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Tag Archives: Top 5
Top 5 Rides Disney World Should Update
While most of the rides and shows at Walt Disney World offer detailed, immersive experiences and magical memories, not all Disney attractions are created equal. This is especially true of the park attractions which haven’t really changed after a decade or so of operation.
Now in Disney’s defense, there are a lot of rides and shows to keep up with; and Disney often refurbishes and updates when they can, but there are a few that seem to slip through the cracks which I think Disney could really do a lot with.
5. Ellen’s Universe of Energy-This Epcot Future World attraction has been outdated and a bit of snooze for quite sometime. I think that when Disney guests begin to consider this ride as a prime napping spot when visiting the parks, it’s time for a change. Epcot’s Future World is in need of TLC and renewed creativity; and I say the Universe of Energy would be a great place to start. Maybe they could incorporate some of Walt’s original vision of Epcot into an attraction? What do you think?
The Best “Free” Extras At Disney World
There are lots of “extras” to be enjoyed at Walt Disney World. Some of them are hard ticket events requiring the purchase of a separate (and often expensive) ticket, some of them require that you attend a dinner show (also not cheap), but there are some that only require that you be in the park to enjoy them. These are, again in my opinion only, the three best “Free” extras available and they are so significant that many visitors plan their vacations to coincide with them.
- The Osborne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights - We saw this one for the first time in 2009 and it simply took our breath away. The word spectacle simply doesn’t do it justice. Millions and millions (literally) of lights all synchronized to Christmas music put on a spectacular show culminating with a snowfall. The only way to truly appreciate it is to be there to see it for yourself but the next best way is to check out these videos. The whole thing started when the neighbors of Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne became a bit irritated as his Christmas display grew and grew causing major traffic and other issues in his neighborhood. The folks at Disney, never the ones to pass up an opportunity, asked him if they could move the display to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the rest is history. This particular extra generally runs from about mid November through New Year’s Day.
Is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Right for You?
Is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort the right place to take up residence while visiting Walt Disney World ? I say absolutely if……
- You enjoy convenience to all the parks and several popular restaurants. Since the Grand Floridian is a “monorail resort”, you can monorail to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in a very easy, very timely fashion. When our family stayed at the Grand Floridian, we found the monorail to be the best transportation option if we needed to get to the Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is the first stop from the Grand Floridian on the monorail. Ohana, located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Chef Mickey’s, located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are also very short monorail rides from the Grand.
- You want magical, enjoyable character meal options at your resort. At the Grand Floridian, you can enjoy breakfast, dinner or tea time at 1900 Park Fare. This is located in the main building, just to the left as you enter from the front main entrance. The Supercalifragilistic Breakfast features Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, and other well known characters who mingle from table to table while you enjoy a buffet style meal. For dinner, your princess and little prince charming can enjoy visiting with Cinderella, Prince Charming, and their friends. For an afternoon break from the parks, enjoy tea time with Alice and other Wonderland friends. Your children can decorate cupcakes, do crafts, and enjoy some “tea” (aka apple juice).
Top 5 Frequent Disney Traveler Tips
Being a visitor to the Disney parks more than once is such a privilege. When you can give specific directions to attractions, know which touring plan you want to use, and time every part of your trip down to the minute, you know you are prepared. But, are there ever parts of your trip you forget? Or realize you hadn’t planned for? Today I want to share with you some things to remember as a seasoned Disney traveler.
- Remember that the time you’re visiting may be the first (and possibly) only visit for others around you. It’s easy to get frustrated when someone doesn’t have their bag ready for checking, or didn’t know that you need to have your autograph book ready BEFORE meeting the character. Be patient and remember that you are there to enjoy the magic from a different perspective.
- Stay at a different resort or DVC property. That’s one of the many perks of visiting frequently. We stay at a different resort each visit on either the Moderate or Deluxe tier. Do you have a special connection to a particular resort? Then maybe request a different building, view, or floor while on your visit.
- Stop and enjoy the street shows that pop up. You can spend a good amount of time on Main Street USA enjoying the vintage entertainers-hula hoops, men on stilts, singing quartets….even some small dramatic pieces come to life on Main Street USA. Don’t rush through this part of Magic Kingdom just to say you made it to Space Mountain for the first take off.
Top 5 Trains at Walt Disney World Resort
All aboard for the final article in this series: the Top 5 Trains at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney was a train fanatic, so it’s only logical they would be prominent features in his theme parks. You know, he built his first thrill ride, the 1/8 scale Carolwood Pacific Railroad, in his own backyard years before opening Disneyland Resort. Proof positive that Walt, like Peter Pan, never wanted to grow up!
Walt’s favorite tops today’s Top 5:
1.) The Walt Disney World Railroad – Like its Disneyland counterpart, the Walt Disney World Railroad encircles Magic Kingdom Park, delivering Guests to convenient locations in the different lands and stopping every four to ten minutes on its 1.5-mile track. Its four antique, steam-powered engines, the Walter E. Disney, the Lilly Belle, the Roy O. Disney, and the Roger E. Broggie, were built in the United States around the turn of the 20th century and serviced the United Railways of Yucatan in Mexico until Disney purchased them in 1969.
