Fun at the Parks with a taste of shopping!

Our day started out at the Shuffleboard courts. All of us did pretty well but the competition is fierce; especially the older players! After freshening up, we headed out to Disney's Hollywood Studios to take in a few of our faorite attractions. Our big meal of the day was to be at Manny's Chop House later in the afternoon, so we had to plan our noon hours at Hollywood Studios carefully. We studied the attraction times and made our way down Hollywood Blvd. We needed some spirit rousing music so we headed for the "Streets of America" for the rock of "Mulch, Sweat  and Shears!"

As the "band" of landscapers made their way down the street, their upbeat base and drum beat made us ready for what was to come.

Within minutes, they were up and making music! Their Manager is the rebel rouser of the group... he works the crowd... as Darlene found out...

Darlene was abit caught off guard, but made the best of the moment! We all clapped along with the band's music. Moving along, we headed for Disney's Backlot tour. After a display of movie making water special effects we boarded the tram for a tour of the back lot. We came to a stop at the working stage set and got to expeience movie making magic up-close and personel...

OK, so we get to see flames and water... but, then we got to see how they can move over 70,000 gallons of water in a couple of minutes...

From there we headed to the really popular new "Toy Story Mania" ride. It was a real hoot and lots of fun.

Watching our time, the guys headed to see "Lights, Motors, Action" and the girls wanted to try their hand a the "Art Studio."

Every time you watch these superb drivers go through their paces you see something new. Even though you've seen it before you're still impressed with the show.

The girls created some fine artistic redintions of "Goofy."

From Disney's Hollywood Studios we drove to Manny's and enjoyed their Wednesday special, their two-for-one chicken or steak fajitas, yummy! (Sorry, didn't take any photos, too busy eating!)

The next day we just had to walk off the "guilt" so we headed for Downtown Disney... to have lunch at the "Earl of Sandwhich!" (What can I say!) After lunch, we just have to walk past (and into) Ghirardelli's for a chocolate sample! .... then we walked off the guilt!

Actually, we headed for the "World of Disney" store. There, Bill and Darlene thought it fitting to get a little playful at Angela's expense...

And so, with a touch of Disney clips in her hair, being a good sport, Angela posed for a photo...

Alright, so the adults are acting like kids! What do you expect when they don't have any kids around. We made our way back to our park so the guys could R & R while the girls took off to BINGO!

I know we "crashed" early and the girls were still going strong, 'night, 'night!

Nature at its best!

Our Monday morning bike ride took us to the town of Celebration. As you may know our bike rides tend to include a final destination at a local restaurant. Today, like all of our bike rides in Celebration, we ended up at the Celebration Town Tavern. The Town Tavern features fresh New England fish delivered daily. Ah, the taste of New England!

Our ride, normally ten miles, takes us past many of the exclusive homes that make up Celebration. Yep, there's a number of them for sale. They say, if you can afford the monthly maintenance fee, you can afford to own one of these homes!

Along our route, we paused a moment or two to enjoy a couple of the "local inhabitants." First, while peddling along the wooden bike path that traverses an untouched section of town, we encountered this fine feathered hunter... This statuesque hawk kept a weary eye on us as we made our way past him.

It's always exciting to catch glimpses of the local Florida wildlife. Our bike troupe of "snowbirds" are constantly on the lookout for wildlife that we just don't see in our home states. Of course another critter we're always on the lookout for is the alligator. Cooler temps keep these preditors out of site. But when the sun works its magic one can easily find one of these guys warming him/herself out in the open...

This fine looking four/five foot young 'gator hung around for all of us to observe and photograph. We were only about ten feet away from him/her. Our observing area just happened to be on a house lined street. This critter was visiting one of the many man-made ponds that are part of the charm of Celebration. Yes, in hot/warm weather, you really need to pay attention to your walk places, ponds, etc. There are a number of varieties of seriously dangerous critters here in the south.

We left our "friend" to his sunbathing and rode on our way! Oh, this guy/girl will eventually be moved from the area by the officials.

A new act in the park!

Our first park Sunday "Pool Party" needed to be held inside the clubhouse. The unusually cold air that engulphed Florida and the rest of the country, forced us inside for the afternoon of hot dogs, and music provided by a local DJ. The music warmed everyone's heart and put us in a "sunny" kind of mood. Best of all, the frivolity introduced us to the latest local dance sensation.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the "Sweet Petunias!"

Our impromptu dance troupe led us in a great "soft shoe" with hilairus synchronized laughs!

Oh my, what parents and adults do when the kids aren't around!

Angela and Bill's first 2010 visit to the Magic Kingdom!

So the temperature is hovering in the low 40's, let' go to Magic Kingdom! But, before that let's go eat. So we walk from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort for lunch at the "Wave." The "Wave" has become a lunch stop when our bicycle group rides in Fort Wilderness. Most of us who frequent the "Wave" have come to enjoy their "Classic Reuben" sandwich, It is yummy! We return to MK and try to make the best of a cold day in the park. We took in a few of the attractions with shorter lines. Our decision to go to the park on such a cold day was in part due to Angela and Bill wanting to get to the MK soon after arriving here in the area.

