Another Holiday season has come and gone. I’m curious just how much Disney infiltrates your Christmas preparation, decoration and celebration. I consider myself sort of a borderline Disney fanatic, which is to say we have a fair amount of Disney-related paraphernalia around the house—but haven’t yet resorted to the Mickey or Minnie tattoos.
However, I am usually surprised by the breadth of the Disney artifacts that wind up decorating our home and our Christmas tree each holiday season. I can recall only a few until we start dragging stuff out of attic boxes, then I’m amazed at how much there is.
Nevertheless, as the Holiday season winds down we, prepare for the fresh start every New Year brings. Like most of the population, we attempt to put the trials and tribulations of the past 365 days behind us and welcome the New Year with an eye toward a fresh, new beginning—so to speak.
For many of us that means establishing a few New Year’s resolutions. I love that word. Encarta tells us it’s a “firm decision to do something.” I make those decisions daily but how many do I actually carry through on? Many of us share the common goals to better ourselves or our lives in simple ways—we’d like to lose a few pounds, quit smoking, or maybe something as simple as being nicer to our spouse, significant other, kids, parents… you can fill in the blank.
There’s no denying these intentions exist; simply look at the attendance in every gym across the country in the month of January. Unfortunately, each year as January passes into February which melts into March, most of these great intentions fall by the wayside. The elliptical machine that you had to wait for in January is now a “walk on.”
Like many of you, I have my own resolutions each New Year. I typically swear this is the year I take off the weight I gained a few years ago. Yes… I know. This year, I thought I’d change things up a bit with a few resolutions of a Disney nature. Sure, when you’ve been to Disney World a few dozen times, there’s probably very little that one hasn’t seen or done. Nevertheless, it’s always nice to review a bit and see how I might be able to better the next vacation—or two or three.
Take a Trip
The first resolution will be a simple one: take a Disney World vacation. Career and everyday life bring enough stress that regular vacations are, at the least, beneficial to my mental well being. In most cases, a Disney vacation is downright therapeutic.
This particular resolution should be easy because we have a trip scheduled in early February. It’s a bit of a special trip because we’re bringing our daughter, her husband and our two grandsons. This will be the first trip for the youngest, so that has to be special.
However, this resolution goes beyond this trip. We purchased Annual Passes back in October 2010 and our goal is always to get three trips out of them so we need to plan (at least) one additional trip before October.
I resolve to make that happen and I’m considering a trip for the 2011 International Food and Wine Festival.
Space Mountain
Ride Space Mountain? Really?
While I’ve ridden Space Mountain a number of times previously, I haven’t ridden since its most recent refurbishment. This will be difficult to explain but Space Mountain is not really a ride I enjoy; it’s one I tolerate, because somewhere in the deep recesses of my Disney-addled brain, I believe this attraction is part of the Disney experience that must be… er, experienced. Warped, huh?
The chief attraction to this ride is hurtling through the deep, dark void of space in your rocket ship. The reality is that I have to fold my 6’ 2” frame into said ship, fully knowing the Imagineers designed this seating for someone that’s 5’ 9” or smaller. Wait… it gets worse.
The fact that it’s dark (darker than the previous version if I can believe some of the reviews since the refurbishment) means it’s difficult to see what piece of twisted track awaits me which makes it almost impossible for me to brace myself for the upcoming twist, turn or drop. For someone with back issues, like me, that makes it a particularly jarring ride.
Nonetheless, bad back be damned—I resolve that I will ride Space Mountain in 2011.
Bay Lake Tower
I have a secret. I’ve never stayed at a monorail resort. I know. You’ve all heard me go on and on about location being such a great attraction to the Boardwalk area. Well, Epcot is our favorite park, and the park we spend the most time in so, quite naturally, that would be our favorite area.
Still, I’ve always wondered how nice it would be to have a view of Cinderella’s Castle, or even Bay Lake, from my resort room. Or… how great it would be to enjoy a quick Monorail ride, or even a short walk, into the Magic Kingdom? I love the walk back to the Boardwalk after Illuminations so it would have to be just as great to bypass the buses and walk back to my resort after Wishes.
