How do you do?

I am one of those. I am one of those people who wear a rain poncho through the briar patch on Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom. That water terrifies me. In the past, I thought the logs had an odor to it and because of that, I also thought the water was unclean and it made the ride unpleasant. Even on a hot day I don't want to get wet by it. Now I feel the ride is much more enjoyable after Disney replaced the old log flumes. The new log flumes and the new safety bar made me appreciate the attraction and want to go on it again. Sock Monkey is here with Brer Goose. He took many photos inside, but due to lighting only a few came out clear.  

A Cinderella Story.

Fairy tales still do come true! In celebration of today's Royal Wedding, it was only appropriate to post a picture about royalty. We are posting two photos for the big event. First, this is Sock Monkey by Cinderella's fountain on the right backside of the castle when you're facing it. Second, is a skewed picture of Cindy's fountain. Normally when you see it, you're standing and it's just another fountain. But what's so special about this spot is that when you bow down or curtsy in front of the fountain, Cinderella wears the crown. I dedicate this post to Kate Middleton. Like Cinderella, she found her Prince Charming and now wears a crown too. Her fairy tale story had come true when she married Prince William. Congrats to the new royal couple!

Time for more It's a Small World.

Last time we were in front of the It's a Small World attraction. Here, we have made it to the inside queue. What time is it? Time to wait a few more minutes on line and get on this ride already. Sock Monkey says "it's 5:45pm." Of course it's the evening; Magic Kingdom doesn't open at that time in the morning.

Stop and smell the roses.

Like I said on the last post, we were relaxing. Walking around the parks you always discover something new that you hadn't before. Here we are hidden away in a nook of Main Street, USA taking a break. Sock Monkey had to stop and smell the flowers. He's in between two of his favorite shops, Crystal Arts and Uptown Jewelers. If only he could really go shopping.

The three Rs.

Reclining, resting, and relaxing. Sock Monkey was doing just that after a hectic week. Here he is sitting back on his wicker chair and enjoying a peaceful moment away from the rest of the family. We meandered around in Downtown Disney and sat down at Bongos for a light snack. It was much needed and gave us a chance to recharge before the end of our vacation.

Another dimension.

Is this the power switch to the maintenance elevator? Is this why you're falling 13 stories from the top of the Hollywood Tower Hotel? Sock Monkey was in control while you were on the ride. He determined who would go safely and who would take the big drop on the freight elevators. Hollywood Studios' Tower of Terror is a favorite ride of ours, especially when you feel yourself free floating off your seat. Definitely a screamer. Disney has made it interesting for us passengers. The drop sequences are no longer predictable but randomly picked by the computer. And when you're sitting there in the cool air and suddenly start to get that warm fuzzy feeling, it's not your nerves, but the fact that you're now outside and about to plunge down the elevator shaft. Welcome to the Twilight Zone...

Fuggetaboutit!

Twelve hour time limit for parking, free delivery, I think calzones and macaroni, and pie by the slice. As far as i can tell, it's no other place than New York City. We are on the Streets of America Movie Set at Hollywood Studios. In general, I'd say it's pretty comparable to the real NYC, a lot cleaner, but close enough. Sock Monkey can smell the pie now, the pizza pie coming out of the oven with fresh mozzarella. Oh, he can't wait to get his paws dirty from all that grease.

Hollywood style.

The reason for this trip to Disney World was because it was my sister-in-law's birthday. She decided to have a destination celebration for her Sweet 15 versus a party back home. We dined at the Hollywood Brown Derby celebrity style for her big day. It definitely did feel like a special occasion. Sock Monkey had more than his fair share of food when it came to dinner portions at the restaurant. The menu picture is just the beginning of many more to come from this establishment.

3, 2, 1... and ACTION!

We are the little people at this place. We're surrounded by lush greens. Some climbing required and some film-slide-ing too. There's a big treat waiting for you here. Where are we? It's only the biggest playground we've ever seen, especially in Sock Monkey's eyes. It's the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure at Hollywood Studios. We stepped in here for a few minutes to find out what the "buzz" was all about. Sock Monkey did pause from his play for an action shot.

