Does this sound like you? You're 20, 30, 40-years old and somehow you've made it this far in your life without visiting Disney World. But something in you -perhaps your inner child -yearns for a chance to "experience the magic". The ticket has been purchased, the bags are packed, the flight is booked, and you're ready to meet the mouse behind it all, Mickey that is. You want this to be the best trip ever. And it's going to be. Right?
With four theme parks, two water parks and endless amounts of rides, restaurants and shops to choose from, it's easy for the first time Disney guest to get a little overwhelmed. But getting frazzled needn't be on the list of things to do on your trip.
Here's a few suggestions from Joe Cahill, a first time Disney experience survivor, who made it back to Albany not only in one piece, but with mouse ears and a smile.
This past summer, Cahill, 21, had his very first Disney experience. A senior track star at Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, Cahill was thrilled at the prospect of his trip.
Cahill traveled with a rather large group: his own mother and younger brother, two of his aunts and five of his cousins. But to Cahill, this was hardly a crowd; in fact it enhanced his trip. "The best part [about the trip] was being with my family for my first time there, and also having someone that knew their way around," he said.
"As soon as we got into Florida, I turned into the biggest kid in the world," Cahill recalls. Although he did enjoy himself on some of the mellower Disney rides, his favorite attractions were,
Splash Mountain®
Space Mountain ®, and Mission Space
, all rides that involve a lot of motion -and a lot of screaming from guests.
Speaking of screaming, what's the worst thing that could happen in Disneyworld? "The worst would be giving CPR," says Cahill. While this isn't the practice of most Disney guests, Cahill found himself an unwitting hero; when a man collapsed from a stroke in front of him, Cahill's sprang to action, delivering CPR and ultimately saving the man's life.
A more commonly occurring "worst" is the rain. To combat this downer, the optimistic Cahill suggests, "Buy a yellow Mickey Mouse poncho and still enjoy Disney."
Before leaving Disney, Cahill recommends picking up a few more souvenirs. Cahill says a "Mickey stuffed animal" and Mickey Mouse ears are a definite for first timers. Any other suggestions from the man to whom Disney literally owes a life? Cahill says," Just remember what it was like to be five, and live like that during your stay at Disney."
Jiminy Cricket says, "Always let your conscience be your guide"
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