Like many people, we’ve been watching more YouTube videos for entertainment and insights.
Here are a few we’ve enjoyed recently.
First, we love Disney-related videos. Our favorites include those by Chris Provost, aka Provost Park Pass, as well as those by Nate (Paging Mr. Morrow), and wanderer (and Disney enthusiast) “Adam the Woo.”
DISNEY and TRAVEL
Provost Park Pass – Disneyland, Disney World, Universal, etc.
We love watching Chris Provost tour our favorite theme parks, as well as theme parks we haven’t visited yet. His personal, clean-scrubbed style is refreshing, as is his humor. We also appreciate the nuances, history, secrets, and generally cool trivia he shares. (Also, in almost every video, he includes a heartwarming message to his viewers.)
Here’s one of his most recent.
We love his enthusiasm, and his humor is always family-friendly, too.
Paging Mr. Morrow – Disney Food and Theme Parks
Nate, aka “Paging Mr. Morrow,” loves Disney and loves good food. Have you wondered what’s being served at Disney restaurants or at festivals like Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival? Nate samples almost everything on the menu. His videos range from enthusiastic to slightly poignant, if you look beyond the surface. He’s a sweet man.
Here’s one of his recent videos filmed at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll see some food, then the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction, more food, and what it’s like to ride Avatar’s Flight of Passage.
The Daily Woo (and Adam the Woo) – Disney and Travel
Adam is a quirky guy, a bit abrasive but then he has honest, unguarded, vulnerable moments. His videos may be an acquired taste. Or maybe it’s because he was practically a neighbor for several years.
Warning to grammar fanatics: At the start of his videos, he includes his signature question, “Shall you?” (In our household, that can spark a facial tic reminiscent of Inspector Lestrade.)
At first, I was kind of “meh” about his videos, but have grown to appreciate his interest in history, off-the-beaten-path locations, and Disney.
He lives in Celebration, Florida and he’s often strolling around the middle of town, or casually exploring Disney World. (If you’re near downtown Celebration early in the morning, you just might see him there with his morning coffee, or even filming an intro to his daily videos.)
Here’s one that starts in Celebration, and then explores Disney’s ESPN locations (for the opening of baseball’s spring training), and then returns to Celebration. (He’s the same guy I mentioned in my recent post about the Star Trek deck in Georgia.)
Adam spends most of his time at Disney World, but also films at Disneyland (Anaheim, CA) and offbeat locations he visits as he travels between the parks.
Bright Sun Films’ “Abandoned” Series
If you like to see eerie, abandoned shopping malls, hotels, theme parks, and more, this series can become an addiction.
Here’s one about an abandoned Florida resort that many will recognize. It’s almost on I-4, by highway 192, and very close to Disney World. (I’ve heard rumors that the property is being redeveloped now, but it sat neglected — and creepy — for years.)
The “Abandoned” series goes places where I wouldn’t even think of visiting, both for reasons of safety and – of course – being arrested for trespassing.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES – ENGLAND v. AMERICA
Evan Edinger – An American Abroad
Among our favorite vloggers: Evan Edinger, an American (now with dual citizenship) living in England. He posts videos about whatever seems interesting at the moment. We like his wit and zany humor, as well as his curiosity about… Well, lots of things. They give me a fresh way of looking at life, too.
For example, I recently watched one of his videos about the cost of British groceries v. American.
The price difference was startling, but what got my attention the most was his comment about Americans being steered in the direction of processed foods. He’s right, and — ostensibly — that’s for convenience and to save money.
But then that made me wonder about corporate interests, and the long-term effects of eating processed foods instead of cooking from scratch. After all, in the U.S., a healthy lifestyle isn’t necessarily prioritized over profits.
Of course, it’s different abroad. Lower prices encourage people to cook from scratch. And, in the UK (and much of Europe) where NHS-type programs are the norm, it’s in the government’s interest for people to remain healthy. So, those countries’ general business practices and some laws favor healthier food choices, and so on.
Mostly, Evan is entertaining and quirky. He’s originally from New Jersey. And really, I am SO envious of his new apartment/flat.
So, that’s what we’re watching for entertainment. They’re fun to watch at the end of the day.
If you can suggest cool, funny, and interesting YouTube videos, or have comments about what we’re watching, leave a comment below. Thanks!