Magic Kingdom – part2

The day dawned with fog as thick as pea soup. This was quiet unusual, so cameras at the ready, we shot images to document this phenomenon.  Although it looks cold, it was a pleasant morning.

I LOVED  this image with the palm trees in the mist and the boat moored at the dock.

So before we left for WDW, Marlene and I talked about what we wanted to do that would be a bit different from previous visits. A behind the scenes tour of the Magic Kingdom was just the ticket and we signed of the the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Unfortunately cameras were forbidden on the tour so that Disney’s ’secrets’ would not be revealed to everyone. It was so interesting that we both felt that all those who visit Disney should be required to take this tour before going around the Magic Kingdom Although we couldn’t photograph along the way, on the completion of the we did insist that we have a photo taken with Mark, out guide. What a treasure trove of information he is!

Leaving Mark at ‘City Hall’, we retraced our steps in the Kingdom, photographing along the way. I fond that I tend to look up as well as ahead, so some of the next few images will be of things waaaaaaaaay above our heads.

The ceilings in the Arabian Market are hung with yards and yards of fabric.

The transition from Adventureland to Frontierland is subtle… One half of the building is still in the Middle East, while the other is in the Old West.

The statues on top of the building depict idols from the South Pacific…

…and rounding the corner, you suddenly hear bluegrass music coming from the Paddlewheel Steamer. Princess Tiana from the new Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, was on deck singing and dancing with her Prince and the rest of the cast.

Both Marlene and I were surprised to see how many of the birds were quite tame at WDW. We were able to photograph these egrets for quite some time without their showing any concern.

A common red squirrel was too busy eating to even scold our presence.

I loved the parasols – dozens upon dozens jammed together.  They make a lovely display.

Earlier in the day during our Keys to the Kingdom tour, I had wanted to get a drink of water at the fountain but was unable to do so because a cast member was busy polishing the brass bowls. When we came back there in the afternoon, I couldn’t get over the beading of the water on the newly polished bowls. Just had to photograph them!

OK… so I got a bit carried away…

Then I saw the reflection of a great tree in the water…

I was always impressed with how clean the grounds at WDW are, and so that I could prove this to ‘unbelievers’ I photographed the pavement at Tomorrowland at 5:30 in the afternoon after thousands and thousands of people had walked there. Can you imagine what any other amusement park would look like after 8 hours of traffic?!? Not at Disney!

Dusk… THE very best time of day for photography at WDW! Cinderella’s Castle from the way to Tomorrowland

The view from the rose garden.

Marlene and I slowly made our way through the crowds toward the front of the castle where we found the ideal spot to view the “Spectromagic Parade”, and later the “Wishes Fireworks” display – behind a waist high refuse bin, on which we could lean! Of course, everyone was photographing or being photographed in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

“SpectroMagic” Parade is a dazzling nighttime procession filled with brilliantly lit Disney Characters and floats. Half a million lights and miles of fiber optics cables light up the night during the “SpectroMagic” Parade to create miles of smiles for Guests of all ages. The brilliant lights and joyous music of this gleaming parade celebrates scenes from Disney films. Disney Characters are magically transformed into living ornaments of light in this magical, glittering spectacle.

Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is an amazing, high-tech fireworks show—the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom theme park history. The show runs approximately 12 minutes, about five minutes longer than “Fantasy in the Sky,” the previous fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. There are 557 fireworks firing cues, and 655 individual pieces of pyrotechnics.

Tinker Bell flies from atop Cinderella Castle during a key moment in the show.

My favourite firework image – ever!

After the conclusion of the fireworks thousands of guests make their way towards the exit. In the background the still illuminated Cinderella Castle. In spite of the crowding, there is no pushing or shoving… everyone is moving in orderly fashion.

And true to form, Marlene never stops ‘working’… here she is photographing a family in the Town Square in front of the huge Christmas Tree.

The day was done… The following day we were off to EPCOT once again. Stay tuned!!!!