Disney Vacation: Day 2, Part One -The Park Formerly Known As MGM Studios

Friday evening, 6:26 p.m.

We are now back in the hotel room. Niko is laying in bed watching Reba on Lifetime and I’m sipping my coffee and writing my blog entry.

After breakfast at the hotel cafeteria, our first destination was MGM Hollywood Studios. Oops! Excuse me. Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the park with Mickey’s large, cobalt blue sorceror’s hat as the centerpiece. The park itself is designed to capture the romanticism, spirit and glam of Hollywood’s Golden Age.



One of the most amazing things to me about Disney, aside from their dedication to service, is their attention to detail, detail, detail. And since the devil, they say, is in the details then Disney must be the King of Demons! Even now, as I think about it, I realize that out of all the pictures I took, nothing will do it justice. It's one of those places that simply must be experienced. Though I will certainly add photos to this entry, at the end of this piece will be a movie clip to give you a better idea of what it's like here.



And trust me when I tell, Disney is NOT paying me to write this!

I love it here, though. I would love to live here. Period. Okay, maybe not live here but perhaps an overextended stay at the hotels for about a month. That includes the parks since I’m a Park Junkie!


The wait for the “Hollywood Tower of Terror” was close to 90 minutes. So we decided to take the Fast Pass and return at the appropriate time. In fact, I will recommend, at all parks, Fast Pass it whenever possible for the more popular rides.


We walked around through the shops. We went to a Narnia “pseudo-ride” where we saw a specially edited, extended trailer for “Prince Caspian” and some props from the movie.


Then we went to the new Toy Story 3-D ride which was loads of fun. You sit in this little buggy type thing with 3-D glasses and shoot at an animated range. But the buggy doesn’t sit still. You’re at one location for like, maybe, a minute. Then you’re whisked along to another shooting range. Lots of fun!

Another ride we did at Hollywood Studios was “The Great Movie Ride.” The outside is done like Graumman's Theatre in L.A. Like many of the other rides, we've gone on this one before. Although they haven't changed it in a few years, it's another one of my favorites. You sit in an open-top trolley-like thing and you get pulled along from one movie set to another. If you get a tour guide that isn’t very exciting then the ride can be a bit dull. But if you get a good one, even when they’re corny, it makes the ride much more fun. The clip at the bottom of this blog entry will give you a taste for what it's like. It will also give you a clue on one of my favorite movies. And if you can't figure it out, I'll give you a hint: I'm a friend of Dorothy's.

And, of course, no trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be complete without a visit to “The Muppets.” This is a 3-D movie and you sit in a pseudo-theatre to be a part of their usual Mayhem.


Lunch was at the "Brown Derby" and the food here was delicious! This is the second time we've eaten here and both times not only was the service impeccable, but everything they served was extraordinarily delicious. Even the dessert was a work of art!


Hint about food and restaurants: it's expensive here. I would highly reccomend one of the Disney Dining Plans. And another feature you want to take advantage of: Reservations!

For now, though, I'm signing off. I'm going to take a nap and rest up because tonight we're going to The Magic Kingdom!

Disney Vacation: Day 1

Friday, July 18, 2008

It’s 8:34 a.m. We’re just beginning to stir.

We took our time yesterday in getting up here. The cast recording to Mamma Mia and Wicked were our travel companions. Even with a stop at one of the service stations for a bathroom break and to stretch our legs, we still walked into our room at the All Star Music Resort at 3:30.


The All Star Music is one of Disney’s “value” resorts; polite parlance for no-frills. The decorative theme here is anything and everything musical. We’ve stayed here many times before. Once, just to see how it would compare, we stayed at the Pop Century. Even though we liked the fun, decade-oriented decor, we opted to come back to the All Star Music. The layout here appeals more to us, it’s much less crowded, and the rooms are less noisy here.

The All Star Music Resort has a total of 10 buildings, each with it’s own theme: country, rock, jazz, calypso, and Broadway. Guess which one we’re staying at?


We always ask for the Broadway section. It's a bit further away from the lobby; especially after a day when we hit two parks and our feet are so tired they're burning, but it's worth the trip because it's away from the noisy pool which remains open until midnight.

After we rested for a bit, we hopped the bus to Downtown Disney to meet up with Larry (a co-worker), and his new boyfriend. We had dinner at Raglan Road, an Irish pub/restaurant that we absolutely love. They have terrific appetizers, great food and a fun atmosphere; especially when the band starts to play!


It was wonderful to see Larry again. He’s one of those people that you can’t help but like the instant you meet him. Warm, friendly and approachable with a smile that will melt anyone’s heart. We don’t get to see him often so when we do we like to make the most of it. Larry, if you guys are reading this, thanks again. We had a terrific time!

After dinner we hopped on the bus (one of the best things about staying on Disney property!) and came back to the hotel. As exhausted as I was, I couldn’t sleep. But that tends to happen whenever I’ve done a lot of stuff in one day. It’s as if my mind needs the time to absorb and process everything I’ve seen and experienced before I can finally shut down.

