OK, so my recent trip wasn't ALL research, as the family came along with me for a few days to spend some quality family time in Walt Disney World. It didn't take long for me to remember just WHY I love this place so much, as it's all about the memories I made with my parents as a child, and the ones I am making with children of my own. 

Case in point: 

A simple, almost forgettable moment at the time. But someday, we'll look back on this picture together... and my son, (just as I said to MY parents as we looked through the old photo albums) will say to me: "Dad? Why the heck did you dress me like that?!!!?"

And I'll just smile. Just as I did when I took this photo.  

If you have never been to Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival, then stop what you are doing, step away from the computer, grab the rest of the family, and head on down to Walt Disney World right away - or at least before June 1, when the Festival ends. For beyond the amazing floral arrangements are amazing character topiaries, children’s play areas, Great American Gardener visiting speakers, and the Flower Power Concert series.

One of my favorite details "hidden" in the Future World flower beds lies in the nautical flags located near the Odyssey building. The floral flags represent letters (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) that spell a message to be decoded by Guests.

Do you know what they spell? If so, email me using the CONTACT form on the site - if you are the first to send in the correct answer, you will win a copy of my Audio Guide to Walt DIsney World - Main Street, USA. 

CONGRATULATIONS to reader Ryan Wilson for getting the correct answer within minutes (moments?!) of me posting the question!

Like the blog-contest idea? Look for more spur-of-the-moment contests like this coming soon! 

Rumors of the changes to the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway are... well... not rumors, as the signage has in fact begun to change, as evidenced by the two photos below.

The first shows the main sign over the entrance to the attraction, while the second shows one of the two "garge doors" to the right of the queue. It is expected that the main sign will also be changed very soon to reflect the change, removing any references to "Indy" or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Buh bye, Indy...

Some people say that there's just no such thing as a bad day in Walt Disney World.

And I have to agree.

My family and I arrived late last night after coming up from South Florida for a few days for what was really an unexpected, unscheduled trip to WDW. We checked into All Star Sports (did I mention yet that it's the week after Easter, and getting a room here is tougher than.. well, it was tough, OK?). We headed over to the Magic Kingdom around 9:00 p.m. after getting settled, as my wife was feeling like a kid, as if she had never been to WDW in her life. Bad idea? Nah. Although Main Street, USA was basically a parking lot of tired parents and strollers, making it literally impassible during SpectroMagic, it didn't matter, as we were "home" again. 

Today was simply spectacular. I had an event to attend this morning (see? I DO work on these "Research Trips"), then met my family at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The weather was perfect, the crowds were pretty heavy (so what, I'm still in WDW, which is better than New Jersey!), I was with my family, and we were having a great time!

A quick nap during the car ride (for my kids, not me), and we were off to the Magic Kingdom for a quick bit to eat (Columbia Harbour House) before hitting a few attractions with Jessica (who is my daughter's new best friend - whether she knows it or not).

Anyway, we called it an "early" night (in Lou's world, anyway... what I'm doing in my room and it's only 11:30 p.m. is beyond me LOL), as we get ready for the next in our multi-day adventure.

So I just thought I'd check in, and oh, why not? Here's a photo or two, just for the heck of it. See you tomorrow!