World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Now, you may be surprised to hear this, but this week's photo is from... a parking lot. Yes, a parking lot! The Magic Kingdom's, to be exact. Now, I know that I say this at least once a week, and probably sound like a broken record, but at Disney, everything is so amazing. In accordance with this, the parking lots really aren't mere parking lots, like you would find elsewhere, but are so much more. Clever kinetics, attractive landscaping and preliminary storytelling are all present in the Disney lots, creating an exciting environment perfectly designed to build anticipation of the many whimsical adventures which await you in the park.

With this week's photo, I have tried to epitomise everything the Disney parking lots represent. Although you can't see the park itself, this photo was taken whilst I faced toward the Magic Kingdom, and showcases the beautiful sky visible late in a sunny Floridian day. Late afternoon/early evening is my favourite time to enter the Magic Kingdom, as the beautiful skies always make the already wondrous settings of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Park's seven lands so much more magical and stunning. I think that the whole of Walt Disney World, and the Magic Kingdom in particular, looks so much more beautiful at sunset.

In this image I was also lucky enough to capture two of my favourite elements of the Disney parking lots. Firstly, there are the colourful signs detailing which zone of the lot you have parked in. In the case of the Magic Kingdom, the parking lot is divided into two sides: heroes and villains. Unfortunately, we were directed to the Villains side that day (boo), but I made sure that I told nobody(I don't want my reputation ruined!) Although quite confusing, this unique two sided system at the Magic Kingdom, which is still fairly new, is great fun to park in, adding a whole new dimension to the lot. The other awesome thing in the picture is the tram. Although it's just a means of transporting guests from one side of the vast parking lots to the other, the trams really are great fun to ride, and a really special way to approach a park. Oh, and they make tearing yourself away from it a little easier!

The only thing that I have changed about this photo is to slightly tweak the saturation, in order to fully emphasise and credit the true beauty of the sky, as this photo was taken on a pretty bad camera! I hope you like it!

Thank you for reading! I would also like to thank everyone who has been making kind comments about this Blog, especially on Facebook. It's a truly great feeling to be able to share my passion for Disney with all of you, and know that my work's appreciated!

I hope you're having a magical week!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Walt Disney World is an astoundingly beautiful place. Every single element, no matter how big or small, all combine to create immersive themed environments for Guests to explore. Disney is renowned for the extraordinary levels of detail it puts into its parks, as well as how the Imagineers endeavour to perfect every single thing, something they always achieve.

This week's photo is a great example of this. It might not be immediately apparent, but the photo is of the fountain situated on the walkway between Future World and World Showcase in Epcot. I took this photo on a rare time that the fountain was out of order, meaning that it was deserted, bar an engineer or two. Although it's never nice to see part of WDW not working, this provided me with an opportunity to snap some photos whilst eating lunch with my family on a nearby bench.

As you can see, I experimented with several different angles, and have picked the one I deemed to be most interesting. I have also left the photo unedited, such is the vibrance of the fountain's colour palette. I love this fountain, even though I'm a little old to play in it, as it shows that the Imagineers put a great deal of thought into every part of the parks, even a little diversion such as this.

Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week our photo shows the Entrance of Walt Disney World's most sensational, inspirational, celebrational and Muppetational show (try saying that fast five times). Muppet Vision 3D, located over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a 3D Movie and Audio-Animatronic presentation, featuring Kermit and Co. demonstrating their latest technology- 'Muppetvision' in a (not so) musical spectacular. However, this being the Muppets, mayhem soon sets in. I took this photo of this superbly done show's sign just before entering on the first ever time I saw it! I have edited it slightly to enhance the colours and quality, but for the most part, this is the original photo I took.

Before I sign off today, I would just like to thank you all again. Last week, the World of Dreams Blog reached 5000 all time pageviews! These 5000 views include when the blog was called the 'Disney Parks Unofficial Blog', as well as whilst in its current form. I just want to say a massive thank you to all of you for supporting and reading the blog- I can't begin to describe how much it means to me. I really appreciate it!

Thanks for reading, I hope the rest of your week is magical!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is truly breathtaking. With this multi- million dollar expansion, Disney have taken all the things which made the Classic Fantasyland amazing, and made them even better still, creating what now is by far the Magic Kingdom's best themed area. One of my favourite parts of the expansion is Storybook Circus, which is a, you guessed it, circus themed area. I think that the Imagineers have got Storybook Circus just right, and I really enjoyed exploring it last October- the details are incredible.

