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.)

The World Cup and Our Thousand Dollars a Day Car Rental

Timestamped June 8, 2014: Sitting in a bar in the south of France in the middle of seemingly nowhere, watching the World Cup with the locals. What a great afternoon relaxing with a glass of wine and doing something very, very different than our normal travel routine. But that's exactly how this trip was- anything but normal and going as planned. 

We started in Geneva, Switzerland before ending up in France. Then the unexpected (why was I surprised?) happened when the French air traffic controllers decided to strike, leaving us stranded and unable to fly back to Geneva for our return home. What could we do? Only one thing. Rent the last car at the airport for $1000- yes, one thousand dollars- and drive to Geneva to catch our flight. How is that for price gauging? Now, we laugh, but back then...

Gotta love all those World Cup athletes and the way they train so hard. I used to be more in shape than I am, but now I take solace in these words: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Honestly though, that's no excuse for my laziness!
 

Beach Getaway

Snapped this photo years ago while in California. It just seemed so iconic, so SoCal! I can almost feel the ocean breeze and the sound of seagulls. The full size version sits as my desktop photo right now. 

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Disney Film Travel Posters Hint at Future Park Attractions

Travel posters of places home to Disney movies' animated characters. What's not to love? As you'll see, there are some similarities to the original Disneyland attraction posters that everyone loves. At top is Atlantis, from Atlantis: The Lost Empire. The cool blues and greens and purples call out to me. Part of me wishes this was for an attraction based on the film. Real concept art for an attraction at Disneyland exists, and the new version of the Submarine Voyage was teased. You can see it all here. A guy can dream, right?

Ah, the islands! The next two here are for Moana and Peter Pan. Both very good movies, and the latter one is one of my all time Disney favorites. Makes for a great Fantasyland attraction or one at Tokyo Disneysea's new Fantasy Springs area. Will a Moana flume ride make it to the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland? Maybe one day. Those Imagineers are always up to something.

Zootopia's staying power has surprised me. Even though the first was a lot of fun, it was really the second movie that made me appreciate the franchise even more. Will I go to Shanghai Disneyland to see the park's land? Probably not, but it seems Disney California Adventure could get its own version if the rumors are true that this is what new Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro wants. Goodbye Pandora West.

It could work in California Adventure- 

the park where theme goes out the window.

Big Hero 6 gives us San Fransokyo. While I think the film is great, the land doesn't seem as well done. There's no real attraction. I mean, as fun as it may be, a meet and greet with Baymax is just not enough. But again, this is Disney California Adventure where the bar gets lower and lower each time an addition is added. 

This is not a precursor to Villain's Land! But it very well could be as the underworld of Hades would make a compelling but very dark backdrop to all those bad guys. 

This next one could be a real life location in Italy! We've been to the Cinque Terra, the inspiration. And it is lovely by any definition. Luca is a clever film that enchants with its atmosphere. Its main characters Luca and Alberto are best friends, much like the Bible's David and Jonathan. You can read into their relationship however you want. I prefer what's really there in the film over what's not. 

Disney Adventure World in Paris is getting the world's first Lion King themed land. The old studios park needs something like this. Frozen is beautiful but the main attraction is not an "E Ticket" by any definition. The new park layout looks beautiful, however. 

Hopefully, this is part of a new and ongoing poster series!

An Unexpected Travel Interruption Yields Delight

Due to the Lufthansa airlines strike in Germany, my recent tour group encountered an unexpected benefit: a several hour stop in Windsor, U.K. for an afternoon pub break. It goes to show that even the best of intentions can result in disaster and then redemption if we make the most of a difficult situation!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

The Photograph That Got Away

Sometimes you just can't get your camera ready fast enough. I think those of us that love to travel have these moments that now exist only in our memory. Unlike the time we were in Venice, and I turned the corner at just the right moment to capture a gondolier relaxing (photo here), I was not so fortunate to have my phone ready. There we were at the end of the night, getting ready to walk into our hotel entry from one of the alleyways in Rome's beautiful Trastevere area. I had just shot the darned thing off for the night. 

