A Magical Place at a Magical Time of Year

[momabaarjo]

Today I got a whim and pre-purchased the PhotoPass CD.

Followed by an emphatic email to the girls telling them they BETTER take LOTS of Photopass pictures while we're there!

I think that is the very last thing I have to do for this trip, other than packing. I can't think of anything else.

Except that one little thing about canceling the California Grill reservation...

Since nobody has had a chance to answer yesterday's photo and trivia contest, I will give you another day.

Today's trivia:
32 days until Disney (31) Where can you buy a Beaver Tail?
a.) DinoLand, U.S.A.
b.) Camp Minnie-Mickey
c.) Canada pavilion
d.) Tom Sawyer Island

Today's photo:

Remember, points for location, subject, and any other tidbits/details about the photo.

Katie & Chris holding baby Simba...guessing Animal Kingdom in 2008 (thank you right hand corner) HEE HEE

C...Canada Pavillion

A Beaver Tail is basically fried dough...my favorite kind. Apparently you can't get it anymore from what I have read...but you can make your own. Here is a link to making your own...
http://www.laurenslatest.com/beaver-tails-recipe-a-taste-of-ottawa/

#33 Neptune

#34...A ballroom Here is what I found...

Guests enter a dark séance room full of floating musical instruments. Madame Leota, a medium whose disembodied head appears within a crystal ball, summons the mansion's spirits while levitating above her table. Madame Leota says the following:

"Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat/Call in the spirits, wherever they're at./Rap on a table, it's time to respond/Send us a message from somewhere beyond./Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween/Awaken the spirits with your tambourine./Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond/Let there be music from regions beyond./Wizards and witches wherever you dwell/Give us a hint by ringing a bell."[1]

Next, guests pass onto the balcony of a magnificent ballroom where the happy haunts begin to materialize. A ghostly birthday party appears to be taking place at the dining table (a dinner plate and two saucers on the left side of the table combine to make a "Hidden Mickey"). Some spirits sit on the chandeliers, gorging themselves on wine, while other ghosts enter the hall from an open coffin in a hearse. A ghost wraps his arm around a woman bust, and two portraits of men with guns come to life, dueling with their pistols. A ghost plays an organ (Captain Nemo's original organ from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), while spirits float up out of the pipes and transparent couples waltz nearby.[2]

 

[annmarieda]

Well, my ticker is moving on to the right! So exciting seeing it so close to the end. And in 3 days there won't be anymore "1 month.." stuff. (Thanks, Ann, for sharing that obsession with me! )

You are welcome

Now that we're all FB friends, is anyone on Pinterest? I have a whole board where I'm collecting tips for the trip. Let me know if you want to follow me and can't find me.

My dd does it. She is trying to peak my interest, but I have hardly any time any more...and one more distraction is not what I need....but maybe after the trip.

Since I'm out of travel stories, I am going to post pics from past trips. Maybe I'll follow Ann's lead and add this to my little game. You will get a point for location, point for the subject, and points for other things you can point out (or guess) about the photo.

[/quote

Would this be a young Katie in Norway/World Showcase in Epcot? Wearing one of the delightful girl viking hats?

Today's trivia:
33 days until Disney (32) Who is honored with a statue near the rear of the piazza in the Italy pavilion in Epcot?
a.) Caesar
b.) Neptune
c.) St. Jude
d.) Frank Sinatra

Hmmm... Neptune?

And because I love the answer to yesterday's question, I will share it with you.
34 days until Disney (33). In The Haunted Mansion, what is the first scene in which you see a ghost?
a.) The ballroom scene
b.) The attic
c.) The seance room
d.) The graveyard

The attic?

Today I got a whim and pre-purchased the PhotoPass CD.

Followed by an emphatic email to the girls telling them they BETTER take LOTS of Photopass pictures while we're there!

Having the cd preordered helps to encourage one to get more pictures so

Since nobody has had a chance to answer yesterday's photo and trivia contest, I will give you another day.

