January/February 2011 Trip Report

century3 · January/February 2011 Trip Report

Hi everyone. My wife and I just returned last week from a week in Orlando visiting all the Disney World parks with our daughter, who's just shy of two years old. I'll avoid spending time regaling you with stories about chasing her around the parks and other parenting fun. I'll just say that she had a great time.

Here are some observations about each park from our time there:

Animal Kingdom
Strangely, this was the most crowded park in terms of navigation, even though it was very slow at the other parks. I think it relates to the design layout, which creates bottlenecks near the Safari in Africa and by Everest in Asia. The Imagineers tried to recreate the feeling of being within a natural landscape, but the result is tight paths and a claustrophobic feeling. Still, the walking paths are great, and the few E-ticket rides are worth it. It was sad to see the Yeti in B-mode, especially after how great it was during our last trip in 2008.

Magic Kingdom
After fighting the legions at strollers at the Animal Kingdom, it was a relief to have space at this park, even in Fantasyland. We spent a lot of time on the kids' rides, but I was able to check out the revamped Space Mountain. Although I miss some of the space effects, it does feel a lot smoother and faster thanks to the new track and increased darkness. The music was a nice touch, but I wish they'd cranked it up a bit more; you can only hear it clearly at a few points. I think they did a nice job, even if the budget was likely slashed due to the recession. In terms of eating, our best find was the second floor of the Columbia Harbour House, which was nearly empty and quiet.

Epcot
I've soured a bit on Epcot over the years because of Future World changes (closing Horizons, Spaceship Earth update, Imagination), so I was surprised that we had the most fun here. We went here four nights in a row, and it was empty every time. Soarin' was a walk on, which was great since we were taking turns while the other watched the little one. We ate at the new pizza place Via Napoli, which was excellent, even while being a little expensive. $9 for a beer is not easy to take. We also ate at the new counter service restaurant in Mexico, and that was great too, a big improvement over the previous spot there. With near-perfect weather at night and no crowds, it reminded me of why I used to like Epcot so much.

Hollywood Studios
We only spent one half-day here, and it was pleasant, but this park also needs some help. Toy Story Mania is great and I love the other two headliners, but they need to put some serious money into it and add 2-3 top attractions. I did enjoy strolling through One Man's Dream, particularly with a few new updates. We didn't make it to American Idol, but I don't feel like that was a huge loss.

On the whole, it was great to visit the parks with light crowds, and the weather was perfect. I'd already thinking about our next trip.

Stingray

Nice trip report. Any chance you try to make a trip down the street to see old Harry and is forbidden ride? Anyway I agree that Animal Kingdom needs more E-ticket attractions, I just don't think you do anything until they are finish with Magic Kingdom expansion.

As for Hollywood Studios, well, I hear rumors that the whole park is getting a sort of re-image. I think they have been in talks with George Lucas to design a whole land around the Star Wars and Indiana Jones much like Harry Potter at Universal. I would love to see a Jedi type of ride, as well as, a new Indiana Jones ride that's different from Disneyland. I hear that Monsters, Inc coaster is the next real thing coming to Hollywood Studios and that Pixar will play a more important part in what the park is going to be in the future. That said, I hope they don't drop the whole Hollywood theme altogether.

Epcot is the park I enjoy and miss the most. That park needs a new Horizon and re-do of Journey to Imagination. I think Ellen is to dated, but If you can bring the back the theme of what Epcot was like, a new Horizon ride is what the park was made for. But, they need E-ticket attractions at World of Showcase. That has been the problem since it's open. The kids stop caring after Mexico or Norway. They need to have rides at Japan, Germany, not a new land. They need to add the extra experience of rides to have more families enjoy that park better.

The Magic Kingdom is the stone that won't break, but it's got cracks. I will never understand why so many year's Magic Kingdom has never equal or surpass the attractions Disneyland has. The whole point of going to Florida was room to build and grow, but until now it's seem we been robbed of some great attraction. I still want to see a new return of Mr. Toad, 20,000 Leagues. But also new attraction and the one everybody wants. TRON. We need that ride at Tomorrowland. That Alien Encounter rip-off isn't hacking it. I just wish Disney can see the light.

One thing has bug me since thinking about these parks. Marvel. The merchandiser is spreading all over the parks, but how will they fit. I don't see Disney opening a 5 gate yet, but where and what do you do with Marvel. I a big Spider-Man fan. I will miss the Universal ride, but I'm afraid that Disney might combo it with Mickey and make a sort of Spider-man and Mickey adventure ride. There already a lot of talk of a buyout of Marvel from Universal and they did buy 2 of Marvel movies from Paramount like Iron Man and The Averages. So, what's their plan? I really hope they are careful with this one.

Anyway, great trip report. I stated to miss the old day's of the park. I happy to see Fantasyland expansion, but I just remember those good old day's and still miss what I felt was a mistake with how they handle the parks at times.

century3

Thanks! I agree with a lot of your comments. I think the Hollywood Studios is taking a back seat while the Magic Kingdom is being revamped. I'd look forward to seeing more Pixar and Star Wars attractions, though I agree that the Hollywood theme is something I'd like to see continue.

Horizons is still my favorite all-time WDW ride, so I'd definitely support something on that level. They don't even need to remove Mission Space. They could use the old Wonders of Life building and create something amazing. Even if they don't go that far, they need to do something about Energy and Imagination, which both need some major help. World Showcase still has great atmosphere. They just need to add a few major attractions out there. I think two good rides, one on each side of the lake, would make a huge change. Still, I was surprised at how much I still enjoyed being there. It helped that the crowds were so low.

The big problem with the Magic Kingdom is Tomorrowland. I assume that the new Fantasyland will be impressive when it's complete. They should focus next on Tomorrowland for sure. The Stitch ride has to go. That space is too valuable for such a dumb ride tied to a character people don't love. They should actually do something relating to the future, not a character. That's the problem with the Monsters, Inc. show too. It's already lost interest from much of the crowds. If they fix those two spots, I think the rest is in better shape.