Adventures of a DisneyWORLDholic! Updated1/24 I was an unofficial WDW tour guide.

[jmskinner]

Now, you may have noticed how the brightness keeps changing in the pics. That was not me changing the setting on my camera, but the lights in the model would change to give you an idea of a full day into the night








This is where the public would buy their tickets and enter the circus grounds




Bathrooms




The Big Top!!!


























I think this pic probably shows how large this model is, see the people on the right




We probably spent about an hour viewing the model. And my pics don't show all of it. Truly amazing piece of work that is still being completed.

 

[natebenma]

I was behind a couple of updates. All caught up now! Sounds like a great time at the aquarium and beach. Have you ever encountered the aggressive birds at Disney? I had seagull swoop down and steal my churro at EPCOT. At least the gulls have good taste (but high cholesterol).

Here at the beaches in New England we get lots of tourists in Speedos! They should call them Speed-don'ts!

Sounds like you had some really special time with Kara and Jacob!

 

[dismagiclover]

Wow that model is so cool! I couldn't help but think of Dumbo. In the beginning of the movie they show the circus train leaving Florida. I didn't know Sarasota was the circus' home base.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Yeah, I would totally get lost in looking at all of the detail in that model. Really amazing. I had to laugh about the bathroom part, tho -- thanks for not getting too personal with them!! And what's with the "look this way"?? I was wondering if you spied the female version?

I confess, didn't know about the Howard Bros Circus.

 

[TinksThree]

Did you know there was suppose to by a Mystical land there at AK? I think that was the name, it is why there is a Unicorn area of the parking lot. I hope they build it one day.

I did not know about the mystical land! How cool! I have not been in the parking lot area since we always ride the bus...but if I do I will be sure to look for the Unicorn area!

The Ringling model is unreal! I laughed at the model of the men being told to "face this way"! That looks like an interesting place. I will put that on my "one day" list! I still remember my first Ringling Bros. circus my dad took me to at age 5!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow, that circus model was so cool. I imagine it could take a good chunk of the day to get to really explore it. I don't think I've ever been to a circus thought about taking Jack once a couple years back, but decided it would be too loud. Maybe one day ... can't wait to see what you did next Glad you are feeling a little better

 

[jmskinner]

I was behind a couple of updates. All caught up now! Sounds like a great time at the aquarium and beach. Have you ever encountered the aggressive birds at Disney? I had seagull swoop down and steal my churro at EPCOT. At least the gulls have good taste (but high cholesterol).

Here at the beaches in New England we get lots of tourists in Speedos! They should call them Speed-don'ts!

Sounds like you had some really special time with Kara and Jacob!

about the Seagull stealing the churro. We always seem to get ice cream, so I guess we are safe.

Speed-don'ts! I think I will start calling them that.

Wow that model is so cool! I couldn't help but think of Dumbo. In the beginning of the movie they show the circus train leaving Florida. I didn't know Sarasota was the circus' home base.

I don't know if it still is, but I do know the area around is where a lot of the old carnivals with the "freak" sideshows call home. I read an article in the paper that a lot of the retired still live there. Haven't seen it though.

Yeah, I would totally get lost in looking at all of the detail in that model. Really amazing. I had to laugh about the bathroom part, tho -- thanks for not getting too personal with them!! And what's with the "look this way"?? I was wondering if you spied the female version?

I confess, didn't know about the Howard Bros Circus.

They had to make up the name, can't remember why exactly? My photo's didn't do it justice and I had to take a pic of that bathroom. I believe the women's was just on the other side.

I did not know about the mystical land! How cool! I have not been in the parking lot area since we always ride the bus...but if I do I will be sure to look for the Unicorn area!

The Ringling model is unreal! I laughed at the model of the men being told to "face this way"! That looks like an interesting place. I will put that on my "one day" list! I still remember my first Ringling Bros. circus my dad took me to at age 5!

Another symbol is in the AK logo, there is a Dragon. Just did a search and Wikipedia said it was suppose to be Beastly Kingdom, guess I had the name wrong. Sure hope they go ahead with the plan one day. AK sure needs to be expanded, at least IMO.

Highly recommend the Ringling Museum. There is still a lot to see...

Wow, that circus model was so cool. I imagine it could take a good chunk of the day to get to really explore it. I don't think I've ever been to a circus thought about taking Jack once a couple years back, but decided it would be too loud. Maybe one day ... can't wait to see what you did next Glad you are feeling a little better

You really could spend half a day exploring that model. Some of the shows at WDW might be a good sign as to how Jack would handle the circus. Things like that haven't bothered Jacob as much since there is so much to see to distract him. He can get very hyper though with all the noise.

I have taken Jacob to the circus once in DC, when he was 3. Since then I haven't wanted to go. Fell in with elephants while watching a documentary on the Elephant Sanctuary.

On to more of the museum.

 

[jmskinner]

After the model we headed upstairs into another room with items from the golden age of the circus.





Along one very long wall were more models of different groups of circus performers.





And why did I take the above pics....


And another Disney reference






We were over the circus model, which looks tiny from above




I did get a pic of the Howard Circus timeline:


We walked into another room to find some of the performers costumes


From there we went to another building


More costumes





Anyone remember this movie








More to come...

 

[jmskinner]

And they had some of the actual circus vehicles










It happened to be family day and Jacob found some activities to participate in, giving me a chance to take pics























I found the detail on all the wagon wheels interesting










Workshop


And found Jacob still having a great time. He was now decorating a top


One last shot on our way out


Coming up is Mrs. Ringlings rose garden and their private residence. Not what I imagined.

 

[dismagiclover]

Wow! Can you imagine the logistics of moving all of the people, animals and equipment? That must have been one organized operation!

