A Story of Misplaced Anger

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is the happiest place on earth. It is only called that because it is entirely true. There are 4 theme parks and millions of visitors each year. It is an amazing destination full of awe and wonder. But that doesn’t mean it is all magic all the time. There are certainly times when things get stressful and families snap at each other.

Setting the Stage

We were at Magic Kingdom on Saturday in early October of 2006. We were there all day and we had tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party. The temperature was above average for the time of the year. It was very, very crowded. It was early afternoon and we had Fast Passes (remember those) for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. The standby wait time wasn’t too bad. It was probably about 40 minutes. As we entered the Fast Pass return queue, we noticed the standby line seemed pretty long. It also looked to be moving pretty slow. Even the line we were in was moving slower than it should have been. So it was a little annoying. At least for us it was a little annoying. It was apparently much more annoying for people in the stand by line who probably ended up waiting over an hour and a good 20 minutes over the posted wait time. We would soon find out it was about to push one woman over her breaking point.

Just Why

After almost 10 minutes to get through the Fast Pass return queue, we made it to the ride entrance. The attendant was a college aged girl. She stopped a woman and her children who were next in the standby line to allow more Fast Pass holders through. The woman then erupted on the attendant. She just started screaming at her that she had been waiting too long, the Fast Pass system is unfair and she should not have been stopped. I mean the woman was really screaming at her. The poor attendant was just trying to get her to calm down while another attendant was calling for help, I suppose. As I walked by this woman I told her to stop yelling at the attendant, as she is only doing her best and should not be the target of her rage. The woman only paused briefly to look at me as my wife quickly ushered me away.

The morale of this short story is to always remember Walt Disney World is a magical place and we must all do our part to keep it that way.

Should you buy Disney Genie Plus???

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is certainly a popular vacation destination. There are four distinct parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. No other vacation involves so much planning and offers such a diverse list of activities. Every vacation to Walt Disney World is unique on its own. Being so popular (and so amazing), means that the cost of the vacation is expensive. And that is just the start. It goes up from expensive to pretty much astronomical. Therefore, budget decisions must be made. Things to decide on include resorts, dining, souvenirs, and other extras. Then there is Disney Genie Plus. It costs can vary by day, but expect about $15 per person per day, which can easily add up to a major expense. Disney Genie Plus allows users to make reservations (the old Fast Pass) for some rides throughout the day. So The question remains, should you purchase Disney Genie Plus.

The Definitive Answer to the Question

The simple answer is YES. You need Disney Genie Plus. They way to think about Disney Genie Plus is that however it works out, it is really amazing to skip major lines on at least some attractions. It actually makes a big difference (especially for the kids) to get on a ride without a long wait. It makes for a nice break from the lines and makes them more bearable when you get back in one.

But the complicated answer is you don’t need it every day. Disney Genie Plus works best at Magic Kingdom. Because there are so many rides, you can get the most amount of reservations. The other parks have much more limited options, and it becomes less valuable. Animal Kingdom really has the least benefit and it can probably be avoided. Especially if you can get there early and rope drop. Hollywood Studios is so busy and the reservations go so fast, it is also a struggle to use Disney Genie Plus. But even if it only gets you a few rides, it can make a difference as Hollywood Studios usually has the longest waits. EPCOT is the second best park for using Disney Genie Plus. There are surprisingly a large amount of quality rides to book and they are some pretty great ones (Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, Test Track).

It’s All a Matter of Preference

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is a massive resort destination for family fun. There are four distinct parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Each park has its own unique theme and feel. EPCOT is actually an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The theme here is clear throughout EPCOT, with a focus on science, planet Earth and Space. Hollywood Studios, especially with the new additions of Star Wars: Galaxy Edge and Toy Story Land, is where the movies come alive. Animal Kingdom is a combination of a zoo and a theme park. Magic Kingdom is the “happiest place on Earth”. By itself, it is home to six different lands that bring wonder and joy to children and adults.

It is important to remember when planning a vacation to Walt Disney World that there are no wrong answers. There are so many different things to do that every trip to Disney World can be unique. So when planning your next vacation, always consider your own preference and what your family likes to do. While there are some attractions that are universally beloved (or despised), most people have widely varying opinions. Don’t rely too heavily on reviews and other sources. Make sure you experience everything once for yourself. Within my own family, we have many disputes between our favorite rides. We even disagree on which parks we like best.

Consider also why you are taking this vacation. Most likely it is to build family memories and provide an amazing experience for your children. So think about what they like to do. We have a child that absolutely loves animals. We therefore like to spend more time at Animal Kingdom than we normally would.

All Things Beauty and the Beast

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is home to the most beloved characters in the world. Heroes, villains, animals, princesses, toys, the list goes on and on. Walt Disney World certainly maximizes the appeal of these characters in rides, shows, performances and greetings. One movie that certainly has left its mark on Walt Disney World is Beauty and the Beast. There are attractions in 3 of the 4 parks, with the exception being Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood Studios

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is a professional production of the beloved movie. It runs about 20 to 25 minutes and contains all the classic songs and scenes. It is really wonderful. The show is played in a covered theatre on Sunset Boulevard. Showtimes are usually every hour, so there are plenty of chances to catch it. I highly recommend this show as it really is dazzling.

Magic Kingdom

Located in Fantasy Land, Be Our Guest is an amazing dining experience. It is a signature (think expensive) restaurant with a prefix menu. Patrons are able to dine inside Beast’s Castle and meet Beast. Walt Disney World unsurprisingly built the castle exquisitely to the finest detail. There are performance aspects to the dinner, and you can even take a look at the rose in the glass. The menu is expensive and the food is definitely high end, so this might not be for everyone. I’m not much of an eater myself, but for the experience alone we needed to try.

EPCOT

Located in (where else) France, there is an underappreciated attraction called Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along. We really only stumbled upon it one day to get out of the rain. Again, it shouldn’t surprise me that even a small show tucked away in EPCOT contains Disney magic to delight fans. I won’t give anything away, but you should definitely seek out a time to see this show.

Why I love Tommorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Michael Luongo

Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on earth. It really is. Thrill rides, beloved characters and iconic attractions bring back adoring guests year after year. Theming at Walt Disney World, and especially within Magic Kingdom, is something that helps Disney World rise above other amusement parks. Other Disney parks come close, but nothing quite catches this phenomenon like Magic Kingdom. Tomorrowland just feels different than Fantasyland and Fronteirland. It really is amazing. Magic Kingdom is the best.

There are so many rides in Magic Kingdom, that it wouldn’t be possible to experience them all in one day. Especially with little children, there is a certain limit of how much can be done. Little ones don’t do very well waiting in lines. Although Disney designs most rides to accommodate even the smallest guests, the thrill rides to have a minimum height requirement. And that leaves families scrambling sometimes trying to decide what to do. Here I will pitch one of my favorite attractions, Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover.

The People Mover is an elevated open air tram that travels around Tomorrowland in basically a tour of the attractions. The ride is slow moving and relaxing, but does sometimes seem to be cruising a little faster. It winds its way through rides like Space Mountain and is narrated with fun facts. Guests can get fun views of Magic Kingdom as they wind their way through Tomorrowland.

Vacations to Walt Disney World are about making family memories. Most rides and shows can be experienced by almost everyone in the family. Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover can truly be enjoyed by everybody. The ride is entertaining, long and enjoyable. The wait is never too long. The trams allow families to sit facing each other so they can really connect and converse. It is calm enough for people who don’t want a thrill, while also being fun enough for kids seeking a ride. I can’t describe the joy I feel while zooming around Tomorrowland with my favorite people.

Attraction Profile: Walt Disney World Railroad

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World Railroad had been closed for over 4 years. It was inoperable while construction was in progress on Tron: Lightcycle/ Run. But as of December 2022, it has finally reopened. Because of this extended closure, there are many people who have never enjoyed a ride on the rails. Additionally, there will be many who are totally unaware of this attraction. Don’t let this experience be forgotten.

The Walt Disney World Railroad is unique in that it is an attraction, but is also a mode of transportation. There are three train stations around Magic Kingdom. The first one is at the park entrance. The next two are in Frontierland and Fantasyland. The train only operates in one direction in that order. It can be a quick way to get around if the timing is right. It is also a relaxing way around the park and a nice break.

The Walt Disney World Railroad is a scenic ride that provides an opportunity to see some interesting views of Magic Kingdom. During the construction update, imagineers added a tunnel through Tron Lightcycle/Run. Similar to Tomorrowland’s People Mover, Disney World guests will feel the magic when riding the Railroad. It is such a simple attraction that would be completely ordinary at other amusement parks. But, at Walt Disney World, that indescribable feeling of joy and wonder is perfectly captured.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks are Totally Worth It

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Michael Luongo

There are some things that Walt Disney World does better than anybody else. There are 4 distinct and amazing amusement parks and 2 water parks. Planning vacations to Walt Disney World takes months and it never stops. There are always more decisions to be made and choices to be considered. And in the end, not all plans are carried out. Sometimes it is a ride that just doesn’t make it into the day. And sometimes days fizzle out and the night time spectaculars get skipped. But here is why you maybe shouldn’t skip Magic Kingdom Fireworks.

I understand why the plans for catching the Magic Kingdom fireworks can get scrapped. Days at Walt Disney World can be long. Very long. The fireworks are pretty late in the day and sometimes people just get too tired. The idea of the fireworks can itself also be very daunting. There is going to be a large crowd. It is going to be nuts trying to leave. You have to find a spot and stay there in the crowd waiting for the show. I get that some people won’t want to do that. It’s much easier to duck out before the fiireworks, and beat the rush to the resort. And it’s just fireworks. Everyone has seen them before. But you haven’t experienced the Disney magic of this night time spectacular.

Walt Disney World usually changes the Magic Kingdom fireworks annually. There is a theme that often accompanies the ongoing theme throughout Walt Disney World. And every year they seem to get more and more advanced. Unsurprisingly, the current theme celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom fireworks are an event. It is amazing Disney World can produce them night after night. The fireworks are beautiful over the backdrop of Magic Kingdom. Cinderella’s Castle is lit up with movie scenes, characters and synchronized lights. The excitement of the crowd creates a shared experience of wonder and joy. Any feelings of angst or worry are melted away. The excitement will carry your family all the way back to the resort and beyond. And of course, your children will absolutely love the fireworks and will talk about them with such exuberance, you will be so glad you stuck it out. Well until they inevitably fall asleep on the way back.

