WDW Trip #4 - Retro Disney (1997 edition)

Good welcome all.

I was digging around at home the other day and came across my old travel diary from years ago. Contained within is a trip report from my fourth trip to WDW, back in 1997. So, I thought I would transcribe it verbatim, and post it here for your enjoyment.

Firstly, I was 14 when I wrote this, so I think this report captures WDW quite well from the eyes of a teenager. Since I really could not remember very well my first three trips (being 2, 3 and 6 years old on them), this was the first one that really stuck in my head, and the wonder and awesomeness of the place took a really great hold. Some of you may not have visited WDW as a kid or teen, and so I believe this may give you an insight into what it really is like for a youngster.

Secondly, this trip report is nearly 16 years old. WDW has changed a lot since then. So, there's the nostalgia factor too.

Finally, as I said, I was 14 when I wrote this, so it's not a brilliant piece of work. Also, there's a whole bunch of random information. I have copied the text almost word for word, only correcting spelling/punctuation mistakes, and replacing the name of my brother with the phrase "my brother", since I do not want to use real names on here (except mine of course - hence the username!).

So are you sitting comfortably? Then I will begin!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Friday, 14 February 1997 - DAY 1

We got up at around 0630 and checked the flight list to see which terminal we had to go to. Our flight was not on the board yet, but we decided to go to the North Terminal. After a breakfast of croissants, Special K, orange juice, tea and little cocktail sausages (that was my breakfast anyway), we got on the minibus and went off to the North Terminal. Our guess was correct. We checked in and looked in the shops. We were selected for a spot check of our suitcases to see if we had anything inside them that we weren't supposed to have. After looking around the shops, we went through the X-Ray scanner and metal detector. We then looked around some more shops and had a drink. After that, Mum went into Boots and we saw a camera crew following a supposedly famous person. My brother thought it was a Spice Girl. We then went to an observation lounge located above the shops. After waiting for about 30 - 45 minutes, we headed off to Gate 58 and British Airways flight 237. There was a large queue and we finally got through. We had to wait for our row number to be called. We were in row 24. Firstly, rows 32-56 were called. 10 minutes later, a message said "last call for British Airways flight 237 to Orlando". People took this the wrong way and quite a few people went down the jetway to the plane.

(Ed. - there's lots more rambling about the flight and stuff, which is really really boring. Seriously, I must have been really boring when I was 14. No wonder I didn't have many friends! Anyway, I've skipped a lot out in the middle here, and now I will continue)

We landed and it was quite humid. In fact, until we got to the room, it felt as it someone had sucked the oxygen away from us. A nice man picked us up at the airport. We had to go on a little train to the terminal. It took us a while to get our baggage back. It took us about 30 minutes to get to Disney Dixie Landings and checked in. It was roughly 25C - 30C. It was 10C in London! We got to our room, 1405, and settled down before we went to the Village Marketplace. When we came back, we went straight to sleep.

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Saturday, 15 February 1997 - DAY 2

We went on our first trip to the Magic Kingdom. The first ride we went on was "The Pirates of the Caribbean", of course. I quite enjoyed this and we didn't have to wait much. This was our favourite ride. Then my brother, Dad and I went on the "Splash Mountain" log flume. We had to wait a while and then we finally for onto the ride. There was a big, but quick rain shower and Mum got caught in it. At the end of "Splash Mountain", there was a 52 foot almost vertical drop. I didn't get very wet because I ducked. Then we went off to other places, most notably the "Tomorrowland Transit Authority", aka "The People Mover", "Take Flight" and "The Carousel of Progress". "The People Mover" was good as it took you all the way around Tomorrowland. It took you inside "Space Mountain" and many other rides. "Take Flight" was really good. It told you everything about the history of aviation in the 20th century. "The Carousel of Progress" was a show about progress through the 20th century. The man in it didn't age a but from the turn of the century to present day!

After we finished at the Magic Kingdom, we took the monorail to EPCOT. We went into "Spaceship Earth", the big golf ball place. That was good. We then went off to a restaurant and/or cafe. I had a cup of hot chocolate and a pain au chocolat. My brother had a cup of cappuccino and a bagel with cream cheese. Dad had a cup of coffee and a slice of coconut cake. Mum had a cup of hot chocolate and a fruit croissant. Then we went to "The Land" and went on a boat ride. After that, we went into "Journey Into Imagination". After going on the main ride, we went upstairs and made funny faces on a special machine. I did mine based on my hat. I reckon my face was the best. Afterwards, we went to "Horizons". When we got to the voting system at the end, I chose "space" but I was out-voted 3 to 1 and I had to settle for "desert". Then we went into "Wonders of Life", which doesn't seem to be that interesting. Before we went into "The Land", we went to "The Living Seas", which was OK. Back in the Magic Kingdom, we went to "It's A Small World". On our way back to Dixie Landings, Dad went off somewhere else and we went back. We are going to see the illuminations at EPCOT tonight. We had dinner at "The Land". My brother, me and Mum had a BBQ chicken breast sandwich, coleslaw, chips or fries as they call them over here and Coca-Cola. Dad had a jacket potato. Then we went around EPCOT's World Showcase and saw Illuminations 25 which was good, although I couldn't see very well. Then we went back to Dixie Landings and called in at the General Store. Mum bought us some Coca-Cola and some cheesy biscuit things. We went back to the room and had a drink of Coca-Cola. I don't know the plans for tomorrow.

