Light on the Water

The Yacht and Beach Club's outdoor lighting features four distinct styles in close proximity to one another. Yet the nautical theme is prevalent throughout, and the different light fixtures work harmoniously with one another to help set the scene.

Jot It Down

Hidden in a store window within a back corner of the China pavilion, this little cricket takes down a note in his nicely furnished birdcage. Perhaps a subtle tribute to Cri-Kee, the tiny typist in Mulan - but it is a wonderful detail nonetheless.

Milk and Cookies

At Winter Summerland, the elves make sure there is always a constant supply of milk and cookies nearby. In this particular container, one gingerbread character certainly takes on familiar characteristics...

Smilodon Sez...

In the typical fashion of roadside attractions, Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama wishes visitors and passerby's to "Have a Nice Day" with this cartoonish saber-toothed cat.


The name "Smilodon" is not just a fun play on words to accompany the smiling cat. It is actually the genus name for the large-toothed creatures who lived in prehistoric North and South America. Interestingly enough, the Smilodon is California's state fossil.

Goofing Around

Fulton’s General Store over at Port Orleans Riverside is arguably one of the best resort gift shops around. The decor helps to strengthen this claim, including the scene that takes place in the middle of the store.

Huey, Dewey, and Louie are seen wearing straw hats and matching shirts, pulling on a rope with an unseen outcome (though it is probably not a good one!).

Chip and Dale are up to their usual mischief - antagonizing poor Donald once again. This time they have dropped a crate onto his head, which gives him a look that is famous in the cartoon world.

Goofy exercises what not to do on a ladder, and seems to be having some problems with the stove pipe.

Even Morty and Ferdie Fieldmouse make a rare appearance, helping to fan the fire.

Lighting the Way

As I previously explored in my tour of benches, the individual countries that make up World Showcase have all been given extremely careful attention when it comes to theming. This time, I am going to take a similarly obscure trip around the World and explore the various light poles.

The generic World Showcase style takes on elements from each country and combines them to create a truly unique form.


Canada's design features rustic elements from the Pacific Northwest, including natural wood, wrought iron, and a lantern.


The United Kingdom light pole has a design like what you would expect to find outside your local pub.


France's light features a graceful, elegant design on top and conical-shaped glass.


Morocco's dual light fixture has colored glass and ornate design work in every component.


Japan's lantern is styled like a delicate wooden temple.

The American Adventure has colonial style lighting, with a gas lamp appearance.

The beautiful stained glass lighting of Italy seems to take its influence from the Gothic and Renaissance architecture of Venice

Germany's lighting features subtle elegance in its yellow glass and detailed ironwork, which carries down into hooks for the hanging plants.

The African Outpost takes a unique approach, where its lighting become more sculptural and organic with colorful patterns.

Like the Japanese style, the Chinese lighting seems to take an architectural form in brilliant red and gold.

Norway's lighting has a very rustic look to it, something that you would expect to find in a seaside town, with an added embellishment of a metal crown finial.

Mexico's lighting features dark, ornate metalwork and textured glass, giving it a rich look.

Beach Bums

Hidden Mickeys in the carpet are nothing new at the Disney Resorts, but the pattern at the BoardWalk takes it to a whole new level.


Colorful patterns of seashells and flowers are intertwined amongst human footprints, as well as the trademark items of some familiar characters.

Pit Stop

The whimsical theming of Winter Summerland is present down to the smallest detail - even finding its way into the bathroom signage.

Supply and Demand

The Island Supply store in Adventureland sells a variety of tropical themed gifts, but it also apparently supplies the surrounding area with basic necessities. Spools of colored yarn can be seen on racks high above the store front.

Camouflage

When you first walk into the Great Ceremonial Hall, you may begin to feel inundated by sensory overload. There are things to see everywhere, and they are all expertly themed to make you feel like you walked into a tropical oasis. The ceiling is no exception, as it carries a pattern influenced by Polynesian culture. Yet look even more carefully, and you will find that it was designed so cleverly that you probably won't see the vents, speakers, and other items, which adds wonderfully to the resort's handcrafted appearance.

Road Trip

Taking the family on a cross-country vacation is a long-standing tradition of American culture, even immortalized in the 1938 short Mickey's Trailer, and it is celebrated at the Pop Century Resort. During the busier hours, this Airstream-shaped kiosk located by the bus stop opens up to become a free-standing merchandise cart selling the various items that guests might need during their time at the parks. However, the cart is far more interesting detail-wise when it is closed up.

The two large sides feature maps of Florida and California, with the respective parks clearly marked, of course.
Even the Walt Disney World logo is presented in its original form, adding to the vintage postcard look.Looking even closer, the cruise ship has a not-so-subtle reference on its smokestack.

The opposite side features such classic California icons as orange groves, a sunbathing woman, and a movie studio in addition to Sleeping Beauty Castle.


The sides of the trailer feature the trips that Mickey has taken across the country, and points out the various places of interest, which includes everything from the urban (such as New York City and Salt Lake City) to the rural (like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon).


Icons from across the country are portrayed in a whimsical style that evokes the postcards from the 1940's and 50's. In one scene, Mickey is shown riding the trailer as it is pulled by a pair of oxen on its way to Louisiana. In another, the Three Little Pigs make a cameo in Kansas to help point Mickey in the right direction.

The Joke's On Me

Poor Fozzie - he can never catch a break. This poster, found at the exit to Muppet*Vision 3D, is one of his last attempts at securing a stand-up gig. If you call today, he'll even throw in a rubber chicken, at no extra charge.

Circle of Life

Animal Kingdom doesn't have simple metal poles for its signage. Instead, the poles take on a life of their own and are filled with a menagerie of intertwined animals.

Cooking With Gas

Minnie must get all of her great cheese recipes from these cookbooks found in her kitchen. It would not be surprising to find Le Cellier's famous Cheddar Cheese Soup among Mickey's tour of Walt Disney World food.