The Tree of Life! … some fun facts.

Conception Art

The center piece Icon for Disney Animal Kingdom Park is the Tree of Life. Emerging from the heavy foliage of the “Oasis” and “Discovery Island” is The Tree of Life which stands 14 stories tall. The first time I saw the Tree of Life, I just stood with my mouth open…Wow!

It was awesome…. and still is every time I see it. The Tree of Life is a technological marvel, but it's also a symbol of the beauty and diversity and the grandeur of our animal life on Earth… It's a celebration of our emotions about animals and their habitats.

The frame is constructed on a refitted Oil rig platform, and the branches were formed from fiberglass. The branches span 145 feet across and are supported by the trunk which is 50 foot wide. The Tree of Life is made up of 45 secondary branches leading to 756 tertiary branches leading to 7,891 end branches with 102,583 green kynar leaves, each more than one foot long.

All total, thousands worked on the construction of the Tree of Life which took over 18 months. Putting the final touches on the tree was a crew of 3 imagineers and 20 artists that carved into the trunk, branches and roots, as well as 325 different animals depicting animal life across the planet, thus yielding the name… “The Tree of Life”. View the Tree of Life at different times during the day. As the sun and the shadows move you will see different animals appear.

You may want to pick out your favorite animals, or the most unique, but trying to find all 325 might be a over whelming task that may take all our vacation time.

Every time you pass the tree or each time you visit, you will see animals that you didn’t see before, as well as old favorites… but you will always be amazed and in awl, of the Tree of Life.

Four Weeks in the Fast Lane…

Four weeks in the fast lane at Disney…boy, I’m getting… no, gotten, too old for this! Had Brianna with us for the last 4 weeks trying to get her to see as much as possible. Brandi was here to finish out this last week…her first trip to Disney… Magic kingdom & Epcot for fireworks and the Lodges.

A little M-O-U-S-E fever & some fancy Ears!

She had a great time, although short, and can now see why we can not get excited by July 4th fireworks back home… nothing like Disney fireworks shows… nothing even close.

Today was our first day of rest… if you call washing the Rv rest. But now it’s raining and work has stopped… I’m so disappointed… so I finally had a nap and get a bit more rest.

Think we have been everywhere Disney in the last four weeks. Next 2 weeks… a little rest, catch up with friends… and relaxing !!! Than Sunset King Friends arrive for 4 days… three days whirlwind Disney visit! Than 3 days to rest… than drive up to Virginia… visit Brandi for a week… than back to work at Lake Ridge. Can’t wait to get to work, I need the rest! lol. Sit by the campfire every evening.

Toasted Marshmallows & Smores await !

Brandi’s First Disney Visit!

Brandi is with us for a few short days… one day at Disney and another just bumming around. She has never been to Disney before and got the whirlwind preview of Magic Kingdom ( that’s all you can do with part of one day, especially during spring break)… than a quick dinner, and finished the day at Epcot for the fireworks show. What a great day. Brandi was joined by the best friend Nicole and her daughter & baby. Brandi had to come down early to pick up Brianna to take her back home… so a few days to visit was also a mini vacation. Of course, ya always have to take a photo in front of the Castle from Main Street… it’s in the fine print somewhere in the rule book, like hidden Mickey’s.

So much to see… so little time.

Yep… there’s the Monorail that there was no time to ride… and there it goes!!

Brandi & Bri by Cinderella Castle.

A Great First Day Visit !

30 Years Later…

Today was a special day…

no, not because I went to Disney…

( I can do that all the time )

and not because of the weather…

( we get what we get here )

but someone that I lost contact with

over 30 years ago

stopped by to see us here in Orlando.

What a great reunion.

Last October 23rd I wrote:

[ flashback ] Wow… Spring 1972

My best friend, the girl next door, as we got ready to make our first trip to Walt Disney World.

After 30+ years I was able through Facebook to reconnect with Jo Ann.

Since we grew up next door to each other we were like brother & sister…more family than just friends.

Made first contact today via E-mail.

More than 30 years ago we both got caught up in life and lost contact with each other.

