Props to Emory
In line of our first ride of the day, Sylvia and Rosa pose with Emory—a pyrotechnician who is on the team for Epcot's evening Illuminations program.
Mission: Space
Something distracted Rosa while she and Melvin pause for a shot while in line at Mission: Space.
A day of bus waiting
We probably squandered nearly two hours of our day waiting on buses. I guess that's the deal when you're park hopping. At our first wait, a wheelchair had been abandoned under the covered area, so Melvin put it to good use.
Still waiting
Still waiting at Epcot for the bus to Animal Kingdom. I was going for some form of juxtaposition in this shot with Rosa and Corey. I think I failed.
STILL waiting
Look carefully, All five of us are actually in this shot. (Emory stayed behind to start his work shift a little later on at Epcot and Jeff had come later and met us at Animal Kingdom.)
At last, the bus
The bus finally arrives and we waste no time with more shots of cutting up in the back.
That IS Corey's finger, isn't it?
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Yo Sylvia
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Rosa and moi
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Sylvia and Corey
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I wasn't the only photographer
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Awwww
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Sylvia's many cameras
Sylvia had something like four or five of these little disposable cameras! I thought she said something about one for each park, but even the people who examine bags at the park entrances were commenting on how many cameras she had!
Awwww, take 2
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Sylvia explains it all
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African rhythm en route to safari ride
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Animal Kingdom wildlife
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Animal Kingdom wildlife
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Animal Kingdom wildlife
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Animal Kingdom wildlife
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Animal Kingdom wildlife
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3D fashion
Rosa and Sylvia make a fashion statement inspired by the "It's Tough to be a Bug" 3D movie.
More bus waiting
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More bus waiting
No recollection what they were swingin' and swayin' to.
Made a friend
In line, we chatted with a family who (if my memory is right) vacations at Disney most every year. Rosa befriended the little girl. Her parents loved the photo, saying she doesn't smile for photos very often.
Back-of-bus antics
We're actually on our way back to Epcot instead of Magic Kingdom. We got tired of waiting for the MK bus and the one bound for Epcot was ready to leave, so we hopped on it…
Back-of-bus antics
…and grabbed the monorail from Epcot to Magic Kingdom.
Exiting the monorail
Corey apparently wanted Rosa to stop saying whatever she was saying.
Mickey's 75th birthday
Disney was celebrating Mickey's 75th birthday and had many statues all around the park entrance, each with a different theme.
Themed Mickeys
As I understand it, each themed Mickey originated from a celebrity or well-known company. Sorry, I can't read the image too well in my digital photo. I think the tuxedo Mickey says "Lenox" and the patriotic one I can't read at all.
Tron Mickey
I think the Tron-themed Mickey says it was by Syd Mead, which makes sense, seeing as how he was the movie's electronic world conceptual artist.
Ripa Mickey
You don't even have to look at the label on the pedestal—only the coffee mug—to know that this Mickey was Kelly Ripa's brainchild.
Sylvia and Dale
Brace yourself for the upcoming photos. Sylvia loves the dressed-up Disney characters. It's almost scary.
Waiting for characters
Turns out, we know someone who plays Disney characters. Ready for six degrees of separation? Okay, here goes:
Rosa's former husband, Juan, had a band, and the drummer, Carlos, was a lifeguard at one of Disney's water parks. His then girlfriend, Andrea (they're now married), worked as Cinderella and Snow White characters. She and Rosa arranged for us to meet her at the pavilion where parents bring their children for portraits with various characters, and we got to have a private, impromptu photo session. This is us waiting in the back for Andrea to come out of the dressing room area and take us to one of the photo rooms.
Andrea playing Cinderella
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Melvin is enamored with Andrea, er, I mean Cinderella
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Andrea/Cinderella and Rosa
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More characters join us
Undoubtedly, Andrea was friends with her coworker-characters who realized we were having some fun.
Before long, even Minnie Mouse joined us
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The "official" photo
Chip and Dale also arrived just in time for what I believe turned out to be the best shot of our whole group.
Next came Winnie the Pooh…
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…and Tigger, too!
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Sorry, Winnie, she's married
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Lovable
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Leaving Space Mountain
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Spirit fingers
Sylvia thought this bush looked like someone's fingers rubbing together, so she and Melvin posed in front of it for a little copy-cat action.
Christmas at Magic Kingdom
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Christmas on Main Street
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Epcot Christmas Tree
We made it back over to Epcot in time to do the rides in the Mexico and Norway pavilions before the Illuminations program began—but not before a few shots of the Christmas tree at the entrance to Epcot's World Showcase.
Epcot Christmas Tree
A very postcard-esque close-up of Epcot's Christmas Tree.
Playing in Mexico
Sylvia and Rosa played around with some of the merchandise in the Mexico pavilion.
"Which camera?"
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Rosa and Jeff
Jeff is like me—would much rather be the one taking the picture.
Troll face
In the Norway pavilion, Sylvia and Rosa get friendly with a troll.
IllumiNations
Wished I'd had my tripod.
IllumiNations
Even at a great distance, that fire feels HOT.
IllumiNations
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IllumiNations
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IllumiNations
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IllumiNations
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IllumiNations
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IllumiNations
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IllumiNations video
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IllumiNations
Would have probably been my favorite if I had snapped the photo a half second sooner.
Spaceship Earth
Jeff was lamenting that the Olympus C-5050 wasn't really able to get this shot properly. We both had the same camera at the time. Not sure what he was smoking because mine came out very well. I guess I just have steadier hands.
Anyone remember when Epcot had that extra thingamabob built on the side of Spaceship Earth?
Mickey hands and a frightened employee
An employee with funny Mickey hands at the Epcot exit was willing to pose for a shot with Sylvia, but seems to have gotten a little frightened at her enthusiasm!
The ride home
Riding home in Melvin's truck wasn't about to stop us from taking more pictures, but I think this is the only one I dare put online!
