Well, instead of boring you all to tears with a lengthy, blow by blow account of my yearly weekend trip to Walt Disney World, I'd thought do something a bit different. They say you learn something new everyday. So, what better way to give a trip report than by reporting what I learned while in WDW? That's right folks...below is a list of the TOP FIFTEEN THINGS I learned while in WDW (with some visual aids).
15.) GIRAFFES ARE COOL
Animal Kingdom was the first park my family and I visited. So, of course, we hit Kilamanjaro Safaris as soon as the rope dropped. Our guide (Nate) was awesome. But, we ran into a hiccup during the savanna portion when a couple of GIRAFFES blocked the road for like five minutes straight. It was definitely a cool/original experience--probably the closest I've ever been to a giraffe in my life (they were licking the windshield and top of the truck). However, it seemed like Nate was getting a little worried. He eventually had to call on a walkie talkie to get somebody to call the giraffes away (I could *see* the nervous the sweat on his brow). Oh, as a side note, I really dug the new abbreviated driver spiel. It gives the driver more time to talk about things that you're seeing. And, that makes for a more novel and entertaining experience.
14.) BRAZILIANS ARE ANNOYING
Well, I'm sure they're not ALL annoying. That would be just plain stereotypical. However, if I never see another person waving a tour group flag, Ill die happy. They're must have been like five or ten of these groups per park per day. And, since most of them are comprised of teenagers, they tend to be loud, rude, and inconsiderate to rules (flash photography on dark rides, odd Portuguese chants, etc.)
13.) THE FINDING NEMO MUSICAL ROCKS!
My second favorite stage show on property (Lion King gets a slight nod overall). The music is stellar. I can't wait to buy it on iTunes. And, the performances, costumes, props, and effects were all top notch. Animal Kingdom is quickly becoming one of my favorite parks (Dinosaur and Everest! FTW!)
12.) THE MAGIC KINGDOM HAS A FAMILY FUN DAY PARADE
Who Knew? Three times a day an impromtu parade marches down main street. Kinda' fun to see all the families get excited.
11.) CORONADO SPRINGS == THE HAWTNESS
This was my first stay here and I really enjoyed it. It's my new favorite moderate resort. Granted, it's pretty big and it can be annoying to walk all the way around the lagoon to get to the lobby, but the pool rocks and I loved the theming. Plus, the Pepper Market is probably one of the better food courts on property. I like me some rotisserie chicken.
10.) MGM NEEDS HELP
This park needs attractions...STAT. Besides Rock 'N' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, this parks got nothing of interest for me. MGM reminds me of EPCOT about 10 years ago (prior the the revitalization of future world). Everything feels dated. And, the Great Movie Ride's spiel is just plain lame (the old one was better). You know you're in trouble when your headlining attraction on the cover of the map is the High School Musical Pep Rally. Men doing chicken dance == uncool.
09.) CAPTAIN JACK IMPERSONATORS ARE ENTERTAINING
We spotted one in line for Pirates. He looks just like the real deal (maybe he was 
). Great mannerisms and hilarious movements.
08.) IN DISNEY, EVEN RAINSTORMS SEEM CHOREOGRAPHED
It rained for fifteen minutes at exactly 3:00pm ever day while we were there. I felt like I was in the "Truman Show." There's nothing like eating a dole whip while you watch the rain come on down. Ahhhh!
07.) SOARIN' IS UBER POPULAR
Seriously...we almost got stampeded during EPCOT's opening...Like a Mufasah situation. Wait times were consistently over two hours. Unfortunately, we never got a chance to ride this trip (but it's no big loss. I've been on it a couple times before, and I've never been THAT impressed with it).
06.) FRENCH FOOD IS GOOD
We ate at Bistro De Paris (the other French restaurant). We had a really good time. It's far more intimate and calm than the louder place downstairs. Yeah, the meal was pricey. But, where in Disney World is food cheap? My risotto was out of this world.
05.) STACY IS UGLY/ANNOYING
I miss the old zip-a-de-dooh dah spiel. I miss my tip for todays. The Top 7 is just obnoxious. Eventually, I turned resort T.V. over to the Spanish version. At least the Spanish lady is attractive...
04.) STRATEGY PEOPLE...IT'S ALL ABOUT STRATEGY
We went at a VERY BUSY time. However, we hardly ever waited more than twenty minutes. With proper planning (strategic fastpasses) and early wake-up calls, you really can avoid the crowds. However, Disney World can be a terrible place if you don't plan. I can understand why many parents and people in General hate WDW. It's hot and crowded. And, unless you know what you're doing, things can get less than magical.
