Weekend Update: We’re Going to Walt Disney World!
We’re going to Walt Disney World! That probably is not surprising with Pandora – World of Avatar opening soon, Happily Ever After having debuted last night, River of Light still being new-to-us, and a bunch of other changes occurring around the resort. This is a trip for which we are both really excited.
To be honest, the buildup to Walt Disney World trips is not as exciting as it once was. When we were going one or two times per year and those were our only vacations, we made countdown calendars and really built up the hype for ourselves before each trip. The night before we left was, literally, like Christmas eve as a kid. I couldn’t sleep.
As we started visiting more, that sense of anticipation waned. The trips to Walt Disney World themselves have never become mundane (and the moment they did, we’d cut back on going; this is part of the reason we have no desire to ever live in Florida). I think other Walt Disney World regulars might understand the decrease in anticipation. (Woe is us, right?) Yet this trip is decidedly different. Our hype levels are at 11, and we’re excitedly counting down the days…
A large part of this is Pandora – World of Avatar. I still remember when it was announced some six (yes, six) years ago, and I wrote my reaction in defense of the project to a chorus of criticism (and people asking why?!). Since then, I think more critics have come around on Pandora.
Regardless of whether it’s good or bad, I’m just looking forward to finally seeing it after so many years of anticipation. In the back of my mind, I’m also hoping that Pandora is knock-your-socks-off amazing, but I’m trying to keep my expectations in check. I think I’d settle for a beautiful, otherworldly environment with one of the attractions being solid (hopefully Na’vi River Journey). Animal Kingdom’s dining is already “too” good, so I’d be fine with the food being lackluster. I assume the merchandise will be a mix of puzzling and poor.
It’s the biggest addition to Walt Disney World…probably since Animal Kingdom itself, and I’m also excited to explore every inch of it, photograph it, and write about it. I am really eager to do all of this. I’ve diligently avoided all spoilers of the land, although I’ve inadvertently seen a couple things I wish I hadn’t (now that AP previews have started, I’ll probably keep a low profile on Twitter as my muted keywords are insufficient). I’m ready.
Beyond Pandora – World of Avatar, there’s a lot we want to see this trip. There’s Happily Ever After, Rivers of Light, Copper Creek, Flower and Garden at Epcot, new dining at Disney Springs, and more I’m probably forgetting. This coupled with the fact that it’s a really short trip means we have a really packed itinerary during which I know we will not be able to accomplish everything. While that makes me a bit uneasy, it also makes me more excited; it’s both a challenge and a promise of a subsequent trip that will contain more new-to-us experiences.
I don’t know why I’m sharing all of this here–I woke up early and perhaps I’ve had a bit too much coffee already this morning. Or, perhaps my exuberance is boiling over. (Probably both.)
I’m also not sure whether we’ll do a trip report about this visit. We’ve already done a few this year, and I worry that more might cross that line from sharing our experiences to boasting about our travels. We realize we are incredibly fortunate to be able to do this, and don’t want our posts to enter showboating territory.
Because just what I need is to become even more hyped up, the other day I was watching old Walt Disney World videos on YouTube (as one does) when this little gem appeared…
It’s great–you should definitely watch it. I am a real sucker for the 25th Anniversary, and I’d say this rough timeframe is the ultimate era at Walt Disney World–at least for me. I even like the Castle Cake as a temporary thing.
I’ve mentioned that I collect old Walt Disney World vacation planning DVDs, and I enjoy re-watching past years to see what was being promoted in a given year, and how things have changed over time.
I never even considered the possibility that the vacation planning videos predated DVDs, and were once sent out as VHS tapes. Well, this revelation led me to eBay, which led me to whole stockpile of old VHS tapes. I have yet to buy them as we don’t have a VCR, but I’m still considering it. (Sarah, if you’re reading this, that’s…uh…totally a joke?)
Totally random, but I’d highly recommend giving that circa-1996 video a watch. There’s some really great footage in there (although I’m bummed Figment and Dreamfinder were snubbed), and you’ll definitely want to watch all the way until the end when the Disney Institute and Disney Cruise Line (coming 1998!) are both plugged pretty extensively.
