Category Archives: Just for Fun

5 Ways to Ruin Your Own Disney Vacation

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Epcot ViewRemember a while back (if you’re new here, just follow the link to catch up) when I gave a tutorial on the Five Best Ways to be Irritating at Walt Disney World?  Well – those were my tips for how you can ruin OTHER people’s vacations.  Today I’m going to share with you my tips on how you can ruin your own Disney vacation.  I want you to be aware of every possibility…an informed consumer, if you will.  Ready?  Here goes:

Five Ways to Ruin Your Own Disney Vacation:

1. Don’t plan – Don’t do any research.  Guide books and travel websites are for geeks.  If you Sign for Splash Mountain / Magic Kingdom book a room at Walt Disney World for a week and you just show up hoping for the best, here’s what you’ll get:  Lost, for one thing – which could be an adventure all on its own.  If you don’t at least look at a park map now and again, you’ll get to spend a good bit of your vacation time wandering.  You’ll also get to wait in line – a lot and for long periods of time – hey, that’s okay, right?  Disney’s done wonders with ride queues – embrace the experience.  Booking FastPass+ choices 60 days ahead of time would be ridiculous, right?  I mean who knows what rides and attractions will look good that far out?  You’ll also eat a lot of fast food or “counter service” they call it.  You wouldn’t want to sit down and enjoy a nice meal anyway – that would take booking a dining reservation as much as 180 days in advance at the really popular places – absolutely against the grain for non-planners.  Don’t do it.

2. Plan too much – Indeed, to really wreck a week at Walt Disney World, you should plan Dad checks his watch at the Grand Floridianevery minute.  Exhaustive research will pay off for you – you’ll have every second planned to ensure every single ride and attraction is strategically covered in “The Plan”.  Rope drop, extra magic hours, FastPass+ selections, utilize all the special perks of staying on property and keep going for 16-18 hours a day!  Smart phone ever at the ready, move your family along in military fashion for the entire duration of your stay.  Heaven forbid anything like bad weather or a ride break-down interfere.  They may not appreciate it at the time, but your family will surely thank you later, right?  They’ll really be looking forward to coming back…someday….maybe.

Queue for Star Tours / Disney's Hollywood Studios3. Constantly think ahead – this goes right along with the over-planning.  Do NOT allow yourself to be in the moment – do not stop and enjoy the little details…heck, just ignore those!  Don’t relax – there’s entirely too much to worry about!  Tired?  Aching feet?  Man up, soldier!  You’re spending thousands of dollars here – it’s mission critical for you to obsess over what will happen next.  Use those phone apps constantly to check everything from the weather to current attraction wait times.  Smelling the roses is for sissies!

4. Cling to unrealistic expectations – Those Disney commercials on TV?  Expect your children WDW Happiness / Mad Tea Partyto act just like that!  Faces aglow with awe, smiles every waking moment – wonder and amazement and appreciation overflowing!  You should expect exactly that!  They will be model citizens, there will be no whining or crying or meltdowns.  They certainly would never ever have the nerve to ask, “When are we going back to the hotel to go swimming?”  Swimming?  You’re in the Magic Kingdom!  Why would anyone want to go swimming?

Souvenir Shopping / Walt Disney World5. Bring on Buyer’s Remorse – If you are committed to this endeavor and absolutely want to ruin your trip, don’t look at the cost of anything at Walt Disney World before you arrive.  For sure, don’t check out any menu prices – ’cause that would ruin the surprise!  Be sure to shop for some souvenirs, drop by those convenient and numerous bars for adult beverages, and snack away – simply wave those MagicBands and worry about the consequences later!

All set?  Now, let’s get out there and have some fun!!!  Please, do let me know how it goes when you get back.

 

 

 

What IS it about Walt Disney World?

