The Walt Disney World Resort I Grew to Love

 No, it wasn't Disney's Polynesian Village Resort that I had to grow to love. Anyone who knows me is aware that was an instant hit. The truth is the other original Walt Disney World Resort hotel was the one that took decades to win me over- the Contemporary Resort. (And here's a piece of rare concept art: an early plan for the exterior.)

Yes, riding the monorail through the lobby still surprises with the reveal of the Grand Canyon Concourse, but that wasn't enough. Decades after my first visit to the World in 1975, it was the sum of many smaller pieces that won me over. The energy, the bright colors, the large panes of glass that provided terrific views, the lakeside setting. 

What tipped the scales? Dinner at the California Grill back in 2009! That memorable and expensive evening became one of my favorite resort experiences. What could be more spectacular than a great meal with my beloved wife high atop it all? Only a view of the Magic Kingdom while the evening fireworks were aglow. Truly magical!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

It's an Epic Universe in Our Backyard!

Spring has arrived! What a wonderful surprise we discovered in our beautiful back yard!Not once did we expect to have a tree with such lovely blooms on it. Who knows what else awaits us as God does his magic in the landscaping realm. There's not any Imagineer (or should I say someone at Universal Creative now?) that can outdo the original Creator!

There's A Great Big Beautiful Yesterday

Sing along with me, "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day..." Those simply wonderful lines from long time Disney songwriters Robert and Richard Sherman convey the optimism and hope of the 1960's Disneyland. Walt Disney knew what he was doing to get these brothers involved in creating memorable tunes for his stellar attractions! 

The Carousel of Progress was one such incredible fan favorite. Found in the brand New Tomorrowland of 1967, the attraction's cast grew the Audio-Animatronic family at Walt's park.  With the Peoplemover and the great Adventures Thru Inner Space, this land of the future just had to be experienced. For those who came shortly before, Pirates of the Caribbean had just debuted and the Haunted Mansion would come in 1969. 

It was a season when the park's expanded because of the love of the art and not the love of the dollar. But the dollars came in quantities unexpected, because Walt respected his guests and treated them well. What today's Disney leadership could learn by looking backwards!

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Victorious Love

Easter Sunday is here! I am shocked by the number of faithful people who choose to think of Jesus as the broken martyr who had no choice but to die on the cross for our sins. Think about it: The Biblical truth is that Jesus completed the mission God the Father gave Him. This makes Jesus a victorious king and not a victim.

^^^ Imagine this being your sole mission in life!

You just have to read the following passage today that describes the Resurrection of Jesus.... then ask yourself, "Was Jesus the victim or the victorious king?"

He is Risen Indeed!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Resurrection!

Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, "They took the Master from the tomb. We don't know where they've put him."

Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.

But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus' body had been laid. They said to her, "Woman, why do you weep?"

"They took my Master," she said, "and I don't know where they put him." After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn't recognize him.

Jesus spoke to her, "Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?"
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, "Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him."

Jesus said, "Mary."

Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" meaning "Teacher!"

Jesus said, "Don't cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'"

Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: "I saw the Master!" And she told them everything he said to her.

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you."

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"

But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master."

But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."

Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."

Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"

Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

-------------------------------------------------
From Eugene Peterson's The Message - a contemporary translation of the Bible. This beautiful stained glass window is found in Houston, Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Looking For and Finding a Perfect Love

Do you want the kind of love that will last forever? Don't we all! Look no further than to Jesus Christ, God Himself in the flesh. He was sent from Heaven to a broken people on earth to die in their place so that they could have life. That is love, I tell you! 

But who exactly is Jesus? That's the question we all must answer. Each of us. Believer or not, this question will be asked of us one day. If you don't understand, read ahead and you'll discover the greatest love story ever told.

Today is Good Friday for we who believe and so commemorate the passion of Jesus of Nazareth, meaning his crucifixion on the cross for the sin of mankind... all leading to His Resurrection. 

Think about this: The very measurement of time changed because of this event!

Jesus is controversial- and His story timeless. Magazines still devote cover stories to Him, books continue to be written, songs composed, and films made. Each piece brings to the forefront Jesus' own question to his disciple Peter, and agin, it is one we all must answer: "Who do you say I am?"

Yes, it's true. Just for you and me and the whole earth - from the beginning of time. Jesus chose to lay down his life to redeem us from Hell. The Hell we deserve for our sin. Ever lie? Cheat? Slander? Then, his sacrifice via the cross was just for you. It's a gift that cost him much pain and sorrow. But if you receive this gift of eternal life by choosing and following Him, it's a gift back to Him that will bless him. Yes, something very special.

