The inspiration for my articles can come from anywhere and everywhere. Wait a sec… “inspiration” may be too strong a word for the drivel that I write. Anyway, I’ve said often enough that I am a voracious devourer of all things Disney: Web sites, columns, podcasts, etc. While feeding my addiction, I will often read or hear something that will trigger an idea for a future article. I’ll then type up a few sentences as a reminder and save it for later development. Unfortunately, on more than one occasion I’ve had to scrap a half-written column after reading or hearing the topic explored and/or covered elsewhere. There’s so much out there for us Disney fans that finding a fresh angle is sometimes difficult. Nevertheless, I do try.
For some time, I’ve had an idea for a column centered on a “Bucket List”; an article discussing things I’ve not yet done but would like to do before pushing up daisies, so to speak—and I mean Disney things, of course. However, since the release of the Jack Nicholson / Morgan Freeman movie, it seems the Bucket List idea has been done to death (pun intended.)
Recently, MousePlanet’s Chris Barry wrote one of his “Top Five” articles for MousePlanet (read it) where he listed the top five things he’s yet to do at Disney World. It was a good read, as Chris’ articles always are, but I did express some surprise at his list: Chris… Test Track? Really?
Chris’ column got me thinking about some of the things I’ve done, or not done, at Walt Disney World. Since joining the Disney Vacation Club in 2000, we’ve been lucky enough to make two to three trips per year. For each trip, we always try to experience something new; usually a new restaurant, but it might be an attraction we haven’t done yet (only a very few of those left) or a resort we have yet to visit (ditto.) So what are the things that I haven’t done, that I would like to do before I… er, run out of time? In no particular order, here they are:
Gospel Brunch
Each Sunday the House of Blues at Downtown Disney offers a Gospel Brunch. Truth be told, I’m not much into either gospel or brunch but I’ve heard so many good things about this, it sounds like it would be worth a visit. Years ago, I remember attending one of the first Folk Masses at our church and, I have to admit, the foot stomping and hand clapping was kind of neat… and infectious. In addition, I see where the House of Blues offers a $3.00 Bloody Mary—a bargain anywhere but at Disney World? Unfortunately, almost all of our Disney vacations begin on a Saturday or Sunday so taking the time for this brunch is a difficult choice so early in our trip—and a Sunday morning is prime park time. I guess I’ll pass for now.
Victoria and Albert’s
I have to admit that the price for a dinner at Victoria and Albert’s scares me a bit but I’m not opposed to paying a premium for top quality. From all reports, a meal here is top shelf all the way—from the service, to the atmosphere, to the attention to detail. I hear the food’s pretty good too. So why haven’t I been there yet? I’m not really sure except to say that the thought of packing a sport coat and dress slacks for a Walt Disney World vacation is a bit foreign to me. Maybe some day but for now, I guess I’ll pass.
Driving Experiences at Walt Disney World Speedway
There’s an Indy Driving Experience and a Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway. For a price, you can get some training and floor the gas pedal of a racecar as you take multiple laps around a track at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. What’s not to love? There’s also a Ride Along Experience where you can ride shotgun while a professional driver handles the hard part. That’s not for me. If I’m going to force a change of my shorts, I’d like the thrill of actually handling the wheel to go along with it. While this type of speed intrigued me in my younger years…now? Not so much. I guess I’ll pass.
Astro Orbiter
I’ll admit it. I’ve never ridden the Astro Orbiter, and to be honest, I have no real desire to do so. It looks a lot like the Dumbo ride except you’re in a space ship rather than an elephant (and where have you ever heard that statement before?). It’s also a lot higher and always seems to have a line that, I’m surmising, is due to its slow load time. This one’s going to wind up way down at the bottom of my list. I guess I’ll pass.