And now, it's time to get ready. We're going to MGM Hollywood Studios shortly.

Niko's gone to get us breakfast, and me some coffee. Can you imagine? Niko, who is the antithesis to coffee as I am to . . . well, collecting stuff . . . so to say that he's getting me coffee is no small thing. I guess maybe this place truly is magical!

Mickey Mouse, Music, M&Ms, and Mamma Mia . . . mmmmm

This blog entry, though posted today, Monday, July 21st, was originally written Thursday morning, July 17, while Niko and I were driving north on vacation to Disney World. I was hoping to not only share with those who read the blog and have never been to Disney, but also for myself so I can read it at a later date, when it no longer felt as if we had actually gone there. Mind you, we've been there 7 or 8 times in the 12 years we've been together. I find, though, when you take pictures and write about it, that's when you truly remember the experience.

So, without further much ado, the first of various entries concerning our vacation. I hope you like it.


It’s Thursday morning, July 17, 2008. Like Muslims in the Middle East making their pilgrimage to Mecca, Niko and I are traveling north to the Land of Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom.

The first part of our trip to Disney started off a bit wonkey, though. I woke up with a headache that is due either to barometric pressure and a storm headed our way, or perhaps ear wax build-up; it’s happened before. Add to that (I apologize ahead of time if I’m being gross) the fact that once I actually got up and out of bed I couldn’t stop going to the bathroom. It was like I was saving it up for days! Of course it doesn’t help that I went to bed at 1:00 a.m. because, like the little kid in the Disney commercial, I was too excited to sleep!

An hour and a half after we originally intended, we finally managed to get out of the house. There was a quick stop at CVS to pick up my ear was removal kit, Einstein's for coffee and a couple of breakfast sandwiches, and we were finally on the road.

Right now we are traveling north on the turnpike and it’s just a little past noon.

When taking a road trip, one of our favorite things to do is pack the CD case with music. Show tunes to be precise. As many show tunes as we can play in the car. It makes the trip more fun, no matter where we’re going, and puts us in a mental vacation mode.

Presently, we’re listening to the cast recording of "Mamma Mia." And you know? There were portions that illuminated me as though I had never heard the words before.

Now, you make ask yourself: “What illumination can you possibly derive from ABBA?”

Even in the fluffy, bubble gum, pop way that ABBA’s music is delivered in Mamma Mia, there are certain universal truths. And when a certain truth rings within me it rocks me to the very core. I get all goose pimply, my breath might catch and my eyes tear-up; as if I am recognizing a life lesson that I have long since forgotten and have just now reacquainted myself with it.

For instance: “I Have A Dream.”

There’s a line that says “If you see the wonder, of a fairy tale, you can face the future, even if you fail.”

I never really thought about it before but in a way our lives are a bit like a fairy tale with all the things we do, the strange encounters, the beautiful things we see and the joys we experience. And even if fail at something, the very fact that we try is wondrous. At least, that’s how it appears to me. And how appropriate to guide us to Disney World; the very land of Fairy Tales!

Then there’s “Thank You For The Music.”

There’s a line that says “Who found out that nothing can capture a heart, like a melody can?”

Again, I’ve listened to this disc a million times. I’ve always been grateful for music as it is the most perfect art form. But the bit about capturing a heart with melody struck me so brilliantly because that is exactly what happens. A piece of your soul is captured with the nuance of a melody. So I say, yes, thank you for the music!

I have seen “Mamma Mia” (the musical) three times now. And I’m sure I’ll see it again. Naturally, I’m also looking forward to seeing the movie. I know it will be just as much fun as the musical and the music. Mind you, I love to see a dark, deep-thinking movie that makes me numb and puts me in a funk. But I also love light and fluffy.

As far as Mamma Mia goes, you can’t get any lighter and fluffier. The difference between this light and fluffy, however, is that like Mickey Mouse, music, the M&Ms I’m eating as I write this, Mamma Mia reminds us that even through the myriad and mayhem of life experiences, there is fun to be had. No matter what.

So, what’s the wonder in your life? Mine is as simple as the ability to wake up in the morning. And although I might not be actually living in a fairy tale, that’s okay. The fairy tale is in visiting Mickey Mouse, letting the M&Ms melt in my mouth, listening to music that takes me to a different place and letting myself get swept off my feet by the fun and levity of Mamma Mia and other musicals.

Besides, how boring would life be if we all lived happily ever after? Now, making it up as we go along . . . what can be more of a fairy tale than that? Oh, wait. That's right. Going to Disney World where, or so they say, dreams come true.

Independence Day, or . . . What Freedom Means To Me

Before you read this blog, I am placing a disclaimer. If you are a politician, conservative, republican, white supremacist, supporter of any of those already mentioned or any other form of member to any party or religion that does not allow the diffference of another race, religion, culture, or sexual orientation to be recognized, I strongly recommend and urge you to leave now.

