The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: About fifty area kids attended the annual Kids Clinic held by the Cincinnati Reds at Ed Smith Stadium. The annual clinic occurs each year during spring training and allows the kids the opportunity to learn some points from their big league idols. The kids broke into groups and then took the field with the Reds players. Alvin Colina and Craig Tatum worked the catchers clinic, Alexander Smit worked with the pitchers, Andy Green and Paul Janish worked the infield clinic and Jeff Keppinger and Ryan Freel worked the outfield clinic. While the kids rotated to each clinic, the parents sat in the stands and got tip from minor league manager Rick Sweet. After the clinics were over, the kids hit the dugout to share stories and then met with the Reds mascot who helped raffle off autographed baseballs from the Reds players. The free kids event has taken place yearly since the Reds have been training here in Sarasota.

St. Petersburg, Florida: Thousands of Rays fans flocked to Tropicana Field for the annual Fan Fest presented by the Tampa Bay Rays. The event occurs each season and services as the kick-off event for the upcoming season. The event features vendors and events that showcase the Rays and their commitment to the community. After spring training camp wrapped up for the day, the players and coached headed to the Trop to entertain their fans. The players spent time signing autographs and answering questions for those who waited in line to see them. There were plenty of booths set up with gifts and games for those who attended. Children got the opportunity to run the bases and swing for the fences just like the pros do. In addition to the activities, fans got the opportunity to tour the Trop and the Rays clubhouse. The event occurs annually and admission is free.

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Discovery Island is your gateway to the fun and adventure that awaits you at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. In the middle of the island lies the park’s icon, the Tree of Life. Radiating out from the island are the bridges that lead to each of the parks themed lands making it the park’s central hub. Originally opened as Safari Village, the island was renamed Discovery Island in 1999 when a similarly named attraction on Bay Lake closed. It is home to a few animals, a multi-sense movie, shopping and restaurants. The lands focal point is the Tree of Life. The 145 foot man-made tree is the icon of the Animal Kingdom. Using an oil rig platform as a skeleton, Imagineers constructed this fourteen story tree that contains carvings of over 325 animals. In the base of the Tree of Life is the Tree of Life Theater. Here you can watch the 4-D film called “It’s Tough to be a Bug.” The nine minute show inspired by the Disney-Pixar film “A Bug’s Life” brings the audienc...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: We spent our last day at Walt Disney World at Animal Kingdom. I am not a big fan of Animal Kingdom, but our son loves the animals. Like always, we arrived at the park first thing. We watched the opening ceremony with Mickey, Minnie and the gang. Once the ceremony concluded we began our journey through the park. Our first stop was the popular Kilimanjaro Safari. One of the most popular attractions in the park, we hit it first thing to avoid the crowds. Because the animals are so unpredictable, no two rides are the same. This time we managed to see the Cheetah, the other times we rode the safari, he was not visible. When we concluded the safari, we headed over to the Harambi train station to board the Wildlife Express train to take us to Conservation Station. While at Conservation Station, we briefly watched them perform surgery on an animal, met with Jiminy Cricket and Rafiki and then visited the animals of the petting zoo. We then hopped back on the...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: A stroll down the streets of the United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot’s World History is more like a stroll though the history of the country then a theme park attraction. Each building here represents a different unique style from the UK. While there are no ride attractions here, there is plenty of shopping to keep you busy. The United Kingdom pavilion was one of the original pavilions of the World Showcase when it opened to the public in 1982. The buildings of the pavilion represent each of the various architectural styles from United Kingdom history. The pavilion makes up for its lack of attractions by providing lots of shopping venues. Here you will find the following shops: Crown and Crest: Beatles merchandise. Historical Research Center: family history merchandise including family crests. Sportsman’s Shoppe: soccer and rugby merchandise. Tea Caddy: tea items. Toy Soldier: toys and other children’s merchandise. UK Card: pin trading and park souvenirs. If yo...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The smallest land in the Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square plays homage to the birth of America. Colonial American spirit is alive and well amongst here in the village. Liberty Square is home to all of the nation’s presidents as well as a mansion with 999 ghosts. This small land is one of the original lands of the Magic Kingdom and is the only one in the park not to have received a major renovation since opening day in 1971. The theme here is colonial America, the buildings resemble old clapboard houses found in the colonies in the 1700’s. There is even a replica of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree. Liberty Square is home to three attractions, the Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents and Liberty Square Riverboat. The main attraction here is the Haunted Mansion. Enter the creepy mansion and embark on an eight minute journey through the haunted halls and come face to face with 999 happy haunts. As you ride in you doom buggy, you will pass through many scenes with ...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: With our passes back in service, we woke up early to hit the Magic Kingdom. We had breakfast at the Riverside Mill here at the hotel and then boarded the bus for the Magic Kingdom. When the rope dropped, we headed down Main Street USA enroute to Fantasyland. Once there we visited all of the attractions there. We rode Dumbo, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World all be before the crowds became unbearable. From there we headed to Liberty Square to ride the Haunted Mansion. Afterwards it was a trip to Frontierland so my wife could ride her favorite ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then we hopped on the ferry to Tom Sawyer Island where the little guy explored the caves and bridges on the island. I love the suspension bridges, the bring out the mischievous kid in me. On the barrel bridge, I jumped down on the bridge so hard, it flung the people on the ot...