Disney Has Ruined Other Parks for Us

Our recent trip to the Philadelphia Zoo reconfirmed what we already knew – Disney World has ruined other parks for us. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve enjoyed our trips to Hershey Park, Sesame Place, Six Flags Great Adventure, Busch Gardens and more. We’ve tried to feel the same sense of Disney magic and hospitality; we’ve given the other parks a chance but we always circle back to the same simple truth – to our family, nothing compares to a Disney Theme Park.

What are some of the ways Disney stands head and shoulders above other parks?

1. Attractions – Disney attractions are unparalleled. Enough said.

2. Line Queues – No one likes to wait in line. Disney strives to make the wait comfortable and entertaining. Most attraction waiting areas are shaded or air-conditioned which by itself is not overly unusual for amusement parks; the engaging pre-shows and detailed theming of the queue areas sets Disney theme parks apart.

3. Customer Service. The staff members at the parks we have visited recently, including the Philly Zoo, have been very friendly and helpful when they were asked a question. However, there’s something magical about a Disney Cast Member welcoming you to the parks with a smile and a wave. Disney service is at its best when Cast Members actively engage guests who are looking at a map or just appear to have questions. They proactively do what they can to make your trip run as smoothly as possible.

4. Atmosphere. It can be easy to underestimate the effect music can have on your theme park experience. You may not always notice the background music as you walk down the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A. However, it subtly sets the mood for your day and most definitely enhances your experience.

5. Cleanliness. The Philadelphia Zoo was clean but it was not spotless like the Disney Parks. To me, it’s mind-boggling how Disney keeps its parks so clean with so many guests walking through the turnstiles every day. It’s particularly nice how unobtrusive park maintenance is to visitors.

Be forewarned – your next trip to Walt Disney World may ruin other parks for you too!

Tagging Kids at Walt Disney World

If you frequent the Walt Disney World discussion boards, you’ll often see debates on whether to “tag” your child or not. “Tagging” your kids simply means using some form of child identification. I’ve always been a proponent of tagging my kids and had great success with the dog tag style of ID. I have to admit that although I’ve used child ID measures in the past, I felt that it was more of a precaution with my older son rather than a necessity. He is not a “runner”, generally sticks close to me and listens well.

It all changed this past week. We took a family trip to the Philadelphia Zoo and I was planning on trying out the new tattoo style of child identification. Somehow, some way, I completely forgot the child IDs until we were at the zoo. Ok, I was irritated with myself for forgetting something that was so important to me, but not overly concerned – I should have been.

Six months. That’s all it has been since our last Disney trip where my shy preschooler stayed close to my side. Six months evidently was all it took for him to get a greater sense of adventure and confidence. In the blink of an eye, he was a few feet ahead of us or running to open the door of exhibits for other zoo visitors (the jury’s still out but there’s a good chance being a doorman is his future calling). My heart stopped more than once as I literally took my attention off him for no more than seconds and then had to wonder where he was. Granted, he never strayed too far away but when he did, it was very unsettling.

The crowd level at the Philly Zoo was nothing compared to the crowds at Disney. There were no afternoon parades or evening fireworks shows where it is very easy to get separated from your party. And still, I had cause to worry about my son getting lost. This experience cemented in my mind the necessity of using child identification with my family – if for nothing else but peace of mind.

Here are some of the options I found for a personal child ID.
• Who’s Shoes Child ID Kit™ (www.whosshoesid.com) – Worn on your child’s shoe, parents personalize this reusable children’s ID with key identifying information.
• Safety Tattoos – These temporary tattoos can be customized by parents. Two companies which offer safety tattoos are Tottoos.Org (www.tottoos.org) and SafetyTat (www.safetytat.com)
• Luggage Tags – A luggage tag containing identification information may be fastened to a belt loop on your child’s clothing.
• Dog Tag Necklaces – Engraved dog tag necklaces are available from Internet websites. Even pet tags may be engraved and used for your child’s identification.
• Masking Tape and a Sharpie – Some parents prefer to affix a strip of masking tape to the inside hem of their child’s shirt. Parent contact information can be written on the masking tape with a Sharpie pen.