And there was a photo I had to shoot: A Catholic priest about 45 or so holding up a gelato with it dripping down the cone. He was a rather tall, slender man, other than a very large belly. He wasn't smiling, but there was a look of contentment on his face. The night air was warm for the season, and he seemed to absolutely relish the idea of being alone relaxing. 

As I said, I never got the photo, so I tried AI to create one. It's the best I could do, but the magic is not there. What a great missed opportunity and a lesson learned about shutting down before I'm in my room for the night!

Trio of Artful European Signs

When I get a chance to slow down and photograph the places I travel to for work or for pleasure, I seem to discover my eyes are drawn to the signage I encounter. Big city, small town, shop around the corner, it just doesn't matter. So today, I've got three signs for you. Two from Italy and one from Cardiff, Wales.

This top one was taken at one of the world's most magical cities: Venice. There really is nothing like this anywhere else on the planet. Layers of Italian craftsmanship are everywhere you turn- and then it's all surrounded by water everywhere you look. Trees are few and far between, but the residents of the city find a way to add greenery to their narrow streets.

Next up, Cinque Terra. Five towns of various sizes and shapes and offerings. We stumbled upon this in Vernazza, the largest of the five and the one with the swimming area most loved by the locals. This sign was right around the corner from a small cave everyone was using to change into their swimwear. I wasn't prepared to go into the water, but I realized I had on a pair of dark nylon shorts that would easily make it possible. What a beautiful half an hour enjoying my time with the locals while my wife relaxed on the shore.

Cardiff, Wales may be one of the coolest towns I never expected! The citizens are intent on keeping the Welsh language alive, so every sign is in English and then Welsh. Once you get the hang of the alphabet and what sounds the letters make, it's quite fun to try your hand at speaking out the names. Locals must be very, very patient as well as having a great sense of humor! One of my favorite stops was at a coffee house named "A Shot in the Dark". The old place was filled with books- but only detective and mystery novels. It was also open until late in the evening where the place took on an almost eerie mood. Do you get the play on words? Coffee/ Shot; Murder/Gun, etc. So clever!

I'm sure as I post this, I'll run across even more sign photos and stories to go with them...

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

I'm Running Away

I'm leaving for a faraway place, an isle of beautiful crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. I can just lay on the soft sand and listen to the waves gently lapping the shore while I sleep a little, dream, and smile. It sounds too good to be true. And it is! I'm still home and still have a few months before vacation, but I've run away in my mind. It will have to do for now.
 

Four Perfect Slow Travel Days in Walt Disney World- with a Universal Orlando Resort Stop Along the Way

Slow Travel. A brand new trend for the overburdened, stressed out, and frankly tired traveler. It's about time! Can I get an "AMEN!" Is it even possible to go to the theme park capital of the world- Orlando- and have a great time using the slow method? What about all that trip planning for Walt Disney World? Or that list of must-see brand new attractions at Universal Orlando Resort's stunning new Epic Universe? Can I still experience Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry using the slow travel method? I'd say "Yes!" to all the above- and here's how to do it.

1- Set Realistic Expectations- No, you're NOT going to be able to do everything you want on a trip of this duration and with Slow Travel being the emphasis. Once you have that firmly established in mind, it's time to proceed to step number 2.

2- Choose Your Two Must-Do Experiences- Limit your theme park priorities to just two individual experiences and then plan around them. Is it Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry or it is Harry Potter attractions in all three worlds? Perhaps you absolutely must experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or you have to have a day at the beach. Choose carefully. Is eating or drinking at Epcot's newer Space 220 a must? What about the Beak & Barrel bar in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland? The truth is, the leisurely way of visiting the parks where you could just go in and decide on the spot which restaurant or attraction you wanted to experience are over. (I miss that!) Unless you are willing to go having no preferences in mind. 

