I’m back from celebrating Dream Teamers Beth & Liz’s birthday at Disney World Florida! Not only did we have a great time… but there were some fun moments from the trip that I wanted to share with you. Stuff that I thought Dreamer readers would enjoy!
(Me at the Very Merry Christmas parade, with free cocoa, cookies and fake snow!)
So read on if you’re interested!
The first night we went to Epcot… and around the lake are different “countries” you can visit, featuring accurate architecture styles, authentic food, and imported gifts in the souvenir shops! Featured prominently in the center was… America! Here I am at “Independence Hall.”
This was fun because I’ve never been to the real Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was ratified in 1776.
We stayed at the Port Orleans resort (because I adore New Orleans, and Liz was gracious enough to book our room in the French Quarter portion!) This musical alligator at the hotel reminded me of…
Revolutionary Naval Commander John Paul Jones!! So of course I took my picture with him!
(Why isn’t that guy behind me trying to save me??)
Who knew that in the Magic Kingdom there is a section of the park called “Liberty Square”? Beth was so excited to take me there. It was like a little Disney-fied Williamsburg.
All of the buildings had numbers above the doors, and if you added “18″ before that number, you’d get the year that architectural style was popular. Fun, eh?
In the center of Liberty Square was a Liberty Tree! I love the South, and I adore spanish-moss covered live oak trees, but I had to chuckle that the Liberty Tree was a giant live oak. Just like Boston! ;)
The Liberty Tree had thirteen lanterns hanging from it, one for each of the thirteen original colonies. Liberty Trees were popular in the years preceding the Revolution as a spot for Patriots to assemble, protest, and burn and hang people in effigy. Not a surprise then that the British often cut down the liberty trees to punish unruly Colonials.
The attention to detail was evident everywhere we went. Here in Liberty Square, the shutters were drooping, to simulate leather ties used during the Revolution.
Metal was scarce during the war, because it could be melted down and turned into musketballs. Often patriotic families would take the metal hinges off their shutters, and replace them with leather ties. The downside was the leather would wear down and stretch, and then the shutters would sag.
There was a Liberty Bell, which was cast from the same mold that the original Liberty Bell was cast from!
Inside the Hall of Presidents were a few artifacts that caught my eye. Such as John Adams’s coat buttons and family crest on a seal!
Or James Monroe’s Presidential tea set!
Our favorite thing about Liberty Square was a odd, brown gravel path in the middle of the walkways. It was put there… to simulate the waste that was thrown out of windows and onto the streets during this period. Yup. A big, brown river of poop. Eww, and Beth stepped in it!!
And so did I. :)
Besides history fun, there was so much artistic inspiration I got from this trip! I don’t think most people are surprised to find that Disney cartoons were a huge inspiration on my work. In fact, when I saw The Little Mermaid in the theaters when it was released in 1989 (I was nine!) I knew I wanted to be an artist. I even attended the college I did because their animation program was renowned by Disney. Luckily by senior year I realized I was really a comic book artist at heart not an animator, but I still owe a lot to those old movies.
We went through the Walt Disney (the man) museum, and it was so inspiring!
(I love Steamboat Willie!)
And lookie, the original Mickey Mouse plushy. So weird!!
We got to see tons of The Princess and the Frog concept art, which was fabulously beautiful. My love of Disney animated features combined with my love of The Big Easy–it was artistic Crack for me!
Oh, and interestingly enough, when we checked into the hotel, my name was spelled “Laura” on my room card, despite Liz spelling out “L-O-R-A” over the phone. I asked the woman at the ticket window whether I had to spell my name “Laura” on my park pass, since that’s how I had checked in. She said, “Nope! You can be whoever you want. In fact, you could be Cinderella!” Any guesses as to who I put on mine?
Bea is now officially scanned into the Disney World database as a guest! Well, we had a great trip, and once more I’ll put a hearty “Happy Birthdays” out there to Liz and Beth!
(As for Dreamer updates… I have a sneaky suspicion that I won’t be starting Issue #9 until after Christmas. Stay posted, I might get the cover done before then, but I want to start the issue off without any delays, so I’d rather wait a few weeks than miss updates once we get going.)
It looks like you had loads of fun! Only you would find history at Disney Lora. I hope I can go someday.
Fantastic sounding trip! i haven’t been to Disney in ages (I remember the live Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stage show, which was right outside the Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie playset). I remember it was a lot of fun, but it’s been over a decade since I was last there. Perhaps a trip to Florida is in store in the next year or so….
