DizneyMike’s World

Adios, Au revoir, Lebewohl, 再见, Addio, Farvel, さようなら, وداعا, Goodbye!

I just said “goodbye” to you in all the languages of the World Showcase countries in Epcot. Why? Well after two wonderful years of blogging here on AllEars I’ve decided to retire (again!). As many of you know, my wife and I moved down here to Central Florida to retire. And we were living the good life until one day I got a message from my good friend Deb Wills asking if I had any interest in blogging for AllEars. Any of you who know Deb will understand how difficult it is to say “no” to her; not that I really wanted to. She’s a very special lady; one that you want to know and be around. Anyway, before long she had me convinced to give it a try.

Well, two years and over 130 blogs later I’ve decided to give up the blog. In the past two years a lot has changed for me that prevent me for being as committed to blogging as I had been. My wife and I now have two beautiful grandsons and a third on the way. And our daughter and her family moved from Massachusetts (where both our families are) to Illinois. So, God willing, in 2011 and beyond there will be a lot of traveling in our plans to both IL and MA for family visits.

There is nothing more important than family! As much as I’ve loved blogging and interacting with all those who have read my blogs I have to put my family first. I’m sure you understand.

I want to thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to read any of my blogs. In the two years that I’ve been blogging my blogs have received almost three thousand comments from readers. Just wonderful. I’ve met so many wonderful folks through the blog, Facebook, emails and the various AllEars meet and greets. Thank you to all for being so kind to me! It’s very much appreciated!

I want to thank Deb for giving me the opportunity to have my fifteen minutes of fame. Deb is a courageous individual, a pioneer and visionary who led the way for Disney fans on the web with her Deb’s Disney Digest web site that has turned into the premier Disney information site that it is today; AllEars.net!

Since I love all things Disney and have really loved my time blogging, I’m not going away completely. I am going to remain part of the AllEars team working in the background doing whatever I can to help Deb and the rest of her team. You may even see me do a “guest” blog from time to time.

Well it’s time to close this out. I couldn’t find a better way to end it than this:

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.
~Dale Evans

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your friend....DizneyMike

This is a continuation of the Walt Disney Resorts Decorations blog. In case you missed it, in the first blog I had pictures of the decorations at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian hotels. In this blog you'll get to see how the BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge are decorated for the holidays.

I guess my second favorite decorated hotel is the Wilderness Lodge. Immediately as you walk into the lobby you get the feeling that you want to spend some time there. You get that feeling that you're home for the holidays.

The BoardWalk Inn and Villas, with it's turn of the century theming, is the perfect place for Disney to put up a holiday gingerbread display featuring Stitch and Donald Duck; or at least a little bit of Donald. :-)

Hopefully you've had a chance to see the chocolate merry-go-round at the Beach Club in person. It's just beautiful! Also, it's hard to be a chocolate lover around that display; makes your mouth water.

The train and village display at the Yacht Club is really something to see. The Disney ImaginEars must have had a lot of fun putting that together. You really have to take your time in order to see all the fun details of the display.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

This concludes my Christmas blogs. I hope I was able get pictures and videos of your favorite Walt Disney World holiday decorations.

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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One of the really enjoyable things to do at Walt Disney World during the holiday season is to visit the Disney hotels to see all the holiday decorations. Each of the hotels are beautifully themed and decorated with lots of lights, garland, wreaths, Christmas trees and gingerbread houses. And if you visit the hotels during the evening you may be lucky enough to see a local high school choir singing Christmas carols or a church group of bell ringers.

Disney doesn't just put up garland, wreaths and trees. They make sure that the decorations are themed and have a connection with the resort. That is particularly true with the large Christmas trees that you'll see in each hotel. In my opinion, the theming makes the decorations all that much more enjoyable to see.

In this blog I've included pictures of the decorations in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Resorts. I hope you enjoy them!

