That's a wrap!

After about 260 photos of Sock Monkey in Walt Disney World, we are wrapping it up. Thanks for following along his first journey around the theme parks. We had an amazing time and hope you have enjoyed the photo montages just as much as we do. In this one last photo of Sock Monkey, he is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the play area of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. Though we didn’t actually get to play here, we consider the entire Walt Disney World Resort our playground. …Stay tuned for the next series of Sock Monkey photos from our 2012 trip. Have a magical day!

Beautiful tomorrow.

“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away. Man has a dream and that’s a start. He follows his dream in mind and heart. And when it becomes reality, it’s a dream come true for you and me.”  Sock Monkey is at a Magic Kingdom classic that’s been running since 1964, The Carousel of Progress. It premiered at the 1964 New York World Fair, then was moved to Disneyland in 1967-1973, and since 1975 till this day continues its stage show at Walt Disney World. Tomorrow is really just a dream away, just as Walt Disney himself had imagined. 

Closing time.

"You don't have to go home but you can't stay here...Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." - Semisonic. After experiencing Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom, we walked through Fantasyland and came across this calm scene. Here is Sock Monkey looking into an empty Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant. It was the end of the night and all was still and quiet as the rides and shops were closing down for the day. Enjoy the silence.

Last kiss.

Had I remembered that this was the last time I’d be on Snow White’s Scary Adventures, I would’ve taken a better picture. Sock Monkey is at the end of the ride where Dopey waves good bye to you. This was the last time we saw Snow White get kissed by the Prince. I will miss the Seven Dwarfs and my favorite sing-along party scene. This is also where we start ending our adventures from 2011 and will soon bring to you new photos from our 2012 trip. We’ll miss you too wicked queen.

Scuba dive!

“Under the sea, under the sea. Darling it’s better down where it’s wetter take it from me. Up on the shore they work all day. Out in the sun they slave away. While we devotin’, full time to floatin’ Under the sea.” – Sebastian from The Little Mermaid. We got lucky on this picture. Sock Monkey was born to do this photo. Here he is on Spaceship Earth at Epcot. We picked our ending and this is where we landed (or not), in our very own underwater voyage. We can’t wait to do this again to see what's our next adventure.

Bon Voyage.

Wave hello and goodbye to the passersby on the It’s a Small World ride. Sock Monkey is seen here at the unique window seating at Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant at Magic Kingdom. From this section of the dining area, you can view the loading zone for It’s a Small World. Once you get settled in your seat, and you’re looking above at the cast member that’s queuing the boat to go, keep an eye pass the bridge and you’ll likely see the restaurateurs watching you as their main attraction. Smile! The kids are watching you.

Paradox.

Advertising exotic expeditions, comfortable accommodations, expertly trained tour guides, where are we going? None other than the infamous world renowned Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. Sock Monkey loves being in the wild and this is one of his favorite remote spot. The jungle where you’ll see rhinos getting their points across, and crocs named Ginger who snaps, and maybe if you’re lucky or unlucky, you may get ahead with Sam’s two for one special, two of his (shrunken heads) for one of yours. Finally at the end of the ride, you will reach two docks or a “paradox” and will be greeted by two guys or a “pair of dorks.”  Happy cruisin’!

Mr Bluebird.

Today is talk like a pirate day. Arrr! We couldn’t find a good photo of Sock Monkey on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. We even tried to find a photo of him in front of El Pirata Y El Perico, the restaurant that’s never open in Adventureland. But no luck in that either. He did get a decent picture with another feathered friend, Mr Bluebird from Splash Mountain. Here he is along with Br’er Rabbit too. Ahoy! Mr Bluebird el perico. Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah-Zip-A-Dee-Arrr!

Psychedelic.

In this photo, there’s a Sock Monkey that’s mesmerized by the character that’s surrounded by swirly lines that’s advertising Goofy’s Cone Pop Lollipop that‘s inside a TV box that’s connected to some kind of thermo nuclear gadget apparatus gizmo machine which was found in Goofy’s Candy Co. that’s in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Groovy inception.

