RYDER CUP 2010: The moment Tiger Woods’s challenge at Celtic Manor was halted… by a photographer | Mail Online

Alright, I do enjoy a round of golf, and photography has become my new favorite hobby.  So the mixture of the two is pretty neat.  However, to be able to not flinch and get this photo is AMAZING!  Check it out and let me know what you all think.  I am sure you will be as enthralled with it as I am.

RYDER CUP 2010: The moment Tiger Woods’s challenge at Celtic Manor was halted… by a photographer | Mail Online.

Why do people not like Change?

Thoughts, anyone?  Why can’t people just accept that change is inevitable, and go from there?  Sorry, just thought I would throw a few questions out there and see what I got for a response.  Thanks for the responses!

My review of Up:

Ok, so I went with my wife and son to see this today, and i just don’t know where to start.  I guess I’ll start with the look of the picture itself.  I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a theater that was showing it in Disney Digital 3D.  I must say WOW!!  This theater has the DLP projectors so I have noticed a difference in seeing films at this location over the theaters that are closer to my house, but this digital 3D is AMAZING!  The depth that it adds to the film is simply spectacular.  There are no old school 3D gages, so it isn’t like Jaws or some other old movie that was done in 3D.  The new generation of 3D is simply a way to give the picture depth, and better feel, as far as I am concerned.  My wife wasn’t thrilled with it, and I think that she was looking more for the images coming out of the screen making you feel like you can reach out and touch it kind of effect.

Now, as far as the movie is concerned, I am going to try to stay as spoiler free as I can, but I might have a moment or two here, that I divulge a little info, to better explain my feelings about it.  I will do my best to limit this though, and I will also make sure that before I mention anything, I will again preface it with a warning.

I went to this film, expecting some quirky adventure based on the previews that they show.  Yes, Carl (the old guy) does dream his entire life about adventure, BUT, they leave out a major piece of the information in the preview.  Now, I am sure that this was intentional, and I will say that the piece they left out, makes this story hit home like no other Pixar movie I have EVER seen before.  The emotional roller coaster that this movie takes you on, to me, is like no other storyline that Pixar has even attempted before.  Yes, there are moments of joy and laughter, and yes, there are moments of sadness and tears.  Never, in all the previous movies from Pixar have I ever felt the tug at the heart strings the way I did within the first 20 minutes of this film.  It opens like no other Disney movie i have ever seen or can even recall.  I am sure that someone out there will disagree with me, but that’s ok.

Doug, the dog, is definitely brought into this movie to aide in the comic relief of the film.  Initially, I was a little skeptical about the storyline including a talking dog, but I gotta tell you that I think Pixar hit this one out of the park.  It is, in a lot of ways, (IMHO) comedic genius, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This film, as far as I am concerned is probably Pixar’s best to date.  they have truly outdone themselves, and in my opinion, everyone should go and see this on the big screen, in 3D if you can.  Today’s 3D glasses are more like those that we are wearing in the theme parks for the 4D attractions like the Muppets in Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s or Bugs Life in Animal Kingdom.  Gone are the days of the green and red glasses.

I hope that this has convinced some of you to go and see the movie, and for those that it hasn’t, GO SEE IT ANYWAY!  I think that you will all enjoy it.  If anyone wants to discuss this further, please feel free to drop me a comment here, and I will get back to you.  Thanks for reading.

Yet another example of Disney’s Giving Nature

Here it is AGAIN!  Disney giving money to the charities it believes in to make a difference in others lives.  Thought you all might to see this article.

Disney donates $700,000 to children’s charities
By Kate Santich
Orlando Sentinel
5/27/2009

Walt Disney World has just wrapped up two weeks of handing out some very hefty checks – $700,000 in all – to 34 local nonprofit organizations that help children.

The top award, and a $60,000 check delivered by Disney’s “prize patrol,” went to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida for the second year in a row. The money will support the charity’s child-development program and is urgently needed, said coalition President and CEO Brent Trotter. “Families with children are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population in Central Florida today,” he noted.

The program tries to instill values of honesty, integrity, responsibility, personal power and self-esteem among the children living at the homeless shelter.

Disney also gave $50,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida, which will be able to continue its mentoring program as a result.

Among the other recipients were the Bridges of Light Foundation ($48,000), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida ($40,000), Harbor House of Central Florida ($39,000), the Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka ($35,000), the Foster Grandparent Program of Central Florida ($30,000), New Hope for Kids ($25,700), the Apopka Family Learning Center ($25,000) and the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation ($25,000).

Despite the recession, which has forced other corporate donors to cut back, Disney has held steady in its Helping Kids Shine grants, giving out $700,000 for each of the past four years. The community grants program began in 1972, one year after Walt Disney World opened in Central Florida.

Disney spokeswoman Kathleen Prihoda said the company made a point of sustaining its “commitment to the community” even while the entertainment giant has had to eliminate 1,400 jobs in Florida this year. For most of the region’s charities — which are struggling with sagging donations and exploding demand — the money couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We heard that a lot,” Prihoda said. “We got an outpouring of gratitude.”

Trip Plans

Well, here is the post I have been teasing you all with.  Our Trip plans, with a park virgin.  The woman that we are going with, someone I work with, has NEVER been to Disney and for that reason she asked me and my family to go along with her, so that she was there with someone that has been there.  I am so honored that she asked me.