God is very gracious and loving by making it crystal clear and easy to understand: Jesus Himself says He is the Only Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life and that no one would be able to come to an eternity with God the Father except by receiving Him. (Read the Book of John in the New Testament, Chapter 14). God could have made it difficult to discover, but He did not. It's not from hate or prejudice, it's from love He said what He said and did what He did.

It was His same great love for the people He created- that includes you and me- that caused Him to sacrifice Jesus in our place. And it's His same love that draws you to Him. Can you feel the call to Him in your heart? Does your spirit leap at the sound of His name?
If not, it's time to ask yourself why. 

First comes death on a cross. A brutal and terrifying way to die. Torture like none other. Medically, it's just an awfully painful way to die. (Read about the medical explanation of what this does to a body here.) His radical way to show great love begins with his submission to this kind of death.

But oh, then comes Easter Sunday morning- the Triumph of Jesus over sin and death- for our benefit! Never a victim- always a champion. He accomplished this great mission born from Love- the very mission the Father gave Him. Jesus the triumphant one! Preachers everywhere should remember this! As should the people He gave his life for.

At the end of time, known as the Final Judgment in the Bible, (See the last book of the Bible. It's called "Revelation"), Jesus has returned to earth as the Triumphant King that He is. Mankind, one person at a time, must give an account for how they have lived their life. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and have lived to please Him all their days will proceed to an eternal glory free from pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, not all will believe. He gave men free will to choose. To those who have turned away from Jesus, rejected Him even though He was God's gift to pay for our sins, they will be sent to Hell, the place of fire and torment forever. Hell was designed for Satan and his demonic angels, but those that deny Jesus as Messiah (Christ) and follow their own path, end up in that place as well. It's their choice, not God's.

So, Jesus' question remains: Who do you say that I am?

Sprinkling a Bit of Coco at Disneyland

Adding to the slew of characters that have invaded It's A Small World, Disney has announced that Miguel and Dante from Coco will come to the Disneyland attraction as part of the park's 70th birthday offerings. Seems like a no-brainer to me! Coco is a delightful film. It just makes me a bit hopeful that Imagineering has some great ideas in mind for the coming attraction at Disney California Adventure. Perhaps shades of Epcot's classic El Rio del Tiempo? A guy can dream. 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
 

Just Released: New Park Map for Disney Adventure World in Paris

It didn't take a genius to figure out Walt Disney Studios Paris was going to be an absolute bomb at opening. And I don't mean that in a good way. Disney California Adventure 1.0 looks like an Imagineering masterpiece in comparison. But that's all about to change! The new Disney Adventure World continues to come to life. The Parisian crew released this brand new map showing the layout and the compelling attractions that will part of the re-envisioning. 

Frozen Ever After will put Epcot's version to shame. The Lion King river adventure in the model of Splash Mountain is set to have ground break by the end of the year. Perhaps most importantly, the entire park is getting refreshed and given a new lake, beautiful gardens and dining spots, and a full on night time show. It should be beautiful!

(Map copyright The Walt Disney Company, courtesy the Main Street News.)

Nighttime Falls at Epic Universe

Epic Universe is rightly all over the theme park world sites and blogs. I've been absorbing everything I can get my hands on! They range from the terrific to the silly, the objective to ones with agenda. But one thing is very certain- the park is a joy to look at! Just get a glimpse of this beautiful dusk time photo from folks at The Noble Way.  And this is only the beginning! 

By the way, if you look at the right places, you can find spoilers for the Battle at the Ministry and Monsters Unchained. Disney had better loose their Imagineers and let them dream bigger and bigger. There's definitely more to come to Universal's new park! Bring it on!

Venice By Day or By Night

Venice, Italy is a world famous location, a city of dreams. The beauty of the canals is uninterrupted by the swarms of people who visit. One of the most interesting but not immediately noticed aspects of Venice is the utter lack of green space. Few trees, few shrubs, and next to no grass. Stone, stone, and more stone. But it's an incredible place you must experience to really understand.

These two travel posters- one by day and one by night, give a highly romanticized version of the beloved destination. Make no mistake, Venice is charming and magical in a manner than neither Disney Imagineering or Universal Creative can ever duplicate!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Yes, Happy Anniversary to us! This great little photo was taken at the home of our first "couple friends" that were neither mine nor hers before we met... and we've remained life long friends many, many, MANY, years later.

Today as we celebrate, my wonderful wife, I want to tell you how much I love you. We're not young anymore, but you're still beautiful- and no one can compare.  May God be lifted up and may we be blessed as we walk out the rest of our life together!