crazyj4488
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2005
- Messages
- 632
WDW Trip Report April 24-30, 2005
FINAL DAY - Day 7 Saturday, April 30, 2005
A link to all the pictures I took during the course of my trip is shown at the end of this report.
Link Backs to Previous Reports:
Day 1 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=811849
Day 2 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=812682
Day 3 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=814464
Day 4 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=815780
Day 5 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8624602#post8624602
Day 6 http://disboards.com/showthread.php...665#post8640665
Part 1 All Good Things End at The Magic Kingdom
Part2 Reflection
Cast:
Me Jeff - 29 yr old male 9th time to WDW
My GF Sally 27 yr old Female 1st time to WDW
So, this was it; our last day at Walt Disney World. Checkout time at Port Orleans was at 11:00 AM so we figured we would sleep in until around 10 AM (we needed it), pack our bags, throw them in the car, head over to the MK for one last visit, and then drive out to Orlando International for our 5:45 PM flight back to Houston.
The extra sleep felt quite nice but we were up and packed in a hurry. Even though it was sort of sad to go, we both knew, deep down, that it would be good to get back to the comforts of home.
We headed over to the Contemporary Resort where I lied to the security guard about having breakfast reservations. I entered the complex and paid for a valet. This would ensure us a quick exit out of the park since we would not have to travel across the lake to the TTC (main parking area). We didnt even bother going into the hotel to grab the monorail as we knew the wait would be unreasonable while having to stop at every resort along the way until, finally, getting to the park. Therefore, we simply walked next door where we passed quickly through the turnstiles and headed down Main Street.
We started in Fantasyland in order to ride through the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh one more time but the ride was not operating. I grabbed some Fastpasses for a return time well after 1:00 PM. It was 11:00 AM and since the heat was not pleasant, walking next door and getting right onto Snow Whites Scary Adventure was just fine with us. I had not got on this dark ride for ages. Sally and I were pleasantly surprised with the attraction as the artwork throughout the entire thing was excellent. We escaped the evil witch chasing us throughout the forest and headed, immediately, over to Philharmagic. This was one of our favorite attractions at the world and we just had to see it once more. The air conditioned theater was a welcome escape from the brutal heat as well. I wasnt too happy with the sun or humidity on this day and would do just about anything to spend minimal time standing around in it.
Sally had not experienced the newly refurbished Small World ride and I had promised her I would take her on it. She was slightly upset that I had taken a ride on it, by myself, on the first night I spent at The Magic Kingdom. 5 minutes after exiting ahead of the crowds from the Philharmagic theater, we were seated in our boat as the rest of the people slowly followed right behind us to form a nice 15 minute long line. My efforts of staying one step ahead of the crowds were still in play even on our last half day at the world.
Sally enjoyed Its a Small World with the exception of having to look up at the black tiled ceiling. She thought it looked tacky and called, bad show on its behalf. I told her that the ride had been like that since it opened in the 70s and to just not look up too much. I laughed at her over becoming somewhat of a Disney snob. She would certainly never look at these parks the same after having me along as her tour guide.
Our next stop was an important one for me. On my last 3 trips to Orlando, I had missed the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland due to it being under refurbishment. I remembered this attraction being one of my favorites as a child and I desperately wanted to experience it once more since its future at the park was uncertain. This was the last standing attraction that had Walts personal touch engrained upon it and has been seen by more people than any other stage show on Earth.
It was a long walk back over to Tomorrowland and, again, the air conditioned theater of The Carousel of Progress was just right for this steamy afternoon. As we took our seats, one of the cast members working the attraction was a rather large / rotund fellow who stood at the front of the theater bouncing up and down to the theme song. He looked sort of ridiculous doing his little dance up there. Sally and I couldnt help but laughing at him but got busted doing so by a girl sitting next to me. She told me not to make fun of him and that he probably just really enjoyed his job. I felt bad at first and thought she was completely serious until I saw her smirking and giggling along with us. My only response was that he had done a damn fine job as a cast member because we were all laughing and having a good time. Seriously though, he looked goofier than Mickeys sidekick up there doing the, gimme some cakes and pies hand dance in front of everyone while singing along to that campy song. The whacky looking Disney costume he was wearing only made things worse. What a sight that was!
