Around the "World!"

We headed for the Magic Kingdom with our friends, Darlene and Buzz to be part of the crowd for the WDW Christmas Day Parade. We got quite a lesson on what it takes to make a production for an hour (or two) television program. First off, you know there will be entertainers there along with all the people who want there 15 minutes of fame (like us)!
There were camera crews and equipment set up in front of Cinderella's Castle along with a screaming mass of (mostly young) people. We managed to talk to a fellow Cast Member to find out who's on stage and what's all this stuff about taping the Christmas Parade.  Well, here's who was on stage...

I know you really have to look to figure out who the entertainer is. He's the one in the black vest/white shirt in the center of the photo. It's American Idol's Chris Allen! We got there late in his taping but it was all kind of surreal as we bagan to realize the scope of taping the Christmas Parade.

To boot we found out Celine Dion was to be there the next day. We were literally blown away when we heard her name! To make a long story short, we missed her due to the "rain clause" high profile entertainers have in their contracts. Due to rain, her segment was taped the day we were in the park at the Grand Floridian Resort. We were oridinally told Celine Dion was to tape on Sunday! Yep, we got up real early and headed to the Magic Kingdom to see Celine!!! You know how that turned out! We didn't know she had already come and gone! Well, we made the best of it. Darlene, Buzz, Pat and I hit a few attractions, a few stores and Buzz and I checked out another group to be part of the Christmas Day Parade...

The Jonas Brothers!

That was cool! Buzz and I stood near the crowd as the film/audio staff plotted out their taping. For over twenty minutes, Buzz and I watched as the crew tried to get a group segment taped. The entire process can be quite taxing and time consuming and not as glamorous as you might think. The Christmas Day Parade will be taped in sections over a number of days. The finished product truly is "Magical" when you see what it takes to put it all together.

We headed for "Sweet Tomatoes" for lunch. We know Bill and Angela have enjoyed a lunch or two at "Sweet Tomatoes" and many of you may not have heard of this restaurant. To save time, I'll let their web site speak for itself! http://www.souplantation.com/ The place is great! The originial store is based in CA and goes by the name, "SoupPlantation." Other stores in the southern states are called "Sweet Tomatoes." Their 55' salad bar is incredible. Add to that their soups breads and ice cream... is ALL YOU CAN EAT!

Well, now we had to walk off lunch. We pointed our HHR toward Disney's Hollywood Studios. Darlene, couldn't wait to take us to the Hollywood Studios Animation class. Pat and I never new about this super, out of the way fun place. We waited our turn to enter an art studio and draw our very own Disney Character.

Above, Darlene and Buzz waited impatiently for the instructor to begin our class to draw "Pluto!"

We were like little kids. We had our own drawing board (shaped like Mickey of course) and an eraserless pencil. Yep, NO erasers, and only one piece of paper! After our first class, we headed out to catch the music of "Mulch Sweat and Shears."

After some great music and laughs we headed back to the drawing board! We had to do another drawing.

This time we got a choice of characters... we opted for "Minnie."

And here is how they turned out...

Yep, these are our "works of art!"

Twelve hours later we made our way out of the park and headed for some rest. I'll leave you with several uniquely serene photos... Downtown Disney at 7:30a.m....

Till next time!