We love Walt Disney World. That needs to be apparent by the existence of this web site. However we’re additionally crucial of the parks & resorts and, particularly, present administration and the selections they make. Generally, the selections they make really feel short-sighted, searching for brief time period ache at the price of long-term visitor goodwill.
This sort of rigidity is regular, I believe, with one thing you’re keen on. Even the unconditional love of a father or mother to a baby doesn’t come with out critique and constructive criticism. Moms and dads supply this, presumably, as a result of they need what’s finest for his or her youngsters. I don’t view Walt Disney World as my baby–it’s sufficiently old to be my father or mother–however my commentary comes from an analogous place of affection and desirous to see the parks thrive.
In all honesty, it’s additionally egocentric. I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World fan since actually earlier than beginning. My first time listening to Nation Bear Christmas was in 1984–earlier than I used to be born! I beloved these parks as a baby within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, as a clumsy teen within the early aughts, as a love-smitten faculty scholar within the late aughts, love-smitten newly-wed in 2010s, and love-smitten father or mother within the 2020s. I’ll be right here within the 2030s, 40s, and so forth. I’m not going anyplace. I’ll outlast present and future administration, and all the nice and boneheaded choices they make. After all, I favor the previous provided that I’ll be dwelling with these decisions for many years to come back.
With that mentioned, an excessive amount of criticism raises the query: why are you even a Walt Disney World fan within the first place?
This weblog is a veritable compendium of solutions to that, which I imagine is generally a condescending rhetorical gadget meant to quell criticism. However, generally it is good to cease and odor the roses and share a number of the little issues we love in regards to the place.
To that finish, right here’s an inventory (presumably half one in an ongoing collection?) of little issues we love about Walt Disney World. Random small stuff–not rides, resorts, eating places or the opposite main attracts about which we usually focus. Right here goes…
Arriving within the Disney Bubble – Walt Disney World simply “hits in a different way” for us when skilled as an entirely immersive multi-day trip vacation spot divorced from the actual world. The Disney Bubble is unquestionably a factor, and it’s unbelievable. To make sure, there are main benefits to being a neighborhood, however on stability, I’d somewhat expertise the Trip Kingdom of the World as a trip.
It was once the case that you simply ‘arrived’ at Walt Disney World if you entered the Disney’s Magical Specific staging space at Orlando Worldwide Airport. Alas, that’s no extra and now it’s a must to wait a bit longer.
For us, this sense hits when driving beneath these Walt Disney World archways that demarcate the actual world from the bubble. They’re easy by Disney’s thematic requirements, however they put an enormous dumb grin on my face each single time. This sense is additional bolstered by the well-known Walt Disney World navigational signage and its inexplicably iconic crimson and purple coloration scheme.
It’s no shock that followers had robust opinions about adjustments to those gateways and signage (I nonetheless favor the previous model, pictured above) and that’s as a result of we now have fond reminiscences and nostalgia for the various fantastic Walt Disney World holidays that every one began by passing by these entrances.
Seeing Pooh’s Posse – Sarah and I’ve been falling in love with Walt Disney World for the primary time over again vicariously through our daughter, Megatron. Seeing her uncover and react to the parks has made for a lot of priceless reminiscences and, fairly frankly, this checklist may very well be populated solely with surprising little issues we now love attributable to our daughter. That’s private and distinctive to us, and may be boring for you, so I’m limiting it to only one entry.
Suffice to say, nowhere have these discoveries and reactions higher than with characters. Megatron has met Mickey and buddies many instances at Disneyland. Certainly one of her favourite hobbies is grabbing the Fab 5’s noses and whiskers, that are like magnets for little child palms. That is an exercise that she practices on, no less than with noses, on her plushies of Minnie and Mickey at dwelling.
Pooh’s Posse is completely different. She additionally sees them typically at Disneyland, particularly now that Bayou Nation has reopened. Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger are like Taylor Swift or Christopher Walken to her (two standard celebrities of equal stature). When she spots them strolling to or from their greeting place, she goes nuts for them, waving like loopy, making a bunch of noises, and “phoning dwelling” (it’s precisely what you suppose it’s).
