>What a View

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I started back to school this past week (I am a teacher) and on the first day, our principal asked, if anyone had traveled over the summer and if so, where did we go. I didn’t add my trip to Disney into the mix, because they all knew where I had gone, they know we go every year. Some of the other people I work with went to Europe this summer, another went to Washington DC and some took cruises. I was happy for
them, but not really caring, because I had a wonderful time with my family in Walt Disney World. I’ve noticed some of the teachers that traveled have put up pictures of their trips in their classrooms, for the kids to see; which I think is really cool, as some of our kids will never get to see these places in person. Looking at some of these pictures I started thinking about some of the great pictures I have taken over the years in Disney World. Some of them are pretty, some are funny and some are just really amazing views. So today I present to you, the Unknown Magic of the Views in Walt Disney World.

Of course the most amazing view I have ever captured, in my mind, is Cinderella Castle at night. It changes colors every few minutes and each new color brings a new sense of awe.

Of course something else that brings Magical Experiences and a sense of awe when you see them in Walt Disney World is fireworks, either at night or during the day.

A really Great view and an ominous picture that I captured was taken from one of the Friendship Launches on our way back to the Boardwalk one day. The sky around the Hollywood Tower Hotel even makes it seem like an attraction you should fear.

Another great view with ominous overtones is looking across Asia in Animal Kingdom, at Expedition Everest.

When you are over in Crescent Lake you can also see this wonderful sight, the Yacht Club Lighthouse.

Of course the Boardwalk from above at night is an Awesome view at Crescent Lake that can create Magical Experiences and Romantic ones.

So, now you know, no matter where your friends have gone, you can say you have seen some just as magnificent views. But of course you’ll have had some Magical Experiences and been to Walt Disney World also.

>Sittin’ on the Dock of Bay Lake

>I was driving in to work this morning and Otis Redding came on the radio:

*”The Very Best of Otis Redding” released by Elektra November 24, 1992

**Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch ’em roll away again, yeah

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time

I love this song. Not many  people I know do, but I do. It is a peaceful song to me. In my mind, I can see the sun setting and the ships passing by as I sit out on a pier and enjoy the beautiful weather. I used to go to the Jersey shore in the fall and you can watch the tankers float down the coast to get to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. I enjoyed sitting and watching the water and the ships go by. There aren’t any real piers in Walt Disney World, but there is a Bay Lake, and there are plenty of ships that go by and what a peaceful way to spend a little time, after a morning in the park or even before you head into the crowds? If you need some relaxation, watching the boats is a great way to do it. So, I offer you the Unknown Magic of Sitting and Watching the Boats.

You can enjoy this Magical Experience throughout Walt Disney World. Bay Lake is probably the best place to see many different types of boats. They have the small enclosed yacht-looking boat and then they have the African Queen Design boat. You can see these boats from the beach behind the Contemporary Resort and relax as you watch them. Over at the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, you can watch them

come and go if you sit out on the boat dock area.

Both of these boats can be found along with the huge ferry boat (the General Joe Potter) in the Seven Seas Lagoon, transporting people to and from the Magic Kingdom. Watching from the Polynesian or Grand Floridian can be a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon, as the kids play in the sand, on the beach that can be a Magical Experience.

One of my favorite places to watch the boats come and go is at the Boardwalk. Here the Friendship launches cruise Crescent Lake and make their rounds from the Epcot Resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I especially like sitting at Big River Grille & Brewing Works and watching the ships roll in, while enjoying a Burger and a beer. If you prefer the view from the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, you can get Ice Cream from Beaches and Cream and sit on the dock or on the beach and watch from that side of Crescent Lake and enjoy an equally relaxing time.

I have also spent time in Epcot sitting and watching the Friendship launches ferry people around the World Showcase. If you sit in the areas set aside off the side of the bridge leading toward France from Great Britain, you can enjoy a very peaceful time of sitting and watching the boats.

These may not seem like very Magical Experiences, but anytime our family can take a moment to not rush through our vacation, and actually sit and enjoy each other’s company, I consider it a Magical Experience.

So, now you know, you can take a break from the rushing around during your vacation and enjoy a relaxing time, by watching the ships roll in, and watching them roll away again. It doesn’t seem like much, but every relaxing minute spent with the family is a Magical Experience.

**Lyrics to (SITTIN’ ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY

– written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper

>What is the Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World?

>For newcomers to the blog, The Unknown Magic within Walt Disney World gives tips and ideas for a first time visitors to Walt Disney World. These are things that most first time guests (and even some return visitors) miss because they don’t know about them. I hope they help you have a Magical Experience or two. If you like the blog, follow us on the Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/32whtwv or on twitter @umwdw
 For returning readers, This was one of my first few blogs that not many people have read. I have made some changes, but this is probably my favorite Unknown Magic in Walt Disney World.

 One of My favorite Unknown Magic is a a place that is not in any park. To get to this place, you actually need to get to the International Gateway at Epcot. It is located just past the United Kingdom Pavilion. As you walk by the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and start up the small hill, you need to stay to the right and walk down the opposite side of the hill. You will pass a small shop and then come to an exit for the park. This is called the International Gateway. You can board a boat here or you can continue walking to get to the Unknown Magic that is my favorite. The Friendship Launches that leave Epcot navigate Crescent Lake, go to Disney Hollywood Studios, the Beach and Yacht Club resorts and The Swan and Dolphin Resorts and to Disney’s Boardwalk. (The other way to get here is by bus. Go to the Boardwalk Resort and then walk around the back of the Resort by going down the stairs.)

Disney’s Boardwalk is behind Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort and Villas and it is free to visit. The Boardwalk is reminiscent of a turn of the 20th century seaside resort town, very much like Atlantic City, NJ. During the day the Boardwalk is usually a quiet relaxed place, with people walking around Crescent Lake and visiting the stores and restaurants. You can also rent surrey bikes for a ride around the quarter mile loop. There are tables and benches around the Boardwalk, where you can sit and enjoy pastries and other goodies from The Boardwalk Bakery or Seashore Sweets. Your food options range from The Pizza Window to Flying Fish Café. There is an ESPN Club at the very end of the Boardwalk that has a bar, restaurant and an arcade where they sell ESPN merchandise. My favorite place on the Boardwalk however is Big River

 Grille and Brewing Works. This Brew Pub is small, but there are tables outside where you can sit and enjoy the view of the Lake. They don’t serve fried food there, so there aren’t any fries served with the burgers, but the food is very good and their crafted beers are wonderful. We consider Big River a must for lunch at least once every trip.

At night the Boardwalk takes on a whole new persona. As the sun goes down, the lights come on and the area becomes electric. There are Performers that come out to entertain and amaze. There are boardwalk or midway games to play and win prizes. There is a nightclub called the Atlantic Dance Hall and a piano bar called Jellyrolls, that are both 21 and over clubs, that are fun, especially with a group of people.

So, now you know, The Boardwalk is a great place to visit and take a well deserved lunch break, or just a mid-afternoon stroll, when visiting Epcot. But at night, as people get caught up in the excitement of the Boardwalk, and the magic seems to come from Boardwalk itself, it seems to have a special quality that makes it a perfect for Magical Experiences.