Wandering Disney - Part 2

Our first full day at Disney World was going to be spent at Disney Hollywood Studios.  Despite our long day the day before, we awoke early and made the bus ride to the theme park.  The park was offering extended early hours for those staying on resorts so we wanted to get there early to avoid some lines without having to use our fast passes.  I guess with that you have my first tip in this entry.  Check which parks have those extended hours and implement those in your planning.  My wife nailed all these through out the week and maximized our enjoyment.

We made sure to spend some down time relaxing in the shade.

By taking advantage of the early opening for us at Hollywood Studios we were able to get on "Star Tours" without waiting in line, not once but twice.  The second time, my daughters photo was used to mimic a Jedi spy on this Star Wars themed ride.  We had a blast with the electronically generated screen and simulator ride that made you feel like you were a passenger in a star freighter.  I honestly think that was Michelle's favorite ride of the week. By the end of the day we had enjoyed this ride a total of 4 times and we came back another day and rode it once more.

Throughout the day we saw Disney characters throughout the park.  To Michelle's disappointment our kids were not really into getting their pictures with the characters....well almost.  Chewbacca was a different story.  Everyone wanted to hang out with the oversized wookiee so we waited a few minutes in line to shake his hairy hand and have our pics taken.  Seeing my 6 year old daughter gaze in awe and wonder made the wait worth it.

As we left Chewie behind we had some time to kill before our next fast pass window opened.  We strolled leisurely through the main part of the park (don't forget to get your park maps), and I took in the landscaping, trees, and structures.  I was amazed at how everything seemed to be placed with a purpose.  A tree to block the unsightly power panel, and false wall to cover a girder that supported a ride or a shrub filled garden to cover a staff entry into a restaurant.  Every park seemed so well planned and I couldn't help but be impressed, despite my inclinations against the extreme commercialism.  So to that I have to say, while there I never once felt like I was being sold anything I didn't want.  Not once did a vendor holler at me and ask me to buy a trinket or toy.  Not once did a cashier try to up sell me.  Walt I was impressed and you won me over.

The weather was hot at Disney but not as hot as the action at the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

We wandered towards the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and as they prepared the crowd and the stage for the show we chatted and smiled broadly.  This cool show gave you an insight into how action films use stunt men and choreography to make the movies look real.  Both guys and girls can take and give punches.  It was really cool to watch as they explained the stunts in a movie I watched tens of times growing up.  Indy is just as cool now as ever, just ask my son who was blown away by the explosions and stunts.

From the fast paced action at the stunt show we slowed the pace and checked out the dining before taking in the Muppets 3D show.  This would be my first cartoon show and when I left the show I felt like a kid.  Growing up I loved the Muppets, especially Fozie, and this show made them come alive.  The 3D stage animation made Gonzo's nose tangible and Miss Piggy never looked so fine...I mean for a pig.

After that it was off to the "Rockin Roller Coaster" and the ride of our life.  I am a country music fan for the most part but in my younger days, I was into the hair bands and this included Aerosmith, which formed the basis of this ride.  As we approached the loading area for the ride we watched as a group in front of us took off.  I suddenly feel a bit of apprehension as the speed at which the ride took off was scary.  My fear wasn't for myself but more for the kids.  I was worried they would chicken out.  Do I feel silly.  The kids climbed in and the ride took off like a rocket.  Oh and I forgot to mention, you go upside down in this ride over to the Aerosmith show.  Both kids screamed in a high pitched, excited tone through the whole ride and Michelle and I were both right there with them.

One of my favorite Disney characters is "Lightning McQueen"

Before leaving for the night we watched the "Lights Motors Action" stunt show.  The impressive theater held lots of people who all sat on the edge of their seats as a number of stunt car drivers maneuvered cars at a high speed through a small staged villa.  The star of the show for the kids though was Lightning McQueen...that was until one of the stunt cars jumped across a gap between two trucks.  It was a great show and a great way to end our day.

We made our way back to the resort and spent some time at the pool.  The ability of kids to make friends was easily visible here as our kids quickly made a friend from Minnesota.  The young boy and my son quickly bonded and they would meet up a couple more times.  After over an hour in the pool the kids were tired and we crashed with high expectations for the next day.

Ranting Against Youth Nature Deficit Disorder

Our family uses Fundy National Park regularly for our vacations.  Its much cheaper than Disneyland.

BLOGGER'S NOTE: I had this blog published in the Kings County Record recently.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

I've heard it said many times that there is a "Youth Nature Deficit Disorder."  This disorder is tough to swallow for a guy like me and I try to ignore it as much as possible.  Recently that became difficult when some youth I was mentoring indicated that out of the group, less than 20% had spent time outdoors in a tent.  This blew me away and I couldn't believe it.  It gave me a new resolve to increase the writing I do about outdoor activities and such and try to mentor more youth in outdoor adventure.

As I try to understand the problem further I am starting to think that it is not the youth with the issue but rather the parents.  Sorry folks but I have to put the blame where I feel it lies.  Now to be honest you can't be fully to blame, after all our economic needs have changed and have required that we work harder so we can afford our lavish lifestyle and all the organized sports that we want to play.  Don't get me wrong organized sports have a role too, heck I'm a minor hockey coach, so I'm not against youth sports.  As our cost of living has gone up and families have moved from one income to two, it has meant families have less time to vacation together.  Oh and when they do marketers have us believing we would be better to go to Disneyland or somewhere extravagant like that.

This last point is where I really get frustrated.  I don't need to pay hundreds of dollars to wait in line so I can shake hands with an oversized mouse, I can go in the backyard and find a real one and not pay a dime.  I don't need to meet a certain weight or height requirement to enjoy a 3 minute, thrill ride.  I can jump in a canoe and take one that can last for hours and for a bonus I can see not just two ducks, but I can see a whole flock.

As parents we seem to think that unless we take our kids to Disney or Seaworld or some other notable location that we are a failure.  I have been waging this battle myself and I'm not sure I'm winning.  I will make an effort to get my kids out for at least one hour of exploration a week, even if it means I have to take them out after dark.  Already my son and I are planning to spend a night out in a quinzhee this winter and that is definitely something you can't do at Disneyland.

I encourage all of you, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, big brothers or sisters, take someone younger than you out to explore.  You won't just find adventure, you'll find your mind letting go of financial worries and work stress.  Even better you won't incur the un-needed increase in both just to have vacation.  The memories of Disney will fade as will those made in the local forest but won't fade are the bonds you create while spending time with family.  Do we really need to travel more than 5500km producing 263g of greenhouse gas for every kilometer on average.  If the environmental argument is good enough than take a look at the price of fuel today ($1.23 in Sussex) and consider that a car gets 12km/l, roughly.  That means that if you were to drive it would cost almost $590 just to get there…oh and by the way gas is cheap in Sussex right now.

So again get out side here locally.  Heck if you need ideas of where to go or what to do search out some of my old columns.

The video is rough but shows how even a puddle on a sculpture is like Seaworld to a small child.  There were no lines and everyone was having fun.