I can already inform that watching Pooh’s Posse do their little march from backstage to the Thotful Spot in Hundred-Acre Wooden goes to be a kind of “little issues” for Sarah and I many years from now, when Megatron is in faculty. Can we freeze time?! Failing that, it’s fairly straightforward to see why mother and father hold going to Walt Disney World many times.
This TTA Scene – One factor I’ve all the time beloved about Tomorrowland ’94 is the worldbuilding. This was completed through the science fiction thrives and ornamentation that established Tomorrowland as a lived-in place. This model of the land will all the time maintain a particular place in my coronary heart because it gave us Alien Encounter and Timekeeper (two good points of interest), and was the Tomorrowland of my childhood.
It wasn’t simply the rides, although. I beloved getting misplaced within the particulars. Should you ask the typical fan their favourite PeopleMover scene, most will play it protected and say the Progress Metropolis mannequin. And that’s reply–in all probability the proper one! It’s one in all my favourite issues in Magic Kingdom, but it surely’s additionally apparent. Who amongst us hasn’t daydreamed about the place we’d stay in such an actual E.P.C.O.T. had Walt’s neighborhood come to fruition?!
I equally discover myself daydreaming after I have a look at the above vignette. It has so many refined particulars that raises as many questions because it solutions about mass transit, alien-robot-human relations, TTA rules, and extra. One of many issues I like about Walt Disney World is it unlocks the door of creativeness, permitting visitors to discover concepts and create their very own headcanon. That partly explains why points of interest like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean have enduring recognition. They don’t provide you with all the solutions or inform a succinct story.
Columbia Harbour Home Second Flooring – As one of many few good locations to eat and a colossal counter service restaurant on the planet’s busiest theme park, Columbia Harbour Home will be chaotic. It’s additionally one in all my favourite locations in Magic Kingdom, in no small half as a result of it’s by no means actually modified.
Columbia Harbour Home is like going again into my grandparents’ dwelling after an extended absence. Properly, in the event that they owned a publick home in New England. Extra dated than you bear in mind and with a preserved Seventies aesthetic–however comforting. An vintage brass helmet in a single nook, a banjo in one other. Feminine figureheads, bald eagles, silver steins, and dishware on show. Issues that aren’t usually decorations…are decorations.
As a lot as I like Columbia Harbour Home, it’s arduous to understand the ambiance as a result of it’s all the time so loud and full of folks. (An issue that, fortunately, my grandparents’ home doesn’t have.) Fortunately, the eclectic inside will be absolutely appreciated by merely heading upstairs to the second-level seating that’s huge. That is the place Columbia Harbour Home actually shines.
There may be additionally no higher people-watching location in all of Magic Kingdom than one of many tables with views of the walkway resulting in Haunted Mansion in entrance of the Rivers of America. You will be the one visitors on this room in the course of the offseason, on a wet day, in the course of the first or final seating. and so on. The concept that a lot helpful actual property in Magic Kingdom may very well be a “secret” borders on absurd, however Columbia Harbour Home actually is a kind of “hiding in plain sight” form of offers.
World Showcase After Luminous – The worldwide pavilions dotting World Showcase are inherently romantic, idealized variations of the international locations they signify. There’s one thing particular about being there late listening to the peaceable background music, strolling hand-in-hand with somebody you’re keen on by these lovely environments, whereas few different visitors are round.
I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however the World Showcase post-show stroll is our favourite EPCOT expertise. That will appear loopy because it’s not one thing you’ll discover on a park map and isn’t actually a “factor” in any respect, however anybody who has ever lingered leaving EPCOT is aware of precisely why that is so particular.
For us, Walt Disney World is in regards to the little moments throughout which we benefit from the place and the presence of each other, and strolling by World Showcase after the fireworks on the finish of the night is usually a kind of little moments for us. There’s no extra satisfying method to finish an extended day within the parks.
Because the eating places in World Showcase make eating reservations till proper round park closing and it takes round an hour to complete meals (longer in France and Japan), you could have time to slowly make your manner out of EPCOT. That’s one of the simplest ways to take pleasure in this tranquil stroll–make an 8:55 p.m. (or so) reservation for a restaurant deep in World Showcase, take pleasure in Luminous out of your desk, and take your time leaving. Gazing up from beneath Spaceship Earth with nobody else round can be fairly particular.
