John's WDWIP Experience

Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Home!

2007-05-07T16:41:00.001-07:00

(1-4) Splash Mountain:

(1,2,3) Magic Kingdom, (4) Epcot - Sunset over Canada:

Epcot:

(1) I found the exit............

Ok everybody, it seems as though we have reached the end of the road. I went down to Florida with the intention of being there for a year, but I ended up staying about 14 months! I completed my program! As everybody says in their throw-out, enjoy the rest of your contract, go out and travel like I did.

I went to Key West, Miami, St. Augustine (2), Daytona Beach (3), Cocoa (5), Clearwater (2), New York, Paris, on a Disney Cruise, Nassau Bahamas (2), Cozumel Mexico, Belize, Costa Maya Mexico, but most of all DISNEY WORLD! All of the parks, all of the attractions, shows, parades, fireworks, I can't even count. Universal several times, Gatorland, Busch Gardens, every attraction and restaurant in the Orlando area. Too hard to keep track.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, to all my readers around the world thank you, and thank you to all of my friends and family for support. It was the experience of a lifetime, I have met so many amazing people from all over the world. Be sure to catch up on all of my latest adventures on my picture site (banner at the top). And in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

John Sargent, Victoria B.C.

johnsargent13@hotmail.com

Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MK

2007-05-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

(1) Wishes, (2,3) some special event taking place at park closing, (4) Safari at the AK:

(1) baby giraffe, (2) baby rhino, (4) Everest

(3) The Haunted Mansion, (4) Splash Mountain:

Magic Kingdom, Mini golf, MGM

2007-05-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

(1,2,3) Spectromagic, (4) the Jungle Cruise broke down for about 20 min, so we had to sit there, watching, but our skipper did a good job of keeping us entertained:

(3) my final paycheck cashed, (4) Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf:

(1,2) mini golf, (3,4) Fantasmic! at MGM:

End of Cruise, Daytona Beach, Magic Kingdom

2007-05-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

(1,2) On ship entertainment, (4) driving on Daytona Beach:

(3,4) a really bad accident shut down this road for about an hour; a chopper had to land:

The Magic Kingdom - "Wishes"

Nassau, Bahamas

2007-05-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Nassau, (4) the famous straw market:

(3) we went on a horse carriage ride through downtown, our horse's name was Playboy:

(1) we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, (3) the Tortuga rum cake factory, (4) Atlantis:

(1) Our Nassau purchases, (2) the city's water tower, (3) Disney Cruise Line, (4) the on board casino:

Costa Maya Con't, Nassau Bahamas

2007-05-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

(1) At the cruise terminal they have a large public pool, but it was really crowded

(1) The neighbouring cruise ship's captain waves goodbye to us, (3) the 24 hour pizzeria, (4) the buffet:

(1) our wait staff, (2) our table, (4) Nassau, Bahamas

Costa Maya, Mexico

2007-05-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

They call it the fun ship for a reason; our server joining the other servers dancing as we have dinner (1) haha, (3,4) Costa Maya Mexico:

(2) a one hour massage for $20

We camped out most of the afternoon at Cats Meow (canadian owned) having margaritas, nachos, and swimming in the warm and crystal clear ocean

Goff's Cay, Belize

2007-05-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

Snorkeling in Belize

2007-05-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

(3) the Belize form of bottled water

Goff's Cay - a little private island:

Cozumel to Belize

2007-05-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

Back on the ship..... then our shore excursion - a boat trip to a private island, where we go snorkeling for the day (4):

Just around the island some locals catch a barracuda right in front of us (2)

Cruise ship, Cozumel Mexico

2007-05-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Some pics of inside the ship:

In Cozumel we took about a 20 min cab ride out of town to a private beach club, where most of the day we were the only ones there!!! All because we were the only cruise ship in town that day. By late afternoon there were only 4 other guests. During our time there, they had a swim up bar, service on or off the beach, the place was all ours!!

