No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

[thecapells]

Nemo has to be one of my favorite shows at Disney, probably of all time (which is a little surprising to me since Finding Nemo wasn't one of my favorite Disney films, but that's another story). The show is so well done. I'm impressed you managed to get such good seats just 15 minutes before showtime! Last time I saw it, we waited 45 minutes for pretty much the same seats you had, but that was in the summer on the busiest day I've ever seen at AK.

Yeah, I think it's gonna be 1st show of the day for now on for me.
Definitely makes a difference!

Just joining back in after a long & fun trip back home for the Holidays !

Philharmagic is by far my favorite WDW 3-D film , must see every time

Great pictures of Exposition Hall , we have never checked that area out either , but have it on the list do for next time !

Love all your detailed pictures of Dinoland , I def have to agree with you the Chester & Hester area is soo cheesy .

Awesome Finding Nemo The Musical pic's & video , I always have so much trouble getting good photo's of that show, you must have the touch or a very good camera ! lol

I've found that the screen captures from the video I shoot off my camera are much better than the pics I can take in poor lighting.
That's how I got the Nemo pics!

 

[thecapells]

Outside the main gates of Dinorama there is a fake road that ends in a fence.
There, with no one else around, was Goofy and Pluto just waiting for me.
I know they have since created an actual meet and greet location with a giant postcard so this may be gone now.
But this is what I stumbled across – complete with Photopass photographer:

For those playing at home, here are the Photopass signatures for the chars:

Then the better poses of the chars – I love Goofy with crossed legs and Pluto holding his ear out.

And here’s one they took on my camera (almost as good I think):

I’ve never seen Pluto and Goofy in these outfits so this was a real treat for me.
Next, I stopped in a souvenir shop and bought some sunscreen.
I haven’t mentioned it yet but – oh my, was it hot out.
The sun was beaming down and it was your usual Florida heat – humid, sticky, and not fun.
But I was in Disney so it wasn’t going to stop me.
However, I did promise my wife that I would use some sunscreen so I did.
I just had to buy some first...
After lathering up, I headed over to Asia using the bridge from Dinoland.
I’ve never been to this side of the park before (Expedition Everest is not on our to-do list so there was never a reason).
I mean, we've been to the trails and Kali River Rapids, but the whole area near Everest is new to me.
And there are some great views and details scattered around these walkways.
Let’s explore!

First up, I found the Everest shrine.
I love how the shrine matches the peaks of the mountain range in the distance.
It’s a great little detail.

Close by, a lonely Photopass photographer was setting up.
And you know my mantra is to never let a Photopass photographer get lonely!
He even took two separate angles.
Thankfully, the railing provided me a place to put my arms so I was standing there clueless again…

I think I like this one better.

By now I was getting a bit hungry and I was really looking forward to my lunch plans – a brand new (at least to me) restaurant!
Come join me for some Beast and Snowman!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I don't know how I lost you but I did. All caught up now. Boy you weren't kidding when you titled this thing!

 

[dawnbu40]

You have the best luck in finding photopass photographers! Great pictures I love Goofy's outfit! And you are so right, it was really hot that week!

 

[thecapells]

I don't know how I lost you but I did. All caught up now. Boy you weren't kidding when you titled this thing!

Welcome back!
And yeah, I had alot of fun.
Unfortunately, the conference is coming up soon.
I actually did get some work done while I was down there...

You have the best luck in finding photopass photographers! Great pictures I love Goofy's outfit! And you are so right, it was really hot that week!

Always be vigilant when looking for those photopass photographers!
I guess since we always know we're buying the CD, we make a special effort to find those beige vested CM's.
On this solo trip especially, there wasn't really another way to get a picture of me so I was really on the look out for them!

 

[pipersmom]

Very cool update, I love the detail of the shrine and the mountain peaks, it's something I would have never noticed on my own..lol. Also very neat pics with Pluto and Goofy. We'll def keep on the lookout for the tan vests

 

[WrightFamily06]

I've found that the screen captures from the video I shoot off my camera are much better than the pics I can take in poor lighting.That's how I got the Nemo pics!

I will def have to use that tip Have never used the video on any of my camera's before , now all I have to do is try ! lol

Love all the Photopass pictures ! We are the same way when it comes to photopass , always scouting them out in every park . lol The funny thing is we use to run from them before we knew about the CD and now we all but attack them ! lmao

Can't wait to read all about your meal !

 

[praisehisname]

Great pics of the Nemo show and around Everest! I'd never noticed the shrine before. Looking forward to hearing about your lunch!

 

[boxmaster]

First up, I found the Everest shrine.
I love how the shrine matches the peaks of the mountain range in the distance.
It’s a great little detail.

That really looks great. I'm looking forward to making my way over there during the trip next year. (When do we start the official countdown? Do we have to wait until the trip is actually booked? Hrmph!) And it'll be neat to see just what it all looks like from the other side, on Everest itself.

 

[thecapells]

Very cool update, I love the detail of the shrine and the mountain peaks, it's something I would have never noticed on my own..lol. Also very neat pics with Pluto and Goofy. We'll def keep on the lookout for the tan vests

Never let those Photopass photographers get lonely!

I will def have to use that tip Have never used the video on any of my camera's before , now all I have to do is try ! lol

Love all the Photopass pictures ! We are the same way when it comes to photopass , always scouting them out in every park . lol The funny thing is we use to run from them before we knew about the CD and now we all but attack them ! lmao

Can't wait to read all about your meal !

