Zoo Day

The cutest little animals at the Zoo. Fun for grandpa and grandma!

Back To It

Thank God the election is over! Did your candidate lose? Sorry. Did your candidate win? Good for you. Either way, it's time to go back to our friendships, building those bridges of relationship that make our country so great. And it's time to go back to the gym and work off those stress eating snacks while watching the returns.

Here's one of the best articles I've read about the right attitude in working out. Enjoy it- and celebrate that America still offers the best representation of democracy today.

The Businessman or the Politician

Well, today is the day that one of the greatest free countries ever known to grace this earth will choose its next leader. But what a horrible choice we have!

Who will it be? The pompous, foolish, loose-tongued, hateful, self-serving, sex predator businessman worth millions or the arrogant, self-serving, Christian- hating millionaire career politician criminal who covered up the acts of a sex predator? They are both disgusting in my view, and like you and me, they need to repent from their sin. Each give lip service to faith in Jesus Christ, but neither of their lives reflect it. 

Is this really the best we Americans can do? Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will be the next president. There's no turning back now. Either way, America loses.

My trust rests in no party and in no man or woman. And that view is about to be severely tested. Severely.

Proverbs 29: 2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn." 

As a nation that has largely turned away from God, I'm afraid that we are getting what we deserve. Lord, have mercy on us!

Happy Birthday Billy!

A good reminder of what is really important- eternally so. Thank you, Pastor Graham, for your wisdom and passion for God all these decades!

The Killing of Innocents

Today, November 6th is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Yes, it may not sound like much interest to many folks, but the reality is that women, children, and the men who are to take care of them are beaten and killed all the time in the name of religion. Mostly in the name of radical Islam. America and her politicians have largely turned a blind eye to this in favor of being politically correct. Sounds like Nazi times all over again.

The short video above gives the statistics. If you want to see what persecution looks like in the different regions of the world, go to this website and hear from folks who live in each region: Open Doors. I have traveled to some of these areas for myself doing humanitarian work, and I can tell you from personal experience this is happening. 

Take a chance, and take a look. You could be involved in saving someone's life by getting involved.

An Entirely Different Look Than Disney's View in Shanghai

An entirely different look at Shanghai today. The above map of Shanghai Disneyland tells the story Disney and the Chinese government wants to be told. Yet, today's trip report comes from a friend living overseas, a friend of a different nationality and therefore an entirely different perspective on what it means to be Chinese (or American). The perspectives might be shocking or expected- but none the less, it makes for a veery interesting read. Enjoy.
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Days of listening to words both spoken and unspoken revealed much about life in a Socialist country.  I’m startled at how startled I am by the differences between China’s powerful, dynamic culture and my own deeply embedded national-origin values (Liberty, Freedom of Speech, Independence).

Like the good and bad of everything, Chinese fundamental values include some precious and admirable, along with some less-than.  A few examples:

1. Harmony and cooperation
2. Family focus – prioritize and plan to care for elderly parents, along with intentional, sacrificial devotion to caring for and investing in the children’s futures. 35% of China’s family incomes is devoted to children’s education.
3. Saving face – decisions made in order to appease, so others would think of one as a good person and avoiding embarrassment at all cost, even by lying more colorfully than “white lies”.
4. Impressing others by your success as evidenced by your possessions, even if it means spending money impractically

I wonder to what extent the above enable the political system of restrictions of speech and autonomy.  And that causes me to consider how my own national-origin values drive personal values, both admirable and otherwise.

 Squatty Potties

Every toilet I encountered in Shanghai was a (normal by western standards) pedestal seat, and ranged from reasonably to remarkably clean.

The other 6 Chinese cities’ countless toilets visited offered the non-western variety you see here.  Also, this is an exceptional ladies room in that all the others had individual, private stalls with doors that closed and even sometimes latched.

Men’s and women’s were always separate, and while many women’s rooms had one or several pedestals, the majority of stalls had a porcelain base on the floor and flusher activated by foot pedal or button to press.  Several had a shared trough under the entire row of stalls, and one flush pushed water along the entire trough.  That system was more…aromatic… in a negative way.