Good to hear from her again.

Bet she will be surprised I still have this photo.

----------------------------------

Wow… connecting with friends… well… more than just friends… family that I grew up with. Another positive benefit of Facebook. One of the only regrets I have in my life is to have lost touch with friends that were truly family as we grew up together. Lost in time, and found again. 30 years later… wow… where did the time go? Lots of catching up to do! Highlight of my day!

So today… on her driving back home from Miami,

she stopped by Orlando to see Me

and meet Shelly.

Here’s the before photo ( 1972 )

Here’s the after photo ( 2010 )

First time I have seen her for 30 years…

It was great to reconnect…

we had a wonderful dinner at Red Lobster…

wonderful conversation…

Jo Ann & I talked about the past 30 years…

and looked at photos.

Shelly & Brenda ( Jo Ann’s cousin )

talked and got acquainted…

It was great to see her again.

Some where along life’s journey,

we some how got a bit older,

found a little more weight…

have a little less hair…

and realized without really trying…

not quite ready do to the 50 yard dash.

But it’s all good…

it was great to see her again

and make plans to get together

this summer.

Fess Parker Dies at 85

Fess Parker the actor that portrayed Disney’s Davy Crockett died on March 18th, 2010. The article posted on Disney’s Blog conveys some of the sentiments that no doubt may of us also feel.

Tonight, the Disney Parks family is mourning the loss of a legend — Fess Parker. In his role as Davy Crockett, Fess Parker not only helped promote and open Disneyland Park but he also became a hero to many of us, including Walt Disney Company President and CEO, Robert Iger.

“Like many kids growing up in the 50’s, Davy Crockett was my first hero, and I had the coonskin cap to prove it,” according to Iger. “Fess Parker’s unforgettable, exciting and admirable performance as this American icon has remained with me all these years, as it has for his millions of fans around the world. Fess is truly a Disney Legend, as is the heroic character he portrayed, and while he will certainly be missed, he will never be forgotten.”

Fess Parker was honored in Disneyland Park for all his contributions to Disney and the fans.

Many of the people that help develop Disney in the early years are remembered on Main Street windows both in Disneyland and Disney World. Certainly a good place of honor, and to be remembered.

Building Disneyland

Walt & Fess at Disneyland

The Famous Coonskin Cap…

At his Santa Barbara Vinegary

An American Icon…

Gone but not forgotten…

Many things have come and gone at Disney World.

Nostalgic thoughts of what once was,

and what is now lost to time.

Here are just some of the things that are no more.

A quick Trip Down Memory Lane

Some long time gone, some more recently.

.

The old Side Wheel Paddle Wheel Ferry’s

that took you across the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The Mike Fink Keel Boats

Davy Crockett Canoes

Rivers Of America

The Swan Boats

Astro Jets at Tomorrowland

Skyway to Tomorrowland

Futuristic Twin Water Towers – Tomorrowland

(personally I wish they were still there)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Ride

$4.95 Ticket book

( Long Gone ! )

Each Ride/Attraction required a Ticket.

Truly Gone for Good! $1 Parking

Character Breakfast for $9.75

25th Anniversary Castle

Some things are best forgotten.

Character Greeting Bus at Epcot

The Old Station Cool by Coca Cola

Sodas around the World - Epcot

Wonders of Life - Epcot

Underwater Station Habitat

Now Nemo / Aquarium - Epcot

Food Court in the Land – Epcot

Once a nice cool fountain was there.

and more recently…

Living Statues Epcot - Italy

“Lucky” the free roaming Auto-animatronics Dino.

Before Captain Jack Sparrow

hid in that there barrel.

The Epcot Logo

and the temporary Tiana’s Riverboat Show

only there to Promote the Movie

Great Show… should have stayed longer.

Many things have come and gone or have been changed and updated over the years.

I’m sure everyone had the favorites

that will forever be missed.

and Now… a look at the Future…

Mark VII Monorails ( Disneyland )

Very Cool Looking…

but don’t get your hopes up…

I heard the current WDW Monorails

are expected to last another 15 years.