by jon bosworth jaxvillain@yahoo.com
I've lived in Florida too long. I remember worrying that one day, when I was finally old enough to drive, I would be too grown up to want a Pontiac Trans Am or, if that was too expensive, at least a Fiera. Sure enough, by sixteen I was more interested in a BMW or a Saab (and ended up driving the Nissan Sentra I could get my hands on). Likewise, I always knew that one day I would lose my love for Disney World.
When I moved to Florida at the age of ten and first visited the Magic Kingdom, I thought I had arrived. Not only is this the sort of thing that kids from my old neighborhood in New Jersey could only dream about, but the theme park seemed to deliver on every promise. I may not have been real into hanging out with the gigantic and mute characters as they roamed the park, but I got to go on the actual Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Space Mountain was my first official roller coaster. Pirates of the Carribbean was the coolest ride to a ten year old boy that had no Captain Jack Sparrow. All I had was Treasure Island, but Pirates brought that fantasy to life for me at the time.
From Thunder Mountain to the People Mover, I got fairy dust in my eyes that lasted throughout my adolescence. Later on, I went to Grad Night and partook in my teenage rebellion (kissing on the People Mover and groping on Space Mountain). Then into college I went and tried my hardest to ridicule "the man" except instead of the man, I was ridiculing "the mouse" for making hand over fist money on the fantasy of Americans. I tried to tow the line that Disney perpetuated America's inability to deal with reality.
And I guess that was it for a number of years, I just didn't really think about Disney World. I assumed that I had outgrown it. Then I had children.
I'd like to say that my dense moral integrity at the time about Disney vs reality made me resist the idea of going to Disney at the first suggestion, but the truth was, I decided my youngest daughter was ready for Disney probably before she really was. I was suddenly proud of how well I could navigate the park. I was excited to share my favorite rides with my daughter. All of the magic from my first visit rushed back, but my then two-year old daughter wasn't quite ready for that full adventure.
On our last visit to Disney we were looking for economy. And Disney has recently gotten into the business of economy, providing themed resorts on the grounds. The rooms are grouped with tickets in packages geared toward making the park affordable for families. They even provide free transportation to and from the various parks. Last visit we stayed in the Pop Century resort. It wasn't five star, but it had great pools and even a poolside bar for parents that want to rest their weary feet after of a day of navigating parks. Disney wasn't just taking money from people and replacing it with a shell of a fantasy, it was actively trying to let as many people as possible get the opportunity to experience this momentary escape. I'm not saying it's cheap, but it isn't outrageous either. On that trip, we walked away having paid a total of $700 for a family of four to spend two days of parks, three nights in the hotel and all of our eating and gas. I spent almost that much at the Fair last week. For one day in town! (Not really, we spent about $150 at the Fair, but that was just going there for three hours.)
This year, for my youngest daughter's eighth birthday, we decided to shoot a little higher than economy. We got two nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge & Resort and Park Hopper passes for both days that we would be in Orlando. Our objective was not to save money this time, so I still haven't tallied the total expense, but we had the time of our lives and my daughter will have many birthdays before she forgets this one. When we checked in to the hotel, the attendant learned that it was my daughter's birthday and gave her a sticker. She non-chalantly asked who my daughter's favorite character was. I had no idea, so I said it was Peter Pan (mine). We made reservations for Boma, the family dining restaurant in the resort, for the actual birthday night, and then we went to MGM Studios, because we had never been.
It only took us the remainder of the day to enjoy the rides at MGM, so we headed back to the hotel to get settled in. The kids enjoyed an awesome pool with a waterslide at the resort while the wife and I had some drinks at the poolside bar. Dinner at Boma was outstanding. I seriously had not heard of one of the African themed dishes, but each one was the best dish I had ever tasted. At the end of our meal, they brought our newly aged eight-year old a small cake. When we arrived back at our room, there was a gift from Peter Pan, an autographed picture of him wishing her a happy birthday. It literally made her night.
The next morning we went to the Magic Kingdom (we tried to have breakfast in Cinderella's castle, but it was hopeless). After a day of the rides, we made our way over to Epcot. Epcot happened to be celebrating their annual Food and Wine Festival. This was the part of the weekend that was more for the wife and I, but the girls were also having a good time learning about the different countries in the World Showcase. By the time the fireworks show was over, everyone was ready for bed.
Our room was fantastic. Although Disney went a little overboard promoting their timeshares and vacation clubs, the comfort of the room compensated for that. The bathroom was enormous and there was a fantastic balcony that looked out over a Savannah with the actual giraffes from Animal Kingdom. Another thing I have to point out is that Disney's hotels have a notice in the bathroom. A plaquerd made from recycled materials with Jiminy Cricket on the front. It read "Every day tons of detergents and millions of gallons of water are used to wash towels that have only been used one time." Jiminy encouraged guests to re-use towels. Although there are plenty of things Disney could do to make the environment better, this is an easy gesture that many hotels could make and don't. And what could be more influential than it coming from Disney.
As it turns out, Disney may just be trying to turn our reality into our own dreams. All it will take is the magic of enough people realizing that our reality needs adjusting. Disney has a lot of fun activities this winter to help you recapture your childhood. Go to Disneyworld.com/holidays for more details.
On select days throughout November and December the Magic Kingdom will have special holiday events after the regular park hours. Ticketholders to this event can come after 7 pm to enjoy a new castle light show, snow on Main Street, USA, and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Tickets are $40.95 - 47.95 depending on age.
November 23 - December 30 the World Showcase will celebrate holiday traditions from across the globe. It all starts with Mickey's tree lighting and a "dazzling synchronized light show" complete with laser lights and fireworks. The World Showcase will also be providing unique gifts with an international flair in various World Showcase boutiques. Open to all Epcot guests.
November 23 - December 30 Epcot presents a Candlelight Processional with musical performances from a mass choir and a full orchestra. Celebrity narrators tell the beloved story of Christmas. Open to all Epcot guests. Call 407 WDW-DINE to reserve a Candlelight Processional dinner package.
November 12 - January 6 Disney-MGM Studios lights up their American backlot with twinkling lights and music. They will have snow flurries and they will re-create an Arkansas million-light display with flying angels and sparkling Santa Claus light designs. Guests can also enjoy the Hollywood Holly Day Parade with Disney characters on Hollywood Boulevard.
November 12 - January 6 See Santa Goofy's Holiday Village and holiday music with a world beat twist during Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade. Open to all Animal Kingdom Guests.
Throughout the holiday season Downtown Disney provides a retail playground with shopping adventures for every age and budget. Featuring exclusive Disney and Hasbro merchandise not available anywhere else and princess makeovers at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. There is also the LEGO Imagination Center and the Virgin Megastore.
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