Earth, wind, and fire.

Water, and sky. Each of the levels on the five story pagoda represents one of these elements. The pagoda is modeled after the Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan. If you happen to be walking around World Showcase in Epcot and hear drumming noises, most likely it's coming from this temple. Several times during the day, Taiko performs their drum show. It's pretty intense and a cool beat too. Sock Monkey marched to the beat of a different drum.

O Canada!

Saying "hello" to my Canadian cousins. Canada is a great spot to start your tour of World Showcase. We love the steak restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse. The food served here is excellent and the place holds a special memory to us of someone near and dear. It's been awhile since we've made reservations at the restaurant, but if you can, do it, and don't skim on the breadsticks, they're amazing! Sock Monkey got as close to his Canadian cousins as he could by posing in the totem pole featured at the pavilion. Say "Go...Canucks!"

Psychedelic.

Groovy times at the Goofy Candy Co. shop in the Marketplace. We couldn't resist making a stop in here for a sugar high. As far as sweets go, you've got plenty of options, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, cupcakes and brownies, and toppings galore for your dipping pretzel. Mmmmmm... can you smell the confectionery? Sock Monkey sat in front of the TV screen, and as fast as you can say "Mickey Mouse" he was in a trance to eat as much candy as he could possibly get his paws on.

"Crystal Palace"

My most favorite thing about Disney World is Cinderella's Castle. Sock Monkey is shown here with the Arribas Brother's version of the castle in the Crystal Arts shop on Main Street, USA. We stopped in here to observe the glassblower that was making a Donald Duck vase and also to pick up a gift for the birthday girl.

Thar she blows!

Along our way out of Adventureland going towards the Hub to Main Street USA, a break was made into a cannon. Thinking he was still on the Black Pearl, Sock Monkey was willing to sacrifice himself to save the ship from being taken over by plunderers. Back to reality, this is taken in front of the Swiss Family Treehouse. a great attraction to go at your own pace out in the open air.

Ye found the loot!

With the help of his crew, Sock Monkey escaped. From the crows nest, he spotted the stolen booty, the dead man's chest. Aaaargh! An innocent and loyal matey he's proved. In rejoice of his freedom, Sock Monkey breaks into song, "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!" Here he is with our pirate friend at the end of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride right when you walk into the shop area.

Shiver me timbers!

What have ye pirates done to our Sock Monkey? Th' thought he was a scallywag and were stealin' their treasure. Sock Monkey was framed. He opted for the cage rather than going down to Davy Jones' Locker. Aye, Sock Monkey can see Cap'n Jack Sparrow and the rest of his crew over yonder.

Ba-Boom!

Barrels of Explosivos, where arrrrrh we? We arrrrr getting ready for this weekend's new movie release. Hint hint. "Dead men tell no tales." Of course it's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment to the movie franchise. Sock Monkey is seen here on the queue of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Magic Kingdom. He was told to wallk the plank if he didn't pose in front of the dangerous explosives. What would you have done?

Feeling crabby.

This is Sock Monkey in front of Fulton's Crab House, a seafood restaurant in Downtown Disney. We've never been, but I'm sure one day we'll get the chance to dine on the waters. It's a three deck riverboat that is permanently docked in Village Lake. I hear there's some good shucking to be done.

It's Fantasmic!

Since we were here for a special occasion, the family went all out and took part in the Fantasmic Dining Package. If you've ever seen this show without the dinner package, I know you've waited about 90 minutes to get a good seat in the theater. Been there, done that, so this was definitely a treat, only a 30 minute wait. We sat in the reserved section that's located on the far left side. Sock Monkey did his best to hold still for this night pic, but he certainly started moving about when we were doing the wave! Can you see the fireworks coming out of Sock Monkey's paws...

Strapped in for the Stunt Show

Can you see him? Like some other stuffed bear we know, Sock Monkey was strapped onto the front of a truck by the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios. I'm beginning to think that Lotso did get to him during our visit in Epcot. Maybe the two of them could've been garbage truck grille buddies in another lifetime. Don't worry no flies were hurt during this photo session.