Countdown.

Let the countdown begin. We have about a dozen good pictures left to post from our 2011 trip to Walt Disney World. Sock Monkey is in front of the clock tower to his favorite attraction at Magic Kingdom, It's a Small World. We will begin to wrap up this part of his journey and start prepping for next month's trip to Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival. Hope you have enjoyed our story!

Hawaiin T-Shirt.

Let’s get going. We’re heading to Disney’s Pin Trader in Downtown Disney to check out what cool and amazing pins are available to add to our personal collection. Elvis Stitch, Haunted Mansion ghost, or a Vinylmation pin? Sock Monkey wanted everything, but settled for a photo op with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Though he wished he had a matching Hawaiian T-shirt on too.

Cloudberry.

Our last food pic for this series of Sock Monkey photos is of our favorite dessert, the cloudberry horn. This treat can be found at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. It's the perfect amount of sweet and nicely fluffy, a light yet delicious dessert to snack on while visiting this pavilion. Sock Monkey can taste it already. We can't wait to go back during the Food & Wine Festival for more good eats!

French Press.

As part of Sunday brunch, coffee is always ready at our table. When at Walt Disney World, we get a little fancy and order French press coffee. Here at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort, we are enjoying our morning cup of joe. Sock Monkey had this pot all to himself. Lets just say it was a pretty crazy day in the parks.

Dipping Sauce.

All our favorite sauces are dispensed here in the condiment machine at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. All are present except for the BBQ sauce and honey mustard too. But like the majority of folks, Sock Monkey and family's preferred go to chicken nugget and french fries dipping sauce is the good old fashion ketchup. Press away.

Jellyroll.

Snack time again. This time we are in Magic Kingdom at the Main Street Bakery. What better way to reenergize mid afternoon than with a turkey sandwich and an ice cream sandwich. The hardest part of this meal is deciding what to eat first. Sock Monkey went with the fruitier choice, the jellyroll.

Nacho Grande.

Less than two months to go and we will be at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Sock Monkey is looking forward to going back to Walt Disney World and stuffing his face with all the yummy dishes he will encounter. He started practicing on these nachos from Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico Pavilion. Nacho Grande! Oh...and a side of churros too.

Sunnyside.

Bacon and sausage, check. Biscuit, potatoes, check. Eggs sunny side up, check. Pineapple garnish, just the right touch for a Polynesian breakfast at Kona Café. Sock Monkey and family had an amazing meal at the restaurant. We definitely recommend a stop in here for a nice sit down breakfast.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday USA!!! Parades, BBQs, fireworks, and celebrations, all things related to the Fourth of July, America’s Independence Day. Sock Monkey wanted to show off his red, white, and blues. He’s sitting back and relaxing here at the American pavilion at Epcot. What’s your American Adventure?

Play it again.

Gather ‘round folks, we’re ready to hear some classic 4^th of July tunes! As Walt Disney had imagined, he created Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom to resemble any Main Street across any town in the United States. Seeing an image such as this reminds one of the old town celebrations of this incredible country back in the early 20^th century, a cappella and barbershop quartets. It’s good to know even after decades of visiting Walt Disney World, we can still find our friend here playing the piano. Sock Monkey couldn’t resist getting a photo taken with him, as this barbershop quartet singer/pianist is just as Americana as is Disney World itself. A trip never feels complete until we see him play.

Colonial America.

We are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day! For the next few days we’re going to post all things American. Starting with one of our favorite pastime, eating at Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom.  From the woodwork and the carpentry to the dishware, the décor here reminds me of what you’d find in Colonial America, especially the metal dishware. In modern times, we’re so used to drinking out of glass and plastic cups, can you imagine pursing your lips onto a chilled metal cup? Sock Monkey wants to. He’s ready to down a pint right about now!