Disney

What Makes Disney Disney

kanniduba9 Comments

It was very interesting to go to Disneyworld with a fairly newborn photographer’s eye. 

I realized how much I have learned…if nothing else, I’ve learned to see.

I remember years ago, taking five rolls of film…most of it was scenes…cluttered scenes.  Later, I remember saying, “I took way too many pictures of ‘stuff’…won’t do that again.”  We went again years later and I only took photos of loved ones in various locations.  Although I hold some of those photos dear, many didn’t capture their essences. 

This time, I took lots of photos of loved ones, as well as many, many, many photos of “stuff.”  But they were deliberate, and the subjects are more clearly defined. 

I found myself in awe of the details…these are what separate Disney properties from other amusement parks.  The architectural detail is quite amazing.  And for some reason, I was drawn to photographing the lights around the various parks.  Why?  I’m not sure—but I noticed them…saw them.  I don’t think I had ever noticed them before. 

So here I will give you a sampling of the details that caught my eye over the nine days we spent there.  If you’d like to see more, check out my flickr———–> 

(There was a birds’ nest in the next one.)

And finally, here’s me in Mickey’s mirror.  🙂

Yep, that\'s me...in Mickey\'s mirror.

 

Good Eats

kanniduba5 Comments

So, we had a lot of delicious meals in Disney, but I have to say, my favorite, the snack that stood above all others, were THESE!

These little beauties are Carmelized Cinnamon Almonds.  The scent of these babies wafting from the cart drew me from at least three rides away.  Once I found the source, I had to have them.  They were divine!!! 

(Please excuse me while I close my eyes and dream of nuts.)

 

Strangers…Taking inspiration from Shrew.

kanniduba3 Comments

So here’s a small sample of my “Stranger Collection.”  You knew that with over 1200 photos, some of them HAD to be sneaky pictures of unsuspecting strangers!  Shrew inspired me to look at my surroundings with a new eye, and boy…people watching took on a whole new meaning! 

I had lots of “walking-the-baby-around-while-he-slept-in-his-stroller” time, while Zan took the girls to the fun stuff.  I decided to use those times as photography moments.

And so, I present to you…

Pointing people.

And lost people.

And tired people.

Of course, costumed people.

And, my favorite–sleeping people.

(Funny enough, I was actually going to take a photo of that sign, but when I pointed my camera at it, I realized that I had a perfect, unsuspecting, sleeping stranger sitting beneath it!  YES!!)

All Star Vacation Homes—free advertisement

kanniduba4 Comments

Okay, so I’m going to start off my Disney-related posts (which will likely extend over the next couple of weeks, so don’t come back till May if you bore easily!) with a plug for All Star Vacation Homes, the agency we rented our vacation home from.  This was the second time we have stayed in a home managed by these folks, and in my humble opinion, there is no other way to see Disney!  (This coming from a Disney maniac who said once upon a time, “I will never stay anywhere but on Disney property, EVER!”) 

First of all this house was gorgeous!  I am popping in some photos taken by All Star folks, simply because mine don’t do the place justice.  (I took mine early in the morning before the sun came up, so mine came out a bit dull and dark.)  We originally rented this house because we were supposed to be staying with another family, but they had to back out.  We kept the house anyway, even though it was a splurge. 

 

The properties are all just three easy-to-drive miles from Disney properties, and it was SOOO nice to come home to the peace and quiet of a home.  (Not to mention the money saved on food!!!  We ate most breakfasts and some lunches at “home.”)  This house was especially cool, since we could see the fireworks nightly from the pool. 

Check out this agency!  I HIGHLY recommend them for your next Orlando vacation.

http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/

*turning*off*advertisement*voice*

 

Flying

kannidubaLeave a comment

So, we’re flying to Disneyworld next month, and once again I’m forced to face my fear of flying.  And yes, we’re flying Southwest, and scary news stories are SO NOT what I need right now!  And did you ever notice that just when you’re about to board a plane, there is a plane crash story everywhere you turn? 

I don’t know if it’s the loss of control, or my lack of trust, or just the plain old fact that it’s unnatural for humans to be miles in the air…but I nearly lose my rational self at take-off.  And of course, THEN I’m afraid, not only of flying, but of losing my nut and embarrassing myself and my family.  And, to top it all off, I refuse medication because I have three children and refuse to be half zonked on a flight. 

Now, lest you think I’m an absolute loony toon, I have never come unglued on a flight.  I’ve become pale with fear, but never unzipped. 

So, I’ve begun to work on visualizing myself sitting in the seat, the excitement of getting there overcoming the nervousness about GETTING there.  I’m visualizing calm, breathing, relaxation…this is good….until my brain clicks and I visualize myself screaming my guts out as the plane lifts off the ground.  Not good. 

Okay, so this leads then to the ultimate, self-induced guilt trip, as I hear that little “God” voice in my head saying, “Aha!  You don’t trust me.”  And I say back, “Of course I do!” while hanging my head in shame that, in reality, maybe I don’t.  “What about all those others who crashed even though they trusted You?”  asks my sinning self.  And back in my ear comes, “You mustn’t trust that I will save you, but that even if you crash you are saved.” 

I’ll work on that .