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!
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?”
Could my daughter fit anymore rainbow candies on her chocolate dipped marshmallows from Goofy’s Candy Company?
As I mentioned in my previous post, Pooh Sized Traveling – Part II Epcot – Future World, Epcot is one of most favorite parks for ease of touring and lessening our fears about not being able to fit in attractions or at shows.
As we enter World Showcase we turn left to the Mexican Pavilion first.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabellaros - This slow-moving boat ride inside the Mexican Pavilion is to showcase the tourism of Mexico. The vague storyline is cute and the boats are reminiscent of It’s a Small World After All. You step down into the boats to sit. The seats are low in the boat so your knees are lower than your hips. This seating gets uncomfortable for me very quickly but I am able to shift myself around to try to keep comfortable. There is little leg room.
Maelstrom - In Norway the Maelstrom is a very similar boat to the Three Caballeros in Mexico. The seating is very similar. At the end of the ride is a 5 minute travelogue on Norway in a small theater. The seats are 16″ from inside armrest to inside armrest. If you wish to bypass the movie as you enter the theater there is an exit at the top left.
Reflections of China – This circle 360 movie was gorgeous. I was completely surprised by how different the areas of China were. There were no size issues in this show but standing while waiting for the show to begin and then through the entire show was tough for me. Standing in one spot very still can get painful for me. Next time I will make sure my legs are well rested before I head into this show.
The American Adventure – This is one of my favorite shows in Epcot World Showcase. The theater seating is approximately 16 1/2″ arm rest to arm rest. The theater is usually not full so you can leave an empty seat next to you if necessary. It is a great air-conditioned space to relax and rejuvenate before the next section of your tour. There are a few benches around the edge of the main room to sit on while you are waiting for the next show to begin if you are fortunate enough to get one.
Impressions de France - This movie in the France pavilion is in a smallish theater. The seats are approximately 15 3/4″ arm rest to arm rest. They are beautiful seats but left me with a nasty bruise on my hip where the arm rest dug into my side. We loved the movie but the bruise left me not wanting to go back very soon.
O Canada! – This Circle 360 movie is similar to the Reflections of China. You must stand while waiting for the movie to begin and during the movie. Again, standing still in one spot is tough for me so I got a bit wiggly near the end. I was very glad to go out and sit down once the movie was over.
Boats between the front of World Showcase and Italy or Morocco – These free-floating vessels are a great way to cut your walking in half if you need to get to the back of World Showcase for a meal or to start your touring. We tend to tour World Showcase over 2 days so we start at the back before the crowds set in and move our way around to the front. The boats have ample room and bench seating for comfort.
Epcot truly is one of our most favorite parks for our entire family.
She is serious about her mission to find the Jade Monkey. At first I was very skeptical about the Kim Possible Missions. Running around a country to catch the “bad guy”? My kids had never even seen Kim Possible how could they possibly enjoy this?
Was I wrong! It is now on our must do list for Epcot.
We signed up for our Kimmunicator in Innoventions and were given a FP to return to the kiosk by Norway an hour later. This was perfect timing as we were heading in that direction and we had not done the Mission in Norway previously.
My children love seeing the clues such as smoke billowing from a chimney, a picture changing or singing steins. Disney does this so perfectly. I just wish they were able to spread out the Missions starting times a bit more. At one point my children were backed up behind 2 other groups waiting for the same clue so we went on a short mission of our own to scout the area so they wouldn’t see the clue before it was their turn.
We have completed missions in China, Norway, Germany and France. Each had a cute surprise at the end of each mission. We can’t wait to do the missions in Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Be forewarned though – each mission takes about 30 minutes to complete so if you are rushed for time or have Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) in another part of the world you need to plan carefully.
We can’t wait until they start the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. It sounds as if it will be similar to Kim Possible in Epcot. Construction has already begun in Adventureland. What a wonderful place to begin a new adventure!
“Too many people grow up. That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don’t remember what it is like to be 12 years old. They patronize, they treat children as inferiors. Well, I won’t do that.”
Walt Disney
I often hear parents saying to their children, “I wish you would just grow up.” I often pause when I hear that phrase because that is not what I really think they mean to say.
I have been striving to keep my children being children in a tide that sometimes seem overwhelming. Pictures of pre-teen girls in cut off shorts with the phrase – “It is all about the short shorts” greeted us on a shopping trip this spring. My 11 year-old daughter and my 8 year-old son know unless it is a rated G movie there is probably no chance for them to see it.
I didn’t even allow them to watch most Disney movies until they were 6 or 7. Every single movie, except Mary Poppins and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, have an evil villan. Yes, there are mean people in life but why expose them to such things at a young age. I want to protect them and show them the good things in life and not be jaded by life by the time they are teenagers.
I remember vividly the first time my daughter ran across her first mean child. She was almost 5 and we were at a McDonald’s Play Place. She was running and playing when suddenly she came back to the table and sat down. When we questioned this she told us that another older child told her she wasn’t allowed in the climbing structure. Of course we sent her back up there with coaching on what to say and do. I want my children to be children but not door mats for others. But, this made me sad because she suddenly realized all people were not kind, open and willing to share as she always thought.
Maybe I am Pollyanna-ish in my hopes that letting my children be children as long as they can will help them in the long run but I really don’t think it can hurt.
