These are my thoughts on life, kids and Walt Disney World.
I realized I had lost me somewhere along the way the past several years. I have been the perfect Mommy, wife and volunteer anyone could ask for. What I was missing was being there for me. I am going to take this year to get back to the real me and these are my thoughts along the way.
So this is my story of life, kids and my quest to learn all I can about Walt Disney World (my laughing place!) and earn my Disney PhD!
The ’50′s Prime Time Cafe’ reminds me so much of my parents and grandparents houses. It is one of our most favorite places to eat just for the fun atmosphere and of course the delicious comfort food. We had to take my parents here for dinner just to poke fun at the similar decor to their kitchen and living room.
As I have said before on my blog we love Walt Disney World and how wonderful we feel when we are there. We don’t feel like we can’t go on any rides or attractions for fear of not fitting in the seats because we do fit on almost everything!
Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS) being one of the later built parks is extremely accommodating to Pooh sized people.
Almost all the shows – Indiana Jones; Light, Motors, Action!; and Beauty and the Beast are all bench seating in a tiered theater. You can stretch out and relax to watch the show without any concerns.
Playhouse Junior Live on Stage is a large theater but there are no seats except on the floor. There are a few benches around the edge but those fill up quickly and you either need to sit on the floor with your family or stand in the back if you do not get a bench seat. I sat on the floor. It was VERY uncomfortable for me as it was very crowded and I needed to shift and stretch my legs and there really wasn’t room to do either. When it was time to go I waited until almost every audience member had left before I attempted to stand up. It was not a pretty picture.
The American Idol Experience, Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 4D (the seats in this theater were slightly smaller when we measured them) and The Voyage of the Little Mermaid both take place in theaters with seats approximately 16″ across and deep. I have found the slightly smaller seats tend to be on the ends of rows but at the same time it is a trade-off as I can stretch my legs if I am on the end of the row into the aisle. In The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 4D I have also not sat back all the way into the seat but if there is no one in front of me lean slightly forward to balance myself on the seat ahead of me. I have found that it is much more comfortable for me rather than squashing my hips in and possibly getting a bruise.
The Great Movie Ride is also bench seating in moving cars. If you feel that you are being pushed into a car with too many people (when it is busy they try to keep the lines and cars moving) ask to be held back and placed in a car with more room. Be a little bit bold otherwise they may squish you in like fish.
I have not personally been on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or The Rock-n-Roller Coaster as I do not like thrill rides of any type, but have sent my family on to try them all out. The Tower of Terror if you can get an end seat in the front row you will be better off especially if you have a family member sitting next to you. Tell the cast members as you enter you would like an end seat. You will be allowed to wait for the next car if needed. Remember to pull the seat belt all the way out as far as it will go before trying to fasten it. In the Rock-n-Roller Coaster the front seat has a bit of extra leg room and the overhead harness fit even my 6’5″ 350 lb. brother just fine.
Toy Story Mania is a ride cart similar to Buzz Lightyear in Magic Kingdom in many ways. We had no problem with sitting with our children next to us.
Overall, Disney Hollywood Studios is still one of our favorite parks for ease of maneuvering and being able to see and participate in activities comfortably.
This picture of my daughter was taken in 2007 at Walt Disney World but we can’t find the name of the character anywhere. How about some help Disney fans?
A blast from the past – the beginning of one of my most favorite Walt Disney World parades. This was the first parade, almost four and a half years ago, that my son fully understood and watching the joy and magic on his face as each float went by brought tears to my eyes. It will always be one of my favorites.
The Tree of Life - Animal Kingdom
As I have posted before my partner and I are not tiny people. We are how many larger Disney folks refer to themselves, Pooh Sized. Most of my weight is carried in my lower body around my hips and thighs, plus I am tall. So I have very different issues on different rides.
During our last trip to Walt Disney World I took a tape measure and a notebook and started to write about set width and length to give people an idea of how comfortable they would be on certain rides and show. I have already blogged about Magic Kingdom in Part I and Epcot in Parts II (Future World) and III (World Showcase).
This time we take on Animal Kingdom. In many ways Animal Kingdom is the least restrictive park for people of size in all of Disney World. It was the last part built in Walt Disney World and by then they had learned all the ways to make the parks more accessible for all people.
