Kelly Verdeck Photography

WDW Wednesday: Dead Men Tell No Tales

// February 1st, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

Just a quick photo from Walt Disney World’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The new camera does pretty well in low light, I must say! Interesting bit about this attraction–even though it’s so iconic and feels right at home at WDW, it wasn’t in the original plans for the Magic Kingdom. Walt and Co. felt that since Florida was so close to the Caribbean (and New Orleans, the setting of the Disneyland version), there wouldn’t be much interest in a pirate-themed ride here like there was in Disneyland. But there was an uproar, so the ride was added and opened in 1973. It certainly remains one of my favorites.

WDW Wednesday: Building LEGOLand

// January 25th, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

I’m mixing things up a bit this week with a non-Disney theme park photo. I think I’ll do that from time to time, though I still like the ring of “WDW Wednesday” better than “Theme Park Wednesday”.

We’ve been to LEGOLand Florida a few times now since it opened. We’re definitely fans–I’d say it isn’t a park in the same league as Dieny or Universal, but for what it is, and for its target demographic, it’s a great park with lots to see and do. Heck, we STILL haven’t made it back to the old Cypress Gardens part of the place! And they continue to slowly add things, and plan to re-open some areas before long. We’re definitely looking forward to the opening of the attached water park this summer, I’m sure we’ll give that a try. Lazy River rides are the best, I imagine even more so when big foam LEGO blocks are involved!

WDW Wednesday: Practically Perfect

// January 18th, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

You know, you can say it backwards, which is “docious-ali-expi-istic-fragil-cali-rupus” – but that’s going a bit too far, don’t you think?
-Mary Poppins

WDW Wednesday: The Distant Pyramids

// January 11th, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

Just a quick shot from EPCOT, with the Imagination pavilion’s pyramids in the background. Imagination is one of many things around EPCOT that used to be so much better. I rather wish for an EPCOT renaissance at some point. Bring back Wonders of Life!

WDW Wednesday: A New Lock

// January 4th, 2012 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

Well, we have arrived at the doorstep of 2012–Happy New Year to you! If you think about it for a moment, you’ll realize that January 1 is an entirely arbitrary point to choose to mark the end of one trip around the sun and the start of the next. Even so, I must admit I buy into the notion of using this annual occasion to reassess things–who I’ve become, who I want to be, what I’ve accomplished and hope to accomplish. I relish the sense of closing the door on the old year and welcoming the new, like a blank page or a new lock to open. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m big on New Year’s Resolutions, but I always make one or two, and they’re generally along the same lines–be more often positive, more often creative, more receptive and more giving. This year I’m hoping to be almost relentlessly positive, since I feel there’s already so much negativity in the world–indeed, for many people it seems to be the default state–and now and then I find it dragging me along for the ride. I’ve always prided myself on being, if nothing else, a bit apart from the majority. So this year I will work at making myself and the world just a bit better, a bit more positive and hopeful, and I’ll hope you might resolve to do the same. It’s never too late for that.

WDW Wednesday: Building Walls

// December 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

There are fashions in reading, even in thinking. You don’t have to follow them unless you want to. On the other hand, watch out. Don’t stick too closely to your favorite subject. That would keep you from adventuring into other fields. It’s silly to build a wall around your interests.
—Walt Disney

Just a thought, standing on the threshold of a new year.

WDW Wednesday: Merry Christmas!

// December 21st, 2011 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

From me and mine to you and yours, please have yourself a wonderful Christmas and a great holiday season. Look around, be glad for all you have, and hug the folks you love as tight as they can stand. The winter solstice means we’re halfway out of the darkness, after all.

A Rainy Afternoon At Mickey’s Place: Magic Kingdom Family Session

// November 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Family Lifestyle, Photos, Theme Parks

I met Mandi, her brother, their Mom, and respective spouses and kiddos at the Magic Kingdom for a quick shoot to document their Thanksgiving-week visit to Walt Disney World. Unfortunately we picked a rainy afternoon, so we had to make do with shooting under cover in and around the Main Street train station, but I think we made it work all right. I hope you agree, Mandi, and I hope you all had a wonderful time and a great Thanksgiving here in Orlando!





























At least we got a rainbow to make up for the rain. Thanks again, Mandi!

WDW Wednesday: Happy Thanksgiving!

// November 23rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

The Magic Kingdom is always impressive, but especially when decorated for the holidays. Here’s wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving, from me and mine to you and yours!

WDW Wednesday: Sonny Eclipse

// November 16th, 2011 // No Comments » // Photos, Theme Parks

This guy is a tireless performer–all day, every day at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Now that’s dedication! I guess it doesn’t hurt that he’s bolted to the stage…