Disney World, Orlando

 After a somewhat stressful departure from New York we flew down to Orlando and caught the Magical Disney Express (coach) from the airport to the Corronado Resort, Disney World, which was to be our home for the next four nights.  The weather of course was hot and sunny and the resort was excellent. This is a view from outside our unit looking across the lake (with its wild, though smallish alligators) towards the other buildings, all low and surrounding the lake.

 No sooner had we checked in than we donned our 'I'm a 1st Timer' badges and set off for the first of the four Disney Worlds we would be exploring, Disney's Hollywood Studios. We spent about three hours until closing time and that seemed to be enough time for that park.  The next day was off to the Magic Kingdom which is essentially an adapted Disney Land.  Here's Steve in front of the Magic Castle, which  he thought 'would be bigger'. Oh no, a Disney Disapointment - surely there is no such thing.

 We actually spent a full 12 hours at the Magic Kingdom, venturing into the various 'Lands' that make it up - Frontier Land, Adventure Land etc, and having fun on all (well most) of the rides and experiences on offer.  This was the jungle river boat ride which was lots of fun and full of animatronic animals such as

 bull elephants peeking out of the shrubbery

 Of course we had to go on things like the cup and saucers ride and It's A Small World...

 and we made sure we got a good position for the afternoon parade up Main Street so we could see Mickey and Minnie of course

 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was a lot of fun and where I developed my enthusiasm for big dipper kinds of rides

 And at the very end of the night, 10.00pm was the magical fireworks display. Then it was time to wait for the bus - did you know that Disney World has the biggest bus fleet in the States apart from New Jersey - and head home for the night.

 The next day saw us immersed in the future at Epcot Park...it's Disney's original plan for the Orlando site but it seems to me to be two parks in one - there is the World of the Future aspect and then you go through into a separate area which then becomes like a World Expo with various countries being represented around a giant lake.

 So this was Morroco, and there was Germany, China, Norway, Mexico, USA, Italy etc where you could stroll around, look at shows and films and of course buy things. Lots of things. Again, we stayed until closing - at which there was a very impressive light and sound and fireworks show.

 This is the reception lobby at our resort. And below, one of the free living alligators in the lake at the resort.

One of the most interesting things at Epcot was a giant greenhouse in which all sorts of plants were being grown hydroponically and aqua culturally. We took a behind the scenes tour of the facility which was really interesting and gave us lots of ideas. And that's what it's all about, at least in part, isn't it. Travel I mean.