Walt Disney World #1

or "The Happiest Place on Earth" or "Where Dreams Come True" or the place celebrating "The Year of a Million Dreams."

We spent a generous portion of our Thanksgiving holiday allotment at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

We left Friday following our Grandparent's Day program at Fort Worth Christian. The goal was to drive all night since our first day of Disney playing and staying was Saturday. We would drive and get there to enjoy as much of the day as possible. That didn't work. We made it to Mobile, Alabama, when Leslie and I decided driving all night was not an option this time. We stopped about midnight, rose at 6:00, had some McMuffins and drove arriving at approximately 3:30. We were at Disney-MGM by5:00.

A couple of things here.

1. We have never been to DisneyWorld.
2. We chose not to fly to save money and because we enjoy the driving.
3. We chose to stay at one of the resort's hotels.
4. We used, for the first time, a travel agent.
5. We did not get a meal ticket or whatever it is called.
6. The initial plan was to visit Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the Magic Kingdom - in that order forsaking the MGM park because it didn't seem to hold much attraction. We decided to go to MGM on our first day since it wasn't a whole day and because they were open later.
7. I read. I read this book about Disney. A lot.

Things Disney does well:

1. Service. Although we didn't experience an extraordinary event in the service arena, there was that feeling around. We witnessed kind treatment of many. This is not Six Flags.

2. Convenience. I am convinced that this is why so many go, so often. It is all inclusive. All located right there. Transportation is easy. Swimming pools everywhere.

3. Cleanliness. This is not Six Flags.

4. Light Show/Fireworks. Three of the parks have some sort of light show/fireworks display. This is not your typical fireworks/laser/light show.

5. Parades. We didn't care for them, but as parades go they were good.

6. What I call "free enterprise zones." After every major ride, you are dumped off into a gift shop based on the theme of the ride. For example, after Star Tours, which is based on Star Wars, to exit the ride you have to walk through a gift shop of Star Wars stuff. I'm not saying I like this. I am saying they do it well.

The next post will present more specific thoughts about the place.