I currently work for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US. I have held various roles at the Magic Kingdom® Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in Merchandise, Attractions and Guest Service over the last six years. I am a graduate from Eckerd College with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Human Development and Communications
Tom Webster
Author's posts
Sep 08 2011
And so it Begins
Well, I am officially on my way to Barcelona. I am sitting at the gate here in Atlanta after a quick hop up from Orlando. Boarding will begin here shortly. Already made my stop at the duty-free store to get my rum and Crown Royal to last me until we get to St. Maarten in a week. Landing time in Barcelona will be at 8:55 am tomorrow. Talk with everyone then. I will be tweeting. Time to pack up now.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/09/and-so-it-begins/
Sep 04 2011
The Trip of a Lifetime
So the time is almost here for my upcoming 17 day adventure that I will be taking with my friend and former co-worker, Joey. While I have taken several vacations throughout this year, this one is by far one of the most exciting vacations I think I will have taken to date. On Thursday, September 8, I will be flying to Barcelona, Spain and will once again board the Disney Magic. Unlike the previous cruises I have done where you start and end in the same port, this one will take us across the Atlantic Ocean back to her home port of Port Canaveral, FL.
So far, I have most of my clothes laid out and ready to pack which is nice. Packing for a 17-day vacation is very different than any other vacation I have packed for. I am finding myself now thinking on everything I add to the pile with all of the new airline bag restrictions in place. I get one free checked back and plan to maximize my carry-on as much as I can. The question of if I will be doing laundry in the middle of the ocean is starting to come in to mind as I try to see if everything fits and is still under the weight limit. Just a few more days to go and a few more days of hitting the gym to be prepared for 17-days of amazing food.
Looking at the weather that we have had over the last week or so, it looks like this might shape up to be an interesting cruise with a few tropical weather pasterns out there in the Atlantic right where we will be sailing. I love being at sea so this will be a true test to my sea legs. For those that are interested, our ship can be tracked by visiting Marine Traffic and clicking on Current Vessel’s Track. I have also included the itinerary for our trip below. I will be posting on Twitter (@websteth) as long as I have as I have mobile service and I will also try to post updates here when I have internet access and if time allows. Photos from the trip will be posted shortly upon my return to Florida.
14-Night Transatlantic Westbound Itinerary:
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Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/09/the-trip-of-a-lifetime/
Aug 25 2011
Traveling to Harambe
Last week I had one of the most amazing experiences I have ever done while working here at the Walt Disney World® Resort. For those that have visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, you know that there is an attraction called Kilimanjaro Safaris. This attraction takes you on a “two-week” adventure through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve where you get to see lots of animals up-close in their natural habitat from the comfort of a safari vehicle. Up until this year, that was the only way to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris. Now enter in the Wild Africa Trek.
Disney markets this unique experience as part of the Tours and Special Experiences that are offered to Guests who would like to explore more in to the parks than the usual Guest. The description for the Wild Africa Trek is:
Join the ultimate animal adventure! Journey deep into Pangani Forest on a thrilling, privately guided expedition featuring close encounters with exotic wildlife species. Get closer than you ever dreamed possible to Nile crocodiles and massive hippos. Venture on to a VIP safari across an open savanna teeming with native African creatures!
This experience truly is a VIP Safari. Our trek started us through the Pangani Forest where our amazing Guides, Andy and Devin, talked more in depth about some of the animals that are in the walking trail area of Pangani Forest. After walking through the forest, you come up on the hippo pool but this is where the experience really changes than what the average person sees. We exited from the walking trail in to the forest which is part of the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction and got to meet up with several trainers who were feeding the hippos who told us more details about them.
The next stop on the way to the savanna was a walking tour over the crocodiles on a rope bridge. Talk about a unique view and perspective! After crossing this step, it was time to board our VIP safari truck and head out to the savanna to view the animals. Along the way, we made a stop a a private outpost where food was served and yet another unique and VIP viewing experience for the animals in the savanna before returning back to the village of Harambe.
The total experience lasted just over three-hours and costs $189 on top of regular park admission. Included with the price is an exclusive Wild Africa Trek water bottle, a Disney’s PhotoPass® CD with all of the pictures your guide takes on your trip, and a light meal while out on the savanna. If you are looking for that unique experience or are looking for something new and exciting to do while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I highly recommend this experience. Below are the rest of my pictures from the experience:
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/08/traveling-to-harambe/
Aug 09 2011
I Can Hear The Bells
So I am just settling in back home in Orlando after a great weekend back in Minnesota. Not only did I get to spend some time with the family, I had the great please of serving as an usher for one of my best friends Scott who got married this past weekend to the amazing Caroline. You two are perfect for each other and I am so lucky that you asked me to be a part of it. In additional to being in the wedding, I will also take some credit in the engagement as one of the ideas I gave to Scott is what he ended up using 🙂
Normal next couple of weeks back at the office until traveling again. My cruise docs came while I was gone so it’s just one step closer to the trip of a lifetime thus far. Now back to my DVR and catching up with Teen Wolf and The Glee Project. Congratulations again to Scott and Caroline and I hope you have many wonderful years.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/08/i-can-hear-the-bells/
May 30 2011
Photos: 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Dream
Dates: May 19 – May 22, 2011
Ship: Disney Dream
Ports: Port Canaveral, Florida, Nassau, Castaway Cay
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/05/photos-3-night-bahamian-cruise-on-the-disney-dream/
May 15 2011
Photos: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Magic
Photos from my 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Magic.