What you will notice is that most of the seating for shows are bench seating. So during Festival of the Lion King, Birds of Wonder and Nemo you will not have to worry about pinching thighs or encroaching on anyone else. You can just sit back and enjoy the shows.
For Kali River Rapids which have sets of two seats joined together around the edge of a giant inner tube like ring you can either sit with your small child if you have one or you can request two seats. You can sit in the middle of the two seats and just attach the seat belts together to allow you to sit comfortably. Warning you may get soaked to the skin wet on this ride so be prepared. Especially if it is a chilly day you will want to have dry sweatshirts for everyone.
The Kilimanjaro Safari vehicles are also bench seating. I had issue with stepping into the vehicle. I found going in sideways and lifting yourself up slightly, if you have wide hips to clear the doors, then sitting down on the bench and sliding across seems to work best for me. The leg room is definitely lacking in these vehicles and towards the end of the ride my knees were sore and starting to cramp but overall it was an enjoyable ride.
I have to admit to never having actually been on Expedition Everest. I am not a thrill ride person. But, my 6’5″ and 400 pound brother went on it and loved it. He had no issues with size and he was fearful of getting there and not fitting in the car. He had no problems.
Overall, Animal Kingdom really is the least restrictive park for us. There is quite a bit of walking especially if you take the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail or the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Both are really enjoyable especially if you walk slowly and take your time. Let everyone else go by you and you may see the animals playing in ways that you never thought about. We watched the teenaged gorillas chase each other in dominance play for almost 20 minutes while others glanced and rushed by us to get to the next ride or show. Take your time they are lovely.
Animal Kingdom really is a wonderful park for people of size.
Our last picture in Minnie’s House shortly before ToonTown was closed for the Fantasyland Expansion. Though this was never supposed to be a permanent area it was up long enough that my children grew up playing in Donald’s Spray Boat and visiting not only Mickey and Friends but eventually the Princesses and Fairies in the Judging Tent.
This was both a happy and sad day for us as we knew the next time we returned to Walt Disney World this area would be closed and soon a new Fantasyland would be opening.
Yes, that is correct. My family hates large crowds and sometimes being around people in general. Yet, we still love Disney World. If Walt Disney World always looked like the above photo then my family would be thrilled. But, Disney World would also not be in business.
It takes quite a bit of careful planning and knowing how and when to go but we seem to always find little quiet spots and go to shows and attractions when the crowds are at their minimum.
1. Know the Disney World “seasons.” When are Value, Peak and Premium times? Try to schedule your trips during Value Season if you can. But, if you cannot travel during those times you can still find little quiet spots.
2. Have a basic plan before you head to the parks of what you want to see and when the shows are. If you enter the parks and start looking at a map and schedules you are going to be following the crowds all day long. You either want to stay ahead of the crowds or far behind the crowds. We prefer behind the crowds because it lets us tour leisurely and not be rushed.
3. Know how to use Fast Passes (FP) to your advantage. Remember if you wait time is MORE than two hours beyond the time you get your FPs you can get a second ticket 5 minutes after that second hour. So it is possible to have more than one FP on busy park days.
4. Study the maps and look for the little paths that seem to meander off to the sides of the main paths. Sometimes if you are in a hurry these can save time as they are generally less crowded than the main paths but they are also great places to sit and relax and rejuvenate before heading out again. Around the Tree of Life, by Liberty Square and near the French Pavilion are some of our favorite resting spots. We can see the people walking near us but very few pass in front of us directly and the foliage and paths give the illusion of space so it seems secluded. A drink, a snack and a bit of quiet away from the crowds can give you plenty of energy to continue on with your day.
5. Know that there will be crowded times and don’t let it ruin your day. If you get to the point where you are getting upset by the crowds take a break. Either in the park or go back to your hotel to swim or nap until you can face the crowds again.
It may seem ridiculous to spend so much time planning for a vacation but to enjoy your time together a bit of planning is invaluable. As someone once pointed out to me, “You invest time researching and planning for a major appliance purchase why wouldn’t you do the same for a vacation?”
