A tradition can be defined as a customary or characteristic method or manner of doing something. Often we think of traditions as being handed down from generation to generation. But what do traditions have to do with Walt Disney World? As it turns out… plenty.
One of my extremely astute readers (that is, after all, the only type of reader I have), Frank Bischoff, responded to last year’s “Best of 2009” series of articles and offered that there’s a difference between the “best of” and “favorite.” I think he’s on to something there. I might think that Mission: Space is the best ride in Epcot, but Soarin’ is still my favorite.
Frank wrote of family members that make a favorite place, action or event a required part of each Disney trip. He further explained that once that favorite act becomes a required part of each trip, a tradition is born. He then asked if I had written any articles on family traditions and the answer, obviously, is “no”… until now.
Frank’s comments got me to thinking about my own trips and what might qualify as “tradition”. We always try to fly out on the first available non-stop flight of the day, which typically falls in the 7:00 a.m. area. We’re Disney Vacation Members and our home resort is the Boardwalk Villas. What all that means is we’re usually up very early—3:30 or 4:00 a.m.— and typically arrive at the Boardwalk around lunchtime. At this point, we’ve been traveling for six or seven hours and have been without food for longer.
We check in to the resort and then head out to the Boardwalk to take in some Florida sunshine and look for some sustenance. This usually (there’s that word again) involves the ESPN Club because 1) it’s convenient and 2) we like it. Once we had followed this pattern for two consecutive trips, it became a tradition. I can recall suggesting lunch at Big River Grill and Brewing Company and being overruled because “We have to eat at ESPN. It’s tradition.”
I’ll certainly tell you about the traditions within my own family but I wanted to broaden the scope a bit. I sent out an email to family, friends and internet acquaintances asking for their time-honored Walt Disney World traditions. I fully expected to receive a few items like drinking your way around World Showcase or wrestling the alligator that lives under the bridge at the Beach Club Villas. Thinking about those two, I’d probably have to do the first before attempting the second. Anyway… thanks to all of you that responded. I edited out the more bizarre and kinky items I felt weren’t appropriate for a Disney Web site (oh, you know who you are) and we’re left with what follows.
Pre-Trip
For my brood, traditions kick in quickly. Once a trip is planned, the first tradition occurs 90 or 180 days before the trip, depending on the current location of the indicator on Disney’s Carousel of Policy, Of course, I’m referring to the lead-time before one can book Disney World Advance Dining Reservations. It’s currently at 180 days but has been, and probably will again be, at 90.
We’ll gather at our home six months before the trip to plan our meals (and reading that sentence brings home just how absurd it is to plan meals six months in advance but… I digress). If the trip is just the wife and me, what we term one of our “solo” trips, it’s just some discussion over dinner—maybe with the laptop handy to review online menus.
If it’s a whole-family trip we all gather at our home for a meal and everyone brings their top two or three restaurant suggestions. The list is discussed and decisions are made. I don’t think we’ve ever taken a vote but usually arrive at a consensus.
One week before the trip, we traditionally (that fits better than “usually”, doesn’t it?) gather at our home for a pizza party. The anticipation of the trip has been building up and this is a way for us all to get together and let out that collective sigh indicating “it’s almost here”. We use the time to discuss and decide on how we’re getting to the airport, who’s picking up whom, etc. To be honest, we can do that in a few minutes over the phone but this party is, after all, a tradition.
My daughter, Stephanie, reminded me of our tradition of “watching videos from previous trips to get excited for the upcoming one.” I’ll bet we’re not alone there.
Transportation
In his email, Frank offered a few things that are transportation-related that he, and his family, try to do each trip:
- Take a ride on the steam train completely around the Magic Kingdom;
- Ride the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority (I’m betting this is a common tradition);
- Ride the boat between Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian or Polynesian – or between the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge.
I would add a monorail ride to that list.
Still a welcome sight – even through the windshield. Photo by Steve Russo.
Shopping
I hesitate to list anything involving shopping as tradition but there are a few that qualify. Frank again leads us off with his shopping traditions that begin with “visit a specific shop, such as the souvenir shop in a specific resort other than where we’re staying.” We don’t typically succumb to this one but I do admit to an every-trip visit to Team Mickey and World of Disney in search of the perfect golf shirt.
Frank also stated that he tries to “purchase a certain type of souvenir” each trip. This is probably on a lot of lists as traditional. I have my golf shirts and we also have a fairly robust snow globe collection. I know many people are avid pin traders and purchasers and have heard the stories of trying to get a pin for each resort stayed at or each attraction visited.