Ok, so we are leaving NJ on July 30th, and are going to take our time to drive down, and stopping about half way there.  On the 31st we will arrive in Orlando, and as of yet, aren’t sure where we are going to stay.  I’ll update you all on this as it becomes available.  On the 1st we check into our place for the week, but we can’t do that until 4 PM so we are going to be hanging out at DTD all day, and either eating lunch or dinner at the T-Rex Cafe.  I am looking forward to eating here, but only because I want to spend some time in the facility and enjoy the atmoshpere.  I have heard that the food isn’t that great, but I’ll let you all know how that goes after we eat there.  After checking into the place we will be at all week, we’ll probably explore there a little, so we know where we are, and I’ll post photo’s.

On Sunday, the 2nd, we are going to be in Epcot all day.  I have finally scored my Le Cellier reservations, and so we are eating there for around 4:30 PM.  I know it is a little early for dinner, but we always stagger our meals either earlier or later than regular meal times, so we don’t get caught in the meal rush.  I plan on hitting all of the attractions in Epcot this day, and of course staying for Illuminations.  Now depending on how everyone is hanging in there, I may try to convince them to stay around to try and catch the inferno bardge burn off.  I have never seen this before, and since we are there with someone who has never seen the parks, this might be a special treat for us all.

On Monday, the 3rd, we are not doing anything!  I know we are there for a week, but another way that we try to hold onto our sanity is by taking our time, and stretching the park visits out over a few days.  We are doing the Hoop De Doo Revue this night.  I love this show, and the food is wonderful!

Tuesday, the 4th, we are going to the Studios!  Yes this is a Fantasmic night, and I would be a horrible person if we didn’t see this show with someone who has never been before.  I have no dinner plans for this night, so we will just hit a counter service when we are hungry.

Wednesday, the 5th, is our Magic Kingdom day.  I know I said we like to take days off inbetween, BUT the crowd calender at Tourning Plans says it is a good day for the MK.  We are starting REALLY early this day, as we are going to be eating at Chef Mickey’s, mmmmm mickey waffles, at the early morning hour of 7:30 AM.  Other than that, we are again going to hit a counter service for dinner.  This time I know we are going to eat at Cosmic Ray’s.  I love this place and there is a large selection here.  Of course we are here for the entertainment though!

Thursday, the 6th, is a day off, and we’ll figure out what if anything we do when we get to this day.  Maybe run to Sea World, or just hang at the resort pool.  We might even go resort hopping so we can show Ryan, allo of the wonderful places that she can stay on her time share points in the future.  They are apart of RCI, and they are now able to stay at DVC resorts.

Friday, the 7th, is our Animal Kingdom day.  More importantly it is my anniversary!  Ryan has agreed to watch Evrett that night for us, so my wife and I are going to be enjoying a night at the Poly!  This is of course where we got married.  We are going to the 5:15 PM Spirit of Aloha show, and then hanging on the beach to catch the fireworks from the MK from a perspective that I haven’t seen in a long time.  This will be a great night, as long as it isn’t raining.

Saturday, the 8th, is our check out day.  We will be driving Ryan back to the airport so she can catch her flight to go home, and then we will be headed to Ft. Lauderdale to spend a few days unwinding from the hectic days in the parks.  Also while in Ft. Lauderdale, my dad lives over in Naples, and we are planning on spending sometime with them also since we are only an hour and a little bit from them.

For now, that about sums up our trip.  It should last about 2-2 1/2 weeks, and I am REALLY looking forward to spending the time with my family.  Our schedule has gotten pretty hectic with all that has been going on, and this time will be a wonderful time for us all to unwind and decompress.

Thanks for reading, and if anyone has any suggestions on things to do either on our off days, or our time in Ft. Lauderdale, please feel free to chime in and let me know what you think.  It has been a long time since I took a park virgin, so any and all suggestions are always welcome.

Sorry

Hey all, sorry for the lack of posting lately, but today I was out with my wife’s family at a little event that they like to call Hoppe Olympics. Basically we all get together and play some sports games. Today, it was whiffle ball, 4 square, a little soccer, and a bit on the playground. I am in the midst of uploading the photo’s, if anyone is interested (it’s ok if your not). I should have a good post for tomorrow, because there are some planning items I want to touch on. Thanks for checking in, and I look forward to chatting with you again soon. Here is the link if you are interested.

Amazing, yet funny

Ok, so when I was updating the post for the Daily Disney History on the Walt Disney Boards, I came across am amazing, yet funny fact for the day, and that fact is for today.  What is that fact you ask?  Well, here it is “During planning for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Imagineers wanted to select one of the world’s greatest bands around which to build the back story for the attraction. They decided Aerosmith would be the perfect fit. But initially Imagineers were unable to reach singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry. Why? Because they were vacationing with their families at the Disney-MGM Studios Park!“

Now, I know that most people that have kids, and the means to pay for it have been to Disney World, but this has to be one of the most ironic things I have read.  I mean, come on, Disney decides to build a roller coaster and use Aerosmith, and they can’t get in touch with Steven Tyler because and Joe Perry because they are AT the Studios!  How much more perfect is that for a story?  This story got me to wondering, how many other times has something like this occurred where Disney was trying to build an attraction and the person that they wanted to narrate or be a part of that attraction was in the parks while Disney tried to reach them?  Or, is this just an isolated case that was a freak of nature?  What are your thoughts? Or if you have heard any other stories to this extent, please post them so we can all enjoy it.  Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings.  Sorry for the few days off, but work was a little hectic over the past couple of days, and if I was not working I was sleeping.  Thanks for the understanding.

I have a few things in mind for posting here over the next few days, including some of my plans for my upcoming trip to WDW with a park virgin.  I haven’t had the opportunity to take a new person in a long time, and the person that I am going with in August, has NEVER been to the parks.  If anyone has any thoughts on taking a new person to the parks, please feel free to chime in.  Chat with you all again soon.