iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Happy 55th Anniversary, Walt Disney World!

Photo of Cinderella Castle looking down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

072

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Vive la France (Pavilion) at EPCOT's World Showcase!

Photo of EPCOT's France Pavilion with the miniature Eiffel Tower in the background and a bed of flowers in the foreground

030

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I absolutely love the new Magic of Disney Animation along with the rest of the reimagined Animation Courtyard! Such a wonderful celebration of Disney's animation legacy that really bring that corner of Disney's Hollywood Studios back to life!

Photo of the giant Sorcerer's Hat that marks the entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios with Mary Poppins and Moana roaming around in front of it

030

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

It's D23 weekend, which mean there's been a lot of news and updates about upcoming Disney films and attractions. Did you know this model of the upcoming Tropical Americas land at Disney's Animal Kingdom from 2024's D23 is now on display inside Walt Disney Present at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

Photo of a scale model of the upcoming Tropical Americas area of Disney's Animal Kingdom featuring the Casita from Disney's Encanto

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women and frogs and pigs and bears and chickens and whatevers are created equal..." (at least that's how it would have gone if Kermit the Frog had written it). Happy 250th, America! #4thOfJuly

Photo of Kermit the Frog dressed as Thomas Jefferson holding a writing quill with a scrunched-up face as part of a live show at Walt Disney World

1218

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Move over, Woody! It's time for Jessie's moment in the spotlight! #ToyStory5

Photo of the Woody and Jessie characters at Walt Disney World's Toy Story Land attempting to cover each other's faces while posing for a picture

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Happy World Sea Turtle Day!

Photo or a looking down into water to see a sea turtle swimming

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

It's the last weekend for this year's EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, and since I wasn't able to make it there to see it in person this time around, here's a throwback photo of the Donald Duck topiary I saw during the 2024 festival.

Photo of a Donald Duck topiary with a bee sitting on his forehead right between his eyes

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Happy Opening Day to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Staring The Muppets! This Animal appeared alongside statues of the Electric Mayhem's other members in the queue for Here Comes The Muppets, Disney's Hollywood Studios' first Muppet attraction, and later inside Muppet Courtyard's Stage 1 Company Store.

Close up photo of the face on a statue of Animal from The Muppets

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

It's #ThrowbackThursday again, so let's go back to the time I saw the Star Wars BDX Droids at Disney's Hollywood Studios last summer. These free-roaming animatronics will be making their big screen debut this weekend in The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Close up photo of the "face" of one of the BDX Droids at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

000

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Universal Orlando confirmed today that big changes will be coming to Islands of Adventure over the next few years, including the closure of the Mythos restaurant along with what's left of the mythology-inspired Lost Continent area of the park. What would you like to see take its place?

Photo of the Mythos restaurant at Universal's Islands of Adventure which resembles a mountain with a bearded face carved into it that features a waterfall spilling out of the sculpture's mouth

130

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

May the 4th be with you! Does anyone else miss seeing all the Star Wars characters during the Galaxy Far Far Away show that use to be at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Happy 37th Anniversary to Disney's Hollywood Studios! Minnie Mouse is always dressed for a big Hollywood premier at over at Red Carpet Dreams!

Photo of Minnie Mouse in a pink dress, long white satin gloves and a pink hair bow

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Looking across EPCOT's World Showcase Lagoon to see the Germany, Italy, and American Adventure Pavilions from a different angle.

0130

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Happy Earth Day (and a Happy 28th anniversary to Disney's Animal Kingdom)!

Photo of multiple elephants, including a baby elephant. roaming next to a baobab tree next to a body of water during the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Happy National Siblings Day!

Photo of Drizella from Disney's Cinderella posing for a photo while her sister Anastasia peeks out from behind her at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

040

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Have a Happy Easter Weekend! How many Disney characters do you recognize on this chocolate Easter egg that I saw on display at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort last year?

Photo of an large chocolate Easter egg decorated with Disney character artwork at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort

030

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Happy Birthday Chip 'N' Dale! Disney's mischievous chipmunk duo made their debut in the animated short 'Private Pluto' on this date in 1943.