Some were as dirty as the worst U.S. gas station bathrooms, but most were reasonably clean.  Near the sinks, many but not all had a roll of paper and many stalls had no paper, by design. Needless to say it didn’t take long to establish patterns:  bring at least 4 “servings” of TP in one’s daypack or purse, and use theirs whenever it was available.  While some women from my tour patiently lined up for the pedestal stalls, others of us enjoyed the flexibility to take care of business the Chinese way.  I found the squatting preferable in dirty facilities, and that’s probably more than you ever wanted to know.

P.S. The men made no comments in my hearing about differences, cleanliness, or otherwise.

China is a socialist country, led by a one Party: the Communist Party.  I’m not aware of history where Socialist or Communist methodologies haven proven beneficial to the masses in the long run; rather I consider them as philosophies that sound good in theory but don’t work in reality.

Last year’s visit to Berlin gave me visual clarity of the contrast: black and white drab poverty colored the pre-1991 side of the Wall that had separated Communist from Free post-war Berlin, while the Capitalistic side enjoyed color that reflected opportunity and a dramatically higher standard of living for the people.  We have so much history from which to learn.

As the U.S. struggles through this election season, I learned that the current leader and ruling party (the Communist Party) choose China’s next leader. Then the Party members’ “vote” either for that nominee, or no vote at all.  To not vote for the “candidate” is foolishly self-destructive for future economic and social opportunities for the individual party members as well as their extended family, so in actuality it’s obligatory.

The several Chinese people I asked told me that the “Party leaders are smart and know what’s best.” Do they have the freedom to tell me if they think otherwise?  One offered that because there are so many Chinese, it would be impossible to have elections like the U.S.

Can you imagine: 1,390,000,000+ Chinese voters?!?

Venturing into other observations about culture, were you aware of the above creative clothing strategy for potty-training?  Note the split rear seam – and take a moment to envision the ease of immediate urge.  

However, “squat where you are” is problematic, if there are not pooper-scooper laws like the U.S. established years ago for dogs – I mean, their owners. I didn’t see it happen, but am told the “product” is left where it’s deposited by these darlings . . .

Are any readers aware of this strategy in any other country or culture?

Our Tibet guide sang to us enroute to the airport during our final time together. His use of a nearby water bottle/microphone prop was spontaneous and charming!

   

Driving through cities ranging from 35,000,000 to 6,000,000 in mainland China revealed towering high-rise condominiums alongside old, single story dwellings and dwarfed dilapidated apartment buildings targeted for removal and renovation respectively. Standard practice of drying clothing outside rendered surprise to the eyes of my fellow travelers from the U.S.  Since it’s the norm in much of Israel, it’s become my norm as well.

Doors are closed and privacy is ensured for the safety for those speaking about how the government operates, discussions about propaganda, mistakes by the government, etc. Predictably, suggestions for change to the government are typically dismissed as merely the voice of one, while petitions listing many signatures are at least considered more seriously.

However, the tone must not include any implication that the government is wrong or mistaken.  If someone were to appear to be criticizing the government, their extended family to three generations could be vulnerable to recriminations interfering with employment, promotions, education, etc.  I was startled, rattled really, to learn of 21st century people accepting the directive of government without any option for facilitating change or freely voicing questions, concerns, disapproval.

In 1980, the Chinese government imposed substantial fines and even forced abortions upon families having a second child.  Exceptions included minorities, farming families, and of course those who knew someone important who could grant absolution from the restriction. Finally realizing that the economy cannot support an aging population without more workers paying taxes, the government has recently changed the policy; no surprise that the campaign launched to encourage each family to have 2 children completely contradicts the preceding decades of rationale for having only one.

The blend of Chinese characters with western influence was at every turn, from knock-off Colonel Sanders fast food to genuine Starbucks and Hagen Daz, to this merry-go-round.   

We enjoyed a lecture by a foreign language and linguistics professor from Xi’an International Studies University, whose specialty is teaching courses in Chinese culture and international studies.  She presented an overview of Chinese philosophy and religious evolution along with highlights of the many ruling dynasties.

Do people still play Trivial Pursuit?  If so, perhaps you’ll be interested to know that Confucius’ name was really Kong FuZi.  The Wikipedia specifics on his name explain pulling clan name + given name + Ancestral name come together into “Kong FuZi.”  Saying that quickly has resulted in “Confucius” as we know him today.

