In the past, we haven’t spent much time in Yellowstone. This time we had a cabin in the park for a few nights. From the cabin, you could see Old Faithful erupt. It was the best cabin to be in, so that was neat. We saw a grizzly and two cubs in Hayden Valley. We also followed a buffalo for about 30 minutes as it meandered down the middle of the road.
I love the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore
Favorite Pictures
Dad, Andrea, and I went out to the Black Hills, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park last week. I just returned to Florida. Here are a few of my favorite non-human pictures. I will update more in the next few days. Which is your favorite?
(After following the link, click on the pictures and toggle for larger pictures)
Birthdays
Not too much going on here. Sometimes I get pretty bored. I try to create something cool for the birthdays at work. Julie’s was last week. Bob’s is on Tuesday. I go to Chambers of Commerce get-togethers. I went to the Asian American Chamber event at an All-you-can-eat sushi/hibachi place that is $7.99 for lunch!!
Father’s Day
Andrea came into Sanford on Friday night. We had a good weekend going to some parks, etc. We ate at Boma for Father’s Day and explored Central Florida.
Update
Lots to update since California. I can’t even remember. I attended the Hispanic Conference. The Lieutenant Governor was there and spoke. I went to Epcot and Universal. It was interesting to go to the San Francisco part.
I went to the Port Canaveral and GT USA cargo terminal opening at Port Canaveral. It was very neat. People were taking pictures of the cargo ships instead of the cruise ships. It is the second busiest tourism port in the world. It is hoping to start and bring in about 50,000 containers a year.
Dad arrived on Friday. Friday night, we went to Epcot. On Saturday, we went to see Lynn at The Villages and went to Magic Kingdom. We even took their trolley tour. On Sunday, we went to Melbourne and went to the Brevard Zoo. The zoo was very nice for a local zoo. I really like seeing the anteater, the rainforest area, and the giraffes. It was kinda like Niabi Zoo where you could feed the birds, etc.
Today, we ate at Wolfgang Puck’s at Downtown Disney and took the boat to Port Orleans.
Disneyland vs. Disney World
First of all, California drivers are distinctly unpredictable. Florida drivers might be worse, but Floridians are consistent and easy to predict. California drivers would brake at weird times. Floridians drive faster, but driving in Florida just seemed easier and smoother.
Disneyland, at first, was shocking. As there are only two Disney hotels, many people stay outside the gates. We walked everyday from our hotel walking by real life. No one wants to see real life on the way to Disney though it was nice having a CVS on the way.
Disneyland is very condensed. The castle is the size of a postage stamp. I think not even half the size of Disney World’s. Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, and 23 hotels. (I googled the size of the castles – Disneyland is 77 feet tall and Disney World’s is 189 feet).
I have been converted to the Magic Band system at Disney World. Disneyland does things the old way with paper tickets and Fastpasses.
The things I did like about Disneyland:
- The food seemed better. Many of the quick-service restaurants used real plates and silverware.
- There were a few, different rides at Disneyland including a submarine ride and a ride where we were able to paddle a canoe. It’s a Small World seemed better too.
- California Adventure was really neat. It doesn’t really compare to any at Disney World. I liked all the different lands including the National Park land, Carsland, and San Francisco. The theming was well done.
- I liked the Aladdin Musical. I think it is comparable to Beauty and the Beast at Hollywood Studios. It might even be better.
- The two hotels are nice.
- It is nice to not have to walk as much as Disney World as the parks and Downtown Disney are all near each other.
- It is much cheaper to be an annual passholder to Disneyland. Pass holders also receive more discounts than Disney World passholders.
- I liked the petting zoo.
- Characters seemed more accessible.
Some of the major problems:
- Too close to the outside world
- Cast Members didn’t really played the part. Most seemed to be local Californians. (but I was only there two days, so who knows)
- Disney World is a vacation/ resort. Disneyland just seems like a day-park on a trip to Southern California.
- I do not like the switch in weather in California in one day. I don’t like that the mornings and nights could be in the 50s/60s and during the day, it might be 75 to 80. I get sick when weather changes like that. I can handle 70 in the morning, 80 to 90 during the day, and 75 at night.
- Disneyland didn’t seem as efficient as Disney World (which to some might be a good thing)
- There is only one EPCOT (and it is in Disney World).
Where is the castle?
I have been busy this last week supporting a Hispanic Business Conference, so I threw all the pictures into this video. I probably should have split the video into two. I threw some music on there without listening, so if it isn’t all instrumental, I apologize. I should label the places sometime.
Seattle to Oregon
In the interest of time and to encourage people to watch it, I have made a non-transition video. If you want to see something longer, you will have to pause it. I might upload my favorite 20 or 30 pictures later.
Here is a movie to the Oregon border:
Good-bye Cali
I am headed back to Orlando in a few hours. It has been an amazing trip. I will detail it all later – with short movies.
We just returned from California Adventure Park.