Just like the commercial:

Best Rental, Western Caribbean Cruise

2007-05-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

My favourite rental of the year:

Myself and my mom went on a 7 night western caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya, and Nassau onboard the Carnival Glory:

Ship has 4 pools, 5 hot tubs, a water slide, a jogging track, and a ton of other things:

End of Disney Con't

2007-05-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Epcot and the Yacht Club Resort:

A large group photo - a gift for our manager who was leaving:

Group photo of our last dinner: (Heather, Justin, Renata, myself, Jacqueline, Andi, Amber, Carissa, Dave, Tessa)

Out watching the fireworks after dinner:

Last dinner, Last day of work

2007-05-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

(1) the Flower and Garden festival has a pirate theme, (2) silly Renata, (3) Amber and Carissa, (4) as promised, on my last day one of my great managers took me up to the roof of Canada to "the secret room with secret stuff", which actually has a storage room of signs. Me holding the "Trader Bob's Beavertail" sign - used to be used out front of Canada:

(1) My last Illuminations, (2) Holding my "It's my last day" nametag, (3) reaching into the wine celler, (4) clocking out for the last time

(1) Leaving Epcot after returning my final costume, (2) room before, (3,4) room after:

(2) view of the Epcot fireworks from our hotel room at the Yacht Club

End of Disney

2007-05-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

(1) my final schedule (2) Patrick flying a napkin kite (3) Victoria Gardens out front of the restaurant (4) a Canadian bear:

(1) My reward for hard work one day - a smores "sub ice cream" with blackberry sorbet, white peach sorbet, and fireweed honey ice cream; the best dessert in the world. (2) Patrick posing (3) Tessa freaking out in the dishpit (4) Anesh, our crazy bartender:

(1) Jacqueline putting in an order, (2) Noel on grill

(1) the famous "folds" that we would have to do each day, (3) Dave who I arrived with, and Francis who is our table assigner:

South Seas Island Resort, and Sanibel Island

2007-05-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

On our way back to Orlando we stopped at a beach on Sanibel Island dubbed as one of the best beaches for shells in the world:

South Seas Island Resort Con't

2007-05-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

The resort even has a trolly transport that goes around the island:

The lagoon pool:

South Seas Island Resort

2007-05-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

The golf course (1,2) and views from our room (3,4):

Went into town for lunch, I had a gourmet hot dog. haha

Its a long drive to the end of the island:

Naples, Captiva Island

2007-05-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Hilton Naples (2,3,4):

We then drove about an hour north, through Sanibel Island to Captiva Island. We stayed at this awesome beach resort - The South Seas Island Resort www.southseas.com :

This place was hit by Hurricane Charley in 2004, and had to be rebuilt. Opened in 2006, with a $140 Million reno:

It has a private harbour / marina, a nice golf course that is one of the best in the world, and is surrounded by soft white sand beaches.

Naples

2007-05-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Cheeburger Cheeburger:

Naples at sunset:

Roadtrip to Naples

2007-05-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Christine and myself had a few days off, so we went on a roadtip to Naples. Along the way we came across a forest fire that started in the median. We luckily sped by, and about 5 cars after us they closed off traffic for most of the day. We were really lucky.

Going through Naples to Marco Island

Our hotel (2,3) - the Hilton Naples

Went for lunch to Tommy Bahama (4)

ATX - Astronaut Training Xperience

2007-04-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today me and Patrick traveled out to the Kennedy Space Center (NASA) to do a special tour - the Astronaut Training Xperience. It started with a tour of the visitor complex, lunch with an astronaut, and vip bus tour to restricted areas, simulators, and a simulation of a mission - where a team of 13 of us go from lauch to landing by working as a team - I was Flight Director (in charge of everything) and Patrick was in charge of mission safety and was there to correct problems when they happened.
The 1/6 gravity chair:
The Multi Axis Motion Simulator:

It was a very cool day that not too many people get to experience. A lot of fun! :-)

1 year with Disney

2007-04-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is the cast member recognition board at Epcot:

St. Augustine

2007-03-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

Its cool to see a boat speeding along the road next to you: (2) we then went onto a second beach, which was even nicer - it was less crowded and softer sand
St. Augustine:
Well, that concludes our East coast roadtrip, next week includes the West coast.

With only 18 more days of work (in reality about 9) I have a lot of things still left to do. During my year I have done pretty much everything, the last major target is Naples/Marco Island, which I plan to hit next week. Ciao for now

Vero Beach to Daytona Beach, then up A1A

2007-03-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

We then went to Daytona Beach, which was a lot of fun.
We then left Daytona, heading north to St. Augustine - Flagler beach, and Marineland along the way...

