Day 1281: Ameriworks

Another Fourth of July has come upon us, and this time, we've been working in between celebrating. In between working on blog posts and preparing for my upcoming trip to Colorado, I did find time to do a couple of classic Fourth of July activities. 

First, I just had to watch the concert live from Washington D.C. and I wasn't let down at all. After all, with Chris Jackson, Hamilton's George Washington, plus the fantastic 1812 Overture, why wouldn't I watch? Plus, it's almost like Jackson's song was meant for us Disney fans: 

And then, as I usually do on Holidays, I made sure to watch the live stream of the fireworks from Magic Kingdom, because if you can't be there, at least you can watch it on your computer. It was just like I remembered it from five years ago when I was there myself, and while I definitely still sat there longing to actually be in Florida, it helped a little bit. 

So Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope it's a magical day!

Day 915: Almost (But Not Really) The Same

I have this tradition that seems to baffle people: Every time I sit and watch fireworks, I play Illuminations on my phone. This Fourth of July was no different, even as I head a couple of hours away to visit my roommates.

Fireworks have always been one of those things where, once you experience all Disney has to offer, there's no going back. Don't get me wrong, fireworks can still be fun and beautiful, but there's something very different about sitting and watching some things explode in the sky and experiencing all that Illuminations: Reflections of Earth has to offer. As Megan pointed out on our drive, my expectations for fireworks are through the roof, and there's no changing that...but it also doesn't mean that I can't acknowledge good fireworks when I see them.

Last year, when we headed up North with the band, the fireworks we ended the trip with were some of the most dissapointing fireworks you've ever seen, and while I didn't go on the tour this year, it sounded like those they watched this year weren't much better. This year, on the other hand, I was in a completely different place, and my fireworks were actually pretty darn good. I was actually very impressed with those that we saw, which went on for a while before leading up to a grand finale that lasted quite some time. The finale also happened to remind me of another Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza I saw a few years back...one much more influenced by Disney:

It took a little while for me to find a decent recording of the exact show I happened to watch back in 2011, but this one did the trick. That's right. I was there for that. It's sort of odd thinking about how this was a video taken from somewhere else around World Showcase and from not far away I was watching as well. 

Here's a recording of this year's fireworks as well via Inside the Magic: 

What I wouldn't give to have seen these fireworks live. As for our fireworks, like I said, they were definitelly wonderful, as you can sort of see even from this one picture (which has more than one firework...meaning it already beats last year). As usual, I listened to Illuminations during the show and always smiled a little extra whenever the fireworks would happen to match up with the music. Just another way to bring a little bit of home back here to Wiconsin. 

Happy Fourth of July everyone! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on July 6 due to travel).

Day 185: A Tribute to All Nations, But Mostly America!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! And if you are reading this and you aren't for America...well, I hope you enjoy your did enjoy your National "Day" too! I know Canada Day was just the other day (I celebrated!).

But you see, a lot of this holiday reminds me of Disney. In fact, exactly two years ago I was at Disney, and specifically I saw the fireworks at Epcot on this day in 2011. I was down there for the National FBLA Convention, and my mom and I stayed through the holiday. So that means that I've technically spent two different holidays at Disney. The Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Then again, my birthday is coming up too, so if that counts as a holiday then make it three.

I love the fireworks at Disney on the fourth, or in this year's case, during the entire week of the fourth. Those lucky enough to be at Disney right now have huge firework shows each and every night. I miss them my one day. ONE DAY. That's right. They end the 7th and I get there on the 8th. Then again, I probably wouldn't get to see them anyway because our flight gets in so late, but STILL!

I'm actually spending most of my day working on stuff for Florida and for my Graduation party this Saturday.  It's turning out to be quite the work, but that's alright. Either way, I do love working on videos, and that's what I'm doing right now, so I'm all good. Plus, only four days until Florida, and that's more than enough reason to be in a great mood.

So, I figured I would share something from Disney and the Muppets, because, as Sam Eagle does say, it's a tribute to all nations, but mostly America.

And here's today's Disney History: 2011: The night skies over Walt Disney World Resort light up with special patriotic pyrotechnic shows on this Independence Day. At Epcot, sky-watchers check out "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" enhanced by "The Heartbeat of Freedom," an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event. (That's what I saw!)

Have a magical Fourth of July!

Day 97: Fireworks...Before the Fourth of July

I was on Pinterest. Always dangerous. And I came across a series of fireworks pictures from The Fourth at Disney...a Tribute to" all nations, but mostly America" (just without the all nations part...it'll just be a salute to America).

Oh yes, there are some great pictures here and I decided to share them because...why not? We all need a little extra fireworks from Disney in our day!

The first two I had to share because I've been fortunate enough to see the Fireworks at Magic Kingdom from that point of view...and it's probably my favorite Fireworks experiences outside of Illuminations. I hope to do it again in July as well, but I won't be able to see the Fourth of July Fireworks (I head down on the 8th). I have seen them before though, and I recorded them on my iPod...although you can't hear much, especially at Epcot, because there are just so many fireworks going off all at once. It was an awesome experience though, and I highly reccomend seeing this "salute to all nations but mostly America" at somepoint in your life. It's a spectacle worth seeing!

To see the full set of pictures, head to the Disney Tourist Blog here!

Here's today's Disney History: 2006: Disney World's biggest ride yet, Expedition Everest, Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, a 20-story, white knuckle roller coaster spin officially opens in Animal Kingdom. The ceremonial grand opening is led by Disney CEO Bob Iger and theme parks chairman Jay Rasulo. The attraction, which features a snowy mountains setting and a "Yeti" figure, is currently Florida's tallest peak, sculpted from 1800 tons of steel, and covers more than six acres.

Have a magical day!