Photo of Chip and Dale at Disney's Hollywood Studios

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

While the newest iteration of the Frozen Ever After attraction opened today at the newly renamed Disney Adventure World in Paris, the original version of the ride can still be found here at EPCOT's Norway Pavilion.

Photo of a topiary of Elsa from Disney's Frozen in front of EPCOT's Norway Pavilion

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Remembering Disney Legend Ub Iwerks on the 125th anniversary of his birth. Iwerks designed and was the first to animate both Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse before later becoming the studio's special effects genius. This poster on Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA pays tribute to his legacy.

Photo of a poster featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and the title character of the 1927 Oswald Short 'The Mechanical Cow.' The poster reads "Iwerks Film & Moving Picture Co./ Where Ever Picture is Magic/ Cartoons & Animated Drawing"

053

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Happy Spring Equinox! Feels like a perfect day to share this photo of the Spike the Bee topiary I saw when I visited last year's EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.

Topiary of Spike, a Disney cartoon bee, pouring flowers out of a thimble inside EPCOT's CommuniCore Hall

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

A new era for Disney begins today with Josh D'Amaro officially taking over as CEO and Dana Walden becoming the company's new President and Chief Creative Officer. While I have mixed feelings about D'Amaro's tenure as head of the Disney Parks, here's wishing this new leadership team the best of luck.

Photo looking up at the Mickey Mouse statue that stands atop the Crossroads of the World at Disney Hollywood Studios

042

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

"Away we go! It’s a Festival of Fantasy!" #MagicKingdom

Photo of the finale float on the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, which looks like a hot air balloon that Mickey and Minnie are flying in with Cinderella Castle towers in the background

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

So long, Aerosmith, and see you soon, Muppets! Not much of a roller coaster person these days, but it'll be nice to have a Muppet attraction at Walt Disney World again when Rock N Roller Coaster reopens this summer (though I'd be even happier if they just brought back MuppetVision 3D instead).

Photo of the giant guitar that appears at the entrance of the Rock N Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios

0101

Reposted by EssAeEm

curious ordinary @curiousordinary.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

After taking a break last month (and most of this month) I have finally published a new article about nushi, the spirits of ponds, lakes and rivers in #JapaneseFolklore. I've included several folktales, some yokai, and plenty of #JapaneseArt. I hope you enjoy it. open.substack.com/pub/curiouso...

open.substack.com

Water Spirits in Japanese Folklore

Tales of nushi in ponds, lakes and rivers

07421

Reposted by EssAeEm

Prof. Dimitra Fimi @dimitrafimi.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

New piece, in which I’m tracing the origins of the little people and tiny worlds tradition back to the early modern period (with Tolkien’s “On Fairy-stories as a touchstone) dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/little-peo... @tolkiensociety.org @folkloresociety.bsky.social

1259

Reposted by EssAeEm

Jürgen Hubert @juergen-hubert.mementomori.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/02/2026

A group of dead farmers regularly meet at a crossroads near Mettmann in order to continue their bowling games as they did in life. And since they lack proper bowling gear, they use their own bones instead. #MythologyMonday wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Bow…

wiki.sunkencastles.com

The Bowling Farmers

044

Reposted by EssAeEm

Kerria @kerria.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Ready for spring🍃 🎨Chris Dunn

23014

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Today is the final day for The Animation Experience at Conservation Station, but there's no need to be too gloomy. A similar drawing class is expected to open later this year at Disney's Hollywood Studios while Bluey experiences will arrive at this corner of Disney's Animal Kingdom over the summer.

Photo of a banner advertising The Animation Experience at Conservation Station featuring Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh

031

Reposted by EssAeEm

Kerria @kerria.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers. ~Kahlil Gibran 🎨Jane Crowther

05017

Reposted by EssAeEm

The Godyssey Podcast @godysseypodcast.com · 19/02/2026

A kelpie of Barra turned into a man to seduce a young lass, but she took off his silver necklace, turning him back into his horse form. For a year the kelpie worked her father's land, and at a year she returned the necklace and they married. #FolkloreThursday 🖼️: J. Egrekrans

A water horse by Johann Egerkrans, Swedish artist. It shows a black horse with glowing red-orange eyes, a white mane and tail, lilypads on its back, and standing on a massive stone over presumably a foggy lake; a glowing fairy flies in the background of the fog.