Angela and Bill's first visit of 2010! Cinderella's Castle makes a fitting background for their "welcome back visit!"

Everytime we visit the MK the one attraction we always manage to go to is, "It's a Small World!" Even if you've never ridden this family favorite, surely you know the song; "It's a Small World." This is the song that always gets "stuck in your head...

as attested by Darlene and Buzz!

In any case, we enjoyed ourselves.

The beat goes on!

I know, you don’t really care how cold it is down here! Yea, you really feel for us. You’d all probably enjoy having temps in the high 20’s during the day time! That’s what is expected here tonight and tomorrow night, UGH! At least when the sun is out (as it was today) it allows us to get out and about and even be quite warm in the sun and make the best of the day.

Gnorm is quietly resting as we settle in to our activity/work routine. Pat’s sister and her husband, Bill, are now here and our little group is itching to take advantage of the area.

Bill and Angela made their way south in an attempt to escape the cold only to be surprised at the chill that greeted them upon their arrival in the park. Their dog, Maggie, is not one for riding but is doing well adjusting to the snowless grass and milder temperatures.

Our included photos give you a hint of the unique people and critters that saunter around the local. First off there are the “Mouse” followers…

Then the local food seeking fauna…

And, even a few “snowbirds” looking for some relaxation…

Christmas fun!

Christmas turned out to be a "hoot!" Several of our local celebrants felt is was best to take advantage of the season to "let their hair down!" Pat and Darlene were the hit of the Christmas Dinner!!

Well, it's difficult to keep a good reindeer down. Before you knew it their spirit was matched by Carl and Jackie...

Carl worked on his smile for this photo op! As you can tell, his idol just happens to be the Grinch!

Not just anyone can wear a costume like these.

But, speaking of costumes...

We managed to find someone who can really wear a costume...

This rather unassuming "vine" happens to be ...

"The Grape Vine Lady"

She is a unique "performing artist" in Disney's Animal Kingdom. She is a delight to watch as she "walks" among the guest and then literally disappears into the flora.

She moves effortlessly and is incredibly flexible...

Can you figure out where her head is? She has two arms and one leg on the ground. Her other leg is reaching upward!

But, there's alway one Disney Costume you can easily make out...

Have a Happy New Year!

No time for sitting!

We packed up and headed out to WDW to share in Darlene and Buzz' first day in the Parks with their first annual Disney pass.

First the "obligatory" photo...

After a day of "park hopping" and "drawing class," we thought we'd take in a real change of scenery and head for a night of seasonal fanfare at Celebration. The center of town is blocked off for ice skating, caroling and "snow!" On the hour it would "snow" on the kids (young and old) who made their way onto the "snow" covered street for a chance to kick up their heels in several inches of the "fluffy" stuff and make a "snowball" or two!

There's something to be said about frolicking in "snow" in shorts, flip-flops and tee-shirts!

We just had to get back to "reality." So, we headed back to WDW! This time, six of us took advantage of a cloudy, comfortable day to explore EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Twelve hours later the couple we thought might tire out were going strong! The rest of us were beginning to dream of "sugar plumb fairies."

Josie and Charlie trudged about the parks like they were kids!

We glided like eagles in "Soarin" and the "kids" beat a "Fast Pass" to "Fast Track!"

Speeding by in the front (as you sit in the car) center and left seats are Darlene and Buzz and in the rear seat center and left is Charile and Josie.

We left the park for lunch and planned to meet in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Buzz and I headed back to walk their dog "Winston."

While waiting for us, Darlene invited Pat, Josie and Charlie to try their hand at Disney Art. They were all successful and proudly showed us their very own "Pooh Bear!" We squeezed in a segment of "American Idol" and by then it was dark enough to experience the amazing "Osborne Family Christmas Light Show."

We watched in awe as the five million lights "danced" to music in a grand spectacle.

From there we made a "bee-line" back to EPCOT for coffees and almond encrusted sweet pretzles in Norway to wait for the grand finale... "IllumiNations!"

BUT, first, we needed a diversion. Something relaxing... so we headed for "Spaceship Earth" for a virtual "get-a-way!" We let our "time machine" "take us away."

Pat and I planned a "get-a-way" in our very own "time machine" to an under water dream world!

Disney spares no expence to see to it that all your creature comforts are satisfied as you travel about the parks!

Pat and I jet-setted our way to a "blue lagoon" for an underwater experience of a lifetime!

IllumiNations is especially spectacular during the Christmas Season. Disney tacks on a special holiday tribute to all with a fireworks grand finale like none other. It literally takes your breath away.

Our walk back to our cars was a lot slower than it was twelve hours earlier, but we all agreed, we had a great day, did many more attractions/activities than we thought we would and that we'd do it all again... soon!