Floydian
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 16, 1999
- Messages
- 744
So I decided to grab my camera and head to Epcot on Sunday for walking and pictures and food and zero attractions (pics may come soon...I have to transfer them, resize some, and upload them to a sharing site).
So, I got there for rope drop on a beautiful, cool, sunny morning. As everyone rushed frantically to the attractions, I felt like I had the whole place to myself. I was able to get pictures of every part of the Flower and Garden Festival that I could find with literally NOBODY around/in the frame/waiting for the next shot. It was glorious!!! By 10am, I had seen and photographed every topiary in FW, including a dozen or more shots at Pixie Hollow, and found myself at the edge of the lake at WS. With an hour to kill before WS opened, temps in the mid 60's, bright beautiful sunshine, and a light breeze, I decided to have a seat looking out across the lake and just relax. With nobody around, no crowds, no heat, no exhaustion, and the sounds of Disney music playing...WOW! What an amazing morning. There's not much better than peace and tranquility and Disney.
Once WS opened, I wandered through with light crowds, stopped for a few pictures, and relaxed some more waiting for Biergarten to open for lunch. While waiting, I watched as a group of 6-8 teenage girls screamed in excitement to see Snow White out for pictures! I'm still amazed that even teenagers (most are so cool ya know) can be caught up in the magic. After that, I had a great meal in the Biergarten, where I chatted with a fun family from Winter Haven, whose 8 yo son was absolutely addicted to the Schnitzel. He even passed on dessert to have more of that! What a nice family. Thank you for helping to make it a great lunch.
From there I continued around the WS, only to come across Belle all by her lonesome. Well, being too shy, I just stood back and watched as families started to line up for their time with her. She was AMAZING! At one point, I must have gotten dust in my eyes or something, because they started to water while I watched her with this very young girl, just barely old enough to walk. The way she made this unsure little girl feel so comfortable, how wonderfully she reacted when the girl handed her a little Belle figurine, and how she danced with her....GAH! There goes that dust in my eyes again!
Eventually I made it back around to FW and decided to see if the Ellen ride had opened early (nope). On my way, just past the exit to TT, I saw a family sitting on the wall with one of the VIP Guides standing nearby. Well, being the curious type, I can't help but check to see if it's anyone I recognize being escorted by the VIP Guide. First I see this adorable little girl twirling around, then an attractive woman holding another child, but I don't recognize her at all. So I try to get a look at the man, and as he lifts his head, I'm reminded what Disney is all about.
Sitting there in the shade, with the biggest smile, the most pure look of joy on his face, just another guy enjoying Disney with their family, is none other than Mr. Steve Young! As both a Disney fan and a football fan, I was overjoyed. To see this famous athlete, someone I respected for his ability, the way he played the game, and his enjoyment of the game, just sitting there with his family, just a regular guy enjoying the simple things in life...
Thank you Steve Young! You helped to remind me what a magical place Disney is, what a magical thing family is, and showed this one single fan that even a famous athlete can enjoy the same things in life that I do.
So, I got there for rope drop on a beautiful, cool, sunny morning. As everyone rushed frantically to the attractions, I felt like I had the whole place to myself. I was able to get pictures of every part of the Flower and Garden Festival that I could find with literally NOBODY around/in the frame/waiting for the next shot. It was glorious!!! By 10am, I had seen and photographed every topiary in FW, including a dozen or more shots at Pixie Hollow, and found myself at the edge of the lake at WS. With an hour to kill before WS opened, temps in the mid 60's, bright beautiful sunshine, and a light breeze, I decided to have a seat looking out across the lake and just relax. With nobody around, no crowds, no heat, no exhaustion, and the sounds of Disney music playing...WOW! What an amazing morning. There's not much better than peace and tranquility and Disney.
Once WS opened, I wandered through with light crowds, stopped for a few pictures, and relaxed some more waiting for Biergarten to open for lunch. While waiting, I watched as a group of 6-8 teenage girls screamed in excitement to see Snow White out for pictures! I'm still amazed that even teenagers (most are so cool ya know) can be caught up in the magic. After that, I had a great meal in the Biergarten, where I chatted with a fun family from Winter Haven, whose 8 yo son was absolutely addicted to the Schnitzel. He even passed on dessert to have more of that! What a nice family. Thank you for helping to make it a great lunch.
From there I continued around the WS, only to come across Belle all by her lonesome. Well, being too shy, I just stood back and watched as families started to line up for their time with her. She was AMAZING! At one point, I must have gotten dust in my eyes or something, because they started to water while I watched her with this very young girl, just barely old enough to walk. The way she made this unsure little girl feel so comfortable, how wonderfully she reacted when the girl handed her a little Belle figurine, and how she danced with her....GAH! There goes that dust in my eyes again!
Eventually I made it back around to FW and decided to see if the Ellen ride had opened early (nope). On my way, just past the exit to TT, I saw a family sitting on the wall with one of the VIP Guides standing nearby. Well, being the curious type, I can't help but check to see if it's anyone I recognize being escorted by the VIP Guide. First I see this adorable little girl twirling around, then an attractive woman holding another child, but I don't recognize her at all. So I try to get a look at the man, and as he lifts his head, I'm reminded what Disney is all about.
Sitting there in the shade, with the biggest smile, the most pure look of joy on his face, just another guy enjoying Disney with their family, is none other than Mr. Steve Young! As both a Disney fan and a football fan, I was overjoyed. To see this famous athlete, someone I respected for his ability, the way he played the game, and his enjoyment of the game, just sitting there with his family, just a regular guy enjoying the simple things in life...
Thank you Steve Young! You helped to remind me what a magical place Disney is, what a magical thing family is, and showed this one single fan that even a famous athlete can enjoy the same things in life that I do.
