Welcome to Dinoland U.S.A.

This is a dinosaur themed area at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's relatively small with not a whole lot going on. This is probably my least favorite land/area of anywhere in all of Walt Disney World for reasons explained below for each attraction. We'll start with Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama.



Chester & Hester's is modeled after tourist roadside attractions you might find on cross-country road trip. Besides a number of interesting sculptures, you'll find old-fashioned midway games.




You'll also find two rides: TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl. TriceraTop Spin is basically Dumbo with dinosaurs. Primeval Whirl was something I had never experienced before Stephanie and I decided to give it a spin as we killed time waiting for Finding Nemo. This ride is dizzy. It spins. A lot. I must say I really don't like this ride pretty much at all. It's disorienting and not much fun.



Ugh! Anyway, moving on. We've got Finding Nemo the Musical.



This is not dinosaur-y and frankly a little weird. I saw it for the first time with Stephanie and again with mom and Abbey. I must say I wasn't overly impressed. The story is hard to follow unless you know the movie, the songs aren't amazing (for the most part), and it is a little bizarre watching puppets with live actors. Disney goes to such great lengths to hide performers that it seems mighty odd that they are just there for this show.

I am shamelessly ripping off a video created by Gina to demostrate what I mean. I feel a little bad using Gina's clip because I think she enjoyed it.



It's not horrible, but it certainly isn't a must see show on my list.

Okay, back to dinosaurs. Let's visit the Boneyard. This is a kid's play area where children can play with prehistoric pals and even dig them up.




There's a few places to eat around Dinoland U.S.A. There's Restaurantosaurus, Dino Bite Snacks and Trilo-bites.



It was sad when mom and Abbey were here because we actually had "lunch" at Trilo-bites. They serve turkey legs. It was a week ago and while chowing down on the gigantic, greasy turkey legs mom said "Happy Thanksgiving". Sad! Not the traditional Thanksgiving meal I was expecting.

Actually, as a side note, we had a couple of very nice meals while they were in town. We ate at Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Turf Club and Bar at Saratoga Springs Resort. I really think Abbey enjoyed the abundant horse themeing. We both enjoyed sitting at the Artist's Palette drawing pictures. Abbey drew some amazing horses while I drew my boss, the Mouse. I wish I had a picture of the drawing my sister did. She's actually pretty talented.

Okay, back to dinosaurs. There's really only one more place to visit: The Dino Institute. Home of the ride Dinosaur.



Stephanie hates this ride cause she's a-scared of dinos. Admittedly, it still gets my heart racing pretty fast too and I don't blame her one little bit. I've done it a few times and it still scares me each time even though I know exactly what's coming.

I will say there have been some great photos taken of me and others on the ride including the one with just me, one with me and the Vitale's, and one with me and mom and Abbey. Now, you may notice that mom and Liz have a similar look going on. Liz was trying to be funny. Mom was confused on what I was saying and thought I said look to the left. We actually rode the ride twice in hopes of getting a good picture of us. Didn't exactly work out.



That's about it for Dinoland U.S.A. To end, I give you a few pictures from the recently family trip. We have Cinderella Castle all lit up for the holidays and a picture with Mom, Goofy and I. Sorry about the Castle photo being a little blury, but you get the general idea.



I don't think mom doesn't like characters and kinda gets this deer-in-headlights thing when meeting them. See?



Bascially gets up there and immediately poses for the photo without interacting with the characters much at all. That's okay. At least she got in the photo. Abbey opted out.

Like I said, not my favorite themed land. Dizzy coaster, scary ride, so-so show, and a kid's play area. It may be for some folks, but not for me.

TTFN.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Apologies to all for not updating the blog in a while. Sorry, but I've been working on my project and as many of you know I've been quite under the weather recently.

Now, without any further delays, I give you Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa plus the Disney Wedding Pavillion.



This is the landmark Disney resort with the most well-to-do guests of any resort in all of Walt Disney World. Don't misunderstand: that's not to say they are all stereotypical uppity snobs. I work at this resort from time to time and love it and love talking to the guests. They have some great stories and have a pleathera of unique, interesting careers. Let's start our photo essay with the exterior of the building. It is really gorgeous. Modeled after the late 1800's, it's quite a sight.



You'll also find some beautiful restaurants at the resort. Narcoossee's is a mighty fine establishment out over the water. Another devine splurge would be Citricos. A very hoidy-toidy establishment with great food much like the Grand Floridian Cafe. 1900 Park Fare is very private, very secure location. This is where guests can dine with Mary Poppins, The Mad Hatter, Alice, and a few other select characters.



The absolute highest luxury dinner to be had at Walt Disney World can be found behind the misty glass doors of Victoria & Albert's.



This intimate dining experience seats just 60 guests. No children are allowed in the restaurant. Elegant touches includes Royal Doulton china, Christofle silver, and Riedel crystal. Their menu is customized daily with selections of the finest fish, fowl, red meat, veal, and lamb depending on the best ingredients available on the market-all described in detail by the wait staff. For an additional fee, the chef may make an apperance if you sit at the Chef's table which is located in the kitchen. The wine list is extensive. Once guests make their selections, they are given a personalized menu as a souvenir of the event. Background music is provided by a harpist. Jackets are required for all men while at the completion of the meal, ladies are given a long stem rose. One final note: all of the servers are named Victoria or Albert.

Moving on the other fine details of the Grand Floridian.



The upper level has all of the very nice stores. It is actual modeled after the store layouts of yester years. All of the stores for men are on one side of the resort while the other side has all of the ladies stores. Here we see the Mouse Mercantile for gentlemen and the Disney Couture Wedding Collection for the ladies.



One last look at some of the interior of the resort and the magnificent pool area. They also have a model of one of the ocean liners on the Disney Cruise Line. Fine, fine vessel. Throughout the day, a pianist plays in the main lobby. Later in the evenings, there is a light jazz group playing from the second level.



The resort has just installed some fine marble from Italy. You can find these tiles all over the resort. Take a look down with me.



Let's move on across the lake. It's Disney Wedding Pavillion. Here, couples may exchange vows in a fairytale setting complete with Cinderella Castle in the background.



Tally ho!