Even though my next trip to Walt Disney World is over a month away, I am still extremely excited about it.  I can’t recall how many times I’ve fiddled with my advanced dining reservations, planned what park I’d be in on what day, and tried to think of what I’ll need to pack some three or four weeks from now.  Obsessive tendencies aside, I am very much looking forward to my trip.  Then again, there are some aspects of it that I will not enjoy all that much as well.  Unfortunately, any vacation or trip you plan comes with the requisite thorn in your side, but I am going to try as much as possible to not let it get to me.  The intention of this particular article is to go over some of things I’m most looking forward to at Walt Disney World, and well, some of things I’m not so hot about.

I’m NOT Looking Forward To…

            Florida summers.  Speaking of hot (wow, great transition huh?), Florida is known for its incredibly hot, and oppressively humid weather.  I have mentioned this before in a previous article, and it still rings true; I need to have a plan to avoid the heat and humidity in Walt Disney World.  My last trip to the World was in mid-December – and it was nothing short of spectacular (except for Christmas Day when it rained nonstop on the billions of people in the parks that day).  The mornings were crisp and cool, the afternoons were just warm enough, and the evenings, while chilly, gave it a nice Christmas-y, winter-y feeling.  Nothing like that can be said about summer weather.  Yes, I am from a warm climate, but the humidity here is nothing compared to swampy Central Florida.  I’m really going to need to take my own advice and try to avoid the parks during the afternoon as much as possible.

            Renovations and refurbishments everywhere.  Renovations are important for the continued success of Walt Disney World.  No one wants to experience dilapidated or barely functioning attractions while vacationing in Walt Disney World.  In essence, renovations and refurbishments are essentail for a place like Walt Disney World.  But, why, oh why does Spaceship Earth and the Haunted Mansion have to be closed while I’m there?  I completely understand the need to update the Haunted Mansion due to the poor condition of the entire attraction.  I also get that Siemens wants to put its own spin on Spaceship Earth as its new corporate sponsor.  But these Disney landmarks mean a lot to me, and something tells me that Walt Disney World will not be AS fun as it could be with these attractions closed.

            Disney Transportation.  Disney transportation is a mixed blessing.  Yes, I don’t have to worry about driving, I can just sit and relax all the way to the parks or back to the resort.  The downside, however, is that every other person staying at your resort, and possibly other resorts will try to cram on to the same bus and that is not my definition of a relaxing situation.  Also, when the parks close, I always want to just leave and not worry about the hassle of waiting in line for buses, then waiting on the bus for it to go, and then waiting for the bus to make a stop at your resort.  It can easily take over an hour to get from one place to other in Walt Disney World, and that is only less hour of downtime and/or sleep.  I know patience is a virtue, but hey, time is money (okay, enough clichés, I promise).

Hurricanes.  This is a no brainer.  “Please Mother Nature, spare my vacation.  Thanks in advance, your friend, Glenn”

I’m Looking Forward To…

            Staying at a new resort.  For the majority of my stays at Walt Disney World I have only stayed at the Shades of Green, next to the Polynesian Resort.  Even though it is great place to stay, part of the fun of going to Walt Disney World is experiencing new things and new areas.  I’m excited to take in the resort’s theme, check out the room itself, and of course, stay at a Disney-owned and operated resort (as opposed to the Shades of Green that is owned by the US Military).  Having been to Walt Disney World a number of times, it is important for me to do new things whenever I go down to keep things fresh.  This can be my new activity for this trip.  I think I’ll have a great time exploring and getting to know my resort until I check out.

            Eating at L' Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante: Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on who you ask) I have never had the opportunity to eat at this now doomed restaurant.  With its closing coming at the end of August 2007, this will be my one and only chance to try out their world famous “Le Originali Fettuccine al'Alfredo” (I love fettucine alfredo!).  I’ll finally be able to add my two cents on the quality and atmosphere of the restaurant. 

            Returning to Fort Wilderness.  When I was about five or six years old, my Dad took me to Walt Disney World for the first time.  During most of our vacation, we stayed at the Fort Wilderness campgrounds, well, that was until I was attacked by about half of Florida’s mosquito population (it was so bad, we had to check in at one of the Downtown Disney resorts).  Although I don’t remember a lot about the campgrounds themselves, I do remember I did have a great time there.  Surprisingly, I haven’t been back since my run in with those darn mosquitoes.  I am very interested to see Fort Wilderness through grown-up eyes, and go exploring as well.

            Redeeming my Annual Pass Voucher.  Okay, this is perhaps a little dorky of me, but I’m looking forward to getting my annual pass.  I recently made the investment and purchased an annual pass voucher, seeing how I’ll be going to Walt Disney World at least twice in the coming year.  As I am typing this, a little green plastic card is sitting on my desk and has been collecting dust since May.  I simply can’t wait for the moment I can walk up to that guest services desk, hand them the voucher, and get my first official annual pass.  I think it will be quite the a memorable moment (or so I keep telling myself)!

            Returning to The Most Magical Place on Earth.  Finally, even though I may have said this in my column about a dozens of times, here it is again: Walt Disney World is a special place to me.  I look forward to just walking through the parks, through the stores, and around the resort.  I will absolutely enjoy taking in a vacation destination that has meant a lot to me as a child, means a lot to me as a young adult, and will continue to mean a lot to me in the future as a family man.  It’s one of those places that you grow to appreciate more and more every time, and I can’t wait to get back. 

Part II in August!

            Now that I have listed some of the things I’m looking forward to (and not looking forward to) the most, I will keep them in mind during my upcoming trip in August.  In the What in the World? article after my return from Florida I will reflect on the things I mentioned here, share some experiences with you folks, and perhaps even post a few pictures as well.  Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion to: What I Look Forward To…

Until next time!