TSO POPS - West Side Story

What an amazing show. I have never seen this movie and brought my two teens with me to enjoy watching it on the big screen at Roy Thomson Hall, accompanied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra playing the entire score. What can I say – you really should get a POPS subscription. The conduction is charming, the shows are always innovative and the TSO is awesome! It doesn’t get much better than this ……….

Factory Theatre - Stopheart

Coming of age in South Porcupine.

Very intense, dealing with death and disappointment, but balanced with some periods of comic relief. For me, this piece was too long and contained several seemingly improperly placed monologues by characters that I would not expect to be so literate. Not quite sure where it was going sometimes.

Notwithstanding, I found myself still thinking about this play in the morning, wishing that Eli could somehow have found a different path.

Disney - Day 7 - Epcot, Magic Kingdom

A sleep in day, arriving at Epcot Future World around 9:30. Another run on Test Track (I love speed!), tried the tame space shuttle (a breeze) and sent electronic post cards from Space and Storm Chaser.

Then off to the World Showcase, taking the ferry across the lake, to take up from where I had left off a few days ago. Suggest you book a meal in the lovely candlelit Mexican restaurant. More movies and rides on this side of the lake (U.S., Italy, Germany, Mexico, Norway) so wasn't finished until 4. Highlights in the World Showcase include the 360 degree film presenting Canada's breathtaking views, narrated by the hilarious Martin Short, England's excellent fish and chips at the kiosk and Cadbury chocolate bars in the tea shop, pastries in France....

Dropped into Downtown Disney for a little shopping (I just love the Design-a-T shop), then back to the hotel for that yummy fish sandwich!

Since the Contemporary is less than a 10 min walk from Magic Kingdom, I decided to spend the evening there. Took another turn at Pirates of the Caribbean (my fav here) and dropped in on the Presidents (great history lesson) and a few other rides, while I waited for the electric Light Parade (beautiful) and fireworks (awesome).

Disney - Day 6 - Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios

Definitely worth hitting Animal Kingdom early. Nominal line-ups at the attractions I was interested in and headed back to my hotel by 11. I didn't do any of the shows though - too lazy to time my visit and didn't fortuitously hit anything. You should pick up the time of shows as you enter the park so you can be at the right place at the right time. I love the shopping here too - lots of great animal shirts, beach towels, etc.

Nice swim and relaxing lunch at the hotel - loved the cajun mahi-mahi sandwich.

Spent the late afternoon and evening at Hollywood Studios - my favourite attraction here is the Star Wars ride. I get a fast pass, then do something else until my time slot comes up, then get another fast pass, and so on until I'm ready to leave the park. Note the Toy Story arcade game style ride is so popular that fast passes run out early in the day and stand-by line-ups can get up to 2 hours. I can't imagine who would want to wait that long ...

Disney - Day 5 - Leadership Day 4, Hollywood Studios

Great closing to the course, with an effective reinforcement of the Disney principles for leadership excellence and a guest speaker - the general manager of the water parks. I have come to realize that Disney culture includes a penchant for corny jokes. Everyone we meet makes them all the time, from the staff at Disney Institute to the ride operators in the parks, to the hotel front desk staff ... these people love their jobs.

Finishing after lunch gave me a good eight hours for the parks so I headed to Hollywood Studios with some friends. It was great having a park alumni with me, as I could totally relax and just follow along, without having to consult a map. Made it through about half of the attractions I was interested in, including finally getting the nerve for the Tower of Terror - what was I waiting for! I also finally got into the Toy Story game - lots of fun, although my score was embarassing ...

Disney - Day 4 - Leadership Day 3, Magic Kingdom

Another great on-site tour, this time of the laundry facilities. At peak time, this crew processes 2.1 million pounds of towels, linens and costumes a day. Incredible!

On Thursdays Magic Kingdom is open until 11 so I had enough time to do the things I most enjoy in this park, including watching the fireworks. Adventureland and Tomorrowland are my favoirites. Also Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain.

Another magical day !

Disney - Day 3 - Leadership Day 2, Epcot World Showcase

Bright and early for breakfast at 8 - its going to be a full day ...

Got a great backstage tour of Magic Kingdom and Disney's workforce management technology. Pretty impressive. Love how they use the terms backstage and on stage so all cast members know when they are on.

Finished early enough to head to Epcot and taste the #1 CoCa Cola drink in 6 countries. Also toured France, Morocco and Japan. Picked up some great anime T-shirts and accessories you cannot get back home - the kids wil be thrilled !

Finished off the day with an excellent meal in France and the fireworks.