This past week I had the privilege of visiting Walt Disney World for the first time in over six years.
As I left on a downright cold Buffalo morning, I couldn’t help but dream of beaches, heat, sunshine…things Florida is known for in May. Unfortunately, it was warmer and drier in Buffalo the whole week I was away. The record-breaking rains in Orlando led to one soggy day at Disney after another. My camera case was wrapped in plastic while I was wrapped in a (not-so-effective) poncho. Photo-ops suffered greatly on this trip, as I either didn’t feel like digging out the camera, or the sky was such an ugly shade of gray that it made the scene unappealing. But I still got a fair amount of pics, and I’ll post a link on here once I’ve got an album uploaded.
Anyway, a few highlights from the trip:
GETTING THERE and BACK
My trip began on the “Mickey Express”—Southwest Airlines’ Buffalo-to-Orlando nonstop. It was full of screaming children, hapless parents, and vacationing Canadians. As I sat surrounded by the pandemonium within this dated Boeing 737, all I could do was remind myself of the fare: $59. The return flight was on a newer aircraft and less crowded—much better. This was my first time on Southwest, and I gotta say, I liked them. Their one-class aircraft yields to an equality-for-all legroom situation with no “upper-caste” enjoying the posh seats up front. No change fees, no checked bag fees, and ultra-low web fares may have just made me Southwest’s latest loyalist.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
All I wanted to see here was “Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” involving some French cars from Disneyland Paris. Last showing was at 4:30, which was before I got to the park. Darnit.
The American Idol show was entertaining, however. Regular people audition for a chance to compete in one of several shows throughout the day with a finale in the evening. The judges, Ryan Seacrest video clips, and sound stage made for an enjoyable, realistic experience.
Hollywood Tower of Terror and Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Roller Coaster remain great staples when it comes to thrill rides in this park.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
This is a sore issue. It was cold and poured rain the whole time I was here. I wish the safari would’ve been slower so I could actually have seen and gotten better pictures of the animals.
Expedition Everest, one of the newest attractions, probably would’ve been fun if it weren’t for the stinging rain pelting me. Forget seeing the Yeti (fabled abdominal snowman), or any of the other typical over-the-top Disney scenery this coaster had to offer. I just hoped not to lose an eye to a water droplet.
MAGIC KINGDOM
This day started out with bright Florida sunshine burning through the clouds. It was a promising day indeed, and the first half of it was enjoyable. This park hasn’t changed much through the years. The Mountains (Splash, Thunder, and Space) are mainstays. Too bad Space Mountain was closed for renovations. The Hall of Presidents was also closed because Obama is being created.
Pirates of the Caribbean has a few new twists, most notably, Captain Jack Sparrow from the movies of the same name makes a couple of appearances.
Walt’s own Carousel of Progress is unchanged, but was undoubtedly most entertaining this time. The rain and thunder blew in while we were on this ride. I think something got hit by lightening. The talking robotic humans’ heads all slumped, and while they continued to talk, it appeared all their necks had been broken. Other bizarre things occurred, and by the time we reached the strange 1980’s/1990’s mish-mash scene that is supposed to be today’s world, the attendants shut the display down due to “technical difficulties.”
EPCOT
Epcot is more of an adult’s park (I mean this in a non-X-rated way), and so I spent an entire day there this time. Until evening, the rain held off. I thoroughly explored World Showcase. While enjoyable, the re-creations of Venice and Paris in Las Vegas are far more realistic.
Spaceship Earth (the iconic silver Epcot ball) has been remastered since my last visit and proved very enjoyable. It’s essentially a journey through the history of human communications, and holding a communications degree, I found it particularly educational. Funny how in explaining the history of computers, the inventor of the common microcomputer was only described as tinkering in his California garage. I’m not sure if the hippy-era robot was supposed to be Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, but surely someone didn’t pony up with product endorsement cash for Disney.
Soaring, a simulator that takes viewers over California’s most picturesque landmarks, would’ve been well worth the wait even if I didn’t have a fast pass. Blowing winds, scents of the alpine forests and orange groves, and spectacular large-format film make this attraction worth doing once. Or twice.
GM’s Test Track remains another worthy attraction, even 10 years after its conception. Sadly, GM isn’t the company it was at this ride’s inception. And with some lights, TV screens, etc. not working, it shows that the ride is running on a skeletal crew and a few million dollars in government bailout money. Ok, perhaps that’s not all true. Test Track is still a fun, informative look into the automotive industry.
OK, I’M ABOUT DONE…
Determination was the theme of this soggy trip. Donning a rain poncho and jacket every day was not fun. Slogging around in soaked shoes was awful. I really feel for the people whose first visit this was to Disney. In the end I made some good memories, but with the awful weather, this was one vacation I was glad to see conclude.
There’s a lot more I want to share about this trip, including reviews of some of the fabulous Disney restaurants I dined at. More posts are sure to come.
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