WDW July 2009: Final thoughts

It was a month ago that I started getting ready for my trip to Walt Disney World. Wait, who am I kidding: I started researching the place for months, back on October 2008. I feared that due to the vast amount or land WDW occupied, that it would be more structured and less spontaneous then a trip to Disneyland.

And it was partly true. We barely park hopped, except for when we went to Magic Kingdom for a few hours at night about twice. The dining plan also made the vacation more structured. It seemed like sometimes people were to preoccupied with food to concetrate on the resort.

Oh, and about the resort- sure, it's nice that WDW is on it's own parcel of land, without anyone around for miles. But that's also part of the problem. The Magic Kingdom location, with the hotels around the Seven Seas Lagoon make that area indeed feel like a resort. But everything else is too far away. If things were closer to each other, then it would be better.

That's what makes Disneyland feel like a resort. Everything is right next to each other. Even though it's a little cramped, and a you're surrounded by a thriving city that can be seen from some rides, it feels more like resort in the proximity of everything.

I don't mean for this to sound like I'm trying to compare WDW to Disneyland. I've tried to stay clear of that for the most part. I hope it doesn't look like I hate WDW either, because I enjoyed it. Just to recap, my favorite parks in order were:
1). Epcot
2). Magic Kingdom
3). Animal Kingdom
4). DIsney's Hollywood Studios

Now, many hotels and all of the parks need work, especially DHS. I hope that when I go back there, all the parks, even Epcot will be improved.

Until then, I look towards Anaheim to become excited about my return to the Happiest Place on Earth. Until then, this blog will have to satisfy me.

Walt Disney World July 2009- Animal Kingdom

I've heard a lot of great things about Animal Kingdom, so I had very high hopes. I thought that this would be one of my favorites. I was also excited to do Everest.

It started out as a really hot day. When I first entered the park, the enterance was shady, so I thought this would help. But, alas, it did not.

First stop was DinoLand, USA. Big mistake. While the ride Dinosuar was fun (not as much as Indiana Jones), the land was the tackiest place in any Disney Park. Paradise Pier, commonly picked on by Disney fans (not as much after the retheme), is 10x more pleasing to the eye than this area.

Next was Everest, which was a blast. I was lucky enough to sit in the back and be able to see how the track resets. The track simply flips over, and then you go backwards. It's just unfortunate that the foundation for the Yetti broke, so it can't move anymore.

Kali River Rapids was a let down because you barely got wet. It was a nice ride, just to dry. The Kilamanjaro Safari was pretty cool, too. Although the whole "get the poachers" thing was kinda dumb.

And, there are no food place indoors. Everything is outdoors. Not only is it hot snd humid, but we have ducks constantly attacking you, while CMs make sure you don't feed them.


So, my high hopes for this park were dashed. A few people told me they didn't like it the first time they went, and to try it again. I will, and I'll go to the park every time I go. However, it won't be my favorite park. It's actaully my next-to-least favorite.