The first hotel I visited was the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The large tree in the center of the lobby is both beautiful and very impressive. I love the animal in the wreaths, however, I do wish they'd add a gingerbread house of some kind.

The big Christmas tree at the Contemporary Resort Hotel is outdoors in front. The lobby of the hotel doesn't have very high ceilings and the really isn't any room for the tree on the 4th floor where Chef Mickey's is. The gingerbread tree is really special and how cool is that large Mickey wreath?

Without a doubt the Grand Floridian is the most beautifully decorated place in all of Walt Disney World. It takes your breath away as you enter the hotel. I know the large gingerbread house gets most of the attention, but the tree and decorations are just outstanding.

The Polynesian does has some really beautiful decorations but is lacking compared to the other hotels. They don't have a really big tree or a gingerbread house. A couple years ago they did put out a chocolate display that really wasn't very good by Disney standards.

My next blog will have pictures of the decorations in the BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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Most people when they think of Hollywood Studios during the holiday season the first thing that comes to mind is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Rightfully so because that light display is jaw dropping spectacular. However, there are a lot of other holiday decorations throughout the park that gives Hollywood Studios a very festive look and feel.

The very large Christmas tree that's just outside the entrance to the park is just beautifully decorated with a very fitting movie theme. Also, I think the Disney Imaginears did a great job giving the park a very "Hollywood Christmas" look and feel. Somehow seeing all the palm trees and the holiday displays that were chosen for the park is what I would expect to see if I was in Hollywood, CA during the holiday season.

I really like the the red and white stars that line Sunset Boulevard. That gets my vote for the best decorated street in any of the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Finally, bravo to Disney for the beautiful nativity scene!!!

Following are pictures of the Hollywood Studios decorations as well as videos of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Enjoy!

I think it wonderful that this beautiful Nativity Scene is in the park.

There's a large Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sign just to the right of the large Christmas tree as you enter the park.

There's a what I call a "history board" located by the Osborne Lights that tells the story of the Osborne family and how Disney ended up with the lights.

Here's three videos of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The first video is of the snow as it begins to fall and the lights being turned on for the first time that evening. However all three videos show the lights "dancing in synchronized motion to holiday music". There are over five million lights in the display on the Streets of America. The lights, music and snow make this one "not to be missed" holiday event!

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - Part 1

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - Part 2

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - Part 3

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and videos! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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I attended the 5 PM Candlelight Processional this Thursday (December 16th). The guest narrator that night was Thomas Gibson who is presently starring in the hit TV show Criminal Minds.

For those of you who have never been to the Candlelight Processional here's some details:

Program:

Shout For Joy
O Come All Ye Faithful
Il Est Ne
O Holy Night
Angels From The Realms Oh Holy
Away In The Manger
Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy
What Child Is This
Do You Hear What I Hear
Silent Night
Joy To The World
The Hallelujah

The Cast:

The Walt Disney World Orchestra
Choir: Voices of Liberty (in red)
Choir: Walt Disney World Cast Choir (in green)
Choir: Participating Guest Choirs (in gold)

The guest choirs are most high school choirs from Florida, however some come from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virgina, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and even one from the United Kingdom.

In the following videos you'll see most, but not all, of the Candlelight Processional. Enjoy!

In this first video you'll see the guest choirs as the enter the American Garden Theater and fill the stage. It's very moving to see all the wonderful young men and women come in in their gold robes, holding their candles and singing; just beautiful!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the videos! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade is fun, very popular and a favorite of many visitors. The parade is basically the holiday version of the Jammin' Jungle Parade that runs during the rest of the year. The colorful floats and festive creatures are sure to bring a smile to the faces of both young and old.

Because of the narrow walkways in the Animal Kingdom there are lots of great places to watch the parade. Unlike with Magic Kingdom parades you are really close to the performers, characters and floats as they past by. To me that really adds to the enjoyment.

