Weekend Update: Disneyland; DisneySea; Bok Sanctuary; Verona, Italy; Rhino Rally

Stick with us until the very end this week and we'll treat you to a report on Day 5 of our recent Orlando trip. Before that, however, we have a surprise visit from crack photographer Hollywood1939 with his unique perspective on the Disneyland Resort. That's followed by TDLFAN's look at Tokyo's DisneySea at dusk. SummerInFL has another report from the non-Disney part of Florida that most of us rarely see and then Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams take a trip to Verona, Italy.

Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, California

We haven't had photos from Hollywood1939 in quite awhile. He sent these in this week with a promise of more to come. We can only hope!

Around the Disneyland Resort

Space load area.


Space photo area.


They'll never fix it.


The droid checking you in used to be a duck (or goose?).


DCA at rope drop.


I want this game!


Mooo!


Just another beautiful day.


Are you brave enough?



SummerInFL continues her tour of Florida visitor attractions of the non-Disney type. This week we visit the Historic Bok Sanctuary.



Official Website: Bok Tower Gardens

You start your journey at the front gates, the gardens themselves still 1.5 miles from the entrance.


You finally arrive at the visitor's center where you obtain a map of the grounds.


Inside there is a historical gallery which showcases how the tower was built and more information regarding the carillon bells.


One of the levels contains the largest carillon library in the world!


And of course the 2 levels of bells.


They also have a short 9 minute video that shows the history of the location and how the tower was built.


So off we go to explore the grounds surrounding the tower itself. There are many things to see and do that is fun for every age group in your party.


They have a human sundial which is a lot of fun for the kids.


Even the adults have fun with it too.


One of things I loved about this location was the ample supply of benches around every corner. There were even pathways that didn't look much like a path but would lead to the most serene places, like this one below.


Various Flowers


In different places hung bird feeders and while the birds would get their fill, there were always packs of squirrels ready to pick up their fallen crumbs.


Heed this warning though, if you call after the squirrels they will come after you mob like looking for food.


We found our retreat in another clever location, the "Window By the Pond." It gives people the opportunity to view wildlife uninterrupted for both you and the animals.


The surroundings become more dense, the closer we would get to the tower, I truly enjoyed this progression.


St. Francis looks over this particular area of the gardens. I've noticed him featured in a lot of places through out Florida, it's clear he was worshiped by many.


We'll have more photos of the Bok Sanctuary in next week's Update!

Don't forget to visit Summer's website: wdwfanpics.com





Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams continue to document their trip to Italy with some photos from Verona.




If you enjoyed these photos, Ian and Richard have several travel books available on Amazon:



MickeyMaxx reports on our MiceChat Monday in Florida. Our group had been reduced to five, but the fun continued at the SeaWorld parks in Orlando and in Tampa Bay.


Four days, six theme parks, what to do? See them all, of course, and thanks to the DOOM BGI Express (minivan), several alarm clocks, and a strong will, we did it! This report is about our visits to SeaWorld, Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa. Some of our group had already had a day at SeaWorld, so today's visit would be brief, just to hit a few attractions.

The view of SeaWorld from the DOOM BGI Florida MiceChat Mansion.


Minutes later, we were passing through the SeaWorld gates. Some people had better luck passing than did others.


The new Manta coaster was a main goal of the visit.


Adjacent to Manta was a small, but very nice aquarium featuring . . . mantas!


It wouldn't be a trip to SeaWorld without these two obligatory photos.


OK, back in the van for a quick hop to Tampa where we met SummerInFL who (knowing the park by heart) was our invaluable guide and time management specialist. Roller Coaster freaks go here, here, and here, then meet us here. Casual crowd, follow me! Really, she could do this for a living!


Our SeaWorld San Diego annual passes not only granted us free admission to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, but to premium parking just steps from the gate. No trams for us, thank you!


Gwazi, a double track wooden coaster was a must do!


SheiKra


Back row, far right would be our very own CaptPhoebus and two seats to the left, Monorail Man. Photo by DOOM BGI.


Caution: Wet Viewing Zone!


Meanwhile, the Casuals were getting close to the animals.


Lush landscaping, impressively designed architecture, and vintage park memorabilia. Hey, we want to ride that monorail!


And reproductions of King Tut's artifacts.


Including some hidden Mickeys.


And one drawing on a wall that had us all trasfixed for a rather long and shocking moment. Let's just say that it had an attention to detail that Disney would never consider including. Nor would Weekend Update, so there be no photo, matey!

There were many things that both our groups could agree on. The sky ride being one of them. What amazing views on the nearly mile long, switch directions in the middle aerial tramway.

The hardest working people at the park - Bucket Wranglers!


And then there was Rhino Rally, one of those attractions that just blows the doors off most rides. Such fun, with special effects that caught us all off guard. If you have plans to visit this park, you might not want to read this section because of the spoilers ahead. If make it to the end, we have our full ride video, including the dramatic conclusion when MickeyMaxx can't get his seatbelt undone and the driver asks for reinforcements to eject him.


The Land Rovers await. Special theme park Defender models.


Our Driver and Guide, Captain.


A Rover starts the rally.


There are many hazards along the way.


The animals are really that close, and there was no secret barrier between us and him. Didn't we used to see safari films as kids where the rhino would charge the tourist's vehicle?


We round one bend, and face a pontoon bridge next to a waterfall. We find ourselves stuck in the middle.


Suddenly the bridge collapses, and we float away on a portion of it.


We travel under a waterfall, down rapids, approaching another waterfall, which the fates save us from at the last moment as our driver is able to drive off the floating bridge section onto a muddy trail.


On our way back to the finish line, we notice the same bridge fate has visited another party.


The ride video:


What better to end a fun filled day like this? How about a vacuum formed plastic rhino to commemorate our just completed rally?


Photos by CaptPhoebus and Mickey Maxx (see watermarks for who did what).

Looking for up-to-date reports from Disneyland
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?

Visit these MiceChat columns each week:

Andy Castro's Dateline Disneyland

David DarkBeer Michael's In the Parks

And that brings us to the end of another week. Our photographers have just enough time to reload their cameras before we see you all again next weekend. Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and as always, a huge thank you to our amazing team of global photographers, spies, and gossips:


TDLFAN
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt (mousesteps.com)
SummerInFl (wdwfanpics.com)
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
"Postcard Junkie" darkfairycthulu (postcardjunkie.blogspot.com)
Fishbulb
PhotoMatt
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom

A very special thank you to to our wonderful guest photographers Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams for sharing their vision with us.

Your Editor - Rixter

Where have YOU been recently? We invite you to share your photos of theme parks or any other destination that may be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to contact me via MiceChat Private Message (screen name Rixter)
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.