I enjoyed the entire show of audio animatronics while traveling on our carousel around each stage. I only wished I had not sat up front because the characters didnt look as authentic to me from that close distance. I vowed to sit in the back on my next visit as we exited the theater with that great big beautiful tomorrow song stuck in my head. Sally has a thing about songs getting into her head and I was sure she had been annoyed by it just slightly. I found it strange that she hadnt complained about Its a Small World. People, to this day, avoid that ride in fear of never getting that tune off the brain. I, myself, didnt mind the carousel theme. I like its inspirational tone no matter how cheesy.
The park was looking quite packed and intimidating at this point. Anyone that knows what they are doing at WDW, would be headed straight for the exit during the peak time crowd levels and heat but we had no choice in the matter. I vowed to stick to the least popular attractions and ones for which we held Fastpasses so we headed up the automated ramp in the middle of Tomorrowland for a ride on, what I still call, The WEDway People Mover.
The people mover never has a line and pleasantly whisks you around on its track high above Tomorrowland. You can do a lot of people watching and gain a different perspective of the park and a few of its attractions along the way. The best part was getting to ride through Space Mountain while its field of stars floats overhead. We were so relaxed that we vowed to ride it again before leaving the park.
By this time, we were in need of a little refreshment break so we headed over to the new Tomorrowland Noodle Station. I picked up some peach iced tea, a bottle of water, and some pot stickers. We sat on the terrace overlooking the castle and enjoyed a nice moment out of the sun. It was quite enjoya,ble spending our last small dining experience of our trip together while gazing upon Cinderellas Castle.
I briefly left Sally at the restaurant while I went to grab some Fastpasses for Stitchs Great Escape. There was such negative press surrounding this attraction that I just had to find out what all the fuss was about.
I retrieved Sally and we headed back over to Fantasyland for our Winnie the Pooh Fastpass return time. Our second time on this ride was better than the first because we werent busy trying to take pictures of the characters this time around. Our first set wasnt even that good given the fact that we werent using the flash in order to not disturb the other guests. Were a little nuts but not rude.
After making our way through the Hundred Acre Wood, we high-tailed it back to Tomorrowland since Stitchs Great Escape return time was only about an hour away. We took the time to ride around on the WEDway People Mover two more times in a row. Once again, we had a wonderful time. Little did we know, we were about to have the worst experience of our trip.
We returned to Stitchs Fastpass return area but things didnt look right at all. The Fastpass return line was longer than the standby line. I couldnt figure it out but we entered the queue anyways. It was hot, noisy, and rude people kept bumping into Sally. She was about to lose it and we stood there for over 45 minutes. After almost an hour of waiting, we finally entered the show. This attraction was a ridiculous waste of time. Other than having a couple of really nice looking animatronic figures, this show was a disaster from start to finish. First, we were restrained in our theater seats by an uncomfortable shoulder harness then, several times, plunged into complete darkness. None of this bothered me a bit but all of the kids in the theater were losing their minds. The storyline for this attraction was inane, at best, and such a loved character by children shouldnt have been cast in such a frightening light (or lack, thereof). Sally couldnt stomach the smell of warm chili dog being blown in her face and we both were quite upset with the entire experience. I found out later that one of the theaters was down for refurbishment while we there. It was easy to see that the Fastpass machines had not been adjusted for the lowered capacity and issued far too many tickets for the one room they had running that day. Therefore, holding a Fastpass, at that time, was useless. I just couldnt believe the only time we ever got stuck in a line (a 60 minute one at that) on this trip was for such a bomb of an attraction. I much preferred the Alien Encounter attraction they had in that same spot not too long ago. It was beyond me as to what the execs or imagineers at Disney were thinking when dumping millions of dollars into this poor excuse for an entertaining experience.
Before our trip, I had repeatedly told the ice cream addict I had with me about the Dole Whip frozen treats they had in Adventureland. It was, bar none, one of my favorite snacks to indulge in while at Disney and I couldnt let Sally leave the park without having some. Therefore, this was one of the last stops on our vacation.
Enjoying an ice cream moment together at Aloha Isle in The Magic Kingdom was great. It was quite hot out and sitting in the shade enjoying some frozen goodness was alright with us until the genie from Aladdin appeared from a doorway behind us. This Disney character has to be one of the creepiest looking things Ive seen in a long time. I just dont know what it is about him but the vibe isnt to my liking. Sally and I both looked at each other strangely when this blue whack job came sauntering towards us. It wasnt long at all before we escaped from the area with our ice cream intact.
I had originally wanted to ride The Pirates of the Caribbean on the way out of the park since I had done this on so many previous trips. However, I just didnt think we had the time and didnt want to risk any hassles at the airport. We ended up taking a quick walk through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse on our way back to Main Street where we would make our final exit.