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Trying on Hats at WDWIf you’re a fan of Disney vacations and you visit the Mouse as often as you can, you understand me.  You’ll also totally understand what it’s like to have friends and coworkers completely puzzled by this passion for Disney.  Yes, I’m talking about that most annoying of questions we Disney fans are constantly asked – “You’re going AGAIN?” – that query holds genuine puzzlement, usually with a sprinkling of scorn or worse, pity – as if we’re too immature or unsophisticated to know how and where to vacation properly.  “You do know that Disney World’s for little kids, right?”  Non-Disney fans ask me (and you, I’m sure) why we keep going to the same place for vacation over and over, year in, year out.  I save my answer for the ones I think really, genuinely want to know.  I’ve thought about my response a lot and I’ve had a lot of practice explaining what it is that makes Disney vacations so special to me.  I’ll tell Mother/Daughter Moment at WDWyou what it is and maybe you’ll leave me a comment and let me know why YOU love Disney vacations too.

What IS it about Walt Disney World?

Let me start with a couple of quotes – they’re basically the foundation of what Walt Disney World has meant to me over the years…

“Over at our place, we’re sure of just one thing: everybody in the world was once a child. So in planning a new picture, we don’t think of grown-ups, and we don’t think of children, but just of that fine, clean, unspoiled spot down deep in every one of us that maybe the world has made us forget and that maybe our pictures can help recall.”- Walt Disney

Waiting for Toy Story Midway Mania“Too many people grow up. That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don’t remember what it’s like to be 12 years old.” – Walt Disney

For me, that’s the major draw of Walt Disney World – remembering.  When I was a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up.  I dreamed of going to college, getting a good job, getting married one day…maybe having a couple of children of my own.  Over time, though, I think the pressures and responsibilities of becoming an adult and focusing on achieving your dreams can cause you to lose a part of yourself – that “original” person you once were before all that life happened to you.  When I’m at Walt Disney World, I rediscover that person – the first me.  The me that was more carefree, less full of the sense of responsibility that comes with being a grown-up.

I’m more patient, more interested in little details, more relaxed, and certainly…lighter, for Having fun at Old Key Westlack of a better word, when I’m on a Disney vacation.  I also think it gives my family a chance to get to know the original me a little bit more than they can at home when I’m worried about getting supper on the table, or whether washing whites or darks will have the biggest benefit for the immediate future.  At Walt Disney World, I totally let go of life’s troubles for a while – I’m not worried about how Joseph manages to make so many holes in his socks or how I’m going to help Megan pick out a new dress on my lunch hour and still make it back to the office to make a presentation on time.  We just have fun.  Together as a family, we are completely ourselves, being together, enjoying a wonderful, magical place.

In line at Disney“Dreams, ideas and plans not only are an escape, they give me purpose, a reason to hang on.” – Walt Disney

After every Disney vacation, we start planning the next one.  It may be far into the future, but we will be planning a way to return to the place that makes us so happy and holds some of our best memories.  We’ve got countdown calendars and when we’re having a bad day (bad week, heck – sometimes just a bad month), we use that future vacation as a reason to keep moving forward, solving problems, supporting each other, getting on with conquering whatever challenges come our way.

It’s become kind of rare for the four of us to be at home for supper these days, but when we have an evening together, we almost always do the same thing…At some point, one of us will silently raise their hand.  This is the “I’m going to Disney World” sign and, one at a time, as we notice what’s happening, we will each raise our hand.  Once we all have a hand raised, we carry1900 Park Fare - Meeting Pring Charming on as if nothing unusual has taken place – but we’ve each been reminded that no matter what’s happening today, we have something extraordinarily fun in our future.  We will all be returning to a place where we are uniquely happy, together.

“When you believe in a thing – believe in it all the way – implicitly and unquestionable.” – Walt Disney

I’d love to hear from you – What IS it about Walt Disney World?  What does it mean to you?

United States History at Walt Disney World

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Today I’m excited to welcome guest writer, Andrew Carrieri!  Andrew can be found as a regular blog contributor at The Mouse for Less.  

