Photo by The Joneses Gisela, left, and Ralph enjoy all there is about Disney, including the theme parks. Whenever they have the chance to show folks around the park, they do so. SLIDE SHOW: Visiting Disney's theme parks — — — View Larger Map
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

Usually Ralph and I go to a park — picking a different one each time — once a week, usually on a Monday. We go to the laundry for clean costumes, do some shopping at the discount store and then off to a park. Note that I say "costumes" and not uniforms. At Disney everything is a SHOW. We are cast members not employees — the HR department is casting services.

Last week, however, was the week of the parks. On Thursday, Ralph played golf at Lake Buena Vista golf course, a PGA course on Disney. Cast members can play after 2 p.m. at about a fourth of the regular cost.

He and Ken were very excited to have this wonderful opportunity. Wendy, Ken’s wife, and I went to Epcot. Epcot has two areas, the Future World and World Showcase. Future World features rides and hands-on activities for young (and young at heart) people. World Showcase has exhibits of 11 nations showing their cultures and cuisine. All buildings are typical of the nation, and the food is authentic to the specific country.

Wendy and I rode the "Soaring," a fairly new and wonderful ride. It is like sitting in a glider and flying over California. The Golden Gate bridge looks fantastic from above, flying over the orange grove you can smell the oranges.

We also went on the ‘Test Track’ and Mission Space. Test Track is a fast and bumpy ride going through various tests that cars have to go through before going on the market — a great ride. Mission Space simulates a spaceship launch and a landing on Mars, another great ride. In the evening we met with our husbands and went to, where else, the Biergarten in the German exhibit. The food was typical German food and very good and so was the beer.

On Friday we went to Animal Kingdom (our third time) with our new full-timer friends: Erma and Bill from Glen Burnie, one of the few Marylanders we have met here, and Patty and Dennis, who originally from California.

Both couples have been full-timing for six years and they are still loving it. As cast members, Ralph and I have passes that allow us to take up to three guests each six times a year. So, we took advantage of this benefit and invited them to go to the park with us. I found a "fast ride" friend in Patty.

She and I went on the Expedition Everett, a very fast roller coaster that at one point ends at broken rails and then goes backwards for the rest of the ride.

We also rode on the "Dinosaur," riding in a land rover back in time to the land of dinosaurs — a bit scary at times since it was all in the dark and the dinosaurs were ferocious-looking. Somewhat like Jurassic Park! You have to love fast rides to enjoy these.

But there were many other shows and slower rides for all of us to enjoy including a great parade in the middle of the day. The one show I did not like was "It’s Tough to be a Bug," a 3-D animated movie about bugs – and I don’t like bugs – Ralph thought it was cute and had a good laugh at me trying to hide behind him.

On Sunday we went to Epcot again, this time with Rich, Robin, Jordyn and Nick. Also taking advantage of the free passes we have.

This time we even got Ralph on the "Soaring" and he did enjoy it. Ralph HATES fast rides, while I LOVE them — we are definitely not a good match in that area.

At the Innovations East & West pavilion we participated in an action video game, Richard and Nick were doing the running and jumping while we jeered them on. We also build our own plastic robot that we took home – I made mine in purple and red – looks like a robot red hatter!

I could go on and on talking about the numerous rides, exhibits, shows, food etc. There are different in each park, always in the theme of the park, and so imaginative. Everyone, young and old (but young at heart) can find something to enjoy.