Lance Around Orlando

Disney's Boardwalk is Part of the EPCOT Resort Area

Disney World is packed with serendipitous environments tucked away from the glare of their four world famous theme parks. One such place is the resort area located behind EPCOT. For the lucky readers of my blog, it is just waiting to be discovered. 

The entire area encircles a lake located between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. One could walk or take a Disney Friendship boat from place to place around the EPCOT resorts. There is the Yacht and Beach clubs, the Swan and Dolphin hotels and the Disney Boardwalk. 

The Yacht, Beach, Swan and Dolphin are resort inns that feature convention services, great pools and lots of other resort amenities. You have to be a guest in the resort to enjoy most of these. But there are nice restaurants and other shops that anyone can enjoy. For me, the jewel of the EPCOT resort area is Disney’s Boardwalk 

Unexpected Street Performers Suddenly Appear

The Boardwalk itself is built with planks of wood reminiscent of my younger days enjoying similar boardwalks on the Jersey shore. There are various shops, restaurants, arcades and kiosks throughout the area. In my next post, I will review Kouzzina restaurant. There is also the upscale Flying Fish restaurant and the flamboyant ESPN Club where I often go to watch my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies play football. 

Another one of our favorite activities is renting a bicycle large enough to take the entire family for a spin around the lake. 

Jellyrolls is an adult bar featuring dueling pianos and audience sing-alongs. Try to stump the maestro with your requests! The Atlantic Dance Hall is a huge, art deco ballroom showcasing cool bands and hot DJs nightly for the over 21 crowd. 

Sometimes it’s a pleasure to simply walk along the boardwalk throwing breadcrumbs to the ducks paddling around the lake. 

Whatever your preference, Boardwalk is an enjoyable, relaxing environment for those readers searching for “more than a mouse.”™

Yikes! #1 Daughter is an Imperial Stormtrooper

Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have become one of the most anticipated events of the year.  

During May and June every year, four weekends are devoted to Star Wars fans of all ages.  During this special event there are guest appearances from across the spectrum of Star Wars movies and TV series as well as multiple photo ops, parades and programs.  

Younglings can hone their lightsaber skills and, perhaps, have an unexpected encounter with Darth Vader. Trivia contests provide an opportunity for a special prize. Characters abound and autograph sessions are packed with fans.  There is no additional charge as all these activities are included with your admission into Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Of course, all the usual rides and attractions are up and running as well. 

Uh-oh Jabba the Hut Caught Up with Her

This year, the celebrity hosts for all four Star Wars weekends are Jeremy Bullock, who played Boba Fett, and Ashley Eckstein, who provided the voice of Ahsoka.  In addition, each weekend features special appearances by other guests, such as Jango Fett, the voice of Captain Rex, the chief model maker, Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), a supervising director, Darth Maul, Chewbacca and more!  

For a special invitation to Star Wars Weekends (and a little smile) call 407.827.2799.  

Number One and Two Sons and Number One Daughter went to Hollywood Studios last weekend and reported that it was a lot of fun. They also did some excellent journalistic research to provide LanceAround fans the scoop that Star Tours is planning to change their voyage. Rumor has it, it will be 3-D.  

Click on this link for a video preview of the new Star Tours Attraction: http://www.wdwnews.com/viewvideo.aspx?videoid=113798&siteid=1  

This new remake is planning to come to your galaxy in 2011.  

On a far more serious note…  

One of Amber’s young Montessori School pals was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year. It’s been a real struggle for him and his family. Here’s a link to their blog where they talk about their trip to Star Wars Weekend last week. It will make you smile and cry at the same time:  Jedi Noah’s Blog.  

Please hold Jedi Noah in your thoughts. He’s a terrific kid from a terrific family. If you don’t have time to see his blog, here’s a video of Jedi Noah taking part in the parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  

There's Something DiVine About This Stand of Trees in Animal Kingdom

“Did you see it?”  

“What was that?”  

“Did that tree just move?”  

When walking through Disney World, one expects to meet lots of characters. Sometimes these encounters are expected and intentional; sometimes they are unexpected. Often you meet “first tier” characters, such as Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Goofy, or Donald Duck. Sometimes you meet unconventional characters like the soldiers from Toy Story, the Imperial Stormtroopers from Star Wars or the elusive, sometimes smoke free Pecos Bill.  

For a truly serendipitous encounter, I hope you meet DiVine.  

