The Fact That It's October First and 45° In Ann Arbor Is Not Helping

[filkertom]

Today, Walt Disney World is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its opening in 1971.

We haven't had a good Disney conversation for awhile, so:

1. What are your favorite WDW rides?
2. What are your favorite non-ride attractions at WDW?
3. What rides or attractions do you specifically dislike (as opposed to things you just don't care about)?
4. Where do you get your favorite (relatively) cheap eats?
5. Where do you get your favorite money-is-no-object eats?
6. What's your favorite WDW souvenir?

In my case:

1. The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, The Great Movie Ride, Spaceship Earth, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Soarin', Winnie-The-Pooh, Tower of Terror, Jungle Cruise. (This list is subject to reevaluation when I finally get into the dang Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios.)
2. The entire World Showcase -- all of it, from the wall painting at Italy to the toy trains at Germany to the Japanese flavored ice. And especially, especially all of Epcot's gardens. The main intersection in Hollywood Studios and the street leading down to Tower of Terror. The lemurs and gardens surrounding the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. The Country Bear Jamboree, The American Adventure, China's Circlevision 360 (I haven't been there in awhile -- the version Keye Luke narrated, if it's still there), Maharajah Tiger Trek, MuppetVision 4D, Finding Nemo: The Musical, Hunchback: The Musical (years ago).
3. The BAH (Big-Ass Hat) at Hollywood Studios. It blocks one of the best views the parks used to have -- from the main entrance right down the street to the faux Grauman's Chinese Theater with the Great Movie Ride.
4. The Yorkshire County Fish Shop, attached to the Rose & Crown at Epcot. The Tangierine Cafe at Morocco. Yakitori House at Japan. Flame Tree Barbecue and Yak & Yeti at Animal Kingdom. Casey's Corner and Pinocchio Haus at The Magic Kingdom. The 50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios.
5. Jiko and Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Ohana at the Poly. Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. The California Grill at the Contemporary. I haven't yet been to Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian. We will get there. Oh, yes, we will get there.
6. Besides the lovely little stuffed polar bear Leslie got at the AK's Rain Forest Cafe, there's a picture of Anne, Les and I on Splash Mountain that I have right here next to the computer. Hee -- I should scan it. Also, we've all got some amazingly amazing cloisonne pins. I think my favorite is a Beauty & the Beast stained-glass window pin, although Minnie Mouse dressed as the Redhead ("We want the redhead! We want the redhead!") is right up there. Some pewter Christmas ornaments as well, and a hanging medallion from the year 2000. And a lot of great memories.

You?

Comments

A subject near and dear to my heart!

[stormlight811.livejournal.com]

I adore WDW!!! Visited for the very first time during their 10th anniversary celebration...hard to believe it's been so long. Managed to drag my first husband there for a week of honeymoon in 2001, and sadly have not been back since. I spend time there inside my head, instead.

1. What are your favorite WDW rides?

Pirates of the Caribbean & Haunted Mansion tie for first place (dark and spooky with living dead and audio-animatronics, nice, long continuous ride, plus awesome songs that get stuck in my head FOREVER and I don't even mind that -- what more does a ride need??), Carousel of Progress, Splash Mountain (again with the forever ride and the catchy song!), Spaceship Earth, Jungle Cruise, WEDway Peoplemover (or whatever they're calling the scenic elevated tour ride in Tomorrowland these days), It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, and every one of the continuous tour-type rides in Epcot. I'll add Horizons in Epcot and World of Motion rides that used-to-be, as well as the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride. Oh -- and the boat ride in Epcot's Norway! Trolls rock. (First time I rode it the party immediately in front of us was a group of Tibetan monks. Seeing those guys on a ride themed for bearded northern barbarians made my brainmeats hurt, but in a fun way.) The steamboat in Magic Kingdom; it's the best place to go during a cold summer afternoon rain. The steam keeps the central part warm, and you can go up to the pilot's spot and chat with him.

2. What are your favorite non-ride attractions at WDW?

Tom Sawyer Island and Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse! (I want both of them in my backyard.) Adventurer's (or explorer's, I forget) Club in Pleasure Island. The show in American pavilion at Epcot...actually, ALL of Epcot. I could happily spend a month in that park, alone. (Apparently Walt Disney's father was employed in helping to construct the Chicago World's Fair. Young Walt grew up listening to stories of its marvels and grandeur; the enormous pavilions lined with electric lights, each showcasing an aspect of art, science or history...nations of the world represented by their own citizens, with food, dance, music, and scenery to match...the newest marvels of technology on display...and the Lagoon in the middle of it all, with water taxis to ferry guests about. Epcot snapped into place for me when I learned this.) I love the way Animal Kingdom is themed; it still had a long way to go back when I last visited, but as a zoo it was already amazing. (My best dream is still to be employed as a keeper, there, someday.)

3. What rides or attractions do you specifically dislike (as opposed to things you just don't care about?

The preachy-ness of the rides at Animal Kingdom got very annoying. Yes, I realize that humans are bad and evil and destroying the beauty of the natural world and all its fuzzy and feathered denizens, and I should do something about this, but I'm on vacation right now and can we please just enjoy the nice park? Also, the Enchanted Tiki Room. Can we PLEASE get Iago the obnoxious parrot out of there? It was fine as it was...

4. Where do you get your favorite (relatively) cheap eats?

Cinderella Castle (don't knock free drink refills in the middle of the park!), Mexico Pavilion Epcot, the British pub in England Epcot (sausage rolls, yummm)

5. Where do you get your favorite money-is-no-object eats?

Anywhere -- if they offer decent foods, air conditioning, dim light, table service, and awesome theming, I'm a happy diner. (Exception is the Polynesian Luau, because while the show was spectacular, the food was seriously meh.) If I ever have loads of time and money, am going to dedicate some serious resources to Eating my way around the Parks.

6. What's your favorite WDW souvenir?

I have a big stuffed animal Skippy -- the cute, bug-eyed alien who got totally fried in the old Alien Encounter Tomorrowland ride. He is Awesome.

Re: A subject near and dear to my heart!

[sillyfox.livejournal.com]

RE: the Tiki room. You'll be pleased to know Iago is gone. There was a fire earlier this year (rumor has it that the Iago anamatronic was the chief casualty), and during reconstruction they decided to restore it to a somewhat abbreviated version of the original show.