 player', 'but we have and it was great!'  So here is a little trip down memory lane...

Pleasure Island was the nighttime complex at Downtown Disney and was in operation from 1989 to 2008.  We had our first taste back on our first visit to WDW in 1991...

1991 - leaving our motel, ready for a boogie!

1991 - having a beverage outside 'Mannequins'

The complex was a mix of clubs, restaurants and shops.  The clubs were designed to meet a variety of music tastes as well as comedy and included the infamous and much missed 'Adventurer's Club'.  Back in the early 1990's we were much more interested in the music scene and regrettably never got to experience the Adventurer's Club or the Comedy Warehouse as we were too busy having a 'boogie' ;)  I think Mannequins was probably our favourite place; the revolving dance floor was great fun!!

Leaflet - 1991

Partial inside of leaflet - 1991

Pleasure Island also had the unique feature of celebrating New Years Eve each and every night...

Me & my brother celebrating 'New Years Eve' - 1993

It was a great place to get a bit of 'adult' time and a change of pace from the theme parks. I do miss the club element and some of the more distinctive shops that were there but things change and we have to move with the times...I'm now excited to see how Downtown Disney changes into Disney Springs!

Who remembers the neon Jessica Rabbit?? Where is she now??

Forward Planning...Part Two

So a few weeks ago I did a little post about planning for my WDW vacation and in that post I had a list of things that are on my family's 'Disney To Do List'...well we have a few more to add;

• Characters In Flight - balloon ride at Downtown Disney
• Visit the new bakery in the France pavilion at Epcot - Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie, pictures and reviews online look lovely!
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Phineas & Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure
• Try a drink called 'Beverley' at Club Cool at Epcot (this is a result of watching Lou Mongello and friends drinking this during WDW Radio's 6th anniversary live broadcast!)
• Boardwalk at night (only ever visited during the day before!)
• Visit the Belle Vue Lounge at The Boardwalk Inn Resort to see the working carousel model - heard about this on Episode 310 of WDW Radio when Lou Mongello was chatting with Jim Korkis, and it sounded fascinating
• Splitsville - bowling & food
• Must buy shopping items - Dooney & Bourke bag of some description, car antenna toppers (I'm sure I've seen a seasonal pack so I can theme my car to whatever time of year it happens to be!

So what else should I be planning on doing?