Please don't draw on me.

Back at the Hollywood Brown Derby while waiting for our food, I propped Sock Monkey up onto the dinner table. Our own little princess decided she wanted to play with him. This is my niece inspecting him as if it was the first time she'd encountered him during the trip. She forgot about him a few seconds later when the food started arriving. Our Cinderella is a good eater.

Meet and greet.

Stuffed in and waiting to meet two of the best pals ever. Okay we didn't really wait since we were so anxious to get on Toy Story Mania, but we were told you get to meet Woody and Buzz in Andy's room. It must be pretty amazing to be sitting up on the bed with the two pals. Next time we're at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Sock Monkey will make the time to wait on this line.

All stuffed in.

Sock Monkey climbed up and squeezed himself onto the shelf to be with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Here he is in Downtown Disney at the World of Disney store. We had a fun time in there playing with all the different plushes, toys, and household goodies. It's always a great place to do a little shopping too.

"Friends are like flowers..."

"Beautiful flowers. Friends are like flowers in the garden of life." One more week and the Flower & Garden Festival comes to an end this year. Sock Monkey is hoping to swing onto the monorail or swim through the bouquets in the water to get a better view of the floral arrangements. Can you  find the Mickey on the grass in the floral mosaic?

Year of the Monkey.

China is known for many things. One of them is the Chinese zodiac which is based on animals. Of course the year of the monkey does not come around again until 2016. Our friend here has traveled a third of the way around the world, that of World Showcase, to see Disney's version of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. A translation of one of the many scripts that are displayed throughout the pavilion, Sock Monkey wishes "may good fortune follow you on your path through life."

It's time to spice things up.

Hanging around inside our tour of Living with the Land is a roomful of some tasty spices. To our right we have oregano, popularly used in many Italian dishes. To our left is curry, a main staple of ingredient in Indian cooking. If Sock Monkey could, he'd whip up a delicious meal using both of these spices.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Viva la Mexico!!! We love the inside of the Mexico pavilion. The site of a bustling marketplace and the art deco of Mexico's pueblo style structures make it a great place to go in, cool off, and enjoy the evening view. The boat tour inside always leaves us singing along with Donald Duck and the rest of the Three Caballeros. And a must do when you're there is take a picture with one of the giant sombreros. We usually snap our photo by the fountain, but the hats have now been moved to another section. Sock Monkey made a special pit stop in here at Isa Cava del Tequila for some tequila!!!

April showers bring May flowers.

Sock Monkey submerged himself into a bed of pansies to be one with mother earth. At the Flower and Garden Festival in Epcot, he embraced all the beautiful flowers he encountered. This spot was between The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and The Land.

Ding dong! The Wicked Witch is dead.

It's the Wicked Witch, the Wicked Queen. Alright, two different stories are intertwined, but you get the point. The old hag/Wicked Queen finally got what's coming to her. Victory goes to "the fairest one of all." Snow White and her Prince Charming live happily ever after. At Disney's Candy Cauldron in Downtown Disney, Sock Monkey was careful to resist the old hag's invitation to eat the apple. He did though pick up some nonpoisonous sweets.

That our flag was still there.

It's a joyous day for Sock Monkey! Here he is in front of the shops on Main Street, USA. On his right is Emporium, a great place to get all kinds of Disney effects from stuffed animals to key chains and many other trinkets, and on his left is Disney Clothier, a nice shop for polo tees, shorts, and pajamas. Sock Monkey is proud to take part in Walt's American tale.

Space Monkey.

A great silhouette of Sock Monkey against a backdrop that's out of this world. Here, we blast off in a rocket and find ourselves winding around into darkness and down what seems like a never ending black hole. We see stars and comets dash through the sky. We hear whooshes and screaming of passengers going by. This is easily a Disney fan's favorite roller coaster ride. Sock Monkey is seen here on the queue of Space Mountain. He loved the ride and thought it was a tail raiser.