It is a tradition in many homes during Thanksgiving to share what one is most thankful for.  In fact, it is something my family observes every year before we begin eating.  Well, in celebration of Thanksgiving this week I thought I would share what it is I am most thankful for in the “World.”  Let’s begin with an obvious one:

Fastpass: Oh glorious Fastpass, I have been thankful for you since were introduced to us park guests several years ago.  Without you, I would be unable to skip the mind-numbingly long lines, plan my day, or have the time to see other attractions around the parks.  If the system works the way it should, wait times to board attractions after returning with a Fastpass is usually 5-10 minutes.  The wonderful thing about the Fastpass system is that the wait time should not be any longer than that during the peak periods as well, because the system automatically spreads the Fastpass guests evenly throughout the day regardless of attendance level. The only thing different during peak periods is that since Fastpass demand is higher the return time will be longer.  But hey, if I only have to wait 5 minutes to ride Soarin’ in 4 hours, I’ll take it over having to wait in line for 90-120 minutes.  The World is a better place with the addition of Fastpass.

Disney Innovation:  I am thankful for the energy and ideas that the Walt Disney Company comes up with every year to make going to the World new and exciting by introducing new shows, attractions, and themes.  Especially for those of us that are fortunate enough to go to the World more than once every few years, ensuring that there will be something new, like Expedition Everest or Toy Story Mania, will entice us to experience the new and relive the older attractions.  If the parks remained the same since they opened…well, what would be the point right?  Walt’s vision was to make the parks unfinished works of art, always growing, always evolving.  And while some changes have become controversial (e.g., closing Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Horizons and installing attractions like Stitch’s Great Escape) for the most part, these changes have been for the better.  By tailoring the parks for its guests, Disney has done an outstanding job in making us want to go back and experience what the Imagineers have cooked up this time.

A place to be a kid.  I am thankful that Walt Disney World is a place where I can become a child again.  Nowhere else do I transform into a carefree soul than at Walt Disney World.  It’s contagious really.  When you walk through the parks and see children smiling and laughing with their parents and loved ones – it just makes you want to laugh and smile too.  And because I have been able to go to Walt Disney World with my friends and family, every time I step inside those parks, I cant help but to relive those special moments once again.  I am thankful that despite being a working person, with loans and bills like every other adult, I have the opportunity to become a child again, even if it is for a few short days. 

Cast members:  I am thankful for the thousands of Disney cast members that make going to Walt Disney World such a magical experience.  Face characters, fur characters, guides, attraction cast members, maintenance, custodial, etc., all of you are, in my opinion, one of the biggest reasons I go back so often.  No other vacation destination makes me feel like such a VIP.  You go out of your way to help us guests, to make us laugh, to make us smile, to play with the kids, to pin trade, to make our vacations the best it could possibly be.  I am thankful for all that you do to make the World the special place it is.

Disney Online Communities:  I am thankful for the opportunity to meet and interact with others with same interest and passion for Walt Disney as I do.  I have at times felt awkward and strange around people that don’t quite have the Disney bug like I do.  But I thank my lucky stars that there are communities out there, like Studioscentral.com (shameless plug) to connect with people who go to the parks as often, if not more, and who believe in the Disney magic like I do.  I have already met some wonderful people through these sites, and I can’t wait to meet more of them at Mousefest in a few weeks.  Because there is nothing like knowing from the get-go that the person standing next to you or on the other side of that computer screen enjoys the same thing you do…and that is a solid foundation for lasting and meaningful friendships.

Family and Friends: I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to share my experiences at Walt Disney World with my loved ones.  This is what makes Disney so special; those moments together, where you can laugh, sing, dance, ride attractions and watch shows as family or as friends.  I have been fortunate enough to have many fond memories at Walt Disney World with some of the people that mean the most to me. 

What are you most thankful for in Walt Disney World?  Go over to the forums and post some of the things you’d like to give thanks for – or email them to me and I’ll share them next week. 

            Until next time, have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone.