Alex and I went to Disney World mid-June, as a graduation present. While I had been to Disneyland every year as a kid, I had never been to Disney World in my life, let alone Florida!
The logistics alone were amazing, and worth the prices. I checked my bags in at Dulles, and we never saw them until they showed up in our room. Same going back; someone just came and picked them up, and again, didn’t see them until they showed up in the baggage carousel in Dulles. We gave them our flight info, they arranged shuttles to and from the park. We didn’t even have to get boarding passes, they showed up on our doorstep one morning, along with a note of where to meet the bus. Little things that, done in scale, cost little money to the park, but make a huge impact on guests. Props to you, Walt.
Lego store. Heaven. I’ve been dating Alex for 2 1/2 years, and only then found out that she had never once played with Lego. Nearly killed our relationship right there.
I think the most remarkable thing about Disney is not the branding, the characters, or even the rides. It’s the message that they focus on, that you can accomplish anything you dream about. It’s in every show, every ride, every song, every parade. You feel good when you are there, and never want to leave. I found myself looking online for a Disney Parks soundtrack, just to have in my office.
We were among the first 100 people to ride the Pirates of the Carribean ride the first day it re-opened (it was remodeled to look more like the movie, which was based on the original ride…). They definitely dumbed it down and simplified it, it used to be really fun, with lots going on, or at least the Disneyland one was.
Here is what Space Mountain looks like, with the lights on! It broke down for a little bit. Once the lights are on, it looks pretty dumb, like a roller coaster you might find in a parking lot carnival. But with the lights back off, it was still pretty thrilling!
The parades and shows were AWESOME. I know I shouldn’t like them as someone who was 10 years old fourteen years ago, but whatever. Admit it, you loved them too.
<3
