Photos From Around World Showcase: China

   Sooooo...I'm so excited about our cruise (which embarks on Saturday...) that I basically forgot that I write a blog. And frankly I don't care that much right now...because of the aforementioned cruise.  So I'm being ridiculously lazy these days.  But before the cruise, lets go to jolly old England China!  The next stop on our trip around World Showcase has grown to be one of my favorites, and very photogenic indeed!

   Here I "shook" a filter combination that dulls down the vibrant colors of the pavilion, and adds a strong tilt shift effect around the edges.  I think it really suits the pavilion. 

   There is plenty to photography here, including the two icons flanking the area.  However, I think the more subdued buildings and surrounding landscape make for even better photo opportunities.

   Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dream about our cruise again.  Please forgive the lazy and inconsistent blogging, as if you would expect anything else from Disney Hipster Blog.  

Let's Explore Zuri's Sweets Shop

   It has been a few months now since Harambe Week here on Disney Hipster Blog...and this makes me very sad.  What a fun week that was, and let me relive all the fun I had in Harambe this past year. One part of Harambe got very little attention here, and its a shame because Zuri's Sweets Shop is actually one of my favorite new additions.

   Prior to its opening this past spring Zuri's was the most perplexing to me.  We knew that it was connected to Mombasa Marketplace but it wasn't clear how, or in what capacity.  Turns out it was as simple as expanding the building a little bit, and blowing out a back wall.  Hence, you can enter the shop via "old Harambe" or Harambe Market. 

   The interior space is pretty small, but because of the open wall connecting Mombasa it never feels claustrophobic.  If Disney does ANYTHING right with shopping, its crowd flow.  If you're familiar with Animal Kingdom, or Harambe specifically, the decor will not surprise you.  The shop is relatively dim, with plenty of earth tones, and warm wood accents.  There isn't too much in the way of theming, and when there is theming its in the "stuff on shelves" model, which I am fine with.  When sweets are your main attraction, I don't need heavy theming. 

Thoughts On Our Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party

   This past October Adam and I had a rare chance to take part in the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom.  This party was always very low on our priority list, but heck, we have to do everything at least once. You know, for "research."

   The dessert party is reservation only, so make sure you're on the phone AT MIDNIGHT getting your reservation 180 days out...otherwise you're out of luck.  However, if you managed to snag a spot, make your way over to the Tomorrowland Terrace an hour prior to Wishes! starting.  There you will check in, have a sparkling cider toast, and be seated.  At one point the dessert party was open seating, but tables are now assigned.  Don't fret if your table is toward the back (as ours was...) there is ample room along the terrace wall to view the fireworks.  In fact, you can stroll up to the wall DURING the fireworks and still have plenty of room.

    The main attraction here is food.  Yes, there is a spectacular and unique view of Wishes! However, you can see Wishes! from just about anywhere in the park...or outside of the park for that matter.  What you're paying for here is unlimited snacks, and a very convenient viewing location.  Plus, its nice to have a table and chairs after a long day of touring. 

   The food is displayed buffet style, at the end of the terrace.  This being a "dessert party" sweets were obviously the main focus. 

Photos Around World Showcase: Norway

   This years winter series finds us strolling around Epcot's World Showcase.  This time we're going in order, Mexico to Canada...and also allowing a little more time to take some photos.  You may remember a similar series a few summers ago where we were locked into the first photos we snapped, but a lot of the filters/photos were much to be desired.  We have already visited the bright and colorful Mexico, and now we're off to Norway.

   This group is way more subdued than the bright oranges and light leaks of Mexico.  Lots of soft grey and blue, which suits Norway.  I wish this viking could have protected the pavilion from invaders, alas, he failed. 

   The above photo is very busy, but I love the sense of dimension with the slanted roof of the Kringla Bakeri jutting out towards us, and the stave church looming in the background.  Does anyone know the significance of the pretzel with the crown on it? I've always wondered.

   Thats Norway for you.  Make sure to join us this winter as we traverse the rest of World Showcase, pretending to be a photographer.  See you next week in China. 

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Seven Things I'm Looking Forward To On The Disney Fantasy...

   Adam and I leave for our annual Disney Cruise in just over two weeks. I'm not going to lie, I am completely obsessed with Disney cruising, and it is basically all we think about these days. As you know, planning our Disney vacations is a huge part of the experience, but because of the nature of cruising, there is very little to actually plan as far as what to do while on the ship.  HOWEVER there are PLENTY of things to obsessively get excited about!  Here are seven things that I am really looking forward to!

   Number One: Relaxing at Satellite Falls...

   We have described the awesomeness of Satellite Falls before...and our lazy hours there on this trip will be plentiful!  Sure, the actual "falls" part is rarely working, but there is something so nice about relaxing on deck 13 with a book.  Nothing but ocean in front of you. 

   Number Two: Dinner at Palo...

   I know that we had a meh experience during a brunch at Palo on the Disney Magic...but our last dinner at Palo on the Fantasy was truly amazing.  Truth be told, we actually enjoyed our time their more than our meal at Remy.  I seriously can't wait. (and for the record, Remy is amazing too...and we will be enjoying brunch there on this cruise as well.) 

Dancing Roger and Pongo Key Frames By Milt Kahl...

   As tradition dictates I received several awesome Disney art/history books for Christmas this year. One of my favorites is the Animation volume of the Archive Series...thus completing the collection of this beautiful series.

   Where the other books have focused on story, layout & background, and design, this volume focuses on the actual animation process.  It covers some of the earliest Disney animation through modern day.  The emphasis here is on the key frames, usually drawn by the more established artists who we're more familiar with. 

   To celebrate here are a few key frames from a jovial moment from the 1961 animated classic 101 Dalmations.  Roger and Pongo were animated by Disney Legend and one of Walt's nine old men, Milt Kahl.