Animal Kingdom Lodge - Things I'm Excited About

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African lodge-style resort amidst a 43-acre wildlife preserve. The Resort offers authentic African-inspired architecture and the kraal African-village landscape design—a semi-circle design popular in Africa which offers expansive views of the surrounding savanna and its many animal inhabitants. Thatched ceilings, large beams, hand-carved golden-tone furnishings, real African artifacts and a vast mud fireplace in the main lobby surround you in the inimitable spirit of Africa.

Just outside the main lobby, an elevated rock platform—Arusha Rock—offers up-close glimpses of the animals and a panoramic view of the sprawling grounds. In addition to animals, thousands of indigenous African shrubs and grasses—including the most recognized canopy tree of Africa, the copperpod—paint a picture reminiscent of the unspoiled African grasslands.

Savor authentic African cuisine at the Resort's 2 award-winning restaurants, Jiko - The Cooking Place and Boma - Flavors of Africa. Take a guided tour of the savanna led by African wildlife specialists and relax in the Uzima pool, an 11,000-square-foot zero-depth entry pool that offers a 67-foot-long slide. Offering all this and more, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a wonderful choice for your Walt Disney World vacation.


Boma
Boma – Flavors of Africa – is a family-friendly buffet-style restaurant serving breakfast and dinner in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Designed to resemble an African marketplace, the exotic restaurant serves dishes inspired by the varied flavors and seasonal dishes of over 50 African countries, from the coast of the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. Watch as Boma's chefs prepare dishes in an open kitchen with a wood-fire rotisserie grill. Morning offerings may include fresh fruit, African pastries, omelets, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, carved ham, breakfast potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and corn beef bobotie—a type of quiche.


Jiko
Jiko – The Cooking Place fuses the bold flavors of traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Twin wood-burning ovens roar and the soothing, warm colors of an African sunset bring energy to this remarkable restaurant. The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and meat-based dishes that change seasonally, such as berbere Grilled lamb, Durban shrimp curry and chermoula roasted chicken, along with conventional favorites. Imaginative appetizers include curried potato and corn samosas, and brick oven-fired flatbreads.

The wine list features one of the largest selections of South African vintages in North America, and promises Guests 21 years of age or older a bouquet to please varied palates. This list has won multiple awards, including the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Best Wine List Award and the Wine Spectator Excellence Award for Most Outstanding Wine List. Watch the chefs prepare each meal in The Cooking Place, a show kitchen with a rich atmosphere befitting the beauty of this unique restaurant.

This is definitely one of the high points on our trip is being able to visit Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy it's two wonderful restaurants. We've never been to the resort itself so that will be a first as well as our two dining experiences. We have a breakfast lined up for Boma, and then my girlfriend Jenea and I will be visiting Jiko later in the week to enjoy dinner for just us two. Should be wonderful and I can't wait to visit, and photograph, this beautiful resort!

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2011 Flower and Garden Festival

The heroes of "Toy Story 3" have left the toy box. Woody and Buzz Lightyear meet arch-enemy Lotso the teddy bear on the Future World playground for the 18th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2 through May 15, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort.

The popular Disney-Pixar characters hit the sandbox as seven- and eight-foot-tall topiaries at the Epcot front entrance flower bed featuring a sand castle, strawberry-scented field and playground toys. Created by Disney gardeners and topiary experts with bold strokes of seasonal color, the topiary display marks the first time that "Toy Story" characters have been featured at the festival. It's also the first time in seven years that the front-entrance floral spectacle showcases all-new topiary characters, says festival horticulture manager Eric Darden.

"It created unique challenges," Darden says, "and it's meticulous work. Woody is skinny, and it was a challenge to create his legs. The detail on Buzz is pretty daunting." And the buzz on the pink-floral Lotso (a.k.a. Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear) is that he will smell like strawberries, just like his big-screen character, when guests stroll by.

This year's festival showcases more than 100 expertly crafted topiaries, and another show- stopper will be the brand-new "Cars 2" display at the World Showcase plaza, Darden says. Large floral topiaries of "Cars" characters Mater and Lightning McQueen will park their colorful chassis beneath a black-and-white checkered arch. To complete the scene, gardeners will create floral flags representing Japan, France, Italy and the United Kingdom – destinations of the car characters in the sequel due in theaters June 24.

And Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and pals appear in topiary splendor among a Hundred Acre Wood wildflower display between Future World and World Showcase. They're just in time to spread the happy news about the "Winnie the Pooh Movie" debuting summer 2011.

