posted on September 16th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
Yesterday, I spent my lunch hour at the Walt Disney World Nursery – aka “The Tree Farm,” seeking out photogenic plant life just for fun. Fall colors in most places are quite predictable but in Central Florida, there are endless possibilities available. I hope you enjoy this little noontime stroll as much as I did.
posted on September 6th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
In 1957, I was ten years old, stamps were $.03 each and “The Mickey Mouse Show” was at its zenith, entertaining millions each weekday afternoon, broadcasting in black & white. I had a huge crush on Annette Funicello, as did every boy in the country, I’m sure. My good friend Arnold Haskell and I shared the cost of one stamp and mailed two letters of admiration to The Walt Disney Studios, att: Annette. Many weeks passed before I finally received a post card from the studio, thanking me for my patronage. I was heartbroken that it had not been a personal note from her.
Over the years, I was lucky enough to photograph her on several occasions and even shared that story with her. The following photo was made in 1992, when Annette launched her own line of teddy bears at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom Park. It is a day I will never forget and I thought some might enjoy seeing a historical photo of an amazing Disney Legend who also happens to be America’s Sweetheart.
posted on August 29th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
As a Disney Parks photographer, I have had the good fortune to photograph many special occasions and have enjoyed capturing the Disney Princesses many times. On this special morning, I photographed a darling little girl as she met Rapunzel for the very first time. Ava was nearing her fifth birthday (which she spent having breakfast with the princesses inside Cinderella Castle) and her autograph book lacked only one princess – Rapunzel. As a surprise, Ava’s parents took her to the Magic Kingdom Park early one morning and walked directly to Fantasyland to make sure she was first in line to greet Rapunzel. I hope these photographs speak for themselves.
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Ava was thrilled, and afterward, as the family walked down Main Street, U.S.A., she could be heard announcing to Mom and Dad, “This is a perfect day!” Indeed, it was…
Here’s a look back at more magical moments from around Magic Kingdom Park:
posted on August 2nd, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
The allure of the lotus blossom dates back thousands of years and has since been embraced by many cultures. In China, the lotus blossom is associated with longevity, purity and spiritual enlightenment. Once a source of food, the nearly all-edible blossoms have evolved to nourish our spirits as well as our bodies. They have long been sources of inspiration, bringing beauty and light from the murkiness beneath them.
The lotus is a member of the water lily family and as I discovered this morning, the water garden that frames the Temple of Heaven in the China Pavilion at Epcot is ablaze with color from these delicate plants. The blooms last only three days before the petals fall, one by one into the water. The Horticulture specialist who maintains this stunning garden said she could not remember the lotus blossoms ever being more beautiful.
In Buddhist lore, the pink lotus ranks “supreme.” The two images I made this morning show the amazing transformation of a pink lotus. I hope you agree that these blooms are truly exquisite.
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
I am often struck by just how much emotion surrounds us within our parks. Recently, while walking through the hub at Magic Kingdom Park, I discovered a sweet moment that had previously eluded me. Jiminy Cricket appears to be showing off his “Official Conscience” gold badge to Pinocchio in a scene from the 1940 Walt Disney classic film.
Classic, indeed.
posted on July 14th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
This morning, as I strolled through France pavilion at Epcot, I took note of so many interesting details – some that many folks might miss, no doubt. Take a short stroll with me and imagine being far, far away.
Celebrez la France!
posted on July 13th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
Epcot is nearly 30 years old, but I only recently discovered these unique architectural details at the Italy Pavilion in World Showcase. I hope you find them as intriguing as I do.
On the south wall of the Doge’s Palace, you will find a unique sculpture of a face, below which an inscription reads: “De nontie secrete contro contrabandieri et transgressorio in ogni sorte di ogli” which translates from old Italian to: “Secret accusations against smugglers of any event.” This “mouth of truth,” as it was sometimes called, is a representation of a Venetian letterbox, which allowed citizens of Venice to anonymously lodge complaints and report crimes to the government. Venetian letterboxes were found throughout the city, and took on many different appearances, often depicting mythological figures. The Epcot version gets its inspiration from Bacchus, the god of wine.
Just a few feet away, a mysterious, yet enchanting female bust seems to guard a secluded staircase, just another of the many thoughtful tributes to the enormous cache of art treasures found throughout Italy. Viva Italia! Viva Imagineers!
Take a look at some other sights around Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort:
posted on July 1st, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
Many of you have strolled along the beautiful Epcot promenade, traveling through pavilions that depict the many countries of World Showcase. It is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the cultures of so many distant lands without ever getting on an airplane. And you might have paused at the brightly painted Tutto Italia dessert cart and indulged in one of the scrumptious offerings of tiramisu, cannoli and other tasty bites.
But I doubt many of you realized at the time you were gazing at an authentic “carretto Siciliano,” or Sicilian donkey cart. Nothing represents Sicily’s culture more vividly than the exquisitely carved and painted cart. When the first roads were created in Sicily in the early 19th century, so began the colorful history of the Sicilian donkey cart, which were used to transport people, produce, wine and virtually anything else that needed transporting.
The carts were marvels of engineering and art, generally consisting of some 60 parts, all handcrafted by cartwrights, woodworkers, painters, ironsmiths and other skilled artisans. The creators passionately carved and painted elaborate scenes from history, often celebrating the exploits of Charlemagne’s knights or depicting scenes from famous operas like I Pagliacci.
Arguably, some of the most acclaimed cart painters of the last century are the Ducato Brothers of Bagheria, near Palermo. Three years ago, at age 80, Giuseppe Ducato was quoted as having painted the cart that now sits in Epcot. Ducato and his son are among the few artisans still producing this dying art. The art and craft of cart building has diminished greatly, beginning during the 1950s when motorized vehicles became abundant and eventually replaced the donkey cart as a means of transportation. Today, they can often be seen in local parades and celebrations.
Each cart had to be built to the size specifications of the donkey (or sometimes, horse) that was going to pull it, hence a reference to the old saying: “Don’t put the cart before the horse.”
Ciao.
posted on June 27th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
From simple to sublime, architectural details can be so intriguing, particularly when they are from something as commonplace as, say, a door. I can’t guess how many doors one might discover at the Walt Disney World Resort, but I have put a few snapshots of door handles, knobs and knockers together that reflect a range of cultures and continents. See how many of these unique items you can identify from Disney Parks.
posted on May 30th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
I am constantly reminded of just how many species of wildlife live and thrive within the Walt Disney World Resort. Last week, I was on assignment in Magic Kingdom Park, when I spotted a Great Egret calmly perched atop the Frontier Trading Post sign overhead. I snapped a quick shot, as I have always been intrigued with how birds can balance on one leg. I am told that the one-leg perch is a sign of contentment and relaxation, a sort of “comfort zone.”
This beautiful Snowy Egret was photographed a couple of minutes later, stepping a little outside of its comfort zone, perhaps, as it has picked up the aroma of freshly smoked turkey legs just out of view. (And did those turkey legs ever smell good!)
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