And finally, we hit the moment most people were waiting for: David meeting Disney. I would forgive you for expecting I would hate it – I thought I would, but I really loved it.
Almost every “family” attraction is so sentimental it becomes sickening. Disney is so sincere and so lovingly done it’s hard to begrudge it.
As much as a theme park ever could be, Disney World is art. The attention to detail, the little stories in the rides, the archives that are so lovingly displayed. The art and design of the House of Mouse is everywhere. There are cuddly toys based around Steamboat Willie, Mickey’s animated debut, as well as more unusual things – the manga-style Mickey is a little disturbing.
After we arrived on the Sunday, we had late opening tickets exclusively for resort guests. So that night was spent in the surreal experience of first seeing the Magic Kingdom in the dark. I was flung around Thunder Mountain, spun in the Mad Hatter’s TeaCups, rocketed around Space Mountain and drenched on Splash Mountain. We were staying in Port Orleans, part of the resort, so it was quick to get back after. But the next day we headed out to the Animal Kingdom and their lodge.
As became a theme very quickly, it’s beautiful. The whole place is filled with African art (its collection is second only to the Smithsonian in Washington DC, apparently) and so impeccably designed that I didn’t mind the fifteen minute walk from the lobby to my room. Especially when I looked outside and saw a giraffe wandfering around. Awesome.
The Kingdom is fantastic. On the safari I saw rhinos, elephants, monkeys, a lion, a lioness, alligators, hippos, cranes, gazelles… I could keep going. There was a bird show with all sorts of owls, parrots and a truly amazing American bald eagle. Those creatures are so stunning, it makes me sick people would hunt them.
Hollywood Studios is a stunning evocation of 40s/50s style movie studios. As well as a lot of movie-influenced stuff (including Pixar rides) there is one of my favourite things in the world now – the Tower of Terror. Another example of Disney’s attention to detail – it’s based on the 50s show The Twilight Zone and even features Ron Serling as the presenter of the ride. The amount of work, the little touches in keeping with the show, the ride itself… just amazing. And being dropped ten storeys is not a sensation that will be forgotten quickly. My stomach still lurches at the thought of it.
Anyway, Epcot was quite something in its own way. Amazing scenery, evocations of the world’s most famous cities and the show at the end of the night. Just wow.
Twice we went to breakfast with the Disney characters. Say nothing. I loved every minute of it!
Then the heaven’s opened. After unseasonably warm weather, even by Florida standards, the pressure broke and there was thunder like a shotgun. BANG! Water everywhere. In 30 seconds the place was sodden. The man-made rivers surrounding Disney were swollen.The doors were locked. So I did what any spart person would do: I bought a poncho.
We wandered around the park, watched the Electric Light Parade, and then the closing fireworks. The stormy weather left them somewhat subdued, eerie echoes of what they meant to be as they lit the clouds that shrouded them. It was still beautiful. And the light show before hand, when they imitated someone drawing the castle, was beautiful.
And that was it for Disney. The little mouse made every effort to take all my money with his sugary drinks and wonderful merchandise, but I loved it. We got up early to fly to Boston today.
We arrived around 2pm. Not my luggage though. No, it went to San Juan in Puerto Rico. Hopefully I’ll have it back tomorrow morning, but that was a bit of a dampener.
Thank America for Boston in general though. I really love it. The old style of much of the city, the history, the accents… bliss. Ok, the weather’s a bit iffy but I’m actually enjoying wearing my jeans and jumper. I’ve missed them.
Not sure what we’re doing, but I feel like this holiday has been a LOT longer than it has been. And there’s still more to come. Joy.
