Disney’s Awesome Things #5: Seeing Yourself on Spaceship Earth

#5 When the new Spaceship Earth was revealed a couple years ago, a lot of people bashed it for having a plain ending. People said they wanted to see more final scenes rather than animations of the future.

Whichever side you take on this heated Disney debate, you must admit the instant the introduction of “Welcome to your Future” starts rolling, you get excited. The three other family/friends in your time machine are all laughing at each others’ deformed, cropped photos.

Meanwhile your face has been plastered up on the huge globe in the post-ride area by Siemens, for the whole world to view. Isn’t it awesome? I just don’t understand how people can complain about watching a comical futuristic video with you and your friend as the stars. Funny!

Disney’s Awesome Things #4: Finding a Valid, Usable Fastpass

#4 Coordinating Fastpasses can be a rough job. After all, you must get the family together, organize all the tickets, and hope you can schedule different attraction times to fit everyone’s schedule. Whew!

After all that hard work – sweat pouring off your face and everything – you look down. You look down and see a piece of paper. What is it?

It’s your ticket to a half-hour journey to bliss away from your family. It’s a Fastpass to some attraction, which means while everyone else eats ice cream at Mrs. Potts, you get to sneak off and ride your last ride for the night.

To the person that dropped this: thank you. I know you’ll miss it, but your Fastpass is in good hands. Now go on and use that wonderful, valid ticket to happieness, okay?

Photo: Cory Disbrow

Walt Disney World from an Outside Perspective

Today we’re taking a different look at Walt Disney World. One that is mostly for newcomers to the Resort, but it can be read by all. We are taking a look at Walt Disney World from an outside perspective – why those who aren’t fans dislike it so much.

“Disney World is for kids. Why would any adults have fun or want to go there?”

Well actually that’s a good question. I don’t blame anyone for asking this, because if you rarely go and don’t know much about it, that’s what you’re forced to assume. And it’s not like that at all. Disney isn’t just for kids – it’s for children, teens, adults, and even elderly folks! (Well, at least most parts.)

So really by saying this you’re not giving Disney enough credit for what they have. I think they’ve worked extremely hard and succeeded at having a land that everyone can enjoy. What’s here for adults you ask? Well, here’s just a little list:

• American Idol Experience
• Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster
• Tower of Terror
• Downtown Disney
• World Showcase

That’s just to name a few. There’s plenty other attractions, areas, restaurants, and overall fun for adults in the Resort.

VIDEO: Part II of my answer comes in the form of a video. Not one I made, but one by the comedian and bad driver Tim Babb.

Click here to watch Tim explain why it’s fun for adults to go to Disney as well as what the founding principles were for the company.

Comments? I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you like Disney World? Do you get criticized for it? Maybe you’re one of those who criticizes it! I’d love to hear from you too. All thoughts are welcome in the comments!

Photo by Joe Penniston

Disney’s Awesome Things #3: Jumping in Line Right Before Closing Time

#3Whether you like it or not, Walt Disney World is full of waits. Sure, if you’re an expert of the parks like me you can weasel out of a few ride waits, but there’s no getting around it: we’re stuck in line most of our trip.

Imagine it’s your last day of vacation in the Resort. The whole family is sad (well, at least most of them) and you’re running out of time to do stuff. Sure the park is fairly empty, but what is there to do? You walk towards the exit in a depressed state. But wait, there’s hope!

The park closes at 1:00 AM – what time is it now? Exactly 12:59 AM. Your family now happily runs like maniacs to their favorite ride nearby. Sure you have to get up early the next morning, but who cares? This is a passport to your favorite ride with no wait, no people, no noise, and no crowds.

I’ll let you go – it’s not time to enjoy your last moments in the park.

Photo by Joe Penniston of Splash Mountain’s queue

Why Stitch’s Great Escape is Actually a Good Attraction

WHAT? Yes, you read the title right, this post is all about why Stitch’s Great Escape! is really a perfectly good attraction – despite what the crowd is saying.