The afternoon parade was getting close to us at this point, so I had to hurry us over to the correct side of Main Street. If I had not done this, our exit would have been blocked by the parade route or the crowd viewing it. Conveniently enough, we walked through the gift shops on the way out and I was able to pick up two things which completed my souvenir must haves. The first thing on my list was a CD of the Wishes soundtrack. My time spent with Sally watching this show was the most memorable of our entire trip and I wanted something to resemble that special moment. The second thing on my list was a good looking dish cloth with Mickey ears sewn into it. It matched the color scheme in my kitchen perfectly and I am, obviously, a huge dork.
After donating, once again, to the Mickey Mouse Souvenir Fund, we made our way out of The Magic Kingdom. Sally and I waved at the Main Street train station and yelled, goodbye as we headed towards the monorail station. Again, this was a moment of unimaginable dorkiness but, nevertheless, an endearing moment.
For some reason, the monorail was not operating in an efficient manner and we were stuck, once again, in a crowd of New Yorkers waiting for our short ride over to the Contemporary resort. It was weird how the only two unpleasant crowd experiences we had during our vacation occurred during the last moments we had to spend in the park.
Picking the car up from the valet at Contemporary, driving to the airport, and returning the car was effortless. Airport security wasnt as fun because of the long line but I was getting used to this song and dance since 9/11. All the fun we planned on having while traveling only led to one thing upon our arrival at the gate for our departure; a drink. We relaxed at the bar before having to board the plane. All in all, it was a pleasant flight with an exception towards the end when some unruly kids sitting behind Sally made a lot of noise and repeatedly bumped her seat. Sally, with style and class unbecoming of such a move, whipped her seat back harshly and dumped their playing cards all over the floor since the little screwballs wouldnt stop their behavior after they were asked politely. This was when she finally admitted to me that she was glad to be heading home. We had an amazing journey together but it would be refreshing to experience the security and familiarity of our normal lives.
Part 2 - Reflection
In spite of what was one of the most crowded times I have been to Disney World, our week long vacation couldnt have gone any smoother thanks to impeccable planning, research, and prior experience with the entire resort. I was proclaimed king Disney tour plan master by Sally since we walked into and onto just about every attraction. She was more than appreciative over my efforts to keep us ahead of the crowds in order to avoid those unpleasant experiences that come with the crowds. Most importantly, two busy young people had the chance to re-connect on a level previously unattainable due to the rigors of everyday life. We found the common stressors and worries of the world floating away as we traveled through the front gates of Walt Disney World. This is where the magic lives at this special place. In my opinion, there is truly no other all-in-one vacationing spot on Earth which is as unique and well-planned as Disney World. Its an adventure of the senses; a place where everyone, young and old, can enjoy themselves together. This place knows no boundaries when it comes to enlivening the human spirit. The creativity, vision, and imagination of Walt Disney himself lives within this national treasure and it is a wonder to behold.
I think what makes Walt Disney World so special for me are the childhood memories of it which I carry within me. I still remember my first trip to The Magic Kingdom as a small boy. During the early 80s, my grandparents were renting a summer home in Bradenton, FL. Therefore, my Mother put me and my sister, Heather, on a plane in order to visit them. Not long after we had arrived, my grandparents loaded us into the car and made the drive down to Orlando. I dont remember the trip as vividly as I would like since it was so long ago, but I do know that the entire experience spent with some of the most important people in my life touched and changed me forever.
A few years after that, my Father took me and Heather to Orlando and we were fortunate enough, on this trip, to experience EPCOT back in its heyday. After all these special trips with members of my family, I knew that Disney World would always have a place for me. I think this is exactly what Walt wanted for all of us. He envisioned a place where family members and friends could have fun together; a place that would enrich and change all of our lives for the better. Ever since Walts dream was realized, thats exactly the kind of place we have to enjoy for generations to come. I, for one, will continue to take trips down to Florida looking to re-live those same feelings and emotions I had when I was a small boy being led around the parks by my loved ones.
Jeff Falvo May 22, 2005
I will be returning to Disney World tomorrow for my first SOLO trip ever May 23, 2005. One week at POP!!
The Grand Finale:
April 24-30, 2005 Trip Pictures can be viewed by following the link shown below. I havent had time to rename them or display them properly. Therefore, you will only find an directory listing (a bit inconvenient to navigate thru) with access to the original images taken at 1600x1200 resolution.