A Day in the Life…

Twenty-four hours in a day. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? If you replied with a resounding “Yes!” to this question, chances are you don’t have children. Before I had kids, I almost didn’t know what to do with all that time. If I try to reach deep into the recesses of my “pre-Mommy” brain, I seem to recall evenings filled with reading good books, cooking complex meals, watching movies and yes, even going out!

Fast forward to three kids later and twenty-four hours in a day isn’t nearly enough. I am a very organized, efficient person with excellent time management skills. It’s true – you can ask anyone who knows me. However, these skills aren’t enough to even come close to accomplishing my daily to-do list. Did I forget to mention that I’m a list person also? Before I had children, I knew that I would be busier but until I experienced it for myself, I had no idea how busy. The lack of free time has seemed to increase exponentially with each child.

Let’s take a few days ago, for instance. I had my to-do list ready to go and even had some extra help since my husband took the day off from work to take care of some things around the house. Chief among the things I wanted to accomplish was to spend time working on my small business. With our young kids, I haven’t had as much time to work on it as I would like.

The day starts with feeding the kids and trying to grab a bite for myself with consisted of leftover cookies and a cinnamon bun. Not a very healthy start. I tried to get in a load of dishes before being confronted with the very real fact that my son had a bad cold that was getting worse. Now comes the near impossible task of preventing my son from spreading his germs to the rest of the household. Soon after, the baby is incredibly cranky and we suspect what his brother has is brewing in him. Fast forward a few hours and after 90 min. in the doctor’s office trying to occupy two cranky kids, we receive an ear infection diagnosis and a prescription. Within an hour or so of returning home, that low-grade fever spiked up 4 degrees and my son was a mess. It was heartbreaking but about to get worse. My husband stayed with the kids and dispensed Children’s Tylenol and lots of comfort while I went to a dental appointment I couldn’t reschedule. My mom was a savior and picked up the antibiotics. Fast forward another couple of hours and my son is writing in pain and is practically inconsolable with the now excruciating pain in his ear. What follows is a call to the doctor and another pharmacy run to pick up some numbing ear drops until the antibiotics kick in. The rest of the day is divide and conquer as we try to separate the kids and do our best to make our sick son comfortable. Before I know it, we fall exhausted into bed and I’m not even sure if I got to cross one item off my to-do list.

Twenty-four hours in a day is not enough but the love and joy of our children more than makes up for it.

Challenges to Writing a Disney Travel Guide

Writing is not easy; nor is writing non-fiction. Writing a travel guide is especially challenging.

There are expectations set by the readers of a travel guide. Every reader wants to know exactly how to make his own vacation perfect. Problem is… every reader is different and what is perfect for one visitor is less than ideal for another. Add in the fact that everyone has a different budget and the problem is compounded. This is why travel authors can expect some people to rate their guide a “1” while others enthusiastically view the very same guidebook as a “5.” Authors live the phrase, “You cannot please everyone.” The trick is to please enough people to be successful.

There are two types of information that are included in a guidebook – facts and recommendations. Facts are self-explanatory and most do not pose a problem for the travel author. Some, such as cost information, do. Some readers expect prices to be included in the travel guide. However, prices are one of those facts that can quickly change, thus making the information outdated. Authors have to weigh the pros and cons of including cost information in the book. For the most part, I choose to omit detailed price data in a concerted effort to keep the material as relevant as possible. I will, however, try to give an indication of the price range or whether the fee is nominal or significant.

Recommendations by their very nature are full of potential drawbacks. They should be further grouped and each category of recommendations is handled differently.
First are those recommendations that are likely to work for almost all people. In my Disney travel guide, “Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers”, I recommend the use of FASTPASS to minimize attraction wait time. This recommendation is applies to all guests and I dare say there are negligible, if any, pitfalls associated with using FAST PASS. Because of these reasons, I do not hesitate to include the recommendation in the book.

Next are recommendations that will work for the majority of people. Recommending Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel for small kids is a perfect example. Most little kids enjoy this ride. However, you’ll always get that one parent who is unhappy because his child was terrified for some reason – be it the music or one of the horses. I also make explicit recommendations in these cases. Additionally, I remind parents to use their own judgment based on their child’s personality and fears. If there is a clear potential downside associated with the suggestion, I’ll include it also.