3- Determine What Will Your Downtime Will Look Like- A priority with slow travel is, well, slowing down and relaxing. Taking things at an easy pace. For me, time by the pool or even better, a day at the beach, works wonders in getting me to relax. A long lunch, touring the resorts, riding the waterways or just sleeping in are some options which will help you really enjoy your time when you tour this way.

Now it's time to begin planning by laying out your days before making reservations. 

Try the following if you need help sorting it all out:

1- Choose One of the Following: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom.

2- Choose One of the Following: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe

Option: Select SeaWorld or Busch Gardens as an alternative choice.

3- Select Two of the Following: Disney Springs, City Walk, Resort Touring, Recreation Day, Pool Day, Beach Day

What comes next? Placing your selections in a day by day schedule that will be most relaxing and enjoyable for your personal preferences,  When it comes to a theme park day, in order to make it the most enjoyable and relaxing, do a little preplanning from home and choose Lightning Lane for your theme park day at Disney. Now, is not the time to skip it and waste hours and energy when you're trying to relax. The same goes for if you are visiting Universal Orlando Resort. Take advantage of their Express Pass option. Bite the bullet. Pay for it up front. You'll be very glad you did when your park day happens.

If you have any Must-Do restaurants on your list, plan ahead to reserve them as soon as you can. Even if you cannot get your preferred time, take what you can get and use it as a starting point.

Other tips: 

Choose a resort closest to your preferred theme parks. 

If waiting for resort transportation is inconvenient, book an Uber or a similar transport. 

Should you want to avoid getting reservations for meals, choose now to be satisfied with walk up food booths or stands if you can't get into what seems good to you when you are there in person.

Consider the resort restaurants as choices for the most relaxing meals. Combine this with a walk around the resort for exploration and relaxation.

Do your souvenir shopping at the resorts or shopping districts but not at the parks. The parks offer very little if anything that cannot be purchased somewhere else. 

Did you do something that really brought you joy and a peaceful attitude? Consider repeating it later in the trip or choose something similar. 

 

Now that you've considered your options, here's my plan for the (hopefully) perfect slow travel getaway:

My Must-Do Experiences and Downtime Plan: A day at Epcot, my favorite Disney park in Florida. Time at the Beach. A day at Epic Universe. Relaxed time at Disney Springs. Explore the resort hotels.

My Schedule: 

Travel Day -Arrive in the early evening. Head off to Disney Springs or our hotel restaurant of choice.

Day One- Epic Universe. Why is this the first full day of our trip? Since I have been to the other Disney and Universal parks, this will be the one I am most likely to try and see everything. The pace will be more hectic and even frantic. We will still be in "busy mode" from the previous work days, so this is a good place to continue that before we truly wind down and take it slow. 

Day Two- Time to head to Disney after checking out. This is a tour the themed resorts and a Disney Springs kind of day. A nice change of pace from cramming in a very full day at Epic Universe. Not a full breakfast but a coffee at our hotel beginning,  so we can save our first meal for lunch. We'll finish it all off with some evening pool time.

Day Three-The Beach. Let's really relax now and take in a bit of what made Florida famous long before The Mouse ever showed up. Both the beaches of Tampa and Cocoa Beach are a fairly easy drive. There's nothing like the sound of the sea, toes in the sand, and a fresh seafood lunch to bring on the mellow vibe. No agenda, no time restraints other than returning to the hotel at a decent time.

Day Four- Epcot. I saved this for last because the memories of our time here last long after the vacation is over. For us, nothing says "Walt Disney World" like a great day at this once innovative theme park. We will bypass festival food booths for a sit-down lunch inside at one of our favorite World Showcase locations. After a day of exploring at a casual pace, we will end our time with the nighttime show and a walk around the beautifully lit countries surrounding World Showcase Lagoon. 

Travel Day- Back to our home turf. There's always a bit of negotiating to by done when choosing our return flight. Do we opt for a later flight and spend some time doing one last item on our list? (You can guess where I land on this compared to my wife.) Or do we head home and get some downtime before reality rushes back in?

