Broadway in SWFL

I was able to catch five Boadway shows thus year. The closest theatre, The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, about 46 minutes away on a college campus. 

The first one of the 2024-2025 season that I went to was "Jersy Boys" with my boy. This one is close to my heart since they are the ones that wrote & sang my 1st dance song, " Can't Take My Eyes Of of You"

It was even more special because I got to go with my favorite date to his first Broadway Musical 

Next up, " Funny Girl"

I went a bit early and scored Rush tickets. A reduced price ticket, available a couple of hours before the show.

Then, the "Book of Morman" a very raunchy show, by the creators of "SouthPark"

"MJ" was a great show! 

The season finished with "Les Mis" on Easter. It was my first time seeing it. I didnt realize it was show without dialog. They sang everything. But wow, I understand why it's still touring.

Since I'm somewhat frugal, and sit in the nose bleed section, I invested in a pair of opera glasses so I can see some of the details from way up high.

Cant wait to see what's coming to town for 2025 2026.

Epcot Festival of the Arts

 

Hello Lovely Readers,

This year, the festival is from January 17th to February 24th

It's pretty cool, lots of photo ops, where you become part of the painting, festival booths with colorful food, and Disney on Broadway concert series

"Teatime with Penguins" 

"Washington Crossing the Delaware"

by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

"Mona Lisa"

by Leonardo da Vinci

"The Scream"

by Edvard Munch

Each festival has a passport, and this one is interactive with puzzle pages, a Figment flipbook

They also had a display of props from Disney on Broadway shows. I've personally only seen Beauty & the Beast and The Lion King, both in Los Angeles 

 

Unfortunately, the day I went it poured on and of while I was there, and on my drive to and from the parks. Plus, during the concert 

The colorful food

Pop Eats!

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

The Craftsman's Courtyatd

Beef Wellington-inspired Croissant Supreme

with creamed spinach croissant pinwheel, mushroom-gorgonzola rag out, mustard-grilled flank steak, red wine sauce and pickled mustard seeds

L'Arte di Mangiare

Italy

Tricolor

cheese-filled ravioloni, pomodoro, cream, and pesto sauces

The Artist's Table

The American Adventure

Hummingbird Cake

banana and pecan cake dipped in cream cheese icing with caramel sauce and warm pineapple compote

Opening Bites

Enchanted Rose

milk chocolate rose with raspberry and rose center

Some festival only magic shots 

Because of the rain, I wasn't able to participate in the mural painting, nor see the chalk paintings...there's always next year

Until next time

Magic Kingdom

Hello Lovely Readers,

I have been really enjoying having a Disney annual pass. I've been to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and briefly Hollywood Studios, but this week I finally made it to the Magic Kingdom for the very first time!

This was also my first solo outing to Walt Disney World. 

I was there for about 10 hours and for a day in June, I went on most of the rides that have a counterpart in California

Unfortunately, I shattered my phone, so I only have photopass photos of the day.

Comparing Walt Disney World to Disneyland 

• It's a Small World
• The line is completely inside at WDW

• Pirate's of the Caribbean 
• You don't go through the bayou 
• There's only one drop
• It's shorter

• The Haunted Mansion 
• It's a completely different house
• The stretching room rises
• Madame Leota is on the ride
• WDW does have some added elements
• Peter Pan's Flight 
• Basically the same

• Space Mountain
• You sit tandem not side by side
• A two track ride

• The castle 
• Sleeping Beauty vs. Cinderella 
• WDW's is impressive 

Most of the tides at WDW have indoor lines

I didn't go on the Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder & Splash Mountain is in the process of being converted to Tiana's Bayou

WDW has a Snow White Roller Coaster, Little Mermaid Ride & Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

Although, I miss Mr. Toads, Casey Jr., Storybook Land Canal Books & Toon Town

Some rides/lands are in the other parks so there really isn't a true comparison because you have to go to Hollywood Studios for Galaxy's Edge & Animal Kingdom for their mountain roller coaster, and the ride that's similar to Indiana Jones.

I had a coconut dole whip  mini corn dogs with plastic cheese & fries 

There's a cool Tangled photo op that's only available at night

And the Beast's Castle

All in all, a pretty magical solo trip to the Magic Kingdom

Epcot Flower & Garden

 

Hello Lovely Readers,

Wow! This is my first Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. The park is very spring like and beautiful! 

There are flowers and topiaries all over the park. Some of my favorites from my visits on May 6 & May 21

Thumper 

Bambi

Pumbaa & Timon

Lady & the Tramp

Beauty & the Beast

Cogsworth & Luminere

Pluto

Peter Pan & Captain Hook

The Croc

Anna & Elsa

Snow White & Dopey

Six Dwarves

Silly me, I forgot to take pics of the festival foods I ate, or the reward I earned

Next year, I'll be better 😊