Day 4: An Adventure Across Nature

     What a trip this has been indeed. Hello everyone I'm Brayden and this is my first time at Disney. Today we had the opportunity to explore the greatest creation ever, nature. That's right, we went through Animal Kingdom today. While going through Animal Kingdom we were tasked with examining how Disney teaches their guest both explicitly and implicitly. 

    Our class had our earliest morning yet leading us to meet at the bus at 6:30 am! However, Andrew and I might of possibly been late and missed the first bus because the Micky Mouse waffles were calling our name. Fortunately, we were able to make the following bus and meet our group in line to rope drop the Avatar: Flight of Passage. (Frist time and I'm already starting to get the Disney lingo down thanks to Guide Graycie) As a self proclaimed Avatar fan, I was in awe. The scene depicted in the Flight of Passage in tandem with the environment Disney places you in, shows the beauty of nature. Disney gives you a sense of something greater; nature is meant to be cherished, protected. 

    Following the Flight of Passage we went off to do a safari. Disney taught us about various plants and animals in a mock natural environment. Interestingly their were hardly any fences separating us from the animals. (only for the predators, but if those animals really wanted to get out they could)  Disney shows us first hand that it really is possible for us to live in harmony with these majestic animals. I mean look at this Giraffe aura farming. He has no care whatsoever we are there. Also, here's a cool pic of a Flamingo.

    Shortly after we met for lunch and debriefed as a class. We spoke about the different means Disney uses to teach their visitors. An explicit message is what someone is trying to intentionally teach you. For today many of Disney's explicit messages was history or facts surrounding the animals or locations depicted in their park. Such as, did you know the reason rhino's role around in the mud is that when it dries, the mud becomes a protective sunscreen for the Rhino's skin. Conversely, an implicit message is something that is unintentionally taught to you. In Animal Kingdom, Disney uses implicit messaging as a way to inspire people to be more thoughtful in ecological practices. Disney allow us to interact with these animals giving us the "warm fuzzy" feeling towards them. By playing on our emotions Disney effectively conveys to tourist that each of us must do our part to protect nature. 

   

    

    

     After our discussion and with full belly's we went to ride a nice and relaxing river ride. Relaxing it was because following the Na'vi River Journey, the miles started to catch up with a few of us. After an estimated 100,000 steps, 50 miles, and all that being in a couple of days, we were exhausted. Those of us who were tired traveled back to the resort and took a much needed, and well-deserved, two and a half hour nap! I will be the first to tell you, that nap hit so hard it was better than taking a post-finals nap. 

    With only a couple hours left in the day a few of us traveled back to Hollywood Studios to ride what's proving to be our favorite coaster: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith. Fortunately, we got one of my favorite Aerosmith songs "Walk this Way" to enjoy while riding. I went ahead and played a mean air guitar for the camera. Once finishing we had about 20 minutes until closing time and closed the park by riding Slinky Dog Dash.

      Tomorrow were doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour where we will get to see some of the behind the scenes on how Disney manages to operate such an extensive park. Unbeknownst to me it turns out Disney has underground tunnels under the parks and we will have the opportunity to explore some. 

Be sure to stay tuned in because we still have many more new thrilling experiences to come!

-Brayden Millick

P.S. - Disney World has been an amazing first experience while being surrounded by amazing people. Go Griz!