I guess I found that interesting partly because names are so important and I struggle terribly with them in Israel. Meeting other guests at a dinner or event can be a challenge for all of us.  To remember Mary, Sam, Judy is one thing, but hanging on to a handful names around a dinner table that I’ve never heard and can’t immediately link with a name or word I know is a challenge at which I typically fail.  I appreciate the gracious patience of Israeli’s as I struggle to remember and wrap my mouth around foreign sound combinations and stress.

Back to Kong FuZi:  I recognized Konf FuZi’s teaching as foundational to what I learned to be Chinese life-philosophies.  He taught filial piety, loyalty to rulers, love for siblings, and that at birth everyone is good but bad people make them bad by modeling or by abuse. Some think that respect as a foundational principle of the culture is to be blamed for China’s inability to resolve political problems. I see how respect carried to extreme could interfere with reasoned analysis of problems and solutions.  What do you think?

Chinese Chess

Online resources are restricted in China. Even Google! Gmail was not accessible, as were links in various news sources. Facebook and Linked-In? Inaccessible! My Gmail address is forwarded to my primary email address, so I received all email, but my tour companions with only Gmail simply could not access their email the entire trip.  I could not access Google’s maps or translation sites either.

It’s hard to imagine why some were blocked, but more understandable when researching Chinese or related events, places, or people mentioned during touring, some apparently restricted.  By the way, it was clearly not the hotel wifi, because I accessed my bank, Quicken, and other sites having nothing to do with China.

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(Top image copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Sure to Be a "Beauty" and a "Beast"

Here's a look at the cover of Entertainment Weekly and its insider view of Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast. The film is a beloved classic, even now after 25 years since it's initial release. 

Will Dan Stevens and Emma Watson be able to duplicate the heart felt success of the original roles made famous by Robby Benson and Paige O'Hara? My guess is yes- with some twists along the way. And the film is sure to be a creative beauty, a smash when released in Spring 2017. And sure to be a beast when it comes to padding Disney's bottom line financially.

Disney's banking on the film to re-ignite interest in its upcoming theme park expansions in the Asia market as well as in the US. Where will the Imagineers build these breathtaking attractions? Take a look here- including 25 years of how Disney's animated classic has been infused into the Disney culture world-wide.

(Image copyright Entertainment Weekly and Disney.)

The Disneyland Paris Map That Got Away

Yes, I had purchased the new book on Disney Maps- and it's quite an interesting take on Imagineering. I mean, who doesn't like to stick their nose deep into a park map and look at all that's going on! Thanks to Imagineer Sam McKim and others who followed, the maps became pieces of art themselves as well as promotional tools.

Today's map is not in the book. In fact, it's a fairly unknown piece of concept art for the train tracks / map of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Paris- certainly the definitive version of the Tony Baxter designed classic. Sitting just across the river from the Phantom Manor, the attraction beckons guests to board the wildest ride in the wilderness starting with a quick descend under the river to the island in the middle. Quite an opening act!

The whole of Frontierland tells a fascinating story. Without a doubt, it is the most fully realized tale of the American West to ever grace a Disney theme park, and it certainly would make Imagineer Marc Davis proud. Now all it needs is a 21st Century version of Western River Expedition to be built on the vacant piece of land by the Cowboy Cookout... 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Scarier Than Halloween

Halloween 2016 is now officially over, but the frightening things going on at the mainland Disney resorts are creepier than even the most macabre of happenings. It's as if the shoehorning of an entire Star Wars world in the midst of Disneyland park just wasn't enough for the ghouls in charge of the parks.

Disney/Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is already a work in progress as the "new" attraction forces its way into the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It just doesn't make any sense. Why destroy a classic Disney attraction? Has Imagineering bought into the game or are they helpless pawns? Wouldn't the whole story behind the decision make an incredibly strange episode of the old Rod Serling television show? 