The last category of advice is those items that are very subjective – they may be perfect for some families and not so great for others. If you don’t include the information, you will be doing a disservice to your readers. If you include it, you risk dissatisfied readers who disagree with the suggestion. Many special Disney experiences fall into this category. “My Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea” is one of them. It is very expensive and some readers may take offense if I expressly recommended it. Others think it’s a “must-do” for their daughter regardless of cost and cherish the memories created. The best way to avoid disagreement on the appropriateness of the suggestion is to include the items as informational only but avoid explicitly recommend them for everyone.

So, you can see, it is not easy to write a comprehensive and informative travel guide for readers with diverse backgrounds, likes, dislikes and even budgets. You have to accept that some people will not like your travel guide while others love it. The goal is to include information and recommendations that will have the most benefit for the most people.

Are Your Preschool Kids Ready for Disney World?

As the author of “Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers”, a Disney World travel guide focused on visiting with small kids, you might be surprised that I don’t advocate a Walt Disney World vacation for all families with small children. Let’s face it… a Walt Disney World vacation is not inexpensive. Not to mention, there is so much to stimulate all the senses that a Disney World trip may be an incredibly fun vacation, but not a very relaxing one. Visiting Disney World is not for everyone and there’s no shame in it.

Before you pick up the phone to book your Disney World vacation with your preschoolers, consider what a Disney World trip will likely require of your small kids.

1. Attention Span – Many of the best Disney attractions are not rides at all. Rather, they are either stage shows or theatre attractions. If your child is very active or is not used to watching a lot of television at home, it can be a chore for her to focus and sit still for a 20 – 30 minute show. Does your small child have the attention span and capability to sit without talking during these types of attractions?

2. Standing for an Extended Period of Time – A Disney World vacation will involve waiting on lines for the attractions and dining. Another factor to consider is the pre-shows. Some Disney preshow areas do not offer benches and are standing room only. Is your toddler or preschooler willing and able to stand by himself for an extended period of time?

3. Waiting…Waiting…Waiting – Will your young kids amuse themselves while waiting either in the queue or the preshow area for an attraction? Are you prepared to bring small toys and such to entertain them?

4. Dining – If your family is planning a number of table service meals, consider whether the kids will sit still while waiting for their meals to arrive. Do your children eat more quickly than the adults in your party and will they be patient while the entire family finishes dinner? Do your kids still use sippy cups or toddler utensils?

5. Fear Factor – Many of the Disney World attractions, which in and of themselves may not be scary, have either a darkened preshow area, theatre or even ride track. Volume may also be a factor. Many shows have loud music or sounds. Is your child is uncomfortable in the dark or with loud noises?

6. Sleep Schedules – How many naps a day do your toddlers and preschoolers take? What times are these naps and what is the length? Will your children have a meltdown if they miss a nap? Are you willing to miss the nightly entertainment if the kids need to go back to the room early in the evening for bed?

7. Costumed Characters – Disney World provides many character greeting areas. Is your child afraid of large costumed characters?

This blog entry is entitled “Are Your Preschool Kids Ready for Walt Disney World?” An equally appropriate title may be, “Are You Ready to Take Your Preschool Kids to Walt Disney World?” Consider whether you’re prepared to deal with having to leave an attraction line to go to the “potty” just as you reach the front. Are you ready to either return to the hotel early in the evenings for your children’s bedtime or allow them to stay up late every night? Are you open to bringing your stroller to Disney or renting one? There are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding whether your family is ready for a Disney World trip. You and you alone can decide if it’s the right time to introduce your kids to Walt Disney World. Whatever vacation you decide to take, I hope you have a magical trip filled with family memories.

Will There Ever Be a Fifth Disney World Theme Park?

It’s always been fun to dream about a fifth Walt Disney World theme park. Will there ever be one? If so, what will the theme be? Villains? Sports? Thrill Rides? Ultra Exclusive Park?

When I think about the possibility of a new Disney theme park in Orlando, I wonder what would motivate Disney to build one. As much as Disney lovers would like to think that a new park would be built simply to amaze and delight the guests, this sadly cannot be the case. Disney is a company first and foremost and must focus on its bottom line. After all, if the company cannot turn a profit, it would cease to exist. So, a fifth park must generate more revenue than the cost to design, build, staff and maintain. Either more guests must visit Disney World or the guests must spend more money while vacationing.

