Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Instead of one of my usual posts, today I thought I would celebrate Independence Day with some fireworks. Here is Magic Kingdom's Fantasy in the Sky from last night. It was a wonderful show full of red, white, and blue.

Have a fun and safe holiday!

Down in the Briar Patch

The Briar Patch gift shop is a great little store that is now often overlooked by guests thanks to the close proximity of the FastPass queue entrance. Themed around Br'er Rabbit home in the infamous briar patch, it makes for a wonderful story continuation, as only the outside can be seen while riding Splash Mountain. Set high up on the walls, we can see all of Br'er Rabbit's belongings, most of which are topped off with acorn or carrot finials.

There is also a wonderful assortment of lighting fixtures, including a particularly nice stained glass design.

I also personally enjoy the "Cast Members Only" sign used in this store. The owl bears a strong resemblance to Friend Owl in Bambi.

Chinatown

Walking down the San Francsico street in Disney/MGM Studios, you get the chance to do a little window shopping. Themed around an area of Chinatown, there are many wonderful things to discover in the storefronts.

The first store is a trinket shop, full of beautiful Chinese figurines and pottery.
And of course, who could leave out these fun guys:


The other shop next door is a restaurant or grocer, selling some very interesting looking food.

A Train Runs Through It

About 10 years ago, the miniature train garden in Germany was originally included as a special addition for the Flower and Garden Festival, but it proved so popular with guests that it remained as a permanent fixture. A miniature Bavarian village is created in wonderful detail, complete with gardens, waterfalls, and a country fair. Even in decorating the tiny town, the designers did not lose sight of the area's true roots, and decked out the buildings with their own little Flower and Garden banners.

C'est Magnifique!

I wanted to make just an ever-so-brief detour from my normal postings to offer my humblest recommendation for another triumph from the Pixar Studios.

After having just returned from viewing this delightful movie for the second time, I am still in awe of Ratatouille. I had been looking forward to this film for quite some time, and my expectations were not disappointed in the slightest.

Brad Bird and his team of extremely talented artists have crafted a movie that is so well-executed that one can not help but feel the urge to stand up and cheer when the credits start to roll. I think a lot of animation fans (including myself) have recently been feeling a bit like food critic Anton Ego, a little dismayed with the latest offerings in the animated world. But like the dish for which the movie is named after, Ratatouille has taken a simple, well-loved recipe and reinvented it for a new generation, one which has grown up watching those animated classics of yesteryear. Combining everything from slapstick comedy to heartfelt romance, this dish is something to savor and enjoy. I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy this exceptional film. It is very reassuring to know that the art form of animation is far from lost. It's all in the details.

A Face Emerges

I just can't stay away from the wonderful wackiness of the Muppets. The Stage 1 Company Store building that houses the Muppets gift shop has always been a favorite of mine for its amazing collection of eye candy both inside and outside.

Interestingly enough, the side that faces Mama Melrose bears an excellent resemblance to the top of the Paramount Building in Times Square, right down to the globe and large clock. Of course, this version has been given the complete Muppet makeover, thereby converting the old globe into an unmistakeable impression of a certain Mr. Bunsen Honeydew.

Tight Security

Near the entrance to the Backlot Express quick service restaurant, there is a small gatehouse, much like what you would normally expect to see on any typical movie studio lot.



It seems so unassuming from the outside, and most guests pass by it without a second thought. However, there is a clever little story being told inside that warrants a peek through its windows. It appears as though the guard who normally works this position is an aspiring actor him (or her) self.


There's the usual items that you would expect to see, such as a computer, a phone, and that very important mug of coffee (which reads "#1 Security Guard). But there are also a couple of acting awards and a few acting books: one propped up against the computer which seems to be in regards to the audition process, and my personal favorite - a book left sitting on the chair entitled "Acting: In Person and In Style."