The centrepiece of this unique area of Fantasyland is the new Dumbo attraction. Unlike the old Dumbo, which was located near the old Snow White's Scary Adventures, this new Dumbo features two versions of the attraction right next to each other, both served by one of Disney's innovative interactive queues. My family and I were lucky enough to get a Surprise Fastpass for Dumbo on our last trip, and, despite the fact that we are way to old for it, we rode it! It was great fun, and brought back memories of when I first visited a Disney Park, which was Disneyland Paris in 2005. Dumbo was the first thing I rode there.

This week's photo is of the 'spoke' of the Dumbo attraction, taken from the Fastpass queue just before boarding my 'Elephant'! I have edited it slightly to improve the quality, but haven't done so in any other way, as the beautiful colours which Dumbo is painted in don't need enhancing!

I would love to hear your opinions on the photo! Do you think it's a good angle, or should I have focused on the whole attraction? Please share your views in the comments!

Thank you for reading, I really appreciate your support! Have a magical day!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week's photograph is the first featured on this Blog from the wonderful Disney's Animal Kingdom. I captured it by chance whilst on my way to ride Dinosaur in Dinoland USA, hence the poor quality, which I apologise for. The image shows one of the imaginative decorations which adorn the park, and which make a massive contribution to the opinion held by many that Animal Kingdom is the best themed Disney Park in the entire world.
This decoration is a Tortoise cleverly incorporated into one of the pillars outside the Disney Outfitters store on Discovery Island, the hub of the park. I had to take a picture, as it really shows how incredibly detailed the work of the Disney Imagineers is, and exactly how they have created a consistent themed environment, leaving 'no stone unturned', so to speak. I have adjusted the saturation of the photograph to really bring out the vibrant colours- I hope you like it!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

The photograph I have selected this week is of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which can be found in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. I captured this image of 'The Wildest Ride In The Wilderness' whilst riding the Walt Disney World Railroad, which passes right by Big Thunder Mountain, presenting an exceptional opportunity to photograph what I consider to be one of Walt Disney World's best themed attractions. I was torn as to how I should edit this photo, so I have made two edits of the original, and posted both. I hope you like them!

Thank you for reading, and have a magical day!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week I have chosen a picture of the massive guitar which fronts the Rock 'n' RollerCoaster attraction on Sunset Boulevard at Hollywood Studios. As you can see, I have adjusted the saturation, contrast and sharpness of the photograph to create an effect, and really enhance the vibrant colours of the guitar, which I consider to be one of the Park's most stunning icons.

What are your thoughts on this attraction? Please comment below with your opinion! Thanks for reading the World of Dreams Blog, and have a magical day!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Hello and welcome to the first ever World of Dreams Photo of the Week! Although it may be hard to see at first, the photo I have selected is in fact a close up of the underside of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. I captured this photo whilst standing in line for the attraction, when I decided to experiment with different ways of photographing the architectural marvel which is Spaceship Earth.
This is my favourite photo which I took that day, as it shows detail which usually cannot be found in a picture of Spaceship Earth, and focuses of the incredible geometric makeup of the attraction, which I consider to be one of the Imagineers' most beautiful creations.

Have a magical day!

New Year, New Features For The World Of Dreams Blog!

Hello everyone, I hope that you're enjoying 2013 so far! I apologise for the recent lack of activity on the blog, I have been away from home, but I have returned and am ready to kick start 2013 with some exciting new additions to the blog!
Firstly, every Wednesday, starting next week, I will be posting a 'World of Dreams Photo of the Week' to the blog. I will be featuring photos which I have taken on my travels to Walt Disney World, alongside a short explanation what the photo's all about, and when I took it.
Secondly, each Friday I will be reviewing a different Walt Disney World Attraction which I have experienced, giving my own opinion on the attraction, as well as scoring it out of ten in several different categories. I will feature an attraction from a different park each week, and will rotate the parks (Magic Kingdom, then Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and lastly DisneyQuest). I can't wait to write these!
Lastly, every second Sunday, I will be doing a 'Pin Focus'. I am an avid collector of Disney Pins, and each Pin Focus will put the spotlight on a different pin in my collection, as well as detailing where I bought it, and if it's likely to still be available in the parks.
I also have loads of great ideas for original posts, and I can't wait to share them all with you this year!

Have a magical day!