It’s really fascinating to watch that followed by the current (free) Walt Disney World vacation planning video that you can watch online. Obviously, a lot has changed about the parks. More than that, though, as things like Disney’s promotional style and the clothing styles of guests are dramatically different. I also feel like–and maybe this is just me–the guests speak differently in the 1996 video than 2017 one. Seriously, it’s as if the pitch of guest voices have changed over the years!
I think that’s it for this post. It wasn’t really much of an update so much as it was the hurriedly ramblings of an over-caffeinated and over-excited dude. I guess by now you should realize that comes with the territory in reading this blog: sometimes you get posts that are insanely helpful, other times I amuse myself by writing nonsense about Festivus. I’m sorry?
I guess to make this worth your time…are there any things you’d like to see us cover during the course of this visit to Walt Disney World? As mentioned, it’s a quick trip, so going out to Caribbean Beach to check out the temporary buffet or Pop Century to see the room renovations firsthand are probably out of the question (as much as I’d like to see both). I’m open to a few requests, but keep in mind that the first night of this visit is our AP preview of Pandora, and if it blows my mind, I might just forgo all other plans and spend the rest of the visit scheming of ways to sneak back inside. 😉
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Are you similarly hyped for Pandora – World of Avatar and/or other new additions to Walt Disney World? Anything specific coverage you’d like to see come out of this trip we take? Any other random thoughts to go with my stream-of-consciousness rambling? 😉 Share any questions, tips, or additional thoughts you have in the comments below!
Had my AP preview yesterday, so here’s one spoiler-free planning tip: the reserved slots are listed as two hours, but they won’t actively kick you out if you stay longer. And you’ll probably want to stay to get tons of pictures! (Just don’t abuse this, folks!)
Thanks for the heads up–our slot is the last of the day, so this doesn’t help (if anything, that hurts us as other slots will be lingering during our time!), but it’s still good to know.
We started lining up an hour before our time slot and they let us in 30 min prior. Try the blue desert at Satu’li Canteen while you’re there. I was pleasantly surprised on my visit and can’t wait to go back on the 27th!
Tom-as a muuucccch older person than you, please accept my “elder yoda type advice”, this blog is freakin fantastic! Please don’t let the newer, possibly more critical readers change the very style and substance of your articles.
You have a way of writing your articles and presenting information that makes me think, probably in a weird fan-girl, stalker?, type way that you would be fun to meet and have a conversation with.
I don’t know what the heck you are referring to re the “self absorbed” comments. If other sites wish to be aloof and coldly analytical in their presentations, let them. I come back to your site very often for both information and to be entertained.
I will admit to curiosity/jealousy over your frequent trips, but as a person who is hopefully headed to retirement, and having watched my husband go through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment these last few years-I will tell you, do any and everything you can while young enough and healthy enough to enjoy it!
We are on our way to Disney the second week of June and would love to hear your impressions of Pandora, and any advice regarding being able to see both attractions.
“Please don’t let the newer, possibly more critical readers change the very style and substance of your articles.”
Actually, it has absolutely nothing to do with that. If I went by reader feedback, trip reports would probably be the only type of post on the blog! It’s more about my perception of it than anything else. Sure, some people are critical, but that comes with the territory of putting yourself out there on the internet.
Thanks for the ‘do as much as possible now’ encouragement, too. This is part of our rationale right now, as we think we might be at a different point in our lives a year or two from now where this kind of travel will not be possible. Trying to cram in as much as we can before then! 🙂
Oh, and I promise: the most interesting way to have a ‘conversation’ with me is via the internet. I’m not nearly as outgoing in person–it probably would not be fun at all!
I went today for my AP preview & won’t give you any spoilers. I do look forward to going again in the fall (when it’s cooler) and to see it at night! You mentioned the merchandise and I can say I know for certain Disney is going to make a killing with people buying the Banshees. Saw a ton today. (Hmmm 49.95$ each x a ton= Cha-ching!)
