Hot set!

Get the fire extinguishers! We've got us a flaming hot set at the Studio 1 store! Just one more classic example of the Muppets taking signage and gags to new heights. As always the Studio 1 store is an easy target for photographers. Meanwhile, it is really hot up here in the frozen north this week so getting doused with a bucket of water would be great right about now!

Extra safari choices

Been on the Kilimanjaro Safaris' namesake tour so many times that you know the animals by name? Then you need to try one of the other options the Kilimanjaro Safaris offer. Go on a crater walk, maybe a fishing safari, or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Or my favorite - hippo snorkeling. So go book your adventure today, what are you waiting for?

Temps de repas

I may not have taken any French in school but I know a good meal when I smell one. And check out that light. The details and design in the street lamps around Les Chefs differ from those around the rest of the France pavilion and add an extra bit of style to the small dining district in the pavilion. Great, now I'm hungry for a meal. Even a quick snack at the bakery would be fine, really!

Desktop: One way trip down Main Street to the Matterhorn

This week's desktop plays with your mind a bit when it comes to time and space - here we a hundred years ago with a horse drawn streetcar yet the Matterhorn looms in the distance. For the most part the lands do not overlap but there are some locations where that is obviously not possible and some interesting photo opportunities open up... And for the record, Barney was in charge of the streetcar that day.

Venice of America

King Triton's Carousal is decked out with images paying tribute to classic amusement parks from around California. Venice of America was in Venice and was designed to feel like Venice, complete with gondolas. While it only lasted a couple of decades it is one of the many parks that made up the California beach scene in the early 20th century.

Carriages!

You there! Yes, you! You need a carriage! Head right over to Church Street today and bring home a new carriage for the family. Bargain deals to be had to don't delay!

This sign is just one of many on Main Street, this one is tucked back near the firehouse. So then there is the question - were there greasy used carriage salesmen back then?

Sam's Christmas BBQ

Up here there is no way we can really get away with grilling for Christmas, it is just too cold and the polar bears will help themselves to the grub anyways. But down in MGM you can get away with it year-round! Back when the Osbourne Lights were in the neighborhood they had the BBQ that was all lit up. I was really happy to see it was still around and figured it is a perfect way to celebrate Christmas in July - so go grill some chestnuts on the open fire already and celebrate.

Jingle bells

It is Christmas (in July) Eve and what better way to spend it than with a ride around it's a small world? The incredible lights display on the facade is really something that has to be seen in person... I wonder what Santa will bring on his way to the beach?

People watching

Another "look up" moment, this time at the Dawa Bar in Harambe. If you take a look at the overhang you can see that some of the guests have brought some lawn chairs up there, along with towels, water bottles, etc. Much like the hotels you can't check into around the parks, it is another location that I think would be fun to be able check out...

2001: A Restroom Odyssey

The last restroom image was a smashing hit (did you miss the nerds at George's favorite bathroom?) so today we're over in Epcot at the Odyssey Restaurant to check out their restroom signs. The hexagon look is perfect to go with the geometric building, the same thing goes for the copper used to make the signs.

Catsup Red and Mustard Yellow

The paints in these drums at Backlot Express are pretty self explanatory and perfect for those of you looking for something to add color to that burger. Although you may want to get that color from the topping bar instead of these barrels...

Follow me to Disney World

While waiting for our own Magical Express bus at Orlando International I was able to get a shot of a departing one. I love the art deco era style and of course the whole gang in the back window. Once again it shows how Imagineers can make just about anything unique and fun!

Toasting chocolate

This sign in the Confectionery helps add a sense of era to the store. The reference to Chicago would be the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 I would imagine, also known as Chicago's World's Fair. The Expo was a host to new ideas of all sorts for the industrial era, including the first ever ferris wheel.

Grizzly Peak Pass Trail

This is one of those quiet back areas that no one seems to visit (I suppose that helps on the quiet part...) yet is a great place to go explore. This trail around the mountain and rapids has some neat details to explore that I'll get into later. The highway style sign is an interesting touch, you are, in theory, walking down the highway from the Condor Flats area to the streets of San Francisco so to use a modern DOT style sign, in a way, makes sense. I might have picked a slightly more rustic wooden sign put up by a parks department to better fit the feel of the neighborhood with Grizzly River Run and the old mines nearby, but then again it wasn't up to me. Either way, if you have always walked past this sign but never turned down this road do so the next you are at California Adventure, it is well worth the few extra of minutes.

Deliver to Harambe...

Time for yet anther crate! This time it is a big delivery for the Pangani Forest Conservation School - not sure if FedEx delivers as far as Harambe but it somehow made it to the conservation outpost along the trail. It looks like it hasn't even been opened yet, what are they waiting for? I love getting packages in the mail, maybe they just need help opening it. Off to find some tools...

Skip Level 13

Looks like Level 13 at the Big Thunder Mine has a bit of an issue. Hard to tell if it is flooded or collapsing or what happened but any way it goes that isn't a stop any more on the way down the main shaft! Just one more detail on the incredible queue in Disneyland - if you have only been to Disney World you are missing out as the queue on the other coast is far more elaborate and detailed, thanks in part to the old Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland set and the town of Rainbow Ridge.