Looks like you and the Dream Team had a fun time down there celebrating birthdays!
Man, I have got to get back to Disney. I was there decades ago. Looks like there is quite a bit there new, and you look like you had a blast.
I cannot WAIT for more of your comic! Keep up the good work!
‘gina
That is SO awesome! Thanks for sharing this with us, Lora! :-) I had no idea that Disney World had all that colonial stuff! :-D I’d love to go there sometime!
Hey, just curious, but do you like roller coasters? :-P I’m wondering if you rode on some coasters when you went to Disney World!
Hey, wish I had known I use to work there. Maybe we could have a “The Dreamer” special event there some year. Could possibly get permission to film some reenactment of scenes from “The Dreamer” before park opening time at Liberty Square. The more attendees and coordination with the event planning office would be more likely to get what you want. Just a thought.
@Natalie: there was lots of non-history, I promise! :)
@Trevor: I didn’t see any TMNT there. They still had Honey I Shrunk the Kids but, uh, I didn’t go. ^^;
@Gina: Thanks! :) I’m excited for issue #9!
@Charmaine: Rollercoasters are okay. (Books are better). We rode a lot of rides and did all the touristy stuff. Got my picture taken with both Stitch and Aladdin. :)
@Fuzzybear: I think having a Dreamer get-together some where would be awesome! I think it would have to be Boston though. ;) Or at one of the bigger conventions… I’ve thought about it before but I’m not sure we have a big enough readership yet….
Let me get this straight: You went to Disney world and checked out James Monroe’s tea set? I hear that that they got rides there too. LMAO I’m not judging, just making sure I got it straight.
That’s awesome that you got to check out The Princess and the Frog art. I hear it’s the first time they’re going back to traditional, hand drawn animation in a while.
It looks like you had an awesome time!
I’m jealous. My parents took my family to Disneyland when I was 6. I briefly remember like 5 or 6 things and that’s it. I think when I went ToonTown has just opened. One day I’ll make it back there. . .
@Albone: pffft. President Monroe’s tea set *and* John Adams’s buttons. Rides? Yeah… heard about those. ;)
Aww! I live near Orlando! It would have been cool to meet you! Glad you had a good time!
Oh I miss EPCOT!!! They have very good funnel cake in “America,” though I don’t know if that’s so much temporally sound ^_^. Glad you had fun!
haha I would have saved you from the Revolutionary Naval Commander John Paul Jones, unlike the guy behind you unconcerned :)
I remember Liberty Square! We were visiting my brother in Georgia and we used it as an excuse to visit Disneyworld. Liberty Square is the brightest spot in that memory. Of course, that was years ago…
Excellent! I’m glad you had such a great time! I wish I were in Disney World… There’s a blizzard outside my window, and I’m looking at pictures of you guys in t-shirts. Unfair.
Anyways, I think it’s neat that they have so much historical stuff there. I had to look up James Monroe after I read this, though. Sorry, but I’m a little rusty when it comes to American Presidents, (or American history in general.) On the other hand, I know more about Canadian Confederation than is good for me. Weird.
Thanks again for all the great work you’ve put into this comic. Every page is a work of art.
*gasp!*
You just missed my mother and aunts going! They got there yesterday…lol, small world.
Also, if you saw Tigger, that’s my cousin!
I did not know Disney had historical things, that only makes me want to go mooooooore!!
Lora Innes I cannot believe you didn’t know all this about Disney! lol Maybe it’s just because I’ve been there a bazillion times…this is what happens when you grow up in Florida! I’m glad you enjoyed it! :)
You’ve never been to the real Independence Hall? When Renea & Josh lived downtown for all those years?? Tsk, tsk!
@Kathy: Nope! :( The only time we were in Philly as tourists was a Monday and it was closed. :( Last time we just drove through and stopped for a few hours at Valley Forge, which was a worthy stop. :)
@Katie: Lol, I’m too far away to know about all the secrets of Disney World. It was a pleasant surprise though!
@Leila: We had melon flavored snow cones and fistfuls of pocky & gummies from “Japan” while we were at Epcot. There was talk of funnel cakes but we were far too sugared out!!
mmmm Japanese gummies. They are so good. I believe I’ll have some more of these four boxes I have left…
And a little extra note: I think Aladdin seemed just the tiniest bit jealous of the Dreamer Nathan pin on Lora’s hat. I’m just saying… he asked Lora if Nathan was her prince…
HAHA! I love disney! I live in Florida! :D So i go like whenever. hehe (: Im going like the 20 21 and the 22nd :)
Looks like you had an awesome time! Next time you hear from Liz and Beth, tell them I said Hi!
