An Animal Kingdom Morning

Each of the Florida parks has their own early morning splendor, but when I go to Walt Disney World, there's just something special about seeing Animal Kingdom in the freshness of a new day. The lush vegetation, the waterfalls, the ambient sounds all make for a special environment. 

My photo of the floating mountains of Pandora do not do the place justice. It is stunning piece of Imagineering, every bit as eye popping as the range found at California Adventure's Cars Land. 

If I have any misgivings at all, it is about the future of this park. With Joe Rohde retiring, it remains a mystery if there will be someone strong enough to keep the park focused on its original mission and theme. Or will there be an invasion of Intellectual Properties that force "synergy" that doesn't belong a la Epcot 2.0? Let's hope not!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)