"Imagine if you will a once beloved and trusted entertainment giant deciding to simultaneously force their latest acquisition into media in which it doesn't belong and instantly alienating their most die-hard fans. Led by the ultra greedy CEO and his equally clueless Board along with a host of other characters, 'the Company' moves full steam ahead to destroy the legacy of its founder in order to fill their pockets with cash. All this before disappearing into The Twilight Zone."

It's a story, screenplay, or book that practically writes itself! And it is only the beginning as more of Marvel finds its way into the parks. Epcot is next, using Future World as an environment in which to shove film and comic superheroes. It's no longer about what is thematically correct (see much of Norway and Mexico at World Showcase in Epcot these days for examples), it's more about making a quick buck. 

Will the madness ever stop? Probably not...on U.S. shores at least.

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Not This Christmas, Herb Alpert

The "A" of A&M Records, Herb Alpert, is in the midst of recording a new Christmas album. It's release date is not this Christmas but tentatively scheduled for next year this same time.

The founder of the label that brought us The Police, Sting, and so many others, also made solo pop stars out of Peter Frampton and Janet Jackson, and a household name out of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. Alpert has enlisted his old friend, brother Richard, for the disc. They'll be recording a new version of the Carpenters classic Merry Christmas Darling. 

While Herb is still going strong and recording into his 80's, this will be the first appearance of Richard Carpenter on disc in quite awhile. Should be terrific as Richard is an amazing arranger, composer and producer. Perhaps this will lead up to something new in celebration of the Carpenters 50th Anniversary of their first A&M record back in 1969. 

Promoting the Haunted Mansion Florida Style

Sometimes you just hold onto something for years waiting for the right time. And this is it. 

Here's a great advertisement for the Haunted Mansion in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. When it opened it the park in 1972, the attraction into otherworldly realms was only a few years younger than its original counterpart at Disneyland. I was there in 1969 during the opening week with a friend visiting from Mexico. My family had decided a good thing to show Maria would include a trip to the park. What a great choice (as always), but the lines down into New Orleans Square for the attraction snaked on and on. It was this ways for weeks. Next to the four hour wait I endured at the opening of Indiana Jones Adventure years later, I had never seen anything like it. 

The suits and the Imagineers were assured of the instant popularity of the attraction. They were 100% right in duplicating the insides for a new mansion on the soon to open Florida park- with some slight changes, of course. 

Situated in Liberty Square, the new mansion took its inspiration from the Hudson Valley. The elegant and foreboding exterior was a stark contrast to the southern charm and warmth of its older sister. 

A new ad campaign played up the mystery of some of the park's inhabitants. Just as with the Disneyland's version, the brand new Haunted Mansion was a hit with crowds from opening day, just over 45 years ago.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Happy Birthday to My One True Love

Any lover of art will recognize the famous place shown here as we took a lunch break in Paris. The works of the Impressionists at the Musee d'Orsay will dazzle, but nothing human shines brighter than the woman in the photo.

My wife- a wonderful woman to be compared to none. In every role, there's none like her. And the years keep revealing just what a treasure she is to all who know and love her. 

The words found in Proverbs, Chapter 31 provide the closest description of her:

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
²² She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Happy Birthday to my true love, my best friend, and my favorite person to spend the day with!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Concept Art for Pinocchio's Daring Journey

The year was 1983 when, finally, Disneyland's brand new sparkling Fantasyland opened to a very excited public. With much fanfare, the drawbridge to the castle was lifted and lowered for the first time since the park's opening in 1955. 

It was quite a day. I avoided the exact re-opening but visited shortly afterwards, being quite excited at the transformation. Gone were the quickly (and cheaply) built tournament tent surroundings. In its place was an elegant recreation of a European village. Under the heartfelt leadership of Imagineer Tony Baxter, the original Magic Kingdom had finally received the kind of Fantasyland Walt Disney always intended but couldn't afford. 

In addition to all the changes, a brand new attraction appeared: Pinocchio's Daring Journey, a dark ride to match all the others found around the castle. It joined an impressive line-up beginning with the beloved Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White's Scary Adventures, and Alice in Wonderland. (Want to see a nice little article on the transformation of Fantasyland? Go to Imagineering Disney. It's chock full of some great before and after photos!)

The man himself with a marionette of Pinocchio.

