Jack, Laura, Matthew, Michael, Rene' and Murphy
Walt Disney World, Florida, March 2000

During March 2000, Michael, Rene', Murphy, Matthew, Jack, and Laura spent a few days at Walt Disney World, Florida.

All name listings are from left to right as you view the photo, unless otherwise noted. Please be patient; these photos take several minutes to all come up.

EPCOT

EPCOT 2000 Millennium Celebration included a new look to Spaceship Earth (the big ball, Murphy's favorite photo subject) and an awesome closing fireworks, light, laser, and music display called IllumiNations 2000.
 

Spaceship Earth (Murphy calls it the big ball) greets everyone at the entrance to EPCOT. For the new millennium, Disney added a Mickey hand holding a magic wand and 2000 to the big ball. Murphy posed in front of the big ball (left photo). Michael took the right photo of Murphy taking a photo of the big ball (you can't get enough photos of Spaceship Earth).

 

Rene' loved all of the fountains in EPCOT and posed in front of one for this photo.

 

Murphy, Michael, and Jack posed under that big ball thing.

 

Michael and Matthew looked very worldly in hats they tried on in the Morocco venue.

 

Murphy, Jack, Michael, Rene', and Matthew were all smiles at the Moroccan restaurant where we had dinner.

 

Friends John, Sue, Andrew, and Katie also posed at the Moroccan restaurant. They vacationed at Walt Disney World the same week we did.

 

Jack, Michael, and Matthew (left photo) waited for the IllumiNations 2000 parade (right photo) and fireworks show (next photo).

Animal Kingdom

We enjoyed most of a day at the Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World's newest park.
 

Michael, Jack, Laura, and Rene' posed on one of the trails with the Tree of Life (focal point of the Animal Kingdom) in the background. Inside the Tree of Life is the It's Tough to Be a Bug venue.

 

On the Kilimanjaro Safari, we saw many animals as we rode around the countryside in a safari vehicle. This beautiful cat was found on one of the walking tours.

 

At the start of the Kali River Rapids, Michael faked excitement (and notice he was dry at this time).

 

Jack and Laura starting to look a little wetter toward the end of the Rapids.

 

Disney-MGM Studios

We spent parts of a couple of days at Disney-MGM Studios.
 

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was a fantastic ride. We rode it four times. Rene' said the time she rode in the very front was the very best. Several loops after the sudden accelerated start, our hearts caught up with our bodies.
 

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was nicely improved since the last time we visited. Now it had many rises and falls from the 13th story. It lifted you off your seat several times.

 

Michael, Jack, and Murphy posed wearing their 3-D glasses after watching the Muppet-Vision 3-D.

 

We ate lunch on the day of Michael's birthday at the 50s Prime Time Cafe. Jack and Michael waited for our table to be ready.

 

Matthew was harassed by our waitress (get your elbows off the table mister and eat your vegetables).

 

Left photo: Jack loved New York (Not!). Right photo: Jack and Michael loved Star Wars (Yes!).

 

Magic Kingdom

We spent parts of several days in the Magic Kingdom.
 

Jack, Murphy, Michael, and Matthew posed together on Main Street.

 

Murphy and Rene' hammed for the camera on the nap ride.

 

The Main Street Electrical Parade was brought back to Walt Disney World in Florida after spending a few years at Disneyland in California. It has always been one of Murphy's favorites.

 

Laura looked over some merchandise.

 

Space Mountain. The name says it all. This double roller coaster in the dark is an all time favorite.

 

Splash Mountain was fun and wet. These were some other folks giving us a preview of what would happen to us near the end of the ride.

 

Everyone was all smiles: Murphy, Jack, Rene', Michael, and Matthew.

 

Last updated September 26, 2000, by Murphy.