Tag Archives: WDW

Five Best Ways to be Irritating at Walt Disney World

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IMG_5124Even if you’ve only visited Walt Disney World one time, you were bound to notice a huge variety of people there from all over the world.  Most, like you (I’m sure if you’re reading this, you’re the best sort of person), appreciate the charm, magic, joy, and yes, even challenges, of being on a Disney vacation.  These folks, regardless of their country of origin, are courteous and friendly – fun to strike up a conversation with while waiting in line!  I love meeting new people and consider these encounters an added bonus to being at Walt Disney World, sailing on a Disney cruise ship, etc.  We met a delightful family from Ireland on our last Disney cruise, we once enjoyed dinner conversation with a couple from Great Britain and their adorable daughter at Boma, and we even had a bunch of fun with some Brazilian teens at our resort pool.  It’s a small world after all, heh?

So, we are a family looking for fun and happy times, to be sure.  Sadly, there are…well…other types of vacationers.  These are the folks who make our happy Disney travels less than magical.  You know who I’m talking about.  You have felt my pain.  So…I’ve been thinking.  What if those others wanted to be annoying on purpose?  What if there are people out there who genuinely need to know?  Know what, you ask?  KNOW how to be rotten, rude, disrespectful, annoying – a proverbial fly in the ointment – while at Walt Disney World.  Do you want to know how to be irritating on a Disney vacation?  Okay…I’ll tell you, but it ain’t pretty – it takes grit, stamina and really bad manners.  Up for it?  Alrighty then, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.IMG_5201

Five Best Ways to be Irritating at Walt Disney World

1.  Use any wheeled vehicle at your disposal to plow a path through the crowds.  Strollers are especially perfect for this as it seems to both entertain the youngster(s) riding in the stroller while teaching them the correct way to execute crowd-parting maneuvers, thus ensuring the next generation of Disney travelers is brought up with the right skillset.  Be sure to avoid eye contact with any and all collision victims and never ever say you’re sorry.

2. Yell!  There are two techniques proven especially successful for optimizing the annoyance factor of hollering.

Wild Child at Walt Disney WorldFirst method:  Yell in close spaces as a group.  Cheers, chants, songs – use whatever you’ve got at your disposal.  Synchronized yelling by a large group is amazingly irritating to other vacationers – Bonus points for doing this in a bus, monorail, or other tightly-packed enclosed area.

Second method: Yell at your family members.  That’s right!  If you want to make others uncomfortable, nothing beats belittling, humiliating, and embarrassing your spouse, child, sibling, or other member of your traveling party with an obscenity-laced public tongue lashing.  Guaranteed to ruin not only your own vacation – it will also make many, many others around you nearly just as unhappy as you are when they find themselves captive witnesses to your drama.

3. Be Trashy!  When it’s super crowded, this is SO incredibly rude!  I will guarantee you get a bunch of sneers, glares, and dirty looks.  Here’s the technique:  Choose a popular counter Lunch in Disney's Hollywood Studiosservice restaurant – make sure there are plenty of trash receptacles clearly visible around the seating area.  Enjoy your meal and…..leave.  Yes!  It’s that simple (diabolical, really in it’s simplicity).  Make sure every paper plate, cup, and napkin – along with the trays used to carry food to the table are left behind, strewn all over the table-top, chair seats, and floor.  That’s it.  Easy-Peasy.  Just walk away.  Be sure to wave on the way out to all the folks carrying their full trays looking for a clean place to sit down and eat.  Now that’s irritating.

4. You’re on vacation – that means you can take a vacation from parenting!  Yes, just go right on ahead and assume that all the other people around you (who have also paid thousands of dollars for their Disney vacations) will adore and tolerate your offspring’s rude behavior as much Children Misbehave at the Contemporary Resortas you do.  A few tips:  In long lines for popular attractions, go ahead and let your kids touch the people in front of them as much as they want to – especially those strangers’ posteriors.  For some reason, this just makes people so angry!  Also – any partition along a ride queue makes a great jungle-gym type climbing apparatus to entertain your kiddos while you play on your smartphone.  If your kid wants to run his hands along every single inch of those partitions – especially where other guests already have their hands, all the better!  Finally, don’t forget to let those kiddos stay up way past their bedtimes…they can have a great time yelling (see #2) and running up and down the hallways at the resort!

Believe it or not, there are actually a bunch of people at Disney World who are there withoutWaiting in Line at Walt Disney World children!  Even more shocking?  Some people don’t even really like kids.  THOSE are the ones to focus your efforts towards.  Don’t carry snacks, drinks, or toys with you so when a meltdown happens, you can appear to be both surprised and unprepared.  Remember, you are on vacation – you shouldn’t have to watch your children or expect them to behave.  Let somebody else worry about that.

