La Nouba

A Boundless and Festive Journey of the Imagination

For part of my birthday present, Matt wanted to surprise me (Anna) and take me to dinner and to see La Nouba, a Cirque du Soleil show, which I’ve wanted to see for a long time in Downtown Disney. However, Matt was called into a work meeting that lasted almost all day, so I had to meet him there and while the traffic in Orlando tried to stop him from making it, we were able to go into the show just a couple of minutes late. Matt got us some really great seats, so I was close to all the talents in the show. These talents ranged from rope skipping to the high wire to flying trapeze and so much more, all to the sound of two amazing singers and a band that was above and to the sides of the stage. There was a story line to everything that went one, but at times it was hard to follow, but it really wasn’t the main focus of the show. While all the acts in the show were simply incredible, my favorite ones were the little girls with the diabolos and the cyclists. I’d never seen the act of using diabolos, but these little girls were outstanding. All the tricks they did had me at the edge of my seat and clapping nonstop. The cyclists had me on the edge of my seat for other reasons. I was sure someone in the audience would be knocked in the head with a tire or the men on the bikes would topple off of them and onto the stage. The whole show was very exciting and entertaining. I would recommend it to anyone of any age. It was amazing!

Hi-yo, Silver! Away!

Do to some unforeseen circumstances; I (Anna) ended up intruding in on, my parents' date to see The Lone Ranger at the AMC dine-in theater in Downtown Disney. While I might have been the third wheel, I still had a great time.

AMC Downtown Disney 24 with Dine-in Theatres

---

This was my third time at the dine-in theater in Downtown Disney and I've had very mixed experiences each time. This time was a good experience and I only think my group had an issue before due to a crumby waitress. First I'd advise that you pre-order your tickets on their website: Visit AMC Dine-in Theaters. It only costs a dollar extra per ticket and this gives you a way to reserve the seats you desire most. When you get to the theater, simply go to a kiosk or the front desk with the credit card used to order the tickets to receive them. They only let you take your seat 20 minutes before the movie starts, so if you get there early (and you're of legal drinking age) there's a bar there to order your favorite drink. Once seated, a waiter will introduce him/herself as they would in a regular restaurant and tell you how there's a button in front of your table to push whenever you're ready to order or need any assistance. The menus are in front of you and the selection is very wide in variance. There's something there to please anyone. I have enjoyed everything I've ordered.

The Lone Ranger

---

I was a little weary about seeing The Lone Ranger since it didn't get great reviews or do as well at the box office as Disney anticipated, but I'm a sucker for all things Disney and there the opportunity to see it lay. I absolutely loved it! There was action. There was romance. There was comedy. What more could you ask for from The Lone Ranger??? As far as whether it stays true to the popular radio show of the 1930's and the equally as popular black and white TV show of the 1950's, I have no idea. I was obviously not around during the radio or TV show when they originally aired, but I do know from the small amount of reruns that I've seen, that the characters and general plot are the same. They even have the original theme song played throughout the major action sequence that made everyone in the audience excited to cheer on the masked man. I believe Johnny Deep did a good job portraying Tonto for not actually being Native American and provided a lot of the comic relief (as to be expected). Armie Hammer also did a great job as John Reid/The Lone Ranger. Your heart went out to him in the sad times, but you also had his back when he realized his destiny as the Lone Ranger. I won't go into details because I really think it should be experienced. I will say that it is rated PG13 and rightfully so. There is a lot of violence (not stingy on the blood either) and the hero does let out a minor "bad word" that you probably don't want your child repeating. Well I guess all there is left to say, Kimosabe, is "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!".