Walt Disney World – Hidden Pleasures

Treats-and-time-with-LindsayPlease welcome today’s guest, Curtis Stone!  Curt and his daughter, Lindsay, are the hosts of the Geekin’ on WDW Podcast (and website).

Walt Disney World’s Hidden Pleasures

There are some men in this world that think Disney World is not for them. They think there’s not a lot of things for them and it’s just for kids. As men, we typically hide our feelings and put on a tough act. Today, I’m going to expose myself.  Uh, wait, relax, let me rephrase that.  There are many attractions at Disney World that I would say are on my “Hidden Pleasures” list. These are the ones I would not admit I like in front of a bunch of macho men over at Gaston’s Tavern over a brew. But, today I’d like to reveal these beauties even if they are a bit testosterone weak. I don’t care if you make fun of me. I like’m, I’m over 50 years old, I’m a 6′ 2″ dude and comfortable in my masculinity.

Here’s my corny hidden pleasure list in no particular order:Goofy Thinking

1. Carousel of Progress – My wife loves this one and drags me in every year. It’s turned out to be one of my must do’s and I love it too. The tune grows on me. I love Walt Disney the man and this is one of his classics.

2. Small World – I don’t know who nailed all those little kids feet to the floor but they sure are cute and sing good. It’s the song that keeps on giving and giving and giving. I can’t get that tune out of my head for hours and I don’t care.  We never miss it and I enjoy it.

3. Art of Animation – I waited in a long line for this on my last 2 trips. I really enjoy drawing the Disney character and showing off my artistic ability. Strike that. I like pretending I have artistic ability. Co-workers can’t believe I drew the Goofy that hangs in my office at work. I hope we draw a different character this year.

4Gaston 2. Pictures with characters – I won’t wait in a long line for Duffy but I do like to ham it up and get a few pictures with characters. When I leave work on the Friday before vacation, all seriousness of the world is turned off and I’m getting as Goofy as possible.

5. Figment – Imagination! Imagination! Come on, Sing it with me !!! You know the words. I’m a big Monty Python fan and of Eric Idle. This ride is pure fun.

6. Muppets – Remember the first time you saw Muppets in Muppet Vision. Very cool, right? I know these are characters for kids. They were a big part of my childhood with Sesame Street.

7. Peter Pan – My kids recently told my wife that they thought the Peter Pan ride was awesomechef mickey when they were little. We still enjoy the Fantasyland rides. As long as we get there early and the lines are short.

8. Electric Water Pageant – This by far the corniest of attractions at Disney World. If you stay at a Resort Loop Resort, you have to check this out. It’s a series of boats that have neon lighted characters that run around Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon and blast music. If you hit the hay early from a long day in the parks, this attraction will wake you up around 10pm as it goes by our Bay Lake Tower room.  We go out on our balcony and enjoy it.  It’s hilarious.

9. Old time singers/dancers – I love the ol’ time flavor of MK. This takes me back to a simpler time. I enjoy the old time music, costumes and fun.

10 – Googleman’s, Ziti Sisters and World Showcase Players – I always look forward to see a lot of these acts and even play a role. Slapstick and the cornier the better. Hey, my favorite comedy movie is “Dumb and Dumber” and I’m a huge fan of the Three Stooges. What do you expect?

Laugh at me if you want. I don’t care. You can even post YouTube video’s of me doing the Hoochie Coochie with the World Showcase Players. I hope I’m chosen as “That Guy” at Monster, Inc.’s Laugh Floor. At least I won’t have a sour puss like most of the guys I saw last year.   Just go with it, lose yourself and you’ll have more fun too!

For more Disney favorites, memories, reviews, tips, and Walt Disney World travel stories, visit Curtis at Geekin’ on WDW.com , on Facebook and on Twitter.  Be sure to download the podcast and give it a listen (I recommend Episode #5!).

While I’m at Walt Disney World

Living a Disney LifeIt’s a poor practice to go away and leave things unattended.  There’s risk – it’s not safe.  I care enough about this little Living a Disney Life blog to try to look out for it.  I wouldn’t dream of leaving without making sure the place will be taken care of – Plus, I really care about you guys and I wouldn’t want you to go away empty handed should you happen to stop by while I’m out – you are a great bunch of people – you deserve top shelf reading material!

Keeping all that in mind as The Fam and I pack our bags, fasten on our Magic Bands, and mosey on down to Walt Disney World, I want you to know I’ve invited some friends over to take care of the place while we’re gone – and these are some pretty special friends, too!  While I’m off enjoying a Dole Whip and some churros, riding Expedition Everest and Rock’n’ Roller Coaster, feasting on dinners at Flying Fish and Tutto Italia – I will be leaving your Disney-blog-reading enjoyment in the very capable hands of the following Disney experts:Nick and Barbie - Disney Musings

Nick from Disney Musings Nick and his wife, Barbie are (like most of us) huge fans of all things Disney.  On the Disney Musings blog, Nick, Barbie, and a variety of guests share their Disney travel experiences, tips, reviews and magical memories.  Some of my favorite Disney Musings’ posts are ones where Nick and Barbie let us into their home for glimpses of their amazing collection of Disneyana.  And if it weren’t for Nick, I never would have found Beers and Ears!  Nick is also a contributing writer for Tips from the Disney Diva and Devos.