Today's trivia:
32 days until Disney (31) Where can you buy a Beaver Tail?
a.) DinoLand, U.S.A.
b.) Camp Minnie-Mickey
c.) Canada pavilion
d.) Tom Sawyer

Oh, I want to know the answer to this..and what it is! I will have to look it up...but I will guess Canada. (only because the last trip, dd and I were searching for something called a ?? beaver)

Today's photo:

Remember, points for location, subject, and any other tidbits/details about the photo.

Wow, if that is Katie she grew up. But... Chris, in AK I am not sure where though.

 

[swwake]

My dd does it. She is trying to peak my interest, but I have hardly any time any more...and one more distraction is not what I need....but maybe after the trip.

Having the cd preordered helps to encourage one to get more pictures so

At first I didn't understand Pinterest. I just thought it was a place to put things you like and show your friends. But it's really a place to organize stuff you want to remember or access later, like blogs, recipes, ideas, etc. Very cool.

I hope we get lots of great pictures! This trip probably won't happen again like this.

 

[swwake]

No real planning news today. I want to go re-check our calendar days. My Harry Potter ticker says "1 month" for the last time today. If you want to see the "1 month", I hope you look at it before Midnight tonight!

Here is today's trivia:
31 days until Disney (30) The illusion of ghosts in the ballroom of The Haunted Mansion is created by what technique?
a.) Smoke and mirrors
b.) Pepper's Ghost
c.) Imagineerification
d.) Ghosting

And a photo:

Let's do some scoring. Starting with trivia.

Who is honored with a statue near the rear of the piazza in the Italy pavilion in Epcot?
a.) Caesar
b.) Neptune
c.) St. Jude
d.) Frank Sinatra

b. Located in the central plaza of the Italy pavilion, known as the "Plaza del Teatro," you can find the "Fontaina de Nettuno." This fountain contains the image of Neptune, the God of the Sea, and was inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Fountain of Trevi in Rome. If it looks vaguely familar, you may be remembering the Trevi fountain from Federico Fellini's classic film, La Dolce Vita.

Points to Tammie and Ann. Tammie gets 1 extra point for the photo.

In The Haunted Mansion, what is the first scene in which you see a ghost?
a.) The ballroom scene
b.) The attic
c.) The seance room
d.) The graveyard

a. The ballroom scene. If you pay close attention, you will notice that you do not see a ghost until after Madame Leota summons them during the seance scene. If you pay even CLOSER attention, you will see that after you fall out of the attic window (or did the Bride push you?) the ghosts become less transparent. This is because YOU are now a ghost, too! Yes... I'm sorry to inform you that you "died" when you fell. That is why you can see them better ... and now they can see you too!

Points:
Tammie - 1 point for correct answer, 2 points for details.

Wait...you FALL out the attic window? I did not know this. I guess I never paid much attention to the actual story line. And you "died"? How many kids would be afraid to ride HM if they knew they died on it?

Where can you buy a Beaver Tail?
a.) DinoLand, U.S.A.
b.) Camp Minnie-Mickey
c.) Canada pavilion
d.) Tom Sawyer Island

Answer: A. A "Beaver Tail" is a fried pastry dessert that can be purchased in the Canada pavilion. It comes in flavors such as Apple & Cinnamon and Maple & Chocolate. MMmmmmm!

I am going to have to find one of these. I've never heard of it. I've never seen it on the food porn thread. Hmm.

Points:
Tammie - 1 point for the answer and 1 point (should be -1) for telling me that I can't get it anymore
Ann - 1 point for Canada


Point tally:
Tammie - 53
Ann - 35
Ashley - 16
tankgirl - 12
Amy - 6
brandanobash - 1

 

[swwake]

Here are the photo stories and scoring:

This is Katie in Norway at Epcot in July 1997. She was 5 years old. We stayed at All-Star Music that year and she had had her hair wrapped out by the pool. I have no idea what that yellow string thing is around her neck. You can tell it was H.O.T. by her sweaty bangs. I have a picture of her in the same viking helmet in 2008, but I can't access it right now. I'll find it and show you later.