Toy Story Mania

We finally made it! After 3 years and several trips to Disney World, I finally got on Toy Story Mania. As many before me who have tried to get on the attraction after 12pm, knows disappointment. If you arrive after noon, be aware that Fastpasses have all been disbursed or there's a 90 minute wait on line. It was the only thing on my agenda this trip. Not only did we get to go on it once, but three times, and I definitely see what all the hype is about. Each time around, Sock Monkey said "Hello" to his little barrel of monkeys' friends. Having checked this off and after some carnival fun it was all relaxation and rest for the remainder of the trip.

Sorcerer Monkey.

Morning call at 6am. Catching the bus 7am. Getting to MGM, I mean Disney's Hollywood Studios 7:30am. Rope drop for opening 8am. Finally getting on Toy Story Mania priceless. Here we are before official rope drop on Hollywood Boulevard, patiently waiting along with other families to get on "the" attraction. It's what many refer to as Hollywood Studios' version of "the running of the bulls." And yes, we sent a family member ahead of the pack to get fastpasses. This way we could go on the ride twice. Sock Monkey took this time to become Sorcerer Monkey and performed a little magic for us. It was all worth it!

There's a snake in my boot.

There was a Toy Story movie marathon on this past weekend. The graphics were amazing on part three compared to part one. Guess 15 years and advanced technology does make a difference. And of course the storyline on number 3, I have to admit it was a lot to take in, and I'm sure many of you felt the same. If it was possible, Sock Monkey would love to be a part of Andy's toys, and here at our place he'd be clicking away on his own blog. Well, the best he could do or closest he could get to his pal Woody was in Downtown Disney at the Lego store. Sock Monkey "Hay un amigo en mi."

A time machine.

Do you remember the ride pre Dame Judi Dench voiceover? Or the interactive classroom scene on the big screen where there was a bee flying through the grass and then suddenly submerged underwater? How about the subtle change in ancient Greece? Once a stage for storytelling and theater now turned to mathematics and scholars teaching. It is indeed a time machine. With each new medium and communication system, Spaceship Earth has highlighted many of the noteworthy technological changes in our world. Even with the more recent depiction of the birth of the personal computer. How else could Sock Monkey be communicating with other Disney fans!

Cuckoo.

Sock Monkey goes cuckoo for cuckoo clocks in the Germany Pavilion. We captured a picture of one of them outside the Volkshunst shop. It's a German girl with a hammer chasing what looks like a bad guy. Beer stein anyone?

"Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do..."

"I'm half crazy all for the love of you." Donald may go quackers when he sees Sock Monkey serenading and holding hands with his girl. The topiary of Daisy is so lovely. Donald was on the opposite side of this location, and chances are that he'll never get a glimpse of Sock Monkey with Daisy. The flowers this year seemed fewer than in the past, but it was still pretty to look at throughout the park.

Boat ride in a greenhouse.

What a beautiful day to take a boat ride in the Land Pavilion. Here we are inside Living with the Land. To our surprise, there was no line. Can't tell if it's because of the automated narration or if everyone's lined up for Soarin'. This attraction is another one of my favorite places to be, probably because of the clean air and food that's growing in the greenhouse. It's remarkable to see how technology plays a role in harvesting plants, fruits, and vegetables these days and how it has changed through the years. Remember when you saw the giant Mickey pumpkins and thought how they did that. Now what else could they be experimenting with? How about growing vegetation by hydroponics. Sock Monkey was ready to jump ship and eat up all the fresh fruit. But of course I held him back.

Konnichiwa.

Where are we in Epcot? Can you see the fishes swimming along in the "koi" pond? One of our favorite spots in World Showcase is the Japan Pavilion. A stop here takes you into shopping and serene gardens. Walking into Mitsukoshi is like walking into a toy store. You get a variety of goods from Hello Kitty to Japanime, and kimonos, samurai swords, to salty & sweet snacks, and also picking out your very own cultured pearl. When you leave the store and begin to walk around the grounds, you then realize how tranquil you feel being away from the crowds. Take a moment to listen to the water flowing and take in the calmness of the bonsai trees. Sock Monkey kicked back on the bamboo fence and had a Zen moment. Look, he is so relaxed.