For some reason, this new dark ride, recently installed in Tokyo Disneyland months earlier, never became a fan favorite. In spite of it being a masterpiece as a film, the transition to dark ride never caught on with park guests as did its dark ride predecessors. Thirty plus years later, the attraction seems to have a very short queue, even on the very busiest of days. Quite the shame, as I think this attraction has it all: a compelling story with dark and light elements, a variety of scenery, wonderful characters, and great special effects. Most of all, the attraction boasts music that has stood the test of time. It may be too much of a morality tale, but it's a solid attraction in its own right. Truly an undiscovered gem of the California park.

(Art and photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Animal Kingdom- A True Life Adventure (Part Two)

Editor's Note: As I prepare Part Four of this series, I thought I'd post the first three parts for our newer readers. Here is Part Two. Enjoy!

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“Well, I think we’ve got the best animal facilities in the world. We’ve got the best keepers that are here, we’ve got an advisory board- that is a very impressive list- that helped us plan and develop this park. We really think we’ve done the right things for the animals in the overall basis.”

Al Weiss, President Walt Disney World Resort, at the Grand Opening

Disney's Animal Kingdom had to be different. With three parks already on their Florida property, this new park was purposely designed from the beginning to be unlike anything Disney had previously created. Was the theme powerful enough to draw guests to spend a fourth day at yet another park? It had to feel fresh. It couldn't look or feel like a zoo. Reaching a new audience would be a necessity, and it would be a benefit to deal a blow to another competitor. Disney's Animal Kingdom fit the profile. If built as created, it's beauty would astound, its attractions thrill.

Once the park was completed, in order to communicate this place was something special, Disney’s advertising expects kicked it into high gear. First came a preview souvenir booklet (top), followed by some terrific print ads.

The cleverest ad produced played on the sense of mystery the park strove to create: a young explorer walking down one of Animal Kingdom’s paths, looks behind him as shadows of animals imaginary, extinct, and wild are cast over him, clearly telling prospective visitors that exciting animal encounters were the order of the day here.

Enticed by the advertising campaign, curious visitors at the entrance gates received the newest park’s handout. The “Adventurer’s Guide” gave a small hint of what was ahead.


Once visitors crossed the turnstiles, those expecting a traditional zoo environment or yet another version of Main Street were taken aback, finding a lush jungle instead. There was no icon to be seen, no ride vehicle or transportation system in sight, no vendor cart. Here’s a rare map from Disney News introducing what guests found opening day.

Looking inside the Adventurer’s Guide or at the Disney News map, and we find the park is a little short on attractions. The actual count is less than ten, but several others are there to pad the list: character greeting kiosks, the village of Harambe in Africa, and Discovery River apart from the boats that cruised it.

Rounding out the Animal Kingdom were a limited number of shops, mostly found in Safari Village. These are beautifully built with handcrafted carvings and stunning décor, and they surround a few small eateries. The merchandise offered included unique and park specific offerings, something Disney has seemed to forgotten about in most of their other parks- a very nice touch.

Back outside, the lush gardens, waterfalls, and meandering paths (including the famous “hidden” one), beg for exploration, filling more of the visitor’s day. Just what would the paying visitors think? After considing many incarnations of the park, settling on what was to be built and committing to it in concrete, there was no turning back. Park gates opened for the first time on April 22, 1998. What did guests find and how did they react?

(Above, the original proposed Animal Kingdom centerpiece, a carousel!)

(Disney's WILD Animal Kingdom- that is until copyright issues got in the way!)

The setting is spectacular and unique to all the Disney kingdoms. Just like the Earth it celebrates, this newest Florida gem was lovingly created and intelligently designed. Nothing was left to chance. Walking through the turnstiles, it is a fully immersive experience, its a wonder for the eyes, satisfying to the soul. The old saying "The Devil is in the Details" comes to mind, but let's not give him the credit for the magnificent work found in here.

The Oasis is an area in which the designers made up for items removed due to monetary constraints. The very hard working Imagineers produced a stateside park that hasn't seen this much elaborate theming since the original Disneyland. Between the hand carved details all around, lush landscaping, hidden animal grottoes, and various meandering paths to explore, many visitors could spend an entire day discovering unexpected delights. However, guests conditioned by decades of running for Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean – those wanting traditional Disney attractions- could be severely disappointed. Some were, and park management was quick to be told about missed expectations.