I wasn't sure how good the pics captured from the video would work.
In general, they are a bit smaller and not as crisp as my photos.
But when my actually pictures from the shows came out horrible, I was glad to have those!
Give it a try!
Worst case scenario - your pictures aren't any good but you have a nice video of the show!

Great pics of the Nemo show and around Everest! I'd never noticed the shrine before. Looking forward to hearing about your lunch!

There's some really beautiful walkways around the Asia area with great scenic shots.
It's actually a nice place to wander aimlessly...

That really looks great. I'm looking forward to making my way over there during the trip next year. (When do we start the official countdown? Do we have to wait until the trip is actually booked? Hrmph!) And it'll be neat to see just what it all looks like from the other side, on Everest itself.

I'll all for starting the countdown whenever you want!
We're about a year away from the next trip and the kids are already excited!
They've already talked about what they want to take Uncle to see!

 

[thecapells]

I strolled through Asia towards the fictional town of Anandapur.
Upon arrival, I noticed some local food cafes were setup.
This was my destination.

I had heard really good things about Yak and Yeti (get it? Beast and Snowman? ) but I didn’t have time today for a sit-down meal.
So I opted for the Yak and Yeti counter service.
I wasn’t disappointed.

I ordered my meal and the prices weren’t bad at all.
I was then given this really cool little take-out Chinese box with a nice-size soda.
I grabbed some duck sauce and then went to grab a table around the corner.

The tables are outside and some have umbrellas – which was a must today.
Inside my box was a stack of Kung Pao Yak (or was that Kung Pao Yeti – I wasn’t sure).
(Yes, I'm being that goofy today).

The beef had some spices and sauce making it very flavorful and I finished the entire thing happily.
I can’t wait to try the table-service version next time I come back with the family.

After consuming my “take-out”, I wandered the little seating area.
I found this fountain that the crows were using as a bird bath.
I liked this pic because one of the crows was just taking off.

Even the restrooms are themed with Asian artwork.
Here’s the entance:

Then I wandered out of the little courtyard and into the surrounding areas of Asia.

Again, some amazing views of Everest are located over here.
Here’s one from the Asia bridge:

After some exploring, I finally made my way out of Asia and back to Discover Island.

It was time for the Tree of Life…

 

[dawnbu40]

Beautiful pictures of Asia! We're hoping to try Yak and Yeti next time too! Looking forward to more!

 

[thecapells]

Beautiful pictures of Asia! We're hoping to try Yak and Yeti next time too! Looking forward to more!

If the table service is anything like the counter service, we'll be very happy.
But since your next trip is before ours, we'll await your review!
You can be our guinea pigs!! Or maybe guinea mice since this is Disney...

 

[dtr_angel]

ooh we tried the Yak & Yeti counter service in August. The food was really good! But... there was nowhere to sit, it was sunny & hot AND raining which doesn't make for a fun lunch. The only table we could find didn't have an umbrella, so we got rained on and ate very fast. Next time, we'll know to eat at an off time so its not so crowded. I had the honey chicken and it was amazing!

 

[WrightFamily06]

Sounds like the Yak & Yeti CS turned out to be a pretty tasty meal ! Love th picture of the crow on the fountain and your other Asia pictures also turned out beautiful !

 

[pipersmom]

Very cool pictures of Asia..the crow flying off from the fountain is neat! We're doing Rainforest on our AK day, but thinking we may have to check out an eggroll from Y & Y at some point since we all love them!

 

[MEK]

I hear the Y&Y egg rolls are the absolute best!

Love you last couple of updates. Again, spectacular pictures and, YES, yours are as good as the photopass guy.

Sounds like you are having an awesome day in AK.

 

[thecapells]

ooh we tried the Yak & Yeti counter service in August. The food was really good! But... there was nowhere to sit, it was sunny & hot AND raining which doesn't make for a fun lunch. The only table we could find didn't have an umbrella, so we got rained on and ate very fast. Next time, we'll know to eat at an off time so its not so crowded. I had the honey chicken and it was amazing!

Yeah, I went about 11:00 before the crowds kicked in.
And there were only a couple of umbrella tables so I snagged one quick.
Definitely a better stop than Flame Tree BBQ which I did last year.
That stuff was awful...

Sounds like the Yak & Yeti CS turned out to be a pretty tasty meal ! Love th picture of the crow on the fountain and your other Asia pictures also turned out beautiful !

Thanks for the compliments.
I had fun taking shots with no rush just wandering around the parks!

 

[thecapells]

Very cool pictures of Asia..the crow flying off from the fountain is neat! We're doing Rainforest on our AK day, but thinking we may have to check out an eggroll from Y & Y at some point since we all love them!

I would recommend Yak and Yeti over Rainforest anyday.
If it's a breakfast reservation, I'd also recommend Donald's Safari Breakfast - we LOVED that one!!

I hear the Y&Y egg rolls are the absolute best!

Love you last couple of updates. Again, spectacular pictures and, YES, yours are as good as the photopass guy.

Sounds like you are having an awesome day in AK.

Thanks again for the kinds words!
The AK Day is almost at an end but there's plenty left to talk about!

 

[Echo queen]

Yak and Yeti TS is really good, we had the pot stickers for app, they were great. The service was great and our server really funny. I would choose YY over rain forest as well. Great TR.