Did you get to watch Princess Tiana’s Musical Jubilee? I’d love to watch that! 8D
Wait!!! I can’t believe Liz still has japanese gummies left. Considering she devoured a box of them before we even got out of the Japan section. Seriously, that was a blast. I’m just glad the birthday ears didn’t make the blog.
Liberty Square! I love Liberty Square! I was so upset: the last time I went to DisneyWorld my dad and I were so excited to go to the Hall of Presidents, but because we were there with my younger cousins, we sped right past it. >.> I need to get back there and make up for that.
Did you notice that David Morse, the man who played Gen. Washington in John Adams, does the voice of Washington in the Hall? So he pretty much IS Washington now! I want to go back just so I can hear his voice, haha!
@Liz: Jealous? I thought he was diverting the awkwardness. ;)
@Donna: I will! :)
@Deb: Does it involve singing on a steamboat at Magic Kingdom? If so, then yes!
@Beth: I’m saving the birthday ears and all other non-dreamer themed photos for family and friends. These poor people don’t want to hear alllll about my vacation.
@Laura Z: I did not know that. That’s pretty cool! Was he Washington first at Disney World… or on John Adams?
I can’t believe you stayed in the Port Orleans resort, I was there last December with my family! We were in the French Quarter too! I remember that awesome alligator. :) And I especially loved the enormous Jester out by the pool! Anyway, the colonial section in Magic Kingdom really is amazing, and if I remember correctly there might have been some men in uniform wandering about when I was there… And there was a group of guys playing banjo/fiddle/guitar maybe somewhere not too far off!
It sounds like you had fun, I’m really glad!! It makes me want to go back. :) Thanks for sharing! And I’m super excited for your next update.
Haha, so cool! I’ve never been to either of the Disney places before :D Then again, I’m not much for rides… But from what I hear there’s a lot of non-ride stuff to do… XD But I had no idea there was so much historical stuff!! lol
And isn’t that the hat Yvette has…? haha =P
Glad you guys had so much fun!! XD
Haha, okay, it was more about diverting the awkwardness, given the fact Jasmine was standing right there…
Hey!
I’m going to be staying in the french Quarter of the New Orleans Resort in January. How was it? Also I hope you rode the Liberty Boat! That’s so much fun :)
@Lora: I think they just redid it because of John Adams–I think they were revamping the exibit anyway, and they decided they needed another voice. Or something. But it definitely was after the show.
Oh! It sounds like you had a blast! Walt Disney World is awesome. xD
Happy birthday again to Beth and Liz!
I so did NOT know you can put whatever name you want. I’m totally putting “Princess Rohayna” on the next time I go. (And wearing a tiara. xD)
How about, for a Dreamer get-together, where it all ends like Yorktown. Boston is a bit far from Florida and a more central location may improve attendance.
How exciting!! It sounds like you had a blast!
I was just there a few weeks ago, and was really excited to see everything you mentioned. Unfortunately, we were only there for a day (It was Food and Wine Week at Epcot, how could we not spend most of our time there???), and I hardly had time to walk around the Magic Kingdom before we had to run back to Epcot for dinner. (We ate at the English pub. I’m still thirsty for another cider and black.)
I fully intend to go back for at least two weeks, and cover every inch of the place.
You’re silly. Have you never been to Disney before?
Last time I was there we did the character dinner at a resturant in Liberty Square, so while we were eating a GIANT colonial style meal, colonial Minnie, and Goofy and everyone came and visited our table. Fun times, fun times :)
Eagerly awaiting your updates. This comic is beautiful and I’m learning so much just from getting into the whole Revolutionary War time. These photos are great, my favorite is John Adams’s buttons. Thank you also for all of the historical facts, I so enjoyed reading them!
Oh I remember the historical part of Magical Kingdom! I went in 98, so I was ten, but I still remember that was one of my favorite parts! Oh plus the Pirates of Carribean and Haunted Mansion rides. Rode those like six times each! Haha.
@Abby: there were men in 18th century clothes in Liberty Square but… I was a bit disappointed. Not one had a white wig on or even a ponytail, and no one was wearing a tricorn. :(
@Erin: Depends on what kind of rides you’re used to. Like… around here we all go to Cedar Point and there was nothing even remotely close to a Cedar Point or 6 Flags Coaster. It was all really tame. :) And yes, there’s tons to do besides that.
p.s. That *is* Yvette’s hat. She borrowed it from me to go to the football game, but took of the Nathan Hale pin. Pffft.