5. Show up at the last minute for all parades and nighttime shows.  People who arrive early to get a perfect viewing spot are misinformed time-wasters! Keep riding rides until right before the action starts then pick the nicest looking family you can find and slowly, stealthily, shove your way into their little space.  I mean, you paid the same price to get into the park as they did, right?  You deserve to see just as well as they Nighttime in the Magic Kingdome at WDWcan.  Best tip for really making an impression?  Gradually squeeze your children into what may at first appear to be a non-existent space between the people who were there first and any barricade at the front of the action.  Your children are shorter – g’head, just squeeze ’em on in there, front and center!  Let that other family keep an eye on ’em for you while the show’s going on.  They’re nice folks, they probably won’t mind.

BONUS:  As a family – always stop right in the very middle of crowded walkways to discuss important topics like:  Are we getting sunburned?  Is anyone hungry?  What do we want to do now?

Okay?  You get the idea now, right?  I could easily come up with more tips for you, but until you’ve mastered these five, you can’t have any more.  So get on out there and be rude, annoying, and just plain horrible.  You can do it!

Well, how’d I do?  What rotten park behavior did I miss?  What bugs you the most?

 

 

 

It’s DiVine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

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DiVine at Disney's Animal KingdomI’m always talking about the special things that Disney does that they don’t have to do.  Would I still have a super fantastic time riding Spaceship Earth in Epcot if I didn’t smell Rome burning?  Sure.  Would I still be thrilled by Rock’n’ Roller Coaster if the limo’s license plates weren’t completely awesome?  You betcha!  Would anyone even notice if the sound of chainsaws and trees falling was missing from the queue for Kali River Rapids?  I think not.  See?  You get the idea, right?  One of the absolute best things about a Walt Disney World vacation is all the little things you can see, feel, smell, experience – that Disney doesn’t even have to do!

If you’ve run from attraction to attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, you may have missed one of the truly special details of the Disney-doesn’t-have-to variety.  If you’ve considered Animal Kingdom a (gasp!) half-day park, you may have left too soon.  Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a park best experienced more slowly rather than in a rush.  Strolling rather than power-walking, meandering rather than bee-lining, if you will, opens up opportunities one may never have considered.  Specifically, I’m talking about DiVine!

Surely you’ve at least heard of DiVine, right?  She’s incredible, unbelievable, unpredictable, a real treasure!  You won’t see her if you rush – she hides in plain sight, but often goes unnoticed.  She’s part of the surroundings, blending, chameleon-like into the abundant vegetation.  Disney's Animal Kingdom DiVineDiVine is…well, a vine.  About ten-feet tall!  Vibrant green leaves, slender, delicate limbs, a slow, creeping gait – DiVine is much more flora than fauna, but she’s as alive as she can be and completely amazing.

Next time you find yourself rushing down the path from Asia to Africa (or from Africa to Asia), slow down.  Take a look around – check out the scenery, particularly the lush, tropical foliage. See a slight movement?  Look a bit closer….

Have you met DiVine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?  Were you trying to find her or did she take you by surprise?

Disney’s Epcot – The Germany Pavilion

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Germany Pavilion in Epcot 1It may be because I’m half-German or maybe because of its perfect location between China and Italy…just far enough from the beginning of the World Showcase (starting with Mexico) to have worked up a powerful thirst for a good German beer!  Maybe it’s the smells and tastes of the delicious treats inside Karamelle-Kuche – arguably the best sweets shop in Epcot.  Whatever the reasons, I love the Germany Pavilion!  Every detail about this area’s tribute to all things German is just wonderful…er…wunderbar!

Just in case you need them, I’ll give you five great things about Epcot’s Germany Pavilion:

1.  The Food – Delicious options abound!  Want a snack?  Quick service meal?  Full-blown Oktoberfest-style buffet? You can get them all in Epcot’s little slice of Germany.

I’ve mentioned Karamelle-Kuche already – from the makers of Werther’s candies, enter this shop and the aromas alone are amazing.  I recommend a piece of chocolate-covered salted caramel – big enough to share (maybe).

Need a quick meal?  Sommerfest is the place to be.  Enjoy a brat or Frankfurter for a simple lunch.  Feeling brave? Try the Currywurst (bun-less brat with curry ketchup) or the Leberkaese Reuben (German meatloaf in a Reuben sandwich) – not to your liking?  Well, then order the Nudel Gratin – not-your-momma’s mac-n-cheese!  Maybe just a pretzel to go with some beer!

Need a BIG meal? Biergarten will satisfy both the urge to try out a variety of German flavors (it’s a buffet!) and experience some authentic German entertainment at the same time.

