Re-visiting Disney World Ten Years Later

The last time I was in Orlando was after we celebrated a new century. In fact the celebration for the year 2000 was reflected in my very first visit to Mr. Walt Disney's wonderful land known as Disney World. So what can I compare and contrast? Not too much. I remember me and my lovely spouse viewing the awesome "Tiger" exhibits the White Tigers and the regular orange'gish brownish and black striped Asian Tigers. My wife loves them and what a spectacle they were as we viewed out in the wilds of Disney while protected behind a glass enclosure. That was in Animal kingdom. Then of course the fast and furious Krackken Roller Coaster ride was there and it still is today. What's not there a cafeteria like restaurant that had in one place, international foods from Brazil, from Africa, from the Orient and other places. I very much enjoyed that ten years ago because I love traveling and when you travel you must sample all of the food. And not just relagate ooneself to good old American cuisine that you can get stateside all over the place. And I will never ever as long as I live forget the nightly fireworks show...Disney out did it self true to the form, fashion and futuristic visionary of WALT DISNEY...I guess the most special part of the fireworks show in EPCOT sorry I should have mentioned that was how so many nations throughout the world were represented and presented in the fireworks spectacle. Though this is done every-night and yes let me repeat it is done every night rain or shine. But in 2000 it was a once in a lifetime feat of pure magic and genius. What other things did I see and do. Tower of Terror in Universal studios but hint...hint ride it at night it's more funn'er (sorry English majors). In the day Tower can scare but it's really scary with more effect at night and I won't spoil it trying to explain it. I also saw the one and only "Sinbad" the the world re-known stand-up copmedian and actor amongst other things and also he served his nation in the US Air Force. I waved and yelled to him he pointed to me and I snapped his pic. He's a mensch a really and nice guy to have let me photograph him. He was that year the Grand Marshall in the Universal studios parade on main street. This was also the yearof the the little green Army men and the "cast members" who played them were superb. One of the places we had some food in was the famous "Rainforest Cafe" see it to believe it. Back to Universal studios we went to "Pleasure Island" as known as PI. At that time BET had a mock up of a show that allowed you to participate and dance and interact and get some face time on the big screen. Back to Animal Kingdom we saw the Indiana Jones stunt show. And even after ten years I was not disappointed it had been enhanced and even we audience members were asked to come on stage and play extras. This did not happen back in 2000. So that was really neat. And the show was great. Back to Epcot well test track was having problems in 2000. Plus everyone and there brother and sister wanted to drive the cars on it. So I did not get to try it in 2000. But this year it was awesome. Back to back was riding on the monorail. Did you know that the monorail goes back to the beginnings of Disney. And even in this century though the space age is now in a holding pattern. The earth-bound monorail has to be experienced just think a super high above ground subway. As if you were in NYC on a subway that was high above the city on rails or you were in Paris, Milan or London but no underground just a really high ride above the city as you look down on life below. And so I will close on that note. Do me a favor go visit Disney World. Tell me what you think....ooops I almost forgot my segue to why now I have to visit California. Because of a ride in Disney World called simply SOARIN. What is SOARIN? Without ruining the surprise of the ride not much of a hint. You seem like your flying whlie strapped in airplane type seats over California's Golden Gate Bridge, over the lush and green golfcourses, over lakes and rivers, over Yosemite, over the city and you even fly behind a glider as you whirl,twist and dive in the California sky and a plus is what is being called 4 D vision the smell and tactile feel of Disney rides such as SOARIN. May all your days be Walt Disney Days. And may you all have the chance to experience this wonderful,magical and the most funner'ist palce I have ever been to.

(special thanx to Carly Morgan for use of her EPCOT pic for my article)