Vero Con't, Character Breakfast

2007-03-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

Luckily the resort is fairly protected from the wind by a lot of vegetation and palm trees.... so they still held the nightly campfire - which included singing songs and making smores - marshmellows included...
The next moring we managed to squeeze a spot for the very popular character breakfast - Donald came to visit us before he headed to the beach:

LCS Con't, Vero Beach

2007-03-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

An extension of the drive through safari is a mini theme park which was included with admission:
(3) The loaner (4) arrival at Vero Beach - view from our balcony
It was a really nice room, too bad the weather was really windy...

Busy MK, Lion Country Safari

2007-03-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

The lines were so long at the Magic Kingdom that this was the line for a Dole Whip: (2) a school parade before the parade. The next day myself and Christine went on a roadtrip down to West Palm Beach (a little north of Miami) to visit Lion Country Safari - a place where you can drive your car through the safari. Bad news, they dont allow convertibles or even soft top cars, (because of smell) so they lent us a "loaner" - a beat up station wagon. It was a ton of fun, with a lot of animals, most of which approached the car....

(3) he got the closest, and he looked pretty upset
(2,3,4) this guy was trying to knock down the fence in front of us, while blocking the roadway, a truck had to come over to scare him away.

Cars, Canada, Parade, nametag, MK

2007-03-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

Recent rentals:

Lots of prep work for the Flower & Garden festival which starts April 5th

I earned my 1 year service pin. (2) a Canadian throw-in, (3/4) Magic Kingdom

Valentines Day at Universal

2007-03-08T16:30:00.000-08:00

For Valentines day me and Christine stayed at the Universal Royal Pacific Resort - a 5 star Loews hotel. It was great because we had a room on the exclusive top floor of the hotel, complete with a lounge that had drinks and snacks.
The next day we went to Islands of Adventure:

Such a nice hotel - it was a great stay. :-)

Last night on the Wonder

2007-03-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

For our last night on the Wonder, we had dinner at Animators Palate - a restaurant that changes colors throughtout the course of the meal

Goodbye Castaway Cay, Wonder...

2007-03-04T20:08:00.000-08:00

(1) as we were floating, a giant stingray, about 4 feet across, swam under us and freaked us out. I was able to get a picture of him:
(3) a mopped up trail of blood.... I wonder what happened...
BYE!!

Castaway Cay - Serenity Bay

2007-03-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

A 5 min tram ride away - Serenity Bay - an exclusive beach for those guest 18+

(1) As we went for lunch we came across a crab in a shell, (2) The lunch setup - included burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, fruit, salad, ribs, fish, ice cream, cookies and chips:
Some interesting info:

Castaway Cay is a private island or "out island" in the Bahamas which serves as an exclusive port of call for the Disney Wonder and her sister ship, the Disney Magic. The island, located at 26°05′N 77°32′W and formerly known as Gorda Cay, is owned entirely by the Walt Disney Company in contrast to the eight islands leased by other cruise lines for similar purposes. This makes it easy for the company to control all aspects of the "show" put on by the "cast" or employees. The post office even has special Bahamas Disney stamps.

History, construction, and general facilities
The Gorda Cay was once used as a stop for drug runners. The runway on the island was a true operational runway at one point, but since has been used as part of Disney's theme and is no longer functional.
Disney is said to have spent $25,000,000 to develop and outfit the island, topping the $16 million spent by Holland America on Half Moon Cay, and the lesser efforts of other companies. As a result Castaway Cay has the most extensive facilities. Sea water is changed into pure water with reverse osmosis water processors. Construction took 18 months and included dredging 50,000 truckloads of sand from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is still largely undeveloped: only 55 of the 1,000 acres are being used. Due to the island's expansive insect population, Disney cruises generally depart the island before sunset.
The pier and its approaches were constructed specifically for the Disney ships, so that they could dock alongside easily, thus removing the need for tenders to get the passengers ashore. To create the mooring site for the ships, workers dredged sand from a 1,700-foot channel about 35 feet deep and ranging from 200 to 400 feet wide. The dredge material was used to build the landing island.

Guest areas
Like Disney resorts the island follows a theme, that of a castaway community with carefully planned buildings made to look as if they had been improvised after a shipwreck. However, all the facilities are spotlessly clean, like the Disney theme parks, and the many shops accept guests' stateroom keys for payment much like the theme parks.
Two "submarines" from the closed 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage ride at the Magic Kingdom now lie underwater in the snorkeling area. The Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies is on display in the cay lagoon, between the snorkeling areas on the family beaches and the mooring platform for the cruise ships.
As on other cruise lines' private islands, there are no hawkers or panhandlers on Castaway Cay and crowd movement is planned in advance for organized beach parties and other events. The activities on the island are a major source of revenue for the cruise company, since most rentals, such as personal water craft, are not included in the price of the cruise.

