Time to go trekking

Trekking around Anandapur is always a good time, and here is a map of the extended area with all the options for the adventurous trekker. There is even lodging the area for the extended stay in case you want to take advantage of all the things to do around the area.

Desktop: Plaza de los Amigos

Time for some shopping and what better place than the Plaza de los Amigos at the Mexico pavilion? It is always evening there, with the smell of fresh food over at the San Angel Inn floating over as you peruse the items or wander over to El Rio del Tiempo, sorry, the Gran Fiesta. The fountain adds a soothing sound to the overall scene as does the sound of a mariachi band...

Snowboarding bears

These two guys are stationed outside of the Rushin' River Outfitters, a classic store packed with details that we've been checking out recently. From the bear on the left, ready to hit the mountains and some fresh powder, to the other bear who is ready to take on the mountains away from the snow.

What do you weigh?

While we are on the topic of both Main Street and Minneapolis here is another interesting link between the two. The scale found under the Main Street Station was produced by the National Novelty Company right here in Minneapolis. From the short search I ran it appears they are long out of business, either bought up, merged, found a new name, or just folded up shop. But one of their scales lives on at the station...

Disney Parks Celebration Tour

Main Street USA? More like Main St. Minneapolis. Ok, so it is Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, not quite Main Street but over the lunch hour today Cast Members were all around downtown handing out classic Mickey balloons! The first stop on their new nationwide What Will You Celebrate tour brought thousands of balloons to the streets of Minneapolis. Each balloon has a gold invitation with more info on the celebration. The SUV's are all decorated for the celebration, complete with huge balloon on top. The trailers have computers on them so you can enter their latest contest (related to the celebration) right on the spot.

One can only imagine how many cubes now have a balloon in them! For more info check out the schedule and see when it is coming to a town near you!

Mine... Mine, Mine

At the much celebrated (and for very good reason I might add) updated Subs in Disneyland there is a new buoy out in the lagoon with the famed seagulls from Finding Nemo. They start chattering every few minutes and keeping the queued up crowd entertained - and from the reactions the Imagineers did an excellent job. It is one of those extras that, while it isn't necessary to the story line or attraction, once again shows what the Imagineers can do when you let the creative juices flow.

Spare parts

Two crates, with a bonus barrel thrown in, along the Pangani trail. They are really seats cleverly disguised as crates placed between benches. Good camouflage if you ask me, they fit right into the neighborhood. Just make sure that one full of generator parts doesn't get wet...

Backlot bathrooms

Tucked in a corner at Backlot Express is this restroom sign. Industrial in design, yet they almost have a feel like they belong in a Coke plant. The bottle glass green with red accents. Maybe it is just me, maybe I just need my caffeine fix earlier than usual today.

I'm starting to sense an occasional recurring theme here with signage at the Biffs...

Desktop: Ora imbarcando per Venezia

Over in Italy this lone gondola sits in the canal off the lagoon. The light wasn't great yet the water was amazingly still and glassy the evening I took this shot. As many know, there was at one point a gondola ride concept for the pavilion. I honestly don't know a lot about it and where all it would have gone, yet the concept is still intriguing to think about another ride that never was...

So whether you are pondering where the ride would have gone or pondering which Italian joint to hit up for lunch, enjoy this week's desktop.

Caution - open door away from face

Yet another Muppet Labs dept. over at Muppet Vision. There are certainly days at work that I feel like I'm in the stress testing department and could use that warning sign!

Camp fire supplies

At the Serka Zong Bazaar you can find a few items that could be essential on that expedition. For example, you can get a couple of burners to replace that outdated mode of cooking, the old fashioned campfire. Then again the campfire probably doesn't work so well miles above sea level in the freezing cold. The big question, though, are the s'mores the same or do they have to have high elevation cooking instructions?

One ticket to Main St., please

The Frontierland train station has these classic laterns around the building and this ticket sign posted at the front entrance.

Chickens Only

Continuing the chicken theme, we're back at Studio 1 and something tells me Gonzo had something to do with this signs. At least Camilla is in far better shape than yesterday's chicken!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Ah yes, that age old question... A million answers, just ask any kid. Getting to the other side is just one of many options. This chicken appears to be crossing the road to get away from a dip in the deep fryer...

Bears on the Matterhorn

Another crest in the Matterhorn queue, this bear doesn't exactly appear to be having a great time...

Desktop: Shiny happy building

This week's desktop is featuring the very relective Universe of Energy pavilion. From the water to the mirrors to the solar panels this is one bright and shiney building. You can learn everything you could want to know about the pavilion over at the Universe of Energy Companion Site - the folks there have compiled a solid site full of good info.

Fly Condor Flats

Condor Flats Airtours is ready to take you to everyone you need to go around the region. This billboard sits by the monorail beam in Condor Flats and ties the area from the air theme to the Grizzly River theme. Some have written it off as cheesy but I actually don't mind it and how to pulls the two areas together. Plus it is a classic roadside artifact that fits with the other classic highway theming.

One of their planes is parked nearby - looks like they might be taking for a tour today off...

Internet at the top of the world

Amazing where you can find internet connections these days. Be sure to report back to friends and family on how your Everest trek is going - I'm sure they're all going to be asking if there were any yeti sightings...

Drive like the wind

High above Toad Hall is Toad the Wind Vane! In the classic crazed amphibian pose with his car, this is a great touch. Once again, I'll take one of these home with me!

Recycling day

Out in his garage, Mickey, being the environmentally conscious mouse that he is, has sorted out his can, bottles, and gloves for recycling...

Break time

Hey, I resemble this sign! Though we never lean on shovels (though leaning up against our work trucks is another story). Come on, building roads (or railways in my case) is hard work, you have to take a break sometime. And check out the middle guy, talk about talent not to mention a seriously obscure detail for the sign. You can find this sign among others in the mechanic/stunt area of the Backlot Express...

It's a Meatier Shower!

With the recent exit of McDonald's from the parks I thought it might be time to take a look at one of the Mac and Don's outposts at the parks, or at least one of their signs. The other planetary Big Mac saucers are moving in to take over the planet (sort of ironic, isn't it...). Get your burgers while you can, this part of DCA is slated for renovation sometime next year and the burgers will be off to take over another part of the galaxy...

Desktop: Palais de Cinema

What better way to spend a half hour while waiting for Illuminations than watching Impressions de France? The Palais de Cinema greets those whose feet are tired and need a break. And afterward how about a quick swing by the bakery?

Karibu!

Karibu is welcome in Swahili and the folks at Tamu Tamu in Harambe are happy to see you and refresh you after your long journey. You have a parched tongue and they have the cold drinks to cure it!

Shipping books

Once again I'm finding us back at the Frontierland station on the Disney World Railroad. Among other thing waiting to be put on the train, there instruments, books, crates, etc. It looks like someone is getting a few copies of March of Democracy. Maybe they are starting up a library in the Wild West...

An alpine sign

It's sign time! Today it is over to the Matterhorn, this sign is in the queue and has a very classic look. From the simple flowers to the mountain and the lettering it is one of my favorites. And the castle in the shield is a nice touch, too.

Rosebud...

Another crate that is labeled up and ready for delivery at Min and Bill's - this one appears to have a famed sled inside...

Say "Bo-Deen"

Much like the Mission Tortilla silos, the silo outside of the Boudin Sourdough mini-factory has their logo high in the sky... And just like when I wrote up the Mission ones, I'm suddenly hungry!

Welcome to Harambe Wildlife Reserve

Harambe Wildlife Reserve has a wonderful logo - simple yet very distinctive. Harambe is Swahili for "coming together" (also translates to "pull together", "cooperation" and the likes) - quite fitting for the preserve and village...

House 17

With the re-opening of the Liberty Square bridge I thought it was rather appropriate to pull out a Liberty Square photo. Here is house #17 and #19, the Imagineers thought of everything inc. the house numbers when they put in this facade. Looks like this is a pretty well--to-do part of town too if you ask me...