In anticipation of the Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary, Cinderella’s Castle has a swanky new paint job.
Posts Tagged With: Disney
Shiny and Bright
Categories: Disney, hdr, Photography, Travel
Tags: castle, Cinderella's Castle, Disney, florida, hdr, photography, travel photography, Walt Disney World
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Happy Aloha Friday!
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Christmas, Decorations, Disney, Mele Kalikimaka, Polynesian, Tiki, Walt Disney World
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Making Christmas
Where can you find the perfect mix of Halloween and Christmas? Look no further than Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. The old New Orleans Square attraction gets a holiday overlay beginning in September and running through the Holidays.
Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is trying his hand at Christmas decorating. Jack O Lanterns with Santa hats, Wreaths with skulls and spider webs and Scarecrows impersonating the man in the red suit appear on the grounds of the deserted mansion.
Inside, the townspeople from Halloweentown are busy at work getting ready for Jack’s big holiday mash-up.
Going to Dizzneyland
Do you like to go around and round? Getting dizzy in Disneyland is the perfect pastime. Especially after dark.
Categories: Disneyland, Photography, Travel, Uncategorized
Tags: Anaheim, Astro Orbiter, california, California Adventure, Carrousel, Disney, Disneyland, hdr, NIghttime, photography, Pixar Pier, Tomorrowland, travel, Zephyr
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The Ghosts Of St. Paul’s
Halloween is the perfect time of the year to experience a ghost tour. The city of London has a vast array of these tours, you can choose The Theater District, Jack The Ripper or any of a number of cool locations.
The Cathedral of St. Paul may be known the spot where Mary Poppins and the children meet the bird woman. But by night, the location takes on an eerie appearance.
The Whistler is St. Paul’s most well-known haunting. Many have seen the visage of an elderly clergyman accompanied by a tuneless whistle. Your best chance of meeting the clergyman is to visit the Cathedral’s west end. On the ground floor of the northwest tower. When the tower was rededicated after WWI, a previously hidden door was uncovered. This is the exact spot where the whistling cleric appears to fade into the wall.
There are 2 other ghost stories captured by Irish writer and Ghost Hunter, Elliott O’Donnell. In one story an American couple experience a “great black cloud” that rose out of the floor and climbed 20 feet into the air before disappearing. They described the cloud as “alive'”.
O’Donnell’s second story involves a woman who was resting in the cathedral one afternoon. This woman spotted another woman in a pew in front of her. She seemed to be frantically looking for something. The first woman got up to help the woman, but on her way down the aisle she felt a tap on her shoulder. She spun around to find no one behind and when she resumed her walk, the other woman had vanished.
Several days later, at the same time of day, the woman saw the figure of the woman once again. She rose to offer assistance but was once again stopped by a tap on her shoulder. Just as before, there was no one behind her and in front of her the woman was gone.
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Categories: Church, Europe, Haunted Travel, London, Photography, Travel
Tags: architecture, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney Magic, Disney Northern Europe, Disney Ports of Call, DisneycruiseLine, England, Europe, Ghosts, Great Britain, halloween, Haunted, Haunting, London, Mary Poppins, photography, spooky, St. Paul's Cathedral, travel photography, Walking Tours
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Hey, Hey, We’re The Monks
No trip to Tallin, Estonia is complete without a visit to the Danish King’s Garden. Watching over the medieval walled garden are statues of faceless monks, Ambrosius, Bartholomeus and Claudius. The legend goes, that during a losing battle, the monks prayed for divine intervention on behalf of the Danish King. Out of the sky fell a large flag, which became the national flag of Denmark.
Estonia is also considered one of the most haunted places in Europe. The King’s Garden is said to be haunted by a monk, perhaps a former executioner having a change of heart.
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Categories: Church, Estonia, Photography, Travel
Tags: architecture, DCL, Denmark, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney Magic, Disney Northern Europe, Disney Ports of Call, DisneycruiseLine, Estonia, Europe, Ghosts, Monks, photography, spooky, Tallin
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There are more things in heaven and earth
Legend has it that Shakespeare wrote his masterpiece Hamlet, with Kronborg Castle as it’s setting. The mystery remains as to whether or not he actually visited Denmark. In 1816, on the 200th anniversary of his death, the soldiers garrisoned at Kronborg performed his play for the first time.
When you arrive at the castle, make a point of checking out the days schedule as in the Summer months, Hamlet is performed live on the castle grounds.
I arrived just in time to head to the King’s Chamber for Ophelia’s mad scene.
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
“Good-night, ladies, good-night, sweet ladies, good-night, good-night.”
In between scenes, Queen Gertrude works on her crewel in her chamber.
“One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,
So fast they follow. Your sister’s drown’d, Laertes.”
“But to know a man well were to know himself.”
“The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.”
“No, no! the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet!
