Looking Out the Window from The Walt Disney Family Museum

Without question, a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum should be a must see attraction for any hardcore fan of Disney's animated films or theme parks. The beautiful scale model of Disneyland alone is worth the visit! There's so much to explore, that you could quite easily spend 2 to 3 hours there.  Our visit was just what the doctor ordered. No large lines, no advance planning, no rush. Relaxing, enjoyable, and filled with opportunities to learn. (Sounds a lot like EPCOT Center in its early years.) One unexpected pleasure was the view outside. It was picture perfect as you can see!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Discovering California

Traveling around the world? Not happening soon. But when it happens again? Great! What about traveling back home in California? Here's some of my favorite posts throughout the years- without Disneyland in sight. Not all, but just a few:

Snapshots of Napa- The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma are world famous for a reason! 

Coast Stories- California as I love it! There's so much more than Disneyland. The natural beauty of the state shines through here.

Outside the Norm- All the quirkiness of San Francisco obscures the beauty of its attractions- sometimes to the detriment of those who've never lived in the State. 

Mission San Juan Capistrano- A bit of California history preserved for the adventurers of today. Sometimes you have to look backward in order to see the future.

The American Rivera- Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in California, Santa Barbara is showcased here.

No Disneyland?- Palm Springs to Newport Beach and beyond, I never get tired of exploring the Golden State. Here's proof a visit there doesn't need to include Disneyland or California Adventure to be terrifically fun!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Sweethearts in Napa

Thirty six years ago, we met on a blind date. Yes, it's really true! It was a three year old girl's birthday party, the daughter of some mutual friends from church. That little girl became the flower girl at our wedding (and later an internationally known surfer. No name though for her privacy.) We've seen many, many changes in our life together- kids, grandkids, career changes, joys, our share of disappointments and more. But God has always been faithful as we have sought to live life the way He designed it to be. 

If you want to know what love looks like, meet my wife. She seems to embody the description of First Corinthians 13, and she is loved by family, friends, and colleagues alike. But not more than her husband. Still beautiful inside and out after all these years!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts

Does this lovely building look familiar to you? If you're big a fan of Disney theme parks, you probably recognize it as being the inspiration for the California Adventure building which housed Golden Dreams starring Whoopi Goldberg. The film was actually pretty good even if it was originally supposed to be an Audio-Animatronics attraction like the American Adventure at Epcot and even if it included the obnoxious Ms. Goldberg as its star. Now, the repainted rotunda is just the entrance to the Little Mermaid attraction.

Back to the building. In reality this structure is the beautiful, stunning, and very large Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. My wife took this shot on an exceptionally beautiful Northern California day as we were touring the city and the surrounding towns this past June. San Francisco is a must-see city justifiably famous for its landscapes, restaurants and attractions.

What a view! What a city!

I have about 400 photos of our time there in the city as well as at the coast of the Pacific Ocean and Napa. My original goal was a trip report to cover it all including my first visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum. But I make no promises. Remember my Switzerland series?

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Big Beautiful World Beyond Disney

About a month and a half ago, my wife and I took off for a long deserved vacation- and we skipped Disney parks entirely. We opted for San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, and a tour of where we used to live. 

What a smart choice it was! We watched whales jumping in the Pacific Ocean, ate some great meals, did a wine tasting, and just acted like two young marrieds for a whole week. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful or the people we met nicer. It was just so relaxing without having to plan everything in advance- something the folks at Disney haven't realized is a goal for lots of vacationeers!

We enjoyed it so much that I decided we would delay our next Disney trip for at least a year in order to go to Europe or somewhere else instead. There's a great big beautiful world beyond Disney. Go see it!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

A Whole New World Instead of A Disney Vacation

Who needs high prices, long lines, overpriced rooms and those Walt Disney World attractions that seem to go down regularly? Not us!

We ditched Walt Disney World (and, yes, Disneyland, actually) in favor of a beautiful week that didn't require advance reservations to ride a Frozen redo of an old attraction that long needed an upgrade.

Where did we venture? Beautiful Northern California- home to world famous sights and the great cuisine of San Francisco, the wines of Napa and Sonoma, and absolutely lovely, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Not a regret in sight.

Few kids, quiet restful mornings, relaxing excursions, great meals, and evenings of water views and charming villages in front of the setting sun. Will we go to Disney again? Sure. But not for quite a while. There's  just a great big beautiful world to see.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Snapshots of Napa and Sonoma

Almost a week's adventure, running away from responsibilities and the ordinary to Napa Valley and Sonoma, San Francisco and the East Bay. The Pacific Ocean (whale sitings) and more. The best of Northern California.

Shopping, dining, site seeing and winery tours. My feet in the Pacific Ocean for Father's Day. Sleeping in. Leisurely breakfasts with coffee in bed. 

Beautiful resorts and private homes along quite roads through the numerous vineyards. Serene. Beautiful. A taste of Italy in California. See the next three photos...

Just what the doctor ordered!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Why My Money's Not Going to Disney This Year

Construction everywhere (in California and Florida) and lame Disney attractions opening in Florida. This is why I am not going to use my heard earned money on a Disney centered vacation this year. 

Star Wars Land is underway. The location in California is just so unfortunate, but I'm sure it will be well done when it debuts in 2018 or so. California Adventure has nothing to offer that cannot wait.

Star Wars Land is also underway at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The beautiful Animal Kingdom is also seeing a surge n additions, with Pandora / Avatar being the new crown jewel. 

The Magic Kingdom is "frozen", but Epcot is getting a misplaced ride in Norway, a quick(?) and dirty re-do of the Maelstrom boat ride. Disney Springs? Beautiful to look at, but it is still a shopping center. 

What's a Disney fan to do? Spend his money elsewhere! It has now been 7 years since I've been to the World. It will be longer before the next visit.

Goodbye to the Golden Gate Bridge

Tonight, one of the last remnants of Disney's California Adventure version 1.0 gets removed. The hideous and misplaced miniature of California's historic and beautiful Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco finally gets lost for good.

Why did I include a photograph of the real thing? Just to show the stark contrast between the majesty of the original and the cheapness of Disney's knockoff. Adios, goodbye, farewell. Hope to not see you again- unless it is part of a fully realized and elegant San Francisco area in the park.