Burning Rome – Campers love the odor of burning timber as a result of it reminds them of enjoyable instances spent within the nice outside. Disney followers love the odor of burning books as a result of it reminds them of enjoyable instances spent in darkish rides.
Extra broadly, there’s one thing comforting and acquainted in regards to the smells of the Eighties and older points of interest. These scents are sometimes unintentional, extra the results of cleansing…or the shortage thereof. Burning Rome is the uncommon one which melds each an intentional synthetic perfume with the Spaceship Earth’s pure scent developed over the many years.
This in all probability sounds odd to the uninitiated, however for diehard followers, that is arguably probably the most distinct and memorable scent in all of Walt Disney World. If I weren’t a married man, I’d be out there for Burning Rome cologne. However I worry such a perfume would comprise a harmful variety of seductive pheromones, making it a put on at your individual threat kinda factor.
MuppetVision Pre-Present – After sufficient instances on sure points of interest, there are pre-shows you’d wish to skip. I’ve by no means purchased a Lightning Lane Single Move, but when it bypassed the pre-shows on Avatar Flight of Passage, maybe I’d rethink. I really just like the lead-up in Cosmic Rewind, however generally I simply need a thrilling experience set to nice tunes.
MuppetVision 3D is the precise reverse for us. The MV3D pre-show is best than the present. Severely. If we stroll into the pre-show space and it’s already half over or extra, we come again later. Most individuals in all probability really feel prefer it’s a small victory after they can stroll proper right into a present with out ready, however in the case of MuppetVision 3D, not us. The pre-show video is what we like most, however the gags on this ready space are additionally unbelievable.
What I most love in regards to the MuppetVision pre-show is watching with a packed home of diehard followers. I hate when folks quote the Haunted Mansion stretching room, however for no matter purpose, it hits completely different with the MuppetVision pre-show. Listening to different visitors mumble together with the jokes, giggle on the punchlines, and recite the quotes is quite a lot of enjoyable.
It’s additionally the pre-show that we reference most at dwelling. There’s in all probability a restrict on what number of instances you’ll be able to say, “what foolishness would you wish to see?” or “Rat-shmat…apart from, they’re vacationers, what do they know?” or “Debbie was sick, so the union despatched me” earlier than these strains cease being humorous. But when there may be, I’ve but to seek out it. Some may say that not quoting the MuppetVision 3D pre-show is distinctly unpatriotic.
Otter Grotto – There are simply a half-dozen underappreciated animal reveals and trails in Animal Kingdom. Maharajah Jungle Trek is arguably one of the crucial underrated points of interest in all of Walt Disney World. However it’s additionally not likely a “little” factor–it’s a marquee attraction.
Otter Grotto is a little bit factor. One which’s simpler to pop-in for a couple of minutes, and is simple to miss. It options a whole household of Asian small-clawed otters, informational indicators, and above-ground and underwater viewing areas. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species on the planet, and the least aquatic, spending most of their days chilling on land. They’re additionally absolute jerks.
I don’t imply to forged aspersions. I name them jerks lovingly. I take pleasure in dropping into Otter Grotto to see what sort of hijinks the little fellas are as much as, in the event that they’re even out. Ever since studying that many otters have a favourite rock that they carry round, I’ve been bought on the greatness of those ornery animals. They’re cute, amusing, mischievous, hilarious…and generally use their superior intelligence for nefarious functions. However their meanness is a part of the appeal! Plus, Frogtown Hole Jubilee Jug Band is one in all my all-time favourite musical teams.
The Solarium – Positioned in a quiet wing of Seaside Membership as you head in direction of the Villas, this hallway and ethereal atrium not often has many individuals in it, making it an ideal place to work or decompress. Actually, I didn’t even understand it existed till our first keep within the DVC wing a few decade in the past.
The Solarium can be an ideal spot to eat no matter you order from Seaside Membership Market or, when you don’t thoughts strolling a little bit farther, even meals from Seashores & Cream or the to-go spots round Crescent Lake.