Or do we come back home and begin planning the next trip?

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Solo Mio- The Fun in Getting There

Even before you see the film Solo Mio, you know the ending. Maybe. Well, perhaps not all of it as it holds a pretty big surprise, but there's a great deal of fun in the journey. Including one more unexpected twist that left me surprised and delighted. Kevin James pulls off the jilted lover Matt so well that your heart aches for him and roots for him. Even more so than in his performance as Albert in Hitch. 

Matt's journey of self-discovery leads to an encounter with a local coffee shop owner in Rome, a charming and feisty- but in a lovely way- Gia, played by a great Nicole Grimaudo. Going in, I was asking myself if The Chosen's Jonathan Roumie could play anyone other than Jesus. (Weren't many of us if we're honest?) The answer is "Yes", and his character is so against type that you forget him in his much more famous role. 

Need a date night but have some young teens with you? No worries. There's little to fret over and no need to make them close their eyes at any point. Solo Mio is family friendly without losing its edge. Go see this movie while it is in theaters if nothing else to capture the beautiful Italian landscapes on the big screen. But if you wait, just make sure you see it. There's not a misstep to be found from beginning to end!  

Faking Me Out

Imagine my surprise to discover that this idyllic home in the northern part of the U.K. was actually not real at all. As I was looking for You Tube videos to get an idea about our next real vacation, I ran across one that caught my eye. Thankfully, I glanced at the comments and saw it was actually AI generated. I was disappointed. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in a home that looks like this?
 

Announcing Walt Disney World: Three Retro/VintageTravel Posters

Ah, the earliest beginnings of Walt Disney World! The thrill of anticipation! That first visit. Going from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom! Should we take the monorail or the ferry boat? Watching the horizon along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon and daydreaming of staying at the Polynesian Village Resort. 

It was just as enchanting entering the Magic Kingdom, wasn't it? Seeing Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street U.S.A. for the first time. Exploring a whole new world with Florida exclusives like the playful Country Bear Jamboree, the nostalgic and sentimental Mickey Mouse Revue, and the inspiring Hall of Presidents- in its brand new land, Liberty Square. 

It was a BIG deal for Disney to come to Florida! We forget sometimes, just how big this was. Imagine a whole new world built from scratch in the swamplands where there was once nothing at all. Real magic was created through hard work, dedication, and ultimately, imagination.

Let's take a look at these retro / vintage Disney World and Florida travel posters used to promote this new place of wonder and fun!  

The Delta Airlines poster at top is one that has found its place in my office. It's just iconic, isn't it? Love the original colors of the castle, and I'm thrilled they are returning. 

 

The generic "Orlando" poster from National Airlines (may it rest in peace) gets their castle from Disneyland, not the Florida one. Perhaps it is unofficial and therefore, they had to do it this way. While this one is nice as well, it's definitely third place among this trio.

The winner is clearly this one! Eastern Air Lines, being the official airline of the resort focused on the entire Vacation Kingdom. The sunset red poster did not feature its sponsored attraction, If You Had Wings, because it wouldn't open until a couple of years later. Mickey gets trips billing but so do some birds from the Tropical Serenade (aka Enchanted Tiki Room), the Haunted Mansion, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and the Contemporary Resort. 

October 1971 brought a whole new world into existence. The future plans of the suits and Imagineers made sure the future looked bright. And it was, wasn't it? 

(Art copyright the Walt Disney Company and National,Delta, and Eastern airlines.)

Italy Comes to California

Do you love Italy? The food, the landscapes, the people? I sure do! It was during a tour of Napa and Sonoma, California, wine country, where we found a bit of Italian charm right outside our door. No, it's not Epcot (or even Westcot). Even the cloudy skies can't hide the charm!

