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Andy shared these pics with me. . taken from a more central location for the fireworks. .and as he's a really good photographer? way better than my pics. so sharing these too, from the same showing we saw, tho we were off to the right near Tomorrowland entrance, and he was dead center with a real camera, not an iPhone

It's the center of controversy worldwide. "That's not fair" is an epidemic. Why should that person get an A, because they put in more work? Shouldn't we all get A's? I'm a victim of my own circumstances and chose not to take full advantage of I opportunities. Why should the person who worked hard get extra privileges? Why should my wife and I be able to skip past people, just because she has a high stress job, works from 9PM to 12 AM when our kid goes to bed? Why? Just because she went to college and sacrificed an immediate gratification lifestyle? Just because we didn't buy nice things, and instead paid off ten years of college immediately, while other people chose the route of high car payments? Why should I be able to skip the lines, just because I worked full time in a factory while paying my way through school? Why should our daughter be able to reap the benefits of me working night shifts for months at a time in order to give my family a better life? It's bullshit and not fair. Other people need nicer houses. Better cars. Better clothes. Fast passes, no matter what life they chose. I should actually give my pass to other people who didn't try as hard in life. I'm already happily going to pay a mortgage penalty fee soon, when we buy a new house. The extra $40 a month will go to people who've been able to enjoy living in the moment and spending their money paycheck to paycheck, instead of investing in life improvements. It's our fault for having no outstanding debt and paying what we owe. We shouldn't be able to have nicer things, just because we maintain an excellent credit score through our own disciplined lifestyle. We should all enjoy the same benefits no matter how hard we try. The chain smoking day drinking gas station clerk should actually get my fast pass. I need to buy his daughter's nice clothes, too. I'll keep working long hours. My wife doesn't need sleep. I'll gladly sign my new car over to whoever needs it. I paid for it in full, because I'm rich, despite "upper middle class" seeming less and less like that every year. The roach infested apartments from my very early childhood gave me privileges. I don't deserve nice things. As long as everyone gets reap the same rewards I do, we'll all be happy. It will motivate me to work harder, longer, and strive for the wealth of other people. None of this shit is localized like people think it is.

ok, almost a year later. . . . so have GOT to finish this TR. let's get back to it (with hopefully not a lot of commentary). . . .back at Disneyland Paris post Eiffel Tower. . . coming back from the train station, I stopped to snap some pics of the under re-furb Disneyland Hotel, and the main entrance (way less people in the shots now that it was afternoon) tho still very busy in the park. Main Street USA, Paris style the castle here really is stunningly gorgeous. . .love the topiaries around it. in front of the castle, pointing back towards the main gates. coming out thru the castle into Fantasyland. . get a beautiful view of the Lancelot Carousel. . and people trying to pull the sword from the stone. even from the back, love this castle! and those that know me? of COURSE I stopped on my way to meet up with James. . I had a pony to ride I believe he met up with me at the Carousel, and we decided to hit some of the other Fantasyland rides. Luckily we had the "quickpass" option here at DLP, and I believe most of the Fantasyland rides were on that option. . tho we still had some short waits. tho we DID have to wait in the line for Pinocchio. . I think that's why I have a pic of this queue. . as no fast option, but the line moved really fast. the Dumbo setting here is really impressive. Huge lines tho, so think we didn't ride it until the next day, or day after. line on the right? standby (*estimated 40 min) line on left: Quick Queue (or Premier Access). . . walk on. worth EVERY penny. we were going to meet up with Chris and John for dinner over at Captain Jack's (think Blue Bayou) as they had reservations with extra seating for two and had invited us along. but we still had some time. . . so we braved the Cheshire Cat and the other animatronics (and water features) in Alice's Maze. and then headed over to Pirates to meet up with Chris & John. the food was comparable to what I recall the food being like at Blue Bayou in TDL. . but my biggest memory was this was my first exposure to "Parisian dining". we were dying of thirst (myself in particular, as hadn't stopped to have a drink since got on train back from Eiffel tower). . but the service was. . . . "relaxed" this meal took, almost 2 hours, if I'm recalling correctly. the waiter was charming, and I LOVED the atmosphere. . but did start to get a bit annoyed at how long everything was taking, as the evening started to slip away from me - and I realize I probably wouldn't have minded taking a nice long break in the relaxed atmosphere (and air conditioned) if i hadn't been gone most of the day and really wanted to spend less time eating and more time out in the park. but be warned, the meals take time, so block at least 1 1/2 hours and possibly longer. the company was excellent tho. . so no complaining about that menu atmosphere. . our charming - and VERY flirty - waiter. he was cute. . but in my head kept thinking. . . "speed it up a little bit, please?" as with the versions at other Disney parks. . the restaurant is basically inside Pirates, so you can watch the boats go by as you eat. (we were seated right along the water too) I believe the fish soup? and I believe the baked Mahi Mahi with pineapple shortbread for desert the meal was good. . but it was already beginning to get dusky by the time we finished. . so we headed to Tomorrowland right away. wanted to get some rides on a few "must do" we hadn't gotten the prior evening, and I really wanted to see this section of the park at night (spoiler: it does NOT disappoint at night) Autopia.. Star Tours the main load area of Hyperspace Mountain is. . .impressive. . Buzz Lightyear. . even the bathroom areas in Tomorrowland are really pretty. . no quick queue for this one either. . . so with a 20 minute standby noted, we just hopped in line. as the neon really started to kick in? wowza. . . this STILL makes me laugh. that poor little girl. . of COURSE she spent the whole ride crushed by momma's back. . . LOL (we were wondering if the attendants would tell them to swap seats. . but nope! checked seatbelts and thumbs up!) by the time we got off the rockets, it was almost time for fireworks, so we headed into the main plaza and secured a spot to watch the presentation. wow. . (my camera makes it look a bit lighter than it was. . it was already close to 11 at this point, so nice and dark) drones. . . so cool. .. and when you realize it makes a mickey hat "30" even cooler. with a better angle, it would have been right over the castle. when the show ends, and everyone POURS out of Disney. . . the two "hidden" walkways - behind Mainstreet USA on either side, are nice, way more quiet, ways to get to the front gates. and they are beautiful. can spend a while just enjoying the atmosphere back here, and the window displays. puts you out right at the main circle by the train station. exhausted by this point, but have to walk back to our hotel thru the Paris version of Downtown Disney (Disney Village I believe it's called) blurry. . but an iconic sign, so had to include the pic. back at our hotel, while cutting thru the lobby, I noticed this fun little animatronic display - so of course, snapped a pic. and then into the room, where I talked to Nick. . . who told me he was home, and felt fine (tho it still scared me how awful he looked in that pic he had sent earlier), and then I crashed. today had been super busy, but tomorrow was another full day at Disney, and I couldn't wait!

South Korea is facing unfortunate controversy due to 'Fast Pass' system. It started as one professor throwing a question in television program: "In capitalist society, more and more people buy time with money, and are these moves can be justified?" Some people who didn't agree with fast pass system stated these opinions: "If the person who came later enters first, it will be difficult for the children to understand." "The problem is some people use money to take away someone else's time." However, I have to say, this Fast Pass system is necessary, for several reasons. 1. "The problem is some people use money to take away someone else's time." -This is why many theme parks divide the line of fast pass with stand-by, so fast pass guests doesn't negatively affect stand-by guests. 2. "If the person who came later enters first, it will be difficult for the children to understand." -Then, how would you tell children about VIP tours, Backstage tours and other exclusive experiences? 3. People like foreign tourists and people who came from really far like countryside needs fast pass, as their visit can be final visit. Surely, I don't know why this became center of controversy in my country. I'm extremely confused...