New this Year

An expanded Bambi's Butterfly House, a new Healthy Living Garden, special gardener appearances on a new Festival Center stage and first-time Flower Power performers add fresh twists to the 18th annual festival:

* A roomier-than-ever Bambi's Butterfly House grows three-fold this year in its new location along Imagination Walkway by Innoventions West in Future World. It's the first time the popular garden has expanded since its 2005 debut, and guests will see more butterflies than ever, Darden says.

* The Healthy Living Garden invites park guests to join in fun activities designed for improving their health and well being. Areas of the garden, presented by Syngenta, focus on healthful eating, fitness, relaxation and meditation. An adjacent children's play area keeps it all in the family.

* A new Festival Center stage brings nationally recognized garden personalities to the festival twice daily.

* Rapunzel lets down her hair at Rapunzel's Tower in the Tangled Magical Garden inspired by Walt Disney Pictures' animated film, "Tangled," located between the Germany and Italy pavilions.

* Flower Power grows with new-to-the- festival pop acts. Melissa Manchester, March 25-27 (Don't Cry Out Loud), Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., April 8-10 (You Don't Have to Be a Star) and Juice Newton April 15-17 (Playing with the Queen of Hearts) are set to light up America Gardens Theatre with their timeless tunes.

* A new Festival Special Weekend is slated for May when Disney?Pixar presents a Pixar Animation Studios celebration in conjunction with the upcoming "Cars 2" big-screen debut set for June 24.

Throughout the festival, elaborate floral beds and entertaining exhibits will decorate the park landscape and showcase the extraordinary talents of Disney gardeners. A blooming Guerlain Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion returns with its never-ending "love story" of the relationship between plants and perfume. At the Japan showcase, the art of bonsai will mesmerize guests who stop at the pavilion's vermilion torii gate.

This is something that I've really been excited about since we first started planning this trip. Our dates our February 26 through March 5. This is actually our first trip outside of June ever! So that I'm excited about because I won't have to deal with the heat or the summer crowds. I've been into plants and gardening for several years now and have always wanted to see this festival. I cannot wait for this among other things that I will share in the coming weeks as we get closer to the trip!

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Sun Flare Fiori

Sun Flare Fiori
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Here's that closer shot of fiori at the end of the walkway from on the ground. Got to love the looks we get while laying on the ground. :) I really knew why they put this piece here when I saw the sunlight! Enjoy!

Chihuly in the Distance

Chihuly in the Distance
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

When we were walking through the Chihuly in Cheekwood exhibits, one installation that really caught my eye was this fiori piece. What I really liked is how the lines of the archways and the walkway lead right too it so it's hard to miss. I also loved the how the purple and that certain color green in the glass really jumps against the deep natural color of the surroundings. I have another close up of this one that I may share tomorrow. Enjoy the anticipation! :)

Glass Reflections of Glass

Glass Reflections of Glass
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Another shot of the Walla Walla Onion installation at the Chihuly in Cheekwood exhibition in Nashville, TN. I love the glass like reflections of the glass in the water. The warm colors in the glass contrast nicely against the natural greens in the surroundings. Enjoy!

Red Rays

Red Rays
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

I couldn't believe how outrageous this sun flare turned out from the St. Louis Zoo walk bridge. I was actually shooting the bridge and shadows from the sun, but I never thought I would get the rays like that. I'm happy with how it turned out. What do you think? Enjoy!

St. Louis Worlds Fair Pavilion

St. Louis Worlds Fair Pavilion
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

The present pavilion was not built for or during the Fair. It was built as part of the Forest Park restoration in 1909-10 (1910, according to most references) as a public shelter and refreshment stand. Located on Government Hill, the location of the fair's Missouri Building, the $35,000-$40,000 cost was from proceeds from the Fair.

We were there in the late afternoon when the sun was just turning golden and letting the skies be a beautiful blue. Despite being pretty cold and a bit breezy on top of the hill, it was good shooting and good testing for my UWA. Enjoy!

Glowing Glass

Glowing Glass
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

A shot of blue fiori pieces from the Chihuly in Cheekwood exhibit. The sun was really doing some magic on the pieces and I always find it amazing how much the sun can change these works of art. Enjoy!

Afternoon Nap Time

Afternoon Nap Time
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

A shot of a tiger taken a pleasant nap in the shade one late afternoon at the St. Louis Zoo. I really enjoy watching the tigers at our zoo because I always seems to luck into good shots of them. They are very photogenic animals and that definitely helps. :) Enjoy

Shadow Patterns

Shadow Patterns
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Going with a little abstraction here today! These are small, I'd say about 18", concrete parking barriers that sit out front of the St. Louis Worlds Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. The light was hitting them just right that it threw down the perfect shadows. Enjoy!

