What I Miss Most about Disney Theme Parks
Are you a Disney fan like me? Do you have a particular week when you’re most likely to visit the parks?
Well, this week is where I’ve spent six out of the past seven years. Unfortunately, I can’t go right now, and it’s driving me crazy.
Here are the things I miss the most about the parks right now.
Camaraderie
Something I love about Disney theme parks is how unified the guests are.
I’m internal, not external, yet I feel comfortable striking up conversations with strangers the whole time I’m at the parks.
After all, we already have a comfort level. Everyone at the parks has something in common.
We love Disney and aren’t afraid to embrace our passion for the characters, themes, and attractions that celebrate it.
When I’m at Disney, I’m known to walk lost guests to the correct location. I hug cast members just for doing their jobs…well, I did until recently.
I’m the best version of myself because I feel like I’m home, even though I’m on vacation somewhere else.
That camaraderie is inimitable anywhere else on the planet.
Character Meals
At Disney theme parks, characters are in high demand. You may have to wait in line for 30 minutes or more to meet one.
This fact explains why I love character meals. While you sit around and eat, Disney will bring its beloved characters to your table!
Generally, character meals feature four or five characters who rotate around the restaurant. So, you’re never more than a few minutes away from a visit with a Disney icon!
My wife and I love these interactions so much that we schedule five or six of these meals per trip.
Our favorites are ‘Ohana and Trattoria al Forno for breakfast and Chef Mickey’s/Akershus for lunch/dinner. However, we’ve tried every possible character meal.
I cannot think of a bad experience. Conversely, we’ve littered our walls with collages of photographs that we’ve taken during character meals. They’re magical.
My Favorite Rides
I’ve always been a theme park zealot. I show up early and stay late. When I’m at the park, I’m on the clock.
My goal is to ride everything I possibly can in a single day. Some of my fondest college memories involve Chaos, a now-disassembled Space Mountain knockoff, at Opryland, a defunct theme park.
We would ride this coaster 10 times in its final hour of operation. And I’ve carried that mentality to this day.
During my most recent visit to Walt Disney World, I tore through 37 attractions in my final two days. Yes, I slept well on the flight home.
So, while I appreciate all of the thoughtful theming and cast member kindness, I go to Disney for the rides.
At this time in May, I’m supposed to ride Spaceship Earth, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, DINOSAUR, and Haunted Mansion.
Those are the rules, and I’m frustrated that I’m breaking them this year due to the pandemic.
Funny Ride Photos
I’ve been using social media since before there was a term for it. However, the one thing I’ve rarely done is take pictures of my life.
I’m not someone who thinks visually as a rule. I mention this because many of the images I’ve posted online have occurred at Disney theme parks.
I don’t even know how it happened. The choice was never a conscious one.
Still, my social media feed pictures are almost universally ones of me having a great time at the parks.
My favorites are the ones that happen on rides, especially organic situations.
Sometimes, I’ll look happy or stressed or ecstatic during the attraction. On Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, I always look super-intense because I want to win.
I never do, though. So, the ride captures that frustration in a way that cracks me up. Funny ride photos humanize the experience of a park visit.
Laughter of Children
As soon as kids learn that the Happiest Place on Earth exists, they want to go there. It’s the mecca of childhood, really.
Some parents can name the exact year(s) that they took their kids because it’s such a seminal event in the kid’s life.
Once the children enter the parks, they’re surrounded by joy.
Sure, they’ll have the occasional mishap – that’s childhood for you – but they also display their glee for all to enjoy.
I bask in this perfect form of laughter that’s easy to find at Disney theme parks.
Official Disney Resorts
How much do I love official Disney resorts? I currently have reservations for three of them in 2020.
This comes after we stayed at three other places over the past six months. Yes, I love to bop around the Disney campus.
The reason why is that official Disney hotels are the most wondrous properties you’ll ever find near theme parks.
I often describe them as cathedrals, and even that statement might undersell them.
My wife and I purchase candles that smell like the resorts. We do this so that we’ll bring the fragrance of the hotels into our homes.
Nobody would do that with a Holiday Inn, my friends. Any smells you encounter there aren’t planned and aren’t welcome.
Conversely, a place like Disney’s Beach Club Inn or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort delivers comfort with its aromatic scent.
Oh, the pools and restaurants are phenomenal, too.
Parades and Fireworks
In my mind’s eye, the perfect moments at Disney theme parks occur after dark.
That’s when cast members light up the night with dazzling colors. It’s when time seems to stand still while glowing parade floats drive past me.
At night, Disney rewards its loyal customers with breathtaking shows set against the backdrop of the castle.
Whether you prefer Wishes or Happily Ever After or the Boo to You! Parade, nights embody the best of Disney.
I think we’ll all feel better the moment that Disney’s nighttime presentations return.
World Showcase
Strolling through the World Showcase isn’t something that people appreciate enough, in my opinion.
When we walk through the designated areas for countries, we’re living Walt Disney’s dream for EPCOT.
Uncle Walt loved the communal nature of World’s Fair expos, places where people from countries gathered together to share their customs.
During the Florida Project land grab, Disney relayed his desire to his employees.
While EPCOT didn’t become a prototypical futuristic community, the World Showcase is the one place where everything worked out at least as well as Disney wanted, probably even better.
Okay, these are the things I miss the most about the parks right now. What would make your list? Let us know in the comments.