“I’m a huge fan of the various Disney theme parks and movies. I’ve made several trips to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland with my family. Additionally, I’m interested in sports and American history.” – Andrew Carrieri

“United States History at Walt Disney World”
Andrew Carrieri

The American Adventure / Epcot / Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World is one of America’s greatest playgrounds, a place where people can go to escape their troubles and have fun. Still, there is a serious side to the destination; numerous aspects of United States history are represented there. I will discuss 10 examples of such representations in this post.

1) Tom Sawyer Island: Located in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland and only accessible via raft, this oversized playground is based on one of the great works of American literature: Mark Twain’s 1884 novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

2) The American Adventure: The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot houses an impressive 30-minute audio-animatronic show that highlights great moments in United States history from founding to the present. Featured individuals include suffragist Susan B. Anthony, inventor Alexander Graham Bell, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The show is hosted by Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin.

it's a small world / Magic Kingdom / Walt Disney World
3) It’s a Small World: Walt Disney originally created this alternately heartwarming and infuriating attraction—ahh, get that song out of my head!—for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The boat ride, located in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, uses themed sets and singing animatronics to promote “peace through understanding,” which was the theme of the 1964 World’s Fair.

4) Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: Another animatronic attraction created by Disney for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the Carousel of Progress, located in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, shows guests how technological advances altered American family life through the course of the 20th century. The gas lamp, the radio, the automatic dishwasher, and the high-definition television are among the highlighted technologies.

5) Wilderness Lodge: This deluxe resort, situated only a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, pays homage to the culture and history of the American northwest. Contemporary Resort / Walt Disney WorldThe main building is based on Yellowstone Park’s Old Faithful Inn and features a breathtaking eight-story lobby. Dining options range from the upscale Artist Point to the raucous Whispering Canyon Café.

6) Contemporary Resort: Noted for its impressive main tower that allows the monorail to pass through it, the Contemporary Resort hosted one of the most infamous moments in American history. At the resort on November 17, 1973, President Richard Nixon gave his “I am not a crook” speech such as to deny involvement in the Watergate Scandal. The speech notwithstanding, Nixon eventually became the only president in United States history to resign from office after almost-certain impeachment loomed.Liberty Square / Magic Kingdom / Walt Disney World

7) Liberty Square: This Magic Kingdom land is placed between Frontierland and Fantasyland, and exudes a colonial vibe. A replica of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell is present as are numerous attractions, shops, and restaurants. The full-service Liberty Tree Tavern offers traditional American fare, such as pot roast and roast turkey at lunch, and a family-style meal of turkey, pork loin, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and macaroni and cheese at dinner. Meanwhile, at the counter-service Sleepy Hollow restaurant, guests can enjoy funnel cakes and waffle sandwiches. Attractions include the heralded Haunted Mansion, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Hall of Presidents, which I will describe in more detail below.

Hall of Presidents Exterior / Magic Kingdom8) Hall of Presidents: A must-see for history buffs, the Hall of Presidents combines audio animatronics and film to survey United States history from the Revolutionary War to the present. The lives and presidencies of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy are especially highlighted, but a comprehensive roll call is given to include all of the leaders. This 23-minute show is updated whenever a new president takes office.

9) Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: Featuring the three animated protagonists, Panchito Pistoles, Jose Carioca, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 film Gran Fiesta Tour / Mexico Pavilion / Epcot's World ShowcaseThe Three Caballeros, this boat ride through Epcot’s indoor Mexico Pavilion may not seem overly serious on the surface, but the reason for creating the film was serious. The Three Caballeros emerged from Disney’s previous animated feature, Saludos Amigos (1942), which came about after President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Disney to tour Latin America and create a related film that would positively depict the region. The purpose of his “Good Neighbor Policy,” Roosevelt wanted to garner support for the United States in Latin America at the expense of Germany during World War II.

