The Continuing Adventures of Jud

I had just learned through the MouseForLess that Spring Break had sprung, so I had no illusions as to what I might expect in way of crowds, and more so on this special party night at Universal. My fears only grew when, at the late afternoon hour; I had to wait in line at the tollbooth thirty miles out. It only grew more certain when I entered the parking structure to find it all but full, and dozens of cars roaming in search of a space. As I powered my ECV through City Walk and over to Universal, the density of the numbers showed its effects, however, it all moved along well enough. Inside the park at 6:15, people were lining the sidewalks for the 8 pm parade! I decided to forego that long wait and took the intervening time to check out the opening act on the stage next toward the back side of the park next to the Jimmy Neutron ride, and thus discovered there was a special area for wheelchair access right up next to the stage left. This would come in handy later for the show I came for, even though it turned out to not be whom I thought it was: I was expecting Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes, and was then disappointed to see it was to be George Thorogood and the Destroyers. This was a feeling that would be drastically changed by the end of the night.

Finding the volume of the amps, which sat on the ground right in front of the special section, to be way too high vis-à-vis the music coming through them, I departed and headed over to Revenge of the Mummy, taking two turns at that short yet exhilarating experience, and then heading over to the far end of the park to at least momentarily escape the crush of the crowd. It was a good move as it was sparsely populated as soon as I left the streets of the parade route. As I headed past my old favorite, Back to the Future on my way to Men in Black, I thought, given this would be my last visit for at least some time, that I would check the regular line to see how long I would have to stand if I chose to go that route. It was only 20 minutes, a very reasonable time considering, but too long for me to stand, so I talked to the staff member (what do they call them there???) and explained to him that if I went in via the handicapped line, I would, like everyone else so entering, be in one of the lower cars, and the strain on my neck at looking up to the screen was simply too painful. I asked if it would be possible for me to get to one of the higher levels. He called in and it was granted, and I was directed to what turned out to be the regular Express Pass line, which was virtually as long as the regular line. I stayed there until the first batch of movement showed that it would be at the very least ten minutes, and I was already hurting, so I left the line. I had to pass the staff member going the wrong way as I left, so I explained to her that I simply couldn’t stand that long so, thanks, but I gotta go! She made a phone call and arranged for me to use a back door and sent me up right away on a higher floor! Thank you staff member! So I did get to ride what used to be my very favorite ride, but one I had done only once in the last five years or so due to the neck problem with viewing it- and it was good! It is truly amazing what a different show it is from the higher levels. I am happy to report that despite being “old hat” ride-technology-wise, it still holds up. I enjoyed it and was very pleased to be able to have an enjoyable re-viewing of it on my final visit.

I left, and simply walking the exit ramp back to my ECV was draining, making me even more grateful for the special treatment I had received. The staff member at the front asked me how I liked it, and I told him it was great! Checking the time with him, he suggested that it being still 15 minutes before parade time, I could get in one more ride, just what I was thinking when I asked! So over to Men in Black, where I am pleased to report a score of 372,000 without getting the big bonus!

Out of Men in Black, and over to the just started parade, I checked a couple of locations for possibly shooting it across the lake with my 10 X zoom, but though I could get a close enough shot, the movement of the float and the long exposure in the dark made for only a blur of lights against a very sharp background. I moved on to another location with the same results, and finally bit the bullet and faced having to actually merge into the crowds. I ended up behind a four person thick wall of people, and again, fruitless photography- a theme that ran through much of this visit. Of 163 shots, I have maybe a dozen or two of everything that are useable.

But it was an impressive parade. The floats were colorful, unique, varied, and beautiful! There were a total of fourteen, ending with a giant glowing green gator! Each was also manned top and sides with gaudily costumed revelers throwing beads to the begging screaming arm-waving masses! This is unlike any other parade, so interactive and making the crowd really a part of it! The spirits were high and the competition fierce for the so-desired 2-cent strand of plastic beads. But I saw no arguments when two different hands grabbed the same strand- one simply released. In fact, this happened with myself, as a strand that was clearly thrown to me, isolated way back- still trying for the occasional photo- was cunningly intercepted by a small boy destined to be a future goal tended in the NHL! I surrendered without contest and we were both still smiling. The wonderful thing was that several minutes later, this same boy came over and happily handed me a different strand of beads! With the end of the floats, there were the usual parade followers, the search for missed strands on the ground as the crowd cleared, and the rush to get over to an adjoining street where the parade was just beginning: I ended up viewing from three different locations, and with three strands by my own hand, and two given by others. I also passed on another strand to a lady whose husband had assisted me in recovering it from the high branches of a tree.