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Sunday, 16 February 1997 - DAY 3

We spent most of the day in EPCOT. The first thing we went on was the show "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience". It was a 3D show and a bit nervous at some points. It left me shaking after a while. The next thing we went on was "Journey into Imagination", which we went on yesterday. We then went around the World Showcase. We started at Mexico. We went on the Mexico boat ride. Before that, we booked our Mexican meal for tomorrow. After Mexico, we wound up in Norway and Dad, my brother and I went on the Maelstrom ride there. It was OK. It took us three hours to get around the World Showcase.

I had one of my favourite things in Germany in the World Showcase. I had a dough pretzel. After the World Showcase, it was "Horizons" again. Then we went to Wonders of Life and saw Cranium Command. It was a comedic look at the brain of a 12 year old. It starred General Knowledge and a little guy called Buzzy. Then we were going to go to Universe of Energy, but there was a very long queue. So we went on Spaceship Earth. Then we headed back to Dixie Landings.

We had dinner at the resort. I had a pepperoni pizza. We shared a pizza between Mum, Dad and I. My brother had a burger and chips, Then we went off to the Magic Kingdom and went on the Haunted House (sic), the Riverboat, It's a Small World, Peter Pan and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Then we went back to the resort. Mum went to the food hall to get some hot chocolate, while Dad, my brother and I went back to our room to see the Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey match. The score was 6 - 2 to the Flyers. Then we went to bed. Tomorrow, we intend to go to MGM studios and have our Mexican meal I mentioned earlier.

 

[wiigirl]

In for this!

 

[GoalieGirl16]

I love this. This trip report covers the years I was working down there!

 

[javy2004]

I'm in. Seeing the names of attractions that are long gone, something about that feels kinda nice. Can't wait for more

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Yay! I'm glad people are liking it!

Next part will follow on later this evening. Watch this space!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Monday, 17 February 1997 - DAY 4

We went to MGM Studios today. It is cool. We went on Star Tours, which is excellent. It's like a simulator. Then we walked around and went on 3D Muppet Vision which was good and the Big Movie Ride (sic). That was good too. Then we had lunch. I had some chips with cheese melted over them. Then we went on the backlot tour. This was excellent and interesting. After that, we went back to Dixie Landings. My brother and I had a swim. The pool had lots of chlorine in it and our eyes hurt for a while.

We returned back to the room and had a shower and got changed. Then after a bit we went to EPCOT. My brother's eyes hurt badly, so we had to go to the First Aid centre. Afterwards, we went to Horizons and then Mexico for our meal. Mum and I had a Plato Mexicano and Dad had a Pollo Asado and my brother had a children's quesadillas. We had a man keep filling up our water glasses (we had two drinks; water and something else). I had a Sprite, my brother had a coke and Dad and Mum had margaritas. Margaritas are nice (I had a taste). Then we returned back to the resort and watched the film called Tron until we went to sleep.

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

Hahaha I love this! Its so cool to see it through your eyes at a different age. I should look for my old diary from my first trip to Disney, I was only 6 or 7 at the time so I doubt anything I wrote down was that important.

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Tuesday, 18 February 1997 - DAY 5

Today, we went to the Magic Kingdom. When we went to Adventureland, we got [roped] into a hunt for an idol. It was a treasure hunt around Adventureland and there were 5 clues. We didn't win. We came approximately third. It was good fun though. Then we went on the Pirates of the Caribbean (again). Then we went into the Enchanted Tiki House. It was a fun show, but many people left halfway through. Then we went off somewhere else. This included the Hall of Presidents, which was dull. We then headed off to Tomorrowland and went on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Take Flight and Timekeepers which was funny and cool. My brother and I went on the racing cars. He kept stopping and I ran into him. It was very annoying. Then, we went back the way we came and went into the Visitor Centre where I got a badge with the year of my first visit; 1984.

We returned to the resort, watched Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Muppet Film. Then we went to EPCOT and went on Spaceship Earth, Horizons and Journey into Imagination. I tried to take a photo of something, but my camera is not functioning at all. We also went into Innoventions, where I got hooked up to the World Wide Web. We saw the laser show and went back to the resort. We went to the General Store and got some "supplies". We went back to the room and had a few things before going to sleep.

 

[Fantasmic]

This is awesome! I was 14 in 1997 too (I'm a 1982 baby, I'm assuming you're 1982/early83!) so reading this brought back memories of my trip in 1997!!!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

This is awesome! I was 14 in 1997 too (I'm a 1982 baby, I'm assuming you're 1982/early83!) so reading this brought back memories of my trip in 1997!!!

You are correct. I am indeed a 1982 baby. Summer time to be precise!

Next part of the report is coming soon!

 

[corey154]

I love this!

 

[SugarMagnolia]

The World Wide Web! I love it. I was there in September 1996. I'm assuming the castle was still decorated like a birthday cake when you were there??