Http://disney.txtechvantage.com
Enjoy!
FINAL DAY - Day 7 Saturday, April 30, 2005
A link to all the pictures I took during the course of my trip is shown at the end of this report.
Link Backs to Previous Reports:
Day 1 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=811849
Day 2 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=812682
Day 3 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=814464
Day 4 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=815780
Day 5 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8624602#post8624602
Day 6 http://disboards.com/showthread.php...665#post8640665
Part 1 All Good Things End at The Magic Kingdom
Part2 Reflection
Cast:
Me Jeff - 29 yr old male 9th time to WDW
My GF Sally 27 yr old Female 1st time to WDW
So, this was it; our last day at Walt Disney World. Checkout time at Port Orleans was at 11:00 AM so we figured we would sleep in until around 10 AM (we needed it), pack our bags, throw them in the car, head over to the MK for one last visit, and then drive out to Orlando International for our 5:45 PM flight back to Houston.
The extra sleep felt quite nice but we were up and packed in a hurry. Even though it was sort of sad to go, we both knew, deep down, that it would be good to get back to the comforts of home.
We headed over to the Contemporary Resort where I lied to the security guard about having breakfast reservations. I entered the complex and paid for a valet. This would ensure us a quick exit out of the park since we would not have to travel across the lake to the TTC (main parking area). We didnt even bother going into the hotel to grab the monorail as we knew the wait would be unreasonable while having to stop at every resort along the way until, finally, getting to the park. Therefore, we simply walked next door where we passed quickly through the turnstiles and headed down Main Street.
We started in Fantasyland in order to ride through the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh one more time but the ride was not operating. I grabbed some Fastpasses for a return time well after 1:00 PM. It was 11:00 AM and since the heat was not pleasant, walking next door and getting right onto Snow Whites Scary Adventure was just fine with us. I had not got on this dark ride for ages. Sally and I were pleasantly surprised with the attraction as the artwork throughout the entire thing was excellent. We escaped the evil witch chasing us throughout the forest and headed, immediately, over to Philharmagic. This was one of our favorite attractions at the world and we just had to see it once more. The air conditioned theater was a welcome escape from the brutal heat as well. I wasnt too happy with the sun or humidity on this day and would do just about anything to spend minimal time standing around in it.
Sally had not experienced the newly refurbished Small World ride and I had promised her I would take her on it. She was slightly upset that I had taken a ride on it, by myself, on the first night I spent at The Magic Kingdom. 5 minutes after exiting ahead of the crowds from the Philharmagic theater, we were seated in our boat as the rest of the people slowly followed right behind us to form a nice 15 minute long line. My efforts of staying one step ahead of the crowds were still in play even on our last half day at the world.
Sally enjoyed Its a Small World with the exception of having to look up at the black tiled ceiling. She thought it looked tacky and called, bad show on its behalf. I told her that the ride had been like that since it opened in the 70s and to just not look up too much. I laughed at her over becoming somewhat of a Disney snob. She would certainly never look at these parks the same after having me along as her tour guide.
Our next stop was an important one for me. On my last 3 trips to Orlando, I had missed the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland due to it being under refurbishment. I remembered this attraction being one of my favorites as a child and I desperately wanted to experience it once more since its future at the park was uncertain. This was the last standing attraction that had Walts personal touch engrained upon it and has been seen by more people than any other stage show on Earth.
It was a long walk back over to Tomorrowland and, again, the air conditioned theater of The Carousel of Progress was just right for this steamy afternoon. As we took our seats, one of the cast members working the attraction was a rather large / rotund fellow who stood at the front of the theater bouncing up and down to the theme song. He looked sort of ridiculous doing his little dance up there. Sally and I couldnt help but laughing at him but got busted doing so by a girl sitting next to me. She told me not to make fun of him and that he probably just really enjoyed his job. I felt bad at first and thought she was completely serious until I saw her smirking and giggling along with us. My only response was that he had done a damn fine job as a cast member because we were all laughing and having a good time. Seriously though, he looked goofier than Mickeys sidekick up there doing the, gimme some cakes and pies hand dance in front of everyone while singing along to that campy song. The whacky looking Disney costume he was wearing only made things worse. What a sight that was!
I enjoyed the entire show of audio animatronics while traveling on our carousel around each stage. I only wished I had not sat up front because the characters didnt look as authentic to me from that close distance. I vowed to sit in the back on my next visit as we exited the theater with that great big beautiful tomorrow song stuck in my head. Sally has a thing about songs getting into her head and I was sure she had been annoyed by it just slightly. I found it strange that she hadnt complained about Its a Small World. People, to this day, avoid that ride in fear of never getting that tune off the brain. I, myself, didnt mind the carousel theme. I like its inspirational tone no matter how cheesy.