Sun Through the Butterfly Dome

Sun Through the Butterfly Dome
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

I really didn't like this shot because of all of the dormant vegetation around it from the whole winter thing going on outside right now. :) But I'm glad I processed it because the sunlight coming through the butterfly dome was pretty cool I thought. This is a newer exhibit to the zoo and is part of a larger insectarium which is a really neat part of our zoo. Bugs are more interesting than I thought! But they can stay in those boxes as far as I'm concerned. Enjoy!

Bridge Detail

Bridge Detail
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Showing some detail in the new walk bridge in front of the St. Louis Zoo. I really like how I can get super close to my subjects with this UWA and still get a nice wide shot. Enjoy!

Concrete Signing

Concrete Signing
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Here we have a concrete sign that sits out in front of the St. Louis Zoo. I've heard that each letter weighs over a ton, and I can believe that. This was another day of test shots with my UWA lens. Enjoy!

Post Storm Golden Hour

Post Storm Golden Hour
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

I am really, really enjoying this UWA lens! My girlfriend and I were down at Creve Coeur Park on the lakeshore a couple of evenings ago to shoot the sunset. After a wicked day of storms, the clouds finally started to break as the last glimpse of sun was visible. Some of the most epic clouds I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. Along with the clouds that were out when I shot The Awakening. :) Enjoy!

Bursting Boat

Bursting Boat
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Here's another shot of the boat installation from the Chihuly at Cheekwood exhibition at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden. This is the side view of the boat so I could get the reflections on the more open side of the boat. I liked how the sun was illuminating the center of the boat and the two ends are in the shadows of the trees surrounding the pond. Enjoy!

Bridge Railing

Bridge Railing
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Here's some fun I was having at Forest Park with my 50mm a while back. I was really interested when I saw the shadows from this bridge railing that I had to get it with the 50mm. It was extremely bright out that day, so I definitely tried my best to capture it with decent light. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

The St. Louis Carousel

The St. Louis Carousel
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

The St. Louis Carousel is home to an original carousel created by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia in the 1920’s. The Carousel was installed in 1929 at the Forest Park Highlands. When the Highlands burned to the ground in 1963, the carousel was the only thing left standing. Howard C. Ohlendorf purchased the carousel to prevent it from being dismantled and donated it to St. Louis County Parks in 1965. The department operated it during the summer months at Sylvan Springs Park until 1980. The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission and Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation raised enough money to restore the carousel to its original beauty and installed it in a climate controlled building in Faust Park in 1987.
~Sourced from stlouisco.com

I've been trying to get out more here lately to get some more practice shots before our Disney trip on 2-26 through 3-5 (cuz Roni reminded me I never said my dates :) ). I've been trying to find situations where I could be in the same photographic situations and condition I might find down in WDW. One thing I love to shoot as most of you know is any kind of kinetic movement. So I stopped by Faust Park to visit The St. Louis Carousel so I could try my hand at capturing it. Thinking of the carousel in Fantasyland all the while. One thing this method of practice is doing is making me more excited to get back to WDW. Hope you all enjoy this one and hopefully I'll get out later this week to go shooting again for some more shots for you all. :)

Closer to The Awakening

Closer to The Awakening
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

Here's a closer shot that I too of The Awakening sculpture. I really like how that Sigma UWA allows me to get as close and low as I want, with still getting a wide enough shot. I really can't wait to get to WDW with my D90 and my three lenses. I think I've got a pretty versatile bag of equipment that should be just fine for the trip. I will of course be posting a shot of my bag right before we go. Just because. :) Enjoy!

The Awakening

The Awakening
Originally uploaded by DisHippy

The Awakening was unveiled on October 10, 2009 and added to the permanent outdoor art collection of Chesterfield Arts. This monumental sculpture, measuring 70 feet in length and 17 feet at its tallest point was first cast by sculptor Seward Johnson in 1980 for a sculpture exhibition in Washington, D.C. This second casting is a permanent addition to the Chesterfield landscape.
~sourced from chesterfieldarts.org

This is literally right across the street from where I work and I never knew it was there until a couple of days ago. It's a really great piece of art and definitely dominates the area it's in. I really wish those flags weren't there in the background, but oh well I suppose. Won't be the last time I shoot this amazing sculpture. Enjoy!