Disneyland 2013

Wow!

That sums up the trip I have just completed with my wife and some great friends and fellow Skippers.


Disneyland Park was beautiful as always, but this time we were there around Halloween time so we saw all the decorations around the park. In addition, we had the opportunity to see first hand the Haunted Mansion Holiday makeover and the Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy makeover. They were both great, but the HMH was hands down one of the best attractions in the park for the holidays. I would recommend any Nightmare Before Christmas fan to get out to Disneyland and see this gem. They really go all out in this transformation of the Haunted Mansion (both inside and out). Trying to describe it doesn't do it justice so again, just go there ASAP!

California Adventure was more beautiful than my last visit since they completed Carsland. I truly enjoyed the entire new land, every detail was amazing. All three attractions have their own beauty and fun, but of course the gem of the bunch is Radiator Springs Racers. While based on the same ride system as Test Track at Epcot, it is a great attraction all its own. I really enjoyed that it was part dark ride and part thrill ride and hope they continue this type of attraction in the future. You don't have to have one or the other, but you can have both at the same time. Also, the food in Radiator Springs is really good quality. Even being all counter service, most of it you would swear was in a table service restaurant. This is yet another place you don't want to miss out on.

I do want to say a big thank you to our "hosts" on this trip (they know who they are) for doing such a great job making a very memorable trip for everyone with such special events including VIP fireworks viewing, VIP Fantasmic viewing, and a ride on the Lily Belle. Great times had by all!

Now that vacation is over, it is almost time for us Skippers to head back out into the rivers and jungles of the world to tell our jokes, shoo away hippos, and say hello to our old friend Trader Sam. Starting October 1, 2013 the World Famous Jungle Cruise presented by the Jungle Navigation Company will begin again taking excursions out into the Jungle.

PS---
While mentioning Trader Sam, we had drinks at your bar more than once and really hope you decide to open up a new Enchanted Tiki Bar here in our neck of the woods Jungle!

D23 Expo 2013

This coming weekend is the 2013 D23 Expo, so that will be the center of the universe for all things Disney for 3 days. I was lucky enough to attend the very first D23 Expo with my wife and we had a wonderful time. We used that as an excuse to visit Disneyland for the first time as well, and it was an amazing time for us. The Expo portions we were most excited about were the Parks & Resorts presentation, and also the Walt Disney Studios (live action films) presentation. We were not disappointed with either and some highlights were... seeing Johnny Depp in person as Cptn. Jack Sparrow, seeing the Muppets sing Rainbow Connection LIVE, and seeing the announcement of new park attractions.

All that being said, this weekend brings another Expo with the potential for many memorable moments. While a major park announcement will most likely not happen, there is a potential for a great surprise moment with the WDS presentation. Since the purchase of Lucasfilm by the WDC and announcement of a sequel trilogy of Star Wars movies starting in 2015, myself along with all Star Wars fans everywhere have been patiently waiting for any info on what this trilogy will be about. The hottest rumor is the one concerning the return of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford otherwise known as the Big 3. 

So, it is with great anticipation that I await whatever it is that Lucasfilm/Disney are going to announce this weekend in regards to Star Wars Episode VII. It is funny though, some of the biggest parts of my childhood (Disney, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Marvel) are all part of the same company and luckily I'm part of that too. 

Strange how things work out huh?

Home...

I've been thinking about home a lot lately. Honestly, there isn't a lot that I miss from home. A little snow at Christmas, being able to watch Packers games more often, and family. Those are the things I miss most, and I've missed family even more as of late. A lot of that is due to there being some good things going on back home re: kids birthdays, camping trips, family reunion/parties, and sadly one not good reason I would have like to have been home for too.

Don't misunderstand, I love my life here. Of the dreams of it I have had over the years, it has turned out even better. I love my job and have found a good group of friends (they know who they are) that make it that much better to drive boats around in circles all day and sometimes be a butler too. But there are also times where I wish I could just jump on a plane and head home, but I can't. I know in the future that things will work out so that I can do that, but that time isn't quite here yet.

All I can do is think about the family and hope they realize how much they are missed on a daily basis. I hope to see you all soon, and if not, I am thinking of you all every time I walk into the Magic Kingdom.


Skipper Yensid

Beginnings

Well, there is a beginning for everything. This is the beginning of my life as a blogger. 

Why now? Why at all? 

In this world much is happening in politics, entertainment, science and more. I, as much as anyone else, have opinions on all of these things and have found the outlets to express those opinions problematic at best. So here I am, trying a new thing that I hope will provoke thought and maybe even a few followers over time. 

A little about myself...  

As some may pick up from the title and description of my blog I am a Skipper at the World Famous Jungle Cruise. I enjoy my life as a skipper very much, and am sure that some posts will talk about this. Being a Jungle Cruise Skipper you can probably guess I love the Walt Disney Company, and this too will be the subject of many postings as well. I love sports, movies, video games, and outdoor activities. These too will find their way into this blog, especially all things Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Disney theme parks, Marvel, Green Bay Packers and more. 

I will try to keep posts coming to this blog as often as life permits, and more so when big things are happening. Again, I hope you all find something fun, interesting, entertaining, and maybe even a little thought provoking here and we can all enjoy together. 

Skipper Yensid