Walt Disney World: A Round Up of My Thoughts

Several years ago, I did a countdown to a Disney trip I was taking by writing something about the park each day for like 100 days. It was massive and I think I had to backdate a few posts but I did it!

However, it was several years ago and Walt Disney World has made a lot of changes since then.

I recently got back from Walt Disney World and I thought I would discuss my thoughts on some of the latest changes and additions to the parks.

Here we go!

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!

A Blast From the Past

As I sat in Newark-Liberty International Airport, the snow was falling so thick we could hardly see the runways outside. Our plane was originally schedule to depart around 11:30 AM. By that time, it had already been pushed back to 12:54 PM and my family had been at the terminal for nearly three hours. But as noon approached, the snow relented and a plane was soon spotted taxi-ing to our assigned gate. By 1 PM, the JetBlue staff started to board us. Once everyone was seated, we pulled away from our gate, but we were nowhere near departure.

Because of the weather, the plane had to be de-iced. That was slated to take about another twenty minutes, according to the pilot. While that was finishing, he came on to tell us a mechanical problem had been discovered and needed to be addressed before we could depart. And so, an hour after boarding the plane, we finally took off from Newark-Liberty International Airport and left the frozen tundra that was New Jersey and New York City behind us.

Our flight was uneventful and thankfully, we did not hit any turbulence. The complimentary beverages were fine as were the snacks (I had ginger ale and munchies). My only complaint was with the TV at my seat. One thing that makes the delays more bearable is the fact you have your own TV to watch while waiting, or you could listen to music as well. There is a control panel on your arm rest to allow you to do so. Mine was broken. I was stuck in sports channels and could move sometimes if I pressed hard enough. When it switched over to the TV after takeoff, I was stuck watching Maury. After find out who was and who wasn’t cheating with random girls out of town or their fiance’s mother or confirming they were the baby-daddy, I decided just to spend the rest of the flight listening to my iPod and reading my Kindle.

The sky was clear and the sun was starting to set as we touched down in Orlando International Airport. As we had signed up for Disney’s Magical Express, we didn’t have to pick up our luggage—a cast member would do that for us and bring it to our room. We proceeded straight to the Magical Express check in and were able to board our bus immediately. I read that there was a decline in Magical Express ridership and I find that odd. It makes everything easier—no need to worry about your luggage and direct transportation to your hotel.

After a stop at the Caribbean Beach Resort, our bus pulled up to Pop Century Resort. My mother and I went to check in and soon we were on our way to our rooms. This time we’re staying in the 90’s, which we’ve nicknamed “Guam.” After putting our stuff in our rooms, we returned to catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom. We go there at the start of every trip and ride the WEDway People Mover—but last time we went, it was closed due to the refurbishment of Space Mountain.

After dinner at Cosmic Ray’s and a spin on Buzz Lightyear, we hopped from monorail to monorail to go to Epcot, which had the magical hours that night. (It was one of the monorails specially designed to promote Tron Legacy). We quickly found ourselves on Space Ship Earth before going to see how the lines looked at Mission: Space. The green team line was short and after, we ran over to Test Track. We were actually able to get on the stand-by line and ride together, and then hung out in the show room to wait for some friends who had come down a few days earlier than us.

Once we were all together, we went to Soarin’, which only had a thirty minute wait (if that). As they had been in the park the entire day, we bid each other a goodnight and they headed to the exit. We, on the other hand, turned to the Imagination Pavilion—it was time to revisit Captain Eo! The movie premiered in 1986 (the year I was born) and was removed in the early 1990s, so I have very dim memories of it. My sister never saw it.

In the waiting area, they play the original pre-show. It is a behind the scenes feature with Coppola, Lucas and Jackson as well as the crew and dancers. During which, all my sister could say was “Look at that 80’s hair!” We entered the theater and sat down to experience “Captain Eo.”

Since we’re talking George Lucas, this is set in space! Captain Eo is part of a group that keeps the universe good. We are told two conflicting details about this captain: that he is a respected captain and that he has bungled a mission or two. So it’s hard to peg him—the efficient hero who gets the job done or the misfit leader who gets by by the skin of his teeth. However, after viewing the whole movie, it seems that they were going for misfit leader with unorthodox ways that gets results. We come into Eo’s ship, manned by robots and rejected Muppets. As they rush around and yell at each other, up rises Michael Jackson. He looks like a mighty hero, a captain you would follow, and just seriously badass.

And then he speaks.