The park was looking quite packed and intimidating at this point. Anyone that knows what they are doing at WDW, would be headed straight for the exit during the peak time crowd levels and heat but we had no choice in the matter. I vowed to stick to the least popular attractions and ones for which we held Fastpasses so we headed up the automated ramp in the middle of Tomorrowland for a ride on, what I still call, The WEDway People Mover.
The people mover never has a line and pleasantly whisks you around on its track high above Tomorrowland. You can do a lot of people watching and gain a different perspective of the park and a few of its attractions along the way. The best part was getting to ride through Space Mountain while its field of stars floats overhead. We were so relaxed that we vowed to ride it again before leaving the park.
By this time, we were in need of a little refreshment break so we headed over to the new Tomorrowland Noodle Station. I picked up some peach iced tea, a bottle of water, and some pot stickers. We sat on the terrace overlooking the castle and enjoyed a nice moment out of the sun. It was quite enjoya,ble spending our last small dining experience of our trip together while gazing upon Cinderellas Castle.
I briefly left Sally at the restaurant while I went to grab some Fastpasses for Stitchs Great Escape. There was such negative press surrounding this attraction that I just had to find out what all the fuss was about.
I retrieved Sally and we headed back over to Fantasyland for our Winnie the Pooh Fastpass return time. Our second time on this ride was better than the first because we werent busy trying to take pictures of the characters this time around. Our first set wasnt even that good given the fact that we werent using the flash in order to not disturb the other guests. Were a little nuts but not rude.
After making our way through the Hundred Acre Wood, we high-tailed it back to Tomorrowland since Stitchs Great Escape return time was only about an hour away. We took the time to ride around on the WEDway People Mover two more times in a row. Once again, we had a wonderful time. Little did we know, we were about to have the worst experience of our trip.
We returned to Stitchs Fastpass return area but things didnt look right at all. The Fastpass return line was longer than the standby line. I couldnt figure it out but we entered the queue anyways. It was hot, noisy, and rude people kept bumping into Sally. She was about to lose it and we stood there for over 45 minutes. After almost an hour of waiting, we finally entered the show. This attraction was a ridiculous waste of time. Other than having a couple of really nice looking animatronic figures, this show was a disaster from start to finish. First, we were restrained in our theater seats by an uncomfortable shoulder harness then, several times, plunged into complete darkness. None of this bothered me a bit but all of the kids in the theater were losing their minds. The storyline for this attraction was inane, at best, and such a loved character by children shouldnt have been cast in such a frightening light (or lack, thereof). Sally couldnt stomach the smell of warm chili dog being blown in her face and we both were quite upset with the entire experience. I found out later that one of the theaters was down for refurbishment while we there. It was easy to see that the Fastpass machines had not been adjusted for the lowered capacity and issued far too many tickets for the one room they had running that day. Therefore, holding a Fastpass, at that time, was useless. I just couldnt believe the only time we ever got stuck in a line (a 60 minute one at that) on this trip was for such a bomb of an attraction. I much preferred the Alien Encounter attraction they had in that same spot not too long ago. It was beyond me as to what the execs or imagineers at Disney were thinking when dumping millions of dollars into this poor excuse for an entertaining experience.
Before our trip, I had repeatedly told the ice cream addict I had with me about the Dole Whip frozen treats they had in Adventureland. It was, bar none, one of my favorite snacks to indulge in while at Disney and I couldnt let Sally leave the park without having some. Therefore, this was one of the last stops on our vacation.
Enjoying an ice cream moment together at Aloha Isle in The Magic Kingdom was great. It was quite hot out and sitting in the shade enjoying some frozen goodness was alright with us until the genie from Aladdin appeared from a doorway behind us. This Disney character has to be one of the creepiest looking things Ive seen in a long time. I just dont know what it is about him but the vibe isnt to my liking. Sally and I both looked at each other strangely when this blue whack job came sauntering towards us. It wasnt long at all before we escaped from the area with our ice cream intact.
I had originally wanted to ride The Pirates of the Caribbean on the way out of the park since I had done this on so many previous trips. However, I just didnt think we had the time and didnt want to risk any hassles at the airport. We ended up taking a quick walk through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse on our way back to Main Street where we would make our final exit.
