Disney Park
Jul. 21st, 2006 09:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebRobin and I have decided to go to Disneyland or Disney World this year. I have been to Disneyland once. From the pictures, I'd say I was four or five, so that was 38 or 39 years ago. I remember nothing except that I got a Tinkerbell pin I really liked that changed pictures when you wiggled it back and forth. Also my uncle was throwing my (2- or 3-year old) brother up in the air and accidentally threw him into a patio umbrella.
I have been to Disney World twice. The first time I was ten, so that was 33 years ago. I remember there was a submarine ride and the inside was lit with red lights and my sister (age 10 days) was lying on her back on Mom's lap and smiling. I remember that Grandma complained that Mom shouldn't breastfeed in public but should do that in the privacy of a bathroom. But my mom did it anyway, and no one seemed to notice, including Grandma.
I also remember there was a haunted house ride that was really cool.
The second time was not that long ago (actually, probably ten or twelve years ago by now). We had two days. We started with Epcot Center which my dad had already been to and was excited to share with us. Then at the end of that day, we liked it so much we decided to spend our second day there, too.
My favorite part were all the motion simulator rides, which Mom rode with me even though she is afraid of heights and not a fan of roller coasters. There was one where you are riding in a tiny submarine through blood vessels. I've heard the whole human body area is gone now, though.
There was also an area with state-of-the-art technology. I got to do virtual reality stuff that's still more advanced than anything I've seen. I had goggles instead of a monitor, so I looked around by moving my head, just like in real life. There were also hand controls for walking, like modern video games. You could communicate by nodding or shaking your head.
I also got to see HDTV.
I've heard this area isn't so cutting-edge anymore, but that it's still cool.
There was also an international section. I remember the Norway building being the coolest looking in a way I can't explain. I remember the international music playing in each area was mostly good ballroom dance music.
I remember the food was quite expensive. And that I learned that I don't like Scotch eggs.
And I remember that even though Disney World costs twice as much to get into as, say, Six Flags or Astroworld, I decided it was totally worth it. Everything was incredibly well done. Nowadays, it looks like it's actually less than twice as expensive as Six Flags and Astroworld.
So Disneyland is better because it has some giant, crazy Craftsman hotel. And Disney World is better because it's (sort of) close to Robin's aunt and uncle, plus there are four parks now, plus water parks, and I can't even comprehend what.
We've already figured out two strategies. We're going in the fall when it's less crowded, but also open fewer hours. I figure we'll get into just as many or more rides (and whatnot) in a shorter amount of time than if we went when it was crowded and open longer. Also, hotels are cheaper.
The second strategy is we'll probably stay in a hotel that's on the property and not rent a car rather than stay off the property and rent a car. You get to get into the park an hour earlier this way.
Both of those strategies are based on my reading about Disney World; I'm not yet sure they're appropriate for Disneyland.
Any stories you want to share?
I have been to Disney World twice. The first time I was ten, so that was 33 years ago. I remember there was a submarine ride and the inside was lit with red lights and my sister (age 10 days) was lying on her back on Mom's lap and smiling. I remember that Grandma complained that Mom shouldn't breastfeed in public but should do that in the privacy of a bathroom. But my mom did it anyway, and no one seemed to notice, including Grandma.
I also remember there was a haunted house ride that was really cool.
The second time was not that long ago (actually, probably ten or twelve years ago by now). We had two days. We started with Epcot Center which my dad had already been to and was excited to share with us. Then at the end of that day, we liked it so much we decided to spend our second day there, too.
My favorite part were all the motion simulator rides, which Mom rode with me even though she is afraid of heights and not a fan of roller coasters. There was one where you are riding in a tiny submarine through blood vessels. I've heard the whole human body area is gone now, though.
There was also an area with state-of-the-art technology. I got to do virtual reality stuff that's still more advanced than anything I've seen. I had goggles instead of a monitor, so I looked around by moving my head, just like in real life. There were also hand controls for walking, like modern video games. You could communicate by nodding or shaking your head.
I also got to see HDTV.
I've heard this area isn't so cutting-edge anymore, but that it's still cool.
There was also an international section. I remember the Norway building being the coolest looking in a way I can't explain. I remember the international music playing in each area was mostly good ballroom dance music.
I remember the food was quite expensive. And that I learned that I don't like Scotch eggs.
And I remember that even though Disney World costs twice as much to get into as, say, Six Flags or Astroworld, I decided it was totally worth it. Everything was incredibly well done. Nowadays, it looks like it's actually less than twice as expensive as Six Flags and Astroworld.
So Disneyland is better because it has some giant, crazy Craftsman hotel. And Disney World is better because it's (sort of) close to Robin's aunt and uncle, plus there are four parks now, plus water parks, and I can't even comprehend what.
We've already figured out two strategies. We're going in the fall when it's less crowded, but also open fewer hours. I figure we'll get into just as many or more rides (and whatnot) in a shorter amount of time than if we went when it was crowded and open longer. Also, hotels are cheaper.
The second strategy is we'll probably stay in a hotel that's on the property and not rent a car rather than stay off the property and rent a car. You get to get into the park an hour earlier this way.
Both of those strategies are based on my reading about Disney World; I'm not yet sure they're appropriate for Disneyland.
Any stories you want to share?
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no subject
on 2006-07-22 04:46 am (UTC)I think all the new parks look great, as well as all the hotels they've added to the complex. You could spend your entire vacation without ever leaving the WDW property.
Kymm loves Disneyland more than anything, and she goes around Christmas. She never seems to have too long a wait for rides.
Both parks now offer a speed pass, where you can grab a ticket for a specific time to ride, rather than waiting in an hour-long (or longer) line. I believe you can only have one speed pass at a time, so make a big list of what you want to see and when, and you should be fine.
Also, I don't know if they're still there, but the Enchanted Tiki Birds, the Hall of Presidents, and the Carousel of Progress are almost never too crowded, and are a great way to relax when you've been standing for a long time.
Stay away from It's A Small World, for the love of all that is holy. If you must go, bring an iPod, so you can get that damned song out of your head poste haste.
no subject
on 2006-07-27 04:30 am (UTC)I can't believe It's a Small World is still around. I wonder how they can hang on to employees. Even a single one-hour shift per summer would be too much, wouldn't it?
Disney World
on 2006-07-26 04:25 pm (UTC)Dang. I'm jealous!
Tam