Here's a video of the parade along with pictures for you to enjoy.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and video! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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The Animal Kingdom is all decked out for the holidays. From the large Christmas tree that greets you in front of the park, to the holiday decorations on the buildings and lampposts, the decorations inside all the shops, the large snowman in Dinoland to the festive Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

Of all the parks, the Animal Kingdom is probably the most difficult one for Disney to decorate. Considering the architecture in the Animal Kingdom is of Africa and Asia, which doesn't lend itself to well to Christmas decorations, I thing Disney did a fantastic job there. I believe they have just the right amount of decoration and that the decorations are tasteful and fit in nicely.

So here's some pictures so you can judge for yourself. Also, I have both a video and pictures of Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade for you to enjoy.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and video! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

NOTE: When you comment it is now necessary to enter the word "blog" (without the quotations) in a box that's located just below the "Comments" box.

Did you know AllEars® has a huge area called Rate and Review where you can share your dining reviews with fellow readers? Check it out!

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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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Every year many of the good folks who have campsites at Fort Wilderness during the Christmas season do an incredible job decorating their sites. It's become a tradition that brings the same people back year after year; and each year they add more and more items to their display. Many of you may have seen Travel Channel's Samantha Brown spotlight some of those campsites on one of her Disney Holiday specials. It a wonderful tradition and one that many of you asked me to take pictures of.

My AllEars® teammate Erin Blackwell (she's the one responsible for updating menus) and her husband, John, are longtime Fort Wilderness campers. Erin and John were gracious enough to take Julie and me around one evening to view some of the displays. Not only was it great to see these decorations, but it was also nice to talk to some of the people responsible for them. Needless to say they are very proud of all their hard work putting the displays together. And it does take quite a bit of their time. I learned that many of them arrive as early as September in order to get the site of their preference. In addition to Christmas, many now also decorate for Halloween.

Anyway, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

The Christmas tree is located in the center of the "Settlement".

One of the ways to view the decorations is to take a horse-drawn sleigh ride ($60/per carriage). Click here for more information on the sleigh ride.

OK, on to some pictures of the decorations:

Many campsites had these really cool, homemade, Mickey lamp posts. Most didn't have the arms, just the pole and Mickey lamp, but I thought this one was pretty neat.

A number of campsites had these inflatable Disney movie screens. Can't you just see yourself on a beautiful evening, sitting in front of that watching your favorite Disney movie?

You can barely see the RV back there because of all the decorations.

I didn't want to interrupt Minnie as she was taking her bubble bath.

Mickey bows out to feed all of Santa's reindeer.

Now this is a golf cart! Very, very special!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos! Let me know if you have any comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

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Even though I've suspended my "favorites" blogs during the holiday season, I do want to announce the winner of my "What Would You Like To See In My Christmas Blog?"

And the winner is: The winner of the AllEars® baseball cap for commenting on my "What Would You Like To See In My Christmas Blog?" blog is: Amanda Campbell from Idaho. Congratulations to Amanda and "thank you" to everyone who took the time to share their "What Would You Like To See In My Christmas Blog?" and all the loyal AlllEars® readers!

Did you know AllEars® has a huge area called Rate and Review where you can share your dining reviews with fellow readers? Check it out!

Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining "DisneyMike's World" Facebook group.

Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

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Thank you to everyone who took the time to make suggestions for my Christmas blog. You're keeping me very busy and out of trouble. :-)

I've decided to break my Christmas blog up into a number of separate blogs. This blog will focus on Epcot's decorations. I also will do one on the decorations in Ft. Wilderness, Disney Resort Hotels as well as both Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. I have already blogged on all the Magic Kingdom decorations in my Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party blog.

So, here we go, following are pictures and videos that you requested and some that you didn't request:

There's lots of beautiful flower displays and topiaries throughout Epcot:

Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Seasons - featuring D'Vine Voice performs daily on the Future World Fountain stage.