Right? I made the mistake of showing my son a video of the Banshee and he’s already talking about what he’s going to do with his when he gets one. He does have some birthday money to contribute, so we’ll see. I’m still trying to decide if they’re worth 50 dollars, so I hope the blog will be reporting on them! 😉
They are pretty cool. You “bond” with them and then “adopt” them..for 49.95 each. I thought about getting one but I have 2 VERY inquisitive Siamese cats who would probably pounce on it when I wasn’t looking. 🙂
I am SO psyched about Pandora!! And the last time we were there we were on our Honeymoon 18 years ago. We are going in November and we can’t wait.
I love your trip reports. I’d be disappointed not to get one with this trip, especially with all the new things going on at Disney World right now!! We are going in November and I CANNOT wait. I’m so excites!!
We’re doing WDW mid-June, and although I’d rather not visit during that heat, it’s our only opportunity this year. As a family, we decided no spoilers for Avatar Land. Like you, we want to go in with fresh eyes. I’d love to read a trip report when you get back (the spoiler-free edition).
Lastly, due to work travel it made more sense for me to stay an extra day and fly to work instead of home first. Because of this I’ll be solo’ing WDW for a day and I’m just curious if you have any tips, sans family, Disney World adventure. I’m thinking I want to make the most of it, grabbing some character meet and greets and staying out as late as I can.
Anyway, enjoy your trip and the build-up for your trip!
“I’m thinking I want to make the most of it, grabbing some character meet and greets and staying out as late as I can.”
My advice would be to do the things no one else wants to do. Take advantage of that time to do as much–or as little–as possible. Whether it be sitting on a park bench just listening to background music or staying up super late running around doing attractions, make the most of that time!
I really think you have to do a post about the trip even if a short one just to inform all of us Vacationeers if Pandora is worth a trip or not. I caved and watched the new fireworks show and I have to say that I really liked it (and if I like it on the computer then its probably pretty good in person). We really thought about visiting this summer but I have the Grand Canyon on my to do list as well as San Diego and a very short stint at DL. I really want to see Remember Dreams Come True one more time.
Please do a short post for us land locked Disney lovers. Thanks!
Mike D
Please consider writing a trip report … I love reading each and every one from Disney World … I promise never to consider it showboating. Instead, I consider it a public service for those of us planning our own trips.
DITTO!
Haha, noted!
We still have a VCR! Occasionally, my daughter breask out of VHS copies of Aristocats, Lady and the Tramp, or 101 Dalmations to watch. (Most other Disney movies we owned on VHS have been replaced with DVD and/or Blu-Ray).
We haven’t been to WDW in ~20 months thanks to trips to DLP and other places, so we’re also super-excited about our upcoming trip. We scheduled it before they announced Pandora’s opening, but are lucky enough to be arriving on opening day. Cooper Creek doesn’t really interest me, but I’m really looking forward to Pandora and 3 the new-to-us nighttime shows.
It sounds like you might be down at a similar time, so perhaps we’ll even have a Bricker sighting in the park! 🙂
Sounds like you picked a good time to take a break from Walt Disney World, as well as a good time to return!
(Our paths will not be crossing–we leave before you arrive.)
Ah, I’d forgotten about the passholder previews. (we’re not passholders yet – we bought the 13-month AP certificates, but will be activating them when we arrive). Going to WDW before schools get out seems wise for you guys.
I’m still slightly bummed that I didn’t get to introduce my wife/daughter before. I think you were down for Mulch, Sweat, & Shears last day as we were. 🙂 (as with Amy Potts, I quote your blog enough when planning trips…)
This may be a silly question, but what does AP preview stand for or mean? (Advanced preview preview?) And how does one obtain such a device. And on that note how do people get into club 33 and stay at the Cinderella castle suite?
Annual Passholder Preview.
Club 33 is a membership club with a steep initiation fee and annual dues (most people who go are invited guests of members). I don’t know of any ways to get into Cinderella Castle Suite right now. For a few years, they did tours, but those have not been offered in a while.