It is these guests that were focused on the shortcomings, many deeming this “new breed of Disney park” a half-day excursion charging a full-fare. Disney responded equally fast that this was a place to be savored, not a rushed experience. Both camps were right, yet since Disney understood that guests vote with their wallets- and their experiences were now shared worldwide via the internet- plans were immediately made to add to the park. Soon to come additions included attractions for the Asian section of the park not yet ready for opening day.

(Proposed design for Asia.)

Our Journey Begins...
Due to other obligations, it was about a year and a half after opening that I first saw Disney’s Animal Kingdom for myself. My wife and kids were curious and asked the obvious questions regarding a park that seemed to be the Disney version of a zoo. Having familiarized myself with the park from every form of promotional material I could get, I thought I was ready to go and “knew” the park. Was I ever wrong!

On our first journey to the newest kingdom, two erroneous design choices stood out. The majestic Tree of Life is truly a draw in itself, but the 3D film experience inside, although quite good, uses space that should contain an iconic, timeless attraction. Additionally, the tacky and very unnecessary Rain Forest Café takes up prime real estate at the park’s entrance, lending a stench of commercialism to an otherwise organic and visually appealing piece of land. This is a major mistake, akin to placing a prominent Home Town Buffet at the grand entrance of Main Street. However in the larger scheme of things, these are quite minor. This was a brand new Disney park after all and a marvelous one at that!

When looked at through a critic's eyes, although not immediately obvious, the final execution of Animal Kingdom reveals that there are many similarities with the quickly built Disney-MGM Studios. Both parks are light on attractions, a trend that continued in later years with Disney’s California Adventure and Paris’ Walt Disney Studios. Instead of a lengthy Backlot tour, guests at Animal Kingdom travel via safari truck through the quite realistic African savannah. Exhibits abound in each park. Animation and behind the scenes artifacts are on display at the Studios, while creatures of all sizes reside in the main lands of the Kingdom. Time-consuming theater presentations are plentiful, replacing the absent traditional Disney rides while accommodating large groups of guests. Noticeably lacking, however, are Disney’s trademark and lavish Audio-Animatronics adventures. These costly extravaganzas are relegated to one per park: The Great Movie Ride, and Countdown to Extinction, respectively.

Back to our visit. Entering the Oasis, we realized the place is designed for adventure as we found the multiple winding paths curving through a lush jungle filled with small creatures and colorful birds. Folks who choose not to rush through this section of the park may uncover a small waterfall cascading before a bridge, all hidden from view. In fact, I didn’t find this place until my 4th visit! Small caves contain unexpected animal exhibits, including fish. The scent of flowers and the distant sound of music filled the air.

I did not expect the impact this type of “Scene One” would have upon my view of the park. To experience this in person is to feel a combination of serenity and excitement, the desire to remain all day and the need to explore even further. Amidst the adrenaline rush, I never realized we would later be hit with an educational experience as well as a day of fun.

(Above, the Proposed plan for Dinoland U.S.A.) 

Journeying beyond the gardens into an open pedestrian area and its small but colorful village, the Tree of Life transforms into a breathtaking piece of art upon closer inspection, as the hundreds of animal carvings found in its trunk and branches become evident. I couldn’t help but stand and stare at it or photograph this masterpiece all through the day from various angles. Even if it didn’t have the rather funny “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” show inside, the tree would become an instant favorite.

Standing on a bridge looking at the Tree on one side and the Discovery River below,

I was lost in a brand new faraway place. The park's clear shortcomings faded. Then it hit me: I hadn't been on a single attraction in over an hour, but I was thrilled with everything I saw. Couldn't wait to keep exploring the park. Yes, Disney had done it again.

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This is the end of Part Two of this series. Part Three is on line now with Part Four on its way!

(Artwork copyright The Walt Disney Company, photos by Mark Taft.)

Priceless

Three adorable kids. Look at this photo- it's one of my new favorites, and it reminds me of one we took of our own kids years ago while we were at the beach. Priceless!

And now the full family photo. It would be impossible to love them all more than we do...