Island support facilities and crew only areas
Castaway Cay, like most Disney resorts, has extensive crew-only facilities, with private beaches and recreational areas. Crew Beach is a favorite location for cruise ship and cast employees to relax and be themselves away from the tourists during their precious few moments off. Each department takes turns hosting a lunch barbecue for the other Crew Members on the Crew Beach.
Disney maintains a staff of 40 custodians, boat captains, drivers, landscapers and maintenance personnel who live on the island. They are complemented by members of the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic crew to serve the island's guests when the ship is in port. Food and other supplies are brought in by the ships themselves. Each ship connects to a fiber optic link at the dock to provide data services to the island and allow guests to charge souvenirs, equipment rentals, massages or other purchases back to their cabins.

Onboard the Disney Wonder, and docking at Castaway Cay

2007-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

View of our Verandah Stateroom, and our towel art:
Arriving at Castaway Cay around 730am:
(3) The Flying Dutchman from the movie Pirates of the Carribean:

Nassau, Bahamas - Atlantis

2007-03-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

A very busy day in town, 5 cruise ships docked, and a special celebrity funeral happening on the outside of town (Anna Nicole Smith).

(3/4) Pictures of art inside Atlantis' Casino

Disney Cruise to the Bahamas!!

2007-03-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

So what's the adventure this week? Why a Disney Cruise of course... (1) the gangway to the boat (2) Dopey walking by the pool (4) Sail Away Party
A view of Cape Canaveral / Cocoa beach through the window; The Littlest Toaster on TV, and the show for the day - "Hercules":
(1) Sunset, (2) Sunrise (3/4) Arriving in Nassau:
(1) Nassau, (2) The Disney Wonder, (3) Lunch at Sr. Frogs, (4) The Straw Market

PARIS!!!

2007-02-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

We have arrived in Paris: (1) CDG, (2) the RER to downtown Paris (our hotel), the view of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel ( 4 star Hilton ):

The Metro, and a walk through the neighbourhood below Basilique du Sacré Coeur. They were filming a TV show or movie (2,3,4):
Basilique du Sacré Coeur - A view of foggy Paris:
We then went around the corner and had Margarita pizza from a nice little cafe:

Moulin Rouge, Walking to the hotel / Eiffel Tower

2007-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

Crepe under the Eiffel Tower, the RER to Disneyland!!

2007-02-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

Mickey! The Studios, Disneyland!!!

2007-02-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Picture with the boss in Paris! We then went on Rock'n Roller Coaster which was fun, but not as good as the Florida version. After that we headed over to Disneyland. (4) the silly chipmunk tried to follow us as we exited the park, but he wasnt allowed to leave :)

We went to Casey's Corner for lunch. Then to Frontierland:

Phantom Manor, Adventureland

2007-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is one awesome ride. This is probably the best version of the Haunted Mansion. It has a lot of interesting different things. It is "darker" in some portions because you go "below the graveyard", but they also have a western portion to the ride....

Pirates of the Caribbean!! Fantasyland, Discoveryland, Parade

2007-02-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

Pirates is so much better here than in Florida, it compares to California, and may be better....

Parade Con't, Big Thunder picture, Castle

2007-02-12T07:04:00.000-08:00

Inside the castle, above and below...

2007-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Careful, because in Paris they keep a dragon locked up in the bottom of the castle.

Train to Frontierland, Castle, Space Mountain

2007-02-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

After waiting for about an hour in the cold we took the train to Frontierland, yes one stop, because the train broke down! We then had to walk across the park to Space Mountain. This is by far the best version, it has amazing effects, and it really seems that you are traveling through the universe and around all of the planets.

Bye Disneyland, and Tour Eiffel!!!

2007-02-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

After the park we headed to McDonalds at Disney Village (version of DTD) and it was REALLY busy. The next morning around 10 we headed to the Eiffel Tower to go visit the top:

The Eiffel Tower!

2007-02-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

The top, our hotel, to keep the birds away, and the view:

The French like to smoke: It was great we arrived when we did, because as of Feb.1, Paris started a smoking ban in public places and restaurants
That far to Canada....

Tour Eiffel Con't, Metro, Notre Dame

2007-02-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

View from the 2nd floor:
Our hotel:
Guards protecting the Eiffel Tower: The Metro stations closest to our hotel: Notre Dame:
The Christmas tree is still up in front of Notre Dame (then again it is in our apartment as well)

Inside Notre Dame, Winter Festival, Louvre

2007-02-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

A skating rink outside, it looked like a winter festival:
The good'ol Pommes-Frites sauce (a french fry sauce) that tastes sort of like mao and tartar sauce :) Samaritaine - a large shopping mall, and The Louvre:
Words can't do this place justice - IT IS HUGE!!!

Louvre

2007-02-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

The Mona Lisa:

Champs-Élysées

2007-02-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

View from the top of the Arc:

Walking down, inside the Arc... at night...

2007-02-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

The steps back down into the Arc, and there is even a gift shop in the top of it!

The walking tunnel under the road to get to the Arc; View of the Eiffel Tower from the Metro
After a little late afternoon rest, we head back out, and to the Arc again:
From here we returned to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a nighttime view.....

Eiffel Tower (at night) Con't...

2007-02-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

View from the top: - there is a spotlight that scans the horizon:

Some interesting snacks we had... the olive chips were disgusting...

Coming home...

2007-02-12T06:22:00.000-08:00

As we leave the hotel, we pass by the Eiffel Tower and the street toilet for one last time.
We take the RER back out to the airport. Pictures of CDG:

View over Philiadelphia, and us waiting in the airport:

The end... This was an awesome vacation, we did so many things; much more than I could have ever imagined... An awesome time!

PARIS!

2007-02-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

Bonjour! Christine and I just returned from our 5 day trip to Paris! We had an awesome time. We saw everything, Sacre Coeur, the top of the Eiffel Tower (night and day), The Arc de Triomphe (night and day), Disneyland Paris (both parks), and so much more. I took over 1200 pictures, too many to post on my blog. I have selected the best, and have put them on my picture site: http://mickeyslittlehelper.smugmug.com/gallery/2442743

However, in the next few days I will be posting some detailed blog entries. Enjoy! : )

Grad!!!

2007-01-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

For Disney's new Year of a Million Dreams celebration, they rolled out the red carpet for cast members. One day on my way to work I was greeted by several managers cheering for me, and they asked for my autograph in an autograph book, all the while being filmed:
And yes the day has arrived, my graduation:

The boss congratulates me:

Serendipity, our hotel, and leaving NY

2007-01-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

A footlong hot dog that was amazing, they even give you a new jar of mustard:
Our lobby, and the view of Manhattan from the plane as we were leaving NY

Statue of Liberty, Wall St, WTC, Serendipity

2007-01-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

Statue of Liberty, Wall Street:
Wall Street, WTC:

Broadway, Seredipity 3 the second time - for dinner:

Central Park, Magnolia Bakery, Statue of Liberty

2007-01-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Scenes from Home Alone and Die Hard:
Our horse Shaggy, traveled to Magnolia Bakery off 11th - famous for the best cupcakes (limit 12 per person)

Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan, it was too cold to even attempt a boat ride, let alone walk to the ledge like we did. It was SOOO COLD! (2) salt on the sidewalks

Empire State Building, Central Park Carraige Ride

2007-01-21T15:05:00.000-08:00

One side of the building was closed off because off the extreme winds, and did I mention that is was cold!

We went for a carriage ride through Central Park: (1) the place where the snow ball fight takes place in ELF, (3) where they play chess in Independence Day, and (4) the Ghostbusters towers:

Rockefeller Center, Cops, Hotel, Snow, Empire St. Building

2007-01-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

A NY garbage truck, then a little later a police escort of about 10 cop cars:
Our hotel, and SNOW!:
Mariella Pizza - just around the block from our hotel - rated #1 by Oprah as the best Pizza Restaurant, then off to the Empire State Building where we visited the top:

Serendipity3, Roosevelt Island, and 5th Ave

2007-01-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

http://serendipity3.com/main.htm - Famous for thier food, history, guests, and frozen hot chocolate. After lunch we took the Roosevelt Island Tram to get a good view of the NY skyline:

Then we walked back to 5th Ave for some shopping. A very cool entrance to the Apple Store, and playing the piano at FAO Schwartz:

New York!!!