I love your trip reports and my family loves my constant quoting of your trip reports. The phrase “The Brickers” was actually banned during a portion of our December 16 trip. No worries, I disguised my quoting as “the tourist blog”. Animal Kingdom was my favorite park on our last trip. I did the safari so many times the animals started waving. My son joked when a Rhino came on the road that he was hired by other animals to prevent my seeing it again. In 87 days my daughter is starting the Disney College Program and I get to see Pandora and Rivers of Light. So excited!!! Can’t wait for your thoughts and tips. My son thinks it will feel out of place but I remind him Dinosaurs should have felt out of place and they really didn’t. Last night I spoiled myself on Happily Ever After and as a fireworks/night parade junkie I know I will be planning my days at wdw around seeing it multiple times. Eagerly awaiting the next report.
Exciting that your daughter is doing the College Program (and that you’ll be able to take advantage of some of those perks)!
You should show your son some of the concept art and details of “Beastly Kingdom,” which was a land that was announced for Animal Kingdom and was to be built in phase 2 of the park’s original build-out. In terms of tone/appropriateness, there’s really not much difference between that and Pandora, in my opinion.
I also love the travel reports so please consider sharing. If you have the opportunity to check out Copper Creek, I’d love to hear about it and see what you think. Thanks for all your work on the wonderful site!
Copper Creek is high on my list of things to see–I’m almost positive we’ll go there to check out the new waterside bar & grill.
My dear Tom, your trip reports are wonderful, and I read and enjoy every single one. The Birthday castle was there, on my second trip to WDW and I was a bit shocked at first, but for a temporary measure it was done well, in the days when Figment was still brilliant and you could escape on Horizons, two of my all time favorites. With all this VR stuff around now how about communicore being opened with VR headsets, showcasing long lost attractions ? Time keeper, Alien encounter ect.
Drayton Manor park, 1 mile from me opened again yesterday after that accident. The river rapids will remain closed for now.
I wish both you and Sarah a wonderful trip and look forward to hearing all about it. mike, Tamworth UK
While I love the idea of experiencing attractions in VR, I hope that use of VR never comes to Walt Disney World. As much as I disagree with the decision to close (rather than update) some of those attractions, I think it sends the wrong message to offer extinct attractions in VR–especially in Epcot, where that kind of backwards-looking experience would be in stark contrast to the forward-looking nature of the park’s original message.
I’d love VR experiences like this at the Walt Disney Family Museum, at D23 events, or even fan-run expos…but I’d prefer keeping it out of the parks. VR in general is a different story completely.
Just my two cents on that. I’m sure I’d still squeal with delight the first time “riding” Journey into Imagination 1.0 in VR!
I will be honest, I have seen every spoiler I could possibly get for Pandora. We live in the Pacific Northwest, and Disneyland is our home park, we go about once a year. We love Epcot, and we have been excited for Pandora, but don’t think we will make a trip over until Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land are finished at Hollywood Studios.
The thing I keep seeing is all of these comments that are just trashing Pandora, especially the river journey. If you don’t like it, don’t go. I think Pandora will be an excellent way to revitalize Animal Kingdom, and Satu’li Canteen does not need to be on the same level as Tiffins! Hopefully Tiffins will see more traffic and more business, and those that can’t afford it can have healthier options at Satu’li, and hopefully they don’t add a burger to the menu.
I love Disney Parks because they are always changing, Walt said Disneyland will never be complete because it will keep moving forward. And people who complain about change and say Walt would be rolling in his grave… ugh, annoying. I love what Cars Land has done to DCA. My husband didn’t grow up going to Disneyland and enjoys DCA much better, mostly due to Cars Land. My family has always thought DCA was inferior to DL, but looking at people who are new to Disney, it is easy to see their point of view and how enhancements like Buena Vista Street, Carsland etc. have really renovated the park for the better. I am excited for Star Wars Land, I think the addition to Disneyland will make nighttime in the park so much easier, because they can shuffle people all the way around the park, instead of getting trapped in Tomorrowland, if you enter the park during parades or fireworks.
I don’t want Monster’s Inc to go, but I also understand if they make that whole section of the park a Marvel area (just please bring in better rides). I will protest if they take out the Animation Building! That is my favorite part of DCA!
