February 2011
I think Walt Disney World is misunderstood and underappreciated in many circles. I’m at the point in my life where Mommy and Me playgroups, preschool birthday parties, and family vacations to Walt Disney World are considered the norm but it wasn’t always so. Rewind a few years and the mention of a trip to Walt Disney World without kids was met with concerned glances and polite nods by casual acquaintances. I may as well have said that my husband and I were spending our anniversary at Chuck E. Cheese. To most people outside my Disney family, Walt Disney World is considered a place to take the kids, not the perfect destination for an adult getaway. I couldn’t disagree more. I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to spend the entire week without a single character interaction or setting foot in Fantasyland, mouse ears are not required attire, and chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese are not the only things on the menu.
What Does Walt Disney World offer Adults?
In a word – everything. This single vacation destination has top-notch service, incredible dining options for every palate, entertainment of every variety, activities for active vacationers, rest and relaxation opportunities for visitors who want to take it slower, and even culture and learning.
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You may have a heard a little about a big announcement last week. At an Investors Conference Tom Staggs hinted at big changes in the Disney parks. One that has set the Disney community abuzz is the following: “… we are currently developing an innovative system that will, in essence, create a version of FASTPASS for their entire Disney vacations. Guests will be able to reserve times for their favorite attractions and character interactions… secure seats at our shows and spectaculars…make dining reservations… and pre-book many other favorite guest experiences – all before even leaving their house.”
“…a version of FASTPASS for their entire Disney vacations.” WOW. Unfortunately, this piece of news* seems to be as well-received as the initial plans for a Fantasyland expansion that was heavy on the Character Meet N Greets.
*It’s important to note that little detail was provided so there is much speculation on what this means with little concrete detail. I’ve see every opinion ranging from this being a VIP option which requires an additional cost to hypotheses that guests would be limited to reserving only a couple of attractions per day on their trip.
I’m lukewarm at best and opposed at worst. I’m a planner, exactly the type of person this new option seems ideal for, and I’m not on board which doesn’t seem to bode well.
Let’s talk about why I’m not lying awake at night so excited about this new option that I cannot sleep.
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I can hardly remember touring the Walt Disney World theme parks without a backpack that contains all the essentials. With small children in tow these days, it is usually chock full of diapers, snacks, water, clothing, sunscreen, medications, and ponchos. Even before kids, it was rare that my husband and I didn’t bring a theme park bag, lighter of course, but still filled with everything we would need while away from our resort room for the day. But, is it necessary?
Traveling Light
Traveling light certainly has its benefits, not the least of which is bypassing the sometimes lengthy bag check lines at the entrance to each Disney theme park. There have been more times than I would care to remember when we were running late for an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) or the beginnings of IllumiNations and the bag checks were a bottleneck in our quest to make it on time.
The most obvious reason to ditch the bag is avoiding the feeling of being a pack mule. At the end of a long day, that bag can feel as if its weight has doubled. Not to mention that sticky, unpleasant feeling of your shirt plastered to your back on warm days because the air does not circulate between you and the theme park bag.
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What kind of Disney couple are you… adventurous, fun-loving, or romantic? With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to plan the perfect Disney day for your sweetheart, no matter whether your budget is big or small.
There are endless possibilities. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Adventurous Spirit
Thrill Rides. With a Park Hopper Pass in hand, hit all the roller coasters and thrill rides in all four Disney theme parks.
Magic Kingdom. Ride Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Epcot. Soar into space at Mission: SPACE, test drive a car at Test Track, and hang glide over the American West in Soarin’
Before you leave, stop at Innoventions and design and ride (using a simulator) your own thrill ride at “Sum of All Thrills.”
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Two of the questions I get asked most often are, “What do you love about Walt Disney World?” and “What’s your favorite Disney memory?” The answers may vary some but they all revolve around making treasured memories with my family. However, making memories is not always synonymous with having the perfect vacation. Think the Griswolds in the Vacation movies.That’s where Disney comes in. When my family visits Walt Disney World, we become better versions of ourselves and that makes our memories all the more special.
If you walked into my house on any particular day, you may see my adult stepson and his little brother bickering, my five-year old worrying about one thing or another, my husband taking himself and life a little too seriously, and me urging the kids to “Hurry Up!” so I can squeeze in another errand; typical stuff, or so I hope, for a busy family that sometimes lets the stress of everyday life overwhelm them just a bit. That all changes once we set foot on Disney property.
There is an almost twenty-year age difference between my oldest and youngest sons. One of my greatest wishes for my little guys is for them to have a very close bond with their big brother even though they don’t see him every day. My oldest loves his little brothers and spends quality time with them. Sometimes, just sometimes though, the 7:30 a.m. knocks at his door to play or having forty pounds of little brother jump on him when he’s trying to relax and watch a movie can be a little too much togetherness for him. The memories of my then teenage son taking his brother to meet Sorcerer Mickey for the first time, holding his brother’s hand as they walked through Fantasyland together in search of fun, and pushing a sleeping baby in a stroller through Hollywood Studios so his brother could enjoy the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure with Mom and Dad just a little longer are my greatest souvenirs from past trips. My son becomes a more mature and patient version of himself at Walt Disney World.
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Doesn’t Disney World Get Old?
This seems an obvious and reasonable question to ask frequent Walt Disney World guests. You may think Disney World would get old for visitors who have dozens of trips under their belts but the short answer is, “No.” Walt Disney World is continually evolving and growing which brings guests back time and again. Attractions are always being built, new promotions are announced, parades and nighttime fireworks shows are switched up. Let’s not forget that every season offers new things to experience in the “World;” Epcot’s International festivals, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, winter holiday events, marthon weekends, and Star Wars weekends are just the tip of the iceberg. And if that’s not enough for you, there are resorts in every price point and with many varied themes and hundredes of restaurants to try. Sure, there are attractions that are decades-old but even they have been updated along the way.
If you’ve been following along at Chip and Company, you may know our October 2010 trip was postponed until January 2011 and our January trip had to be cancelled. That means it’s been about nine months since I was last at Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at just some of the changes that have taken place in this short period of time.
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