Heather from Disney for Five+ – One of the things I like most about Heather is that she’s nearly as old as I am and tends to really understand me and all my Disney-ness.  Heather’s blog focuses on tips for taking Disney vacations with large families.  She knows all the best places to stay, eat, and play at Walt Disney World – she posts not only helpful hints and reviews, but also tells great stories.  Speaking of which, Heather also writes books!  You can check out her Amazon author page here.

Rebecca from Disney with Me – Rebecca’s got a sense of humor that just won’t quit and is one of the hardest working people I know.  Like me, Rebecca loves Disney podcasts and is a fellow Muppet fan.  Blog posts on Disney With Me range from podcast reviews to Disney travel advice, reviews of other Disney blogs and more.  Rebecca’s a Disney travel specialist and would be happy (overjoyed, even) to help you plan your next Disney getaway – (see: Fairytale Journeys by Rebecca Kelly on Facebook).

Curtis and Lindsay - Geekin' on WDWCurtis from Geekin’ on WDW Curt and his Daughter, Lindsay, may be the new kids on the Disney Podcast block, but they are seasoned Disney travelers (and DVC members) who love Walt Disney World vacations.  The Geekin’ on WDW Podcast strives to give listeners a way to keep the Disney magic alive between vacations.  Curt and Lindsay share their family’s vacation stories, favorite rides and attractions, most loved restaurants and characters – all wrapped up in charming father/daughter conversations.

See?  I wasn’t kidding, was I.  Besides you, I’ve made some fantastic friends in the Disney community and am over-the-moon excited to have them as guests here while I’m gone.  I’m just sorry I’m going to miss all the fun.  Oh, wait!  I’ll be having a pretty good time myself, won’t I – what’s more fun than a trip to Walt Disney World?  Talk to you when I get back!

 

Walt Disney World – Must Ride, Will Ride, Once & Done

Peter Pan's FlightI’m completely serious when I say I’m honestly not trying to rub it in.  You know….how I keep reminding you that I’ll be at Walt Disney World all week next week?  I’m not doing it to be mean.  I’m just so rediculously excited!  I keep picturing myself (and The Fam) riding rides, watching shows, eating favorite Disney foods, and so on.  Which gave me a scathingly brilliant idea (as Hayley Mills once said)….

I’ve divided Walt Disney World attractions into three groups:

  • Must Ride – Wouldn’t be a trip to Disney without doing this attraction! * = will ride multiple times if at all possible.
  • Will Ride – Probably not on every trip, but will re-visit the attraction as time allows.
  • Once and Done – Been there, done that and may never feel the urge to do it again.

Toy Story Midway ManiaYour mission should you choose to accept it:  Jump in with comments and tell me how your lists would be different from mine.  I’d be especially interested in knowing WHY you feel the way you do about a particular attraction.  If you think one of my must do’s is a stupid choice, tell me.  If you think one of my once-and-done attractions is a big mistake, speak up!

Here we go:

Must Ride:

Magic KingdomSpaceship Earth

  • Space Mountain*
  • Splash Mountain*
  • Big Thunder Mountain*
  • Haunted Mansion*
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • It’s a Small World
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor

Epcot

  • Soarin’*
  • Test Track
  • MaelstromIMG_1903
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Toy Story Midway Mania*
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror*
  • Rock’n’ Roller Coaster*
  • Star Tours
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • SHaunted Mansion Signtudio Backlot Tour
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Animal Kingdom

  • Expedition Everest
  • Kilimanjaro Safari
  • Dinosaur
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Pangani Forrest Exploration Trail
  • Maharajah Jungle Trek

Will Ride:

Magic KingdomBUZZ! Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

  • Dumbo
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Prince Charming Regal Carousel
  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Hall of Presidents
  • Walt Disney World Railroad

Epcot

  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
  • O Canada
  • Reflections of China
  • Impressions de FranceMexico Pavilion
  • Living with the Land
  • Ellen’s Energy Adventure
  • The American Adventure
  • Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
  • The Magic of Disney Animation
  • The Great Movie Ride
  • Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage

Animal Kingdom

  • It’s Tough to be a Bug
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Primeval Whirl
  • Flights of Wonder

Once and DoneMad Tea Party

Magic Kingdom

  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Barnstormer
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Stitch’s Great Escape
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • Tom Sawyer Island
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Swiss Family Tree House

Epcot

  • Mission: Space
  • Innoventions (East and West)
  • Captain EO
  • The Circle of Life

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • The American Idol Experience (actually have never even been, no desire to go)
  • Lights, Motors, Action – Extreme Stunt Show
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Animal Kingdom

  • TriceraTop Spin
  • Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Affection Section
  • Wildlife Express Train
  • Finding Nemo – The Musical

NOTE:  Three new attractions aren’t ranked yet –

  • Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

What do your lists look like?  What changes on your ranking.  What did I rank in the “Once and Done” category that I need to revisit?  What’s in your “Once and Done” that I ranked higher?