What makes Disney better?

[AussieCaribou]

Hi Everyone,

Okay, my 15 year old daughter wants to be an engineer. Specifically, she wants to build theme parks - Disney theme parks...

So, in Australia, we have very few theme parks and they are two days drive from us and they are not Disney. So, my wonderful hubby (and her awesome father) has planned a trip to the US for us this December to visit some of the amusement parks and theme parks in LA, SD, and Walt Disney World!

So, here's my question, what would you suggest that she look at when she's at WDW? What is it that makes Disney so special compared to the other parks? We have 9 days at WDW to show her just what the essence of good storytelling is...not long enough but hopefully long enough to get it started in her brain.

Thank you for your advice.

~ AussieCaribou

 

[Alesia]

My advice for her (and you) would be to not over think it. She should just enjoy herself.

If she goes in with a preset agenda, she's going to miss all of the little things that make each park unique. Just let her take it all in at her own pace in her own way. Pushing her to spend the trip observing the magic instead of experiencing it is a sure-fire way to kill her interest.

Just go and have fun!

 

[strangebutspecial]

Hi Everyone, Okay, my 15 year old daughter wants to be an engineer. Specifically, she wants to build theme parks - Disney theme parks... So, in Australia, we have very few theme parks and they are two days drive from us and they are not Disney. So, my wonderful hubby (and her awesome father) has planned a trip to the US for us this December to visit some of the amusement parks and theme parks in LA, SD, and Walt Disney World! So, here's my question, what would you suggest that she look at when she's at WDW? What is it that makes Disney so special compared to the other parks? We have 9 days at WDW to show her just what the essence of good storytelling is...not long enough but hopefully long enough to get it started in her brain. Thank you for your advice. ~ AussieCaribou

That's fantastic! A girl after my own heart. If you can afford it, there are behind the scenes tours that will show her how everything is done. I believe there's also Lunch with an Imagineer that you can book somehow. At least there was last I checked.

I also highly recommend visiting Universal Orlando and seeing the Harry Potter sections, especially if she's a fan. It's such an incredibly immersive experience and the main HP rides are honestly some of the best. I feel like the future of theme parks will be more in that direction -- toward total immersion -- and that Disney actually has some catching up to do.

 

[strangebutspecial]

Oh, and I also recommend a book for her: The Imagineering Workout. I actually picked up my copy in the animation gift shop in Hollywood Studios. It's mostly quotes, tips, and tricks from imagineers on how they find inspiration for their jobs.

 

[staceyrhood]

That's great! My son wants to be an imagineer too, I found some great books and DVDs too on amazon. There are a few in the parks, but more on amazon. And as a pp said you can have lunch with an imagineer also.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Thank you everyone. I hadn't even thought about books...we will have to spend time looking for several!

I had heard about the lunch with an imagineer. Sadly, the program doesn't run over the nine days we are there (we are there for Christmas). Because she would have loved that!

I am just about to check out the tours...because, yep, I had forgotten about that too. lol

Alesia, thank you for that. I have actually shown your post to her. I know it's unusual for a kid, but DD is constantly planning her future. I am continually reminding her that she should just enjoy life from time to time. But I am not so sure she just doesn't enjoy the learning/over analyzing of life that she does...

 

[eeyoresmom]

There are several books written on the subject. Maybe she can read them before the trip and then just go and enjoy the parks and resorts with some "insider information".

 

[Dashzap]

I agree she should see the Harry Potter sections at Universal. They are amazing!

 

[YawningDodo]

She sounds like the kind who'd do it anyway, but encourage her to take the time to look around and notice all the details -- not just in the rides, but walking around the parks, in the restaurants, etc. What makes Disney (and Universal, at least in those areas they've done more recently) special is that it's such an immersive, highly detailed environment. It's the little touches, like how you never notice a transition point between the music of two different lands in the Magic Kingdom -- each land has different background music, but unless you're paying really close attention you're not going to realize at what point in your walk it changed over. Other little touches include the fact that you can't see the Contemporary from most places in MK, but you can see it from Tomorrowland. That's absolutely deliberate, as Tomorrowland is the only area where the sight of the Contemporary is appropriate to the story.

For specific attractions, though Animal Kingdom doesn't get as much love I'd say she's got to ride Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. They're both very story-oriented rides, and both have very slick execution. Dinosaur is a perennial favorite of mine, and I think one of the best vehicle designs I've encountered. Again, though the ride itself is very cool, in both cases make sure she's paying attention to the queue and preshow -- heck, to the surrounding areas before you even get to the queue -- and how everything comes together to contribute to the story (and to distract the guests from the fact that they're waiting in line).

EDIT: I don't know what-all backstage tours are available, but go on any of them. Seriously, any. You might not think costuming would be of interest, for instance, but even the laundry system there is high volume, high complexity, and high efficiency. The door warehouse sequence in Monsters, Inc. was inspired by the WDW laundry building.

 

[AussieCaribou]

YawningDodo, thank you. I will get her to have a good look around. EE is on our list to do for sure. I went on Dinosaur once...system overload...left in tears (lol). So, I have to go on that one again to overcome the shaky feeling of even mentioning the ride.

 

[Aliceacc]

Consider booking a meal with with an Imagineer. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/dine-with-an-imagineer/

Nope, you may not get to eat with an Engineer, though my husband did. But I bet she'll be fascinated by being able to speak to someone who has those unique insights.

And consider some of the behind the scenes tours: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

Either would make a great Christmas gift: just make up a certificate and wrap it up!

 

[YawningDodo]

AussieCaribou, the first time I rode Dinosaur, I was twelve years old and I spent the entire ride clinging to my mother, eyes shut, gibbering in absolute terror. Even once I'd ridden it a bunch more times I always found the later parts of it pretty intense...but it's like a whole different ride with your eyes open.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Sadly, Dining with an Imagineer is not running for the entire time we are there. I was very disappointed when the lovely cast member told me but I guess that everyone wants to spend Christmas with family.

Last night my hubby and I had a look at the KttK and MtMK tours...alas they are booked out. (we are going from 20-28 Dec...so, I can hardly be surprised).

 

[strangebutspecial]

Oh no! Well she can still get a lot out of it. Everything YawningDodo said is gold. There are so many little details that the park designers considered. Maybe we can all help find her books to read, or podcasts to listen to on the plane, or websites for advance research so that she can look for special details when she's there and still enjoy herself.

Without a backstage tour, the best advice I can offer is to take the parks slowly and really take notice of details. The reason Disney has been such a success is that, from the beginning, they've been focused on the entire guest experience where lesser parks just build rollercoasters. Smells, colors (google "Go Away Green"), even the slope of the road is considered. Really soak it in!

And of course, you can keep checking for cancellations. It happens!

 

[strangebutspecial]

Has anyone mentioned One Man's Dream yet? It's a walk through exhibit in Hollywood Studios. I think she'd like it.