To bring more guests to Disney World, either the number of first time visitors must increase or repeat guests must vacation more frequently. A fifth park may increase the number of repeat visitors in the short term while families experience the new park for the first time. It is not clear to me that this increase in repeat visitors would be sustainable simply because a fifth park was added. In and of itself, building a fifth park will not increase the number of first time visitors. There is already enough to see and do at this magical vacation destination to entice guests who have never visited before. What can increase the number of first time visitors, however, is appealing to a new demographic – ‘tweens and teenagers. You’ll see plenty of kids in this age group at Disney, but I believe the appeal of Walt Disney World is even stronger for families of smaller kids. Building a fifth park that appeals to ‘tweens and teenagers may encourage more families within this demographic to either visit Disney World for the first time or to return more frequently. If this is Disney’s perspective, then I feel a “coaster” park consisting exclusively of large thrill rides is the best bet for appealing to teens as a whole. However, creating a coaster park is difficult – this park would be in direct competition with Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The infrastructure costs are also a challenge – it is fairly easy refurbish attractions that are based on a storyline or the imagination. It is difficult, if not impossible, to update and keep current an existing coaster with the newest thrill ride technology.

In order for a fifth Disney World theme park to entice guests to spend more money, guests must stay longer. This means additional revenue in the form of lodging, food and merchandise sales. Adding a fifth park to accomplish this is tricky. Most Americans do not think of a typical vacation as more than a week long. Add on travel days and you’re looking at a maximum of six days at the Walt Disney World Resort. Assume the typical family spends at least one day at each of the existing four parks and a fifth day at either a water park, Downtown Disney, DisneyQuest or relaxing by the pool. This leaves only one free day that most families of young kids will spend returning to the Magic Kingdom. Couples or families of older children may visit Sea World, Universal Studios or other Orlando area attractions. In short, the Walt Disney World Resort already offers more than enough to do for a family to comfortably spend a week in Orlando. It would be risky to bank on families spending more than a week on a family vacation simply because a fifth park was added.

So, I’m sorry to say to my fellow Disney lovers that I think the likelihood of a fifth Disney World theme park in the near future is low, especially with the economy. Let’s all hope I’m wrong. If I am, my bet is that Disney would build a roller coaster park that would appeal to families of ‘tweens and teens.

It’s Not Worth It

In my blog yesterday, I urged Jon and Kate Gosselin to give up their reality television show, “Jon and Kate Plus 8” and retreat to private life for the sake of their children. I intended that to be my last word, so to speak, on the topic. However, People.com has a story today that underscores my point from yesterday’s musings.

In an interview with People.com, Kate expresses outrage about the latest tabloid rumors alleging that she is having an extramarital affair with a member of her security team. She as much as admits that the Gosselin’s situation in the public eye has left them “essentially, alone and friendless. It’s terrible.” Kate and Jon also state that rumors of Jon’s alleged affair have added tension and stress to their marriage. Furthermore, Kate claims “she does not know what she can do to stop the insanity.”

I simply cannot understand Kate Gosselin’s position that she is powerless to stop the paparazzi creating what she insists are lies about her and her family. A return to normal life may not happen overnight, but it is obvious to me that the first step is to give up their reality show and begin rebuilding their relationships and marriage in private. Therefore, from someone who enjoys your show, I say again, “Say Goodbye to Television, Jon and Kate.”

Say Goodbye to Television, Jon and Kate

There has been much speculation recently about the state of Jon and Kate Gosselin’s marriage. Jon and Kate are the parents of twins and sextuplets whose lives are chronicled in the reality show, “Jon and Kate Plus 8”. You can hardly pick up a magazine or turn on an entertainment news show without seeing reporting on Jon Gosselin’s rumored affair. Blogs have been abuzz with the rumors and everyone seems to have an opinion. The public is weighing in and taking sides. Debates abound – Has Jon been cheating? Is he justified due to how Kate treats him? Is Jon a cad? Will the Gosselin’s divorce?

The Gosselin’s have been elevated to celebrity status and as a result have relinquished much of their privacy. Paparazzi reportedly park outside the Gosselin’s new $1.3 million estate in Pennsylvania and follow Jon, the father of 8. He states that this intrusion into his private life has prevented him from pursuing normal activities without them being misinterpreted.

