My trip to Disney World

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

OK, I admit that I recoil at the idea of going to Disney World. Crowds, cost, commercialism unleashed, etc. etc. About the only thing that can drag me there is a visit from the grandkids.

This is why I was there last week. About halfway through the purgatory of Magic Kingdom my littlest one caught a glimpse of Buzz Lightyear. Sitting some distance from him, I watched his little face light up. In his world, nothing else existed at that moment in time. To follow: the 3D movies, a Small World boat ride, an attack by pirates, a climb through the Swiss Family Tree. I watched my grandkids and also the other families trudging their way through the park.

Then the obvious hit me: other than to take our money, Disney and his successors didn't design this attraction for me or for any other adults. It doesn't matter what we think or how we react. It was designed for kids and judging by the kids' faces the whole day, my attitude changed a lot. I was simply watching the wrong attractions.

Bravo, Walt.

 

[samclem]

Thanks for the uplifting post. I remember going to Disneyland as a tot, and what a really special time it was. The excitement of getting up in the morning of "the day", going out for a special breakfast to carb-load, and then an entire day of all kinds of fun, to collapse for a very sound sleep on the ride home. As a dad now, I can finally appreciate the sacrifice my folks made in taking us--and the real payoff you described.

And, yes, the same thing applies to a day camping. But Walt and the crew have really figured out how to make it real for the young ones.

These years pass all to quickly, I'm glad you had a good time.

 

[ProspectiveBum]

I was simply watching the wrong attractions.

Bravo, Walt.

That was a really nice way to put it.

My kids are 4 and 2, and I hope to hold out 2 or 3 years before taking them to Dizzyland (which is close by). I think they'll understand and appreciate the experience more when they're a little older.

 

[Nords]

Then the obvious hit me: other than to take our money, Disney and his successors didn't design this attraction for me or for any other adults.

So, you're saying that you skipped the "Tower of Terror" and the "Aerosmith Rockin' Rollercoaster"?

 

[Zoocat]

The newest park, Animal Kingdom, is wonderful! So colorful and lots of fun attractions. They have a new mountain roller coaster,Expedition Everest that is thrilling! (I went to Disney World in early June with my brother and his family). One of my favorites was Tyhoon Lagoon, a tropical waterpark. The wave pool is humoungous!

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

So, you're saying that you skipped the "Tower of Terror" and the "Aerosmith Rockin' Rollercoaster"?

I'm just the one who buys everyone's admission tickets, pays for the food, and buys souvenirs.

Just one more year...

 

[CuppaJoe]

.... To follow: the 3D movies, a Small World boat ride, an attack by pirates, a climb through the Swiss Family Tree. ....

This part really caught my eye, Rich. That's exactly what I remember from 30 years ago when I went with a friend's family. I couldn't understand how the five-year-old could enjoy the tree house, running through it so fast. My memorable moment came the next morning, sitting by the pool, the three kids swimming and the adults bonding over coffee. I've been wanting to tell the five-year-old, now 35, all about my take on her (now late) dad that day; but I'll have to wait to catch her between trips to L.A. to take her own kids to Disneyland. You should have seen her just after her first child was born, bouncing him on her knee, telling him, "you will do [this], you will do [that], you will go to Disneyland."

 

[Bestwifeever]

Nice post, Rich--and I bet the expressions on the faces of your grandkids' parents as they watched their children (and on your own face as you watched your grandson) were also priceless.

 

[tjon72]

Yeah, we were there in June with our 3 and 7 YO grandkids. Very hot and tiring but to see the expression on the 7yo face whan he got to duel Darth Vader.........well, as they say priceless....

 

[Walt34]

One of my nephews works there so we get in free with a guest pass.

The costs of running the place are staggering - as of several years ago they didn't break even until the average person spent $300.

 

[rmh]

I was there last week as well. Rented a house about a mile from Disney. Had our three kids and their families (all seven grandchildren - ages 10 down to 2). I felt like Rich until my five year old grandson said, "Poppa this is the awesomest day of my life!" Then I spent the rest of the week enjoying my grandchildren enjoying a life sized fantasy that they loved. We all had a great time.

 

[DblDoc]

I'm just the one who buys everyone's admission tickets, pays for the food, and buys souvenirs.

Just one more year...

Does this mean you've picked a date ?

DD

 

[REWahoo]

Does this mean you've picked a date ?

Sure he has. It's been "just one more year" for the past 5...

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Does this mean you've picked a date ?

It means I'm trying to find a deadline for picking a date. Or at least I'll be getting to that point in the near future.

 

[Dreamer]

Really nice post. It is all about the kids and the magic for the kids. They do grow up so fast. I am one of the adults that like Disney World. I think that it does a first class job in entertaining and taking care of the little details. I love watching the little ones faces, even when they don't belong to me. I hope to go again when my granddaughter gets old enough.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

My dad took me to disney world when it first opened back in 1971 and I was 10. I imagine its changed a little bit since.

By the way, dont go to disney world in August. Standing in long lines in 100 degree heat with 99% humidity isnt a lot of fun.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

By the way, dont go to disney world in August. Standing in long lines in 100 degree heat with 99% humidity isnt a lot of fun.

Probably not the best season to go, but they now have lots of air conditioned space and a "no-wait" system where you buy a ticket for an attraction in advance (an automated kiosk) for a specific 60 minute period later that day. We did several of these, just bypassed the long lines and hopped right on. Between that, lots of hydration, and shady breaks it really wasn't that bad.

 

[myself]

I know this post is somewhat late on this, but I enjoy Disney too. And I'm 45 now.
I remember going there with my wife about 9 years ago, and my immediate in-laws (including 2 young nephews).
Roller coasters are fun, and we saw "A Bug's Life" there, not only was it in 3D (using the polarized type glasses ... not the red/blue cellophane ones), but they had jets of air placed on/in the seats, and during certain scenes they actually made it feel like the ants were walking on your arm, etc.

We're driving down there with our 4 kids (9, 9, 5, and 4 y.o.) this year in mid-April. I think they'll have a blast!

(sorry for bumping the thread up, I just wanted to point out some of my favorite attractions).

 

[OAG]

We were there several times. The first was about 1975 before, as a family, we returned from Alaska. The cost of admission was, AIR $7.95 each (no discounts, full price, single day). Since then we have been there with grand kids, nephews, and others. One of the few pristine areas of the USA that is a joy to be at IMO. Looking forward to going again as soon as I get some Great Grand Kids to go with. I may ride a few less rides next time but plan to enjoy it anyway. The sight of the little ones enjoying it is really priceless as (Rich mentioned).

 

[REWahoo]

We were there several times. The first was about 1970 before, as a family, we went to Alaska. The cost of admission was, AIR $7.95 each (no discounts, full price, single day).

Ron, I'll bet it wasn't very crowded! Disney World... opened on October 1, 1971...

 

[HFWR]

Ron, I'll bet it wasn't very crowded! Disney World... opened on October 1, 1971...

It was a small world, after all...

 

[OAG]

REW see my edit........of the original response. Thanks for keeping me "on objective".

 

[REWahoo]

REW see my edit........of the original response. Thanks for keeping me "on objective".

I would have never noticed had I not been stationed in Orlando in 1974 and recalled going to Disney World's third birthday celebration...