Enjoying Life
/This past weekend, I decided to have some “me” time. Since starting graduate school recently, working full time, and build the most awesome mini roller coasters around, I needed a good little break.
A friend of mine, who lives in Orlando, FL, USA was having a party themed after “The Great Gatsby.” It being one of my favorite novels, I was happy to head down from Atlanta and dress up as a somewhat dapper 1920s swell. Still using the lingo today. The girlfriend hates it. Poppycock!
The Gatsby party was a nighttime affair, so that left the rest of the day to the girlfriend and me. So what do you do if you have a day to do anything in Orlando? Disney!
You may notice we are not going through the main entrance way. That’s because we went to one of my favorites: Disney Hollywood Studios.
Hollywood Studios’ newest attraction is “Toy Story Land.”
Our first stop in the park was Toy Story Land to ride “Slinky Dog Dash,” an adorably themed Mack family coaster. Having known the guys from Mack Rides for a few years now, I really must commend them on a job well done. Also, Disney did an excellent job of placing each patron in Andy’s backyard fully submerged in his toy box collection.
Having grown up with many of the toys Andy did, aside from Woody and Buzz who are movie creations, it was pure nostalgia. The Disney Imagineers happened to nail every tiny detail of the toys, fine print, product characteristics, and even the aesthetics of the cardboard boxes for the crayons.
Perhaps the best part of any park, Disney or Universal, is that the staff remain in character throughout your experience. In Toy a Story Land, this was no exception. Staff would openly refer to patrons as “toys,” and people dressed as the famous green Army men would walk around and treat you like a character from the films.
It’s an excellent new addition to Disney’s already phenomenal lineup, and I can’t wait to return.
The moral of the story, as you’d once hear at the end of cheesy 1970s cartoons, is that sometimes it’s good to step back and give yourself a break. Enjoy the scenery, reconnect with friends, and simply find what makes you the happiest. Of course, it doesn’t have to be Disney World or drinking Gin like some pre-depression 20s fool, but that’s what works for me.
