 | disneygeek.com - Walt Disney World Resort Pictures |
- Starting my journey east.. backing away from the gate at LAX at 10:30pm Monday evening.
- A look at the Los Angeles area as the plane turns back toward land after taking off and before I try to get some sleep. (it was 10:53pm)
- I woke up around 5:45am Orlando time and a few minutes later spotted the Magic Kingdom below as the plane arrived in the Orlando area.
- Touchdown just before 6am local time.
- Walking through the central terminal.
- Decided to stop for breakfast in the food court before heading to the bus.
- Magical Express is quiet this morning.
- 6:50am and we are on the bus and ready to go.
- A few minutes later leaving the airport.
- Arriving at Walt Disney World, 7:17am
- First stop Saratoga Springs
- On World Drive heading toward the Magic Kingdom. The construction for the new by pass is slowly moving along.
- Temporarily to reach the resorts there is a round about path through the construction.
- Our bus made a quick stop at the Wilderness Lodge then continued on to our resort.
- Arriving at Bay Lake Tower, 7:40am.
- A quick look around the lobby of Bay Lake Tower, this is the check in desk.
- More of the lobby.
- We set off for the Magic Kingdom just after 8am. As we started walking a Monorail passed overhead.
- The Contemporary
- Bay Lake Tower
- A Minnie Van passing by. They are a fairly common site around property now as the service has expanded .
- Looking toward the Tron construction site.. you really cannot see much in this picture..
- Arriving at the Magic Kingdom. We needed to stop by guest relations and activate annual passes for some of the group before heading into the park.
- I thought when they removed the guide map holders from the walls that was signal the paper was going away.. instead the mobile holders are well stocked and used instead.
- The Main Street Fire Truck was making the rounds this morning. It was 8:30 and the park did not open till 9:00am.
- As was another Main Street vehicle.
- The Flag was at half mast today for Peace Officers Memorial Day.
- The fire house exterior is being renovated.
- Main Street USA
- Some street repair work underway.
- More exterior renovation.
- Mickey and Walt Disney, Partners Statue
- We were well ahead of schedule this morning. Arrived in the hub at 8:35am.. 25 minutes until park opening. So was able to catch up on some emails and prepare for the day.
- A few minutes before park opening Let the Magic Begin starts.
- Making my way into Tomorrowland to start the day now that the park has opened.
- No rush at rope drop for the famous or infamous purple wall.
- Buzz Lightyear was backed up well into the walkway already.
- A group of true Disney fans... rope dropping Carousel of Progress!
- I opted for the PeopleMover.
- Space Mountain was backed up too. Wonder if they have not opened the queues yet or just a hold up funneling into the queue.
- It will be interesting to see how this view evolves in the coming years as Tron is constructed.
- Cast Member training at Buzz Lightyear. The queue absorbed the line of guests and now a reception line of cast members to enter.
- Decided to go for a spin since it was a walk on.
- My score.. not that good today. The attraction could really use an upgrade. After visiting Shanghai this one really shows its age.
- Took the path less traveled to see if you could see any of the Tron clearing. Wonder how or if this area will be altered for the attraction.
- The Roger Broggie steaming toward Main Street
- Looks like a tour group in the first car.
- From most of the path you can tell the forest is gone behind the initial line of trees but you cannot see most of the construction yet.
- Through the trees you can sort of make out the clearing and see the monorail spur line in the distance.
- Casey Jr. Splash N Soak Station
- Casey is still looking a little faded.
- Passing through a quiet portion of Fantasyland.
- A check of Gaston's current menu.
- Pavement and Carrousel work in Fantasyland (the Carrousel is still operating)
- The Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder in the distance.
- Grizzly Hall
- The Liberty Belle is closed for renovation during our trip.
- Splash Mountain
- Spotted some fish in the Rivers of America
- Walking through Adventureland.
- Work continues on the building as you enter Adventureland.
- Walls extend through the entrance area making for a slightly more narrow entrance.
- The work from the bridge to Liberty Square. Rumor is this will be a new Club 33.
- The Fire Truck was still cruising Main Street USA
- The Dapper Dans were performing.
- It was 10:15am and the crowds were really arriving for the day now.
- Current popcorn pricing.
- The touchpoints were all in use and had lines as I was leaving.
- The Grand Floridian from the Monorail station. Notice the renovation work on the highest tower.
- The resort line Monorail arrived and was very full. Less than half the guests in the car I choose disembarked.
- Signs up on all the doorways.
- Passing by the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.
- Here you can see the fences for the Tron work.
- One more picture. To wrap up this set.