Disney World

Just returned from a week at Disney World. No, it wasn't my idea. My wife, born in San Diego, visited Disneyland the first year it was open. She also says she would go there with a girl friend in her teen years and pick up sailors. She retains memories of those days. When we lived in Orlando in the early 80's we had Florida Resident passes giving us access to the parks in 3 or 4 of the unpopular months. This is our first visit in 20 years.

It was really ok. We took our trailer over and stayed in Fort Wilderness campground. It's a huge place. Well run, as you would expect with Disney, but arbitrary and silly, ditto. For example, we were parked in an area where dogs were permitted but there was a sign at the entrance to our area that dogs could not go beyond that area. The result was that there was only one small area in which we could walk the dog. They have a HUGE complex, surely they could cough up another acre for a dog run area. Then there is the $5 a day charge because we had a dog. Then there is the wifi - only near the office and $10 a day. We had the cable tv - unfortunately not normal cable but a Disney special with all their networks over represented and one or two representatives from other networks.

With our passes we could go anywhere we wanted so we hit most of the parks. Animal Kingdom has animals but you don't get to see much of them because the rides don't stop. We did really like the 3D movie It's Tough to be a Bug. 3D has sure come a long way since I last saw it! Disney-MGM was dull but my wife says it had the best roller coaster in the Rock and Roll Coaster. Hit a lot of the old rides in the Magic Kingdom; some were updated, some were dated, a couple were new.

Epcot has always been a favorite of my wife and I. We visited quite a bit when we lived in Orlando and had a teen-aged daughter. We revisited the old places and saw the new ones for the first time. It was ok. The revamp of Spaceship Earth is nothing to get hot & bothered about. The new ride Soarin has huge lines but was a mixed bag for us; we liked it but there were uncomfortable moments. You are supposed to be soaring over California but first of all, the photos are taken from a helicopter or small plane. They jump from place to place without warning so a scene going over rafters on a river is followed by having a golf ball hit at you which is followed by going over a high, snowy ridge with a big dropoff on the other side. Also you are up in the air, only 5 or 6 feet, but they tip you forward and backwards in your chair. Uncomfortable.

The place is horrendously expensive. Prices were generally twice what one might expect elsewhere and, unfortunately, the quality was often not there. Spending $15 for pasta with shrimp is a lot here in Florida. When the sauce comes from a can and the shrimp are old; there just isn't much excuse for that; even Chili's or TGI Friday would do better.

So, even with all this whining, we had a great time. Wifey got to see or ride whatever she wanted. I got to check out whatever I wanted. Kid came over for a day and a half & checked out what she wanted. We came home without a single souvenir between us. It could be a record. Photos, well maybe, if I can find anything worth posting.

Be careful out there!