2007-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

Me and Christine went to New York on Thursday, and arrived home this morning. The view from our hotel room, and Times Square:

View from our hotel the next morning, and as we walk past Central Park, The Plaza Hotel is currently being completely renovated and turned into 2.5M+ apartments:
Artwork in Central Park, Bloomingdales, and Serendipity 3 for lunch:

De-Christmas

2007-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

So Christmas has come and gone, and its time for an update. Been working like crazy the last couple of weeks. One night me and Sean were trying to find a place after work to go and eat, and we landed upon Fat Boys BBQ, and boy that was a mistake. We both had a "Fat Boys Feast":

The Christmas tree has come down, and a marathon went throught Epcot and all of Disneyworld last week:
Epcot:
A car rental:

New Years Eve: My Story

2007-01-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

"Last week was extremely busy at all of the Walt Disney World parks, as the Magic Kingdom began phased closings on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Disney's Animal Kingdom also closed on Wednesday and Thursday, while the Disney-MGM Studios had parking lot overflows on Wednesday and Thursday, as well. Epcot, with its larger parking lots and much larger capacity, did not close at all. It's uncertain when three parks last closed at the same time.
While Epcot did stay open, lines were extremely long, with waits for Soarin' regularly around 3 hours and lines for many Future World attractions running all the way to the Innoventions breezeways. New Year's Eve saw Soarin' waits of up to 4 hours."

These pictures in this photo were taken a few days before christmas: (1) fireworks sign warning about the NYE fireworks (2) a gingerbread house Christine and myself made (3/4) the rental for the day.

Onto NYE: The park had extended hours from 7am until 1am. There were two fireworks, one at 730, and the big one at 1140. The park started to close at max attendance around 11am, reaching about 76000 people at one point. Hats and horns were distributed from 6pm on. My shift was from 3pm-3am, but I ended up leaving around 1:45. I have never seen a place soo busy, and I didnt even leave the restaurant. There were people just running around everywhere. I walked out backstage behind the restuarant and all I could hear was the crowds, and the loud noise makers. (It sounded like Canadian geese). When it came time for fireworks: 11:40, all guests were out of the restaurant which allowed us to go watch the fireworks. We all ran outside and squeezed in together to watch the fireworks from popcorn. It was the regular fireworks, plus a countdown in each country according to the time zones, with America and Canada last.
Pictures of the crowds, smoke and debris was blowing towards Canada (thanks wind). Also in picture 2,3 you can see the fireworks at MGM.
The special event tent next to Canada was open for the night. I was one of the last to leave because I helped out waiting until Christine was scheduled to get off at 2, but was done about 130. Was looking forward to the "cast hallway celebration" which took place from 9pm-3am. "A special celebration with food (chili and bread sticks), refreshments (none), fun & HATS (none). It was cool to shake hands with the president of Epcot on the way out, but what I was looking forward to all night (the hats) they were out of. But the next morning, yes I worked the next morning at 1015, one of the managers had 1 left, which they gave to me. So all was well.

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you enjoy reading my blog in '07 with many more exciting things to come! : )

New Years Eve Con't

2007-01-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Some of the crowds after the 7pm fireworks:
Some of the trash left by guests: clean up crews could not catch up

New Years Eve

2007-01-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

From Miceage.com:

On New Year’s Eve itself, Epcot revved up into its highest gear. The parking lot filled by mid-afternoon, and cars were routed to Disney-MGM Studios lot instead. The usually-unused Millennium Village, between the UK and Canada pavilions, threw open its doors for fine dining, dancing, and cash bars.

Dance floors were set up in Future World (reportedly, the puppets from Tapestry of Nations were out too, but I didn’t see them), Italy, and China (I think last year saw one in France, as well). The fog and fire effects in China were interesting enough, but the lasers and light show of Italy made for a superior attraction.

Nearby, at the American pavilion, the audience took over the stage amid a curious mix of Latin beats and heavy metal.

to be con't

Sea World Con't (2)

2006-12-19T21:23:00.000-08:00

Sea World Con't

2006-12-19T21:22:00.001-08:00

Day at Sea World

2006-12-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

Candlelight Con't (in the rain)

2006-12-19T21:15:00.000-08:00

Spectromagic

2006-12-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

MK, Candlelight

2006-12-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

MGM Lights, Magic Kingdom

2006-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Nasa's Launch Pictures

2006-12-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

Go for launch! STS-16 night launch

2006-12-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The fiery liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery from Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-116 is captured in the nearby water. Liftoff occurred on time at 8:47 p.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt of Discovery on mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2003. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5.
The launch culminated a countdown challenged only by a cold front dominating weather across the spaceport. Packing cloud cover and gusty winds, the front caused the scrub of Thursday's launch and posed an early threat to this evening's attempt before weakening in time for liftoff.
"It all just came together perfectly. The countdown itself, we worked very few problems," Leinbach explained. "It was like a [simulation] run with no problems. To see Discovery lift off for this night launch was just a thrill."The warm glow of Discovery's solid rocket boosters and trio of main engines lit the night sky for miles throughout the Kennedy area, marking the first night launch of a space shuttle in four years.