Points to Ann: 1 for Katie, 1 for Norway, 1 for WS, 1 for Epcot, 1 for viking hat. Total 5 points.

This is Katie's friend Caitlin with Chris (Dude) in August 2008 at Animal Kingdom, on the bridge from Oasis to Discovery Island. This was actually as we were leaving the park. I knew about the Simba thing, but the girls did not. I asked Katie to pose and play along, but she was in a mood and refused. So Caitlin did it. Caitlin is 15 in this picture and is Katie's travel buddy.

Points:
Tammie: 1 for Chris, 1 for holding baby Simba, 1 for AK, 1 for 2008. Total 4 points.
Ann: 1 for Chris, 1 for AK. Total 2 points.


Point tally:
Tammie - 50
Ann - 40
Ashley - 16
tankgirl - 12
Amy - 6
brandanobash - 1

 

[shocky5]

No real planning news today. I want to go re-check our calendar days. My Harry Potter ticker says "1 month" for the last time today. If you want to see the "1 month", I hope you look at it before Midnight tonight!

Here is today's trivia:
31 days until Disney (30) The illusion of ghosts in the ballroom of The Haunted Mansion is created by what technique?
a.) Smoke and mirrors
b.) Pepper's Ghost
c.) Imagineerification
d.) Ghosting

And a photo:

I'm going with C - Imagineerification!

And for the picture... Hailey and Katie? With Princess Jasmine at Akershus in Epcot/Norway!

 

[tankgirl427]

I'm going to go with B Pepper's Ghost. LOL I just like the name. But its probably just Smoke and Mirrors.

I'm going to say its Katie at CRT in MK meeting Jasmine, when she had braces on, so I'm going to guess she was.... hmm..... 13?

 

[swwake]

We are at 29 days today! It's starting to feel so real!

I'm so excited - Katie comes home Saturday for Thanksgiving break. Haven't seen her since Oct 2 and we miss her so much. She says all she wants to do is "grab Chick Fil-A on the way home from the airport, play with the dogs, curl up on the couch and watch movies."

Also, Lhasa, our foster dog, will meet his potential forever family tomorrow. If all goes well, they will take him home with them. We will sure miss him when he's gone.

Today's trivia:
30 days til Disney (only 1 month!!) (29 days til vacation!) In which country at Epcot can you find a person making animals out of candy?
a.) China
b.) Italy
c.) Japan
d.) Germany

Today's photo:

Yesterday's:

The illusion of ghosts in the ballroom of The Haunted Mansion is created by what technique?
a.) Smoke and mirrors
b.) Pepper's Ghost
c.) Imagineerification
d.) Ghosting

Answer: b. One of the most memorable scenes in The Haunted Mansion, the ballroom scene, is based on one of the oldest, the simplest, tricks in the book. Known as "Pepper's Ghost," this old magician's illusion is named for John Henry Pepper, a chemistry professor at the London Polytechnic Institute. In 1862, he published "Wonders of Optical Science," which describes an effect that allows ghostly images to be projected quite easily using mirrors. Disney Imagineer, Yale Gracey (for whom "Master Gracey," the Mansion's legendary owner, was named), used this trick in The Haunted Mansion. Here's how it works: There is a large pane of glass between you and the ballroom below. The dancing ghosts are actually located above and below the track that your vehicle rides on - the ballroom itself has not a single figure in it. The "ghosts" are carefully lit, and it is their reflections that you see in the glass. If you look closely at the dancing figures, you will notice that they appear to be dancing "backwards," with the ladies leading the men. This is because the Imagineers apparently forgot the reflections would be mirror images of the actual Audio-Animatronics figures.

Point to tankgirl for the correct answer.

I didn't expect you to get the full answer on this. This is Katie, at 16, in May 2008, with her dad's girlfriend's daughter, Paxton, on Paxton's Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. I wasn't actually there for this trip or photo, but it is special to Katie. Paxton unfortunately passed away with leukemia in August of 2008, while Katie and our family were on our Disney trip. We stopped in Little Rock on our way to Disney to visit Paxton in the hospital. Katie crawled up in the bed and read a book to her (that was a Friday). The following Monday, Pax passed away, and we were able to attend her funeral visitation on our way back home the following Saturday.

