joe randel's art dump

So last in December of 2014 I took my family on a vacation to Disney World. This is our third trip to Disney, but the first time we’ve ever been during the holidays. We weren’t over there for Christmas, just the beginning of the month. I took lots of pics and if your interested, just follow the link and check out some of the things I saw when I was there.

First off… the plane. I’m a nervous flyer. I worry more than a bit that the plane is going to fall out of the sky and I’ll have a good few min of free fall before I die in a huge fire ball. It hasn’t happened yet thank goodness. If it’s a smooth flight, then I’m totally fine, but if there is any turbulence during the trip I’ll white knuckle the seat like you have no idea. I won’t let this stop me from traveling though. I’m sure I’ll fly more than a few more times in my life time.

At least I can watch some Gravity Falls to take my mind off things.

The room I stayed in is right behind those trees. It was at the Caribbean Beach resort. Quite nice, but the grounds felt very maze like. I got used to it though.

The first day, we went to the Magic Kingdom. We’re not usually here during this time of the year so we had to get used to a higher amount of people visiting.

One of my favorite things to do at Disney is to go check out the art shops. This statue has been at the parks every time I go there. I gotta say… I kinda like it. A lot. It’s $125 which isn’t bad considering that it’s a huge statue. I might have to add this to my list of stupid things I want to buy.

During the trip there was always some sort of holiday show or celebration going on. Never did stop and watch one. Too many other things to do.

I think I’ve taken a picture of this statue every time I’ve gone to Disney. I’ll probably continue to do so as long as I go.

It’s just not a Disney trip with out going on the It’s a Small World ride. I know some people get really freaked out by it, but I like it. It’s so much fun and I great time to just sit and watch things go by. I also think it’s just an easy target of people who have never been on it.

If you ever go to Disney, you have to go on the ride. Even if it’s just to say you went on it. It’s such a fantastic and classic ride.

One of the things that was new was the Rapunzel area with hanging lanterns. It’s just a rest stop in the park, but it’s done up so nice. It makes me smile.

I just love taking pictures here at night. I usually try to take as many as I can.

During this trip, Disney had a special show that had Elsa freeze the castle. Pretty damn cool I’d say.

The trees here are so damn big!!!

Nothing says fun like a giant mickey pretzel.^_^

This was the design they were using for some of the Christmas stuff. I love it so much!! It reminds me the little golden books I had when I was a kid.

Checking out EPCOT is always so much fun. I love looking at the different world pavilions.

I love that I’m just a hop, skip and a jump from Mexico to Japan.

One might think that it would be a challenge to fill a day with things to do at EPCOT. But we do it every time. In fact, there are things there we’ve yet to even see!

Another huge ass tree!! These things are everywhere!

It’s a whole bunch mice… and a fairy.

The fireworks at EPCOT were just awesome. Easily the biggest display I’ve ever seen.

Gotta get a picture of the sorcerers hat at Hollywood Studios. It’ll be torn down in the next year I believe.

We ate lunch at the 50’s Prime Time Diner. The place was done up like what your grandma’s house would have been like. It was so awesome!

The food there was awesome! I got the sampler plate and devoured everything on it. So good!

Disney didn’t have the Jessica Rabbit statue that I wanted. I missed my opportunity to get it last time. That’s okay though. I prefer the Jessica statue my wife got for me last Christmas. Instead there was this statue. I’m not so much of a fan of this one so I passed.

I really did like these Ariel ornaments though. I might not buy a lot of things at Disney, but I do enjoy looking at them.

Sometimes though I do have some regrets. I really like these shirts… I’d even wear the Minnie one.

More night time pictures. This one was taken at Downtown Disney which is the major shopping district. Little know fact about me, I like to go shopping. Not to buy things, but just to look. I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t feel like I have to buy things, but can feel joy buy looking at them.

But sometimes I do cave. I did buy some Gravity Falls figures. I couldn’t leave without them. More photos of art from one of the many art stores at Disney. I’d love to have art on these walls one day.

Do don’t see art from Fantasia very often. I like it when I see the rarer characters and scenes from the classic movies.

Wandered over to the Canada pavilion at EPOCT to see what Americans think of Canadians. Are people really buys Montreal jerseys here in Florida?

Over at the Japanese shop I was seriously tempted to stock up on Sailor Moon merch. So tempted…

I really should have bought one of these figures. Seriously regretting that.

Do I want a mini version of Kiki’s house? You’re damn right I do!

You know… I’m not sure how they light the ball. Is it lit from the inside? The can’t just blast it with spot lights because how would they get the top? It’s a mystery for the ages.

This ride was dark for 95% of the time and scary. At one point a giant dino head roars right in your face. Needless to say that spent most of this ride with my eyes closed and so did my son.

Staring at rinos is more my pace. They’re so cute. ^_^

Oh my god!  Look out!!! That dino is going to crush us all!!!

Ahh the Grand Floridian. This place makes me feel like I shouldn’t tough anything. Like I’m in some high society house. It all looks very,very nice… but man do I feel out of place here. Also… and another huge tree.

Oh my god it’s TINKERBELL!!! Hey!  I draw pictures of you!!!

Sadly, I never did visit Tink on this trip. I’m okay with that though, I’m not usually impressed with the Tinkerbell’s I’ve met in the past. They didn’t quite hit the mark for my books. Next time though I will have to pay her a visit.

Well, that’s my trip. It was great and I can’t wait to go again in the future. I usually think… will I ever get tired of this? You know what, I don’t think I will. There is always something new to discover and things we’ve yet to try. This time though we did get to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster which was the smoothest coaster I’ve been on. Not that I go on a lot of them. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed what I had to show from this trip. Now to start dreaming about the next one. ^_^