The drink, the drink! I am poison’d.”
“It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain”
Good Night Sweet Prince
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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: architecture, arts, castle, Copenhagen, Denmark, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney Magic, Disney Northern Europe, Disney Ports of Call, DisneycruiseLine, Europe, Ghosts, Hamlet, photography, Shakespeare, spooky
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Kronborg Slot
Standing guard high on a promontory in Helsingor, Kronborg Slot (Kronborg Castle) was the home of Denmark rulers until the 1600’s. 
In 1785, the castle was being fitted for use as army barracks. The chapel was outfitted as a gym and fencing hall. The chapel was later refurnished with the original furniture and reinaugurated in 1843
Detail of the main entrance to the chapel. 
The chapel features the original pews dating back to King Frederik II.
The casements deep beneath the castle are a unique experience. Dimly lit and at times a bit treacherous, the casements are fun to explore but watch your step.
This subterranean labyrinth is where you can meet Holger. According to the myth of King Arthur, a Danish king known as Holger the Dane, was kidnapped by the sorceress, Morgan le Fay and taken to Avalon. He escaped to rescue France from danger and then traveled to Kronborg castle. Today he sleeps until he is needed to save his homeland. 
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Categories: Castles, Church, Copenhagen, Europe, Hamlet, Kronborg Castle, Photography, Travel
Tags: architecture, arts, Denmark, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney Magic, Disney Ports of Call, DisneycruiseLine, Elsinore, Europe, Ghosts, Hamlet, Helsingor, Kronborg Slot, photography, travel, vacation
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The Riviera of the Nordic region
Hop one of the convenient trains from the central train station in Copenhagen and an hour later you’ll be visiting the town of Helsingor in Northern Zealand. 
Kulturhavn Kronborg is an area dedicated to the arts, live music, theatre and art all play a part in the culture of the region. 
This fish sculpture is made entirely out of garbage found in the bay. Look clsely and you’ll find everything from plastic beach pails to hubcaps to watering cans to children’s toys. All items that were tossed in the water and retrieved for art. 
The narrow cobblestone streets are perfect from exploring on foot or on bike. 
Han, Danish for Him, is the little brother of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid. Artists Elmgreen & Dragset use the same pose as his more famous sibling, but he has 2 legs instead of a tail. If you watch closely, Han’s eyes blink for a split second once every hour as he stares out into the harbor.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: castle, Copenhagen, Denmark, Disney, Disney Cruise, Disney Magic, Disney Northern Europe, Disney Ports of Call, DisneycruiseLine, Elsinore, Europe, Helsingor
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Public houses, merriment and generous women
In 1671, King Christian began work on a new harbor for Copenhagen. Nyhavn has been the home of Danish artists such as Hans Christian Andersen and countless writers, ballerina and musicians. 
The brightly colored buildings are home to restaurants, shops and clubs. Once a notorious red light district, activities today range from getting a new tattoo to cruising along the canals on a flat boat.
At one time the area was frequented by sailors who came for the seedy taverns and loose women. Today, the area is a vibrant neighborhood where you can enjoy one of the bars and restaurants or purchase a bottle of wine and sit on the wall overlooking the canal. This stretch is referred to as the longest bar in Scandanavia. 
In the old days, the neighborhood was split into the Sunny Side and The Shady Side. Today both sides are family friendly. 
One of the unique restaurants is called KOMPASSET (The Compass) – the building used to house several manufacturers of compasses. KOMPASSET features a menu of smørrebrød/open sandwiches and craft beers from local breweries.
As you walk along the waterfront, don’t forget to look up. This building features a diving helmet as a monument to Em. Z. Svitzer Bjergnings Enterprise, a marine salvage company.
In the mood for a burger, try Hereford House, but don’t be surprised at the price. A burger and beer can set you back more than $20 USD.
For the adventurous drinker, the ideal place to order a shot of Fisk “Fisherman’s Friend” vodka, Ga-Jol liquorice vodka, Akvavit or Gammel Dansk is the Fisken Pub. Located in the basement of the Skipperkroen Restaurant, the abundance of nautical decor gives you the feeling of what it may have been like to visit here 350 years ago.
Hyttefadet is a good little restaurant for a quick Danish lunch of an open faced salmon sandwich and a beer. Sit back and watch the world go by. 
Nyhavn 17 is a more elegant dining choice. 
Heering is a cozy restaurant, known for traditional Danish entrees as well as European Bistro specialties. The inside is very small and don’t be surprised if your dinner is interrupted by servers poking you to move out their way as you eat.
Hong Kong is one of the old school strip clubs and bars in Copenhagen. If you’re looking for a local dive bar with a rough clientele, this may be the spot for you.
If you visit Copenhagen, a trip to Nyhavn is well worth a few hours of your time.
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Travels With Ackbar 