Random Disney Thread

[carnation]

We just got back, our first trip in 7 years. It's changed a lot; I think part of it is because so many parents are focused on getting their kids photographed with all the characters. I've seen those lines be longer than the ride lines; we walked right onto several rides at Epcot while there was a huge line snaking out of the Epcot character photo lines. And now all the kids want to get the characters' autographs too...

It was Star Wars Weekend at MGM. Boo. You talk about some weird people there! There were lots of adults (not the ones working at the park) all decked out as Star Wars characters.There was a middle-aged woman who weighed maybe 300 lbs. all decked out like Leia and all these kids were gaping at her like, "Is that what happened to Princess Leia?" The host on one stage was asking, "How many of you saw Star Wars the first week it opened?" and I started to put up my hand until I noticed that the others with hands up were wearing costumes. Ew.

Lots of international families were there. I heard almost as much Spanish as English. We commented that when one wears a sari with Nikes or a Muslim headpiece with a Disney visor, much of the exotic intrigue goes away, lol.

Finally, pirates sell. In past years, there was no line to get on the ride but now there is. Plus there used to be that little shop right outside the ride that people passed through rapidly but now there's a huge store with hundreds of people buying pirate merchandise, lots of selections available too. I do like the new and improved ride, though!

Other comments?

[Thrillhouse]

I'm going early in the fall. I went one other time in 1991. Looking forward to see how much things have changed since then.

My brother went last year and showed me some pictures... it's amazing to see "mascots and characters" walking around with the general public like they are normal people.

[_Lisa_]

My boyfriend & I just took his kids down there last Friday, although we only went to Magic Kingdom. The youngest, an 8-year old, enjoyed herself quite a bit. But her older brother (11-years old) was too cool for just about everything there-next year we'll head to Busch Gardens instead since the coasters there will appeal to him more.

[summer_gphib]

We go to Disney about every other weekend (dedicated Disney-a-holics). We have Premium Annual Passes which are expensive but worth every penny if you use them. And we do! We also don't have kids, which makes a big difference. We go with friends who do have kids fairly often, and it's a bigger ordeal, but still fun.

I love a lot of the changes, but I see room for improvement. Tomorrowland has a few empty buildings that need to be revamped and used again!

The two things I miss most about Disney is "If You Had Wings" at the Magic Kingdom and the ORIGINAL Journey into Imagination at EPCOT.

I'm a huge fan of Typhoon Lagoon (was there last Saturday, will probably be there this Saturday and definately next Saturday for my birthday...). If you haven't been there it's a lot of fun, especially for those of us who aren't huge into super fast waterslides. The Shark Reef is fun if you pay the extra money to do the semi-SCUBA version.

I LOVE the new version of Pirates, but good GOD get a fast pass system there... stat! Although if you wait until the parades are going on it's not too bad. The Jungle Cruise is the most fun at night, as are the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Thunder Mountain.

Disney Quest is a LOT OF FUN, especially if it's really hot out or late at night. We love the Animation Academy!

I could go on and on, but I'll stop now and save it for the book I'm always saying I'm going to write about Disney *lol*.

[kansas13]

We are going at the beginning of August for my birthday!! My best friend just moved to Orlando this winter and we are going to visit her and her husband to see the new house.

I have not been to Disneyworld since 7th grade, so I am sure their have been ALOT of changes since then and my husband has not been there EVER!! I am really excited to take him there. My friends husband works at Disneyworld part time so he is going to get us free passes. Can you tell I am super excited!!

[Thetagirl218]

I am akinda spoiled I guess....I have grown up in FL, so I cannot count the times I have gone to Disney...I lost track a long time ago... I am sad though by what I reading....Pirates was always my favorite ride!!!! My family would go on eit a couple times in a row because no one really cared to go on it!!! Now it is sooo busy it needs a fast pass? Crazy! What did they change about it?

[AlphaFrog]

Not about Disney the theme park but....

I noticed in bringing back The Little Mermaid and watching it with my daughter, there is NO mention at all of Ariel (or any of the other girls') mother. I mean, since she's not there at all, you might assume, due to King Triton's fear/hatred of humans, that she was killed by a human... I guess plot-wise, another parent might have gotten too complicated and been an unnecassary interferance.

[carnation]

Several of the Disney characters lack a mother. I've read several essays on, "Does Disney hate women?"