You have been warned.


As a child, I never liked Independence Day. Now wait. Before you go calling me un-American, hear me out.

As a kid, Independence Day meant nothing to me. It was just another day revolving around a whole lot of loud stuff that went boom. And growing up in a Puerto Rican household, in the East New York section of Brooklyn, I didn’t understand the need or desire for those loud things that went boom. Maybe it was my upbringing and the culture. Or maybe it was the fact that on Independence Day, the people in my predominantly black ghetto neighborhood of Brownsville, could only get their hands on cherry bombs, firecrackers, and M80s. Either way, even as a child I didn’t understand how blowing up someone’s car, scaring the crap out of someone and possibly losing a couple of fingers in the process, was supposed to be celebratory or fun or even connected with a day that had so much significance.

Until I got older and history repeated itself.

And I’m thinking that maybe we, as a society, have forgotten what it’s all about. Independence Day has gotten lost in the shuffle. It's become the 4th of July, just . . . another day off; for most of us. Oh, sure the fireworks have become more sophisticated and prettier to look at but many have forgotten what it's all about. Independence Day is not about the loud things that go boom. It’s not even about the pretty things that explode in the air and make you go oooohhh and aaaaahhhh.

It’s about telling someone that you’ve had enough of their tyranny and you’re not going to take it anymore.

Indepence Day is about the simple act of a very young country telling King George that they had had enough of taxation without representation; enough of the British military knocking on your door and demanding to be housed and fed or you would be accused of treason to the Crown. Enough of the British police smashing through your door and arresting you . . . just because. Enough of the British and The East India Tea Company charging so much for something Americans had grown to like and depended on.

Any of this sounding familiar?

Thousands, if not millions, of bold and courageous men and women who dared to stand up in unison and tell King George to simply fuck off because we were tired of wire tapping, slowly being stripped of civil rights, getting screwed over by fat cats who charged triple for gas, something we all need, while the richer get richer and the poor get poorer with no hope in sight of national health plans to help millions of American men women and children and . . .

Oh, wait. I’m sorry. For a minute there my mind merged and the past 232 years disappeared. My bad.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for another revolt. Time to declare war on the political machine and tell them that we’re tired of their tyranny and lies and want our Indepence. No, not with guns and cannons or sparklers, but with words.

The old fashioned way.

Join the ACLU or Working Assets or any other activist group you support. Protest in your own way. Donate money if you can’t organize with them and raise banners or picket sings.

Write your Congress person. Tell them that you’re tired of having religion crammed down our throat; after all, it’s a choice, not a mandate. Wasn’t this country founded by people in pursuit of religious freedom? I’d like to think that by the same token we are free to pursue the lack of religion; after all, too many people have died at the hands of others because of religion.

Actually our country was founded because the prisons and poor houses of England were overflowing with people who had been arrested for protesting against the King and good old Georgie, tired of hearing his people, traitors that they were, how dare they, complain about him.

So, tell your representatives that you live in fear of losing you’re job because it’s going to be shipped out of the country. Tell them you’re tired of being hungry and not having enough money to get by and pay your bills. Tell them you’re tired of getting deeper and deeper into dark pits where the sun doesn’t shine. That you’re tired of our tiny, beautiful little planet being used, and pillaged and plundered. Don’t be afraid to ask for a National Health Plan! In one of the richest countries in the world there is no reason why thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life, should die each year because they cannot get the health services and medicine they need.

Stand up for your right to marry, or not; to hold hands in public without fear of being killed; to be able to walk down the street and not worry about how you look at someone because now they have the right to shoot you if they think you looked at them cross-eyed.

I don’t mean to paint a grim picture. After all, we are very lucky. For the most part. We could be living in Iran or Iraq. But guess what? There are still several hundreds of thousands of people who still go to sleep hungry each night, do not have a roof over their head, do not know how they will survive one more day. And some day, if we’re not careful, it could be you.

Remember what Ben Franklin said, and please forgive my paraphrasing as I cannot remember the exact words. “We must stand together because if we do not, we shall surely hang together.”

I hope we remember over this 3-day weekend, as many of us enjoy time off from work and attend pool parties, barbeques, get-togethers with friends, that this freedom we enjoy is not a guarantee. We can wake up one day and it will all be gone because freedom, the choice to do pretty much anything you want, at almost any time, is the true meaning of Independence Day.

And freedom is something we must fight for. Not in another country pretending we’re fighting for democracy. But in our hearts, our minds, and yes, even in our souls. Some of us every day, some of us only every few years, when the embodiment of good old King George and his administration decide to take over again.

Remember that this government, our government, is of the people, by the people, for the people, and not just for the select few who are in the minority, making rules they can wiggle out of, but affect all of us. Perhaps our political figures should be wise and remember that the very guns they are fighting to allow are the very guns that can turn against them.

Now, in the words of the immortal Mork, “Fly! Be free!”

Go celebrate your Independence and your freedom; blog . . . and spread the word!