It’s hard to take someone seriously as a serious badass space captain when he sounds like he never hit puberty! Anyway, it is revealed that Eo and his crew are on their way to a planet to deliver a gift to its leader. However, one of the Muppet Reject Crew has lost the map and they’ve been spotted by the planet’s defenses. Once they crash into the homing device, they must get to the leader—which is easy as they are quickly captured.

The planet’s leader looks like a cross between a spider and how you usually find all your extension cords—knotted together in a giant ball. Everything is black, white and grey and she hisses like a snake. Captain Eo calls her beautiful but it is buried, needing to be unlocked. He is going to unlock it for her. As his crew turns into the Muppet Reject Band, the queen sends her robotic forces after him. Once the music begins, the soldiers are turned into dancers wearing orange and yellow costumes. They form a small army behind Captain Eo and start dancing.

And here’s where we get to see Michael relive his glory days, his Thriller success. His dancing ability is mesmerizing and you only watch him (though he is the only one in white). He then starts singing a song with the chorus of “We are here to change the world”. It is such an 80’s sentiment, though it is interesting to note that at one point, the queen calls Captain Eo and the Muppet Reject Crew “Infidels.” As the dancing army continues to sing, Captain Eo continues to convert more of her soldiers into his backup dancers.

Now, he has enough power to convert the queen. In a flash of neon, the wire-spider disappears and in her place we get…well, as my sister said “Angelica Huston?” She doesn’t speak, just waves as Captain Eo realizes his mission is complete. He dances out of the palace, Muppet Reject Crew once again with him. As their ship sails back into the black of space, the Captain Eo logo is brought back up.

Like most Disney 3-D films, this one also has ways of putting you right in the middle of the action. When there are blinking lights on screen, they blink in the theater. As the spaceship engages in battle and swoops through a set that looks oddly reminiscent of the Death Star, the theater rattles as well. When the queen sends out her robotic minions, their whips lash against your own leg as they hit Eo’s.

Overall, it is a very dated piece—and not just by how good Michael Jackson looks. The sentiments and the outfits are clearly from the 80’s. While I wouldn’t mind a return of the former, the latter can stay clearly there. (As you can tell, I’m not a big fan of 80’s fashion). If you find yourself in Epcot one of these days, I definitely recommend a stop to see Captain Eo. If only to just remember what Michael Jackson once was.

Magical Times in the Kingdom

Everyone has the one thing they do on their first day in Disney World. Most people head straight to the Magic Kingdom. My family is no different.

Nothing screams “DISNEY!” more than walking down Main Street, USA and watching Cinderella’s castle get closer and closer. We turned off to get to Tomorrowland, coming out close to Monsters, Inc. After fastpassing Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, we decided to go get lunch at Cosmic Ray’s. Unfortunately, everyone else was in Cosmic Ray’s as well. My father and I scoured the main room for seats but we ended up on a side room, away from the alien entertainment.

We finished and started our rounds around Tomorrowland, eventually ending up on the Carousel of Progress. As we made our way through the 20th century, our tour of human progress was constantly interrupted. A cast member’s voice kept telling us to remain seated for our own safety. As the warnings kept going into the 1920s, I pondered something: If the cast members could tell someone was standing, couldn’t they go into the theater and remove the guilty party? We slid into the 40s, but the theater didn’t lock all the way and the lights came on. When the scene ended, the theater didn’t move and we ended up hearing about the “Fabulous Forties” ALL over again. By the third go around, a cast member came to rescue us. As we poured out of the theater, we were handed “good any time” fast passes. The vacation was off to a sweet start, even if it was raining.

The day progressed and night had fallen. We started to wind down in the Magic Kingdom and rode Splash Mountain. We boarded our log and headed for the hill that would drop us into the first scene. And we hit what I call a “boat backup.” This is a common occurrence in Disney World, particularly as you approach the load/unload section. However, this boat backup occurred just before the drop into the first scene. One this early usually means that they’ve stopped the load in process in order to get a wheelchair-bound person into the log. The minutes ticked by. Eventually a cast member came up and counted the logs before disappearing behind an entryway. Another cast member arrived to start entertaining us. A guy in another log gave him drink orders, including “beers and milk for the children.”

Twenty minutes of sitting later, the ride began moving again. We finished the ride and as we disembarked, we got another set of “good any time” fast passes! Our vacation was off to a good start!

REVIEW TIME!