A shopping tradition? Really? Photo by Steve Russo.
My daughter, Michelle, tries to “buy a Christmas ornament and get a pressed penny each trip.”
My buddy, Wayne Goergen offered that he always spends “one night at Downtown Disney for annual Christmas ornaments and a Disney golf shirt.” Kim Howe echoed that with “a new, dated Disney disk Christmas ornament is also a must.”
Wayne’s son, Jeff indicated they “always purchase a license plate with the year on it” “…Gummie Mickeys from the candy store on the Boardwalk” and “every night before turning in we purchase a Mickey Bar.” The Premium Mickey ice cream bar leads us to…
Dining
Frank was not very specific here but indicated that each trip brought the purchase a certain food or drink item. I know from reading countless trip reports that this purchase exists for many of us. Dole Whips, a hot dog from Casey’s, fudge from the Main Street Confectionery, and Magic Kingdom popcorn are but a few of the must-have items.
Wayne wrote that “We (as a family) always start our Disney vacation with lunch at ESPN Club when we stay at our DVC home, the Boardwalk.” You can tell why we’re friends.
I guess lunch at ESPN isn’t all that exciting for everyone. Photo by Steve Russo.
He also stated that they always have “one meal at Le Cellier for the soup.” I’m pretty sure he’s speaking of the famous Cheddar Cheese Soup.
Kim said that her tradition was “at least one sandwich at Earl of Sandwich…yum!” I can’t argue with that.
Parks
I know many folks get a photo of their children by a specific object, such as the Cigar Store Indian on Main Street. If you can choose something that will be there forever (you know what I mean) it would be a great way to track your children’s growth over the years. I wish I had started this tradition when my kids were, well… kids. There’s not much use in tracking their growth now when the youngest is 6’ 4”.
My fellow Upstate New York Disney fanatic, Jim Pertierra, responded with a few of his own traditions: “Since 1994, we always take a picture of Matt, Dan, Mark and me in front of the tree outside the Main Street Bakery.” One he didn’t offer, but I know from his trip reports that it’s one of his traditions, is a photo of him and one of his sons (Mark?) on Splash Mountain. Their gimmick is they attempt a specific pose each trip, like pretending to be sleeping just before the big drop.
Wayne always spends his first full day in the Magic Kingdom and won’t leave without at least one visit to the Tiki Room. He also says his last night always includes a viewing of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at EPCOT. I share that one but we try to take it a step further by catching Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, then catching a bus back to the Boardwalk in time to race into Epcot for Illuminations. As long as you’re not in peak season, it’s easier than you think.
Kim wrote, “A picture of the castle…but doesn’t EVERYBODY do that?!” Probably. It’s been called the most photographed structure in the world and I certainly do my part. I must have dozens of castle photos in sunlight, darkness and every shade of lighting they use… and I’ll still take a few more on my next trip.
Just one of the 1,673 Castle photos I have. Photo by Steve Russo.
Kim also tries to “ride Big Thunder Mountain first thing in the morning or during the evening parade/fireworks and see how many times we can do it without having to exit or just tire from dizziness and laughter.”
Other Activities
What else? Frank makes it a point to “sit on a specific bench in a certain park and relax; or, reserve a specific location/curb/bench waiting for a parade.”
Kim has sort of a non-traditional tradition to “Do something new— an attraction, resort or restaurant that we haven’t done before. There never seems to be an end to the new adventures at WDW.” Well said.
Frank and Linda are Florida residents and reasonably local to Disney World so their take is a bit different. Linda wrote:
“Because we live only 100 miles away from Walt Disney World, my husband and I are fortunate to be able to visit several times a year. Even though there are several things we do practically every time we visit, there is something we always seem to accomplish every single time. That is to visit the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. At the very back of the store is a small bar where we each get a cup of Kairakuen plum wine. It’s actually plum-flavored sake. If requested, each cup is accompanied by a small plum that has been soaked in the wine, and they pack a little punch. This sweet wine never fails to lift our spirits as we continue our way around the World Showcase.”
I wasn’t aware of this one but it will be added to my list of things to try on the next trip.
So there you have it. A few of my own traditions and a bunch from some friends and family. Hopefully, it’s given you a few ideas for some new things to try at Disney World. In any case, I’d love to hear some of your must-do things for your Disney trips. Send in those traditions.