I wish they hadn't changed Journey Into Imagination, either. The second version of it was awful and I'm glad that they changed it again to add Figment back. We loved the skunk Figment!

I can't stand the redone Tiki Room; it was like that in 2000 too and I thought the complaints would have gotten them to change it back. Iago ruins the whole thing and I've noticed that people don't leave the place with a smile anymore.

The Haunted Mansion is closed from June 6-25. I hope they don't crap it up too but you couldn't even buy Haunted Mansion merchandise this week-all I saw was some Jack Skellington stuff at Madame Leota's. I heard a guide telling a group that they were gutting the place and it would be awful if they turned it into a Jack Skellington ride like they have during Christmas at Disneyland.

I miss If You Had Wings too! Is Buzz Lightyear where it used to be? They seem to look a lot alike.

[1908Revelations]

NOt about the park:

I really like watching "The Emperors New School" I hate that it comes on soooo late.

"We go to Kuzco Academy"
"K-U-Z-C-O Kuzco, Kuzco, Go, Go!"

[Kappamd]

My boyfriend and I are going in July and got the "standard" dining plan, which is one quick service, one table service, and one snack per night. We did it for two reasons: a. less stress and b. we wanted to eat at some of the pricier restaurants, so it was actually cheaper to get the dining plan ($40 per person, per night) than to pay as we went. We ended up making dinner reservations at Le Cellier, Coral Reef, and Cinderella's Royal Table(!!!!)

I honestly think it depends on the individual family and what you want to do on your vacation. I can see scenarios where the dining plan would be a good idea, and others where it wouldn't. I do, however, second that you should make reservations ASAP. We made ours last weekend, and had to compromise on times for both Le Cellier and Coral Reef, and got THE LAST reservation for Cinderella's Table for that week. We weren't aware how cutthroat dining at Disney had become until our AAA agent told us.

[Kappamd]

We were told that if a restaurant takes reservations, you need to make them.

[carnation]

In March, I'm going with the dance team that my daughter sponsors! We thought about the dining plan but really, the kids are in it for the dance competition and the rides so we'll just eat whatever wherever.

[agzg]

Live-in and I have been talking about maybe going this summer if we're still here... I'm kindof excited - it's been 20 years since the last time I went!

[FSUZeta]

go to your nearest bookstore and buy a copy of "the unofficial guide to disney world". this book is great-even for seasoned disney visitors.

reserve two strollers-even if the 3 year old "thinks" they want to walk-they are going to get tired and having that extra stroller will pay off in spades in keeping you or hubby from having to hold them. get distinctive bandanas or ribbons(they can match) to tie on the handles of the strollers so that you can spot yours easily when you come out of a ride/exhibit. it also helps keep folks from getting "mixed up"and "accidently" taking your stoller, when their non-strollered child gets tired. we actually had one of ours stolen once, but i was able to track it down because the creep who stole it did not take the bandana off of it. i know that people make fun of leash kids, but it might give you some piece of mind to have the 3 year old a little more secured-those crowds can be overwhelming.

take backpacks/diaper bags and put some juice boxes/water bottles and snacks in them under the diapers-in case they look in the bags as you enter the park. you could even buy a loaf of bread, some p-nut butter and jelly to keep in your room and make sandwiches to take for lunch. you would save tons of $$ and you could feed the kids when they are hungry-the lines at the disney fast food restaurants get reallllllllll long around lunch time and the noise can be overwhelming. paying $12-15 for a hot dog/hamburger, french fries and drink when the kids will eat a bite or two is a waste of money. even water sells at a premium at the disney parks. bagels in your room for breakfast is a great idea. as far as a la carte or buffet breakfasts, it depends on the restaurant.

you are really being smart to take breaks and go back to the hotel. the kids will need it-and you may too! if you get the opportunity to speak to someone involved with the monorails, you might ask if one of you could ride in the front(the nose) of the monorail with your son. sometimes they will let you. and of course, there is the steam train that goes around the magic kingdom.

may should be a wonderful time to go. temperatures should be nice.

my kids never liked people dressed up in animal suits, and we managed to have a great time and avoid the characters with no problem. the characters usually don't approach you-they let you come to them. hopefully if your son is gradually exposed to them over the course of the trip, by the time you attend the wedding breakfast festivities, it won't be so scary for him.

[IlovemyAKA]

I went in Dec while I was in Orlando for business. I wish the Harry Potter attraction had been open. I saw the preview on the HBP dvd.