Right when fans heard that Alien Encounter was going to be replaced by a tamer, more gentle version with Stitch, people immediately grew cold and turned against the idea. I think Stitch deserves the chance to be accepted. Here’s why it’s not really a bad attraction:

STORY LINE: You have to admit, the story line really isn’t bad at all. It supposedly takes place before the Stitch series and movies, when the Galactic Federation captures Stitch for the first time. Nothing I see here makes me dislike the attraction.

EFFECTS: I’m an effects geek, and this attraction has plenty for me to enjoy. The lighting work is phenomenal. The laser cannons, smoke effects, water effects, and more are all amazing enough to see the show just for that.

ANAMATRONICS: The two anamatronics in the pre-show (make that three) are very life-like. Especially Skippy, are easily frightened robot that gives us the quick lowdown. Also the alien that is transported before our eyes into the tube is very realistic – especially the transition period.

STITCH: Here’s the other anamatronic. Stitch is the most advanced audio-anamatronic ever produced by Walt Disney Imagineering (excluding President Obama). He walks realisticly, moves, talks, and even spits. He’s so lifelike one must wonder whether this is real or not.

THEMING: It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Disney theming. And this attraction has plenty of that. The music, lighting, doors, walls, logos, and details all give a more realistic touch to the Stitch experience.

As you can see, all the elements mentioned above are completely posotive for the attraction. So now tell me – do you like the attraction? Why do people dislike it so much? If I get enough feedback I may make a post full of your comments on why it’s a bad attraction, so be sure to share your thoughts!

Photo by Joe Penniston

Disney’s Awesome Things #2: Strolling Through an Empty Park

#2Here’s today’s schedule. You walk, wait, and ride. Over and over again. And the excessive crowds squishing and trampling you aren’t helping. After an intense day at the parks, a little breathing room is needed!

But don’t worry, all that hard work will be rewarded because many late nights – even some stretching into the next morning – will be packed with pure crowdless fun.

That’s right, it’s time to skip happily through the empty streets and queues because you’re the only one here. While most other sane people are in beds sleeping, you can ride your favorite attraction ten times in a row, only getting weird looks from the cast members.

Relax and take it all in as you slowly walk listening to the louder-than-normal themed background music echo through the empty pathways.

You’re free to dance, skip, jump, and stretch to your heart’s content because it’s simply awesome to stroll through the park’s empty streets and areas without worrying about other people. Congratulations, you now own the place.

Photo by Communicore82

Disney’s Awesome Things #1: Finally Arriving and Seeing the Entrance Sign

#1 Depending on where you live, it takes a lot to travel to the Walt Disney World Resort. Whether it’s a long plane ride, or simply the classic car ride to the World, both of these options are tiring and sometimes stressful.

For me, it’s about a three hour car ride. But after all the tiresome and stressful things you go through, it’s nice to be driving down the road and encounter the thing you’ve been waiting for.

It’s a sight that never gets old. It’s the Walt Disney World entrance sign, and it simply lets you know you’re home – and that another magical adventure awaits.

P.S. I’m leaving for the Resort later this afternoon – so I’ll be seeing this sign in a few hours. Enjoy the long weekend!

Photo by PrincessAshley

T-Rex & Rainforest Cafes – Paying for Just the Food?

I’ve read and watched lots of people give reviews of Walt Disney World restaurants. Some are good while others are negative. And that’s fine – I don’t expect everyone to like every restaurant, that’s not normal. However there are always two restaurant ‘reviews’ that stick out to me: Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney, and T-REX Cafe at Downtown Disney.

Why do these reviews stick out? Simply because in every review, these restaurants get rated somewhat poorly because of two reasons: the price is too expensive, and the food quality isn’t that good. Sure this is totally true (even though T-Rex’s quesadillas are really good) – but I don’t think the food is all you’re paying for at these two dining spots.

I think you’re also paying for the theming experience. Think about it. Would you pay the same amount for a park ticket to Magic Kingdom as it is now even if no rides were themed and all attractions were simply put in a row and inside cement buildings? I wouldn’t.