DiVine Revealed

She can be as allusive as her character.  A search on Disney’s website does not reveal her. On the internet, I have seen her referred to as “Tree Woman” or “Ivy Woman.”  

Who is she?  

Her name is Priscilla Blight and she is a performance artist who is part of a group known as The Living Garden. When she moves, it is with the grace and agility of nature itself. When she stands still, she portrays the strength of a rock. When she so wishes, she can blend into the scenery so completely that all are blind to her prescence.  

I posted a picture of her at the top of this blog. Did you see her?  

Currently, DiVine appears on the pathway between Africa and Asia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Some websites state that she performs at 10am, 11am, noon, and 1pm. But I can’t find any official listing of her in Disney literature. And she surely can’t perform every day of the week. My family saw her on Saturdy.  

Once Revealed, She Always Draws a Crowd

Using stilts, extended arms and creative costuming, DiVine fluctuates between 7 and 16 feet tall. When she crosses the path, it’s impossible to miss her. When she curls around a post, it’s easy to mistake her for ivy. When she hugs a tree, she vanishes into the landscape.  

There is something both mystical and magical about DiVine. The best way to see her occurs when you are innocently looking at a grove of trees and, suddenly, one of them begins to move. Fortunately, that’s how I first encountered her. With that first movement, however, she draws a crowd. Then most people see her as they strain to understand what everyone is looking at.  

Her performance ability, however, is superb. Not only can she move in a way that convinces you she is a moving plant; not only can her face take on the luminecent quality of a natural organism; she also has great timing. She can stand perfectly still and tranquil until all the nearby guests have taken their look and moved on. Then–suddenly–unexpectantly–she will begin to move right in front of an unsuspecting youngster who will cry out in delight, astonishment or sometimes terror.  

She does not speak. She does not look directly at you. Her eyes are either wide open or so serenely shut you just know she has returned to Nirvana.  

This is a character performance worth experiencing. It is, for lack of a better word, DiVine! 

[2/1/10 Editor’s Note:  Whenever I write a blog, I usually send an email to the subject of the blog. This blog was partially based on information from the website cited above. After posting, we were delighted to hear from Priscilla Stephan (nee Blight) who created the character DiVine. She gave us the following update to that information: 

Dear LanceAround,

Thank you for writing such a poetic Blog 🙂

I felt it was also important to update you so that you have a few current facts!!

DiVine has recently become part of a new company i have just formed called  Living World Entertainment. I am now called Priscilla Stephan (not Blight) because I got married a few years ago.

While i created the character DiVine and used to perform this act I now function mainly as a Creative Director.We now have about 10/12 DiVine performers that work through out the states and beyond!!

Up until very recently DiVine was part of The living Garden which was produced by 2nd Nature Productions. i started 2nd Nature  in FL in 1999. Divine now however as been transferred out of 2nd Nature into my new company Living World Entertainment.

The performers name who was working that day is Carol ann Byron.

I hope this helps:)

and thanks again for sending this to me.

Warm Regards

-Priscilla

Which Way Did She Go?

Blast Off on This Newly Refurbished Ride

After a 12 million dollar renovation, Space Mountain in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has now re-opened and is ready to blast off passengers on this iconic roller coaster thrill ride. 

A Space Mountain Rocket

The thrill of Space Mountain is created by the illusion caused from operating in near darkness. This 2.5 minute attraction achieves speeds of only 28mph.  However, in the dark it feels like it is going so much faster. This photo shows how each “rocket” requires only minimal restraints. 

For this reason, Space Mountain is the perfect coaster for those who are a little squeamish about riding a faster, more heavily restrained coaster. In addition, the cool star and planet special effects in Space Mountain make for a delightful immersive environment. Part of the thrill comes from not knowing which direction your “rocket” will turn next.

If someone in your group does not want to ride, they can still join everyone in the queue where there are new, interactive games, a new glow-in-the-dark spaceport and even brief glimpses of the ride. Prior to refurbishment, the ride “rockets” had reflective decals on the side and you could see more of the ride. These were removed in the new version to allow for even less light, creating a darker and more immersive thrill ride. As with all Disney rides, there is a last minute way to exit prior to boarding the ride as well as a baby swap and an area where you can wait for your party members who have chosen to ride.

I have not had a chance to try the new Space Mountain but Number One Daughter wants to take her friends to Disney this weekend so I might have an opportunity then. If so, I’ll give you an update.