I hung around in my last spot for a bit watching the crowd disperse and relaxing, then I heard the rumble growing from the stage as the beginning of the night’s show commenced. I made my way to the special area, found a space, and it was on! The place was packed from the stage right out to the building across the street and it was a party crowd. A large screen to each side of the stage showed varying views of the show, but I was close enough to see the actual performers live, and George Thorogood’s hands working the strings- wow! Basically, it was a blur of huge volume for the next two hours, rehabilitating my belief in rock and roll. This is why electric guitars were made. This man was amazing! I never particularly followed the Destroyers, and was surprised at just how many of their songs I knew simply by airplay, but what impressed me most was the intensity and joy with which they were all playing, especially George. And they wouldn’t stop! The show ended after maybe half an hour- typical, all the big numbers played, the contract fulfilled... but the crowd kept yelling- like in the old days! After several minutes, much to my surprise, the band came back on! Okay, I figured they would do one more... then I figured, okay- three more. I forget exactly how many more they did, but it was like a whole additional set, then they left again... and came back again and played on and on again! It just kept going! It was fantastic! It was so fresh and alive and loud: maybe I am not too old! Loud ain’t bad when the music is this good! By the end of the night, heck, by the end of the first song, my ears were ringing, but it felt good! This guy could work a guitar! I thought of that opening spiel on the Meatloaf album when the son cries out, “Dad, you know I love you, but you’ll just never understand Rock and Roll”. This was rock and roll. Born again!

During the first set, there was this family next to me, ranging in age from very young to older than me, and the Dad kept crying out for what sounded to me like the “Haircut song”. Well, it finally came on and the whole family went wild! Rocking out! Later, near the end of the last set, when the special area had emptied quite a bit and we in the back had made our way more forward and center, George actually pointed specifically at that man and waved to him!

I also interacted a bit with a couple of other people and one lady was the bestower of my second strand of beads. All in all it was a fine family concert and night, beautiful warm moonlit, and the now-heads-of-families grew up on rock and roll. Even the old retired men serving as park security knew this music, and this spirit! We were all smiles as we slowly emptied the stage area and the park...

I made my way slowly out of the park enjoying the sites of City Walk on the way, left in my van, found a place to park and settled down for the night.

I slept well that night, only waking three times, and in the morning after cleaning up I headed down to Celebration Florida, the Disney town, for a show being put on by the National Fantasy Fan Club, a large organization of Disney fans in the main, based in California and now making its way to the East Coast, this being their second such show with more planned in the near future. I arrived early on this the second day of the event, and hung around in the very visually appealing town of Celebration on this fine day. After a while I went in and spent some time talking with Gary Schaengold, the Vice President Finance for the group, and later met Kendra Trahan, the National President, as opposed to Arlen Miller, the president of the local, “World” chapter. The show, much like the many woodcarving shows I have participated in, consisted of various members and vendors having spaces in which they either displayed their collections, for sale or simply for sharing. There were some remarkable items on display.


As I set about to get an overview of the show, I met Lou Mongello, author of the book Disneyland Trivia, who was there promoting it. We had a nice chat and I looked through his book noting a few very nice details and fascinating facts. He gave me a lapel pin, and a few other goodies, including a very nice lanyard with clear plastic pouch that will come in handy!

Later, I discovered another book, Disneyland Detective, and much to my surprise it was by Kendra! Her husband Russell was manning the table, as Kendra was busy running around as is normal for one in charge of such an event, and again, a fascinating book! She said she wrote it when she couldn’t find a guide that fulfilled her expectations of what a guide should be. And again, lots of fascinating extras throughout! Also gave me some good info on Disney and copyrights...

Further down the line I met Arlen Miller, the president of the World chapter, where he was both manning a club sign up table and his own filled with rare and delightful print material related to Disney, including many magazines that had had short lives.

Across the way, I was checking out the multi-space location of WDW itself and noticed someone who somehow seemed a tiny bit familiar and when I saw the embroidered name on her polo shirt, AllEarsNet, I asked, “Are you the Deb?” She laughed and modestly agreed at last that she was the one I was thinking of, and we chatted very briefly as she was playing hooky from some guests to just check out the show.

The highlight of the day was when I came upon a booth where a rather longhaired fellow was promoting his movie on DVD, complete with a TV playing it. I learned very quickly that he had been a Disney animator, and that locked in my attention right there. I soon learned that he was in fact at the Florida Animation Studios and that he had been there for 15 years! The movie was about the rise and fall of Disney animation during that period, and is called “Dream on Silly Dreamer”. Using the excuse of me being “press”, he gave me a copy to review, but that may or may not be as interesting as the hour or more of conversation I had with him following, interrupted only by my giving way to those wanting to buy the DVD or the sudden appearance of friends.

He was Tony West, and as I said, for 15 years he was an animator at the Disney Animation Studio in Florida. The conversation was very disjointed, jumping from one matter to another mid sentence as new things were learned, so what I got did not come in a logical orderly fashion, but by the time I left, I learned a lot of fantastic things about animation and Disney Corp.

# posted by JUD @ 11:27 PM 0 comments

.

Inside the main doors on each side is a large extremely character dense pierced relief of detailed scenes from the jungle and exotic life. A few decorative pieces adorn the walls throughout the resort, and additionally the fixtures, such as the signage, the bar and the front desk and lobby are extensively carved with basic motifs. Of particular excitement to me, being one who is most thrilled by relief carving, is a panel that circumnavigates the wall on the large open stairwell to the lower level. A huge window above it, open to the brilliant Florida sunshine, is what made getting good shots so very difficult.

