Are theme parks a good idea for adults? Of course they are. So with that in mind what is the ultimate theme park? of course the title says it all. Walt Disney World is the ultimate is theme park destinations. With 4 Theme parks, 2 Water Parks and a shopping district you can spend an entire vacation without leaving Disney 25,000 acre utopia. The design of WDW has been thoroughly researched and built to make the vacationers want to explore and experience as much as possible from extreme rides to kiddie rides, from classic shows to outrageously funny monster comedy shows, from foodie heaven restaurants to dole whips. WDW was designed to make you feel like you are in the most wonderful place on earth. I for one feel that Disney does a very good job at this. Yes I know there are a million articles about WDW out there and what makes mine any better? nothing I just thought you might like to hear my thoughts on it since I am recently returned from the land of Disney. I will break down each park and let you know what I felt (including water parks). I will give you my impression of the food as well as the hotels. What about the transportation on the park and off? I got you covered there too. so lets begin this little article with arriving in Orlando.
Airport arrival: 6:30pm
We arrived on an American Airlines flight and walked off feeling pretty good. Excited to see what WDW had to offer with all the hype I hear from clients and work. So we have to get to the Magical Express. It could not have been easier as there were plenty of signs to show us the way to the pickup point. We stopped to get the one bag we checked because my wife wasnt so sure about the process and wanted to bypass any worries of our bag not getting to our room. After getting our bag we make our way to the Kiosk. This is the moment I have been waiting for, The chance to use my Magic Band! I place my hand on the Mickey Mouse orb of admittance. It turns green and the woman behind the kiosk directs us to line number 7. It was a short wait as the bus was unloading when we walked up. Our bags stowed below and we enter the clean bus we find a couple seats and relax. the bus driver closes the door a few minutes later and begins to give a partially scripted hello. His banter was funny and enjoyable with information about our travel and time to our resort. 45 minutes to an hour is the time to get to our resort. The TV Screens played classic cartoons mixed with the new cartoons. Occasionally park information videos would play. It was good information but after a days worth of traveling we didn’t really pay attention. After an hour we arrived at our destination.
Hotel Accomodations: Port Orleans Riverside
The Sharpness of the White paint on the Hotels in the Port Orleans Riverside resort was shocking in contrast to the greens and reds from the trees and flowers around it. The resort looked as if it was gently placed among the flora and fauna on purpose. Amazingly just a week before a hurricane had come through this area head on.
We disembarked from the bus and gathered our bags, a short walk to the lobby to check in and get directions to our room. The Hotel Staff were amazingly prepared and quick to help out. The walk to our room was a bit of a stretch but not bad after being on a plane for most of the day. The temperature was warm but the humidity was close to unbearable. Having lived in Florida I was expecting the humidity but my lovely wife was a little less thrilled with it. Grounds keepers were busy working on the resort to beautify it after the hurricane and making sure it was perfect for the guests.
We finally get to our building and find our room on the ground floor. With a quick snap of the wrist to the Mickey Mouse engraved door lock with my Magic Band it turns green and the door unlocks.
Instantly I am pushed through the door and my wife is inside enjoying the air conditioned room. The setting was on coldest and that made it perfect for her. The smart thinking of the maid service I am sure knowing people are melting outside. The carpet is a beautiful blue with accents and a magic carpet in the middle of the aisle. The beds are large and fluffy. The headboards a stunning view of the bayou and the nights sky. All of the little touches of disnerdom around the room are so subtle yet relevant to the theme. The Princess and the frog was perfect for this resorts theme and this room being filled with that was all the more fun. The bathroom was quite large and had more then enough towels and toiletries. The coolest part of the room besides the AC was the magical headboards on the beds! Obviously they had Disney magic added!
Having just arrived and in need of a decent meal we head over to the restaurant in our resort. It was called BoatWrights Dining Hall. The decor was splendid and filled with many objects from antique wood planes (shavers) to early saws and wood cutting implements. The staff was quick to seat us and get us our drinks. The menu was filled with many items that looked wonderful. I ordered the Fried Green tomatoes and the Jackson Square Etouffee , while my better half had the Corn Risotto with Chicken. We both loved our meals. incredible flavor and great presentation!
After our late dinner we were exhausted and ready for the next days adventure so it was time for bed.
Check Back for the next installment-
Park Day 1: Magic Kingdom
moonlight tours 