Editorial: My favorite attraction in Walt Disney World, and why.

With as many wonderful queues and stories in Walt Disney World, it isn't hard to see why people would choose favorite attractions, such as the Splash/Thunder/Space Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania, the Tower of Terror, or a number of other, newer attractions. Had my experiences as a child Disney fanatic gone differently, I would probably feel the same.

Unfortunately, or fortunately (in my case), an event happened in the Magic Kingdom in my pre teen years that would shape the attraction that I would forever call my own, and that would call to me every trip to the present.

[caption id="attachment_8" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Let's do this![/caption]

Let's go back in time to the early 90's, when I first entered the glorious age of meeting the dreaded "ride height requirement". My family lived in South Florida, so weekend trips to the house of mouse were commonplace. I remember the day my parents told me I was able to ride big boy rides! A Star Wars and Star Trek nerd from birth, I was always attracted to the mere ambiance of Tomorrowland, so it would come as no surprise that Space Mountain would be my first choice of attraction to ride for the first time.

[caption id="attachment_44" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The greatest challenge of my big boy trip.[/caption]

So, the first day of our trip, we head straight for the fabled mountain at rope drop (park opening for the uninitiated). As we came upon the entrance to the attraction, I began to have a pit well up in my stomach. "Is this really the best Idea? Maybe we can just go back on Peter Pan," I thought to myself. When I came back from that introspective moment, however, it was too late -- I was already in the tunnel.

[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The point of no return.[/caption]

As you can see from the image above, there is a steady stream of people, and this is doubly so at park opening. There would be no convincing my parents to leave the line when there was no wait for the ride, short of wetting myself of course, and they always made sure we used the bathroom before leaving the hotel, so there was nothing to do but meet the fate I had begged for just a short time ago.

[caption id="attachment_39" align="aligncenter" width="600"] What I believed would occur on the final ride of my life.[/caption]

Upon getting in my seat and having the lap bar pushed down, I said my prayers and went for the ride of my life! It was, however, not that fake movie ride that you see in theaters, where "it wasn't that bad, let's do that again!" I believe everyone there said I exited the ride looking like this:



Fearing I would need therapy, my parents took me on what I would mistake as space mountain for what could be a few years:

[caption id="attachment_41" align="aligncenter" width="432"] My security blanket for the next 5 years.[/caption]

Although I have grown to love thrilling attractions (all the mountains, everest, etc.), tTo this day, I still get feelings of nostalgia and safety from that attraction, and the knowledge that, instead of anything surprising, I will get beautiful lights and unique views of this world of tomorrow.

[caption id="attachment_42" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Gorgeous, no?[/caption]

I hope you enjoyed my little editorial! If you did let me know, and I will add more "origin stories" to the blog!

New enhancements to the Disney Dining Plan aim to add more flexibility

From WDWMagic:



Beginning May 31 2015, Disney has introduced a number of enhancements to the Disney Dining Plan with the aim of increasing the flexibility and usability of the popular inclusive meal plan.

Here is a run-down of the changes and how you can use them.

Snacks: The snack entitlement has been updated to now include:

• All items that are marked on the menu as snack eligible, including those that cost more than $5.


• All single serve non-alcoholic beverages not served in a souvenir container.


• All ice cream novelties.


• All hand-scooped ice cream not served in a souvenir container.


• All quick service menu side dishes.


• Fresh popped popcorn (pre-bagged popcorn is not available as a snack item).


• At breakfast, the following are considered snacks:


• Cereal with milk (including Create Your Own)


• French toast sticks


• Oatmeal or quinoa (including Create Your Own)


• Grits


• Side of bacon


• Side of sausage


• Side of eggs


• Side of potatoes


• Biscuits and gravy


• Hard-boiled eggs


• Table Service Restaurants

There is no longer a restriction on the number of entitlements that can be used at a meal. Eg. A group of 2 guests on the Disney Dining Plan could use 1 additional entitlement for a guest in that party - making a total of 3 entitlements used for the group of 3 diners.

If using the Deluxe, Premium and Platinum Plans, child meal entitlements can be used to choose adult entrees.

At some locations, a dessert may be substituted for a side salad, soup or fruit plate if available.
Quick Service Restaurants

A dessert or beverage from the Quick Service Meal entitlement can be substituted for any snack item on the menu within the same order.

A Quick Service Meal can be substituted for 3 snack eligible items within the same order.

At Quick Service locations, child meal entitlements can be used for an adult meal.