As always, Disney is constantly changing. Both the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents went through some overhauls. They changed the hall of portraits in the Haunted Mansion; the eyes now longer follow you but turn into eerie incarnations as lightning flashes. Another room, as you climb the stairs, has been turned into Escher’s staircase. The bride with the beating heart in the attic has been given a back story. She is a woman who has married at least five times and been widowed all times—her husbands meet tragic ends. The other new additions are in the graveyard scene, where more ghouls romp around to the tune of “Grin Grinning Ghosts.”

The Hall of Presidents was not only altered to add Barack Obama in the final scene, but Disney also changed the preceding movie. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, they recount how George Washington (voiced by David Morse) refused to be king and then set the most important precedent—he left office. Next moves onto Andrew Jackson, a man who rose to the presidency and wasn’t an aristocrat like the six preceding presidents. His wild inauguration in which the populace stormed the White House is recalled before the movie moves on to Abraham Lincoln. Naturally, the Civil War is discussed and the audio-animatronic figure of Lincoln comes out to recite the Gettysburg Address (in Royal Dano’s voice).

In the past, the movie usually ended with Lincoln and talked about the 20th century in vague terms. Now, though, they discuss Teddy Roosevelt and how he just called the presidential mansion “The White House.” He is followed by his cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how he overcame polio. Disney plays some of his fireside chats as well as reads excerpts from letters written to the president by American citizens. John F. Kennedy finishes the individual retrospections, the film mentions the different movements in the 60s—Women’s Lib, the Civil Rights, etc. The movie shows clips of the presidential speeches given at times of tragedy: Johnson’s address to Congress after Kennedy’s assassination, Reagan’s address to the nation after the Challenger explosion, Clinton’s address to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and Dubya’s address to the first responders and workers at Ground Zero after September 11th.

After the roll call of presidents, Washington stands and says a few words before Obama takes the Oath of Office. He gives a speech about liberty and the future before the show ends with a rousing chorus of “America the Beautiful.”

I prefer this new version of the Hall of Presidents. I never understood why the old film ended with Abraham Lincoln and didn’t go past. If I was a foreigner watching this video, I would think the last great American president was in 1865! The presidents they focus on were great leaders—both Roosevelts and Kennedy. If you don’t leave the Hall of Presidents wanting to wave a flag and hum “Stars and Stripes Forever,” check your pulse. You might be dead.

RING THE DINNER BELL!

Our first night there, we ate at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square. The menu is preset. The first course is a salad covered in a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. As my mother is allergic to strawberries, we were given a salad with just oil and vinegar. There is also my favorite part of the meal—the bread and butter. I do not know what type of butter they use at the Liberty Tree Tavern but it is the most delicious I have ever eaten. I often have to stop myself or else I’d fill up on bread and butter alone!

The next course is the main one. Ham, turkey and London broil are placed before you to choose which you want. It is accompanied by steamed carrots, string beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Seconds can be requested if you haven’t eaten your fill. This time, I found the turkey to be a bit dry, but gravy fixed that up. The potatoes and stuffing were delicious.

The last course is dessert—a delicious apple crisp, complete with ice cream. No matter how much you’ve loaded on the other courses, there is always room for this sweet treat.

This is a definite place to put on your reservation list.

A note of warning about the Magic Kingdom: It is always the most crowded park, so go in prepared to deal with crowds and toddlers. Learn to avoid the stroller brigade and how to weave effectively.

51 Days to Go: Top 5 List

Because who doesn't love a top 5 list?

Top 5 Magic Kingdom Attractions:

5. Haunted Mansion

4. Splash Mountain

3. Pirates of the Caribbean

2. Thunder Mountain

1. Space Mountain

Honorable Mentions: Buzz Lightyear and Jungle Cruise

If you have an ideas you want to see as a top 5 list, let me know!

68 Days to Go: Poll Results!

Though only one person voted in my poll, I'll still report the winner. And it was the Magic Kingdom.

Dad, was that you? I know it's his favorite park.

Keep your eyes open for some future polls and if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. (Pun intended).

84 Days to Go: Toon Town

Let's face it: While Disney is on a whole a very family-friendly place, the Magic Kingdom is the most little child friendly. However, there are still parts that your toddler or Preschool Disney lover won't particularly care for--Haunted Mansion's a bit too scary, they are too small for the Mountain Ranges. There is one place in Disney for the under 48'' crowd--Toon Town.

Being that my sister and I are over 60'' tall, it has been a long time since we've been in this land. It is where the characters live and you can go visit the individual houses. Minnie's house is easily recognizable--it's the pink one, you can go to Mickey's house, Donald's boathouse and Goofy's unique dwelling place. You can even go help judge the Toon Town county fair! There are plenty of opportunities to snap pictures of your little princess or pirate with their favorite Disney character.

