Two days, three parks, four exhausted family members. The trouble with fun of this magnitude is that when you come home, there’s grocery shopping and housework waiting.
But if the choice is between that and doing the grocery shopping and housework without going to Walt Disney World for a 35-hour whirlwind excursion, we’ll take the whirlwind plus the chores every time. In fact, we’ll take it all year long.
It’s the Year of Disney, and it couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.
Here are the highlights of our two days at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, complete with photos and some links to short video snippets I posted on the new iPhone app, Vine (the default sound setting is mute on the videos, so click the speaker at the bottom left to hear it; a lot of work, I know, but until I upgrade to WordPress pro I still can’t embed video directly to the blog posts):
- We got to the Magic Kingdom early enough on Saturday to see the welcome ceremony. It’s a pretty nice touch and makes the park opening seem like a real event.
- We met Phineas and Ferb. We have photographic evidence.
Hey, Jay! I know what we’re gonna do today! We’re going to meet Phineas and Ferb at Disney Hollywood Studios and get our picture taken with them. - Jay was fingered as the Rebel Spy on his first go-round with Star Tours. We eluded Darth Vader, but only after crash-landing on Corsucant. Stupid droid pilots.
- I made a lunch reservation on my iPhone for the Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom … while standing in the foyer of the Liberty Tree Tavern. Meta Disney.
- During said lunch, our server told us he had worked at the Liberty Tree Tavern for nearly 20 years and had earned an incredible 12 weeks of annual vacation time. They aren’t hiring. We asked.
- During the leisurely ride on the Living With the Land boat ride at Epcot, Chris, 4, drew a contrast between that fascinating experience and It’s a Small World: “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. You know they should call this ‘It’s a Big World After All’ because Small World is small and this world is big.”
- We saw new Fantasyland, which was pretty cool. The interior of the Be Our Guest dining area has a ballroom, suits of armor and gargoyles (pictured).
Interior, Be Our Guest dining area. - When we checked in for our 6:15 p.m. reservation Saturday at the San Angel Inn inside Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, they handed us a buzzer and told us they’d let us know if a table became available. If. Like Seinfeld trying to rent a car, I explained to the San Angel staff that the 6:15 reservation meant that the table was already supposed to be available. Unmoved, they merely smiled and asked if we still wanted a table.
- We did eat Mexican food, but it was from the cantina across the way and (here’s a tip!) we ignored the crowded waterside dining area and ate instead at a table on the outdoor terrace next to the pyramid entrance. It turned out to be a lovely Epcot meal, even though I was still steaming a bit over the reservation fiasco.
- I had an epiphany about the futility of maintaining any semblance of male authority in the household during this enlightening scene from the stage production of Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- The Chinese acrobats at Epcot showed amazing table manners and balance.
- We’re going back Sunday. Animal Kingdom awaits. Roll on, Year of Disney. Roll on.
Carter Gaddis, Writer & Editor 
22 responses to “The Year of Disney Begins”
I thought annual WD trips were a required part of Florida residency? We went about 4 years ago. Kids continue to talk about it to this day.
We usually do Busch Gardens because it’s closer and cheaper. Our little guys are loving it so far. I’m waiting for the day when they roll their eyes and say, “Disney World AGAIN?!?”
Happy for you – this looks immensely fun. You seem through your post about as into it as your kids do! Kinda jealous, I have to admit.
So far, so good. And yeah, I am extremely into it. If I ever stop being into it, I’ll know I’m old.
We plan on going to Disney at some point over the next year. However, our stay will be longer – no whirlwind for my crew.
Btw, my boys would be thrilled if the first thing they did was see Phineas and Ferb.
We’ll be back again and again between now and next February. After that, if we can afford it, we’ll see happens. This is a year to build memories, though. I really do wonder if our kids will get burned out on it.
Do you have some sort of special pass for a year?
We bought seasonal passes, which are a bit less expensive than annual passes but have blackout dates for the height of summertime and during major holidays. We wouldn’t go during the hot, rainy summer. And the parks are crowded to the point of ridiculousness around Christmas and Easter (spring break). Works out well.
We actaully are considering going next year at the end of August. We might push it to the winter but it is hard to get time off from work when the kids are off from their school.
Lots of people have to go when they can, certainly. We’re fortunate to have it so close to us, which is why we can forego the busy summer months. And man, it is SO hot there in August. Like, Earth’s core hot.
Damn – do you have to be so graphic? Brutal. Uggh spend all that $ to sweat like a freak.
Oh, sorry. I meant to say August in Central Florida is like a stroll through a dewy meadow after a gentle spring rain …
Ahh. Now that sounds lovely. I can be happier now turning over oodles of money to the Disney Beast.
Hi Carter,
I’ve never visited any of the Disney parks, but your Vine video updates on Twitter gave me a feel for them. It’s a great app and the timing of its release couldn’t have been better for your trip.
Thanks, Ray. I was just getting a feel for the app. Such a great trip!
Re: burnout — We have been to the Disneyland Resort more times in the past two years than most people will go in a lifetime, yet we always manage to find something new. WDW is even more so and I’m sure your boys will be fine (you too!). I can’t wait to see your AK recap — that’s a beautiful park!
Thank you, Whit. Our boys come home fired up and happy and already looking forward to the next one. What the seasonal passes allow us to do is skip things that are too crowded and save it for next time. And you’re right about the depth of experiences. Just hitting all the different resorts for breakfast during the year will help keep it fresh.
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