Fast lane.

Every kid at one point or another wants a toy train set. Sock Monkey wants a toy monorail set. We didn't have the space to bring one back home with us, but the next best thing he got was a ride on it. This particular one is located at the exit of the Test Track attraction. Thinking back now, maybe we should've picked it up. It would've been a nice touch to have around the Christmas tree or our holiday village collection. Sock Monkey looks like he's having too much fun!

If the shoe fits...

Buy it and wear it! My favorite girl in the entire world, Cinderella. She's my most beloved princess of all the Disney royalties. Taken in front of one of the many entrances to the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney Marketplace, Cinderella is one of the various characters seen before going into the shop. Here she is curtsying before her admirers. Sock Monkey made it a point to sit with her. Can you see her glass slipper?

Briar Patch.

Brer Rabbit is back where he belongs, at the Briar Patch. Having outwitted Brer Fox and saving his tail from becoming stew, it was fittingly so that there would be a welcome home party for him. Sock Monkey was excited to be part of the joyous celebration. He made sure he got there for the festivities and singing ladies. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-A. My oh my what a wonderful day."

Day of rest.

After a few days of eating, shopping, and spending time with family, Sunday is a day for rest. Sock Monkey is seen in this photo taking a break after a long walk around the park. He found this pretty little bench to sit on in a quiet area of Magic Kingdom, right behind Cinderella's Castle. He sure looks happy to be seated here. And I'm happy to be done with Thanksgiving weekend's hustle and bustle.

You can fly!

"Think of presents you've brought, any merry little thought. Think of Christmas, think of snow, think of sleigh bells. Here we go! Like a reindeer in the sky. You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!" - Peter Pan. Sock Monkey wants to be a Lost Boy and just like Peter Pan doesn't want to grow up. He's getting ready to set sail with Wendy and the gang, and meet with Tiger Lily, the Mermaids, and hopefully avoid Captain Hook. Peter Pan's Flight at Magic Kingdom is an attraction you definitely want to go on. The lines get long, so try and get a Fastpass or get on during the parade, it'll be less of a wait. One special person I know Sock Monkey wanted to see was Tinker Bell. She's the only one who can relate to him when it comes to size.

Jungle fever.

Seems like anywhere you go in Walt Disney World there's a monkey encounter. Like when we were in Epcot at the China Pavilion, or in Hollywood Studios at Toy Story Mania, and here in Magic Kingdom at It's a Small World. And if you haven't figured it out by now, we never made it to Animal Kingdom. I'm sure without a doubt we would've encountered a pack of monkeys. But there's plenty here in our photo to make up for that. Sock Monkey like most of us is going home to spend Thanksgiving Day with the family. He can't wait to swing with his Uncle George and Kong Jr.

Cha-ching $$$

Getting ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday it felt appropriate to post this photo, an antique three column full keyboard cash register. This one was manufactured by the National Cash Register Company. And from my understanding J. W. Marmet, the name on top of this register, used to be a five and dime store. If you are wondering where you can see this piece of Americana history, the register is displayed at the D Street Shop in Downtown Disney West Side. While we were browsing through the store, Sock Monkey thought he might have a crack at the register and get it to shell out some cash for him to spend. Are you ready to shop during this holiday season?

Ready, Set, Go!

It's playtime! At Disney's Hollywood Studios, as you walk down Streets of America and pass the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, you will find an entrance to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. Having relieved himself, Sock Monkey was all about playing and running around. So when the kids need to vent out some energy, go on in and play with the giant sized ant and enormous sized Lego pieces. Or is there a possibility that you may have been shrunk? Where's Professor Wayne Szalinski when you need him.

Restroom stop.

Someone once asked if Sock Monkey ever goes to the restrooms. The answer is yes. When you think of public restrooms, on average, a wash closet should have about 10 or maybe at most 20 stalls to accommodate an area. Well, believe it or not, Disney's Hollywood Studios has a 34 stall restroom. It's located by Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. The men stumbled upon this lavatory while waiting for the rest of the family to get off the Studio Backlot Tour. I thought they were joking when they told us to check it out, and boy were we in for a shock. I couldn't believe how many toilets are installed here. I'm going to assume you never have to wait in line. I had to take a picture of it because no one would ever believe me if I told them it existed. It was clearly the biggest public restroom I've ever seen.

Barrel of...

You guessed it, Monkeys! Where else would Sock Monkey have led us to but here across from Toy Story Mania. Missing a photo op here is like not getting your picture taken with Mickey Mouse on your first trip to Disney World.  Sock Monkey literally blended right in and is a monkey in the Barrel of Monkeys. He didn't waste any time meeting with one of his heroes. Can you imagine the kind of game you'd have with the life size version of the toy. Who'd win, you or the monkeys?

Map quest.

After a night out on Pleasure Island and a little rest back in our room, it was time to go back to the parks. This time we're on the bus planning ahead on what attractions and shows to participate in at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since there's so much to do (and so little time),  like going on Rock n' Roller Coaster, watching Voyage of the Little Mermaid or the American Idol Experience show, and last but not least, playing Toy Story Mania! With so many varying schedules we had to be a little more prepared at this park compared to the others. Sock Monkey pointed to where he wanted to go. Check in tomorrow and you'll see his pick.

Dancing queen.

"Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore, but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again." Pleasure Island from Pinocchio or from all the partying that used to happen in this part of Downtown Disney. You decide. Before there were restaurants and shops, it was a strip full of clubs and discotheque. Remember Mannequins or 8Trax. Remember celebrating New Year's Eve on a random summer night. This was the place to be back in the days. Sock Monkey took a nice stroll down memory lane as he crossed over on the bridge and headed towards the Marketplace. Oh the memories of our younger days.

Flying Monkey.

Say hello to my little friend, my fellow co-pilot, Sock Monkey. Calling Mission Control we are ready for takeoff. You may recognize this clip from your journey through Spaceship Earth at Epcot. Sock Monkey sat still for his head shot knowing he'd be featured at the end of the tour. As always, it was an amazing trip through time and I'd like to put it out there that I'm still waiting for those flying cars. This isn't the only place Sock Monkey explores on the attraction. Stick around and you'll see where he lands for his next excursion. Happy trails!

Friendship Landing.

Believe it or not, I've never been on the boat that travels from World Showcase to Future World and vice versa. When I mention this to the husband, his response is "don't look at me." Considering each time I've been to Epcot has been with him, who else is going to accompany me on the boat ride. Instead, we opt to walk around the countries. And I'd thought early on he'd already given me the ultimate Walt Disney World tour. Sock Monkey is in front of one of four docking station that ferries guest around the World Showcase Lagoon. This one is by the Morocco Pavilion. The other three are near Mexico, Canada, and Germany. Have you ever traversed this path?

Eleven little monkeys.

Jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head. Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed." How many monkeys were left on the bed? Sock Monkey tried to blend in with his fellow primates, but his lovely blue coat and pretty big smile gave him away. He's visiting them at the Mitsukoshi shop at the Japan Pavilion. Sock Monkey like us enjoyed walking around the store. There are so many cool things to see!

Bavarian Cheesecake.

We are a festive bunch! In wrapping up my version of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, here is a celebratory picture of our meal at Biergarten Restaurant in the Germany Pavilion. We had a variety of bratwurst, schnitzel, and kraut. Dinner is not complete unless you have a stein of German beer. And to truly make this whole experience authentic, Sock Monkey made a new friend who happen to be German. Guten Tag!

Cervantes.

It's been some time, but we're back to It's a Small World. As we travelled through the attraction to the different countries, one of the first places you see is London and Paris. Due to movement on the boat and low lighting, not many photos came out clear enough to make this segment. An area that we're able to share though is Spain with Don Quixote de la Mancha along with his squire Sancho Panza on another one of their adventures. This time they're in Disney World at the Magic Kingdom. Sock Monkey joined in the quest to show that chivalry is not dead, Ladies first. 

Monk & Kitty.

Upon meeting Sock Monkey, Mike Wazowski said to Sulley "Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me, so help me!" Alright, for you Monsters, Inc. fans, we all know who Mike was really talking about, cute and adorable Boo. Ten years later and I still love that movie. While in the World of Disney shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace, Sock Monkey buried himself amongst the Mike and Sulleys of the monster world. Can you find the Monkster?

"If ya can't bite, don't growl"

By none other than Ernst and the Five Bear Rugs of Country Bears Jamboree. A musical revue located in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, here you can enjoy good ol' fashion family fun and sing along with the band. A few of our family favorites, "Tears will be chaser for your wine" by Trixie, "All the guys that turn me on turn me down" sung by The Sun Bonnet Trio, and Sock Monkey's favorite, "Blood on the saddle" by Big Al. And while you're here, make sure you say hello to Buff, Max, and Melvin who are the other stars in this attraction.

Window shopping.

We are admiring the miniature replica of Main Street Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, and Main Street Fire Station. This is one of the many window displays for Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom. Walking in and out of the shops on Main Street, USA, makes me want to buy everything in the stores, but today is just about window shopping. Sock Monkey was in deep thought and imagined walking through the miniature and meeting Mickey Mouse when he got to the Firehouse.

Meatball problems.

There's not enough meatballs in my meatball ball sandwich! We built up an appetite after an amazing trip around the world, of course we mean the It's a Small World world. Since it seems we didn't get enough of the attraction, we decided to sit and watch from above the passengers get on and off the ride from Pinocchio Village Haus. Sock Monkey had a meatball sandwich and fries. He enjoyed his meal but felt he still could've had more food, hence "meatball problems".

Banana Split.

Do we want the "Plaza" ice cream sundae or do we want an ice cream float? Such a hard decision to make. Too many great selections and not enough room in our bellies for all this sweet. Sock Monkey is definitely ready for his sugar rush at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. We ordered an array of treats and surely enjoyed it all! If you're ever in the need of a sweet tooth fix, this is a perfect place to visit while in the Magic Kingdom. If you don't believe us, just pass by the shop and the sweet smelling aroma will convince you otherwise.

Time for a fade.

Will Sock Monkey take the plunge? Will he dare take a trim off the top? Will he cry like the many patrons that have come through this parlor? The answer is no. When we finally got to Harmony Barber Shop, located in the Town Square area of Magic Kingdom, Sock Monkey was going to get his "My 1st Haircut" Mouse Ears and maybe some pixie dust too, but in the end just couldn't do it. He thought it'd be cool to get a fade, but decided he was happy with the way he looked. Nonetheless it was still cool to have sat in the antique barber chair.

A Delay.

After going through bag check and the turnstile, as you finally walk into the Magic Kingdom, right under the Main Street train station, you can find a little bit of hidden Disney history. In this area, we're given a brief summary of the Walt Disney World Railroad system and a train bulletin with "Arrival" and "Departure" times. Sock Monkey was ready to greet someone off the train coming from Grizzly Bear Flats, but unfortunately it's been delayed due to a "bear on track." Can't blame the monkeys for this incident. 

Seventeen.

Now serving up Pennette Chicken Alfredo and Margherita Pizza. Here we are at Wolfgang Puck Express in Downtown Disney West Side. Roma tomatoes with fresh basil. It was all so fresh and flavorsome. Sock Monkey had more than one helping of both entrees. He wanted to jump behind the counter and learn how to cook these dishes.