As a Disney Vacation Club member, there was only a slim chance I’d ever pony up the bucks to stay at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary. On the few occasions we would supplement our DVC stay with a night on cash, we’d typically opt for a Value or Moderate resort.
Then… Disney built Bay Lake Tower, a brand spanking new addition to the Disney Vacation Club hotel inventory and attached to the Contemporary Resort. The only excuse I have now is a lack of availability—so I’m going to try… I resolve to stay at Bay Lake Towers in 2011.
Return to Video
I take tons of photographs at Walt Disney World. I can’t tell you how many photos I have of the Partners statue, Cinderella’s Castle, Spaceship Earth, Main Street, etc. You probably know exactly what I mean. I’m a bit worse than the average shutterbug because I also take photos of many more obscure things, in the event I may need a picture for some future column. Admit it, when I wrote about Dole Whips a few weeks ago, was anyone surprised I had a photo of the Aloha Isle sign?
I tell you that in order to tell you this: I’m returning to video. From 1990 through 2005, I recorded every Disney vacation, start to finish, on video. That started with a recorder that rested on my shoulder and ended with a hand-held camcorder that had a color viewfinder—but still recorded to 8mm tape.
The photographs are nice, but to be honest, we rarely go back to view them. They make great screen savers and there are bunches that I’ve printed and framed and are now hanging around the house. Sure, we’ll occasionally drag out a book of photos but we’ve never tired of watching the old videos—particularly as we prepare for an upcoming trip. I’ve since converted them all to DVD and it’s always fun to watch and re-remember the details of each trip; to see how we’ve changed, and how the kids have grown, and now to see how our family has increased as well.
My kids have started me on this path with a new High Definition camcorder as a Christmas gift. I’m jumping into this with the fervor I have for every new electronic toy I’ve ever received. Therefore, in 2011, I resolve to return to the world of video.
Savor the Little Things
If you’ve read my book, or more than a few of these columns, you know I’m a proponent of taking a Disney World vacation slowly. Leave the Commando behind, and figuratively at least, stop to smell the roses. There’s so much to experience at Disney’s parks and resorts that we sometimes forget it’s not all about the rides and attractions. I admit to having lost sight of this over the past few trips—at least in part.
We all need to take a bench in the Magic Kingdom. Sip a coffee or devour a Mickey Premium Bar as you watch the world pass by. Grab a coffee and spend a few minutes in the rose garden. Walk through Cinderella’s Castle but stop and really appreciate the five mosaic murals on display.
In the Animal Kingdom, take 30-60 minutes and see everything that the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail or the Maharajah Jungle Trek has to offer. Spend a few minutes watching the gorillas interact or the tigers do whatever they do when they’re not sleeping (I know, they almost always are sleeping). Better yet, find one of those out of the way trails that seemingly goes nowhere… and take it. You’re often pleasantly surprised at what you’ll find.
In Epcot, take the time to explore Innoventions; or spend a few minutes in the gardens toward the rear of the Canada pavilion; or in some of the back rooms in the China pavilion; or the quiet French “street” by the Boulangerie Patisserie… or just do a little trailblazing on your own. You won’t be disappointed.
In 2011, I resolve to spend a bit less time rushing to another viewing of Soarin’ or a ride on Test Track… and a little more time to savor the little things at Walt Disney World. A few more minutes in a wicker rocker on the Boardwalk’s back porch may be just what I need.
So there you have it… my modest little list of things I’ll try to incorporate to make my Disney World trips this year a bit different and, hopefully, a bit more enjoyable.
Oh… and I promise to lose that weight I put on a few years ago. Those are my resolutions. What are yours?
A note to all…
Thanks so much for reading this drivel I post every two weeks, and for all your kind words and feedback in 2010. I wish each of you a safe and prosperous 2011. Happy New Year everyone!
Steve
