MY WEEK IN PHOTOS: JANUARY 7–13, 2019! (PART 2)
We spent the morning at Disneyworld’s Hollywood Studios and the afternoon at Magic Kingdom. We acquire an ewok buddy and embrace the older attractions like Carousel of Progress and Peoplemover.
Enjoy!
Have you read part 1? It’s here.
It’s Friday now! Our second full day at the parks in Orlando, Florida.
Coffee while we wait for the ferry to take us to Hollywood Studios.
Similar vibes to the California Adventure entrance.
We walked from the entrance through to the new Toy story Land. The wait was already too long for the slinky dog ride
So cuuuute! Not sure if the lights are just for the holidays (which haven’t ended here at Disneyworld)
*Waves at Tower of Terror* On the way to ride Rock and Roller Coaster
Rock’n Roller Coaster woooo Aerosmith. A ride based on trying to get through Los Angeles traffic on time….haha
So happy that this Tower of Terror still exists since Disneyland’s has been turned into Guardians of the Galaxy
This one is a bit longer than California Adventure’s! And I think the dropping is programmed a bit better than the old one.
Is the dinosaur normally there or is that a Christmas thing too? Hard to tell the holiday decor from what is normal!
Star Tours entrance is on Endor!!!! AT-AT casually walking across
Chewbacca ears
Well yes, we did buy this Ewok because it looks like Tweedy…
A Little Tokyo stand being added to Hollywood Studios? What will be here!
MuppetVision 3D
Need more baby Kermit merch please
Dough baby
Had to splurge on glow cube cocktail
Stumbled across a Star Wars show
Have our popcorn and cocktails ready for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Oh dang, real fire, real stunts, fake punching
Standing in the presence of greatness at the fake Chinese Theater
Back to Toy Story land, wanted to see if the Toy Story ride lines had eased up. Sadly no, but there were a lot of fun little details to enjoy
Scrabble potty
Coffee and pretzel break
Goodbye, Hollywood Studios!
Made it to Magic Kingdom! Aka huge Disneyland
It’s like Disneyland Main Street but blown up to be 1.5 times bigger and wider. Never seen so much space on Main Street.
As we approached the castle, a fireworks show with a band was finishing up.
YUP IT IS BIG
Just absorbing the castle from all angles
Fantasyland, is that what it is called here? This is the land right behind the castle.
These golden mosaic murals that line the hallway under the castle are the best, so beautiful looook!
Stood and creeped on the parade over by the castle ramp.
Rushed over to hop into the line for Seven Dwarves Mine Train
Mine Train was cute but not the best rollercoaster
Zach notices there is an entire restaurant called “Gaston” aka Zach’s childhood hero (weird choice for sure)
Hero. Zach only related to villains as a child…
Great merch inside
Space in the distance!
Seagull
Decided to get a treat as the sun was setting
Made it to Tomorrowland finally!
Riding Peoplemover! This ride used to be at Disneyland but isn’t there anymore.
I weirdly loved Peoplemover. Part of the ride you get to enter Space Mountain and hear people on the ride and go through the galaxy on a secret track.
The sky is looking lovely
To Adventureland!
The camel spits, be warned
Many surprise water features
Jungle Cruise is a bit different than at Disneyland. Different order of rivers explored, plus a Southeast Asian temple that you get to go inside of.
Plane crash, weirdly gave me a pang of interest in restarting LOST which I never finished all the way
Exiting the temple, hello to the elephants
Sadly didn’t ride Pirates
Enjoying the dusk by Splash Mountain
Stopped for a quick chicken cup bite
Country Bear Jamboree, who doesn’t love bear animatronics
WOW magic
Beautiful Main Street
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor where the audience can text in jokes. Zach is very proud that one of his dumb jokes was read out in the show by the monsters.
*What glass does a monster ask for at the bar?*
*A Franken-STEIN* 
Carousel of Progress! This attraction was originally made for the 1964 World’s Fair. You see the same family in the 1900s, the 1920s, the 1940s, and the “future” aka the 21st century.
1910s, we hear about the cool new gas lamps, telephones, cast-iron stoves, iceboxes…all of these innovations make life easier.
1920s, now we have electricity! We learn about sports stadiums being built in the US, we have planes (Lindbergh is trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean)…
1940s! This look like my kitchen currently…which I love. They show off the new fridge technology, the automatic dishwasher, and describe suburban sprawl.
And then the weirdest scene of all, the 21st century which at the time is set in the future (from when the ride was made). The grandmother and son are playing a VR game complete with Oculus-looking headsets. The dad talks about the talking household items like the talking oven…eerie. If you want to read more about this weird little time capsule of a ride, the wikipedia page is in-depth.
We exited the ride as the fireworks show was underway
Truly loved watching the show with this pumped up kid who was so excited.
The castle slowly transforms back to its sparkly shiny self.
So empty
Haunted Mansion!
Zach’s been wearing this hat that I got him for Christmas ft. Haunted Mansion reference.
