Day 1314: Book It

It's pretty obvious at this point that 2016 is the year of Disney trips. It's been a stark contrast to years such as 2013, when, initially, I didn't think I'd be going on any trips (despite the fact that I picked that year to begin writing for Everyday Disney), and really, four trips in one year, in less than 10 months really, is more than even I'm used to. I still have a trip scheduled for October, when I'll finally get to attend the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot for the first time since my childhood, but after that we didn't really have anything in mind. 

Until now. 

After some debating over whether or not we would go to Florida over Spring Break, similar to what we did my freshman year, we ultimately decided that just Mom and I would head down for another January trip, which just happens to be one of my favorite times of the year to visit Walt Disney World (next to Christmas, of course). We even added an extra day to our stay, making the trip the longest we'll have taken since January of 2015, which will offer for plenty of time to film videos and do some photography while avoiding rain and the cold weather. 

The point here is this: Disney fans have this problem, where if we don't have another trip planned for after our next trip, we'll end the day depressed and sad, so instead of just moping around wondering when another trip will fall into our hands, we take the initiative and just book another trip. Because, as Disney reminds us on our Magical Express ride back to the airport, the best way to get over one vacation is to start dreaming about the next one. 

Do you frequently have multiple trips planned at a time? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 652: Attractions of the Past

This particular blog post kind of goes with a number of other ones, but it's actually inspired by THIS article from Mental Floss that I happened across the other day. With Malestrom and the Backlot Express and who knows what else closing, it does give us a chance to go back and reflect on some of the Disney attractions of the past, in this case 11 Wonderful Former Disney Rides from Disneyland And Walt Disney World.

I can't say I remember most of these since 1. I wasn't alive for most of them and 2. Most of them are at Disneyland, and I've only been there once. Actually, there are only two attractions on the entire list that I could even possibly remember, although I don't remember any of them (aside from some faint memories of Journey Into Imagination).

It's it odd though, that there can be so many Disney attractions completely lost in the history books? If you look at how many attractions are open at even just Walt Disney World today, there's more than you can see and do in any one day, or eight or nine for our matter in January. When things close though, you have this strange sense of wonder at what will come next, especially when they include little hints of things within the new attraction. Take Mission SPACE for instance, where there are little hints to Horizons all over the place, and one of my brother's favorite things about the redesigned Test Track is probably the garbage cans with the old World of Motion Epcot symbol.

There are a lot of old attractions I do remember though, and I talked about a few of them in my Malestrom blog post (That was, ironically enough, also written this evening on October 19). I think the most vintage of them would have to be the Skyway though. I think that's one of the things I really love about Disneyland though. I feel like there's a real sense of the old Disney there, between the Matterhorn and the Autopia and everything else. That's not something we have at Disney World, and I find that to be really sad. I love looking back at the past attractions, and I really wish we would do it more often.

What was your favorite lost attraction?

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on October 19).

Day 64: New Park Maps

I think it really depends on how long and how often you visit Walt Disney World, but if you have gone as many times as I have, there are two things about Park maps that are true.

1. You pick them up for show, but never...ever...use them.
2. They needed an update, aside from adding New Fantasyland.

Well, Disney responded, creating a whole fleet of brand new park maps, and I'd like to thank Disney by Mark for throwing them in a PDF, which you can find at his site here.

Now, it took me a few minutes to figure it out, but these maps have changed DRASTICALLY. Granted, I love the new design, but I can't help but wonder if turning the park illustrations so they all face north is a good idea. Like I said, I hardly ever use a map, and if I do it's to decide on where to eat or find the nearest restroom, but for first time visitors to the World, turning Epcot around might be a little bit confusing. Granted, two of the parks are still the correct way, but Disney's Hollywood Studios appears to be at an angle because, well, on the real maps of the world, it is. Just a little confusing to everyone but those who have visited more than once or twice. 

Don't get me wrong, I love these new designs, and I can't wait to pick some up during my trip in July. I'm sure I'll come home with a stack worthy of even my father's collection, but I do suggest you check out the maps now to see what's all new. The illustrations are wonderful, and I'm happy to see that Spaceship Earth continues to hold its #1 position on the listing. It just makes me happy. 

And speaking of Epcot, Here's today's Disney History: 1983: The Journey Into Imagination attraction (presented by Kodak) officially opens at EPCOT's Future World. Located in The Imagination! pavilion, Journey into Imagination features the Dreamfinder, who teaches Figment (a small, purple creature with orange steer horns) to use his imagination. The ride features the song "One Little Spark," composed by the Sherman Brothers. 

Have a magical day!