E.P.C.O.T.

Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Welcome to Epcot! We were delighted to be here during the Flower and Garden Festival. It was really beautiful to see the variety of flowers and topiaries Disney had on display. This year's main attraction was Toy Story 3, and because of Lotso, it smelled amazingly like strawberries in the entrance area. Sock Monkey tried to get a close cameo with Lotso, but feared recruitment to Sunnyside Daycare center. Then he tried to position himself as if he was holding up the geodesic sphere, but realized his arms were too short. Instead, we settled for his natural pose.

Introducing the one and only....Ricky Rat.

Ok, not Ricky Rat from the Muppet Vision 3-D show, but the Mouse himself. Of course no trip is complete without a picture of the ever cool and happening, Vinylmation Mickey. As seen here in Downtown Disney at the Vinylmation store at Disney West Side. This figurine is definitely a one of a kind. Sock Monkey couldn't resist getting his photo op with him. Just look at him smile.

Heffalumps, and Tigger, and Roo! Oh, my!

Speaking of the Winnie the Pooh queue from the last post, Disney has added a lot of hands on fun for the kids to play with while the parents are waiting on line. Sock Monkey touched everything he could get his paws on in the "Hundred Acre Wood." And as you get closer inside, you get to play with hunny!!! If you're lucky, hidden behind all the hunny drippings, you may even reveal a special someone.

You are here.

We stopped by City Hall and took a moment to look over the layout of Magic Kingdom. Sock Monkey put his paws all over the Braille map. In the next year to come, it'll be interesting to see if Disney will update it with all the new changes being made in Fantasyland and Mickey's Toontown Fair. If it's anything like the new Pooh queue, I'm sure we'll be in for a great treat!

PhilharMagic anyone?

Sock Monkey is walking around Magic Kingdom. He went to visit Pinocchio and is on his way to a concert at the old Lion King stomping grounds.

It is a small world.

Sock Monkey takes a boat ride on "it's a small world."  Appropriate considering he himself is a mini sock monkey . It's one of his favorite attractions, especially the scene with his fellow mates in the jungle hanging off the tree vines.  He thought he saw his Uncle George. "it's a small world after all..."

First stop, some yummy for the tummy.

For some reason, say the extended traveling time it takes to get to Disney World, we are always hungry when we arrive at the resort.  Like some families who visits DW, they kick off vacation with a tradition.  Many moons ago, when we’d arrive at the resort, our traditional first stop was lunch at Cindy’s Castle.  But through the years, dining plans changed and so did our budget.  So began a new tradition, our first food stop, (can you guess it? Sock Monkey is having chicken nuggets and fish sticks) an oldie but goodie, Columbia Harbour House.   We love the food and the cozy atmosphere.  It’s been a favorite place to dine at and a nice resting area overlooking the chaos of hustling fastpass holding vacationers below.  It’s a good starting point to soak it all in and get ready for a fun filled week!

Hi! Welcome to Sock Monkey’s adventure in Disney World.

What started out as another family trip to Disney ended with a “Where in Disney World is Sock Monkey?”  My husband and I have been visiting the theme parks for over 10 years and had been taking the same photos each time we were there.  This time, for the fun of it, I started taking pictures of Sock Monkey that a friend gave me.  At first I was only taking pictures to document it for her and before I knew it, 600 photos later, Sock Monkey had pretty much been everywhere and did everything we did.  Only about 300 pictures actually came out bright and clear.  It was quite interesting as we tried to pose him in places within the parks. People stared, Sock Monkey fell down from where I had placed him, and the husband walked away as I took too long to get the shot. But in the end it was a lot of fun and worth the effort.  As I post the pictures, please feel free to take a guess at where Sock Monkey’s hidden in Disney World.  We hope he’ll bring you as much fun and memories as he has for us on our Disney vacation!