Crystal Palace
What? You’ve never dined at the Crystal Palace? How can you call yourself a true Disney World fan? Let me explain. I’ve certainly walked past it often enough (like that counts for something). We’ve also thought about making a reservation several times in the past. Why haven’t we pulled the trigger? I guess I’m just not that into the Pooh characters there. Not that I dislike Pooh, Tigger or the rest (although I wonder how Piglet feels about the bacon there for breakfast) but, if I’m hitting a character buffet, it’s probably going to be Chef Mickey’s. In the past I would frequent the Liberty Tree Tavern for a character meal and loved the fact that it wasn’t a buffet (but, alas, the characters are now gone). I guess I prefer my food with visits from the Fab Five—or at least a suitable subset of them. I guess I’ll pass for now… but this one will probably happen at some time.
The Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau
This two-hour dinner show is presented on most nights at the Polynesian Resort. You can celebrate the spirit of aloha, and get some hula dancing thrown in to boot. I’ve seen mixed results on this one (although feedback is predominantly negative) but to me, it seems like a poor man’s version of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue—except the food’s not as good and there’s no humor. I guess I’ll pass.
I love the Polynesian Resort… but not the Luau. Photo by Steve Russo.
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
This is another all-you-can-eat buffet that’s held seasonally at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. The menu looks good and it does have characters dancing around. However, it’s impossible to reach the Fort Wilderness Campground from your resort in anything less than three days; and that includes taking a burro for the last two miles. I can hear you argue that I’ve ventured out there for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and the BBQ is only a stone’s throw from there. Yeah, but the Hoop-Dee-Doo is inside, people bring my food to me and it has the added allure of Dolly Drew, Clair DeLune and Flora Long. I guess I’ll pass.
Summit Plummet
Yeah, right. These old bones? I guess I’ll pass.
A Stay at the Grand Floridian
The first time I visited the World, there were only three on-site resorts: the Contemporary, the Polynesian Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The Grand Floridian is certainly Walt Disney World’s flagship resort and has always been its model for elegance. It’s certainly not cheap, but as I’ve said previously, I’m not opposed to paying top dollar as long as the product is worth it. Unfortunately, as a Disney Vacation Club member, it’s awful hard to justify the high price of a cash stay at the Grand Floridian when I can stay at the Boardwalk, Beach Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge with my points. As much as I would like to sit and nap in the midst of the audio-animatronic senior citizens sleeping in the Grand Floridian lobby, I guess I’ll pass for now.
Someday, I’ll be there… napping. Photo by Steve Russo.
Restaurant Marrakesh
I can enjoy hummus and a Beef Brewat Roll as much as the next person can but, so far, I’ve not dined here. I’m really not sure why. I have visited during the Food and Wine Festival and partook of the offerings at the Morocco food booth and enjoyed them. Nevertheless, for some reason, I haven’t taken the plunge and visited Restaurant Marrakesh. This will all change soon as this restaurant is on my list of Advance Dining reservations for our upcoming December trip. Stay tuned.
I should cross this off my list in December. Photo by Steve Russo.
A Stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge with a Savanna View
I’ve visited the Animal Kingdom Lodge on a number of occasions and have always been impressed. It has a magnificent lobby, great restaurants and the opportunity for viewing the animals out on the savanna. Why haven’t I stayed here in the past? You can probably look above at the comments for the Grand Floridian (except for those sleeping seniors in the lobby) and apply them here. However, all that is about to change. On our upcoming December trip, I’ve scheduled our last two nights in a Savanna View room at Jambo House. I’m thinking I’ll prefer being in the main building rather than Kidani Village but we’ll see how that pans out. I’m really looking forward to having my morning coffee in the company of a giraffe or wildebeest (please note that I did not resort to an inappropriate joke about my bride here.)
The view I’d like from my balcony. Photo by Steve Russo.
So there you have it—my short list of things I haven’t done at Walt Disney World. As you can see, some of them may have a permanent home on that list but I plan to knock a couple of items off on our next trip. What are the items on your “Disney World Bucket List?”