03.) CHICKS DIG HATS
'Nuff Said.
02.) SEGWAY'S ARE FUN
We took a segway tour around World Showcase one morning in EPCOT. It was a blast--I had a great time. Plus, riding a segway is just so darn cool. As you wave to people, you feel like you're on parade.
01.) I *HEART* WDW
And, I can't wait to go back.
Thanks for reading!
15.) GIRAFFES ARE COOL
14.) BRAZILIANS ARE ANNOYING
Well, I'm sure they're not ALL annoying. That would be just plain stereotypical. However, if I never see another person waving a tour group flag, Ill die happy. They're must have been like five or ten of these groups per park per day. And, since most of them are comprised of teenagers, they tend to be loud, rude, and inconsiderate to rules (flash photography on dark rides, odd Portuguese chants, etc.)
13.) THE FINDING NEMO MUSICAL ROCKS!
My second favorite stage show on property (Lion King gets a slight nod overall). The music is stellar. I can't wait to buy it on iTunes. And, the performances, costumes, props, and effects were all top notch. Animal Kingdom is quickly becoming one of my favorite parks (Dinosaur and Everest! FTW!)
12.) THE MAGIC KINGDOM HAS A FAMILY FUN DAY PARADE
Who Knew? Three times a day an impromtu parade marches down main street. Kinda' fun to see all the families get excited.
11.) CORONADO SPRINGS == THE HAWTNESS
This was my first stay here and I really enjoyed it. It's my new favorite moderate resort. Granted, it's pretty big and it can be annoying to walk all the way around the lagoon to get to the lobby, but the pool rocks and I loved the theming. Plus, the Pepper Market is probably one of the better food courts on property. I like me some rotisserie chicken.
10.) MGM NEEDS HELP
This park needs attractions...STAT. Besides Rock 'N' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, this parks got nothing of interest for me. MGM reminds me of EPCOT about 10 years ago (prior the the revitalization of future world). Everything feels dated. And, the Great Movie Ride's spiel is just plain lame (the old one was better). You know you're in trouble when your headlining attraction on the cover of the map is the High School Musical Pep Rally. Men doing chicken dance == uncool.
09.) CAPTAIN JACK IMPERSONATORS ARE ENTERTAINING
). Great mannerisms and hilarious movements.08.) IN DISNEY, EVEN RAINSTORMS SEEM CHOREOGRAPHED
It rained for fifteen minutes at exactly 3:00pm ever day while we were there. I felt like I was in the "Truman Show." There's nothing like eating a dole whip while you watch the rain come on down. Ahhhh!
07.) SOARIN' IS UBER POPULAR
Seriously...we almost got stampeded during EPCOT's opening...Like a Mufasah situation. Wait times were consistently over two hours. Unfortunately, we never got a chance to ride this trip (but it's no big loss. I've been on it a couple times before, and I've never been THAT impressed with it).
06.) FRENCH FOOD IS GOOD
We ate at Bistro De Paris (the other French restaurant). We had a really good time. It's far more intimate and calm than the louder place downstairs. Yeah, the meal was pricey. But, where in Disney World is food cheap? My risotto was out of this world.
05.) STACY IS UGLY/ANNOYING
I miss the old zip-a-de-dooh dah spiel. I miss my tip for todays. The Top 7 is just obnoxious. Eventually, I turned resort T.V. over to the Spanish version. At least the Spanish lady is attractive...
04.) STRATEGY PEOPLE...IT'S ALL ABOUT STRATEGY
We went at a VERY BUSY time. However, we hardly ever waited more than twenty minutes. With proper planning (strategic fastpasses) and early wake-up calls, you really can avoid the crowds. However, Disney World can be a terrible place if you don't plan. I can understand why many parents and people in General hate WDW. It's hot and crowded. And, unless you know what you're doing, things can get less than magical.
03.) CHICKS DIG HATS
'Nuff Said.
02.) SEGWAY'S ARE FUN
We took a segway tour around World Showcase one morning in EPCOT. It was a blast--I had a great time. Plus, riding a segway is just so darn cool. As you wave to people, you feel like you're on parade.
01.) I *HEART* WDW
And, I can't wait to go back.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks!
.
