As soon as I got off the plane in the Orlando International Airport I noticed something was different. It had been a long time since I had been to Disney World and I knew I was in for a special treat. We took an airport shuttle to the hotel and the adrenaline started flowing. I was getting antsy like a little kid. We had planned on going out to dinner after we checked in and then come back to the room to relax and get a fresh start in the Magic Kingdom one of Window of The World in the morning but once we were there I couldn’t wait.
We decided to hit the Magic Kingdom that evening! The Disney classics are always great and we had seen them so many times I knew we could knock out our favorite rides and attractions that evening. That would give us some extra time to visit Epcot and the other parks on the following days. I love taking photos in this Window of The World and with my handy pocket tripod I can get some great night shots. Cinderella’s Castle is awesome at night and when you get just the right shot it feels good. I played with some settings and was able to get my wife’s face, in focus, as well as most of the castle. She hates when I do that because it takes a few tries, I never said I was a photographer. If you have never been then you may not know the Magic Kingdom was the first park built in Disney World. For me it still holds the same magic it did in the beginning. Some of the attractions I had to visit were Pirates of the Caribbean and the Country Bear Jamboree. Regardless of your age, the Magic Kingdom is a great time. I have heard you can still get married in front of the Castle but the cost is quite high so if you are planning your wedding and you just hit it big in Vegas or at the track then check it out.
So the next morning we woke up a little late and my wife decided we should visit Epcot Center. If you aren’t familiar with Epcot it’s themed after different countries. The idea is that you can spend a day and get a feel for the culture and cuisine for a number of countries. At 300 acres it is about twice as large as the Magic Kingdom. You can visit the 11 countries in 1 day but I recommend that you plan for two days at Epcot. If you try to see it all in a day you will be exhausted. There are always street performers and Disney characters to stop and watch and you visit each pavilion to get a feel for the culture. There are also rides like the Spaceship Earth that only takes about fifteen minutes to ride after what is usually quite a wait to get on. The test track go-carts are popular if you have kids and the Land Pavilion has some very interesting slow moving educational rides.
As our days continued we visited Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios. There are rides and shows based on movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. They even have a Jedi Training Academy now so your kids can light saber fight Darth Vader. One of the most popular rides is the Tower of Terror so be prepared for a long wait, we skipped that one. I always enjoy the Studio Backlot Tour, another wait plus it takes over 30 minutes to complete so there goes another day, over before it started. OK I’m starting to remember why I haven’t been back for a while. Where did all these people come from? Ha!
On our last day visiting this Window of The World, we took on the Animal Kingdom. We had never been to this park before. Everyone makes a big deal out of the Tree of Life but to me it’s a man-made tree with animals carved in it, yeah I got smacked for that one. Seriously, it pales in comparison to the “real” animals they have there. My camera and I enjoyed the animals. They also have some good rides and a lot of entertainment. Maybe because it was a new experience, I don't know, but I enjoyed this day the most.
Going to Disney World was a great experience once again. This is a recommended vacation for anyone whether you have a large or small family. It brings you back to the innocence of being a child, and you will leave with a smile and some great memories. Thanks again Mickey.
We decided to hit the Magic Kingdom that evening! The Disney classics are always great and we had seen them so many times I knew we could knock out our favorite rides and attractions that evening. That would give us some extra time to visit Epcot and the other parks on the following days. I love taking photos in this Window of The World and with my handy pocket tripod I can get some great night shots. Cinderella’s Castle is awesome at night and when you get just the right shot it feels good. I played with some settings and was able to get my wife’s face, in focus, as well as most of the castle. She hates when I do that because it takes a few tries, I never said I was a photographer. If you have never been then you may not know the Magic Kingdom was the first park built in Disney World. For me it still holds the same magic it did in the beginning. Some of the attractions I had to visit were Pirates of the Caribbean and the Country Bear Jamboree. Regardless of your age, the Magic Kingdom is a great time. I have heard you can still get married in front of the Castle but the cost is quite high so if you are planning your wedding and you just hit it big in Vegas or at the track then check it out.
So the next morning we woke up a little late and my wife decided we should visit Epcot Center. If you aren’t familiar with Epcot it’s themed after different countries. The idea is that you can spend a day and get a feel for the culture and cuisine for a number of countries. At 300 acres it is about twice as large as the Magic Kingdom. You can visit the 11 countries in 1 day but I recommend that you plan for two days at Epcot. If you try to see it all in a day you will be exhausted. There are always street performers and Disney characters to stop and watch and you visit each pavilion to get a feel for the culture. There are also rides like the Spaceship Earth that only takes about fifteen minutes to ride after what is usually quite a wait to get on. The test track go-carts are popular if you have kids and the Land Pavilion has some very interesting slow moving educational rides.
As our days continued we visited Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios. There are rides and shows based on movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. They even have a Jedi Training Academy now so your kids can light saber fight Darth Vader. One of the most popular rides is the Tower of Terror so be prepared for a long wait, we skipped that one. I always enjoy the Studio Backlot Tour, another wait plus it takes over 30 minutes to complete so there goes another day, over before it started. OK I’m starting to remember why I haven’t been back for a while. Where did all these people come from? Ha!
On our last day visiting this Window of The World, we took on the Animal Kingdom. We had never been to this park before. Everyone makes a big deal out of the Tree of Life but to me it’s a man-made tree with animals carved in it, yeah I got smacked for that one. Seriously, it pales in comparison to the “real” animals they have there. My camera and I enjoyed the animals. They also have some good rides and a lot of entertainment. Maybe because it was a new experience, I don't know, but I enjoyed this day the most.
Going to Disney World was a great experience once again. This is a recommended vacation for anyone whether you have a large or small family. It brings you back to the innocence of being a child, and you will leave with a smile and some great memories. Thanks again Mickey.
By Pete Tulley
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