Leaving Theme World for the Monaco Service Center

Well, our 189 nights at Theme World RV Resort and Davenport, Florida have come to an end. We'll return to Theme World and Epcot next September.

But right now...we're heading out...

We are heading back to Wildwood, Florida for another visit to the Monaco Service Center. This visit will be brief, though, as the issues are minor.

Here we are...we made it. There were really no pictures to take on our way here...just about 50 miles of Florida Turnpike and other toll roads amounting to about $10 in tolls. Oh...the good old days of quarter tolls are all but gone.

Although the trip was very upsetting for the smaller members of our traveling party, they WERE happy to see different stuff out the front window.

There's Knight now being worked on.

On the 2nd day of our visit, we decided to let Chatfield and Sammy roam free while the work was being done. They seemed to enjoy sitting there, when they weren't sleeping.

A few of Monaco's service staff who took care of us---

Chuck...who finished off our short list in no time.

Proud Grandma Debra...

So proud that there are at least a couple of places in the building you can find loads of her grandkids' pictures, including her newest born in December.

Vicki...the sometimes receptionist...sometimes concierge...depending on the month and the year.

and there's Inez...

The circle on her forehead is NOT a big Band-Aid. In certain light, the camera puts this circle in the image and we never find out until later when the picture is enlarged on the computer screen. Inez was tired and looking forward to a four day weekend.

Thanks to everybody at the Monaco Service Center!

We stayed a 3rd night at the campground in order to get a fresh start on Friday morning for our drive to Ormond Beach, Florida, just north of Daytona.

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/april/leaving-themeworld-/ .

To be continued...

Visiting Jay & Janet in Lakeland, Florida

Today we went to visit two friends who used to live in Colorado. Former co-workers of Marlon, Jay and Janet, live in Lakeland, Florida.

Here are all the former Half Price Store employees now standing on the step of the fantastic home Jay and Janet built about three years ago.

They introduced us to Harry's, "A New Orleans Style Restaurant", located in historic Downtown Lakeland.

Janet and Jay now...

and Janet and Jay then...October 1997, when they met us at the Orlando Airport for dinner on our way home from Key West.

Here we were then...at an outdoor Italian restaurant in Key West.

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/april/going-to-jay-and-ja/ .

To be continued...

Characters Spotted at the Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival

Marlon spotted quite a few characters among the topiary at Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival and he wanted to share some of his pictures with you. Doug decided to share some fascinating and little known facts about each one too.

There's Mickey Mouse---fascinating fact: the first words he uttered on screen were "Hot dogs!"

Little known fact: in the 1980's, Goofy was named official mascot of the French Olympic Team because of his Sport Goofy athletic programs.

Little known fact: in the late 1990's, Minnie Mouse starred as a crime solver in several "Minnie Mysteries" published by Golden Books.

Fascinating, little known fact: in 1997, the then-current voice actor of Minnie Mouse (Russi Taylor) married the then-current voice actor of Mickey Mouse (Wayne Allwine).

Little known fact: in "Lilo and Stitch", Stitch turns on the television and watches scenes from the 1958 film "Earth vs. The Spider" which was also featured on Mystery Science Theatre 3000.

Fascinating fact: Swift & Company introduced E.K. Pond Peanut Butter in 1920 and renamed it Peter Pan Peanut Butter in 1928.

Little known fact: Captain Hook made a brief appearance in the comic book "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" at a pirate conference.

Little known fact: Tinker Bell had a cameo appearance in the comic strip "Pearls Before Swine" where she was mistaken for a huge fly and killed with a fly swatter. Don't worry though...she was just acting.

Fascinating fact: in this picture, Beauty and the Beast are not actually topiary.

Little known fact: in the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the Snow White villain is actually Snow White's jealous mother, not step-mother.

Fascinating fact: in many non-German versions of the story, The Seven Dwarfs whistled while they worked...as robbers. But remember, they were really just hard-working diamond miners.

Little known fact (to me, at least): The Lion King's Scar was voiced by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons. His Oscar win was for his portrayal of Claus von Bulow in the 1991 movie "Reversal of Fortune".

Fascinating fact: Pluto made his debut the same year the planet of the same name was discovered. An 11-year old named the planet and in 2006, at the age of 87, Venetia Phair declared that she did not name the planet after the Disney dog.

Little known fact: the only words ever spoken by Pluto: "Kiss me."

Little known fact: Daisy Duck replaced Donald's earlier love interest Donna Duck and is the aunt of April, May and June Duck.

Little known fact: Donald Duck is the only popular film and television cartoon character to be an official licensed mascot. He represents the University of Oregon's Fighting Ducks.

For more pictures of Epcot's International Flower & Garden Show, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/april/epcot-international/ .

To be continued...

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Pt 2

More pictures of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

National Flags of the World...and of Walt Disney.

Here are some rocks and a couple of fences surrounded by plants.

Here are some orange, red, yellow and purple flowers along with some that look like daisies.

More metal art at the festival...

Here are trees surrounded by yellow and orange flowers.

The magical star of Illuminations-Reflections of Earth rests up in the World Showcase Lagoon for the next nightly show.

Many different musical groups from the 60's and 70's are appearing as Epcot presents Flower Power. Check out the lineup.

To see The Happenings in a brief concert clip, watch the video below.

This model train is located near the Germany Pavilion of The World Showcase.

This is where the term "flower bed" originated.

Take a look at the Bonsai Collection located in the Japan Pavilion.

Marlon found one of the twenty Trolls hiding in the Norway Garden.

Gardening on rooftops?

The Walt Disney World Monorail zooms by..."Please stand clear of the doors...Por favor, mantegan se allejado de las puertas."

To be continued...

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Pt 1

Tax day. As Doug stayed home with a bad cold and slept all day, Marlon went to take a look around the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
The festival is 75 days long, lasting from March 19-June 1.

Here's one of the Epcot cast members right now working hard to get the park "show ready".

Actually, he is "Man and Wheel Borrow" (yes, Frank and Sean, "borrow) by artist Peter Otfinoski. See more of his work at http://otfinoski.tripod.com/main.htm .

This exhibit was located just outside of MouseGear where we worked.

Can you imagine how long it takes to build a sand castle with so much detail?

What will happen if it rains?

These water-dwelling plants were featured as were xeriscape plants---plants that need little or no water.

This train exhibit was inside the Festival Center located in the Wonders of Life pavilion.

Welcome to Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden.

Wow! What a large butterfly!

Here are some butterflies in the very early stages of their life, which can range from one week long up to one year for some species.

Gardens near the Odyssey Restaurant building. Take note of the (not-so) Hidden Mickey.

To be continued...