Where Do You Stand on These Disney Debates?
Back in the early days of MickeyBlog, we occasionally evaluated a few hot topics among Disney fans.
We hadn’t done much of that since the pandemic. So, I figured now was a good time to get back to our roots!
Where do you stand on these Disney debates? Here’s how I feel…
Fireworks/Parades vs. Shorter Lines
Here’s a pro tip that doesn’t get discussed enough, in my opinion.
You can save a lot of time waiting in line at the parks as long as you’re willing to sacrifice something great.
Frequent park guests know that the lines shrink for attractions when Disney hosts parades or nighttime fireworks presentations.
This knowledge leads to a choice. Would you rather watch Happily Ever After, or would you rather ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train when the line is shorter?
The afternoon parade isn’t quite as much of a draw as the nighttime shows. So, it’s less beneficial to skip, but it’s still slightly better.
Generally, we watch the parades and fireworks because we’ve ridden all the attractions so many times.
Also, we often stay until closing time. That gives us plenty of time after the fireworks end to pick a short line for something.
Many (most?) guests exit the park after the fireworks end. We take advantage of that without having to miss Disney’s amazing nightly shows.
Is Disney Better at Day or Night?
Speaking of which, we usually Rope Drop AND stay until closing. We pull off that feat by leaving the parks in the afternoon when they’re most crowded.
You’d expect us to have strong opinions about day vs. night. Alas, my wife and I have talked about this a lot.
Our sincere answer is that we love both. In the mornings, Disney feels so vibrant and alive. We feed off the crowd’s energy as it waits to storm the gates.
Then, at night, Disney lights up the dark with its breathtaking lights and other décor.
In fact, the quickest way to get me to watch a Disney park video is to show Main Street, U.S.A. at night. It’s legitimately one of the most breathtaking sights in the world.
The illuminated marquees somehow marry state-of-the-art lighting effects with a bygone era of architectural design. I’m in awe of the place.
Similarly, I have such fond memories of nighttime rides on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Test Track, and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
So, I’m gonna cheat on this one. Is Disney better at day or night? My answer is that Disney’s just plain better.
More IP vs. Less IP
Bob Iger recently stated that he’s asked Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro for suggestions on integrating more intellectual properties at the parks.
Apparently, Disney wants to provide more of its beloved franchises with a park presence. And that’s understandable.
Disney currently faces a dilemma whenever it plans new developments. Classic Disney titles already populate most of the parks.
In some locations like Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, something has to die so that another new attraction can live.
Then, the new thing faces constant comparisons to the previous attraction. Good luck, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
Anyway, the debate comes down to whether you want more new IP in Disney parks or believe there is, if anything, too much already.
I’ll level with you here that I’ve never understood the latter argument. When Walt Disney built Disneyland in the 1950s, he marketed it around existing Disney stories.
Many of the marquee attractions like Snow White’s Enchanted Journey, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight connected directly to Disney animated films.
So, if Disney wants to build entire themed lands for Zootopia, Arendelle, or anything else, I’m here for it.
I mean, I’m not even a Star Wars fans, yet I’m lost in admiration anytime I visit Galaxy’s Edge.
Why wouldn’t I want Disney to create new attractions based on its more recent programming?
This one’s a no-brainer for me, and I say that as someone whom most would describe as a Disney purist.
Should You Buy Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane
I recently watched a pair of sisters get in a passive-aggressive fight on a Disney bus over this very topic.
One had wanted to purchase Disney Genie+ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The other had resisted, and it sounded like their day hadn’t gone well.
So, they worked some stuff out on that bus trip while all the rest of us tried to avoid eye contact. They big mad.
Anyway, the topic comes with a lot of heat. Anytime you try to tell someone how to spend the money in their wallet, you’re asking for trouble.
Also, Disney fans are already dialed up about this topic since FastPass didn’t cost a dime before the pandemic. Its replacement costs…many dimes.
Is Disney Genie+ worth the money? Realistically, the answer depends on the park and the timing of your visit.
You don’t need Disney Genie+ in September at EPCOT, but it’s a must at Magic Kingdom during Spring Break.
Personally, I purchase Disney Genie+ each day I’m at the park. As for Lightning Lane, I’m more flexible there.
Disney primarily offers one Lightning Lane per park. Some of the E-ticket attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance easily justify the cost.
Do Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Avatar Flight of Passage? I’m usually inclined to say no on the latter but yes on the former.
Rope Dropping the E-ticket Attraction
Speaking of Avatar, I crack up whenever I Rope Drop at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
You’d swear that the entire park revolves around Pandora – The World of Avatar.
When the park allows guests to enter, the thundering herd heads left to Pandora while a few bemused onlookers and newbies gaze at them in confusion.
So, do you follow the crowd at Rope Drop, or do you do your own thing instead?
For my wife and I, the answer again depends on the park. At Animal Kingdom, we usually head to Pandora…but not always.
We also adore early morning visits to Kilimanjaro Safaris. You’ll watch entirely different animal behaviors at this time of the day.
At Magic Kingdom, we’re going to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s almost reflexive at this point.
Then, there are other parks where the standard behavior isn’t really about the E-ticket ride.
For example, at EPCOT, most guests stop at Spaceship Earth since it’s right there by the main entrance.
My party usually picks Soarin’ instead…or Frozen Ever After if we enter via the International Gateway.
Finally, Hollywood Studios features so many E-ticket attractions that we rarely pick Rise of the Resistance.
Instead, we target either Slinky Dog Dash or Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Everyone chooses differently on all these subjects, but I’m genuinely curious how you stand on them all.
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Feature Photo: Disney