A Few Tips for a Short Trip

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Vacations to Walt Disney World have so many variations. There are so many things to do and decisions to be made. Some families prefer a relaxing vacation with maximum time hanging out by the pool, while others arrive early at the park and stay all day. Many vacationers stay a week or more and still leave wanting more. There are also families that might only stay for a few days because of a number of factors including budgeting and time constraints. A short trip can seem even more overwhelming because there is the added stress of feeling rushed to get everything done. Here are some ideas to relieve stress and enjoy your vacation.

The most important thing to remember when visiting Walt Disney World is that it is supposed to be fun. It seems simple, and kind of stupid, but it is still something to remember. Even with all the planning and considerations ahead of time, there WILL be bumps in the road. This is especially true for short trips where you will inevitably be trying to squeeze everything in. There have been times when I wanted to make a showtime, and just didn’t make it for one reason or another.

Dining reservations might be hard to come by. The dining reservation system opens when your vacation is 60 days away from the first day. So during a long stay, you can book the last days before many other people. The inverse is also true, that during a short stay, many people have already made their reservations by the time you are able to make yours. That means you have to accept that you will likely not get your top choices. And don’t feel like you need to sit down and eat every meal. I usually only do one table service meal anyway. On a short trip, it would be wise to only sit at a restaurant you really want, and not settle for anything.

It might be worth it to purchase the park hopper option on a short trip. The park hopper allows guests to go to 2 parks in one day. This way, you will at least be able to visit all the parks. A great benefit of this is that each park has their own hours, and generally Epcot and Magic Kingdom are open the latest. Also Animal Kingdom usually opens the earliest and you can really hit most of the attractions in half of a day. This allows you to start at an early park and then go to another that’s open later and really maximize your time. And to save money if you plan to park hop on the back end of the trip, you cab add that option after you used your base ticket the first few days. Something to remember is that Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are very close to each other and you can even walk from one to the other in about 20 minutes.

Finally, prioritize the attractions you definitely want to do. With a little luck you should be able to do everything you want at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. But, assume you won’t have time to do all of the major attractions in one day at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. And you won’t want to spend so much time in lines you can’t really enjoy the Disney experience. So make sure to hit attractions that don’t have long waits. And again, don’t rush around trying to do everything. Just enjoy what the vacation brings you.

Construction Update: Tron Lightcycle/ Run

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Disney D23 Expo concluded this past weekend. As usual, there was so much news coming out of this event it can get overwhelming. Disney announced a ton of new movies and Disney+ shows. There were also many Disney Parks updates around the globe. By far the long awaited news that got my interest was the Tron Lightcycle/ Run update.

Tron Lightcycle/ Run is an innovative roller coaster under construction at Magic Kingdom. And it has been under construction forever. It was supposed to open for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021. Unfortunately, the COVID19 pandemic derailed those plans. Construction started before the pandemic, so anyone that has visited Magic Kingdom over the last few years has seen the construction ongoing. It has been progressing at a snail’s pace. Tron Lightcycle/ Run will bring a much needed world class thrill ride to Magic Kingdom to help push Walt Disney World into the future.

And while construction has been under way, Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed, as it passes under or through the construction zone. So hopefully the Railroad will be opening again soon. Because I do miss that ride around Magic Kingdom.

This news is, however, met with some disappointment. Tron Lightcycle/ Run has been seen to be in operation recently with theories of ride testing circulating the online community. It seemed as though the ride was closely approaching an opening date. Selfishly, I was hoping it would be complete by my next trip to Walt Disney World this January.

Attraction Profile: Mickey’s Philharmagic

Posted on August 30, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is consistently one of the busiest amusement parks in the world. Undoubtedly one of the most congested areas of Magic Kingdom is Fantasyland. It is also the biggest section of Magic Kingdom and connects Tomorrowland to Liberty Square behind Cinderella’s Castle There also isn’t much shade and it gets very hot. There is everything here that Magic Kingdom has to offer. Great rides, popular characters, signature dining, quick service restaurants and wonderful attractions. It can be difficult to navigate and certainly gets overwhelming. There are so many decisions to be made. And they need to be made quick, as wait times fluctuate rapidly. One decision we never regret is to make sure we head into Mickey’s Philharmagic.

Mickey’s Philharmagic is a gorgeous production. Guests enter the theater for an orchestra performance. Through some hijinks, Donald Duck ends up on a musical adventure through some of the greatest Disney movie musical numbers. This show is an absolute must for any fan of Disney music. You will find yourself singing along and dancing in your seat. It is wildly entertaining.

Mickey’s Philharmagic also offers a great benefit that many of the attractions at Walt Disney World share. They provide a cool place to have a seat while enjoying the show. The queue is almost entirely inside and the wait is almost never more than 15 minutes. All together it can be a solid break of about 20 minutes to a half hour.

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