Goof'n Around the World

One of the things I am passionate about it doing my parent to take care of the environment and animal conservations so both are here for future generations to enjoy.  I firmly support the notion of reuse, recycle and renew. And through various organizations have not only learned about but I have become a supporter of several conservation type organizations. 

Closest to my heart is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I first learned about this after reading about it on the actress Kristen Davis’ facebook page. After reading about the trust and its mission I became a supporter by fostering baby elephants and a blind Rhino. I am researching a trip to Kenya so I visit the orphanage and see the babies. 

The Kariega Game Reserve has become another passion of mine. I learned about this group after reading about the horrific poaching of two Rhinos Themba and Thandi. Initially both survived after having their horns hacked off by poachers. Dr Fowles lead the effort to care for and rehabilitate these two but sadly Themba succumbed to his injuries. On a daily basis I continue to follow the progress of the Thandi’s recovery and continue my support through financial contributions and spreading the story of these two Rhinos to anyone who will listen.

When Animal Kingdom first opened I was excited to go on the safari ride. When the ride first opened it took guests on a safari ride that included tracking and stopping poachers.I have recently read that Disney has modified the ride and removed that storyline. I was disappointed at the new but knowing that Disney is involved in Enviromental and Conservation initiatives quelled some of my disappointment. After reseraching Disney’s commitment I was surprised to learn about all the various things they are doing to support and protec the enviroment and conservatoin efforts.

Here is a copy of the information from the Walt Disney Companies website. You can either click the link or read the quoted material below:

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/citizenship/environment-conservation

“Environmental stewardship and nature conservation are a rich part of Disney’s history and a vital focus of our future.  From the earliest nature movies, through the setting aside of nearly one-third of the Walt Disney World Resort property as a dedicated wildlife conservation area in perpetuity, Disney has worked to preserve nature throughout the world for generations to come.

Environmental Goals: In 2009 we announced ambitious long-term goals to reduce our environmental footprint and inspire our employees, business associates, and consumers to take action to help the planet.  Those goals cover six key areas: climate and energy, waste, ecosystems, water, product footprint, and education and action. Learn more.

Nature Conservation: Around the world, Disney is actively involved in protecting wildlife and wild spaces. We connect kids to nature to ignite their imagination and develop lifelong conservation values. Through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund—our Disneynature film label—and our commitment to animal programs worldwide, we are working to protect and restore the magic of the natural world for generations to come. Learn more.“

One of the last snowglobes I have gotten is the “Fairy Tales” snowglobe.  Adorned with all of the princess and their respective princes the globe also lights up.  The music box plays “A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes”.  The base of the globe also has the supporting characters from Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.

My favorite snowglobe is the one depicting an Artists Drafting Table. Having taken art course at Rhode Island School of Design I feel a connection to this globe. The globe itself has Mickey in it. The base is designed to look like an artists drafting table and has pictures of disney comic strips on it.  You can turn on the light and light the entire base or one square at a time. The music box inside of it plays “Mickey Mouse March”.

My 100 Years of Magic Glove is a really cool globe. It lights up and when the light is turned on it illuminates the filmstrip that scrolls along the base of the globe when the music box is playing. The Characters in the globe itself also rotate when the music is playing. The movie strip has scenes from some of the Classic Disney movies and a few pictures of the castles in the parks.   Also along the base are figures representating different props from the movies and the parks. The globe is adorned with a big Mickey Mouse and plays “There’s a Great Big, Beautiful Tomorrow” the same song heard in the Carasoul of Progress.

My Walt Disney World snowglobe also lights up and represents all four of the Disney Parks. When I bought this snowglobe Hollywood Studios was known as MGM Studios. So in the globe itself there is a minuature Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, The Tree of Life and Mickey Ear Water Tower from MGM.  The globe’s music box plays “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”.

Disney’s2011 Theme was “Let the Memories Begin”. My family has been making Disney memories for 25 years!

Do you remember your first trip to Disney? Mine was April, 1987 and it feels like it was yesterday! At the time Walt Disney World only had the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We stayed on International drive and in that week we not only visited Disney but Sea World, Cypress Gardens and the Kennedy Space Center as well.  From the moment we stepped onto Main Street we were hooked. We have gone back to WDW dozens of time since that first visit and every trip has brought us new adventures and memories.  This year is the 25th anniversary of our first trip to Disney.

I guess you could say that I have grown up with Disney!  Over the years I have watched WDW grow as they added two new parks and numerous hotels. Downtown Disney was a fraction of its size when we first visited and now its an attraction in it own right. We have watched attractions come and go and enjoyed the various themes that Disney has had over the years. (I still cringe when I think back to the castle being covered to look like  a cake). Even though its been 25 years my family and some close family friends still get excited at the thought of booking another trip. 

As the 25th anniversary of our first trip to WDW approaches we have begun planning our next big family trip.  What better way to Celebrate 25 years than to go to WDW!  Now that we have little ones in the family I have noticed that the trip planning has changed. Our priority is no longer about getting reservations at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant its about getting a reservation at Chef Mickey!

I have mentioned to friends that we are planning our next trip for sometime later this year and they always look at me funny.  “Your going again?” is the typical response. Yes I am!  “Why?” is usually the next question. Because its Disney. Its a magical place. It really is and I truly believe that. This is where you come to escape the reality of life and spend some time enjoying the fantasy of Disney. Its the place where friends come to meet up and enjoy a day together.  Where families spend time laughing, having fun and enjoying a meal together at the end of the day.  New “friendships” have been formed while standing in a never ending line and people you meet whether they are cast members or other guests are just a little bit nicer. 

Disney is a place for every child to enjoy being a child even if that child is a grown man or an elderly woman! This is the place where you skip through the World Showcase, where having an ice cream everyday is ok and signing along on each ride is perfectly normal.  Its where people gather to watch a parade or the fireworks, where people celebrate everything from an engagement to a wedding, a birthday to an anniversary or anything else you can think of.

Our family has grown and now the youngest generation is getting their chance to enjoy the magic. That is what makes Disney so magical to us. That generations of our family can come to this place and spend a week enjoying each others company. That we can laugh together, have fun together and be silly together.  We can experience things together and reminisce about them for years to come. That is what Making Memories is all about!