Sorry for the sad story, but the picture shows it was a very happy time, and two very happy girls. Sweet, sweet Paxton.

Points:
Amy - 1 for Katie, 1 for Jasmine. Total 2.
tankgirl - 1 for Katie, 1 for Jasmine, 1 for braces. Total 3.

Because I wasn't there, and I've never been to Akershus and it's been 25 years since I've been inside the dining room in the castle, I can't verify the location. If either of you can, I'll award the extra points.

Point tally:
Tammie - 50
Ann - 40
Ashley - 16
tankgirl - 13
Amy - 8
brandanobash - 1

 

[annmarieda]

Today's trivia:
30 days til Disney (only 1 month!!) (29 days til vacation!) In which country at Epcot can you find a person making animals out of candy?
a.) China
b.) Italy
c.) Japan
d.) Germany

c. Japan

Today's photo:

So with a point of reference, I am guessing that this is Katie in July of 97 in MK on Cinderellas carrousel.

Points:
Ann - 1 for Katie, 1 for Jasmine. Total 2.
tankgirl - 1 for Katie, 1 for Jasmine, 1 for braces. Total 3.

I don't think I answered that one

 

[swwake]

I don't think I answered that one

Oops! You're right. I fixed it and gave Amy credit.

 

[shocky5]

It may not be Akershus, but CRT...

 

[tankgirl427]

I think its you on the carousel in MK. The photo is older cause the corners are rounded. I'd say its in the 1980's.

And the trivia question... Its in Japan but she can no longer give her candy away cause of health department or whatever.

 

[momabaarjo]

Looks like everything is answered today...darn it! Loving the picture btw!

 

[swwake]

Looks like everything is answered today...darn it! Loving the picture btw!

I give points for all correct answers, not just the first one! Give it a shot!

And while we're at it, and there's more time to guess, I just want to call to your attention (everyone) that there are more people in that photo than just one little girl.

 

[shocky5]

I give points for all correct answers, not just the first one! Give it a shot!

And while we're at it, and there's more time to guess, I just want to call to your attention (everyone) that there are more people in that photo than just one little girl.

Is that you to the right with the pigtails?

And I also see horses... lots and lots of horses...

 

[annmarieda]

And if that is you then Hailey is right next to you, right?

 

[swwake]

Well, Lhasa went home with his forever family today. They were such a sweet couple and it was love at first sight, from both sides. It is heartwarming to see such a happy ending.

29 days until Disney (28). What is the tallest attraction at WDW?
a.) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
b.) Cinderella Castle
c.) Spaceship Earth
d.) The Tree of Life

Today's photo:

Yesterday's trivia:

In which country at Epcot can you find a person making animals out of candy?
a.) China
b.) Italy
c.) Japan
d.) Germany

Answer: c. Japan. "Miyuki" is the name of the candy artist found in the Japan pavilion. She creates incredible candy treats by sculpting little edible animals out of rice dough with amazing speed and grace. Using nothing but her hands and a small pair of scissors, she creates detailed animals such as horses, rabbits, cats, monkeys, eagles, dragons, birds, and flowers. She is one of only 20 people in the world (and the only female anywhere) to perform this rare Japanese art, which dates back over 250 years. Miyuki was trained by her grandfather, one of the most renowned candy artists in Japan.

Points:
Ann - 1 for correct answer, 1 for photo.
Tankgirl (I don't know your first name! ) - 1 for correct answer, 1 for knowing she can't give it away anymore. Bummer

I loved the guesses on this one. This is me in 1974 at age 6 (on the left). That's my mom with the pigtails and funky glasses, and my baby sister Joann on the horse to the right of her, wearing the exact same outfit as me (thanks Mom!).