Notice - eating utensils ahead

I love this sign! I have no idea where the idea came from but the next time you are looking for forks at the Backlot Express you have little excuse for not finding them. But where are the sporks?

Desktop: Global palm trees

For this week's desktop we have a bit of a different view of the classic Epcot icon Spaceship Earth and the surrounding greenery. There was just something about the way to palm trees and the geometry of the geosphere worked out that caught my eye that day... Outside of the Global Neighborhood entrances at Spaceship Earth were the tall palm trees seen here. Now I've heard they were replaced with smaller ones to match the other side when the wand was removed last year but I forgot to check when I was there this winter. Hopefully the new ones grow quickly as I sort of like having the tall palm trees - especially since there is no way I'll ever see them here at home!

Wanted dead or alive

Peg Leg Pete and Brer Fox are in trouble once again over in Frontierland. Seems like they have been rustlin' pins from the Frontier Mercantile store... Those guys just can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Side note on the store proprietor - for those of you that don't know about John Slaughter he was the main character in Texas John Slaughter, a Wonderful World of Disney show from 1958-61.

Changing lanes

For all of you out there that can't figure out how things look closer in your rear view mirror, this department at the Muppet Labs is clearly to blame for your problems!

Giant green gecko

All I can say is that this is one cool lamp! I'm not sure if it would look as cool at home as it does at Pizzafari but I'd sure be willing to give it a try - once the Polynesian Mail Box aquisition crew is done I see another job...

A streetcar, sorry, horse named Barney

Last week our good friend George over at Imaginerding had a great look at the Main St. Transporation Co. with a closer look at the Omnibus in particular. I have to say I love riding the upper deck and watching the world go by... I had never ridden it till a couple years ago, if you haven't ridden it yet you really should.
But I digress - the topic today is actually the Horse-Drawn Streetcar, another division of the Main St. Transportation Company. If you look closely you'll see that the horses are full-fledged Disney cast members - right down to their name tags! Talk about a way to make sure everyone feels like a part of the show! Barney is an amazingly sweet and calm horse (of course all of the Disney horses are...) and was a crowd favorite on this quiet day. He seemed to be enjoying his couple of hours of work ferrying guests down Main Street. So the next time you hop a ride on the streetcar don't forget see who is providing your power for the day...

Spilled paint

Falling under the category of creative if not all that well hidden Mickey is this one at Studio 1. The paint shelves are a mess with paint spilled everywhere (what do you expect when you put Muppets in charge?) and some of the institutional green is in a familiar shape.

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign...

...do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign? Over at Test Track they have a wide array of highway signs in the shop demonstrating just some of the various signs that you can encounter on the road (and in the ride). The detour might be a bit confusing (take your pick on your route) and it is probably a good idea to take note of the no pedestrian sign behind the barriers. Just another example of how they still can combine educational and entertaining in the Epcot queues...

Meow, zzzzz.....

The Village Haus is a wonderful eatery, esp. with the new (well, relatively new) menu, it is a must eat location for me every time. They have great views of it's a small world but you should take some time to explore the rest of the building. The Pinocchio theming and painting is terrific, here is Figaro looking extremely cute catching some sleep in his bed. Check out the little saintly cat in the headboard. My cat is sprawled out in a big furry blob these days trying to escape the heat - very cute but nothing quite like Figaro...

Ride the Zephyr

As the only person in my family who can really do these types of rides it goes without saying that I'm the only one that has ridden the Zephyr and the Orange Stingers at Paradise Pier. Yet even if you can't stomach the circles keep an eye out for this classic advertisement along the pier...

Froggy, er, frosty Coke

You have to love how whoever designed this cooler used the frogs, their tongues, and flies to outline the classic Coke bottle! I'm not sure that eating flies makes one any thirstier, though...

It's all fun and games till someone loses an eye

What is more American than Disneyland? Or fireworks for that matter? We have a bit of each for this Independence Day here over in Frontierland - not to mention a lot of really bad shots on top of it all. Look at that sign, they can barely hit the wall it seems. For all of you reading this in the US - hopefully you have the day off work so you go have a great time - just don't come whining to me if you are short a few fingers in the morning!

For your safety - no loafing allowed

Off to the right of the service counter in the Backlot Express are a couple helpful signs... The no loafing or loitering is a creative one that I'm sure is could be useful at home sometimes. And the more standard safety sign is rather appropriate given the time of year right now and the tendency to play with explosives...

No worm digging!

At Rushin' River Outfitters you can find all sorts of interesting things for your adventure, including this bit of advice. I'm not sure how many worms you will find in this area anyways but just in case you were inclined to go fishing in the Grizzly River...

O' Canada

It is Canada Day today and what better way to celebrate than with a stop at one of their national treasures, Butchart Gardens. Ok, so maybe we aren't headed to Vancouver Island but over in Epcot they have a wonderful recreation of a portion of the gardens. Dubbed Victoria Gardens, they are in honor of the incredible gardens in British Columbia. So the next time you are waiting to see O'Canada, go get a box of maple cookies (think Oreo with maple filling - mighty tasty!) and enjoy a few minutes admiring the landscaping!