Category: News & Info

How much energy does it take to make all the ice that people are tossing on them selves? Pick a charity, give out of the goodness of your heart and toss in a few extra dollars for the wasted energy and water!

I challenge you all to do something that will benefit another in a good way!

See this link for someone who shares my position:

http://joshtelson.com/blog/2014/08/fuck-the-als-ice-bucket-challenge/

It was worth the visit and I’m happy I experienced Disney. I now understand why families come back a few times per year for many years. However, I’m not sure how they can afford it. The bottom line is you cannot possible see and do everything in a week. Granted I’m simply not into shopping and rides are not my thing, but even so there is lots to see and do.

Here’s my Disney Survival Guide. Not that I know it all but I’m a quick study. Here’s my advise on making your magical adventure a little more magical.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Stock up on something other than carbs. Don’t forget to grab some fruit from the buffet table on the way out the door.

Walking shoes. Make sure you have at least one good pair. If you want to see any of the parks even getting from the parking lots or bus drop off area is a hike. Flip flops are a no no and I would recommend against open toe sandals, way too many kamikaze child carriage pushing parents on some form of time induced death mission. On days were I knew the potential of greeting wet where high I wore water shoes. However, if you are going to be in then all day make sure they provide enough support.

Clothing. In the August heat none would be nice but that ain’t happening. So in light of not scaring the natives I recommend any type of fast drying clothing. I really like EMS Techwick tee shirts. For my bottom 1/2 I wore fast drying workout shorts with build in briefs. Cargo shorts are too heavy and bathing suits with regular net type fabric built in briefs are a big no no. Just try walking in them for a few hours and certain parts of you will be very sorry. Nuf said on that subject. Beyond that I would completely avoid cotton unless feeling and looking like a wet noodle is your idea of a fashion statement.

We also brought light rain jackets but never actually used them. Most folks buy the clear Disney ponchos but I can’t imagine that walking around in a plastic bag is too comfortable, but you will look like the masses!

Water, water, everywhere. Drink it from the time you get up till the time you go to bed. We brought large water bottles and typically re-filled them a few times during the day. At breakfast we had our waiter or waitress fill them with ice water. The bottles are insulated (somewhat) and the ice lasted for a few hours.

Some form of Camelbak may be a good alternative. Depending on the size you may also be able to bring a few essentials, like your wallet, phone, etc. I think if I come back I’ll bring one. The bottom line is stay hydrated or you’ll be hurting.

Plan your trip. If you never visited Disney before it may be a good idea to talk to someone who has (within the last few years) or get a book and read up on it.

Jess is a reader and planned out all our activities ahead of leaving home. However, having very little knowledge of the park (except when she visited as a child) we had no idea where things were or the relationship between then. A scaled map might help as the Disney maps are not to scale, but do show everything. So talking to someone with first hand experience will help.

If you are taking the Disney Buses (which I highly recommend) you need to leave yourself plenty of time to walk from the bus to the ride or whatever it is you are doing.

Disney Fastpass. Create a Disney account, get and install the app on your phone and take advantage of Fastpass. You can book your rides out to 90 days depending on how you booked your vacation (My Disney Experience, etc.). Your fast pass will not get you completely out of waiting in lines, but it will significantly reduce your wait times. One example for us was 5 of 6 minutes verses 2 hours! Fastpass will give you a time range which allows you a little fudge room on getting to the ride and from it to your next activity. Not having Fastpass is like having a Porsche with a three cylinder engine.

Reservation for everything are highly recommended. Everyone needs to eat so you may as well plan ahead and reserve a table. Again, you may not sit down at exactly the time you booked, but it’s better than trying to survive on cotton candy and ice cream from the many street vendors.

Keep in mind that you are a captive audience. Everything cost more money. A tall coffee at the local Starbucks is $1.89 and at Disney it’s $2.40.

Rental strollers. If you think your child cannot walk around all day bring or rent a stroller. Disney has very sturdy single or doubles for rent. It’s not cheap, but it’s easier than carrying a child out at the end of the day. Remember kids have shorter legs and once they wear out that’s it. I witnessed a few melt downs and you can’t really blame the kids….

Communication. Figure out a way to communicate with the other members of your party. Either use cell phones, walkie-talkies, or even text. Most of the park has wifi and unfortunately most kids have iPods….so text at will.

In a perfect world if you could stay out of the parks during the hottest periods of the day that would be ideal. Understandability this is not possible all the time…..but pre planning so your are indoors at least some of the time will help. It’s hot in Florida anytime if you are from the great north east, but August is a tad warmer and more humid.

Having said all that I think I’ll like visit Disney again. I’ll be a little more prepared and I hope you will be also. Thanks to Lenore and Jess for making this all happen.

No parks today. We spent a while in the RWDSU conference listing to various speakers. Jess’ mom Lenore Miller gave great praise to many past and present members.

Lenore at the podium.

There was also a speaker from Bangladesh talking about the Rana Plaza disaster. As a matter of interest most of the European manufactures have signed an agreement to help workers, where as all American companies have not.

Go here for more information on Rana Plaza

Go here for more information on what RWDSU is doing for garment workers in Bangladesh.

Most of the afternoon was spent in the pool. After that we took the bus to Downtown Disney. The ride there took 30 minutes, but only took 10 on the way home as it did not stop anywhere.

What can I say about Downtown Disney….if you don’t like crowds, load music or a general sense of stimulus overload you should simply avoid it. To sum it up, it’s capitalism at its best, with a smiley face and have a magical day tossed in for good luck.

It was worth seeing, but like any other Disney destination you will need many days to discover. I suggest coming mid week in January when all the kids are at school.

Felton’s Clam Bake with the balloon ride above it.

Jess spotted this sign on the way out of town. I was thinking of applying!

Today’s activities.

We started the day Blizzard Beach. The wave pool is great. I stayed away from anything the involved heights and rushing water! Jess and GMan did those….

JMan and I played in the waves and went around the lazy River a few times.

The boys in a sled. It’s a little out of place here in Florida.

Yup….the picture tells the story.

All I can say is Fast Passes rock! No wait except a few minutes to file in and onto the safari trucks.

Here are some animals we meet along the way.

JMan and what appears to be a list animal!

Henna Art.

Coolest tree in Florida!

After the Kali River Rapids ride were most of us got a little wet it was off to Expatiation Everest. Many years ago I had dreams of climbing the real thing, but I’m guessing this ride will have to do do bucket list for now.

Pray shrine with Everest in background.

Ride emerging from Everest. This is the last drop and it’s a good one. JMan an I were in the front seat and I did see my life flash in front of me more than once!

Lesser spotted Yeti monster.

View from the base on mountain.

If you look to the left of the third peak from the top…..that’s the ride on the way up.