What I Miss At Disney World

(I started to write this before the sad incident at WDW and recent horrific events in Orlando. As always I want to focus on the positive and not the negative.  This post is a reflection of MY personal experiences.  Please keep that in mind and any comments should be about what I have written and not about recent circumstances.  Thank you.)

After nearly five years my family is finally taking a much needed week long family vacation.  It has initially been my goal to do this for my birthday, but that clearly wasn't going to work out with school, so we scheduled some time this summer to return to my happy place, also known as the Happiest Place on Earth, Disney World.

This is where my husband and I honeymooned back in 1996.  It's where we spent our first anniversary.  Where we traveled regularly before my son was born (and when finances were better for our family).  We even had Annual Passes one year.  (And we used them to the best of our ability; logging in nearly a month's worth of days over the year.)

I wanted to take my son from the moment he was born, but didn't pull it off until he was nearly 3 and still in diapers.  (Children under 3 get into the parks for free).  As an anniversary gift, I treated my family to the Atrium Club (concierge level) at the Contemporary.  We were spoiled rotten and I loved every minute of it.

Now as we head back down after a "long absence" (at least in my mind) there are so many changes and new attractions.  (Which will translate into long wait times; even with Disney's Fast Pass plan.) I'm sure I'll love most of them (if not all), but there are some things that have disappeared over time and that I'll miss.  If you are a real Disney addict, you'll know what I mean.

They are in no particular order:

• The Earful Tower:  Once THE icon for Disney Hollywood Studios (back when it was Disney/MGM), it was eclipsed by "The Hat" for years.  The Hat came down and eventually so did the tower.
• The purple (and pinkish) "twirly" things that were in the center of Future World at Epcot.  Some moved, some did not.  There was just something about them that captivated me. (You can see part of one in the photo)
• Horizons:  This slow moving ride into the future was one of the first attractions my husband and I did on our honeymoon, so there's great deal of nostalgia there.  But there was more to it than that.  Mission: Space (it's replacement) may be "cooler," but Horizons was quintessential Disney.
• Tapestry of Nations Parade:  Giant puppets, huge drums and that infectious (and ongoing) melody.  Plus, it was the only parade in Epcot.
• The background music at Tomorrowland from my first few visits along with the "page" for Mr. Tom Morrow.  Not saying that the current background loop isn't good, but I loved the one that included Behind the Waterfall (Paul Speer/David Lanz), Bubble Shuffle (Larry Carlton) and Down to the Moon (Andreas Vollenweider)
• Wonders of Life Pavilion: it's still there but not being used (except for special events).  It used to host 3 attractions (Body Wars, The Making of Me and Cranium Command), plus a host of hands on items relating to health and well-being.  Now would be the perfect time for a renovation.  (The incredibly dated Cranium Command is just screaming to be turned into an Inside Out attraction.) Nothing makes me sadder than seeing unutilized (or underutilized) buildings and Epcot has more than its share.  (Odyssey and Millennium Village; I'm looking at you!)
• Camp Minnie Mickey at Animal Kingdom was a relatively quiet place to get to meet and greet Disney characters.  Yes, there are still plenty of other places, but this one seemed to me to be less crowded and more manageable.  I'm a non-Avatar fan. (Didn't see the move back in 2009; how many people remember it at this point?)  I miss this oasis.
• All beef hot dogs at Casey's Corner.  Casey's Corner is still there (and still as packed as ever, I imagine), but the hot dogs are "healthier."  This means hot dogs contain chicken (which I cannot eat due to my poultry allergy).  I've always wanted to hang out and have a hot dog there, but no can do.
• The Diamond Horseshoe Review has reopened, or so I've heard, but for the longest time it was shuttered.  I long for the day when you could go in a see a little show and get a pre-made sandwich.  I guess I should be grateful that I got photos the last time we were there (when it was open) and my husband was picked on and got a nice big "kiss" from one of the show girls.  Was it hooky?  Yes, but it was Frontierland fun.
• Being able to explore the Streets of America.  Quite often the only "quiet" place in the Hollywood Studios.  I was a big fan of the Singing in The Rain umbrella (especially when it worked)!
• I loved the music and the kilts of the men of Off Kilter who used to perform at the Canadian Pavilion (rock and bagpipes CAN go together).  The living statue who appeared in France and Italy always made me laugh. Kristos, the "alien" contortionists fascinated me. Although there are some new wonderful live entertainers in, these are three that I particularly miss.

While I'll always mourn the loss of the above; there are plenty of things that have been replaced that needed it.  For that I am grateful and it also means another blog post may be on the way soon!