2. The Buildings and Courtyard – Right in the center of the action you’ll find a statue of St. George and the Dragon.  Look around!  The architecture is modeled after 400+ year-old German landmarks. Colorful crests and symbols painted on the building’s facades add to the festive atmosphere. The whimsical clock tower where, at the top of each hour, figurines come out to visitors’ delighted surprise.

IMG_28233. The Shops – I love the variety!  Be sure to check out the store with the genuine Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks!  You can also buy many other fantastic German items like beer steins, hats, books, dolls and more.

4. The Beer – The Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer has a near cult following.  Try it out on a sunny, hot afternoon and see why!  Not to your liking? Grab the darkest brew on the menu to go with that Sommerfest pretzel – that’s what I do and..well…it’s perfect and makes me feel both happy and GERMAN!

5. The Scavenger Hunt – Germany is one of the countries you’ll visit on your quest if you choose to participate in Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.  If you’re visiting right away, you might want to try out the brand new (rumored to be only for the Flower and Garden Festival) Muppets Most Wanted-themed adventure.

Bonus feature:  The miniature village and model train are super cool – located right next to the pavilion. Don’t pass it by.

If you’ve passed by the Germany Pavilion without exploring, I hope you’ll give it a visit next time you’re in the World!  If you’re already a fan, what’s your favorite thing about Epcot’s Germany?

 

 

 

 

 

The Charm of Streetmosphere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Citizens of Hollywood at Disney's Hollywood StudiosIf you need a reason to slow down and take in the sights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’ve got a great one for you.  Instead of running (you know you do!) from Toy Story Midway Mania to Rock’n’ Roller Coaster to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror to Star Tours, next time you find yourself in the Studios, take some time to stroll down Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards or stop altogether for a few minutes to take a look around…I did that one day not that long ago and the most amazing thing happened!

Cue Flashback Sequence Now…..

I was shopping (big surprise, that) in the stores that line Sunset Boulevard.  Raymond had gone off on an errand and was due back at anytime, so when I stepped out of the store, I looked down the street towards the Tower of Terror to see if I could spot him.  As I stood there, intently gazing off into the distance and searching the crowd, I heard a voice from the street right in front of me say, “Nice gams!  You ought to be in pictures!” – I’m sure I looked surprised.  The Talent Agent Jack Diamond at Disney's Hollywood Studiosaccented words were vintage 1940’s dialog and I wasn’t sure at first if they were addressed to me.  Nobody has EVER complimented me on my legs!  (Truth be told, I’m rather low to the ground due to unfortunately short limbs which are unremarkable at best.)  So, I turned my gaze to the two gentlemen standing in front of me – the more mature, taller of the two was, indeed, speaking directly to me.  Once he knew he’d gained my complete attention, he introduced himself and his companion.  They were, as they began to explain, a big-time Hollywood talent scout (Jack Diamond) and his protégé, a young actor (Bucky Greenhorn) trying to break into pictures.

They were charming and funny and had randomly chosen me to be at the center of their performance.  They made me smile and laugh – and feel very special as they told me their stories – this talent scout and would-be movie star.  Finally, after several minutes, they asked me who I was waiting for and I told them it was my husband, Raymond.  “Do you see him?” They Bucky Greehorn, Actor wannabee at Disney's Hollywood Studiosasked and yes, in fact – Raymond was headed our direction.  They wanted to know if he was the tall man with a mustache and was he a tennis player – laughing I said yes and no, golf.  Then they began to wave enthusiastically, calling out, “Raymond!  Yoo Hoo! Raymond!  Over here!”

There’s this look Raymond gets – I know it well after all these years.  It’s the look that says many things at once and reminds me of a look that Desi Arnaz used to give Lucy from time to time.  With a small, tight grin and a rueful shake of his head, Raymond gave me “the look” that day that wordlessly said, “What have you gotten yourself into now?  I can’t leave you alone for a minute!  Look at this – it’s hilarious!”  I get that look a lot and it always makes me laugh.  On that day, I’d landed right in the middle of one of the best, most magical, unexpected surprises in all of Walt Disney World – Streetmosphere a.k.a. Citizens of Hollywood.

The Citizens of Hollywood are a group of wandering street performers in Disney’s Hollywood Studios – their sole purpose is to entertain guests with impromptu skits and bits of fun.  Characters include stars/starlets, actors-in-training, talent agents/scouts, directors, gossip columnists and more.  This is Disney at its finest.  If these entertainers weren’t there, you’d never notice them missing, but oh, what a special touch of whimsy and unexpected charm they bring to the day for random strangers on the streets of Hollywood!

Have you ever experienced the Streetmosphere in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?  Who did you see?