@JoJo–the hotel was great! Especially great in December with all the Christmas decorations and Big Band New-Orleans Style christmas music, but I’m a New Orleans junkie. One of these days I’ll move back down there for good. :) Make sure you get beignets from the cafeteria–they taste surprisingly close to the ones you get in the real Quarter!!
@Fuzzybear: That’s a good idea. I’m always up for a trip to Colonial Williamsburg! :) Last year when I went to Massachusetts/Connecticut there were plenty of readers who offered to meet up with us, or take us out for dinner (it was so sweet!) so I know we could get a decent turn out up there… Do any of you live around Virginia? A Dreamer meet-up could be fun! :)
@Savivi: Beth was there that same week!! O___O And had such a horrible time that we wanted to take her back down for her birthday and redeem Epcot center for her. Hope you had a better time than she did! I forgot you lived in Florida! :)
@Angie: I’d been once, but it’s been probably 15 years… I think my parents did the Character meal at Liberty Square when they went down last year… and brought me back a framed Declaration of Independence. :)
@JericaLily: Thanks! :)
Looks like you had a fun time!
Y’know, I always used to avoid the Liberty Square part of the park when I was a kid. Snoozefest! XD It would be much different now.
Ah, Walt Disney World.. my former home. We used to go there every year and two years ago I worked there. Fun times ^_^
Oh no! my ancestor is biting your head off! Bad Johnny! wait until she finishes the comic! XD
I was so excited when I discovered The Dreamer (I’m absolutely in love with the Revolution!). You’re art is so awesome, you make me jealous. You actually inspired me to start my own comic. I hope something comes of it soon, if I could only get my characters to cooperate! grrr…
Looking forward to the updates and keep up the good work!
- Shadow-of-the-Wolf
Hey Shadow me too, where did you work? Of course when I worked there it was 77 to 79 several place and ended up a Lead (Asst Supervisor). I went to the park in 1976 for the Bicentennial July 4th, stayed at the Contemporary. At the time it was the largest fireworks display ever made on or before 1976. It lasted over an hour and everything was shot up was mirrored on the north side and south side of Seven Seas Lagoon it was awesome. My first trip was with my Grandpa in 1972 and I went in 1970 on vacation to Florida to the preview center.
Oh Disney. We used to go every few years when my brother and I were kids, despite the fact that we live in New Jersey. My Mom even lives close enough no that she usually goes once a month (sometimes more) now. I’d really love to go again, maybe then I’d actually appreciate Epcot. Seeing all the world pavilions is pretty boring when you’re 15 and all you want to do is go ride Space Mountain…well, except for the Maelstrom at the Norway pavilion.
I’m glad you had so much fun, and I hope one day soon you can come up here and visit Philly! :D
@fuzzybear: I worked there on the college program for a semester – custodian at Animal Kingdom. We joined the Vacation Club back in 2002(I think..) and we always stayed at Saratoga. Before that, we hadn’t been there since 1989-90. I was really little so I don’t remember that trip.
@Shadow….Cool it was an awesome experience. I was there when if you didn’t fit the wardrobe you couldn’t work at the attraction with BMI Kind of calculations, no women Jungle Cruise Captains then. I was in what was called Operations, worked Attractions and then at 2 of the main division in Transportation. Then spent a summer in Ticket Sales, get my second area training. To bad I quit college and went to work for the Government. Was traveling the world by then seeing dry and dusty parts of it and then the wet and humid climes. The things we do when young, amazes me I lived so long.
Maybe sometime in the future I should write my story, as fiction of course.
Okay, I’m going to jump in and say…A Dreamer meet-up would be so fun! Though it might have to be during summertime so high school/college readers can have more of a chance to show up… Well, that’s my two cents, anyway, lol XD
@Lora – Cedar Point sounds so familiar…. Maybe from me being born in Ohio, but I can’t remember if I went there or not…lol XD
*gasp!* I guess Yvette doesn’t care for brainy guys D: haha =P
Oh wow! That’s so funny! I’m going to Disney next week with my high school band and we are performing in the Christmas parade! I love Epcot as well myself, I’m glad you had a great time! :D
Wow! I never knew all of that interesting historical stuff about Disney World- would’ve been fun to know when I was there as a kid.
Looks like you had a lot of fun, though! :)