A visit to the Magic Kingdom: What was old is new again

As a local, it’s rare that I would spend a full day in any Orlando theme park. This is especially true of the Magic Kingdom. While a ‘must see’ for any first timer, I’ve been there 30 times (at least) and these days it’s enough to visit for a few hours or attend a special event such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween. Perhaps we’ll have dinner with visiting family, hop on It’s a Small World or just watch the fireworks. Whatever we do, we are in and out. However, when visiting relatives want an escorted trip through the park it’s hard to say no.

Such was our trip this past Friday to the Magic Kingdom. My 13 year old daughter was off from school so she accompanied my mother, father (he’s never been to the Magic Kingdom) and myself for 10 hours of retro Disney magic. When we go with first timers around the park (any park) it’s hard not to say, “Oh, that’s not worth a 60 minute wait” or “That show isn’t worth seeing”. Sure, for the 10th time, it’s not worth standing in line for Space Mountain but if it’s your first time and you can’t come to the park like you were going to a local mall it is very much worth it. We keep our mouths shut.

So we did it all! Every ride and nearly every show. In the process I checked off the few remaining things that I hadn’t yet experienced in the Magic Kingdom and ate dinner a ‘new’ restaurant - The Liberty Tree Tavern. To my own surprise, the day was a lot of fun. For once, the weather was very cold (for Florida) and the crowds were light. Most rides were less then a 15-20 minute wait and it wasn’t a problem getting a table for dinner. As we walked out of the Liberty Tree Tavern (highly recommended - $150.00 for 4 adults with tip) at 8pm the sky was filled with fireworks which was a nice touch for my parents.

At the end of the day I was beat. Miles of walking and shuffling in line takes it’s toll. My daughter fell asleep in the car as she did the first time we took her to Magic Kingdom. The whole thing had a deja vu feeling to it. Even after so many visit to Disney, this place never truly wears off and thats a nice feeling to have.

With no one due in town until the summer, I doubt we’ll be going back to MK anytime soon. Certainly, it will be ‘in and out’ if we do. This full day trip was a little easier because we got to skip the children’s rides (too uncool for a 13 year old) and just concentrate on the main attractions. I have a feeling that in the coming years we’ll be spending much more time in the Magic Kingdom though. My one month old daughter hasn’t been there yet! I’m going to need some comfortable shoes.

Diving at Living seas: a very cool experience for an experienced or inexperienced diver

I would consider myself a fairly experienced diver and living in central Florida has a lot of benefits for a scuba diver as it is an ideal location with its proximity to both coasts.  Not only that but the Florida Keys and the entire Caribbean are easily accessible for great diving adventures.  However, in my very back yard at Disney’s Epcot, I had the unique opportunity to go scuba diving in Living Seas Aquarium.  

The dive at Epcot offers a great experience for all levels of divers.  There was another couple with us from New York.  He was a seasoned diver and this was his 3rd dive at the Living Seas.  She had just become a certified scuba diver and they both absolutely loved the experience.  Many divers will never get the opportunity to experience all the different sea life the aquarium has to offer.  For a seasoned diver, it offers a truly unique experience.  In addition to all the incredible sea life, you get the opportunity to interact with the diners in the restaurant along with the other Epcot guests who are viewing the aquarium.  You become part of their entertainment!  Children in the restaurant were going crazy just to get a wave or a thumbs-up from us.  They would hold their hands up to the glass for you to do the same.   

The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating.  My friend Jason and I felt as if we were royalty the entire time we were there!  Disney has state-of-the-art equipment with over 65 species of marine life such as sharks, eagle rays and all sorts of tropical fish.  I feel like it was a great value for such an incredibly unique and enjoyable experience and would absolutely recommend it for any diver.

« Previous Page — Next Page »