Disney Awards

I’ve locked the doors to the internet so you can’t run away! You will read my latest Disney-inspired post!

*Insert evil laugh here*

We all have taken out our old yearbooks from time to time. And one page we’ve gone back to for laughs—the “awards” section. You know—who was “Most Likely to Succeed”, “Most Likely to Live in a Trailer Down by the River” or who had the “Best Smile”? My yearbook had that section. Only our yearbook staff was crunched for time and had us make up our own.

And guess who just returned from a Walt Disney World vacation? That’s right! So, I decided to apply these to the different aspects of the Walt Disney World Resort. Why Disney World? Because I’ve only been to Disneyland once, meaning I’m more acquainted with everything down in Florida. 

Let’s begin!



Most Elegant Resort

The Grand Floridian

I have never stayed at the Grand Floridian. I’ve never set foot in the Grand Floridian. Yet it is the embodiment of Disney elegance. It was designed to evoke the old beach resorts of the late 19th/early 20th century. Viewing the hotel from the outside many times courtesy of the monorail, it looks like anyone would feel like a king or queen in there.

Runner-Up: Boardwalk

Best Resort Design

The Polynesian

This was a difficult category. Disney always goes over and beyond. Yet, I’ve stepped into my share of Disney resorts and am always amazed when I step into the Polynesian. I went to Hawaii when I was 14. While we were checking into the hotel, I said it felt like the Polynesian. My father said it would’ve been cheaper to go there. So props to Disney for making this resort feel authentic.

Runner-Up: The Boardwalk

Best Resort for Your Wallet

Pop Century

To be fair, any of the value resorts at Disney would do. I’ve stayed at Pop Century. And my family loves it.  We don’t need much hotel-wise aside from a bed, bathroom and TV set. And Pop Century gives us that. It also gives us a great setting, which we always get to see. We always end up in the hinterlands as they can see my family is not traveling with small children. So, we usually make several treks across the courtyards. But it gives you the feeling of being in Disney and frankly, I love the Hippie Dippy Pool.

Runner-Up: Art of Animation, but it’s just Pop Century with a different theme.

Best Resort Entertainment

The Hoopy-De-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

I love this show. I really do. For those who have never gone, I encourage you to go. The idea is you are in an old Western music hall and a traveling band of performers comes to entertain you. They sing songs, tell jokes, do little skits and, of course, involve the audience. It is a dinner show, so you get fried chicken, ribs and rolls. It’s fun, funny and filling.

Best Place to Relax at a Resort

The hammocks at the Caribbean Beach Resort

My senior class trip was to Walt Disney World. It was my first trip there without my parents and just with friends. I was so excited. And while the trip was fun, there were some issues I had—aside from how sick I got while on the vacation. Namely, the fact that we were required to report back to the hotel everyday for three hours. A family friend, upon hearing this, asked how my daily siestas were. So, I had time to kill. And I soon found a lovely way to kill it. Our rooms were in Aruba. It was next to one of the man-made beaches that decorate the resort. Hammocks were set up there. I would take my CD player out there, lie down on one and often fell asleep in the Floridian sun. It was quite relaxing.

I’d still would’ve rather been in the parks though.

Runner-Up: Any spot by a pool.

Best Resort for a Large Group

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Traveling with a group of friends? Large family? You could book several rooms. Or you could get a room at Fort Wilderness. Because a room is a trailer, complete with a kitchen. In the bedroom, there is a full bed that you can fit two people in. There is also a bunk bed—another two people. In the living room is a Murphy bed. Two more people can fit in that. And there is a couch in the living room. One person can sleep there. And that’s just assuming all the people are adult sized. If they are children, then you can fit more on that Murphy bed. Maybe even on the couch! So, if you have a large amount of people, look into this resort first.

Runner Up: Disney Vacation Club villas

Thing I Want to Do at a Resort

Bike riding.

It doesn’t matter which resort. If there is a chance to bike ride, I will do it. I love to bike and Disney has enough land to go on a long trip. I feel like it would be relaxing.

Runner Up: None

Time to move on! Let’s head to the Magic Kingdom.

It’s Not Disney Until I Ride This Ride

Space Mountain

I didn’t realize this until I went in 2009, really. Space Mountain was shut down then for the major renovations Disney put in, including the interactive queue. So I wasn’t able to do it. And while I still had fun, it felt like something was missing. And then it hit me. I hadn’t ridden Space Mountain. That blue lighted tunnel didn’t just lead to an awesome roller coaster—it led to Disney World! This was rectified on our 2011 trip to Disney.

Runner Up: Peter Pan’s Flight

Best Makeover

Pirates of the Caribbean

I was worried when I heard they were remodeling Pirates, especially after the disaster that was “Journey Into Your Imagination.” But it was done remarkably well. They didn’t change everything completely, only bringing the storyline more in line with the popular movies. And adding in Captain Jack Sparrow. It’s an improvement.

Runner Up: The Haunted Mansion

Best Show Attraction

The Hall of Presidents

There was a three-way fight in my head for this spot. Maybe it’s the fact the inauguration was recent, but this one won. I especially like the current show, redone in 2009 when they added Obama. Morgan Freeman narrates the history of six presidents: Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt and Kennedy. Previous shows tended to stop with Lincoln, as if we hadn’t had a noteworthy leader since the 1860s! So, go watch the show. Flag waving is optional.

