Contemporary Christmas Time

We've had a few days off here at DF'82, due to the busy-ness of the Royal family at this time of year, but to help get us into the Christmas and Festive mood, today we're going to head over to the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World!

This may be one of the largest Hidden Mickey decorations I have ever seen - even bigger than the one in the Royal Household!

And here is the Contemporary's Christmas Tree - heavily influenced by the artwork of Mary Blair.

I love how the decorations fit in with the mural by Mary Blair - great attention to detail!

And don't forget the Gingerbread House!

The Gingerbread Houses are situated at most of the Disney Deluxe resorts during the Holiday Season.

Enjoying a Moment...In Japan

Just before we start on the Christmas and Holiday Season here at DF'82, let's head over to World Showcase at Epcot and enjoy a moment overlooking the Lagoon.

Get Ready for Armageddon

Walt Disney Studios, in Disneyland Paris, has a show based on the Special Effects used in the blockbuster film 'Armageddon' (released in 1998).

Outside the attraction, there is a noticeable prop from the film.

Along with the plaque, explaining this contraption (and you know how this Princess loves a plaque!):

Built for Battle
A 50-person special effects crew designed and built the Armadillo to battle the asteroid villain of Armageddon. Its features include a Humvee chassis and 12 specially-designed tires inspired by the Mars "Sojourner" vehicle.

Fire!

If you are visiting the Grizzly Peak area of Disney's California Adventure, and just before you become a Wilderness Explorer, you will learn how to protect the park from the risk of fire, using these simple diagrams courtesy of Humphrey the Bear:

Looking Up At Ariel

When joining Ariel for her Undersea Adventure, be sure to follow one of DF'82's requests to Always Look Up.

If you do, you will be able to see and appreciate some truly beautiful theming for this attraction.

Can you see how the lighting fixtures are shaped in such a way that they look like seaweed, or other sea-plant-life?

And take a careful look at those shells against the corners. Could they be speakers?

Further Legends

Heading back over to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, and we can see another familiar statue in the Partners' Courtyard.

You may recognise this beautiful tribute to Roy O. Disney - you can find it in Tokyo and the Magic Kingdom Disney parks, in a similar vane to here in Burbank. A nice tribute to the man who helped bring Walt Disney World to Florida.

Views of New York

If you get the chance to visit, or stay, in Disneyland Paris' Hotel New York, be sure to take a walk around the hallways just off the lobby-area. The walls in these areas are adorned with photos and pictures that represent New York City in various ways.

Like these photos which represent one of New York's favourite sports - Baseball.

And if you look closer, you may end up at Wall Street.

Where you can catch a train from Union Square, Grand Central or Penn - or perhaps you might just enter a conference room or two.