The last time we were at WDW was in 2014 and Hollywood Studios was the biggest waste. We really enjoyed Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom just felt like an inferior Disneyland to us… to be honest. Seeing all the updates planned for WDW makes me really excited to visit in the future when major projects are finished. And can’t wait to read all the Pandora Spoilers in the meantime!
Have a great trip!
Thanks for the long comment–I’ll respond in full later, but for now stopped reading when you mentioned people trashing Na’vi River Journey. I’m trying to go into this as fresh as possible, and I’m not sure whether the rest of your comment contains additional spoilers. (Hope you understand.)
I can understand your perspective on not wanting to wait, though! 🙂
No spoilers! Just tired of people complaining about change! 😉
BUT.. please do post a trip review, especially for people who won’t be going for years, not for spoilers, but I like the commentary you provide and tips!
Have fun on your trip !
My $0.02 on Pandora: I liked the movie and I love good old WDW, but Pandora just doesn’t get me very excited. My family and I love Animal Kingdom and have a blast every time we go there. If we were going this year and couldn’t get fast passes, we would have to rope drop Pandora, and I think I would rather rope drop safari.
All that said, I am hoping to read some good trip reports (spoilers welcome!) to get me to change my mind.
Whatever we do end up writing, there will definitely be both a spoiler-free and spoiler version. I know many others don’t mind spoilers, but with something this huge, I definitely want to give people the option! 🙂
I always love reading your trip reports. They do not seem “self-absorbed” to me at all. There are hundreds of websites where I will be able to read the facts about the new offerings and a critical analysis. Your commentary, humor, observations, and story of how all of this fit into a trip enhances my enjoyment of your blog. Remember that while your goal for your blog may be to help people plan their trips, many of us enjoy all of the other colorful aspects you add as well. So please consider giving us another trip report! By the way, are you going to the media weekend events for Pandora?
Well…that’s good that the trip reports don’t seem self-absorbed to you. It’s still something of which I’m weary, especially as I see this becoming more and more of a ‘thing’ via Disney fan accounts on social media.
I never want to give people the impression that we think we are ‘more important’ than the experience, average guest, or anything else. That’s not how we feel, and there are some aspects of presenting such a self-oriented (which a lot of this blog undeniably is, even if it’s not self-absorbed) blog that makes me uncomfortable.
I think we are going to one or two of the media weekend events (not the whole thing), but I’m not totally sure at this point. We are definitely doing an AP preview of Pandora.
Almost every time I visit my parents, who do still have a VCR, someone (sometimes my dad, sometimes me) remarks that we should pull out an old WDW planning vid. I’m fairly certain the 2nd couple in this one were also in the Millennium Celebration one…
The Magic Kingdom Club one from 1992 is highly recommended. Christopher Columbus discovers WDW and Disneyland, where Imagination! is coming soon.
Haha, the premise of the Magic Kingdom Club 1992 video sounds like the epitome of cornball 1990s promo materials. I’ll definitely have to find that. Thanks for the heads up!
I have been trying to avoid spoilers too, but I’m so excited, that it’s hard. I don’t want to know, but I kind of want to know. I will be there June 1-10 and we were only planning on spending 1 day at Animal Kingdom, but I’ve already added a half day and I switched our tickets to park hoppers so we can do the EMH from 11-1 if we really love it.
STAY STRONG!!! I know the exact feeling, but June is not that far away!
Jealousssssss. Have a great trip! Can’t wait to hear your firsthand reporting on Pandora, and especially Happily Ever After! Also, I think we all kind of enjoy your subconcious ramblings…sets your blog apart from the others. Keep it up! Haha.
Tom – Count this as a vote FOR a trip report. Your trip reports are among my favorite posts on this website. Looking forward to hearing your take on everything new at WDW. Enjoy!
Thanks for the feedback. Just to clarify, I’ll be writing about this stuff regardless. You can count on more posts than you’ve ever wanted about Pandora once we’re back. It’s just a question of whether part of that is in trip report form.
Another reason I’m leaning against it is because this new land should be incredible. Taking that and turning it into posts about us seems self-absorbed. I think I’d rather the focus of these posts be about the new stuff–not us.