Haunted Mansion had a few extra rooms! Including a really cool MC Escher-like infinity staircase room.
Thunder Mountain!
Goodnight, Disneyworld!
We took the monorail to the Polynesian Hotel and had a few tiki drinks and a really late dinner.
Tomorrow we go to Animal Kingdom, and we’re trying to wake up extra early. So time to go to bed…
Want to read part 3? Our day at Animal Kingdom is here.
Thank you for reading!
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Some questions that you may or may not feel inclined to answer? So! Let’s do it. I invite you to answer in the comments:
- What is your favorite Disney movie of all time?
- Where are you planning your next vacation to? If anywhere!
- What’s the weather like for you today?
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- What is your favorite Disney movie of all time?
Mulan, Pocahontas, Moana…Hercules…Lion King. I know that’s not just one. - Where are you planning your next vacation to? If anywhere!
Tuscon, Arizona! Seeing a friend and exploring the desert I hope. - What’s the weather like for you today?
Sunny and cold, we’ve had a lot of rain and it’s been so unusually cold in LA that actually snowed in parts??! Unbelievable.
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Much love friends. More to come!
SLEEPY WALDO 
What I find eerie about Disneyland/world is that everything is so well made but so obviously…not real. Like it doesn’t look natural. It does look like a blast, though. (I felt the same at Disney Paris.)
What is your favorite Disney movie of all time?
– Definitely Beauty and the Beast, followed closely by Aladdin.
Where are you planning your next vacation to? If anywhere!
– Well, I have to go to Sweden to defend my thesis, it’s not really a holiday, but it’s something!
What’s the weather like for you today?
– Weird. Warm but cloudy and it was very cold in the morning.
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Have a blast in Sweden! And best of luck with the thesis!!!! Amazing!
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That Carousel of History ride reminds me of that episode of Gilmore Girls with the Stars Hollow History Museum, with the weird dioramas, haha.
Ahhh, I live in Tucson! I think you’ll really enjoy it here. It’s a very beautiful and unique place, with amazing food and interesting characters. Check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum if you have time. It’s a zoo/botanical garden/art gallery that really showcases the flora and fauna and culture of the region. I might be biased though because I work there 🙂
1. Mulan! Toy Story! Ratatouille!
2. I’m heading to Brussels and Paris next week!
3. It’s been a mix of chilly and warm. We got some snow here in Tucson last week too! Snow in the desert is pretty magical.
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OMG yes the Stars Hollow History Museum! It’s precisely that energy. 100%.
Yay a Tuscon expert! Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is already on my list! I can’t wait. Any places to eat that you recommend? Or areas to walk around? So excited to visit.
Enjoy your trip to Brussels and Paris!
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I’m a zookeeper at the museum, so if I happen to be working on the day that you go, I’d be happy to give you a behind the scenes tour and introduce you to some of my animal friends!
Food! I feel like if you haven’t had a Sonoran hot dog, Tucson is definitely the place to try one. El Guero Canelo is usually a good spot to get one, or Barrio Brewing. Mexican food is a must while you’re here. Most of the hole-in-the-wall-looking establishments have some of the best food. Nico’s Taco Shop has a delicious al pastor burrito. If you want something nicer, Cafe Poca Cosa is a unique option. The menu changes twice a day and there’s an option to just have the chef pick three dishes for you to sample, which I highly recommend. It’s located in a good spot downtown, within walking distance to bars and other good restaurants. For breakfast or brunch you haaaaaaave to go to Baja Cafe…I believe they have 3 locations, so hopefully one will be within reasonable distance to where you’re staying. I recommend ordering any of their specialities and also a pancake to share, because they’re huge, and so worth it. The snickerdoodle one is my favorite. Other great restaurants: Serial Grillers (The Bone Collector pizza is so gooood), Wings and Rice (chicken wings and delicious fried rice with a special sauce), Cup Cafe (attached to Hotel Congress and close to other bars on 4th Ave/Downtown). 4th Ave has a lot of restaurants and bars and is probably worth exploring.
Other stuff! The Pima Air and Space Museum is super interesting. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is truly weird, but inexpensive and entertaining. Sabino Canyon is a really popular hiking area. If you do go to the Desert Museum definitely drive through Gates Pass to get there. It has some very scenic views of saguaros, and lots of look-out points with little trails to explore. Either of the Saguaro National Parks are also pretty spectacular. Mount Lemmon is also really nice with lots of trails.
Whoa, sorry for the novel!
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Such a kind offer! And that’s so awesome that you are a zookeeper!!!! And holy moly I am overwhelmed by all this great info, thank you. There’s a restaurant called “Serial Grillers” that makes me pumped for sure hahah.
I need to review all this stuff and run it past my travel group wowowow thank you!
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Oh my gosh, I forgot to mention Eegees! A Tucson classic for sure. The sandwiches are nothing special, but their fries with ranch or buffalo ranch and a classic strawberry or lemon (or both!) eegee is the perfect snack.
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