 

[jmskinner]

Wow! Can you imagine the logistics of moving all of the people, animals and equipment? That must have been one organized operation!

I wish I could go back and see it, would have been an amazing sight. I remember reading that the food setups and such would leave during the big show and head out to the next location to be ready for the performers arrival in the next city the next morning.

 

[jmskinner]

While we were in the last building it had rained just enough to bring on the humidity and my lens kept fogging over but we headed down towards the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ringling and saw


This was absolutely beautiful.


Jacob wanted a picture of the butt...kids






There were so many different colors














These trees were








Next up, the house. (Don't worry it's not scary, such unbelievably shocking.)

 

[jmskinner]

So, what do you picture the owner of one of the largest circus' to live in?

Is this what you came up with?




This is the side facing the water












And their view


I'm sure it is a lot different view than when they lived here.

Here is the front yard


We had to wait for the next tour so we found some seats in the shade and waited, then realized we could go inside where it was airconditioned.









That was just the sun room, or guess they would call it the Solarium (sp?).

 

[jmskinner]

We were allowed into the home, reminded not to use our flashes.



I can't remember what room this ceiling was in

This room was just amazing
















And from the other side of the room






Where do you think they had breakfast, would you believe here








Part of the kitchen





How about this bar?




Formal dining room




I love wood ceilings


Cont in the next post

 

[jmskinner]

I thought this front door was just gorgeous





Jacob found a vent to stand on, he liked how big he got.






Back through the kitchen








This is what it looked like while under construction


After our tour we waited on the shuttle to take us to the Art Museum. It was so hot and a lot of people were waiting. The tram was just large golf carts so only 5 people could go at a time. But one couple decided they weren't waiting, they came around the corner just as a golf cart arrived and hoped on. Guess the rest of us were just sitting in the shade enjoying the heat and humidity. They were older than us, but they weren't near as old as some of the other people waiting in that heat. Oh well, not much longer and we were on our way.

I'll continue with the Art Museum tomorrow.

Hope you are all enjoying, I sure did love this beautiful place.

 

[TinksThree]

That house is a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!! Wow! It sort of reminds me of the Biltmore in Asheville, NC as far as the grandness of it! I can't even imagine living somewhere like that! I liked the pictures in the garden where the lens fogged up....it added some mystique!!

 

[dismagiclover]

That is quite the mansion! It's that Gilded Age style that was so popular. Lots of the mansions in Newport are similar. The museum and house definitely look like they are worth a visit!

 

[jmskinner]

That house is a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!! Wow! It sort of reminds me of the Biltmore in Asheville, NC as far as the grandness of it! I can't even imagine living somewhere like that! I liked the pictures in the garden where the lens fogged up....it added some mystique!!

Reminded me of Biltmore also. I thought that about the pics also. It was really weird because it was fogged up inside the camera, not the outside of the lens. I had never had that happen before.

That is quite the mansion! It's that Gilded Age style that was so popular. Lots of the mansions in Newport are similar. The museum and house definitely look like they are worth a visit!

One of the reasons I would love to do some tours up North, I figure there are lots of homes like that. I really do feel it is worth a visit and we aren't done yet. One more stop to come.

 

[jmskinner]

We rode the little tram over to fine art museum.





From the outside it looked big, but once inside I was totally surprised how big and open it was. I had never been in an art museum of this size. Yes we lived in DC, but never went to the art museum, thought taking a hyperactive 2 year old wasn't very smart.

When we entered, a very nice woman greeted us and said she was giving a tour in about 5 minutes or we could wander on our own. We decided to take the tour and I am so glad we did. She told us all kinds of little facts we never would have learned. I don't remember everything she said and which pictures exactly, so I will give you a photo tour. Flashes weren't allowed so these don't have the best lighting.



























I took pics of the columns next to door ways because these were items Mr. Ringling found all over the world and brought back with him. Most of the time they were from old buildings that were demolished. And the frames around the art work were amazing. All custom built by the circus wood crafters.

One thing I found interesting was Mr. Ringling wanted the greats, such as Rembrandt. Several of the paintings he purchased thinking they from the artist, but the meseum has learned they were not, but were done in the artists studios. Still worth millions.

Those last 3 photos are actually the first room we came to, I thought she said all of those came from the 1200's. But looking at the website, a lot is from the 1500's. And those in that first room were bigger than most walls in my house. Amazes me how something like that can survive that long in one piece.

Here is a link to an online virtual tour of the museum if any of you would like to take a look
Ringling Fine Art Museum

We only did half of the museum this day, I wanted to stay but everyone else was ready to go home.

We didn't do much more with Kara that week. The next day we went to the movies and lunch. The following week we did some shopping and took her to Chuck E Cheese. Can you believe she had never been? It was sad to see Kara go, but she was starting her new adventure of college life. Things are going well for her per her Facebook posts. Lots of studying and getting ready for the 18th Birthday.

Ok, next post, back to WDW trips! And come this Saturday, MNSSHP!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I was going to skip over the Circus photos because we've always boycotted circuses due to the abuse of animals and workers...but it is history and I love history, so decided to read along promising myself not to conjure up images of the reality. Amazing! The Disney connections are kind of creepy (I'm weird b/c all I can think of is the abuse).

The train is incredible..but that Mansion... and how about that view?? Did the dining room remind anyone else of the Haunted Mansion? The organ looked like the one in HM dining room could be a duplicate.

My favorite pics though, are of Jacob over the AC vent!

Thanks, Melissa! What fun!
p.s Imagine a personal Art Museum...pretty incredible. Thanks!
I am so excited to see pics from this coming weekend and MNSSHP!