10) Great Movie Ride: This attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios transports guests through scenes from some of the greatest films in American history, including Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Mary Poppins (1964), and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

What other aspects of United States history are featured at Walt Disney World? Let me know your thoughts in a comment!

I Don’t Hate Disney’s Frozen – Really!

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Snow White at Walt Disney WorldIt all started back in June when I wrote this blog post about how burned up I was over Snow White and Aurora getting kicked out of Princess Fairytale Hall – evicted to make room for Frozen’s Anna and Elsa.  Then I got busted by one of the hosts of the WDW NE Podcast (a podcast I happen to love and listen to regularly) tweeting about the Frozen takeover a few weeks back – I’d mentioned in a tweet that I had 10 ideas for how Walt Disney World could have incorporated Frozen into the World without pushing classic princesses out into the street.  So Paulie (@YoPaulieNJ) asked me to provide him with said 10 ideas for his perusal.

Next thing I know, in Episode 11 of the WDW NE Podcast, all four hosts (Mike, Sal, Dean, and Paulie) were debating the merits of each one of those 10 ideas.  (Be sure to listen to this show!!!)  Much strong language and hilarious discussion ensued.  As a result of all this – pretty much created by my own actions then carried on a wave of social media – I may have developed a teeny bit of a reputation for not liking Frozen as much as most other folks.

I’d like to dispel that rumor once and for all.  I do like Frozen (the movie) very much!  I can belt Festival of Fantasy Parade Frozenout every word of Let it Go to the car stereo as enthusiastically as the next person (even if my ability to actually hit those high notes is questionable).  I think Olaf and Sven are adorable side-kicks and Anna and Kristoff do indeed make the most darling couple!  I loathe Hans to the appropriate extent for being so mean and villainous.  Shoot!  I’m even taking a Disney cruise through the fjords of Norway next June knowing it will be full to the brim with Frozen tie-ins, merchandise, and superfans.  Yes, I do own the DVD and have enjoyed watching it on several occassions.  See?  I’m good, right?

I’m glad we could clear up that little misunderstanding.  While you’re here, I’d like to also share with you five very important life lessons I believe can be learned from Frozen and its beloved characters.  Here goes:

1.  If you accidentally injure your sibling while playing, you should be separated from that sibling for the foreseeable future…for everyone’s protection.  Does this only count in cases of magical power gone awry?  Because that one time when Megan dropped her baby brother headfirst onto the stacking donut toy did not result in any type of forced separation.  Does that make us bad parents?

2. If you’re orphaned at a young age and raised by the domestic help, you do not develop the ability to recognize unscrupulous men who want a relationship with you purely to steal your Disney's Frozen - Olaf Pinkingdom.  Good to know.

3. If you, as a young adult, go off to find yourself, it’s perfectly fine to have created a really great sidekick and then forget about/ignore them completely.  Seriously, I was a tad traumatized by Olaf being left out there on his own (nose-less, I might add) for an undisclosed amount of time.  I think there should be laws against that.  Is no one else bothered by this at all?!!?!?!?  I suppose the fact that he’s the most loving, selfless character in the movie means there was no harm caused by Elsa’s seemingly callous behavior.  But do we really know for sure?

4. Parents who discourage unique talents in their children by forcing them to hide their gifts cause a LOT of problems!  Especially if those parents go off and die instead of finding a magical tutor (a member of the Troll community perhaps?) to help the gifted child grow and develop their individuality in a healthy and productive way that does not involve shaming.  Just sayin’.

5. Trolls, maligned in both folklore and mainstream media, are actually very loving, nurturing, and caring creatures who are capable of raising a human child (my, there seem to be a lot of orphans in Scandinavia, no?) into a pretty decent adult…attachments to reindeer notwithstanding.

Don’t forget to listen to the WDW NE Podcast (available in all your favorite podcast-downloading locations).  Especially episode 11…which is pretty darned special, if I do say so myself.

How about YOU?  What were your important takeaways from Frozen?  What lessons did you learn from this delightful tale?