 

[ShookieJones]

14 years old and you took the time out to write this...
WHAT A NERD....



.....and by "WHAT A NERD" I mean: "You're freakin' awesome!"

Love this! I really wish I had the gumption to jot this kind of stuff down when I was young.
Great insight into the World at the time and as you mentioned how it was affecting you with it's awesomeness.

I honestly don't think I could string together a coherent thought at 14 years old let alone have the foresight and energy to write it down. I'd be sooo interested in what I was thinking back then...even if it was incoherent. I'll have to live vicariously through 14 year Mighty Tim instead...

Thanks a lot for sharing!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Thanks for the love so far, ladies and gents! I didn't realise it was going to be so popular!

The World Wide Web! I love it. I was there in September 1996. I'm assuming the castle was still decorated like a birthday cake when you were there??

Yep, the castle was still decorated like a birthday cake. Alas, I cannot seem to locate the photos at the moment, although I don't remember there being many, on account of my camera not working, my dad's camera not working and my mum's camera being a disc film camera and having limited space. This was, of course, before the days of digital photography, so I haven't got electronic copies. Heck, as you just read, this trip featured my first ever usage of the internet!

14 years old and you took the time out to write this...
WHAT A NERD....



.....and by "WHAT A NERD" I mean: "You're freakin' awesome!"

Love this! I really wish I had the gumption to jot this kind of stuff down when I was young.
Great insight into the World at the time and as you mentioned how it was affecting you with it's awesomeness.

I honestly don't think I could string together a coherent thought at 14 years old let alone have the foresight and energy to write it down. I'd be sooo interested in what I was thinking back then...even if it was incoherent. I'll have to live vicariously through 14 year Mighty Tim instead...

Thanks a lot for sharing!

Ha ha, thanks! I'm still a nerd now in my 30s!

Anyway, on with the show:

Wednesday, 19 February 1997 - DAY 6

Today we went to EPCOT. Before we went there, we went on a bike ride, using the NMR on the card. We went around Dixie Landings and neighbouring Port Orleans. Then we went to EPCOT. We got a film for Mum's camera and some batteries. Then we went to Horizons. We have been on that every day so far, except Friday. Then we went on the Mexico ride and then Journey Into Imagination. We then went to The Land to find some lunch but it was way crowded. So we had a hotdog from somewhere near Canada in the World Showcase. Then we went to the show Universe of Energy which was cool. Finally we went on Spaceship Earth. After leaving EPCOT, we took the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Centre and then took the bus to the Disney Village Marketplace.

We looked at some of the shops and then walked out of Disney property to a shopping area. We went to TGI Fridays. I had a pizzarella, which was two flour tortillas with pizza stuff in between them. My brother had chicken strips and chips. Mum had a Wednesday burger and Dad had a Monday burger. A Wednesday burger is a burger with mozzerella, onions and mushrooms on it. A Monday burger is a burger with cheddar cheese, onions and red wine sauce. After that, we walked back to the Village where we looked around some more and I purchased some gems for $5.25 plus tax (they include 6% sales tax here for some weird reason). Then we went back to Dixie Landings where we watched TV for a while. Then we went to sleep.

 

[Fantasmic]

You are correct. I am indeed a 1982 baby. Summer time to be precise!

Me too! August!

I'm still a nerd now in my 30s!

Again, me too... although we're only JUST 30! ONLY JUST!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

This is a time capsule trip report. Cool!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Thursday, 20 February 1997 - DAY 7

Today, we went to the Magic Kingdom The first thing we did was this; my brother and Dad went on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Mum and I went on the Haunted Mansion. When we met up, we went to the Country Bear Jamboree. It was supposed to be funny, and some parts were, but overall, it wasn't. Then we went to Fantasyland, where we went on Snow White's Adventures. When we came out, a show was just starting called Sword in the Stone, hosted by Merlin. Merlin was trying to choose someone to try and remove the sword from the stone. His first attempt using a white bird failed when the bird flew off. His second attempt, using a Y-shaped branch, worked. The branch pointed at Dad! So he had to go up and attempt to remove the sword from the stone. He failed. Then the branch picked out a young child from the audience. He managed to do what Dad failed to do. The boy became "king" for about 20 seconds. Dad got a go at being "king" for roughly the same amount of time. They both got presented with a medal and a scroll.

After this bit of fun, we went to Tomorrowland. My brother and I went on the racing cars again, while Dad and Mum went on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. After that, we went on Take Flight. Then we had an ice cream sunday before heading off to Adventureland. We looked at the Jungle Cruise, but found the queue was too long. We then decided to leave Mum at the Magic Kingdom, while my brother, Dad and I went to see the new, improved Star Wars film. It was very good. We saw it before anyone in the UK! Then we went back to the resort. After that, we went to the Disney Village Marketplace and then walked to a place where we had dinner. It was called Perkins, and was situated at Crossroads, where TGI Friday's is. I had a shrimp special, Mum and Dad had a strip steak and my brother had a burger. We walked back, and looked at the Marketplace and then took the boat back to Dixie Landings, where we packed our bags in readiness for our departure tomorrow.