The afternoon parade was getting close to us at this point, so I had to hurry us over to the correct side of Main Street. If I had not done this, our exit would have been blocked by the parade route or the crowd viewing it. Conveniently enough, we walked through the gift shops on the way out and I was able to pick up two things which completed my souvenir must haves. The first thing on my list was a CD of the Wishes soundtrack. My time spent with Sally watching this show was the most memorable of our entire trip and I wanted something to resemble that special moment. The second thing on my list was a good looking dish cloth with Mickey ears sewn into it. It matched the color scheme in my kitchen perfectly and I am, obviously, a huge dork.
After donating, once again, to the Mickey Mouse Souvenir Fund, we made our way out of The Magic Kingdom. Sally and I waved at the Main Street train station and yelled, goodbye as we headed towards the monorail station. Again, this was a moment of unimaginable dorkiness but, nevertheless, an endearing moment.
For some reason, the monorail was not operating in an efficient manner and we were stuck, once again, in a crowd of New Yorkers waiting for our short ride over to the Contemporary resort. It was weird how the only two unpleasant crowd experiences we had during our vacation occurred during the last moments we had to spend in the park.
Picking the car up from the valet at Contemporary, driving to the airport, and returning the car was effortless. Airport security wasnt as fun because of the long line but I was getting used to this song and dance since 9/11. All the fun we planned on having while traveling only led to one thing upon our arrival at the gate for our departure; a drink. We relaxed at the bar before having to board the plane. All in all, it was a pleasant flight with an exception towards the end when some unruly kids sitting behind Sally made a lot of noise and repeatedly bumped her seat. Sally, with style and class unbecoming of such a move, whipped her seat back harshly and dumped their playing cards all over the floor since the little screwballs wouldnt stop their behavior after they were asked politely. This was when she finally admitted to me that she was glad to be heading home. We had an amazing journey together but it would be refreshing to experience the security and familiarity of our normal lives.
Part 2 - Reflection
In spite of what was one of the most crowded times I have been to Disney World, our week long vacation couldnt have gone any smoother thanks to impeccable planning, research, and prior experience with the entire resort. I was proclaimed king Disney tour plan master by Sally since we walked into and onto just about every attraction. She was more than appreciative over my efforts to keep us ahead of the crowds in order to avoid those unpleasant experiences that come with the crowds. Most importantly, two busy young people had the chance to re-connect on a level previously unattainable due to the rigors of everyday life. We found the common stressors and worries of the world floating away as we traveled through the front gates of Walt Disney World. This is where the magic lives at this special place. In my opinion, there is truly no other all-in-one vacationing spot on Earth which is as unique and well-planned as Disney World. Its an adventure of the senses; a place where everyone, young and old, can enjoy themselves together. This place knows no boundaries when it comes to enlivening the human spirit. The creativity, vision, and imagination of Walt Disney himself lives within this national treasure and it is a wonder to behold.
I think what makes Walt Disney World so special for me are the childhood memories of it which I carry within me. I still remember my first trip to The Magic Kingdom as a small boy. During the early 80s, my grandparents were renting a summer home in Bradenton, FL. Therefore, my Mother put me and my sister, Heather, on a plane in order to visit them. Not long after we had arrived, my grandparents loaded us into the car and made the drive down to Orlando. I dont remember the trip as vividly as I would like since it was so long ago, but I do know that the entire experience spent with some of the most important people in my life touched and changed me forever.
A few years after that, my Father took me and Heather to Orlando and we were fortunate enough, on this trip, to experience EPCOT back in its heyday. After all these special trips with members of my family, I knew that Disney World would always have a place for me. I think this is exactly what Walt wanted for all of us. He envisioned a place where family members and friends could have fun together; a place that would enrich and change all of our lives for the better. Ever since Walts dream was realized, thats exactly the kind of place we have to enjoy for generations to come. I, for one, will continue to take trips down to Florida looking to re-live those same feelings and emotions I had when I was a small boy being led around the parks by my loved ones.
Jeff Falvo May 22, 2005
I will be returning to Disney World tomorrow for my first SOLO trip ever May 23, 2005. One week at POP!!
The Grand Finale:
April 24-30, 2005 Trip Pictures can be viewed by following the link shown below. I havent had time to rename them or display them properly. Therefore, you will only find an directory listing (a bit inconvenient to navigate thru) with access to the original images taken at 1600x1200 resolution.
Http://disney.txtechvantage.com
Enjoy!