The gorgeous Castello di Amorosa is a family owned winery. This beautiful plaza and its fortress walls were built from scratch. No, they weren't there before. The look was lovingly recreated from the minds of the family working with similarly minded architects and designers. The end result? Something you would easily find in those Tuscan hillsides thousands of miles away!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Venetian Gondolier Makes The Day

 One of my favorite photographs! While visiting the totally unique city of Venice, we went for a stroll through the narrow winding streets. As we turned a corner, this was what greeted us. I quickly grabbed my camera, just hoping he'd stay in that exact position. And he did! So, now a much larger, clearer, and more detailed photo of this hangs in our home. What memories! (If you want to see all the photos from this trip and read about our adventures, go to this post.)

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Riding the Camels at Epcot

Riding the desert sands of Morocco? Where is that at Walt Disney World? It's certainly not at Epcot's World Showcase pavilion, even if it is one of the most highly detailed of all the country representations at the park. No, this is the real Morocco. Some friends of ours took this camel expedition as part of their travels to Europe and North Africa. Pretty amazing!

I Want This Man's Job!

Go to over 40 countries? Check! Go to every single continent? Check? Create a documentary on your findings and entice the world to tune in? Check! Yes, I want this man's job! Who is the man? The lucky man in question is Texan Dave Stotts, and he's the one who has created the series Drive Thru History. You can finds it on Prime.

This guy is also a man with a purpose. He takes a deep, hard look at the impact of Jesus Christ all around the world. Telling stories that are inspiring but totally honest, he travels as he speaks on the impact of the Twelve Apostles, other believers, and those who use the name of Christ to then kill indigenous peoples in order to gain their treasure and their land. He holds nothing back. This specific series is subtitled The Ends of the Earth- How Christianity Changed the World. 

The twenty episodes are 25 minutes each. Each area of the world is covered. The photography is just as breathtaking as the stories Dave tells. Just to keep things even more interesting, his journeys are taken in a wide variety of cool cars and other modes of transportation.

Like I said, I want this man's job! Where do I apply? 

A Bit of Paris on a Dreary Day

It's clearly cold outside, so my thoughts drift to vacations long ago... This little shop in Paris caught my eye one day. The golden lettering against the deep green and the black grillwork is stunning! But you could say that about most of what you'll see in the city. Ah, Paris! Ah, vacations! Ah, God's faithfulness to give me a break when I need it most!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Living Out My Inner Indiana Jones

One of my favorite parts of being a private tour guide is taking people to new and exciting, even exotic places. As you can tell from this latest photo, I had a chance to live out my inner Indiana Jones. I never thought I'd ever do something like this!

“What no eye has seen,

    what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived”—

    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9

The desert air was crisp and clean, but it certainly was very hot! 

My granddaughter asked if the camel was smelly. He was not. In fact, this gentle animal allowed me to stroke his neck and pat his hump. Normally, I don't post too many photos of my tours as they include other people. I won't invade their privacy. But this rare solo photo was one I had to include just for my personal satisfaction. Hope you don't mind the indulgence!

Bit of Kodak History

My oldest son and his family stumbled into this little ice cream parlor. As Eastman Kodak aka Kodak holds a very special place in our family history, he sent us a photo of this vintage mirror bearing a company ad.  It was due to my father in law's kindness that my then girlfriend and I got to dine in Disneyland's very exclusive Club 33.  Later on, his generosity was expressed in passing on to us free tickets to Walt's park and even Florida's Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center. 

Last night we watched a one hour television special from about Walt Disney World from 1977. Beyond the endlessly cheery music and storyline, the presentation included some ads- and mostly of products that no longer exist. So, preserving this piece of history seems all the more important.

Rome from the Air

The photographer is unknown, but the shot is timeless. The Colosseum is a landmark for any city, but in Rome, history is everywhere. Just everywhere you look! Believers in Jesus Christ were once thrown to the lions in the arena, and gladiators battled to the death. It was a typical afternoon of "entertainment" for the wealthier citizens. Can you imagine? Well, today, Rome offers a diversion of pleasures, and you don't have to be rich to enjoy them.