Also there for a little daredevil is a small roller coaster, a great introduction to the larger thrill rides they may one day favor. So, you can bring your little Disney-goer there with no worries!

86 Days to Go: Liberty Square

Time can get away from you. I was on my break at work, going through the internet on my Kindle and realized I forgot to do Day 86!

This day is dedicate to a small part of the Magic Kingdom called "Liberty Square." A bridge between Frontierland and Fantasyland, Liberty Square celebrates the spirit of 1776. Brick buildings reminiscent of those found in Boston and Williamsburg line the stone paths all surrounding a Liberty Tree. Thirteen lanterns hang in the tree, representing each original state. A replica of the Liberty Bell also sits in the square. I've heard that if you look to the top of the building that houses The Hall of Presidents, you will see two lights--Two if by sea, as Longfellow's famous (and slightly inaccurate, ask Boston) poem says.

The Hall of Presidents is the main attraction in Liberty Square. The pre-show room is filled with portraits and memorabilia of our former Commanders-in-Chief. A particularly interesting highlight is an essay by a young Richard M. Nixon about how he wants to be president when he grows up. "Hail, Columbia" plays as you enter the theater. A short show tells of the beginning of the presidency and highlights a few presidents: Washion, Jackson and Lincoln. It talks about the American spirit and the ability Americans have to come together to remind the government who really is in charge. The big event is the reading of each president's name, complete with his own audio-animatronic figure. The current president gives a speech. Both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have recorded their own voices for their audio-animatronic figures. I have yet to hear if Obama recorded his own as well. After the current president, Lincoln gives a speech as well (I believe his second inaugural address) before a rousing chorus of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic").

After marching out of the Hall of Presidents, flags waving and yelling "Give me liberty or give me death," you can head over to the Square's more popular attraction--the building emitting the howls, the Haunted Mansion. Your ghost host (dubbed "Master Gracey" in Disney circles) takes you on a tour of the resting place for 999 happy haunts. You see the ghosts reveling in a "swinging wake," two portraits I call "Hatfields and McCoys still duking it out" and a medium named Madame Leota. Some small children might be scared of this ride, but it is a fun and thrilling experience that did set me up not to expect much scares from other Haunted Mansion-esque rides. One trip to Wildwood cured me of that! If you decide you rather like the Haunted Mansion, you're in luck! The mansion has room for 1000 ghosts--meaning there is one vacancy!

Foodwise, you have two options. For quick counter service, there is the Columbia House. It also serves fish fare in case you get a craving for seafood. For a sit-down experience, there is the Liberty Tree Tavern. My family loves this place. It is set up like an old tavern, something found in Williamsburg. The menu is preset but delicious. You start with bread and butter as well as a house salad. The main entree is a dish with turkey, roast beef and ham with sides of mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. For dessert, there's a delicious apple crisp a la mode. It used to be a character dinner, with your favorites dressed in colonial garb. However, the best part was the food so you aren't losing much by them dropping the characters (particularly if you've ever been there when Goofy's grabbed the crier's bell).

For a small section of the Magic Kingdom, it offers quite a lot. It shows you that good things do come in small packages. And don't worry, I won't tell the kids it's educational.

89 Days to Go: First Day!

You've gotten off the plane, rushed the bathroom and finally located the luggage. After reporting to your hotel, you've checked in. Now, Walt Disney World is at your feet. The experienced Disney-goer has the first park they always go to, the park that starts the vacation and reinforces the idea that "Yes, I'm here."

For my family, our first stop is always the Magic Kingdom. There's nothing better than to start your vacation standing at one end of Main Street, by Tony's Restaurant, and seeing Cinderella's Castle at the other. After that, we head straight for Tomorrowland and Fast Pass Buzz Lightyear's Ranger Spin. And then for our first official ride, we climb aboard the WED-way (now known as Tomorrowland Transit Authority) for a slow tour into Disney.

My family is a bit stumped this time. MousePlanet reported that Space Mountain would be down for repair starting in April and lasting till November (boo!). Along with that, the WED-way would also close, though only to August. However, it's estimated time of reopening is August 16th, the day AFTER we leave. Another boo. So, now we're trying to figure out our new first ride. I think we're looking at something in Adventureland, completely opposite from Tomorrowland.

And we'll finish off our first day with dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. But more on food later. After all, I have 88 more days to go!