The Wandering Disciple

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The white peaks of Space Mountain shine over the metallic futuristic structures found within Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Like the pages from a comic book, Tomorrowland gives visitors a glimpse at the future holds. Tomorrowland was one of the original lands of the Magic Kingdom when the park opened in 1971. Walt Disney modeled it after the original Tomorrowland at Disneyland in California. The land was not quite finished when in time for the grand opening of the park, but that did not keep it closed come opening day. The finishing touches were completed and Tomorrowland was completed by 1975. The keystone attraction of Tomorrowland is Space Mountain. One of the three mountains at the Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain was opened in 1975. Located inside the futuristic mountain, the coaster is located entirely indoors and in the dark, much like that of outer space. Riders board a rocket and blast into space, reaching speeds of 30 mph on the 2 1/2 minute ride....

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The Oasis is the most heavily traveled yet most overlooked land of the Animal Kingdom. The dense tropical foliage offers a great reprieve from the bright Florida sun and the shadows tend to drop the temperature a few degrees, making it a great place to linger and enjoy. However its location to the main entrance and lack of attractions makes this portion of the park more of a thoroughfare then a true land, but a slower look what lies within the trees will help you appreciate the Oasis. Nestled between the main entrance and Discovery Island, the Oasis is home to over two dozens small animals. Within the foliage you will find macaws, anteaters, iguanas and more tropical animals from around the world. In addition to the animals, the Oasis also features lovely tropical plants. Keep an eye out for Wes Palm, the talking tree that mingles among guests here. At the entrance to the Oasis is the Rainforest Café. The café is one of the full-service restraraunts lo...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Off the beaten path and tucked away in the Animal Kingdom region of Walt Disney World, the Cornado Springs Resort brings elements of the Mexico and the Southwestern United States and drops them right in the middle of Central Florida. Opened in 1997, the Coronado Springs was Walt Disney World’s first moderate hotel and was built with the business traveler in mind. The resorts convention center is the largest on the Disney property with over 220,000 square feet of meeting space. The resort features 1,915 guestrooms in three distinct villages surrounding a 15 acre lake. The rooms are in the moderate class and are 314 square feet and feature moderate class amenities like a flat screen television, coffee maker, table and chairs and a small refrigerator. In 2009, the resort added club rooms that feature the above amenities and add a DVD player, personalized front desk service, turndown service and a lounge features a continental breakfast, snacks and evening w...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The spirit of innovation and technology is alive and well within the Future World pavilion of Epcot. Through rides and attractions, guest will see how the world evolved from technological standpoint, from the days of the dinosaurs to what lies ahead in the future, it can all be witnessed within Future World. The pavilions revolve around Spaceship Earth in the front half of the park. Clockwise from the entrance you will experience Spaceship Earth, Innoventions, Universe of Energy, Wonders of Life, Mission Space, Test Track, Imagination, The Land and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. The icon of the park, Spaceship Earth, is the centerpiece of Future World. Opened with the park in 1982 and later renovated in 2007, guest enter the 180 foot geodesic dome to embark on a journey through the history of communications. Riders board a omni mover train and take an almost 15 minute ride though various milestones in communications history. You will witness caveman wa...

Boca Grande, Florida: At 105 feet, the skeleton tower of the Gasparilla Island Rear Range Light towers over the neighboring beaches and homes in the middle coast of Boca Grande. It is one of two lighthouses on the island, joining the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse further south in aiding ships passing through to Charlotte Harbor. The story of the lighthouse actually begins in Delaware. It was built by the Phoenix Iron Company and put into service in Lewes, Delaware as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Range Light in 1881. The light remained in service here until 1918 when it was decommissioned due to shifting coastlines. The tower was later dismantled and shipped to Florida in 1921. In 1927, the tower was sent to Gasparilla Island and erected two miles from the Port Boca Grande Light. The tower received a new coat of white paint and was renamed the Gasparilla Island Rear Range Light. It went into service in 1932 and worked in conjunction with the Front Range Light located a mile off-sh...

Sanibel, Florida: Just off the coast of Fort Myers lies a small island that has been a favorite spot for beachgoers for years. The laid back lifestyle of Sanibel Island combined with the clear tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide the perfect oasis from a busy day or week. Like much of Southwest Florida, the original settlers of Sanibel were the Calusa Indians. The maintained a settlement on the island until the European arrival collapsed the Calusa Empire in the 1700’s. Spanish settlers began to explore the island in the mid 1700’s. By 1768, the island was named Puerto de S. Nibel by the Spanish. The naming of the island is believed to be in honor of Queen Isabella I of Castile by Juan Ponce de Leon. In the early 1800’s, pirate lore joined Sanibel. Just like neighboring Gasparilla Island, Sanibel Island is thought to have its own pirate past. Black Caesar is thought to have taken refuge on the island during the War of 1812. But later left when he betrayed Gasparill...

Orlando, Florida: Sea World has been known since its inception for its world renowned animal shows and exhibits. But more recently, the executive leadership of the corporation has added rides and attractions to compete with local theme parks, resulting in the transformation from marine park to an adventure park. Sea World in Orlando features over ten rides in total with two of the countries best rollercoaster among them. The first ride was introduced with the park in 1973. The 400 foot Sky Tower takes riders on an aerial view of the park from a two story rotating observation tower. Here guests will have a birds eye view of Sea World along with the rest of Orlando. The first major thrill ride was opened in 1998. Journey of Atlantis take its passengers on a trip to the mythical city of Atlantis. The peaceful journey is cut short when the boat is hurled down a 60 foot drop and soaking splash down at the bottom. But its not over there, the boat becomes a coaster for the finale. A...