I’m not going to pass judgment on either of the Gosselin parents or presume to know whether the rumors are true or not. Instead, I say to Jon and Kate Gosselin, “Say goodbye to television.” In recent interviews, both Jon and Kate state that in the midst of the latest personal challenges, their focus is on their children. All the more reason to pack up their interview set and retreat to private life. It is naïve to think that the rumors swirling around their marriage will not ultimately affect their children. It will be impossible to shield the Gosselin 8 from what people are saying about their parents. One day, if not today or tomorrow, these young kids will be confronted with the gossip. These small children do not have the coping mechanism to just shrug off such hurtful comments, reports and pictures.

Right or wrong, Jon and Kate Gosselin face intense scrutiny from the media and the viewing audience. Innocent actions may be misinterpreted. People may wrongly judge. As parents, I’m sure they want to protect their children. The only way to effectively do so is to stop being front page news. The interest in their personal lives will not stop as long as they are on a reality television show. Therefore, say goodbye to television, Jon and Kate.

Love Letter to My Children

It has been said that being a parent is one of the hardest jobs ever. It is. Yes, it is difficult to adjust to putting your needs before my own. It is difficult to not remember the last time I had a conversation that was not pierced with “Excuse Me Mom.” It is difficult to surrender to the chaos that comes with being a parent.

However, the real challenge, the true difficulty in being your mom is because of how much I love you. My bottomless and overwhelming love for you makes me ache with hurt every time I cannot protect you from wounds, both physical and emotional, disappointment, and rejection. I hurt that I make mistakes and am not the perfect mom. I know that such a thing does not exist, but if there were ever any children who deserved it, it would be the three of you. I look at the innocence and promise of all of you and pray that I can do enough as a mom to help you fulfill all your potential. I want nothing more than for you to be moral, healthy and happy individuals who have all the tools and skills to create your perfect life, no matter what that means to you.

W – My precious newborn baby boy. I stared into your eyes this morning and cried tears of joy. You were staring at me as if I were the only one in the world – as if I would always be able to comfort and protect you like I can today. Your smiles and coos made the world stand still. As you melted my heart, I saw a world of possibilities for you.

M – To my firstborn son, you have forever changed my life. I know God loves me because he sent you to Daddy and me. You amaze me every day as you grow and learn. I cherish your hugs, kisses, smiles and dances. You are so loving and will be a great man.

W and M – I see my beloved Grandfather in your smiles. I know his kind and generous spirit are a part of you. When you smile, I see the light of God in your faces.

C – I couldn’t ask or hope for a better stepson. You have grown from a wonderful, funny and sweet little boy into a man that your father and I are so proud of. You are an example to your little brothers and I pray you will always be close with them. They are so fortunate to have such a great big brother in their lives. I am so fortunate to have you as my son. Thank you for accepting me and letting me be part of your life.

To my three sons – Please know that I have always and will always do my best for you and have given raising you my all. I’m sorry for the mistakes I’m bound to make. I pray to God that when I make mistakes, he’ll guide me to the right path and help me to be the best mother I can be and the one you all deserve. I love you more than you will ever know.

Disney Parks Report Better than Expected Profit

Although Disney’s profits were down 46% this past quarter, a better than expected profit was reported. This was done by slicing 6% off its theme park operating costs. Amazingly, attendance held fairly steady at the parks, due to deep discounts offered to travelers. Even more amazing is that 6% in operating costs was still saved without attendance dropping by a similar amount.

Shareholders are key stakeholders. Kudos to Disney theme park executives for tightening their belts and delivering results to the shareholders. Park guests are the other critical stakeholders. How do these cuts affect the Disney magic? I haven’t seen any overwhelmingly negative complaints about the recent Disney experience so I’ll have to assume that Disney has successfully preserved enough of the legendary Disney experience to satisfy its guests. Is this due, in part, to the deep discounts? Meaning, are travelers to Disney so thrilled with the recent discounts that they are willing to overlook some degradation of service? Or, has Disney successfully cut costs in areas that either won’t be noticed by guests or which guests don’t really care about? If the latter is true, my hat is off to them. I would have to be incredibly creative to cut 6% off my family’s budget without them noticing the impact.

To continue to satisfy shareholders and theme park guests alike, Disney will have to strike a balance between cutting costs, offering travel discounts and satisfying the expectation of its guests for a magical experience.