Friday, July 12, 2013

My Observations About Disney World In June

To sum up my Disney World posts, I decided to make a list of things I observed when I was there. Perhaps some could help out a future traveler?



--Disney makes a killing selling ponchos. It rained at least once the entire time we were there. I’d see people walking out of stores with handfuls of ponchos. At 8.95 a pop, they don’t come cheap when you buy a bunch.



--People will pause at the worst possible moments to take a picture. I nearly ran into several folks who decided to stop in the middle of the crowd to take a shot.



--You’ll wonder how the characters don’t pass out in their heavy costumes. Are there mini fans inside?



--Personal space is the thing of the past while at Disney World in the summer, especially during parade times. And occasionally on bus rides, if you’re staying on Disney property. They’ll pack you in there like sardines so you’re suddenly face to face with a perfect stranger. You’ll hope they don’t have bad breath. Or BO.



--You’ll lose weight with all the walking. Unless you’re me. Then you’ll gain it, because you simply MUST try all the food offered.



--Dole Whips are amazing. Get one. (For more details, click here.) Dole Whips are basically pineapple juice with pineapple soft serve ice cream.



--You’ll come home with souvenirs that will probably never get used again. See: Mickey ears. But they’re fun to wear around the park.



--Fast Passes will become your best friend. DO NOT stand in a two hour line. Fast Pass the ride. Seriously. Unless waiting for two hours is your thing.



--You’ll probably be standing in front of something that someone wants to take a picture of. I remember at one point we rested against a lamp post and suddenly there was a couple in front of me, clearly waiting for me to move. It seriously was just a LAMP POST. Were they documenting all the lamp posts at Disney? I wanted to ask, but they didn’t speak English.



**Also, Krystal has written a review of my book The Swimmer's Assistant here. Thank you, Krystal!!**

22 comments:

  1. So we should bring our own ponchos? I do remember that it rains nearly every day there and then stops. And sometimes it's raining on one side of the street but not the other. Oh Florida!

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  2. A few of these had me laughing! I am really hoping to go at a time that is a little less crowded.. if such thing exists ha ha!

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  3. To answer your question, several of my friends have worked in entertainment and there are not fans or cooling systems in the character costumes. They work on a heat index schedule- the hotter it is where they are, the shorter the set. In ideal conditions, they work for 45 mins on set and 30 mins on break, but in extreme temps, they can do sets as short as 15 mins (unless you're parade and then you have to be able to do the full route). Most people say yuo're so focused on the kids you don't realize how hot you are until you walk off set. It's one of the most competitive roles to get, but it's definitely not for everyone!

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  4. So true and so funny...and now I am off to Google Dole Whips because this sounds like something I need to have in my life!! --Lisa

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  5. Actually some of the Disney characters DO have a cooling system in those suits. They would not make it in FL if they didn't. I worked with a guy who was an ex HR rep for Disney.

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  6. I always wondered about the fans inside costumes thing!
    someone did run into me while I was taking a picture. in my defense, she was walking backwards and therefore didn't see me!

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  7. Yes! Bring your own poncho! They are small and easy to carry and you will almost certainly need one at least once!

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  8. I remember when we were at Disney last, we'd see people leaving when it started raining. I wanted to say "Wait 10 minutes, the sun will be out again!" but then again I wanted shorter lines, so I kept my mouth shut. Heh.
    I'm pretty sure they do have some sort of cooling system in those costumes.

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  9. I've only been there once, New Year's Eve....no kids with us. My hubby and I were a little bit boring.

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  10. I've always wondered the same thing about the folks wearing full character costumes in 90 degree heat.

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  11. Those Dole Whips are awesome! I tried on when we went to the Dole Plantation in Hawaii. Ugh, I think I'd die from the heat if I went to Disney in June! The people wearing the costumes must get use to it.

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  12. Great wrapup! I was just standing in front of the ponchos at DollarTree, contemplating them for our upcoming roadtrip. So going back tomorrow!

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  13. You know...I was fortunate enough to live 20 mins away from Disneyland when we were stationed in California, so we always went in the off season times! Never had to worry about any of the above mentioned!

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  14. As a frequent visitor to Disney, I completely agree with your observations! I helped my teenager clean out her closet the other day and found probably $50 worth of assorted Disney World souvenirs that she just HAD to have and then buried in her closet for 5 years. Visiting from SITS Sharefest - have a great weekend!

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  15. I know at least some of the Goofy costumes have fans in the head -- I believe they've been transitioning over to cooled (or at least fan-equipped) costumes for several years.

    You know, if you start a line in front of a hedge at Disney, folks will join it. Or so I've heard... ;)

    And yes, carry your own ponchos everywhere. It's insurance against the rain, and if it fails, at least you're covered. Literally.

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  16. You are right! They make a killing with the poncho sales! I wonder about those characters too!

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  17. Dole Whip and Fast Passes are truly the keys to the kingdom!

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  18. We've only taken the boys once and it was in July. It was SO HOT. I really don't know how the characters don't pass out. Those costumes really much have some sort of cooling system built in!

    Sadly, I did not get a Dole Whip. Next time, for sure, since everyone talks about them!

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  19. I was in disney Paris last year. It was not all the crowded but thats cos its 1/4th the size of Orlandos disney.
    I dint lose weight despite the walks. I would eat too much nutella.

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  20. Awesome tips! I can see those all happening too so many times!! LOL And you are more than welcome. I loved the book and wanted to share it with the blogosphere!! :-)

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  21. I have had A LOT of friends in entertainment at Disney over the years (and currently in multiple areas), so I can assure you that there is no cooling system of any kind in the character costumes. They are very heavy and there simply isn't room for it because most are a tight fit. The only exception are the stunt drivers at "Lights! Motors! Action!" They have water cooling systems in thier jumpsuits because the stunt cars have been stripped down so much and there is a lot of pyro in the show.

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