The Solarium will also be used as a spot to look at the Tremendous Bowl or, at the exact opposite finish of the spectrum, a pleasant reprieve from noon crowds and warmth at EPCOT. We’ve spent quite a lot of time again right here, doing every thing from working to watching tv to napping.
Crisp Morning Air – Usually talking, my favourite instances at Walt Disney World are the start of the day or finish of the night. There’s one thing actually particular about being up on the morning time, and it’s an expertise that I savor each time I’ve the prospect–and I’ve had lots of of possibilities during the last 15 years.
Whether or not it’s for daybreak and dawn pictures of the resorts or as I stroll to catch the primary bus departing for Early Entry, I like these quiet instances on the resort. That is true year-round, however particularly so between October and April when the morning air really is crisp. Taking my first deep breath of that cool contemporary Florida air–proper after chugging an enormous cup of espresso–has me on cloud 9. My senses are heightened and I actually really feel alive. I’d think about that is what medicine are like. (Properly, I assume the espresso is a drug…however you understand what I imply!)
It’s not possible to articulate how this feels–it’s a kind of “if you understand, you understand” sort of offers. What I’ll say is that, even after lots of of instances, this hasn’t misplaced its specialness. If something, it has solely gotten higher with the passage of time. Extra instances experiencing the crisp morning air means extra nostalgia is evoked and previous reminiscences introduced front-of-mind.
Sonny Eclipse – Our very first Walt Disney World obsession as a pair was Sonny Eclipse. Throughout our annual summer time visits, we spent many a late evening within the cubicles at Cosmic Ray’s watching Sonny carry out his full units. It wasn’t a late evening in Magic Kingdom except we loved the Zorkian musician play to an empty home.
At dwelling we’d “relive” these moments by taking part in an mp3 of his full present. There might have been a time in faculty after I was in control of our playlist curation for a celebration, and I slipped “Brilliant Little Star” into the combo.
Extra just lately–rather more so–it was the track taking part in in Cosmic Ray’s as I digested the information that we had been having a child lady. We’ve since launched Ms. Megatron to Sonny Eclipse, and will probably be educating her his memorable music within the years to come back.
If there’s a standard theme to this checklist, it’s nostalgia and sentimentality. Should you’re planning a primary journey to Walt Disney World, this complete put up may learn because the nonsensical rantings of a lunatic. So let’s see…our favourite issues about Walt Disney World are indicators on the street, folks in animal fits, precise animals you’ll be able to see in the actual world, an outdated quick meals seating space, “morning air,” the odor of mildew blended with pretend fireplace, and so on.
I understand how it sounds–it sounds loopy! No less than…to the uninitiated. For longtime Walt Disney World followers, a lot of this checklist–regardless that private to us–in all probability resonates in a method or one other. Once more, a lot of these “if you understand, you understand” issues. Walt Disney World is a very magical place, with wonderful points of interest, unimaginable eating places, exemplary Forged Members, and a lot extra. All of that’s nice, and it’s the hook that will get you there within the first place.
The superb points of interest and every thing else within the advertising and marketing isn’t what retains you coming again to Walt Disney World 12 months after 12 months, decade after decade. It’s the indelible experiences we now have with household and buddies, eager for these nostalgic journeys down reminiscence lane, and these foolish little issues round which so many wonderful reminiscences have inexplicably shaped that hold so many people coming again. A decade from now, you in all probability gained’t bear in mind what rides you rode. However there will probably be some unplanned second or little factor that you couldn’t neglect even when you tried. That’s the actual hook, and what’ll hold you coming again. Those that don’t “get” Disney won’t ever perceive, but it surely’s why so many people loopy Disney Adults hold going again dwelling to Walt Disney World, many times.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you could have favourite little issues, quiet corners, or sentimental favourite issues at Walt Disney World? Something you completely adore that isn’t a full experience, restaurant, resort, or another huge factor? Anecdotes of your individual about favourite reminiscences or experiences you wish to relive from previous visits to the Disney parks? Some other questions? Listening to your suggestions is all the time appreciated, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