15418

Reposted by EssAeEm

Kerria @kerria.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Once a Selkie finds its skin again, neither chains of steel nor chains of love can keep her from the sea. ~Rosalie K. Fry art by Tristan Elwell #FolkloreThursday #BookologyThursday

05116

Reposted by EssAeEm

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The ceffyl dŵr is a Welsh fairy horse that inhabits mountain pools and waterfalls. In south Wales, it is often benevolent. However, in north Wales, this horse likes to get someone to ride it, fly into the air, and then become mist, so that the rider falls to their death. #FolkloreThursday

A herd of water horses in a lake. A painting by Jaimie Whitbread.

49830

Reposted by EssAeEm

WillowWinsham @willowwinsham.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The Irish alp-luachra - Joint Eater - preys on weary travellers sleeping beside streams or rivers. This newt-like fairy spirit slips down the throat and settles in the stomach, eating any food that enters while the unsuspecting host slowly wastes away. #FolkloreThursday (Image: John Horner)

A small stream flows between two green grassy banks, with raised sides and trees on the top.

14316

Reposted by EssAeEm

Olivia @oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Scottish water-sprite Shellycoat is covered in shells that clatter as it moves. Often more mischievous than deadly, it once fooled two travellers into thinking it was drowning; as they followed the river to help, they heard the Shellycoat laugh and burst into applause...! #FolkloreThursday 🎨Alan Lee

A large bloated toad like creature with huge baleful eyes, shells are stuck to its skin. It is partly submerged within a grim pool.

03414

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Kappa are reptilian yokai from Japanese folklore that dwell in rivers and lakes. While they can sometimes be friendly (especially if given an offering of cucumber, their favorite food), there are also tales of them drowning and even eating humans who enter their aquatic homes. #FolkloreThursday

1137

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Happy Fat Tuesday! For those of us who can't make it to New Orleans for the big day, Nola and the Eighth Notes Band brings the sounds of Mardi Gras to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom all year round.

Photo of a four-piece jazz band playing in front of Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom

140

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

"And they lived happily ever after..." Happy Valentines Day! Seems like a good day to share this decoration from the Prince Charming Regal Carousel at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Photo of painting depicting Cinderella and Prince Charming about to kiss in a carriage after their wedding that decorates the Prince Charming Regal Carousel at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

030

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

The Muppet Show has returned with a new special featuring Sabrina Carpenter! Watch it now on Disney+ or tonight at 9pm on ABC! To celebrate this momentous occasion, here's a #throwback to the Great Moments in American History show The Muppets use to put on at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Photo of Miss Piggy dressed as a queen with Kermit the Frog in a tricorn hat peeking his head in from the bottom left corner

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Happy 40th Anniversary, Pixar! The groundbreaking computer animation studios behind Toy Story and so many other classic animated features and shorts was founded on this date in 1986.

Statue of one of Toy Story Pizza Planet Aliens driving a flying saucer in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Soon the only way to experience DinoLand USA will be to invent a real-life time rover because what's left of this Disney's Animal Kingdom land, including the Dinosaur attraction, is set to close permanently at the end of the day. Farewell, DinoLand!

Photo of the Aladar the Iguanodon statue in from of the Dinosaur attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom with yellow flowers in the foreground

010

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Only a few more days until what's left of DinoLand USA permanently closes at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The land featured so many quirky dino-inspired details, and while I'm looking forward to the Tropical Americas area that'll replace it, DinoLand's kitschy charm will be missed.

Photo of a dinosaur weather vane at Disney's Animal Kingdom with the moon in the background

050

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

A cautious meerkat peeks up from their hole for a look around in the recently-refurbished meerkat exhibit at Busch Gardens.

The top of a meerkat's head peeking up from a hole in sandy ground

020

EssAeEm @essaeem.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

The final photo I took of the PizzeRizzo sign prior to its recent removal. I'll miss your rat pizza, Rizzo.

Photo of the PizzeRizzo billboard at Disney's Hollywood Studios featuring an image of Rizzo the Rat holding a pizza while wearing a chef outfit with the text "The City's Top Rated Pizza: Pizzerizzo"

010