If these two restaurants had no theming to them, the experience would be dull. No matter how good the food, if there’s no decorations, you’re bored. The food may not be exceptional at these two places, but I think the extraordinary theming work done here completely makes up for it.

Sure other dining places around the World are themed, but these two top everything as far as theming goes. Nothing compares (maybe other than San Angel Inn).

What do you think? I want to know if you think the price at these two places includes theming or not. Also, is the food really that bad? How’s the theming in your opinion? Let me know in the comments!

Photos by Joe Penniston & hyku.

Disney’s Awesome Things: A Series

You may or may not be familiar with the blog 1000 Awesome Things – a very simple yet popular blog counting down 1000 awesome little things in life. Anything from the sound of snow crunching under your boots to brushing your teeth with a new toothbrush, this blog has it all.

So I thought, what if I brought this idea into a Disney perspective? Well, it’s time to begin! Over the next few months, I will be posting a new series – Disney’s Awesome Things. This will simply be a collection of one-hundred awesome things in Walt Disney World.

Need more details? I don’t think so – this is one series you’ll just have to experience with me as the posts come! Once you read a few, you’ll get the general idea. We’re counting one-hundred awesome things at WDW – big or small.

If everything goes as planned, a Disney’s Awesome Things post will be published two times a week on Monday and Friday. Wednesday will be another article not part of the series.

Ideas, Ideas. Clearly the hardest part is coming up with 100 items! I already have a rather large list, containing about 65 things – so I’m off to a good start I’d say. But I would love your help as well. Comment on this post to give me your ideas!

Photo by Joe Penniston

5 Reasons Visiting Alone Really Isn’t So Bad

I’ve never taken a solo trip to Walt Disney World before – but while in the parks, my party has split up a few times to do their own thing. While it may seem like traveling to WDW alone is boring, awkward, and lonely, there are more pros to it than cons. Here’s why experiencing the magic solo really isn’t so bad.

[1] Be an early bird or a night owl. Or both. When you travel with family or friends, there is a great chance that some people are early birds and some are night owls. This means that there’s obviously going to be conflict when deciding what time to get to the parks and what time to leave. When you’re by yourself, you have all power. Do what you want. Get up early and stay up late all on the same day. It’s whatever you feel like.

[2] Let your vacationing style rule. I talked earlier about our different vacation styles – some people (like me) are only interested in getting every ride done, while others tend to take it easy, have a snack, then do a ride or two. When traveling with other people you’ll once again have a conflict. Some want to have a snack, while others want to keep riding rides. If you’re visiting solo, it’s up to you! Take a look in a gift shop if you want – then ride some rides, then eat a snack.

[3] Eat what and when you want to. Eating alone is probably the most boring and awkward thing to do during your solo visit. But don’t focus on that. Instead, keep in mind that you get to choose when and where to eat. You’re in control of your stomach for the entire trip – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat at fancy restaurants, counter-service places or even McDonald’s. It’s all your decision.

[4] Buy as many or as little souvenirs as you want. Usually when you travel with others (no matter how many times you’ve been), someone in your party wants to get something. Well now that you’re all alone, you don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to – or you can buy anything you do want to. It’s really a happy situation! Also, if you don’t even want to look in a gift shop, that’s totally cool too. No one will mind.

[5] You can do something ‘Goofy’. For me, it’s riding the Haunted Mansion many times in a row during the Extra Magic Hours – which means I’m the only one riding – so I take some…confession time…flash pictures simply to see what the attraction looks like with the ‘lights on’. Everyone has their little quirks and silly things they like to do. And when you travel by yourself, you’re completely free to do them.

Obviously, the main point through this entire article is that you have complete freedom to do whatever you want to do (as long as it’s legal, of course). There is no one there to criticize you – it’s absolutely up to you. And it doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s stupid, silly, a waste of time, or anything else – because no one will be there to care!

Have you visited WDW alone? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I might do this sometime in the future, so if anyone has thoughts on this, I’d love to listen. Did you like it? Will you do it again? Let me know in the comments.

Photo: Joe Penniston