KSC Shuttle, MGM

2006-12-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

We went to the KSC on Dec 7 to try and see a nighttime shuttle launch. But it was a no go. We still had a great day touring everything, and even had lunch with an astronaut who went on 3 space missions.
The winter SALSA sale (Spend a little, save a lot), and MGM for the Christmas lights:

Mickeys Christmas Party 2

2006-12-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Epcot - Giant Mickey

2006-12-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

Candlelight - Rita Moreno

2006-12-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day Parade - Dec 2 Con't

2006-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

A special live performance by Andrea Bocelli:

Christmas Day Parade - Dec 2.

2006-12-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

Live Christmas morning, with Regis & Kelly:

Snow in Victoria

2006-12-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

My parents sent me a few pictures from home....:

Christmas Day on Dec 1st

2006-12-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

Today me and mom went to the Magic Kingdom with the hopes of seeing Regis and Kelly taping the Christmas Day Parade, however we ended up seeing the opening & closing of the Christmas day events.

Christmas at Epcot

2006-11-24T21:04:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving, all of the Christmas decorations are up. I went to try and catch a glimpse of Candlelight after work, because the narrator tonight was David Robinson.

Tree Lighting

2006-11-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the first day of Epcot's tree lighting. It features all of the characters and a cast member from each country. It was really fun to see.

Grand Floridian, Thanksgiving at DTD

2006-11-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

I went to the Grand Floridian yesterday for a massage. :-) All of the Christmas decorations are up, including the big gingerbread house.

End of November

2006-11-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

A quick update from what I have been up to the last week: my rental last week, decorations at Epcot, busy at the MK, dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern, a ride down Main St.

AK Lodge, Christmas Characters

2006-11-14T14:56:00.001-08:00

MVMCP Con't

2006-11-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

2006-11-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

Animal Kingdom, Christmas Characters

2006-11-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

A rare thing to see, a lion on safari:

MK getting ready for Christmas, Animal Kingdom

2006-11-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

AK Lodge, Epcot, car accident, MK

2006-11-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

Moving out, Animal Kingdom Lodge

2006-11-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

Christine and Tamara's program ended so they had to move out a few days ago. To finish off her program the two of us stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge for a few nights:
Our room had "savannah view"

Went to Boma for dinner - they have amazing desserts!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2006-11-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

The decorations are going up at all of the parks, the previews of the holiday fireworks and parades are happening..... It's starting to be Christmas in November....Me with the top of the Epcot Christmas tree; a local tornado warning goes out over the radio, does damage to some apartment homes and trailer parks.... dinner at Chili's, the world's largest McDonald's, and the Epcot Christmas tree/Le Cellier decorations go up over night...

Food & Wine, Osbourne Family Lights

2006-11-03T21:45:00.000-08:00

Pierre-Luc and some of the other Canadians for the Food & Wine Festival came up with the idea of creating a Canadian walk of fame out of chalk.
Christine and myself went to MGM after work tonight to see the cast preview of the Osbourne Family Lights. The lights are really cool. They were even giving out Christmas cookies and hot chocolate! :)

Golfing, HHN, Epcot, MK

2006-11-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st of November everyone. I hope everybody had a great Halloween. This is a quick recap of the last week and a bit. On one of my days off a group of us went to play golf on one of Disney's PGA golf courses, Osprey Ridge. Also, Christine and myself went to HHN once again, but this time with the express pass. It allowed us to not have to wait in line, and we managed to see everything in only a couple of hours. It was great. An interesting treat we found was deep-fried oreos.

Christmas trees are starting to be put together backstage. The two of us also went for lunch to Le Cellier, but got pictures with characters along the way.

HHN Con't

2006-10-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween Horror Nights

2006-10-23T21:58:00.000-07:00