Points:
Ann - 1 for Cinderella's Carousel and 1 for MK
Tankgirl - 1 for me, 1 for Carousel,
Amy - 1 point for me - but not in the right place , 1 point for horses and lots of them.

Point tally:
Tammie - 50
Ann - 44
Ashley - 16
tankgirl - 17
Amy - 10
brandanobash - 1

 

[annmarieda]

for the trivia...

a.

For the picture

Katie's and her friend Caitlin in Dinoland in AK

 

[swwake]

Sitting here waiting for 5:50pm for Katie's plane to touch down in Austin. Cannot wait to see her!!

Would you look at that ticker! It says 3 weeks (+, but we are ignoring that part). Wow!! And Hedwig doesn't have much farther East to fly!

28 days until Disney (27). In The Haunted Mansion, when the room with portraits on the wall appears to "stretch," what is actually happening?
a.) The floor lowers
b.) The ceiling rises
c.) Nothing - it is an optical illusion
d.) The room moves clockwise

Today's photo:

Yesterday's answers and scoring:

What is the tallest attraction at WDW?
a.) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
b.) Cinderella Castle
c.) Spaceship Earth
d.) The Tree of Life

Answer: c. Ok I can hear some of you screaming that the Tower of Terror is the tallest attraction. Let me explain: Although the top of the Spaceship Earth sphere reaches only 180 feet above the ground, you forgot about the Mickey hand and wand that were attached to the structure in 1999. The tip of the wand is 257 feet above the ground, far higher than the 199-foot Tower of Terror. And if you notice, the tip of the wand features a number of flashing red lights to comply with FAA regulations requiring same on any structure over 200 feet tall. SO, technically, (though not "officially"), Spaceship Earth is the tallest attraction on the property.

(Clearly, my book is old and outdated and that hand and wand are (thankfully) now gone. So I am going to accept either a or c for points.)

Point - Ann

This is Katie and Caitlin in Dinoland at the silly mirror. I love candid photos.

Points to Ann - 1 for Katie, 1 for Caitlin, 1 for Dinoland, 1 for AK.

Point tally:
Tammie - 50
Ann - 49
Ashley - 16
tankgirl - 17
Amy - 10
brandanobash - 1

ANN AND TAMMIE ARE NECK-AND-NECK!

 

[momabaarjo]

So for Lhasa...a great happy ending! Yay for Katie coming home soon!


Today's picture...Katie on the balcony at the California Grill in the Contemp Hotel pretending to hold Cinderella's Castle in her hand. I so love the view from here.

Today's answer....A, the floor lowers

The guests are ushered into an octagonal portrait gallery and encouraged by the staff to move into the "dead center" of the room. As the wall behind them slides closed, the Ghost Host (voiced by Paul Frees) introduces himself with an eerie voice:

“Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. I am your host – your ‘ghost host.’

…and taunts them:

“Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as though you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination, hmm…?”

As the voice speaks, the guest's eye is drawn up to four portraits on every other wall of the octagonal room. The floor quietly sinks downwards, elongating the paintings and revealing the morbidly comedic fates of previous guests:

A bearded man is seen in the dress of minor nobility and red and white striped boxer shorts while standing on a keg of dynamite with a lit fuse.

A demure young woman holding a parasol and calmly balancing on an unraveling tightrope above the hungry jaws of a waiting crocodile.

An old lady sits atop a tall gravestone which features the bust of a man with a hatchet in his head. This is a portrait of the late Constance Hatchaway.

A man with sideburns sitting on a fat, mustached man who is sitting atop a lean, pale-looking gentleman who is chest-deep in quicksand.

“...And consider this dismaying observation: this chamber has no windows, and no doors... which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out! Of course, there's always my way...”

The lights go out, lightning and thunder effects fill the gallery and, in a rare instance of Disney dark humor, a glimpse of the earthly remains of the Ghost Host is shown hanging from a noose high above in the cupola. A dreadful scream is followed by the sound of bones shattering. The ghost host apologizes for the pre-mature haunt, then a wall mysteriously opens, leading the guests further into the mansion.