.
On the lower level, there are more carved pieces decorating the walls.

Back up on the main level, and not at all carving related, there is simply a wonderful space in the center of the level, an open-air area of fountains and flora. I have never seen anyone (except myself!) actually enter the area, but it is delightful!

.
The next day I headed to Sea World, and started the day with a ride in the newly refurbished Sky Tower. Though not intended as a shooting visit, I was once again drawn into that activity when at the Arctic Adventure, a few opportunities presented themselves. After the ride, one is on a walking tour through the various habitats of several Arctic mammals, starting with beluga whales, and including polar bears, walrus, and other residents of the colder climes. All of these areas, due to the thick glass and the dim lighting are difficult to shoot, but the opportunities presented this day demanded I try once again.

.

.
Oh! I also wanted to comment that upon entering Sea World, I discovered that they have made a new map, a great improvement over the former one: much clearer and easier to “read”. I haven’t checked it against the older version yet, but I think they simply removed a lot of the detail and information that they had (mistakenly) tried to include before, which made it so hard to follow, especially given that completely irregular layout of the park to begin with! Also of note is that they have purchased a large parcel of land across the highway and have begun demolition of the existing old hotel. You can see this as you exit I-4 to the tollgate. The little I got was that a tunnel will be built under the highway, or a bridge over it, to connect the properties. I think the thing to do would be to move the parking to the new property and expand the park into the existing parking lot, but who knows! If that is what happens, remember, you read it here first!
.
First to tempt me was a rare close up view of one of the 4 polar bears that live there. This one, in an unusual action, had chosen to lay down and nap right at the glass, and though sleeping, was in clear close up view! Naturally, several guests also chose to be right up against that window! The guide was clearly delighted to be there with such a great viewing opportunity and I asked several questions. On a marker board it had stated that polar bears can detect the scent of a seal from up to 20 miles away! I asked if they could also tell it was twenty miles away, as if I smelled diner, and it was twenty miles away vis-à-vis, in the next room, this would make a bit of difference! He went around on this for a while, but finally decided to state that they could differentiate relative distance, that is, would know that this one scent was significantly further off than say a seal a mile off in another direction. He also pointed out, much to my surprise, that polar bears have black skin and two layers of fur!

.
I moved on from there, and raced my ECV down the ramp to the lower level, where one is looking into the habitats from below water level and can observe the incredible grace with which these animals move under water- usually fast and sleek! However, one of the windows held a rare and glorious surprise this day: in the window for the Walrus habitat, there was this one that was being a real ham! It quickly became clear that he knew we were shooting, and he was posing! Really! Unbelievable! He would pose for whoever held a camera, look right at them and hold it! Then he would go up to the surface and pose for someone there! Then come back under and pose for us again! It was unique! I have never seen any but the dolphins and whales showing such awareness of the viewers!

.
My next planned visit was to the Odyssea show and it turned out I had some time to kill before that, so I made several passes through the shark tank (the shark tank is a clear tube running under the water through the shark habitat- the floor is a conveyor belt, so you are moved through at a fixed rate. As it wasn't particularly crowded this day, it was no problem heading back to the start for another run!)

.
Then onto the show! I hadn't seen Odyssea for a few months and they have made a few changes that have improved an already delightful and impressive show. For those who have seen this often overlooked attraction, the lady in the pearl?- well, now there are two, and it is much more than twice as impressive! For those who have not seen this show, put it on your list! I have no idea how to describe it, or tell what kind of show it is, but it is worth seeing, and I guess it is best described as simply good entertainment!

.
By this point, I was pretty exhausted so went out to my van for a nap, then returned for the 4:15 show of Blue Horizons, a spectacular show of whales, dolphins, birds, acrobats and swimmers built around a story of a girls dream. I have seen this every visit, and it gets better every time: they really put it together for this one!

.
I wanted to end the day with the final Shamu show, an hour away, so dropped in to see my “buddies”, at Penguin Encounter, always good for some fun and laughter;

.

and after that, I found a new spot (from one end of the Clydesdale stables) to shoot Kraken, the extreme coaster, had a snack at the Anheuser-Busch hospitality house, tried a few games at the arcade, then entered Shamu Stadium for the 6:30 show.

.

They are doing major refits of the stadium in preparation for a new presentation to open shortly, and that, coupled with the recent birth of a new baby Shamu three months ago, has resulted in the rather brief and limited show running currently. But even so, seeing these magnificent mammals swim and leap and do pretty much anything is always inspiring! The refits are to include 7 large video screens where before there was one. I was told that this will allow multiple views to be projected at the same time. One of the great advantages of the previous screen was that during the show, it often showed the view of the underwater camera, so one could see when a whale was heading up to the surface and about to break into a leap- with the delay in snapping a photo with a digital camera, this was a helpful thing.

.
Headed home and got there in time to watch Battlestar Gallactica which was only slightly delayed when sudden power loss hit the neighborhood for about five minutes.

.

For more photos, see the album of the same name at my photo site.

:)

Jud

# posted by JUD @ 10:17 AM 0 comments