And yes, so is staying awake.

Runner Up: The Carousel of Progress

Best Attraction

The Haunted Mansion

I love getting into the Doom Buggy and going through this interesting mansion. From Madame Leota to the party scene to the graveyard, everything is entertaining. Especially some of the enhancements, though I do miss the portraits who followed you with their eyes.

Runner Up: The Jungle Cruise

Best Thrill Ride

Space Mountain

It’s dark, allowing the mind to think you’re going faster than you really are. Twists, turns and sudden drops keep your stomach on the move.

Runner Up: Thunder Mountain

Why Does This Ride Have a Fastpass Line?

Peter Pan’s Flight

Seriously, why does this have a Fastpass? I would like to do an experiment: Stop the fastpass distribution for a day. Then monitor wait times. I believe they wouldn’t be as bad as they are now. Like when they took out the fastpasses at Haunted Mansion, The Pirates of the Caribbean and now the Jungle Cruise.

Runner Up: None.

Let’s move on to  Epcot.

It’s Not Disney Until I Ride This Ride

Spaceship Earth

I was a communications major in college. And so I like this ride. From early caveman drawings to the possibilities that await us, every form of human communication is chronicled. Dame Judi Dench narrates along the way and then we can decide our own future ALA Horizons. It’s fun.

Runner Up: American Adventure

Best Makeover

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Living Seas wasn’t bad but it wasn’t memorable either. My favorite part was watching the fish swim about in the tanks. Now, though, I like the little show. Going through the locations of Finding Nemo with the characters in the clamomobile is fun.

Runner Up: Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Best Show Attraction

The American Adventure

Yes, I’m an American history nerd. And I love to watch this show. It’s your history class in 30 minutes and slightly sugar coated. Yes, it touches on slavery as well as the mistreatment of the native tribes. But only a cursory glance. And life-sized.

Runner Up: Captain Eo

Best Attraction

Ellen’s Energy Adventure (Universe of Energy)

I do love this show. If you come up to me and ask me to re-enact it for you, I can give you a one woman show of it. The premise is that Ellen Degeneres has a dream, well more of a nightmare, where she ends up on Jeopardy. All the categories—and therefore all the questions—have to do with energy. She takes a beating in the jeopardy round but takes control of her dream, getting help from Bill Nye the Science Guy. He takes her—and us—back to the time of the dinosaurs to learn about the origins of our energy sources. He talks about their uses and the future of energy before sending Ellen back to rock double and final Jeopardy. Ellen—and the audience—leaves a little bit more informed.

Runner Up: The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Best Thrill Ride

Mission: Space (Orange Team)

Because of my mother, we often do the Green Team when we visit. But my sister and I enjoy going on the orange team at least once a trip. In this version, you feel everything. The rockets igniting and gravity trying to pull you back as you leave Earth’s atmosphere. And the “slingshot” around the Moon. All amazing.

Runner Up: Test Track

Ride That Needs the Tiki Room Treatment

Journey into Your Imagination

While this is an improvement over the last one, I think it is time to bring back the Dreamfinder. Let a whole new generation experience why we’re so nostalgic for him.

Runner Up: None, but I would like Horizons back.

And let’s finish up with Hollywood Studios.

It’s Not Disney Until I Ride This Ride

The Great Movie Ride

I love everything about it, even the queue area. Trailers for some of the movies you’ll see inside play. And then you go right into the middle of the movies thanks to audio-animatronic recreations as well as a little movie magic. Though I have yet to encounter a gangster with a decent Noo Yawk accent. But it’s all fun.

Runner Up: Star Tours

Best Makeover

Star Tours

Do I miss Rex? Yes, I do. The original Star Tours will always have a special place in my heart. I did it five times the first time—in Disneyland! But the new one is good. From the 3-D to the interaction (I was the rebel spy!) to the inclusion of more characters, it was a needed shot in the arm.

Runner Up: None

Best Show Attraction

Muppet Vision 3-D

Come on, it’s the Muppets! Who doesn’t love them? Kermit giving us a tour of the lab, Beeker and Dr. Honeydew screwing things up, and Miss Piggy being Miss Piggy. Waldorf and Statler are in the audience with you and Sweetums even comes out for a bit! The ending is particularly explosive.

Runner Up: The Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Best Attraction

The Great Movie Ride

It’s just fun to ride. See “It’s Not Disney Until I Ride This Ride” for the rest.

Runner Up: Star Tours

Best Thrill Ride

The Rock N’ Roller Coaster

You go from 0 to 60 mph in about 3 seconds. And the first thing you hit is a corkscrew. And there are more twists and turns from there. You need more than one ride because on the first go, you’re too busy screaming to hear the music playing behind you. You may even spend the rest of the day trying to figure out why you have “Dude Looks Like a Lady” stuck in your head like me because of it.

Runner Up: Tower of Terror

And so ends my Disney Awards. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Well, you’ll get the chance to express your say on my tumblr, Tales from the Magic Kingdom. So, visit and keep an eye out for the chance to vote!