The Christmas Tree as you enter the World Showcase and the beautiful tree topper:

The American Adventure is decorated both inside and out:

There is a Santa's Village located just in front of where the Santa meet and greet is. The village consists of a number of little shops where you can purchase Christmas ornaments, stockings, tree skirts as well as dolls and other children's toys.

Located inside the Liberty Inn is a large gingerbread house. Inside the gingerbread house you'll find a Cast Member selling cookies and other treats.

Many of you asked to hear the Voices of Liberty singing holiday songs:

Here's some pictures of the American Garden Theater all decked out for the Candlelight Processional:

This is a video I took last year of the Candlelight Processional:

Also, in case you missed them, I did two blogs with videos of the Holiday Storytellers that are in the World Showcase pavilions in Epcot. Here are the links to the two part blog: Part 1 and Part 2.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and videos! Let me know if you have and comments about anything in the blog. I'd love to hear from you!

NOTE: When you comment it is now necessary to enter the word "blog" (without the quotations) in a box that's located just below the "Comments" box.

Did you know AllEars® has a huge area called Rate and Review where you can share your dining reviews with fellow readers? Check it out!

Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining "DisneyMike's World" Facebook group.

Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

Hey, see this little green button? Well, it allows you to share this blog with your family and friends quite easily. Give it a try; it's pretty neat!

This is the second part of my 2010 Holiday Storytellers blog. In case you missed Part 1, I will repeat the introduction:

The Holiday Storytellers in Epcot have become a wonderful, must-see, tradition for me. Each country around the World Showcase has a very talented storyteller who shares the holiday traditions in his or her country with all that gather around. The Storytellers are entertaining and sometimes quite comical, but always tell a story to help get you into the holiday spirit.

Even the countries that don't celebrate Christmas have storytellers. They tell of similar holidays, and the traditions that are celebrated in their countries; such as New Year's, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan.

It's important to pick up an Epcot "Times Guide" as soon as you enter the park. The times for Stoytellers are listed on the back. It's not easy to see all of the Storytellers in one day, but with careful planning, and a lot of walking, it can be done. Unfortunately the times are not set up so you can just walk from one country to another and listen to the stories.

Without further ado, here are a couple pictures of the from each pavilion along with a video of the Storyteller. I've included a brief description taken from the Holidays Around The World Guide.

Japan Pavilion: "Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!"

Times: 12:50, 1:25, 2:15, 3:05, 4:00, 4:50, 5:35: 6:45 PM *

Morocco Pavilion: "Drum with Taarji as he celebrates the customs of Ramadan and Ashura."

Times: 3:00, 4:35, 5:40, 6:30, 7:20, 8:10 PM. *

France Pavilion: "Listen as Pere Noel's letter from a little girl, Babette, recreates the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child."

Times: 11:20, 11:55, 12:30, 1:15, 2:05, 3:30, 4:20, 5:05 PM. *

United Kingdom Pavilion: "Spend a moment with Father Christmas, as he makes traditions from Christmas past just as fun today!"

Times: 2:45, 3:55, 4:35, 5:25, 6:10, 6:45, 7:30, 8:25 PM. *

Canada Pavilion: "Be amazed as Nowell (Papa Noel), a Canadian lumber jack, tells of his journey to find Santa at Christmastime - and wait for the journey's end and a big surprise."

Times: 11:15, 12:00, 12:45, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:15 PM *

* Please note that the times posted are from the Times Guide for Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2010. The times may or may not change from week to week so please check pick up a copy of the Times Guide as you enter the park.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and videos! Let me know if you have and comments about these wonderful storytellers. I'd love to hear from you!

NOTE: When you comment it is now necessary to enter the word "blog" (without the quotations) in a box that's located just below the "Comments" box.

Did you know AllEars® has a huge area called Rate and Review where you can share your dining reviews with fellow readers? Check it out!

Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining "DisneyMike's World" Facebook group.

Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”….DizneyMike

Hey, see this little green button? Well, it allows you to share this blog with your family and friends quite easily. Give it a try; it's pretty neat!