Dates: April 23,2011 – April 30, 2011
Ship: Disney Magic
Ports: St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/05/photos-7-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise-on-the-disney-magic/
May 15 2011
Always on the Go
Well, it’s been a little over a week since I posted from the Disney Magic. and I’m actually home for a weekend before traveling again. I had a great 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise and would jump again at an opportunity to do another 7-Night voyage or longer. I made some really great friends on the trip and came off the ship with a lot to think about on where I want to possibly take my career. Last weekend I had a great visit ton Minnesota to see Mom and Dad for mother’s day and had a great visit with some old friends as well. Today I am finally playing catch up with house work before I pack again to go on the beautiful Disney Dream again on Thursday for a 3-Night voyage. It will be short but it will be fun. Tonight I will be going back to the Dr. P Phillips YMCA for a scholarship campaign that I will be helping with and to top it off, I was also chosen as Member of the Month! Look for pictures from my last cruise to be posted shortly.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/05/always-on-the-go/
Apr 25 2011
Hello from the Disney Magic
Hello from onboard the beautiful Disney Magic. I am relaxing for our second day at sea by the Quiet Cove pool before we head to high tea in Palo at 3pm. Trip is going well so far. The sea was a bit choppy yesterday but it has since calmed down. Had a nice relaxing day despite the seas including an interesting workout while moving up and down and side to side.
We will be in St Maarten tomorrow and then St Thomas on Wednesday before another day at sea and Castaway Cat on Friday. Not much else to report. The classic ships are still just as nice as the new Disney Dream. I’ll ‘ll post pictures as soon as I can.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/04/hello-from-the-disney-magic/
Jan 22 2011
Sailing the Dream
So I am one of the lucky few that were able to experience a preview cruise on the beautiful Disney Dream from Disney Cruise Line. I am enjoying this relaxing two days with my brother Tim for a nice and relaxing brothers getaway. I am sitting on our veranda right now looking out over the pier at Disney’s Castaway Cay after a relaxing morning at the beach and by the pool. The weather has been a mix of sun with a few showers here and there. It looks like it will be a rough night though when we head back to Port Canaveral.
As for this ship, it is beautiful and big. You cannot explain how big this is until you experience it. For those used to previous Disney ships, you will find things are very similar but, just more spread out. I’m still finding my way around to new places it seems whenever I turn a corner. We had dinner last night in the new Animators Palate which has almost the same menu as the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The new atmosphere is much more bright and warm. There are hints of Mickey Mouse but, the main star of dinner is Crush from Finding Nemo. He swims around the restaurant and interacts with dinners just like Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot® and Disney California Adventure® . This is fun but, can become sort of annoying if you are trying to have a conversation.
After dinner we checked out The District, the adult entertainment area on the Disney Dream. This area contains several different bars/lounges each with a different theme including one that makes it feel like you are in a champagne bottle and another that is a high end pub overlooking various skylines around the world. Then there is Evolution which is the night club of the ship. There was quite the party last night in there and it reminded me of Pleasure Island in its high days. This was great to see but, I hope that it continues to stay busy as my experience on the other ships is that these clubs aren’t usually full.
This morning as I mentioned earlier in the post we arrived at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. The new additions to the island for the larger ship are complete at this point and everything was open for guests to use. Water was a little too cold for Pelican Plunge but several brave souls tried it. Back on the ship, most people are hanging back by the pools and waiting to ride the AquaDuck which is a water coaster at sea. Tim and I did this twice last night and I do have to say that it was quite fun and even takes you over the side of the ship! This is a must do when you go on the ship.
Tonight we are dinning in the Enchanted Garden which is themed after the gardens in Versailles. This is a new restaurant so I don’t know much about it yet. After dinner will be fireworks for pirate night and then packing for debarkation tomorrow morning. That’s all to report for now. I will post a bit more once I am back on land and have all 300+ of my photos uploaded. I was hoping to post some now but the wifi is very slow via satellite. Time to get back to relaxing now.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2011/01/sailing-the-dream/
Dec 29 2010
Minnesota or Florida?
Well, the holidays are here and the differences between Florida and Minnesota seem to be very slim. For those that don’t know, Florida has been in the 30s and 40s the past couple of weeks. Just getting back in to the grind at work after a great couple of days at home for Christmas. Minnesota was nice with lots of snow as you can see below and Camper and Scooter were just like always, fun to be around. Lots of nice time with the extended family which is also nice. I’m just taking it easy around the house tonight and finally unpacking and getting things put away. Parks are busy as always so avoiding going out to them. That’s it for now so here are a few fun pictures for you all.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/12/minnesota-or-florida/
About
Welcome to Webby Aquatics! This site will give you a look in to the life of Tom Webster. For more information, please visit About Webby or one of the social networking sites above.
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